8 Scottsdale Home Buying Strategies

How to Buy a Home: 8 Tips and Tricks from Real Estate Insiders

We are still in a Seller's Market in Scottsdale real estate, and one of the reasons we are is because there is a lack of inventory. Buyers still need to buy, and there aren't the normal amount of Scottsdale homes available. This means there are more buyer eyes on the good places - those homes that are priced correctly for the condition and location. The best properties will normally receive multiple offers and the seller will usually choose the highest offer, although sometimes there could be other factors, such as no home inspection, a quicker or longer closing date, etc. Even in a Buyer's Market, there are some strategies you can use so a seller accepts your offer over others.

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Don't Get Burned - Hire a Home Inspector

In Arizona, once you have contract acceptance on your new Scottsdale home purchase, you need to start working on setting up a home inspection - you have 10 days to have the home inspection done and to deliver any requests to the seller. I always tell my buyers that this is Round 2 of negotiations.

When a buyer views homes with us, we point out anything we can see, such as peeling paint, ceiling leaks, visible water lines (could be dry) in a basement, rotting wood, old windows, etc. But we are not licensed home inspectors, and we will not be testing appliances, HVAC, electric, etc.

Why do I need to pay for a home inspection?

Purchasing a Scottsdale home (condo, townhouse, etc.), is probably going to be the largest financial investment you'll…

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Before You Buy a Scottsdale Home You Need to Get Your Credit in Shape

I have to admit that I'm kind of surprised when I begin working with a buyer and they truly don't know their FICO score or much about their credit at all. I've worked with several buyers that assured me they were pre-qualified by a mortgage lender only to find out that they weren't. These buyers just figured they could buy a house. When I had them speak to one of my lenders, they had to clean up their bad credit.

The first thing you need to do before looking at homes is to check on your credit. It's not a good feeling when you fall in love with a house only to find out you can't get a mortgage on it. You put time, effort, and emotions into house hunting and it really hurts when you find out you are not creditworthy to buy after you've found the…

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Things To Prepare When Planning Your First Move

Everyone has at least experienced how to move once in their life. And in such a case, planning every aspect of the relocation seems to be a daunting task. With all the scheduling, coordinating, and packing you’ll need to accomplish over the next few weeks, it can be easy to get overly stressed and anxious. If you’re a starter, you may not know where to start and what to do precisely.

To get all things done without losing your mind, here are the things to prepare when you’re planning your first move.

1. Calculation of moving costs

The first thing in your checklist should be the calculation of moving costs and the setting up of your budget. While most people who are moving don’t really feel like creating a budget, you should understand that…

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What is the Forecast for Scottsdale Real Estate in 2019?

We're just starting the new year of 2019, and those of us thinking of buying and/or selling Scottsdale real estate this year are probably wondering what the new year will bring.  This will give you an idea of what your current Scottsdale home might be worth and what you'll be paying for your next place.

What is the prediction for Scottsdale real estate prices?

The news is positive.  Freddie Mac predicts housing prices will increase by 4.3 percent in 2019.  That might seem low to you, but it is an average national increase, and more popular areas, like Scottsdale, could see higher numbers.

Since we're planning on moving in the future (probably next year), we are keeping a closer than normal eye on Scottsdale home prices.  It's interesting how…

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Your Choices in Scottsdale Rental Property Investments

Residential housing demand is growing at a high rate in the United States, and Scottsdale real estate rentals are in high demand. The demand for single-family rentals has increased by over 30 percent in the last three years. Please note, because I work in the Scottsdale area I mention it throughout this post, but this information is pertinent to any area.

As we already know, short-term rental, or vacation, rentals have become extremely popular in Scottsdale, as more travelers are turning to this type of accommodation to save money and to be able to stay in a place that feels more like home vs. a hotel or apartment building. This has resulted in an increase in short-term rentals.

Today, with a shortage in housing, more housing providers are…

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Buyers - Don't Make These 8 Home Inspection Mistakes

Buying a home is an exciting time in people's lives. When you've fallen in love with a particular house, usually after seeing a few, or many, your eye is now on the goal of closing and moving in.

There are timelines in the contract for your protection. One of the most important contingencies is for you to get the home inspected. And you need to do it and get any requests in by day 10, and no later. The inspection negotiations can go beyond day 10 but all inspections and the inspection form, called the BINSR, must be sent to the listing agent within 10 days.

Once the inspection has been done, you will receive a report with all items that are concerning. A good inspector will list everything they see, but what you need to be interested in are…

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The Home Buyer’s Guide to Getting Mortgage Ready

Don’t wait until you’re ready to move to start preparing financially to buy a home in Scottsdale. If you’re like the vast majority of home buyers, you will choose to finance your purchase with a mortgage loan. By preparing in advance, you can avoid the common delays and roadblocks many buyers face when applying for a mortgage.

The requirements to secure a mortgage may seem overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. But we’ve outlined three simple steps to get you started on your path to homeownership. Even if you’re a current homeowner, it’s a good idea to prepare in advance so you don’t encounter any surprises along the way.

Lending requirements have become more rigorous in recent years, and changes to your credit history, debt…

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Scottsdale Real Estate 2018: What to Expect

As we head into a new year, the most common question we receive is, “What’s the outlook for Scottsdale real estate in 2018?”

It’s not just potential buyers and sellers who are curious; homeowners also want reassurance their home’s value is going up. The good news is that a strong U.S. economy, coupled with low unemployment rates, is expected to drive continued Scottsdale real estate growth in 2018. However, changes on the horizon could significantly impact you if you plan to buy, sell or refinance this year.

SCOTTSDALE HOME VALUES WILL CONTINUE TO RISE

Get ready for another strong year! U.S. home values and sales volume will continue to rise in 2018.

Experts agree that Scottsdale home prices will increase in 2018, but predict a slower rate…

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Tips on Buying a New Home

Following is a guest post written by Lance Mohr, a Tampa, Florida REALTOR

Buying a new home is one of the most exciting feelings anyone can dream of. However, it is not as easy as you might think. Having a lot of money is not all that matters. There are other factors to look into when buying a new home. Even the most luxurious property has its own drawbacks because there’s no such thing as a “perfect home”. Nevertheless, through several years of real estate experience, we have come up with various tips to guide you in choosing the home that adequately fits your style, needs and financial resources, may it be brand new or pre-owned.

Come up with a clear description of your ideal home. This way you have a clear understanding before you and…

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