Buy or Sell Homes in South East Valley of Arizona

You could be letting money go right out the window (literally) if your home isn’t energy efficient. Here are our tips for making your home more energy efficient this spring and beyond: * Energy Audit – Are you spending more on your utility bills and feeling less comfort in your home? You may need to have an energy audit to determine what’s causing the increased bills. Whether you do it yourself or have a licensed contractor assess your home, it’s important to understand how your home is working and get it on the path to energy efficiency. Here is where to start; http://www.betterbuiltenergysavers.com/features  * Sizing and Sealing Ducts – Do have rooms in your home that are cooler than others in the summer? Your home may have duct leaks. As much as 20% of the air circulating through your home can be lost to improperly sized or installed ductwork. Find an SRP or APS approved contractor to have the ducts sized and repaired; then submit the rebate. Not only will you save mo...

Buying or selling a home is an investment in your financial future. Making sure you have the right real estate agent to meet your needs will help your transaction run smoothly and get you the outcome you desire whether it’s selling your home at a certain price point or buying your dream home. Here are six great questions to ask before hiring a real estate agent:       1.   Are you a full-time agent? You might like Aunt Sally’s friend’s daughter but if she does real estate part-time, you might not get the level of customer service you desire and deserve. I recommend working with a full-time agent who can dedicate more time and effort to your transaction. (Yes, I am a full-time real estate agent. If I am not buying or selling homes, I am not making money)       2.   Are you a member of the National Association of Realtors? REALTORS® must abide by the NAR Code of Ethics and state regulations. They must also complete continuing education. (...

You will find, this home has been lovingly taken care of, with 2 bedrooms+ Arizona room for an office or craft room, 1.75 bath, a large living and dining room and a very efficient kitchen floor plan make this house feel like a home. There is storage galore-- with a very large linen closet, coat closet, nice pantry, above cabinets for the washer and dryer inside the home, and each bedroom has 2 closets. But that is not all…the 2 car garage has natural light and a work shop area to tinker in. You will be able to enjoy the wonderful Arizona sunsets on your extended, private patio, and 2 orange trees in the back yard will keep the sun off the home and a smile on your face. Call now to see this home, it will not last!  http://www.flexmls.com/link.html?15441pjz3k0a,12,1  - See more at: Home tour

DIY projects are rarely as easy as they seem, and all too often it ends up costing you,” says Angie Hicks, founder of online referral service Angie's List . If you’re a fan of HGTV or TLC, you’ve seen the families who try to remodel their home themselves and end up living in a construction zone for months, some for years, and never have a finished home. It’s stressful and could have been avoided by following these simple guidelines for hiring a contractor vs. DIY:    1.    How big is the project? You might not know until you knock down a wall or remove a toilet or sink. If you have to remove something to understand the full scope of the project, you want to hire a licensed contractor. They have the skills, expertise, and resources to fix and finish the project in a reasonable amount of time. 2.       What is your level of experience for this type of project? You might be a weekend warrior when it comes to home improvement but that ...

If you’re looking for a home either new or a re-sale- in the South East Valley of Phoenix; including Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, or San Tan Valley you have  a lot of choices. Here are 10 communities in no particular order. I think they are worth checking out for your consideration if you are looking for a resale home.   1.                   Dobson Ranch – Built between 1973 and 1999, this well-established community offers easy access to freeways, walking distance to schools, and year round community events. Dobson Ranch offers tennis courts, community pool, golf course, meeting space, and programs for all ages. Centrally located between Tempe, Gilbert, and Mesa you are close to ASU, MMC, Hospitals and Sky Harbor Airport. 2.                   Val Vista Lakes – Located in the heart ...

At some point in our lives many of us have had to move. Whether it’s from mom and dad’s house to our first apartment or from a home where we raised our children to a smaller home. It can be heartbreaking to part with items that  we've  hung on to just to de-clutter for the next move but  we've  got to do it.  One way to to off set that is to do it from year to year, so starting  this year why not try de-  cluttering  your home to give it new life and perhaps you will fall back in love with it?  Here are my De-Cluttering 101 Tips: 1.) Organize . Designate four empty bins where you will put items to keep, throw away, give away, or recycle. There is no “maybe” pile. [You can have a “sell” pile if you have a plan to sell the items such on eBay or at a yard sale. Once the sale is over, you must get rid of unsold items.] 2.)  Go slowly . Start with the refrigerator then a closet or drawer per day. Place each item in one ...

You have dreamed about owning a home.  You have  saved for the down payment. Now it’s time to start looking for a house that’s right for you. It seems overwhelming to think about location, features, and other factors and that’s okay. That’s why you hired a full-time real estate agent; they can help you find a place to call home.  Here are 6 top things to consider:         Budget . No matter how badly you want the big house on the hill overlooking the lake, if it  isn't  in your budget, it’s not the house that’s right for you. Stay within your budget so you’re not house poor after purchasing your home. You will still have moving expenses, furniture purchases, and possible renovations, not to mention date night or nights out with friends and family.         Lifestyle . Think about how you live your life. If you travel a lot, you might purchase a condo because it is less upkeep. If you have dogs, you ...