Home Improvement Archives -

Do you think most buyers of La Costa real estate are more concerned with saving green, rather than being green–and having green features? Sometimes, though, saving green and being green are one in the same. The Appraisal Journal, conducting a study out of the University of Texas at San Antonio, seems to think that might

Spring Cleaning Your Carlsbad Home

April 11, 2015

Carlsbad, Home Improvement, La Costa

Spring Cleaning? I’ve already started with our La Costa home–in serious fashion. Our weather in generally balmy and “spring cleaning” could happen almost any month of the year. But this year I am truly ready for the new and out with the old! Refrigerator? Ours is GONE! All refrigerator drawers and shelves seem to collect gunk

How Important are Rain Gutters in San Diego?

March 23, 2015

Buying, Carlsbad, Home Improvement

by Roberta Murphy A couple of weeks ago at a Carlsbad home inspection, rain gutters–or the lack thereof– proved to be a real issue for our buyer. Rain (a rare occurrence here) had over the years rotted wood soffets and eaves and had badly stained the home’s stucco. This, along with some foundation damage, could have

Curb Appeal for La Costa Condos

October 10, 2014

Buying, Carlsbad, Home Improvement, La Costa

La Costa real estate is rich with condos and townhomes, and most buyers would agree that curb appeal for La Costa condos is an important element in their decision to buy. We all know that curb appeal is important to buyers of single-family homes, but what to do if you are selling a condo in

Considering a New Roof For Your Carlsbad Home This Winter?

September 29, 2014

Carlsbad, Home Improvement, La Costa, Selling

Been thinking about a new roof lately? Concerned about a possible El Nino hitting San Diego this winter? Many homes in North County San Diego have tile and concrete roofs, while others have composition. And with our rainier (hopefully) San Diego season approaching, now might be the best time to consider a new roof for

Light and Paint Color in Your Carlsbad Home

September 18, 2014

Carlsbad, Home Improvement, La Costa

When considering what paint to choose for your Carlsbad home, be sure to take light and paint color into consideration! Light exposure in almost any room plays a large part in the visual drama of your paint colors. Rooms with multi-directional sun exposure—either opposing (east/west or north/south) or perpendicular (north/west, north/east, south/west, south/east)—will involve play of

Lighting Your La Costa Home

September 18, 2014

Carlsbad, Home Improvement, La Costa

We have changed the lighting in our La Costa home to LED wherever possible. The energy savings, the long life of the bulbs and the clean white light are hard to beat. There was a time when we were hoarding incandescent bulbs as we couldn’t stand the corkscrew bulbs and their crappy lighting–and resulting hazardous

Maintaining a Home in San Diego

September 18, 2014

Home Improvement, San Diego, Selling

Maintaining a home in San Diego differs a bit from other areas of the country–particularly in our coastal region. We don’t have blankets of snow in the winter and we tend to be surprised when rain storms arrive. Our gardens grow year round and we fear termites more than thunderstorms. So what are some things

Go Monochromatic in Your Carlsbad Home

September 18, 2014

Carlsbad, Home Improvement, La Costa

Sometimes when showing a Carlsbad home, we run into monochromatic decor. If done right, the results can be pleasingly dramatic. The use of a single color, or range of shades in a color can give your home a sophisticated designer appeal. Is it necessary to hire a designer to achieve the look? Absolutely not. It is something you can

Let’s Enjoy Our La Costa Patios and Yards in 2013!

April 3, 2013

Carlsbad, Home Improvement, La Costa

by Roberta Murphy San Diego is in full bloom, but we live and work in La Costa and spring fever is upon us all. Part of it might be that the La Costa real estate market is red hot and landscape fever is contagious —-and the other could be sheer enjoyment of working outdoors with