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.
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...
Buying Still Cheaper than Renting
In 2011 I wrote about the advantage of buying a home over renting one. It was based on a report of the greater Phoenix area prepared by local analyst Fletcher Wilcox of Grand Canyon Title in 2010. It analyzed whether it was cheaper to pay rent or pay a mortgage on a...
Dead Men Don’t Tell Tales (Part I)
I wanted to pass along a story about gruesome surprises found in homes for sale. This one concerns a foreclosed home. In Dayton, Ohio last year a home had been foreclosed on and a contractor was hired to remove any remaining items the previous owner left behind....