Scottsdale Real Estate Blog - Judy Orr

Benefits of Owning Rental Properties

Are you on the verge of deciding to become an investor or make the decision to diversify your existing investments? Perhaps you have also zeroed in on real estate investing – rental properties specifically as the best asset to put your money into.

As someone just starting in real estate investing, what are the things you should know? What are the definite benefits of owning rental properties versus other types of assets? Do the benefits of real estate investing have the potential to exceed the benefits from investing in other assets?

This post makes a case for real estate investing as the preferred method for securing and growing your capital. In this article you will see why investing in rental properties is not just a strategy for increasing…

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11 Ways to Write a Winning Offer in Today’s Scottsdale Real Estate Market

Many buyers have stopped their home search after writing multiple offers with none being accepted. I've been licensed since 1983 and have never seen such a wild and crazy Scottsdale real estate Seller's Market. Buyers and their agents have had to think out-of-the-box to get their offers accepted. Some of these ideas are not recommended, but if you want to win a bidding war, using one or more of these ideas might be the trick to you getting your Scottsdale real estate offer accepted.

A high offer price will definitely get the seller's attention. But not all sellers consider just the price. I've heard some stories that sellers have accepted buyers who are planning on living in the home vs. big investors that will purchase the home and rent it out…

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7 Ways to Prepare Your Scottsdale Home for Summer

Summer is certainly a time for you and your family members to relax and enjoy your home. It is a fact that this is sometimes easier said than done. This enjoyment will be possible only if you take some measures in advance to prepare your Arizona home for summer. Since summer days are hot and humid, additional maintenance of your home is required. Therefore, getting ahead of the game can help you save money and improve your property’s appearance, coziness, and safety.

1. Be organized

Whether moving, packing, or unpacking, a successful home renovation also entails being well-organized. It is a fact that a home renovation project can completely interrupt your life. Therefore, learning how to prepare your Arizona home for summer is essential. To be…

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Buyers From the Midwest Facing Sticker Shock with Scottsdale Real Estate Prices

Late last year I received a call from a man who moved to Arizona for a job offer. He got my name from a prior client of mine in Illinois. He couldn't remember her name as it was from a series of friends and relatives that passed my name along to him because of my prior client's referral. I contacted my client to see if she was the one that referred him, and she confirmed. It was bothering me that he didn't know who it was since I always like to thank anyone that sends me a referral.

He was coming from my prior state of Illinois

In fact, he was coming from the same town we lived in before we moved to Arizona back in 2009. He and his wife owned a large house that they didn't have to sell. But even though they didn't have to sell that one to make a…

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Carlsbad Tavern Scottsdale

Did you ever go back to a restaurant that you thought you loved and remembered why you stopped going? That was the revelation when we went back to Carlsbad Tavern in Scottsdale after many years from our last visit.

Our friend, who used to live in Arizona, was visiting us and wanted to go there. He was the person that introduced Carlsbad Tavern to us many years ago. I had such good memories.

It looks cute as soon as you walk up to the entryway, which is nicely lit at night. Then you step into the pretty patio with a waterfall. I think the last time I went was with Jimmy and we sat on the patio at a 2-person table. And I think that was the time I ordered something and had a difficult time eating it because it was so spicy. But I forgot about that.

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Real Estate Outlook for 2022

There were signs in the fourth quarter of 2021 that the red-hot housing market was beginning to simmer down. In the month of October, only 60.3% of sales involved a bidding war down from a high of 74.5% in April. This is national data though, and I'm not sure it reflects the wild Seller's Market with Scottsdale real estate, where prices increased in the double-digit percentage points. While this trend could be attributed to seasonality, it could also be a signal that the real estate run-up may have passed.

Mortgage Rates Will Definitely Increase

Because I sell Scottsdale real estate for a living, I keep abreast of the market. I've been through multiple recessions, Buyer's Markets, Seller's Market (it went crazy when rates dropped to 8.5%), and…

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Why You Should Consider Selling in the Winter

The season you sell your Scottsdale home can have an impact on how much you get for your property and how quickly it sells. The season that has the most success in selling homes is spring. This is a good time of year for families moving to new school districts and is also more convenient weather for moving. Because of this trend, most people will recommend waiting to list your home until after the winter is over.

Winter Can Be a Great Time to Sell Scottsdale Real Estate

Avoiding the winter is a huge misconception in the housing industry and can cause homeowners to miss out on opportunities. Scottsdale winters give us great house hunting weather, unlike many other areas with freezing temperatures plus snow and ice.

It was terrible showing…

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New Construction or an Existing Resale Scottsdale Home?

If you are a current home buyer and/or seller, you know it's a robust Seller's Market for any Scottsdale home for sale that is priced correctly. Although things are slowing down a little bit, which is the norm for this time of year, we're finally seeing longer days on market and price reductions. Plus, many listings are making it to an Open House, which we haven't seen for a while as listings sold before the open could be held.

It is simple supply and demand, which I seem to be talking a lot about lately. Many buyers just can't wrap their heads around the rising Scottsdale real estate prices, which are pushing home affordability out of many buyers' abilities.

Do you think you can get new construction for the same price as a similar resale home?

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Questions to Ask Your Scottsdale Real Estate Agent Before Buying a House

Buying a home is a huge decision. Even though you have probably been planning this for a long time now, you should not rush into anything. It is easy to make a mistake when purchasing a property. To help you avoid potential errors, here are a few questions to ask your Scottsdale real estate agent before buying a house.

Check if the real estate agent has a proper license

When hiring a real estate agent, you want to work with a professional. The first thing to ask is if they have a license. This is an essential step because there are a lot of scammers in the business.

Buying a house is an expensive investment, and you want to secure it. Only work with people who are verified professionals.

Ask the agent about their experience

Another way…

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The City Creamery in Cave Creek

I finally stopped into the City Creamery in Cave Creek, AZ, with my son and husband after dinner at El Encanto restaurant a while back after driving past it many times after we moved to Cave Creek from Scottsdale.  We kept our car parked at El Encanto and walked over to the ice cream shop.

We loved the selection of ice cream available.  They have classic flavors and a rotation of seasonal offerings.  You can get an ice cream cone or a bowl, sundaes, shakes/malts, sodas (including cold brew nitro), and even some fudge in a jar.  You can also purchase pints to take home.  My favorite flavor is double chocolate orange but sometimes I'll try one of the seasonal ice creams.

Below is one of my favorite flavors I've had so far - candy corn. …

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