Pest Control in the Desert: Scorpions

/in , /by

front yard photoWhether you’re an Arizona native, or new to the Grand Canyon State, there are some unique things which with you’ll have to contend as a homeowner in the Sonoran Desert.  Residents of the Midwest don’t have to worry about such things as scorpions, black widow spiders, rattlesnakes and packrats.  However, taking a few simple steps will make it much easier for you to coexist with the less desirable desert inhabitants without having to resort to chemical removal.

Scorpions are one of the most common, and most dangerous, pests that homeowners in the desert will encounter in and around their homes.  One of the most crucial steps you can take as a homeowner is to seal off any openings to your home.  Scorpions can enter cracks as small as 1/16th of an inch, so caulk and seal any cracks, pipes or wiring outlets on the exterior of your home.  Doggie doors are a very common method of entry so check that these exits are sealed when your animals are inside the home.  Put tight mesh screens on any and all return air or heater ducts that are on floor level. Be sure to clear any shrubbery or piles of wood that are next to your home.

Scorpions are also attracted to moisture, so repair any drips that result in standing water. Keep all interior drains (especially in bathrooms) closed or sealed when not in use as scorpions have been known to come up through the drains on occasion.  Also, keep outside lights to a minimum as scorpions, and other pests, are drawn to lights.  These other pests are food sources for scorpions.

As Arizona natives are aware, never walk around barefoot after dark. Shake out shoes and piles of clothing that are near the floor regularly, as scorpions like these hiding places.  Periodically inspecting the interior of your home with a black light (flashlights are available at any hardware store) will reveal any scorpions who have made entry into your home. The exoskeleton of scorpions contains a fluorescence that causes it to glow under UV light.

Taking a few of these simple steps should make it much easier for you to enjoy the beauty of our Sonoran Desert surroundings where it belongs, outdoors!  We’d be happy to give you referrals to recommended pest control experts as well.

Contact Us

What is the Difference Between Condos and Townhomes?

/in , /by

Condominiums and townhomes are very popular real estate options for several types of buyers, from recent college graduates and Millennials to Baby Boomers and empty nesters.  They are also smart investment opportunities in certain communities, as often they can be easily rented out on short and long term bases.  But while these two types of dwelling share many similar features, they are, in fact, two different structures for purposes of real estate.

Grayhawk CondoCondominiums, generally speaking, are one of many units inside a larger building, that can sometimes be several stories high.  Legally speaking, you’re buying “air space” when you purchase a condominium, as you are purchasing everything within the walls of the unit you buy.  You are also purchasing a fraction of the condo community itself.  This fraction is based on the number of units in the complex, so if there are 25 units, you own one-twenty fifth of the community.  This gives condo owners an interest in the common areas of the community itself.
Townhomes, on the other hand, include the land on which the townhome sits.  While condos are typically all on one level inside the space, tonhomes often are built vertically, with multiple stories within the home.  This is to maximize the land space, as well as maximize the interior space.  Townhomes, unlike single-family homes, typically have shared walls, at least on one side of the home.  Unlike in a condominium, however, there are rarely neighbors above or below the townhome residents.  While condominium owners are typically not responsible for exterior maintenance or upkeep, townhome owners usually are responsible for these items, including any roof repairs or replacement.

Whether you are interested in condominiums or townhomes, there are many options in every price range throughout the Valley of the Sun.  I look forward to helping you explore these ownership opportunities!

Create you own custom condo search

Post-Foreclosure or Short Sale Home Buyers

/in , /by

Scottsdale Real EstateWhether you are re-entering the market after a foreclosure or short sale, there are a few things you will need to know.  There are mandatory waiting periods before these homeowners can apply for a new mortgage.  For a new FHA loan, the required waiting period is three years, whether it’s a prior foreclosure or a short sale.  The waiting period begins the date the prior foreclosure or short sale was actually recorded, not when the homeowner has left the home.  So if the transaction took several months to be negotiated, those months need to be excluded from the three-year time period.

For a conventional loan, the waiting period is typically four years after a short sale, and seven years post foreclosure.  VA loans typically have a waiting period of only two years.  There may be extenuating circumstances such as a significant reduction or income that may reduce these timeframes.

Homeowners who have gone through a short sale or foreclosure will also have to take special care to raise their credit scores.  Paying down or paying off any other debt such as credit card debt or automobile loans are the quickest way to do this.  Pulling your credit reports from the three national credit companies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—and examining them closely for any outstanding debts and liabilities is another important step to take before applying for a new mortgage.  If there are any inaccuracies, you will need to notify these credit bureaus as soon as possible.

Finally, there are many resources to assist these homeowners who want to re-enter the housing market.  The Arizona Department of Housing, for example, has a program called the HOME Plus Home Loan Program which may offer assistance with down payments thanks to grants.  Another mortgage program to consider may be The Pathway to Purchase Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a down-payment assistance second mortgage (equal to 10 percent of the purchase price, or up to a maximum of $20,000).

I’d be happy to help you navigate these mortgage solutions or find others that may be more suitable to your personal situation.

Contact Us

Perking Up with Paint!

/in , /by

dining room paintPaint.  It’s one of the easiest, least expensive ways to instantly update your home’s interior (and exterior) when you’re getting your home ready to sell.  If your home’s interior hasn’t been painted within the past five years, or if your existing paint colors aren’t in a neutral color family, I definitely recommend painting your home before you put it on the market.  Two things to consider before you begin this easy, cost-effective makeover:  color and finish.

Choosing a neutral paint color is the way to go when readying your home for sale.  While accent walls in the Pantone color of the year, or that mirror latest interior design trends can be a fun decorative touch while living in and enjoying your home, these colors aren’t necessarily the best way to go when you are trying to appeal to the broadest range of potential buyers.   Some paint colors that are sure crowd-pleasers, and that are trend-proof, are Amazing Gray (Sherwin-Williams), Manchester Tan (Benjamin Moore), Birchwood (Dunn Edwards), and Warm Butterscotch (Dunn Edwards).   Two strong choices for trim (and cabinets) are Swiss Coffee (Dunn Edwards) and Creamy (Sherwin Williams).

Another thing to consider when updating your home for sale by painting the interior is to paint all of the rooms the same color.  This will create a clean, cohesive look, and will be a blank slate for potential buyers to later decorate or add accent colors if they should so choose.

Finally, the different types of finish of paint is as critical as the color you choose.  The four basic types of paint finish are: flat, eggshell, satin and semi-gloss.  Flat paint is paint that has zero-reflective qualities, and is better suited for deep rich colors.  Because it’s not a washable finish, it’s better used in rooms such as an office or a master bedroom.  Ceilings can be painted in a flat finish.  Eggshell finish is a finish that is very washable, so it’s much better for rooms that see a lot of use, such as the dining room, the kitchen, a playroom, kids’ bedrooms and the laundry room.  A satin finish is also durable, and has a smooth, subtle shine and is also great for higher-traffic rooms.  Finally, semi-gloss is a higher sheen paint that is generally used in bathrooms and kitchens because this paint is very washable.  Semi-gloss paint is typically used for trim and baseboards, as well as cabinetry.  However, semi-gloss paint isn’t forgiving when it comes to flaws on the wall, so that’s something to keep in mind.

While the multitude of color and finishes when it comes to paint can seem overwhelming, the payoff when it comes to readying your home for sale is very quick and satisfying.  I would be happy to assist you in choosing the appropriate paint color and finish that’s specific to your own home.

Contact us for more staging tips

Tips on Choosing a Moving Company

/in , /by

Unlocking a front door photoMoving is often said to be one of the top five most stressful live events.  And for good reason.  Assuming you’re not going to move your belongings yourself, hiring a good, responsible moving company is a large part of the stress of moving.  To that end, here are some tips to consider when making that decision.

  1. Pick three moving companies to call for an estimate, and research them.  There are two different schools of thought here.   Some people like to use national moving companies, because there may be more of a track record or reputation with one of these companies.  Other people may want to use local companies as there may be more accountability with the company being headquartered in the same city.  Whichever direction you decide to go, be sure to research the companies you choose to call.  Easy ways to do this are researching them online via www.yelp.com, social media (Facebook and Twitter) and of course via the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/).
  1. Reputable companies will always come to your home to give you an estimate of costs to move your belongings.  In preparation of this estimate, be sure to make decisions regarding what you will be paying to move.  If you know you won’t be moving items, donate or sell them prior to the estimate, or tag them so the moving company won’t include these items in the quote.  ALWAYS get this quote in writing.  And, be sure to let them know who else you are getting quotes from.  This may prompt the moving company to let you in on any special promotions or discounts of which you weren’t aware.
  1. Be sure that you ask the following questions about your quote:
    1. What is the total cost of the move, inclusive of tax?
    2. What is included in the move and what isn’t?  (For example, are you required to remove headboards from beds, detach TVs from the wall, disconnect appliances?)
    3. How can the price change if the items in the quote decrease or increase in number or weight?
    4. What are the cancellation fees, if any?
    5. What is the deposit?  Is it refundable?
    6. Timeline of move?  When can you expect your property to be delivered?

The more information the better.  These tips should be a good starting point for you in your search for a moving company.  Feel free to contact us if you’d like any specific recommendations of companies that we’ve worked with in the past.

 

What to Prioritize In a Kitchen Remodel

/in , /by

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.

Find out what the value of your home.

Interior Design Principles

/in , /by

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.

Do you know the value of your home?  Click here to get a free no obligation estimate.

Understanding Title Insurance

/in , /by

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.

Contact Us

Desert Ridge Fitness Fun

/in , /by

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.

View Homes For Sale In Desert Ridge

Downsizing When a Tiny House Isn’t an Option

/in , /by

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.

Search For a Home by Map