Having an outdoor kitchen is an excellent addition to your home, but you have to choose all the materials carefully. Outdoor kitchens need to withstand the harsh reality of natural elements and an outdoor environment, so when it comes to choosing the right stones, these are the best ones to live up to the task.
1. Granite Of all the natural stones, granite is the toughest option for an outdoor kitchen. Granite offers versatility, durability, and looks. Available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and finishes, you’ll be able to customize this stone to meet your needs. Plus, granite can withstand stains, abuse from the weather, and it’s more scratch-resistant than other stones. Overall, granite is resistant to high temperatures, staining, scratching, and etching. Plus, it doesn’t require sealing like other stones. 2. Soapstone With the right maintenance, soapstone can be a great addition to your outdoor kitchen. A stone that you can use both indoors and outdoors, it’s a heat-resistant stone that’s also somewhat stain-resistant. All you have to do is keep up with its maintenance and seal it to prevent darkening from touch and spills. 3. Quartzite For a unique outdoor kitchen, consider quartzite, very similar to granite with little-to-no maintenance needed. Quartzite is a highly durable surface that will withstand heavy use and the elements. Be careful when choosing this stone since many homeowners mistake it for engineered quartz, an indoor-only stone. Resistant to high temperatures, etching, and scratching, quartzite doesn’t require sealing, and it’s available in a wide range of colors. 4. Marble For an indoor experience but outdoor, marble offers a lot of options. Marble will develop a natural patina over time and give you a softer look. The stone is incredibly durable, and you’ll have unlimited colors, patterns, and style options to choose from. Of course, marble needs its fair share of maintenance, including regular sealing to prevent scratches and stains from becoming permanent. For the most part, marble is highly resistant to fluctuating temperatures and etching, but it does require sealing and maintenance. 5. Limestone Lastly, one of the most popular stones for outdoor kitchens is limestone. They can be used on the floor and countertops to create a long-lasting and durable setup. Limestone does require regular sealing to prevent darkening and stains. Limestone can also be explicitly sealed to avoid scratches and to maintain a softer appearance. Limestone is highly resistant to temperatures, staining, and etching, but it’s very easy to dent and scratch. This is why it does require sealing and oiling to prevent damage. -- Geraldine Orentas is a writer from Happy Writers, Co.
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We are a few weeks away from our most favorite annual event of the year! Come join us October 22nd and 23rd in downtown Chandler to stand up to cancer while having some fun with the rest of the DW team! As many of you know, each year we host a pub crawl that helps support a local recipient who's currently battling breast cancer. We are all very thankful to see this event grow each year and we hope the turn out for 2021 is bigger than last year's! We love adapting to change, and after seeing how last year's event went, we decided it was best to split up the pub crawl into a 2-day event. It gives our event goers more time to truly enjoy the crawl and they can always come back the next day to resume the festivities. This year's recipient is Rachel Ivey. Rachel has gone through some heavy rounds of chemo and overall therapy, but she still has a big beautiful smile on her face. When the team met Rachel, she came in with so much radiance and was very open to us about her journey and what she's gone through. We couldn't help but tear up while listening to her story because of how harsh breast cancer can be, but Rachel still maintained a positive attitude and mindset during the entire process. A person like Rachel is gem who's hard to find. Despite all that she has gone through, her positivity truly does spread to those around her and we are very honored to be helping Rachel this year. Make sure to check out our link to the pub crawl, which is where you can purchase your ticket and find more info regarding the crawl. If you can't make it, no worries we also accept donations! 100% of the proceeds will go to Rachel and we hope to surpass last year's goal and overall proceeds. We'll be raffling tons of items during the crawl as well so keep a look out for what items we'll be having. We can't wait to see you all on October 22nd and 23rd! Hello everyone! We just wanted to officially let everyone know that the DW team has joined the White Mountain Association of Realtors! What does that mean exactly?? It means that we can help you buy AND sell property up North! We know how much everyone enjoys heading up north during the fall/winter season because of the much cooler weather and of course, the snow fall! Some popular areas include Pinetop Country Club, Torreon, Show Low, Bison Ridge, and plenty of other surrounding communities. You've also got the Ponderosa pine forest, numerous lakes, a ski resort, and much more in this area.
By expanding outside of our normal areas here in the valley, we get to explore a different side of real estate that we don't get to see often. As much as we love selling homes here in the valley, it's also a nice change of scenery selling cabins and homes that represent that outdoor lifestyle. Interested in buying or selling property up north? Click on the picture below and we will gladly help you out! Today's guest writer is Karl Kennedy, author of projectortop.com. He's written a piece on what features homeowners and buyers are most looking forward to! Features that Homeowners and Homebuyers will want in 2021
Years pass and interior design wants change; that’s just a fact. These past few bizarre years have even proven that. Homeowners and homebuyers are now looking to either renovate accordingly or purchase new houses with the features they specifically want. There’s no avoiding it. There’s also no shame in wanting what you want as a homeowner or a homebuyer. We wouldn’t want to waste hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home that doesn’t tickle our fancy, just like we wouldn’t expect you to do the same. So, we’re going to talk about what’s gaining hype and popularity nowadays in the remainder of this article. What renovations are often being made? What features are homebuyers really looking for? Let’s discuss a few of the details! Curbless Shower Oh, how the curbless shower is making a break into mainstream life. Most homes don’t have curbless showers; they have tubs with a showerhead installed higher up on the tiling. With these showers, people have to raise their legs to step over the tub “curb” to get in. Well, many people want to do away with these “curbs.” What’s great about this added feature that’s now a must-have? Curbless showers can up the selling price of a house by 3-4% of its original cost. That’s how much they’re now wanted. Why? Interior designers think it’s because this specific type of shower gives off relaxation and spa-like vibes. It also doesn’t hurt that these types of showers reduce fall risk for seniors, and they’re great for wheelchair accessibility. Pizza Oven This feature is quickly gaining popularity, so much so that many first-time buyers dub this a must in their new home. This ultimately means younger people will highly consider purchasing a home if a pizza oven is already installed. Yes, it’s great for family and friend get-togethers. And yes, it gives you the opportunity to enjoy tasty foods with your own personalized toppings in the comfort of your home. But did you know that it also increases the overall price of a house sale by approximately 3%? If you’re looking to sell, install one of these bad boys; you’ll get to indulge before you sell the place and you’ll get more money back on your return investment. Home Movie Theater Speaking of being comfortable in your own home, home movie theaters are on the rise, too. A lot of people have been avoiding crowded, overpriced movie theaters for quite some time. Who wants to sit near people they don’t know and eat $8 popcorn while drinking an oversized $6 soda? You can go to the grocery store and grab an entire box of 6 popcorn mixes for $3 and a few bottles of soda for $1/each. To cut entertainment costs, homeowners are installing and homebuyers are looking for in-house theaters. It’s relatively cheap, depending on the particular setup you choose. Just be sure you have a top-notch laser projector and an adequate viewing screen. Ceiling Fans When the weather gets warm, homeowners need a way to cool down. Hate to break it to you, but not everyone has central air. And, for those with plug-in AC units, a ceiling fan is almost necessary to spread the cool air around the house. Not to mention ceiling fans can cut cooling costs down. Oh, and they’re great for pushing the humidity out of the air. So you see, the four most-wanted features of 2021 are curbless showers, pizza ovens, home movie theaters, and ceiling fans. Be sure to install them if you’re selling and put them on your checklist if you’re buying. We are excited to be having some more guest bloggers on our site this week! Today's article is brought to you by our favorite group, Happy Writers Co. They've written an article for us about iBuyers and the pros and cons about using iBuyers like Zillow, Opendoor, etc. Selling a home in today’s real estate market is painfully complex. The idea of a more convenient way to purchase real estate has led to a new figure – iBuyers. For some realtors, iBuying is redefining the way we look at selling properties. Still, as we look into the future of real estate, we must consider the pros and cons of these more technology-driven processes.
What is an iBuyer? An iBuyer is a company or person that uses technology to make an offer on a home automatically. iBuyers operate in different ways, but overall they tap into data and artificial intelligence to estimate the value of a property and make an offer. The idea is that this new process will eliminate the burden of trying to price and negotiate the value of properties, making it easier and faster for all parties involved. Pros of iBuyers Those in favor of iBuyers and technology taking over the home selling and buying process believe that it has many advantages, including:
Of course, selling or working with an iBuyer isn’t for everyone. Some real estate agents are talking about the disadvantages of iBuyers, including:
Geraldine Orentas is a writer from Happy Writers, Co. in partnership with Italian linen retailer, Linoto. Two things might give you pause when considering whether to allow your pet to swim in your outdoor swimming pool: safety and maintenance concerns. Will your dog damage any parts of the pool? Is it a secure environment for them to enjoy without you needing to watch their every move?
Fortunately, there are some small tips to bear in mind when it comes to making your swimming pool pet-friendly. Consider a pre-swim routine Just like you wouldn’t let young kids swim without inflatable armbands or applying a little sunscreen first, you should think about developing a pre-swim routine with your dog. Your furry friend might be tempted to jump into the pool at first sight, but their excess fur will soon become a nightmare for your filtering system. Give your dog a quick wash with your hose before letting them jump into the pool. This will help rid them of any excess hair or dirt, leaving your pool as clean as possible. Teach them a command, such as “okay”, that they must hear to know that they are allowed inside the pool. Risk assessment for potential damage Could your pet cause any damage by using your pool? If you own a fiberglass or cement-lined pool, there’s no chance they can cause any damage. Vinyl-lined pools are a little more exposed to your dog’s nails. If your dog is not a very confident swimmer, their scratching against the walls or stairs could cause some damage to the vinyl. A dog-safe pool liner will do the trick here. Installing special stairs for your pet, or a stationary float for them to relax on, can help calm them down inside the pool. The importance of stairs As you would expect, dogs are incapable of using the vertical, metal stairs that humans use to get in and out of a pool. It is vital that they have an easier method of access, usually via stairs that gradually allow access through a shallow end of the pool. You could also consider installing a few specialist dog ladders around the pool to give them an easy option to leave the pool if they need to. Safety comes first! Last but not least, you should always consider the general safety of your pet around the pool. Can they definitely swim? If not, consider using a dog life jacket. Dogs might be natural swimmers, but always check that they are comfortable being inside the pool. Also, the chlorinated water used in pools is generally safe, but be vigilant in checking your pet’s skin for any signs of irritation and give them a rinse after a pool session. Finally, ensure that your dog does not start drinking the pool water. They will be fine if they ingest a little, but help them to avoid lapping it up like a drink. The chlorine could cause gastrointestinal issues, or some even worse problems if large amounts are consumed. --- Enjoy making your pool a safer environment for your pets! Adding a few installations and training them to behave sensibly around the pool will help you make sure your whole family has a summer of fun. July may be coming to an end, but the summer is still goin' hard this year! We learned that we've been considered one of the best agents in the Chandler area, and we have 2 more articles written by our awesome friends at Happy Writers Co. about home security tips for frequent travelers and making your pool pet-friendly. Feel free to comment below on what you do for home safety and how you keep your pool pet-friendly for your fur babies!
Home Security Tips for Frequent Traveler The feeling of getting away and exploring the great beyond is exhilarating, but it can also cause anxiety. Home break-ins are one of the most feared crimes in the U.S., and many worry about their homes being broken into when unoccupied. Fortunately, there are many ways that your home can be protected when you’re away, and if you travel frequently, the following tips may prevent serious loss or stop a home invasion entirely. Make Your Home Look Occupied Scouting out your home and surroundings is usually the first step burglars take before deciding whether or not to make your home a target. The Bureau of Justice reported that 72 percent of home burglaries occurred when no one was home, and more home invasions take place during the day than at night. A few indications of an empty or rarely occupied home are an overgrown lawn, a full mailbox, dark interior lighting, closing your blinds (when you usually keep them open), or no car in the driveway. Recruit Friends, Family, or Neighbors to House Sit Developing a list of trustworthy friends, family members, or neighbors that can watch your home while you’re away is one of the best ways to protect your residence. House sitters are also helpful in maintaining your dwelling while you’re away and can manage plants, pets, trash, or trash cans. In addition, house sitters that can drop in, be in your home at various times throughout the day, or even better, stay the night will deter home invaders. At the very least, letting neighbors know when you’re away will keep caring eyes on your home, and any disturbances or suspicious activity can be acted on quickly. Set up a Few Security Protocols Frequent travelers should seriously consider adopting a full-fledged home monitoring service that provides cameras, active monitoring, sensors, and more. Either way, putting up an alarm unit and a camera (whether or not it actually works) is a good crime deterrent. A few other home protection add-ons to consider are motion lights, disconnecting your garage door, removing any extra spare keys from your home’s exterior, and installing a video doorbell that allows you to see who is coming to your door and engage with them via intercom. Doing so will enable you to speak to people who come to the door even if you aren’t home. Waiting to post travel photos until you return home, not checking in on social media, and keeping your travel plans under wraps are also proactive ways to prevent theft while you’re away. Critical Forget-Me-Nots to do Before Every Trip Remembering to prep your home for your departure is another task to add to your to-do list, but making sure to unplug unnecessary electrical items, clean up your yard, close windows, lock doors, check your water heater, and make sure that your home is winterized if you are leaving during cold weather will prevent long-term damage. Performing simple home health checks will ensure that you’re able to focus on your adventures when you travel and increase the likelihood that there are no unpleasant surprises upon your return. Thank you to our friends over at Happy Writers Co. for giving us another insightful and very useful blog about keeping cool without A/C during a heat wave. What other methods do you use to keep yourself cool during the summer when your A/C goes out? Let us know! Our hot summer days are quickly moving from mere discomfort to a public safety issue. The world is getting warmer, and U.S. cities are projected to become significantly hotter by 2050. Unfortunately, air conditioners (AC) and even electricity are subject to failure under extreme heat. Following the tips below will help you create a much-needed backup plan versus counting on AC only to keep you cool 24/7 during heatwaves and extreme weather conditions.
Purchase Portable Fans Investing in portable electric and battery-powered fans before heat waves occur is highly recommended. Fans can be used to create a cross breeze when coupled with open windows. If achievable, ceiling fans should also be installed in as many rooms as possible in your home. Turn Off Your Lights Minimizing the use of electricity in your home will help to keep room temperatures low. Turning off lights, refraining from using your stove, and avoiding using anything electric that generates excessive heat will better cool your residence even without AC. Scout Out Cool Spots in Your Hometown Venting your home of heat that builds up and getting outside is a great way to cool off. During extreme heat waves, many local municipalities set up cooling centers for people who may not have working air conditioners. Check your local county’s website for more information on where these centers are located. Anywhere near the water will also be much cooler than your home, so spending the day by a pool, lake, or on the beach will help you stay refreshed during a heatwave. Create an Action Plan Before the Next Heatwave Preparing to deal with extreme heat before it happens is the best way to stay safe during a severe heatwave. Putting together an action plan, checking emergency equipment, and ensuring that your home can withstand excess heat is critical. Installing windows and sunshades that seal your home will help to keep cool air in and hot air outside. Adding or updating insulation will also help your home stay comfortable even if your AC fails. Learn to Identify and Treat Heat-Related Illnesses Knowing what the symptoms of heat illness are enables you to act quickly if you or a loved one experiences them. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can lead to severe medical conditions and should be taken seriously. Monitoring your own health and the wellbeing of those around you will help to keep loved ones safe during heat waves that are beginning to become more common across the globe. We've said it time and time again, we truly do care about our community and we are always looking for ways to give back. Thankfully we've teamed up with 2 different organizations to help them out with their needs! We're excited to be sharing what we're currently doing and we hope that we can get the rest of the community to help out.
We are beyond thankful for everyone's support a few weeks ago when we hosted Teeing off for Tiffany! When one of us gets knocked down, we all put in our efforts to bring them back up. This golf event was the perfect definition of what team effort truly means. We spent countless hours preparing for a fun and meaningful event, and before we knew it, the tournament was already here! It was a beautiful day outside, we sold out of tickets, sold plenty of raffle and auction items, and we all had a blast. Check out the pictures from the event down below! Not only did we do this event to help one of our own out, we also did it to raise awareness of colon cancer. You can read more about Tiffany's story here. AZ Family reached out to Tiffany to talk about her experience and the one thing she emphasized was going to the doctor's office to get your annual check ups done. We all know check ups are important but we tend to put them on the back burner, especially if we feel healthy, active, and fit. Unfortunately cancer has no boundaries and it can be hidden for years before it starts to show up, and that was another point Tiffany made about her experience with battling colon cancer. We can feel like we are on top of the world with our health, but we truly don't know what's going on until we make an appointment with a doctor to make sure our bodies are doing well. Tiffany's strength throughout her entire journey has shown all of us that despite having unforeseen obstacles thrown our way, you have to find a way to fight back and not let tough situations get the best of you. Even while going through chemo and surgery, Tiffany was still striving in real estate and she set up a whole new level of standards for all of us. There truly is no excuse for anyone to not try and fight whatever battles they are going through because we have living proof that it is possible to get through the hardships of life. The entire DW team is very grateful to have someone like Tiffany be a part of our lives, both inside and outside of work. We are also very grateful to know that Tiffany is one step closer to remission and continues to be the bad ass woman that she is. We all look up to you Tiffany, you have shown everyone what real strength and perseverance is. We are so happy to have you back in action with us! |