Sellers Need The Best Agent

When you’re in the market to sell your home, you need to find the best real estate agent to get your home sold.  When it comes to selling your home, don’t just want the best.

You need to expect the best personal service.  A really good Realtor® will have no problem making you feel like you are their only client, even when working with several others.  A hard working Realtor® will stay in touch by phone or email.  They will answer all your questions and always give important feedback. 

Expect experience.  Your Realtor® is experienced if they have dealt with multiple home sales in a variety of sale situations and are in the top tier of Realtors in their area. 

You should expect cooperation.  A good Realtor® will cooperate with other agents to pitch your home to their buyers in hopes of bringing lots of potential buyers to your door.

Always expect the latest technology.  I have invested time and money into the latest technology and believe other Realtors should, too.  A successful website is a good start, but there is much more to being hip with the latest technology.  There’s tons of time needed to be on top of the game. Therefore, I use the help of a Certified Real Estate Support Specialist so I have more time to focus on my clients and their needs. 

Aggressive advertising should be expected.  The Realtor® should advertise your home and themselves  to increase visibility of your property.  Print media and Internet exposure are the best ways to advertise, but the Realtor® should also advertise by yard sign, color brochures, post cards and flyers.

If you need Realtor® that fits all the expected requirements, contact me and I will get your home sold.

Kingman Awaits You

You can find Kingman , Arizona in the northwestern part of the state near U.S. 93 and Interstate 40 right in the heart of the Haulapi and Cerbat mountain ranges.  This city is truly a sight to see as it sits 3,400 feet above sea level, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.  The city became the county seat of Mohave County in 1887; just 65 years after it was incorporated.

 

The City of Kingman offers many activities and attractions to enjoy year-round.  Haulapai Mountain Park offers camping, hiking, picnicking and much more.  The Colorado River provides an array of activities which include a swimming, boating, fishing, and many other water sports.  There is also many historical attractions and ghost towns in the area.

 

Kingman has a great historic district complete with a walking tour and map to help guide you.  You can also find the longest preserved part of U.S. Route 66 still remaining in Kingman.  Other interesting places to visit include White Cliffs Wagon Road, Beale Springs, and Beale Wagon Road . 

 

Residents of Kingman enjoy the community facilities such as museums, public swimming pools, a bowling alley, two golf courses, racquetball, aerobic centers, horseshoe and shuffleboard, several tennis courts, ten public parks, a resource center and a senior center.  A championship golf course is located in the beautiful golf community of Valle Vista located just 17 miles out of town.

 

When you’re looking to relocate, check out the great City of Kingman , Arizona and contact me for help with the home buying process.

Safety Tips For Your Homes Swimming Pool

Most people don’t know this but more kids, between the ages of 1 and 4, die from drowning than any other cause of death.  Literally thousands of people drown each year.  Most of these accidents happened in a personal residence swimming pool or spa.  So how safe is your pool?

 

Everyone with a pool or spa of any depth or size should take steps to keep their loved ones safe.  Keep in mind it takes less than five minutes to drown in only two inches of water and make no sound at all.  That can be scary to think of.

 

Some things you may want to consider to keep everyone you care about safe are:

 

• Take CPR and First Aid training course.  Many local American Red Cross chapters offer these classes at little or no cost.  They will benefit you for a lifetime.
• Add a fence around your pool.  Physical barriers that completely surround you pool with a self-latching gate helps prevent access by small children.
• Put an alarm on any doors that lead to the pool.  This comes in handy for busy moms and dads to let them know that a child has gone out to the pool area.
• Keep a life preserver near the pool.  Just in case you have non-swimmers around the pool when an accident occurs, a life preserver is very necessary.
• Make sure steps and ladders are secured in place.
• Consider getting rid of your diving board if you have one.  This one feature leads to hundreds of thousands of injuries each year.
• Explain to your children the importance of not running around the pool or pushing and shoving.
• Never let anyone on drugs or alcohol, enter the pool or pool area.
• Never leave floats or toys in a pool that will attract children.  Children will usually try to get the item and fall in when they reach for it.

 

I hope these tips help keep you and your family safe in your homes swimming pool for many years to come.  And if you’re looking to buy a home with a swimming pool, contact me.  I will help you find the right house with the right pool.

Performing Your Own Home Energy Audit

There’s nothing worse than high utility bills.  It’s even more of a surprise to find how much energy you are wasting when you do a home energy audit. 

 

These simple steps can help you save hundreds each year:

 

1. Examine the Exterior of Your Home

·        Exterior Walls – Look for any cracks or holes that air may be escaping from.  Look very closely where siding or brick fits against another material such as concrete or wood.  To help identify a leak, hold a candle near the potential spot to reveal a draft.  Be sure to seal any leaks with weather stripping or caulk.

·        Doors and Windows – Check for cracks or holes around your exterior doors and windows.  Apply weather stripping or sealant where necessary.  During summer months, keep your blinds or curtains closed to prevent sunlight from warming your home.  During winter months, keep your blinds or curtains open to help warm your home.

·        Landscaping – Shrubs, vines and trees around your house can provide extra shade and help keep your home cooler and insulated during the winter.  Just make sure you keep a three foot clear space around your air unit.

 

1. Examine the Interior of Your Home

·        Heating and Cooling Unit – Make an appointment with your local utility company or a certified technician to come and inspect your home’s heating and air conditioning systems.  If the unit needs to be replaced, you should consider anything with an Energy Star label on it.  Energy Star is the most energy efficient brand on the market and will save you hundreds of dollars in utility bills.  In addition, you should look for a SEER, Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, rating of 13 or higher for air conditioning units and an AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating of 90 or higher on your furnace.

·        Indoor Lighting – Replace all your light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs to save energy.  You can also look for areas in the home that allow natural lighting in.

·        Thermostats – Programmable thermostats are the most energy efficient way to go.  Replace old thermostats with the new programmable ones and save money and energy while the unit automatically controls the temperature for you.

·        Appliances – Keeping your appliances clean and free of dust makes a lot of difference in the way the appliance will run and the energy it will use.  In addition, make sure your freezer and refrigerator doors are sealed tight to prevent air leakage.

 

1. Top off by Going Up Top

·        Roofing Material – Winds, ice and snow can be very hard on your roof.  Check to make sure all shingles are intact and that flashings around chimney, antenna, vents and skylights are sealed.  If you need a new roof, consider roofing labeled with Energy Star.

·        Attic Insulation – Inadequate insulation in your attic can result in your home’s cooling and heating system having to work harder to get the indoor temperature to regulate.  If you’re unsure about the amount needed for your climate and home design, call a professional.  A good rule of thumb is if it’s less than five inches deep, you need more insulation.

 

Visit my website for more tips and advice about your home.