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.

Cars

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.

Homes

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.

Wedding dresses

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.

Beach vacations

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, 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 Whether you’re creating a winter wonderland, renovating an overlooked room or decorating your Christmas tree with radiant ornaments, you may be looking for inspiration — and a little cash. With the Make It Yours Sweepstakes, Zillow will be awarding one lucky winner with $15,000 for home updates. We asked design and do-it-yourself experts how they would decorate their homes for the holidays if money was no object. Here are a few of their tips to increase holiday cheer at home. Green Accents I’d give every member of the family a themed tree for their bedroom. I’d go a little Oprah with this. …”You get a tree! You get a tree! Everybody gets a tree!” That and more twinkle lights than Clark used in Christmas Vacation. — Heather Freeman of The Décor Fix I’d spring for a huge, 5-foot diameter evergreen wreath for the exterior of my home, and I’d fill the interior with dozens of blooming amaryllis and natural beeswax candles–both of which could last well into the New Year. — Laura Fenton of The Little House in the City I’d have Christmas trees in just about every room of the house. I love the soft glow a Christmas tree gives off on those cozy nights at home. — Meg Hemmelgarn of Green with Décor We usually put up an artificial tree that was passed down from my mom, but it’s sparse and not very convincingly real! I’d trim the tree with do-it-yourself ornaments and keepsakes that have also been passed down through my family, as well as brand new shiny ones in turquoise, silver and cream! — Serena Appiah of Thrift Diving Cozy Up I would update our family room with wood flooring throughout, and I would place an oversized, fluffy rug in front of our fireplace which would be laced with handmade stockings and ornaments. Our family would enjoy a white slipcovered couch draped with several cable knit throws. And, last but not least, my dog would have the prettiest dog bed fit for a king! — Jeanette L. of Snazzy Little Things I would love to have the mantle draped in natural garlands, dripping with silver and gold vintage ornaments and candles. Also cashmere throws on the arm of every sofa and chair to nestle in while enjoying the decorations. — Kelly Wilkniss of My Soulful Home I’d also love to add a cozy new sectional with lots of pillows to our family room so that we’d have enough room for all of our holiday guests to relax, catch up and take that much-needed catnap after our turkey dinner. — Kris Jarrett of Driven by Decor We’d have flannel Christmas sheets on each bed with fluffy holiday quilts. There would be fresh evergreen wreaths and other greenery to scent the air. We’d have a hot cocoa/cider station to welcome our guests. And, of course, we’d always have a supply of freshly-baked cookies! — Candice of She’s Crafty Renovate I’d update the “bones” of my home first. A beautiful, timeless backdrop for all of my family’s Christmas decorations is a necessity. My windows are in need of replacement as they offer a beautiful view of the woods beyond my home. I’ve always wanted to add rustic wood beams to the ceiling of my family room and because I embrace an eclectic combination of vintage and current pieces in my decor style. The beams would bring this room to the next level. — Dana Havens of Chocolate and Sunshine I’d speed up the plans for the renovation of our 1980s kitchen and baths so we would be ready to best tackle the large amount of people who will come through our doors in December. The blues and grays I use in my Christmas decor would flow beautifully into the light, bright and classic renovation we have planned. — Jen Migonis of Migonis Home I would hire a professional to makeover my kitchen to be more welcoming since so many of our holiday gatherings happen in that space. I’ve been dreading painting our cabinets white, but I know it will really brighten them up. I would buy down, white slipcovered sofas for our living room, too — they withstand the test of time and messy kids, and they are much easier to clean. — Lauren Shaver of Bless’er House The Three Cs: Country, Coastal and Color I would redecorate my home for the holidays by choosing a fun color palette or theme each and every year and decorate entirely around that. Snowflakes, lime green, maybe even hot pink! Something out of the ordinary, something besides your typical “red and green.” I would have so much fun with that! — Stephanie Dulgarian of Somewhat Simple Because we usually have family home for the holidays, I would give one of our guest bedrooms a rustic, cozy cabin feel with red plaid linens and lots of soft flannel pillows for the bed, while the other guest bed would be decked out in beautiful white linens and pillows with a luxurious faux fur throw at the bottom and fresh green garland draped over the headboard. — Kristi Haight of Chatfield Court While I love our modern home, I sometimes wish for the country style farmhouse I made so many memories in when growing up.  I would combine our love of nature with my fond childhood memories and create a country chic Christmas. Flairs of warm red tones shown in ornaments, ascent pieces and the occasional glittery reindeer would be enveloped in the soft glow of white lights and lanterns. — James and Alicia of Homey Improvements I have a house with 12-foot ceilings for the first time ever, and would love to have a gorgeous tree as the centerpiece for my Christmas decorations. I would begin decorating it from top to bottom with beautiful shells, tiny sailboats and glittering ornaments for a coastalChristmas look. My mantel would get decked out with lush garlands with starfish and sand dollars tucked among them. — Chloe Crabtree of Celebrate and Decorate Winter Wonderland My favorite color palette for the holidays is silver and shades of blue, so I’d do a lot of white with touches of those colors. Definitely a large white tree! — Amy Anderson of Mod Podge Rocks Hanging from our tall ceiling would be hundreds of white seed moss balls at different lengths so it looks like it’s snowing in our main living space. The table covered in an elegant red and gold cloth would be topped with candles, snowflakes and frost-tipped pine cones. — James and Alicia of Homey Improvements I would redecorate my home with as many decorations as possible to make my home a winter wonderland. There would be lovely little garlands and wreaths everywhere, a uniquely decorated Christmas tree in each room, and a mantle decked out with the most adorable trinkets, candles and decorations. I could also imagine hung snowflakes from the ceiling — big and small to really bring out the winter wonderland look. A big horse-drawn sleigh would be the perfect piece to sit, enjoy a cup of cocoa and enjoy the views! 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 Not all real estate agents are created equal. Like all industries, there are plenty of terrific pros, but once in a while a bad apple rubs a buyer or seller the wrong way and spoils it for the rest of us. If you’ve had a bad experience in the past, don’t let it happen again. If you aren’t comfortable with your current agent, stop everything. You can find wonderful agents in every market — don’t move forward until you have. Once you find an exceptional real estate agent, you’ll discover plenty of reasons to be thankful for them.

They’ll be there for you during the difficult moments

In the middle of a transaction that seems to be giving you more heartache than love? Maybe it’s not the “deal” you thought it was, or something just doesn’t seem right? A good agent will take your call at 10 p.m., hear you out and support your decision not to move ahead. Buying or selling a home is a serious financial transaction — not to mention one with huge emotional and practical considerations. Your agent should uncover any issues and, if it’s the best decision, suggest backing out of the deal before you even bring it up. They’ll be on your side, and looking to build a long-term relationship — not just make a quick buck.

They’ll help get your house ready for sale in record time

A good listing agent doubles as a project manager, designer, and connector of all things quick and fast for home improvement. Thinking of selling, but daunted by the idea of prepping your home, making necessary fixes or simply deep cleaning? Good listing agents take on the burden and alleviate unnecessary drama from an already stressful time in your life. With your approval, your agent can muster up a team of painters, stagers, floor finishers, home organizers — and the list goes on. As the lead on prepping your home for sale, your agent will be your single point of contact and get the job done quickly.

They know you’re juggling work, kids and all the other parts of your life

A real estate transaction can be so tedious. Someone always wants a random signature or a document notarized. Inspectors and appraisers need to get into the home, and sometimes one of the parties has a last-minute request that you can’t ignore. A good agent realizes you have a life outside your real estate transaction. She’ll drive to your home late at night or catch you in the lobby of your office building in between your meetings for that important signature. He’ll open doors, get second bids, sometimes pull weeds and even walk your dogs. Tasked with making your life easier and your transaction as smooth as possible, a good real estate agent is full service 24/7. And they love doing it.

They’ll send you helpful data about your home long after you’ve closed

Some agents do their deals and move on, seeing your purchase or sale as transactional. But good agents know that their services continue long after you close. Homeowners like to know what’s going on in the market and how their investment has fared over time. Agents see homes in person each week, and can take note of comparable homes and keep their past clients informed about the market. It’s true you have a lot of information at your fingertips already, but having an active agent keeping you in the loop, without even asking, is the best.

They have the inside track because they’re well-connected and well-liked

Often, deals fall into place because of the strength of the relationships a good agent builds over time. Being well-connected with other agents, bankers, inspectors and deal-makers means they can help you find opportunities off the market, get the attention or time you need, or get your offer to the top of the pack in a competitive bidding situation. A truly great agent constantly has your interests, wants and needs in mind, and uncovers opportunities to find the house or the buyer of your dreams. If you’ve found your dream agent, you have a lot for which to be thankful. If you haven’t, find a good agent and get them on your team. They can make all the difference. 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 With the holiday shopping season already under way (earlier than ever!), you may be thinking Black Friday is the time to buy that HDTV or budget laptop you’ve been eyeing. After all, the prices are so attractive. Just $150 for a name brand TV? Prices on bargain model laptops starting at only $99? The deals are pretty hard to resist. Don’t just fixate on electronics, though. Consider purchasing items for your home, too. Sure, these purchases may not be as sexy as a sleek new phone, but there are plenty of great deals on items you’ll use year-round.

Large appliances

This is the time of year when you see retailers bundle sets — like washers and dryers, for example — and sell them at a discount. And the savings can be significant — up to several hundred dollars off, plus free local delivery and haul away. Special financing may also be available. Don’t need a set? Don’t worry — individual appliance deals are impressive, too. Oh, and if you have your heart set on that pricey, but oh-so-worth-it, Dyson vacuum cleaner, now is a good time to buy one.

Kitchen items

Need a new blender? Coffee maker? Microwave? It’s an ideal time to purchase these types of items as well, as the deals are better than average, according to dealnews.com. And there’s no time like the present to complete your dream kitchen. Keep an eye out for normally expensive brands which may now be affordable, once you consider the rebate.

Tools and hardware

Whether you’re in the market for a storage cabinet, mechanic’s tool set, generator, lawn and garden gadgets, or snow blower, you’ll find it available at prices that won’t break the bank.

Tabletop essentials

You’ll see savings on everything from holiday collectibles to ornaments and figurines — just in time for the rapidly approaching holiday season. Whether you’re hosting relatives, entertaining guests, or just feeling festive, Black Friday is a good day to shop for tabletop essentials that can help set the mood. 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.