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Month-to-month lease agreements provide both the landlord and the tenant with flexibility, but as with anything they also have some down sides

Pros for Tenants:

- Flexibility to move - one of the most common reasons for a tenant to sign a month to month or opt to go month to month is so they have the ability to move quickly.

- No specific end date - unlike a long term lease agreement, month to month leases allow you to give a normal (typically 30-60 day) notice and you aren’t burdened by lease break penalties

- You can (usually) switch to a long term lease -a lot of owners give the option to sign a longer term lease if plans change

- Can look for a home - this is often an ideal option for those looking to purchase or having something built but aren’t 100% sure when that will happen.

Cons for Tenants:

- Short Notice to End the Lease - Just as a tenant only has to give a normal notice (typically 30-60 days), that is all an owner has to give as well

- Fluctuating Rent Prices - landlords often charge a premium for a month to month lease due to the risk factor

Pros for Owners:

- Can Get Tenants Out Quickly - This gives owners the ability to give a normal notice to the tenant.

- Charge Higher Rent - Month to month leases are limited, so a lot of owners will charge a premium to allow this

- Keep quality tenants - Sometimes tenants request a month to month lease for whatever reason and landlords allow it to keep good quality tenants in their properties that are worth the risk

- Can Increase Rent - another benefit is you can increase rent with just a standard 30 day notice (instead of waiting until the end of the lease term).

Cons for Owners:

- Less stable/ lack of security - You are never really sure when the tenant will give their notice.

- Prepare for a vacancies - Since the tenant can give a notice at the end each month you always have to be prepared for it

As the end of another year approaches we wanted to pause and take a moment to express how grateful we are to our clients, customers and affiliates for the opportunity to serve you. We wish you a warm and happy Holiday Season enjoying family and friends. May peace and happiness greet you in the new year!

-TCT

With so many different materials being used in homes, it’s important to understand the difference in care. Here are some of the most common countertops and some easy ways to clean and maintain them.

Laminate - use a soft cloth with a mild detergent or cleaner, and use a soft toothbrush to clean the seams and edges

Quartz - use a soft sponge or dishcloth and warm water. Avoid abrasive cleaners, scrub sponges, or metallic pads, as these may dull the surface; additionally, some common household cleaners with very high or low pH levels may discolor quartz countertops.

Granite - wash with a pH-neutral cleaner or a cleaner specific for stone to keep your counters clean. Avoid vinegar, lemon juice, harsh cleaner or abrasive materials

Corian - use warm soapy water, ammonia-based cleaner, or dedicated countertop cleaner. Avoid window cleaners as they can leave a waxy build-up

Tile - use a cleaning solution with a cotton mop, cloth, sponge, or a non-metallic brush, then rinse the entire area to remove residue. Grout also needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to help remove surface build up.

Marble - use a mild, non-abrasive, pH neutral (non-acidic) soap mixed with water or specific marble cleaner. Avoid anything containing acid, including lemon juice and water.

Wooden - scrub the surface with a sponge and a mixture of mild dish soap and hot water. To sanitize you can use undiluted vinegar and let the vinegar sit for several minutes before rinsing it off with hot water

To put it simply the Greater Phoenix area is doing very well economically. Job growth alone is expected to outpace the nation over the next several years, mostly in the metropolitan Phoenix area. The state’s population is also expected to grow by about 1 million residents within several years.

Here a look into Arizona’s Economic Forecast:

Pipe burst? Water flooding? Here's a quick video on how to turn the water main off to your home.

A house fire is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Despite being brought up with knowledge of and tips about fire prevention, most house fires still start because of the smallest things. Here are some of the most common reasons for house fires, which can easily be avoided.

• Cooking equipment (e.g., leaving pots or pans to overheat on the stove)

• Candles (keep them away from curtains, tissue boxes, books, and other similar household items, always blow a candle out before leaving a room)

• Barbeques (cook with them away from tablecloths, garbage or recycling bins, and plants or tree branches, Keep BBQs regularly maintained and cleaned with soapy water and clean any removable parts.)

• Flammable liquids (keep things such as kerosene or petrol away from heat sources)

• Curious children (if there are any open flames, make sure to keep them and matches or lighters out of reach of children, Teach kids understand the “stop, drop, cover and roll”” drill as well as knowing their address if they needed to call 911.)

• Lighting (be sure to use safe bulbs and lampshades that don’t overheat, Check around the house to make sure. Lamp bases can become a hazard if they are able to be knocked over easily, and so should be removed if they are)

• Electrical equipment (e.g., appliances that have frayed cords or are plugged into overloaded extension cords or wall outlets, double check the appliances and power points in your home.)

• Christmas Tree Fires (cut off an inch or so from the bottom of the trunk, removing any dead wood that would prevent the tree from soaking up water)

While we can’t eliminate all potential causes of house fires these are some basics that are well worth keeping in mind.

Toilet leaking or overflowing? Here's a quick video on how to turn the water off to to the toilet.

The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.