Posts

The history of interest rates have been up and down.

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I am writing this as a "food for thought article" Please take it as that... The history of interest rates have been up and down-- that is their nature. As the economy changes so does the interest rate. It is not a natural thing for either to be up for too long or down too long... it must change with the times.  I think that has been forgotten. in the past 10 years or so-- as a healthy economy needs to grow so does the views about it.  When the stock exchange continues to see new records broke though month after month-- I question the validity.  The American dream has always been (as long as I can remember) to own your own home- to be the person who reaps the benefits of ownership. To control one's life by knowing what your mortgage will be for a lifetime. God Bless America to allow that right of ownership- to allow each citizen the right to have a piece of the american dream.   Below is a chart showing the past interest rate and some comments about what ...

Consider buying a home with a pool? What do you need to know if you are considering it.

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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...

Smart Phones- cheap is not bad anymore!

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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...

Halloween Decor Trends

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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...

Is your house ready for an electric car?

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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...

Multi Sides to Solar--Should You Buyer or Lease Solar Panels?

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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 ...

Are single family homes going the way of the dodo bird?

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  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...