Carmichael CA Homes for Sale| Carmichael Dream Homes| Craig Diez

Craig Diez - Diez & Sigg Properties

The Home Improvement Decisions that You will Never Regret

by Leave a Comment

When I think about home improvement decisions for the house, I tend to see what my wife has up next on her major home to
do list. Of course, then I check the budget to see what we have available for funds.

Lidia Staron gives us some insight on decisions we make that are just right.

When it comes to home improvement, homeowners have a myriad of options at their disposal. However, this is not to mean that all of these options are the best. While some fixes and renovations in a home can turn your home into a perfect setting, others end up causing more harm than good. Right from landscaping to wiring and kitchen renovation, home remodeling needs careful consideration to avoid future regrets.

What to Avoid
While some home remodeling options may look trendy on the surface, they may not be ideal for a long term engagement. For instance, one of the trends you would not want to get involved in is specialty finishes on hardware. While most homeowners find specialty finishes on the bathroom or kitchen trendy, their relevance does not last long. Furthermore, they are expensive to have them installed or changed. So considering their up-charges and the fact that they are a thing of the moment, it may not be worth the effort.

In most cases, homeowners would try to do all they can to improve the overall outlook of their bathroom. However, some of these additions may be unnecessary. For instance, while adding a veined marble wall to your bathroom is a beautiful endeavor, going overboard can prove overwhelming since, in a few years, it will look outdated. The same applies to graphic tiling that seems trendy at the moment. At this age, Pinterest and Instagram, soon everybody will be going for it, and it will not be desirable in a few years to come.

What to Focus on in Home Remodeling
So you have everything figured out and are set up to make your investment in home renovation. Before starting your renovation project, make sure to budget all your expenses. With a detailed budget, you will know, whether is it better to consider a personal loan for home improvement or to use your savings and pay with cash.

Where do you start? With funds ready, you ought to go for priority aspects of your home remodeling. The following are some of the notable areas to lay your emphasis.

Storage
Come to think of it; a building is essentially meant for storage apart from being home. This fact explains why one will go to great lengths to create several rooms of various storage purposes. Over time, we accumulate a lot of stuff, and it only makes sense to create enough space for the same. Consider both your current and future storage needs when creating these spaces. This applies to both the interior and exterior storage.

Infrastructure
Apart from location, the home’s infrastructure can become a make or break point for your home remodeling design. By building a custom home, you have the autonomy to decide where each of the main features will be located. This is in addition to the assurance that whatever is used under the floor and behind the walls is high quality. Some of the notable infrastructural considerations in home remodeling include electrical systems, cooling systems, siding, plumbing, insulation, and windows. Work hand in hand with your architect or designer to ensure each of these works to improve the overall performance

Is it Time to Renovate Your Home

by Leave a Comment

To me, sometimes this answer is pretty obvious. If everything in the house is still from 1986 when you bought it, change is due. When all homes around you seem to capture your eye with something fresh but yours doesn’t, then it may be time for some renovation help.

Here are some tips from Anna-Maria Sanders to help you know that it is time.

Renovating your home requires a significant investment. To make the most out of each penny you spend, you must renovate only when it’s needed.

So how do you know if it’s high time that you renovate your home?

Check out these tell-tale signs:

Your Home is Deteriorating

The rate at which your home deteriorates depends on many factors, such as the quality of its construction, the materials used, and the type of climate you live in. Deterioration is a major reason for renovating a house. However, it isn’t always easy to spot deterioration because not all signs can be seen directly.

So what are the signs that your home has gotten substantial wear and tear?

• The tiling system in your home starts to detach. This is most common in areas like the kitchen and the bathroom.
• The roof is leaking.
• The wall paint is chipping, plumbing fixtures are damaged, and the floors are creaking.

As mentioned, other structural problems are not noticeable. It’s a great idea to enlist the help of a professional home inspector at least every year to spot problems early on and have them repaired.

You Have Enough Funds

Every renovation project – big or small – requires money. According to Home Advisor, the cost of home remodeling ranges from $18,466 – $75,350. Yes, it can be very expensive that’s why you need to be financially prepared. To save on the cost, consider tackling necessary projects first, such as home repairs. Note that a lot of times, you might go overboard with your budget. It’s inevitable. But you want to at least keep the unexpected costs at a minimum. If you have sufficient equity in your home, you can use that to finance your home renovation project.

You Need More or Less Space

You could be expecting an additional member in your family soon, your teens wanted a little more privacy and ask to have their own bedroom, or your grownups may have decided to move out. Renovating your home is a great way to meet the changing needs of your family.

You Lack Enough Storage

Is your kitchen looking crowded? Do the contents of your cabinet fall out whenever you open its doors? Has it come to the point when you rather order takeout because cooking at home has become incredibly difficult? Renovating your home to add more storage space can make you stay organized and keep your home clutter-free. Thankfully, modern designs of cabinets and storage systems are not only stylish but also space-saving. Examples are hanging cabinets, multifunctional furniture, built-in wall shelves, and the like.

 


Great American River Cleanup ~ September 21st

by Leave a Comment

THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered this weekend to help clean up the parkway at the Sunrise Recreation Area!! It was the perfect opportunity to spend the day outside in the sunshine for a great cause and connect with other members of the community.

Wondering how you can help keep our parkways clean? The American Parkway Foundation will have more volunteer opportunities throughout the remainder of the year. Stay tuned for our next cleanup opportunity!

#GiveWhereYouLive #DiezandSiggProperties #RealEstate

Rise of the Colorful and Cultural Kitchen Backsplash

by Leave a Comment

I admit to watching a lot of the flipping homes shows just to get some new ideas on changes to make to the inside of the house. One of those changes has been adding value with the kitchen backsplash. There is something about this that tends to make a home look on the high-end side depending on what kitchen backsplash is chosen. We are looking at new designs now and are all in on something that is popular for 2019.

Elliot McGowan offers up some of the different choices and varieties of kitchen backsplash.

Kitchens of today strive to be as sleek and simple as possible. They are not a room of the home that we tend to decorate extravagantly. Instead, we stick to minimalistic and monochromatic decor that modern kitchen design advocates. Muted, neutral colors like pastoral whites and creams are the go-to options and bright, vibrant colors have become taboo choices. Today kitchen designers don’t recommend anything more complex than a two-tone kitchen that contrasts a light shade with a dark shade. But that is not to say that decorative design and splashes of color should be eradicated from kitchen design entirely.

One area we predict a surge in popularity is in the kitchen backsplash — an often overlooked feature of modern kitchen design. Historically, backsplashes are an extra layer of tiling placed on walls behind worktops, sinks, and stoves to protect them from food splashes and spillages. They have always been an integral part of the kitchen but not just for their practicality and hygiene — they are also a fantastic way to inject color and character into a kitchen. Tiles have a decorative prowess and with many different styles originating from all over the world, there is a multitude of stunning options at our fingertips. Here are some extravagant backsplashes inspired by cultures around the world, from Mexico’s Talavera tiles to the Netherlands’ famous Delftware blues.

When talking about tiling and backsplashes, Portugal’s Azulejo tile is one of the first that springs to mind. Anybody who has visited Portugal may recognize the style. Tiling is extremely common in the Mediterranean as tiles don’t retain heat so help to keep places cool in high temperatures. They are also, however, an important part of Portuguese culture and identity. Azulejo tilework actually dates as far back as the 13th century and was brought to the Iberian Peninsula when the Moors invaded what is now Spain and Portugal. Azulejo in Arabic means “small polished stone” and originates in northern Africa.

The last few centuries saw an explosion in Azulejo popularity. Today, it is common to see Azulejos adorning churches, palaces, schools, restaurants, bars, and train stations, as well as regular homes. They are also used extensively in interior decoration. In the kitchen below the Azulejos inject a perfect degree of character into the kitchen. The pastel blue, beige and yellow colors are soft and modest, rather than overpowering. The mandalas are decorative but not excessive, they complement surrounding neutral walls without creating a busy effect.

Click here for the full article

SIT… STAY… OR PLAY THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND!

by Leave a Comment

Labor Day Weekend is just around the corner! That’s why this month’s newsletter is dedicated to weekend events, getaways, and local happenings in and around Northern California. So whether you feel like kicking back and relaxing at home or treating yourself to an epic day trip with family and friends, we have some fun ideas on how you can “live your best life” this Labor Day Weekend!

You don’t have to leave town to enjoy the weekend… Below are some fun ways to kick-off Labor Day Weekend and the entire month of September in and around the Sacramento area!

Sacramento Events:
Sac Republic FC Schedule: Click Here For Matches
Sacramento River Cats Schedule: Click Here For Remaining Games
Now through September 19 (every Thursday): Concert Series @ El Dorado Hills Town Center
August 30 & 31: Rythmn & Blues Festival @ River Park
August 30: Hot Summer Night Concert: Kickoff to Farm and Fork Uncorked
August 31 through September 2: 29th Annual Chalk It Up Festival @ Fremont Park
August 31 (& select days in September): Farm to Fork UNCORKED 2019 @ Old Sugar Mill
September 7: Dave Matthews Band @ Golden 1
September 8 through 14: Grandparents Week @ Fairytale Town
September 11 (and select Wednesday Nights): Barn Flix: Free Outdoor Movies @ Drake’s: The Barn
September 12: Sacramento Burger Battle 2019
September 12: Mexican Independence Day Concert Celebration @ Sac State
September 14: Gather: Movies @ The Fort
September 14: The Pepper & Hot Sauce Expo in Auburn
September 14: Wild Affair @ The Sacramento Zoo
September 15: Crafts & Drafts @ Drakes: The Barn
September 17: John Mayer @ Golden 1
September 19-29: Farm-to-Fork Festival
September 19: Legends of Wine @ State Capitol
September 19: Post Malone @ Golden 1
September 21: Great American River Cleanup
September 21: 14th Annual Fair Oaks Chicken Festival
September 21: Deaf Awareness Day @ Sacramento Zoo
September 21: Sacramento Film & Music Festival @ Crest Theatre
September 21: California Brewer’s Festival @ Discovery Park
September 28 & 29: Fall Festival @ El Dorado Hill Town Center

Wanna get away? This Labor Day Weekend is the perfect opportunity to venture out and take a fun day (or weekend) trip. The great thing about Sacramento is its close proximity to places including San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and the Napa Valley Wine Region. So if you’ve found yourself daydreaming about getting away, consider escaping the heat and treating yourself to an exciting outing!

  1. Apple Hill: Apple Hill is officially open for business! Founded in 1964 with just 16 apple ranches, Apple Hill has grown to include over 50 unique fruit and veggie farms, wineries, B&Bs, flower gardens, Christmas tree farms, and even a day spa. Get your first taste of fall by relaxing at Ponderosa Bed & Breakfast and going apple picking, visiting High Hill Ranch for fishing, pony rides and a delicious slice of pie, or grabbing an award-winning hard cider atNorth Canyon Cider Company. Check out the remaining Apple Hill destinations here!
  2. Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe is the perfect escape from the summer heat with its wide array of recreational activities including boating, water sports and hiking in the summer, and skiing and snowboarding in the winter. They also have fantastic restaurants, concert venues, and shopping! Take a look at some of the local events taking place this weekend by checking out their “Labor Day Lake Tahoe Guide”.
  3. Napa Valley: What better way to celebrate the long weekend than by taking a trip to Napa and enjoying a nice glass of wine, exceptional cuisine and mesmerizing views of vineyards…because “wine not”? Take a ride on the Napa Valley wine train and soak in breathtaking landscapes, soar above the clouds in a hot air balloon, enjoy a culinary experience at one of their many award-winning restaurants or visit one of their 400+ wineries. Click here for a list of weekend events and here for lodging accommodations.
  4. San Francisco: San Francisco is chock-full of events this weekend! Enjoy a performance of Beach Blanket Babylon (tickets are limited), watch both the SF Giants & the Oakland A’s in action (snag your tickets here), visit one of several museum exhibits, or head across the bay to the Sausalito Arts Festival. Also, make sure to check out the free walking tours offered every day this weekend and this list of free activities and things to do in and around San Francisco.

Summer isn’t over just yet…and this weekend is the perfect excuse to fire up the grill and cook up some summer favorites! So savor the end of summer by trying one of these classics to make this your best cookout yet.

  1.   1. Labor Day Burger: Specifically named “The Labor Day Burger”, this mouth-watering burger is packed with extra flavor and punch! A juicy patty, crispy bacon, avocado, pepper flakes, and melted cheddar cheese all come together to create this delicious main. Get the recipe here.
  2. Goat Cheese & Cherry Caprese: Make your summer plate a little lighter and more colorful with this gorgeous and easy to assemble salad filled with juicy cherries, heirloom tomatoes, and fresh goat cheese. Learn how to make it here.
  3. Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries: A burger is not complete without some crispy fries to accompany the meal. Up your fry game with these unbelievably crispy low carb zucchini fries! Try out the recipe here.
  4. Ice Cream S’mores: Believe us when we say this recipe will have you asking for “s’more”… Putting its own unique twist on traditional s’mores, this recipe adds a little something extra with melted chocolate and ice cream creating a cookie-like s’more. Get the recipe here.

 

Do you have any favorite things to do or places to see on Labor Day Weekend? Let us know in the comments section below!

Upgrade Your Home Office

by Leave a Comment

It is always good to have a professional appearance to your home office. For me, I like it to stay like home. I keep a neat area for me and my clients to meet but still maintain a relaxed atmosphere. Normally, the dogs come out and help relax everyone.

Mikkie Mills adds on some tips to help create the right atmosphere in your home office.

Whether you’ve just moved into your home, or you lived there for years now, you might be looking to improve your home office. Your home office is where you can focus without distractions and work in an environment where you feel comfortable. To help you achieve the perfect aesthetic for your home office, here are some ideal updates that you can make that will help you focus, and stay on task for as long as you need to.

1. Natural Lighting

One of the most important things that you can do for your home office is to have natural lighting. Natural lighting helps people to stay more focused and is easier on the eyes than artificial lighting. Artificial lighting has a tendency to fatigue the eyes fast and can even cause headaches for some people. Natural lighting has the opposite effect. It helps you to stay alert and focused for as long as you need to since it regulates your natural circadian sleep cycle. If you want to focus in your home office and get the most out of your work day, the very first thing that you should do is enhance the amount of natural lighting that you get in your home office. If you’re currently looking for a home, find one that has large windows in one of the smaller rooms (a room that you’ll likely turn into a work office). If you already have your office set up, pull the blinds away from the windows and allow the sunlight to stream into the room all day long.

2. Clear Up Space

The last thing that you would want to do in your home office is put so much stuff in the room that you feel cramped. Clutter is the notorious creative jammer. It’s hard to focus when the office is messy, disorganized, or it just feels “full.” To avoid this feeling, make sure that your office is clean and clutter-free. Don’t use it as a storage closet. In fact, move everything out of the office so it’s nearly impossible for it to get full of clutter. You want the room to feel open like you could lie down on the carpet and stretch in the middle of the workday if you felt like it. The carpet should be clean and free of junk, the windows washed, and the desk wiped down before you sit down for the day.

3. Set Up Mobile Printing

You might want to set up mobile printing to avoid any extra equipment in the office space and to help you better access and organize your home office. Mobile printing is one of the easiest things to set up and it can help you to organize your materials, create a breathable workplace, and allow you to have access to your work through the ease of your phone. If you’re on the go and need to quickly print something from work, you can simply connect to the nearest printer through your phone and print the material.

Click here for the full article

Craig Diez

916-425-5884|Contact Craig