A brief but powerful line from President Obama’s Armed Forces Day Proclamation this year, says it all: “They give their best for America, and they deserve the best from us.” Today is the 67th observance of Armed Forces Day. We owe our thanks to 2,500,000 active and reserve military personnel, with more than 150,000 active… Read More
My intention was to make Thank You Thursday a tribute to Police Officers anyway as this is National Police Week. But today especially, emotions are running very high here in Arizona and Police Officers are top-of-mind for so many folks in the Phoenix Valley and throughout the state. So today’s Thank You Thursday recognizes… Read More
It’s encouraging to see new construction again underway all around us. Formerly abandoned residential new build neighborhoods are actively selling and new retail is popping up everywhere. This is not only good for (more choices) but home owners as well (evidence of demand). Have you ever wondered what towns in the U.S. are currently booming?… Read More
Maintaining your HVAC system throughout the year can spare you the inconvenience of a breakdown, especially during periods of extreme weather. “Homeowners need to have their heating and cooling equipment properly maintained to keep it running smoothly,” explains Stephen Yurek, president and CEO of the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). “Doing so will help… Read More
I have a few Google alerts set up to stay informed about Veteran related matters throughout the country. One of these searches is focused on Arizona Vets. More often than not the Navajo-Hopi Observer pops up in my results. The Navajo-Hopi Observer is a relatively small newspaper, but clearly one with a big heart. They… Read More
By Keith Loria When selling a home, staging is an important piece of the puzzle that can’t be overlooked. From the kitchen to the bedrooms and bathrooms, staging is a great way to make sure your home appeals to the masses. While staging spaces within your home is crucial, many sellers often neglect one important… Read More
While recent data darkened the growth outlook for the first quarter, April data has experts predicting housing will maintain its momentum in 2016 and be an economic engine of growth. This insight comes from data recently released by Freddie Mac. The report shows that recent declines in mortgage rates have also boosted refinance potential. “We’ve… Read More
In March, U.S. home sellers sold their properties for an average of $30,500 more than their purchase price, a 17 percent average gain—the highest average price gain for home sellers in any month since December 2007 at the onset of the Great Recession. These data are from RealtyTrac®’s March and Q1 2016 U.S. Home Sales… Read More
A Step-by-Step Guide to Green-Building a Deck (BPT)—There are plenty of ways to go green at home—but one of the most impactful methods is outside: green-building a deck. Whether you plan to install new or refurbish an existing structure, utilizing sustainable materials (and conducting eco-friendly maintenance after the fact) can green your deck, ensuring long-term… Read More
How to Beat the Competition This Buying Season Mortgage rates are very low and home prices are stable or rising in most communities across the United States, and a recent poll by NeighborWorks America found that nearly nine-of-ten consumers say that homeownership is at least somewhat important. In order to get a leg up on… Read More
