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.
Earth Shaking Home Risks.
The U.S. Geological Survey says 16 states are at high risk for a damaging earthquake in the next 50 years. Sure California is on the list, but who would guess Arkansas is? Joining them are Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Idaho,...
Rin Tin Tin, Part 4.
The TV Show. Most people who are familiar with Rin Tin Tin know him from the 1950's television show. The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin was set in the old west and co-starred a young boy who shared the adventures. By then Rin TinTin III was too old for the role, so owner...
Haunted Home Stories for Halloween.
At Halloween in previous years, I have told stories of scary homes for sale (in Horrifying Home Stories for Halloween). But houses not on the market may be cursed too. Built in the mid-1800s, Ashton Villa is a mansion in Galveston, Texas said to be haunted by previous...
Trick or Treat? Haunted Homes.
Do some people like the idea of living in a haunted house? Nearly 60% of people who have lived in a haunted house didn't know it was haunted before they moved in, according to the Realtor.com 2019 Haunted Real Estate Report, But around 37% knew the home was haunted...
Attract Buyers to Your Listing, Part 1.
As I set forth in What Buyers Want, buyers want new or updated kitchens and bathrooms. But what if you can't afford a total or high end remodel? Here are some fixes: Change Counter Tops. Laminate can mimic the contemporary look of granite or quartz at a significant...
Foreign Trade and Business in Arizona.
International transactions are important to Arizona. Global trade means that foreign buyers are doing business here and buying homes in the Phoenix area. If you are in business here or are considering doing business in our state, useful information is in the NAR...
6 Questions to Ask Home Inspectors, Part 1.
Before you make your final buying or selling decision, have the home inspected by a professional. An inspection can alert you to potential problems with a property and allow you to structure a reasonable repair request. But before hiring one, ask a home inspector...
82% Jump in Phoenix Construction Starts.
Construction starts for commercial and multifamily dipped 22% nationally and in all but two of the top metro areas in the first half of the year Construction Dive reports. But in the Phoenix area starts were up 82%, according to Dodge Data and Analytics. Those...
Satan, the Messenger Dog.
How he got the name has been lost to history, but on the battlefield in WWI he was an angel. A French war dog, Satan was tasked with finding a lost group of soldiers during the battle of Verdun. Searching the battlefield he was shot twice but kept going until he...