Mark Brower Properties | AZHO

www.markrent.com

Do you want your investment property to be managed by the best?

The Leader in Residential Property Management Call Mark today for the most effective, worry free, full-service management company ready to serve you at 480.336.2556.

P R O P E R T I E S Vol. 3 Issue 8

QUALITY MARKETING

HAPPY OWNERS & TENANTS

LESS TENANT TURNOVER

➜ ➜

DETAILED SCREENING

CONTROLLED PROCESSES

We are

trustworthy managers delivering quality service.

saving summer

Cooling Off Your A/C Bill

LOWER COSTS

P R O P E R T I E S

taking thyme for herbs Creating an Indoor Garden

rainbow lodge’s

Mark Brower Mark@MarkRent.com | EMAIL 480.336.2556 | OFFICE 602.228.9617 | CELL If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Shaved Fennel and Baby Kale Salad www.markrent.com Produced by DLP Marketing • (480)460-0996 • DLPmarketing.com

where music lives Nashville, Tennessee

Quality Property Management For Quality Properties

How Does Your HERB GARDEN Grow?

TIME FOR TRAVEL Nashville, TN

Nashville is where music lives. A place where music hangs its hat and puts its feet up on the furniture. To really experience Nashville’s music history, see a show inside the Ryman and Grand Ole Opry. Visit Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree, the second oldest radio show, airing after the Grand Ole Opry. Walk along Music Mile or Music Row. See Historic RCA Studio B, Music City’s only historic studio tour. Learn why they call it “Music City” at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. At night, the city comes alive! Hit up the Gulch entertainment district or the District, a vibrant part of Lower Broadway, where honky tonks and good restaurants converge. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and other honky tonks are jampacked with people.

Hear up-and-comers and renowned songwriters perform at legendary Bluebird Cafe, and see a show at famous Wildhorse Saloon. Get a seat at the Station Inn for some of the city’s best bluegrass. See why our state-of-the-art Schermerhorn Symphony Center is so popular among locals and visitors. Nashville is a place where people don’t just talk about songs and lyrics, but live them night and day.

Source: TNvacation.com/cities-towns/Nashville

H

ere we are, in the midst of another warm summer. Whether you’ve just moved or you’ve lived here for decades, the sting of those summertime energy bills can drain the fun from summer just as quickly as they can drain the money from your pocketbook. There are, however, ways to cut your cooling bills significantly without having to make dramatic changes to your lifestyle.

First and foremost, determine if your current air conditioner is working as efficiently as it can. Hiring a licensed contractor to service your unit each year will keep it in tip-top shape. If you haven’t had your unit serviced before, have your contractor verify that your unit is the right size for your home or that you have enough units to properly cool the home. If it is determined that your air conditioner needs to be replaced or needs major repairs, look for a system with an extra-high efficiency. Air conditioning systems are measured with a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) number. Look for a rating of 14-SEER or better. A higher-efficiency unit will cost more, but will pay for itself within a few years by producing reduced cooling bills.

When you leave your home for the day or for a weekend, it may be tempting to turn your air condi-tioning unit off while you’re away. Instead, increase the setting to 85 degrees or so. You will actually save money because your unit will have to work so hard to bring a home down than if it was just left on at 85 degrees the whole time. Installing a programmable thermostat is an easy way to set it to a comfortable temperature for when you’re home, a higher temperature for when you’re away and perhaps an even cooler temperature for sleeping.

If you’re able to, set your thermostat a few degrees warmer than you may prefer but compensate by using fans. As you know, the movement of air over your skin makes you feel cooler even though the temperature is warmer.

For every degree higher you can set your thermostat, you’ll save about three percent on the air conditioning portion of your electric bill. Turn fans off though when you’re not in the room because running the fan doesn’t actually lower the temperature and its benefits are only felt if someone is in the room.

Lastly, make sure that your vents are not obstructed by furnishings or window coverings and that you’ve installed weather stripping around drafty windows and doors. Do your part to save as much energy as you can this year – you just may have some money left over for extra trips to the ice cream parlor!

YOUR HOME

W

hat do the nation’s top chefs name as their number one secret to success? Using fresh, locally-grown ingredients to create dishes that capitalize on the abundant flavors from those good quality, simple elements.

As you may plan to kick your own culinary skills up a notch, your first step should be one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to take your meals from “blah” to “ahh”: cooking with herbs you’ve grown yourself.

Not only is growing an indoor herb garden fairly easy, it looks really great as an addition to your kitchen décor. If you have small kids in the house, getting them involved makes for a fun summertime family project too.

First, decide what herbs you’ll plant and where you’ll keep them.

If you’d like to create a popular “herb bowl” with several varieties, just be sure they all require similar amounts of sunlight and moisture.

Next, buy seeds, purchase small plants, or even ask friends for herb cuttings to get you started. Seeds are a great choice, as transplanting plants from outside can also bring unwanted pests along.

IN GOOD TASTE

KEEPING COOL & SAVING MONEY

After you’ve planted, take care that you’re supplying your plants with the right amount of water and light. Lastly, allow the plants some time to acclimate. Once you see new growth, you can start using your herbs. So snip your plants often to encourage abundant, leafy results!

Best Bets for Your Garden Not only do the following herbs grow well indoors, they’re a great starting point for a chef’s use.

Basil – Fresh basil paired with juicy summertime tomatoes is a bit of magic in itself. Basil loves full sun and moist, but well-drained soil.

Sage – This is a great herb for drying. By the time fall rolls around, you’ll have saved enough to create scrumptious autumn-inspired dishes and perhaps even have several bundles left over for an amazing seasonal herb wreath.

Cilantro – For the best flavor and lush, leafy foliage, growing cilantro needs plenty of sun. However, keep it shaded during the hottest part of the day. High temperatures will rush the plant into flowering, followed by seeds. Once this herb sets seeds, it will stop producing leaves.

Rosemary – Potted rosemary is easy to grow and will survive for years. It prefers southern or western exposure and requires six hours a day of sunlight.

Thyme – This hearty plant needs minimal watering and grows well in an arid, air-conditioned environment. Plus, its tiny purple flowers make for a pretty display.

Shaved Fennel and Baby Kale Salad with Pistachio, Olive and Feta INGREDIENTS

baby kale arugula

young chard leaves 10 large Spanish green olives (pitted, rinsed and broken in half) 1 bulb shaved fennel ¼c feta 1 plum or pluot (washed and sliced into crescents) 2 tbsp roasted and salted pistachios out of the shell 1/2 lemon 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil PREPARATION In a large bowl, carefully toss all ingredients (except lemon, olive oil, and plum) together taking care not to break up the Feta. Drizzle salad with the juice of ½ lemon and 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil. Finish with fresh cracked black pepper and arrange the plums on top for presentation.

Serves 4 people

Rainbow Lodge Rainbow-Lodge.com

How Does Your HERB GARDEN Grow?

TIME FOR TRAVEL Nashville, TN

Nashville is where music lives. A place where music hangs its hat and puts its feet up on the furniture. To really experience Nashville’s music history, see a show inside the Ryman and Grand Ole Opry. Visit Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree, the second oldest radio show, airing after the Grand Ole Opry. Walk along Music Mile or Music Row. See Historic RCA Studio B, Music City’s only historic studio tour. Learn why they call it “Music City” at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. At night, the city comes alive! Hit up the Gulch entertainment district or the District, a vibrant part of Lower Broadway, where honky tonks and good restaurants converge. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and other honky tonks are jampacked with people.

Hear up-and-comers and renowned songwriters perform at legendary Bluebird Cafe, and see a show at famous Wildhorse Saloon. Get a seat at the Station Inn for some of the city’s best bluegrass. See why our state-of-the-art Schermerhorn Symphony Center is so popular among locals and visitors. Nashville is a place where people don’t just talk about songs and lyrics, but live them night and day.

Source: TNvacation.com/cities-towns/Nashville

H

ere we are, in the midst of another warm summer. Whether you’ve just moved or you’ve lived here for decades, the sting of those summertime energy bills can drain the fun from summer just as quickly as they can drain the money from your pocketbook. There are, however, ways to cut your cooling bills significantly without having to make dramatic changes to your lifestyle.

First and foremost, determine if your current air conditioner is working as efficiently as it can. Hiring a licensed contractor to service your unit each year will keep it in tip-top shape. If you haven’t had your unit serviced before, have your contractor verify that your unit is the right size for your home or that you have enough units to properly cool the home. If it is determined that your air conditioner needs to be replaced or needs major repairs, look for a system with an extra-high efficiency. Air conditioning systems are measured with a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) number. Look for a rating of 14-SEER or better. A higher-efficiency unit will cost more, but will pay for itself within a few years by producing reduced cooling bills.

When you leave your home for the day or for a weekend, it may be tempting to turn your air condi-tioning unit off while you’re away. Instead, increase the setting to 85 degrees or so. You will actually save money because your unit will have to work so hard to bring a home down than if it was just left on at 85 degrees the whole time. Installing a programmable thermostat is an easy way to set it to a comfortable temperature for when you’re home, a higher temperature for when you’re away and perhaps an even cooler temperature for sleeping.

If you’re able to, set your thermostat a few degrees warmer than you may prefer but compensate by using fans. As you know, the movement of air over your skin makes you feel cooler even though the temperature is warmer.

For every degree higher you can set your thermostat, you’ll save about three percent on the air conditioning portion of your electric bill. Turn fans off though when you’re not in the room because running the fan doesn’t actually lower the temperature and its benefits are only felt if someone is in the room.

Lastly, make sure that your vents are not obstructed by furnishings or window coverings and that you’ve installed weather stripping around drafty windows and doors. Do your part to save as much energy as you can this year – you just may have some money left over for extra trips to the ice cream parlor!

YOUR HOME

W

hat do the nation’s top chefs name as their number one secret to success? Using fresh, locally-grown ingredients to create dishes that capitalize on the abundant flavors from those good quality, simple elements.

As you may plan to kick your own culinary skills up a notch, your first step should be one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to take your meals from “blah” to “ahh”: cooking with herbs you’ve grown yourself.

Not only is growing an indoor herb garden fairly easy, it looks really great as an addition to your kitchen décor. If you have small kids in the house, getting them involved makes for a fun summertime family project too.

First, decide what herbs you’ll plant and where you’ll keep them.

If you’d like to create a popular “herb bowl” with several varieties, just be sure they all require similar amounts of sunlight and moisture.

Next, buy seeds, purchase small plants, or even ask friends for herb cuttings to get you started. Seeds are a great choice, as transplanting plants from outside can also bring unwanted pests along.

IN GOOD TASTE

KEEPING COOL & SAVING MONEY

After you’ve planted, take care that you’re supplying your plants with the right amount of water and light. Lastly, allow the plants some time to acclimate. Once you see new growth, you can start using your herbs. So snip your plants often to encourage abundant, leafy results!

Best Bets for Your Garden Not only do the following herbs grow well indoors, they’re a great starting point for a chef’s use.

Basil – Fresh basil paired with juicy summertime tomatoes is a bit of magic in itself. Basil loves full sun and moist, but well-drained soil.

Sage – This is a great herb for drying. By the time fall rolls around, you’ll have saved enough to create scrumptious autumn-inspired dishes and perhaps even have several bundles left over for an amazing seasonal herb wreath.

Cilantro – For the best flavor and lush, leafy foliage, growing cilantro needs plenty of sun. However, keep it shaded during the hottest part of the day. High temperatures will rush the plant into flowering, followed by seeds. Once this herb sets seeds, it will stop producing leaves.

Rosemary – Potted rosemary is easy to grow and will survive for years. It prefers southern or western exposure and requires six hours a day of sunlight.

Thyme – This hearty plant needs minimal watering and grows well in an arid, air-conditioned environment. Plus, its tiny purple flowers make for a pretty display.

Shaved Fennel and Baby Kale Salad with Pistachio, Olive and Feta INGREDIENTS

baby kale arugula

young chard leaves 10 large Spanish green olives (pitted, rinsed and broken in half) 1 bulb shaved fennel ¼c feta 1 plum or pluot (washed and sliced into crescents) 2 tbsp roasted and salted pistachios out of the shell 1/2 lemon 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil PREPARATION In a large bowl, carefully toss all ingredients (except lemon, olive oil, and plum) together taking care not to break up the Feta. Drizzle salad with the juice of ½ lemon and 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil. Finish with fresh cracked black pepper and arrange the plums on top for presentation.

Serves 4 people

Rainbow Lodge Rainbow-Lodge.com

www.markrent.com

Do you want your investment property to be managed by the best?

The Leader in Residential Property Management Call Mark today for the most effective, worry free, full-service management company ready to serve you at 480.336.2556.

P R O P E R T I E S Vol. 3 Issue 8

QUALITY MARKETING

HAPPY OWNERS & TENANTS

LESS TENANT TURNOVER

➜ ➜

DETAILED SCREENING

CONTROLLED PROCESSES

We are

trustworthy managers delivering quality service.

saving summer

Cooling Off Your A/C Bill

LOWER COSTS

P R O P E R T I E S

taking thyme for herbs Creating an Indoor Garden

rainbow lodge’s

Mark Brower Mark@MarkRent.com | EMAIL 480.336.2556 | OFFICE 602.228.9617 | CELL If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Shaved Fennel and Baby Kale Salad www.markrent.com Produced by DLP Marketing • (480)460-0996 • DLPmarketing.com

where music lives Nashville, Tennessee

Quality Property Management For Quality Properties