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
Stock market versus 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 some questionable loan 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 recently. Oil prices...recently OVER $100/barrel today hit $88/barrel.What does this all mean?
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 9 month 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!
Fri 21 December 2007
LOCATION COUNTS!!
You've always here the old saying "In real estate it's all about LOCATION ,LOCATION,LOCATION!
LOCATION,LOCATION,LOCATION...it has ALWAYS been all about LOCATION!
As with any purchase that one makes today there are many variable. Among them are size...price...color...durability...fun factor...usefulness and endless others...all predicated upon the one who is purchasing.
Purchasing real estate in Arizona (or anywhere for that matter!) is no exception when it comes to variables. Along with size, price and terms all buyers take LOCATION into account. For each and every buyer there are "right" and "wrong" locations and opinions are often very strong.
Buyer "A" has just been pre-approved for a mortgage and is ready to work with his or her Arizona REALTOR to start the housing seach process. "A" and the Arizona REALTOR will establish the number of bedrooms and bathrooms that are necessary. The two will discuss things such as square footage, style (modern , traditional, Southwestern or ?), single or multi-level,parking needs,swimming pool, landscape preferences and the like. Another important variable could be specific schools or school districts.
Now it is time for the all important discussion about LOCATION. IF there is a special school or school district this can hvae a major impact on the possible locations to be considered. If Buyer "A" is not concerned about specific schools some of the other variables that may be of significance could be driving time to work, proximity to public transportation ,access to shopping and close (but not next to) freeways. Perhaps it will be access to churches or medical facilities. Maybe Buyer'A" prefers not to be across from a school ,park, shopping center or horse property. It could even be that Buyer "A" is very concerned with the concepts of "feng sui" and a home can only face a certain direction.
Each and every one of the above items can affect where any buyer will choose to live.Each and every item or requirement can be the deal breaker or deal maker. When YOU are getting ready to puchase YOUR Arizona home make sure that you recognize the importance of location as you make your selection.Be sure to discuss this at length with your Arizona REALTOR so that all YOUR important concerns and needs are met.
If you would like to search homes and neighborhoods and actually get to map the location of home please be sure to visit my website www.infoarizona.com and use the "Market Snapshot" tool that I have provided for you.I am sure you will find it simple to use and will love the resulting information!
