14 Things Bay Area Folks Can (and Should) Do Right Now to Prepare for an Earthquake

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Maria Onrubia

Those of us who live in the Bay Area understand that a major earthquake could happen at any time. If we want to live here—with the mountains, beaches and great weather—we have to make an uneasy truce with the massive fault lines running beneath our homes. Luckily, while we don’t have to like our rowdy underground neighbors, we can preemptively call the cops on the party. Do these 14 things now and be prepared for a major quake.

  1. Anchor tall bookshelves and other heavy or high furniture to the walls. Be sure to attach the items to the wall studs rather then the drywall.
  2. Do not hang pictures or mirrors over beds or the couch.
  3. Read more

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Posted in: Uncategorized, Home Tips
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How to Use a Fire Extinguisher | Infographic

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Maria Onrubia

Remember P.A.S.S when you need to use a fire extinguisher

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Read more

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Posted in: Fire Prevention
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Tip Sheet: Four Preventative Measures for a Tenancy

Posted on August 03, 2017 by James Florence

While part of preparing a rental property for market is getting the physical space move-in ready, the other part is addressing non-physical details such as tenant screening. Due to the potential consequences of oversights or poor decisions in this area, it’s important to take a meticulous, preventative approach. To learn a few critical steps, read the following tip sheet by Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Sam LaPlaca of CM Property Management Inc.:

1. Verify income. Accepting a tenant who can’t afford the rent is a mistake that can cost you a lot of time, money and frustration. That’s why, in addition to asking for pay stubs and bank statements, Read more

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Posted in: Consumers
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5 Ways to Lower Your Cooling Costs

Posted on July 20, 2017 by James Florence

A central air conditioner can be priceless on a hot summer day, but the cost of running it certainly isn’t. While having a well-maintained, energy-efficient system will help keep your cooling bills in check, another smart step is finding ways to keep your home naturally cooler, which reduces the need to run your system in the first place. Here are five measures to consider:

1. Install a whole house fan. On summer mornings and evenings, it’s not unusual for the temperature outside the home to be cooler than on the inside. In this instance, running the air conditioner can feel like a waste of energy. If only there was a way to get that cool outdoor air into the home… Read more

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The Benefits of a Variable-Speed Air Conditioner

Posted on July 18, 2017 by James Florence

Imagine if your car only drove at one speed, regardless of whether you were in town or on the freeway, or if your stereo only had a single volume setting that couldn’t be adjusted. Sounds awful, right? Well, when it comes to your air conditioner, you may be dealing with an equivalent situation. In fact, the air conditioners found in many Bay Area homes only have one setting: full blast. Not surprisingly, these relics of cooling technology aren’t exactly the epitome of energy efficiency.

Fortunately, there’s a better option available: the variable-speed air conditioner. Unlike its single-speed predecessors, a variable-speed unit is able to incrementally adjust its power output in conjunction with changing climate conditions—and that’s just the beginning. Read more

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Video: Door Hardening 101

Posted on July 13, 2017 by James Florence

Earlier this week, we posted an article featuring expert tips on home security. One of the aspects mentioned was reinforcing or “hardening” exterior doors to improve protection against break-ins. To get a comprehensive look at what this involves, watch this informative video by Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Randy Reed of Reed Brothers Security.

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Diamond Certified Experts: Helpful Hints for Home Security

Posted on July 11, 2017 by James Florence

If you’re a homeowner, you know there’s no greater priority than security—after all, it’s not only your valuables that are at stake, it’s the safety of yourself and your family. However, like many Bay Area homes, yours may contain unknown deficiencies that pose an increased vulnerability to break-ins. To help you avoid this, we’ve asked four Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to provide some helpful hints for home security.

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Posted in: Home Security, Diamond Certified Experts
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