Scottsdale Real Estate Blog - Judy Orr

2025 Homeowner Pitfalls: A 'What Not to Do' Checklist

As the new year kicks off, many people make resolutions centered around actions to take, such as increasing exercise, saving more money, or finally completing that lingering home improvement project. However, it is equally crucial to focus on actions to avoid, especially for homeowners. Steering clear of certain common mistakes can be as significant as setting ambitious goals for your household.

This article provides a list of "Six Reverse Resolutions" for 2025, aiming to help homeowners—both new and experienced—avoid potential missteps that could result in unnecessary stress, time, and financial loss.

1. Don't Put Off Routine Maintenance

The Maintenance Trap

Your home is likely your most significant investment, and neglecting basic…

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2025 Housing Market: Emerging Trends and Potential Game-Changers

I've already written about some predictions real estate gurus are sharing about the upcoming year, mostly about mortgage rates. Links to those blog posts will appear under this article. As we look ahead to the 2025 housing market, experts are forecasting a period of steady growth, increased inventory, and a slightly more favorable environment for buyers.

The real estate landscape of 2025 presents a fascinating confluence of evolving market dynamics, technological innovations, and shifting demographic patterns. As we navigate this transformative period, understanding the interplay between these factors becomes crucial for stakeholders across the housing sector.

However, behind every stable projection lies a set of potential wild cards that could…

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A Market Rebound: Home Sales Climb After Three-Year Slump

In the 41 years I've been a Realtor® I've seen all kinds of markets. In the past several years we've seen rates dip as low as 2.65%. We were already in a crazy Seller's Market when that happened. Buyers couldn't get their offers accepted unless they were way over the asking price. Many of those buyers gave up and continued renting or remained in their current homes.

Then in October of 2023, rates jumped to 7.79%, which not only ended the Seller's Market we had been experiencing but cut sales dramatically. We were now seeing price reductions, an increase in time on the market, and expired listings. These were things new agents had never experienced if they got into the market when the Seller's Market started. Read my recent post about current…

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The Real Deal About Current Mortgage Rate Fluctuations

Let's talk about something that's been giving potential homebuyers major headaches lately: mortgage rates. If you've been thinking about buying a house or just want to understand what all the fuss is about, you're in the right place. In the past few months, these rates have been bouncing around like a ping-pong ball, and honestly, it's making a lot of people nervous about buying their first home.

The reality is, there are always opportunities for buyers, regardless of where rates sit. If you understand what impacts these mortgage rate swings, you'll feel more in control of the process and be poised to snag the best rate for your situation. Let’s explore what causes these fluctuations and how you can confidently move forward, no matter the…

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Arizona's Architectural Journey: Blending Tradition with Innovation

Arizona is a state known for its stunning natural landscapes, from the majestic Grand Canyon to the towering saguaro cacti of the Sonoran Desert. However, beyond its breathtaking outdoor wonders, Arizona also boasts a rich architectural heritage that reflects its unique history and cultural influences. In this blog post, we'll explore the diverse building styles found throughout the state, both in terms of interior and exterior design, and how they contribute to Arizona's distinctive character.

I fell in love with Arizona the first time I visited my parents, who retired to Mesa. My husband was already familiar with the area as he actually lived near South Mountain with his bandmates for a while as they were on their way to their final destination -…

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Why Real Estate Sales Hibernate During Winter: A Seasonal Slowdown Explained

As the seasons shift, the leaves turn, the air grows crisp, and the real estate market begins its annual hibernation. It's no secret that real estate sales often dip during the winter months, particularly around the winter holidays. But why does this happen? Is it simply due to the frigid temperatures and snowy weather in many states, or is there more to this yearly trend?

To understand this phenomenon, we must delve into the nuances of the real estate market and the unique factors that influence it during the winter months. From the perspective of a potential buyer or seller, the winter season can be full of challenges and uncertainties. However, beneath the surface, there are deeper forces at play that drive the market's seasonal fluctuations.

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5 Life-Changing Realities of Owning a Home

Getting into homeownership can be a wild ride, but it’s a total game-changer compared to those days of renting. I hated renting! Our first apartment was a 3 bedroom, 1 bath flat on the 2nd floor with an elderly lady under us. It was owned by a distant relative (one of my Grandparent's relatives) and it was cheap, even back in the day.

But it also had few electrical sockets (one bedroom had zero and I'd have to plug in the coffee pot on the floor next to the refrigerator), it had dusty hardwood floors that couldn't be cleaned (no matter what we did, white socks were always dirty), no A/C (we had to use window units and hope there wasn't an electrical fire), and the heat was oil heat and was very expensive. The good thing is that the elderly tenant…

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Beat the Competition: Why Winter Is the Perfect Time to List Your Home

The conventional wisdom in real estate has long suggested that listing your home during the winter months is a mistake. We've all heard it: "Wait until spring when the market heats up." However, recent research and market trends are challenging this long-held belief, revealing that winter listings often sell faster and command better prices than their spring counterparts. Let's dive deep into why selling your home during the traditionally quieter months might be your smartest move.

Selling your home during the winter months can prove advantageous, despite the prevailing notion that spring is the optimal time to sell. Here are five key reasons why listing your home in the winter might be your best move, along with considerations for preparation.

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Instant Cash Offers Explained: Are iBuyers the Right Choice for You?

Remember when selling a house meant putting up a "For Sale" sign and waiting weeks or months for the right buyer? In the digital age, technology is reshaping how we buy and sell homes, and iBuyers like Opendoor and Offerpad have attempted to disrupt the old way of doing business.

Think of iBuyers as the "we buy houses for cash" companies of the digital era but with a tech-savvy twist. They use sophisticated computer algorithms and data analysis to make quick cash offers on homes. Instead of the traditional process of listing, showing, and negotiating, these companies promise a streamlined, hassle-free selling experience. But it can come at a price.

Let's explore how iBuyers work, their advantages and disadvantages, and tips to protect yourself…

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The Myth of the Expensive Desert: Why Phoenix's Cost of Real Estate is Misunderstood

Phoenix. The Valley of the Sun. A sprawling metropolis rising from the Sonoran Desert, known for its year-round sunshine, breathtaking landscapes, and… exorbitant cost of living? That last part might have you scratching your head, especially if you've been following the recent wave of articles and social media posts lamenting the rising costs in Phoenix.

Yes, it's true that Phoenix, like many cities across the US, has experienced an uptick in housing costs and other expenses. However, the narrative that Phoenix is somehow exceptionally expensive compared to other major metropolitan areas is a misconception, fueled by a narrow perspective and a lack of context.

Phoenix? Oh, it's gotten so expensive there!" Sound familiar? It's a phrase uttered by…

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