Buy or Sell Homes in South East Valley of Arizona

So many times, I have had folks come to Arizona and say, “I would like a home with a pool”.   Before you go that route, please think.   Because after about 2-3 years those same people come to me and ask me to sell their home because they are tired of being a slave to the pool.   When decided to move to Arizona, you will see a lot of homes have a pool out here, but here are a few things to consider when buying a home with a pool.   ·           If the pool is heated, you can have all year enjoyment. But usually it is heated by electrical and that will jump your bill up about $200.0/$400 a month. (depending on how much you heat it)    ·           If the pool is not heated, then you will most likely not use it for only about 6-7 months of the year (typical usage is from May through September), depending on your tolerance of colder water. But wi...

Don't Be Afraid of Buying Budget Phones Anymore For the past few years, the smartphone flagship wars have pushed phone technology to new highs. And what goes up, must come down, which means that technology for less-expensive phones gets better. In fact, the processor chipset used in Google's Pixel 1 is no longer available, even though the phone is only 3 years old. A 3-year-old flagship phone is now surpassed by most affordable phones on the market. What this means is that a budget-minded consumer now can buy a phone for $300 that outperforms a phone that once sold for $650 at release. There's no more "settling" for a budget phone because they outperform phones of recent vintage. Once upon a time, smartphones were slow and reluctant to respond to more than a single press of the finger on an app. Trying to switch apps quickly or process a command ate up precious time. The solution was to spend a lot of money on a high-end smartphone and deal with the fa...

Decorating for Halloween is a tradition that many families take part in year after year. As with most traditions, though, the decorating trends that dominate Halloween change from time to time. Giant inflatables and laser light shows were all the rage just a few years ago, but now things are starting to shift a bit more toward subtle. The over-the-top Halloween decorating style will likely never fully go away, of course; there’s at least one house in every town that goes all out with its display and people always love it. If you’re looking for something simpler (and easier on the power bill), here are a few trendy options to keep in mind. Candles With the right candleholders, basic white candles can add a spooky ambiance that hearkens back to older Halloween traditions. Specialty candles are available that are carved to look like bones or horns as well. No need to go overboard with effects-candles, such as those that “bleed” when lit; just a few tapers burned to different lengt...

While they aren’t quite dominating the automotive market just yet, electric vehicles are definitely seeing a rise in popularity. More and more consumers are embracing the vehicles as a stylish and more environmentally friendly way to get around, and charging stations are starting to appear in places such as hotels, rest stops and even shopping centers. There’s definitely a market for electric cars out there, and it’s growing. If you’ve considered an electric vehicle before, you should stop and ask yourself if you’re actually ready for one. Here are 2 things to consider: (This isn’t a trick question or a suggestion that electric cars are somehow superior; it’s a legitimate question that you’ve probably never given a thought to). 1.) Electric vehicles need to be plugged in and charged somewhere, so you need to figure out whether your house is  actually  ready for an electric car. 2.) They cost more upfront, so your monthly payment is going to be more—will that out w...

The cost of solar panels has come down greatly in recent years, prompting more homeowners to consider going solar. Properly sized panels can slash energy expenses by 50% or more and generate extra income during peak months. These are just two of many benefits of adding solar panels to your home. One of the first decisions you must make is whether to buy or lease the panels. What Are the Advantages of Leasing Solar Panels? Solar panel leases offer many advantages, including: No upfront cost. Solar panels cost tens of thousands of dollars to install, even with a decrease in manufacturing and installation costs. Therefore, many homeowners who would benefit from lowered utility expenses do not have enough money to buy panels outright. Leasing puts solar panels within everyone's reach. Some utility savings. Depending on the company you choose to lease panels from, you will receive a 10% to 20% reduction on your electricity costs. While the savings are not as great as when you ...

  Now if you know me, I am not one to cry the sky is falling, but I can see a troubling trend that I feel must be said.  **This blog is a bit long- but hopefully will make you think.**  Many buyers are wondering where to find houses for sale in today’s market. It’s a true dilemma. We see an increase in buyer demand, but the supply available for purchase isn’t keeping up. There is so much construction that you see all over the valley, but a majority of it is multifamily housing, not single-family homes. So, is that a good thing, or a bad thing?   Well depend on where you are at in your life, and your needs the answer varies. Starting out in life, a condo is better than an apt, because you are building equity and not paying someone else mortgage.   But as you get married, and your family grows, you may want to trade that urban condo in for a single-family home, so you kids can play in the backyard and you have more space.   I f your kids have al...

Having plants on a patio or up a walkway can be delightful and welcoming.  But it can be tough caring for potted plants during the scorching summer 🥵Here are a few tips to help you succeed.   Remember they may need to be watered two time a day to keep up with the evaporation that is happening.  Here are some great tips!  Pot up. Transplanting into larger containers will increase rooting space and provide a larger reservoir for moisture. Use a quality potting mix, and consider adding water-holding crystals to the soil mix.⁣ ⁣ Raise up. Place rubber spacers or shims underneath your pot to lift it up off the ground and prevent the heat from your pavers, concrete or gravel radiating up into the pot. ⁣ ⁣ Group containers. Groupings not only look better, but also allow the pots to shade each other, decreasing the amount of sun that hits their sides, thus reducing evaporation and unnecessary water loss.⁣ ⁣ Move pots to cooler locations. Place con...

1. Your neighbors. Most homeowners contemplating selling their homes understand the importance of well-kept neighboring homes. Many a buyer has pulled up to an amazing house, viewed it, and left shaking their head with woe, saying great house, but I can’t live here.   On the flip side, your neighbors themselves - not just the homes, but the people - can actually help sell your home. Many homeowners know people who want to live in their neck of the woods; this is one reason many seasoned real estate professionals hold their listings open to neighbors and send out postcards to neighbors announcing the listing - the neighbors might know people who are interested in your home! It’s a good idea, if and when you decide to list your home for sale, to touch base with neighbors you know and let them know; it’s in their best interests to get good new neighbors, so they might be able to go the extra mile in showing the neighborhood’s biggest asset - themselves - off to its best ad...

Elaine Beery 480-570-1912 Here, and well, just when you think mortgage rates can't go much lower-they do! If you are on the fence thinking of buying a home, this would be considered the "Perfect Storm". Low home prices, coupled with very low interest rates, and throw in required down payment to be in some cases only $1,000..it just can't get any better! Call for details or For the rest of the story click; http://ping.fm/Bi9sx 30 Elaine Beery 480-570-1912 Direct 480-248-2826 Fax Elaine@BeeryRealty.com www.BeeryRealty.com www.Shortsales-Elaine.blogspot.com

The goal for any home seller is to sell a property quickly at the best price for the market. Here are six characteristics that will help home sellers succeed. 1. Realistic Expectations  Real estate agents do not pluck listing prices out of thin air. Every price range they recommend to potential home sellers is the result of meticulous research: of the property, the neighborhood and the current real estate market. Most of the factors that affect a property's saleability―location, interest rates, the local job market―are outside the seller's control. Other things, such as the condition of the home and how it is presented, are within the seller's control. Highly effective home sellers address the things they can control and accept the things they cannot. You might not like what the market is saying, but it doesn’t lie. 2. Flexibility A flexible home seller is open to suggestions. Listen to your agent and heed his or her advice regarding pricing the home for sale, m...

Inventory is the story for the greater Phoenix real estate market in July.  Active listings were down 4.1% to 15,442.  The median price continues to rise, up 4.1% to $279,000. Lack of inventory continues to squeeze buyers, especially below $200,000. And now buyers looking for something between $200,000 and $250,000 are having a difficult time too, as new listings in this price range were down a whopping 15.1%! Fortunately, interest rates are still favorable, with 30-year loans at 3.75% with .5 points, down .78% from one year ago (Freddie Mac, 07/11/2019). In their July/2019 report, Freddie Mac says: “The recent stabilization in mortgage rates reflects modestly improving U.S. economic data and a more accommodative tone from the Federal Reserve to respond to the rising downside economic risk from trade tensions and soft global economic data. On the housing front, the latest weekly purchase application data suggests homebuyer demand continues to rise, which is co...

Why find someone trained to do this? For the same reason you find a specialist when you need a doctor. I have earned my RCS-D and other destinations that help in knowing the ins and outs and to understand the needs and have the team in place to get the job done! In Arizona--The family home is usually the most significant asset in divorce and elder mediation or the passing of a loved one, often with significant debt but not always.  However, appraisal minus mortgage does NOT equal actual equity. This incomplete equation leaves your house over-valued and that works against you in family mediation for divorce and elder matters. Don’t settle for a bad property settlement. In addition to the inaccurate and unfair division of your property, you risk damaged credit, default, foreclosure or even bankruptcy.  Remember all those documents you signed when you bought the house? Most are missing when mediating that same house. My team and I  provide free help to gathe...

FHA Kiddie Condo Program In Arizona, the FHA kiddie condo program is a popular option with Arizona parents who have kids going to college. The FHA kiddie condo program is really just a regular FHA loan with a nickname “Kiddy Condo” mainly because it is used for these college-aged-kids situations.  It could also be used for a home for older parents as well. With prices so low and interest rates historically low, this could make sense for quite a few people!! The term “Kiddy Condo” is just a nickname. Highlights of The FHA Kiddie Condo Loan Program Include: The Kiddie Condo loan program is offered by the FHA, and it is designed to provide a way to help young adults purchase their first homes. This program can be very beneficial to you if you qualify. Here are the basics of the Kiddie Condo loan program. The Kiddie Condo Loan This is a program that is designed to be for parents and their young adult children. The child is going to want to purchase a home, and the pa...

Residential real estate in greater Phoenix continues to see price appreciation, driven by modest personal pay increases and falling interest rates.  Current 30-year conventional loans are 3.82% with .5 points. (Fannie Mae, June 2019)    Further, the Federal Reserve is now forecasting a drop in rates through next year with many Wall Street analysts predicting three reductions of ¼ point each over the next 12 months.   Why the change in rate forecast? Late last year, signs of a significant slowing in the U.S. (and global) economies began to emerge.  The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had slowed, and forecasts were predicting continued slowing over the next several months.  Also, the U.S. found itself in a significant trade dispute with China (and for a brief time, Mexico), and trade disputes are almost never good for global economic growth.  With the economy significantly slowing, the Fed announced its intent to change its forecast of approximatel...

In our  East Valley Real Estate Investor  article, we talk about a fictional man named Carl who has owned four homes since 1999. The homes were built in the 1970’s and the mortgage on each home is $650. Carl charges tenants $750 per month, well below the $1300-1800 market rate for rental homes in the area. When the air conditioner in one home needs to be replaced, Carl has no choice but to finance it. This creates more debt on what should be a cash flow investment. He is in a real bind and his family is asking him if it is time to sell the investment property. While fictional, this scenario represents a lot of investors who haven’t managed their properties and end up in a different financial position than they had likely intended. When is it time to sell the investment property? The reality for Carl is that it may make sense to sell at least one of the four homes. Because the homes have not been renovated, he may not get market rate on the sale but will still likely have...

There’s nothing simple about getting divorced. Whether you’re going to court or mediation, the end of a marriage costs time, money, and resources. When it comes to real estate and other investments, there are a number of considerations to be made. Where will you live? Where will your ex live? What do you do with the family home? This, along with other financial questions, are important as your life transitions. Before Divorce - What do you need to do with your finances? In her article  Financial Planning Strategies for Divorce , Gilbert, Arizona Financial Advisor Shanna Tingom of Heritage Financial Strategies, reminds couples to make sure they have access to all financial documentation including bank and credit card statements, retirement and other investment account balances, receipts from up to five years, and deeds to real estate, along with a credit report, and update beneficiaries on all accounts. Keep in mind your credit isn’t directly impacted by divorce, or marriag...