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  Keep Your Home Sale from Falling Apart

  After finding a buyer, all you have to do to make it to closing is to avoid these five traps. Read

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  Chimney Maintenance for Warmth and Safety

  Chimney maintenance and a fireplace inspection can make the difference between warm safety and drafty danger. Read

I’VE HAD GREAT EXPERIENCES with “A – Z Window Screen, Chimney Sweep & Dryer Vent Cleaners” http://atozscreens.com/how-to-choose-a-chimney-sweep.html

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  LED Holiday Lights: 6 Need-to-Know Tips

  LED holiday lights vs. old-fashioned bulbs: 6 tips to help you decide which is right for you. Read

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  The Value of Home Maintenance

  Regular home maintenance is key to preserving the value of your house and property. Read

1.Cleaning and decluttering. Remove any personal items, unclutter countertops, organize closets and shelves, and make the home sparkling clean.
◦$290 Cost
◦$1,990 Return
2.Brightening. Clean all windows inside and out, replace old curtains, update lighting fixtures, and remove anything that blocks light from the windows.
◦$375 Cost
◦ $1,550 Return
3.Smart staging. Rearrange furniture, bring in new accessories and furnishings to enhance rooms, incorporate artwork, and play soft music in the background.
◦$550 Cost
◦$2,194 Return
4.Landscaping enhancements. Punch up the home’s curb appeal in the front and back yards by adding bark mulch, bushes, and flowers and ensuring current plants and grass are well-cared for and manicured.
◦$540 Cost
◦$1,932 return
5.Repairing electrical or plumbing. Fix leaks under the sinks, remove any mildew stains, and ensure all plumbing is in good working condition. Update the home’s electrical with new wiring for modern appliances, fix any lights or outlets that don’t work, and replace old plug points with new safety fixtures.
◦$535 Cost
◦$1,505 Return
6.Replacing or shampooing dirty carpets. Steam-clean carpets, replace any worn carpets, and repair any floor creaks.
◦$647 Cost
◦$1,739 Return
Excerpted from HomeGain’s 2011 Home Sale Maximizer Survey: www.homesalemaximizer.com

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  Do-It-Yourself Home Security Check: 5 Essential Steps

  Conduct a do-it-yourself home security check by walking around your house to assess what needs to be done to reduce the risk of a break-in. Read

Sacramento County

Sacramento, CA Fireworks:  July 4th “Cal Expo” will again put on the largest display of fireworks beginning at 9:30 pm. Gates open at 6pm, free admission, $10 parking fee. You are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. www.calexpo.com/html/4th_of_july.asp

Carmichael, CA Fireworks: July 4th Breakfast at Carmichael Park (5750 Grant Ave.) from 7-11 am. Parade starts at 10:30 am at Marconi/Fair Oaks continuing down Fair Oaks Blvd to Cypress and Manzanita. Call Elks Lodge 916-489-2103 for free float registration. The Grand Stand is located across the street from Carmichael Park at 5750 Grant Avenue. Fireworks show at “La Sierra Community Center” (5325 Engle Rd.) begins at 7 pm w/ food, music and $5 unlimited Kids Zone inflatables. Fireworks start around 9:30 pm. www.carmichaelpark.com/pdf/BROCHURE/JULY4SS.pdf

Citrus Heights, CA Fireworks: Fireworks are held at “Sunrise Mall.” Fireworks start at 9:30 pm.  The firework event and parking are FREE. www.sunrisemallonline.com/go/mallEvents.cfm. Check link for carnival information as well.

Elk Grove, CA Fireworks: “15th Annual Salute to Red, White & Blue” at Elk Grove Regional Park at 9:30 pm for fireworks is a favorite all day event with food, games, & vendors.  Gates open at 7 am July 4th with entertainment starting at 6 pm.  Admission is free & parking is $10 per vehicle.  Alcohol, personal fireworks and pets are not permitted. www.elkgrovecity.org/rwb  

Folsom, CA Fireworks: The Pro Rodeo gate opens at 6:00 pm & the fireworks will start just after dusk in the “Dan Russell Arena” nightly from July 1-3, 2011. www.folsomprorodeo.com. Enjoy roping and riding events and live music in Mike’s Golden Spike Saloon.

Rancho Cordova, CA Fireworks: Celebrate at Rancho Cordova “Hagan Park” with 2 days of fun, parades, food, concerts ending with fireworks displays both July 3rd and July 4th.  Hagan Park is located at 2197 Chase Drive. www.enutshells.net/profiles/Clusters/Cordova_Community_Council/July4/index.htm

El Dorado County

Cameron Park, CA Fireworks: Saturday, July 2…“12^th annual Summer Spectacular” with Arts, crafts, music, food vendors, bounce houses, contests & a ton more at “Cameron Park Lake.” $3 in advance, $5 at the gate, under 10 free. Events start at 2pm. Fireworks start around 9:15pm www.cpfireworks.com

El Dorado Hills, CA Fireworks: Sunday, July 3…“2nd annual Fireworks Jubilee” with chili cook-off, live music, dining, shopping, & kids activities. Fireworks start around 9:30pm. Soldier care package drive. See link for full details: www.eldoradohillstowncenter.com/fireworks.php

Placerville, CA Fireworks: Bring coolers & propane BBQs to enjoy lots of festivities at the “El Dorado Fair Grounds” on Saturday, July 2^nd. Gates open at 4pm. See rules and costs: www.eldoradocountyfair.org/blast.html

Tahoe, CA Fireworks: South Lake Tahoe will be having “Lights on the Lake.” The American Pyrotechnics Association rates South Shore’s spectacular  4^th of July fireworks celebration one of the Top 5 displays in the nation. Created by Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. and fired by Pyrodigital Consultants. Featuring a wide variety of patterns, lights, designs and shapes. Scheduled to begin at approximately 9:45pm  www.visitcalifornia.com/Events/Lights-on-the-Lake-Fireworks-2011. 

Placer County

Roseville, CA Fireworks: Celebrate in Downtown Roseville with the parade at 10:00am starting at the intersection of Vernon/Douglas/Riverside.  More activities from 11am-2pm at Royer Park w/application to download for joining the parade:  www.roseville.ca.us/communications/4th_of_july_celebration.asp.  Gates open at 7pm for the 9:30pm fireworks show at the Placer County Fairgrounds www.placercountyfair.org w/free admission & $5 parking.

Auburn, CA Fireworks: Pancake breakfast, parade, pageants, motorcycle races, and more. Open 9am to 10pm. Fireworks start at 9:40pm. Free admission & parking www.visitplacer.com/placer-county-calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=532

Yolo County

Davis, CA Fireworks: The City of Davis will celebrate with a party at “Community Park” with free swimming, vendors, and entertainment. Fireworks kick off at 9:30 pm, but daylong events start at 1pm. http://cityofdavis.org/cs/events/july4.cfm

Even if your home purchase is months or years away, having good credit history is essential. A few points on a FICO score can mean the difference between a higher or lower interest rate offered on a mortgage loan. Go to www.creditscore.com to monitor your score. If you need help cleaning up your credit, the professionals at www.fixmyscore.org can help.

As soon as you’re even thinking about contacting a mortgage broker, be sure you’ve organized all the necessary documents most lenders require, such as those that prove employment and income. Typically, lenders want two recent pay stubs, two years of tax returns, bank statements, proof of assets, such as 401(k) and trusts, and debts, such as credit card statements. Documents are especially important for borrowers who are self-employed. Having documents ready will speed up the loan process. And take note…in this market, you cannot make an offer without a loan approval letter, so don’t let that dream house slip away. Do your homework and be prepared.