Patty Manzi’s Tri-Valley Real Estate Blog

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!

The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act makes early tax planning increasingly important. The number and complexity of the changes has prompted the IRS to release educational e-mails, videos, podcasts and other tools on a regular basis since the ARRA became law in February 2009.

“With so many credits requiring you to act before a certain date, do your tax planning now to determine where your money will be best spent over the coming months,” says Jessi Dolmage, spokeswoman for 2nd Story Software, Inc., makers of TaxACT. She also recommends the following steps:

1. Preview your tax situation using TaxACT 2009 Free Federal Edition. It will walk you through the ARRA credits and deductions, giving a more complete preview of your return. TaxACT releases preview versions of its software every October for use until final versions are released in January (any data entered into preview will transfer to final). Start your free federal return at http://www.taxact.com/

2. Review your federal withholding. TaxACT offers a Making Work Pay Calculator that will estimate how much the credit is worth to you.

3. Compile receipts and documentation for purchases that will result in credits.

4. Visit www.IRS.gov to review all of the ARRA provisions. TaxACT also has an ARRA site at http://www.taxact.com/recovery.