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 (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? 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
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
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
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
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
First-Time Buyers are finding prices for starter-homes rising all over the country but mortgage interest rates are lower than ever, which in some cases, could even the score… maybe not for long. Interest rates on home loans have been low for quite some time now but with the shake-up in the European Union, US financial… Read More
Anticipating Common Challenges during Escrow – I work a lot with the folks at Pioneer Title Agency. They are local, efficient, and very knowledgeable all critical attributes in such a precision-dependent occupation. They’ve taught me a lot over the years, but one thing I have not learned from them is that problems are inevitable. I… Read More
With so much science involved in making homes energy efficient, and so many advances in a short time, the average person is usually at a loss when it comes to understanding green terminology. Here, the National Association of Homebuilders decodes some of the most commonly used language. An “Energy-Efficient” home is defined as a home… Read More
