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

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, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com 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

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. 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, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com 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.

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

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, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com 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.

Cactus Christmas Tree by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

You know we are always looking for new ideas and cool things for our home. We follow someone on Instagram (@leahhoff) who posted her Christmas Tree that is a CACTUS. It was so cool, we loved it so much and knew we needed one ASAP. Upon further research we found out that her exact tree isn’t sold anymore. Search the internet and you will find that these babies cost hundreds of dollars and are all sold out. So of course as we do with everything, we decided to figure out how to make it. Today, I’m going to show you how to make one for yourself!

You will need: – Corrugated Drain Pipe (4″x10′) – 2×4 cut into 5′, 14″, 12″, 2-10″, and 5.5″ – Wood screws and drill – 12″ Terra Cotta Pot – Duct Tape – Newspaper or scrap fabric – Scissors – A bag of rocks, we used White Marble Chips – 4 50ft. pieces of garland

You could adjust the wood measurements to the height and width you’d want, but this is the general shape you are going for.

Start by screwing together the 4.5″ piece to the bottom of the 5′ piece of wood.

Place the 4.5″ side of the wood down in the pot.

I ended up cutting two small pieces of wood to go on either side of the standing piece of wood and prop it up in the pot. Just measure from one edge to the wood and adjust accordingly. I think my piece ended up being around 3.5″.

Fill the pot with rocks up to the braces.

And then add a couple more braces going in the other direction.

Next, cut the pipe to about 5 feet. You can just use a good pair of scissors for this. A box cutter or xacto would work as well, just be careful!

Slide the pipe onto the wood and trim down if needed.

Measure where you want your cactus arms to be on the pipe and then trace the circle end of the extra pipe onto the 5′ pipe. I took the pipe off to do this.

Cut the circle out.

It should look something like this.

The next step requires you cutting a small rectangle on the opposite side of each hole. This is so you can screw into the wood and attach the arms right in the center of the hole.

Attach the 10″ arm.

And attach the upright arm piece. These are the 14″ and 12″ pieces. I used the 14″inch piece for the arm that is higher up.

You can also assemble both arm pieces before you attach them to the base. Make sure that the upright piece is on top of the piece that is attached to the base. This way it can support the weight better.

Attach the other arm. (Don’t worry about the arm I’ve already covered. I’m about to get into the instructions on that.

I used a screw diagonally from the top to secure the arms even further.

Okay now this part is a little tricky and requires a lot of finagling. Cut the remaining pipe straight up the side on both sides. Only cut about 18″ for the long arm.

Slide the pipe on the arm.

Twist the pipe so the cuts are placed like the picture above.

On the inside, cut along the ridges closest to the corner. This is how you will be able to bend the pipe at a right angle.

Bend up on side into the hole that is cut on the base and tape it to the wood. Wrap the piece of tape completely around so it sticks to itself also.

Repeat on the other side.

Cover all openings completely with tape.

Fill the rest of the pot with rocks.

I had to get a little creative to make the arms rounded on the top. I used scrap fabric (you can use newspaper) to shove down in the holes and then put 2 pieces of duct tape over the hole to make it rounded.

Wrap the entire cactus shape with garland. My method was to wrap a piece in each crevice. You could probably use less than that if you wanted, but I wanted it to be full.

I used some E-3000 glue to adhere the garland to the pipe. I just put a dot in each crevice. The middle section gets kind of weird, but you just have to wrap it a lot to cover everything.

Then it’s time to decorate! We wrapped it with lights first, just as you do a regular Christmas tree. We used a bunch of ornaments that we already had and some things we got while we were in Mexico this summer.

We are so excited about our new tree! We hope you get the chance to make one for yourself too.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, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com 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 Thanksgiving by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Before everyone goes their separate ways this Thanksgiving, I wanted to send a quick message to let you know how much I appreciate having you as a client. Working with people like you is what makes my job great, and that’s something for which I’m truly thankful. I wish you all the best this holiday season and in the coming year. Best Wishes, Joe Szabo & The Szabo Group

10 Things You Should Know About LED Christmas Lights by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

You’re probably thinking about what to give those on your holiday gift lists. But have you thought about upgrading your home’s holiday light display? Here are 10 things you should know about LED Christmas lights.

The Cost Factor

While LED Christmas lights will cost you more money upfront, you’ll save money in the long run. You can pay $13.65 per month to decorate your rooftop with those old incandescent lights, or you can pay 22 cents with LED lights (prices estimated by Xcel Energy Colorado). And LEDs cost more to produce because components are often assembled by hand, they need conducting material to dissipate heat and to get a natural white glow they are often coated with yellow phosphor.

Cool to the Touch

If you have children or pets and are concerned about safety around holiday decorations, LEDs are a good choice because they produce next to no heat. And that means they’re always cool to the touch.

The Weather Factor

LED christmas lights have no problem coming on and working in cold temperatures. And in fact, LEDs get more efficient as the outdoor temperature gets lower.

They’re Durable

LED Christmas lights get high marks when it comes to durability. In tests, LED bulbs didn’t burn out after over 4,000 hours, while standard light-string bulbs burned out at a rate of one to two per strand before half that time.

More Lights, Fewer Outlets

Typically, you can connect eight to 10 times more mini LED light strings together end to end while only using one electrical outlet. With traditional Christmas mini lights, you can only connect four to five sets, end to end. LED mini light strings allow you to connect 40 to 50 together, depending on the light count.

Yes, You Can Replace Single Bulbs

Just like classic incandescent Christmas lights, LED Christmas lights can fail, either one light at a time or an entire string. And single replacement bulbs are available for many LED string light bulbs.

Blue LED Christmas Lights Can Make You Sick

Did you know that the blue light from LED Christmas lights (along with electronics such as tablets, smartphones and laptops) can mess with your circadian rhythm and result in loss of sleep, which in turn can lead to obesity, diabetes and depression? In the short-term, some people feel nauseous and get headaches when exposed to blue LED Christmas lights, so you might not want to do an all-blue Christmas tree!

Big Bulbs vs. Small Bulbs

While mini lights have been the most popular Christmas light decorations for the past 10 years or so, those “old-fashioned” big colored bulbs are making a comeback. The best part? Those big bulbs are available as LEDs.

Decorating Done Right

When decorating with LED Christmas lights outside, it’s best to string trees in the evening with the light strands plugged in so you can see the effect as you go. When decorating evergreen trees, use bigger bulbs. Smaller bulbs look best on deciduous trees.

Hallmark Monopoly Is Coming Next Week by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

If you have plans next week, go ahead and cancel them. Hallmark Channel is releasing its own Monopoly board game and you’ll want to plan a family game night ASAP. The game officially went on sale on October 25, so you’ll have plenty of time to play while you watch all the new Hallmark Christmas movies. The board looks a lot like the classic game you played growing up, but with a little extra Hallmark magic. You’ll still collect $200 as you pass go, and players can still wind up in jail—but the Boardwalk and Park Place have been replaced by a Christmas tree farm and a holiday bakery. And rather than drawing Chance or Community Chest cards, Home or Family cards will dictate your next moves. Buy It: Monopoly Hallmark Channel Board Game, $39.99, Hallmark The game also features custom paper money adorned with the classic white dog in a red scarf that has become the icon of the network’s Countdown to Christmas programming. We can’t wait to play this as we watch Hallmark’s classic Christmas movies—but the game isn’t limited to the holidays! The board is divided into four seasons, making it an appropriate choice for family game night year-round. The best part is, all the properties are based on Hallmark’s seasonal programming, so you can reminisce about your favorite films while you play the game. The locations based on the annual Spring Fever movies include a greenhouse and the farmers market, while the properties based on Hallmark’s Fall Harvest programming include a pumpkin patch and an apple orchard. The game is listed on the Hallmark site right now, but you’ll have to wait to officially order it until the 25th. Plan your game night and call dibs on your favorite Hallmark-theme game piece now! 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, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com 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.

Everything You Need To Know About Generators by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

When you hear the word generators, what is the first thing that comes to mind?It’s likely you would think of the small appliance that you turn to whenever there is a power outage. But did you know that generators do more than that? They can provide a secondary source of electricity to homes, businesses, hospitals, restaurants and similar establishments. A backup generator is a good investment for people who live in areas where severe climate or weather conditions are a threat. A generator is essential for individuals who live in extremely cold climates where a power failure could be lethal, as heaters and home furnace won’t be able to run. With a portable or standby generator, families could use these heat-producing appliances even during a power outage. Families who reside in coastal areas, where storms and tornadoes occur, should invest in a generator. Power outages are often caused by storms. A generator can provide backup energy during emergency situations. Having a backup generator would also enable families living in storm-ravaged areas to monitor the latest news and weather updates, since they would have access to information through television and radio. Home backup generators (Check prices here) provide a viable, long-term energy source during extended outages that may be caused by storms and hurricanes. There have been instances when a storm can knock down transmission lines, causing utility downtime that may last up to a week or so. During these unfortunate times, your home can source energy from a home backup generators, even when you not at home. Unlike a portable generator, a backup generator is permanently installed on a concrete part of your yard and can give uninterrupted, backup energy for as long as the fuel source last. It looks like a big air-conditioning system. It is connected directly to the electrical panel of the home and powered by fuel supply like diesel, liquid propane, and natural gas. When there is a power failure, an automatic transfer switch disconnects your home from the utility. It then starts up the generator and transfers its power to the electrical panel of your home. The system is powered by an internal combustion engine often fueled by natural gas, or liquid propane, or diesel. Once power is restored, the automatic transfer switch shuts down the generator. It will automatically reconnect your house to the utility grid. The automatic transfer switch prevents back-feeding energy to the utility grid. This feature helps prevent fires and accidents to utility personnel working to restore power in your area. 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, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com 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.

Prevent payout delays with these smart and simple moves by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Ordinarily, insurance payout money flows smoothly. But delays “can be a big problem” in the wake of a natural disaster, says Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that gives advice on insurance claims to consumers, often right at the post-disaster scene of wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Savvy consumers can get over these hurdles quicker. Here’s how.

First, Prevent Problems

Home insurers add the mortgagee’s name to a settlement check to protect the bank’s financial interest in the property. You probably don’t remember, but you agreed to this arrangement during the whirlwind of paperwork when you closed on your home purchase; it’s in the fine print of your mortgage agreement and homeowners’ insurance policy.

To help prevent a problem from developing in the first place, take these steps to smooth the process: Call your mortgage servicer right after you file your homeowners insurance claim to report the loss and ask what procedures you must follow to get the bank to co-sign the check and release the funds ASAP. Don’t delay this call for the days or weeks it might take to actually get a paper check from your insurer, which you’ll have to sign and forward to the bank. Get a jump on it immediately. Find contact information on this list of mortgage servicers from the Mortgage Bankers Association, a trade group. Tell the lender where to find you. Delays can be caused by outdated contact information. If the damage has displaced you from your regular home address and phone, tell the lender where you’re staying temporarily, and give him or her your cell-phone number, email address, and other contact information. Request payment forebearance. Despite your bad luck, mortgage payments are still due, and if you fall behind, that could complicate the bank’s release of your insurance money later in this process. New and unanticipated post-disaster cash-flow needs can also hamper your ability to keep up with the mortgage. So now is the time to ask about disaster-related payment forebearance, which most lenders offer, according to the MBA.

Get Your Check Processed

The dual-payee provision typically kicks in for the part of a settlement earmarked to pay for the repair or rebuilding of your home when it has sustained damages costing more than $10,000, says Chris Hackett, senior director of personal lines at the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. This doesn’t apply to other insurance checks for the lost contents of your home and reimbursements for motel, food, clothing, and other additional living expenses. Those payments should be made out only to you. Follow the rules. The procedures for insurance claim-check endorsement and payouts vary by lender. For example, Wells Fargo, the nation’s largest mortgage servicer, according to Mortgage Daily, an industry publication, advises borrowers with severe damage to call its disaster hotline (888-818-9147) to request a home-recovery kit, which contains all the forms needed to expedite insurance claims. The servicer will tell you where to send your check to get it signed and what necessary paperwork you’ll need to send with it, which might include the contractor’s estimate and contract. Don’t leave out any missing pieces. Move fast. If you don’t want the bank to delay, don’t hold things up yourself. Get things done sooner rather than later. Hackett recommends that you send the check and other paperwork via a secure overnight delivery service. Go local. An even better strategy for speed is to take your check to the lender’s bank branch, if possible, says Bob Davis, an executive vice president at the American Bankers Association. Chase, the second largest mortgage servicer, recommends that you do that at one of its 5,227 U.S. branches. After you’ve submitted the check and forms, Chase will generally send you a new check for the first $20,000, or deposit the money into your personal checking or savings account so the contractor can get started. Wells Fargo says it will release a minimum of $40,000—if your mortgage is current.

Get Escrow Funds Released

For major repairs, the rest of the money will be held by the bank in an escrow account and released in stages as the work is completed and inspected “to make sure the funds restore the collateral value of the home and the work doesn’t result in a house with a big plastic sheet in place of a roof,” Davis says. Seize the initiative. Don’t wait for the bank or contractor to act. Closely monitor the progress of the project and contact the lender as your contractor completes each milestone. Bach says escrowed funds are typically released one-third up front; a second third after half the work is done, inspected, and verified complete by the lender; and the final third when the job is 100 percent done, inspected, and verified complete. For claims involving more than $40,000, Chase, for example, releases the first $20,000 to start and advises homeowners to request a free initial inspection of the work when it’s 50 percent complete. If all looks good, Chase will release half of the remaining funds in escrow. When repairs are complete, the homeowner should request a final free inspection to get the remaining balance released from escrow. Get personal. If you run into delays, try to find and get action from a human being at your lender. That might not always be possible, but “be as face to face and local as possible,” says Mark Romano, director of claims projects at the Consumer Federation of America. If the mortgage lender has a local office, go there and try to work with it. Persistently press for action. “Be tenacious,” Bach says. Assure the lender that you’re being diligent at restoring the asset you and the bank share. Keep notes of all your conversations with the lender, insurer, and contractor, and the names, titles, phone numbers, email addresses, and dates of everyone else you talk to. “If that doesn’t work, file a complaint with your state or the CFPB,” Bach says, referring to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

How to Inventory Your Home for an Insurance Adjuster by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

The more detail about your belongings that you can relay to an insurance adjuster in your home inventory, the more you stand to recover from your insurance claim, says Tobie Stanger, a CR senior money editor. At the start of your home inventory, focus first on the big and valuable: major appliances, jewelry, furniture, rugs, electronics, and art or collectibles.

Using your smartphone’s video feature, sweep the camera around a room, narrating the description of items you’re filming and—if you remember—what you paid. (Photograph receipts if you have them.) Capture serial numbers and brand names when possible so that the insurer can replace what you had with exact or similar items. Once you’ve cataloged the pricier items for your home inventory, then open cabinets, drawers, closets, and boxes and do the same. “But don’t sweat the small stuff too much. An insurance adjuster is likely to create a ‘bulk estimate’ of those things—for example, $200 for everything in your utility closet,” Stanger says. Store the images and video for your home inventory on a cloud service, such as iCloud or OneDrive, or put it on a thumb drive and stash it in a safe deposit box or fireproof safe. Several insurers even offer free web-based home inventory storage tools and apps. American Family Insurance’s DreamVault, for instance, lets anyone create a digital home inventory; it’s available online and as an Android and iOS app.

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, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com 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.

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What You Need

Step 1: Turn Off Power

Step 2: Remove Outlet Cover

Step 3: Place Night-Light Outlet

Step 4: Secure Night-Light Outlet

What You Need

Where to Place Your Thermostat

Step 1: Turn Off Power

Step 2: Remove Old Thermostat

Step 3: Label Wires

Step 4: Patch and Paint

Step 5: Attach New Thermostat

Step 6: Connect New Thermostat

Step 7: Attach Display Plate

Step 8: Program Thermostat

Drawbacks to Selling Your Home Over the Holidays

Benefits to Selling Your Home Over the Holidays

Scale Back the Holiday Decorations

Holiday Decorating Compromises for Stubborn Sellers

The Cost Factor

Cool to the Touch

The Weather Factor

They’re Durable

More Lights, Fewer Outlets

Yes, You Can Replace Single Bulbs

Big Bulbs vs. Small Bulbs

Decorating Done Right

First, Prevent Problems

Get Escrow Funds Released

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