Arizona real estate

Home Maintenance

September 21, 2016 By ctaylor Leave a Comment

Here are some tips to keep your home in great shape so when the time comes to sell you aren’t scrambling to get things fixed.

• Your roof is a very important part of your home. It keeps out water, insulates your home and keeps it structurally sound. Inspecting your roof on a yearly basis can save you money later on. Checking for missing or broken tiles and inspecting the flashing is so important. Also check your interior and attic ceilings for any sign of water damage.
• Your hot water heater is something we rely on but don’t think about until we don’t have any hot water! Check for sediment at the bottom of the tank and change out the water.
• Depending on how often you use your fireplace, keeping your chimney clean and inspected is very important to keep it functional and safe.
• Trimming trees around your property often will keep them healthy and you won’t have to worry during the monsoon season of them falling over, especially on top of your house.
• Checking the caulking in your kitchen and bathrooms is important as it can lead to water damage. Also check the caulking on all your windows as well.
• Washing machines are a big source of water damage. Check your lines to be sure they are not worn or have come disconnected and are working properly. Don’t forget about your dryer and clean out your vent but also the dryer hose to be sure there is no build-up.
• Test your water sprinkler system and your drip system for leaks. This will save you money on your water bill as well.
• Maintaining the chemical balance in your pool will keep it in good working order. Clean your skimmers, brush the pool and check that your vacuum in working order.
• Change your air filters regularly for better air and will keep your AC system working properly. A yearly check-up is a must. Don’t forget your exhaust hood in the kitchen.
• Test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors monthly.
• Check the foundation for cracks, settling and leaks as well as repairing cracks in the driveway and sidewalks the minute you see something before it gets too big.
• Inspect door locks, hinges, latches and repair as needed.
• Make sure your garage door is in good working order and all safety features are in place.

Questions Often Asked About Real Estate

September 7, 2016 By ctaylor Leave a Comment

Is now a good time to Buy or Sell?
What is the housing market like in my area?
What do I need to do to sell my house?
What is my home worth?
Does choosing the right realtor make a difference?

The real estate market is constantly changing. I can provide the information you need to make a smart real estate decision. If you are buying or selling, I can give you expert guidance.

When It’s a Seller’s Market…

August 30, 2016 By ctaylor Leave a Comment

With the lack of homes on the market there has been an increase in the price of homes in many metropolitan areas. Real estate is very local of course but nationally home prices were up nearly 7 percent from a year ago. In this sort of scenario, it is the first time homebuyers who are having the hardest time because of the lack of inventory. The reason for the lack of homes is because some homeowners are still underwater so they are unable to sell until prices go up. Another reason is the lack of new construction. Homeowners who want to sell cannot find suitable new homes so they are staying put and not putting their home on the market. The lack of homes on the market is helping to raise rents so investors are holding on to those properties as well. If you are looking to buy, the most important thing is to get pre-qualified so you are ready to go. Putting down a large deposit and agreeing to the seller’s requests will help you. Mortgage rates are remaining low which is good for the home shopper, but more documentation is needed today because of the tougher requirements so be prepared to have tax returns, pay stubs and w-2 forms when you meet with your lender. The more prepared you are, the better your chances are to get the home you want.

Keep Loved Ones Close

August 22, 2016 By ctaylor Leave a Comment

A growing trend these days are backyard “Granny Pods” where your family member can live independently but you can keep an eye on them. It is a great alternative to a nursing home and it keeps your family engaged.

The basic cottage is around 12 ft x 24 ft or the size of a master bedroom and looks like a hotel suite. There is a small kitchen and a bathroom. They come with vinyl siding and double French doors to accommodate wheelchairs and equipment. There are amenities such as railings, first aid supplies, timed medication dispensers, toilets that measure weight, temperature and urine content as well as lighted floorboards and soft floors for falls.

You can install a video system that monitors at floor level to give the person privacy but a family member would know if there was a problem. A virtual companion can relay messages such as reminders for medication but also play movies and games.

We worry about our elderly family members and always want the best for them, this allows you to keep them very close to home.

Buying and Selling

August 17, 2016 By ctaylor Leave a Comment

When selling a home, the seller wants to get the highest price. When buyers are buying a home they want to get the best price. That’s where your real estate agent comes in to look at all the data and determine what the home is actually worth and negotiate for that highest or best price. Knowing the market and the math is what matters in creating a successful transaction. There is always that “dance” with the two agents, buyer and sellers but at the end of the day, everybody wants to close that transaction and walk away feeling like they got the best deal possible.

Who has the upper hand? If it’s a buyers’ market, the buyers can just walk away if they don’t like the deal because there are plenty of homes to choose from. In a seller’s market, multiple offers and bidding wars give the seller the upper hand although a truly motivated seller usually isn’t interested in a long negotiation.

The deal includes price, contingencies, time lines, closing costs, closing dates, a warranty and inspections before the deal is closed and Casey provides a high touch – high tech experience for his clients and can tailor a custom plan unique to their goals and buying/selling strategy.