Many Californians swear by Feng shui (English pronunciation: fung?-shway), an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to use the laws of both Heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive qi (an active principle forming part of any living thing), so I did a little research on the subject. As feng shui is becoming more and more popular in countries far away from China or Chinese influence, it is worth looking at its history and understand how feng shui started and why feng shui is bringing such powerful results when properly applied.Feng Shui has a history of many thousands years, some say 2,000 years, some go as far as 5,000 years. As an organized body of knowledge

feng shui was practiced since Tang Dynasty, where we can find early recordings about employing feng shui masters in selecting auspicious sites, as well as about feng shui texts being required reading for imperial exams (court of Emperor Hi Tsang, 888 A.D.)One of the famous feng shui names recorded in the history of feng shui is Master Yang Yun Sang, who left a legacy of many classical feng shui texts and is considered the founder of the landscape school of feng shui.

In time, almost a hundred years later, another feng shui school of thought - the Compass Feng Shui School - gained strength and popularity. The main influence in this feng shui school was a Feng Shui Master by the name Wang Chih who developed his teachings during the Song Dynasty.The Compass Feng Shui School calculations are based on

The level that creates a lot of confusion about feng shui applications is the symbolic level of feng shui.Feng Shui Symbols have a rich, culturally specific history and meaning. Most of us are familiar with the look of many feng shui items such as Chinese coins tied with a red string, wind chimes, three legged toads, gods of wealth, etc.

·                         Dragon and Phoenix

·                         Mandarin Ducks

·                         The Double Happiness Sign

·                         Peony Flowers

Wealth Feng Shui Symbols

·                         Gold Arrowana or Koi Fish

·                         Chinese Coins

·                         The Three Legged Toad

·                         Golden Ingots

·                         Sailing Ship

Good Fortune Feng Shui Symbols

·                         Chi Lin, the Dragon Horse

·                         Golden Cicada

·                         The Red Bat

Health & Longevity Feng Shui Symbols

·                         Sau, the God of Longevity

·                         Lucky Bamboo

·                         Wu-Lou, Gourd

Feng Shui Symbols were used for centuries in feng shui applications because of the power of symbols and associations, as well as because of the energy certain items embody. If a certain feng shui symbol does not resonate with you, feel free to chose one that works for you, expresses the same energy, and it is from the culture you grew up in.

More detailed information on Feng Shui, I’d suggest you do a search on Wikipedia, Google or Bing.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

With today’s economic climate, everyone wants to save some money!  Some of the simplest ways to save money during energy spikes include weather stripping and programmable thermostats. But you may also want to consider more expensive attic fans, high-efficiency windows, and reflective roofs.

Rising fuel costs ripple through the economy, and could spark inflation in the price of materials and labor. Home equity loans are an attractive way to finance costly home projects, and the ability to write off the interest paid on home equity loans and lines of credit may make these loans palatable for you and your family. Other benefits include possible tax credits and low-interest loans for energy-saving home projects; check with your state government to see if you qualify.

Improvements to boost energy efficiency offer other benefits. Insulating pipes reduces energy lost during hot-water delivery in case your main heating system fails. And a high-efficiency natural-gas fireplace can become a valuable backup to oil or electric heating systems.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

1.       Confirm that water, electric and gas service are on, with gas pilot lights burning.

2.     Ensure pets won’t hinder the inspection. They should be removed from premises or secured outside. Tell your agent about any pets at home.

3.     Replace burned out bulbs to avoid an “inoperable” report that may suggest an electrical problem.

4.     Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace dead batteries.

5.     Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should fit securely.

6.     Remove stored items, debris and wood from foundation. These may be cited as “conducive conditions” for termites.

7.     Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electric service panels, water heaters, attics and crawl spaces.

8.     Unlock areas the inspector must access such as attic doors or hatches, electric service panels, closets, fence gates and crawl spaces.

9.     Trim tree limbs to 10′ from the roof and shrubs from the house to allow access.

10.  Attend to broken or missing items like doorknobs, locks and latches; window panes, screens and locks; gutters, downspouts and chimney caps.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Quick fixes before selling a home always pay off, but which repairs bring the biggest return? Specific answers to this often-asked question largely depend on a variety of factors such as:

·                    Time of year

·                    Location of the home

·                    Market temperature

·                    Competing inventory

Here are some suggested home repairs that can add to your profit margin when selling your home. 

Flooring Fixes

·                    Hardwood Floors
If your home has hardwood floors, that’s what buyers want, and it would pay to have the carpeting removed and the floors refinished.

·                    Carpeting
If your sub-floor is plywood, then replace the carpeting with light tan. Neutral carpeting is your best bet for resale.

·                    Ceramic
Replace chipped or cracked tiles. Clean or replace the grout. But don’t install ceramic (it’s too expensive) unless it’s for aesthetic reasons in an entry way.

Paint Ceilings & Walls

Buyers spend more time than you would think staring at ceilings. They are looking for signs of a leaky roof, but what you don’t want them to see are stains from grease or smoke and ceiling cracks. Ditto for walls. Nothing says freshness like new paint, and it’s the most cost effective improvement. Use fiberglass tape on large cracks, cover with joint compound and sand. Paint a neutral color such as light tan - think of coffee with cream.

·                    Wallpaper
It’s not that all buyers hate wallpaper. They hate your wallpaper - because it’s your personal choice, not theirs. And they hate all dated wallpaper. Get rid of it. The easiest way is to steam it off by using an inexpensive wallpaper remover steamer.

·                    Wood paneling
Even if your wood paneling is not real wood but composite, you can paint it. Dated paneling must go. Older wood paneling such as walnut, mahogany, cedar and pine, it’s all gone out of style. Paint it a neutral and soft color after priming it.

·                    Textured ceilings
Older popcorn ceilings with the “sparkles” often contain asbestos and if disturbed are health hazards. Say goodbye to it. But even recently sprayed ceilings turn off buyers. It’s not expensive but it is time consuming to remove. Lay down drop cloths and scrape it off. You will need to repaint.

Kitchen Improvements

Appliances and cabinets are typically the most expensive items to replace in a kitchen. If you don’t have to replace them, you’ll save a ton of money. However, if your cabinets are dated and beat-up, your house might not sell if the cabinets aren’t replaced.

·                    Cabinets
Resurfacing is your best option. This involves attaching a thin veneer to the surface of the cabinets and replacing the doors and hardware. If your cabinets are painted, add a fresh coat of paint and new hardware.

·                    Counter tops, sinks & faucets
Granite counters are not necessary. Simple laminates, newer faucets and sparkling sinks sell. Buyers don’t want leaky faucets or stained sinks.

Bathrooms

New floors, fixtures and lights payoff.

Roofs & Exterior

If your home needs a new roof, bite the bullet and do it. Even though most roofing tear-off jobs take one to two days, buyers shy away from buying a home if the roof needs to be replaced.

·                    Patch cement cracks in sidewalks

·                    Resurface asphalt driveways

·                    Plant flowers

·                    Caulk windows and doors

·                    Replace doorknobs and locks

·                    Fix or paint fences

Conclusion

Overall, buyers want to buy a home that has no deferred maintenance, newer appliances, updated plumbing, electrical and heating (including a/c), modern conveniences and is ready to occupy.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

The right kind of landscaping can help firefighters defend your property in the event of wildfire.

A good design can incorporate fire safety, drought tolerance and all the other benefits of landscaping, all in one package.  Here are some tips on this important subject:

Defensive Space: By reducing the amount of vegetation around your home, you make it easier for firefighters to protect your property - allow individual plants to remain in clumps that are separated from each other by at least 20 feet is recommended. Reduce flammable vegetation around the house. Cut back tree branches that hang over the roof. Keep shrubs and trees trimmed to remove low-hanging branches and deadwood. Cut down weeds.

Landscape Structures: Use non-flammable building materials like stone, brick, adobe and concrete. Avoid flammable wood structures in the garden. Wood decks hanging over unkempt vegetation are the most dangerous. Decks and other wood structures must be built to resist fire in high fire hazard areas; check with your local building department. Cover decks with approved fire resistant skirting or use concrete or stone patios instead. Flammable wood fences can act as fuses in a fire; use chain link fences or masonry walls instead. Avoid using flammable mulches like bark or wood chips near the house; use gravel, crushed rock or decomposed granite instead.

Plantings: Some plants are more flammable than others. Conifers like pine, cypress, cedar and juniper are the worst choices. Other very flammable plants include bougainvillea, pampas grass, eucalyptus, New Zealand flax, chamise and many grasses. Any plant will burn, but plants with lots of water stored in their leaves, or which contain large quantities of salts, are more resistant to fire. Examples are succulents, oleander, myoporum, lawns and many low-growing groundcovers.

Zone System: The way plants are arranged in the landscape is more important than the kind of plants you use. The Zone System uses four bands of plantings to slow an approaching fire and create defensible space.

  Zone 4, the outermost zone, consists of thinned native vegetation with free-standing clumps of pruned shrubs and low-growing plants or mulch in the remaining open space.

  Zone 3, closer to the house, is low plants to two feet tall that burn very quickly and offer very little fuel to the fire.

  Zone 2 is a greenbelt of succulents and very low-growing vegetation that is reluctant to burn.

  Zone 1 consists of less flammable species that present a minimal risk of exploding into flames during a wildfire.

For more information on planning a safe landscape design, contact your local fire prevention agency or ask the advice of professional landscapers in your area.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection  services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Instead of installing a low-voltage lighting system, take advantage of the sun with solar-powered lights. Solar-powered path lights are a cinch to install. Choose an area that receives at least eight hours of full sun per day, and either hang the lights or mount them on ground stakes.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Filled with excitement, you open the front door to your marvelous new home. This is where you ask, “But where are the window coverings?” Ordinarily, that’s when you discover that you still have a lot of shopping to do.

You probably haven’t thought about all the items you will need when moving into a house that you did not need in an apartment. This news comes as a shock to many first-time home buyers. So, if you’ve scraped together your last ten cents to pay closing costs, here are ways you can save a little on some of your new purchases:

·         Keys & Locks

The first thing you should do is re-key or change your door locks. If the previous owners were like most people, the neighbors, friends and coworkers all might have a set of keys to your house. Even new home builders give out keys to contractors. It’s very wise to change the locks and / or install deadbolts.

The easiest solution is to remove the locks from your doors and take them to your local hardware store to re-key. You can buy all new locks, but that’s expensive, or you can call a locksmith to change the locks for you.

·         Lawnmower

Unless you plan to hire a gardener or your yard is filled with rocks, you will need to buy a lawnmower. Many new homes in California have no lawns. The back yards are dirt, which means new homeowners here are forking out cash to lay sod or growing their own grass from seed.

Consumer Reports publishes reviews that are extremely helpful when comparing brands and will suggest a “Best Buy” in lawnmowers for you. You can also search on Craigslist or in your local newspaper for used lawnmowers.

·         Garden Supplies

Every home needs a garden hose. You can buy those at a low price, plus find adjustable sprayer heads or lawn sprinklers at Target or in the gardening department at The Home Depot. Don’t forget about weed-whackers, trowels, shovels, rakes or hoes. A push broom comes in handy for sweeping your garage floor. Consider a watering can, and wheelbarrow or wagon.

·         Tools & Repair Items

Every home needs a well-stocked tool box. Essential items are:

1.     Hammers: Ball & Claw

2.     Assorted Screw drivers: Flathead & Phillips

3.     Hacksaw

4.     Pliers

5.     Plumber’s Wrench

6.     Basin Wrench

7.     Small Drill & Drill Bits

8.     Nail Driver

9.     Staple Gun

10. Tape Measure

Useful items to stock up on include:

1.     Paint Brushes: one-inch to four-inches

2.     Paint Scraper with steel brush for cleaning paint brushes

3.     Five-Gallon Container for mixing paint

4.     Paint Screen

5.     Paint Roller & Sleeves

6.     Drop Cloths or plastic sheeting

7.     Electrical Tester

8.     Wire Nuts

9.     Assorted Screws and Nails

10. Assortment of Sandpaper

·         Outdoor Entertaining

Lawn chairs, patio furniture and umbrella, and a barbecue grill are among the starter items most people put out back. A nice starter grill is a Weber charcoal grill, and it’s very inexpensive.

·         Window Coverings

You can choose from blinds, drapes, Roman shades, scarves, toppers, curtains, honeycombs, sheers or shutters.

If your budget is stretched too thin, check out self-adhesive paper blinds with clips. These attach by peeling off the adhesive covering and sticking the top of the blind to the underside at the top of your window. They are pleated, so you can fold them up and clip them when you want to open the blinds. They cost less than $5, and serve as a good temporary solution.

·         Appliances

Many new homes are equipped with new appliances, but when buying an older home, depending on where you live, it might be customary for the seller to take the appliances.

At the very least, you will need a:

1.     Cooktop / Range

2.     Refrigerator

3.     Washer & Dryer

If new is out of your price range, then consider buying used appliances (check Craigslist again), which will save you about 75% of the cost new.  

·         Linens, Towels and Floor Coverings

Now that you can paint your rooms any color you choose, you might also find a need to buy new towels for the bathroom. Newly painted walls call attention to older, worn items, and your towels might be better suited for washing the car than hanging in a fresh, new bathroom. Consider also floor mats for the bath or area rugs for your larger rooms.

If you need new duvet covers, sheets or bedspreads, you can often find good bargains at places like Linen-n-Things or Bed, Bath & Beyond.

·         Domestic Pets

Maybe your previous lease prevented you from owning a dog or cat, but now that you own your home, you can adopt a pet! Some cities have restrictions on the number of pets you can have, so be sure to check with your local authorities. Don’t forget to ask if you need a city license for your dog or cat.

Visit your local SPCA or City Animal Control to find homeless pets to adopt or learn more about adoption at the A.S.P.C.A.. Don’t buy pets from a pet store because many disreputable pet stores knowingly or unknowingly buy their inventory from a puppy mill. Some pet stores sell pets carrying a contagious and deadly virus, because the animals came from unreliable breeders who did not vaccinate. Thoroughly investigate a breeder before you fall in love with a purebred. On the other hand, if you adopt from a shelter, your pet will be vaccinated and spayed / neutered. Plus, you will be saving a pet’s life, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to add a loving companion to your new home.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection  services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

What is a fixture and what is not a fixture is the basis for many real estate disputes. Generally speaking, all landscaping, or any type of plant with roots firmly ensconced in the ground, is considered a fixture. If the seller won’t return the roses, perhaps you can ask the seller to reimburse you so you can buy your own.

If personal property is affixed or fastened to real estate, it becomes a fixture. Fixtures become real property when they are attached to the property.

If the seller has a certain affection for a fixture, the seller should remove it and, if necessary, replace it. If a buyer never sees it, the buyer won’t want it. Soon as you call attention to a fixture and tell the buyer she can’t have it, the buyer will covet it. It’s simple human nature, quirky as that may sound.

An example would be a seller attached to a particular dishwasher. Now, one can’t remove a dishwasher and leave an empty space between the cabinets because buyers would object. The smart seller would buy a less expensive dishwasher and install it before the home is put on the market.

Typically, if you can remove window coverings by sliding them off a rod such as curtains or drapes, those window coverings are not considered a fixture. However, curtain rods, blinds and window shades are fixtures.

How to Determine if Personal Property is a Fixture

Every state has its own guidelines for what constitutes a fixture, but here are the five tests California courts use to determine what is a fixture and what is not. Not every test needs to be met.

It’s called M-A-R-I-A.

·         Method of attachment. Is the item permanently affixed to the wall, ceiling or flooring by using nails, glue, cement, pipes, or screws? Even if you can easily remove it, the method used to attach it might make it a fixture. For example, ceiling lights, although attached by wires, can be removed, but the lights are a fixture.

·         Adaptability. If the item becomes an integral part of the home, it cannot be removed. For example, a floating laminate floor is a fixture, even though it is snapped together. One could argue that a built-in Sub Zero refrigerator is considered a fixture, although it can be unplugged, because it fits inside a specified space.

·         Relationship of the parties. If the dispute is between tenant and landlord, the tenant is likely to win. If the dispute is between buyer and seller, the buyer is likely to prevail.

·         Intention of party when the item was attached. When the installation took place, if the intent was to make the item a permanent attachment, for example, a built-in bookcase would be considered a fixture.

·         Agreement between the parties. Read your purchase contract. Most contain a clause that expressly defines items included in the sale and ordinarily state “All existing fixtures and fittings that are attached to the property.”

How to Ensure That Fixtures Remain with the House

Sellers and buyers should specifically state in the purchase offer which items will stay with the house and which will go, especially if there could be confusion over a fixture. Items such as kitchen appliances, bookshelves, portable spas, water fountains, and washers and dryers, should be noted in the contract as included or excluded from sale.

Here in California, many buyers are confused about koi ponds. Do the fish stay or go? The pond is a fixture, but the fish can be carried away in a bucket of water. Some koi are kept as pets. If a buyer wants to negotiate for the koi, buyers are advised to identify the type (some can cost $3,000 a piece) count the koi and write the fish into the contract.

For legal questions, please consult a real estate lawyer.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection  services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Any home may have a radon problem.

Radon is a gaseous radioactive element having the symbol Rn, the atomic number 86, an atomic weight of 222, a melting point of -71ºC, a boiling point of -62ºC, and (depending on the source, there are between 20 and 25 isotopes of radon - 20 cited in the chemical summary, 25 listed in the table of isotopes); it is an extremely toxic, colorless gas; it can be condensed to a transparent liquid and to an opaque, glowing solid; it is derived from the radioactive decay of radium and is used in cancer treatment, as a tracer in leak detection, and in radiography

Radon is a radioactive gas.  It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.

These do-it-yourself devices continue to provide generally practical and affordable measurements.  They can give consumers the information they need about the radon level in their home, and in making a decision about whether to fix their home.

There are no immediate symptoms from exposures to radon. Based on an updated Assessment of Risk for Radon in Homes (see www.epa.gov/radon/risk_assessment.html ), radon in indoor air is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Smokers are at higher risk of developing Radon-induced lung cancer. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked with radon exposure. Lung cancer would usually occur years (5-25) after exposure.

The amount of radon in the soil depends on soil chemistry, which varies from one house to the next. Radon levels in the soil range from a few hundred to several thousands of pCi/L (pico Curries per Liter). The amount of radon that escapes from the soil to enter the house depends on the weather, soil porosity, soil moisture, and the suction within the house.

For more information, see www.epa.gov/radon and www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html

In the coming winter season, you will probably observe that old familiar grey smoke curling out of household chimneys.  Most families operate their fireplaces for ambiance and there are still some that use them as a means of providing heat for their homes during cold winter spells.  Burning combustible materials in a fireplace produces more than a comfortable feeling of coziness and Seasons’ Greetings at holiday parties and family get-togethers – they also introduce another guest into your home.  This guest is not a nice guy and to say he is sneaky is an understatement.  He lurks about while fires are burning and quietly enters your lungs where he slowly poisons his victims.  He is especially fond of young children whose vital organs are not fully developed and senior citizens whose lungs may already be damaged by years of smoking and natural aging.  His name is carbon monoxide and he is a killer.  Here is a list of other carbon monoxide producing appliances besides wood burning fireplaces:

• Gas/oil-fired furnaces
• Gas-fired water heaters
• Wood stoves
• Gas-fired clothes dryers
• Charcoal and gas-fired BBQ grills
• Gas-fired lawn mowers, leaf blowers and any other gas-fired yard equipment
• Gas-fired space heaters
• Automobiles

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and deadly.  When you inhale carbon monoxide, the results are like a form of slow suffocation.  The poison attaches itself firmly to hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying substance in your red blood cells.  When the oxygen carrying capacity of your blood is diminished, the body’s tissues and organs become oxygen starved and begin to die.  Large amounts of carbon monoxide can kill you in minutes, and even should you recover, the poison can cause permanent damage to any parts of your body which require oxygen to function correctly, such as your brain.  What usually happens is that people are exposed to small amounts over time, which may result in the following symptoms:

• Headaches
• Chest tightness
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Inattention to detail
• Fatigue

Should you have any of the above symptoms or feel ill when at home, but clear headed and friskier while out and about, suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.  Many times the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are dismissed as “post Christmas shopping syndrome” which makes it even more dangerous.  It is recommended that folks purchase a couple of carbon monoxide detectors and install them in locations recommended in the alarm manufacturer’s installation instructions.  These type of alarms usually cost less than one hundred dollars, which is cheap insurance for you and your family and most hardware and big box stores carry them.  Regardless, with all the possibilities of carbon monoxide poisoning through fuel burning appliances and the potential for back-drafting flues, I am a strong believer that carbon monoxide alarms are just as vital for occupant safety as smoke alarms.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.