Crazy 4 AZ Homes

Paula (PJ) Selby CDPE®, SFR, CIAS, FHE We\'re crazy about helping our clients with individualized service, whether they are buying, selling, or investing! United Brokers Group crazy4azhomes1@gmail.com www.pjsellsaz.listingbook.com Feelin’ Hot! Cultures that reside in hotter temperatures eat spicy food for a reason.  Chili peppers contain a chemical that makes you sweat. The sweat evaporates and keeps you cool.  This month, crank up the heat with this super-simple, super-spicy Mongolian beef recipe. It’s sure to get your tongue tingling. Ingredients 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce 1 tablespoon sesame oil 2 teaspoons white sugar 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (optional) 1 pound beef flank steak, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon peanut oil 2 large green onions, thinly sliced Directions Whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sugar, garlic and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Toss beef with marinade, cover, and refrigerate 1 hour to overnight. Heat peanut oil in a wok or large, nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the green onions, and cook for 5 to 10 seconds before stirring in the beef. Cook and stir until the beef is no longer pink and is beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Source: http://allrecipes.com/

7 Tips to Organize Your Small Space We all have it. That one area of the house that just seems to collect clutter. It’s a laundry room, a guest bedroom, or an office. It’s that one closet that you wouldn’t dare open for fear that you might get buried in the mountains of stuff. The truth is you can only ignore it for so long. Use these tried and true tips to turn that small, junky space into a nice and neat nook. Pair Down Your Possessions. How much of the clutter are you really using? Before you begin the process of organizing your small space, get rid of the junk. If you’re having trouble getting rid of stuff put it in a box that you can easily access. Over the course of a month, see what you end up using and what you don’t. Whatever is left in the box goes to Goodwill. Everything Has a Place. Once you’ve cleared out the clutter, choose a home for your items. Make sure it always returns to that spot. If you don’t have a very specific place for something, determine whether or not you really need it. Make it easily accessible. Bring the items you use on a regular basis to the front of your storage area. That will keep you from having to dig around for the items you need more regularly – which will also hold you accountable to keeping your small space organized. Create Hidden Storage. Find areas of your home that could double as storage space. Cover a side table with fabric and use the space underneath to store boxes of magazines, toys or photo albums. Store out of season clothes in boxes underneath your bed or high up in the closet. Buy into the Built-In. If your current shelving system isn’t functional – or if it’s non-existent – invest in a built-in unit. First, take inventory of your belongings. Put them in categories and then determine the best way to organize them. Then you’ll be able to buy the right kind of organizational unit that fits your exact storage needs. Conquer the Cluttered Drawer. When it comes to small spaces, drawers are often a source of stress. Cleanse your disastrous drawers by compartmentalizing related items and using drawer inserts to keep things in their rightful spot. Piece together your paperwork. A functional space for your bills, invitations, receipts, and coupons is a must-have in a busy household. Deck out a bookshelf with paper sorters, flat boxes, labeled folders, and spindles. Invest in a bulletin board for timely documents and invites.

---

Swimming pools can add value to your home. But is it worth it? Remember the days when lounging by your parents pool was the coolest thing to do during the hot summer days? They are certainly fond memories. Many Americans still long for a dip in their own backyard pool – but does the cost of a pool match its long-term value? The truth is every homeowner is different and the perceived value of a swimming pool varies from one buyer to the next. The Cost of a Pool Although the cost will vary depending on where you live and how big of a pool you want, the Wall Street Journal reports you should probably budget between $25,000 to $50,000 for an in-ground pool. The initial investment goes up from there when you add landscaping and fencing. Additional ongoing costs you should be aware of include an increase in home owner's insurance, a tax increase, maintenance expenses like opening/closing the pool and heating if applicable. A Cool Pool Market Experts say that pools add value to a home in neighborhood with a lot of pools. Even if you’re not in an area dominated with deep ends, the National Association of REALTORS® says that pools add 7.7 percent to the average home property value and more than 11 percent for homes in the Southwest U.S. The odds of recouping your money go up if you plan to stay in your home for longer than five years and you use it on a regular basis. That being said, a swimming pool could limit your home’s selling power. Buyers with small children may see your home as an accident waiting to happen. Others may not want the annual maintenance fees, home owner’s insurance, and tax increase that comes along with the amenity. Is a pool right for you? Answer these questions as you embark on your research into pools. Can you afford the annual maintenance costs? Are you willing to invest in landscaping? Buyers want the whole experience of a pool which includes landscaping, patios, or other additions to the backyard. Is there a community pool nearby? If there is, buyers may not perceive the pool as valuable. Are you willing to take on the risk associated with owning a pool? Are you going to live in your home for another five years? Once you’ve asked yourself these questions, it’s smart to get an appraisers opinion and talk to a real estate agent familiar with your neighborhood.

Happy Fathers Day He’s full of advice on everything from corvettes to careers. And while some of it seems a little off the beaten path, we love him anyways. Here are a few funny sayings from Dear Old Dad. “I had to walk to school. Barefoot. In the snow. Uphill both ways.” “You’re going out looking like that?” “That’ll go on your permanent record.” “There’s nothing a little duct tape can’t fix.” “As long as you live under my roof, you’ll follow my rules.”

If you are currently working with another Broker please do not consider this a solicitation.