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Improvement 2020 A Supplement of Lee Central Coast Newspapers
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How to Choose the Right Landscaper Y
our landscape is the true “welcome mat” to your home. It escalates curb appeal, improves the look and appeal of your home and provokes pride in your property. But a well-manicured lawn and landscape are often difficult to achieve on your own, so enlisting the aid of a professional landscaper can make the project and upkeep much more practical. Consider the following tips if you’re looking to hire a landscaper.
charge less in order to get your business.
Prioritize Your Needs Determining what you need will help you decide which services you require from a landscaping company. Most professionals offer the following: weekly or monthly lawn and garden maintenance, weed control, tree pruning and shaping, garden installations, inspection and maintenance of irrigation systems and possibly even the construction of retaining walls or other structures.
Types of Landscapes Different landscape styles require landscapers to have different skill sets. Determine which landscape appeals to you before you begin your search for a quality professional. A formal garden uses many geometrical shapes in its design. Plants provide a focal point, making the yard appear balanced. To achieve this design, a landscaper will need to carefully prune hedges. An informal landscape looks like organized chaos. Plants appear to be placed randomly. Landscapers who use this design should be skilled at working with planters and urns. The English garden landscape uses the
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house as its focal point. All aspects of the yard will flow together. Professionals who use this design should be skilled at working with climbing vines, critical to this style. Oriental designs use rocks, mosses and evergreens. Calmness and quiet minimalism tend to be the effect of this style. To create a woodland design, the landscape must have great knowledge of native plants and making them look their best.
budget and stick to it. Understand what you can afford and are willing to spend annually on your landscaping. It will help you prioritize your list so you can at least get your necessities. You might need to make sacrifices. If you need a new landscaping wall, you might have to delay getting a sprinkler system. On the other hand, if irrigation is a must, then you might need to cut back on how often your lawn is mowed Set Your Budget each month. Cost is always a concern when hiring Even if your budget is tight, don’t get a home improvement specialist. Set a discouraged. Some landscapers may
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Availability is another factor when looking for a landscaper. One of the first questions to ask is how often the company will be available for maintenance. If you want to be home while the landscaper is working, make sure you can coordinate your schedule. Also consider community regulations. For example, if your town has noise regulations, ask each landscape company what they will do to adhere to them. Once you find a landscaper that meets your needs, you can sit back and enjoy your bountiful reward.
Buying a new HVAC unit I t’s cold outside, and that’s not usually the time we think of needing a new air conditioner. However, winter may be prime time to look at a new unit. You may be able to snag an off-season price on equipment during the lowdemand cooler months, and with cooler weather on tap, you and your family can be more comfortable during the installation. Keep reading for more on buying a new climate control system.
rating, the more energy efficient the unit. In addition to a high SEER rating, look for the Energy Department’s ENERGY STAR rating. Qualified units can be 15% more efficient than standard models, a savings of about $115 per year. While you have a professional out to evaluate your new HVAC, have them look for air leaks in your house and duct system. Even the most efficient systems can still have heat and cooling loss if there are leaks where cool air can escape.Â
Lifespan
What to Look For
The average lifespan of an HVAC unit is about 15-20 years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. They’re also energy hogs. The average air conditioned home uses more than 2,000 kilowatthours of electricity per year to keep cool. Today’s air conditioners are more energy efficient than ones made just 10 years ago. A new, more efficient unit may save 20% to 40% of cooling energy costs.Â
Some other features the Energy Department recommends you look for when buying a new HVAC include: „„ A thermal expansion valve and a SEER greater than 11.6. „„ A variable-speed air handler for new ventilation systems. „„ A quiet unit. „„ A fan-only switch for nighttime ventilation to reduce costs. „„ A filter check light to remind you to check the filter. „„ An automatic-delay fan switch to turn off the fan a few minutes after the compressor turns off. „„ A programmable thermostat to help you use less energy when you’re not home.
Efficiency An HVAC unit’s SEER rating is the cooling output during a typical season divided by the total electric input during the same period. The higher the SEER
For Your Security and Comfort ...
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We are licensed, bonded and insured. All Owner Operating and Tenant Security Deposit funds are kept in secure Client Trust accounts.
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• Single Family Homes; and provide complete, tailored, worry free property management services. • Multi-Family Properties (Apartments / Condos); and fully understand and provide all levels of property management services specifically geared to the nuances of multi-family dwellings. • Commercial, Vacation and Industrial Properties Leasing and Management; implementing and Arroyo Grande/5 Cities
940 Ramona Avenue, Suite J Grover Beach, CA 93433 Peggy King, Manager Email: AGoffice@plusmanagement.net 805-473-6565
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1623 Mission Drive #16 Solvang, CA 93463 Chris Obers, Manager Email: cobers@plusmanagement.net 805-688-7747
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511 N. H Street, Suite A Lompoc, CA 93436 Sara Grossini, Manager Email: sgrossini@plusmanagement.net 805-735-2492
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421 E. Betteravia Road, Suite 102 Santa Maria, CA 93454 Lawnae Hunter, CRB, Broker/Owner Email: lhunter@plusmanagement.net
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Installation Tips
Be sure that your contractor: „„ Allows adequate space for the installation, maintenance and repair of the system with an access door in the furnace or duct to access the evaporator coil for cleaning. „„ Ensures there are enough registers to supply cool air and enough return registers to carry warm house air back to the air
conditioner. „„ Seals all duct work with duct mastic and insulates the attic ducts. „„ Locates the condensing unit where no objects will block airflow and where the noise will not bother your or your neighbors. „„ Locates the thermostat away from heat sources.
A reverse mortgage loan could help bring your favorite home improvement project to life. Much as changed in the last ďŹ ve years! Call today to learn the latest about this innovative program for accessing your home’s equity.
Bob Gayle
Reverse Mortgage Specialist Real Estate Broker, California Dept. of Real Estate NMLS License # 582948
805/748-7046
NMLS #1688022
Youngest owner must be at least 62 years of age. Owners must maintain property as primary residence and remain current on property taxes, homeowners insurance any applicable fees such as HOA memberships.
Reduce your WATER USAGE I
would decrease by 30%, saving an estimated 5.4 billion gallons per day. This would result in dollar-volume savings of $11.3 million per day or more than $4 billion per year. This according to the Handbook of Water Use and Conservation.
Water Usage Issues
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Here are some key consequences identified by the EPA tied to our continued overuse of the earth’s most precious resource: Higher water prices to ensure continued access to a reliable and safe supply. Increased summer watering restrictions to manage shortages. Seasonal loss of recreational areas like lakes and rivers when the human demand for water conflicts with environmental needs. Expensive water treatment projects to transport and store freshwater when local demand overcomes available capacity. As Americans, we can’t simply wait for the government to fix our water usage and shortage issues. We can make a big impact together by taking simple steps throughout our days to help conserve water and improve the overall health of the planet.
Lee Central Coast Newspapers | Sunday, February 2, 2020 |
t’s easy to take water for granted in our daily home life. We wake up, brush our teeth, take a shower, pour a cup of coffee and fill up our travel mug before heading out for the day. And we do so without giving it a second thought. What if we stopped for a second to truly realize what kind of impact our usage has on the world around us? When it comes to water, we’re always looking for ways to reduce our usage. You’ve probably seen news reports of municipalities facing crippling water shortages. We as humans are responsible for some of the blame, as overuse of our natural resources can put future generations in peril. What can you do at home to limit your water usage? First let’s look at some interesting statistics to see where we are as a country. The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Roughly 70% of this use occurs indoors. Less than 1% of the earth’s water supply is available for human use. The rest is either salt water found in oceans, fresh water frozen in the polar ice caps or inaccessible for practical usage. If all U.S. households installed water-saving features, water use
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Modernize Dated Design Schemes E
specially if you live in an older home, the featured materials may not fit into today’s popular styles. Whether you are planning to pursue a real estate sale or further improve your forever home, the condition of your property can have a significant impact. If you’re unfamiliar with trends that are past their prime, here are some things to look for when you’re deciding what to update.
Paneling and Wallpaper Dated wall coverings can quickly make a home look drab and uninspiring. Instead, consider removing old-fashioned paneling or wallpaper and replacing it with a layer of drywall. A professional install is relatively inexpensive, at a national average of $1.50 per-square-foot, according to Home Advisor. It’s also easy to work with when coating it with unique coats of paint and using accents to highlight other features in your rooms.
Glass Block Windows These windows gained popularity because of their ability to allow light to pass through walls and illuminate to other
rooms. However, the trend that was used in many bathrooms doesn’t fit in most of today’s modernized styles. Depending on the size of the window, a replacement can be a costly renovation. However, replacing it with a modern option can enhance the appearance. If you find yourself missing the additional light they provided, consider installing a skylight to allow natural light to wash into your room.
Analog Thermostat An attractive wall can be held back by the presence of an analog thermostat. While many view this tool as a simple way to control their heating and cooling system, an updated model can bring a sleek appearance to a room. Digital options are available to bring a splash of modernization to your home but a color touchscreen model can become a powerful accent that works both visually and practically. Do your research on smart thermostats that can be controlled from an app on your smartphone from anywhere in the world. They’re not only attractive but will also save you money since you are able to activate or deactivate your HVAC system while you’re away from home.
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Lee Central Coast Newspapers | Sunday, February 2, 2020 | A7
Time is precious. Don’t spend it on a remodel.
Clean-burning
gas fireplaces A
s fall begins to bring crisp, cool weather, thoughts to turn to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home. For many, that means a fireplace. But even if you have a traditional fireplace, those cozy nights beside a crackling fire are often offset by the chore of buying wood and cleanup, to say nothing of energy efficiency. Fortunately, modern gas fireplaces are an excellent alternative to their traditional wood-burning counterparts. Gas fireplaces provide a clean-burning, energy-efficient centerpiece that provides all the beauty and warmth of a traditional fireplace with the additional benefit of saving on heating costs.
Types
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| Sunday, February 2, 2020 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers
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If you’re considering installing a gas fireplace, you have two basic models to consider — vented and unvented. The experts as GasFireplaces.org provided these tips on choosing the right fireplace for your home. Vented gas fireplaces use an existing chimney or small vent, similar to a dryer vent, for combustion and exhaust. They’re safe and energy-efficient, but placement is limited to vent locations. If you already have a chimney, go with a vented gas fireplace. Ventless fireplaces operate safely without a vent, which makes them easy to install anywhere in your home. They operate similarly to a gas stove, releasing all the heat inside resulting in almost 100% energy efficiency. Both systems use gas logs — which are available in a variety of configurations and styles to create the look and feel you desire — and operate using an existing gas source or propane. Choosing the right system for your home depends on your budget, the fire logs you choose and location if you’re interested in a vented model, but the cost difference between the choices is negligible. A basic gas fireplace in either configuration can be had for as little as $250, but deluxe models can get pricey — upwards of a $1,000.
Buying a Fireplace To find gas fireplaces, check the ads
REAL ESTATE 101 Gas Fireplace Safety All gas fireplace units, vented and unvented, are completely safe for pets. Absolutely no fumes, particles or other air pollutants are released into the home. This is due both to the venting process and to the efficiency of the gas system. All fuel is burned cleanly and completely. A gas fire and log set is set safely behind a glass door, which prevents the curious pet from investigating the beautiful display of flame and warmth. For more information, visit gasfireplaces.org. in your local newspaper and look online. GasFireplaces.org recommends you choose a professional installer. Installation by a licensed installer is not expensive and will ensure your fireplace is set up properly and save you time and money if you experience problems later.
Maintenance While gas fireplaces are virtually maintenance-free, it’s wise to keep the fireplaces free of dust and dirt buildup by cleaning them once a month. If you use a vented model, check the outside vent and clear it of any debris. Cleaning the protective glass occasionally will keep it from becoming cloudy. Also, be sure to ensure the glass door creates a tight seal to prevent carbon monoxide leaks and check the gasket frequently to make sure it’s in proper working order. Whatever model you choose, gas fireplaces are a great option to warm your home and create that welcoming ambiance we all hope to achieve this fall and winter.
Santa Maria Tile & Stone
Lee Central Coast Newspapers | Sunday, February 2, 2020 | A9
Granite, Quartz Marbel, Tile Cabinet & More
3476 Orcutt Rd Orcutt, Ca 805.314-2366 Smtilestone@gmail.com
The value of
RENTERS INSURANCE
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| Sunday, February 2, 2020 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers
HOME
Jaime Flores
AUTO
LIFE
As your local Farmers® agent in Santa Maria, CA, I help customers like you identify the insurance coverage that best fits your needs. This process is straightforward and personalized to help make you smarter about insurance. I have the knowledge and experience to help you better understand your coverage options--whether that’s auto, home, renters, business insurance and more.
Give me a call at (805) 928-4525 and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Jaime Flores - Agency Owner CA Producer LIC 0F75530
Flores Insurance Agency
Office: 805.347.1080
Hablamos Español
Fax 805.928.8602
310 W Main St., Santa Maria
jflores3@farmersagent.com
O
ne of the most neglected and rejected i n s u ra n c e p o l i c i e s i s a m o n g t h e m os t valuable: renters insurance. While many landlords and property management firms require it, some do not. If not, it’s still recommended. After all, you’re protecting your assets from theft or loss and liability for any damage done to your rental home. Of course, insurance agencies are pro-renters insurance — but they’re correct to do so, say many insurance policy experts. Here’s why. It’s affordable: Most policies offer comprehensive coverage for relatively inexpensive annual premiums, around $16 a month on average, according to the financial advisory website ValuePenguin. Most cover personal property damage, personal liability, additional living expenses and medical expenses, benefits that far outweighs the cost. It cover unexpected expenses: Whether you have enough savings to cover virtually any imaginable loss or you’re on a tight budget,
rental insurance generally covers you far beyond the price of your premium when the unexpected occurs. It goes beyond your personal b e l o n g i n gs : W h i l e l a n d l o rd s maintain insurance policies that cover the dwellings they rent, they don’t generally cover the items included inside, such as appliances or furnishings. The liability coverage can also cover any medical or legal expenses. It’s eligible for discounts: Most insurers will offer discounts for rental insurance if you bundle it with an existing package or policy, according to U.S. News & World Report. On average, policies can decrease by 5 to 10 percent. If you live in an area of the country that’s prone to natural disasters — wildfires, hurricanes or tornadoes, for example — the coverage is worth the peace of mind alone. There’s little reason not to get it, advises Consumer Reports. For the price of a few lattes a month or just one delivery pizza, renters can comprehensively cover their belongings and themselves should disaster, theft or liability raise its ugly head.
MAKE CONSERVATION A WAY OF LIFE Golden State Water Company encourages customers to use water responsibly and offers conservation rebates and programs to help improve your water-use efficiency. Please visit gswater.com for more information.
CONSERVATION REBATES & PROGRAMS $80 clothes washer rebate
Free water use audit
$80 SMART controller rebate
Free water conservation kit
$200 high-efficiency urinal rebate
Sprinkler nozzle rebate For more information, please visit gswater.com or call the customer service center at 1-800-999-4033.
Lee Central Coast Newspapers | Sunday, February 2, 2020 | A11
$80 high-efficiency toilet rebate
A12 | Sunday, February 2, 2020 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers
Home of “Santa Maria Style” Banking®
Community Bank of Santa Maria 2739 Santa Maria Way • 1421 S. Broadway (805) 922-2900 • yourcbsm.com