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.
Dobermans in Action in the Pacific.
Part 1. Although Doberman Pinchers were the Marines first choice, they proved to be unsuitable as a combat dog in WWII. Their replacement had to do with Dobermans not being fierce and fearless enough in combat. But in some situations they did prove useful. In 1944 Jim...
Can a Buyer Assign its Rights?
What if you sign a contract to buy a home but then don’t want to, or can’t, close? Can you designate someone to take over the sale for you? Under ordinary principles of contract law, every contract is assignable unless prohibited, so you should be able to. Some...
Are you Getting Less Home Insurance for More?
In the last few years home owners’ insurance has covered less while costing more. Large losses due to hurricanes and floods nationally have led insurers to impose limits on what losses will be paid. For example, restricting coverage on plumbing leaks or damage to...
Preparing For Your Move, Part 2.
Get an On-Site Estimate. The cost of a move is primarily determined by three factors: distance, weight, and extra services rendered. To get an accurate number, The Move Advocate strongly urges transferees to obtain an on-site survey. Having the mover come to your home...
Condo Sales Soar.
New condo sales in the Phoenix metro area were up 57% last year over 2016, setting a yearly record. Resales were also up 12%. This reflects the popularity of this style of housing choice and the affordability of condos - as increases in value of single family homes...
A Yorkie in WWII.
My latest entry about pets in wartime is about Smoky, a 4 pound female Yorkshire Terrier. She became a war hero and has six memorials honoring her nationally. Smoky was found in the South Pacific in February 1944, sitting in an abandoned Japanese foxhole in the New...
What is Staging? Part 3.
Will a staged home sell for more money? A staged home in this context is the use of furniture and decorative items supplied by the stager - usually on a multi-room basis (and the removal of existing furniture and decorative items if necessary). Time and money has been...
Is Your Home Grandfathered?
About 69,000 Arizona Public Service solar customers are grandfathered in a favorable net metering rate plan (as more money is paid for the electricity that is sold back to the utility) that lasts 20 years from installation. This status is transferrable to new owners...
Don’t Forget New Homes.
RL Brown Housing Reports has calculated the average new home closing price in January at $407,736. That means new home prices in the Phoenix metro area have rose only by an average of $5,000 over the last 12 months - while resale homes have increased around $30,000...