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What To Do with Kids in Prescott
One of my favorite things about being a realtor is becoming a resource of information to our clients. We obviously get the standard questions, ‘Do you know a plumber?’ and ‘What do you know about the schools in the area?’, but we also get asked ‘What is there to do in Prescott?’. Luckily, the answer to that question is easy, there are a ton of things to do in Prescott, even something for the kids.
There are valid reasons that Prescott, Arizona, is dubbed as “Everyone’s Hometown.” With Prescott’s perfect climate and four distinct but gentle seasons, everyone gets to have fun!
You can first start with Prescott’s charming downtown. Prescott has an old-fashioned town square with an historic courthouse, but what surrounds it is anything but old fashioned. Upscale shops and restaurants, art and antiques, and everything in between!
Prescott is a great place for an active lifestyle. You can kayak at Watson Lake, hike, bike, ride horses or quad in the National Forest, or play at one of our many signature golf courses. Also, dogs love Prescott! Prescott is a very dog friendly community, complete with a beautiful dog park.
But what about the kids? With the high retirement population, it is common for grandchildren to visit the area. You will be pleased to know that there are an abundant of options to do with your family and kids (or grandkids!) in Prescott. To give you a little help, we have put a list together that can help you plan your visit.
Gripstone: Prescott, AZ
Gripstone Prescott Arizona offers rock climbing, bouldering, yoga, a cafe, and a pro-shop. No previous climbing experience is necessary, and after a quick 30-minute video and hands-on tutorial, you will be ready to climb. Climbers under 14 years old are required to be accompanied by a participating adult over 18 years old. Children under 14 are welcome, harnesses are available for very small children. They have even had 2-year-old climbers!
Pricing starts $16 for adults, and the pass lasts all day. You can leave for lunch and come back later for more climbing. It’s a full body workout, it’s fun, and it’s great for all ages!
Jarz of Clay: Prescott, AZ
Jarz of Clay is located at the Prescott Gateway Mall Outside in the village shops. At Jarz of Clay, you pick a pottery piece from hundreds of different options. You then paint your piece, and then the pieces will be glazed and fired. Within 4-5 days, you then can pick up your glazed pottery piece!
The studio fee is included in the price of each item. Included in the studio fee is paints, tools, and the glazing/firing. Pottery pieces are not the only option, canvas and wood paintings are also available. This is perfect for all ages, I’ve been multiple times with both my mom and young cousins and enjoy it every time!
Heritage Park Zoo: Prescott, AZ
Visit Prescott’s local zoo! Heritage Park Zoo is located on 10 acres and overlooks Willow Lake. While I’m personally not a spiders or snake (insert *full body chill*), the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary offers the Tarantula Grotto and Reptile House. The Tarantula Grotto is one of the largest public displays of spiders in the country. Along with this, the Reptile House houses gila monsters, iguanas, geckos, and even a 13-foot Burmese python.
The Heritage Park Zoo loves saving animals and giving them a home. Housed at the zoo is an American Black Bear that was orphaned, a gray fox that was found alone and half drowned, and a mountain lion that was illegally kept as a pet in Arizona. Along with this, the zoo participates in the American Zoo and Aquarium Association’s Species Survival Plan by saving endangered species such as the Mexican Gray Wolf.
Heritage Park Zoo hosts special events throughout the year, including: Zoofest, Eggstravaganza, Boo at the Zoo, moonlight events and Zoo Camp for kids. The zoo is open every day of the year. You can view admission prices here. (Heritage Park Zoo Event Calendar)
While that is only a few options, I hope that this may give you a jump-start on what activities are available for entertainment in the Prescott Area! Below is an additional few items that may interest you:
- Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott, AZ
- Mortimer Farms, Dewey-Humboldt, AZ
- In the Game Freedom Station, Prescott Valley, AZ
Ocne again, my favorite things about being a realtor is being a resource of information to our clients. If you have any questions about the Prescott Area, or home buying and selling, get in touch with me today 928.830.6976!
Questions You Need to Ask Sellers
When you’re about to put your hard-earned money into a home, you want to know everything you can about that home’s history. While there are common questions to ask about a home’s condition, history, and location, there are some questions buyers often overlook.
Don’t rely on sellers to volunteer this information. In some cases, they may not even know the answers for themselves. Protect your potential investment. These questions can help you get to the bottom of potential pitfalls:
- Have you ever had asbestos removed from the home?Old heating ducts, ceilings, and even certain types of flooring can contain asbestos. If they’ve had asbestos removed, follow-up with how it was removed. Was it their uncle Joe hacking away at it, or did they have professional help?
- Has there ever been mold remediation in the home?Mold can be a serious issue. For a healthy home, monitoring and eliminating mold is crucial. Mold is sneaky, and it can creep up on you when you least expect it. Spores are known to stay dormant until they have the moisture and thenutrients they need to bloom. Much like asbestos, find out how it was removed if it’s ever been a problem.
- Has the home been tested for lead?Homes built before 1978 may be at elevated risk for lead contamination. If the owner hasn’t checked for lead contamination, there are test the sellers or you could do. The Environmental Protection Agency only recognizes two DIY lead paint test kits. These test kits are: LeadCheck and D-Lead. To learn more about these test, check out this article byHouse Logic. Both tests are available for low-cost and produce quick results.
- Were renovations properly permitted and inspected?If there’s been work done on the home, find out if those renovations are legal and up to code.
- Is there now or has there ever been an underground oil tank on premises?Heating oil tanks are common in some areas, even if old heating systems have been upgraded. You want to know if a tank is still underground, and if one has been removed.
- Is the home in a flood zone?Yes, you can research this yourself, but it can be a litmus test question. Do they homeowners know? If they know, do they have flood insurance? Who provided the insurance? Make sure to do your research. Get flood insurance quotes before buying a home to make sure it is an expense you can afford. Note that rates are a national standard, so getting multiple quotes from different insurance companies is not usually beneficial (BePrepared).
- Have radon levels been tested in the home recently?Indoor air quality is very important, and radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can contribute to lung cancer.
If a seller, or their agent, can’t answer these questions, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re hiding something. But asking these questions can save you time, money, or even your life down the line. Due diligence is vital! I have years of experience in asking these questions, give me a call if you need help. Get in touch with me today 928.830.6976!
Resources for Evaluating Local Schools
The quality of schools are a contributing factor for anyone buying a home. In fact, more than half of all homebuyers with children under 18 years of age rate the quality of the local school district as a major factor influencing their choice of a neighborhood. (Source: “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers” from the National Association of Realtors). Even if you don’t have kids yourself, your next buyer might, and they might base their decision to buy on the school district which serves your home.
The Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, and Dewey-Humboldt areas have numerous award-winning public, private, and charter schools in the area. Each has something unique to offer. The Prescott Unified School District has six primary schools and one high school. Prescott Valley and Dewey-Humboldt has the Humboldt Unified School District with five elementary, two middle schools, and one high school. Chino Valley Unified School District has two primary schools, one middle school, and one high school. In addition, the Prescott area is full of charter and private school options: Tri-City, BASIS, AAEC, Trinity Christian, and Franklin Phonetic.
With so many options, the challenge is how do you evaluate schools? What’s the best approach for understanding if your local schools will score your property an “A” or have a negative impact on the property?
Resources
Luckily, there are some excellent on-line resources out there for evaluating schools. Here are a few I’ve come across which provide a good place to begin your research:
- Education.com: A major portal site for education everywhere, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the school’s section. Their website: Education.com
- Great Schools: A good search engine for researching schools, you can do zip code based searches that will help you learn a ton about the public and private institutions in the area. Their website: Greatschools.org
- Project Appleseed: A website dedicated to improving public schools, you can learn a lot here about the crucial elements of what makes a local school an excellent local school. Their website: ProjectAppleseed.org
Evaluate Distance
Distance from your new house to the school might be an issue. For example, can the kids walk to school? If not, where’s the bus stop? Are you willing, or are you able, to drive your kids to school every day? Fortunately, most of the school websites offer bus route information.
Ask Questions
Neighbors may be a good source for first-hand information. But be cautious, you will want to talk to a few neighbors, as you probably are aware, everyone has different needs when it comes to education.
Here are a handful of questions to ask yourself if you’re doing research:
- How comprehensive is the school’s safety policy?
- What social/support services are available at the school?
- How does the school handle discipline?
- Are people involved in a parent/teacher organization?
- How healthy is the school district’s annual report?
Visit the School
If time permits, a visit to the school will be incredibly helpful in your decision-making process. Call the school office to set up a time to meet with an administrator and take a tour of the school.
Finally, be sure to ask me for information. As a realtor in the Prescott area, I know the schools very well and are happy to help any way I can. Get in touch with me today!
Why You Need a Final Walk-Through
You might be tempted to skip the final walk-through when it comes time to buying your home, but as a Realtor, I view a final walk-through an extremely important step in the home buying process. A final walk-through’s primary purpose is to assure you that the property that you are purchasing is in the condition that you agreed upon.
What Final Walk-Throughs are For
Final walk-throughs are not a home inspection, or a time for negotiations. Instead the final walk-through allows us to address common issues such as:
- If the current owner is on schedule to move out
- That the property is in the same condition it was when shown
- That any repairs required have been completed
Vacant Home or Occupied?
Final walk-throughs are vital for both vacant homes or homes that are still occupied.
If the seller has already moved out of their home, and it is now vacant, problems may have risen while the home sat vacant. Leaking faucets causing flooding or other plumbing problems could have occurred, and a final walk-through will help catch the problem before closing.
On the other hand, if the sellers haven’t moved out yet, make sure the seller is present during the final walk-through. This is because the sellers can explain details about the house that the buyer may need to know, especially tricky pool heaters, access to attics, funny light switches, and sprinkler timers.
The final walk-through is also a great time to put together a list of companies who have serviced the house in the past.
I like to schedule final walk-throughs at least 4 – 7 days before closing, as this is often enough time to resolve any outstanding issues before paperwork must be signed. (The walk-through itself may happen within 24 hours of closing.)
Checklist for the Final Walk-Through
- Electrical: Check the homes electrical system by turning on and off every light switch and check the electrical outlets. A great way to check the outlets in your home is to bring a phone charger and plug in your phone to make sure the outlet is functioning properly. Also check to make sure the garage door, security system, and doorbell are in working order.
- Doors and Windows: Open windows and doors to check latches and locks. Make sure your home is secure.
- Plumbing: Flush toilets, run faucets, and check under sinks for leaks. Make sure the bathrooms are free from water damage, and that the sinks and bathtubs drain properly.
- Heating and Air Conditioning: Weather it is freezing or hot outside, make sure to test the heating and air conditioning.
- Appliances: Test the oven, dishwasher, open the fridge & freezer, and don’t forget to turn on the washer & dryer.
I’m dedicated to protecting my clients from the beginning through the end of the home buying experience. If you want to work with someone who pays attention to the details, get in touch with me today!
Resources: TheBalance, Forbes
What is Virtual Home Staging?
Did you know that…
- Over 77% of the buyers find it “easier to visualize the property as their future home” when it’s staged.
- 27% of buyers are more willing to “overlook property faults” when the home is staged.
- 40% of buyers are “more willing to walk through a staged home they saw online”
When it comes to marketing and selling a home, staging can be a powerful tool. Some may argue that home staging isn’t worth the cost, but there are many good arguments for making the investment in a professional home stager. Staging not only helps a home sell faster in many cases, but it can also boost the buyers desire for a home, resulting in a potentially higher closing price. In a 2018 survey of more than 4,000 homes, 68% of staged homes sold for at least 9% more than those of their un-staged neighbors’.
There is an alternative to standard staging. Some agents are turning towards virtual staging. Virtual staging, broadly defined, is the use of computer imaging technology to create realistic listing photos which display a staged home, even though the property itself is not actually staged. Photos of empty rooms are transformed through 3D modeling and photo editing. The results can be quite impressive.
Proponents of virtual home staging say the benefits are obvious. Not only is it less expensive than traditional home staging, but it can also be completed in less time. Stagers, on the other hand, feel the practice is somewhat deceptive. The main argument seems to be that buyers will be disappointed when they arrive at the empty home after seeing staged photos online.
Virtual Staging Software Options
It might depend on your philosophy when it comes to staging. If your primary motivation is generating interest in the home online, you might want to go with virtual staging to create appealing photographs to drive more leads. If you want buyers to experience a home’s potential when they visit at an open house or walk-through with their agent, you’ll probably want to go for a traditional home staging.
What if you physically stage your home?
In researching staging options, it appears you get what you pay for. According to Home Staging Resources, when sellers spent just .5% of the sales price more on the staging services, they saw at least a 6% price difference! What this means, when stagers charged less or stopped short due to the seller’s tight budget, the results were not as good. Those extra, cosmetic updates like paint, new light fixtures or flooring made a huge difference in the sales price outcome.
What Part of Your Home Should You Stage?
Below is what over 4,200 surveyed home buyers deemed as the most important rooms in the home to have staged.
- 86% Living Room
- 84% Master Bedroom
- 68% Kitchen
- 63% Outside Space
- 71% Dining Room
Source: HomeStagingResources.com
In either case, it’s a good idea to view staging not as an expense but an investment, much like minor renovations you hope to recoup when the home sells for a better price. If you’re thinking of selling soon and would like to work with a stager, get in touch with me today. I can connect you to trusted professionals who will make your home look its best.
Ideas to Free Up Your Kitchen Space
You probably don’t need a scientific study to tell you that the kitchen is one of the most used spaces in a family home. It serves as a hub for food, a communal space for gathering, and often a message center for family traffic. Some consider it the “brain” of the home.
Many homes have kitchens which are small or overrun by clutter. The mess can be a major barrier to enjoying the space, and without some systems in place to keep it organized, many may feel that the kitchen can be rendered almost useless.
Did you know that the kitchen is the most expensive room in your home to renovate? An article by Master Remodelers states that in upscale kitchen remodels in Pittsburgh, homeowners spend around $128,000! That’s a lot of money. In my experience, most individuals don’t have that kind of cash laying around.
So, what’s the solution? Does opening up your kitchen require a total renovation? Not always. Fortunately, I have some kitchen hacks to open up your kitchen, without you having to do a total renovation, and without you having to spend thousands of dollars.
- Hack #1: Hang it high. Long-handled pots, pans, and other utensils can be easily accessed with an appropriately-installed ceiling rack. Use your longest-handled pan as a guide and install a rack high enough above your head.
- Hack #2: Play all the angles. Corners are often wasted space, consumed by knife blocks that are mostly wood beasts. You might install corner shelving, or even place a magnetic knife strip near a convenient corner.
- Hack #3: Shelve it for later. Counters and cabinets don’t have to do all of the storage work. Nesting shelving in windows or even on surrounding back splashes and walls can be a great solution.
- Hack #4: Save the sink space. Seldom are you using the sink while you’re prepping veggies, so why not get a large cutting board and lay it across the surface? This way, you turn a sink into a temporary counter.
- Hack #5: See the studs. Open up a wall or two in your kitchen to access the recessed space between studs. Subdividing this space with shelves or hanging hooks can be a space saver. Properly finished, it doesn’t have to look like an eyesore!
- Hack #6: Jar it up! Take a mason jar lit and screw it to the underside of an existing shelf or overhang. Now, put items in the mason jar and screw the jar into the lid. Bingo! New hanging storage.
Of course, if no amount of clever hacks will open up your kitchen, it may be time to upgrade. I can put together a list of local homes with killer kitchens for you. Contact us at (928) 830-6976.
Clever Design Upgrades to Help Sell Your Home
As a real estate professional, I am fortunate to tour incredible homes every day. In my search, my goal is to find a home that ‘speaks’ to the buyer, and one that really grabs their attention. But what is it about a home that catches a buyer’s eye? Why is it when two homes are comparable to one another, buyers go with the one that just “feels right”? Sometimes the difference is so small, they don’t consciously notice. I find that it comes down to the little touches that can give a home a major edge in the market. Once again, my Mom was correct, paying attention to details make the difference.
In fact, here are five clever design upgrades which can provide your home with that indefinable feeling that it’s of higher quality than the competition:
1. Light switch plate upgrades. Homeowners always overlook their own dirty, chipped, or cheap-looking switch plates. If you spend a few bucks to swap out switch plates, any room in the house will seem a tiny bit fresher. Better yet: In the bathroom and kitchen, match the color of your new switch plates to the tile. Look at the accent color in the bathroom or the backsplash in the kitchen for inspiration. If you want to take it one more step, Hobby Lobby has a fantastic selection of these types of accessories that can spruce up the look in your home.
2. Dimmers on major rooms. Bright lights are great for showing off a home, but there’s a little sense of luxury when the overhead lights in living, dining, family, and master bedrooms are on dimmer switches. This addition is easier than you may think. In fact, Home Depot has a Youtube video that takes you step-by-step on how to add a dimmer switch. For fixtures controlled by one switch, get single pole dimmers. For those controlled by two, you’ll need 3-way dimmers.
3. Tasteful crown molding. For rooms without crown molding, adding this touch can really make a plain room feel high-quality. Entryways and master bedrooms are good choices if you have a limited budget, but if you want to go all out, include the other bedrooms as well. The key is adding molding which doesn’t seem ostentatious or inappropriate given the size and existing decor in the room. Better Homes and Gardens has a great tutorial on How To Transform a Room with Crown Molding.
4. Custom home address plaque. For between $50 and $100, you can have an address plaque created with the home’s number and the street name spelled out. Look online for inspiration and a design which fits your home. This is a killer upgrade and many homeowners overlook it when they’re trying to add curb appeal to their house.
5. New cabinet and drawer hardware. It’s astonishing how much modern drawer handles can work towards rejuvenating tired or outdated storage. At a minimum, concentrate on the kitchen, but if you want to go all out, look for options to upgrade the bathroom as well. If time is on your side, shop around, there are several online options as well as local retail stores. The Family Handman has a very informative article on how to install the hardware. I put this tip as the fifth on the list, but I might argue that it could be the number one way to add an inexpensive design upgrade to your home.
You might not be able to quantify the exact return these clever upgrades will net you, but you can bet they will help your home stand out from sellers who won’t take the time to make some simple changes. Again, like Mom said, success is in the details!
When you are ready to sell, contact The Plane Team at (928) 830-6976.
Is It Time to Freshen Up Your Bedroom?
When buyers are touring a home, a stale bedroom with outdated style can be a deal-breaker. Is it time to freshen up your bedroom? It may be time to give your bedroom the “has it gone bad?” sniff test by checking for these common signs of stale design:
- Popcorn ceilings? Popcorn ceilings date a room, they are difficult to repair, catch dust easily, and hard to clean. This Old House offers three popular options to remove your popcorn ceilings to give your room a modernized look. The options include scraping, covering with a new layer of drywall, or skim coating with plaster to create a new texture.
- Mirrors everywhere? Mirrors can offer reflected light to make a bedroom look bigger, however, too many mirrors can create a fun house environment. Consider removing some of those reflective surfaces to freshen your look.
- Frills? Excessive frills can scream “Outdated!” Check those bed skirts, window dressings, and curtains. Toning down the frills will bring your outdated look up to date.
- Outdated wall paper? Check the paper on your walls. Are they outdated patterns . . . it’s time for an update. HGTV offers options for breathtaking contemporary wallpaper design trends. However, getting rid of wallpaper can also create a clean fresh look. Don’t be afraid of the removal process, once again, HGTV provides tips for wall paper removal.
- Really flat bed? Puff it up and make it cozy. Clean lines are one thing, an un-comfy bedroom is another. Ballard designs presents multiple possibilities to arrange your pillows to ‘cozy up’ your bedroom.
- Archaic alarm clocks, television, or stereos? Nix the flip-digit clocks, the wood grain television cabinets, and the over bearing boom boxes. Modernize or put them in storage to create an all-around fresh look.
Buyers can modernize a bedroom when they buy the house, however, expecting them to see past your bedroom’s outdated look is taking a gamble. Do a few simple things to freshen up that room to take it to the next level! If you need someone to evaluate your interior appeal, The Plane Team would be happy to share their thoughts and guide you towards maximizing your home’s appeal!
How The Plane Team Can Help
Dena Plane has served her clients and provided them with excellent service for over 15 years in residential real estate, both resale and new home sales. She is licensed in both Arizona and California. With a passion for home building and interior design, Dena will help you get your home “show ready” and can easily guide and advise both buyers and sellers on the best practices for a successful outcome!
Dena and her husband Dave have teamed together to create The Plane Team. As your REALTOR’s, Dena and Dave will guide you through the buying and selling process and help you reach your real estate goals!
