Make your summer dreams come true. Contact me today and let’s work together to find your perfect home!
Ahome warranty pairs perfectly with homeowners insurance.
While homeowners insurance provides critical protection against catastrophic events, a home warranty plan helps protect the home systems and appliances you use each day. Can you comfortably afford to replace a heating system or a worn-out water heater? Protect your hard-earned savings by safeguarding your home's systems and appliances. Choose home warranty coverage you can trust.
When life gives you lemons, our home warranty helps you turn them into lemonade.
Learn more!
Know someone in the market for a new home? If so, I would be honored to receive referrals from friends and family who are looking for their perfect home.
Health & Safety
Keeping an Eye on Eye Health
Proper eye health is essential to maintaining a high quality of life. Yet, eye health may be overlooked until something goes awry. However, implementing a few wise habits can help support healthy vision for decades to come.
Schedule annual eye exams. Regular eye exams are just as critical as dental and physical checkups. As with most health concerns, eye conditions can develop silently, and early detection can make a big difference with conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration. Beware of blue lights. In today’s digital world, staring at screens is inevitable. However, too much exposure to bright screens can cause eye strain and headaches. Adjust screen brightness, take a break from screens every 20 minutes, and consider using blue light filters to help minimize the risk of eye strain.
Practice UV protection. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage the eyes. Wear sunglasses with UV protection to help reduce long-term harm. Wear safety glasses when using power tools or doing yard work to help prevent injury.
Real Estate Today
Three Keys to Picking the Perfect Real Estate Agent
Agreat real estate agent is more than just someone who bakes cookies for open houses—they’re your advocate, negotiator, and market expert. Whether you’re a seasoned seller or a first-time buyer, here are three keys to choosing the right agent:
Local experience. Find an agent with a thorough understanding of the target market. Ask how long they’ve worked in the area and find out how many homes they have helped buy or sell in specific neighborhoods.
Strong communication skills. The real estate agent is responsible for keeping clients in the loop. All updates, including good and bad news, should be relayed to clients within a reasonable time frame. A great agent should be easy to reach, listen well, and communicate clearly.
Rave reviews. Search for online reviews and ask for wordof-mouth referrals. Pay close attention to agents whose professionalism, follow-through, and negotiation skills are praised. Don’t be afraid to ask an agent for references—a trustworthy professional will happily connect you with previous clients!
Recent Sales For EL DORADO LAKES
One aspect of real estate transactions that have always been present is seller concessions. They are many times used to assist buyer’s with closing costs and credit towards closing costs in lieu of repairs. A first time home buyer may have enough for a down payment but falls short to cover closing costs. In this case the buyer may ask the seller to cover part of the closing costs. The other scenario could be that you moved out of state and as a result of the inspection the buyer asks the seller to repair/replace cracked roof tiles, fix GFCI outlets in the kitchen, repair the leaking hose faucet in the backyard. This means you have to find someone that covers three different trades. A common response from the seller may be, “In lieu of repairs can I credit you $1,000 toward buyer closing costs?” At the right price the buyer will usually agree.
Then along came June 2022 when interest rates increased significantly. This presented another problem and opportunity. Buyers could then ask the seller to help buy down the interest rate. This also included 2/1 buy downs where the interest rate would be reduced for the first and second years. The bottom line is that seller concessions are a common part of the transaction and can vary by price range. In the lower priced properties, many are purchased with cash so concessions are less likely. Higher priced homes would rather take it off the price. If you are buying or selling a house in the $225K - $800K, it is likely concessions will be involved. As a seller understand that you may be asked for concessions at the beginning of the transaction or after the inspection period. More questions about this topic? Reach out to me with your questions.
1
simmer for 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and sea salt, then drizzle the caramel over the top of the peach crisp and enjoy!
Savor the Flavor Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Roasted Summer Veggies
Ingredients
For roasted summer vegetables:
1 bunch baby beets
1 bunch baby carrots
3 sweet potatoes cut into one-inch pieces
1 peeled red onion, cut into eighths
1 small zucchini squash, halved and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 red pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
For quinoa base:
1 c. quinoa, uncooked
2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
2 Tbsp. chopped basil
2 Tbsp. chopped chives
¼ c. lemon juice
¼ c. olive oil, divided Salt and pepper
For the Roasted Veggies: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place the baby beets in the center of a large sheet of foil. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap the beets in the foil and place in the oven for 45 minutes. Toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil and add salt and pepper. Spread evenly over a large baking sheet or dish and roast in the oven for 45 minutes. Combine the carrots and red onion and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add to the potatoes after they have been in the oven for 15 minutes. Combine the squash and red peppers and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet or dish and roast in the oven for 25 minutes.
For the quinoa base: While the vegetables are roasting, cook the quinoa according to the package instructions.
Combine lemon juice and 2 Tbsp. of the olive oil in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper and whisk together. Set dressing aside.
Combine the quinoa and chopped herbs in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Finally, add the roasted vegetables to the quinoa. Add the lemon dressing and toss the ingredients together. Serve warm.
“I would highly recommend Gordon Baker to buy or sell your house. He was a pleasure to work with. His straight forward, no pressure style suited us perfectly. He never tried to push us in a particular direction but rather let us make decisions. He was very thorough and professional yet down to earth and friendly.”
Household Tips:
- - M. Whitten
Every Drop Matters: Water-saving Tips for a Sustainable Home
ater is one of our most precious resources. Using it wisely helps both the environment and your wallet. You can conserve water without sacrificing comfort by making small changes in your daily routine. Here are three simple, effective ways to keep your home water efficient.
Fix the drips and upgrade your fixtures. A single leaky faucet can waste gallons of water each day. Regularly check for leaks in pipes, toilets, and faucets and quickly repair them. Install low-flow faucets and showerheads to reduce water use without sacrificing water pressure.
Make every drop count. Simple habits can make a big difference. When washing dishes, use a basin instead of letting the water run, and only run the dishwasher when it’s full. The same goes for laundry— wait until there is a full load to save water and energy.
Smart landscaping. Outdoor watering and sprinklers can significantly contribute to a household’s water use. To cut back, choose drought-resistant plants and spread mulch to help soil retain moisture. Water your lawn early in the day or late in the evening to minimize evaporation.
Household Tips: Color Confidence: How to Choose the Perfect Paint for Your Space
Choosing the right paint color can transform a room—but with endless shades and finishes, it can feel overwhelming. The right color not only reflects your personality but also affects the mood, lighting, and overall feel of a space. Here are three key tips to help you choose the perfect paint color with confidence.
Consider mood and purpose. How do you want a room to feel? Soft blues and greens are calming, making them ideal for bedrooms or bathrooms. Warmer hues like terracotta or golden beige can make living areas feel cozy and welcoming. Bold colors may work well in creative spaces, while neutrals are great for flexibility and resale value.
Consider lighting. Colors can look completely different in natural daylight versus artificial light. Paint a small test patch on multiple walls and observe it at different times of day. What looks like a soft gray in the store may turn blue in your home’s lighting.
Consider fixed features. Choose colors that complement the furniture, flooring, and countertops that are already in place. If you’re working with lots of warm wood tones, cool colors might clash. Create a cohesive look by using undertones that align with your current design.
