When you look around your home, really look, what do you see? Almost all of us will notice a few small projects that have been neglected or even one or two big ones we’ve been avoiding. You could be seriously risking your home’s value when you disregard necessary repairs, and by brushing aside the small… Read More
It’s not really surprising that the most ‘likeable’ real estate photos on social media sites like Pinterest, Instagram and Flickr, are spa-like baths. For today’s home buyers, the bathroom is the new kitchen. In years past kitchens were the most scrutinized room in the house. Home buyers inevitably spent the most time during showings of… Read More
Though I’ve lived in Arizona for over 17 years, I am originally a New Englander. Growing up near Cape Cod and the South Shore of Massachusetts, I associate traditional coastal-style architecture with the ubiquitous boxy, weathered-shingle Capes and Colonials found there and all along the upper Atlantic Seaboard. Unlike tract homes common throughout our country,… Read More
As you read on, statistics from Zillow will indicate that the country’s housing market has reached a critical juncture. Record values have been documented from coast to coast and you can find the 10 highest valued U.S. real estate markets listed below. Meanwhile, I’ve acquired some data from the experts at ASU on the state… Read More
Home Buyers scouring the market for deals are having a much more difficult time finding one. Due to a shortage of foreclosures and the virtual non-existance of short sales, it’s been necessary for Home Buyers and property investors to adjust their definition of a bargain. Bargains nowadays might include
Using credit responsibly is an integral part of your personal finance. Not only is credit a key factor in securing a mortgage when buying a home, vehicle or other major purchase, landlords and property managers invariably look at credit before approving new renters, as do insurers, utility companies and employers. It’s not always easy to… Read More
Gone are the days of the guaranteed 30-day closing. Though not impossible, in light of tighter mortgage regulation a 30-day closing is no longer the norm. Realistically you’re probably looking at 45 days from contract to close, and that’s without additional contingencies. Even with this extended contract period there are a number of things that… Read More
Arizona doesn’t have many of the moisture and mold issues that plague the rest of the country, but in and around our three major cities, we most definitely experience dangerous air-quality concerns. Of the three major metro areas in Arizona, Phoenix is by far the most prone to problematic air quality- notably car exhaust and… Read More
There are loads of simple, inexpensive ways to save money on energy bills. I think we’re all looking to save a little something around the house, whether it be energy or cash or both. There are tons of simple, inexpensive updates you can do yourself, that will greatly affect both. It might seem obvious, but… Read More
Express Yourself – 5 Small Ways Your Home Can Make a Big Impression. We always talk about neutralizing your home for maximum resale value, and that’s still a accepted best practice. But unless you’re getting ready to put your home on the market soon, your decor should let your individuality shine through. Interior design that… Read More
