Chic vs. Geek: Pandem-econmics
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The more debt, the more money is printed, and the greater chance of inflation. Inflation can fuel higher interest rates, which means your money won’t go as far.
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Chic vs. Geek: Water Conserving Fixtures (aka WCF)
/I own a single-family residential property. What are my requirements for installing water conserving plumbing fixtures, and when do they take effect?
CHIC (PEARL)
As of 2019, all owners of single family residential properties are required to replace plumbing fixtures with water conserving fixtures (or WCF), regardless of whether or not you’re making any other improvements or selling the property. Additionally, sellers are required to disclose any non-compliant fixtures. So even if you haven’t upgraded your fixtures, you’ll need to get it done if you want to do any other work on your home.
GEEK (KEVIN)
So, what qualifies as a “non-compliant” fixture? A few examples: toilets that use more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush, showerheads with a flow capacity of more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute, and any interior faucet that emits more than 2.2 gallons of water per minute. But don’t worry, this only applies if your property was built on or before January 1, 1994. Here are more tips for saving water at home!
Chic vs. Geek: Outdoor Oasis
/How can we create a private escape right at home?
CHIC (PEARL)
Add a zen garden! Like a lot of us, I have been feeling a little unbalanced these days. The inability to go out and experience nature has disconnected me from my inner peace. It’s made me think about how I can carve out a peaceful backyard place to bring balance back to my life.
The photo above is from a friend’s home in Venice Beach, CA. The memory of her beautiful and serene garden inspired me to create a space that connects me with nature.
GEEK (KEVIN)
Add a potted patio plant! During shelter in place, one thing that’s drastically changed in our lives is cooking at home and gardening. I’ve been planting strawberries, tomatoes, and herbs in the pots in our backyard and expect to harvest them soon to use in my cooking!
A garden of fruits, vegetables, and herbs will not only provide healthy, fresh options for your menu, it will also make your garden an interesting and relaxing place to release your stress.
Chic vs. Geek: Our (Online) Home
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What’s your favorite part of the Chic ‘n’ the Geek website?
CHIC (PEARL)
I find myself getting lost in the section where we highlight different cities and neighborhoods in Silicon Valley. It’s amazing how much this region has to offer for people with any background or personality. Check it out, and let us know your favorite neighborhood — other than where you live!
GEEK (KEVIN)
Did you know I’m a blogger? Well, now you do! Every other Monday, you can read my market updates from Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, California, and beyond. As always, you can email us for more information or to schedule a conversation. We also offer free workshops for buyers and sellers!
Chic vs. Geek: A Time to Buy — or Sell?
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What’s the latest advice for homeowners and homeseekers?
CHIC (PEARL)
According to the California Association Realtors (CAR), about 30% of buyers think it’s not a good time to buy. This is up just slightly from 2018 and 2019, which means COVID-19 and the shelter in place haven’t put a damper on homeownership dreams.
GEEK (KEVIN)
According to the same CAR poll, sellers don’t share the same optimism, with about 50% reporting that they removed listings from the market to wait for the right time. But with no end to the crisis in sight, the right time might be right now.
