The advantages of cleaning the windows in your home are often obvious. But when staging your home for sale, the difference can often be in the fine details.
The concept of curb appeal is based on first impressions of the buyer, and the most astute buyers will notice clean windows. On the interior, clean windows allow bright, natural light show off the best features of your home. Outside, they will help create a clean and inviting view from the street. Sure, anything to help your curb appeal is worthwhile. But you might notice an actual difference in the value of your home and a return on the investment of simply getting your windows cleaned. Consider that 75 percent of people who first view a property online will drive by before they contact an agent, according to Homestaging for Dummies. Not only does curb appeal sell 49 percent of homes, per the National Association of Realtors, a good first impression of a home can actually add 5 to ten percent to the value of the home, according to the president of the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers. Money Magazine surveyed 2,000 real estate agents and found out the improvement that generates the best return on investment is clean windows, estimating the ROI on window cleaning to be an astounding 768 percent. We know curb appeal matters, and the lesson here is to not overlook your windows. For South Bay residents, you might want to consider Fish Window Cleaning, a local company established in 1978 that offers real estate specials.
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If you want the natural, authentic look of real stone in your next renovation or improvement project without many of the drawbacks, stone veneer siding might be your ticket.
Designed to replicate the visceral strength, quality and beauty of real stone, stone veneer sidings are made from natural stone as well as manufactured stone. The natural veneers are made from real stone and cut to a thickness and weight for use as a veneer. The manufactured style is made by concrete poured into molds, which is then painted to resemble the natural variation and weathering of stone. The benefits of stone veneer siding are numerous, and the biggest advantage is cost. At a fraction of the price of using real brick or stone, it can serve as a great alternative while offering the same feel of strength and durability along with affordability. Not only does stone veneer siding cost less than the real thing, it is also easier and less expensive to install. The veneer is typically 1 inch thick and weighs 15 pounds per square foot, so it does not require footings or structural support because of its light weight. There are only a few steps to installing stone veneer, and my online options for step-by-step instructions, including the DIY Network and Wikihow, just as examples. Just like real stone and brick, stone veneer siding can be used on the interior and exterior of your home. Outside uses have long been popular for doorway entrances, columns, half walls, patio bars, planters and landscape design among many other uses. Stone veneers are becoming increasingly popular for interior use, from the traditional places (fireplace surrounds) to others you might not normally think of like kitchen backsplashes, wine cellars, columns, accent walls and even bathrooms. The variety of colors, designs and uses for the different types of veneers are numerous, and the website Houzz.com offers more than 165,000 home design photos for ideas. As the New York Times once proclaimed, the Museum of Tolerance is “no ordinary museum.”
The only museum of its kind in the world, the Museum of Tolerance is self-described as “dedicated to challenging visitors to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts and confront all forms of prejudice and discrimination in our world today. “ A mix of history, education, discovery and empowerment, the museum examines racism and prejudice around the world – including atrocities in places like Cambodia and Latin America – but with a strong focus on the Holocaust. There are a number of ways to experience and engage in the Museum of Tolerance. The museum features four main exhibition areas, including a Holocaust section and a new exhibit dedicated to the life and legacy of Anne Frank. There are also rotating special exhibits, examining such topics as segregation in Southern California. You can also attend one of the many events, which include guest speakers and special film screenings. One of the unique experiences at the Museum of Tolerance is the opportunity to hear special guest speakers. For more than three decades, Holocaust survivors have volunteered their time to speak about their experiences during World War II. The museum offers a Holocaust survivor lecture every day, which are about an hour in length, and invites the public to submit questions via their official Facebook page. The museum offers many educational youth programs for students of all ages, from elementary through high school. In addition to the library and archives, students can take part in lifelong learning programs, after school programs, outreach programs, interactive tours and special speakers. In an effort to support active participation and education, the museum also offers teacher resources. The Museum of Tolerance, established in 1993, is the educational arm of the human rights organization the Simon Wiesenthal Center. To become a member, visit here. Or, to volunteer, get more information here. Museum of Tolerance 9786 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 553-8403 Online: Museumoftolerance.com When it comes to free activities to do with your children in Los Angeles that are not only educational but also entertaining, it really doesn't get much better than the Flight Path Learning Center-Museum.
It’s likely adults will learn quite a bit at Flight Path too. This hidden gem is located in the LAX Imperial Terminal holds treasures detailing more than 100 years of aviation history in Southern California with an impressive collection of aircraft models, historic photos, airline uniforms, mural timelines and other aviation artifacts. The wide range of collections and exhibits cover the history and development of LAX, from 1960's-era stewardess uniforms to large-scale models of biplanes and vintage aircraft instruments, painting a colorful picture of what flying used to be like. “This museum has to be one of LA's best-kept secrets,” said one Yelp reviewer. “Wandering around this old flight terminal and exploring all of the treasures this museum holds … is an intriguing way to spend an afternoon.” Of all the historical artifacts, models and collections at the museum, a must-see for all is the original DC-3 aircraft parked on the tarmac. Tours are available, where a volunteer will give you an up-close look and a chance to sit in the cockpit. Along with its artifacts and collections, the Learning Center and museum offer tours for students of all ages, flight simulation courses and an annual speaker series for students to learn more about aviation. Flight Path places an emphasis on encouraging the pursuit of aviation-related education and careers, and even offers scholarship opportunities for aspiring students. Flight Path is a non-profit, community-based organization, and runs the museum in conjunction with Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that runs LAX. The museum is open to the public from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission and parking are free, and donations are accepted. Flight Path Learning Center – Museum 6661 W Imperial Hwy Los Angeles, CA 90009 Phone: 424-646-7284 E-mail: [email protected] www.flightpath.us A step into the historic beach cottage at Polliwog Park is a bit like a step back in time, and for good reason. The beach cottage, known as the “Little Red House,” is the home of the Manhattan Beach Historical Society.
The Manhattan Beach Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the heritage of Manhattan Beach, and to the collection and display of historical information and memorabilia about the city. A non-profit society with all-volunteer help, the aim of the Manhattan Beach Historical Society is to educate citizens on the history of Manhattan Beach through artifact and photo displays, books, videos, films, historic newspaper articles and historical recordings. The museum located at the historic 1905 beach cottage also includes a bookstore and gift shop. Quite simply, it’s a great place to learn about some of the Manhattan Beach icons, like the famous PE trolley and the different versions of the Manhattan Beach Pier, as well as the development of the area since 1875. The Society holds free quarterly meetings that feature speakers who cover various subjects on local history. They also publish a quarterly newsletter. The Society has published two hard cover pictorial history books: Manhattan Beach 90266 and I'll Take Manhattan, as well as a series of monographs and brochures that trace the growth of the city. The cottage itself has been involved in some Manhattan Beach history. The "Little Red House" serves as a tribute to the community's founders, as well as the Society's museum. A typical beach cottage of the time period, it was originally built at 205 Fifteenth Street and moved to Polliwog Park in 1986. While it was restored by the City of Manhattan Beach, the Neptunian Woman's Club (founded in 1909), and the Manhattan Beach Historical Society, most of the labor and materials were donated by the community. According to its website, the Society began as a committee in the early 1970s and incorporated as a non-profit, tax exempt organization in 1977. The museum is open from Noon-3pm on the weekends, and donations are accepted. Memberships are also available, and if you’re interested in becoming more involved or just learning more about your local history, quarterly meetings featuring a lecture on local history are held on the fourth Saturday of each month starting at 11:00 a.m. Manhattan Beach Historical Society 1601 Manhattan Beach Boulevard Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Phone: 310- 374-7575 www.manhattanbeachhistorical.org |
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