New Home Finder

BY METRO Electric vehicles are widely touted as the vehicles of the future. Despite the growing availability of such cars in the present day, for many drivers EVs re- main a novelty. That means buying an EV for the first time is a wholly new and unique experi- ence. Tesla EVs might be the most visible electric cars on the road today, but most major auto manufacturers, includ- ing Nissan and Chevro- let, produce EVs as well. That means auto buyers have more EV options now than ever before, which can make the process of buying such a car more exciting, but also more difficult. Nar- rowing down a growing number of options may not come easy to first- time EV buyers, who can keep these tips in mind as they begin this excit- ing journey. Charging stations Get an idea of the accessibility of charging stations around your home. Ready to buy a home? One of the benefits of moving to a new-home community is that they often feature car charg- ing access. However, while the number of public charging stations is on the rise, there's still a lot of work to be done in this area. In fact, re- search from McKinsey & Company indicates that nearly half of consum- ers in the United States indicate that battery or charging issues are their foremost concerns about buying EVs. The automotive re- source Auto Trader notes that most EVs have enough battery range to cover more than the average daily commute in America. But drivers who hope to use their EVs as their everyday cars that take them to work and help them run errands and get around town should confirm there are enough pub- lic charging stations to make that possible. Look into subsidies The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renew- able Energy notes that all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars purchased new in or after 2010 may be eligible for a federal income tax credit that could be as high as $7,500. State and/or local incentives also may apply. The Canadian Au- tomobile Association reports that the govern- ment of Canada offers point-of-sale incentives of as much as $5,000 for drivers who buy or lease an EV. These subsidies can help bring the cost of EV ownership down by a sig- nificant amount and are worth exploring as driv- ers decide which electric car or truck to buy. Consider the parking situation Homeowners who own single-family homes with a garage that can accommodate at least one vehicle can easily charge their EVs so long as they clear space in the garage where the car can be parked. Auto Trader notes that some garages may need to be upgraded with a level two char- ger, and that can be expensive. Drivers who must park their EVs outdoors overnight should know that this, too, may require some additional funds for electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE). Local building codes may govern the installa- tion of such equipment, which is best performed by an electrician. These are some additional costs of EV ownership that first-time buy- ers must consider and research before they switch to an electric car or truck. EVs may become the new normal over the next several decades. But before that day arrives, first-time EV buyers must consider a host of factors as they shop around for an electric car or truck. Tips for first-time electric car buyers offer single-story homes for sale complete with Thoughtful Design fea- tures to accommodate their lifestyles, as well as on-site amenities and resort-style recreation. Lennar's signature Everything's Included program also pro- vides additional value in every single home they build, with a high level of upgrades and features as standard. Items such as stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, upgraded cabinetry, integrated home automation and whole-home connectiv- ity all are included at no extra cost. Models are open by appointment only, with virtual tours online, self-guided tours and Lennar-guided tours available. To learn more or schedule yours, visit www.lennar.com/ sacramento or call an internet sales consul- tant at (916) 304-9711 today. Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Len- nar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar's Financial Ser- vices segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar's homes and, through LMF Commer- cial, originates mortgage loans secured primarily by commercial real es- tate properties through- out the United States. Lennar's Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental prop- erties. LENX drives Lennar's technology, innovation and strategic investments. For more information about Lennar, please visit lennar.com. Content provided by Lennar Sacramento Lennar from page 1 How to acclimate an adopted cat to its new home BY METRO Cats have a special place in the hearts of millions of people. These wily rascals can be flirty, funny or even aloof. The personality of cats, coupled with their com- pact size, makes them ideal pets for homes of all sizes. The American Soci- ety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says approximately 1.3 million cats are adopted from animal shelters each year. However, of the cats entering shelters, only around 37 percent are ultimately adopted, according to the National Kitten Coalition. Indi- viduals who adopt cats may want to take every step they can to make the relationship with a new companion animal work. That often means finding ways to help the cat feel comfortable by acclimat- ing it to its new home. The length of time it will take to adjust to a new environment depends on the cat's temperament. However, these tips can help. Pick a familiar item and bring it with you Does the cat have a favorite toy, carrier or scratching post? Mov- ing something into the home that has the animal's smell may help him or her adjust more quickly. Select a room as a home base Introducing the cat to the entire home and all of the people in it can be overwhelming. Rather, select a small room in the home, such as an office or laundry space, that the cat can call home for the time being. With the door closed, this small space can be comforting and let the cat learn the smells and sounds of the home before it ven- tures into other areas. Remember to visit often and provide plenty of love and affection as tolerated. Avoid lots of traffic Now is not the time to host a house party. Remove stressors such as large crowds, in- creased foot traffic and kids' play dates. Loud sounds and sudden movements can put cats on edge. Don't force the issue The kitty will start to come around when he or she is ready. Don't be compelled to pull the pet out from hiding under a bed or couch; let the cat set the pace. Keep kids away Young children tend to be boisterous and jerky, which isn't a good mix with a skittish cat. While the cat is ac- climating, keep young children away. When they are introduced, do so in small intervals and supervise care- fully so the cat does not get hurt and children are not accidentally scratched or bitten by a scared cat. Provide a quiet area Perhaps that first room or a cozy nook can be the cat's quiet spot. According to cat behav- iorist Jackson Galaxy, cats need solitude and quiet time. A box or bas- ket lined with soft, wash- able bedding in a corner can serve as a place for a cat to retire to. Introduce your existing pets slowly Existing pets should be introduced gradually. Keep a dog confined until the cat feels se- cure in the home. Two altered cats can become friends in the same home. However, older cats often are more ac- cepting of kittens than other adults. Keep this in mind when making introductions. Cats are happiest when they've had time to settle and get used to surroundings in their new home. Once the adoption takes place, give the cat plenty of time to become com- fortable in its new environment. H6 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP 001 Homes | Advertising Section

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