Like many Bay Area homeowners, you’ve probably taken measures to reduce your home’s water and energy usage, such as installing water-saving plumbing fixtures and switching to LED lighting. However, you may have overlooked another part of your property: your yard. From your garden to your pool, there are several areas where you can save water and energy by improving your exterior efficiency. Read more

In terms of sheer scope, few enterprises are as exhaustive as moving. From the basic tasks of packing and transporting your belongings to more technical aspects like hiring a moving company and getting insurance, there are a lot of bases to cover. To “unpack” some of the complexities involved, we’ve curated the following collection of information, including key terms, helpful tips and answers to frequently asked questions. Read more

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended many aspects of our economy, and the housing market is no exception. In addition to realtors, many rental property owners have been affected. If you own a rental property that has been recently vacated, consider the following steps for preparing it to go back on the market. Read more

One of the major perks of living in the Bay Area is its mild year-round climate. However, despite the typically moderate conditions, Bay Area residents are not wholly unfamiliar with extreme weather. Read more

This year, countless children will be spending at least part of their summer at one of their favorite destinations: their grandparents’ house. If you’re planning on welcoming your grandkids this summer, you’re likely thinking about how to fill those special days. Maybe you’re planning beach outings or trips to the museum; maybe you’re also dreading the mess or worried someone might get hurt. Find out how you can get your home and yard ready for those rambunctious kids (and how to get your home back to normal once they’re gone). Read more

Your air conditioner is designed to keep your home cool during the summer, but like any system, it requires ongoing maintenance to sustain peak operating efficiency. While some maintenance steps are best left to an HVAC professional (such as handling refrigerant), there are others you can perform yourself. Here are four DIY air conditioning maintenance steps: Read more

If you own a swimming pool, chances are you work with a company that helps you maintain it. However, even if you have a reliable pool technician, it’s good to know a few basics about pool maintenance. Additionally, you may have questions about how to improve your swimming experience or lower the associated utility costs. Here are five things to ask your pool technician: Read more