Equestrian Manor Lifestyle

Equestrian Manor

The #1 Agent

September | October 2012

FOR ORANGE TREE EQUESTRIAN MANOR WITH OVER 55 TRANSACTIONS!

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• Phoenix Business Journal ranks Kelly #11 in The Phoenix Business Journal Book of Lists out of more than 20,000 Real Estate Agents.

Kelly McLain Is Your Key To “Sold”!

• Graduate Arizona State University 1983

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mclainjk@aol.com www.kellymclain.com

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Realtor

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Inspirations for Your Home’s Décor

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Real Estate Inspections & Repairs 101

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Buying? Selling?

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Historic low interest rates, home prices on the rise, low inventory, HARP refinances, etc. Seems like there is a lot of news surrounding both the housing industry and mortgage market and it can sometimes be difficult to get your mind around it. In working with clients either purchasing a new home or refinancing their existing home, I do get to see our industry from many different perspectives. For those in the market to purchase, we are seeing clients confronted with low inventory and multiple offers. Here are some ideas from the lending side that can help strengthen your offer: First, get all of your information to your lender (hopefully me!) before you start looking at properties. Your lender should be able to obtain a solid loan approval within 3-5 business days. This way all that the lender is waiting for is property information and you can offer a quick closing. There are a lot of banks taking 60 plus days to close a loan, so work with a lender who is fast. Next, do not ask for closing costs assistance. If coming up with the closing costs is tough to do with your down payment, your lender can always roll your closing costs into the loan. Once again, if the seller is looking at multiple offers, they are looking for fast closings and the one that is putting more money in their pocket. Refinancing is huge right now and the new HARP program is going strong. Currently we are closing 10-20 transactions a month in which the client owes more than their home is worth. For those with equity, rates are at levels never seen before, so you owe it to yourself to check it out. I am always available to give you a quick consultation on any new or existing mortgage. Remember the mortgage market is not as scary as it is sometimes made out to be. You have an advisor and ally in me – I look forward to assisting you!

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BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

Asian-Inspired Cuisine

WJ BRADLEY MORTGAGE CAPITAL

Mike Tompkins,Mortgage Lender

Roy’s Signature Butterfish Recipe

NMLS #217645 9237 E. Via De Ventura #100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258

480.421.1151 Direct Office

(c) 2011 W.J. Bradley Mortgage Capital Corp., 201 Columbine Street Suite 300, Denver, CO 80206. Phone #303-825-5670. NMLS ID 3233. Trade/service marks are the property of W.J. Bradley Mortgage Capital Corp. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. Some products may not be available in all states. WJB is not acting on behalf of or at the direction of HUD/FHA or the federal government. AZ License # BK-0903998. NMLS consumer access: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/3233. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Your Property Here!

Equestrian Manor & Paradise Manor

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mike@wjbonline.com www.wjbonline.com

CALL Kelly TO HAVE YOUR HOME SOLD TOO!

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

ISSN-1939-9588

Real Estate Services

In Good Taste

Event Calendar

Featuring Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine 480.705.7697 Chandler | 480.419.7697 Desert Ridge RoysRestaurant.com

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012 Gentlemen’s Lunch Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Sept. 21st 602.263.3589 | WomenOfScottsdale.org The Women of Scottsdale networking group invites you to their annual Gentlemen’s Lunch. The organization endeavors to promote professional women who desire to be successful and connect with the community. Members and guests are encouraged to bring a gentleman who loves, inspires or supports them.

JAPANESE MISOYAKI BUTTERFISH WITH SIZZLING SOY VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS: 4 pieces of black cod, 7 oz. each 1 qt. misoyaki marinade (see recipe below) 16 oz. sizzling soy vinaigrette (see recipe below) Misoyaki Marinade: 3 cups sake 3 cups mirin (sweet rice wine) 8 oz. Shiro Miso (white miso) 8 oz. white sugar Sizzling Soy Vinaigrette: 1 red bell pepper, diced very small 1 yellow bell pepper, diced very small 1 green bell pepper, diced very small 1 bunch green onion, finely chopped 1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped 2 oz. daikon root, grated 2 oz. Maui onion, grated 1 oz. ginger, minced 1/2 cup peanut oil 1 cup soy sauce 2 oz. rice wine vinegar 2 lemons, juice salt & pepper to taste PROCEDURE: To make the misoyaki marinade, bring sake and mirin to a boil for 5 minutes. Reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Whisk in remaining ingredients until well incorporated. Simmer on low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool. Generously marinate black cod in misoyaki marinade for 24 hours. To make the sizzling soy vinaigrette, heat the peanut oil in a pan until it reaches a smoke point. Place the bell peppers, onions, daikon, and ginger in a mixing bowl. Ladle hot oil over the vegetable mixture in 2 oz. increments. Whisk in rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Set aside. In a cast iron pan, sear fish over medium heat until golden brown (about 3 minutes per side). Transfer cooked fish to serving plates. Ladle sizzling soy vinaigrette over fish. Serves 4

As the temperature begins to dip a bit, why not consider tweaking your home décor to be in sync with the seasons? Especially at this time of year—and again in springtime— something inside us yearns for change as we find comfort in embracing the weather changes and traditions that harken in a new season. Surrounding ourselves with fresh items that reflect the ever-changing elements of the seasons promotes a feeling of progress and comfort which can be uplifting and inspiring to the soul. Changing your surroundings to mirror the seasons can also be good for you, as studies have shown that one’s environment directly influences one’s mood and productivity. Welcoming in a new season with décor changes to your home can do wonders for your creativity and inspiration, as the human psyche is directly affected by nature and the elements. How to get started? In the spring, we’re inspired with growth and renewal and can reflect this in our home by lightening up our interiors, making rooms airier and open as the heat outside intensifies. This could mean simply altering your furniture arrangement to improve traffic and air flow. Reducing clutter will also help create a clean, spring vibe conducive to relaxing in the summertime. In the fall, we tend to want to make our spaces cozier, textural and den-like. Try creating an intimate reading or conversation nook in the fall and winter to encourage cuddling up with a blanket and a mug of coffee to be a daily indulgence. A dramatic change can be felt by simply changing out linens, curtains, and throw

pillows. Think breezy and light window treatments and bare floors in the spring and more dramatic, heavier curtains and plush area rugs in the fall to give your space seasonal appeal. Add comfy throws and decorative accent pillows which can be eliminated or transformed with different pillow cases in the spring. Your room’s color scheme can also give your home a seasonal lift. This can be done easily by changing out lighter accent colors in the spring and summer (whites, blues, lavenders and yellows) with darker, warmer colors (reds, oranges, browns and greens) that echo the changing hues outside. A room’s accessories can also add much to a seasonal interior design scheme, with the backdrop remaining consistent all year long. For warmer months, add seashells, nautical and beachthemed items, colorful floral arrangements and wicker and glass elements which all lend a relaxed summery feel. In the fall, replace these accents with heavy wood frames, stoneware, and fall-inspired florals to help your interior space reflect the natural passage of time. Finally, don’t forget the importance of smell. Think all-natural, light floral and citrus candle scents in the spring and summer and fragrant, spicy smells in fall and winter to give your home a true seasonal feel. These small details and minor tweaks give your home meaning and individuality and allow you to feel a part of nature’s cycle. And, as a bonus, these simple changes to your environment may also help boost your mood throughout the year as you turn back the pages of your calendar.

Most buyers will have an inspection on the property that they plan to purchase. Typical inspections include a general home inspection, pool inspection and other more specific inspections depending on the situation. For example, homes with a stucco exterior may require a stucco inspection to ensure the quality and condition of the stucco. Roof inspections are also common especially when the general inspector has raised a concern about the condition of the roof. Buyers can request that everything, nothing, or a list of specific items that were found in the inspection be fixed. The seller, along with their real estate agent, should assess the situation and determine what they are willing to repair.

be inferior electrical wiring that could cause a fire. • Has building code changed such that the item needs to be brought up to current standards? • Is the item cosmetic in nature? Sellers are not usually responsible for cosmetic items. An example may be a crack in the stone NAVIGA flooring. As long as the crack does not indicate a structural issue or a safety concern, the seller can opt to not repair this item. How should the repairs be made? Many sellers want to do the repairs themselves or get their brother-in-law who is “handy” to fix the requested items. Instead, sellers should have

Things to consider are: • Does the item needing repair cause a safety concern? It behooves the seller to fix any safety-related issues so that they are not liable post sale for a safety problem. An example may

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Cozy Up Your Casa For Fall & Winter Transform your abode with these easy changes for a perfect fall feel. • Add faux-fur pillows and blankets to seating areas. • Rearrange furnishings to set the scene for snuggling by the fireside. • Replace clear glass vases, pitchers, and accessories with heavier, more substantial materials such as wood, leather and wrought iron. Update your tableware and tablecloths to darker, more dramatic pieces. • Make your bedroom a tranquil retreat with inviting bedding such as a down-filled duvet, suede throw blanket, and accent pillows with brocade fabrics and rich textures. Swap out window treatments made from cool cotton and breezy linen for heavier and more luxurious fabrics (think rich velvets, chenilles and sumptuous silks). • Stash summer silk or dried floral arrangements out of sight and replace with natural fall and winter harbingers—think pine cones, acorns, nuts, pumpkins or dramatic tree branches in large urns. Adding tiny white lights to these helps the fall/winter season further resonate throughout your home. • Change out sisal and cotton jute area rugs for thicker, cushier shag or wool carpets to keep your rooms looking and feeling toasty warm. • Add groupings of candles, lanterns, and candelabras as daylight begins to fade earlier. • Fall and winter to many is synonymous with family gatherings and the holidays. Bring out your most cherished photos from past celebrations and replace artwork with these special memories.

repairs that require a professional, be done by a professional that is bonded or certified for their industry – such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Receipts should be provided to the buyer showing when and who did the work. The seller may prefer to offer a lump sum to I N G T H E the buyer so that the buyer can select their own repairmen and can oversee the repairs themselves. The downside to this approach is that the repairs are completed after closing and the buyer has taken possession of the home. Some buyers may want to move into the home and have everything in perfect working order, so

Repair Process

this approach may not be agreeable in all cases. Many real estate agents recommend that the seller purchase a home warranty for the buyer that will cover repairs during the first year for major appliances and systems (plumbing, heating, etc.) in the home. Purchasing a home warranty does not circumvent repairing items that were identified as malfunctioning during the home inspection, however. Negotiating repairs is usually a crucial step in the sales transaction. As with any negotiation, it is a give-and-take process. Emotions often run high and it’s not uncommon for the entire deal to fall apart due to a disagreement on a simple repair. Your real estate agent is invaluable with helping you navigate through the process successfully.

Arizona Honey Festival El Pedregal at The Boulders, Sept. 29th – 30th 480.595.3508 | ElPedregal.com This first annual event is a new take on foodie fests – all about honey! Enjoy live bluegrass music while tasting Arizona honey delights, cooking with honey seminars, enjoying honey-inspired spa treatments, sipping honey cocktails, and browsing bee-inspired merchandise and crafts. Don’t miss the five-course gourmet “honey” dinner with wines paired by Benziger Winery. You’ll be buzzing about it to all your friends! Dine Out with the Chefs Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Oct. 7th 480.499.8587 | ScottsdalePerformingArts.org Guests will mingle with some of the Valley’s top culinary masters as they sample signature dishes – all from appetizers and entrees, to decadent desserts. Live entertainment, cooking demos, book signings and wine tastings round out the festive evening. Tour de Paradise Moon Valley Park, Oct. 20th 602.274.5022 | TourDeParadise.org This fundraiser for the Duet foundation – which helps homebound seniors and disabled individuals with such things as getting groceries, rides to the doctor, etc. – has three different bike routes to choose from. Challenge yourself with the 62-mile ride, take the intermediate 30-mile ride or the easier 8-mile fun ride appropriate for all members of the family. Kokopelli Krush Kokopelli Winery & Bistro, Oct. 26th 480.792.6927 | KokopelliWinery.net Kokopelli Krush has been selected as the About.com 2012 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Food/Wine/Beer Festival in the Greater Phoenix area. Teams of two can compete in the grape stomping “krush kompetition”! The tasty event also includes wine samplings, live entertainment and a kid’s zone. Santé!