Have unwanted guests in your yard? Yes its getting to be snake season in Scottsdale by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

April 23, 2019 Joe Szabo

Many people move to Arizona for our near-constant sunshine, and mild winters. These also make for perfect conditions for reptiles, which to the dismay of many homeowners, live in great numbers throughout the state. Where our neighborhoods meet the desert, an encounter with a snake every so often is just part of life. The valley is home to 6 unique species of rattlesnake, all of which pack a harmful, venomous bite. A bite, which if logic prevails, is almost always optional. Rattlesnakes are on the menu for many desert predators. They’re nervous, shy, and like most animals, will try to prevent their own death when it is threatened. Rattlesnakes do not chase, jump at, or come after perceived predators, regardless of the numerous, fictional tales we as Arizonans are sure to hear. The fact is; rattlesnakes encounters are almost always harmless if in nature, and optional in our yards. So what is the home owner to do, when a venomous visitor suddenly drops by one morning, coiled on the porch and going nowhere? The first thing to consider: nobody is in danger. The snake has been seen, and the only way anyone will be within range of a bite is if they put themselves there. Statistically, this is what many shovel-wielding husbands will do, becoming the single largest bite statistic, by far. A bite to the hand of a home hero can cost well over $100,000, cause incredible pain, and result in disfigurement and occasional death. Contacting a professional to remove the animal costs around $100, and is absolutely safe and humane. Taking one step back – why is the snake there? Isn’t there some way to keep them from being there in the first place? Fortunately there is. Here are a few tips to keep your yard as rattlesnake-free as possible:

The desert is a hard place to live; make sure your yard isn’t an oasis. Rattlesnakes want food, water, and shelter. Deny those, and the yard is nothing interesting. Fix leaky hoses, keep the yard clean, and make sure all of the bushes are trimmed and free of dead plant material underneath.
If you have a view fence or wall surrounding the property, complete the barricade. Door sweeps and wire fencing can be installed to keep animals out. It’s a relatively inexpensive Saturday project for the handy, or contact a snake removal company to install it for you.
Forget the store-bought snake repellents and mothballs; they simply do not work. Many pest control companies will swear they do, but all research points to repellants being a smelly waste-of-money.

Dogs can be trained to avoid rattlesnakes by a number of businesses around the valley, and an inexpensive vaccine can be requested by most veterinarians. Keep dogs on a leash in desert areas, and have emergency information on-hand if you live near open, native desert. Despite the very high number of snakes that are found here, bites still make the front page when they occur. It is a relatively rare event with an extremely low fatality rate, which somehow still occupies a place in our culture as a major threat to be feared by every desert home owner. As citizens in this amazing Sonoran habitat, it is the responsibility of all of us to be peaceful, well-informed co-inhabitants with the desert wildlife. Rattlesnakes may be the thing of nightmares to many, but that is an optional fear that, like most fears, fades to nothing with a willingness to learn and a touch of understanding. In the valley, the most common places to run into a rattlesnake in your own yard are Cave Cree, Scottsdale, and other areas where there is a lot of development and contact with native areas.

Most Commonly Encountered Snakes in the Phoenix Area

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

VENOMOUS – Grey to tan in color, between 1’ and 4’ long. Easily identified by the distinct white and black banded tail, and rattle. Defensive in nature but easily avoided if encountered. Do not attempt to capture, kill, or otherwise interact with this snake.

Sonoran Gophersnake

BENEFICIAL – Also commonly misidentified as a “bullsnake”. Tan, yellow, or orange in color, with dark brown blotches, between 1.5’ and 5’in length. Defensive if attacked, but non-venomous and will not bite unless attacked. A gophersnake is great free pest control.

Desert Nightsnake

BENEFICIAL – Grey or dark brown with double rows of spots on the back, between 8” and 14” in length. Often confused with a baby rattlesnake due to elliptical eyes and triangular head. Absolutely harmless, this snake feeds on spiders and scorpions in the yard.

Speckled Rattlesnake

VENOMOUS – Highly variable, this snake takes the coloration of rock where it is found; orange, brown, white, or light grey. It is small, between 1’ and 3’ in length. If seen, do not approach this snake for any reason.

Longnosed Snake

BENEFICIAL – Often confused with the kingsnake, this snake is between 8” and 3’ long. It eats lizards and their eggs. They are absolutely harmless, and can reduce rattlesnake-attracting prey in a yard.

Kingsnake

BENEFICIAL – Black and white banding from head to tail, and between 1’ and 4’ in length. Kingsnakes consider rattlesnakes a primary food source, and are great to have on a property. They may bite if picked up, but are otherwise completely harmless.

Coachwhip

BENEFICIAL – Fast, slender, and between 1’ and 5’ in length. May be black, olive, or red in color. This snake eats rattlesnakes and other prey items and should be kept as-is if seen. They will bite if picked up, but move away quickly if seen and are difficult to capture.

Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings. Thank you Rattlesnake Solutions Phoenix: 480-237-9975 for this helpful information!

When to Start Planting what in Scottsdale by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

April 18, 2019 Joe Szabo

On average, the frost-free growing season starts Feb 1 and ends Dec 1, totalling 304 days for an amazing growing season for Scottsdale!

Cold crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can be direct seeded into your garden around December 21, assuming the ground can be worked, but it’s better to start them indoors around November 23 and then transplant them into the garden around January 12. Do the same with lettuce and spinach.Plant onion starts and potatoes around December 3. Sow the seeds of peas (sugar snap and english) at the same time. If the ground is still frozen, then plant these as soon as the ground thaws. Do you want to grow tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants? Start these indoors around November 23. Then, around January 28 you should start watching the weather forecast and, as soon as no frost is forecast, go ahead and transplant those into the ground. Now, for all the summer vegetables like beans, cowpeas, corn, squashes, pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelons, gourds and sunflowers, you should plant those seeds directly into the ground around February 1, or if your soil is still very cold, once the soil is near 60° F in temperature.

Okay, now here are the cold, hard numbers, along with specific plants:

Crop	Sow seeds indoors	Transplant seedlings into the garden	Direct sow seeds
Asparagus	n/a	Dec 18 – Jan 2	n/a
Beans	n/a	n/a	Feb 1 – Feb 29
Beets	n/a	n/a	Dec 7 – Dec 21
Broccoli	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Jan 4 – Jan 18	n/a
Brussel Sprouts	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Jan 4 – Jan 18	n/a
Cabbage	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Jan 4 – Jan 18	n/a
Cantaloupe	n/a	n/a	Jan 18 – Feb 1
Carrots	n/a	n/a	Dec 21 – Jan 18
Cauliflower	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Jan 4 – Jan 18	n/a
Chard	n/a	n/a	Dec 21 – Jan 4
Collards	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Jan 4 – Jan 18	n/a
Corn	n/a	n/a	Feb 1 – Feb 15
Cucumbers	n/a	n/a	Feb 1 – Feb 15
Eggplants	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Feb 1 – Feb 15	n/a
Gourds, Squash and Pumpkins	n/a	n/a	Feb 1 – Feb 15
Kale	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Jan 4 – Jan 18	n/a
Kohlrabi	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Jan 4 – Jan 18	n/a
Lettuce	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Dec 21 – Jan 18	Dec 21 – Jan 18
Mustard	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Jan 4 – Jan 18	n/a
Okra	n/a	n/a	Feb 1 – Feb 15
Onions	Nov 16 – Nov 23	Dec 3 – Jan 2	n/a
Peas (English)	n/a	n/a	Dec 3 – Jan 2
Peas (Southern)	n/a	n/a	Feb 1 – Feb 29
Peas (Sugar Snap)	n/a	n/a	Dec 3 – Jan 2
Peppers	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Feb 1 – Feb 15	n/a
Potatoes	n/a	n/a	Dec 3 – Jan 2
Radishes	n/a	n/a	Dec 18 – Feb 15
Spinach	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Jan 4 – Jan 18	Dec 18 – Jan 18
Sweet Potatoes	n/a	Feb 1 – Feb 22	n/a
Tomatoes	Nov 23 – Dec 7	Feb 1 – Feb 15	n/a
Watermelon	n/a	n/a	Feb 1 – Feb 15

Thinking about new flooring? by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

April 16, 2019 Joe Szabo

Today’s choices in flooring are more varied than ever, running the gamut of styles, finishes and installation options. Product innovation is clearly blurring the lines between many flooring categories, and the raw materials used to create flooring types include gin bottles, corn sugar and the staves from old wine barrels. The winner in this underfoot mash-up is the consumer, who benefits from an astonishing array of choices that fit any lifestyle and budget.

Wood

Hardwood flooring is renowned for its natural beauty and durability. Its classic good looks harmonize with any architectural theme or interior design, and it’s an especially good choice to create visual room-to-room continuity for homes with open floor plans.

Hardwood flooring comes as strips 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches wide or planks 4 to 8 inches wide. Domestic species include oak, maple and black walnut. Regional varieties, such as pecan, chinquapin and mesquite, are not widely distributed but offer distinctive grain patterns.

The availability of exotic species of hardwoods varies with market conditions, and popular imported varieties include Brazilian cherry, purpleheart, and African pedauk. To make sure the wood flooring you buy is harvested from sustainable, managed forests, look for certification from the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and the SFI (Sustainable Forest Initiative).

Coatings for prefinished hardwood have benefited from technological advancements, and finishes may include additives such as ceramics, aluminum oxide, and acrylic monomers that produce incredibly tough surfaces.

Kitchen Flooring Trends

Learn about flooring options from hardwoods to budget-friendly vinyl.

Solid wood must be nailed to a subfloor. An advantage of solid wood is that it can be refinished many times over its lifespan.

Hardwood costs $3 to $8 per square foot, and exotic varieties may be as high as $14 per square foot. Expect to pay $5 to $12 per square foot for professional installation.

Smith and Fong

Engineered wood flooring

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood features a top veneer of real wood backed by layers of cheaper plywood. This construction makes the flooring more stable and much less susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity than solid wood.

Instead of plywood backing, some newer varieties have substrates made from recycled wood fiber mixed with stone dust to provide extreme dimensional stability. Engineered wood is a good choice for kitchens and basements, as well as for installation over in-floor heating systems.

Engineered wood can be nailed, glued or installed as a floating floor over a cushioned pad. More manufacturers are producing self-locking, or “clickable,” engineered wood flooring that installs without glue or nails. Clickable flooring comes as planks or parquet squares and makes a good DIY project. Prices are comparable to solid wood.

US Floors

Bamboo flooring

Bamboo

This increasingly popular flooring material is often thought of as wood, although it isn’t a hardwood but a grass. Bamboo strands are glued together to form solid strips or engineered planks, just like hardwood. Cost to purchase and install are comparable to wood products.

Grain patterns include flat, vertical and woven. Flat grains display the intermittent growth nodes characteristic of the grass; vertical grains pack the strands closely together to produce a fine-grained appearance. Woven types have sinewy patterns.

Bamboo is tough and durable. Because it comes from plants that are easy to grow and regenerate quickly, bamboo is considered a sustainable material and an environmentally friendly flooring choice. Nevertheless, most bamboo is imported from Asia, and environmentalists point to the energy required to transport bamboo to the U.S. as a factor to consider when selecting green flooring. Expect to pay $3 to $8 per square foot for bamboo flooring, and $7 to $12 per square foot installed.

Laminate

Pergo

Laminate flooring

Low-maintenance laminate flooring offers an enormous variety of styles, colors and patterns. It’s similar to engineered wood in that a top wear layer is backed by layers of plywood or compressed fiber backing that is extremely stable. The big difference is that the top layer is not real wood but a plastic coating applied over a photograph. The photo-realism technology that’s used produces look-alike finishes indistinguishable from real wood and other materials such as stone, ceramic tile, even stained concrete.Laminates comes as planks or tiles. Most are floating floor systems, meaning they can be installed directly over old existing flooring without glue or nails — no tear-out is necessary. Laminate is a popular DIY flooring, but it’s wise not to overestimate your skills — installing around corners and between door jambs takes patience and ingenuity.

Quality varies, and laminate flooring costs $1 to $7 per square foot. Installation adds $2 to $5 per square foot, depending on difficulty.

Armstrong

Linoleum flooring

Linoleum

Linoleum is made with renewable, biodegradable materials including linseed oil and cork. Mineral pigments are added to produce rich, vibrant colors. Linoleum produces no harmful vapors and is considered a top environmentally friendly flooring choice.

Linoleum comes as sheet goods designed for glue-down installation and as laminated planks and tiles that install as a floating floor system. Some manufacturers provide a protective coating that prevents staining and helps the product stand up to foot traffic. Linoleum without this coating should be refinished every two years.

Expect to pay $2 to $5 per square foot and $7 to $12 per square foot installed.

Cork flooring. Design by Linda Maglia

Cork

Cork comes from the bark of a tree. The bark is harvested every eight to 10 years and is a sustainable material, meaning the tree is not destroyed but is allowed to regenerate new bark that can be harvested repeatedly. Typically, cork-producing countries regulate production to ensure future harvests, so the impact on the environment is low.

Cork has a warm, natural appearance and is comfortable underfoot. It has unusual grain patterns featuring whirls and speckles. It comes in tiles or planks with a laminate construction — a top wear layer glued to a stable core material. Cork flooring is either glued down or installed as a floating floor. Cork flooring costs $2 to $6 per square foot; add $3 to $5 per square foot for installation.

Most cork flooring products are prefinished; however, they should be resealed every few years to renew the wear layer, guard against stains and seal out moisture. Polyurethane and wax are both good sealers for cork. Buy water-based polyurethane that’s nontoxic or has low volatile organic compound content.

Ceramic Tile

The many shapes, sizes, colors and textures of ceramic tile make it easy to create custom, one-of-a-kind patterns. Cost varies widely, and you’ll find tile priced anywhere from $1 to $100 per square foot. Complementary decorative trim pieces and mosaic inlays quickly raise the total price of a tile installation. Expect to pay experienced tile-setters $4 to $12 per square foot.

Ceramic tile is made from a mixture of clay and shale that is baked and hardened in a kiln. Dry pigments added to the mixture gives the tiles earthy tones that range from ocher to deep red. Be sure to purchase only tile that is rated for use on floors.

Ceramic flooring tile comes as one of four basic types:

Glazed ceramic has a glasslike coating that is applied prior to firing. The coating gives the tile an unlimited variety of colors and textures and makes the material virtually maintenance-free.
Quarry tile is unglazed ceramic tile. Colors come from pigments added to the clay mixture. Quarry tile has a slightly rough texture that provides better slip-resistance than glazed tile.
Porcelain tile is fired at extremely high temperatures. The result is a tile that’s especially hard and durable. Porcelain tile is resistant to staining and is a good choice for exterior applications. It’s available either glazed or unglazed.
Terracotta is an unglazed tile with earthy colors and rustic appearance. It is not as durable as other tiles and must be sealed periodically to prevent staining.

Some ceramic floor tiles come with an anti-slip finish that provides excellent traction even when wet. Choose tiles that meet the slip-resistance standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Mohawk

Carpet

Carpeting is one of the most versatile of all flooring options, featuring more colors and textures than any other type of flooring. When judging carpet quality, a simple rule of thumb is to ask about the density of the fibers used to make the carpet — the more fibers per square inch, the more durable the carpet.

Most carpeting is made by pulling the fibers through a woven backing; then additional layers of backing are glued on to provide strength and thickness. A carpet pad adds cushioning and helps prolong the life of the carpet. Indoor/outdoor carpeting withstands weather and usually is installed without a pad.

Some carpets use a rating system that indicates the product’s ability to withstand wear and tear. Found on the carpet label, the system is graduated from 1 to 5, with 5 being the best. A rating of 3 to 4 is considered normal.

Carpeting costs $2 to $12 per square foot. Add 50 cents to $2 per square foot for padding and installation, depending on the complexity of the job.

Wool carpeting is the standard of quality. It’s naturally durable and resistant to moisture and stains, and it’s considered to have the best feel against hands and bare feet. With the exception of wool, most carpets are made of synthetic fibers. Various types include the following:

Nylon is exceptionally strong and resistant to wear. Make sure the carpet you buy is treated to reduce static electricity.
Acrylic has physical properties that approximate wool. It resists wear, crushing and mildew, and it’s inhospitable for insects.
Polyester produces bright colors and is highly resistant to moisture, but stains can be difficult to remove.
Polypropylene olefin is used for indoor/outdoor carpeting. It’s extremely resistant to stains, moisture and mildew.

Stone

If you’re looking for a little touch of luxury, stone floor tile provides quality, at a premium price. You’ll pay from $2 to $100 per square foot for natural stone tiles made of granite, marble, limestone, slate and travertine. Installation adds $5 to $10 per square foot.

The ability of stone to resist moisture and staining depends on its hardness. Softer stones such as sandstone and limestone must be finished every few years with a stone sealer. Harder stones, such as granite and marble, should be sealed every four to five years.

Honed and polished stone tile can be slippery when wet, so choose stone that has a textured, skid-resistant surface for kitchens and master bath applications.

Transitional Kitchen in Reds and Earth Tones

Armstrong

Vinyl

Vinyl tiles and sheet goods are called resilient flooring — they’re flexible and slightly soft underfoot. They’re tough, durable and virtually maintenance-free. Vinyl comes in an array of colors and patterns at relatively modest cost. Although you’ll pay as little as $1 per square foot, there are fewer style options among the less-expensive types.Vinyl products are backed with a layer of felt. Cushioned vinyl is backed with a thin layer of foam that offers an extra measure of comfort and safety. In general, a thicker vinyl surface means better quality and higher price. Thicker vinyl can have a textured surface that looks like real stone and wood.

Vinyl flooring has a wear layer on its upper surface that helps resist stains and scratches. The best vinyl products provide warranties on the wear layer of as much as 15 years, and you can expect good-quality vinyl to last 20 years.

Vinyl tiles and sheet goods cost $1 to $5 per square foot. Installation adds $1 to $2 per square foot, depending on the complexity of the project.

Unique Recycled Hardwood Floors

Reclaimed wood creates floors that are truly one-of-a-kind and Mother Nature-friendly.

Recycled cherry wood has been cut into end-grain blocks for use in their basement game room area. A chandelier hangs above a billards table next to bar stools. Two chairs, a table, and a TV are against a brick wall.

If you love the richness and warmth of wood floors but are concerned about depleting the environment, try reclaiming a bit of history to get those beautiful and truly unique floors without ravaging nature in the process. Using salvaged wood is the ultimate in recycling, and it’s a growing trend that’s not only eco-friendly but stylish, too.

Reclaimed wood was harvested anywhere from 100 to 300 years ago and was used to build railroad trestles, old barns, industrial warehouses and other structures. Wood salvaged from the demolition of these structures can have a new lease on life in your kitchen floor as well as its walls, ceilings, cabinets and countertops. Sustainability isn’t this wood’s only advantage; reclaimed wood is denser, more stable, adds instant history to your home and is the only source for such bygone species as heart pine and chestnut.

Reclaimed wood comes with plenty of history and character, which is what people value about reclaimed wood, says interior designer Elizabeth Schultz of DesignWorks in Bozeman, Mont. For one client’s kitchen, Elizabeth used reclaimed Douglas fir from an old railroad trestle that ran over the Great Salt Lake.

“The colors of the planks vary quite a bit,” says Elizabeth. “This is due to the effects of the salt in the air. Personally, I think this adds to its character. Part of the beauty of the trestle wood is its variation in color and that so many other wood tones such as cabinets, beams, furniture, etc. will easily blend or coordinate with it.”

Burnished Beauty

David Foky of Mountain Lumber of Ruckersville, Va., agrees with Elizabeth that the major draw of reclaimed wood is its looks. He cites its “wow” factor and calls reclaimed-wood floors “trophy floors,” because they’re so gorgeous.

“If reclaimed wood still had all these advantages but looked bad, no one would buy it,” David says.

They’re not just another pretty floor, however. There’s also the eco-factor, and then the storytelling element. Mountain Lumber gives you a printed history of your floor. So if you’re cooking atop planks from former Guinness beer barrels, you’ll know it.

And if you’ve fallen in love with heart-pine flooring, salvaged lumber is the only way you’ll have such beauty in your kitchen since the old-growth longleaf pine is no longer around in any quantity. The same is true for the beautiful American chestnut. Much of the reclaimed wood was originally harvested from the 1700s through the late 1800s, when the old-growth forests were exhausted. And that’s not a replaceable resource since old growth equals slow growth. It grew slowly due to larger trees above acting as a canopy and limiting sunlight and rainfall. That slowly grown wood is much denser and stronger than other wood, such as that from sustainable forests, which grows faster.

Rustic Kitchen With Reclaimed Wood Floor

Reclaimed wood floors take center stage in this rustic-inspired kitchen with wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and a large island with pendant lighting.

In the 1970s, some hardy and enterprising people started realizing that some good wood was being thrown away. So they offered to cart it away from demolished structures such as mills and warehouses (and even scraping it from the bottom of Lake Michigan), saving wood destined for the dumpster and reusing it for building or renovating homes and businesses. The business has been growing every since, David says.

With numerous dealers to choose from, potential buyers should do their homework first. Reclaimed wood has often had more than one previous incarnation and it behooves the customer to know just what those past lives entailed. The quality of the wood, says David, depends on its source.

“We would never reclaim wood from a tannery, because all the toxic chemicals used in the process permeate that structure,” David says. “There should be a connection between the people bringing down the lumber and the people selling it to you.”

Those people should also kiln-dry their wood, heating it to a specific temperature for a specific amount of time, for two important reasons, says David.

“That wood could have been out in the rain for two years,” he notes. “And the other reason is to kill any bugs. The blight fungus that killed the American chestnut could still be in there. Run screaming from any dealer who doesn’t kiln-dry their wood.”

David stresses protecting your beautiful floor once it’s laid down, too. Moisture and grit are the two things he warns against, and a professional-grade polyurethane coating can take care of both worries.

And, since there are no industrywide standards on the grades of wood, you should select a company that publishes its grading system so you have on paper or in a computer file just what is promised.

The Reclaimed Wood Council is working on standards for the industry, but in the meantime, buyer beware — even better, be a researcher before buying.

Lumber Love

Bill and Betsy Peabody of Lake Sunapee, N.H., put reclaimed Douglas fir floors throughout most of their timber-frame house at their architect’s suggestion. Betsy says that they were sold by the color and richness of recycled wood, as well as its softer qualities.

“It’s easy on your legs,” she says. The Peabodys built the house not once, but twice. They were just starting to move in when the newly finished house burned to the ground.

The Peabodys, their son (who built the house) and the architects, O’Neil Pennoyer Architects, repeated the whole process again, reclaimed lumber and all, and moved in a year later. Barring any other such unfortunate incidents, their floors have perhaps as much as another 100 years of use — and beauty — in them, enough for several generations.

Resources

Duluth Timber Company www.duluthtimber.com

Mountain Lumber www.mountainlumber.com

Goodwin Heart Pine Company www.heartpine.com

Appalachian Woods www.appalachianwoods.com

Push Hard Lumber Company www.pushhardlumber.com

Pioneer Millworks www.pioneermillworks.com

The Woods Company www.thewoodscompany.com

Top 10 Features That Make Your Home Sell Faster by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

April 9, 2019 Joe Szabo

Topping the list of most-wanted home items is a steam oven, which cooks food using steam and helps vegetables retain more nutrients. The recent push for healthy eating could be a major factor when choosing a home with a kitchen fit for your dietary needs.

Steam oven
Professional appliance
Wine cellar
Steam shower
Pot filler
Shed/Garage studio
Heated floor
Waterfall countertop
Outdoor kitchen
Prep sink

Interestingly, the high-end features on the list (steam ovens, professional appliances, wine cellars, garage studio, waterfall countertop, and prep sink) are most commonly sought out in Los Angeles. In a housing market known for skyrocketing prices, home buyers are willing to pay even more for premium features. “Having a steam oven, a heated floor, or other luxury features in the home is a signal that there is more than the home’s basic features at play,” said Skylar Olsen, director of economic research at Zillow, in a press release. “These homes are special. They likely come with an elevated design sense and the extra touches valued by home shoppers who can afford the best.” Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Pros and Cons of Saltwater Pools by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

April 4, 2019 Joe Szabo

Hazardous to handle and store, chlorine can irritate the skin and the eyes. It’s no wonder, then, that many people opt for salt water pools, which offer some big advantages over traditional chlorinated swimming pools. Salt water pools do have some downsides you need to consider before purchasing one, however. To decide which type of pool might be right for you, consider the pros and cons of each.

Salt Water Systems vs. Traditional Chlorinated Pools If you don’t know much about salt water filters and pools, the facts may surprise you. For one, they aren’t anywhere close to being as salty as seawater. In fact, they have only about one-tenth the salinity. Second, they aren’t completely chlorine-free. Instead, the system uses a process called electrolysis to create chlorine, which disinfects the water. Salt Water Pool Advantages

Because they have lower chlorine levels, salt water pools are much gentler on the eyes and skin.
Research indicates that salt water systems may be safer than chlorine pools, which force owners to store and handle unsafe chemicals. Likewise, studies suggest that regular exposure to heavily chlorinated swimming pools could pose long-term risks.
Salt water pools produce softer-feeling water, which many find desirable.
Because the salt cells in a salt water system only produce chlorine as needed, the pools require far less maintenance when compared to traditional chlorinated swimming pools.

Disadvantages of Salt Water Pools

Salt water pools require a larger initial investment, making them more expensive than traditional pools.
More complex than traditional pools salt water pools often require experienced technicians even for minor problems.
Salt can cause damage to certain materials, so you may have to avoid using specific types of heaters, fixtures, underwater lighting, liners and even some types of masonry work.

Choosing the Best Outdoor Rug for Your Patio by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

April 2, 2019 Joe Szabo

You just ordered a fantastic new outdoor dining set and comfortable lounge chairs to entertain on the patio this summer, but something’s lacking from your sitting area. We suggest adding a stylish outdoor rug to tie it all together and allow your outdoor living space to become an extension of your interior. And with the unlimited variety of outside rugs available to choose from, there is sure to be one that compliments your needs and tastes perfectly. Al fresco decor has become a priority for homeowners, and now more furnishings dedicated to the outside are available than ever before. Outdoor rugs are designed to reflect the same trends and styles found in interior floor coverings, but are made specifically for outdoor use. Whether you are decorating a porch, patio, veranda or solarium, our buying guide and slideshow below will help you choose the best one for your home.

Consider materials. The innovative use of both natural and synthetic woven materials allow outdoor rugs to be durable enough to handle all weather conditions. (For these reasons, outdoor rugs are commonly used in high-traffic interior areas too, such as entryways or mud rooms.) Natural fibers such as sisal, hemp, jute, and seagrass are very strong, sound-absorbent, sustainable, and add lots of texture to your space. Synthetic coverings, such as polypropylene or plastic rugs, often come in a wider range of bright colors, can be easily hosed down and dry quickly. Additionally, they are light-weight so you can easily roll them up to move them around. Synthetic rugs are often less expensive than natural materials as well.

Choose a size and shape. Carefully measure the outdoor area you would like to cover with a rug before you shop. Fortunately, outdoor rugs are available in many dimensions and shapes. You may want to use different rugs to define spaces, such as a sitting area, or under a dining set. If you are placing the rug under furniture, it is suggested to have either all of the furniture legs on the rug, or just the front legs.

Pick a pattern. Gone are the days of muted brown outdoor rugs. These floor coverings are now available in brightly-colored solids, stripes, geometrics and more. To determine which is right for your space, consider what will compliment your existing furnishings and how much of the rug will be visible. A bold pattern may be fun peeking out from under a dining table, but too overwhelming standing alone.

10 Best LED Pool Lights for 2019 by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 28, 2019 Joe Szabo

Looking for quality LED pool lights? You are not alone since many pool owners consider the best LED pool lights to be a necessity for their pools as they complement their outdoor lighting as well. Pool fixtures come in different styles and colors, but the best sellers are always the LED lights. That’s because they are durable, long-lasting, and more efficient than other lights.

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LED Pool Lights Buying Guide

You cannot just walk into your local store and pick the first LED pool light that you see. There are some questions that you should answer to get the right answer to what is the best LED pool light for my pool?

Is it easy to install?

Generally, it is very easy to install pool lights. Majority of them come with self-explanatory instructions but some low-quality models can be hard to install. Also, note that not all light bulbs with be compatible with your specific housing. Therefore, go for an easy to install an LED light that is compatible with your housing.

How bright is the light bulb?

Pool lights have one job; to light your swimming pool. Hence, brightness will matter since it will determine how much of a section the bulb will light up. In fact, your light should also illuminate your backyard. With that said, ensure that you don’t go for an excessively bright bulb.

What features do I want?

Many pool owners don’t think about features but LED pool lights to come with different features. One of the most common ones is offering different colored lights. It might not be ideal for you but pool owners with little children will definitely appreciate this feature. Another feature is the ability to dim the LED light for your pool.

How efficient is the light?

Powering pool lights cost money and you should ensure that you get the most power efficient light. Of course, it should also offer some benefits to the environment.

How durable is the light?

You surely don’t want to get a bulb that offers 2 hours of services, do you? Ensure that the model you buy last longer, at least 10 years.

10 Best LED Pool Lights Reviews 2019

Here are the top ten LED pool lights on the market today.

1. P&LED Color Changing Swimming Pool Lights Bulb(12V, 35W)

Buy from Amazon This pool LED bulb is able to illuminate a 25,000 gallons swimming pool and it uses less electricity, saving you power bill. The light comes with a handy remote control that enables you to change the color mode. Another great feature of the light is its ability to detect the water temperature. Moreover, it is suitable for both DC12V and AC12V and offers a light matching system. The light comes with a one year warranty and is compatible with Pentair Amerlite 784, Hayward Astrolite SP058 series, and others.

2. Intex LED Pool Wall Light (110V-120V)

Buy from Amazon The Intex LED Pool Wall Light is a convenient bulb that attaches to the side of your above ground swimming pool. It uses magnetic tech to produce a low voltage current via your pool’s wall and offers more brightness than most 50W halogen lights. You can easily place it anywhere along the sidewall of your pool and it floats in your pool in case it is dislodged. The bulb light features a 120V plug with an effective 12V transformer as well as a 23 ft. power cord.

3. Pentair 601000 IntelliBrite 5G Color Underwater LED Pool Light (120V)

Buy from Amazon Pentair 601000 is an automated color-changing spa and pool light that features an LED technology. It is more energy efficient and quite durable when compared to other pool lights on the market today. The bulb light combines 5 individual colored LEDs to provide a beautiful spectrum of hues. Combine this feature with a custom reflector and you get a unique lens design that is pretty efficient. You can easily rotate its lens to 180 degrees to enjoy a wide beam pattern or reverse it to get a narrow one.

4. Bonbo LED Pool Bulb White Light (120V, 35W)

Buy from Amazon Bonbo White Light is yet another bright light that will light your swimming pool evenly. It is ideal for spas, pools, low bay, and high bay or wherever you need a high output bulb. In fact, it lights a pool of about 26,000 gallons. In addition to its awesome design, the light offers at least 60,000 hours of lighting and has a heat overload protection switch. It comes with a special optical lens that converges the beam to offer brighter lighting. The light is compatible with the most housing including Jacuzzi Full Moon and others.

5. Bonbo LED Pool Bulb White Light (120V, 50W)

Buy from Amazon This is a great light for replacing 300-600W halogen bulbs or outdated incandescent light bulbs. It uses less energy, saving you power bill, and it is quite bright and lights your pool evenly. Just like the Bonbo 120V, 35W, the light is perfect for spas, pools, low bay, and high bay or any other place you want to install a high output lighting system. It can light up a pool of 30,000 gallons and it offers over 60,000 hours of service. Furthermore, it is durable and compatible with most light housing.

6. Bolaxin Color Changing Swimming Pool Lights LED Bulb (12V, 35W)

Buy from Amazon Bolaxin 12V, 35W pool lights has a lifespan of over 65,000 hours and it comes fitted with 15 different settings that include 9 unique and beautiful color shows and 6 solid colors. It is ideal for medium-sized pools and is compatible with Pentair Hayward fixture. The light comes with a remote control that enables you to change among the different color settings. Specifically, the bulb lights a pool of about 25,000 gallons and uses less electricity. That’s not all; the light comes with a 20 months warranty.

7. E-Cowlboy Pool lights LED (120V, 35W)

Buy from Amazon This LED light bulb was designed to provide 60,000 plus hours of operation. It comes with a built-in heat overload protection and cooling fan technology that makes it last longer. The bulb is compatible with most housing on the market today and lights up a 24,000 gallons pool. It 100% satisfaction guaranteed to last longer due to its 18 months warranty. You can return it if you aren’t satisfied with it.

8. R. Smith FLED-TM-C-30 Treo Micro Pool Light (12V)

Buy from Amazon S.R. Smith FLED-TM-C-30 is perfect for lighting up tinny, hard to light parts of your swimming pool like steps and accent lighting. The bulb comes in both RGB LED and LED versions and they are color synchronized with Smith’s light beam water features. This is great light the manufacture’s ever-growing family of 12V products. It does a great job and uses less energy, saving you on electricity bucks. Also, it comes with a remote control that you can use to alternate between different colors.

9. Hayward SP052SLED50 ColorLogic 4.0 LED Pool Light (120V)

Buy from Amazon This bulb light can be installed to almost any type of a pool as well as spas. It uses up to 86 percent less power than ordinary lights and last 10 times longer. You can install this bulb light 4 inches below your swimming pool waterline or on the floor or walls. It features some breathtaking 7 color-changing shows and 10 fixed colors to offer a spectacular swimming session during the nights.

10. Pentair 601100 IntelliBrite 5G White UnderwaterLED Pool Light (12V, 300W)

Buy from Amazon Using about 86% less energy than other incandescent lights, this bulb is energy-efficient and saves your money. It features super lens geometry and unique reflector design that come together to provide a wider beam as well as more uniform light dispersion. You can easily rotate its lens to 180 degrees to enjoy a narrow or wide beam pattern. It is compatible with plastic niches and Pentair stainless steel housing and is available in 120V.

Tips on Lighting Your Pool

Adding LED lighting to your swimming pool and the surrounding area will allow you and your family to it during the night. Lighting your pool also adds safety as you will see where you are stepping when the sun goes to rest.

Lighting in Your Pool

LED pool lights are able to transform your facility into an aquatic area. You can easily customize them and spread them across or around your pool to enjoy different hues and you can even program them according to your needs. They are installed on the wall, under the coping or even in pipes to provide the much-needed illumination and beauty.

Lighting Around Your Pool

Here, install low-voltage lights to enhance your swimming pool area and the yard. You can place them on trees or near structures. They will provide the safety you want and improve the atmosphere. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Checking your Insurance Coverage Annually by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 25, 2019 Joe Szabo

The recent wildfires in California and hurricanes in Puerto Rico, Texas, and the Southeast are a stark reminder that homeowners should periodically check and update their homeowners insurance to make sure they’re properly protected.

This fall in California wine country, for example, damages from wildfires are estimated to be $3 to $6 billion, according to RMS, a catastrophe risk modeling company that serves the insurance industry and other businesses. Fire is covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy, but about two-thirds of homes in past California wildfires were typically underinsured by more than $50,000, says Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that helps consumers.

After the recent hurricanes, many residents with homeowners insurance weren’t sufficiently covered for damages, either. While standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover floods due to natural disasters, you can buy a separate flood insurance policy. But many residents didn’t have such a policy. According to CoreLogic, which provides risk data to major insurance companies, there was about $20 to $30 billion in flood damage from Hurricane Irma alone that wasn’t insured.

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It’s never too late to do a homeowners insurance checkup before the next threat heads your way. “The Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30, and we’re actually coming off the peak right now. But Hurricane Sandy was a late October storm,” says David Dilley, senior research and forecaster for Global Weather Oscillations, an Ocala, Fla., firm that provides long-range cyclone forecasts to insurance companies and other businesses. And the annual extreme-weather cycle will probably start all over again in the new year with severe winter storms. After that, March through August is peak season for tornadoes. Wildfires also tend to flare up in spring and summer, and the Atlantic hurricane season starts again in June.

7 Steps to Full Coverage

Norrine Brydon, head of research for CoreLogic, recommends that you meet with your insurance agent to ensure that you’re properly covered. He or she will have software that can estimate the replacement cost of your home should the worst happen. Keep in mind that market value isn’t comparable to construction cost, Brydon says. Market value includes the cost of the land and depends on things like your home’s location, the price you could sell your house for, and the economy. The cost of new construction to replace your home could be very different. To make sure you get the most accurate replacement costs, follow these steps: Review your home’s vital statistics as listed in your policy. Make sure the policy includes correct information about your home’s square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, its age, and the structural materials it was built with. Also check that the type of flooring listed in the policy is accurate. “If you’ve added a second story to the house or remodeled with top-of-the-line upgrades, keep your agent in the loop,” says Chris Hackett, senior director of personal lines at the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, a trade group. Such a change would make a big difference in how much insurance you need.

Get a “new policy” quote. Even if you’re renewing your policy, ask your agent to recalculate your home’s reconstruction value using the most current construction cost data and updated property details. A “new policy” estimate will likely be more precise than a “renewal” quote, which may be based on less up-to-date info. Request a copy of the reconstruction valuation report. Review it for accuracy and make any corrections necessary. Ask the agent if you have any questions. Repeat this process every year or two. One reason so many are underinsured is inertia. Homeowners buy insurance when they buy their home, then they forget about it. Rising construction costs can quickly make your policy limits outdated. Buy the extended replacement cost endorsement. Most homeowners insurance provides for replacement costs up to specified limits. Hackett says you want extended replacement cost coverage, which will typically pay up to 25 percent above your limits. That costs more, but it’s especially important when natural disaster strikes and the sudden increased demand for construction labor and materials causes price spikes. Protect against other perils. Another reason homeowners can find themselves underinsured is because standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover everything. You’ll need additional policies for flooding and earthquakes. You might also need separate policies for hurricanes, wind, and hail if you live in a high-risk zone. Consider getting a “floater” to your policy. If you own unusually valuable furs, jewelry, silverware, or artwork, a “floater” could cover the full value of those items. If you live in an older home, consider adding an ordinance or law endorsement (an extra feature), which will help pay the higher cost of bringing plumbing, wiring, or other key systems up to current codes when rebuilding. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Fast and Effective Ways to Inventory your Home for Insurance by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 21, 2019 Joe Szabo

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.

Thinking about a Home Warranty by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 19, 2019 Joe Szabo

When you buy a home, it’s normal to worry that something may go wrong. Perhaps you’ll move in only to find that the fridge has gone on the fritz or that your plumbing has turned your basement into a swimming pool. Television ads this time of year offer a way to arm yourself against such calamities: They suggest buying a home warranty.

Such warranties are designed to cover what home insurance policies won’t. They are actually service contracts that promise to pay for the cost of repair or replacement if covered items, such as appliances, plumbing, and heating and air conditioning systems, stop working.

To be sure, having a home warranty can provide you with peace of mind if things go wrong. But you should also realize that the providers of these plans have built-in wiggle room that can make it easier for them not to make payments. As a result, consumers have complained to the Better Business Bureau about their warranties, often because they didn’t get the payouts they expected, according to Katherine Hutt, a spokesperson for the Bureau.

An alternative to buying a plan could be to self-insure. Consumer Reports has long recommended that consumers put the money they would otherwise spend on a home warranty or a service contract into a savings account dedicated to product repair and replacement. That way, you won’t risk paying for a plan that may not provide the coverage you expect. If you’re thinking of buying a home warranty instead, your first step should be to evaluate the likelihood that you’ll be able to use it. There are plenty of limitations—they generally don’t cover non-mechanical items such as your windows or the structure of your home. Also, keep in mind that if you’re purchasing a new home, the items inside are probably still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty and the builder’s warranty, says Edgar Dworsky, a consumer lawyer who runs the website Consumer World. You have better reason to consider a home warranty if the home and the appliances are older.

Questions to Ask

Before you buy a home warranty, ask yourself these questions: 1. Do I already have protection? If you paid for your appliances with a credit card, you may be covered, Dworsky says. Some credit cards, like most American Express cards, automatically double the manufacturer’s warranty, usually up to 12 months, on items you purchase with the card. Others, such as the Citi Double Cash card, provide an additional 24 months of protection, no matter how long the manufacturer’s warranty is. 2. How much will it cost? The answer depends on the kind of plan you buy and the provider you choose. You can generally purchase one of three kinds of plans: a home warranty for one particular appliance, for all your appliances, or for your appliances as well as your plumbing and electrical systems. Prices vary depending on the coverage you choose. At American Home Shield, for example, a plan that covers most major appliances costs $200 annually, and one that also includes your home’s electrical and plumbing systems costs more than $800. Besides the cost of the plan, there are likely to be additional expenses. When things go wrong, you’ll also have to make a co-payment when a contractor comes in to do the work. Fees range from around $60 to $125, depending on the work that needs to be done, according to the plans we examined. 3. Am I clear about what the warranty covers? Hutt from the Better Business Bureau says that most of the complaints the Bureau receives are because consumers don’t understand the coverage their plans provide. The takeaway: Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully. When we examined home warranty plans, we found that some policies will cover your refrigerator but not the icemaker that comes with it. Other policies may cover your hot water heater but not the water tank itself. Sometimes, if your appliance breaks under particular circumstances, it won’t be covered. An oven, for instance, may not be covered if it stops working while in self-clean mode or if it is damaged by a power surge, according to the plans we examined. How you care for your appliances also matters. If you failed to perform routine maintenance or if an appliance wasn’t properly installed, the home warranty provider could argue that it won’t pay for repairs. There could even be a pre-existing condition—even if it wasn’t evident to you when you bought the home warranty—that allows the provider to not cover the item. 4. Will a broken item be repaired or replaced? Most home warranties explain that if a repair is considered too expensive, the provider might offer to replace a broken item instead. In such a situation, the home warranty company may give you only the depreciated value, requiring you to pay more to get the same model you had before. 5. Are there limits as to how much a plan will pay out? There are, but it depends on the kind of plan you purchase and the provider. The plan from America’s 1st Choice Home Club, for example, pays up to $2,000 over a 12-month membership term to access, diagnose, repair, or replace one covered item. Unless otherwise stated, it will pay a maximum of $10,000 for all covered items. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

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