Scottsdale Real Estate Blog - Judy Orr

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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Staging Tips for Your Scottsdale Home

If you want to sell your home, you need to do everything in your power to attract potential buyers. This is where home staging plays a crucial role. By following our staging tips for your Scottsdale home, you will be able to highlight your home's strengths. This way, you will appeal to potential buyers and ensure the best offers.

Research shows that staged homes sell three times faster than non-staged ones. Additionally, clever staging can increase the value by as much as 10%. So, if this sounds like something you're interested in, be sure to read the tips we've gathered from professionals in the field.

The list of staging tips for your Scottsdale home

Home staging is a decorating method that highlights your home's best assets and helps…

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6 Tips to Sell Your Scottsdale Home Fast

Selling a home is not an entirely straightforward process. In fact, it can be very nerve-racking due to constant shifts in the real estate market. If, for whatever reason, you need to sell your Scottsdale home fast, the stress and anxiety will only multiply. However, don't fall into despair thinking that it's impossible. In fact, we've prepared ways to increase your home's marketability and attract many potential buyers while decreasing your time on the market. By following our six simple tips, you'll be able to sell your Scottsdale home faster than you thought possible.

How to sell your Scottsdale home fast?

Selling your home fast is possible even in a slow market. However, you need to prepare yourself and your home to make the best impression…

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Does a Seller Have to Disclose a Haunted House?

There are rules on what a seller and their agent need to disclose to prospective buyers about their home for sale. In Scottsdale and the surrounding Phoenix towns, we use a comprehensive disclosure form that the seller needs to fill out called the Seller Property Disclosure Statement, or SPDS.

There is nothing on the Seller Property Disclosure Statement that asks the seller if they are aware that their house is haunted. In the 4 decades I've been selling homes in Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Carefree, North Phoenix, and surrounding areas, I've never come across a supposed haunted house. At least no one has disclosed it and I've never heard back from buyers telling me that a house they purchased was haunted.

If a seller felt that their house was…

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What is the Future of the Real Estate Market Going to Be?

If you’ve been a buyer trying to find a home and get your offer accepted, you’re probably tired of hearing the term “Supply and Demand”. But that is why you’re having a difficult time being up against multiple offers, including cash buyers. Some buyers have given up and are staying put in their current place, and some renters are signing a new lease.

Here is the Atlantic’s take on this crazy Seller’s Market:

“Pick a housing statistic at random, and it’s probably setting an all-time record. Home prices: record high. Inventory: record low. Percentage of homes selling above asking price: record high. Average time on market: record low.

Part of the issue comes amid an ongoing shortage of housing. Housing material costs are increasing and…

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Signs You're Ready to Buy Your First Home

Ever had a friend who was the life of the party? You know the type, fun, loud, felt like when it came to the game of life, he had won the charisma jack-pot? Back in my old college days, that used to be Party Pete. If there were fun to be had, he would be leading the charge. A few years after graduation, he decided to start his own business. Vows were given, and promises were made that nothing would really change...I haven't seen him in years. How do the past adventures of good old Pete equate to homeownership, I hear you cry? Let's take a small philosophical leap together. At the heart of it, life is about progress and change. What more significant step can one take than to buy a new home? But how do you know when is the right time? We have provided a…

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