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5 Best Ahwatukee Neighborhoods

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  Ahwatukee is a beautiful neighborhood in Phoenix, Arizona, and there are many great neighborhoods within it. Here are 5 of the best neighborhoods in Ahwatukee: 1.  Mountain Park Ranch : Mountain Park Ranch is a beautiful, family-friendly neighborhood with stunning views  of the mountains. It offers a wide range of homes, from condos to luxury homes, and has plenty  of amenities, including 3 community pools, sand volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, plenty of playgrounds and parks, and hiking trails, along with beautifully kept walking paths all around. Also home to multiple A+ Kyrene District Elementary Schools. 2. The Foothills : The Foothills is a luxurious neighborhood with stunning homes and beautiful views.  It is home to several golf courses, including the Club West Golf Club, which is known for its challenging course and stunning views. 3 . Lakewood : Lakewood is a peaceful neighborhood with a variety of homes, from townhouses to larger homes ...

We're Not Clucking Around

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We’re not clucking around! Recently, the city of  Chandler  joined Gilbert, Queen Creek, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix and  Maricopa County  in allowing backyard chickens. A detached single-family lot can have up to five chickens. If you have interest in having chickens on your property, there are some secondary rules to check first. For example, some cities do not allow roosters, homeowners should check with their HOA before getting hens and there are limitations with coop structure sizing that should be checked as well.   Chicken facts, no yolk! Here are a few reasons why your clients might want backyard chickens: A healthy hen could lay one egg a day (say goodbye to a $5 carton of eggs!) Chickens can recognize people and form bonds They are smart and social creatures (why have just one?) Backyard chickens and gardening are symbiotic Chickens are low maintenance

3 Best Practices for Selling Your House This Year

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  3 Best Practices for Selling Your House This Year A new year brings with it the opportunity for  new experiences . If that resonates with you because you’re considering making a move, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement over your next home and a sense of attachment to your current one. A great way to ease some of those emotions and ensure you’re feeling confident in your decision is to keep these three best practices in mind. 1. Price Your Home Right The housing market shifted in 2022 as  mortgage rates  rose, buyer demand eased, and the number of  homes for sale  grew. As a seller, you’ll want to recognize things are different now and  price your house  appropriately based on where the market is today. Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at  Bankrate ,  explains : “Price your home realistically. This isn’t the housing market of April or May, so buyer traffic will be substantially slower,  but appropriately pric...

Planning To Sell Your House? It’s Critical To Hire a Pro.

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  Planning To Sell Your House? It’s Critical To Hire a Pro. With higher mortgage rates and moderating buyer demand, conditions in the housing market are different  today . And if you’re thinking of  selling your house , it’s important to understand how the market has changed and what that means for you. The best way to make sure you’re in the know is to work with a trusted housing market expert. Here are five reasons working with a professional can ensure you’ll get the most out of your sale. 1. A Real Estate Advisor Is an Expert on Market Trends Leslie Rouda Smith, 2022 President of the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR),  explains : "During challenging and changing market conditions, one thing that's calming and constant is the assurance that comes from a Realtor® being in your corner through every step of the home transaction.  Consumers can rely on Realtors®' unmatched work ethic, trusted guidance and objectivity to help manage the complexiti...

Wondering How Much You Need To Save for a Down Payment?

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  Wondering How Much You Need To Save for a Down Payment? If you’re getting ready to buy your first home, you’re likely focused on saving up for everything that purchase involves. One cost that’s likely top of mind is your down payment. But don't let a common misconception about how much you need to save make the process harder than it could be. Understand 20% Isn’t Always the Typical Down Payment Freddie Mac  explains : “. . . nearly a third of prospective homebuyers think they need a down payment of 20% or more to buy a home.  This myth remains one of the largest perceived barriers to achieving homeownership. ” Unless specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down. This means you could be closer to your homebuying dream than you realize. According to the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR), the median down payment hasn’t been over 20% since 2005. In fact, the median down payment today is only 14%.  And it’s even lo...

What To Expect From the Housing Market in 2023

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  What To Expect From the Housing Market in 2023 The 2022 housing market has been defined by two key things: inflation and rapidly rising  mortgage rates . And in many ways, it's put the market into a reset position. As the  Federal Reserve  (the Fed) made moves this year to try to lower inflation, mortgage rates more than  doubled  – something that’s never happened before in a calendar year. This had a cascading impact on buyer activity, the balance between  supply and demand , and ultimately home prices. And as all those things changed, some buyers and sellers put their plans on hold and decided to wait until the market felt a bit more predictable. But what does that mean for next year? What everyone really wants is more stability in the market in 2023. For that to happen we’ll need to see the Fed bring inflation down even more and keep it there. Here’s what housing market experts say we can expect next year. What’s Ahead for Mortgage Rates in 2023? ...

2023 Housing Market Forecast

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  2023 Housing Market Forecast [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights From home sales to  prices , the 2023 housing market will be defined by mortgage rates. And where rates go depends on what happens with  inflation . If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home this year, let’s connect so you understand where the housing market is headed in 2023. Sources: realtor.com Home Price Expectations Survey  (HPES) National Association of Realtors  (NAR) Mortgage Bankers Association  (MBA) Fannie Mae Freddie Mac Zelman & Associates Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst,  Bankrate