The Arizona Life

How To Buy An Affordable Home in Phoenix

arizonan — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:11:08 +0000

Even with the deflation of home prices over the past few year many home buyers are still finding themselves looking at home prices just on the edge of being too expensive. With this as the case, here are a few tips to help you find an affordable home or home buying scenario.

Homes that have been on the market a long time. While many people shy away from homes that have been on the market a long time this type of home might just be the ticket to a great deal. For example, the seller may have over priced the home in the beginning and the home just sat on the market. And now, after time has gone by the owner might be willing to take a low ball offer to sell the home.

Another thought about homes that sit on the market for a long time is that there must be something wrong with the home. Again, this may be the case but you’ll never know if you don’t go look at the home. In the event that there is something wrong with the home, the home seller might be willing to take a concession on price to get rid of the property – especially if what’s wrong with the home is something you can either fix or live with.

Buy a smaller home. Looking at square footage is one thing that many home buyers do, but what can really make a difference about getting a good deal is to look at smaller homes – you may be able to repurpose a room or a loft to make it fit into your particular housing needs. Also, smaller homes tend to be cheaper to maintain over time and the utilities are typically cheaper. In many cases, more is not better.

Loan programs. Take a look at the different loan programs out there. Don’t shy away from loan programs because of stigma. For example, government loan progams like VA loans and FHA loans still get a bad rap from some real estate agents because of stricter property requirements than conventional mortgages. However, if you want to take advantage of low VA rates or low down payment mortgage programs government loans may be a great alternative for you.

Buying a home with a guest house, or extra master suite. This alternative isn’t for everyone, but you may consider having someone else live with you like an in-law or a friend. Renting a room to someone can help out a lot with mortgage expenses as well as everyday utility costs. If you are going to consider this option make sure you do your homework and set up an agreement that works for everyone. Plan for the end in mind – what do we do when the person wants to move out?

Buying a foreclosure home, a short sale home, or a home at auction. Each of these types of houses can offer significant opportunities to save money. However, you need to be clear on what the buying process is like before you venture forward. Make sure you work with an experienced real estate agent and loan officer to guide you through buying any of these types of homes.

Pros Cons and Tips About Buying Short Sale Homes In Arizona

arizonan — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:27:33 +0000

A short sale home is a home that being sold for less than what is owed on it by the home owner with the approval of their mortgage company. This definition is no different for homes in Arizona versus any other state. Under normal circumstances, a home owner doesn’t need the permission of their lender to sell their home because under “normal” conditions the home seller is selling the home for more than the mortgage balance owed. With needing the bank’s approval, short sale transactions are far from normal when it comes to how real estate is bought and sold.

Buying a short sale, however can have its advantages and disadvantages. Below you’ll find some brief summaries of the pros of buying a short sale, the cons of buying a short sale, and some tips about buying a short sale that should help your efforts.

The main advantage, or pro, to buying an Arizona short sale home is the opportunity to get a good deal. Couple buying a really good deal home with getting a VA loan and really low VA rates (or any interest mortgage interest rate for that matter here in the fall of 2011) and a short sale could set you up for a rather attractive mortgage payment moving forward. Another pro about buying a short sale versus a foreclosure for example (foreclosures can be even better deals than short sales but often come with higher risks) is that the condition with a short sale is better – in general – than a foreclosed home.

The main disadvantage, or con, when buying a short sale home in Arizona is that you have to deal with the time that it takes to get the lender’s approval. You will also have to deal with the uncertainty that the lender will take your purchase offer. You could wait around for months only to find out after the wait that they didn’t accept your offer. Hopefully, they will give you some type of offer, but they don’t really have to.

With the major pros and cons discussed, let’s look at a quick list of tips you should pay attention to to help your short sale home buying process go smoother.

Don’t pay upfront fees – if you get asked to pay your agent any type of upfront fee in order for them to represent you – you should look for a new agent.
Communitcation is key – make sure you speak to your buyer’s agent about getting updates on a regular basis. Set the tone early in your working relationship to get your expectations known and understood. Long delays foster a rockier process so insist that you stay in touch.
Don’t low ball – if you don’t make a reasonable offer, you’ll likely wait around for nothing but a declined offer. Banks don’t have to take your deal if it is too low. They always have the option of foreclosing on the home and selling it for what they want to sell it for. Be reasonable about your offer. You may even want to get an appraisal done ahead of making your offer so you get a good basis for your purchase offer price.
Experience counts – make sure you work with an experienced real estate agent who has some short sale transaction experience. Ask for some referrals for clients they worked with to purchase short sale homes. You will need the experience to guide your journey so don’t hire your friend’s mother’s sister just to be nice if she hasn’t any short sale experience – your sanity and time are yours and precious.

Arizona Real Estate Investing For Newbies

arizonan — Fri, 13 May 2011 07:04:33 +0000

If you are looking to buy Arizona real estate for investment purposes and are not paying cash, you have several types of loan programs to consider. You can look at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac investor loans. Or you may be able to look at a VA loan and FHA mortgages if you are willing to purchase a particular property type.

Besides the type of financing you are considering, another big aspect of investing in Arizona real estate is the three main property types that come into play: land/vacant lots, residential homes, and commercial structures.

For vacant land and lots – if you plan to get into this type of investing you will need some type of exit strategy that you can execute to help you start turning profits, or you better be prepared for long term staying power with your finances. This is especially true if you are looking to finance your lot purchase. Lots and vacant land can be used to build homes, commercial properties, or included in some type of agricultural or mining strategy. Investing in raw land isn’t for the faint hearted or inexperienced investor.

Residential Homes – A softer entry point into the world of real estate investing is that of buying and selling residential real estate. One way to invest is to simply by a second home and let the value of it appreciate over time. A second way to invest is a bit more complicated and involved – but it can have much higher and quicker returns and that is known as fix and flipping.

Buying homes that need repair and then selling them once they upgraded takes some financial backing so you need to be prepared. One way to get into this type of investing is to do a transaction or two with an experienced investor. Once you have been through the process a few times you’ll be able to go it alone.

The last type of real estate investing that you might consider is commercial real estate. Commercial real estate is a whole new ballgame with it comes to what you must do and how you qualify. My recommendation is to talk to an experienced commercial real estate agent to see if you want to take a swing at this type of investing.

If you have any questions about what type of investing you might be suited for, please give me a shout.

Scottsdale Bungalows For Sale

arizonan — Fri, 06 May 2011 17:34:38 +0000

Below you can find Scottsdale Bungalows for sale. The term Bungalows can have several meanings when it comes to real estate. First there is the traditional term which relates to the classic style home known as the Craftsman Bungalow.

Bungalows are distinctive in that they typically have an elevated first floor with a big front porch. The first flow can be somewhat cutup with many different rooms or the walls can be removed with some of the rooms to make for a more open floor plan.

The roof line of the bungalow home generally extends over top the front porch presenting an inviting and protected area perfect for using the porch at all times during the day.

Most bungalows have a second story to them where you typically find several bedrooms and in many cases at least one bathroom.

Now, for the other meaning of bungalow – many Canadians refer to bungalow homes as single story homes or ranch style homes. In Scottsdale Arizona and in some of the surrounding suburbs of Phoenix like Fountain Hills and Northeast Mesa you can find many neighborhood subdivisions where there are some great bungalows for sale.

Below you will find a list of homes for sale in the very popular subdivisions of DC Ranch, Grayhawk, Silverleaf and Troon. Let us know if you want to set up a showing to see any of these fine homes.

Showing properties 1 - 15 of 185. See more DC Ranch, Grayhawk, Silverleaf, Troon.
(all data current as of 5/20/2012)

$449,900 : 7391 E Wingspan Way, Scottsdale

4 beds, 4.00 baths

Home size: 3,489 sq ft

Lot size: 9,565 sqft

Year built: 1998

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 1
$1,595,000 : 18983 N 99th Street, Unit 3674, Scottsdale

7 beds, 7.00 baths

Home size: 6,073 sq ft

Lot size: 28,868 sqft

Year built: 2007

Parking spots: 4

Days on market: 2
$375,000 : 20802 N Grayhawk Drive, Unit 1031, Scottsdale

3 beds, 3.50 baths

Home size: 2,185 sq ft

Lot size: 2,181 sqft

Year built: 2000

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 2
$624,900 : 21058 N 75th Street, Scottsdale

3 beds, 2.50 baths

Home size: 3,225 sq ft

Lot size: 12,660 sqft

Year built: 1998

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 2
$339,900 : 13340 W Oyer Lane, Peoria

4 beds, 3.00 baths

Home size: 2,719 sq ft

Lot size: 10,460 sqft

Year built: 2012

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 2
$495,541 : 12807 W Via Caballo Blanco Drive, Peoria

4 beds, 3.50 baths

Home size: 3,697 sq ft

Lot size: 12,649 sqft

Year built: 2012

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 3
$1,450,000 : 10705 E Honey Mesquite Drive, Scottsdale

3 beds, 4.00 baths

Home size: 3,984 sq ft

Lot size: 19,672 sqft

Year built: 1996

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 4
$550,000 : 7552 E Phantom Way E, Scottsdale

4 beds, 2.50 baths

Home size: 3,029 sq ft

Lot size: 10,425 sqft

Year built: 1997

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 5
$420,000 : 11525 E Desert Willow Drive, Scottsdale

3 beds, 2.00 baths

Home size: 2,404 sq ft

Lot size: 6,160 sqft

Year built: 1999

Parking spots: 5

Days on market: 5
$2,695,000 : 41246 N 95th Street, Unit 277, Scottsdale

5 beds, 5.50 baths

Home size: 6,902 sq ft

Lot size: 2.26 ac

Year built: 2004

Parking spots: 8

Days on market: 6
$475,000 : 9349 E Monument Drive, Scottsdale

3 beds, 2.50 baths

Home size: 2,754 sq ft

Lot size: 16,592 sqft

Year built: 1998

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 7
$1,925,000 : 18910 N 97th Place, Scottsdale

5 beds, 4.50 baths

Home size: 4,998 sq ft

Lot size: 21,977 sqft

Year built: 2013

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 9
$1,799,000 : 19417 N 101st Street, Scottsdale

5 beds, 4.50 baths

Home size: 4,421 sq ft

Lot size: 7,545 sqft

Year built: 2006

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 9
$326,829 : 13338 W Jesse Red Drive, Peoria

4 beds, 2.50 baths

Home size: 3,039 sq ft

Lot size: 10,453 sqft

Year built: 2012

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 9
$595,000 : 11705 E Parkview Lane, Scottsdale

3 beds, 2.50 baths

Home size: 3,094 sq ft

Lot size: 12,500 sqft

Year built: 1996

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 10

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Deck and West Facing Homes For Sale In Scottsdale

arizonan — Thu, 05 May 2011 21:27:30 +0000

If you are in the market for deck and west facing homes for sale – Scottsdale Arizona has many to choose from. While there are many west facing and homes with decks on the market in Scottsdale, there are plenty more that might serve your needs in Fountain Hills and northwest Mesa as well.

You may ask why we are suggesting these additional cities when you are thinking of purchasing a home in Scottsdale. Well, for starters, one common theme in each of these locations is the proximity to many golf communities and courses, and the homes located in these locations don’t come with the added price premium associated with the Scottsdale name.

As far as west facing and deck homes Scottsdale, Mesa and Fountain Hills each have subdivision locations with higher elevations than other cities in the Phoenix area – which means you can get some spectacular views.

To search for homes facing west and homes with decks feel free to search below or contact us.

Showing properties 1 - 15 of 100. See more West Facing Scottsdale Gold Canyon Las sendas .
(all data current as of 5/20/2012)

$516,660 : 8258 E Teton Circle, Mesa

3 beds, 3.50 baths

Home size: 2,883 sq ft

Lot size: 11,607 sqft

Year built: 2004

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 2
$750,000 : 9832 E Peregrine Place, Scottsdale

3 beds, 3.50 baths

Home size: 3,401 sq ft

Lot size: 7,500 sqft

Year built: 2003

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 2
$325,000 : 7766 E Sandia Circle, Mesa

4 beds, 2.00 baths

Home size: 2,369 sq ft

Lot size: 10,341 sqft

Year built: 2000

Parking spots: 5

Days on market: 3
$370,000 : 7741 E Golden Eagle Circle, Unit 61, Gold Canyon

3 beds, 3.00 baths

Home size: 2,381 sq ft

Lot size: 3,485 sqft

Year built: 2002

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 4
$650,000 : 24732 N 109th Street, Scottsdale

3 beds, 3.50 baths

Home size: 3,543 sq ft

Lot size: 8,372 sqft

Year built: 2004

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 7
$899,000 : 17903 N 100th Way, Scottsdale

4 beds, 4.00 baths

Home size: 4,457 sq ft

Lot size: 15,950 sqft

Year built: 2007

Parking spots: 4

Days on market: 7
$440,000 : 8211 E Sienna Street, Mesa

5 beds, 3.00 baths

Home size: 3,655 sq ft

Lot size: 10,625 sqft

Year built: 2001

Parking spots: 4

Days on market: 9
$577,100 : 9270 E Thompson Peak Parkway, Unit 370, Scottsdale

3 beds, 3.50 baths

Home size: 3,232 sq ft

Lot size: 3,739 sqft

Year built: 2001

Parking spots: 4

Days on market: 11
$599,900 : 19514 N 84th Street, Scottsdale

3 beds, 2.50 baths

Home size: 2,967 sq ft

Lot size: 7,500 sqft

Year built: 2002

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 11
$495,000 : 13450 E Via Linda --, Unit 1024, Scottsdale

3 beds, 3.50 baths

Home size: 2,205 sq ft

Lot size: 2,463 sqft

Year built: 2006

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 12
$599,000 : 10570 E Karen Drive, Scottsdale

3 beds, 2.50 baths

Home size: 2,623 sq ft

Lot size: 7,820 sqft

Year built: 2001

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 14
$285,000 : 7440 N San Manuel Road, Scottsdale

3 beds, 3.00 baths

Home size: 2,038 sq ft

Lot size: 5,058 sqft

Year built: 1974

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 14
$735,000 : 33403 N 64th Place, Scottsdale

3 beds, 2.50 baths

Home size: 3,200 sq ft

Lot size: 24,777 sqft

Year built: 1997

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 15
$520,000 : 7265 E Lupine Avenue, Scottsdale

3 beds, 2.50 baths

Home size: 2,635 sq ft

Lot size: 6,724 sqft

Year built: 1998

Parking spots: 4

Days on market: 15
$249,000 : 7548 E Snowdon Street, Mesa

3 beds, 2.50 baths

Home size: 2,150 sq ft

Lot size: 6,046 sqft

Year built: 1998

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 17

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Augusta Ranch Homes For Sale

arizonan — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 20:58:02 +0000

Welcome to beautiful Augusta Ranch in Mesa Arizona. Augusta is a master planned community located in east Mesa, just off the US 60. Do you like Golf? Got it. Do you like Community? Yep, that too. Do you like good schools? We have that too. Oh yeah, and we have Gilbert taxes (that is less by the way)

Augusta Ranch Golf Course Community

Augusta Ranch offers a lifestyle for everyone. Single Family Homes, Condo’s and Town homes are available throughout the community. Communities include Suncrest at Augusta Ranch, Tivoli at Augusta Ranch and Park Central.

Suncrest is a single family gated community complete with community pool and parks, within walking distance to the Augusta Ranch Golf Course.

Tivoli is a gated condo community complete with community pool and attached garages.

Park Central of Augusta Ranch

Park Central is a gated town home community with a community pool, attached garages and offers up to 4 different floorplans.

The Augusta Ranch Golf Course is an award winning 18 hole executive course complete with clubhouse, full practice facilities, cart rental and restaurant.

Augusta Ranch Golf Course Mesa Arizona

The Augusta Ranch community is fortunate enough to have three excelling schools within walking distance. Augusta Ranch Elementary, Desert Ridge Junior High and Desert Ridge High School. Desert Ridge High School is consistantly competing for State Championships both academically and athletically. Although all three schools are located in Mesa, Arizona, they are part of the Gilbert School District.

We are currently in the midst of one of the greatest Buyer’s markets of all time. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance to you as you pursue your next home purchase.

If you decide Augusta Ranch is not for you, click here to view other Mesa / Gilbert Area Homes for Sale.

Jason Spitler

Keller Williams Integrity First Realty

Mesa, Arizona

602-206-7586

jason@thearizonalife.com

Got Financing?? Great loan programs for Canadian Buyers!

arizonan — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:08:24 +0000

Recently, I had the fortune of coming in contact with a local lender who offers financing programs for Canadian Buyers! Barbara filled me in on some of the following loan parameters for the programs she offers Canadians buying second homes in Arizona:

Loan amount as high as $417,000; 30% minimum downpayment; 24 months of credit history; 700 minimum FICO score; single family homes and condominiums allowed.

For additional information on these loan programs, or any other information pertinent to purchasing a second home in Arizona, please feel free to contact me!

Thank you Barbara, for your time and all of the valuable information you provided! As an Arizona Realtor, I always welcome any information I can receive that will help me assist my Canadian customers as thoroughly as I possibly can!!

3 bedroom 2 bath Home For Sale In Mahogany, Mesa Arizona

arizonan — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:03:52 +0000

Look at this beautiful home

Looking for a great home in Mesa Arizona? Well, then look no further than Mahogany. What is Mahogany? Great question! Mahogany is a gated community located on the Northwest corner of Greenfield Road and Brown Road just minutes away from major employers like Boeing and MD Helicopters.

Got an airplane? Who doesn’t right, well your new home is only minutes away from Mesa’s Falcon Field Airpark as well.

This beautiful 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home is located on a large lot-almost 1 acre large and backs to a greenbelt for more privacy. Large open floorplan with a seperate living and dining room, plantation shutters on all windows-of course. Got more than one car? No need to worry, your new home has a three car garage.

Open Kitchen with Corian countertops

Plenty Of Room for Outdoor Entertaining

Heated, Saltwater Diving Pool-In Arizona!

For more information about this beautiful home in Mahogany in Mesa, Arizona please contact me.

Oh yea, want to search the Multiple Listing Service like a Realtor would? Look to your right, have at it. “You can search by map or look to the top to “search by city”….Shhhh .don’t tell anyone…..:-)

Scottsdale Golf Course Homes To Swing For

arizonan — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:44:12 +0000

America’s Best Place to Live for Golf is…

Yep you guessed it – Scottsdale Arizona. Scottsdale golf courses total nearly 200 and offer the best courses for the best hackers to start playing on all the way up through the TPC Scottsdale where the PGA has one of the biggest tour stops.

Along with the wide variety of private and public golf courses to choose from you can find some of the most beautiful and luxurious homes in the world. No matter if you live in Canada and want a second home or you already live in the Phoenix area – Scottsdale has a home at the right price for everyone.

If you are looking for a private gated Scottsdale Golf Homes you had your choice of over 15 communities to consider. Some of these include: Troon North, Troon Country Club, Ancala, The Estancia Club, Desert Forest, Desert Highlands, Mirabel, Quintero Golf and Country Club, Silverleaf, DC Ranch, Club Terravita, Tonto Verde, and Whisper Rock.

Scottsdale also offers some of the area’s best public golf communities with spectacular homes in Grayhawk. In Grayhawk you will find 2 courses to choose from.