One of southern Orange County’s smaller cities, Dana Point, California, is home to a population of just over 35,000, as of 2000 census figures. It is notable throughout the region as the home of one of the few harbors in operation along the Orange County coast. It is bordered by Laguna Beach to the northwest, […]
A mid-sized city in Orange County, San Clemente, California, is located near the southern tip of the county, about halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles. As of 2005 estimates, the population of the city was nearly 66,000. It lies six miles south of San Juan Capistrano and is home to the north entrance of […]
A large city in northern Orange County, Fullerton, California, was founded in 1887 and named for George H. Fullerton, the man who secured land in the area for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. It is home to a population of more than 126,000, as of 2000 census figures, and was originally an agricultural […]
Septic systems treat and disperse relatively small volumes of wastewater from individual and small numbers of homes and commercial buildings. Septic system regulation is usually a state and local responsibility. The EPA provides information to homeowners and assistance to state and local governments to improve the management of septic systems to prevent failures that could harm […]
Roofs play a key role in protecting building occupants and interiors from outside weather conditions, primarily moisture. The roof, insulation and ventilation must all work together to keep the building free of moisture. Roofs also provide protection from the sun. In fact, if designed correctly, roof overhangs can protect the building’s exterior walls from moisture […]
Did you know the following facts about lead? FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born. FACT: Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies. FACT: You can get lead in your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or […]
Why You Need Homeowner’s Insurance The largest, single investment most consumers make is in their homes. The consumer can protect their home, possessions, and liability with a homeowner’s insurance policy. The homeowner’s insurance policy is a package policy that combines more than one type of insurance coverage in a single policy. There are four types […]
Influenced by the changes in the economic and legal environments over the past 30 years, home inspection reports have changed to accommodate increased consumer expectations, and to provide more extensive information and protection to both inspectors and their clients. Development of Standards Prior to the mid-1970s, inspection reports followed no standard guidelines and, for the most […]
Mistake #1: Thinking you can’t afford it. Many people who thought that buying the home they wanted was simply out of their reach are now enjoying a new lifestyle in their very own homes. Buying a home is the smartest financial decision you will ever make. In fact, most homeowners would be broke at retirement […]
Attic pull-down ladders, also called attic pull-down stairways, are collapsible ladders that are permanently attached to the attic floor. Occupants can use these ladders to access their attics without being required to carry a portable ladder. Common Defects Homeowners, not professional carpenters, usually install attic pull-down ladders. Evidence of this distinction can be observed in […]
Termite Control in the Home – Wood-destroying insects and other organisms can cause serious problems in the wooden structural components of a house, and may go undetected for a long period of time. New Construction All chemical soil treatments, bait systems, and chemical wood treatment must be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and applied in accordance […]
Child-Proofing Your Home: 12 Safety Devices to Protect Your Children – About 2.5 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year. The good news is that many of these incidents can be prevented by using simple child-safety devices on the market today. Any safety device you buy should be sturdy enough […]
A building’s central air-conditioning system must be periodically inspected and maintained in order to function properly. While an annual inspection performed by a trained professional is recommended, homeowners can do a lot of the work themselves by following the tips offered in this guide. Clean the Exterior Condenser Unit and Components The exterior condenser unit […]
An FHA loan is a federal-assistance mortgage loan offered by qualified lenders and backed by the Federal Housing Administration. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, soaring foreclosure and default rates led lenders to tighten their loan requirements to the detriment of the prospective homeowner. The FHA was created during this time to provide lending […]
A “short sale” is a real estate sales transaction in which the seller’s mortgage lender agrees to accept a payoff of less than the balance owed on a property’s loan. This typically happens when a borrower can’t pay the remainder of the mortgage loan on their property, but the lender decides that selling the property at […]
