By Jean Patteson

RISMEDIA, July 12, 2010–(MCT)–The explosion of remodeling shows on TV and makeover spreads in magazines has whetted America’s appetite for glamorous rooms brimming with the latest furnishings, appliances and color schemes.

Kitchen remodels are among the most popular, according to a report in the just-published August issue of Consumer Reports and online at consumerreports.org. And the economic slowdown means there are outstanding deals on everything from cooktops to countertops. It also means kitchen designers and building contractors are eager for work and willing to negotiate.

But bargain prices and good looks aren’t everything, said Celia Kupersmzid Lehrman, Consumer Reports’ deputy home editor.

“When remodeling a kitchen, functionality is every bit as important as style. Fortunately there are many products that look good and work well,” she said.

The design of your kitchen is every bit as important as what goes into it, said Jim Spence of Spence & Vaughn Fine Kitchen and Bath in Maitland, Fla.

The most functional design is based on the “work triangle” — the relationship between the prep area, the cooking area and the sink, he said. Ideally, the distance between them should never be less than four feet or more than nine feet. Of the three areas, the most-used is the sink.

When planning a remodel, determining your budget is one of the first steps. The National Kitchen & Bath Association calculates the average kitchen remodel costs between 10 percent and 20 percent of the home’s value. But obviously, the extent of the makeover determines its cost. In its latest issue, Consumer Reports takes top-performing products and creates three design schemes: a do-it-yourself makeover for $5,000; a plan that costs $15,000 (the average spent on a kitchen remodel); and a full-scale renovation for $50,000.

Determining your priorities is another key step, said Phil Johnson, a partner at Spence & Vaughn and a certified kitchen designer.

“Do you love to cook? If so, now might be the time to consider professional-style appliances,” he said. “Do you have a large family? Consider how best to accommodate them in your new space. Think about the things you love in your old kitchen — and the things you dislike.”

In addition, Johnson recommends the following steps for a successful remodel:

—Do your homework. Watch TV remodeling programs, clip appealing pictures and articles from magazines, attend remodeling seminars, visit home shows and parades of homes. Consult with a kitchen designer who is a member of the NKBA, who has the training and experience to avoid many of the things that can go wrong with a remodeling project.

—Visit a showroom. Examine the options in cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, plumbing and lighting. Decide what you want — and can afford.

—Schedule a home visit. The designer/installer need to measure the kitchen and adjacent rooms, and make a note of existing walls, doors and windows, electrical supplies, ceiling height, attic access, type of wall construction, plumbing details, etc.

—Finalize the project. The design is refined, construction plans are completed, appliances and supplies are ordered — and the initial deposit is paid.

—Survive the dust, noise and workers. With proper supervision, the disruption can be kept to a minimum. Make sure materials are ordered and on the way before beginning the tear-out. Clear a space in the garage for workers’ tools and supplies and items removed from the old kitchen. And communicate regularly with the designer/installer.

The August issue of Consumer Reports identifies these four rules for a successful kitchen remodel:

Don’t rush. There are many kitchen products that combine value, performance and good looks. Take time to meet with professionals, browse the Internet and visit showrooms and home centers. Haste can be costly. Changing your mind after the project is started typically adds about $1,500 to the cost of a kitchen project.

Size matters. In addition to being expensive, oversized kitchens can be exhausting to work in and keep tidy. A more compact kitchen often functions better. The National Kitchen & Bath Association website, nkba.org, provides guidelines for optimal space between appliances, cabinets and islands.

Beware of budget busters. Leave a 10 percent to 15 percent cushion for surprises, such as unexpected structural repairs. Avoid settling for a cheap option, thinking someday you will replace it with something you really want. Chances are that will never happen.

Get it in writing. When using a professional for a remodel, the written contract should list each phase of the project; every product, including the model number; and copies of each contractor’s license, and workers compensation and liability insurance to confirm they are current. Call references and, if possible, visit them.

(c) 2010, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Almost everyone who lived in the Bay Area in late ’89 remembers where they were and what they were doing when the Loma Prieta (aka World Series) Earthquake hit. I was working in Stanford, Ca as a Landscape Contractor, building a deck for a new client. When the earth shook, I grabbed onto the nearest tree and held on for dear life.

The trees swayed, tools fell over, there was a terrible roar and I was sure the windows next to me were going to explode. It was a frightening experience I will never forget.

This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the event. The following is an edited excerpt from the official USGS website on the quake.

“On October 17, 1989, at 5:04:15 p.m. (PDT), a magnitude 7.1 earthquake severely shook the San Francisco and Monterey Bay regions. The epicenter was located near Loma Prieta peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains, approximately 9 miles northeast of Santa Cruz and 60 miles south-southeast of San Francisco.”

“The earthquake occurred when the crustal rocks comprising the Pacific and North American Plates abruptly slipped as much as 7 ft along their common boundary-the San Andreas fault system.”

The World Series Earthquake was the first major quake to be captured on live TV, because of the coverage of the warm up for Game 3 between the Oakland A’s and the San Francisco Giants.

The catastrophe left bridges broken, freeways buckled, the Cypress Structure collapsed and thousands homeless. Miraculously, only 63 people lost their lives that day, despite early reports of hundreds or even thousands dead.

Now, 20 years later we revisit the events and aftermath of that awful day.

Why, you say? Because “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” (George Santayana) Which begs the question, are you prepared for the next “Big One”?

If you already have an earthquake kit, now is the time to replace your water, canned goods and batteries as well as making sure any prescription or non-prescription drugs haven’t expired. Also, be sure your important documents are up to date.

Click on the photo to see the Kit

If you don’t have an earthquake preparedness kit, just click on the link to read an article from SFGate.com on creating your own kit, or you can download a PDF copy of the article I made for you here.

Alternatively, you can purchase ready made kits at stores such as Buy.comor REI. Consider one kit for the home, one for each car and one for the office.

Even if the “Big One” doesn’t hit any time soon, winter is approaching and it’s just as important to be prepared for power outages, blocked roads or flash floods. Having these preparedness kits can make life much easier in these circumstances, and it’s cheap insurance for your family.

Do you have an Automatic Gas Shutoff Valve installed? Contra Costa County now requires that all new construction and homes in unincorporated areas of the county have one of these valves installed.

It’s not a bad idea to have one installed on your home just in case, they only cost a few hundred dollars and shutting off your gas is one less thing you need to worry about if there is a quake or other natural disaster.

A few other things to consider. When you purchased your home, you should have received a Natural Hazard Disclosure Report. This might be a good time to dig that out and see where you stand. You may want to order an updated report, more cheap insurance. I can help you with that if you need.

Finally, are you properly insured? Most of us don’t think about our insurance until we need it. This is a perfect time to call your Agent and make sure you have the right coverage. Homeowners policy’s don’t cover earthquakes the way they used to, so it’s best to check into this. You can find out more about earthquake insurance at the California Earthquake Authority.

And remember the Boy Scouts Motto: “Be Prepared”

You may have notice recently that some trains are making their way through Brentwood and Oakley again. Several times in the past weeks I’ve had to wait for freight trains to pass by while waiting at the RR crossing at Balfour and Brentwood Blvd.

What were seemingly inactive tracks are indeed being used, and there will be more trains coming down the line in the near future.

Click on the map to zoom in on your neighborhood

This map shows the tracks running from the top left to the bottom right.

The following email excerpt is dated a month ago (forwarded to me by my office manager), and is directly from Union Pacific Railroad regarding the RR Tracks that run through Oakley and Brentwood.

Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 11:05:21 AM

Subject: Re: East Contra Costa Plan

The tracks located in Brentwood, CA is called the Tracy Branch/Mococo Line.

IT IS AN ACTIVE RAIL LINE.

I have notified both Mayor Bob Taylor and City Manager Landeros the line will be restored to service in the future. Given the state of the economy we do not have an explicit time frame, but it will likely happen in the next few years.

Wesley J. Lujan
Director, Public Affairs
Union Pacific Railroad
915 L Street, Suite 1180
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.789.5957 office
916.792.9160 cell
402.997.3540 fax

I guess he wasn’t kidding, the Choo Choo’s are coming once again.

I believe that a real estate blog or website should be about you, the home buyer, seller or homeowner. I plan to provide relevant information that will interest you. Of course, it would help me greatly if you tell me what you want to read about. I encourage you to comment on my posts, email me about topics you want to know about, and interact as a community.

Thank you in advance for the opportunity to serve and inform you.

Steve O’Sullivan
Coldwell Banker Amaral and Associates
License # 01342235