Done Renovating? If Cleaning Up is Your Worst Nightmare, Read On

After yesterday’s discussion about the renovation projects that were best and worst for your home’s value, we thought we’d help you clean up the mess. Not literally of course, we hate cleaning as much as you do. And somehow the mayhem left behind after our home improvement projects is always so much worse than we… Read More

Retro kitchen, white walls and cabinets, glass table, yellow plasti-form chairs

Cost vs Value: The 4 Best and 4 of the Worst Remodeling Projects

Cost vs Value: The 4 Best and 4 of the Worst Remodeling Projects To begin with, I have just a couple notes of caution for you regarding cost vs value in a home remodel. Always consider not only the value of your own home but the value of all properties surrounding it. Research what buyers… Read More

Deck with patio furniture, composite decking

Cookout Season is Here! Time to Hit the Deck.

Cookout Season is Here! Time to Hit the Deck. Back East I had a wooden deck, it was just ‘the thing’ to do, but it was a lot of work. We had to resurface it every spring after the snow ravaged it and Spring’s pollen was ground into the moist wood. Wood decks are not… Read More

colored blocks with tools and repair icons - home repair and maintenance icons - home repair, improvement, maintenance, plumbing, costly mistakes - Bill Salvatore, Arizona Elite Properties 602-999-0952 - Arizona Real Estate

Video: Is Spring Really ‘Home Improvement Season’? Most People Think So.

It’s not too late to get those Spring projects done before Summer vacation time arrives. In fact the majority of people planning home improvement projects choose spring to do so. Home improvement and hardware stores are booming. Are you anticipating Spring home repairs or renovations? If so, what do you foresee these projects costing you?… Read More

Green arrows surrounding a home on a green background - green building, energy efficient, green home, eco friendly - Bill Salvatore, Arizona Elite Properties - 602-999-0952 - Arizona Real Estate

PACE For Energy Efficiency- the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

PACE For Energy Efficiency- the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. How is green construction and energy efficiency in the building industry like smog in LA? It hovers over and permeates every new construction project and is impossible to ignore. Most buyers of New Construction homes not only expect clean and green energy efficient features… Read More

colored blocks with tools and repair icons - home repair and maintenance icons - home repair, improvement, maintenance, plumbing, costly mistakes - Bill Salvatore, Arizona Elite Properties 602-999-0952 - Arizona Real Estate

Home Improvement: Best Return on Investment? Fiberglass.

Home Improvement: Best Return on Investment? Fiberglass. A common concern among potential home sellers is what updates and improvements can they make that will give them the biggest bang for their buck. Home buyers definitely love to see updated kitchens and baths, but what is the bottom-line added value of these things? It usually depends… Read More

colored blocks with tools and repair icons - home repair and maintenance icons - home repair, improvement, maintenance, plumbing, costly mistakes - Bill Salvatore, Arizona Elite Properties 602-999-0952 - Arizona Real Estate

Cut Costs by Curing These 14 Home Headaches

Cut Costs by Curing These 14 Home Headaches. I’ve spent a lot of time with home inspectors. As a result, I have become the beneficiary of hundreds of bits of home maintenance trivia. I’ve detailed my top four as applies to Real Estate in Arizona, but anyone in any climate would be wise to take… Read More

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Video: Doing Upgrades to Sell Your Home? Say NO to Excess.

A fresh coat of paint and new, moderately priced, carpeting can do wonders when you’re preparing to sell your home. You’ll almost always see a jump in sales price for a home that’s obviously well cared for. And a good, top-to-bottom cleaning ensures that your fairly priced home will spend much less time on the… Read More

Spending The Next Few Months Outside? Spruce Up Your Outdoor Living Areas.

Spending The Next Few Months Outside? Spruce Up Your Outdoor Living Areas. Unlike most of the rest of the country, here in Arizona we’re just getting around to working on our outdoor living spaces. By Christmas we should be ready for a neighborhood cookout and S’mores around the firepit. The perfect outdoor living areas take… Read More

hand holding a phone and tablet with pictures of a home and home systems with numbers and costs - Energy Saving, Lowering Utility Costs, Home Energy Costs- Bill Salvatore, Realty Excellence East Valley, Arizona Elite Properties

Video: Upgrades and Gadgets That Home Buyers Will Notice.

This video mentions the icon bed (ikon?, eycon?, eykon?, eichan?), something I am completely unfamiliar with and was unable to find during an extensive google search. Anyone have any idea what she’s talking about? I’d be really interested to hear about it if you do. One upgrade that is not mentioned here but one that… Read More