https://stoveguard.com/

            Al had been looking for just the right product for protecting our stove top and for total ease in cleaning.  There are so many variations in stove tops - number of burners, how they’re configured etc. This website is easy to navigate -he got the Make/Model of our stove top and ordered it online.  He never mentioned he was researching such a product; he just came in, unrolled it and placed it on the range top under the grates.  It was magic.  Not only does it protect the underneath portion but if you have a spill-over,  a little water or Windex and a paper towel – good as new.  Or remove the Stovegard to wash it in the sink if you've really had a "situation."  Here are a couple of photos – I was boiling potatoes (to mash – God’s gift to the Universe) and let them bubble over to make a mess (I’ll do anything to show you).  After the burner cooled down,  I gave it quick clean.  Like new again!   I love this product - and it sure beats anything else we've tried over the years.

Check out the link above for better information! 

What’s for dessert?

                September is the beginning of the end of our summer here in Arizona so most of us don’t want to bake but would like something easy and refreshing.  Growing up in Illinois, they were called BLACK COWS, but Al tells me that he grew up calling them BROWN COWS…universally, they’re called ROOT BEER FLOATS!  We’ve served them often – guests often have said "Why don’t we ever think to make these?"   We may personally be responsible for the resurgence of this treat.  In my old home town of Elmhurst, Illinois, there was an A & W Drive-In – a place we kids loved to go to for a "Black Cow."  It’s been gone for years…but the memory lingers on.

     Due dates for commercial and residential property taxes are the same; October 1 for the first half of this year and March 1 of the following year for the second half. Delinquent dates are also the same.  To pay them on-line, here is the link:  https://treasurer.maricopa.gov/

Maricopa County makes the process so simple.  You can sign up for e-notification as well as paying on line. 

      WARNING:   If you’ve recently bought a home your taxes may/or may not have been pre-paid depending on when you closed.  Do not be lulled into complacency that you don’t owe anything by October 1st.  Go to the website and find your property – it will tell you what you owe.

     We just paid ours on-line while reviewing the process.  Your property is identified by an APN NUMBER [Assessor Parcel Number] which can be found on your property purchase paperwork OR you can click on GET APN which will take you to the County Assessors Office.  then you can return to the MARICOPA COUNTY TREASURER'S website to complete the payment  

• Click on PAY your taxes
• Add your APN number
• Fill the information in and verify the address etc.
• Add your credit card number
• Verify again and SUBMIT. 

You’ll immediately have a receipt of payment in hand.  We always put it on our annual calendar to remind us that they’re due October 1^st and March 1^st.    There you go – all done!

• How to Clean Your Cookie Sheets:  Sprinkle baking soda all over the pan, then hydrogen peroxide, and then add more baking soda.  Leave it to do its magic for 2 hours.

            http://healthyworldlifesltyle.com/2020/05/27/how-to-clean-your-cookie-sheets/

• If you’re making something that splatters, instead of using a large fry pan, why not use a deep full-sized pot - it catches the splatter. That avoids messy clean-ups.
• Making meatloaf or meat balls?  If you don't have bread crumbs, try using crushed Ritz crackers, cornflakes or onion-flavored potato chips.  To crush, measure the amount you want, place in Ziplock bag and roll with a rolling pin or pound with a meat tenderizer.
• Buying fresh corn-on-the-cob?  To tell if it is fresh, prick the top kernels with your fingernail.  If the juice looks milky, it will be sweet and fresh.
• Buying an Avocado? If the avocado yields to firm gentle pressure you know it's ripe and ready-to-eat. Ripe, ready to eat avocados may have a darker color but color can vary so it is best to go by feel as well as color. It will feel lightly soft but it will not "mushy" to the touch. Ripe fruit is perfect for that day.
• How to cut your avocado into chunks?  Cut in half, remove pit, slice and remove with a spoon. A picture is worth a thousand words.
  

            During COVID19, all real estate related businesses are considered "essential".  People still need to move.  That includes Realtors, Escrow/Title companies, Home Inspections, Moving Companies etc. Right now, inventory is low as are interest rates (as low as under 3% for qualified buyers). We are regulated by the NAR (National Association of Realtors)as far as guidelines to adhere to. 

            Many processes remain the same, Buyers often look on social media websites when searching for a home.  Buyers do a lot of looking and eliminating properties online before they’re ready to narrow it down to a few to actually visit in person with their Realtor.

            When viewing a property with the Realtor, here are a few basics – nothing complicated, of course, and mandated in most states anyway when in the public.

1. Nobody should enter a home or meet with anyone if they’re sick,have a temperature,  tested positive or have been exposed to COVID19.
2. Everyone is required to wear a mask and gloves upon entering a property. No exceptions
3. It is easier if children do not come along because it can be difficult to keep some of them from touching surfaces/items in the home.  If they do come, one parent at a time can view the home.
4. The Realtor will drive separately, meeting the Buyers at the home. Once the home is accessed by the Realtor, they will have you come inside.
5. The Realtor will open any closets or cabinets for you – then wipe them down with a sanitizer.

     These are very easy protocols to adhere to for everyone’s safety.  Most procedures remain the same as far as making offers and escrow procedures. 
     Sellers appreciate these precautions and thank you for your cooperation – for safety purposes.

                                    Together, we can do this and stay safe.  

And as a side note, we're often asked about the market . That is never just one right answer.- it depends on price, condition and location.  The market is quite brisk.  Homes under $400,000 sell in a day or two as a rule. Often with multiple offers. Inventory is low and demand is high at that price point.

As asking prices increase, the demographics of affordability decrease so sales generally will take longer. An extraordinary home, well-priced in the $400,000-$600,000 range will sell but will likely take longer than the lower priced areas.  

Just one more thing about properties, especially older ones.  Other than being up-dated (flooring, kitchen and baths), a buyer's first questions will be about the age and condition of the roof and the HVAC system.  If either are at end-of-life, it could be an issue so - price accordingly (and say so!).

We are often asked about alternative companies for selling your property.  Our intention is not to criticize any company or method; just present some thoughts for your consideration.  Obviously, you can decide what is best for your circumstance.  Let’s start from the Buyer’s point-of-view only

•  Since the seller normally pays the BUYERS'S Realtor’s commission, it costs the Buyer nothing to get the expertise of their Realtor. So why would buyers go anywhere else because their own Realtor will closely monitor comparable market analysis, showings, arrange for home inspections, put you in touch with a viable mortgage lender if you don’t have one, handle the request to the seller for repairs by negotiating,  provide data to the appraiser, follow your escrow through for you; making sure you’re protected in every way. Realtors are there for you when you need them.
• Remember the difference between an "Agent" and a "Realtor" from a recent newsletter?  An agent is a licensed real estate person who can be an employee of a broker (not earning a commission necessarily) but is not a member of any Board of Realtors.  A "Realtor" is a licensed agent whose license is held by a broker as an independent contractor (we pay all of our own costs for materials, signs, flyers, membership dues, lock boxes etc.) SO TO CALL YOURSELF A "REALTOR, YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF A LOCAL BOARD OF REALTORS.  A broker oversees everything we do to be sure we’re handling everything properly.
• On average commissions are 6% divided 3% to the listing agent + Broker and 3% to the Buyer's agent and Broker)  for a total of 6%.  As with any occupation, most are hard-working, ethical and reliable with a goal of doing a good job for you; but some are not. A successful closing for the client is our goal.  This is a service industry. In our case, we offer to reduce the commission if we happen to obtain both the buyer and the seller.

asking price or much more saving the seller thousands of dollars.  We don’t know all of the answers as to how such claims can be made but here are observations based on experience and research. 

• Some claim the" seller never pays 6% in commission."  They may quote a flat feel (such as $1,500).  Does that fee cover everything the seller really ends up paying? That might eliminate Realtors from presenting offers unless the seller agrees to pay them. How does such a company pay for staff/rent etc. at that rate on such a small flat fee?  Some do say in the fine print that it "does not include buyer’s agent fee."  Who is "assisting" you?  How much personal help do you get?  Are they available all the time or during "business hours."  Do you get assistance in showing how to declutter and stage for sale?
• If a buyer sees a listing online that is not in the multiple listing service (but they have a Realtor they want to handle the sale), doesn’t the seller end up paying for the buyer’s agent/Realtor if they want that offer anyway? 
• Some discount companies do not place their listings on the multiple listing service; counting on the fact than many people shop for a home on the internet…which they absolutely do. However, a big percent of those people who find a property of interest online will send it to their Realtor to check out and/or to show or write a contract. Algorithms certainly can determine what type of buyer will search for your property but does that bring them to your listing?  If so, how?
• If your home is not on the multiple listing service, you don’t have the protection of the SUPRA lockbox (which registers every Realtor accessing the property).  And/or do you want strangers coming to your home? You must be a member of the Board of Realtors to purchase the SUPRA LOCKBOX.
• Some promise you’ll have a buyer in 3-days at thousands of dollars above traditional sales.  That makes us wonder (unless they’re buying the property to resell) how could you know that?  In 3-days?  At thousands above listing?  
• There are a couple of well-known companies who will purchase your home for a closing within a couple of weeks.  If you absolutely had to leave the property and/or needed to get out from under the obligation of ownership immediately, this could be a viable option.  Or perhaps you have found a house you absolutely want to move forward with (without contingencies), this could be viable for that circumstance as well. The company makes an offer sight unseen (in our experience lower than the seller would normally take) but…the sale is completed with cash in-hand to the seller so that can be worth it to the seller.  If repairs are necessary, and usually are, the seller can do them or leave them for the company to handle but the costs will be deducted from the proceeds.  They charge the seller’s (usually between 6-12%) to handle the transaction. Those companies then turn around and put those homes back on the market for sale after prepping it (repairs/upgrades if needed). These companies,of course, have to cover their costs to market your property once you'd been paid. Most have restrictions on properties they WON’T purchase, such as location, lot-sizes over ½ acre, distressed/REO, tenant-occupied, age of home, no leased-solar and maximum price (some around $500,000). There are two good companies we trust doing this if this meets your criteria.  You may not save money but the relief of having your home sold within a couple of weeks could be worth a lot if time is of the essence.

If you have any questions on this, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  We’ll do our best to clarify.  Basically what we're advising is ASK ALL THE RIGHT QUESTIONS, READ ALL OF THE FINE PRINT before making a decision.

The National Board of Realtors, Arizona Board of Realtors and our local boards (we belong to two) have come together with best practices for Realtors during COVID19.  Properties are selling!  There’s a shortage of listings currently.  Obviously, location and price range has a great deal to do with the market.

A friend and client from out-of-state said this so beautifully about the mask issue [which are 
uncomfortable but…]

"Whether it's a restaurant, Home Depot, or the grocery store, we think we owe it to the people who are going to work there every day, to do our part to protect them (and us) from unwanted germs.  I appreciate the clerk at the supermarket who goes to work instead of collecting unemployment and I am happy to do my part to make sure all are safe.  We hate that this courtesy has been turned into a political statement - we just want to be cautious!"

Keep in touch with the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/open-america/contact-tracing/index.html?linkId=91283040