Debora Nichols Realtor Anthem, Phoenix Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise,

Watch out for Rattlesnakes

Spring is just around the corner. This year it arrives on March 20th. So I guess that means technically it is still winter. But you couldn't tell it by our beautiful Sonoran Desert in Phoenix, Arizona weather.

We are not the only ones to enjoy the warmth of the sun. In fact this is the time of year that all the little critters start to come out of the holes and bask in the sun. I don't worry about most of the critters, but the Rattlesnakes, now that is a different story. Rattlesnakes like to lay in the sun in the early morning and late afternoon. It helps to warm up that cold blood. That is also the time that most of us like to take our walks.

If you enjoy hicking, walking and exploring our beatiful Sonoran Desert, then you need to keep your eyes open. Not just for you, but your pets as well. Dogs and outdoor cats seem to be very curious of these noisey little creatures. The sound of the rattle seems to really intrigue them. And that is where they get in trouble. If your best buddy comes home with a swollen face or paw, run them right to Vet. This could be a matter of life and death.

So if you are out walking in our beautiful Sonoran Desert in Phoenix, Arizon.... PLEASE Watch our for Rattlesnakes

You want my buyer to Pay what?

We were looking at homes in the North Scottsdale area. We found one that would work for my clients and they were excited to move forward. They asked me to run comps so we could discuss an offer price. But when running comps, things just didn't add up. So, I called the listing agent.

This will be a short sale but only the second will be shorted. They do not want to lower their price any more because they only want to short the second. As it is, they are going to have to bring money to the table for the second and they have worked out a deal where the lien will be released and transfer the lien and the balance of the loan to another property that the seller ownes. So, Does that mean my buyer pay more then market value? Just because the seller does not want to short the first? I don't think so.

It might be different if was only a ocuple thousand dollars, but this was $40,000 to $50,000 overpriced. Sorry Miss Listing Agent, but my client is not willing to pay more then market value.

So I ask again, You want my buyer to pay what?

In todays market where homes are selling for more than list price and with multiple offers, make sure you are working with an agent who is looking out for your best interest. Make sure you are working with a "Buyers Agent".

Pet Walk 2012 People Saving Pets

Pet Walk 2012 People Saving Pets is a movement that is Empowered by PetsMart. It is the largest animal fund raiser in the United States. Their mission is to create and support programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets.

One of many of their fund raising events is Pet Walk. Pet Walk 2012 People Saving Pets will take place this weekend February 19^th at the Tempe Town Lake. This event draws people and pets together in a healthy activity for a worthy cause...raising money to save the lives of homeless pets and finding homes for homeless pets. It's great for families, friends and pets alike. Above all, it's an event we all can feel good about being a part of.

Pet Walk 2012 People Saving Pets includes an adoption event, 5K and 1-mile walks and activities for children, adults and pets. And all proceeds benefit PetSmart Charities® and local animal-welfare agencies.

Imagine that…. Getting a little exercise, spending time with your pet and supporting a very worthy cause all while enjoying our beautiful Arizona weather. What could be better than that? I will be there supporting my favorite Charity, Boxer Luv Rescue. Will I see you there? Come out to the Pet Walk 2012 People Saving Pets event at the Tempe Town Lake.

If you live in another city, keep your eye’s open for a local Pet Walk, and walk to support your local charities.

Contact Zonies Agility Trial This Weekend

Do you know what Dog Agility is? Have you hear of it? Have you ever been to a trial and watch these amazing dogs do their stuff. They are incredible. Well it all starts with the dog owner that loves their dog so much that they want to spend time with them and teach them a job. That job is Agility. Dog agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. In its simplest form, an agility course consists of a set of standard obstacles laid out by a judge in a design of his or her own choosing in an area of a specified size. What is amazing is that Dogs run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles.Consequently the handler's controls are limited to voice, movement, and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the animal and coordination of the handler. There are different levels of competition. They are separated by levels of experience and size of the dog.

Contract Zonies is hosting its second Agility Trial for the 2011/2012 training year. This weekend February 4^th and 5^th at the Paradise valley park at 40^th St and Union Hills. 17642 North 40th Street Phoenix, AZ United States.

Come out for a wonderful day of Family fun. Learn about agility and if your game, we could sure use the volunteer help. The best seat in the house is inside the ring. We will put you to work setting poles and helping to build courses.

Come see what these amazing dogs can do.

New Law in Arizona effective January 1, 2012

There is a new Law in Arizona effective January 1, 2012. It is meant to address property owners who are renting out residential property but not properly classifying the residence as a rental with the appropriate County Assessor. With the next mailing of valuation notices to property owners [usually in February], there will be an affidavit attached requiring property owners to attest that they or a family member are occupying the property as their primary residence and to return the affidavit to the county. If the affidavit is not filed within 60 days, the property will be classified as a rental property and the property taxes could increase. This process will be repeated every other even-numbered year.

When a property is used as a rental, the county requires that this be reported so that the property can be properly classified and taxed at the proper rate. This isn’t new. However, many property owners either do not know this or choose to ignore it. The county has never been aggressive in ensuring compliance with this requirement. However, money is tight and revenue is needed and this is an already-in-place avenue to increase revenue. The new law and affidavit process, however, sets the property owner up for not only the tax increase but fines and possible legal action for not reporting properly.

So, please be alert to this change so you won't get hit with an unexpected tax increase by ignoring the affidavit. Investors should be alert to the stepped-up penalty for not classifying their rentals properly with the applicable county. This year effectively gives investors one last chance to properly report before auditors begin investigating. Investors should also be alerted to the requirement to be licensed and pay city sales taxes on their rentals. You can also expect cities to become more aggressive in collecting this sales tax For this New Law in Arizona.

If you have a property that is or has been a rental and you are not sure how it is classified, give me a call 602-769-9217, Ior email me will be happy to look it up for up.

Thanks for stopping by an dreading my blog: New Law in Arizona effective January 1, 2012