Featured Home in Desert Vista at Troon North

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scottsdale home for sale

Absolutely gorgeous home with breathtaking mountain views and tons of on-trend features located in the quiet community of Desert Vista. Spacious open great room has oversized windows for tons of natural lighting and a huge wet bar with granite counters, fridge, and breakfast bar. Gourmet eat-in kitchen incorporates granite counters, island with breakfast bar, stainless appliances, 4 burner cooktop, and double wall ovens.

Other features include soaring high ceilings, 18in ceramic tile flooring, built-in speakers throughout. den with double door entry, gas living room fireplace, and 3 car garage. The master suite offers a charming gas fireplace, two walk-in closets, wood flooring, private patio exit, and a full bathroom with dual vanities, a makeup vanity, soaked tub, and snail walk-in shower.

Oversized backyard has stunning views of Troon and McDowell mountains, extended covered patio, view fence, above ground spa, pebble tech pool with boulder waterfall, and an upgraded irrigation system! This private lot is ideal for stargazing!

Call us today for your exclusive private showing! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Homebuying During Covid-19

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With mortgage rates at all-time lows and an uncertain future due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, is now a good time to buy a home? It may feel contradictory to purchase a home at this time, however, for people who feel confident about their job security and finances, this might be the perfect time to buy.

Why Making the Move Now May Be Right for You

House hunting during the coronavirus can have its benefits. There may be less competition for the houses in the areas where you might be planning to move, and sellers may be more motivated to sell or more flexible on price. Once the crisis passes, there may be more house hunters back on the market and prices may escalate due to a more competitive market that benefits sellers rather than buyers, so taking a few steps forward now will put you ahead of the game.

Get Preapproved for a Mortgage

When you do find the home of your dreams, being preapproved for a mortgage proves to the seller you are serious. It’s possible to get preapproved online through some banks. Mortgage preapproval is a letter from a lender that indicates how much you are qualified to borrow from the lender, at a specific interest rate.

Use This Time to Research the Market

Despite the decrease in the number of newly-listed homes, there are still excellent options in property listings. This is a time to research the market and find your preferred property in a community you like. Take this time to expand your search to other surrounding neighborhoods that might have homes with excellent value for money, amenities, and facilities.

As you spend more time at home, it’s an opportunity to assess your current home and determine the level of functionality and comfort it offers you. That helps in knowing your priorities when searching and, consequently buying a home.

Virtual Home Viewing

Many real estate agents post virtual tours of properties for sale on their websites. When you take a virtual tour or attend a virtual open house, you can get a realistic view of the property. Then, with a click of the mouse, you can see all the details that are important to you. In addition, by touring homes virtually, you can see many more than would be possible in a single day with your real estate agent.

Prepare Your Home For Sale

While entertainment, sports, and other social events are canceled, take advantage of this while to prep your current home for the market. Preparation may include anything from mowing the lawn, exterior repairs, tidying the gutters, and decluttering the interior.

Start with a DIY approach to reduce expenses before calling the professionals. Do an online home improvement search to note the additional décor that can enhance the visual appeal of the home.

Do you have questions if now is the right time for you to buy? Call us today, we’d love to help answer all your questions and find your new home when the time is right for you! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Featured Home at Legend Trail in North Scottsdale

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scottsdale home for sale
Absolutely gorgeous home with excellent curb appeal and tons of on-trend updates and features! Gourmet eat-in kitchen incorporates granite counters, custom cabinetry, travertine backsplash, stainless GE Monogram appliances, gas range with cooktop, custom hood, double ovens, built-in concealed fridge, and a center island. Great room area has a charming gas fireplace with stacked stone and surround sound speakers.

Other features include a custom front door, 18in travertine tile flooring, a bonus space with built-in bar, new AC unit, dry bar with wine fridge, a spacious den wired for media system, and a 3 car garage with water softener and central vac.

The master suite boasts double door entry, private patio exit, gas fireplace, walk-in closet, and a full bathroom with high-end granite counters, his and hers vanities, makeup vanity, antiqued cabinets, walk-in shower, and a jetted tub. The guest suite has a private door to exterior, walk-in shower, and an en-suite bathroom perfect for family and friends. Resort style backyard with a massive wrap around covered patio with cantera pavers, sparkling pool and spa, built-in BBQ with stacked stone bar, faux grass lawn, fireplace, and a wrought iron view fence!

This home has everything today’s market seeks. Call us today for your exclusive private showing! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Summer Home Maintenance

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Summer is in full swing and now is good time to inspect your house to see how your it is doing in the summer heat. Here’s a quick list of 7 summer home maintenance tips and projects you can do to spruce up your home and keep everything running smoothly throughout the year:

Attic Inspections

Attics can be claustrophobia-inducing, but it’s a good idea to brave those tight confines at least once a year. You want to check your attic for any indication of pests or insects, water leakage, mold or mildew.

Rain Gutters

It’s easy for desert dwellers to forget about checking the rain gutters. Gutters can become clogged with dirt and grime, especially after a monsoon season so it’s a good idea to flush out your gutters with the hose at least once a year.

Washing Machine Maintenance

Your washing machine is one of those appliances that needs some light maintenance every now and then. When your washer is not in use, inspect the seal between the door opening and the drum for areas of soil buildup or any stains. If you find any, you can clean it with a mixture of ¾ cup of chlorine bleach and a gallon of warm water. Wipe the area with the bleach-water solution and then let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then wipe dry with a clean cloth, and let it air dry. This will remove any odors and keep your clothes from getting stained by dirt deposits inside the seal.

Clean the Garbage Disposal and Dishwasher

This home maintenance tip isn’t necessarily just a summer chore, but it’s important reminder to clean out your garbage disposal and dishwasher every once in a while. You can easily clean out your garbage disposal by flushing it with hot water and some dish soap. To clean your dishwasher, you should add 2 cups of vinegar to the bottom of the machine and run the machine on low wash.

Wipe Down & Clean Baseboards

Baseboards are often overlooked when it comes to weekly cleaning, but it’s something you will want to do at least once a year to keep dust and dirt from building up. A damp cloth and a little extra time is all you need to clean up the trim around your home.

Wash Exterior Windows

Summer is a good time of year to wash your windows from the outside. Simply fill a bucket with hot soapy water and get scrubbing. If you wash your windows more than once a year, you may be able to get away with just using Windex, but a bucket of soapy water and a sponge will usually deliver the best results.

Clean or Replace Window Screens

Washing your exterior windows won’t make much of a difference if you don’t also wash your window screens. Take off all your window screens to your house and gently scrub them with hot soapy water. If your window screens are too dirty to be cleaned, you may just want to replace them.

Phoenix Continues to Lead Nation in Population Growth

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Phoenix continues to lead the nation in population growth as it attracts more new residents than any other city in the United States for the fourth year in a row, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The U.S. Census Bureau documented the population of Phoenix to have grown by 26,317 in 2019, increasing the total to an estimated 1,680,992.

Phoenix remains the nation’s 5th most populated city while its metro area has surpassed Boston’s in becoming the 10th most populated metro area in the U.S. Phoenix also led the nation in ten-year population growth with an increase of 234,301 residents since the 2010 census.

The U.S. Census Bureau also documented Buckeye in the west valley as being the second-fastest growing city in the U.S. when measured in terms of population percentage increase over the last 10 years. In July 2019, Buckeye’s population was estimated to be at 79,620, a 56.6% increase since 2010. Buckeye was also the only Arizona city to rank in the nation’s top 10 in terms of the fastest growth as a percentage.

phoenix

Local Farmers Markets – Spring 2020

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vegetablesSome local farmers markets have chosen to temporarily close during the coronavirus, but several are still open! In order to help keep vendors and shoppers healthy, new shopping standards have been implemented:

-Only vendors can touch their own products.
-All products selected by vendors, bagged, and then handed to the customer.
-Shoppers may pay vendors with a credit card, inserted by the customer into the square mobile device, no signature.
-No onsite cooking. Prepared foods must be in covered containers ready to go for take out.

Open farmers market include:

-Carefree Farmers Market – Open Fridays
-Old Town Scottsdale – Open Saturdays
-Verrado Farmers Market – Open Sundays
-Roadrunner Farmers Market – Open Saturdays

Stay healthy during the coronavirus by purchasing fresh fruit and vegetables while supporting local businesses!

Grocery Shopping Safety Tips During the Coronavirus Pandemic

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grocery shoppingOur daily routines have definitely over the past month, yet one thing hasn’t changed – our need to eat! Fortunately, grocery stores have been able to stay open, but many are wondering – is it safe to go grocery shopping when supplies are running low or should we opt for delivery?

If you’re planning on ordering your groceries for delivery:
Ask your delivery person to leave the groceries outside your door if contact-less delivery is available. Some services have sections where you can specify how you would like your groceries to be dropped off so, tell the delivery people to leave them outside. If you plan on giving the delivery person a tip, see if you can tip electronically instead of giving cash.

If you’re picking up ordered groceries:
The steps are basically the same for this option as for delivery. If you’ve ordered and are having someone put the groceries in your car in a parking lot, consider opening your car door yourself rather than having the person bringing the items to your car touch the handle. And if you can tip on a supermarket’s app, do so rather than giving cash.

If you’re planning on going to the store:
Try to go when it’s least crowded. Since the virus is mainly transmitted through close contact with other individuals, the key to social distancing is by avoiding large groups of people. Bring sanitizing wipes with you so you can clean any shopping carts or baskets you use and use hand sanitizer after going through the checkout. Many stores are offering special early hours designated for Seniors only.

During this time of social distancing, all of us will need to grocery shop at one time sooner or later. The key is to be smart about how we go about it so we can minimize the risk of spreading the virus. Is there something you need help? Give us a call, we would love to help out! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

5 Types of Mortgages

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coins and houseBefore you purchase a home, it’s important to educate yourself on the various types of mortgages you can get so you can make the right decision when the time comes to choose yours.

CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE A conventional mortgage is a home loan that’s not insured by the federal government. There are two types of conventional loans: conforming and non-conforming. Conforming loans are loans for amounts that fall within the maximum limits set by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (government agencies that back most U.S. mortgages). Loans that do not meet these guidelines are considered non-conforming. Jumbo loans are the most common type of con-conforming loans.

JUMBO MORTGAGE Jumbo mortgages are conventional loans that have non-conforming loan limits. Your credit score generally must exceed 700 and you are required to make a larger down payment. However, it allows buyers to to borrow more money to purchase a more expensive home.

GOVERNMENT-INSURED MORTGAGE The U.S. Government is not a mortgage lender, but it plays a role in helping more Americans become homeowners. There are several types of government backed mortgages including Federal Housing Administration (FHA loans) , U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA loans), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA loans) and more. Government-insured loans are ideal for buyers who do not have funds for aa large down payment and can not qualify for a conventional loan.

FIXED-RATE MORTGAGE The most popular mortgage is the fixed-rate mortgage. It is ideal for homeowners who expect to stay in their home for many years. With a fixed-rate mortgage the interest rate stays the same over the the life of the loan. Fixed-rate loans are typically available in terms of 15 years, 20 years or 30 years.

ADJUSTABLE-RATE MORTGAGE This type of mortgage offers a lower interest rate and monthly payment at first, then slowly increases as time goes on. An adjustable-rate mortgage can be beneficial if you only plan to own the home for a few years.

Do you have more questions about the different types of mortgages? Give us a call, we would love to discuss the different types of mortgages of available. Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

What to Look for When Buying an Older Home

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arizona home for saleThere are many outstanding reasons to purchase an older home in Arizona. They tend to have more character and they may even be available in architectural styles that aren’t built anymore. Nonetheless, there are things to keep in mind when you’re shopping for an older home. It’s easy to get drawn in by the charm of an older house, yet always remember to think it over before you spring on something that could cause problems down the line.

Frame and Foundation
Check the foundation of any older home you’re considering buying. These homes have been sitting there for a long time and, if they haven’t been kept up with perfectly, there’s a good chance they’re going to have some foundational damage. Take a look at the frame of the home, too. While you may end up with a house that has a real, heavy wood frame, you may also have one that has too much space between the frame and walls, which can be a fire hazard.

Look for Hazardous Materials
Older homes may contain a variety of hazardous materials. Homes built before 1985 are at risk for having lead pipes, and homes built before 1978 may have lead paint on the walls. Homes built before 1980 may also contain asbestos in their insulation, roofs, fireplaces and walls if they haven’t been updated. Homes built before the 1970s may be prone to radon gas buildup and should be tested.

Plumbing and Electrical
Lead or steel pipes can be very dangerous and should be replaced before you move into an older home. Many homes have probably already had this taken care of, but not all of them. Have a home inspection to find out what type of pipes the property you’re considering has. Electrical wiring may be made of aluminum in older homes, this is a serious fire hazard.

Working Smoke Detectors
Always check for working smoke detectors in an older and newer house. Functioning carbon monoxide detectors are also necessary to have. If the house doesn’t have any in place, don’t buy it until they have been installed or you have tested for the presence of carbon monoxide in the home.

Older homes come are typically located in established neighborhoods, larger lots and are surrounded by mature landscape. If you truly like the charm of an older home, don’t let any of this stop you form purchasing what you real want. Your real estate agent will hire an experienced and thorough inspector who knows exactly what to look for.

When you are ready to buy a home, new or older, we can help you find a home that meets your needs and lifestyle. Call us today to get started! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

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