What are closing costs and what role do they play in the real estate process? I touched on all of this and more in my most recent interview.I recently sat down for an interview with my friend Elizabeth, who wanted me to answer a few of her questions about a very important subject: closing costs. This is something I think many homebuyers are unclear on, so I’m excited to shed some light on the topic for all of you today. Cited below for your convenience are timestamps that will direct you to various points in the video. Feel free to watch the full message or use these timestamps to browse specific topics at your leisure: 0:53 - What exactly are closing costs?2:41 - What do buyers and sellers each pay at closing?5:12 - In today’s hot market, how likely is it that Phoenix sellers will agree to pay for buyers’ closing costs?8:27 - A conclusion to today’s interview.If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give my team or me a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

What are closing costs and what role do they play in the real estate process? I touched on all of this and more in my most recent interview. I recently sat down for an interview with my friend Elizabeth, who wanted me to answer a few of her questions about a very important subject: closing costs. This is something I think many homebuyers are unclear on, so I’m excited to shed some light on the topic for all of you today.  Cited below for your convenience are timestamps that will direct you to various points in the video. Feel free to watch the full message or use these timestamps to browse specific topics at your leisure:  0:53 - What exactly are closing costs? 2:41 - What do buyers and sellers each pay at closing? 5:12 - In today’s hot market, how likely is it that Phoenix sellers will agree to pay for buyers’ closing costs? 8:27 - A conclusion to today’s interview. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give my team or me a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

What Buyers and Sellers Must Know About Closing Costs

Although we may see a market correction in the next few years, it’s unlikely that it will happen in 2019. For the time being, our market remains extremely strong.Today’s topic is a good one. We’re going to discuss where our real estate market is at this very moment in Greater Phoenix.Here’s some perspective. The housing market moves in cycles, usually in 10- to 15- years at a time. It always has and it always will. When the market started to tip during the last housing cycle, it was in the 2nd quarter of 2007. Obviously, 2008 is when things got bad, but we were already in a declining market by that point.“Inventory is still low, and so are interest rates.”It’s been about 12 years since that point, so a correction is around the corner in the next few years. According to First America Financial Corporation, though, 2019 will be an even more robust year for sellers than 2018 was. A big reason for this is the fact that more and more millennials are now forming families and becoming homeowners. Because this segment of the population is so large, it’s creating huge demand, which is great news for sellers.Another reason is that we still have low inventory. Rates are low as well, and they’ve dipped back below 5% to 4.25% on average. That’s cheap money to borrow if you’re looking to buy. Down payment assistance programs are out there that will give you up to $15,000 for assistance as well.What does this all mean for you? Well, we’re experts in selling residential real estate and we want you to know that we’re here to provide value for you. If you have any questions for us in the meantime about the market or about your personal situation, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Although we may see a market correction in the next few years, it’s unlikely that it will happen in 2019. For the time being, our market remains extremely strong. Today’s topic is a good one. We’re going to discuss where our real estate market is at this very moment in Greater Phoenix. Here’s some perspective. The housing market moves in cycles, usually in 10- to 15- years at a time. It always has and it always will. When the market started to tip during the last housing cycle, it was in the 2nd quarter of 2007. Obviously, 2008 is when things got bad, but we were already in a declining market by that point. “Inventory is still low, and so are interest rates.” It’s been about 12 years since that point, so a correction is around the corner in the next few years. According to First America Financial Corporation, though, 2019 will be an even more robust year for sellers than 2018 was.  A big reason for this is the fact that more and more millennials are now forming families and becoming homeowners. Because this segment of the population is so large, it’s creating huge demand, which is great news for sellers. Another reason is that we still have low inventory. Rates are low as well, and they’ve dipped back below 5% to 4.25% on average. That’s cheap money to borrow if you’re looking to buy. Down payment assistance programs are out there that will give you up to $15,000 for assistance as well. What does this all mean for you? Well, we’re experts in selling residential real estate and we want you to know that we’re here to provide value for you. If you have any questions for us in the meantime about the market or about your personal situation, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

What’s Happening in the Phoenix Real Estate Market?

Technology is playing an emerging role in the real estate world, and its impact is being felt by buyers, sellers, and Realtors alike.The real estate industry is reinventing itself, and several tech companies are emerging in the business that will influence both consumers and Realtors moving forward. Several of these companies can be found right here in Phoenix, so today, for my latest Facebook Live interview, I’ll discuss the background of these companies and how they’ll impact your real estate goals. For your convenience, I’ve provided timestamps of the video above so you can skip ahead to the section(s) that interest you the most:1:50—The two main categories of real estate tech companies: iBuyers and discount brokerages 2:34—The purpose of these two entities 4:20—Are these companies increasing their market share? 6:19—What are the pitfalls of working with these companies?8:52—Are these companies healthy for the real estate industry?10:34—Wrapping things upIf you have any more questions about technology in real estate or you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. I’d love to help you.

Technology is playing an emerging role in the real estate world, and its impact is being felt by buyers, sellers, and Realtors alike. The real estate industry is reinventing itself, and several tech companies are emerging in the business that will influence both consumers and Realtors moving forward.  Several of these companies can be found right here in Phoenix, so today, for my latest Facebook Live interview, I’ll discuss the background of these companies and how they’ll impact your real estate goals.  For your convenience, I’ve provided timestamps of the video above so you can skip ahead to the section(s) that interest you the most: 1:50—The two main categories of real estate tech companies: iBuyers and discount brokerages 2:34—The purpose of these two entities 4:20—Are these companies increasing their market share? 6:19—What are the pitfalls of working with these companies?8:52—Are these companies healthy for the real estate industry?10:34—Wrapping things up If you have any more questions about technology in real estate or you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. I’d love to help you.

What Role Does Technology Play in Real Estate?

Investing in real estate doesn’t have to be the massive undertaking that some will have you believe. Here are some ways to invest in residential real estate without having to take full ownership of an asset.If you’ve been thinking about getting into the real estate investment market, we’ve got some good news for you. I recently sat down for an interview on Facebook Live where I answered some of the most common questions about investing in residential real estate and how you can get started. Here’s an outline of the discussion, with timestamps so that you can skip ahead to the section(s) that interest you the most:1:10— Why investing in residential real estate is such a smart financial move3:55— How to invest in real estate without actually owning an asset5:25— An example of how an investor can make a 10% ROI in just a few months7:55— A few final thoughts from myself about the benefits of real estate investments and how we can be a resource for youIf you have any questions for me in the meantime about investments or anything else related to real estate, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Investing in real estate doesn’t have to be the massive undertaking that some will have you believe. Here are some ways to invest in residential real estate without having to take full ownership of an asset. If you’ve been thinking about getting into the real estate investment market, we’ve got some good news for you. I recently sat down for an interview on Facebook Live where I answered some of the most common questions about investing in residential real estate and how you can get started. Here’s an outline of the discussion, with timestamps so that you can skip ahead to the section(s) that interest you the most: 1:10— Why investing in residential real estate is such a smart financial move3:55— How to invest in real estate without actually owning an asset5:25— An example of how an investor can make a 10% ROI in just a few months7:55— A few final thoughts from myself about the benefits of real estate investments and how we can be a resource for you If you have any questions for me in the meantime about investments or anything else related to real estate, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Tips for Investing in Residential Real Estate

If you’re thinking of buying a flipped home, there are five things you need to look for before you actually buy it.Most major markets around the country are experiencing a housing boom right now, and this is bringing out the house-flippers in droves. If you’re thinking of buying a flipped house, there are five things you need to look for before you actually buy it.First, make sure the major systems are in working order. When buying a flipped home, it’s easy to be attracted to all the dazzling aesthetic finishes, but you should spend more time inspecting the home’s mechanical items than its upgrades. These items include the HVAC unit, water heater, roof, etc. Make sure they’re in working order, as each one is expensive to replace. Second, make sure the kitchen is not disappointing. In terms of remodeling, the room that will give you the biggest return on your investment is the kitchen. A good test of quality is whether the kitchen has a backsplash. This seems like a minuscule detail, but if the owner took the time to install a nice backsplash in the kitchen, odds are they installed nice finishes everywhere else too. “Don’t be one of those people who doesn’t notice—always check to see if the home’s floors are even.”Third, make sure attention was paid to the details in the bathroom. The master bathroom, in particular, gives the second-highest return on investment in terms of remodeling. As with the kitchen, it’s the little details you need to look for. Another good tip here is to check if the owner installed a power-flush toilet. Much like a backsplash in the kitchen, the presence of a power-flush toilet in the master bathroom is a good sign that the seller invested a lot of time and money into the quality of the home. Fourth, make sure the floors are even. Here in Arizona, and especially in certain parts of the valley, we have expansive soils. Over time, this can cause a home’s foundation to move. Some house-flippers elect not to spend the money to balance the home’s concrete slab and assume no one will notice because of all of the home’s other great features. Don’t be one of those people who doesn’t notice—always check to see if the home’s floors are even. Lastly, make sure the finishes are done well and are uniform. For example, make sure the plumbing fixtures match the door hardware. If the door hardware is a certain color—let’s say brushed nickel—you need to check the hinges to see if they’re the same color. If the hinges are painted white, that’s not a good sign. That means, in all likelihood, that the remodel wasn’t high quality. After you’ve checked these areas, don’t hesitate to give us a call so we can walk you through the rest of the home buying process. It’s our goal to make sure you get the best value possible, and we’re experts at doing this. As always, if you have any more questions about this or any other real estate topic, feel free to reach out to us as well. We’d love to help you.

If you’re thinking of buying a flipped home, there are five things you need to look for before you actually buy it. Most major markets around the country are experiencing a housing boom right now, and this is bringing out the house-flippers in droves. If you’re thinking of buying a flipped house, there are five things you need to look for before you actually buy it. First, make sure the major systems are in working order. When buying a flipped home, it’s easy to be attracted to all the dazzling aesthetic finishes, but you should spend more time inspecting the home’s mechanical items than its upgrades. These items include the HVAC unit, water heater, roof, etc. Make sure they’re in working order, as each one is expensive to replace.  Second, make sure the kitchen is not disappointing. In terms of remodeling, the room that will give you the biggest return on your investment is the kitchen. A good test of quality is whether the kitchen has a backsplash. This seems like a minuscule detail, but if the owner took the time to install a nice backsplash in the kitchen, odds are they installed nice finishes everywhere else too.  “Don’t be one of those people who doesn’t notice—always check to see if the home’s floors are even.” Third, make sure attention was paid to the details in the bathroom. The master bathroom, in particular, gives the second-highest return on investment in terms of remodeling. As with the kitchen, it’s the little details you need to look for. Another good tip here is to check if the owner installed a power-flush toilet. Much like a backsplash in the kitchen, the presence of a power-flush toilet in the master bathroom is a good sign that the seller invested a lot of time and money into the quality of the home.  Fourth, make sure the floors are even. Here in Arizona, and especially in certain parts of the valley, we have expansive soils. Over time, this can cause a home’s foundation to move. Some house-flippers elect not to spend the money to balance the home’s concrete slab and assume no one will notice because of all of the home’s other great features. Don’t be one of those people who doesn’t notice—always check to see if the home’s floors are even.  Lastly, make sure the finishes are done well and are uniform. For example, make sure the plumbing fixtures match the door hardware. If the door hardware is a certain color—let’s say brushed nickel—you need to check the hinges to see if they’re the same color. If the hinges are painted white, that’s not a good sign. That means, in all likelihood, that the remodel wasn’t high quality.  After you’ve checked these areas, don’t hesitate to give us a call so we can walk you through the rest of the home buying process. It’s our goal to make sure you get the best value possible, and we’re experts at doing this.  As always, if you have any more questions about this or any other real estate topic, feel free to reach out to us as well. We’d love to help you.

5 Things You Need to Do Before Buying a Flipped Home

Happy Holidays to you!The holiday season has officially arrived. We hope you enjoy this wonderful time of year and make some fantastic memories with your family and friends.We just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your continued support. We love helping people make their real estate dreams come true, so thank you for working with us.This may be a busy time of year, but we are always here to help you and answer any questions you may have. Just give us a call or reply to this email.And in case we don’t hear from you, have a happy New Year as well!

Happy Holidays to you! The holiday season has officially arrived. We hope you enjoy this wonderful time of year and make some fantastic memories with your family and friends. We just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your continued support. We love helping people make their real estate dreams come true, so thank you for working with us. This may be a busy time of year, but we are always here to help you and answer any questions you may have. Just give us a call or reply to this email. And in case we don’t hear from you, have a happy New Year as well!

Holiday Well Wishes for You and Your Family

I’ve heard your questions, and here are my answers.With some big announcements from the Fed about interest rate changes recently, many homeowners, buyers, and sellers have found themselves with a lot of questions about the future. In this Facebook Live question and answer session, I shed some light on what we’re seeing on the horizon.For your convenience, I’ve placed timestamps for each relevant topic of discussion. Feel free to navigate to the section(s) you are most interested in:00:33 — Discussing what recent announcements from the Fed mean for the real estate market.02:49 — Using a graph to show how changes will affect the housing market.06:32 — Analyzing the relationship between the economy and the housing market.09:32 — Looking at the best plan of action for buyers and sellers currently.“Many homeowners, buyers, and sellers have found themselves with a lot of questions.”If you have any other questions or would like some more information about what we discussed today, feel free to give me a call at 480-442-9868. I look forward to hearing from you.

I’ve heard your questions, and here are my answers. With some big announcements from the Fed about interest rate changes recently, many homeowners, buyers, and sellers have found themselves with a lot of questions about the future. In this Facebook Live question and answer session, I shed some light on what we’re seeing on the horizon. For your convenience, I’ve placed timestamps for each relevant topic of discussion. Feel free to navigate to the section(s) you are most interested in: 00:33 — Discussing what recent announcements from the Fed mean for the real estate market.02:49 — Using a graph to show how changes will affect the housing market.06:32 — Analyzing the relationship between the economy and the housing market.09:32 — Looking at the best plan of action for buyers and sellers currently. “Many homeowners, buyers, and sellers have found themselves with a lot of questions.” If you have any other questions or would like some more information about what we discussed today, feel free to give me a call at 480-442-9868. I look forward to hearing from you.

Facebook Live Q Interest Rates, Market Shifts, and More

Today Joel Reikes of Farmers Insurance joins me for the latest episode of “The Phoenix  Scottsdale Real Estate Show” to answer all of your questions about insurance.As an insurance agent and local business owner, Joel Reikes is a phenomenal resource for all your insurance needs, and I’m excited to have him join me for the latest episode of “The Phoenix  Scottsdale Real Estate Show.”During our discussion, I asked him some of the most common questions he gets about insurance, and he provided some great answers. For your convenience, I’ve provided timestamps of our discussion so you can jump ahead to the parts that interest you the most: 1:53—What are some of the biggest misconceptions regarding getting insurance quotes?3:40—How do you know the proper coverage you need?4:30—Why it’s important to use a local agent. 5:08—What types of insurance does Farmers Insurance provide?If you have more questions for Joel or you’d like to get in touch with him, you can call him at (480) 900-8466 or email him at jreikes@farmersagent.com. As you know, we’re big supporters of local businesses, so if you have a business in mind that you’d like to see us spotlight in a future episode, just give us a call or send us an email and we’d be happy to oblige.As always, if you have any real estate questions for me, feel free to reach out to me as well. I’d love to hear from you.

Today Joel Reikes of Farmers Insurance joins me for the latest episode of “The Phoenix Scottsdale Real Estate Show” to answer all of your questions about insurance. As an insurance agent and local business owner, Joel Reikes is a phenomenal resource for all your insurance needs, and I’m excited to have him join me for the latest episode of “The Phoenix Scottsdale Real Estate Show.” During our discussion, I asked him some of the most common questions he gets about insurance, and he provided some great answers. For your convenience, I’ve provided timestamps of our discussion so you can jump ahead to the parts that interest you the most:  1:53—What are some of the biggest misconceptions regarding getting insurance quotes?3:40—How do you know the proper coverage you need?4:30—Why it’s important to use a local agent. 5:08—What types of insurance does Farmers Insurance provide? If you have more questions for Joel or you’d like to get in touch with him, you can call him at (480) 900-8466 or email him at jreikes@farmersagent.com.  As you know, we’re big supporters of local businesses, so if you have a business in mind that you’d like to see us spotlight in a future episode, just give us a call or send us an email and we’d be happy to oblige. As always, if you have any real estate questions for me, feel free to reach out to me as well. I’d love to hear from you.

An Expert Answers Your Most Common Insurance Questions

Real estate is a great avenue to invest your money in, and today I’ll show you the numbers that prove why.To show you the benefits of investing in real estate, I want to go over the spreadsheet numbers of a property we recently purchased as part of a long-term hold strategy.For your convenience, I’ve provided timestamps of the video above so you can jump ahead to the sections(s) that interest you the most:2:16 - Getting into the numbers from our spreadsheet.2:51 - The importance of having a model and having non-negotiable standards for anything you purchase. 3:35 - Our purchase price, down payment, interest rate, capital improvement costs, closing costs, and mortgage costs.5:15 - Our monthly rent and net rental income. 6:05 - Home warranty costs, other maintenance fees, and our net cash flow per month. 7:15 - Our cash-on-cash return and cap rate. 7:49 - How your cash-on-cash return grows over time. We’d be happy to share this spreadsheet with you, so if you’d like a copy of it so you can start playing around with the numbers, just let me know. “If you’d like a copy of it so you can start playing around with the number, just let me know.”If you’d like to get started with buying an investment property, don’t hesitate to call or email me. My team and I would love to help you get started.

Real estate is a great avenue to invest your money in, and today I’ll show you the numbers that prove why. To show you the benefits of investing in real estate, I want to go over the spreadsheet numbers of a property we recently purchased as part of a long-term hold strategy. For your convenience, I’ve provided timestamps of the video above so you can jump ahead to the sections(s) that interest you the most: 2:16 - Getting into the numbers from our spreadsheet.2:51 - The importance of having a model and having non-negotiable standards for anything you purchase. 3:35 - Our purchase price, down payment, interest rate, capital improvement costs, closing costs, and mortgage costs.5:15 - Our monthly rent and net rental income. 6:05 - Home warranty costs, other maintenance fees, and our net cash flow per month. 7:15 - Our cash-on-cash return and cap rate. 7:49 - How your cash-on-cash return grows over time.  We’d be happy to share this spreadsheet with you, so if you’d like a copy of it so you can start playing around with the numbers, just let me know.  “If you’d like a copy of it so you can start playing around with the number, just let me know.” If you’d like to get started with buying an investment property, don’t hesitate to call or email me. My team and I would love to help you get started.

Why the Numbers Favor Investing in Real Estate

If you’re thinking of buying a home or investing in real estate, I have five apps to tell you about that will help you set your budget.Whether you’re looking to buy a home or invest in real estate and build your nest egg, you need to budget your finances. Here are five great apps that will help you develop the a budgeting strategy:1. Mint.com. This app takes all your financial accounts and expenses and categorizes them to ensure that you don’t overspend.2. PocketGuard. This is another app that prevents you from overspending. 3. YNAB (You Need a Budget). This app allows you to assign every dollar to a specific job so you can zero-base the account through which your money comes in and goes out every single month. 4. Wally. The great thing about this app is it deals in foreign currency. It also tracks your income expenses and gives you a periodic snapshot of your budget. 5. Mvelopes. If you’re the kind of person who prefers to put cash in envelopes in order to budget for certain tasks, this app lets you do the same thing, only digitally.“These apps will help you develop a budgeting strategy.”Bonus app: Personal Capital. This app is specifically for investors. It’s great for general budgeting, but it also allows you to underwrite deals for particular properties. In addition to these apps, we have a great pro forma you can use if you want to underwrite rental properties with a “hold” or “flip” strategy. With this pro forma, you’ll get cap rates, rates of returns, ROIs, etc. If you’re interested in getting it, get in touch with me and I’d be happy to send it to you. Budgeting is one of my favorite topics, so if you have any more questions about these apps or you want to set a budget for a future home purchase, don’t hesitate to call or email me. I look forward to speaking with you.

If you’re thinking of buying a home or investing in real estate, I have five apps to tell you about that will help you set your budget. Whether you’re looking to buy a home or invest in real estate and build your nest egg, you need to budget your finances. Here are five great apps that will help you develop the a budgeting strategy: 1. <a href="http://Mint.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mint.com</a>. This app takes all your financial accounts and expenses and categorizes them to ensure that you don’t overspend. 2. PocketGuard. This is another app that prevents you from overspending.  3. YNAB (You Need a Budget). This app allows you to assign every dollar to a specific job so you can zero-base the account through which your money comes in and goes out every single month.  4. Wally. The great thing about this app is it deals in foreign currency. It also tracks your income expenses and gives you a periodic snapshot of your budget.  5. Mvelopes. If you’re the kind of person who prefers to put cash in envelopes in order to budget for certain tasks, this app lets you do the same thing, only digitally. “These apps will help you develop a budgeting strategy.” Bonus app: Personal Capital. This app is specifically for investors. It’s great for general budgeting, but it also allows you to underwrite deals for particular properties.  In addition to these apps, we have a great pro forma you can use if you want to underwrite rental properties with a “hold” or “flip” strategy. With this pro forma, you’ll get cap rates, rates of returns, ROIs, etc. If you’re interested in getting it, get in touch with me and I’d be happy to send it to you.  Budgeting is one of my favorite topics, so if you have any more questions about these apps or you want to set a budget for a future home purchase, don’t hesitate to call or email me. I look forward to speaking with you.

5 Apps Homebuyers  Investors Can Use to Set the Perfect Budget

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, get all the information and the latest updates, tips, and tricks from Kelly Cook Real Estate Group - your professional Phoenix and Scottsdale Real Estate Agents.

How have recent changes in our market impacted affordability, and how will current market conditions influence your ability to buy or sell? Let’s discuss these critical questions today.Welcome back to the Phoenix  Scottsdale Real Estate Show. On today’s episode, we’ll discuss a critical question: “What does the current drop in home affordability mean for you?”First, it’s important to know that home affordability is defined by the size of the monthly mortgage payment needed to buy a home. The government began tracking home affordability as an index in 1970. And just a few years ago, homes were recorded as being more affordable than ever before, or at least more affordable than any other time since we began recording this index. But now, this index, which takes into account inflation, current mortgage rates, and home prices, indicates that affordability is shrinking rapidly. Why is this the case?Well, rates and home values, which have been significantly low in the recent past, are slowly but surely on the rise. As a result, home affordability dropped by 5% in just the first quarter of this year. This drop has primarily been the result of increasing interest rates, which the Fed is expected to bump up once or twice more by the end of 2018. In turn, affordability is expected to drop an additional 15% to 20% by that point in time. So what does this all mean for you?For sellers, it may mean that finding a buyer could be more challenging than in the past. And if a buyer does come along, sellers must realize that what buyers actually pay for a property tends to fluctuate within a 10% range of the actual list price. Whether sellers achieve a price that is higher than or lower than their list price depends on how and who manages the listing process on their behalf. The right agent will help sellers make the most of their home sale using strategic marketing and negotiation. “Even though affordability is lower than in the recent past, it is still significantly higher than it was between 1987 and 2004.”As for buyers, it isn’t time to panic yet. According to Arch Mortgage Insurance, homes are 15% to 20% more affordable than has been the case since this index was first recorded. Even though affordability is lower than in the recent past, it is still significantly higher than it was between 1987 and 2004. Rates are still low, historically speaking, so homeownership remains well in reach for those interested in pursuing it. If you have any other questions, would like more information, or are interested in how my team and I can help you pursue your real estate goals, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

How have recent changes in our market impacted affordability, and how will current market conditions influence your ability to buy or sell? Let’s discuss these critical questions today. Welcome back to the Phoenix Scottsdale Real Estate Show. On today’s episode, we’ll discuss a critical question: “What does the current drop in home affordability mean for you?” First, it’s important to know that home affordability is defined by the size of the monthly mortgage payment needed to buy a home.  The government began tracking home affordability as an index in 1970. And just a few years ago, homes were recorded as being more affordable than ever before, or at least more affordable than any other time since we began recording this index.  But now, this index, which takes into account inflation, current mortgage rates, and home prices, indicates that affordability is shrinking rapidly. Why is this the case? Well, rates and home values, which have been significantly low in the recent past, are slowly but surely on the rise. As a result, home affordability dropped by 5% in just the first quarter of this year.  This drop has primarily been the result of increasing interest rates, which the Fed is expected to bump up once or twice more by the end of 2018. In turn, affordability is expected to drop an additional 15% to 20% by that point in time.  So what does this all mean for you? For sellers, it may mean that finding a buyer could be more challenging than in the past. And if a buyer does come along, sellers must realize that what buyers actually pay for a property tends to fluctuate within a 10% range of the actual list price. Whether sellers achieve a price that is higher than or lower than their list price depends on how and who manages the listing process on their behalf. The right agent will help sellers make the most of their home sale using strategic marketing and negotiation.  “Even though affordability is lower than in the recent past, it is still significantly higher than it was between 1987 and 2004.” As for buyers, it isn’t time to panic yet. According to Arch Mortgage Insurance, homes are 15% to 20% more affordable than has been the case since this index was first recorded. Even though affordability is lower than in the recent past, it is still significantly higher than it was between 1987 and 2004. Rates are still low, historically speaking, so homeownership remains well in reach for those interested in pursuing it.  If you have any other questions, would like more information, or are interested in how my team and I can help you pursue your real estate goals, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Buyers and Sellers:  What Should be Your Perspective on the Current Drop in Affordability?

The seasonal market is closing, but home sellers still have time to maximize their sale.Which of the four seasons do you think is the best time to sell your home?If you guessed spring, congratulations! That’s probably not a shocker, but the real estate website HomeLight did some research on this subject and found that certain niche areas, cities, and areas within those cities have different optimal sales cycles. What about the Phoenix/Scottsdale areas, though?The real estate “season” in Phoenix runs from November to the end of April. The six-month period in between is considered the “off-season.” These seasonal markets are great for their specific time of year for obvious reasons, but they also have homes that sell throughout the entire year. Terra Vida, for instance, is a seasonal market, but there are people who live there full-time. The greater Phoenix/Scottsdale market is very favorable for sellers right now, and the current sales cycle should run until the beginning or middle of July. After that, it will slow down until the holidays come.“Now’s the time to put your home on the market in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.”This is great news if you’re looking to maximize your home sale and time the market through our seasonal sale cycle. The seasonal market is closing, but there are still some snowbirds out there who are holding over until they have to head back up north. There are also buyers who need to buy now to get their childrens’ school situations figured out. An average good month in our market will typically have between 7,500 and 9,000 home sales. These months usually include March, April, and October. However, even a month like August, which competes with December as the slowest month for real estate, still averages around 4,500 home sales, so there is no “bad” month to sell. If you’d like to take advantage of current market conditions in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area and list your home so it sells for top dollar, don’t hesitate to call or email us. If you have any other questions or real estate needs, feel to reach out to us as well. We’d love to help you.

The seasonal market is closing, but home sellers still have time to maximize their sale. Which of the four seasons do you think is the best time to sell your home? If you guessed spring, congratulations! That’s probably not a shocker, but the real estate website HomeLight did some research on this subject and found that certain niche areas, cities, and areas within those cities have different optimal sales cycles.  What about the Phoenix/Scottsdale areas, though? The real estate “season” in Phoenix runs from November to the end of April. The six-month period in between is considered the “off-season.” These seasonal markets are great for their specific time of year for obvious reasons, but they also have homes that sell throughout the entire year. Terra Vida, for instance, is a seasonal market, but there are people who live there full-time.  The greater Phoenix/Scottsdale market is very favorable for sellers right now, and the current sales cycle should run until the beginning or middle of July. After that, it will slow down until the holidays come. “Now’s the time to put your home on the market in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.” This is great news if you’re looking to maximize your home sale and time the market through our seasonal sale cycle. The seasonal market is closing, but there are still some snowbirds out there who are holding over until they have to head back up north. There are also buyers who need to buy now to get their childrens’ school situations figured out.  An average good month in our market will typically have between 7,500 and 9,000 home sales. These months usually include March, April, and October. However, even a month like August, which competes with December as the slowest month for real estate, still averages around 4,500 home sales, so there is no “bad” month to sell.  If you’d like to take advantage of current market conditions in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area and list your home so it sells for top dollar, don’t hesitate to call or email us. If you have any other questions or real estate needs, feel to reach out to us as well. We’d love to help you.

Is Now the Best Time to Sell Your Home in Our Market?

There are ways to invest in real estate without having to be super wealthy. Watch this video to learn about five options available to you.Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for saleSelling your home? Get a FREE home value reportToday’s topic is near and dear to my heart: investing in real estate. I’d like to share five different ways you can go about investing in real estate.There’s a myth that you have to be super wealthy to invest in real estate. But, based on five reasons, that is not true anymore. There are ways to invest with zero money down.According to a recent survey, real estate investors now make about 15% of the population. That’s a staggering number. I never thought it’d be that high.Here’s another statistic: 89% of US investors are interested in putting their money into real estate. There are all kinds of incentives and benefits, like cash flow, tax incentives, leverage, and value appreciation.“REAL ESTATE INVESTORS NOW MAKE ABOUT 15% OF THE POPULATION.”Now, the five ways you can invest in real estate:1. Buy and rent (a.k.a. buy and hold). This is what I and a lot of other investors like to do. It puts your money to work for you. The ROI, if you buy the property right, blows away the stock market. This isn’t a blanket statement. However, there is a lot of research, due diligence, and comparative analysis required. And that’s what we’re here for. We have plug-and-play formulas built for you that we can send, and all you have to do is enter what you want, and it will tell you all the percentage of returns and other metrics you’ll need to know if you’re investing in real estate.2. Buy and sell (a.k.a. flipping). This has become very mainstream nowadays. But you should be careful. There are stories you rarely hear about telling how people sometimes lose a little on their investment because they didn’t turn out the way they expected. Nevertheless, if you have a professional who knows how to buy property correctly, how to source properties, and how to estimate the cost of the remodel, it can make you a lot of money.3. Real estate investment groups. These are people that buy properties, fix them up, and lease them out for you, so there’s already an established cap rate and immediate cash flow on the property from the day you purchase it. They’ll sell it to you, and you become a sort of passive investor on that real estate, because many times they’ll even provide the property management for you for whatever fee they charge.4. Crowdfunding sites. These sites do large-scale investments and they allow you to piggyback on their huge investments as part of a small pool. You get a specific guaranteed return. Although, sometimes it can fluctuate a little.5. REIT (real estate investment trust). This is similar to a mutual fund for real estate. You can put your money into one, and they usually pay a decent dividend payout, so your money is passively working for you. These are large-scale projects—big commercial buildings that have anchor tenants in most cases. It’s not as liquid as other options, but you can do it.If you’re interested in real estate investment whatsoever, we’d love to discuss how we can help you with some of these options. For those that we are not licensed to do ourselves, we can put you in touch with individuals who are. Please feel free to give us a call!

There are ways to invest in real estate without having to be super wealthy. Watch this video to learn about five options available to you. Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for sale Selling your home? Get a FREE home value report Today’s topic is near and dear to my heart: investing in real estate. I’d like to share five different ways you can go about investing in real estate. There’s a myth that you have to be super wealthy to invest in real estate. But, based on five reasons, that is not true anymore. There are ways to invest with zero money down. According to a recent survey, real estate investors now make about 15% of the population. That’s a staggering number. I never thought it’d be that high. Here’s another statistic: 89% of US investors are interested in putting their money into real estate. There are all kinds of incentives and benefits, like cash flow, tax incentives, leverage, and value appreciation. “REAL ESTATE INVESTORS NOW MAKE ABOUT 15% OF THE POPULATION.” Now, the five ways you can invest in real estate: 1. Buy and rent (a.k.a. buy and hold). This is what I and a lot of other investors like to do. It puts your money to work for you. The ROI, if you buy the property right, blows away the stock market. This isn’t a blanket statement. However, there is a lot of research, due diligence, and comparative analysis required. And that’s what we’re here for. We have plug-and-play formulas built for you that we can send, and all you have to do is enter what you want, and it will tell you all the percentage of returns and other metrics you’ll need to know if you’re investing in real estate. 2. Buy and sell (a.k.a. flipping). This has become very mainstream nowadays. But you should be careful. There are stories you rarely hear about telling how people sometimes lose a little on their investment because they didn’t turn out the way they expected. Nevertheless, if you have a professional who knows how to buy property correctly, how to source properties, and how to estimate the cost of the remodel, it can make you a lot of money. 3. Real estate investment groups. These are people that buy properties, fix them up, and lease them out for you, so there’s already an established cap rate and immediate cash flow on the property from the day you purchase it. They’ll sell it to you, and you become a sort of passive investor on that real estate, because many times they’ll even provide the property management for you for whatever fee they charge. 4. Crowdfunding sites. These sites do large-scale investments and they allow you to piggyback on their huge investments as part of a small pool. You get a specific guaranteed return. Although, sometimes it can fluctuate a little. 5. REIT (real estate investment trust). This is similar to a mutual fund for real estate. You can put your money into one, and they usually pay a decent dividend payout, so your money is passively working for you. These are large-scale projects—big commercial buildings that have anchor tenants in most cases. It’s not as liquid as other options, but you can do it. If you’re interested in real estate investment whatsoever, we’d love to discuss how we can help you with some of these options. For those that we are not licensed to do ourselves, we can put you in touch with individuals who are. Please feel free to give us a call!

5 Ways You Can Invest in Real Estate

Is now a good time to buy a home, or should you wait? I’ve got the answer for you in today’s video.Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for saleSelling your home? Get a FREE home value reportA great mentor of mine once told me, “You don’t wait to buy real estate. You buy real estate and wait.” It seems that all we hear about in today’s current market is whether or not to buy now. So, when is it a good time to buy, and how does the Fed’s most recent rate hike play into that?First, the trend has been that since the Fed began raising rates last year, interest rates for mortgages have actually gone down. If that continues, it could mean lower interest rates for mortgages in the short term.The economy continues to do well. Unemployment and inflation rates are still low, which gives the Federal Reserve more confidence to raise rates at this point.“YOU DON’T WAIT TO BUY REAL ESTATE—-YOU BUY REAL ESTATE AND WAIT.”Finally, the Fed rate hike, which is usually meant to cool the economy, might actually do the opposite. Since the Fed starting raising the federal funds rate in December 2016, mortgages are actually up 2.5% year over year. This means that more people are applying for mortgages now than they were last year.So, should you wait to buy a house? While the price of homes continues to rise, mortgage rates are still low, making it more affordable than ever to lock in that great mortgage rate and get into the home of your dreams.If you have any other questions, or you’re looking to buy or sell a home, please give me a call. I look forward to helping you!

Is now a good time to buy a home, or should you wait? I’ve got the answer for you in today’s video. Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for sale Selling your home? Get a FREE home value report A great mentor of mine once told me, “You don’t wait to buy real estate. You buy real estate and wait.” It seems that all we hear about in today’s current market is whether or not to buy now. So, when is it a good time to buy, and how does the Fed’s most recent rate hike play into that? First, the trend has been that since the Fed began raising rates last year, interest rates for mortgages have actually gone down. If that continues, it could mean lower interest rates for mortgages in the short term. The economy continues to do well. Unemployment and inflation rates are still low, which gives the Federal Reserve more confidence to raise rates at this point. “YOU DON’T WAIT TO BUY REAL ESTATE—-YOU BUY REAL ESTATE AND WAIT.” Finally, the Fed rate hike, which is usually meant to cool the economy, might actually do the opposite. Since the Fed starting raising the federal funds rate in December 2016, mortgages are actually up 2.5% year over year. This means that more people are applying for mortgages now than they were last year. So, should you wait to buy a house? While the price of homes continues to rise, mortgage rates are still low, making it more affordable than ever to lock in that great mortgage rate and get into the home of your dreams. If you have any other questions, or you’re looking to buy or sell a home, please give me a call. I look forward to helping you!

With the Recent Rate Hikes, Is Now the Right Time to Buy a New Home?

Have you thought about using vacation rental services like Airbnb as a property investment? It can offer a great return on your investment, but you need to consider a few important factors first.Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for saleSelling your home? Get a FREE home value reportMany real estate investors have taken on a new strategy of using vacation rentals like Airbnb and VRBO to generate returns. If this is a type of investment you’re thinking about adding to your portfolio, there are three main points you need to be aware of first:1. Location and zoning: For example, Scottsdale is by far the best area for vacation rentals because the demand is high for these properties. You have to be aware of zoning as well since certain subdivisions don’t allow short-term rentals. You need to check with your CCNR or HOA to make sure they allow this kind of rental.2. Management companies: This isn’t a ‘set it and forget it’ kind of investment; it’s very active. More tenants coming and going means a better return, but it also means more time. A management company can handle the influx of income, the books, cleaning, and other similar things.3. Exit strategy: As with any investment, ask yourself why you’re doing it. Have an exit strategy that allows you to rent the property long-term if you decide to change your investment strategy. Also make sure you buy a property that has a good chance at appreciating in value.There are plenty of other nuances you’ll need to consider for this type of investment. It’s a full-time job to have a vacation rental. The upside is quite high though.“THIS ISN’T A ‘SET IT AND FORGET IT’ KIND OF INVESTMENT; IT’S VERY ACTIVE.”I recently spoke with a client who bought a property about seven years ago who is now only about a year away from paying off his 30-year mortgage on the property. His strategy was to put every dollar of profit from the vacation rental right back toward the principal and, as a result, he’s going to pay off a 30-year mortgage in eight years or so.You also have to provide full furnishing for the vacation rental from plates, silverware, and dishes to microwaves and furniture. Then there are towels, linens, and toiletries. The list goes on and on. Basically, you can’t just consider the cost of acquisition for the house, you must factor in all those furnishings as well. Costs really add up when you start talking about chairs, beds, and couches.We’ve helped a lot of clients maximize their investment with this strategy with a great return on their investment. If you have any other questions about this investment strategy, give me a call or send me an email. I’d love to talk with you about it!

Have you thought about using vacation rental services like Airbnb as a property investment? It can offer a great return on your investment, but you need to consider a few important factors first. Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for sale Selling your home? Get a FREE home value report Many real estate investors have taken on a new strategy of using vacation rentals like Airbnb and VRBO to generate returns. If this is a type of investment you’re thinking about adding to your portfolio, there are three main points you need to be aware of first: 1. Location and zoning: For example, Scottsdale is by far the best area for vacation rentals because the demand is high for these properties. You have to be aware of zoning as well since certain subdivisions don’t allow short-term rentals. You need to check with your CCNR or HOA to make sure they allow this kind of rental. 2. Management companies: This isn’t a ‘set it and forget it’ kind of investment; it’s very active. More tenants coming and going means a better return, but it also means more time. A management company can handle the influx of income, the books, cleaning, and other similar things. 3. Exit strategy: As with any investment, ask yourself why you’re doing it. Have an exit strategy that allows you to rent the property long-term if you decide to change your investment strategy. Also make sure you buy a property that has a good chance at appreciating in value. There are plenty of other nuances you’ll need to consider for this type of investment. It’s a full-time job to have a vacation rental. The upside is quite high though. “THIS ISN’T A ‘SET IT AND FORGET IT’ KIND OF INVESTMENT; IT’S VERY ACTIVE.” I recently spoke with a client who bought a property about seven years ago who is now only about a year away from paying off his 30-year mortgage on the property. His strategy was to put every dollar of profit from the vacation rental right back toward the principal and, as a result, he’s going to pay off a 30-year mortgage in eight years or so. You also have to provide full furnishing for the vacation rental from plates, silverware, and dishes to microwaves and furniture. Then there are towels, linens, and toiletries. The list goes on and on. Basically, you can’t just consider the cost of acquisition for the house, you must factor in all those furnishings as well. Costs really add up when you start talking about chairs, beds, and couches. We’ve helped a lot of clients maximize their investment with this strategy with a great return on their investment. If you have any other questions about this investment strategy, give me a call or send me an email. I’d love to talk with you about it!

Using Airbnb With Investment Property

Should you rent a home or buy one? I have four questions that will help you make this important decision.Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for saleSelling your home? Get a FREE home value reportShould you rent a home or buy a home? There are four things you should consider when deciding what to do:1. Can you afford it? In many cases, it’s actually more expensive to rent in Phoenix than to own a home if you look at the monthly payments. You might say, “I know that but I don’t have anything saved for a down payment.” If you are looking in certain price points, you may qualify for a down payment assistance program that will gift you 5% of the purchase price up to a certain amount. It’s a great program but we don’t know how much longer it will be there, so call me if you’re interested.2. Is it better to rent or buy? It really depends on your personal circumstances. Are you self-employed or a W-2 employee? How much can you write off on your taxes due to owning real estate? Your rental payment may be close to a mortgage payment, but that tax return can make a big difference. Check in with your CPA and see if it may be more affordable for you to own a home.“HOW LONG ARE YOU WILLING TO STAY PUT?”Other things like home warranties hedge your risk on things breaking in your home when you own the property.3. How long are you willing to stay put? What’s your exit strategy? Again, most homeowners stay in their home for about five to seven years, depending on the market cycle and whether or not they have equity in the home. If a market correction occurs and the market goes down, people may stay in their homes a little longer.4. Are you ready to be a homeowner? You will be responsible for the property. If something breaks, you need a home warranty or money set aside for improvements and repairs. Your HVAC system and your roof both have a lifespan. Will you need to replace them?You can get a home warranty for about $70 that will cover the vast majority of big issues. Homeowners insurance will also cover repairs and costs anywhere from $400 to $800 a year.Hopefully, these four questions help you determine whether you should own or rent a home. If you have any other questions, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

Should you rent a home or buy one? I have four questions that will help you make this important decision. Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for sale Selling your home? Get a FREE home value report Should you rent a home or buy a home? There are four things you should consider when deciding what to do: 1. Can you afford it? In many cases, it’s actually more expensive to rent in Phoenix than to own a home if you look at the monthly payments. You might say, “I know that but I don’t have anything saved for a down payment.” If you are looking in certain price points, you may qualify for a down payment assistance program that will gift you 5% of the purchase price up to a certain amount. It’s a great program but we don’t know how much longer it will be there, so call me if you’re interested. 2. Is it better to rent or buy? It really depends on your personal circumstances. Are you self-employed or a W-2 employee? How much can you write off on your taxes due to owning real estate? Your rental payment may be close to a mortgage payment, but that tax return can make a big difference. Check in with your CPA and see if it may be more affordable for you to own a home. “HOW LONG ARE YOU WILLING TO STAY PUT?” Other things like home warranties hedge your risk on things breaking in your home when you own the property. 3. How long are you willing to stay put? What’s your exit strategy? Again, most homeowners stay in their home for about five to seven years, depending on the market cycle and whether or not they have equity in the home. If a market correction occurs and the market goes down, people may stay in their homes a little longer. 4. Are you ready to be a homeowner? You will be responsible for the property. If something breaks, you need a home warranty or money set aside for improvements and repairs. Your HVAC system and your roof both have a lifespan. Will you need to replace them? You can get a home warranty for about $70 that will cover the vast majority of big issues. Homeowners insurance will also cover repairs and costs anywhere from $400 to $800 a year. Hopefully, these four questions help you determine whether you should own or rent a home. If you have any other questions, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

Should You Rent or Buy a Home?

Today I want to take a moment to express some gratitude on behalf of my entire team. We want to thank each and every one of you for your support.Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for saleSelling your home? Get a FREE home value reportHappy Thanksgiving! Today I want to take a moment to express some gratitude on behalf of my entire team. We want to thank each and every one of you for your support. We appreciate you giving us the opportunity to go to bat for you.Being able to demonstrate our experience, skill, dedication, and knowledge by helping you buy or sell property is something we are very grateful for.With that said, I want to bring your attention to a magazine put out internationally by Keller Williams: OutFront. Recently, I was fortunate enough to be featured in the magazine, and I just want to share this experience with you.At first, I hesitated to share this news because I don’t want to seem egotistical, but I ultimately decided that I should, since it is thanks to all of you that I’ve been able to achieve this honor. Since you helped make it happen, my team and I would love to ship you a copy of this issue out so that you can see it for yourselves.The article mostly covers my real estate story. For those of you who don’t know, I entered the world of real estate in 2005 with $40 I borrowed from my sister. There was no YouTube or Zillow back then. It was all about advertising in the newspaper.“I ENTERED THE WORLD OF REAL ESTATE IN 2005 WITH $40 I BORROWED FROM MY SISTER.”Using the $40 I borrowed from my sister, I was able to put an ad in the Saturday newspaper saying: “For a free list of rentals in North Scottsdale, call Kelly.”I thought that if I could help people find rental properties, I might be able to help those same people buy homes in the future once they were done with their lease. And that’s how it all began.Just over 12 and a half years later, here I am. So, again, I just want to thank all of you who have supported my team and I over the years.If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Today I want to take a moment to express some gratitude on behalf of my entire team. We want to thank each and every one of you for your support. Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for sale Selling your home? Get a FREE home value report Happy Thanksgiving! Today I want to take a moment to express some gratitude on behalf of my entire team. We want to thank each and every one of you for your support. We appreciate you giving us the opportunity to go to bat for you. Being able to demonstrate our experience, skill, dedication, and knowledge by helping you buy or sell property is something we are very grateful for. With that said, I want to bring your attention to a magazine put out internationally by Keller Williams: OutFront. Recently, I was fortunate enough to be featured in the magazine, and I just want to share this experience with you. At first, I hesitated to share this news because I don’t want to seem egotistical, but I ultimately decided that I should, since it is thanks to all of you that I’ve been able to achieve this honor. Since you helped make it happen, my team and I would love to ship you a copy of this issue out so that you can see it for yourselves. The article mostly covers my real estate story. For those of you who don’t know, I entered the world of real estate in 2005 with $40 I borrowed from my sister. There was no YouTube or Zillow back then. It was all about advertising in the newspaper. “I ENTERED THE WORLD OF REAL ESTATE IN 2005 WITH $40 I BORROWED FROM MY SISTER.” Using the $40 I borrowed from my sister, I was able to put an ad in the Saturday newspaper saying: “For a free list of rentals in North Scottsdale, call Kelly.” I thought that if I could help people find rental properties, I might be able to help those same people buy homes in the future once they were done with their lease. And that’s how it all began. Just over 12 and a half years later, here I am. So, again, I just want to thank all of you who have supported my team and I over the years. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

To All of Our Clients: Thank You

Phoenix is still in a strong seller’s market. However, those days could be coming to an end soon.Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for saleSelling your home? Get a FREE home value reportI’d like to cover a few things today about the Phoenix housing market that I think you’ll be interested in hearing. The latest numbers are in, and they show us where our market is at and where it’s headed.Here in Arizona, only 12% of homeowners are still “under water” on their homes in terms of equity. Most people are either able to sell for a profit or have started to build even more equity than they had before the market crash. There were only about 360 homes that were foreclosed last month. It might sound like a lot, but compared to where we were at 10 years ago, it’s nothing.We are predicting a strong seller’s market for 2017 with modest appreciation. Realtor.com expects sales to increase by about 1.7% from last year. A steady rise in sales and appreciation are both signs of a healthy market.Where we go from here is debatable. We are more than 10 years into the current housing cycle, which takes about 10 years to complete from peak to valley. We’re playing with house money right now, so to speak. Keep in mind that the market will look a lot different in the next year or two.“WE’RE IN YEAR 10 OF A 10-YEAR CYCLE.”Affordability in Phoenix right now is high. The salary needed to afford a median-priced home in Phoenix right now is $44,000. For first-time buyers who qualify for specific criteria, homes are even more affordable.For example, a program in Maricopa County for first-time homebuyers gifts them with up to 3.5% for a down payment. This is a grant and doesn’t need to be repaid. If you also negotiate with the seller to pay for closing costs, you could get into a home for $0 out of pocket. How amazing is that? Keep in mind that there are a few criteria you need to meet, including a 620 credit score and a yearly income under $88,000.If you have any questions for me about the market or if you’re looking to buy or sell a home, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Phoenix is still in a strong seller’s market. However, those days could be coming to an end soon. Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for sale Selling your home? Get a FREE home value report I’d like to cover a few things today about the Phoenix housing market that I think you’ll be interested in hearing. The latest numbers are in, and they show us where our market is at and where it’s headed. Here in Arizona, only 12% of homeowners are still “under water” on their homes in terms of equity. Most people are either able to sell for a profit or have started to build even more equity than they had before the market crash. There were only about 360 homes that were foreclosed last month. It might sound like a lot, but compared to where we were at 10 years ago, it’s nothing. We are predicting a strong seller’s market for 2017 with modest appreciation. <a href="http://Realtor.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Realtor.com</a> expects sales to increase by about 1.7% from last year. A steady rise in sales and appreciation are both signs of a healthy market. Where we go from here is debatable. We are more than 10 years into the current housing cycle, which takes about 10 years to complete from peak to valley. We’re playing with house money right now, so to speak. Keep in mind that the market will look a lot different in the next year or two. “WE’RE IN YEAR 10 OF A 10-YEAR CYCLE.” Affordability in Phoenix right now is high. The salary needed to afford a median-priced home in Phoenix right now is $44,000. For first-time buyers who qualify for specific criteria, homes are even more affordable. For example, a program in Maricopa County for first-time homebuyers gifts them with up to 3.5% for a down payment. This is a grant and doesn’t need to be repaid. If you also negotiate with the seller to pay for closing costs, you could get into a home for $0 out of pocket. How amazing is that? Keep in mind that there are a few criteria you need to meet, including a 620 credit score and a yearly income under $88,000. If you have any questions for me about the market or if you’re looking to buy or sell a home, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

An Exciting Update on the Phoenix Real Estate Market

You may have heard of Opendoor and Offerpad, but what do these kinds of companies actually offer you as a seller?Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for saleSelling your home? Get a FREE home value reportToday, I’d like to share some information about two big players in the world of wholesaling and direct seller offers.Right now, direct offers to sellers from institutional wholesale buyers are a big trend in real estate. There are two main companies pioneering this space: Offerpad and Opendoor.You may have seen advertisements from either of these companies via direct mail, on TV, on the radio, or elsewhere. These companies boast that they will buy directly from sellers, targeting those who may be attracted to the convenience this kind of deal has to offer.“SOME SELLERS MAY BE ATTRACTED TO THE CONVENIENCE A WHOLESALE INSTITUTIONAL BUYER CAN OFFER.”However, while convenience is a positive aspect of this kind of transaction, there is a downside. Sellers on the open market will typically net more for their property than those who sell directly to a company like Offerpad or Opendoor, even after a fee of 6%.There are ways that Realtors can work with these companies. So if you have any interest in this kind of transaction, feel free to get in touch. My team and I would be happy to discuss your options with you.Ultimately, the best way to decide what is best for you and your property is to clearly understand which will earn you a higher net income.If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

You may have heard of Opendoor and Offerpad, but what do these kinds of companies actually offer you as a seller? Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for sale Selling your home? Get a FREE home value report Today, I’d like to share some information about two big players in the world of wholesaling and direct seller offers. Right now, direct offers to sellers from institutional wholesale buyers are a big trend in real estate. There are two main companies pioneering this space: Offerpad and Opendoor. You may have seen advertisements from either of these companies via direct mail, on TV, on the radio, or elsewhere. These companies boast that they will buy directly from sellers, targeting those who may be attracted to the convenience this kind of deal has to offer. “SOME SELLERS MAY BE ATTRACTED TO THE CONVENIENCE A WHOLESALE INSTITUTIONAL BUYER CAN OFFER.” However, while convenience is a positive aspect of this kind of transaction, there is a downside. Sellers on the open market will typically net more for their property than those who sell directly to a company like Offerpad or Opendoor, even after a fee of 6%. There are ways that Realtors can work with these companies. So if you have any interest in this kind of transaction, feel free to get in touch. My team and I would be happy to discuss your options with you. Ultimately, the best way to decide what is best for you and your property is to clearly understand which will earn you a higher net income. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

What You Need to Know About Companies Like Opendoor and Offerpad

If you want to do some home improvement, here are 10 of the hottest home improvement trends of 2017.Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for saleSelling your home? Get a FREE home value reportIf you’re planning on doing some home improvement, you might as well follow what people want so you can improve your home’s value and get a good return when it comes time to sell it or refinance.Here are the hottest home improvement trends of 2017:Open kitchen shelvesStain-resistant fabricsStacked stoneGravel landscapingBathroom remodelsSmarthome improvementsNeutral textures  pastel shadesCut  loop carpetsKitchen remodelsPendant lightingAs you can see, there are a few mainstays and a few newcomers. Pastel shades are making a comeback. Kitchen and bathroom remodels are always in the conversation for the smartest improvements you can make to your home. Smarthomes are becoming more and more relevant as technology progresses.If you have any questions about making improvements to your home or any other real estate topics, dont hesitate to reach out to me. Id be happy to help. ppy to help.

If you want to do some home improvement, here are 10 of the hottest home improvement trends of 2017. Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for sale Selling your home? Get a FREE home value report If you’re planning on doing some home improvement, you might as well follow what people want so you can improve your home’s value and get a good return when it comes time to sell it or refinance. Here are the hottest home improvement trends of 2017: Open kitchen shelves Stain-resistant fabrics Stacked stone Gravel landscaping Bathroom remodels Smarthome improvements Neutral textures pastel shades Cut loop carpets Kitchen remodels Pendant lighting As you can see, there are a few mainstays and a few newcomers. Pastel shades are making a comeback. Kitchen and bathroom remodels are always in the conversation for the smartest improvements you can make to your home. Smarthomes are becoming more and more relevant as technology progresses. If you have any questions about making improvements to your home or any other real estate topics, dont hesitate to reach out to me. Id be happy to help. ppy to help.

What Are the 10 Hottest Home Improvement Trends of 2017?

If you don’t have a lot of time and would like to know how to implement ideas within your real estate business to succeed at the highest level, then this is the podcast for you!

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Phoenix and Scottsdale Real Estate Show with Kelly Cook

I have seven New Year’s resolutions that I’m taking on in 2017 that I think will really help me maintain my home more effectively. I recommend these seven things to all fellow homeowners!Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for saleSelling your home? Get a FREE home value reportIn light of 2017, I decided there are a few New Year’s resolutions I wanted to start and maintain when it comes to my home this year. There are seven that I want to share with you:1. I will turn off all my lights. I have small kids, so I can’t imagine how much money is wasted every month from lights being left on.2. I will remove my shoes and compel others to do the same. This is always a good idea if you have carpet in your house. Taking your shoes off every single day can make a big difference over a long period of time.3. I will put money into a maintenance account for my house regularly. This is for when things break and for preventative maintenance.4. I will conduct many inspections of my house.“SIMPLY TAKING YOUR SHOES OFF EVERY DAY WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN KEEPING YOUR CARPET CLEAN.”5. I will wash my windows consistently. Think of how much brighter your house is without that film of dust throughout the year.6. I will change my A/C filters monthly. This is a big one most people forget. I actually write the day that I change the filter on it so I know when to change it out.7. I will declutter a bit every single day. Just keep the house clean and when you move, you’ll have less to deal with.I highly recommend these seven tips to any fellow homeowners. If you have any questions or you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, give me a call or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you!

I have seven New Year’s resolutions that I’m taking on in 2017 that I think will really help me maintain my home more effectively. I recommend these seven things to all fellow homeowners! Looking to buy a home? Search all homes for sale Selling your home? Get a FREE home value report In light of 2017, I decided there are a few New Year’s resolutions I wanted to start and maintain when it comes to my home this year. There are seven that I want to share with you: 1. I will turn off all my lights. I have small kids, so I can’t imagine how much money is wasted every month from lights being left on. 2. I will remove my shoes and compel others to do the same. This is always a good idea if you have carpet in your house. Taking your shoes off every single day can make a big difference over a long period of time. 3. I will put money into a maintenance account for my house regularly. This is for when things break and for preventative maintenance. 4. I will conduct many inspections of my house. “SIMPLY TAKING YOUR SHOES OFF EVERY DAY WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN KEEPING YOUR CARPET CLEAN.” 5. I will wash my windows consistently. Think of how much brighter your house is without that film of dust throughout the year. 6. I will change my A/C filters monthly. This is a big one most people forget. I actually write the day that I change the filter on it so I know when to change it out. 7. I will declutter a bit every single day. Just keep the house clean and when you move, you’ll have less to deal with. I highly recommend these seven tips to any fellow homeowners. If you have any questions or you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, give me a call or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you!

The 7 New Years Resolutions All Homeowners Should Follow

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