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Home Organization: Embracing Order in the New Year By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

January 22, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team For many people, the new year represents a clean slate, and brings a renewed sense of possibility and enthusiasm. It’s a wonderful time to get your home organized in anticipation of the busy months ahead. Effective storage solutions and organization systems will enable you to enjoy your home to its fullest. Here are some tips to put you on track for an orderly and productive 2015.

Learn to let things go

The first step in any organization plan is purging. This can be the hardest part, but it is also the most rewarding. Do not keep what isn’t functional or doesn’t bring you joy. Also remember that something you let go of might bring someone else a great deal of pleasure. If you’re not sure you can part with an item, store it in a box and see if you miss it or need it. This is a great litmus test for what’s truly necessary.

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good

Any organization effort is better than no organization effort. It’s best to approach a behemoth task like organizing your entire home in stages. The house provides us with natural barriers. Think of each room as its own project and it will begin to feel more manageable. And remember that it gets worse before it gets better, so don’t feel discouraged early on. Organizing is not something that happens in one day – it is a journey and a state of mind.

Think outside the box store

A trip to the Container Store can be fun, but unorthodox storage solutions make for a more interesting space. Beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces can be highly practical and help make your home more functional. Make use of available and affordable materials when possible to stretch your home organization budget. This bookcase was made out of old wine boxes and then stained a dark walnut color.

The three Bs: bins, buckets and baskets

Oh, and jars. (But that doesn’t start with a B.) Once you’ve whittled down your belongings to favorites and must haves, you’re going to need somewhere to store them. Baskets and buckets have a wonderful visual impact in a room — filling nooks, resting against chairs, and adding texture and color. They are also highly functional for storing everything from toys and blankets to magazines and shoes. Keep an eye out for unexpected vessels, like this gigantic industrial mixing bowl that is now a great solution for avoiding entryway clutter. Using jars in the kitchen to store dry goods can make open shelving a lot more appealing. Bonus: With healthy grains and goodies in plain sight, you’ll end up using them more often.

Use your vertical space

If your home doesn’t have a huge footprint, vertical solutions are essential for staying organized. These can be implemented in a more practical manner, like stacking bins and boxes under your bed or in your closet, as well as through design decisions. Capitalizing on vertical space draws the eye to different parts of the room and creates a sense of balance, in addition to saving important real estate on the floor. This curio cabinet makes excellent use of a corner that might otherwise be neglected. A hanging light above has a nice visual impact and doesn’t take up any additional space. The best reason to get and stay organized? You’ll save yourself valuable time — which means you can focus on doing things that really matter to you. 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.

Setting Up a Home Office That Works for You By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

January 19, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team In recent years, the line between working and living in our homes has become blurred. More people want a home office, whether it’s a simple space for taking care of household matters, a spot for the inevitable papers and projects that make their way home from work, or a dedicated area for a full-time business. For a few minutes a day or 40 hours a week, working at home is always more fun in an area with loads of function — and some personalization, too. Here’s how to create a snazzy home office space that will make you look forward to clocking in.

The essentials

Some experts have said there are only two essentials for a functional home office: a comfortable chair and a door that closes. Most people, however, probably have a few more requirements. Basic elements of designing a room include smart space planning, adequate lighting and sufficient storage. When setting up your home office, also consider functionality and comfort.

Get horizontal

Start with your work surface. Stock desk units come in a variety of materials, but may be difficult to fit in with your room. Modular office furniture is more flexible and comes in many styles. Or look to repurposed furniture. With some judicious changes, you can turn flea market finds and antiques into acceptable home office elements. Don’t hesitate to make a piece your own with a simple coat of paint in your favorite color.

Take a seat

Chairs need to be functional, but an office chair isn’t your only choice. If you’ll be spending a lot of time working in the office, consider including a lounge chair or chaise. It will make a comfortable spot for reading or coffee breaks. For your desk, choose a chair with an adjustable seat and armrests to protect your spine and help reduce aches and injuries. To personalize it, add a throw pillow to coordinate with window coverings or other decorative elements in the room.

Essential details

Make a list of everything you need, from pencils and paper clips to research materials and file folders. Pick a color scheme and purchase the necessities in your favorite palette. Measure all the electronic equipment you’ll require to determine where it will fit best. And make sure you add some favorite framed photos or artwork to inspire you. To create softness and texture underfoot, layer on an area rug to anchor your space.

Light it up

Natural light is great, but you’ll need ambient and task lighting as well. Here is another opportunity to add a bit of personal style to your space via lamp shades, crystals and fixture finishes. Watch out for the possibility of glare, especially when finding a place for your computer screen. If your office space doesn’t have a door, you can establish a sense of privacy by the way you orient your work surface or by using a screen or file cabinets to mark off the area. 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.

3 Ways to Create a Dynamic Home Library By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

January 15, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team While e-books and the Internet are clearly here to stay, it doesn’t mean home libraries, or library-style features in rooms, are leaving any time soon. My husband and I have finally agreed to and embarked upon the first of our home renovations. Part of that is turning the “rec room” into a library and office for the both of us. We decided to go with a bold color, which you will get to see in the season finale next month. Create your own inspiring place to read and work with these three tips.

Choose a bold color for bookcases

I typically stay away from staining and wood finishes. Fortune favors the bold, and I believe a dark color can really enliven a dreary, stuffy library design, turning it from boring to brilliant in one step. I love the drama of a high-gloss lacquer, too — particularly with metallic accents added. This is a great way to update a traditional library and create someplace you will want to hang out in all the time.

Customize existing bookcases

In one instance, I used small built-in cases, removed the shelves and had a custom insert built in with a beautiful hexagon pattern. This really updated the boring old shelves. You can achieve a similar look by removing some or all of your shelving and having a cabinet maker add a little zing to what is already there. A fresh paint job will complete the update. This is a fairly economical way to give you whole library a facelift.

Create customized bookcases in any room

This is a way to utilize a spare bedroom that never gets used, or a basement that has seen better days. Create a custom bookcase with your cabinet maker and find a design that really suits you. For example, in one project I had the cabinet maker create a “running bond” pattern — similar to what you see with subway tile — to create a pleasing yet simple pattern. Another time I created a a bookcase with all square, rather than the standard rectangular, openings. In the center I created an opening that allowed us to add a vase and decorative items. Whatever pattern you choose will make the space truly your own. 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.

Buying a Home in 2015: 3 Resolutions to Make It Happen By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

January 12, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Many home buyers enter and leave the real estate market several times before making a purchase. Priorities shift and — unlike a seller who signs an agreement and has a tangible product to sell — buyers aren’t necessarily tied to any timeframe, unless it’s self-imposed. With the start of a new year, many on-and-off home shoppers resolve to intensify their search and finally purchase a home. Whether it’s because of a better-understood tax benefit, the realization of a big bonus or simply a frustrating rental situation, many buyers re-enter the market and get serious. Here are some resolutions for buyers who want to make 2015 the year of their new home.

Enlist an ally

Many buyers spend time in the dreaming phase of home shopping — looking at listings online, researching the mortgage process, running numbers and following the local market. But serious and active buyers hook up with a strong local agent to make it happen. Agents can serve as a guiding light thanks to the wealth of market knowledge they bring to the table. A good local agent has completed dozens of transactions and understands the process and the market — not to mention the home buying process — like the back of their hand. If things go sideways, they will steer you in the right direction. Leverage their experience.

Balance feelings and data

There is so much (sometimes conflicting) real estate information available that it is easy to get overwhelmed. A home purchase is not the same as picking out a new tablet, smartphone or even a used car. Aside from the huge financial commitment of a home purchase, there are emotional and practical implications that may be less obvious. You may walk through a designer kitchen and imagine your family having dinner there, or see a particular block and suddenly feel that you belong there. No spreadsheet or equation will account for those feelings, wishes or desires. Trying to reconcile these feelings while analyzing potentially conflicting statistics, online data, blogs or forums will be a challenge. If you have a reliable local agent and have been looking for some time, you can feel confident in your market knowledge, while also trusting your instincts.

Abandon the notion of getting a deal

Everyone likes to get a great bargain. But in real estate, deals aren’t always easy to come by. Dozens of fragmented sellers — unaffected by inventory levels and with different motivations for selling — drive each market. If you are continuously on the hunt for a “deal,” this could be a red flag that you are not ready to buy. If you need to purchase a car, you likely research car prices online before heading to the dealership. You understand that the values range, and attempt to get your car as close to the lower end of the range as possible. If not, you won’t be buying a car. Will you wait another year to see where prices are? Probably not. Instead, you make a car purchase based on the best deal you can negotiate at that time. The same goes with home buying. Buyers who spend considerable time learning the market will have experiential knowledge of what they can get for their money and where. They have a realistic view of the market. Making a low-ball offer may be understandable when you first enter the market. You could be uninformed or nervous, and putting in a low offer is a way to test the waters. But if you’re continually making unrealistic offers, you need to ask yourself if you are ready to be a home buyer. Your low-ball offers may be your way of sabotaging your home buying prospects. Every buyer is different, and real estate purchases are one part financial, one part emotional and one part practical. The road to buying a home is not a straight and narrow path, like buying a car. If you truly want to buy a home in 2015, dedicate yourself to the effort, and set yourself up for success. 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.

Renters: Are You Ready to Buy a Home? By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

January 8, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team For renters planning to buy a home, preliminary steps like creating a budget and saving for a down payment are obvious. Here are five more advanced steps toward moving out of your rental and into a dream home of your own.

Understand the full cost of homeownership

As a renter, a single rental fee covers your monthly housing payment. But as a homeowner, four main factors go into your monthly housing payment: principal, interest, taxes and insurance (P.I.T.I.). Understanding these costs will help you determine how much house you can afford. Together, principal and interest comprise your monthly mortgage payment, with the principal paying down your loan balance each month, and the interest paying your fee for borrowing the money. Use a mortgage calculator to determine how much of your payment goes toward principal versus interest each month. Taxes refer to property taxes, which are assessed by the county you live in. They average 1.2 percent of your home’s value each year. Insurance — paid to a homeowner’s insurance company of your choice — is required when you have a mortgage. Lenders require that your insurance cover the cost of rebuilding the home if it is ruined by fire or other disaster. This “replacement cost” is determined by your insurer, and must be agreed to by your lender. Insurance will typically cost $700 to $1,200 per year for a single family home. For condo owners, there’s a fifth monthly cost category: homeowners association (HOA) dues. These fees cover common area amenities, landscaping, ongoing upkeep and reserves for future maintenance like roof replacement or exterior painting. These monthly dues range from $100 for cheaper condos to $1,000 or more for luxury condos. Single family home buyers can take a useful cue from HOA budgets, which generally require that at least 10 percent of dues go toward reserves. Even if you’re not buying a condo, it’s a good idea to set up a similar savings plan for future maintenance like replacing a roof or major appliances.

Know your homeowner tax benefits

Mortgage interest and property taxes are deductible when you file your annual tax returns, and reduce taxable income. These deductions significantly lower your cost of homeownership. For example, for a $300,000 home with 20 percent down and a 30-year fixed mortgage at 4 percent, monthly P.I.T.I. is about $1,545. Tax deductions reduce this total housing cost to about $1,215.

Study rent-vs.-buy math

Often, people judge the cost of renting vs. buying by comparing P.I.T.I. to a rental payment. But to get an apples-to-apples comparison, you actually have to look at after-tax-benefit homeownership costs and rent costs. Using the example above of a $300,000 home that costs $1,215 per month after taxes, you could compare this residence to a home that rents for about $1,200. If the $300,000 home was more spacious or in a more desirable area, the math would seem to favor buying — but don’t forget this example requires a $60,000 down payment.

Identify mortgages that fit your budget and timeline

If you don’t have 20 percent to put down, you can still get a mortgage with as little as 3 percent down. However, if your down payment is less than 20 percent, you’ll have to pay mortgage insurance, which is about .85 percent of your loan amount, and isn’t tax deductible. Your monthly P.I.T.I. (which includes mortgage insurance) is about $1,995 on a $300,000 home with 3 percent down and a 30-year fixed mortgage at 4 percent. After tax deductions, this total housing cost drops to about $1,614. And you’d only need $9,000 for the down payment. You can also lower your rate and P.I.T.I. with a shorter-term loan like a 5-year ARM, but rates on these loans will adjust in 5 years, so you risk having a much higher payment if you plan to stay in the home longer than that.

Start preparing your credit score now

Credit scores are critical for getting the best mortgages with the lowest rates. Lenders want reliable on-time payment history as well as credit depth. More credit accounts are better, so renters with only one credit card should consider obtaining more credit. Just note that your credit score can drop 5 to 15 points when you first open a new account, then will come back up when you’ve established a good payment history. 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.

Mortgage Rate Update By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

January 5, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed mortgages fell this week, with the current rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgages at 3.72 percent, down from 3.73 percent at this same time last week. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate hovered between 4.01 percent and 3.75 percent for most of the week before settling at the current rate.

“Rates were volatile last week, primarily driven by low participation during the holiday-shortened week,” said Erin Lantz, vice president of mortgages at Zillow. “Aside from Monday’s sharp decline in rates due to bad news out of Greece, we expect continued volatility this week due to limited activity as lenders and consumers focus on the New Year’s holiday.” Additionally, the 15-year fixed mortgage rate this morning was 2.98 percent, and for 5/1 ARMs, the rate was 2.83 percent. Purchase mortgage application activity Zillow predicts tomorrow’s seasonally adjusted Mortgage Bankers Association Weekly Application Index will show purchase loan activity decreased by 4 percent from the week prior. To learn more about this Zillow analysis, click here. What are the interest rates right now? Check Zillow Mortgages for mortgage rate trends and up-to-the-minute mortgage rates for your state. 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.

Financial Housekeeping Tips to Close Out the Year By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

January 1, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team As the year comes to a close, it’s a good time to do a little financial housekeeping. Here are a few smart moves to consider:

Tackle your outstanding credit card debt

Seven percent of Americans are still carrying debt from last year’s holiday season, according to Consumer Reports. Come up with a pay-off strategy — whether that’s paying off the cards with the highest rates first or paying off the card with the lowest balance — and put it to work. You’ll save a bundle on interest.

Reduce your tax liability

If you own stocks and mutual funds outside your retirement accounts, 2014 has been a prosperous year. But on April 15, you’re going to have to share some of your good fortune with the Internal Revenue Service, so it’s wise to start looking for ways to minimize the bite now. Do you have any poor-performing investments? You can sell them at a loss to offset capital gains from other investments sold throughout the year. Some other tax moves:

Clean out your closets and make charitable donations
Give the gift of cash — you can give up to $14,000 to as many individuals as you’d like without filing a gift-tax return, but you must do this before Dec. 31
Gift securities
Contribute to your 401(k)
Defer income if 2014 was a high-income year.

Reassess your housing situation

Reconsidering your housing is important now because mortgage rates are below 4 percent and projected to rise to 5 percent by the end of 2015, according to Zillow. With rents projected to rise faster than home values in 2015, it’s a good time to put the wheels in motion if you have any intention of buying a home. After all, a 1 percent rise in mortgage rates reduces affordability by whopping 11 percent. 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.

How to Hire and Work with a General Contractor By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 11, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Starting your home renovation can be a daunting task and your general contractor can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. Finding the right fit will make your renovation much easier, so it is potentially the most important decision you will make with your renovation.

Communication is key

When interviewing contractors — you should interview at least three — it is best to lay out your expectations. How often you expect to see your contractor on the job, estimated completion date, budget and frequency of communication are all great things to cover. If you share your expectations in a clear manner there can be no misunderstanding later on. You should always check all references the contractor provides you, as well as his license and insurance. Call prior clients and ask how frequently he visited the job site, whether he stayed within the budget, and if he finished the job in a timely manner. Also, ask if he was quick to return calls and/or emails.

Cheaper is not better

Hiring the cheapest contractor is not always the best idea, as most likely he is underbidding to get the job and will still spend what the others quoted. Do not make price your hiring criteria. You should hire based on his references, his experience, and how you interact together — is he someone you can get along with?

Create a timeline

Once you’ve made your decision, but before you sign the contract, put in writing a projected timeline. Find out what your contractor will need from you to follow that timeline. He may need that tile picked out immediately, but may not need paint colors for some time. Add these tasks to the timeline so you are providing him the information he needs to complete your project in a timely manner. Be as organized and upfront as possible — making sure you know exactly what you want before the project gets going. Search Zillow Digs for inspiration for the project, and save images to show the contractor exactly what you want. If you have already picked out paint colors and other finishes, put these in writing on your timeline and share it with him. It is also a wise to create and share a calendar. Read more here 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.

Deck the Halls? Maybe Not, If Your Home Is For Sale By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 8, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

For many buyers and sellers, December is still an active real estate market. Serious buyers will view homes and negotiate contracts right up until Christmas Eve. It’s a good time for sellers to have their homes listed, because competition is slim — conventional wisdom and history trend toward listing in the spring. But listing a home in December begs the question: should you decorate your home for the holidays, or skip it? Prepping a home for sale is a dilemma for many sellers, at any time of year. After spending considerable time and energy decorating their home to express their personality, they feel reluctant to take down their photos and put away treasured items. The same goes for holiday decorations, which hold sentimental value for many homeowners. But as much as the seller would like to show off their holiday decor and create a festive atmosphere for their family, it may be better to hold back while the home is on the market.

Less is more in real estate

No matter what time of year a home goes on the market, real estate agents always advise sellers to keep it simple when it comes time to list. An over-personalized home with bright paint colors, lots of family photos or off-putting art on the walls can turn off buyers. For sellers, presenting their home to the market in the most neutral light is a better strategy. The more neutral the home shows, the more marketable it will be, and the wider the net it can cast. The same is true for holiday decorations — understated is better.

Religion can be off-putting to buyers

If you live in a part of the country where Christianity is less common, your fireplace nativity scenes or religious decorations may alienate some buyers. It’s best to keep them packed away. These suggestions are not meant to insult a seller’s religion or beliefs, but simply reflect the business aspects of selling a home. Sellers must remember that, once their home goes for sale, it is no longer their home, but a product on the open market. To best position their product for a swift sale, it’s important to appeal to as many buyers as possible.

Commercial decorations are more acceptable

For a family with small children, typical commercial holiday decorations such as Christmas trees, stockings and lights may be unavoidable, even if their home is on the market. To some degree, people will expect this. Will it still alienate some non-Christian buyers? Possibly, but it won’t have the same effect as more religious decorations. While it is impossible to define what would be inoffensive to every person in every market around the country, sellers should be mindful of who their potential buyers are and how their home and its decorations show. For fear of insulting them, many agents avoid having this conversation with their clients — but it’s an important one nonetheless. If your home is on the market, take a step back and evaluate before you decorate. 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.

Can You Afford to Buy a New Home and Rent Out Your Old One? By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 5, 2014 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team When it comes to buying a new home, most people decide to trade up to gain additional space, live in a better neighborhood, move to a home in better condition — or any combination of these. For many home buyers, particularly those with a good deal of equity in their current home, it begs the question: Do I have to sell in order to buy? Real estate is always meant to be a long-term hold. Building equity and passive income are why so many people turn to real estate to build wealth. If you can afford to keep your home while purchasing another, do so. If you want to make your first foray into real estate investing, you’ll need to take several steps. Meet with a mortgage and real estate pro, and do some early research to determine if owning two homes is feasible for you.

Determine your current purchasing power

If you were to sell your home and take out that equity, how much can you afford to spend on a purchase, and what type of home will that get you? Check with your real estate agent and go to open houses to see what you can buy for your money. This number is going to be high because you would be putting all your eggs into the new purchase. If you choose to keep the old home as a rental, you may not be able to buy your dream house. Understanding what you are giving up will help inform your decision of whether you want to be a landlord.

Calculate your purchasing power without that equity

If you keep your old home, you will likely have to compromise on your new home’s location, size or condition. Go check out homes at lower price points to understand what you will get for the money. If you are open to becoming an investor and building wealth in real estate, this compromise won’t be a big deal. But if you aren’t comfortable with your purchasing power without your existing home’s equity, then it might not make sense for you.

Understand your monthly income and expenses

If you are open to taking the plunge, the next step is running the numbers to understand your potential new financial reality. First, understand the rental market. You’ll have to know how much rent you can fetch for your current home. Browse rental listings online or ask your real estate agent to show you comparable rental properties. Will the rent cover the mortgage exactly? Could it be a small loss? Sometimes an investor will be open to taking a small loss in the near term to build equity in the long term. As you run your numbers, take off 10 percent to account for issues like vacancies, necessary improvements and repairs.

Move forward with your decision

Just like someone who would be buying at the same time they are selling, someone who is keeping a home as a rental should prepare for stress. Timing it is never easy, and nobody likes to carry two mortgages for too long. Unlike buyers — who can shop and make offers knowing they won’t move in for two to three months — renters generally search within weeks of their desired move-in date. Once your new home is under contract and you have removed your contingencies, it’s time to get the existing property on the rental market. It’s better to show the home with your furniture than empty. If you can manage it, start showing the home for rent within a few weeks of your purchase closing.

Choose a renter wisely

Becoming a landlord means starting a business. You tenant will become your customer, and it’s better to have a good customer than a bad one. You’re better off with a pleasant, reliable tenant paying a little less than market value than a cranky or difficult tenant paying market value or more. You also want a tenant who plans to stay. Turnover means wear and tear, and potential lost rental income.

Arrange for a helping hand

If you are moving out of the area, consider hiring a property manager to handle your new rental home. Not only can they deal with repairs or complaints from the tenant, but they collect the rent and enforce the terms of the lease, if necessary. Property managers have teams of repair specialists and contractors who can fix problems.

Research tax considerations

Owning real estate as an investment opens up a new world of tax issues and events. Before you sign on the dotted line, check with your accountant. Understand the following important points:

Your new rental income is taxable.
Improvements and repairs have tax consequences.
You may lose the homeowner’s tax benefit when you sell the rental property. If you’ve lived in the home for two of the past five years, then you won’t pay taxes on any gain ($250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for married couples) when you sell it. Once you pass this time frame, you are on the hook for the gain.

Being a landlord is not for everyone. As with any real estate transaction, never rush — and never go in with blinders on. 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.

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