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How to Lower Your Heating Bill
Prescott, Arizona, covered in a blanket of snow, is breathtaking! Match that with Christmas lights, making it the most magical time of year. You may notice an unwelcome increase in your heating bill with the temperature drop. Here are some tips on how to lower your heating bill and still stay cozy this winter:
- Weather Stripping: The most critical and common step in lowering your heating bill is ensuring no gaps around doors or windows. The best way to do this is by weather stripping. Weather stripping creates a barrier between the cold outdoors and will help keep your house warm.
- Cover Your Water Heater: Insulating your water heater can reduce the energy it takes to heat the water and save you money. The water heater blanket is approximately $20 – $40 at most hardware stores and can be installed in an afternoon or less.
- Turn Down Your Water Heater Temperature: Consider dropping your temperature from 140F/60C to a safe but reasonable 120F/49C. The lower temperature will help reduce the energy used to heat the water while providing enough hot water for everyday needs.
- Invest in a Programmable Thermostat: Set your thermostat lower than usual during the day when no one is home, then raise it closer to what you find comfortable when people are present. Regulating the temperature will save money on energy bills without having a noticeable impact on comfort levels.
- Swap Out Your Furnace Filters: Dirty filters block air from freely moving through your system, making it work harder and use more energy. Replacing the filters every 60 days will help promote better airflow throughout your home and save you money in the long run.
- Change Your Curtains: Use thicker curtains to help keep out the cold winter air. This simple addition can make a big difference!
- Service Your Furnace: Annual maintenance on your furnace can help catch any minor problems before they become more prominent, more expensive issues. It will also ensure the unit is running efficiently and not wasting energy.
Following these simple tips, you can stay warm this winter while keeping your heating bill low. With a little effort and just a few dollars, you can quickly reduce your heating costs and enjoy the winter months without worry. Remember, wearing extra layers around the house is essential to staying warm! Have some cozy sweaters, fluffy socks, and warm blankets handy to keep everyone comfortable as temperatures drop. Enjoy Prescott’s beauty while having peace of mind, knowing you’re doing all you can to save money this winter. Happy Holidays!
Call us for your real estate needs!
Dena and Dave Plane
(928) 830-6976
Smartphone Tips To Keep You Safe
4 Mobile Phone Safety Tips
The convenience of mobile devices also comes with risk. As you check in, text, share photos, and increasingly run your life on the go, you may inadvertently expose private information or make yourself more likely to be a victim of a crime. Here are four things you should be aware of as you use new mobile and social technology that might spare you expensive or embarrassing lessons:
1. Beware of how often you “check in” through social media.
Apps like Foursquare and websites like Facebook allow you to “check in” when you’re out and about, effectively broadcasting where you are… and where you’re not. Be especially sensitive to checking in from airports and locations far from home. Enterprising thieves can use this information to target your home or business.
2. Beware of the photos you’re sharing.
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, what are your pictures on Facebook saying to friends, family, and co-workers? Just like checking in when you’re out of town, vacation photos posted in real time can inadvertently let people know you’re not home.
3. Remember to log out of public computers
If you’ve ever checked your email in an internet cafe or hotel computer, did you remember to log out? Closing a browser window isn’t usually enough. People who open the browser can often waltz into your email account because your “session” is still active. Remember to click “log out” or “exit my account” when logging into private accounts through public machines.
4. Protect your devices
Smartphones now carry the sort of data you used to keep under lock and key in your home office or closet safe. If your devices are lost or stolen, how much of your private information could be exposed through your device?
First and foremost, add password protection to your device in case it is lost. Most have a setting you can activate, forcing someone to enter a code before accessing the apps and data on the device.
Second, consider adding an app or service to track your device via GPS if lost or stolen. Depending on your device, many options exist to help locate your smartphone if it disappears. To find an app specific to your device, try Googling (without quotation marks): “app tracks stolen [device name]” where [device name] is replaced with your brand of smartphone (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc.).
Now that you have several tips to keep your mobile phone data safe, it is essential to remember that your online security and privacy should always be a top priority. As technology evolves, so do the steps to protect yourself. Remembering these steps while using your mobile phone will help you keep you safe. And if you ever need tips or advice about real estate – don’t hesitate to give me a call – I’m always happy to help! Dena and Dave Plane (928) 830-6976
Non-Profit Spotlight: Agape House of Prescott
Homeless Services in Prescott
Families who find themselves in economic despair, and living in crisis, find hope at The Agape House of Prescott. Agape House is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides long-term transitional housing for families without a residence. They work to rebuild and transform families’ lives and prepare them for an independent and self-sustained future.
The face of people experiencing homelessness is not who you may think. They are families living on friends’ couches, in the forest, in parking lots, and trying to manage a family while living in a car. They may be students, waiters/waitresses, or workers at Thrift Stores, Grocery Stores, and Construction sites.
As a Christ-based nonprofit, Agape House helps families rebuild and transform their lives through love, support, training, prayer, and the security of having a home. Agape House is not a shelter but a place to call home—an interim place to raise their family, rebuild relationships, and prepare for independence.
About the Agape Program
Agape House journeys with the families every step of the way during the rebuilding and transforming process. The Pathway to Independence gives families a place to call home. The support system is a four-phase stability, personal wellness, life skills training, and sustainability program. Their full-time mentors lead a team of 60+ volunteers that continually support the families by mentoring, coaching, and building relationships so that the families can thrive and succeed.
“Impact on Homeless Families: The partnership between United Way of Yavapai County and Agape House has resulted in life-changing outcomes for numerous homeless families. By providing families with their own apartments, Agape House creates a stable and secure environment, promoting a sense of belonging and ownership. This contributes to a positive shift in their mindset, fostering a greater sense of hope and determination.” – United Way of Yavapai County
Agapeville Apartments
As Prescott’s only family-inclusive interim housing community, Agape House needed a permanent facility where families could find safety, stability, transitional housing, and support as they work to rebuild their lives. Agape House was able to make that need a reality. Recently, the Agape House purchased a nine-unit apartment complex near downtown Prescott. The apartments not only provide a secure place to call home, but they also offer a community of support. Families help families, mentors have a central location to meet with the families, and kids have a place to play and be kids. For many of the children, this is the first home that they have ever had.
Celebrating 10 Years!
Agape House of Prescott is Celebrating ten years of rebuilding the lives of families in Prescott. In the past ten years, Agape House has worked hard to provide more than 40 families (146 individuals) 32,513 nights to call home.
Read more about Agape House Here
Top Home Searching Tips
In today’s housing market, low inventory dominates many conversations in Prescott and many areas of the country. With less inventory available, this increases the need for preparation for homebuyers when a house becomes available. Without preparation, you may miss out on a great opportunity. To help out, we have summarized five tips from Realtor.com’s article, “How to Find Your Dream Home—Without Losing Your Mind.”
1. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Before You Start Your Search
One way to show you’re serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage. Even if you’re in a market that is not as competitive, understanding your budget will give you the confidence to know whether or not your dream home is within your reach. Being pre-approved will help you avoid the disappointment of falling in love with a home well outside your price range.
HOW TO MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT POSSIBLE
2. Know the Difference Between Your ‘Must-Haves’ and ‘Would-Like-To-Haves’
Do you need a large kitchen island to be happy with your home choice? Would a three-car garage be a convenience or a necessity? Before you search, list all the features of a home you would like. Qualify them as ‘must-haves,’ ‘should-haves,’ or ‘absolute-wish list’ items. Taking time to recognize your priorities at this point in the process will help you stay focused on what’s most important.
3. Research and Choose a Neighborhood Where You Want to Live
Every neighborhood has a unique charm. Before you commit to a home based solely on the house itself, take a test drive of the area. Make sure it meets your needs for included amenities, how far is the commute to work or school, look at the school district, check out the neighborhood noise, and survey the traffic.
4. Pick a House Style You Love and Stick to It
Evaluate your family’s needs and settle on a style of home that will best serve those needs. Just because you’ve narrowed your search to a zip code doesn’t mean you must tour every nearby listing. For example, if you need all your bedrooms on the same level, avoid two-story homes that don’t meet those criteria. If you don’t want to spend time working in a yard, avoid touring homes with large yards and high maintenance.
5. Document Your Home Visits
Once you start touring homes, the features of each home will begin to blur together. Having a journal or notebook to organize your thoughts and comments for each house would be helpful. Keep your camera handy and make notes to document what you love and don’t love about each property you visit.
Being prepared is your best advantage. Get your ‘must-haves’ and ‘must-nots’ ironed out, check with the mortgage company, and of course, enlist the help of a realtor (like me) to research homes that meet your criteria.
When you are ready to start searching for a home, call me, and I will put my resources to work.
Dena and Dave Plane
(928) 830-6976
Is a Home Warranty Right for You?
Home Warranty Pros and Cons
A home warranty offers some peace of mind regarding inevitable repairs and maintenance on your property. These contracts can cover various things, from electrical and plumbing work to appliances and HVAC repairs. However, finding the right policy can be overwhelming, particularly if you are a first-time homeowner.
According to the National Association of Realtors, a home warranty is “a service contract, normally for one year, which helps protect homeowners against the cost of unexpected covered repairs or replacement on their major systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. Coverage is for systems and appliances in good working order at the start of the contract.”
In a nutshell, you insure critical systems in the home, and should something go wrong with those systems, the insurance company covers the cost of repairs. And it’s true, a home warranty can be exceptionally valuable, especially in the first year of homeownership, when you’re still getting a feel for your home’s overall health and maintenance status.
Home Warranty Plans average $350 to $600 annually for basic home warranty coverage. In addition to the annual premium, homeowners pay service charges (also referred to as a deductible) for each claim. This fee ranges from $75 to $100 for each repair or replacement.
Sellers often offer a home warranty to ease buyers’ concerns over their first year in the home. A warranty can be a competitive advantage if a buyer is looking at two comparable homes.
But as with all insurance policies, the fine print matters. When researching home warranties, you must know what the policy covers and how the insurance company honors claims. The home warranty can be a massive cost saving for big-ticket items like heating and cooling systems, often reducing out-of-pocket expenses to less than 10%. However, with smaller appliances and simple repairs, the deductible/service fee can cost as much as the repair would.
You should also be aware that having a home warranty isn’t required on certain home features. For instance, the home warranty coverage may be excessive if you already have a dishwasher or water heater under the manufacturer’s warranty. However, the warranty can be worth the investment if you have major systems with considerable age.
Be aware of the warranty terms when it comes to maintenance and neglect. Home warranty companies occasionally try to get out of paying for repairs or replacements by claiming you haven’t kept up with routine maintenance issues. Understanding how the insurance company justifies these claims ensures you don’t get caught in these technicalities.
Check with the insurance company for a list of providers in your area. Many claims are ’emergencies,’ and you will want to ensure they have service contractors ready to take care of your needs quickly.
Insurance is always complicated, but don’t hesitate to investigate a home warranty if you’d like protection from major, catastrophic repairs. With a bit of diligence, you can get the coverage you need. If you have any questions about where to obtain home warranty quotes, contact me today.
Dena & Dave Plane
928-830-6976
New Luxury Subdivision in Prescott
WELCOME TO SOLSTICE RIDGE II
At Prescott Lakes
Solstice Ridge II at Prescott Lakes is an exclusive gated community that offers a private golf course, a recreation center with pickleball courts, indoor pool, outdoor pool, and a world-class fitness center.
Prescott Lakes is an 1,100+ acre master-planned residential and recreational community centered around the Hale Irwin-designed championship Prescott Lakes Golf Course. Located just minutes from Downtown Prescott and major restaurants and retail, you will enjoy the benefit of resort-style living while still connected to all of the amenities that Prescott has to offer.
If you’re seeking a peaceful lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the city so you can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, golfing, or simply taking in the scenery, then you’ve come to the right place.
AVAILABLE HOMES IN SOLSTICE RIDGE II
We are excited to be a part of the team for the Solstice Ridge II community! We would love to tell you more about the homes, the community, and Prescott! Give the Plane Team a call at (928) 830-6976.
How to Make a Down Payment Possible
Do you wish the rent you are paying was going into your future? Unfortunately, the down payment required to buy a home prevents people from switching from renter to homeowner. Climbing the “down payment mountain” isn’t impossible. It’s about breaking your essential, challenging, audacious goal into practical steps.
Saving for a down payment on a home can be challenging, especially if you need help figuring out where to start. But saving enough for a down payment on your dream home is possible with some creativity and discipline.
Here are some tips for conquering saving for a down payment:
Find out where your money goes. You can only start saving money if you know where you’re spending the money. Track each expenditure for a month or two, no matter how small. Get an objective picture of where you’re spending the cash.
Get specific about how much you need to save. Even if you’re not 100% sure of your down payment amount, it’s good to start doing a little math to figure out how much you need to save. Pick a dollar amount and a timeline to hit that dollar amount. For example, a $25,000 down payment in two years totals $1,041/month. Sound unrealistic? Either scale down your home desires to something smaller or scale up your timeline. If you can wait three years, that monthly savings goal drops to $694/month.
Determine the big moves you can make. How much would you save in rent if you’re in a three-bedroom apartment and can handle the idea of scaling down to a one-bedroom one? What about going from two cars down to one? If you can make them work, these sacrifices will significantly impact your savings goals.
Establish a separate savings account. Having a separate account with a “hands-off” attitude is essential. Keep your dream home money from mingling with your regular checking or savings account. Establish a high-yield savings account with a credit union or money market account to protect and build your savings. Automating your savings is one of the best ways to save for a down payment. This way, you’ll never have to think about it – the money will be there when you’re ready to buy.
Pretend you already have a house payment. Once you determine the approximate amount of a new house payment, start making that payment now. This trick is two-fold. Instead of paying the bank, pay your savings account. It will help you accumulate a down payment faster and ensure you can afford the new house payment.
Mind the risky investment schemes. Once you have a little momentum, it may be tempting to take some of that cash and invest it to make it grow faster. Be prudent about this, as investing in stocks, startups, or high-yield funds can quickly decimate your savings. Be conservative.
Of course, knowing how much home you want to buy is essential when saving up for your down payment. I’m happy to give you an idea of what homes are selling for in your area. In the meantime, check out the various neighborhoods in the Prescott Quad City area. We have an up-to-date list of homes for sale in the area.
Feel free to get in touch at any time if you have questions (928) 830-6976.
Indoor Pickleball in Prescott
Espire Sports Now Open
Prescott, Arizona, just received another reason for people to fall in love with the beautiful historic town! Recently, Espire Sports opened a one-of-a-kind indoor/outdoor sports complex in the Prescott Gateway Mall.
The former Sears building at Prescott Gateway Mall off Highway 69 now has an over 100,000 square feet sports complex complete with pickleball, sports, fitness and wellness opportunities.
You can read more information on the facility, classes, and membership prices at EspireSports.com. The facility is truly a unique complex that will benefit all ages of people in the Prescott area.
Types of Activities at Espire Sports
At Espire Sports, you will find Indoor pickleball, a multi-purpose sports court, yard games, arcade, bocce ball, cornhole, ping-pong, billiards, a fitness center with rooms for yoga, aerobics, or Pilates, golf simulators, a 9-hole putting green, pro-shop, cafe, and juice bar. There are also locker rooms with showers.
Pickle Ball Courts
The complex has 18 indoor and 12 outdoor pickleball courts with a pro-regulation outdoor acrylic surface where you can use any outdoor pickleball. The ceiling height is 20′, allowing players to execute the perfect lob.
What is Pickle Ball
According to USAPickleBall.org, Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada. The game is also growing internationally, with many European and Asian countries adding courts.
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines tennis, ping-pong, and badminton elements. It is played on a court that is roughly half the size of a tennis court. Players use “paddles” to strike the ball. The pickleball itself is similar to a wiffle ball.
Prices
Espire Sports has memberships for those who want to utilize the facility regularly and a drop-in day pass for those just coming short term to experience this incredible complex. Membership Information
Refreshments
Enjoy refreshments before and after play at the THIRD SHOT refreshments bar. The bar includes juice, smoothies, acai bowls, organic coffees, lite fare, and healthy snacks.
Thank you, Espire Sports for selecting Prescott! The sports complex is a real game-changer for Prescott. The Prescott area is fortunate to have such a unique facility.
About Prescott, Arizona
In Prescott, Arizona, you will find countless activities, including horseback riding, golfing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, camping, mountain biking, local breweries, restaurants, and shopping. In addition to the hometown feel, these activities keep Prescott visitors, young and old, returning year after year.
Once the state’s territorial capital, Prescott, Arizona, is rich with history embodied in its world-famous Whiskey Row, the historic courthouse, and numerous historical landmarks. Whether you’re seeking to relax in a natural environment filled with beauty and wildlife or the history of “Everybody’s Hometown,” you will find something that will interest you. Visit the official Prescott, Arizona website to learn more by clicking here.
Located in the Bradshaw Mountains, Prescott sits at an altitude of 5,400 feet. The average high temperature in the winter in Prescott is around 52 degrees and averages 89 in the summer. There are approximately 46,000 people in Prescott, but the surrounding “Quad-City” area of Dewey-Humboldt, Chino Valley, and Prescott Valley and the smaller towns of Mayer, Paulden, and Wilhoit, comprise around 119,000 people.
Prescott Real Estate
If you would like information on real estate in the Prescott area, we would be happy to help you!
>See Homes for Sale in Prescott
Read This Before Buying Flipped House
We love the multitude of TV shows, taking a worn-down home and flipping it. Seeing an old house tuned up always grabs my attention. Hands down, before and after pictures are my favorite part! Have you recently fallen in love with a “flipped” home? Does the idea of moving into a cleanly renovated space excite you? Before you leap into closing on the house, there are questions and precautions you may want to consider.
“Flipped” or “rehabbed” homes are properties that real estate investors buy to renovate and sell for a profit. Sometimes these homes have been secured after short sales, foreclosures, surviving relatives, or at auctions. For real estate investors, part of the profit depends on how fast and affordably they can renovate the property. There’s even more pressure to make sure a home is ready to sell as fast as possible in seller’s markets.
A flipped home is enticing and, many times, a solid investment. There’s nothing wrong with purchasing a flipped house, but before you sign on the line, you will want to ensure you know a bit about the home’s history. Make sure to dig a little deeper.
Before Buying a Flipped Home
Here are some questions to ask:
1. Find out the condition of the house when the flipper purchased it. What was the shape of the home before the renovation? Was it just outdated? Vacant? Did squatters trash it?
2. What deficiencies, damage, or other defects did the home have when the flipper bought it? Ask for a list of issues.
3. Who did the work on the house during the renovation? Contractors? Handymen? Did the flipper do the work personally? Were the appropriate permits secured? Are there invoices that detail the work completed and the money spent on the repairs?
4. Was anything left “as is”? What issues were left uncompleted that may have been deemed too small or not vital to the renovation?
5. What was the legal history of the transfer of ownership? Short sales and foreclosures might have legal obligations on the flipper or other liens.
All State Insurance has provided a great article on this topic. All State advises having an inspection to determine if shortcuts were made. Along with this, they suggest researching the history of the house and researching the seller. Is their business flipping homes? Is this their first-time flipping homes?
You shouldn’t shy away from a flipped home that you love, but don’t go into the situation blind. I have experience working with buyers who have purchased flipped homes, and I’d be happy to help you navigate the questions. Let’s talk (928) 830-6976!
Can You Buy a Home With Bad Credit?
Bad credit can be disheartening, and many believe that bad credit can disqualify you from buying a house. While it can be difficult, buying a home with bad credit is possible. Below I have put together tips on what steps you can take to boost your prospects of buying a home. If you’re not in the position to buy today, preparing for what could be available in the future is a strategy that will pay off in the long run.
Check your Credit Score
Checking your credit score is easy to do. Each nationwide credit reporting company, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, is required to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.
Along with this, check for errors in your credit report. If you find an error, the best way to attempt a correction is through a dispute letter. Dispute letters allow you to request a fix by contacting the reporting agency. Though it may take a little time to remove the errors, cleaning up these mistakes can have a direct and favorable effect on your credit score, helping you secure lower interest rates and better terms.
Larger Down Payment
Down payment assistance can be challenging to obtain with a bad credit score. You’ll have to help your odds of pre-approval by proving you have 10% down to put on your home. That 10% is beneficial if your credit score is sub-550. Above 550, you might be able to land an FHA loan with only 3.5% in equity.
Need help saving for a down payment? Here are some tips for conquering saving for a down payment:
- Find out where your money goes and adjust what are “needs” versus “wants.”
- Get specific about how much you need to create a visible goal.
- Determine the big moves you can make to change your financial picture.
- Set up a separate savings account, so your down payment is out-of-sight and out of mind.
- Pretend you already have a house payment by placing that amount in saving each month.
Make Moves to Rebuild Your Credit
You don’t have to be perfect to improve your access to better mortgage terms. First, pay down your credit card balances. Then identify any outstanding debts or collections you can manage to get cleared through full payment or a negotiated settlement. Focus on doing what you can to bring your debt-to-income ratio below 45%. If you push your rating above 620, you’ll not only get closer to better terms, but you’ll generally experience less scrutiny during the approval process.
Don’t Force It
Suppose you’ve experienced a bankruptcy, foreclosure, or short sale scenario. In that case, it may not be possible for you to secure a mortgage for at least three years (sometimes two, depending on the situation). Use this time to work on the tips above!
If you’d like to begin hunting for your next home, I am happy to help guide you. Or, if you need a referral to a reputable mortgage professional, get in touch! I have a network of trusted folks I work with every year.
