Home Maintenance Tips Archives - Greater Phoenix Arizona Real Estate

Designing Your Dream Home: Why Thinking About the Next Buyer Matters

Buying a home is a major milestone in anyone’s life. It’s a sign of accomplishment and a place to create lifelong memories. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that someday you will have to sell your home. With that in mind, it’s crucial to make smart design choices and think about what the next buyer may or may not like.

We’ve all heard the saying, “They’re gonna have to carry me out of this home in a box,” meaning that someone plans to live in their home until they pass away. While this sentiment may seem comforting, it’s important to consider the future when making design decisions.

Imagine you’re backing up to a busy road or a massive power line. Do you think the next buyer will be pleased with the location? Or maybe you love the color lime green and decide to install lime green flooring everywhere in the home. While it may be your dream home, it may not appeal to everyone.

As a result, it’s critical to make smart design choices and think about the next buyer. It’s not just about creating a home that meets your current needs; it’s also about creating a home that can appeal to potential buyers in the future.

While it’s essential to buy your dream home and live in it for as long as you want, it’s equally important to think about the future when making design choices. Remember that everything you buy will eventually be sold, and making smart decisions now can pay off in the long run. So, work with a team of experts and keep the next buyer in mind when making design decisions for your home.

Top 5 Interior Trends for 2023

Each New Year ushers in a variety of new trends, from fashion to technology to interior design. Whether you’re looking for ways to spruce up your current home before selling it or you’re starting to plan the style of a new home, the upcoming trends forecasted by designers can provide some inspiration.

Here are 5 of the top interior design trends you can expect to be seeing in 2023:

Calming colors. When it comes to paint colors, wallpaper, and décor, homeowners are increasingly preferring warm, neutral hues that evoke a sense of calm and coziness. Colors commonly found in nature—such as muted browns and greens—are always a safe choice, but shades that are deeper yet still earthy (like mustard yellows, the popular accent color Ultramarine blue, or Pantone’s color of the year for 2023, Viva Magenta) are finding their place as well.
Statement rugs. To complement a more neutral color palette, designers are seeing homeowners opt for statement rugs that are both functional and decorative. With bold colors and patterns, these rugs can essentially serve as “floor art.”
Gold accents. Reflecting the theme of warm over cool tones, gold and brassy fixtures—including lighting, faucets, and cabinet or drawer pulls—will continue to be popular, while brushed nickel has fallen out of favor.
High-gloss wood finishes. From floors to cabinets, matte wood finishes are being swapped out for high-gloss, which brings a polished, eye-catching look to any room.
Biophilic design. While this trend is not exactly new, designers expect to continue seeing homeowners seek ways to bring elements of the natural world into their homes. This often manifests in the use of natural, organic materials, such as bamboo, cork, and wood, as well as decorative objects with freeform shapes. Incorporating these items can add warmth and texture to any interior design.

Sources: good housekeeping & house beautiful

A Home Project With The Highest ROI

One of the most common questions we get asked is… “Where should I spend my money on a remodel? Where will I get the most bang for my buck?”

The answer: The kitchen! The average recoup on a kitchen upgrade is 98.5%! However, that doesn’t mean you have to do a full renovation (unless you want to – then by all means, chase your kitchen dreams)!

If you’re upgrading to sell, then try a mini-remodel. Here are some options to heat things up and give your kitchen some massive flavor:

Paint it! This might not seem like a major change but it will be the biggest bang for your buck. You know the feeling when you come out of the salon after getting your hair done – you feel like a new person! That’s how your kitchen will feel. Don’t be afraid to take the paint to the cabinets if they need a refresh. Painting them will be much more cost effective than ordering new ones.
You can also add a splash of style with a new backsplash. Whether you have drywall as your backdrop or outdated tile, refreshing this space with something modern will make a huge difference. Go for something timeless vs. trendy. Especially if you’re planning to sell in the next 5 years!
Give your kitchen an appliance upgrade! Appliances are like accessories… They can add a lot of style even though they’re not the star of the show. And don’t forget the wine fridge! Not only will this make your kitchen THE place to entertain, you can’t beat the look of a fully stocked wine fridge for a kitchen accessory.
LIGHTING! Itâ€™s so, so important to have well lit interiors (we’re talking to you sellers). Youâ€™ve heard us say it before… Bring in the light! Buyers love light. A quick upgrade to your kitchen light fixtures can be just the refresh you need.

We hope you found this information helpful! If you are considering buying or selling a home, we would love to talk with you. Or if you need a referral to a contractor to help you update your kitchen, shoot us a message or give us a call at 480-677-8170!

3 Quick Tips To Keep Your Home In Tip-Top Shape!

Here comes the heat, all winter visitors should shut off the AC, right? Not so fast. Wood products, cabinets, door trim, doors, etc. can all have big time issues above 85-90 degrees and added humidity. Allowing the AC to run at a reasonable temperature will reduce expansion and contraction. These homes are built extremely well. Without the doors and windows being opened on a regular basis, the AC will barely run during the extreme hot months.
Did you know the average dryer needs 250 CFMâ€™s, thatâ€™s 250 cubic feet of air per minute to properly dry your clothes? Keeping those dryer vents clean and doors open during operations will cut down on drying time and cut energy costs. Many homes have a jump duct specifically designed for this required fresh air but often itâ€™s not enough.
Have stucco cracks? All home inspectors ask for these to be sealed and painted. Doing so without painting the entire home will cause a zebra appearance. The stucco walls are designed for moisture and a weep screed is installed by the builder to help eliminate moisture. These cracks are 99% of the time normal hairline cracks and should be of no concern.

Have any questions about these tips? Contact our team at 480-677-8170!

Pool Maintenance + Air Conditioning Quick Tips

Pool Maintenance + Air Conditioning Quick Tips – Get Ahead Before It Gets Too Hot!

Pool Maintenance Quick Tips

Tip #1 – Brush the steps and walls on a weekly basis, especially during the summer!

Tip #2 – Have your water tested weekly for proper chemical balances.

Tip #3 – Service your filter per manufacturer’s recommendations and clean out skimmer baskets.

Tip #4 – Check with your local municipality for pool safety requirements.

Air Conditioning Quick Tips

Tip #1 – Without routine maintenance, a normal air conditioning unit loses approximately 5% of efficiency each year.

Tip #2 – Maintain a 3 foot clearance around the A/C unit for proper air flow.

Tip #3 – Filters are critical to the proper and economical operation of the air conditioning unit. They should be changed or cleaned monthly.

Tip #4 – Contrary to popular belief, all A/C registers should remain open regardless of whether you are using the rooms or not.

How to make your own natural cleaners

Tired of the residue of store bought cleaners? Here are a few natural cleaners you can make on your own! Let us know if you tried any…or have any others we should try!

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS FOR A FOSTER GROUP HOME

Join our team this year as we help a local foster group home have a special Christmas. This time of year is supposed to be a time of happy memories and joy. However, for many foster children and youth, this time of year can be especially difficult to navigate. There are a few easy ways you can help. We are looking for 20 individuals to donate a $50 Visa or MasterCard gift card along with a new blanket. Or you can donate supplies like hygiene, school supplies and basic necessities. Giving back feels so good this season. If you’d like more information, please contact T.J. Kelley at 602-369-0519 or email info@encbrokers.com to get more information. Donations need to be collected by December 1st.