Archives for December 2016

5 Actions To Take Now for a Better 2017 By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 26, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Getting started now on organizing for 2017 will help you to ease the holiday crunch and paint an attainable path into the new year.

Here are five steps you can take to get started.

Donate now

The holidays are upon us, and the accumulation of new decorations and gifts are sure to put a squeeze on our living space. Now is the time to donate older items that you haven’t used in a while.

A tidy, streamlined home is a joy to live in. Courtesy of Krista Watterworth.

Give yourself some breathing room and make space for the influx of new presents coming in (which will need to be stored somewhere beginning in January). You will thank yourself when the holidays are over.

Get a holiday breakdown crew

Out of the garage, attic, and closets come the decorations! You will surely be spending hours giving your home (inside and out) that “just right” holiday feel.

Unfortunately, it will take hours to pack it all away again, so take a few steps now toward making the putting away easier on yourself.

First, gather or hire a holiday crew to help you take down, pack, and store all your decorations.
Second, set a firm time and date for the event.
Third, tell your holiday helpers to plan on spending the day with you to organize that closet, shelf in the garage, or attic space designated for seasonal decorations.

Putting away items in the new year will no longer be an event you put off — and you won’t have to do it alone.

Set gift budgets for the new year

There is one area in your budget that you can begin to manage now to help ease your outgoing cash flow in 2017.

We often overlook the money we spend on gifts throughout the year. Reviewing the past year and setting a maximum spending limit for gifts now allows you to put a budget in place for next year.

So, take a good look at your calendar and estimate how much you have already spent on birthdays and other special occasion gifts, then set a gift-buying budget — and do your best to adhere to it.

Prepare to live healthier in 2017

Do you typically make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or eat healthier? This is a common goal for many of us, especially after packing on a few extra holiday pounds.

But you don’t have to wait for the New Year. You can do something about it now rather than having to face the shame and remorse of overdoing it with family dinners and holiday parties. Consider making one small decision now to set yourself up for a win in the new year.

Try adding salads to your lunches and dinners. The salads don’t have to be boring, either. Mix it up by adding fruit, or try a mix of veggies to add to the lettuce or kale base of your choosing.

Also, try adding more fermented foods to your diet, such as sauerkraut and kimchi. Fermented foods help to reduce the craving for sweets, both at the end of the meal and in general.

Losing weight and eating healthier are worthy goals that will improve your quality of life. It’s just a matter of doing it. So, compromise now and add those salads into your diet for a kinder entry into the new year.

Set a vacation goal

Is there a special place you’ve been dreaming of visiting or returning to? Give yourself the gift of deciding on one “dream” vacation for next year.

I’m not suggesting you hop online and book a trip this instant — just write down the idea on a card, wrap it, and give the dream idea to yourself as a holiday gift this year. Giving yourself the gift of a vacation idea this year is a concrete step in making the dream become a reality for next year.

Of course, if you really want the dream vacation, you will want to work it into your budget and start saving for it now. This may mean buying fewer “filler” gifts for others so you can fulfill a more meaningful gift for yourself and your family.

That dream vacation only becomes a reality when you set an attainable goal and take the necessary steps to arrive at the destination. Don’t be afraid to start now.

Managing the new tasks and challenges that will likely arise throughout the upcoming year will be simpler with these plans in place. What a way to welcome in the new year!

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.

A Quick Guide to Holiday Houseplants By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 23, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Don’t let a silly houseplant add even more stress to your holiday routine.

From now through January, poinsettia, amaryllis, and holiday cacti only ask for three things: the right drainage, sunlight, and moisture.

After the holidays you can either throw them out with the tree and buy new plants next year, or you can follow these tips to get even bigger blooms next time around.

What holiday houseplants want — for the holidays

Drainage: First, take the containers out of their cellophane wrappers, which somehow manage to both trap water and leak, staining whatever sits beneath. To save your plant and your coffee table from excessive water, slip the plastic container or rootball into a real flowerpot with a drainage hole. Place a saucer beneath that to protect your furniture.

Sunlight: Notice that I said ‘sunlight’ rather than ‘artificial light.’ Even bright fluorescent lights often aren’t enough, so place your plant in a room that gets bright indirect light from a nearby window. This means that it should be bright enough to read comfortably with the lights off, but not so bright that you have to squint when looking out the window.

Oddly enough, your houseplant’s shadow offers another clue: The plant should have a blurry shadow. If there is no shadow, it needs more light. If the shadow is crisp, it’s too sunny.

Water: Overwatering is the No.1 killer of houseplants, and they’re especially vulnerable during the colder months. Here’s how to water them without regrets. Keep the houseplant where you can easily monitor its moisture. Before you water, allow the top inch (or fingertip length) of the potting mix to dry out. Then water the potting mix (not the leaves) until it is moist throughout. That’s it!

How to get bigger blooms next year

Up for a minor challenge and a big reward? Keep your poinsettia, amaryllis, and holiday cactus thriving and get bigger blooms each year by following these instructions.

Poinsettia: Poinsettia is probably the trickiest plant on this list to grow indoors year-round, but the payoff is big. After the holidays, prune the stems back hard to about 3 to 4 inches tall. Add slow-release fertilizer according to label instructions and continue watering whenever the top inch of the potting mix dries out. Provide extra humidity during winter by placing it in a brightly lit bathroom or occasionally misting with water.

Your poinsettia might look ragged by spring, but will quickly perk up if placed outdoors in a shady spot after the last frost. Prune again in summer for a bushier plant. To get a colorful display of leaf bracts, provide 14 hours of darkness every day from September through December. You might feel silly, but will be rewarded with a plant that grows bigger and bushier each year.

Holiday cactus: Since holiday cacti are naturally found growing along with orchids in the branches of South America’s rainforests, repot the plants in a 50 percent mixture of orchid mix and potting mix. After the blooms have faded, prune the outermost pads to stimulate growth and bushiness.

Give your holiday cactus a rest period during winter by watering only when the potting mix has dried out completely. Resume regular watering in April, and feed with an orchid fertilizer according to label directions. In September, place the plant in a cool place (between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and reduce watering until flower buds form. Then resume normal watering, and fertilize for a flush of flowers that gets bigger each year.

Amaryllis: Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is very easy to grow and will readily bloom again next December with just a little bit of care. After blooming, cut off the flower stem and continue letting the top inch of potting mix dry out between waterings.

In spring (after the last frost) move it outdoors to a sunny spot, provide fertilizer, closely monitor for slugs, and water regularly. Starting in mid-August, allow the potting mix to dry out completely between waterings. When you see a flower bud about eight weeks later, move the plant to a sunny spot (direct sun is fine) to get a strong and sturdy stem, and resume regular watering. Once the flowers have opened, display your amaryllis with pride.

5 Trends in New Home Construction By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 16, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

In the world of apparel fashion, trends go in and out in a matter of months. For interior design, trends may change year to year. But home construction changes much more slowly — on the scale of decades.

Home fashions take a while to build momentum, but they are happening. Here’s a look at five trends in the world of home construction and beyond.

Solar roofing

If you haven’t been paying attention, it might feel as if the current solar renaissance came out of nowhere. Recent improvements in solar tech have moved solar panelsfrom an expensive niche technology to a reality for many homeowners.

“What’s really made solar accessible — beyond improved efficiency — is the support it’s received from power companies, state and local governments, and eco-conscious investors,” says Brooke Nally, content strategist with Solar Power Authority. This support translates into leasing options, subsidies, and tax breaks for solar customers.

As a major home renovation, solar panels are already making waves in the home roofing space. “We see a lot of interest in solar from people who are redoing their roofs — it’s the perfect time to consider adding panels,” Nally explains.

From traditional panels to Tesla’s solar shingles, roof design is already seeing major shifts to accommodate solar.

Smart homes

It’s no secret that home automation has become a growing trend in the home building arena. Every year, new companies roll out novel technologies to help people better manage and control their homes.

Even search engine giant Google got in on the smart home game, acquiring smart thermostat company Nest for $3.2 billion.

“What we’re seeing more and more is companies trying to address needs that people never thought they had,” says David DeMille, online manager for ASecureLife.com. “New devices enter the marketplace all the time, extending past basic sensors to include Wi-Fi enabled doorbells, portable cameras, and two-way speakers.”

DeMille is already seeing homes being retrofitted with these devices, and expects they will become standard in new home construction moving forward.

But this trend may take some more baking before it’s ready to really rise. Home automation can lower power bills and make your home safer, but with constantly updating technologies, they haven’t historically offered a solid return on investment.

Energy-efficient windows

Not even windows are immune to the growing popularity of home automation.

For example, data shows that windows are about 25 percent more energy efficient when locked, according to Sal Abbate, senior vice president at Andersen Windows. Imagine getting a reminder to close or lock your windows to save on your energy bills. “That kind of information sent back to a homeowner – we think could be a really interesting trend,” he explains.

Energy efficiency will continue to be a driving trend in windows moving forward, as glass films and coatings make windows better at insulating from heat and cold.

Glazing (coating windows so they can become frosty or opaque at the flick of a switch) may be the next science fiction-cum-reality development in windows, as more manufacturers experiment with how to bring the technology out of the luxury market and into everyday homes.

Barn doors

Though this one is partly an interior design trend, installing barn doors requires enough construction to qualify as a building trend. Most interior barn doors slide on a bar mounted above the frame, which presents a smaller profile for interior thresholds.

Electric car charging stations

The continued growth of the electric car industry is having a lasting impact on at least one aspect of home building: the garage. As more homeowners make the switch to fully electric cars, charging stations are becoming a more common fixture in garages.

“Demand has grown a lot recently,” real estate agent Anna Sherrill reports. Sherrill handles sales for a boutique Miami property, Louver House, which recently installed four charging stations in its 24-car parking garage.

The most expensive stations are still around $3,000, while self-installed units can be as cheap as $300. Expect to see more electric car charging stations in the garages of tomorrow.

Home construction has changed drastically in the past decade with the emergence of home automation and a stronger focus on green homes. However, changes in technology and lifestyles will continue to drive home construction changes with a renewed focus on flexibility, automation, and energy efficiency.

9 Winter Wonderland Homes to Get You in the Holiday Spirit By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 14, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

There are those who flee to warmer weather in the winter months, and then there are those who bundle up and head right to the slopes. If you fall into the latter category and a dream home is on your wish list, these 10 postcard-perfect winter wonderlands will be just the thing to get you in the holiday spirit.

With gorgeous snowy views and easy access to skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding, these homes offer the ultimate apres ski retreats, with cozy features like fireplaces, outdoor hot tubs, and even a hot chocolate bar.

Breckenridge, CO

For sale: $10.475 million

Dreaming of your own private ski lodge? Look no further than this Breckenridge, CO luxury property. The 7-bedroom, 8-bathroom, European-style ski-in/ski-out lodge is conveniently located right near the Snowflake lift.

Olympic Valley, CA

For sale: $2.45 million

Home to the 1960 winter games, the aptly named Olympic Valley near Lake Tahoe is a ski-lover’s dream. Nestled in the mountains, you can soak in the outdoor hot tub of this 4,100-square-foot home before drying off by the cozy fireplace.

Vail, CO

For sale: $16.5 million

For a luxury winter retreat with a rustic vibe, check out this 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom home in the popular winter resort town of Vail. Walk to Gondola One and the shops and restaurants of Vail Village, then retreat back to your own private lodge.

Tamarack, ID

For sale: $349,900

If you’re looking for a move-in ready winter home with no hassle, this 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom cottage in the heart of Tamarack Resort is about as hassle-free as it gets. Offered fully furnished — including hot tub — the home is perfectly situated for easy access to ski lifts, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and hiking.

Park City, UT

For sale: $8.9 million

Why get a room in a ski resort when you can buy your own? This 6-bedroom, 8-bathroom, 9,918-square foot Park City home has all the high-end amenities one could ever want after a day on the slopes: quartz fireplace, Wi-Fi controlled hot tub, outdoor fire pit, temperature-controlled wine cellar, and an oversized ski room with boot glove warmers and a coffee/hot chocolate bar.

Steamboat Springs, CO

For sale: $4.9 million

This 8,690-square-foot furnished home is kind of like a log cabin on steroids. Rustic wood and stone aesthetics meet modern amenities like a chef’s kitchen, and fireplace and jetted tub in the master suite. Downstairs find a Western-style “saloon” that was made for entertaining.

Truckee, CA

For sale: $2.495 million

Imagine a charming two-story brick, stone, and wood cabin located right on the Northstar ski slope. This Truckee, CA ski-in/ski-out home is like your personal winter wonderland, with dual outdoor living areas and hot tub. Should you choose to leave, all the activities, restaurants, and shopping of Northstar are a stone’s throw away.

Mountain Village, CO

For sale: $7 million

The words “luxury” and “log cabin” don’t seem like they would go together, but this 5-bedroom, 7,516-square-foot home proves that the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Located on the slopes of Mountain Village, CO, it’s perfectly situated to enjoy beautiful views while warming up by the wood-burning fireplace.

The North Pole

Santa’s House

The North Pole

Nowhere says winter wonderland like the North Pole. For the ultimate holiday daydream, imagine decking the halls at Santa’s house. The toy-lover’s paradise is nestled on 25 idyllic acres. Chock full of holiday magic, the home features a floor-to-ceiling river rock fireplace and a baker’s oven with 12 cookie settings. The property also boasts a state-of-the-art toy making facility, sleigh-ready garage, and reindeer stalls.

November 2016 Scottsdale Arizona Real Estate Market Update By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 12, 2016 szabogroup

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team/ Az Luxury Homes

Winter is here and the holidays are upon us! Let’s take a look at how the real estate market faired in November 2016. New listings are down by 23.1% from October with a total of 856 new listings vs. 1,113 in October. New contracts are down by 5.0% and closed sales are down by 1.7%. However, the median sale price is up from $396,000 in October to $410,000 in November. During these up and down activity months it is more important than ever to consult a real estate professional that knows the Scottsdale. It is essential to get the right advice on how to protect your investment.

If you’re considering to purchase or sell a property in Scottsdale we invite you to reach out to Joe and Linda Szabo with The Szabo Group – The Scottsdale Real Estate Experts! They and their team are more than happy to assist you with any of your real estate needs.

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.

November 2016 Paradise Valley Real Estate Market Update, By Joe Szabo

December 12, 2016 szabogroup

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team / Az Luxury Homes

Winter is here and the holidays are upon us! Let’s take a look at how the real estate market faired in November 2016. New listings are up 4.2% from October with a total of 68 new listings vs. 71 in October. New contracts were up by 14.7% and closed sales are down by 26.3 % from October. The median sale went down from $1,215,000 in October to $1,000,000 in November. 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.

We hope that you enjoy reading and analyzing the Paradise Valley Lux ury 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 Decorate Simply for the Holidays By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 10, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

You may have dreams of decorating your home like it’s a display window at a fancy department store, but then reality strikes: You’ve still got gift shopping and wrapping to do, holiday parties to attend and host … not to mention your everyday life to live.

Don’t get overwhelmed. Go for intentional minimalism. Some years, less is more.

Simple decor can still have a big impact — not the least of which is relieving you of some holiday hustle and bustle. All you need to do is hone in on sprucing up three key areas in your home.

Target your tree

The most obvious place to start is your Christmas tree. For an easy, fuss-free tree, go with a monochromatic color scheme.

Another option is to use all neutral colors so you don’t have to worry about balancing a color palette or tree placement — it will coordinate with any room’s normal decor.

Make your mantel magical

If you have a fireplace in your home, the mantel is an ideal spot to bring a little holiday cheer, but don’t make it too complicated.

Choose a statement-making garland to hang or drape across the top. Place some candles on the mantel to light at night, and you’re good to go.

Top off your table

The holidays are a prime time for entertaining, hosting, and gathering around the table. So bring seasonal flair to your table with a beautiful garland, which can go a long way as a table runner.

Make the decor as simple as placing a lush garland in the center of your table and mixing in candles for added ambiance.

Decorating for the holidays has never been so easy. Focus on these three spots, and your home will feel magical and holiday-ready in no time.

3 Common Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Make By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 7, 2016 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Everton Allen, now 28, graduated from college and was living with his parents while working as a graphic designer for the Miami Dolphins when he decided he wanted to start his own company and buy his own home.

“I’d saved for a down payment over several years,” he says. “But I was worried it wouldn’t be enough, and that not having a traditional salary would affect my ability to qualify.”

Such misgivings are common — prevalent, even.

Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group conducted a survey to gauge consumers’ understanding of mortgage qualification criteria. About 40 percent of consumers responded “don’t know” when asked about requirements for minimum down payments, and 54 percent and 59 percent, respectively, said they didn’t know required minimum credit scores and maximum back-end debt-to-income (DTI) ratios.

Get professional advice

Allen sought help from a housing counselor at NID-HCA, a HUD-approved counseling agency in Miami Gardens. The counselor reviewed his credit, helped him make some adjustments, and assured him he could qualify for Fannie Mae’s HomeReady mortgage.

HomeReady lets borrowers put as little as 3 percent down. It also requires completion of a $75 online pre-purchase education course by Framework Homeownership. “The course was a great tool that helped me to reach my goal and feel really prepared,” says Allen.

Allen worked with a local real estate agent to purchase a 2-bedroom, 2-bath single-family home. He’s been a homeowner for about six months, and has transitioned to self-employment, retaining the Miami Dolphins as a client and adding the Miami Marlins.

“I’m handling the mortgage payments just fine,” he reports. “It’s great to own a home and be self-employed.”

Learn the process

By seeking help, Allen avoided the pitfalls that trap some would-be buyers.

“First-time buyers don’t know what they don’t know,” says Dawn Lane, broker/owner of Professional Realty Group in Las Vegas, NV. Lane says she’s seen it all — from tears to screams — when buyers can’t get a home they’ve fallen in love with.

“There’s a difference in how first-time buyers versus veteran home buyers view the purchase journey,” notes Steve Deggendorf, a director of market insights research in Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group.

“If consumers learn more about shopping for both their new home and their new mortgage, they will be more prepared to embark on the largest purchase most will make in their lifetime,” he states. A lack of home-buying knowledge can not only slow a deal, it can kill it, Lane points out.

Common pitfalls

Here are three predicaments first-time buyers may encounter along the purchase journey:

Going it alone. It’s great to do some online home shopping — and you might see homes in neighborhoods you’re considering and think a quick visit can’t hurt. Think again, warns Lane. Your first step should be talking with a housing counselor, lender, real estate agent, or other trusted adviser to help you understand if you’re ready to buy or if renting could be a better option.

According to the Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report, only 46 percent of buyers did not get the first home on which they made an offer, demonstrating that in today’s fast-moving market, “disappointment and competition are now part of the process.” You need an ally who knows the system inside and out.

Looking at homes you can’t afford. Audrey Fox, a broker for Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in Elizabeth City, NC, insists that home buyers get pre-approved before she shows them homes. Pre-approval involves completing a loan application and submitting documentation like W-2s, tax returns, and pay stubs.

And remember, being approved for a certain amount doesn’t mean you have to spend that much. “You should decide how much you’re comfortable paying for your mortgage each month, considering all of your expenses beyond the mortgage, and focus on homes within your budget,” notes Deggendorf.

Not comparing mortgage quotes. Just because you have worked with one lender, or gotten pre-approved by them, doesn’t mean you have to stick with them. In fact, to get the best loan terms, you should shop around and compare quotes from different lenders, advises Deggendorf, who notes that Fannie Mae research has found only two-thirds of shoppers get more than one mortgage quote. “If you don’t look around, you could be leaving money on the table,” he says.