Prescott Valley Arizona - One of the top 5 places to retire!

Country Club living without the country club price in Prescott Valley AZ

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:56:42 -0800

Expansive single story home in beautiful StoneRidge! Wonderful private courtyard w/lumawood cover, beautiful tile entry to great room/gourmet kitchen/informal dining area. Fabulous backyard w/covered patio/paver extension, security system. Granite counters, upgrades everywhere, tiled bonus room for storage or whatever. Luxurious glassblock walk-in shower in master, double sinks. Formal dining room, too. Country club living w/o the country club price!

Bank changing locks

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:33:02 -0800

Why is it legal for a bank to change locks on a home that is in the Short Sale process?
The owner has vacated the home. A date of 1/28/11 has been established for the property to go into foreclosure. My feeling is that technically the seller is still the rightful owner. How can the bank legally lock them out?

Country Club living w/o country club expense; Stoneridge Prescott Valley AZ

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 09:22:05 -0700

1 owner, pet-free Juniper (now Chapparal) plan on corner lot. Tile where u want it, 2'x6' Construction, kitchen/dining combo, island, pantry. Pullouts in cabinets. Lg master w/garden tub/shower/double vanity/huge walk-in & second smaller closet. 2 other bedrooms, lg guest bath. Laundry w/storage closet. Covered patio, low-maintenance yard. 3-car garage for the toys. Priced to sell in the premier community of Stoneridge w/golf, tennis, exercise facility.
View the Virtual Tour by copying and pasting the following to your browser: http://vt.realbiz360.com/MLS-493858.html
Visit our web sites at: www.buyinprescottaz.com or www.prescottlistings.com

Vacant parcel in Prescott AZ, Creekside

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 08:49:03 -0700

Great price for a great lot in the beautiful subdivision of Creekside of Prescott. Build your dream home or buy and hold. Peaceful cul-de-sac location, mountain views. Lovely homes all around...no home owners' association dues but there is an architectural review committee.
View the Virtual Tour by copying and pasting the following to your browser: http://vt.realbiz360.com/MLS-477404.html
Viist our Web Sites at: www.buyinprescottaz.com or www.prescottlistings.com

Prescott Valley Active Adult Community(1793)

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 08:41:09 -0700

Peacefully located across from seasonal creek in Victorian Estates, pretty front yard, views from welcoming front porch. Large, bayed, eat-in kitchen w/breakfast bar, all appliances included as well as upright freezer in laundry room. Master w/large shower/walk in closet. Fireplace in great room, large room off entry could be den or office. Arizona room, private back yard w/fruit tree. Priced to sell in the over 55 gated community of Victorian Estates.
View the Virtual Tour by copying and pasting the following to your browser: http://vt.realbiz360.com/MLS-376971.html Visit our Web Sites at: www.buyinprescottaz.com or www.prescottlsitings.com

Adult Community home in Prescott Valley AZ (1760)

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 08:28:27 -0700

Enjoy adult community living in this one of a kind, charming craftsman style home in gated adult community w/clubhouse, pool, exercise facilities. Light, bright kitchen w/lots of cabinets, many upgrades. Open kitchen/dining/great room, ceramic tile throughout living area. Fireplace, gorgeous view from back covered deck. Bay window in Master. Large room below home (no interior access)for hobbies, retreat, workshop. Large unfinished area also. Great second home or main home in lovely Victorian Estates

View the Virtual Tour by copying and pasting the following to your browser: http://vt.realbiz360.com/MLS-522393.html

Visit our web sites at: www.buyinprescottaz.com or www.prescottlistings.com

Home in The Viewpoint, Prescott Valley(7815)

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 08:13:01 -0700

Fabulous curb appeal,extremely well maintained pet & smoke free, 1-owner home. Living/great room w/fireplace, kitchen/dining combo w/bay window. Lg master/walk-in closet/garden tub/separate shower, double sinks. Split bdrm plan, other 2 rooms spacious & light. Storage cabinets in garage & laundry. Leased water softener, dryer & stove plumbed 4 both gas & elec. Pleated horizontal blinds, ez care landscaping, possible RV parking w/some modification. Newly painted exterior w/15-yr warranty paint

View the Virtual Tour by copying and pasting the following to your browser: http://vt.realbiz360.com/MLS-164502.html

Visit our web sites: www.buyinprescottaz.com or www.prescottlistings.comF

Prescott Arizona One of the 25 Best Places to Retire

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 23:49:16 -0700

From Money Magazine

One of the 25 Best Places to Retire

Your post-work years are a time to improve your golf game, take up a new

hobby, or just enjoy a well-deserved break. In these great college towns, you

can expand your intellectual horizons too.

4. Prescott, AZ

Population: 42,265

% over 50: 49%

Median home price: $230,500

State income tax: 4.54%*

Where to take classes: Yavapai College

Prescott, a popular retiree destination 100 miles north of Phoenix, is dotted with Victorian

homes, 19th-century Whisky Row saloons, and a leafy Courthouse Plaza. With the world's

oldest rodeo and more than 70 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, the

town's cowboy heritage is hard to miss.

The weather here is hard to beat: plentiful sunny days, but also four distinct seasons, thanks

to the town's elevation at 5,400 feet. That lures residents out to 650 miles of trails in the

adjacent 1.25-million-acre Prescott National Forest. Plus they enjoy half a dozen golf

courses, and a revolving door of art shows, film festivals, craft fairs, and outdoor concerts.

Of course, until recently, high home prices were a drawback to settling here. But with the

market down 35% since 2007, Prescott has become a decidedly more affordable retirement

haven.

And for those comers who are education minded, Yavapai College's 17-year-old lifelong

learning program offers roughly 200 classes a year

Beautiful home in Stoneridge, Prescott Valley Arizona

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:43:46 -0700

This (approximate) 2266 square foot home is a bargain at only $249,000. Main level living Stoneridge beauty! Front porch,great room w/soaring ceiling, clerestory windows, 3-sided fireplace separates formal dining & great room. Kitchen w/island/casual dining area, pantry. Main floor master w/garden tub, separate shower, double sinks. Office, laundry room, 2nd full bath complete lower level. Upstairs retreat has 2 bedrooms, full bath, large linen closet. 2' garage extension w/cabinets. Rough in soft water loop, R38 ceiling insulation, under cabinet lighting. Enjoy the amenities of Stoneridge including the georgeous recreational cente with an indoor and outdoor pool, hottub, tennis, basketball, exercise room, a public 18 hole golf course to name a few

Why can radical Muslims burn the American flag and desecrate Christian artifacts

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:28:11 -0700

Why can radical Muslims burn the American flag and desecrate Christian artifacts and nothing is said? Why do we keep cowering to these radials. Wake up America! We are being brainwashed into thinking that Islam is a religion of peace. We will be in worse shape that several European countries.

Beware of Z57 Fraud

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:18:20 -0700

Beware of Z57! If you subscribe to their service, they will promise you 60 "hits" to the newly developed Z57 site within 60 days or they will give you a full refund. We subscribed with our 60 days expiring on 8/18. I phoned them on 8/13 inquiring why we hadn't had a single inquiry. I was informed that we had 8 "hits" in July and as of 8/13, we had 13 for the month of August. I told them that I wanted to cancel and expected a full refund. I was told that I had to wait until 8/18 (one person told me that I had to wait until 8/31) to see the status & couldn't cancel until that date. I had asked Z57 to provide me (in my telephone call in addition to several emails) withe an email confirming our ttelephone conversation with the identified "hits" (inquiries). They refused to do so, informing me by email that all communications had to occur by calling the 800 number. Convenient for Z57 not to document the communications. I called back on 8/18 to cancel, and was told that we had 60 "hits". as of the 18th. I was told that there were PPC (Pay per Click) inquiries. What a farce! No documentation on the alleged 21 inquiries (none ever came to us), and then by magic, an additional 39 in 5 days. Fraud, plain and simple. Don't do business with Z57, they will rip you off.

Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA)

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:12:36 -0700

If you are considering a short sale and wish to participate in the HAFA program.
Participating in the HAFA program will speed up the short sale process. To qualify for HAFA the following apply:
The borrower must have participated in the Home Affordability Modification Program (HAMP)
The home must be the primary residence of the borrower and occupied
the 1st lien must have been originate prior to January 1st 2009
Mortgage must be behind or clear proof of eminent defaulting is foreseeable
Mortgage balance is less than $729,750
Mortgage payments are greater than 31% of the borrower's current gross income
The borrower does not qualify for a HAMP trial period
The borrower does not successfully complete a HAMP trial period
The borrower is delinquent on a HAMP modification by missing at least two consecutive paymmnets
The borrower requests a short sale or a deed-in-lieu

Please contact: kathycharlie@prescottlistings.com for additional information

Short Sale your home in the Prescott Arizona area

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:41:36 -0700

If you can't afford to make payments, keep you loan current, or unable to sell the property for the full amount of the loan, your lender may accept less than the amount owed as full payment.
There are good points for doing a short sale as well as well as a bad point which is that You Must Sell Your Home.
The good point are under the terms of a short sale, as mentioned above, is that the lender may forgive your mortgage according to the terms outlined in The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007. We strongly suggest that you speak with a qualified attorney about your options with the Mortgage Debt Relief act of 2007. Fannie Mae has announced a reduced mandatory waiting period to re-establish credit history to 2 years after completion of a short sale. The mandatory waiting period to re-establish your credit with a forclosure is 7 years.
Call Charlie (928-710-2189) or Kathy (928-713-6292) if you think that you might be a short sale candidate

Mortgage rates drop to an all time low. Buy your Prescott home now

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:18:09 -0700

Mortgage rates fell to the lowest level in decades for the tenth time in 11 weeks, as investors worried about the economy.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed loan was 4.32 percent this week, down from 4.36 percent last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. That's the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971.

The average rate on 15-year fixed loan dropped to 3.83 percent from 3.86 percent the previous week. That's the lowest on records starting in 1991.

Rates have been falling since spring as investors have shifted money into safer Treasury bonds. That has lowered their yields, which mortgage rates tend to track.

The rates do not include add-on fees known as points. One point is equal to 1 percent of the total loan amount. The nationwide fee for loans in Freddie Mac's survey averaged 0.7 a point for 30-year and 1-year mortgages. They averaged 0.6 of a point for 15-year and 5-year mortgages

Now is the time to buy your home in the beautiful Prescott Arizona area

Prescott Arizona Rain Camp on 8/26/10

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:21:38 -0700

The Rain Camp in Prescott Arizona on 8/26/10 was a great program.

The area Realtors came out in force, it was well attended.

Very useful, would recommend it to anyone.

The subject was not only about Active rain, but covered the many facets of social technology (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc.).

The next ttrime that it comes to The Prescott Arizona area, I'm going to be sure to attend as there was a wealth of information, hard to digest all of it.

So, next time Rain Camp comes to Prescott Arizona, I'll be sure to attend.

Are you considering a Short Sale in the Prescott AZ area

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:10:01 -0700

If you live in the Prescott AZ area, and are having difficulties making your mortgage paymnet, please read the following from the Treasury Department.

Treasury Plan

The Treasury Department would pay up to $1,500 for a homeowner to relocate, $1,000 to loan servicing companies that accept a sale and a maximum of $1,000 to help settle a second mortgage or subordinate lien. A lender must agree to release the borrower from all liability for repayment for the mortgage, under the Treasury plan.

In July, Wells Fargo began mailing notices to delinquent borrowers advising them that short sales might be an option to avoid foreclosure.

Wells Fargo mailing notices: "When we determine that a loan is not affordable for the customer - either because a modification was denied or failed - - we obtain the value of the property, run it through our loan decision tool and then send a letter to the customer advising them of our short sale program, including the short sale price we are willing to take on the property," Debora Blume, a spokeswoman for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage said in an e-mail.

So, if you wish to conside a short sale and you live in he Prescott AZ area, please contact Charlie or Kathy at: kathycharlie@prescottlistings.com

Visit our web site at: www.prescottlistings.com

How to Sell Your Home for the Most Money the Market Will Pay!

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:39:22 -0700

The decision to place your home on the market can involve a number of issues. Home sales can be motivated by circumstances you can't control - job relocation, family problems, financial issues, divorce or death. Other motivations may be the need for a larger home or a better neighborhood or schools. A home can be many things but there always comes a day when it's time to move on. The following are two of the most important things to consider once you decide to place your home on the market.

Dress Your Property for Sale: Buyers are not looking for a house, they are looking for a home. They buy homes in which they feel they would like to live and they select that home based on emotions. To sell your home quickly MAKE IT FEEL LIKE HOME. First impressions are important and they're lasting. Trim trees and bushes, spruce up the exterior, show the world your home is valuable and well maintained. Great curb appeal will make a buyer want to come inside. Once inside buyers use four senses to make a decision on whether or not they would consider your home as THEIR new home - smell, touch, sight and hearing. Do all the rooms in your home pass the smell, touch, sight and hearing tests? Put all appliances away, get rid of excess furniture and clutter. You have to move anyway, pack early, make your home more saleable. Place items neatly in the garage. Have your home professionally cleaned. Cleaning and cosmetic fix ups, especially in the kitchen, baths and master bedroom can yield many times their cost. Pets should be out of sight and smell. Make sure to eliminate pet odors. For daytime showings open all blinds and curtains. On cloudy days turn on lights. Some soft music may enhance the emotional experience for your buyer but all other appliances that might distract attention from your home should be turned off.

Price Your Home Correctly: The natural inclination for ALL sellers is to price the home high, thinking they can always come down. A listing price that is too high frequently nets the seller less money than an initial price at market value. People looking for homes in your price range will reject your home in favor of others more reasonably priced within their range. Agents will cross your home off their showing list if it's priced too high. It's their job to know market values and they don't want to waste their time. So you come down in price, but by then your listing is old, has a reputation and you've lost the extra interest paid on your mortgage, the extra property taxes and carrying costs that accrue while you are waiting for your house to sell. THE SELLER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR HOW MUCH AND HOW QUICKLY THEIR HOME SELLS!

Top 10 Credit Don'ts During the loan process

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:38:18 -0700

Many folks are taking advantage of the historic low interest rates, either by restructuring debt with a refinance or purchasing a new home. However the recent economic crisis has created even tougher guidelines and credit requirements and there are some things that consumers must be aware of when applying for a loan.
Leading nationwide credit expert and president of Credit Resource Corporation, Linda Ferrari, developed 10 credit don'ts during the loan process, to help you get your arms around those things that can unknowingly wreak havoc on your loan transaction.

1.   Don't do anything that will cause a red flag to be raised by the scoring system.
2.   Don't apply for new credit, of any kind.
3.   Don't pay off collections or charge offs.
4.   Don't max out or over charge on your credit card accounts.
5.   Don't consolidate your debt into 1 or 2 credit cards.
6.   Don't close credit card accounts.
7.   Don't pay late.
8.   Don't allow any accounts to run past due, not even one day.
9.   Don't dispute anything on your credit report.
10. Don't lose contact with your mortgage and real estate professionals.

3 Reasons why you should purchase a home now

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:09:00 -0700

3 Reasons You Should Purchase a Home Soon!

Ever daydream about how you could possibly purchase a home sooner rather than later? Lots of people have had the exact same idea. Some of them actually acted on that thought and are already in their new home! Many consider it briefly, then dismiss the thought. Frequently it's because they do not know where to start. Many fear the unknown. Still others think they can't do it. Let's consider three reasons why should you purchase a home soon.

First and foremost, for the "Pro" side, we would like to point out that it's a buyer's market. Foreclosures and short sales abound and many folks not in the foreclosure or short sale situation simply want to sell their homes and have priced them accordingly. If you have good credit and money for a down payment there is no better time than now to jump into the market. We agree you may have a valid point when you say you're not ready, but if not now, when? Interest rates are the lowest they have been in 30 years!

Secondly, you really should consider that paying rent is just throwing your money away. In the last few years real estate has not appreciated as it traditionally did. The market needed a correction and we certainly got one! But now is a wonderful opportunity to buy low and enjoy appreciation that real estate has always provided and will again.. And, additionally, consider that home ownership is still a great investment.

Thirdly, last but not least, you will get the satisfaction of having your own castle that you can do whatever you wish with! Paint, redecorate, remodel, add a patio, plant a garden. It's yours, not someone else's from whom you need permission to plant a tree or paint a wall. And that will mean that you can get creative and truly create a space of your own. What's more, you will build wealth and add stability to your life. Things won't seem so temporary.

Once you've had an opportunity to go over the reasons, and consider them, you'll find that a very good case can be made in favor of purchasing a home soon. Perhaps you really should consider hiring a Realtor and purchasing a home soon!

Avoid Foreclosure, Contact us for Short Sale Information

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:46:19 -0700

Treasury Plan

The Treasury Department would pay up to $1,500 for a homeowner to relocate, $1,000 to loan servicing companies that accept a sale and a maximum of $1,000 to help settle a second mortgage or subordinate lien. A lender must agree to release the borrower from all liability for repayment for the mortgage, under the Treasury plan.

In July, Wells Fargo began mailing notices to delinquent borrowers advising them that short sales might be an option to avoid foreclosure.

"When we determine that a loan is not affordable for the customer - either because a modification was denied or failed - - we obtain the value of the property, run it through our loan decision tool and then send a letter to the customer advising them of our short sale program, including the short sale price we are willing to take on the property," Debora Blume, a spokeswoman for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage said in an e-mail

Having a cuccessful garage sale

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:43:11 -0700

It's the middle of summer and is it hot! Probably not the best time to actually have a garage sale but a good time to plan one for when the weather turns cooler. Get together with family or neighbors - the more sellers you can get involved the better! Make sure your homeowner's association allows garage sales and make sure to determine if a permit is required or not. Go through items carefully so you don't sell something valuable or a family heirloom. Advertise in your local paper and put up directional signs the day of the sale. If more than one person or family is selling items buy different colored dots to put on items. When the item is sold take off the dot and place it on a piece of paper. This way at the end of the sale you can identify whose item sold and you will be able to easily add the sales. Place large attractive items near the curb to encourage people to stop. Instead of marking each item separately have tables or boxes with one sign marked 25 cents, 50 cents, one dollar, etc. Display items so they can be seen easily. Don't make buyers dig through clothing. Some large, brightly colored one of a kind clothing items again placed close to the street will attract more buyers. Have plenty of change on hand. If you have many items under a dollar be sure to have enough to change paper bills. Keep a close eye on the cash register. A cash only policy is probably best. If you have lots of toys and many left as the day progresses give them away to children accompanied by adults. Extension cords are a must if you have electric or electronic items that need to be tested. For safety lock your doors and don't let anyone use the restroom. Donate any left over items to a favorite charity. Follow these simple suggestions and you should have some nice change to put in your pocket and a lot less clutter around your house or garage!

Another Underwriting Requirement

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:40:18 -0700

It doesn't make any difference if you are planning to purchase in the greater Prescott AZ area or not----Here's a new wrinkle to add to all of the other things buyers have to deal with to get a loan approved and closed. FNMA, as of June 1, 2010 is implementing the Loan Quality Initiative, LQI, to help "capture critical loan data earlier in the process and validating it before, during and immediately after loan delivery." The purpose of this requirement is to verify that the borrowers are in compliance with underwriting guidelines from the time of application through loan closing and even beyond. It is expected to discover if the borrower has or is making other purchases that would affect them qualifying for the mortgage by increasing their debt-to-income ratio.

Short Sale, either selling Short or purchasing

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:53:13 -0700

Are you are candidate for selling your home via the Short Sale process?
Have you missed three or more payments? Give us a call to discuss your option before the foreclosure process kicks in. You may be a candidate for a Short Sale if you are at least 90 days delinquent in your mortgage payments, you still occupy your home, and you are experiencing financial hardship. Our Short Sale team have worked with thousands of homeowners. We can provide you with the necessary information to get started, including information for a free 30 minute legal consult to determine if you are in fact a qualified candidate for a Short Sale. If you are a qualified candidate, a Short Sale doesn't have as big of a negative effect on your credit score, or in your ability to purchase a home after two years. There is less damage to your credit record as there won't be any record of a foreclosure nor a record of eviction. Naturally the purchase of a home after two years would depend on your updated credit score and your employment status.
Please give us call at 928-713-6292 (Kathy) or 928-710-2189 (Charlie). Or Email us at: kathycharlie@prescottlistings.com

Are you interested in purchasing a Short Sale property? We can help you if you are prepared to work through the lengthy process, which could take 60 - 90 days from the time of the sellers acceptance of your offer to the final acceptance by the financial institutions loan mitigator. We will work with you through the entire process. Please give us a call at: 928-713-6292 (Kathy) or 928-710-2189 (Charlie) or Email us at: kathycharlie@prescottlistings.com

Is a Short Sale an option for me?

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:37:27 -0700

Most everyone that either purchased a home or refinanced in the past 5 years owe more on their home than it is currently worth.
Despite this fact, most homeowners continue to pay on their properties as they don't believe that they have other options.
Are you throwing good money after bad?
Are you in a position where it is becoming increasingly difficult to make your payments or you can't continue to make your payments?
Have you continued to experience hardships such as loss of income?
A Short Sale may be an option for you.
A Short Sale won't have as big of a negative impact on your credit score, nor will it last as long as a Foreclosure.
Don't allow your lack of the available Short Sale option go by you.
Call Charlie Musarra at 928-710-2189 or Kathy Renken at 928-713-6292 to make an appointment to allow us to show you the Short Sale option.

Government loans may provide the help you need

Charlie Musarra/ Kathy Renken (Keller Williams Check Realty) — Sat, 29 May 2010 11:32:50 -0700

If you are a Veteran of a first time home buyer, a government backed loan offering low down payment option with flixible guidelines may give you the edge to purchase your home.

For FHA, the features available to qualified buyer include:
As little as 3.5% for your down payment
No cash reserves are required
Down payment can be a gift
Seller can contribute up to 6% for your closing costs

For a VA Loan
Available for qualified Veteran with no money down
Asa Veteran, you must occupy the home
No cash reserves are required
Seller can contribute up to 4% for your closing costs