Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Adding a Dog to the Family? Here Are Some Expenses to Consider Getting a dog can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. Seeing your cute pet’s tail wag when you get home from a long day at work can be a heartwarming experience that makes the responsibilities of dog ownership worthwhile. But don’t forget those responsibilities, including financial ones, when determining whether now is the right time to bring a dog into the mix. New owners can expect to pay $1,400-$2,000 in the first year of having a puppy, and $14,500 over their dog’s lifetime, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA. Here are some costs to consider, according to the ASPCA: Food Don’t underestimate the cost of feeding your dog. Premium brand dry dog food for large dogs costs an average of $400 per year. Taking care to not overfeed your pet will lower the food...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Tech for Efficient Remote Working Digital nomads who work while traveling need to keep their tech devices updated and in good shape if they want to succeed. Without them, their productivity could suffer and could cost them their jobs. Here are some tech must-haves for the remote worker: Portable Wi-Fi Router Internet connections at hotels, coffee shops, libraries and other public places can be unreliable. Having your own portable Wi-Fi router that allows you to wirelessly connect multiple devices at the same time can be a lifesaver. You can buy a Wi-Fi hotspot, such as a  Karma Go , for immediate online access. The easiest way may be through your smartphone, which allows you to create your own private Wi-Fi network wherever there’s cellular coverage. Check with your phone carrier for what type of Wi-Fi router service is offered on your phone. Wi-Fi Range Extender If you’re in ...

A home warranty is a service contract that protects your home's appliances and some systems from repairs or possible replacements.   A convenient benefit of a home warranty is that when you report an item, they will assign a service provider to evaluate whether it should be repaired or replaced without the owner having to act like a middleman. Homeowner's insurance is required by most mortgage lenders when there is an outstanding loan.   This coverage protects the structure and the dwelling and the homeowner's personal property from named occurrences like theft, natural disaster, or accident.   Homeowner's insurance does not cover the systems and appliances for repairs or replacements due to normal wear. The fees for home warranties can vary based on deductibles and how much of the risk the homeowner is willing to accept. Additional items can be included to the standard coverage to include pool, spa, additional refrigerators, septic tanks, and other items.   Th...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties How to Identify and Deal With Fire Hazards Each year, fires destroy homes and cause serious injuries and deaths all across the country. While many of these events are preventable, it’s important to take into consideration the fact that the average home is filled with fire hazards that homeowners may not recognize. Smoke Detectors Your home should have smoke detectors near the sleeping and living areas. Many people don’t keep track of the age of smoke detectors or don’t change the batteries often enough, while others remove the batteries to stop a false alarm and forget to put them back. These actions can leave a family unaware of a fire until it’s too late to escape. Keep written records showing when you bought your smoke detectors and change the batteries at recommended intervals. Cooking, Appliances and Electronics Turning the heat up too high, leaving food on the stove unattende...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Here's Why You Should Decorate With Green Regardless of the shade, adding elements of green to your home can improve your mood, complement your design, and more. Below are a few reasons to choose green for your interior design scheme. It’s soothing.  Green has long been used in decorating for its calming effect. Add some green curtains to your bedroom, paint the wall across from your sleeping space green and snag some easier ahhhhs. It looks great with wood.  If you have wood floors or furniture, tying in a shade of green will make your space even more lustrous. It’s complimentary.  There are so many gorgeous shades of green that it will be easy to thread a little green into your decorating scheme. It’s natural.  Don’t want to add any permanent green to your home? No problem! Just grab a few fresh houseplants and pepper them throughout your room for a fresh spla...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 10 Painless Changes for a Greener Home Making eco-friendly changes in the way we live may be easier than you think. Real Simple Magazine lists 10 little tips that can go a long way toward living a “greener” lifestyle: Start with household cleaners.  Switch to plant-based products (read the list of ingredients) that reduce air pollution, minimizing exposure to asthma and allergy triggers as well as chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Try meatless Mondays.  Preparing one meat-free meal per week (for a family of four) has the same impact on the environment as driving a hybrid car. (That’s because of the greenhouse gases produced in raising livestock.) Buy sustainably-raised meat.  Look for labels like free-range and organic, as well as no-hormone and no-antibiotic, which indicate the animal was given ample room to roam and wasn’t treated with hormones. Upgrade...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Helping Your Child Adjust to a New Pet A pet can become a beloved member of the family and a source of fun and companionship for everyone, but especially for children. If you’re planning to have a new pet join your family, the first interactions between the pet and your child are critical. Tell Your Child What to Expect Before you bring home a new pet, talk to your child about the type of animal you’re planning to get, its age, typical behavior and anything you know about that particular animal’s background that may affect its behavior, such as a history of abuse or life in a shelter, its age or any medical problems. Discussing these things with your child in advance can help them be sensitive and have reasonable expectations. This can also help the animal avoid feeling overwhelmed and can keep your child from misinterpreting the pet’s behavior and being hurt or disappointed. Take ...