Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category
Prescott Water Quality
Often, when talking to folks interested in Prescott real estate, the subject of water comes up. It only makes sense that people would ask about water in the famously arid state of Arizona. In fact, I once had a housemate from Mesa that would call our state “Aridzona, home of heat”. Guess there are a lot of unemployed comedians too.
Water in Arizona has been at the forefront of public water policy in our country for quite some time, and for Prescott homes there is no exception. This year’s 2009 water quality report details important information about our Prescott drinking water. The City of Prescott opted out of CAP (Central Arizona Project), the Colorado River water supplies enjoyed by the
cities like Phoenix and Tucson. Homes in Prescott were awarded an allocation (A.R.S. §45-555E), what is called an assured water supply in exchange for not using supplies from CAP.
Regardless of where you eventually purchase your real estate, Prescott water supplies are managed and can be accessed with reasonable confidence going forward. In a state where water is precious, there is a public policy in place to address the issue. Please let me know if you have more specific questions on water matters, always glad to help.
Step 2, Step 3, then Step 1
For a surgeon, that would be make incision, perform operation, then sterilize.
For a pilot, that would be throttle engines, depart, then get cleared for takeoff
For a real estate client, that would be look at houses, make offer, then qualify for financing.
Let’s first acknowledge the first two examples could be life or death situations. However, in the real estate business, it makes as little sense to shop without qualifying for financing. Lenders are more strict then ever, with some brokers reporting less than half of all loan based transactions being completed to closing.
Often, folks will visit town with the understanding that they are “just looking”, which is fine, and I am always happy to show people around the first time out from out of town without intent to buy. However, here is what happens all the time: a perfect housing opportunity will present itself, and it is difficult to execute without financing, especially on the weekends.
Do yourself a favor, and contact one of our local lender stars before shopping or visiting. With a loan pre-qualification in hand, you can be ready to write a contract if you choose. Please contact Realty 2000 for a tour appointment. Prescott AZ area is a wonderful place to live and work. Looking forward to your visit.
Homebuyer Tax Credit assisting sales in Prescott Real Estate Market
As most people have heard, the new federal tax credits for first-time homebuyers has been extended. A tax credit of up to $8,000 is available for first-time homebuyers through June 30, 2010.
In addition, a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years over the last eight years is available.
Fortunately for buyers looking to purchase homes in the Prescott real estate market the new tax credit coincides with recent lower prices seen throughout our area. For the first time were seeing some of the housing prices approach 2002-2003 valuations which is excellent news for buyers.
Sometimes buyers would like to get that credit in advance of the property purchase, however that is not allowed by IRS rules. You are able to take advantage of the tax credit in 2009 by filing with your 2009 tax return or you can file an amended 2008 tax return to obtain your credit. The credit is only allowed after the purchase of the property.
For more details please contact your lender or contact Scott Baxter at Realty 2000 Town & Country in Prescott AZ for lists of local lenders who can give you additional information. Meanwhile start thinking of that new home and contact me to assist you with your future plans. I can make arrangements to show you some listings in email or here in person, always glad to help.
Smart Real Estate Shoppers use Automatic Email lists
Just yesterday, I had a potential client come to me and say, “Show me in email all the houses in your area below $100,000.” I have to admit I thought to myself that figure is a well out of our typical range but with today’s market, who knows?
Shopping for Homes the "fast Email way"
So I added 10% just to bracket the range, and I took a look for myself. I was thinking, “I betcha there’ll
be only a half a dozen of these houses and out of those, over half will be false entries from listing agents just to get the leads.”
I must say, I was shocked to find there were 67 entries in our MLS foresight built homes under $110,000. Now mind you some of these are on the outskirts deep in rural areas and some of these are short sell listings with made up asking prices just to gather leads.
Bottom line is: the buying public needs to continue to express their wants and needs to the real estate agents and brokers that serve them. If they’re not getting the service that they asked for it may be time to look for different assistance. For the record, I try to serve every request that I get in the best way that I know how. In this crazy market, that may mean exceptional value for you, the buyer client.
Let me know what you looking for an I’ll do my best to help out in Prescott, Arizona, thank you.
Photo credit: robad0b
How to Never Sell your Home
So much is written about how to sell your home (you should do this and you should do that) but I thought maybe it would be prudent to point out some of the things that would make it impossible to sell your home. 
Most people know about the big problems, things like mold, radiation, and possibly that federal highway right-of-way. But there are many others! One just happened to me today on an escrow that I have and I thought I would share it with you.
I’m sure many of you know people or possibly even yourself who have thought, “Oh, wouldn’t it be nice to have a deck, sun room or attached shed on my property.” so you went ahead and built one but you forgot one detail: the need to get a permit. But of course, one can get a little busy and permits were not a priority for you at the time, so you the construction went ahead anyway. Now I’m sure you’re deck, sun room or attached shed is just fine but guess what: when you go to sell that property and the buyer’s appraiser starts asking the city or the county about that construction and no permit was filed, you now will have a problem with the buyer getting his financing.
So please, property owners / sellers do yourself a big favor: make sure that you get all the necessary permits for that construction project that you seek to complete. One day when you go to sell, you’ll be very glad you did.
Photo credit: Paul Keleher
Posterous.com is a “Photo Twitter”
Use posterous for all your mobile image needs
One of the best tools I found out about attending the REBarCamp in San Francisco last summer is this nifty website called Posterous.
Great little website allows mobile users to take photos or videos, and upload them with email to Posterous. Furthermore, Posterous will autopost to twitter, facebook, flickr, and even your own photo blog. Now that is what I call syndication!
Prescott Area Neighborhoods
Tomato Twitter
- The fascinating Prescott AZ 2009 Water Quality Report now available: blog http://bit.ly/9wOR7J or pdf http://bit.ly/9y7rUx
2 years ago - New Blog Entry: Step 2, Step 3, then Step 1 ...why order matters http://bit.ly/9tsLqO
2 years ago - New Blog Entry: Step 2, Step 3, then Step 1 ...why order matters http://bit.ly/9tsLqO
2 years ago - New blog article on how Home Equity positions support pricing of Real Estate in Prescott AZ http://bit.ly/9xfGsF
2 years ago
