If you’re thinking about moving into a house in the desert, there are a number of things to keep in mind when making this transition. Sure, you obviously need to find a home, in general, to live in; however, finding the right home that can help protect against the intense heat of those summer months will help you save money and stress in the long run.
Insulation
Whether you live in an especially cold climate like North Dakota or an especially warm climate like Arizona, having a home with solid insulation can help keep what’s within the four walls of your house feeling comfortable. If it’s over 100 degrees outside, there’s a sizable likelihood you don’t want it feeling like 110 degrees inside either. Make sure whatever desert home you invest in has good insulation to not only protect against the heat but also against an insanely high utility bill.
Thermal curtains
One thing I learned while living in Missouri during the warm summer months is having at least one or two sets of thermal curtains to keep as much heat out of the home as possible. Not only did this help keep our apartment from feeling like an oven, but it also prevented the AC unit from overworking itself constantly and resulting in high electric bills every month. You can typically find affordable sets of these curtains on Walmart or Amazon, as well as stores with plenty of home and décor supplies.
Protect your car
If you’re moving into a home without a garage or some place to store your vehicle, you’ll want to take the extra steps in protecting your car from the intense heat. One way to do this is by investing in sun shades to put inside your car. This can help protect your dash from getting too much heat and resulting in damage over time. Also think about having your AC unit in your vehicle inspected every year by a licensed HVAC technician to ensure it’s running properly. You certainly wouldn’t want something like that giving out on you when you need it most.
Create your own shade
Let’s face it: there likely isn’t a whole lot of shade in the desert, depending on where you move. Lucky for you, there are ways around this to make having fun outdoors still a reality. If you have a porch or deck, consider putting in a canopy to provide some shade while visiting outdoors or having a barbecue. You can even plant your own trees in your lawn to provide even more shade over time. Just make sure your HOA, if there is one for your property, allows this.
Living in the desert is certainly doable. All it takes is a little effort on your part to prepare in advance for the hot weather that is to come. Need to buy? Give me a call! I’d love to help you find the right home for your needs in the Mesa AZ real estate or San Tan Valley housing market.