Monthly Archives: December 2017

Rural Realty

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There’s no doubt about it; Payson is a beautiful town with plenty to offer in its own right. However, a major attraction to this little town is the diverse housing market just a stone’s throw outside the town’s borders. Many people who move here just want to escape the valley’s hectic lifestyle and blazing summer heat. This dream is not only realized in Payson but in the idyllic surrounding area. For half the commuting time the average Phoenician spends in angry traffic, one can travel between their workplace in Payson and a mountain sanctuary in dozens of nearby forested communities. We’re sharing our top-secret tips to find these hidden gems today. Ditch the pavement for ponderosas

 

Real estate apps

A good place to start is with a reliable real estate app. Thankfully with so many to choose from you can easily find one that caters to your specific needs. For example, United Country’s app (http://www.unitedcountry.com/iphone.htm) allows you to search the U.S. for “countryside” style listings under the slogan “Rural Real Estate at Your Fingertips”. There are many such apps out there ready to assist you in your specific house hunt.

 

Find the right real estate agent for you

The most common advice anyone will give for finding a good real estate agent is asking friends and family about their own experiences. Have your friends tell their friends what kind of home you are searching for to widen your net.

By far the most effective method of finding the right real estate agent for you is through research. The more you narrow down your needs the better. If horse property is important, for instance, this will allow you to focus your parameters more efficiently on a real estate app. For a real estate agent, find out if they have at least a few sales under their belt for the type of house you want. If that information is not available on their website, make a meeting and ask them directly.

 

Pine

Okay, we’ve covered some ways to do your own rural house searching, now let’s look at some of the prime areas around Payson for these kinds of homes.

 Situated 15 miles north of Payson, the cozy town of Pine is tucked into a dense ponderosa forest. While you will most likely go to Payson for your major grocery runs, Pine has a convenient little market as well as several delicious eateries. They even have a farmer’s market with loads of fresh produce and handmade gifts. With plenty of housing developments branching off every direction, this quaint town is only a 20 minute commute to Payson through gorgeous scenery.

 

Strawberry

Just a two mile jaunt north of Pine is an even smaller town called Strawberry. The surrounding area is dotted with fantastic homes nestled away from the rest of the world. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the woods while being in close proximity to your work and shopping needs.

 

Christopher Creek

About 17 miles east of Payson, Christopher Creek boasts one of the most beautiful locations in the Rim Country. A 25 minute, scenic drive down East Highway 260 takes you into the core of what makes the Payson area special. Thick evergreen forests and mountain vistas greet you as soon as you begin your commute. The seasonal Christopher Creek Lodge has scrumptious food and great views. Explore any random road in the area and you will find woodsy communities filled with cabins, a-frames, and even luxury homes to suit your taste.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Start to Furnish…

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Ways to furnish your new home on a budget

 

You say you just moved into a new house? Congratulations! But before you let us bring the champagne you explain that there’s no furniture in your new home yet. Maybe you moved across the country or just flushed out your old stuff since you were moving anyway. Either way, you need some help furnishing your house and adding your own decorative touch.  Have no fear! We’re here to offer ways to fill up your home without emptying your wallet.

 

Blank Slate

Realize that an empty house is a blessing. It gives you the rare opportunity to actually fill up rooms with only the things you want in them without the guilt of donating some ancient family relic in order to free up space.

Take this moment to look at your blank canvas and think about how you want to furnish it. Go through each room and make a list of what you will use it for. From there consider the style or theme you would like to emerge and if a consistent look throughout the house is important to you or not.

Craigslist

By far one of the most economical ways to furnish your home is through the online classified site, Craigslist. With tens of millions of new postings each month, this online venue can provide literally every last thing you need for your new house.

Of course, with used items of any kind, prudence needs to be exercised. The advantage with buying used furniture is that generally the original owners know they are over a barrel when selling. Used furniture depreciates in value very quickly and is difficult to move, adding (or should we say “subtracting” for your cost) to the challenge of selling it on.

In one instance, a friend bought a queen size mattress off of Craigslist for $100, pitched in an extra $20 to have the owner drive it over in his pickup, and that friend enjoyed years of exceptionally comfortable nights. No joke, the mattress he got was probably originally ten times what he paid for it. No stains, rips, or unpleasant bed bug surprises. It was used gently for a year as the owner had claimed.

Obviously, not every transaction story can be as smooth as the one my friend experienced, but with a combination of caution and research you can score amazing deals on your perfect furnishings. Lots of furniture has to be donated and even then, some volunteer organizations don’t have enough room for all of the donations to even accept them. This leaves owners with the option of paying a fee to trash it or offer good deals locally. Leverage this situation with online stores such as Craigslist.

 

Get Thrifty

The other efficient option is to surf your local thrift stores and used furniture places. Thrift shops are often inundated with donations. Usually with reasonable prices, thrifts are great venues to check out furniture in person. Check closely for faded stains or disintegrating edges.

Filing cabinets, book shelves, and desks abound! Furnish your home office with all the accessories you need to be organized and productive. I know several people who have found incredible office chairs at thrift shops for the equivalent of the price of tax on the same chair in a new office supply store. In addition to some savvy searching, let friends and co-workers know you are in the market for furniture. Just be warned that you might get a lot of junk offers. Don’t accept everything even when it is a generous offer because if it isn’t what you really want, then you will be struggling to pass it on.