For Sale: Better Than New in Discovery Bay!

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9607 Boca Raton Way, Discovery Bay, CA 94505

$635,000 | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | 2,503 SqFt

Better than new – in the private gated community of The Lakes! Gorgeous “newer than new” well designed home features “tons” of upgrades and amenities to live in and enjoy!! Open floor plan concept bathed in lots of natural light to enhance the experience. Beautiful flooring, attractive counter tops, vanities and cabinetry. Master bedroom suite with a lavish bath plus a second bedroom are conveniently located on the main level. The upstairs has two bedrooms, a loft plus a bath to allow for a good, functional floor plan with flexibility. The three-car tandem garage also provides for added storage space as well. Relax in the lovely back yard with an inviting “California Room” plus an outdoor kitchen, built-in barbecue and luxurious spa. Lush lawn area with a spacious side yard creates a great entertaining atmosphere. Enjoy the privacy and amenities of “The Lakes” community, such as: security gate, greenbelt, playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts & soothing fountains. a must see!!

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For Sale: No Expense Spared on this Fabulous Custom Lafayette Estate!

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1982 Reliez Valley Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549

$2,975,000 | 4 Beds | 4.5 Baths | 4,746 SqFt

Nestled in the private Lafayette Hills, this custom estate built in 2001 spared no expense. It boasts 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, a den, and a guest home that enjoys their own separate entrance. Featuring timeless materials with a functional floor plan, soaring ceilings and state-of-the art lighting system (Lutron). Exquisite mill-work, detailed hardwood floors, and impeccable tile and stone. Built-in surround sound/intercom system, high-end appliances, pizza oven, multiple fireplaces, and loads of natural light. Fully functional guest house with open floor plan, beautiful views, and wine cellar. Amazing grounds for year-round enjoyment includes sparkling pool, spa, waterfalls, and a koi pond. Outdoor kitchen, panoramic views, green house, and a spacious view balcony with privacy! Just minutes from highly rated Lafayette schools (Acalanes School District), downtown Lafayette, Walnut Creek, and Pleasant Hill. Convenient commuter access to BART and San Francisco.

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A Little Extra Preparation Goes A Long Way Toward A Better Paint Job

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Painting is one of the most inexpensive ways to give your home a makeover. Whether it’s updating an old bathroom paint scheme or adding a bold accent wall, painting can totally transform a room. But painting can be a big hassle and come with tons of prep work and clean up. Here are a few top tips to make your painting experience more enjoyable and lead to a more professional finish.

Prep beyond tape and drop cloths

A drop cloth will protect your floors, but a thick and durable drop cloth is also a little clumsy to maneuver. For smaller, awkward items that are in danger of paint splatter, use plastic wrap. It’ll make it much less frustrating to protect a toilet or bathroom sink.

Be ready for spills and splatters

At the very least, a few drops of paint are going to end up where you don’t want them. Have a rag and some Q-Tips ready for the inevitable paint splatter, so that you can quickly wipe them off before they dry and set on your frames, countertops, or hardwood floor.

Use heat to remove tape

Patience is key when removing painter’s tape, but it can still tear and leave splotchy edges no matter how careful you are. Hold a heat gun or hair dryer a few inches away from the tape as your remove it little by little. The heat will break down the adhesive and make removing the tape a much less frustrating task.

Tips For Maintaining Houseplants

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Adding plants to your home will give it a fresher and brighter feel and will also improve your home’s air quality. Although it does take a little bit of work and consistency to maintain your plants, but it’s well worth the effort. Here are a few tips for keeping your plants looking great.

Use leftover water from cooking. Plants love the extra nutrients from your leftover cooking water that can’t be found straight from the tap. Instead of dumping the water right after boiling vegetables, let it cool and use it to water your plants.

Coffee makes great fertilizer. Rather than throwing your used coffee grounds in the trash, empty out your French press or coffee filter straight into a planter.

Dust your plants. This should be part of your regular dusting and cleaning routine. Keeping your plants’ leaves dust-free keeps them healthier.

Pay attention to soil types. Different plants require different soils. Do some research to discover each plant‘s preferred soil. For instance, succulents require sandy, dry soil.

Beware of root rot. Houseplants are prone to root rot because there’s often no where for excess water to drain from the planter. Prevent root rot by putting pebbles in the bottom of the planter, which elevates the roots. Use a water-hydrogen peroxide mixture for plants that are already showing signs of root rot.

Need-to-knows For Buying Your First Home

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Buying your first home can be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of your life, but it can also be a scary and stressful process. To ensure you have a smooth transaction from start to finish, familiarize yourself with the home buying process, note the tools and resources available to you, and get all your ducks in order. To get you started, we’ve made a list of our top three ways to set yourself up for success.

Outline Your Musts and Wants

Before starting your search, make a list of must-have and nice-to-have features for your home and neighborhood. This will help you narrow down your search early on and prevent the hunt from becoming overwhelming.

Solidify Your Financing

When starting the home buying process, ensure your finances are in order by reviewing your credit score and taking steps to boost it, saving for a down payment, and avoiding any major purchases. Then select a lender that is right for you, talk to him or her about your loan options, and get preapproved for a mortgage. Once you know your budget, you can more effectively find the right home for you.

Find a Real Estate Agent

Working with a great real estate agent can make a world of difference when it comes to navigating the ins and outs of the home buying process. With their vast background and experience and local knowledge of neighborhoods and cities, they will be your go-to resource every step of the way. By implementing these tips and remembering to enjoy the process, you can set yourself up for a great first home buying experience!

Outstanding in the Field Giveaway

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ENTRY DATES: JANUARY 14-31

Enter for a chance to win a gift certificate valued at $600 for an unforgettable dining experience in the great outdoors. We are awarding 16 of these fabulous prizes. Winners will attend an Outstanding in the Field event of your choosing, along with a guest.

Outstanding in the Field is a self-described “roving restaurant without walls.” It hosts meals on long tables set up in orchards, on mountaintops and along the seashore – right where the meal’s ingredients were harvested – with the goal of connecting diners to the land as the source of their joyful, celebratory feast. For a taste of the event, visit outstandinginthefield.com.

Winners will be drawn on or around February 3. Enter today for your chance to attend one of these one-of-a-kind events!

ENTER NOW

Sale Pending In 5 Days Over Asking Price During The Holiday Break!!!

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225 Zebrina Ct, San Ramon, CA 94582

$979,000 | 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 1,606 SqFt

Create your own stay-cation paradise on this rare 1/3 acre flat/premium lot, over 14,000 square feet! This Shappell home in the Veranda neighborhood has been freshly painted inside, has new carpets installed and is move-in ready! A very functional floor-plan and all 3 levels of highly rated schools are nearby! Zoned for Quail Run Elementary School, Gale Ranch Middle School, and Dougherty Valley High School. Community pool available.

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How Your Daily Drive Time Can Factor Into Your Mortgage

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It’s easy to overlook some of the things that can affect your budget and purchasing power when you’re considering a home, and one of the biggest factors that buyers overlook is the cost of their daily commute.

We’ve all heard that real estate is all about “location, location, location,” and properties in more desirable locations typically come with a higher price tag than similar properties that aren’t in a hot neighborhood.

Yet the overall cost of living for choosing one location over another might be negligible when you factor in the commuting costs that are required—gas, vehicle maintenance, insurance—if you purchase a home that is significantly further from your workplace. If your mortgage is $200 less per month, but you’re spending an extra $200 in commuting costs, are you really saving money?

Commuting costs aren’t just about the disposable income left in your bank account, either. It can even affect how much money you can borrow. If you’re a long-distance commuter, a loan officer may factor your travel costs into your debt-to-income ratio.

Aside from how commuting affects your purchasing power or disposable income, there’s also the question of how it affects your quality of life—no one wants to spend hours a week just getting to and from work.

The real estate market varies greatly from location to location, so the best way to get a complete picture of your purchasing power—and all the factors that go into your home budget—is to speak to a trusted real estate professional.

Wallpaper: Don’t Call It A Comeback!

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Guess who’s back, back again? Wallpaper has risen to the top of homeowners’ favorite ways to spice up a room again and its easy to see why.

Options

With a variety of colors, patterns, and styles on the market, it’s nearly impossible for you to not find one that matches exactly what you’re looking for. The texture and finish options are endless as well, ranging from silk to leather to suede to mother of pearl. Some of the wallpaper trends we are loving right now include watercolor-inspired designs that transform any room into an artistic haven and nature-forward designs that help bring the outdoors in.

Ease of Use

One of the biggest benefits of wallpaper is it is a fantastic DIY project for you and your spouse, family, or friend. Not only does it go on easily, but it is simple to remove and replace when you are ready to revamp the look of the room. Additionally, this is a great option if you’re a renting a home or apartment. Generally, landlords prefer you do not paint during your rental period, so this easy-to-remove option is a great alternative.

Value

Most wallpaper costs on average $3 to $8 per square foot, depending on the brand and the material. Although the upfront cost of wallpapering a room can be a little more than the cost to paint, the value it offers is substantial. Wallpaper can last anywhere from 15 to 25 years, making it an incredibly cost-effective décor solution in the long run, while a painted wall requires more upkeep and touch ups and generally you will need to repaint every 5 to 10 years or so.