Arizona Real Estate Specialist

Passing the Flying Colors

2008-07-04T13:57:16Z

Our neighborhood has a few traditions:

A neighborhood chili cook-off before Halloween
Luminarias on Christmas Eve
Flags out front for every holiday.

The last part, the flags, are provided by the local boy scouts. They deliver a large flag to your front yard… a flag that flies from dawn to dusk.

Since my son has been a boy scout for several years now that means I drive while he posts.

It's amazing how different the neighborhood looks during the holidays. The neighbors smile that much more. They wave as you deliver or take down.

More importantly, this act raises questions among the very young. When they ask why we put the flags out front we're able to explain what the flag means to us.

We explain that it's more than a decoration- it's a symbol… and, a feeling. A symbol that this nation succeeded… and a feeling that if our founders could accomplish what they did, well then- so can we.

On our nation's birthday I have a long list of thanks... but let me sum it up this way: I thank every person who has made or is currently sacrificing so that my family can enjoy the pursuit of happiness.

When I drive past these flying colors I could not be more proud of this nation- and the privilege it is to live here.

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Photo Credit: "USA Flags" by Paula Brewer, a very talented photographer.

EcoFriendly Find- A Water Cooler That Extracts H20 from Thin Air

2008-07-03T12:59:56Z

There's a company called Klimatec that has come up with one of the most eco-friendly solutions I’ve seen in quite a while.

They make a water cooler that is self-replenishing.

It extracts up to five gallons of water per day from the air around it.

The unit contains an ultraviolet light process to kill bacteria and a carbon filter to free it from pollutants.

The results? Drinking water from thin air... and plenty of it.

And if that weren't enough- they also have a version that is solar powered.

There you have it- a-zero energy, zero-refills-required water cooler.

I love it when creative people work with what they have to come up with something worthwhile.

I'm guessing that solutions like these will continue to "pop up" as we become more concerned about conserving energy and saving money.

What's fascinating is that much of the technology in these devices is not entirely new.

Maybe, it's just another case of a technology waiting for the consumer.

Nice Surprises in the Market News- Both Nationally and in Arizona

2008-06-29T19:23:34Z

"Act surprised" ... that's the command I gave my daughters as they unknowingly became a part of my blog-marketing campaign.

Fortunately they put up with me.

OK... for about 3 seconds... and no do-overs.

This is a brief snapshot with my wrap-up of this week's market news. There's some good... some not so good but, overall I'm pleased with the direction of things.

Here are the good surprises:

"After-tax incomes and spending show big gains" - That's the market headline from the associated press. Another quote within the article, "The Commerce Department reported that disposable incomes, the amount left after paying taxes, surged by 5.7 percent last month. It was the biggest increase since May 1975." Most of this is due to the economic stimulus package. Other good side benefits included an increase in the personal savings rate to the highest level since May of '95.

"Existing-home sales rise 2% in May" - That's the headline from the Wall Street Journal. With an increase in sales there was also a decrease in inventory. Hmmm... so that's how supply and demand work? Though it's too early to call this a trend, it is a good sign for home sellers. The next good sign for them would be to see an increase in home prices.

Now the mixed bag:

From Fox Business- "Enjoy the Stealth Good News" we see this nugget, "The Case-Shiller index reported last Tuesday showed home prices dropped 1.4% in April in the 20 cities tracked by the index, the smallest drop since October. More significantly, values rose in eight cities, up from two in March. And, in the 12 cities in which values did not increase, only two experienced steeper declines than in March." In other words, prices dropped less sharply than they have been. This means we may be approaching a pricing bottom... something we'll know for sure after-the-fact.

As for my market- the Phoenix Metro area... Here are the things I'm seeing from my customers:

Shock at the competition in the bank owned properties. We've been seeing multiple offers and full time offers being rejected in some areas- mostly in the cities at the center of the valley.

A renewed interest in condos- this market has been pretty flat and all of a sudden I have several potential buyers who like the idea of low prices/low maintenance/low transportation expenses.

Astonishing prices on new homes. I can hardly believe it. New homes with yards in the low 100's.

Well... these are a few of the surprises in my market... do you have a report from yours?

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Chuck Willman is an Arizona real estate agent based in the Phoenix area. Looking for a home in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek? Reach Chuck at 480.292.0600 or www.AZvest.com.

Pretty up Your Banners & Backgrounds with 300+ Free Vintage Style Textures

2008-06-29T17:56:49Z

I love good design.

I would love to be better at creating it.

Fortunately there are many creative people who specialize... better yet, they share.

The good people at Design Reviver have lived up to their billing.

They describe themselves as, "a resource for web designers. Here you will find tutorials, freebies, inspiration, and other useful information."

And they certainly have delivered in one of their latest posts, "300+ Vintage Style Textures and Photoshop Brushes."

This is from their freebies section. You'll find patterns, graphics, and textures that are hip and modern yet they harken to the vintage patterns and stylish looks of the 1920's through 1940's.

That's right... great grandma had taste!

So, if you're looking for a snazzy way to pretty-up your banners and backgrounds, this is a very good place to start.

Arizona State University Rankings- Top Five Sports Program

2008-06-29T12:31:02Z

Many congratulations to Arizona State University. The Tempe institution has achieved it's best-yet finish in the Sports Academy Director's Cup ... claiming a number four ranking among all university sports programs.

Every year the NACDA ranks each university's sports program. Results are based on national championships and placement within the polls of each athletic event. Arizona State finished in the top ten eight times while bringing home a national championship in Women's Softball, and the Men and Women's Track and Field programs.

I must congratulate ASU's VP of Athletics, Lisa Love; she has managed to build a successful program in very little time. Also, as a big Pac Ten fan I'm happy to point out that the conference claimed three of the top four positions. Not bad!

Here are this year's Top Five:

1. Stanford, 1461.00

2. UCLA, 1182.00

3. Michigan, 1160.00

4. Arizona State, 1146.00

5. Texas, 1129.5

The complete list can be found here: NACDA final standings

Real Estate is Like a Multi-Trunked Tree

2008-06-28T15:40:05Z

We purchased a tree for the edge of our lawn because we loved the yellow flowers that sometimes bloomed.

It was a narrow tree with a single trunk that barely managed to sustain the weight of the foliage.

A violent wind blew and we watched from the front window.

First the tree bent back and forth.

It bent further, then broke...

...leaving nothing more than a pointed stick in the ground.

Lazily, I snapped the remainder of the trunk from view and told myself I would dig out the roots later.

Then branches emerged from the ground. These branches looked bush-like, so I let it go.

Now we have a multiple trunked tree which is always green- with occasional yellow blooms.

This tree, with its multiple trunks, is impervious to the strongest winds.

So much in life hinges on such strength- the ability to weather the tempest and to remain upright.

I like the analogy of the many trunks.

Each real estate transaction stands on the strength of diverse trunks. My happiest clients have found more than a trustworthy agent. I seek to provide, or work with, hard working loan officers, trustworthy title agents, capable home warranty specialists and excellent builders.

Each of us, working together, can get the job done.

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Chuck Willman- Arizona Real Estate & Investment Specialist - 480.292.0600 - www.AZvest.com.

The $6k Deluxe Home Office Shed?!

2008-06-28T14:30:45Z

With the pending arrival of Brian DeHamer’s first child he had a decision to make:

... Decide how to make room for the newborn while finding space to move his home office.

For many the first thought is to find new housing… for others it’s to add on.

Brian met the decision half-way.

He bought a shed.

And boy did he ever deck it out.

Nearly $6,000 and quite a few man hours later- he found himself working in what could, arguably be described as the world’s coolest shed.

He did the wiring himself, which saved a great deal. The most expensive component was the shed.

Check out his story here: DeHamerspace.

Also, check out his Flickr Series:

Brian's Office on Flickr.

That's some great work Brian... your "relocation solution" is quite impressive!

Arizona Real Estate Investing Heating Up

2008-06-28T14:03:48Z

During my childhood, I was fascinated by a series of commercials for a mosquitoe repellant- they were quite compelling.

A man would stick his arm into a "cage" full of thirsty mosquitoes.

They would quickly land and get to work on his unprotected arm.

I practically shouted at the screen, "don't do it! ... you'll get malaria!"

Then the man would spray on some mosquito repellant and re-insert his arm.

The mosquitos would stay clear.

The announcer would say, "They don't bite. They don't even light!"

This imagery came to mind in the past week when I began to notice a significant change in the real estate investor market. Investors are suddenly everywhere.

The popularity of the market can change so quickly. There were times when anyone who owned a hammer began to think of picking it up and doing "fix and flips". Then the market was saturated with people looking to make easy money in this manner. Then supply and demand kicked in. Too many investors- too few opportunities.

We're in a changing time. From the activity I'm seeing the investors are swooping in... not just the newcomer, but the serious institutional investor.

They, like the mosquitoes, are hovering over the scene and choosing from the many available prospects. Currently they're making offer of land to the troubled builder or the small private lender who holds too many notes. They're taking buy-and-hold positions in land or creating leaseback arrangements with condo-conversion groups.

If you're an investor looking for opportunities in the Phoenix metro area, contact me. There are portfolios large and small to consider.

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Chuck Willman is an agent in the Phoenix metropolitan area of Arizona. Visit his site: www.AZvest.com.

Short Sales: The "Black Box, White Noise" Conundrum

2008-06-28T13:30:02Z

During the cold war spies for the Soviet Union and the United States had opposite problems.

Their predicament could be summarized with the analogy of the black box and white noise.

The Black Box: American spies complained that there were too few people who knew what was really going on. It was if the dignitaries, the powers that be, met within a black box, made important decisions and few others had access to information.

It was almost impossible to discover what went on inside the black box... yet within those confines everything was decided. The American spies did everything they could to crack the mystery of the black box.

White Noise: Soviet spies were faced with a different problem. Information was everywhere. They had to sift through all of it to try to make sense of the situation. It seemed everyone knew something- the problem was deciding what information proved to be most valid. In science speak, this equation is called "signal to noise."

Short Sales have both conditions.

Agents who work short sales quickly discover that there are cadres of people involved in screening the short sale agent. They will give little information or contradictory information. Yet, there is a black box situation as well... this is what goes on between the loss mitigation specialist, the bank and the investor who considers purchasing the note. The agent and the client are very often left in the dark.

I don't see this changing any time soon- short of changes to the current condition, I advise clients who wish to pursue a short sale to take this into consideration:

Keep all of your important financial documents available. They include, among other things: recent bank records, tax returns (past two years), mortgage information, documentation for other assets (401k, stocks, etc.)
Stay in constant contact with your agent and the lender.
Be aware that you'll often hear conflicting information from the lender. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever hear the same explanation twice.
Be prepared for a potentially long process- some short sales can drag on for many months.
Know that short sales are not automatic- many of them fail to produce an acceptable offer.
Never give false information to the lender or the agent pursuing the short sale.
Don't attempt to purchase another property with the intent to stop paying on your existing home... this act "buying and bailing" could lead to severe consequences.

When short sales manage to be accepted the seller is spared from the greater consequence of foreclosure. For most it will have been worth the effort. So... hang in there. Be aware of the white noise and the black box. Be patient, yet persistent ... and wish you all the best fortune through this arduous process.

The Senate Wants To Rescue Us

2008-06-24T20:56:18Z

Every once in a while someone will tell me something ... a "truism". These are assumed nuggets of wisdom... sage pronouncements accepted as researched fact.

I hear several variations, all postulating the same thing:

It's an election year- government will make sure houses are affordable.

As long as politicians own more than one home they'll protect housing.

The President will want to keep interest rates low just before elections.

I would love to think that it were that easy.

However, we live in a free enterprise system. There are separations of powers as well as the market forces of supply and demand, counterbalanced by perception and levels of consumer confidence.

In spite of every political effort, markets will run whichever direction they care too run.

Of course, politicians have a tendency to proudly stand behind any economic progress and claim personal victory for themselves or their political affilation. Where is the same politician when markets sour? Probably pointing fingers in many directions. For the Democrats it's easy to blame the President. For the Republicans it's easy to blame Congress. For the independants it's easy to claim no responsibility. It's politics vs. capitalism... not a pretty thing to watch but very much a pretty thing to experience when it works.

Now... fast forward to last hour. We can see the political machinery hoping to live up to a truism.

The Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor of a Rescue plan. In a lopsided bipartisan vote (83-9) they hope to stimulate the housing situation by backing the FHA with $300 billion worth of home loans. With this, they intend to bring less qualified borrowers back into the buying pool. In other words, they are creating a government insured backbone of fixed rate loans for higher risk buyers.

Is it good? Time will tell. However, is anyone ready to express the motive for the vote? Here's a good quote,

[the lending measure] "would allow us to begin to put a tourniquet on the hemorrhaging of foreclosures in this country." "We need to demonstrate to people in this country that have lost an awful lot of faith in almost everything, but certainly in (Congress), that we can get something done, that we can put aside differences and make a difference in their lives".

-Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., the Banking Committee Chairman

I'm not so jaded to completely discount the words of a politician and call it pure "spin". However, I'm also a little interested in seeing how one can strengthen the market by assuming greater financial risk. As I said, time will tell how this will play out. I'd love to hear your opinion on the latest potential legislation.

Cure or panacea? You tell me.

15 Amazing Treehouses- I doubt they're on the MLS

2008-06-23T19:49:33Z

As a kid I always dreamed of living in a tree house.

I had seen a few and there's just something about it- a marriage between nature and domesticity.

I even tried to build one; it was a disaster.

WebUrbanist has a great article on modern treehouses that range from the modest to the deluxe.

Each one has it's own innovation and a certain quantity of charm.

Some of these houses were built by hobbyists while others were designed by innovative architectural groups.

There is even a burgeoning industry of treehouse consultants who will carry out the construction of your dream tree-home from concept to finish.

I've never seen one of these homes listed on the Multiple Listing Service yet.

I imagine it's just a matter of time.

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To find the Arizona home of your dreams visit my website: NewHomesAZ.com

Snickers, Zeros & Zagnuts- Lessons from the Candyman

2008-06-23T14:53:51Z

Reflections from the Candyman
When one lives in a college town the employment options are limited… especially when the university is large and pricey. You’ll find yourself competing against tens of thousands of bright, capable students vying for the limited inventory of low-end jobs. As a result I took whatever job I could… anything that would pay the bills. One job, more than any other, taught me a thing or two about marketing.

I was a candy man. More accurately- I filled vending machines.

Every morning I’d arrive at the student vending warehouse… where I’d wheel my cart to my candy closet where I’d take inventory and fill the cart with hundreds of candy bars of every variety. I would then go on my route- filling dozens of machines on campus. I’d open each machine; count the remaining stock from each row and then fill the machine to the brim… making sure each row was sufficiently stocked to last until the next day.

Here are the immediate discoveries I made:

Snickers sell extremely well. I could stock three rows of Snickers and still run the risk of not lasting until the next day.

Some candy bars rarely sold- Zagnuts and Zeros especially. I’d rarely devote any space to them- preferring to stock the machines with inventory that moved.

Certain buildings had different tastes. The Nursing building was big on chocolate; the Engineering building had a weakness for Skittles.

If I were to stock every machine in a generic fashion I would have mixed results. When I began to stock the machines with a variety that moved quickly for that area the coin bag would be heavy.

If I suspected a machine was dispensing free candy I would place a Zero or Zagnut into first postion. If you wanted a Snickers or M&M's, you were going to have to buy a "Z" candy to get to the good stuff. This bought me some time to get a repairman to the location. As a result, I had a very low opinion of any candy bar starting with the letter “z”.

Then I made a larger discovery.

The Science building liked Zagnuts. I discovered it on accident. Their machine was spitting out extra candies so I did the normal thing. I made Zagnuts the front candy for each row. It didn't work. I began to stock more Zagnuts in this location- they continued to sell well. One student stopped me and expressed his sincerest appreciation. He thanked me for listening to his request- namely to stock a better variety. I’d heard of no such request but I saw that I had a happy customer. I later heard that people began to travel from other parts of campus- they'd discovered the machine that had the Zagnuts.

Conclusion. How does this relate to real estate? If I were a Snickers-only agent I could do very well. But there are plenty of Snickers agents. I’m also the "Zagnut agent"... AND... the "Zero agent."

I’ve made a reputation among a select group- a niche that is underserved.

By specializing- going after markets that few agents know about, I’ve found my most loyal clients.

Happy clients are referring clients.

I don’t tell them this, but they’re my Zeros and Zagnuts… and it’s a great treat when I find them.

Chuck Willman- Arizona Real Estate Expert

480.292.0600

www.NewHomesAZ.com

chuck@NewHomesAZ

Clearing the Bar

2008-06-22T19:33:50Z

This morning I drove my son to pole vaulting camp.

When you watch your son leave for a several day period you're that much closer to the inevitable. One day he'll be out there... making his own way in the world. You hope you've taught him well. More often than not- it's he who has taught you.

Let me elaborate.

I've never pole vaulted. Although the thrill of the climb is enticing, it's the other part that scares me- the landing. Back when I participated in track we didn't have sturdy poles and fancy landing mats. Our vaulters snapped more than one pole and... all too often, they would land awkwardly into a pit that was no more than a smelly collection of bags full of sponges.

Instead I did what I had wanted to do for years- I high jumped. My father had told me that his father could scissor-kick six feet. This is the method they used before they had spongy pits in which to land... and well before "the flop" where the jumper hurls oneself over the bar backwards. Knowing that my grandfather could basically jump sideways over a bar at a height approaching his own gave me a goal. I decided that one day I hoped to clear a height greater than my own... even if only by one inch.

I spent the early years jumping over short walls- then fences. When track season approached I discovered I wasn't a natural but I kept at it. By the time I was 15, I managed to leap to within an inch of my own height. It took another year to equal my height. Then I grew a few more inches and my goal felt impossible. That marked the end of my quest.

Raising the Bar

My son has a higher commitment... whereas I wanted to jump to a place about equal to my vision he's made it his goal to go higher. He wants to jump closer to three times his own height. Sure- he has a pole... but to clear the bar he will need to throw his body much higher than the pole. If you see the record holders you'll notice that they're releasing themselves from off the tip of the pole- their bodies arched into positions we were never born to achieve.

Who knows if he'll make his height. But that's how sports goals work. In the pursuit of a few more inches, athletes must set a myriad of smaller goals. They arise earlier in the morning for training. They exercise their bodies and watch their food intake. They sacrifice frivolity for strenuous workouts. Trading momentary pleasures for a long term achievement

Most importantly- they discover other lessons along the way. Their ultimate measurement is not inches or seconds... it's a test to see if they can dream and achieve that which many think can't be done... in the process discovering strengths they may not have otherwise ever earned.

Summary: I've heard that it's better to shoot for the stars and hit the moon than to shoot for the moon and miss. When I see hurdles that require an effort to clear I used to think of the time I cleared my own height. Now... when I think of the possibilities before me I prefer to see through my son's eyes- and set my sights higher.

Chuck Willman- Arizona Real Estate Expert

480.292.0600

www.NewHomesAZ.com

chuck@NewHomesAZ

Huge Selection of Web Site Design Templates Absolutely Free

2008-06-22T18:25:13Z

Did Someone Say Free?

Knowing how to build a website is one thing. Designing a gorgeous site is quite another.

There are many templates available for sell from thousands of vendors.

The Open Web Design group offers hundreds of templates for free.

Check out their most popular designs.

What's amazing is this. The site itself is quite drab... mostly utilitarian. Yet, if you dig a little you'll find quite a few nicely crafted designs that could be easily customized. Replace the graphics with you're own. Replace their sample text with your words and Bingo... you've got a custom look without having to grow a goatee or put on a beret.

It's more than just a collection of site designs they also have

A collection of Site Design Contest Winners
A section to witness the templates in action
A forum for those who care to register
images, CSS templates, and standard HTML are all available.

All of the designs are free from copyright requirements... in other words, they're yours to use and modify to your heart's content.

Chuck Willman- Arizona Real Estate Expert

480.292.0600

www.NewHomesAZ.com

chuck@NewHomesAZ

Why Rent? Seriously!

2008-06-21T15:44:16Z

If you're still renting during the best buying market of the past quarter century, you owe it too yourself to ask this very simple question:

WHY?

I'll give you some reasons:

Bad Credit

Waiting for Market to Bottom

No Down Payment

Home Prices Too High

OK... Let's look at each one.

Bad Credit- Do you know your credit score? How much home you qualify to purchase? If not- let me help you find out what it is. It just takes a quick phone call to get you pre-qualified. You may have sufficient credit to move into a larger place at a price close to what you're paying in rent.

Waiting for the Bottom- Wait no more my friend. Depending on the area you prefer, the bottom has either arrived (and is inching upward) or will be there any day now. The window of opportunity was wide open. The hands are slowly closing it. Wait too long and say hello to many more months (years?) of landlords.

No Down Payment- You'd be surprised how little it takes to own some properties. Have $500? That's all it takes to purchase many brand new homes. There are programs for first time home buyers, down payment assistance programs, rate buy-downs... in summary- there are many great loans to help you live the ownership dream.

Prices Too High- If they're too high now wait a bit. Chances are they'll be higher. Much higher even. Also, renting offers fewer tax advantages. Owners are able to deduct interest & additional expenses.

As I said earlier, we're in the best buyer's market in 25 years. You owe it to yourself to find out how much house you can afford. One simple call and we're on our way to see some great places- one of them perfect for you.

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Now... if you still want to rent, please know this:

Renting may allow some time to fix your credit. I can guide you through programs that will allow you to improve your credit score and buy more house for your money. Some have improved their credit scores in a relatively short time period.
There are some good rental deals out there for those who want more flexibility. I can help you find them as well.
Renting may be an option for those hoping to "check out" the area before plunging into ownership.

I'm Chuck Willman- call me at 480.292.0600 or search for your Arizona home on my site: NewHomesAZ

The Market Has Two Bottoms

2008-06-21T14:45:12Z

I'm breaking from tradition here. I can't for the life of me find a graphic for this title. If ever I do, I'll post one... if not- this may be a text only post- defying my personal blogger goal- to marry each topic with symbolic imagery.

Now- to the point, the market has two bottoms. One is quantity of sales; the other is pricing.

According to some of the latest research, the Phoenix metro area's bottom has been achieved in one regard. Sales have increased.

New home sales? Up.

Existing home sales? Up.

Home construction permits? Up.

All this can be found in the East Valley Tribunes article of June 18, titled “Valley Housing Market Sales Sees Slight Sales Boost.” The same article quotes the market researcher, RL Brown who says “we’ll look back on (2008) as the bottom of the marketplace.”

Does this mean we’ve reached the bottom? Perhaps.

Now let me clarify.

The Phoenix metro area may have reached the bottom with regard to quantity of sales. Home sales in the locations that have traditionally been in demand are rising. Homes are selling more briskly than at any other time in the past year.

Now let’s talk about the other bottom- let’s talk about price. While sales have increased it has literally come at a price. Median home prices have come down from last year. In other words- homes are on sale and it has brought out the buyers. People are finding bargains.

Now… where does the real estate agent enter the picture? An agent is like that friend who knows where to find anything without paying retail. Agents tend to know where the values are. A good agent will know which neighborhoods appear to be undervalued in comparison to the market… which locations are ready to “pop”.

I’m that kind of agent.

If you’re ready to buy- let’s get out there. If you’re on the fence- let’s have a talk. I’m not a salesman- I’m in customer service. I know that my happiest customers are those who “beat the market” have purchased a home that fits their needs, that was priced right and in a great neighborhood.

Let me help you. The bargains are out there- let’s go see them.

Chuck Willman- Arizona Real Estate Expert

480.292.0600

www.NewHomesAZ.com

chuck@NewHomesAZ

Short Sales, Auctions & Re-Po's, Oh My

2008-06-20T17:14:16Z

Short Sales, Auctions & Re-Po's, Oh My

It's a daunting task for the buyer who wants to take advantage of this market. Everything is on sale but it’s hard to know which property offers the best value. The first thing buyers need to know is the differences between the different bargain opportunities.

Let this be an introduction to the most common discounted options. If you'd like to know more, drop me a line or give me a call... I'd be glad to go over these items in greater detail. Let's get started with some background information.

There is an abundance of property that has made its way into the market in atypical ways. Some are homes that were started but could not be finished. Others are homes that have become unaffordable to the owner. Regardless of their path, these properties have arrived on the market and are usually offered for sale “as is” and at a rate below market price.

Now, what do you need to know before you decide to buy one? Let’s go over the basics.

1) Short Sales- These are properties that have “gapped”. That is to say, there is a gap between how much is owed on the home and how much the home is worth on the open market. If the owner is unable to absorb the loss, there is an option to attempt to sell it for less. An agent markets the home; all offers are submitted to the bank. The bank decides whether to accept the offer or not. These homes are in “pre-foreclosure.” If the bank receives no offers worth accepting they may place the property up for auction or let it go to foreclosure.

2) Auction- These are properties (sold individually or in bulk) that are placed on the market to be sold to the highest bidder. Potential buyers typically have a small window of time in which to review the properties and then place a bid for the option to buy. The winner of the bid typically pays a certain price plus a fee to the auction house. Auctions are part of a growing trend- more properties are beginning to be sold this way.

3) Re-Po’s- These are “Real Estate Owned” (REOs) or bank owned properties that have ceased to be owned by the purchaser. Now the bank owns them. The seller is the bank. These properties are usually sold at a discount and in “as is” condition. As one may imagine, the owner who has faced foreclosure tends not to have sufficient funds nor the inclination to have maintained the home in a normal fashion.

Although these properties are typically offered at below market price, one must consider the caveats. Here’s a list of caveats:

· Short Sales can take a long time. Offers may take several weeks or months to be considered. The bank may decide to accept the offer, however- if there is a second mortgage the second bank may not release the lien against the property.

· Auction-goers need to avoid the “ebay impulse”. When buyers engage in bidding wars, they often purchase for more than the property would fetch on the open market.

· Bank owned properties may require expensive repairs to become livable. Such costs may bring the actual price above that of existing homes.

· BIG CAVEAT: Properties sold in these three ways are almost always sold “as is.” One needs to consider the final price... that is the purchase price plus necessary expenses to bring the home to acceptable livable standards.

I’m Chuck Willman. I help investors and first time home buyers discover properties in Arizona’s Phoenix metro area. I wake up each day looking for the best homes available. I also guide purchasers through the process of ownership... this I do at no charge to the buyer. You can reach me at 480.292.0600, or ... search the market at my website, AZVest.com. There you can look through homes both new and existing.

Arizona Day Trip- Wupatki Will Blow You Away!

2008-06-20T11:21:48Z

One of the great things about Arizona is the variety. Yes... variety!

Arizona’s not just one big desert and a huge hole in the ground. We also have lakes, mountains and fertile plains. For activities you can water ski, snow ski, hike, bird watch, camp... you name it. In the following weeks I'll be sharing some of the activities that are available in this great state. We call them "Day Trips." Here's our latest adventure.

As one travels north from Phoenix toward the cool mountain pines of Flagstaff... there's a stop along the way that is unlike anything you may have ever seen. It's the Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monument. This is a must-see experience for anyone who happens to be anywhere near the Grand Canyon.

The region looks as barren and rocky as the mars photos. Yet, in the 1100’s it was a thriving crossroads and trading stop for several cultures. The “town” center had a 100 room pueblo, banquet hall and ball court. Several thousand people lived within a day’s walk.

The National Parks Service has an excellent multi-page trail guide that explains it all. My kid’s favorite stop is the “blow hole”. Wind works through the fissures below ground only to escape through a few small release valves. Geologist’s estimate that there’s seven billion cubic feet of pressure below the surface… the result? Nature’s blow-dryer. Here’s a slide show … there’s the building and ball court and, of course, a few of the shots of the family enjoying nature's special effects.

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Chuck Willman is a real estate agent based in the Phoenix Arizona metro area.

Search for Arizona Homes, both new and existing: www.NewHomesAZ.com

Assuming the Sale- Advice from a Kindergartener

2008-06-19T16:51:58Z

I have a picture that I like to keep handy.

It reminds me that, with regard to our clients...

...sometimes we assume too much.

It has been my contention that all too often we approach our jobs too much from a sales standpoint.

We assume rather than inquire.

In order to avoid this tendency I consult my daughter's drawing from the first day of kindergarten.

The teacher "assumed the sale."

My daughter felt otherwise.

By the way- that day was bright and sunny...

... not a cloud in the sky.

Attention All Geniuses... Help an Agent Out

2008-06-16T21:55:03Z

A little help please?

I'm about to open up my outside blog... it will be in wordpress. I think I have the skills to do this.

I've learned so many things about social networks here on the rain but I've also noticed that many bloggers have a truckload of other widgets and doodads connecting them to other services..

I've tried a couple services, like linked in and myblog. Linked seems somewhat understandable... Myblog... I don't know. I cancelled mine and may try to configure it again later.

Call me an old dog but I'm just not learning some of these new tricks.

I've never twittered. I'm not on facebook or myspace or the other name-brands.

What am I missing? As an agent I'm very much loving Activerain.

What are your favorites- those outside of the glorious rain that every good agent should use?

This enquiring mind is dying to know.

There is a Bridge - A Father's Day Story

2008-06-14T17:13:46Z

There is a bridge from Memphis to Vietnam- and only I could see it.

The Move: Life as a military child involved being uprooted at a moment's notice. One day you're in California; a couple weeks later it's Memphis, Tennessee. Though I'd become used to moving, this time was different. My father was receiving training that would take him out of town for weeks or months at a time. Many of my friends fathers' were already in Vietnam; I knew, at some point, he'd be with them.

This made the move that much more difficult. I have to admit- my first few weeks in town had been a blur. I can't say I paid attention to much of anything. One day, when I was supposed to be at recess, I was standing in the hallway. One of the teachers confronted me- demanding, "What's with you? Got your head in the clouds?" To this, my teacher popped out of the classroom, looked at the teacher and said, "Yes, he does. There you are Charles, I've got a special assignment for you."

The Project: She walked me into the room, toward the back- where she kept the butcher paper which she dispensed off of a large roll. "See this wall? It's the only blank spot I've got. We're going to be studying weather systems next week and I need an artist to draw the clouds."

She showed me a graphic and asked, "Think you can draw this?" I told her that I didn't know if I was capable. She said, "Well- today you've got a challenge then. You're my cloud expert and I'm going to help you make something spectacular."

For the next five days I spent the entire recess using pastel chalk to draw the cloud formations. I began with the low level nimbostratus and stratocumulus graduating to the altocumulus and altostratus. By the end of the week I was on tiptoe, finishing with the cirrus and cirrostratus. My crowning achievement was the cumulonimbus- the large thunder cloud; my teacher said I'd managed to take something fearful and turn it into a thing of beauty. I had to admit; I'd really surprised myself.

A cumulus cloudscape over Swifts Creek, Victoria, Australia

The Guest: Toward the end of the day I was treated to a surprise. The teacher was starting to unveil my masterpiece. Just as she was about to do so, everyone looked to the doorway. It was my father, dressed in his Air Force uniform- he entered the classroom saying, "I've come to look at my sons clouds." You'd have thought the President of the United States entered the room- my classmates were awestruck. I was surprised too- I didn't even know he was in town.

I was able to explain the different clouds, their altitudes and what they were associated with. My father smiled and when the teacher asked if there were any questions, someone asked my dad, "are you a soldier?" He said that he was. When someone asked if he was going to war, he said, "very soon."

My teacher told me this day had been her favorite in all of teaching. She gave me a hug and searched her purse for a tissue. I decided she was about as nice a person as I'd ever met.

Separation: The day may father went to war the sky was clear. I asked what he'd be doing in Vietnam and if people would be shooting at him. He told me he was going to be flying so high that it would be difficult. He got on his knee and whispered, I've got you to send me some clouds. I'll fly so high above them that no one will see me. I'd hoped for storm clouds. I'd heard pilots say that while everyone was being pelted by rain they'd be amid nothing but blue skies and a pillow below them.

The following days dragged. I felt powerless- I couldn't send a cloud but then I remembered that I could draw them. I'd lie on the back lawn and stare at the clouds- I concentrated to see if they seemed to move any quicker. This was going to be a very long year.

The Map: One day I was looking through my father's collection of National Geographic magazines. I found a world map and discovered how far away Vietnam was. I folded the map at his city, Phan Rang and brought it over until it was next to Memphis. I taped this new map together and cut it so that it was small enough to fit in my pocket. I later drew a bridge.

In my mind I could see a bridge that connected these two cities. Whenever we drove near the Mississippi River I'd imagine my father on the other side; I imagined that he had binoculars and could see me. I'd wave and he'd wave back. When the clouds were high I assumed we were looking at the same clouds. When the clouds rolled in the days passed more quickly.

Over the years I've built many bridges each one viewable only to me. Bridges to San Antonio and Charleston ... Phoenix and Sacramento ... St. Louis and Alpine ... in my mind these bridges have spanned as far as South America and as near as one town away.

There is a bridge from Memphis to Vietnam. And one day my father crossed it.

Unlisted Investment Properties

2008-06-14T13:17:46Z

One of the little known secrets of real estate is that there are agents who have a significant portfolio of investment properties that are not be listed.

You won't find them on the MLS or any website.

Why would this be? Here's a partial list:

Sellers don't want to the publicity. They will ask an agent to "get the word out" and see if they can reach a private settlement.
The properties require a great deal of due diligence. Some properties are off the beaten path. They may have beautiful scenery or might be located in areas that have no sales figures from which to pull a reliable comparitive market analysis. While the agent is doing due diligence they'll pitch the properties to potential buyers.
Some owners have many properties and seek buyers who purchase properties in bulk... turning multiple properties a part of a single package deal. Listing the properties "onesie-twosie" on the MLS would break the portfolio.

I currently have a variety of properties (more than two dozen)... both homes and land for sale that are not yet listed. They include:

Land (both residential and commercial).

A scenic parcel at the top of a hill, upon which two homes could be built.

Luxury homes that are finished- the potential sellers would sell them at a substantial discount.

Custom homes that are nearly finished. These too, available at below market rates.

If you, or anyone you know, are interested in "hidden gems" and private party investment property sales, please contact me for further details. I have homes and land available in the greater Phoenix area, including Mesa, Gilbert, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Maricopa, Payson and Eloy.

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Chuck Willman can be found at www.AZvest.com

Who Does This Market Reward?

2008-06-12T23:46:53Z

In every market someone is rewarded.

Who wins in a buyer's market? Here's my list:

The Sellers

Who price well- homes that are priced unrealistically are languishing. Those that are priced competitively are moving. Make sure your home is competitively priced.

Who stage correctly- there is a massive inventory of homes on the market. It's not rocket science- when homes are competitive in all other areas, the home that's more presentable will usually "win" the offer.

The Buyers

Who prepare- when there is little inventory buyer's can't be choosey. When there is abundance buyers will want to find the home that best suits their needs. Those who know what they're looking for will have an easier time finding what they want.

Who jump off the fence- it always happens. When prices are low people want to wait until the bottom of the market. Those who wait may wait too long... thus buying during the frenzy of an upswing. Some areas of the market have already bottomed-out. It's a great time now.

The Agents

Who knows the market- the market is huge. There are many things to keep track of. Agents who don't constantly strive to stay on top of the trends may not be able to spot the opportunities.

Who work- it's markets like these that define the agent. Those who work smart and hard will be rewarded. Agents who step up to the challenge will have learned what it takes to thrive in any market.

Well... that's my list; do you have anything to add?

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Chuck Willman is an agent based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. You can find him at www.AZvest.com.

Ten Videos De-Mystify Web Site Creation & Enhancement

2008-06-12T15:12:08Z

Cameron Chapman has done us all a huge favor.

How?

...by posting ten videos that break down and explain (in layman's terms) the often complex process of web site building.

Cameron has put together a great collection of tutorials that help the average person set up and beautify their own website.

You can learn all or just the few you need.

Learn how to build a site, work with cascading style sheets, create menus, theme a wordpress blog... and much more.

Thanks, Cameron! Note: The picture in the blog is not Cameron Chapman- it's infomercial fitness guru Tony Little.

Manual Labor- Find That "Lost" Manual Online

2008-06-12T14:45:59Z

I could fill Al Capone's vault with the number of manuals I've collected over the years.

If I throw a single one away that's a sure sign I'm going to need it tomorrow.

Rather than chase the garbage truck, I've found a site that saves guys like me.

It's SafeManuals. They have manuals galore... check out these stats:

3,627 brands

883,542 user's guides

over 457,000 members

That's the power of nearly half a million people working together to find that book you tossed.

And... this electronic version may save you some paper (the kind you spend and the kind you print).

If this site doesn't have what you're looking for, check out these:

searspartsdirect.com - they include manuals and addtional helpful items.

managemyhome.com - too full service to describe here, check it out.

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Need a new home for your existing manuals? Call me.

Chuck Willman - 480.292.0600 - NewHomesAZ.com