Heritage Ranch Directory

Lawns, gardens, flowers, shrubs and trees all need a certain amount of water to thrive. Everyone wants beautiful surroundings but few think about how not planning the landscaping and the watering can contribute to a number of problems leading to water damage. These following conditions can lead to expensive water damage:

• Water collecting around the foundation and seeping under the building and into the walls
• Water sprinklers that spray water too close to the building or on the exterior walls
• Depressions in the ground near buildings that hold puddles of water
• Landscaped slopes and hillsides that drain water towards buildings

“Planning landscaping and watering systems ahead of time to avoid these problems is the best way to prevent water damage from landscaping,” reports Heather Skelton, the Paso Robles water damage specialist. But, in the case of existing landscaping, a property owner has to deal with the landscaping as it is. Making the appropriate changes can help prevent water damage and the associated mold.

These following tips are helpful for planning new landscaping or making preventive changes:

• Consider removing water-hungry plants that are close to the building. Avoid planting shrubbery and trees too close to buildings. These plants create shade which holds moisture.
• Learn about the water-saving benefits and beauty of drought tolerant plants.
• Plant new gardens, plants, shrubs and flowers away from foundations so there is no opportunity for water and moisture to build up.
• Mulch helps control weeds, but it also holds moisture. Use it wisely.
• Consider drought tolerant lawn alternatives that don’t require as much water.
• Container gardening is one way to control water flow, but containers must still drain. Fill the bottom with drainage rock and place a tray underneath to catch the extra water. Place the containers where draining water won’t reach the house.
• How does the property slope? Water runs downhill so take that into consideration when planting and watering.
• If a slope might cause water to flow to a foundation, consider garden swales, or rock and dry creek features to redirect the water.
• Take a look at the location of hardscapes and the patio. Water sheets right over hardscapes and can wind up in the foundation.
• Check the placement of sprinklers to make sure exterior walls are not being watered along with the roses.
• Keep fallen leaves and other debris away from the foundation.
• Fill in any spots that create puddles after watering or rain.

Mold is to be expected wherever there is water. Mold occurs naturally and has an important role in breaking down dead organic matter. Unfortunately, mold doesn’t know the difference between a pile of leaves and walls and begins to break down everything wherever it grows. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the key to mold control is to control moisture.

It is important to dry water damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours because this is the time frame in which mold begins to grow. The EPA also recommends cleaning mold as soon as it is noticed and fixing the water problem that caused mold in the first place.

The Paso Robles water damage team has the experience and advanced training to safely remove both water and mold damage. The focus is on removing the source of the water feeding the mold, and then isolating and drying the affected area using the latest restoration technologies and mold remediation techniques.

SERVPRO of Morro Bay / King City
630 Quintana Road #227
Morro Bay, CA 93442
(805) 674-5771

The occurrence of a major life event, is a good time to assess whether your trust, will and estate plan needs to be updated. The estate planning attorneys from San Luis Obispo’s Toews Law Group, Inc. have prepared a list of important life events that might mean it’s time to update the terms of your trust and will.

Basically, any significant change in the “Who, What, Where, When, and Why” of your life may mean that it’s time to review your estate plan documents. Key events can include:

• Who: Changes in your family structure, close friends, or marriage;
• What: Changes to your net worth, acquisition or sale of significant assets, or the sale or acquisition of a business interest
• Where: Changes to your residence, your job, or where fiduciaries are living
• Why: Changes in your charitable intent, restrictions on distributions, or specific gifts
• When: lifetime gifts, age at which you would like beneficiaries to receive assets, creation or termination of life estates

There are a variety of other life events which indicate that it’s time to review and potentially update your will and trust, including forming or selling a business, purchasing a rental property, receiving inheritance, the birth or death of a family member, and moving out of state.

The following tips can be helpful guidelines. The guidance of an experienced estate planning attorney from San Luis Obispo’s Toews Law Group, Inc. is the best way to ensure your estate documents are updated accurately and in a timely fashion.

Who: Changes in the family

The following changes in your family may prompt an update to your estate plan: Marriage, divorce, the birth of a new child (or grandchild), death of a spouse, child, or close friend; When an adult child marries or has children are other reasons to review trusts and wills, as well as when a married child gets a divorce.

A child graduating college, buying a home, or reaching the age of 25 can also prompt a parent to place a child in a fiduciary role – such as naming them as Successor Trustee or your agent.

The death of a parent or other family member may also impact your estate plan. Often times, children or siblings of deceased family members are named as beneficiaries of the decedents estate. The receipt of inheritance creates a number of scenarios in which a revision or amendment of the estate plan is advisable.

What: Changes in net worth, acquisition or sale of assets or buying/selling a business

Any change that significantly affects the value of your estate may prompt an update to your estate plan. Examples including a change in salary, receipt of inheritance, or the sale of your business.

Trusts can act as a tool to designate business succession when if you own your business. It’s also important to protect yourself and your business partners with Shareholder’s Agreements or Buy-Sell provisions that work with the terms of your estate plan. These documents can identify what will occur if you should become incapacitated or die unexpectedly, specifying who inherits your share of the business, or confirming the sale of your share to the remaining partners.

Where

Moving out of state likely requires a review of your estate plan to determine if there are significant changes. While a Living Trusts is valid so long as you stay a resident of the United States, other documents tend to vary state-to-state. Most importantly, most states have their own documents which designate agents for business and health care.

Likewise, acquisition of assets outside of the US can create significant estate planning issues that may require attention.

Why

An estate plan is designed to ensure that the assets you built during your lifetime continue to benefit the individuals and/or charities after you’re gone. Changes to your charitable intent -such as adding (or removing) a charitable beneficiary, or providing specific instructions regarding how funds should be used – will necessitate an update to your Estate Plan.

When

Absent any major life event, it’s advisable to revisit your Estate Plan documents every 4-5 years. Generally, a trust and will should be reviewed every five years, but it’s a rare life that is uneventful for that long. When in doubt about whether your will or trust needs to be reviewed, the estate planning attorneys from San Luis Obispo’s Toews Law Group, Inc. are able to assist.

A consultation with you is going to answer your questions as well as possibly bring unthought of needed changes to your attention. A review of the will and trust is also going to make sure that changes are made correctly and accurately, preventing possible future problems.

Call today for a free consultation.

This information has been prepared by Toews Law Group, Inc. for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. The transmission of this information is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.

-If there is a single thing that is important for storing a boat it is to keep the boat dry and protected from sun, heat and storm damage. Keeping a boat dry might seem contradictory to the purpose of a boat, but the management from the Paso Robles boat storage facility, Mars Mega Storage, know why it’s important and provide both indoor and outdoor covered storage for boats and RVs.

Storing a boat outside without a protective roof overhead means several extra steps must be taken to prevent damage from the sun, storms, rodents and other animals that may be looking for a home.

• Not only is a cover necessary, a properly fitted cover is important. Rain pooling on a cover or tarp can collapse, letting water into parts of the boat that can be damaged such as electronic systems, paneling, appliances, cushions and upholstery.
• Strong storm winds can blow covers loose, allowing rain into the boat and possible damage from branches and other debris.
• Mold starts growing within 24-48 hours and can also cause damage.
• The sun’s UV rays and heat can also damage boats that are stored uncovered.
• Mice, rats, racoons and a variety of other animals will move right into an unattended boat and slip in under a secured cover or tarp. Mice and rats eat the insulation off of wiring and, along with racoons, like to shred cushions and upholstery for nesting. Rodent urine and droppings stain and stink and the odor is very difficult to get rid of. The droppings can carry harmful pathogens that cause disease in humans.
• Boats stored in backyards, driveways and other unsecured spaces are targets for vandals.

The best and easiest way to store and protect a boat is in a dedicated covered or enclosed space. Most boat owners don’t have the space or facilities at home to properly keep their boats safe from the weather and invading critters. The garage isn’t always big enough and storing the boat in the garage means leaving the family vehicles in the driveway or street. Some residential communities have rules prohibiting boats and RVs being parked on the street for more than a few hours. Some of these communities also have rules against parking vehicles on the street.

There are many benefits to choosing a professional boat storage facility such as the Paso Robles boat storage at Mars Mega Storage. Those reasons include:

• A choice of covered or indoor storage units that are spacious, provide easy in and out access and protect your boat or RV from rain, storms, and UV damage from the sun.
• Fully-equipped wash stations and dump stations for easy and faster clean up after a trip.
• Security that protects against theft and vandalism.
• No conflict with neighbors or community rules and less opportunity for rodents to move in.

Even when there is space at home the benefits of a secure and professionally operated storage facility guarantees the safety of your boat.

• Mars Mega Storage is the place to keep your boat dry, protected from weather, theft, complaining neighbors and malicious mischief.
• Covered storage ranges in size from 12 x 30 feet all the way up to 50 feet long. Indoor storage ranges from 25 to 60 feet long with wide doors.
• Along with a fully-equipped wash station, compressor and dump station, Mars Mega Storage has a conference room stocked with complimentary snacks and other amenities for relaxing after a long day on the road. Online bill pay rounds out the conveniences.
• The Paso Robles boat storage facility has an onsite manager 24×7 and state of the art security that includes 17 ft high steel perimeter walls, 24/7 coded gate access, infrared cameras and laser beams, extensive security lighting, high visibility lighting, fire hydrants on site and fire and burglar alarms in each unit.
• All of the units are designed with paved easy in and out access.

Another important feature of Mars Mega Storage is easy highway access. Located about four miles from Highway 101, a major freeway connecting to adventures near and far, just hook up your boat and head out! No driving through neighborhoods and winding around city streets to get to the highway. The facility also offers RV storage and there is a luxury RV resort right next door.

Mars Mega Storage
101 Wellsona Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 467-3200

-The San Luis Obispo electricians from Electricraft, Inc. are encouraging the public to take advantage of National Electrical Safety Month to learn more about electrical safety in the home and at work. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) annually sponsors May as the month to focus public awareness on the importance of electrical safety.

ESFI is a nonprofit organization “dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace.” Since 1994 ESFI has worked with industry and community leaders to develop and share electrical safety resources for promoting electrical safety in schools, communities and the workplace. The theme for 2022 is “Energy Resilience,” and ESFI is introducing new materials for electrical safety as well as emerging technologies such as solar photovoltaics, energy storage systems and electric vehicles.

Electrical safety resources available from EFSI include:

• Home safety
• Workplace safety
• Disaster safety
• Kids safety
• A resource library for a wide range of electrical topics

Home and workplace safety resources include advice for preparing the home or business for safety and energy efficiency. Tips and advice can be downloaded for use by family members and employees.

Kid’s safety features the ESFI’s interactive Kids Corner, an online resource that includes activities to help kids learn about electrical safety through fun and entertainment and educational resources for teachers.

The San Luis Obispo electricians team has prepared the following list of safety tips to help families, employers and employees recognize electrical hazards and take appropriate action:

• Know where the main electricity switch is located and how to turn it off in an emergency.
• An odd, unidentifiable smell, smoke or sparks coming from an electrical outlet, wire or fixture indicates a serious problem. Evacuate everyone, including pets, shut off the power and call 911, especially if flames are present.
• Don’t overload circuits by plugging too many appliances or electronics into an outlet.
• Avoid overuse of extension cords.
• Keep flammable materials away from lamps and light bulbs. Even though LED bulbs don’t get as hot as incandescent bulbs, any amount of heat can cause a fire with the right material.
• Use safety covers on outlets to prevent young curious children from sticking objects into the holes.
• Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) shut off in the event of a dangerous electricity situation and Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) reduce the risk of shock. Install these devices in your home or business and test them monthly.
• Rely on trained electricians for inspections, troubleshooting and repairs and avoid electrical do-it-yourself projects.

Electricraft, Inc., a family-owned business serving the California Central Coast since 1984 is proud to help bring the messages about electrical safety to local communities. The San Luis Obispo electricians take pride in providing a safe work environment and in placing electrical safety as a top priority for the community. Along with employee safety training and practices, Electricraft publishes online articles about electrical safety such as “Dangerous electrical problems at home” and topics addressing safety for kids and during the holidays.

Electricraft is available 24-hours, 7 days a week for emergencies and provides leading electrical and solar services for any size project on the Central Coast. The company commitment to every customer is to provide superior quality service and complete satisfaction, on time and at a fair price.

Electricraft, Inc.
200 Suburban Rd., Suite A
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 544-8224

-Every year local, state and federal agencies participate in National Wildfire Safety Month during May and SERVPRO of Atascadero / Paso Robles takes this opportunity to remind the community that implementing wildfire safety measures can be easy and is a wise step. Protecting communities from wildfires is the mission of public safety agencies but they can’t be everywhere and encouraging communities to join in fire prevention activities is important for everyone’s safety and wellbeing.

There are measures that individuals and families can take to help prevent wildfires and to protect themselves from a fire. Getting together with neighbors and the larger community to work on fire safety projects together is a great way to get to know our communities better while doing important work at the same time.

Wildfires are fires that start in grasslands and forests and get out of control. In certain weather conditions, wildfires can spread very fast, causing considerable damage to communities. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that Western wildfires cost nearly $11 billion in 2021. The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that more than 2 million properties in California were at “high to extreme wildfire risk in 2021.” Nationally, 4.5 million properties were identified. The risk for California was the highest in the nation.

What families and communities can do to help prevent fires and be safe include:

• Having an emergency plan home, work and the neighborhood that includes escaping and meetup locations, a food and water supply, charged cell phones and copies of important paperwork.
• Strengthen homes, properties and neighborhoods by creating at least 30 feet of defensible space that is free of debris and flammable materials. Have a hose that reaches any areas of your property connected to an outdoor water source. Using fire-resistant materials for building, renovating or repairs can also make a difference. Get together with neighbors to help strengthen everyone’s property, especially senior citizens or neighbors with health issues.
• Help create awareness and safety programs for schools and communities by working with local public safety agencies to create public awareness programs and community meetings.
• Know the emergency and safety steps to take in the event of a fire and make sure family, friends and neighbors know them, too.

The Paso Robles fire damage team reports that there are more resources to turn to for and safety and prevention advice and programs:

• Reach out to local, county and state fire agencies
• Check online sources such as gov, and Cal Fire.
• Many insurance companies have fire safety information available as well.

Safety and prevention lead the list of fire safety measures and the Paso Robles fire damage company supports every community effort. In the event of a fire, the trained team is ready to help property owners, business owners and residents recover as quickly as possible. Trained, certified and qualified to remediate and repair fire damage, the team uses industrial-strength specialized equipment and supplies to remove soot, water, odors and mold from fire damaged properties and to clean, restore and repair personal items and furnishings.

SERVPRO of Atascadero / Paso Robles is a locally-owned business, helping local communities since 2004. The team is dedicated to the highest quality of service from the beginning to the final walk-through.

SERVPRO of Atascadero / Paso Robles
7343 El Camino Real Suite 199
Atascadero, CA 93422
(805) 466-6618

-Summer’s coming and it’s time to repaint the outside of the house, right? “Well, maybe,” says George Borlodan, owner of Borlodan Painting Company, “it depends on a number of factors including how hot the temperatures get, the wind and especially the quality of paint.”

Borlodan recently released a list of the top considerations for determining the best time of year for an exterior paint job. “We are lucky here on California’s Central Coast because we have relatively nice, mild weather for most of the year, but there are times when painting the outside of a house has more challenges than other times,” said Borlodan.

The list of considerations from the Paso Robles house painter includes:

• Temperature: Fortunately, for most of the Central Coast summer temperatures are moderate and a great time for a fresh coat of paint on the house. But, with some of the Central Coast’s inland summer temperatures reaching triple-digits, there may be days when it is too hot for the paint to cure properly. Early spring and late fall on the Central Coast can be filled with comfortably warm days and chilly nights. It’s a good idea to check the weather forecast for the nighttime temperatures. Many paint manufacturers recommend ideal temperatures between 35 and 100.
• The wind blows off the Pacific Ocean into the coastal communities and inland, summers can experience strong afternoon winds. Wind can blow debris onto a fresh paint job and if the paint hasn’t had time to dry before the wind comes up, that debris can stick. Fortunately, the wind is temporary, usually only blowing around for a couple of hours and painting can be scheduled according to the weather and wind forecast.
• Humidity and coastal fog can create temporary dampness that makes it difficult for the paint to adhere to the surface and to dry.
• The quality of paint is important for any paint job, interior or exterior. If this is a do-it-yourself paint job, be sure to research the best quality of paint for the job before starting.

The painter’s skill and knowledge can save frustration and, in the end, a lot of money. The Paso Robles house painter has been receiving rave reviews for the past 11 years. The reason is that Borlodan and his crew are very familiar with the climate and micro-climates on the Central Coast and know how to deliver top-quality materials and skills for a long-lasting paint job.

Believing that the preparation is just as important as the painting, the team handles both interior and exterior projects and selects the products that are designed to last regardless of the climate. The team is meticulous, respectful, clean and leaves a clean job site and welcomes challenging projects. The company takes pride in negotiating a fair rate and delivering quality workmanship. No job is too small or too big.

Borlodan Painting Company
2197 Bel Air Place
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 295-0194

Overall today’s senior citizens are much more active than their parents and grandparents were at the same age. Being older doesn’t mean everyone is ready to move to the senior community. Many still have deep roots in their communities, activities with friends and family, gardening and continue to work. Just about every senior no matter active will admit to new aches, a little more joint creaking, maybe a little less energy, or needing to watch TV with glasses but these changes don’t necessarily mean it’s time to start collecting retirement community brochures.  Frank Cueva, owner of Central Pacific Construction, says there are several home renovations that can make life at home more suited to a senior.

• Replacing stairs with ramps makes getting in and out of the house easier and safer. Properly constructed and installed ramps reduce the risk of falling. For two story homes, consider installing a chair lift.
• Installing easy to clean flooring that is much less work to keep looking fresh and tidy.
• Repairing doors, drawers and windows so they are easier to open. Over time these well-used things can get a little out of alignment causing them to not open as smoothly as they should.
• Making frequently used doorways wider.
• Remodeling kitchen, bathroom and laundry room cabinets to add pull out storage and reduce kneeling, bending and standing on step stools to find things. Other storage areas like the broom and linen closet and pantry can also be remodeled to include pull out storage.
• A few changes in the bathrooms such as comfort-height toilets, showers without curbs or step in bathtubs can add new levels of comfort. Adding grab bars is also an important safety feature reports the Paso Robles contractor.
• Motion activated lights both interior and exterior are as convenient as they are safety features. Inside the home, electric outlets and switch plates that light up make it easier to get around in the dark.

Working with the professionals

Central Pacific Construction, rated one of the best contractors in Paso Robles, has been working with Central Coast residents and businesses since 1997. The company offers an extensive list of professional services that include residential and commercial construction, restaurant remodeling, damage repair, custom homes and much more. No matter what your building or renovation needs are, you can trust us to do the job right and with exceptional service to boot.

The company has earned the reputation as the best contractor in Paso Robles and their A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau through a great work ethic and attention to detail.

“We take a lot of pride that our workmanship and dedication to our craft is a step above the competition,” said Cueva. “We do the job right the first time, deliver on time and within budget.”

Call today to find out how Central Pacific Construction can help you!

Sooner or later, everyone who lives in a home for any length of time wants to do some remodeling. Financing that remodel doesn’t have to be a headache-inducing experience. “There are some options that protect you against a new, higher interest rate, and the stresses of refinancing or trying to get a construction loan,” said Marc Coons, the Heritage Ranch mortgage lender.

First thing to do is learn what the options are for financing a remodeling project:

• A construction loan is generally more useful for large renovations and is paid out to the contractor in stages. Usually, one phase of the project needs to be completed before the next phase is funded. The catch can be that essentially a construction loan is refinancing the home being renovated (or built) that is converted to a mortgage when the project is finished.
• Refinancing is replacing an existing mortgage with a new one and often involves a different payment amount and a different interest rate. If home interest rates are low, it might benefit you to refinance.
• A HELOC is a home equity line of credit that you can use to borrow against the equity in your home. Basically, a HELOC works something like a credit card. Use money when you need it and make regular payments in addition to your regular house payment.

Which one of these loans is going to work best for you? That’s the question for Marc Coons. Each type of loan has pros and cons. For example, when lending rates are low, a construction loan might be just as beneficial as refinancing, especially if the renovations are extensive enough that you have to live somewhere else during the project.

With a construction loan, you only pay for what you use until the project is completed, meaning that for an extensive project, you don’t have to worry about making the mortgage payment while paying rent somewhere else.

For a regular refinance, or a HELOC, you still have to make the payments. Things can get pretty costly if you are also paying rent for a temporary place to live.

The Heritage Ranch mortgage lender, Mar Coons, has been helping people buy or refinance their homes on the Central Coast since 2004. Working with a team of professional loan consultants and backed the resources of Caliber Home Loans, Marc has access to hundreds of lenders who are interested in helping people buy a home, or upgrade their present home to a fresh, new look.

Working with Marc, you can get a thorough understanding of the loan options available to you, the pros and cons of each, and which type of loan has the best benefits. Mar makes sure he thoroughly understands your circumstances and after filling out a single application, Marc and his team get started, reaching out to a variety of lenders to make sure you get the amount you want with the best terms and interest rate. Marc responds to questions from potential lenders and communicates with you during the entire process.

A 30-year local resident, Marc lives the Central Coast lifestyle and is committed to supporting you in your remodeling financing efforts. Give him a call today!