1. February 2012 by Teri Ellis.

I share my personal musings on Valentine’s Day and what “special” attention can be given to those you love!

Funny how this differs with men than for women. As a woman, I “personally” DO like flowers.  Since I’m married, I tend to be a bit frugal about spending lots of money on flowers -  but flowers are still welcome!  Chocolates (really good ones) are indeed something wonderful! I prefer See’s, but have been known to enjoy less expensive candy. One rose would do as well…actually the thought really DOES count. Remember your woman on Valentine’s Day with a thoughtful card and a single rose, or box of candy. If you listen – really – well, you’ll know just what would please her.

Now, as for my hubby, I just get him a card with lots of love ‘cause that’s exactly what he likes. Over the years, I would choose a red shirt and a card, but always something red along with chocolate for him.

When my children were small, I would select a red article of clothing and place that along with a heart-shaped box of See’s candy by their plate at dinner. They always liked that. My daughter has continued that tradition with her family.

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10. August 2011 by Teri Ellis.

When going into a new home subdivision, be sure to bring your Realtor!  Did you know? The agent at the new home subdivision represents the BUILDER, not the BUYER! I’ve gathered together more suggestions and tips from the Department of Real Estate – along with my own ideas for your information:

New Homes in a Subdivision

1.  You should read the Arizona Department of Real Estate Public Report. By law, this document must be given to you before you sign the purchase contract. You must sign a receipt for the Report. By signing the receipt, you imply that you have read the report.

The Public Report will inform you about such things as:

• Flooding and drainage disclosure
• A description of adjacent land and uses
• Who provides electricity, telephone, gas, water and sewage disposal
• Common community and recreation facilities
• Assurances for completion of improvements
• Local services and facilities, including schools, shopping facilities, public transportation, medical facilities, fire protection, ambulance service, police protection and garbage services
• Taxes and assessments
• Property owners association details

If you have any questions about the Public Report, you are welcome to call the Arizona Department of Real Estate at 602-468-1414. A Subdivision Representative will assist you with your questions.

The cover sheet of the Public Report contains a disclaimer by the Department of Real Estate. Read it carefully. Most importantly, note that it states:

“Not all of the information in this report has been verified by the Department; certain information has been accepted by the Department as true and accurate based on attestation of the subdivider and/or the subdivider’s agents. You should verify all facts before signing any documents.”

2.  Read the purchase contract carefully. Note that if the builder or developer is not placing your earnest money deposit in escrow, the funds may be placed in the builder’s or developer’s general funds account, and may be used for any purpose. You could lose the money if the builder or developer declares bankruptcy or otherwise goes out of business. If the funds are not going to be placed in escrow, that fact must be stated in a separate paragraph in the purchase contract and you are required to initial that paragraph. Make sure you understand where your earnest money is going to be deposited.

3.  Before you sign a purchase contract, drive around the home for at least a mile or more in every direction to see how the surrounding area appears to you and what land use of safety issues exist in the area. Is there a storm drain or canal nearby that might pose a hazard to your children? Is the home or building site near an airport or a manufacturing plant? Visit the area at different times of day, on weekends and in the evening. Disturbing noises and odors can travel farther at night.

In areas where there are expanses of vacant land nearby, check city or county zoning maps to see if nearby property is zoned for apartments, industrial or commercial use. Land zoned for commercial use might be used to construct anything from a shopping center to a hotel. To obtain this information, call the city or county planning and zoning department listed in your telephone directory.

Check Arizona Department of Transportation maps to find the nearest future freeway routes, and whether roads in the area are slated for widening. For information about reviewing the maps, call 602-255-7011.

3.  Call the school district serving the subdivision to determine whether nearby schools are accepting new students. Some school districts have placed a cap on enrollment. You may find that your children cannot attend the school nearest you and may even be transported to another community.

4.  Read the deed restrictions, also called CC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions). You might find some of the CC&Rs are very strict, especially those addressing landscaping, RV parking, play equipment, satellite antennas, and other common amenities — particularly if the subdivision is governed by a homeowner’s association.

5.  Check out the homebuilder with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. You can determine the number of complaints customers have filed against the contractor, whether any are unresolved and whether the builder’s license has ever been suspended or revoked. You may reach the Registrar of Contractors at 602.542-1525.

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20. June 2011 by Teri Ellis.

When working with a Buyer, I heartily recommend they purchase (about $350) a home inspection! I provide several names of individuals or companies that are ASHI certified, and the Buyer chooses. Most of the companies will also do a termite inspection at the same time for a small additional charge. Home inspection prices are based on the square footage of the home, whether it has a pool, age, etc.

For those Buyers who do choose to have a home inspection, I would suggest  they also  arrange for the inspector to re-inspect the home after the repairs have been made to make certain the repairs have adequately been completed. 

On more than one occasion, when the home inspector did a re-inspection, it was found that the roof had not been repaired, or the other items of importance were not completed to the satisfaction of the Buyer. This isn’t necessarily the Seller’s doing. The Seller will probably not be climbing up on the roof to inspect the job. It’s could be the negligence of the repair person hired by the Seller to complete the “fixes” and the “repairs”.

Today our active listings total 22,948, and our pending contracts are almost to 13,547. The active listings are going down as much as 1,000 per week in the past couple of months.  Could it be? We are heading toward a housing shortage? Only time will tell! Buy why wait until we’re all scrambling to find an affordable home – competing with one another. That’s just what drives prices up.  With the interest rates as low as they are, Buyers need to seriously consider making their move!

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16. June 2011 by Teri Ellis.

Craig’s list has taken one more noticeable leap into eliminating the possibility of being scammed for home buyers and/or those searching for a rental. As of today, when posting a new listing in Chandler,  Arizona for a  four bedroom home with a pool, I was required to enter my telephone number enabling Craig’s List to send me a text with an identification number which I would then use to enable my post to go through. One more level of security for those unsuspecting consumers searching online. Good news!

To search the entire Phoenix Metropolitan area including Mesa, Gilbert, Gold Canyon, Chandler, Queen Creek, click here – MLS. For any questions or information requests, feel free to call me, Teri Ellis, at Homes Arizona Real Estate – 480.382-8711. OR you can email me at: Teri@TeriEllis.com, follow me at Facebook – Mesa Arizona Real Estate, or Twitter – MesaAzHomes

Posted in Chandler, Arizona, four bedroom pool home, Real Estate, Rental Properties, Homes Arizona, Real Estate Market | Print | No Comments »

25. May 2011 by Teri Ellis.

Crismon Creek is a small community located in East Mesa. Situated just east of Crismon Street and north of Baseline, this popular spot in Mesa sports three parks/tot lots, retention basins, a great mix of families and retirees, is 1/2 mile from the 60 Freeway and only one mile from the 202. Just east of Crismon Creek is the Mesa Swap Meet and Superstition Gateway which boasts such big stores as Wal-mart, Kohls, Best Buy, restaurants, theaters and more.

One of the favorite activities that the HOA Board oversees each year is the Easter Egg Hunt. I’ve heard that even  some of the streets have an Easter Egg Hunt totally put together by the homeowners. I’ve included some photos of our recent “Hunt.”

The community also holds two garage sale events during the year. For current and up to date information on Crismon Creek, check out the CrismonCreekBlog. For a search of homes in Crismon Creek simply click here – Crismon Creek. To search the entire Phoenix Metropolitan area including Mesa, Gilbert, Gold Canyon, Chandler, Queen Creek, click here – MLS. For any questions or information requests regarding Crismon Creek or surrounding areas, just call me, Teri Ellis, at Homes Arizona Real Estate - 480.382-8711. OR you can email me at: Teri@TeriEllis.com, follow me at Facebook – Mesa Arizona Real Estate, or Twitter – MesaAzHomes!

Posted in Arizona, four bedroom pool home, Mesa, Homes Arizona, Buyers, Real Estate Market, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »