#sfpeninsularealstate

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Independence Day Fun

It’s hard to believe that we are done celebrating Leon Day (half way to Christmas - LEON = NOEL) and are getting ready for July 4th. The SF Peninsula is full of family fun and ways to celebrate together. Time to pack a picnic and sunscreen and check out some fun events.

Redwood City: As usual, there will be plenty to do, including a 5K run for education at 8am on the 4th and their annual parade and festival through downtown RWC starting at 10am and ending with fireworks at 9:30pm. Follow the link for locations and details.

Palo Alto: Come hungry for the annual chili cook-off and festival with food trucks and family entertainment. The location is Mitchell Park and the fun begins at noon. 

San Mateo: Join neighbors for family fun including arts & crafts, music, and games at the Martin Luther King Park & Pool starting at 1:00pm. 

Foster City: Who could resist the dog parade at Leo Ryan Park at 11:50am and fireworks at 9:30pm? Start with the pancake breakfast and enjoy family games after the parade. 

San Francisco: Not to be outdone, the City will have events planned throughout the day at Pier 39, including live music and fireworks at 9:30pm from Fisherman’s Wharf. Let’s hope Karl the Fog stays in bed that night!

Nancy Palmer, CRS Broker Associate Presidents Roundtable REALTOR® LICENSE # 00525350 Alain Pinel Realtors® Woodside D 650.492.0200  |  O 650.529.1111 www.NancyPalmer.com

Image courtesy of Jean Beaufort / PublicDomainPictures.net  

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Nancy Palmer, CRS Broker Associate REALTOR® DRE #00525350 Compass | Woodside D 650.492.0200  |  O 650.529.1111 www.NancyPalmer.com

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It’s a great time for baking and trying out new recipes! But when you can’t run to the store easily, getting creative with what you have might mean some substitutions. So, in a pinch, these common substitutions could keep your recipe afloat.

* Need oil? Try applesauce. * Need vinegar? Grab a lemon off your neighbor’s tree. * Need mayo? Plain yogurt does the trick. * Need milk? Try a shelf-stable, non-dairy alternative like oat milk. * Need butter? Sub in shortening (it will be our little secret!). * Need bread crumbs? Throw some crackers in the food processor. * Need tomato sauce? Equal parts tomato paste and water should work.

There is a whole world of substitutions out there to help get us by for the time being. Here’s to a restocked pantry in the near future!

Nancy Palmer, CRS  Broker Associate REALTOR® DRE #00525350 Compass | Woodside D 650.492.0200  |  O 650.529.1111 www.NancyPalmer.com

Image courtesy of Ariadne ariadnerb / PublicDomainPictures.net  

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Anyone spending days at home right now (so, all of us) might be more aware of air quality. This is especially true right now when the weather is sometimes but not always warm enough to throw open all the windows for a day. Scented candles are nice, but even those can start to make the air feel heavy. Here are a few suggestions to lighten up the air in your house.

* Houseplants - They are generally easy to care for, emotionally pleasing, and visually interesting.

* Beeswax Candles - They burn cleaner than paraffin candles.

* Charcoal Filters - Activated charcoal naturally purifies air and absorb toxins.

* Ceiling Fans - On a low setting, a slow fan can help circulation as well as help more air circulate through air returns used by your heating system.

And even when the air is still cool outside, your lungs and skin benefit from regular neighborhood walks. Wave “hi!” if you see me!

Nancy Palmer, CRS   Broker Associate REALTOR® DRE #00525350 Compass | Woodside D 650.492.0200  |  O 650.529.1111 www.NancyPalmer.com

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Selling Smart Homes

Today’s homeowners can control their houses’ systems from anywhere. With the growing market of internet-connected devices, they can use their smartphone to control systems from lights to security to sprinklers. Running low on milk? Your refrigerator can add it to your Amazon shopping list. Getting home late? You can turn on some lights from the restaurant.

But what happens to all these devices when a home is sold? I’ve heard stories of mysterious lights that turn on by themselves, and thermostats that won’t stay set at the desired temp. Selling and buying a connected house means taking a few cautionary steps.

Sellers: Before you even market your house for sale, start making a list of any internet-connected devices and accounts/passwords associated with them.

Buyers: When you create your list of wants and needs in a house, include a reminder to ask about internet-connected devices. Systems could include garage doors, exterior door locks, thermostats, lights, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, appliances, and security.

Sellers & Buyers: Clarify contractually which devices will stay and which will be taken with the sellers when they move out.

Sellers: Prepare to change ownership: delete accounts, update contact info, or take whatever steps are needed to relinquish control of devices left with the house and transfer control to the new owners.

Buyers: Review accounts and settings to ensure administrator access as well as to understand privacy settings. Reset all passwords using unique password protocol.

Sellers & Buyers: Physically walk through the house and inspect any device that could be connected - trust me, all lightbulbs look the same until you remove and inspect them!

Transferring ownership and control of smart devices, at the end of the day, should be pretty quick and easy. But if the garage door in your new house just won’t stay open, check the wifi settings before you arrange to cleanse your house of supernatural spirits!

Nancy Palmer, CRS Broker Associate Presidents Roundtable REALTOR® LICENSE # 00525350 Alain Pinel Realtors® Woodside D 650.492.0200  |  O 650.529.1111 www.NancyPalmer.com

Image courtesy of Axelle B. / PublicDomainPictures.net  

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Sit and Swing

Warm days lend themselves to slowly swinging the time away, perhaps while catching up on a book or magazine, but definitely not while catching up on email. For adults and children alike, a backyard swing can be irresistibleable. The good news is that you don’t have to surrender a large piece of your yard to a bulky swingset. Here are four contemporary ways to add some swinging to your yard.

1. Built-in on an arbor: If your yard has an open outdoor structure, try adding a swinging bench to one of the exterior beams. Along with other “stable” seating, guests in the swing are invited to join in the conversation.

2. Ditto for the porch! There is nothing like a swinging bench on a porch or deck to welcome people to sit and stay for a chat.

3. Rustic tree swing - How high are your trees? A simple plank between 2 ropes can be tucked off a garden path become a perfect spot to observe life in the backyard.

4. Beachy hammock - Want to enjoy some quite reading or just rest your eyes? Nothing beats the simple comfort of a well-hung hammock. Find your best 2 tree trunks and you’ve found your new happy place.

When adding a swing, find a spot that is clear of plants and objects in the path of the swing, consider a soft ground cover underneath the swing such as grass or sand, and get advice on the safest types of screws, knots, and attachments.

Nancy Palmer, CRS Broker Associate Presidents Roundtable REALTOR® LICENSE # 00525350 Alain Pinel Realtors® Woodside D 650.492.0200  |  O 650.529.1111 www.NancyPalmer.com

Image courtesy of Linnaea Mallette / PublicDomainPictures.net