Archives for October 2011

Tips for Organizing for Kids by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team?

October 31, 2011 szabogroup

Joe Szabo Scottsdale Real Estate for Sale

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

One of the things that most homeowners with small children struggle with is the organization of toys. Getting your toddler or kindergartener to pick up their toys is a battle within itself, but with these helpful hints maybe cleaning up can work for the whole family, not just fall on the shoulders of the mom.

Get down to your child’s eye level to help him or her get organized. Look at your child’s space, storage, furniture and possessions from his or her vantage point. The view may surprise you!

Adult furniture and organizing systems don’t translate well to children’s needs. Sticky dresser drawers are hard for small hands to manage. Folding closet doors pinch fingers and jump their rails when pushed from the bottom. Closet hanging rods are out of reach, while adult hangers don’t fit smaller clothing. Traditional toy boxes house a tangled jumble of mixed and scattered toy parts.

To organize a child’s room, solutions must fit the child. For younger children, remove closet doors entirely. Lower clothing rods and invest in child-sized hangers. Use floor-level open containers to hold toys, open plastic baskets to store socks and underwear.

Devise a simple daily checklist for maintenance. To organize a child’s room, tailor the effort to the child.

Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Choosing the Right Bath Tub by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team?

October 27, 2011 szabogroup

Joe Szabo Scottsdale Real Estate for Sale

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Did you know that the pulling out of an old tub and installing a new tub can cost up to three times more than the tub itself? You’ve probably already narrowed your tube down by size, shape and color, but you need to think about what material will be used to create your tub.
Acrylic & Fiberglass. Both plastic products, acrylic and fiberglass tubs are lightweight, warm to the touch and insulate quite well. They can be molded to any shape, allowing the inclusion of integral ledges, armrests and backrests. The downside? Abrasive cleaners will damage that nice, shiny finish so clean with care. Fiberglass, the least expensive option of all, is not very durable and it is prone to fading. While Acrylic is considered a big step up from fiberglass, it too is prone to surface damage. On the other hand, there’s an acrylic tub for every size wallet. The price point plus those handy integral features make acrylic my top pick.

Cast Iron. Clad in a layer of porcelain, cast iron is extremely heavy and, alas, extremely pricey. On the other hand, it is virtually indestructible and has a timeless look and feel that cannot be beat. It also maintains water temperature longest, which is nice for long soaks. A great choice if you can afford it … and if your floorboards can bear the load.

Enameled Steel. These tubs are easy to get and easy to afford. They are durable, resisting corrosion and abrasions for years. Surface dings must be fixed promptly to avoid rusting of the steel layer. A big disadvantage: metal conducts heat, so your bathwater will cool faster in a steel tub.

Composite materials. Fairly new to the market, some composites mimic the look of natural substances, such as marble. Others, like American Standard’s line are designed as light-weight alternatives to cast iron.

Choosing the Best Kitchen Sink by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team?

October 24, 2011 szabogroup

Joe Szabo Scottsdale Real Estate for Sale

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Choosing a new kitchen sink can feel overwhelming with the sheer amount of styles, types and colors. Add in the different materials and there is a dizzying array of options.

Kitchen sinks are typically made from stainless steel, enamel-coated cast iron, solid surfaces and composites. For clients who choose solid surface counters like granite or engineered stone, its often good choose a stainless steel sink because of its under mount capability. Also if homeowners tend to be hard on sinks stainless is often the best choice.

When shopping for a sink, keep in mind that lower-gauge stainless steel makes for a better quality sink. Some people find stainless steel sinks noisy, but that’s a problem that can be addressed by choosing a design featuring sound-absorption technology. Once the standard in kitchen sinks, enamel-coated cast iron still has a place in today’s kitchen. Though they are aesthetically pleasing they are far from durable. Enamel can scratch and wear over time, which may not make this sink the best choice for people who are tough on sinks.

If ease of cleanup is important, a solid surface sink that’s an integral part of a countertop is the option to investigate. Solid surface sinks create a much smoother clean up area. While minor scratches can be buffed out of a solid surface sink, if the material is prone to chip, then transferring hot pots and pans directly from the cook top to the sink can damage solid surfaces.

Composite sinks, a newer style of sink, are another option for kitchens. There are several types of composite sinks on the market, with polyester/acrylic being just one of them. Coming in at a lower price point and with many colors to choose from, this sink might appeal to homeowners on a budget. However, polyester/acrylic sinks aren’t as durable as other sink options and drop-in sinks can be more difficult to clean.

Walkways Created by Concrete Paving Stones by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team?

October 20, 2011 szabogroup

Joe Szabo Scottsdale Real Estate for Sale

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Did you know concrete pavers can be created in specialty colors and laid by artisans and craftsmen creating a one of a kind showplace walk way?

Concrete pavers have come a long way from gray, plain rectangles; instead, they are now available in all different colors, shapes, and sizes. These pavers come in two different types: regular, non-interlocking (which have smooth edges), and interlocking (which fit together like puzzle pieces).

Non-interlocking concrete pavers usually come one and a half inches thick and basically look like bricks. They can be laid in wet mortar, dry mortar, and sand, and their main advantage over bricks is that they come in a much wider variety of looks. They come in all different shapes, from hexagons to circles, and are available in just about any color. They can be placed side by side to give the path a unified look, or can be placed with spaces in between each paver to give a more textured look. Paving the same path with both smaller and larger sized bricks is also a creative option.

Interlocking concrete pavers have contoured edges that fit into each other, and are pressured-formed with very dense concrete. Together, they form a very rigid surface, and one concrete paver can not be moved without moving several others around it. This makes a surface that is extremely strong, and can withstand substantial loads of pressure. This style is also available in many different colors and designs, and custom pieces can always be made for corners, or other special places. This is a popular look for less formal gardens and walkway areas.

How do you Recognize a Mission Style Home by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team?

October 17, 2011 szabogroup

Joe Szabo Scottsdale homes for sale

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

The Mission style, although not considered an official style by many historians, can be seen in manyMediterraneanand Spanish-style homes of today. Built mainly inCaliforniaand developed in the 1800’s, this style focuses on harmony, simplicity, and the tradition of the area in which it is built.

Often just one story, theMissionstyle home is very natural and un-ornamental. It has whitewashed, stucco walls that are smoothed over, and a curvilinear roof gable that is red tiled, and has projecting eaves. The broad front double doors can be seen through an arched opening that is rounded and bold. Between the archway and the front door, there is an entry courtyard. This courtyard is completely enclosed, and has three archways: one in the middle that serves as the entry way, and two on the sides that are gated across, all of the same size.

There is an adobe chimney, one or more square bell towers, and round or clover-shaped windows. There are canals for rain water and a one-story-high porch, with large square pillars. There will often be a small balcony that looks over the front yard. Exposed roof rafters can also be seen. This style works well with drier, hotter environments, and blends well with its natural style look.

Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes forSale and Estates forSale inScottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

What Make a Mediterranean Style Home by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team?

October 13, 2011 szabogroup

Joe Szabo Scottsdale homes for sale

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

The Mediterranean style, designed mainly after homes inItalyandSpain, tend to follow a more open, yet detailed look. These homes are found most often in the sun-belt states, although they can be found throughout the country.

Usually found in two stories, Mediterranean homes tend to have high ceilings, but lower, wider tile roofs; often with a smaller, wide gable and a short, square chimney. Stucco is the common exterior, and is intended to add texture, unlike smoothed stucco; also, there are large outdoor spaces for entertaining. Mediterranean homes look lovely with assorted palms showcasing their unique design.

Centered front doors and large, wide windows are common. There will usually be fewer windows in these homes, but these windows are tall and wide, sometimes with outer shutters. This style home, although not perfectly symmetrical, has more of a symmetrical façade.

The Mediterranean style home is very common among suburbs and fits into most surroundings, despite its intricate detail and design. These homes are very open and provide a lot of room.

Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes forSale and Estates forSale inScottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Outdoor Home Entertaining in Scottsdale by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team?

October 10, 2011 szabogroup

Joe Szabo Scottsdale Real Estate for Sale

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

InScottsdale, our evenings are some of the best in the country for outdoor entertaining. When planning an outdoor patio, it is important to keep in mind weather you would prefer a formal or informal style patio. A formal style follows a more balanced look, typically being symmetrical, following straight lines, and with a constantly trimmed hedges and up-kept yard. Informal styles follow a more asymmetrical look, with curved lines, and an atmosphere that does not necessarily have to be trimmed and proper. However, whether you prefer a formal or informal look, most patios follow the same abstract concepts: unity, variety, proportion, and balance. Here are some tips to remember when using these concepts for your patio.

Unity means that everything flows together, and nothing looks out of place, or as if it does not belong. The patio and the house should have unity, along with the patio and the yard. For instance, if a patio leads into a formal style living room, then the patio should reflect it. Likewise, if the patio leads onto a backyard flourishing with brightly colored flowers, then the patio should blend, also, with this.

Variety offers an element of surprise, and keeps a design from looking monotonous. For instance, a path that leads around a corner, or different types and heights of trees that offer different levels of lighting throughout the day. Privacy screens and a patio that has steps will help offer different looks to more vertical patios.

Proportion keeps a patio from being too small or too big for its house. Most patios are designed at the same scale as a standard living room, however, this does not mean that you should be afraid to go any bigger; patio furniture is usually more bulky and takes up more space than living room furniture. A patio too big, though, will cause furniture to look small and create big, empty spaces.

Balance is achieved when both sides of a patio appear to have equal “weight” to them. There should be a center focal point, and on both side and objects should equal each other out; for instance, if there is a large tree on one side, then wide shrubs could be planted on the other. Remember, also, that balance does not necessarily mean objects are arranged symmetrically.

Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes forSale and Estates forSale inScottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

About Solar Cooling and Climate Control by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

October 6, 2011 szabogroup

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Passive solar cooling is a technique of shading windows during the summer to prevent solar heat from entering the home. For new homes, calculate the height of the sun at its peak during the summer and make sure the eaves on the home shade the windows during peak summer heat months. Deciduous trees can shade windows in the summer but allow sunlight to strike the windows in the winter. This creates a natural heating system in the winter and a natural cooling system in the summer.

Although older windows required the use of curtains to block the sun for passive solar cooling, newer windows often contain a coating that can help reflect the heat causing rays of the sun from higher summer angles, while allowing them to enter at winter solar angles. In some cases, curtains will still help, but may not be entirely necessary for passive solar cooling in the summer.

Passive solar heating relies on sunlight passing through windows. The heat from the suns rays are trapped inside the structure and raise the ambient temperature of the interior. Passive solar cooling relies on preventing sunlight to enter a structure and several other techniques.

The orientation of the windows is critical for solar heating. Windows facing due south will provide the best passive solar heat throughout the day. Although south facing windows are the most energy efficient placing the windows at a maximum angle of 30 degrees to the south will also provide good passive solar heat. Not many of us have the choice of moving windows.

The most efficient ratio of floor to window area is about 80 percent. This means that a south facing wall should have around 80 percent of the room’s floor area as a surface area. If a room is 200 square feet, an ideal south facing window would be 160 square feet.

The ideal windows for passive solar heating are high efficiency windows, often multi-paned, gas-filled windows, combined with high levels of wall, ceiling and floor insulation are the best choice. Retrofitting an existing home with high efficiency windows and expanding the surface area of those windows on the south face of the structure is an excellent way to both increase the overall energy efficiency of the home and to take advantage of passive solar heating techniques.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes forSale and Estates forSale inScottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

How to Choose Granite Countertops by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team?

October 3, 2011 szabogroup

Joe Szabo Scottsdale Luxury Homes for Sale

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

First, start by going to open houses and look at the granite countertops features in homes so you can see how the different colors work with appliances and walls. This will help you quickly form an “I like that…I don’t like that” opinion. Everything in a showroom at a granite store looks beautiful, but tens of linear feet of black granite unless paired with cheery white French cabinets can look daunting.

Then travel to a home or kitchen design store, home improvement store or granite fabricator to look at sample granite countertops. Locate stores with large displays of samples, so you can see the full range of colors of granite countertops available for purchase. Visit several stores to see a wide selection of colors and pricing. Also, look at design websites to view pictures of granite countertops already in homes to get an idea of what color you like.

Obtain several granite samples. Many manufacturers make small pieces that you can order, purchase or borrow from the store. You may also be able to obtain samples directly from the manufacturers’ websites. Though it may cost a small fee, you will be able to hold the sample up to your cabinets and floors to get an idea of what color will work in your space.

Choosing a neutral color for your granite can help if you are not planning to stay in your home for a long time… Consider the resale value and that not everyone has the same taste as you. Choose a color that will appeal to a wide variety of people and not just you. Do not select a trendy color that might lose popularity in a few years. In addition, you might tire of a color that is not neutral.

Take inventory of the color of your cabinets, accessories, appliances and walls in your kitchen. Coordinate your color and pattern choice with these, so the counters will blend in and not look out of place in your kitchen. If you plan to remodel the entire room, factor in each of these items so your room will have a uniform and classy style. Consider the lightening in your kitchen when selecting a granite countertop. If you do not have a lot of light, especially natural light, consider a lighter color countertop. Conversely, go with a darker color if your kitchen is bright and airy.

Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes forSale and Estates forSale inScottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.