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Showing posts from January, 2022

Caring For An AC Unit to Extend its Life: Tips From a San Tan Valley Realtor

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I get a lot of questions about AC units. Living in Arizona, an AC unit is essential, and a lot of people want to know how to take care of their unit to get a full long life out of it, seeing as it can be a rather large expense to replace. I've done some research and talked to a professional who has 11 years of hands-on experience, and I want to relay the information. His number one tip is to change your filter. What might seem like something trivial, is one of the best ways to extend the life of your AC. If your filter is clogged, your unit has to work harder to move air, reducing its life. He informed me that this is even more important during the monsoon season. Instead of a monthly change, you might want to change twice a month. His second piece of advice is to find an AC company you trust, and have them come out to service your unit at the beginning of summer AND winter. That way if you have a part that has worn out, like a fan motor, you can address the problem before it stres...

Top 5 Projects to Boost Home Value: Tips From a San Tan Valley Realtor

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According to the National Association of Realtors, the top 5 projects for your home to boost your resale value are: Painting - If your home has a different color in every room, it is better to wipe your slate clean before trying to sell. Stick with neutral and bright colors. Make Flooring Consistent - If you have more than 1 or 2 different types or styles of flooring in your home, it might be worth the money to have your flooring replaced. Brighten the Kitchen - Bright kitchens are still the most popular. They don't have to be white, but they should be bright and look clean. Paint cabinets, walls, or both to achieve a brighter, cleaner feel. Replace Dated Countertops and Appliances - Bright and light are in. Avoid browns or multicolored countertops. Hire a Professional Cleaner for your Bathrooms - This one might be surprising, or not, but a clean bathroom is ALWAYS better than a dirty one. Looking for a home in San Tan Valley or Queen Creek? Need a Real Estate Agent?  Call or text ...

Do It Yourself, DON'T: Tips From a San Tan Valley Realtor

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Real Estate tip of the day. I try and help people feel confident in their process of getting ready to sell their home. There are certain things that only a professional should do. One of these things is tiling showers. Many people can do tile on their own, but when it comes to showers, you want to make sure you are an expert in doing it. The key is in waterproofing and sealing a shower, and if you don’t know what you are doing, it can really cost you in the long run. If you’re not an expert, better to hire a pro! Looking for a home in San Tan Valley or Queen Creek? Need a Real Estate Agent?  Call or text Rusty Blair at 623-687-4580

Paint Colors for Your Home: Tips From a San Tan Valley Realtor

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Let's talk paint color. Many people wonder what colors to use in their home to help it sell quickly, for a desirable amount. Standing at those walls in Lowes with a thousand colors staring at you can be a bit daunting. I'm hoping to help you with that. HGTV had 200 interior design experts interviewed to find out exactly which colors are selling and where to put them. These are the results. Kitchens: Either white or warm grey sell. To be more specific: Simply White, and Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore, or Pure White and Agreeable Grey by Sherwin Williams. Living Room: White. Snowbound or Greek Villa from Sherwin Williams or White Dove and Chantilly Lace from Benjamin Moore. Bedrooms: White or Taupe. All White from Farrow & Ball or Behr's Creamy Mushroom. Bathrooms: Pale blue. Skylight from Farrow & Ball or Moonmist by Sherwin Williams. Exterior: White or grey. Extra White, Shoji White or Alabaster from Sherwin Williams and Cedar Key and Gray Owl from Benjamin Moore....

Home Value Comparison: A Years Worth of Equity in San Tan Valley

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I was thinking I would give anyone who is interested a little comparison on just how much the value of your homes might have gone up in the last year or so. To do this I have found homes in 3 different neighborhoods that sold in 2020, and then again in 2021. Our first example is in the Pecan Creek neighborhood. It sold in July of 2020 for $279,600. Then it sold again last month for $380,000! More than $100,000 increase in just over a year! My next example is in the Pecan Cove neighborhood. In June of 2020 it sold for $268,312. This month it sold again for $439,900! The value rose $170,000 in 15 months! My last example is a home in the Copper Basin neighborhood. In November of last year it sold for $252,000. Last month it sold again for $359,000! Over $100,000 value increase in only 9 months. Let me know if you are interested in having me take a closer look at the houses near you. Looking for a home in San Tan Valley or Queen Creek? Need a Real Estate Agent?  Call or text Rusty Blai...

Valuable Attributes for Selling Your Home: Tips From a San Tan Valley Realtor

I want to keep you up-to-date on what is selling in the world of homes. At Redfin.com you can see a current tracker for the attributes of each home that has sold recently. Giving a fairly accurate way to see what people are looking for. This is the current list. How would your house rank in this list? These valuable home upgrades and designs had the highest sale-to-list ratio in the United States in August, 2021. Feature Median home listing price 1. Recessed Lighting                     $500,000 2. Front Patio                                    $450,000 3. New Kitchen                                 $369,900 4. Finished Basement                 ...

Making Your Home Look Bigger: Tips From a San Tan Valley Realtor

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One way to increase interest in your home is to make it look bigger. There are a few things that can be easily (and cheaply) done to achieve this. This can be considered part of your staging process, which is one of the most important steps in selling your home. 1. Remove big furniture. This might seem odd, but trust me. For example, if you have a China hutch in your dining room, pack it up and put it in storage. Your dining room just got twice as big. 2. Add large mirrors. Again, just trust me. Be careful not to get gaudy or flashy mirrors. Simple large mirrors give an illusion of more space, and bounce the light around, making it brighter. 3. Take down your curtains. Especially if they are a dark color, curtains or drapes can suck the square footage out of a room. 4. Arrange your furniture so that there is a clear path through each room. As people tour your home, if they have to weave around furniture, or are bumping into things, it can make them feel as if the space is small or cram...

Renovation DON'TS, Garage Conversion: Tips From a San Tan Valley Realtor

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Another remodel option that might not be a great idea if you are thinking of selling, is a garage conversion. Most people would rather have a garage than another living space. Those who convert their garage, end up spending around $10,000. While this may increase your home value, it often doesn't. The lack of a garage can actually turn some potential buyers away from your home. Looking for a home in San Tan Valley or Queen Creek? Need a Real Estate Agent?  Call or text Rusty Blair at 623-687-4580

Moving With Pets: Tips From a San Tan Valley Realtor

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In the craziness that is moving, there are often times when the animals in our families are the last thing on our minds. Here are a few tips to help the process of moving with pets go just a little smoother.  Medical Records If you are moving to another city, chances are you will have to find a new vet. Do a little research into who you want your new vet to be, and then make sure your old vet transfers your pets records. Transportation If you are going to be doing any kind of flying or long distance driving, a carrier will probably be needed for your pet. If they have never had to be in a carrier before this can make for a crazy moving day experience. Start getting them used to being in a carrier before the big day. Acclimation If at all possible, don't bring pets into your new home before movers or helpers arrive. If you don't have a choice, find a closet somewhere far from the foot traffic and make them comfortable there until all the people and noise have left. Looking for a...
HIDDEN FEES TO BE AWARE OF WHEN PURCHASING A HOME Purchasing a home is arguably one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your lifetime. As you start your hunt for homes in San Tan Valley or Queen Creek Arizona, don't forget there will be other costs associated with your purchase then the price of the home. Here are 5 fees to keep in mind as you begin to budget.  Home inspection. This is a crucial step in the home buying process. The findings that come from the inspection can help you negotiate price and repairs. Generally, you can expect to pay between $300 to $500 depending on the home and the location. Title services. Title services encompass the transfer of the title from the seller and a thorough search of the property’s records to ensure to no one will pop up with a claim to the property. Additionally, you may need to buy title insurance which will protect the lender or your investment in the home. Appraisal fee. Before getting a loan, you will likely be require...