Not all real
estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark
that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of...
I
don't know that I ever did the "Black Friday" thing, but I guess lots
do. On the news last evening, there were tons of people sitting in line
at Best Buy (since Tuesday night) in order to catch a good deal! WOW!!!
I guess if...
Each
year, I am asked the question about the advisability of listing a home
during the holidays! My answer is always a resounding 'YES'. During
this period of time, we have many coming to Phoenix and Mesa
to visit...
In the last month, I have heard of two instances where a tenant signs a lease, pays a deposit, and then moves into their home - only to find out months later, that the rent they have paid to the landlord has not been paid to the lender;...
Things are definitely looking up for our market. Keeping in mind
that 6 months is considered a healthy market, I am enclosing a graph of
Inventory and Solds in our entire MLS as well as a graph depicting our
inventory and solds as of...
Not all real
estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark
that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here’s why
it pays to work with a REALTOR®
1. Navigate a complicated process. Buying or selling a home usually
requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance
policies, deeds, and multipage settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert
will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.
2. Information
and opinions. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning,
schools, and more. They’ll also be able to provide objective information about
each property. A professional will be able to help you answer these two
important questions: Will the property provide the environment I want for a
home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready
to sell?
3. Help finding
the best property out there. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not
actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your REALTOR®
to find all available properties.
4. Negotiating
skills. There are many
negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date
of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings, or
equipment. In addition, the purchase agreement should provide a period of time
for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property
before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to
which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
5. Property marketing power. Real estate doesn’t sell due to
advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the
result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals,
friends, and family. When a property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®,
you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally
prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
6. Someone who speaks the language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD,
you can understand why it’s important to work with a professional who is
immersed in the industry and knows the real estate language.
7. Experience. Most people buy and sell only a few
homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. Even
if you have done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS®, on the
other hand, handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of
their career. Having an expert on your side is critical.
8. Objective voice. A home often symbolizes family,
rest, and security — it’s not just four walls and a roof. Because of this, homebuying
and selling can be an emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the
biggest purchase they’ll every make. Having a concerned, but objective, third
party helps you stay focused on both the emotional and financial issues most
important to you.
On a side note, I am familiar with new homes and builders in the Phoenix Valley.
I
don't know that I ever did the "Black Friday" thing, but I guess lots
do. On the news last evening, there were tons of people sitting in line
at Best Buy (since Tuesday night) in order to catch a good deal! WOW!!!
I guess if I had to wait in line to feed my family, then I would
consider such an action, but to get a "deal?"
While at the doctor's the other day, the girl who was getting me
ready for the doctor was all excited about: going at 4:00 in the
morning tomorrow to get a deal. She told me that she had witnessed
people grabbing things out of the hands of others, etc. She was so
excited! I told her I would see her next time to see how she made out.
WOW! Now that would be interesting, huh? Fly on the wall might be fun. ;-)
I found some good links for searching for deals online before you brave the myriad mobs on Black Friday:
Okay, now if that isn't enough information, how about "Cyber Monday?"
Yep, on the Monday after Thanksgiving, online retailers offer many of the same deals offered by stores on Black Friday. This is often the same merchandise for the same prices....but you get to stay home and shop. Check out these web sites:
Each
year, I am asked the question about the advisability of listing a home
during the holidays! My answer is always a resounding 'YES'. During
this period of time, we have many coming to Phoenix and Mesa
to visit their loved ones or to get warm-er for the holidays. Many
decide they love the climate and surroundings, decide to go and visit
open houses, and/or preview homes, and decide to either purchase a
winter home or a permanent home.
Another good reason to list a home during the holidays is: many
sellers and their agents feel that they'd like to be free of the hassel
of showing their homes during the holidays, thus less competition.
Typically in the middle of January, our Phoenix Valley and Mesa, Arizona listing numbers jump up!! Why not get a head start?
In the last month, I have heard of two instances where a tenant signs a lease, pays a deposit, and then moves into their home - only to find out months later, that the rent they have paid to the landlord has not been paid to the lender; therefore, a Notice of Trustee's Sale is delivered to the owner. 30 days before the Trustee's Sale, a notice is posted or mailed to the present tenant notifying them they have 30 days to move. Gone is the deposit and tenant must find a new place to land within 30 days.
This is absolutely ridiculous, and I, for one, am trying to figure out a way to prevent this from happening. The tenants should be able to receive notification of payments being made to the lender. Must I - include in the lease - a stipulation that the tenants are privy to the lender information? There must be a way to protect these tenants.
What will the crooks think of next?
Please tenants, protect yourself. Do your research....work with a reputable homeowner or property management company. Beware of the unscrupulous ground huggers out there just waiting to rip you off!
How do I "really" feel about this? Greed has gotten way out of hand.
Things are definitely looking up for our market. Keeping in mind
that 6 months is considered a healthy market, I am enclosing a graph of
Inventory and Solds in our entire MLS as well as a graph depicting our
inventory and solds as of September 30, 2008:
I love this stuff 'cause it helps me get a feel of what is really
going on. Yes, we still have REO's and Short Sales, but things WILL
improve, and in, fact, by the looks of these numbers, IS. ;-)
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and decide to either purchase a
winter home or a permanent home.
tenant notifying them they have 30 days to move. Gone is the deposit and tenant must find a new place to land within 30 days.
