Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827's Blog

Keeping it COOL!

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:46:03 -0700

Automatic thermostats can lower your monthly utility costs while conveniently regulating your comfort by adjusting temperatures on your heating and cooling systems. These can be particularly effective in homes with zoned systems where you live in one area during the day but sleep in a different zone.

There are programmable thermostats available at home improvement stores that can make the adjustments for specific times during the day and specific days of the week. They'll allow you to override the setting when needed without tampering with the programming. They'll even remind you to change your filter.

An exciting development is the Wi-Fi enabled thermostat that allows adjustments from any Internet connection such as computer or Smartphone. Imagine how convenient it can be to change your temperature from the car before you get home.

Reasonably priced under $100 for most models, it makes it easy to recapture the cost of the thermostat quickly. Most of the thermostats are designed for do-it-yourselfers; however, you can always have a heating and cooling professional install it for you.

Lori Dee Doerfler, Associate Broker

RE/MAX Prestige Properties

(928) 208-9827 Mobile/Direct

www.LoriDee.com

"Serving the Lake Havasu City Community”

Have You Backed Up Your Home?

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:18:14 -0700

Personal computers have been around long enough that everyone has experienced or knows someone who has lost their data due to a hard drive crash, accident or burglary. If they had a backup, the loss was inconvenient but not critical.

Do you have a backup for your personal belongings? Not that you need duplicates of all the items but do you have a journal listing of all the items with a description and their approximate values? That record becomes the backup that supports the claim for your insurance.

If a building sustains a total loss, the insurance company will usually pay the face amount of the policy. When it comes to personal property which might be 40% to 50% of the insured value of the dwelling, the insurance company is going to expect an accounting with receipts or at least, a relatively recent inventory.

The better your inventory, the less likely you'll have difficulty with the claim. Almost everyone has a digital camera that can take stills and probably even videos. The combination of the images as well as a written description will help you replace the belongings and serve as proof to the insurance company.

Once you've made the inventory, store it off site for safe keeping. Online storage in the "cloud" might be the best place to insure you'll always know where it is. Contact me for a free Home Inventory form; it's my way of helping you be a better homeowner in Lake Havasu City.

Lori Dee Doerfler, Associate Broker

RE/MAX Prestige Properties

(928) 208-9827 Mobile/Direct

www.LoriDee.com

"Serving the Lake Havasu City Community”

$1.1 Million Limit?

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:22:41 -0700

A recent U.S. Tax Court ruling clarified the IRS position that the $1.1 million limit for mortgage interest deduction applies per residence and not per taxpayer as some high-priced homeowners were hoping.

A married homeowner filing jointly can have fullly deductible interest on a mortgage of up to $1,000,000 of acquisition debt and up to an additional $100,000 of home equity debt. If the married couple files separately, each party is limited to deducting the interest on half of those maximum amounts.

The court case came about when two unmarried individuals who owned a home together as joint tenants felt that they were entitled to deduct the interest on $1.1 million of debt each. IRS did not agree with their understanding and neither did the Tax Court. The Court ruled that the limits apply per residence, not per taxpayer even if a home is co-owned by unmarried taxpayers.

The result for the taxpayers in this case was that their deduction was cut in half resulting in much more income tax due. While this situation only affects a few taxpayers, homeowners in this position should have a discussion with their tax professional.

Lori Dee Doerfler, Associate Broker

RE/MAX Prestige Properties

(928) 208-9827 Mobile/Direct

www.LoriDee.com

"Serving the Lake Havasu City Community”

Do YOU Really Need that Repairman?

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:52:17 -0700

Have you ever had a service company to your home to repair something and find out that it really wasn't "broken"? I hate when that happens!

Before you call the repairman next time, keep these things in mind to see if it is something simple:

Disposer not working - check to see if the reset button has been thrown. It is usually on the bottom of the disposer. If the disposer is making a humming sound, the blades may be stuck. While the disposer is turned off, use a wooden broom handle as a lever to gently rotate the blades. Remove the broom handle and turn on the disposer to see if it works properly.
Air conditioner not working - check to see if a breaker has thrown on your electric panel. You might need to flip the breaker completely off and flip it back on.
Electrical outlets not working - Electrical plugs in bathrooms or outside, especially on a porch or patio, are many times connected to a ground fault interrupter. The GFI will be a wall outlet and it may be located in the garage. Locate the outlet and reset the button that may have tripped.
Clogged drain - a simple way to correct a slow or clogged drain is to use the water pressure from a garden hose. You'll need a helper to turn on the water full-blast once you have safely placed the hose in the drain and are holding a hand-towel around the hose to direct the water to the drain. Be prepared to tell your helper to turn off the water when needed.

Whether it's preparing a home to market or arranging repairs required by the sale, REALTORS® know reputable, reasonable and reliable service contractors. I'm here to share my contacts with you to help make home ownership better for YOU.

Lori Dee Doerfler, Associate Broker

RE/MAX Prestige Properties

(928) 208-9827 Mobile/Direct

www.LoriDee.com

"Serving the Lake Havasu City Community”

It's Another Beautiful Day in Lake Havasu City, AZ...April 2012

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:08:00 -0700

It's Another Beautiful Day in Lake Havasu City...

...and our Real Estate market is still going strong, with Home Sales reducing our inventory. There are currently only 480 Single Family Homes for Sale, with only 4 listed less than $100,000. Single Family Homes in Lake Havasu City range in price from $69,900 to a high of $1,750,000.

It's Spring ~ we're enjoying GREAT weather, and you can too! We have a lot of EXCITING activities going on in Lake Havasu City this month!

Mark Your Calendars for FUN!

Havasu World Cup Grand Prix Boat Racing ~ April 6-8

The Nautical Beachfront Resort

1000 McCulloch Blvd. N.

Time: 9:00 a.m.

Admission: Free to Spectators

The Lake will shake with the sounds of V8 engines powering the Grand Prix Hydroplane Racing Boats, to speeds of over 150 mph, as they race for the Havasu World Cup - Easter Weekend 2012! Watch a classic East Coast vs. West Coast Challenge!

For More Information, visit: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/551/havasu-world-cup/

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Havasu ~ April 14

Havasu 95 Speedway

7269 Sara Parkway

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Admission: $30/General, $15/Youth 6-15, Kids 5 & Under/Free

This is the REAL DEAL! NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Stock Car Series comes to Havasu 95 Speedway for the first time! Get your tickets early and Catch the Action! You won't want to miss this Inaugural NASCAR K&N Pro West Stock Car Series Event! Be there!

For More Information, visit: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/559/nascar-kn-pro-series-west-havasu/

or visit: www.havasu95speedway.com

Lake Havasu Marine Association's 21st Annual Boat Show ~ April 20-22

Lake Havasu State Park, Windsor 4

699 London Bridge Road

Admission: Adults: $2.00 / Kids 12 & Under: Free

Great displays & plenty of action, with Powerboat & Water-Ski Racing taking place during the Show - featuring more than 40 different brands of Runabouts, Pontoons, Ski/Wakeboard & Fishing Boats, Cruisers, Deck Boats, PWC's, and the Largest Selection of Performance Sport Boats West of Miami; High Speed Water-Ski Racing Competition, by more than 100 of the Top Ski Racers in the Country, plus hundreds of Marine Accessory Products! AND..."Legends by the Lake" Hot Rod Car Show will be featuring 200 of the finest Vintage Street Rods in the Southwest - from the '30's through the 70's. Watch the Boat Races right from the Beach, at Windsor 4 - starting at 9:00 a.m.....how could it get any better?

For More Information, visit: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/72/lake-havasu-marine-association-21st-annual-havasu-boat-show/

Desert Storm Street Party ~ April 26

McCulloch Boulevard (from Smoketree to Acoma)

Admission: Free to Spectators

Starts at Noon

McCulloch Boulevard (Havasu's Main Street) is THE place to be...transformed into a Multi-Million Dollar Presentation of Extraordinary, Super-Charged Racing Vessels - from the World's Top Custom Boat Builders! See them up close on Main Street Thursday night; then watch amazing Racing Action, Fri-Sun!

For More Information, visit: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/496/desert-storm-street-party/

or visit: www.lakeracerllc.com

Desert Storm Poker Run & Shootout ~ April 25-28

Thompson Bay

1400 S. Smoketree

Admission: Free to Spectators

THE Biggest, Baddest Offshore Performance Race Boats in the Country will be in Havasu! Named "Top Poker Run in the Nation" by Performance Boats Magazine; Desert Storm 2012 is guaranteed to be a World-Class Collection of the most Prestigious Performance Boats from acoss the nation! Do Not Miss This Event!

For More Information, visit: www.lakeracerllc.com

or visit: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/113/14th-annual-desert-storm-poker-run--shootout/

You can view additional Upcoming Events, at WHAT'S HAPPENING in Lake Havasu City, Arizona!

Please take a moment to review the many resources my website has to offer! You'll find local community and relocation information, as well as fun things to do in and around Lake Havasu City, at LoriDee.com.

My goal is to provide YOU with a single source of Outstanding Real Estate Services and Information in the Lake Havasu Area.

Lori Dee Doerfler, Associate Broker

RE/MAX Prestige Properties

(928) 208-9827 Mobile/Direct

www.LoriDee.com

"Serving the Lake Havasu City Community”

Don't Miss the RECALL!!!

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:27:06 -0700

Occasionally, you hear about an important recall on a product you have and you take care of it immediately. However, if you were to miss such a notice, it could put you or your family in jeopardy.

You can subscribe to the U.S. government's service to notify the public when recalls are made on vehicles, tires and child restraints through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on their site called SaferCar.gov.

You'll receive a notification by email when there is a new recall based on the type you selected. You can change your selections or unsubscribe at any time by going back to their website in the "Manage Your Notifications" section.

We're committed to helping you be a better homeowner by providing information on items that can protect your home's value, reduce expenses, improve maintenance and increase the enjoyment of your home.

Lori Dee Doerfler, Associate Broker

RE/MAX Prestige Properties

(928) 208-9827 Mobile/Direct

www.LoriDee.com

"Serving the Lake Havasu City Community”

When Mortgage Debt is Cancelled

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 10:19:05 -0700

The Mortgage Forgiveness Relief Act of 2007 was passed by Congress to avoid additional financial hardship that some homeowners might experience due to a foreclosure or short sale. The law affects mortgage relief that occurs from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2012.

Normally, IRS considers partial or total debt forgiven by a lender to be treated as ordinary income. This not only affects foreclosures but even short sales where only part of the debt is forgiven would trigger additional taxes for the homeowner. There are exceptions that apply such as bankruptcy and insolvency.

The forgiveness is only applicable to taxpayers' principal residence and only acquisition debt used to buy, build or improve the home. The additional cash taken out when refinancing a home will not be eligible for the relief unless it is used for capital improvements.

The lender is required to submit a 1099 form to IRS and provide the homeowner a copy who will file the forgiven amount on Form 982 as part of their 1040 tax return. How this affects your individual situation may differ due to other circumstances and advice from a tax professional is recommended.

Lori Dee Doerfler, Associate Broker

RE/MAX Prestige Properties

(928) 208-9827 Mobile/Direct

www.LoriDee.com

"Serving the Lake Havasu City Community”

Danger Will Robinson! Think Before You Pin!

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:00:45 -0700

Carra Riley does an excellent job in explaining Pinterest and the liability. I am looking forward to the subsequent articles. I agree with Carra that "learning yet another social media platform is almost too much for anyone today" ...but can be so much fun...READ ON...

Via Carra Riley CRB, CRS, GRI (Author, Speaker, Consultant, Second Homes AZ LLC):

Danger Will Robinson! Think Before You Pin!

Pinterest Safe Pinning rules can help you from making BIG mistakes with copyright violations.

So many social media sites and so little time!

Learning yet another social media platform is almost too much for anyone today. It seems like we just get comfortable with how things run on facebook, twitter or Google+ and they change the format along the rules so it's like a never ending journey of new information. I am sorry to say this is the norm and in the 21st century as the Cosmic Shift Happens™ this is just the way things are going to run, constant change.

We are living in a beta test world and the destination is yet to be determine so strap in, learn the rules, buckle up and hang on.

Read this post on how 11 huge brands are using Pinterest. I have a breaking story about Kate Spade and her team pinning a Martha Stewart St. Patrick's Day straw and forgetting to give her credit or link back to her blog post. Now this could be a SERIOUS copyright issue which you should be aware of. It might be gone on Pinterest by the time I publish this post however, it was there at publishing and you can see the screen shots below.

This is the first in a series of posts on Pinterest, both the good and the bad. Take the time to read about different venues and decide after doing your own research if a platform works for you or not.

In the blogosphere there are many types of bloggers with individual styles who have similar messages however, their information is presented in a different way some you will like this and some of you won't. Pinterest has taken on a love/hate position with many involved in social media so this post is to share the WARNINGS and DANGERS involved at Pinterest taking place right now with HUGE players possibly not understanding the rules. Therefore .. please take some time to read the links for more powerful information and learn for yourself how you might be able to use this platform to share your message. Don't let FEAR take away something that could possibly be fun and profitable if you KNOW and USE the rules found in all copyright situations.

Pinterest appears to be the latest greatest new fad taking off faster than facebook or google+ during the same initial beta releases. Inman Next has done several webinars showing how real estate agents can use Pinterest in their business to connect with people. Follow the Inman link to see the webinar and what they are sharing about Pinterest. If you create your own blog posts, you take your own pictures and know your community and what it has to offer this is the perfect place for you to share that information that YOU create yourself. You can link to your community websites and pin activities to help the consumer find out more about your neighborhood through Pinterest.

Pinterest is VISUAL, it's fun and you can spend hours clicking on the photos (whien linked to correctly posted) websites where you can learn all about something you are interested in. The graphics are what stimulate the desire to find out more about the picture and what it represents. Your mission, should you accept it, is to provide beautiful photos of your area and homes so that people will want to click through the picture and see what you are selling, contact you and a relationship has been established. Important note: Check with your Broker about your company listing agreements and how they are handling marketing in social media and if photos of their home will be allowed on the Internet. The TOS or Terms Of Service of different platforms might be shared with the seller but checking with your Broker for you company policy is a MUST before posting or pinning anywhere on the Internet.

If you are taking your own photos to market a home then use the pictures to SELL the property. Think about not getting so concerned with FEAR that someone is going to take your picture. Your job is to SELL the house not worry about the picture. Thiefs are going to be thiefs, if they want your photo they are just going to find a way to get it. Put your name on the photos or watermark them and it will keep honest people honest just like a lock on a door. If someone wants to get in they will figure out a way to do it.

The GOOD news is learning is less than an hour investment in time to figure out how Pinterest works and how fun it is.

The BAD news is you can get in real copyright trouble if you are pinning photos and images that are not yours and have not been approved for pinning... so learning the rules of "proper pinning" is of up most importance.

Advertising Lawyer Brian Heidelberger Shares How Brands Can Use Pinterest Without Breaking the Law. He says:

"We're not going to kid you, this risk reduction strategy will significantly limit your ability to pin and re-pin content found on Pinterest to your company's brand page. But unfortunately the way consumers are currently using Pinterest just isn't the same way that your brand will likely be able to use it, given that a brand's commercial use will be much more attractive to potential plaintiffs. Pinterest attempts to limit its own legal liability by providing in its terms that users are only supposed to post or pin content that they own or that they have the right to post. From a practical matter, this may give Pinterest some legal protection, but the same legal protections will not likely protect your brand page since you are directly pinning the images"

Another helpful article shared by American Express talks about how a small business can be damaged by Pinterest so reading it is all part of the learning curve which will help you determine whether you want to participate or not based on your own investigations.

The rest of the Kate Spade pinterest board story..... I read the post on how 11 big brands were using Pinterest and saw them talk about Kate Spade and her boards. I went to the boards and found a cute St.Patrick's Day Straw in an orange soda. I did pin it and saw the message from Martha Stewart's team letting her know that the pin should link back to their website. The link went to a tumblr site with Martha's Straws. I deleted my re-pin from the Kate Spade board and went to Martha's site to pin where she had the "pin it" link for anyone to pin and link back to her page. This could possibly be a genuine copyright violation because they took the graphic without the link back to the original post. If the big guys are doing this and it certainly could have been an unfortunate mistake, it is a red flag that others could be doing it in ignorance. PLEASE be careful as there is DANGER Will Robinson. The same photo had been re-blogged on Tumbler 158 times and each person was linking the Martha Stewart graphic to their own websites. THAT is a NO NO.

Bottom line is to be careful with what you are re-pinning and making sure it links back to the source and you have the right to re-pin.

If you want to share you content install a "Pin it" button and people can pin away. Martha Stewart had the pin it button right on her site and it would have been so easy for the Kate Spade team to just use that button. Maybe a team member saw the shamrock straws on Tumbler and had no clue they were Martha's straws...... you see how convoluted this can get. Just be careful and look for the "pin it" buttons when pinning content that is not yours.

More articles on the "Everything Pinterest" board with both the good and the bad of what is going on today with Pinterest.

Cosmic Cow Pie

Carra Riley

Premium Rising...

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:04:09 -0800

FHA has raised the annual Mortgage Insurance Premium to 1.25% beginning April 1st. MIP is required on all FHA loans and used to fund losses by lenders for borrowers who default on their mortgages. As of June 1st, FHA loans in excess of the standard maximum of $625,500, in high-cost areas, will have a premium of 1.5% of the loan amount.

In addition to the increase in the annual MIP, FHA also announced it plans to raise the fee on the up-front MIP from 1.00% to 1.75%. No date was reported for its implementation.

The bottom line will result in a borrower’s payments going up. However, it might not be restricted to the MIP. Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed that both 30 year and 15 year mortgages have gone up too.

One way to avoid the increase is to have a completed sales contract and have your lender order the FHA commitment prior to April 1, 2012. If you plan on buying a home this spring, there is a reason to do it earlier rather than later.

Lori Dee Doerfler, Associate Broker

RE/MAX Prestige Properties

(928) 208-9827 Mobile/Direct

www.LoriDee.com

"Serving the Lake Havasu City Community”

What's Happening in Lake Havasu City, AZ - MARCH 2012

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:54:06 -0800

Spring is in the air in Lake Havasu City!

Our current market offers an Excellent Value of Homes and Properties for Sale, with a continued increase in Home Sales. We currently have 548 Single Family Homes on the market, with just 14 listed under $100,000.

March is right around the corner, bringing another month of FUN and EXCITING events in Beautiful, Lake Havasu City!

Mark your Calendars & Join the FUN!

4th Annual Bluegrass On The Beach   -   March 2-4
Lake Havasu State Park, Windsor 4
699 London Bridge Road
Don't miss this amazing 3 day Festival at Windsor Beach, in beautiful sunny Lake Havasu City, Arizona!
Admission: Adults $20; Teens $10; $12 yrs & under Free
Fri/Sat/Sun: 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
For Details & Map: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/81/4th-annual-bluegrass-on-the-beach/

Uptown Arts & Crafts Festival   -   March 3
In the Shambles Village on Main Street - Downtown McCulloch Blvd.
2126 N. McCulloch Blvd.
Take a Stroll along Main Street in Beautiful Uptown Lake Havasu City, for a Special Exhibit of Local Artists, featuring a wide variety of Artwork; Pottery, Paintings, Jewelry, Photography & Crafts at Shambles Village!
Sat. 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm (First Saturday of the Month - from October thru May)
Admission is Free
For Detailed Information & Map, visit: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/210/uptown-arts-and-crafts-festival/

Hobie-McCulloch Cup   -   March 10-11
In the waters North of the Island, isan Exciting Weekend of Racing & Fun, at the Regional Mid-Winter Sailing Racing Event for Hobie Cats, with Participants from all over the Western U.S. & Canada! Spectators are Welcome to watch the Beautiful Colored Sails, as they coast along the Blue Waters of Lake Havasu! Races take place in waters North of the Island. This meeting is open to all HCA-NA (Hobie Cat Association of North America) Members.
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/69/hobiemcculloch-cup/

World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS)   -   March 16-18 & March 23-25
Crazy Horse Campgrounds - On the Island
1534 Beachcomber Blvd.
Two High-Speed, Mud-Slinging Weeks, with Over 11,000 Professional & Amateur Racers
Adults $10/day or $20/weekend; Youth 12 & under $5 Weekend Pass
For Detailed Schedule of Events & Map: http://www.worcsracing.com

13th Annual Sidewinders 4x4 Desert Run   -   March 16-19
The 13th Annual Sidewinders 4 x 4 Desert Run is a Friendly, Fun-Filled Event for All Levels, Easy Going or Exhilarating - Mild to Wild! This is not a competitive event - there are no prizes or awards. It is simply a chance for Off-Road Driving Enthusiasts - from Novice to Experienced, to Enjoy the Scenic, Historic, and Challenging Trails of Lake Havasu City!
Venue: Aquatic Center
100 Park Avenue
Admission: $65 Trail Registration/ $10 Dinner Tickets
For Detailed Schedule of Events & Map: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/126/13th-annual-sidewinders-4x4-desert-run/
Or Visit Their Website: http://www.sidewinders4wheelers.com

Big Boy's Toys - Featuring Extreme Machines   -   March 17
Downtown Main Street, on McCulloch Blvd.
Big Boy's Toys has an Amazing Display of everything from Cruisers to High-Tech Racing Machines for Dirt, Track, Road, Water & Air - with Vendor Booths featuring Local Businesses!
Free Admission
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/359/big-boys-toys-featuring-extreme-machines/

30th Annual Home Show   -   March 23-25
Lake Havasu High School
2675 S. Palo Verde Blvd.
Colorado River Building Industry Association
Two Gymnasiums Full of Vendors, an outside Food Court with more Vendors outside Showcasing What's New & Exciting for the Home & Much More, with Everything Conveniently in One Place!
Free Admission
Friday: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm / Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/502/30th-annual-home-show/

Havasu Classic's 16th Annual Show & Shine   -   March 24
Shops at Lake Havasu
5601 Highway 95
Bigger and Better than Ever! 21 Classes of Cars and Trucks awarded Trophies; including the Selection for the "80th" Anniversary 1932 Ford! Open to all Makes, Models & Years. Designed for Local Car Enthusiasts to Display their Cars & Raise Money for Local Charities in the Process, with Raffles, 50/50 Drawing, Vendors, Food & Awards.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
For Detailed Information with Registration Fees & Map: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/107/havasu-classics-16th-annual-show--shine/

There really IS Something Here for Everyone!

You'll find local community and relocation information, as well as fun things to do in and around Lake Havasu City, at LoriDee.com!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (928) 208-9827, (877) LORI-DEE, or email me at Lori@LoriDee.com.

Lori Dee Doerfler, Associate Broker

RE/MAX Prestige Properties

(928) 208-9827 Mobile/Direct

www.LoriDee.com

"Serving the Lake Havasu City Community”

The IDEAL Investment

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:10:04 -0800

Rental homes can be the IDEAL investment in today's market because they offer a much higher rate of return than alternatives without the volatility of ups and downs in the stock market.

IDEAL serves as an acronym to identify the advantages of rental properties:

Income from the monthly rent contributes to paying the expenses and a return on the investment
Depreciation is a non-cash deduction that contributes a tax shelter
Equity grows monthly as the mortgage amortizes due to some of each payment being applied to the principal
Appreciation is achieved as the value of the property goes up
Leverage can increase the return on investment by using borrowed funds to control a larger asset

The combination of these characteristics working together makes rental real estate a very good investment for today's economy and years to come. Increased rents, high rental demand, good values and low non-owner-occupied mortgage rates contribute to positive cash flows and very favorable rates of return.

Contact me for more information about actual opportunities in our local market.

Lori Dee Doerfler, Associate Broker

RE/MAX Prestige Properties

(928) 208-9827 Mobile/Direct

www.LoriDee.com

"Serving the Lake Havasu City Community”

Upcoming Lake Havasu Events....

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:26:27 -0800

Don't miss out on these upcoming Lake Havasu City, AZ events:

2012 Ever Start Western Division Qualifying Tournament - February 23 - 25
Lake Havasu State Park, Windsor 4
699 London Bridge Road
Watch them Reel in the Big One, in Person! Qualifying Tournament returns to the Waters of Lake Havasu!
6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Admission: Free for Spectators
For Event Schedule: http://www.flwoutdoors.com/

8th Annual Mark Hahn Memorial 300 Mile PWC Race - February 25
American Power Boat Association (APBA) Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300
Crazy Horse Campground
7:00 a.m.
Admission: Free for Spectators
Website: http://www.pwcfun.com/markhahn300.asp
Or visit: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/67/hot-products-apba--mark-hahn-memorial-havasu-300/

There's Something Here for Everyone!

You'll find local community and relocation information, as well as fun things to do in and around Lake Havasu City, at LoriDee.com!

My goal is to provide YOU with a single source of Outstanding Real Estate Services and Information in the Lake Havasu Area. Please take a moment to review the many resources my website has to offer! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (928) 208-9827, (877) LORI-DEE, or email me at Lori@LoriDee.com.

I Look Forward to Working With You!

A Locals Favorite Restaurant in Havasu-Sonora Tacos Y Mariscos

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:14:49 -0800

My husband and I love Ceviche...Ceviche is basically fish (in this case shrimp) lime juice, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, probably salt and pepper.

Anyway, my husband and I been to Sonora Tacos y Mariscos, 2690 North Kiowa Avenue in Lake Havasu a number of times. The food is GREAT!...the prices are very reasonable. They have the best Ceviche in town, in my humble opinion.

Today, I was out looking at and taking pictures of a potential new listing. Guess what?? I drove right by Sonora Tacos Y Mariscos and the OPEN sign was clearly flashing red. It was only about 10am. I've only been there for dinner and didn't realize they opened so early...Yea! I got an early lunch...guess what it was??? That's right, it was a shrimp ceviche tostada with home made corn chips for $4.00...

Sonora Tacos y Mariscos has a varied menu; from seafood appetizers to whole fish to 15 types of shrimp dinners to traditional (from my experience) mexican dishes like tacos, burritos, quesadillas with chicken/beef/pork. They have a "kids menu" consisting of a cheese crisp, chicken nuggets, fish sticks or shrimp. Additionally, they have a full bar as well as serve soft drinks. What more could you want???

If you are ever on North Kiowa traveling east toward Avalon, it's on the right side...

Great Investment

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:15:31 -0800

If you invest in a savings account, you'll make less than 1% and will have to pay income tax on the earnings. On the other hand, contribute something extra to your house payment on a regular basis and you'll essentially, earn at the mortgage interest rate which is certain to be more than you're earning in the bank.

Making additional principal contributions on your mortgage will save interest, retire debt and build equity. An extra $100 a month in the example shown will save thousands in interest and short the term of the mortgage as well.

Reducing your cost of housing is another way to improve the investment in your home. Becoming debt-free is a worthy goal that is achieved with discipline and good decisions. Suggestions like this are part of my commitment to help people be better homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between.

The HARP Deal

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:42:23 -0800

What is HARP? It is the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). I think Kevin Kueneke has done a great job in explaining what it is and providing applicable links in an easy to understand format. NOTE that NOT ALL Mortgage Servicers participate in HARP.....read on:

Via Kevin Kueneke (AmeriFirst Financial, Inc. Carlsbad CA Mortgage):

We are finally getting more specifics regarding The HARP Deal, the most recent version of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac refinance program. Fannie's version of The HARP Deal is called the DU Refi Plus. Freddie's version of The HARP Deal is called LP Open Access.

Here are some of the details:

INELIGIBLE LOANS FOR THE HARP DEAL:

any loan currently in default

existing loan delivered to Fannie or Freddie on or after 6/01/2009

government loans

reverse mortgages

not a 1st lien

MAXIMUM LTV AND LOAN AMOUNT FOR THE HARP DEAL:

LTV and CLTV is unlimited for all Occupancies and all Property Types

Loan amounts are Conforming and High Balance Conforming

Loan purpose is Rate and Term Refinance only; loan amount can include pre-paids and closing costs

ELIGIBLE OCCUPANCY AND PROPERTY TYPE FOR THE HARP DEAL:

primary residence

second home

non-owner occupied

1-4 units

condos, PUDs, manufactured homes

NUMBER OF FINANCED PROPERTIES FOR THE HARP DEAL:

DU - no limit

LP - no limit if loan is primary residence, max 4 properties if loan is 2nd home or investment property

NO MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE IS REQUIRED FOR THE HARP DEAL!

MORTGAGE HISTORY FOR THE HARP DEAL:

DU - must be current

LP - 0x30 in last 6 months, 1x30 OK in last 7-12 months

The HARP Deal is only for mortgage loans owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. To see if your mortgage may be eligible for The HARP Deal, check these two sites first:

Fannie Mae HARP Deal lookup: www.fanniemae.com/loanlookup/

Freddir Mac HARP Deal lookup: www.freddiemac.com/mymortgage

More information to follow for The HARP Deal, but this is a great start. Contact Kevin Kueneke today to see if you may be eligible for The HARP Deal: www.kevink.amerifirst.us

Kevin Kueneke, NMLS # 284800

FHA Mortgage Loan Specialist/VA Mortgage Loan Specialist
Direct Lender, Mortgage Banker
AmeriFirst Financial, Inc.
12544 High Bluff, Suite 100 | San Diego | CA | 92130
Phone 760-500-1919 | Fax 619-419-2324

kevink.amerifirst.us | kevink@AmeriFirst.us

Ask About My CA DRE Approved Continuing Education Classes!

Visit My Website

Apply For A Home Loan

Are You A Licensed Real Estate Agent In California? Are You Looking For A New Way To Market Your Listings? Watch This Video And Then Contact Me!

In Search of an Honest Man...

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:59:40 -0800

Similar to Diogenes’ search for an honest man, homeowners want someone to do quality repairs or services at a fair price. The task appears reasonably easy but if you’ve ever tried to locate someone, you know just how difficult it is.

Finding a list of companies from a phone book doesn’t mean they’ll be reasonable and reliable, it just means they have a phone and are willing to pay for an ad. Searching on the Internet may direct you to a website that appears to be a local company but really is a marketing company who will sell the lead to a repairman or company who will pay a referral fee.

There are consumer organizations like Angie’s list who rate repairmen and contractors but they usually require an annual membership fee to be able to access the information. There are also services like Renovation Experts or Service Magic that are registries for contractors but they may not be the most competitively priced.

Your best recommendations are going to come from friends, family and neighbors you trust who have actually used the repairmen before and would use them again. The problem here is that you might have to make multiple calls before you can find a friend who can recommend the type contractor you need.

Repairs are a normal part of selling homes and we certainly come in contact with lots of contractors. This experience leads us to understand who is reputable and reasonable as well as who to avoid. As part of our commitment to helping you be a better homeowner from the time you buy your home until you sell it, we’re more than happy to make a recommendation of good repairmen or other professionals you might need. Give us a call…we want to help.

My goal is to provide YOU with a single source of Outstanding Real Estate Services and Information in the Lake Havasu Area. Please take a moment to review the many resources my website has to offer! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (928) 208-9827, (877) LORI-DEE, or email me at Lori@LoriDee.com.

Lori Dee Doerfler, ABR CRS e-PRO GRI SRES

Associate Broker – REALTOR®

President, Lake Havasu Area Women’s Council of REALTORS®

RE/MAX Prestige Properties, 330 Smoketree Avenue S, Lake Havasu City, AZ

928.208.9827 direct * 877.567.4333 toll free * 928.208.4673 fax

Risk Determines RATE...

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:40:54 -0800

Regardless of what a lender quotes on mortgage rates, the actual rate paid by a borrower is based on a number of variables. Lenders determine whether to loan money and at what rate based on the risk involved with the transaction.

Factors that increase the risk that the loan will be repaid will proportionately increase the interest rate charged to the borrower. If the risk becomes too high, the loan will not be approved.

Loan amounts - conventional loans for more than the conforming limits set by Fannie Mae are considered jumbo loans and generally have a higher interest rate.
FICO score - the lowest interest rate is reserved for the highest credit scores; the lower the score, the higher the rate borrower will pay.
Occupancy - borrowers occupying a home as their principal residence are considered a better loan risk than second homes and investment properties.
Loan purpose - purchase transactions generally have the lowest interest rate while refinancing a home is generally higher.
Debt-to-Income ratio - a borrower's monthly liabilities divided by their gross monthly income develops a ratio that helps lenders to assess the borrower's ability to repay the mortgage.
Loan-to-Value ratio - the lower the percentage of the loan to the appraised value of the property will generally lower the interest rate.

Any combination of these factors could limit a borrower's ability to secure a mortgage at the rate initially quoted. Being pre-approved by a trusted mortgage professional is the best way to know what rate you can expect to pay. Please call for a recommendation.

Ten things to remove before listing...

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:09:23 -0800

Great post by Lindsay Hasford, in Minnesota about preparing your home to be on the market...keeping in mind, "all valuables"...you don't want to give anyone the opportunity...

Via Lindsey Hasford (Coldwell Banker Vision):

Everyone has heard rumors of de-cluttering when it's time to sell your home. But, what does that really mean? Before going hog wild and moving out... here's a few of the most important things to consider removing before you list your home for sale.

10. Personal photos. I don't always recommend removing photos of the 'family' but if you have hallways filled with photos or photos on every end table it is probably necessary. Buyers really DO get distracted by them. They will take them all in as they walk down the hall. Not only do they take away from the home, but it's really disturbing when a buyer is excited to 'know' the sellers. And, the buyers do look at them.

9. Bills and personal papers. I understand that you cannot remove these document from the home all together, but please take the time to organize them, box them up and put them out of sight. If you have bills laying out on the counter or kitchen table it's like an invitation for the buyers to 'peek' at them. Believe me - I discourage it - but it still happens. And as a seller you just don't want to leave the temptation behind.

8. Money. I would love to say that every buyer (and Realtor) going through every home is honest, but I really don't want to test those waters. If you have cash, cash boxes or coin jars sitting out in the open... put them away. It's just better for everyone if it's out of sight. As Realtors we do what we can to protect your home, but your help makes a difference!

7. Valuables. Jewelry, watches, valuable antiques.... anything that might be worth a bit of money that you wouldn't want to lose. Out of sight, out of mind. If buyers don't know they are there they won't think about it. I can't tell you how many homes I've been in where the jewelry is left on the dresser.... somehow it's uncomfortable. At least put it away.

6. Guns and ammo. I don't care if they are in a case or out laying around or under a bed. It's better if you just plain old remove them from the home prior to listing. For some reason they make buyers (in my experience) feel really insecure.

5. Shoes! If you have a pile of shoes at the door... ask yourself why. A pile of shoes gives a buyer two impressions. The first? That there isn't enough storage in your home. 2. That there are too many people living in the home. So, in order to avoid wondering on the part of the buyer... just put them away.

4. Medicine. Take it out. Don't store it on the counter. Don't store it in the cabinet. Don't store it in the bathroom. Remove it. There have been many complaints over the years of potential buyers 'stealing' the medicine out of the cabinets. I have never had it happen on my time clock, but to avoid any trouble it's best to simply remove it.

3. All things on your kitchen counter. Everything? Really? Yup. The cleaner you can leave the counter, the more buyers dream of being in there. Have you ever been in a cluttered kitchen? Does it feel inviting? How about a cleaned up kitchen? Does it make you wanna spend time there? Also, if you store things on the counter it gives the appearance that you do not have enough storage space.

2. No more junk drawers. Seriously. Clean 'em out. There is nothing more tacky than a potential buyer opening the cupboards and drawers and having things sticking out everywhere. Box up all the notes, pens, tacks, and odds and ends and put them away. Chances are you don't dig in the drawer often anyways.

1. Nothing but magnets.... and maybe not even that. Take a photo of your fridge, take everything off, wash the front (and side), and take another photo. It is really refreshing to walk into a home that has a clean fridge. The kids pictures are beautiful (believe me... my fridge is covered in them) but buyer's can't imagine their own children's drawing on there if it is covered with yours. And, the magnets... If they aren't decorative (and even then) they are generally more of a distraction to the room than a help. Consider it.

There are many more ways to declutter a home for sale... but these are some important things to consider. For more information on selling your home in Minnesota... give me a call.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

                 In the meantime... if you are looking to move into the area... I'll wait for you to call!

Selling Real Estate in Minnesota!

If you are looking for professional real estate services I am only a ring away! I am looking forward to working with you. And, please feel free to share my name with anyone that you know who needs assistance buying or selling a home ~ I love referrals!

                                                   Lindsey Hasford, REALTOR
                                                        Coldwell Banker Vision
                                             231 Main Street - Elk River - MN 55330
                                          763-241-5488 (office) 763-218-1347 (cell)
                                         lindseyhasford@coldwellbankervision.com
                                                  http://www.hasfordhomes.com

What's Happening in Lake Havasu City, AZ-February 2012

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:13:05 -0800

Greetings from Lake Havasu City!

Value Priced Homes have been in high demand, and continues to reduce our inventory of Homes for Sale. We currently have 586 Single Family Homes on the market (range $64,990 to $1,750,000), with only 22 listed under $100,000.

February brings a ton of FUN Things to Do in Lake Havasu City! Our Beautiful Weather attracts Thousands of Visitors to our Annual Events.

Check out a few of our Upcoming Events & Mark Your Calendars!

Havasu 95 Speedway - 2011-2012 Race Season
7269 SARA Park Way
Admission: $12 General; $6 Ages 6-16; Children 5 & Under: Free
For Schedule of Events, visit: http://havasu95speedway.com/

27th Annual Winterfest Festival - February 11 - 12
2144 McCulloch Blvd. North
Main Street - Downtown McCulloch Blvd., between Acoma & Smoketree
The Signature Event of The Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce!
2 Exciting Days of Arts, Crafts, Food, Beer Garden, Kids Activities & More!
Sat. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm & Sun. 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Free Admission
For Detailed Information & Map, visit: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/65/27th-annual-winterfest/

5th Annual Pocket Cruisers Convention - February 13
The London Bridge Resort
People from Around the World descend on Lake Havasu to Race their Small Sailboats for Fun!
Admission: Free to Spectators
For Event Schedule, visit: www.sailhavasu.com

23rd Annual Winter Blast - February 16 - 19
Western Pyrotechnics Convention
Spectacular Firework Displays Light up the Night Skies!
Thousands of Visitors come from Around the World to Watch the Spectacular Display of Colors in the Desert Sky!
SARA Park, Public Display: Fri. & Sat. night, starts at dusk
Admission: $3 per person; 12 & under Free: $5 Parking Fee
For More Information, visit: www.westernpyro.org

4th Annual Lake Havasu Rockabilly Reunion - February 17 - 19
Lake Havasu State Park, Windsor 4
699 London Bridge Road
Be there! Take a 3 day trip down Nostalgia Lane with Car Show, Carnival Rides, Food, Beer Garden, and the ever popular Pin-Up Girl Contest. Music, Motorcycles, Swap Meet, Lots of Vendors, Cool Retro-Fashions, a 1950s Hair Salon & Barber!
Admission: $10/day or $25 for a 3 Day Pass; Student ID - $5/day; Children 12 & Under: Free
For more Information & Schedule of Events...
http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/80/4th-annual-lake-havasu-city-rockabilly-reunion/

2012 Ever Start Western Division Qualifying Tournament - February 23 - 25
Lake Havasu State Park, Windsor 4
699 London Bridge Road
Watch them Reel in the Big One, in Person! Qualifying Tournament returns to the Waters of Lake Havasu!
6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Admission: Free for Spectators
For Event Schedule: http://www.flwoutdoors.com/

8th Annual Mark Hahn Memorial 300 Mile PWC Race - February 25
American Power Boat Association (APBA) Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300
Crazy Horse Campground
7:00 a.m.
Admission: Free for Spectators
Website: http://www.pwcfun.com/markhahn300.asp
Or visit: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/67/hot-products-apba--mark-hahn-memorial-havasu-300/

There's Something Here for Everyone!

You'll find local community and relocation information, as well as fun things to do in and around Lake Havasu City, at LoriDee.com!

Points...What Points?

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:20:08 -0800

Points refer to prepaid interest on a home mortgage and can be fully deductible by the buyer in the year paid if the right conditions exist. The points must be used to buy, build or improve a taxpayer's principal residence but not all fees charged by the lender are necessarily deductible.

According to IRS Publication 936, "The term 'points' is used to describe certain charges paid, or treated as paid, by a borrower to obtain a home mortgage. Points may also be called loan origination fees, maximum loan charges, loan discount, or discount points. A borrower is treated as paying any points that a home seller pays for the borrower's mortgage."

If you purchased a home in 2011, have your tax professional evaluate your closing statement to see if there are loan fees that may be used as a deduction on your tax return regardless of whether you or the seller paid them.

Refinancing a principal residence or purchasing an investment or income property require that points must be deducted ratably over the term of the mortgage rather than deducting them fully in the year paid. Borrowers in these situations should consider the benefits of lower interest rates from paying point to higher interest rates without points.

This article is meant to provide information that can be discussed with your tax professional about your specific situation and is not to be considered tax advice.

Quality versus Quantity?

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:49:48 -0800

Work hard, buy a home, start a family and continue to upgrade your home until everyone has enough room. This has been the blueprint for lots of homeowners for the last fifty years but there is certainly a shift in thinking that could change all of that.

Interestingly, Americans live in much larger homes than most people in other countries throughout the world. The U.S. Census reported in 2006 that the average single family home completed had 2,469 square feet which was 769 feet more than in 1976.

Once the children are grown and have moved out, homeowners are finding they have too much room. Even if their home is paid for, they have higher property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance on the larger home than they'd have if they were living in the "right size" home.

Some homeowners state that they're keeping their larger home because it has luxury features that smaller homes don't have. There's a movement that seems to have started in the United States to find the "right size" home with the amenities and convenience that homeowners want.

This philosophy has been expressed by Sarah Susanka in her book Creating the Not So Big House. It proposes a house that "values quality over quantity with an emphasis on comfort and beauty, a high level of detail, and a floor plan designed for today's informal lifestyle."

Havasu Happenings-January 2012

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:50:20 -0800

Happy New Year!

Lake Havasu City is off to a great start this year! The holiday season was very busy with visitors and Home Sales last month, which reduced our inventory of Homes for Sale. We now have 568 Single Family, and only 28listed under $100,000. We currently have 60 active single family foreclosure listings.

Please check out my website www.ItsHavasu.com. Should you find a property you're interested in, feel free to contact me. I'll be happy to provide additional property information.

January is filled with many exciting Community Events! There is always something FUN going on in Lake Havasu City. We've had beautiful weather, with temps in the low to mid 70's, clear skies and light breezes. Today is just another Beautiful Day in Paradise!

Join Us for one of Many FUN Upcoming Events!

Havasu Art Guild - Winter Art Expo - January 14
Mohave County Library
1770 McCulloch Blvd.
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
www.havasuartguild.com

2nd Annual Havasu Balloon Festival & Fair - January 19 - 22
The Nautical Beachfront Resort Golf Course
1000 N. McCulloch Blvd. - on the Island
Experience Beautiful Balloons Over Lake Havasu & the London Bridge!
Ascensions & Night Glows, Live Entertainment, Artist's Village, Carnival, Food, Vendors & More...
6:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. - January 19-21
6:00 a.m. - Noon - January 22
Admission: $7 - Good for all 4 days (Tickets may be purchased Online): Children 12 & Under: Free
For more Information & Schedule of Events...
www.havasuballoonfest.com

Lake Havasu Music, Brews & BBQ Championship - January 27 - 28
Lake Havasu State Park - Windsor 4
699 London Bridge Road
BBQ & Chili Cookoff - Variety of Samples for Sale, Beer Garden, Craft Vendors & Live Entertainment!
Noon to 10:00 p.m.
Admission: $5 - Adults, for both days: Children 12 & Under: Free
Check out Complete Event Schedule for Competition & Live Entertainment: www.musicbrewsbbq.com

4th Annual Crossroads Auto & Bike Show - January 28
Lake Havasu State Park, Windsor 4
699 London Bridge Road
Family Friendly Event, with Classic Cars, Bikes & Off-Road Vehicles!
Admission: Free
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/518/4th-annual-crossroads-auto--bike-show

Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo & Little Delbert Days - January 28-29
SARA Park Rodeo Grounds
7260 Dub Campbell Pkwy (SARA Park)
Enjoy watching Bareback, Saddle Bronc & Bull Riding, Roping & More!
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Little Delbert Days
Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Mechanical Bull, Rock Climbing Wall, Old Time Photos & More!
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Admission: $10 for Both Events That Day: Youth 15 & Under Free
www.havasufof.com

You'll find local community and relocation information, as well as fun things to do in and around Lake Havasu City, at LoriDee.com!

My goal is to provide YOU with a single source of Outstanding Real Estate Services and Information in the Lake Havasu Area. Please take a moment to review the many resources my website has to offer! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (928) 208-9827, (877) LORI-DEE, or email me at Lori@LoriDee.com.

Wishing You the Best in 2012...

I Look Forward to Working With You!

What's Happening in Lake Havasu City, AZ-January 2012

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:51:56 -0800

Overpriced Homes-Sell Slower and For Less

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 12:05:26 -0700

I think Stephen Munson of Munson Realty in Pasadena, CA hit the nail on the head!

Via Stephen Munson (Munson Realty):

Overpriced Homes-Sell Slower and For Less If there’s anything we can take away from the plethora of Bank Owned Foreclosures is they certainly know how to price a home to move!

I maintain that you almost always shoot yourself in the foot by overpricing your home. Your home will almost always sale at or above market value by pricing at or below market value.

So why is that? Well think back at when YOU were buying a home. Remember when a “great deal” came on the market and everybody and their agents were “swarming” to the open house? You placed your offer only to find out their were 10 other offers and they were going above the asking price? This “bargain price” created an auction affect and got people excited. THAT is how banks are pricing their homes and if you want your home to move quickly and for the most amount of money, this is a winning strategy.

So why don’t sellers do it? I think it’s because there’s a little voice inside of our head (and pocketbook) that says “what if”.

“What if”- I can get $50K over market value. (even if someone were excited enough about your home to pay $50K over appraised value, their lender won’t loan the money if the value isn’t there. No loan, no buyer)

“What if”- I don’t get multiple offers and I only get one offer (May be still overpriced!)

Often fear (and greed) hold us back from making smart choices! Don’t feel bad though, even Real Estate Agents are guilty of senselessly overpricing their homes. Somehow when it’s our turn to sell all of our “market knowledge” becomes goo and leaks out of our ears! It’s like the hairdresser with bad hair!

The bottom line is, almost always, an Over Priced House will sit on the market longer and sell for less than it should have had it been priced strategically from the beginning.

Copyright © 2010 By Stephen Munson,Munson RealtyPasadena|Overpriced Homes-Sell Slower and For Less*overpriced homes,overpriced house

What's Going on in Lake Havasu City????

Lori Dee Doerfler, (928) 208-9827 (RE/MAX Prestige Properties) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:27:48 -0700

It is a BEAUTIFUL blue sky day in Lake Havasu City, AZ. According to our local MLS, we have 626 single family home listings. These homes are listed at a range of $39,900 and $954,000. Of the 626 listings, 25 homes are priced at $100,000 or less. Active foreclosures are numbered at 68 with a range of $39,900 all the way up to $725,000.

In the past three months 401 single family homes sold with a range between $40,000 all the way up to $954,000. Of the 401 homes sold, 164 were foreclosed properties.

As you can see, REAL ESTATE is moving in Lake Havasu City.