scottsdale homes: Put A Lock On Your Deed
- 01/28/24 07:01 AM
In a recent article here on AR, Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 discusses the pros and cons of Title Lock Insurance.
Title Insurance Yes-Title Lock Insurance Maybe Not
The article is important because with the tools available online it has become easier than ever for scammers to record legal (or illegal) documents without showing up in a government office.
Here in Arizona, we do see Title Fraud. Most often it happens to vacant land. People come from other parts of the country buy a parcel of undeveloped land and then hold it for 20 or 30 years as an investment. Then after 20 years … (7 comments)
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scottsdale homes: Artificial Intelligence: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
- 01/19/24 07:21 AM
There was a time when I considered Artificial Intelligence to be someone who pretended to know the subject matter but was posturing instead. I also had another name for it that I abbreviated with the letters BS.
That was before computers became so powerful, that they could simulate human thought, and before data warehousing became so inexpensive that every bit of information could be saved for future use.
With today’s Artificial Intelligence, we have arrived at a threshold where computers can rival human thought and do it faster than most humans.
So, how do we address this new technology? How do we use it … (21 comments)
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scottsdale homes: One More Time Into The Breach
- 12/27/23 08:51 AM
It was Shakespeare who famously said “Once More Unto The Breach” in his play Henry V. The oration was a pep talk from the king intended to rally his troops to battle.
In my case, the cause will be less dramatic, yet still important. You see, it is the time of year when again I must ask myself, Do I continue one more year or shutter the windows and doors?
With the real estate market again changing course, this may be the right time to walk away and watch what happens from the shore. Or do I tack into the wind, stay on … (11 comments)
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scottsdale homes: One Act Of Kindness That Helps A Friend - December Challenge
- 12/21/23 05:11 PM
When it comes to acts of kindness, I think we witness them every day. Yet we seldom notice how important one small act of kindness can help make the world a better place for someone else. Then it becomes a better place for you as well. In that way, helping someone else can be its own reward.
But often helping another requires effort on our part so we talk about it, procrastinate, or get too busy to act.
I have been very fortunate to live and work in a community that is considered upscale. It is easy to take for granted our blessings. … (9 comments)
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scottsdale homes: Me and Dick Van Dyke
- 10/13/23 12:28 PM
Dick Van Dyke is a world-famous actor, dancer, and sometimes comedian. Mr. Van Dyke warmed our hearts with movies such as Bye Bye Birdie and Mary Poppins. On television, he starred in hit shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show and Diagnosis Murder. His list of accomplishments on stage, and on both the big and small screens is too long to list here.
But did you know that Mr. Van Dyke and I have something in common? Well, it is true.
Back in the 1970s, Mr. Van Dyke had a home in Cave Creek, Arizona. He was planning a return to television with … (4 comments)
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scottsdale homes: The End Is Near for Scottsdale Heights
- 10/03/23 08:49 AM
New home sales in Scottsdale’s newest and finest Active Adult Community are nearing their end.
The community officially has five remaining available homes, all of which are in various stages of completion. All of these are being offered by the builder as “Quick Move-In” homes.
This picture is the last unbuilt lot -- the former parking lot for the models -- still available.
This is also the last building to offer a buyer a choice for flooring, cabinets and counters, and appliance options.
If you are considering a new construction home in North Scottsdale the time (and inventory) is running short. With the builder offering … (2 comments)
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scottsdale homes: I Feel Smarter Than Ever
- 08/24/23 11:01 AM
We never stop learning and we never should. Today I am feeling particularly good about myself. I just completed a Continuing Education class where I learned the latest about home financing in my area.
The class was sponsored by a new home builder and presented live by a Department of Real Estate instructor. He did an excellent job of relaying the course information.
I prefer live classroom environments over online or video presentations. Being a live presentation gave me the chance to meet some new friends and interact, one on one, with other agents in the area.
So, if I look and sound smarter … (14 comments)
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scottsdale homes: Not Everyone Hates Hillary
- 08/21/23 10:42 AM
While Tropical Storm Hillary brought widespread flooding and damage to Southern California it also brought a welcoming rain to Arizona and parts of the Phoenix metro area.
Phoenix has been experiencing one of the driest summers on record - 145 days with no measurable rainfall – today North Scottsdale experienced a welcoming rainfall that lasted several hours.
I am sorry for the damage and destruction Hillary caused our neighbors to the west, but thankful for her brief visit to our desert enclave.
Sometimes the difference between good and bad can only be measured in miles.
Joe Domino is a Realtor® serving the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Need … (5 comments)
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scottsdale homes: It Seems Hot Everywhere But Not At The Hoh Rainforest
- 08/01/23 12:33 PM
Recently I had the pleasure to escape the Phoenix heat and travel to the Pacific Northwest. While much of the country suffered through unseasonable high temperatures, I was able to experience some wonderfully cool temperatures.
One place that I visited was the Hoh Rainforest on the west side of Olympic National Park. The Hoh Rainforest is one of the coolest and wettest places in the country and the day we visited it did not disappoint.
The park which has an average high temperature of 61° in July was cooler the day I attended, only reaching a high in the mid-fifties. As expected, the … (11 comments)
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scottsdale homes: I Drive By My First Home Whenever I Am In Town
- 04/29/23 02:26 PM
The year was 1978. Actually, it was the summer of 1977, when we contracted for our first home. It took over a year to build as the subdivision was all new and the builder sold the houses faster than they could construct them. It was the last phase of an already established development, so we knew the builder, the location, and the quality of the project. We didn’t have an agent, we worked directly with the builder, signing anything they put in front of us.
My wife and I were newly married. We both had good jobs and a bright future ahead. … (12 comments)
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scottsdale homes: My Septic Is Better Than Your Septic
- 04/26/23 07:56 AM
Septic systems or – Onsite Waste Water Treatment - as they are known in sophisticated circles are both simple and complex. Septic systems provide an essential service to property owners that are not connected to a public sewer or centralized waste treatment system.
By design septic systems are simple. Most often consisting of a holding tank and a field or pit which drains the wastewater away to be absorbed into the ground. The holding tank doubles as a place where solid waste will decompose rendering it harmless to the environment.
A correctly functioning septic system is a thing of beauty. After the initial … (11 comments)
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scottsdale homes: She Got The House, I Got The Boys At The Bar
- 04/14/23 07:26 AM
While it sounds simple on the surface, divorce can complicate home ownership. Property settlements provided by a divorce can often result in one party being awarded the right to the house while the other must vacate.
The divorce settlement may leave many questions that need legal answers.
Does your divorce decree grant you clear title to the property or did the judge award you the right to remain in the property? The two may not mean the same thing.
Often the judge awards the property to one party, but due to liens on the title, mortgages, or other debts, further action may be required … (5 comments)
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scottsdale homes: I Love The House, I Hate The HOA
- 04/06/23 09:03 AM
Many houses, in all parts of the country, are subject to the bylaws and membership of a Home Owners Association (HOA). The term HOA, is as it implies, an association of the homeowners, as each owner is in fact a member of a larger group.
The HOA is often confused with the property management entity that cares for the day-to-day activities that occur in the community.
While in many smaller communities the two are synonymous, in most larger communities the Association is comprised of a board of community members who oversee the budget and general rules. The HOA board in turn contracts out … (3 comments)
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scottsdale homes: March To A Solution - The Importance Of Due Diligence
- 03/30/23 06:23 PM
Here’s a story I have written about before yet I still like to talk about it because it was one of the craziest situations I ever encountered as an agent.
It is a story about due diligence, discovery, and disclosure or lack of disclosure.
When I was a newer agent I worked in a rural area north of Phoenix. The area consisted of small horse farms of 5, 10, or 20 acres. It was growing in popularity because of its location close to the interstate and near some large newer planned communities.
Small builders were buying up the larger tracts and splitting them down … (10 comments)
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scottsdale homes: Writing A Sellers Property Disclosure Just Got Easier
- 03/26/23 12:47 PM
Seller's Property Disclosures have always been a speed bump for agents. While most sellers are willing to disclose all they know about a property, convincing them to write down in plain English the history of a property often becomes a bigger task than it should be.
Here in Arizona, most agents use a standard form called the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS). There is likely an equivalent form in every state or territory across the U.S.
The common practice in Arizona has always been for the agent to print a blank copy of the form, hand it to the seller and ask them … (4 comments)
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scottsdale homes: March To A Solution - Don’t Be Caught In The Middle
- 03/25/23 01:26 PM
There is no question real estate can be a complicated profession. As an Agent you have to be a perceptive consultant, a cautious critic, you must be a good listener, and exhibit a lot of patience.
When you are representing the seller, you have to excel at helping them present their property in the best possible way.
If you are representing the buyer, you have to help them locate the best homes and negotiate a fair deal.
Each of these roles requires a set of skills that do not necessarily come naturally. Sometimes the clients act in ways that are different from how … (10 comments)
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scottsdale homes: The Portfolio Is Back In Action
- 03/18/23 12:38 PM
Last week I pulled my old Faux Leather Portfolio out of the drawer and put it back in action. It has been a while.
Whenever I meet with a new client or show homes, or anything related to the real estate business, this trusty portfolio is always in my hand.
I use it to carry paper and pens to make notes. Inside, a copy of the most required forms and documents keeps me prepared for any need. It also houses business cards, paper clips, pens, and other office supplies. When I take a business card from another agent or home inspector there is … (6 comments)
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scottsdale homes: Scottsdale Heights: Scottsdale's Only 55+ New Build Has Homes!
- 07/23/22 12:40 PM
At long last Scottsdale’s only new build, over fifty-five community has availability again. Phase 2 of Scottsdale Heights has two quick move in homes.
Conveniently located at the intersection of Dove Valley Road and Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Heights is one of the last remaining undeveloped parcels in North Scottsdale. With phase two offering only fifty-eight lots, this project is sure to sell out fast.
Scottsdale Heights consists of four villa styled single-story models, ranging in size between 2090 and 2194 square feet. These two- or three-bedroom models feature all the most popular options including gourmet kitchens, energy-efficient design, and open floorplans. All homes … (3 comments)
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scottsdale homes: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2022 - Marvin Gaye
- 06/02/22 07:28 AM
In this year’s rendition of the Soundtrack we are spending a lot of time in the 1960s. One reason is because the 1960s were a time of social change. Rock & Roll had shed its image as a trend in music and was now solidly ingrained as the music for generations to come.
Protest songs were all over the radio. As part of that responsibility, Soul, Rock, and R & B artists that had focused on love songs joined the revolution to change the world. One of those artists that jumped on the bandwagon was Marvin Gaye.
Marvin Gaye was a soul singer-songwriter … (5 comments)
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scottsdale homes: Soundtrack of a Lifetime - 2022 - George Harrison
- 05/28/22 12:52 PM
As long as we are featuring former Beatle members, why not feature one of George Harrison’s last songs? This one was released in 1987 on his album Cloud Nine.
Not only was it the last No. 1 hit by George but, also the last No. 1 hit from any of the ex-Beatles as a solo artist. Oddly enough it also was the No. 1 record in the U.S. on the week that the Beatles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
I had the good fortune to see Harrison live on stage along with Billy Preston at a music venue … (4 comments)
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In a recent article here on AR, Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 discusses the pros and cons of Title Lock Insurance.
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