Kathleen Finnegan

Item of Value Category

Home Safety Requires a Fire Plan

Having a fire-safety plan is of utmost importance for your home and family. Getting started can be the hardest part, but takes very little time and provides an added layer of home-safety. Below is a checklist to help you and your loved ones stay safe and secure. Brainstorm two escape routes that can be achievable from every room in your home. Pinpointing which hallway and exit door can be used,  helps everyone to have a clear understanding of each route. ... Continue Reading >

Cinema Showings in the Garden

This summer is filled with amazing opportunities to enjoy with friends and family. Be sure to catch one of the film screenings at Hollywood Forever’s beautiful cemetery gardens. Tickets sell out every week! Hosted by Cinespia, they are known for picking great cinema classics the entire family can enjoy. Upcoming showings include The Path Season Finale, Singing in the Rain, ET, Outcast Premier, Mean Girls, Goodfellas and many more. With a great movie lineup and gorgeous garden area, Cinespia at... Continue Reading >

5 Ways To Save On Your Energy Bill & Keep Cool

With the California heat set to break a few records this summer, it will be important to keep your home cool, yet affordable. Here are 5 ways to save energy and money, while keeping your home cool all summer long. Pay  attention to the weekly weather report to predict the hottest days of the week. On those days, run the air conditioning system early that morning. Afterward, run your fans to circulate the cool air.  By cooling your home before the... Continue Reading >

Giving Back to Our Soldiers

  Saving lives two at a time, Shelter to Soldier honors our veterans by arming them with dynamic rescue animals who increase their quality of life and reacclimate them to civilian living. Shelter to Soldier recovers dogs with uncertain futures and trains them to serve soldiers who have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorders and other injuries. Soldiers save lives and Shelter to Soldier has been adding value to soldiers’ lives for the past four years   Meet Tom, a veteran military... Continue Reading >

tips to prepare your home for a wet winter

It’s a tough thing to imagine when the  sun is shining and you’re making plans for the pool, but Californians should be planning for an onslaught of water that’s predicted to hit their homes this winter.  I know—it’s still October, and California is in a drought. But meteorologists say a massive El Niño is forming—one that might be even stronger than the 1997 storm pattern that caused epic flooding and landslides. The time to prepare is now. Since it’s hard to pinpoint when the bad weather will start,... Continue Reading >

tricks of the trade : negotiating closing costs

At the end of the home-buying process, you will be faced with closing costs, the fees due at signing are required to complete a home sale. Closing costs can be expensive, but some of those fees may be negotiable. Here are some tips for navigating closing costs. Check the Market Temperature The nature of the housing market may dictate whether the buyer or the seller picks up various closing costs. If it’s a buyer’s market—a bit cold and homes aren’t selling well—sellers may be more... Continue Reading >

happy st. patrick’s day : best Irish pubs in LA

  What you can count on when you go a good old neighborhood Irish pub is a nice, tall glass of Guinness straight from the tap or Jameson on the rocks. It's even better when you can pair these drinks with a plate of corned beef and cabbage while you're at it. To get you geared up for St. Patrick's Day, I bring to you most loved Irish bars in Los Angeles. Ireland's 32 Ireland's 32 is one of the best Irish bars... Continue Reading >

tips for building stronger goals in 2015

With the holidays right around the corner its almost time to begin goal setting for 2015 and if done well goals lead the way to improved productivity and performance for individuals, departments, teams and companies as a whole. Yet despite widespread use of goals both personally and professionally, most people fall victim to a number of mistakes in how they are executed. Often times we get caught up in the goals themselves and fail to realize that what we should be... Continue Reading >

home for the holidays: is fall the season to sell?

Home owners may be doubtful that the months of November and December will bring about a home sale. But sometimes the “off-peak” time to sell can actually be the perfect moment for sellers. Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and more closely approach the asking price, according to an article at Forbes.com. A 2011 study conducted by realtor.com® found that 60 percent of real estate professionals advise... Continue Reading >

making the leap : commiting to home ownership

You’ve saved for a down payment. You’ve pored over the local listings for months. Touring open houses has become part of your weekend ritual. But months, perhaps years, have passed and you are still in your rental. For many first-time homebuyers, pulling the trigger on a purchase can be a frightening experience. Will you be happy there? Will you like your neighbors? Will you be tied down—house rich and cash poor? What if you lose your job? Will you hate your... Continue Reading >