Phoenix, AZ

Ahwatukee Foothills Homes for Sale - Homes in Ahwatukee Foothills

11-07-09

Dawn and Al Hughes: Real Estate Agent in Ahwatukee, AZ

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Office: (602) 214-5621

Mobile: (602) 743-1650

Al & I are thrilled to announce our newest website feature that provides a broad array of information about Ahwatukee Foothills. The site offers Ahwatukee homes for sale, Ahwatukee Foothills real estate, & a specific search option for other Ahwatukee real estate including short sales and foreclosures. If you've searched for homes in Ahwatukee previously and want to have better control over what you preview & updates on MLS listings & price changes, you can register on our web page & begin receiving automatic updates per your specifications & preferences. We will not contact you unless requested to do so.

A little about Al & Dawn at Solutions Real Estate - We've represented buyers and sellers throughout the valley, specializing in new home sales, golf course properties, & second/vacation homes. We have an awesome administrative staff to help ensure our clients achieve a seamless transaction from beginning to end.....because there's no place like home in ARIZONA.

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Thinking of Becoming a REALTOR? You're Starting a Business!

11-06-09

Anna "Banana" Kruchten Broker - Owner

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Office: (602) 595-8900

Thinking of Becoming a REALTOR? You're Starting a Business!

Earlier this week, I wrote a post about all the considerations for anyone new to the real estate business. The single point that received the most feedback and attention had to do with the expenses related to getting started in the business.

Many brand new real estate agents are completely unaware of the costs of hanging out that REALTOR shingle. Regardless of how big/good/well-qualified a broker you sign on with, the fact is that starting in the real estate business means, effectively that you are starting your own business! So in order to do it successfully, you must plan for all the costs involved.

The following is a detailed - but not exhaustive - list of the expenses any new agent can expect to incur:

Real estate school
Testing
Licensing fees
Fingerprinting (even if you have been fingerprinted in the past)
MLS setup fees
Necessary computer hardware and software
Local and national industry organization fees
Web design/maintenance/SEO
Database management
Graphic design
Blog platform
Offline advertising
Business cards, postcards, flyers, car decals
For Sale & Open House Signs
Office rental fees
Phone/long-distance service
Support staff
Automobile upkeep, insurance, and fuel
Transaction fees
Networking and business development
Continuing education

In short, this is not a job to undertake lightly. You want to make sure you've budgeted appropriately, and that you are fully committed to the investment in your success. An unfortunate number of promising real estate careers die a quick death for lack of proper planning and cash flow.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I've been in the real estate industry for a long, long time and I'm happy to share all I know to make your entry into the industry as easy as possible. And, of course, if you're starting your career in Phoenix, make an appointment to come see me in person!

Anna Banana

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Do you live in the Phoenix, Arizona area? Are you thinking about making a change in real estate companies? Give me a call at 602-595-8900 or e-mail me.

Let's talk about your marketing strategies - and how you can better teach others to refer business to you.

PhoenixPropertyShoppe.com

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Tax Credit Extension Is GREAT News for Phoenix Move-Up Buyers

11-06-09

Anna "Banana" Kruchten Broker - Owner

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Office: (602) 595-8900

Tax Credit Extension Is GREAT News for Phoenix Move-Up Buyers

As you may have heard, President Obama this morning signed an extension of the first-time homebuyers' $8,000 tax credit, with an added credit of $6,500 for move-up buyers. The extension and Obama signs homebuyer tax credit extension new credit apply to home purchases occurring between today (November 6, 2009) and April 30, 2010. Purchases signed by the April 30 deadline have until July 1, 2010 to close. And military personnel serving abroad have an extra year, with their tax credit set to expire June 30, 2011.

First-Time Buyers' Credit

Must purchase a home between November 6, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
Must not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.
Applies to primary residences, including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops. Vacation homes do NOT qualify for the tax credit.
The maximum allowable credit is 10 percent of the purchase price, up to $8,000. The total amount is determined based upon two factors: the purchase price of the home and the buyers' income.
Income limits have been increased with the extension. They are now up to $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples. Lesser credits are available for singles earning up to $145,000 and married couples earning up to $245,000.
Whereas there was previously no limit on the purchase price, this extension caps the allowable purchase price of the property at $800,000.

Move-Up Buyers' Credit

Must purchase a home between November 6, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
Must have used the home they are selling as their primary residence for at least 5 consecutive years.
Applies to primary residences, including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops. Vacation homes do NOT qualify for the tax credit.
The maximum allowable credit is $6,500, the total amount of which is determined based upon two factors: the purchase price of the home and the buyers' income.
Income limits are up to $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples. Lesser credits are available for singles earning up to $145,000 and married couples earning up to $245,000.
The allowable purchase price of the property is capped at $800,000.

What this means for Phoenix buyers

Many, many first-time buyers in Phoenix have taken advantage of the $8,000 tax credit since it was passed in February of this year. People who might not otherwise have jumped into the market decided to buy a first home because of this fantastic benefit.

Now, it's Phoenix move-up buyers' turn! We continue to see excellent buys for existing homeowners looking to purchase homes in the $300K to $800K range. The values and options, coupled with the new tax credit, make this the perfect climate for move-up buyers. If you're an existing homeowner in Phoenix who's looking to move up, now is the time to get in the game. Start your search here - and give me a call at 602-595-8900. Phoenix Property Shoppe will make your move-up experience simple, stress-free, and enjoyable.

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Thinking of buying or selling a home in the Phoenix area - or know someone who is? This is the PERFECT time to think about moving up to the next home of your dreams!

Find out how we can help make the buying or selling process simple, stress-free, and enjoyable. Feel free to contact me by phone 602-595-8900 or email me.

Search here for homes in the Phoenix area.

You can also visit our website for more information on Phoenix and the surrounding areas.

Phoenix Property Shoppe

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Marketing Opportunities: Homebuyer Tax Credit

11-06-09

TED CANTO, - Loan Officer

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Office: (888) 724-7402

Mobile: (480) 650-8602
Secondary: (480) 344-3671

There is a lot of speculation about how, when and who the "NEW" Homebuyer Tax Credit affects. We should be very clear in our information and learn how to effectively make the most of the opportunity. If you are serious about building your database and business. It is time to get your butts up and do something about it.

The 90/10 Rule will apply!

What side of that equation will you be?
How to make the most of this?

Well, If I'm a REALTOR and I'm not (but I am going to do this anyway). I would call the best marketing rep from a title company or Loan Officer (hopefully me) and request a list of homeowners that purchased in 2004 or before. Then I am going to send them flyers, newsletters, bulletin, etc to tell them that they can upgrade and/or keep their property as an investment or not and move to a better home while obtaining $6,500 as a tax credit. I am also going to get on the internet and work out a massive Social Media campaign to get the buyers (and likley sellers) calling me!!

Don't take my advice, I am just speaking out loud of what I am going to do!

What you need to know!

The $8,000 homebuyer tax credit for first-time buyers, due to expire in 25 days, will be extended through April 30 of next year and buyers will have an additional two months, until the end of June, to close. First-time buyers who are in the process of making a purchase will no longer need to worry about qualifying for the $8,000 credit if they close after the November 30 deadline. The new legislation increases the income limit for couples with income up to $225,000, a nearly $55,000 increase above the level in existing law.

For the first time, the new legislation makes buyers who already own a home eligible for a credit. A $6,500 maximum credit will be available to existing homeowners who have lived in their current residence for five of the prior eight years. The legislation limits eligibility for the existing homeowner credit to homes worth $800,000 or less.

The legislation takes effect December 1 and is not retroactive. Both credits are available only for primary residences, not second homes or investment properties.

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Invite your Business Partners to ActiveRain!

11-05-09

Ken Speer

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Office: (602) 595-8900

Mobile: (602) 717-2873

Invite your Business Partners to ActiveRain!

What a fun evening we had last night with the ribbon cutting for the opening of the "PHOENIX PROPERTY SHOPPE!" Lots of friends, clients, business partners and chamber of commerce folks stopped by to help us celebrate. Also had some really great snacks, beverages and for those who stayed a bit longer, yes, you guessed, DOOR PRIZES. Congrats to the winners.

I want focus for a moment however on the conversations and relationships which were enhanced throughout the evening. I was surprised by the number of our business partners who were unaware of ActiveRain. Obviously, I haven't been raining enough on them. The great news is that several were interested in learning more! That's fantastic. Not only are we building our relationships with them, we are opening new doors to other resources for them and ourselves.

I hope all of you are talking with your industry and business partners as well. Ask them specifically if they are aware of ActiveRain. If not, what an opportunity for you and for them.

Ok, enough pep talk. Get out there and Invite your Business Partners to ActiveRain!

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