5 Cool Home Tech Gadgets

There are so many new tech gadgets on the market these days. Technology should make your life easier and more enjoyable. Here are 5 of the hottest tech gadgets to try right now. 5 Cool Home Tech Gadgets You Should Try Now

1. Motion Sensor Night Lights - Hate walking down a dark hallway at night? What about navigating the landmine of kids toys in the living room. These night lights have motion sensors built-in so they turn on as you walk by them.

2. Logitech Harmony Elite - One stop shop for your home smart devices. Harmony Elite is one control that handles all your devices in one place; lowering blinds, dimming lights, Alexa, Apple TV, Sony and much more.

3. Rubold Dog Dematting Tool - Make Rover happy and keep unwanted hair off your furniture and clothes. This device has rounded teeth to avoid scratching and reaches the undercoat without yanking the hair.

4. Ring Beams Home Security Lights - Ring is a household name for home security. Now Ring Beams cameras and doorbells add motion lighting to enhance security when using the system.

5. Smart Thermostats - A smart thermostat can not only put your home on a schedule, saving money and offering comfort, but also allows you to turn on the heat or air conditioning to prepare the home for your arrival.

Home smart devices and technology are improving all the time. With all the exciting products on the market, there’s never been a better time to experiment with smart technology.

Home Improvement Projects That Require The Help Of A Professional

Photo via Pixabay by Tookapic

Home improvement is a multi-million dollar industry, with thousands of Americans tackling projects both big and small every year. Whether you need to repaint your dining room or replace the roof, your home improvement project will require quite a bit of care and thought to ensure it’s a success. Not only that, you’ll need to think about whether it will be a DIY task or one that necessitates the touch of a pro. This is because some projects are dangerous and require special training to complete. Also, if you attempt to make a repair or major change without the right knowledge or tools, you run the risk of making a mistake that could be very costly to fix. 

Fortunately, there are many service professionals around the country who are ready to help out. Look online for pros near you, and do a little price comparison to make sure you’ll get the best deal. In some cases, your homeowners insurance may help you pay for the repairs--such as a new roof--but you’ll need to talk to an insurance rep to find out exactly what they will cover. 

Here are a few things to think about when it comes to home improvement.

Roofing

There are very few roofing projects that are DIY, mostly because they can be so dangerous and require a lot of special skills. That’s why it’s crucial to make sure you find the right contractor for the job. Do a little research online before making a decision and take the time to read reviews. Roofing scams are, unfortunately, all too common these days, and can take weeks or even months to come to light, as they rely on giving the appearance of having fixed a problem. As soon as bad weather rolls in, the unsuspecting homeowner realizes that the issue was never fixed, and they may be out thousands of dollars to make things right. Once you find a credible roofing company, do some price comparisons to make sure you get the best deal.

Remodeling 

Remodeling jobs are often taken on as DIY projects, but it’s important to make sure you get professional help for the big stuff, like redoing a basement. That’s because this part of the home is more than just a storage space or recreational area; it’s also a crucial part of the structure, and major problems can arise if the walls or flooring become compromised. Also, entrances and exits are often regulated by the city for safety reasons, so you’ll need to do some research on that before getting started. Hire a pro who can come in with knowledge of basement rooms and help you make the most of this space safely.

Electrical work

Anytime electrical work is done in a home, there is a risk of danger or even death, so it’s imperative to call in a pro when you need help with wiring, especially if your home is more than ten years old. When you’re dealing with electricity, you need to make sure the job is done right the first time and that any old issues are taken care of, since there’s a chance not just of electrical shock, but also fire and smoke damage.

Toxin removal

Many older homes have paint or insulation that contains toxins such as lead, mold, and asbestos. These are highly dangerous and can cause everything from allergy-like symptoms to kidney problems to death, so it’s crucial to make sure they are removed from your home by a professional who has the right tools for the job. Other types of mold can be found in damp areas of the home, such as in bathrooms and basements, which can typically be cleaned with a mixture of hot water and bleach. However, if the dampness has caused damage to baseboards, walls, or flooring, a pro should fix those areas.

Home improvement projects can become very costly if they aren’t done right the first time, so keep this in mind when shopping for a contractor or other professional. Spending a bit now may help you save thousands of dollars down the road, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your home is in good hands.

Timeless Looks for Your Home

Some things never change, and for good reason. Though you may be tempted to ride the wave of upcoming kitchen trends, there’s a few timeless designs you might want to include in your kitchen redo. These looks have stood the test of time—which means they’re sure to impress even a few years down the line. From Shaker-style cabinetry to natural-hewn wood accents, you’ll find a lot to love in these classic kitchen design elements. Mix and match with a few modern touches, and you may find yourself with one of the most stylish kitchens in your neighborhood.

Dark Woods

Dark wood floors are here to stay. There’s nothing that will make your home feel more rustic and cozy than wood floors, a fireplace and wood accents. Dark cabinets and granite countertops made a major splash in the early 2000s, but dark wood highlights and flooring has persisted as a trend even farther back. You can use a classic dark wood stain on cabinetry and floors, but you might find a little extra visual interest and flair with a shiplap kitchen island, or a dark wood paneled accent wall.

White Subway Tile

Easy to clean and stylish to boot, white subway tile has dominated kitchen backsplashes for ages. Even modern twists on the tile pale in comparison to the real thing. The tile has staked its claim firmly as a timeless design element, starting back almost a hundred years—talk about timeless!

Farmhouse Flair

You can get the cozy class of a ‘20s farmhouse with a number of  design elements, from statement floor tiles to white wood cabinetry. Apron front sinks have never failed to impress, and beadboard cupboards or a beadboard island can add a little extra rustic charm to your country (or city) kitchen. For a truly pastoral kitchen, add decorative wood braces to your kitchen island or breakfast bar.

Quartz & Marble Countertops

Marble countertops have continued to reign as one of the most popular luxury counter materials. But marble’s tendency to stain might have you thinking twice on it as your new counter. Enter quartz, the perfect non-porous in-between. Marble-colored quartz does just as well in a pinch, and bonus—it’s one of the most durable countertops you can buy, at a fraction of the cost.

Vintage Appliances

There’s something special about ‘50s and ‘60s era appliances, from their bright colors to their rounded edges. Though it’s sure to be a top trend of 2018, vintage appliances have long kept their appeal for homeowners. A sage green or even bright red refrigerator can add a pop of color to your home, or a copper-accented black stove can add a timeless chic to an all-white  kitchen. Plenty of manufacturers have picked up on the vintage love, too—you can buy vintage-style stoves and refrigerators to serve as the perfect focal point in your kitchen.

Shaker Cabinets

Whether you’re going for a simple look or something fresh and modern, Shaker-style cabinets have stood the test of time purely for their versatility. White Shaker cabinets pair well with most design elements, even in more modern spaces.

Happier Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors make for a beautiful, stunning addition to your home. However, they can bring new cleaning and maintenance challenges that aren’t present with carpet. Here are some tips for simple, efficient, and thorough hardwood floor cleaning.

Make the job easier Place mats on either side of your exterior doors and always remove your shoes before entering your home—and make sure your guests do the same. Protect the floors by placing felt (or similar) protectors on the feet of your furniture, and use area rugs to designate play areas for the kids. This will reduce extra dirt, dust, and floor scratches.

Weekly cleaning Sweeping with a standard broom will remove some dirt and dust, but not as much as a mop, wipe, or broom that’s been treated with a dusting agent such as a Swiffer. You could also invest in a vacuum that is designed for hardwood floors. Just be sure that the vacuum won’t leave scratches!

Deeper cleaning Regular sweeping will remove most dirt and dust, but occasionally you’ll need to give the floors a deeper cleaning to remove the dirt and grime that builds up in your floors’ seams. Use a wood-cleaning soap to thoroughly mop your floors, but make sure the mop isn’t sopping wet—you don’t want to leave standing water.

Spots and scuffs Most of the marks that occasionally show up on your floors, such as scuffs from rubber soles on boots and shoes—can be wiped away with a rag or very fine steel wool.

To find your next home: www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com To find the value of your current home: www.CaliOnTheMove.com

The "KEY" to your real estate dreams!

Lots of Los Angeles Real Estate Agents want to be stars as big as the celebrities they cater to. Me? I just want to help people find the homes that make them happy and help them to create a sanctuary for future dreams and lasting memories.

Laura Key 310-866-8422 Laura.A.Key@gmail.com Cal BRE #01908085

15-Minute Home Makeovers

15-Minute Home Makeovers

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

Published: January 2, 2013

Here are 7 house pick-me-ups that take about as much time as brewing a pot of coffee and fit your schedule whenever you have a few extra minutes.

1. Switch the plates. Upgrade your drab, plastic switch plates with snazzy covers that match or accent your décor. Even the most expensive brass switch plates cost less than $20 each.

Or, spend a buck for a plastic plate and decorate it yourself. Use craft paint, or cover the plate with decorative paper.

You also can switch outlet covers, but don’t get too fancy. Outlet covers should blend with the wall.

2. Touch-up boo-boos. A bit of new paint gives any room a fresh face, which is why you should keep extra color-matched paint after you remodel. Touch up banged-up baseboards, door and window trim, and wall marks that won’t wash away. Even spot painting requires care; use a drop cloth to protect other surfaces.

3. Change out drawer and door hardware. Upgrade your kitchen or bathroom by installing new pulls and knobs. Be sure to measure drawer pulls so you won’t have to drill new holes. Check out these cute and economical ($4.95 for 8) zoo dresser drawer knobs on Esty. Home improvement centers have a large selection of inexpensive pulls and knobs.

4. Update your mailbox. Bump up curb appeal by spray-painting your old mailbox. You can freshen the same color, or go wild with bright hues. Don’t forget to scrub off dirt and rust before painting with rust-proof paint ($6-$12 for a 10-oz. can; lots of decorative textures and colors).

5. Play the numbers game. Decorative house numbers and plates give your home a custom and classy look. Some numbers are quick peel-and-stick affairs; others you’ll have to screw in. They’re made of wood, plastic, brass, stainless steel, and other materials; $6 to $30 each.

6. Embellish your throne. A new toilet seat gives you a regal bearing. Plastic and enameled seats ($12-$25) in a rainbow of colors add a dash of panache; a solid wood mahogany or walnut seat ($45-$60) makes an executive statement; cushioned seats ($15-$20) won’t make a lasting impression — and that’s a good thing.

7. Declutter. You’ll be amazed how a 15-minute daily declutter can make a room look like new. First, get rid of stuff from your fridge door: that large, blank canvas will immediately brighten your kitchen. Corral mail and papers in decorative boxes with tops that can close and hide the mess. Organize school supplies in caddies. Every day, tame a new spot.

Find your next home with me! Text LKHOMES to 87778 or visit http://87778.mobi/LKHOMES for your FREE search.

Laura Key, CalBRELic #0198085

www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

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IRS Simplifies Home Office Deduction

Working from home can be beneficial! Hope these tips help! Need a home checkup? Call me Laura Key 310.866.8422

The number of home owners who work from home at least one day a week increased nearly 10 percent — from 9.5 million to 13.4 million — between 1999 and 2010, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. However, only 3.4 million home owners claimed deductions for business use of a home in 2010, according to the IRS. 

The IRS recently announced a new safe harbor provision for home office deductions for the 2013 tax year. 

“This allows at-home workers the option to simply take a deduction capped at $1,500 per year based on $5 a square foot for up to 300 square feet,” FOX Business reported. “The requirement that home office space be exclusively used for business and limitations on income earned from that business still applies, and direct business expenses unrelated to the home (advertising, supplies and wages paid to employees, etc.) are fully deductible.”

"The home office deduction is one of the most misunderstood and abused deductions out there," says Margaret Munro, a tax consultant, about the changes. "If you have a valid home office, you take the deduction because you shouldn't be paying tax on money that you're using for your business."

For more information on the deduction, visit the IRS Web site.

Source: “IRS' Simpler Home Tax Deduction Cuts Through the Clutter,” FOX Business (July 24, 2013)

Do It Yourself Simple Repairs

You can save money with these simple fixes!

Treatment for a scratched wood floor.  For minor scratches, crayons will do the trick. Pick a color that matches the flooring, and color in the scratched area. Be sure to stay in the lines; then buff to a shine. A matching permanent marker can camouflage deeper, ugly scratches. Another method: Grind the meat of a walnut or pecan into the scratch. The nut oil will provide a shine that blends with a polyurethane or water-based surface finish.

Pennywise way to unclog a drain.  For a balky drain, try dropping three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the sink followed by a cup of white vinegar. After about 15 minutes, you can clear the drain with boiling water. Do not attempt this trick immediately after using a commercial drain opener like Drano or Liquid-Plumr.

You’ve stripped a screw. Now what do you do? Using a hacksaw, cut into the top of the screw to create a new groove for the screwdriver.

Clean up your walls . . . with toothpaste. Patch small holes using a putty knife or butter knife to smooth non-gel toothpaste into the hole. Sand the spot to smooth the surface. To erase crayon marks from walls, grab toothpaste (again, non-gel) and a scrub brush; then, just wipe until the marks are gone.

Curious to know how much your home is worth? Call me for a FREE Comparative Market Analysis!  Laura Key 310.866.8422

Clean Home, Easy Sale

One of the biggest problems people run into when selling their home is the process of preparing it for sale. The best way to begin this process is to take a quick walk through your home then call me for an appointment! Laura Key 310.866.8422

One of the biggest problems people run into when selling their home is the process of preparing it for sale. Many homes are simply places where we keep the accumulated treasures of the years. Are you a clutter-bug, a pack-rat? It's OK, we all are to some degree. When preparing a home for sale, we need to be mindful of our "stuff." The best way to begin this process is to take a quick walk through your home. Make a list of everything that you have not used in the past 3 months, 6 months? Now, and here is the hard part. Get rid of it. Seem a bit extreme? It might, but things that you have not used in half a year are not likely to get used in the future. Remember we are trying to get rid of some stuff so that people can see the house, not what's in it.

There is a common line of thought that home buyers want to see the "personality" of the homes current owners. This is not true. Buyers want to be able to see their belongings in the home. They want to put their personality into it to see if they could see themselves living there. A backlog of your stuff will get in the way of them doing this. Go through every room in turn and remove the clutter! This includes the closets, shelves and cupboards. Also remove excess furniture if the room seems too crowded. Here is another important thing to remember, don't put all this stuff in the garage! Buyers will go through the garage like any other room in your home. Hire a storage locker if it is really necessary. Aside from that, use this as an opportunity to rid yourself of those things that you never use.

The minimalist approach is a good thing to utilize when showing your home. The lack of personal effects will make it easier for buyers to place themselves in your home. This will also make the moving process easier on you. With less things to pack when moving day comes, you can dedicate more time to creating your perfect space in your new home.

Laura Key, BRE 01908085

310.866.8422

Laura.A.Key@gmail.com

www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

Budget for Closing Costs – Home Inspection and Title Fees

Buying a home means you also have to budget for additional expenses! Make sure you put some money aside for the extras.

Purchasing a home is a euphoric event. Once escrow begins, the euphoria can change to frustration, particularly if you are not ready for the closing costs that quickly accumulate.

Closing costs simply refer to the fees associated with various things associated with the escrow process in a real estate transaction. In the excitement of having an offer accepted for your dream home, you can easily lose track of the fact you are going to need to have some serious cash on hand to pay them. Many people make the mistake of only assuming they need the down payment money, and have to rush around town trying to come up with money for the closing fees.

If you are buying a home, you need to get a professional home inspection. Doing so can reveal potential problems with the home that you wouldn’t otherwise notice. Problems can include things such as rot, termites, water leaks and a bevy of other issues. The time to do this is during escrow. Of course, that means you are also going to have to pay for the inspection. Depending on the size of the property, home inspections can run a few hundred dollars up to a few thousand. Make sure you have money set aside for the fees.

Title insurance is something you absolutely must purchase when you buy any real property, a home, building, land or whatever. Title insurance protects both you and your lender. Title insurance is just what it sounds like. A title company will research the title of the home and essentially guarantee that the title is good. This means the seller actually owns the title and has the right to sell it to you. The title company will also make sure there aren’t any liens on the homes or other things that will cause you problems. Depending on the price of the home, title insurance can run you a couple of hundred dollars or up into the thousands. Again, it is important to find out the cost and budget for it.

Title insurance and a home inspection are two things you should absolutely have when purchasing a home. Just make sure you budget for them.

Laura Key, BRE 01908085

310.866.8422

Laura.A.Key@gmail.com

www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

Do you work from home? Buy your next home with your office in mind!

If you work from home, and it is time to move to your next home, there are some factors you should consider carefully before making your decision.

The flexibility afforded by a “zero-commute” combined with the skyrocketing price of gasoline has strengthened the case for full time teleworking and telecommuting. According to an Environmental Protection Agency (2004) study:

“Americans spend an average of 46 hours per year stuck in traffic. Gridlock produces more than $63 billion in congestion costs per year”

The artist community has been well acquainted with the use of work/living spaces for years, but improvements in technology have made the benefits of teleworking and occasional telecommuting more attractive to general consumers. According to the key findings form the International Telework Association & Council (ITAC) Telework America (2000) study:

“Home-based teleworkers also have larger homes, on average, than non-teleworkers; the difference amounting to about 500 square feet. The most popular place for an office in these larger homes is a spare bedroom, with the living room a distant second. The primary home telework activity is computer work (55% of total activities), followed by telephoning, reading, and—averaging 7% of the time—face to face meetings.”

As you purchase your next home, there are certain factors to consider if you need to set up a new home office:

Make sure that your high-tech needs can be met. Have a qualified electrician inspect the wiring of the house to see if the system can handle the extra power load that your home office requires. Older homes may need significant upgrades to handle the extra power, while newer homes are built with more energy-efficient systems to handle the additional power along with heating/air conditioning requirements. If you use cable, DSL or satellite internet access, check with your local service provider to see if access is available in your new neighborhood. Shop around for your telephone provider—in some cases, business service bundles may be more cost effective than regular residential service.

Designate where your office space will be. Determine the amount of space you will need to accommodate your work style and space. In many cases a spare bedroom or living room space can be used, if a formal den option is not available. If your work requires heavy telephone usage or just heads-down concentration, you may want to consider utilizing a room with a door. Doors can be closed to reduce interruptions from other family and household noises.

Plan your office blueprint to include all required furniture, bookcases, computers, fax, and printers. Make sure to allow for filing and storage space for files and extra office supplies. Lighting is critical for computer or assembly work, so make sure to allow for direct sunlight along with any specific task lighting that may be necessary. Select flooring options that will allow you to work comfortably—you may wish to go with hardwood or laminate flooring to allow for your chair to move smoothly across the floor. Install enough phone lines to cover your home, business and fax machines needs.

Is the office easily accessible? If you will expect regular package deliveries, make sure that your designated office is easily accessible to the front door of the home. This is also necessary if you will need to meet clients or visitors in your office and would like to ensure a professional appearance for your business.

Find out about local business requirements. Some cities have zoning restrictions and guidelines for work/living spaces along with tax implications. Make sure to check with your local government to determine if special restrictions exist.

Are you ready to find a home that could allow you to work from home? Or...do you need more room in the current home you own? Give me a call - lets get you started!

5 Things You Should Know Before You Flip A Property

Money is made at the buy, not the sell of your flip. When flipping a house your money is made at the purchase not at the sell of the house. So, many times people buy a house with the intentions of making a huge profit only to find out that they could not make any money after all the renovations because the purchased price of the house was to high.

1. Money is made at the buy, not the sell of your flip. When flipping a house your money is made at the purchase not at the sell of the house. So, many times people buy a house with the intentions of making a huge profit only to find out that they could not make any money after all the renovations because the purchased price of the house was to high. When you purchase your property you need to be sure that you buy the house with enough money to make renovations, have carrying cost, and add about 5 $6,000. Now, cost is at $147,000, and that is if everything goes as planned. Profit is under 10,000 dollars. The mistake was made at the purchase at the home, not the sell.

2. Get an inspection on the home - Get a complete inspection done on your property. By, spending a few hundred dollars on this expense you can save thousands in problems that you cannot see. Foundation, Pest, Wood Rot, Etc... By, getting a full inspection you can rest assured that you know every thing that is wrong with the property before its to late. In the contact for the house you need to make sure that you have 7 days to have a inspection preformed, and if the inspection finds problems that are going to cost more money that you are willing to spend you can get out of the contract with no penalties.

3. Don't do the work yourself: - Get a contractor or several sub-contractors and have the work done quickly. You need to have you house flipped ASAP, so that you can get it on the market and get it sold. When I started flipping my brother and me did a house together, and we did all the construction. I had a construction background and figured it would save thousands, but it took us over 4 months to get the work done that a contractor could have had the work done in a month. But, we trying to save money on our flip did all the work on our time off and after work, and it just took to long. On our 2'nd flip we used contractors for almost everything and had the house completely flipped with a new roof, new air conditioning, new hardwood, and much more in only 3 weeks. We did not have to spend all our time working on the property and were able to spend that time looking for the next deal. This is how you get rich in real estate.

4. Place the property 1 to 2 percent below market value: If you are wanting to flip real estate and make money the object is to buy and sell the property as quickly as possible, so that you can move on to the next house. If you purchase a house and try to sell it at top dollar to make and extra couple of thousand dollars on your flip, and end up holding it for 6 months you are loosing money. Get the house on the market at a price that is going to blow the competition away, and you will sell it no matter what the market conditions. On our second house the market for selling house went down do to the housing market as a whole, and the tightening of the loans across America. We were told that you could not sell a property in this market, but we went ahead anyway and flipped our house. After 3 weeks on the market we had 3 people wanting to buy the house. Why, because we offered it at such a great deal that people wanted to jump on it. That is what you have to do especially if the market is slow.

5. Use a real estate agent - Do not try to sell you house on your own. Harness the power of a real estate agent and the power of the MLS system. When you do a FSBO you are depending on people driving by your house and seeing you sign, with a real estate agent you have someone actively marketing you house to get it sold. Once again this will free up more time for you to look for more great deals. If you want to help the process I have found that craigslist and listing you house in google adwords help to, but use these tools with the help of a agent such as Laura Key to make sure I have all my bases covered.

I hope this article has been helpful with the basics needs of flipping a house. If you will study and learn you will make money. But, do your homework before you purchase a house, and make sure that you can pull a profit on your deal. Then, make it happen! I am a Investor Friendly Agent, let's get you some deals! Laura Key 310.866.8422

 Laura Key on CBS News