By Sam Bowman, Earth Talk

April 19, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - Sustainability has become a trend in home renovation and design, but which aspects of it are trending in the green building niche right now? As more people become passionate about eco-friendly living, sustainable innovations grow and become more accessible for anyone looking to create a greener house for themselves. When considering sustainability, trending items are not just about what is fashionable; it’s also about which are doing the most for the environment.

Source: Sullivan Solar Power  

April 5, 2019 (San Diego) -- Beginning on March 1, 2019 SDG&E started defaulting its residential ratepayers to a new form of billing for electricity, a time-of-use rate known as “TOUDR1.” They plan to default 700,000 – 1,000,000 ratepayers per month to this time-of-use rate through mid-2020. SDG&E is mandated to provide two notices to ratepayers informing them 30 and 60 days prior to defaulting a customer, providing opportunities for ratepayers to opt out of being defaulted. See below for more details, or click here to RSVP for a seminar near you to learn more and speak with us in person.

By Maryanne Jackson Real Estate Broker CNE. CPRES

March 21, 2019 (La Mesa) -

Dear Maryanne,

I own a property on Fuerte Drive in Mount Helix. With all the rain we have been getting recently, there’s an area in my front yard that has become a stream when it rains. Can I divert this water away from my house? What are some of the most common ways to deal with this?

--Ms. S. T.

By Allan Acevedo

March 16, 2019 (La Mesa) – What a difference two weeks makes. The La Mesa City Council heard robust public comment from diverse perspectives concerning the approval of two so-called “granny flat” ordinances. On narrowly won passage from a divided Council, while the second passed unanimously.

By Maryanne Jackson, Real Estate Broker CNE. CPRES.

March 6, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -

Dear Maryanne,

My partner and I need to jazz up our home. Although we have no plans to move any time soon.

We need ideas. What are the latest home staging trends that would not cost us a fortune and require a building permit?

Marella K. in Grossmont

East County News Service

February 24, 2019 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside River Park Conservancy will hold a native plant sale on Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until supply runs out) at 12108 Industry Road in Lakeside.

Preorders are available with a $50 minimum order by March 23^rd.  For more information or a complete plant list, visit www.lakesideriverpark.org/native-plant-sale.

By Maryanne Jackson

Image credit: Pixabay

February 18, 2019 (San Diego’s East County)

Dear Maryanne,

My wife and I are starting to consider options for retirement communities as we are getting on in age. The simple things have become more challenging for us to perform and despite our love for our home we feel it is time to start our search. We are looking for any suggestions you can offer for us as we start our investigating.

--J. Mount Helix

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 12, 2019 (San Diego) - The County Board of Supervisors today voted to allow the Health and Human Services Agency to apply for and receive about $125 million to help people with serious mental illness and who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.

East County News Service

February 7, 2019 (El Cajon) – The California housing market will continue soft in 2019 as prices remain flat and sales pull back because buyers are expected to remain on the sidelines throughout the year, according to California Association of Realtors (CAR) senior economist Oscar Wei.

Rents for low-income seniors to range from about $476 to $978 a month; federal vouchers to cover portion

By Paul Downey, President & CEO, Serving Seniors

February 5, 2019 (Ramona) -- Serving Seniors may be most well-known for its meal program, which provides 2,500 meals a day to seniors across the county. In 2017, the organization served 600,000 meals, which can greatly assist seniors that may be on fixed incomes, yet their housing expenses continue to increase.

In addition to nutritious meals, Serving Seniors helps seniors in poverty live fulfilling and healthy lives by also providing health services and affordable housing. Early this summer, Serving Seniors will open its 62-unit Schmale Family Senior Residence in Ramona. Developed in partnership with Chelsea Investment Corporation, it will be the organization’s Seniors’ first affordable housing complex in east San Diego County.   

By Maryanne Jackson

January 25, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) 

Dear Maryanne, 

My fiancé and I have been renting our apartment in La Mesa for two years. Our lease is coming up for renewal and, once again our landlord is raising our rent.

Should we renew our lease and pay the increase in rent? Or, should we start to look at purchasing our own place to avoid this constant increase in rent year after year? 

-- Melissa M., La Mesa, CA

…and they’re not just for grannies nowadays

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 9, 2019 (San Diego) -- San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors took action Wednesday to fight the housing and affordable housing crisis by voting to spend $11 million on a five-year trial program to waive fees and encourage homeowners to build “granny flats” on their properties.

Luxury, energy-efficient homes still available in four neighborhoods

East County News Service

Photo: Lake Ridge, courtesy of Pardee Homes San Diego

January 4, 2019 (Santee) -- Move-in excitement is in the air as families and homebuyers are receiving keys and unpacking boxes in all four of Pardee Homes’ upscale Weston communities in Santee: Lake Ridge, Sandstone, Talus and Prism.  The new, state-of-the-art homes also have access to natural open spaces and outdoor activities.

By Miriam Raftery

December 13, 2018 (La Mesa) – Developers of Jefferson La Mesa, a proposed multi-family apartment project proposed at 4949-4999 Baltimore Drive, invite the community to a meeting to hear about project plans.  The meeting will be held on Monday, December 17 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the La Mesa Police Department (8085 University Ave.).

The proposed four-story project would include 230 residential rental units, including some designated as affordable housing on-site. Though designated officially as mixed use, only four of the units are designated as work/live apartments.  The developer is listed as South Baltimore LLC/The Forties Challenge.

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2018 (Alpine) – Alpine resident Rhonda Lamar will be opening her home on December 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to showcase 25 decorated, themed Christmas trees – all to benefit Rady Chldren’s Hospital of San Diego.  She’s decked the halls with a popular peppermint tree, a wine tree, a monkey tree and an elf tree, among others. All guests will also be treated to apple cider and cookies.