Credit Card Protection Pointers for Fountain Hills!

By now you've heard the news about the financial data security breach at a major retailer. What you may not know, is that this type of problem occurs more often than you hear about - to the tune of nearly three billion dollars a year!

In fact, the weeks surrounding the holiday season are the most popular for credit and debit card fraud. This is because busy shoppers are less inclined to read over their statements, and more likely to disregard transactions that they don't remember.

Data thieves take advantage of this fact, so now is the time to be extra vigilant! Here are some pointers to help Fountain Hills residents!

1. Get receipts. Some businesses only issue receipts by request. Be sure to get a receipt and take a moment to verify that your total is correct. Keep your receipt for verification against your billing statement or bank account.

2. Check your account activity. Reconcile your receipts against your online transaction record or billing statement. It only takes a few minutes a day! Make a habit of checking your accounts, even if you have not made any purchases lately.

3. Question transactions you don't recognize. Your bank or card issuer can provide more details to help you verify the legitimacy of the charge. Don't be embarrassed about verifying small transactions! Thieves often try a small "test" before hitting you for more.

4. If you suspect that your card data is at risk, take action. Why wait for a problem? If you have good reason to believe that your card information has been compromised, close the account and open a new one. Your bank or card issuer can make sure that pending, valid transactions are still honored.

5. Don't carry all your cards with you. The fewer cards you carry along, the better. Plan your shopping trips ahead of time and only bring the cards that you need. Lock away the rest.

6. Never leave the tip line blank. If you are not leaving a tip, strike a line through this area. Do not fill in the tip line with zero, because someone could write numbers around it. Read the receipt, and make sure the total charge is correct.

7. Avoid card skimmers. Data theft devices can be placed on ATMs and gas station card readers. Whenever possible, complete your transactions inside with a clerk.

8. Watch your card, and watch your back. Smart phones are everywhere, and thieves can easily photograph your credit or debit card once you hand it over. Pay attention to whoever is handling your card.

Also watch the area behind you. If you are about to ring up a transaction, but the customer behind you seems to be a little too close - and they have a phone in hand - excuse yourself and exit the line. Pay attention to your instincts!

If you are thinking of buying a Fountain Hills home in the near future, take extra precautions with your credit! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

As your Accredited Buyer Representative for Fountain Hills, I will always look out for your best interests! Please contact me whenever you have questions regarding Fountain Hills real estate!

Wishing you all the best in the New Year,

Tina Nabers

Nabers Property Management & Real Estate

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How to buy a home: steps for the first time home buyer

If you are thinking about buying a home for the first time, you may be a little baffled about where to start. That's understandable. The process can be more than a little intimidating. Obviously, being a real estate agent in Fountain Hills, AZ, my first piece of advice would be to enlist the help of a real estate agent. If your budget is tight, don't worry because your buyer's agent is paid through commission when you eventually purchase a home, so their services are free to you!

Besides getting a real estate agent, here are the steps I recommend you follow when buying your first home:

1. Figure out what you can afford.
Common wisdom is that your mortgage payment shouldn't exceed 25% of your annual income. Start by calculating this figure and compare it to your current rent payment. If 25% is more than what you currently pay, it can be wise to spend 6 months saving the difference between your rent payment and your potential mortgage payment to see how you do. From there, you can adjust accordingly. Once you know the mortgage payment you can afford comfortably, then you can factor in current mortgage rates and how much you have saved for a down payment and closing costs to get a general idea of the price of the home you can afford. There are several good online calculators available for this. I recommend the one at CNN Money.

2. Shop around to get pre-approved for a home loan. 
In today's financial environment, it is very important to get a lender pre approval letter before you start making offers. You can begin this research on the internet. Most banks post their current interest rates online. There are even sites like BankRate.com and LendingTree.com that will bring up rates for several lenders at once. Once you have it narrowed down to a few lenders, you can go ahead and apply for approval with them to see who actually gives you the best rate and closing cost combination. Most financial institutions have friendly agents that are happy to walk you through this process. If the research stage of loan shopping seems too overwhelming, another option is to look for a local mortgage broker that can do the footwork for you.

3. Determine Where You Want to Live
When you start shopping for homes, it can be easy to get caught up in the luxuries of a nice home that's in a bad neighborhood. Remember community contributes just as much to quality of life as the home itself - and I would argue MORE then the house itself! If you haven't nailed down exactly what community you want to live in, (perhaps you are looking at a large metropolitan area like Phoenix), you need to spend some time really considering this. Think about distance from your employer, the quality of school districts, crime rates and traffic congestion in the areas you are considering. Fountain Hills is a just a quick 25 minute drive from major employers in Scottsdale, Mesa and Tempe and we boast low crime rates and quality school districts. We also have a sense of community here that just can’t be found anywhere else in the valley.

You might also consider outdoor recreation, entertainment, places of worship and community events. In Fountain Hills, we have the several outdoor festivals throughout the year that bring the community together – not to mention our famous annual Thanksgiving Day parade. We also have quick access to hiking in the McDowell preserve, mountain biking in McDowell Mountain Regional Park, boating on Saguaro Lake, and cool weather camping just an hour north near Payson.

Think about what you need quick access to, and what you are willing to drive for. After narrowing down your search to a particular community, this is a great time to contact a Realtor that specializes in that area if you haven't already done so.

4. Determine What You Need in a Home
This is where you make your needs/wants list. Number of rooms, parking, yard space, square footage, kitchen space are probably the most vital things on this list. You might also consider how move in ready the place needs to be (do you need to move quickly or do you have the time/funds to fix up the home before you move?). Here in Arizona, a pool is often a requirement. Style, fixtures and flooring are also considerations, especially if you aren't planning on doing any major remodels. Fountain Hills has homes built in every decade since the 70’s, so you will encounter a wide range of architectural and interior design styles during your home search here.  Couples, get ready to put on your negotiating hats! Once you have your needs/wants list, share it with your Realtor so they can research homes on the market that might meet your needs.

5. Visit Homes
Once your realtor has found some potential homes, it's time to start the touring process. It's often good to bring a notepad and a camera when checking out potential homes since it can sometimes be hard to remember one home from the next, especially if you are seeing more than one in one day. Make a list of the pluses and minuses of each home as you tour.

6. Start the negotiation process.
This is where you really need a Realtor that knows what they are doing. Negotiations can be tricky and can sometimes take several weeks or more, so work with your Realtor and don't buy the furniture until you actually have the keys! After a price has been agreed upon, make sure to have the house inspected. The contract is usually written so that the price can be re-negotiated or backed-out of if the home inspection reveals that significant repairs need to be made.

7. Move into your new home!
When all the negotiations are complete, it's time to sign a whole bunch of paperwork and load up the moving truck! You are now a homeowner!

If that process sounds a bit stressful, don't be overwhelmed. Home buying doesn't have to be stressful! For home buying success in our competitive Fountain Hills real estate market, use the services of an Accredited Buyer Representative! I have helped Arizona home buyers for over 30 years, and I'd like to help you too!

I will provide you with expert, professional representation throughout the home buying process. Contact me today for complete home buying help in Fountain Hills!

FHA "Flip Rule" Extension Benefits Fountain Hills Investors and Home Buyers

House-flipping became a dirty word during the downturn of the housing market, but the practice is back in vogue. It also has the conditional blessing of the Federal Housing Authority. This is good news for property investors and home buyers in Fountain Hills. Here's why!

Arizona property investors have been an essential part of our housing recovery. They absorb foreclosures, repair distressed homes and either return them to the market, or rent them out. As attractive as buying a foreclosed home on the cheap may sound, most home buyers are not financially equipped to deal with a home that needs extensive repairs.

Recognizing the important role investors play in the housing market, the FHA has extended its blessing of "house flipping" by allowing buyers to finance homes that have been owned by the seller for 90 days or less. Inman News has an excellent article on the subject, and I'm going to touch on the main points.

1. The home purchase must be an "arm's length" transaction, meaning the buyer and seller cannot be working together, or be in cahoots in any way. The seller must also provide good chain of title proving their ownership.

2. If the home sale price is 20% more than what the seller originally paid for it, the seller must show documented proof of repairs, or provide other detailed, viable explanations to justify the markup. The FHA may require a second appraisal to validate the price.

3. If a 20% markup is involved, a home inspection is mandatory, and the buyer will be provided a copy of the report. Any significant defects would require full repair before an FHA-backed mortgage would be approved.

These sensible guidelines protect home buyers, and empower them to purchase "flipped" homes with FHA mortgages. In turn, property investors have a wider market of qualified home buyers.

If you are a first-time home buyer, you won't recognize a "flipped" home from any other on the market. As your Accredited Buyer Representative, I can verify the last sale date of the home and confirm whether or not you may be looking at a flip. There's no need to avoid them, but you will want to be aware of this type of seller and do your homework. I will help you!

Let me be your guide to the Fountain Hills real estate market! I have helped Arizona home buyers and sellers for over 30 years, and I'd like to help you too! I will provide you with expert, professional representation throughout the home buying process. This saves you time and money, and protects you from potential headaches. 

Contact me today and find out more about home buying in Fountain Hills!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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AZ Home Building Trends Boost Fountain Hills Home Values

The drought is over for new home construction in Arizona! According to MetroStudyReport.com, new home construction in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area is up by 66% compared to last year. Builders have raised their new home asking prices by an average of $15,000 during a six-month period in 2012.

The strength in home building activity is good news for area employment, which has experienced a 5% gain in construction jobs during 2012, according to the Phoenix Business Journal. In turn, these jobs help boost our local economy, spurring car sales, retail purchases, and generating spending on dining and entertainment.

But what does new construction mean for home sellers in Fountain Hills? Is there any cause for concern when Arizona home buyers can choose between new construction and an existing home for sale?

Here's the good news: aside from the local economic benefits, new home construction also tends to boost overall home values in the area. This is because home appraisers are looking at the most recent sales in a given area for like-kind properties. It's certainly preferable to have your home compared to newly-built homes on the market, instead of compared to foreclosure sales.

In fact, the median list price for a Fountain Hills home is averaging $364,000, which is 33% higher than a year ago. The median sales price for a Fountain Hills home is $315,000, which is 49% higher than last year. Nothing to sneeze at!

While it's true that home buyers can be attracted to a newly-built home for the bells and whistles, an existing home that is well-maintained in a good location has nothing to fear. Location is often the biggest factor in a home buyer's decision. You simply can't replace some of our beautiful homes in Fountain Hills at today's construction costs! This is just one reason why expert real estate marketing makes the difference when you are selling your Fountain Hills home!

If you are thinking of selling your home, contact me for more information about our Fountain Hills real estate market. I can show you the latest sales trends in your neighborhood, and give you direction regarding the price and sales strategies that would best apply to your home. Because I have over 33 years of real estate experience, I can help you succeed no matter the season, or the market conditions!
 

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Can You Buy a Fountain Hills Home After Foreclosure?

There's good news for prior homeowners in Arizona who experienced a foreclosure, personal bankruptcy or short sale: you can buy a home again. There is a minimum waiting period, and the amount of time you'll spend in the "penalty box" varies depending on the circumstances.

Here's an outline put together by the Wall Street Journal, with my own two cents thrown in:

If you completed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may be eligible for a new FHA mortgage in as little as 12 to 24 months - as long as your credit history is clean, and you have a suitable income and down payment for qualifying.

If you had an FHA-backed mortgage in the past, and experienced a foreclosure or short sale, you need to wait at least 3 years before being considered for another FHA loan. If you can prove that the previous foreclosure or short sale resulted from events beyond your control, you have better odds of approval.

If your prior mortgage was backed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, and you experienced a short sale or foreclosure, you may be waiting up to 7 years before you are eligible under their guidelines.

In general, short sales, depending on how they were reported by the previous lender, could be treated equal to a foreclosure event. VA and FHA mortgages are the most forgiving when it comes to issuing a new mortgage after a previous short sale, with a wait period of two or three years, respectively.

It's best to leave nothing to chance and obtain a copy of your credit history before beginning your Fountain Hills home search. The key to qualifying rests not only in waiting out the clock, but in improving your credit score to meet current underwriting criteria.

While mortgage underwriting will be stringent, lenders have shown a willingness to reconsider former homeowners who lost their home due to events beyond their control. Over 700,000 former homeowners nationally are now re-eligible for a mortgage. We can expect that the Arizona real estate market will have more than its fair share of returning home buyers.

With the escalating cost of rent, compared to reasonable home prices and low mortgage interest rates, home demand in Fountain Hills and the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area is expected to increase!

Whether you are a first-time home buyer, or you are a former homeowner returning to the market, you need professional real estate guidance you can trust! As your Accredited Buyer Representative, I have the experience and local knowledge to guide you through our Fountain Hills real estate market. I have helped Arizona home buyers and sellers for over 30 years, and I'd like to help you too!

If you are ready to enjoy the splendor of panoramic, desert views from your own home, let me show you how to get started. Contact me today and find out more about home buying in Fountain Hills!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Fountain Hills Home Sales Show Fewer Distressed Properties

The weather may be cooling off, but home sales in Fountain Hills are heating up! Best of all, we are seeing fewer short sales and foreclosures in the market. Also, the ratio of short sales to foreclosures shows a sharp decline in foreclosures.

Here's how the Fountain Hills and Scottsdale, AZ distressed property ratios looked as of July 31, 2012:

• Zip code 85268 - short sales 14% of home sales; foreclosures 5%
• Zip code 85259 - short sales 16% of home sales; foreclosures 3%   
• Zip code 85255 - short sales 18% of home sales; foreclosures 2%
• Zip code 85268 - short sales 31% of home sales; foreclosures 5%

When considering the impact of distressed home sales, short sales are the lesser of two evils, because these sales are conducted using current fair market value.This preserves the market value of nearby homes. Foreclosures are often sold at a discount from fair market value, which can pull down values of surrounding homes.

Nationally, we are seeing a brighter picture across the board. HousingWire reports that nearly 2.5 million distressed homes will be removed from the "shadow inventory" during 2012.  There is also good news from Lender Processing Services, which reports that mortgage delinquencies are down by 30% since the peak of the housing crisis in 2010. 

If you're still uncertain about buying or selling a home in today's market, keep this in mind: short and foreclosures are a part of any housing market, even in the most robust economies. Waiting for these categories to "disappear" before you buy or sell a home isn't a realistic strategy.

For the latest Fountain Hills home sales data and market activity, contact me! I have over 30 years of experience in Fountain Hills real estate which will be your advantage when buying or selling a home!

Whether you are relocating to Arizona or you are already a resident of our sunny state, I can help you make the most of today's opportunities!

 

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Home Buying vs. Renting in Fountain Hills, AZ

If you are a renter in Maricopa County, you may not realize that your cost of living could be cheaper as a homeowner!

A new study by Trulia compared the costs of owning a home against renting.Here's how the study worked and what it means for Fountain Hills.

Trulia examined rental and home sale markets in major metros, from June through August of 2012. When adding up the costs of home ownership, they considered the closing costs, property taxes, homeowner's insurance premiums, and mortgage loan interest. They also considered the effect of itemizing allowable home expenses from income tax.

For rental expenses, Trulia used the average rents for comparable properties and included renter's insurance premiums. They also used a 7-year term of home ownership vs. 7 years of rent for the purpose of the study.

And the result? For Phoenix, AZ, the cost of renting averaged $1,223 per month. The cost of home ownership averaged $625 a month. Homeowners are ahead by $598 a month!

Skeptical? The results are similar in Tucson, AZ. Renting averaged $1,172 per month; home ownership averaged $635 a month. Homeowners pocket the difference of $536!

There are situations where renting makes sense, especially for short-term occupancy. However, if you are looking at seasonal occupancy on an annual basis, ownership still serves you better in the long run. It all comes down to your personal needs, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

How do things look in Fountain Hills? Our proximity to Phoenix gives us similar price ranges for housing costs. But why not do some comparisons of your own? I have all the information you need about the beautiful homes for sale in Fountain Hills - and I can also help you find rental properties. Whether you wish to own or rent, there's one thing we can all agree on - Fountain Hills is a wonderful place to live!

With over 30 years of Fountain Hills real estate experience, I have the local expertise to guide you through our fast-changing Fountain Hills real estate market. If you are ready to enjoy the splendor of panoramic, desert views from your own home, let me show you how to get started. Contact me today about home buying in Fountain Hills!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Fountain Hills Real Estate and the Arizona Housing Recovery

There's more good news for the Fountain Hills real estate market! According to the National Association of Home Builders, four metropolitan areas in Arizona are shown in their Improving Markets Index: Phoenix-Scottsdale, Prescott, Tucson and Yuma.

Of the four Arizona metros, Phoenix-Scottsdale has experienced the strongest gain in home prices since 2011.

Cities named in the Index have shown at least six consecutive months of improvement in home prices, employment, and housing permits. Here's how it looks for Phoenix-Scottsdale:

• Home prices are up 13.6% from their low point in June 2011
• Employment has improved by 4.3% since Sept 2010
• Housing permits are up by 4.3% since March 2009

Arizona's housing recovery is also noted in a report by 24/7 Wall Street, which ranked Arizona as #1 in price improvement. According to their analysis, Arizona home prices increased 16.6% from July 2011 to July 2012. Statewide, the median home price as of July 2012 was $248,229.

We are still far from the market peaks of 2007. Distressed properties will continue to affect Arizona real estate for some time to come. However, it is the opinion of industry analysts that we have seen the bottom of the real estate market! With improvements to the short sale processes, continued low interest rates, and strengthening local employment, our home prices will improve at a gradual pace.

Fountain Hills is well-positioned for growth, having the advantages of natural beauty, ample recreation, and proximity to corporate centers, shopping and dining. If you are considering a move to Arizona, start by looking at the beautiful Fountain Hills homes available now!

Whether you are buying or selling a Fountain Hills home, put your trust in my 33 years of local real estate experience! I can help you make the most of today's opportunities in the Fountain Hills real estate market. I will also provide you the courteous, professional service you can count on! Contact me today for help with all of your real estate questions!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Mortgage News for Fountain Hills Home Buyers

What goes down, must come up! Due to recent pricing changes by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, mortgage interest rates may tick upwards after October 1, 2012. The government-sponsored mortgage monoliths are increasing the fees they charge to mortgage lenders by 10 basis points, which will increase costs for home buyers.

The motive behind the change is to even the playing field for investors and private capital. Since the housing crisis began, private money fled the mortgage market, leaving Freddie and Fannie guaranteeing the majority of residential mortgages. Now that housing is in recovery, it makes sense to get private capital back into the game. This spreads around the risks of mortgage financing and should reduce the odds of tax-funded bailouts in the future.

Naturally, any increase in lending costs will be passed along to the borrower. According to Bloomberg, the increase of 10 basis points will cost home buyers $4,000 over the life of a $200,000 mortgage. It will be largely transparent to the home buyer, as the increase will be in the form of slightly higher interest rates.

Given that median home prices in Fountain Hills and the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area are hovering just under $200,000, the mortgage pricing changes should not disrupt anyone's home buying plans. After all, residential mortgage interest is tax-deductible, and the monthly payment impact in Bloomberg's example would be about $11.

Where the concern comes in, is that this pricing change is independent of market factors or economic policies. We have enjoyed low mortgage interest rates and affordable home prices for so long, that it's easy to take these conditions for granted - but they won't last forever. Now is the time to explore the beautiful Fountain Hills homes we have on the market!

As your Accredited Buyer Representative, I provide tremendous experience and local expertise to guide you through our fast-changing Fountain Hills real estate market. If you are ready to enjoy the splendor of panoramic, desert views from your own home, let me show you how to get started. Contact me today and find out more about home buying in Fountain Hills!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Shadow Inventory Fades in Fountain Hills

If you've been worried about the "shadow inventory" of homes in Fountain Hills, it's time to stop worrying!

Distressed properties account for a shrinking share of the residential real estate market in Maricopa County, according to the latest reports by DataQuick. Foreclosure sales in the metro Phoenix-Scottsdale area are at their lowest levels in 4.5 years.

Fountain Hills real estate has steadily improved during the past year. Foreclosures and short sales accounted for about 4% of the market last month. In early 2012, distressed properties accounted for 10% of the market; and a year ago, as much as 14% of the market. We've come a long way in a relatively short amount of time!

Our proximity to Phoenix often causes broad assumptions about local market conditions. But there's good news there,  too. Phoenix foreclosures are down by 50% from a year ago, and down by 66% since 2009. Metro Phoenix-Scottsdale home prices are enjoying double-digit gains as a result. 

This being said, we can still expect seasonal norms to affect Fountain Hills real estate in upcoming months, though any pullback in sales should be modest. We also have the uncertainties of an election year, which could influence market behaviors.

The bottom line: Fountain Hills, Arizona, is a magnificent place to live, work and play! Statistics aside, buying a home is really about the quality of life you can enjoy in your new neighborhood. The natural wonders of our serene, desert vistas, along with our thriving culture, and our abundant recreational opportunities will always attract new residents! 

Whether you are relocating to Arizona, or you are a current resident who is thinking of buying or selling a home, I'm here to help you! 

When you have questions about Fountain Hills real estate, contact me! As a real estate professional with over 30 years of experience, I will provide you with the best in local expertise and Fountain Hills market guidance!

 

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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The Necessary Tools for Owning a Fountain Hills Home

Becoming a home owner is an exciting time, but do you have the tools to do it? There are certain tools every Fountain Hills home owner needs to have to ensure a smooth sailing. If you are not familiar with these tools, it is important to become familiar so you can fix any problem that comes your way.

Duct Tape: Every homeowner should have at least one roll of duct tape. Known to solve almost any problem, this is one item you will need repeatedly. If the duct tape you are using will be hidden from plain sight, using original grey will work just fine. However, if you are more particular about the appearance of the tape there are different colors and designs you can get. 

Hammer: Having a simple hammer will come in handy as you decorate your Fountain Hills home. Make sure your hammer is large and sturdy enough to get a nail through a wall. Buying a small hammer is helpful when using thin nails, but if you predict a larger project in your future, you should also invest in a larger one. 

Flashlight: What seems like an obvious tool to have, it is also the most easily forgotten.  Moving is a complicated process and remembering to have the most simple items sometimes seems like the hardest part.  Having a flashlight is not just important when the power goes out, but also helps when fixing something in a dark area or looking for something under a large piece of furniture. 

Tool Box: Another obvious one, but keeping your tools organized is a great way to keep your home clutter free. When something needs to be fixed the last thing you want to do is spend hours looking for one screwdriver. Keeping all of your tools in one area will be beneficial when working on a large home repair.  If you have too many tools to fit in a tool box, invest in two. A smaller one that holds the everyday tools, hammer, screwdrivers, nails, etc. Also buy a larger one for tools that you may only once in a while.

If you have any questions regarding home repairs, feel free to ask! Also, if you or anyone you know is interested in buying or selling Fountain Hills real estate, contact me! I look forward to helping you!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Views on Home Ownership after the Housing Crash

After the real estate market crashed a couple years ago, many people never thought it would turn around again. The looming question is, how did the crash affect the views on owning a home? As a Fountain Hills Real Estate agent I faced the crash head on, answering questions from clients and perspective clients about when things would get better again.

A long lasting debate has been between renting and owning a home. After the crash many reports stated that home owners would turn into renters and that the rental market would rise while the ownership market would continue to crash.  However recent statistics show that people would rather purchase a home than rent a home. 

Not every person was affected by the crash, in fact about 2/3 of the country was not involved and therefore their only connection was what they saw through the media. These people were shown to not have changed their opinion on owning a home. 

Younger home owners that were immediately affected by the crash stated that they were a little shaken up over the crisis. Being new to the real estate market younger investors were not quite sure how to handle the situation, therefore questioning whether to buy or rent a home. This had many of them wondering if they should rent a home over buying. In the end many of the younger investors still decided to purchase their home based on statistics from the past year.

During my career as Fountain Hills Real Estate agent I have found the more experienced buyers can handle tougher situations. The crash had many older home buyers still thinking positively and rarely negative thoughts towards buying a home.  However reports did show that older home owners that had been forced into foreclosure did look at the market in a negative way. 

With the crash behind us and the real estate market climbing back many people say that they would definitely buy a home over renting a home. The market will continue to rise and as it does more people will feel comfortable making the decision to purchase a home.

If you have any questions regarding the real estate market, feel free to ask. Remember, if you or anyone you know is interested in buying or selling Fountain Hills real estate, you can contact me. I look forward to speaking with you!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Upgrades for Your Fountain Hills Home

Moving into your new Fountain Hills home is an exciting moment. Once all of your belongings are unpacked the next thing to do is figure out how to decorate each room.  Chances are there are spare rooms, or items that don’t exactly have a place in the home, but with these few quick updates will help organize all your items. 

A great idea for spare closets around the home is to turn them into mini offices. This may seem a little obscure, but once completed this will become one of your favorite parts of the home. The first thing to do is to take the closet door off the hinges; this will help open up the space. Make sure the area is clean, vacuum the floor, and if you feel it needs it, paint the walls. When putting a desk in make sure the measure it to have it fit, but not over power the area. Once the desk is securely in place, you can add anything you’d like, from shelves, to photos, to professional artwork, you can design this area to be just your own. 

Adding a shelf above a doorway is another great way to organize your belongings, and add decoration to a room. The shelf should be sturdy and should fit snuggly around the door frame. Be careful when deciding what to put on the shelf what doorway you choose to turn into a shelf. A doorway with no door attached is preferred because then you don’t have to worry about the door shutting therefore having your items falls and possibly break.

First impressions are the most important thing when it comes to a home. So, making sure the exterior of your Fountain Hills home is just as nice as the interior key to loving your home. A great idea to add flair to the outside of your home is to paint the front door. However, you want to make sure it does go well with the siding. Another great way to spruce up the outside is to plant flowers. Whether you plant them in your yard, or put them in a decorative pot to line your walkway with, flowers will add color to the exterior. 

If you have any questions regarding decorating your home, feel free to ask! And remember, if you or anyone you know is interested in buying or selling Fountain Hills real estate, contact me! I look forward to hearing from you. 

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Home Prices on the Rise Again

In a market that was once on the decline, reports are showing that single family home prices are on the rise again. This means your Fountain Hills home may be worth more than you think. 

Based on reports home sales have declined from May, but have increased from this time last year. These sales are based on transactions that have been completed for single-family homes, co-ops, condominiums, and townhouses. Sales were up this year by 4.5% from May of 2011. 

One reason analysts believe the market is on the rise is due to the record low mortgage rates. Currently the mortgage rate is about 3.7 percent, down from 4.51 percent in June of 2011. As the mortgage rate drops lower and lower perspective home buyers are more likely to purchase a home.

Although rising home prices doesn’t seem like a positive attribute to the Fountain Hills market, it does in fact show that buyers are willing to spend more money. An increase of 7.9 percent from 2011 the average home price is approximately 190,000. This has been the strongest increase in home value since February of 2006 when it rose 8.7 percent.

In addition to home sales, foreclosures and short sales have also shown movement in the market since 2011, down 30 percent from June of 2011. Short sales accounted for 12 percent of June sales and foreclosures accounted for 13 percent.  Analysts predict that the amount distressed properties will continue to drop as more home owners become current with their mortgage payments.

Reports show that the market is back on the rise, and the increase in home prices and decrease in foreclosures and short sales are just a couple aspects that prove this.

If you have any questions regarding the real estate market, feel free to ask. Also, if you or anyone you know is interested in buying or selling Fountain Hills real estate, contact me! I look forward to speaking with you!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Turn Your Fountain Hills Home into a Stay at Home Vacation

Have you ever wanted to take a vacation, but just didn’t have the time to do it? Well, here are some ways to turn your Fountain Hills home into a stay at home vacation. Enjoying your home is important, but turning it into your own little sanctuary is even better.

With summer in full force this year, you should be able to enjoy it, from the comfort of your Fountain Hills home. There are many ways to relax in your own yard. A great way is to hang a hammock; it doesn’t matter if you have two perfect trees to use, or if you plant sturdy posts in your yard to hold it. Rocking back and forth, or just laying down to enjoy a good book, nothing says summer like a hammock. 

Restoring your outdoor furniture is easy, and great for when you have company over. Looking at your furniture from last year you may see a vinyl strap missing, or a hole in the seat of a fabric chair, but all these repairs need is a quick trip to the fabric store to buy a simple piece of fabric, or a new strap to repair to chair. 

Inviting friends and neighbors over for a barbecue at your Fountain Hills home is another excellent way to enjoy the summer at home.  Installing what some call an outdoor kitchen is one way to do this, but another, simpler way is to install a low maintenance grill. While dining during the day, a wonderful idea to enjoy the weather without being beaten down by the sun is to put a simple cover over your table. Planting tall posts and attaching a sheet will create a cover for your table, but will also be sheer enough to enjoy the day. 

Another addition to create a vacation feel at home is to install a bench. This bench can be stationary and placed in the front of back of the home, to just enjoy the silence after a long day. Or maybe you would prefer a swinging bench to hang from a front porch to sit and socialize with neighbors. 

Creating your stay at home vacation is simple with these quick tips. 

If you or anyone you know is interested in buying or selling Fountain Hills real estate, feel free to contact me!  I can’t wait to hear from you!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Simpler Forms for Fountain Hills Home Buyers

When sitting down to figure out your mortgage and other aspects of the home buying experience, sometimes the forms you are filling out just make no sense. Thankfully, new and simpler forms are about to appear in Fountain Hills. 

Being able to understand your mortgage is very important. Recently The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced that they were thinking of a redesign to make the forms more user friendly. With simpler forms Fountain Hills home buyers won’t feel as nervous purchasing a home. 

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. Having someone sit there with you and explain everything that is going on is great, but being able to figure out most of it yourself is even better. With simpler forms you will essentially be able to sit down and read over what you are signing, rather than trusting someone else to tell you what you are signing.

Two sets of disclosure forms are required when buying a home. Sometimes these forms can be confusing, and even have similar information leading to even more confusion.  These forms will soon be replaced with “Loan Estimate” and “Closing Disclosure” forms. With differing the forms home buyers will be able to easily understand what exactly they say and the difference between them. The process of filling out paperwork for your Fountain Hills home won’t be as nerve racking, if you fully understand everything you are reading and signing.

It is reported that making forms simpler for the home buyer will make them feel more comfortable with their decision. You will feel a sense of relief as you sit down to fill out the paper work for your new home and you understand everything. 

If you have any questions, or are interested in buying or selling Fountain Hills Real Estate, feel free to contact me today! I look forward to hearing from you! 

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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