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Walnut Creek: Safeway, residents' group settle over The Orchards project:

Opponents of a new Safeway development in eastern Walnut Creek agreed to drop a lawsuit in exchange for $125,000 from the grocery giant. In July, a group called Friends of Walnut Creek filed a lawsuit in Contra Costa Superior Court against Safeway; its development company, PDC; and the city of Walnut Creek, challenging the environmental impact report and approval of The Orchards. Already under construction, The Orchards is a 24-acre project at the intersection of Ygnacio Valley and Oak Grove roads set to include a new 55,000-square-foot Safeway store and other shops, plus open space and senior housing. The City council approved the project June 17. The crux of the group's argument was that the city illegally committed to the project before the public could offer its opinions and that the environmental impact report failed to address serious project impacts such as how the opening of a new Safeway store would affect the nearby Nob Hill supermarket and the effect on the neighb...

When is Shipping via Enclosed Transport Worth the Extra Money?

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For the majority of people, shipping a car via an enclosed carrier is not worth the extra cost, typically 25%-40% more. While shipping via an open carrier exposes your vehicle to the elements, the likelihood of any damage is low. However, there are instances in which people do choose pay the extra money. The types of vehicles that are most often shipped via enclosed transport include: Restored antique cars (e.g. 1957 Chevy, 1938 Ford Coupe) High-end sports cars (e.g. Maserati, Lamborghini) Luxury vehicles (e.g. Rolls Royce, Bentley) While most auto transport companies do offer enclosed shipping, you may want to look into companies that specialize in transporting high-end or classic vehicles, if that is the type of car you will be shipping. Visit the  Enclosed Auto Transport section of MoveCars.com to see a list of these specialized auto transport companies. Ultimately, whether you choose to ship via an open or enclosed carrier is up to you. Even if your car ...

14 Proven Moving Day Tips that Work:

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Moving day is one of the stressful days in one’s life. Many of you are now asking the question how troublesome a moving day can be, but only people who have already moved can understand. Usually, the moving day is underestimated, as it is the final step of the relocation process. You have found a professional moving company after researching a list of licensed movers, dates are booked and everything seems to happen so effortlessly. However, moving day seems to be the most problematic and annoying one during the whole relocation process. Beware that overlooking minor details can cause a total mess. Since, as the moving day is approaching you are getting more annoyed, you should be well organized to avoid making a mistake. Inspired by the numerous horror stories about the moving day, I am offering you easy to follow moving day checklist with essentials that will safe you a lot of troubles. Moving Day Checklist Wake up early on the moving day . Plan your time, so you...

4 Tips for a Money-Saving Move:

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Moving into a new home and a new city is exciting. But the actual moving process? Not so much. On top of being time consuming and a hassle, moving can be expensive, too. So take some time to plan ahead and save some cash with these tips for a money-saving move. 1. Pick the right moving method The most common ways to move including the following methods: Hire a mover to load all your goods onto a truck, drive to your spot and move everything. This is often the most convenient option. However, it’s usually the most expensive option. Rent a moving van or truck , load it up, drive it and unload it yourself. This is the most time consuming and most labor-intensive option. But if you’re moving somewhere close by, it’s the cheapest. Just be sure to budget for gas. Load your items into a moving container yourself and have it shipped to your new area, then unload them yourself. Costs depend on how far you need to move and how long you want to keep your items in storage ...

Top 10 Fix-ups to sell Your House:

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  From curbside to the inside, show your home at its best When you're ready to sell your home, make sure potential buyers see it at its best. Here are the top ways to fix up the appearance of your home without investing a lot of money. A little time and effort now will pay big dividends at closing. Landscaping Trim the grass and make sure all flowerbeds are freshly mulched and free of weeds. Prune overgrown shrubs, especially if they're hiding windows or blocking the entryway. Gutters and Fences Reinforce sagging gutters and straighten crooked fences. Make sure the gutters are cleared of obstructions and the soil isn't washed out around downspouts. A quick power washing will brighten fences. Driveway and Walkways Clear away clutter like bikes, tools and toys. Use weed killer on grass and weeds that sprout in pavement cracks. Keep edges neat with a weed eater or edger. Front Door Freshen the door and trim with a new coat of paint. Tight...

First-time Homebuyer Mistakes:

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Not Understanding Housing Market Trends: Even with a clear idea of their own financial status -- what they can afford and how trustworthy they will appear to a lending institution -- many people fail to pay attention to the big picture. If you're anxious to buy now just because of your own financial situation or restrict yourself to a particular location, you may not see the forest for the trees. The housing market isn't static -- it fluctuates. Sometimes it favors those looking to buy -- a buyers' market . Other times it favors those looking to sell -- a sellers' market . To understand why these shifts happen, let's look at the contributing factors, like supply and demand . Inhabitable or desirable housing can be scarce or in surplus. Low supply increases demand -- and prices -- to favor sellers. On the flip side, when supply is high and there are more houses on the market than buyers, the situation favors buyers. Other factors include interest rates , consu...

Top 5 Tips: How to Live With Your Parents Again:

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Going back to the room you had as a teenager will be a new experience for you now! Are you thinking about moving back in with your parents? Whether that is after college, a breakup, divorce, with a baby or a family, at the age of 30, 40 or any other age, because you want to save money, you don’t have a job, you want to take care of your elderly parents, or for any other reason, here you will find useful tips to help you take the decision to move and also help you cope once you have relocated back to your parents’ home. Moving back into your parents house may not be your biggest dream or wish right now, but even if it is something that you want very much, there are a few things to consider before the move; things that will make your relocation easier for everyone. Is moving back in with parents a good idea? Check out these 5 great tips on  moving back into your parents’ house. Tips on Moving Back in With Parents Set some rules for everyone. On the one hand, you may not be a ...