Kids’ Corner IN THIS ISSUE

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

HOME CHECKLIST FOR MIGRATING SNOWBIRDS

By Scott Gaertner

It is getting to be that time again when our fine weather fowl friends will be leaving us, and we need to remind them of best practices for leaving.

THE SNOWBIRD’S CHECKLIST: Alert Your H.O.A.

Most HOA’s have vacation watch programs. Let them know you are leaving.

Shut Some Power Off

Turn off the breakers to anything that won’t need power including the microwave, range and dishwasher to minimize “power drain” and higher utility bills.

Remove Batteries

Take the batteries out of all remotes, clocks, and everything else, except the smoke detectors. (By the way, Dura-

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Set A/C at 85 Degrees

And change the filters. If you don’t, the heat could crack cabinets, drywall and, in some cases, even windows. It’s a good idea to have the system serviced before you leave, including having the condensate lines blown.

Clear the Crumbs

Take all food with you, even nonperishables. You can donate the nonperishables to Foothills Food Bank (480-488-1145). If a critter happens to get in while you’re gone, you’ll be glad you did. Don’t forget to clean appliances like toasters and ovens for the same reason.

Take out the Trash

Empty all trash and wash out all wastebaskets and garbage cans. Run the

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dishwasher and make sure you wipe up any water in the bottom. Your nose will be glad you did. Critters will find what you leave behind.

Pay for Pest Control

Do not suspend it. The bugs don’t know you’re away.

Leave the Fridge On

Set it to the highest setting and leave an open jug of water in both sides. Since it’s on anyway, put your candles in there so they don’t melt.

Cut the Water

As long as the landscape is getting water, it’s OK to turn off the water to your house. But take these precautions:

• If you don’t have a water shut off valve - GET ONE! They are a great investment. Toilet and sink feed lines are notorious for flooding homes. If your shut-off valve is outside, remove the handle to minimize the chance of knuckleheads doing what knuckleheads do.

• Make sure the water heater is turned to “off” (not set to “pilot” or “vacation”) or you could cook the heater if you’re gone for a long time.

• Have someone come turn the water on once a month (at least) and run all fixtures and flush the toilets. Have them also run a quick cycle in the washer. If not, the traps will dry out and the house will smell like a sewer.

• Fill a 5-gallon bucket of water, one for every bathroom and one in the kitchen, to keep moisture in the house so things don’t dry out too much. I recommend putting the buckets in the tub/shower and the kitchen sink to keep from making rings on the flooring.

• Plastic wrap over the toilets will slow down evaporation. Choose colored wrap to avoid… well, you know! Some people even put a little vegetable oil in the sink/tub/shower drains to slow down evaporation.

If you need someone to watch your home let us know. Scottsdale North Homewatchers 480-634-5000 will save you money in the long run, and help you sleep better while you are away. Then enjoy your time away from Arizona but think of us often. We will miss you!!

Scott Gaertner is an Associate Broker with Keller Williams Northeast Realty, who for the past 25+ years has helped more people to find their lifestyle niche in the Scottsdale North area than anyone else.

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

MARKETING MATTERS - ANOTHER DISTRESSED SELLER SAVED By Scott Gaertner We created a great marketing strategy I told the seller that he wasn’t over- We don’t mind helping distressed sellers and sold it in just eight days, for a priced, he was undermarketed. We went in need, and we absolutely love the suc-

It happened again! I recently wrote an full price that was higher than the last in and made some pretty dramatic but cess stories. But it is counterproductive article in this paper describing how agent’s listing price. simple changes to the marketing. The to have a home sit on the market for a choosing the right real estate agent seller was absolutely incredible and did long time. The listing becomes stigmato sell your home can make a huge dif- Well, a similar client success story hap- everything we asked - including starring tized as potential buyers wonder what ference in terms of dollars, time on the pened again this month, but this time in a video! (This guy was a captain of is wrong with the home. If you want to market and overall peace of mind. In with a twist. This time the agent called industry, but I think he may have missed sell a home quickly and for top dollar, the article, I shared one of my favorite me and asked if I would take over the his calling as an on-screen personality.) skip all those headaches and give us a client success stories that happened last listing. Maybe this will be the second in We raised the price by $10,000, put it on call first. fall - our team took over a listing that a series of articles on how we save sell- the market with the new marketing strathad been on the market and not sold for ers in distress, but I can assure you that egy, and received an offer the very first To see the article about our first client five years with seven different agents. we don’t look for these failed listings day. After a few days in negotiation, we listing rescue story, go to: scottsdale- they find us. I promise you that we are are now in escrow waiting to close and northnews.com/does-it-even-matternot the people who continually call you our seller will get move on with his life. what-real-estate-agent-you-choose/ when your listing expires. We do not do that, ever! As I write this, it feels uncomfortably Scott Gaertner is an braggy, which turns my stomach a Associate Broker with In this case, the home had been on the bit. But I think this is very important Keller Williams Northmarket for 1,192 days, or just over information to convey to you. My point east Realty, who for three years. The agent told me that is this: marketing matters and the agent the past 25+ years has the seller asked him to call me, and he you choose to sell your home matters. helped more people asked if I would consider taking over (By the way, I purposely didn’t name to find their lifestyle the listing and paying him a referral the seller, the previous agent, or the niche in the Scottsdale North area than fee. I agreed. property to avoid embarrassing anyone.) anyone else.

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April12th