How Will the Election Impact the Scottsdale Market?

Many people are worried about the impact of the upcoming election on the real estate market, but how much of an effect will the election actually have?

Today I want to talk about what’s in store for the housing market during this election year. With the election coming up soon, many of you are probably wondering if it’s a good idea to buy or sell a house right now. 

It is common knowledge that the real estate market tends to soften during election years. The market falters mainly because consumer confidence dwindles. The fact that a new leader will be elected makes many buyers and sellers uncomfortable and uncertain. 

What does this mean for you? The truth of the matter is that the real estate market is constantly in a state of flux. If you are deciding to buy or sell a home, it doesn’t really matter who the President will be. 

It doesn’t really matter who the President will be.

Your best bet is to give me a call. We can discuss your personal situation and help you make a rational decision about buying or selling a home. If you have any other questions about our current market, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would be happy to help you!

5 Things You Should Know about Home Inspections

If you’re about to purchase a home, I recommend getting a home inspection before closing. What should you know about home inspections as a buyer?

1. You can choose your own home inspector. Your Realtor should have recommendations for you, but you’re free to research potential home inspectors online for yourself.
2. Home inspections are intended to point out adverse conditions in the home, not cosmetic flaws. At the end of the inspection, you should definitely meet with the home inspector so that he or she can walk you through the home and call your attention to any flaws. Realize during this time, though, that there will be flaws in the home; no home is perfect.
3. A home inspection report includes only the basics. During an average inspection, the inspector will consider hundreds of items in and around the interior of the home as well as the exterior. The foundation, porches, decks, chimney, and roof will all be inspected, in addition to any electrical components, plumbing, central air and heat, the attic, and garage inside the home. Having a detailed report like this will help you become more comfortable with the home you’re buying.
4. You’ll need to pay for the home inspection. You won’t want to negotiate with a seller to hire an inspector seller’s choice because you want the home inspector to work for you and give you the most unbiased opinion possible.
5. Inspectors are not responsible for the condition of the home. Inspectors won’t look under the carpet or inside the walls where other potential issues may arise.

If you have any questions regarding the home inspection process or you’d like a referral for a great home inspector, please give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to speaking with you!

Scottsdale Real Estate: Top 5 Mistakes Sellers Make When Selling Their Home

What are the five biggest mistakes that sellers may make when trying to sell their home?

1. Hiring the first Realtor that they meet. Always be sure to do your due diligence so that you find the right agent. If you already know someone, that’s great. If you’re just meeting someone, it’s best to get recommendations from friends, coworkers, and family members and go from there.
2. Ignoring market conditions. Sometimes we assume that our home is better than the one next door. In reality, we have to take into consideration what each home in the neighborhood is selling for. All of this can impact your sale price, your days on market, and whether or not your home sells. It’s very important to go over the comparative market analysis with your Realtor so that you can be mindful of market conditions.
3. Hiding foundational problems. It’s very important that you disclose any and all problems with the property on the seller property disclosure statement, which you can get from your Realtor. When buyers come along, they’re going to want to see receipts or some kind of proof that you’re trying to correct these problems.
4. Overpricing. Pricing is key, and the price of your home has to be in line with market conditions. As I said, it’s natural to assume your home is always worth more, but if it’s not at the right price point, then it can stay on market for an interminable length of time and cause you all kinds of headaches.
5. Ignoring agent advice. Unfortunately, I see a lot of this. Whatever your agent recommends that you do before listing, just do it. 

If you have any other real estate questions, please don’t hesitate to call me or send me an email. Thanks, and have a great day.

What Are the Pros and Cons of an HOA?

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A lot of buyers have been asking us questions recently about HOAs, like what they are and what the benefits of them are. We are here today to answer those questions.

HOA stands for Homeowners Association and typically in neighborhoods, there is a governing group that regulates and monitors the neighborhood to make sure it's up to par. It is of benefit to you as a homeowner. There is a cost involved each month, but it doesn’t come without benefits. An HOA keeps the value of your property up. You won’t have someone next to you who is living out of a trailer, has a messy lawn, or garbage strewn about. 

An HOA keeps the value of your property up.

The major downside of HOAs is that sometimes you will live in a master plan community where there could be multiple HOAs. If you’re in a gated community for example, there could be a separate fee for you to monitor the gate and private streets within your subdivision. That can get to be expensive. 

In Scottsdale and Phoenix, we have plenty of neighborhoods with HOAs. They include some great amenities like community pools, basketball and tennis courts, and more. It’s great for families of all ages. 

If you aren’t from the area and moving here, this is something you should know about. If you have any questions for us or plan on moving here from out of state, give us a call or send us an email. We would be more than happy to help out.

The Effect of Brexit on the Phoenix Housing Market

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Did you know that the Brexit had an impact not only the on the U.S. housing market, but also the real estate market here in Arizona and Scottsdale?

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We're at an all-time low in interest rates.

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Brexit is of course the Britain's decision to leave the European Union - in a nutshell, they want to take back control of their country. So how does it affect us? Well, experts say that Britain made up about 1/6 of the EU's economy, and that the U.S. equivalent would be California and Florida being lopped off the U.S. economy.

The Federal Reserve cited Brexit as a reason not to increase interest rates, which is fabulous for the national housing market, as well as the housing market here in the Phoenix area. if you're still thinking about buying a home, we're again at an all-time low in interest rates. It's definitely time to jump on board and get that home of your dreams. Additionally, the jumbo products are very attractive, so if you're thinking about entering the luxury market, it's a great time. Give me a call soon and let's keep this conversation going!

Simple and Affordable Ways to Enhance Curb Appeal

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The summer selling season is here, but you still have a little work you need to do in order to attract qualified buyers to your home. The inside of your home is probably clean and ready to go, but you cannot forget about the exterior of your property.

1. Clean homes always sell well, and I cannot stress the importance of cleaning enough. Remove any eyesores and possibly even rent a power washer to clear your walkways of debris. You also want a clean and orderly lawn.
2. You also need to check on the condition of the paint outside your home. Repainting is one thing that often returns value if you invest the money into it.
3. One other simple fix to curb appeal is to improve your lighting. You can change the feel of your home and your entryway by installing new fixtures and replacing burnt-out bulbs. Accentuating certain trees and shrubs can create a whole new dynamic around your home.
4. I think hiring a professional landscaper is a must. You want all branches and limbs at least three feet from your home. Hiring a landscaper is often worth the extra costs.

"Repainting almost always returns value."

If you have any more questions or want any extra tips, please just reach out to me!

Unbelievable Home for Next to Nothing

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Today we are broadcasting live from San Diego and I’m with John Sickles of Goldwater Loans and Rex Parry, the host of Arizona Luxury Tours.

I have an unbelievable listing available in Mesa, AZ, at 1056 N Nassau. It is a five-bedroom, four-bathroom, 4,444 sq. ft. home on a 20,140 sq. ft. lot. It’s listed for only $525,000 which is a phenomenal price when you consider the amenities. This is a two story home in the gated community of Mahogany with a three-door garage.

High ceilings, a formal living room and a formal dining room are complemented by an upgraded kitchen with all of the latest appliances. The kitchen opens to a family room with a wet bar and ice machine, an en-suite mother-in law bedroom as well as a lounge.

"This home is a steal."

Upstairs is a theater room with a full bath and large master bedroom with two walk-in closets. There are a total of four bedrooms upstairs.

Outside there is a large pool, an outdoor cooking area, a shower, and more than 25 orange trees!

Financing on this home can be custom-fit to a buyer that can qualify for a jumbo loan. Interest rates are incredibly low right now, and if you’re looking to upgrade into a nicer home, you could not have chosen a better time.

Please contact us soon if you’re interested in this property - it’s already under contract but we’re still accepting buyers!

What’s the Best Strategy for Downsizing Your Home?

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If you're looking to sell your home quickly in Arizona, we've got some tips for you.
Today I’m going to be discussing what you should be looking for when you’re downsizing from your current home and looking to buy a new one.

Location is key, because it can be a huge asset to your property’s value. Check out the school districts, taxes, and access to major highways before you make an offer, as well as the shopping and dining options in the area.

Townhomes and condos are great alternatives if you don’t want to deal with maintenance. However, keep in mind that you may have to pay some maintenance fees and other associated costs.

If you’re looking to move into a smaller space for retirement, think ahead as to what kind of floor plan you want. A 2 story home may not be as beneficial for you in the coming years because of the stairs. If a 2 story is your only option, look for a home with a master suite on the main floor.

Start preparing for your move by measuring your furniture. One of the things we don’t think about when downsizing is how our current furniture will fit in our new space. You don’t want a room to feel overstuffed or cramped. Sell your extra large pieces in a consignment store, and use the money to buy something newer and smaller.

If you have any questions for me, or if you’re thinking about downsizing yourself, give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!

How Has the Phoenix Market Been Performing?

Today we are going to be going over the current market conditions in the Phoenix area. In the Metro area right now, we have very low inventory, putting us in a seller’s market. There aren’t many homes on the market, just like we’ve seen in the last few years. However, this year, the difference is our home prices are slowly rising.

Right now, interest rates are historically low, and still in the 4% range. If you’re a buyer, we’d recommend jumping on board right now to find that special home. Now is definitely the time.

Thanks for joining us today. If you have any questions for us, give us a call or send us an email. We would love to speak with you!

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Three Quick and Easy Home Selling Tips

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Today we’ve got three quick tips to help you sell your home for top dollar this spring in Scottsdale.

1. Amp up your curb appeal.

Walk around the outside of your home and see what needs sprucing up in order to impress buyers. Trim those bushes, rake gravel, cut grass if you have it, and add a fresh coat of paint on the outside of your home to really spruce it up.

2. Fix it, don’t forget it.

If your air conditioner needs servicing or your floor needs replacing, it’s smart to get that fixed before you sell. A lot of times, we recommend a home inspection before you list so you’re aware of what’s going on and can be proactive about fixing things. Now we can market this home as a pre-certified home, and it’s that much more appealing to buyers.

3. Market like you mean it.

The spring is a great time to list your home, but you need to have good marketing in order to sell. That’s what we are here to help you with.

If you’re in the market to sell your home, or if you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We would love to help you out!

Great Ways to Sell Your Arizona Home Quickly in 2016

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Today, we’re talking all about great ways to sell your home quickly in 2016.

First of all, price your home right. Meet with your real estate agent to compare your property to similar homes in the neighborhood. Ensure you’re in the appropriate price range.

Next, stage your home. Remove all clutter. Take out all personal photos and anything with a personal touch. You’re moving anyway, so box them up; it’s better to do this ahead of time. Make your home as neutral as possible. That way, when a buyer walks in, they can envision their personal items in the home.

 

You should also strategically time the sale. In Arizona, spring and early summer are great times to list your home. If you’ve been waiting to sell, now is a great time to get your home on the market.

Finally, market to the millennials. Many millennials are at a time in their lives where they are seriously considering buying a home and settling down. Make sure your real estate professional is truly aware of how they’re marketing to certain groups, including millennials. 

If you have any questions about today’s video, or about real estate in general, give us a call or send me an email.