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As I'm entering my 42nd year as a REALTOR®, I have helped home buyers and sellers during prior recessions. Many agents quit the business during the Great Recession of 2007-2009, although many refer to the date as 2008, but I was able to stay afloat. The Great Recession was different than the others I was involved in - it was caused by the housing, mortgage and banking industry.

In recent months, economic forecasters and news outlets have increasingly used the "R-word" – recession. For homeowners and prospective buyers, this term can trigger immediate anxiety. After all, our homes represent not just shelter, but often our most significant financial investment. When recession talk intensifies, questions naturally arise about what this means for real…

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Your home doesn’t have to be magazine-perfect, it just needs to be meaningful. A well-loved space should reflect your story, offer comfort, and inspire peace. When your home nurtures you, you can, in turn, share that joy with others. Let’s explore 15 intentional ways to create a simple, beautiful, and meaningful home you love coming back to.

1. Choose Calm, Light Colors

A woman viewing different shades of purple for a room in her Scottsdale home

Color sets the tone in a home. Soft whites, warm greys, muted blues, and earthy beiges create a restful visual landscape. Calm colors serve as a clean backdrop, allowing treasured items like a photo from your wedding or a bowl of stones from your favorite beach to shine. Neutral hues promote mental clarity and peace, making your home feel lighter and more open. Avoid bold wall…

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Different tax/IRS forms

This probably should have been posted sooner because the tax deadline is about a week away and most of you have filed already. This might help renters decide to get into homeownership in the near future if they've been sitting on the fence.

When people think about owning a home, they often focus on the costs—mortgage payments, repairs, insurance, and property taxes. But what many homeowners don’t realize is that their house can actually help them save money at tax time. Tax laws allow homeowners to deduct certain expenses, claim credits, and lower their overall tax bill—sometimes by thousands of dollars.

A lot of people assume that owning a home is more expensive than renting, especially when they look at the monthly mortgage payment. But what…

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A white one-level Scottsdale home

Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions most people will make in their lifetime. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or an experienced investor, securing mortgage pre-approval is a crucial first step in the homebuying process. Pre-approval provides you with a clear understanding of your budget, helps streamline the buying process, and makes you a more competitive buyer in a competitive real estate market.

We spoke with the team at Career Classroom, an NMLS-approved mortgage school, to highlight the key steps and benefits of getting pre-approved. Understanding how pre-approval works, what lenders look for, and how to prepare will give you confidence as you move forward with buying a home. Let’s take a closer look at what…

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