Our friends at GoingGreenHouse Cleaning are here with advice for spring green cleaning tip for May 2017. We use these folks for our listings, our homes and we suggest them to friends. That’s why we suggest them to you.

Spring has sprung and it’s time to blossom! Let’s start by taking care of those April showers. You don’t need to have a green thumb to be able to use these tips and tricks on how to keep those showers clean and “green”.

The Royal Throne:

Have no fear, you don’t need to use bleach or other toxic chemicals to get your toilet spotless and sparkling. The trick here is letting your homemade or other natural solution do the work for you. For an easy homemade toilet bowl cleaner, simply combine a half a cup of vinegar and a spoonful of baking soda. Pour the mixture in your toilet and let sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing clean. Do this once a week and your toilet will stay clean and stain-free! Need a little something extra for those tough toilet bowl rings? Consider using a pumice stone and voila the job is done.

Shower and Tub:

Water stain and soap scum can be difficult to remove, especially on delicate surfaces where you are hesitant to use abrasive methods. All you need is some natural dish soap and baking soda. Combine this solution into a paste and apply to your surface. Use a sponge for overall cleaning and a toothbrush for those hard-to-get grout lines. You will be amazed by the results that you get with this simple, non-toxic solution.

Mold:

As your surfaces age and water penetrates your surfaces, you may find that mold begins to show its nasty face. This can be disheartening and frustrating, but did you know that vinegar is a natural mold killer? Simply spray vinegar onto your moldy surface and let dry. Once dry, spray again and wipe clean. Vinegar’s mild acidity will loosen and kill bacteria. For maintenance, simply spray your shower down on a regular basis with a mixture of vinegar and water. The key here is to be consistent. It is easier to prevent mold than to get rid of it. Also, did you know that you can throw your plastic shower curtain into the wash and hang to dry in order to prevent hard water build-up?

Drains:

Last, but not least, drains can often get clogged with hair and residue. Maintain your drains and avoid using harmful chemicals by cleaning your drain on a regular basis. You can use the same vinegar and baking soda solution from above in order to clear and maintain your drains. Pour approximately 3/4 cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar. Immediately cover your drain with a rag and let sit for 30 minutes. Once you have done this, you can pour boiling water down your drain to help clear out the gunk. Maintaining your drains can be simple and prevent those expensive plumber visits down the road.

These are just a few tips and tricks to keeping your showers clean and free of harsh, toxic chemicals. You don’t need to spend a lot of time scrubbing or a lot of money on expensive cleaning products. Keeping a few simple ingredients on-hand can help set you up for success and keep the dirt and grime away.

Here’s to keeping it green!

Our friends at the Cromford Report give us the county-wide scoop for this May 2017 Market Update, as they do every month.

Supply is even further below last year than it was last month, both in total active listings and in active listings with no contract.

The monthly sales rate is down over 6% from last month, but this is a very unfair comparison. March had 23 working days and April, because it had a weekend at both ends, only had 20. With 13% fewer working days we could easily have seen sales drop a lot more than 6%, so demand remained in strong shape throughout April. Sales were up 3% from April 2016, but in 2016 April had 1 extra working day, so that again is a pretty strong result.

Sellers remain in charge of the market in most sectors and price is responding accordingly. The average sales price per sq. ft. is our preferred method of measuring prices and it is up over 7% from last year at this time.

Sales are extremely hampered by lack of supply below $200,000, but above $200,000 supply is more free flowing and sales are up by very large percentages from 2016.

So in summary almost the whole market is humming along with all cylinders firing. However there is little sign that it is going to move up a gear from here.

The Cromford® Market Index appears to be making little effort to surpass its recent peak of 147.5 thanks to a very slight weakening in some demand indicators (including listings under contract). We are at a point where the seller remains in firm control but the seller’s advantage is no longer growing stronger.

Anecdotally for this May 2017 Market Update, we’ve seen a slight slowing in the number of showings in all listings, as the year progresses. I would hate to speculate as to why that could be –anything from national political uncertainty to local unhappiness with the available supply.

But in the end, when we see slight shifts like this, we suggest you watch the market for other indicators of changes. There could be a shift brewing.

We have already opined that, if you are thinking of selling, then 2017 is probably the best time to do it. We are over-due for a market correction in Arizona, and that may put downward pressure on house prices by early 2018.

So, the take-away? If you are thinking of selling, let’s get a strategy together. If you are thinking of buying, you might consider taking a little more time building up cash reserves so you can bring more to bear to your next purchase.

If you need to do both, well, we’d better get a cup of coffee and talk. Please call at 602-456-9388.

The May Get Your PHX at The Hive will celebrate a multi-tenant space, its newest residents and the incredible work of Rigo Flores. Join us for raffle, small bites and meet the owners!

Since 2009, The Hive on 16th Street has been inviting businesses and artists to participate, connect, and flourish.

At the May Get Your PHX we will see a new coffee shop buzz, meditation/buddha art studio, a zine distro, art gallery, and a resale boutique keep everyone moving. Not to mention hosting community events, but that’s how Julia Fournier likes it.

Says Fournier, “Since 2009, we have shown more than 100 artists in over 60 shows. We focus mostly on local artists, usually emerging or transitioning creatives… In May, we’re showing the work of Rigo Flores.”

Flores’ work speaks to the patriotism, violence, corruption, and current atrocities that have occurred in Mexico. #YaMeCanse2 features blurred paintings, intentionally creating an ambiguous interpretation. Drawings are made clear, portraying the Mexican salute to the flag, “however in juxtaposition to the paintings, one’s feelings of patriotism are confused.”

In a space like The Hive, the merge of community and business creates a unique cluster identity where anyone is welcome – and contributing to the community is a must.

Meet Zine Distro, Wasted Ink Distro. Owners are Charissa and Marna, (and a whole lot of interns). A small Zine library and store, Zine Distro is a home base for any AZ Zinesters looking for a DIY, creative space. Workshops, readings, concerts, and craft fairs fill the event calendar each month.

And meet Shana Bell, owner of TaSen, Buddha and Meditation Art. She began her business not as a way to profit, but as a way to give back to the community after experiencing a life changing healing event in Thailand. Meditations are twice a week.

Cherisse and Kristy run Silent Flight, a coffee shop inside The Hive. They’re celebrating two months of business!

Lastly, The Bees Knees, Julia Fournier’s business. Specializing in second hand fashion and hand selected pieces. “My idea was to shop with an eye for design lead clothing, and to shop carefully so that I could keep prices low. The clothing and household items are here because I think they are special in some way.”

May Get Your PHX at the Hive
When: May 18th at 5:30pm.
Where: 2222 N. 16th St, Phoenix 85006
More Information and RSVP at This link!