Built in wet bars or butler's pantries serve as handy little entertainment areas that allow you to serve beverages and hors d'oeuvres without crowding the kitchen.
Bars aren't limited to rec rooms; they are commonly installed in dining rooms, next to kitchens, home theaters, or even outdoors on the patio. The only real requirement is access to plumbing in order to connect to a waterline.
Here are some of the more popular types of bars and some of the basic requirements for installation.
Butler's Pantry Bar
These are commonly built into buffets or cabinets, and camouflaged as a piece of furniture. They might hold glasses, ice makers, wine racks, and have a counter or preparation area.
Requirements
Access to electrical circuits and voltage capacity is key, especially if a small fridge, blender, or microwave is to be installed in the unit. Easy access to a waterline in the case of a small sink will also be needed.
The Pull-Up-a-Chair-Bar
This is your typical high counter bar with stools that can tuck away when not in use. They may contain a sink, fridge, and cupboards for glassware.
Requirements
Along with the plumbing and electrical, keep in mind that whatever you finish the outside with should stand up to shoe scuffs. You may want to cover with stone, wainscoting or brick.
When making allowances for space requirements, allow two feet per stool with a bar height of 42 inches and a 12-inch overhang for the stools
The Wherever-it-Works Bar
Since you may be a slave to your waterline, this bar is an existing closet or cupboard that can be easily converted to a wet bar because of its convenient location. It should have a large enough counter to do some minor preparation and room for a small fridge or cooler, liquor storage and glasses.
Requirements
As above, ensure electrical capacity and availability, and allow for the ability to tap into an existing waterline and running of a waste line.
Portable Bars
These units are becoming more and more common, and as a result are available in a myriad of styles and price ranges. Designed for small spaces, you can place them wherever they conveniently fit. They neatly organize glassware, bar supplies, wine and liquor bottles, and have small preparation areas.
A member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, Bob Nachman is an award-winning Arizona REALTOR. To learn about buying or selling property in the Arizona real estate market, visit MoveToArizonaHomes.com.
With the number of 'single people' buying homes reaching the highest ever and actually overtaking the number of married buying homes, it would be interesting to know how many of the singles are buying condos.
Condos are an all-generational property, and although large numbers of baby boomers buy them up for retirement homes (particularly in warm Arizona), condos also make a good starter home for the first time buyer: i.e. singles.
This raises some interesting questions - one of them being, are condos a good investment? Another is, how seriously must the condo rules, under which all condo residents must live, be studied before deciding to buy?
Do first time buyers realize that when they buy a condo, they are also buying a unit that comes with a set of pre-made rules that must be adhered to. How do the rules harmonize with the lives of diverse age groups who probably have
diverse life styles?
All condos have rules which are designed to make for ease of living for all who live there. The problem lies with the question 'ease of WHOSE living'? The early to bed/early to rise trailblazers? Or the eat late/sleep late liberals? It is highly recommended to check all the rules before you sign on the dotted line. Even small differences can expand into large problems.
So, if you get up every morning at 5a.m. and stretch to music on your balcony before going to golf - make sure the rules allow for early risers to make 'reasonable noise'.
What of the dog owner who lets his dog onto the balcony where he can bark loudly at cats, and wake you up? Another problem is the DIY guy who can only repair and renovate after he finishes at the office. Great!
Of course, some condo rules state that no maintenance or repairs may be done by anyone except the approved contractor and this would solve the noise problem. (This rule is in place because many of the repairs i.e. plumbing repairs, can affect other people's properties.)
Another possible rule that could get in your way is a no banging after 7.p.m. rule. However, often buyers will snap up an older condo with a view to renovating it and making money - so rules must be checked to ensure that self-renovating will be allowed.
Of course, there may be none of these rules in place, and you may be able to buy an old condo and change out the bathroom and kitchen and make money on it. If you plan on renting, check that renting is allowed, it is not unusual to have a no rental clause in the rules.
With regard to a condo being a good investment, probably any home that gives you the first step up the property ladder is a good investment. Whatever the price, it will increase in value according the local realty market, so it is an insurance against never being able to afford a home!
However, from a specific investment point of view, check out the areas over which you have no control. One thing that you have no personal control over with condos is the common areas. The rugs, hallways and lobby areas etc are the responsibility of the management.
You may not wish to buy a condo where everyone is allowed to leave bikes and canoes in the hallways, or where the rugs and decor in the common areas look shabby. This will deter prospective buyers when you come to re-sell.
Remember when you buy a condo, you have to pay monthly fees which are used for upkeep - even if you are not there most of the time; check that they are affordable. And by the way, did you notice that Phoenix, Arizona is listed as an area to pick up bargains at the moment , you could live in that lovely dry climate and never get an ache in your joints or a wheeze in your lungs, and I hear they have a lot of places under $150,000!
This article was written on behalf of Bob Nachman, who is consistently ranked as one of the top agents in the Phoenix real estate area. To find the Chandler AZ home that's right for you, visit Bob at MoveToArizonaHomes.com.
Unfortunately just because it's February doesn't mean your yard requires less attention. Instead of putting a lot of energy into your gardens in the spring and fall, try giving them a little attention year-round. The results will be well worth the effort.
Here is a handy guide for February garden tips:
Lawn
- Depending on the temperature, you may still have to water them once to twice per week, but never during the night.
- Fertilize after your first mowing.
Vegetables
- Now is the time to prepare your soil for spring planting. Seeds for some of the hardier plants can also be planted including beets, carrots, corn cucumbers, leaf lettuce, green onions, melons, peas, potatoes, radishes, sunflowers, squash and turnips.
- If you plan on transplanting, now is the time for artichokes, asparagus, chard, lettuce, onions, peppers and tomatoes.
Roses
- Finish pruning your roses by the middle of the month. Minimize your pruning wherever possible. It causes stress in the plant, and makes it susceptible to insect and disease problems. A good rule of thumb is to never remove more than 1/4 of the total plant. Use sharp, disinfected shears for the job.
- Transplant bare root roses.
- Fertilize established roses in the middle of the month, remembering to water the day before and after fertilizing.
Fruit & Nut Trees
- Finish pruning your grapes and deciduous fruit trees by the middle of the month.
- Any bare root transplanting can be done now.
- When your deciduous trees leaf out, it's time to fertilize with nitrogen. Prune citrus after they leaf out with new spring growth.
Landscape Plants
- Protect your plants against frost if the temperature is expected to drop down to the 20's for more than 60 minutes.
- Water at least twice a month in the absence of rain, but never during the night.
- Weed now before they take hold or go to seed.
- Prune frost sensitive plants after they begin to sprout new spring growth.
A member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, Bob Nachman is an award-winning Arizona REALTOR ®. To learn about buying or selling property in the Arizona real estate market, visit MoveToArizonaHomes.com.
There is a prediction out in the media that the median price of homes in these gorgeous desert golf communities will be on the increase. Of course, there are some golf communities that offer so much else, that you don't even have to be a golf player to want to live there.
One of these areas is Scottsdale. It has the perfect climate with winters being mild to moderate and summers that are hot. Since it is always arid, it discourages such age-related symptoms as wheezing lungs and creaking bones.
Scottsdale has an upbeat culture and also boasts the most superb shopping and nightlife. Its golfing reputation is internationally respected in world-class golf circles.
Each year the FBR Open Golf Tournament is held in Scottsdale. The purse is $6,000,000, and every year it attracts hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. 2006 saw a record attendance of over 536,000, even though the event is nationally televised.
With over 200 public and private golf courses, there is no shortage of golf enthusiasts here. Scottsdale golf is said to be as good as the game can get. It also offers golfing variety, so if you have a high handicap, try target golfing. This type of golf game, sometimes known as desert golf, was pioneered in Scottsdale
Having whetted your appetite, I should mention that now is the time of the year when the desert is getting warmer and folks in the rest of the frozen world are dreaming of Scottsdale.
This is a great time to buy a home, although soon the house prices are expected to be on the increase. At the moment the MLS is nationally reported to be running about 9% off the asking price.
However, in the desert golf areas of Scottsdale the realty market is steady; there are few foreclosures. In fact, even the luxury market is thriving, in spite of a national price decrease in this bracket. This leads real estate agents to believe that there will be an increase in average home prices in Scottsdale as the weather warms up.
Scottsdale has been a good investment and has remained almost unscathed by the national realty crisis. Just at the moment there is a high inventory, so buyers have lots of homes to choose from. Buyers can also access the lowest interest rates for four years and have lots of negotiating power at this time.
This article was written on behalf of Bob Nachman, who is consistently ranked as one of the top agents in the Scottsdale and Phoenix AZ real estate area. To find the Phoenix or Scottsdale real estate that's right for you, visit Bob at MoveToArizonaHomes.com.
If you are thinking of re-vamping your home with a view to putting it up for sale in the spring realty market - read about what is in and what is out.
Easiest to start with, perhaps, is what is out. Mosaic tiled bathrooms and kitchens are out. The best idea would be to change the tiles yourself, as the word is that they are monstrous to replace! Another 'out' is the retro seventies look that has been enjoying some trendy fame and is now very dated and passe. If both of these looks are describing your home, you need not break the bank to replace it.
Sometimes you can avoid ungluing all the tiles from the bathroom and shower surround by installing one of those 'all-in-one-shell' bath surrounds. Get an expert to help you check the thickness of your existing tile versus depth of the fiberglass shell. If you are replacing mosaic tiles in your kitchen you will probably have to hack them out the hard way and then be smart and replace them with neutral colors. Neutrals are favored in all rooms, whites, beiges and grays.
There is another 'don't want'. That is buyers who think they are still selling in a seller's market. Offer buyers a deal if it will clinch the deal; for instance one way would be to help with their closing costs.
Well, that's what the new buyers of 2008 don't want; what about what they do want?
Well, for one, balconies and decks with real space, in fact outdoor rooms. Here is one way that you can improve your property and actually reap the benefit back.
Real estate agents report that five remodeling jobs will return about 80% of the dollar cost in the reflected sale price. These are kitchen, bathroom, modern windows, vinyl siding and decks. Therefore if you spend the national average of $8,000 for a contractor to put in a deck, you may increase your property by $6,000. Of course, if you can put it in yourself......
Where once square footage was prestigious, now quality homes as opposed to quantity of square footage are in demand. So if your house is one of the smaller homes, then think of this as a plus and list the advantages of it.
Real estate agents recommend that it is better to live in your home, or at the very least keep it looking 'lived in' while you sell it. Of course the antidote to this is clutter, so also keep it clear and spacious-feeling. Keep the heating on low, and the lamps on for viewing.
There are a few other innovations that you could install to tempt buyers, but unless you are a real 'handy DIY' family, you may decide to skip these! One of them is the home elevator which is now replacing the chair-on-the-stair idea!
Another fad that is catching on is the dog bathroom or pet shower. These are low shower systems installed in a shower cubicle that has a three foot by three foot base which is tiled to approximately four feet up the wall. Rather than wash doggy in the kitchen sink, these units are to be found installed in the basement, in the mud or utility room, in a corner of the garage etc. One of the advantages of a pet shower is that you do not have to lift your pet in or out of it. They just walk in (or get reluctantly pushed in?)
Well, in saving the best for last, we now come to the bathroom. Most of us cannot re-model our bathrooms like this, because our bathrooms are too small, but we can dream.... Apparently, the bathroom is evolving into the home getaway with multiple task areas.
The optimum way to present this room is now with a huge bath-tub in the center of the room. These are referred to as 'bath thrones'. Flat screen TVs are installed along with wireless Internet and a small bar for coolers, snacks and the coffee machine. For those who have room, an in-home hair salon is also desirable!
Yes, well, good luck with that one, but as stated, we can always dream!
This article was written on behalf of Bob Nachman. Bob is consistently ranked as one of the top agents in the Phoenix Arizona real estate area. To find the Mesa AZ home right for you, visit Bob at www.MoveToArizonaHomes.com.
We are all told that we do not get enough sunshine in the winter months, and that we could all be short of Vitamin D. So how about making a little sun trap for your quiet moments that happen to be sunny moments as well?
If you have a deck, it will easier to access than the garden in the winter, as there will not be so much mess from leaves. (Or if there are leaves they can be easily swept up). If you have no deck, but a walk out yard area that is not concreted or paved, you may want to think of flooring a small area. A walk out area is pleasant in the summer, but if left unpaved, it can get very muddy in the winter.
Choice and circumstance dictate, but you would need an area at least 6 foot by 6 foot. Once you have this area flattened and covered with a thin layer of fine sand, then you can either lay flat paving slabs or wooden planks, on cross joists.
If you are going for the natural look then wood or colored cobblestone will probably blend more aesthetically with your garden; not as easy to lay though!
Obviously your area must be in a part of the yard or deck that catches the sun. You will also need to think of what time of day you will be sitting in this spot, to ensure the sun will be shining in the right place. In the winter it is warmest from noon to about 2.p.m.
The type of chair(s) you will choose will be dictated to by the weather, no doubt. Some of the wicker-look chairs that are actually metal would be serviceable. Two chairs grouped with a little side table that is high would be a good place to rest your coffee!
Another option is the wooden bench that has been carefully varnished to resist the weather, and a lower wooden table. Some people erect an all weather parasol/umbrella to complete the feeling of a having a nook. These can be very inexpensive and will weather the storms even if you accidentally leave them open.
Having a tree or bush background would be ideal, but this can also be contrived by arranging large potted trees and bushes nearby. Within the actual 6 foot boundary, try a few pot plants on the edge, or one large terra cotta bowl about 18" diameter that can be overflowing with trailing plants.
If you find there is a shady area nearby, you may want to raise a trellis fence behind it and create a pleasant viewpoint for yourself. You can arrange a beautifully smelling winter honeysuckle to climb up it, and of course ivy.
You can fill the stretch of yard in front of it with variegated hostas (they love the shade) and stick an old ornamental bird bath in the middle of the hostas.
This will give you somewhere pleasing to rest your eyes (and maybe some birdsong!) If you are arranging your nook on a deck, just do the same but use large pots. You may enjoy this concept so much that you will want to expand the idea in the summer months.
By the way, don't worry about the Vitamin D; the latest theory is that the winter sun is too weak to deliver - so leave your phone indoors and just enjoy!
A member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, Bob Nachman is an award winning REALTOR® who works in the Phoenix Arizona real estate market. To learn more about buying Glendale real estate, Bob can assist you with all your needs.
In any real estate transaction, buyers are wise to obtain representation via a buyer's agent. This agent works for you, and will do their best to go you a great deal on a house. The listing agent on the other hand, is working for the seller, and will therefore work to get the highest price possible for the home. If you work with the listing agent, your interests will not be the agent's first priority. They are paid by the seller, so that is where their loyalties lie.
If you decide to get representation, your agent may ask you to sign a buyer-broker agreement. This is a legal document which outlines the expectations and responsibilities of both the agent and the buyer. Not everyone requires these agreements, and not all buyers are happy to sign them. Whether you are a real estate agent or a buyer, there will come a time when you need to ask yourself: are buyer-broker agreements right for me?
A buyer-broker agreement is an exclusivity accord between a real estate agent and a buyer. It is a written agreement whereby the real estate agent agrees to work solely for the buyer, and the buyer agrees to not work with any other agents.
Why would a buyer want to sign a form like this? Once the contract is signed, the real estate agent becomes the buyer's employee. It is their job to serve you to the best of their abilities, unlike listing agents, who represent the seller's best interests. Having an agreement like this in place protects the buyer and makes certain that he or she will not be ignored by the agent. The buyer will know what to expect, and will legally be entitled to get what has been promised. If no contract has been signed, then both parties are free to jump ship at any time, thereby leaving the other on the lurch.
A well constructed buyer-broker agreement ensures that both parties know what is expected, and prevents costly misunderstandings.
For the real estate agent, one benefit of having this document is that they and the buyer are on the same page in terms of expectations and compensation. The contract should state clearly whether the seller will be responsible for the entirety of the agent's commission, just a part of it, and if there is any room for negotiation. Again, this prevents both parties from being surprised at the end of the transaction, and guarantees the agent payment for their services.
Some agents feel that exclusive buyer-broker agreements are bad for business because some clients are leery of committing to one agent. Many agents also believe in the value of referrals. They have faith that if you work hard for a client, they will be loyal to you, thus negating the need for a contract. While this is the case a lot of the time, there are many buyers who shop around and talk to multiple agents in order to find the best service and best price available. Interviewing multiple agents is perfectly fine, but viewing properties and getting information from a broker without signing with them, is unethical. An agent's time and resources can be wasted if they do work for a client, but he ends up purchasing a house from another agent or buys a 'For Sale By Owner' property. These agreements can keep an agent from getting burned. As for buyers, having a buyer-broker agreement means that they will get the best representation possible, and that their satisfaction is the agent's number one priority.
A member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, Bob Nachman is an award winning REALTOR® who works in the Arizona real estate market. To learn more about buying Arizona real estate, Bob can assist you with all your needs.
Deciding to embark on a home renovation can be a very exciting prospect. Additional square footage, altering the architectural features of a room, and having a whole new floor plan opens you up to all sorts of possibilities. You can spice up your decor, and breathe new life into a once stagnant living space. Renovations can also have a very positive impact on your home's property value.
The drawback of a major home renovation is the fact that your living space will be under siege with carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and the like. These workers will be in your home for months at a time, tearing down walls, and spreading construction dust all over the place. Tools lying around, strange people using your bathroom facilities; it's all a bit intrusive. If you can keep focused on the finish line however, the inconveniences of renovating can be bearable.
How do you keep calm during such a stressful time? Proper planning is the best defense. First, if you are renovating a single room at a time, be sure to analyze all of the purposes that the room will serve. Design the layout based on how you are going to use that space. Then, you will want to select colors, flooring materials, and small features such as light fixtures, door handles, and window coverings. While it may seem premature to decide all of these things before the demolition has even begun, you will save yourself a lot of grief later. If you wait until the construction is almost finished, you will likely be tired of the whole experience, and not give these important details the thought that they deserve. Also, the longer you wait to decide, the riskier it becomes if the floor tile or paint color you want is unavailable and will take months to arrive. This will just lead to more frustration and longer delays for both you and the contractor. It is much simpler to make these decisions in the beginning stages, when you are excited about the project.
You will also want to plan ahead in the event of problems such as extreme weather conditions, and faulty materials. Such things are uncontrollable, but will slow down the progress of the renovation. When giving an estimate on a job, most contractors will consider such factors in their timeline. It would be wise if you also add on 10% to that timeline for yourself, just in case. If the job is done earlier, so be it, but if it takes longer than expected, frustration and disappointment can occur.
Another step you can take to make this whole process easier is to tuck away everything in the room. If you leave furniture or personal items in a construction zone, it will become covered in dust, and is likely to get broken. Do everyone a favor and put everything in a safe place.
Communication is a key component of staying sane during a reno. If you have question or concerns about a project, say something right away. The contractor is not a mind reader, so don't treat him as such. And the longer you wait to say your peace, the more emotion will become entangled in the situation. Express your worries in a respectful manner, and listen to his or her feedback. There may well be a very good reason for things to be progressing as they are.
The most effective way to handle a renovation is to stay as far away from the house as possible. If you can, stay in a hotel or with family. Perhaps rent out an apartment during the renovation. This will spare you the day to day headaches of construction, and keep you excited and motivated about the whole project. If you are unable to leave, try to get out for a period of time every day, just to clear your head and get some quiet time. If you stick around for every minute of the reno, the noise and the dirt will get to you at some point, and you'll want to pull your own hair out. Try to avoid this if possible
And remember, nothing relaxes like a nice massage or trip to the spa. Plan a couple of retreats during the renovation process; your mental health will thank you.
Crafting a business plan is one of the first steps that any smart entrepreneur takes when they first decide to go into business for themselves. While real estate agents fall into the entrepreneur category, there are many agents out there that don't take the time to formulate a solid business plan. It is a time consuming process, and one that requires difficult decision making and goal setting. It can seem tedious to an agent who would rather be out in the field, generating leads.
In the real estate industry, changes occur all the time, with a bustling housing market one year and a slump the next. What is the point of having a business plan in such an unpredictable industry like real estate?
Planning is the key to any good business, and real estate is no exception. You need to figure out what you want to achieve and then formulate a plan to get there.
To start, experts recommend coming up with a wish list for your business. How much would you like to make over the next few years? Be realistic, yet optimistic. You don't want to set your sights too high and feel like a failure, or set them too low and not realize your full potential.
Once you have your income goals and a time line set, you need to decide which tasks you will undertake to achieve those goals. Where will you place your energies and resources? Generating internet leads, or meeting people locally? Figure out how many clients you will need to have during an average year to meet your meet your needs. Then you need to your calculate all of your fixed and variable expenses, which is hard for many agents to do. Be very specific, and budget carefully. Vaguely described expenses are almost always higher than anticipated. Once you have your expenses figured out, you may have to readjust your revenue goals appropriately.
It is also a good idea to do a market analysis, and to always be on top of developments in the industry. You need to consider the potential rising and falling of local markets so you have the ability to ride out a slow period.
Making a business plan is different from simply outlining your goals. While it is good to have an overview of what you want to accomplish with your real estate business, it is vital that you sit down and map out the details. These details are what make up the business plan. It is action oriented and offers specific measures that you need to take, and in what time frame in order to accomplish your goals. Plan now, and a bright real estate future will be yours.
Bob Nachman is an award winning REALTOR® that specializes in Arizona real estate. Be sure to check out the wonderful properties featured on the Arizona MLS.
Are you bored with your current home decor? Do you need a break from all things neutral? A great way to put some pizzazz back into your home is to change your style to go along with the seasons.
This Fall features an eclectic mixture of color and texture trends. There are so many hot designs this season, that you can easily find one to suit your tastes.
At this time of year, you want your home to be a cozy space, full of warmth, so choose colors appropriately. The classic colors of Fall include rich chocolate brown, dark shades of green, hints of orange, and deep red. Purchasing accents in these colors is a great way to bring richness into your room without overwhelming it. Area rugs, pillows, and other accessories like dried flowers are just a few examples.
While the classics will always be in style, there are also some hot new trends for the season that can liven up your space. The first of these is Asian-inspired decor. Any accessories done with an Asian flair are very big this season, and can add an interesting dimension to your already existing decor.
Metallics are also hot this year. Candlesticks, picture frames, and even upholstery are coming in shimmery materials. Because metallics have such a strong visual impact, use them in moderation to add visual punch.
Other hot colors right now include black and white, which always looks crisp and modern. Deep red makes a wonderful accent color. And clear accessories are going to be very popular in the coming months.
Nature inspired furnishings and home fashions are very hot right now. Transforming refurbished materials into unique and practical furniture pieces is becoming a new art form. Choose environmentally friendly materials and stylish recycled items. Wrap your room in natural looking colors like rich brown, sage green, or cranberry. Your home will feel warm, inviting, and fresh at the same time.
Bring nature in with decorative trees, and line your vases with attractive stones. The idea is to continue inside what nature is doing outside.
The rococo style is making a big comeback this Fall as well. Rococo is an 18th century French movement that involves very ornate furniture and accessories, mirrors, sculptures, and wall hangings. It is over-the-top elegance. Today, beautiful wallpaper designs can be found in the rococo style, as well as chandeliers, and curtains. You can either use only a few rococo details, or plan an entire room around this period.
Before redecorating, remember that not all trends will work in your home. Keep in mind the age and architecture of your home, as well as key elements such as what type and color of flooring you have. Take a look at the unchangeable elements of your home before adding too many trendy colors and accessories.
Bob Nachman
;)
;)
