Orange County Blog

Your home is supposed be to your castle, your sanctuary, and the one place where you feel safe and secure.Yet for many victims of violence, their home becomes not a place of refuge but one of fear. A comprehensive home alarm system is a great way to keep strangers out and keep you and your family safe.

Burglar alarms have become standard equipment in stores and other businesses, and they’re becoming increasingly common in private homes as well. If you have ever shopped for a home security system, then you are aware that there are a large variety of options available. These alarm systems range from impressive whole house security networks that require installation by professionals to small do-it-yourself kits that are available at a reasonable price and easy to install.

Homes without home-security alarm systems have a significantly higher break in rate. An alarm system is installed to detect and deter intruders. A basic security system will consist of both perimeter and space protection to secure your premise. The first stage secures vulnerable perimeter access points such as windows and doors. The second stage consists of motion detectors, which monitor movement inside the premise. The level of security you choose is determined by the number of protective devises and the sophistication of the system installed.

When shopping for a burglary alarm system it is imperative that you check out the system you are considering as well as the dealer. Some important facts to check are the following;

- Is the company local?
- Do they have a state license?
- Do they offer 24 hour service?
- Will the company work with your insurance company for reduced rates?
- Is there a warranty?
- Is there a service contract?
- Is the system monitored by a central station? Is there a live person or a tape recording on the other end?

A qualified company should perform an on-site inspection and discuss in detail your individual requirements. Each person and home or business is unique and the system you purchase should be tailored to fit your needs and price range. The company should provide you with an evaluation of your property and actions you can take to improve your security over and above the purchase of an alarm system. For example, some suggestions might be installing proper locks, adding additional lighting or clearing shrubbery.

Some less expensive security options include motion sensors and sound detectors, which can be used to turn on lights when triggered. If you live in a reclusive area, motion sensors on outdoor lights are an easy and inexpensive way to deter possible intruders on your property. Another option would be individual window alarms. These alarms are activated by vibration and are another excellent way to deter unwanted visitors.

Whether you choose a professional alarm system or the less expensive option, start by doing your research so you know what will best suit your needs. It's time to start your research. On www.OrangeCountyResourceGuide.com home page, type security in the keywords box.

 

 

 

REALTORS® Do More…..

The “REALTORS® Honoring Veterans” Campaign follows the “REALTORS® Building Homes for Heroes Effort” in which three REALTOR® associations: The Orange County Association of REALTORS®, the Laguna Board of REALTORS® and the Newport Beach Association of REALTORS® joined together to raise $250,000 to build a home for a combat wounded veteran in San Juan Capistrano.  The home will be one of 27 in a brand new Habitat for Humanity of Orange County neighborhood.

The “REALTORS® Building Homes for Heroes” campaign was a grassroots effort that relied on the generous contributions of REALTORS® and affiliates.  The home for a combat wounded veteran and their family shows the REALTOR® commitment to veterans and all that they do for our country. 

The REALTORS® Honoring Veterans Campaign is a wonderful continuation of the Orange County Association of REALTORS® commitment to honoring our servicemen and servicewomen.   

For more information on OCAR visit: www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/directory/listing.php?id=342  

It’s time to put down the brightly colored grocery store ads and head to your local farmers’ market for a delightful day of shopping in the refreshing outdoors.  There you will find a plethora of fresh picked, vine and tree-ripened fruits and vegetables, grown by local farmers. Most is harvested within a day of its arrival at the market, a claim that grocery stores are unable to make.  And an increasing amount of the produce is organically grown which means that the farmers don’t use fertilizers or pesticides, a benefit for the health conscious consumer.   As you stroll through the aisles, most vendors will offer you sample of their wares. Nothing beats actually tasting that juicy nectarine or trying a pluot for the first time.  You may notice that while the taste is unparalleled, the produce may not look picture perfect. Since the produce is vine and tree-ripened, it is available only from the grower and cannot be shipped to the wholesale stores. It is coming directly from the fields.  The taste is the true test and you won’t be disappointed. 

Happily, the shopping doesn’t stop with the fabulous produce.  Most farmers’ markets also offer a variety of other items to make your meal a complete experience.  Bring home some vivid colored fresh flowers to brighten up your dinner table.  Start out with an appetizer of hummus and pita bread.  Sample from the many flavors such as tomato basil, avocado cilantro, or roasted pepper.  Or perhaps a selection of nuts including: pistachio, peanut, and cashews would whet your appetite.   Don’t have a main course yet?  Take a look at the fresh pasta available at many of the farmers’ markets.  No, you’re still not done with the shopping yet.  Dessert still needs to be selected.  A selection of pastries including cakes, cookies, and specialty items are often available.

As you plan your trip to the farmers’ market, keep in mind that they are held outdoors.  You will have a more comfortable and fruitful visit if you are dressed for the weather and have chosen your comfortable walking shoes.  Take a stroll through the entire market before settling down to make your purchases.  Different farmers have different prices so comparison shopping is a must.  But if you are purchasing produce, please don’t try to bargain for a better price.  The farmers have worked hard to bring you their crops fresh from the fields and do not appreciate bartering. Bringing your own bags and perhaps a small hand held cart is a helpful hint to avoid taking trips back and forth to the car.  Small bills are helpful as well as it is not always possible to make change for larger bills.   Overall, keep in mind that a trip to the farmers’ market is an opportunity to take a break from the everyday hustle and bustle, save money, support our local economy, and learn about your community in your own backyard.   For a listing of farmers’ markets and the days of the week that they will be in your area, click the Farmers Markets Link under Quick Links.

When homeowners consider remodeling, their budget becomes a major concern.  But there is an option available which is becoming increasingly popular. It is called Redesign and it is both affordable and accomplished with a minimal amount of time.  A credentialed interior redesigner takes existing furnishings, art collections, mirrors, decorative objects, etc and improves the room with traffic flow, color, and placement.  Room arrangements can typically be completed in a day.  Redesign works with the homeowner's own style while adding the needed pizzazz to one room or an entire home.

Here are some tips from Interior Redesigner and Stager Ellen M. Hassler

♦ Pull furniture away from walls and into the room.

♦ Mix several textures together for visual interest such as a nubby wool throw on a leather chair.

♦ Hang a mirror where it will reflect a beautiful view.

♦ Hang art for a reason such as to extend a piece of furniture.

♦ Group collections together for visual impact.

♦ Mantlescapes can be dramatic with a few large scale items and try layering or leaning artwork.

♦ Rooms come alive with something fresh such as flowers or bowl of green apples or even an aquarium.

♦ A coffee table is the most important table in the room for adding visual interest.

♦ You can never have too many lamps in a room. Consider adding a small lamp to a bookcase.

♦ Add punches of color with colorful accessories, art, and floral arrangements.

A professional redesigner knows how to provide functional space planning, architectural enhancement, the highlighting of proper focal points, visual balance and harmonious light placement.  By using what the homeowner already owns and loves, an environment is created that says "home".  Professional interior designers can be found on by using the words Interior Decorators in the search box.  To learn more about Ellen M. Hasler, a  professional interior designer specializing in redesign, visit:http://www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/directory/listing.php?id=170038

 

 

 

Living in Southern California we recognize that water is one of our most precious resources. We know from experience that California is perpetually in a drought.   Our water supply is dangerously low due to dry conditions, which then lead to prolonged fire danger seasons.  Both the Colorado River and Northern California, our primary water sources, have decreased over the past few years.   According to The Municipal Water District of Orange County, residential water consumption is the largest contributor to California’s urban water use.  In fact urban water use has been measured at more than 2.2 trillion gallons of water per year.  To put this number in perspective, that is half the annual flow of the Colorado River. Or look at the numbers in another way. On average, single family homes use 171 gallons of water per person, per day.  Approximately one third of that is used indoors for laundry, showers, toilets, sinks, washing dishes, etc.  The other two-thirds goes toward watering our yards.  It is critical that steps are taken to preserve this life giving fluid.   The Municipal Water District of Orange County wants to help. They are operating a program called Save Water, Get Cash!  When residents replace old, high water-using devices with new, water-efficient models, they will receive rebates.

Here is an example of how much water can be saved with available upgrades:

     Installing water-efficient rotating nozzles saves 3.6 gallons per nozzle, per day.
     Upgrading to a “smart” irrigation time saves 40 gallons per day
     Installing high efficiency toilets saves 38 gallons per toilet, per day
     Upgrading to a high efficiency clothes washer saves 24 gallons per day.
     Replacing your lawn with synthetic turf saves 12.5 gallons per 100 ft, per day

So what else can you do to save water?
Inside:
     Turn off the water when you brush your teeth – Save  3 gallons per day
     Shorten your showers by one or two minutes – Save 5 gallons per day
     Fix leaky faucets – Save 20 gallons per day
     Wash only full loads of laundry – Save 15-50 gallons per day
Outside:
     Water your yard only before 8 a.m. – Save 25 gallons per day
     Install a smart sprinkler controller – Save 40 gallons per day
     Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks – Save 150 gallons each time.
     Check your sprinkler system for leaks, over-spray and broken heads – Save 500 gallons a month
     Mulch your plants/gardens to reduce evaporation – Save hundreds of gallons a year.
     Plant fire resistant, drought tolerant plants

"To waste, to destroy our natural resources, to skin and exhaust the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining in the days of our children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them amplified and developed."
--Theodore Roosevelt, Seventh Annual Message, December 3, 1907

Caring for our environment is everyone’s responsibility.  Each day you can make simple decisions to make a difference in a big way.  Visit www.mwdoc.com/savewater or call (888) 376-3314 for more information on available rebates on water-efficient products. Of course, saving water isn’t the only way to care for our community.  Click on the Environmental text link in the QUICK LINKS section for information on more ways you can be environmentally conscious.

When the big one hits, will you be ready?  Over 5 million people participated in The Great Southern California Shakeout (www.ShakeOut.org) on November 13, 2008, a drill to test our readiness to deal with the aftermath of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake.  A recent forecast found that sometime in the next three decades there is a 67 percent chance that the Greater Los Angeles area will experience a tremor of at least 6.7 – the same magnitude as the 1994 Northridge quake that killed 57 people.  A U.S. Geological Survey projection says a magnitude 7.8 quake along the San Andreas fault could cause 300 deaths in Orange County and bring down an unspecified 240,000-square-foot mixed-use building.  These sobering figures should move us to action.

What can you do to be prepared for a earthquake whether big or small?  Start by making a home earthquake plan.  Find a safe place in your home where nothing can fall on you away from windows or glass.  Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On at least twice a year by dropping under a heavy piece of furniture like a table or desk, holding on and protecting your eyes by pressing your face against your arm.  If no furniture is available, sit with your back against an interior wall away from bookcases, etc.  Identify and eliminate hazards in your home by bolting bookcases, china cabinets, and other pieces of tall furniture to wall studs.  Put sturdy latches on cupboards.  Lastly, secure televisions, books, and computers and other falling hazards.  Prepare a disaster supplies kit for both your home and car.  Some of the items to include would be canned food and a can opener, at least 3 gallons of water per person, protective clothing, bedding, battery powered radios and flashlights, extra batteries, written directions for turning off gas, electricity, and water.  A first aid kid and any necessary medications should be included in the kit as well.   Once this plan is in place, be sure that all family members, babysitters, and caregivers are aware of it.

Just as you can be prepared before an earthquake, there are tasks you can do once the shaking starts.  If you are in bed, stay there and protect your head with your pillow.  If elsewhere in your home, Drop, Cover, and Hold On, being sure to protect your head and face.  If outdoors, try to get to a clear area away from tall buildings, trees, and electrical lines and then drop to the ground.  If you are in your car, slow down and if possible, drive to a clear area away from buildings, etc. Stay in your car until the shaking stops. Through it all, try to stay calm.

Once the shaking stops, take an assessment of any injuries you may have sustained and then assess others for injuries.  Take a walk through your home, look for and extinguish any small fires. During your home inspection if you deem it unsafe, get out immediately. If you smell gas, turn it off.  But remember, only a professional can turn it back on!  Listen to the radio for information and use your telephone only to report emergencies.  Don’t be caught off guard by aftershocks as they are sure to occur.  Once again, Stop, Drop, and Hold On.

For a list of Orange County companies to help you "quake-proof" your home and family, go to the Search box on the Home Page of this Orange County Resource Guide and in the keyword box, type "Earthquake."

Orange County is one of the most exciting areas of the country to experience adventurous day trips and exciting weekends. Allow us to introduce you to a few of the many opportunities just waiting for you!

Like that old saying Southern California is famous for‚ "You can snow ski in the morning and surf in the afternoon," allow us to open your mind to even more possibilities that your new surroundings have in store for you.

Whale watching in the morning‚ balloon touring and wine tasting in the evening.

There's a whole other country‚ right next door! Discover the, cottage industry that is Rosarita.

Breezy relaxing Catalina Island one day‚ exciting and invigorating Las Vegas the next.

So‚ what are you waiting for? Southern California is waiting for you!!

Have a look at the Day-Tripping section for intersting ideas for your next Orange County day trip excursion

http://www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/day-tripping.html

If given the choice of living in any state, most Americans would choose California, followed by Hawaii and Florida, a recent Harris poll has found.

When asked what city they would choose to live in, most Americans pegged New York City as the place they most desire to live in or near.

The poll was a nationwide survey of 3,685 adults conducted in August 2006. Florida was followed by North Carolina coming in at No. 4, Texas at No. 5, Washington at No. 6, Colorado at No. 7, New York at No. 8, Arizona at No. 9, Oregon at No. 10, Tennessee at No. 11, Virginia at No. 12, Georgia at No. 13, Pennsylvania at No. 14 and Montana at No. 15.

Seven of the 15 states listed in the poll were in the West and six of them were in the South. The only other states represented were the mid-Atlantic states of New York and Pennsylvania. There were no states from the Midwest or Northeast in the top 15.
 

Following New York City as the top U.S. city people would choose to live in or near was San Francisco at No. 2, San Diego at No. 3, Seattle at No. 4, Las Vegas at No. 5, Honolulu at No. 6, Denver and Atlanta tying for No. 7, Chicago at No. 9, Boston at No. 10, Los Angeles at No. 11, Portland, Ore., and Phoenix tied for No.12, Orlando at No. 14 and Austin, Texas at No. 15.