Scottsdale Real Estate Blog - Judy Orr

First-Time Buyers Still Give Me a Thrill

After being a licensed REALTOR® since 1983, you'd think I'd become used to certain aspects of the business. But it's always exciting to work with first-time buyers and find them the first property they'll ever own, be it a mobile home, condo, townhouse or single family residence.

I just had a closing for La Grange real estate and this was the first home for my buyers. They were such a pleasure to work with. I was able to find them the best home in their price range.

What made everything enjoyable was that we communicated well. Their expectations were reasonable for the market. They used my favorite mortgage company/loan officer. They provided the mortgage company with all documents needed in a timely manner.

We even had a last minute glitch…

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But It's a Dry Heat!

You have to be careful about how you talk to my Mom. She’s very opinionated and demands respect, but she can also be hurt easily. But after hearing her broken record over and over during phone calls, “but it’s a dry heat…” I couldn’t take it any longer. I replied, “OK, Mom, I get it! It’s a dry heat. Enough already!

A coaster set we just had to buy

As little interest as I had in Arizona, another reason was the high temps. Let me state that I am always cold. I love warmth. In the summer here in Chicago I only use the a/c if it’s really hot and humid, or if it’s warm and humid (which makes it feel hotter than it really is). A 90-degree day in Chicago is extremely hot because there’s usually high humidity in the air.

So when I’m hearing temps of…

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Scottsdale Real Estate is Better for Buyers

I remember two or three years ago working with some Scottsdale home buyers that were making full-price offers on properties and still losing out. I lost some of these frustrated buyers who decided to wait until the market slowed down.

That time is now here. Scottsdale home sales are down from last year. In some areas, there is double the inventory available. Although it doesn't seem to have affected prices yet, I am seeing a price reduction trend from current listings that have not sold, some having been listed for months.

This is bad news for home sellers in Scottsdale and other places in the Valley, but if you're thinking of buying this might be the time to do it. Not only are we seeing a general downturn from the record years we had witnessed,…

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I Hate Snow and Winter

I'm sitting in my home with the heat cranked up so high my skin is dry and my hair is full of static. We're going to have record low temps tomorrow for the southwest Chicago suburbs. I was born in the wrong state. As an update in 2020, Illinois is one of the top states that residents are fleeing from.

I'm cold all of the time. My friends make fun of me and my family knows better. In winter I either wear a robe or a blanket wrapped around me at home. If I get tired of that & I’d slip on a pair of long underwear under loose pull-on pants and wear a thick sweatshirt. I’m sure my husband always thinks I've put on a few pounds because of all the clothes I wear.

As a child, it didn't bother me as much

Although I'm not very athletic I did enjoy…

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Real Estate Cost Vs. Value Remodeling 2006

As a licensed Scottsdale REALTOR® I have a subscription to REALTOR® Magazine, a comprehensive publication provided by the National Association of REALTORS®. One of my favorite issues is the annual issue featuring a real estate Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report compiled for the current year (2006).  Read the report here.

I like to save this article to bring along on listing presentations to help back up some items sellers might think are worthwhile expenses to sell their Scottsdale home when I feel they won't get their money back. In my opinion, this is one of the most informative articles the magazine puts out every year.

You Can't Always Get Back What You Paid

One seller insisted that he wanted to add the $5,000 onto the market value of his…

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Upswing In Pre-holiday Scottsdale Real Estate Activity

Most years I pretty much have a vacation the weeks prior to the winter holidays. However, I have had an influx of Scottsdale real estate showings right up to the Christmas weekend. That's a good sign.

For buyers, you still don't have a huge amount of competition and if you're thinking of buying a house soon, you really should be out there looking. Some good Scottsdale homes, condos, and townhomes have been on the market for a while and sellers are getting anxious. If you wait until Spring to buy you might not get as good a deal as you could now.

Use the free MLS search for properties in your price range and with your amenities. Even better, sign up for the Automated Home Finder Search that will send daily updates to your e-mail. Search once and…

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Latest Real Estate Article Featuring Judy Orr

I was published again in the Southtown Star in the November 12th, 2006, issue in the Real Estate section. The title of the article was "Be Wise When Making Your Next Move." The story was about how you should prepare before moving, especially if you have a property you need to sell first. Most of the articles I've been interviewed for have been online on the Daily Southtown's site but I couldn't find an online version of this one.

It's a tough decision on what should come first, the sale of your current property or the purchase of the new place. Personally, I would want to sell my home first or at least prepare some kind of contingency financing, which is what I did when I moved 3 years ago.

Maybe it's because I lost my "dream home" (at the time)…

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First Time Scottsdale Home Buyers Need Extra Help

For a time in my long career, I was helping a lot of first-time home buyers. Lately, it has been mainly move-up buyers but I recently got a call from a hesitant first-time buyer just starting the process of possibly purchasing a home. It reminded me of the days when new buyers were the largest segment of my home buying clients.

I've always enjoyed working with first-time buyers, whether they were very excited to buy a property or if they were nervous and hesitant. I never push buyers and want to make sure they're well informed and are comfortable with their decision.

Even some experienced buyers need updating to the current Scottsdale real estate market because many things have changed since when they bought previously.  For example, many…

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Scottsdale Real Estate Market Facts 2006

As a seller in today's market, you might be questioning whether the news about the real estate downturn is a bunch of hype that gives your agent an excuse for your home not selling. I subscribe to a newsletter by an Association of REALTORS, of which I am a member.

In one of the articles, it states "Second quarter home sales are down 6.1 percent."  That doesn't seem like a big number, but it's never good when sales are down for Scottsdale real estate in any month from the prior year.

This just reiterates the fact that as a seller of Scottsdale real estate, you need to make sure your property is priced correctly for today's market and it needs to be at top condition in that price range. Why? Because with fewer buyers looking and more homes on the…

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Happy Ending for German Shepherd Rescue

Princess has found a home! When I made the prior post trying to find a loving home for Princess, the German Shepherd that was home alone in a house after her owner passed away and I had the house up for sale, I had hopes for success but was pretty doubtful.

Thanks to the tip from Bern (since switching my website the comments are gone) telling me to post an ad (it was free) on www.petfinder.com. I really didn't have much faith as there were so many ads. Also, as I am a fan of tiny dogs. I just didn't think there would be much interest in a 4-year-old German Shepherd.

Lo and behold, I got a phone call soon after from a wonderful woman who offered to adopt Princess although she already had 2 large dogs and I wasn't sure if Princess would get along with…

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