Square footage isn’t always at the top of the list when you’re buying a home, but as the infographic below illustrates, it probably should be. Trulia conducted a poll surveying folks in several different demographics and the study showed that most people are not content with the size of their home. There are distinct advantages… Read More
Real Estate
Video: The Pros and Cons of Buying a Property for Your College Student.
Video: The Pros and Cons of Buying a Property for Your College Student. Buying a property for your college can be a good investment but you must go into it with eyes wide open. In addition to the points brought up in the video, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind. You… Read More
Show of Hands… Would You Buy a Haunted House?
Show of Hands… Would You Buy a Haunted House? Strangely enough the subject of haunted houses comes up frequently in Real Estate continuing ed classes. Personally, though I’ve never encountered one (at lease not that I know of), I don’t think selling a haunted house would be any more dubious than selling a house with… Read More
No Flip-Flop in Home Prices Expected
No Flip-Flop in Home Prices Expected. Nationwide, unemployment is down and new job creation has been rising at a very promising rate, residential rents are increasing in all major metro areas and mortgage interest rates are still low… the perfect storm for a stable Real Estate market. Due in part to a long-term lack of… Read More
Fed in No Hurry to Raise Rates Again… for Now
Fed in No Hurry to Raise Rates Again… for Now. As of today, mortgage rates are running on average 4.25 – 4.35 for 30-year fixed and 15-year fixed are ranging from 4.313 to 4.445, and though higher than a few weeks back, still remarkably reasonable. A few online banking systems are reporting lower rates however… Read More
Plan to Wait for New Construction Homes, Where and Why
Plan to Wait for New Construction Homes, Where and Why. Residential new build homes are not exactly flying off the shelf lately. It’s not because people aren’t buying brand new homes, quite the opposite. As a matter of fact, Phoenix AZ alone forecasts nearly 30,000 new home permits by the end of 2017. That doesn’t… Read More
Video: Hiring a Landscaper, a Few Tips for Homeowners
Video: Hiring a Landscaper, a Few Tips for Homeowners. HOAs are much more commonplace in Arizona than not, and most are very particular about the condition of your yard. That’s likely why you can’t throw a cat around here without hitting a landscaper. A good many more than half of the homeowners I speak with… Read More
Homeowners, It’s Property Tax Time – Considering an Appeal?
Homeowners, It’s Property Tax Time – Considering an Appeal? I’ve never felt the need to appeal my property taxes but I’ve known quite a few folks who have, some successful, some not so much. For the most part it was the homeowners who discovered inaccuracies in the information specifically about the property, who prevailed. I’m… Read More
Live in the Fun House, Literally.
Live in the Fun House, Literally Is your home fun? When I’m talking to potential home sellers one of my first bits of advice, and the best staging tip to sell their home fast while appealing to the most potential home buyers, is to neutralize, neutralize, neutralize. But what if you don’t have plans to… Read More
Consumer Confidence Up: As Goes Arizona, So Goes the Nation
Consumer Confidence Up: As Goes Arizona, So Goes the Nation. Consumer confidence kept improving in August, posting a 122.9 reading in the latest Consumer Confidence Index® from The Conference Board. The Expectations reading of the Index rose to 104.0, while the Present Situation reading rose to 151.2. July’s reading was 120.0. As of September 1,… Read More