Auction Buyer Representation

Hang Your Christmas Lights in Arizona

As I was driving along the other day I wondered where the idea of Christmas lights came from. Each year thousands of people spend countless hours preparing their homes with strands of lights and extensive decorations to ring in the holiday season. So I went on a quest to share the origins of Christmas lights with our EXP Realty travelers and home buyers, and share some of the excellent displays of holiday cheer in my neighborhood. Originally the custom was to decorate a Christmas tree with lights, but it wasn’t until the 1960s in the U.S. when tract housing become increasing popular that lining the eaves of homes with lights grew in popularity. Back in the 17th century a tradition of using small candles to light up the tree started. It took a couple of centuries before the practice grew in popularity and spread to Germany and Eastern Europe. Initially the candles were melted against the tree or attached with pins. Later in the 19th and 20th century candle holders were used and later lanterns which held the candles. With the advent of electricity Christmas tree decoration was ready to take a big leap. Towards the end of the 19th century; 1882 to be exact, Edward Johnson an assistant... 

Are you an FHA buyer but still “on the fence” about buying?

There have been many rumors flying around regarding the expected adjustments to the FHA loans provided. Do you want to use FHA financing due to the lower down payment requirements, experiencing some credit issues and or wanting to ask the seller to contribute up to 6% concession? If you are and are counting on utilizing FHA loan products for the purchase of your new home, but aren’t quite ready to get off the fence…You may want to re-think your current position. Per a recent article in the Chicago Tribune – FHA-insured mortgages have become the loan of choice — realistically, the only option available since the private mortgage industry’s problems arose — for consumers who are eager to purchase a home but don’t have a significant down payment or stellar credit history. Currently, borrowers have to make at least a 3.5 percent down payment and have a minimum FICO credit score of 500, but most participating lenders require borrowers to have a score of 620 or higher. Those lending requirements have meant a banner year for the FHA. It has insured almost 30 percent of home purchases — more than 75 percent of which are to first-time homebuyers —... 

Call to Action! $8,000.00 Tax Credit Going Away!

The $8,000.00  Tax Credit is going to expire in just 60 days, on November 30, 2009. That means you, as a first time homebuyer will not be able to purchase a short sale. It will not close in time to take advantage of this fantastic program. And bank owned properties are getting very close to that time line as well.  Nearly 50% of the homes sold to first time buyers were sold because of this program. That has been a boon to our economy and a big help in reducing foreclosures and short sale inventory. When that inventory is reduced enough, builders will start building and people will start working again. This is not only important to the individual, but to our economy as well. It is very important for everyone, from potential first time buyers to Realtors, Lenders to New Home Builders to e-mail or call their Congressman. Tell them it is of the utmost importance that they work to extend this program. And the time is now! Let’s keep things going in the right direction. Please do it now. To make it simple, I have included Arizona Congress and Representatives web address’s and phone numbers. If you want me to write it for you just contact me with your info. I will be happy... 

Common Ways of Holding Title to Real Property in Arizona

Many people ask me what is the best way to take title to the property they are about to purchase. I don’t have the answer as the answer truly varies from case to case. The best person to ask about how you should take title to a property is your attorney, your estate planner and your accountant. Below I have listed the common ways that title is held in the state of Arizona. This information has been provided by Great American Title Agency. My thanks go out to Great American title for their assistance in providing this information. Common Ways of Holding Title to Real Property in Arizona COMMUNITY PROPERTY: Arizona is a community property state. This is statutory presumption that all property acquired by husband and wife is community property. Community property is a method of co-ownership for married persons only. Upon death of either spouse, the interest of the deceased spouse will pass by either a will or in testate succession. COMMUNITY PROPERTY WITH RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP: A version of holding title between married persons that vest title to real property in the surviving spouse when it is expressly declared in the Deed. This vesting has the tax benefits of holding title as... 

Ahwatukee Foothills; Bank Owned and Short Sale Properties

“I want to find a repo or a foreclosure” “I want to find a good deal” “Now is the time to buy with all the REOs on the market” How many times have you heard these statements made around the water cooler at work, or during the weekend barbeque? Have you been thinking or saying these things to yourself or others. Well if you want a great neighborhood at some of the best price points in years then look towards Ahwatukee Foothills. The three zip codes; 85044, 85045, and 85048, which comprise the Ahwatukee Foothills area is one of the most desirable places to live in the Phoenix metro area. Nestled away on the south side of South Mountain, it offers award winning school districts, mountain hiking trails, views that greeting cards are made of, family values with lots of activities for the kids, and golf that most people only dream about. The only thing that makes it better is finding a home at a terrific price point. While many of the Metro Phoenix area cities have an enormous amount of foreclosures and short sales on the market, Ahwatukee as of 8/18/09 had only 32 lender owned properties listed on the MLS and 119 short sales available. With such little inventory you would...