For the first time, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today awarded $5.9 million in grants to 26 Tribes to offer a permanent home and supportive services to Native American Veterans who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The Tribal HUD-Veterans Affairs… Read More
Video: Credit Score vs FICO Score – Why your FICO Score Matters
If you experienced a financial event that dinged your credit such as a short sale or foreclosure, you’d naturally want to know if your credit score has recovered. Be very careful where your credit information comes from, the only truly free online credit report can be obtained at www.annualcreditreport.com. More Resources for Home Sellers… Read More
New Breed of House Hunter Demands Pet Perks, Parks and More
The article below explains many of the dilemmas that pet owners throughout the country experience when buying a home, and how builders and communities are working to address them. Pets are indeed members of the family. In Arizona, you’ll frequently find that yards are completely enclosed, pet parks are common and there’s a PetSmart on… Read More
Mortgage Rates Dip Three Weeks in a Row
Wannabe home buyers rejoice—mortgage rates are steadily declining. Freddie Mac recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing mortgage rates moving lower for the third consecutive week amid another week of market turbulence. “The Freddie Mac mortgage rate survey had difficulty keeping up with market events this week,” says Sean Becketti, chief… Read More
What Will Homes Look Like in 10 Years?
Accessibility. Automation. Conservation. Health. Safety. These themes are expected to shape the future of residential home design, according to a recent American Institute of Architects (AIA) report. “Historically, the dominant factors in home design have been economic and demographic shifts,” says AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker. “Residential architects are seeing these forces at play in… Read More
Thank You for Believing in What’s Next
There’s a West Wing quote that I’ve always thought hits the nail right on the head. When asked “why do we go into space… do we really have to go to Mars?” Sam Seaborn replied “Cause it’s next. Cause we came out of the cave, and we looked over the hill and we saw fire;… Read More
Video: How to E-Cycle Your Devices
There are helpful tips in the video below however before you watch, consider my favorite eCycle option Cell Phones for Soldiers. They’ll accept cell phones, smart phones and tablets and you can even donate talk time through Minutes that Matter. In addition, you can donate to the Helping Heroes Home program, providing emergency travel funds… Read More
3 DIY Quick, Easy and Cheap Projects to Improve Energy-Efficiency
Along with the simple tips below, I was blown away by noticeable savings in my electric bill after switching out all of our old light bulbs. There are so many more choices than there used to be, check energy.gov to find out more. Be sure to check with your local power company as well, many… Read More
Transaction Communication Is Key to a Smooth Closing
I highly agree with the transaction tips below but my biggest concern is not so much a lack of communication as it is a lack of urgency. The dates on your contract are what make it a contract, and they probably more important than the hundreds for words surrounding them. ~Bill By Deborah Kearns If… Read More
Lonely? WalletHub Surveys Best/Worst Cities for Singles
It’s perfectly understandable that Tempe and Scottsdale Arizona made WalletHub’s list of Top Cities for Singles. The Mill Ave district in Tempe, and Old Town Scottsdale as well the Camelback Rd entertainment district, are probably a big part of why they made the grade. But what really sets These two cities apart is attitude. Both… Read More

