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.
What Lenders Look For.
Many buyers only focus on their credit rating when they are ready to buy a home. But when deciding whether to grant you a loan, lenders evaluate four things to make sure you can make the loan payments: Capacity - your current and future ability to pay back the loan,...
Build Wealth Thorough Home Ownership.
The net worth of a homeowner is on average over 44 times greater than that of a renter. One way to look at it is that home ownership works as a form of forced savings. Every time home owners pay their mortgage, they are contributing to their net worth by increasing...
Rags to Riches – A WWI Dog Story.
In a blackout darkened alley of Paris in 1917, an American soldier stumbled over what he thought was a pile of rags. It turned out to be a scruffy terrier, who decided to not to leave the soldier’s side, even when he went to the front. “Rags” assisted the soldier in...
10 Musts when Hiring a Contractor, Part 1.
1. Verify the Contractor is Licensed. Verify the contractor is licensed and has the correct license for your specific project by going to www.azroc.gov, and check to see if the contractor is in good standing and has any past complaints. 2. Three Bids. Ensure you don't...
How Title Insurance Works.
Title insurance is unique. Unlike other insurance options that require monthly premiums, title insurance is charged as a one-time fee. It is paid by the buyer at closing, and is approximately equal to .5% of the purchase price. Basically it protects you and your...
Insurance Coverage for Remodels, Part 1.
Are You Insured? Protect yourself during your next major remodel: 1. Make sure the contractor has insurance for not only injuries and property damage, but also negligent workmanship and injuries sustained on the job. Check also for workers' compensation and liability...
Can you Do a Short Term Rental in a HOA?
Arizona law states that a member of a HOA may use the member’s property as a rental property unless prohibited in the CC&Rs per A.R.S. §33-1806.01. Accordingly, unless the CC&Rs expressly restrict “vacation rentals,” “transient lodging” or “short-term...
How to Hold Title.
Typically, married couples in Arizona hold title as community property with right of survivorship. Following the death of one of the spouses, title will automatically pass to the surviving spouse, avoiding the necessity of a probate. An alternative is to place the...
Rents Keep Increasing.
The metro Phoenix area has the nation’s second-fastest growing apartment rental rates. Some renters may pay hundreds of dollars in higher rent over the next year, according to a new report from RentCafe. From September 2017 to September this year Phoenix had the...