Carmichael CA Realtor| Carmichael Dream Homes| Craig Diez

Craig Diez - Diez & Sigg Properties

The Most Popular Landscaping Trends for 2021

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The COVID-19 pandemic kept many people home for the majority of 2020. And while things are definitely looking up, many are still spending more time at home in 2021, which is driving an uptick in home renovations—including landscaping.

So, the question is—what are the trends homeowners are embracing to spruce up their outdoor space?

A recent video from realtor.com outlined the most popular landscaping trends of 2021, including:

Vegetable gardens. The pandemic saw many people start their own vegetable gardens, both as a way to stay busy and a way to avoid any unnecessary trips to the supermarket. With spring planting season around the corner, vegetable gardening is, once again, poised to be one of the year’s biggest landscaping trends.

Views from the inside. Obviously, you want your landscaping to look great while you’re outside. But as people have been forced to spend more time at home, it’s become increasingly important for your landscaping to also look great from the inside. As the pandemic stretches on, this trend of landscaping with interior views in mind is expected to stretch right along with it.

Backyard playgrounds. Many parents have been uncomfortable bringing their children to play in public parks. As a result, creating play spaces in the backyard has been a big landscaping trend since the pandemic hit—and with summer coming up, that trend will just continue to gain popularity.

Five Tips To Get Your Home Ready For Warmer Weather

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Spring is in full swing, and you know what that means: the days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and in a couple of months we’ll be heading into summer.

Summer is one of the best times of year; children are out of school, it’s the perfect time to explore the great outdoors, and of course, everyone’s favorite: good ol’ summer vacation. Most of us are ready for summer, but the question is: is your home? Here are five tips to get your home ready for warmer weather.

1. Get your A/C checked

The summer heat is great for lake days and splashing in the pool. But when you’re done enjoying the sunshine, you’ll want to open the door to a nice, cool interior. The best time to get your air conditioning in working order is before summer hits. Start by changing out the filters. Dirty filters make it harder for your A/C unit to do its job, lower the efficiency of your air conditioning system and waste energy. After you replace the filters, let your air conditioning system run for an hour or so to see how its cooling; a test run will give you insight into any potential problems you need to have serviced.

You should have an HVAC professional service your air conditioning system once a year. Even if you don’t notice any obvious problems, servicing your A/C annually will keep it running longer. Spring is the best time of year to get your A/C service; once summer hits, most HVAC companies are booked solid through the summer months, and the last thing you want is to find yourself in the thick of summer with a broken air conditioning system and no relief from the heat.

2. Switch out your gear

Each season requires a different set of tools, gear, furniture, and decor. To avoid clutter, it’s best to store these items when they’re not in use. If you’re storing your seasonal items, you’ll need to switch everything out as summer approaches so you have everything on hand you need to enjoy the season.

Put your patio furniture out in the backyard so it’s ready for when you entertain guests. Check your grill to make sure it’s in working order and ready for summer BBQs. Switch out those heavy winter comforters with lightweight quilting that’s more appropriate for summer weather.

3. Get your lawn up to speed

One of the best parts of summer is getting to enjoy time outside, often in your own backyard. But if you’re like most people, your lawn could probably use a bit of TLC after the cooler months. Add a few new plants or flowers to add visual interest to the landscape.

Your backyard will play host to many celebrations, playdates, and lazy evenings with your family this summer. In order to enjoy all the fun of summer fully, you want to make sure your lawn is in the best shape possible.

4. Plant a garden

Speaking of the backyard, there’s no better time than summer to plant a garden. The warmer weather is the ideal time for a rainbow of vegetables to flourish, including beets, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, peppers, and squash. If you’re new to gardening, pick up a few raised garden beds and plant your seeds now. Before summer hits its peak, you’ll be enjoying fresh vegetables straight from your garden – perfect for a refreshing summer salad.

5. Get painting out of the way

You may not want to paint your ceiling yellow, but don’t be afraid to deviate from plain old white. Painting the ceiling a color can make a small room seem bigger, or a room with a high ceiling seem more intimate. Plus, it’s just more interesting. Ask at any full-service paint store for help in choosing complementary wall and ceiling colors, or search online for examples of rooms you like.

If you’ve been thinking about painting the interior of your home, now is the time to do it. If you do decide to paint, consider some seasonally appropriate hues, like gold or sky blue, to bring the feeling of summer indoors.

Summer will be here before you know it. And with these tips, your home will be ready for it.

The Most Popular Home Upgrades Of 2020

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2020 saw people spending more time at home than ever—and, for many homeowners, all that time at home drove them to tackle a variety of home upgrades.

But which upgrades proved the most popular over the past year?

A recent article from Apartment Therapy asked designers and contractors to share their most-requested home upgrades of 2020. Some of the year’s most in-demand upgrades include:

Kitchen banquettes. Homeowners spent most of 2020 cooking and eating at home—and, as such, kitchen banquettes, which make for a stylish, personal, and cozy space to share meals, were among the most requested home upgrades this year.

Sanitizing stations. Because proper sanitation was so important in fighting COVID, 2020 saw many homeowners requested “sanitation stations” in their entryways—complete with storage for hand sanitizer, gloves, mask, and other sanitation essentials.

Functional closets. With many people spending the majority of their time at home in 2020, no one wanted to stare at a messy, disorganized closet—which is why renovations to make closets more organized, functional, and streamlined were among the most requested home upgrades in 2020.

So, what does this mean for you? If you’re thinking about upgrading your home, these in-demand upgrades are a great place to start—and if you’re thinking about buying a property in 2021, make sure to keep an eye out for these upgrades.

Home for the Holidays

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While the most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner, it’s safe to say that our holiday festivities might look a little different amid the growing pandemic. This year, we have been asked to forgo our large celebrations with extended family and keep within our immediate “family bubbles”. It’s easy to feel discouraged and alone during a time like this, but now more than ever, it’s important to appreciate the gift of health, our loved ones, and the magic of the holiday season.

I hope to bring some much-needed holiday cheer in this month’s newsletter, which covers everything from the best light displays, to family-friendly holiday activities, to socially distanced local events and happenings!

You can still make this holiday a memorable one while keeping yourself, your family, and your community safe with these local (and virtual) happenings in and around your area:

Virtual Philharmonic Performances
What: The Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera is offering a digital series, so you can live stream these amazing performances from your home! Concert links are available with a gift of $25 or more. The streams will go live at 7:00 pm the evening of the concert and will be available for up to 30 days afterwards.
When: Saturday, December 19th at 7:00 pm
Where: Donate online to the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera to receive a link.

Curbside Shopping With Santa
What: Curbside Holiday is a wonderful opportunity for your kids to see Santa while shopping safely and locally. Shop online with local favorites like Capital Books, the Crest Theatre, the Kitchen Table, and more! You’ll select a pickup window and Santa will bring your gifts directly to your car!
When:
Saturday, December 19th from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Sunday, December 20th from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where: Shop online at curbside holiday and pick up your gifts in the designated zone between 1011 and 1013 K Street.

 

A Christmas Carol Livestream
What: Manual Cinema is bringing a breathtaking reinvention of “A Christmas Carol” to audiences of all ages. This new take on a holiday classic is presented by the Mondavi Center at UC Davis.
When:
Friday, December 18th at 7:00 pm
Saturday, December 19th at 5:00 pm
Sunday, December 20th at 4:00 pm
Where: Get tickets from the Mondavi Center.

 

Outdoor Ice Skating
What: Treat your family to an afternoon of outdoor ice skating in Historic Folsom! To make sure you stay safe, please observe social distancing and wear a mask while skating.
When: Open now through January 18th.
Where: Purchase tickets online to skate at the rink located at 200 Wool Street, Folsom CA.
Dance Gavin Dance Tower Bridge Livestream
What: Tree City Sessions Volume 2 features Dance Gavin Dance performing a fan-voted setlist featuring hits and tracks that have never been played live, all from the bands hometown in Sacramento on the iconic Tower Bridge.
When: Saturday, December 19th, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Where: Purchase your tickets here for this virtual event.

 

Waterfront Wheel in Old Sacramento
What: Located at the newly activated Waterfront Park (in front of Rio City Café), a visually-exciting and whimsical 65’ Ferris wheel, operated by Brass Ring Amusements, Inc, will take center stage for the holidays. Rides offered now through January 31, 2021.
When: Rides offered now through January 31, 2021.
Where: Purchase your tickets here to ride the Waterfront Wheel at 1150 Front Street, Sacramento CA.

Wondering where you can catch a dazzling light display this year from the comfort of your car? Check out some of my favorite holiday light displays!

  1. Bayside Christmas Lights Drive-Thru in Roseville (Now through December 31): Join Bayside for its 5th Annual Christmas Lights Drive-Thru that is sure to delight the entire community. Round up your loved ones, jump in the car, listen to your favorite Christmas music, and enjoy a mile of spectacular lights! Free tickets are required to manage traffic flow and are limited. Click here to learn more.
  2. East Sacramento’s Fab 40s Christmas Lights (Neighborhood Event): Grab your hot chocolate and bundle up while you admire this classic, established East Sacramento neighborhood for its beautiful homes and brilliant light displays. This neighborhood is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season with lights and garland draped around the tree-lined streets.
  3. Pebble Creek Christmas Lights in Rocklin (Neighborhood Event): This neighborhood has been attracting spectators for years with its popular Disney-themed homes and elaborate light displays! Stroll through the neighborhood by foot at a safe distance from others or bundle up in the car and roll down the windows for an impressive display of lights!

Please visit CaliforniaChristmasLights.com or SacBee.com for a full directory of homes displaying lights.

Are you going a little stir-crazy in your home this year? Relish in all that this holiday season has to offer by baking a dessert, playing a game with your family, or creating your very own DIY hot chocolate bar. Check out some of these festive ideas below.

  1. Liven Things Up With Christmas Karaoke: There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than with some Christmas Karaoke! Liven up the party with Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” or classics like “Jingle Bell Rock”. Spotify has some great Christmas Karaoke playlists. Check them out here. YouTube also has a great selection of free Karaoke playlists.
  2. Host a Gingerbread House Competition: Show off your decorating skills with this sweet holiday activity that the entire family will enjoy. Add an element of competition by having each family member create their own…winner gets to open the first present on Christmas morning! You can also include the extended family by setting up a Zoom call for an online competition. Purchase your gingerbread making kits here.
  3. Plan a Christmas Craft Day: Entertain the kiddos with an afternoon full of holiday-themed arts and crafts like this fun DIY ornament making activity. Check out some other crafts ideas to make your home merry and bright here.
  4. Create Your Own Candles for the Perfect Holiday Gift: Spread the holiday cheer with these DIY scented candles, which make the perfect Christmas gift! It’s surprisingly easy, plus there are dozens of essential oils that make delightful Christmas scents. Think frankincense, cinnamon, vanilla, and Douglas fir.
  5. Host a Family Game Night: Christmas games are a fun way for the family to come together—and dedicating your evening to playing a few is an easy way to infuse a regular old Friday night with some holiday joy. There are tons of options including Christmas movie trivia, holiday charades, a kid-friendly scavenger hunt, festive Mad Libs, or a good old fashioned board game.
  6. Whip Up These Adorable Snow Globe Cupcakes: These Snow Globe Cupcakes topped with edible gelatin bubbles are the perfect treat to serve up during the holidays. Check out the recipe here.
  7. Set Up Your Own Hot Chocolate Bar: Any hot chocolate lovers out there? Make a big batch of hot chocolate and set out plenty of toppings—think marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, and crushed peppermints—then let everyone in the family go to town. Learn how to set up a hot chocolate bar here.
  8. Host a (Socially-Distant) Cookie Swap: For a socially-distant spin on the Cookie Swap tradition, invite 5-10 people to participate, and ask each person to drop a half-dozen cookies on the doorstep of each participant. Check out some delicious holiday cookie recipes here.

 

Wishing you and your loved ones joy, good health, and some much needed holiday cheer this Christmas season!

7 Amenities for a Winter Wonderland…

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Putting your home on the market this winter? Set the stage by evoking a warm and welcoming vibe that makes would-be buyers want to hang up their coats, kick off their boots, and stay awhile. The following are amenities that prove winter really can be the most wonderful time of the year.

1. Fire pit

Create a covetable outdoor space with the help of a fire pit. Whether it’s made of stone and serves as a permanent fixture or is a movable and affordable centerpiece for backyard S’mores-making, adding the element of fire ups the charm factor immediately.

2. Hot tub

Wait, is this a home or a five-star resort? Watching steam rise from a frothy hot tub on a chilly afternoon or evening makes anyone want to move right in! Giving a place the spa treatment, will remind home-shoppers that with this luxurious item on the premises, winter can last as long as it likes.

3. Home theater

Especially during the winter, playing up the ability to have a blast indoors does wonders for buyers’ peace of mind (more so if they’re parents). A home theater, even on a smaller scale (think flat screen and an old-fashioned popcorn maker), helps visitors envision themselves and their families spending time indoors and in style.

4. Fireplace

It’s almost impossible to resist the hypnotic allure of a roaring fire. If a home has this feature, by all means, strike a match and watch that property heat up!

5. In-home wine bar

Baby, it’s cold outside — so why leave the house? This wine bar is one way to keep spirits merry and bright. It also conjures up thoughts of hosting holiday parties and gatherings as new owners envision celebrating and showing off their place.

6. Hot cocoa bar

On the other end of the spectrum, but no less festive, a hot cocoa bar offers a sweet welcome all ages can enjoy. Placed in the kitchen, dining room, family room, or foyer, this treat station makes you feel comfortable and right at home.

7. Highlight energy-efficient upgrades

In addition to being comfortable temperature-wise, if a home is as energy-efficient as possible, that’s something buyers will definitely want to know — and remember. Creating a list of any upgrades to windows, doors, HVAC units, and the roof, as well as the installation of energy-saving appliances, means more money in buyers’ pockets and less going out the window.

Cozy Up Your Outdoor Space This Fall

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In the midst of the pandemic, many people in the US spent more time enjoying their home’s outdoor space than ever before.

But as we move further into the fall, how can you adjust your space so you can still enjoy plenty of time outdoors—even as temperatures continue to drop?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined different ways to make your outdoor space more usable in colder weather, including:

  • Add a fire pit…A fire pit will not only make for a warmer outdoor space, but the fire also adds a cozy ambiance that can make your space feel more inviting in the colder months.

  • …or heat lamps. If you don’t want to have a fire pit in your backyard, you can also add extra heat with a few strategically placed heat lamps. For maximum warmth, make sure to arrange heat lamps near your seating area.

  • Add extra lighting. It doesn’t just get colder in the fall and winter months—it also gets darker. There are less hours of daylight during the fall and winter, so adding extra lighting to your outdoor space is a great way to make it usable all year-round—including on those days when the sun goes down at 4pm.

Just because the days get a little shorter and colder, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoor portion of your home still!

Craig Diez

916-425-5884|Contact Craig