David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com With pool season in full swing, pool owners are likely taking on the task of weekly pool cleaning. If you use a vacuum to clean your pool, keep the following best practices in mind, from pool lining manufacturer LOOP-LOC. Clean the filter. Before vacuuming, the filter must be prepared. Be sure to clean the filter thoroughly before assembling or connecting the vacuum. The filter should be clean to prepare for the debris that will come its way during the vacuuming process. Assemble the vacuum . The equipment must be set up properly for the most effective cleaning to be done. This means connecting the extension pole and vacuum hose to the vacuum head. After the vacuum is in one piece, be sure to get all the air out of the hose. To sink the hose and remove the air, extend the pole and put the vacuum head into the water. Be sure to slowly reel the hose down into the water, pushing it in as water fills the hose. While this may seem tricky...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com The warm summer months can bring external risks to your property, from swells in heat to high wind and rain from hurricane season. It's best to be prepared and avoid any midsummer headaches. "A home is like a vehicle in the respect that it needs a tune up to handle the change in seasons," says Mercury Insurance Vice President of Property Claims Christopher O'Rourke. "Now is the time to prepare property for the intense summer heat, and one important step is to contact an insurance agent to assess coverage before you suffer a loss." O'Rourke advises property owners to prepare for the following scenarios. Tree branch drops. Parking a vehicle under a tree for its shade might seem like a good idea during the summer; however, the phenomenon called "tree branch drops" caused by extreme heat can cost you money. If a tree on your property extends over parked cars, you're responsible for any d...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com While a home designed with energy efficiency in mind certainly has long-term benefits for the environment, it also means additional dollars in your pocket. The U.S. Department of Energy developed the Home Energy Score, a national rating system that assesses your home’s energy efficiency based on its structure, heating, cooling and hot water systems. From there, you can learn what improvements you can make in order to raise your score and save money. If you’re in the market for a home, you can get a head start by sizing up the energy efficiency of homes you’re looking at. Here are some suggestions from Nerd Wallet: Look for clues in listings. Read listing descriptions carefully, looking for mentions of third-party green certification, recent energy audits or energy-efficient upgrades that have been done to the home. Bear in mind that not all sellers will think to include these details in their listings, so be sure to ask your agent...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Whether you're a new homeowner or a seasoned pro, yard maintenance often feels like trial and error. To help, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) shares the following common yard pitfalls, and offers advice on how to avoid them. Investing in the wrong equipment. Make sure the lawn mower is the right size for the lawn. If the lot is more wooded, a chainsaw and/or hedge trimmer may be required. Or perhaps a homeowner is moving from an apartment to a single-family home for the first time and needs all new equipment. Choosing the wrong plants . Homeowners need to consider the microclimate so their living landscapes thrive. Check the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine which plants will do best. Not considering lifestyle needs. Homeowners also need to consider their lifestyle when selecting and placing their living landscapes. Those who travel frequently will want to choose low-maintenance plants, flowers and s...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Safety this summer should be top of mind for everyone in your family, including your pets. But Independence Day celebrations can lead to real terror for your furry family members, and even create some hard safety concerns. To help, American Humane weighs in. If your pet is upset by thunder, a door slamming or other loud noises, Fourth of July fireworks will be utterly terrifying, so take these precautions, via American Humane: - Your pets won't enjoy the fireworks display, so leave them at home! Keep them inside, shielded from loud noises. Keep windows closed and draw the shades to minimize the sound and flashes of light. - If loud noises upset your pets, do not leave them alone while you're out celebrating; make sure someone can stay with them. If you're home, act calm and give them reassuring pets and hugs…animals look to you to see how you're reacting. - If you think your pets should be tranquilized, consult yo...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com • The active listing inventory increased by 107 homes in the past two weeks, up 1%, and now totals 7,600, the highest level since September 2014. Last year, there were 6,362 homes on the market, 1,238 fewer than today. There are 19% more homes than last year. • Demand, the number of pending sales over the prior month, decreased by 113 pending sales in the past two-weeks, down 4%, and now totals 2,548. Last year, there were 2,604 pending sales, 2% more than today. • The Expected Market Time for all of Orange County increased from 84 days two weeks ago to 89 days today, a slight Seller’s Market (between 60 to 90 days) and the highest level for this time of the year since 2011. It was at 73 days last year. • For homes priced below $750,000, the market is a slight Seller’s Market (between 60 and 90 days) with an expected market time of 64 days. This range represents 39% of the active inventory and 55% of demand. • For homes p...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Buying a home for the first time? Congratulations! If navigating this new process seems scary, don't worry...you're not alone. Realtor.com® recently released a new book titled "The Essential First-Time Home Buyer's Book." Below are five hot starter tips from the book to help you with your first home purchase. Identify your home buying power. Understanding how much house you can afford can give you a leg up when it comes to buying a new home. Estimating your monthly housing payments using the realtor.com® Home Affordability Calculators can help to determine how much monthly mortgage payment you can afford and calculate a feasible home price range. Give up unnecessary expenses and save more . Saving cash for a down payment takes time. A good way to get started is to trim unnecessary spending. Find simple ways to save extra cash, like skipping the extra coffee and saving that money in a dedicated account so you ...