Arizona Homeowner presented by the 3M Group

Arizona Homeowner September | October 2013

Outdoor Adventure

We are pleased to announce that we have joined Homeowners Financial Group USA, LLC. “Your Award Winning Mortgage Company.”

HFG is a full service, locally owned and operated mortgage banker.

As Temperatures Cool, Get Ready to Enjoy Your Backyard!

• FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional First Time Homebuyer, Jumbo Loans, Reverse Mortgages, and our Exclusive Portfolio Select Products: Clean Slate, Step Up, and 95% Jumbo • Convenient in-house underwriting and funding with quick turn times • Our website makes online pre-qualification fast and easy

www.homeownersfg.com

Ericka Martinez Hirons

Michael Rodriguez

Licensed Mortgage Professional

Licensed Mortgage Professional

NMLS#294688

NMLS#113673

480.305.8630

480.305.8632

Jessica Martinez Emes

Jazel Martinez

480.305.8634

480.305.8633

Marketing/ Business Development

Loan Coordinator

Homeowners Financial Group USA, LLC | BK#0906222 | NMLS#93718.

This is not a pre-approval or commitment to engage in a loan transaction. All loan products may not be available in your area and are subject to credit and property approval pursuant to agency and investor guidelines. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice.

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

Cover & Interior Photography | Mark Boisclair | Architecture | Tate Studio Architects

Partnering Together To Serve You Better

your home

Neutral Paint Palettes, Mass Appeal

3MGroup Classic Service, Modern Lending

grilling gourmet Village Tavern’s Thai Chicken Skewers

The Great Outdoors

Event Calendar September | October 2013

Mozart in Spain Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | September 30 480.499.8587 | ScottsdalePerformingArts.org ASU Concerts at the Center features performances by the faculty and students of the Arizona State University Herberger Institute School of Music. Pianist Walter Cosand performs music centering around the dual themes of Mozart and Spain, including selections from the opera Don Giovanni.

Phoenix Fashion Week Talking Stick Resort | October 3-5 480.850.7734 | TalkingStickResort.com Discover the latest national and international fashion trends here in Scottsdale. This week brings world class innovation and fashion to the southwest! The organization’s mission is to bridge the gap between national and international designers and premier retailers and prestige fashion media. Phoenix Fashion Week’s ultimate goal is to garner global exposure for Arizona’s fashion industry.

Olive Harvest Festival Queen Creek Olive Mill | October 12-December 15 480.888.9290 | QueenCreekOliveMill.com Enjoy live music, wine tasting, and local product tasting on the weekends this fall. Squeeze in an Olive 101 tour for a chance to taste the fresh oil straight from the press!

Experience the gourmet marketplace, where you will find a signature selection of extra virgin olive oils and vinegars, stuffed olives, and tapenades, as well as a line of bath and body products made with extra virgin olive oil.

Moondance Gala Heard Museum Phoenix | October 19 602.346.8192 | Heard.org Celebrate one of the social season’s most exciting events. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, and dancing under the stars at the Heard Museum Phoenix. Proceeds from this annual benefit gala provide funding for the museum’s educational mission to educate the people about the arts.

When you put your home on the market it is no longer your private abode decorated specifically to your taste. An appealing décor is really the best marketing you can get for the property.

Real estate agents generally suggest painting the interior a neutral color to appeal to a broad set of buyers. But before you rush out and buy paint, take this simple color test and decide your best color strategy for selling your property.

First, walk thru each room as if you had never seen the property before. Does any particular color stick out and not give that room its broadest appeal? Your agent can help you take an objective view. Very dark colors or pastels are the most difficult to appeal to the masses. If your buyer is a single man, will he be turned off by the lilac color bathroom?

Do any colors scream of another era? How about that teal color in your dining room? Will the buyer feel stuck in the 1980’s? Some sellers justify a color scheme because the expensive drapes they purchased to match the wall color will have to go if they decide to paint. Again, take an objective view of the color and the drapes and decide whether they are a positive selling point or a negative selling point. As a seller, you must keep in mind that buyers have very little imagination.

It is typically better to give buyers a more neutral palette by which they can easily visualize their furniture in the home.

Do you feel like the interior décor feels consistent or are there so many colors that you feel like you have walked under a rainbow? Too many different colors may also be a hard sell. The more coherent the interior feels to the buyer, the more appealing.

Second, take the professional photos and then review them when they are posted on the internet. Your potential buyer in almost all cases will have seen the photos that are on the internet. Does the red dining room that you consider beautiful show well in the internet photos? It is amazing how many colors do not photograph well. Dark colors may make the room appear much smaller in the photos than it really is. Did the wall color photograph to its true shade? Yellow is very difficult to photograph consistently. A bad photo may cause a buyer to pass over your home in favor of another property. Your real estate agent will know the market conditions in your area. Since some might say that we are in a “seller’s market” a neutral color palette could simply help to secure a sales price higher than listed. It is not worth the risk to turn off buyers when a coat of paint could draw them in.

Finally, go to your neighborhood home improvement store and familiarize yourself with the popular color palettes being marketed in the store. Take a few brochures and come home and scrutinize the color palette in your own home. The dark brown you painted a few years ago may now be passé. Walk thru a bedding and drapery store and see what colors are prevalent. Will your décor feel too out-dated to potential buyers? Talk to your real estate agent because a few simple changes may make all the difference and help you market the home in its best light.

Your Home

Get ready to hit the patio as the weather cools and you get the long-awaited chance to spend more time outdoors. What to look for in an outdoor space? Today, many homeowners are seeking the alfresco trifecta: a complete outdoor kitchen, an outdoor fire area, and plenty of outdoor dining and lounging space. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to throw in a saltwater pool, either, right?

When it comes to outdoor kitchens, Arizonians think big. Whether you’re buying or renovating, look for all the necessary amenities, which of course starts with the all-important grill. Look for a built-in grill, made to withstand the elements. That usually means a stainless steel exterior and perhaps a partially enclosed or covered area to keep the grill and kitchen from being completely exposed to the elements. Consider an outdoor pagoda to shield the chef from the sun and delineate the kitchen space from the rest of the landscape.

The design of your alfresco kitchen is as important as your everyday indoor kitchen. Make sure the chef has plenty of space for utensils, ingredients, and food prep. And be sure to look for an outdoor kitchen that has storage space for all the BBQ accouterments, as well as cabinets for a few pots, plates, and grilling

accessories. Although appliances needn’t be large, a small fridge and dishwasher are truly the icing on the key.

Next up is the alfresco dining area. Make sure it’s far enough away from the grill so guests aren’t bothered with the heat of the BBQ (and so the cook has some space to work). Keep the table and chairs sleek and made from easy-care, sun-resistant fabrics. Outdoor area rugs, plenty of cushions on the benches and chairs, and even a chandelier or two to create mood lighting will make your space spectacular.

As the evening air chills, move guests over to the built-in fire area for drinks, desserts, and conversation. After all, nothing creates ambiance better than a crackling, cozy fire. Create the perfect spot for serenity, lively conversation, or maybe even a little romance.

Outdoor fireplaces can be simple fire pits—perfect for warming up and making s’mores with the kids—or they can be dramatic showstoppers such as a gas firewall, sure to wow any guest with its modern simplicity. A glass of wine, a cozy blanket to ward off any late-season chill, and there’s no better place to spend a fall Arizona evening. Cheers!

Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

SKEWERS 4 Hoisin-marinated chicken tenders (marinate for 12 hours) 1 c salad mix 1/4 c miso dressing 2 red peppers, julienned 2 yellow pepper, julienned 2 tbsp. Hoisin Sauce 1/4c sweet chili sauce 1 tsp. black and white sesame seeds, toasted

Local Flavor!

Arizona Restaurant Week Participating Restaurants | September 21-29 602.307.9134 | ArizonaRestaurantWeek.com Get out and explore the many great restaurants the valley has to offer! With great prices and restaurant selections this is a chance to delight your palate.

This statewide affair offers foodies a wealth of dining opportunities and the chance to get outside their own neighborhood and try something new. From sizzling Southwestern and soothing comfort foods to five-star dining and international fare – it’s all on the table during Arizona Restaurant Week.

Village Tavern 480.951.6445 | Villagetavern.com

Place Hoisin-marinated chicken (skewered) on grill and cook evenly, be careful not to burn the skewers.

Combine salad mix and miso dressing and coat evenly. Place salad in a tall pile in the center of the plate. Place peppers around the salad. After the chicken is cooked, brush with Hoisin Sauce and place chicken on salad to

form a tee-pee. Sprinkle with sesame seeds over the entire plate. Serve with a ramekin of sweet chili sauce.

MISO DRESSING FOR SALAD 1/2 c Shiro Miso Paste 1/4 tsp. soy sauce 1/3 c rice wine vinegar 1 tbsp. cilantro, chopped 1/3 c mayonnaise 1/3 c water 2 tsp. honey 2/3 c olive oil Combine all ingredients except for the olive oil and mix thoroughly.

Add olive oil slowly while whisking until completely emulsified.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

The Great Outdoors

Event Calendar September | October 2013

Mozart in Spain Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | September 30 480.499.8587 | ScottsdalePerformingArts.org ASU Concerts at the Center features performances by the faculty and students of the Arizona State University Herberger Institute School of Music. Pianist Walter Cosand performs music centering around the dual themes of Mozart and Spain, including selections from the opera Don Giovanni.

Phoenix Fashion Week Talking Stick Resort | October 3-5 480.850.7734 | TalkingStickResort.com Discover the latest national and international fashion trends here in Scottsdale. This week brings world class innovation and fashion to the southwest! The organization’s mission is to bridge the gap between national and international designers and premier retailers and prestige fashion media. Phoenix Fashion Week’s ultimate goal is to garner global exposure for Arizona’s fashion industry.

Olive Harvest Festival Queen Creek Olive Mill | October 12-December 15 480.888.9290 | QueenCreekOliveMill.com Enjoy live music, wine tasting, and local product tasting on the weekends this fall. Squeeze in an Olive 101 tour for a chance to taste the fresh oil straight from the press!

Experience the gourmet marketplace, where you will find a signature selection of extra virgin olive oils and vinegars, stuffed olives, and tapenades, as well as a line of bath and body products made with extra virgin olive oil.

Moondance Gala Heard Museum Phoenix | October 19 602.346.8192 | Heard.org Celebrate one of the social season’s most exciting events. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, and dancing under the stars at the Heard Museum Phoenix. Proceeds from this annual benefit gala provide funding for the museum’s educational mission to educate the people about the arts.

When you put your home on the market it is no longer your private abode decorated specifically to your taste. An appealing décor is really the best marketing you can get for the property.

Real estate agents generally suggest painting the interior a neutral color to appeal to a broad set of buyers. But before you rush out and buy paint, take this simple color test and decide your best color strategy for selling your property.

First, walk thru each room as if you had never seen the property before. Does any particular color stick out and not give that room its broadest appeal? Your agent can help you take an objective view. Very dark colors or pastels are the most difficult to appeal to the masses. If your buyer is a single man, will he be turned off by the lilac color bathroom?

Do any colors scream of another era? How about that teal color in your dining room? Will the buyer feel stuck in the 1980’s? Some sellers justify a color scheme because the expensive drapes they purchased to match the wall color will have to go if they decide to paint. Again, take an objective view of the color and the drapes and decide whether they are a positive selling point or a negative selling point. As a seller, you must keep in mind that buyers have very little imagination.

It is typically better to give buyers a more neutral palette by which they can easily visualize their furniture in the home.

Do you feel like the interior décor feels consistent or are there so many colors that you feel like you have walked under a rainbow? Too many different colors may also be a hard sell. The more coherent the interior feels to the buyer, the more appealing.

Second, take the professional photos and then review them when they are posted on the internet. Your potential buyer in almost all cases will have seen the photos that are on the internet. Does the red dining room that you consider beautiful show well in the internet photos? It is amazing how many colors do not photograph well. Dark colors may make the room appear much smaller in the photos than it really is. Did the wall color photograph to its true shade? Yellow is very difficult to photograph consistently. A bad photo may cause a buyer to pass over your home in favor of another property. Your real estate agent will know the market conditions in your area. Since some might say that we are in a “seller’s market” a neutral color palette could simply help to secure a sales price higher than listed. It is not worth the risk to turn off buyers when a coat of paint could draw them in.

Finally, go to your neighborhood home improvement store and familiarize yourself with the popular color palettes being marketed in the store. Take a few brochures and come home and scrutinize the color palette in your own home. The dark brown you painted a few years ago may now be passé. Walk thru a bedding and drapery store and see what colors are prevalent. Will your décor feel too out-dated to potential buyers? Talk to your real estate agent because a few simple changes may make all the difference and help you market the home in its best light.

Your Home

Get ready to hit the patio as the weather cools and you get the long-awaited chance to spend more time outdoors. What to look for in an outdoor space? Today, many homeowners are seeking the alfresco trifecta: a complete outdoor kitchen, an outdoor fire area, and plenty of outdoor dining and lounging space. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to throw in a saltwater pool, either, right?

When it comes to outdoor kitchens, Arizonians think big. Whether you’re buying or renovating, look for all the necessary amenities, which of course starts with the all-important grill. Look for a built-in grill, made to withstand the elements. That usually means a stainless steel exterior and perhaps a partially enclosed or covered area to keep the grill and kitchen from being completely exposed to the elements. Consider an outdoor pagoda to shield the chef from the sun and delineate the kitchen space from the rest of the landscape.

The design of your alfresco kitchen is as important as your everyday indoor kitchen. Make sure the chef has plenty of space for utensils, ingredients, and food prep. And be sure to look for an outdoor kitchen that has storage space for all the BBQ accouterments, as well as cabinets for a few pots, plates, and grilling

accessories. Although appliances needn’t be large, a small fridge and dishwasher are truly the icing on the key.

Next up is the alfresco dining area. Make sure it’s far enough away from the grill so guests aren’t bothered with the heat of the BBQ (and so the cook has some space to work). Keep the table and chairs sleek and made from easy-care, sun-resistant fabrics. Outdoor area rugs, plenty of cushions on the benches and chairs, and even a chandelier or two to create mood lighting will make your space spectacular.

As the evening air chills, move guests over to the built-in fire area for drinks, desserts, and conversation. After all, nothing creates ambiance better than a crackling, cozy fire. Create the perfect spot for serenity, lively conversation, or maybe even a little romance.

Outdoor fireplaces can be simple fire pits—perfect for warming up and making s’mores with the kids—or they can be dramatic showstoppers such as a gas firewall, sure to wow any guest with its modern simplicity. A glass of wine, a cozy blanket to ward off any late-season chill, and there’s no better place to spend a fall Arizona evening. Cheers!

Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

SKEWERS 4 Hoisin-marinated chicken tenders (marinate for 12 hours) 1 c salad mix 1/4 c miso dressing 2 red peppers, julienned 2 yellow pepper, julienned 2 tbsp. Hoisin Sauce 1/4c sweet chili sauce 1 tsp. black and white sesame seeds, toasted

Local Flavor!

Arizona Restaurant Week Participating Restaurants | September 21-29 602.307.9134 | ArizonaRestaurantWeek.com Get out and explore the many great restaurants the valley has to offer! With great prices and restaurant selections this is a chance to delight your palate.

This statewide affair offers foodies a wealth of dining opportunities and the chance to get outside their own neighborhood and try something new. From sizzling Southwestern and soothing comfort foods to five-star dining and international fare – it’s all on the table during Arizona Restaurant Week.

Village Tavern 480.951.6445 | Villagetavern.com

Place Hoisin-marinated chicken (skewered) on grill and cook evenly, be careful not to burn the skewers.

Combine salad mix and miso dressing and coat evenly. Place salad in a tall pile in the center of the plate. Place peppers around the salad. After the chicken is cooked, brush with Hoisin Sauce and place chicken on salad to

form a tee-pee. Sprinkle with sesame seeds over the entire plate. Serve with a ramekin of sweet chili sauce.

MISO DRESSING FOR SALAD 1/2 c Shiro Miso Paste 1/4 tsp. soy sauce 1/3 c rice wine vinegar 1 tbsp. cilantro, chopped 1/3 c mayonnaise 1/3 c water 2 tsp. honey 2/3 c olive oil Combine all ingredients except for the olive oil and mix thoroughly.

Add olive oil slowly while whisking until completely emulsified.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Arizona Homeowner September | October 2013

Outdoor Adventure

We are pleased to announce that we have joined Homeowners Financial Group USA, LLC. “Your Award Winning Mortgage Company.”

HFG is a full service, locally owned and operated mortgage banker.

As Temperatures Cool, Get Ready to Enjoy Your Backyard!

• FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional First Time Homebuyer, Jumbo Loans, Reverse Mortgages, and our Exclusive Portfolio Select Products: Clean Slate, Step Up, and 95% Jumbo • Convenient in-house underwriting and funding with quick turn times • Our website makes online pre-qualification fast and easy

www.homeownersfg.com

Ericka Martinez Hirons

Michael Rodriguez

Licensed Mortgage Professional

Licensed Mortgage Professional

NMLS#294688

NMLS#113673

480.305.8630

480.305.8632

Jessica Martinez Emes

Jazel Martinez

480.305.8634

480.305.8633

Marketing/ Business Development

Loan Coordinator

Homeowners Financial Group USA, LLC | BK#0906222 | NMLS#93718.

This is not a pre-approval or commitment to engage in a loan transaction. All loan products may not be available in your area and are subject to credit and property approval pursuant to agency and investor guidelines. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice.

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

Cover & Interior Photography | Mark Boisclair | Architecture | Tate Studio Architects

Partnering Together To Serve You Better

your home

Neutral Paint Palettes, Mass Appeal

3MGroup Classic Service, Modern Lending

grilling gourmet Village Tavern’s Thai Chicken Skewers