CONTENTS April/May 2021
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Volume 1, Issue 1
From the Publisher Welcome!
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Cover Story To Renovate…or Not by Deborah Dove
PUBLISHER Linda Gross
CREATIVE DESIGNER Barbara Peavy
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Business Spotlight
EDITOR
Renew Old Pipes with NuFlow
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
by Deborah Dove
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Mayor’s Corner Superior, Colorful, Comfortable By Mila Besich
14 Finance Is It a Good Time to Buy a House? By Holly Sanders
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Copper Corridor HOMES
Patricia Sanders Mila Besich Deborah Dove Holly Sanders
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHY Linda Gross Published six times a year Copyright@2021 Copper Corridor Homes 175 E Cedar Street, Globe, AZ 85501. Phone: 928.701.3320 publisher@coppercorridorhomes.com Find us on . All rights reserved. Reproduction of the contents of this publication without permission is strictly prohibited. Copper Corridor Homes neither endorses nor is responsible for the content of advertisements.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Welcome!
W
elcome to the first issue of Copper Corridor Homes, a magazine dedicated to the marketplace of home ownership throughout the Copper Corridor. The Corridor is made up of communities built on ranching and mining interests dating back a century or more. From Oracle to Globe-Miami, and Coolidge to Tonto Basin, those interests are still active today and continue to play a role in shaping the character of this region. In addition, it is a region which includes the world-renowned destinations of Roosevelt Lake, Boyce Thompson Arboretum and St. Anthony’s Greek Monastery, and encompasses a national forest, which offers a vast outdoor recreation playground and plenty of wide-open spaces. All of which has attracted people from far-flung places to come here, looking for a place to call their own. People from Rapid City, South Dakota and Seattle, Washington; and from Chico, California to Canada have discovered us. They want to move here. They are moving here. Some want to start a business where the overhead is lower. Some are attracted to the sense of community they feel while attending local events or talking to the locals while exploring the area. Some want to raise a family in less-crowded conditions. And some want to retire here and go fishing or off-roading with friends. The demand has created a strong market in real estate throughout the Corridor, where inventory is tight and prices are rising. Yet, there are still deals to be found, which is one reason to hook up with a good realtor now to help you in your search. And, the creation of Opportunity Zones and a growing demand for housing in the region has drawn new investment partners, such as communities like Superior, which are experiencing a renaissance led by mayors like Mila Besich (pp 11). Connecting engaged buyers and investment opportunities in a network of rural Corridor communities that share common ground is our mission. We are here to elevate that connection and focus on the qualities that draw buyers to our area. Each issue will bring you stories about those who are making Copper Corridor the destination of choice. We look forward to having you join us each month. Enjoy,
Linda Gross Linda Gross
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Copper Corridor Homes
COVER STORY
To Renovate… or Not
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By Deborah Dove
Pandemic remodeling is booming. And why not? If you’re going to be spending the majority of your time at home, you might as well make it a space that you enjoy. While most experts agree that home renovation projects should be undertaken primarily to meet the needs and desires of the homeowner rather than to capitalize on a potential selling price, according to Remodeling Magazine, the average renovation pays back about 65 percent of its cost if you sell your house soon after the remodel is completed. But, the payback varies. Some renovation projects add resale value to your home, almost guaranteeing you’ll recoup most of your investment. Others, such as room additions and swimming pools, don’t. In fact, according to Investopedia, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home’s value by seven percent. If you’re planning to stay in your home for a while and need extra space or fantasize about weekends spent lounging by the pool, then by all
means, go ahead with the project of your dreams. For those wanting to capitalize on their home renovation investment, following are the top three renovations that provide the biggest payoff.
First Impressions Matter When it comes to selling a house, the inside can be gorgeous, but if the outside is tired, unkempt or lacks curb appeal, potential buyers may never even see the interior. According to Remodeling Magazine, you can get the best bang for your buck with a new garage door (a 94.5% return on your investment), a new front door (a 68.8% return), and siding (around 78%). Replacement siding also offers the added value of being low maintenance, an important issue for cost-conscious buyers. Deck additions also top the list of renovations that add value to your home, as people move their living outdoors. Obviously, deck additions are more popular in regions where outdoor lifestyles are more popular, and homeowners can recover a whopping 106 percent of its value when the house is sold according to some surveys. Landscaping— even something as simple as adding a pop of color with pots of perennials on a welcoming front porch—also has a huge impact.
Kitchen Update
Landscaping can be as simple as a stone walkway and limited greenery to keep water bills to a minimum, while providing that wow-effect for first impressions.
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It’s often said the kitchen is the heart of the home, and since most families spend the majority of their time there, investing in improving the look and functionality of your kitchen is always a good choice. Of course, kitchen styles vary—from country farmhouse to sleek modern to cottage charm—so it’s important decide on the look you want to achieve before you begin. Updating your backsplash is one of the
Copper Corridor Homes
The kitchen in this 110-year-old home successfully blended the original design with new finishes and fixtures to create a modern look. Consistency in countertops, cabinetry and hardware all work together to ensure a pleasing flow to the overall design. Design: Renee Thompson. Photography: Kenneth Chan.
easiest and most cost-efficient ways to freshen up your kitchen—with subway tile, shiplap and tile all being popular choices. Countertops can also completely change the look of a kitchen, and there are numerous choices beyond the old standard laminate, including natural stones like granite and marble, engineered stone such as quartz, or butcher block countertops—an up-and-coming trend. Kitchen islands—the bigger the better, for meal prep and Zoom meetings—are big right now as well. Likewise, cabinets are an important part of a kitchen upgrade, whether you paint your existing cabinets (perhaps white to brighten the space, or green, the trend for 2021), opt to replace them, or visually enlarge your space with open shelving or cabinets with glass doors. Of course, a fresh coat of paint, new hardware and stainless appliances remain one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to upgrade your kitchen without draining your wallet.
Creating a Bathroom Oasis
Like kitchens, bathroom remodels are always at the top of the list of the best investments you can make in your house. Walk-in showers have replaced whirlpool tubs on most buyers’ wish lists, so this is definitely the place to splurge. Open showers that visually open the space and provide convenience, his and her
showerheads, body sprays, and steam showers are all hot right now. Increased vanity surface area, vintage or statement fixtures, and stylish but functional lighting are also trends that will increase the value of your home. Of course, unless you have an unlimited budget, you must prioritize what you spend your money on, so determine what must be replaced and what can be refreshed. For example, can you paint the cabinets or replace the hardware instead of tearing out the existing cabinets? Do you need a brand-new vanity sink, or can you update the faucet and fixtures? And keep in mind that something as simple as a new mirror and light fixtures can boost a bathroom’s appeal.
Up-and-Coming Trend: Eco-Friendly Renovations Investing in green home improvements can not only help you save money on utilities and reduce pollution, but they can also increase the value of your home, particularly as millennials—a group increasingly interested in green living—comprise the majority of home buyers. Options include energy-efficient windows, tankless water heaters and solar panels. Deborah Dove is a freelance writer.
April/May 2021
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Renew Old Pipes with NuFlow by Deborah Dove While new homes are typically built with PVC piping, chances are that if your home was built before 1975, you have cast iron pipes. This means you may be sitting on ticking time bomb. That’s because cast iron pipes—which replaced clay pipes, the oldest piping material in the world and the material of choice in the U.S. until the 1900s—are particularly vulnerable to corrosion. This can lead to breakdown and failure, resulting in thousands of dollars in property damage. You may have broken, corroded or failing pipes if your home was built pre-1970s and you’re experiencing slow drainage, frequent backups, leaks, foul odor or signs of water damage Luckily, NuFlow’s groundbreaking technology is a game changer in the industry, giving Copper Corridor homeowners, hospitals, schools, municipalities, and multifamily and commercial buildings an alternative to costly excavation and system replacements with a method that’s renewable and safe at a fraction of the cost. “NuFlow offers a true trenchless rehabilitation of the existing system,” says Brent Weindorf, office manager for NuFlow Tucson. How? Read on to find out.
The Technology
NuFlow’s technology was first developed in 1989 in partnership with the U.S. Navy to create a cost-effective alternative to replacing water lines. In a nutshell, NuFlow lines pipes. For pressurized systems such as water lines, gas lines and fire suppression, an epoxy is blown into the pipe with compressed air, creating a barrier coating, or an inside-out corrosion prohibitive. Not only does this liner prevent corrosion, but it also prevents chemicals from the pipes leaching into the water supply. The lining is NSF61 approved, meaning it’s passed all the safety requirements for drinking water, so you can rest assured your water is safe for your family. It is best to get ahead of the problem with a preventative approach, so if you are experiencing pinhole leaks, NuFlow is still a viable option. Sewer cameras are utilized to give a closed-circuit visual of the problem without having to expose the pipe (NuFlow provides this service free of charge) and can determine if the pipes are damaged and can benefit from NuFlow’s cutting-edge technology. NuFlow uses a different technology for non-pressured
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pipe systems such as sewer pipes, providing a structural enhancement that’s like a “pipe within a pipe.” A felt sleeve impregnated with epoxy, and with a bladder that goes inside of the liner, can be pulled into the existing sewer pipe. The host pipe is cleaned to remove buildup and debris and is restored to its original diameter. An aftercleaning video inspection is then performed to confirm the pipe is clean and ready to be lined. The liner is then custom built onsite to conform to the measurements and conditions of that project, so it will never expand larger than the host pipe.
The Best and Most Cost-Efficient Solution
What really sets NuFlow apart from a traditional plumber is that NuFlow rehabilitates existing pipes. That means occupants are not displaced—they can stay in their home while the repairs are made. And because it’s a restoration of the existing system, nothing is thrown away or demolished, making NuFlow’s rehabilitation half the cost of a traditional repair. Not only will NuFlow save you money, it’s also the only green choice. During traditional pipe repairs, concrete, flooring, walls and cabinetry are demolished to get to the pipe which must then be thrown out, adding to America’s ever-growing landfills. Since NuFlow adds a life expectancy of 100 years to the pipes (not to mention an excellent warranty), NuFlow is a true environmentally friendly “renew and reuse” option. “It’s one of those things that you do once and never have to do again,” says Weindorf. Deborah Dove is a freelance writer.
Copper Corridor Homes
M AYO R ’ S CO R N E R
Superior, Colorful, Comfortable by Mila Besich Our community of Superior is experiencing a oncein-a-lifetime renaissance. Over the past decade, our community has been committed to tackling blight, creating unique and special places, and also working towards making Superior a very comfortable and colorful community. Our success as a community comes from everyone putting their best efforts forward to make Superior this special place. Our motto, is “Together we are Superior,” which means that we are committed to working with our local and regional partners. We have dusted off plans and feasibility studies from the past two decades and started working those plans into realistic projects that improve our community. Our town leadership is poised and focussed to work through the challenges that often come our way when development meets older infrastructure and zoning issues. We try to remain as idea-friendly as possible and not let these challenges get in our way, or in the way of those who are choosing to invest in our community. Superior is part of one of the largest Opportunity Zones in the State of Arizona, we are fortunate that our entire municipal boundaries are included in this zone. Our downtown has tremendous opportunity for additional development, and our recent annexation means that there will be additional opportunity for growth. A recent hotel feasibility study indicates that Superior needs a hotel and as our population grows, we will need more service businesses and a variety of housing options. Superior’s proximity to the Phoenix metro area, ample, reliable internet access and access to the Tonto National Forest makes our community an ideal location
to purchase a new home. There are opportunities to build on in-fill lots, remodel a home or find that special place that is move-in ready, for you to call home. Our community has a wide variety of organizations and activities to participate in, which will instantly connect you to the greater Superior community. That sense of community is what often sets Superior apart. We have several parks and trails and, of course, we have the world renowned Boyce Thompson Arboretum—a truly unique community amenity. If you are planning a day trip or weekend trip to the Copper Corridor, Superior is your first stop. We have a wide variety of restaurants, hiking trails and outdoor adventures, along with many unique retail shops and art galleries. Once you visit Superior, you never know, you may decide to stay for a lifetime. Mila Besich is the mayor of Superior.
April/May 2021
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FINANCE
Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House? by Holly Sanders Are you unsure whether right now is a good time to buy a house? Whether you are buying your first home or selling your current house, if your needs are changing and you think you need to move, ask yourself two questions:
1) Do I think home values will be higher a year from now? 2) Do I think mortgage rates will be higher a year from now? If the answer is ‘yes’ to either question, you should
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strongly consider buying now. If the answer to both questions is ‘yes,’ you should buy now. Nobody can guarantee what home values or mortgage rates will be by the end of this year. The experts, however, seem certain the answer to both questions above is a resounding ‘yes.’ Mortgage rates are expected to rise and home values are expected to appreciate rather nicely. What does this mean to you? Here is the possible financial impact of waiting: • You could pay more for the house • You may need an additional money for a down payment • You pay more per month in your mortgage payment • You lose the increase in wealth through equity build-up There are many things to consider when buying a home. However, from a purely financial aspect, if you find a home that meets your needs, buying now makes much more sense than buying next year. Holly Sanders has worked with Geneva Financial since 2011, and has been a Top Producer Nationwide for the past 5 years.
Copper Corridor Homes