Property Management and Home Sales in Phoenix

Use Purcell & Associates for all your Phoenix real estate needs, including investment properties and property management.

real estate Phoenix Real Estate Market ConditionsPhoenix is now the 5th largest city in the entire country.  Phoenix real estate market conditions now appear to be hitting the bottom of the market.  With so many bank owned Phoenix homes continuing to flood the market, buyers find that they have a large selection of homes available to look at.  However, even with the large number of bank owned homes hitting the Phoenix market, there are less homes available than there were a few months ago.   In fact, some areas have seen list prices go down as much as 50% from a year ago but purchase prices have slightly increased over the past few months.  The average price paid for a Phoenix home right now is $150,000.  This is higher than the $133,000 average seen the same time last year.  The median price for a Phoenix home was $106,000, which is almost 19% higher than last year.

The local Phoenix real estate market isn’t just full of foreclosures, either.  Many sellers are placing their Phoenix homes for sale because they need to move for job relocation, family issues or other reasons.  Because of their time constraints, these houses have been priced aggressively to sell.  And, unlike many of the foreclosures on the market, these homes are in fantastic condition without  much fix-up needed.

With mortgage interest rates still hovering at historically low levels (30 yr fixed rates are at 4.44% and 15 yr fixed rates are at 3.92% as of this writing), the low prices and high inventory make for perfect buyer conditions.  While mortgage companies have implemented much more stringent requirements for loans, you can still purchase a decent home for a decent price, especially if you have good credit and at least a 3-5% down payment.  If you are a veteran or current member of the military, there are VA loans available with absolutely no down payment required. 

So, if you wish to purchase a Phoenix home, the time is now.  Many experts feel that prices will not go down much if at all.  Phoenix real estate market conditions are ripe right now to buy a home.  Contact me today if you want to be a Phoenix homeowner.

Wilma Purcell, your Phoenix real estate specialist

art walk Enjoy Art and Nature in PhoenixPhoenix is a very diverse city.  No matter where your interests lie, you will most likely find an outlet for it here.  If you enjoy art and nature in Phoenix, there are a couple of events coming up this week that may peak your interest.

This Friday, August 6, 2010, take a self-guided art tour of art spaces, galleries and studios throughout the central Phoenix area.  Artlink First Fridays takes place on the first Friday of every month throughout the year.  Sponsors of Artlink First Fridays include The Art Institute of Phoenix, the Phoenix Art Museum, O’Steen and Harrison, The Children’s Museum, Bookman’s, Techniprint, Echo Magazine, The City of Phoenix, Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, Copper Square, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Robert Kubicek Architects, Steve Gompf, The Peter G and Elizabeth Torosian Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts.  Free shuttles are available from 6-10pm and the tour is absolutely free.  For more info, please call 602-256-7539 or visit their website.

On Saturday, August 7, 2010, the Deer Valley Rock Art Center in Phoenix offers Summer Twilight Tours, a guided tour of rock art, petroglyphs, Native American culture, archeology and desert life.  The tour is at 7pm for only $2.50 to $6.50 but requires a reservation.  To reserve your spot for this fun, educational tour, please call 623-582-8007 or visit their website.

If you enjoy art and nature, come to Phoenix this week.  And if you’re looking for a Phoenix rental or a home for sale, contact Purcell & Associates.  We can help you!

Wilma Purcell, Purcell & Associates Property Management, for all your Phoenix real estate needs

By Stanley Popovich

stress Managing the Stresses of Buying and Selling a HomeMany people deal with the anxieties of buying or selling a home.   This process can be confusing to many people.  As a result, here is a list of ways that a person can use to manage the anxiety of purchasing or selling a home.

The first step is to determine your goals in purchasing or selling a home.  Determine what you want to accomplish.  It will save you a lot of time and money in the long run if you know what you are looking for.  Sit down and think about the overall goal of what you are looking for and convey this to your real estate agent.  Some people like to write down their goals on a piece of paper so they have something to go back to when they get stressed.

Educate yourself on the steps of purchasing or buying a home.  Go to your local bookstore and find some books that will explain the process of buying or selling a home.  There are many books available that can inform you of the process and will help reduce the anxiety of the situation.  Most importantly, you will be able to make smarter choices that will save you time and money.

Find a reputable real estate agent that can help you accomplish your goals.  Ask some of your friends on who they recommend and get in touch with them.  Referrals from people you know are a great way in finding a good real estate agent.

Get your finances organized.  Make sure you have an idea on what you can afford and also make sure that your credit is good.  The financial aspect of buying or selling a home does not have to be scary if you have a sound business plan and a realistic budget.  Some people may buy a home that they can’t afford and this can cause problems down the road.  Determine what you can afford and develop a budget where you will be able to keep up with your bills.

In addition to using the services of a good real estate agent, try to get a friend who is more experienced to help you.  Chances are good that you know someone who has purchased or sold a home.  You could ask them for their assistance and ask them questions on what to do and what not do.  Having a friend who can assist you along the way can really help reduce the anxiety of the process.

Read the fine print on everything before signing and do not assume anything.  Ask questions if you are uncertain on some aspects of buying or selling a home.  A good real estate agent will not mind if you ask questions, however you should do your part and try to educate yourself on the entire process.

There will be times when everything happens all at once.  When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the current situation.  A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things.  Once you calm down, you will be better able to make the right decisions.

Purchasing or selling a home does not have to be a bigger deal than it has to if you take the proper steps.  There is help out there if you get stuck or confused.  The most important thing is to do your homework.  Determine your goals, educate yourself on the steps to reach your goals, ask questions, and take it one step at a time.  If you follow this advice, you will be better able to reduce the stresses of purchasing or selling a home.

BIOGRAPHY:

Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods” – an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/

Wilma Purcell, Purcell & Associates, for all your Phoenix real estate and property management needs