Arizona Archives - Page 23 of 35 - Scottsdale Real Estate Team / Arizona Luxury Homes

Types of Granite by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group Scottsdale Arizona

October 26, 2010 szabogroup

by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group Granite is a popular choice for countertops because of its rich, deep colors and many variations. It’s a tough, durable stone that requires little maintenance. It has a very dense grain, which makes it virtually impervious to stains, because it has very little porosity. It takes a highly polished finish and once polished it is completely resistant to liquids. Other benefits of kitchen granite countertops are the mirror-like finish. Granite countertops can resist extreme heat from frying pans. A granite kitchen countertop is very easy to maintain and care for. For daily cleaning you just wipe with a soft cloth or paper towel with soapy water. Some other advantages to having a kitchen granite countertop are that they are affordable, beautiful, the stone changes appearance in different light during the day. One thing you have to watch for is than each granite stone is unique. This can mean that the color in the granite can look different from one day to the next depending on the lighting situation. Lighting can cause a reflection in the granite making one color more dominant. So in picking a color it is a good idea to choose from actual slabs not samples. – Taken from www.kitchendesignersideas.com/kitchen_granite_countertops.html There are more than 1,000 varieties of granite colors and textures. Colors include white, cream, pink, yellow, red, blue, green, gray and black. To see the range of colors and styles, visit www.marble.com/materials/granite There are two types of granite styles to consider when choosing countertops. “Consistent” granite has the same pattern throughout each piece. “Variegated” granite has veins that vary from piece to piece. They’re attractive, but the veins make it more difficult to match sections. Taken from www.ehow.com/about_5087961_types-granite-counters.html#ixzz13T3c9qHo The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com

Why Get Pre-Qualified for Your Scottsdale Home Purchase by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group Scottsdale Arizona

October 19, 2010 szabogroup

Szabo Group, Joe Szabo, Joseph Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate, Scottsdale Home for Sale, Scottsdale, Arizona, Scottsdale Arizona, Scottsdale Real Estate Agent

When you begin to look at real estate here in Scottsdale, Arizona, you and your realtor should be aware of how much you can afford; or, more importantly, how much a lender will give you to purchase your new home. To take care of this, you can schedule a meeting with a mortgage company professional, free of obligation, to get “Pre-qualified”. Taking the time to do this will not only keep you from wasting time on homes above your price range, but as we could tell you here at Whitney and Associates Real Estate, most realtors will not agree to show you homes without some kind of formal estimate. You also might be pleasantly surprised that you can afford more than you think with the mortgages available. It is always helpful for Buyers to ask friends, family, and associates if they can refer a lender, and it is every Buyer’s right to talk to as many lenders as they like. When you set up an appointment, bring as much information about your finances as possible, including your income, any current debts, and the amount of cash you will have for the down payment. It is also very important to be honest in the way you provide your finance information, because after all the documentation is filled out during the actual process, everything will be revealed anyway. Not to mention that if you are pre-approved for the home of your dreams, to be turned down later because you withheld information, it will only be that much more disappointing. When you meet with a lender, they will also run a credit report, which costs anywhere from twenty-five to one hundred dollars. This will reveal any negative part of your finances, however, some of which can be removed from the report. Hence, it would be best to check your credit on your own first, because any cleaning up can take thirty to one hundred and eighty days. Also, when you do finally get through the process of being pre-approved, you will receive a letter stating the exact amount. It is always helpful to bring this to real estate specialists in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com

What to Expect at a Home Inspection By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

October 14, 2010 szabogroup

The purpose of a home inspection is to find unsafe, damaged, or incomplete aspects of a home. If such a problem is detected, maybe faulty wiring or signs of mold, the inspector will write up a report describing the problem, and may suggest further evaluation. Here at Scottsdale Real Estate Team and Szabo Group, we feel inspections are very important, as emotions can affect a Buyer who has fallen in love with a potential home, and has a hard time imagining there are any problems. It is also important for a Seller because not only will it offer full disclosure, but also if the Seller repairs the defects ahead of time, it can save money because the price for the home has not yet been negotiated, and these costs can be worked in. Also, this will give the Seller time to find a reasonable contractor, instead of one presented by the Buyer with inflated estimates. We feel at Scottsdale Real Estate Team, that there are certain things to expect at a home inspection. Whether you are buying or selling Scottsdale Real Estate, a home inspector should report on the condition of the following: the structure and foundation (including walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors), interior plumbing, electrical systems, and the heating and air conditioning systems. If your inspector does not include an inspection for things such as mold, radon, and water testing (as many do not), it is a good idea to find an inspector that does, because such defects can be potentially very dangerous and costly. It is also important to know what not to expect. A home inspection is not an appraisal, and it is not concerned with the value of the home, nor will it pass or fail the home. Do not expect an inspector to tell you what to pay or if it is worth buying. Do not expect to be told how long the appliances left behind, such as the air conditioning, will last. The inspection is concerned with the state of different components of the home at that time, not how they will be looking down the road. Also, keep in mind that often it is not a code inspection, and may not check to see if the building it’s up to current code. An inspection is strictly for the purpose of addressing defects or problematic aspects of the home before the sale closes. The Scottsdale Real Estate Team offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Scottsdale, Arizona, contact Scottsdale Real Estate Agent Joe Szabo. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers for Scottsdale, Arizona, The Szabo Group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com for more information.

What is the Difference between a Real Estate Agent and a Real Estate Broker? By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

October 12, 2010 szabogroup

Real estate professionals go by a few different names, but the distinctions between them shouldn’t matter to you as the buyer. The only thing you should be sure of is that the person you are working with is a licensed real estate professional. If you aren’t certain if your agent is licensed you can ask to see their license or call your local state agency to verify they are licensed. Both agents and brokers can help you successfully complete the purchase of your home. All real estate agents have to take classes and pass an agent’s exam. Brokers must take additional classes and have a specified amount of experience in the field and pass another exam. Brokers have the ability to open, run, and own a real estate office or work independently without an office. The real estate agent works for a broker who is ultimately responsible for that agent’s actions. Many realtors belong to the National Association of Realtors which has its own code of ethics and conduct. So is it better to work with a broker rather than an agent? Not necessarily. Look at the individual agent’s knowledge and experience and find the person that best fits your needs. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Scottsdale, Arizona, contact Scottsdale Real Estate Agent Joe Szabo. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers for Scottsdale, Arizona, The Szabo Group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com for more information.

What Do I Need to Know about Buying a House that is For Sale by Owner? By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

October 5, 2010 szabogroup

It is important to research any home that you are interested in buying whether it is for sale by owner or a listed property. There are some key points to keep in mind when looking for a home that is for sale by owner. It is easy to overpay for a home that is for sale by owner. People frequently overpay for these properties. It is difficult to compare one house to another in terms of size and amenities when you can’t view other similar homes in the area. There may be information that the seller is legally obligated to tell you about that can impact the value of your property in the future. For example, the empty lot behind the home will have a section 8 housing project built on it. This could negatively affect the value of your property. Many people think that the seller of the for sale by owner home will automatically reduce the sale price because they don’t have to pay a commission. While this is a possibility, it isn’t something you should rely on. Some properties come with problems attached. There are two main reasons sellers sell without a broker and both have to do with money. The first reason is that they don’t want to pay a commission to a broker. The second reason is that prospective agents have told the seller that the house won’t sell for the price they are asking and the seller hopes that he/she can fool the buyer into paying what they are asking. The seller might not know what potential resale problems that property may have. Be sure to research any potential neighborhoods. Be informed. Make sure you know what it is you want and what you are willing to and able to pay for it. Stay firm. Make sure you get all the proper documents and disclosures in order. Be sure to have a professional home inspection and a final walk-through so there are no surprises when you move in. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Scottsdale, Arizona, contact Scottsdale Real Estate Agent Joe Szabo. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers for Scottsdale, Arizona, The Szabo Group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com for more information.

How Should I Hold Title To My New Home? by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

September 28, 2010 szabogroup

Front, Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate, Scottsdale Homes for Sale, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team How you hold title, the ownership of your real estate, is important. If you are married you often get joint tenancy with rights of survivorship and if you are single you hold property in your own name. There are other ways of holding title that may help you in certain situations. As an individual you may choose to take title in your own name or you can put your property in a trust. With a trust, in the event of your death, your property will not go into probate. Joint tenancy with rights of survivorship is the most common way married couples hold title but two nonrelated individuals can also own property as joint tenants. As joint tenants both tenants own the property as a whole. With rights of survivorship, in the event of the death of one of the tenants that tenants share is immediately transferred to the surviving partner. Tenancy in common allows each person to own his or her piece of the property separately. Tenancy by the Entirety is similar to joint tenancy but does not allow creditors of one spouse to force the sale of home to pay the debt of that spouse. These are not options available in all states. You should consult your real estate professional before making this important decision. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Scottsdale, Arizona, contact Scottsdale Real Estate Agent Joe Szabo. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers for Scottsdale, Arizona, The Szabo Group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 480.688.2020 or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com for more information.

How Do I Apply for a Loan? By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

September 23, 2010 szabogroup

Watch and Money, Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate, Scottsdale Homes for Sale, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Applying for a loan is different from getting prequalified for a loan. Getting prequalified involves going to a lender and having the lender analyze your financial situation and come up with an approximate amount you can borrow. You have to apply for a loan to get preapproved. The lender will want to see documentation and proof that you actually have the assets and debts you say you do. You should have some key pieces of information to speed up the process. These include copies of bank statements for the last three months, copies of all account statements including stock accounts, copies of your most recent pay stubs, and your W2 forms for the past two years. If you are self-employed you will need the past two years of tax returns and a profit and loss statement for the year to date. If the money you are using to buy the house is a gift from a friend or family member have a gift letter as well. You will need to make some other important decisions at the time of your application. These include what type of mortgage you should choose, if you should float the rate or lock it in, and how many points (if any) do you want to pay. Keep all of this in mind and go in to a lender prepared, it not only speeds up the process but shows the lender you are a serious buyer. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Scottsdale, Arizona, contact Scottsdale Real Estate Agent Joe Szabo. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers for Scottsdale, Arizona, The Szabo Group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 480.688.2020 or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com for more information.

When Should I Close Escrow and Why Does It Matter? by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

September 21, 2010 szabogroup

House Keys, Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate, Scottsdale Homes for Sale, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team When you close your escrow is a negotiation point between you and the seller. Timing is everything. You should set the closing date according to when your current lease ends. If you close at the beginning of the month and your lease doesn’t end until the end of the month you will be paying double rent for nothing. This only works if you have work to do on your new home and need somewhere to stay in the meantime. In addition if you close at the beginning of the month the lender will require you to prepay the interest from the day of closing until the end of the month. If you close closer to the end of the month, the less money you will pay out of pocket. Remember that you get to take deductions for your house in the year that it closes, even if it closes on the last day of the year. But make sure your deductible costs will be greater than the standard deduction allowed by the IRS. You may want to contact your accountant to find out how this may affect your situation. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Scottsdale, Arizona, contact Scottsdale Real Estate Agent Joe Szabo. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers for Scottsdale, Arizona, The Szabo Group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 480.688.2020 or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com for more information.

How Much Will it Cost to Own and Maintain a Home? By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

September 16, 2010 szabogroup

House Money, Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate, Scottsdale Homes for Sale, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team In the movie The Money Pit, the homeowner, played by Tom Hanks, throws much of his life savings into renovating his new home. Maintaining a home can feel much the same way. Calculating the cost of home ownership appears easy at first. After all, if you can afford the mortgage, insurance, and real estate taxes you can afford it, right? Unfortunately that is not always the case. Some costs of home ownership can lighten your wallet or break the bank. Calculating these costs can be difficult as there are the fixed costs such as the mortgage payment and taxes and semi-fixed costs such as utilities, and then there are the variables which include repair and maintenance of the interior and exterior of the home and landscaping and maintenance. These costs can vary greatly. The extent of repairs needed and their cost will vary with the condition the house is in when you buy it. Utility bills can vary based on the season and usage. In order to avoid breaking the bank it is a good idea to save up at least 6 months of expenses so that if a major repair is needed you have the funds available. Don’t let your house become the “money pit”. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Scottsdale, Arizona, contact Scottsdale Real Estate Agent Joe Szabo. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers for Scottsdale, Arizona, The Szabo Group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 480.688.2020 or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com for more information.

When I Go for a Showing, What Should I Look For? By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

September 14, 2010 szabogroup

Kitchen, Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate, Scottsdale Homes for Sale, Scottsdale Real Estate Team By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

The most important thing you can do when go to a showing is to step back and view the home objectively. Don’t get caught up in the moment. Look at every nook and cranny, open every closet and look at the carpets and floors. Look at the house as if it were empty. Try to picture the house as it would look like without the grandfather clock in the corner or the paisley sofa. Realize that even though the house may not be decorated the way you would decorate it does not mean it doesn’t have potential. Don’t miss out on a great home because you don’t like the way the walls are painted. When scheduling your first showing, look at your basic needs. Is it within the right distance to work, family, and friends? Does it have enough bedrooms and bathrooms? Is there enough storage space? Is there parking? Is it safe? Is it in the right school district? If the home meets these basic requirements then see if it has some of the items you would like. For example, is there an extra bedroom or bathroom, is there a garden or a deck, is the garage attached, and what is the overall condition of the house. Keep in mind those things that you cannot live without in a home and those things that aren’t as important. Look at every house to see how well it fits your needs and look at the house’s potential to not only be a house but a home. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Scottsdale, Arizona, contact Scottsdale Real Estate Agent Joe Szabo. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers for Scottsdale, Arizona, The Szabo Group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 480.688.2020 or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com for more information.

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