Liz Miller – REALTOR®
Liz Miller - REALTOR®
ABR, CRS, RRS, SFR
928-208-5184
1990 N. Lake Havasu Avenue
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Visit My Other Websites
Premiere Property Listings
Warning: array_merge() [function.array-merge]: Argument #1 is not an array in /home/content/39/8365739/html/wp-content/plugins/wp-property/core/class_functions.php on line 3508
about.me
Garbage disposals are a great tool to have in the kitchen until they fail, and the repair costs can be expensive in some cases. Therefore I have some tips on how to avoid high garbage disposal repairs.
The very useful garbage disposal cuts down kitchen clean-up by cutting food into small bits that can safely flow through your drain pipe. However, as with any machine, they have limited power and are prone to breakdowns. But, the good news is that if you follow just a few basic guidelines for appropriate sink disposal, you can avoid costly repairs from clogs, plumbing and replacement parts.
You should always run cold water when using your disposal unit. Warm water usually liquefies fat from foods and can cause clogs. You should always run the disposal when you put food in the drain. If you leave food in the drain, you can cause too much work for the disposal when you add more food later.
When you have large amounts of food, add a little at a time so the disposal will have enough time to chop up the food properly before adding more. And, you should let the disposal run for a few minutes after the food grinding has stopped. You can also run a little dish detergent in the disposal to clean it from time to time.
Just like your kitchen knives, the blades on your disposal will become dull at some point in time. You can sharpen the blades by running a glass full of ice cubes through it. Ice cubes can be very useful for maintaining your garbage disposal. They beat against the walls of the disposal and between the blades to clear away build-up from food.
You can deodorize your disposal by cutting a lemon into quarters and putting it into the disposal. You can also add baking soda to the drain for a lemony fresh scent.
And, call Realtor(R) Liz Miller for more tips and advice.
It can be a daunting task trying to figure out if you are ready to become a homeowner this year. However, there are some signs that you 
can look for that will help you know, for sure, that you’re ready to buy a home in 2012.
Signs that you may be ready to buy a home:
√You can pay a down payment and closing costs: Your down payment will be determined by a percentage of the mortgage you qualify for. Down payments can range from 3% up to 20% of the property’s value. Your closing costs will include mortgage points, title insurance, financing costs, taxes, and other prepaid items.
√You have become familiar with the real estate market: When buying a home, you need to be somewhat familiar with the current real estate market and have a realistic view about what you need and want in a home. A Realtor® can help the more difficult aspects of buying a home.
√Know what you can afford: For knowing exactly how much mortgage you can afford, there is a general guide to go by. Your monthly mortgage payment should equal to or be less than one-quarter of your gross monthly income. This will allow your finances to go to other debts as well without putting you in a financial bind.
√You have good credit: Having your credit in good shape is a plus when buying a home. Lenders will look at your credit history to see if you are credit worthy for a home loan. If you do not know what your credit score is, you can get a report from all three credit reporting companies simply by requesting one. The top three companies that lenders will view include Equifax, Trans Union and Experian.
√Know that extra expenses will come: Extra expenses will come when you purchase a home. This is much different than renting because you will now have to pay for all maintenance and repairs out of your own pocket.
If you have all the signs that you’re ready to become a homeowner in 2012, contact a Realtor® who can help you find your dream home this New Year.
Many homeowners don’t realize that their home is also a savings account. You can do many inexpensive things to your home to protect and enhance its value without beating up your wallet.
Here are some ideas for protecting and enhancing your home’s value:
* Declutter – Money is the only good thing to hoard, so when it comes to your home you can get rid of many items to help declutter your space. Shoeboxes, magazines, newspapers, and more are nothing more than junk that causes clutter. Reclaim your home and add more square footage by getting rid of any and all junk. The holiday season is now upon us, so it makes it an even better time to declutter.
* Switch-it-up – Give your space a new look by rearranging your rooms. Moving furniture and wall hangings can jazz up any space. It’s like getting a home makeover for free.
* Swap it – For very little investment you can swap out knobs, pulls and other items that will refresh your rooms. Add decorative switch plates, update doorknobs and drawer pulls for the most effect.
* Paint, paint, paint – A little paint on the outside trim of your home can go a long way. Touchup the trim, window frames, shutters and front doors for less than $60. And, never let unused paint go to waste. You can use leftovers for rehabbing old furniture, wooden fences or flower pots.
* Spruce up the outside – Start pulling every weed in sight of your flower beds and lay some fresh mulch. If you don’t have flower beds, create some. They make a yard look lovely.
You don’t have to put a huge investment into enhancing your home’s value. And, by keeping it up, you’ll have less to do when it comes time to sell.
If you’re considering a move to Lake Havasu City, please take a look at one of the homes awaiting you http://searchallproperties.com/listings/859328/1680-MCCULLOCH-BLVD-S-Lake-Havasu-City-AZ
If your plan is to remodel, you’ll need to know what your budget can allow before you contact contractors. You can try a project calculator which uses the largest construction database available to provide you a custom estimate on your project. The amazing thing is you can put in your zip code and project information and the Remodeling Budget Estimator will give you figures for dimensions, contractor, labor, material and local pricing.
The DIY Network site uses information from the most respected data sources that spans over thirty years in the construction industry. The data consist of a multitude of factors that impact your project, such as the consumer price index, specific materials, exact dimensions, local pricing and markup by the contractor.
The research is updated every 90 days throughout the nation to stay on top of material cost by hundreds of lumberyards. They compile labor cost by tracking trends and also collect data from professional remodeling contractors who use this pricing service. The costs are collected from over 200 areas in the nation and are priced to your particular area. The price from the DIY Network site is determined by the information you give the calculator. However, when you have a contractor come in they may find there are things that were not taken into consideration or a number of things that could impact the end price. Some factors that can affect the project are weather, unusual terrain, access to the work area, and scheduling.
You can find the remodeling estimator on the DIY Network site at: www.CostEstimator.com/diy/index.jsp
If you’re considering a move to Lake Havasu City, please take a look at one of the homes awaiting you http://searchallproperties.com/listings/859328/1680-MCCULLOCH-BLVD-S-Lake-Havasu-City-AZ
Now that our weather is getting cooler, we are spending more time indoors and it’s more important than ever to have a healthy home. Therefore, I have a few simple tips to make your home a healthy environment for your family.
Toxins
Painting indoors is ideal in the fall. However, keep in mind when selecting your paint to purchase low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). In many interior paints and finishes, VOCs are a big threat to your indoor air quality and they have a variety of chemicals that can be hazardous to your health with short and long term effects. Some houseplants such as gerbera daisies and ivy can help to reduce or remove VOCs.
Air
Millions of people suffer from allergies that seem to get worse in the fall from ragweed and pollen, but the worst triggers are often inside the home. Having a whole house air filtration system will help to remove indoor allergens, such as dust, mildew, pet dander and pollen. Your indoors can be crisp and clean with a good air filtration system.
Mold
In the winter months, people tend to seal up their homes to keep out cold air and this traps moisture and humidity inside the home. Both of these are contributors to indoor mold growth. To maintain a healthy level of humidity, you should vent bathrooms, clothes dryers and stove vents.
Carbon Monoxide
A carbon monoxide detector is a must for every home if you want to keep your family safe. Your home’s furnace, heat pump, vents and chimney should be inspected and serviced by a professional to insure your family’s safety on an annual basis. Before lighting the fireplace, open the damper to prevent build up of potentially poisonous gases inside the house.
Routines
Next on the tip list is the smoke alarm. Most homeowners know it’s important to test their alarms monthly and often they don’t change the batteries regularly. One way to keep track of maintenance is to change batteries when time changes in the fall and again in the spring. Every time you reset the clocks, change the batteries to your smoke alarm and your carbon monoxide detector.
By using these tips you will create a safer and healthier home.
Follow Me!