Category Archives: payson real estate

Real Estate Terminology Made Easy

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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

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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!

 

7 Misconceptions About Real Estate Agents

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No matter what business you look at there are the good, the bad, and the somewhere-in-between. For some reason, realty often gets an unfair assessment born from the “bad” category, creating a grim bias toward the profession. The truth is a lot prettier. Let’s bust 7 misconceptions in the real estate industry.

  1.  Real estate agents try to land a high bid to earn a higher commission

Obviously, the point of any career is to make a living. However, real estate agents aren’t out to squeeze every extra dollar from you that they can. They are truly more interested in successful buying and selling experiences.

Even $10,000 more on the selling price of a house marginally increases your real estate agent’s earnings. Even strictly from a profit standpoint, it’s far more efficacious for agents to cultivate lasting relationships and satisfied clients.

  1.  Real estate agents get kickbacks by inspectors

This is a funny one because there is another word for kickback… it’s called a bribe! No good real estate agent would even consider this. Even if we take the ethical concern out of accepting kickbacks, the potential career self-destruction that would result is not worth a few extra dollars to a dedicated agent.

  1.  All real estate agents make big bucks

Because of the typical, luxurious image most real estate agents have, people often assume they must be raking it in. The market can be very lucrative, but is not a get-rich-quick arena. It involves long hours and a lot of hard work and research. Not to mention, real estate agents often make themselves available most of the time to best serve their clients. If they earned an hourly wage, it would not be the obscene numbers detractors claim they earn.

  1.  Real estate agents are only in it for the money

Being a real estate agent is exhausting. They have a lot of responsibility. How do you think real estate agents keep up those smiles? They love their job! Like anyone, they will have their rough days but all in all the majority of real estate agents are in the business because they enjoy it.

  1.  It’s the real estate agent’s job to give you statistics

A real estate agent will do everything they can to help you find a house, but are not responsible for supplying statistics of a neighborhood. Most agents are happy to point you in the right direction to discover this information. There is just so much to know about any area that it’s impossible to maintain all that data all the time. The best thing to do when in doubt is simply ask your broker if they either know the information you are wondering about or if they can direct you to the appropriate resource.

  1.  A real estate agent’s expenses are covered by someone else

Despite the look that real estate agents are given some kind of lavish expense account to afford fancy clothes and cars, they pay for everything themselves. From hosting events to open houses and other activities, the real estate agent is footing the bill. On top of these expenses, the real estate agent is putting out their time to host these events without any misconceived high salary floating around somewhere in the background.

  1.  All real estate agents are basically the same

Real estate agents are just people. They are individuals and the best way to learn about them is to meet them. You can’t judge an entire industry of people by a couple bad apples. Some real estate agents become friends for life to their clients!

 

Finding a Listing Agent

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Finding a Listing Agent

With just a cursory glance, you probably find a dozen different local real estate agents in your area. You want to sell your house, but how do you know which agent is right for you? Like choosing anything, a little research goes a long way in getting better results.

Credibility

The first step in choosing a listing agent begins with credibility. Let’s start with a little information on the types of representatives that are out there. There are real estate agents, brokers, and Realtors, but what is the difference between all of these? And why do Realtors get capitalized?

To put it simply, a real estate broker has completed a broker’s exam and therefore has the right to work independently or with others whereas a real estate agent must work for a broker or Realtor.

Back to the question of why a Realtor gets their title capitalized— well, it’s simple. “Realtor” is a trademark and indicates an individual who is a member of the National Association of Realtors. This distinction does assure that he or she has the extra training and knowledge on realty-related issues beyond a state’s particular laws, but it is not necessarily the criteria by which to choose a reliable agent.

 

Ask Others

When it comes to finding a listing agent, it’s hard to beat good ol’ word-of-mouth. There’s no credibility like first-hand positive experience. Ask your friends or co-workers who sold their houses. This will at least give you a starting point and even if you don’t like the agent your friend used, you’ve got a foot in the door of a real estate office where you can get a feel for the other agents working there.

While not as trustworthy as a friend’s word, testimonials on a website are a great source for determining a listing agent’s reliability. As long as there are more than just a couple testimonials available, it won’t be too difficult to get a cursory idea about someone.

 

Experience

Perhaps more important than anything else, experience says the most about a listing agent. Whether a real estate agent, broker, or Realtor, an individual’s track record conveys the most about them. Find out how long an agent has been licensed and what their typical time-frame is for sales.

Take a look at your house inside and out and consider what kind of potential buyers you might have. Does your property have enough space for an RV lover? Maybe your home is ideally suited for a large family. In whatever way your house can be highlighted, find out what kinds of listings your prospective listing agent has successfully sold. Someone who has proven themselves selling similar listings is likely a good match for you.

 

Make Your Move: 4 Tips for Moving Out & Moving In

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Make Your Move: 4 Tips for Moving Out & Moving In

 

One of the biggest undertakings when buying a new home is moving. From packing to getting your previous home cleaned up, the list just goes on and on. So today we’re here to give you some moving tips to make the haul into your new home a little easier.

1) Strategic packing materials

Many soft items can be used to protect your dishes and fragile items. Tee-shirts work well for individual breakables like plates. Towels are great for larger delicate items and can be shaped any way you need. A large beach or bath towel can line a box of glasses or other fragile items. If you just look for soft objects in your house, you can find a variety of things to insulate your moving boxes, save on space and packing material costs.

2) Getting rid of stuff

Moving is a great opportunity to flush out the things you no longer use or wear. The less stuff you have to pack and haul around, the easier your move will be. So, it’s time to go through the closet and the garage to dig out those things that have been lying around unused for years.

Have more winter coats than you ever use? How about the shoes that have only been worn once? Get a box of donations together from your closet and take it down to your local thrift store. There are probably some tools in the garage that don’t get used and there are probably a neighbor or two that would take these off your hands. Whatever way you pare down, when it comes to moving, less is definitely more.

3) Timing

Moving is a big job. Even if, after you’ve packed everything up, you get moved into your new home in one day, it’s likely going to take a few days just to create a scintilla of order. Also, you probably aren’t going to feel up to going to work the following day so planning a three day weekend could alleviate some of the stress of your move.

4) Have what you need

Because it’s unlikely to unpack everything in your new home right away, it’s a good idea to have a bag or even a single box of essential items you will need for your first few days after the move. Toiletries, a few dishes, and any other essentials will make your post-move days smoother. If you plan on going to work within a day or two of your move, it’s convenient to have a couple work outfits nicely packed in a separate case, ready and waiting.

Moving is exciting. It means you’re starting a new chapter! Make turning this new page of your life a fun experience by eliminating extra stress with a little planning ahead.

Payson Real Estate: Buying a home – A few things to take into account before making an offer

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Payson Real Estate: Buying a homePayson Real Estate: Buying a home – A few things to take into account before making an offer

If you are interested in buying a home in the Payson real estate market, you should know that you must consider a few important things before making an offer. After all, you are looking for a new home where you and your family will live for a long time. In addition to the safety of the neighborhood, access to schools and healthcare facilities, and closeness to work, there are few other things that are equally important.

Your budget

When people make a decision to buy a new home, they usually have some budget in mind. In other words, they know whether they can afford that home or not. So, no matter how beautiful the home may look, if it doesn’t match your budget don’t waste your time – simply move on. Never buy a home that you can’t actually afford. In case you buy a home that doesn’t match your financial capabilities, it is very likely that your home will go into foreclosure because you won’t be able to make the required monthly payments.

A thorough inspection

Experienced realtors know that there are many houses that look impressive both outside and inside, but these houses can still have some problems that ordinary people can’t notice. The only way to avoid these unpleasant surprises is to perform a thorough inspection. In case you believe that you have found a home that you really like, it’s perfectly fine to put some money down as a sign that you are serious about the purchase, but this payment should be directly related to the final results of a professional home inspection. Using the help of these professionals will confirm that you are looking at a good home. In case the home inspection report indicated that there are certain damages, check whether this damage is easy to repair. Of course, you should also find out how much it will cost to repair these problems. Obviously, in case the damages are practically unfixable or they are expensive, it’s the best idea to avoid that home. Don’t forget that the market is full of homes for sale.

Space

Your future home is not just a place that provides enough space for your family now – it should provide enough space in the future too. In case you are moving into your new home with your spouse and you still don’t have children, you still need to think about the space your future kids will need.

Amenities and features

There are many homes for sales that have more or less special amenities and features like beautiful, large garden areas or spacious decks. There is no doubt that they will make the home more attractive, but they will also increase the price of the house. It is a good idea to think if you will really use these additional features. Additionally, you must check whether these amenities and features are in a good condition, otherwise, you will have to pay for their revitalization.

Payson Real Estate – 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home

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Payson Real Estate New Years Resolutions HomePayson Real Estate – 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home

It is almost time to start thinking about your New Year’s Resolutions which typically mean to make ones like losing weight, exercise more, and save more money. But how about setting some resolutions just for your home. Now is a great time to set some goals for improving your home.

#1 – Small Home Improvements: How about starting off with a small list of little home improvements that would really help around the house. Maybe you have a broken tile which needs to be repaired or a leaky faucet which needs fixed. Or maybe the weather stripping around the front door is torn and needs to be replaced. Fixing these small items can really help maintain your home in the long run.

#2 – Remove the Clutter & Organize: Now organization is always a popular New Year’s Resolution. Although it’s been said, “You can’t organize clutter.” So the first step is to remove the extra stuff and clutter from your home then you can organize the rest and find a place for everything. It’s hard to keep an area clean if items do not have a specific place to “live.”

#3 – Home Security: Often times when people think about home safety they think of a security system for their home to keep the “bad guys” out. But home safety is much more than that. Think about checking and replacing the batteries in your smoke detectors. Also be sure to clean the lint from your dryer vent.

#4 – Cleaning System: Now that you have removed the clutter and organized your home it’s time to work out daily chores and a weekly cleaning system to keep your home in order. On a daily basis, make sure the dishes get in the dishwasher at night so you have a shining sink to wake up to in the morning. Also they say a load of laundry a day can keep it under control. So make sure clean clothes get put away. A few minutes in the evening of “picking up” will start the day with a picked up home. Then develop a weekly cleaning system like cleaning the floors on Monday and the bathrooms on Tuesday. This way keep a clean home will only take a few minutes each day.

#5 – Cut Your Utility Bills: Ok, this New Year’s Resolution can help you save money. You can save money on your electricity bill by turning off lights when they are not in use, replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, and drying some clothes on a clothes line instead of the dryer. Also reduce your water bill by installing low-flow shower heads, running the dishwasher only when full, and planting drought-resistant landscaping in your yard so you can water less. These tips won’t only save you money but will help the environment as well.

Payson Real Estate – Home Tips for Holiday Prep Made Easy

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payson real estate home holiday prepPayson Real Estate – Home Tips for Holiday Prep Made Easy

It is that time of year when guests are visiting your home for the holidays. Whether you are ready or not, we have some great tips to help you get your home prepared for all the visitors.

Declutter – First, you will want to remove the clutter from all the main living areas of your home. This includes any guest bedrooms and the foyer area. Just focusing on all the flat surfaces in a room can make a real difference in how your home looks and feels. Plus, it will make it easy to do a last minute dusting before friends and family arrive. Also, remember to remove extra jackets and shoes from the foyer area to make room for all the visitors’ outerwear.

Kitchen Area – The kitchen can become very congested with all the visitors so remove any items from the counters which you will not be using to make room for holiday meal prep. It is also a good idea to make a beverage table out in the dining room area where guests can help themselves to water and coffee without coming into the kitchen area. An appetizer table is also great to provide snacks for those hungry guests while the main meal is being prepared.

Food – When preparing a large meal for holiday guests, first make sure you have all ingredients purchased for your recipes. This will eliminate last minutes trips to the grocery store. Then, look at the items you will be making and see if any can be prepared a day ahead of time before guests arrive. If any recipes call for chopped vegetables or browned meat, try to do these things a head of time in order to cut down on clean up time while your home is filled with family and friends.

Guest Bedrooms – Make sure the sleeping area for guests has plenty of pillows and blankets. Nothing is more uncomfortable than having your guests’ cold at night but not wanting to come ask for extra blankets.

Guest Bathroom – Remember to first fully clean the bathroom your guests will be using and then make sure to stock it well with toilet paper and guest towels. A lit scented candle is also nice while your home is filled with holiday guests.

Payson Real Estate – 5 Welcoming Winter Decorating Tips

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Payson Real Estate Welcoming Decorating Tips

Payson Real Estate – 5 Welcoming Winter Decorating Tips

Colder weather has come to the Rim Country and its time to do some winter decorating now that the season has finally started to change. Here are five winter decorating tips to make your home more welcoming and cozy.

Tip #1 – Focus on your Living Room – You can arrange furniture in your living room to make it cozier. If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, you may want to move couches and chairs to focus around the heat source. Also adding some throw pillows and blankets help keep guests and family members comfy and warm.

Tip #2 – Adding Warmth to the Bedrooms – In winter, a popular decorating tip is to layer fabrics. Adding different textured blankets and throws to the bed along with pillows of different fabrics can add coziness to an otherwise cold bedroom during the winter months. Remember to avoid the winter blues by adding pops of color thru out the house as well.

Tip #3 – Trimming the Floors – If you have wood floors in your home you may want to put down area rugs in the main living areas of your home to keep those toes toasty in the winter time. A fluffy floor area rug can add warmth to a room.

Tip #4 – Warm the Windows – During colder weather a lot of your home’s heat can be lost by large north facing windows. Consider adding thick curtains to these windows which will help keep the cold air out while keeping the heat inside.

Tip #5 – Season Scents – Remember nothing says, “Warm and Welcoming” like the scents of the season. Whether it is evergreen, cinnamon, or even a candle with the scent of apple pie or vanilla; these scents will welcome guests into your cozy home this winter.

So, enjoy the cooler winter months with these welcoming decorating tips for your home. If you have any questions about listing your home for sale  or purchasing a home in the Payson Real Estate Market call Rory at 928-595-0136.

Payson Real Estate – Fall Community Events in the Rim Country

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Payson Real Estate Fall Community EventsPayson Real Estate – Fall Community Events in the Rim Country

Well, fall is in full swing. The colors are changing  all over the Rim Country. Pumpkin festivals are happening all around the state of Arizona. And here in Payson, AZ we have community events ranging from Jazz Concerts to our Trunk or Treat Festival to our Annual Turkey Trot in the next month and a half. Below is a list of events to enjoy this fall in the Rim Country. Make sure to get out and enjoy it.

Sunday, October 30th – At 2pm at the Sanctuary at 800 West Main Street, the October Jazz All-Stars will be featuring Loannis Goudelis piano in a Quartet.

Monday, October 31st – The Town of Payson Trunk or Treat Festival will be held from 6pm until 9pm at the Oxbow Saloon on Historic Main Street. Bring out all your witches and goblins for a good time.

Wednesday, November 9th – The Next Generation Leahy will be performing their Celtic based music as a part of the TCCA Concert Series from 7pm until 9pm at the Payson High School Auditorium.

Friday, November 11th – From 2pm until 4pm there will be a Veteran’s Day Program at the Payson High School Auditorium.

Saturday November 12th – At the Payson Public Library there will be a Tree Workshop and Firewise Education program from 9am until noon. This is a great workshop for homeowners to learn about which trees to plant in our area.

Sunday, November 13th – The November Jazz All-Stars will be featuring saxophonist Tony Vacca from 2pm until 4pm at the Community Presbyterian Church at 800 West Main Street.

Saturday, November 19th – The Annual Turkey Trot – 5K fun run will be held at 9am. Registration begins at  8am at Green Valley Park. Participants who pre-register will receive a long-sleeved sweatshirt.

Friday & Saturday November 26th & 27th – The Swiss Village will be holding their annual Christmas Lighting. A carnival will be there for kids to enjoy as well as Santa Claus. Face painting, magicians, and Christmas carolers will also be there for more entertainment. Bring some can goods as they will be collecting food for the area food banks.

Saturday, December 3rd – The Electric Light Parade will be held from 6pm until 8pm down Historic Main Street. Come see all the bright Christmas Lights and enjoy the hometown family fun to kick off the Holiday Season.