Summer is heating up and homes with amenities geared toward summertime activities have major appeal for buyers.

Check out the latest One Cool Thing about must haves while selling your home during the summertime:

In rank order, the summer features correlated with highest price-per-square foot boost, when compared to similar homes, without it include:

• Outdoor showers – 97% price per square foot premium
• Barbecues – 26% premium
• Entertainers poor or spa – 26% boost
• Zoned sprinklers – 21% lift
• Fire pits or outdoor fireplaces – 25% jump

Homes with summer features are often listed with at least 10% higher prices than similar homes!

If you are looking to buy or sell in the summertime, The Lawhead Team can help!

The Lawhead Team would like to share these tips from The Maids and Coldwell Banker to help you get everything cleaned up before the guests arrive to your party.

The Yard

• Mow the lawn: If your lawn is starting to look like a jungle, it’s time to press the mower into service and cut the blades to a reasonable size. You don’t want wee party guests to get lost in the undergrowth.
• Get rid of debris: If your party includes children, you can bet they’ll want to show off cartwheels and summersaults. Carefully walk through the lawn and look for anything that might cause a problem, including rocks, gopher holes, or pet waste.
• Wash the deck and patio: Over the course of the seasons, layers of dirt, moss, and leaves can build up on
  your deck and patio. A quick rinse with a power washer will blow the mess away.

The Furniture

• Spray down outdoor furniture: Certain surprises at parties are a good thing. Sitting down in a wet or mud-stained chair is not one of them. Do a quick spray down of all your outdoor furniture to remove stains and dirt, and then make sure everything is dry before the guests arrive. Don’t forget to clean outdoor umbrellas—you don’t want any drop-ins, be they spiders or debris.
• Indoor furniture needs to be cleaned too! You may have to use indoor furniture to provide extra seating and comfort. Just because a chair or table usually resides inside, doesn’t mean it’s guest-ready. Get out the glass cleaner and fabric stain remover to make sure all the furniture is ready for duty.

The Home

• Clean all the bathrooms: You may intend for guests to use only a specific bathroom in the house, but they may have other plans, especially if someone is taking too long. Clean every bathroom as though your nosiest in-laws are coming over.
• Clean all the main rooms: Even during a backyard party, guests will migrate into the house, so make sure your home is prepared for inside scrutiny. This means vacuuming and sweeping the floors, wiping down countertops, and cleaning windows and mirrors.
• Put away personal things: Because parties are fluid by nature, guests will be coming in and out of the house. Keep important items protected, including mail, work files, personal items, and medications.
• Keep valuables safe: If you don’t want guests in a certain area of the house, lock it if possible or post a sign. This is a good place to store valuables that you don’t want to be damaged during the party.
• Take out the trash: Preparing for a party will fill up the trash fast. Before the doorbell rings, haul out all the current trash so that there is plenty of space for guests to throw out paper plates, plastic cups and napkins.

The following information is from http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/10-cleaning-tips-will-make-rockin-backyard-party-host/

Summer is almost here and The Lawhead Team would like to share how you can get your home ready for the warmer weather and summer guests.

Check out our top tips for preparing for summer.

Get the guest rooms ready – Make your guests feel welcome this summer with a clean, bright room. You can freshen up the guest rooms with new curtains, linens, or even a fresh coat of paint.

Clean and repair your window and door screens – Improve the air quality in your home by cleaning your screens. You also want to repair any rips or completely replace the screen to keep bugs out. Check out these tips for cleaning your screens here: https://brightnest.com/todos/clean-your-window-screens

Clean your refrigerator – Since you do more entertaining and BBQs in the summer, it would be great if your refrigerator was properly working to keep your food and drinks cool. Check your manual for the correct way to clean the condensing coils. If your refrigerator has been around for a while it might be time to get a new energy-efficient model.

Install ceiling fans – Ceiling fans can help to keep your house cool and save energy during summer. Have the blades spin counter clockwise to keep your rooms cooler when you don’t want to run the air conditioning

Install energy-efficient windows – Ceiling fans and air conditioning aren’t going to keep your house at it’s coolest if you have direct sunlight entering your windows. You can install energy-efficient windows if it is time to replace your current windows or use dark curtains to keep the sunlight out during the hottest parts of the day.

Summer is here and that means it is time to fire up the grill! The Lawhead Team would like to share some helpful safety tips from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

July is the peak month for grill fires. Did you know roughly half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns?

The NFPA has some grilling safety tips we would like to share:

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.

Propane Grills: Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. You can check by applying a light soap and water solution to the hose. A leak will release bubbles.

Charcoal Grills:

• There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoals chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as fuel. If you use starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid.
• When finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.

Take a moment this weekend to get going on these fun summer preparation activities so your summer is a breeze!

1. Add lighter and brighter accents to your home – Get rid of the winter feel in your home and add some fresh cut flowers. Brightly colored flower pots outside with bright throw pillows on your patio furniture will help create a summer feel.
2. Clean out your freezer – To make more room for popsicles and burgers for the BBQ! Throw out anything that has been in your freezer for over a year.
3. Get your summer-time party dishes out – Do you have accident-proof dishware? Make sure your blender is ready for margaritas and you’ve done your research on Pinterest for some yummy warm weather appetizers.
4. Improve your summer breeze flow – Replace your air conditioners filter. If you have ceiling fans, make sure the blades are tilted upward as they spin to push air downward, creating a stronger draft.
5. Clean your windows – Invite summer inside with sparkly clean windows, inside and out! Change out your thick, heavy drapery for sheer material that flow in the summer breeze.
6. Pay special attention to your deck – Your patio or deck will be a main hangout this summer so why not spruce it up. Clean your outdoor furniture and add candles, flowers and pillows.
7. Clean up your BBQ – Disassemble your BBQ and clean all the parts with soapy water. Make sure to disconnect the gas first!

The Lawhead Team would like to share some tips to beat the heat this summer without racking up your electricity bill.

During the hot summer month’s people crank up their air conditioners in an effort to stay cool. You can do things to avoid turning on your air and still keep your home cool:

• Ventilate Your Attic: If you have adequately sized vents and/or an attic fan, it can help keep hot air from building up during the summer.
• Prepare Your Air Conditioner: Shut off the power to your unit before you start cleaning it. Wash and vacuum reusable filters and replace disposable ones. Clear leaves and other debris from the condensing unit and hose off any dirt.
• Service Your Air Conditioner: If you need to run the AC during the summer you can have the unit serviced by a professional to make sure it is operating in tip-top shape. Many utility companies happily offer discounts on air conditioning and heat pump tune-ups. Leaky duct work can also eat into the efficiency, so sealing ducts could make a big difference.
• Add A Timer To Your Air Conditioner: Leave it on higher temperatures when you’re away.
• Install Ceiling Fans: On a moderately warm summer day, fans can circulate enough air to keep you comfortable without air conditioning. On hotter days when you use the air conditioner you can set your thermostat higher to save money.
• Open Windows: During the evening open up windows to let the cool air inside. Keep them closed during the summer days when it is hot out and you’re operating the air conditioner.
• Keep Sun Out: Close blinds, shades or draperies during the hottest part of the day. Cover windows with light colored blinds inside especially on west windows that allow much more heat to permeate later in the afternoon.
• Electronics: Another often overlooked heat source comes from electronics inside your house. Turning off the TV and flicking off the light switch goes a long way in keeping the heat down.
• Shade For Your Home: Shades and awnings on the outside of windows are also incredibly effective ways to cool a home down, as are shade trees and other plants – particularly when they are planted on the west and east side of a home.

Watering your lawn and yard doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think during the hot days of summer. Check out The Lawhead Team’s tips for watering your yard during the dog day’s of summer.

During prolonged, dry conditions garden plants, trees, shrubs and lawns may suffer temporary or permanent damage. Lack of water can lead to stunted growth, increased disease/insect susceptibility and increased susceptibility to winter injury. Plants may eventually die unless supplemental water is provided.

Plants draw moisture from the soil to grow and then release water from stems and leaves via transpiration. Plants begin to wilt and suffer when the transpiration rate exceeds water uptake. Water is also lost by evaporation from the soil surface.

The general rule of thumb is that most plants in our area need 1 inch of water per week. If the weather does not cooperate, gardeners need to supplement by watering. Water plants slowly and deeply at least once each week during very hot, dry weather. This allows water to penetrate deeper which encourages deeper roots making plants more resistant to drought. Lawns and bedding plants (annuals) should be watered to at least 6 inches deep. Perennials, shrubs and trees should be watered to at least 12 inches deep. Try watering in the early morning so less water is lost to evaporation. Overhead sprinklers may lose over half the water to evaporation, so use manual watering, soaker hoses or drip irrigation when possible.

If water is restricted or in short supply you need to prioritize which plants get watered. Determine which plants are most susceptible to water stress. High on your watering list should be plants that are valuable in terms of replacement cost or prominence in the landscape. Newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials; newly seeded lawns; plants on sandy soils or in windy sites and vegetables should be given high priority.

After the first month, newly planted trees need a weekly soaking of approximately 10 gallons of water. Smaller trees and shrubs may require less water, but the entire root ball should be thoroughly moistened. If dry weather continues, keep watering newly planted deciduous trees and shrubs until fall (leaf drop). Continue watering evergreens until the soil freezes.

Even established trees and shrubs will benefit from watering during periods of drought. They can go two to three weeks between watering. Established trees should not be watered at the base of the trunk but at the drip line where their absorbing roots are. Thoroughly moisten the soil to a depth of 12 inches out to and beyond the drip line if possible.

When growing vegetables, adequate water during the growing season is directly related to quality and yields. Depending on the species, vegetables have critical times when they really need water. Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi and cauliflower need consistent moisture during their entire life span, especially during head or root development. Beans use a lot of water; up to a half inch of water per day, especially when they are blooming and setting fruit. Leaves may look grayish if water stressed. Corn needs water most during tasseling, silking and ear development. Tomatoes, peppers and eggplant need water most during flowering and fruiting, however water fluctuations can cause blossom end rot (black area on fruit bottom).

Control weeds around shrubs, vegetables and flowers. Weeds will rob your garden plants of water and nutrients. However, if you hoe or cultivate your garden to control the weeds, continually disturbing the soil can make it dry out faster. Rather than rototilling you may have to cut weeds off at the soil surface or use herbicides until the dry weather subsides.

The best way to protect ornamental plants during dry periods is by using mulch. Mulching minimizes evaporation of water from the soil surface, reducing irrigation needs by about 50 percent. Use organic mulches to a depth of 1 to 3 inches. Keep mulch away from tree trunks and off the top of perennials. Vegetable gardens can also benefit from mulch.

Avoid pruning when plants are stressed and not growing as they are unable to heal wounds quickly. Pruning may stimulate growth which requires more water. Avoid using fertilizers or pesticides. Fertilizers can damage root systems under drought-like conditions and pesticides may burn plant foliage.

If water is not available, allow lawns to go dormant. Avoid light, frequent watering which encourages shallow rooting. Lawn grass will usually begin growing again once conditions improve. Do not mow grass when it is dormant and not growing. Even when growing, set the mower height at 3 inches high. High mowed grass develops deeper root systems that are better able to tolerate dry conditions. Leave grass clippings to act as mulch and recycle nutrients as well as some moisture.

If you do lose some plants this summer consider replacing them with those that are drought tolerant. Using the right plant in the right place will increase your chances for success. Whenever possible, add organic matter to your soil. This will improve the water-holding capacity during dry weather and promote good drainage during wet weather.

During a severe drought, all landscape watering may be prohibited in your town so follow any restrictions. Proper lawn management and use of drought tolerant plants may help your landscape survive dry conditions.

The Lawhead Team would like to share some tips to reducing your Air Conditioning electric bills this summer. Beat the heat with these tips:

• Replace HVAC air filters often to ensure you are getting the maximum use out of your air conditioner. Normal dust build-up can reduce air flow by 1 percent per week, boosting up your electric bills monthly!
• Make sure to turn off your AC if you leave your house for more than an hour to save on electric bills.
• Reduce your cooling load. Provide effective shade for your east and west windows and if possible, delay heat generated activities such as dish washing until the evening.
• Keep your home closed up tight during the day. Don’t let unwanted heat and humidity in by leaving windows or doors cracked open. At night when the air is cooler, ventilate your house by leaving the windows open and propping a fan up in the window. If you have ceiling fans, use them to provide air flow as well. This will be less than having to turn on your air conditioner, thus saving in electric bills.
• Plant shade trees around your home. However, if you want to benefit from passive solar heat in the winter, don’t plant trees on the south side of your home.
• If you have to buy a new air conditioner, be sure to purchase energy efficient one that is properly sized to still stay low on  your electric bills. You can get assistance from an energy auditor or your air conditioning contractor.
• Set your thermostat to 78 degrees F or higher if using ceiling fans. Also make sure not to air condition unused rooms which will waste money on your electric bills.

Spring and summer are upon us and it is time to get your home ready for warmer weather and lounging around outside.

The Lawhead Team would like to share some helpful tips to getting your home summer ready:

Rejuvenate your outdoor space. Make sure all barbeque related equipment is in working order. In order to do that, make sure your propane tank is full or you have enough charcoal and lighter fluid, and clean your barbeque. Clean up your outdoor entertaining area – make sure to scrub your deck thoroughly, wash outdoor furniture and pillows along with umbrellas. Though these usually get ignored, the outdoor light fixtures are a good idea to clean before summer is here.

Change your air filter for your air conditioner. On days you cannot manage without the AC, it is important to make sure you are getting the proper clean air flow from your filter. If you can handle life without the AC, open the windows and let air flow through the house. Did you know you can add plants to your home to help purify the air? Snake plants, spider plant, English ivy and small leafed rubber plants work great indoors to help improve air quality.

Replace winter items for cooler, lighter summery items. Your flannel sheets can be taken off and replaced with warm weather summer linens. Take some time to go through your winter wardrobe and donate anything you didn’t wear this winter.

Keep energy costs down. Save energy by blocking out sunlight with curtains or blinds. This will reduce the amount of heat entering your home. Make sure your hoses are not leaking…water is expensive! Since it is warm out, you can dry your clothes outside during the summer. This makes them smell lovely and saves on costs for using your dryer.

Do you have any summer time suggestions?  Please share with us on our blog!

Summer break is here!  Check out some fun in the sun ideas for you and your family this summer break right here in San Diego.

Having fun during the summer in San Diego doesn’t require a lot of money.  In fact, many things to see and enjoy in San Diego are absolutely free.  With 70 miles of beautiful beaches, near-perfect weather and a variety of summer street fairs, concerts and arts and cultural events, San Diego offers a fun and inexpensive summer getaway.

The Lawhead Team would like to share some great ideas to do with your kids this summer:

• Bring a picnic and listen to Coronado’s Summer Concert Series in Spreckels Park on Sunday evenings throughout the summer.  On the first and third Sunday of the month, come early and browse the work of artists from San Diego County during the Coronado Art Association’s bi-monthly Art-In-The-Park event.
• Put on your bathing suit, grab your towel and head to one of San Diego’s 33 beaches, all open to the public, and perfect for body surfing, boogie boarding, building sandcastles, collecting seashells and basking in the sun.
• Soak up the international flavor at the House of Pacific Relations in Balboa Park with the International Cottages’ Lawn Programs.  Held each Sunday throughout the summer, these free events feature ethnic food, song and dance.
• Head to the historic Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside on June 12 – 13 for the 14th Annual Inter-Tribal Pow Wow.  Hosted by the San Luis Rey Luiseno Mission Indians, this event draws tribal members from all over the United States for contest dancing, Native American arts and crafts, games and food
• Catch a magnificent Pacific sunset and watch sea lions play along the shoreline at La Jolla Cove, one of the most spectacular natural settings in the world.
• On the second Sunday of each month, stop by The New Children’s Museum in downtown San Diego for free admission.  Families of all ages can enjoy innovative, hands-on art opportunities and first-rate exhibitions designed by emerging and established contemporary artists.
• Bike or jog along Mission Bay Park’s many trails. Joggers and walkers share more than 20 miles of scenic running paths winding through sunlight and shade near the shoreline with workout courses at planned stations along the route.
• Attend the 31st Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-off on June 26, featuring more than 200 vendors, local artists, food, a children’s area and entertainment on five stages.
• Rollerblade, skateboard, bicycle or people-watch along the Mission Beach Boardwalk, a scenic three-mile boardwalk along lively Mission and Pacific Beaches.
• Stargaze from the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center on the first Wednesday of every month during “Gazin’ with the Experts,” as members of the San Diego Astronomy Association set up huge telescopes and offer guests a great view of the moon, planets and brighter stars.
• Go scuba diving or snorkeling off San Diego’s shores to see spectacular creatures of the sea.  La Jolla Shores and Cove offer some of the clearest waters on the California coast, as well as miles of protected underwater preserve to explore.
• On warm summer nights when the tide is high and the moon is full, join San Diegans in a local natural phenomenon, the grunion run.  Witness thousands of small grunion fish swimming ashore to mate and bury their eggs in the sand before riding the waves back out to sea.
• Watch tail-waggin’, Frisbee-catchin’ and stick-fetchin’ dogs splash in the surf at Ocean Beach’s Dog Beach.  Man’s best friend is permitted to roam there leash-free at all hours of the day.
• Gather friends, family and firewood for a cozy beach bonfire at one of the County’s bonfire-friendly beaches in Coronado, Ocean Beach, Oceanside, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach.
• Explore the clear shallow tidepools of La Jolla Cove and Point Loma when the tide is low and the pools are teeming with aquatic life.
• Visit Julian in San Diego’s East County and enjoy this quaint, historic mining town that grew into the County’s second largest urban center during the Southern California gold rush of 1869.
• Take in the action as fun loving canines brave the waves during the 5thAnnual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition on June 22 in Imperial Beach.
• Take advantage of San Diego’s warm summer nights and enjoy a number of free summer concerts held throughout the county by visiting: www.signonsandiego.com/feature/free-summer-concerts
• Walk 1,942 feet onto the Oceanside Municipal Pier, the longest wooden pier on the U.S. West Coast; the pier is a perfect setting for fishing, walking and wave watching.
• Listen to the rhythmic sounds of jazz during TGIF Jazz in the Parks in Carlsbad.  Concerts take place at Stagecoach Community Park, Poinsettia Community Park and Calavera Hills Community Park every Friday from June to August, 6 – 8 p.m.
• Celebrate summer with art, food and music during the Fiesta Del Sol summer music festival, June 5 – 6 at Fletcher Cove Park in Solana Beach.  Enjoy live performances, an international food court, beer garden and activities for the kids.
• Walk along the Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad and look for birds, insects, plants, fish and animals in one of the few remaining tidal wetlands on the Southern California coast. The nature reserve is open 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, and 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday.