Improvements & updates are made periodically to the McGee House (a fully-furnished house available for short-term rent in central Berkeley, California) - these improvements and changes make the house more comfortable and convenient. This weblog is updated to describe those changes as they occur.
[This weblog is "RSS-enabled" so you can subscribe to get updates as they are posted - see the "Subscribe to RSS feed" link near the bottom of the left side bar.]
(A detailed list of all amenities is available on this page)
New Grill in the Back Yard
Grill
A new propane grill has been put into the back yard at the McGee house.
Guests now have another cooking option at the McGee House: barbecuing / grilling.
New Furnace
Furnace is energy Efficient
A new whole-house forced air furnace has been installed in the McGee house.
This is a high-efficency / energy-star-rated (quiet) furnace that provides heat to the entire house through 5 vents (one in each room: main room, kitchen, bedroom 1, bedroom 2, and bathroom).
New Kitchen Faucet
Faucet
A new European Hansgrohe kitchen faucet has been installed in the McGee house.
This has a built-in sprayer.
New Refrigerator
Refrigerator
A new quiet and efficient GE stainless steel refrigerator has been installed in the McGee house.
Energy Star compliant (low energy use).
New Range
Range
A new range (oven and natural gas cooktop) has been installed in the McGee house.
Manufacturer = Dynasty/Jade.
It is a commercial grade model, with
burners that can produce a lot of heat if
desired.
New Folding Desk Installed
New Folding Desk - folded down
New Folding Desk - up for use as a desk
A folding desk has been installed in the main bedroom of the McGee house.
The desk folds down when not needed providing more open space in the bedroom.
It is a sustainably harvested mahogany (solid wood), and makes the bedroom a more comfortable area for writing or using a laptop computer.
Dishwasher Installed
New Bosch Dishwasher
A dishwasher has been installed in the McGee house.
It is a quiet and efficient Bosch model.
New Universal Remote
Remote
A new Universal Remote (Harmony One) has replaced the old remote to control the TV, DVD/CD Player/Surround Sound System (including Radio), and Satellite TV Box.
So only this remote is required to control all entertainment devices, and to start a function (e.g, watch DVD) only one button has to be pressed, and the correct devices (in this case, the TV and DVD player/Surround Sound System) are turned on and ready to go.
New Washer / Dryer
New Quite / Efficient Washer and Dryer Pair
New Washer and Dryer Pair was installed a few days ago.
These are modern, quite and efficient models made by Bosch.
Lower Rates for Stays Between 11 and 18 Nights
Previously, all bookings less than 18 nights were $220/night.
But I have updated these rates to give a lower rate for stays between 11 nights and 18 nights - bookings of these duration are now $200/night.
And stays 10 nights or less are $220/night.
This pricing structure better reflects my lower cost when someone stays for a longer period (since there would be fewer vacant nights between very short stays).
…
Universal Remote
Remote
<Note: This universal remote has now been replace by a Harmony One - see more recent update here>
A Universal Remote (Harmony 880) has been added to the house to control the TV, DVD/CD Player, Radio, and Cable Box.
Before, multiple remotes had to be used, and multiple buttons had to be pressed to get all the correct devices on.
…
High Chair
High Chair
For guests with young toddlers, I have made available a high chair for the kitchen or dining area.
This high chair is probably suitable for a child 6 months or older, but depends on the size of the child.
I can place this high chair in the house on request (it is not permanently stored in the house). …
Air Mattress
Air Mattress
So that the house can sleep 5 more comfortably, I have made available a "quick inflate" air mattress.
This is a top of the line mattress made for guest rooms (not for camping) - made by Aero.
I can place this mattress in the house on request (it is not permanently stored in the house). …
Surround Sound Home Theatre System
Surround Sound System
The system is hooked up to the TV in the living room. It replaces an older simple DVD player.
This new system can play DVDs, CDs, and the radio, all in 5 speaker surround sound.
When playing a DVD, you get the benefit of this surrounds system for audio, and the benefit of the high definition TV for the picture.
Back Yard Deck
Deck
New eco-friendly (no splinters) deck installed in the private back yard in May 2009.
Trex decking material was used; this is an eco-friendly material made of sawdust and recycled plastic shopping bags.
New Kitchen Flooring
Kitchen Floor
New eco-friendly kitchen flooring was installed in Feb 2008.
Easy to clean, and soft underfoot.