ARIZONA
Maricopa County By The Numbers Vol. 4 Issue 2
January 2017 11/1/2016-12/1/2016
5,890
Inspiration!
$303,388
TOTAL #
CLOSED
98
67 AVG DAYS ON MARKET
[
BRINGING HOME THE
AVG SOLD PRICE
LIST/SELL PRICE RATIO
[
Home Away From Home
People like to get away. According to a National Association of Realtors® survey, vacation home sales jumped to approximately 1.13 million – up 57.4 percent from 2013.
Brian Thompson Licensed Realtor Midland Real Estate Alliance 480-744-6247 BrianTRealtor@yahoo.com 1611 E. Warner Ave. #1 Tempe, AZ | 85248
Mike Kelso
Senior Mortgage Consultant
NMLS#: 598743 / AZ LO - 0928138 (P) 480.339.5545 (C) 480.544.1266 Mike.Kelso@onqfinancial.com Mikekelso.onqfinancial.com 9140 S Kyrene Road, Suite 101 Tempe, AZ 85284
Call Brian & Mike today if you are thinking about a new home for the holidays! If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.
Produced by DLP Marketing • (480)460-0996 • DLPmarketing.com
Safe & Sound
Protecting Your Home
Japanese Butterfish Roy’s Restaurant
Falling in Love With Niagara Falls
TRAVEL TIME
Design Inspiration
Shining a Light on
Niagara Falls New York & Canada
HOME SECURITY Y
ou’re setting off for a week-long vacation in the Caribbean and the last thing you want to worry about is the safety and security of your home. But have you thought of everything you could do to help keep would-be burglars at bay? Follow these 10 quick tips to make your abode the last one any thief would even think of trying to enter.
Pictures are great, but getting close enough to touch Niagara Falls inspires genuine awe. Millions of gallons of water rocket over Niagara Falls every minute – about 750,000 gallons each second! There’s no closer place to “feel Niagara’s flow” than from the decks, boats, vista points and trails of Niagara Falls State Park. With sparkling scenery year-round, thrilling attractions, family-friendly and interactive exhibits, miles of hiking trails and delectable dining options, Niagara Falls State Park gets you closer to the Falls than anywhere else. The park features classic adventures and vacation amenities to make the most of your trip, and no passport is needed to experience an unforgettable and breathtaking Niagara Falls vacation. It’s all here – start planning your Niagara Falls vacation experience today. Source: NiagaraFallsStatePark.com
2. Hire a homesitter. There really is no better way to dissuade would-be burglars from picking your home to rob than to have someone stay at your house if you’re away for an extended time. Seeing someone coming and going is a surefire way to keep thieves away. 3. Lock it up. There’s no doubt that a locked door or window is more difficult to enter than an unlocked one. Don’t forget the door that leads from your garage into your home. Many homeowners forget to lock side doors that lead into the garage and garage doors themselves – or leave cars in front of the garage unlocked with the garage door opener inside in plain view. If you leave a car in the driveway, make sure it’s locked. 4. Curtain call. Something as simple as keeping curtains pulled over windows or blinds pulled down can discourage a burglar who’s wondering if someone is home or not. If they can peek in your home for hours and see no one, they may be more likely to choose your home to rob.
I
f you’ve ever visited a hotel, restaurant, sumptuous boutique or even a city and fallen in love with the décor, you may wonder how to recreate that feeling in your home. Maybe it’s transforming your bedroom into that luxurious spa resort suite you stayed in on your anniversary or rethinking your dining room and making it look more like that uber-cool bistro you ate at last week with your gal pals. Who wouldn’t want to recapture memories of good times – be it a vacation, a dinner out, or just finding the perfect pair of shoes – and reflect back on these moments when you’re back at home? Can it be done? We say yes—and so are more and more area residents who are trading in tired, traditional room decors for upto-the-minute and unbelievable spaces.
Be inspired!
Japanese Misoyaki Butterfish with Sizzling Soy Vinaigrette
6. Be neighborly. Why not ask your neighbor to keep an eye on your home and offer to do the same for them? This works whether or not you’re going out of town. Any suspicious activity and your neighbor can call you or vice versa.
HOMEWISE
Of course, it’s important to remember that inspiration from a room or space you’re admiring in a hotel or resort or restaurant means much more than copying. It’s more important to capture the essence of what you like and to work toward making it your own.
If you can, return to your favorite spot and snap shots of some of your dream design details. Be sure to use all these notes and
5. Get wired. Installing an alarm system is a visible signal to criminals to keep out. Let’s face it: Would you try to rob a home with an alarm system sign out front or from one without a sign? The peace-of-mind alone is worth the cost of installation and monitoring. There are also numerous apps available now that allow you to tend to your security remotely. Get tech savvy and secure!
7. Stop the mail and paper. Sounds simple but some people forget to do it and let the papers pile up. What better signal to send to a burglar that you are away?
Once your designer has reviewed your portfolio of ideas and images, he or she will be able to adapt the design to your home and, in essence, make it your own. Perhaps it’s using the color of your inspiration space that you love; no need to copy the entire space, just use the colors and textures of the space to get the same feel. Or perhaps it’s one dramatic element – such as geometric tiles or a stunning light fixture – that will give your space the look you desire.
Your first step to recreating your inspiration room or place is to make notes of what exactly you love about it: the lighting fixtures, the flooring, the woodwork, the color scheme, the upholstery and accessories – whatever it is that you think of when you close your eyes. Make sure to write down the key elements that make you feel so special when you’re in that space.
FLAVORFUL
A North American natural wonder, Niagara Falls flows with scenic might through Niagara Falls State Park. And just beyond its waterfall vistas, Niagara is filled with splendid discoveries and fantastic attractions.
1. Light up the night. A few strategically lit spots outside will do worlds of good to discourage burglars. Make sure the doors and entryways are lit, as well as walks and areas where windows are easily accessed from the ground level. Driveways and garage areas are great places for motion-sensor lights, which are good deterrents as well. Set exterior lights to come on just after dusk and turn off later at night. Install timers on a few interior lights and adjust the times they go on and off so it appears someone is home.
images when working with your interior designer, because when it comes to home design, a picture is worth a thousand words! For more insight, it might be possible to find out who the interior designer of the space is and glean advice from them – or hire them on the spot!
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
4-7oz 1 qt 16 oz
To make the misoyaki marinade, bring sake and mirin to a boil for 5 minutes. Reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Whisk in remaining ingredients until well incorporated. Simmer on low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool. Generously marinate black cod in misoyaki marinade for 24 hours.
Pieces of black cod Misoyaki marinade Sizzling soy vinaigrette
Misoyaki Marinade 3 c Sake 3 c Mirin (sweet rice wine) 8 oz Shiro Miso (White Miso) 8 oz White sugar Sizzling Soy Vinaigrette 1 Red bell pepper, brunoise (very small dice) 1 Yellow bell pepper, brunoise 1 Green bell pepper, brunoise 1 Bunch green onion, fine chopped 1 Bunch cilantro, fine chopped 2 oz Daikon root, grated 2 oz Maui onion, grated 1 oz Ginger, minced ½ c Peanut oil 1 c Soy sauce 2 oz Rice wine vinegar 2 Lemons, juice
To make the sizzling soy vinaigrette, heat the peanut oil in a pan until it reaches smoke point. Place the bell peppers, onions, daikon, and ginger in a mixing bowl. Ladle hot oil over the vegetable mixture in 2 ounce increments. Whisk in rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Set aside. In a cast iron pan, sear fish over medium heat until golden brown (about 3 minutes per side). Transfer cooked fish to serving plates. Ladle sizzling soy vinaigrette over fish and serve.
Roy’s RoysRestaurant.com
TRAVEL TIME
Design Inspiration
Shining a Light on
Niagara Falls New York & Canada
HOME SECURITY Y
ou’re setting off for a week-long vacation in the Caribbean and the last thing you want to worry about is the safety and security of your home. But have you thought of everything you could do to help keep would-be burglars at bay? Follow these 10 quick tips to make your abode the last one any thief would even think of trying to enter.
Pictures are great, but getting close enough to touch Niagara Falls inspires genuine awe. Millions of gallons of water rocket over Niagara Falls every minute – about 750,000 gallons each second! There’s no closer place to “feel Niagara’s flow” than from the decks, boats, vista points and trails of Niagara Falls State Park. With sparkling scenery year-round, thrilling attractions, family-friendly and interactive exhibits, miles of hiking trails and delectable dining options, Niagara Falls State Park gets you closer to the Falls than anywhere else. The park features classic adventures and vacation amenities to make the most of your trip, and no passport is needed to experience an unforgettable and breathtaking Niagara Falls vacation. It’s all here – start planning your Niagara Falls vacation experience today. Source: NiagaraFallsStatePark.com
2. Hire a homesitter. There really is no better way to dissuade would-be burglars from picking your home to rob than to have someone stay at your house if you’re away for an extended time. Seeing someone coming and going is a surefire way to keep thieves away. 3. Lock it up. There’s no doubt that a locked door or window is more difficult to enter than an unlocked one. Don’t forget the door that leads from your garage into your home. Many homeowners forget to lock side doors that lead into the garage and garage doors themselves – or leave cars in front of the garage unlocked with the garage door opener inside in plain view. If you leave a car in the driveway, make sure it’s locked. 4. Curtain call. Something as simple as keeping curtains pulled over windows or blinds pulled down can discourage a burglar who’s wondering if someone is home or not. If they can peek in your home for hours and see no one, they may be more likely to choose your home to rob.
I
f you’ve ever visited a hotel, restaurant, sumptuous boutique or even a city and fallen in love with the décor, you may wonder how to recreate that feeling in your home. Maybe it’s transforming your bedroom into that luxurious spa resort suite you stayed in on your anniversary or rethinking your dining room and making it look more like that uber-cool bistro you ate at last week with your gal pals. Who wouldn’t want to recapture memories of good times – be it a vacation, a dinner out, or just finding the perfect pair of shoes – and reflect back on these moments when you’re back at home? Can it be done? We say yes—and so are more and more area residents who are trading in tired, traditional room decors for upto-the-minute and unbelievable spaces.
Be inspired!
Japanese Misoyaki Butterfish with Sizzling Soy Vinaigrette
6. Be neighborly. Why not ask your neighbor to keep an eye on your home and offer to do the same for them? This works whether or not you’re going out of town. Any suspicious activity and your neighbor can call you or vice versa.
HOMEWISE
Of course, it’s important to remember that inspiration from a room or space you’re admiring in a hotel or resort or restaurant means much more than copying. It’s more important to capture the essence of what you like and to work toward making it your own.
If you can, return to your favorite spot and snap shots of some of your dream design details. Be sure to use all these notes and
5. Get wired. Installing an alarm system is a visible signal to criminals to keep out. Let’s face it: Would you try to rob a home with an alarm system sign out front or from one without a sign? The peace-of-mind alone is worth the cost of installation and monitoring. There are also numerous apps available now that allow you to tend to your security remotely. Get tech savvy and secure!
7. Stop the mail and paper. Sounds simple but some people forget to do it and let the papers pile up. What better signal to send to a burglar that you are away?
Once your designer has reviewed your portfolio of ideas and images, he or she will be able to adapt the design to your home and, in essence, make it your own. Perhaps it’s using the color of your inspiration space that you love; no need to copy the entire space, just use the colors and textures of the space to get the same feel. Or perhaps it’s one dramatic element – such as geometric tiles or a stunning light fixture – that will give your space the look you desire.
Your first step to recreating your inspiration room or place is to make notes of what exactly you love about it: the lighting fixtures, the flooring, the woodwork, the color scheme, the upholstery and accessories – whatever it is that you think of when you close your eyes. Make sure to write down the key elements that make you feel so special when you’re in that space.
FLAVORFUL
A North American natural wonder, Niagara Falls flows with scenic might through Niagara Falls State Park. And just beyond its waterfall vistas, Niagara is filled with splendid discoveries and fantastic attractions.
1. Light up the night. A few strategically lit spots outside will do worlds of good to discourage burglars. Make sure the doors and entryways are lit, as well as walks and areas where windows are easily accessed from the ground level. Driveways and garage areas are great places for motion-sensor lights, which are good deterrents as well. Set exterior lights to come on just after dusk and turn off later at night. Install timers on a few interior lights and adjust the times they go on and off so it appears someone is home.
images when working with your interior designer, because when it comes to home design, a picture is worth a thousand words! For more insight, it might be possible to find out who the interior designer of the space is and glean advice from them – or hire them on the spot!
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
4-7oz 1 qt 16 oz
To make the misoyaki marinade, bring sake and mirin to a boil for 5 minutes. Reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Whisk in remaining ingredients until well incorporated. Simmer on low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool. Generously marinate black cod in misoyaki marinade for 24 hours.
Pieces of black cod Misoyaki marinade Sizzling soy vinaigrette
Misoyaki Marinade 3 c Sake 3 c Mirin (sweet rice wine) 8 oz Shiro Miso (White Miso) 8 oz White sugar Sizzling Soy Vinaigrette 1 Red bell pepper, brunoise (very small dice) 1 Yellow bell pepper, brunoise 1 Green bell pepper, brunoise 1 Bunch green onion, fine chopped 1 Bunch cilantro, fine chopped 2 oz Daikon root, grated 2 oz Maui onion, grated 1 oz Ginger, minced ½ c Peanut oil 1 c Soy sauce 2 oz Rice wine vinegar 2 Lemons, juice
To make the sizzling soy vinaigrette, heat the peanut oil in a pan until it reaches smoke point. Place the bell peppers, onions, daikon, and ginger in a mixing bowl. Ladle hot oil over the vegetable mixture in 2 ounce increments. Whisk in rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Set aside. In a cast iron pan, sear fish over medium heat until golden brown (about 3 minutes per side). Transfer cooked fish to serving plates. Ladle sizzling soy vinaigrette over fish and serve.
Roy’s RoysRestaurant.com
HOUZ
From Houze to Home, Your Complete Real Estate Professionals
Michelle Houze
Vol. 3 Issue 5
Let the Light In Just a Little About Me...
THE NEW SKYLIGHT
Arizona born and bred! I have been lucky enough to call Scottsdale my home for most of my life. I attended Xavier College Prep and Arizona State University – “Forks Up” Devil Nation!! As a native of the Valley of the Sun, I have the unique advantage of watching this beautiful area grow into the metropolis that it is today. Thanks to this background, I can offer my clients my knowledge of the Valley and the surrounding cities. I do what I do because I love helping people! It is important to me that my clients feel welcome, important and like they are being heard. I strive to exceed expectations and to make my clients as comfortable as I possibly can during our time together. There is nothing more satisfying than helping a client find the perfect home at a great price while enjoying a smooth transaction ...except maybe when I present them with the keys to their new home! I get so much pleasure knowing I had something to do with making someone else’s dreams come to fruition! I pride myself on putting my clients’ needs first and protecting their financial interests once we have entered into a real estate transaction, and am there to ensure they have a smooth and enjoyable experience. There is so much more to being a Realtor than selling a home ...my biggest responsibility and my number one objective is to protect my clients in any and every way possible. So, if you are looking to purchase your next home or sell the one you currently own, I can help! If you are looking to downsize, upsize or right-size, I can be a valuable asset to your transaction. I have built a network of professionals in the real estate industry who will, no doubt, ensure a smooth and seamless transaction! And please remember, asking questions or touring a home in NO WAY obligates you to work with me. It’s important that we like each other and that we’re a good fit before we embark on a working relationship. Anything you need, call me – you’ll be glad you did!
Michelle Houze PLLC Realtor, CRS, ABR, SFR
Re/Max Platinum Living – Scottsdale Waterfront THE HOMES BY HOUZE GROUP m. 480.206.1313 | o. 480-699-0777 Michelle@HomesByHouze.com
Art Adventures
COMMUNITY ART WALKS
The Handlebar’s
QUINOA SALAD WITH ROASTED BEETS
Following the Hieroglyphic Trail IN THE SUPERSTITION MOUNTAINS www.HomesByHouze.com If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.
Produced by DLP Marketing • (480)460-0996 • DLPmarketing.com