Archives for April 2011

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team A seller’s disclosure is the document that states any unseen problems or defects that can affect the value. This is an upfront account of the property condition that helps prevent problems being discovered during an inspection. Sellers often like this because it then prevents buyers asking for money to fix these “overlooked” problems. This is beneficial to buyers because they will want to know everything about the condition of the home in advance. Often a buyer will encounter a seller disclosure form, which will ask detailed questions about the home, and the seller will then go on to explain how the price of the house takes these problems into account. The buyer will then decide if the home is really worth what is being asked for it, or if the repairs are too heavy a cost. Despite, however, these seller disclosure forms, one of the largest controversial areas surrounding buying and selling homes are the failure to shed light on defects. The broker is usually first to be blamed for this, but the seller is the one who is responsible for recording any and all of these defects that may pose a problem. As a buyer, always make sure to ask specific questions about the home and its condition.  In this and every situation, it is helpful to have a seasoned professional with decades of real estate experience like Joe Szabo, one of the most trusted real estate professionals in the business today. Joe Szabo will guide you through the maze of inspections that can become very confusing when buying a home in Scottsdale, Arizona. With his years of experience he 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, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com 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.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Many homebuyers are often surprised at the time and energy it takes to buy a home. Some homebuyers take the scattered approach of running from open house to open house, reading the sale ads in the paper, driving neighborhoods looking at For Sale signs and copying down the numbers to call later. All of this is very frustrating, not to mention time consuming. The smart homebuyer looks at the process as they would a business. Buying a home is an investment and you should have a strategy, a time line and a system just as you would any other business venture. First you should realize that the process of buying a home is not a quick one. Depending on your other commitments such as your job, family and other projects, you may need to allow even more time. You are also going to need a team to take care of certain aspects even if you go it alone. Appraisals, inspections, title insurance, and a lender are necessities in buying a home. A good real estate professional added to this team can help find and coordinate all of these players of your home buying team. One of the first steps in buying a home is to know what price range you can afford. Meeting with a mortgage agent (one who works for a lender) or broker (one who is an independent agent and originates loans through many lenders) and briefly going over your financial situation can pre-qualify you for a certain loan amount. There is no commitment to get the loan at this time, but now you know not to waste you time looking at homes out of your price range and so does your realtor. Next, decide what your home should be like. Write down how many bedrooms, bathrooms, and garage size you need as well as the pool you have always wanted. Then decide where you want to live. Asking friends, family and co-workers in other areas how they like their neighborhoods is a great place to start. The lender or realtor can also offer insight into the best neighborhoods with in your price range. Now you are ready to start looking at houses. Since you have narrowed down what you want and need, the search will be much more seamless and enjoyable. It still may take a while depending on how much time you can devote to looking, so be patient. Of course there are many more aspects to home buying than simply finding what you are looking and they are all covered in other articles. With your initial game plan in place and your team by your side, you will easily be able to navigate through negotiating a price all the way to the final closing. We at the Szabo Group are here to walk you through the entire real estate process and you can be certain that we will find you a home at the best possible price in the shortest amount of time. 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, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com 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.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Family centered back yards and gardens have big shoes to fill!  They need to be friendly, safe, and able to withstand the family dog, the trample of shows and the occasional football or soccer ball. Landscapes need to take into consideration the full range of activities outdoor in order to keep up with the needs of a busy family. There is also a need to accommodate the adult fun – quiet dinners for two, a hot tub or spa and perhaps a quiet place to read or watch the stars. Anything and everything should be considered when planning a family friendly yard.  Swimming pools, spas, sport’s courts, built-in bar-be-ques, fire pits, gazebos, children’s play areas, slides, tennis courts, saunas, fruit and vegetable gardens, flower beds all need to be considered. In the 1950s, there was a boom of suburban neighborhoods which set off a crazy of creating an outdoor environment to be used by the whole family and their friends.  Homeowners began to experiment with the use of plants, fences, arbors and other devices to control sun, wind, rain and snow that all impede the enjoyment of the outside.  Privacy and the creation of through the use of plantings and structures have also become popular. When planning a family centered back yard, make a list of all possible activities that your family enjoys.  Make a second list of conditions that need to be considered: cost, space, weather, etc.  Locate areas designed for outdoor cooking and eating close to the house.  From your house, look out the available window to help you select appropriate play areas for children that are easily viewed from a kitchen or living room if possible. Simple is sometimes better with a large family full of activity and pets.  A large green lawn is a perfect canvas for many types of play and can stand up to some pretty tough use.   Get your children involved. 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, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com 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.