East Bay Homes

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Did you recently inherit a home or estate? What are your best options? How do you make the best decisions when there are multiple family members involved?

You have a lot of questions and you're searching for answers.

That's why we offer this book that reveals the home selling process, choices, and roadblocks that can occur when selling an inherited home.

There are many different hurdles to navigate, and this book will be your guide.

Inside, we'll discuss your best options, talk about splitting items with family members and address any legal issues.

You'll also discover how to sell and prep an inherited home and how to handle estate taxes.

We want to help inherited home sellers get top dollar for their home. So, we're giving you access to everything covered inside this book for free.

Click the button below to claim your free copy now.

https://carlosrodriguez.book.live/inherited-book

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🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️If you prefer to walk places rather than drive, making sure your new neighborhood is pedestrian-friendly is a must.

👉 Here’s how to tell whether a neighborhood is walkable or not before you move in.

Do Some Research
The Internet makes it really easy to find out almost anything you want to know, including the walkability factor of a neighborhood. Some websites allow people to review and rate their neighborhoods, which will give you some idea of how walkable a community is.

Look For Parks And Main Street Business Districts
Parks and Main Street business districts encourage people to walk. Look for these things in or near a neighborhood when walking is important to you.

WALK THE NEIGHBORHOOD VIRTUALLY
Before visiting the neighborhood in person, use Google Maps Street View to take a virtual walk of the neighborhood. Keep in mind, however, that since you don’t know when the images were taken, this virtual tour may not tell the whole story.

WALK THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN PERSON
Visit the neighborhood in person a few times and walk it yourself at different times of the day. Take note of how much pedestrian traffic there is and whether the businesses you’d frequent are open when you’d need them.

LOOK FOR WALKABLE FEATURES
Crosswalks, pedestrian signals at intersections, sidewalks, and cut-out curbs that slope are all walkable features designed just for pedestrian traffic. Look for these things as you gauge whether a neighborhood meets your walking needs.

HOW’S THE COMMUTE?
When public transportation is nearby and easily accessible, more people are likely to walk and use them. How close is the nearest public transport? Do you notice other people walking to and from them as part of their daily commute?

WHAT DINING SPOTS ARE NEARBY?
Look for dining spots nearby. Are there many options to choose from? Is it easy to get to them on foot? The more choices people have and the closer they are to the neighborhood will encourage people to leave their cars at home and step out on foot for a bite to eat.

DO A “NEAR ME” SEARCH ONLINE
While visiting the neighborhood, get out your phone and do a “near me” search for businesses you use. Are they close by? Would you walk to them often? How easy is it to navigate the route?



Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

Is Your New Neighborhood Walkable? Here Carlos Rodriguez

🏘️ Does cleaning your house leave you feeling exhausted and stressed?

🗓️ If so, here are six reasons why you should make a home cleaning schedule.

1. A home cleaning schedule prioritizes what needs to be done

Having a home cleaning schedule enables you to prioritize the important tasks such as cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, and changing bed linens regularly.

2. A visible home cleaning schedule enlists the help of all household members

When you draw up a home cleaning schedule and post it for all household members to see, it makes it easy for everyone to pitch in and get everything done.

3. A home cleaning schedule eliminates cleaning marathons and crazy cleaning sprees when unexpected guests show up

When you stick to a home cleaning schedule, these things become a thing of the past because your house is always relatively clean.

4. Following a home cleaning schedule makes your home safer and more comfortable

When your home is reasonably clean all the time, it is a safer environment, and all family members feel more comfortable being there.

5. A home cleaning schedule allows you to be proactive instead of reactive

If you’re constantly running around looking for clean clothes to wear you could definitely benefit from a home cleaning schedule.

6. Using a home cleaning schedule gives you more time

If you feel guilty for taking time for yourself instead of doing the laundry, you need a home cleaning schedule.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

6 Reasons Why You Should Make A Home Cleaning Schedule Carlos Rodriguez

🏡 Are you looking to spruce up your home’s style for not a lot of money?

✨ Here are several ways to do it!

1. Get Rid Of Dated Décor
Getting rid of those 90’s country blue ducks or any other décor from decades past will give your home that fresh vibe you’re looking for.

2. Put Some Elbow Grease Into Getting Rid Of Grime
Take a look at those oft-ignored places like the windowsills and baseboards.

3. Paint!
If you aren’t sure what color to use, consider a light beige, gray, or alabaster white for that clean, fresh vibe that’ll brighten things up in a hurry.

4. Make An Accent Wall
You can use wall stickers/decals or slap on a coat of paint in your favorite shade – either will add pizzazz to the space and make you smile every time you walk into the room.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

6 Ways To Upgrade Your Home’s Style Carlos Rodriguez

🛠️ There are some tasks that are just better left to the professionals. Even if you’re an avid do-it-yourselfer, some home improvement jobs can be overwhelming.

👷‍♂️👷‍♀️ Here are three of them that are probably better left to the pros.

1. Roofing: the longer you spend repairing the property, the more money it costs you.

2. Plumbing: if not done correctly, it can lead to very costly problems later on when unseen leaks turn into a huge expense.

3. Knocking out walls: you have to be careful that you don’t remove a load—bearing wall that helps hold the house up

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

3 Home Improvement Jobs You Should Consider Hiring For Carlos Rodriguez

🍽️ If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, don’t forget the dishwasher.

👇 Here are several clever ways to hide this kitchen appliance so it matches the décor.

1. A fake marble or granite top
You can help your dishwasher blend in seamlessly by replacing its cutting board top with a granite or marble one to match your countertops.

2. Cover it in contact paper
If your other appliances are stainless steel, but your dishwasher isn’t, you can make it appear as if it is by applying a sheet of matching contact paper.

3. Cover it with a cabinet panel
If you’d rather not be able to see your dishwasher at all, camouflage it behind a matching cabinet panel.

4. Install the dishwasher strategically
If you have an island in your kitchen, it is the ideal place to house a dishwasher.

5. Paint it
You can pick up appliance paint fairly cheaply at the hardware store.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

5 Ways To Conceal Your Dish Washer And Match It To Your Decor Carlos Rodriguez

📲 Just as your cell phone and computer are getting smarter and smarter, so should your home. Let’s take a look at some of the features that appeal to buyers the most.

1. Smart security systems
Connecting wirelessly, these systems send notifications to your smartphone of activity happening in your home.

2. Smart smoke alarms
These alarms connect to most smart devices and can even be silenced when smoke is the result of a simple burned dinner.

3. Smart thermostats
Designed to detect the presence of people in a room, these devices adjust the temperature accordingly. When no one is in the room, the temperature returns to an efficient level that saves money.

4. Smart lighting
Not only does this save money on your electric bill, it helps you feel safer returning to a well-lit home.

5. Smart garage doors
You’ll receive notifications when you leave the door open.

6. Home automation systems
Designed to control every electrical system in a household, these automation systems can make life much more convenient and entertaining.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

6 Home Features That Appeal To Buyers Carlos Rodriguez

🤩 Have a thing for bar stools?

👇 Here’s how to choose the perfect bar stool for your home.

1. Draw inspiration from other homes and/or photos of other homes. Pay close attention to the stools’ details.

2. How do you want your bar stools to coordinate with your existing décor?

3. Decide how many stools you need. A good rule of thumb is to find bar stools that are at least 20 inches wide for optimal comfort.

4. Check the height. No one likes to struggle to sit on a stool, much less feel uncomfortably far from the floor when seated.

5. Decide the stool’s function. If so, you may want to choose a backless or swivel option.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

mkt.homes

🏫 If you’re a parent looking to relocate, finding a good school for your kids is probably a priority.

🏠 Here are a few tips to help you find a home in a good school district.

1. Find A Neighborhood, Then A School
To make things as easy as possible, it’s smart to find neighborhoods you’d like to live in first and then look for schools second. If you do things the other way around, you may fall in love with a school located in a community you can’t afford or that isn’t convenient for your commute.

2. Research The School
The first thing you need to do to find a good school near your new home is research. The Internet offers many resources for checking out schools in the neighborhood. From the Department of Education to parent forums and the school’s website itself, you can get a good sense of the school’s culture.

3. Visit The School In Person
Before signing on the dotted line and committing to living in a specific community, take some time to visit the school in person. Get a feel for how helpful and friendly the staff is and how your child(ren) feels about the school’s environment.

4. Talk To The Neighbors
If others in the neighborhood have children, talk to them about their thoughts on the school(s) in the area. Getting actual feedback from other parents and kids who attend the school can give you a real sense of how the school will suit your family’s needs. Try to talk to multiple neighbors if you can as not everyone has the same experiences.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

4 Things To Look For In A School When Buying A New Home Carlos Rodriguez

🏊 Are you new to pool ownership?

✨ Here’s how to keep it clean and safe to use so you can enjoy it regularly.

1. Skim The Pool Regularly.
Depending on how much debris falls into your pool, you’ll want to skim it regularly to remove anything floating on its surface.

2. Brush And Vacuum As Needed.
How often you should brush the sides of your pool and vacuum it depends on how much debris falls into the water.

3. Test The Water.
Pool water needs to be tested to check for chemical imbalances. This should be done at least 2-3 times a week or more if the pool is used frequently.

4. A Final Word About Pool Pumps
The pump keeps the water in the pool flowing constantly to discourage algae growth while the filter removes dirt, leaves, and other debris from the water.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

Tips To Maintain a Clean Pool Carlos Rodriguez

🌹 Tired of having to replace fresh flowers so often? There was a time when using artificial flowers to decorate a home was frowned upon.

💐 Artificial flowers are a great choice for decorating versus real flowers, and here’s why.

1. They’re hypoallergenic
You get all the beauty of your favorite flowers without all the sneezing and itchy, watery eyes.

2. They leave no mess
They require no watering, you don’t have to worry about that awful decaying smell.

3. They last forever
If you love the look of flowers around your home but hate having to replace expensive bouquets weekly, give artificial flowers a try.

4. They’re safe for kids and pets
Certain species of flowers can be toxic for kids and pets. You can’t keep your eye on them every second of the day, so do away with the fresh flowers and use fake ones instead.

5. They work well in DIY projects
If you use artificial flowers in your projects, you can be sure they will look as great in 5 years as they did on the day you made the project

6. They’re cheaper
Artificial flowers don’t have to be replaced like fresh flowers do. Your initial investment will continue adding beauty to your home for years to come.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

6 Benefits Of Decorating Your Home With Artificial Flowers Carlos Rodriguez

😍 Tips For Getting Rid Of Common Stains

1. Red Wine

Blot up as much of the wine as possible. Use a paper towel or a clean, soft cloth to blot up any excess that hasn’t absorbed into the carpet fibers. Do not rub or scrub the stain!

2. Grass

Spray the stained area liberally with stain remover or apply laundry detergent directly to the stain. Rub the cloth together to work in the detergent. Wash the garment normally.

3. Grease

Wet the grease stain with cool water. Apply a grease-fighting dish soap like Dawn to the stain and gently rub it to loosen the grease. Rinse and repeat until you’ve removed all the surface grease.

4. Blood

Soak the garment in cold water. Use your fingers to gently rub the spot as it soaks. Depending on the amount of blood, you may need to change the water periodically as the blood comes out of the fabric and the water turns pink.

5. Perspiration

Invest in a good prewash stain remover. Apply it as directed, and let it sit for several minutes before washing.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

5 Ways To Remove Common Stains Carlos Rodriguez

🏡 Looking for a way to change things up a bit and breathe new life into your home?

✨ Try one of these simple projects that make a big difference.

1. Paint A Room Or Two

Painting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to give your home a facelift. Furthermore, if your current décor is dark, a fresh coat of a light, bright color will help lighten it up in shade and ambiance at the same time.

2. Build A Pond In Your Yard

Getting outside is a great way to improve your overall mood and wellbeing. What better reason to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors than to sit by a pond complete with a waterfall and swimming fish?

3. Build A Fence

Whether you’re tired of your nosey neighbors or you simply need to keep Fido in the yard, building a fence around your property is a great way to do it. Building a fence doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you have the right tools (most of which you can borrow from any home improvement store).

4. Add A Fireplace In Your Home

Admittedly, adding a fireplace in your home isn’t the easiest of projects as it can take several days to complete, but this DIY project can have a huge impact in a couple of different ways.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

Simple Projects That Make A Big Difference In Your Home Carlos Rodriguez

✨ With proper care and maintenance, your carpeting can last for many years.

💡 Here are several tips and tricks to get your carpet super clean.

Regular vacuuming is key
Once a week is recommended, but you should do it more often if your carpeting sees a lot of foot traffic.

Divide a room into sections to ensure complete coverage
Mentally divide the room into sections and finish vacuuming one section before moving onto the next.

Work slowly as you vacuum
To get deep-down dirt out of carpeting, you need to move slowly as you vacuum, especially if the carpeting is plush.

Use a crisscross pattern on high-traffic areas
Pay special attention to high-traffic areas, including those in front of the furniture where people tend to scuff their feet.

Apply soil retardants as recommended
Soil retardants can be applied to freshly-laid and freshly-cleaned carpeting.

Baking soda is a great odor fighter
Add baking soda to your vacuum’s bag to help fight odors.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

Tips And Tricks To Make Your Carpet Super Clean Carlos Rodriguez

🤝 Are you selling your home and concerned about keeping it and your belongings safe? Selling a home isn’t necessarily unsafe, but there are some safety concerns you should keep in mind.

🙏This post takes you through four such safety concerns and what you can do to ensure your home and your belongings stay safe and secure while your house is up for sale. Read these helpful tips every home seller should know.

1. Stash personal items and valuables. First, by stashing any valuables and/or collectibles you have, you don’t give would-be thieves a chance to steal your things.

2. Keep track of the people who come and go. If you keep track of each visitor, you’ll have a list of people to go to if any of your belongings go missing.

3. Forgo the open house. As a seller, open houses only account for about 6 percent of home sales.

4.Install security cameras. Installing security cameras doesn’t just keep your belongings safe, they also increase the home’s value.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

4 Safety Tips Every Home Seller Should Know Carlos Rodriguez

🛁 Tiny bathrooms… they can make you feel closed in, but with these creative tricks, you can make any small bathroom feel bigger.

1. Make the Room Brighter
You can make the room appear brighter by painting the walls a light color.

2. Hang Mirrors
Adding additional mirrors and/or bigger mirrors, the reflected light lends an air of spaciousness to a tiny room.

3. Keep Storage Minimal
Try to choose storage options that recess into the wall to allow the eye to flow from one end to the other without obstruction.

4. Avoid Clutter
Try to avoid cluttering the space by paring down what’s inside to just the bare necessities.

5. Hang Curtains at Ceiling Level
By raising the shower curtain bar and any window treatment rods to the ceiling, you draw the eye upward and make the room appear bigger.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

How to Make a Small Bathroom Feel Bigger Carlos Rodriguez

🔓 Most homeowners like to think their homes are as secure as fortresses, but the reality is, most homes are easily accessible if the wrong person decides he wants to get in.

🔽 Here are five ways you can make your home extra safe.

1. Fortify the front door. If you are unsure of your door’s ability to withstand a burglar, consider buying a reinforcement kit to strengthen it.

2. Make it look like you’re home – even when you’re not
A home that’s occupied is less likely to be burglarized. You can trick would-be thieves into thinking you’re home by using timers to turn on lights and playing TVs or radios to create noise.

3. Announce your home’s protection. The last thing a burglar wants to do is deal with a dog. Even if you don’t have a dog, you can make it appear that you do by placing a “beware of dog” sign in the windows of your home.

4. Use lighting inside and out
Use enough outdoor lighting to make it difficult for burglars to hide in the shadows. Alternately, use light timers inside to turn lights on and off at varying times.

5. Hide your valuables creatively. According to security experts, most thieves will grab the first valuables they see and get out. Be creative when hiding your valuables and find other not-so-common places to stash them.

Carlos Rodriguez | Compass
[email protected] | (925) 302-9411
www.EastBayHomes.com | 01150973
Experience Does Count

5 Ways To Make Your Home Extra Safe Carlos Rodriguez