Awesome News – More Help for Arizona Homebuyers

There’s great news for Arizona homebuyers.  A new incentive has now been added for helping buyers buy foreclosed properties.  This awesome news has come at a great time, too.  Now, through the help of Your Way Home AZ program, many buyers are eligible for a forgivable 0% interest loan of up to 22% of the property’s purchase price. 

The new program offers eligible borrowers the best possible assistance for getting these foreclosures off the market.  And, the only requirements are that the buyer must live in the home for 15 years, the home must be a single family unit, condo or townhome, it must be vacant and the home must be the buyer’s primary residence.

The Your Way Home AZ program is available in 13 Arizona counties, with Mohave County and several others being on the list.  Buyers could qualify with as much as 120% of the average county median income.

Anyone looking for assistance with buying a foreclosure can find that on the Your Way Home AZ website at: www.yourwayhomeaz.com.   They have a list of all the requirements and approved lenders.  They will even work with lenders that are not on their approved list.

Once the buyer meets the requirements, it will be easy from there.  The lender will help them through the funding aspects of the program.  The Your Way Home AZ program is already funded for more than $121 million, which was created under the Bush administration.  Just over $38 million of that has been designated to the state’s non-metropolitan counties and $20 million is funding Your Way Home AZ.

I would personally recommend for all buyers to start with an approved lender before setting your sights on a foreclosed property.  But, this is always an alternative.  So, whatever your choice is, happy house-hunting.

Realtor® Liz Miller ~ Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Search Lake Havasu City Homes for Sale

Beat the Competition and Sell Your Home

If your home has been sitting on the market for several months, you may need to start thinking about how to beat your competition to sell your home.  The inventory on the market for buyers to weed through is alot and you will want yours to stand out far above the rest.  Therefore, I would like to share some tips and advice on how to make that happen.

Assuming your home has the right price, these tips should help lure buyers right in:

* Stage the home and maintain it.  A home that has been staged and maintained will be a much better offer than a vacant, empty home or foreclosure.  When the home looks slightly lived in and the landscaping is not dead, the home tends to give off a warm feel that buyers love. 

As with any home, decluttering, fresh paint, removal of unpleasant odors and upkeep of the lawn can go a long way.  With a home, first impressions are everything.

* If you will, let the buyers know up front that you will pay some of the closing costs.  This is an extra motivator to serious buyers these days.  Most of the time, buyers ask for this help anyway.  But, it may pay-off sooner when you dangling this in front of their face in the beginning.

* Consider offering a home warranty.  Many first-time homebuyers are coming from rental properties and are accustomed to calling a landlord when they have a problem.  Therefore, to help them transition a little better into homeownership, provide them with a warranty that will cover major problems when they arise.  This will really benefit them.

* Don’t ignore low offers.  Many buyers are using a real estate agent.  Therefore, they know that home prices have fallen, so they will be aggressive with their first offer.  Sometimes, buyers will be extremely aggressive.  However, don’t ignore those lowball offers and get upset or angry.  Just remember, every offer deserves a good counter-offer.  This will get the game rolling.

Most likely, you will both be able to come to a mutual agreement since they were serious enough to make the offer in the first place.

Once you do come to an agreement and close the deal, then you did your part well.  Good job.  Enjoy your next home.  If you need assistance finding that next home, contact me, Liz Miller.  I’m here to help.

Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Making Your Guestroom Inviting For Summer Guests

Realtor® Liz Miller  ~  Lake Havasu City Real Estate 

Summer is here and many of us will have summer guests coming to stay.  Those of us who are fortunate enough to have an extra room to offer those guests want to make them feel extra comfortable during their stay.  Therefore, I’ve been thinking of ways I could make my own guests feel comfortable and would like to share some of my ideas. 

Comfort is at the top of the list for many guests.  So, start with the bed linens.  Wash and dry them so they will be clean and fresh.  You may even consider adding extra pillows and blankets for added comfort.  If you’re really sweet, you can add a few bottles of water in an ice bucket and a light snack.  This will make your guests feel even more comfortable being there.  Also, be sure to have plenty of lighting in the room and a small end-table light and alarm clock. 

Guests will also feel more comfortable with the more space they have.  So, make sure to de-clutter the room by taking away all your knick-knacks and anything else that will be in their way.  Provide your guests with space for their luggage and maybe a tray for their keys and smaller objects.  Also, make space in the closet and  make sure to have plenty of empty hangers.  Leave a few drawers empty in your dresser.  Your guests will love you for this extra space for their belongings. 

Privacy is also very important to many people.  Therefore, make sure your window coverings give good coverage and privacy.  If they don’t, you may want to consider replacing them with something more up-to-date.  Also, does your guest door have a lock on it?  This will make them feel as though they have even more privacy.

All these little extras will go a long way and your guests will just love the extra attention that you have given their arrival.  Small details such as a note pad and pen by the phone in their room, a box of tissues near the bed, a television with remote, magazines and even brochures and maps to local attractions will make them feel like you have gone the extra mile.

I hope your summer guests feel right at home with these tips for making your guestroom inviting.

Search Lake Havasu City, Arizona Real Estate

First Time Homebuyers Advice

Buying your very first home can be exciting yet overwhelming at the same time.  It can even be a little daunting.  You are going to make the biggest investment of your life.  Therefore, I would like to give first-time homebuyers some tips and advice that can help the process go more smoothly so you won’t feel so overwhelmed.  There are many programs for first-time buyers to choose from that will provide proper financial assistance.

Let’s start with how much you can afford to spend on your new home.  This will depend on various factors, such as your income, your monthly expenses, what you plan to put down on the home,and how much you are qualified to borrow.  Many lenders are now requiring 20% of the final purchase price of the home as a down payment.  However, some programs are still available that only require 5% down.  Try this mortgage calculator to see what you can afford.

Search for a real estate professional who is fully qualified to handle all your needs.  A real estate agent can provide huge amounts of information that will guide you through the buying process, making everything easier on you.  Make sure you tell your real estate agent that you are a first-time homebuyer so they can get you all the perks that go with first-time homebuying.

Make a wish list and begin shopping for your dream home.  It is very important to know what you want in a home before you begin looking for a home or you will be wasting both yours and your Realtors® time.  Some questions to consider: how many bedrooms, how many baths, new or old, one -tory or two, single-family or townhouse, near a school or not, what style of home, in a subdivision or not, private land or with acreage, near public transportation or not, etc.  Things like these are very important to ask yourself before you begin your house-hunt.

Making an offer on your dream home.  Now that you’ve found your dream home, it’s time to make an offer.  However, you should first get familiar with some terms used on a sales contract.  Your agent will be able to explain everything to you.   And work with your agent on negotiating a lower price.

Getting the home inspected.  It is very important to get the home inspected before moving in.  You don’t want to buy a home that is termite or mold-infested.  An inspection will tell you the condition of the property and let you know of any major defaults.  This will help you avoid buying a home that is in major need of repairs.

Getting home insurance.  All mortgage lenders will require you to have homeowners insurance before closing.  Be sure to have a copy of your policy when you come to closing.  Shop around for the best deals possible.  You will come across a wide range of prices when getting quotes, so use your best judgment in this area.

Good luck to all you first-time homebuyers.  I hope this advice will help you along your journey.

Realtor® Liz Miller  ~ Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Tips and Advice for Homeowners, Buyers and Selllers

Improve Your Credit and Buy Your Dream Home

Realtor® Liz Miller  ~  Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Once upon a time, when you wanted a loan, you could take a trip to your local banker and easily get a loan if you knew him personally.  Back then, your reputation and relationship with your banker was all you needed to get approved.  However, that is not the case today.  Things have drastically changed over the years.  Now your credit score will determine if you will get the loan you need to purchase the dream home you want.

There are many advertisers out there who claim they can repair your credit for a fee, but don’t fall for those false promises.  Only you can improve your credit and credit score and it can be done in a short time.

Here are tips to help you improve upon your credit score in record time:

1.    Check your credit report and score.  Once a year, you will get a free report from the top three major credit bureaus.  Dispute any incorrect and false information on your report.  Have this false information removed by writing the credit bureaus a letter.  

2.    Close out all credit accounts except one.  You need a credit card to have credit, but too many credit cards will just get you into trouble and lower your credit score.

3.    Pay off the credit cards you’re not using as quickly as possible.  Keeping one credit card open, maintain a balance of under 50% of your credit limit.  Your credit score weighs on how much your balance is and how much your limit is.

4.    If you have student loans, consolidate them to get better terms and lower payments.

5.    Refinance your car and house to get lower payments.  Don’t take out the equity when refinancing.  This can be very tempting to do.  However, keep in mind, you are trying to reduce your monthly debt-to-income ratio, which will help increase your credit score.

6.    Never apply for another credit card again.  Keep the credit cards you have.  Each time you apply for another credit card, a credit inquiry will appear on your credit report, thus lowering your credit score. 

You can have false negative information removed from your credit report.  However, you cannot have true negative information removed.  Therefore, it is very important to treat your credit with the upmost care.  Try your best to never acquire negative information.  Although, if you do, it is not the end of the world.  It will just take a while to get it off your credit report.  The longer negative information sits on your report, the less affect is has on your score.  Time is key when it comes to credit.

Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City, Arizona ~ Tips and Advice for Homeowners, Buyers and Sellers.

Home Improvements That Still Get a Bang for Your Buck

Not too long ago, homeowners were adding onto their homes or doing complete remodels to add value to their home.  However, now those improvements have changed.  Homeowners are still doing home improvements to help improve the value of their home, just in different ways. 

Instead of adding a new room or completely remodeling a room, homeowners are now doing smaller upgrades, such as replacing countertops with granite, re-facing cabinets, adding hardwood floors, laying ceramic tile and up even upgrading their appliances.

Homeowners are not trying to go bigger and better anymore, but they are now trying to improve upon what they already have. 

Many reasons for these types of home improvements are because of tight budgets, strict lending standards and many people are “going green”.   

The most popular rooms for home improvements are the kitchen and bathrooms.  Improving these rooms really pays off.  Other popular home improvements to help increase the value of your home include upgrading the windows, replacing siding, adding decks, improving curb appeal and adding energy-efficient appliances.

Many homeowners have begun looking at adding solar panels to help cut the cost of energy bills.  This will also make the homeowner eligible for government tax credits. 

Although many home improvement projects are small in comparison to what they once were, some homeowners still find themselves splurging, which is okay to do as long as you know what you are doing.  Splurging on the right things that will add the most value to your home can make all the difference when it comes time to sell.

HGTV has some really great tips and advice for home improvement on their website.  Keep up with the latest trends and styles and learn how to do it all on a budget.

Realtor® Liz Miller  ~  Lake Havasu City Real Estate

More tips and advice for homeowners, buyers and sellers

Homes for sale in Lake Havasu City.

Take the Stress Out of Moving With These Time-Saving Tips

Moving can be stressful for many people, especially if they’re on a time-crunch.  With these moving tips, your move can be stress-free, fast and efficient.

* Make a moving schedule using a week-by-week checklist that will help keep your moving process on track.  Keeping to a schedule will prevent many last minute headaches.  Your time is important.  Be diligent in sticking to your schedule and check off each task as it is complete.

* Stock up on packing supplies so you won’t run out.  You will need plenty of boxes, packing tape, markers, bubble wrap, newsprint and box cutters.  Always use materials you have on hand first.  Wrap your fragile items in towels, scarves, blankets, pillow cases, sheets, etc.  This is a “green” way to pack.

* Pack like the professionals do by coming up with a packing system.  Label boxes clearly with markers so you and anyone helping will know exactly what each box contains.  On moving day, show any of your helpers your floor plan so they will know exactly where each box will go.

* Hire a professional moving company to help take the stress out of the move and to let them do all the heavy lifting.  Be sure to hire a quality moving company with good credentials.  Check them out with the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

* Pack a moving survival kit that contains items such as medicine, toiletries, snacks and other necessities that can go in the car with you.  This will prevent you from having to dig through boxes later.

* Put in a change of address by completing a change-of-address form.  You can get the form from your local post office.  This will prevent you from having any late bills, service lapses, etc.   Also, be sure to schedule the disconnect of utilities and new service of your utilities on the proper dates.

Good luck with your move.  These tips are sure to help it be the least stressful move you’ve ever had.

Need more tips and advice for homeowners?  Get them right in your inbox.

Still searching for that perfect home?  Search homes for sale in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Newest Trend in Real Estate is Green Living

Spring is the time of year our minds think of renewing our homes and landscaping.  If you are considering making improvements to your home, keep the color green in mind.  The newest trend in real estate is green living homes.  Recent studies find that buyers are drawn to homes with green living standards.  Homes which feature green living standards receive more showings, are on the market for a shorter period and bring in a higher sales prices than competitive homes.
 
Some buyers are asking sellers about their utility costs.  Making a few lifestyle change and upgrading electrical appliances can reduce your electricity bill, which may influence a buyer’s choice when deciding which home to purchase.
 
Here are some energy and money saving green living tips:

    * Change light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs (up to 25% energy savings).
    * Upgrade your tube-based TV to an LCD flat panel (30% energy savings).
    * Replace your desktop computer with a laptop (75% energy savings).
    * Use cold water when washing clothes (80%+ energy savings).
    * Only use your dishwasher when full and air dry your dishes.
    * Install ceiling fans (up to 40% energy savings and you will feel 5 degrees cooler).
    * Paint your walls and ceilings with insulating paint (up to 30% energy savings).
    * Weatherize your windows and doors with caulk and/or weather stripping.
    * Set your refrigerator to 37 degrees F and your freezer to 3 degrees F.
    * Replace appliances with Energy-Star rated appliances.  Compare ratings for best savings.
    * Replace your washer with a front loading washer (60%+ energy savings).
    * Set your AC to 78 degreesF.  Clean your system and replace filters.
    * Wrap your water heater.
    * Replace your shower head with a low-flow shower head.
 
Lake Havasu homeowners can also take advantage of a tax credit being offered by the government for larger green living improvements.  There are two tax credits available for certain home improvements.
 
Tax credit of 30% of the improvement cost with a cap of $1,500 until 2010:

    * Windows and Doors
    * Insulation, Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
    * HVAC, Water Heaters (non-solar)
    * Biomass Stoves
 
Tax Credit of 30% of the improvement with no cap until 2016:

    * Geothermal Heat Pumps
    * Solar Panels
    * Solar Water Heaters
    * Small Wind Energy Systems
    * Fuel Cells
 
Even in a recession, some Lake Havasu homeowners will consider purchasing a new car for the family.  The government is also offering a tax credit for green living hybrid cars (or trucks).  The tax credit is capped at $7,500.
 
Every little bit helps when it comes to green living; whether you are making a few simple lifestyle changes, upgrading appliances, making some simple home repairs or making larger improvements which qualify for a tax credit, you can make Lake Havasu a very green place to live.

More Energy Related Information Sources:
Summary Of Tax Credits For Homeowners
Tax Credit Home Improvement – FAQ
Power Scorecard – Grading Electricity Products
Alliance to Save Energy http://www.ase.org/
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy http://www.aceee.org/
U.S. DOE – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) http://www.eren.doe.gov/

Just Call Liz Miller for all your Lake Havasu real estate needs

Homeowners Turning to Feng Shui

Over the past two years, Feng Shui practitioners have seen a huge increase in their business.  Many homeowners are looking to enhance and increase their flow of wealth through their homes.  Businesses have even been known to use the services of Feng Shui practitioners in recent years, too.  Therefore, I thought it would be a great time to give some tips to increase the energy support for the prosperity of your home using the Feng Shui method. 

·         Plants are a life force.  Therefore, bringing live plants into our homes brings beauty and clean air.  They also help absorb electromagnetic fields, which many people don’t know has a negative impact on the human health.  Jade and bamboo are the best wealth-enhancing plants.

·         The kitchen is an area of wealth and health.  Many people believe that the better you eat, the healthier you will be.  Therefore, the healthier a person you are, the more productive you will be and the wealthier you will become.  Stove burners represent wealth.  Keep them clean at all times and alternate when cooking on them.  Also, keep your refrigerator full of healthy foods.  This brings an abundance of health.

·         The entrance of your home is very important.  This is your Ming Tang.  Therefore, place a rug or mat at the entrance of your front door and tape three lucky Chinese coins to the back of the rug or mat.  Now, everytime someone walks across it, they are symbolically bringing you money.

·         Toilet seats can let all your money go right down the toilet.  Keep your toilet seats down at all times when not in use or all your money could disappear.

·         Get a goldfish for your home.  Goldfish bring life, energy and wealth into the home.  They are also relaxing to watch.  For maximum luck, fill your tank with eight goldfish for luck and one black fish to keep away bad luck.

·         Anyone working from a home office should have their back to a wall and face the door.  Also add a water feature in your home office.  Water features with water flowing upward brings wealth.  The sound will help keep you relaxed throughout your day.

While the Feng Shui method may not be for everyone, many people who do abide by it have found it to be successful for them.

Realtor® Liz Miller   ~  Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Get more tips & advice for homeowners, buyers and sellers.

Search homes for sale in Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Lake Havasu City Schools Using Solar Power

It’s great! Everywhere I turn someone is talking about “going green.”  Now the Lake Havasu City school district is exploring the idea of turning the Lake Havasu City High School parking lots into the largest array of solar energy in Arizona, generating 100% of the school’s electricity. 

I already knew that Lake Havasu City had great schools, but now they just got better.  Helping our kids become the next leaders of America and helping our planet.  How great is that?

The Lake Havasu Unified School District recently approved the request to install shade structures over most of the school’s parking areas.  Each shade structure will be topped with solar photovoltaic panels.  They are also considering the installation of shade structure over school walkways to enhance electricity production even more.

This “going green” project will cost around $14 million which will be paid with tax credits, industry rebates and monthly payments.  That may sound like a lot right now, but the school currently spends an annual average of $320,000 to $340,000.  With no electric bill, the district will able to pay off remainder balance of the solar system.  And, in less than 15 years time, the district will have that money as an income.

Another great aspect to the system is the educational component.  Students will have the opportunity to study how solar energy works through the solar panels. 

The district doesn’t know exactly when the system will be installed, but it will be as soon as possible.  Everything is currently in the works.

As a member of the Lake Havasu City community and planet earth, I like what the school board is doing.  It’s also a great educational opportunity for students to learn how important “going green” really is in this day and time.

Realtor® Liz Miller  ~  Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City