Posted by Tod on August 10, 2010 | 
Pets are more than just animals, they are part of the family. Our furry, feathered and finned friends require time, attention and a safe and comfortable home. Over half of all households have pets living with them, but animals are still an afterthought when it comes to buying a new home in Southern California. Here are some tips for designing and finding a pet friendly home:
- Pets need space of their own.
It’s important to have a designated spot just for them, for comfort, function and to feel safe. A great example of this is the mudroom included in the Vistas plan 3335 at Rancho Santalina. This provides space for a cozy bed, storage for food & treats and a place to wipe dirty paws before entering the main living area. You could also add a sink to the mudroom for quick clean-ups and to rinse out your pets’ food and water dishes separately from your own.
- Choose hard surface floors in your new home.
Hardwood floors are simple to mop or vacuum and add warmth to a room, but keep in mind that large dogs can scratch wood. The best floor for pets is ceramic tile because it’s easy to clean and resistant to stains, plus it gives furry animals a cool place to nap during the summer months. If you are a carpet person, that’s OK , just make sure it is stain resistant and vacuum regularly.
- Put washable fabrics on your bed.
If your dog or cat sleeps with you there will be hair and an occasional accident. Use cotton bed sheets, preferably in a matching color of your pet or a pattern that can hide the pet hair between washings. For bedspreads, duvet covers work well because you can take them off and wash them regularly.
- Bathe and groom your pet often.
Keeping your dog or cat clean will help your new home stay cleaner, longer. Regularly trimming their nails will help keep upholstery from snags and cut down on scratches on your floors. Brushing and bathing removes loose hair before it ends up on your floor, beds and pillows. Furniture and rugs will last longer if they don’t need to be washed as often. It’s easier and more fun to wash your best friend than your upholstery.
- Create a pet –friendly back yard.
Create a “potty” area for your pet and use gentle hardscapes (like pea gravel) for paths. If you’ll be planting beds, you might want to elevate them or add a border to dissuade dogs from running through your flowers. Also, be sure to check out www.aspca.com/toxicplants for a list of foliage to stay away from.
- Exercise your pet regularly.
Your pets love to be home with you but they also need exercise and to socialize with others like them. Cats enjoy playing indoors with you and fun toys they can chase and hunt for exercise, dogs on the other hand enjoy being outdoors, running and socializing with other dogs. San Marcos is a family-friendly city, and may be the dog-friendliest in the county. There are three dog parks within San Marcos, all providing safe places for our best friends to run and play off-leash. A fourth is under construction.
- Montiel Park – is on the east side of town
- San Elijo Park – in San Elijo Hills
- Hollandia Park – the newest
- There is a fourth park, scheduled to open in winter of 2010, called Sunset Park, on the west side at La Mirada Drive and Poinsettia Avenue
For more information about viewing these model homes or about other Southern California New Homes, please contact FieldStone Homes.
Tags: bed, cats, ceramic tile, dishes, dogs, exercise, fabrics, floors, hair, hardscape, mop, mudroom, New Homes, paws, pets, potty, Rancho Santalina Homes, San Marcos, sink, southern california, storage, wash
Posted by Tod on July 21, 2010 |
Housing in San Marcos, California – Buy New!
In today’s highly competitive market there is a vast array of choices to be made when deciding between purchasing a new home or used home, which is called re-sale. One of the primary advantages of buying a new home is the ability to personalize and decorate your home from the beginning exactly the way you want. In a new home, you can pick your own exterior elevation, color scheme, kitchen cabinets, appliances, flooring, custom wiring for TV’s and computers as well as have more upgrade options. Modern features like media rooms, lofts, extra-large closets, large bathrooms and tubs are also more attainable in new construction.
Often, new homes in Southern California will have more modern conveniences, better insulation and can be more energy efficient. Insulation in ceilings, walls and floors is often substandard or nonexistent in an old home and old-style widows waste heat almost as badly as if they were open. New home builders use modern materials such as dual-glazed (Low E2) windows, energy-star appliances, radiant barrier roof sheathing, thicker insulation and other technology that will lower future energy costs for the owner.
New homes bring safety and piece of mind to your family. Builders have to follow very strict guidelines in new homes, especially in California, where earthquake safety standards must be observed. New construction also comes with a builders’ warranty.
Affordability and appreciation are also concerns for buyers today. There can be investment advantages in purchasing a new home. It is simply a function of supply and demand, and the economic realities of the real estate market. The short-term savings you may see in a used home are lost over time when repairs, renovations, pest control and lower appreciation are taken into account. These issues are much less likely to concern new home buyers.
For more information about viewing these model homes or about other North San Diego New Homes, please contact FieldStone Homes.
Posted by Tod on July 8, 2010 |
When buying a newly constructed home in a development or community, sign on the dotted line as soon as possible. Purchasing a new home in Southern California early allows you more choices, not only in the room configurations but also cabinets, counter-tops, appliances, lighting, fixtures and color selections.
This expands your decorating options and eliminates the expense of replacing those materials later; you know, the ones you would have never chosen. Buyers don’t like pre-selected options. Decorating the interior of a new home can be a daunting task, but also fun to get the whole family involved while watching your new home being constructed.
The challenge of decorating what effectively is a blank canvas in the easiest and most cost-effective way can be met with a few simple steps.
- First choose the theme or style you want your home to portray. Select paint colors for the interior walls. Painting the rooms of your new home is the quickest and least expensive way to give it personality and style. The color scheme throughout your home should be consistent with your visual aesthetic and compliment your possessions. A general rule of thumb is the lighter the shade of color, the more open and airy the room will feel; the darker the shade, the cozier it will seem. It’s a good idea to plan a couple days between your escrow closing and moving in to your new home to paint. It’s much easier to paint before your furniture is in place.
- Define your family’s lifestyle. Build on furniture you already own. When purchasing upholstered furniture for your new home, the simplest yet most forward-thinking thing you can do is to choose timeless pieces that fit into your color scheme. By doing this, you will ensure that the furniture will not become outdated quickly.
- Last, don’t forget the accessories! Unlike furniture, they do not have to be user friendly. Rugs, artwork, vases, draperies and the like are objects with which you may be your most creative. If you love it, use it. The most important principal of decorating a new home is to reflect the true you.
Posted by Tod on June 2, 2010 |
New Homes are soon to be built in San Marcos!
Rancho Santalina is a beautiful New Home Community opening for sale this month. This is great news for the community, the area and the current home owners that live there now. Rancho Santalina is quietly nestled in the hills of San Marcos with ocean breezes, open space and is located conveniently to the 78 freeway. There are 6 distinctive floor plans to choose from, ranging in square feet from 2,238 to 3,516. The six models are currently getting a face lift and should be open very soon.
Why Rancho Santalina?
Besides a great location in Southern California, only around 12 miles from the sparkling Pacific Ocean and Carlsbad beaches, close proximity to the Coaster and the new homes are built by Southern California Home Builder, Fieldstone Homes. There are spectacular mountain and hillside views, a community park and seven acres of preserved natural space.
You will love the three beautiful architectural styles of the homes in Rancho Santalina and the feel of the neighborhood. The elegant interior designs of Fieldstone homes include spacious gourmet kitchens, large secondary bedrooms and many energy efficient features.
Welcome Home!
Pets are more than just animals, they are part of the family. Our furry, feathered and finned friends require time, attention and a safe and comfortable home. Over half of all households have pets living with them, but animals are still an afterthought when it comes to buying a new home in Southern California. Here are some tips for designing and finding a pet friendly home:
