Scottsdale Real Estate Blog - Judy Orr

The 3 Most Important Rooms to Stage When Selling Your Home (And How to Do It Right)

What Are the Most Important Rooms to Focus on When Selling?

Selling your home can feel overwhelming—there’s so much to do, and you want to make sure you get the best possible price. But here’s the good news: not every room needs the same level of attention. According to the 2025 National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Profile of Home Staging, buyers focus most on three key spaces. I was a bit surprised, as before I saw the chart, I chose another room to be in the top 3.

If you stage these rooms effectively, you’re far more likely to sell faster and for more money. In fact, staged homes can sell for 1% to 5% more than non-staged properties. On a $500,000 home, that could be an extra $5,000 to $ 25,000—just for making a few smart upgrades! When…

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What to Look for in a Moving Company

Moving is never an easy event. It takes a lot of time, planning, and preparation. It can be stressful and filled with anxiety and nervousness. Emotions can run high leading up to, during, and after the move. You have many responsibilities to ensure that the process goes smoothly and that you settle in nicely in your new place. But going about all the essential tasks alone can be overwhelming.

Fortunately, help is available. By choosing a professional moving company, you can rely on the expertise of people who have previously assisted numerous customers in having a successful move. Moving companies can take care of the heavy lifting and the long-distance transportation of your belongings and goods.

Of course, not all moving companies are the…

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Exploring Life in Scottsdale, Arizona: The Good, The Bad, and Everything In Between

If you're considering a move to Scottsdale, Arizona, you're not alone. This city has become a sought-after destination for many, thanks to its stunning landscapes, vibrant lifestyle, and an abundance of activities. However, like any place, there are pros and cons to living in Scottsdale that you should consider before making the leap. Let’s dive into what makes Scottsdale a unique place to call home.

When we had the opportunity to buy a second home in Arizona, we had our eye on Scottsdale as our first choice. We found a cute townhouse and enjoyed it for many years until we moved here full-time and purchased a single-family home. I would always be sad when we were nearing our departure to return to our Chicago suburb, and couldn't wait to get back.

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Why Home Warranty Claims Get Denied and How to Avoid This

Owning a home is an exciting opportunity, but it also requires a lot of work and dedication. It is likely the biggest investment you will ever make. Aside from making your monthly mortgage payment, you will have consistent maintenance, upkeep, and repair costs to take care of. These are essential if you want to keep your home looking nice, feeling comfortable, and provide the conveniences and security that you and your family members need.

If you are worried about the finances required to make essential repairs and keep your home in good shape, it may make sense to get a home warranty. This benefit can save you a considerable amount of cash. Before you get serious about purchasing one, learn more about what it entails and when you would and…

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The Beauty of Breaking Design Rules: Embracing the "Pretty Ugly" Trend in Your Home

Have you ever walked into a room and been drawn to that slightly odd lamp or unusually shaped chair that somehow just works in the space? Welcome to the world of "pretty ugly" design – a refreshing departure from picture-perfect interiors that's breathing new life into homes across the country.

I'm starting to think that I have embraced this style for a very long time. Some people might call it "Eclectic Design", which I feel is a better description although I suppose "Pretty Ugly Design" captures more attention.

Since at least 2017 I've been posting annual design trends on this blog. Last year's post was "Upgrade Your Home With These 2024 Design Trends". As I'm looking it over, the maximalist design is the closest thing, although it doesn't…

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Baby Boomers Once Again Overtake Millennials in Home Buying

Back in October of 2023 I wrote a blog post titled Baby Boomer Homebuyers Outpace Millennial Buyers in 2022 and 2023. And they're (we're) at it again.

Navigating today’s housing market isn’t easy, but one group seems to be handling it better than the rest: adults aged 60 to 78. While rising prices and high mortgage rates have left many younger buyers struggling, baby boomers are finding ways to succeed—and their strategies might surprise you.

High interest rates, limited inventory, and escalating prices have created obstacles that affect each generation differently. Understanding these generational differences isn't just academically interesting—it provides valuable insights for buyers, sellers, and the real estate professionals who serve them.

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Navigating Real Estate During Economic Uncertainty: What History Teaches Us About Recessions and Housing

As I'm entering my 42nd year as a REALTOR®, I have helped home buyers and sellers during prior recessions. Many agents quit the business during the Great Recession of 2007-2009, although many refer to the date as 2008, but I was able to stay afloat. The Great Recession was different than the others I was involved in - it was caused by the housing, mortgage and banking industry.

In recent months, economic forecasters and news outlets have increasingly used the "R-word" – recession. For homeowners and prospective buyers, this term can trigger immediate anxiety. After all, our homes represent not just shelter, but often our most significant financial investment. When recession talk intensifies, questions naturally arise about what this means for real…

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How to Make Your Home Work for You at Tax Time

This probably should have been posted sooner because the tax deadline is about a week away and most of you have filed already. This might help renters decide to get into homeownership in the near future if they've been sitting on the fence.

When people think about owning a home, they often focus on the costs—mortgage payments, repairs, insurance, and property taxes. But what many homeowners don’t realize is that their house can actually help them save money at tax time. Tax laws allow homeowners to deduct certain expenses, claim credits, and lower their overall tax bill—sometimes by thousands of dollars.

A lot of people assume that owning a home is more expensive than renting, especially when they look at the monthly mortgage payment. But what…

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This One Week in April is the Best Time to Sell

Timing Is Everything: Why Early Spring Might Be Your Secret Weapon for Home Selling Success

Have you ever heard the saying "the early bird gets the worm"? When it comes to selling your home, those words couldn't be more true. Let's talk about one of the biggest misconceptions in real estate that might be costing homeowners thousands of dollars every year.

The Spring Selling Myth: You Might Be Thinking About It All Wrong

We've all heard that spring is the best time to sell a home. Images of blooming gardens, sunny open houses, and families eagerly house-hunting after the winter thaw make perfect sense, right? But here's where most homeowners get it wrong: they wait too long.

If you picture "spring" as those perfect May days with flowers in…

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Your Guide to the 2025 Spring Housing Market: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

Every year as flowers bloom and temperatures rise, real estate headlines proclaim the arrival of the "hot spring market." Social media feeds fill with advice about the "perfect time" to buy or sell, and conversations at neighborhood barbecues inevitably turn to housing predictions. But how much of what we hear is actually useful?

As someone who's been watching housing trends evolve over the years, I've noticed that real estate advice often falls into two categories: genuinely helpful insights and oversimplified myths that don't stand up to scrutiny. You might be told one thing by a member of your family or one of your friends and hear a different take on the news. To cut through the noise, I've compiled what you actually need to know about the 2025…

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