Our South Bay Community Blog

Carpet is one of the most popular flooring options found in homes. Homeowners love it for its soft texture, wide array of colors and patterns, and how it can tie a room together. However, there isn’t just one type of carpet that homeowners can choose from. Just like there are different colors and patterns, there are also different materials. Homeowners who are planning to buy new carpet for their home should know the different options they have. Here are some of the different carpet materials.

Acrylic Carpet

Also known as “manmade wool,” acrylic carpet is an artificial fiber that looks and feels a lot like wool carpeting but has a much smaller price tag. Acrylic carpet is a popular choice because it doesn’t collect static like normal carpet does,

Wood floors are one of the most popular types of flooring. It’s a timeless choice and can fit into any home or setting. However, a Manhattan Beach homeowner who wants a wood floor still has a choice to make. There are several different types of wood floors homeowners can pick from. They each have different features to suit different homes better or worse than others. Here are some of the different types of wood floors and what sets them apart from each other.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood is the type of wood people think of first when wood floors are brought up. Some of the different types of wood used for hardwood floors include oak, mahogany, walnut, and maple, with oak being the most popular due to how commonly it grows in America. The price of

El Segundo homes can come with different foundations, and each of those foundation types function in different ways. If you're buying a home, you should be aware of the different types of foundations and how they affect your home's functionality. Understanding each kind can help you choose a home with the right kind of foundation for your needs.

Basement

Basement foundations are built on a hole in the ground that has been lined with cinder block walls. Basement foundations provide extra space for homeowners who need storage, and can also provide a safe place to go during a tornado. Some homeowners go the extra mile to finish their basement, turning their basement into a comfortable space for watching television, spending time with family, or

When Hermosa Beach homeowners plant trees on their property, they often consider the looks of the tree without giving thought to the tree's growing patterns and other characteristics. Homeowners who educate themselves about these problem trees can avoid making a decision that could cause damage and incur costly repairs. Here's what you need to know.

Weeping Willow

Weeping willows are commonly spotted growing near ponds and lakes. They tolerate water well, and prefer to have "wet feet," meaning they like to be in saturated soil. These trees have unquenchable thirst and will spread their roots far and wide looking for water. If they don't find water in the soil, they'll push their roots through main lines, sewers and even foundations in search of

Homes require upkeep year round, but El Segundo homeowners can ease many woes and prevent a number of breakdowns with essential preventive maintenance. Many duties are more relevant and essential to prepare for upcoming seasons, so here's a short checklist of home maintenance duties for fall, winter, spring and summer.

Fall Maintenance Checklist

As autumn arrives, there are a number of projects homeowners need to tend to or recruit professional services to handle for them including the following.

Autumn Lawn Prep—Clean out the gutters, rake the leaves, prepare biannual blooms and remember that the best time to aerate lawns is in the fall.

Check Heating Systems—Forced air systems, fireplaces and furnaces should have an inspection by a

The type of light bulb Westchester homeowners use in their home could have a big effect on how much energy their home uses. Choosing the right light bulbs can reduce your home's carbon footprint and can also improve your quality of life by reducing your utility bills. If you're a homeowner who is thinking about changing your light bulbs to add more energy efficient home improvements, here's what you need to know.

Choose the Right Kind

There are many different kinds of light bulbs homeowners can buy.

LED's

LED light bulbs are more efficient than traditional bulbs by about 80%, and they last up to 25 times longer. LED light bulbs can be finicky. This means the bulb must be purchased based on the type of light fixture it's being installed in.

People who have spent most of their lives relying on one heat source for their home might be surprised to learn that there are several options available. Some of these depend on climate and region, while others relate to the size and construction of the house. There are classic options like wood fireplaces and boilers, plus a few that represent the latest in heating technology. This information helps homeowners determine which heating options may be ideal for them.

1. Forced-Air Heating

Most homes in the United States use a forced-air heating system that relies on a furnace to generate warmth. Furnaces take an energy source, typically natural gas, heating oil, or electricity, and use it to produce heat. A blower inside the furnace circulates the

Many homeowners who have a home with a chimney don’t know the proper ways to take care of it or the kind of repairs it may need to have done one day. Chimneys often seem like they’re very low maintenance, and they can be if they aren’t used often. But for homeowners who like to have a fire burning during cold winter nights, learning more about chimneys can be very helpful. Here are four important things all homeowners should know about their chimneys and how to take care of them.

Hiring a Professional Chimney Sweep is Necessary

Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking they can clean their chimney on their own. However, this can lead to disastrous results, especially if the chimney has a lot of soot built up. Professional chimney sweeps have

Indoor air quality can influence your health and happiness while at home. Poor indoor air quality can exacerbate allergies, lead to respiratory infection, and may even lead to problems like chronic illnesses. There are many things you can do to measure, test and improve your indoor air quality. Here's what you need to know.

What Contributes to Poor Air Quality?

Many factors come into play when it comes to air quality. Everything from the HVAC system to the type of paint you use on your walls can affect what's in the air and how easy it is to breathe.

Moisture

Moisture contributes to the development of mold and mildew, which can have serious health effects. Sometimes mold is visible on paint and in carpeting, but other times, mold is hidden

Understanding real estate terminology may not make a home buyer as knowledgeable as a real estate agent, but it can help a buyer understand more about everything from their finances to the market. The process of buying a home is imprecise, and varies from block to block and week to week. This list doesn't cover all terms that a buyer may hear, but it's still a good cheat sheet to have on hand.

Amortization Formula

This formula refers to the total amount the buyer will pay for their loan (as opposed to the total cost of the home). So if a buyer uses their loan to help pay for closing costs, the amount they tack onto the cost of the home will be calculated (plus interest). Homeowners with adjustable interest rates can still use the amortization