Village at McCormick Ranch Open House Sunday 8/5/18 from 1-4pm

We will be holding an Open House this weekend on Sunday 8/5/18 from 1-4pm in the Villages at McCormick Ranch neighborhood at 9345 N 92nd St #212, Scottsdale, AZ 85258. Call us at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077 if you would like more information. This gorgeous, remodeled condo has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, with a community pool. We hope to see you there.

If you would like to see homes in other Scottsdale neighborhoods such as Grayhawk, McDowell Mountain Ranch, DC Ranch, Gainey Ranch, McCormick Ranch, Desert Mountain, Troon, Sonoran Hills, Desert Ridge, Terravita, etc, let us know. We will send you listings for homes in your area of interest, and schedule showings for access to any homes that you would like to see.

How to Create A Renovation Budget

color pallets photoMany buyers are interested in buying a fixer upper to renovate and turn into their dream home. While it’s an exciting project, it can also be stressful and expensive if you don’t plan ahead, anticipate extra repairs and create a reasonable budget.  Follow these helpful steps for creating a renovation budget and things will go smoothly! 

Set Your Goals

In the beginning, before worrying about budget, write down all the goals you hope to accomplish with your renovation. Decide what is most important to you and be detailed about all the elements you want to change. Having specific goals in mind will help you estimate costs and determine a budget. Having all your goals laid out will let you go back and update things as you figure out what you can realistically afford. 

Professionals and Equipment

Some buyers prefer the D.I.Y route to home renovation, others choose to use a contactor or home designer. Even if you do decide to take on most of the renovation on your own, you may need to hire professionals for more complicated jobs like plumbing or wiring. You’ll also need to determine what equipment you may need to rent or buy. 

Crunch the Numbers

Now that you have your goals in mind and know what professionals and equipment you’ll need, it’s time to figure out your budget. You can do some research online to see the average cost of renovations. Keep in mind that different factors effect cost. For example, costs will vary between different types of materials, fixtures and appliances. It’s always recommended to include a contingency budget, as renovations can sometimes cost more than originally estimated or take more time. 

Get Estimates

Call around to different professionals and ask for cost estimates. Make sure to research professionals and look for reliable reviews online or ask friends and family for references. 

Review and Revise

After deciding on a budget and getting quotes, you’ll need to sit down and go over everything one last time. You may find that you’ll need to revise your budget, hold off on certain projects for another year, or find cost saving measures. 

Home renovation can be a big project to tackle, but with proper preparation this is a great way to turn an older home into something you truly like.  Let us know if you are looking for a home to renovate or flip.  We have access to homes that are not listed in mls!

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Real Estate Terms Every First Time Homebuyer Should Know

chair with dog photoWhen your buying your first home, it’s a big, exciting step.  But, it can also be overwhelming to try to understand the process and all the real estate terminology thrown your way.  Buying your first home should be a great experience, and one way to make that happen is to educate yourself as to what some of the words your agent and mortgage broker will mention mean.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage

An Adjustable Rate Mortgage means that your interest rate will fluctuate throughout the life of your loan. Usually, this type of mortgage has a lower interest rate initially but can go up or down depending on different factors. Adjustable Rate Mortgages are typically meant for short term ownership.

Fixed Rate Mortgage

With a Fixed Rate Mortgage your interest rate will be locked in for the duration of the repayment period. If you plan on owning the home for longer than five years a Fixed Rate Mortgage can be your best option.

Earnest Money

Also known as a “good faith” deposit, Earnest Money is a deposit made by the potential buyer to show they are serious about buying the house. These funds are held by a neutral party and typically put towards closing costs or your down payment at the time of closing.

Contingencies

A contingency is a condition that must be meant before a contract is legal. It is meant to protect the party from liability if certain conditions are not met. One example would be when a buyer specifies that a contract is not binding until a satisfactory home inspection is completed by a reputable home inspector.

Origination Points

Origination Points compensate a lender or loan officer for evaluating, processing and approving your mortgage loan. A point is 1% of your loan amount. Origination point fees are paid at closing.

Are you ready to start your home search?  Click here to create your custom search and receive homes for sale listings.

Why Residents Love Fountain Hills

fountain hills backyard photoIf small town charm is what you’re looking for, Fountain Hills is the place to be! Fountain Hills is a beautiful, safe and quiet community, and is just a short drive away from Phoenix. Ask around, and residents will tell you there are plenty of reasons to love Fountain Hills! Here are just a few reasons you and your family should consider calling Fountain Hills home. 

Great Schools

Fountain Hills has a great school district, with outstanding academic and extracurricular programs. In Fact, according the school district’s website, Fountain Hills was ranked in the top 5% of U.S. News & World Report’s 2016 Best High Schools. 

Saguaro Lake

If your family loves the great outdoors, you’ll find no shortage of beautiful scenery and outdoor adventure in and around Fountain Hills. Saguaro Lake is just twenty minutes from town, and is a popular spot for boating, fishing, picnicking and so much more. You may even be lucky enough to see a bald eagle or desert mountain sheep!

Arts & Culture

With over 150 pieces, Fountain Hills is home to one the largest public collections of art in Arizona! The town offers docent-led, self-guided and private art walk tours. Experience all the beautiful artwork including statues, painting, murals and photography.

There are many more reasons to name… a lot of homes have gorgeous views of vistas and mountains.  It’s a serene and beautiful community with a small town feel that is within a short drive to Scottsdale’s finest shopping and dining.  Cheryl and I are local area real estate experts in Fountain Hills.  We can find you a home that fits you needs and lifestyle.  Just give us a call! 480.754.9477 or 480.754.9077

Click here to learn more about Fountain Hills and view homes for sale

 

Living in Scottsdale: Summertime Family Fun Activities

Summer break is winding down and people look for things to do locally.  This is a good time to get the whole family together and explore your community before school starts up again. It may be hot, but there’s tons of fun to be had in Scottsdale during the warmer months. From community events to desert adventures, we’re sharing our favorite Summer activities in Scottsdale!

Scottsdale ArtWalk

Scottsdale ArtWalk is a long-standing tradition in the community. The ArtWalk takes place every Thursday from 6:30pm – 9pm, in Downtown Scottsdale’s art district. The event gives everyone the opportunity to explore local galleries and artists, while enjoying refreshments, music, carriage rides and more.

Shopping

There’s no shortage of great shopping in Scottsdale, and it’s a great way to beat the heat while finding something special!  Explore local boutiques in Old Town, popular department stores in Scottsdale Fashion Square or unique gift shops in Cave Creek and Carefee. Plus, there are fabulous restaurants around the city to grab a bite in between stores!

Outdoor Adventure Scottsdale

The Northeast Valley has plenty of trails for every fitness level to explore the breath-taking Sonoran Desert. Popular trails include Pinnacle Peak Park and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  Horseback riding is another fantastic summertime activity the whole family is sure to love. MacDonald’s Ranch offers guided horseback rides that let you experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert in an unforgettable way. Go early in the morning.  Don’t forget to wear a hat and bring plenty of water!

Scottsdale Library

The Scottsdale Library hold numerous events during the summer for both children and teens. It’s a great way for you to meet other families in the area and make new friends! Visit the Scottsdale Library website to see a full list of upcoming events.

There’s a ton of things to do all around the valley.  Keep checking our blog as we share tips and info for locals and visitors.

Click here to learn about Scottsdale Neighborhoods.

Village at McCormick Ranch Open House Saturday 7/14/18 from 1-4pm

We will be holding an Open House this weekend on Saturday 7/14/18 from 1-4pm in the Villages at McCormick Ranch neighborhood at 9345 N 92nd St #212, Scottsdale, AZ 85258. Call us at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077 if you would like more information. This gorgeous, remodeled condo has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, with a community pool. We hope to see you there.

If you would like to see homes in other Scottsdale neighborhoods such as Grayhawk, McDowell Mountain Ranch, DC Ranch, Gainey Ranch, McCormick Ranch, Desert Mountain, Troon, Sonoran Hills, Desert Ridge, Terravita, etc, let us know. We will send you listings for homes in your area of interest, and schedule showings for access to any homes that you would like to see.

Phoenix/Scottsdale Real Estate Market July Update – June 2018 Stats

Here is the Phoenix/Scottsdale area Monthly Real Estate Market Report for July 2018, which shows 9,224 homes sold in the month of June compared to 9,569 homes in June 2017. This is a 3.7% decrease for the number homes sold year over year, which is being driven by the lowest inventory of listed homes in the last 5 years. And the market remains strong with the average sale price is up 8.4% year over year, while the amount of listed homes is down by 12.1% to 15,671 from 17,809 in June 2017. Demand continues to remain strong into Summer even with activity constrained by lower inventory. The average days on market is down 9.7% from June 2017 to just 56 days!

Click here to see the full June 2018 Market Report & Statistics

Give us a call or text us at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077 if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home this Summer, as the strong market continues to be good for both buyers and sellers, or if you have questions about this information. And don’t forget to explore our website AzDreamHomesScottsdale.com to see Scottsdale area homes and helpful articles. – Chris & Cheryl Park

Village at McCormick Ranch Open House Saturday 7/7/18 from 1-4pm

We will be holding an Open House this weekend on Saturday 7/7/18 from 1-4pm in the Villages at McCormick Ranch neighborhood at 9345 N 92nd St #212, Scottsdale, AZ 85258. Call us at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077 if you would like more information. This gorgeous, remodeled condo has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, with a community pool. We hope to see you there.

If you would like to see homes in other Scottsdale neighborhoods such as Grayhawk, McDowell Mountain Ranch, DC Ranch, Gainey Ranch, McCormick Ranch, Desert Mountain, Troon, Sonoran Hills, Desert Ridge, Terravita, etc, let us know. We will send you listings for homes in your area of interest, and schedule showings for access to any homes that you would like to see.