It is a blast to sit on a Sunday and mingle with friends, clients, etc. I encourage you all to attend the second to last Summer 2010 Concert In The Park.

The band this Sunday, August 1^st is Brian Anders and the Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel. They are a World Class Latin Jazz Group.

Come to the park and wrap the weekend up right!

Going green can be expensive, here are a few things you can do to start heading towards green living..

1.  In a new kitchen, go light on the countertops, there will be an immediate payback.  Light colored countertops do a lot to save the environment, they reflect light upwards, thus reducing lighting cost for a room.

2.  Zone your heating and cooling systems..green means don’t use power, use power efficiently.  In most two-story homes, people spend their days downstairs, their nights upstairs:  It’s wasteful to heat and cool the whole house to the same levels simultaneously.

3.  Deep roof overhangs..roof overhangs extending a couple of feet beyond the exterior walls will shade the windows, plus they will help extend the lifespan of the average paint job by protecting it from the elements.

4.  Breath better..don’t build your garage attached to your house, you are just inviting automotive exhaust indoors..a lot of people forget about this, think respiratory.

Here’s the perfect opportunity to own a lovely 3 bedroom 2 bath home in a wonderful neighborhood against the western hills. The double door entry leads to either the spacious living room or the family room and bedroom wing. This well laid out home has a spacious kitchen adjoining both casual and formal dining areas. The beautiful back yard has shade trees and a tree house. $354,900

Call me with questions about this or any other property. 707-367-0036

A lot of people didn’t update their software programs or start training soon enough and this could cost a buyer more money.  The fear of making a mistake on the Good Faith Estimate form are making lenders ask for closing-cost information more than once and in several formats.

Lending rules have also made it harder to close on time if things change during the escrow.  If there is an amendment to the Truth in Lending Act it will require a three-day disclosure period if a borrower decides to change the loan amount or anything else that can change the interest rate. Any change of more than 0.125 in the APR can trigger another disclosure for the buyer to sign.  Agents/Lenders need to educate their buyers on how long a transaction could take if changes are made during the escrow period.

 2. Dress in light, loose, cotton clothing. Natural fabrics like cotton are much cooler than most synthetics (though there are new high-tech synthetics made specifically to keep you cool). Protective hats (Wide-brimmed) keep the sun out of your eyes and provide some cooling shade. Loose fitting clothes allow air to circulate, keeping you cooler. The fewer clothes, the better, but make sure to be appropriate to the circumstances.

 3. Use sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels). You can get painful sunburn even on a cloudy day, so slather on the sunscreen every morning before you start out. Don’t forget lips, ears, back of neck.

 4. When working outside, take periodic rest breaks in a cool area. So relax, slow down, pace yourself.

 5. Drink, drink, drink – WATER and Non-Alcoholic drinks!! DON’T wait until you feel thirsty -STAY HYDRATED. In hot weather, as much as 3-4 quarts per day are recommended while exercising. Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. Food should be safe as long as the outage lasts NO MORE than 4-6 hours. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which are diuretics — substances that increase water loss via the urine.

Sport drinks, such as Gatorade, are high in sodium and are only needed if you exercise (or work) hard and long. Water-filled fruits and vegetables add to your hydration level, but not in significant amounts.

 6. Never leave children or pets inside a car, even if the windows are open.

 7. If you are taking medication, ask your doctor about its side-effects. Be extra cautious in the sun /heat if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other medical conditions. Also be extra careful if you are taking any medications. For instance, certain medications (like some antibiotics, NSAIDS [such as ibuprofen and aspirin], and some oral contraceptives), may make you sunburn more easily, so be sure to protect yourself and stay out of the sun as much as possible.

 8. Keep cool with fans, air conditioning, and cool baths or showers. Make your own air conditioner by placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan and letting it blow on you. Window fans work best when blowing air out, so put your fan on the sunny side of the apartment and let it expel the hot air while pulling cool air from open windows on the shady side. Keep shades or curtains pulled on the sunny side of the house.

 9. Get plenty of sleep and eat light, nutritious, and non-fatty meals. Eat foods high in water content, like fruits & vegetables. Don’t use your oven, use the microwave or a toaster oven. Better yet, eat out.

 10. Be aware that when active in a hot, dry climate — for example when playing tennis — both salt and water are lost in sweat. Under such conditions restriction of dietary salt by healthy individuals may be unwise. However, salt tablets are rarely necessary.

Taken from: Womans Fitness Online

This weeks BEST BUY is 994 Fairway Avenue, Ukiah

Beautifully remodeled home, approx. 3000 sq. ft. with 3 master bedrooms. Private location at end of cul de sac with valley views. Built in hot tub with waterfall into in-ground pool with stamped concrete patio, BBQ island, and covered patio. Perfect backyard for entertaining. Hardwood and bamboo flooring plus carpet and tile. 3 fireplaces plus huge game room. Upstairs master with jetted tub, separate travertine shower and huge walk-in closet.

This property has new pricing of $559,416.

If you would like more information on this property or any other please give me a call at 467-3637.