Joomla! site syndication http://www.teriellis.com 2008-09-07T11:11:48+01:00 http://www.teriellis.com http://www.teriellis.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png text/html 2008-08-29T00:55:56+01:00 http://www.teriellis.com http://www.teriellis.com/phoenix-valley-homes-blog/buyers-in-arizona-have-a-bill-of-rights-buyers-did-you-know-that.htm I just discovered this really cool document entitled the Home Buyers' Bill of Rights for home buyers and renters in Mesa, Arizona. The Bill of Rights' for consumers in Arizona begins with a statement as follows: THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE, IN COOPERATION WITH INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC, CREATED THIS “BILL OF RIGHTS” TO HELP EDUCATE YOU, THE CONSUMER, OF YOUR RIGHTS WHEN PURCHASING OR RENTING PROPERTY. AS A REAL ESTATE CONSUMER IN ARIZONA, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW MATERIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPERTY. THE FOLLOWING LIST REPRESENTS SOME OF THE IMPORTANT MATERIAL FACTS YOU SHOULD EDUCATE YOURSELF ON BEFORE PURCHASING ANY TYPE OF PROPERTY IN ARIZONA. In an effort to better acquaint home buyers and renters with their rights , I have included a link to the information above, and shared the material below as well. BUYERS AND TENANTS: YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW: If the property is located in an incorporated city or unincorporated part of the county. If title insurance is available and if fire insurance can be acquired. If you will have fire and police protection and, if so, who provides this service. If the roads provide access for fire protection and police service. If the roads are maintained, and by whom. If utilities are available, and who provides them. (Water, Electric, Gas, Sewer, Trash) If the water supply is adequate. If the jurisdiction the property is located in has conservation restrictions and policies. If the property is located in a school district, and the distance to the closest schools. If there are any natural or geological hazards, pests or wildlife. If there are essential services near the property such as grocery and medical services. If there is crime in the area and the crime rate. That you have a right to equal housing opportunity free of discrimination. If the property is affected by a military installation. If there is an Arizona Subdivision Disclosure Report, an Affidavit of Disclosure or a Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement. You should read these disclosure documents before you purchase or rent. THERE MAY BE OTHER ITEMS NOT LISTED ABOVE THAT YOU SHOULD EDUCATE YOURSELF ON BEFORE BUYING OR RENTING PROPERTY. FOR A LARGER LIST, PLEASE REFERENCE THE BUYER’S ADVISORY GUIDE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE. Visit www.AZRE.gov to begin answering your questions! We are here to protect you and the public. The more informed the buyers are here in the Mesa, Arizona and surrounding areas are, the more informed their decisions can be. text/html 2008-08-26T00:02:48+01:00 http://www.teriellis.com http://www.teriellis.com/phoenix-valley-homes-blog/new-earth-fissures-plaguing-pinal-and-maricopa-counties-in-arizona.htm Those of us living in the Phoenix Valley, are well aware of the fissures running throughout various parts of our valley. The Arizona Geological Society has just completed updated maps from April showing new fissures in Queen Creek in Maricopa and Pinal County. I've included a link here (http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/page/image?filename=images/photos/2008/08/22/w909tuo0.gif) for access to the new map. Queen Creek is located in the southeast valley and straddles both county lines. For an indepth story on these newly discovered fissures, I've provided a link to the story provided by the East Valley Tribune just today. An excerpt taken out of the Tribune is quoted below to explain to buyers, sellers, Realtors, just what a fissure is. Fissures are cracks in the earth caused by groundwater pumping. Geological survey officials call them serious geological hazards and say they are found in the valleys of central and south-central Arizona. Pinal County is home to three-quarters of the state's known earth fissures. (http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/123825) Home buyers need to be especially cautious when purchasing in this area. I've included a link to the Arizona Geological Society Fissure site here (http://www.azgs.az.gov/) for Mesa, Chandler Heights, and Scottsdale, etc. Be sure to check it out. text/html 2008-08-23T19:04:35+01:00 http://www.teriellis.com http://www.teriellis.com/phoenix-valley-homes-blog/buyers-do-those-granite-countertops-contain-radon.htm I received an email from a home buyer recently asking me whether I'd heard anything about problematic radon in kitchen granite countertops. I replied that I had not heard, but would do some research. I was surprised when I googled it because there were several articles dealing with that issue, most of them dated July 2008. I searched around and came across an article in snopes.com (http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/granite.asp), the website that provides us with the inside information of whether a rumor is true or not true. Well, it is true; however, I wanted to know if there was a test, or a way to tell whether the granite you have in your home/and in mine, is emitting this radon. This article provides information for inexpensive kits ($20-$30) to determine whether your granite is hot. These kits can be purchased from hardware stores or online as indicated in the article. This is great information for buyers who are considering purchasing a new home into which they will be adding granite, or resale homes with granite. As with many other things in this world, I had no idea. If you google granite countertops radar, you will find a bevy of related articles. text/html 2008-08-19T18:38:32+01:00 http://www.teriellis.com http://www.teriellis.com/phoenix-valley-homes-blog/buyers-beware-some-arizona-builders-experiencing-financial-difficulties.htm The Official Website of the Arizona Department of Real Estate has placed on its website a list of builders experiencing financial difficulties. I've provided a link of the pdf file provided by the Department of Real Estate for those purchasing new homes and for their Realtors! - Builders Experiencing Financial Difficulties (http://www.azre.gov/PUBLIC_INFO/Documents/Homebuilders_In_Trouble.pdf). As Realtors, it's my duty to be informed. This list would is particularly useful for our buyers, this the reason I am posting this on my blog. This is not just happening in Maricopa County, but throughout our state. Yet another good reason for buyers to use the services of a Realtor instead of going out on their own. text/html 2008-05-13T15:44:46+01:00 http://www.teriellis.com http://www.teriellis.com/phoenix-valley-homes-blog/tips-for-new-home-buyers---phoenix-valley---if-you-want-buyer-representation---dont-go-alone.htm As a buyer, have you ever gone into a new home community to look at their models? Did you happen to notice the sign on the door that read something like this: If you come into this community without a Realtor, you will not be able to have Realtor representation, Or if you don't bring your Realtor the first time.... , or Your Realtor must accompany you..... Bottom line, the builder is trying to warn you that if you come into the models without a Realtor, you will be on your own - without personal representation! In the Phoenix Valley, there are so many new home builders with builder agents ready to assist you with your purchase, that it doesn't occur to many homebuyers - that THEY need a professional Realtor to help them with the transaction and purchase of a brand new home. I've listed just some of the reasons I believe that a buyer needs a professional Realtor to help them purchase a resale or new home, or sell their home. For instance: 1. Buyers, are you aware that the agent sitting at the new home site works for and represents the builder? They do not represent you as the buyer. So that means, if there are any misunderstandings or concerns on your part, that you - alone - must work it out - somehow - with the builder. I have sat in many new home sales transactions where the builder's agent will say: I do not represent you - I represent the builder. It's a disclosure to you, the buyer. 2. Are you aware that the builder pays the agent? It has no reflection on what you pay for the home - that commission is paid by the seller (builder) to the buyer (your agent) agent. 3. Are you aware that if you walk into a new subdivision to just check out the models, that you will no longer be able to have buyer representation? Many times, without thought, the looker/buyer signs a little card with their name and address. The builder then keeps track of who has been in their homes. That prevents you from bringing in a Realtor to represent you. 4. Are you familiar with all of the builders, their customary practice, their customer service, the reputation of the builder? Do you think this might be important to you, the buyer? 5. Are you aware, as a buyer, that the builder has their own contract? It is not the one that has been sanctioned and is used by the Arizona Association of Realtors and is used always or almost always, on a resale contract. Many builder contracts (most) are slanted to favor the builder - not the buyer. 6. Do you know what a Public Report is - and why it might be important to you to read before committing to build a home with that builder in that area? 7. Have you ever read/looked at the CC R's before you sign a contract.....do you think it might be important to know what the rules are for that community? 8. How about your earnest deposit? Colorized fee? Are they refundable to you if you don't qualify, or if things change drastically before you're ready to move in. 9. Does the builder accept a contingency - meaning that they are willing to let you start building a home while you are in the process of selling your home? What if your home that you are selling does not sell, or if it doesn't close as planned? What are your options? 10. Are you financing through the builder - or your own lender - and do you shop for your loan instead of just accepting the builder's incentives? Bottom line: if you are not a professional Realtor, and familiar with the basics of building a new home, your rights, your remedies - never mind the recommendations made by a Realtor as to the areas that could be affected by potential freeways, potential growth, etc., then my suggestion: find yourself a professional who you feel comfortable with, trust, and one that knows the builders, the areas, and will be of assistance to you in deciding which floorplan and why, how many bedrooms, garage size, lot size and location, etc. The market is turning. Don't wait too long because many of the builders are offering great incentives to buy their homes. Granite countertops, appliances, landscaping, and huge discounts for their inventory homes. Call me.......I'll be happy to help you find your next home - and list the one you live in, marketing it all over the internet as well as the MLS. Today, May 13, we have 54,329 active listings (many of these are not in Maricopa or Pinal County), as well as 7,320 currently pending - or under contract. Every day, the active listings are going down, and the pending are going up. What does this mean for you? Probably never a better time than now to buy a home or a rental! Many experts believe that it will be a long time - if ever - that our market will be any better for a buyer. Interest rates are low, there are many availabile listings, and the sellers typically will negotiate! New homes are available with many builders offering incentives of granite, appliance, yard landscaping and great loans........don't be one of those who waits to see how low it will go before you make your move. That's when everyone else will be making it as well, and the bargains will have disappeared. Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToSunnyAz, or AzLadyInRed.com, for photos of models, floorplans, new construction, resale and more.