Category Archives: News

Weighing the Value of a Real Estate Agent

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Real estate is a huge field of business with endless ways to invest capital and generate potentially huge amounts of income. Few things are as secure as investment in property and houses. Real estate agents play an important role in this buying and selling business, making the choice of the right agent an essential decision. You can find real estate agents at variable rates, but what is the best choice to make?

Where to Begin?

The first step is to do the math. Play with the numbers and see how much can you spend or make when buying or selling the property. When calculating the cost, include the estimated amount you expect to pay your real estate agent. There are expensive as well as discounted real estate agents out there but you’ll have to choose wisely so that you don’t waste your time and money.

Discounted Real Estate Agents

There are many reasons behind lower commission rates. There are agents who are willing to charge 1.5 percent of the property, but let’s examine why this is so. Here are some things to consider about cheaper agents:
• Less experienced agents may be motivated to just get some sales under their belt and willing to work for less
• They probably aren’t as well-connected as more expensive agents
• They might not offer all the services you need

More Expensive Real Estate Agents

Higher cost doesn’t automatically mean higher quality, but for the most part the old adage “You get what you pay for,” holds true in most investments. In this caliber, you can probably expect these advantages with a more expensive agent:
• Better connections
• You have a knowledgeable agent to handle difficult paperwork and tough negotiations
• Larger skill set and more services provided
• More motivated which equals a better price for your house or property

Final Thoughts

With all of the things a seller needs to do to get their home ready for sale, hiring the right real estate agent is crucial to alleviate the stress. While there are hidden gems out there who might prove to deliver more than their low rates would suggest, buying or selling a home is a huge decision, one you want to make fully informed. It’s worth putting out a little more for a quality agent to ensure the wisest investment.

 

The holidays are just around the corner!

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There’s nothing like the holidays to inspire good cheer and be an excuse to spruce up your home. With a bit of imagination and some expert pointers, any house can be transformed into a cozy holiday home, even on a budget.

 

Pine Cone Decor

An easy way to infuse your home with some holiday accents is to simply take a hike and collect a few fallen pine cones. Nothing says cozy winter like some pine cones adorning your window sills and shelves. Plus, it’s free decoration!

Light it Up

Candles create the perfect holiday atmosphere and are cheap. Red, green, and brown candles add to the colors of the season, bringing warmth into the home and providing a subtle accent.

Throw it Down

Many clothing outlet stores carry seasonal throws and blankets. A plush autumn, Thanksgiving, or Christmas throw is an easy way to splash some holiday style onto a sofa or chair. When the weather starts turning cold, you’ll be glad to have them anyway!

Knobs and Handles

A clever way to temporarily remodel the look of your home for the holidays without spending a fortune is to purchase some new door knobs and drawer handles. During the holiday season, you can probably find reindeer knobs or drawer handles in the style of autumn leaves. Replacing your current knobs with these will instantly give your home a seasonal look and they can easily be removed after the holidays are over.

 

Creativity is Key

Look around you, both in stores and when you take an afternoon walk. There are so many little things that you can add to your home during the holiday season to match the mood and style you want for this time of year. Let your creativity run wild!

Ready for a New Home? House Hunting Tips to Keep in Mind.

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Location

We’ve all heard the real estate mantra: location, location, location. However, this repetition is completely warranted, as it can’t be stressed enough how important location is to the value of a home.

Neighborhood obviously plays a role in a house’s value, but so does the location within that neighborhood. It’s generally best to find a house that is on the low price end in a good neighborhood. The reason for this is the already high-value homes in the area will help bring up the value of the others homes as well.

Research a neighborhood before casting any judgments on it, whether good or bad. While it may seem best to simply invest in an already “good” neighborhood, what does the future of that area look like? Have any large businesses moved in nearby that could affect the immediate vicinity and desirability? When looking for the right neighborhood, see if you can find any projections on where that area is headed. In some cases, the best bet could be to buy into an average neighborhood that shows promise.

 

 

 

 

 

Rub Off that Genie Lamp

The best place to start your house hunt is actually in your own mind. Before you pore over hundreds of listings online, first think about what you really want in a home. This is the fun part! Pull out a sheet (or sheets if needed!) of paper and jot down the things that make a house truly your dream home.

While it might seem simple to write down the things you want, it can be overwhelming to organize the what and why of your list. The best way to cut through the confusion is to break up the list into categories. Not everything you want in a house is about the physical appearance and location. Many elements are intangible, such as the feel of walking through the front door. Do you feel at home when you step through? If the house you are looking at is not staged, imagine what it would be like filled with furniture? Does it start getting a little cramped?

Is having a big yard critical to you? How important is the square footage of the house? Does a million-dollar-view matter?

One of the most important, and most amorphous, elements of a house is convenience. How this is defined will depend on the individual buyer. This is a good time to make another list, one that keeps track of your deal-breakers. Sometimes it’s easier to realize what you have to have in a home by thinking of the things you can’t do without.

 

 

 

Stay on Track

As listings catch your eye, ask yourself what it is that makes them jump out to you. Make note of these important things and add them to the wish list you made above. Now is the time to start browsing listings online and attending open-houses. Your wish list will keep you on track and free from distractions. Any time you get that good feeling looking at a house, notice what causes your excitement.

It’s a good idea to keep a list of the houses you like too. By doing this you can compare and contrast to discover the pros and cons you may have overlooked when viewing them individually.

 

October Events in Payson

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Fall is here and so are a whole slew of fun events! From off-road racing to dog shows, mark your calendar for all of the upcoming events in Payson!

 

Time Out Charity Golf Tournament

This event benefits the Time Out Shelter, helping victims of domestic abuse.

Where: The Rim Golf Club, 300 E Rim Club Dr, Payson, AZ 85541

When: Friday & Saturday Oct. 4th & 5th

 

Rim Country Empty Bowls

The Third Annual Rim Country Empty Bowls is a popular pottery making event with 100% of the proceeds donated toward Payson and Pine food banks.

Where: Majestic Rim, 310 E. Tyler Parkway, Payson, AZ 85541

When: Saturday Oct. 5th, 4:00PM-7:00PM

 

Payson AZOP Grand Prix

Experience two days of thrilling racing on bikes, ATVs, and UTVs.

Where: The Payson Event Center, 1400 S Beeline Hwy, Payson, AZ 85541

When: Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 5th & 6th

 

26th Annual Beeline Cruise-In Car Show

Surrounded by the beauty of Green Valley Park, this car show brings out tons of visitors and culminates with the participants taking a cruise around town.

Where: Green Valley Park, 1000 W Country Club Dr, Payson, AZ 85541

When: Oct. 11th & 12th

 

4th Annual “Dog’s Day Out”

This event includes a dog show and a K-9 demonstration.

Where: Pet Club, 101 W Aero Dr, Payson, AZ 85541

When: Saturday Oct. 21, 9:00AM – 2:00PM

 

Trunk or Treat

The Trunk or Treat Fall Festival includes vendors, a photo booth, a tractor display, and more!

 Where: The Payson Event Center, 1400 S Beeline Hwy, Payson, AZ 85541

When: Thursday Oct. 31st, 6:00PM – 9:00PM

 

Home Inspection – What’s the Big Deal?

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As the buyer of a new home, you might be advised to have the home inspected before the sale closes. While it’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of the new house and want the sale to close as quickly as possible, it is important to have both a home inspection and a WDO inspection.

  •  Home inspection will check the structural condition of the home and includes the electrical, plumbing, roof, heating and AC.
  •  WDO inspection is typically referred to as a termite inspection, but termites are only one type of wood destroying organism. Carpenter ants and rodents can also wreak havoc with your home.

Why is this so important?

You might be thinking you don’t need the Home Inspection at all, especially if it’s a brand new house. But there are several reasons that an inspection is highly important.

It can save you from a really bad deal. If there are flaws in the home, you, as the buyer, can negotiate price with the seller, ensure that the seller pays for repairs before the closing of the home, or, depending on the level of damage, back out of the sale completely.

It can save you major legal problems down the road. An inspection can reveal illegal installations that were added or done outside of building codes that can be dealt with before it becomes your obligation to adjust or pay for down the road.

It can save you money. It can also help predict future costs, by revealing the age of certain aspects of the property like heating, plumbing, roofing, and other fixtures.

It can help you decide what to fix and when. Inspectors know their field well. Their task is to do an extensive inspection of the house including the plumbing, electrical, foundation, crawl spaces, attics, basements, and many other things. At the end of the inspection, they can give you tips and advice on how to handle current damages that need to be repaired right away, versus the ones that can be put off for a while longer until your budget allows it. They can also tell you which items should be repaired versus completely replaced, and recommend good contractors or product brands.

It can identify potential pest problems.

Some evidence of rodents is obvious, such as droppings or suspicious holes in a wall. However, resident pests aren’t always so easily spotted. This is another reason that having a WDO inspection done on your potential house is a good idea.

One of the primary pest concerns is with wood-destroying organisms (WDO). This includes any wood-boring pests, but mainly focuses on the most common perpetrators in this department: termites. Getting a WDO inspection is crucial because the inspector is trained to find subtle evidence of termites in a house.

It’s important to be sure the inspector is licensed in pest control to ensure a quality inspection. This also means they can identify potential termite threats that would otherwise get past even a savvy home buyer.

A termite inspection is worth every penny, because according to turnerpest.com these pests cost people over $5 billion a year.

Who pays for the inspection?

There are times when the seller might have the home inspected before putting their house on the market, so that they can adjust the asking price of their home, and also so that they have an inspection report to give to potential buyers. If not, then it’s your responsibility as the buyer to get an inspection on the house. Usually you’ll have a stated number of days in your contract to do so, and it’s your choice who to hire. Prices for a full inspection can range anywhere between $250 to $500 depending on the location and the size of the property. If you’re unsure which inspector to hire, ask your realtor for recommendations.

In short, home and pest inspections aren’t the most exciting part of the home buying process, but they are very important and shouldn’t be skipped because of the time, money, and problems that they will save you down the road.

 

 

 

 

 

Labor Day Weekend in Payson

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Labor Day Diversions

This Labor Day kicks off with tens of thousands of visitors passing through Payson on their way to a variety of scenic destinations and serene retreats. With the above average wave of high temperatures across the Phoenix area, weekenders set their sights northward to escape the heat and revel in the beauty of the Rim Country.

There’s no shortage of outdoor activities to partake in, but not everyone comes up for adventures in nature. For those who enjoy really getting a feel for the area, here are a couple of local Labor Day events in the Payson vicinity.

 

Payson Farmer’s Market

A longstanding tradition, the Payson Farmer’s Market attracts a bounty of local artisans and farmers peddling everything from handmade gifts to the best organic produce money can buy. According to paysonrimcountry.com the weekend market boasts 40 stalls of local vegetables, fresh baked goods, entertainment, and more. The Payson Farmer’s Market can be enjoyed every Saturday during the summer 8:00AM-12:00PM in the Sawmill Theater parking lot at 816 S Beeline Hwy, Payson, AZ 85541.

 

Pine Fall Festival

A must-stop for any traveler this weekend, the 39th annual Pine-Strawberry Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival promises to deliver the same quality display of expert artisans and local vendors that have drawn visitors to this amazing event for decades. From unique, handmade jewelry, clothing, antiques, gifts, and a variety of delicious foods, this festival has something for everyone. If Pine and Strawberry aren’t already on one’s travel route for Labor Day, these two cozy towns can be found just 15 miles north of Payson on Highway 87.

For more information about this and other events visit https://pinestrawberryartscrafts.com.

With local festivals and endless outdoor activities all available in close proximity to each other, you’re sure to find something fun to do this Labor Day in the Rim Country.

 

Horsing Around the Payson Rodeo!

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One of the most amazing things that Payson, Arizona is known for, is being the location of the world’s oldest, continuous rodeo. In 1884, in a meadow that is now the site of the Sawmill Crossing, a handful of ranchers and cowboys gathered together on the third weekend of August for a friendly competition of roping and riding. The yearly competition soon became tradition, and now, over 130 years later, Payson is still the grounds for this famous and historic rodeo.

 

The fun begins on Thursday evening, August 15, at the Payson Rodeo Grounds, and will continue throughout the weekend with several afternoon and evening events and performances continuing through Friday and Saturday. The weekend will be packed full of exciting things like bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing, and more! There will be performances from the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association and the National Barrel Horse Association, and a special event, Tough Enough To Wear Pink, with all proceeds going to local breast cancer awareness programs.

 

After two full nights of rodeo performances, head on over to Payson’s Historic Main Street on Saturday morning for the annual World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo Parade! Then it’s back to the rodeo grounds for a day packed full of events, performances, food, and fun, and finish off the weekend with the Payson Pro Rodeo Boots and Bling Rodeo Dance.

 

Whether you’ve lived in Payson your entire life and enjoy keeping this Wild West tradition alive, or are heading up north from the Phoenix area looking for a good time, mark your calendars for August 15th – 17th. This is one event you don’t want to miss out on!

 

For more information on specific events, fun facts, or ticket prices and purchasing, visit www.paysonprorodeo.com.

 

 

Should I buy an existing home or build a new home?

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Many times new home owners are caught between the question of should I buy an existing home or build a new home of my own? This is a great question, and it really comes down to the potential owner’s personal preferences in several different areas. To make it easier to decide, let’s break it down into the pros and cons of each.

 

Pros of buying an existing home:

 

  • For an existing home, one of the main pros is convenience. You can move in immediately after closing and are instantly ready to begin your new life.
  • You also have the potential of upgrades when buying an existing home. You can upgrade the house or the property in small ways — or major ways — in your own timeframe and whenever your budget allows.
  • Another upside is that the cost of an existing home can be negotiated, unlike when building a home, where prices are fixed, and sometimes there are unexpected costs.
  • With an existing home, most times, you are usually moving into an established neighborhood, which gives you the ability not only to socialize and entertain, but it usually means that stores, schools, and hospitals are nearby.
  • Another benefit to buying an existing home that’s sometimes under-considered is the landscaping. If you move into an existing home, you’ll have mature landscaping and trees to work with and add to, as opposed to having to cultivate the bare lot of a newly built site.

 

Cons of buying an existing home:

 

  • One of the cons of buying an existing home is somewhat of an obvious one — you will always be competing with other buyers for the home, whereas you’re less likely to have steep competition over a vacant lot.
  • Another downside is the compromise on some of the existing features of the home. Unless you’re lucky enough to find your perfect dream home, it’s likely that you’ll have to settle on some of the aspects of the house and its floor plan.
  • You may also end up needing to repair or restore certain aspects of the home, such as heating, cooling, or roofing, depending on its age and condition.

 

Now let’s look at some of the positives and negatives that come with building your own home.

 

Pros of building your own home:

 

  • When building your own home, you can have it designed to fit your lifestyle and your preferences and get exactly what you want.
  • You can also have custom details put in, things that make your house unique and intriguing.
  • Should something go wrong with an aspect of your new home, large repairs are usually covered by a warranty.
  • New homes are also more energy efficient and can cost you less in the long run.
  • A new home is also less likely to contain toxic construction materials than an existing home, and you can take special measures to ensure the building materials you use are as eco-friendly as possible.

 

Cons of building your own home:

 

  • When building your own home, the timeframe will be the main issue you face. You’ll have to budget a length of time in advance for the new house to be built, and sometimes, unforeseen things happen, pushing your timeframe out farther than expected.
  • Building your own home can also be more expensive than outright buying an existing home; with a new home, there tend to be more upfront costs and not much room for negotiation on purchase prices or closing costs.
  • There can also be extra costs you hadn’t budgeted for, either when choosing to upgrade certain aspects to your home, or paying for unexpected issues that weren’t budgeted for.
  • If you’re building on an untouched lot, there can be extra time and money required for the lot itself, either to landscape the bare lot when the home is finished, or to shape the lot / remove trees to fit the new house.
  • Lastly, there are impact fees to consider when building a new home, which is a tax usually imposed on new builders to cover the “impact” made on schools, roads, fire departments, etc.

 

When choosing an existing home or building a new one yourself, there are many pros and cons to both sides. In the end, it comes down to time, money, and what you’re looking for in your dream home.

 

Payson – 4th of July!

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In Payson, Arizona, the 4th of July celebration is one of our biggest events of the year! All of the events and games center around Green Valley Park, where the day starts early, at 8AM with a patriotic ceremony to honor men and women, both past and present, who have fought for our freedom. At 11AM, the vendors will open, offering treats such as ice cream, snow cones, coffee, and more. From 1PM to 3PM, games will be hosted with prizes going to the winning teams of some classic favorites like a three-legged race, a water balloon toss, and even a pie eating contest. Then visitors can head over to the Ramada and enjoy live music from 6PM up until 9PM when the main event begins — the fireworks show! Payson is well known for one of the most spectacular fireworks shows in the state; you certainly don’t want to miss out!

Whether you’re a local, looking forward to spending the day at Green Valley Park with friends and family, or a weekend traveler searching for a fun way to spend your holiday, come on down to Green Valley Park and enjoy the fun. And make sure to arrive early to get the best seats for the fireworks show!

Happy 4th of July Birthday Rory!  A real Yankee Doodle Dandy!