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602-677-4130 • DLJonesHomes.com July/August 2024 North Valley Pride
Hello again from sunny Arizona! While August might signal the end of summer, our temperatures are still warm as ever here, and August also just so happens to be Family Fun Month. This time of year is truly magical, and with my dad now just a stone’s throw away in Anthem, our family is set to make the most of every moment. You might recall from our previous newsletter that I helped my dad make the big move from Virginia to Anthem earlier this year. Having my dad so close has been a game-changer, especially since we can now celebrate special events and all the holidays together — making memories just like we used to do. Speaking of memories, we kicked things off in May by taking Dad to the Music in May concerts here in Anthem. Watching him tap his feet to the music, surrounded by a picnic setup just like we used to have in Kansas, was a heartwarming scene. The event reminded him — and all of us — of the family fun we cherished back then. These occasions are not only just about enjoying great music, but also about reliving the warm, nostalgic family moments we all treasure. The fun did not stop there! Over the last month, all his grandkids flew here for visits, and we packed our days with activities only Arizona can offer. One of our highlights was taking Reid, his grandson, to Chase Field to catch a Diamondbacks game. The excitement of the crowd and the thrill of the game made for an unforgettable evening for everyone. Another day, we ventured out to Sedona’s Red Rock country with his granddaughters, Cammy and Ashley. The stunning landscapes and the joy of exploring them together were extraordinary. You wish these kinds of moments could last forever. Why Phoenix Is the Perfect Place for Family Fun Month FAMILY, FUN, AND SUN
Now that August is here, we are all geared up to dive into Family Fun Month. Phoenix really shines this time of year, offering a plethora of activities that can cater to every family’s taste. Whether exploring the numerous parks, enjoying interactive museums like the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, or cooling off at one of the many water parks, we have no shortage of family-friendly activities. Being together here in Phoenix has made this family fun possible — not just the sunny days or the myriad activities around us, but the people with whom we share them make every experience richer. Phoenix is not just a place, but a backdrop to the precious moments that define family fun. I am looking forward to packing this month with as much laughter, adventure, and togetherness as possible. With my dad just around the corner, we will have many opportunities to keep the fun coming! Whether you are a longtime resident or considering moving to our vibrant city, remember that Phoenix is a place where memories are not just made — they are cherished for a lifetime. If you want to create your own family oasis here in the heart of Arizona, call me. Let us make your dream of family fun a beautiful reality!
–Lisa Jones
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Extraordinary Realtors
602-677-4130
Dennis & Lisa Jones
THE PERFECT SUMMER JOBS FOR TEENS AND STUDENTS Leave the Lemonade Stand Behind
Few things feel better than cashing your first paycheck. If you want your kids to enjoy the joys of payday while building connections and resumes, then recommend they try to break into some of the best gigs available to teens and students this summer! Tutor From juniors and seniors preparing for college placement tests to college students looking to build up credits over the summer semester, there is no shortage of young people looking for help with their studies. Tutoring can be fairly lucrative to start, with the average salary of a full-time tutor being about $39K per year; it’s an excellent way for young adults to break into a career in education — or just share their knowledge to help others struggling. Pool Cleaner Why not encourage your children to make money while enjoying the summer sun? The neighborhood pool cleaning circuit is abuzz with so many looking to escape the heat. The average pool cleaner salary is around
$32,000, with hourly rates varying depending on location and experience. If the work is enjoyable and comes naturally, it may be a great preamble for starting a pool cleaning business. Golf Caddy Business often takes place on the green, and as a caddy, your child will be privy to all of it. In addition to carrying bags, finding loose balls, and giving advice on how to get the lowest score, golf caddies can also use their time to build valuable connections. The average
pay for a golf caddy is around $18 per hour, but one of the best parts of being a caddy is that golfers make great tippers. Regardless of their choice of a summer job, getting out in the sun and making extra cash is a great way to kickstart your kids’ careers or save for college. If your kids have the opportunity to earn work experience, now is the best time to start!
Celebrating Community and Innovation at Our New Office Opening! A TOAST TO NEW BEGINNINGS
Opening our newly renovated office has been an exhilarating adventure. Sharing this journey with my wife, Lisa, and joining forces with Repic Builders has been unforgettable. Recently, we celebrated a significant milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new shared space, and I am thrilled to share the highlights and heartfelt thanks with all of you. Just a few weeks ago, on May 9, we officially opened our newly shared office doors at 3668 W. Anthem Way, Suite B158, in Anthem, Arizona. This new venture aims to revolutionize how people buy, sell, and remodel their homes by offering all these services under one roof. The concept came from recognizing a need in our community for a more streamlined, cohesive approach to turning a house into a dream home.
hours of planning, construction, and decoration. Our goal was to create a welcoming and inspiring environment for our clients. Thanks to Repic Builders’ expertise, our office now showcases stunning examples of flooring, kitchen, bathroom, and shower remodels, with hundreds of product samples on display. Every detail was carefully curated to ensure clients could visualize the endless possibilities for their homes. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, sponsored by the Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce, was filled with joy and community spirit. We were honored to have over 50 local business owners and representatives join us. A fantastic local food truck catered the event, adding a delicious touch to the festivities, and the excitement peaked with a raffle for a basketball signed by NBA legend Kevin Durant — a crowd favorite! The response from the community has been nothing short of amazing. In just the first three weeks following the opening, over 30 local homeowners stopped by to inquire about remodeling services.
The preparation for our grand opening was a labor of love. Transforming our showroom and office space involved countless
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Dennis & Lisa Jones
LISA’S KITCHEN
FROM FINGERS TO FORKS
This appetizer from Susan Branch’s “Summer” cookbook is easy to make ahead and pop in the oven right before your guests arrive! –Lisa Boursin- Stuffed Mushrooms Appetizer
INGREDIENTS
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30–40 medium mushrooms
The Evolution of Dining Etiquette
1 cup Boursin cheese
• 3 tbsp butter, melted • Chopped parsley (if desired)
DIRECTIONS
Have you ever feasted on chicken wings, your hands stained with barbecue sauce, and thought, Why don’t we just eat everything like this? As it turns out, we did — people only started eating their meals with cutlery fairly recently. Many cultures around the world still eat primarily with their hands. So, why are placemats adorned with forks, spoons, and knives commonplace today? To find out, we have to get our hands dirty — because the history of cutlery, much like the history of civilization, is complex, nuanced, and full of gossip. Big Spoon, Little Spoon Perhaps unsurprisingly, spoons are the oldest examples of cutlery people used consistently for millennia. After all, what good is a fine pot of communal soup without a spoon to eat it with? Likewise, knives have always been used to cut up meat and prepare our meals, but only the advent of individualized meals rather than buffet-style brought along the advent of dinner knives.
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Wipe mushrooms with damp towel. Remove stems. 3. Brush the bottom of each mushroom with melted butter and fill the cavity with cheese. 4. Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. 5. Bake for 30 minutes. 6. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
Forks, however, are an altogether newer invention. Although large serving forks can be traced as far back as Ancient Egypt, the individual, smaller version has its roots in the Byzantine Empire. Around one thousand years ago, the Byzantine noblewoman Theodora Doukaina brought a golden fork to her wedding feast in Venice. It became quite controversial among the Italians, with many shunning the novel tool as posh and overly decadent. However, as royals began to intermarry, the fork gradually caught on. Royals increasingly ate with cutlery and became weary of dirtying their hands with their food. By the 1800s, cutlery was widespread in the Western world, and today, most people and establishments serve meals with silverware! Antiquity — Making a Comeback There’s a reason movie theater popcorn doesn’t come with a popcorn spoon and your favorite burger joint doesn’t offer sporks; some food is meant to be eaten with your hands. While most sit-down meals will always be the domain of the cutlery-wielding elite, finger food isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and if history has any say, it never will.
As we settle into our new office, Lisa and I are filled with gratitude. We are deeply thankful for every person who played a part in making our grand opening a success. If you haven’t yet, we invite you to stop by and see the possibilities for yourself — whether you are thinking about buying, selling, or transforming your current home, we are here to help make those dreams a reality. –Dennis Jones
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Extraordinary Realtors
602-677-4130
Make an Entrance HOW TO PAINT YOUR DOOR LIKE AN EXPERT
Our Sizzling Summer Listings! Summer in Phoenix, Arizona, means one thing — a HOT Real Estate market! Our summer listings include a variety of home sizes, locations, and amenities, each with a distinct style. Would you like to see your home listed here? In addition to our newsletter, we are always on the lookout for stunning desert properties to feature on our “American Dream Valley of the Sun” TV show. Give us a call to discuss!
Have you ever heard the expression, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression?” Well, your front door is the first and last thing you and your guests see when entering and exiting your home. So, when you approach painting your front door, you should be thoughtful and careful. Much goes into painting doors, from choosing the correct palette to ensuring adequate coverage. Here are three tips to help you tackle this tricky task. Perfecting Your Palette Anyone who has searched through paint swatches at a hardware store knows the dilemma. A seemingly endless variety of colors confront you. For example, in addition to “White” paint, you see “Alabaster,” “Chantilly Lace,” and “Winter Snow.” Each variation may be only slightly different, but that difference becomes glaringly obvious when mismatched. When it comes to the color of your door and the surrounding trim, you have two options: Keep it uniform or have a purposeful accent differentiating the two. Otherwise, the paint job may come off as sloppy. Also, consider the finish — there is a big difference between a matte and glossy sheen of paint, so choose wisely. Prepping to Paint While it’s possible to paint a door without first removing it from its hinges, it is much easier, cleaner, and more convenient to move it somewhere with ideal lighting and accessibility. Laying the door flat on the ground also makes sanding and clean-up a synch! Gathering Tools and Priming
Anthem Country Club — 2 Bedrooms, Den, 2.5 Baths — Just Sold!
First things first, you need a good primer. Priming the door will make your chosen paint adhere more easily. If you are an inexperienced painter, you may prefer a brush to a roller. While rollers can cover more space more quickly, they are not as easy to use as they first appear. Before diving in, get advice from your local paint store, including other helpful tools, like a paint tray, canvas drop cloth, and even painter’s tape. Once the paint dries and you rehang the door, enjoy your new look and that excellent first impression you’ll make. And of course, always remember to have HOA color approval before you start any exterior paint project!
Anthem Country Club — 3 Bedrooms (incl. Casita), Den, 3 Baths — $575,000
Anthem Country Club — 2 B Golf and Mountain Views —
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Dennis & Lisa Jones
Have you ever had late notice that a guest or landlord is coming over? Whether it’s an apartment or dormitory wellness check, a friend making a surprise visit, or an open house later the same day, we have all had that sinking feeling that we simply do not have enough time to get our place in order. Fortunately, we have tips and tricks to help get your abode sorted and presentation-ready quickly! Laundry If your guests show up on laundry day, sort your TRICKS FOR FAST AND EASY ROOM CLEANUP TIDY IN NO TIME
Cave Creek — 3 Bedrooms, Den, 3 Baths, 1.93 Acre Lot Reduced to $1,125,000
clothes into two piles: dirty and clean. Quickly fold your clean clothes and put them into spare luggage, carry-on bags, or shopping bags. Now, you can keep the clothes organized and out of sight for the duration of the visit. For your dirty clothes, either place them in the washing machine or put them in a designated dirty clothes drawer or hamper until you are ready to handle them in private. Books and Magazines
Anthem Country Club — 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, Private Pool — Reduced to $959,000
Avid readers are used to taking their reading material with them on the go, but it’s easy for reading material to pile up on counters or desks along the way. So, gather up your books and magazines, and then sort them into stacks so you can put them away quickly, whether in a drawer, under the bed, or on a shelf! Small and Miscellaneous Items Everything else should be put into any drawers or organizers you have available. If you run out of space, grab a big garbage bag and load it up with all the random items you don’t have the time or space to deal with. Then take it to the garage or put it in a closet to temporarily hide the state of your room from visitors. Once the visit is over, sort through and put away the contents. (Note: If you don’t miss these items after a few days, consider throwing them away!) With these techniques at your disposal, you can better handle last-minute guests! Be warned: It may be difficult to sort through the mess you stashed away. Make sure to note where you put what so you can more thoroughly organize later!
Anthem Parkside — 3 Bedrooms, Den, 2 Baths, Private Pool, Loaded with Upgrades — Under Contract!
Bedrooms, Den, 2.5 Baths, — Reduced to $735,000
Anthem Parkside — 4 Bedrooms, Den, 2.5 Baths, 4-Car Garage — Reduced to $929,000
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602-677-4130
Guard Your Mind, Ignite Your Life Brain Boost
Resist negative self-talk. Repetitive thoughts about ourselves get wired in over time, and “what gets wired in is what we manifest,” McDonald says. A 2021 study in Scientific Reports shows that brain scans of people who recite
The fast-paced modern lifestyle many subscribe to nowadays has lasting effects on our mental health — from broken sleep to chronic multitasking. A graduate student at the University of Arizona has ideas for protecting our brains from stress created by life’s hustle. Emily McDonald, a doctoral candidate in neuroscience who posts health advice as @EmOnTheBrain on TikTok, lists these three things to avoid. Avoid your smartphone when you wake up. The brain is highly suggestible upon awakening, and “the content you consume … will have a greater impact on your mindset,” says McDonald, who is also a mental health coach on top of her doctoral work. Studies show that while waking up, the brain transitions from theta waves, a deeply relaxed, inward-focused state, to alpha waves, which promote alertness. Reaching for a smartphone to look for texts or other content often triggers a dopamine release in the brain, encouraging the user to repeat the activity. If this occurs first thing in the morning, it can disrupt your dopamine levels for the rest of the day, leading to a continuous need to check our phones.
scripts expressing self-respect and self-confidence exhibit stronger connectivity in regions associated with motivation. However, it’s important to note that positive self-talk can also trigger overconfidence, leading to impulsivity and inaccurate responses on cognitive tests. Avoid highly processed foods. “There is plenty of science to show that what we eat affects our brains,” McDonald says. An eight-year study of 10,775 people showed that the cognitive functioning of people who ate highly processed foods, including hot dogs, pizza, pastries, white bread, cakes, and instant noodles, declined 28% faster than that of people who ate more fresh and unprocessed foods. A diet of highly processed foods speeds the aging of the brain, which no one wants.
TINY SPACE, HUGE POTENTIAL Unleash the Power of Laundry Room Accessories
Lint Collector Ever get frustrated with the amount of lint build-up in your washer and dryer? Why not hang a lint bin on the wall or grab an empty tissue box and repurpose it into an ideal lint-collection receptacle? This saves you a trip to the trash can and helps you store a chore until later, allowing you to focus on washing and drying! Dryer Balls Who needs dryer sheets when you have dryer balls? Dryer sheets are limited in function and usability, and some are permeated with chemicals, whereas dryer balls last longer and are more effective. Many varieties exist, like wool, that are all-natural. Just throw a few into your load of laundry and watch as they do wonders! Best of all? You can get dryer balls that look like little animals. Imagine a herd of little dryer ball sheep going to work keeping your clothes soft and static-free. Lost Sock and Found The sock gremlins, those invisible creatures that make off with every fifth sock for their private machinations, have preyed on everyone. That’s why having a lost sock jar in your laundry room is a great idea. You can fill the jar with solo socks as they await reunification with their missing partner — hopefully.
Laundry can be a load of work. Sorting, ironing, folding, and looking for the odd, misplaced sock is enough work for a weekend. And when you’re hampered by a small laundry room, it can be enough to make you want to hang it up
for good. Luckily, there are fantastic accessories to wash away your worries. Here are four ideas to help turn a chore into a cinch.
Door Storage While it might not seem like it, laundry room doors can do more than get in your way. The space behind your door is ideal for hanging brooms, dustbins, and ironing boards. You can also hang posters on the door itself detailing the various symbols found on clothing to help avoid washing your favorite dry-clean-only shirt or put up hooks for extra storage!
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Dennis & Lisa Jones
WE’RE ALL EARS!
Take a Break
HOW EFFECTIVE LISTENING HELPS US FIND YOUR DREAM HOME
In real estate, where deals are struck and dreams are made, one skill is perhaps the most essential: listening. As we approach World Listening Day on July 18, now is the perfect time to reflect on how this skill impacts our service as real estate agents. We have built our careers understanding the importance of this skill! While negotiation and market savvy are essential, genuinely listening to our clients is the cornerstone of our success. In our combined 25 years of experience, we have learned that every client has unique needs and desires, whether buying or selling. Homebuyers, for example, come to us with visions of their ideal home. Some envision a sprawling backyard for barbecues, while others prioritize being close to amenities like cafés and gyms or need a dedicated home office. By truly listening, we can pick up on subtleties that are not explicitly stated, catching those offhand comments about loving to host dinner parties or dreams of backyard gardening that might otherwise go unnoticed. On the selling side, clients look for different kinds of support. They need a robust marketing plan, professional photography and video to showcase their home, help with presale preparations, sharp negotiation skills, and a fluent understanding of real estate contracts. Listening helps us tailor each strategy to fit the individual seller’s circumstances, ensuring we address their specific concerns and goals. Perhaps the most challenging and rewarding part of prioritizing our listening skills is when we work with family buyers. Listening takes on a new dimension here as we navigate through the wishes of multiple family members. One person might want a pool, another a grand kitchen, and the list goes on! We try to find the common ground between spouses, understanding the wishes of children, and even considering the input of extended family. The art of listening enables us to find a home that delights everyone, not just one or two decision-makers! As we celebrate this day, we are reminded of the countless clients who have walked through our doors, shared their stories, and trusted us to help them start their next chapters. Their stories drive us to keep listening, learning, and providing the best service possible. After all, in real estate, the best deals and the most satisfied clients come from understanding not just the market but the people we serve.
ALIEN BALLPARK CHERRY FIRECRACKER
FLAG INDEPENDENCE ORCHID PADDLEBOARD
PATRIOTIC SUNDAE SUNSCREEN TRAMPOLINE
–Dennis and Lisa Jones
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Extraordinary Realtors
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Inside How Phoenix Turned Up the Fun This Family Fun Month Top Jobs for Teens and Students Our Grand Opening We’ll Never Forget Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms The Fascinating History of Cutlery
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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Lisa & Dennis Jones
3668 W. Anthem Way, Ste. B-158 • Anthem, AZ 85086 602-677-4130 • DLJonesHomes.com
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Tips for Masterful Door Painting Our Sizzling Summer Listings!
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Master the Art of Speed Cleaning
3 Tips to Protect Your Mental Vitality 4 Ideas to Transform Your Laundry Room How Do We Find Your Dream Home? This Skill Is Our Secret Weapon! Take a Break Importance of Exercise to Improve Balance
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Battle for Balance Exercises to Improve Everyday Stability
Did you know that around a quarter of adults 65 and older experience a fall every year? Falls are the leading cause of injuries for seniors, and the risk of falling increases as we get older. Our balance declines as we age, and poor balance is a substantial contributing factor to falls among older people. While the fear of falling leads many seniors to avoid exercise altogether, this is not a good strategy. Exercising, staying on top of medications, and getting your vision checked are all keys to maintaining balance in your golden years and reducing the risk of falls. Here are some potential causes of imbalance and methods for seniors to improve their balance and lower their risk of falling. Bodily Balance Many seniors experience balance and dizziness problems. These can be a side effect of some medications or brought on by balance disorders or other underlying medical conditions. Inner ear problems cause one such balance disorder; one part of the inner ear, the labyrinth, plays a big part in balance. If infected, it can lead to
a condition called labyrinthitis, which can lead to bodily imbalance. If you believe you suffer from a balance disorder, your primary physician may refer you to a specialist, such as an otolaryngologist or audiologist, for help. Methods of Improvement Fortunately, you can combat balance problems. One method millions of people lean on is a device meant to improve mobility, namely canes and walkers. While these can be helpful, they can sometimes hamper balance and may require more effort than their support merits. Moreover, some research indicates they may actually contribute to falls in some instances. That is why it is important to incorporate exercise into your routine, eat healthily, and manage any medical conditions to improve your balance and combat the risk of falling. One form of helpful exercise is strength training, which involves lifting weights or using resistance bands to build muscle strength that naturally declines in old age. Whatever your method of combating imbalance, the effort is worth it. Staving off falls can contribute to a longer, happier life.
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