Are There Any Downsides to an Active Adult Community?
Of course and going to tell you how amazing our 55+ an active adult communities are around the Mesa area, but I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't tell you about any disadvantages that these communities have. While one person's advantage might be another...
Moving? Don’t Make These 10 Mistakes
There's no getting around it, moving is stressful but with a little bit of planning and preparation, you can make sure that your relocation is done as smoothly as possible. Here are 10 simple mistakes to avoid when relocating, packing, and moving. Tips and Resources...
3 Things You Should Do Before Applying for a Mortgage
Applying for a mortgage if you plan on financing a home purchase should be the first thing you do but even before you apply for a mortgage you should get your finances in order so that you're well-prepared when you sit down with a lender. Here are three things you...
January Purge – What to Toss in 2020
Out with the old and onto the new, right? It's 2020 and if you're slowly putting decorations and items away it may be time for a purge. Here are 6 things to toss at the start of a new year. January Purge - What to Toss in 2020 #1. Clothes you haven't worn in a year....
How to Clean and Decorate for Christmas When Your House is Listed
The way your home is cleaned and styled is important and highly beneficial to selling it, especially during a traditionally slower real estate season like winter. Adding some holiday decorations into your home during the Christmas season can also be beneficial. Here...
Tasteful Holiday Decorations While Your Home is on the Market
If your home is on the market this holiday season it might be a stressful time because you want to decorate but don't want to overwhelm buyers. And that's a good mindset to have. You certainly don't want to cover up all the amazing features that your home can offer,...
Tricks to Help Your Bathroom Sell Your House
The kitchen and the master bath are two major selling features when it comes to selling. You can do a lot with a little to sell your house. You may not have a 'spa' bathroom but simple things like towels, flower accessories create an atmosphere that will sell your...
Mesa Arizona Real Estate Foreclosures
We'll see as many foreclosures and short sales as we did about 10 years ago. They have since tapered off, which is a good thing for the economy, but there are investors out there still looking for them and when a good deal hits the market it won't be on the market for...
The Mesa AZ Real Estate Market is HOT
The Mesa Arizona housing market is very competitive and is extremely hot for buyers and sellers right now. The average home price went up nearly 11% since this time last year for an average sale price of about $280,000 the average per square footage, which also went...
5 Ways to Buy a Home Without a Mortgage
Is it even possible to buy a house without a mortgage? I mean, you can always pay cash and then you don't have to worry about it but did you know that 88% of homebuyers finance the majority of their home purchase? That means only 12% of the population out there is...
The Do’s and Don’ts of Vacant Land
Finding your own little piece of land to build your dream home definitely sounds like a great accomplishment yet the undertaking can be quite overwhelming. But learning as much is you can add ahead of time and be educated on the do's and don'ts, pros and cons of...
Backyard Ideas for Fall – Great Autumn Events
If you talk to a lot of people many will say that autumn or fall is their favorite time of year or their favorite season. We love the apple trees, pumpkins on porches, and changing leaf colors, although in Arizona, we don't get a lot of cold weather so we live...
Places You will Want to Deep Clean Before Listing Your Home
You only get one chance to make a first impression. It’s a saying we have all heard before. When it comes to showing your home to a potential buyer, it is one of the most important clichés to remember. You want to show your home in its absolute best condition so that...
Can the Listing Agent and the Buyers Agent Be the Same?
Is a buyers agent the same as the listing agent? What's the difference and can they be one and the same? Occasionally, I hear a buyer or a seller ask if I'm a listing agent or a buyers agent. Many agents or brokers do one or the other and they do them very well. Many...
Phoenix Top Place to Retire in the US
According to US News, Phoenix is #17 as one of the best places to retire in the country. Nicknamed the "Valley of the" the greater Phoenix area has more sunshine than any other metro area in the country, But that's not the only reason retirees are choosing Phoenix and...
Are We Obsessed with Big Homes?
We Americans often think that bigger is better unless of course, you're trying to lose weight. But were always looking for the next big thing, and sometimes we literally mean the size of it. Did you know that the United States is in the top tier of house sizes...
7 Design Tips for Small Patio and Balconies
Just because you have a small patio or terrace doesn't mean you can't be the talk of the community. With a little planning and preparation, you can create a beautiful space you and your family or friends can enjoy. 7 Design Tips for Small Patio and Balconies #1....
Favorite Food Festivals and Food Fun Around Mesa
If you are a foodie you're probably following food trucks, the latest and greatest restaurants, and some of the hottest spots around Mesa. Here are our favorite food festivals and foodie events around the Mesa Arizona area. Queen Creek Food Truck Feastival. Running...
Inexpensive Upgrades That Look Like You Spent a Lot
Want to Impress Buyers? Take These Inexpensive Upgrades That Look Like You Spent a Lot There are a few ways you can make your home look like $1 million without actually spending $1 million. While these are not super cheap ideas, they can add a wealth of value to your...
10 Things Never To Leave Out During an Open House
Planning on having an open house to encourage buyers to browse your property? Open houses have gotten a bad rap over the years and some agents feel that they are not necessary. I feel that for the first week, an open house will get buyers interested, get the word out,...
5 Things to Know Before Buying a Home with a Pool
Pools can be fun and in our hot Arizona whether they are a relief most sunny afternoons, but buying a home with a pool might not be as glamorous as it sounds. There are some things to consider when touring and looking at homes with swimming pools. Here are five things...
7 HOA Rules To Avoid Violating
Living in the Scottsdale and Mesa Arizona area you'll find a lot of homeowner associations. Whether it's townhome associations, condominiums, or associations that manage gated or non-gated single-family home communities, HOAs are fairly common, especially in newer...
5 Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Neighborhood
When choosing the right home you're not just choosing the layout of the house, style, and architecture but the neighborhood as well. You don't want to neglect to check out the neighborhood before buying a home because the house might be amazing in the neighborhood may...
Comedy in Mesa Arizona
Did you know that we have some of the best comedy shows an improv theaters in the state of Arizona? Let's see what's happening just this month with comedy in Mesa Arizona. July 22 through September 14 is the level 1 Beginning Improv Workshop at the National Comedy...
Is a Mortgage Broker the Same as a Loan Officer?
Homebuyers have a lot of options these days when it comes to financing the real estate purchase. They can go through personal financing, owner financing, a bank or credit union, mortgage broker or loan officer but really what's the difference and which is best for...
What is an iBuyer?
Confused about how to sell your home? What the Heck is an IBuyer? And Should I Sell Them My Home? There is only one certainty in life… change, and the home buying/selling process is changing. Here in the Phoenix-metro area, we are at ground zero because...
How to Know Which Offer to Accept
While this might not be the dilemma for a lot of homeowners listing their property, in today's hot market, especially around the Mesa area, we are seeing a lot of multiple offer situations and it can get overwhelming for homeowners/sellers. Just this past week one of...
When to Lower Your Home’s Price
"When should we lower or reduce the price of our listed home?" This is a very common question especially in saturated markets or buying markets and because the market fluctuates and ebbs and flows, it can be a tricky situation to decide when to lower and reduce the...
5 Ways Not to Lose Your Mortgage
The last thing you want after being approved for a home loan is to find out your financing has fallen through. Once you are approved for a home loan you should basically freeze your finances and not do anything more until you close on your home loan. Too many...
You Lost Your Job | What Can You Do About Your Mortgage?
There's not much that sends you into a panic like losing your job. If you've recently been fired or let go, your monthly mortgage payment doesn't just stop. It might be difficult to keep up with your mortgage payment, even if you have unemployment benefits....
Can I Lose My Mortgage if My Homeowner Insurance is Canceled?
Homeowners insurance needs to cover your outstanding mortgage balance so if you no longer have that insurance equal to the balance, you are legally in violation of the terms of your loan. If you are in default according to the terms on your home loan, your lender...
5 Easy Steps to Getting Started as a Landlord
Choosing to be a landlord may not be an easy one but it can be a lucrative one if done correctly. If you're planning on buying a vacation home or property in the Mesa or Scottsdale area for cash flow income, or even a multi-family property, doing your research ahead...
The 10 Best Marie Kindo Tips to Change Your Life
I've been a little obsessed with Marie Kondo and her tips for organizing your life now that Netflix has a series on her. This woman is amazing and can pretty much organize your entire life and household in a week. While I have learned quite a bit of tips, such as...
Could Climate Change Actually Affect Your Home’s Value?
Climate Change? It's always nice and warm in Mesa Arizona so a couple of degrees here or there may not make an impact. But could global warming, AKA climate change, actually affect your home's value? While we might not be affected here in Arizona, I'm reminded of that...