A Short Sale is a sale of property at a listed price that is less than the existing financing debt on the property. Unlike a foreclosed property the Buyer is dealing with a Seller who still owns the property the market value of which is less than the financing debt on the property. The very first thing a Buyer needs to understand is that a purchase of property that is a short sale cannot be completed without the Lender, or Lenders approval. This process of obtaining approval can, and usually does vary, amongst the very numerous Lenders who are holding mortgages on residential properties. In describing the approval process a Buyer can assume the following: The Listing agent will be representing the Seller in dealing with the Seller’s Lender (or Lenders, if there is more than one financin... 01/13/2009

In today's home selling market it helps to have a competitive edge. Your home needs to stand out in the buyer's mind as a place they can call home. Buyers are looking for a house that they can make into their home. Homes are very personal, houses are not. Houses are made of sticks and stones. Homes are made of people, memories and emotions. That's why it is so important to prepare your house to sell. It involves 1. making the rooms look larger 2. giving the buyers the opportunity to create their own vision about how they could live in the house by depersonalizing the house 3. making the buyer feel confident about the condition of the house. The more effort you put into the preparation, the more it will pay off. Today's buyers have so many choices they know they can expect more for their... 01/11/2009

Here’s how to keep history from repeating itself. Make a commitment to these 10 resolutions and you will be a happy home owner. 10. I will stop listening to the news and letting it control my decisions. 9. I will remember that my house is to be lived in, not flipped. 8. I will not take a mortgage where the payments will be more than 25% of my gross income. 7. I will understand the terms of my mortgage loan. 6. I will make my mortgage payments on time. 5. I will not take equity out of my house 4. I will treat my home as a financial asset and protect its value. 3. I will get a realistic picture of what market conditions are like before I Buy or Sell a house. 2. I will not let my house linger on the market but will take the appropriate steps to prepare it to sell. 1. I will put my trust i... 01/11/2009

  In my on going effort as your Exclusive Buyer’s Representative in Fountain Hills and the Scottsdale area, I am continually researching information regarding Mortgage financing. Today my research revealed the following rate information from the National Association of Realtors;   The National Association of Realtors reports on January 9 that mortgage rates have fallen to “all time lows”.             The average 30-year rate was 5.01 per cent.               The 15-year fixed rate dropped to 4.62.               One of the benefits of having your own exclusive Buyer’s Broker is that I am always monitoring Mortgage rates. I am obtaining rates from local mortgage brokers and Lenders on an ongoing basis in order to keep you informed. As a result I have access to current rate quotes which wi... 01/10/2009

In today's marketplace our buyers need all the help they can get and as agents for buyers we need to be aware of some of the great financing programs that are available to potential buyers. What a great time this is to hone up our skills and market ourselves based on the knowledge that could turn potential buyers into buyers. Entering into this new business of Buyers 1st Realty in Fountain Hills, Arizona and with a business model of exclusive buyer representation, I realize I need to do just that to be prepared for any buyer in any price range. I attended a seminar just before the 1st of the year that covered the FHA Streamline 203(K) Limited Repair Program.  There was a time in Fountain Hills that it was tough to find a property under $300,000 and this program never would have been con... 01/08/2009

When trouble comes it can bring out the best and the worst in people. In our little town we've seen how tragedy binds us together as a community.  Last year there were 2 letters in The Times from residents thanking the whole community for their support through some tragic circumstances.   This kind of caring & togetherness is part of what makes our small town of Fountain Hills such a special place in which to live. But in the worst of times there are those unsavory individuals who take advantage of people who are struggling.  Foreclosure rescue scams are aimed at people about to lose their homes. These criminals trick the home owners into signing the title of their house away. They promise to pay off  the homeowners' debt and let the homeowners continue to live in the house.     When pe... 01/07/2009

The dictionary says the word process means "A series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result". Thus the reason I refer to the "Short Sale" being a circus instead of a process. Here is how I see it at least in the deals we are working on in Fountain Hills, AZ. In the left ring we have the Sellers, in the far right ring we have the Buyers and in the center ring we have the Ringmaster. . oops the Lender. Let the show begin. In the first act the buyers have already performed, they just want to buy a home and in good faith have submitted their offer along with their pre-approval letter. In the second act we have the Sellers, they have accepted the buyers offer and only want to get the deal done and avoid a foreclosure. In the center ring we have the lender and this is where... 01/04/2009

The real estate developer, MCO Properties and MCO Realty, has designed 3 luxury home communities in Fountain Hills, AZ offering a variety of real estate and homes for sale. Eagles Nest - a gated community with unrivaled mountain vistas of Four Peaks, Superstitions Mountains, and the Goldfields stretching out before you, Eagles Nest offers 244 home sites, 40 miles of walking, hiking and horse trails, all only minutes from Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and Phoenix. SunRidge Canyon - is a golf community in Fountain Hills, AZ with 541 production homes, 286 custom home sites, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Keith Foster, neighborhood parks connected by bike paths, and open tracts of undisturbed, natural open space. FireRock - just minutes away in Fountain Hills and the nearby co... 12/24/2008

If you are thinking of buy a home in Fountain Hills, golf enthusiasts rest assure that this Phoenix ‘Malibu' has 3 beautiful public golf courses and one private course. Desert Canyon golf Club The Golf Club at Eagle Mountain SunRidge Canyon Golf Course FireRock Golf and Country Club Fountain Hills, AZ gets its name from its world-famous fountain. Centered in Fountain Hills Park, it shoots nearly 600 feet in the air every hour making it the highest fountain in the world.  Surrounding the Fountain Hills ‘Fountain' is a 30-acre park with areas of picnics , "disc-golf" and large  playground for kids (and adults The real estate developer, MCO Properties and MCO Realty, has designed 3 luxury home communities in Fountain Hills, AZ offering a variety of real estate and homes for sale. 12/24/2008

Fountain Hills, AZ gets its name from its world-famous fountain. Centered in Fountain Hills Park, it shoots nearly 600 feet in the air every hour making it the highest fountain in the world.  Surrounding the Fountain Hills ‘Fountain' is a 30-acre park with areas of picnics , "disc-golf" and large  playground for kids (and adults The real estate developer, MCO Properties and MCO Realty, has designed 3 luxury home communities in Fountain Hills, AZ offering a variety of real estate and homes for sale. Eagles Nest - a gated community with unrivaled mountain vistas of Four Peaks, Superstitions Mountains, and the Goldfields stretching out before you, Eagles Nest offers 244 home sites, 40 miles of walking, hiking and horse trails, all only minutes from Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and Phoenix. S... 12/09/2008

Fountain Hills, AZ gets its name from its world-famous fountain. Centered in Fountain Hills Park, it shoots nearly 600 feet in the air every hour making it the highest fountain in the world.  Surrounding the Fountain Hills ‘Fountain' is a 30-acre park with areas of picnics , "disc-golf" and large  playground for kids (and adults The real estate developer, MCO Properties and MCO Realty, has designed 3 luxury home communities in Fountain Hills, AZ offering a variety of real estate and homes for sale. Eagles Nest - a gated community with unrivaled mountain vistas of Four Peaks, Superstitions Mountains, and the Goldfields stretching out before you, Eagles Nest offers 244 home sites, 40 miles of walking, hiking and horse trails, all only minutes from Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and Phoenix. S... 11/29/2008

There are a lot of choices to buy luxury real estate in Phoenix, AZ, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and the surrounding towns of Fountain Hills, Carefree, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Peoria. After deciding to buy real estate between Scottsdale , Paradise Valley, Carefree , Fountain Hills or any of the wonderful towns with great homes in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Glendale and Peoria, you have to choose community. Scottsdale luxury golf communities include Silverleaf, DC Ranch, Grayhawk, Troon Country Club and Troon North. Peoria luxury resort and golf communities include Sonoran Mountain Ranch and Vistancia. Fountain Hills is the home to luxury golf community Firerock golf and Country club. One of the most desirable communities with  unparalleled city lights and majestic  mountain views that... 11/24/2008

Fountain Hills, AZ is a small desert town on the outskirts of Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale. Developed by MCO Properties and MCO Realty,  Fountain hills is a hidden oasis high in the Sonoran Desert offering some of the best real estate (in quality and great deals) and custom homes in greater Phoenix with unparalleled mountain views, desert landscaping and city lights of Fountain Hills, AZ and Scottsdale. Fountain Hills, AZ is a desert community offering some of the best real estate opportunities in greater Phoenix including single family homes, townhomes, condominiums and apartments. All of these homes for sale and unsurpassed Arizona desert lifestyle are supported by commercial and retail business, 3 major community parks, a public library, nine schools, a variety of civic groups, churc... 11/19/2008

FOUNTAIN HILLS Where is the largest fountain in the world located? While some might answer that it is Le Jet d'Eau in Geneva, Switzerland many would be surprised to hear that it is actually in Fountain Hills, Arizona. At 560' high it is 100' higher than its rival in Switzerland as noted in the Guinness Book of World Records. The beauty of Fountain Hills is unrivaled with its pristine lake and fountain surrounded by mountain views both near and far. The hills are alive with natural vegetation and of course the signature saguaros stand tall. Fountain Hills, while blessed with much beauty is a fantastic place to live - so much so that it was voted the #1 place to live in the greater metropolitan Phoenix area in 2006. Residents and visitors enjoy the many community events throughout the yea... 10/16/2008

With as many as 25%-30% of the real estate market consisting of short sales, I have found that realtors consistently make 3 mistakes when handling them.  Here are the 3 scenarios:  Scenario # 1.  A second offer comes in 1-2 days after the first one for more money.  Some realtors submit both offers to the lender...DON'T DO THAT !  Instead, if the first offer is signed by the seller, then submit that one.  If the first offer has not been signed by the seller, then pick one and submit that one.  By presenting 2 offers to the lender of lenders if there is a second, will only "muddy" the water and thus make the time for approval longer.  Scenario #2.  A seller receives a 2nd offer, for $10,000 more, about a week after you submit the first signed contract to the lenders.  The seller now wants... 10/07/2008

There has never been a better time to buy real estate in Arizona! There is an unbelievable selection and prices are back to about 2003-2004! There are many reasons to buy real estate in the United States. If you're Canadian, parity of the two currencies (USD and CD) could be one of them. While I'm not going to make a recommendation on the wisdom of purchasing real estate in Arizona, I would like to inform you of what you might expect when financing a home as a foreign national. If you are considering a second (vacation) home in the United States the terms are a bit more favorable for you. The following is a list of requirements you can expect when obtaining financing: 1. Copies of passport and visa.2. Last two pay stubs.3. Last two bank statements.4. Last two years tax returns. If self ... 10/06/2008

  As of September 25, 2008 there are 476 single family detached homes for sale in Fountain Hills.  They range in price from $159,000 to $7,750,000.  The home at the top end features an indoor pool area! There are 22 Patio homes for sale ranging in price from $250,000 to $1,525,000. 140 townhomes are currently for sale.  They range in price from $87,000 to $946,000 for a 4,572' residence. There are 152 condos for sale ranging in price from $102,900 - $700,000. If you have been thinking of buying a home in Fountain Hills now may be the time!   09/25/2008

Fountain Hills Arizona has a new sweet spot -- a new shop for gelatos and sorbetti. La Scala Creamery located at 12645 N Saguaro Blvd in Fountain Hills is home of more than 80 flavors of all natural, preservative-free gelatos and sorbetti. The owner has developed her recipes around promoting natural ingredients and making her own kerfir. In addition to their amazing flavors they are also planning to host some events such as classes in practical nutrition, and friendship nights. Call them at 480-836-4444 for more information. Or you can check out their website. 09/15/2008

Last Friday morning,at our weekly RMS Realtor meeting, we had a panel of local mortgage brokers and real estate brokers discussing and taking questions on the new H.R. 3221.  It was obvious to me that most people don't seem to know a whole lot about it!  So, I've done a little research and bill give you some of the key points to know.  Then, I would love to hear from you with any questions you may have.  This ought to force me to get to know it pretty well! First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit - 10% of cost of home not to exceed $7500. Purchase on or after April 9th, 2008. Any single-family, principal residence (including condo's) are eligible. Reduces income tax liability for the year purchased. Income limit of $75,000 single and $150,000 on a joint return. Purchaser (and spouse) may not ha... 08/17/2008

Buying and Selling Fountain Hills Real Estate. See ALL Fountain Hills Real Estate and FORECLOSURES for sale NOW. Golf homes, Condos, Patio homes, and Fountain Hills FORECLOSURES for sale. Fountain Hills is an amazingly quaint community that is what we are missing these days......quiet serenity and beauty. Mountain views are everywhere you look. The famous "Fountain" can be seen from far away as it shoots high in the air through the city.   Fountain Hills Properties For Sale Right Now Under 200K Fountain Hills Homes Fore Sale 200-300K Fountain Hills Real Estate For Sale 300-400K Fountain hills homes for sale 400-500K     RES RES 1 Active   $169,000 Fountain Hills  Lender/Corp Approval Required,Lender Owned Property Foreclosure **NEW LOW PRICE**LOWEST PRICED SINGLE FAMILY IN FTN HILLS*LEN... 07/28/2008