Friday, September 16, 2011 11:31:00 AM
Most people neglect to keep a detailed home inventory. However, it is a vital element should your home be robbed or a fire or other natural disaster occurs. If you do not have such a detailed inventory, insurance may not properly pay what your belongings are worth in the case of such an incident. The main reason for this is because when people are asked to account for their belongings, they rely on memory and many items are forgotten or cannot be valued properly.
Creating and maintaining a home inventory will assist in keeping track of all your valuables and ensuring that their value is properly replaced in the event of a loss. Once created, a home inventory list, accompanying papers, video and photos should be stored in a fireproof box, safe, or bank deposit box.
How to Record Home Inventory
The best way to conduct and record your home inventory is to begin in one room and work your way through the house, making sure that you include closets, basements, attics, garages and outdoor storage units. This way, nothing will be missed.
Start with electronics and other high dollar appliances, recording their serial numbers, writing descriptions and taking photos or video. Then move onto other high dollar items such as jewelry, artwork, antiques, collection pieces, exercise and sporting equipment, etc doing the same until everything of value has been recorded in each room.
Once this has been accomplished, gather all available receipts for these items into one folder. Circle or note the purchase date, price paid and location of purchase. Also, be sure to keep your inventory list up to date by adding information and receipts of newly acquired items and removing items which are disposed of.
Photo and Video Tips
Actual images of items are important when getting their full value from insurance companies, or recovering them if stolen. To provide images, you can use a standard, digital, or video camera. If taking a video home inventory, start filming from one location in each room and systematically move around it until all valuables have been recorded.
All images taken should be dated, preferably with an included time/date stamp. Take wide-angle shots first of the entire room and its belongings and then include close up shots of the individual items.
If a flash is needed, be sure to stay within the recommended distance for proper lighting and avoid taking shots into a reflective surface such as mirrors and windows. To compensate for both of these problems, use a thin cloth such as a handkerchief to dim the flash for closer shots and take shots at a 45° angle to reflective surfaces.
When photographing expensive china, jewelry, silverware, or other small items, use a dark, non-reflective cloth as a backdrop and include shots of the backs or bottoms of items to show manufacturers’ marks. Take images with closet doors completely open as to show the full content, and images of drawer contents should be fanned out in order to show all items. It is also a good practice to include a family member in the images to help validate ownership.
Following these home inventory tips will help to ensure that you receive the full value of your items should they be stolen or lost in a tragedy.
If you're in the market for a Tucson rental home, contact us at 520.795.8429 to choose from our 450 townhomes across 30 locations around town.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 11:25:00 AM
Ah! The seemingly ever elusive budget! For any form of financial stability in life, a budget which takes into account income and outgo needs to be both planned and executed. Not only does a budget provide financial relief, but its ability to balance out the affairs of life also provides peace of mind and reduces stress; something we can all appreciate.
However, planning a budget and actually executing it are two very different experiences. A budget can easily be jotted down on paper in a rather short period of time, but when it comes to pulling in the reins of daily overspending, self-control can quickly be lost, blowing a grip on finances and a carefully planned budget.
If you are serious about actually executing a budget and reaping its rewards then several important traits must be understood and created within oneself in order to successfully maintain it.
Set Realistic Goals
When it comes to actually keeping a budget, setting realistic, obtainable goals is vital. If goals are not practical then you will find yourself losing desire and giving into bad habits that will destroy your budget.
Start with easily achieved, short-term goals and gradually increase to higher goals as the lesser ones are completed. Not only will you build a successful budget system, but you will also gain momentum as your confidence in accomplishing those goals increases. Larger goals will become increasingly easy to reach.
Maintain the Right Frame of Mind
As with tackling any difficult feat, having the right frame of mind is critical in overcoming obstacles that arise and seeing your goals through to fruition. A positive attitude is just as important to sticking with a budget as it is with winning a gold medal, or setting a world record.
Obstacles are sure to pop up along the way which can discourage and defeat a budget, but by maintaining the right frame of mind, they can be shaken off and progress quickly recaptured. By keeping your mind on the positive goals of a being debt free and being able to afford a new car or a dream vacation, a budget can more easily adhered to.
Keep Your Motivation High
Motivation is a powerful force in obtaining any goal. Having a deep rooted excitement about achieving the end result will help you conquer most any opposition. This is just as true when it comes to maintaining a budget.
If your positive frame of mind begins to dwindle and you find yourself less concerned about keeping your budget goals, pump yourself up by increasing them. If your initial goal was to be able to afford that Caribbean vacation in a year, shorten it by a couple of months and aggressively look for ways in which you can do it.
You can even give yourself a good pep talk and address the obstacles as if they were your bitter rival. It’s very motivating to get into a room, either by yourself or with your spouse, and rant and rave at the opposing situation, telling it why it cannot defeat you and reaffirming your goals.
Doing these things will keep you in a positive state of mind, provoke stimulation and make keeping your budget more like a competition instead of drudgery. And you want to win the competition!
If you're looking for a Tucson home for rent, look no further! Give us a call to schedule a tour of our townhome communities at (520)795-8429.
Monday, August 22, 2011 11:21:00 AM
Monday, August 15, 2011 11:12:00 AM
As a renter, you may want to add special touches to your home that not only enhance its beauty, but also cause it to stand out as a reflection of your unique style and personality. One of the easiest ways to achieve both is to add hanging flower baskets to both the inside and outside of the house. Remarkably, hanging baskets can be made quickly and at the same cost or less than readymade flower baskets.
You will need the following materials: hanging basket(s), pot and/or potting soil, dish/base plate and peat moss (for open-weaved or mesh baskets), flowering plants.
Selecting the Right Baskets
There are a variety of hanging baskets available on the market which come in different shapes and sizes and are made of various materials. They normally come in solid, weaved and mesh styles so keep this in mind when shopping.
Before heading off to shop for your baskets, begin by examining the areas of your home to which you want to add baskets. By doing this, you can better choose the baskets (and plants) which best complement these areas.
Selecting the Right Pots for Hanging Baskets
Pots that set in hanging baskets also come in various forms. You should select the ones that best accommodate their selected areas of your home. Pot colors should also be considered with green, white or tan being the most common. The average top width for posts in hanging baskets is 12”-16” and should be selected based on the baskets and plants used.
As a rule of thumb, plastic pots are best used outdoors and clay pots indoors. This is due to several important factors. First, plastic pots won’t break should the hanging baskets fall from strong winds or outdoor activities. Second, plastic doesn’t absorb water so drainage will be greater which can cause water damage indoors. Third, since the pots will be hanging and exposed to greater airflow, plastic will hold moisture longer which is better for the more extreme outdoor climates compared to clay which will allow indoor shaded plant soil to dry quicker and keep plants from “drowning”.
Selecting Flowering Plants
Choosing the right plants for hanging baskets is another important task. Many kinds of flowering plants grow straight up and are not suitable. Also, plants come in various leaf shades and flowers of various colors and scents.
Select plants that tend to spread out and fill the basket space and that also best complement their surrounding spaces in the home with their colors and fragrances.
Creating Your Hanging Flower Baskets
Once you’ve purchased all the materials, fill a solid pot or basket halfway with potting soil. Add a dish or base plate to an open-weaved or mesh basket and fill halfway with peat moss.
Place and center your plant in the pot or basket and carefully fill in the remaining space with potting soil. Make sure all the roots are covered and gently tamp in the dirt around them. Water the plant sufficiently the first time so that all the soil and/or peat moss is saturated and then water regularly until the plant has been established.
By creating your own hanging flower baskets, you can add more of an impact to your home with the colors and fragrances that are specific to your own personality.
Monday, July 25, 2011 10:59:00 AM
Plastic outdoor furniture for the patio or other entertainment and relaxation areas outside the home is a common choice because it is both durable and affordable. However, weather can take a toll even on plastic and over a short period of time your new furniture can become dingy, dirty and unappealing.
Quite often, most people simply hose off their furniture and use a mild cleaning detergent to wash off items. However, this usually isn’t sufficient to remove weathered stains that can accumulate over time. Luckily, there are some easy cleaning tips to follow that will keep your outdoor plastic furniture looking good as new and inviting for guests.
Remove All Non-Plastic Items
The first step is to remove everything from your furniture that isn’t attached or plastic. This includes cushions, covers, umbrellas, table cloths and any other removable pieces.
Cushions and covers should be removed and cleaned separately. It is usually sufficient to clean non-washable, bulky items of this sort with a sponge or brush and a bucket of water containing mild detergent. They can then be sprayed off with a hose. Washable items such as table cloths and some covers can be placed in the washing machine.
Hose Down Your Plastic Outdoor Furniture
Once all non-plastic items have been removed, thoroughly spray off your plastic furniture with a garden hose. This will ensure that all loose debris and any dried dirt are removed before proceeding.
When hosing off your furniture, be sure to use high pressure and spray all areas thoroughly. This includes bottoms, sides and especially any crevices that might trap dirt.
Use a Cleaner That Works
In order to clean plastic outdoor furniture and get it looking like new, a strong cleaner needs to be used to cut through stains caused by tree sap, pollution, soot, or other weather marks which can sink into and discolor plastic.
Choose a cleaner that contains a bleach base such as Oxy Clean. Add and stir the cleaner into a bucket of hot water ensuring that it is mixed thoroughly. Then, using a sponge, wash all areas of the plastic outdoor furniture with the solution. Use a liberal amount of the mixture and be sure that it fully saturates all corners, cracks and crevices.
Let the solution stand and work for approximately a half an hour. This can easily be achieved by moving on to the next piece which requires the cleaning mixture.
Use water from the hose and a medium bristled scrub brush to finish cleaning and rinsing the furniture. Tougher stains will need to be brushed vigorously and a reapplication of the solution may need to be applied.
Finish the task by allowing your newly cleaned furniture to dry in direct sunlight for several hours. This cleaning process allows the solution and the sun to both oxidize and beach clean the stained areas and restore your outdoor plastic furniture to its like-new appearance.
Friday, July 15, 2011 1:18:00 AM
Thursday, June 30, 2011 1:16:00 AM
For those who want to save on expenses when renting a home, finding a roommate can be a great way to alleviate some of the financial burden. This not only allows an individual to split the cost of living expenses but can also expose them to a new group of people through their roommate.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that just any roommate will do. Since you’ll be living with this person, it’s crucial that he or she is someone you can get along with. That being said, following are some tips on how to increase your chances of finding a roommate that’ll be a good fit.
Where to Look
While you can certainly advertise your need for a roommate through the internet, it is suggested that you start by asking your friends and family if they are a candidate, or if they know someone that is. Stick to social media sites, such as Facebook, and ask friends to ask their friends. Casting your net too wide may result in unsavory individuals coming up to present themselves as a possible roommate.
Interviews
Roommates should not solely be chosen on the basis of how friendly they can be. Instead, check out if you can live with them on a daily basis. For example, does the person stay up until dawn? Does he love to watch TV and have friends come over for movie marathons? Most importantly, does the person clean up after himself and how long does he use the bathroom? Although these are little things, it’s important to know this type of information beforehand.
Of course, details like what they do for a living, how long they’ve been on their job, etc. are very important. Make sure they lead a stable life and will be able to fulfill their end of the bargain. The goal is to get a feel for the individual’s personality to determine if you can stand them in your home!
Boundaries
Establish boundaries right from the start to avoid conflicts in the future. This involves various cases like who gets to clean the kitchen, use the appliances or shoulder the expenses of everyday items like sugar, coffee and other common living amenities. By having these rules and boundaries in place, roommates will be able to live with each other more comfortably and with less conflict.
The Final Say
While you might feel uncomfortable asking how much money your soon-to-be roommate makes, or if he has a history of paying his bills on time, the landlord won’t. Landlords are a great filter and will ask the questions that you may not want to ask. Ultimately, it’s up to them to determine whether or not a person is financially stable enough to be your roommate.
Living in rental homes can be a wonderful new experience especially for those who are doing it for the first time. If good judgment is used when selecting a person to live with, you will enjoy the company and the reduced living expenses.
Hazen Townhomes offers spacious two bedroom rental homes that are perfect for sharing! Contact us at 520-795-8429 for a list of our available Tucson rental homes.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 12:33:00 PM
Growing fresh vegetables not only constitutes a relaxing hobby, but it also provides good food that is both nutritious and fulfilling. There’s just something quite enjoyable about planting, tending, nurturing and reaping your very own vegetables from a garden.
However, if you’ve moved into a rental that has very little space, such as an apartment or condo, or one which does not permit digging up the lawn area for a garden plot then you are limited on fresh produce options. Don’t despair! Vegetable gardens can be successfully grown in pots which fit nicely into small spaces. You simply have to adapt to a different way of raising these luscious vegetable providers.
Pick Your Pots
The first step in creating a vegetable pot garden is to acquire the pots, which isn’t a difficult task since pots come in a large variety of kinds and sizes and aren’t very expensive. You can either find them at specialty gardening stores, or in large department stores which have gardening centers.
However, don’t just pick out any pot. Stick with clay pots which are porous and allow the soil to “breathe” and absorbs water. You should also try to purchase pots which have a small hole in the bottom to allow excess water to escape. If you do use cans or plastic containers, poke holes in the bottoms and don’t water as often as they will hold water longer.
The size of the pots you purchase will depend on what kind of plants you want to grow and how big they get. How many pots you buy will depend on the amount of space you have to work with.
Getting Started
Besides pots, you’ll need to gather potting soil, starter plants or seeds, a watering can and a bucket of stones about the size of quarters. Although not necessary, purchasing a common plant fertilizer, such as Miracle Grow for vegetables, will boost the size and health of your plants causing them to produce greater yields.
Place a couple layers of stones in the bottom of each pot. Doing this allows better water drainage and keeps it from pooling in the bottom of the pot. Since pots are contained areas, water can easily build up and drown the plant.
Next, add the potting soil and either plant the seeds according to packet instructions, or gently place and pack in starter plants. Give your new babies a good drink of water and place them in their new home.
You will need to pay close attention to potted vegetables as they can be easily over or under watered. However, if you take good care of your potted vegetables they will soon provide you with platters of delicious, fresh produce, all from your backyard, patio or balcony.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011 1:55:33 AM
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 1:25:17 AM
Any cat lover will tell you that having one around the house is like an additional, loving family member. They caress you, curl up in your lap, provide soothing purrs and give happy kitty kisses.
However, as wonderful as cats can be as pets, they can cause our homes to be uncomfortable and embarrassing places to live or visit due to lingering cat urine odor. Keeping a litter box rosy fresh is difficult enough, but when our beloved felines begin to urinate in other areas of our home, the battle gets tougher.
Consider Reasons
You should first examine why your cat is urinating in other areas. Determining the reason could lead to a quick solution and confine the odors back to the box. Cats often urinate outside the litter box due to a number of reasons, some of which are controllable and some which are not.
A few of these reasons are unclean litter boxes, illness, age, stress and marking territory. To battle these affects, keep litter boxes clean, spade or neuter your pet and take them for regular veterinarian checkups.
Catch It Early
The task of cleaning up cat urine still exists while you are trying to determine and correct the cause. Cats tend to use the same areas time and again and, if left unaddressed, these areas can be very difficult to rid of odor or, even worse, cause damage.
The best defense for ridding your home of this putrid odor is to catch the deed early before it soaks into materials and dries or causes mold. If you suspect your pet of peeing in unapproved areas, watch their behavior. Excessive sniffing could signal a bathroom time.
Also, pay attention to strong odor areas, especially when entering your home from an elapsed time away. When we live around odors, we become accustomed to them and can’t readily identify where they come from. However, after we’ve left the area for awhile and cleansed our snout, we can better target offensive spaces.
The Process
When you see or find a pee puddle, first blot the spot with a dry, absorbent cloth. Untreated rags, paper towels and even baby diapers are good for this.
Next, use a warm, damp cloth to remove the area of any residue. If the spot has dried, or has been violated numerous times, soak the spot in a cleaning solution for several minutes before sopping it up.
Finally, spray the area in a solution that will deter your cat from using the spot again. This can be difficult as a cat’s sense of smell is very good so cleaning the spot thoroughly is the best approach. However, there are some things which you can do to deter a reoccurrence as well.
Some Suggested Solutions
- Cleaning – Add hydrogen peroxide, a few squirts of liquid soap and a few pinches of baking soda to water in a spray bottle. Shake it up well before using.
- Cleaning – Mix 1/3 vinegar with 2/3 warm water. Spray the mixture onto the spot, allow it to soak, blot dry and repeat.
- Cleaning – Some store bought solutions are Simple Solution, Nature’s Miracle, Stain Gobbler and Urine-Off.
- Deterrent – Sprinkle the affected area with pepper. Either use regular pepper or, for more persistent pets, use hot pepper powder.
- Deterrent – A good commercial cleaner that helps both to clean and provide a shield of anti-smell protection over the area is Pee Away.
Keeping on top of your cat’s bathroom activity and moving quickly to correct problems will help to keep your home a happy place for you, your family, guests and, of course, your cat.
View our rentals in Tucson or call us at 520-795-8429 for more information about our homes for rent in Tucson AZ.