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Showing posts from 2021

December Market Update 2021

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Here's what we're seeing in the market these days:  With buyers and sellers focused on the holidays, the downward trend we are seeing is very common for this time of year. Although the numbers (in terms of inventory) and sales price are not in favor of buyers, hopefully buyers will see some new and rising inventory just around the corner (January/February). On a positive note for buyers, this is still an amazing time for buyers to take advantage of record low interest rates especially with the Federal Reserve acknowledging that they plan to raise rates (more than once) in the upcoming year. 2022 is forecasted to be a seller’s market, albeit a weaker one than we have seen in 2021. Sellers should continue to avoid overpricing their homes because numbers indicate a direct correlation between overpriced listings to higher concessions to buyers and higher days on the market. Overall, Arizona is still seeing record numbers in the real estate market and experts do not see

Tips to get your home staged to sell- 2021

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 In this day and age- with HGTV and all the fuss made about homes it is so important to have your home staged... so here are a few tips from the pros to get the most bang for your buck!   Maximize Curb Appeal Getting them through the front door starts at the curb. Manicure the lawn, trim the trees and shrubs. Pull weeds and plant some colorful flowers. Clear the walkways. Fix peeling paint and wind up that hose. Paint the address number on the curb. Make Repairs to Visible Blemishes Is there something that’s an eyesore, but an easy fix? If looking at it bothers you, it could bother a potential buyer and reduce the appeal of your home. Replace burnt out light bulbs, fix that loose door handle, make needed paint touch-ups. Make a Buyer’s Entrance Inviting Freshly paint the front door with a color that contrasts the house. Add a new welcome mat. Hang a fresh wreath on the door. Let the Light Shine In Removing heavy window coverings to let in the natural light we all crave. Add lamps to br

Steps After a Home Inspection- What You Need to Know!

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There’s nothing as exciting as finding the perfect home. From the right number of bedrooms to a spacious yard, finding a house that satisfies your standards can have you eager to call it home sweet home. However, excitement can turn to distress if the home inspection report turns up needed repairs. But don’t fret—you can negotiate. Use the information in this blog to better understand the process and prepare questions for your real estate agent. The inspection process  Home inspections are an essential part of the home buying process. They can help you uncover potential problems and address these issues in a timely and efficient way so you can focus on moving into your new home. Most inspections focus on: Appliances & Mechanical  Structural aspects & Pool Electrical & Plumbing  HVAC system Drainage & Termites Roof & attic All done as a visual inspection, if items are called out then we always recommend getting the correct trade in to verify what issu

Top Things a Seller Should Consider Before Selling a Home or Condo.

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A successful home sale, considered by many owners, is to maximize their proceeds in the shortest time with the least inconveniences.  Just because it is a seller's market doesn't mean that homeowners can shortcut some of the steps that make it happen and they certainly need to avoid commonly made mistakes. Pricing too high Low inventory and high demand have contributed to the rising prices of homes.  NAR reports that the median sales price is up 17.8% in the past year and CoreLogic recently released data that July set new record growth of 18% year over year.  This might give sellers a false sense of security about overpricing their home Pricing a home too high initially can limit activity, attract the wrong buyers and ultimately, cause the home to realize a lower price than optimum.  There is an interesting dynamic that takes place when there is a shortage of homes to show, and a new home hits the market.  Buyers, who have been in the market but not purchased yet, w

How to pass a home inspection

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW TO HELP PASS A HOME INSPECTION AND AVOID DELAYS HIGH COST LAST MINUTE TRAPS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WHEN LISTING A HOME *Utilities are on the day of the inspection - water, electricity, gas, etc. *Lock box codes or arrangements are provided to access the inside of the property before the day of the inspection *Grade or surrounding surfaces slope away from the house foundation on all sides *Exterior surfaces – driveway, walkways, porch, patio and other accesses are not cracked with significant separation or displacement *Vegetation is trimmed or planted away from the house foundation, wall surface and roof cover *Exterior trim building material is free of deterioration, rot and sealed to the wall surface. *The roof covering has been serviced within the last 3 years and has no obvious damage *Exterior windows are not cracked, vandalized or missing and seals are functional.  *Water heating tank does not have visible corrosion or staining at the unit, pipe

April Market stats

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**April's Monthly Market Update   Active Listings have decreased by 70.2%. Listings Under Contract have increased by 29.6%.  Monthly Median Sales Prices have increased by 18.1%.  Closed Sales are up by 16%  This is all due to the current lack of supply on the market which is now at 0.4 months.  WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO THE TYPICAL HOMEOWNER??? NOW IS THE TIME TO SELL YOUR HOME!!! We have a program that allows you to buy your next home without a contingency.  Just ask us about it!  *Buyers: With 54% of all sales closed over asking price so far in April, the average sale price per square foot is now higher than the list price for every price range up to $1M. In a balanced market, homes typically sell within 97% of list price; that percentage is now 101%. This means that, for the past month or so, the majority of list prices have been the starting price for where negotiations begin instead of a top price to work down from. In past extreme seller markets, $5,000 over asking

Outdoor Structures Make enhance your backyard!

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  Although it’s barely spring, summer is right around the corner. And nothing says summer like better outdoor spaces to play and work in! Now is the time to plan and install outdoor structures so you can spend the hottest days of the year taking advantage of the breeze and shade, while still being able to spend time in the great outdoors. A Short List of Outdoor Structures Outdoor structures offer endless possibilities when it comes to sizes, shapes, construction materials, and intended uses. However, there are a few that are hardcore backyard staples, to the point that some might argue a home is completely bare without them. Of course, the outdoor structures you choose will depend greatly on how you use your home, but here’s a short list to get you started. Patio covers. Already have a patio, but the sun’s putting the kibosh on your outdoor plans? It’s time for a patio cover. These very simple structures are essentially a roof for your patio, designed to seamlessly marry with your exi

Spring promises an exciting season in housing

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 March of 2020 saw the new spring market grind to a halt as COVID-related shutdowns and fear swept the country. Subsequently, real estate agents and brokers developed new and innovative ways to serve clients in the process of buying and selling their homes, paving the way for one of the most active and extended market recoveries in recent memory. Now, as the 2021 spring market gears up, it is a good time to think through your preparations to ensure that you are ready for what lies ahead. In the Phoenix market we never slowed down, so this spring seems like an extension PLUS of 2020.  As you prepare, here are the things you need to know to make the most of what promises to be an exciting spring selling season.  Technology is still essential The adoption of new platforms and processes allowed real estate professionals to continue to serve their clients throughout the darkest days of the pandemic. For many clients, there is still an expectation that virtual tours and contact-free transact

Mid month Market Report

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  End of January  Pricing Update and Forecast Each month about this time we look back at the previous month, analyze how pricing has behaved and report on how well our forecasting techniques performed. We also give a forecast for how pricing will move over the next month. For the monthly period ending January 15, we are currently recording a sales $/SF of $214.92 averaged for all areas and types across the ARMLS database. This is up 3.0% from the $208.70 we now measure for December 15. Our forecast range mid-point was $212.50, with a 90% confidence range of $208.25 to $216.75. Prices rebounded sharply from the brief lull in early December and came in $2.42 higher than we forecast. However the actual result was well within the 90% confidence interval. On January 15 the pending listings for all areas & types show an average list $/SF of $218.10, up 2.2% from the reading for December 15. Among those pending listings we have 98.8% normal, 0.5% in REOs and 0.7% in short sales and