Overpricing: How Aiming Too High Can Cost You By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Price: The battle between seller and agent
Homeowners have a very limited perspective on the real estate market, as they are only concerned with one home: their own. On the other hand, successful agents live and breathe their local markets daily. They have their feet on the street, and possess a great understanding of current market conditions because they work with buyers, tour homes, and have first-hand knowledge of what moves. Because they have limited knowledge, many sellers over-value their homes. They may assume that the agent just wants to price their home — their biggest asset — at a low price for a quick sale. And so a friction begins. But agents know that homes that are priced right and show well will sell in good times and bad.First impressions make the difference
The market typically responds to a new listing in the first few weeks, so do everything you can to make it attractive to buyers right from the start. Price your home right, and take all of your agent’s advice about cleaning, de-cluttering, painting and prepping, and your home should sell without incident, and for top dollar. List at the wrong price or with the home not in its best showing condition, and you’ll leave a poor first impression on the market. As time passes, a listing starts to lose its momentum as newer, more competitive homes come up for sale. As the number of days on the market increases, interest in your home decreases, and the listing becomes stale.Next stop: price reduction
A price reduction inevitably occurs after weeks or months of inactivity. If the seller doesn’t price the home within striking distance (say, five percent in many markets) of what the buyer perceives the value to be at the time, the seller has to come down in price. Often, they come down, but still not enough. If the sellers miss the market twice, buyers won’t take them seriously, and will wait around for the next reduction. The home will eventually get into the right price range for the market, and a buyer will strike. But they will probably punish the seller by coming in with an offer far lower than they would have, had the home come onto the market at the right price. Once sellers lose the momentum of being new on the market, they’re at a disadvantage when it comes time to negotiate.Risk of the market changing
What’s worse is that markets can start to decline over time. A seller may list in March to a healthy market, but their odds of making a top-dollar sale fall as inventory piles up, the economy slows, interest rates rise, or any number of factors come into play. Come September, the value range of the home is lower than it was in March. A change in market conditions is a risk a seller takes by pricing too high.Risk of showing poorly
As time passes, sellers may get lazy, and keeping the house clean and organized becomes a chore. Weeds come back, dust bunnies creep up, and the house doesn’t show as well as it did when it first went on the market. Buyers who show up when the price is right will have even more reason to penalize the seller with a low offer.Advice to sellers
If you are serious about selling your home and have a game plan and motivation to move on, take pricing very seriously. If you and your agent disagree about the price, but not by a lot, it’s worth trying the higher number. But have an upfront plan to reduce the price quickly, and use that price reduction as a marketing activity. The market will respond positively to a seller who shows they are serious about selling. 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.Is It Too Late to Get In on the Summer 2016 Refi Boom? By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Rate Markets 101
Before we examine where rates may go from here, let’s recap how rate markets work. Individual mortgages are packaged into mortgage bonds (also known as mortgage backed securities or MBS), and these bonds impact rates on a daily basis. Bonds offer a rate of return to investors each year — kind of like a stock that pays a dividend — and that rate moves inverse to a bond price as bonds trade daily. So when bonds sell on positive economic news, bond prices drop and rates rise, and the opposite is also true: When bonds rally on negative economic news, bond prices rise and rates drop. This is why rates rose after the blowout jobs report on August 5.Rate outlook for fall 2016
But this doesn’t mean that your refinance opportunities are over. Rate markets are volatile, and throughout 2016, we’ve seen refinance opportunities rise during periods of economic uncertainty. In January and February, U.S. mortgage rates dropped to their lowest level in three years because of persistent worries about economic instability outside the United States. Then after rising slightly until late June, rates dropped again when the U.K. voted to exit the European Union, confirming worries about non-U.S. economic instability. Rates stayed low until rising after the August 5 jobs report, and are now actually recovering slightly this week. In the coming months, a presidential election and three more Federal Reserve meetings will be factors in rate markets. The Fed’s remaining three rate policy-setting meetings are September 21, November 2, and December 14. There’s a high probability they could raise overnight bank-to-bank lending rates during this period, which in turn influences bond markets and mortgage rates. But it’s not a Fed rate move itself that can cause mortgage rates to rise, it’s the bond market anticipating a Fed rate move ahead of time. For example, rates rose ahead of a Fed meeting in December 2015 as investors sold bonds (remember, rates rise when bond prices drop on a selloff). When the Fed actually did raise overnight rates, bond markets reversed course because the Fed’s accompanying rate hike commentary didn’t signal a strong hiking bias going forward from there — a bond rally caused rates to drop again, which is why 2016 started with extremely low rates. The Fed is known for trying to remain politically neutral, so the bond market is split on guessing when the next Fed hike is most likely to occur. Some think it’s more likely on September 21 so as not to be too close to the election, and some think it’ll come December 14, when the election is behind us. This guessing will make the weeks leading up to September 21 the next major inflection point on rates.When do you lock a refi rate?
With these unpredictable rate market dynamics at play, you can count on rate dips coming and going quickly. So it’s a good idea to check rates regularly. And when rates do drop, lenders get extremely busy right away. A rate lock is for a set number of days, and the longer the rate is locked for, the higher the rate will be. So you want as short of a rate lock as possible, and your lender also needs ample time to complete your loan before the lock expires. This means you should discuss your loan profile and provide documentation to your lender now so they know your qualifications and know about your property in advance. If they know this, it’s easier for them to move quickly on a moment’s notice when rates do drop in a given day or week based on economic news of the day. If you start the loan process on a day where rates are down, your lender might not have enough time to close your loan within their quoted rate lock 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.Best Subway Tile Looks for the Bathroom By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Go dark: contrast with grout
Subway tile is more popular than ever, but you can still create a unique look with it. A move as simple as using a dark grout color can make a statement. This traditional shower space is a perfect example of how dark grout adds visual variety and pattern while keeping a neutral palette. Pairing traditional white subway tile with a darker grout adds a pop of contrast and gives a bathroom space more dimension. Dark grout will also make your life easier because it doesn’t yellow and stain as much as lighter colors.Add wonder with wainscoting
Like subway tile, wainscoting was introduced to interior design several decades ago. Combining form with function, it enhances the look of any bathroom, and protects the lower half of the walls from damage and dirt. What’s great about wainscoting is its ability to turn a plain wall into one with several decorative elements. In the bathroom pictured above, the contrast between the brightly colored aqua walls and subway tile wainscoting is eye-catching and elegant.Switch it up: color and material
Do you like the look of subway tile but want something different? Take a break from standard glossy white tiles and switch it up with a splash of color or a different material. The shower above highlights a traditional brick pattern and complements the classic marble, but adds depth with a field of slate blue. This modern take on subway tile keeps the classic shape, but marble adds a fresh, contemporary vibe.Pretty patterns
Something as simple as switching up the tile pattern can add a lot of visual interest to your bathroom. The beauty is that you use the same affordable tile, but just change its pattern or direction — no need to invest in additional materials. This bathroom features an exciting decorative element by pairing a herringbone pattern with the traditional horizontal layout. Have a compact bathroom? Emphasize the height of a smaller space with vertical subway tiles — it adds an innovative twist without being too trendy. 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.5 Ways to Add a Retro Touch to Your Home By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Saturated colors
From mid-century mint to tricycle red, punchy hues give a retro vibe without much effort. Whether it’s a buttercup-colored KitchenAid mixer or a burnt-orange accent pillow, using more saturated colors associated with eras past will add a distinctly retro character to any room.Flea market finds
For that one-of-a-kind piece, hit the flea market or your favorite online auction site. Antique steamer trunks are a great modern take on the traditional coffee table (with bonus storage), and old ladders are versatile for hanging linens or stacking potted plants. If you want the retro look on a smaller scale, invest in quality vintage barware pieces, like a cocktail shaker or champagne coupes for a pop of nostalgia.Beadboard and paneling
Dip into the Victorian era with the addition of beadboard or wood paneling. It’s fairly affordable, available at most neighborhood hardware stores, and a great way to add character and texture to any home. Small, overlooked spaces like hallways, laundry rooms, and entryways are perfect candidates for paneling. Paired with a calming color or fun wallpaper, it can add visual interest almost immediately.Funky furniture
You don’t need to outfit your living room like The Jetsons to show your appreciation for fashions past. Simply adding one or two anchor pieces to a room, like a ’70s-inspired sofa or funky accent chair, is an instant nod to nostalgia. With the love of retro in full swing, many companies are re-creating styles from a range of periods. Distinctly contemporary, the room pictured above incorporates mid-century elements, like a 1942 Noguchi coffee table and mod circular mirror, for a well-rounded but notably retro space.Lighting
Lighting, like furniture, is remarkably good at capturing the essence of an era. Use vintage-style industrial pendants for a rustic kitchen feel, or circular mod chandeliers for an instant retro upgrade. Not ready to invest in permanent fixtures? Edison light bulbs are available in all shapes and sizes, some with LED technology, and can easily be paired with existing lamps, pendants, and sconces. 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.July 2016 Scottsdale Arizona real estate market update | Scottsdale Real Estate Team
The One Thing You Must Do Before Listing Your Home for Sale By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
What is the building department?
The town keeps records of every building constructed and every permit issued. It’s the job of the lead building inspector to be sure that any changes made to a home meet current codes, and that licensed contractors do the work. Home health and safety issues are the primary concerns of the building department. Whenever someone applies for a permit, an inspector must be physically called out to approve and sign off on the work of the contractor, plumber or electrician.Why should a seller care?
Once you make a deal with a buyer, they will go to the building department to do their due diligence. If there’s an open permit (meaning the permit was applied for, but the contractor never had the inspector sign off on the work to close the permit) or, worse, if there’s no record of your finished basement or newly renovated kitchen, they may not move ahead with the purchase. Often, sellers find that somewhere along the line someone made a mistake — permits weren’t closed out properly when you assumed they were. These errors could have been the fault of a contractor, the previous owner, or even the building department directly. Additionally, a homeowner may assume that the bathroom renovated by their Uncle Bob 15 years ago was up to code, but it may turn out that it’s not. Both scenarios can pose a problem when selling. Once the home transfers, the new homeowner is on the hook for any illegal work, and no buyer wants to take on that liability.What are assessor’s records?
The town assessor keeps tabs on the local real estate market to be certain that the town’s assessed value of your home (which affects property taxes) is in line with the market. When the market slows down, she won’t proactively lower your assessed value, and most assessors regularly scrape the building department permits. Why? Because if you’ve recently made a major improvement to your home, she will want to raise your assessed value, which means higher taxes. It’s also very possible that your home is over- or under-assessed. If it’s the former, you want to attempt to grieve your assessment by providing the assessor some recent sale statistics and making sure that their records are accurate. Every municipality has a grieving process for homeowners.Get ahead of any issues
Before listing, a seller should go to the town hall and check their property records. Most of the time, remedying issues like open permits or misinformation on a property is a quick fix. It’s better to get ahead of it than to have to react to a buyer’s concerns and jeopardize your deal. If it’s a bigger issue, it’s better to hold off on listing your home for sale until you have resolved it. Getting your assessment down can impact your taxes, and that will be great news to your potential buyers. 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.Getting and Staying Organized Through the Summer By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
- Summer clutter
- Project procrastination
- Sleep routines
Summer clutter
We’re conditioned to create traditions and rituals. We buy new outdoor furniture and decorations for our backyard barbecue, and bring friends and family together for camping trips chock full of new-fangled gadgets and equipment. We have family reunions and summer vacations. We’re used to buying, creating, and preparing for events — yet we don’t really have a method or system to deal with the aftermath. It may be time to say goodbye to the stuff we buy “on the fly,” like walkie talkies for playful banter on road trips, floaties for the swimming pool, collapsible picnic tables for the beach, croquet sets for the backyard, and rain ponchos for the fast-moving and sudden rainstorm. I recommend two steps for handling summer clutter:- Collect all the summer clutter. Empty the souvenir bags, toiletry kits, suitcases, and backpacks. Get it all in one place.
- Evaluate it. I do this by using a value-based point system. Rate each item on a scale of 0 to 5. Zero means you have no real use for it in the future and don’t like it at all. Five means you really love the item and can use it, or it brings you great joy to keep it.
Project procrastination
Often we feel more disorganized or confused about our perceived “free time” during the summer months. This can happen because we spend the first half of the year postponing projects until summer vacation. Each year we stack the projects-in-waiting for summer, and each year we seem to forget that we would really rather enjoy some time off in nature, traveling, or getting together with friends. If you want to reduce the pressure for yourself, release yourself from too many good intentions, like repainting the powder room; reading the stack of books you’ve collected; and that wishful photo-organizing project. Instead, pick just one project and focus on it. By making one project the priority, you can do little bits of it from time to time. So, instead of putting off the project and feeling badly that it isn’t getting done, break your priority project down into doing one small step per day.Sample summer project
Want to paint that dresser? Allow yourself 13 “moments” to complete the project and never miss a bit of summer fun. Use this project breakdown to make any project fit in around your unpredictable summer schedule. Painting a dresser purchased at a yard sale- Take a “before” picture: 30 seconds
- Make a list of supplies needed: 5 minutes
- Buy paint and supplies: 1 hour
- Stage the area where you plan to paint: 15 minutes
- Pull the drawers out of the dresser: 3 minutes
- Remove the knobs from the drawers: 10 minutes
- Sand the dresser and drawers: 35 minutes
- Wipe down the dresser and drawers: 10 minutes
- Paint just a drawer or two (repeat): 30 minutes
- Paint the frame of the dresser: 1 hour
- Re-attach knobs: 20 minutes
- Move dresser to preferred location: 20 minutes
- Take picture and post for friends to see: 3 minutes
Sleep routines
Most of us realize instinctively that sleep is important. “You know that babies and children need sleep to grow,” says Val Sgro, a professional organizer and author. “You know that an injured body heals itself faster with good sleep. You know that if you don’t get enough sleep, you become sluggish and cranky, and you have trouble thinking straight. That old saying, ‘I’ll sleep on it,’ comes from the realization that the solution to a problem often seems to reveal itself after a good night’s sleep. “Contrary to common belief, your brain does not rest when you sleep,” she continues. “It is often more active than when you’re awake. It’s busy — busy making sure it stays organized.” And therein lies the key to getting and staying organized in the summer months. Though our sleep routines will likely be off kilter, it’s worth asking the question, “How will I be able to get seven or eight hours of sleep tonight? How will I fit it in?” Maybe you need to grab a mid-day nap or put yourself (not just the kids) to bed an hour earlier. Getting more sleep will help you make better decisions when you pack (and thus have fewer items to “buy on the fly” while traveling). More sleep means being more alert driving on road trips; consuming less sugar or caffeine for a mid-day boost; and showing up with an overall better outlook for the day. And in the middle of summer travel or hosting guests who are visiting for a week, that couldn’t be a more welcome benefit. 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.4 Top U.S. Cities for Seniors By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
What makes a city senior-friendly?
Even if you don’t feel like a senior yet, your retirement home should be able to support you as you age. Living in a community that is accessible and senior-friendly will only enhance your retirement. Make sure to consider the following questions before you move:- Are the neighborhoods walkable? Look for wide, well-maintained sidewalks and walking trails.
- Is there an extensive public transportation system? At some point, you may have to stop driving. Good public transit will let you stay independent and get everywhere you need to go.
- Is your target neighborhood safe? Look up the crime rate and ask about a community watch program. When you visit, make sure you feel safe walking around town.
- Is there a community of like-minded seniors? Visit the city and get a feel for the local community and senior centers. Find out if they have programs you’re interested in and people you would like to get to know.
- What on-demand services are offered to seniors? Look for shuttles, food delivery, and home maintenance services that can bring necessities straight to your door.
- Is there quality healthcare? A senior-friendly city has good doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies nearby.