Blog
N. Mark Kramoltz, JD, GRI, CIPS writes blog articles on the metro Phoenix, Arizona, national and global real estate markets. Written from his perspective as a designated broker and real estate attorney, his articles avoid the inaccuracies and vacuous industry propaganda common to most real estate writings. He also blogs about animals (mostly dogs in the military) due to his love of pets and military history.
Reasons for and Solutions to Loan Rejection, Part 3.
Employment Issues. In my previous posts, I wrote that to get a loan, you need a down payment, and you need verifiable income and cash reserves in addition to your down payment. The verified income part typically means having a job. But a loan application can be turned...
The Cats that Saved Leningrad during WW2, Part 2.
The German blockade of Leningrad caused mass starvation in WW2. But a mother and daughter survived thanks to their cat Vaska. Every day, Vaska would go hunting and bring home a mouse, a bird or rat. The mother would make stew or goulash with the meat for her, her...
Do you Need to Disclose if you Pay Cash?
Beginning March 1, 2026, new federal reporting requirements aimed at combat money laundering in cash transactions were scheduled to take effect. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) reporting would be generally required for cash transfers of residential...
What Overseas Visitors are Coming to Arizona?
As set forth in Global Home Buying Recovering, global buyers are gradually returning to the U.S. Pre-Covid it was estimated that nearly 6 million international visitors annually came to Arizona. The 2025 numbers are estimated to be 5 million. So compared to past...
Scottsdale Ranks No. 1 for Jobs.
WalletHub analyzed 182 U.S. cities using 31 factors to determine the strength of local job markets - from job openings per applicant and employment growth, to the average starting salary each month. Scottsdale finished number one for jobs in 2025, in large part...
Can You Have a Horse? Part 3.
As to other Valley of the Sun cities, in Carefree you need 5 acres and you are allowed one horse per acre. In adjacent Cave Creek you only need two contiguous acres, and you can have five large animals per acre up to five acres. That works out to be 25 large animals...
Pay Less Property Taxes in Valley of the Sun.
According to a recent study by SmartAsset, homeowners in 13 Arizona cities pay 2% or less of their yearly income on property taxes. Several Valley of the Sun suburbs rank among the top 10 least expensive in property taxes out of nearly 350 American cities. In Tempe,...
Reasons for and Solutions to Loan Rejection, Part 2.
Debt-to-income ratio too high. Underwriting guidelines set maximum ratios of total debt payments to income. Debt payments include mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowners' insurance, mortgage insurance, and payments that extend beyond the next six months...
2025 Luxury Market Soars.
Phoenix metro sales volume in 2025 in the $1 million plus range increased about 14% over 2024, outperforming every other market segment. 2025 also recorded the highest number of $1 million plus sales in the past decade, even as total market sales stayed below the post...