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.
Chinese are the Number One Spenders.
Chinese visitors spend more in the U.S. than any other international traveler. The strong Chinese economy and the resulting increase in disposable income is one reason why. The creation of the 10 year visa in 2014 has also been a contributing factor, as it has allowed...
Decoding Sale and Loan Docs, Part 2.
First in the analysis of documents used in residential transactions are junk documents. The documents that fit in this category are non-negotiable or provide minimal or no useful information. Most are directed at borrowers, and are acknowledge that disclosures...
Paradise Valley Luxury Living at its Finest.
Our latest listing is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture, modern design and luxury. This completely remodeled one-of-a-kind, solid block home is just under 4,200 sq. ft. and has 4 bedrooms, 31/2 baths. The opened floor plan features a top-of-the-line gourmet...
Use the Right Plywood.
Did you know that plywood is not all the same? To pick the right sheet of plywood for your job, check how it is graded before you buy. Plywood sheets are designated by a pair of letters, which are the grades of each face, with the first being the exposed-face. If...
Decoding Sale and Loan Docs, Part 1.
There are a number of documents provided to buyer/borrowers and sellers in a residential transaction in Arizona that are received before, at, and after closing. They come from various parties involved in the sale. To determine which ones should you pay attention to...
A Saturated Luxury Condo Market.
Luxury Condos tend to take a longer time to sell, but the amount of South Florida inventory is out of control. According to Barrons.com, there are currently more condominiums being listed above $1 million than ever before, with over 55 months of supply. And it looks...
U.S. Real Estate a Good Deal.
U.S. housing markets are the most affordable in the world, at least according to a study of more than 300 metro housing markets in 9 countries conducted by the research group Demographia. Their researchers measured affordability by median home prices and household...
Paying Mortgages Are History.
It would seem that the payment of a mortgage is a relatively recent activity historically. But lending has a long history, and may be as old as writing. For example, there is evidence of lending in Mesopotamia for grain purchases as far back as 3000 B.C.E. As to real...
Scottsdale is in France.
The Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS® is showcasing Phoenix area real estate at the MIPIM Conference in Cannes, France this month. SAAR is one of a handful of Realtor organizations that is part of the USA pavilion, hosted by the National Association of...