Ikea Bathroom

IKEA is a great store. Click on photo for a larger image. This short story is in regards to the available cabinetry, shelving units and related fixtures. Very contemporary products at a decent price.  Things to keep in mind about there products is that they have to be built. That’s right !  The products come packaged with instructions. Since the products come from foreign countries and are shipped around the world. The instructions are not written. They come in what I refer to as Petroglyphs. The’re pictures with little funny caricature’s pointing here and there with smiley faces. They are not all that accurate. So you may have to put your puzzle abilities to work.

At AMCorp, having installed a bathroom from Ikea. We know the time involved during this building phase. Keep in mind if hiring a contractor you will have an additional expense if they are to build your newly purchased products. The savings on one end will be lost on the building side.

You might consider buying one cabinet and giving it a try. Make sure and time your progress. It will give you a good perspective on the contractors additional fees. If your confident you could build the cabinets you will enjoy a substantial savings.

If your local and are considering an IKEA renovation. Feel free to contact AMCorp at www.OfficeOpen.com  We would be happy to share with you our experience. Until then, enjoy your shopping and reading !!

The Deserts of Arizona does not have allot of  mosquitos. Yet there are plenty of other insects that take to the air and become a nuisance. Out here in the wide open spaces plenty of Desert Dwellers raise horses. Horses have the ability to attract flies. Fly traps are a dime a dozen, with none of them working very well.

City Dwellers have there share of flying pest also. With large amount of watered vegetation causing higher humidity. Some times of the year we can enjoy a pesky amount of nats. Along with wasp and bees.

Our family remodeling company AMCorp, recently finished a project that eliminated all of the above, and also answered the issues below.

The  Client has a four year old home on two acres. There were three concerns she wanted dealt with. #1 She was very concerned about insects, crawling or flying and all the ground visitors like mice, tarantulas, lizards and scorpions. Rarely did she go outside. #2  She also wanted to be able to garden. This meant going outside. #3  The south west side of the home had an excessive amount of sun all day. Causing sun light issues in the master bedroom.

We at AMCorp as well as our Customer were pleased with results of this newly constructed custom Screen Room. During the construction phase flies and nats made us crazy. The day after we installed the fly screen and doors, there was not a single critter flying or crawling. The direct sun was gone dropping the radiant heat tremendously. The floor was left dirt for gardening. Cobble stone would look wonderful. Our client is thrilled to have a screened in garden area, safe from her pesky friends.

For a larger Image click the photo !

Our family lives in New River (a small city in Arizona), and operates a remodeling company. Now that the price of housing has moved up, allot of families are expanding the homes they’re in.

Many of the older homes we seen have less than perfect porches. Personally, one of our favorite pastimes is sitting outside in the shade, and enjoying the great mountain and or desert landscaped views. Living in Arizona allows plenty of opportunity for this outdoor living but you have to have a great area to enjoy it all from! Below are a few pictures of some of the porches we have built for clients. If your porch needs some work we can help you!

The smartest investors are the ones that listen and act on good advice. You must also be able to carry your investments. Unless the market is on fire and you are in the up swing, should you take a risk without the were-withal to carry the investment for awhile.

My highest earning client started with 150K land investment, a 25% down-payment. Taking my advice rolled in and out of properties for three years. He now is holding properties valued at over  3.5 million. We sold enough to purchase others and hold the balance.   He listened and acted on the right suggestions.

When your a scratcher, like myself you need good ideas. Then you need a good client that will give you time to share with them your knowledge. If they trust you and act, not only will they benefit greatly. You will compile a little more for your self.

Lots of investors are out buying houses that have come up for auction or have dramatically dropped in value. With tenants the holding cost are easier to handle. You just have to become a landlord. Houses will rebound, but I believe at a slower pace. Probably 2% per year. This is what it has been historically.

I have never been a huge fan of auctions due to the following reasons. The auctions have a reserve just like on eBay. So if you win the auction and your bid is lower than the reserve you have to match it. There is also a fee usually 5% for the auction house. Then on top of that. Most of the homes are in less that top condition. This means repair cost to bring the property up to rent-able condition. After you add up the total cost you could have hooked up with a licensed Real Estate Agent. Who knows how to find great properties in good condition for the same price if not less.

This  follows the same rules mentioned above. You don’t need to beat the bushes looking for that steal. Their are professionals that can lead you to the right properties. With  good common sense you can analyze what they have to share with you. Act and you will benefit!

A little more demographics regarding  Desert Hills and New River, Arizona.

This little peace of Paradise runs north from Carefree Hwy. Once made famous in my world by Gordon Lightfoot ” It’s a Carefree Highway” 

New River Rd.  / 7th street running north from Carefree Highway turns into New River Rd.  This main roadway travels about 10 miles north then swings about 5 miles to the west then back southwest, back to Carefree Highway.  Check out google map below.

Some day this will be named New River Boulevard. It winds its way thru high desert vistas. Along the eastern traverse the properties are zoned one acre lots. One home per one acre of land. This is to maintain the rural lifestyle and the senic beauty. Most the property on the southwest track back to Carefree Highway is undeveloped, but has already been master planned by the state to become high density city. The huge water treatment plant just east of Lake Pleasant is complete and is large enough to supply 600,000 homes.

 Traveling north on the eastern side there are pockets of development. Desert Hills, Greer Ranch, Daisy Mountain, Circle Mountain, Fig Springs, Gavilan Valley, and Gavilan Hills. Along Interstate 17 running up the center is Tramonto and Anthem both master planed communities.

The north east run of New River Rd. supports a country lifestyle while the two master planned communities supply shopping, entertainment and all the amenities to make living out here great. It real is the best of both worlds. Below are some pictures of a few of the pocket communities. Click on photo for larger image !

Desert Hills                  Greer Ranch              Circle Mountain              Gavilan Peak

Gavilan Valley              Gavilan Valley            Circle Mountain              Anthem

View Larger Map

I am not sure I would believe that statement completely. That is a very high number. There are a few things to be aware of when considering a building-remodeling project.

#1 You should secure a building permit: If you ever sell your home or investment, the full disclosure laws require you to let the buyers know if you have had work done, and if permits were pulled. This may keep you out of a law suit in the future. A reputable contractor may be willing to do this work for you. A permit requires drawings in most cases. The contractor should be able to help and secure you a draftsman or architect for your project. This always takes time and will cost a fee. Patience is definitely required.

#2 After you have met : You should be comfortable with the contractor and he should be willing to work up an estimate based on your initial visit. Some jobs may be general enough that they could throw out a ball park figure. This will never be accurate ! Sometimes this will help save the contractor a lot of work. If he thinks possibly 45,000 and you were thinking 25,000. The project may be bigger than you imagined and you might need to go back to the drawing board or not move forward at all. If you are comfortable with the ballpark figure, then the contractor would not mind bidding out the project.

#3 The estimate : The cost break down should include all the work required. From plans and permits to demolition and construction. There should be a cost break down for each phase including materials required. Not all contractors provide a cost break down per phase but should break the estimate down in categories. This will make it easy for you to follow the progress.The dollar figure will be the same in the end. The complete cost should be on the estimate, with payment draws established as part of the contract. Your contractor should be able to explain each phase of the project and what you should expect. This also includes explaining the draw schedule.

#4 Acceptance of the Contract : If you are comfortable with the builder and he has done the above procedures. You may want to hire him. Call the local Registrar of Contractors and make sure the company is legitimate, and has no outstanding complaints. You may want to do this before you first meet. Most of the time on larger projects you may secure more than one bid. This is were you need to be careful on your decision. The lowest price is not always the best choice. Example : On two projects I bid on this year the customer accepted the lowest bid. One, I projected at 150,000. The winning bidder came in at 98,000. After visiting the owner during the project he had already spent 148,000 and was only in the framing stage. He had gone with the lowest bid and had accepted to pay for any cost overruns. Cost overruns should be projected in the bid. Most contractors know were these cost overruns will be, and can put a cost projection on them. If the cost don’t occur the buyer does not have to pay. The second project was a new build I projected at 335,000. The customer accepted a bid at 270,000. When the project was completed the final cost was 335,000. This was my nephew and it took him a year to get his cap five wire installed, that the contractor forgot, but had contracted for.

#5 Find a way to relieve stress : This sounds silly, but every remodeling project will require decisions to be made by the customers. Couples sometimes struggle over these requirements. You might try discussing a difference of opinion in front of your contractor during your first visit to test his abilities to negotiate and help you both make the right choice. Remember to have fun! The project will be completed and with the right contractor things will move along as smooth as possible.

It Ain’t All Work Jerry Brown

Owner of : OfficeOpen.com

Working clockwise from north, Phoenix is surrounded by mountains. The Bradshaws, New River Mnts, Continentals, The McDowels, The Mazatals, The Supperstitions, The Santans, South Mountain, Estrellas, and the White Tanks. This is of course were the term Valley of the Sun arose from.

Years past the valley floor was lush sonoran desert. This gave way to farming, then city sprawl. There are bedroom communities or suburbs of Phoenix from one end to the other. Expansion is never ending. Most of the communities have spread out over existing farm land, that is flat and makes for easy development. A few touch on the edges of the surrounding mountains that give way to elevation changes. This elevation change results in lower density housing. Most of these rural areas use to be considered living in the country. Horses and chickens and laid back living.

As time passes the cities continue to expand, and now the rural areas if not surrounded by growth are backed into pocket areas mainly due to the mountain terrain.

Lower density, mostly acre lots, lush sonoran desert, and beautiful views. This adds up to some very nice Real Estate. The cities have brought with them, shopping, banking, schools and entertainment. The rural country now has the best of both worlds.

I have my favorite, North Scottsdale, Carefree, Cave Creek, Desert Hills and New River. They are listed in order of cost to live. I love them all, and my modest abode is located in New River.

The above locations are on my favorites list due not only to the 1,000 ft. higher elevation change, from the Valley of the Sun. But because the areas are tucked in amongst the northern mountains.

Cool nights, Lots of Stars, Mountain Views, lush Sonoran Desert, Yep, Paradise !

It ain’t all work, Jerry

Owner of: www.officeopen.com

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If you are interested in finding your piece of paradise visit some of my listings.

Been working on a web page and found it to be a little work to get up and running. Even though the Internet access to set up the sites are amazing!

My business is Real Estate and Contracting. Been wanting to tie them both together for years. I have tried many angels to do that and have lots of experience. I will share this in my first Blog attack : Investing takes money, credit, and financing. If your missing any one of the above you better be looking for a partner.

Arizona has been my home 30 years! I love this place. I have lots to share about the State and will be doing so frequently. Just moved a little over two years ago into what some people would call the county. YeeHa-Yahoo. Not me, I call it Paradise ! Will tell you a lot more later.

My web will be some how linked to this site eventually and you will be able to search and read about the reasons people move to the middle of the desert and love it. Planning on playing forward every thing that I can. Going to keep this first Blog short and want to thank Miss Talina for all her help!! Talina has an e-gift company and I highly recommend you check it out at: http://www.craftedcustomgifts.com/

It Ain’t All Work, Jerry

Owner of: www.officeopen.com