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Hummingbirds Anyone?

Ever wonder how to attract hummingbirds to your front or back yard? Last year, my family planted several new varieties of plants in our front yard.  One of those we weren’t familiar with, but thought it was a nice pop of red color, was a Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ sage plant.  It has turned out to be one of our favorites, as it attracts hummingbirds like crazy!  I decided to poke around online to see if I could find any other plants that do well in California and also attract our tiny flying friends.  Here’s a few that will, according to Ms. Doreen Smith of the Marin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society :

• Snowberries
• Columbine
• Flowering Sage
• Monkeyflower
• Huckleberry
• Manzanita
• Blue Penstemon
• Redbud
• Red Larkspur
• Leopard Lily

Did you know that hummingbird’s don’t necessarily like red flowers better?  According to Las Pilitas Nursery, bees avoid red flowers, which usually means more and better nectar for hummingbirds. Happy planting!!!

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Tri-Valley Tips: Saving Money the DIY Way

This Old House recently put together an article containing 50 Nifty Tricks for Big DIY Savings.  There are great tips in this article that are especially useful and poignant right now when everyone around the Tri-Valley is looking to shave costs and be smart about money.  From shortening your dryer-vent hose to signing up for your utility’s time-of-use plan, this article really does cover the gamut of ways to save money around your home.

If you read the comments, and there are many (both useful and ridiculous), there are some out there in the blogosphere that disagree with some of This Old House’s recommended “tricks.”  As I read through the comments, two of the “tricks” stuck out in my mind and I wanted to do a little more research on them.

1.  This Old House Trick #7 - Turn Down the Thermostat on Your Water Heater

The DIY article recommends turning down your water heater thermostat to 120 or even 110 degrees. One “commentor” mentions that they had heard that you should never Read more

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Uncommon Steps to Maximize Your Tri-Valley Home’s Selling Potential

Do you want your home to stand out from the crowd? The current marketplace is not to be taken lightly if you are a home seller.  If you have your home listed or you are contemplating listing your home, there are a number of uncommon steps that you can take to improve your opportunity to sell.

Everyone pretty much knows about the common techniques that most sellers take when putting their home on the market. Everything from de-cluttering to general cleaning to staging tend to be common practice.  However, in this marketplace going the extra mile for your home is essential.  Try these 5 uncommon home improvement tips to add extra appeal:

1. Identify odd smells.  Trust your Realtor and ask them if they detect any odd smells in your home.  We are often so accustomed to the smells in our own house that we have trouble detecting them.  Pay special attention to the kitchen and focus on the refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher.
2. Provide an intensive cleaning for your refrigerator and washer and dryer units.  Vacuum the coils and grates to show a cleaner appearance. Make sure to clean around and behind the refrigerator, too. In addition, you will be improving your energy efficiency for that appliance.  Also, the lint and detergent that may have collected on the washer and dryer units should be removed.
3. Clean your blinds and around the window sill.  This is an area where Read more
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   Written by Adam Golden · Filed Under Featured, Home Buyers and Sellers, Home Improvement, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment 

   10 Tips for a Healthier Tri-Valley Home

   May 11, 2008

   According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air in some US homes is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.  Pollutants can be generated from a variety of items-cigarette smoke, too-high levels of carbon monoxide, cooking residue, pet dander, radon, dust, and mold spores.  And the fact that homes are generally closed tight during winter months can aggravate the problem with little to no fresh air from the outdoors.

   Here is a checklist of the 10 Tips that your family can use for a healthier home.

   1. Keep windows open to gain a flow of fresh air.
   2. Vent cook-tops to the outside and use the exhaust fan while cooking.
   3. Discard all unnecessary household hazardous waste and chemicals to the appropriate locations. If you do store containers, make sure they are sealed tightly.
   4. Make sure all required rooms have smoke detectors
   5. Consider purchasing carbon monoxide detectors.
   6. Regularly vacuum or clean carpets, rugs, cloth furniture, drapes, bed comforters and blankets.
   7. Don’t forget to change your air intake filters (furnace filters). Consider getting filters that help reduce allergens.
   8. Have the gas supply company check your entire home for possible leaks.
   9. Make sure to keep showers, bathtubs, sinks and toilets caulked, grouted (if applicable) and sealed. 
   10. Having a home or termite (pest) inspection periodically can help identify current issues and prevent future problems from arising.
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   Written by Adam Golden · Filed Under Home Buyers and Sellers, Home Improvement | 1 Comment