Paul Pastore

Real Estate Production, Data, and Market Trends Maricopa County, AZ

1) Wilson Mountain - If you like long, uphill, strenuous hikes with jaw dropping views after hiking 5.2 miles and gaining 2400 vertical feet and topping out at 7000 feet; this hike's for you! Park at Midgley bridge & follow the signs. Summer sun makes this extra challenging.

2) West Fork - If you like a flat, out & back hike(3 miles one way) that's shaded by towering canyon spires and lush vegetation along a babbling brook; this is the hike. I've done this hike several dozen times. It's ideal for kids.

3) Bear Mountain - There are no real bears. But its 2.8 miles one way with an 1100' elevation gain. Park at the base of Doe Mountain which is around the corner from Boynton canyon and the Cockscomb.

4) Doe Mountain - The easiest uphill hike (.8 miles) that gains 400' elevation that offers the best panoramic views of Sedona.

5) Airport Loop - On the way up the hill to the airport, park and follow the signs. This is a flat 2.7 mile loop that circles the landing strip. Great views of route 179 & 89A entrances to Sedona. The airport has a restaurant but the best breakfast place is the Coffee Pot restaurant.

6) A.B. Young - I love strenuous uphill climbs with fire towers at the top. Park at Bootlegger campground which is north of Slippery Slide state park. Cross the creek and begin hiking 1.6 miles on the switchbacks up 2000 vertical feet.

7) Huckabee - Park at Midgley bridge north of Downtown Sedona and follow the signs then rock cairns (small rock piles) across Oak Creek. The 2.9 mile hike ends at Schnebly Hill Road.

8) Twin Buttes - When you get to the top of this 1.5 mile climb you will be looking straight down at the famous scenic chapel. Glancing over the edge will cause your hamstrings to quiver. Take Morgan road off 179. Look for the saddle at the Devil's dining room sinkhole.

9) Chicken Point & Submarine Rock - While you are on the broken Arrow trail that's 1.2 miles, visit both scenic points. This is a great area for mountain bikes, hikes, and pink Jeep tours.

10) Boynton Canyon - This 2.4 mile hike is off 89A at the end of Dry Creek road. It starts at the Enchantment resort. Try the outdoor patio & the best margaritas in Arizona.

Most agents realize that a home properly price is half sold in any market. Some agents discover multiple offers even at the list price or higher in buyer’s markets if the price is right. But, it takes a ‘special’ property to receive multiple ‘lowball’ offers. I’m blessed with the opportunity to represent one of those ‘lowball’ magnet properties.

The property is in Mesa, Arizona. It was listed around Christmas in 2008. Little did I realize that this would be the gift that keeps on giving. In the past three months there have been dozens of showings and three ‘lowball’ written offers, plus several other ‘lowball’ letters of intent.

What sort of marketing magic does it take to attract numerous showings and ‘lowball’ offers in a market where many sellers are as lonely as the Maytag repairman? All the seller needs to do is make sure the property looks decrepit.

This past week, I showed the property to a lovely couple. As they approached the property from the front they glanced in each other’s eyes. That look said weeds and peeling paint form a strong first impression if you are looking for a haunted house.

The faded yellow front door did little to cheer up the dubious buyers. They could tell the floors were real wood by the rotted board that was not removed after the recent termite treatment. The ‘dust bunnies’ on the floor, and dead flies on the window sills were silently whispering, ‘lowball’.

Mrs. Buyer commented that the drapes reminded her of a “funeral parlor”. Seldom have I showed a property to a couple that used the word different so frequently. I could see the mental estimate for needed repairs race by the 100k mark. To my surprise, they decided to view other properties rather than join in the lowball line.

The showing feedback and listing agent has suggested that the seller needs to invest some money in the property. Good intentions, numerous painting estimates, prayers, a buried statue, and a positive attitude will not stop the laughs and multiple ‘lowball’ offers. Looking back, the nuns were right, God helps those who help themselves.

A savvy sage once said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”. In a competitive buyer’s market that is a price war & a beauty contest, sellers need to realize buyers horribilize house defects and avoid deferred maintenance rather than making any offer at all.

For example, I recently listed a large estate property in Mesa, Arizona that is situated in a good area on almost an acre lot. The seller was advised to paint the peeling fascia trim and front porch immediately to create a good first appearance. The executor declined the $4,000 paint job, but attracted several offers around $100,000 below the list price. The property remains unsold as the days on the market increase.

This past week I closed on a property where the seller was reluctant to spend a few thousand dollars prior to the listing for cosmetic repairs such as a broken arcadia door, pool light, etc. The seller who needed to sell due to a divorce did accept an offer that was $82,000 below their current appraisal.

It is seldom necessary or wise for sellers to make capital improvements prior to selling. But, it is very intelligent to make cosmetic repairs particularly those that can form a first impression for buyers. Broken doorbells, fading front doors, rusted door handles, and cracked windows are repair items that pay dividends.

Some agents employ a ‘smooth move’ approach. This includes pre-ordering an appraisal, termite inspection, and home inspection. All three items will cost a seller less than $1,000.This upfront investment is a lot less than the first price adjustment.

As the song says, there may be fifty ways to leave your lover. Buyers only need one reason to leave a property without making an offer. It’s much easier to invest a few hundred dollars in cosmetic repairs prior to listing, than throw tens of thousands of dollars at a buyer who is retreating from an ugly property inspection.

Top Ten Tips for Linkedin

1) Linkedin is a place where relationships matter. This is the company slogan of the largest network of online and business professionals.

2) Improve your search engine results and Google page rank by completing your profile (www.linkedin.com) and keeping it current.

3) Invite your peers, spheres, and contacts to connect with you.

4) Be proactive in making new connections and growing your network.

5) Search for, and join groups you have an affiliation with.

6) Expand the left navigation menu to see all options.

7) Send and solicit recommendations from first degree connections.

8) Use relevant applications such as Amazon book lists, Slide show, or Google presentations. Upload your listing presentation or menu of services.

9) Click ‘learn more about Linkedin applications' and watch the short Utube videos in the Linkedin learning center.

10) Read Linkedin for Dummies for all the details.