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Used versus New: What Motorhome Should you Buy?

Deciding to purchase a motorhome is a big decision, especially for people who are making the transition from living in a house to living in an RV full time. Some RV buyers are better off looking at new motorhomes for sale, while others may benefit more from starting off with a used option. Here are a few things to consider when deciding between a new motorhome and a pre-owned unit.

Pros of Buying New Motorhomes

One of the main benefits of buying a new motorhome is that it usually comes with a warranty from the manufacturer. New models generally have fewer problems and RVers often appreciate being the first person to sit on the couch or sleep in the bed of their new vehicle. You also get to choose the features that are most important to you when you buy new, instead of being limited to the options chosen by the previous buyer. A new motorhome will also be equipped with the latest technology and safety features. 

Pros of Buying Used Motorhomes

A used motorhome often costs thousands of dollars less than a new motorhome, even if they are very gently used. Some people buy a motorhome and quickly decide that the lifestyle of living on the road is not for them. The motorhomes they sell are usually available at low prices because the owners are looking to get rid of their purchase in a timely fashion.

Cons of Buying New

The biggest con to buying a new motorhome is the price. In most areas it is easy to find a used motorhome that is only a year or two old and hasn’t even been slept in. These motorhomes are a great option for most people who are looking for a reliable vehicle at a good price.

Cons of Buying Used

Buying any type of vehicle used is always a little scarier than buying new because you can’t be certain that the vehicle is reliable. It is a good idea to have the unit inspected by an independent RV tech before signing papers on it. Another con of buying used is that you may not find all the features you want in a used motorhome. 

A great compromise for people who are looking for a great RV at a reasonable price is purchasing a motorhome that is a year or two old and is still covered under the original factory warranty. These vehicles almost always cost less than brand new vehicles and are usually just as safe and reliable as brand new rigs. People that are buying their first RV usually benefit from buying used until they have a good idea of what they want in a recreational vehicle.

Style Inspiration: Contemporary

Contemporary: marked by characteristics of the present period.

When you visit your parents and grandparents in their homes, you most likely encounter the contemporary furniture of their time. Designs that are new today are contemporary for our time, and therefore make up the contemporary styles of our age.

Streamline

Unlike big, bulky pieces of the past, contemporary furniture these days focuses on sleek lines, defined edges, and streamlined features. Contemporary chairs and sectional couches cater to easy rearrangement and low profiles.      

This isn’t to say that contemporary furniture can’t make a splash. Sophistication is built into today’s contemporary styles, bringing simplicity with class to the table. For example, contemporary bedroom furniture has introduced the platform bed; a low, blocky, yet minimalistic choice for the modern sleeper. Intricate designs and dust-collecting accents are rare, and clean, connected surfaces have taken over. This edgy design is durable and easy to care for; perfect for the busy homes of the 21st century.

Structure

Another facet of contemporary design is its ability to incorporate our digital world. Writing surfaces have given way to those that are better suited for multiple technologies, plug-ins, ports, and monitors. Thick, blocky TV stands are now wall mounts and slim entertainment centers.

Ergonomic design has also taken a front line in today’s designs. As we spend more time sitting at work and browsing the Internet at home, the ergonomic function of our furnishings has become more important in our choice of design.

Eco-friendliness is also an area of contemporary style that cannot be ignored. As humanity begins to understand our important role in earth’s conservation, our styles reflect this new view. Recycled products and reusable materials are no longer the exception, but more often the rule in creating high-quality décor.

Style

Contemporary styles in our living room furniture these days pairs warm earth tones such as chocolate, sage, cream, and grey with bright bursts of color. Patterns are a rarity, and have been replaced with uniform colors that are interrupted by clean, discrete insertions of eye-catching accents such as pillows and throws.

Blocky pieces and industrial metal accents are a common sight, as well as multipurpose functionalities and rearrangeable designs. From kitchens that have under-counter garbage cans and counter space that temporarily covers a sink or a stovetop to couches that moonlight as recliners and pull-out beds, it’s all about convenience, function, and class.

Contemporary furniture is meant for the busy family or individual. With ergonomic structure, easy-to-clean surfaces and sleek shapes, today’s contemporary style has been built to cater to the hardworking professionals of modern society. 

Handmade vs. Factory Made Home Décor

In a world where online shops can now deliver handmade furniture to any home’s front door, the trend toward big brand-name factory cutouts is waning. When deciding between a handmade piece of furniture and a factory made version, one has to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of both. There are quite a few factors that come into play when deciding on what types of décor you choose to have in your home, including uniqueness, price, availability, and safety.   

Uniqueness

If you’re looking for wooden bedroom furniture that your friends won’t recognize when you give them a tour of your new home, then a handmade piece is for you. Then again, many of us are looking for the exact model we see in that beautiful catalog image. Furniture stores such as IKEA remind us that even though furniture may be recognizable, that doesn’t mean that it’s unfashionable. But if your style revolves around modern wood chairs and unique kitchen tables, then handmade pieces can give class as well as customization.    

Price

Price is an interesting piece of the handcrafted furniture puzzle. Whereas you would think that handmade pieces would fetch a much higher price than their factory made counterparts, this is not necessarily so. Some of the most popular factory designs can fetch far more than the humble handcrafted pieces of more modest family businesses. And although relatively comparable pieces may cost more if they are handcrafted, they often last lifetimes longer than cheaper factory made models.  

Availability

The benefit of a factory design is often availability. You may have to pay shipping or wait for back-ordered pieces if you’re hoping for a handmade piece of décor, whereas a factory model can be picked up on the way home from work. This availability can be either a bonus or a curse. Widely available factory pieces can get your home in top condition in a flash, but may also be more common than you would prefer. Handcrafted pieces are often one of a kind, but may take much longer to acquire.

Safety

Factory décor, especially for young children, often undergoes safety regulations from third-party entities to ensure that it is fit for sale. Handcrafting companies may not have the extra funds to put towards these rigorous safeguarding tests, so if safety is an issue for you and your family, be sure to check out what assurance your home décor company is able to provide.

Each type of furniture comes with its own list of costs and benefits, but neither is the right or wrong choice. Choosing between handcrafted or factory made pieces is a choice that must be made by every individual looking to outfit their home to their personal preference. 

Selling Your Home in a Buyer’s Market

So you’ve decided to sell your home in today’s market. Well, even though the recent trend in home prices is not all that it could be, that doesn’t mean that your efforts to recoup the worth of your home are all but lost. San Diego home remodeling can go a long way toward helping you get the glimmer you need to sell your home quickly and for a good price.

Reaping the Rewards of Remodeling

Consider the fact that many homeowners can’t currently afford to remodel. This can give you an advantage in the market if you’ve been saving up a little nest egg and pricing San Diego remodeling companies for a while now. Think about just how much your home is worth, and then consider remodeling your home’s key selling points, such as the bathrooms and the kitchen. Oftentimes making just a few small changes here can turn into huge payouts when you sell, offsetting the cost of the improvements.     

Architectural Enhancements

In San Diego architectural design is a key component of a buyer’s first impression. Many buyers are looking for the most modern architectural structures, while others are looking to find old-fashioned designs that are hard to come by in today’s streamlined season. Take a look at your home and decide where you can accentuate the original structure. Do you have a very Southwestern style home? Keep with what you’re given and consider bringing in an architect to see where you can build on the current layout.

Fix the Flooring

Consider how much square footage your floor covers. Changing the looks of your floors can change the entire ambience of your home. If you have outdated carpeting or stained hardwoods, think about refinishing or replacing them to put a fresh face on your flooring.

Laying out the Landscaping     

As we all know from home improvement and house-flipping shows, it’s all about the curb appeal. First impressions can make or break a sale, so try to look at your home with fresh eyes. Would it catch your interest? Is there an old, leaning tree or an ugly bush that you’re so used to that you don’t even see it anymore? Try to see your home with new eyes and find areas of your yard that could use some color or cutting. A neatly trimmed hedge can make the difference between your home looking primed for purchase or old and outdated.

Sometimes just a few small changes to accentuate your home’s basic design, or updating your kitchen and bathroom can make all the difference between a sale and a long season on the market. 

Where Should You Grow Your Roots?

San Diego homes for sale are cropping up on every block. From Pacific Beach real estate to sprawling ranch-style Santee homes, there are plenty of Southern California spots in which to call home.

Beach Towns

  • La Jolla - If you’re in love with the sea and the sand, La Jolla real estate is
     a great place to start looking to land in the lap of luxury. Settled in the northern part of San Diego, La Jolla is a cute, cozy, and classy beach town that houses some of the most well-off of the city’s residents. With some of the best surf spots, the most popular restaurants, and the most expensive and vastly extravagant homes, this area is one to shoot for if you prefer to settle into the most coveted of southern sunshine.
  • Pacific Beach and Mission Beach – Paired together by a long boardwalk, both of these neighborhoods cater to those who love the beach. Pacific beach is great for the younger crowd, with many great bars and a very active nightlife. Mission beach is a little more relaxed, but also holds some great spots for food and fun.
  • Ocean Beach – This area is arguably the most relaxed neighborhood in all of San Diego. If you’re more comfortable in unique and artsy areas of town, Ocean Beach will give you a small-town feel. With a food co-op,  a Wednesday farmer’s market, and a vehement push to keep out franchises, OB residents take pride in their natural roots.

Mid-town Areas

  • North Park – This area is known for its trendy bars, good music, and great restaurants. If classic city amenities without the downtown rush are your style, consider North Park.
  • Mission Valley – Mission Valley is a great area for families and business-minded individuals. A short jaunt to anywhere, this space is the hub of San Diego.
  • Downtown – Looking for the city? Search no further than Downtown’s
    impressive highrises and classy condos. The Gaslamp district offers anything and everything you could ask for, and the area hosts many of the city’s events.

Inland and Northern Areas

  • Santee – Santee is great for those looking to settle down for less than the price of the higher-end beach areas. You can pick up a house for the price of a beachside condo, and sprawl out in these outlying areas.
  • La Mesa – Close enough to the western areas of San Diego, La Mesa gives you the space without the spike in home prices. With lakes, schools, and parks nearby, this area is more relaxed and family-friendly than the more western territories.
  • Clairemont – Think modest, comfortable homes with a neighborhood feel. Clairemont has some great places to call home, complete with ample street parking, shops nearby, and yards to give your pets a place to call home as well.

Looking to land in San Diego? Try the beachside areas for fun in the sand and sun, or go downtown to be a part of the action. If you have a family, go inland a little and gain a lot in land and home sizes. No matter where you decide to lay down your anchor, San Diego has an area for you.

How to Prevent Common Springtime Pests

Springtime brings life, abundance, and beauty to the world after the long chill of winter, but it also brings with it a troublesome piece of the earth’s new awakening. And often, it requires you pull out that number of your good old local exterminator and give them a call.

Preventing springtime pests can be a hassle, but the benefits outweigh the extra effort. As pests emerge from the long winter and begin to breed, your home can become a disco dance floor for ants, beetles, spiders, and rodents, among others. Massachusetts rodent control efforts spike during this season, and mice and rats begin to quickly populate and expand their broods.

To prevent pests from raining on your springtime parade, employ these preventative measures to keep your warmer weather full of fun and relaxation.

  1. Check your trash cans. Check the lids of your trash and recycle cans, both those under your kitchen sink, and outside your home. Anywhere that there are food scraps can be invitations to pests. Rinsing out your garbage cans can also help prevent pests.
  2. Remove overgrown trees and shrubbery. Get out those shears and start pulling those overgrown weeds away from the foundation and roof of your home. Weeds, trees and bushes can both hide areas where pests can enter the home, and can also provide conduits to home entry. Rodents can climb trees and get onto the roof, where the winter may have left shingles out of place and potential entryways open.
  3. Maintain Your Home’s Exterior. Shrubs and trees can hide entryways into your home, but it’s also important not to just cut back foliage, but also to patch up any existing holes and cracks in the exterior of your home.  Check roofs, windows, and doorways to see make sure that your home is sealed and secured.
  4. Keep it clean. Another important part of preventing pests from entering your home, is keeping enticements out of reach. Take a spring-cleaning approach to your kitchen, pantry, attic, and basement and ensure that there aren’t scraps or broken bags of food lying around.

To avoid springtime pests in the Northeast such as New Hampshire, pest control is first in the hands of the homeowner. Take a good look at your home after winter’s long, lengthy toll, and make sure that it is clean, patched up, and that the home’s exterior is clear of debris.    

Yard Tips: Temperate/Dry Climates

No matter what part of the country you’ve decided to put down your roots, the climate and temperature of your surrounding area affects your home’s landscaping design. Dry climates can wreak havoc on plants and shrubbery, requiring much more maintenance than you might find if you live in a wet or cold climate. When you live in Southern California, Arizona, or Nevada, you experience some of the most extreme environments that this climate has to offer. The high temperatures and lack of rain zaps moisture from your yard, and pelting sun can turn that green-leafed oasis into a brown, desolate plain. Burnout can also pick on your plants, and edges of leaves often roll into dark brown or black colors as hot sun and lack of water take their toll.

Yard Defense
In Southern California, one of the easiest ways to combat the problems associated with dry weather is by working with local San Diego landscape contractors. A contractor can help you determine the best plants to add to your yard to ensure that your foliage flourishes. A designer can even help you incorporate an appropriate sprinkler system to save both your plants and your pocketbook. When you add a sprinkler system to your existing landscape, you ensure that your plants and vegetation always get the proper amount of water. You can even combine the sprinkler system with other water features such as a pond or fountain for added interest.

Xeriscaping
When determining your landscape design, San Diego residents should consider contracting a professional landscape designer or artist to help cultivate a sustainable landscape. Depending on your area and climate, the designer might suggest xeriscaping. This is a process of mixing plants that require less water with low-maintenance ground cover. Xeriscaping plants can live in drier climates and survive without any additional watering on your part. The plants only take up a small amount of space in your yard, but the ground cover completely surrounds the plants, helping spread the green around. Adding flowering cacti or other flowering desert plants can bring in a bit of color without the risk.

Pave Away
Even if your backyard looks like Death Valley, you can still find ways to make it look its best. If you worry that dry-weather plants look too harsh, consider bringing in some interest by way of the artistic offerings of expert driveway pavers.

Consider using dry-weather plants, ground cover, and non-living ways of managing your unique climate. Just because you don’t live in a plant-nurturing environment doesn’t mean you can’t have an eye-pleasing home exterior.

Set the Mood with Lighting

It’s sometimes surprising how something as simple as lighting can drastically change the look of a room. With the right lighting, you can make an austere room look warm and inviting, or turn an unattractive space into an area that looks bright and airy. When creating an overall design and look for your home, lighting is that final touch that can set that last bit in order. This is true of all spaces of the home, whether they’re inside or out.

Assess Your Current Lighting
Take a moment and consider how lighting is currently affecting your home. If a room is lit with only table lamps, add a few overhead lights to open the space up. If a room has only one overhead light, adding a floor lamp in one corner can help disseminate the light throughout the room.

Choose the Right Indoor Light
Make sure to consider all your options when choosing lighting fixtures. There are so many different types to choose from, some of which you may not have considered. Track lighting is ideal for overhead lighting that looks modern and contemporary. Soft lighting creates an excellent mood and works well in dining spaces and living rooms. Also, consider the differences between direct lighting and indirect lighting. Direct lighting is perfect for a space where you need good, clear light, like an office, whereas indirect lighting works well to create a more subtle mood, perfect for an entryway or den.

Landscape Lighting
When planning your lighting design, don’t forget about your landscape. Setting up proper lighting for your outdoor spaces can help you make the best use of your outdoor area, giving the entire home an attractive look inside and out. Plus, you’ll be able to make the best use of spaces like a deck or patio and make it easier to host outdoor parties or barbecues, which can be difficult if the proper lighting isn’t in place.

Go Pro
Working with a professional electrical company gives you the peace of mind you crave, assured in the knowledge that your job will be completed quickly and efficiently. If you’re living in the San Diego area, a San Diego electrical company can provide you the hassle-free service that is characteristic of trusted, professional electrical businesses to ensure you don’t accidentally get your wires crossed.

Lighting design is an element of a home that shouldn’t be overlooked. By taking the time to consider what you want out of your lighting design, you can achieve the exact feel and style you’re looking for in your home. With just a bit of time and effort, a new lighting plan can change the whole look and feel of your residence.

Style Inspiration: Rustic/Countryside

The rustic style of decorating a home brings to mind a country cabin or small bungalow sitting along the edge of a lake. While you might not hear the gentle sounds of waves lapping outside your door, you can still recreate the feel of that rustic cabin within your own home. The countryside style harkens back to another era when families gathered together around a fireplace to tell stories, ate dinner together and generally worked together as a family. Newer and modern trends can often give a home a slightly cold feeling, but a rustic style feels more comfortable and relaxed. Bringing that look into your own home can help you make family dinners a special occasion again.

But a rustic style also requires the right accessories and pieces. A great way to make this look work is with furniture. Look for vintage pieces that show some signs of aging, including worn spots or scuff marks on wood pieces. You can even use distressed pieces that feature peeling paint and other signs of damage. A dining room table with a butcher block top and mismatched chairs also give your home that countryside look. Some homeowners even go so far as to make tables from rustic doors, which can really add a fun touch to the style.

Try looking around your home for ways to incorporate that rustic feel into pieces that you already own, including your cabinets. Swap out the existing hollow-core cabinetry with solid wood doors that have some distressing. If you aren’t ready to make such a dramatic change, then simply change the hardware. Replace modern cabinet hardware with vintage pieces or cabinet handles that simply look vintage. Cast iron or wrought iron handles with an oil-rubbed finish look like the metal spent years with a family, even though you purchase the handles brand new.

If you want to bring a touch of the countryside back to your own home, a few accessories are all that you need. Adding custom wood doors lets visitors know what to expect from the moment they step foot on your porch. Finish off your rustic or countryside look by scattering a few additional accessories around the room. Drape a well-worn flannel blanket over the couch, place handmade pillows in gingham or floral prints, put in antler lighting fixtures and settle on vintage furniture that gives your home that comfortable aura of home.

5 Old Fashioned Comebacks that Should be in Your Home

Our lives just keep getting busier. We spend hours rushing around trying to save time or money, but it seems as though every new technological convenience leaves us with less time to ourselves. Below are five old-fashioned, but still relevant ways to restore true simplicity to your modern life.

  1. Close shave. Have you ever tried a straight razor? No high-tech, buzzing machine can match a close, comfortable shave. Plus it looks extremely cool in your bathroom cabinet. A safety razor (this looks like a disposable razor, but you replace the blades) is a close second. Don’t forget to add in those old-fashioned shaving supplies like a badger brush, shaving soap, and a mug. Women, don’t feel left out: these razors will hug your legs better than any plastic pink shaver. Take the extra moments every morning (or evening) to treat yourself. 
  2. Hang it up. If you’ve got a yard that sees more than a few hours of sunshine, put up a clothesline. The scent of line-dried clothes beats any dryer sheet, plus you save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Bonus: sunlight is a natural deodorizer and antimicrobial agent. 
  3. No takeout, no delivery. Why not make your own pizza at home? You can plunge your hands into the dough for a satisfying tactile experience, or toss it in a food processor to knead. A pizza stone costs less than $20 and lasts forever. Bonus: mini pizzas made to order can satisfy everyone in your family.
  4. Dig in the dirt. Your ancestors likely kept a kitchen garden. Nothing too ambitious, just a few rows of tomatoes, squash, greens, or peas. Food doesn’t get any fresher or more local than your own backyard. Maintaining a garden provides you with time outside in the fresh air where you can exercise your body and relax your busy mind. No space for a garden? Grow a few pots of herbs on a windowsill and start cooking like a chef. Bonus: save money on your food bill.
  5. Take a hike. You aren’t driving to the gym and then getting on a stationary bike, are you? At least once this week, go somewhere using your own power: bike, walk, or skate. You’ll save money on gas and get a workout at the same time. Hauling groceries uphill can also equate to a quick bout of strength training. Bonus: you will start to see your neighborhood in a whole new light. 

Try bringing these old-fashioned comebacks into your life and see what a difference it makes in how you live, feel, and give back to the environment.

About Me


Shannon McKee

I'm a writer and blogger for numerous industries, including Home, Health, and Technology. I have a B.S. in Physiology and have worked in a variety of fields, including: veterinary medicine, biological research, software, and e-commerce. I currently live in sunny San Diego and enjoy home improvement projects and engaging in outdoor activities with friends.




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