Remodeling Done Right: How to Invest in Your Home

With the market swinging back around and the economy climbing back up, now is the perfect time to improve your home.  Whether you want a remodel that will increase the market value of your property or simply a more luxurious living space, it’s important that your home improvements don’t become nightmares.  These simple steps will help you choose the best remodels for your home.

Consider the Whole Lifetime

Though you may not be hitting your golden years, it’s becoming increasingly popular to create homes that are accessible to all ages.  Consider adding a bedroom on the ground floor so occupants have the option of ignoring the stairs.  You can also create a semi-autonomous         area of the home where parents or in-laws can stay.  A bedroom coupled with a bath and kitchenette will achieve this nicely.  Ask for a Certified Aging In Place Specialist to give you more ideas.  Even if you never end up using these aging-friendly amenities, when it comes time to sell, you’ll have a huge advantage over homes without these components.

Go Eco-Friendly

The public is increasingly environmentally friendly, and having amenities that work within that framework will help you stand out.  This can be as involved as installing state of the art appliances, or as simple as replacing your faucets with the low-flow variety.  If any of your large appliances are aging, they’re probably costing you money and wasting both water and electricity.  Consider replacing these with newer, more efficient devices.  It will save you on your monthly utility bills, and when you put the house on the market, you can advertise the new appliances and the energy-friendly home you’ve created.

Compete with Neighbors

It sounds petty, but in the real estate world, it’s good advice.  If a potential homebuyer has decided on your area, you’re competing with all the other homes on the market in your neighborhood.  It’s a good idea to evaluate what they have to offer.  For example, if all the other homes have two bathrooms, and you only have one and a half, you may want to add another one.  Though the homes won’t be identical, you want to make sure you’re in the same league as the best homes possible.

Upgrade Kitchens and Baths

Nothing receives a better return on investment than a remodeled kitchen or bath.  Because this is where appliances are used most often and it’s most important that nothing goes wrong, buyers want to know that these areas are not only functional, but well cared for.  Something as simple as retiling can change the feel of the rooms and make them significantly more appealing.

Whether you’re remodeling for profit or for your family’s comfort, Fidelity National Title Agency hopes you have a successful project and that you are able to enjoy the fruits of your labors for years to come.

The Advantages of Home Ownership

With the ups and downs of the housing market, sometimes comes a reluctance to start down the path leading to home ownership.  However, there are still amazing advantages to owning a home, and when deciding whether to continue renting or make the leap to becoming a property owner, it’s important not to overlook what can be gained by a home purchase.

Price Appreciation

The single greatest benefit to home ownership is that as time wears on, the value of the house will increase year by year.  This means that if you do decide to sell in a few years, you will often be able to make a profit.   When renting, the value that the property gains goes entirely to your landlord.  He’s the one who reaps the benefits of appreciation.  Often, your rent may increase in time, so you’re the one who’s paying the difference rather than earning it.

Taxes

When you purchase a home, there are many ways to decrease your tax burden each year, so you can end up paying less to the government each year.  One way is by writing off any interest that you pay on the home.  When you first buy the home, you can also write off loan discount points and origination fees, even the seller is the one who pays them. 

Additionally, once you own your home, there are huge tax benefits to selling.  Assuming you have lived there for two of the past five years, you can make a profit of up to $500,000 on the sale and pay no federal taxes on this money if you’re married.  If you’re single, you can make a federal tax-free profit of $250,000.  If you have made changes to your home that have added even more value than typical appreciation, not paying taxes on this income can save a huge amount of money.

Your Sanctuary

As a renter, there are significant limits to the changes you can make to your home.  Some landlords allow you to paint the walls, but you generally have to paint them back before you move.  That’s not a significant amount of freedom in your own home.  As a home owner, you can make whatever changes suit you.  If your kitchen is too small, you can make it bigger.  You can remodel rooms and update old appliances.  Not only do these improves give your home a personal flare, they also add value if you later decide to sell.

Despite the fluctuations in the market, property ownership remains one of the best long term investments available.  When deciding whether to enter the market, consult with mortgage professionals and a real estate agent who can help you determine what you can afford, find the best possible mortgage for you, and go into a purchase on your best footing, by being pre-approved for a home loan.   

Mistakes To Avoid When Selling Your Home

One of the most important financial transactions you’ll likely undertake is the process of selling your home.  Though nothing can replace the expertise of a qualified Realtor, there are some things you can do to avoid common pitfalls that many home sellers fall into. 

Getting Emotionally Involved

Your home is precious to you.  However, it’s important to step back and view it as a property that’s on the market.  Your buyers will see its flaws as well as its virtues, and objectively evaluating the house before it is listed can help you fix problems and determine the most effective way to list it.

Not Hiring An Agent

While listing a home and marketing it yourself may seem like a cost-saving choice, in actuality, homes that are sold by their owner tend to sell for significantly less than a comparable home sold by a Realtor.  Showing and preparing your home means taking time off work and giving up a lot of weekends.  It’s much better to have a professional deal with the day-to-day of home sales.

Setting an Unrealistic Price

The first month of a listing is the time where most people are drawn to a home.  By starting with an unreasonable price, many potential home buyers will dismiss the property.  The market corrects a price set too low more easily than a price set too high.

Too Few Photos

Images are everything in today’s digital world.  Describing a “beautiful, rustic fireplace” may sound good, but a picture would capture that beauty.  Buyers tend to respond more to pictures, likely because they trust the image more than written descriptions.

Not Staging Your Home

A normal home is set up to be functional, clean, and livable.  A house for sale should be breathtaking.  Rearranging furniture, putting out attractive vases and flowers, and even stowing family pictures can enhance the wow factor, and result in higher offers.

Limiting Market Exposure

Just because your home is in one area of the state doesn’t mean your buyer is.  People relocate all the time, and ensuring that your home is listed nationally will open you up to significantly more buyers than a purely local listing.

Ignoring Web Appeal

Almost all house searches today begin on the web.  You can use this to your advantage by creating websites, posting videos, and listing your home on sites that will reach many people while showing your house very positively.

Poor Home Showing

During an open house or while a buyer is touring a home, it’s natural to want to hover around them and point out all the wonderful features the house has.  However, doing this can make the buyer feel pressured and uncomfortable, which will push them out the door faster.  If someone is viewing your home, make plans to be elsewhere for at least a few hours.

Marketing a Home Before It’s Ready

Preparing a home to be sold takes time.  Landscaping, staging, and de-cluttering should all be done before the home hits the market.  Rushing it makes that first month of listing less powerful and hurts the chances of getting your best offer.

Trying to Cover Up Problems

Just because the house has flaws does not mean it won’t get a great price.  Have your home inspected before it’s listed and either fix any problems found or offer some sort of credit for the problem.  Talk to your Century 21 Commonwealth agent to determine which problems should be fixed and which can be left.

For more advice on how to avoid the pitfalls common to home selling, contact a local real estate agent.  They are experienced in getting the most value from your home, and can help you enter the market confident that both you and your home are ready.

Sellers’ Upgrades That Can Make a Difference!$$

The market’s improving, and thus many are not as reluctant to get a home on the market now that the getting’s good – or better, anyway.  You naturally want to get the best possible price for your home which might mean some TLC is in order, while saving the most money in repair or improvement costs.

A first good step is to consult a local real estate agent.  They can look at your house and address your particular needs.  In the interim, here’s an idea of what simple things you might want to consider doing, or wastes of time and money you may want to avoid.

Take a long, hard look at your bathrooms.  Come at them with the view “If I were staying in an upscale hotel, would I be satisfied with this bathroom?”  If the answer is absolutely not, you have some changes to make.

Basic remodeling of the bathroom needn't be that difficult or expensive.  You can replace your tub, or simply re-caulk and re-glaze it.  Most home improvement stores will be able to walk you through the process.  Be sure nothing is leaking, that every faucet is easy to turn on and off, and that there are no visible stains.  This includes under the sink.  New fixtures can make a huge impact and be relatively inexpensive.

The kitchen of any home gets significant wear and tear, so is a likely spot to need some touch ups.  You don’t have to replace your cabinets, but replacing or sanding and repainting the doors can transform the feel of the room.  Depending on your budget, consider getting new surface tops.  Eating and cooking at home is a very personal thing, and your buyers don’t want to be reminded that this kitchen is well used.

The average homebuyer makes a decision as to whether the home is high quality within 30 seconds of stepping out the car door.  Many do it well before 30 seconds has elapsed.  As you walk to your front door, note the door, the landscaping, and the walkway.

Repainting a door and adding a welcome mat can change the entire feel of the entryway.  So can trimming bushes, mowing the lawn, and other basic needs.  Consider consulting with a landscaper who would have advice on what types of plants and decorations would most compliment your home.

Any major additions to your home, like adding a room, are not likely to return more than you spend on them.  If you intend to stay in your home for several years and would like to completely remodel your kitchen, by all means go ahead.  It will raise the cost of your home, but don’t expect a remodel that cost $50,000 to raise the asking price of your home by the same amount.

A real estate agent who has seen your home is going to be in the best position to give you advice about what changes will help.  He or she will also have contacts (such as landscaping companies) that are experienced in raising home sale price.  If you’re considering selling, contact an agent today.

Itty-Bitty Pest That Can Become Huge Problem

“Ants are good citizens, they place group interests first.” – Clarence Day

You'd probably agree, they are an important part of the ecosystem… but you still don’t want them inside your home, right?

You can find quite a variety of ant species in Arizona, from the smaller more common black or red garden ants to the large and more destructive bull, or carpenter, ants.  As the weather starts warming up, ants arrive in huge numbers, building their nests and hunting for food in order to breed and sustain their colony. Infestations may occur if ant populations are not kept under control.

Carpenter Ants found in Arizona homes are black, shiny, and relatively large, ranging in size from one-quarter of an inch to three-quarters of an inch. In its natural habitat, this ant acts as an important decomposer of decaying trees, but, once Carpenter Ants are inside buildings, they are annoying and destructive pests.

Unlike termites, Carpenter Ants do not eat wood but tunnel into it to construct their nests. They are slow to cause much harm, but without control they can do structural damage. The ants will create tunnels in wood without showing exterior signs of damage.  They also often create multiple nests; one primary nest where the queen lives, then several secondary ones.  Some nests can be outside, while others are inside, and they can be found in unlikely places.  Hollow areas, such as curtain rods or doors, can be an ideal location for a secondary nest.  Finding and eliminating one nest is almost never sufficient to remove the threat of carpenter ants.

Tree branches that brush against the building, clotheslines, woodpiles, or cable, phone, or electric wires can provide a route for the ants to gain access in cracks and moist wood on your home, and establish a new nest.  If a carpenter ant is seen inside, it is difficult to know exactly where the nest is, though seeing one of these ants in the winter or early spring almost always means they are nesting indoors.  It can be difficult for a non-professional to identify a carpenter ant, and even harder to find the nest.

Once a colony has created an indoor nest, the damage begins immediately.  The wood in which they nest generally needs to be replaced entirely, and ensuring all the nests are removed, especially in a large home, can be incredibly difficult.  If you suspect you have carpenter ants, immediately seek pest control services.  The longer they nest, the more expensive the repairs will become.

The best method to deal with carpenter ants is to prevent them from nesting indoors at all.  These ants seek moist areas, so removing standing water, water damage, and sources of leaks is crucial.  Keeping nearby tree branches and shrubs trimmed and orderly can lessen that source of entry.  Any gaps or cracks in your home should be filled, not only so that ants can’t nest inside, but also so that moisture won’t creep inside during bad weather.

Regularly scheduled property maintenance and immediate pest control can ensure these tiny pests don’t become a huge problem.

Preparing for a Home Inspection

When you decide to sell your home, you know that every nook and cranny will fall under scrutiny.  You likely cleaned your home and even rearranged your furniture and painted your walls to help your home look it’s most beautiful.  One often overlooked step is the home inspection.  Whether you pay for a home inspector or your buyer does, it’s likely your home will fall under professional scrutiny. 

Many times a home inspection is ordered after an offer is made.  This offer is often contingent on the home passing the inspection, meaning that serious deficiencies will allow the buyer to negate the offer with no penalties amassed.  Surprisingly, many home owners make no preparations for the inspection.  Fidelity National Title Agency wants to provide you with a few simple tips to help minimize any potential flaws found with your home.

Clean any Mess

While it’s true that home inspectors aren’t evaluating the cleanliness of the home, a messy home will give the appearance of a poorly maintained house.  A problem that might be something so minor the inspector would normally overlook can become, in his mind, an indication of a bigger problem.  However, if the home is clean and organized, the assumption becomes that you take care of your property.

Eliminate Known Problems

Every problem found becomes a bargaining chip for the buyer, who may expect you to fix problems or reduce your price so the buyer can later fix them.  If there are problems of which you are already aware, fix them prior to the home inspection.  This is especially true if they are minor issues such as re-caulking or repairing broken shutters.  If you have any ceiling stains, paint over them.  The stain may have come from a one-time storm, a toilet overflowing, or some other chance event.  However, to a home inspector, a stain can indicate a drainage problem that can cost the buyer significantly.  Check your attic and basement for mold, especially if these are areas you seldom visit.

Make the Inspector’s Job Easier

Common areas that hold problems are the attic and the basement.  Expect the inspector to visit both areas, so take the time to clear any paths that may be blocked.  Often, the attic access is in a closet or an area that isn’t easily accessible, so find that access and remove any items that are in the way.  Also, be sure he can easily navigate all the exterior doors and any mechanical parts of the house like the furnace.  Something as simple as moving trash bins away from the walls can save your inspector a lot of hassle.

Fill out a Real Estate Disclosure Form

If there are any problems you know about prior to the buyer’s home inspection, either fix them or list them on a real estate disclosure form.  The big disadvantage to finding problems after an offer has been made is that the buyer now has a better bargaining position while determining the final sale price.  However, if the buyer knows about the problem from the disclosure form prior to making an offer, it is difficult to renegotiate after a home inspection turns up the same problem.

A Budgeter’s Guide to Selling Your Home

Most home sellers expect to invest something into marketing their home and getting it ready to be sold for its highest value.  However, many sellers find that there are significantly more costs than they initially expected.  Fidelity National Title Agency would like to walk you through some of the common costs so you can budget appropriately and aren’t blindsided by unforeseen financial problems.

Home Inspection

Detecting problems before you even list your home can put you at a significant advantage.  If the home inspection says everything is running perfectly, you can include the report in your sales pitch.  More likely, the inspection will turn up a few problems, and knowing of those ahead of time will give you the power to decide what needs to be repaired and what can stay as it is. 

Repairs

If the home inspection turns up things you decide to repair, you will have to pay all these costs out-of-pocket.  Fixing things ahead of time can be beneficial because you can advertise brand new appliances, newly remodeled floors, and energy efficient areas, depending on what you fix.  The costs here vary wildly depending on the upkeep of the home, but consider how much you’ve already invested in keeping your home running well.  If you perform regular maintenance and upgrades, the cost will be much lower than if you haven’t done much work on the home in the last few years.

Facelift

Most homeowners can generate larger offers by doing simple upgrades and maintenance around the house.  Some rooms, especially if there are several nail and tack holes, would look fantastic with a new coat of paint.  Any hinges that are squeaky or missing screws should be repaired, and all lights should shine brightly.  These minor changes can have a big impact.  Expect to pay at least $300 for the supplies needed.

Moving/Storage Costs

Depending on how far you are moving, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $12,000.  If you’re moving within the neighborhood, the cost will likely be closer to $1000, whereas cross country moves will be far more expensive.  While staging your home, it’s generally a good idea to store excess furniture.  A storage unit will generally cost between $75 and $100 a month, so if your home is on the market for a long time, that cost can quickly add up.

Relocation Costs

You likely are involved in many community organizations such as schools, gyms, and transportation systems.  When moving, you will likely have to cancel those connections and start new ones in your new location.  There are often fees associated with canceling these memberships, transferring information between schools, and starting new memberships elsewhere.  The cost varies, but be sure to inquire about any of these fees at your participating organizations.

Paying Off Your Mortgage

Anything you still owe on the home will have to be repaid, and many mortgages have a prepayment penalty, which will have to be paid on top of what is owed.  This payment can often be delayed until after closing, but expect it to taken out of the profit from the sale.

Preparing for an Open House

When selling your home, open houses can be particularly stressful.  Assuming the open house has been marketed well (another potential source of stress), you’re going to have a significant number of strangers wandering around, opening closets, and making judgments about your home.  To prepare, many people either try to fix every single potential flaw, spending days and a lot of money upgrading their home, or they are resigned to the fact that there’s just so much to do, a potential buyer is just going to have to love the place the way it is.

These tips may help you tame the seemingly never ending to-do list with some specific things to work on that can go a long way toward impressing home buyers.

Spruce up the Outdoors

This means mowing the lawn the day before, trimming hedges, and talking to your Realtor or Stager about potentially covering up any brown patches with turf or some form of decoration.  Especially important is making sure your house number is easily visible from the road.  You want to avoid a home viewer’s first impression of your home to be that it’s very hard to find.

Spend some time working with the front door.  It should look warm and welcoming, so make sure that any lights are functioning properly.  Even if you don’t intend to use those lights, buyers are notorious for walking around flipping switches.  Consider repainting the door if it’s starting to look drab.  A fresh coat of paint can make it look like a brand new door.

Declutter Closets

One thing many buyers look for in a home is good closet space.  Regardless of the size of your closets, packing them full of coats, clothes, and shoes does nothing but make them look cramped.  You can keep several items in each closet, but make sure there’s plenty of room to move things around, creating the illusion of excess space.

Scrub Surfaces

Nothing turns a potential home-buyer off as much as finding mold and grime.  The cleanliness of a house is often equated with its upkeeping, so finding just a little dirt can translate in a viewer’s mind as a home with substantial problems hidden away.  If you don’t want to take the time to ensure every tile and mirror is immaculate, consider hiring a cleaning service for a day.

Store Excess

While cleaning out your closets, store some furniture as well.  Most homes can get away with about half the furniture they currently have and still look comfortable.  You can rent a storage unit while the house is being shown while keeping the bare minimum necessary in your home.  Just like closet space, the more room to move around, the bigger the room looks.

Most importantly, try to distance yourself emotionally from your home.  People are going to find flaws with the house, in part because it’s a real house and not a made-up Barbie dreamland, and in part because they are considering several homes, and they’re trying to compare them objectively.  The more objective you can be about your home, the better you’ll be able to respond.  Consider letting a Realtor show the home while and your family goes to a double feature.

In short, presenting a home for a showing is a lot like going on a first date.  You want to dress to impress, stow any excess baggage, then prepare for some exciting offers.

Remodeling vs. Staging Benefits for Home Sellers

Home improvement and staging each room to look its best can both make a huge impact on the buyer pool interested in your home.  Staging tends to be inexpensive compared to a remodel, but in some cases, may not get you the highest possible offers.  Remodeling tends to drive the asking price of your home higher, but not always high enough to compensate for the cost of the remodel itself. 

So when should you stage and when should you remodel a home you’re going to sell?  Your real estate agent can certainly advise you on trends they see buyers demanding, and areas of your home to consider either remodeling or staging.  They are also a wealth of information regarding costs of remodeling and staging related to any potential increase in your net from a sale.

Living/Family Room

These rooms often don’t need to be remodeled.  Most likely, they are somewhat more crowded than necessary for a home showing, so it’s a good idea to store any excess furniture and put away clutter.  If there are materials like children’s toys that you’d like to have access to every day, store them in a box in a discreet location.  That way they can be retrieved and quickly put away as needed.  Assume  that potential home buyers are going to open every closet, so don’t kid yourself that stashing things out of sight is the same as de-cluttering.

Kitchen

Remodeling a kitchen can have a big impact.  However, it likely doesn’t need a complete re-do from top to bottom.  If your appliances are old or inefficient, it’s likely worthwhile to replace them.  Consider replacing the floor as well, especially if there are any warps or cracked tiles.  Redoing the cabinets can change the look of the room, but you don’t have to completely replace them.  Upgrading the doors, replacing handles, and/or repainting can upgrade your look just as well as a full replacement.

Bedrooms

This is another area that rarely needs remodeling.  Clever staging and thorough cleaning is normally sufficient to make all the bedrooms in your home look great to prospective buyers.  You may want to consider downsizing a bed.  If a king sized bed makes the room look like a tight fit, a queen may be a better fit.  However, the perfect staging techniques for your bedrooms can be discussed with your Realtor.

Attics

A common problem with attics is poor insulation.  This leads to heat seeping out of the house, costing you and future owners money.  Upgrading the insulation is something you can advertise, especially in today’s energy saving economy.  If you have an attic that you can easily reach and has proper floor and walls, you can transform even tiny spaces into attractive studies.  A desk and chair with some lighting and a bookshelf turns an empty space into an extra room.

Basements

There are markets for both finished and unfinished basements.  If you have an unfinished basement, talk to your Realtor to see whether finishing it would attract more buyers in your area.  Finishing a basement turns a storage space into at least one extra room, which can have incredible appeal, especially for smaller houses.

Every home is different, so before beginning any major remodeling project, talk to a Realtor to determine how to make the most impact with the smallest financial risk.

Suns Charities 88

A Network of Professionals Helping Arizona’s Children

In addition to becoming leaders in the world of Title Services, Fidelity National Title Agency continues to serve the children of Arizona with its philanthropic endeavors.  One of Fidelity National Title’s family members, Melissa Shapiro, has been working with other professionals in the area to create “Suns Charities 88,” an organization that raises funds for Arizona's children.

Suns Charities 88 was created to build professional relationships that could be used to help those who desperately need it.  In real estate, as in many other industries, professionals connect with new people daily.  Often, these people would love to participate in charitable efforts, but this network of connections is not used to effectively funnel these efforts where they are needed.

Melissa Shapiro and the Fidelity National Title Agency team are putting these connections to good use.  By targeting individuals who have succeeded in their business careers, Suns Charities 88 creates both a far reaching network and a system composed of people who have the drive and ability to sustain a large collaboration.

This group will primarily focus on fundraising for Phoenix Suns Charities, an organization that has been serving the children of Arizona since 1988, and that has granted over $13 million to those children during that time.

In addition to the philanthropic component of this group of professionals, Suns Charities 88 will provide professional development opportunities to all its participants.  Executives of the Phoenix Suns will present panels on the importance of teamwork, dedication, and leadership, and networking events will allow this collaboration to aid each participant’s business.

Fidelity National Title Agency is proud to be a founding member of this collaboration, and is confident that the results will benefit both the children of Arizona and the participants of this amazing networking group.  For more information, or to learn how to become part of this professional organization, contact Fidelity National Title Agency today, and check out this great article on the Phoenix Suns' website: http://www.nba.com/suns/suns-charities-wells-fargo-debut-networking-group

Staging a House versus a Condo

When it’s time to sell your home, you know that creating an attractive feel is critical to getting the highest offers on your home.  Regardless of what property type you have, staging is an important step in preparing for potential buyers to visit.  However, if you’re staging a condominium, the goals and strategies are somewhat different than if you’re staging a single-family home. 

Amount of Furniture

House – Less is more.  The goal is to open up walkways and make the buyer feel like each room has an abundance of space.

Condo – Strategic placement of existing furniture is critical.  Many potential home buyers struggle to envision how a bed and dresser would fit in a small bedroom, so showing that both fit comfortably is important to show the room is big enough.  Avoid clutter, but significantly less furniture may make it appear that the furniture cannot fit.

Personal Items

House – It’s important to remove most items that are unique to your family like family photos.  Potential buyers want to envision themselves in the house, and it’s difficult to do that if there are consistent reminders that this is another family’s home. 

Condo – The same logic for houses applies to condos.  Fewer personal items not only allows buyers to see this as their potential home, but also removes some clutter that can make the area look even smaller.  It’s also especially important to consider personal items in the bathroom, since buyers are likely to spend a significant amount of time looking at the size of medicine cabinets and other storage areas in smaller bathrooms.  Any medications should be removed and put in a safe place.

Amount of Small Objects

House – After removing personal objects, try to take out anything that you don’t absolutely need.  For example, if you’re selling your home during the winter, store all your summer clothes and only keep enough winter clothes for a short period of time.  The extra space in the closet will make the closet look significantly bigger.  The same idea applies to bookshelves.  If your bookshelves are filled to capacity, it looks like you’re forcing things together and so creates the appearance of clutter.  Open up shelves and use only a few decorative objects.

Condo – Everything that is true for houses is true for condos here, with an added concern.  In the kitchen of a condo, counter space is a luxury.  Store any appliances or spice racks that are taking up space on your counters.  The appliances you need, box or put in a cabinet for easy access, but they should not be out while the home is being shown.

Curb Appeal

House – Spruce up your garden, walkway, front door, and everything else that a prospective buyer will see from the outside.  Many home buying decisions are made on the way to the front door, so you want an attractive exterior.

Condo – With a curb, it may seem that curb appeal is irrelevant.  In fact, the appeal comes from the front door.  Make sure the door is well maintained, then take a moment to stand in the doorway and observe what the condo looks like.  The first thing that a buyer sees when the door is opened is one of the most important things in your home.  Add coordinated color, classic style, and anything else you can to make that first look breath-taking.

Picking the strategies that work for your property, can help speed up your selling process!

Phoenix Real Estate Update

When buying or selling a home, how the market is fairing can drastically change your expectations for home prices and quality.  The Phoenix market is experiencing 21.7% growth in home prices year-over-year, with things looking optimistic going into 2013. 

Median Sale Price

The median sale price is a good indication of whether homes are selling for their true value.  After hitting its peak median sale price in 2007, the Phoenix market experienced what others across the country have been facing, and the price dropped to a new low.  Since then, sale prices been creeping upwards, and this year the prices reached the level they had been before the boom of 2007.  In layman’s terms, the sale price is returning to normal.

Number of Sales

The number of sales in Phoenix for the past few years has fluctuated significantly, but is currently a little higher than it was before the recession hit.  Overall, fewer homes are for sale than they have been in the recent past.  Sellers have the opportunity to take advantage of this since there is less competition in the market.  Buyers may have less to choose from, but with an able guide, they can still find their dream home.

Average Price per Square-foot

Ideally, the average price per square-foot would stay roughly constant, with a slight increase over the years to indicate the home’s value is appreciating.  Prior to the recession, Phoenix followed this general trend.  Today, however, there is significant variation in price depending on the time of year, the house sold, and many other factors. 

This is both positive and negative for people trying to navigate this market.  It means that for the savvy and informed consumer, there are incredible deals to be had, on both the buyers’ and the sellers’ ends.  However, there are also homes that are selling for significantly more and significantly less than they regularly would, so a buyer or seller who is not well-informed or who is not carefully analyzing each property may end up spending more than the home is worth.

Being well informed of market conditions can make your home buying or selling decisions easier. 

Holiday Home Marketing

With feasts to prepare, guests and trips to coordinate, and presents to wrap, the last thing you want to do is spend an inordinate amount of time preparing your home to be viewed by potential buyers.  Check out these easy tips and tricks to help your home remain show worthy, without forcing you to sacrifice the holiday spirit.

Use lights strategically

When you decorate outside, keep two things in mind.  First, big, bulky decorations might be a turn-off to some buyers, so keep your decorations at a tasteful minimum.  Second, consider any architectural features you want to highlight, and use lights to do that.  If you have a great archway, illuminate it with a string of lights.  Interweave lighting into your hanging vines.  You can use the lights to help focus the buyers eyes to the big selling points of your yard.

Build an Oasis

When coming in from the cold, buyers want to feel completely welcomed.  An easy way to do this is to make the environment warm.  Right before your home is going to be shown, turn the thermostat up a few degrees.  If you have a fireplace, light a fire (assuming someone like your agent will quickly be there to make sure it’s a controlled flame).

Show off with your Tree

Please do not try to do this by buying the biggest, bulkiest tree available.  This will make your home look small and may even seem tacky.  Instead, use your tree to show off your house.  If you have tall ceilings, get a tree that almost reaches the top, drawing buyers’ eyes upward.  Try to find a skinny tree, so the room won’t lose any depth while holding it.  And consider decorating it using a single theme – this will make the room look complete and well put together.

Decorate to Sell

You know that your home has beautiful features.  Use your decorations to draw the buyers towards those parts of the house.  If you have a fantastic mantle, consider laying a holiday vine across it.  Bold colors draw the eye, and the holidays are a chance to point a big neon sign to the part of your home that will be huge selling points (figuratively, of course).

Use the Smells of the Season

In addition to a warm welcome, nothing makes a potential buyer feel more at home than inviting smells.  A simple way to win their affection is to leave a pot of hot apple cider or hot chocolate simmering on the stove right before you leave, with a few mugs to the side to make it clear everyone’s welcomed to partake.  The smell will permeate the house, and the gesture will be appreciated.  The buyer will feel that this house is a place they’d like to call home in the winter.

All in all, try to create an inviting atmosphere while maintaining a tasteful décor.  Highlight the aspects of your house you’re most proud of, and help the buyer see what a wonderful home it truly is.

Where to Look For the Real Dirt...

Okay, not geographically where.  Whether its Phoenix real estate you’re looking at, Tucson, or anywhere in-between,  even when you have narrowed your choices down to an area and to just two or three homes, there are sources of information that you may not have thought of, that can help you evaluate if a house is your ideal future home.  Here are a few of those sources of information.

Inside the House - Obvious, right?  But what are you looking for?  Besides the layout, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, there can be several indications that this house might have some damage that’s worth looking into.  Any water damage can be a sign of plumbing, drainage, or flooding problems.  Pest problems can show up as smells or even as damage to the wood. 

Outlets can give a quick check as to whether older houses have been modified with modern safety equipment.  Look for three pronged outlets and a test/reset switch.  Both are relatively new, so show there has been some attempt to bring the electrical system up to date. 

Before you buy a house, be sure to have it inspected by a reliable professional who can give you an estimate of what repairs and maintenance will cost.

Current Homeowners - Some home sellers provide disclosures to prospective home buyers.  Your real estate agent will obtain these if they’re available.  They will discuss the problems the home has had and what’s been done to repair them.  If there’s something that has been frequently repaired, it will likely continue to need maintenance in the future.

Even without a disclosure, homeowners can provide helpful advice.  If you intend to remodel, mention your vision to them.  It’s possible they had the same thought, but ran into some problem or unexpected cost that prevented the remodel.  Knowing if your options are limited is important.

The Neighborhood - If a neighborhood association is present, that’s great.  It means the area is a community and will likely act to increase the security and feeling of the neighborhood as a whole.  Be sure to visit a few blocks in every direction.  A noisy or smelly site nearby can be a significant disadvantage.  Also, talk to neighbors.  They generally don’t have a vested interest in selling the house, so will often talk openly and honestly about problems in the area.

The News - Is the area prone to flooding?  Robberies?  News stories will often show dangers you weren’t considering.

The Paperwork - Ask for utility bills, tax bills, and any documentation of improvements to the house.  A cheap improvement may not be a lasting one, so consider all costs spent and to be spent.

Working with a real estate professional to find your dream home, will save you research time and ensure you are armed with all relevant information to size up a home’s real fit for you. 

A Festive Entryway

Like many enthusiastic holiday celebrators, you’re probably starting to decorate your home in reds and greens, hanging stockings, and plastering pictures of jolly red med all over your walls.  Outdoors, you may have even broken out the tallest ladders and adorned your roof and bushes with festive lights.

Whether you have a full front porch, or just a basic door, with these easy techniques you can add some holiday cheer to encourage your guests to get in the holiday spirit too.

Use Greens

You already know the tradition of hanging a wreath on your front door, but you don’t have to stop there. Include a large red bow on the wreath to add color.  For a subtle emphasis, wrap Christmas lights around the foliage so your wreaths really pop.  The lights that twinkle will really make your door turn some heads, even from the street as cars drive by.

For something different, hang a basket filled with white, purple, and soft red flowers.  Adding some moss to the base will give it a splash of green and complete the look.

Use Lights

Decorative Christmas lights are very fun, but you don’t really want to put them right at the entryway.  If you do, people will be distracted by the blinding brightness.  Instead, consider an elegantly simple solution – candles.  If you have a patio, place a candelabrum as a centerpiece on a table.  For smaller areas, put a thick white candle on either side of the door, with or without a candle holder.  When the sun sets, light the candles for a stunning holiday feel.

Use Garden Tools

By incorporating a rustic feel into your holiday decorations, you can highlight the tradition of the season.  Consider adorning your front stoop with old-fashioned rakes and watering cans.  Then hang a few bold colored Christmas bulbs from the gardening equipment and place pine cones around the base.  To combine the rustic feel with illumination, use iron lanterns with lit candles inside.

Use planters

Many people already decorate their front stoop with potted plants, and a few minor changes can turn those planters into sources of holiday joy.  Replace summer flowers with evergreen branches by burying the ends of each branch in the center of the planter and allowing the green branches to form a base. 

Try using a variety of different evergreens so you get different shades of complimentary colors.  Branches with red berries are a definite plus.  To add depth, incorporate ivy and boxwood.  These holiday plants tend to be thicker, so the plants get a rounder, full feel.  Finally, adorn the decoration with a floppy red bow or sparkly orbs to really catch the eye.

All relatively easy ways to add heaps of holiday cheer!

The Holidays: Phoenix Style

With December right around the corner, we’re inundated with images of icicles, snowmen, and people bundled against the cold.  It’s easy to think you have to live in a frigid area to feel like you’re part of the holidays.

Don’t despair!  Phoenix has enough festivities to get you into the holiday spirit, while still giving Santa a welcomed reprieve from slippery ice and frostbite.

Cut down your Christmas tree

Just because evergreens aren’t native to Phoenix doesn’t mean you can’t find the perfect Christmas tree.  One great way to be part of the holidays is to cut down your own tree.

However, if you’re hoping to visit one of the national forests for a truly natural tree, it’s probably too late.  There’s an extensive permit system required, and there’s just not enough time.  Luckily, Christmas tree farms are already popping up everywhere.  No permit required – just find your tree and start chopping.

Visit Light Festivals

While it’s great fun to travel the neighborhood and see how your neighbors have decorated their homes, don’t neglect the professionals.  The Arizona Celebration of Lights is open every night during this season, and features extensive displays of holiday lights. 

Other light shows are nearby, and are definitely worth a trip, such as Glendale Glitters, Las Noches de las Luminarias (in the Desert Botanical Gardens), and the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Holiday Lights.

If you want to enjoy a full day, try the Phoenix zoo.  Spend the daylight hours visiting the animals, then enjoy a festive light show after the sun sets.  It’s a great day for the whole family.

Enjoy the Snow

If you need that snowy night to know it really is the holidays, Desert Ridge Marketplace is perfect for you.  Every night from 7-8, it will actually snow!  It’s man-made, of course, but it’s hard to care when you’re trying to catch snowflakes on your tongue.

Not enough snow?  On December 8^th, Desert Ridge Marketplace will actually have 35 tons of snow – perfect for making snowmen and even having a snowball fight.

Ice Skate

Winter is the perfect time to put on a pair of skates and hit the ice.  If you’re in Phoenix, track down a CityScape location.  Every night there’s an adult skate, and plenty of places to sit and watch the show if you don’t want to get on the ice yourself.

Winter Wonderland at W Scottsdale will transform its outdoor pool into an ice skating rink.  With snowfall every hour, you’ll know winter is finally upon us.

From all your friends at Fidelity National Title Agency, have a great holiday season! 

Creative Thanksgiving Tables

Decorating your home in fall colors and giving your food all the right spice is second nature for many Thanksgiving hosts.  What comes less naturally is giving your table a fully decorated feel.  With some simple strategies, you can make your home look as if you spent all week slaving over the perfect arrangement.

Stay Thankful

Keep the Thanksgiving spirit alive by printing out the phrase “I am Thankful for…” on several colorful pieces of paper.  Try using hard card stock to enhance the durability.  Then place one card at each table setting, inviting each guest to fill in the blank.

Stay Traditional

Sometimes the best fashion is the oldest one.  Embrace the history of the holiday by using an old wood piece as the base for your center piece, then decorating it with fall colors.  Not into wood?  Use lace fabrics to remind guests of how Grandma used to do it.

Stay Colorful

Orange and reds make the season come alive.  Adorn the wood with pumpkins, candles, and other strong colors.  Consider leaves (real or otherwise) in festive colors to string the length of your table.  The line adds great continuity to your setting.

Stay Young

Don’t forget the kids table!  Try a candy or cookie centerpiece shaped like a turkey.  It’s beautiful to look at while they eat and creates a fun dessert.  You can also place some crayons with Thanksgiving colors and a paper table cloth or placemats to encourage them to draw some holiday scenes.

Stay Natural

So many natural pieces are Thanksgiving colors this time of year.  (Where do you think the color scheme came from?)  Use that to your advantage.  Vegetables and leaves are a given, but you can use smaller objects for a more understated look.  Try surrounding off-white candles with smooth brown and red stones.  You can also sprinkle nuts around the table for a beautiful look that also provides a tasty snack.

The perfect Thanksgiving table needn't be complicated or difficult.  Try to compliment the simple, natural feel of the holiday, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Crystal Ball 2012: Technology Panel

Moderating the Technology Panel, is John Angelo.  After working for two of the world’s Fortune 50 Companies, John brings real-world corporate and professional knowledge to the business of real estate. A 30+ year Phoenix resident, his wealth of both traditional and “street” education coupled with an unprecedented resume of bold experiences help to round out and fill John’s business background. John complimented his ASU Broadcasting degree with an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management in 1996.In between both, John spent over two years working in Nicaragua in the United States Peace Corps. He has been an active Realtor® since 2003 along with his wife,  Amy Angelo.

David Camp brings to the panel a unique operational and sales management background. David has exercised his management expertise in the startup company, small company and Fortune 500company environment. Since 2007, David has served as the CEO and Founder of Reflect Resources, focused on internet marketing and enterprise software solutions to large real estate companies. David has consulted with large real estate companies such as Home Services of America (a Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate), Fidelity National Title Agency, RE/MAX and Prudential franchises. David served as President and COO of Comstock Net Services, providing real estate websites and internet marketing software solutions. Under his leadership, the company grew its revenue 75% and was sold to Fidelity National Information Solutions (FNIS) in 2002. At FNIS, David served as Senior Vice President of Outsourcing Solutions. In this role, David consulted with real estate companies to reduce operating cost and implement enterprise software solutions offered by FNIS.

Nadine Kagan Wilson is the owner of Moxie Consulting, a full service marketing firm specializing in internet marketing for the real estate industry. Moxie has the unique experience and skill set in both real estate and marketing, as well as capabilities in new media, to help their clients gain greater exposure and visibility with their target audiences to help drive revenue. Moxie's clients include Title companies, Real Estate Brokerages and Lenders. Nadine's career began in the advertising industry, where she managed print, radio and television campaigns for retail, banking and real estate clients. Using her knowledge in marketing and account management, Nadine then took a position with Fidelity National Information Solutions and served as Director of Account Management, implementing and managing Real Estate lead generation websites. From there, Nadine helped star tan internet marketing consulting firm that specialized in real estate internet marketing solutions. In 2007 Nadine founded her own company, Moxie Consulting, and works with clients across the country on their internet marketing campaigns.

Neil Lokare is a Partner and the chief strategist at Helios Media Marketing and a WordPress guru. He enjoys helping clients improve their web presence and gain better exposure on the internet. He loves movies, marketing, metaphysics, and maps. Neil has a bachelor's in Economics and US History from ASU and is working towards a Master's in Computer Science.  Besides the Helios hat he wears, Neil admits to spending way too much time watching the Oakland A's, making music, and trying to cook. 

At 18 years old, Ryan Marshall hit the ground running, obtaining his real estate license, and hasn’t slowed down since.  Within 3 years, Ryan rose to the top in the competitive southern California market. Looking to expand his real estate horizons, in 2001 Ryan co-founded DirectLender.com, acting as CEO.  He also founded a wholesale lending company known as IRES Funding.  Ryan then created a small boutique brokerage, American Home Purchase Center and began to focus on a long time dream to bring the real estate industry into a more technological and efficient space. This was the starting point of what was soon to become Benutech, Inc, which works to create the most innovative and productive tools and systems for the real estate industry available.

Fidelity National Title Agency and Lawyers Title have worked to provide not only a panel that specializes in marketing real estate online, but also that pioneers new technologies and their applications to reach and maintain new audiences for all real estate endeavors.

Crystal Ball 2012: The Builder Panel

Dean Selvey

Dean Selvey, owner of Arizona Builder Sales, will moderate the Builder Panel, bringing his 31 years of experience to this year’s Crystal Ball.  Mr. Selvey has extensive experience in all real estate building projects, even inviting Canadian investors to begin development in the US with his help.

Greg Burger

To introduce the panel, Greg Burger, the co-owner of RL Brown Reports and Builders Research Institute, will bring his experience in market analysis into a development perspective.  He has insights pertinent to all builders and developers, and is an expert on the data produced by his firm.

Linda Rossi

As the marketing director of Toll Brothers, Inc., Linda Rossi has significant experience in the marketing and promotions, including marketing toward developers.

Warren Peterson

Warren Peterson is the Vice President of Sales for VIP Homes.  Mr. Peterson was integral to VIP Homes’ emergence as a hybrid builder of custom and track homes.  He is able to

navigate every step of a raw land being turned into 

a custom home.

Ken Peterson

Ken Peterson has served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Shea Homes’ Arizona Division for nearly 20 years.  While focusing on customer service, he has attained the highest local and national awards in the home building industry.

Pierette Tierney

Working as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Phoenix division at Taylor Morrison, Pierrette Tierney has gained and contributed significant experience to the largest privately-owned homebuilder in the United States.

Craig Ahlstrom

Craig Ahlstrom, the Chairman and CEO of the Farnsworth Development Company, not only works with individual plots of land, but in fact specializes in the development of whole communities.  He has particular experience working on active adult retirement communities, and is currently working on assisted living apartment complexes.

Tom Kirk

Tom Kirk oversees Camelot Homes day-to-day operations as both the company’s COO and CFO.  He draws on over three decades of experience in real estate development, homebuilding, management, and finance. 

Drawing on the experience of these panelists you’ll be provided keen perspectives and useful insights into the difficulties and strategies of engaging in a development project as well as information on products, trend, and communities valley-wide. 

Crystal Ball 2012: The Bank and Broker Panels

The Bank and Broker Panels Fidelity National Title Agency and Lawyers Title have assembled for Crystal Ball 2012, will provide their professional “in-the-trench” insight.

Reginald Givens

Reginald Givens will act as moderator of the Bank Panel.  Mr. Givens, Foreclosure Assistance Administrator with the Arizona Department of Housing, is working on the implementation and continuing development  of the State’s foreclosure prevention program, Save Our Home AZ, which is  a part of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund. Mr. Givens successfully coordinated the State’s Your Way Home AZ program which is a part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.  Additionally, he works on the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program, designed to help homeowners facing foreclosure with much needed loss mitigation counseling.  Through the combination of these programs, Mr. Givens is helping to bringing stability back to our housing market.

Elena Celestine, AVP-Short Sale External Engagement, Bank of America is an expert not only in short sales, but also in Equator.  Additionally, she is a well known national trainer and educator, helping real estate professionals understand the banking process significantly better.

Tracy King

Tracy King, Short Sale Manger, Wells Fargo Bank, began her career in the banking industry in 1994 and has had the opportunity to oversee loan origination, underwriting and appraisals groups throughout her career.  Ms. King works with Realtors to utilize a short sale through Wells Fargo as an alternative to Foreclosure.  She currently focuses on the Arizona, Texas and Washington marketplaces and works primarily with the Wachovia, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Wells Fargo Financial and the FHA portfolios. Ms. King has helped thousands of Realtors and homeowners come to a successful short sale resolution with Wells Fargo.

Jeff Caicco

Jeff Caicco, SVP Default Services, CitiBank, heads the Citibank Short Sale department, responsible for overseeing all programs and portfolios nationally. Mr. Caicco has been involved in the mortgage industry for over a quarter of a century, spending over 14 years specifically dedicated to mortgage default servicing. 

Chris Eymann

Also on the panel are David Spencer, REO/ASA/Short Sale Specialist, Chase Bank and Chris Eymann, Owner, SellWholesaleHouses.com.

Moderating the Broker Panel will be Melissa Shapiro, SVP Sales & Marketing, Fidelity National Title Agency, Maricopa County, and John Foltz, SVP Sales Manager, Lawyers Title, Maricopa County.

Mark Stark

Bringing more than 25 years of industry experience to the panel is Mark Stark, CEO, Prudential Americana Group & Prudential Arizona Properties.  Mr. Stark is responsible for the company’s overall strategic vision with an emphasis on growth and retention of its quality sales professionals.  Mr. Stark began his career as an agent in 1985 and five years later joined the management ranks of the company.  He shortly thereafter earned the privilege of running his own branch office, which at that time was the lowest producing office in the company.  Under Mr. Stark's leadership, in less than 3 years, his team transformed that office into the highest performing office. In 1997, he became a partner and CEO of Prudential, Americana Group. In 2004, Mr. Stark acquired 100% ownership in the company and remains its sole owner today.

Jeff Sutherlin

Jeff Sutherlin is not only the President of United Brokers Group, he is a co-founder, helping to turn an idea into a successful business.  Though he has significant experience in sales, his passion is helping other brokers improve their skills as much as possible.  Prior to starting his career in real estate, Mr. Sutherlin was in high tech, with Intel Corporation where he earned his MBA and became their Program Manager for safety, engineering, and quality projects worldwide. 

Kyle Wyloge

Kyle Wyloge, Owner, Momentum Brokers, has a heritage in both real estate and Arizona, opening his own brokerage company at the age of only 23. Mr. Wyloge’s personal area of focus has been working with investors and since mid-2008 he has represented over 500 purchases at auction in Arizona and Colorado. His firm has been successful in assisting investors in average annualized returns of 41% on their capital. With recent changes in the market and a shift towards long term hold investments, his firm has started property management and assisting investors in obtaining average net returns of 11%. 

Rachael Richards

Rachael Richards, Team Leader/Franchise Owner, began her real estate career in 2005 and continues to increase her position among top producers. Her team is currently ranked in the top 1% for sales production. Top Agent Magazine recently featured Ms. Richards in a nationwide article and Who's Who In Business ranks her among the top 10 female agents in Arizona for 2011 and 2012. Along with her husband/business partner, she opened HomeSmart Select in early 2012, and is the first HomeSmart franchise in Maricopa County.

Frank Russo

Frank Russo, Designated Broker/Owner, RE/MAX Professionals, has been working with RE/MAX for over 15 years and in real estate for over 30.  He specializes in working with sellers and negotiating contracts.  In conjunction with his partners, Mr. Russo owns six RE/MAX Professionals franchises.

Russell Shaw

Russell Shaw, Owner, The Russell Shaw Group, Realty ONE Group, began his real estate career in 1978. He is both a GRI and CRS, as well as a past President of the Arizona Certified Residential Specialists.  Mr. Shaw is a Lifetime Member of the President’s Roundtable. One of his highest honors was being ranked nationally #28 in 2002 and #30 for 2003 of all participating agents in the United States for "Most Homes Sold" by the National Association's Realtor Magazine.

Our stellar panelists and moderators look forward to sharing insightful and engaging discussion with you!