Why You Should Incorporate Indoor Plants Into Your Decor

/in , /by

The benefits of indoor plants are numerous.  They purify our indoor air, thanks to the process of photosynthesis, whereby they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.  As part of this photosynthesis process, plants also release moisture vapor, thereby increasing the humidity of a room.  This increased humidity is a boon for those with respiratory issues such as allergies, sore throats and dry coughs.  Plants also remove air-borne toxins from the air, including up to 87% of volatile organic compounds (VOCS) every 24 hours, according to research by NASA.  For these air purification results, consider using up to 15-18 plants in 6 to 8-inch diameter pots for a house of average size (1,800 square feet).  The goal is one larger-size plant every 100-square feet or two smaller plants (in 4 to 5 inch pots).

Now, which plants should you incorporate into your home décor?  Given that many people claim to not have a green thumb, here are some plants that are considered to be pretty indestructible, as they don’t require a lot of care and maintenance.  The Corn Plant is a beautiful specimen that thrives in low-light areas, and are perfect for the corners of a room.  They can grow up to six feet tall, so they are perfect for adding height and dimension to any room.

Another easy-care plant is the Pothos.  This plant works best sitting on a taller ledge or shelf as they feature trailing vines.  When the vines get too long for your liking, just trim them and put the clippings in a glass of water to root for future repotting.  The Maranta (or Prayer Plant) is a beautiful plant with bold patterns interspersed with red leaves.  This plant does best in a pot on a lower table.

The Jade plant is a succulent that is right on trend this year, with succulent plants being all of the rage in design quarters.  This plant is very fast-growing and hardy.  The Snake Plant is one of the easiest, low-maintenance plants as it doesn’t require replanting from its original pot.  Just place in a decorative basket or pot (after lining it to capture water), and you’re ready to enjoy this plant that will add drama to any room.

Chris & Cheryl Park, REALTORS® – Scottsdale and surrounding areas experts.

The Importance of Landscape Design

/in , , /by

Your home’s curb appeal is the initial advertisement of the home for potential buyers.  After viewing your home on the Internet, potential buyers will then drive by your home.  Implementing a landscape design that will work with the style of your home, the climate and your existing lawn maintenance system is critical to your home-selling success.

curb appeal photoTaking a few simple steps to update and maintain your home’s exterior will invite potential home buyers to come closer to check out all that your home has to offer.  First, take a closer look at your front yard’s landscaping.  Nothing says deferred maintenance like a desert landscape riddled with weeds and overgrown trees.  Pruning and trimming all trees and shrubs will allow potential buyers to actually see your home, and will also demonstrate that the current homeowners care about their property, which is a good sign.   Placing fresh flowers or desert plants in pots near your walkway or front door is also another quick and inexpensive step to freshen up your home’s exterior and landscape.

If you live in a neighborhood where the HOA dictates your landscaping, be sure to take a look at those requirements before listing your home for sale.  For example, DC Ranch requires a certain number and types of plants, trees and bushes.  If any of those die and aren’t replaced, the sale of your home will be held up until they are replanted.  If you don’t have an HOA that requires this to be done, then be sure the plants, trees and bushes are all in good health and are connected to a working drip system or sprinkler system.  These systems will be examined during any home inspection so it’s important that they are in good working order before you list your home for sale.

As your realtors, we can give you more specific advice unique to your home and situation to help you maximize your home’s potential in these areas.  Contact Us!

Save Money With These Home Energy Conservation Tips

/in , /by

Whether you are listing your home for sale, or seeking to update your current home, environmentally friendly features are updates that will only increase the value of your home.  One simple step to go green is to replace your older appliances with energy-efficient versions.  Appliances with the Energy Star certification are 10-50% more efficient, on average, than traditional appliances.  Energy Star refrigerators, for example, use 40% less energy than refrigerators produced in 2001, for example. And, while you are updating these appliances, make sure they are stainless steel (silver, black or slate are all on trend and will stay on trend for years to come).  Motion sensor light switches in all bathrooms and closets are another easy way to update your home while increasing both the value and the efficient use of energy.

Another quick way to go green is to install a digital thermostat.  These new thermostats are programmable, have no moving parts (thus need no repair), and they increase the efficiency of the energy used to heat and cool your home, which is better for the environment, and your wallet. Water is another area in which conservation is key.  Low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets are all easy ways to reduce the amount of water used in everyday life.  Drinking water is another area where a small investment can pay big dividends for the environment.   Water filtration systems such as reverse-osmosis will eliminate reliance on wasteful plastic bottles and containers, and will reduce one’s carbon footprint.  These systems will also be touted as an upgrade if you do decide to put your home on the market.

Finally, whether you are painting your home to prep it for sale, or freshening up the paint in your current residence, low or no VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint is an easy way to reduce the toxicity of your environment.  The EPA has determined that inside air is 3-5 times more toxic than outdoor air, thanks to the toxic compounds in paint and finishes in your home.  Low or no VOC paint is also beneficial for health reasons, and people with allergies or sensitivities to chemicals will also appreciate these paints.

The real estate market is hot this spring!  Are you considering selling your home? Get started with this free HOME VALUE ESTIMATE.

Why HOAs Are a Good Thing

/in , /by

Homeowners’ Associations, or HOAs, don’t necessarily have the best reputations nowadays.  From the overzealous curb appeal checks (leaving your trash can out a minute too long is a no no!) to the fines for fading paint on your home’s façade, it can certainly be argued that HOAs aren’t every homeowner’s cup of tea.  However, there are some very solid arguments regarding the benefit of these HOAs.

First, depending on the neighborhood of course, HOAs often fund and maintain the community amenities.  Whether your community features gated access or roving security, or community pools and clubhouses, or even pocket parks and sport courts, these amenities are supported and maintained via HOA fees.  The hassle of these fees is often outweighed by the benefits and your enjoyment of these amenities.

Second, HOAs establish and enforce the regulations that ultimately protect the value of your property and home.  Without these regulations, it can be argued that homeowners would not be incentivized to maintain the exterior of their homes, or their landscaping.  Your neighbor cannot do anything to his or her home that would adversely impact the value of your own home, without the threat of and imposition of hefty fines.  Simply taking a drive through a neighbourhood without an HOA, which likely features a few run-down homes, is proof of this argument.

Finally, HOAs often maintain and instil a sense of community.  HOAs can be used to resolve disputes between neighbours without having to involve the local police department.  Many HOAs will organize community events such as carnivals and potlucks.  Other HOAs spearhead neighbourhood watch groups, which help boost neighbourhood security.

 

Visit the Wild West

/in , /by

Cave Creek Frontier Town photoIf you’re interested in visiting some of the iconic Old West sites, there are definitely some places worth paying a visit in Arizona. For example, a kid-friendly attraction, Rawhide is a fun destination. This theme park is styled after a real Wild West frontier town, complete with a general store, a saloon, a blacksmith, and a photo emporium. There are also attractions such as a petting zoo, hay rides, gold panning, a shooting gallery and live-action stunt shows. While there is no charge to enter Rawhide, there is a price per attraction (or you can buy an all-inclusive wristband). Rawhide closes for the summer, but is now open during the fall, winter and spring seasons.

A few hours south of the Valley of the Sun is the town of Tombstone. Known as “the town too tough to die”, this historical town is centered around the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park. This two-story museum houses several historical documents and memorabilia which describe the O.K. Corral gunfight between Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and the cowboy fugitives. The museum also is home to a reproduction of the sheriff’s office, courtroom and gallows. Also in Tombstone are the Bird Cage Theatre and the Boothill Cemetery (with its humorous headstones). Every second, fourth and fifth Sunday of the month, the Tombstone Vigilantes re-enact gunfights on Allen Street, and on the fourth Saturday of the month, shops stay open late for Tombstone at Twilight. Consider also stopping at Old Tucson Studios on your way back home. This 320-acre Western town/movie set and theme park recreates the Wild West as seen in more than 300 TV shows and movies, including 3 John Wayne westerns. You’ll have your choice of performances and stunt shows, you can pan for gold, take a trail ride around the property or watch living-history presentations. Old Tucson Studios is open only on the weekends from October 1 through September 5 (closing for the month of September).

If you’re interested in more natural views of the Wild West, check out Monument Valley, located on the Arizona-Utah border. Monument Valley, located on the Navajo reservation, features scenes of breathtaking natural beauty that will be recognizable to anyone who has watched a Western movie. Check out Goulding’s Lodge & Trading Post, which has a free (donations accepted) museum featuring movie stills, call sheets, movie posters and other memorabilia, as well as a detailed map featuring specific movie locations around Monument Valley.  You can also hire a Navajo guide for a personal tour, who will share the stories and legends behind each rock formation. For more history about mining in Arizona, head to Goldfield Ghost Town, located in Apache Junction at the base of the Superstition Mountains. You can take a 25-minute tour of a mine shaft, and also tour the town with its museum, bordello, a church, livery stables as well as a reptile exhibit. Other activities include a zip line, a shooting gallery, panning for gold, riding a train and horseback rides. Gunfights are held on Saturdays and Sundays. Finally, the Yuma Territorial Prison is located in a State Historical Park, and is home to a museum which details what life was like for those incarcerated at the turn of the 20th century. The first prisoners in 1876 were the ones who built the cells in which they were imprisoned. You can visit the former mess hall and walk around inside of the original cell block.

Lighting Fixtures

/in , /by

Whether you are thinking about selling your home, or just want to update your current home, paying attention to your lighting fixtures is a great way to brighten your living areas, as well as make them more current with today’s trends and styles.

updated lighting photoThere’s nothing worse for an agent to walk into a home that shines everywhere but with the lighting fixtures. This is such an easy and often inexpensive fix. With the advent of so many unique and beautiful lighting options, some lighting fixtures can even double as a focal point of the room itself. While you don’t need to have a fancy, expensive chandelier, taking the time to pick out a dramatic lighting fixture in the right space will make your room look amazing.

For example, on trend right now are tiered lighting fixtures. These fixtures are stacked and multi-dimensional and look fantastic in dining rooms. Another dining room lighting fixture that’s becoming very popular are rectangular chandeliers. These can be anything from an industrial chic chandelier to classic crystals or even brushed nickel with Edison bulbs in glass enclosures.

Pendant lighting is a classic fixture over kitchen islands, but are still on trend, especially some of the larger pendant fixtures with 8 or 10 bulbs. Cage pendants are particularly stylish, yet are traditional. Oversized drum lighting fixtures are another fun trend that also read as classic in many rooms, from the living room and bedroom to the dining room and kitchen.

Whatever lighting fixture you choose, be sure to pay attention to finish and scale. While being matchy-matchy with the rest of the fixtures in your rooms (such as door hardware and faucets) isn’t a requirement, keeping in the same tone and color family will create a harmonious design décor. The scale of the fixture is also important. If you choose an oversized lighting fixture for drama, tone done the rest of the surrounding décor so it doesn’t compete with the scale of the fixture. The bottom line, however, is that going light and bright with beautiful lighting fixtures is a win-win proposition for updating your home, or getting it ready for sale to maximize your resale value.

Contact Us for a free home value estimate.

Trends in Tile Flooring in 2017

/in , /by

Whether you are thinking about selling your home, or just want to update your current home, taking a look at current trends in tile flooring is a great way to make sure your home is updated and on par with today’s trends and styles. Tile is a perennially popular option for flooring thanks to it being so low maintenance. From pet owners to parents to allergy sufferers, everyone loves tile floors for bathrooms and kitchens, and often throughout the home.

wood tile photoOne major design trend in tile flooring is the wood-look plank style flooring that can be seen all over design blogs, in home improvement stores and on HGTV home design shows. These tile planks come in a wide range of colors, textures and sizes. While most of these tiles do mimic the look of wood floors very well, be careful if you venture into lower price ranges as some of these tiles tend to look too busy and “plastic”. Also, try to avoid larger or wider grout lines, as these detract from the wood look you will desire. The way these tiles are laid is also important, as the way they are set can convey a variety of styles from rustic to modern.

Another tile trend is the use of more modern larger format tiles, such as 24 x 24 inches. No longer do homeowners want or desire smaller 12 x 12 tiles, as the larger the better. These larger tiles tend to make rooms look larger and more open. Other larger tile sizes are 12 x 24 tiles. These can be laid in a brick pattern or laid straight, either of which will modernize a room. Some homeowners are mixing sizes of tiles, but be careful here as a busy pattern on the tile mixed with a varied size of tile may not result in the look you desire.

Finally, consider the color of tile when you are narrowing down the tile options. Beiges and browns are still on trend, and are staying the course with classic, traditional looks as well as more modern looks as they are a perfect neutral. But gray tiles in both warm and cool tones are absolutely on trend as well. Gray is currently the “it” color in the design world, and paired with a more traditional tile style, should stay the course of design trends should you desire to sell your home down the road. I’d be happy to share my opinions in this regard.

Are you considering selling your home?  Get started with a free home value estimate.

March Festivals in The East Valley

/in , /by

Scottsdale Waterfront monument photoOne of the perks of living in Arizona during the spring season is there’s no barrier to outdoor festivals, thanks to our fabulous, sunny and mild weather in March.  If you’re looking to get outside and enjoy this amazing time of year, here are a few fun activities to consider.

The annual Parada del Sol Rodeo takes places March 9-12 and is an outdoor rodeo competition with lots of extras such as pony rides, a petting zoo, a kids’ area, beer garden, a hoedown, professional bull riding contents and country music dancehall parties.  This event is open from 7 p.m. March 9 until 2 p.m. on March 12, at WestWorld of Scottsdale, located at 16601 N. Pima Road.  The rodeo offers both reserved and general admission/bleacher seating.

If the arts are more your speed, you may enjoy the Scottsdale Arts Festival which features over 170 national artists.  With an online bidding auction (proceeds benefit the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts), you can take home your favorite pieces.  The festival will also host live music, gourmet food and family-friendly art events.  March 10-12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Scottsdale.  There is an entry fee for adults, but this event is free for children younger than 12.

One unique festival is the 15th annual Kite Flying Festival in Fountain Hills on March 11th.  This event is presented by the Pakistan Information and Cultural Organization, and features food, music, arts and crafts and kids’ activities all by the famous fountain.  You will be able to purchase kites to join in on the fun.  From 11 am to 6 pm, in Fountain Park at 12925 N. Saguaro Boulevard.

Finally, another cultural event to consider is the 23rd annual Aloha Festival on March 11-12th at Tempe Beach Park, located at 80 W. Rio Salado.  This free festival features a celebration of the cultures of the South Pacific Islands, with performers, artists, crafts for kids, as well as a marketplace with foods and handiwork for sale.

Click here to learn about Scottsdale homes and neighborhoods

Keeping Your Home Secure While It’s on the Market

/in , /by

Home For Sale photoAdmittedly, listing your home for sale can be a stressful, and often disruptive life event.  One of the concerns that home sellers may have is keeping their home secure and safe while it’s on the market, and open to the public for showings.   Therefore, here are some tips to help you maximize keeping you and your family safe during this time.

First, while prepping your home for sale, take some steps to maximize your family’s privacy.  Remove anything in your home that contains private information such as personal photos, items with your family’s names on it, your children’s school information/team sports, and any financial information about you and your family.   As a corollary to this, also go through your home and remove (and secure) valuable items that you may have on display.  For example, items such as valuable musical instruments, jewelry, electronics, guns/gun safes, and artwork, are items that may be enticing to those with nefarious motives.

Another area to consider is items that may tip off people in your home that you will be absent for extended periods of time, such as calendars with upcoming vacations clearly marked.   And, do you have any medicine (especially narcotic pain medicine) in your medicine cabinets?  Prospective buyers do open these, to check out storage capacities, so be sure to secure these items before showings.   Finally, don’t leave extra keys out in the open (for your home, your vehicles, etc), or any key codes displayed where people can see them, or any extra remotes for your home’s garage.

Taking a few small steps to secure your home’s belongings as well as the security of your family will help to make this often-stressful time a bit less difficult to navigate.  Having this peace of mind will prove to be invaluable in the long run.  I’d be happy to give you more tips that are specific to you, and your individual situation.

Are you considering selling your home?  Get started with this free home value estimate.

High-Speed Adventures

/in , /by

Penske Racing Museum photoSometimes, dinner and a movie just isn’t going to cut it.  Sometimes, we feel the need for a high-speed adventure.  Here are a few places to consider paying a visit, to feel that wind in your hair:

  1. Located in Eloy, approximately a 30 minute drive from Phoenix, is SkyDive Arizona, which is one of the largest sky diving facilities in the world.  You can try tandem jumping, attend ground school to learn how to skydive solo, or for those who aren’t quite as daring, enjoy indoor skydiving in the vertical wind tunnel, where every minute in the tunnel is equal to a minute of free-fall skydiving time.
  2. Located in Scottsdale just west of the 101 freeway, Octane Raceway features a 1/3 mile indoor/outdoor track where you can race one of 32 electric Sodi RTX racing karts from Europe.  These karts have 10,000 RPM for maximum torque and a top speed of 45 MPH. Minimum height requirements are 54 inches, so even those under the age of 16 can join in the high-octane fun.
  3. Another go kart option can be found at K1 Speed, centrally located near the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.  The 20HP electric carts reach speeds up to 45 mph and racers will enjoy the large track.  Junior racers must be at least 48 inches tall.
  4. For a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience some REAL speed, check out the Bondurant High Performance Racing School.   Located in Chandler, AZ, Bondurant features a 1.6-mile, 15 turn multi-configuration race track on a 60-acre facility, designed by world champion driver Bob Bondurant.  Known as “The Fastest 60 Acres in America”, Bondurant also has access to the 3 racing tracks at Firebird International Raceway.  Drivers have access to over 200 cars equipped for racing on the tracks, and will receive full instruction and safety training before beginning one of multiple programs and passes available.  Bondurant also has a SuperKart Track for go karts, perfect for group outings, corporate kart leagues, for anyone at any skill level.

Be sure to check out www.groupon.com and www.livingsocial.com for coupons and deals for the above attractions.

Click here to learn about neighborhoods and  view homes for sale by map.