MLS
Multiple Listing Service

REALTORS^® have spent millions of dollars to develop Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) and other real estate technologies that make transactions more efficient.

An MLS is a powerful tool to further cooperative agreements between brokers for the sale of their listings, and to provide information necessary to permit such cooperation. Today, through more than 500 MLSs, brokers share information on properties they have listed and invite other brokers to cooperate in their sale. Sellers benefit from increased exposure to their property. Buyers benefit because they can obtain information about all MLS-listed properties while working with only one broker.

The real estate market is competitive, and the business is unique in that competitors must also cooperate with each other to ensure a successful transaction. MLS systems facilitate that cooperation.

Recipe of the Month

Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb baby potatoes (6 to 8)
• 10 large eggs
• 1/3 c crème fraîche
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt
• 3 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 leek, white and pale green parts only, halved lengthwise, rinsed, and thinly sliced crosswise
• 1 spring onion or scallion, thinly sliced
• Salt and freshly-cracked pepper
• 2 c baby spinach, lightly packed
• 3 ozs goat cheese

Ingredients for Garnish:

• 1 handful fresh parsley or cilantro
• 1 handful fresh dill, chopped
• 1 handful chives, chopped and with blossoms, if available
• 1/2 lemon, zested

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a saucepan, boil the potatoes until fork tender. Drain, and when they are cool enough to handle, thinly slice the potatoes.
2. Whisk together the eggs, crème fraîche, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a cast iron or nonstick AND ovenproof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the leek and onion and sauté until soft and translucent (about 4-5 minutes). Add the potatoes, then cook another few minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the spinach and cook until just wilted.
4. Lower the heat to medium-low, then give the egg mixture a quick whisk and pour it into the skillet. Cook for a few minutes, pushing the eggs toward the center of the skillet as they cook. As you work, be careful not to break the potato slices apart. Once the eggs have set on the bottom, dot the top of the frittata with goat cheese.
5. Place the skillet in the oven and cook just until the frittata has set (about 12-15 minutes).
6. Remove the frittata from the oven and cool slightly. Garnish with fresh herbs and lemon zest, then serve and enjoy.
7. Let them cool on the pan for a good 30 minutes or so (I mean, okay, eat four or five but then let the rest of them cool). They will sink down and turn into these dense, buttery, soft cookies that are the best in all the land. These should stay soft for many days if kept in an airtight container.

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1. Children
   Even briefly leaving a child in a car in the summer can be deadly. Temperatures inside the car rise rapidly – 20 degrees in just 10 minutes – and children’s bodies heat up much faster than adults. Even a few minutes can put them at serious risk of heat-related illness. One of the leading non-crash vehicle-related fatalities among children is heatstroke, according to the NHTSA, which also shares on its website, “It is never okay to leave a child alone in or around a car for any reason”.

2. Pets
   Pets are just as vulnerable as children. Dogs and cats can suffer heatstroke quickly in a hot vehicle, even with the windows cracked. The American Veterinary Medical Association states to “never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle, no matter what the outdoor temperature is or how long you think you’ll be gone”.

What you plan to be a short errand (about 10 minutes) can turn into unexpected delays and a life-threatening situation (it’s at least 20 degrees warmer in the car). Unless you really need to take your animal with you, opt to leave them safely at home during the hotter months.

3. Electronics
   Phones, laptops, and tablets don’t handle heat well. High temperatures can damage batteries, warp components, and permanently shorten the lifespan of your devices.
4. Medications
   Many medications must be stored within specific temperature ranges to remain effective. Leaving them in a hot car can reduce their potency or even make them unsafe to use.
5. Sunscreen and Cosmetics
   Ironically, sunscreen itself can break down in extreme heat. When left in a hot car, the ingredients can separate, making the product less effective when you need it. Cosmetics, like makeup products and lotions, can also degrade from the intense heat inside a vehicle, and that can cause them to have a much shorter shelf life. Lipsticks, lip balms, and pencil-style eyeliners and concealers often contain ingredients that melt from their solid form very close to our body’s normal temperature. Leaving these items in a car on an Arizona day that reaches even just 80 degrees is likely to leave you with a puddle of product!
6. Plastic Water Bottles
   Heat can cause chemicals from plastic bottles to leach into the water. While the risk may vary, it’s best to avoid storing bottled water in (or at) high temperatures for extended periods.
7. Food and Groceries
   Perishable items can spoil quickly in a hot car, leading to potential foodborne illness. Even non-perishables can be affected, especially items like chocolate that melt easily.
8. Aerosol Cans
   Items like hairspray, deodorant, or spray cleaners can become dangerous when exposed to high heat. Pressure builds inside the can, increasing the risk of leaks or even explosions.
9. Lighters
   Disposable lighters can expand in extreme heat and may rupture or ignite, posing a fire hazard inside your vehicle.
10. Eyeglasses
    High temperatures can warp plastic frames and damage lens coatings, making glasses uncomfortable or unusable.
11. Batteries
    Loose batteries or battery-powered devices can degrade quickly in the heat and may even leak or fail entirely.
12. Important Documents
    Paper items like passports, IDs, or paperwork can warp, fade, or become damaged when exposed to prolonged heat inside a vehicle.

Arizona’s intense sun and heat make these risks more than theoretical – they are a part of daily life for much of the year. Even when outside temperatures seem tolerable, the inside of a car can climb dramatically in a very short amount of time. Cracking the windows or parking in the shade may help slightly, but it does not prevent heat buildup and should not be considered a “fix it” to prevent heat-related issues to humans, pets, the other items in this article, or other heat-sensitive items.

The bottom line: if something matters – “vegetable, animal, and mineral” as The Pirates of Penzance song goes – it shouldn’t be left in a parked car. Taking a few extra seconds to bring items with you can prevent damage, injury, or worse. As we head into another hot season, staying mindful of what’s left behind in your vehicle is a simple step that can make a big difference. Next month, we’ll share some information on recognizing extreme heat stroke and how to help a person or animal experiencing it.

Seville Lending knows about residential mortgages! You can get a no-obligation rate and closing cost analysis by calling or emailing Jerry at 480.720.4038 or jerry@sevillelending.com, or submit your information via the ‘Contact Us’ page on their website.

Jerry and the Seville Lending team provide great customer service by putting clients first and offering superior options for loans and mortgages (including working with multiple lenders, which affords clients competitive rates and fees). A client named Brooke worked with Jerry twice and described him as “proactive, dependable, and communicative”, and also noted his follow-up and follow-through, as well as her trust in him. Jerry spends as much time as you need to get answers to your questions, just like he did with Kena on their first phone call, which was over 2 hours long! You’ll definitely want to know the wonderful things other clients have to say about working with Seville Lending, and you can read their testimonials here!