There is a huge advantage when buying a home that has solar panels installed on the roof.

As a winter visitor your electricity usage will probably be very low because the biggest energy use is for your air conditioner.   So you might ask why would I want solar panels on the roof?  As a customer of the local electric utility company you may sell back the unused energy your panels create to the utility company, or to "the grid".  Depending on the size of your home and the number of months you live there, you could conceivably earn enough credits to pay for an entire year's worth of electricity!
That's a tremendous saving.   

And, when you purchase a resale home, this upgrade is seldom recaptured dollar for dollar by the seller.  So, you have the benefit of making some money off the electricity grid without paying the full price of installing the panels.   What a deal!  Be sure to look into this optional feature.   Only about 50% of the homes that are built have it but it is a hidden gem, especially for winter visitors who use less energy.  

As you can see from the photo, the panels are integrated into the roof tiles and are aesthetically pleasing.   They are typically installed on one side only to maximize the Arizona sun.   Want to know more?  I can help.

Selling Your Gilbert House? 5 Tips To Make It Smell Great!

Homeowners often ask what they can do to help sell the home faster.   I have been showing Phoenix area homes for sale to potential buyers for the past decade and I can tell you that nothing puts them off faster than a stinky house!  Phoenicians tend to keep the doors and windows closed to prevent cooled air from escaping.  So pet odors and cooking odors often get trapped inside.  If you are selling your Phoenix area house and feel that it needs some deodorizing, here are a few tips to help you out. If you want to get rid of old lingering smells and replace them with new ones, follow the suggestions below for a fast solution.

1. Clean the carpets

Call in a professional steam cleaner to go over your carpets and let him know what the purpose of the visit is. Tell him that you want to make sure that the carpet is cleaned from one edge to the other and that all the corners are cleaned thoroughly. It isn't enough to just call in a carpet cleaner; you'll want him to do an effective job from one end of the room to the other. You can also discuss your deodorizing options with him if there are any smells that are hard to get rid of.

2. Paint the walls

It's amazing how many odors can get trapped in the paint on a wall. This includes the ceiling as well. If you want to completely get rid of the old odors that are still hovering around think about calling in a painter.

3. Start cooking

Start creating your own odors to override the old ones. Baking bread or anything with cinnamon has been reported as a “comfortable” smell that encourages home sales.

4. Set up candles

There are deodorizing candles that can really add a distinctive smell to your home. As with the cooking, over time the odors from these candles will start to settle into your houseand become a part of it.

5. Buy houseplants

House plants air out a home naturally. They seem to breathe in the old odors and breathe out a fresh new scent. Fresh cut flowers and houseplants placed around your home will definitely help improve the smell in your home.

It may take a few days before the new odors settle in and the old smells leave when you are selling your house, but don't worry. You can get the old odors out and replace them with new ones with a little persistence and some patience.   

Assisting buyers and sellers with residential property in Phoenix area for the past decade.  Keep me in mind next time you think real estate!

The report for December 2011 home sales in Seville is Now Available! With a total of 18 home sales in December, the average price per square foot on sold homes in Seville was $90.71 with an average of 90 days on the market. This report should be viewed as a trend report. Since all homes are unique and factors such as condition and location will affect value, a home evaluation from a professional is recommended before taking any action on your home.

 The website includes some of the following features:

• SEVILLE HOMES FOR SALE
• SEVILLE BANK OWNED HOMES
• SEVILLE SHORT SALES
• SEVILLE SINGLE STORY HOMES

In addition to all of the great information on Seville, Gilbert, we also provide property information including Gilbert homes for sale, GILBERT MLS LISTINGS, Gilbert CONDOS, as well as Gilbert BANK OWNED HOMES, Gilbert FORECLOSURES and full access to all Gilbert SHORT SALES and other Gilbert real estate listings.

The report for December 2011 home sales in Shamrock Estates is Now Available! With a total of 8 home sales in December, the average price per square foot on sold homes in Shamrock Estates was $86.62 with an average of 60 days on the market. This report should be viewed as a trend report. Since all homes are unique and factors such as condition and location will affect value, a home evaluation from a professional is recommended before taking any action on your home.

 The website includes some of the following features:

• SHAMROCK ESTATES HOMES FOR SALE
• SHAMROCK ESTATES BANK OWNED HOMES
• SHAMROCK ESTATES SHORT SALES
• SHAMROCK ESTATES SINGLE STORY HOMES

In addition to all of the great information on Shamrock Estates, Gilbert, we also provide property information including Gilbert homes for sale, GILBERT MLS LISTINGS, Gilbert CONDOS, as well as Gilbert BANK OWNED HOMES, Gilbert FORECLOSURES and full access to all Gilbert SHORT SALES and other Gilbert real estate listings.

The report for December 2011 home sales in The Islands is Now Available! With a total of 15 home sales in December, the average price per square foot on sold homes in The Islands was $89.89 with an average of 76 days on the market. This report should be viewed as a trend report. Since all homes are unique and factors such as condition and location will affect value, a home evaluation from a professional is recommended before taking any action on your home.

 The website includes some of the following features:

• THE ISLANDS HOMES FOR SALE
• THE ISLANDS BANK OWNED HOMES
• THE ISLANDS SHORT SALES
• THE ISLANDS SINGLE STORY HOMES

In addition to all of the great information on The Islands, Gilbert, we also provide property information including Gilbert homes for sale, GILBERT MLS LISTINGS, Gilbert CONDOS, as well as Gilbert BANK OWNED HOMES, Gilbert FORECLOSURES and full access to all Gilbert SHORT SALES and other Gilbert real estate listings.

The report for December 2011 home sales in San Tan Ranch is Now Available! With a total of 14 home sales in December, the average price per square foot on sold homes in San Tan Ranch was $81.57 with an average of 69 days on the market. This report should be viewed as a trend report. Since all homes are unique and factors such as condition and location will affect value, a home evaluation from a professional is recommended before taking any action on your home.

 The website includes some of the following features:

• SAN TAN RANCH HOMES FOR SALE
• SAN TAN RANCH BANK OWNED HOMES
• SAN TAN RANCH SHORT SALES
• SAN TAN RANCH SINGLE STORY HOMES

In addition to all of the great information on San Tan Ranch, Gilbert, we also provide property information including Gilbert homes for sale, GILBERT MLS LISTINGS, Gilbert CONDOS, as well as Gilbert BANK OWNED HOMES, Gilbert FORECLOSURES and full access to all Gilbert SHORT SALES and other Gilbert real estate listings.

The report for December 2011 home sales in Red Mountain Ranch is Now Available! With a total of 2 home sales in December, the average price per square foot on sold homes in Red Mountain Ranch was $129.89 with an average of 163 days on the market. This report should be viewed as a trend report. Since all homes are unique and factors such as condition and location will affect value, a home evaluation from a professional is recommended before taking any action on your home.

 The website includes some of the following features:

• RED MOUNTAIN RANCH HOMES FOR SALE
• RED MOUNTAIN RANCH BANK OWNED HOMES
• RED MOUNTAIN RANCH SHORT SALES
• RED MOUNTAIN RANCH SINGLE STORY HOMES

In addition to all of the great information on Red Mountain Ranch, Mesa, we also provide property information including Mesa homes for sale, MESA MLS LISTINGS, Mesa CONDOS, as well as Mesa BANK OWNED HOMES, Mesa FORECLOSURES and full access to all Mesa SHORT SALES and other Mesa real estate listings.

The report for December 2011 home sales in Spectrum at Val Vista is Now Available! With a total of 7 home sales in December, the average price per square foot on sold homes in Spectrum at Val Vista was $76.83 with an average of 150 days on the market. This report should be viewed as a trend report. Since all homes are unique and factors such as condition and location will affect value, a home evaluation from a professional is recommended before taking any action on your home.

 The website includes some of the following features:

• SPECTRUM AT VAL VISTA HOMES FOR SALE
• SPECTRUM AT VAL VISTA BANK OWNED HOMES
• SPECTRUM AT VAL VISTA SHORT SALES
• SPECTRUM AT VAL VISTA SINGLE STORY HOMES

In addition to all of the great information on Spectrum at Val Vista, Gilbert, we also provide property information including Gilbert homes for sale, GILBERT MLS LISTINGS, Gilbert CONDOS, as well as Gilbert BANK OWNED HOMES, Gilbert FORECLOSURES and full access to all Gilbert SHORT SALES and other Gilbert real estate listings.

The report for December 2011 home sales in Val Vista Lakes is Now Available! With a total of 7 home sales in December, the average price per square foot on sold homes in Val Vista Lakes was $102.62 with an average of 61 days on the market. This report should be viewed as a trend report. Since all homes are unique and factors such as condition and location will affect value, a home evaluation from a professional is recommended before taking any action on your home.

 The website includes some of the following features:

• VAL VISTA LAKES HOMES FOR SALE
• VAL VISTA LAKES BANK OWNED HOMES
• VAL VISTA LAKES SHORT SALES
• VAL VISTA LAKES SINGLE STORY HOMES

In addition to all of the great information on Val Vista Lakes, Gilbert, we also provide property information including Gilbert homes for sale, GILBERT MLS LISTINGS, Gilbert CONDOS, as well as Gilbert BANK OWNED HOMES, Gilbert FORECLOSURES and full access to all Gilbert SHORT SALES and other Gilbert real estate listings.

The report for December 2011 home sales in Power Ranch is Now Available! With a total of 33 home sales in December, the average price per square foot on sold homes in Power Ranch was $84.92 with an average of 73 days on the market. This report should be viewed as a trend report. Since all homes are unique and factors such as condition and location will affect value, a home evaluation from a professional is recommended before taking any action on your home.

 The website includes some of the following features:

• POWER RANCH HOMES FOR SALE
• POWER RANCH BANK OWNED HOMES
• POWER RANCH SHORT SALES
• POWER RANCH SINGLE STORY HOMES

In addition to all of the great information on Power Ranch, Gilbert, we also provide property information including Gilbert homes for sale, GILBERT MLS LISTINGS, Gilbert CONDOS, as well as Gilbert BANK OWNED HOMES, Gilbert FORECLOSURES and full access to all Gilbert SHORT SALES and other Gilbert real estate listings.