Why You Should Use an Agent vs. For Sale by Owner

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coming soon for saleBuying or selling your home is a major and oftentimes emotional life decision. It’s also one that is best handled by a professional real estate agent that knows the ins and outs of the industry. While it might seem like a smart idea to save that 6 percent commission, here are some reasons why it can greatly benefit you to work with an agent.

Expertise: Real estate agents are not only knowledgeable about your home and its value, they’re also in tune with the rest of the market and are able to leverage local knowledge while conducting negotiations on your behalf. While selling a home is an emotional experience, real estate agents can look at the transaction from an unbiased point of view and determine the value and marketing strategy best suited for your home and the real estate market. They’re also able to help guide you in the best way to modify your home for sale without wasting money on modifications that may not boost your home’s value.

Marketing: Marketing your home online is not as easy as you might think. Real estate, like any other industry, involves a background and expertise in marketing. This involves brochures, advertisements in both print and digital, and having a vast network of potential buyers that are looking for homes like yours. Real estate agents have access to tools and networks that

Access to Legitimate Buyers: It’s not only important to find qualified buyers that are interested in your home, professional real estate agents are knowledgeable in a potential buyer’s credit-worthiness, their financial history and can also verify buyers with all cash offers. This is crucial in ensuring your home is properly and legally sold with no financial mistakes.

Incentivizes Buyers: You may not realize it, but listing agents also get 3 percent commission once their buyers purchase your home. This can sometimes be an incentivizing reason for buyer’s agents to show your home, and can increase the number of showings you have. If you list your home for sale by owner, you are likely not attracting as many potential buyers as you could.

Contact us next time you consider selling or buying a home. We can offer guidance, expertise and local area knowledge that you never knew you needed to sell your home successfully. Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Back to School!

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back to schoolSummer vacation was fun, but it’s time to get the kids back to school! Here are some tips for a fun first day back to school and tips for a successful school year.

1st Day of School Traditions

  • Hold a first day photo shoot. Keep the mood fun by suggesting silly faces or letting the family pet join in. Keeping the camera snapping after school and capture your child stepping off the school bus in the afternoon.
  • Bury a time capsule. Fill a box or jar with items that represent your child’s current hobbies and interests. Have your child make a list of their favorite movies, books, and bands and describe first-day fears, friends he or she can’t wait to see!.
  • See how they measures up. Using a growth chart (or the inside of a closet door), mark your child’s current height. Keep track year-by-year to show growth spurts.
  • Plan a bus stop breakfast! Invite all the neighborhood kids to get an early start the day before school begins. Fill a wagon with juice boxes, fruits and donuts. Brint it to the neighborhood bus stop at the usual pickup time as a “dress rehearsal” for the first day of school.
  • Tuck a love note into your child’s lunchbox to show you’re thinking of them. The first day can be nerve racking for everyone, so you may want to go for comfort food when dinner time comes and enjoy a cool dessert as summer vacation comes to an end.

Back to School Study Tips

  • A well-stocked desk in a quiet place at home is key, but sometimes you need variety. A trip to the library, park, or even just moving to the kitchen table will give kids a change of scenery which can prompt their brain to retain information better.
  • Remind your kids to look over their notes each night to make sure they have got all the information they need, then have them highlight the information that they know is the most important.
  • Don’t let a bad grade keep your kid down. A rough start doesn’t have to ruin the entire school year. Remind your kids to take proactive steps by checking their grades regularly and asking for a tutor if they need one.
  • Encourage your kids to make a friend in every class. Having a few friends in each class if always helpful if they have a homework question or had to miss class, then when it comes time to study for exams, they will already have a study group.
  • Keeping a calendar helps everyone plan ahead, but you’ve got more going on than just school so make sure you’re marking your extracurricular, work, and social commitments!

…and before you know it, summer vaction will be here again!

Scottsdale Dog Parks

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dog parkLooking for a place to take your dog to play off leash and make friends? Come out and enjoy one of three Scottsdale dog parks. There are plenty of open spaces, shade and dog water fountains are at every location. Feel free to bring along your own portable chairs and your dog’s favorite toys.

Horizon Dog Park
15444 N. 100th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85260
This small dog park is located in a retention basin on the far west end of Horizon Park. It has a large shade structure, a water fountain for you and your dog, and a water feature to control the dust. During winter, you may wish to go home before dusk, because this section of the park doesn’t have lights.

Chaparral Dog Park
5401 N Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Scottsdale’s most popular dog park includes 3-acres of grass. Chaparral Dog Park has a fabulous array of amenities, including water fountains, seating for owners and play features.

Vista Del Camino Dog Park
7700 E. Roosevelt St.,Scottsdale, AZ 85257
This half-acre dog park has plenty of shade trees, benches and water fountains for you and your dog to enjoy. Also, you will be relieved to know that the park is double gated for your pet’s security.

Rules to remember:
-Owners (or custodians) of a dog are responsible and legally liable for the acts and conduct of the dog at all times when the dog is in a city park.
-The city does not supervise use of the dog park and anyone using the area does so at his/her own risk.
-No more than two dogs per visitor.
-An adult must accompany youth under the age of 16.
-Dogs should be under voice control.
-Please fill any hole your dog digs.
-Owners or custodians of a dog must restrain and control the dog at all times with a leash of not more than 6 feet in length when outside of the dog exercise area.

Do your dogs enjoy going to the dog park? Are you searching for a home near a dog park for your favorite 4-legged family members? Give a us a call to find the perfect home for your family and pets! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Smart Home Features

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Google homeDo you have a “home assistant”? I’m sure many of you have one like we do, we have a Google Home on our kitchen counter. We use it to set timers and ask her to play bluetooth from my phone. We can also can use voice activation to control one of my other smart home devices like the temperature on our Nest thermostat. During the Phoenix summers, Nest helps us save money with intuitive temperature control when we are in and out of the house. Smart thermostats, home assistant speakers and door locks are popular and well-known products, but did you know there are even more smart devices available?

Smart Vacuums
Now vacuuming can be as simple as literally just lifting a finger. If you have an Apple Watch, you can set up a Roomba vacuum so all you need to do is tap to start the device in your home.

Smart Light Switch
You may have heard of the lightbulbs you can control color and intensity of with your voice, but what about the light switch you can talk to? Smart light switches are wired into your existing switch configuration and allow you to set nightlight settings, responsive times to turn on and off, and integration with Alexa voice activation, all from your phone.

Smart Plugs
Are you ever at work and wonder if you unplugged your curling iron, never fear – you can now switch it off from your phone! Smart plugs are simple to use, they plug into the wall, your device plugs into the smart plug, and now you’ve got full access to control it from your phone. TVs, lamps, crockpots and more can all be controlled remotely!

Smart Scales
Smart scales do way more than just tell you your weight. They help users more effectively monitor and track their weight and health by reporting proportions of fat, muscle mass and other metrics straight to your phone. If you wear Fitbit, there’s even a special scale that connects with your tracker.

Smart homes are increasing in popularity as people are more willing to invest in homes and devices that save time and money. Are you looking for a smart home? Let us know and we can begin your search today. Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

4th of July Fun!

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4th of JulyCelebrate the 4th of July three days in a row this year! Wear your red, white & blue and head out to one of these Valley favorites to celebrate on July 3rd, 4th & 5th!

July 3rd:

ANTHEM’S INDEPENDANCE DAY CELEBRATION
Celebrate at Anthem’s Independence Day Celebration with a traditional fireworks display, fun rides, activities and festival food. Families can bring blankets and lawn chairs and sit back to enjoy the spectacular event. ACC Community Park, 41730 N Glavin Peak Parkway, Anthem

July 4th:

FABULOUS PHOENIX 4TH
Fabulous Phoenix 4th will feature one of the largest fireworks displays in the Southwest! The non-alcoholic, family-oriented event annually attracts 100,000-plus participants every year. Included in this year’s event will be two stages featuring local entertainers, a variety of vendors offering festival-style food and beverage, arts and crafts, interactive exhibits and a classic car display. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix

JULY 4TH TEMPE TOWN LAKE FESTIVAL
Kiwanis Club of Tempe 66th Annual Fireworks Spectacular will present fireworks shot from Mill Avenue Bridge! The spectacular fireworks show will begin at 9:20pm and will be choreographed to patriotic, pop and country music! Gates open at 5pm.Tempe Beach Park, 620 N Mill Ave, Tempe

July 5th:

ARIZONA DIAMONBACKS FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR
The Diamondbacks take on the Colorado Rockies at 6:10pm inside air-conditioned Chase Field. Afterwards, the retractable roof will open for a fireworks spectacular! Chase Field, 401 E Jefferson St, Phoenix

Are you looking for a new home to fly your American flag? Give us a call! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477