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.
How Much Mortgage You Can Afford?
Here are four general rules of mortgage affordability you can use to help you determine how much debt you can handle when buying a home. What is your Income? You can typically afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. So if you earn $100,000,...
More Home Showing Offenses.
Want more stories of offenses encountered by buyer's agents when showing homes? Here are a few more things sellers have done wrong. Cleanliness and clutter are consistently in the top 10 offences. Dirty laundry piles, dishes on the counter or sink, unmade beds,...
Dual Agency Disadvantages Still Hidden.
I've written many times about how Dual Agency isn't good for you. I’ve also commented on how the Arizona Association of Realtors, the Realtor Code of Ethics, and the Arizona Department of Real Estate doesn't prohibit this anti-consumer practice. Dual agency is where...
Top Home Showing Offenses, Part 1.
Around this time last year I wrote “Dead Men don't Tell Tales (Part II)”, a blog about gruesome surprises found in homes that real estate agents were showing. Here are some more home seller no-nos for you. Home owners. One of the top offenses cited by buyer's agents...
Tim Hortons coming to Arizona?
Donut lovers rejoice. Canada’s Tim Hortons plans to continue its expansion in the U.S. Don’t know about the Tim Hortons restaurant chain, or who Tim Horton was? Tim Horton was a defense-man for the hometown Maple Leafs when I was a boy. I adopted his uniform number...
Foreign Interest in Arizona Property Remains Strong.
The total dollar volume of the sale U.S. real estate to foreign buyers were estimated at $68.2 billion, according to the National Association of Realtors® 2013 Profile of International Home Buying Activity. As reported in my previous two articles on the 2012 Profile...
More Home Preparation Tips.
Last year I gave five important home preparation tips. I emphasize those again, with a twist, because they are worth repeating. But this time I’ve added a couple more to help you prepare for your next listing and sale. Paint. Exterior for critical curb appeal when...
Don’t Overpay for Title Insurance.
When buying a home or refinancing your existing mortgage, you should ask whether you are entitled to a title insurance discount. Reduced premiums are often available, yet usually are not volunteered or offered. When considering how much that insurance can cost, it...
What is The Effect of Smoking in Homes?
It’s no secret that unpleasant smells turn off potential buyers. One of those smells comes from smoking. It can be barely noticeable or overwhelming. When it is obvious, my experience is that buyers always notice and comment on it. But what effect exactly does it...