Patty's "All Things Real Estate" Blog.

I just returned from a lovely lunch at Massimo’s in Walnut Creek, California.  This was the location for our monthly NARPM meeting (National Association of Residential Property Managers).  Today’s topic was fire safety as it pertains to rental properties, but the subject is valid for ALL types of properties.  

One (1) gallon of gasoline has as much explosive power as 16 tons of dynamite!  Gasoline should always be stored in the proper container and NEVER stored inside your house or garage.

When talking about electrical outlets, the rule of thumb is one plug per socket!  If you must use an extension device of some sort, use a surge protector with multiple sockets.  Get the type with heat sensing device that will shut the strip down if it gets too hot, or the type that has a cooling fan.  Never plug a surge protector into another surge protector.

Don’t store chemicals under your kitchen sink if you have electrical cords under there as well (like garbage disposal or dishwasher). 

Don’t store ‘stuff’ in the furnace or water heater closets.  No card tables, paper bags, chemicals, paint, etc……the only thing that should be in the closet is the furnace or water heater.  If your water heater is exposed and up on a platform, don’t use the platform to store your laundry bleach or extra paint cans.  There is a FLAME inside the water heater…..!

De-Clutter!  Clutter can cover up all types of hazards.  It also makes for very efficient fuel in the event of a fire.

Never mix cleaning chemicals. 

Never leave things cooking on your stove or in your oven unattended.  This is the number one cause of kitchen fires.  Never throw baking soda, salt, or flour on a fire in the kitchen.  If a pan catches on fire on the stove, cover it with another pan, lid, or baking sheet – then call 911!

Clean our your dryer vent lines every 6 months.  Ever wonder where those missing socks went to?  Probably stuck in the dryer vent line plugging up all the lint.  Perfect fire hazard!

Check the batteries in your smoke detectors every 6 months, and replace the detectors every 10 years, or whenever necessary.

GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER!  Mount it to the wall in your kitchen.  If you use it, replace it or refill it.  Yes, we know they are ugly, but a fire is uglier.  Spend a few more bucks and get the chrome one. 

If you have a fire, even a small one on your stove that you put out yourself, ALWAYS call the fire department anyway.  Sparks can get sucked up into vents spread into the attic.  Sparks can get behind appliances and furniture and smolder in the flooring/carpet/wall.  Electrical wires can be burning behind sheet rock walls.  The fire department is more than willing to check out the situation for you.

Its better to be safe than sorry!

Here are a few new ideas to try while getting through your spring cleaning!

1. Dusting with a paintbrush can be an effective way to get into those hard to reach cracks & crevices, etc.

2. Kids smelly shoes? Here’s a solution. Put some tea leaves into a pair of stockings and stuff each into a shoe. Leave for a day or two and the smell vanishes.

3. Treat stubborn bathtub stains with a paste made from cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide. By the time the paste dries, the stain should be gone.

4. To remove sticky residue/glue, try one of these: mayonnaise, peanut butter, nail polish remover, “Goo Gone”, or any oil.

5. Erasers will remove black heel marks on floors and Artgum erasers will clean bone colored shoes.

Spring is on its way here in Pleasanton! Winter is loosening its cold grip, wildflowers are beginning to bloom and sunshine is peeking into windows. It’s time to brighten up, rearrange furniture and welcome the return of warmer weather. A few hours of old-fashioned spring cleaning can refresh and revitalize your home and your spirit!

Where to Start?

• Move furniture and vacuum under it.

• Wash windows inside and out.

• Repair or replace torn screens.

• Bring out warm-weather clothing; clean and store heavy winter wear.

• Inspect, clean and repair outdoor furniture.

• Clean out the garage to create space for sporting goods, camping equipment and garden tools.

• Clear away dead foliage and weeds to make room for new growth.

• Check interior, exterior and grounds for any needed seasonal maintenance.

• Have cooling systems inspected so they are ready for action.

• Schedule a garage or yard sale to dispose of unwanted items and turn your trash into cash!

• Clean gutters and downspouts and inspect for proper drainage.

• Wash house exterior to remove dirt and mildew.

• Clean and replace air filters.

• Reprogram thermostat settings for warmer temperatures.

• Check pool and spa equipment.

• Clean and seal wood decks and fences.

Here in the Pleasanton Real Estate market a lot of people are in a very sticky predicament.  They have lost their home to foreclosure, short-sale, bankruptcy, or a combination of those scenarios.  They are now faced with a dilemma of not only trying to find a home to rent, but trying to do that with a very messed up credit.  Some of the problems on the credit report could range from late payments, to collections, to unpaid credit cards,unpaid mortages and more. 

Typically when a person completes an application to rent a home they pay a ‘screening fee’ and authorize the landlord or a property management company to run a credit check.  Some management companies also check for previous rental history (eviction) and criminal background as well.  But, just because someone has less than stellar credit does not mean they will not be accepted as a renter.  It really depends on the circumstances. 

If a credit report shows that a person has a long history of consistently being late in paying all of  their bills, are over extended on their credit lines,  has multiple unpaid accounts or collections, and barely makes enough income to cover their rent, they will probably not be an acceptable rental candidate.  On the other hand if the credit report shows a strong consistent payment history on most of their debts, unpaid or late items can be attributed to an isolated time frame during which a foreclosure or job loss occurred, the person can show verification of income, and they can show their income to be 2 to 3 times the amount of their rent, then they are in a better position to be considered an acceptable candidate. 

Keep in mind it is up to the discretion of the landlord or property manager to make the final decision, but most of the time landlords or managers are willing to work with prospective tenants on these issues.  It is always best to be open and honest about these potential credit issues before the rental application is submitted.  Explaining the situation to the landlord/manager and having the discussion up front can help the prospective tenant determine their options before they get too far along in the application process. 

In some cases the landlord or manager could require additional security deposits, but the deposits are limited to the amounts allowable by law (in California that amount is 2 times the monthly rent).

• About 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged in the US each year. That’s the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas.

• Women purchase 85 percent of all valentines.

• Parents receive 1 out of every 5 valentines.

• About 3 percent of pet owners will give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets.

• Worldwide, over 50 million roses are given for Valentine’s Day each year.

• Approximately 110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period.

• 73 percent of people who buy flowers for Valentine’s Day are men.

Happy Valentines Day!