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December 29, 2015 Joe Szabo
Check out this month’s Szabo Group Luxury Home Collection Magazine!
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December 26, 2015 Joe Szabo
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
The poinsettia is overrated. Though its festive blooms are pretty enough at first, after a few months it becomes unattractive and falls prey to problems like spider mites and dropped leaves, forcing you to toss it out. Holiday cacti, on the other hand, are easy to grow, beautiful both in and out of season, and easy to coax back into bloom each year.
There are two so-called holiday cacti that flower before Christmas. The Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) unsurprisingly blooms around Thanksgiving, and the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) blooms closer to Christmas. To keep it simple, we’ll refer to these two species and their hybrids as holiday cacti.
When the iridescent blooms have all fallen off, that’s just the beginning. If you give your holiday cactus good drainage, damp (not wet) soil and bright indirect light, it will stay healthy. Getting it to re-bloom next year requires cool, long nights in the autumn months. If you want to make more plants, plant seeds or cuttings. Here are some tips for growing holiday cacti that will spread joy year-round.
If your holiday cactus came with a cellophane wrapper around the pot, remove it. Water will accumulate and stagnate in the wrapper, rotting the roots and stems, and eventually killing the plant.
While pots with drainage holes are ideal, you may choose to place the plant inside a decorative pot without a drainage hole, called a cachepot. If so, remove the cactus and its original plastic container when it’s time to water. Let the excess water drip into the sink before placing the plant back in its cachepot.
Even though they are technically rainforest cacti, overwatering is the best way to kill a holiday cactus. To prevent this, keep the potting mix just slightly damp, letting the top half-inch of the potting mix dry out before watering again.
Fertilizing isn’t necessary, but will still lead to a fuller, healthier plant. Feed with an orchid fertilizer according to label instructions.
Since the holiday cactus grows in the rainforest instead of a desert, it does not need nearly as much sun as its prickly cousins. All it needs is bright indirect light — bright enough to read comfortably without flipping on the light switch, yet not so sunny that you can actually see the sun itself from the plant’s vantage point. If you can see the outline of your shadow, then it’s sunny enough to ‘burn’ the flattened stems of your cactus.
A holiday cactus needs two things to bloom well next year: Cool night temperatures in fall, and long nights. The long nights are easy enough to provide; just keep it away from artificial light in the months leading up to blooming.
To give the plant cool nights, place it in a sunroom, foyer, or any other well-lit area that gets cool but doesn’t dip below 40 degrees.
Here’s something else you can do when your holiday cacti have finished blooming: propagate them!
To make more plants for friends and family, start by choosing a healthy stem with one to four pads, and make a cut right below a joint. Let the wounds callous over and heal for a few days before dipping the cut end in rooting hormone (optional) and inserting the bottom segment into a small pot with half orchid mix and half potting mix. Plain potting mix will also do.
Place the cuttings in a well-lit area and keep the potting mix lightly moist. You can plant many stems in a single pot this way, getting a full and lush plant in just a few years.
It may take a while before it’s ready to bloom again, but holiday cacti make such attractive houseplants that the time will just fly by.
Another way to make more holiday cactus plants is to plant seeds. If you notice berries forming after blooming, let them become fat and transparent before breaking apart the fruit and placing the seeds in water to let them separate from the pulp.
Then smear the clean seeds on a piece of tissue paper. Add some potting mix, vermiculite or coir to a clear container, and place the seeded tissue paper on top.
Water lightly and replace the lid to keep moisture in place. The tissue paper will dissolve by the time seedlings have sprouted. When the seedlings have developed sturdy roots and new pads, re-pot them in a mixture of half orchid mix and half potting mix.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
December 22, 2015 Joe Szabo
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
The end of the year can be a hectic time. Why not slow down for a moment to think about giving yourself (and others) the gift of sanity this holiday season?
While most of us yearn for calm during the last few weeks of the year, we often find ourselves amped up, with little time to relax. Create some peaceful moments during the remainder of this holiday season by organizing your time and energy around the things you value most.
For some people, the joy of the season comes from gift-giving. For others, it’s all about experiences like watching a parade, going ice skating, or checking out the holidays lights. Traditions such as sending cards or throwing festive tea party may define the holidays for you. And while people and social gatherings make the season bright for some, others like to focus on celebrating the spiritual aspect of the holiday.
Once you decide which parts of the holidays mean the most to you, keep your focus on what you value. From now until the end of the year, only buy items or create experiences that support those values.
Once we’ve organized our holiday tasks and timetable, the next trick is managing ourselves so we can enjoy gathering with family and friends. It’s normal to focus on how the house looks or what you’re wearing, but what really sets the tone for holiday events is how we present ourselves to others.
Just picture the comparison:
As you plan, prepare, and experience the event, keep asking yourself, “What would make this easier for me?” For example, you could bake your holiday goodies from scratch and shop for centerpieces at the local florist, or you could order edible delicacies and stunning wreathes online and have them delivered.
And don’t be afraid to accept help. When someone asks if they can help you serve food, answer the door, or wash dishes, say yes. This not only helps you better handle your hosting duties, but also diffuses others’ discomfort when attending parties. Some guests struggle with social anxiety, and helping gives them something else to focus on.
Throughout the holiday season, remember: These moments with friends and family are precious, and it’s up to you whether you stress out or smile.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
December 17, 2015 Joe Szabo
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Consider this hypothetical: A man named Mark decides to purchase a parcel of land in a remote, mountainous area. He looks forward to enjoying it as a getaway retreat.
But there’s a problem. It turns out he can’t access the property without going through his neighbor Sandy’s land.
Welcome to the wonderful world of easements. In our example, if Sandy refuses to let Mark pass through, legal intervention may eventually be necessary to enforce his easement — Mark’s right to use someone else’s land in order to access his own.
A person who has an easement does not actually own the land. Rather, he or she possesses a right to do something on that land. The law recognizes an array of different easements, which allow usage on, under, over, or across a property, and can be permanent or limited in duration, and broad or narrow in scope. All easement negotiations are complex, and legal input is generally recommended.
Most easements are granted to utility and municipal companies for the purpose of running power, cable, water, and sewer lines, but they are frequently used by residential landowners as well.
Common usage easements prevent a landowner from erecting anything on a portion of his or her land that would preclude the easement owner’s ability to access his or her own property, run utilities, or even enable livestock grazing. An easement can also prevent a landowner from installing a tall fence, tree, or structure that might interfere with a neighbor’s view or access to solar power.
“The biggest problem that occurs with an easement is when a future owner of a property is unaware of the existence of an easement, and later learns that the use of his property is constrained,” says attorney Albert K. Marmero of Long Marmero and Associates. “For example, a guy buys a property that has some type of utility or sewer easement in the backyard. He then tries to build a pool, shed, or deck, but discovers that much of his backyard is not buildable due to the easement.”
Ideally, an easement is created by an agreement between two or more parties. You ask your neighbor, and he or she grants permission. Or you offer to purchase the easement for an agreed-upon price. To perfect the arrangement, an easement deed is recorded.
If no such agreement is in place, one or more parties can create a prescriptive easement through repeated use of the easement over a period of time. For example, if Mark continuously drives over Sandy’s property for five years with her knowledge but without her permission, his consistent land use — even if considered adverse or hostile — could result in a claim that he possesses a prescriptive easement.
An easement by necessity occurs when one party must use the other party’s property to access the first party’s property. If Mark has absolutely no other way of reaching his mountain retreat, and if he and Sandy simply cannot come to terms, he may be able to obtain a court order that gives him possession of an easement by necessity across Sandy’s property. He may even consider filing a lawsuit to protect his easement.
On the flip side, Sandy may determine that Mark is abusing his easement rights and causing damage to her property. In such a case, she would be in a position to file a lawsuit against Mark.
Easements are anything but easy. While you and your neighbor may come to a verbal agreement, it’s important to keep in mind that easements are more than promises. They are part of a property’s legal records.
If a neighbor wants an easement from you, it’s best to proceed with caution. In some circumstances, an easement can lower the value of your home simply because it limits what you or a potential buyer may do with the property.
As the owner of a constricted property, you may find that monetary compensation is appropriate. Do you want a single cash payment for the other owner’s usage, or do you want the easement owner to pay you over a period of time? Your attorney can help you determine an appropriate payment for the inconvenience.
Beyond the monetary arrangement, it’s important that both parties clearly specify the terms of usage. Sandy may finally agree to let Mark use her property to access his, but that doesn’t mean she wants to find Mark and his kids playing ball in her backyard.
If Mark needs to dig up Sandy’s property to install water or sewer lines to the new home he’s building, it’s in Sandy’s best interest to make sure the easement specifies that her property is returned to its original condition after any construction and that any breaks or problems with Mark’s new lines are his responsibility.
In an ideal world, Sandy would respect Mark’s need to utilize her property, and Mark would make every effort to cause minimal disruption. But, realistically, we live in a world full of disputes, which is why we have property access laws and lawyers to help us navigate them.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledges , dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
December 14, 2015 Joe Szabo
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Pretty accessories, elegant touches, and finishes fit for a king all combine to create a fairy tale interior. From delicate pastel palettes to chic chandeliers, this sweet and sophisticated style is dreamy, decadent and perfect for any home.
Pretty statement pendant lights and elegant tableside fixtures create the perfect amount of illumination for a fairy tale interior. Create this look with layered lighting: choose a sophisticated statement pendant and complement it with dimmed floor lamps or bedside lighting.
Glass, nickel, and high-gloss finishes are all princely illumination options, and work perfectly in the master bedroom, dining and living areas.
Create a space straight out of a storybook with soft and lustrous pastel colors throughout the room. Choose a satin-finish paint for the walls in a soft white or powdery gray, and add plush upholstered pieces in muted neutrals for additional elegance.
Top off the look with airy drapery and linens, and soft, tufted textures throughout.
One of the most beloved characteristics of fairy tale interiors is their decadence and grandeur. From crown molding to ornate coving and ceiling medallions, fairy tale style is nothing short of sophisticated.
For your own enchanted space, consider adding molding. Moldings add shape and dimension to a room, lending an opulent feel to the design.
Accessorize the room with ultra-feminine furniture and velvety fabrics topped with masculine elements like fur and metal fixtures.
Plenty of sophisticated touches can be added for your own personal pampering. Ornate fireplaces, cozy curtains, textured tapestries and delicate details all add their own fairy tale flair. Four-poster beds covered in sensual fabrics, vintage throws, and tufted pillows create decadence, while calming colors create a restful haven.
Combine your favorite fairy tale elements to create an ambiance perfect for a beloved storybook character. Bring the look into modern-day design with transitional elements, or keep it classic by playing up its old-fashioned appeal.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
December 11, 2015 Joe Szabo
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Thousands of homeowners speak to their real estate agent this time of year to consider their sale options — typically for the spring. It takes a few months for the agent and seller to plan and prep to list the home, so starting now makes sense.
Over the years, I’ve asked sellers if they would consider listing their home in January, right after the first of the year. At first, they look at me like I’m crazy. “Who sells a home in the dead of winter?” they ask.
As it turns out, many sellers not only successfully make it happen, but actually end up better off. Here’s why.
In the past, buyers waited for spring to start their shopping because that’s when the majority of listings hit the market for the spring selling season.
Today’s buyers look at listings all day, every day. They have apps on their phone, get listings texted and emailed to them, and don’t care about the time of year.
They’re looking for inventory, and will buy homes well before the spring. List your home in January, and you will have a captive audience.
Each year, real estate agents’ phones ring come January. Previously active buyers want to re-engage, and new buyers come out of the woodwork. What causes this yearly phenomenon?
The end of the year often brings family events, financial activities and discussions about gifting for tax implications. Conversations about inheritances and taxes, money and homeownership seem to occur at many families’ holiday dinners.
Additionally, at year’s end, people take stock of their incomes, find out about work bonuses, and start thinking about whether they want to spend another year renting. Buyers start to take a second look at the tax implications of homeownership, too.
Whether it’s a new buyer who moves quickly or a previously active buyer who re-engages, these house hunters are around in January and will look at your home if it’s for sale.
Typical sellers wait until spring to list. There’s no doubt that visible grass, blooming flowerbeds, and a spotlight on outdoor areas make houses more inviting.
But that also means that there might be two or three similar houses for sale in your neighborhood or school district, in your price range. Thus, it changes the supply-and-demand balance.
You’re better off being the only game in town when it’s time to sell. The more homes on the market, the more the buyers spread out.
Buyers shopping in January understand that the home won’t show as well as it does in the spring and summer months. Many of them don’t care. Having photos of your home during these times of year will help them envision it in the warmer seasons.
If you’re a flexible seller — meaning that you aren’t under any time restrictions or time frames to sell, and your home is already in showing condition — consider listing in mid- to late January. You can always control and negotiate your closing deadline with a buyer. If someone falls in love with the home, they may not mind waiting until April to close.
Also, many buyers have been at it for many months (sometimes years). So, come January, they are tired of open houses Sundays and the real estate hunt. This is your target buyer and, in part, they’re why it’s better to list in January than to wait until spring.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
December 9, 2015 Joe Szabo
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
In up markets and down, there are always motivated sellers — those who want a quick or painless close, or just want to move the home. Incentives are common in buyers’ markets to make a seller’s home more desirable than their competition, but sellers also have to get creative in slower times of the year or in parts of town where homes don’t move quickly.
If you have a home to sell, and you think it might be a tough sale, consider offering buyers something to sweeten the pie. Here are a few ideas you might not have considered. You can either offer these out of the gate and advertise them as incentives, or keep them in your back pocket to use as a negotiation tool.
Most home buyers today need a mortgage to make a purchase. Banks typically offer buyers an interest rate based on the market at the time they apply. If they want to lock in an even lower rate, buyers can always pay an upfront fee, called a point. Paying upfront is called “buying down the rate,” and sellers can do it for the buyer.
If a bank offers a buyer three percent today on a 30-year fixed mortgage, the buyer (or seller) can pay one percent of the loan amount to get something like 2.75 percent. For buyers, this means lower monthly payments locked in for many years, which is more valuable than a small reduction in the purchase price.
And the savings from, say, a five-percent price reduction built into a loan and amortized over 30 years won’t come close to matching the monthly savings that buying down the rate will accomplish.
Buying furniture and some finishes post-closing can be a huge hidden or soft cost to real estate. Owners who have renovated their home often chose furniture that matches the home’s new look. Some homes show so well, buyers might want to purchase the house and all the furniture in it.
If you have a home with custom furniture that might not fit so well in your new home, you might consider offering the furniture with the sale. In addition to helping sell the home, it might alleviate the future headache of trying to get rid of the furniture.
Buyers often come back to the seller after inspections and request repairs to the home. The wish list can include anything from patching roofing to replacing windows and repairing dry rot.
Most sellers don’t want the hassle of repairing these items. If not done right or to the buyers’ specifications, the repairs can hold up the closing — or even haunt everyone post-closing.
One way to incentivize buyers to continue with the purchase is simply to offer them a credit for non-recurring closing costs. This credit goes to the buyer as cash in their pockets at the closing.
Many buyers ask for credits and may not do the repairs for months. It’s better to give them cash and let them do as they see fit with it.
Listing agents often market their properties to other agents who have buyers. While a good buyers’ agent should advocate for all homes for their buyer, no matter the commission, sometimes a bonus brings some necessary awareness to a stale property.
It’s not uncommon for a seller to offer a half-percent or even one-percent bonus commission to the buyers’ agent for a property that won’t move. Agents make these offerings by interoffice communication and word of mouth in the community. (Don’t forget, a good agent is well connected and keeps tabs on what’s happening in the market.)
A motivated seller might have a variety of reasons for wanting a quick closing, such as tax purposes or a deadline for a job transfer. Sometimes the consequences of the sale date justify offering a small bonus or credit to a potential buyer for meeting a closing date.
For example, a seller may have claimed residence in another state, and faces a giant tax bill if they don’t sell by a certain deadline. The tax liability may have larger consequences outside the real estate transaction.
If a seller wants a quick closing, they should offer a credit to the buyer — and maybe even a bonus commission to the buyers’ agent. For a buyer who rents and can be flexible, a quick closing is simple. Offering an incentive to do so would only be icing on the cake.
Sellers can offer incentives and promote them in a number of ways — some more strategic than others. Putting incentives out there as part of your marketing will surely get buyers in the door. So if you’re having a hard time selling or know up front that your home will be a tough sell, advertise the incentives implicitly. If you have a buyer, and you’ve come close to negotiating but are stuck, these incentives, pulled out at the eleventh hour, can help move the deal over the finish line.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
December 8, 2015 Joe Szabo
November 2015 Paradise Valley Arizona real estate market update by Joe Szabo
Winter is here and the holidays are upon us! Let’s take a look at how the real estate market faired in November 2015. New listings are up 1.0% from October with a total of 100 new listings vs. 99 in October. New contracts were up by 10.8% and closed sales are up by 25% from October. The median sale went up from $875,000 in October to $1,297,500 in November. During these up and down activity months it is more important than ever to consult a real estate professional that knows the Paradise Valley market.
Considering a purchasing or selling a property in Paradise Valley? Call Joe and Linda Szabo – The Real Estate Experts!
We hope that you enjoy reading and analyzing the Paradise Valley Luxury Home Report and should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or email him directly at [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also visit https://www.AZLuxuryHomes.com or https://scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Paradise Valley Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Paradise Valley and to search the Paradise Valley MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
Please note that this Paradise Valley Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Paradise Valley Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona & the real estate market . Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Paradise Valley, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results.
December 8, 2015 Joe Szabo
November 2015 Scottsdale Arizona real estate market update by Joe Szabo
Winter is here and the holidays are upon us! Let’s take a look at how the real estate market faired in November 2015. New listings are down by 26.3% from October with a total of 854 new listings vs. 1,159 in October. New contracts are down by .8% and closed sales are down by 15.9%. However, the median sale price is up from $397,000 in October to $406,000 in November and up from $375,000 in November 2014. The inventory went down by 2.34% from November 2014 with 3,163 active listings vs 3,089 this year. During these up and down activity months it is more important than ever to consult a real estate professional that knows the Scottsdale market.
Considering a purchasing or selling a property in Scottsdale? Call Joe and Linda Szabo – The Scottsdale Real Estate Experts!
We hope that you enjoy reading and analyzing the Scottsdale Luxury Home Report and should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or email him directly at [email protected]. You can also visit https://scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona & real estate market. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results.
December 4, 2015 Joe Szabo
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Did you miss the pre-holiday sales? The Black Friday bargains? Not to worry — there are plenty of great deals to be found in December, from toys, books, laptops, and tablets to various big ticket items like these.
As the year comes to an end, car dealerships start dropping prices and rolling out big incentives, such as cash back or low interest rates. After all, they’ve got to clear out their inventory and meet their annual sales goals. It’s their last chance!
Selection may be limited this time of year, so if you’re fixated on a specific make/model/color/features, the deals may not interest you, but if saving money is a priority, you’re in the driver’s seat.
Just like car dealerships, sellers of homes have it tough at this time of year. Many simply take their homes off the market to ride out the long winter months.
So if houses are on the market, this means that sellers are serious. They’re motivated. This puts you, the buyer, in a strong position to negotiate and ultimately cut a deal, particularly if you’ve done your homework.
Home prices, historically, are lower in December than any other month. Cities where listings have the greatest percentage of price cuts include Albuquerque (where 24 percent of listings have a price cut), Omaha (24 percent), Baltimore (23 percent), Milwaukee (23 percent), Jacksonville (22 percent), Phoenix (22 percent), Houston (21 percent), Minneapolis (21 percent), Mesa (20 percent), and Indianapolis (20 percent), according to Zillow analysis.
Take advantage of resources like Zillow to find inventory you usually can’t find alongside for-sale homes, like new construction, pre-market inventory, for sale by owner and, soon, foreclosures.
Since so many couples get engaged over the holidays, bridal shops receive major shipments of gowns in late December. In order to make room for these new gowns, they have to clear out the older inventory, and that means you’ll see big markdowns in early December.
How does a beach vacation sound right about now? Prices to destinations such as the Caribbean drop between Thanksgiving to right before Christmas (about December 20) because demand is minimal. Welcome drinks and resort credits may also be included in special package deals. Pack your bags!
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
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