What to Prioritize In a Kitchen Remodel

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Sibbach Kitchen photoIt’s often said that two rooms sell a home: the kitchen and the bathroom(s).  It’s also a widely-accepted truism that most home buyers are looking for homes that are updated, because simply put, they don’t want to do the work of updating.  Therefore, if the two most important rooms aren’t updated, many potential buyers will start adding up the cost to update the kitchen and the bathrooms, at minimum, and may not offer as much for those homes.

Therefore, if you are considering updating your home to maximize the sales price, as well as compete with similar homes in your neighborhood, there are ways to prioritize these updates, based on your budget:

  1. Paint.  Painting your kitchen, especially if it hasn’t been painted in the past five years, is a simple, inexpensive and quick way to update this area of your home.  Be sure to pick a neutral color that will appeal to the widest range of buyers, and that will coordinate with your existing cabinets, countertops and appliances.
  1. Stainless Steel Appliances.   Buyers still want stainless steel appliances, and this trend isn’t likely to change anytime soon.  After paint, updating your appliances is another cost-effective, yet simple way to quickly update your kitchen.
  1. Flooring.  After paint and appliances, take a look at the flooring in your kitchen.  Buyers prefer tile or other hard flooring in the kitchen.  Eighteen-inch porcelain or ceramic tiles in neutral colors are relatively inexpensive, yet provide a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to updating the look of your kitchen.
  1. Countertops. Non-laminate countertops in kitchens are very important to buyers in today’s market.  Granite or quartz countertops in the kitchen are upgrades that will quickly update the look and style of your kitchen.  There are various levels (or pricing) of granite, and I would be happy to suggest which level of granite would be appropriate for the price range of your home.
  1. Cabinets.  Assuming you’ve already implemented the above updates, when it comes to prioritizing updates in the kitchen, the last piece of the puzzle is updating your cabinets.  Depending on the type of wood and the style of cabinet you currently have, simply painting or refinishing your cabinets may do the trick.  If the interiors of your cabinets are in good condition but the style of the doors is not current, re-facing may be a better option to update your cabinets.    With re-facing, the doors and drawer fronts will be removed, and they can be replaced with any style or finish.  A finished wood veneer will be affixed to the cabinet sides, and new knobs and handles can complete the updated look.

Updating your kitchen with any of the above suggestions will be sure to help you maximize the final sale price of your home.  We look forward to working with you to prioritize the costs of any remodel or update you plan to undertake with an eye toward maximizing the sale price of your home.

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Interior Design Principles

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granite-luxury-kitchenThe proportion and placement of items in your home results in good interior design.  The following design principles will help you get ready to stage and list your home for sale, as well as help you set up your new home for optimal living and enjoyment.

Area rugs are a very large component of interior design, where placement and proportion are particularly useful.  In the living room, if you have placed your furniture against the walls, you can either pick a rug size that will allow your sofa and side chairs to rest half on the rug and half off of it, or you can choose a smaller rug where no seating touches it.  If your living area is larger than average, you’re better off with an area rug that’s large enough to have every piece of furniture fully placed on it.  In the bedroom, your aim is to make sure you are stepping onto a rug from the bed.  Therefore, you can position your area rug under the bed so that it peeks out two to three feet on either side and at the foot, without the nightstands resting on the rug.  (A good guideline to follow is 8 by 10 feet for a queen bed and 9 by 12 feet for a king).  Alternatively, consider placing a runner or smaller 3 by 5-foot rug on each side of the bed.

Another area where placement and proportion are important is hanging artwork or design pieces on the walls of your home.  The basic rule of thumb is to keep artwork at eye level, just as museums do.  If most members of your household are on the short side, hang art so the midpoint is about 57 inches from the floor.  Or, in rooms with ceilings higher than 8 feet, hang any artwork a bit higher than 60 inches from the floor from the midpoint of the art.  The exceptions here are if you are hanging your artwork over a headboard or a sofa.  In these situations, make sure the bottom of the frame is 8 to 10 inches above the piece of furniture.  This ensures the artwork is visually connected to the furniture and not free-floating above it.  Finally, if the artwork is very large (taller than 10 feet), disregard the midpoint rule and just position the bottom edge of the piece at least a foot from the floor.

Finally, the placement of lighting is a critical component of good interior design.  For pendant lights over a kitchen island, or a chandelier over a dining room table, for example, aim to hang these lights so the bottom hangs 30 to 34 inches from the table surface.  With regard to floor and table lamps, ensure the bottom edge of the lampshade is at eye level or just above when you are seated.  For a lamp on a nightstand, make sure the bottom of the shade is at chin level when you are seated in bed.  Finally, with sconces, the placement between them is the critical component.  For hallway sconces, position them 8 to 10 feet apart, and for bathroom mirror sconces, position them 36 to 40 inches apart, to ensure an even display of light.

These interior design principles are tried and true, and work in every type of home.  I hope they will serve you well in your home selling or home designing adventure.

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Understanding Title Insurance

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changes-sign photoTitle insurance.  It’s a mortgage term we’ve all heard, but what exactly is it?  Why is it necessary when purchasing a home?

Simply put, title insurance is another form of insurance for your home.  Just as flood insurance and homeowner’s insurance protects against loss from theft or fire or floods, title insurance protects the title to your home from financial hazards.  When you purchase a home, you’re not purchasing the actual land or the building, you are actually purchasing the title to the property (ie, the right to use and occupy the property).

The title to the property you intend to purchase may already be affected by claims or rights filed by others, and these claims may limit your use of the property and may even cause financial loss.   Therefore, by purchasing title insurance you are authorizing a search of public land records surrounding the property you intend to purchase.  A title agency typically will conduct this search, and will look for any evidence of issues surrounding the title.  For example, there may be a lien against the property due to the seller’s unpaid taxes, pending legal action against the property, or an unknown heir of a previous owner who claims ownership of the property.   Being aware of these issues will enable you to require these issues be addressed before you take title to the property.

Purchasing title insurance will protect against these hazards and defects that may exist in the title, and is purchased at one time, instead of annually.   While this is a quick overview of title insurance, we hope this has shed some light on a common part of a real estate transaction.  Every transaction is different, and while we are unable to give legal, tax or accounting advice, we look forward to helping you navigate your own process with ease and clarity.

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Desert Ridge Fitness Fun

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Fireside Comm Center photoDesert Ridge is home to many active adults and families as evidenced by the many residents out and about most days of the year.  Within the larger community of Desert Ridge are miles of well-maintained walking paths, which wind throughout the beautiful neighborhoods of Aviano, Fireside, Sanctuary, Lockwood Estates and the JW Marriott.  Every part of Desert Ridge can be reached by bicycle, thanks to the miles of bike lanes present throughout these communities.

Popular Aviano Park is a destination in its own right, but also is popular with fitness enthusiasts due to its manicured soccer fields, walking paths, sand volleyball courts, and an extra-large, shaded adventure playground.  Nearby Fireside Park also has nearby walking paths and two different shaded playgrounds.  Both Aviano and Fireside have their own private community centers.  Aviano’s center has a large pool, spa, tennis courts, and workout facility.  Fireside’s community center features a large pool with beach entry, as well as a fully-equipped fitness facility.  The new community of Sanctuary will also have its own community center when it is completed later in 2016.

The Reach 11 Recreation Area is adjacent to Desert Ridge to the west.  This 1,500-acre park has 18 miles of seven-foot wide, groomed, multi-use trails that bisect the entire park.   The Reach 11 Sports Complex has 17 lighted, international soccer fields.  Desert Ridge is also home to the beautiful Wildfire Golf Club, with its two award-winning courses:  the Palmer Signature Course and the Faldo Championship Course.

Desert Ridge is also conveniently located to many nearby hiking trails.  The Barrier Free Access Nature Trail is just south of Desert Ridge.   This multipurpose trail is used by equestrians, bicyclists, and hikers.  Just northwest of Desert Ridge is the newly opened Apache Wash Trailhead off of Sonoran Desert Drive.  This beautiful area features over 20 miles of trails perfect for beginning and intermediate level hikers.  The trails are shared by mountain bike cyclists, hikers and horseback riders, and the views from the summits are absolutely incredible.   Finally, Pinnacle Peak Park, approximately 10 miles to the east of Desert Ridge, features a 3.5-mile round-trip trail that is popular with everyone, from families to trail runners, thanks to its meticulously maintained wide trails and gorgeous vistas.

The Desert Ridge area is also home to many indoor fitness centers. Underground Fitness is a personal training studio located on Tatum Blvd, just west of the Desert Ridge shopping center.   A bit further west is the very well-equipped Mountainside Fitness, which features a full roster of group exercise classes, a state-of-the-art weight room and a large childcare facility.  Southeast of Desert Ridge is Lifetime Fitness which provides all types of fitness activities, from group fitness classes to swimming and basketball, in a luxury gym environment.  Amenzone Fitness is in nearby DC Ranch for CrossFit fans.

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Downsizing When a Tiny House Isn’t an Option

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C Park condoTiny houses seem to be quite the popular trend nowadays.  Thanks to TV shows, the news, and home magazine articles, we’ve been inundated with the popularity of tiny houses.  With the typical American home size being 2,400-2,600 square feet, the 100-400 square feet of tiny houses represents a 65 to 90% decrease in living space.  The reasons for the popularity of tiny houses range from financial to environmental, as well as a desire to simply downsize and simplify one’s life.

Quite simply, tiny houses aren’t for everyone, but for most people, downsizing will be necessary at some point in life, whether it’s a home post-retirement or a vacation home or even a home to create a simpler lifestyle.  However, making the move from a larger home to a home with a smaller footprint takes some planning.

One of the first steps in downsizing is to take inventory of your things, as your possessions that currently fit into your larger home simply will not fit in your smaller home.  There are dozens of resources which address this process, but deciding what to keep and what to get rid of is the most critical part of this process.  Try focusing on what items you love and what items bring you joy.  By process of elimination, the remaining items that do not, should be thrown away, sold or donated.  An exciting part of downsizing is letting go of things that you don’t absolutely need, which helps you to focus on what is important.

Another way to take inventory of your items is to gather like items together.  For example, putting all of your baking and cooking items into groups can help you identify whether you have duplicates of items as well as items that you’ve never used at all.  You may not have space in your new downsized home to house small kitchen appliances such as pasta makers or bread makers, especially considering these items may not be used sufficiently to justify taking up precious storage space.

Finally, make decisions as to where you are putting the items you are keeping in your new space.  Larger furniture items may not be appropriate for the scale of your new home, so winnowing down the larger pieces to one or two favorite pieces will make the transition much easier.  Recognize that storage will not be as plentiful for your smaller items, and this will drive your decision-making processes.   While a tiny house may not be in your future, a home which provides more freedom and financial sufficiency will be, and that’s something to celebrate.

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Now You’re In Escrow

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Unlocking a front door photoCongratulations!  You’ve found the perfect home to purchase, you’ve made an offer, the homeowner has accepted your offer, you’ve handed over earnest money and you’ve signed the contract.  Now you’re in escrow!  But what exactly does that mean?

According to Dictionary.com, Escrow refers to “a contract, deed, bond, or other written agreement deposited with a third person, by whom it is to be delivered to the grantee or promisee on the fulfillment of some condition.”   In other words, escrow refers to the process where the buyer and seller deposit money and the real estate contract with a neutral third-party, the title company, until the conditions are met for a real estate transaction.  Here in Arizona, the escrow process is provided by a title insurance company, generally speaking, instead of an attorney as is required in other states.  So, in Arizona, title companies handle both the title and the escrow part of a transaction.

Once escrow is “opened”, the title company begins to “vet” or research the buyer, seller and the property itself so they can issue title insurance.   So, when the real estate transaction is “in escrow”, the real estate contract, along with any earnest money, has been presented to the title company.  Also, the title company has opened a file with the names of the parties in the contract.  This real estate transaction stays in escrow until it is “out of escrow” by closing the transaction according to the contract terms.  If something goes wrong such as the buyer doesn’t qualify for the loan, the transaction will fall out of escrow.

Why is escrow necessary?  Simply put, whether you are the buyer or seller, you want the assurance that no funds or property will change hands until all of the transaction instructions have been followed.  The title company (ie, escrow holder) has the legal obligation to safeguard all funds and documents during their possession, and to convey title and/or disburse the funds only when all provisions have been met.

The escrow process can range from a few days to several months, depending on the terms of the purchase agreement.  Generally speaking, the Deed of Trust is recorded within one business day of the title company’s receipt of loan funds, signaling the “close of escrow”.  The escrow officer will verify with the local records office that the documents have been recorded and legal transfer has been made from seller to buyer.

While this is a simplified description of the escrow process, I hope this has clarified a sometimes-confusing term in a real estate transaction.  Every transaction is different, and I look forward to helping you navigate your own process with clarity and ease.

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Why Buy in Desert Ridge?

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Aviano community entrance photoDesert Ridge is recognized as one of the most popular residential areas in North Phoenix.  There are many reasons for this area’s popularity.

First, as we say in real estate, location, location, location.   Desert Ridge has a very convenient location, as this community is literally minutes from both the Loop 101 and State Route 51 freeways.  These freeways will take you to downtown Phoenix, Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona State University, or any of the outlying cities in the Valley of the Sun quickly and conveniently, while bypassing traffic on surface streets.   Desert Ridge is also conveniently located to dozens of restaurants, shopping centers and entertainment venues.

Namely, Desert Ridge Marketplace, a gorgeous outdoor mall with over 50 retail stores, over 25 restaurants, a grocery store, two drugstores, as well as a movie theatre, arcade and play center for kids, provides endless options for dining, shopping and entertainment.  Next door to Desert Ridge Marketplace is High Street, another outdoor mall with trendy restaurants, bars and shops, along with luxury loft-style apartments above the retail spaces.  The Scottsdale 101 shopping center is just minutes away and is home to several restaurants, a movie theatre, Whole Foods, and stores such as Bed Bath and Beyond, Babies R Us, and the Container Store.

Another factor contributing to the popularity of Desert Ridge as a place in which to live is its network of high-performing schools.  The A plus rated school district of Paradise Valley Unified serves the schools in the Desert Ridge area.  All highly-rated schools, Desert Trails Elementary, Wildfire Elementary and Fireside Elementary serve grades preschool through sixth, while Explorer Middle School serves seventh and eighth grade students.  Pinnacle High School is the high school for the Desert Ridge area, and is a nationally recognized school.  While PVUSD does offer open enrollment, the popularity of these schools has resulted in waiting lists for at least two of the elementary schools, unless the students actually reside in Desert Ridge.  Therefore, buying a home in Desert Ridge ensures your children will be able to attend these award-winning schools regardless of any wait list scenario.

Finally, the beautiful common areas and parks in the Desert Ridge community also make this a place both the fitness-minded and families will enjoy.  From the miles of walking paths throughout all of the neighborhoods, to its multiple common areas and community clubhouses with fitness centers, Desert Ridge is a community that is enjoyed on a daily basis by its residents.  Desert Ridge is also a magnet for families thanks to Cashman Park with its newly-remodeled shaded playground with top-notch play equipment, Aviano Community Park with its extra-large adventure playground complete with zip line and spider web climber, as well as Fireside Community Park with its two shaded playground areas and a climbing wall.

If Desert Ridge is on your list of communities to consider, I will utilize my extensive knowledge of the home values, as well as the market trends in Desert Ridge to help you find the best home for you and your family.

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What is the Mortgage Quiet Period?

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Scottsdale home photoYou’ve made the exciting decision to purchase a home.  Deciding where you want to live, and what you want your home to look like are the fun part.   Figuring out all of the ins and outs of obtaining a mortgage is the not-so-fun part.   After you’ve gone through the loan process and have been approved for a loan, it’s time to celebrate, right?  Not so fast.

The time between the original check of your credit which led to your loan being approved to the loan actually closing is called the mortgage quiet period.  This time is even more critical nowadays in this tighter economic climate, with loan writers being even more vigilant about financial activities that may affect your original credit score.   From the loan writers’ point of view, financial activity during the quiet period in the mortgage origination process can sometimes be a warning sign of fraud, particularly when an unscrupulous borrower attempts to take out more than one loan on a property in a scam known as “shot gunning.”

Unfortunately, then, even if you’re not an unscrupulous borrower, any financial activities you undertake during this quiet period will be subject to scrutiny.  Borrowers who take on any type of installment debt may adversely affect their credit score at closing, as these debts will affect borrowers’ debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.  Therefore, signing up for a store credit card as part of a promotional offer, or financing new furniture or a vacation on a credit card may jeopardize your pending loan.

Other actions include withdrawing cash from any accounts that were used to verify funds for the loans, or changing jobs may be considered signs of financial instability, and are strongly discouraged during the mortgage quiet period.  Even making large deposits into these same accounts could cause issues as lenders are required to source all funds in a transaction.  This means they need to prove the sale of items and verify financial gifts, which can delay the loan process significantly.

If any of these changes must be made, be sure to notify your loan officer so they can be properly documented, and the loan officer can be assured of your good faith.  I’m available to answer any questions you may have about this process.  I look forward to working with you in your home search!

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Top Five Best Hikes in Scottsdale Arizona

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Pinnacle Peak TrailWhether you’re itching to get outside during Arizona’s temperate winter season, or to enjoy the cooler early summer mornings, heading out for a hike in Scottsdale is sure to be a fun adventure.  With over 120 miles of trails and almost a dozen trailheads in the city of Scottsdale as well as the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, there is a trail or a hike suitable for any fitness level.  In no special order of importance, here are five of the best hikes in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Brown’s Ranch, located at 30301 N. Alma School Parkway, is one of the city’s newest trailheads.  Featuring trails that are friendly to hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and rock climbers, this trailhead connects to many miles of trails in the northern part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  The variety of different trails makes Brown’s Ranch one of the most popular areas to hike in Scottsdale.  A shorter hike is the Jane Rau Interpretative Trail, which is a half-mile loop suitable for all abilities and ages, named after a Scottsdale conservationist.  A longer hike with mountaintop views is the Brown’s Mountain Trail.  This trailhead has restrooms, a covered gathering area, hitching rails and water trough for horses, as well as drinking fountains (for both people and canines).

Gateway Trail, located at 18333 N. Thompson Peak Parkway, is a popular option for beginner and intermediate hikers.  This loop trail is 4.4 miles and offers fantastic scenery, with views of Thompson Peak and Camelback Mountain.  From this trailhead are several other trails.   The Bajada Trail, a short nature loop, is a perfect hike for children.    More advanced hikers can join the Windgate Pass Trail from the Gateway Loop, to link up to the Tom’s Thumb Trail.  The trailhead has shade ramadas, an amphitheater, and restrooms.  The trailhead is also equestrian-friendly with horse-trailer parking and hitching rails.

Tom’s Thumb, located off 23015 N. 128th Street, is a challenging hike with a reward of a phenomenal viewpoint at Tom’s Thumb, a 114-foot granite spire.  Hikers can access the thumb via Windgate Pass Trail from the Gateway Loop (an 11-mile round trip) or via this trailhead, about 4 miles round trip.  The Marcus Landslide Trail can also be accessed via this trailhead, for those wanting a flatter hike.  There are restrooms and shade ramadas, as well as ample parking.  There is no water at the trailhead, so be sure to take plenty with you.

Lost Dog Wash, located at 12601 N. 124th Street, is a very popular trailhead within the Preserve.  The main hike up to the overlook and back is approximately 4.25 miles round trip.  This is a good hike for beginner and intermediate hikers, and is a good option for children and dogs.  The Lost Dog Wash Trail also provides access to the nearby Taliesin Overlook.  The trailhead has restrooms, shade ramadas, water, and horse-trailer parking.

Finally, check out the Fraesfield Mountain and Granite Mountain trailheads, located at 13400 E. Rio Verde Drive and 31402 N. 136th St, respectively.  As the most recent trailheads in Scottsdale, they are more limited in amenities, with parking but no water or restrooms.  However, Fraesfield connects to great trails north and east of Fraesfield Mountain, including the Black Hill trails, and the Black Hill and Whiskey Bottle trails.  The Black Hill trail is an old Jeep road and is 2 miles each way.  The Whiskey Bottle trail is 2.9 miles each way with 210 feet elevation gain.   Granite Mountain offers access to the Granite Mountain Loop Trail, a 4.2 mile round trip hike, with a scenic lookout offering views of the Superstition Mountains and Red Mountain.

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Home Security Improvements

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Unlocking a front doorHome security is a home upgrade that may not have any flash or cosmetic appeal as upgrades such as new kitchen counters or flooring, but it is an upgrade that matters in the long run.  The most comprehensive upgrade one can make to increase home security is a good alarm system.  The mere presence of such a system is a visible deterrent to any home intruder.

Other improvements that can be made to your home security include rekeying your exterior door locks.  If you’re moving into a brand-new home or an older home, taking the time to rekey the locks is a smart move as dozens of other people had access to your home during the sale of the home and before you moved in.  Previous babysitters, housecleaners and neighbors could have keys to the home without your knowledge.  Even if you moved into your home years ago, rekeying your home provides an extra layer of security.  Rekeying averages $125-$150 for a home with two to three exterior doors.

However, if your door locks are more than a few years old, you may want to consider getting your locks replaced to prevent lock bumping.  Newer technology in locks prevents this tactic by home burglars who insert special keys into locks, striking them with a hammer which causes the pins in the lock to move slightly and permitting the door to be opened.  Consult your local locksmith to determine whether your current door locks are bump-proof.

The garage door to your home is another access point for home burglars.  Savvy burglars will force open a small crack between the garage door and frame of the home, or break a window in the door, and will use a wire hook to grab the manual door-release cord hanging down from the electric garage door opener.  To foil this maneuver, consider either removing the opener cord completely or tie it to the opener frame with a zip tie (which can be cut if you need to access the cord later).  If the burglar is able to get into your garage another way, be sure to keep the door into your house dead bolted to make unauthorized entry even more difficult.

Source:  Romero, R. (2015, December 12). Easy, affordable ways to secure your mail, home. The Arizona Republic, p. 1.