You may miss out on low interest ratesIn December, the Federal Reserve raised the key interest rate by a quarter-point to a range of 0.25% to 0.5%, the first rate increase in nearly a decade. While some experts expect the Fed to raise rates gradually this year, some economists expect rates to increase three or four more times this year. Increases are anticipated to amount to a quarter-point each time, and when they do occur are sure to impact mortgage rates. What's a homebuyer to do?NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!While a quarter-point increase in interest rates doesn't seem like much, it could mean the difference of hundreds of dollars a month in your mortgage payment, depending on the price of your home, your interest rate, how much you're borrowing and the size of your down payment. This is m... 07/18/2016

While most buyers expect to live in their home an average of 14 years, the typical tenure is close to nine years. That means the average buyer will go through the process of buying a home about once a decade. The real estate market is always changing - the process of buying a home has evolved in the past decade, just as it evolved in the decades before that. Here are a few tips to help you through the buying process.1. Give us a call as soon as you start thinking of buying! A true real estate professional will not only help you find the right home, they'll also hold your hand throughout the process. From competing with multiple offers and negotiating the best deal, to finding a contractor and helping you renovate after the sale has closed, take advantage of my experience working in the ... 07/05/2016

More than 80% of Americans live in counties that have experienced a weather-related disaster. However, only 39% of Americans have created an emergency plan for their households. While it's almost impossible to predict when an emergency or natural disaster will occur, creating a plan may help keep your family safe in the event of one. The better prepared you are, the more comfortable you'll be if you have to put your plan into action.  KNOW THE RISKSNo matter where you live, your region may be susceptible to one or more emergency situations or weather hazards, including: earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes or blizzards. Although some of these events - like hurricanes - may provide some advanced warning, others - like earthquakes - are hard to predict. Most of these oc... 05/05/2016

This Easter, if you're looking for something fun for the kids, here you go:A list of fun activities and Easter Egg hunts. That are LOCAL!  EASTER SUNDAY EVENT - MARCH 27, 2016Where: Cross Point Community Church @ 2960 Hartnell Ave | Redding, Ca 96002Join us for a fun and meaningful day as we celebrate Easter!                        9:00 am -  FREE breakfast!   10:15 am - Easter Celebration Service. Nursery (infants) and Children's Church (Age 2 to 6th grade) provided.            Children's Egg Hunt to follow our Easter Service. For more information, call 530-221-4871    Lawncrest Chapel and Memorial Park Easter Egg HuntWhen: Sun, March 27, 1pm – 3pm (rain or shine)Where: Lawncrest Chapel & Memorial Park, 1522 East Cypress Ave Redding, CAWHAT: Lawncrest Chapel and Memorial Park, a proud ... 03/23/2016

There's nothing worse than accidentally dropping your expensive smartphone on the ground or in water and damaging it. However, there are ways to protect your device from damage should it take a spill. Here are a few suggestions to help you keep your smartphone in good shape: PROTECTIVE CASES Many people rave about the design of today's smartphones. However, if you want to protect your tech, purchase a silicone or plastic case to absorb the impact of a fall. Cases come in a variety of colors and patterns to help you express your style. PROTECT YOUR SCREEN Screen protectors are a cost effective way to keep your screen scratch and crack-free. If your smartphone is newer than five years old, your glass screen may be tough enough to withstand a fall. However, sand can still scratch it, so i... 03/16/2016

If you're like many homeowners, you think of two things: How much is my home worth, and What can i do to improve its value?You're home's value depends on many factors, including its location, age, size and condition. While you may not be able to do anything about your home's location or age, there are things that you can do to improve its size and condition and add value!BOOST YOUR HOME'S CURB APPEALCurb appeal isn't just the concern of home sellers. Even homeowners who wish to stay put are putting time and effort into maintaining the curb appeal of their homes. Since most people will only see your home from the street, how well your property is kept from the outside provides a glimpse into how well it's maintained on the inside.5 EASY WAYS TO BOOST YOUR HOME'S CURB APPEAL1. Maintain yo... 03/11/2016

In many areas of the country, energy and water costs are on the rise, taking a bigger chunk out of our wallets every month. But, there is hope. With a few home improvements, you may be able to save money on your utility bills.WATERWhether you live in an area that's facing another year of drought, or you just want to save money on your water bill, these tips can help you be efficient with your water. GO LOW FLOW.Shower-heads and faucets account for more than 32% of household water use combined. Low flow faucets and shower-heads can reduce your water consumption as much as 50% and may save up to $145/year on your bill.                                                                                                                                                                             ... 03/09/2016

1000 square foot like new office condos in growing area of Redding, CA....near the developing Airport Industrial area. Offered at $125,000 each, and pick which one you want...or more than one. Tell your clients about these.....own rather than rent your office.email for details, prices, etc    ron@ronlargent.com 03/02/2016

Homeowners remodel their homes for a number of reasons, but one of the most common is to increase resale value. Renovations will improve the style and function of your home and may make it more appealing to potential buyers. 1. UPGRADE YOUR KITCHENThe kitchen is the heart of the home. A kitchen remodel will not only improve your home's functionality, it may also become a key selling point if you decide to sell. The average major kitchen remodel costs between #29,400 and $42,400 while the minor kitchen remodels average between $11,700 and $17,800. However, if you're thinking of listing your home soon and your kitchen is in good shape, you may want to rethink a full remodel. A minor upgrade and a coat of paint may be all you need to freshen up the space. 2. UPGRADE YOUR BATHROOMThe bathro... 02/29/2016

More than half of adults make New Year's Resolutions each year. Unfortunately, many give up after a few weeks because they haven't turned their goals into habits. Whether you want to lose weight, save for a home or eat more vegetables, adopting good habits is sure to help you reach your goals. Here are a few tips to help keep you on track this year: 1. Get motivated. Why do you want to adopt the habit? How will your life improve once you develop this habit? What will happen if you don't? These three questions will help you streamline your goal and maintain motivation when you need it the most. If you're a visual person, write down your answers and post them somewhere you'll read them daily. 2. Start Small. Lasting habits take time to develop. Start by setting small goals that will even... 02/22/2016

People often ask whether Essential Oils technology masks or truly eliminates mal-odors. The Answer: Yes it eliminates organic odors.Odor Masking vs. Odor NeutralizationTo mask is to increase overall odor intensity in order to forcibly "cover-up" an existing mal-odor. This means introducing a new odor that is more powerful smelling than the problematic odor you wanted to eliminate. It results in a further bombardment of perceived scents that does nothing to eliminate the source of the original mal-order.To neutralize is to eliminate or cause malodorous molecules to be imperceptible on a molecular level through direct counteractant measures with an additional compound, in this case, an essential oil compound comprised of plant, flower and tree extracts. Mal-odor molecules are then changed... 02/18/2016

Streamline our life with the help of social media! Pinterest is a popular, image-based social media site that allows you to create boards dedicated to your interests and hobbies. It can also be used to plan meals, workouts, home renovations, special events and much more. Here are five ways to use Pinterest to make your life easier.  1. Plan Events. Whether you're planning your wedding, your child's birthday party or a summer barbecue, Pinterest offers a wealth of ideas to help you host a party that your guests are sure to remember. Create a board for your event and pin games to play, food to serve, festive themes and much more. 2. Plan your family's meal for the week. Pinterest is a great place to find new recipes as well as new twists on old favorites. Nurture healthy eating be creatin... 02/15/2016

Who says you have to celebrate love just one day out of the year? Why not every other day too? Add some romance to your home with some new decorating techniques that will wow your valentine.We'll show you how to transform your home into a paradise where love never fades. Here are some DIY home design tips to try:1. Romantic FurnishingsAdd luxury to a room with a chaise lounge or a four-poster bed. With a bed with soft and silky sheets as the focal point of the room, it will radiate with elegance and romance. 2. Soft Lighting.When you want romance in your home, be sure to stay away from bright lights. Lighting should be soft to give off the right vibe. Try installing dimmer switches on lamps and chandeliers so you can easily adjust the brightness to match the room's mood.3. Fireplaces & ... 02/11/2016

Putting your home on the market isn't as simple as placing a FOR SALE sign in your yard.There are several steps to take PRIOR to listing your home that will make the transaction smoother and quicker.  1. Hire A Real Estate Agent.It may be tempting to list your home on your own to avoid paying a sales commission, but selling your own home is a full-time job. A real estate professional represents the best opportunity to earn the maximum amount from your home's sale. An agent will recommend the best listing price, market your home effectively and show your home to buyers. An agent can also recommend improvements that will help attract more buyers to your home.   2. Get your home inspected.You are required to disclose any problems with your property to prospective buyers. Failure to do so w... 02/08/2016

~ LOVE ~ IS ~ IN ~ THE AIR ~Valentine's Day in the North State | Suggestions for a romantic celebration!Chocolate, hearts, flowers, love notes, candle-light dinners....they all spell out Valentine's Day! Whether you're planning a low-key celebration or going extravagant, here's a list of ideas that will help you plan a memorable Valentine's Day in the North-state!Valentines Day at The Flower Farm - In honor of Valentines Day, the Flower Farm Café’s invites you to treat your sweetheart to our warm hospitality and legendary food. The Café will serve a special delicious menu items, like red velvet pancakes and lover’s lasagna all weekend long.Feb 13, 2016 to Feb 14, 2016  Chocolate After Dark @ Turtle Bay Exploration Park - February 4th 7-9PMTurtle Bay’s most delicious event ever!  For $35... 02/04/2016

If you’ve been thinking of selling your home or buying a new one, now is a great time. Experts predict that the market will continue to gain strength throughout 2016. What are you waiting for? Here are a few sweet morsels of information about the national market.  The Majority of Americans Say it's a Sweet Time to Buy!   68% of Americans say that now is a good time to buy.           66% of Americans say that they would buy if they were going to move today.  Homes are like Fine Chocolate – Always in High DemandHousing supply is at 5.3 months at the current sales pace.35% of homes sold were on the market for less than a month.    Property is Becoming More ValuableFor the 27th consecutive month, home prices increased on a year-over-year basis, increasing a total of 20.7% over the past two ... 02/01/2016

1. Get Ready! Talk to your mortgage professional about your financial situation and credit history to determine your loan options. It's important to know how much house you can afford based on your down payment and income. A strong letter of pre-approval ca really add to your bargaining power. Have a meeting with your real estate agent. Discuss your needs and preferences and establish the best method for your agent to send listings and communicate with you about available properties. Tap into his or her knowledge of the local market. When it comes time to act, your agent will represent your interests in negotiations and work to ensure a smooth transaction. 2. Shop Smart!Expect to pay more for a showplace; if you consider a fixer-upper, judge structural deficiencies more harshly than cos... 01/29/2016

  Schreder Planetarium will be open for school field trips on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning September 15th for the 2015-16 School Year.  From February 2 - June 2, 2016, we will be adding Thursday shows for field trips (an additional day per week).  We also offer year-round evening Public Shows twice per month.  COMING UP!! The Public Show, "Winter Night Sky" Will be showing through February!Visit the Main Website Here!Online registration is available Click Here! You may use debit/credit cards (or let them know you are bringing a check.)  Call 530.225.0295 for questions regarding tickets for Public Shows. For the Show Catalog, Click Here! Show CatalogFor a preview of the shows, Click Here: Show Trailer Preview!For more information and dates about Field Trip Opportunities: Field Trip ... 01/21/2016

Here are some essential tips for sellers and aspiring home buyers. Make sure you also lean into your trusted real estate professional for additional insight ad guidance.SMART STRATEGIES FOR SELLERSPutting a home up for sale can be stressful, and some owners have a hard time making objective decisions when it matters most.  Home owners consistently overestimate the market value of their homes by 5 to 10 percent.  Price it right:Your listing agent will perform a current market analysis. Look closely at the sales of similar homes that have closed in the last 90 days and take the number of available listings into account when agreeing to an asking price.Keep in Mind: Homes that have failed to attract a buyer in a reasonable period of time may be overpriced. Foreclosures or short sales in yo... 01/18/2016

It's That Time of Year Again....Chocolate After Dark!Thursday, February 4, 2016.  7-9pmTurtle Bay’s most delicious event ever!  For $35/ticket, you’ll enjoy an evening of unique chocolate delicacies, distinctive wine and beverage tastings and an exclusive preview of our newest exhibition Peanuts...Naturally. With limited tickets available, this fabulous event is sure to sell out, so don’t wait – get your tickets today! This is a 21 and over event only.  Limited tickets available. Tickets are available NOW online or at Turtle Bay Exploration Park front desk and Museum Store and Coffee Bar.  Get your tickets now!  Chocolate After Dark Tickets   01/13/2016