Elizabeth Newlin - Arizona Real Estate Agent

I was perusing the housing listings on the multiple listing service today, trying to become more acquainted with the different types of searching functions, and I stumbled upon the historic district listings. It was like opening a treasure chest. I checked out homes and condos that spanned the price spectrum and was equally delighted by each one I found. I’m drawn to the idea of old homes. I like that they used to be made as individuals, rather than as a part of a subdivision where there are only four different models. I like that they are often remodeled; old on the outside, but new and modern on the inside. I like that they have interesting little niches that make them different from any other home. I love that they’ve often had many owners and families who’ve occupied them over the years.

If I was single and working downtown, this would be my dream place. I love the remodeling they’ve done. It looks sleek and modern but with plenty of built-in bookshelves to make it warm and comfortable. It’s right downtown in the middle of the city life and amazing restaurants. The HOA fee pays for almost all needed utilities. It seems like a dream to me.

I find this little gem adorable too. I’m fascinated by the guest house in the back. Is that where you put the teenagers when they’re especially surly?

Now this one is where I will live someday when my kids are in college and I’ve written my novel and am a famous published author. I will create amazing epicurean delights (because it’s not just called dinner in a kitchen like that) on those fabulous granite counter tops with that gorgeous subzero as an aid. I can see expensive original artwork on those walls and modern, but comfortable furniture on those beautiful floors.

Yes, the historic district is a treat. Do you want to go see it with me? We can just pretend you’re looking to buy…

I have a new client who is interested in waterfront properties. Because of this I have been doing some serious research on neighborhoods with lakes in the East Valley. There are several, in particular, that I have paid close attention to: Val Vista Lakes, Dobson Ranch, The Islands, The Springs, Ocotillo Lakes and The Lakes. I knew that I needed more information about these areas, but I was having trouble nailing it down. Then I found this website.

The Arizona Neighborhoods site is a great resource. It has maps of each community, a list of schools, fire stations and parks, and even general info on properties for sale in each area. I recommend looking up your own neighborhood just to see if you can learn anything.

Speaking of the waterfront, this is the view from a home in The Islands in Gilbert that I visited this evening. With all of this talk and gorgeous pictures of properties on lakes, Jason and I have been thinking: We could live like that… But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; we have a remodel to undertake.

Well, we have decided that the bathroom is not the only area in need of a major overhaul in our house. The kitchen has been an issue for both of us from day one here. It is small, with hideous linoleum, a bad wallpaper border and an extraordinarily inefficient use of cabinet space. The kitchen and lack of storage space is so bad, in fact, that I have seriously considered just moving to a house with a larger kitchen. However, that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. I love many of the other things we’ve done to our house (this is one of my favorites:
)
and really, the kitchen has a lot of potential; it just needs a serious renovation.

So, we’re currently in the process of refinancing our house (we got a great deal with Wells Fargo) and will soon be in possession of $20,000 earmarked for remodels. Jason pretty much has me talked into the idea of doing it ourselves. I’m not looking forward to several months of total chaos in our bathroom and kitchen, but I know that we will be much happier with the end result if we do it ourselves. There’s something to be said for the pride that comes with accomplishing a project without the help of a professional (although, there’s also something to be said for the happiness of our marriage when we’re not in the midst of a home improvement odyssey). I also would like the bulk of our money to be spent on the gorgeous materials I have in mind, rather than labor. We will see, though, I’m not committing to anything just yet.

I may be totally naive as to how far I can stretch our dollars, but here is what I want to definitely be done with by the end of this: new shower (maybe out of these), bathroom floor, light fixtures for the bathroom, sinks, cabinets and towel bars, new floor for the kitchen, counters, cabinets, stove and dishwasher. If we have any money left over, I want new front doors and to paint the outside of our house, which currently looks like this:

but I would prefer it to look like this (this house is across the street from us, doesn’t it look nice?):

And that is the plan… I’m an excellent bargain shopper and Jason’s practically a pro-contractor. I think we have at least a shot at accomplishing this before we end up in marriage counseling…