Category Archives: News

Featured Community Spotlight: Payson Community Garden

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Payson Community Garden

300 East Tyler Parkway

The garden opened on March 6th for the 2021 season.

Payson Community Garden has April hours Monday-Friday from 3-6pm and Saturday from 8am-3pm

Founded in 2012 through an interfaith cooperation between churches, the garden has grown as a labor love, its goal to provide gardens at a low cost to the community, to encourage gardening, to teach gardening skills through classes that are open to the public and to provide fresh produce to the local food banks. A long list of individuals, organizations, and businesses have worked over the past nine years through the seasons to help maintain the garden on a day to day basis.

The garden hosts various in person and online gardening classes and webinars, offers plots of land for gardening, and gives garden tours. A seasonal Pumpkin Patch is offered each fall.

Visit the Payson Community Garden online by clicking the link below or follow their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/paysoncommunitygarden for current garden offerings.

www.paysoncommunitygardenaz.com

 

Why are folks buying homes in 2021?

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We are seeing an explosion of activity in the real estate world that began last year and has shown no sign of slowing down. Indeed, as the pandemic pushes on, impacting economies globally, we can surely anticipate continued growth in the market. This buyer’s market is a roller coaster that only goes up for the time being. It seems to be a perfect storm of reasons why home purchases will be continuing in the upward trend for the foreseeable future. Families are reevaluating what home needs mean for them in the world we now live in. The following are some of the factors impacting the upswing in the market.

Extra time at home: While always a refuge from the world, the space where we live has in the era of COVID-19 have become much more central in importance to almost everyone. Combining mandatory and voluntary quarantine periods, caution has dictated far more hours spent within the four walls of home than any other time in memorable history. With so much spent time, families often begin noticing where gaps exist in creature comforts. Home hunters are therefore on the lookout to fill these voids, seeking out the perfect fit for their needs and wants.

 

Record low interest rates: With interest rates at jaw dropping lows under 3%, sometimes getting close even to 2%, the financial pros of home buying are hard to dispute. While technically a seller’s market, the low interest rates currently abounding for home loans puts the ball squarely in the buyer’s court in the way of advantages.

 

Work from home culture: The pandemic has altered the work situation for many. Employment has shifted to accommodate a home based office setting in the interest of both safety and cost effectiveness for employees in regions spanning the nation. As such, expanded floor plans or modified layouts are higher on the hit list of “must haves” for house hunters in recent months to meet those new needs.

Outdoor space: Even as entertaining and social gathering slowly begins to trickle back into what was the norm prior to the pandemic, people are approaching their regained freedoms with an understandable abundance of caution. Time spent home also leads to the unfortunate side effect of cabin fever and an overwhelming urge to find space to get out in nature or simply stretch your legs. To make get-togethers more easily done with safety in mind, and to make home more of an oasis, home buyers are seeking out properties with bigger acreage and/or easy access to outdoor amenities that fit the bill.

 

Renovation avoidance: Quarantine time has been spent for some homeowners with a eye to renovation to make their particular wants and needs a reality. For others, however, such a large undertaking is simply an undesirable amount of effort. Many want the convenience of a turn-key experience, getting what they want without the hassle, time, or expense of professional or DIY remodel work. From a seller’s perspective, the strong seller’s market makes the usual practice of costly renovation work to attract buyers is by and large minimized, as the demand for properties becomes more and more frenzied.

 

Home ownership needs are changing and the market is doing an admirable job of keeping up with demands of what today’s homeowner is seeking. Now is certainly the right time for home ownership and an experienced real estate professional is ideal liaison to making the process straightforward and seamless. Contact our offices today to set up a consultation for how to make the necessary first steps in your home buying adventure. Our experts are ready to make the dream come true for your family.

 

 

All Around the Town

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 With the world’s largest Ponderosa Pine forest and year round pristine weather in our backyard beckoning visitors and locals alike into the great outdoors, many find their recreation in the great wide beyond under the vast blue skies or twinkling stars when they are in Rim Country. Sometimes, however, people find themselves wanting amusement of the indoor variety. For those occasions, we have compiled a list of antiquing haunts for your treasure hunting pleasure.

 Local Antique Stores

 Tymeless Antiques & Treasures

520 W. Main St, Payson

928-472-4323

Granny’s Attic Antique Market

800 E. Hwy 260, Payson

928-978-2464

Main Street Mercantile

3716 N. Prince Dr, Pine

928-476-4618

Moose Mountain Gifts & Antiques

6264 Hardscrabble Rd, Pine

928-476-3044

Somewhere in Time

503 W. Main St Ste C, Payson

928-474-1996

The Carpenter’s Wife

112 W. Wade Ln, Payson

928-472-7343

 Local merchants are all well-versed in popular eateries and additional off-the-beaten-path hidden gems as well. Be sure to chat up our shop proprietors. You will find them all wells of knowledge.

 We wish you all happy hunting, friends!

Buying a House? Be a Sleuth!

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A home is the biggest investment a family makes in their life. A Home Inspection can reveal many things but the home buyer will want to take the time to investigate certain areas to be sure the purchase is a good fit. Here are a few areas to pay close attention to:

  1. The Bathroom

Check the water pressure and give the toilet a flush. (First, you’ll want to make sure the water on the property is turned on if the house is vacant-sometimes it gets turned off.)

 

  1. The Closets

Investigate and take a close look to assess how much storage space there is. Does it fit your family’s needs?

 

  1. The Attic and Basement

Is there water damage, rodent droppings, mold? Or are these areas clean and well kept.

 

  1. Odors

 Trust your nose. Off odors will only intensify once you live in a space.

 

  1. The Neighbors

Meet the neighbors and get a read on the neighborhood by directly asking around people who live in the area.

 

  1. Permits and easements

Check out previous permits for compliance. Looking to add on or renovate? Check for easements.

 

  1. Questions

See something concerning? Don’t panic. The first step is: Ask.

All of these things are guidelines to help navigate the journey of home buying. While a red flag or two may pop up during a home search, your realtor can help you assess how serious or harmless the red flag may be in the process to determine whether to proceed. Remember we are always here to help.

Should you sell during the holidays?

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Should you sell during the holidays?


Scale back on holiday decorations. Buyers want neutral. Depending on how into decorating sellers are, this could go into either the pro or con column. A seller might want to look into a professional home stager to do their holiday decorations and get them just right. Don’t leave gifts under the tree. There is no reason to welcome in thieves along with potential buyers. Make it smell (and taste) great with freshly baked cookies. Below are a couple of pros and cons to selling during the holidays:

Pro – Buyers that are looking for a home during the busy holiday season are usually more serious about finding a home and are ready to make a decision.

Con – Homebuyers could get the false impression that a seller is desperate and give a low offer if they keep their property listed during this season

Pro – Being in a home during the cold months means a seller will get to see the heating system in action. Ditto for how well the home is insulated and if there is any issue with draftiness around doors and windows. That is a definite plus.

Con – People have more flexible schedules during holiday season, meaning they can view the house at any time. This can become inconvenient for a seller at this very busy time of year (think parties, family time, gift wrapping, baking, etc) Is it worth the hassle?

A seller can consider taking their property off the market during the holidays. They can discuss with their agent if this is a good strategy. Relisting in the new year could ultimately benefit them. New eyes. Fresh start.

There are points both for and against to contemplate when deciding whether or not to list or keep a property listed during the holiday season. In any scenario, it is always wise to seek the counsel of a trusted real estate professional who can guide them with seasoned advice to make the best choice for their situation.

What to Do In November

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The Rim Country’s temperature in November is that perfect Autumn chilly crisp, averaging lows in the 30s and Highs in the 60s. Boots and Sweater weather perfect for strolling into comfortable walks among the pines, or stretching stocking footed in front of a roaring fire. If you do choose to brave the outside world, here are a few of the activities going on around the town this month.


Payson Farmer’s Market Twilight Tuesdays:
Beginning November 10
Tuesdays 3pm to 6pm
Intimate setting
Live music
Local artists
Groceries & more

The same great team that brings the summer Payson Farmer’s Market to the Sawmill Crossing has put together a group of vendors for a cool weather market to keep fresh produce coming into our area!


Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk
Saturday November 21st 8pm to 11pm
1000 W Country Club Drive
Green Valley Park

Gather the family to enjoy a brisk morning with gorgeous views, friendly neighbors, crazy socks, and tons of fun at the annual Turkey Trot 5k and 1 Mile Run/Walk

October Treats in Rim Country

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Fall Colors

The spectacular colors of fall are here once again in Rim Country and are certainly worth the trip to see. Once you are here, you can pick your method of taking in the sights. Hike, bike, or drive your way through the breathtaking experience of Autumn in full color! The third and fourth week of October are the optimal time to see the richest colors of the area. The forest is home to Oaks, Maples, Sumac, Woodbine and others that add golds and reds to the greens of the pine and evergreen. Certain vantage points on the Rim offer nearly 100 mile views out over the horizon. Be sure to remember your camera!

Hiking Trails

Below are listed some of the hikes that showcase the best views of the colors. Some trails allow bikes. Some allow horses. They vary in levels of difficulty and length, so there is something for everyone. Remember to always wear sturdy hiking shoes and take adequate water with you during your hikes.

Horton Springs Trail

Drew Trail

Military Sinkhole Trail

Drive Tours

Some prefer the less strenuous path and enjoy taking in the beauty of the season from the climate controlled comfort of their vehicles. For them, the following:

Forest Service Road 300: Top of the Rim, drive through the Aspens,
Turn left at Wood Canyon Lake Road.

Forest Service Road 284: Across from Tall Pines Market in Christopher Creek,
2 miles to stand of Maples. Look down on colorful Oaks & Maples.

Fish Hatchery Road East of Kohl’s Ranch: 4 1/2 miles following Tonto Creek.

Halloween Trunk or Treat

The Town of Payson is hosting a wonderful event once again this year and, in light of COVID-19 is taking many precautions to do so. Admission is FREE. All who attend do so at their own risk. If you or your child have recently been ill or are showing symptoms, please stay at home and do not attend. This year’s event will begin earlier to give families more time to come and go, leaving more room for all to attend at some point in the evening. The event runs from 4pm-8pm, or until the candy runs out. For more information, you can visit the town’s website at paysonrimcountry.com/fallfest

First Home Buying 101

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Home Buying 101

You’ve done it. You weighed the options, juggled the pros and cons between renting and buying, and come to the decision to go after that good old American dream of home ownership. Maybe it’s a big life change that’s spurred this new choice like a marriage or new baby, or maybe it’s just time. Whatever the case, we’ve prepared a list of steps to take when starting the journey to first time home ownership.

▪ Check your credit report. First you’ll want to be sure it is all correct information. You won’t want any surprises coming your way. Some items may be simple fixes, but you want to go into the process with a good knowledge of how your credit looks. It goes without saying that during this period you should stay up to date on all bills and obligations.
▪ Sit down and put on paper an estimate of your financial picture including all income, debts, savings, investments, and anything else that adds to your financial life.
▪ Get prequalified. Put in simple terms this means getting a financial institution like a bank or credit union to agree to a loan amount for a period of time, giving a chance to look for a home after in that dollar range. Doing a preliminary search online will help new home buyers to know what competitive rates looks like. They can then use that information to shop around locally for the best rate offered to them. Most contemporary underwriting is automated in larger banks, so if you have irregular, seasonal, or unusual income or financial circumstances, you will want to look for smaller community banks or credit unions that offer manual underwriting to serve you most optimally.
▪ Begin the hunt! Now is the time to do the fun part, looking for your dream home. With the pre-approval amount as a guide, you can begin to narrow your search and view available properties in your area. A great real estate agent will be essential to knowing how to match your wants and needs with your budget and location specifications. Sites like Zillow are also available to get you started and help to narrow down the search in cases where the market is particularly saturated with available properties.
▪ Narrow it down. While it is fun to fantasize about top of the line and fancy-schmancy anything goes budget, that is not the case for most first time home buyers. Hidden costs of home ownership are very real and seemingly around every corner of the process, so it is essential that homeowners do not choose homes near the high end of what they have calculated as “what they can afford.” Leaving a financial buffer is not only prudent, but often proves necessary in the course of new home ownership. Choose your home from well within your comfort zone.
▪ Make an offer. With the help of your real estate agent, submit an offer on the property you choose. Real estate agents have access to a lot of information that will help you place offers more likely to be accepted. They know what prices homes are selling for in the area, how long the property has been on the market, and market conditions at the time you are making the offer. They are definitely an asset during this stage.
▪ Get a home inspection. Ideally you will want an inspection done by a professional who is independent of anyone who will make money on the home transaction. There are bound to be small problems with any older home, but it’s the big and costly ones you are looking for. Your real estate professional will know if any inspection findings give cause to adjust your offer
▪ Apply for a mortgage. You have the pre qualification, now its time to make it final. The lender has to sign off on the home as worthy of the amount being lent, so they will do an inspection of their own. They will ask for proof of homeowners insurance, so you will want to have gotten that beforehand. Also needed at this time will be your financial records since your pre qualification
▪ Closing time. This one is the doozy. Many papers will be signed to transfer the property to you. Don’t forget your photo ID! You will be signing your name many many times! Your real estate agent should prepare you for closing costs so you’ll know how much you will be paying on closing day. Average closing costs come in at around 2% of the home price
▪ Take those keys! After the loan closes and is fully funded (sadly not the same day as closing day, typically) You will be handed your shiny new keys! The long process over, you can now enjoy your new home!