Scottsdale Real Estate Blog

Top 8 Home Design and Remodeling Trends for 2019

If you’re a current homeowner, or in the market to buy, you’re probably curious about the latest trends in home design. We can't constantly keep changing everything in our homes, but it's fun to see what's trending now.

Sellers who make strategic updates before listing a Scottsdale home for sale can generate increased interest from buyers and, in some cases, a premium selling price. And buyers should consider which features of a home will need updating immediately (or in the near future) so they can factor renovation costs into their overall budget. We will be selling our home next year and we're working on updates now.

Even if you have no immediate plans to buy or sell, we advise our clients to be thoughtful about the colors, materials, and…

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6 Strategies to get Your Scottsdale Home Ready to Sell

Following is a guest post written by Jessica Kane

If you are contemplating placing your home on the market for sale in the not-too-distant future, you certainly want to make sure that your residence is in the best possible position to attract prospective buyers. With that in mind, here are six strategies you should consider implementing as part of preparing your residence for the marketplace.

Update the Tile

An important factor that you need to bear in mind is that bathrooms are key focal points for people who are looking to buy a home. Therefore, when it comes to preparing your home for sale, you do need to pay particular attention to your bathrooms.

If you are like many homeowners, your bathrooms may be in need of a facelift. Specifically,…

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What is the Forecast for Scottsdale Real Estate in 2019?

We're just starting the new year of 2019, and those of us thinking of buying and/or selling Scottsdale real estate this year are probably wondering what the new year will bring.  This will give you an idea of what your current Scottsdale home might be worth and what you'll be paying for your next place.

What is the prediction for Scottsdale real estate prices?

The news is positive.  Freddie Mac predicts housing prices will increase by 4.3 percent in 2019.  That might seem low to you, but it is an average national increase, and more popular areas, like Scottsdale, could see higher numbers.

Since we're planning on moving in the future (probably next year), we are keeping a closer than normal eye on Scottsdale home prices.  It's interesting how…

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6 Tips for Selling Your Scottsdale Home

Below you'll see a quick video showing 6 tips for selling your Scottsdale home (or a home in any area), and I'd like to add, selling it for top dollar.  That was the mantra when we sold our prior home.  I would say to my adult children, keep your bedrooms (and the house) clean so we can get top dollar!  We made a joke about it.  But it's true.

Today's Scottsdale home buyers are extremely picky.  With flip homes as competition in most price ranges, you might be competing with almost "like-new" places.  Many buyers want a home in move-in condition.  They don't want to have to paint or change the old carpet or remove dated wallpaper.  Wallpaper tried making a comeback, but it really isn't working.  Many buyers will accept a smaller floorplan in a clean,…

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Your Choices in Scottsdale Rental Property Investments

Residential housing demand is growing at a high rate in the United States, and Scottsdale real estate rentals are in high demand. The demand for single-family rentals has increased by over 30 percent in the last three years. Please note, because I work in the Scottsdale area I mention it throughout this post, but this information is pertinent to any area.

As we already know, short-term rental, or vacation, rentals have become extremely popular in Scottsdale, as more travelers are turning to this type of accommodation to save money and to be able to stay in a place that feels more like home vs. a hotel or apartment building. This has resulted in an increase in short-term rentals.

Today, with a shortage in housing, more housing providers are…

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Buyers - Don't Make These 8 Home Inspection Mistakes

Buying a home is an exciting time in people's lives. When you've fallen in love with a particular house, usually after seeing a few, or many, your eye is now on the goal of closing and moving in.

There are timelines in the contract for your protection. One of the most important contingencies is for you to get the home inspected. And you need to do it and get any requests in by day 10, and no later. The inspection negotiations can go beyond day 10 but all inspections and the inspection form, called the BINSR, must be sent to the listing agent within 10 days.

Once the inspection has been done, you will receive a report with all items that are concerning. A good inspector will list everything they see, but what you need to be interested in are…

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Appliance Cleaning Guide

When it comes to cleaning our houses, most of us will concentrate on dusting shelves, vacuuming the carpets, and disinfecting the sinks, but we often forget about the appliances we use every day. Making sure appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, and stovetops stay clean does more than keep your home looking its best. Cleaning these appliances regularly can be essential for keeping them in their best condition and ensuring that they run efficiently.

For example, refrigerator condenser coils can become covered with dust and lint. Thus, they have to work harder to keep your refrigerator running which could result in your fridge burning out before its time. In the case of washing machines and dishwashers, many people might believe that…

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10 Top Staging Tips Shared by Professional Stagers

The National Association of Realtors contends that staging your Scottsdale home for sale prior to listing it will help sell it more quickly and for more money. The Real Estate Staging Association indicates that for houses that are staged, it is estimated that they spend 73 percent less time on the market.

To get your home ready for sale, you should follow these 10 tips for the best results. These are easy and cost-effective ways to make your home look better which will give buyers a clear impression of their new neighborhood and how to decorate their home in a similar style and for less money. So go for it. Do a few of these things, and you can sell your home in Scottsdale quickly and for top dollar.

To get a plan customized for your particular…

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The Compound Effect: Building Your Household's Wealth

Wealth is within reach for many people; however, according to a study posted by Bankrate*, 63 percent of Americans said it’s not likely they’ll become rich. While younger people are more likely to say they’ll achieve wealth one day, only 34 percent of people aged 30 to 49 and 21 percent of people aged 50 or older say the same. There is no secret to becoming rich: it takes time, sacrifice, and good financial sense. Here are a few ways to build your household’s wealth.

Let Compound Interest Work for You Compound interest is your interest earning interest. While the concept may work against you when you take out a loan to buy a car or use your credit card, it works in your favor when you’re saving money. For example, if your savings is growing at a…

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The Home Buyer’s Guide to Getting Mortgage Ready

Don’t wait until you’re ready to move to start preparing financially to buy a home in Scottsdale. If you’re like the vast majority of home buyers, you will choose to finance your purchase with a mortgage loan. By preparing in advance, you can avoid the common delays and roadblocks many buyers face when applying for a mortgage.

The requirements to secure a mortgage may seem overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. But we’ve outlined three simple steps to get you started on your path to homeownership. Even if you’re a current homeowner, it’s a good idea to prepare in advance so you don’t encounter any surprises along the way.

Lending requirements have become more rigorous in recent years, and changes to your credit history, debt…

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