By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team You’re excited about closing on your new home and can’t wait to dig into the blank canvas of a newly sodded lawn. Well, here’s the bad news: That emerald green grass is also hiding terrible soil, unmarked wires and pipes, weed seeds, and years of hard work. The good news is that it’s easy to dig new beds, weeds aren’t yet established, and your landscape is on equal footing with the Joneses. Now, follow these five guidelines to make it even better and create a landscape you’ll love for years to come.

Start off beds right

The dirt beneath your feet is just that: dirt. Whether it’s newly added topsoil or nothing more than fill dirt, it will need your help to become fertile, rich and loamy soil. In a perfect world, we’d all have heaps of compost lying around, but it takes time to let all of your grass clippings, wood chips, expired produce, and weeds rot into the perfect blend of life-sustaining goodness. For now, you have fewer options, with bagged composted cow manure being the most common. Mushroom compost is also available, but be advised that it can be harmful to seedlings and salt-sensitive plants like azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. If you happen to live near a zoo, ask if they offer their own composted manure; it’s good s— stuff.

Get the lay of the land

It may be tempting to plant that veggie garden of your dreams right after closing on the house, but be sure you have a reason to plant there. Does the spot receive lots of direct sunlight? Is it well-drained and puddle-free? Ignore the inner voice that says “I can only draw stick figures” and draw a terrible diagram of your backyard to help you visualize areas with problems and promise. Draw one amoeba to remind you of an area that gets shade, and another one to represent a planned garden bed. Even if your amoebas look like protozoa, no worries! As long as you understand the scribbles, they’ll help you plan with a purpose.

Remove unwanted builder plantings

Those builder plantings crammed against your house look innocuous enough now, but they could come back to bite you later. Properly identify your existing plants, and make sure they’re good choices for you. A tree with messy leaves, flowers or fruits will leave you with lots of work, clogged gutters and stained driveways. A tree with weak wood might later snap and be found crashing on your couch. A weedy or invasive plant will take over your lawn today — and tomorrow, the neighborhood. Some plants are fine in the right setting, but will really cramp your style if they’re too large for their space or were planted too close to the house. When in doubt, rip it out.

Think ahead

Write down your biggest priority in the garden right now. Entertaining friends? Great! Now imagine yourself 10 years into the future, and accompanied by a spouse and kids, or a flock of cats, or cooler, older friends. What will be your priority then? Now write down your priorities in 20 years, 30 years, and so on, until you get depressed and start to feel old. Here’s why this silly little exercise matters: Don’t turn your whole yard into a decked out party zone with a pool (or a Zen garden complete with koi pond and jagged rocks) without at least considering what you’ll do with that space down the road. Plant the garden of your dreams, but be sure that it will be the garden of your family’s (or cats’) dreams as well.

Start with mulch and groundcovers

Weeds are inevitable, but a struggling lawn or half-hearted attempt at a garden bed provide weeds with a veritable breeding ground. Mulch is your first line of defense, and it also keeps soil from drying out. Begin mulching with a two-inch layer now, but plan on phasing it out in a few years if possible, since repeated mulching can rob the soil of nutrients and rob your wallet of money. Instead, find a good, weed-suppressing groundcover like mondo grass, creeping phlox or Japanese forest grass, and plant as much as possible now so that you’ll be able to divide, replant and save heaps of money down the road. Grow them along the edge of your borders and borrow every time you plant a new bed. 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.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team The agent/seller relationship is like none other. No other professional spends the majority of their client time in the client’s actual home. We get very close to our sellers, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. Because we see them in this somewhat vulnerable setting, and for an extended period, sometimes special bonds form. The line between the business and the personal sometimes blurs, and the seller feels comfortable enough to indulge in some behaviors that drive the agent crazy. Here are five things sellers do that make agents go nuts — and diminish their chances for a successful sale at the best price and in the shortest amount of time.

Failing to keep the home clean

When your home is on the market, it needs to be ready for a showing on a moment’s notice. That means you need be “seller aware” 24/7. If you’re serious about selling, keeping things tidy is par for the course. Make a plan to remove Fido’s saliva-stained tennis ball from the couch or Susie’s Barbie doll off the floor. Before you list, move out the stuff you won’t need until you settle into your new home. Make a particular space in a closet or storage bin for the day-to-day stuff that could turn off potential buyers. Doing so will only ensure a positive experience for your prospective customer, the buyer.

Sticking around during an open house

There’s a reason real estate agents don’t want sellers hanging around when potential buyers arrive. While you may be perfectly friendly and agreeable, your presence can alienate your customers or make them feel uncomfortable without you even knowing it. They want to dig their feet into their potential new home. That means they need to feel free to open closets, poke around in cabinets and make comments to their partners or kids. Your presence prevents them from getting to know your home — and it can backfire. If you’re desperate to find out what’s going on at an open house or how buyers are responding, make a plan with your agent to show up anonymously during the open house.

Holding out for extra money at the last minute

A home sale negotiation can be a rocky road, even in healthy markets. If you sense the market is in your favor, you may second-guess the list price if you see activity quickly, particularly in the form of multiple offers. It’s a great and powerful feeling. But imagine if, in an attempt to squeak out an additional $3,500 from a serious buyer, you pit them against a not-so-great buyer, and you lose both? It happens, much to the dismay of the listing agents who advocate working with the best buyer and not necessarily the best “offer.” In other words, you should always be thinking of the big picture — which isn’t always the same as the most significant offer.

Neglecting to clean up for the new buyer

Imagine you’re the buyer. Would you want to walk into your new home and find 12 cans of old paint in the garage? How about an old baby carriage in the attic? Clean your home and deliver it in good condition to the new buyers. Not only will they appreciate the gesture, but they’re more likely to be on your side if you need them in the future for favors like forwarding mail or packages.

Insisting your home is unique

Your home is no doubt very special to you. You’ve built memories, tracked major life events and used it as more than just a place to lay your head at night. When it comes time to sell, it’s often hard to think of your home as a product on the open market. Because of your emotional attachments to it, you may feel your place is unique, which you then equate to being more valuable. If you find yourself resisting your agent’s pricing advice, take a step back and consider if you’re ready to sell. Resisting may be a sign you’re not yet willing to emotionally detach. Keep in mind that an overpriced home, even in a strong market, will ultimately sell for less than a home priced well from the start. 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.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Whether you’re rehabbing an investment property, getting your house ready to sell, or just want to improve your home, renovating a house is expensive. For our business, Tarek and I have to make a lot of hard decisions to stay within really strict budgets, but we can’t ever leave one of our flipped houses looking shabby or rundown. Because we absolutely have to do the best job possible for all of our properties, we’ve learned a lot about prioritizing our rehabs and balancing those big price tags. I do all of the designs for our properties. As I’ve been going over floor plans, looking at attractive kitchen remodeling projects, and finding the best ways to please our buyers, I’ve been thinking a lot about the choices we make, and how they can help real estate investors and homeowners with their renovations and improvements.

Consider your options

You probably don’t have the budget to splurge on everything you really want in your home improvement project. And even if you do, it’s nice to come in under budget, especially if you plan on selling the property. When I sit down to design our remodeling and renovation projects, the first thing I do is look at the house as a whole. I decide which rooms are most important, and where I’ll spend the most money. For most properties, the kitchen and bathrooms are going to be your best investments, but they’re not always the rooms that need the most work. Look at the materials you have in your kitchen and bathrooms to see what you can salvage and what you need to update. Look at the rest of the house to see which areas will be the most impressive to buyers after renovations are complete. The places I almost always spend a little extra on include the front porch and outdoor entrance, as well as the front foyer. First impressions are crucial.

Balance splurges and savings

As you look at each room in the house, consider which elements and features will get the most attention, where you want to splurge, and where you can save. For example, let’s say you’re renovating the kitchen. I recommend splurging on marble or quartz countertops, but you don’t have to do it for all of your counters. You could go with that higher cost material for the counters lining your walls, but then save some cash by choosing a butcher block or stainless steel countertop for the island. It’ll still work with the rest of the design for your kitchen, but it won’t cost nearly as much. Similarly, you don’t have to buy the most expensive tile on the market for the bathroom. In fact, you can save a surprising amount of money by going with a cost-effective, neutral tile for the floor and shower walls. Then, to spruce it up and elevate the look of the room, you can add an accent strip of nicer tile that wraps around the shower stall and/or borders the floor. You’ll spend a fraction of the money, and you’ll get really beautiful results.

Give thought to your flooring

Now, everyone loves hardwood flooring, but beautiful wood floors come with some pretty big price tags. I get around this issue by considering my options and looking at the best, most cost-effective way to go. For example, a lot of laminate wood flooring has gotten so good that it’s almost impossible to tell it’s not true hardwood. Laminate is less expensive than hardwood, and it won’t have the same issues with moisture that real wood flooring can have. As a result, you might be able to go with a single type of flooring throughout the house, even in the kitchen. This is an especially attractive option if you have an open floor plan. Even if you really do need to go with real hardwood floors (which we’ve had to do on some of our investment properties), you still have some options to save money and create gorgeous results. For example, do you actually need to rip out and replace the flooring for the whole house? You already know that you’re likely going to have tile in the bathrooms and kitchen to avoid water damage and give those rooms a more defined look. Have you considered whether you can get away with carpet in the bedrooms instead of hardwood floors? Depending on the design of the house, I sometimes go with hardwood floors throughout the communal spaces like the living and dining rooms, and then I go with a soft, new carpet in the bedrooms. When the budget permits, I’ll extend the hardwood or laminate flooring into the master bedroom to give it that extra luxurious look and feel — but it’s not always necessary.

Keep it simple in the yard

Finally, don’t go crazy with landscaping, especially if you’re selling the house. Instead of planting a bunch of expensive shrubs, flowers, and bushes that need to be cared for and watered on a regular basis, go with some low-maintenance options.

You can also go with an attractive gravel front walk and then line the house with gravel, as well. This will create a cohesive look, and it’s less expensive than paving.

Basically, when it comes to landscaping and outdoor features, keep it simple. Simple is attractive and neutral, and it lets buyers see themselves in the house, even before they actually enter the home. Make sure that everything is well kept, but don’t spend a lot on your yard. Save that money for what your buyers will see when they walk inside. If I had to pick one piece of advice for getting everything done on a budget, it really would be, “pick your battles.” Choose the things you care most about and splurge on them. Then save wherever you can on the things that don’t matter as much and won’t improve the home’s value or your enjoyment of living in it. 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.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Now that the summer season is in full swing, it’s time to turn your attention to your vacation home. Whether you’re perched on a tropical beach or kicking back surrounded by mountains, all vacation homes require a relaxing ambiance. Good news: It can be achieved by decorating with our easy-to-follow steps below. So sit back, pour yourself a summertime cocktail, and take notes on how you can better decorate your vacation home for yourself and your guests.

Keep durability in mind

More often than not, you’ll be playing host to family, friends, and out-of-town visitors. There will probably be small children, pets, and plenty of people to keep you on your toes as you cook dinner, serve cocktails, and entertain during the summer evenings. With this in mind, it’s always safe to start by subbing out your nice linens and fabrics for those that are durable and easy to clean. For high-traffic areas like the kitchen and living spaces, use outdoor rugs; they will maintain their shape and coloration despite muddy footprints, and help protect your tile or hardwood flooring at the same time. On sofas and chairs, opt for stylish slipcovers for easy fabric removal and care, or recover them with durable outdoor fabric for low-maintenance, high-impact design.

Be adventurous

Vacation homes are meant to be used as an escape from everyday life. Use this space to fulfill your design dreams of using bold colors or graphic patterns where you wouldn’t normally. Dare to be different by implementing your favorite decorating ideas like mixing patterns, trying a new wall color, or even simply rearranging furniture into a unique layout.

Keep an open concept

Whether it’s for your own enjoyment or for those who may rent the space from you, having an open floor concept with plenty of room to entertain is key to a comfortable vacation home. Vacationers head to rentals to relax and spend time with family and friends, so making the space as welcoming as possible for big groups is a way to make your vacation home stand out among the rest. Large pieces of furniture and open central areas, like an extra-long dining table or one with removable leaf extensions, is a real selling point. Another way to make room for extra guests is by keeping decor to a minimum in areas where renters might want to store their own things, like tabletops, counter space, and nooks.

Pay extra attention to private areas

Many vacationers will be looking for the most possible number of beds to accommodate large families, a big group of friends, or out-of-town visitors. Design guest rooms with numbers in mind. Putting two beds and a loveseat or sofa in guest rooms is a smart way to make space available to your guests, while also keeping them comfortable. When it comes to the master bedroom, be sure to be extra thoughtful. Whether you’ll use the vacation home yourself or rent it out, this room should be a getaway worth dreaming about. Polished furniture, fresh color palettes, and soft linens create a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere for an afternoon nap or rainy day lounging. With these steps in mind, you and your loved ones can enjoy a fun and stylish holiday all year-round. 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.