A well-designed door is a simple way to add style to your home. We’ll walk you through all of the options for both interior and exterior doors. At their core, doors serve one vital functional—but that doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish. After all, the right door can make or break a space. We’ve broken down styles and types of doors into two categories: interior and exterior. Our tips will help you pick the perfect door for every threshold in your home; whether it’s a hidden door to the basement or your home’s main entrance. The hinged single door is the most common interior door type. The room design must allow space for hinged doors to swing. Interior doors typically are lightweight and have two hinges; exterior doors are heavy and often use three hinges. Interior doors are usually 1-3/8 inches thick, and exterior doors are commonly 1-3/4 inches thick. A panel door is a classic style. It usually has three or four horizontal rails and three vertical stiles. The spaces between them are filled with thinner panels. Decorative molding (or some representation of it) called “sticking” surrounds each panel. The result is a richly textured look that is at home in both traditional and modern settings. A flush door is a simple flat slab. It is usually the least expensive choice. If the surface is a hardwood veneer (usually birch or oak), a flush door can be stained, but other materials usually look best painted. Flush doors blend well with contemporary settings, but may look out of place in a traditional home. Interior flush doors are often hollow core, while exterior flush doors have a solid core and may have a metal or fiberglass face rather than wood veneer. A pair of French doors adds a charming touch as well as an extra-wide doorway opening. These doors are almost always traditional in design. Often they have glass panels. They are most commonly used as exterior patio doors, but interior French doors can make a stunning passageway between rooms. Many older homes have interior pocket doors, which slide into the wall when fully opened. They allow you to completely open the doorway without taking up any floor space. Pocket doors are making a comeback; many styles are available, single and double. A pocket door requires wall space that cannot have electrical or plumbing lines running through it. For a closet that is 6 feet wide or wider, a pair of bifold doors is the most popular choice. Each door takes up about half the swinging space of a hinged door. Bifolds can be flush, paneled, or louvered. Somewhat less common are bypass doors. These operate much like sliding patio doors but are far lighter in weight. They are generally flush doors. 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.

Ceilings rarely need to be scrubbed unless your home suffers smoke, soot, or water damage. So your cleaning routine means occasionally wiping the ceiling with a broom covered with a soft, lint-free cloth or T-shirt. Or try vacuuming the ceiling with a soft brush attachment. If your ceiling does need to be washed (kitchen spatters, for example), use an all-purpose cleaner and scrub one small section at a time. You can also use a homemade cleaning solution made by diluting 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or ammonia in a quart of water. After you’ve washed the ceiling, rinse with clear water and a clean sponge or rag. If the stains remain, apply a stain-resistant sealer — such as Kilz — and repaint. The grooves and raised surfaces in a ceiling’s decorative molding work far too well for trapping dust, grease, and soot. When needed, clean dusty trim with a vacuum brush attachment, a feather duster, or a soft paintbrush. Clean dirty molding with an all-purpose cleaner, but test first in an inconspicuous spot. Mix a solution of 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1-gallon warm water. Pour part of the solution into a spray bottle to spray and wipe small sections of the molding at a time. Rinse with plain water and wipe the molding dry with a soft, clean cloth. For picture molding that has spaces for picture hooks (located below the crown molding), use a new soft paintbrush or cotton swabs to remove the dust. If the space is grimy, clean with a cotton swab dipped in the cleaning solution used for the molding. Follow with a swab dipped in plain water and finish with dry swabs. Vacuum ceiling tiles regularly with the brush attachment to remove dust. Because of texture and color variations, spots and dirt aren’t normally major problems. Streaks and spots from water damage do show and are difficult to remove. Replace the tile if possible. Or seal it with a stain-resistant sealer — such as Kilz — and paint the tile. 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.

Clean and reapply sealer as needed. Cleaning your concrete driveway on occasion and keeping it sealed are the best measures you can take to keep it looking its best. How often you clean and reseal will depend on the weather conditions the concrete is exposed to and the amount of vehicle traffic it receives. Generally, you should reseal a concrete driveway every two years or so, or when the finish begins to show wear. Good commercial sealers are available from concrete material suppliers and hardware stores. Or ask your contractor for recommendations. Always apply the sealer according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. For more information, read our guide to cleaning and sealing exterior decorative concrete. Remove stains immediately. While a sealer will help to protect concrete from stain absorption, it’s still a good idea to remove oil, gasoline, grease and other spills as soon as possible. If the concrete does discolor, pressure washing and certain cleaning chemicals will remove most stains Avoid using chemicals. Using chemicals on your concrete driveway in the winter can cause surface damage—primarily scaling and spalling—by forcing the thawing and refreezing of moisture. Products containing ammonium nitrates and ammonium sulfates are especially harmful because they will actually attack the concrete chemically. Rock salt (sodium chloride) or calcium chloride will do less damage, but they can harm vegetation and corrode metal. Avoid the use of any deicers the first winter after driveway placement, since new concrete is more susceptible to the harmful effects of salt. As an alternative, use sand for traction. Treat it with care. Although concrete is one of the most durable paving materials for driveway construction, the typical residential driveway isn’t engineered to support heavy vehicles (like a huge moving van) and large construction equipment. Also, use care when plowing or shoveling your driveway. Avoid the use of metal blades that might scrape or scratch the surface. 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.

Decorating a home is a great way to make it cozy, comfortable, and inviting, but it’s easy to go overboard and end up with a messy, cluttered looking space. Here are five decorating mistakes that make your home look messy and how to avoid them!

1. Using Too Many Colors

Decorating with too many colors is guaranteed to make a home look cluttered and messy. Use one or two hues combined with neutral colors to give your home a cohesive, relaxed look. This living room has been decorated with various shades of blue to create a gorgeous, cohesive space. The neutral-color walls, rug, window coverings, and furnishings allow the room to breathe as well as make the room look more spacious and open.

2. Adding Too Many Accent Pillows

Placing too many accent pillows on a sofa or bed will instantly create a haphazard and untidy look. This living room looks pulled together and well-decorated because the sofa isn’t laden with numerous decorative pillows. Two accent pillows on each end of the sofa are the perfect amount to decorate this room with beautiful color and pattern.

3. Pushing Furniture Against Walls

Arranging all of your furniture up against the walls will make the space look cluttered and messy. Solution? Pull the furniture away from the walls and toward the center of the room as in this living room seating arrangement. This grouping of four chairs around a coffee table creates the perfect conversation area. Ground the furniture with an area rug.

4. Placing Too Much Decor On Tables

Placing too many decorative accents on the entire surface of a table will make a room look cluttered. Instead, edit the number of decor accessories and then decorate the table in a vignette style (one grouping) or create two groupings as in this photo. First, edit what you already have on the table top. Only display what you love and what is functional (for example a small dish for storing car keys and sunglasses) and remove the rest. Group many small objects in a jar or bowl. Elevate small objects on a stack of two or three books to give it a purposeful look.

5. Hanging Pictures Randomly

Pictures and wall art hung in haphazard fashion across a wall will make a room look chaotic. Group pictures in a gallery wall arrangement; the space will instantly look organized and balanced. The art hung above the headboard in this bedroom, demonstrates how several pieces can be hung to create a visually pleasing and curated look. 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.

Is your home the perfect sanctuary for your pet? Latest figures estimate that 12 million households (44 percent) in the UK have pets, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association’s Pet Population report.

The pet population currently stands at around 54 million, and of this, 27 percent of households have dogs and 17 percent have cats, but have you created a harmonious living space that your pet will love and equally feel at home in?

If the answer is ‘not quite’ then take note of these top tips from Stacey Sibley, creative director of interior designers Alexander James Interior Design, and also the proud owner of two Westies, Alfie, and Piglet. Here, Stacey shares her expertise and eye for design to help you to transform your home into a ‘purrfect’ sanctuary for your four-legged friend:

Think carefully about the fabrics you choose to upholster and how likely they are to gather fur.

Avoid: Fabrics that are a magnet for pet hair e.g. velvet, mohair, corduroy, velour or chenille. Steer clear of any delicate materials that could be damaged by your adorable little friend e.g. silk.

Opt for: Smooth tapestries, leathers, and synthetic fibers. Invest in quality textiles that will withstand the test of those claws!

Beware of any exposed wood on your furniture – an excitable puppy may see it as their new favorite teething toy!

Avoid: Furniture with exposed wicker, rattan and sisal furniture.

Opt for: Metal and chrome will leave your would-be teether searching for another toy.

In light of the inevitable rainy, muddy days and those early months when your puppy/kitten is still learning to toilet-train, we highly recommend flooring that is easy to clean.

Avoid: Hardwood floors that dent/scratch easily and require rapid cleaning should a puddle appear (hardwood floors stain very quickly)! If you are absolutely set for those beautiful wooden floors, then opt for harder woods e.g. mahogany or oak.

Opt for: Laminate flooring, stone or ceramic tiles. These also have the additional benefit of keeping your pets cooler during hotter weather.

An all-important part of a pet’s day is the need for space in the home to play.

Avoid: Letting your energetic little friend run riot around the whole house. They need to chase balls, roll excitedly around and play tug of war, but there are some areas of the house in which this is less desirable.

Opt for: Creating a designated ‘play space’ which your pet knows is suitable for play and where they can enjoy some quality ‘me’ time. Keep their toys stored neatly away and out of view but easily accessible.

Pet-friendly interiors are all about keeping your space as tidy as possible, allowing that stunning new kitchen to glisten without unsightly doggy/kitty bowls smudging that perfect vision.

Avoid: Leaving food bowls out in plain sight.

Opt for: Sliding them underneath the toe kick of your kitchen cabinetry, bringing them out for food time, and slotting that water dish around a corner so your furry friends always have fresh water available.

Don’t overlook walls – they could become a headache to clean if you don’t consider their texture.

Avoid: A highly-textured wall will attract pet fur, even if the little rascal isn’t rubbing against it.

Opt for: Satin or semi-gloss paint, helping to repel fur and to keep those walls glistening clean.

An essential part of pet-friendly interior design must surely be the addition of their very own comfy pet bed.

Avoid: Mismatching with the rest of the room’s decor i.e. don’t place a traditional tartan pet bed into a swanky, sleek apartment, rather select a simpler, more contemporary design that will enhance the rest of your interiors.

Opt for: A pet bed made of high-quality materials, creating a sumptuous space for them to relax, unwind and recharge after their busy day of play.

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.

Are you wondering about the things you need to do before your home goes up for sale? When you are drowning in things to do before your home goes up for sale – just take a breath and prioritize. You don’t need to do everything ( nor will you have the time or spare money to do everything) you just need to do the right things. So what are the right things – well we have 5 top tips for you right here. Selling your home is no simple endeavor, but there is a lot that needs to be done before you can even put your house on the market. When you have viewings, you are going to want to present it in the best light possible, to increase your chances of making a sale. What’s more, you’re going to want to make as much money from your home as possible, so preparation is key. If you don’t know where to start, here are five things that you need to do before your home goes up for sale.  

Get Rid Of Clutter

Getting rid of all of your clutter is important for a few reasons. Firstly, it means that you will have less to take with you to your new property, which not only makes your life a lot easier when it comes to packing, but it will also save you money. This is because you will be able to hire a smaller moving van. There is also the fact that a cluttered home isn’t going to look great in pictures or in person, and may put people off buying your home, as they assume you haven’t looked after it.  

Increase Your Curb Appeal

First impressions matter and that includes the first impression that potential buyers will have of your home. The last thing that you want is for people to drive up to your house and be horrified that they’re even considering buying it, so you have to make it look as good on the outside as it does on the inside. This means keeping your front garden tidy and having a nice front door.

De-Personalize Your Home

You don’t want viewers to walk into your home and feel like intruders because your home is all about you. You need it to be neutral and like anyone and everyone could live there. This means getting rid of your bright yellow door and painting over your brightly colored wall mural.

Clean Everywhere

You can’t avoid it any longer; If you want to sell your home, you’re going to have to clean absolutely everywhere before the viewings start. This includes your gardens, windows, and garages, as well as everywhere inside your home. It definitely isn’t fun, but no one is going to want to buy a home if it’s covered in dust and dirt. Selling your home is incredibly complicated, but the work starts well before it goes on the market. 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.

From time to time we like to feature really great articles we find online. Ready to get going? Here is some great advice from Clean & Sensible Living. 

STEP 1 – PURGE The kitchen can be a hard place to organize – there is just SO much stuff and we all love our kitchen gadgets!  I have been through the kitchen a few times and thought that I actually had things quite organized.  Once I actually pulled everything out of the cabinets though, I realized how much stuff I still had that I really didn’t need.  

You can go through the cupboards one at a time to save on time and mess; however, if you have a lot to organize, I would recommend taking everything out of the kitchen cabinets and starting from scratch.  This really allows you to see how much stuff you have and gives you a good opportunity to re-arrange what you are putting back into each cabinet.  {WARNING:  This may have taken me over a week to actually get everything back into the kitchen so give yourself some time!} Now I know that it can sometimes be hard to get rid of things, but you really do need to be ruthless when you purge.  Obviously, anything that is broken or you no longer love or use needs to go.  As a rough rule of thumb, donate or sell non-seasonal items that have not been used in the past 6 months or seasonal items that were not used during the past season.  For items that you use only once or twice per year, think if you could just borrow a similar one from a friend or family member rather than keep it around your own home.  If you are not sure if you should keep it or not, set the item aside until the very end and see if there is even space left.  For me, seeing how nice my organized cupboards look is enough motivation to part with those so-so items that are left.

STEP 2 – MAKE THINGS ACCESSIBLE

When you are organizing your cupboard space, there are a few things that you need to consider.  Unless you really want to get down and dirty, you are probably not going to be changing around your cupboard sizes.  You will need to pick cupboards that fit what you are needing to store and make sure that you are optimizing all of the space while still keeping your items easily accessible.  I try to make sure that everything in the cupboard can be removed {and put back!} by removing only one other item {or block of items} at most.  If you have to take out 4 or 5 items to take out what you want, chances are that you are either not going to use it or that it will not get put back properly. Place items that you rarely use on higher shelves or towards the back of cupboards so that frequently used items can be grabbed easily. For smaller items on top shelves, I love these fold-down units. If you have kiddos, you might also want to have a kids’ cupboard so that they can easily reach all of their own kitchen items.  Ours holds the kids’ plastic dishes, bowls, cups, lunch bags, and lunch containers. Using slide-out bins or drawers also helps to be able to reach items in the back and keeps smaller items contained.  This was an old drawer that I had been using underneath our kitchen sink but was too tall once the new {deeper!} sink was installed.

STEP 3 – ARRANGE ITEMS BY ZONES

Try to group all similar items together and closest to the area that you will be using them.  Keep dishes, glasses, and silverware close to the dishwasher for a quick and easy put-away.
Group cooking items and baking items together and keep these located close to the stove.  I have all of our cooking items {other than the larger kitchen appliances}  located in the cupboards on either side of the stove and most of the cookbooks stored in the cabinet overhead.
I used removable Command hooks to hold some file folders from Staples to the inside of the cupboard doors above the stove to hold loose recipes that I want to try.  If you are short on space, the inside of cabinets is a great way to gain a little extra storage!

My favorite little zone is the tea zone by the breakfast bar.  I don’t actually like drinking coffee but love steamed and frothed milk and various teas.  This cupboard space was freed up following my kitchen purge and gave me room to create a little fun area of my own.
All of our different teas are stored in these cute jars from Michaels and then placed in a bin for easy access.

STEP 4 – COME UP WITH WAYS TO USE POORLY DESIGNED SPACES

I think that it is safe to say that most of us have at least one space in the kitchen that just seems like useless space.  The side cupboard in our corner cupboard unit is such an awkward size for storage and its location makes it difficult to reach items.  Using the plastic corner bins that are designed for showers, I turned it into a medicine cabinet so that we just need to pull out the bin to find what we are looking for.

For small or uncommon drawer sizes, you can purchase interchangeable drawer dividers to organize smaller items.  This one was purchased at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and I know Ikea has similar options.

In order to utilize all of the vertical space in our cabinets, I purchased some adjustable metal shelves last year.  When I re-arranged the cabinets this year, I realized that the shelves could actually be stacked on each other {I have no idea why I did not figure this out sooner!} which ended up doubling my storage space.

STEP 5 – HAVE A JUNK DRAWER

The kitchen always seems to have a ton of miscellaneous little items that don’t really seem to fit anywhere.  We created an organized “junk drawer” for these using small office dividers and it is probably one of the most used drawers in the kitchen.  Just make sure it is useful junk! 

Hopefully, these tips will help to bring a little organization to your own kitchen! 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.

You can try to lighten the room up by pairing the dark walls with lighter furnishings and accessories, such as curtains and wall art. This creates contrast in the space and helps the room feel lighter. You could also try adding more lighting to the room—a few lamps can make a huge difference. Another option would be applying a paint treatment such as rag rolling in a lighter color over the dark brown. Overlaying another color would add depth to the walls and also help to lighten the walls while still keeping the rich brown color. The colors of the rooms in your home are a direct reflection of your personality. While most of us may not spend a lot of time thinking about room color, it affects us every day. Room color can influence our moods and our thoughts. Color affects people in many ways, depending on age, gender, ethnic background and climate. Certain colors (or groups of colors) tend to get a similar reaction from most people; the variations come from the shades or tones used. This is why it’s so important to choose colors wisely when it comes to decorating. You don’t have to worry about trends in order to have a beautiful home. Color trends will come and go. The people who live in a home make it beautiful by choosing colors that reflect their preferences and personalities. The trick is to blend the colors you like into a pleasing combination. Choosing color combinations is one of the most intimidating steps for beginners. Color has the power to change the shape and size of furnishings, as well as the shape and size of the room itself. Selecting colors is not difficult if you equip yourself with some basic information about color and its effects. Let’s find out more about room colors and how they influence your mood.

Choose Wisely

Keep in mind that each color has a psychological value. Think about how certain colors make you feel; they can influence any emotion, from tranquility to rage. To create peace and harmony in your home, choose your colors wisely; some colors in large amounts might have the opposite effect on you and your loved ones. What mood do you want to create? Which colors will help you achieve that mood? If you need help answering these questions, look at magazines, decorating books, blogs and websites for ideas. Also, let your textiles be your guide. Fabric, carpeting, furniture and tile are available in a more limited range of colors than paint, so choose them first and then decide on your paint color. Once you find something you like, limit the number of colors in a room to no more than three or four. Too many colors can make a room look busy or cluttered. Paint is fairly inexpensive and transforms a room more quickly than anything else, so you can afford to experiment a little.

Room Colors and Their Effects

Colors act in three basic ways: active, passive and neutral. You can easily match every room’s colors to your personal desires, to your taste and to the room’s purpose. Light colors are expansive and airy, making rooms seem larger and brighter. Dark colors are sophisticated and warm; they give large rooms a more intimate appearance. 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.

Keeping the whole family in mind as you contemplate new flooring options for your kitchen and breakfast room (both the two- and four-legged ones!). After doing some research, I stumbled on luxuryhousingtrends.com that offers some smart points about kitchen flooring options. Hope my Cliffs Notes version helps you out! HARDWOOD: It may be stunning underfoot, but have you watched a dog run into room with hardwood flooring? All that slipping and sliding cannot be comfortable, nor can the claws be good on it, either. Hardwood and other similar surfaces are best saved for the day when your home isn’t facing wear and tear that comes with three children and a dog. If, however, you’re willing to take the risk, be sure it’s protected with a hard urethane finish. Most planks come prefinished and can stand up to claws, but the floors will require more maintenance and refinishing sooner than they would if your house were pet- and kiddo-free. CERAMIC STONE/TILE: Practically impervious to claw scratches and potential damage from spillage or other pet-related accidents, glazed tiles clean easily, so they’re easy to keep looking good year in and year out.  The downside? They’re not comfortable for Fido to lie on. If you go with this option, buy a cushy dog bed so he can stay comfortable. LAMINATE: It may resist scratches well, but it’s a very hard surface for our furry friends. Like hardwood, consider putting down some rugs for extra warmth and traction if you opt for laminate. These materials resist scratches well, but they are very hard and slippery for our clawed friends.  They also aren’t very comfortable to rest upon.  If you buy laminates, you should definitely invest in some rugs, but truly, the slippery factor makes laminate one of the worst options for people with pets. Whatever flooring type you choose, you can minimize problems by keeping your pet’s nails trimmed.  Also, sweep or vacuum the floor weekly, and wipe up any stains or spills promptly.  To further protect your floor, choose water bowls with wide bases, or consider a pet placemat to keep the eating area clean. 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.

Save water — and the environment — one efficient home product at a time. Replace your old hot water heater with a tankless option or add sensors to your shower head to reduce the amount of water your use and save money. You already know about low-flow toilets and turning the water off when you brush you teeth. These cool innovations take your water savings even further — and that’s good news for both your wallet and the environment. 1. Trutankless Tankless Whole-Home Electric Water Heater Heat water on demand with this briefcase-size water heater. The Trutankless water heater can be installed almost anywhere in your home, including inside a cabinet. Find the sweet spot, central to your popular hot-water outlets, and no more wasting water while you wait for the hot. It shuts off automatically if there’s a leak, too. If the price seems steep, consider that it should last more than twice as long as a traditional tank heater, while effectively cutting both your water and electricity bills (no more keeping a huge tank of water hot and ready 24/7). $1,300 and up 2. Epiphany! Digital Flow Optimizer Attach Epiphany! between your existing shower’s arm and head. It’ll use motion sensors to dial back the flow when you move away from the showerhead to shave your legs or lather your hair, then automatically switch back to full power when you stand under it again, for an average savings of $450 annually on your water and energy bills. $189 and up (scheduled to ship in early 2015, preorders 10% off and shipped for free) 3. Droplet Robotic Sprinkler This 6-pound smart sprinkler hooks directly onto your garden hose. Via your home’s Wi-Fi, it then pairs  current weather info with intelligence on your plants, trees, and lawn to individually and uniquely water each, only as needed. It can water plants up to 30 feet away, and cover about 2,700 square feet of lawn. Estimated to cut the average user’s overall water bill by nearly half. $300 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.