The Three Doors to Home Ownership
Many people would love to buy their first home, but think it’s virtually impossible in the Bay Area due to the high cost of real estate. Anne Oliva, Sales Associate for Marshall Realty, a Diamond Certified company, says her clients are surprised to learn that they can achieve their dream using the help that is out there.

The three factors to focus on are your credit, your income and the down payment. Most first-time buyers mistakenly believe that the down payment is the biggest hurdle, but Ms. Oliva says private and public subsidies help a lot in this area. Credit is, in fact, the toughest obstacle to overcome if you have had past troubles. Once you clear up those problems, you can proceed to the next stage, which is getting pre-qualified by a lender. Lenders look at the same three things – credit, income and down payment. Once you’re pre-qualified, you’re ready to start looking at listings. Happy house hunting!

Avoid a Scam Called "Phishing”
It goes by this name because the perpetrators are "fishing"for your personal financial information. Elizabeth Owen, executive Director of the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, says this scam is difficult to detect because it starts with what looks like an e-mail from a known company such as AOL, Citibank or eBay. In the subject line it says, "Important information about your account."Most of us will take a peek.

The company logo looks official, but after you’re directed to disclose account numbers, passwords and pin numbers, you might have second thoughts. They claim they need this information to update software or prevent identity theft, and then they turn around and clear out your checking account. You can be robbed while sitting in the comfort of your own home! Five percent of those contacted fall for the scheme, which law enforcement officials say is impossible to completely eliminate.

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Landscaping Lighting – What You Need to Know
Now that the days are longer and the evenings will be getting warmer, you can get more enjoyment out of your backyard garden with the addition of a well-designed low voltage lighting system. By lighting up your landscaping at night, you can make it into an aesthetically pleasing space with more depth and dimension, according to the President of a Diamond Certified landscaping company.

The key thing when installing lights is to make sure the voltage at each fixture is measured and in the appropriate range. If the installation is not done correctly, the bulbs will not glow evenly and will burn out faster. This can be costly for you. When the job is done right, your bulbs may last up to ten times longer! With a well-thought out lighting plan, you will have more time to enjoy your garden, and add value to your home.

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Save $$ While Saving Environment by Going Solar Now
If you’ve been thinking about going solar, now may be a good time to do it. Laura Goldman of Solar Works, a Diamond Certified company, says that you can save up to 35% off the cost of a photovoltaic (PV) system at your home or business if you apply for a California Energy Commission rebate before June 30th.

By getting started now, you’ll receive a $2.80/watt rebate, which will decrease after June 30th. You’ll also be eligible for an after-rebate 7.5% state tax credit – but only until December 31, 2005. And you may qualify for a 10% federal tax credit as well, if you are a small business owner, or have a business or office at your home. Besides increasing the value of your property without increasing property taxes, solar improvements are a sound investment in clean energy with great value, which make a lot of sense.

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Caring For Your Carpets Pays Off
Did you know that one square foot of carpet can hold up to a pound of dirt? After talking to Master Cleaner Perry Holliday, owner of Candid Carpet Care, a Diamond Certified company, I was ready to get on the job. Mr. Holliday recommends slowly vacuuming high traffic areas every day to remove sand and dirt, which cut fibers and wear your carpeting down. Vacuums with a top loaded bag are preferred and should be emptied when half full.

To best maintain your rugs between professional cleanings, use walk-off mats as it takes about 12-14 steps to get the dirt off your shoes. Lay out some washable throw rugs or matching carpet remnants by the garage door and front door. Finally, when doing minor spot removal, the best advice from Mr. Holliday is never try to rub out a spot. Instead of scrubbing it, dab and blot.

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Routine Maintenance Extends Your Car’s Life
You’ll get more life out of your car if you simply pay attention to its fluids on a regular basis, according to Dave Kusa, owner of Autotrend Diagnostics, a Diamond Certified company. Oil changes are recommended every 3,000 miles, even if the manufacturer says you can go 5,000 miles between changes. Ignore the owner’s manual.

Every 30,000 miles, ask to have the transmission fluid and power steering fluid changed and the cooling system serviced. Brake fluid flushes for anti-lock systems are now recommended too. Some cars even have computer systems that will tell you when to replace fluids based on the use of the car. What about rotating your tires? Mr. Kusa says if your tire dealer offers free rotation every 5,000 miles, do it. But if you have to pay for it every time, have it done only when the brakes are being inspected since the wheels are off the vehicle anyway.

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How to Pass a Smog Check First Time!
Relax! Most vehicles can pass their smog check! Brian Amble, ASE Master Mechanic and Advanced Smog Technician for Smog Queen, a Diamond Certified company, says first take care of any maintenance that is due (or overdue) such as an oil change or tune-up before the smog check. If you do mostly city driving, give the car a run on the freeway for 50 miles and fill up with a fresh tank of quality gas. Premium fuel can improve your odds slightly, and make sure your gas cap is intact and fits tightly. A visual inspection of the engine compartment could reveal broken or cracked hoses or components. Do those repairs before the test.

The Test-Only Smog Check, an essential part of the Smog Check II program recently initiated in the Bay Area, is considered a more consumer friendly smog check and is no different from the smog performed at any other of the smog stations.

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Time to Replace Your Old Furnace?
It's better to plan for replacing your furnace rather than have it come as a surprise. The best way to monitor your furnace's condition and performance is to have it serviced annually, according to Kevin Comerford, President of Service Champions, a Diamond Certified company. A professional heating contractor will do a precision tune-up and cleaning consisting of 21 procedures. This will improve your furnace's efficiency and safety.

Mr. Comerford says the average life expectancy of a well-maintained furnace is 15 to 20 years, but as with everything, there are exceptions. Generally, after about 15 years, the metal inside a furnace, particularly the heat exchanger, gets fatigued. The metal may crack, which may in turn cause the furnace to emit carbon monoxide into your home. The good news is that newer furnaces are more energy efficient than the old ones, with some reducing heating bills by 30 to 40% every year.

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Disaster Planning For Your Furry Kids
Many people who have already put together a disaster plan and emergency supplies for their families have overlooked planning for their pets. Candy Telford, owner of Candy's Pampered Pets, Inc., a Diamond Certified company, says the number one thing to have on hand is a cage or carrier for your pet. Vets sell cardboard ones for $4 to $5, which can be folded and stored. Many larger carriers can be dismantled so as not to take up space. Animals often panic in a disaster and take off from home. If you contain them, you'll know exactly where they are in case of an emergency.

Other recommendations include getting your animal a microchip ID, adding a cell phone number to collar tags, storing 3 days worth of food and water, and keeping on hand a current photo of your pets, with your name and number on the back, to post in case they're missing.

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Leather Furniture Prices Are Coming Down
It used to be that you could not buy a leather sofa for less than $2,000. Now, according to the President of a Diamond Certified furniture company, you can find a good quality leather couch for around $1,200. Leather furniture is becoming more affordable because the tanning and dyeing processes have been improved, and computers are being used to cut the hides. Manufacturers sometimes add matching vinyl to the back and sides of couches to reduce costs, and you can't tell the difference.

Leather is a good choice for many people because it is four times more durable than fabric, and it looks good as it ages. He also notes that it's easy to clean and maintain, almost wash and wear. You'll find a bigger selection of colors nowadays too, due to the improved dyeing process. Besides sofas and recliners in leather, you can also find ottomans and accent chairs.

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First Aid for a Leaky Roof
Most homeowners have had the experience at one time or another of dealing with a leaky roof after a big rainfall. You can minimize the damage, or make things worse, depending on what you do to the affected area, according to Paul Elmore, President of Responsible Roofing, a Diamond Certified company.

If feasible, Mr. Elmore says you need to act quickly and cover the affected section with plastic or a tarp. But proceed carefully as some roofs are slippery when wet, and high winds can make it difficult for the plastic to stay in place. Put buckets under the drips and mop up the floor. And if the ceiling starts sagging, poke a hole in the sheetrock at the lowest point with a screwdriver to relieve pressure. Mark the spot with tape so the exact location can be found later when your roofer comes out to assess the damage and perform repairs.

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Misconceptions About Fire Sprinklers
Some homeowners don't like the idea of adding fire sprinklers to their homes because they mistakenly assume in case of a fire in one room, their entire house will be flooded. That's not the case. Jason Leake, Vice President of Seize Fire, Inc., a Diamond Certified company, explains that sprinkler heads are set to go off at 155 degrees. If you have a kitchen fire hot enough to set off a sprinkler, only that room will be affected by water, unless the fire has spread elsewhere. Usually just one sprinkler head will do the job.

Another misconception is that the number of fire sprinkler heads needed is directly tied to the square footage of your house. Not so. Mr. Leake says you have to look at not only square footage, but also many other variables, including the shape of the rooms and ceilings, all of which affect the number of heads needed and therefore the cost.

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Sensible Advice for Sofa Buyers
How a sofa is constructed on the inside makes all the difference in how comfortable it is and how long it lasts. According to Vanessa de Harven, General Sales Manager for Evolution Furniture, a Diamond Certified company, you should look for a hardwood frame, good suspension and quality fill in the cushions. A quality frame will be double-doweled and corner-blocked to support stress points. The springs or webbing should distribute weight evenly to eliminate sagging. And a high-quality foam core will make cushions supportive and durable, not to mention comfortable.

According to Ms. de Harven, knowing a sofa's construction is sound allows you to focus on the fun stuffÑplanning your room. The best approach is to be sure you are working with a store committed to quality. From there, consider your lifestyle (do you have kids, need storage?), discover your design vision and bring your room to life.

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