Gary and Shannon 's Blog

My regular readers will know that I am not a fan of government intervention. Rarely, if ever, does it result in a better product, good or service. Typically, it adds cost and bureaucracy. Having said all that, as a Realtor, it is also my job to stay abreast of any programs that might assist my cl...

A recent ethics investigation demonstrated a Phoenix area Realtor did not act in the best interests of his/her client.Recently, a Phoenix area buyer ran into a spot of bother with his Realtor. Obviously, the reporting named no names, so this anonymous story could occur to anyone, and is a tale wo...

Well, there's a headline I never thought I would write. But it's not what you think. As a Realtor, some of the worst homes we sometimes see, are bank-owned. In other words-Foreclosures. It never ceases to amaze me that some folks, admittedly a minority, think it is okay to vandalize the home they...

Short sales, along with foreclosures are a large part of the Phoenix area real estate market. Here are some tips to guide you through the minefield.The general consensus is that short sales, where the owner owes more than the home is worth and asks for debt forgiveness, are a good deal. I am here...

A rise in pending transactions bodes well for the future of real estate in the Phoenix metropolitan area.As we have noted in the past, the free-market, when it is allowed to operate always has and always will re-dress the housing market. You may not like the way in which it is achieved, but it wi...

Pricing your home to sell is always a main factor in marketing your home. The sagging Phoenix real estate market makes it vital.The old adage in selling real estate was always, "Location, location, location". While that still holds true to a large extent, there are other factors just as crucial, ...

A quick look at short sales vs. foreclosed properties, in the Phoenix metropolitan area real estate market. A short sale, as opposed to a fore-closed home, is neither good nor bad, in and of itself. The real question is whether the house you are attempting to buy is worth the price you will have ...

Over the weekend, a letter was published in the real estate section of the Arizona Republic regarding the cancellation of a listing. The seller, it seems, had reluctantly agreed to a 6 month listing, after the listing broker had verbally agreed to cancel at any time. Right there, you can see the ...

Freddie and Fannie try to make it easier for you to buy a home, not like it's been that hard in the last few years.Sometimes, here in Phoenix, and other parts of the nation, you will come across a home for sale in which you will be encouraged to use either "Homepath", or "Homesteps".Let's look at...

Free market principles at work as sales jump to meet drop in prices. I have said this before but it bears repeating. When the free market is allowed full rein, it will correct itself. Echoing a national trend reported recently, we discover that as prices tumble, in part due to the increase in for...