Not So Good News for Renters

Renters info

                                                                    

I can only speak for the Phoenix area, as that’s where I live..

 

But from what I’m hearing Rents are going up.  One source that I read said that they already went up at least 5% since last year.   And rentals are hard to find, in some areas they go faster than others…. 

 

With valley home prices down 2% for the year, the demand for rentals is still strong in the Phoenix area.   With fewer people buying, because of down payment, or credit,-- renting is their best option. 

 

Renters being the most Financially fragile as they tend to live life closer to the edge.  Is there a way to help them see the value in Home Ownership??
                                                                                 

 

There’s a lot of info out there to educate ones self about general economics and how a mortgage works, without the understanding, you can make bad investment choices, incur fees, and take costly risks.

 

Granted there are some out there right now renting --- not because of their choice, but because of having to overcome a short sale or foreclosure.  With these folks I think they were just dealt some unexpected cards, and are ready now to jump in the game of homeownership again.

 

I work with some great lenders who just might be able to help with the credit issues.  The interest rate is the lowest it has been in a very long time. 

 

There are several programs out to help with down payments assistance, and the FHA has just dropped the mortgage insurance premium rate, which will help with over all payment, Maybe it’s time to think about the benefits of owning vs renting.

If you want to find out just what you could buy, call me and we'll see what can happen--- if not now, working for the goal of ownership

Joanne McGuire  

                                    REALTOR®    

 

 

Premier Service Certified

Rea l Living  Property for You 

Direct  623-640-0488

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Do You Really Need a Home Warranty??

 

 

 

You may not know what a #Home Warranty is or what it does, so I'll try to give you the high points.

It is NOT like a homeowners insurance policy that covers for fire, theft, water-damage or hail damage etc....

 

A home warranty offers protection against the cost (some times high cost) of repair or replacement of the high end major components in the home--- air condition/heating, water heater, garbage disposal, stove-oven, etc.  And of course you can buy extra coverage for your refrig, or washer and dryer etc

With an upfront purchase of the plan and a service fee most feel they come out ahead, especially when a month into their new home the water heater isn’t heating, or their AC isn’t cold.

 

 Usually when buying a home the #REALTOR® will advise to get a home warranty-- although they can be put on existing homes.  When buying a home the home inspector will tell you what is good and bad about the house, but even then things can stop working a week after you’ve signed the papers, through no-ones fault.

 

There are several, several different companies to choose from. You can Google them then Go to their websites and read the reviews.  Find out which companies have to best coverage for wear and tear on your appliances and plumbing

 

It’s like having an insurance plan for your home’s comfort items--- granted we all hate to pay, but it’s sooo nice to have when something isn’t working!!

 

I could tell you about the time my seller had done thousands of dollars of upgrades on his house,-everything looked great and  had pasted with the inspection with everything in good working order; yet two weeks after close of escrow the AC quit, -just quit!  The buyer was extremely happy that he didn’t have to come up with another $5,000 for a new one!  All for the price of, at the time a $350 home warranty. 

Well, that’s all I have for today.

Have a good week,

Joanne

 

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Living with Pest--- errr Pets

Living with Pets

Or better said—pets letting you live with them.

Ever notice that once you get a pet they can take over your world??

 

Cats,

Cats are independent little fur balls, that can be very demanding…. Yes, when they are kittens they are adorable.  Always playful, and full of energy, then all too quickly morph into these critters that only want love when they decide (usually in the middle of the night, during your favorite show or while you’re in the ‘library’). They eye the sandwich you are eating with great intensity, and cover you with their fur…. Bless their little hearts.

All that aside,  I have several cats, and they are a joy most of the time….  I have 2 that are blind,  One that has been blind from almost birth, and the other grew blind with age (she’s going to be 18 soon)  In his younger day the one that has been blind all of his life, would play with another cat we had—he would hide behind a wall and jump out at the other--- he must have amazing hearing… he still thinks he’s the alpha male cat.   The other male cat I have who is younger and bigger, lets him.

I am “cat’  sitting right now and don’t think for one minute that he has not noticed that there is a new cat in the house.

 

Dogs..

Man or woman’s best friend….  Ever loving and ever forgiving… don’t you wish people could take a few lessons from them, me included.  Great protectors or maybe you have one that will show the crooks where the goodstuff is.  At the writing of this, I have 3,  a Australian shepherd who is moving very slow these days, and I don’t want to think about what the next month may hold for her, and 2 young  little dogs…. But they bark at every passer by on the street.  It’s been a while since I had puppies, yoie, what was I thinking!!??  They have finally stopped chewing up my wood furniture.  They are brother and sister and they play and play.  I wish I had their energy.

My granddaughter just got a pig for a school project.  I personally avoid pork, but I’m thinking she will have a hard time eating it after this,   I guess he likes to roll over to have his belly scratched and is developing a personality.   And they named it!!!!---- bad decision!!  Don’t ever name something you may eat someday. 

Pet’s-- some people think they are just an object to have or use.  Not even thinking for a minute that they have feelings, thoughts, and ability to think. 

 

One more short story to prove my point that they are smart critters. 

When I was young we had a dog, we were going on vacation in a few days, and mom had packed all but a few things…  Puffy knew something was up,  and she was mad when everybody left to run to the store --thinking she was left behind, she found my mom’s corset and hid it in her bed…. Mom had to wear a girdle the next few days to work—until we found it in the basket…..  (fyi a girdle is a very tight fitting undergarment. )  Puffy, was very  happy when she got to go on the vaction with us;  Mom was very happy she didn't have to wear the girdle.