HUD and VA Find Permanent Homes for 5,200 Homeless Veterans To help end veteran homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are awarding nearly $38 million to help more than 5,200 homeless veterans find a permanent place to call home. The rental assistance announced… Read More
Real Estate
Thank You Thursday applauds the Moli-sani Project and 23,366 Italians
Could there be better news? Certainly not for me. IRCCS (Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed) of Italy has determined, in a study of 23,366 Italians consuming a Mediterranean diet that included pasta, that PASTA DOES NOT MAKE YOU FAT! As a matter of fact if I’m reading this right, pasta may actually be beneficial to your… Read More
Discovered: Geographical Sweet Spots for Homeownership
The article below mentions what I believe is the biggest obstacle renters encounter when thinking about buying a home… down payment. Here in Arizona there are several fantastic options for down payment assistance, sometimes covering the whole thing. There’s also the zero down VA loan for Veterans or Active Military members. Combine any of these… Read More
5 Misconceptions About Composite Decking
5 Misconceptions About Composite Decking (Family Features)—Composite decking has been an option for homeowners for over 20 years—yet misconceptions about it still exist. Decking and railing brand Trex Company and HGTV’s “Decked Out” stars Paul Lafrance and Kate Campbell debunk the most common composite myths below. Myth #1: Composite decking looks unnatural. “Composite decking has… Read More
Is Freedom just a cliché?
Is Freedom just a cliché? I believe that very often Americans take their lifestyle for granted. We talk a really good game as we celebrate and defend the ‘self evident truths’ of American independence. But over time, truth becomes cliché, and cliché eventually creeps into the territory of overuse i.e. “Freedom Isn’t Free”… unquestionably this… Read More
Economist Says Summer May Be the Hottest Season to Buy and Sell
Economist Says Summer May Be the Hottest Season to Buy and Sell …and any Realtor who’s been in the business for awhile has seen this. Families move in the Summer for the obvious reason that it does not interfere with their children’s school year. Summertime is prime for vacation home turn-over, again for obvious reasons…. Read More
Builder Confidence Rises Two Points in June. Is a New Construction Home Right for You?
After holding steady for the past four months, builder confidence in the market for newly constructed single-family homes rose two points in June to a level of 60 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). This is the highest reading since January 2016. “Builders in many markets across the nation… Read More
Video: When Do Homeowners Need a Permit?
When Do Homeowners Need a Permit? – I can attest to the fact that a major home repair or update project, done without a permit, can delay or even stop a Home Sellers transaction right in its tracks. The video below outlines several instances where a permit would be necessary or at the very least,… Read More
Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema gets our Thank You Thursday nod for her work with Veterans
We live just outside Arizona Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema’s district but that doesn’t stop her from making a huge impact here. I subscribe to her newsletter and am connected on social media, and I can’t help but notice that more often than not, Ms. Sinema is honoring or working with Military folks and Veterans. As a… Read More
Commentary: Thanks, Brexit! Well-Qualified U.S. Buyers Reap a Windfall
My advice? If you’re a potential Home Buyer and you’re on the fence, GET OFF! The new low for mortgage interest rates is unbelievable! ~Bill By Jonathan Smoke The surprise victory in Britain of the campaign to leave the European Union may be spurring panic across the Continent (and among some regretful British voters), but… Read More