December 2011 Newsletter

5 Reasons the Holidays are a Great Time to Sell

By Louie Ortiz

1.    Most areas are in a declining market – In a declining market, a home owner will typically get a better sales price now rather than waiting until after the holidays or even spring.

2.    There is less competition – Many homeowners take their homes off the market for the holidays. As a home seller, this means there is less competition. Generally more homes come back on the market after the holidays, which means increased competition for the seller.

3.    More serious buyers shop for homes during the holidays – The buyers that take the time to look for homes are usually more serious. Some may be relocation buyers that need a home before the end of the year. Some investors may also want to close before the end of the year for tax reasons.

To read more, click HERE

Homeownership Rate Rises After Two Years of Decline

By Krista Franks

After falling to a 13-year low during the second quarter, the homeownership rate posted a highly unexpected rise in the third quarter, according to a Census Bureau report released Wednesday.

With foreclosures forcing homeowners out of their homes and buyers waiting on the sidelines as home values declined, the homeownership rate has been on the decline for quite some time. In fact, according to Bloomberg, the third quarter rise is the first in two years.
To read more, click HERE

Housing to gradually improve in 2012, NAR economist says

By Kerry Curry

Gradual improvement in the housing market is expected next year, with existing-home sales edging up 4% to 5% and new home sales getting an even bigger boost off this year's record lows, the chief economist of the nation's largest real estate group said Friday.

 "Tight mortgage credit conditions have been holding back homebuyers all year, and consumer confidence has been shaky recently," Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, said. "Nonetheless, there is a sizeable pent-up demand based on population growth, employment levels and a doubling-up phenomenon that can’t continue indefinitely."
To read more, click HERE

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October link to my newsletter-

Great info! Hope you like it!!  :)

http://www.anypresentations.com/enl/view.php?id=6763&sid=2e4c

New Home Sales fell in August for the 4th month

According to AZCentral article published today--http://www.azcentral.com/business/realestate/articles/2011/09/26/20110926new-homes-sales-fell.html .

 New homes sales are falling for the 4th month in a row.  This could be good for the buyer!  Picking up a new build for just about as much as a re-sale home! 

As new homes are falling right now, I'm driving around the South East Valley one would ask, "Do the builders know something we don't?"

Well, I woud say yes, they know that right now there is only about 2-3 months worth of a supply of re-sale homes in inventory.  Compare that to the same time last year we had a whopping 9-12 months supply.  Builders are getting permits again from the county, trying to be ready when the resale market turns. 
That is something you don't hear much of- but the facts are- if you are thinking of purchasing a foreclosed home, then understand you are not alone.  there are many people trying to get in on the 'good deal'. Many times folks have found themselves in multi-offer situations on homes/condos from $20,000-250,000.

Now the good news is interest rates are still low, and if you are buying your primary residence (meaning the only home you will own) then you will only need to have 3.5% down for FHA and  up to 20% down for conventional loans.  In many cases the sellers are still willing to give concessions for the closing costs. That can ease your amount of cash to come up with. 

If you are still interested in seeing what is actively for sale within Phoenix metro; 

Click Here--  www.AzBuysHomes.com  go to the MAP SEARCH link and you will be searching the MLS just like an agent- no third party! 


As always, let me know if you have any questions! 

Take care,

Elaine Beery
United Broker's Group
480-570-1912

Golf course Home in Mesa

 Wow there are so many golf courses in Mesa Arizona. That means there are a lot of homes on a golf course.  There are perks to living on a golf course and there is a down side.  If considering purchasing a home you might want to consider some of these. 

Down Side

·         You must sign a waiver, that any damage to your home is your cost to repair not the company/HOA’s that own the golf course, they have no liability. 

·         You home insurance will be more costly.

·         Privacy, if you like your privacy- on the golf course is not for you.

Upside

·         Your playground is in your back yard

·         Most times there is beautiful grass to look at and you didn’t have to mow it.

·         Higher property values than the rest of the community.

I have a great list of homes on the golf course in Mesa please see my website at www.AzBuysHomes.com   one in particular I want to point to is

http://www.azbuyshomes.com/9003587_0-1553-N-SINOVA----Mesa-AZ-85205-MLS-4616581-RES_Detail.aspx  This home has it all!! 

Call if you have any questions about this or anything else related to Arizona Real Estate…I am here to help!

Take Care,

Elaine Beery

480-570-1912

BeeryRealty@gmail.com

www.AzBuysHomes.com

Val Vista Lakes Gilbert Arizona--Lake Property in the Desert...Yes, Your Very Own Oasis

Today I wanted to tell you about this hidden gem of a community. It is in Gilbert right off the US60 and Val Vista. Snuggled between mature trees, and a beautiful winding lake, there is a club house with a recreation center with cardio and weights, 8 court tennis complex, indoor racquetball a junior Olympic pool and spa banquet and meeting room a waterfall and tropical feeling lagoon swimming pool and it even has a beach you can enjoy.…making this a perfect place to own a home no matter if it is you’re first or a second home. There is a condo community with a garage within this marvelous community as well—for those who want less maintenance.

Val Vista Lakes is more than just a wonderful master planned community. It feels like a paradise. VVL has 24 subdivisions offering both lakefront and off lake homes. Several communities are gated- some custom homes and others are track homes, so there is something for everyone. Top this off with Gilbert School district (one of the best in the state) and you can’t go wrong. There is everything you need around you as well. If this wasn’t enough, there is a variety of commercial businesses, that consist of restaurants, grocery stores, medical facilities, pre-schools, retail clothing, insurance agencies, banking facilities and automotive needs, just to name a few of the conveniences right in your own neighborhood. So if you are looking for a “get away” home or just want to lay down roots for your family, this community would be a good one to consider.

Here is a link to my website to get you started looking for a home http://www.azbuyshomes.com/195640-Gilbert-Val-Vista-Lakes-AZ-RESCmty.aspx

Now, if you want more information about buying or selling please contact me at BeeryRealty@gmail.com or 480-570-1912 and I would be happy to send you some information.

Stay cool!

Elaine Beery

480-570-1912

Beeryrealty@gmail.com

www.AzBuysHomes.com

10 Quick & Easy Energy-Saving Summer Tips

1.     Limit fan use to only when you are in the room with them. Ceiling, oscillating and standing fans give you the feeling of being cooler without actually changing the temperature of the air.

2.     Use compact fluorescents, which burn cooler than regular bulbs. Not only will you save year-round, up to $40 over the life of the bulb, and in the summer you'll reduce the heat generated into a room.

3.     Use evaporative coolers and whole-house fans. Both are cost-effective methods of keeping a house cool without spending a lot.

4.     If you have central air conditioning, keep your thermostat at 78 degrees. Each degree above 78 can knock off an additional six to seven percent off your cooling costs.

5.     Get rid of hot air. Use an exhaust fan to blow hot air out of your kitchen while you’re cooking. The savings on your cooling costs far outweigh the electricity used by the fan. Also, take lukewarm showers and baths to avoid humid air, which holds more heat.

6.     Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees. This saves you money and is a safety measure if you have children in the house.

7.     Hold off on doing laundry and dishwashing until nighttime to avoid generating extra heat in your home. Also, consider taking advantage of the warmer air and dry your laundry outside.

8.     If you have a pool, turn off your filter overnight when the pool is not in use.

9.     Use your microwave or smaller, countertop appliances for cooking instead of the oven or stove.

10.   Close blinds, drapes and shades during the hottest part of the day. This keeps the strong sunlight from heating your home.

 Hope these help!! 

Elaine Beery

United Broker's Group

480-570-1912

www.AzBuysHomes.com

Buying Bank Owned property in Arizona

These 4 Tips for buying bank owned properties, things you  should know before deciding to look at them.  We all have seen the enormous influx of bank owned properties, but do you know the down side of buying a bank owned property?

There are Risks involved, but you can minimize these risks just by doing some due diligence.

1.) When signing the bank addendum, (a document the banks add on to the actual contract) make sure you realize what type of deed you are going to receive.  If it is not a General Warranty Deed, make sure you are getting the home and you fully protected with the most title insurance you can.  Most banks will issue you a Special warranty Deed, in Arizona.  If this is the case, you should look into extending your insurance policy to cover any gaps.  

2.) Because the bank acquired the property through foreclosure, the bank will not be able to provide you with the (SPDS)Seller's Disclosure or the (CLUE Report) Insurance disclosure.  So, be aware this means you know nothing about the history of this property...it could have been flooded, had a leak in the roof, or anything else that might be of concern to you.  So this means you need to do some leg work to find out what you can about this property.  Use this to help; http://www.aaronline.com/documents/buy_advis.pdf  I suggest to try to get a Home Warranty on the home if you can...I call it a safety net for the first year.

3.) Make sure you know your inspection time and do all inspection you are concerned with at that time.  I.E. Home, Pest, termite, Pool or Roof inspection, even check the square footage- whatever is your concern. Usually, they give you 10 days for inspections and to lock your rate in to purchase the home (yea, there is a provision for this in the standard Arizona contract).  But some bank addendums will modify this an only allow you 5-7 days.  that is critical to know, as after that period you will only be able to walk away with your earnest money if you don't qualify for the loan.

4.) Understand, that when asking for concessions from the bank this amount will be provided at the time of closing.  So you will need cash in hand to pay for inspections and appraisal(s) and sometime even the HOA disclosures as the HOA is now in some cases charging an upfront fee for these. 

If you use this guide, you will have a good chance to find a good deal in the bank owned properties for sale in Arizona. 

Of course, if you want more information I would be happy to help you can call me at 480-570-1912, email me at BeeryRealty@gmail.com

You can find me on the web at two websites,  http://www.AzBuysHomes.com or at http://www.AzSellsHomes.com

Take care,
Elaine Beery
United Broker's Group

3 Great tips for buying HUD properties in Arizona

Well, the summer is just about here and not to sound too cliché...but our housing market is getting hot especially with our HUD Properties.

Here are 3 things buyer's need to  know about buying  HUD properties;

1.)    HUD uses a blind bidding system, and the original list price is the price HUD determined is the market value by an appraisal, so if you want to get a loan for this property, you can't offer more than that price, as the lender's will not give you any more money that that price.  Doesn't mean you can't offer more but just be prepared to come out of pocket with the amount over.  

[i.e. list price $100,000, you offer $104,000 you will be coming to the closing table with your closing costs and $4,000 + your regular down payment of 3.5% for FHA (owner occupant) or 10-20% for conventional]. 

2.)    HUD gives owner occupants a 10 day time period at the beginning of each listing, so they are not having to bid against investors right off the bat.  On the flip side, that means investors can't have a agent/broker put an offer in for them until the end of the 10 day period. 

3.)    HUD sells all their properties As Is, but will allow you to do an inspection but you must get permission from HUD to turn on the utilities at your cost, they give you a 72 hour window to make this happen so having your inspector(s) lined up would be preferable.  If items found that will hinder your ability to get a loan on the property, Hud will either fix, or reduce the price accordingly.  (they determine which they will do) If it is something that isn't a loan concern it is the buyer's responsibility to repair after they purchase it. 

Well that is my tip for you today and I hope you find it useful...as always, if you need more information about this topic or you just want to get some help buying a home in Arizona.  Please call or email me.  Or come by my website to see what's available...I look  forward to hearing from you. 

Take care,


Elaine Beery
United Broker's Group
480-570-1912

The good, the bad and the ugly news about Real Estate in Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek

Keep trying as I may to be positive, the facts are we have gone from 18-22 months of inventory on the MLS to about 3-6 months of inventory in about 1-1/2 years…so when folks ask me, “do you think the market is  still declining?” I would have to say ‘NO’ not in the South East Valley of Arizona. Have I seen prices rise? No not enough to make a significant difference. But in some cases, there are multiply offer and the folks are out bidding each other. Especially in the $120,000 price point and lower.  So, I would say, now is the time to be looking and buying…with the interest rates and the prices as they are, I would say this could be called the ‘Perfect Storm’. If you are interested in finding more out, please call or email me.

If you want to start your search feel free to go on my website and do so…I would love to hear from you if you find a home or condo you are interested in. So we can get you on your path to own it!



Elaine Beery


480-570-1912


Beeryrealty@gmail.com  


www.AzBuysHomes.com

Where in the world did all the houses go??

Perhaps a bit optimistic, but in the last 3 months Our MLS (Armls) has sold on average about 1,000 more homes than we sold in 2005…Arizona Real Estate is hot, again! Yea there will be folks saying “but the price of homes has dropped so, how can you compare the two years”…to that I say…ba’humbug!! We all know the prices in 2005 were out of whack.

But what I want to scream from the roof tops is…”Hey things are not as bad as what we hear from the TV and other media”. If you are able, NOW is the time to buy a home. But let’s all do ourselves a favor and have reasonable expectation. No promises of 20-30% equity in 2-3 years. If you are buying a home or condo realize it is a long term investment and you will do just fine.

For more info on this or buying/selling a home in the Phoenix area, feel free to email or call.



Just my opinion…takes it for what it is worth,



Elaine Beery

United Broker Group

480-570-1912 Direct

BeeryRealty@gmail.com

www.AzBuysHomes.com