By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Eating sushi is a lot like dating. “Think about the first time you went out for sushi – and a typical first date,” says Stephen Stromberg, executive chef at Sapporo in Scottsdale. “Both take a little courage at first, but the adventure is (usually) well worth it.” So, it makes sense that sushi is a top dining choice for first dates of all ages. But how does one plan the perfect sushi night?

Dare to discover

Sure, California and Las Vegas rolls are staples for many of us. But, why not show your date you are open to new things by stepping outside of the sushi comfort zone? “Always look for items that are custom to the venue,” says Stromberg, whose own menu includes the MT Roll, a salmon soy paper roll invented by, and named after, their own sushi chef, Mikel Tan; along with a signature Scottsdale roll bursting with spicy scallops.

Make it hot, hot, hot!

Not all first dates are created equal – some are certainly hotter than others. Sushi is the same way. While adding a dollop of spicy mayo or wasabi to your favorite roll can certainly spice up the date, why not indulge your taste buds, together, in a culinary adventure by really turning up the heat? “Be her renegade Romeo by ordering your Juliet a roll with jalapeño and spicier versions of standard ingredients like tuna and yellowtail,” Stromberg says. Sapporo carries more than half a dozen hot options, including the Surf’n’Turf roll, which marries crab, filet mignon and tabasco sauce into a mouth-watering menu stand-out. Also popular is the Fuji roll, which is topped with spicy yellowtail, making it as visually hot as it tastes.

Pick pairings with passion

“Innovate while you libate,” adds Mike Hanley, bar manager at Sapporo. “Don’t settle for a martini simply shaken or stirred — order it frozen and share tastes!” Frozen Passion Mango Martinis, which are blended with vodka, rum and mango and passion purees and poured atop a raspberry liqueur, and Sapporo Slushes, which are made with vodka, fresh-squeezed juices and simple syrup, are among the most popular drinks for first dates. Also, choose drinks that are a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. For example, Sapporo’s Purple Dream is layered by ingredient into a glass and brought table-side so the guest can play mixologist, stirring the ingredients together into a perfect purple blend. One last tip for a sexy sushi night — ditch the chopsticks! “In Japan, it’s customary to use one’s hands to eat rather than chopsticks,” Stromberg says. “A perfect excuse to feed each other!” 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 As you slip deeper into the bubbling, effervescent silky water, warming and moistening your body, your fingers trace the limestone tub. The lights dimmed low, you willingly release the pent up tension of the busy week; with work and kids, you haven’t had a chance to get away. As you fall further into a calming state of meditation, your trance is broken once your mind begins to question when you were last at a spa. A few months ago? A year? Who cares — your bathroom’s your retreat now. Not surprisingly, many Scottsdale residents have been ditching the hotel-based day spa and creating that spa experience right in their own bathrooms — for years, even — and they only continue to do so, especially with bathrooms growing in size. But this doesn’t mean day spas don’t spark inspiration for homeowners just looking for an easier, more accessible means to de-stress and get away from it all — in their bathrooms. “The bathroom is more than just a place to brush your teeth,” says Jeremy Smith of Central Arizona Supply in Scottsdale. “It’s now a place where you can take time to relax. “What has really made it more spa-like and people creating more of a spa experience has definitely been led by people going to hotels,” Smith says, “and seeing these hotels have changed the way they do bathrooms.” Paige Snodgrass, a showroom consultant at the Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery in Scottsdale, has witnessed this trend over the past year as well. “Eight of every 10 clients I work with are trying to make (their master baths) more of a spa,” Snodgrass says. “This is truly a retreat for them.” Both agree that homeowners are now spending the extra cash on themselves, to get what they want instead of merely what they need, to make more long-term goals with their master baths to make it that “special room,” as Snodgrass puts it. “It’s the way of thinking that’s changed,” Smith says. “Now it is much more, ‘What do I want in this bathroom for myself?’ ” Creating the experience can be as minimal as replacing a shower head to a complete, more elaborate remodel. One shower head to consider is the Raindance AIR Series from Hansgrohe, which is an AIR-injected shower that adds one part air to every two parts water. Depending on the head and finish, you can purchase this item from $120 to more than $5,000. “With this new technology, it feels like you’re standing in the rain, which is actually relaxing,” Smith says. Over the past year, one change Smith has witnessed is an increase in freestanding bath sales. He says in the past, 90 percent of Central Arizona Supply’s sales were comprised of regular bathtubs. Now, it has become a battle of the baths with freestanding tubs taking 50 percent of the business. “Freestanding can free up to two or three feet of space, making your current bathroom bigger,” Smith says. “So, that’s the reason you’re seeing this trend — as well as they’re beautiful, so it’s an aesthetic thing.” But the regular bathtubs are fighting back — with the Jason Hydrotherapy tub. “Since (the Jason Hydrotherapy tub) came out four months ago, our tub sales have gone through the roof,” Smith says, “and that has really balanced the freestanding baths we’ve been selling more of.” Jason Hydrotherapy tubs, priced at $14,790, are unique in that they are the only tubs that use Microsilk, which are oxygen-rich microbubbles. These clouds of oxygen penetrate deep into your pores for a more thorough cleansing, moisturizing your skin. They also keep your bathwater warm, so you don’t have to add more hot water. It’s also “a technology they’ve been using to clean clams,” Smith adds. Snodgrass calls bathtubs similar to the Jason Hydrotherapy tub “combination tubs.” These tubs have jets and air bubbles, and the purchaser can have the “best of both worlds,” she says. The No. 1 reason why customers will opt for these tubs in their spa bath? According to Snodgrass, it’s all about the health and stress-reducing benefits. “The main reason people will put combination tubs in their master bath is for the therapeutic reasons to aid in mental wellness and help your mood,” she says. Other unique products Smith and Snodgrass have been selling in their respective showrooms include the Numi toilet, which comes complete with feet warming capabilities, a deodorizer, a heated seat, an integrated air dryer and more. “People love it,” Snodgrass adds. This product is perfect for those who want to spend more time in their bathrooms. On the other hand, there’s the Electric Mirror waterproof  TV. This amenity can be found in luxury hotels and can help complete the spa experience in your master bath, but it can also help those multitasking individuals maintain efficiency in the mornings. A master bath remodel into a spa-like experience can range anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000. It just all depends on what you want and how much you want to spend. 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 Evolving from a place with a distinct purpose to a lavish escape, home showers are becoming a peaceful getaway and the focal point of the bathroom. Incorporating features such as steam rooms, surround sound speakers, LED chromatherapy lighting, benches, shelving, showerheads that resemble the undeniable sensation of gentle raindrops with the help of air-injection technology and massaging body sprays at every level, home showers are becoming a therapeutic relief in which many homeowners are quickly investing. “Showers have become the epicenter of the bathroom,” says Jeremy Smith of Central Arizona Supply. “Homeowners no longer feel they have to have a great bathtub. Instead, there are so many amazing features in showers that are being taken advantage of that are giving the therapeutic aspects that the bath used to give.” As bathtubs are now becoming more of an aesthetically pleasing element than regularly-used items, it’s out with the sunken soakers and in with the spa and sauna-like showers. “What is being done to these rooms today has become more of a place of retreat than just a place to quickly get things done,” says Tim Thacker, owner of COHACO Building Specialties, explaining the changing faces of in-home showers. “The bathroom has become a place to relax, retire and rejuvenate.” According to Thacker, a big part in this maturing trend is the multitude of options in materials and technology available today. From matching faucets and handles to calming tile accents and streamlined shower enclosures, bathrooms have evolved beyond the spa and incorporated a personalized touch to suit a homeowner’s specific needs and wants. Becoming a popular home investment, an added bonus to these upgrades, according to Smith, is that they are now able to reach a wider range of customers due to competitive price markets lowering the cost of such items. As a result, what is considered a lavish upgrade can now be a more attainable addition to any homeowner’s bathroom. With such a large selection of bells and whistles to make your home shower resemble the spa of your dreams, homeowners are urged to test before they buy and explore every option available. Smith strongly suggests working closely with your contractor so every detail is appropriately accommodated to meet both your needs and your body’s needs for the best therapeutic results. For those considering incorporating spa-like features, Thacker says, “Homeowners are finding that the money used in this area is very well spent. It has been proven that in a remodel, the money spent in redesigning a bathroom will always allow you to recoup your expenses when the home is sold or just having it reappraised.” Manufactures are now starting to mix the perks of top-quality, in-home saunas, steam rooms and luxurious showers, manufactures with products that incorporate more sustainable and water-saving technologies. “We see many features such as smart temp-controlled valves and insta-hot water to replace water heaters for more saving attributes,” says Melissa Kale, president of Picasso Tile and Stonework. 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 Attention shoppers, we have a new space in town for home decor. The innovative luxury brand in the home furnishings, RH (Restoration Hardware), unveiled the Gallery at Scottsdale Quarter on Friday, November 9 with an official ribbon cutting. With more than 30,000 square feet to boast award-winning design and lighting (not to mention a rooftop garden and conservatory), RH will bring Scottsdale Quarter just about everything from bathware to baby products.  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 Christmas is in the air – can you feel it?  Thanksgiving is only a week away then we’ll be swept up into that hectic yet joyous holiday season.  Why not plan now to make sure you take a weekend away for a magical, special, wonderful family weekend that your family will remember for years to come?  The North Pole Experience, which recently relocated Santa’s workshop from Greer to Flagstaff, is a one-of-a-kind experience that can be found no where else in the United States!  As this is a full experience package, you stay at the Little America Hotel, which is decorated to the hilt with festive Christmas lights, music, and more.   Then – without giving too much away – you take a special trolley ride which transports you to Santa’s workshop, filled with elves and a museum for the toys that have been built throughout the years.  Then, you can check out Santa’s state of the art sleigh, and enjoy snowman soup and cookies inside Santa’s bakery.   Naturally, it just wouldn’t be a proper experience without the big man himself – and your family gets one-on-one personal time and photos with him, instead of being rushed through a line.  It gives your children the chance to ‘warm up’ to Santa and not feel embarrassed or self-conscious in front of a lot of other children and parents.    After visiting Santa, you  are whisked back to your hotel via trolley and end the evening with Mrs. Claus, cookies, and milk.   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 Parnian Furniture at Scottsdale Fashion Square is two stores. The 9,000-plus-square-foot space occupies the former Pottery Barn space. The first of the two adjacent stores is Parnian Furniture, featuring the family’s world-famous custom case goods and more than 60 leading European and other furniture and accessory lines in ultra-modern, soft-contemporary and transitional styles.  The second store is the Parnian family’s new Phoenix Contemporary Furniture, with quality modern and contemporary furniture and accessories at prices more affordable for most buyers. Both stores continue the Parnian tradition of excellence, which began in 1977 when Abdolhay and Parvaneh, two recently married architects, opened the company’s first Valley store, a 1,000-square-foot cabinet shop in a Tempe industrial facility. The custom Parnian pieces — including “The World’s Most Expensive Bed” and “the World’s Most Expensive Desk” — are handmade in a 28,000-square-foot north Phoenix studio and sold in the flagship 15,000-square-foot Parnian Furniture showroom on Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in the Scottsdale Airpark. Designed by Abdolhay, these high-end furniture creations will now also be available at Scottsdale Fashion Square. “We are one of the few companies actually manufacturing luxury goods in the USA and exporting them to other countries,” says Ali Parnian, the founders’ son who joined the company in 1999. His sister, Leila, became a member of the business in 2007. “The clients we have in the USA are typically people who have very high standards for quality and design and want uniquely designed furniture that reflects their personal need or styles,” he adds. “They will typically meet with my dad and describe their needs, and he will come up with a design that will exceed their expectations.” One of these designs, the “Sunset Bed,” was a multiple award winner in 2011 in the Custom Woodworking Business Design Portfolio Awards for Furniture Design; its 78 meticulously inlaid wood segments are the focal point of the “World’s Most Expensive Bed.” “In the custom Parnian Collection, we are very strong in custom executive desks and boardroom and dining tables for office and home,” Ali says. “We do a great custom table business and we have begun to do some amazing custom kitchens.” The Parnians also carry Savoir Beds, a 100-year-old brand of mattress/bed imported from London which has been purchased by Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, Madonna, the Rothschild family and other elite clients, from $8,000 to $70,000. In addition, the company also sells a $50,000 sectional sofa from DeSede, the world’s top leather company. And, Parnian also offers interior design services in which the furnishings can price out at more than $1 million. The new store, however, will service a wider market than the Parnian family recognized in the past 34 years. “We noticed after the housing market crash, a lot of people who stopped in our store were looking for quality furniture and accessories but not necessarily at the prices of our custom lines,” Ali says. Many of these people were investors and Canadian visitors who wanted to furnish and accessorize their second and third homes here but didn’t want to spend more than $8–$10,000 to furnish a two-bed, two-bath condo. At any price, the Parnian name means the best to buyers throughout the world: “The products we make are produced for the long term, as art, to be handed down to future generations,” Ali says. “We pay attention to every detail and use only the finest materials and best techniques and employ the finest craftsmen to ensure the furniture will last for many years. “More than half of our business is special-order merchandise or custom-designed orders. Our customers want what they want and are not willing to settle on quality or design. We have been fulfilling this level of expectation for more than three decades.” 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 In an era when going away on vacation is not in the budget, many homeowners are finding it makes fiscal sense to turn the master bath into a spa environment with high-end amenities such as soaking tubs, saunas, whirlpools, granite countertops, double sinks, marble and tile flooring, and his and her dressing areas. According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), the finishing touch to a redecorated bathroom is complementary lighting that is highly functional and attractive. In response to the increased demand for luxurious bath amenities, lighting manufacturers now offer more high-end fixtures than ever, making this the perfect time to create a splashy bath. “Everything in the bath has been upgraded except the lighting,” says George Chandler of Vermont-based lighting manufacturer Hubbardton Forge. “The right lighting will make the room. Without it, everything you purchased won’t look half as good.” Kellee Hollenback of Savoy House, a lighting manufacturer based in Georgia, agrees. “People are making an investment and creating a retreat reminiscent of a hotel room at their favorite vacation spot,” Hollenback says. “Redoing the bathroom is an economical way to do a home makeover. Even simply installing a UL-listed shower light or a chandelier or spotlight over the tub can enhance both comfort and ambiance.” (UL listed products have been tested and evaluated for safety by Underwriters Laboratories.) There are two must-haves for proper bath lighting: an ambient light source and task lighting. There has never been a better time to buy a decorative ambient fixture than right now. Lighting manufacturers have designed some truly elegant and highly functional fixtures that will set a luxurious atmosphere for the room and make your guests envious. “When selecting a decorative fixture, make sure you’re getting good light from it,” says Todd Phillips of South Carolina-based lighting manufacturer Quoizel. “Overall, soft contemporary styles are leading the pack. We’re seeing the importance of a bronze finish on clean designs. There’s been great growth in vanity sinks, which often have matching hardware. This has led to a desire for lighting fixtures in a complementary bronze finish,” say Phillips. “We’re also noticing a trend in faucets with an antique or brushed nickel finish.” Chrome is also a popular finish choice that will always be in vogue. “Today’s homeowners are looking for something unique and not the same thing they can find everywhere else,” adds Ron Henderson of Nevada-based lighting manufacturer Varaluz. “They are carbon footprint-sensitive, and we use a lot of reclaimed and recycled materials in our bath fixtures.” The most critical area for proper lighting is at the mirror, where the majority of grooming tasks – from make-up application to shaving – takes place. Although many builders and interior decorators install one recessed light over the sink, lighting experts say this is not ideal for putting your best face forward. “The best scenario at the bathroom mirror is a lighting fixture at the top and two smaller wall-mounted fixtures located on either side of the mirror,”explains architect Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the ALA, and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design. “It is possible to add a recessed light over the sink as a supplementary light source, but it should never be the primary light because it will create shadows on the face. Decorative sconces that either match or complement the over-the-sink light will evenly illuminate both sides of the face. Rey-Barreau recommends a minimum of 150 watts of incandescent lighting per sink, or 40 watts of fluorescent. “An alternative to a compact fluorescent is the halogen IRC by Osram, which is low-voltage and provides 28 lumens per watt. It gives a lot of light and gives good color so that skin doesn’t look washed out,” says Paul Eusterbrock of Holtkoetter International, a lighting manufacturer based in Minnesota. “People need energy-efficient light that helps them look good,” he says. And don’t forget a dimmer. Dimmers are essential for creating a soothing and comfortable environment. Installing a dimmer in your master bath is one of the easiest, least expensive and mood enhancing techniques you can do. 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 Driveway gates offer security, privacy, and elegance. They’ll prevent your child’s basketball from rolling out into the street, and unwanted salespeople from knocking on your door. With the majority of burglaries being moment-of-passion crimes, driveway security gates are also the best deterrent for home burglars—whether they hint at or actually include further security. Style, Space, and Comfort Driveway gates can be as simple as a hand-moved wooden gate attached to stone pillars. This is a simple, rustic option that many people use in the country to either hold back livestock or look as if that might have once been the purpose. For the urban and suburban areas, a more modern approach is typically used. Driveway gates come in many styles. Some are meant merely as a way to stop unwanted cars from entering your property, others are attached to privacy fences or security fences that run around the whole property. Like a fence, driveway gates are made from any material, with the most common being iron, steel, or wood. They come rustic or grand, painted or gold-plated. But whatever you choose, simple or extravagant, you will find that it adds elegance either way. The choice is more in deciding what style matches your own home’s style. Security Like a garage door, most driveway security gates open with a touchpad or remote control. With this, naturally comes an intercom system, to allow visitors to reach you the same way one might reach another in a city condominium. Beyond those two simple, more obvious inclusions come the security additions. Intercoms come with touchpads so that you can give out an entry code to friends and family (be careful with this code, of course, and change it with regularity), they also come with video relays for you to see your guest or for you both to see each other. Security cameras allow you to see (and record for added security) all cars that come up to your gate. Motion sensors can send a signal to warn you of people at your gate, or they can be set to turn on a light at the gate door. There are many options, though the most important one is always the presence of the driveway security gate itself. Curb Appeal Driveway gates set your home apart from the rest, bringing an extra level of grace to the look and feel of your property. They are not just for security, they are for your exterior design. Pillars offer a perfect backdrop for either intimate or intricate landscape design. This presentation welcomes friends into your home while also deterring unwanted guests. There will be more added benefit that seems counterintuitive. Driveway gates have the effect of adding usable space. The corners of your yard suddenly become places you do not shy away from when you add any sort of fencing. You will notice that your driveway becomes a fine place to play rather than a hazard. In all, these gates can add both function and beauty to your home. 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 What should you look for when inspecting your roof? The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends you do a roof inspection at least two times a year — spring and fall. The best place to begin is inside your house — grab a flashlight and make a trip to the attic. Here are four things to look for on the inside: 1) Places where the roof deck is sagging 2) Signs of water damage or leaking 3) Dark spots and trails 4) Outside light showing through the roof. Exterior check When you take a look at the exterior of the roof, pay attention to such things as damaged flashing, missing shingles, curling, blistering, buckling, rotting and algae growth (which occurs most often in humid climates and appears as dark or greenish stains). What to check on the outside: 5) Visually inspect your roof for cracked, torn, bald or missing shingles. 6) Scan the roof for loose material or wear around chimneys, vents, pipes or other penetrations. 7) Watch out for an excessive amount of shingle granules (they look like large grains of sand) in the gutters — this is a sign of advanced wear. 8) Check for signs of moisture, rot or mold. Note that wet spots may not be directly under your faulty shingle; water can travel down to its lowest spot before it drips. Mold, fungi and bacteria can grow quickly — within 24 to 48 hours of a water-related problem. 9) Examine the drainage, and make sure gutters and downspouts are securely attached. Also ensure all drains are open and allow water to exit, and all gutters and downspouts are free of debris. 10) Check that all bath, kitchen and dryer vents go entirely outside of your home, not just into the attic space. What’s the roof made of? Dean Bennett, president of Dean Bennett Design and Construction, Inc. in Castle Rock, Colorado, says determining when you need a new roof also depends on roofing material as well as the part of the country in which you live. With that in mind, he offers tips on the following roofing materials:

• Cedar: A cedar roof in need of repair or replacement will split and fall apart in dry climates. In moist climates, it will get mossy. The lifespan of a cedar roof is about 20 years.
• Tile: “Look for broken or cracked tiles,” Bennett says, “but don’t walk on the roof to do so or the tiles will break. Tile roofs can last up to 100 years, but individual tiles can break. They can be replaced, but only by a specialist.”
• Concrete: should never need replacing

If you have a roof with wooden shakes, you should also watch out for damage from termites, carpenter ants and/or other wood-boring pests. Check the simplest solutions first If your roof has water damage, don’t jump the gun and assume you need to start all over with a brand new roof. The California Contractors State License Board says that if your roof was properly installed and is less than than 15 to 20 years old, it can often be repaired rather than replaced. Contact a licensed roofing contractor — or three — to find out what they think needs to be done and to get an estimate. Starting over If you do decide to go ahead and replace the whole roof, keep weather and other issues specific to your locality in mind when choosing materials. For example, wood and asphalt shingles aren’t especially fire resistant — and this could be a problem if you live near a lot of dry brush and trees. Slate, tile and metal are more expensive materials, but they are a worthwhile investment because of the extra protection they offer against fire. If, on the other hand, snow loads are an issue where you live, you might want to consider a durable and lightweight standing-seam metal roof. These can typically cast off the snow before it becomes a problem. But before setting your heart on slate or tile — and we know they look really gorgeous — realize that these are very heavy materials. Some house framing just isn’t strong enough to support the extra weight of this sort of roofing. Start now — before you have no choice Don’t wait until water is unexpectedly pouring into your home by way of a leaky roof. Start protecting your home by using some simple observation skills. If you find problems, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace your roof. Many repairs can be made before a major rebuild is necessary. If you do need a new roof, be aware that this isn’t an average “do it yourself” type of project. It’s tough work — especially if you’re taking off the old roof — and can be dangerous, too. (Roofs slope and are up high… need we say more?) It’s all looking up Most people list “Having a roof over my head” as one of life’s essentials — and there’s a reason for that. It’s not just a matter of practicality or aesthetics (though both of those play a part). Your roof is what keeps you and your family safe from the sun and snow, lightning and rain. 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 Many Scottsdale homeowners shudder at the thought of interior painting. It is considering a chore: tedious, boring and not much fun. However, by utilizing the following tips, you can decrease painting time and get to the activities that you prefer. Of course you can save the most time by calling a Scottsdale interior painting contractor, but if you are determined to D.Y.I., then use the following to minimize time spent holding a brush. 1. Don’t try to do it all in one day. Set aside some time a day or two ahead of painting day to prep the area that you will be painting. Some of these preparations include moving furniture, laying down protective sheeting, taping trim and electrical outlets and gathering all painting supplies into one place. 2. Don’t try to paint over damaged walls. Continuing on the first step, check your walls before you get ready to paint. Look for holes, cracks or other damaged areas. You may need to use a drywall repair kit and do some sanding before you are ready to paint. 3. Use the right materials! Certain paint brushes are made for certain kinds of paint and help ensure an even application. Oil-based paints need natural bristles; water-based or latex paints work best with synthetic bristles. For large areas, try using a foam roller. Your Scottsdale paint store should have a wide selection of brushes to go with your paint. 4. If you want a professional look, call your Scottsdale painting contractor. But for a nicer application of the paint, consider using a primer on your walls. This helps keep older color from “bleeding” through, especially if the new paint is lighter than the old. Many paints have a primer built in already, eliminating the need for this step. 5. When prepping the room for painting, it may be helpful to use painter’s tape to keep paint off of molding, electrical outlets, door handles and window frames. This is easily recognizable by it’s blue color and once the paint dries, you can simply peel it off for sharp lines. 6. Remember, paint is messy no matter how well you prepare for it. Just for backup, keep a roll of paper towels or old rags handy. It is easier to wipe up spilled paint than trying to deal with it after it has dried! 7. Don’t just toss any left over paint. Keep it tightly sealed in a cool dark place to use for touch ups. Even if you just keep a small container of it, you will be happy later on when you see normal wear and tear happen. 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.