Follow these guidelines to make your galley kitchen layout work better for you A galley kitchen consists of two parallel runs of units forming a central corridor in which to work. The galley layout works well for all kitchen styles; it’s also the preferred design of many professional chefs, who love it because it enhances safety and efficiency during cooking. Just like the compact galley on ships, for which the layout is named, galley designs optimize space by packing in an abundance of storage and work area, … [Read more...]
Plans for Arcadia Frank Lloyd Wright House include tours, weddings
August 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Early plans for the David and Gladys Wright House envision the Arcadia home as a visitors’ destination, including a shaded garden and underground education center for tours, performances and weddings. Site maps and a list of property uses — submitted to the city late last week — are the first official look at how the owner of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house intends to open it to the public. The documents were filed as the first of many steps to seek a special permit allowing the uses in a residential … [Read more...]
Many Owners May Underestimate Their Equity
August 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
A large number of home owners may be erroneously perceiving themselves as underwater on their mortgage, suggests a new analysis by economists at the University of California, Berkeley. Between mid-2011 and the fourth quarter of 2014, home prices nationally have risen about 20 percent. But in a recent Fannie Mae National Housing Survey, the percentage of home owners who perceived they were underwater on their mortgage averaged about 6 percentage points more than estimates from other national surveys. According … [Read more...]
Save Money With Smaller Jumbos
August 5, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Government-backed jumbo loans can be cheaper and easier to get than jumbos that exceed the $625,500 federal limit Home buyers trying to purchase a pricey property will probably need a jumbo loan—a mortgage that exceeds government limits. But there are different types of jumbos, and some are a little easier and cheaper to get than others. But first, a handy breakdown for those befuddled by the confounding terminology of the mortgage business: Conforming mortgages are capped at $417,000 and backed by … [Read more...]
Don’t Overlook These 7 Neighborhood Details
June 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
You know you want to live in a safe place, but what else should you be looking for when evaluating a new neighborhood? If you’re in the market to buy a home or rent a home, location is crucial. Quality schools, low crime statistics, commute times, and even grocery stores are likely already on your neighborhood checklist. But what could you be missing when it comes to evaluating a new neighborhood? 1. Where will you go to have fun? It’s natural to focus on proximity to your job when you’re looking for a place … [Read more...]
Deal sound too good? It’s easy to check out contractors
June 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Arizona regulates builders, and there's an easy way to find out if they're licensed and can be held accountable for damages or bad work. If a contractor knocks on your door, offering to fix your roof, fence or paint for a bargain price, check the Arizona Registrar of Contractors website at www.azroc.gov before signing any deal or handing over any money. If a builder is licensed, the status of it's permit to operate will be listed as well as contact information and a license number that should be included on all … [Read more...]
Construction to start on new Mountain Shadows Resort
June 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
After closing down more than 10 years ago, the Mountain Shadows Resort soon will see new life. Construction is set to start later this summer on the once-famed property on the southwest corner of 56th Street and Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley. Dallas-based Woodbine Development Corp. and Scottsdale’s Westroc Hospitality have partnered on the project. Both companies expect the 175-room resort and 18-hole golf course to open by early 2017. Westroc currently manages two boutique hotels, the Hotel Valley Ho … [Read more...]
Just How Much Did the Recession Make 20-Somethings Delay Children?
May 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment
That the Great Recession of 2007-09 made Americans have fewer kids is no surprise, but a new study shows how big the toll was. Birth rates for U.S. women in their 20s dropped more than 15% between 2007 and 2012, just before and after the recession, the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan policy research group, said in a new analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention released Tuesday. Among Hispanic 20-somethings, the birth rate dropped 26%. Non-Hispanic blacks? 14%. By contrast, … [Read more...]
Home Prices Are Climbing Faster and Faster, but This Is Not a Bubble
May 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This spring buying season is off to a strong start—in fact, prices are going up faster than they were just a few months ago, according to nearly every recent metric. So does that mean we’re in a bubble? Nope, that’s just what happens when demand increases faster than supply. After all, existing-home sales were up 9% year over year in March, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Inventory is also increasing, but not as fast as sales, resulting in a tight supply getting even tighter. An … [Read more...]
Young Adults Going for Jumbo Loans
May 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Low interest rates and loosening credit qualifications are helping young-adult buyers qualify for mortgages—and, in some areas, jumbo loans The improving economy has enabled more millennials—those born between 1980 and 1999—to qualify for mortgages. And in some markets, they’re seeking jumbo loans. Low interest rates and loosening credit qualifications are, in part, fueling the change. Borrowers can now pay as little as 3% down for government-backed loans, and 10% or 15% down for jumbos, which are … [Read more...]
