Patio Potential: A Guide to Revamping Your Outdoor Living Space

Posted on April 21, 2022 by James Florence

Like most Bay Area residents, you’re probably looking forward to spending lots of time outside this summer. If that’s the case, you’ll want your outdoor living space to be ready—particularly your backyard patio. While most homes have patios, few are as comfortable or attractive as they could be. If you’re feeling underwhelmed by your patio’s current state, consider investing some time and money into helping it reach its full potential. Read more

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Posted in: Home Remodeling, Decks and Patios, Seasonal, Hardscaping, Home Improvement, Landscaping Tips
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Diamond Certified Experts: Selling a Real Estate Property

Posted on May 11, 2021 by James Florence

Whether it’s an investment property or a family home, selling real estate is no simple undertaking. Besides the high stakes involved, there are several aspects to address, from perfecting the property’s visual presentation to strategizing a marketing campaign. To help you make the most of your property sale, we’ve asked six Diamond Certified Expert Contributors in the real estate field to provide their insights. Read more

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Posted in: Real Estate, Diamond Certified Experts, Real Estate Tips
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5 Starting Points for Spring Cleaning

Posted on March 04, 2021 by James Florence

Spring is here, and you know what that means: it’s time for spring cleaning! While this vernal ritual is a great way to get a fresh start on the season, it can be an overwhelming undertaking, especially if you’re unsure where to begin. To help you spring into action, we’ve outlined five potential starting points. Read more

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Posted in: Windows, House Cleaning, Seasonal
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3 Tips for a Mortgage Loan Application

Posted on October 08, 2020 by James Florence

When preparing to buy a home, it’s natural to be preoccupied with thoughts about your future residence. However, it’s important to not overlook the more technical (read: less exciting) aspects of purchasing a property, such as applying for a mortgage loan. Getting approved for a home loan has always been an involved process, but since the subprime mortgage crisis that preempted the 2008 recession, it has become even more rigorous, so you’ll want to be well-prepared. Here are three tips for making the most of your mortgage loan application. Read more

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Posted in: Real Estate, Diamond Certified Experts
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Fire-Safe 2020: Defending Your Home Against Wildfires

Posted on June 30, 2020 by James Florence

After being hit particularly hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, California seems due for a summer reprieve. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to be the case. Not only are many areas of the state seeing a resurgence of novel Coronavirus cases, we now face another, more familiar yet equally concerning issue: wildfire season. Each summer, wildfires destroy thousands of acres and homes throughout California, and this year looks to be no exception. That’s why residents (particularly those situated in the wildland-urban interface) must be vigilant about maintaining fire-safe conditions on their properties. Consider the following advice for defending your home against wildfires. Read more

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Posted in: Fire Prevention, Seasonal, Safety
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Benefits of Hiring a Professional Window Washer

Posted on June 23, 2020 by James Florence

Now that Bay Area counties are finally reopening, many residents are playing catch-up with maintenance tasks that normally would’ve been completed earlier in the season. For example, your home’s windows may still be caked with residue from the rainy season. Before you reach for that bottle of glass cleaner, consider a better option: hiring a professional window washer. Here are a few reasons you should leave your panes to the pros. Read more

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Posted in: Windows
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How To Choose a Contractor

Posted on October 09, 2018 by Joy Lanzaro

How to Choose a Contractor for Your Home Improvement Project, in 8 Easy steps.

Today we’re republishing one of our most popular (and useful) posts from Joy Lanzaro, Director of Mediation & Compliance.

Here are eight steps you can take to hire a reputable remodeling contractor:

  1.  Obtain multiple bids (if possible). Getting multiple bids is a great way to ensure you’re making an informed choice. If you sign a contract, you have exactly three days to rescind in writing. Upon rescission, the contractor must return your deposit. If your area has been declared a disaster area, the three-day Right of Rescission extends to seven days.
  2. Check license information. By law, anyone who undertakes to improve your home or property must have a contractor’s license if the cost from start to completion will exceed $500.
  3. Read more

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Posted in: Uncategorized, Consumer News, Consumer Events, Consumers, Customer Service, Diamond Certified News, Home Improvement
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