Hand with pen writing on a mortgage application - refinance, mortgage, interest rate, home loans, reverse mortgage, credit - Bill Salvatore, Realty Excellence East Valley - Arizona Elite Properties 602-999-0952

Video: Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You? What You Should Know.

Video: Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You? What You Should Know. There’s a lot to consider when researching the pros and cons of a a reverse mortgage. This video gives you some basic facts about every reverse mortgage, so that you’ll know what questions to ask before you contact a mortgage lender. One other… Read More

Hand holding a home with umbrella above - The importance of Title Insurance

Does Anyone Think About Title Insurance? Why It Matters to You.

Does Anyone Think About Title Insurance? Why It Matters to You. After dealing with a title issue for a home we owned many years ago, years of stress, inconvenience and expensive attorney fees, I can attest to the fact that an Owner’s Title Policy is absolutely essential. An owner’s title insurance policy protects your property… Read More

Home buyers, Family with Kids, Moving Children, Happy Family - Bill Salvatore, Arizona Real Estate - Arizona Elite Properties 602-999-0952

The Importance of Culturally Competent Mortgage Professionals

The Importance of Culturally Competent Mortgage Professionals Home Buyers in Phoenix and surrounding suburbs represent an abundantly diverse population, and I believe there is no business that supports diversity better than the real estate and mortgage industry. According to the statistics in this article, much of the increase in home ownership over the past year,… Read More

Cans of Paint and paint brushes, lead paint, HUD health and safety

HUD Awards $46.5 Million to Make Thousands of Homes Safe from Lead

HUD Awards $46.5 Million to Make Thousands of Homes Safe from Lead. It seems we don’t have as much trouble with lead paint here in Arizona as perhaps in other areas of the country. Homes here tend to be newer. Having said that, each town has it’s outlying and historic zones and it’s entirely possible… Read More

Open Concept Home, Open Floor Plan, Contemporary Interior

Video: Staging Secrets of Model Homes

Video: Staging Secrets of Model Homes. You’re living in your home while it’s on the market. You may feel that only empty homes need staging, but there are some small, subtle changes that will have a big impact on how your home appears to Home Buyers. Look around… If a buyer had the choice between… Read More

Mortgage rates, mortgage regulation, money, house - Bill Salvatore, Realty Excellence East Valley - 602-999-0952

Down Payment Assistance Programs Save Qualifying Homebuyers More Than $17,000 on Average over Life of Loan

Down Payment Assistance Programs Save Qualifying Homebuyers More Than $17,000 on Average over Life of Loan **See below for Down Payment Assistance Programs available in Arizona Analysis of the impact of down payment assistance on the cost of buying a home— including the down payment and monthly house payments for a median-priced home in 513… Read More

Retro kitchen, white walls and cabinets, glass table, yellow plasti-form chairs

Eco-friendly Kitchen Features That Won’t Break the Bank

Eco-friendly Kitchen Features That Won’t Break the Bank. I’m all for eco-friendly options when remodeling or updating. Depending on the age of your home and its original construction, a small change can make a huge difference in energy consumption. Some accessories like a smart thermostat might seem like a significant initial investment, but over the… Read More

two people riding bikes at sunset in front of a home - Vacation Home, Second Home, Recreation, Active Adult - Bill Salvatore, Realty Excellence East Valley - Arizona Elite Properties

Older Americans Ready to Tackle Housing Market, Survey Says

Older Americans Ready to Tackle Housing Market, Survey Says. Three out of four homeowners born before 1961 are confident they will have a financially comfortable retirement according to the Freddie Mac 55+ Survey, a comprehensive survey of the housing perceptions and preferences of Americans over the age of 55. The first Freddie Mac 55+ Survey… Read More

Regulation Stamp, TRID, mortgage regulations - Bill Salvatore, Realty Excellence East Valley - Arizona Elite Properties 602-999-0952

Video: Mortgage Closing Timeline Averages 50 Days

The number of days outlined in this video, to close a Real Estate Transaction, are accurate. Thanks to recent government regulations (TRID), the time to close a loan has indeed lengthened. Even though we always build this into the closing time frame in a Purchase Contract, I always explain to both Home Buyers and Home… Read More

Pool, and ocean view back yard at sunset

On the Market: Billy Joel’s Waterfront Mansion in Florida

On the Market: Billy Joel’s Waterfront Mansion in Florida I’ve seen a few luxury homes here in Arizona that have nearly the amenities of Billy Joel’s mansion at Oyster Bay, but that coastline and the ocean view are priceless! Enjoy!  ~Bill By Nick Caruso “Piano Man” Billy Joel just turned 67 and is still performing… Read More