Updates / News

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.

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(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

hansgrohe kitchen 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 - folded down

New Folding Desk - up for use as a desk

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

McGee House Dishwasher

A dishwasher has been installed in the McGee house.

It is a quiet and efficient Bosch model. 

New Universal Remote

Remote

McGee House Universal 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

McGee Hpuse Washer / Dryer

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

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

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

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.

HD TV

HD TV

McGee HD TV

Replaced standard TV with  a new large screen high definition TV (HDTV).

New Kitchen Flooring

Kitchen Floor

New eco-friendly kitchen flooring was installed in Feb 2008.

Easy to clean, and soft underfoot.


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For questions, contact Mark at 
mfoy@vitalita.com or +1-510-205-3840 (8AM to 10PM Pacific Time - 7 days a week) -  http://www.vitalita.com/rental/