Top Smart Tech Gadgets to Upgrade Your Home

After the difficult year that was 2020, and with all the time we’ve spent indoors, a lot of people have been taking this opportunity to change things up, take up some DIY projects, or otherwise upgrade their homes. Some choose to focus on the backyard, others are adding home offices, but one way you can add the most value is by introducing smart tech into your home.

Whether with smart security devices or smart appliances, smart tech makes life more comfortable and convenient. Plus, it is highly sought-after by homebuyers, who are often willing to pay more for these features. That’s a great incentive, especially if you’re planning to sell. Here are the top smart tech gadgets to upgrade your home.

Smart Security Devices

The most popular smart…

804 Views, 0 Comments

What Not to Do When You Have a Bed Bug Infestation

Your home should be a place where you feel comfortable and safe. Unfortunately, a wide range of household pests can infiltrate your home, making you feel anxiety or nervousness. Some pests can simply be a nuisance. Others can be harmful and pose a threat to your health and wellness. Bed bugs can fall into both categories. These tiny creatures can be a big problem for any homeowner. They can be difficult to dispose of if you do not follow effective measures. Pay attention to the right and wrong ways to get rid of them, so you can sleep easy tonight.

An Overview of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small insects that bite exposed skin and feed on the blood of humans and animals. Both you and your pets can be at risk when bed bugs are present. These insects…

603 Views, 0 Comments

Why Arizona Is a Great Destination for Remote Workers

With so many people working remotely this year and the en-masse relocation that’s been going on, chances are you may be looking for a great new location. While one of the major advantages of remote work is the flexibility you gain, this lifestyle also comes with some specific needs that should be met.

Some locations are more suited to a remote lifestyle than others, and Scottsdale, Arizona just so happens to be a great destination if you’re working from home. Here are the top 7 reasons why remote workers love Arizona.

1. A large remote work community

Remote work can be very lonely if none of your friends can relate to your lifestyle, so it really helps to have a built-in community of fellow remote workers who understand the intricacies of the…

597 Views, 0 Comments

Benefits of a Home Inspection Before Listing Your Property

Typically, the party who would pay to have a property formally inspected is the buyer. This step, however, far exceeds due diligence. Namely, before signing their name on the dotted line, a prospective buyer wants to establish the property’s assets and any potential liabilities. Uncovering any budding issues gives them the power to negotiate who pays for any necessary repairs or, in the worst-case scenario, even to walk away from the deal altogether. But what if you were to beat them to it? In a nutshell, getting a home inspection before listing your property increases your chances of having a smooth and pleasant transaction. But let us dive into it with a little more detail, shall we?

It gives the seller a heads-up

If the report uncovers some…

584 Views, 0 Comments

Do I Really Need to Work with a Scottsdale Real Estate Agent to Buy or Sell a Home?

I've been a licensed REALTOR since 1983 and I've been in Buyer's Markets, Seller's Markets, and everything in between. 2021 is the wildest Seller's Market I've ever witnessed. I don't remember seeing such low inventory, and it seems to be nationwide, not just in the Scottsdale real estate market. Homes are selling in a day without much, if any, marketing from their agent.

Buyers Definitely Need an Agent

Since most Scottsdale homes for sale are listed in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), the only other choice for a buyer would be to purchase a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). If you're considering that then you might want to hire a real estate attorney to have some kind of protection. Arizona contracts are lengthy with a lot of paperwork. Would you…

521 Views, 0 Comments

Get Your Real Estate Purchase Offer Accepted by Using Knock

Are You Tired of Losing Out on Real Estate Offers?

Are you making offers on homes you love but you have to sell or close on your current home first?  This is happening to most buyers all over the nation, and the real estate market in Scottsdale, Cave Creek, North Phoenix, Carefree, Fountain Hills, and Paradise Valley are just as crazy, if not more so.

When we recently sold two of our personal homes, we received 18 offers in 1 1/2 days on one and around 8 in 1 day on the other.  That means with the 18 offers there were at least 17 buyers that did not get the home they wanted.  I know it's even more than that because several agents said their buyers loved our home but they didn't want to be involved in a bidding war.

616 Views, 0 Comments

Home Maintenance Calendar

I'm not sure why Spring is designated as the time to clean your house and do needed repairs. I guess because in many areas the weather is more agreeable, although that isn't always the case!

Let's face it, in most areas when the weather is cold with snow and ice, people really don't feel like having to deal with extra trash to take out to the curb. One of my friends broke her leg badly in Illinois when falling on ice while taking her trash can out.

But if it's just interior cleaning, even painting, winter might be the best time to do certain things. We're stuck in our homes more in the winter (even without a pandemic), so I'm not sure why it wasn't called "Winter cleaning."

Keeping up with your home isn't just to make it comfortable for you…

873 Views, 0 Comments

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Right before Christmas 2020, we visited Montezuma Castle National Monument in Campe Verde, AZ. This was my 2nd trip, but none of my other family members had ever been there.

I remembered the castle vividly from my first trip, but I didn't remember that there was water there.  I don't think we walked on any trail to the Montezuma Well.  The well trail was closed and I don't know if it's because of construction or Covid.  That will give us a reason to go back when friends visit that have never been there before.

Why is it Called Montezuma Castle?

That was a mistake made by early American settlers, who thought this ancient monument was built by the Aztecs for the Aztec emperor, Montezuma.  That was proven untrue, and it's highly unlikely…

588 Views, 0 Comments

Phoenix, Az Number 7 on Best Performing Cities List 2021

Phoenix Jumped 5 Slots on the Milken Institute's List of Best-Performing Cities 2021

First, who is the Milken Institute?  According to their report, "The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank. We catalyze practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them.  Our goal is to help people build meaningful lives in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities."

I was informed of this list through one of my many real estate resources.  It might have been our local Association of…

641 Views, 0 Comments

Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue in Cave Creek

Bryan's Black Mountain BBQ

Both my husband Jimmy and I had read about Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue in Cave Creek online.  We were eager to try it.  I had driven past it a couple of times without seeing it, so I thought it was down one of the streets in Cave Creek where the bars, dining, and shops are on North Cave Creek Rd.

We had visited Carefree Desert Gardens and were on our way home when we finally found it - right on Cave Creek Rd - and were excited to go in.  As we drove down Cave Creek Rd on a Sunday afternoon, the bars were packed.  I will admit that we tried The Grotto first but there was a long line outside and no one was distancing.  We then went to El Encanto but there was an hour wait - we were hungry!  That's when we remembered…

674 Views, 0 Comments