Monthly Archives: March 2012

Random Real Estate Tip of the Day

When financing a home purchase remember not to make any major purchases (cars, furniture, etc.) until AFTER you have closed escrow and moved in to your new abode.

Major purchases can effect your credit and therefore your ability to qualify for a home loan. Your credit is generally run when you initially qualify for a home loan and again just before closing.

I know you are excited to decorate and furnish your new home, but please make sure to purchase responsibly! After all, what good is all that pretty furniture without a home to put it in?

 

7 Savy Tips for Choosing a Real Estate Agent

Here are 7 savy tips to consider before choosing your next Real Estate Agent-

1. Check with their local real estate board to see if the agent has any complaints against them. If so, what were the complaints about?

2. Ask the agent to supply testimonials from clients they worked with in the past who are not family members. Ask to call these clients and have a brief conversation with them about the agent. Who would know the agents work ethic better than a past client?

3. Ask about their marketing plan for your property. How do they intend to sell your home? Make sure they are proactive and not planning on just listing it on the MLS and hoping for offers.

4. Find out what motivates the agent. Are they simply in it for money? Do they enjoy helping people? Are they trying to corner the market on your neighborhood? Have they not eaten in two weeks?

5. Here is a big tell- how fast do they respond to your calls and emails? Hopefully they do not leave you hanging over night before getting back to you.

6. Use a free agent referral service such as www.WeKnowAgents.com. This service will identify, interview and introduce you to top agents in any market across the country.

7. Is that “Mega Agent” going to pass you off to their less experienced team member? Don’t be fooled by big marketing campaigns and think you are going to work directly with the “Mega Agent.” They are far too busy on the golf course.

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5 Quick Fixes Before Selling Your Home

There are certain basic improvements any home seller should make to their property before putting it up on the market. The trick is to make minor improvements while not investing a large sum of money. Here are some fixes you should consider before selling your home:

1. Curb appeal. A buyers first impression is crucial in the sale of real estate. Pull weeds, trim overgrown shrubs, cut the grass. Perhaps consider repainting the trim or house numbers to sharpen your curb appeal.

2. Fix missing roof shingles. Problematic roofs are a huge turn off to potential buyers. Have a roofer come out to match and replace missing tiles or shingles. You do not want a faulty roof when it comes time to negotiate pricing!

3. Patch nail holes and repaint. A very inexpensive fix that keeps the buyers eyes away from these eye level eye-sores.

4. What’s that smell? Consider steam cleaning carpet and furniture to reduce that “lived in” smell. If you have a smoker or cat, you may want to consider repainting certain areas a neutral color in addition to steam cleaning.

5. Repair leaks. Water damage and leaks are a huge red flag to potential buyers. Fix leaky faucets and toilets. Buyers will probably inspect these items on their first visit if they are serious about the property.

These quick fixes will improve your chances of getting top dollar for your property.

Phoenix, AZ Median Home Prices

Phoenix median sales prices

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Median Scottsdale Home Prices

Scottsdale median sales prices

Priciest Home Sales in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley

An owner of a refrigerated-services company, a former CEO of a company that owned the most Burger King franchises in the U.S., an owner of a concrete company in Washington state and investors from Chicago are among the buyers and sellers in this week’s priciest home sales in the Scottsdale/Paradise Valley area surrounding Phoenix.

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$5,350,000

LAL Scottsdale LLC, an Arizona limited-liability company in Omaha, Neb., whose managing member is Lance Larsen, paid cash for a new home on the south side of the Desert Highlands Golf Club in Scottsdale. Lance S. Larsen is president and owner of Millard Refrigerated Services, the second-largest refrigerated-warehouse and distribution company in the United States. The home was sold by Vern Bennett as manager of Colco LLC, a member of HCA investment LLC, a Washington state LLC.

$4,620,000

Matthew Hulsizer and his wife, Jennifer Just, paid cash for a 16,105-square-foot home built in 2001 on the east side of the Whisper Rock Golf Club in Scottsdale. Along with his wife, Hulsizer is a co-founder of Peak6 Investments, an option-trading and risk-management firm in Chicago. Hulsizer is CEO and Jennifer is chief administrative officer. Hulsizer, a former college hockey player, withdrew a bid to acquire the Phoenix Coyotes last summer. The home was sold by William H. Gibbs.

$3,700,000

Sara J. Jaro, as trustee of the Sarah J. Jaro 2003 Trust, paid cash for a new home on the western edge of the Silverleaf Club in Scottsdale. Her husband, Lawrence E. Jaro, was chief executive officer of AmeriKing, doing business as the National Restaurant Enterprises in Westchester, Ill., which at one time was one of the largest holders of Burger King franchises in the country with more than 100 in the Chicago area alone. The home was sold by Anthony and Rebecca Salcito, as trustees of their 2006 trust. Anthony J. Salcito Jr. is vice president and co-owner of Salcito Custom Homes and managing member of Discount Disposal Services, both in Scottsdale.

$3,300,000

Ty and Stacie Reoh purchased a 8,722-square-foot home built in 2009 at Troon Canyon Estates on the east side of Troon Mountain in Scottsdale. Ty Reoh is the owner of Superior Concrete in Lake Stevens, Wash. The home, which has a 1,300-square-foot pool, was sold by DHB Real Estate, whose sole member is New York Community Bancorp.

$2,745,000

Matthew and Kristina Carter, as trustees of the Carter Family Revocable Trust, bought a 7,274-square-foot home with pool built in 2000 at Kensington Estates in Paradise Valley. Matthew Carter is a partner at Ironwood Investment Counsel, a wealth and investment firm in Scottsdale. The home was sold by Mills and Loretta Brown, as trustees of their 1996 trust. Mills Brown is a partner and principal of Ross Brown Partners in Phoenix, a commercial real-estate company. In 1992, Mills and a partner purchased Valley Dodge and changed its name to Performance Dodge LLC. They continue to operate the dealership.

- Researched by John McLean and the Information Market (via AZcentral)

We Know Agents!

If you live outside of Arizona and need to find a Realtor look no further than www.weknowagents.com! My team created WeKnowAgents.com to help home buyers and sellers find quality agents in any location in the United States, even abroad in some cases.

If you are looking for a quality agent be sure to visit www.weknowagents.com. We identify, interview and introduce you to top Realtors anywhere in the country. Best of all our services are free!

Do not be fooled by mega real estate agents who have excellent marketing campaigns. You will simply be passed to their less knowledgeable staff. Let us interview agents for you to ensure you will receive top quality service and representation. And if you do live in Arizona let us take care of you!

www.weknowagents.com

 

The Broken Windows Theory Applied to Real Estate

In criminology there is a theory about broken windows in lower socio-economic neighborhoods. The theory states that monitoring and maintaining urban environments in a well maintained order can lead to a decrease in overall crime.

For example, it is accepted in most theoretical circles that a house with broken windows is more likely to have more windows broken than a house with no broken windows. This can escalate to other crimes such as vandalism, trespassing and further criminal damage if the broken windows are not repaired.

The same thing goes for tagging graffiti. If a community is vandalized by taggers and they chose to do nothing, i.e. cover the tagging, it can empower the taggers who may escalate their criminal behavior because they know the neighborhood does not care.

The next time you are searching for a home pay attention to homes and businesses with broken windows and vandalism. What does it tell you about the community you may be soon a part of? If the neighborhood does not care about a few broken windows or graffiti, they certainly do not care about property values.

As a side note, if you see graffiti in your neighborhood contact your local municipality. Most cities have some type of graffiti removal department. It is imperative that graffiti be removed within 24 hours in order to send a message to taggers that they are not welcome in your neighborhood.

 

What’s a Real Estate Cop?

For several years I have been working in the real estate field as just another face in the crowd- another agent who promises great service, knowledge and strong negotiating skills. Even though i’ve always had a steady stream of clients who have been very pleased with my representation, I never did anything to stand apart from my competition.

Let’s face it, most agents do a great job. Most agents will provide great service and representation. I felt the need to stand apart from most agents by offerring something more. Enter, my day job.

I am a police officer, actually, a homicide detective. I got into law enforcement for many of the same reasons I got into real estate- I enjoy helping people. When I first meet new clients I always mention my day job. I want them to be comfortable around me and I want them to know I take my real estate career just as seriously as my law enforcement career.

I don’t know about you, but if I were to move to another state I would want an agent who could tell me a little more than “that’s a great neighborhood.” Call or email me if you want the truth about your next move in the Phoenix area.