The Phoenix Real Estate Advisor

Staging seems to be the big rage in real estate right now.  Everyone is talking about staging.  Many people hire a professional stager to come in to “set the stage” for showing your home.  They do have a trained eye to make the right choices as to what stays and what goes.

What can a home stager do for your place that you couldn’t do for yourself ?  Plenty.  Industry numbers show you could sell your home in half the time if it is properly staged.  Industry statistics show that the sooner a home receives an offer, the higher the offer will be.  This could be very important, especially if you are trying to sell your home as a short sale.

• First, stagers heartlessly remove clutter and send extra tables, chairs, lamps and knick-knacks to storage.
• Then, with the heart of a decorator, they will rearrange the furniture. They spruce up your home with various items in order to make it more attractive. That could include colored pillows, a plant, bedspread or window treatment.
• Personal items, such as trophies, awards, kids’ drawings and most of the extra family photos you have on the walls, will also go to storage. Inexpensive but attractive art could take their places.
• Next come the closets and shelves. All the extra clothes you never wear, plus extra salt shakers, serving dishes and small appliances you rarely use, will not be jamming closet doors or clogging the cupboards. All those extra hats will join them in storage.

Many of these things you could do yourself if you can look at your home from a fresh perspective.  Visit some model homes in your area to get an idea of what a staged home looks like.  The biggest thing you will notice is the lack of personal items and clutter.  De-personalizing your home is a big step forward.

If you are going to hire a stager that is qualified by an organization such as Certified Staging Professionals or the International Association of Home Staging Professionals.

If you or someone you know need help selling a home in the Northwest Valley, please have them give Lynn a call.  623-238-3875

Lynn Otlewski, CDPE, CSSN, SRS

RE/MAX Integrity Realtors

Direct:  623-238-3875

Fax:  800-573-2416

lynn@valleyreadvisor.com

I just received this update from my sales contact at Sun City Fetival. They have just increased some of the incentives on their inventory homes that could close by the end of the month. It’s a little late with only 27 days left but if you want to save thousands of dollars on your purchase of an active adult home in Fetival, now is the time to do it. Here’s one example-

SUN CITY FESTIVAL and Incredible Year-End  Incentives…50% off all options on Spec homes closing in 09′
 
Liberty Spec  Loaded w/upgrades

$182,256      Original price with upgrades
< 15,000 >   December Incentive
< 10,203 >   50% off options

$ 157,053    Total price!

See all the model homes!

Search for resale homes in Sun City Festival!

Want more information? Visit www.Retiring2Az.com or contact me directly at 623-271-4234.

Jay Otlewski

RE/MAX Integrity

My sales contact at Trilogy asked if I would pass this along. Shea Homes has just changed their pricing at Trilogy as well as LOWERED the price of their models they are selling. These models of course would be purchased by you and then leased back to Shea Homes until they are finished with the home, right now they expect that to be June of 2012. You’ll notice the note that they have the options to extend this it they need the home as a model still.

If you would specific information about these homes visit http://www.retiring2az.com/trilogy.html 

Hi there!  Well the summer is heating up and the savings at Trilogy are UNBELIEVABLE!  Management has changed the pricing on the remaining models so I wanted to get the word out there for those of you that may have folks that are interested.  Shea will have the option to extend on a month to month lease after the initial term expires in June 2012.  Please note that the furniture is separate.  I can provide you with furniture pricing at your request.
 
Also we are down to only 6 completed designer homes! 
 
Lot 1892 Libertas
$311,900
 
Lot 1887 Serenitas
$332,900
 
Lot 1891 Civitas
$353,900
 
Lot 1878 Civitas
$363,900
 
Lot 1880 Aurora
$390,900
 
Lot 1913 Vesta
$439,900
 
 For New Builds we are offering 25% off the base price which will be applied as a Builder Contribution to be used in the design studio, structural upgrades, landscape.  In addition we are still including Solar Panels which is a value of $20,930!
 
Please let me know if you would like any additional information.  There are still a few lots left that are in C 21 which is located in close proximity to the Kiva Club and models.  These lots are selling fast!

If you have any interest in buying a model home from Shea Homes please let me know. These represent some of the best homesites in this community and if you weren’t ready to retire for a few years this would be a great way to purchase your home in AZ and then let Shea Homes make your payments for you!

Jay Otlewski  -  RE/MAX Integrity

Jay@Retiring2Az.com or call me direct at 623.271.4234

Recently, it seems like every time a good bank owned property comes on the market, it is like blood in the water with four, five or more offers coming in. Over the last several months teh market in Phoenix Arizona has cahnged dramatically. Our sales numbers have climb quickly to over 9,000 sales per month when last year we averaged around 5,000.

Now the goods news is bank owned homes represent the best deals out there right now. Short Sales takes months to get bank approval while you hope nobody eles writes an offer and private owners are not able or willing to price their home anywhere near the banks pricing.

If you want to have a chance at snagging one of these good deals away from the other sharks, you need to come prepared. I have prepared a sort list of things you need to have ready in order to write the best offer possible.

1. Make sure you are preapproved and have your letter with you. This will let you know what you can afford and also let’s the selling bank know that you are already approved and can buy the property in question.

2. Have current bank statements and your check book. You will need to write a deposit check and many banks are asking for proof of funds up-front with the offer.

3. Be prepared to go over asking price. If a home is worth $200,000, but only priced at $165,000, you can be sure that somebody else will offer clser to full price for it. If you really want it, you will have to come in even higher. Most banks will give everybody the chance to come in with a ” Best and Final ” offer, but not always. Sometimes, your first offer is your only shot. Be prepared for this eventuality.

4. If your Realtor is an experienced agent who has dealt with REO properties, listen to their advice. Odds are they have been in a similar situation and they know what to expect.

5. If there are multiple offers, don’t ask for a home warranty, termite work, or anything that is not absolutely necessary. The more you ask for, the less chance you have of getting your offer accepted.

While there are many variables that can occur, keeping these five things in mind will help you get the property you want.

To search for bank owned homes for sale in teh metro Phoenix area visit www.valleyreadvisor.com or simply contact me directly at 623.362.3060.

FURNITURE IS NEGOTIABLE MAKING THIS A MOVE-IN HOME!

Resort style living at its best only 10 minutes from everything but far enough out to have peace & quiet every night. This near perfect home offers 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and a great den ready for you office and sleeper couch. You will appreciate the SS appliances; tile everywhere but bedroom/den, granite counters, maple cabinets and more.

There is really nothing else you would have added so take advantage of the LOWER then builder pricing!

Awesome mountain views from your fenced backyard with no neighbor behind you giving you the privacy you do not usually find in this community. Playable Troon golf course, award winning Sage Recreation Center w/beautiful lounge area, amazing workout facilities, huge heated resort pool/lap lanes & spa.

For more information about active adult living please visit www.Retiring2Az.com or call me direct at 623.271.4234

Jay Otlewski

RE/MAX Integrity