Maracay Homes is pleased to offer this complimentary newsletter to homeowners, buyers, sellers, real estate professionals and friends of the company. We hope you find the information helpful such as tips for buying and selling a home, industry and market trends, home building news, exciting new products, community activities and more.

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From various vantage points, the homeowner or seller, your real estate agent and the home appraiser are all keenly interested in your home’s sale price, with at least one crucial difference.

Many expert real estate agents will advise that a well staged or presented home will likely capture more interest from buyers compared to similar properties down the street. The appraiser, however, does not care if you've had your home professionally staged.

“We look at the bricks and sticks,” said Bradley Mollen, of the Mollen Appraisal Group in Scottsdale.

You really don’t need to do the laundry before the appraiser arrives, but you should remember that there will be interior photos taken that the lender will use in their assessment of a potential loan.

According to home appraisal professionals, the best way to maximize your home appraisal is well before you schedule an appointment to have your home appraised. 

“Real estate agents want the home to show well,” Mollen said, “but our job is to protect the bank and look beyond the window coverings and drapes.”

Appraisals are based on equivalent comparisons.  Your appraiser will compare your home to at least three similar homes that have recently sold in your area. 

In today’s market, that means homes within about a mile of your home that have sold within the last 90 days.  They’ll be about the same size as yours, give or take about 10 to 15 percent of the square footage, and they’ll be within five years of your home’s age.

For the lender, one key question will be what other homes the buyer could conceivably purchase in the same area.

Besides location, what will count?

For that reason, what will count in an appraisal will be those things not easily changed.  This includes the condition of your windows, your roof, the heating and air conditioning systems, the plumbing and electrical systems, and the overall exterior of the home.

All of these need to be in good condition and working, but unless they are approaching the end of their expected life span, you need not worry about replacing them to improve an appraisal.

Appraisers say, landscaping is important in improving the exterior appeal of your home, but it will need to be far beyond the expected for your neighborhood. “Something that really pops” is needed to generate the 40 to 60 percent return you’ll anticipate on major indoor improvements (like that new floor).

Hardscaping – the flagstone patio, the brick walkway, the built-in barbecue – matters far more.  Pools count too - especially in Arizona, they’re almost expected.  On the other hand, your basic Pebble-Tec pool will not substantially add to your value.  If it isn’t already there, don’t add it!

A few quick improvements

Given that you can’t change the location of your home, there are still several things you can do that will help maximize your appraisal – as long as you remember to complete them well before the appraiser rings your doorbell.

1. Paint, inside and out.  Fresh paint will not only vastly improve the look of your home, it contributes to the feel of a well-maintained home.
2. Evaluate your floors.   If the tile is cracked or the carpet hopelessly stained, seriously consider replacing it.  Wood or wood laminate floors not only add to the look of your home, they can add real value.
3. Make sure your cabinets look clean and fresh.  New hardware can add considerable appeal without the expense of replacement.
4. Granite countertops are nice, but if your neighborhood is more likely to have laminates, consider alternatives.  They’re not going to change your appraisal enough to merit major investment.
5. Assess your light fixtures.  An updated dining room chandelier, new lighting in the bathrooms, updated kitchen lights could all add value.

When the appraiser arrives, have ready a home inventory of major improvements you’ve made over the years.  Attach copies of the “signed off” permits or contractor estimates that show the work was completed.  If you have a copy of a previous appraisal, attach that too.

Finally, don’t follow the appraiser around or point out improvements you’re “going to make” within the next few weeks. 

“Usually, one or two small improvements won’t substantially change your appraisal,” Mollen said.  “It’s the sum total of all the elements of the home that will count.”

Learn more at MaracayHomes.com.

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See what's new at Maracay Homes' most popular North Phoenix gated communities... Desert Pass and Ashler Hills Estates. Nestled in the quiet, pristine high desert surrounded by flowering cactus and unspoiled views. Desert Pass is located in the popular master-planned community of Sonoran Foothills and Ashler Hills Estates is one of the best priced new home values in the Cave Creek area. Enjoy distinctive Flex Design® floorplans with hundreds of options such as extra bedrooms, alternative gourmet kitchens, guest casitas or get lost in an optional basement. We make custom changes!

Ashler Hills Estates

• 4 Flex Design® single story floorplans, 2692 to 3165 sq. ft.
• 3 to 7 bedrooms, up to 5.5 baths
• Optional basement available, adds up to 1168 sq. ft.
• 3-car garage standard
• Cave Creek Unified School District
• Closeout savings on remaining homesites 

Desert Pass at Sonoran Foothills

• 8 Flex Design® single and two-story floorplans, 2692 to 4631 sq. ft.
• 3 to 9 bedrooms, up to 6 baths
• Optional basement available, adds up to 1292 sq. ft.
• 4-car garages available
• Community clubhouse, resort pool, sports center

You can learn more about our commitment to quality construction by clicking here.

Desert Botanical Garden offers events, activities, new exhibits

If you think the Desert Botanical Garden is only for tourists or hopeless gardening wonks, think again!

First of all, there are glorious new garden areas that showcase magnificent desert plants against beautiful local landscape features like Papago Park’s red buttes, the distant mountains and the area’s canals and river beds.

Secondly, this fall brings a wealth of activities offering real fun for every age group.

Begin on Sept. 5, with the opening of The Spirit of the Saguaro photo exhibit by acclaimed Arizona photographer Holly Metz.  These are large black and white images – the show is free with admission.

On Sept. 26, wine enthusiasts can help support the Garden at the 4th Annual Corks & Cactus premier wine event from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.  More than 70 wines will be available for sampling.  Featured wines, all priced at $35 or less per bottle, will be available for sale by the bottle or case. 

Corks & Cactus will also feature fantastic food from Fabulous Food Fine Catering and marvelous music by Dennis Rowland and the Jazz Experience.  Tickets for this event are $75 for members and $80 for non-members.  Tickets on sale now and will not be available at the door.  (You must be 21 or older to attend!)

Then, from Sept. 27 through Nov. 2, you can stroll through the colorful Monarch Butterfly Exhibit.  (Kids, especially elementary age kids, love this fluttery exhibit.)  Free for Garden members, and only $3 for non-members (with paid admission).

October brings even more great events, including Music in the Garden every Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 2 through Nov. 14.  Tickets each Friday are $14 for members and $20 for non-members. 

Then, on Oct. 18 and 19, you can restock your own garden at the Annual Fall Plant Sale, 7 a.m. till 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Celebrate holidays at the Garden

Bring the entire family to celebrate the Great Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. until noon and on Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.  Children 12 and under can choose their own free pumpkin at the Pumpkin Patch, and revel in face painting, the Amazing Hay Bale Maze, pumpkin decorating and lots more fun.  ($12 for non-member adults, $6 for children three to 12; $2 for members. Free to children under three.)

Finally, welcome the holidays with the return of Las Noches de las Luminarias, premiering for the public Nov. 28 through 30, with private viewings for Garden members and guests Dec. 4, 5 and 6.  The exhibit opens again to the public on Dec. 11, 12, 13, 14, and from Dec. 16 through 23; from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. each evening. 

This year, Las Noches de las Luminarias will feature the dazzling glass of Chihuly: The Nature of Glass, on display throughout the Garden.   Ten musical groups also perform each night of Luminarias, a buffet dinner is available and the Garden’s Patio Café is open for à la carte items.  Member tickets, $20 adults, $10 childern  Non-members $25 for non-members and $12.50 for children, go on sale on Sept. 15. 

For more information about events, exhibits and tickets at the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, call 480-481-8188 or go to www.dbg.org.

This story brought to you by Maracay Homes. Please visit MaracayHomes.com for more information.

Home sweet home!  There really is no place like home, is there?  Our comfortable, well-designed homes become our havens, a place to gather with our families and feel safe and secure.

We all know this can change in a minute.  Troubles and emergencies can strike inside or outside our homes.  For real peace of mind, it’s important to have a plan that can help every member of the family survive home emergencies, whether it’s a community-wide disaster or one that only affects your home or family.

Disaster planning for your family*

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Home Safety Council reminds everyone that natural and human-caused disasters can occur at any time.  It’s very important for every family to have an emergency plan. 

To get started on an emergency plan, it’s best to first have a family discussion – and then meet with neighbors and friends to talk about possible disasters and how people can prepare to stay safe if a disaster occurs.  Then, each family should develop:

• A family communications plan
• A ready-to-go kit to take along if an emergency forces them to leave home
• A ready-to-stay kit should an emergency require them to remain at home for several days

Detailed information about every aspect of communications plans and emergency kits is available through the Home Safety Council’s interactive safety site, www.mysafehome.org.

Fire safety at home*

One common home emergency, even in our well-built and maintained homes, is a fire. 

October is National Fire Prevention Month, and is a good time to review fire prevention and safety.

Every member of the family should know the basics of fire prevention at home, and what to do in case there is a fire.  Here are some things to remember:

• Make sure there are smoke detectors on every level of your home, and inside or near every bedroom.  For best detection and notification, use a model that has both ionization and photoelectric type alarms.  Change batteries at least once a year
• Have an escape plan
• Practice fire drills using your escape plan
• Know how to call for help
• Be careful while cooking and learn how to put out small pan fires
• Teach every family member how to “stop, drop and roll”
• Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher
• If you have a fireplace, always close the screen or doors
• If you have a fire in your home, once you get out – stay out and do not return for any reason

*Home Safety Council.  www.homesafetycouncil.org