National Association of Realtors
Washington, DC, May 10, 2011
Existing-home sales continued to recover in the first quarter with gains recorded in 49 states and the District of Columbia, while 22 percent of the available metropolitan areas saw prices rise from a year ago, according to the latest survey by the National Association of Realtors®.
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Bring your pet to the Phoenix Pet Expo!
University Of Phoenix Stadium
Cost: Free -
The PHOENIX PET EXPO is Saturday, May 7, 2011, from 10AM to 6PM, located INDOORS at the beautiful UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM with FREE admission & parking.You’re welcome to BRING YOUR DOG or your bird or even your lizard – just make sure that you have proof of current age-appropriate immunizations (if applicable) and that your canine companion is on a non-retractable lead.
Check out 275 + PET-FRIENDLY EXHIBITORS and RESCUE GROUPS, sign your pooch up to compete with SPLASH DOGS, see live demonstrations in AGILITY, FLYBALL, CANINE MUSICAL FREESTYLE, OBEDIENCE TRAINING, PET CARE & ACTIVISM, great giveaways and PRIZES, amazing DISCOUNTS on your favorite pet products, a pet fashion show and COSTUME CONTEST, fabulous RETAILERS, author book signings and much more FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! And if you’re looking to add a new pet to your family, a MEGA-ADOPTION event has more than 500 pets available for adoption.
Plus we will be offering LOW-COST IMMUNIZATIONS and MICROCHIPPING for furry friends that need them!
If you’re a pet owner – or want to be one – you’ll find everything you need under one roof, so that you can PLAY, SHOP, LEARN OR ADOPT in AIR-CONDITIONED COMFORT.
For more information, visit us at PhoenixPetExpo.com or join us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/phoenixpetexpo), shoot us an email at expo@phoenixpetexpo.com or give us a call at 800-977-3609.
The University of Phoenix Stadium is located at 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, AZ 85305. See you there!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Ellen James Martin: Pointers on savvy negotiating
By Ellen James Martin
Smart Moves
Posted: 04/24/2011 12:00:00 AM PDT
After living together for more than a decade, a couple of renters in their 30s decided to marry. Now they're looking for a modest ranch house with a pool in a suburban area with lots of foreclosed properties and markdowns galore. Still, they worry about overpaying and want to make sure they negotiate the best possible deal.
How can this pair of restaurant managers make the most of a market loaded with many willing sellers? By learning as much as possible about price trends in their chosen neighborhood, says Eve Alexander, a real estate broker affiliated with the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (www.naeba.org).
"When you make a bid, you need ammunition to intelligently negotiate a great deal," Alexander says.
Once they've selected the home they like, she says the couple should wait to decide on their bid until they've examined data on the closing prices for homes that have sold recently in the immediate area. These are known in the real estate field as "comparables" or "comps."
"Start with 10 comps, and then work your way down to the five most similar ones. Don't forget to include foreclosed properties and short sales," Alexander says.
If you're planning to buy in a neighborhood with widely varied properties, it's helpful to compare the homes on your list on a price-per-square-foot basis. Then adjust for differences in size and home features, such as a two-car garage versus a one-car garage.
After estimating the current market value of the property you wish to buy, it's time to decide how aggressive an offer you want to make. Alexander says that will depend on how enamored you are with the home.
On the other hand, "It's always easier to negotiate without emotion if you can find second- and third-choice houses you also like," she says.
Once you've made a firm decision on your bid, she recommends you attach a brief but friendly letter that explains your position and draws on comparable sales data to support it. This is especially important if you're venturing a "lowball" bid.
Here are a few other tips for homebuyers trying to obtain the best available deal in a neighborhood with lots of inventory:
Learn as much as possible about the sellers' equity position.
If you're interested in a home but have yet to submit an offer on it, Alexander says it's wise to get information on the sellers' ownership stake before you bid. As she says, those with more equity have more potential room for compromise.
One source of clues on the owners' equity position can be found by searching local government land records. At the minimum, these records (usually available online) should tell you when the current owners purchased the property and the original price they paid.
Have your agent ask questions of the listing agent.
When owners have an urgent need to sell, it's normally against their interest for that information to be shared, which could weaken their bargaining position. Even so, Alexander says many listing agents readily will disclose such client information in response to questions.
Another way prospective buyers can gauge the sellers' level of motivation is to ask nearby neighbors. Alexander recommends that the buyers pick a Saturday to walk through the community, chatting with a few residents about the pros and cons of living there. In the course of the conversation, they'll likely tell you why homes on their street are for sale.
Rule out properties owned by "market testers."
Eric Tyson, co-author of "Home Buying for Dummies," says that even in neighborhoods with an abundance of properties up for sale and numerous foreclosures, there are still sellers who won't budge from an unrealistically high price.
Tyson recommends you ask your agent if previous offers have come in on the property you want. If the owners already have rebuffed one or more decent offers without so much as a counter bid, this indicates they'll probably resist with you, too.
The good news for buyers is that information on past offers is often readily available through the listing agent, who might discuss the "clients' negotiating position and whether it's worth your while to do a low bid," says Tyson.
He says you can waste a lot of time trying to persuade people who won't entertain a fair offer. It's better to look for someone eager to sell.
Smart Moves
Posted: 04/24/2011 12:00:00 AM PDT
After living together for more than a decade, a couple of renters in their 30s decided to marry. Now they're looking for a modest ranch house with a pool in a suburban area with lots of foreclosed properties and markdowns galore. Still, they worry about overpaying and want to make sure they negotiate the best possible deal.
How can this pair of restaurant managers make the most of a market loaded with many willing sellers? By learning as much as possible about price trends in their chosen neighborhood, says Eve Alexander, a real estate broker affiliated with the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (www.naeba.org).
"When you make a bid, you need ammunition to intelligently negotiate a great deal," Alexander says.
Once they've selected the home they like, she says the couple should wait to decide on their bid until they've examined data on the closing prices for homes that have sold recently in the immediate area. These are known in the real estate field as "comparables" or "comps."
"Start with 10 comps, and then work your way down to the five most similar ones. Don't forget to include foreclosed properties and short sales," Alexander says.
If you're planning to buy in a neighborhood with widely varied properties, it's helpful to compare the homes on your list on a price-per-square-foot basis. Then adjust for differences in size and home features, such as a two-car garage versus a one-car garage.
After estimating the current market value of the property you wish to buy, it's time to decide how aggressive an offer you want to make. Alexander says that will depend on how enamored you are with the home.
On the other hand, "It's always easier to negotiate without emotion if you can find second- and third-choice houses you also like," she says.
Once you've made a firm decision on your bid, she recommends you attach a brief but friendly letter that explains your position and draws on comparable sales data to support it. This is especially important if you're venturing a "lowball" bid.
Here are a few other tips for homebuyers trying to obtain the best available deal in a neighborhood with lots of inventory:
Learn as much as possible about the sellers' equity position.
If you're interested in a home but have yet to submit an offer on it, Alexander says it's wise to get information on the sellers' ownership stake before you bid. As she says, those with more equity have more potential room for compromise.
One source of clues on the owners' equity position can be found by searching local government land records. At the minimum, these records (usually available online) should tell you when the current owners purchased the property and the original price they paid.
Have your agent ask questions of the listing agent.
When owners have an urgent need to sell, it's normally against their interest for that information to be shared, which could weaken their bargaining position. Even so, Alexander says many listing agents readily will disclose such client information in response to questions.
Another way prospective buyers can gauge the sellers' level of motivation is to ask nearby neighbors. Alexander recommends that the buyers pick a Saturday to walk through the community, chatting with a few residents about the pros and cons of living there. In the course of the conversation, they'll likely tell you why homes on their street are for sale.
Rule out properties owned by "market testers."
Eric Tyson, co-author of "Home Buying for Dummies," says that even in neighborhoods with an abundance of properties up for sale and numerous foreclosures, there are still sellers who won't budge from an unrealistically high price.
Tyson recommends you ask your agent if previous offers have come in on the property you want. If the owners already have rebuffed one or more decent offers without so much as a counter bid, this indicates they'll probably resist with you, too.
The good news for buyers is that information on past offers is often readily available through the listing agent, who might discuss the "clients' negotiating position and whether it's worth your while to do a low bid," says Tyson.
He says you can waste a lot of time trying to persuade people who won't entertain a fair offer. It's better to look for someone eager to sell.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Blanco for Cinco de Mayo!
Blanco - Tacos + Tequila
THE DISH...BLANCO Tacos + Tequila offers modern Mexican fare in a casual-chic setting. Updated classics like tacos, enchiladas, and queso crisps are reinterpreted with fresh, flavorful, and unique ingredients.
Guests of all ages enjoy Blanco's upbeat and casual come-as-you-are atmosphere.
The dramatic entries feature a colorful mosaic tile wall. The clean, minimalist, modern
dining rooms offer a striking wood relief paneled wall, weathered wood floors, dark wood table tops, sleek and comfortable deep sky blue banquette seating and stark white walls.
The bars are the focal point of the dining room offering one of Arizona's finest selections of wines, beers and nearly 30 premium tequilas. Signature drinks made with fresh seasonal fruits include house made white and red sangrias, a wide variety of traditional and unique margaritas and refreshing signature cocktails.
| Blanco Scottsdale The Borgata 6166 N Scottsdale Road #601 Scottsdale AZ 85253 P: 480.305.6692 F: 480.305.6693 | Sun – Thu 11am to 10pm Fri – Sat 11am to 11pm Bar open until 12am | Happy Hour: Mon – Fri 4pm to 6pm |
| location map >> | menu >> | ||
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