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A Lifestyle Guide to Fountain HIlls & Northeast Scottsdale fall 2012

Slowly but surely housing is coming back Fountain Hills’ Hometown Publishing Company

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2 / HOME

Fall 2012

fall 2012

4

On the cover

Garage door operations

Construction is under way on a custom home in Eagles Nest in Fountain Hills. The economy is showing signs of growth with new construction, remodeling and real estate picking up some momentum.(Photo by Barb Charzuk.)

5 8

Home improvements

Organic gardening

HOME, Fall 2012, is a publication of Western States Publishers, Inc. • P.O. Box 17869 • Fountain Hills, AZ 85269 • Editor: it Linda Li d M McThrall Th ll • M Many off th the stories t i in this edition are paid advertisements. For more information, call (480) 837-1931, or visit www.fhtimes.com/homeguide.

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HOME / 3

Fall 2012

Real estate market strengthens slowly

By Barb Charzuk

Home prices and the number of homes for sale are slowly inching up.

That’s the most recent assessment from several observers as the real estate market moves into the fall buying/selling season.

Their optimism on the degree of improvement varies but the one common thread is that the housing market shows signs of recovery.

Five years have passed since the market collapsed in May 2007. The average sales price of a home fell 56.8 percent, according to the Multiple Listing Service. The market has recovered approximately 31.34 percent since that time.

The uptick is based upon: * Rising home prices and sales. * Falling number of foreclosures. * Declining mortgage rates to near record lows. * Increasing inventories.

Sales activity has been down because many homeowners are reluctant to sell at low prices. Single-family home sales were down from, than 12 percent this September from last September, said Mike Orr, director of the Center for Real Estate Theory and Practice at Arizona State University (ASU).

“Though supply was still down 15 percent from last September, it increased 9 percent just from this August to this September,” said Orr. “We’re now in a strong growing trend,” he commented.

September sales of Fountain Hills properties numbered 56, up 14.29 percent from September 2011, according to monthly statistics compiled by Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS).

The average days-on-the-market of sold homes in September was 108 compared to 141 in September 2011 or a 23.4 percent drop.

Increased sales came at a time when the fall housing market is not known for being as robust as the spring. Different motivations tend to attract consumers during the fall.

“We’ve observed in seasonal household patterns that there is a higher ratio of first-time buyers and childless couples in the fall,” said Walter Molony, economic issues media manager for the National Association of Realtors. “Families with children time their purchases based on school year considerations, so they peak in the spring and summer.”

Some sellers in autumn tend to

be highly motivated because they’re afraid of missing the boat and being stuck trying to sell during the holidays.

The prime selling season in Arizona doesn’t even begin until the snowbirds come from cooler climates looking for new homes, real estate observers say.

“Nor that cooler weather has returned and the normal summer lull is over, prices are resuming their advance with greater speed, though on weaker sales volumes,” observed Orr. September year-to-date sales of 654 were running 4.6 percent ahead of last year’s year-to-date sales of 625, reported ARMLS. September 2012’s inventory was the lowest level compared to September 2011 and 2010, Coldwell Banker reported. Inventory of Fountain Hills properties at the beginning of September totaled 316, up 13.3 percent from 279 the previous month. The real estate firm tracks monthly real estate activity for the community.

Homes selling faster Inventories of for-sale homes aren’t the only thing dropping. The amount of time a home stays on the market grew shorter.

The average number of days a house sold in September was 80 days, down 32.2 percent from 118 days in September 2011.

The September MSI (Months Supply of Inventory) -- an estimation of how long it would take for all the market’s homes to be sold or absorbed, based on the number of homes on the market -- was 5.6 months, the lowest compared to the two past Septembers.

MSI is viewed as a great indicator of the balance of a market. A comparatively lower MSI is more beneficial to sellers; a higher MSI weighs in favor of buyers.

Home Values Most areas showed double digit percentage increases but those with a preponderance of more expensive homes or those with large active adult communities are showing relatively jodest annual gains in average price per square foot. Fountain Hills prices were up 13 percent; Scottsdale saw a 9 percent rise.

The median price of a Fountain Hills home sold through September 2012 was $380,000. During the same time period in 2011, the median sale price was $305,500, according to Orr’s statistics.

The selling price per square foot indicates the direction of property val-

ues. The selling price per square foot in September was $161.17. In compassion the September 2011’s selling price per square foot was $143.06.

Comparative figures for Scottsdale showed the median single-family house sold for $390,000. Through September 2012, 428 sales had occurred, Similar Scottsdale numbers through September 2011 reported 430 homes sold; the median sales price was $314,640.

The most expensive types of transactions --- new home sales and normal sales --- are on the rise, said Orr. :At the same time, the number of investor flips, short sales and sales of bank-and government-owned homes are all falling and bargains become tougher to find,” he noted.

Foreclosures and short sales Foreclosure starts --- homeowners receiving notice their lenders may foreclose in 90 days --- went down in the Phoenix market from August to September. Completed foreclosures dropped 31 percent at the same time.

Short sales were becoming less common, according to Orr. After a settlement between five

of the largest lenders and states was signed in February, Orr said a “slight uptick” occurred in the rate of foreclosure notices, “but this has now subsided and is now far below the peak levels of March 2009, which were 10,099 in Maricopa County.”

More specifically in Fountain Hills, 5 bank-owned sales and 3 foreclosures occurred this past September. Orr reported 9 short sales/pre-foreclosures.

The Scottsdale market saw 21 bank-owned sales in September and 74 short-sales and pre-foreclosures.

Most lenders strongly encourage homeowners facing financial hardship to use short sales as a preferred alternative to foreclosure.

“Too many home owners simply just go into foreclosure and then have seven-plus years of bad credit rating and other negative issues for them,” said Realtor Rich Madden, National Association of Expert Advisors.

A short sale is a much better option, and most owners are eligible for a relocation incentive ranging from $2,500 to $30,000, said Madden. He has closed 78 short sales.

(Cont. on page 6)

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4 / HOME

Fall 2012

A moveable piece at home can be surprising

By Mike Scharnow

Quick quiz: What is the largest moving piece in your home?

If you answered your garage door, I have a free tube of garage door grease waiting for you at the front office.

When you think of home maintenance and repair, however, probably the last things that come to mind are your garage door and its attendant opener.

That might be a mistake…

Remember those days when your garage was a detached over-sized shed in the backyard that required you to get out in the pouring rain (or big snow drifts) and actually lift the twoton wooden garage door to open it?

Nah, me neither, which proves the point that many of us grew up spoiled and have taken such modern things as electric garage door openers for granted. With the fancy home designs we have out here in the Hills, you might have three or more garage door openers to contend with (those in the business actually call them operators, as in “garage door operators.” Which makes a lot of sense, actually, because they’re not just openers, as they do some closing as well).

You hit the button and – voila! – the door magically opens and closes. No

getting out in the pouring monsoon storm or braving the triple- digit heat to grab that searing hot metal handle to open the door and give you second degree burns.

It’s out of sight and out of mind until a kink develops. The door goes down a few inches and then retreats back to where it was. Or it doesn’t do anything – just sits there. Then you have to fumble around and try to figure out how to disconnect the silly thing so you can lift the door yourself because you’re running late for work.

Or maybe it makes such a racket every time you push the button that your neighbors are constantly calling the Sheriff’s Office and reporting you for exceeding the decibel levels in the local noise ordinance.

Such was my fate recently when it became apparent to me that I could no longer forestall the inevitable – I had to call the garage door operator repairman.

Be prepared for sticker shock, however, as these electronic devices and their repairs do not come inexpensively. While it’s probably safe to say you don’t need a four-year degree to work on a garage door operator, it’s not the easiest thing in the world to master. Me? I’ve had a few garage doors come crashing down on my head, so

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Fountain Hills Times Editor Mike Scharnow inspects his new garage door operator, something he never thought about replacing until the old one broke.

I always like to call in an expert rather than planning for that extra side trip to the emergency room.

The guy had bad news and some more bad news for me – repairs were going to total more than $600. Or, for only $700 more, I could have a brand new garage door operator!!!!!!!!!!

I figured I needed to have my old operator replaced anyway, so I bit the proverbial silver bullet and went for the brand spanking new LiftMaster Belt Drive Model No. 8550.

It might be the Cadillac of garage door operators, I’m not sure, but it certainly is a giant upgrade from what I had. I even saw a TV commercial the other day for the LiftMaster – now that’s big time.

The fancy operator button on the garage wall comes with a digital readout – giving me the temperature, the time and other cool programmable stuff I’ll never use. The motion-activated light automatically comes on if I just step into the garage from my house. The operator has a battery back-up in case the power goes out. It has a little cooler in it where I can hide a six-pack of beer (OK, I made that last part up).

I had a separate wireless keypad in-

stalled on the outside of my home.

Heck, I can even buy some more electronic equipment on the Internet, plug it into my modem and monitor this cool garage door operator from my smartphone. If I travel to Paris next week and remember that I didn’t remember to close my garage door, I can close it with an “app.”

How 2012 is that?

No doubt there are all types and price ranges of operators available on the market, and it would likely be less expensive to install your own if capable of such duress.

But just don’t forget about your garage door or its lovely operator when it comes to maintenance.

These are mechanical devices, after all, and they require some tender loving care. The big spring, the rollers, the cable gear and the hinges should all get some silicone spray once a month. Some garage door grease should be lightly applied periodically as well to key areas.

Remember that the vehicles in your garage need regular maintenance, oil changes and such. Well, the same applies to your garage door and its electronic operator – that’s “opener” to you garage door novices.

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HOME / 5

Fall 2012

Builders ‘retool,’ refocus on home improvements Alexander Homes President Tom Alexander can recall not too long ago that the custom home contractor’s father and uncle employed 30 to 40 employees and built 40 to 70 homes annually in Rio and Tonto Verde. T h a t all happened when the two senior lifestyle communities were developing and before the collapse of the housing market decimated home sales.

Alexander Homes, like many local builders, retooled and refocused on home improvements.

Alexander Homes has been the primary builder in Rio Verde and Tonto Verde since the early 1980s. Charles Alexander started the company, joined by his two sons, Steve and Chip. Chip Alexander has retired to Aspen; Steve, also retired, lives in Tonto Verde and is a consultant to his son Tom who came aboard in 2001.

“Things pretty much changed in 2007,” recalled Tom Alexander. “We downsized and changed the way we do business.”

In recent years, the contractor has built from one to five custom homes and completed 40 to 50 remodels in a year from small bathroom and kitchen projects costing $5,000 to $10,000 to more major refurbishing.

Currently 25 remodel projects are in progress. Six come in at more than

$300,000, and one is in excess of $1 million.

Remodeling is driven by consumers and a change in lifestyle choices, said Alexander. Owners of the older homes value their golf course locations; some prefer to update their houses to make them permanent residence or expand space to accommodate growing families and grandchildren.

When the older homes sell, new owners want remodeling updates.

“Rio Verde homes used to be two bedrooms, two baths and a den with a half bath,” said Alexander.

The contractor is building more casitas, some as large as 900- to 1,000-square-feet, with living quarters and kitchen in the center for visitors or extended family.

“People need more space. We live bigger now,” he added.

Homeowners expect a full bath with every bedroom and walk-in closets; granite countertops and up-todate energy-efficient appliances.

Alexander said wheelchairs and walkers can maneuver the 6-foot wide hallways, a standard guide, compared to previous 3-foot wide door openings.

His crews occasionally install grab bars in bathrooms or handrails but

Alexander Homes President Tom Alexander checks over blueprints for a remodel home on Alondra Way, Rio Verde. Home remodeling in the Verdes has kept the company operating in a downturn housing market. more often, when an occupant becomes physically challenged to remain in their house, they move into an assisted care facility or live with a relative, said Alexander.

“The generation moving in doesn’t want those things (handicapped accessible fixtures),” he said.

A new business has opened in Rio

Verde to capitalize on remodel projects. Gary and Michelle Holcomb have opened Four Peaks Flooring and Finishes. Michelle, a Realtor, is the broker of Fore Peaks Sales Group in Fountain Hills Plaza, 16605 E. Palisades Blvd. and a Rio/Tonto Verde branch office, 18934 Avenida Del Ray, Rio Verde.

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6 / HOME

Fall 2012

Jim Thomson gets nod

Rio Verde Sales and Service names designated broker

By Bob Burns

Jim Thomson was recently named designated broker for Rio Verde Sales and Rental serving the Verde Communities.

Thomson is president of Rio Verde Services, Inc. having been appointed following David Ritchie’s retirement.

He is filling the broker position previously held by Dwight Futrelle who is continuing with the company as an associate broker.

Thomson has been deeply involved with the Rio Verde and Tonto Verde communities since his employment with Rio Verde Services in 1985.

“When I first became involved with the Development Company, the model homes had just been opened in Rio Verde Unit 9 on Alondra Way,” Thomson said. “The townhomes along Forest Road, and Unit 10 along Via Hermosa soon followed.

“The most satisfying aspect of my 27 years with the company was being able to participate in the design and construction of Tonto Verde and the two Tonto golf courses.”

The recent relocation of Rio Verde Sales and Rental into the administration building is complete and will provide a centralized location for all of

the Verdes community, according to Thomson.

“Our focus is in meeting the real estate needs of the Rio Verde and Tonto Verde communities,” he said. “The office is open 358 days a year, and has the only onsite property management company that serves the short-term rental needs of guests, families and homeowners.”

The marketing program for this year includes significant advertising outside of the area.

“We are running ads this year in the Pacific Northwest, Canada and Minneapolis,” Thomson said. “The intent is to attract rental guests who will have a chance to experience the special atmosphere that is the Verdes.

“No other real estate agency goes to this expense and effort to bring potential new residents into the area.”

Thomson and his wife, Ruth moved to Rio Verde from Fountain Hills over 17 years ago when their son left home for college. They now reside in Tonto Verde.

Thomson invites anyone to drop by the Rio Verde Sales and Rental office located at 25609 N. Danny Lane (next to the Post Office) to check out the new location of the sales office in the Verdes.

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Newly named broker for Rio Verde Sales and Rental, Jim Thomson, left, and Associate Broker Dwight Futrelle, are ready to greet homebuyers at the new office.

Real Estate (cont. from page 3)

Scottsdale 85259 Throughout Scottsdale, as with the rest of the area, numbers of units are down, but prices are up in single family and condominium sales.

Les Boomer, senior vice president with Coldwell Banker, said the real estate market is improving.

In the 85259 ZIP code, the year to date number of sold properties is 432, down from 445 properties in September 2011. Prices, however, are up, with the average price in September 2012 at $570,650 compared to $471,151 in September 2011, an increase of 21 percent.

The price per square foot in September this year was $169 compared to $184 in August 2012. Boomer said seasonality is the reason for the 8.3 percent drop from August to September, but from September 2011, when

price per square foot was $149, the market is up 13.5 percent.

“To put things in perspective, sellers are now getting 97.9 percent of their asking price compared to 95 percent of the asking a year ago September,” Boomer said. “These are good numbers.”

The Verdes The inventory of homes in Rio Verde increased to 79, said REMAX Sun Properties Realtor Mike Moore.

The breakdown was 68 single-family homes, 11 townhomes and 9 lots.

Homes were averaging $123.66 per square foot and townhomes $100.41.

Sales of single family homes in Rio Verde totaled 68 through October of this year compared to 59 through September 2012. Nine home sales were pending as of Nov. 1.

The average sale price for a singlefamily house in October 2012 was $312,826. Sale of town homes was 6 units ahead of last year. The average sale price was $150,081, he said.

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HOME / 7

Fall 2012

Get rid of excess stu Between books, toys and years of accumulated “stuff,â€? a home can feel cluttered. And most families quickly run out of available storage space.

However, with a few smart adjustments, you can create new storage solutions for much-needed space, and dramatically alter the feel, flow and look of your home. “There are a number of simple, quick and low-cost solutions that can truly open up space in the home,� says John J. Isch, principal at RWA Architects and co-chair of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Custom Residential Architects Network.

Isch suggests the following:

Retool Furniture Vista Verde, off Rio Verde Drive near 174th Street, is ready to go to work on a new Villas project.

The Villas at Vista Verde looks to active, busy season Vista Verde, the youngest of the Verde Communities in Northeast Maricopa County has opened its initial town home neighborhood, The Villas at Vista Verde and is looking forward to an active winter season.

Vista Verde Sales is offering the first 20 townhouse units just off the first tee of the championship golf course.

On a site that will be raised 10 feet or more from the existing grade, the new units will be oriented to offer residents spectacular views of the Superstition Mountains, the Mazatzal range and Four Peaks.

The 20 villa units are the first of what will eventually be 125 villas at Vista Verde, many of those surrounding the clubhouse location.

There are three basic models for the town houses ranging in size from 2,250-square-feet to 2,475-square-feet of livable space.

Aka Architecture in Scottsdale has created a “rustic Arizona� for the Villas and Fisher Custom Homes will be doing the construction.

Site work construction can begin once they have a predetermined number of units sold. All approvals are in place and construction can begin as soon as just a couple of more units are sold, according to Vista Verde Sales broker Chip Glaser.

Those interested in looking at the site will find sales personnel on the site Wednesday through Sunday. Turn

off Rio Verde Drive at Vista Verde Drive near 174th Street.

Vista Verde, the newest of the sibling Verde Communities, is west and north of Tonto Verde and Rio Verde along Rio Verde Drive.

Together the three communities feature 90 holes of championship golf.

Vista Verde hosts the Gateway Professional Tour for an event each year, and Rio Verde hosts the annual women’s collegiate invitational.

The game of golf is coming back strong after the recession also, according to Glaser. He said rounds at Vista Verde were up 76 percent in 2011 compared to 2010, and he added that the first couple of months of 2012 were also up over the previous year.

Furniture can be used for dual purposes to create extra storage space.

Beds, for example, can be built into walls to open up a room. Drawers and other types of storage units can be added into or placed underneath bed frames.

Instead of chairs, use benches with storage underneath or inside to save space and create an extra area for storage. Like beds, benches can also be

built into walls.

Adding shelves to closets will give you more storage flexibility and make the most of your space. In some cases, you can even remove the doors to those closets for more reach. The added shelves will appear built-in and part of your room.

Rethinking your needs Take a look at how you currently use your home and consider how rooms might be reworked to create spaces that meet your needs in smarter ways. For example, do you really need to use a spare room as an office?

Does your dining room go unused because of seating in the kitchen? Take a look at your home more holistically and determine how each room should and could function.

Don’t forget about spaces under stairs. Carve outs or shelving can be added to spots along the wall or staircase, or under the staircase.

If you have high ceilings, an architect can help you identify options for building in a completely new storage area.

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8 / HOME

Fall 2012

You can be a successful gardener here

By Jeffrey Schiller Special to HOME

I have heard countless times from my students that they find it hard to grow plants in Arizona. Although the ground is compacted and “rock hard,” it is indeed rich in nutrients. I can tell

Tonto Verde entrance Work on a Tonto Verde landscape project on each side of the entrance to the community began in early September. The landscaping at the four corners of Tonto Verde Drive and Forest Road was implemented in conjunction with “Discover Tonto Verde,” a new program designed to appeal to prospective homeowners.

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you from my experience, it is very possible to grow successfully in Arizona.

The local problem is that the soil is very alkaline and as a result vitamins and minerals are “locked up,” making it unavailable for the plants to access them.

The solution is to dig up the ground, remove all of the rocks, add compost and amendments to the native soil. This will help “soften” and promote better aeration for deeper root growth, while lowering the pH so the plants can obtain the nutrients they need from the growing medium to thrive. Soil amendments also are used to help retain water. They keep the roots cooler in the hot summer and reduce the frequency of watering, thus saving money on water bills.

The next step is choosing good quality seeds. I only use organic and/ or heirloom. I often am asked what the difference is between hybrid and heir-

Here is a suggested list of products to help enhance your organic garden. Check with Verde Valley Nursery in Fountain Hills or Donovan Family Gardens in Scottsdale for these and other products.

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low- to no-nitrogen content can be placed near the roots without concern of burning them. Growers can choose between a powdered or liquid fertilizer.

Powders usually take longer to break down into the soil, whereas liquids often are utilized right away. Fertilizing can be done either through the soil or by foliar spraying.

Here are some excellent organic products that can make it easier to grow successfully in any soil type. (reviews and resource list to follow) Jeffrey Schiller is president of the International Aromatherapy and Herb Association. He also is adjunct professor at Scottsdale Community College and Glendale Community College instructing courses on Organic Gardening. You can contact him for a list of his courses at: theorganicgardener@live.com

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Soil Amendments

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loom. Hybrids are bred to yield more fruit or for better taste, but the seeds, if saved, will produce an inferior fruit the next year. If you like the hybrid variety, it is best to purchase new seeds every year. Heirloom can be saved and replanted; it produces the same quality fruit as the parent plant.

The final step is choosing good fertilizers. Many commercial fertilizers are concentrated (made from by-products of the oil industry), and greatly accelerate the intake of nutrients in to the plants with their high nitrogen levels, thus placing the energy of growth on the stems and leaves (and not the fruit), depleting the soil further.

Worse yet, when placed too close to the plants’ roots, commercial fertilizers can and often do, burn them, causing the plants to weaken and even die.

By using organic fertilizers, minerals are placed into the soil in a form readily available to the plant. Those with

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HOME / 9

Fall 2012

Construction activity abuzz in Eagles Nest Eagles Nest, the gated custom lot community on more than 500 acres of pristine desert at the end of Golden Eagle Boulevard, Fountain Hills, is observing more construction activity.

The upward may serve as a beacon of hope as the real estate industry recovers from the housing bubble burst.

Three homes are in various stages

of construction while another house has reached the design phase, reported Steve Vargo, designated broker for MCO Realty. Eagles Nest currently has 14 completed homes.

Additionally 14 lots priced from $125,000 to $425,000 have come on the market.

“We’re bullish on the market right

now,” said Vargo. People are taking a look at Eagles Nest as they search for ready-to-build-on home sites.

During the past summer, six lots sold with priced up to $360,000. A further “good sign” of a real estate recovery is the pending sale of a halfmillion dollar site in October.

MCO Properties broke ground for

Eagles Nest in April 2004. Before the real estate slowdown, home sites were priced as much as $1.5 million.

“I think it is the prettiest project that we have developed,” Vargo said, referring to the panorama views of the McDowell Mountains, Fountain Hills and natural desert environment. Hiking and mountain biking trails are accessible.

More information about Eagles Nest is available at www.EaglesNestLiving.com or by calling a sales associate at (480) 837-1005.

Appliance life New home construction rises on a double site on Coyote Way in Eagles Nest. The multi-angled house is one of three currently under construction.

Stone counters remain popular If you have natural stone countertops or other surfaces in your home, you may be the object of your neighbor’s envy.

According to a 2012 survey conducted by Harris interactive, threequarters of homeowners who intend to remodel their kitchens in the next two years would like to install granite countertops.

“Granite and marble countertops and floors add beauty and value to any home,” says Garen Distelhorst, communications director at the Marble Institute of America. “But to get the longest life and preserve the beauty of natural stone, homeowners should be sure they understand how to properly maintain their product.”

The Marble Institute of America is

offering homeowners these maintenance tips: • Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices.

• While many stones can withstand heat, use trivets or mats under hot serving dishes for added protection.

• Dust mop interior floors frequently, using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit are abrasive and can damage natural stone.

• Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that may scratch the stone floor. The underside of the mat or rug should be a slip resistant surface.

• When vacuuming, be sure the metal or plastic attachments and

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If you are planning to buy new appliances, think about the lifespan of each.

The following are life expectancies of common appliances: Refrigerators, up to 20 years.

Microwave ovens, 10 years or more.

Stove, 15 years or more.

Washer and dryer, about 13 years.

wheels are not worn, as they can scratch the surface of some stones.

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11/04

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10 / HOME

Fall 2012

Lighting, accessories update interiors Once-upon-a-time you loved the look of your living space, but now it feels so last-century.

If this sounds like you, consider injecting new energy into your home by making a few high-impact changes without a high-roller budget.

Clever use of colors in combination with smart lighting can enliven rooms so they give off a more compelling, modern vibe without the need for costly remodeling projects or expensive furniture.

Color transformations Color both soothes and stirs the senses. Accent walls are a great way to introduce bold color and contrast, infusing a room with a sense of adventure, playfulness or drama. Bring vitality to any room by painting one wall a vivid shade to frame a focal point such as a dramatic piece of artwork.

Accent walls are usually solid with no doors or windows, unless there is something special about these features you want to highlight, such as a spectacular view or interesting architecture.

If you find yourself intimidated by vibrant colors, use neutral tones

on your primary walls with a darker, more intense shade on your accent wall. Popular paint colors this year include fiery, orange-infused reds, watery blues, lush greens and earthy neutrals.

Lighting at its best Lighting is one of the most dramatic areas where things are changing in home décor. Not only are new bulbs such as CFLs and LEDs offering greater energy efficiency, light fixture styles and lamp styles are also changing.

Remember those recessed lights so popular years ago? Depending on how they are used today, they may make a home look outdated. Kichler Lighting’s Director of Trends and Training, Jeff Dross, suggests replacing this older style with contemporary semi-flush fixtures. He also recommends swapping outdated chandeliers, especially of the old brass variety, with a series of modern pendant lights.

“Nothing makes a tasteful statement of modern simplicity better than a row of pendant lights over a kitchen island or above a dining room table,” Dross says.

For the bathroom, use wall sconces

placed on each side of the mirror for evenly lighting the face.

“Wall sconces add visual interest to the bath and even make daily tasks like shaving and make-up application easier,” Dross says.

For bedrooms, living rooms and family rooms choose strong bold shapes for your table and floor lamps.

Pillow power Match decorative accessories like pillows and lamps to your accent wall color, incorporating the color -- or shades of it -- into a variety of textures.

Framed photos, an interesting vase or impressive plant will stand out well against an accent wall, making the perfect focal point. A buffet lamp (a smaller version of a table lamp) adds ambience and makes an ideal accent.

For more information on modern home design, visit www.kichler.com or join Kichler’s experts in discussing the latest lighting products and trends on Twitter and Facebook.

Giving your home an up-to-date look doesn’t need to break the bank or your back. Simple tweaks can give your interiors a much-needed face lift.

Garage door safety GarageDoorCare.com, a website sponsored by the International Door Association, can help homeowners learn about garage door safety and maintenance.

IDA is the world’s largest trade association of professional garage door and access system dealers and installers.

The site has a simple learning tool to help parents teach their children the do’s and don’ts of garage doors.

Just remember:

Doors are heavy – Never stand, run or play under or near any garage door, especially when the door is open or moving.

Openers are for adults – Never play with the button on the wall that opens and closes the garage door.

Ouch! Never touch any part of a moving garage door. Your fingers and hands can get hurt.

Remotes are for adults – Never play with the remote control in the car or on mom and dad’s keychain.

Property Siblings

Property managers make real estate investment easy Real estate is a great way to build wealth. With the Phoenix market on the rebound, it’s the perfect time to expand your investment portfolio to include real estate.

Area rents are up and properties are producing positive cash flow for landlords. Investor mortgage rates are hovering around 4 percent so an investor can use great leverage to purchase real estate at the bottom of the Phoenix market, rent out the property and see positive monthly cash flow and asset appreciation.

However, being a landlord can have its share of headaches. Advertising for tenants, credit and criminal background screenings, late-night repair emergencies, rent collections and even eviction are some of the challenges. Hiring the right property management team eliminates the downsides of owning rental property and allows landlords to relax and reap the financial benefit.

Dave and Christine Schroedel of Keller Williams Arizona Realty are known as “The Property Siblings” to

their clients. Together they form a “dream team” of property management.

Christine has been a top area Realtor for almost a decade and has excelled in both up and down real estate markets. She knows real estate inside and out and is an expert in the industry.

Dave has more than 30 years of real estate construction experience which is invaluable to his landlords.

Their combined expertise brings wellrounded services to landlords.

“Dave and I bring our hearts into each property we manage and treat it as we would our own,” Christine said.

“I oversee the property marketing and accounting while Dave keeps a watchful eye on the properties to ensure maintenance is handled at the best prices and that our landlords’ properties are kept in good condition. It’s very important to us that we protect our landlords’ asset.”

“The Property Siblings” team is part of Keller Williams Arizona Realty, a top area brokerage firm. Christine

and Dave offer full-service property management with a low $100 start-up fee. Properties are syndicated to dozens of websites to market for renters.

Tenants undergo full backgroundand criminal- screenings. Maintenance bills are passed to the owner directly without mark up and there are no hidden fees.

Rents are deposited directly into landlord accounts each month and statements are available online 24/7 for landlord convenience.

Whether you already own investment property or plan to purchase one, “The Property Siblings” can help. To learn more about their full-suite of services call (480) 236-8649 or log on to w w w. P r o p e r tySiblings.com .

HOME / 11

Fall 2012

Roadrunner Custom Remodeling

Customers express varied reasons to remodel People have numerous reasons for remodeling a bathroom.

They want an updated look, they might need to replace old cabinetry, maybe they just want something new.

There are practical reasons to remodel, and Chris and Joe Peluso decided to redo their master bathroom for a reason becoming more common all the time. They no longer wanted their large soaking tub.

“Showers are just easier as you get older,” Joe said. “We had a shower with sliding glass door and a large bathtub next to it. We weren’t using the tub, and we liked the idea of a large walk-in shower with no door.”

They took their idea to three different contractors and decided to hire Patrick Benkowski CR, owner of Roadrunner Custom Remodeling Inc. The Pelusos learned about Benkowski’s business in an ad and had noticed his truck in the area.

“After talking with three contractors, we knew that Patrick would be the one who would do the job we wanted,” Joe said. “He is very knowledgeable and helpful. He gave us some good ideas to improve our own and really made the project go smoothly.”

Joe said there were some unforeseen obstacles – a drain pipe had to be rerouted and some other unexpected changes had to be made.

“Patrick and his crew kept us informed and let us know the status of the job,” he said. “We expected things to not go exactly as planned, and Patrick put us at ease.”

Roadrunner removed the bathtub and shower then reconfigured the bathroom space to accommodate a larger shower. Two benches were installed, and two shower heads, including a rain head and a hand-held fixture.

Instead of tile, Benkowski recommended the Pelusos use Granitex, resulting in significant savings as well as the look they wanted for the bathroom.

The Pelusos have two bathrooms, with a tub in the second so if someone decides they would like to take a bath, they can.

“We do like having a bathtub, but we certainly didn’t need two,” Joe said.

“We are really happy with the remodel.”

The Pelusos said working with Roadrunner was a “very good experience.”

“Patrick’s guys are great, and all the

subs did very good work. They showed up when they said they would, they cleaned up at the end of every day, they were very respectful of our space. Without questions, we would recommend Roadrunner to others.”

Benkowski is a past president and certified remodeler (CR) with NARI – the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Greater Phoenix Chapter. Roadrunner also is a member of the Fountain Hills Association of Licensed Contractors and maintains a consistent A+ rating with the Central Arizona Better Business Bureau.

Roadrunner also has a perfect record with the Arizona Registrar

of Contractors with no complaints throughout the 10+ year history of the company. Benkowski has been in the remodeling business for 35 years and has lived in Fountain Hills for 11.

Roadrunner can be reached at (480) 816-0788. Before and after photos, customer testimonials and other valuable remodeling information are available online at www.roadrunnerremodeling. com.

After

Before

Fountain Hills RV Storage

Expansion offers customers new options A new facility providing storage for recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, campers and other similar vehicles has opened in Fountain Hills.

Located on North Colony Drive east of Saguaro Boulevard is Fountain Hills Mini Storage. The new RV storage is an expansion of the 30-year-old mini-storage facility. Jim Klungness owns the mini-storage, while his children, Ann Dolan and Jim Klungness, Jr., both of Minneapolis, Minn., own the RV area adjacent to the original business at 12031 N. Colony Drive.

The new business has 28 spots for vehicles ranging in length from 26feet to 50-feet. Additionally, there are electrical hookups and water available. There is aluminum covered parking, as well as open RV storage available. Pricing depends on the size of the parking space.

Dolan said customers must sign a one-year contract for RV storage. Customers then have 24-hour access to the facility. There is round-the clock security.

Fountain Hills Mini Storage has numerous units, ranging in size from 5-feet by 5-feet to 30-feet by 20-feet.

Contract lengths vary.

Dennis Brown was contractor for the RV storage extension.

Dolan and her brother own a real estate management company in Minneapolis. They manage apartment complexes.

“The Fountain Hills RV storage is definitely a Fountain Hills phenomenon,” Dolan said.

While the RV storage is a new enterprise for the siblings, the storage business is not for the family.

“Our dad started Fountain Hills Mini Storage when Fountain Hills was a little tiny town,” Dolan said. “We’re glad to have grown with the town.”

Fountain Hills Mini Storage and RV Storage is located at 12031 N. Colony Drive. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Call (480) 837-0297 for more information.

Ann Dolan and her brother Jim Klungness, Jr., own the newly opened Fountain Hills RV Storage, which sits adjacent to Fountain Hills Mini Storage, owned by their father, Jim Klungness.

12 / HOME

Fall 2012

Pool Enjoyment Lasts Longer when pools and spas are heated with efficient Teledyne gas heaters

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