Vail, AZ

Preconceived Notions About "Discount" Brokerages

I admit it, there's a little corner in my mind that was worrying when my clients wanted to submit an offer on a REO listing, listed by Help-U-Sell.

I've worked for Tierra Antigua Realty for over 6 years now, and I've been very happy with the rapport, feeling of team, education, and support my brokerage has shown me. I've worked enough transactions during those years to know that all brokerages are not equal, and not all agents put the same amount of effort into communication and follow-through.

So, like I said, starting out the transaction I was just a little bit nervous.

My clients submitted their offer on July 16, 2011. I gave them my usual spheel about needing a sense of humor when working with REO properties, being prepared to wait, highest and best offer scenarios, and all the other items I touch upon when working with these sorts of transactions. In my experience, some of them go off without a hitch...and then there are the truly memorable ones.

Little did I know that my clients and I were about to open our own long-version Memory Book with this particular contract.

First there was the highest and best scenario, which my clients happened to "win" based on area comps and knowledge of homes in the area. Then came the wait for the REO addenda and counter-signed contract. Escrow finally opened with the fully executed contract on August 6, 2011. You can bet that my emails got considerably less patient as I waited for documentation securing my clients as the buyers during this three-week period. I naturally assumed it had much to do with discount service brokerage hours.

Well, without writing a novella here, I'll skip to the ending, the closing, on October 26 2011. The jist of the situation was that the original transfer of ownership involved a Deed In Lieu back to the VA, which was incorrectly signed by a third party handler through Chase Bank. Without proper recording, Chase re-sold the property to my clients and AS THEY WERE SIGNING closing docs on September 8, we got the call that they needed a two week extension because the property wasn't clear to sell..

Here's where the broker of Help-U-Sell really came through. Veronica Scott, broker at Help-U-Sell in Rita Ranch, Tucson, AZ worked her butt off. Phone calls, emails, visits to Phoenix, more phone calls, more emails -- constantly and daily keeping the finance officer and myself in the loop. When she didn't get communication from one staffer at Chase, she went above their head to a higher authority. Each time she received emails mentioning another name, she emailed ALL to keep the information coming. In short, she lit a fire under Chase until the VP of Chase REO got involved.

Talk about diligence, customer relations, and communications. Veronica actually forward email trails between parties to show "transparency" in the transaction. On October 17 she sent an email hoping for a "miracle", and on the 19th, out of the blue, the transaction was cleared to close. She shared with us her personal interpretation of the words, "Help You Sell": " I want all to know that we are called HELP U SELL for a reason the emphasis is on the Help - we all want to work together to get this done for your client! "

My clients had chosen October 22 as the last possible day they would allow another time extension, as they had been without a permanent home since flying in from Germany on Fourth of July weekend, the wife was expecting TWINS, almost all of their belongings were in storage, their dogs were in temporary care and separated from them for all of this while, and the husband had taken the last "leave" in order to close and move, that the Airforce was willing to extend. (he took three)

Hal Timinsky, Senior Mortgage Advisor at Fairway Mortgage, also worked tireless hours, and managed to have closing docs within 48 hours of the surprise news from Chase.

More snafus ensued until the actual closing on October 26th, but the good news is, my military clients relocating from Germany are in their new home, unpacked and eagerly planning for their two little girls to join them early spring.

Good things come to those who wait, I guess. I can wait for another REO transaction like this one, but I will always remember the diligence of Veronica Scott at Help-U-Sell, and I'll not be generalizing brokerages ever again. This brokerage was simply priceless.

Del Webb at Rancho Del Lago in Vail, Arizona is an age-restricted 50+ community offering attractively priced ranch homes from the mid $100’s. The community was originally started by K. Hovnanian in 2008 and was purchased by Del Webb in 2009. The location, just 20 miles southeast of Tucson, attracts residents in search of a private location away from the larger crowds.

This particular community features Del Webb’s newest home designs built with the latest green features. A solar energy system is included in every home at Rancho Del Lago as well as over 20 energy saving features. Del Webb’s commitment to offering environmentally friendly features passes on savings to homeowners in their monthly energy bills as well as in potential tax credits. With attractive pricing from the mid $100’s to the low $300’s for these unique energy-efficient homes, it’s easy to see what makes community such a wonderful value.

Del Webb Rancho Del Lago is planned for 522 homes upon completion. Buyers today can select from resale homes or new construction options. The green built homes are available as new construction. In total there are 12 single family floor plans throughout the community sized from 1,200 to over 2,800 square feet. All of the homes feature at least two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage with larger floor plans including additional rooms.

Residents appreciate the privacy of this gated Arizona active adult community. Set within the larger master-planned community of Rancho Del Lago, residents of the age-restricted Del Webb community enjoy exclusive access to the wonderful Del Webb amenities plus all of the amenities in the larger Rancho Del Lago community which include an 18-hole golf course, nine lakes and miles of trails for walking and biking. The private Del Webb clubhouse features 14,000 square feet of fun. There is a state-of-the-art fitness center, aerobics and dance studio, arts and crafts studio, demonstration kitchen, grand ballroom and even an Internet café. Outdoor features include two swimming pools, sports courts, an event lawn plus an 18-hole putting green.

With so many recreational amenities it’s easy to keep busy and meet new people. With the help of the full-time activities director, residents enjoy a vibrant social calendar and wonderful activities. There are numerous options to join special interest clubs, attend classes and daytrips, participate in seminars, volunteer, play sports, exercise and more. Residents are encouraged to make the most of the world-class amenities and enjoy as many activities as they’d like at this popular Del Webb community.

For more information and photos of this and other AZ active adult retirement communitiesplease visit 55Places.com. To stay in touch with us please join our Facebook page by clicking the Facebook link below.

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SAHBA Home & Patio Spring Show, 2011 - Things to Do in Tucson, AZ

This weekend, the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA) is having its Spring Home Show. I almost always go. It's huge, it's fun, it's informative...

A few tips:

• Get the coupons out of the paper or check online! Circle K has discount coupons as well. A penny saved is a penny earned, or as I say; "That much more to spend AT the show!" Regular admission is $8, but Friday folks 50 and up can get in for half price. Also, there's a military discount every day. Children under 13 are free!
• Wear your best, comfortable shoes. There is walking - a LOT of it!
• Remember you can view a home show however you wish - there are shows, entertainment, raffles, shopping, vendors - see as much or as little - or spend the day!
• Yes, I have purchased the Sham Wow(ish) sponge cloth stuff. I have purchased the 600 count bed sheets for $20. I have eaten the flavored ices...

So here's a few more details.

SAHBA brings to Tucson the latest in home trends - trends in the past like Re-bath, water harvesting, stamped concrete, solar energy, hand-painted sink bowls....you name it.

It also highlights outdoor recreation and living in your own back yard, and remodeling ideas.

Here's a nutshell of product/information availability: pools, spas, water treatment, driveways, storage, garages, remodeling for the bathroom and kitchen, window treatments, screens, food storage and preparation, cleaning tips, maintenance tips, cooking shows and utensils, household items, art, crafts, health care, personal care, candles, pet care and items, sheets...

As I said, something for everyone - under one roof!

What makes it really fun is that there are shows and entertainment, food and drink to turn your "shopping" and "Idea-storming" event into an adventure. Bring the kids along! There's going to be self defense classes, a dance troupe, face painting, home care demos, a mural artist, recycled art, a fashion show, home safety demos and energy presentations. There's a full description and time schedule on the SAHBA website, including admittance coupons.

The show begins Friday, April 8 at 10 a.m. and runs through the weekend, beginning at 10 a.m. every day. Go do a little dreaming, a little planning, and have a LOT of fun.

Just 20 miles southeast of Tucson in Vail, Arizona sets Del Webb Rancho Del Lago community boasting fabulous amenities in a small-scale community atmosphere. With just 522 homes, Rancho Del Lago Del Webb is an intimate community for adults age 50 and better. The community was originally opened in 2008 by K. Hovnanian as Four Seasons at Rancho Del Lago however in 2009 the community was sold to Del Webb. Today interested home-shoppers will find a wonderful selection of new construction and resale homes to choose from attractively priced from the mid $100’s to the low $300’s.

The clubhouse at Rancho Del Lago was built by K. Hovnanian between 2008 and 2009. It features 14,000 square feet of luxury amenities ideal for fitness, socializing and hobbies. There is a state-of-the-art fitness center with an aerobics studio and dance studio, an arts and crafts studio, grand ballroom, demonstration kitchen and a trendy internet café. Outdoors there is an 18-hole putting green, two fantastic outdoor swimming pools, an event lawn and sports courts for bocce ball, tennis and pickleball. Other amenities include numerous lakes, miles of tails for walking and biking plus an 18-hole golf course.

This popular Arizona active adult community is part of the larger master planned Rancho Del Lago community which offers even more amenities in addition to the adults-only amenities within the Del Webb portion of the community. Del Webb residents enjoy a vibrant lifestyle thanks to the efforts of a full-time Lifestyle Director coordinating special events, daytrips, hobby groups and more. There are a wide variety of special interest clubs to discover centered around fitness, crafts, hobbies, games, travel and more. The community also has a full-time Fitness Director on-staff coordinating a complete offering of fitness classes, personal training sessions and lessons in tennis, bocce and pickleball.

With just 522 homes, Rancho Del Lago Del Webb is a prestigious community in a stunning desert location. The serene landscape offers stunning views of the Rincon Mountains and lovely desert flora. Its intimate setting is ideal for residents in search of a private, gated community set in nature yet still close to everyday conveniences. There are 12 single family floor plans to choose from ranging in size from 1,200 square feet to over 2,800 square feet. Prices range from the mid $100’s to the low $300’s.

For more information and photos of this and other AZ active adult retirement communities please visit 55Places.com. To stay in touch with us please join our Facebook page by clicking the Facebook link below.

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Located just 20 miles southeast of Tucson in Vail, Arizona is the highly desirable new active adult community, Del Webb at Rancho Del Lago. This beautiful Tucson area active adult community is quickly emerging as a favorite retirement destination thanks to its ideal location, nicely appointed homes and world-class amenities.

Del Webb at Rancho Del Lago was originally opened in 2008 by K. Hovnanian. In 2009, Del Webb acquired the community and plans to complete the project with a mixture of Del Webb and K. Hovnanian floor plans. Del Webb at Rancho Del Lago is part of the much larger, family-friendly Rancho Del Lago master planned community. The age-restricted and gated Del Webb portion of the community offers wonderful amenities you’d come to except in an active adult community. As an added bonus, residents have access to the amenities of the larger Rancho Del Lago community as well.

The private community clubhouse for residents of Del Webb at Rancho Del Lago is a high-end facility of some 14,000 square feet. There is a state-of-the-art fitness center, aerobics & dance studio, ballrooms, arts & crafts studio, internet café and even a demonstration kitchen. There are also two outdoor swimming pools, an event lawn, tennis courts, bocce ball courts and a fabulous 18-hole putting green.

Being set within a much larger master-planned community allows residents of Del Webb at Rancho Del Lago the ability to enjoy miles of beautifully landscaped walking and biking trails, multiple lakes and even an 18-hole golf course. A full-time activites coordinator enhances the active lifestyle. There are numerous clubs and groups to join as well as special resident events.

This Arizona active adult community will have 522 upon completion. Today there are 12 single family floor plans to choose from ranging from 1,200 to over 2,800 square feet. Prices are very reasonable beginning in the mid $100’s and go up to the low $300’s. Being a smaller sized active adult AZ community gives the community a more private, elite feeling.

For more information and photos of this and other AZ active adult retirement communities please visit 55Places.com. To stay in touch with us please join our Facebook page by clicking the Facebook link below.

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