Anna 'Banana' Kruchten - Phoenix Short Sale Broker,CRS 602-380-4886

Anna Banana's Phoenix Area Real Estate Blog & Fun Stuff!

I opened the Phoenix Property Shoppe in 2006 after many years in the real estate industry with a top local firm. About a year later the housing market crashed and there we were, big office, many agents and not much business being done.

I had to find a way to survive and thrive through this down time
and I had no idea of what that looked like - at least at first.

I had been through the savings and loan challenge in the late 80's but that was not even close to the market crash of 2008. After much studying and talking with experts, I hired an Internet coach. I absolutely KNEW that in order to create a long standing real estate business I needed to learn how to market on the Internet. It was clear to me that all business was headed toward marketing on the Internet and..... fast.

Active Rain became a huge part of my business building model. Little did I know when I first began blogging on Active Rain that I would learn at such a rapid rate on how to market on the Internet and, that I had the top experts in the real estate industry supporting me and coaching me along the way. What a stroke of luck for me! I'd like to call it genius but it wasn't - it was divine inspiration!

It was a steep hill that first year on Active Rain but it was by a long shot, the BEST business decision I made in 2008. As I write this update it is now 2012 and I'm alive, thriving and passionate about being a REALTOR^® more so than I've ever been before. I am grateful for the countless people in Active Rain Community that have helped and supported me this past 3 years. And - I'm having a blast teaching and training all those agents that are just beginning their Internet Road Trip. Life is Good!

Real Estate and Working with my Clients is my Passion!

I take my clients trust in me very seriously. I'm known for 'telling' it like it really is - not what somebody might think it should look like. This may sound tough, but in the long run if you want to sell or buy a home you need to know the real facts in order to make a wise investment.

If YOU want the truth....I'm the Real Estate Agent for You

Together, you and I will work as a team towards accomplishing your goal of selling or buying a home or purchasing investment properties. I know the 'team principle' inside and out from my over 24 years in the Arizona Real Estate Market. My clients come back to me year after year because they know I've got their best interests foremost and upfront.

Most of my business is by referral for a reason! My reputation which I've built over the last 24 years in real estate is extremely important to me and my clients.

What does my reputation mean to my clients? It means a guarantee that I will go above and beyond the call of duty for their family and friends that they refer to me. It means putting my clients' interests first, always. It means that I am there for my clients every step of the way. I ensure that every real estate transaction is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

This isn't always as easy as it used to be... With short sales and foreclosures flooding our Phoenix market it takes a great deal of expertise, knowledge and patience to navigate our current real estate market. I continually stay ahead of current changes - and trust me - changes happen week in and week out concerning distressed properties. That is why it is of utmost importance to hire an agent who really knows the market to work with you, whether selling or buying a home or investment properties.

The CRS symbol lets you know I am among the Top 4 percent of all Realtors^®with the Certified Residential Specialist designation, the highest designation awarded to professionals in the residential sales field. The designation recognizes professional accomplishments in both a high level of experience and education.

The CDPE symbol means I am a Certified Distresed Property Expert and I specialize in short sales and foreclosures. I provide comprehensive information on foreclosure avoidance options for homeowners. As most know, we are in the middle of the most challenging market - ever - and this certification is extremely beneficial to my clients facing difficult decisions in short selling their homes.

The e-PRO symbol tells you I know my way around the internet and how to market succesfully in today's online world. In fact - I teach internet marketing to both REALTORS and other businesses.

As a Graduate of the REALTOR^®Institute, I made a serious commitment (many years ago) to providing the highest level of professional services by pursuing a strong educational foundation. The GRI course is a series of 12, 1 or 2 day courses that provide an outstanding level of education and business building skills. My goal is to serve and protect my clients to the best of my ability.

The Women's Council of REALTORS® is a network of successful REALTORS® empowering women to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Through my influence as successful business professional, I effect positive change in the profession and in the broader community.

As a graduate and staff member of PSI Seminar and the Women's Leadership Seminars, I have done a great deal of work in the area of personal development. Each PSI seminar helps people achieve success in different aspects of life, from professional to health to financial to home life.

Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource Certified: I have extensive short sale and foreclosure knowledge and expertise.I have the expertise to qualify sellers for short sales, develop a complete short-sale package, negotiate with lenders.I am also a specialist at negotiating purchases for buyers wanting to buy a short sale or foreclosure. It is extremely important to have a foreclosure specialist guide you though this process.

The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) chose me as one of the 12 Masters of Real Estate. I am the Prospecting Master. The NAR staff spent two days with me in Phoenix going through my business model and business practices to create a teaching video for other agents nationwide. It was truly an honor to be chosen as a Master of Real Estate. Please watch the video below!

The Phoenix Market

• Are you ready to quit paying rent and watching your money go down the drain?
• Are you sick and tired of boring white walls and noisy neighbors?
• Do you have a desire to have a place you can call your own?
• Would you like to start building equity and having a tax write off?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions, it's time
for YOU to investigate your opportunity to buy your first home!

Prices have hit bottom in the Phoenix Metropolitan area and are beggining to go up slightly. Now is the optimal time for the Phoenix Area first-time homebuyer to purchase a home at a great price, with good terms and conditions. With interest rates being low it makes buying an affordable homes within reach. There are also some excellent loan programs available that allow a very low down payment, or almost no down payment. Yes that's right, almost no down payment, as long as you have good credit and a strong work history.

Great starter homes are available in the Phoenix market from $50,000 to $150,000, and with an FHA loan, you could go as high as $346,000. We have many homes on the market to choose from, so whatever your style, we can help you find and own your dream home!

I've been a real estate broker for more than 24 years, and I haven't seen prices and terms this low in at least 10 years. It's absolutely amazing to me. It is so rewarding to help first-time homebuyers through the process. Our goal is to keep buying your first home simple, easy, and stress-free. For so long, it was tough for first-time buyers to even think about getting into a home. They were simply priced out of the market. Not anymore! Now is the time for you to investigate your options.

If you want more information on buying your first home in the Phoenix market, click here to download my FREE eBook, 8 Secrets to Make Buying YOUR First Home EASY!

When it's time to sell, you must be confident that you've got every element in place for negotiating the best terms and highest price ... before you even list your home. The Phoenix real estate market is dynamic, and you want an experienced residential pro in your corner who can help you move your house as quickly and professionally as possible. Anna Banana is a professional full time broker you can count on to go above and beyond your expectations.

Forbes magazine recently selected Phoenix as one of the Top 10 cities in the country to invest in real estate. We have seen an increase in sales in many neighborhoods, especially those that are closer in town and nearer basic amenities. The outlying areas where people "drove to afford" have been the hardest hit of all the neighborhoods and the prices are very low.

When you are ready to sell your Phoenix Area home, I will be your advocate, guide, and fierce negotiator. I will work hard to make your transaction as smooth and stress-free as possible. Guaranteed!

1. Find the right representative. The experience and knowledge of a dedicated real estate professional can be priceless. A good Realtor^® forms a powerful team with his/her clients to ensure a smooth, successful, stress-free sale.
   
   
2. Determine your needs/wants for the sale and for your new home. Selling your primary residence can be tricky because you must simultaneously think about where you would like to buy. First, weigh your priorities - selling price is certainly important, but having a quick and efficient sale can often be a fair trade-off for a slightly lower offer. Talk to your agent and make sure you are both on the same page about your personal priorities. At the same time, you should be compiling a needs/wants list for the home you will buy. Chances are good you will have to act fairly quickly when your house sells, so any preparation you can do in advance will serve you well.
   
   
3. Prepare your house for showings. Unprepared homes can create sales disasters. Your home will never get as much attention from potential buyers as when it is first listed, so it's essential to clear clutter, clean, make repairs, and put your home's best foot forward. Don't "open for business" until your home is ready to be seen as favorably as possible.
   
   
4. Get the facts and statistics on your local market. Being realistic about your market is the key to a smooth sale. You can attempt to do it yourself and save a few thousand dollars, but there's no substitute for a professional real estate representative when it comes to local market knowledge.
   
   
5. List your home! Lots of photos and online exposure are the key to getting a good response for your listing. Anna' Banana' Kruchten knows her way around the internet - and that is where potential buyers are looking for homes - online. Now just "open" the house and sit back and wait for the buyers!
   

If you'd like a FREE market analysis of your neighborhood call me today and I'll email a market analsyis for your neighborhood. When you're ready, will meet at your home and discuss a listing strategy that works.

Although Arizona's nickname is the Grand Canyon State, we're probably best known for the sunny desert climate that gives the Phoenix area an average annual low of 59.3 and an average annual high of 85.9. As our nickname indicates, we are home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, as well as:

• A vibrant metropolitan culture in Phoenix, the fifth largest city in the country, and its surrounding areas
  
• Three world-renowned state universities and more than a dozen other high-quality advanced degree institutions
  
• Cactus League Baseball (15 of the 30 MLB teams train here each spring), as well as professional football, basketball, and hockey
  
  
• Tons of festivals, art, and culture, from Southwestern art to the Heard Museum to the Chinese Cultural Center
  
• A plethora of restaurants that feature cuisines from around the world
  
• 200+ golf courses that were designed by the game's legends, people like Robert Trent Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer
  
• New light rail system that runs through the heart of downtown
  
• A strong economic sector, focused around aerospace, electronics, and semiconductor manufacturing; printing and publishing; food processing; transportation and tourism; high-tech research and development; business services; back-office operations; agriculture and mining; building, construction and real estate; and government

Phoenix is ranked the 5^th largest city in the country. With great weather, affordable housing, a growing job market, all four professional sports, expanding arts and culture, close proximity to LA, San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, Albuquerque, and myriad recreational opportunities, many first-time visitors fall in love with Phoenix and decide to relocate to our gorgous city.

Having grown up and attended college in Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minnesota I love working with people who are relocating to Phoenix! I enjoy helping folks find the perfect home, neighborhood and lifestyle and it's my pleasure to introduce them to all that the Phoenix Metro Area has for them.

And if, by chance, you are Moving from Phoenix to another part of the state or country, I can refer you to a Realtor^® who will help make your move as smooth and easy as possible. I am part of the largest real estate community, Active Rain, and have personally met hundreds of agents across the nation and Canada. I will make sure your agent in your new city gives you excellent customer service - just like I do for all of my clients.

ABOUT METRO PHOENIX

Although many people refer to the entire Greater Phoenix area as simply "Phoenix," the City of Phoenix is the nexus of everything. One of the fastest growing cities in America, Phoenix recently achieved the status of the 5th largest in the country. Greater Phoenix includes about 23 cities and towns. Families represent 66 percent of the Phoenix population, with the median annual income running about $47,200. Almost 23 percent of the Phoenix population has at least one college degree.

High tech, aerospace, and service industries comprise the majority of industry in Phoenix. Major employers include Banner Health, Honeywell, Wells Fargo, and Target.

Phoenix is home to a number of higher education institutions, including Arizona State University Downtown, Phoenix Community College, Ottawa University, DeVry University, Grand Canyon University, Apollo College, Western International University, and others.

As you can imagine, there is LOTS to see and do in Phoenix! Some favorite attractions include the Arizona Science Center, Heard Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, Chase Field (home to the World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks), Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix Art Museum, Wrigley Mansion, and the Phoenix Symphony.

Please click the links below for further information
on any of the various areas within Greater Phoenix.

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Desert Ridge is a master planned community bordering North Phoenix and North Scottsdale. It is located south of Pinnacle Peak Road between Scottsdale Road and Cave Creek Road. Construction on the 5,700-acre community began in the late 1990s. Its communities include Desert Ridge Aviano and Fireside at Desert Ridge. The current Desert Ridge population is just over 6,000. Single-family homes in Desert Ridge start as low as $235,000; higher-end homes go for close to $1 million.

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Fountain Hills, a planned community of more than 19,000 residents, sits tucked into the foothills between Scottsdale and Mesa. Founded in 1970, the tiny town is bordered to the north by McDowell Mountain Park, to the south by the Salt River Indian Reservation, to the east by the Ft. McDowell Indian Reservation, and to the west by the McDowell Mountains. Homes in Fountain Hills begin around $150,000 and range upwards of $2 million. _______________

With a population of nearly 250,000, Glendale is Arizona's fourth largest city. This friendly community has a small-town feeling, the charm and character of its past as important as its growth and progress toward the future. Most Glendale residents are young, college-educated, married with children, and an average annual income of more than $53,000. Glendale homes run the gamut from newer, luxury estate homes to older houses, cozy bungalows, charming townhomes, planned communities, and many houses affordable to the first-time buyer. Prices start at about $50,000 and head northward of $3 million.

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Located in north Phoenix, Moon Valley is a small planned community that offers close access to the amenities of the metro area, while maintaining a quiet refuge away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Moon Valley is bordered to the north by Bell Road, to the south by the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, to the east by Cave Creek Road, and to the west by 19th Avenue. The Moon Valley Country Club offers a full range of family activities, in addition to a championship 18-hole golf course. Home prices in Moon Valley start at about $200,000 and range all the way to $3 million+.

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Northeast Phoenix, a family-friendly suburban area of the city, adjoins Scottsdale, Carefree and Cave Creek to the east, Anthem to the north, and Paradise Valley to the south. The Northeast Phoenix real estate market is diverse. Home prices range from around $85,000 to better than $2 million. Whether you're looking for a cozy condo, a modest single-family home, a winding estate, or something in between, you're sure to find the perfect home in this beautiful community.

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Northwest Phoenix is a suburban residential area that generally refers to the North Mountain, Deer Valley, Desert View, and Happy Valley areas. The median sale price for homes in Northwest Phoenix is $159,900.

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With a population of about 15,000 and covering a geographic area of 16.5 square miles, the town of Paradise Valley is zoned for one-acre lots with one house per lot. It showcases breathtaking views of the scenic Mummy and Camelback mountains. With one of the most exclusive zip codes in the entire country, Paradise Valley is home to twelve resorts and some of the best golf courses in the Valley. The median home price in Paradise Valley is $1.74 million, most of which are custom or semi-custom homes.

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Founded in the 1880s, Peoria is a suburban community located about 11 miles from Central Phoenix, named for after the hometown of families from Peoria, Illinois, who moved to the area to work the fertile land created by the Arizona Canal. One of its best-known attributes is the Peoria Sports Complex, Cactus League Spring Training home to the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners. Today, the city is home to some 85,000 residents and covers about 117 square miles northwest of Phoenix. _______________

Scottsdale, the "West's Most Western Town," has a population of about 236,000 and more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Scottsdale is loosely divided into several areas: South Scottsdale, Old Town Scottsdale, Civic Center/Fashion Square, Shea Corridor, and North Scottsdale. With a median age is 39, Scottsdale's resort lifestyle permeates beyond the world-famous hotels, as many of Scottsdale's housing developments feature first-rate golf courses, spas, recreational complexes, and the finest shopping anywhere. The city's architecture generally combines Mediterranean and Southwestern styles.

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Sun City is the largest master-planned retirement community in the world, with a population of 45,000. Friends and neighbors, the arts, physical fitness, and golf are key components of the active-adult lifestyle. As a retirement community, Sun City is age-restricted: one member of the household must be 55 or older, and no one under the age of 18 is permitted to live there. Sun City real estate options include single-family detached homes, condominiums, townhouses, and land lots. _______________

With a population of about 91,000, Surprise is bordered by one of Arizona's largest mountain preserves, and is situated in the stunning desert, adorned with mighty saguaros. Brimming with small-town friendliness, this quaint city is perhaps best known as the Spring Training home of the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers.

Arizona's sixth-largest city, with more than 176,000 residents, Tempe successfully blends the dynamic environment of a high-tech business center, the fun and excitement of a resort community, the warmth of a comfortable neighborhood, and the quaint appeal of a small-town college community. Tempe is home to Arizona State University, one of the three largest universities in the country, with an enrollment of 67,000 students. Many housing developments are centered around Tempe's extensive network of parks. The median income in Tempe is $47,700.

LINK to ARIZONA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Click on links below for Information about Phoenix and Arizona!

Accommodations

Arts & Attractions

Dining

Education & Higher Education

Golf

Jobs

Outdoor Activities

Pro Sports

Shopping

Transportation

Weather

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It's a fact of life these days ... the Phoenix Metro area was hit hard by the housing collaspe. 1 out of 5 families are underwater on the home. That is an astounding number none of us ever imagined seeing, ever.

SHORT SELLING YOUR PHOENIX AREA HOME

If you're a homeowner who is behind on your payments, lost your job, has had health issues making it hard to work, or your facing foreclosure, please call me sooner rather then later. Make the call, it's important

I may be able to help you find a way to stay in your home, or if that is not possible work with you to avoid foreclosure by short selling your home. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert that has helped many families through this difficult time.

I've been asked a lot of question about the difference between purchasing bank-owned properties vs. short-sale properties. The term "bank-owned" (also known as REO or Real-Estate Owned) refers to homes that have gone back to the bank after an unsuccessful foreclosure auction. Short sales are still owned by the seller, but they owe more on their homes than they are worth in the current market - what most folks know as 'underwater'.

Both bank-owned homes and short sales will allow you the opportunity to do a home inspection, upon which the sale is contingent. Bank-owned properties are normally sold in "AS IS" condition, so expect that the bank will make no repairs. Also, since the seller (the bank) has never lived in the home, they have no real knowledge of what may or may not be a problem situation with the property. It's the old "buyer beware" situation. This isn't to say there aren't some great deals to be bought in the Phoenix market ... there certainly are some great buys! Just be certain to hire an ASHI-certified home inspector and find out up front what your added expenses will likely be after you close on the home. In this circumstance, no surprises is a good thing.

With most short-sale properties, the seller has no money to do any repairs, so it puts the potential cost of repairs on the buyers' shoulders. On the positive side, the seller often has lived in the home or is still living there, and has full knowledge of the home's condition. The seller can tell you if the AC has been replaced or if there've been any plumbing problems, roof issues, etc. ALWAYS have a home inspection when purchasing a short sale property.

The biggest complaint both home sellers and home buyers have about short sales is the lenght of time it takes to complete the sale. Some banks have gotten their process down much better now and the quickest we've closed on a short sale is 65 days - BUT - don't count on that as the norm. Most short sales take between 4 to 8 months and could take longer depending on which bank it is and if there is more than one loan on the home.

I have assisted many buyers purchase both bank-owned homes and short sales. I know the process for both and can advise you along the way. It is critical to have an experienced real estate agent when buying a REO property or a short sale. Call me if you're considering purchasing either a bank-owned property or a short sale.

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