Featured Home For Sale in Los Portones

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North Scottsdale home for sale

Excellent single-story home with on-trend upgrades located directly across from the sparkling community pool! The remodeled kitchen incorporates quartz counters, upgraded cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. Other features include vaulted ceilings, fresh interior and exterior paint, new wood-look ceramic tile flooring, 2 stall garage, 2 en-suite bathrooms, a powder room, 3-year-old HVAC and water heater, and a great room with an eat-in dining area, fireplace, and backyard patio door. The master suite has a backyard exit door, walk-in closet, and full bathroom with dual sinks, quartz counters, gray shaker-style cabinets, and a frameless glass shower/tub combo. The spacious backyard has an extended covered patio with ceiling fan and pavers, mature desert landscaping, and a green grass lawn!

23944 N 74th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

2 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms | $625,000

Schedule your private showing! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Staging Your Backyard to Sell

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Staging a property before going on the market benefits everyone – it helps home buyers imagine the potential to make a home their own, and it helps increase the ROI (return on investment) for home sellers. A backyard can be a huge draw for home buyers, even more so when they can picture having the neighbors over for cookouts, entertaining friends around the fire pit, or lounging by the pool.

DEEP CLEAN Deep cleaning and decluttering to make your backyard look spacious and comfortable!

REFRESH LANDSCAPING Landscaping is everything when it comes to creating a polished and inviting outdoor space. Greenery and a few flower beds will liven up any yard or patio.

FURNISH THE SPACE Be intentional about how you furnish your outdoor space. Break large outdoor spaces into cozy vignettes like you would in an indoor living room – Adirondacks around the fire pit, a comfy couch with throw pillows, and a cozy lounge chairs for sunning by the pool.

Not sure where to start? Give us a call, we’re here to help! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Let’s Talk Mortgages

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Let’s talk mortgages. Did you know that when you apply for a loan to buy a home, you can shop around to more than one lender? In fact, shopping around for your mortgage can actually help you get a better interest rate and save money. For a typical $250,000 mortgage, a borrower who got one extra rate quote saved an average of $1,435 over the life of the loan, according to Freddie Mac. Borrowers who got five rate quotes saved $2,914 – on average!

Every bank and lender will be able to offer you a different loan program and it might take a few before you find the right one. Before you start shopping, know the difference between the two primary mortgage types: fixed-rate and adjustable-rate.

A fixed-rate mortgage charges a set rate of interest throughout the duration of the loan. Although the amount of principal and interest might from payment to payment, the total payment remains the same, which makes it easier to predict and budget for monthly expenses.

An adjustable-rate mortgage carries an initial interest rate set below the market rate on a comparable fixed-rate loan, but then the rate rises as time goes on. Depending on how long the ARM is held, the interest rate will typically surpass the going rate for fixed-rate loans.

If you have questions about what type of loan is right for you, give us a call! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Ready to Sell this Spring?

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Are you looking to sell your home this Spring? If you answered yes, then here are things you can get started on:

✅ Declutter living areas. Less is more when it comes to getting your house ready to show. Do a clean sweep of counters, windowsills, tables, and all other visible areas, and then tackle behind closed doors: closets, drawers, and cupboards—since virtually nothing is off-limits for curious buyers.

✅ Depersonalize your space. What is the next step on your checklist for selling a house? Sellers should remove distractions so the buyers can visualize themselves and their families living in the property.

✅ Touch up any scuff marks. Even if you’re not doing a full-on repainting project, pay special attention to scrubbing and touching up baseboards, walls, and doors to make the house sparkle and look cared for.

✅ Fix any loose handles. It’s a small thing, but you’d be surprised by the negative effect a loose handle or missing lightbulb can have on a buyer.

✅ Clean, clean, clean. Once you’re done cleaning your house, clean some more. Even if you’re not worried about what buyers will think of your home’s scent, you want your property to look spotless.

✅ Find a great real estate agent. Your real estate agent should be someone you feel comfortable working with and trust to sell your house for top dollar. Give us a call, we’re here to help! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Staying on Budget When Househunting

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In this market, becoming a homeowner can seem out of reach. Many properties are expensive, and interest rates keep going up. But with these steps, you can create a budget to help you find the right home!

Step 1: Add Up Your Income. Make sure to capture ALL income sources, not just the income from your full-time job.

Step 2: List Your Household Expenses. Get all the bills and expenses you usually have to pay listed in one spot. It’s not the most fun, but it’s an important step!

Step 3: Calculate Homeownership Costs. Owning a home can come with extra expenses outside of your mortgage payment, like repairs and maintenance. Be prepared for these expenses by budgeting them in.

Step 4: Give Your Budget Room to Grow. Budgets aren’t meant to be one-and-done, so give your budget a little space to grow–both on the income and expenses side.

Step 5: Make Adjustments. Take a look at your budget. Can you afford a house? If it’s a little tight, see what you can take out. If yes, then awesome! You’re ready to reach out to a real estate agent. I

f you follow these steps, you’ll develop a great budget that will put you on the path to homeownership–without busting your budget! Call us today to find your new home!

Preparing for Holiday Guests

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Are you planning for holiday visitors? Think about what you’d expect to find at a five-star hotel and use that as inspiration for the perfect guest room oasis.

  • Add extra plush accents, like quilted shams, a chunky knit throw blanket, or even a fur or sequined one for a touch of glam.
  • Stock the bathroom with essentials like extra toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, shower gel, body lotion, and a festive scented candle.
  • Be sure there is ample storage — especially if your guests have winter gear like coats or boots.
  • You don’t have to deck all of the halls, but a little seasonal greenery goes a long way toward adding holiday cheer.
  • Make sure there are plenty of clean, fresh towels on hand. And — a warm, comfy guest bathrobe to add that extra touch of hotel luxe!

Are you hosting holiday guests this year, or are you traveling?

What to Ask Your Lender

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When it comes to buying a home, there’s one person who’s just about as important as your agent: your lender! Lenders are a wealth of knowledge, so take advantage of that and make sure you ask these six questions. Getting these questions answered will ensure that you get the best mortgage with the best terms possible. Future-you will be super happy that you took the time to get all the details on mortgages while buying your home.

1-What is the best type of loan for me and why?

2- Do I qualify for any special loan programs or discounts?

3- What interest rates can you offer?

4- When can you lock in my rate?

5- What fees will I need to pay you?

6- What will my closing costs be?

 

Staging to Sell – Kids’ Rooms

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Getting the kids to clean their rooms can be hard enough on a regular day, let alone during the stress of a big move. Here are 3 quick tips:

DITCH THE THEMES Remove the princess or superhero theme and opt instead for neutral bedding and cheerful accent colors. It’s only temporary and you can unpack their favorites when you get to the new home.

KEEP PRIVACY IN MIND Strangers will be wandering through your home, so pack away any pictures of your kids or references to their names or where they attend school.

KEEP IT SPACIOUS​ Consider packing away any toys that sit on the floor to create more space. Keep them in the playroom or put them in storage while your home is on the market.

Create a Welcoming Entryway

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First impressions are everything and an organized entryway can impact the entire experience a buyer has when they tour your house. Even if you’re not on the market and simply want to present your home well to guests, here’s how to create a foyer or entryway that says “Welcome Home!”

ADD AN INVITING AROMA The way your home smells is just as – if not more – important than how it looks because it is one of the first things your buyer will notice.

KEEP THE FLOOR CLEAR Create the illusion of more space by keeping the floors free of boots, shoes, backpacks, and other clutter. A clear path can help make the entryway appear cleaner and larger.

MAKE IT PLUSH Rugs instantly add a layer of coziness and placing a rug will make the space feel inviting and welcoming.

Preparing for Cooler Months

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Here are a few of our favorite fall home decor tips:

???? Light some autumn-scented candles – we love the Brown Sugar Chestnut from Chesapeake Bay Candle Co.

???? Layer up your chairs and couches with cozy throws.

???? Swap your linen and cotton summer bedding for flannel sheets and a down blanket.

???? Bring on the fall florals. Swap the summer blooms for mums and line your mantel heirloom pumpkins and rich autumn-hued flowers.

???? Take the sweaters out of storage! If you have to swap your winter and summer clothes, it’s time to take out the sweaters and warmer wear. Even if you don’t need it *quite* yet, you’ll be glad you did as soon as those chilly mornings arrive.​