Homes That Need Renovation Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Scottsdale Real Estate Team / Arizona Luxury Homes

How to Create a More Functional & Inviting Laundry Room By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 24, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Does anyone really love their laundry room? Perhaps that overly affectionate word is, and always will be, a bit much when it comes to a room dedicated to a basic, yet necessary, household chore. But laundry isn’t the task it once was, so why should the room dedicated to its purpose be? Even if your laundry room was ill-conceived from the start, there are some simple ways to turn it from a workroom into a performance room. Here are five ways to help you “love” your laundry room.

Create some counter space

Having adequate surface area for sorting and folding clothes is certain to make your life easier. If you have sufficient floor space, consider adding a center island (similar to one you would select for your kitchen). In addition to serving up a generously sized counter area, it will offer more storage options below. Not enough space in the center of the room? Consider adding a countertop over a side-by-side washer and dryer that load in the front. That way, you can be sure you’re making good use of the space and giving the room a custom, built-in look.

Maximize storage options

Regardless of your laundry room’s size, there are always ways to add storage options. Any storage will help keep things in their place and, if not out of sight, at least confined and organized. Stock cabinets are inexpensive and can be installed easily. Consider both base- and wall-mounted units wherever possible. If cabinets are not an option, you’ll find a myriad of specially designed products to improve the storage capacity of any laundry room.

Upgrade your old appliances

If your existing washer and dryer are old, replacing them with new models will not only make your life easier but help you save on energy and water costs. Today’s machines offer a wealth of special, high-efficiency features from larger-capacity washers and dryers to power-foam and steam-cleaning options. Take into account front- and top-loading machines to determine the best solution for your needs. And don’t overlook the option of having a stacked pair; it’s an easy way to open up floor space for a cabinet and counter or sink.

Add a sink

If you don’t have a utility sink in your laundry room, investigate whether there is a way to add one. The cost may be less than you think and the convenience of having it for hand-washed clothing and other cleanup jobs will be well worth the consideration. If plumbing lines are already in place, you can probably do the installation yourself.

Paint the walls a soothing color

There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint to enliven a room. Think about painting the laundry room in a color that sets the right mood for you — perhaps a soothing blue or green, or a more energy-infused color like Tangerine Tango. Hang some art, install a new chandelier, add decorative window treatments — anything to make it seem less like an afterthought and more like any other room of the house. The simple decorative touches will create a more inviting space, one you could even grow to “love.” To see some examples of stellar laundry rooms, and to get some inspiration for your own, take a look at some laundry rooms we love. 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 Baseboard Heating Systems By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

February 10, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Baseboard heat vs. forced air

Baseboard heat offers several advantages over the average forced-air system. For one thing, baseboards operate almost silently, in contrast to the noisy blowers of forced-air heating. Another advantage of baseboard heat is that it requires no ductwork. That means two things: One, it’s relatively easy to install, particularly in older homes, where adding ducts can be so problematic. Two, whereas forced-air heating ducts should be serviced regularly, there’s little ongoing maintenance to do with baseboard heat. Last but not least is a matter of preference: Many homeowners like how baseboard heat comes out evenly, not in intermittent blasts.

Electric

Technically speaking, electricity plays a role in all baseboard heating systems, but there are some that run exclusively on electricity. You can put these in every room of the house if you want, but it’s far more customary for an electric baseboard to provide supplemental heat for individual rooms on an as-needed basis. One common usage is turning on baseboard heat in a bedroom overnight, while the whole-house heating system is put on a budget-friendly low setting. Did you ever wonder why baseboard units typically appear beneath windows? In a word, the answer is: science. Baseboard heat works through convection. As cold air falls from the window, it enters the baseboard unit through a vent. Within the baseboard, the air is warmed by a series of metal fins that have been heated through electricity. The warm air then rises from the baseboard, and the pattern repeats itself, creating a circular flow known as a convection current. Plug-in portable baseboard heaters exist, but the best baseboards are hardwired into the circuity of a home (with 120-volt or 240-volt supplies, either of which calls for the installation services of an electrician). Some electric baseboard heating units feature an integrated thermostat; others are set by an in-wall controller. Though inexpensive to purchase, electric baseboards are somewhat infamously inefficient, meaning they can be costly to run for any prolonged period of time. It’s for this reason more than any other that homeowners typically choose not to rely on electric baseboard heating units as full-time solutions for the whole house.

Hydronic

In a hydronic baseboard unit, the mechanics are similar but slightly different. Electricity still generates the system’s heat, but it does so indirectly. First, the electrical current warms up an enclosed fluid, either oil or water, and then that fluid radiates heat into the room where the unit has been installed. Hydronic baseboard heating systems operate more efficiently than do electric units, because once the fluid has been warmed, it takes longer to cool down (the metal fins in an electrical baseboard, by comparison, cool down very quickly). That’s why if you come across a home in which baseboard heat is the one and only system of delivering heat, chances are high that it’s a cheaper-to-run hydronic system. What are the cons? In a whole-house hydronic system reliant on water circulated from the water heater, the lines can be disturbed by an intrusion of air. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix: bleeding the pipes. Another drawback is that compared with electric baseboards, hydronic units take longer to heat up. For many homeowners, however, the efficiency of hydronic baseboards amply makes up for their slow start. The bottom line is if you only need to heat your house for a fraction of the calendar year, or if on occasion you want to make one or two rooms more comfortable, electric or hydronic baseboard heat may be the solution you’ve been seeking. 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.

Home Design Resolutions for 2014 By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

January 20, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Resolution No. 1: Plan it out

No matter which design project you want to tackle, designers say having a plan is the key for success. “Start with a wishlist of projects to complete over the year,” suggested designer Alissa Pulcrano of bright design lab in Portland, OR. “Plan, plan, plan first! Then take your concepts to your favorite designer (or two if you don’t have one yet) and ask them to give you a proposal for your wishlist. Take the time to plan it right.” Designer Melissa Klebanoff, principal of Melissa Klebanoff Interior Design in Seattle, offer similar advice to clients tackling design projects. “Assign the following steps a timeframe to keep you on track, and before you begin, determine if the project requires a designer,” she said. “Write down everything you want to accomplish with your project, define it, gather photos and do a space plan if needed.”

Resolution No. 2: Find your style and get inspired

Sometimes the most overwhelming part of a project can be determining which direction to go in. Which color? What about textiles and finishes? The goal here is to not necessarily find the most trendy design but the look that will work for you and your household over time. Before you begin gathering inspiration, determine the purpose of the room. Does it need to be highly functional and kid-friendly? Or is it a stylish retreat? Once you have narrowed your purpose, gather photos and spend time visiting websites and saving images. Zillow Digs is one such place to collect inspiring designs all in one space. It also helps to see materials in person, advises Klebanoff. “Go to home improvement stores and design centers. Collect the finishes you’ll need and love — like carpet samples, stone samples, fabrics, furniture cuts, lighting ideas, appliance specs, paint colors and so on,” she said. Resolution No. 3: Focus on one room at a time Whether you’ve been meaning to clean out and organize the clutter accumulating in the hall closet or finally frame family photos for the living room, it’s best to tackle one space at a time. “If you have a weekend, develop a plan and focus on one room: paint the living room, and buy a few key pieces, knowing that you can add to it over the year,” Pulcrano said. “Start with an overall design and then ‘chip away.’” Resolution No. 4: Give the kitchen a refresh

Kitchens have become the center of many American homes — the place that sees the most foot traffic and activity. According to the latest Zillow Digs designer survey, kitchens top the list for planned 2014 renovations.

Kitchens in 2014 are trending toward open, “homey” spaces, says designer Vanessa DeLeon. “More and more people are wanting an ‘open concept’ space and the feeling of comfort,” she explained. “They want to be able to eat, entertain, relax and enjoy the space with the rest of the house.” Considering a kitchen remodel? Start researching contractors or designers. “Ask people you trust for referrals for general contractors they’ve successfully worked with,” Klebanoff said. “Set up interviews with them and present your now very clearly defined project to them for bids. Check their references!” 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.

Create an outdoor dining space to add value to your home By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

January 13, 2014 Joe Szabo

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By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team When you buy a Scottsdale home, it is your space to live in and enjoy and you can renovate and redecorate in order to improve your surroundings in any way that you choose. One of the ways that you can enhance your enjoyment of the property as well as add to the value of the home is to create an outdoor dining space. On a beautiful summer day, what could be nicer than having a place where friends and family can gather and enjoy a few drinks, barbecue up some tasty food and breathe the fresh air? Here are some tips to keep in mind when you are adding an outdoor dining space to your home:

·Choose the right location. You want your backyard dining area to be peaceful, quiet and private, so find the best spot on your yard that will be screened from view and sheltered from street noise.
·Clear a space. Choose an open area where you can place the outdoor dining table. If you put it underneath a tree, you run the risk of having leaves, sap, or insects drop into your food!
·Lay the groundwork. Create a patio surface with stones or tiles first, which will give you a stable and flat place to put your table, chairs and barbecue.
·Invest in sturdy furniture. Outdoor tables and chairs take a lot more wear from rain, sun, and the elements than their indoor cousins. Make sure you buy solid items that will last you many years.
·Create some shade. If you want to enjoy yourself even in the direct heat of the afternoon, add a sun umbrella to your table. There are many different styles, and many can be adjusted and tilted to provide shade as the sun moves through the sky.
·Make sure your barbque or cooking area is in a safe spot. Check that it is nowhere near anything flammable, or that it is not too close to trees or the side of the house.
·Decorate and set the scene. Improve the surroundings of your backyard dining room with some beautiful flowers, a fountain or a tranquil rock garden.

Once you have created the ideal outdoor space, it’s time to invite some good friends over to have a few drinks, barbecue up some burgers and relax! 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.

Rising demand for new construction presents opportunities for real estate agents By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

January 10, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Do you know what niche has a demand so large that it could someday account for up to 35 percent of all sales? You may be surprised to learn that niche is new construction. Laurence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, predicts that in 2014 there will be approximately 5.1 million home sales. This is about the same pace as 2013. While new-home sales had a 25 percent increase from 2012 (from 400,000 to 500,000), they still accounted for less than 10 percent of the total sales in 2013. Demand is outpacing new-home construction Yun predicted that while housing starts will increase by 25 percent to about 625,000 in 2014, to keep pace with the demand, new-home starts would have to increase by another 50-60 percent. A Harvard study estimates the shortfall to be approximately 1.8 million new homes per year. Majority of buyers would consider buying new construction A builder consortium that included 32 builders across 25 markets found that 54 percent of the buyers surveyed said they would consider purchasing new construction. A sales pace of 5.1 million units translates into 2.75 million home purchasers who would like to consider new construction as part of their home search. Given that there will be only 625,000 actual new units built, the potential shortfall could be more than 2 million new homes. What can you do to capitalize on this opportunity? 1. New-home sales drive resales The National Association of Home Builders reports that 70 percent of their buyers have an existing home to sell. The agents who represent builders seldom take outside listings. This means that if you represent new-home purchasers, you have a very high probability of listing their home as well. A second opportunity occurs when the builder has sold out most of its inventory. In many cases, the builders close down their sales office and then list the final one or two properties with an outside agent. If you have been actively showing and selling that builder’s product, there’s a good chance you may obtain that listing as well. 2. Infill: the real opportunity While many agents would like to represent the big builders, most fail to realize that the greatest opportunity may be with small builders. While it takes special training to represent a large builder, which often includes being able to lay out changes to blueprints, the real opportunity for most agents is with “infill.” The term “infill” refers to creating new construction in areas that are already built out. This opportunity is greatest in major metropolitan areas. In fact, the prediction from NAR’s new-home panel was that by the end of 2014, 30 percent of all new construction would be due to “infill” properties. These smaller projects are usually of no interest to big-name builders and also fly under the radar of most real estate agents. One of my former real estate partners in Los Angeles capitalized on this approach by working with several different condominium developers. Sometimes the builder found the property, or my partner located it. Prime targets for acquisition might be three houses on adjoining lots with zoning that would allow for six to 12 units on the property. Other times, the opportunity might be with two adjoining fourplexes where the property could be zoned for 20-24 condos. This agent not only sold the units, she also obtained listings on what the buyers had to sell. Even after the project was sold out, she continued to be the listing agent of choice for her past buyers when they decided to move. You can take advantage of this opportunity by becoming an active member in your area’s local builders association. Familiarize yourself with the zoning laws, environmental requirements, absorption rates, and the spread between the property’s current value vs. what it could bring once it’s replaced with new construction. Your goal is to make yourself the indispensable expert. Help the builders you meet keep abreast of what is occurring in the market, where it is trending, as well as how quickly their project may sell once they complete construction nine to 24 months from now. 3. Single-family opportunities An entirely different option is to locate foreclosures or dilapidated properties that can be acquired for lot value, torn down, and then replaced with new construction. This is an especially good option in many luxury markets, since most of these areas are already built out. The beauty of working with a smaller builder is that you obtain a commission on the land sale and on the listing side once the property is built out, as well as possibly selling it to a buyer who has another property to sell. That’s a total of four commissions! 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.

Merry Christmas! from Joe Szabo and the Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 23, 2013 Joe Szabo

Merry Christmas from all of us at Scottsdale Real Estate.

We hope your holidays are unforgettable!

How to Negotiate Repairs After a Home Inspection By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 19, 2013 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Most would-be buyers and sellers believe the real estate “deal” is negotiated at the signing of the contract. By that point, the counteroffers have been made and the back and forth has happened, so it’s easy to assume that the deal will go on auto-pilot until closing. The reality, though, is that in many cases, the deal-making and negotiations only start at the contract signing. Even in more competitive real estate markets, negotiations still happen once in escrow. For example, if you’re a buyer, the property inspection or sellers’ disclosures — maybe the HVAC system has some issues — may prompt you to seek a credit. But where do you go from there? Here are three tips for negotiating repairs after a home inspection.

1. Ask for a credit for the work to be done

The sellers are on their way out. If the property is moving toward closing, they’re likely packing and dreaming of their new home. The last thing they want to do is repair work on their old home. As a result, they may not approach the work with the same conscientiousness that you, as the new owner, would. They may not even treat the work as a high priority. If you take a cash-back credit at close of escrow, you can use that money to complete the project yourself. Chances are you may do a better job than the seller, too. Finally, if you get the credit, there will be less back and forth to confirm the work has been done.

2. Think ‘big picture’

If you know you want to renovate a bathroom within a few years, then you likely won’t care that a little bit of its floor is damaged, that there’s a leaky faucet or that the caulking needs to be redone. These things will get fixed during your future renovation. However, the repairs are still up for negotiation. Asking the seller for a credit to fix these issues will help offset some of your closing costs.

3. Keep your cards close to your chest

A good listing agent will walk the property inspection with you, your agent and the inspector. Revealing your comfort level with the home or your intentions, in the presence of the listing agent, could come back to haunt you in further discussions or negotiations. For example, if you mention you’re planning a gut renovation of the kitchen, the sellers will certainly hear about it. And they’re going to be less likely to offer you a credit back to repair some of the kitchen cabinets. Also, if the listing agent hears you tell the inspector that you love the home so much you don’t mind replacing the HVAC system, the agent will surely let the sellers know about that.

Eyes wide open

A word of caution: You should never complete the original contract assuming that you can negotiate more as a result of the property inspections. If it’s a competitive market and the property inspection comes back flawless, there’s nothing to negotiate. If you attempt to negotiate anyway — to recoup what you lost in the initial contract negotiations — you risk alienating the sellers and possibly giving them an incentive to move on to the next buyer. You need to go into escrow with your eyes wide open. A real estate transaction is never a done deal until all the money has been wired in and the deed transferred. Prior to signing the real estate contract, your main concern is that you may be competing with other buyers. Once you’re in escrow and doing inspections, however, it’s just you and the sellers. Stay on your toes. Otherwise, you may risk losing out on further viable negotiation opportunities, which could lead to buyer’s remorse. 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! from Joe Szabo and the Scottsdale Real Estate Team

November 27, 2013 Joe Szabo

October 2013 Paradise Valley Arizona real estate market update by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate

November 13, 2013 Joe Szabo

Happy November! It looks like the real estate market has cooled off just like the weather. The good news is that the median home price in Paradise Valley Arizona has increased from $990,000 to $1,150,000 since September 2013; this is up a whopping 24.3% since October 2012. New listings are up from September with 76 listings as opposed to 69 from the previous month. New contracts and closed sales are down 11.4% and 21.6%, respectively. The market is starting to balance out making it a great time to buy or sell in Paradise Valley.

Market report Paradise Valley October 2013

Considering a purchasing or selling a property in Paradise Valley? Take advantage of the great market conditions and get your home listed for sale. We hope that you enjoy reading and analyzing the Paradise Valley Luxury Home Report and should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or email him directly at Joe@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or Joe@AZLuxuryHomes.com. 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.

October 2013 Scottsdale Arizona real estate market update by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate

November 11, 2013 Joe Szabo

Happy November! There is a lot to be happy about in Scottsdale Arizona. The weather is perfect and the real estate market isn’t too shabby either. The median home price in Scottsdale Arizona has increased from $371,000 to $385,000 since September 2013; up 18.5% since October 2012. New listings are up from September with 1,143 listings as opposed to 900 from the previous month. New contracts are up 14.3% while closed sales dropped slightly by 5.8%. The hot seller’s market is starting to cool off and balance out the market. Would be a great time for buyers on the fence to make a move!

: October 2013 Scottsdale Arizona real estate market update

Considering a purchasing or selling a property in Scottsdale? Take advantage of the great market conditions and get your home listed for sale before the snow birds and students return in the fall. 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 Joe@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com. 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. 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.

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