Jole and Dina Pioro

...or "How To Avoid the 3 S's of Arizona". Yep, snakes, scorpions and spiders. As you are looking around for your new home, you may want to take into consideration the 3 S's. Keep in mind, these critters can be anywhere given our proximity to the desert and some areas have more. Where we live, we tend to run in to all three from time to time and had I been more aware of their presence, I may have thought twice about living here. However, I really love it here, so we take a few steps to keep them away.

1. Be regular about your pest control service. They can't do much for snakes and scorpions, but they can help keep the spider and other bugs I have never seen before away.

2. I have been told that diatomaceous earth helps repel scorpions. Also, make sure your house is properly sealed.

3. Get a snake repellant. We have used Dr. T's, at the suggestion of a friend, and haven't seen one since.

As a native of Arizona, I wouldn't think of living anywhere else. So if loving it here means putting up with the 3 S's, I'll do it.

Happy Home Hunting!

As we have mentioned before, Jole and I are asked pretty often about homeowners losing their homes. Sometimes when we are talking with a homeowner, they will say "well, my neighbor let their house get foreclosed on and they are ok". That's what the neighbor will tell you, of course, but what they fail to mention is this...

The 5 Reasons to Avoid Foreclosure

1. They will always have to disclose that they had a foreclosure on any future mortgage applications.

2. Their credit score will drop 300+ points. It can take years to rebuild their credit, so financing a car is pretty much out of the picture.

3. The "FORECLOSURE" will always be on their credit report.

4. If they have any type of security clearance, for military or government, they may be at risk of losing it.

5. Most employers run credit checks on potential employees. A foreclosure could hurt their chances at getting that job.

Their is help available. Call a Realtor today if you are having trouble with your house payments.

So you just read our "Going, Going, Gone" post and you are thinking, "That's horrible. I don't want that to happen to me". Here's how to avoid losing the house of your dreams...

1. Go to your lender - find out what you are qualified for. While it is super fun to go looking at houses all day, you don't want to fall in love with something you can't afford.

2. Find a Realtor - if you already know someone, that's great, you're one step ahead. If not, do a little homework on someone you may have heard of and think you want to work with. Don't be afraid to "interview" your potential Realtor. Buying a home is a very emotional experience so you want to work with someone you are compatible with.

3. Do you own research - your Realtor can give you plenty of homes to look at in your price range, but are they REALLY what you want? Things to think about: how many bedrooms and bathrooms, one store or two or more, swimming pool, basement, lot size. I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

If you are thinking of buying a home in the Phoenix Metro Area, give us a call, we would be happy to be interviewed. Happy Hunting!

In case you were waiting for another price drop on our listing in El Mirage, you waited too long and the property received an offer that was accepted. But don't worry, we will have another one for you soon.

Something to keep in mind while you are house hunting...properties move pretty quick around here, so if you see something you like, get your Realtor on it right away. It may just slip away while you are thinking about it.

Recently, Jole and I have been getting one specific Real Estate question that I think may need some attention. The question is, "I got a letter from my lender saying that my house is going up for auction. What do I do now?" Well, there is really not much you can do at this point, but what we really need to do is stop this from happening.

If you are having trouble making your house payments, please find someone to help you. Talk with your lender, consult an attorney, there are many who will recommend what course of action to take, for a reasonable price. And contact a Realtor if the attorney has advised you to short sale your home.

Did you know that if you short sale your home, your chances of being able to buy another home within a couple of years are good if you keep your credit score up. But, if you let it get foreclosed on, the time that it will take to be able to buy another one will be significantly increased.

As licensed Real Estate Agents in Glendale, Arizona, we will not Short Sale a home unless the owner has consulted with an attorney. We can give you a name and number of an attorney who charges less than $100 for this service. Any Realtor that does not advise you to consult an attorney is not looking out for your best interest.