Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken

The decision to place your home on the market can involve a number of issues. Home sales can be motivated by circumstances you can't control - job relocation, family problems, financial issues, divorce or death. Other motivations may be the need for a larger home or a better neighborhood or schools. A home can be many things but there always comes a day when it's time to move on. The following are two of the most important things to consider once you decide to place your home on the market.

Dress Your Property for Sale: Buyers are not looking for a house, they are looking for a home. They buy homes in which they feel they would like to live and they select that home based on emotions. To sell your home quickly MAKE IT FEEL LIKE HOME. First impressions are important and they're lasting. Trim trees and bushes, spruce up the exterior, show the world your home is valuable and well maintained. Great curb appeal will make a buyer want to come inside. Once inside buyers use four senses to make a decision on whether or not they would consider your home as THEIR new home - smell, touch, sight and hearing. Do all the rooms in your home pass the smell, touch, sight and hearing tests? Put all appliances away, get rid of excess furniture and clutter. You have to move anyway, pack early, make your home more saleable. Place items neatly in the garage. Have your home professionally cleaned. Cleaning and cosmetic fix ups, especially in the kitchen, baths and master bedroom can yield many times their cost. Pets should be out of sight and smell. Make sure to eliminate pet odors. For daytime showings open all blinds and curtains. On cloudy days turn on lights. Some soft music may enhance the emotional experience for your buyer but all other appliances that might distract attention from your home should be turned off.

Price Your Home Correctly: The natural inclination for ALL sellers is to price the home high, thinking they can always come down. A listing price that is too high frequently nets the seller less money than an initial price at market value. People looking for homes in your price range will reject your home in favor of others more reasonably priced within their range. Agents will cross your home off their showing list if it's priced too high. It's their job to know market values and they don't want to waste their time. So you come down in price, but by then your listing is old, has a reputation and you've lost the extra interest paid on your mortgage, the extra property taxes and carrying costs that accrue while you are waiting for your house to sell. THE SELLER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR HOW MUCH AND HOW QUICKLY THEIR HOME SELLS!

Are you looking to relocate to an affordable community with four mild seasons? if so, the Prescott Valley and Prescott AZ area are communities that you should consider.

Prescott Valley and Prescott are located in Arizona's central mountains, just 90 miles northwest of Phoenix and 90 miles Southwest of Flagstaff. Compared to Prescott, Prescott Valley is the new kid on the block having been incorporated some 30+ years ago. Prescott was established in 1864, incorporated in 1881. At one time, Prescott was the territorial capital of Arizona. It is now the seat of the Yavapai County goverment. Both Prescott and Prescott Valley are on the doorsteps of the Prescott National Forest for your enjoyment. The Mingus Mountains are to the east of Prescott Valley. The Bradshaw Mountains are to the south and southwest of Prescott

Climate

Mile-high Prescott Valley (5,100 feet elevation) and Prescott (5,300 feet elevation) have an ideal four-season climate, with elevation and mountain breezes keeping summer temperatures from reaching the scorching levels of the Phoenix desert. Temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees, with about 300+ days of sunshine. Humidity is a moderate 45% year-round. Late June through mid September is the Prescott area's monsoon season with cool afternoon thunderstorms.

Visit the following web sites for additional information:

Prescott Valley: http://www.pvaz.net/

City of Prescott: http://www.cityofprescott.net/

Visit our site of www.prescottlistings.com for information about properties or to contact us.

I thought that it would be interesting and helpfull if I posted the City of Prescott and the Town of Prescott Valley web sites. Provide a wealth of information to persons who may be interested in relocating to this great area.

Following are a few community sites for your perusal--- provide you with information about our great communities.

City of Prescott

Chamber of Commerce www.prescott.org

City www.cityofprescott..net

Prescott Valley

Chamber of Commerce www.pvchamber.org

Town of Prescott Valley

www.pvaz.com

Relaxing and elegant, the new outdoor spaces are features that home buyers love.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau Housing Survey, homeowners spent more than $40 billion in 2003 improving outdoor areas. Some improvements can fetch 75 percent of the cost when it comes time to sell.

At one time, outdoor living involved mainly a deck with a grill. Today outdoor rooms range from elaborate to simple and there are lots of choices.

At the high end, open-air outdoor rooms can include a full kitchen, dining area, fireplace and television.

Arizona rooms, also called knee rooms, are fully enclosed, climate-controlled, four-season rooms flooded with light from many windows. They often include a door to an open deck. provide comfortable warmth. In warmer climates, the rooms require special glass so that they control the heat in all seasons. Or you could install roll-up blinds to control the heat

Enclosing the Patio

It's easier than ever to transform your patio, deck or breezeway into a place for living and entertaining during the spring, summer and fall. Manufacturer enclosures can be designed to fit your space, lifestyle and budget.

Styles include studio models with cathedral ceiling and gabled roofs. They can include tinted glass, skylights, electrical outlets and phone and cable lines.

All-season patio rooms cost more but are best for those who want to use them during the entire year