http://www.articlealley.com en-us editorial@articlealley.com This is a story that despite being fraught with difficulties, has a happy ending. It is partially about the difficulties we sometimes experience with short sales; it is partially about the hoops one must go through to obtain a loan, but mostly it is a sor... http://www.articlealley.com/article_1210598_33.html 30th October 2009 We recently closed escrow on a home in the city of Buckeye that we helped a first-time buyer secure. They kindly sent a note thanking us for helping to make the experience as smooth as possible. They also stated how glad they were to have stuck with us, e... http://www.articlealley.com/article_1121881_33.html 25th September 2009 Recently, I have been working with a young couple looking to buy their first home in the Buckeye area. I believe I have mentioned this before, but it is possible to purchase a good-sized four bedroom home, less than 4 years old, for around $100,000. Some ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_998818_33.html 25th July 2009 My regular readers will know that I am not a fan of government intervention. Rarely, if ever, does it result in a better product, good or service. Typically, it adds cost and bureaucracy. Having said all that, as a Realtor, it is also my job to stay abrea... http://www.articlealley.com/article_961098_33.html 01st July 2009 Well, there's a headline I never thought I would write. But it's not what you think. As a Realtor, some of the worst homes we sometimes see, are bank-owned. In other words-Foreclosures. It never ceases to amaze me that some folks, admittedly a minority, t... http://www.articlealley.com/article_930551_33.html 12th June 2009 Short sales, along with foreclosures are a large part of the Phoenix area real estate market. Here are some tips to guide you through the minefield. The general consensus is that short sales, where the owner owes more than the home is worth and asks for ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_873567_33.html 30th April 2009 A rise in pending transactions bodes well for the future of real estate in the Phoenix metropolitan area. As we have noted in the past, the free-market, when it is allowed to operate always has and always will re-dress the housing market. You may not l... http://www.articlealley.com/article_862317_33.html 17th April 2009 Pricing your home to sell is always a main factor in marketing your home. The sagging Phoenix real estate market makes it vital. The old adage in selling real estate was always, "Location, location, location". While that still holds true to a large ext... http://www.articlealley.com/article_851044_33.html 09th April 2009 A quick look at short sales vs. foreclosed properties, in the Phoenix metropolitan area real estate market. A short sale, as opposed to a fore-closed home, is neither good nor bad, in and of itself. The real question is whether the house you are attemp... http://www.articlealley.com/article_835553_33.html 25th March 2009 Today, Bloomberg.com published an informative article by Bob Willis, on November existing home sales. Please click the link to read. The article speaks for its... http://www.articlealley.com/article_775635_33.html 02nd February 2009 In response to various inquiries, I delved into the statistics of an anonymous Phoenix area neighborhood to check the pulse of the market. Around this time of year, whilst attending a never-ending round of cocktail parties that being a busy Realtor en... http://www.articlealley.com/article_766523_33.html 23rd January 2009 Predicting future events is never an easy job, and more often than not, a futile exercise of vanity over reality. However, that has never stopped me from sticking my neck out! Further complicating the issue this year is the fact that we will be installi... http://www.articlealley.com/article_751193_33.html 12th January 2009 Some months ago, I wrote of two homes that had come onto the market due to the owner's need to re-locate (Phoenix Real Estate, No More Mr. Nice Guy) I will briefly re-cap the stories. Couple "A" bought a phoenix home in March 2006 for $335,000, with a... http://www.articlealley.com/article_690124_33.html 18th November 2008 In the extremely competitive real estate market that is gripping the nation, and particularly the greater Phoenix area, should your agent be a nice guy? Let me explain. First of all, should your real estate agent be a "nice"guy? (or gal, I know!) Well... http://www.articlealley.com/article_612226_33.html 01st September 2008 Traditionally, the summer has been a time when the real estate market begins to slow down in Phoenix, AZ. Partly due to snowbirds returning home, and partly due to our high temperatures which make us less inclined to search for a new home. However, and re... http://www.articlealley.com/article_561052_33.html 23rd June 2008 At last, some good news for the Phoenix real estate market? Well, yes, but... As I write this article, in the dying days of March, it seems that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel; and I do not believe it is a train coming towards us! I... http://www.articlealley.com/article_506376_33.html 03rd April 2008 Here in the Valley of the Sun, as in the rest of American, many homeowners decide to remodel rather than move. Often, it is a sound idea. However, many Phoenix residents pose the question "Should I get a permit?" The simple answer to this conundrum is... http://www.articlealley.com/article_478317_33.html 21st February 2008 This is a subject about which I have often been tempted to put pen to paper, but have shied away from it for various reasons. However, an article in a prominent Arizona newspaper recently has forced me to re-think that decision.Once again, we ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_244511_33.html 10th November 2007 A few days ago, Mrs. K was talking on the phone to Grandma, who was lamenting the fact that Grandpa never "believed" in life insurance so he had never taken out a life policy. Later, as we discussed it, I pointed out that while there had been no insurance... http://www.articlealley.com/article_226838_33.html 12th October 2007 Today I was conducting an MLS search for a client in an area that was entry-level priced, so consequently there were many, many homes to choose from. Whilst refining the search to better tailor it to my customer's needs, I could not help but be amazed by ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_221491_33.html 02nd October 2007 Without delving too deeply into the reasons for this current predicament, it is a sad fact of life that many Arizona homeowners are running into serious difficulties in meeting their mortgage obligations. As with most areas of life, in order to combat a p... http://www.articlealley.com/article_205172_27.html 22nd August 2007 I was recently involved in a real estate transaction in Phoenix, thank the Lord, that I feel bears repeating because there are lessons to be learnt for both buyers and sellers in this difficult market. The subject was an entry-level home in Phoenix th... http://www.articlealley.com/article_196962_33.html 03rd August 2007 The National Association of Realtors reported another drop in existing home sales in May, a rate of sale not seen since June 2003. In fact, some areas of the country, notably the north-east and north-west has seen a small rise in sales. Unfortunately,... http://www.articlealley.com/article_181049_33.html 01st July 2007 Recent reports show that nationally, home prices have dropped for the third straight quarter. Interestingly, here in Arizona we were reporting less sales, but sales prices were actually increasing. What does it all mean? Well let us not forget that any... http://www.articlealley.com/article_169646_33.html 04th June 2007 Scottsdale Arizona, is internationally renowned as a major resort destination despite barely squeaking into the top 100 of U.S. cities in terms of population. No Virginia, size is not everything. Although its nickname is "the West's Most Western Town"... http://www.articlealley.com/article_146883_33.html 12th April 2007 This past weekend, a colleague asked me to join him in a visit to a homeowner who wanted a frank and brutal assessment of his home’s value. As usual, we prepared a bunch of comps, i.e. recently sold homes plus a list of currently available homes. This l... http://www.articlealley.com/article_136890_33.html 12th March 2007 What is equity? Well I consulted my trusty dictionary and one of its meanings is “the value of a property in excess of claims against it”. Fair enough, but what prompted me to look it up? Well, I was having a discussion with a fellow real estate pr... http://www.articlealley.com/article_123189_33.html 25th January 2007 Good Grief! Another New Year sneaked up on me and took me by surprise. Welcome, 2007, I wonder what you have in store for us all. Hopefully, happiness, good health and prosperity to keep you in the manner to which you have become accustomed. I no long... http://www.articlealley.com/article_116982_33.html 06th January 2007 Sales incentives are just like us, they come in all shapes and sizes; some work really well and some are virtually worthless. I have said this many times, and regular readers will be aware of this, that price fixes everything. It is my mantra. Let’s di... http://www.articlealley.com/article_110199_33.html 06th December 2006 Many times over the years, a new subdivision is created with little or no real thought about the infrastructure required to support the newly-created community. Well, this is categorically not the case with Anthem. Everything you need is there, or on it... http://www.articlealley.com/article_95826_33.html 23rd October 2006 Headlines are a funny thing. By their very nature, they are, of course, designed to catch our eye. They are supposed to entice the reader to read further. Unfortunately, in this day and age, few do. I mention this because a client recently pointed out a h... http://www.articlealley.com/article_91212_33.html 03rd October 2006 Desert Hills is a newer community the boundaries of which are, approximately, Anthem to the north, Carefree Highway to the south, 24th St. to the east, and I-17 to the west. It has a very interesting mix of smaller cottages at the lower end of the scal... http://www.articlealley.com/article_63315_33.html 16th June 2006 On the north-eastern outer reaches of the Valley of the Sun lies Carefree, like neighboring Cave Creek, a hamlet nestled just to the north of Scottsdale. Principally known as a haven for retired folk, many of whom visit during the winter from colder clime... http://www.articlealley.com/article_60240_33.html 05th June 2006 Cave Creek is one of those towns you must visit the next time you are in Arizona. Situated in Maricopa County, about half an hour northeast of downtown Phoenix, in the Valley of the Sun. First settled in the 1870s as a mining camp the town incorporate... http://www.articlealley.com/article_51411_33.html 09th May 2006 When it comes to buying a house, I often think that people do more due diligence and research when buying a computer or a stereo, than they ever do when buying a home. They know all about woofers and tweeters and gigabytes and hard drives, but get a bla... http://www.articlealley.com/article_43725_33.html 13th April 2006 Before you list your home for sale, be sure it is ready for its close up. Here are a few ideas to help you get the most for your home. When You drive up to your house, maybe on the way home from work, or the gym, do you always approach from the same d... http://www.articlealley.com/article_39738_33.html 31st March 2006 Last year, to be a successful real estate agent all you had to do was get any listing. Underpriced? Never mind, multiple offers will fix that. Overpriced? Never mind, we'll get there in a week or two. Anyone who could fog a mirror could be a real estate p... http://www.articlealley.com/article_34762_33.html 11th March 2006 When moving to an unfamiliar community, like Cave Creek or Carefree, Arizona, it is important that you engage a Cave Creek Realtor who will possess intimate knowledge of the amenities and nuances of the neighborhood. Cave Creek, Arizona is essentially an ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_32230_33.html 04th March 2006