Category: a-South Bay

All of us tend to get behind on the little things that need to be done around the house but when you are going to sell the house, and have open houses, you no longer can procrastinate and must get to work to get your South Bay Home where it looks appealing. OUTSIDE: Keep the grass cut and flower beds trimmed, remove all yard clutter. Weed flower beds, and replace dead plants with new ones. Apply fresh paint to wooden fences, and make any fence repairs needed. Tighten and clean all door handles, including screen doors. Clean windows inside and out, and the screens also. Powerwash home's exterior, touch up paint or re do paint if necessary. Ensure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and functioning. Clean or paint the front door, and railing too if needed. Buy a new welcome mat. Put a large fern or plant at the front entrance. INSIDE: Review the furniture arrangement in each room, get rid of any old clutter. Clean and organize cabinets, closets and bookshelves. Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans, and shampoo the carpets, wax floors. Remove excessive wall hangings and knick-knacks and personal pictures. Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps, and make any minor repairs that needs to be done. This includes replacing worn door and cabinet knobs. Clean or paint walls and ceilings. Replace broken tiles and fix or replace old or discolored grout. Replace worn counter tops. FOR AN OPEN HOUSE OR SHOWING: Turn on all the lights, and open all window coverings and shutters during the daytime. Put new towels in bathrooms and new bedding in the bedrooms. Set the dining room table so it looks elegant and inviting. Keep pets secured outdoors, away from any potential buyers. Replace old lamps or lampshades. Light the fireplace and be sure the ashes have been cleaned out. Play quiet background music, not rock and roll or hip hop. Place some fresh fruit on the counter in kitchen, or some apple scents or vanilla scents. Be sure that the property is vacated by everyone in the family during an open house. Read More

Selling your home or any real estate can be complex and sticky at times. That is why you have a real estate professional working with you side by side to help and give advise. Should you find yourself in a sticky situation, alert your real estate agent or broker, so he or she can address and remedy the problem right away. When your South Bay REALTOR or broker puts your home on the market, generally all of the promotional materials will state clearly to not contact the homeowner, but potential buyers agents are to contact your agent, broker or REALTOR. However, sometimes a buyer's agent will contact the seller directly to try to either win over their business, or cut the seller's agent out of the deal. This is not reputable or acceptable behavior and you should report it to your agent, broker or Realtor immediately if it happens to you. When you sell your home, it necessitates all kinds of new purchasing decisions and less-than-ethical vendors are keenly aware of this. Though MLS organizations enforce rules on how posted information is used, some companies have found ways to cull information from various sources to produce mass mailing lists. If you find yourself regularly emptying your mailbox of junk, let your agent know. People see yard signs, internet listings and other advertisements on your home and some potential buyers, especially first time buyers, will be so excited to see your home, they will just drop by and interrupt your schedule. If this happens to you, no matter how nice these unexpected visitors are, it's best not to encourage their enthusiasm by discussing your home or anything about it, or giving an type of tour. Instead, you must let them know that your real estate agent, or broker is in charge of scheduling tours and then you provide them with the agent's contact information. If you attempt to handle these surprise visits on your own, you might disclose some information that could hurt you during negotiations down the road. Read More

Few people know about the great sightseeing tours that are available for residents and visitors who want to see all of the great things to do in the South Bay. Sightseers Dream tour is the lowest priced airplane tour which whirls you around the beaches and ports of Los Angeles’ South bay. This tour is about a 25-minute flight and costs $89.00 per person. The USA Gateway Tour is the lowest priced Helicopter tour which acquaints you with San Pedro and the Port of Los Angeles, and lasts about 15-25 minutes and costs $99.00. The Deluxe Champagne Tour is an airplane tour which covers all the sites of L.A. while sippin’ on champagne! The best bang for your buck. This is about a 55 minute flight, and costs $129.00. The Hollywood Strip Tour A Helicopter whirl around the famous tourist spots such as The Walk of Fame, Hollywood Hills and Hollywood Strip. An aprrox. 15-30 minute flight, $140.00. Beach Cities Flight Helicopter tour of L.A.’s breathtaking coast and hidden gems of Palos Verdes and the South Bay. An approx 30-min flight, cost $149.00. The LA Tour See the City of Angels in our flight covering a little bit of everything. An approx 25-min flight, and costs $165.00. Celebrity Homes Tour Our Most Popular Helicopter Tour. Be part of The Paparazzi and “in the know” as we reveal what’s behind the gates of the rich & famous. An approx. 35 minute flight, $189.00. The Original Night Tour Hover the LA skyline during this nightime Helicopter flight where you get to navigate. An approx. 40-minute flight, $219.00. The VIP Grand Tour Our Most-Recommended Helicopter Tour. See the beach cities, the celebrity homes, and downtown all in one lengthy grand tour! An approx 55- minute flight. $269.00. Deluxe Night Tour – Premium Package “The Coolest Thing You Can Do In LA”. Sip on Champagne …. land at a restaurant… then we drive you home. An all-inclusive night and the perfect date for any occasion. An approx 40- minute flight. $299.00. For more information and details for each tour call*** Celebrity Helicopters, Inc., 961 West Alondra Blvd. Compton,CA 90220 (877) 999-2099 tel | (877) 999-2099 fax www.celebhell.com Read More

At one time or another all of us get involved with painting, either our home, garage, a piece of furniture, or something. Many people need to Paint their home before they put on the South Bay real estate market. And in these times need to do it themselves for the first time. What kind of paint to use for each job is always a question, and few of us seek out expert advice before we start and many times we end up with something that we didn't expect or want. This is an attempt to help those with little or no painting experience to better understand the different kinds of paints, brushes, rollers and the best applications to use around the house. • AREA AND TYPE OF PAINT TO USE: 1. Kitchen and bath: Choose a moisture- and peel-resistant satin or semigloss with mildewcides. 2. Ceiling: Paints labeled for ceilings are thicker and less splatter-prone than wall paint. They are also extra flat to cut glare from lights. 3. Entry, stairway, and family room: Durable, easy-to-clean 100 percent acrylic latex in an eggshell sheen will stand up to high traffic and fingerprints. • TYPES OF PAINT: 1. Flat/Matte: A low-luster sheen that provides even coverage and helps conceal flaws but is hard to clean. 2. Eggshell: This soft sheen is easy to touch up and can be wiped clean without burnishing. 3. Semigloss: A slightly shiny finish that's glass smooth, durable, and washable. 4. Gloss: This light-reflecting sheen can take a beating but does highlight surface imperfections. • SPECIAL EFFECTS PAINT: 1. Textured: Sand-like granules cover flaws in walls and impart a rustic look. 2. Metallic: Light-reflecting pigments give walls shimmer. 3. Pearl: An iridescent glaze with a milky glow. 4. Suede: Microscopic beads create a soft, fabric-like finish that adds depth and texture to walls. • QUALITY: 1. Paint: Quality depends on the type and amount of pigment. High percentages of titanium dioxide pigment, rather than cheaper calcium carbonate, provide better coverage with fewer coats. 2. Primer: A 100 percent acrylic formula helps paint grip surfaces, hides stains, and allows you to go from a dark color to a light one with fewer coats. • HOW MUCH TO PURCHASE: Divide the square footage of your wall surfaces by the coverage per gallon listed on the can. Example: A 20-by-23-foot room with an 8-foot ceiling is 688 square feet; 688 ÷ 350 square feet of coverage per can = 2 gallons (make it 4 gallons for two coats). • SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT: Prep: tape, drop cloth, sandpaper, etc. Tools: brush, roller, pan, cover, etc. Paint: sealer, primer or prep coat, paint • TYPES OF ROLLER COVERS: 1. Smooth roller, ¼-inch nap: Best for semigloss or gloss on smooth drywall or plaster walls. 2. Semi-smooth roller, ?-inch nap: Best for semigloss, flat, or eggshell on lightly textured plaster or wood-paneled walls. 3. Rough roller, ¾-inch nap: Best for flat or eggshell on highly textured stucco or masonry walls. Rollers: Blended-fiber covers combine the extra pickup of wool with the durability of polyester. • TYPES OF BRUSHES: 1. 1-inch angled brush: Best for details, such as moldings and window muntins. 2. 2½-inch angled brush: Best for window and door casing, cabinetry, and cutting in. 3. 3-inch straight brush: Best for large expanses, such as wainscoting and doors. Brushes: Tapered bristles with split ends that are solid—not hollow—pick up and spread paint best. • PREPARATION: HOLES AND CRACKS: Fill holes with drywall compound. For hairline cracks, widen with a utility knife before covering with fiber-mesh tape. Coat the tape with joint compound, let dry, and sand—recoat and sand two more times. • ROOM PAINT CHECKLIST: 1. Remove window treatments, wall-hung art, area rugs, outlet and switch-plate covers. 2. Cover furniture with drop cloths. 3. Wrap chandeliers and sconces in plastic sheeting. 4. Protect window and door hardware by removing or covering with tape. 5. Sand walls and trim. 6. Dust with a tack cloth. (Treat plaster with a solution of 1 pint vinegar and 1 gallon of water.) 7. Tape exposed outlets and switches, or, remove plates, window panes, HVAC vents, and any other areas you want to keep paint-free. Note: plastic tarps will protect items, however, paint will lay on the surface of the plastic and can be tracked onto carpeting or floors if you walk on the plastic. Best to use a canvas type tarp or a cheap way is to purchase flannel backed, cheap table clothes at a dollar store and discard after use. Face the flannel backed surface up to catch paint. Miscellanneous: • USING A LADDER: DO stand on a low rung, with your body centered between the ladder rails and both feet firmly planted. Keep one hand free, using the ladder tray to hold your pail. DON'T stand on one of the top two rungs or overreach; both can throw you off balance. Never paint with one hand while holding your pail in the other, preventing you from easily grabbing the ladder. • AVOID REPETITION: Putting paint on the wall is easy, but the repetition can leave you feeling achy. Prevent the pain by changing your grip or the way you move. 1. Roller: Roll up at a slight angle before coming straight down. 2. Brush: Pinch the base of the brush with your index finger and thumb along the bottom of the ferrule. 3. Extension pole: Space your hands about 18 inches apart. For ceilings, roll the area in front of you, rather than directly above or behind, to avoid back strain. 4. For walls, bow down and stretch up from the waist. • BE ORGANIZED AND HAVE A PLAN: When you start your painting, work in this sequence to minimize the chance of marring already painted surfaces. 1. Ceiling 2. Walls 3. Doors 4. Trim • Start by cutting in with a brush. Next, use a roller to fill the wall expanse. Make W shapes to release the most amount of paint from the roller, then go over the area with vertical strokes to evenly distribute it. Work in 3-by-3-foot sections to keep a wet edge and avoid lap marks. • MESSES: 1. Drips on the floor: Remove latex with a water-dampened rag; use mineral spirits for oil paints. Scrape dried blobs with a utility knife. 2. Bubbles on drywall: Pop and scrape off with a putty knife. Then sand the area with 330-grit paper, tack it with a damp cloth, and use a foam pad for touch-ups. 3. Lap lines on plaster or drywall: Repaint the area, applying light pressure on a roller that has soaked up only a quarter of a full load of paint. • SAVING LEFTOVER PAINT: Keep paint in an airtight glass jar is a popular way, however most people keep their leftovers in the original can. If using the can, clean top and fit tight. If using a jar: To get a better seal, cover the opening with plastic wrap before screwing on the cap. Store the jar, or paint can, off the floor in a cool, dry place for up to 5 years, some brands more. • KEEP A RECORD OF THE PAINT COLOR: Paint an outlet cover and affix painter's tape with the color name and number on its back. If you ever have to buy more paint, simply remove the cover and bring this handy "chip" to the store to get an exact match to the aged version on your walls. • CARE FOR BRUSHES: Soak synthetic brushes in warm water (use turpentine for natural bristle brushes) and gently wring out. Run a metal brush comb through bristles to straighten them and remove any last bits of paint. Shake out excess water, reshape bristles with your fingers, and lay flat to dry. Store in original packaging or folded newspaper, and either lay flat or hang brushes from their handles. • OTHER TIPS: 1. To prevent paint spray on baseboards when rolling walls, wipe them down with a wet rag to keep spatter from sticking. When you've finished rolling, run the damp rag along baseboards once more to wipe away any droplets. 2. Breathe out or hold your breath while cutting along trim or where walls meet—"It'll help you keep a straight line." Up high, be sure to stand squarely on your ladder instead of overreaching. 3. When cutting in on textured walls or ceilings, vibrate your hand a little to get bristle tips into uneven surfaces. 4. To avoid fatigue, switch hands when cutting in—think of the brush as an extension of your arm. And don't push too hard when you're rolling. 5. Finally, don't run your brush or roller dry. "When you can see through the paint—what painters call 'holidays'—you've gone too far." Read More