Diane Sass, Livermore, California Real Estate

08/11/2022

THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU FIRST MOVE INTO A NEW HOME!

Locate the breaker box and water shut-off valves. Knowing where and how to shut your water and electricity off can be critical in emergencies like a burst pipe.
Change the locks. There’s always a chance copies of the keys you received are floating around somewhere. A locksmith can install brand-new locks on all entryways before you move in.
Reset the garage door opener. Similarly, the garage door opener will need resetting. You might want to have the manual lock changed out as well.
Install or replace batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Make sure these safety devices are operating at move-in — though hopefully you’ll never need them.
Meet the neighbors. Get the names and contact info of your next-door neighbors. You never know when members of your new community could lend a helping hand (or vice versa), so the sooner you introduce yourself, the better.
Check and replace air filters. For optimal performance, HVAC systems need new filters about every three months. Check the unit and note the correct size and brand as soon as possible.
Clear the gutters. Clogged gutters won't drain properly and can potentially damage your roof. It’s a good idea to check on your gutters seasonally after moving in.

Enjoy your new home!!

10/14/2021

Four Essentials for Selling Your Home!

Selling your home doesn't have to be an ordeal. By concentrating on just a few key things it's possible to minimize the time your property spends sitting on the market. From improving curb appeal to removing excess clutter, here are several things that can help you to improve property values, attract potential buyers and ensure a successful sale:

Enhanced Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is never a concern that should be taken lightly. Your home's exterior appearance, landscaping and general exterior appearance all play a key role in ensuring that potential buyers are more likely to form a positive first impression. From listing photos to the first glimpse that buyers will have when they pull up to the curb, a few improvements can make a major difference.

Interior Upgrades
Home improvements and renovations can boost property value and help to ensure a quicker, less stressful sale. While a few upgrades can be well worth the effort and expense, it's wise to stay focused and avoid going overboard in your efforts. A few small projects are often easier to manage and of greater benefit than larger efforts that have the potential to get out of hand.

The Right Agent
An experienced real estate agent is not a resource you will want to be without. Working with a professional who has a better understanding of the market as well as the tools, experience and skills needed to manage the sales process can provide a wide range of advantages. Homeowners who elect to go it alone could soon find themselves faced with an uphill battle.

Less Clutter
Removing excess clutter and making an effort to depersonalize your home's interior can help to ensure that buyers are provided with the blank canvas they need in order to better visualize the full potential of the space. Having less clutter within the home makes it much easier to prepare for property tours and open house events. Dealing with clutter now also means having less to pack up when it comes time to move to your new home.
While selling a home can often be a major undertaking, knowing what to concentrate on helps to keep the process as stress-free as possible. Staying focused on a few key essentials can go a long way towards ensuring a successful sale!

09/11/2021

Six Great Fall Home Improvement Projects!

Take time this autumn to give your home an upgrade with one of this projects.

06/08/2021

Grilling with Huge Flame
Summer grilling is a favorite American pastime. But barbecue grills present many safety risks. Use the following practical tips for a safe, fun, and healthy barbecue cookout!

Food Safety Tips
To avoid food poisoning, marinate all meats and vegetables in the refrigerator and place any seared, sous-vide, or boiled meat straight onto the grill. If you don’t plan to grill pre-cooked meat right away, be sure to pre-cook it at a high enough temperature or quick-chill it in ice to kill bacteria. Then, store it in the refrigerator immediately.

Thoroughly wash all plates, utensils, and surfaces that have come into contact with raw meat.

Cook meats to their respective recommended internal temperatures. Invest in a good meat thermometer to ensure your meat, poultry, and seafood has reached a safe internal temperature hot enough to kill bacteria.

Keep vegetables intended for grilling separate from raw meat to avoid contamination.

Fire Safety Tips
Ensure the grill is located far from buildings and structures to prevent fires.

Clean your grill often. Grease is very flammable, and excess fat collecting inside your grill can cause dangerous flare-ups.

Regularly inspect your gas grill for leaks, damage, and obstructions.

Always turn off the gas completely after you’re finished grilling.

Use extreme caution when using lighter fluid to start a charcoal grill—never add fluid to an open flame.

Keep a spray bottle filled with water near the grill to extinguish minor flare-ups.

Keep a fire extinguisher within a few feet of your grill (and make sure you know how to use it!) in case of an emergency.

05/01/2021

There's a lot to think about when you start looking for a home, particularly a pre-approval for a mortgage!

Think the home search is the biggest hurdle? For many, the mortgage process is more energy-intensive. Here’s how to stay on track.

04/28/2021

Maybe this is your year to plant a garden! Here are some tips to help you be successful!

Celebrate National Garden Month with these easy home gardening tips. Learn more about different types of plants, how to start a garden, and how to keep it growing.

02/13/2021

Home Improvement


Caulk: Acrylic or Silicone?

Caulk is a useful product that has a number of applications. It comes in acrylic and silicone options, each of which is designed for specific purposes. Understanding the use for each and how to apply it properly can help you as you care for and maintain your home.

Acrylic caulking is more commonly used by property owners because it's easy to use and cleans up quickly and efficiently. This product also provides a neat, tight seal that seals gaps around electrical switch plates, walls, ceilings, doors, windows, and woodwork trim. However, it doesn't work as well to prevent moisture pe*******on as silicone caulking because it tends to distort and shrink over time. This product is designed for reducing and preventing air loss.

Silicone caulking does hold up well when exposed to moisture, so it's the product of choice for caulking around sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and showers. It's also extremely durable and long-lasting, so you can use it outdoors when you want to protect pieces of your home's exterior from the elements. This particular product is also referred to as rubberized silicone caulk and is flexible, remaining intact without distorting, cracking, or peeling.

By applying the right product for your caulking needs, you can prevent moisture pe*******on and reduce air loss to protect your home and keep it comfortable throughout the changing seasons. Be sure to check the use recommendations for each product before you start the application process.

12/05/2020

10/30/2020

Take a look at my great new listing in Livermore, CA! This great Mid Century Modern home features 3 beds, 2 baths, and a MOAT for $795,950! Check out 1069 Nielsen Lane!

Check out more photos here: https://rem.ax/2JiYz02
Presented by Diane Sass of RE/MAX Accord

09/27/2020

Take a look at this great new property in Pleasanton, CA! An amazing location and a wonderful home! It features 6 beds 3 baths for $1,490,000.

Check out more photos here: https://rem.ax/2FXYAVQ
Presented by Diane Sass of RE/MAX Accord

09/05/2020

Doing some home maintenance on a regular basis can have a huge impact when you are ready to sell!

Putting off some home repairs? Here’s why that could end up costing you more in the long run.

08/28/2020

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