Blog
Latest NewsN. 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. Due to his love of animals and military history, he also frequently writes about dogs, cats and horses that have played a role in military conflicts. Subscribe to his blog now!
4 Reasons to Buy a Phoenix Area Home Now.
1. The price is right. Although overall median prices have risen, most of that increase is at the low end, and not in higher priced areas such as Scottsdale or Paradise Valley. 2. It's cheaper to buy than rent in the Phoenix metro area, and in nearly every other...
There’s lots of Water in the Desert
Realtor.com® analyzed medium to large cities for the highest percentage of backyard pools. Six metro Phoenix area cities are in the top 10: 2. Scottsdale, Ariz.: 62% 3. Tempe, Ariz.: 46% 4. Chandler, Ariz.: 40% 5. Glendale, Ariz.: 37% 6. Gilbert, Ariz.: 37% 9....
Jumbo mortgages booming.
The volume of jumbo mortgages (loans above $417,000 in most places and $625,000 in high-priced areas) reached an estimated $160 billion in the first six months of 2015 – 36% higher than a year ago, according to Inside Mortgage Finance. Jumbo mortgages comprised about...
Chinese Buyers and Lucky Numbers
When purchasing homes, Chinese buyers may make decisions with numbers in mind. One number with significance to the Chinese is the number 8, which is believed to be a lucky number associated with prosperity and wealth. Condos or homes with the number 8 in them, and...
Condo Construction Craters
Condo construction nationwide in the 1st quarter comprised only 5.5% of multifamily housing — the lowest ratio since the Commerce Department began tracking this data in 1974. Historically, condo construction averages around 24%. In the metro Phoenix area in 2014, the...
The “MINT” Countries.
The emerging markets of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa were identified some years ago as having economies to watch. They were coined the “BRICS”. The next countries to get that kind of name were Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey, shortened to...