Jul 6

To Pool or Not to Pool

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To Pool or Not to Pool

Summers in Southern Arizona can be tough. The weather warms up significantly and while the long days of sunshine are great, the heat can be a lot. So what to do? One option is to put a pool in your yard! As a homeowner, whether to buy a home with a pool or install a pool in your backyard is a big decision!

It’s tempting to imagine the aesthetics of a beautiful blue pool in the yard. It’s perfect for summer parties but it’s important to do your due diligence as a homeowner.

Be sure to budget for monthly pool maintenance. It’s important to keep your pool clean and at the correct chemical levels so it’s safe to use. There are also weekly chores that need to be done, including checking the basket for debris, skimming the surface, and vacuuming. Also keep in mind that during the summer months, the heat causes more water evaporation so anticipate an increase in your water bill.

Make sure to talk to your insurance agent about how a pool is covered by your homeowner’s insurance. There are a few different options based on your insurance. This is also an important question if you’re thinking about adding a pool to your yard after you own your home. If you have detailed questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Fairfield Homes agent!

Another consideration is safety. With pets and young kids, it’s important to budget and understand Arizona laws regarding fences and gates around the pool to make sure that everyone stays safe. In Arizona, above and below-ground pools must be surrounded by a fence or gate at least five-feet high that doesn’t have any openings more than four inches in diameter. There are some great local Tucson companies that will install high-quality fences that will enhance your yard design.

There are many advantages to installing a swimming pool in the backyard! For one thing, it’s great for kids! During the summertime in Arizona, kids don’t want to be anywhere except the pool. Anyone with a pool immediately becomes the destination house in the neighborhood!

Swimming pools are a great way to keep people of all ages active and engaged. It’s great for socializing, leisure, and has many health benefits like stretching, low-impact exercise, and is great for rehabilitation. Swimming is one of the most popular outdoor activities! Studies show that swimming burns more calories per hour than walking or biking. Pools are also calming and peaceful.

What a great excuse to have barbeques and bond with your neighbors! Plus, swimming pools in Arizona can be used almost year-round so the cost per use goes down quickly and significantly.

The bottom line is that a swimming pool in Southern Arizona makes a lot of sense. The weather is perfect for it, it’s the ideal playground for kids and family pets, and it’s a feature that increases the resale value of your home. Of course, think through the details and what makes the most sense for your home and your family when making a big decision like this.

Feb 2

Did Arizona Become a State on Valentine’s Day?

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It was February 14, 1912, when President William Howard Taft strode into the Oval Office and signed a bill that amended Arizona Territory into the State of Arizona. Though it took a simple signature to enact statehood, the actual efforts to get here were long and arduous.

While February 14th is nationally known as Valentine’s Day, Arizonans know that on this day in history Arizona completed the 48 conterminous United States in the union.

How did this union begin?

The entirety of present-day Arizona belonged to independent Mexico in 1821. When expansionists spread out West, conflicts over territory arose, leading to the Mexican-American war which spanned from 1846 until 1848.

When the dust settled, Mexico ceded 70% of northern Arizona to the U.S. The land was considered a territory of New Mexico, but later it became its own Arizona Territory under the Confederacy. A couple of decades after the Civil War, residents petitioned for Arizona’s statehood several times, but to no avail. A big reason was population. People were dubious about the viability of the desert land, but that all changed.

The population boomed

From a first look, the desert environment gave doubts to its productivity. Yet, copper mining was Arizona’s premier industry and satisfied a rapidly growing market. Cattle, cotton, citrus, and more agricultural interests brought in homesteaders to develop farming economies. Arizona held the powerful five C’s: copper, cattle, cotton, citrus, and climate.

Gradually, more people recognized the Arizona climate was not only worth developing, but its environment was cleaner than other states and a warm respite from the harsh winter conditions.

Once the widespread availability of refrigeration and air conditioning developed, more people called Arizona home. A far cry from its population of 217,000 people in 1912, Arizona is currently home to 7.2 million people today.

So, Why February 14th?

Bad luck and better timing: It took some time for Taft to feel secure in the constitution of the state. But, when he ultimately decided to sign the statehood papers, planners hoped he would ratify Arizona on Lincoln’s birthday, February 12th. Unfortunately, Taft was out of town and everyone considered the 13th to be bad luck, so the signing was pushed back to February 14th — the day to commemorate love and admiration.

We admire our great state, and all over Arizona, visitors and long-time residents alike can uncover new, exciting opportunities here — from historical landmarks to expansive hiking trails. There’s an adventure for anyone.

Ready to ring in the celebration of Arizona’s 110th anniversary by calling it home?

At Fairfield Homes, we create gorgeous semi-custom and custom homes blended with the natural landscape and optimized for grand views of the Tucson terrain in every direction. Speak with an industry expert today to discover your home options!

Sources:

https://legallegacy.wordpress.com/2019/02/14/february-14-1912-arizona-joins-the-union-as-the-48th-state/

https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/arizona

https://kjzz.org/content/19682/did-you-know-it-took-arizona-49-years-become-state

Nov 22

8 Tips for Getting Your Home Ready for the Holidays

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Holiday plans in place, check. Guests arriving, check. But, oh no, what about the house?! Prepping for the holidays tacks on unwanted stress—there’s no doubt about that. With proper planning, you can enjoy a relaxing time with friends and family without any worries. From now until New Year’s, get a jumpstart on your resolutions with these holiday-home tips.

1. Use Seasonal Scents

Welcome your guests with the aroma of the season. Pine, spices, and sweets galore, your holiday candles’ scents add an extra dimension to your holiday extravaganzas.

2. Clean the Floors

The more you do in advance to prepare your home for foot traffic and activity, the better. Once you catch any dirt from the top of furniture and shelves, move on to cleaning the floors of dust and debris. There’s nothing like welcoming your guests with the sparkle of immaculately clean floors!

3. Clean Out the Fridge

Leading up to the event, it’s key to clear out your kitchen and refrigerator to make room for holiday dishes. Begin by tossing out expired food and freeing up space by condensing items into smaller containers. Take this opportunity, while your fridge is being emptied, to wipe down the shelves and drawers.

4. Transition the Decor

As we pass from Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year’s, there’s certainly no shortage of excitement between those few weeks. And, each holiday tends to have its own set of decorations. Prepare to take the turkey figurines down in lieu of reindeer figurines come December 1st. From then on, check back on this list before setting up your winter decorations.

5. Dress Up Your Entryway

The first place your guests will see of your home is the entryway. Spread holiday cheer to everyone who walks into your home with themed decor. For Christmas, consider setting the nearside table with a miniature Christmas tree, family photos, and jolly garland. These decorations help set the tone for what guests can expect the more they venture inside.

6. Prep the Guest Room

If you plan on inviting guests to stay in your home during the holidays, they’ll need all of the comforts of home for the duration of their trip. Make sure that the room is tidy, and outfitted with a cozy bed, a well-lit lamp, and a dresser for clothing.

7. Prep the Kitchen

A holiday-ready kitchen is key to a successful holiday get-together. This is where people are gathering, food is being made, and messes are likely to happen. Get a head start on shopping for groceries, cleaning necessary cookware for the day of, and clearing tabletops for the expected heap of food.

8. Stock Up On Essentials

From ensuring the heating is up to par to providing essential items for overnight guests, it’s always important to assess your home and prepare for as much as you can. Some items to always have on hand are paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and toothpaste. In addition, cleaning out the fireplace beforehand can make the cold winter nights much more enjoyable.

Building and customizing your home to fit your vision is exactly what we do. With Fairfield Homes, you’ll build a top-end, quality home on one of the most beautiful sites in Southern Arizona. Enjoy the best desertscape views now and for your next holiday celebration. Contact us today to get started!

Oct 15

10 Fall Home Decor Ideas to Welcome Autumn

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Seasons change and so can the aesthetic of your home. There are many ways to decorate your space with a fall festive and warm feel. Whether you’re looking for an elegant, statement-making fall arrangement for your table centerpiece or something on the casual side of everyday decor, you can surely find something on this list to suit your style.

1. Charming Table Centerpieces

Dress your table up for the season of home cooking. Table centerpieces draw attention and make a statement. For your centerpiece, you can choose to go as simple or as elaborate as you wish.

Take a container that best represents the season to you and fill it with all of the fall tones—whether that be fiery flowers, berries, leaves, pinecones, pumpkin, squash, apples, or gourds. You could even take out and replace pieces throughout the season to impress your guests with a new, stunning centerpiece each night.

2. Bewitching Mantelpiece Arrangements

Elevate nights around the fireplace with a fresh fall mantelpiece look. A garland isn’t just a great ornament to hang at Christmastime; use the decorative braid to display pumpkins, leaves, or flowers. Then, layer it in autumnal hues and plaid accents to bring your display to life. A Halloween-themed mantelpiece could even include dark colors, candle holders, and cobwebs for a spooky delight.

3. Stylish Candle Holders

Keep your table or mantel spooky and bright with stylish fall candle holders. When it comes to creating a snug atmosphere, the aroma of a themed candle heightens the experience. It’s only fitting to adorn your best fall candles with a candle holder that represents the season.

Candle holders come in many shapes, textures, colors, and designs. To suit the theme, a flora taper candle holder goes cleverly with your foliage decorations or a vintage brass candelabra brings a classic touch of beauty.

4. Personalized Autumn Signs

Prop up a sign to complete your modern fall decor. A welcoming autumn sign can add a touch of warmth and cheer to your home. Each little message portrays it loud and clear: The autumn season is here and let’s celebrate! A fall sign like “Hey There Pumpkin” is a charming and amusing display for guests, whereas “Give Thanks” could leave a sweet reminder to express gratitude for the season.

5. Fall-Themed Pillows

Prep your sofa, bed, or outdoor seating for the season with a few festive throw pillows. Your guests need something comfortable to rest against, and there are endless fall-themed pillows to adorn and cozy up to — like harvest, leaves, plaid, pumpkins, and more designs. But when in doubt, a simple rich color, warm texture, or iconic pattern can spruce up the autumnal impression of your home.

6. Cozy Flannel Blankets

Nothing accentuates a throw pillow quite like a cozy blanket. Ultra-soft flannel blankets can be a focal point on your couch while also offering functionality for guests to use for warmth. Your choice of flannel colors and shades will depend on the rest of your interior decorations, but nevertheless, it will play off your fall decor by adding a timeless, cozy appeal.

7. Layered Rugs

Double up on rugs to create a richer and comfortable feel. Layering rugs is a design style where you place one rug on top of another. It makes your space seem more defined, warmer, and comfortable. When you’re selecting the right floor coverings, you’ll need to consider the thickness of each carpet, the colors, and the patterns to complement the room. A popular choice in layering rugs is to use a neutral base rug and overlap it with a smaller, textured rug.

8. Pumpkin Wreath

The outside of your home deserves a “fall” makeover just as much as—if not more than—the inside of your home does. Hanging the prettiest fall wreath on the front door and adorning your porch with holiday cheer shows guests exactly what’s in store indoors and maximizes curb appeal. An assortment of miniature pumpkins and wreath frames can be found at local craft stores as well as artificial red, yellow, and orange leaves for a decorative arrangement you can create yourself.

9. Twinkling Outdoor Lights

Brighten your autumn mood with the best fall lighting. The lower temperatures allow us more time outdoors, and what better way to boost the ambiance than with illuminating features? String lights can be placed in many different areas, like on surrounding trees, a deck railing, posts, and more. Another neat lighting idea is luminaries along the walkway—which can also double as a pathway for trick-or-treaters to reach your doorstep.

10. Classy Halloween Decorations

Last but not least, ‘tis the season of Halloween, which not only means dressing ourselves up, but our home too! Getting into the Halloween spirit does not mean you must go over the top with inflatables or frightening animatronic figurines. From jack-o-lanterns to cauldrons, there’s room in your decor for just the right amount of eerie and elegant that can stay up all season long!

The design of your own home should embody your lifestyle. At Fairfield Homes, we can tailor your dream home to your preferences, whether a fully custom build or a partial custom build. Speak with a consultant today to get started on the home of your dreams!