Fall Home Maintence

The days are getting noticeably shorter, and maybe there's a nip in the air - sure signs that fall is on its way. Now is the perfect time to get your home in shape before winter rolls in, while the weather is still pleasant enough for spending time outdoors.

Seal it up: Caulk and seal around exterior door and window frames. Look for gaps where pipes or wiring enter the home and caulk those as well. Not only does heat escape from these openings, but water can enter and may eventually cause mold problems and even structural damage.

Look up: Check the roof for missing or damaged shingles. Winter weather can cause serious damage to a vulnerable roof, leading to a greater chance of further damage inside the home. Although you should always have a qualified professional inspect and repair the roof, you can do a preliminary survey from the ground using binoculars.

Clear it out: Clear gutters and eaves troughs of leaves, sticks, and other debris. Consider installing leaf guards if your gutters can accommodate them - they are real time savers and can prevent damage from clogged gutters. Check the seams between sections of gutter, as well as between the gutter and downspouts, and make any necessary adjustments or repairs.

Warm up time: Have the furnace inspected to ensure it's safe and in good working order. Most utility companies will provide basic inspections at no charge, but there can often be a long waiting list come fall and winter. Replace disposable furnace air filters or clean the permanent type according to the manufacturer's instructions. Using a clean filter will help the furnace run more efficiently, saving you money and energy.

Light that fire: If you enjoy the crackle of a wood-burning fireplace on a chilly fall evening, have the firebox and chimney professionally cleaned before lighting a fire this season. Creosote, a byproduct of wood burning, can build up to dangerous levels and cause a serious chimney fire if not removed.


Pillers to Post    Happy Fall!

California Housing Crisis

More and more people are being priced out of the California Housing Market Place when it comes to buying homes (downsizing, up-sizing, first time and even renters)  Prices are increasing in all these areas and with the shortage of available homes on the market for sale or for rent it only promises to get worse.

There has been fewer and fewer new home starts based on several things, the down turn in the market in 2006-07 (builders often left sites unfinished, cities putting restrictions on new starts.  ( a lot of restrictions being put into place with land use, when, where, and how many homes, condo's, etc. can be built.  Housing of all types are being effected.

Over 230,000 homes needed to be built per year over a several year period and that was a drastic difference over what was built.  (About 120,000 per year) According to the current demand we need to build about 200,000 per year and that is a far cry from the figure currently being built of about 100,000 per year.

This housing shortage is hurting people at every economic level, but made it very difficult for lower income and first time buyers. There have been more cuts in affordable housing funding which has also contributed to the crisis.  Cost of building has risen drastically as well.  All in all it means less homes on the market, even as many people are leaving the state many more are moving in.  California needs to take action to protect it's housing market and provide more affordable housing for people  needing mid range housing to lower income families.

We can all help by encouraging our cities to take actions that will attract more builders, with more reasonable costs for building.