• Top 7 Day Trips Near Phoenix to Escape the Summer Heat,Brian Eastwood

    Top 7 Day Trips Near Phoenix to Escape the Summer Heat

    Phoenix is a wonderful city to reside in and work in. However, it can get very hot and steamy during the summer. Many of the current residents are always looking for ways to escape the heat during the summer months without going too far. At Brian Eastwood Real Estate, we are dedicated to providing tips and answering any questions about things to do near Phoenix. As a person who has lived in the area for more than 25 years, I can help give you guidance on what to do this weekend, quick day trips to take, and activities to cool you off. Below, we will discuss the top 7 day trips to escape the summer heat in Phoenix: 1. Arizona Snowbowl for lift tour up the mountain Arizona Snowbowl is located in Flagstaff and makes for a pretty fun day-trip full of scenic views of the San Francisco Peaks. The lift tour is currently open every day of the week from 10am to 4pm. Get your lift tickets here. 2. Visit Page, Arizona. Page is another city in Arizona, located about four hours north of Phoenix. This city is home to some of the most amazing attractions, such as the Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam, and more. While you are in Page, you should also check out Bartlett Lake, as it is one of the most impressive lakes in the country. Individuals who visit this lake enjoy different activities, which include swimming, kayaking, and boating. 3. Historic Bisbee  Take a short trip to “Old Bisbee” and explore everything this amazing little city has to offer. Named one of the Best Historic Small towns in the United States, Bisbee has many murals painted on buildings, hidden art galleries in alleyways, the haunted Copper Queen Hotel, and one of the most unique Main Streets in the entire country that is full of European architecture. 4. Explore Sedona, Arizona. Sedona is a city located less than two hours north of Phoenix. It is a charming city with a variety of sights to see, including the Cathedral Rock Trail, Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout, Airport Mesa, and more. Individuals flock to this city every summer to enjoy the striking red rock sceneries and green pine forests located throughout it. 5. Have a Phoenix staycation at one of the many hotel resorts. The city of Phoenix is perfect for pool and spa lovers. There are many different hotel resorts in the area that feature spa and pool areas. Instead of taking a vacation, I recommend a staycation at one of the luxurious resorts that our great city offers. This will give you time to relax, cool down in the pool, and pamper yourself at the spa. A few of the top-rated spas in the area are the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa, the Center for Well-Being at the Phoenician, Joya Spa at the Montelucia Resort, Revive at JW Marriott Desert Ridge, and the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. 6. Take a trip to find waterfalls and swimming holes. If you are looking to have an adventurous day, chasing stunning waterfalls and cooling off in swimming holes will feed one’s hunger for adventure. Within two hours from Phoenix, you can find an abundance of waterfalls and swimming holes. The following are some of the best places near Phoenix to search for waterfalls and swimming holes: Bob Bear Trail Hike, Cibecue Falls, Seven Falls Trail, Water Wheel Falls, Fossil Creek, Wet Beaver Creek to the Crack, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, and more. 7. Check out the nearby lakes. There are numerous beautiful lakes surrounding the Phoenix area. Depending on how far you would like to travel, you can find lakes within 30 minutes or a couple hours from downtown. Several of the lakes that I recommend visiting are Lake Pleasant, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, Roosevelt Lake, and Lake Powell. The different activities that you can do at these lakes are rent a boat, hike the trails nearby, work on your photography skills, camp out at night, and so much more. If you are moving or thinking about moving to the city of Phoenix, Brian Eastwood Real Estate can help you with your search. I will also answer any of your questions, ranging from what to do this weekend to things to do near Phoenix. As a long-term local in the area, I am always ready to assist you with any questions you may have about the city and surrounding areas.

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  • Top Features Home Buyers Want In 2020,Brian Eastwood

    Top Features Home Buyers Want In 2020

    As the world changes, and we pivot to adjust, one thing that remains constant in America is the desire to own a home. Our quest for homeownership is steadfast regardless of what is going on around us. But Phoenix real estate is experiencing a shift in terms of what homebuyers are looking for in 2020. To offer guidance on how this may impact selling your home, I compiled property features that top the wish list for today’s home buyers along with my recommendations for relative home selling tips. Flexibility There are more people staying home due to the pandemic, but even prior to that, telecommuting was on the rise. Buyers are looking for spaces that have the potential to offer more than their primordial function. This includes bedrooms and basements that could be converted to home offices, study rooms, and craft rooms. Families with children who have always been drawn to homes where the exterior incorporates a secondary play area are now mindful that this may be a primary recreation venue for children and adults for some time to come. Large kitchens have historically been a focal point for home buyers, but now it extends beyond the vision of robust family gatherings, group cookery, and prodigious holiday events. As work and studies continue at home, overlapping lunch hours that had primarily been outside the home now compete for space in the kitchen. For some people, the kitchen also serves as a study area and an office. Take a look around your home to see where clutter can be removed to help prospective buyers envision multipurpose spaces. Consider the lighting in the bedrooms, which may suffice for its basic function but may not showcase the rooms as potential office space. Recessed lighting, ceiling fans, and neutral-colored walls can broaden the possibilities from a buyer’s perspective. Sustainability While remote workers and students may be saving money on driving-related expenses, this may be offset by higher utility bills. There is a surge of interest in homes that are energy-efficient and limit our carbon footprint. While you may not own a net-zero home, there are steps you can take toward energy efficiency. Consider Energy Star-rated replacements of old doors, windows, and air conditioning units. Research energy-efficient systems that may add value to your home for a future buyer like tankless or solar water heaters or solar panels to offset electricity costs. At a minimum, repair any cracks leaking air, install LED light bulbs, and purchase water-saving showerheads. As part of Brian Eastwood Real Estate services, I can help you identify which upgrades may be a worthwhile investment for Phoenix real estate and your home, in particular, based on your targeted time frame for selling your home and on what homebuyers are looking for in 2020. Technology The 2020 buyer’s ideal home is equipped with or has the capacity for integrated smart technology. This includes overarching innovation that involves easy control of heat, light, and security from a smartphone; voice-command assistance from smart speakers to control various home fixtures; and remote-controlled, video-enabled surveillance with a range of automated functions. The Washington Post reports that millennials, also known as Generation Y, represent the largest population of homebuyers. This is an age group that ranges from the mid-20s to mid-40s. Having been raised in the digital age, they are accustomed to immediate information and virtual capability. Home selling tips that may give you an advantage include replacing standard outlets with USB outlets, adding smartphone charging outlets in the kitchen and installing an electrical outlet in the garage to accommodate an electric car or a second refrigerator/freezer. Home selling tips If you are selling your home with me, then you are probably familiar with my recommended marketing strategies, which zero in on flexibility, sustainability, and technology. In addition to extensive experience in Greater Phoenix real estate and all throughout the valley, I stay current on market trends. Please give me a call at 602-330-6813 or email me at brian@brianeastwood.com to discuss further insights and any concerns you may have about what homebuyers are looking for in 2020.

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