SanTanValley.com

Are you thinking about buying land?  Are you buying it for you to build on or for an investment? There are several things you will want to consider before you make your purchase. Is it in a good location? Or up and coming area that is hot? What type of lot are you considering? Small- Acreage? Do you want to buy a large piece and have it split? Can it be split and what are the restrictions to do so? What is it currently Zoned, can the zoning ever be changed if needed?

I was speaking with a client the other day about the importance of having separate rooms for kitchen, dining, living and family to accommodate all their current furniture even though they had decided to downsize their overall living space. It was then that I was reminded that not all people want that open great room feel that so many people are after. I guess this is why builders offer an array of different floor plans. 

The average sale price for a residential property in Pinal County rose 22.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period last year. While there were only 1,568 homes sold in the first three months of this year versus 2,104 in the first quarter of 2012, the average sale price went from $126,170 one year ago to $154,616 for the most recent three month period ending March 31st. The average square footage remained relatively similar at 1,945 for 2013 and 1,970 in 2012.

Your bathroom is often the most used room in your home. It is usually one room that doesn't get remodeled as often as some of the other rooms in your home. It often costs more than most people want to spend on one of the smallest rooms in your house. It can cost a pretty huge chunk of change to get new flooring, switch out old showers and tubs, knock out existing out-of-date tile or change vanities and lighting.

Bathroom remodels are the most cost-effective (around 75% return) when major fixtures can remain in place, allowing you to focus on flooring, sink, vanity, mirrors, lighting and fresh paint. 

Tips to Stage your home

Curb appeal. Is the lawn mowed? Are the weeds pulled? Are the bushes trimmed? Is the entry neat, clean and welcoming, with perhaps colorful pots of flowers by the front door? And don't forget to hide your garbage cans.

Foyer/Entry. When you stand at the front door, what do you see? Does any item of furniture or art stand out like a sore thumb? Do you get a sense of space or blockage?

There is no real rule of thumb on what to fix/replace or do to get the most money out of selling your home. This is largely due to a few varying factors. Some markets are great for fix and flip homes, some are not. It depends on the following things. 

SHOP SMARTER NOT HARDER

Use a professional to help you answer these questions and provide the smoothest transaction possible.

Are you looking to sell in the next 30 days? The next few months? Or even considering selling sometime this year? You may want to sit down with a professional Realtor and devise a plan. The market is changing and if you are holding out for the right time to buy or to get that extra money due to the market increases over the past year you may want to make sure that you are fully informed on what the market holds in the future of 2013.

Six federal financial regulatory agencies today issued the final rule that establishes new appraisal requirements for "higher-priced mortgage loans." The rule implements amendments to the Truth in Lending Act made by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act). Under the Dodd-Frank Act, mortgage loans are higher-priced if they are secured by a consumer's home and have interest rates above certain thresholds.

HOW TO BUY A GREAT HOME… The Easy Way!

How to Avoid the 10 Most Common Mistakes.

Buying a home can be an overwhelming experience. You may encounter a roller coaster of emotions while searching for the right house to call home. For most of us, a home purchase is the biggest investment we will ever make. The emotions associated with purchasing a home can often cloud your judgment. Don’t worry! It will all work out.

Arizona homeowners should be on the lookout for a mailing that appears to be a legal document, but may be a ploy against mortgage consumers, Attorney General Tom Horne said today.

The mailing comes in an envelope that appears to be an official legal or government document, but there is no company name or return address on the envelope or the letter itself.  A call to the toll-free number in the letter reveals the company as Fresh Start, based in New York.