Karen Turney-Phoenix Real Estate

This home sits in a Gated Community along the baseline corridor in Phoenix. Along with 5 bedrooms it offers three remodeled bathrooms.

Granite Counters in Kitchen and all Baths

Patterned neutral tile floors

Gourmet Kitchen with lots of Counterspace and Bar

Large lot sitting on a Greenbelt for privacy

Asking: $157,000

For more information or a private showing contact the agent: Karen Turney Homesmart-602-699-3151

MLS #4680024

Visit me at: Phoenix Desert Living for all things Phoenix and the surrounding areas

It's not that I want to confuse you but some questions have multiple answers

I try very hard to answer all of my clients questions, I encourage them, ask away, and then ask again! That's what a professional Realtor does. However not all questions can be answered the same each and every time.

Here are a few of the real estate questions that I was asked this week.

1. Is the market going to go down more? Well, yes in some areas and no in others. It depends on the area and the product you are purchasing. Let me run the stats from the last 6 months and see where it is trending. All real estate is local, what you hear on the national news is a picture of the whole, not just the area you are looking in.

2. Do I have to put lots of money into my home to sell it? That depends on what "lots" is, let's look at what is selling and make sure that we are competitive. Buyers desire functional homes with little work to be done. So if the roof is bad, you can put the money out to repair it or lower the price, the answer is yes or no, your choice. If you dont fix it and price it right, the buyer for that property may or may not be out there at this time, remember a large percentage of buyers today are first time buyers with no additional money for repairs.

3. I don't want to pay any closing costs and my lender says the seller will pay them. Possibly, but each home and contract negotiation is different. I will endeavor to negotiate the contract with the terms you want, but I can't answer for the seller. Lets write a contract that would allow the seller to consider your request.

4. Can I still get a property for 30K less than the asking price? My answer, how many contracts are you prepared to write? Most banks price their homes close to the price that the bank will accept and private sellers follow that theory. So if you want to see LOTS of houses and write LOTS of contracts and spend LOTS of time, and most importantly patience, lets go for it!

It's an interesting time for real estate, low prices and 50 year low interest rates. Each home and market area is unique. Every question is valuable, but they don't all have one set answer.

To ask any question and discuss individual needs and markets contact me at the link below:

Karen Turney/Homesmart/Phoenix Real Estate

visit me on Facebook at: Phoenix Desert Living

Oh help me! I'm showing Real Estate in Phoenix Arizona. The temperature is predicted to climb to 115 later this week. I carry water in the car and offer to stop for beverages, I've even carried 2 key fobs and left the car running while showing a home. I know its only a few months of this and then blissful weather for a long time. In fact the days of really unbearable weather are so few compared to other states. I find myself watching the weather channel in the winter, viewing Chicago, Boston and Michigan hoping to glimpse a family member out shoveling snow in a raging blizzard, just a fantasy. But here in Phoenix, this is one of THOSE weeks.

There is one thing however that is so very tempting, calls my name and even my clients want to do it. We are working hard looking for that perfect home, getting in and out of hot cars. We are going into scorching homes that feel like an oven, where even the bugs lay lifeless in the corners.

Those Pools! Shining ripples of cool water, light sprays of mist, slides and so many kinds of inventive waterfalls.

Last weekend after viewing 6 homes, I found myself, the couple I was with, and their 2 children standing like zombies at the edge of the pool just staring at the water. Some pools even have a large shallow step good for wading. I have had a few toe dippers, but mostly we just drool. If only we could all jump in.

Once, while showing a mom and her two boys in the summer we had just one more house to look at, but the boys were over it, we were verging on torture in their minds. My client suggested the boys play in the front yard while she quickly walked thru, they agreed. We did a quick run thru and peeked out to see the boys playing happily in the front yard....fountain. Wading and splashing one another. I envied them.

One of the hardest to resist. Popsicle anyone!

Looking for a home in Phoenix Arizona? Contact me. I'll bring the water! Karen Turney/Realty Executives

According to Business Week California leads the nation with our own Surprise Arizona coming in at number 8!! That should be welcomed news to the homeowners there who have taken quite a dip in home values. But, this doesnt mean that the values have gone up, just that the properties are being snatched up more quickly. One would hope that this increase would follow with some stability.

Surprise offers a great buy for the prospective buyer, with many homes of all types and sizes well under 200,000. To View a property in Surprise or any other Phoenix Metropolitan Area call me today.

Karen Turney/Realty Executives/602-999-2742/"It's A Good Move"

Recently I was talking with a previous client who wanted to list her home for sale and take advantage of the market prices now to downsize and buy a home. We began by looking at homes on the market to see if what she was looking for was on the market and available on the budget she wanted to spend.

After looking at about 20 homes it became apparent that we could indeed find the floorplan and the price range that suited her. Our disappointment came in the condition of the homes. Most of them are now REO or short sale properties in poor condition which will require extra cash at closing to make them livable.

Knowing that, it becomes hard for a seller to justify pouring money into their existing home to make it ready for sale.

We all know that a pristine property sells quickly, but lately it can sell at an REO price. My suggestion is to make your home as clean as possible, clutter free , freshen rooms by painting them and always make sure your yard is maintained.

So if you are selling your home:

I don't suggest spending lots of cash on your existing home anymore, instead I wait for an offer, the repair requests and weigh the advantages. In most cases an owner occupied home is in better condition to begin with.

In some areas of the Greater Phoenix Area, homes sell at 2001-2003 prices, that's pre pre pre-boom prices! Even if you keep your home in immaculate condition and it shows better than the competition you might have to keep reducing it to get a sale. So my advice is be cautious about your expenditures.

I know that some agents feel it has to be upgraded to the max, new carpet, etc... and yes that will make it sell and even command a better price. However, you might not come close to the dollars you spent getting it that way and do better selling it "as is" like most of the competition

To get more information about Greater Phoenix Area Homes, buying or selling a home contact me at:

Karen Turney/Realty Executives/602-999-2742/It's A Good Move"