Teri Ellis is a proud member of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network. This network is a free online community to help real estate professionals promote their business online. You can find other outstanding Arizona real estate professionals on ActiveRain.com
Those of us living in the Phoenix Valley, are well aware of the
fissures running throughout various parts of our valley. The Arizona
Geological Society has just completed updated maps from April showing
new fissures in Queen Creek in Maricopa and Pinal County. I've included a link "here" for access to the new map. Queen Creek is located in the southeast valley and straddles both county lines.
For an indepth story on these newly discovered fissures, I've provided a link to the story provided by the
East Valley Tribune just today. An excerpt taken out of the Tribune is
quoted below to explain to buyers, sellers, Realtors, just "what" a
fissure is.
Home buyers need to be especially cautious when purchasing in this
area. I've included a link to the Arizona Geological Society Fissure
site "here" for Mesa, Chandler Heights, and Scottsdale, etc. Be sure to check it out.
I received an email from a home buyer recently asking me
whether I'd heard anything about problematic radon in kitchen granite
countertops. I replied that I had not heard, but would do some
research. I was surprised when I googled it because there were several
articles dealing with that issue, most of them dated July 2008.
I searched around and came across an article in snopes.com,
the website that provides us with the inside information of whether a
rumor is true or not true. Well, it is true; however, I wanted to know
if there was a test,
or a way to tell whether the granite you have in your home/and in mine,
is emitting this radon. This article provides information for
inexpensive kits ($20-$30) to determine whether your granite is "hot."
These kits can be purchased from hardware stores or online as indicated
in the article.
This is great information for buyers who are
considering purchasing a new home into which they will be adding
granite, or resale homes with granite.
As with many other things in this world, I had no idea. If you
google "granite countertops radar," you will find a bevy of related
articles.
The Official Website of the Arizona Department of Real Estate has placed on its website a list of builders experiencing financial difficulties. I've provided a link of the pdf file provided by the Department of Real Estate for those purchasing new homes and for their Realtors! - Builders Experiencing Financial Difficulties. As Realtors, it's my duty to be "informed." This list would is particularly useful for our buyers, this the reason I am posting this on my blog.
This is not just happening in Maricopa County, but throughout our state. Yet another good reason for buyers to use the services of a Realtor instead of going out on their own.
As a buyer, have you ever gone into a new home community to "look" at their models? Did you happen to notice the sign on the door that read something like this: "If you come into this community without a Realtor, you will not be able to have Realtor representation," "Or if you don't bring your Realtor the first time....", or "Your Realtor must accompany you....." Bottom line, the builder is trying to warn you that if you come into the models without a Realtor, you will be on your own - without personal representation!
In the Phoenix Valley, there are so many new home builders with builder agents ready to assist you with your purchase, that it doesn't occur to many homebuyers - that THEY need a professional Realtor to help them with the transaction and purchase of a brand new home. I've listed just "some" of the reasons I believe that a buyer needs a professional Realtor to help them purchase a resale or new home, or sell their home.
For instance:
1. Buyers, are you aware that the agent sitting at the new home site works for and represents the builder? They do not represent you as the buyer. So that means, if there are any misunderstandings or concerns on your part, that you - alone - must work it out - somehow - with the builder. I have sat in many new home sales transactions where the builder's agent will say: "I do not represent you - I represent the builder." It's a disclosure to you, the buyer.
2. Are you aware that the builder pays the agent? It has no reflection on what you pay for the home - that commission is paid by the seller (builder) to the buyer (your agent) agent.
3. Are you aware that if you walk into a new subdivision to just check out the models, that you will no longer be able to have buyer representation? Many times, without thought, the looker/buyer signs a little card with their name and address. The builder then keeps track of who has been in their homes. That prevents you from bringing in a Realtor to represent you.
4. Are you familiar with all of the builders, their customary practice, their customer service, the reputation of the builder? Do you think this might be important to you, the buyer?
5. Are you aware, as a buyer, that the builder has their "own" contract? It is not the one that has been sanctioned and is used by the Arizona Association of Realtors and is used always or almost always, on a resale contract. Many builder contracts (most) are slanted to favor the builder - not the buyer.
6. Do you know what a Public Report is - and why it might be important to you to "read" before committing to build a home with that builder in that area?
7. Have you ever read/looked at the CC&R's before you sign a contract.....do you think it might be important to know what the rules are for that community?
8. How about your earnest deposit? Colorized fee? Are they refundable to you if you don't qualify, or if things change drastically before you're ready to move in.
9. Does the builder accept a contingency - meaning that they are willing to let you start building a home while you are in the process of selling your home? What if your home that you are selling does not sell, or if it doesn't close as planned? What are your options?
10. Are you financing through the builder - or your own lender - and do you shop for your loan instead of just accepting the builder's incentives?
Bottom line: if you are not a professional Realtor, and familiar with the basics of building a new home, your rights, your remedies - never mind the recommendations made by a Realtor as to the areas that could be affected by potential freeways, potential growth, etc., then my suggestion: find yourself a professional who you feel comfortable with, trust, and one that knows the builders, the areas, and will be of assistance to you in deciding which floorplan and why, how many bedrooms, garage size, lot size and location, etc.
The market is turning. Don't wait too long because many of the builders are offering great incentives to buy their homes. Granite countertops, appliances, landscaping, and huge discounts for their inventory homes. Call me.......I'll be happy to help you find your next home - and list the one you live in, marketing it all over the internet as well as the MLS.
Today, May 13, we have 54,329 active listings (many of these are not in Maricopa or Pinal County), as well as 7,320 currently pending - or under contract. Every day, the active listings are going down, and the pending are going up. What does this mean for you? Probably never a better time than now to buy a home or a rental! Many experts believe that it will be a long time - if ever - that our market will be any better for a buyer. Interest rates are low, there are many availabile listings, and the sellers typically will negotiate! New homes are available with many builders offering incentives of granite, appliance, yard landscaping and great loans........don't be one of those who waits to see "how low it will go" before you make your move. That's when everyone else will be making it as well, and the bargains will have disappeared.
What does RESPA mean to the buyer and the seller? I've included an excerpt from the Arizona Association of Realtors - www.aaronline.com which spells out clearly how important this Act is. I've only included a portion of Section 9 which I believe to be self-explanatory. Enforcement actions are on the increase. If a seller "requires" the buyer to use their title company, then according to RESPA, seller can be required to pay for buyer's ALTA (lender's) policy. Just one tip of many I will share as I continue to post on my blog.
What does Section 9 of RESPA prohibit?
Section 9 of RESPA prohibits a seller from requiring the buyer to buy title insurance from a specific title insurance company. “Requiring” means the buyer must purchase title insurance or pay a charge attributable to the title insurance from a particular title insurance company in order to purchase the property.
Is it a RESPA violation if the seller requires the buyer to use a specific title company when the seller is paying for the buyer's title insurance? HUD has indicated that it “will not enforce Section 9 of RESPA against a seller who selects the title insurance company if the seller is paying for the owner's title insurance policy, and does not require the buyer to use the title insurance company for the simultaneously issued lender's policy.” However, HUD has indicated that it would take action “in situations where a seller required a buyer to pay the seller an amount towards closing costs and the seller used a portion of the buyer's paid closing costs for the owner's title insurance without providing the buyer with a choice of that title company.” (See, www.aaronline.com/documents/respa_enforc.aspx).
Today, we have 54,200 active listings and 7,497 PENDING.
Just this week, I heard of another scam artist taking money from a "renter." Problem is, the home didn't belong to the scammer, and they advertised the property on Craig's List. Somehow they - the scammer - got a key to the house which was vacant, and rented it to an unsuspecting tenant who paid a $1,500 security/rental deposit. Unbeknownst to them, the real owner shows up surprised that someone is moving in.
People, in Maricopa County, you can check on the Maricipa County Recorder's website to find the REAL owner. So many people out there waiting to grab unearned income by scamming.
Be careful, and check to make sure that the home you are renting is (1) owned by the real owner, and (2) check to see if there are any foreclosures pending on a potential rental. There are many people collecting rent for a home they are not making payments to their lender, and thus, it goes into foreclosure. Be very wary!!!
I wasn't even aware of this "move over" law until I heard about a tow truck driver who, changing a tire for someone on the freeway, was struck and killed along with the driver of the disabled car. I had no idea it was a law until I heard this news. I've always moved over for emergency vehicles and police cars out of a sense of being courteous or cautious. Now I know that it's the law. Do YOU have a law in your state like this? Check it out on this link. I plan to post this on my website and other blogs as well. It just MIGHT save a life.
Now there is a push in Arizona to move over for tow truck drivers as well....Personally I think that if someone is pulled over on the side of the road - we need to move over a lane -- or at least slow waaaaay down. ;-)
"Commit yourself to a dream ... nobody who tries to do something great but fails is a total failure. Why? Because he can always rest assured that he succeeded in life's most important battle -- he defeated the fear of trying." ~ author unknown
East Valley Tribune just today. An excerpt taken out of the Tribune is
quoted below to explain to buyers, sellers, Realtors, just "what" a
fissure is.
test,
or a way to tell whether the granite you have in your home/and in mine,
is emitting this radon. This article provides information for
inexpensive kits ($20-$30) to determine whether your granite is "hot."
These kits can be purchased from hardware stores or online as indicated
in the article.
for photos of models, floorplans, new construction, resale and more.
People, in Maricopa County, you can check on the Maricipa County Recorder's