Whether you are looking to sell your house or need a change in scenery, there are many ways to go about decorating your house. If you’re on a budget or money is no object, there is a website out there that is destined to inspire your creative touch. Luckily for you, we can help you pick out which websites will help ignite that creative spark. Here are some home decor tips, and which websites can help you reimagine your Southern California home’s aesthetic.

 

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A post shared by Ultraviolet (@ultraviolet_house) on Aug 12, 2019 at 10:50pm PDT

Go Simple with Domino

Golden State homes tend to have a reputation surrounding them as, “California Cool.” According to Domino, the approach to keeping that cool is to keep it simple. If you are redecorating, that doesn’t necessarily mean adding to the equation. It can also mean to take things away. 

 

Go minimal. White walls are not just clean looking, but they add light to the room. Light is one of the most sought after characteristics that potential home buyers are looking for, and using white walls is a great way to achieve that desire. 

 

Also, decorate with natural materials. Spruce up your area with bold, but neutral colors like different shades of nude or wood. Try to go with contrasting hues that pop.

 

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Bohemian Meets Wild West with My Domaine

In the words of My Domaine, California, has a “boho-luxe aesthetic.” One way many Californians are capturing this unique vibe is by tipping their hats to the Wild West with worn leather. 

 

Worn brown leather furniture gives the nod to the desert that’s not so far away. However, the beaten look also has that vintage vibe that laid-back Californians love. 

Bring Zen to the Bathroom by San Diego Home/Garden

If you’re thinking of redecorating your house, the bathroom is a fun place to start. We spend a lot of time in there getting ready, maybe even indulging in a bath or two. It’s a small space that it’s great for the budget-conscious looking for a change.

 

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An article in San Diego Home/Garden suggests that Asian-inspired bathrooms are all the rage in 2019. They transform a plain Jane bathroom into a nirvana, complete with mahogany closets, a floor made to look charred wood, and a soaking tub.

As Californians know all too well, earthquakes are a destructive natural disaster. They can destroy your house and potentially injure your family members…or worse. That’s why it’s essential to protect those you love most by earthquake prepping. Here are some tips to help earthquake-proof your house and protect your family. 

 

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Talk Evacuation

Discuss the reality of the situation with your family. Sketch out your house and figure out ways to get out safely in the case of an emergency. Also, make sure you all have a meeting point so you can count that everyone is there and then leave the premises together. 

 

In some cases, try to figure out two ways to escape a room. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Walkthrough a mock scenario so everyone knows where to go. Muscle memory is a crucial tool when dealing with a natural disaster. 

 

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Make a Disaster Kit 

Earthquakes can knock out electricity and cause to become trapped in an area of the house. Keep plenty of water jugs, masks, gloves, battery-operated radios, flashlights, and non-perishable foods on-hand. 

 

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Get Steel Frames for Your Home

Some Californians feel a disastrous earthquake is just a matter of time. Why wait for the doom and gloom? Be preventative. One of the biggest causes of fatalities in an earthquake is the house collapsing. Analyze the bones of your house.

 

Look at the cripple wall. This is especially important if your house has already withstood an earthquake. Place 2X4s in between studs on the top and bottom to add support when the houses shits back and forth. Minimalize the shifting with steel. Add steel frames to the foundation so the house is more secured to the land. 

 

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Secure Wall Hangings 

Anything from bookshelves to the actual books on the shelves might go flying and hurt someone you love. Make sure that all fixtures are tightly secured to the wall. Bolt down heavy appliances such as the hot water tank and washing machine to the floor. Anything that can move will when the entire earth is shaking.

 

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Install Automatic Shut-Off Valves

During an earthquake, pipes can burst, and connections can be disrupted. These moments may cause unfavorable situations such as a flooded room or a gas leak. Both can be potentially dangerous or fatal. Be sure to install automatic shut-off valves for both the water and gas. 

 

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Set Up Your Bedside Table

Make everyone’s room ready for an earthquake at any time of the day. Leave a flashlight, mask, and gloves by the bedside of each room. Also, make sure there’s an ABC fire extinguisher in multiple spots of the house. Go over how to use the fire extinguisher with every member of the family.

 

 

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Summer is here and sunny days are right around the corner. You know what that means! It’s time to get outside and enjoy all the beautiful parks that Long Beach has to offer. When it comes to our gorgeous neck of the woods, Long Beach has no shortage of amazing parks to spend a lazy Saturday. Check out the top parks and get outside!

 

 

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Marina Vista Park
The Marina Vista Park lives up to its name – it provides a beautiful park with a scenic view of the water. Enjoy the weekend playing soccer, tennis, or softball. Stroll along the water and enjoy the lush grassy areas. Prefer to bike? Marina Vista Park has bicycle paths and walking paths.

 

 

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El Dorado Nature Center
This nature center is a top-notch spot for walking, exploring, and seeing wildlife. The center provides a natural habitat for all kinds of animal and plant life, and boasts several walking and hiking trails, a stream, and even an art gallery and shop. Cross the bridge to the information center on a little island!

 

 

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Rosie’s Dog Beach
If you’re a dog lover or have pooches of your own, head to Rosie’s Dog Beach! The coastline makes for lots of beachy fun for pets and their owners alike. Splash in the ocean, run, or play a game of fetch.

 

 

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Shoreline Aquatic Park
The Shoreline Aquatic Park boasts beautiful views of the Queen Mary Ship and Hotel, as well as the gorgeous Long Beach skyline. There are grassy areas, picnic tables, and the lovely shore of course! This park is a well-rounded taste of nature, the great outdoors, and the stunning city of Long Beach itself.

 

Play at the Parks

With so many beautiful parks and nature regions around Long Beach, there’s no reason to stay cooped up inside! Pack your bags, plan a picnic, and get out to explore the amazing Long Beach natural beauty.

 

With one-click purchasing on Amazon and debit cards replacing cash, it’s easy to mismanage your finances. Your money seems always to be out-of-sight, out-of-mind. This negligence makes it harder for us to manage our finances. Luckily, AI is here to rescue us from our financial mismanagements. Here are the 5 best apps to help you manage your finances more efficiently.

 

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Personal Capital

Personal Capital is the best for those who are new to saving and creating budgets. The interface is easy to use and is customized for all platforms. What makes Personal Capital such a popular money managing app is that it allows you to input your investments as well. It takes these into consideration when the app analyzes if you are aligned with your budget goals. Therefore, the app is continuously updating its information to be concurrent with your financial situation.

 

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Mint

Mint is an excellent app for someone who is a bit of a micromanager. It has a comprehensive Budgeting Tools interface. Within, you can create subcategories. That way you can allocate your resources among significant expenses such as vacations, birthdays, and bills. This money managing app also has a Bill Pay section that allows you to pay your bills through the app. Handily enough, Mint will send a notification when the bill is due.

 

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PocketGuard

Sometimes you come to a harsh realization when you start managing your finances. You spend too much. With PocketGuard, their algorithms analyze your spending habits. In there, they find areas where you can save and offer actionable suggestions. PocketGuard also tracks your reoccurring bill expenditures. They can also help you find ways to save monthly on these continuous expenses.

 

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Wally

If you’re trying to travel the world on a budget, then Wally is the financial app for you. It recognizes many foreign currencies and considers them. Therefore, if you find yourself backpacking through Europe, it helps you decide which currency will give you the best bang for your buck…or Euro…or yen…

 

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Acorns

Acorns have gained a lot of mainstream attention as of late. It’s a unique approach to financial budgeting. With Acorns, they round up on every transaction you make. The change that’s left over is then invested. If the change isn’t adding up fast enough, you can add to your Acorns balance. Just set-up recurring monthly payments to the app and they’ll continue to invest your money. Therefore, you are investing at low costs with little to no effort.

 

Your home needs some work. Maybe a little, maybe a LOT. Maybe you’ve lived in your home forever and can’t imagine leaving it, or feel that you’ve just moved in and haven’t gotten the most out of it yet. The trouble? The amount of work it needs to make this house your home makes moving sound a lot more desirable. This is never an easy decision, but there are some guidelines that can help you make the right choice for you.

Money Matters
Of course finances are a huge part of the decision-making process. If your home is lacking in some major ways (big renovations, costly repairs, outdated) then you will not be able to sell for the best price. The home’s next owners will have to put these costs in, so you’ll be selling with this in mind. On the other hand, if you are downsizing it might be in your best interest to sell as is, then find a comparable property and avoid the headache of renovations.

Other thing to consider is the resale value of your home if you do go through with the renovations. Once you update and enjoy the home for a while, how much better value can you expect to get out of your home with it’s new makeover? If it will be substantial, you might consider taking the renovation route.

Quality of Life
Renovations can cause quite a upstir – as does moving. When making this big decision, tune into what kind of short-term annoyances you’ll be signing up for. This all depends on the type and amount of renovations you’re considering, as well as how far away a move you would take.

Neighborly Advice
When you move, you don’t just move house. You move communities. Although we are quite lucky here in Long Beach with the quality of our neighborhoods, certain areas feel more like home to some. Important things to consider are your daily conveniences and overall feel of your neighborhood. Do you love your neighbors? How will your commute change? Are you ready for a change? Now, all these things could be better or easier elsewhere, and that’s something to consider as well.

Make the Best of It
Whatever you choose, choose to make the best of it. If you decide to move, take your time to find a house that offers you what you hoped to change in your previous establishment. Starting renovations? Do all you can to make the process easier. Clean out any clutter, prepare to stay with friends if needed, and get clear on your desired outcome. No matter your choice, you’re on your way to the home you deserve!

 

When it comes to Mother’s Day, you start thinking about family, motherhood, women, and love. You start thinking about all the great things your mother has done for you and what you can do for them on this very special day. The good news is that you can celebrate your mother in amazing ways.

Take Her Shopping

Shopping together with your mother can be a lot of fun. You can go to a mall you have never been to before. You can find small, local shops on a downtown street. Getting together with your mother and taking her out shopping can show her how much you appreciate all the things she has done for you in the past.

Going Out to Eat

Does your mother love to try out new food? You can take her out to eat for Mother’s Day. It might be great to make an evening out of it. You could take her to that favorite cafe she is always talking about or to a new restaurant she has never tried before. Either way, she is going to enjoy your company as you sit around the table and spend time together.

Do Something Exciting

Is there something on your mother’s bucket list that she has been waiting to do? Maybe she wants to go scuba diving, climb a mountain, go to another state, or even just visit a new city in the state where you live. No matter what it is, helping your mother to mark something off her bucket list for Mother’s Day will make her happy and appreciative of all you do for her.

 

Mother’s Day is a day worth celebrating every single year. Your mother knows you love her and you can show her this in so many amazing ways. Pick something that you know will spark joy in her life and bring her to do it. The time you spend together is priceless, so get planning for this Mother’s Day today.

 

Most of the country has already survived a polar vortex and are looking ahead to the warmer months. As the temperatures rise, so do the interests of potential homebuyers. The months of April through August are the peak for the housing market. With stiff competition around the corner (literally), you might want to start preparing to put your house up for sale. Here some ways to get your home ready…and why now might be the right time to sell.

Perform a Walk Through

We look at our homes with a bias. Each room holds a dear memory. You might still see your now-teenage daughter’s old room as the safe haven that once held your little one’s crib. In the meantime, you missed the water damage on the ceiling, the ripped screen in the window, and the doorknob hole in the wall.

 

Before you sell your house, it’s time to fix up the things you’ve been putting off. That’s because someone else is trying to see their future taking place in your old house. It’s harder for them to envision this future with chipped paint and broken light fixtures.

Get an Inspection

Once you’ve addressed the glaring issues, it’s time to bring in a professional. Get an inspection.

 

By getting an inspection, you are putting out fires before they begin. All the legalities that will hold up at closing can be snuffed out before a potential homebuyer even lays their eyes on your home.

 

Also, having your house inspected gives you a better idea as to what kind of profit you may be looking at when you do indeed sell your home. Going through the process can help you make a more informed decision about the next house you plan on buying for your own family.

Work on the Landscape

First impressions are a lasting one, especially when it comes to selling your house. Turning someone off at the curb will start the whole viewing off with a negative connotation. This impression may follow them through the rest of the process. Consequently, potential buyers may rule your home out before even giving the house a chance.

 

From the profile pic online to greeting them at the door in person, the outside of your house matters. No one wants to live in an ugly house. Neighbors don’t want ugly houses in their neighborhoods. Potential buyers don’t want to purchase an ugly house.

 

The landscape is the glue that ties together your exterior. So, guess what? If your landscape looks ugly…your house looks ugly.

 

Trim the shrubs. Cut the grass. Plant some flowers. Replace old light fixtures. Clean the gutters. Maintain the house as you plan on living there forever. The sooner you give up on the exterior, the sooner your buyers will give up on bidding.

Sell Now

If you’re ready, then sell now. Be the first in line before the field gets crowded. After all, the early bird gets the worm.

 

Just like you’re eager to sell, others may be eager to buy. They don’t want to enter long, drawn-out bidding wars. Instead, they’re looking for the like-minded people–those who are getting their houses ready before home buying season.

 

The 2019 tax season is among us! This time of year often brings out questions about property and escrow taxes from clients and lenders. Let’s take a deeper look at how escrow helps manage tax payments throughout the year.

 

Timely Tax Payments – All Year Long

There are different types of escrow accounts, and the tax policies will differ with each type. One of the most pressing questions that people have is how their property taxes can be managed by an escrow account.

 

Escrow accounts are a common form of financial safety and protection. There are many benefits to using escrow to manage tax and insurance payments.

 

In real estate, your monthly payment from escrow will cover property taxes and other expenses in addition to your mortgage. This helps protect you from missing payment or other issues. Taxes and monthly premiums will change over time so don’t be surprised when your statements look different. This is normal, and your escrow payments will reflect these changes. Keep current and up-to-date with your statements to make sure there are no mistakes.

 

A Low-Risk System

This set-up is typically very convenient for the borrower; the taxes are already worked into the system and they avoid the risk of late or missing payments. There is, however, a trade-off. With convenience comes a lack of control on the money in escrow. While there are some instances in which lenders have calculated incorrectly, or missed tax payments on behalf of the borrower, these instances are rare and most people opt to use the lender’s service.

 

Bring on Tax Season

Are you ready for tax season this year? Thankfully, escrow makes staying on top of your property taxes easy and reliable. Tax season is a great time up on your payments, screen for any outliers, changes or mistakes, then rest assured that your tax payments will be made with little effort on your part.

 

The world is in a unique period. Unemployment rates are hitting a low. Meanwhile, the housing market is looking at mortgage and interest rate increases. This situation has created a climate that makes right now the ideal time to buy a house. Even better, your home should be in Southern California. Orange County and Los Angeles County are booming for many industries. Luckily, there are still homes in Southern Calfornia that are affordable (and maybe even a deal). This is why you need to strike now!

People Want to Move to Southern California  

Since the recession, unemployment rates have been low across America. California’s unemployment rate has not seen drastic success in every industry. On the flip side of the coin, it has not seen a big drop either. That means the area is expected to remain steady for the foreseeable future.

 

In areas where some industries saw a drop, others are seeing higher job openings than ever. From December 2017 to December 2018, the following industries reported record growth in the Los Angeles County area:

 

• Accommodation and Food Services (457,600 additional jobs)
• Leisure and Hospitality (24,400 additional jobs)
• Health Care (16,200 additional jobs)
• Education (15,500 additional jobs)
• Professional Business Services (9,000 additional jobs)
• Arts and Entertainment (7,800 additional jobs)
• IT Services (7,100 additional jobs)

 

The job market is ripe for the picking. That is why you need to move to Southern California now. Stake your claim in a burgeoning market and set your family up for the rest of your lives.

Houses are Affordable in Southern California

People are nervous to buy and sell right now because new tax bills will see a mortgage and interest rate increase. However, these changes aren’t happening overnight.

 

The bill is expected to be a gradual rollout, not hitting it’s highest peak until 2021. That means you can lock your interest rate up now at an affordable rate.  

 

This news has made many buyers and sellers nervous. As a buyer, you don’t have to worry about getting into a long, drawn-out bidding war with numerous other potential buyers. It’s a smaller pool of people who are more serious about getting a house in Los Angeles County right now.

 

In the same respect, sellers who were iffy about putting their house on the market are looking to list before it gets too hard to sell. That means sellers are not going to be pricing their house at an astronomical number. So, you are most likely going to get the best deal right now when you buy a house in Southern California.

 

It can be challenging to get into the holiday spirit or enjoy winter vibes when living in a warm climate like Los Angeles, California. Those stuck in New York or Wisconsin during the winter may scoff at the desire of Los Angelinos hunting to spot a snowflake somewhere.

 

It is understandable to desire the possibly nostalgic and stereotypical signs of the holidays like crisp air, mittens, and falling snow. There are plenty of opportunities to get your winter fix within a drive from L.A.

 

 

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Big Bear Lake, CA

 

Big Bear offers all the winter fun you can stand and is only 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. This is a four seasons town that features typical winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.

 

Bear Mountain is known to host some of the best snowboarders around yet offers laid back fun for those with a less adventurous personality. Take a hike on the trails with snowshoes and enjoy the true feelings of winter.

 

 

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Lake Tahoe

 

Lake Tahoe lays on the border of California and Nevada in the Sierra Nevada. Sitting at over 6,000 feet, this area sees its fair share of the traditional winter weather. If you really love snow and you are lucky, you may get to experience one of the famous Lake Tahoe blizzards!

 

People flock to Lake Tahoe from all over California to experience the winter wonderland and all the skiing, snowboarding, and tubing it has to offer. There are a variety of resorts and ski areas to visit, sure to keep the avid winter sports enthusiast entertained.

 

If you feel the need to see snow and live in L.A., all hope is not lost. There are opportunities to get in the holiday spirit and enjoy the frozen precipitation within a reasonable drive of Los Angeles.