Archives for March 2014

How Much Paperwork to Buy a House? By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 31, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

The more things change, the more things stay the same. This popular adage is definitely not true when it comes to the amount of paperwork involved in buying a home!

To understand how things have changed, we need to compare the past to the present. Luckily my father is very organized and has his entire file of documents from when he bought the family house almost 45 years ago in Virginia. More recently, when he made what he calls his “final” property purchase, he couldn’t believe the stack of paperwork involved in the purchase.

Here’s a comparison of the amount of paperwork involved with a home purchase “then” and “now,” along with brief descriptions of the voluminous stack of documents you’ll encounter the next time you buy real estate.

Purchase contract

Then (1 page): In 1969 the purchase contract was a full page long and covered all the material issues related to buying the property, with no other disclosures, reports or documents related to the transaction.

Now (200 pages): The 2012 purchase contract was 10 pages, plus approximately 200 more pages of contract addendums, disclosure reports from the seller and agent(s), third-party disclosure information, plus federal, state and local disclosures, disclaimers, questionnaires, certifications, escrow instructions, inspections, advisories, verifications, counteroffers, receipts for reports and notices.

Mortgage loan

Then (4 pages): Three-page deed of trust/mortgage note and one-page settlement sheet.

Now (100-125 pages): 13-page deed of trust, five-page promissory note, 50-70 pages of lender disclosures, 3-10 pages of federally required HUD-1 statement and good faith estimate, and other paperwork required as documentation for the loan.

Title insurance

Then (5 pages): Chicago Title cover page plus five total pages of the title abstract, survey, schedule of exclusions and general exclusions pages.

Now (15-20 pages): The title abstract, title insurance policy, exclusions, plat/survey and general information.

Property insurance

Then (unsure): Unfortunately his insurance policy document was not in the file, but his annual policy coverage premium — $25.06 — was noted on the settlement sheet. But this payment might have covered more or fewer perils than a policy covers today, so that annual amount probably is not comparable to a modern-day policy.

Now (30-40 pages): A standard homeowners policy covers the dwelling, liability and medical, and has pages and pages of items that are excluded from coverage.

HOA documentation

Then: His property was not in a homeowners association, so no documentation in his file. This item is included as a reference point for current buyers whose properties are in common interest developments (HOAs).

Now (200-300 pages): Covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs), bylaws, board of directors meeting notes, financial statements, budgets, disclosures, reserve studies and more.

As you can see, the current-day acquisition of a property really entails 300 to 600 pages of documentation that goes along with a purchase. This number of pages can vary widely depending on the state, the type of property and the complexity of the issues related to a particular dwelling.

Unfortunately, most people review little, if any, of the paperwork related to their purchase — they just sign whatever is presented to them. All buyers would be much better off and would significantly reduce the risk of something going wrong by educating themselves and doing a detailed review of every page of every document that pertains to their purchase. Yes, this takes extensive time, energy and effort, but real estate has a lot of risks and issues, and you should work hard to protect yourself on every property you buy.

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.

What Is ‘Risk’ in Real Estate? By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 27, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

You’ve undoubtedly heard about reducing your “risk” in real estate, but have you ever really thought about what that means?

The risks are significant, and even though they are clearly identifiable, few home buyers do anything to understand and reduce their risk.

Here’s some guidance based on the example of two different people buying a used car and how their experiences relate to real estate.

Buying a used car

Risky Robert, a dice rolling Las Vegan, decides it’s time to buy a car. He drives to the nearest dealership, where he meets a very nice used-car salesperson. The salesperson shows Robert several cars on the lot, tells him about the great quality of each car and how the car he proposes for Robert was only driven by a grandma to church. Robert likes that tidbit about grandma and test-drives the car and likes it. The sales guy quotes the fair price, they haggle a little, Robert takes the dealership financing and he’s got a new used car.

And that’s risky behavior!

There is a better way

Due Diligence Diane, a sensible Seattleite, starts her shopping online. She looks at Kelley Blue Book and Consumer Reports for the best value deals, car reliability information and pricing. She decides which car she wants and how much she’d like to pay before even leaving her home. She’s not going to get talked into a car model she knows nothing about, and worse, from a salesperson who gets the biggest commission if he can get her to buy the dud that’s been sitting on the lot for 180 days.

Diane also checks the Better Business Bureau website to find a used-car dealership with a good rating. Also, she looks at car financing options and rates from local lenders, so she can compare those to what the dealership is offering. She still hasn’t left her house, but she is now armed with a bevy of valuable information that will help her make a smart and safer purchase.

Then Diane goes to one of the BBB-accredited dealerships and test-drives one of the cars that she already knows is reliable. This salesperson too says the car was only driven to church by a grandma, so Diane demands a vehicle history report that will prove or disprove that claim. Diane also takes the car to her trusted personal mechanic for a quick look, requires that the dealer make it a certified used automobile and requests to see the prior owner’s maintenance records. She haggles on price a little and laughs and then rejects the dealership’s financing offer; instead taking a lower interest rate loan from the local credit union. She then buys the right car for her.

Now Robert and Diane both bought cars today, but one of them significantly reduced risk, probably bought a much better car, at a better price, with better financing and from a reputable dealership.

The real estate connection

Most real estate buyers, probably 95 percent, are doppelgangers who follow Risky Robert’s behavior when purchasing property. Many times this occurs because people simply do not buy real estate often, so they “don’t know what they don’t know.” They look for houses, have a home inspection done, maybe breeze through the contract, accept the only loan financing offer they’ve received and don’t even look at the title policy, escrow or homeowners’ association documents before closing on their purchase.

That’s risk — being the Risky Robert in the room and not taking every single prudent precaution that you can to mitigate the chances of something going wrong.

How to Create a More Functional & Inviting Laundry Room By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 24, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Does anyone really love their laundry room? Perhaps that overly affectionate word is, and always will be, a bit much when it comes to a room dedicated to a basic, yet necessary, household chore. But laundry isn’t the task it once was, so why should the room dedicated to its purpose be? Even if your laundry room was ill-conceived from the start, there are some simple ways to turn it from a workroom into a performance room. Here are five ways to help you “love” your laundry room.

Create some counter space

Having adequate surface area for sorting and folding clothes is certain to make your life easier. If you have sufficient floor space, consider adding a center island (similar to one you would select for your kitchen). In addition to serving up a generously sized counter area, it will offer more storage options below. Not enough space in the center of the room? Consider adding a countertop over a side-by-side washer and dryer that load in the front. That way, you can be sure you’re making good use of the space and giving the room a custom, built-in look.

Maximize storage options

Regardless of your laundry room’s size, there are always ways to add storage options. Any storage will help keep things in their place and, if not out of sight, at least confined and organized. Stock cabinets are inexpensive and can be installed easily. Consider both base- and wall-mounted units wherever possible. If cabinets are not an option, you’ll find a myriad of specially designed products to improve the storage capacity of any laundry room.

Upgrade your old appliances

If your existing washer and dryer are old, replacing them with new models will not only make your life easier but help you save on energy and water costs. Today’s machines offer a wealth of special, high-efficiency features from larger-capacity washers and dryers to power-foam and steam-cleaning options. Take into account front- and top-loading machines to determine the best solution for your needs. And don’t overlook the option of having a stacked pair; it’s an easy way to open up floor space for a cabinet and counter or sink.

Add a sink

If you don’t have a utility sink in your laundry room, investigate whether there is a way to add one. The cost may be less than you think and the convenience of having it for hand-washed clothing and other cleanup jobs will be well worth the consideration. If plumbing lines are already in place, you can probably do the installation yourself.

Paint the walls a soothing color

There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint to enliven a room. Think about painting the laundry room in a color that sets the right mood for you — perhaps a soothing blue or green, or a more energy-infused color like Tangerine Tango. Hang some art, install a new chandelier, add decorative window treatments — anything to make it seem less like an afterthought and more like any other room of the house. The simple decorative touches will create a more inviting space, one you could even grow to “love.”

To see some examples of stellar laundry rooms, and to get some inspiration for your own, take a look at some laundry rooms we love.

Put Your Home To Work For You…Again By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 20, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Last year, homeowners recouped about $1.9 trillion in lost value, according to estimates from Zillow. That put more equity in our hands, and in turn led to a return in home equity lending. Granted, we’re not at pre-crash levels in terms of total home equity lending, but as values continue to rise in 2014, albeit at a slower pace, lending will continue to rebound.

Have you gotten a pitch from your bank? As the home equity lending business heats up, and banks step up their outreach, here are a few things you need to know:

You need equity

To qualify, you need to own more than 20 percent of your home. Lenders are going to want you to have at least an 80 percent loan-to-value ratio, which is the remaining balance on your loan compared with the value of the property. With almost 3.9 million U.S. homeowners freed from negative equity in 2013 and the rate steadily declining across the country, more people will qualify for these home equity loans. During the housing boom, you may recall that standards were just a little “different” … in some cases, non-existent.

Income, credit score important

Sure, banks are looking to speed up sluggish revenue growth by jumping back into the lending game, but they’re being cautious about who they lend to — and rightly so. Don’t expect the loan approval process to be easy. In addition to having ample equity in your home and a strong credit score, you must also have income to make your payments. Remember: you’re using your home as collateral. Fail to make your payments and you run the risk of losing your home. Banks are also making sure that you understand the repayment period.

Know what you want

Does your house need a new roof? Are you interested in consolidating high-interest debts or do you have a large, single expense you need to borrow money for? Then a home equity loan, which usually comes with a fixed monthly payment and interest rate, is best for you. If, on the other hand, you need access to money over a period of time for ongoing expenses (perhaps you have some long-term home improvement projects you’d like to work on), then a home equity line of credit (HELOC), would make better sense. HELOCs usually have a variable rate that’s tied to the prime rate, plus or minus some percentage.

Shop around

While big banks used to dominate the home equity lending market (and you should certainly discuss your objectives with banks with which you currently have relationships), credit unions, regional banks, and others have emerged as formidable competitors. These players avoided much of the fallout from the housing bubble, and have been leading the way in granting new home equity loans and lines of credit to creditworthy borrowers. Plus, they tend to charge lower rates.

How to Get the Best Home Loan for Your Needs By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 18, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Location, school ratings, number of bedrooms, outdoor spaces. These are the things potential homeowners focus on when they start house hunting. They’re all important factors, for sure. Even more crucial: How will you pay for your home?

Home loans are not a one-size-fits-all proposition. They differ based on their type, such as fixed or adjustable rate, and their loan term. Loans also vary in interest rate and annual percentage rate (APR).

To ensure you’re getting the best home loan for your situation, you’ll want to do your homework, talk to reputable credit counselors and lenders and follow these tips:

Fixed or adjustable?

There are two main types of mortgages: fixed rate and adjustable rate.

Most homeowners today opt for fixed-rate mortgages. With a fixed-rate mortgage, you are locked in to a set interest rate, resulting in monthly mortgage payments that remain the same for the entire term of the loan. The No. 1 benefit of this type of mortgage is inflation protection. If mortgage rates go up, your rate will not follow suit. Conversely, if rates drop, your interest rate will not drop. (Of course, you could refinance your mortgage if rates dropped significantly.)

Most lenders offer 15- and 30-year fixed mortgages, and some also offer 20-year terms. The longer the term of your fixed mortgage, the lower your monthly payment because you’re paying over many years. With a 30-year term, however, you will end up paying more interest over time.

A 15-year fixed mortgage will have a higher monthly payment because you’re paying for fewer years. On the other hand, you’re building equity at a faster rate and will pay less interest over the life of your loan. The shorter the term of your loan, the lower your interest rate will likely be.

An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is a loan with an interest rate that will change over the life of the loan. ARMs have adjustment periods that determine how often their interest rates can change and they have initial “fixed” periods during which their interest rates won’t change at all — most often 3, 5 or 7 years. After this period, rates can readjust. These loans are often considered riskier because the interest rate and payments can increase when the loan adjusts. However, if you’re planning to live in your home for a shorter period of time, these loans may make sense for you, especially because you’re likely to obtain a lower interest rate than with a fixed mortgage.

Clear up your finances and credit rating

Even before you start shopping for a mortgage, you need to take a good, honest look at your finances. Most financial experts agree that your mortgage payment — including taxes and insurance — should not exceed 30 percent of your take-home pay. Yes, you may get a raise down the road — or you may not. Your mortgage payment should correspond with your current financial reality.

You’ll also want to check your credit rating. Why? Because your credit rating may be the most important piece of financial information you have to obtain a mortgage at the best possible interest rate. Checking your credit rating before you find your ideal home will give you time to correct reporting errors and to clean up less-than-spectacular ratings. It can take up to 90 days to get erroneous information off your report, so don’t delay.

Shop for several quotes

Home loans are available from commercial banks, mortgage companies, thrift institutions and credit unions. You’ll want to get quotes from several different lenders to make sure you’re getting the best price. If you don’t want to shop for loans yourself, you may decide to work through a mortgage broker. Rather than lending money directly, brokers find lenders for clients. Working through a broker may give you access to an even broader selection of loan products and terms. Brokers are not obligated to find the best deal for you unless they have a contract with you and are working as your agent. Consequently, if you go the broker route, you’ll want to talk with several, just as you should with banks or credit unions.

Get ratings and reviews

After you’ve narrowed down the list of lenders or brokers you’re interested in working with, you should check into their backgrounds. How long have they been in business? If found online, are they accessible? Can they provide third-party reviews and ratings? This unbiased feedback from people who have worked directly with the lenders can prove invaluable when separating the great from the not-so-good.

Once you settle on a lender, you’ll want to get pre-approved. Through this process, the lender will determine how much you can afford to spend on your new home. You can get a pre-approval letter in minutes through Zillow. Fill out this form, pick your pre-approval lender, and if you meet the lender’s guidelines, you’ll get your pre-approval letter that you can print and email. In a competitive market, pre-approval letters are almost essential. If you make an offer on a house without a pre-approval, your offer will not be taken as seriously as an offer from another person with a pre-approval and you could lose your dream home. Most bank-owned properties require a pre-approval letter from a lender before an offer can be accepted.

Control Your Home From Afar With ‘Smart’ Upgrades By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 13, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Earlier this year, Google announced its $3.2 billion cash purchase of Nest Labs Inc., best known for its smart thermostat and smoke alarm for residences. If Google is headed in the direction of smart home services, rest assured this trend isn’t going away anytime soon.

Want your home to stand out as an energy-saving, tech-savvy gem? Consider adding one or more of these features:

1. Programmable energy savers

The pros at Consumer Reports say programmable thermostats can slash your energy bill by about $180 per year by automatically reducing your heating or cooling when you need it least. The Nest Learning Thermostat takes this concept a step further by learning your schedule and programming itself to raise and lower temperatures according to your routines. Not only will you be saving money, the next family to live in your home can also enjoy the financial benefits of a smart thermostat.

2. Smart lighting

Forget to turn off the lights when you leave a room? That simple failure to flip the switch can definitely affect your energy bill. Companies are beginning to offer “smart lighting” options, which allows you to control your home’s lighting via computer or mobile. “Connected” by TCP offers a starter pack that includes three bulbs, a remote and a gateway that controls your lighting. The home lighting kit works with both iPhone and Android devices, so you can easily control your LED lights at home or on the go.

3. Fiber-optic technology

When it comes to cable and Internet, fiber-optic technology is a green alternative to traditional coaxial copper wires because it is more energy efficient, lasts longer and is safer because the cables produce less heat. With more and more smart devices operating at the same time in your home – not counting your tablets, laptops and gaming consoles – you’ll probably notice a serious drain on your Internet connection if you’re using broadband Internet from cable, DSL or satellite providers.

Fiber-optic Internet technology gives you the capacity for greater Internet speeds – meaning you can have more wireless and smart devices in your home operating simultaneously with little to no effect on your online activities. The largest providers in the country are Verizon FiOS, Google Fiber and AT&T U-verse — but they have limited service areas. If your neighborhood is serviced by one of these providers, it’s a definite selling point.

4. Tankless water heaters

Heating water accounts for up to 30 percent of the average home’s energy budget, since your standard water heater keeps 40 to 80 gallons of water heated to 120 degrees or higher at all times during the day. Tankless water heaters have been gaining more and more traction in the past few years, since they heat water on-demand, reducing utility costs and environmental impact. The best part? You won’t run out of hot water mid-shower.

5. Remote-controlled shades

Closing the blinds to your windows is another way you can maintain the temperature in your home. Serena Shades are one remote-controlled product that can help you conserve energy and money each month. The Android- and iOS-controlled shades are also available as part of a whole-home lighting package offered by Lutron. Wireless shades allow you to raise and lower them from your phone – allowing you to easily manage your home’s light and heat from any location.

February 2014 Paradise Valley Arizona real estate market update

March 11, 2014 Joe Szabo

Happy March everyone! We have a lot of good news to report for those seller’s on the fence. The median home price in Paradise Valley Arizona jumped 23.8% to $1,300,000, a 5.3% from January. This is on top of the lower inventory of listings on the market and the uptick of closed sales. In January new listings were down a whopping 17.9% while closed sales were up 3.2%. New contracts dropped slightly, but if you were considering listing your property, now would be an ideal time!

Paradise Valley Detailed Market Report Feb 2014

February 2014 Paradise Valley Arizona real estate market

February 2014 Paradise Valley Arizona real estate market

Considering a purchasing or selling a property in Paradise Valley? Take advantage of the great market conditions and get your home listed for sale.

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. 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.

February 2014 Scottsdale Arizona real estate market update

March 10, 2014 Joe Szabo

Happy March everyone! We have a lot of good news to report for those seller’s on the fence. The median home price in Scottsdale Arizona rose to $390,000, a 5.3% jump from January. This is on top of the lower inventory of listings on the market and the uptick of new contracts and closed sales. In January new listings were down a whopping 20% while new contracts and closed sales were up 5.1% and 17.3%, respectively. If you were considering listing your property, now would be an ideal time!

February 2014 Scottsdale Arizona real estate market update

Scottsdale Detailed Market Report Feb 2014

February 2014 Scottsdale Arizona real estate market update

Considering a purchasing or selling a property in Scottsdale? Take advantage of the great market conditions and get your home listed for sale before the snow birds and students return in the fall.

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.

Expecting a Tax Refund? Invest It In Your Home By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 10, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Sitting by the mailbox, waiting for your tax refund? Stop waiting and start thinking about the best ways to invest that money in your home.

Your home is likely one of your biggest assets, so it makes good financial sense to take care of it. Keeping your home up to date will contribute to its longevity, heighten your enjoyment and help you sell your home if you ever decide to. So, instead of a fleeting ski weekend, why not consider investing at least a portion of your refund in your home?

Even modest investments can improve your home’s value and make it more livable. Drawing inspiration from Zillow Digs, here are five home improvement projects you may want to consider, all under $3,000:

New front door

TrueHome Design Build brought an urban feel to this farm house with a contemporary front door.

First impressions mean a lot. A new front door can enhance curb appeal, improve security and lower utility costs. According to Remodeling magazine’s Remodeling 2014 Cost vs. Value Report, a $1,162 steel entry door replacement project returns 96.6 percent of your investment. Fiberglass doors are generally more expensive, but they’re still a smart investment. According to the same report, a $2,822 fiberglass entry door project will yield a return of 70.8 percent.

Garage door replacement

Tuckahoe Creek Construction, Inc. gave this colonial home character with a new garage door.

The appearance and condition of your garage door also plays a big role in your home’s overall appearance. According to the Cost vs. Value Report, an uninsulated, 16-by-7-foot garage door costing $1,534 will increase your home’s resale value by $1,283, a return of 83.7 percent.

Weatherized windows

Lindus Construction uses a variety of custom-fit, maintenance-free, energy-efficient windows proven to reduce heating and cooling costs.

For just a couple hundred dollars, a do-it-yourselfer with the most basic of skills can install insulation, caulk and door seals, reducing household energy consumption by almost 35 percent in the typical weatherized home. Willing to invest more? Windows can allow major losses of heat in the winter and cool air in the summer, requiring more energy — and money — to keep your home comfortable. Replacing old windows with Energy Star-qualified windows can reduce household energy bills by 7 to 15 percent and will shrink your home’s carbon footprint.

Fresh coat of paint

Isola Homes used bold blue and green paint to give this Wallingford craftsman some Pacific Northwest flair.

This may be the perfect time to kiss your dated mint bathroom or mauve rec room goodbye. A gallon of paint typically costs less than $40 and will provide one-coat coverage for about 350 square feet. If you think you might be putting your house on the market sometime soon, opt for neutral colors that have more universal appeal. Even if you’re staying put, a fresh coat of paint can update and personalize your space for a fraction of the cost of a total remodel.

Lighting

Titled “Serenity in the Woods,” this TN home by Eddie Miles has a warm, yet contemporary feel with under-cabinet lighting.

Updated home lighting can enhance your decor, save on energy costs and increase your safety. Even if a new chandelier isn’t in your budget, dimmer switches will allow you to control the intensity of light throughout your home while saving electricity. A basic dimmer costs less than $15 while fancier, remote-control and programmable dimmers can be purchased for $40 and up.

Metal can or recessed lights will brighten dark corners while under-cabinet light strips can add much-needed light to kitchens, craft rooms and laundry rooms. Unless you have knowledge of electrical wiring, you’ll need to hire a pro to handle the installation.

Buyers Expected to Gain More Leverage This Year as Inventory Across US Rises By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 6, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Home values saw their smallest monthly increase since May 2012, up just 0.2 percent in January from December according to the latest Zillow Real Estate Market Reports. Year-over-year, U.S. home values rose 6.3 percent in January, down from peak gains of 7.1 percent in August 2013. This slowdown is in part due to the rise in inventory of for-sale homes across the country. The number of homes listed for sale on Zillow was up 11.1 percent annually in January, the fifth straight month of rising year-over-year inventory.

According to Zillow Chief Economist Stan Humphries, home shoppers should expect to have more buying power this spring as more inventory comes onto the market and home prices start to level off. This slightly more balanced market is another step on the road back to normal, and will help offset the impact of rising mortgage rates and more expensive homes for buyers.

Inventory rose year-over-year in 82 percent of metro areas covered by Zillow, with the largest inventory gains coming in some of the areas that were hit hardest by the housing recession, including Las Vegas (up 42.8 percent), Phoenix (up 30.5 percent) and Sacramento (up 26 percent). These metros also experienced significant cooling in the pace of home value appreciation in January, as buyers had more homes to choose from and were less apt to engage in the kinds of bidding wars that helped drive prices up so quickly last year.

Want to know what the current state of the housing market is where you live? Dive into Zillow’s data, available all the way down to ZIP code and neighborhood levels, here.