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Payson: The Special Event Capital of Arizona
The weather will be warming up soon, leading us into “Event Season” in the Rim Country. We offer the perfect escape from the high temperatures of the valley for many thousands of people each year… and we make things fun! You can visit the local Farmer’s Market on a Saturday morning and go to the Summer Concert Series in the park that night. For outdoor recreation enthusiasts, Payson offers the fastest growing mud run in the state of Arizona in our “Mogollon Monster ®” as well as many trail runs.
Payson, Arizona is the host of the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo, attracting contestants and spectators from all over the country. The 4th of July is a massive party every year with an all-day event in beautiful Green Valley Park, capped off with a huge fireworks display over the lakes. In the same park, we hold one of Arizona’s largest rural Food Truck Festivals with a local beer garden for guaranteed family fun all day! There truly is no better place in Arizona to live and visit to enjoy endless family fun under the beautiful backdrop of the Mogollon Rim.
These are just a few of the amazing events happening in Payson, Arizona every year! For a full list, visit: https://www.paysonrimcountry.com/
Cheers to a Great 2018!
What a great year! Our small community saw growth and success for its business owners and economy in 2018, and we are cruising into 2019 with optimism!
Here is a great article from the Payson Roundup: https://www.paysonroundup.com/business/payson-economy-booming/article_a928f7e2-72fb-5b04-9ede-de72a442481f.html
We are very thankful for all those that trusted our team to take care of their real estate needs this past year. With the forward economic progress within the community, and new developments being mapped out, we are optimistic about an increase in inventory throughout 2019! We are in the business of finding the perfect home for our customers, and with more developments being planned and built, we will be in a better position than ever to do what we do best.
To learn more about what’s happening in the Rim Country housing industry, contact Rory and get the scoop.
Small Town Winter Charm
Very few rural mountain towns across the US can rival the charm that Payson, Arizona holds in the winter season. Our small community lights up for the holidays, literally and figuratively. Santa rides in on a local fire engine to visit the kids at the Swiss Village shops lighting tradition, while a 40ft Christmas tree glows in the center of town. The busy tourism season is over, but the town doesn’t stop buzzing with our Electric Light parade down on Historic Main Street, or our local shop owners going all out with colorful lights.
Local radio stations fill the air with commercials of small children and business owners reminding our community to shop local each holiday season, and we find ourselves with just the right amount of snowfall in the wintertime to sled at the parks and nearby mountain hills… as well as make snowmen and have snowball fights. Then, just like that, it melts away before it ever gets dirty.
We are truly blessed to live in a place that gives us all 4 mild seasons to share with each other each year. We invite you to come visit Payson, Arizona and join in on our small town winter fun. Nothing beats sitting in a cabin on a cold day with a nice fire and a warm drink.
The Wild Life
Photo courtesy of Joe Klein
Living in a rural mountain community like Payson, AZ comes with tons of small town charm and a relaxing lifestyle (as mentioned in our previous article). In addition, there are endless adventures with the local wildlife, enhancing the experience in a wonderful way.
Green Valley Park creates a playground for local elk, eagles, fish, turtles, and more… right inside of town limits for everyone to enjoy… backdropped by breathtaking sunsets over the 3 beautiful lakes. Payson is also home to many neighborhoods, both gated and not, that provide a view of deer and elk grazing and resting on a daily basis.
Our neighborly bald eagles are found fishing in town many months of the year. Most notably is Ernie the Eagle that has become a regular in our community and is often photographed and marveled at by those walking around the lakes. Over the past couple of years, 3 bull elk have become very comfortable within the community and are seen at all times of the day exploring our streets and local businesses. Payson residents are excited every year when they come back around for a few months to join the fun.
A times it feels surreal to live in a location that provides the beauty, community, and wildlife interaction that Payson, AZ and neighboring communities provides. I am proud to live here and feel so thankful each time I help someone find their little slice of heaven in this wonderful place.
Picture Payson, Arizona
Picture young and old gathering at the local Saturday Morning Farmer’s Market. Water tables splashing and fresh foods being sampled and purchased from hard-working farmers and vendors. Evening concerts in the park with a sea of faces found dancing, playing catch, or simply relaxing on a blanket in the perfect summertime weather. Thousands upon thousands of locals and visitors gathering for large events to celebrate our country’s birthday, to run in the mud, or simply indulge in a park full of food trucks from all over the state.
Picture all four seasons that touch down and move into each other seamlessly. Beautiful snowfall that stays just long enough to never get dirty. Picturesque fall colors, summer days that are an escape from the 100+ degrees less than 1.5 hours away, and a spring season that hold a perfect climate for the hundreds of outdoor adventures within minutes of the front door.
Picture Payson, Arizona; The center of the Grand Canyon State that has it all. The perfect location for retired couples to relax, stay active, and live out their golden years in style. An amazing place for children to grow up, play sport, hunt, and be involved in their community. Payson and it’s small surrounding Rim Country communities work together to define America’s small town lifestyle. Don’t hesitate to learn more about the opportunity of joining our amazing community, let me introduce you to the possibilities for you!
Calendar of Events – Fall 2018
Real Estate Terminology Made Easy
Like many industries, real estate has its own language. It’s easy to get lost and confused in the jargon, especially when abbreviations and less obvious terms are not defined for you on individual websites you may visit. From the difference between a REALTOR® and a real estate agent to a plethora of acronyms, it helps to have some simple definitions of real estate terms in plain English. Here are some common and uncommon words and phrases you might hear when buying or selling a home.
Assessed Value
This is the value given to a home by an assessor. It is used for tax purposes and will likely differ from the price a private appraiser will give on a home.
CMA
CMA is an acronym that stands for Comparative Market Analysis. As the name might suggest, a CMA is about cultivating an accurate price for a home by comparing the prices of other homes in similar condition located in a similar area. Sometimes CMA is simply referred to as “comps.”
Earnest Money Deposit
An Earnest Money Deposit is money paid to the escrow company when an offer is made on their house. This is a way for the buyer to indicate to the seller that they are serious about buying. In addition to a show of good faith, the Earnest Money Deposit counts toward the down payment.
Equity
Equity is the value obtained by finding the difference of the unpaid balance on a mortgage and the home’s selling price.
Listing Agreement
This is an important term because it lays the foundation for selling one’s home. A listing agreement is a contract between a seller and a real estate agent. This agreement states the obligations of the real estate professional as to attempting to locate qualified buyers as well as obtaining a satisfactory price for the seller.
Walk-Through
Sometimes referred to as a “final walk-through”, the walk-through is the last inspection of a home by the buyer and their real estate professional to ensure the house is in the condition previously agreed upon. This inspection usually occurs just before the closing of the deal
The Difference Between a REALTOR® and a Real Estate Agent
And here is perhaps the greatest real estate terminology enigma of them all: what is the difference between a REALTOR® and a real estate agent? A real estate agent is a person who is qualified to handle real estate-related matters. A REALTOR® is also a real estate agent, but has passed a rigorous exam to enter the National Association of REALTORS®, which means higher standards of conduct and ethics.
Fore! Look out for Great Golf Community Homes of the Rim Country
The Rim Club in Payson, AZ
The Rim Country is host to many beautiful wonders, not the least of which is the abundance of tall ponderosa pines standing proudly throughout the area. Nestled among some of these portions of gorgeous pines are also some of the most striking golf courses in Arizona. With clear air and mild temperatures for much of the year, the Payson area contains hidden gems for golf enthusiasts.
Along with picturesque courses are magnificent homes tucked in right next to the greens. If golf is your sport and cool mountain air is your preference, Payson gladly provides both. Here are a few premium options for golf course properties for those ready to take a swing into the Rim Country.
Chaparral Pines
Chaparral Pines is the superior location for luxury homes in Payson, Arizona. This prestigious gated community boasts a breathtaking golf course owned by Mickelson Golf Properties, a joint venture of the legendary golf partnership between Phil Mickelson and Steve Loy. Chaparral Pines website provides a page which offers a detailed analysis of each of the course’s holes (http://chaparralpines.com/golf/course-tour).
Golf Digest magazine lists this course in the “Top 10 New Private Golf Courses in the U.S.” A combination of natural topography and artificial lakes make the Chaparral Pines golf experience one-of-a-kind.
The Rim Club
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful golf courses in Payson as well as the state, The Rim Club offers a scenic golf course designed by legendary course designer Jay Morrish and professional golfer Tom Weiskopf. This course features several water hazards and plenty of natural obstacles, all at the crisp elevation of 5000 feet.
In addition to a breathtaking setting for golf courses, The Rim Club also features The Mountain Spa, a luxurious venue for massage as well as having a lavish salon. There is also a tennis court, swimming pool, fitness center, and more to round out an all-in-one package within a gated community.
Payson Golf Course
On the west side of Payson, past the serene Green Valley Park, lies the Payson Golf Course. This lovely 18 hole course offers great views and a combination of challenge and leisure. With affordable rates and well-groomed greens, the Payson Golf Course provides a golfer’s oasis year round that is open to the public.
Finding Homes Near the Courses
With a handful of beautiful golf courses in the Payson area, many people search for homes near these wonderful greens. The best way to start is by contacting your real estate agent. Get them on board and brainstorm your own ideas of what you want.
With many golf communities in the Rim Country vicinity, the real question is deciding where you want to locate yourself.
Many other options abound for properties and homes in close proximity to the golf courses. Basically, finding the right fit for you boils down to focusing in more and more on what you need and want in a golf community.
Some Questions to Think About
When contacting your real estate agent, it’s a good idea to organize your thoughts a little in advance. Some questions you might ask are:
- How close do you want to be to the golf course? Do you want to be right on the green or a couple minutes’ drive from the course to minimize noise and increase privacy?
- Does a gated community matter to you?
- What kinds of dining do you hope for in the area?
- What noise concerns might you have?
- Are you allergic to certain types of trees or plants?
- What are the three most important aspects of a home to you?
Cover your bases, and your real estate agent will cover your back. Find your golf community home today and tee off!
FSBO 101: Browsing For Sale by Owner Homes
FSBO 101: Browsing For Sale by Owner Homes
A great part about life is that there is usually more than one way to get something done. And this is certainly true of finding real estate. Not all homeowners go through a REALTOR® when trying to sell their home. There is such a thing as For Sale by Owner properties (FSBO for short) and they can actually be a great way to find your next home. Many have found that the experience can be positive. The only challenging part can be trying to find these sorts of listing. Here’s how to utilize FSBOs to your advantage.
Narrow Down the Neighborhood
The first step in finding FSBOs is narrowing down the neighborhood you’d like to find property in. Look for and list desirable “maybes” in different areas and check to see if the home values are in your budget. Also include school ratings if you have children.
Ideally, talk to a friend who either lives in one of your target areas or knows someone who does. Do your research. See what you can dig up about the area, especially in regard to day-to-day life (i.e. if it is a noisy neighborhood, etc.).
Choosing a neighborhood is very important because you want to be happy and feel good about living there for what is likely to be a long period of time.
Finding a Property
Once you’ve got the location narrowed down, it’s time to start locating properties you’d like to buy. You can use online real estate sites to help you find a few that you like. Once you’ve found that one property you like, then you can either use a REALTOR® or go talk to the homeowner yourself. One of the best ways to finding FSBO properties is to go online. There are more than a few sites out there that specialize in such real estate listings. Many of these sites only list FSBO properties, making your search much easier.
Even though you can purchase directly from the seller using these sorts of internet sites, it is still wise to have a REALTOR® represent you so that you are guided through the entire transaction process, which is usually confusing. Having a REALTOR® on your side when purchasing FSBO properties also helps you with determining if the sale price is competitive or not while helping you navigate the whole inspection and appraisal process.
A Word of Caution
There are some drawbacks to FSBO properties. Sometimes there is no sense of urgency with the homeowners to move or their finances might hinder and make the entire transaction process longer than it should be. And one of the biggest drawbacks is you don’t know if you can trust the owner or not since they aren’t bound by any code of ethics as REALTOR® are.
The bottom line is there are some bargains and/or great niche properties that you might not find through traditional channels, but having a REALTOR® assist you will simply add an invaluable peace of mind.