1. Holiday cleanup
Task: Take down holiday lights and wrap them around a hanger to prevent tangling; clean the oven; chip your Christmas tree and throw it in the compost pile, or scatter it around garden beds and shrubs for a midwinter mulching.
Shortcut: Instead of pitching holiday cards, find a pretty part of the card that has no writing on the back, cut it into a small square, and punch a hole in the corner and use as a gift tag next year.
2. Protect the pipes
Task: Prevent exposed pipes from freezing as temperatures drop. A frozen pipe can crack or burst, flooding your home. Turn off water to outdoor, shut off water valves and open spigots to drain existing water.
Shortcut: To thaw a frozen pipe, wrap it with a heating pad or turn a hairdryer on it.
Call in the pros: If a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve to your home and call a plumber. If everything’s drenched, a water remediation or restoration company can perform cleanup —cart away damaged material, replace ceilings and walls, paint, and reinstall plumbing fixtures.
3. Check for storm damage
Task: After winter storms, your home maintenance routine should include and inspection of your home’s roof, siding, gutters, and yard for wind, snow, or ice damage.
Shortcut: Instead of climbing on the roof to look for missing shingles, use binoculars to search for damage. Or use a drone that can fly over your house and spot damaged areas.
4. Seek and destroy hidden dirt
Task: Clean those filthy places that people don’t see but you know are there. They include the range hood and grilles, refrigerator coils, tops of ceiling fans, dusty light fixtures and bulbs (make sure lights are off before dusting), and HVAC vents.
Shortcut: Let your dishwasher clean metal parts such as vent grilles and range hood filters. You can pop dirty sponges and dishrags in the dishwasher, too.
5. Give hardware some love
Task: Shine and tighten doorknobs and hinges; tighten loose cabinet pulls and knobs; and level cabinet doors.
Shortcut: To clean metal hardware, wash with soapy water, then shine with a microfiber cloth dipped in vinegar or lemon juice. Brass polish will remove tarnish from solid brass hardware. Is it brass? If a magnet sticks, it’s most likely metal, not solid brass.
6. Do a deep declutter
Task: Banish piles, clean out closets and drawers, and tackle the basement or attic storage areas. If you haven’t touched something in a year or don’t love it, think – toss, donate, or recycle.
Shortcut: Overwhelmed? do little bits over time. Pick one room or a corner of the room to organize. Or, every time you walk into a room, put/throw one thing away.
7. Think green
Task: Look ahead to spring. Grab those seed, bulb, and bare-root plant catalogs, and start planning your flower and vegetable gardens. If you’re starting seeds inside, plant them about six weeks before the last frost.
Shortcut: Plan a raised-bed or container garden. There’s no hoeing, raking, or digging.
Author Archives: admin
November Longhorn Student Athlete Spotlight
Fantastic Job Ayden Ormand, Congratulations!
What do I need to know about Revocable Trusts?
Understanding Revocable Trusts its advantages and disadvantages and how they fit into different styles of estate planning will help families decide if this type of trust is a good fit for their goals.
Also known as a living will, a revocable trust is a type of trust where the stipulated conditions can be stopped or changed if the grantor (you) feels it is a necessity. Revocable trusts will also allow income generated by assets owned by the trust to be disbursed to the grantor before their death. Beneficiaries are entitled to income of property of the trust only after the death of the grantor.
To set up a Living Trust, you first create a Revocable Living Trust document and appoint a trustee. You may then list the property you will place in the trust, as well as your beneficiaries. After executing your Living Trust document properly, you will need to transfer your property into the trust.
Advantages of a revocable trust:
Avoid conservatorship. With a Revocable Trust, you name a successor trustee to manage the trust and its assets in the event of your incapacitation. Courts are prevented from asserting control of your finances if you become incapacitated in any way and are unable to control your estate as you normally do.
Increased flexibility. The main benefit of a revocable trust is the fact that you can change its terms or even cancel the trust outright if you so choose as grantor. You will also benefit from monies earned from its assets during your lifetime.
No probate court necessary. Probate court is not a traditionally pleasant experience and probate is a given if you don’t have a trust to protect your assets and have everything spelled out ahead of time. With probate there is the possibility that your beneficiaries do not receive their assets or funds as you wished for months or years after your death.
Disadvantages of a revocable trust:
No tax benefits. Some might believe that a revocable trust is a form of tax shelter. This is NOT the case. No tax benefits are gained from this kind of financial instrument. In addition, your IRA or any other qualified retirement accounts cannot be put into trust, so you will have to plan for these investments in other ways.
Retitling process. To place assets in a revocable trust, you must retitle them, which may prove to be a time-consuming endeavor, depending on how many assets you have to put into trust.
Contest period. Finally, if you have many heirs you fear might fight your will, your home state will set a contest time period that can slow down the asset distribution process. Obviously, beneficiaries all being on the same page makes the process go much more quickly.
Wondering if a revocable trust is right for your financial situation? Contact your real estate professional and let them guide you in the right direction.
New Dialing Procedure for Customers in the Arizona 480, 520, and 928 Area Codes!
Beginning October 24, 2021, all consumers with numbers in the 480, 520, and 928 area codes must dial 10-digits (area code + phone number) for all local calls. On
and after this date, local calls dialed with only seven-digits may not be completed, and a recording may inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. If you get this recording, you must hang up and dial again using the area code with the seven-digit telephone number.
For more about 10-digit calling: https://www.azcc.gov/news/2021/04/20/new-dialing-procedure-for-customers-in-the-arizona-480-520-and-928-area-codes!
Longhorn Student Athlete Spotlight
Awesome Work Emmy Whaley!
Trunk or Treat Fall Festival
October 30, 2021
4-7pm (or until the candy is gone)
Payson Event Center
1400 S Beeline Hwy
Payson, AZ
This event is free to the public
No fires, alcohol, smoking, or weapons permitted at this event.
All candy is provided by the Town of Payson Parks, Recreation, and Tourism department.
Any additional questions can be directed to our office at 928-472-5110.
It’s SepticSmart Week!
Check out this infographic for quick tips to maintain a healthy septic system. For more information visit https://www.epa.gov/septic
Northern Gila County Fair – September 9-12, 2021
Who Doesn’t love a County Fair?
There is something for everyone at the Northern Gila County Fair, Exhibits, Horse Show, Gymkhana, Livestock Auction, Mounted Shooting Contest and a Cornhole Tournament!
Plus lots more fun for the entire family.
September 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th
Thursday, 5pm – 9pm
Friday and Saturday 9am – 11pm
Sunday 12pm – 3pm
Indoor exhibits at Tonto Apache Gym Friday and Saturday 10 am – 6pm
Low Inventory and You
Getting to know the Seller’s Market
You hear it everywhere you go these days, sometimes with a smug smile, sometimes with a resigned shrug, depending on which side of the transaction you are on, but we are definitely in the midst of a significant seller’s market.
What is a Seller’s Market, you might wonder. It arises in the real estate industry when demand for homes exceeds the supply available for purchase. The greater the gap between the two, the bigger a seller’s market exists. Since there are fewer homes on the market, sellers are clearly at the advantage.
When a seller’s market exists, homes sell faster, decisions on purchases happen much more quickly, lacking inventory can lead to bidding wars between potential buyers that can drive the price of the home above the listing price, sometimes far above.
Here is a checklist of things to know, no matter which side of the process you find yourself:
Tips for Buyers
Decide quickly! Get prepared for a loan ahead of house hunting to be assured that the money side of things is covered when you need it to make fast decisions.
Know you are at the disadvantage. A Seller’s Market is not a time to haggle on small things or ask the seller for outrageous concessions to be made. If you are able, a cash offer will always be more appealing to a seller, so they know they will not have to deal with the hassle of financing.
Patience is key! Go into the process knowing that losing out on properties is a real possibility that happens often. Do not allow yourself to become discouraged, frustrated, or be tempted to take it personally. Keep searching and the right property will come along.
Don’t Settle. The home is one of the largest investments a family makes. Be sure you get what you want, and have money built into your budget to pay a little more than you think you will to nab it when it comes along.
Tips for Sellers
Sellers are not completely off the hook in this situation, even though the odds lie in their favor. Sellers are competing with other sellers to attract the best buyers to purchase their property. It helps to understand how to increase a buyer’s interest in what you have to offer.
Keep it clean! An organized, tidy, clean smelling, and artfully presented house that is in good condition will be among the first snapped up by buyers.
Price fairly. If you take the direction of setting your asking price at or even slightly below fair market value, you will be more likely to attract more interest more quickly. Multiple interested buyers could lead to a bidding war which drives prices upward in your favor.
Consider offers carefully. Caution and attention to detail regarding your buyer’s financial and credit strength should be taken into consideration. Accepting an unrealistic offer from an unqualified buyer will just put you back at square one, wasting valuable time.
Ensure pre-approval. Lending institutions use extensive review of a buyer’s financial situation and verify worthiness in order to issue a pre-approval. On the other hand, pre-qualification is much more casually issued using just estimates of a buyer’s money situation.
Weigh out contingencies: Some offers include stipulations such as mortgage, home sale, appraisal, and inspection contingencies that enable buyers to back out of a sale if certain conditions aren’t met.
Whether you are in the process of buying or selling a home, it is essential to know where the market stands and how that effects your decisions in the process. Buyers will obviously have the advantage in a buyer’s market when properties flood in with fewer takers willing to compete for them. Sellers are primed for maximum benefit in this strong seller’s market, however.
No matter the conditions of the real estate market in your area, hiring a qualified real estate agent is the best way to navigate the housing market specific to your needs and get you what you need at the greatest advantage manageable. With a professional on your side, you will have a leg up on the competition, as the agent will have specific knowledge of the area and what you are up against.
Be Ready and Stay Safe, It’s Monsoon Season
It’s monsoon season once again in Arizona, and Rim Country sees more than its fair share of turbulent weather during these months. Living in a wildfire area means that this area is also prone to post-fire flash flooding during and immediately following heavy rains. Ensure your insurance coverage for your property and contents of your home are at adequate levels to make you whole, should such storm or flood damage affect your property.
Monsoon safety driving tips
· Expect the unexpected. Monsoons can literally eventuate from seemingly clear and cloudless skies in a matter of minutes. Always know that a storm is possible during monsoon season and understand how to safely drive in rainy conditions.
· When in doubt, wait it out! If you don’t have to travel during monsoon storms, postpone your trip. The less people on the road leads to overall safety for the community.
· When faced with low- or zero-visibility conditions, pull your vehicle off the road as far to the right as possible. Once visibility has cleared you can cautiously head out onto the roads again. It is also advisable to have headlights on during inclement weather including heavy rain, hail, and haboob style dust storms.
· Don’t risk crossing a flooded wash, even if it doesn’t look deep. It takes only a few inches of rushing water to completely sweep away a vehicle. Besides potential life-threatening consequences to yourself, you also risk the safety of any rescue personnel that may have to come to your aid. Not to mention having to foot the bill for such a rescue.
· Do not drive around “Road Closed” signs. EVER! Please respect closure signs and keep yourself and loved ones out of danger by respecting closure signs placed by trained authorities.
Tips to make your home ‘Monsoon Ready’
· Waterproofing is the way to go. Complete waterproofing sealant applied to roofing, exterior and interior walls goes a long way to act as a preventative measure to keep unwanted water out of your home during storm season. Leaks and seepage are one of the most common repair issues needing to be addressed post storm.
· Clear out the drains and rain gutters to give water flow the easiest possible path away from your property.
· Check electrical wirings and casings to make sure there is nothing exposed and everything is in working condition.
· Protect wooden furniture. Weatherproofing polish is a good way to coat wooden indoor or outdoor furniture to protect it from the monsoon elements.
· Ensure AC Maintenance: Summertime is by far the busiest season for HVAC professionals. Regular maintenance is the best way to avoid being stuck without vital cooling due to unavailable contractors to respond immediately during these hot and sticky months.
After the storms:
• Walk your property to make sure no major damage has been sustained by fallen vegetation, and if there is hail, inspect vehicles and outbuildings for damage.
• Drain any standing water and cover rain collection containers to prevent mosquito populations from forming on your property. Be sure your property is fitted with properly sized mosquito screens to protect your family from pests when inside your house. It is advisable to close all open windows and doors after sunset, which is a prime time for mosquito activity.
While monsoon weather in the Rim Country may be an inevitability, suffering from it doesn’t have to be. With these wise preventative and active measures in place, you will find the best way to keep your family and property safe during the rainy season.