Buy or Sell Homes in South East Valley of Arizona

February finds our real estate market still leaning in the seller’s favor but with definite and continued movement toward a buyer/seller balance. Home supply is still below average, and demand for homes is well below this same time last year. That said, comparing to this same time last year, the number of active listings is up  10.6%  and the monthly median sales price of  $262,000  is up  6.9%. Our continued price appreciation on housing, combined with higher interest rates, naturally makes for less demand, and listings under contract are down  13.9%  from last year. Many buyers are sitting on the sidelines, apparently uncomfortable with current pricing and interest rate uncertainty. The flux in the stock market is also a factor in buyer uncertainty.   On the interest rate front, the Fed has recently announced that it will pause its planned interest rate hikes for 2019 and instead more closely monitor the U.S. and other world economies. Th...

Understanding how your property taxes are calculated can often feel like unraveling one of the deepest mysteries of the universe. However, it’s vitally important that you get your arms around this tax, if you are subject to it, as it’s often a large expense that you may be saddled with for a lifetime. Property taxes can vary wildly, not only between different areas of the country, but even between different parts of the same municipality. Just how do property taxes work? Shouldn’t they be the same for everyone? First, Real Property Versus Personal Property When we refer to “property taxes,” what we really mean is “real property tax.” The term “real property” means the land you own and everything that is permanently affixed to it. For example, if you have a stick-built house, a garage, a shed with a permanent foundation — these are all things that would be considered “real property.” On the other hand, you may also have “personal property,” which is basically anything else th...

You’re ready to make changes to your home. The bathroom is the original from the 1980’s. The kitchen is avocado and orange. The built-in in the living room won’t hold your flat screen television. Sounds like it’s time to hire a contractor in Mesa. Do you need a handyman or contractor? Before you even pick up the phone to call a contractor like  Ken from  Hyre Construction  (480-490-1055)  or  Handyman George of George’s Repair Service (602-628-8906) , both of whom I recommend, take a bit of time to think about your project. Do you need shelves hung on the walls of your office? That’s a handyman’s job. By the rules of the Registrar of Contractors ( ROC ) in total the job a handyman is allowed to do is under $1,000. If you need a light hung up, and you need some drywall patched, perhaps a door or two are off and need to be adjusted, as long as the total billed amount doesn’t exceed $1,000, a handyman is the right person for the job. Are you thinki...

Elaine Beery of Beery Realty is pleased to announce she has completed course work to earn the designation as a Real Estate Collaboration Specialist – Divorce™ RCS-D™ REALTOR® in Arizona. She is professionally trained to review real estate as a business transaction, working in the best interest of each divorcing spouse. “When you bought your house, you probably didn’t think about how a potential divorce could impact whether to sell or keep it. You bought it to be your family home and as such, you want to make sure you’re getting the most value from it, even if that means selling it as part of the divorce settlement,” says Beery. Working as part of your divorce team. Elaine specializes in assisting with providing essential evidence of the house value prior to property negotiation or mediation. This is important because an appraisal minus the mortgage does not equal the actual equity of the home. It isn’t a complete equation and may leave your home overvalued which can work against y...

Your house is one of the biggest investments you will ever make and I want to be sure you and your home are in good hands. The plain and simple fact of living is that one day we will die. It’s sad but true. How do you protect your biggest asset - your home? Well, you have an estate plan. Part of an estate plan is putting in place a living will- living will is important for your care if/when you are medically incapacitated and distribution of assets after your death. An estate plan should clearly define:       Medical instructions including naming a medical power of attorney       How to distribute your assets after your death       Custody of minor children and disabled adults in your care       Special requests for your assets such as naming a caretaker or leaving money for your pet(s). What is an estate Plan? An estate plan is a plan for your well-being if you are medically incapacitated and a plan for ...

Life happens. Families grow, children leave the nest, and parents need home care. If your housing needs are changing, it’s time to consider listing your home and looking for a place better suited to your lifestyle. Do any of these sound like you? You’ve raised your family and it’s time to retire but you’re not sure where to start when it comes to downsizing and finding a 55+ community. You’re expecting your second child and your starter home is a two-bedroom condo that won’t fit your family once the baby is born Your last child is graduating high school and heading off to college, soon and you don't need that big home anymore.   The family is grown but your son, daughter-in-law and toddler need a place to stay to get back on their financial footing after job loss.  Your dad can’t live on his own anymore but he’s not ready for assisted living or your preference is to care for him in your home. If any of these ring true, it’s time to call Beery Realty to help guid...

You’ve worked hard and are close to retiring. You and your spouse would love nothing more than to have a home in the sunny part of the country at least part of the year. Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa are perfect places to consider when buying a second home but don’t rush the decision. Take time to hire the right real estate agent, review your financial situation, and learn about the market before signing on the line. Financial Plan Before you look at housing inventory and mortgage rates, consider your financial plan, including short and long term goals. It might seem like a great idea to have a retirement home in Chandler but can you afford it? It’s worth a conversation with your financial advisor and tax professional. Things to consider include: When do you plan to retire? How much have you saved toward retirement? Do you have a mortgage on your first home? If yes, when will it be paid off? What is your debt payoff plan for consumer and student loan debt? The answers to...