Remodel Tips

Here are five tips for planning a successful home remodel that you can enjoy for many years to come.

1. Compile a list of home remodeling ideas and draft a budget for the work.
Look through magazines and tear out pictures that attract your attention. Make up a poster board and glue the pictures on it to empower your vision.

2. Look for a professional remodeler to help plan the project.
Get referrals from friends who have had work done in the area, consider friends, also, if you have a contractor’s leaning, but your artistic side admittedly is a little stilted, chat with or hire an interior designer. Designers should have some kind of portfolio. Treat them as you would a builder.

3. Check the references and background of the remodeler.
Don’t work with any contractors who can’t give you proof of errors and omissions insurance. (Known as E&O)

4. Agree on a contract.
Many contractors will try to get an open ended contract for time and material. You need a lot of trust or experience with these contractors for this to make sense. Still if you’re opening up the walls of an older house, be prepared for surprises, and don’t expect your contractor to take the brunt of the surprise.

5. Take advantage of the energy efficiency tax credits.
There are many interesting new ideas and opportunities out there today. Some will pay off handsomely when you go to sell the home. If you appreciate the extra quality or energy savings it’s reasonable that a buyer will as well.

Credit Offer Opt-out

My loan broker just sent me this.
"Hi Everyone
As you may know I am in the mortgage brokerage business.
This week, a client complained to me that she received calls from businesses offering her different credit services the very night I ran her credit report. They knew her personal information and her credit score.
I told her I would find out what happened. What I learned was that the credit repository companies Transunion, Equifax etc) regularly sell that information. I discovered that if a person does not "opt-out" they can sell this sensitive information.
I imagine most of you would not like this to occur to you.

To op-out for the next 5 years you should call 888-567-8688."

I tried, it, it is talking to a computer, and as a tad frustrating, but really didn't take too long,
Goodluck Lee

Corporate Controlled Congress

You know in the past, I have preferred to work with loan brokers. The benefit with them was that they could shop the lenders who were hungry and get the best deal currently available to the borrower.

Well welcome to the new corporate America. These independent brokers are finding their hands tied behind their backs by large corporate lenders.

Today a broker told me he could get a loan for a guy with a 680 credit score, with a job and a 400k mortgage, on a 500k home easier then he could get a loan for a millionaire, with no job, who has the money in the bank, and a 770+ credit score, with only 200k owing on his million dollar home.

You know, I hear a lot about the Republican controlled congress, and the Democratic controlled congress, but all I see is the corporate controlled congress. Stand aside little guy, I have all the money.

Quality Schools in Half Moon Bay

Education on the Coastside has always been a mixed bag. The Coastside has tried some innovative programs such as the Spanish immersion program, at Hatch Elementary, which may have been a good concept, but had problems and resistors. The local elementary schools have won awards, including Hatch, El Granada and Farallone View in Montara over the years. The high school has consistently done well in math and science, but has had fallen behind at times in the humanities.

When Apples for students was available, Half Moon Bay was second to none in parent and student participation in acquiring these computers for the schools. Parent participation in the local schools has long been very good. The high school has not been without its controversy’s, like any high school, but overall I would think it would feel good to have attended it.

Half Moon Bay High School is a relatively small school, thus they not always able to offer all the AP courses or students may have a schedule conflict and need other opportunities to take AP courses. Over the past five years, they have established a relationship with the University of California and their teachers to allow students the opportunity to take selected AP courses online; i.e. AP Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC, and AP Economics. For a pdf of the HMBHS Advanced Placement Program visit

http://www.cabrillo.k12.ca.us/hmbhs/print_file/HMBHS_AP.pdf

Rehab Day in Half Moon Bay

The Senior Center in Half Moon Bay annually sponsors a home repair day.
Men and women from the coastside and Elsewhere come together and do much needed repairs for seniors who cannot any more. These repairs include gardening, light plumbing, deck repair, stairway or ramp replacement, painting, and a host of other small tasks. Much of the work is done in the Half Moon Bay Senior Park, Canada Cove. Some of the work is done to homes in La Honda, Pescadero, EL Granada, Montara and Moss Beach. Here is what the senior center posts"

"What repairs will be done?
Projects dealing with safety, health and accessibility issues are given priority. In the past we have installed wheelchair ramps, replaced unsafe stairs and porches, fixed plumbing problems, repaired furnaces, painted houses inside and out and cleaned yards.
Who is eligible?
Homeowners must be at least 60 years of age or disabled and unable to do the repairs themselves. Recipients must meet income eligibility requirements.
How do I apply for help?
Call Senior Coastsiders at 726-9056 for an application. Return the application by March 31 with a $10 processing fee.
How do I volunteer?
Anyone fourteen and older can be a volunteer! Volunteers do not need to be skilled at home repairs, but any skills will be utilized. If you would like to volunteer, please call us at 726-9056 or print the Application at the top of this page and send it to us.
Who sponsors the program?
The Home Rehabilitation Program is sponsored by private donations, corporations, local businesses, San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services, and San Mateo County Department of Housing."
This work not only helps those who need a hand, but also brings the coastal citizens a bit closer together.

Wouldn't you like to join in. It is a fun day, and you are welcome to join in.

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