The Reality of AZ Realty

The reality of AZ realty is that searching for positive news about real estate is not that difficult these days.

Foreclosures have dropped in certain areas of the country.  Some areas are showing rebounds, having an increase in sales volume and home values.  The available home buyer tax credits and low mortgage rates are boosting home sales. 

Even the drop in January sales appears temporary because, after-all, the tax credit expires on April 30th and people will start pounding the pavement in search of the new home to use it on.

Real estate that is selling in most places is because the price is right.  For example, people are buying Phoenix AZ real estate that they view as priced appropriately.  If the home is affordable, it will sell. 

The real estate that is not selling is real estate that is owned by people who are having a hard time letting go of what they think their home is worth, or who will lose their shirt if they sell at the correct price. 

The reality of realty is that home values are not nearly what most people thought they would be when they bought their homes at the height of the market, but if you price your Phoenix home correctly for this new market, you have a good chance of selling success.

Click here for a recent article from CNBC on what is going on in real estate right now.

Tony Marriott is a Phoenix AZ real estate agent and would love to show you Phoenix homes for sale or other Phoenix AZ properties.  Tony Marriott can be contacted at 888-577-6585 or by email.

When looking at Scottsdale AZ real estate statistics, don’t forget to remember your basic math.  Median prices have been going up in some areas, down in others.  The median is the value that occurs in the middle of everything that has sold.  For example, if seven apples have sold for $1, $1.25, $1.5, $1.5, $1.5, $1.75 and $2.  The median price would be $1.5.  The median value is the middle price, it does not represent the size, quality or type of apple.

In real estate it is important to remember that the median sales price represents the average price of what homes are selling for in a given area.  It is not representing the size, condition or value of a home.  The median sales price can be offset by Scottsdale foreclosure property that is selling in an area as well as by luxury property that is selling in an area.

The best way to determine the value of your Scottsdale AZ real estate is to get it analyzed by an experienced Phoenix area real estate professional such as Tony Marriott.  There are many factors in determining real estate values today and picking an average out of the air could hinder the sale of your home.  In today’s Arizona real estate market it is more important than ever to price your home appropriately.

To search for Scottsdale AZ property for sale or if you have questions when selling your Scottsdale home, contact Tony Marriott at 888-577-6585 or by email.

The latest real estate headlines for the US are that home sales were down in January, some of these headlines even use the word “plunged”.  However, there are a few areas scattered around that managed to buck this trend and no media frenzy can change that.  Think about it, is it really a surprise that sales are down in January?  January is the coldest month, even if you live in a southern state like Florida, who wants to move in to a new house in January.

Does anyone really feel like shopping in January when they have just completed a major holiday season that began with Thanksgiving at the end of November?  Most people are just plain worn out by the time New Year’s Day is over, the last thing they feel like doing in packing up and moving. It is a month to relax and observe.

The original First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit was meant to expire in November and when it got extended and expanded people realized that they had more time to make a decision.  January data is showing a dip because people wanted to stop and take a look at what the new year would bring.  Now that 2010 is here and people can see that mortgage rates and property values are staying low, housing is bound to show a steady increase in sales and eventually prices as well.  Even Warren Buffet appears optimistic, stating that he believes that housing problems will soon be behind us.

Click here to view Warren Buffet’s stance on the economy and real estate as a whole.

Tony Marriott, a Phoenix and Scottsdale AZ Realtor, is optimistic about Arizona real estate too.  Tony Marriott would be happy to show you Phoenix area real estate for sale or to answer any of your questions when relocating to Scottsdale AZ area.  The Tony Marriott Team can be contacted at 888-577-6585 or by email.

Interest rates appear to be staying put until the US economy gets back on track.  This past week Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, announced his desire to keep interest rates low due to the fragility of the economy.

Unemployment figures are continuing to rise.  These increasing unemployment figures are interfering with recovery and affecting real estate and general sales figures across the country.

Historically low interest rates and low home values combined with the extended and expanded First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, have been instrumental in boosting real estate sales in the United States.  These incentives are bringing buyers off of the sidelines and have created a true “buyer’s market”.

Real estate is typically a catalyst for for economic recovery and keeping mortgage rates low will be a significant help in keeping the sales coming in the Phoenix Arizona real estate market.  Click here to see a recent article about Ben Bernanke and his commitment to keeping interest rates low.

To find out how you can take advantage of the low interest rates when purchasing Phoenix property for sale or to view homes for sale in Arizona, please contact Phoenix realtor Tony Marriott.  The Tony Marriott Team would love to show you available Phoenix real estate for sale and can be reached at 602-445-6299 or by email.

]]> http://blog.havenexpress.com/2010/02/27/mortgage-rates-going-nowhere-for-now/feed/ 0 http://blog.havenexpress.com/2010/02/23/help-the-environment-your-scottsdale-az-real-estate-with-green-improvements/ http://blog.havenexpress.com/2010/02/23/help-the-environment-your-scottsdale-az-real-estate-with-green-improvements/#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:47:33 +0000 Tony Marriott http://havenexpress.realty-buzz.com/?p=168

In Scottsdale AZ real estate green improvements can mean more energy efficient appliances like refrigerators, stoves, toilets and lighting fixtures to major improvements like adding solar heating, recycled materials and wind energy.  Green improvements are not only becoming more popular but they are also becoming more attractive financially due to tax savings and long term cost effectiveness.

Choosing renewable products and making environmentally friendly decisions when it comes to your Scottsdale AZ property can make a big difference.  While being green is often a state of mind, for people who dedicate themselves to recycling, turning off lights, and bicycling instead of driving a car, making green improvements in the home has proven to make quite a difference.

For information about green choices for the home click here to read a recent article from Realty Times.

Tony Marriott, a Scottsdale real estate agent, can help you find green Scottsdale homes for sale or other Phoenix area property.  The Tony Marriott Team would love to speak to you and can be contacted at 888-577-6585 or by email.

The feeling is that foreclosures are subsiding in the Phoenix Area.  The incredible increase in foreclosure activity that hit the United States hard over the past couple of years was a huge catalyst for falling home prices, as well as a staggering hit to the national real estate market as a whole.  The decrease in foreclosures for the end of 2009 that has been reported is good news for all.  As foreclosures start to disappear Phoenix AZ real estate values will be less affected.

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported on Friday that there was a decrease in foreclosure applications for the last quarter of 2009.  This was particularly good news considering the fourth quarter typically sees a rise in foreclosures due to heating costs, according to the MBA.

While foreclosures will still be coming the decrease appears to make the problem improving or, at the very least, not getting worse.  The nation’s employment numbers need to improve before we are out of the woods but slowly and steadily we are climbing out of the recession and real estate is taking baby steps toward a solid recovery.

Click here to read the full report from the MBA.

Tony Marriott, a Phoenix and Scottsdale area real estate agent, can help you search for Phoenix AZ foreclosed homes today.  Tony Marriott can be reached at 888-577-6585 or by email.

Current home trends lean toward a simpler more efficient lifestyle

From simple wall coverings to energy efficient appliances, Arizona home trends are set in home remodeling and design just as they are in fashion, entertainment and elsewhere. 

Realtor Magazine recently published an article on current home trends and, not surprisingly most are geared toward cost effectiveness, energy efficiency or reducing stress.  The past few years of enduring a recession and a housing bust have made people want to get down to the basics and live a simpler life and these priorities have filtered into the AZ home.

Current trends in Arizona home design include neutral colors, like white and beige, which are more calming than bright vibrant colors.  Energy efficient appliances like refrigerators and cook tops are also being used more frequently as they are better for the environment and, in the long run, the wallet. 

In order to keep the calm people are also adding relaxation rooms to their homes, whether they be complete spa rooms or a simple massage chair.  A designated place to unwind helps erase stress and add to home’s value at the same time.

Click here for a complete look at current home trends.

Tony Marriott, a Phoenix area Realtor, can help you use these current AZ home trends to your advantage when selling your Phoenix area home for sale.  The Tony Marriott Team can be contacted 888-577-6585 or by email.

Check Out the Neighborhood (photo courtesy of jamesjordan on flickr.com)

While many people seem to think that it is not wise to think of your home as an investment, the reality is that the opposite is true. 

That being said there are some things to keep in mind when setting out to buy a Scottsdale AZ home, the least of which is getting to know the different Scottsdale neighborhoods that would meet your needs.  If you do your neighborhood homework, selecting your home properly can insure more of a return on your investment when you decide to sell at some point in the future.

Research which Scottsdale real estate area that you want to live in.  Aside from knowing the schools and amenities that are available, take a close look at the Scottsdale property levels.  Which streets hold more value?  Is one edge of the neighborhood closer to a more upscale neighborhood, or is one side closer to a less desirable neighborhood? 

According to Realty Times, less is more.  They say purchasing the lessor home in the best neighborhood will give you the greatest return every time versus buying the best house in the neighborhood.

While you may not look at your primary residence as an investment, in the long run it may be the best investment you have, so do your research to come out ahead.

Click here to read buying advice from Realty times.

Tony Marriott, a Scottsdale AZ Real Estate Expert, can help you find the best Scottsdale home for sale to fit your needs.  Tony Marriott can be reached at 888-577-6585 or by email.

Remodeling and renovating your Phoenix AZ home should be evaluated more closely than in the past, with an eye on your return on investment.  If your remodel/renovation is strictly to improve your living situation, you plan on staying in your home for many years to come, and you have the money to make your improvements, by all means go ahead and make whatever changes are necessary. 

If, however, you are looking at your home improvements as a way to maintain or improve your Phoenix home’s value, do some research and evaluate whether you will get the return you need or expect to get when you sell.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Stay on par with your neighbors.  Having the best house on the block might be nice, but it certainly won’t give you the most bang for your buck.  Your home is typically as valuable as other comparably sized homes around you.
• Ascertain your home’s condition.  Today’s Phoenix AZ home buyer does not want to spend a lot of money fixing up needed repairs like a leaky roof and broken windows.  Keep on top of necessary repairs and upgrades to make it clear that the home is well taken care of.
• If you are making upgrades to your home see if they can be energy efficient upgrades.  Not only will you get a tax break but you will probably save money in the long run as well.

There are many remodeling and renovating items that you can choose to do that are cost-effective and attractive to future Phoenix home buyers.  For a recent article from Money that touches on the subject of remodeling and renovating click here.

To learn more about what you can do to make your Phoenix AZ home more attractive to buyers or to search Phoenix AZ property for sale, please contact Tony Marriott, a Phoenix area Realtor, call 888-577-6585 or email the Marriott Team here.

Relocating can be much easier with the right Realtor

Moving to a new Phoenix or Scottsdale AZ area home can be quite an ordeal, whether you are moving within the same area or across the country.  To make a complicated and often stressful situation easier choosing a qualified and experienced Arizona real estate broker like Tony Marriott and that can make all the difference.

Tony Marriott, a qualified Arizona Realtor, can:

• Help you locate the best Phoenix or Scottsdale AZ area neighborhood to suit you and your family.  He knows these suburban areas and will match it with your considerations and needs.
• Help you settle in faster by matching your interests and hobbies with the appropriate groups.  Tony Marriott can also point you toward the right doctors, schools and professional areas that will set you out on the right foot.
• Tony Marriott will have the answers to your questions.  He has survived relocation many times, with many people, and has the answers you need.

Keep in mind that choosing the Tony Marriott Team as your AZ Realtor, you are also choosing his solid reputation, a their proven track record, and the knowledge you need to not only succeed in your Arizona real estate transaction, but adjust to your new surroundings, which will make your entire move much more smooth.

The Tony Marriott Team can be reached at (480) 355-8645 or by email.