Tony Marriott's Phoenix Arizona Real Estate Blog

ShowUp.com

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:26:03 -0500

I stumbled across a great website today while searching for non-commercial links to add to some Localism Sponsored Communities.

ShowUp.com

From their "About Us" page:

"ShowUp.com is the resource for what's happening in theaters, museums, and outdoor venues throughout Greater Phoenix. The goal is to supply a comprehensive calendar of events, bringing together into a single convenient online site information that was, previously, scattered or not readily available at all. ShowUp.com lets you click or browse to find performances and exhibitions, classes and workshops, venues and artists. It even provides information about discount tickets (last-minute and otherwise). ShowUp.com tells you what's showing up on stages and at cultural destinations, providing you with date, time, and even maps - so all you have to do is Show Up."

I notice that they are networked with similar sites for cities in Texas, Colorado, Michigan, North Dakota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, California, Indiana and Utah. Definitely worth a look!

Main Street in the Verrado® Community

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:03:39 -0500

Verrado is one of the premier master planned communities in the "Valley of the Sun".

Located west of Phoenix in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains, just three miles north of I-10 which links Phoenix to Southern California, the community presents unique floor plans in townhome and single family residential living.

A great example of the new "Home Town America" environment!

A view looking west down Main Street in the Verrado® Community. In the background you can see the tower at the Raven Golf Club.

Bashas Main Street Market in the Verrado® Community.

Bank of America in the Verrado® Community on Main Street

CVS Pharmacy on Main Street in the Verrado® Community

GRAZIE Pizzeria and Wine Bar on Main Street in the Verrado® Community

Verrado Community Assembly & Association Offices.

Mokarabia Coffee Bar on Main Street in the Verrado® Community

Main Squeeze Juice and Smoothies on Main Street in the Verrado® Community

Verrado Village Sport and Health Club in the Verrado® Community

The Verrado® Community is located due west of Phoenix on I-10 at Exit 120 / Verrado Way

Why wait to buy?

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:39:59 -0500

I found the following when surfing the net this morning. Many of you may have seen this already - however - if you haven't - it's a very interesting - and apparently neutral - website that tracks the election based on the electoral college votes.

"Founded in 2000 by John McIntyre and Tom Bevan, Chicago-based RealClearPolitics.com (RCP) has become one of America's premier independent political web sites. Updated every morning and throughout the day, RCP culls and publishes the best commentary, news, polling data, and links to important resources from all points of the political compass and covering all the important issues of the day. RealClearPolitics has become a trusted filter for anyone interested in politics."

I've heard many Buyers say they may wait until after the election is over before making a move to purchase a property. Why?

Click RealClearPolitics Electoral College to see the most current Electoral College Map.

Home Inspection by Sellers

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:50:54 -0500

I always encourage Sellers to have a Home Inspection at time of listing their property to discover any lurking show-stoppers so that they can be remedied or disclosed prior to an accepted offer from a Buyer.

I came across the following which devotes 59 pages to the topic with both humor/cartoons and key facts for Sellers to be aware of in this - or any - market.

This book is freely available for all licensed real estate agents to use - see http://www.nachi.org/sellyourhome

"This book may be linked to and re-printed in its entirety by any licensed real estate agent. Written permission is not required by licensed real estate agents."

Riding the Storm Out

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:45:36 -0500

This one's for those who are spending their Labor Day Holiday Weekend being evacuated from their homes due to Hurricane Gustav.

Here's hoping that when you return you find everything in one piece.

Stay safe - stay strong - help each other - Ride the Storm Out.

REO Speedwagon with an "unplugged" version of Riding the Storm Out.

Corporate Relocation - YOU can CHOOSE your REALTOR®

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:42:47 -0500

Moving house for any reason is high on the top ten list for inducing stress. Being able to CHOOSE the REALTOR® you work with can go a long way to reducing that stress. Corporate Relocation companies know this, and although they typically don't proactively suggest it, they all have a mechanism in place to allow the transferee to CHOOSE the REALTOR® to assist them with their Corporate Relocation.

Here's how it works.

Relocation companies receive a referral fee from the Broker or Brokers assigned by the Relocation company to assist the "corporate relocatee" with the purchase of a home at their destination, or with the sale of their current home at their point of origin.

As long as the REALTOR® you want to work with agrees to the referral fee to the Relocation company, the Relocation company is perfectly happy to allow you to make that choice. They will talk with the chosen REALTOR® to ensure the REALTOR® has sufficient experience and competence to successfully assist you, but beyond that, it's smooth sailing.

As it almost always is, it's about the money. The referral fee paid by the Broker is part of the corporate relocation package financial equation. So - if you are about to embark on a Corporate Relocation, and have a REALTOR® that you want to work with (for sale or purchase), advise your Relocation Counselor. The Relocation Counselor wants to make your move as smooth and stress free as possible.

Are you being relocated to the Phoenix Metro area and want to work with The Marriott Group at Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners? Advise your Relocation Counselor to contact us. We're listed on the Worldwide ERC (Employee Relocation Council) website. Here is a link to our contact information.

Stealth Sites - Legal? Ethical?

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:13:16 -0500

I've noticed a disturbing correlation between the use of stealth sites and "top producing agent" status.

What impact are the stealth sites having on the total production of those that use them?

Isn't a totally "stealth" site in violation of NAR's REALTOR Code of Ethics at a minimum?

Standard of Practice 12-5

REALTORS^® shall not advertise nor permit any person employed by or affiliated with them to advertise listed property in any medium (e.g., electronically, print, radio, television, etc.) without disclosing the name of that REALTOR^®'s firm in a reasonable and readily apparent manner. (Adopted 11/86, Amended 1/07)

Standard of Practice 12-9

REALTOR^® firm websites shall disclose the firm's name and state(s) of licensure in a reasonable and readily apparent manner.

Websites of REALTORS^® and non-member licensees affiliated with a REALTOR^® firm shall disclose the firm's name and that REALTOR^®'s or non-member licensee's state(s) of licensure in a reasonable and readily apparent manner. (Adopted 1/07)

Isn't a totally "stealth" site flat out illegal in some states?

What does that say about those that use them?

Can't they be successful on a level playing field with the law abiding, ethical REALTORS?

Do they think that the rules don't apply to them?

Without their "stealth" sites would they drop off the map as a "top producer"?

What does it say to their prospective clients about the integrity clients can expect if they work with them?

If the brokerage information is clearly and prominently displayed on each page of the website - without having to scroll down to see it - then it's in compliance. But that kind of takes the "stealth" out of "stealth" - doesn't it?

Someone - please enlighten me as to how Stealth Sites can be legal, ethical and effective.

The Results Are In!

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 09:29:23 -0500

From the Phoenix Association of REALTORS Board of Directors election:

2008 Board of Directors:

Nate Martinez, 2008 President

Adele Coffman (2008-2009 Director)

Larry Derksen (2009 Director as immediate Past President)

Gary Fenton (2009 Director)

Fred LaBell (2009 Director)

Judy Marcum (2008-2009 Director)

Tony Marriott (2008-2009 Director)

Marion McGuire (2008-2009 Director)

Kerry Melcher (2008-2009 Director)

Susan Ramsey (2008-2009 Director)

Bridget Reynolds (2009 Director)

Kathy Sanford (2008-2009 Director)

Lory Smith (2009 Director)

Thanks to all who supported me! I hope to see many of you at the NAR convention in Las Vegas in November!

Phoenix Association BOD Election

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 19:16:43 -0500

If you are a member of the Phoenix Association of REALTORS^® you should have received an email this weekend from Diane Scherer with voting instructions for the current election. As a candidate nominated to run in this election I encourage you to vote - and of course to vote for me! My bio that appeared in the September issue of the "Phoenix REALTOR^® Forum" is included below for easy reference.

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I welcome the nomination to be a Director of the Phoenix Association of REALTORS®. As a successful candidate, my focus will be on contributing to the growth and enhancement of the following areas:

• Professionalism

• Ethics

• Integrity

• Technology Integration

I currently serve as a member of the Arizona Association of REALTORS® Information Management Key Results Area Committee (IMKRA). In addition to a successful career in "Corporate America" prior to turning my attention to Real Estate in 2002, I bring the following industry related credentials to the table: Phoenix Association of REALTORS® President's Award 2003 and 2005 Member of the AAR Master of Real Estate Society Certified EcoBroker® ABR, ABRM, ASP, CLHMS, CNHS, CRB, CRP, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, RECS, RFS, SRES, TRC

With a thirst for learning and a passion for improvement I am confident that my participation as a Director for the Phoenix Association of REALTORS® will be a benefit for all of our membership. For more insight into my thoughts and perspectives please visit my blog at http://www.tonymarriott.com/ A Vote for Tony Marriott is a Vote for the Future of the Phoenix Real Estate industry! Please remember to VOTE in this important upcoming election!

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Thank you in advance for considering me as a candidate, and please take the time to cast your vote.

Beat the Spammers!

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:53:29 -0500

If you're like me you are probably getting about:

75-100 EFlyers per day
60-100 Spam Emails per day
50-100 Emails that you WANT to receive

What's the solution to wasting a significant chunk of time wading through unwanted emails?

One product I've found - and my father (the Nuclear Physicist / Computer Programmer) has tested and given the thumbs up (not an easy award to get from him for tech products!) is CA Anti-Spam - formerly known as Qurb.

(To avoid any confusion, this has nothing to do with Prince formerly know as the Artist formerly known as Prince.)

It operates on the "white list" principle - accepting emails from your white list address book and storing ALL others in a SPAM folder for you to review at your leisure and either add to your address book - or NOT!

It offers a free 30 day trial and was extremely simple to download, install and integrate into Outlook Express. Any other White List Anti-Spam Software Solutions out there for consideration.

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If you are considering a move to Phoenix or Scottsdale, or buying Phoenix or Scottsdale Real Estate, you owe it to yourself to talk with The Marriott Group at Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners to determine whether Tony Marriott is the best real estate Broker in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area to help you buy or sell a home.

http://www.phoenixarizonahomesearch.com/

http://www.marriottrealty.com/

http://www.greaterphoenix-scottsdale-homesearch.com/

CES meets Real Estate

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:37:44 -0500

CES - Consumer Electronics Show - is an annual highlight of the Consumer Electronic Industry. The time for new releases - forging business alliances (make that welding in case that thought sparks thoughts of "fraud") - in general terms - the dawning of the new age of technology for the home - for anything!!

It's an excellent event to attend - even if a once in a lifetime experience.

I won't claim to be the gatekeeper or the key-holder for this event - but as a fellow professional in the real estate industry I do have the information one needs to obtain a free pass to the entire event next January.

Subscribers to my blog have first claim on this information - however - all are welcome.

If this event is of interest to you - let me know - and you'll be there!!

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Who's here for Howard?

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:25:33 -0500

The 2007 Howard Brinton Star Power Annual Conference is just around the corner - literally! It starts on Wednesday here in Phoenix Arizona attended by top real estate agents from around the country.. Due to some trigger happy "red x issuer" last time I posed this question the previous post isn't even searchable! Suzanne and I will be there - for once we don't have to travel out of town for a major real estate event!

So - I ask again:

Any other Active Rainers planning to attend? If so - please let us know - we'll see if we can organize an Active Rain get together during the conference.

Hope to see you there!

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Now - if you think you want to be the first to know more helpful tips:

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http://www.phoenixarizonahomesearch.com/

http://www.marriottrealty.com/

http://www.greaterphoenix-scottsdale-homesearch.com/

Green House Green Car

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 20:26:29 -0500

There is a lot of buzz out there about "green" houses. In fact, I personally am a Certified EcoBroker! It is much easier to shift gears (pun intended) with cars than it is with houses.

If you're in the market for a new vehicle - why not consider a hybrid - saves gas - saves money - good for the environment.

I recently migrated to a Saturn Vue Hybrid. Runs great - excellent mileage - a glimpse of the future!

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http://www.phoenixarizonahomesearch.com/

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http://www.greaterphoenix-scottsdale-homesearch.com/

Vistancia, Peoria, Arizona

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 08:24:41 -0500

Vistancia, voted one of the Top Ten Master Planned Communities in the nation for the third consecutive year, is a thriving area of the northwest valley, in Peoria, Arizona. Unlike the Verrado® Community, where the developer DMB built Main Street before building the homes, Vistancia took the opposite approach.

The early movers to Vistancia are poised for the payoff. Along with a Safeway anchored shopping plaza and a Wells Fargo bank nearing completion, big box retail projects just a few miles away from the entrance to Vistancia are nearing completion, and have a significant customer base just waiting for the doors to open.

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http://www.greaterphoenix-scottsdale-homesearch.com/

Reflections

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:37:17 -0500

Active Rain has had it's 1st Birthday.

I've been a member for about 9 months.

The 6,000 or so members when I joined has rocketed to 39,213 - and probably will pass 40,000 this weekend.

The voices which used to be few are now many.

The volume which used to remind me of an auditorium now reminds me of a sold out rock concert.

It gets more difficult to keep up with the best and the brightest - all of who deserve to be read and commented - but there are so many posts.

To read the same percentage of total posts that I used to read in an hour or two now would take 6 to 12 hours!

I remember Jay Thompson's 24 hour marathon - he made it through 428 posts.

I wonder what Active Rain will look like this time next year?

It will be very different - of that I'm sure.

How about you?

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98 more to Boiling!

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:30:20 -0500

Did you ever consider that 114 Degree temperatures like we experience in the Phoenix area with regularity are less than 100 degrees from boiling water?

Gives you pause for thought - and means never - ever - go driving around without water with you in the car. The day you forget to bring it - is the day you will wish you had it!

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Crystal Ball is Cloudy

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:39:18 -0500

I came across the following article:

Price risk for the top 50 U.S. markets

which puts Phoenix in the number 2 spot for risk of price decline. Click on the link above to view the complete table. The Phoenix market has a risk score of 646 which means there is a 64.6% chance this market will decline over the next two years.

Annual House Price Appreciation has slowed dramatically - 1st Quarter 2006 was 37.33% while the same period this year was down to a mere 4.52%.

Recent numbers for 2nd Quarter 2007 show things to be essentially the same as 1st Quarter 2007 - which seems to contradict the price decline prediction.

One thing is certain - prices will remain stable, will increase, or will decline. If you think they will increase - then now is the time to buy. If you think they will remain the same and you already own a home then now may be the time for a move up sale and purchase. If you think they will decline - is now the time to sell?

What does your crystal ball tell you? Mine appears to be a little cloudy this morning.

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Rent for Less?

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 22:39:31 -0500

In this "interesting" market here in the Phoenix area rental bargains abound. How about a high end upgraded, $850,000, 3,000 sq ft, in a gated community for $1,995 per month?

Too steep? Well - it is on a mountainside lot!

How about a $650,000, 3,200 sq ft home, again in a gated community for a mere $1,600 per month!

I could go on - but I risk making some homeowners cry.

Sound too good to be true? I toured eighteen (18) of them today.

Is it time to rent - rather than own?

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Open House Tour

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 11:22:03 -0500

Time for a little market research. I'm heading out on a tour of Open Houses today just to see how it feels to be in the shoes of an unrepresented Buyer. It's a little experiment designed to give me additional insight into how to conduct Open Houses that really connect with Buyers so I can pass the information on to our Buyer Specialists and hopefully help them enhance the Open Houses they hold.

Do you hold Open Houses?

What innovative ideas can you share that create a "connection" between you and a touring Buyer?

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http://www.greaterphoenix-scottsdale-homesearch.com/

Open Houses Benefit Who?

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 11:16:14 -0500

I believe that Open Houses are far more for the benefit of the agent sitting the Open House than they are for the Seller.

Agents have the opportunity to meet unrepresented Buyers at Open Houses - which can result in purchase transactions - but not likely to be the house being sat "Open". About 1 in 100 Open Houses sell the subject house.

Are you forthright with your Sellers about the merits and disadvantages of Open Houses?

Do you believe Open Houses are an effective way to sell the house being sat Open?

Enquiring minds want to know!

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Now - if you think you want to be the first to know more helpful tips:

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Fantasy Island

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:06:00 -0500

It seems that many Sellers are living on Fantasy Island. What's more - they have managed to convince supposedly "professional" real estate agents to move there with them! (Click the graphic on the left for video)

I continue to be amazed by the number of overpriced listings - and I mean overpriced to the point where there is absolutely no justification or reason for the list price except that's what the Seller wanted to list it for.

It takes two - perhaps three - to create these listings. The Owner / Seller, the Listing Agent, and the Listing Broker who blesses it.

Why would the three of them do such a thing?

Is it a "Hail Mary" football pass hoping that lightning will strike?

Is it that the Listing Agent will take a listing at any price just to have inventory to hold Open Houses in search of unrepresented Buyers?

In this market - make that in ANY market - we have a fiduciary responsibility to our clients. I don't see how participating in their pricing fantasy is fulfilling that responsibility to them. Perhaps I'm overlooking something when I'm looking for the "Win-Win".

It doesn't matter what price the Seller "wants" - the market will bear what the market will bear.

It doesn't matter what price the Seller "needs" - the market will bear what the market will bear.

If the Seller MUST sell, they will receive Market Price for their property. On the HUD1 it will either show an amount as "proceeds to Seller" or "amount due from Seller". If the Seller doesn't have the "amount due from Seller" that's called (at best) a Short Sale and requires lender cooperation.

Win - Win = Priced for the market, property sells, Seller and Broker meet objective of getting the property sold.

Lose - Lose = Priced at Fantasy Island pricing, property fails to sell, Seller disgruntled, Broker out of pocket time, money and effort. A waste.

Let some other "professional" buy the listing - and get on with taking saleable listings priced realistically for the market.

Am I missing something??

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The Sky Is Falling!

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:39:36 -0500

One thing we all know - change is constant. And change demands we find a way to get from where we are to where we are going - regardless of whether the process is within or without our "comfort zone".

In my career in Corporate Americe I had experience on both sides of the "reorganization equation". I've been "riffed" (Reduction In Force) and had to repost for a position within the same company, and I've been the bearer of not so good news to dozens of good people who had the "misfortune" to work for a company that eliminated thousands of jobs after 9/11 tragedy.

It's never an easy discussion - regardless of whether you are the bearer or the recipient of the news that the world just changed.

BUT - with change comes opportunity! There is going to be "reaction time" when emotions kick in and nothing seems to make sense. Get past that as quickly as you can! I have yet to encounter a situation to which there is no solution. Proceed on the basis that there is a viable solution - one that will work for you - and then take the necessary steps to identify it and implement it!

It will undoubtedly take you out of your comfort zone - but that's the ONLY way to grow!

I hear from many in this real estate market that "the sky is falling"! It's safe to say that "The Sky is ALWAYS Falling somewhere - and the sun is ALWAYS shining somewhere.

It's not easy - but get past the emotion and put on your Thinking Cap! If you need help thinking it through - reach out to friends and acquaintances who may be able to provide some objective insights! The answer may be that you need to chart a new and different course entirely - or you may find that a seemingly minor course correction will get you back on track.

Don't ignore it - don't play ostrich - time waits for no-one - and the clock ticks on.

Think it through and find the solution - then set sail for clearer skies!

Credit: Salvador Dali

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The Coveted Red X

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:08:31 -0500

I was recently awarded my first (and I hope only) coveted "Red X".

This little fellow .

It was awarded for the following post:

Howard Brinton Star Power Annual Conference

Christina Ethridge said it best: "Tony - why in the world is this post flagged with an X ?????"

Well - I'm not sure. In my points summary there was a canned statement "No points awarded (spam,plagerism,advertising,etc)"

Alrighty then....

Was it spam? I don't think so - but I'm open to debate it!

Was it plagerism? An unusual - but apparently valid (but not recognized by the AR spell-checker) - spelling of plagiarism. No - it was unequivocally not plagiarism.

Was it advertising? Well - it asked what other Active Rainers planned to attend what is one of the biggest conferences of the year in the hope that we might get together. It's very difficult to ask if someone else is going to be attending an event without stating which event that might be! :-)

So - apparently - by process of elimination - it must have been "etc."

I looked up etc. in Wikipedia - and finally found the answer:

Et cetera is a Latin expression that means "and other things", or "and so on". It is taken directly from the Latin expression which literally means "and the rest (of such things)." Et means "and"; cetera (plural of ceterum/caeterum) means "the rest."

It is also sometimes spelled et caetera or et cætera, and is often abbreviated to etc. Archaic abbreviations, most commonly used in legislation, notations for mathematics or qualifications, include &/c., &c., and &ca..

The phrase et cetera is often used to represent the logical continuation of some sort of series of descriptions. For example, in the following expression...

We will need a lot of fruit: apples, bananas, oranges, etc.

... the 'etc.' stands for 'and other types of fruit'. It is an error to say or write "and etc.," in which the word "and" would be redundant. This would translate as "and and the rest".

It has to do with the FRUIT!! But wait - haven't we seen the demise of the fruit to be replaced with such popular terms as sigmoid-chutney and falafel-birkenstocks? I've even seen love-in-a-mist. Seems like the graphics may reach a point where they will qualify for points as a comment in and of themselves!

OK - so it's not etc.

Well - what then?

Who knows? Who really cares?

Time to ramble on and get back to work..........

Go for the Gold! Part 6 of a series

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 15:47:20 -0500

In case you missed them, the first five posts in the series can be found at:

Go for the Gold!

Go for the Gold! Part 2 of a series

Go for the Gold! Part 3 of a series

Go for the Gold! Part 4 of a series

Go for the Gold! Part 5 of a series

This post focuses on points from Blog Posts.

How? How can you accumulate points from Blog Posts?

You earn a base of 200 points for each post (50 words minimum) you make to your Active Rain blog - up to 5 in any one day and up to 10 in a week - which runs Sunday to Saturday.

This base of 200 points is affected by readers who rate your post using the 1-5 radio button, as well as perhaps an algorithm known to the Rain Gods that makes adjustments for views, clicks, etc.

Writing a post that attracts enough attention to become featured with the coveted will be more widely read, generally generate more comments, and can easily rocket in points from the initial 200 to 400, 500 or more.

Writing a post that attracts the wrong kind of attention from the moderators and/or the Rain gods can be "awarded" the even more coveted which is a sign that your base 200 points have been reset to zero!

Of my total 238,345 points, 78,269 (about 33%) come from 304 blog posts. That's an average of 257 points per post.

Stay tuned for future posts in this series.....

Tom Ferry Ruth Pugh

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 10:23:33 -0500

What do they have in common? Tom Ferry interviewed Ruth Pugh this morning for about an hour on the topic of "What's working "Right Now" to make money in real estate."

Tom Ferry is the Founder and CEO of Success Strategies Institute (SSi).

Ruth Pugh is a top producing agent with Century 21.

Here are some highlights from the call - hope they prove useful!

Ruth has been selling real estate in San Diego for about 15 years, and is the Number 1 agent in the world for Century 21.

Three things are key:

Unstoppable mindset
Incredible Lead Follow-up System
Whatever you focus on is what happens

6am every day - Affirmation and Accountability Partner - SHOUT Affirmations - start positive!!!

Have a plan, prospect, stick to the plan.

Get involved in coaching - or an accountability partner if you are not in a position to get into coaching.

Be ACCOUNTABLE!!!

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