Orange County Blog

Advertising, pricing items & having strangers in your home is not the way you want to spend your valuable time. So what do you do with the beautiful sofa that just doesn’t fit your décor anymore?

Consider Furnishing Hope.

Furnishing Hope was founded to provide a home-like environment for kids and families in stressful situations. Recipients include: graduates of the foster care system,qualifying new homeowners,homeless veterans, the developmentally disabled and families who have lost their home to fire.

With your donations, a network of designers & volunteers use their skills to transform the environment of each home; giving those in need the opportunity to experience life with the comfort of living in pleasant & cheerful surroundings.

Orange County Assoc. of Realtors (OCAR) & Furnishing Hope are looking for donations to outfit remaining homes in Habitat for Humanity’s “Habitat for Heroes and Foundation for Families” neighborhood.

For more information:
(949) 644-9106
www.FurnishingHope.org

Thinking About Having a Garage Sale This Weekend? THINK AGAIN!

Storage, admit it, we all need it with some of us needing it more than others.  Sometimes we are self-proclaimed pack rats.  Other times we find that when moving, storage is something that we need whether for the short term or long.   So when the time comes to look for an off site self storage location, there are several things to consider.  Some are the more obvious concerns are of safety, security, and quality of management, but consideration should also be given to the hours of access and how access is regulated especially if 24 hour access is an option.  Indoor/outdoor temperature should also be considered as well as insurability and other risk factors.  Read what Don Willis of Storage West suggests when considering self-storage at www.welcometooc.com

Yes, it’s that time of year when kids are squeezing in that last bit of recreation before settling down to hit the books.  It feels just yesterday when they were counting down how many more days until summer vacation.   But a new school year is looming in and now is the best time to get organized so you don’t find yourself scrambling on the first day of school.  Here are some tips to make the start of school smooth and panic free.

♦ Start moving bedtime back so it’s not such a shock to the system when the alarm clock rings when it is still dark outside
♦ Shop for a backpack.  Rolling backpacks work great for elementary school kids while middle and high school students prefer the traditional style.
♦ Go back to school shopping.  But first, be sure to assess what they actually need and make a list.  Check the ads and be a savvy shopper.
♦ Designate a place in the house for schoolwork.  Nothing is more frustrating than completing homework and then not being able to find it.
♦ Discuss lunch options.  Kids appreciate being a part of the decision making process and if they have a choice about what goes in their lunch, it’s not as likely to be thrown or traded away.
♦ Choose a central place for the family calendar.  Some families find it helpful to use a different color marker for each family member’s activities.  

A new school year brings excitement, activities, friends, and opportunities.  Be sure to make the most of it!

For parents interested in learning more about the schools in their area, an informative website is http://www.schoolfinder.ca.gov/  Learn about test scores, course offerings, and more.

Moving is hard work, both physically and emotionally.  And for children, moving can be particularly difficult.  They will have many questions and concerns. Why do they have to move? Will they be able make new friends? Will their new house have room for all their toys?  Can they keep their pets?  So before the packing begins, parents should start preparing their child for the big day. To learn how to make the big move just a little easier, visit www.welcometooc.com

One of the top ten stressors in a person’s life is moving.  Whether the move is across country or across town, there is so much to do, so much to consider, so much to remember. Coming to the rescue for the harried homeowner is  www.orangecountyresourceguide.com   The Moving/Relocation tab http://www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/moving/relocation-resources/ has much needed resources to make the entire process run more smoothly. 

Take a moment to pursue the following articles:

* Watching Out for Real Estate Scams - Stop and look both ways before being "hit" by these real estate scams.
* Where Do Most Americans Want to Live? - If given the choice of living in any state, most Americans would choose California
* Living in the OC – Museums, shopping, camping, beaches…OC has it all
* Time to Move - Are You Ready? - So you’re serious about moving—obviously an important decision.  What do you need to consider as you are making plans
* Moving Check List - Making a list and checking it twice… there’s so much to do when it’s time to move. From researching the new community, choosing a moving company, turning on utilities, and even keeping kids and pets happy, the tasks can seem overwhelming. Keep this checklist handy to stay on track and ease the stress.
* Move Yourself or Hire a Mover? - Moving can be a physically and emotionally exhausting experience. Is it better to hire a mover or can you go it alone?
* Relocating & Taxes - Tax time can certainly be confusing, to say the least. Relocating, like most major events in life, comes with certain tax ramifications. Your tax professional can give you in depth information, but here are a few tips!
* Preparing Your Child to Move - Moving is hard work, both physically and emotionally. And for children, moving can be particularly difficult. They will have many questions and concerns. So before the packing begins, parents should start preparing their child for the big day.
* Packing Antiques and Art Work -Whether moving across town or across the country, it can be challenging to safeguard such fragile items as antiques and artwork. The key to arriving with all your precious pieces in one piece is to take your time in packaging your possessions and to use the correct materials.
* Registering Your Vehicle Upon Moving to California - Find out what's required to register a nonresident vehicle as well local DMV offices.
* Organizing the Dreaded Garage - It’s time to get organized!  Find out the best way to tackle that crazy clutter that is clogging your garage.
* South Orange County's Traffic Relief Alternative - New homeowners don’t just purchase a new house or condominium; they invest in a lifestyle. In South Orange County, the Toll Roads have been a boon to the community’s quality of life and have provided significant traffic relief for residents and businesses throughout the region.