Scottsdale Real Estate Blog - News & Articles

Judy Orr 5-Star Real Estate Agent in October 2012 Chicago Magazine

I have been published more than the average Scottsdale REALTOR®. A story about one of my domain names was syndicated by The Wall Street Journal online and was all over the Internet. Because of that article, I was interviewed by the Chicago Tribune, The Southtown-Star (who even sent a photographer), and participated on a radio show.

I have been interviewed for quite a few real estate-related articles in the Southtown-Star. I'm not the only one in the family that has been published. My husband Jimmy Herter appeared in a full-page article in The Homer Horizon and my daughter's cat Keeper just appeared as Pet of the Week in the same publication.

I had been contacted by Chicago Magazine but I really didn't understand it. In fact, I truly thought they…

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Out of Africa Wildlife Park

I wrote this post on a Wordpress site many years ago and can only find one of the original photos, so this is an updated picture I took from one of my many visits to their newest location.

Before moving to Arizona, my son and I took a trip to visit my Mom in Mesa. One of our most memorable daytrips was to visit Out of Africa which was located in Fountain Hills, before its move to Camp Verde. At the time they were much closer to my Mom’s house in Mesa, AZ.

We’re animal lovers

My son Chad and I are true animal lovers. My Mom had mentioned Out of Africa Wildlife Park so without knowing what it was all about, Chad and I decided to make a day trip. It was 110 degrees that day and although the sweat was dripping down my back, I turned to Chad and…

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Tough Love for Handling Tenant Late Fees

With money tight right now, as a landlord, you may be tempted to accept a late rent without charging a penalty to the tenant. After all, you are getting your rent money, and doing someone a favor, right? Actually, you may be starting a trend that could end in frustration, anger, and a long expensive legal battle. Here’s how to avoid all of that.

First, before the tenant signs on the dotted line, make it abundantly clear that you will not tolerate late rent payments, and that late rent is a very serious matter that will result in a certain financial penalty. Think of your 4th-grade teacher that seemed too strict during the first week, but you learned to love later. That teacher was setting the bar, laying down the rules, and putting fear in your heart –…

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Local HGTV Buy Me Show

I caught a great "Buy Me" show on HGTV today that was shot in Chicago.  It was very interesting because one of the owners was a long-time veteran real estate agent that had her REALTOR® son list the home.

It was a very unique, custom-styled 3-story and although the homeowners seemed to acknowledge that they were looking for that special (needle-in-a-haystack) buyer, they were not cooperating with their son about staging the home and pricing it correctly.  And it kind of bothered me that as a real estate agent, the wife was one of the most difficult to convince.

She had a difficult time de-cluttering and kept items that her son tried to get her to store away.  And she wanted to try a very high price even after her son showed her comparables and tried…

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Downsizing and Storage Needs

When looking for a new place, there are many variables to take into account when finding your new home. Price, location, the school district, and the neighborhood upkeep are just some of the few things that a prospective buyer is looking out for. If price is a big factor for you, consider downsizing when temporarily relocating.

The money you can save is definitely an attractive reason to downsize on your home in Scottsdale. Before settling, make sure that saving that money is worth it. Would you have to live in a neighborhood that you’re uncomfortable in? Are the people there friendly? There are some costs that outweigh the benefits that you may get from downsizing.

Doing research and actually looking at the location where your future home is…

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Hypermiling How To

What is Hypermiling?

There are many definitions of hypermiling and even distinctions on who can actually claim they are a hypermiler.  In easy terms, it is learning to drive in a new way to save as much gas usage as you can or to increase your MPG above the EPA as much as possible.  Fuel economy (FE) is the key.

I have read that some hypermilers get better gas mileage in their gas-guzzling SUV's than the guy down the street driving a Prius normally.  Hypermilers seem to be a new sub-culture with contests and hypermiler "rock stars."

With gas headed to $4.00/gallon this summer, the term hypermiling might become a household word.

You Have to Relearn How to Drive

The following are very simple hypermiling techniques:

• Drive slooooooow -…

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LOTS OF REAL ESTATE "NEWS" FOR 2012

For the first time in a while, I feel optimistic for the upcoming year. We are busier than normal at this time of year, so I feel 2012 will be even better and might show a quicker start to the selling season. We have some new things coming up and I'd like to briefly go over them here.

There's a new team in town

I have already introduced my husband Jimmy Herter and my son Matt Orr. Jimmy got licensed last year and is now a Broker. My son Matt has helped us out on and off over the years and he has committed to giving us more time. Matt is our "new" photographer with his new camera. Our photos have always received compliments from happy sellers, but we've now kicked them up a notch.

We have a new newsletter

Every year I start out writing my…

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Is Home Ownership Losing Popularity?

Everyone knows that prices continue dropping in many areas, including Scottsdale real estate.  But those low prices could be good enough for buyers to consider making a purchase this year.  An easy way of figuring out if it's worthwhile purchasing a home vs. renting is to figure out what your mortgage payment would be compared to current rental prices.  You also need to take into consideration tax deductions for mortgage interest and real estate taxes for homeowners, although they might not last forever.

There is More to it Than Just Monthly Payments

Even if your mortgage payment is more than a local rental, there is a completely different lifestyle in owning your own home vs. living in someone else's property and having to follow their rules. …

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Rethinking Remodeling with an Emphasis on Safety

Whether shopping for a new home in Scottsdale needing renovation or giving an old home a new look, several considerations need to take place. The most important consideration is, of course, safety.

Sure, home renovation can be an exciting process. We get to open up floor plans, replace fixtures and tear off faded wallpaper.

However, renovating an older home can present some unique challenges. Though details like wiring and structural integrity might need to be addressed, especially in Northern climates, other serious concerns need to be addressed. Older homes were not subject to current codes and building restrictions, so many precautions should be taken before you start to tear out walls and burrow through layers of linoleum.

Chemical awareness,…

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Will We Hit Bottom in 2011?

I just read an article in Inman News about a report put out by Altos Research.  Altos Research is a real estate data company and their prediction is that we should hit bottom in real estate pricing in 2011.

They feel we'll see our normal surge in the upcoming Spring selling season, but it won't mean prices will necessarily escalate.  In most areas the Valley, prices have been declining since 2005.  The spike in sales that usually occurs during our best months does not necessarily bring about price increases, just a clearing of inventory.

We will still have a glut of foreclosures and short sales

In my opinion, until the amount of distressed properties slows down there is going to be more inventory than available buyers.  Distressed properties…

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