I totally agree with the tips in this video. In fact I would take the first bit of advice one step further. ‘Scope out the neighborhood’ is something I tell all of my buyers but my opinion is that you should WALK the neighborhood, at least twice, once in the evening and once during the… Read More
Real Estate
Average Time to Close a Loan Increases to 49 Days
This past fall marked the dreaded TRID start date. Promises by lenders that closing schedules would not be affected proved to be, not surprisingly, empty. TRID has indeed had an impact on closing dates. However, home sellers seem to be accepting of the changes and I believe education is the key. Walking through a timeline… Read More
Surprise! Tell-Tale Signs That Your Home May be Less Energy Efficient than You Think
Believe it or not, keeping a home warm in Arizona can be almost as much of an issue as keeping it cool. Air Conditioning has gotten so efficient that our scorching summers are not nearly as much of a challenge for A/C units as they used to be. But in spite of the mild winter… Read More
Further Easing of Mortgage Credit Standards on the Horizon, According to Lenders
Home prices are rising slowly and interest rates have remained incredibly buyer-friendly so far in 2016, yet there is still some hesitation in the market. A bit of mortgage credit reform is long overdue. I’m thinking that government over-regulation and a recent history of tight mortgage credit standards is scaring the affordable-price and entry level… Read More
Gilbert passes Chandler as average home prices inch upward
After remaining fairly stable for several weeks in a row, home prices in Chandler, Arizona saw a slight increase. Not surprising as this is the beginning of our busy season. See the complete Chandler Real Estate Market Update Report for the week ending March 21, 2016. Until this past week, the average home price in… Read More
2016 is the Year of the Remodel
Through the economic downturn, appraisers were not considering the worth of many remodeling projects. Updated roofs, structural components and systems still carried weight but improvements in kitchens, bath, flooring and the like were largely ignored. Lately it’s been noticeable that most upgrades including cosmetics, are again being factored in, as was the case before the… Read More
Video: Vacation Home Investments
Arizona is a highly desirable vacation spot and second homes are popular here. Of course the weather is the primary factor but golf, baseball spring training, State and National parks, outdoor recreation, Active Adult communities and luxury resorts all play a major roll. Check out the video below for some great thoughts on buying a… Read More
5 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Financial Position in 2016
If you’ve been thinking about buying a home in 2016, there may be no better time than right now. Mortgage interest rates are incredibly low, and though our Real Estate Market has certainly recovered, it’s still not out of reach of the average home buyer or first-time buyers. If home buying is not in the… Read More
Video: Designer Tips to Make Your Home Look Expensive
Many of the more upscale homes on the market today are minimalist – no frills, sleet surfaces, soft natural pallets with pops of color, and nearly bare walls. If you’re looking to stage your home for sale, keep these things in mind as well as the tips in this video. ~Bill == == == Shopping… Read More
Home Gone Green? You May Be Eligible for Tax Credits
Homeowners who have invested in energy-efficient upgrades, such as fuel cells, geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, solar panels and solar-powered water heaters, may be eligible for the first credit. Homeowners who have invested in energy-efficient improvements like insulated roofing, windows and doors may be eligible for the latter. Did you make your home more… Read More