Archives for December 2019

Tips for Holiday Storage by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 31, 2019 Joe Szabo

Stay organized and efficient when putting away holiday decorations for next year — our easy tips will make your post-holiday cleanup quick and simple.

Label everything. Before you start packing away your decorations, the key is to label everything so you know where items are — and what they are, as well. If you plan to store more than one type of decoration in a single location, label each section to save time and frustration next year.

Use divided boxes for ornaments. Divided wine or liquor boxes are perfect for storing round or odd-shaped ornaments — they’re sturdier than commercial versions and often free at your local store. Line the compartments with felt (shown) or tissue paper to protect the ornaments.

Wrap lights before storing. When taking down your lights, wrap them around a piece of cardboard or a wrapping paper tube to prevent them from getting tangled in storage. Tape the ends of the light strings to the cardboard with low-tack masking tape to keep them secure.

Find a cool place for candles. Holiday candles should be stored in a cool place, such as a basement or the refrigerator if possible. Wrap them in cellophane (available at paper goods or crafts stores) to keep them from melting together or transferring color if they get warm. Don’t use plastic wrap or waxed paper, as these materials might melt onto the candle in excessive heat.

Save the original packaging. Storing items with small pieces, such as nativity sets or holiday villages, is easiest if you keep the original packaging. Not only does this ensure that the box is the right size, but the picture on the box keeps you from having to make a label.

Stack flat ornaments. Place flat ornaments, such as icicles, flat snowflakes, and wooden cutouts, between layers of tissue and store them in shoe boxes or labeled gift boxes.

Make bubble wrap your last step. For more delicate Christmas ornaments, store with bubble wrap — but never place it directly against an ornament. First, wrap fragile or vintage ornaments in acid-free tissue paper, then add a layer of bubble wrap and place in a cardboard box. We like storing all of our Christmas ornaments in stacked holiday boxes (shown).

Repurpose a hatbox. Unused hat boxes are the perfect storage solution for holiday wreaths. Find one that’s slightly larger than your wreath so you can remove it easily for next use — to give your wreath extra protection, wrap in thin plastic (we use dry-cleaning bags). Once all of your wreaths are put into boxes, store together in a closet or the garage.

Keep wrapping paper organized. Wrapping paper isn’t just used during the holidays, so save space and hassle when you go to wrap gifts by storing everything together. This over-the-door gift wrap storage organizer holds wrapping paper, ribbon, tissue paper, gift bags, and all other gift wrapping adornments.

Put together a holiday tool kit. Fill a regular toolbox (or a shoebox) with holiday essentials, such as ornament hooks, tape, wire cutters, nylon line, narrow ribbon, scissors, florist’s wire, twist ties, and spare holiday light bulbs, so that next year all these supplies will be ready to go.

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.

Happy New Year by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 26, 2019 Joe Szabo

This picture reminds me of how many families we have had the privilege to help buy or sell a home. It reminds us of the most important thing about our job . . . the family-like relationships we have with the best clients in the business…joy for our team who have worked so hard to help, excitement for the lenders that have come through for their clients, and gratitude that we got to be a part of something so very special for you

These feelings aren’t every once and a while, they are every time we help a client. Many of you know that’s the way we feel, but for those of you who don’t, we just wanted you to know. We give you and your clients everything we have every single day. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the honor and privilege of working with you.We hope that you will allow us to be a part of life for years to come. We will continue to give you everything we have.

Wishing you and your family a joyful and safe holiday season and a very Happy 2020 New Year!

Happy Holidays by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 24, 2019 Joe Szabo

The best part of the season is remembering those who make the holidays meaningful.

We wish you all the love and happiness this season can bring, and may it follow you throughout the coming new year. We thank you for your business and your friendship.

Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and a new year of peace, happiness, and success from Joe & your friends at Scottsdale Real Estate Team.

Choosing a Bathroom Mirror by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 19, 2019 Joe Szabo

Bathroom mirrors have been a centerpiece of elegance and beauty in household bathrooms dating all the way back to the 19th Century. Homeowners and designers from all fashions and backgrounds consider the bathroom vanity mirror as one of the most important design elements for a bathroom of any size.

One or Two Bathroom Mirrors?

We’ll start off with one of the most common questions our customers ask us – is it better to have one or two bathroom mirrors? In truth, it all depends on the size of your bathroom. Different bathroom vanity sizes can provide different answers to the same question.

If your vanity is wide enough, you have the option of supporting two bathroom mirrors, or a single mirror that is wide enough to fit over both sinks. Think about the look you are going for. You can consider the following guidelines:

If you want your bathroom to have a vertical look, you should invest in two vertically-long mirrors, rather than one large one. This is a great option for bathrooms with high ceilings.
If you want to emphasize the spaciousness of your bathroom, it may be better to have a single wide-reaching mirror. That way, you and your guests will truly be able to tell how big and wide your bathroom is.

You can, in some cases, use multiple mirrors in a bathroom even when there is only one vanity or sink. You can offer a balance of symmetry and functional spatial design with the addition of a second mirror, as long as it is parallel to the first one. Adding decorative touches, such as a sconce or a light fixture in between the two mirrors, adds another layer of depth and variety as well. You can create an artistic and elegant composition with the addition of a decoration underneath the second mirror so that the vanity looks nice and full.

Choosing the Right Size for Your Bathroom Mirrors

Size is one of the most important factors to consider for your bathroom mirror(s). If the mirror isn’t sized right, it may throw off the entire look of the bathroom. Instead, you may want to consult our style guide to see how you can match your mirror to the perfect fit.

Consider the following unofficial rules of designing bathroom mirrors:

Bathroom vanity mirrors should be the same width as the vanity itself. This is a common approach taken by many interior designers, as it helps to perfectly match the mirror to the vanity. This is a modern take on some of the older vanity design styles, which came with their own mirrors attached to the top of the furniture.
Vanity mirrors are never wider than the vanity. Although there are some exceptions to this rule, it is typically understood that a vanity mirror should not exceed the width of the vanity. This may create a sense of awkwardness that does not match most design tactics.
You can work with a mirror that is shorter in width than the vanity. Many creative ideas were born out of the problem of a mismatched mirror and vanity combination. Not everyone has access to custom-made mirrors, and some have to make do with the sizes they are given. There are plenty of ways to make a beautiful, elegant, and fashion-forward bathroom vanity mirror out of a different size. By adding a frame, you can make the mirror appear wider than it actually is, which will give the effect of a matching mirror and vanity.

There are also frameless bathroom mirrors available. While standard frame sizes can help your mirror reach at least 70% – 80% of the width of your vanity, frameless bathroom mirrors may be able to enhance the look of your bathroom even further. This gives your guests the ability to see more angles at once, getting a more functional use out of the mirror.

You should also remember to keep the bathroom mirror a foot above and below the average eyeline. This typically lays somewhere between 4 and 6 feet above the floor, depending on the average height of you and your family. But the general rule is that the bigger the mirror is, the more functional it will be. Try to allow yourself as much space as possible.

Despite this, however, the bathroom mirror is still often overlooked. People who use the bathroom will tend to notice their own reflections before noticing the mirror itself, in terms of its design and style. But once the idea of choosing the perfect bathroom mirror starts to form in one’s head, it can often bring about a slew of questions and concerns over making the right choice.

Choosing a mirror for bathrooms of all types can be a fun and important challenge. This quick guide will help you decide which type of mirror works best for the size, shape, and style of your bathroom. Be sure to consider your aesthetic preferences as well as your budget.

Jewelry for your Kitchen Cabinets by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 17, 2019 Joe Szabo

Distinctive kitchen cabinet details–from layered finishes and hip hardware to architectural embellishments–stylishly boost interest in traditional, contemporary, vintage, and cottage kitchen designs. A brand-new kitchen references long-ago eras with cabinets sporting painted finish in handsome green, white porcelain knobs, and beaded-board accents. Leaded-glass doors on upper cabinets further the vintage vibe and provide breezy counterpoints to solid base cabinets.

Metal-screen inserts that mirror the gray tones of stainless-steel pro-style appliances and marble countertops brighten dark-finished base cabinet doors. An idea borrowed from antique pie safes, the mesh panels let air circulate through the cabinets to keep produce fresher and musky odors at bay.

Stainless-steel cabinet drawers add an unexpected contemporary touch to a primarily traditional kitchen. The drawers duplicate the range and hood’s shimmer, standout from gray cabinet frames, and sleekly contrast with molding-trimmed upper cabinets. Carved legs give this island a furniture-like profile, while also supporting the island’s overhanging marble top. Simple drawer pulls and a stained finish that lets the wood grain show through further distinguish the island from the more formally finished perimeter cabinets.

Exposed strap hinges rendered in a high-impact shape and a modern material partner with softly curved chrome pulls to beautifully update white-painted cabinets in a cottage-style kitchen. Note the recessed dual-paneled design that brings a handcrafted look and eye-catching depth to this pair of cabinet doors. Upper cabinet doors equipped with glass panels handily balance lower cabinets’ solid forms, but can be a little too transparent for some tastes. These textured glass panes handily blur cabinet contents, while introducing a subtle undulating pattern to the streamlined kitchen.

Layers of glazes, paints, and stains create cabinet finishes seemingly worn by time and touched by generations of cooks. Here, black, red, and blue finishes stack up beneath a crackled topcoat, which creates a glazed finish that allows each color to be seen and appreciated. Bin-style pulls underscore the cabinets’ vintage essence. Appearing to have been pieced together over time, this new kitchen combines different cabinet profiles in various weathered finishes. Skirting and leg elements, distressed finishes, and furniture pulls give base cabinets the look of freestanding chests of drawers. Antiquing glaze ages small cabinet doors enclosing the lower section of a corner niche and brings a wall-mounted cabinet into the old-world scheme.

Using Barn Doors Inside your Home by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 12, 2019 Joe Szabo

Barn doors take up little floor space, are easy to open and close, and come in a range of styles, including rustic and refined. Want to add one to your decor? Browse these ideas for putting sliding barn doors to good use in your home, inside and out.

Barn doors, generally hung singly or in pairs, roll across rails or tracks installed above and outside door openings. They are relatively easy to install and very easy to open and close. This rustic number, stylishly detailed with horseshoe hardware, beefs up interest in all-white spaces and, when a party’s on tap, can be rolled shut to hide party-related messes in the kitchen.

Take time to shop around for antique, salvaged, new, or custom-crafted barn doors to ensure you get doors and installation hardware that perfectly suit your decor. This pair of finely finished barn doors features raised X designs that play off patterns in the flooring and window muntins. The doors’ silhouettes accented with black iron handles and hinges complement this home’s Tuscan style.

If you live in an old home or a home with a distinct architectural style, choose doors that stay in step with your home’s origins or design ethos. This old-fashioned five-panel door slides across a galvanized-steel track to close off the bathroom, where the same type of doors provide interest on the far wall. Not just for doorways, barn doors can also move into play as privacy screens for windows and glass exterior doors.

Barn doors have long dressed garages, garden sheds, and, of course, barns. So, it only makes sense to incorporate the doors into alfresco entertaining spaces. These clever homeowners devised a way to do just that: They suspended a pair of white-trimmed barn doors to enclose a patio-side kitchen. They throw open the doors when guests arrive and close them later to secure bar supplies and protect cabinetry from the elements.

It’s no surprise that barn doors work well in homes boasting farmhouse flair and vintage cottage charm; they perfectly complement beamed ceilings, board-and-batten walls, and beaded-board details. Keep architecturally rich spaces from appearing too busy by choosing simply profiled barn doors painted to match adjoining walls.

Massive barn doors visually anchor tall ceilings and neatly span wide doorways. When painted with a glossy white finish, they become airy backdrops that spotlight a room’s furnishings while reflecting light from nearby windows. These vertically planked doors have an antique feel, but you’ll find more modern barn doors made from different types of glass and others that are clad in mirror or leather. Because barn doors slide horizontally instead of swinging outward into a room, they’re a space-saving solution for rooms located off narrow hallways, such as powder rooms and coat closets, as well as foyers, kids’ bedrooms, and other spaces where every inch of floor space counts. In public spaces, opt for doors equipped with windows that let light flow between adjacent rooms; windows also lighten the appearance of heavy barn doors.

Unlike pocket doors, which slide through doorframes into adjacent walls, barn doors, and their track systems can be hung by handy do-it-yourselfers in a short amount of time. This allows you to switch out ho-hum doors with more stylish gateways (like this lovely Craftsman-style door) that look great whether rolled open against a contrasting wall, tightly closed or left partially ajar.

Light up the night with these sleek outlets by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 10, 2019 Joe Szabo

Don’t be scared of the dark. Light up the night with these sleek outlets that couldn’t be easier to install.

No matter how well you know the layout of your home, it can be tricky to maneuver in the dark. Night-light outlet covers are here to help. These sneaky covers have a trio of motion-activated lights built into the switchplate, and they snap right over your existing outlet.

Unlike traditional night-lights, these covers don’t take up outlet space, hog energy, or pose a fire hazard. They’re pet- and child-safe, and can be used in any room. We recommend installing them in the kitchen, bathroom, hallway, and bedroom.

What You Need

Screwdriver
Snap-in night-light (we used the Guidelight from SnapPower)- and they are less than $10!

Step 1: Turn Off Power

Turn off power at the circuit breaker for the room or outlet where you’ll be installing the sensor. Flip the switch on and off to confirm that the power is out.

Step 2: Remove Outlet Cover

Remove the switchplate cover with a screwdriver.

Step 3: Place Night-Light Outlet

Attach the light to the power outlet. It will simply snap into place. Just make sure the power prongs are positioned on top of the outlet screws—this is what will give the outlet power.

Step 4: Secure Night-Light Outlet

Secure the night-light outlet cover to the outlet with screws. Restore power at circuit breaker.

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.

Be Smart about your Thermostat by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 5, 2019 Joe Szabo

Don’t let an old thermostat suck the energy (literally!) out of your home. Upgrade to a smart, easy-to-program, and energy-efficient thermostat, such as the Nest Thermostat, $246.95 at Amazon. They’re easier to install than you might think, and many models pay for themselves after a year. First, before you start any installation, double-check the location of your old thermostat to ensure it’s in the best place. Then, you’ll need to make sure your home’s heating and cooling system is compatible with a smart thermostat. Also, be sure to download the thermostat’s mobile app (if available) so you can track your usage, set your thermostat while you’re away from home, and learn how to use less energy.

What You Need

Programmable thermostat (we used the Nest Thermostat)
Screwdriver
Camera or smartphone
Joint compound
Putty knife
Sandpaper
Paintbrush
Paint
Screws
Drill (optional)

Where to Place Your Thermostat

When installing your new smart thermostat, your instinct might be to put it where the old one once was—but that’s not always the best option. Your new device should go on an interior wall, and away from anything that could drastically affect the temperature of the area, such as direct sunlight, an air vent, or a window, according to Consumer Reports. If your old thermostat was installed in a less than ideal place, you’ll have to hire someone to reconnect the wires. After you’ve completed this step, it’s time to install your new gadget.

Step 1: Turn Off Power

Turn off power at the circuit breaker for your heating and cooling system. If the system is running, wait until it stops. Then drastically adjust the temperature. If you don’t hear the air kick on, then you know it’s off.

Step 2: Remove Old Thermostat

Snap off or unscrew the existing thermostat cover. Take a picture of the wires with a camera or smartphone to remember how your system is laid out.

Step 3: Label Wires

If your old thermostat was in a proper place, use small stickers (the Nest comes with labeled stickers) or pieces of colored tape to label each wire. Then, disconnect the old thermostat backplate with a screwdriver.

Step 4: Patch and Paint

Unless your new thermostat is the same shape and size as the old one, you’ll likely need to patch the wall. (Or, if you’re putting your new device in a different area, you’ll have to repair the wall completely.) Spread joint compound onto the wall with a putty knife. Let dry. Lightly sand the area, then paint to match the existing wall shade. Let dry.

Step 5: Attach New Thermostat

Thread the wires through the backplate of the new thermostat. Attach backplate to wall with screws.

Step 6: Connect New Thermostat

Insert each labeled wire into its matching connector. Push the wires in until they click. Once all wires are attached, push them flat against the wall to make room for the thermostat display plate.

Step 7: Attach Display Plate

Attach the thermostat display plate to the backplate. You should hear it snap securely into place.

Step 8: Program Thermostat

Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker. Then program the thermostat according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A smart thermostat will learn your habits and sync to your mobile phone, allowing you to adjust your home’s temperature at any point and saving you money on energy bills.

Pros & Cons of Selling Your Home Over the Holidays by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 3, 2019 Joe Szabo

Selling your home during the holidays is loaded with pros and cons. Your agent may recommend keeping your home on the market because “you’ll know the buyers are serious.” That may be true in some areas, but keep in mind that real estate agents always want your home on the market, regardless of whether it’s the right time to sell or not. If your home isn’t on the market, agents don’t have the opportunity to make a sale, and it’s as simple as that. They could also worry that, if you cancel a listing during the holidays, you might relist with a different agent in the new year.

On the other hand, some people do need to sell over the holidays, and some buyers have no alternative but to buy a home during the holidays. Whether or not it’s best to keep your home on the market will come down to personal preference, but there are some benefits and drawbacks you should consider as you make your decision.

Drawbacks to Selling Your Home Over the Holidays

There are potential drawbacks to keeping your home on the market throughout the holiday season. Not all of them will apply to you, but it’s best to be prepared for everything that could go wrong with a holiday home sale—then be pleasantly surprised when not all of these negatives apply to you.

- First-time home buyers, not knowing any better, could think you are desperate. Buyers might try to negotiate or give you a lowball offer.
- It’s inconvenient during the holidays to always be ready for a home showing at a moment’s notice. Not everybody wants to keep the house spic and span when cooking, wrapping gifts, and throwing parties.
- You’re appealing to a much smaller inventory of buyers who have specific needs that your home might not match.
- It’s almost impossible to close a financed transaction in December if the offer is received mid-month. Buyers who want to close after the New Year will probably make offers in January.

If you remove your home from the market, it can return as a brand new listing in January, thereby drawing more traffic because it’s fresh and exciting.
Your agent might be on vacation in December and unavailable as the market moves into a seasonal slowdown. Other real estate professionals might be unavailable when you need them as well.

Benefits to Selling Your Home Over the Holidays

Some sellers insist on leaving their homes on the market through the holidays. This can work out great for sellers in some cases, but it all depends on factors like local customs, what neighbors are doing, and how real estate activity is viewed by others during the holiday season in your area. Every town is different.

Reduced inventory over the holidays generally means less competition. However, the pool of buyers also drops. In parts of the country where it snows, buyers may think twice about bundling up and trudging through the snow to go looking at homes, when they’d rather be gift shopping or staying at home in front of the fireplace. On the other hand, if you live in an area with a milder climate, buys could be undeterred, and you will only benefit from the lack of inventory on the market through the holidays.

If you have a hard-to-sell home with drawbacks and defects (like a bad location, for example), you might get shoved to the bottom of the showing list if you wait until spring to sell your home. There might be too many other much nicer homes for sale at that time. Your hard-to-sell home might rise to the top when there are fewer homes for sale over the holidays.

Scale Back the Holiday Decorations

If you decide to keep your home on the market, back off on the decorations. Too many decorations can be overwhelming and distracting. Don’t make the mistake of thinking buyers will “see past it,” because they can’t. As agents sometimes say, “the eye buys.”

Minimizing decorations will make your home feel more spacious and keep pathways clear. When buyers enter your home, you want them to imagine putting their furniture in each room, making it theirs, and they can’t do that if your holiday decorations dominate the stage. Not to mention that, by avoiding excessive family pictures and personalized decorations, you are protecting your privacy during home showings.

Holiday Decorating Compromises for Stubborn Sellers

You don’t have to altogether avoid putting up a Christmas tree, menorah, or any other seasonal displays, but you should aim to keep the decorations to a minimum. Here are some tips for sellers who can’t resist the urge to decorate for the holidays:

Don’t block or cover up important selling features such as fireplace mantels, stairs, or stained-glass windows.
Tone down the size of the tree, if you plan on getting one. In place of a 10-foot tree, try decorating a table-top, four-foot version.
Stack wrapped presents in one corner or a closet.
Use more splashes of red than green—red is an emotionally appealing color.
Resist the urge to hang banners, and use greenery instead, such as evergreen or rosemary garlands.
Display centerpieces made from pine cones or other wintry pieces of nature.
Set a plate of cookies on the counter, next to festive paper napkins for guests.
Simmer spicy apple cider on the stove, and set out cups and serving utensils.
Consider hiring a home stager to do seasonal home staging with the buyer in mind.

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.