About Bullhead City's Fort Mohave

So . . . we just made your dream come true and you are now the proud owner of a beautiful piece of Fort Mohave AZ real estate.

That dream home came with . . . a fiberglass spa. Which conveyed 'as is, with no warranties expressed or implied'.

You had it inspected and it works, perhaps got a little service done on the 'guts'. But it needs some 'babe-ing out' to be ready for those parties you'll be throwing!

Fort Mohave water is VERY mineral rich. Lots of calcification on . . . everywhere.

And your spa is caked with water spots, gritty white stuff and looking pretty scary.

Not to worry.

You'll need the following items -- and an afternoon of time--to make your spa look absolutely delicious!

• Shop vac
• Gentle plastic bristle or vegie brush
• Spa scale remover
• Spa wax
• New filter
• Spa chemicals
• Test strips

1. If there is water in the spa, siphon it out with a long garden hose: Connect the hose to the hose bib in front of the house or near where you will drain the water away, and turn it on. Put the other end in the deepest part of the spa and hold it there. As soon as you know that water is coming out the end in the spa, turn the water off and QUICKLY DISCONNECT THE HOSE. The water should begin to come out the disconnected end -- immediately position it to flow where you want it to, and it should begin siphoning the water out of the spa. If you need to, repeat the process.
2. Position the hose in the deepest part of the spa.
3. As the spa water level recedes, begin loosening the scale around the sides with the scrub brush. The idea is to get as much of the scale out through the siphon hose.
4. When the water level is lower than the filter, remove the filter basket and clean its parts in the sink or with another hose to remove scale from them. Discard the filter--you'll replace with a new one later.
5. As the water level continues to lower, keep cleaning the sides of the fiberglass. Continue to reposition the hose to siphon away the scale deposits at the bottom. Don't disturb the hose more than you have to.
6. When there is not enough water at the bottom for the hose to siphon, remove the hose and use your shop vac to clean the rest of the bottom.
7. Take a towel or cloth and wipe the bottom of the spa to remove the last of the grit at the bottom.
8. Now, you can use the scale remover to get the last of the scale from the walls of the spa.
9. Use the scrub brush to clean the jets. The jets can be turned a quarter turn to clean under them. Make sure to turn them back--that's also how the jets can be turned up--or off!
10. When the spa is completely cleaned, use the wax to wax the inside. This will keep deposits from building up in the future.
11. When the wax has been applied and wiped off, rinse lightly with a fresh damp cloth, replace the filter and basket, and refill the spa.

Once you've refilled the spa, you may then test and add the proper chemicals to balance the PH and sanitize and clarify the water.

There is nothing like a sparkling spa to relax in or entertain friends, while you fall in love with your home on the Colorado River all over again!

Luna can't wait to hand out treats to the trick or treaters who stop by her house . . . she is a TrueBlood fan so her costume is a vampire queen getup, like Queen Sophie-Anne.

She didn't have to pick up a set of fangs. Some things work out like that, you know . . .

It's a gorgeous night along the beautiful Colorado River. High temp was 83 today and the winds have died down to a mellow Fall breeze.

So come on over kiddies of all ages, and pick up a treat!

And a slice of heaven--Bullhead City Arizona 86442 real estate--while you're at it.

But watch your necks . . . you can never be too careful . . .

Yesterday my husband and I were out and about in Bullhead City 86442 and Fort Mohave AZ 86426 . . . the weather has been very Fall-ish here--still warm with temps into the upper 80s, although quite breezy which often necessitates extra maintenance on this and that.

I love Fall--it is my favorite season for trippin' about town selling real estate!

Can you guess what 'to do' item we were performing when this picture was snapped?

If you want to move to Bullhead City AZ 86442, you will be in good company.

Many relocations to our area and even more vacation and seasonal residents' transactions start happening in Fall when the weather starts to mellow.

And every second Summer, the mistake-makers--those whose buyer (often dual) agents were masters of the 'panic sell' and bought wrong, wrong, wrong--come crying that they need to move back 'home'--or anywhere else.

Upside down as all get out at worst case. Losing money or just breaking even at best.

Living in Bullhead City, Fort Mohave 86426 and Mohave Valley 86440 is GREAT. This Southern California transplant made the move in 1993 and never looked back.

BUT - we came for a 4 month leave of absence from our jobs in LA and rented until we were sure.

Before you buy, you will need to be clued in to the basic and immutable truths about our area.

1. Bullhead City is REALLY HOT in Summer (can be nearly 130 on some days! And it does NOT cool down at night so temperatures are often still over 100 for a low in mid July). And you know all the jokes about it being a 'dry heat'? That's 'mostly' true. BUT, during our 'monsoon season' the humidity cranks up and you'll think you're in Florida or New Jersey. Except hotter.

2. Bullhead City can get COLD in Winter. We are the desert! We don't get snow. But it gets cold! If you are buying a Summer place, you will need to take precautions against freezing plumbing--a chief cause of water damage.

3. Bullhead City jobs are mostly 'service industry' related. Arizona is a 'right to work' state and our casinos (major source of employment) often won't get you better than a 30k annual salary including tips unless you make it to upper management.

3. Our way of life is a lot SLOWER PACED than our LA, CA or Las Vegas counterparts. Some can't deal with how 'country' we still are.

4. If you are inclined to overindulge in food, drink or gambling, Bullhead City, with its 24 hour casinos and bars within a 10 minute drive, could very well be your downfall.

5. We have critters--sun spiders as big as your hand--scorpions--rattlesnakes--coyotes--mountain lions. You won't see 'most' of those in the suburbs--and I personally own stock in the pest control company! But move onto a 10 acre ranch at the foot of the Black Mountains? DUH!

So PLEASE, investigate this area well before settling on it. I won't be crushed that you decided not to rush forward on what might be an unwise move. Some people SHOULD rent. And we have rentals as well as sales.

HOWEVER, if you think this may be the place for you--and it is a WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, FUN place for those who understand 1 - 5 above-- here's a REALLY SMART PLAN:

• Arrange for a 'reconnaissance mission' trip prior to any property touring to cruise the area solo. That way, you can really figure out what areas you are attracted to without distraction, and at your own pace. Listings, maps, directions, not a problem. Just ask.
  
  
• Visit our area in Summer -- and in Winter.
  
  
• Second reconnaissance mission will be with me. We'll see some representative properties in areas you've found of interest. No pressure.
  
  
• Get your financing in order. If you are making a job transfer for instance, you may need to rent for a bit first to qualify while you 'settle in' to your new position. And loan professionals are not all created alike. I know who the great ones are--and who they aren't. Ask me before you start clicking around online!
  
  
• When you are certain you like our area and can handle the extremes of heat and cold, slower pace than big city living and the occasional unwanted 'critter', we make an appointment and see a list of the properties that fit your criteria BEST just prior to making your OFFER to PURCHASE.
  
  
• Let me EDUCATE you about the PROCESS of buying property in AZ, so you enter into your TRANSACTION comfortably, confident that you're making a sound DECISION.

Remember that working with your real estate broker is a team effort:

YOU, preapproved or funds-ready, knowing what to expect from our area PROPERTIES, ready to work together toward this common goal.

And ME, ready to share my MARKET KNOWLEDGE and BUYING or SELLING STRATEGIES with you as a CLIENT.

You may not know it, but you just got a little bit LUCKIER. Because

LUCK = Laboring Under Correct Knowledge!

I was out with my Luna at Petsmart this week, and ran into a former client of mine who is a groomer there. We stopped to chat and I told her how much Luna LOVES "The Puppy Store" and how cool it is to have a fun place to walk her when it's 120 outside.

The conversation turned to pet friendly shopping in our area . . . and I learned of several pet friendly shopping locations in our Bullhead City 86442, Fort Mohave 86426, Mohave Valley 86440 areas that I did not know about . . .

For pet friendly shopping in and near Fort Mohave 86426, (with friendly and immunized pets of course) give these spots a try:

Petsmart . . . the national chain of pet, grooming, training and supply stores epitomizes pet friendly shopping and is happy to receive and even provide treats for your pooch along with a Disneyland of sensory stimulation. In the new Target Center on South Hwy 95 @ the Parkway.

Home Depot . . . despite the "No Dogs" sign at the front door, which I was told are placed there to reduce their liability, your friendly pup is well received while you shop for DIY stuff and garden supplies. North Hwy 95 just West of the Laughlin Bridge.

Ace Hardware/Tri State Building Materials with Bullhead City and Fort Mohave locations: Hancock and Lakeside in Bullhead and South 95 and Camp Mohave (1 mile North of Aztec - the road to the Avi) offers pet friendly shopping.

Blockbuster Video--I have to admit I was a bit surprised at that one and have not yet tried it so call first. But I was told that they permit pet friendly shopping by someone who's tried it. Miracle Mile just East of Hwy 95 in Bullhead.

and if you need pet friendly lodging . . .

Lodge On The River is a GREAT WATERFRONT lodge right in the heart of Bullhead City on Hwy 95 a few miles Southwest of the Laughlin Bridge. They are pet friendly for most not-too-large pets. And you'll love lounging by the pool on the shores of the River!

Luna sez: "I love pet friendly shopping!"