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
A growing trend these da
ys 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
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 wha
t 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.
Landscape Tips
The placement of trees around your home can help passively cool your home in the hotter seasons. Planting shade trees on the east and west side of your home will provide shade from the intense summer heat. This is an easier and cheaper way to keep your house cool. Planting deciduous plants on the south side of your home will provide shade during the summer, but in the winter the leaves will fall off and the sun’s warmth can help heat your home.
The amount of watering depends on the size and age of the tree but each water application should be enough to saturate an area as wide as the drip line of the tree to a soil depth of 2-3 feet minimum. As the tree matures, it needs a wider water area. Loose sandy soil will dry out faster and require more frequent watering than a tight soil. New trees that haven’t established a root system will require more frequent watering. You should add an extra day of watering time during the extreme heat where it is consistently above 110 degrees.
Some shade trees that are native to the Sonoran Desert are Palo Verde, Mesquite, Ironwood, Palo Brea, Sweet Acacia, Desert Willow, Texas Ebony and Texas Mesquite.
The Best Decorating Tool for your Home
Paint can be an inexpensive decorating tool to transform your house as long as you don’t pick the wrong color! When a color is applied to the wall and dries, it can take on a whole different hue and not resemble that little square paint sample. Not using a primer can let the prior color show through giving it a different hue or the color of your furnishings can alter the look as well. Applying the actual paint in a test area and making sure you have the correct finish; semi-gloss, matte or high-gloss will save you a costly mistake. You can also paint a large board to carry around the house to see how it looks in different areas.