Your Source for Fountain Hills News and Real Estate Information: July 2014

Monday, July 14, 2014

Arizona Home Buyers Face Common Challenges

Recent articles in the Phoenix Business Journal suggest that home buying has slowed down in metro Phoenix, while rental demand has increased. Has home ownership lost its luster in Maricopa County, or is something else going on?

The answers may rest in a home buying survey completed by mortgage marketer HSH.com. The nationwide survey asked home buyers to share any obstacles they experienced during the process.

About 80% of respondents reported having at least one of the following barriers:

Insufficient credit score
Insufficient down payment
Inability to obtain financing at desired rate and terms
High home prices
High property taxes

These issues were common for buyers in every age group. It boils own to two central points:

Mortgage loan approval is still difficult for many home buyers
Home prices and home affordability remain a concern

In May of 2013, the median price for a home in Maricopa County was $185,000. As of May 2014, the median price was $205,000, a price gain of 11%. That's a healthy jump. This could be a part of the reason why landlords are enjoying low vacancy rates in our area, along with higher rents.

In fact, if we were to add more reasons to the above list, we would have to include "limited home inventory in appropriate price range" and "competition from cash buyers." About 25% of all home purchases in Maricopa County are made by cash buyers, who often rent out the property.

This isn't to say that home buying is impossible! You simply need to level the playing field by working with an Accredited Buyer Representative - like me! I can show you comparable sales to help you avoid over-spending on a home. I will also counsel you about appropriate contingencies, home inspections, local amenities, and more. Having experienced, professional home buying guidance on your side is a must.

I also have a network of trusted industry professionals, such as mortgage lenders, home inspectors and contractors. Why go it alone? Let me help! As your Accredited Buyer Representative, I will guide you throughout the home buying process. Consider me your one-stop resource for the latest home listings and community information!

I have helped Arizona home buyers for over 30 years, and I'd like to help you too! Contact me today for complete home buying help in Fountain Hills!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Hi, my name is Tina Nabers. Selling Real Estate in Fountain Hills is not a job for me, it's a lifestyle. I relocated with my family from Tempe, Arizona in 1973 and began working in what is now the oldest real estate office in Fountain Hills (Nabers Realty) in 1977. I have literally grown up in Fountain Hills since it began.

I am a full time Realtor and believe ongoing education is key to staying on top of the dynamics of the real estate industry. Besides taking the required 24 hours of education every 2 years, I like to take additional real estate classes to further expand my awareness of the changes occurring yearly in this industry. I currently hold the designations of Accredited Buyer Representative, Graduate of the Realtor Institute and have my e-Pro designation which is the National Association of Realtors Technology Certification Program.

With my dedication, knowledge and reliability, I have assisted hundreds of Buyers, Sellers, and Investors realizing their dream of owning real estate in Fountain Hills. I'm sure I can help you too! I know the market and the market trends, after all, I've lived thru a couple of them myself over the years! THIS IS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE, WORK & PLAY. I know because I do!

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Nabers Property Management & Real Estate is a full service real estate company with over 30 years of experience serving the community of Fountain Hills, Arizona. Conveniently located in the center of town, we invite you to stop by our office and introduce yourself. We are members of the Scottsdale Association of Realtors, Arizona Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors and the Multiple Listing Service.

Whether you are a first-time buyer, property owner or investor, long term tenant or a visitor looking for a seasonal rental, Nabers Property Management & Real Estate Company can assist you with all your real estate needs.

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Fountain Hills has been well known for its Fountain, its Great Fair, its Fountain Festival, its magnificent mountain views and very friendly people. Back in 1993 it was voted as one of the "50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family" and was featured on Oprah. After that review the community quickly became both a vacation Mecca as well as a place for permanent settlement. Accommodations from resort condos, bed & breakfasts and full service hotels have attracted vacationers as well as home hunters and investors. In the May, 2006 issue of the Phoenix Magazine's Annual "Best Places to Live" in the Valley, Fountain Hills was voted #1 out of 22 Valley communities!!

It was based on such issues as property tax rate, population, crime, school test scores and student-teacher ratios, park acreage and miles to Sky Harbor Airport, to name a few. When asked by visitors if Fountain Hills is a nice place to live we suggest they go to any local grocery or retail shop and at random, ask any shopper the same question. Obviously, residents will give the most objective answer and, as we can corroborate, we feel it is "one of the best places to raise a family", live, work and play.... Read more about Fountain Hills!