by cgilles | Oct 11, 2011 | Blog
Not knowing how long to keep different things contributes to household clutter. Being very unorganized can cost you time and money also. Find out when things should be tossed out before spending time packing them for a move for example. Learn what documents you should keep and which ones should be shredded or tossed. Same with old medicines and prescriptions. Most of us keep closets and drawers full of old clothes that should have been tossed years ago. Makeup? Toss it out if its a year old or more. Same with spices in the kitchen. Toiletries usually are used up by the expiration date, but if not, use the 1 year toss out rule.
A good way to save on everything you use is to get everything organized. All clutter will cost you time and money. If you don’t know where something is, and you need it, you will go out and purchase a duplicate, costing extra money. When you have to look and look for something each time you need it, this is costing you valuable time. If you can get your items organized, your life will become much simpler and finding the things you want easier.
by cgilles | Oct 8, 2011 | Blog, Manhattan Beach
Today we all understand the importance of protecting our home and families with a quality home security alarm system. Before buying a system, however, a Manhattan Beach homeowner, along with all homeowners, should talk to several good alarm companies as ask about the...
by cgilles | Oct 6, 2011 | Blog, Torrance
Basically most condo and townhome developments will have a home owners association, or HOA, as well as some other planned single family home developments. HOAs are established to ensure that the CC&Rs are enforced and given to all of the homeowners so to maintain the quality and value of the property involved. The membership of the HOA is made up of all the homeowners who all are charged a mandatory fee. HOAs have the authority to enact and enforce certain types of rules regarding maintenance and design standards, including those established by city or county ordinances when the development was originally planned and constructed.
The CC&Rs are the Covenant, Conditions and Restrictions that apply to the development and to each of the property owners who have purchased property in the particular development.
When considering buying a property in any community or project that a potential buyer look into the CC&Rs and HOA operations along with their South Bay Realtor to get an idea of what costs are involved over and above the initial cost of buying the real estate property you are interested in.
by cgilles | Oct 3, 2011 | Blog, Torrance
Making sure that your South Bay home has the right curb appeal is important when selling. One of the first things that potential buyers look at when coming to inspect your home is the garage door and the condition of the driveway.
Many people paint the trim and the garage door thinking it will coverup any needed repairs or blemishes, but sharp home buyers will always look at the condition of the garage door, and the driveway. A greasy, oily driveway is a turnoff for buyers, as is broken concrete or asphalt in the driveway.
Spending the time and money to update or upgrade a garage door and any problem driveway will help to sell the home faster.
by cgilles | Sep 27, 2011 | Blog
If you are planning to sell your South Bay home, there are some inexpensive ways to help with the curb appeal and overall presence and help that all important “first impression”. When potential buyers come to see your home, the first thing they will look at is the front yard, garage, lawn and plants, trees, front porch, paint condition, driveway and walkway, windows and screens, doors condition, etc.
Important and often overlooked is the condition of the garage door. Next is the driveway condition and porch condition. The lawn should be trimmed and planters neat and free of weeds or dead plants. Trees should be trimmed and leaves or needles raked up underneath each tree. The front door and screen should look perfect, porch light updated and working, steps and floor of porch need to be perfect, as well as the walkway leading to the house. Clear trash from yard and along fences and curb way. Make sure fences look good and are not needing repair or paint. Don’t have screens with holes or one screen missing from a window.
Have hoses rolled up or removed as well as garden tools.
Following this guideline will help convince potential buyers that the inside looks as good as the outside, and makes them feel more welcome. Questions? Talk to your Realtor for more advice on making your home more appealing during the selling process.
by cgilles | Sep 24, 2011 | a-Hermosa Beach
Where else can you find a beautiful beach, great surfing, scenic coastline, warm year ’round weather, unique shops, award winning schools and a diverse selection of wonderful single family homes, condos, townhomes and apartments and all located in the highly sought after South Bay?
Hermosa Beach represents the best in Southern California living and the essence of the California beach lifestyle. Hermosa is located right in the middle of South Bay active living, but has the feel of a small hometown.
Those activily searching for a new home can find beautiful homes ranging from affordable to upscale expensive in this popular surf town. Soft rolling hills overlooking the Pacific and across to Catalina Island, have winding, clean streets with older and newer Hermosa homes, cottages, condos and townhomes in all prices.
One visit to Hermosa Beach will convince you.
by cgilles | Sep 22, 2011 | Blog, Manhattan Beach
Beautiful homes, great surfing, excellent shopping, entertainment and overall fantastic standard of living. This is Manhattan Beach. We who live in Manhattan Beach know why we live here and are the first to brag about the reasons. Manhattan Beach is a blend of...
by cgilles | Sep 19, 2011 | Blog, Redondo Beach
Many of us in the South Bay have forgotten Aviation High School by now, and, of course the people who went to school there will never forget their old high school.
Located at the corner of Manhattan Beach Blvd and Aviation Blvd, Aviation High in Redondo Beach opened in 1957. Due to budgetary constraints, the decision was made to close the school in 1982, and its students were sent to Mira Costa and Redondo Union high schools.
The site is now Aviation Park, which consists of the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, Aviation Gymnasium and Aviation Track and Field (an outdoor running facility).
by cgilles | Sep 12, 2011 | a-El Segundo, Blog
With all the great Football Teams in the South Bay, many of us are starting to think about the upcoming season and tailgate parties and menus. Hot dogs and hamburgers are just not enough any more. Think outside the bun and start putting together some ideas that will shock your friends when you get together for that first tail-gater in the next few weeks. Try something different, something easy to fix, easy on the pocketbook and doesn’t require a lot of cooking in the truck or at home, and something everyone will love. This has always been my philosophy and I astonish people every football season when I show up with outstanding surprises that everyone just can’t get enough of. Hip Hip Hooray for South Bay and Happy Tailgating !!
by cgilles | Sep 8, 2011 | Blog, Manhattan Beach
How many of us love to walk out on the Manhattan Beach pier in the evenings and enjoy the scenes and peace and quiet? Well, the pier has quite a history as has the city of Manhattan Beach. After the first building was built in MB around 1901, two wooden piers were...
