Your Complete Move-Out Guide

Your Complete Move-Out Guide

You can hardly wait to move into your new Arizona home. You’ve been picking out paint colors, planning how you’ll arrange your belongings, and checking out restaurants and shops in your new community. While all this planning is exciting, there’s one very important thing you need to wrap up first—your sold home! Here are some smart tips to make moving out go off without a hitch.

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Arizona Home Maintenance Checklist

What do you need to do to get your Sedona AZ Home ready for Spring? Check out our home maintenance check list below...

If you’ve ever owned a home in Arizona before, you know that just like your vehicle needs regular maintenance like oil changes to run well—so does your home. It can be easy to ignore or put these things off, but a well-maintained home will save you money from costly repairs in the long run, and make your home easier to sell when the time comes.

Start giving your home some TLC with some of these must-do maintenance tips:

Monthly

  • Change HVAC or furnace filters. If your family is small and pet-free, simply inspect the filter and replace every 2-3 months.
  • Clean range hood filters. Mix a degreaser with hot water, let it soak, then rinse it off.
  • Check water softener. Check the salt level, add some if needed, and read the display to make sure no error codes are displayed. You’ll usually only add salt a few times a year.

Biannually

  • Deep clean. Roll up your sleeves and deep clean appliances, windows, lighting, and every crevice and corner. Keeping a clean Sedona home and not letting dirt build up will help keep it polished.
  • Test the pressure relief valve on the water heater. This prevents corrosion—protecting leaks and helping it run efficiently.
  • Replace batteries in smoke/carbon dioxide detectors. Make it a habit to change batteries every time you set the clocks for daylight savings time.
  • Vacuum refrigerator coils. The fridge can account for up to 15 percent of your home’s total power—keep it running efficiently.

Annually Organized by Season

Spring – There’s a reason it’s called “Spring Cleaning”

  • Service central air. Do this before Sedona heats up– you can often get this done at a discounted rate with enough time to spare before it gets sweltering hot.
  • Check gutters and drainage. When April showers start coming down, will the water flow away from your house? Keep gutters clear so the water can flow where it’s supposed to.
  • Check grout in the bathroom and kitchen. Fix the grout where needed—This will extend the life of tiled surfaces and keep them looking new.
  • Check windows and screens. Clean window wells of fall and winter debris.

Summer – Shift your focus to the outdoors and enjoy the sunshine

  • Clean ducts, sweep the chimney and get heating systems ready. You’ll be turning these on at the first hint of crisp fall weather, so do this now.
  • Check and clean the clothes dryer vent. While running, check the exhaust for the smell of fresh laundry. If the exhaust is marginal, check for blockages. Also, vacuum the lint from dryer hose.
  • Clean garage. The garage is easy to ignore, get out there while the weather is nice, and check garage door sensors are working while you’re in there.

Fall – prepare for winter during this in-between season

  • Winterize A/C systems. Store window units and, if you have central air, cover the outside unit with a tarp. Don’t forget to fasten with bungee cords for secure coverage throughout the season.
  • Flush and store hoses. Drain the water so it doesn’t freeze.

Winter – cozy up and stay warm

  • Break Icicles. As pretty as they look, don’t let them grow—they could fall unexpectedly, hurt someone and cause damage from their weight. When they melt, they can cause water damage to the foundation.
  • Remove showerheads and clean deposits. This will keep your water pressure strong and keep them lasting long.
  • Check the foundation for cracks. Use caulk or silicone to repair any small cracks before the Spring thaw.

While this list is comprehensive, this is not a complete list of all the things your Sedona home needs. Don’t forget to reach out to us, Beth & James Adams, your local real estate specialists for more information on other crucial home upkeep.

Happy Spring! 

Sedona AZ Market Update

Sedona AZ Market Update

The first quarter of 2017 is nearly half way over! We are moving and shaking in the real estate market in Sedona and the Verde Valley! Things are HOT! And seem like they are going to get even hotter... Are you thinking of buying or considering selling? Watch the video to learn what you need to know! 

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Sedona Verde Life - Visit Jerome, AZ

Jerome, AZ

A really interesting and fun place to visit! Jerome AZ once considered a ghost town is now a booming tourist destination with a fantastic history, great culture, unique shops and restaurants.  Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Take a road-trip and discover Jerome, AZ.

Tips: Parking is limited so come early and be prepared to park and walk. Great eats at Bobby D’s BBQ and Haunted Hamburger. Check out the Jerome State Park and the Douglas Mansion for great history. 

 

2 National Parks in the Verde Valley

2 National Parks in the Verde Valley

Did you know we had not one but two National Parks in the Verde Valley?  That’s right! When you think Arizona and National Parks, everyone makes the jump to the Grand Canyon and rightly so. Pulling in 5 million visitors per year it is the go to Arizona National Park.  But we have 2 National Parks located right here in the Verde Valley! The Verde Valley is such a special and unique place and our amazing history is a big pull for visitors and residents alike.  Montezuma Castle National Monument and Tuzigoot National Monument are both ripe with local history and located on 2 of our beautiful water ways. 

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle National Monument is an 800 year old cliff dwelling nestled in the limestone cliffs just above wet Beaver Creek. Built by the Sinagua People it is an amazing testament to eingineering, ingenuity and survival.

Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monutment was also built by the Sinagua people, and is an ancient hilltop pueblo that sits just above the Verde River.  Highlighting the culture and farming of these long-ago people Tuzigoot shows just how incredible this ancient way of life was.

Visit these Monuments for free on the National Park Service’s 99 year birthday on August 25th, 2015!