I think it is safe to say that most of us love watching home renovation shows. Whether it is for inspiration, your chance to share your opinion with your viewing partner, or simply out of the love of homes, these shows can be addictive! Most of these shows are set in the Midwest or East Coast, so we can’t always relate to the home styles there, but one Fresno couple hopes to make the Central Valley HGTV’s next location for home renovation shows.

Meet Nick and Koko Chandler. Both were born and raised in the Central Valley, are Fresno State graduates and reside in the Fresno High area. I had the pleasure of speaking with Nick exclusively about their renovation experience, how they got involved with HGTV, the process of pitching their idea, filming, what’s next and how you can help make this dream a reality for them.

What’s the show called and what’s the plot?
Go Big or Go Home follows Nick and Koko as they renovate homes in the Central Valley, specifically focusing on homes that families have outgrown and want to expand upon rather than move out. Nick and Koko work alongside homeowners to make their space fit their family and the direction they are headed.

How did Nick and Koko get HGTV’s attention?
In 2017 Nick came across an email from a casting company looking for home renovators. He talked to Koko about the casting and they decided to give it a shot. They sent over a bio and a blog post highlighting their latest home renovation and some DIY projects they completed. They were contacted the next day for a Skype interview.. The casting company loved their idea and sent a camera crew to Fresno for two days to shoot a “sizzle”. Nick says it was like a five-minute movie trailer of sorts. The sizzle was presented to HGTV, and they were given the green light to film a pilot.

What was it like behind the scenes?
Nick says it was a huge undertaking. More so than a regular renovation. They had to find a property with homeowners who were willing to be on the show, draw up plans, and do the actual renovations, all while making sure the film crew was there when anything big was happening. For Nick & Koko, it was a big learning curve. They were eager and ready to go but then had to “put on the brakes” while waiting for the production company. They also had to get used to being on camera. Everyone told them to act natural and just be themselves which was no easy task with a whole production company and HGTV executives there to watch the filming. Eventually, they became more comfortable in front of the camera and started having a ton of fun.

What can we expect from the pilot episode?
Nick and Koko got to work with local couple Sharlynn & Keegan Childers, hoping to expand their 800 sq ft home in the foothills of Prather. The Childers own a local lumber company and make some unique pieces that they were able to incorporate into the renovation of the home.

How was Fresno & the Central Valley incorporated into the show?
It was a top priority for the Chandlers to make sure they could stay as local as possible with the companies they worked with. They accomplished this goal and nearly everyone was local. The executives and producers from HGTV said they were surprised about how big Fresno and the Central Valley are and that they never imagined it would be this big and full of life. They even commented on how the Central Valley, its lifestyle and the people are an added character to the show.

How can everyone in the valley help support the show?
The pilot was filmed with no guarantee that it would ever air. Thankfully, the pilot was aired in May. It will be airing again on Tuesday, June 18th. If the pilot is well-received, it is possible that HGTV could offer a series that would be based here, in the Central Valley.

Check with your local tv provider for exact times, but DirecTV is airing the show on HGTV at 8pm and 11pm, Xfinity is airing at 11pm and 2am and for those of you who watch HGTV on Hulu like I do, it will be airing at 11pm and 2am also.

Nick & Koko hope to have the opportunity to continue showcasing the Central Valley and the talent of the people and businesses we have here.

I hope you will join all of us here at FresYes Realty in supporting this amazing Fresno couple and hopefully helping them get their own show!

It may seem counterproductive to schedule downtime for yourself when you’re trying to achieve big things in this world.

But, the paradox we’re encountering as technological advances and other conveniences become more and more readily available (who else loves Oooby grocery delivery?!) is that the more we find ways to hack our schedule, the more work we fill the “found” time with. Turns out, the more we optimize, the less of life we get to enjoy.

The result is overwhelm, exhaustion, and, eventually, burnout.

The human mind can only exert itself for so long before reaching a point where it wants to shut down. Ever found yourself binge-watching Netflix at the end of a long week? This is the brain’s way of getting the rest it needs when we don’t actively pursue time to nourish and refuel our minds.

The body shuts down after extended periods of over-work too. So many people suffer from mysterious health problems that are directly a result of stress. But the symptoms are subtle and build up over years and they don’t realize it’s their “lifestyle” that’s slowly stealing their health.

So, how do we pursue a streamlined, productive life and find the time to relax, unwind, unplug? How do we set healthy boundaries so that our minds and bodies have the opportunity to recharge and become rejuvenated?

First, we declutter.

All of the tips and tricks I’ve been talking about this month lead us to a place of calm. When our minds, bodies, and surroundings are overwhelmed by the stimulus of a crowded environment, we can’t relax. It’s why sometimes you can’t start working until you’ve straightened up your desk.

Next, we schedule.

This is kind of like the idea of scheduling your workout. You put it on your calendar and you make it as important as any other task you have to accomplish that day. Whatever downtime looks like for you, make it a non-negotiable to-do. Whether it’s meditation, walking, reading, sitting by the pool, genuinely playing with your kids — it doesn’t really matter. Just block off the time and make it happen.

Then, we reap the benefits.

We can’t generate our best ideas when we’re always ON. Ever noticed the most amazing thoughts come to you when you’re in the shower or on a run? This is because your brain is disengaged and finally able to tackle some creative thinking.

This is one of the many benefits of scheduling downtime for yourself. When you make an effort to relax, you return to your work re-invigorated and full of ideas — ideas you wouldn’t have gotten sitting in front of your computer either.

Wishing you health and happiness,

Gabi

Have you ever shopped at Madewell in Fig Garden Village? If you’re a woman, love a great pair of jeans and casual items to wear with them and you haven’t been in — it’s time to remedy that!

Madewell has become my favorite clothing store in recent years, as their jeans and tops fit incredibly well and the quality of their pieces and fabrics is so high compared to most items that have previously taken up residence in my closet.

My love for Madewell’s clothing, along with the frequency at which I hear fellow Fresnans say they have either never heard of Madewell or assume it’s too pricey for their budgets made me realize an article like this could help others like me finally find the clothing they’ve been hoping for at a price they can afford.

What’s Great at Madewell?

Madewell is known for making “great jeans and everything you wear with them”. Each pair of jeans is hand cut and sewn and uses premium fabrics, though the price of Madewell jeans at full retail is still significantly lower than other premium denim brands ($135 vs. $230+ for brands like AG, Joe’s, Frame, and Citizens of Humanity).

Madewell’s jeans come in multiple rises (from mid-rise at 8” all the way to very high rises at 12.5”) and in sizes from waist size 23 (triple zero) to 37 (size 24) and in three lengths (petite, regular and tall). They are also made with “magic pockets” – shaping pockets that smooth the silhouette while remaining completely comfortable.

When I tried on Madewell jeans, it was as through the clouds in the heavens parted and the angels were singing. As a person who once swore up and down that the skinny jean trend was purely evil and out to personally harm me – I found myself looking in the mirror in Madewell skinnies seeing my hips visually slimmed, my legs looking longer and yet I was completely comfortable and able to bend and move without stiffness or restriction. Of the seven friends I’ve taken on first trips to Madewell, every single one of them found jeans that fit them better than anything else in their closets, and they too fell in love.  

Beyond jeans, Madewell also makes great casual dresses, cotton blouses, denim skirts, soft cotton and rayon pull on shorts, perfectly cut t-shirts and tanks, comfortable, high-quality wear-with-everything leather shoes and purses, and beautiful statement and minimalist jewelry pieces.

How Madewell Supports Local Entrepreneurs

Each Madewell store has an events manager who is responsible for hosting regular events in store that highlight local entrepreneurs. These “Hometown Hero” events take place at a designated day and time and feature a local pop-up shop hosted within the store. Madewell provides free refreshments and a 20% discount on purchases during these events, so it’s a great way to support local small businesses and get Madewell clothing at a discounted price!

This Saturday, June 15^th from 1-4pm our local Madewell store is hosting a Hometown Heroes event featuring esteemed jewelry genius Alana Little of Make Pie Not War

Our Fresno store’s Event Manager, Marielle, is fantastic and has held previous events with some of the coolest local artists and crafters including Foliage Potted Plants, Brooke Creative Co., Flora Flower Cart and Art by Elowyn.

How You Can Save $ at Madewell

If you’re itching for the perfect pair of jeans or some new summer clothing, but you’re also on a budget here are a few of my favorite ways to keep costs down at Madewell.

• If you’re a teacher or student – show your ID for 15% off!
• Shop during Hometown Hero events (like the one this Saturday) and get 20% off
• Sign up for emails from Madewell and watch for sale alerts – which come frequently and range from 20-30% off
• Recycle your old jeans (ANY pair – even your kids’ old pairs, of any brand!) for $20 off a new pair of jeans any time (Madewell uses recycled denim to provide housing insulation in low-income areas around the world!)
• Shop the clearance section in the back of the store (often marked down for an additional % off)

So, if you’ve never shopped at Madewell before, I hope you found this article helpful. And, if you’re looking for a new pair of jeans or some gorgeous jewelry, I highly recommend you grab an old pair to recycle and head over to Madewell this Saturday between 1 and 4pm for the Make Pie Not War Hometown Heroes Event!

Madewell is located at 706 W. Shaw Ave. Fresno in Figarden Village Shopping Center on Shaw and Palm. The store is open from 10am to 7pm daily except Sundays, when it’s open from 11am to 6pm.

Note: This article is not sponsored in any way, nor did Madewell ask me to write it. I just genuinely love their clothing and how they support local small businesses and think other Fresno women who may have a hard time finding well-fitting clothing might benefit from this info, so I shared it! 😊

Happy Shopping,

Natali

Don’t forget – Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 16th and we’ve got your plans all wrapped up for you.

Hope to see you out and about honoring the dads in your lives and spending quality family time at some of these amazing events, Fresno!

Friday

• Fresno Grizzlies vs. Iowa- Chukchansi Park: 1800 Tulare St Fresno, CA 93721 @7:05pm Event Link
• Friday Sunset Kayak Tour- San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust: 11605 Old Friant Road Fresno, CA 93730 @4:30pm-8:00pm Event Link
• River Camp Summer Day Camp- San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust: 11605 Old Friant Road Fresno, CA 93730 @8:15am-4:15pm Event Link
• Adventure Camp at The Fresno Chaffee Zoo- The Fresno Chaffee Zoo: 894 West Belmont Avenue Fresno, CA 93728 @9:00am-4:00pm Event Link
• 2019 TYR Pro Swim Series- Clovis North High School: 2770 E International Ave Fresno, CA 93730 @9:00am Event Link
• The Monsanto Band Concert- San Joaquin Winery: 21821 Avenue 16 Madera, CA 93637 @8:00pm-11:00pm Event Link
• Quesadilla Gorilla & Live Music!- Tactical OPS Brewing: 1131 Railroad, Clovis, CA 93612 @6:00pm-9:00pm Event Link

Saturday

• Saturday Morning Half-Day Kayak Tour- San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust: 11605 Old Friant Road Fresno, CA 93730 @8:30am-12:00pm Event Link
• Moonlight Special- Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad: 56001 Hwy 41 Fish Camp, CA 93623 @6:30pm Event Link
• Jazz & Blues Exhibition and Celebration- African American Museum: 1857 Fulton St. Fresno, CA 93721 @8:00pm-10:00pm Event Link
• Fresno Street Eats Vol. 7: For The Homies- Tioga Sequoia Brewing Company: 745 Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93721 @12:00pm-8:00pm Event Link
• Gather & Bliss- Nutritiously Delicious: @6:30pm-10:00pm Event Link
• Slice of Comedy Headlining Ben Gonzles- Di Cicco’s Italian Restaurant: 408 Clovis Ave, Clovis, CA 93612 @8:00pm-10:00pm Event Link
• Falcons vs. Bulldogs Alumni Game- Gateway Ice Center: 2473 North Marks Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722 @5:00pm-7:00pm Event Link
• Fathers Eve!- No Surrender Laser Tag & Adventure Park: 1200 Shaw Avenue Suite 103, Clovis, CA 93612 @6:00pm-9:00pm Event Link
• Dad-urday Workout- Railroad Park: 805 N. Peach Ave, Clovis, CA 93611 @9:00am-10:00am Event Link
• June Saturday Farmers Market- Old Town Clovis: 456 Clovis Ave, ste 2, Clovis, CA 93612 @9:00am-11:30am Event Link
• Tour the Ranch & Paint the Ponies!- Easy Does It Farms: 35470 Avenue 14, Madera, CA 93636 @10:00am Event Link

Sunday

• Father’s Day BBQ Block Party- Tioga Sequoia Brewing Co.: 745 Fulton St Fresno, CA 93721 @11:00am-7:00pm Event Link
• Fresno Father’s Day Run- Woodward Park: 7775 N Friant Rd, Fresno, CA 93720 @7:00am-10:00am Event Link
• Zoo’s Zoorassic Park- Fresno Chaffee Zoo: 894 West Belmont Ave Fresno, CA 93728 @9:00am-6:00pm Event Link
• Fresno Grizzlies vs. Omaha- Chukchansi Park: 1800 Tulare St Fresno, CA 93721 @5:05pm Event Link
• Summer Sounds- J Pot: 235 E Paseo Del Centro, Fresno, CA 93710 @8:00pm-11:00pm Event Link

Enjoy!

Jason

Did the arrival of summer create a full-on disaster in your yard?

Overgrown weeds that seemed to sprout out of nowhere and take over. Trees that looked fine a month ago and suddenly HAVE to be trimmed. A bunch of flowers that are thirsty, leggy, and in need of pruning.

This is exactly what my yard looked like a couple of weeks ago, I’m not going to lie.

But I was able to implement a simple plan of attack. When it was over, I felt so much relief and was able to enjoy my beautiful garden again!

I’ve outlined the steps below so if you’re experiencing that “oops, I forgot to do a spring clean up of my yard before the beautiful Fresno summer rolled in” too — you can be on your way to soaking up the sun in your gorgeous yard in no time.

If you’ve got any tips for me too, I’d love to hear them!  Join in on the conversation on Instagram @FresYes – or on Facebook – the hashtag is #FresYesInsider)

Trim those trees

When cleaning up anything, it’s important to start from the top down. If you decide to get everything perfect on the ground before you look up, you’re going to negate all of your hard work!

Spruce up what’s above you before working on anything else. If you have to bring in a tree trimming service, you definitely don’t want them trampling all of your beautiful plant material. If it’s gotten that bad, here’s a list of local experts to check out.

Prune bushes and flowers

Next, take some time and prune all of your bushes and flowers. It’ important to do this step before you clean out the beds.

That way, you can let the cuttings fall into the beds and clean everything up all at once.

Clean up flower beds

You have to get the dead plant material and weeds out of the flower beds if they’re ever going to look nice again.

I know, this is probably my least favorite part of the process too. Weeds are just the worst. But, if you do it well and do it right, you won’t have to mess with them for a while.

If you’re feeling extra productive, you can even throw down some of that weed barrier which helps those pesky, annoying suckers from even coming into your beds in the first place. It’s difficult to get down, but you won’t have to do it again for years.

Pro Tip: Spray weeds with plain white vinegar and sprinkle with salt. Let sit in in the sun for best results. The next day, your weeds will be dead — and it’s eco-friendly.

Lay down mulch

For the finishing touch, put down some mulch.

This helps keep weeds at bay and helps to retain moisture around your freshly pruned plants. It can be a labor-intensive step — lugging bags of mulch around is a lot of work.

But, the good news is, you can skip the gym on days you do this much yard clean up.

And that’s it! A simple plan to clean up your garden and finish decluttering your life in the process! Let us know how your garden grows on Instagram – @FresYes!

Happy Gardening,

Gabi

There’s something exciting and new coming to our wonderful Fresno Chaffee Zoo! For a limited the Zoo will be home to Zoorassic Park presented by The Kirkland Foundation, a self-guided exhibit featuring 21 lifelike and life-size dinosaurs that move and make sounds.

The exhibit will open to the public starting this Saturday, June 8, at 8:30 a.m. As part of the grand opening celebration, the first 100 children to enter at the Zoo admissions booth starting at 8:30 a.m. with paid entry will receive a free ticket to the Zoorassic Park exhibit. (Children must be accompanied by an adult with paid entry to the Zoo and the exhibit.) The morning’s festivities will include additional opportunities to learn about paleontology and interact with the exhibit through special photo opportunities and appearances by mascots and puppets.

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Other limited-time programs for dinosaur enthusiasts throughout the exhibit’s time at the Zoo will include dinosaur-themed birthday party packages, paleontology summer camps, and a T. Rex adopt-an-animal.

In addition to presenting sponsor The Kirkland Foundation, wonderful local sponsors Haron Jaguar Land Rover and Fresno State are also to thank for this exciting, kid-tastic exhibit.

Zoorassic Park tickets can be purchased starting June 8 at the Zoo admissions booth or online at www.fresnochaffeezoo.org. Advance purchase is recommended for ease of access and to reduce wait time at the booth. The exhibit will run through October 31, 2019.

Zoorassic Park Exhibit Ticket prices are as follows:

• Adults (12 and up): $4
• Children (2-11): $3
• Babies 1 and under: Free
• Zoorassic Park Season Pass for Fresno Chaffee Zoo Members: $20. This provides all individuals covered on the membership will have unlimited entry to Zoorassic Park through the end of the exhibit.

Regular Zoo admission prices are currently:

• $12.95 for adults
• $7.95 for children and seniors

The Zoo is located within Fresno’s Roeding Park at 894 W. Belmont in Fresno, 93728. Parking at Roeding Park is $5/vehicle.

Have a ZOO-tastic time! Oh, and please tag us when you do! #FresYesInsider, @FresYes.

Wishing you nothing but fun,
–Natali

We are almost to the weekend, Fresno! I hope you are having an excellent week. We have a great line up of events happening this weekend, so grab your loved ones and go out and have some fun!

Friday

• Violin On Fire Featuring Patrick Contrer- ApCal: 32749 Avenue 7 Madera, CA 93627 @5:00pm-10:00pm Event Link
• Table Mountain 19th Annual Powwow Rancheria- Fresno County Fairgrounds: 1121 S Chance Ave Fresno, CA 93702 @5:00pm Event Link
• Bass Lake LIVE (Summer Concert Series)- The Pines Resort: 54432 Road 432, Bass Lake, CA 93604 @6:30pm Event Link
• 2019 Merced County Fair- Merced County Fairgrounds: 900 Martin Luther KIng Jr. Way Merced, CA 95341 @5:00pm-12:30am Event Link
• First Friday Art Hop- Downtown Visalia: 300 E. Oak Ave Visalia, CA 93291 @5:00pm-8:00pm Event Link

Saturday

• 3rd Annual Fruit Trail Bus Tour- 1789 Jensen Ave Suite B Sanger CA 93657 @9:00am-5:30pm Event Link
• Sidewalk Astronomy- River Park: 71 E Via La Plata Fresno, CA 93720 @7:00pm-10:00pm Event Link
• Shadow of the Giants 50K- GreenMeadows Outdoor School Fish Camp, California Event Link
• June Cellar Tasting- Trelio Restaurant: 438 Clovis Ave #4, Clovis, CA 93612 @1:00pm-3:00pm Event Link

Sunday

• Hot Fudge Sundae Run- Woodward Park: 7775 N Friant Rd, Fresno CA, 93720 @8:00am-10:00am Event Link
• Forestiere Underground Gardens Tour- Forestiere Underground Gardens: 5021 W. Shaw Ave. Fresno CA, 93722 @10:00am-4:00pm Event Link
• Sunday Morning Meditation- The Revue: 620 E Olive Ave, Fresno CA 93728 @9:00am-10:00am Event Link
• Summer Season Kick-Off Party- Sierra Bicentennial Park: 84 N. Sunnyside Ave. Clovis CA @10:30am-12:30pm Event Link

Did you know that 80% of all housing moves occur between the months of April and September? We are in the middle of peak moving season and for those of you thinking of selling your home, here are some questions you should be considering. (Bonus: For a free home valuation click here!)

How much is your home worth?

Most of us like to think if we just pull up our favorite national real estate site and, boom, your home value is ready for you, right?

Unfortunately, it still remains true that we shouldn’t believe everything we read on the internet. These automated estimates are sometimes close to your home’s value but often times they are far off. The algorithms used to determine these values might not always be accurate when accounting for the age of your home, size, condition, similar recently sold properties and they certainly can’t calculate the value of any upgrades you have made to your home.

The only way to get a REAL home valuation is to talk to a real estate agent. You want someone who is selling homes in your neighborhood frequently and will be able to tell you what your specific home with its specific features will capture on today’s market. Better yet, a real estate agent can help you to figure out what you can do to your home to get that value up even higher. Which is a perfect segue to . . .

How do you sell for the highest price possible?

Your neighbor’s home just sold for $15,000 higher than any estimate of your home’s value you have found online. What made their home so special?

This is where using a real estate agent to get all the details about the home is valuable. They’ll be able to give you specifics about the condition, upgrades, bonuses, and what the “selling points” of the home were.

There are a few things you can do before reaching out to an agent though, including decluttering your home, sprucing up the landscape, and making any needed repairs to your home. Check out my post on Upgrades to Increase Your Home’s Value for more tips.

When and if you do decide to put your home on the market, you’ll want to make sure to work with an agent who offers to have your home staged and uses a professional photographer (all agents at FresYes offer this, btw). By making your home shine, you are going to get more showings, more offers and a higher sales price for your home!

How much time will it take to sell your home?

This depends largely on the market. In the Fresno area, we are seeing homes sell in about 40 days on average. Some homes are selling faster, and some are taking a little longer of course. Pricing, availability of homes for sale, the marketing of your home and buyer demand will all factor into the amount of time your home spends on the market. Pricing it correctly and having great marketing will not only help you to sell your home quickly but also get you the most amount of money for your home.

If you are needing more time to move but want your home to be on the market now, there are many options for extending an escrow period or maintaining occupancy after a sale. Your real estate agent will be able to help you navigate this process.

Finally, should I use an agent to sell my home?

Yes, yes, yes! Full disclosure, I’m a real estate agent so of course, I’m going to say yes but here’s how I and my fellow agents can help:

1. We help you to see the big picture. You still have a life to live! Laundry, kids, working out, friends, work, etc. don’t stop just because you’ve listed your home for sale. A real estate agent will help you to navigate selling your home with the least amount of stress possible.
2. We have the tools to help you market your home. Professional photographers, stagers, access to the MLS, and call/email lists are crucial to marketing your home.
3. A good agent knows the best repairmen, electricians, landscapers, pool cleaners, etc. to get your home ready to go or make an necessary repairs during the sale of your home.
4. Your agent can help you manage the sale of your home while simultaneously helping you to make your next move whether it is purchasing a new home, moving into a rental or relocating.

Selling a home can be as simple as putting a sign in the yard and snapping a few quick pictures but if you want the most amount of money for your home at terms that are favorable to you, you definitely need an agent. There is so much that goes into the sale of a home that most sellers can’t, and really shouldn’t, handle it on their own.

Answering these questions is a good start and once you are ready to move forward, the entire team here at FresYes Realty is ready to get to work for you.

If you have any questions, I’m happy to help. Reach out to me at luis@fresyes.com and connect with me on Instagram.

Bonus: For a free home valuation click here!