.Monthly Real Estate Newsletter brought to you by Dale and Renee McSween your Chino/Chino Hills Realtors. Direct (951) 805-8876

1. 1/28/2015 Real Estate News Provided by Renee McSween
http://clientdirect.net/news/printnewsletter.asp?PUB=49746 1/3
Your Real Estate Update
Renee McSween / BRE #: 01311208
14611 Ramona Ave., Chino, CA 91710
(w) 909.606.3901 (c) 951.805.8876
reneemcsween@yahoo.com
FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR HOME
By: Jill Hamilton
Summer’s coming and, in many parts of the country, summer means fire season. Fire can hit anywhere­­not just in isolated
wilderness communities. With the right combination of hot dry weather, wind, flammable brush and an ignition source, any house
is potentially in danger. Being smart about fire season is all about being prepared­­doing everything possible to reduce the risk of
fire in the first place and having a plan in place in case a fire starts. Pre­planning can reduce the risk of damage to your house
and help you react calmly and more effectively in case there is a fire. Preparing a Firesafe Home:
Make the house resistant to flying embers
Most houses don’t catch fire from the fire line reaching the house, but from embers flying ahead of the fire (sometimes several
miles.) The most vulnerable spots are the roof, gutters or vents. Choose fire resistant roofing materials like tile, slate or
aluminum. Keep the roof and gutters clean and free of debris, and cut tree branches that overhang the roof and chimney. Cover
the chimney opening and vents and other openings under porches and decks with fine mesh screening with holes smaller than
1/8 inches. Opt for fire resistant building materials. The best choices for houses and other structures are fire­resistant materials
like brick and stone. Wood siding, cedar shakes, exterior wood paneling, and other highly combustible materials should be
treated with fire retardant chemicals, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Create a border Create a
firesafe barrier of 30 feet around the house (more if property slants since fire travels quickly uphill.) Clear dead foliage, mow dry
grass and trim tree branches to 10 feet above ground. Keep trees trimmed, healthy and well­spaced. Watered green space
works as a better fire defense than a total clearing. Plant succulents or other fire­resistant greenery and break up flammable
materials with green space, water features or stone. (Check Firewise for a list of smart plant choices for your region.) Keep
flammable items away from the house Don’t keep piles of mulch, propane tanks or trash near the house. Store picnic tables,
boats and firewood away from structures. Don’t store things under decks and porches and periodically clear them of the debris
that collects below them. Inside protectionTest smoke alarms monthly, change batteries annually, and replace them every 10
years, advises FEMA. Keep fire extinguishers in several different accessible places around the house and test them regularly to
keep them in working order. Consider installing a sprinkler system. Be Prepared in Case of Fire:
Follow the drill Create a family fire escape plan and have drills to make sure everyone in the family knows what to do. Discuss
escape routes, fire safety rules and create a family meeting spot. Make special plans for elderly family members, very small
children and pets. Teach children how to open windows to safety escape and not to hide from firefighters. Have the right
equipment Keep fire tools handy, including a ladder long enough to reach the roof, shovel, rake and bucket for water. Keep
hoses ready by an available water supply. Make house accessible to firefighters A clearly marked address and driveway wide
enough to accommodate truck gives firefighters easy, quick access to your house. If possible, create two entrance and exit
routes in case one becomes unusable. Create an emergency kit Make an emergency kit with water, food, first aid kid, money, a
change of clothing and extra shoes, flashlight, extra batteries, battery powered radio and special items like medications, glasses
or diapers. Put together a box of mementos and important papers and keep it handy in case you need to get out quickly. A safe
escape Leave early and keep the radio tuned for fire updates in case you need to change your evacuation route. Wear
protective clothing, with long pants and long sleeved shirt made of non­synthetic material and sturdy shoes. Take a damp
bandana or other covering for your face. Homeowners can never completely eliminate fire danger, but a little preplanning­­
especially choosing smart building materials, creating a firesafe border and keeping areas clean and debris­free­­can go a long
way in reducing damage and risk.
HOW TO HELP YOUR APPLIANCES LAST LONGER
By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon, HouseLogic
Is it just me or does it seem that appliances don’t last as long as they’re supposed to?
Our dryer died after 11 years (two years before a typical dryer’s lifespan is up), and we repaired our refrigerator three times
before it reached its 12th birthday (it’s supposed to live for 13 years).
Full disclosure: I wouldn’t give myself an A in appliance care. But in the future, I vow to keep up on regular maintenance that’ll
keep my new dryer running longer than my last one.
Rob Carpenter, owner of a Mr. Handyman franchise in Maryland, shares some insider tips about how to extend the life of home
appliances.

2. 1/28/2015 Real Estate News Provided by Renee McSween
http://clientdirect.net/news/printnewsletter.asp?PUB=49746 2/3
Refrigerators That Last
Refrigerators break down when doors don’t close tightly, forcing motors to work overtime to keep food cold. To test your door
seal, close the door on a dollar bill: If the bill slips, you’ve got a problem that requires refrigerator maintenance.
Magnetic strips embedded in gaskets around refrigerator doors make doors close snugly, but they routinely wear out and
should be replaced or re­magnetized every couple of years. If you’re handy, re­magnetizing is a DIY job — just run a powerful
magnet along each side of the gasket, in the same direction, about 50 times.
If messing around with the refrigerator door is beyond your pay grade, call a professional. Pros typically charge around $242 to
repair door problems.
Washing Machine Endurance
Loose change banging around your washer drum can cause dents, chipped paint, and rust, so make sure to empty pockets
before washing clothes.
Also, maintain your washing machine by regularly cleaning or replacing filters that trap water sediment before it enters your
machine. Filters, which look like thimbles, are located in the back where supply hoses attach to the machine. Remove hoses
and either poke out debris with a tip of a flathead screwdriver, then remove and wash the filter, or replace it.
Dryers That Keep on Drying
In addition to regularly cleaning out your dryer’s lint trap and exhaust hose, inspect the exterior vent — hot air must escape your
house unimpeded.
Make sure the hinged exterior vent pops open when the dryer runs. If it doesn’t, open the cover and scrape out lint with the end
of a hanger or dryer vent brush ($13). If your vent is louvered, clean slats with an old toothbrush.
Dishwasher Extenders
Here are ways to keep your dishwasher stress­free and long­lasting:
• Prime your dishwasher by running the hot water in your sink before you begin the cycle. This will clean your dishes with hot
water from the very start of the cycle.
• Once a week, run your dishwasher empty except for a cup of vinegar, which will keep it shining and smelling fresh.
• Clean out food traps regularly.
• Wipe clean the seals around dishwasher doors.
Toaster Thoughts
Darkly toasted bread will burn out your toaster two years earlier than lightly toasted bread. So if you can live with lightly crisp
rather than almost burnt, you’ll get a few more years out of your toaster.
7 HELPFUL TIPS FOR FIRST­TIME HOME BUYERS
By: Bill Gassett, RISMedia
Looking for a new home can be a pretty exciting task. With that much money on the line, it's worthwhile to read up on the
process before you set out. Unnecessary mistakes can and should be avoided while trying to get the best deal for your money.
As a first­time home buyer, proper guidance from seasoned professionals can make all the difference.
Here are a few tips first­time buyers can take when trying to find their first home:
Get clear on what you want – This is the most important part of your preparation. You are about to enter a shopping experience
that is unlike any other. At times, it can be stressful and difficult. There is a lot of money on the line and a big commitment to be
made, so prepare accordingly. Get clear on what you really want and what you are willing to compromise on. This will make your
home shopping experience much more efficient and will give you a map to go off of should tensions run high.
Take a look at this guide to buying your first home, which might help you narrow down your wants vs. needs. The better
prepared you are, the better chance of having a smooth transaction.
Do your research – Home shoppers today are more empowered than ever before. You have so much information at your
fingertips. Go online and find the areas you want to live in. Narrow down the neighborhoods you want to consider to three or
four, and focus on those. Learn about the cost of the things you really want and the cost of the things you can do without. The
more knowledgeable you are the better you will be at negotiating a good deal.
Talk to the bank – Preparing to get a mortgage in advance of your actual purchase will be super important.
Before you start looking at houses you should have a discussion with your lender. The lender will be able to give you an honest
assessment of what your finances look like, how much house you can afford and what your rates will be. You want to know all of
this – what it will really cost you – before you start looking at homes you can't actually afford. Find out what your monthly
payment will be at different amounts and determine what your personal limits are as well. Depending on your credit, the lender
may be willing to give you far more than you need. Once you know the time is right to buy a home make sure you get pre­
approved by a lender. Make sure you understand the difference between getting pre­approved and pre­qualified for a mortgage.
Without a doubt you will want to get pre­approved as a pre­qualification letter is not worth much. A savvy REALTOR®

3. 1/28/2015 Real Estate News Provided by Renee McSween
http://clientdirect.net/news/printnewsletter.asp?PUB=49746 3/3
representing a homeowner will pick up on this right away. If you are competing with other buyers and are not financially
prepared, you could lose out on your dream home!
Think about the future – Is this going to be a starter house that you will move out of in five years? Is it going to be a property that
you fix up and flip? Is it going to be the home for your new family that you will be in for 10 or 20 years? Your long term plans will
help dictate your purchasing choices. It is important to understand what you really want this home for before you go and sign
any papers and spend any money. One of the biggest mistakes first­time home buyers make is not thinking about their long
term plans.
Find a good REALTOR®– A real estate agent can prove invaluable when shopping for a home. If you find one that is good – an
agent that is finding people the homes they want at a price they are happy with – then much of the work will be done for you. The
agent will talk about what you want, will run you through much of the above mentioned areas and will help you find the houses
that are really what you are looking for. The agent will also be an effective negotiator, meaning that you will probably get more
house for your money than if you went at it alone.
Set a timeline – The situation you are in is uniquely your own. You want to set a timeline for when you will find and buy a home –
a timeline that reflects your realities. If you have bad credit that needs to be cleaned up first, for instance, you will need to spend
some time working on that before you actually start house hunting. If you need to move right now, that is another factor in your
timeline. Give yourself some restrictions so you will be encouraged to move at a steady pace and get the job done. Hunting for a
house can be quite stressful and it is not something that should be drawn out any more than necessary. Determine what you
want, work with a REALTOR®, and get it as efficiently as possible.
Understand your fiscal responsibility ­ Another problem that first­time home buyers don't always properly think through is the
financial responsibility of owning a home. A large amount of buyers will think about making their mortgage payments and nothing
else. If you have been renting for a while, or even living with mom and dad, it is easy to see why this can happen.
Unfortunately, owning a home comes with quite a few more additional first­time home expenses that you may not have
considered such as appliances, furniture, and even taxes and insurance. These are all important things to consider when putting
together your homebuying budget.
Use all of the above tips for finding your first home and you will be well on your way to enjoying your new life as a homeowner!