Susan Baze

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The Pros and Cons of Open Concept

Posted On: November 18th, 2020 8:55PM

THE PROS AND CONS OF OPEN CONCEPT
 
What Are the Pros and Cons of Open-Concept?
 

If you’ve ever watched a real estate show, you’ve likely heard the number one thing buyers want is an open floorplan. Open-concept design has its perks certainly, but it’s not right for everyone and their needs. Despite it being so in demand, it’s important you think about those downsides you might not have considered.

What is Open-Concept?

An open-concept floorplan indicates a layout where there are large, open rooms and multiple functions within a single space. If you don’t have a lot of square footage to work with, an open floorplan works well. If you have a large home, you might not need an open-concept plan because each individual room itself is so big.

Homes built before the 1990s tended to have a lot of separation between rooms. By the 2000s, the open floorplan was definitely the more popular option.

 The Pros of Open-Concept

The following are some of the upsides of a wide-open living area.

• If you have a family, particularly with young kids, open-concept can make it easier for everyone to be together and for you to keep an eye on the kids even while you’re doing other things like cooking. You get a sense of togetherness with an open floorplan.
• Open floorplans help you make better use of space that would otherwise be unusable. For example, if you have a formal dining room, you may not use it often. With an open floorplan, you’re more likely to use all of the space available to you.
• If you entertain, open floorplans are undoubtedly ideal for you.
• Taking out walls or having a design with limited interior walls allows for more natural light, and you can get outdoor views.

The Cons of Open-Concept

Again, while people rave about open-concept living, it’s not right for everyone. Downsides include:

• If you have older children or multiple generations in your household, you might want the privacy that smaller rooms can bring to your home. If you have, let’s say a nanny who lives with you or something similar, open-concept can bring you all together in a way that maybe you don’t prefer.
• If you’re someone who loves to display items on your walls, you’re going to have limited space to do so with open-concept. For art collectors, as an example, you might want more rooms and thus more walls.
• If your kids regularly make a mess, have enclosed rooms can help you contain it to one room more easily, so it doesn’t spill into other living areas.
• Noise travels a great deal in open-concept plans.
• You may want rooms that are dedicated to specific, individual uses. For example, maybe you want a home office, a workout room, or a crafts room.

If you’re deciding on a new home or thinking about renovations, it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing with open-concept.

There is a middle ground. For example, maybe your living area and kitchen are open to one another, but your dining area is separate. There might also be designs where you put partial walls to provide some delineation between spaces without full closure.

 

WRITTEN BY ASHLEY SUTPHIN

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The 5 Best Places to Retire in Arizona

Posted On: May 11th, 2020 7:44PM

The 5 Best Places to Retire in Arizona

Beautiful stucco home with red tiled roof and turret. This is the Franklin home plan by Meritage Active in the Estates at Province community in the Phoenix Area.The Franklin home plan by Meritage Active in the Estates at Province community in the Phoenix Area.

Arizona is a haven for retirees. People love its year round pleasant weather, including almost nonexistent humidity, iconic Southwestern scenery and safe cities. Arizona has something for everyone, no matter how you want to spend your retirement.

If you think Arizona sounds like a great destination for your dream retirement, you’re absolutely right! The state offers wide range of choices for retirees, with thriving cities and beautiful scenery. NewHomeSource has compiled a list of the top five cities to retire in Arizona. 

Top 5 Cities to Retire in Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale is the best place to retire in America. This beautiful suburb of Phoenix has something for everyone such as a safe community, exciting nightlife, beautiful scenery and more.

In addition to being the best place to retire in Arizona and the United States, Niche also named Scottsdale among the healthiest cities in America. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art showcases some of the best culture the city has to offer. If you want to live in an exciting city, surrounded by sublime national forest and sparkling lakes, Scottsdale is the city for you.

The median home value is listed at $405,500 and median rent at $1,184, investing in your retirement in Scottsdale means investing in an unbeatable and luxurious lifestyle.

Do you want to live in the best city for retirees? 

Mesa, Arizona

Mesa has something to offer all of its residents. Named among the best cities in America to retire in, to buy a house, and with the best public schools. If you want to retire in an affordable city that allows you to live close to your family and have an exciting life, Mesa is the perfect place for you.

With a number of lush parks, including the beautiful Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, you can enjoy beautiful scenery, and take your retirement to the next level when you live in Mesa. The Mesa Arts Center has all types of artistic endeavors on display, giving you access to the finest culture in the area. You will love your new life when you retire in Mesa.

Mesa is an affordable city for retirees. With a median home value of $168,500, almost 20 thousand dollars less than the national average, and a median rent of $907, over $40 less than the national average, you can enjoy your retirement and make your savings last longer.

Are you dreaming about retiring to Mesa? Check out NewHomeSource’s new home listings in this city to find your new home today.

Tempe, Arizona

Niche.com named Tempe as one of the best cities to retire in and one of the best cities to live in America. If you want to use your retirement to enjoy a vibrant and exciting lifestyle, with plenty of opportunities to explore new hobbies, like trying your luck at Casino Arizona, and meet new people, Tempe is the city for you.

Tempe is a safe and fun city for retirees. With lots of restaurants, coffee shops and parks, you will always have something new to try in Tempe, ensuring you never get bored. LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a great place to take the grandchildren, while the Tempe Festival of the Arts lets you explore colorful characters and art from all around the world.  

Tempe is an affordable place to retire. With median rents at just $985, you can stretch your savings, spend your money for the things you love and enjoy unparalleled flexibility during the next stage of your life.

Start your retirement off right, and find the perfect new home in Tempe on NewHomeSource.com

Tucson, Arizona

Tucson is a funky town in Arizona, perfect for people who want to start their next adventure during retirement. This great city experiences almost perfect weather, surrounded by Arizona’s iconic scenery, great if you want to soak up the sun and enjoy the great outdoors.

Retiring in Tucson means retiring in a diverse and healthy urban hub. Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park make it easy for you to get outside and enjoy an active lifestyle during your retirement. The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures is a cool place to visit, and the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun and the Tucson Museum of Art serve up Southwestern style art.

If Tucson sounds like your dream retirement location, things get even better. Tucson’s affordable cost of living results in low median housing cost and median rents. The median home value is over $50,000 less than the national value, and median rents running almost $200 less than the national rent median.

NewHomeSource has the most extensive listings of new homes in Tucson, so start searching for your new home today!

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is one of the best places to live in Phoenix for people of all ages, especially retirees. Phoenix is a diverse city with fantastic public schools, great for people who value living close to family members.   

One of the biggest charms of Phoenix for retirees is its artful combination of a vibrant urban hub with close proximity to the state’s iconic desert scenery. Its interesting nightlife and great outdoor activities mean you can stay active and engaged. Enjoy the great outdoors in the Desert Botanical Garden and Papago Park. The Arizona Science Center and the Phoenix Art Museum let you explore the city’s fantastic culture. 

Phoenix has an affordable rent of $914, over $40 less than the national median rent. Retirees looking to make their savings last longer, while enjoying flexibility should take advantage of Phoenix’s low cost of living and affordable housing. 

Explore the new homes for sale in Phoenix, and start planning your new life in retirement. 

Is Arizona a good place to retire to?

Arizona is a great state for retirees! Its fabulous weather and scenery are perfect for active adults that want to get out and enjoy nature. You can live an exciting, and often allergy free, life when you spend your golden years in Arizona.

How much do you need to retire in Arizona?

To retire comfortably in Arizona you should have about $1.2 million in savings, slightly higher than national average, but in line with other hot retirement destinations life Florida.

Is Arizona a tax friendly state for retiree?

Arizona is a tax friendly state for retiree. Social security benefits are not taxed and income from pensions are eligible for deductions. Income from a 401(k) is taxed though.

Is it cheaper to live in Arizona or Florida?

Arizona is a more affordable state for retirees than Florida. It offers people more affordable housing, lower property taxes, and lower home prices.

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Virtual Open House by HomeSmart Agents

Posted On: May 11th, 2020 12:54AM

 

Let’s buy or sell your home without having to step outside your front door!

The well-being of you, your family and your community members is what’s most important to us, but helping you continue the important process of buying or selling a home is also our priority.

In traditional markets, hosting an open house is one of the most proven approaches to the home buying or selling process. For buyers, open houses are the perfect way to tour properties and picture yourselves living in what could be your dream home. And for sellers, open houses are crucial for gaining exposure for your property and finding that one buyer who will sign the dotted line. 

That’s why HomeSmart agents are taking this challenge head-on by holding virtual open houses and tours for their clients!

 Image panes of Homes in Virtual Showing

 

An open house is a scheduled event at a designated time where an agent holds the house “open” for potential buyers to walk through. Also called a "physical showing" or a "traditional in-person open house."

 

A live virtual open house is a "live" scheduled event for a designated amount of time where an agent holds the house “open” but hosts it virtually by posting an invitation link or sending out an invite via Zoom, Facetime, Facebook Live, Facebook Messenger, etc. Here, the home seller or the agent is physically at the listing and gives a live tour of the property via meeting or virtual software. The open house audience can view the live stream and can interact with the agent and ask questions. Agents can even share files, other information and screens as well.

 

A live virtual showing is where an agent schedules a showing with a prospective buyer and their agent—but hosts it virtually by setting up and sending an invite via Zoom, Facetime, Facebook Live, Facebook Messenger, etc. With a live virtual showing, the homeowner or the agent would physically be at the listing and would give a tour of the property to prospective buyers and their agents. It’s different from a virtual open house because it is a one-on-one meeting. The client can view the live stream and can interact with their agent and ask questions.

 

A live virtual REALTOR® tour is a “live” scheduled event when an agent shows a group of buyers' agents a property virtually using a tool like Zoom, Facetime, Facebook Live, Facebook Messenger, etc. Here, the home seller or the agent is physically at the listing and gives a "live" tour of the property via meeting or virtual software.

 

A virtual tour is a digital walk-through of a property by way of a slide show or pre-recorded video. It is not scheduled.

 

A live virtual listing appointment is where a prospective seller or sellers meet virtually with a prospective seller’s real estate agent via Zoom, Facetime, Facebook Live, Facebook Messenger, etc. It is a one-on-one meeting. The prospective seller(s) can view and interact "live" with their agent(s) and ask questions, and agents can share files, other information and screens as well.

 

How can I hold a virtual open house or virtual tour for my home?

If you are currently in the process of selling your home, hosting a virtual open house or tour is the best thing you can do to get potential buyers interested in your property. Your HomeSmart agent has the right tools and is fully prepared to help you schedule and host a virtual event, so reach out to your agent today and they will get you on your way!

Consumer Virtual Open House

How can I go on a virtual open house or tour?

If you are looking to buy a home and want to virtually tour or walk through potential properties from the comfort of your own home, virtual open houses and tours are the smart way to go! Your HomeSmart agent will be able to compile a list of homes that are available to be viewed virtually and will get you set up with all the information you need to start the search for your dream home! 

LIVE VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE!

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