Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Mary's Funny Real Estate Stories

Collectors' Hints:

In one house, we stopped counting at 300 pairs of ladies shoes in every color of the rainbow. (And I thought I was Imelda.) These were neatly arranged by color and style, in a bedroom the owner had converted into an extra walk-in closet. There were commercial racks for the shoes, plus racks for clothing, and several racks for boots and purses.

A model railroad enthusiast wanted to sell his house. He had train track shelving around the perimeter of every room about a foot from the ceiling. The trains could completely circle and interconnect with every room in the entire house, and he wanted to know if I thought he should have them running when people came to view the house. He was very insulted when I asked him to take the whole rigmarole down and store it while it was listed.

People collect things and think everyone wants to see them. One lady had special shelves built to house a collection of thousands of dolls, another had hundreds of Santas, and yet another had salt and pepper shakers from all over the world. One couple had Coca Cola memorabilia everywhere. ALWAYS take down your collections/hobbies before listing your house.

Mary's Funny Real Estate Stories

Decorating Stories:

I asked the lister to take down the buffalo, elk, deer, moose, pheasant, bear heads from around the house before we let buyers in to view it. She reluctantly agreed, but then didn't want to be bothered painting the walls where the heads had been, which were so dirty, you could clearly see the outlines of the heads after they were taken down.

I had a potential lister who had what she told me was a very expensive painting in the living room. It was about 4 X 8 feet, and showed a bloody hand, holding a large hunting knife, which was also dripping blood. the knife was about to be plunged into ... a watermelon! I thought it was too gruesome for buyers to enjoy their time in the house, and asled the owner to take it down. She agreed, but only very reluctantly.

The buyer and seller hated each other on sight, and argued over every little thing throughout the transfer process. The last detail of their argument centered on an antique butcher block in the kitchen, which both wanted. I even offered to go to an antique store and buy another one, so they could each have one, but both wanted that particular one. As the deal unravelled, I finally said to my seller, "Do you want to sell the house or don't you? Because selling it comes down to your butcher block, which you won't have room for in your new house anyhow." They sold the butcher block with the house.

Same scenario as above, only the deal came down to a black metal sculpture of an upside down fish skeleton. The ribs held hand towels in the bathroom. I tried to find another one on eBay with no success, and finally said the same thing to the seller, as I did above. They finally closed the deal with the buyer getting the fish skeleton.

In a former rental property, the tenants had done a great job of painting the interior of the house. But once they moved their furniture out, you could see that they had painted all around every piece of furniture, and you could clearly see where the couch, tables, lamps, beds, dressers, and even the toaster had been!

Mary's Funny Real Estate Stories

Pet/Animal stories:
One house had so many pigeons we had to shoo them away to get in the door--Feathers & Poop everywhere--ugh!

Got key from lockbox, looked at large hole in bottom of front door, carved by years of dogs scratching to get in, and wondered why the owners would even bother locking the door? Must have been some pretty big dogs! And think about windblowing in when it gets cold.

Saw two large tails about 2 feet long, sticking out from under the built-in BBQ--two iguanas about 5 feet long each, finally poked their heads out and came out to greet us.- pets of owners--scary! My clients didn't buy that house!

Took a listing, saw the cat licking the JennAir grill which hadn't been cleaned in a long time. Recommended the owners get busy staging and cleaning. It didn't help that the sellers insisted on keeping the cat food on the kitchen counter, the cats had the run of the kitchen, and there was cat hair everywhere.

As we rang the doorbell, we could hear what sounded like very large dogs barking like crazy inside. The owner called to us to come in and look around, and we saw her washing two great danes, in the kitchen, on the tile floor, with the outdoor hose. Imagine the water damage to the underlayment, and the kitchen cupboards.

Mary's Funny Real Estate Stories

One house had so many books, there were only small paths from room to room, with books piled to the ceilings on all four walls of every room and hallway, including bathrooms and closets, making rooms half their normal size. Books were under tables, desks, beds, everywhere. To top it off there were cats on top of every pile of books. I expected an avalanche any minute.

Mary's Funny Real Estate Stories

Naked real estate stories:

I showed a house where there was a naked 500lb man watching TV in it. He may have had undershorts on, but there was nothing visible that we could see around the fat rolls. Didn't stay long at that one.

I knocked, called out and entered a house with my clients, and spied through the family room window, two good looking young females swimming naked in the pool. I went outside to tell them we were in the house, and they were sure embarassed, and scrambled to get their swim suits on.

I rang, opened the door, and called out, in case someone was home, and a woman who had been showering came out to greet us with just a towel around herself. I did phone ahead, so why was she so surprised to see us?

There have always been rumors that realtors meet in empty houses when they are having affairs. There were no cars visible out front of this one listing, so my clients and I went in. We heard strange noises and muffled voices coming from the master bedroom, and so I called out again. A very upset, disheveled, surprised and embarassed couple came out of the bedroom, handed me the lockbox key, and ran out the door to the garage, where they had parked their cars.

The owners knew we were coming to view the house, so must have wanted us to see them. They were in bed, TV on, middle of the day, and naked, as far as my clients and I could see. We asked if we could wait outside so they could leave, and they said it was quite all right if we toured the house, and they would stay where they were, watching TV.

My clients and I knocked on the door, and heard footsteps approaching, so I didn't use the lockbox key. The inner door opened, and a totally naked man answered. We told him we'd be back later, but my clients didn't want to go back after that.

Mary's Funny Real Estate Stories

In one house I was showing, there was a brass plaque on the kitchen floor that said the seller's baby was delivered there. Hope they took it with them.

Mary's Funny Real Estate Stories

Black stories:

One couple who listed their house had allowed their teenage daughter to decorate her own room. She had spray painted the walls, ceiling, windows, and even the rug, all black! She had black bedding and curtains-- it was like walking in to a cave.

A father who was upset that his kids constantly tracked in dirt, had all the carpets taken up and black linoleum installed-- even in the kitchen, baths and bedrooms. Unfortunately, no one told him that mud shows up just as badly on black as on lighter colors.

One house had (seemingly) dark tinted windows all around. There was no lockbox, so couldn't get in to see it. Later got in to find the entire interior was black with smoke and the whole inside had been burned.

List your home with an internet professional

Don't be afraid to list and sell your home. With the recent FED announcement of their plan to buy up to $1.2 trillion in Agency Mortgage Backed Securities, the interest rates have dropped and buyers have even more reason to buy a home. It is the time to sell if you want to relocate or move to a bigger or smaller home. Most people still are working, have money, and good credit to buy your home. Wake up and smell the coffee, it's time to sell!

However, Sellers, you must really WANT to sell. I hear "I'll sell if I get my price" hundreds of times. I have attended listing appointments where the freeway noise deafened, where the yard looked like Mother Nature had a bad hair day, where the fact that a homeowner ran out of paint and never matched the rest made Andy Warhol's paintings look tame and were a litter box looked like Mt Everest.

Your price is determined by the market in YOUR area, location, curb appeal, cleanliness, maintenance, & staging of yard and home. Also smells, colors, pets, and the ability of agents to show your home when a buyer wants to view it all have an effect on price. And unfortunately, foreclosures and short sales have a detrimental effect on prices in the area. If you don't allow a sign, flyers and a lockbox, you are missing major marketing tools. Also, choose a listing realtor who is internet savvy and can market your property effectively on a variety of websites. Nearly 80% of buyers now begin their search on the internet.

When you invite an agent to your home to talk about selling, they will show you different sets of facts & figures to come up with a market price, & then walk you through to consider your home's interior & exterior, making recommendations to make your home more saleable, or ask you to lower your price. If you don't believe an agent's pricing, get an appraisal.

WHAT DO BUYERS LOOKING AT YOUR HOME ALREADY KNOW? When agents represent buyers, the buyers receive a market analysis of the homes they are interested in, plus they know all the other homes available, pending sales, recently sold homes in the area of your location. They know what your home is worth via all the information sources that buyer's agents have. If the buyer is financing the purchase, the offer is subject to appraisal, so hoping to get thousands more for that built-in BBQ, boulder waterfall or custom faux paint will not work in 98% of cases. Also remember that a Buyer's Agent is just that, they represent the buyer, (not you). Be nice to them, they'll likely sell your house for you.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Landscape to WOW buyers

Landscaping tricks that WOW buyers:
Add splashes of color.
Size trees and shrubs to scale or scale them back if necessary.
Maintain a perfect lawn, or rake your gravel yard. No weeds!
Light up the outside so it looks good at night too.
Let them hear water-- pool cascading, even a tabletop fountain gets rid of ambient noise
Decorative architectural elements-- new window box, fence, mailbox, fountain or sculpture-- don't overdo it.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Go Green, Save GREEN

You don't have to build from scratch to have a greener home. These quick and easy home fixes will shrink your consumption and your monthly bills:
RATE IT. Look for Energy Star-rated products. This government program helps people make energy-efficient choices, which can lead to savings of up to a third of the energy costs.
SWITCH THE LIGHTS. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75% less energy than traditional bulbs. Replace them in highly used fixtures such as porch lights, bathroom vanities and office lamps
GO WITH THE FLOW. Use low-flow showerheads and considre installing low-flow toilets to reduce water usage and save on water heating costs.
PLUG IN, TURN OFF. Use a power strip for your home office or home entertainment center. Even in standby mode, consumer electronics-- which account for 15% of household electricity-- use a little juice, so turn the power strip off when you can.
COOL IT. Turn the water temperature for your washing machine or dishwasher down to 120 degrees F to cut water-heating energy consumption.
SEAL IT. Search for hidden air leaks in your attic, basement or crawl space, and seal them with caulk, spray foam or weather stripping. Home sealing can be an inexpensive way to cut enery consumption by up to 10%.

Going GREEN with Mary Maxie

Did you know that 48% of homeowners say they would be willing to spend $2500 or more to make green improvments that would appeal to potential buyers, while one in 3 homewoners say they would be willing to spend $5000 or more on improvements?

Fifty-one percent believe it's important to work with a GREEN-certified real estate agent, like Mary Maxie, who can help them identify and market eco-friendly properties. This would include knowledge of housing materials and construction, energy-efficient appliances and HVAC systems and the impact of landscaping on a home's environmental footprint.

The survey also found that cost is the greatest deterrent to going green, cited by 36% of respondents. Other hurdles include convenience (22%), lack of knowledge about implementation (18%) and lack of time (17%).

Mary recently completed an intensive GREEN course sponsored by National Associoation of Realtors, and can help you decide which improvements to make to save you money and keep your family and the earth healthy.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Pre-Listing Home Inspections Save Headaches and Money

Consider a Pre-Listing Home Inspection
I usually advise all my customers who are listing their home for sale to have a pre-listing home inspection. It costs $300-500.00 depending on the age, size, and amenities of the home, and is well worth the expenditure when you consider the following:

*If you were buying this home, wouldn’t you want to know that the current owner had felt confidant enough in it to have the home inspection done, and then make it available to you before the sale? Sure, the buyer is going to have his/her own home inspector do the inspection also, but it gives a sense of certainty to the buyer that can help them make the decision to buy, if they already know you have taken good care of it. They never get to the stage of having a home inspection if they don’t make an offer that you can accept.
*If the pre-listing inspection finds something serious enough to warrant repair, then it’s a good idea to find it prior to the buyer bringing in their own inspector. Once their inspector finds something wrong, they start to question whether they should buy it at all. I have seen buyers walk away from a deal because of even small things their inspector finds wrong.
*As your realtor, I’d like to know if there is anything wrong with the home before I start marketing it. I feel much more comfortable telling prospective buyers that it’s in tip top shape if it really is in tip top shape.
*So you get a contract on your house, and the buyer brings in his/her own inspector. Some inspectors are so nitpicky that your buyer comes up with a huge list of repairs they want you to make before they’ll go through with the sale. Wouldn’t you want to know from your inspector, which items are important to have tended to, and which are not? And if the list of repairs is small, often the buyer will accept the house as is, instead of asking you to repair everything. You deal from strength in having knowledge of your home’s great and not-so-great features.
*A home which is in tip top shape, can bring a higher price than one which has problems.

Home inspectors in AZ have to pass a rigorous testing process before they are allowed to perform inspections. They have to have errors and omissions insurance, and proof they have conducted inspections in the company of a certified inspector. Do yourself a favor, and order up that pre-listing inspection and save yourself and your realtor possible headaches later.

Home Staging Works to Sell Your House

Home Staging-- Great Idea for Selling Your Home
There is a trend in selling homes, called "Home Staging." What this involves is getting your home ready for prospective buyers by "setting the stage" for viewing. Mary Maxie is an Accredited Home Stager, and will helpyou get your home ready for buyers.

Home stagers may or may not be interior designers or interior RE-designers. They may or may not bring in their own furniture, artwork and accessories, depending on what's needed in the home. They will re-position furniture, art and accessories, get rid of clutter, arrange everything to maximize the look of spaciousness and light, so that your house looks so good, you may not want to leave!

Home stagers will tell you to remove anything precious, so it won't be damaged by prospective buyers. They will advise you to remove all family photos. The theory is that if the buyer sees your family in the spaces, he or she won't be able to visualize their own family in the spaces. They will likely tell you to remove about 25-30% of all furniture in your home, to create the feeling of lots of space in the home. They will tell you how to ready the home for visitors when the realtor calls to say they are on their way. For instance, ensuring all lights are on, cooking odors are absent, etc.

Your home stager is likely your realtor. And it certainly will be if you call me to list your home. I have experience in interior design of model homes, and staging of re-sale homes as well. I will give you a room by room list of the changes needed before the home is listed on MLS. I will tell you if you need paint, cleaning, or any kind of improvement which will help your home sell faster.

I also recommend a pre-listing home inspection. This will pinpoint any problems that a buyer's home inspector may find, and allow you to make corrections before the deal goes sideways. It also shows prospects that you have confidence in the quality and condition of your home, so they may have the same confidence as a buyer.

Often, as realtors look at comparable listings in an area, there is very little difference in the homes they show their clients. You need to have an edge over the competing homes for sale, and get the buyer to choose your home. That's where the home stager, and I, as your realtor, come in. If you want more information on home staging, talk to me first about listing your home, when you are ready.

Flex Housing

FlexHousing-- A New Approach to Construction

How would you like to have a home that adjusts to your changing needs, instead of having to move when you outgrow your present home? Sound ideal? Maybe a new approach to construction called FlexHousing is your answer. FlexHousing focuses on adaptability and accessibility. Designers are looking at housing which can accommodate a broad range of individual needs over time. Accessibility features focus on design requirements which facilitate the lives of persons with disabilities.
There is a wide range of guidelines for the design of the main elements of a dwelling to achieve adaptability and accessibility objectives.These guidelines pertain to entries, circulation spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, living and dining areas, bedrooms, storage spaces, laundry facilities, balconies, doors, windows, electrical outlets and controls, heating and air conditioning. They also pertain to spaces outside the dwelling, including parking areas, walkways, commmunal areas, and yards.

Some areas in flexible design:
-designed to promote social interaction, by supplying a front porch and outdoor courtyard space, to bring residents togther rather than keep them apart.
-designed to accommodate a variety of family types and provide for home office space, bedrooms, a rental suite or garden.
-on-grade access, with no steps to enter the home.

As the population ages, it will not be necessary to move to more accessible housing. Homes will be designed to simultaneously satisfy users with varying disabilities. They will offer on-grade access, with no stairs, open floor plans, adjustable kitchen counters, lever door handles, accordion closet doors, adjustable rod and shelf heights, and reinforcing for future installation of a stair lift and grab bars. Strategic use of color, contrasts and changes in texture of ground and wall surfaces serve as visual and tactile cues for persons with sight and cognitive limitations.

More homes will be designed for different family units, including double master suites, more multi-purpose rooms. One such project had several single person units each with one bedroom, one bath, and a bar fridge, hot plate, microwave, small kitchen and TV/Music area. In another area of the house, were a large commercial style kitchen, large dining room and entertainment area, large office area separated by dividers, and fun areas such as a games room. Thus residents could have as much or as little privacy as they wanted.

As there are more single adults, they may wish to live communally, but will want their own bedrooms and bathrooms. As with any housing, the most important issues are still community, flexibility, accessibility, sustainability, home automation and affordability.

To Remodel or not to remodel?

Is it worth remodeling?

The 2008 Cost Vs. Value survey, conducted by Remodeling Magazine, reports that minor kitchen remodels give the greatest return on investment of the top 20 remodeling projects in the Phoenix metro area-- 88%. Although the house will have more curb appeal and may sell faster with a fresh exterior coat of paint, only 60% of the cost will be recouped.
The magazine also conducted a poll of its readers published last Nov. and found some interesting information:
* the three most important features buyers are interested in, are the roof, kitchen and mechanical systems.
* the number one reason people remodel is to meet a desire or need, not the return.
* Most people are not willing to buy a "fixer-upper", because they don't want to deal with the hassle of living through a major remodeling-- cost is not the biggest issue.

Internet Home Buyers More Savvy

Internet House Hunters are more satisfied with their buys
A new study of Internet versus traditional home buyers shows some very interesting findings. The study was conducted by the California Association of Realtors, and concludes that Internet home seekers tend to be younger, wealthier, and more ethnically diverse than traditional buyers. These buyers also felt that they were more in control of, and understood more of the home buying process, and knew more of what they wanted before they actually saw any homes. This resulted in greater satisfaction with their purchase.
Internet buyers spent more time researching and investigating before contacting a realtor. While research ultimately saves the buyer and the realtor time, Internet users should always realize that finding a home is only the beginning of the home buying process. Your realtor acts on your behalf, and negotiates to get you the best deal, and guides you through the morass of legalities and post-offer processes that change often and are almost always confusing to buyers.
Other findings:
*51% of all Internet buyers reported that the information they received from the Internet was less useful than the information provided by their realtor. In other words, it's a good place to start, but you should finish with a qualified realtor.
*77% of Internet buyers and 70% of tradtional buyers received a 4 or 6 year degree.
*Married couples constituted the majority of both Internet and traditional buyers
*A higher proportion of Internet buyers were first time homebuyers (11%) compared to 6% of traditional buyers.
*The median price of homes purchased by Internet buyers was $452,000, significantly higher than the median of $310,000 for traditional home buyers. This was a California study, so the prices may be higher than here, but the percentage spread would likely be similar here. More info, see www.car.org

Friday, March 13, 2009

Being a Realtor is not an easy job

It’s not as easy as you think!

This profession of “Realtor” isn’t as easy as just taking a three or six week course at a realtor school, and getting some business cards printed.
We have to take all kinds of courses on everything from finance to contracts, to fair housing. We have to update our education regularly. All these courses, our computer access to MLS, forms, our yearly dues etc. cost a great deal of money and time.
If we want to be take seriously, we have to seek designations such as GRI, (Graduate of the Real Estate Institute-- a North American designation which is a graduate level degree in real estate) and ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative,)
I am also a Certified Real Estate Specialist (CRS), and carry the GREEN designation, for realtors who have completed a lengthy course in environmentally responsible real estate. I am a certified negotiator, and a Certified International Property Specialist, an Accredited Home Stager, and am a member of Arizona's prestigious Master Of Real Estate society, indicating hundreds of hours of education and transactions in my portfolio of credentials. In addition, I'm also taking a Risk Management designation to help you have a worry free real estate transaction.
And to top it off, we now have to watch out for dangers such as thieves who use the date rape drug on realtors holding open houses, so they can rob the house, and finding out about Meth labs which are set up in houses to manufacture drugs for sale. Meth is very harmful, even in small doses, and if we walk on a rug in a house where the fumes have permeated, we can then spread it to other houses, even our own, on our shoes. If a small child plays on that rug, cases of mental impairment could result.
So, being a real Estate Broker these days is not just a couple of weeks in a classroom and some new business cards. Look for a realtor who is committed and has years of experience and education, like Mary Maxie, not your relative who just took the course or the first person you see at an open house.
I love my work, and I am in it for the long haul, not just the heady times of 2005. I have seen ups and downs and I will be here for all the ups and downs in the future too.

Why get a home inspection?

Home Inspections...Just what's going on?
If you have ever bought or sold a home, or know someone who has, chances are, you've had a home inspection. The American Society of Home Inspectors defines a home inspection as "an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from the roof to the foundation. Having a home inspected is like giving it a physical checkup. If problems or symptoms are found, the home inspector may recommend further evaluation". Generally, the inspector will observe and report on "readily accessible installed systems and components of a home". These, according to the AZ Board of Technical Registrations, which certifies home inspectors to practice in the state, can be structural, such as ceilings, floors and foundations; exterior, including vegetation (grading) and driveways; and roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating, central air conditioning, insulation, and ventilation. Safety issues are also addressed to some degree. Sellers may not be aware of defects, and generally realtors are not qualified to evaluate the physical condition of the property.
I usually ask my sellers to have a pre-listing inspection, just so we don't get any deal-killing surprises from a buyer's inspector. This gives us a chance to address problems and for my sellers to correct the most serious of them, before prospective buyers see the home. And I always ask my buyers to have an inspection to avoid later surprises in the homes they are purchasing.
It is now illegal to hire an inspector who is not certified, or who has not applied for certification by the AZ Board of Technical Registrations. This ensures that the inspector you hire is insured against liability, and that he/she has passed state exams, and has performed at least 50 home inspections. A list of certified inspectors can be found at www.btr.state.az.us/RegistrantSearch.asp A person who conducts home inspections and has not applied for, or received certification, could face a $2000. civil penalty. A realtor who recommends or uses such a home inspector could face disciplinary action the the AZ Dept. of Real Estate.
Rates generally start in the $300. range for a 3-4 hour inspection, and you should plan on attending with the inspector and your realtor for at least part of that time. Rates can go substantially higher depending on how many A/C and heating zones, amenities such as fireplaces, pools/spas, appliances, age and condition of the home, and square footage.
Remember, this may be the largest single purchase you will ever make, so doesn't it make sense to find out if there are serious defects, or if the home really is all you hoped it would be?

What to look out for regarding mold in your home

Who Ya Gonna Call?
What's all this talk about mold? Do you have to be aware of it? Do you need to do anything about it? How do you know it's there? How do you get rid of it? Does it really cause respiratory problems and brain damage? Is there insurance available to cover mold damage?
There has been much written about the unhealthy aspects of having bad molds in your home. But first, let's talk about the good molds. Good molds do everything in our environment from causing the breakdown of plant matter that turns into good much for your garden and crops, to helping labs make penicillin, to allowing beer and wine makers to ferment their fruits to make alcoholic drinks.

We live with millions of different kinds of mold every day. Some are beneficial to our bodies, some are not. Some you can scrub off the tiles in your shower, and some you throw out with the green fuzzies from your fridge. Most of us will never feel ill effects from molds. Some of us may already know that we are allergic to molds such as tree, leaf and even wine molds.

However, the ones which have the bad reputation are a small percentage of molds which feed on cellulose products such as drywall, wood, carpet backing and some types of insulation. Moisture, cellulose and warmth need to be present for mold to thrive. Reliable sampling for molds in your home can be costly, and there are no standards for evaluating what level of exposure to mold is a problem.

Common sense methods of prevention or minimizing damage from molds in your home:
*Eliminate household water leaks of any kind, inside or out & clean & dry as soon as possible.
*Remove sheet rock/wallboard, carpets and padding that have been flooded in the past.
*Never have carpeting in bathrooms or wherever you have a water source.
*Keep humidity levels in the house below 50%
*Keep watering systems away from house foundation and make sure landscape is graded away from the foundation, so water doesn't collect near the house & don't let sprinklers spray stucco or siding.
*Inspect your home often. Some areas to check include anywhere on the roof or parapet wall that collects rain water, any place where there have been holes cut in your roof for ducting, vents, skylights, chimneys, etc, cooler condensate pans, drain lines/couplings, water pipes, sink/toilet leaks, leaks around washers, RO systems, garbage disposals, waste pipes, taps, water softeners, a/c units
*Not all mold is disposed of by the common bleach method. Proper mold removal procedures vary with the mold species. Many molds can be removed by anyone. Others should be left to qualified professionals using special methods. Only laboratory testing of samples can determine the species of mold present. Not all mold is visible: however, if you see any discoloration of any kind on walls, carpet, floors, flaking paint, warping of cupboards, baseboards, trim, you should consult a qualified mold tester or environmental hygienist.
For more information, please see www.hs.state.az.us/edc/oeh/moldfact.pdf

Canadians Buying Real Estate in Arizona need a Realtor who knows the market in Canada as well as AZ

If you want to buy a second home in Arizona, you need to know a lot more than what the average realtor knows. Mary Maxie was a realtor in Canada, and now specializes in showing Canadians the differences between buying and owning in Canada versus buying and owning here in the Valley of the Sun.
Did you know there are tax implications to owning here? Did you know there are differences in building standards between the two countries that you should be aware of? Are you aware of what happens to your home here when you die? What costs are normal, and which are not in buying in AZ?
Some realtors think Canadians are made of money, and don't offer any ideas on saving money or after sale service, or are unable or unwilling to offer Canadians the advice they need to live here.
Mary Maxie will help you navigate and make the best deal, and she's always there for after sale questions about anything-- real estate related or not.

Take a Look at your Roof Today

Take a look at your roof today
At least twice a year, walk around the perimeter of your home and look at your roof. Check for any missing, loose, or damaged shingles/tiles. Look for open seams, blisters, or bald spots on flat roofs. If you have them, clean gutters, strainers and downspouts, and make sure downspouts and overflows from coolers are directed away from the foundation. Check the attic for any evidence of leaks. Note the flashing around all surface projections, sidewalls and protrusions. Trim tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof. Check fascia and soffits for deterioration and damage. Remember your mother used to tell you "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

If you can't see, or can't get up on the roof, call Mary Maxie in Phoenix for a recommdation of a home inspector or roofer to do this for you.

Most Common Home Problems

Ten Most Common Home Problems

In a recent survey, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) identified the most common home problems. It is interesting to note that four of the top ten problems involved water or moisture.

1. Improper Surface Grading and Drainage: By far the most frequent problem, it is responsible for the most common household aggravations, including water penetration into basements, craw spaces and foundations.
2. Improper Electrical Wiring: A number of respondents found this to be a significant defect. This includes such situations as insufficient electrical service, inadequate overload protection, and amateur (often dangerous) wiring connections.
3. Roof Damage: Ranked third, leaking roofs are a frequent problem. This is caused by old or damaged shingles or improper flashing and drainage.
4. Heating Systems: Defective items in this category include broken or malfunctioning controls, blocked chimneys, and unsafe exhaust disposal.
5. Poor Overall Maintenance: A common problem with all homeowners. Signs of poor maintenance include cracked, peeling or dirty painted surfaces, crumbling masonry, makeshift wiring or plumbing, and broken fixtures and appliances.
6. Structurally Related Problems: As a result of problems in one or more other categories, damage is sustained by such structural components as foundation walls, floor joists, rafters and window and door headers.
7. Plumbing: Though not ranked as a number one problem, plumbing defects still rank high. This includes the existence of old or incompatible piping materials, as well as faulty fixtures and waste lines.
8. Exteriors: Flaws in this category, such as windows, doors, and wall surfaces, rarely have structural significance, but may pose discomfort to the occupants due to water and air penetration. The most common culprits are inadequate caulking and /or weather stripping.
9. Poor Ventilation: In a effort to save energy, many homeowners have "over-sealed" their homes, resulting in excessive interior moisture. Significant moisture can lead to rotting and failure of both the structural and non-structural elements.
10. Miscellaneous: This category includes interior components (often cosmetic in nature) which were so infrequent that they did not rank individually in the survey.

Copyright @ 1995 Pillar To Post Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. For more informative ideas, visit the web site www.pillartopost.com

Mold is a Maintenance Issue

Make sure your home doesn't become a haven for mold. Look around your house and see if any of these potential mold problems exist arund your home, and fix them before they turn into a helath hazard for your family and require an expensive 'fix'.
1. Turn outside aprinkler heads so that they do NOT spray against the exterior of your home. Over time, water will seep through stucco or block and into the wall system
2. Buy a new water heater at the reommended life limt of your current one. Water heaters rust, leak and may burst. It is easier to buy a new one BEFORE you have potentially moldy situation or a flood.
3. There are two kinds of reverse osmosis units: those that have leaked and those that will. If y ou have one, check it regularly.
4. A bucket under the sink is NOT a fix. It is a band-aid solution. The cause of the leakmust be remedied Sometimes the cost of a plumber is worth it.
5. Do not put wallpaper in bathrooms. Humidity can be high and mold loves the glue.
6. Do install a good exhaust fan in your bathroom. Small fans or open windows are not enough to exit the steam from the room.

Healthier Home Trends

What can you do to make your home healthier for your family, and likely save some money as well? Phoenix real estate broker Mary Maxie gives free advice to her clients about a variety of ways to have a healthy home.
Here are just a few tips:
Use native drought resistant plants around your home to save water.
Install a gray water tank that stores used shower water, filters and chlorinates it and sends it back to the home's toilets for flushing. Saves about 30% of water/sewer expenses
Rain water collection systems and solar panels to heat water.
Bathroom tiles made from recycled glass, countertops made from recycled quartz, and low-flow water fixtures
Use engineered hardwood to save trees
Use renewable flooring such as bamboo

Neighborhood Environmental Report

It's a fact that home buyers are hungry for information about their property. Stories of environmental contamination are increasingly in the news and on the minds of real estate buyers and sellers. Environmental concerns could be old landfills, chemical dumps, abandoned auto waste dumps, even chemicals from dry cleaning plants or chemical plants which have dumped contaminants which could affect groundwater. Areas that are prone to fissures and ground sinking can also be mapped.

If you have questions about the area you live in, or want to live in, in the Valley of the Sun, ask Mary Maxie about a Neighborhood Environmental Report before you buy, and be sure.

News for second home buyers and investors in AZ

Second homes: Rain, rain stays away almost every day in Scottsdale, Ariz., an article from USAToday.com, has Scottsdale enjoying the national spotlight. The article covers the many benefits that Scottsdale has to offer and examines three neighborhoods: North Scottsdale, Downtown/South Scottsdale and East of Scottsdale. While North Scottsdale was the last part of the city to be developed, it is home to the most upscale golf communities. In Downtown/South Scottsdale, second homes have gained in popularity. "There are 10-plus story high-rises with luxury services and concierges, while a greatly increased number of stores and restaurants (around Old Town) has made it much more livable," said broker Mary Maxie. The lowest second-home prices can be found in golf communities just east of Scottsdale, including Gilbert, Ocotillo, Queen Creek, Mesa and Fountain Hills. See the full article http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-03-12-scottsdale-arizona_N.htm
Investor Report: Refinancings, an article from Realty Times, reports that small-scale real estate investors received some pleasant news last week. As part of the Obama administration's massive housing relief effort, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac said they'd refinance potentially thousands of mortgages on rental and second homes. Investor loans were included because refinancings can "help reduce renter evictions by putting landlords in a (more affordable) refi that improves their chance for success," explained Brad German, a Freddie Mac spokesman. To qualify, the investment property or second home loan must be owned or guaranteed by Fannie or Freddie. Also, the mortgage balance cannot exceed the property value by more than 5% and payment history on the mortgage needs to be almost flawless - no thirty-day late payments over the past year. http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20090313_investorreport.htm

Green Home Buyers

I recently completed an extensive course on Green Housing and Energy Efficient Homes. In these times of financial uncertainty, more and more people are looking to save money on their utilities, and at the same time, help to save the environment.

When searching for a new home, buyers not only look at the initial cost of the home, but the cost of maintaining and repairing and living in that house.

Green homes homes spend roughly 25% less time on the market than conventional homes, and they sell for more money per square foot.

Green features most often looked for and often not listed on the MLS or flyers, are double-paned, low-E windows, well-sealed and insulated structure, balanced attic air intake and exhaust, spray foaminsulation.

Additional energy efficient features or appliances include dual flush toilets, tankless water heaters, low-flow shower heads and faucets, high-efficiency HVAC systems and furnaces, flourescent lighting, solar features, and Energy Star appliances.