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Author Archives: Malea Norris

  1. Happy Thanksgiving!

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    We will be closed Thursday November 24th and Friday November 25th for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will be back on Monday November 28th at 9:00am.

  2. Report: Tucson among top 10 US cities best-positioned to thrive after pandemic

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    Sunrise in Downtown Tucson (copy)
    The generation growing up today may recall the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and be more likely to pursue careers and live in less-densely-packed places like Tucson, a report from Moody’s Analytics says.Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star 2019

    Tucson has been named among the top 10 cities best positioned to thrive following the pandemic.

    The report, from Moody’s Analytics, argues that the generation growing up today may recall the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and be more likely to pursue careers and live in less-densely-packed places.

    In addition to population density, the report takes into consideration the share of jobs requiring a college or graduate degree in 100 metro areas — an indicator of an economy’s ability to provide high-paying jobs to would-be residents.

    It also looked at cities’ share of residents with a college degree or higher.“Tucson is high on the list because of its very low population density and relatively high levels of educational attainment,” said Adam Kamins, senior regional economist at Moody’s Analytics and author of the report “The Next Recovery: A Regional Perspective.”

    Tucson is the only Arizona city in the top 10 list, joined by locations like Washington, D.C.; San Jose, California; and Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Though Washington, D.C., is among the more densely populated metro areas in the country, its extremely high educational attainment and lower density than other big northeast metro areas put it in better shape than the rest of its region.

    Cities ranked as the 10 worst-positioned to thrive include Los Angeles; McAllen, Texas; New York City; and Miami.

    “There are no winners when a global pandemic sends the economy into recession, but it is already clear that some parts of the country will be more deeply scarred,” Kamins wrote.

    “New York City’s greatest asset is a large, skilled workforce that is drawn to the fast-paced and highly interactive nature of life in the Big Apple. But activities such as riding the subway, dining in crowded restaurants, and attending Broadway shows may be viewed as inherently risky for some time, consistent with the city’s status as the single most economically exposed metro area or division.”

    While places like New York City, Boston and San Francisco are resilient and will eventually recover, the report says out-migration could pick up in the medium term, something firms may want to take note of.

    “Firms will need to follow those workers, which could sustain a shift in regional patterns,” the report says. “Places that are more spacious, rely more heavily on car travel, and provide ample access to single-family housing are likely to emerge as more attractive as a result, especially among those who choose to bypass the highly urbanized Northeast.”

    Cities identified as being well positioned to thrive may have been poised to, or were already leading the way in 2020, the report says.

    A similar sentiment was shared by George Hammond, director of the Economic and Business Research Center in the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, late last month.

    Assuming the virus is under control by year’s end — which isn’t clear as many scientists predict a resurgence of the outbreak this fall or winter — recovery from the COVID-19 recession locally is expected to be more rapid than the slow crawl back from the depths of the Great Recession, Hammond said.

    “Once we get past the shock this year, the recovery should be solid,” Hammond said. “Arizona was in very good shape before the outbreak and once the outbreak is under control, growth will accelerate significantly.”

  3. New Rental Assistance Hotline

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    **SHARED FROM KGUN 9 News Article by Veronika Vernachio Dated 04/23/2020**

    The Pima County Community Action Agency has a new hotline to serve those seeking aid from the COVID-19 Rental Eviction Assistance Program that is funded through the Arizona Department of Housing.

    The new Pima County CAA Hotline is 520-724-2505. Staffers will answer questions regarding the status of an application, provide forms that are required for processing, offer direction and assistance to submit pending information, and direct applicants to other resources.

    “We are here for them,” said Pima County CAA program manager Manira Cervantes. “The hotline we have locally is so folks can get a hold on a human being and we’re here to hear them out.”

    Individuals are urged to complete the online application, but those without internet access can call the state’s 2-1-1 hotline for assistance.

    1. Press 8 for COVID-19
    2. Pick a language, press 1 or 2
    3. Press 5 for Eviction Prevention

    After an individual applies with documentation, the Community Action Agency provides a review for accuracy and completeness before doing an initial phone interview.

    “What we’re able to do is if somebody can demonstrate that they are eligible for the services based on their income and household size and a clear demonstration of being impacted by COVID-19, then we’re actually able to pay rental assistance that they otherwise couldn’t pay for” Cervantes said.

    More information about legal resources and potential benefits from the Rental Eviction Assistance Program is available at this flyer for What Tenants Need to Know During COVID-19.

    Eligibility information and the application is available at www.AZHousing.gov.

    Callers seeking rental, mortgage or utility assistance that is not related to the COVID-19 pandemic should call CAA’s regular hotline, 520-724-2667, that is answered Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

    The COVID-19 Rental Eviction Assistance Program is a first-come, first-served program.

  4. CREATIVE QUARANTINE COOKING

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    Chicken Paprikash

    Being at home doesn’t have to mean the same thing every day. Step outside of your comfort zone and pull out an old cookbook or check out Pinterest. I have been doing both lately… I came across an awesome recipe in an old Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. The Red and White Checkered one. It used to be my mom’s.  The recipe was called Chicken Paprikash and it came out amazing. We were introduced to real Hungarian Paprika by a friend of Bill and Trisha’s who would bring it back when they would go home to Hungary for a visit. Since then we have been trying to replicate that wonderful sweet Paprika, Our Daughter did bring us some from her travels, but we needed to find a consistent source. We have been purchasing from Amazon in 1-pound bags ever since.  

    2 – 2 ½ pounds meaty chicken pieces (Breasts Thighs and Drumsticks) *note we used boneless skinless chicken breasts*

    1- Tablespoon of Cooking Oil

    Salt and Pepper

    1- cup chopped onion (approx. 1 large)

    3 to 4- teaspoons of Paprika

    ¾- cup chicken broth

    ¼- cup dry white wine or chicken broth *note I used Pinot Grigio

    1- 8-ounce carton of sour cream

    2-Tablespoons all-purpose flour

    3-cups hot cooked egg noodles or rice *note I used the egg noodles

    1.  Skin Chicken, Rinse chicken if desired and pat dry. In a 12-inch skillet cook chicken in hot oil about 15 minutes or until lightly browned, turning to brown evenly. Sprinkle with Salt and Pepper. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

    2. Add onion and paprika to skillet, cook until onion is tender. Return chicken to skillet, turning pieces to coat with paprika mixture. Add broth and wine to skillet. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 35 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Transfer chicken to a serving platter and keep warm.

    3. For sauce skim fat from pan juices. Measure 1 ½ cups of juices, adding water (or broth) if necessary. In a mixing bowl, stir together sour cream and flour; gradually stir into pan juices. Pour into skillet. Cook and Stir until thickened and bubbly. Spoon sauce over chicken and serve over noodles or rice.

    We were very happy with this recipe, a lighter version of stroganoff without the mushrooms. I would 100% percent make this again. A few hacks we used to suit us; I used onion powder instead of chopped onion, boneless skinless breasts instead of assorted chicken pieces, I cook almost everything in cast iron, so that was the skillet we used. If you like white wine, make sure and get something you will drink, it’s a special treat to sip while preparing this dish.

  5. Governor Ducey Announces New Dollars For Rental Assistance

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    News Release March 27, 2020

    PHOENIX⁠ — Governor Doug Ducey today announced $5 million in new funding to help Arizonans struggling to make rent due to COVID-19. The new dollars will be included as part of a Rental Eviction Prevention Assistance Program being launched by the Arizona Department of Housing and will help families and individuals who are facing a loss of income due to COVID-19 with monthly rent assistance.

    “Because of COVID-19, many Arizonans are seeing their hours cut or even the loss of their jobs, and Arizona will be there to support them,”  said Governor Ducey. “We want people to be able to continue making rent, while ensuring no one is forced out of their home because they got sick, someone in their family got sick, or they are facing economic hardship. We will continue to make assistance and resources available so families can get through this time and get back on their feet.”

    “This assistance will provide some measure of relief for many renters, as well as their landlords, during this unprecedented situation that led to an abrupt loss of income,” said Arizona Department of Housing Director Carol Ditmore.

    Rental assistance may be made available to households:

    Whose primary residence is a rental unit located in Arizona,

    And who have seen a reduction in income due to COVID-19, that when annualized, does not exceed 100 percent of the area median income adjusted for family size for the county in which they reside.

    The Arizona Department of Housing will launch the program on Monday, March 30, 2020. The State Housing Trust Fund provided $5 million for initial program funding.

    Additional funding may be identified for the program as the Department assesses program utilization along with need. Application for assistance will be available Monday, March 30 via an online application system accessible from the Arizona Department of Housing’s website at www.azhousing.gov. Interested applicants who do not have computer access can call their local Community Action Agency to initiate an application over the telephone.

    On March 24, 2020, Governor Ducey issued an executive order delaying the enforcement of eviction action orders for renters impacted by COVID-19. The order applies to renters who are quarantining due to COVID-19 or are facing economic hardship as a result of the outbreak. It will remain in effect for 120 days.

    Published on Office of the Arizona Governor (https://azgovernor.gov)

    Source URL: https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2020/03/governor-ducey-announces-new-dollars-rental-assistance

    Printed on: April 1, 2020 11:48 am

    Links

    [1] http://www.azhousing.gov/

    [2] https://housing.az.gov/community-action-agencies-arizona-offer-emergency-eviction-and-utility-assistance

    [3] https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2020/03/governor-ducey-issues-order-delaying-evictions-renters-impacted-covid-19

    ###

  6. THE BEST SLOW COOKER PINTO BEANS

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    SOMETIMES SLOW AND STEADY DOES WIN THE RACE

    We came across this recipe when looking for something to serve with a smoked brisket. Baked beans were too sweet, ranch style beans did not cut it either. After trying several different recipes from pinterest, google, food network etc. etc. we came across this on the Magical Slow Cooker Website. Its a great side, or a meal on its own. Also makes some tasty bean burritos. I do the 10 hours on low option.

    INGREDIENTS:

    1 lb. dried pinto beans soak these overnight, see below 32 oz. container chicken broth
    ½ cup finely diced white onion
    1 jalapeno, sliced
    1 tsp. chili powder
    ½ tsp. onion powder
    ½ tsp. garlic powder
    ¼ tsp. pepper

    INSTRUCTIONS:

    1. To soak the beans overnight, sort the beans, make sure there is no dirt clumps or rocks. Add the beans into the slow cooker insert. Cover with enough water to cover plus a few inches. Let them sit overnight, do not turn on the slow cooker yet.
    2. In the morning drain the water off the beans. Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Cover and cook on HIGH for 8 hours or LOW for 10 hours. Do not open the lid while they cook, or they will not get tender.
    3. When the cooking time is done, stir. Serve as a side or as a main dish with cheese and tortillas. Enjoy!

  7. THANKSGIVING IS UPON US

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    THANKSGIVING IS UPON US

    During this busy time of year, here are a few tips and ideas to prepare for Thanksgiving.

    Potato peels and carrot peels are one of the biggest causes of a clogged sink. To avoid this, place all root vegetable peels in the garbage can NOT the Garbage disposal.

    Grease is also not meant to be put down the kitchen sink, and can also cause a backup. Dispose of all grease or cooking oil in a container after it cools and dispose of it.

    TEST YOUR OVEN!!! Make sure your oven is in working order BEFORE Thanksgiving or a baking event. Appliance repair may not be possible on a weekend or holiday.

    Make sure you have a plunger handy for bathroom backups! A guest who accidentally clogs the toilet will thank you for being able to discretely unclog without announcing it to the group.

    Candles are great for providing ambience, but can be a fire hazard. Try some battery-operated types to have the ambiance without the worry!

    Have a kids table? Cover it in brown butcher paper, and have Thanksgiving stickers, crayons, colored pencils or washable markers for the kids to personalize. Or poster board can be made into placemats the kids can decorate.

    A nice indoor activity for children and adults alike is ornament making. Set up a table with items to make ornaments. You can buy plaster ornaments and set up painting, seashells and set up glue, glitter and ocean accessories, or even clear glass ornaments which you can glue a snowman or Santa Claus at the bottom filling with glitter or “snow” making a snow globe.

    If you live in an area with a nice climate take a Thanksgiving hike, give the kids a mini scavenger hunt with items found in the area, like feathers, a certain color of rock and a type of leaf for example.

    Make dessert service simple! Set up a festive table with all of the pies, cakes, and desserts as well as the toppings, silverware and plates. When it is time for desserts guests can serve themselves buffet style.

    From everyone here at Vista Point Properties, we would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We are Thankful you chose us to be your Realtors, and Property Managers.

  8. Fall Cleaning, it’s a thing~

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    In Tucson it sure doesn’t feel like Fall is upon us. If we are lucky we will have a cool down by Halloween. With the coming of September, Pumpkin makes its appearance EVERYWHERE and I kid you not I saw a CHRISTMAS TREE at Costco yesterday. NO JOKE. It’s all downhill from here folks, only 118 days left of 2019. There is no better way to prepare for the impending entertaining season than to do some Fall Cleaning. I didn’t realize this but Fall Cleaning IS A thing. Makes sense really. I have been doing it all along but never made the connection. Spring Cleaning gets all of the attention on this front. Realistically most of the entertaining is done around the Fall and Winter Holidays. Here is a nice little checklist to help with your Fall Cleaning.

    • Clean windows-including tracks.
    • Wash washable curtains.
    • Dust blinds/shutters.
    • Change the air filter and vacuum any dust off of the filter compartment.
    • Dust/clean all ceiling fans, blades and light kits.
    • Remove any Dirty Air Vents and clean in a solution of vinegar, Dawn dish soap and warm water.
    • Change out light summer bedding for heavier fall/winter bedding. If you haven’t already take your blankets and comforters to the cleaners.
    • Have carpets and upholstery cleaned, professionally or DIY.
    • This is a great time to also have your tile cleaned. I use a steam mop and it works wonders.
    • Dust Baseboards.
    • Dust door jambs and trim.
    • Wash doorknobs, light switches and wipe off outlets.
    • Take a Swiffer or microfiber mop to the walls, removes dust like a charm!
    • Wipe down all cabinets inside and out (kitchen and bath) if they are a wood cabinet, condition as well to preserve the finish.
    • Pack away summer serving pieces, dishes and glassware.
    • Clean dishwasher, remove nay food/debris in the filter, then run 1c of white vinegar through a short cycle.
    • Run self-clean or wipe down the inside of the oven.
    • Remove burners and drip pans clean UNDER stove top.
    • Pull out refrigerator, clean behind and vacuum coils.
    • Empty refrigerator contents, clean every shelf, bin, and drawer.
    • Dispose of any expired, spoiled or empty condiments or food items.
    • Repeat with freezer.
    • Take everything out of the pantry, wipe down shelves, replace shelving liner or repaint if necessary.
    • DONATE any non-perishable items that you do not intend to use before they are expired.
    • Any expired food items, discard.
    • Clean out your spice cabinet! Replenish with what you need before baking season begins. Spices DO expire. (ask Martha)
    • Clean out linen closets, donate sheets, blankets and towels that have worn out to the local animal shelter.
    • Remove tub/shower drain. Use a “Zip-It Bath and Sink Hair Snare” or like product to remove any hair from the drain. A long screwdriver will work in a pinch, just not as well. I won’t lie. This is gross and stinky. Have a grocery bag handy to pull the hair off of the tool.
    • Remove any caulking that is discolored or coming out, clean any remaining mildew/staining.
    • After tub/shower/sink joint is dry, add a fresh bead of caulking.
    • Clean under couches, tables, etc.
    • Use Affresh or white vinegar in the washing machines wash cycle.
    • Call a dryer vent cleaning company to remove any built up lint in the roof vent.
    • Have a roof inspection done, get the recommended repairs completed. I recommend annually. A problem is a heck of a lot cheaper to fix when it is small.
    • Have your HVAC serviced for Fall.

    There are many OUTDOOR chores to do, as well!! Next list will include these items as we prepare for winterizing our landscape in preparation for cooler temperatures.

  9. Why Renters Insurance is So Important

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    Quite a bit of lip service is given to having renters insurance. In fact most leases have a requirement that a tenant obtain and maintain a renter’s policy or at the very least, a strong word of caution about not having it. Why?

    Example 1: Tenant catches kitchen on fire when a frypan is left on and unattended.

    In this case, the house was completely uninhabitable, all of the tenants belongings were damaged by smoke and pets were lost to the fire. Most people assume a homeowners policy will cover the tenants belongings and lodging while the property is not able to be occupied. This is not the case. The owners policy covers the owners home, and belongings. In the case of the fire, the tenants had renters insurance. Their furniture and belongings were professionally cleaned or replaced. Their insurance company covered temporary lodging for them while they looked for a new place to rent. Had they opted for no insurance, they would have lost all of their belongings, and been on their own finding suitable lodging until they could find a new rental.

    Example 2: Pipe bursts in the wall or ceiling of a condominium.

    This is something that occurs more frequently than you think. Depending on the type of leak this could be catastrophic for your belongings, and displacement could be a month or more. The owner’s policy again does not cover your displacement cost, the cost of repairing or replacing your personal belongings, nor the cost of moving. Without a good renters insurance policy these unexpected expenses could really take you by surprise.

    Example 3: Theft or burglary.

    If you have a computer, you know how valuable it is for storing data, running applications, etc. The documents, data, photos and videos you keep on your computer are irreplaceable. The heirloom china that was your great grandmothers, also irreplaceable. Jewelry, gaming systems, small electronics, firearms, all these things are not covered by your landlords insurance policy.  Without a renter’s policy, you would have replace them out of pocket in case of burglary or theft.     

    Example 4: Liability for injuries or damage caused by/to your guests/invitees:

    You are having a housewarming party at your new rental home. One of your guests goes right through the sliding glass door, not noticing it was closed. The glass is shattered, your guest has injuries. Your renters insurance would pick up the cost of repairing the door, (minus any deductibles), and also cover anywhere from $50,000.00-$500,000.00 of personal liability depending on the policy you choose. We would like to think our friends, family and guests would not sue for an accident. It is better in the long run have coverage, just in case.

     No one wins when the unexpected happens. If the property is uninhabitable, the owner may suspend rent during the clean-up and reconstruction process. Depending on the damage to the property, rehabilitation could be weeks, or even months. A tenant would be displaced and have no idea where to live, what will happen, or how they will replace their belongings. If this happened during the high rate rental season, finding a furnished rental or even a hotel would be more troublesome and extremely more costly.  Rental insurance is relatively inexpensive depending on the coverage levels you are looking for. Even with the maximum coverage the cost would still be a lot less than the cost of even a small catastrophe. These are just a FEW examples of what can occur, and by no means exclusive. Speak with your insurance agent for the coverage options best suited for you.

  10. Conserving Water

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    Conserving Water

    When looking at possible repair issues, as an owner/occupant of a property you would call in a professional or repair yourself. If you are a tenant, it is always best to call your landlord or property management office so they can schedule a repair. We live in a desert, conserving our precious water supply is important, plus we can all use a little more money in our pockets! A lower water bill would help. Conserving Water benefits all of us!

    Kitchen

    Don’t run the dishwasher unless it’s full. Scrape, don’t rinse, your dishes while loading it.

    If you wash dishes by hand, use a wash basin or sink plugger to minimize water used.

    Check the supply lines under the kitchen sink for leaks.

    Don’t let the faucet run to reach a certain temperature. If you need hotter water install an instant hot water loop or heat the water on a stove. During an Arizona summer water, will come out HOT!

    If your faucet or knobs are dripping, report it! A simple drip can make a big splash on your water bill!

    Bathroom

    Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.

    If your sink, shower or tub knobs or faucets are leaking report it right away.

    If the toilet is running , even every once in a while report or repair.

    Showers generally use less water than baths.

    Check the supply lines at the base of your toilet(s). A small drip will take awhile to notice, but will affect your utility bill.

    Check the supply lines under the bathroom sink(s) for leaks.

    Laundry room

    Try and only run a full load, or make sure you adjust the water level for smaller loads.

    Check the supply lines running to your washer for drips both at the appliance and wall connection.

    Check supply lines for the laundry sink (if applicable).

    Outside

    Sweep don’t spray! If you can sweep instead of spray to clean the patio do so!

    Check irrigation emitters once a month, to make sure they are watering correctly.

    Call in and Fix any irrigation leaks when they happen, don’t wait!