There are literally dozens of real estate terms that you should probably understand before you sign a purchase agreement, and one of the more important ones is “easements.”

You might be alarmed to find out after you’ve bought a home that it’s actually not entirely private – you might actually be legally obligated to share part of your property with the neighbor or let the local utility company waltz onto your yard to erect a telephone pole or bury a pipe.

The term “easement” essentially refers the right of one party to use another party’s property. In return for the right of easement, a fee is paid to the property owner. It’s also referred to as a “right-of-way,” and basically allows other parties to legally come onto your property.

It’s important to know if easements exist on the property you plan on buying, and the impact they have on the purchase or usage of the home. Here are a few common ones you should know about.

Easement in Gross

This type of easement is actually attached to the owner of the property, rather than the property itself. Easements in gross are usually fixed for the life of the owner, but they may be revoked if the owner sells that particular property. Maybe the homeowner has an easement in gross with a neighbor that allows the homeowner to use a path to go through the neighbor’s yard to reach the property. Once the owner sells that property, however, the easement in gross can’t be passed on to next property owner.

If you’re contemplating buying a house that has an easement which allows the present owner to use the adjacent neighbor’s property to pass through, make sure you identify whether or not it’s an easement in gross. If it is, you won’t be granted the same right to pass through the neighbor’s yard.

Easement By Necessity

When a person has the legal right to cross over another individual’s property in order to get to a landlocked parcel, it’s known as an ‘easement by necessity.’ These easements are described as ‘appurtenant,’ which means that they benefit a particular property, and not an individual.

This type of easement is created only when a landowner divides the property between two or more owners. It basically arises only when such a division of property causes a newly divided piece of land that no longer offers access to a public street.

To claim an easement by necessity, it must be proven that one party has divided his or her land and transferred part of it to the another party. It also needs to be proven that the division of the land causes one party to no longer have legal access to a public street or have any other easement over private property to access a public street.

If someone buys property that didn’t already have access to a public street, that person needs to buy easements as required to get access to a public street — or else wait for the government to construct a public street next to the land.

Easement By Prescription

If a person has been using a specific part of a property continuously for years without any consent from the owner, and such use has been seen by others during that time period, an easement by prescription has been created.

The prescriptive use of the property needs to be continuous and uninterrupted. This means that the user needs to make use of the easement on a regular basis, and not just occasionally.

Basically, the user gets an easement by openly and continuously using the land for the number of years that is specified by state laws.

Easement By Prior Use

When a property owner has been using part of his or her land in a way that benefits another part of the property, and then transfers one of these parts to another person, an easement by prior use has been created.

The individual claiming this type of easement must prove that one of the parties has divided the property and transferred part of it to the other. The individual must also prove that one of these land parts has been used to benefit the other part of the property in such a way that would be considered an easement if the parts were owned separately.

Like an easement by prescription, the prior use must have been continuous, and not just sporadic, up until the time that the land is severed. Not only that, but the prior use must have been apparent to the parties when the ownership was severed and transferred to another.

Easement By Estoppel

When an owner of land misrepresents the existence of an easement when selling a property, and doesn’t include an express easement over an adjacent property that the seller owns it in the deed, the courts can step in and create an easement. If the court determines that the buyer acted reasonably, and relied on what the seller promised, the court can create an easement by estoppel.

For instance, let’s say the owner of land sells to another on the promise that the buyer can use the seller’s driveway, but such an easement was never included in the deed. The buyer then builds a structure on the seller’s driveway, but the seller then decides to block off the driveway and prevent the buyer from accessing the driveway. In this case, a court can enforce an easement by estoppel.

All these terms might sound like foreign concepts. Your real estate agent is your best friend when it comes to identifying whether or not easements exist a home sale or purchase. Just as much as you should know about any structural issues in a home you plan on buying, so should you know about any existing easements that could have a huge impact on how you enjoy the use of your new home.

Gearing up for a move in the near future? Everyone who’s been in the middle of a real estate transaction knows that the process can be stressful – from the selling and buying process, to the move itself. That’s why any little bit of help in this department is much appreciated and welcomed.

These days, with technology taking over just about every aspect of our lives, we can take advantage of many awesome apps that are popping up all the time to make moving a cinch.

Here are 10 of the best apps to help get you through every step of the moving process.

1. AroundMe

When it comes to real estate, it’s all about location. The AroundMe app takes this very seriously by showing you nearby amenities, including banks, gas stations, schools, supermarkets, and hospitals near a specified location. You’ll get a number of listings in a certain area that are near the amenities you want, which can make the house hunting process a little easier.

2. House Hunter

This handy app available on iTunes was designed to handle some of the emotions that typically come with buying a new house. It allows you to establish a list of your priority features on a scale of 1 to 10 – homes are rated based on this scale to help you narrow down your choices of homes that meet your criteria. Pictures of the property’s interior and exterior can also be added to these ratings.

3. SiteWise

While a little on the pricier side at $9.99, the SiteWise app provides you with detailed information about the demographics of certain areas you’re contemplating moving into. Perhaps you’re looking for a neighborhood with young families, or an area with young working professionals. This app can give you a demographic report that includes population by age, household income, education level, number of children, and so on. It’s one of the best and easiest ways to find the perfect city or community for you, even if you’ve never even been there before.

4. Wikihood

This app is also really handy when it comes finding out what’s really happening in a neighborhood. Simply click on the Wikihood app when you’re looking for a neighborhood, and the app will automatically pull up all the articles found on Wikipedia that are related to the current geographic location of your phone. You’ll get an in-depth look at schools, hospitals, transit options, and even historical data about the area.

5. Homesnap

This MLS app helps you search the local multiple listing service (MLS) to find properties for sale in your area of choice. It also comes with a feature that lets you snap a photo of any home across the US to get instant property details, including the value of homes, when they last sold, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, property taxes, property boundaries, and many others. If a home catches your eye, you can use the app to contact your real estate agent to schedule a showing.

6. Mortgage Calculator Pro

For less than a dollar, you can have this app handy with you at all times to help you calculate your monthly mortgage payments for various homes you look at. This can help you more realistically compare the final price of various properties. You’ve got the option of including HOA fees, property taxes, and other miscellaneous items that can affect the price. You can save amortization tables on your computer to make it simpler to compare each home’s costs.

7. Dictionary of Real Estate Terms

Sometimes it can be tough to understand all the real estate terms that fly around on listings and during negotiations. The Dictionary of Real Estate Terms app features over 3,000 real estate terms that are defined in simple words. For $3.99, you’ll finally be able to find out what certain words and phrases on listings mean, like “encumbrances,” “easements,” and other big words you normally wouldn’t hear every day.

8. PDF Pen Pro

All the documents and contracts that you’ll be signing when buying and selling can be overwhelming. You might even have a tight deadline that you aren’t able to meet for some reason, or aren’t able to get to a certain location to sign the necessary documents in person. Being able to digitally review and sign this paperwork using an app like PDF Pen Pro (for $9.99) can help you keep on top of these documents and prevent you from missing deadlines.

9. Moving Day

This free app for iPhones features a built-in label-making and bar code scanning capability. To use this app, you can create bar codes on your iPhone, print out your labels, then tape them to the boxes when it’s time to finally start moving. This way, you’ll know exactly which room to put each box in your new home, and be able to easily find exactly what you’re looking for when you’re unpacking. You can scan your boxes and see the items inside without actually opening the box. If the scanner doesn’t work, you also have the ability to manually punch in the bar code.

10. iHandy Level Free

This app can come in really handy when you’ve finally found the home you love, finalized the purchase agreement, and moved in. Now comes time to decorate the interior to your tastes, and the iHandy app can really help. This app basically transforms your mobile phone into a level for exact alignment. Making sure your picture frames are straight has never been easier – no more excessive holes in the walls from improperly placed nails!

Buying, selling, and moving can be lengthy and complicated processes. Luckily, there are tools available at your fingertips to help make the moving process a little bit easier.

One of the advantages of living in a city as beautiful and diverse as San Diego is that it provides endless opportunities to explore varying neighborhoods and their local food, culture, and hidden gems. Unwinding after a long week in this city has never been any easier nor as exciting. The following is a guide to the hottest and coolest neighborhoods across the county.

North Park

If the recently re-branded Observatory North Park music venue is any indication, North Park continues its rise up San Diegans’ desired hangout spots. This neighborhood defines that which is cool, with its aforementioned music hotspot and surrounding specialty food stops. Check out Coin Op, a videogame-friendly bar or Polite Provisions for a delicious craft cocktail with a fantastic and unique 1920s inspired decor.

Little Italy

Whether you’re spending your lazy Saturday morning strolling through Little Italy’s insanely popular farmer’s market or sampling some of the best Italian fare at night that the city has to offer, you’ll be sure to never go hungry. Little Italy has been the neighborhood to watch over the last few years, with it’s non-Italian additions like Ironside Fish & Oyster, Kettner Exchange, and Craft & Commerce.

East Village

A few years back no one would have ever considered spending time in Downtown’s East Village, as it once was a seedier part of town. However, East Village has taken a 180 degree turn for the better and is the place to be for everything new new new. After a Padres game, consider avoiding overrun Gaslamp and step in to one of the local restaurants or bars. For an exquisite dinner experience go to Bottega Americano. If being outside and enjoying San Diego’s gorgeous year-round weather is more your thing then check out dog-friendly Quartyard, where you can sip on brews while playing corn hole or while eating a gourmet hot dog from S&M. Need another reason to go? Well if you’re a country music fan then Moonshine Flats is your spot. Get there early to learn how to line dance or go late to enjoy the latest country and top 40 tunes and dance your heart out. Bonus tip: on the other side of Moonshine is the Deck, which is a casual place to hang out, drink, and play games.

East County

Outdoor adventures abound in East County, which stretches from the La Mesa foothills to the mountains of Julian. There are endless trails for hiking, biking, and climbing that will thrill people of all skill levels. Take a relatively easy hike up Cowles Mountain or trek different trails in the largest state park in California – the 600,000 acre Anza Borrego State Park. After a day of hiking there are numerous quaint diners along historic Highway 94 or Highway 80 that will give you that taste of Americana. Speaking of Americana, take the day and go up to Julian to get a real taste of the best apple pie in California and maybe even the country.

Mission Bay to Pacific Beach

Imagine living in a place that feels like a constant vacation, sounds like perfection right? The blue waters and soft sand beaches from Mission to Pacific Beach boast an endless array of activities including kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing, wind surfing, sailing, surfing, and sport fishing. All ages can be entertained by SeaWorld San Diego or Belmont Park. Spending time in the shining sun and heat requires a break. Follow the smell of freshly baked cookies and you’ll find a line-up of people pouring out of Baked Bear, the latest obsession for those looking for finely crafted and oh so delicious ice cream sandwiches. For a night out, go to one of PB’s newest restaurant/bars, Backyard, where the decor and atmosphere beats all others on the Garnett strip.

Solana Beach/Leucadia/Encinitas

Solana Beach is a great beach town with a tight-knit, yet welcoming community. You can enjoy more than its picturesque beaches if you call this place home. Head over to the Cedros District for the best shopping and dining. The music scene at the Belly Up has been a mainstay since the 1970s and is a great place to see local and international talent.

With a slogan like, “keep Leucadia funky,” how could you not fall in love with this artsy North County beach town within Encinitas? There is even a whole annual program of events like Arts Alive, Battle of the Bands, and LeucadiART Walk that cement its arts focused reputation. While there don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the famous Surfing Madonna!

Nearby is Encinitas proper, where an influx of younger residents have brought with them new artisan coffee shops, breweries, bars, and restaurants. For the best cup of joe in town, head to Ironsmith Coffee Roasters, where the craft of coffee has been perfected.

Being a resident of San Diego has never been more exciting! Eclectic neighborhoods, endless outdoor and indoor activities, and chic restaurants and bars that rival those of major metropolitan cities make San Diego the only choice for living the best and highest quality of life.

A big, bright kitchen might be a dream come true for the majority of homebuyers these days, but restrictive budgets and limited square footage can be huge obstacles to overcome.

Luckily, there are clever ways you can expand the look and feel of your kitchen without breaking the bank.

1. Knock a Wall Down

If your kitchen is separated from an equally small living room by a wall, consider knocking it down. In fact, knocking down a wall is one of the easiest ways to open up the space in the kitchen, especially for experienced renovators and contractors. Sure, it might be the more expensive suggestion on this list, but for the price, it makes a massive difference.

If the wall is not load-bearing, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2,000 to $4,000 to take it down. However, if the wall is bearing the load of the second story, you could be faced with a much bigger bill considering the fact that structural issues will need to be factored in. But it could well be worth the cost when you see the finished product. Homeowners spend thousands and thousands of dollar on a brand new kitchen, and sometimes tearing a wall down is all it takes to completely transform the space.

2. Replace a Dividing Wall With a Raised Breakfast Bar

Instead of completely knocking a wall down, you could just tear down the upper half and leave the lower half intact. But to make it useful, consider turning that half wall into a raised breakfast bar, which can provide the space with some great functionality and practicality for more casual meals. Making the bar counter height is a contemporary way to update  the kitchen while making it feel bigger at the same time.

3. Use Plenty of Layered Lighting

Lots of light is always a good thing when it comes to opening and brightening up a small space. To maximize the effect that lighting has on your kitchen, consider adding layers of different fixtures throughout the room. Add a chandelier over the dinner table; hang pendant lights over the breakfast bar; install under-mounted lighting your cabinets; and brighten the inside of your cabinets with pot lights.

Keep the color of the lighting the same as the wall color and/or cabinets to boost the effect of the lighting in the kitchen. Lighter colors are always best in small spaces, as they reflect light and create a sense of space. When the same light colors are blended throughout various components, the effect of a larger space is even more enhanced.

4. Use Glass-Fronted Cabinets

Adding cabinets with glass fronts will draw the eye to the back of the cabinet, which helps expand the look of the space. Not only that, but glass is highly reflective; any light coming through the windows or from all the light fixtures will reflect off the glass surface, making the area look larger than it actually is. Playing with illusions such as these is great when there’s little you can do about the square footage in your kitchen.

5. Consider the Scale of Your Cabinets and Furniture

Having too many cabinets or an oversized dinette set will only make the kitchen look cramped. Instead, you should focus on things like a slim kitchen island, streamlined furniture pieces, and just enough cabinets to house all your utensils without taking up every square inch of the wall space. Everything that’s installed in the kitchen should fit to scale in order to avoid making the space look smaller than it really is.

6. Clear the Clutter

Nothing encloses a space more than clutter. And when it comes to the kitchen, the countertops can be easily crammed with dishes, utensils, bills, and anything else that you didn’t have the time to put away. For a cleaner, more streamlined look, clear off the clutter. It’s easy, fast, and doesn’t cost a cent.

While there are invasive and expensive ways to enlarge your kitchen space – such as physically expanding your home – there are simpler, more affordable ways to do so. Use a little imagination, and play up visual illusions in your space to make your kitchen look and feel more spacious.