Kathleen Finnegan

Author Archive

travel tips for the holiday’s

Wherever you're heading, if you're traveling during the holiday season, you need to realize that everyone else in the world is, too. But don't let invasive security scanners, terrible drivers and long lines at airports get you down. Here are a few tips to survive the holiday travel season without a Frosty the Snowman-size meltdown. Do your research. Plan alternative trips if traffic makes your way home too overwhelming. Is there a scenic drive that might be longer but have less traffic? Break up... Continue Reading >

home owners stand to recapture more equity in 2014

The number of underwater homes continues to slip, with 791,000 properties regaining equity during the third quarter. Currently, about 13 percent of all homes with a mortgage -- or 6.4 million -- remain in negative equity compared to 14.7 percent -- or 7.2 million -- at the end of the second quarter. An estimated 42.6 million homes in the U.S. have positive equity. About 20 percent-- or 10 million -- of those homes, however, have less than 20 percent of equity or... Continue Reading >

holidays on ice

  While the temp might be hovering at about 80 degree's this week, what better than an ice rink to get that holiday feeling. It's not the largest rink, but it's fun for  circle eights and a few laughs! The Woodland Hills out door  ice rink hosts daily public skating, birthday parties and special events all winter long. Woodland Hills Ice brings the community together on over 7000 square feet of real ice for a unique annual tradition. Located in Woodland Hills at Westfield Promenade,... Continue Reading >

are you water-wise?

Water conservation has become an essential practice in all regions, even in areas where water seems abundant. In addition to saving money on your utility bill, water conservation helps prevent water pollution in nearby lakes, rivers and local watersheds. Conserving water can also extend the life of your septic system by reducing soil saturation, and reducing any pollution due to leaks. Overloading municipal sewer systems can also cause untreated sewage to flow to lakes and rivers. The smaller the amount of water... Continue Reading >

are neighborhood preferences changing?

Americans are increasingly showing their desires for walkable neighborhoods that combine a mix of homes and stores. In fact, a new survey shows that the least popular neighborhood is a suburban one with just houses in it. Sixty percent of Americans surveyed say they favor neighborhoods with a mix of houses and stores and other businesses that are easy to walk to over neighborhoods that require greater driving among home, work, and recreation, according to the 2013 Community Preference Survey of... Continue Reading >

Starry Nights in the Santa Monica Mountains

Twinkle! Twinkle!   With the cold nights approaching, dress warm and join the Santa Monica Mountain Conservatory on a discovery of what we will find as we transition from autumn to winter. ½-mile hike to the viewing platform. Meet at the Victory Blvd. entrance trailhead. Details - Friday, December 6th at 6:30pm Free program, $5 parking For more information: 310-858-7272 x131 or Click Here The estimated time - 2 hours. About the Santa Monica Mountains - Stretching from the Oxnard Plain to the Hollywood Hills and located to the west of the Los... Continue Reading >

quick tips for hosting a greener holiday party

  Here are 16 tips for eco-friendly entertaining: 1. Use a website that helps you design and send invites, and even track RSVPs. 2. Decorate the tree with fairy lights made from LEDs and the garden with solar-powered LED bulb, fairy, and rope lights. They use just 10 to 20 percent as much power as conventional bulbs and last 10,000 hours. 3. Using candles for effect (and to save energy)? Choose soy or beeswax, which don’t contain petroleum-based paraffin. 4. Simmer cinnamon sticks on the... Continue Reading >

home buyers making a move this winter

Home buyers who weren’t successful this summer at finding a home due to limited inventories and competition from all-cash offers are looking to retry their luck in the winter, according to realtor.com’s Winter Home Buyer Report. This summer and spring, home-buying season was particularly challenging for some buyers, especially first-time home buyers trying to compete with all-cash offers and bidding wars because of reduced inventory.  A quarter of the winter home buyers revealed they are in the market now because they were... Continue Reading >

5 lenders boasting highest customer satisfaction

Customer satisfaction with mortgage lenders reached a seven-year high this year, according to J.D. Power's 2013 U.S. Primary Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study. The study measures customer satisfaction in four key areas: application/approval process, loan representative, closing, and contact. “As refinancing volumes are on the decline, consumers contemplating purchasing a home are likely to have multiple lenders competing for their business,” says Craig Martin, director of financial services practices at J.D. Power. “This can be particularly beneficial for those who are first-time... Continue Reading >

helping hands for the hungry

Cub Scout Pack 333 of Calabasas is honored to produce the Second Annual “Food Drive-Thru” charity event, November 16-17, 2013 from 9:00am - 5:00pm each day. The purpose of the event is to create a convenient and unique opportunity for citizens to drive-through a marked portion of the parking lot at the Commons at Calabasas, and hand their donation of food products to a Scout volunteer… all without getting out of their vehicle! Below are the statistics about last year’s... Continue Reading >