Mary's Blog

As we look at events of the past year in the real estate industry it has become apparent that we are now in a buyers market.  Sellers who receive an offer to purchase are often dismayed at the low price buyers are bringing to the table.  While both parties to a transaction want the best deal they...

While there is much talk about how the real estate market is in disarray, the timing for investors may be just right. As the stock market continues to go south, and with money market/CD investments paying very low interest, it may be time that you consider moving your money into real estate inves...

If you are in the market to purchase a home, a question that you should ask yourself is how you want to take title. When you find a property and sit down to write the contract your agent will ask you the same question.  To help you prepare for the answer I have listed the most common ways that in...

This year marks 40 years since the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act) was enacted by Congress.  The act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial stat...

Gone are the days when sellers were in the driver's seat of the real estate market.  Today buyers are flexing their muscle, and most are not ashamed to make low offers.  To counter an unrealistically low offer and defend your asking price, here are some things that you can do.Price realistically:...

Purchasing a home can be a bewildering experience for anyone and especially the uninformed.  With all of the publicity concerning foreclosures the need for buyers to be well informed prior to signing a contract has never been greater than it is today.Arizona realtors have long recognized the need...

As a result of the slowdown in the housing market and the mortgage problems facing many home owners, I feel that the timing is right to educate buyers about what to look for when purchasing a home in a subdivision that has an active Home Owners Association (HOA).   Although the majority of associ...

All professions have terms that are specific to their line of work.  The real estate business is no exception and our industry is peppered with acronyms of all sorts.  Although Internet Data Exchange (IDX) and Broker Reciprocity (pronounced res-uh-pros-i-tee) are not terms used in everyone's dail...

Occasionally someone acquires real estate in which they have limited knowledge of the property.  This usually happens through inheritance or when a house is obtained as the result of a gift.  An individual who owns this type of property usually knows very little about any issues relating to the s...

Curb appeal is a common term used in real estate marketing.  It is defined as "everything prospective buyers can see from the street that might make them want to take a closer look at a house for sale".  In the current real estate market here in Northern Arizona sellers need every competitive edg...