Archives for October 2016

Making the Most of an Open House Visit By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

October 28, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Open houses are the gold standard in real estate. They’ve been around for decades and will be ingrained in the buying and selling of homes for years to come.

The average buyer attends three open houses, according to the Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report, a survey of more than 13,000 homeowners, sellers, buyers, and renters. Seventy-one percent of all buyers attend at least open house, and first-time buyers are even more likely to go (77 percent attend one open house or more).

But as a buyer, are you making the most of your open house visits?

Here are some best practices and helpful questions for buyers at all ends of the home-buying spectrum.

Use the open house to learn the market without committing

For the most part, open houses are just that — open. They make it possible for anyone to see a property in a certain time period, without an appointment or even being a very serious buyer.

New buyers should leverage the open house opportunity to get a feel for the market. In today’s world, using online search tools, mobile apps and the open house, a buyer can start to get a feel for pricing and the market before committing to an agent. Most importantly, open houses are some of the best ways for buyer and agent relationships to start.

You don’t have to sign in (but don’t be rude)

The biggest fear of some newer buyers is that a real estate agent at an open house will be all over them, ask for their contact information and then start harassing them for the next three weeks. It does happen, but it’s also common courtesy to at least recognize and say hello to the agent at the open house. Don’t forget, in addition to trying to sell the home for her client, for safety reasons, the agent is keeping a look out for who is coming and going. It’s polite to say hello and introduce yourself to the agent, but you can also politely decline to sign in.

If you’re an active buyer, you should make yourself known to the agent. Let the seller’s agent know who your agent is and don’t be afraid to express interest. When it comes time to review an offer with a seller, listing agents like to put a face to a name.

Watch the other buyers

You can tell a lot about the activity and marketability of a home by watching the other buyers. If you observe a lot of people walking in and out quickly, the home probably has some issues. Are the buyers hanging around, asking questions of the listing agent and huddling in the corner talking to their spouses or partners? If so, it could be a sign this is a well-priced and “hot” listing. If you’re interested, too, observing other buyers at the open house could help you learn about the competition.

Ask the agent questions

The real estate agent is there for a reason. It’s his job. If he is the listing agent, ask him questions. He is a direct line to the seller. He should know more than anyone about the property and the seller. Your agent can funnel your questions to the listing agent. But if you’re there, ask away. Watch the agent’s facial expression and reaction to your questions. If it’s a competitive market, ask questions such as: “Why is the seller selling?” “Is there a certain day to review offers or have you had a lot of showings?” In a slow market, ask how long the property has been on the market and what the seller’s motivations are. A good agent will engage you because it’s good for his seller.

Be open to meeting your future agent

When considering a new doctor, lawyer or CPA, you don’t get the chance to see them in their element until you’ve decided to work with them. Not true for real estate agents. Some of the best buyer/seller/real estate relationships begin at open houses.

A good agent is wearing two hats at the open house. In addition to watching the serious buyers and getting feedback for the seller, an active agent is also looking to interact with future clients.

Face to face, informal and relevant, the interaction with an agent at an open house is important. You can get a feel for a person just from a brief meeting. If you sense the agent could be someone you could work with, ask some open-ended questions, such as “How’s the market?” and “What areas do you cover?”

Why open houses have been around for decades

At any open house, there are people at every stage of the home-buying game, from just testing the waters to looking at homes daily, making offers and working closely with an agent. For someone new to the market, it’s helpful to know the best practices for visiting open houses and interacting with the real estate agent. For more experienced buyers, the open house is an opportunity to make a second or third visit, getting a closer look at the details and uncovering things you may have missed earlier. There are lots of reasons why open houses have been around for decades — and why you should take full advantage of them.

Take full advantage of the open house by asking questions to learn all you can about the home and listing.

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.

4 Reasons to Go to Open Houses (Even If You’re Not Looking to Buy) By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

October 25, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

After a seller has staged their home and listed it on the market, it’s likely their real estate agent will recommend holding an open house. Home buyers flock to these events for a chance to get a peek inside the closets and stroll through the rooms.

But not everyone who attends open houses is looking to buy. Here are four opportunities open houses present if you’re willing to devote your weekend afternoons to them.

Learn from listing agents

Would-be sellers and nearby homeowners represent a large portion of open house traffic. You can use the open house not only to see what’s for sale and the price of comparable homes, but also to learn about the market.

Pick the brain of the listing agent to get his or her take on what’s happening in your area. Real estate agents tend to be aware of market changes well before the mainstream press.

Check out home design trends

Sellers generally put their best foot forward. Some go as far as making cosmetic updates or design/staging changes before putting their homes on the market.

They likely rely on their real estate agent to suggest the latest and greatest looks in the market. So if you’re planning to list a home that needs updating, or you aren’t sure where to begin when it comes to choosing paint colors, countertops or bath fixtures, going to open houses will allow you to see styles and designs.

Even if you’re not looking to sell, you may get some design inspiration to make your home feel like new.

Get referrals for contractors or designers

Want to be connected to a good local designer or contractor? Ask the real estate agent selling the home you liked if they can get you the contact information.

Although getting referrals from friends is also a good idea, seeing the finished product in an open house can inspire you to replicate what that owner did, and how they did it.

Fuel your daydreams

For dedicated real estate buffs, browsing the ‘for sale’ sites and flipping through listing photos isn’t enough. If you’re truly obsessed, you hit the open houses in your area to tour the home for yourself.

Working With a Design-Build Team to Create Your Dream Home By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

October 21, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Building your dream home from scratch is a daunting task, especially if you’ve never worked with an architect, builder, and design team before.

To make the project a little easier to wrap your head around, here’s some advice from construction professionals.

Do your research

The building process isn’t short, so make sure you are happy with your team — you’re stuck with them for a long time.

This requires doing a little homework.

To start the building process right, you’ll want to do the following:

Conduct extensive online research to make sure you’re using a reputable builder
Get referrals from friends and family
Look at examples of the builder’s current work

Nikki James, studio manager at Ashton Woods, a builder and design studio constructing homes in the South and Southwest, recommends visiting a builder’s model homes and those under construction.

It’s fine to even be a little sneaky, says Jesse Fowler, president of Southern California-based Tellus Design + Build. Pop in at a construction site unannounced to see what the job site looks like. Workers not wearing hard hats or lots of garbage on the ground are red flags.

Ask questions (and more questions)

You need to understand the parameters of what the builder is doing for you, advises Roger Kane of Kane Built Homes in Massachusetts. And you get that information by asking questions. Make sure the builder can execute what you want, because not all builders can accommodate custom designs.

One of the first things you should do before meeting with your team for the first time is to identify what you don’t know, and then eliminate that doubt.

If this is your first time building, there are probably going to be a lot of things you don’t know, and that’s fine, Fowler says. There are no dumb questions.

Here are a few starter questions:

What exactly are you paying for?
Do you need full architecture/design/build services, or do you just want a blueprint?
How much time should you allow?

Know what you want

“Design inspiration can come from anywhere,” says James. She asks her clients to bring in plenty of pictures, scraps of fabric, or anything that speaks to their aesthetic.

The first thing to do, Fowler says, is to figure out the look and feel that a customer likes, and weed out what they don’t like.

It’s also important to know your limitations, though. James warns that you must make the structural selections for your floor plan before picking design elements so you know what you can and can’t have. For example, if you want a freestanding tub, you will first need to know if you have the right plumbing for it.

An architect wants to know how you’re going to use your home, advises Kim Nigro, the architect at Chicago-based Studio Nigro Architecture. Tell your architect what you don’t like about your current home, and what your day-to-day needs are.

This can be as simple as letting them know you shop at Costco a lot, so you want a big pantry, James says.

The details matter

You probably never thought about what kind of grout you want between your tiles. But these are the kinds of decisions you will be making.

Ashton Woods gives its customers a checklist for details like this, and there are a lot of specific items on it, from what kind of edge you want on your counters to how many outlets and phone jacks you’ll need.

This sounds overwhelming, but Kane’s advice is to just take it room by room. Start out with the basics. Determine how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need, then go inside each room and think about what should be in it.

“Make a list,” he says. “’We want hardwood flooring; we need his-and-her closets.’ Make your own little notebook and just address every room. That’s a great way to start.“

Know your budget

The harsh reality is that you can’t buy something you can’t afford. So, do your math, and be upfront about your budget.

“Not communicating a clear budget to a designer is a mistake,” Fowler advises. “Designers need something tangible. If you let them go wild, 99 times out of 100 they are going to do something you can’t afford.”

There are good reasons not to pinch too many pennies, though.

As the saying goes, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” You probably shouldn’t go with the cheapest guy out there, Fowler suggests. A lot of builders, he says, cut corners by doing things illegally.

Don’t get roped into a mess like that. Saving a few bucks now might end up costing you more later.

James recommends doing things exactly the way you want them from the beginning, because remodeling later will cost you more money and more stress.

“We see a lot of buyers getting nervous about spending too much. As people get closer [to finishing], they wish they had spent that extra money,” she reports.

Spending more for quality products is another big consideration. Kane uses sustainable products for the exterior of his houses that last “pretty much a family’s life in a home — 30 to 40 years.”

That’s good for the environment and your wallet, because regular maintenance like repainting the outside of a house can cost $15,000.

Be decisive

The biggest mistake Kane, a veteran homebuilder, has seen homeowners make is being wishy-washy with their decisions.

Once a home is under construction, it’s important to have made all your major design selections.

“Paint color’s not a big deal,” Kane says. “But you should have things like all your tile and granite picked out.”

Why? Because at this point in the process, your selections could be backordered, and waiting on them is costly to the builder and to you.

If you do tend to change your mind a lot, make sure you pick a builder with a good warranty program.

Communication is key

One core piece of advice from construction professionals: Keep the lines of communication open. The biggest mistake you can make, says Fowler, is leaving gray areas in your building and design plan.

“I’ve heard horror stories, and most are because one party’s expectations were different from the other’s,” Nigro states. “The more developed drawings can be, the fewer assumptions the contractor will have to make.”

And it’s not only important for you to communicate to your design team. The members of your team need to be on the same page with each other as well.

“They need to really create a collaborative team,” Nigro says. “There are a lot of decisions to be made.”

Fowler recommends getting the whole team together to meet each other and start working collaboratively from the start. Most times, he says, architects, designers, and builders who work in a community have met and done projects with each other before.

Consider the trends

More homes across the country are being built “healthy” or “green.” These are homes built with non-toxic, natural products and materials.

Nigro says she used to recommend healthy building to her clients, and now people are coming to her asking for it.

Another trend sweeping the nation is “mother-in-law suites” or homes that accommodate multi-generational families.

Over the past five years, a lot of Nigro’s clients have started looking down the road to when older relatives might move in with them, or maybe their adult children will move back home after college.

This could mean a separate apartment over a garage, or maybe a guest bedroom on the main floor.

Why are trends an important factor to consider? It could help you sell your home in the future.

Have fun

“It’s important for us to personalize your home and make it yours and something that you’re proud of,” James remarks.

If this means having a full basketball court right on the main floor next to the dining room, like one of Nigro’s customers wanted, then that’s what you should have!

Custom features can range from practical to fantastical: Fowler has had clients ask for water pipes over their nightstand so they wouldn’t have to get up for water in the middle of the night; “living walls” (walls with plants or grass growing right on them); hidden cameras; and even an unexplained hole in the closet floor.

Hey, it’s your dream house, after all.

10 Expert-Approved Home Security Tips for First-Time Homeowners By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

October 18, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Buying your first home is an occasion worth celebrating. But before you get caught up in decorating and planning that housewarming party, it’s important to make certain your new home is secure.

New homeowners are especially vulnerable to security risks, as they are just beginning to learn about their new home and neighborhood. Get a head start with these 10 home security tips for first-time buyers from experts in the home security field.

1. Assess the security situation before you buy.

Aim to be an informed resident of your neighborhood before even moving in. Chris McGoey, president of McGoey Security Consulting, suggests to those still in the house-hunting phase to try to move into the best ZIP code you can afford.

“Neighborhoods with single-family homes usually have lower crime rates, while high-density housing areas with many rental apartments usually have higher crime rates,” he adds.

2. Take your neighborhood for a test drive.

Drive around the neighborhood during the day and at night, suggests David DeMille, online manager of A Secure Life. This allows you to gauge the happenings of your new neighborhood at different times of the day and week.

DeMille also advises new homeowners to get a feel for the day-to-day chatter on Nextdoor, a social network for neighborhoods.

3. Do your research.

SafeWise’s community safety consultant Sarah Brown suggests researching the area’s crime rates — for both property and violent crimes.

“You should also consider neighborhood watch programs and other city initiatives that may increase the safety of the neighborhood,” Brown notes, as even the safest neighborhoods are not immune to crime.

4. Meet your neighbors.

New homeowners should get acquainted with their neighborhood and neighbors, says Ralph Goodman, a lock and security expert with United Locksmith. Talking to your neighbors about neighborhood crime and safety will provide a sense of the kinds of security precautions needed in your home.

Getting to know your neighbors also leads to an increased awareness of trends in criminal behavior in your neighborhood, thus reducing the risk of being a victim, according to Chris LaNasa, director of product marketing for Vivint Smart Home.

Brown agrees, and adds: “New homeowners should meet their neighbors and then immediately get involved in neighborhood watch programs.”

McGoey even suggests considering turning one of your neighborhood watch meetings into a game — collectively assessing how neighbors might burglarize each other’s homes.

“It’s surprising how quickly they will spot your security flaws and bad habits, like leaving your garage door open,” he says.

5. Perform a home security audit.

After you’ve moved into your new home, DeMille advises homeowners to inspect all of the home’s entry points and identify any outdated or malfunctioning locks.

LaNasa recommends considering electronic door locks as you update your new home’s locks. “They give you the option to assign personalized key codes to others, allowing you to track the people going in and out of your home,” he says.

Goodman suggests specifically looking at locks to windows and rear doors, as well as your exterior and garage lights.

And don’t forget to re-code your garage door opener, reminds McGoey.

Brown echoes the need for a thorough home audit, cautioning new homeowners that many break-ins are by people who have had a chance to scope out your home.

“If you haven’t had a chance to find your weak spots, someone else will do it for you,” Brown warns.

6. Identify your local emergency services.

Once you’re aware of the kinds of crimes that occur in your area, Goodman advises new homeowners to then determine the proximity of emergency services to your neighborhood — and then work this information into your security and safety plans.

Furthermore, after neighborhood watch members are trained on what to do when suspicious activity is seen, they should know who to contact and what information should be provided when reporting crimes to authorities, LaNasa says.

7. Focus on prevention.

Even if you decide not to get a home security system, you can still address home security issues.

DeMille warns against showcasing valuables through open curtains and discarded packaging on the street. And McGoey suggests adding secondary blocking devices to sliding glass windows and doors so they can’t be easily forced open.

Additionally, LaNasa recommends securing your garage. “If a garage door is left open when you leave the house, your belongings and family become vulnerable,” he says.

He advises new homeowners to consider installing a garage door that can be controlled remotely via a smart home app. “If you find yourself second-guessing whether you actually closed the garage door when you left for the day, there’s no need to turn around,” notes LaNasa.

McGoey reminds first-time homeowners to be especially mindful of who enters your home, including service vendors, delivery persons, contractors, and even friends of your children.

“Once inside, they have a chance to look around for things worth stealing, and they can determine if your home security is real or fake,” he adds.

8. Shop around.

“The [home security] industry has a history of aggressive sales tactics, so it’s more important than ever to find a provider you feel comfortable working with that can offer advice and guidance without pushing a product,” says DeMille.

Assessing your family’s specific goals for a security system is key. “Are you looking to catch a burglar in real-time to contact police? You’ll probably want monitoring,” he says. DeMille also notes that those looking for a way to document evidence to provide to police may want a motion-sensing camera.

LaNasa favors a full smart home or security system, noting that they allow you to rely on cameras to keep an eye on your home’s surroundings and flag any unusual movement inside.

9. Don’t rule out DIY systems.

You can purchase a wireless alarm system without paying for installation or monthly monitoring. “If the alarm is activated, it triggers a loud siren, which is good enough to scare most burglars away,” McGoey notes.

He says the best part of any security system is the sign in the lawn advertising that you have a security system. “Many burglars will bypass your home due to the sign alone.”

10. Consider financial benefits.

Beyond the security benefits alone, a home security system also often bring you ahome insurance discount of up to 10 percent. A reduced insurance rate is not a universal rule, however, and any possible deduction will vary by insurance provider, Goodman points out.

In addition to potential home insurance discounts, Goodman suggests taking into account that some home security systems help homeowners conserve energy costs, as they can be integrated with thermostats and outlets, and monitored remotely.

It’s all about preparedness

Ultimately, proper home security precautions stem from research and preventive actions. Take a critical look at your new neighborhood, home, and lifestyle to best determine your family’s specific security needs.

3 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Painting Projects By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

October 14, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Painting projects are a fantastic and easy way to update and refresh the look of your home.

If you’re hoping to economize on your upcoming painting projects, here are some easy and painless ways to do it.

Use mistints

Every store that sells paint has mistints — paints that the store mixed to a specific color for a customer, and then the customer either never picked them up, or returned them.

These paints are marked down significantly so that the store can sell them quickly, sometimes at a discount of 50 to 75 percent — or even more.

You might be wondering what the chances are of getting the color you want when you shop for mistints. Well, it really depends on how specific you are about the color you want. If you’re looking for a very specific shade, then mistints may not be the right choice.

But if you have a general color scheme in mind and aren’t terribly invested in a specific color, mistints are the way to go. They can literally save you hundreds of dollars.

Pro tip: Shop for your mistints at high-end and specialty paint stores, rather than big-box home improvement stores. You are likely to find a better selection of colors, and some unbelievable discounts on ultra-high-quality paint

Pick the right paint the first time

Perhaps you’re wondering if you really need to prime your surface? The general guideline is that you don’t need to prime if the existing paint on your walls is in good shape, and the new color is similar in shade to the old color.

In all other cases, you should prime the surface first. You will be much happier with the quality of your finished paint job if you do so.

Then there are all the different types of paint to choose from. Do you want flat, satin, eggshell, semi-gloss, or gloss? Consider the following advantages and disadvantages of the different paint textures.

Flat

Works best for: Interior walls and ceilings, and, in particular, walls that have many imperfections
Advantages: Covers imperfections very well, and is easy to touch up later on
Disadvantages: Does not wash well, so wouldn’t be a good choice for kitchens or high-traffic areas

Eggshell

Works best for: Living room, bedroom, and dining room walls
Advantages: Easy to maintain, as it’s generally both washable and easy to touch up
Disadvantages: Not a good choice for high-moisture areas

Satin

Works best for: High-traffic areas of the home, such as kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and family room
Advantages: Easy to keep clean, as it’s washable
Disadvantages: Not so easy to touch up, as is the case with most gloss paints

Semi-gloss & gloss

Works best for: Trim work, molding, cabinets, kitchens, and bathrooms; also a good choice for exterior paint
Advantages: Provides great coverage for smooth surfaces such as finished wood surfaces; very washable and durable
Disadvantages: Not a good choice for textured surfaces or those with many imperfections

Once you’ve decided on the type of paint, be sure to pick the right color. Have you ever had to re-paint an entire room because the color just didn’t look like the color on the tiny little swatch you got from the store? Maybe it was a lot brighter, or darker, or just not the perfect shade.

To avoid this scenario, you can always buy a sample can of paint, and paint a swatch on the wall to see what it will look like.

Or, try this pro tip …

Pro tip: Make your own giant paint swatch with a sample can of the color you have in mind, and a big sheet of paper. You can move it around as much as you like to see the color in different parts of the room, and at different times of day.

To touch up or not to touch up?

Sometimes it makes sense to touch up your walls or ceilings, rather than incurring the expense and labor of re-painting the entire room. But it isn’t as easy as you might think to get a perfect match, even if you have some of the original paint leftover.

The color or sheen of the paint can change over time, whether it’s the painted wall changing from sun exposure, or the paint in the can losing some of its original color over time.

Here are some tips to make sure your touch-up job matches the original as closely as possible:

Try to use the same applicator for the touch-up that you used for the original paint job. If you painted with a roller, then touch up with a roller. Likewise, if you painted with a brush, you’ll want to touch up with a brush.
Use a light hand with the touch-up. Apply the touch-up paint very sparingly, and feather it into the existing wall.
If you have a lot of areas to touch up on one wall, consider just re-painting the one wall. It will be quicker and cheaper than re-painting the entire room, and if the color is slightly different, it won’t be as noticeable on such a large scale.

Pro tip: If you don’t have enough of the original paint on hand to complete your touch-up, you can bring a sample of the paint to the paint store, and they will do a color match for you, usually at no extra cost.

These tips should help you to not only save money on your paint jobs, but also give you the satisfaction of getting the great results you’re hoping for.

September 2016 Scottsdale Arizona Real Estate Market Update

October 12, 2016 szabogroup

Fall is here and the weather is finally cooling down! Our winter residents are returning to the Valley and we will soon see the influx of welcome visitors and buyers. Let’s take a look at how the real estate market fared in September 2016. New listings are up 21.5% from August with a total of 999 new listings vs. 822 in August. New contracts are down by 4.8% and closed sales are down by 11.1%. The median sale price has gone up from $389,000 in August to $394,000 in September. Keeping up with the current market is always important especially when you’re looking to buy and sell a home. It will be interesting to see where Scottsdale’s market ends up once the election is over. During these up and down activity months it is more important than ever to consult a real estate professional that knows the Scottsdale market.

If you’re considering purchasing or selling a property in Scottsdale give the The Szabo Group a Call – The Real Estate Experts.

We hope that you enjoy reading and analyzing the Scottsdale Luxury Home Report and should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or email him directly at [email protected]. You can also visit https://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.

September 2016 Paradise Valley Arizona Real Estate Market Update

October 12, 2016 szabogroup

Fall is here and the weather is finally cooling down! Our winter residents are returning to the Valley and we will soon see the influx of welcome visitors and buyers.

Taking a look at how the real estate market fared in September 2016 we see new listings are up 77.8% from August with a total of 80 new listings vs. 45 in August. New contracts were up 2.3% and closed sales are down 29.3% from August. The median sale went up from $1,145,000 in August to $1,200,000 in September. Keeping up with the current Market is always important especially when you’re looking to buy or sell a home. During these up and down activity months it is more important than ever to consult a real estate professional that knows the Paradise Valley market.

If you’re considering purchasing or selling a property in Paradise Valley give The Szabo Group a Call – The Real Estate Experts!

We hope that you enjoy reading and analyzing the Paradise Valley Luxury Home Report and should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or email him directly at [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also visit https://www.AZLuxuryHomes.com or https://scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Paradise Valley Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Paradise Valley and to search the Paradise Valley MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Please note that this Paradise Valley Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Paradise Valley Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley 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 Paradise Valley, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results.

How to Throw the Perfect Pumpkin-Carving Party By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

October 11, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Nothing says Halloween like carved pumpkins, friends in fun costumes, and festive treats. Follow these tips for throwing the perfect pumpkin-carving party with all your friends.

1. Create a casual atmosphere

Head out to the backyard, set up a few long folding tables with a disposable cloth, and let the fall atmosphere be your decor. Play some music, and let the party commence.

2. Assemble an easy, self-serve buffet

Don’t worry about serving a full meal that creates a lot of work for you. Instead, set up a self-serve buffet stocked with enough goodies for the evening, so you can enjoy the party. Think of a few simple savory dishes, add some fun and festive sweets, and you’ve got it covered. Include a drink station with a few options in dispensers. Label them, set up a stack of glasses and let your guests enjoy.

3. Set up carving stations

Arrange a simple but structured carving setup so your guests can enjoy the main event. Stock a table with various carving templates for those who want something other than the traditional smile. Don’t forget tape to attach the templates to the pumpkins.

On other tables, place cute buckets down the center to scoop the pumpkin seeds and pulp into. Then put out smaller containers to hold the carving utensils. You’ve provided everything guests need to carve the winning pumpkin.

4. Hold a carving contest

What good would pumpkin carving be without a little friendly competition? Have some judges and a variety of prizes on hand for the event. Think outside the box with the awards and go beyond just the “Best Pumpkin.” Think in terms of “Most Creative,” “Most Adventurous,” “Scariest,” and so on.

5. Commemorate the evening

Make sure you gather up those masterpieces for a group shot at the end of the evening. All that hard work must be commemorated. Share the party photos with your guests after the fact.

Get out those pumpkins, set the tables, and crank the music for the best pumpkin-carving party around.

12 Tips for a Safer, More Organized Home By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

October 7, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Ergonomics is a major trend in the working world. Small changes in the ergonomics of the workplace decrease the risk of serious falls, back pain, and joint injuries.

The same is true at home, especially in three common home ergonomic warning zones: the kitchen, bathroom, and garage or attic.

Here are some organization tips to extend the same level of health safety into your home life, whether you’re a senior citizen or a senior in college.

Kitchen

Your kitchen is filled with shelves and cabinets that are just waiting to be organized. Your cooking prep will be easier and safer without having to dig through drawers or take heavy items off of shelves.

Use a Lazy Susan. Placed in corner cabinets, Lazy Susans can make use of those hard-to-reach areas. Put one in your fridge and you can spin what you need to the front where you can easily grab it.
Use a step stool and grab claw. When living alone, don’t take the risk of climbing on your counters. With a step stool and a grab claw, everything will be within reach.
Organize your cabinets. Only use your gravy boat once a year? There’s no need to have it front and center. Store it off to the side or in a cabinet with other less-frequently used items. Place the things you use daily right up front instead.
Use floating storage. Attach magnets to small jars and attach them to your fridge. Fill with spices and snacks for beautiful and convenient storage.

Bathroom

It’s tempting to stuff your toiletries and extra bathroom supplies into hard-to-reach cabinets. But add a wet, slippery floor to the mix, and reaching for more toilet paper becomes a dangerous activity.

With a little creativity, you can create more easily accessible storage space.

Hang tension rods in cabinets. For extra storage space, hang your spray bottles on tension rods set up inside cabinets. This will reduce the need to stuff your cabinets or shelves full of supplies.
Place a shower caddy in the bathroom. A shower caddy hanging from your showerhead will keep all your toiletries in one place and leave the floor clear.
Use back-of-door space. A hanging shoe organizer can be used for more than just shoes. They are perfect to store toiletries and cleaning supplies.
Rearrange often-used items. Do you use it regularly? Place it front and center on your countertop. You should be able to reach the items you use all the time with ease. Items used less often should go in your medicine cabinet.

Garage or attic

Garages and attics are notorious for being the most disorganized rooms of the home. Getting supplies from the attic usually requires lifting and digging through heavy boxes.

Reduce your risk of back strain with these reorganization tips.

Use clear bins with descriptive labels. With once glance you will be able to see what you need and where it is. No more digging through each and every box.
Organize by season. You want to be able to access your winter decorations, but you only need to use them once a year. After the holidays are over, group everything together and place them behind other seasonal items that you will use first.
Use toilet paper rolls. Need to store wrapping paper or unused power cords? Slide them in a toilet paper roll to keep them from tangling.
File important documents. Rather than stacking documents in boxes, use a filing cabinet or folder to store your important documents. Be sure to neatly order and label each folder.

Organized and safe

An organized, ergonomic home reduces your risk of back strain, falls, and joint pain.

Your home should be your sanctuary, not a danger to your health. You deserve to have everything you need within safe and convenient reach.

You Live in a Hot Market … Should You Buy or Sell? By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

October 4, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

The real estate market is full of ups and downs. So when the market in your area is at the boiling point, should you strike while the iron is hot to buy or sell?

When you’re thinking about testing the waters with either a home purchase or sale, there’s a lot to consider before you make a decision.

Get expert advice before you make a jump into or out of a market. Here are some tips to get you started.

Determine just how hot your market is

Unless you actively seek out financial news, it may be difficult for many homeowners and potential buyers to know whether or not their market is at its peak.

“When you’re in a frothy market, you’ll typically see double-digit increases in values from one year to the next,” says Bridget Burgess, a client adviser at Seattle-based Laird Norton Wealth Management. “Once you’re seeing that, people walk away with a sense of urgency.”

Once buyers and sellers determine that their market is doing well, they often feel the need to act quickly. However, when it comes to real estate, it’s not always best to make a move just because a market is showing healthy signs.

Consider the long term

Real estate, more than any other type of investment, is emotionally charged. Though some buyers may purchase real estate with emotional detachment, most of us are thinking about a place to call home.

A red-hot real estate market can trick us into thinking that we need to only think about the bottom line.

“A frothy market might distract you from where the real estate might fit in your overall picture,” explains Kristi Mathisen, managing director of tax planning at Laird Norton Wealth Management. “Instead of selling, there could be a possibility of moving a home to be a rental home or giving your home to your children. A frothy market encourages people to focus on one transaction. Don’t let the market drive you into a decision.”

Just because there’s an opportunity to sell doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the right move for you. When you are thinking about selling, be sure to analyze where you are in your life.

Are your kids young, or have you been an empty nester for years? Are you close to retirement, and are you considering moving out of town? These are the types of questions to ask yourself before you make a move.

When you’re a buyer, a peak market can be a little bit riskier. Ask yourself if you’re comfortable with being upside down on a home if the market potentially collapses. Determine whether it makes more sense financially to rent or buy. Online calculatorscan help you figure out the best option.

What worked before doesn’t work today

The landscape of homeownership is completely different today than it was even a couple of decades ago. Wages have been stagnant for some time, and it’s not as easy to “grow into your mortgage” as it used to be.

Low mortgage rates also make it difficult for a buyer to refinance in the future.

“In the old days — when mortgage rates were five, seven, or nine percent — the usual advice was this: ‘Buy the biggest house you can finance. Try to get the worst house in the best neighborhood and fix it up,’” Mathisen says. “The idea was to stretch to buy now and refinance later to lower your payment. This advice is now questionable because mortgage rates are already at historically low levels (about 3.5 percent for 30 years; 2.8 percent for 15), so it’s unlikely refinancing can ever save a current buyer money.”

Take your time

The important thing to remember is that it’s smart to take your time to think about real estate decisions. After all, home sales and purchases cannot be undone quickly or easily — if at all.

It’s also crucial to make sure that your mortgage is not the only investment that you have, and to diversify, advises Burgess.

When you take the time to carefully calculate the costs, benefits, and purpose of the property you want to sell or invest in, you’re much more likely to arrive at a decision that will be the best for you and your family.