Thu 13 November 2008
How The World has Changed!
Time to think outside ourselves to help bring balance back to our daily lives.
It's been the most upsetting and frustrating 6 months for me and I would guess that for many of you the feelings are the same.
WE work...WE take care of our homes, our families and stay involved in our communities and yet many of us are either just treading water and slowing losing ground. It's difficult to see past the current frustration and I know I must remember that this has happened before and we got through it. WE WILL have to tighten our proverbial belts. It may be time to live more simply and share both our talents and good thoughts with others. Why share? It is all part of the "pay it forward" theory. If we "give" of ourselves we can step out of our personal pain as we reach out to others. Give of your time...YES VOLUNTEER! AS our community agencies see more people needing help we can save these agencies precious dollars.
Here are some simple things that can help others and YOU!
It's a perfect time to arrange a neighborhood garage sale. Clean out your closets and sell what you can and be sure to donate the leftovers as there are always others less fortunate.
Take advantage of great food bargains and try to donate ONE item with each shopping trip to a local food bank. Little gestures go a long way. If we all gave one can of veggies, one bag of rice or a box of pasta it would quickly add up. Even better why not arrange a canned food drive in your neighborhood? Holidays are coming and hunger will not go away easily.
Look at all the toys your kids have. I'll bet they don't even know just how many they have. Why not ask them to help you pick out say 3 toys in good condition to clean up and wrap so that they can be donated to kids who might not otherwise get any holiday gifts?
WE will get thought this bad time in our economy and hopefully we will be leaner and stronger! Let's all work together as Americans. It's time to drop the hyphenated labels that we add before "American" and remember WE ARE ALL AMERICANS 1st and we are in this together!
WE have a new administration coming in January and so let's pull together...not apart. IT IS OUR COUNTRY AND OUR LIVES!
Wed 9 April 2008
As Sure As Spring Has Sprung...
The AZ real estate market is coming out of hibernation!
YES!! It's finally happening. The tide IS finally turning and the Arizona real estate is starting to warm .For the past few months the words of "doom and gloom" from the national and local pundits have been tempered by a modest but steady uptick in activity.
Buyers are not quite as hesitant to start their home search and the savvy ones are already working with both their REALTORS and lenders to get positioned to pounce on the best deals possible.
There is still an over supply of homes listed in MLS and the local builders are offering great incentives to get their excess inventory off their books so that they too can enjoy the renaissance of Spring and bring new homes to market.
So what do I see happening? I see interest rates remaining steady as they hover around the 6 % mark. I see a resurrgence of VA and FHA loans plus community based incentive loans that allow 1st time buyers into the market with comfortable terms. I SEE OPPORTUNITY!!
Tue 22 January 2008
Investing Wisely In Real Estate
Analyzing your best investment options.
It's much easier said then done...analyzing personal investment options that is. We here in Arizona are painfully aware of what has happened to housing values since the "subprime mortgage debacle" first reared it's ugly head. We have seen article upon article...newsprint, online and of course radio and tv that forecast doom and gloom.There is no question that many questionable loans WERE made here in Arizona and yes...the number of foreclosures IS up. In some neighborhoods home prices have dropped a great deal and some neighborhoods are actually UP from last year's averages!
At the same time we are seeing the Dow Jones and other world stock markets respond erratically with huge drops and huge gains recently so how is aperson expected to "read the signs"? .What does this mean YOU? It means invest wisely. Know the personn you will work with. get references. Talk openly and honestly about your goals and comfort level.
The same principles apply for investing in real estate. As I see it there has never been a better time to purchase real estate. If you are a savvy investor you already know that a mixed portfolio is often the best protection for your hard earned money. There is a reason why we all know the old saying" Don't put all your eggs in one basket".
I am telling you the same thing. Diversify and invest wisely. There is still almost a full year's supply of homes currently on the market...both re-sale and new . Sellers...individuals as well as builders are willing to wheel and deal. One can get discounts on the price and often significant loan or closing cost help as well.
If YOU want to know what options are open to you please be sure to contact me here @ www.infoarizona.com so that we can review the investment options in real estate that could make your portfolio shine!
