Blog - Rosie on the House

In this age of germ hyper-awareness many people are looking for more options other than disinfectant sprays and wipes to keep their homes free of bacteria and viruses. Sherwin-Williams has a solution! Their relatively new Paint Shield® Microbicidal Paint has been used in hospitals, locker rooms, assisted living facilities, and is available for residential use. The first EPA-registered paint that kills greater than 99.9% of bacteria...

Read More

A recurring theme is the homeowners’ desire for sustainable, compact floor plans ranging from 800-1500 sq. ft. with healthy home features and streamlined digital connectivity. The classic principles of “reduce, reuse, recycle,” continue to be incorporated in the design of the home, its features, and amenities to promote eco-friendliness...

Read More

This week Rosie on the House staff and many of our listeners and readers are celebrating Easter or Passover. Arizona has a rich history of varying religious denominations. Let’s take a look at some of our oldest and architecturally stunning places of worship in Arizona...

Read More

Each year the Rosie on the House team searches for new and innovative products showcased at the KBIS International Kitchen & Bath Show. This year we found some extraordinary products that we are excited to share with you...

Read More

“I’ve got plants in bad places, where the swimming pool splashes and the septic tank chases the nutrients away... will it be OK?" How do you know if the plants or trees in your landscape design are in the ideal place? For example, plants that drop a lot of leaves should not be placed near pools; and never plant root vegetables over septic tanks. It will be OK! Let's help plant the right trees and plants in the right places...

Read More

CNBC reported in January 2020 that according to researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1.7 million packages are stolen or lost every day in the U.S. – and that was before the lockdown. They asked 2,000 consumers who shopped online at least once within the last 12 months about their experiences with package theft. Respondents who reported having a package stolen rose from 36 percent in 2019 to 43 percent in 2020. Of the 43 percent who had a package stolen, almost two-thirds (64 percent) said they had a package stolen more than once. Wow! That's a lot of lifted loot. But there are a few things you could do in an attempt to thwart the thieves ...

Read More

Say hello to the next generation of casement windows. There are two primary residential window types in Arizona; sliding sash and casement. Check out the differences between the two and learn a little history at the same time...

Read More

Build Your Future Arizona reports that by September of 2022, 155,000 construction science technology professionals will be needed in Arizona. There are so many opportunities in construction! Nearly anyone just out of high school to those seeking a career change can not only find a job, they can also have a career. Careers in construction offer a world of opportunity and high wages; construction professionals earn $4,803 more dollars per year than recent college graduates. Despite that, there are myths about careers in the trades...

Read More

The most recent statistics reported by the National Association of Home Builders states that 91 percent of home buyers want a laundry room included in their home, more than any other home or community feature. Most homes built after 1970 have either a laundry room or laundry closet. Homes built before then tend to have the washer and dryer hookups on the back porch or in a separate enclosure behind the carport. Tired of lugging loads of laundry across the house, today homeowners prefer a laundry room or laundry closet closer to the bedrooms. Some homes even have two laundry rooms...

Read More

Part of what makes living in Arizona so alluring is the abundance of wildlife that our native trees, plants, and cacti attract. Each of the examples given are water-efficient, easy to maintain, and will add beautiful color and dimension to your landscape. No need for multiple bird feeders to attract birds and butterflies to your property. There will be no shortage of visitors with these trees, plants, and cacti...

Read More

Now that you've spent most of 2020 and possibly 2021 at home, you may need a change of scenery. Fresh paint and different colors can make any room feel new and boost your spirits. “First, think about your personal style. Don’t be afraid to stray from the norm. Create new looks that reflect your unique tastes and personality.” There are many things to consider before choosing a color...

Read More

If you have been renting your home for a while, it may be time to leap to homeownership. There are many homeowner benefits, but before you spring into action, there are also many factors to consider. Harold Perkins, president and managing member, Galaxy Lending Group, a Rosie-Certified Partner, takes us through the pros and cons of renting vs. buying. “It’s actually not as simple as renting vs. buying,” he said. “You need to take your lifestyle and the money you want to accumulate over the years into consideration.”...

Read More

We are living in a time of uncertainty. For nearly a year, we have been unable to make long-term plans or create a realistic budget. Unemployment, furloughs, and pay cuts have made it difficult for many people worldwide to pay their bills. Have you considered how the pandemic plays a part in your insurance policies?...

Read More

Necessity is the mother of invention. Because of the pandemic, we have been forced to use our houses as workspaces, schools, entertainment centers, and fitness centers. A Gartner survey of company leaders found that 80 percent plan to allow employees to work remotely at least part of the time after the pandemic and 47 percent will allow employees to work from home full-time. It's worth taking a look at your existing space so you can plan for the future...

Read More

Many newcomers, especially those who are moving here from other parts of the country, are looking for homes to purchase without knowing the unique challenges that homeowners face in the desert southwest. Here we have put together a list of things to consider for those looking to buy homes in the desert for the first time:...

Read More

"Looking back at 2020, we were surprised at what we saw in the remodeling industry", says Rosie Romero. "We expected that remodeling trends would have shifted to updating home spaces for office and school. While homeowners tried to adapt their homes into schools and offices, we saw a continued trend in the demand for kitchen and bath remodels." Other remodelers we talked to have experienced the same demand and have seen an up uptick in leads. Homebound homeowners search the internet and are curious about what they can do to improve their at-home experience...

Read More

One thing we love to do at the end of the year at Rosie on the House is to look back to our website analytics to see what has interested homeowners the most. What we found this year is that in spite of the crazy year 2020 has been, people are just as interested in home improvement as ever before. This week we revisit the five most popular blogs from 2020...

Read More

Many homeowners believe they have done their due diligence when hiring a contractor as they have checked out the businesses name at the Registrar of Contractors. With the renewed interest in all things home, remodeling and updating projects are on the rise, that means that there will be some well-meaning, and not so well- meaning, attempts to fill the need for contractors to do the work. It is not uncommon for folks to make mistakes in choosing a contractor that can cost them in many ways. The 3 biggest mistakes we see, along with their consequences, are...

Read More

As the end of the year approaches, take out next year's calendar, and schedule your annual home maintenance service appointments. Doing it before the new year or at the latest, the beginning of the new year will prevent you from scrambling to get on the service provider's schedule when everyone else is trying to. As you schedule the appointments, create a seasonal home maintenance checklist...

Read More

So, your washing machine or dishwasher doesn’t work as well as it did years ago. Don’t run out to buy a new one so quickly. You just may not be allowing the machine to run as designed, using the wrong amount of detergent, or have hard water. All three could be the issue, too. Life goes on even when your washing machine or dishwasher is out for service and HASSAR is here to help...

Read More