It is a sad day when the people are once again ignored. Despite the overwhelming number of Realtor's that do NOT agree with NAR raising their dues by 50% to support NAR's political agenda; NAR is not listening to its' members and raising dues. See partial article from Inman News here...
NAR to hike dues by $40
Board of directors approves 'Realtor Political Party Survival Initiative'
By Matt Carter, Monday, May 16, 2011.
Inman News™
The National Association of Realtors board of directors has approved a $40-a-year dues increase to boost political activities, despite polls showing members overwhelmingly opposed it, and warnings from local association executives that a dues increase would accelerate membership declines.
In march, NAR floated the idea of raising the national association's dues by 50 percent, from $80 to $120, in order to increase spending on political advocacy in light of last year's U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down restrictions on independent campaign expenditures by corporations.
An advisory group formed by NAR's then-president, Vicki Cox Golder, concluded in a November report that the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC would open the floodgates for independent campaign expenditures, requiring NAR to step up spending to maintain its voice.
The dues increase approved Saturday "will allow NAR to provide millions of dollars in additional support to state and local boards, which are facing a cadre of policy proposals that would restrict private property rights and drain homeowners' pocketbooks," NAR President Ron Phipps said in a statement.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Find Your Dream Home
What are the most important issues in finding your dream home?
1. Neighborhood: Finding which neighborhood you desire is tricky. You should consider your wants and needs. Do you have children and need to live within the boundaries of a specific school district? You might want a short commute, a neighborhood with historic homes, or homes that are near night life and restaurants.
2. Square footage: What size of home fits your needs? The average home in the United States is 2,195 square feet. Thirty years ago the average size was just 1,645. The trend has been for larger and larger homes, with special purpose spaces, such as exercise rooms, offices, studies, and media rooms. This trend is now receding.
3. Floor Plan: Architectural styles offer a wide range of choices! Open floor plans might appeal to you, with their great flow for entertaining. Or you may have a more traditional aesthetic, preferring cozy rooms. Think about how you live your life and what style best fits your needs.
4. Finishes: There are different grades of homes. Take your kitchen, for example. You can find a wide range of beautiful laminate counters, just as you can find a wide range of beautiful granite ones. These choices dramatically affect price. Think carefully about what you want in your dream home. Do you want stone floors or will ceramic suffice?
5. Amenities: Our homes extend past the borders of our property. We live in the parks, shopping, and restaurants that surround us. Be sure to think outside the "box" of your house when you buy.
6. Landscaping: A large yard can mean lots of entertaining potential, but it can also mean a lot of work. Be sure to consider your needs now and down the road when it comes to yard maintenance. Many buyers prefer a townhouse or condo as their "dream home". These options afford buyers with much less responsibility when it comes to upkeep! Just be careful to buy in an area where 30% of the units or less are owned by investors or it might be hard to sell when you need to move. If more than 30% of the units are owned by investors, a new buyer may not be able to get a loan and you will have to hold out for a cash buyer.
Be sure to visit our website when searching for your dream home at www.DreamHomesInAZ.com You can sign up to receive MLS listings within 24 hours of homes being listed on the MLS absolutely FREE! You can also get coupons from over 100 vendors that will help you save lots of money on purchases for your new home.
1. Neighborhood: Finding which neighborhood you desire is tricky. You should consider your wants and needs. Do you have children and need to live within the boundaries of a specific school district? You might want a short commute, a neighborhood with historic homes, or homes that are near night life and restaurants.
2. Square footage: What size of home fits your needs? The average home in the United States is 2,195 square feet. Thirty years ago the average size was just 1,645. The trend has been for larger and larger homes, with special purpose spaces, such as exercise rooms, offices, studies, and media rooms. This trend is now receding.
3. Floor Plan: Architectural styles offer a wide range of choices! Open floor plans might appeal to you, with their great flow for entertaining. Or you may have a more traditional aesthetic, preferring cozy rooms. Think about how you live your life and what style best fits your needs.
4. Finishes: There are different grades of homes. Take your kitchen, for example. You can find a wide range of beautiful laminate counters, just as you can find a wide range of beautiful granite ones. These choices dramatically affect price. Think carefully about what you want in your dream home. Do you want stone floors or will ceramic suffice?
5. Amenities: Our homes extend past the borders of our property. We live in the parks, shopping, and restaurants that surround us. Be sure to think outside the "box" of your house when you buy.
6. Landscaping: A large yard can mean lots of entertaining potential, but it can also mean a lot of work. Be sure to consider your needs now and down the road when it comes to yard maintenance. Many buyers prefer a townhouse or condo as their "dream home". These options afford buyers with much less responsibility when it comes to upkeep! Just be careful to buy in an area where 30% of the units or less are owned by investors or it might be hard to sell when you need to move. If more than 30% of the units are owned by investors, a new buyer may not be able to get a loan and you will have to hold out for a cash buyer.
Be sure to visit our website when searching for your dream home at www.DreamHomesInAZ.com You can sign up to receive MLS listings within 24 hours of homes being listed on the MLS absolutely FREE! You can also get coupons from over 100 vendors that will help you save lots of money on purchases for your new home.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Why Do Canadians Like To Buy Homes In Phoenix?
The collapse in housing prices and a strong Canadian dollar are luring north-of-the-border buyers to Arizona and other states where the weather is warm and the housing cheap.
Canadians surpassed Californians in 2010 as top out-of-state buyers of Phoenix-area real estate. The Canadian dollar gained, up from an average of 80 cents on the U.S. dollar in 2005. At the same time, home prices in the Phoenix area have dropped 50-60 percent from their peak in early 2007.
Some U.S. lenders who will work with Canadians, but most of those buyers still pay cash. About half buy for investment, capitalizing on soaring demand for rental housing in Arizona because many families are lost their homes to foreclosures. Other Canadian buyers want vacation homes.
Many Canadian buyers like Arizona because they don't worry about earthquakes, tornado's, hurricanes and harsh winter weather. Florida has hurricanes, which have jacked up homeowners' insurance rates. In California, where earthquakes are a threat, areas that offer the greatest housing bargains are not vacation spots.
Currently homes priced under $150,000 are selling quickly in the Phoenix market. Things are tightening up which is good news for homeowners. It is a great time to buy homes with low interest rates.
Canadians surpassed Californians in 2010 as top out-of-state buyers of Phoenix-area real estate. The Canadian dollar gained, up from an average of 80 cents on the U.S. dollar in 2005. At the same time, home prices in the Phoenix area have dropped 50-60 percent from their peak in early 2007.
Some U.S. lenders who will work with Canadians, but most of those buyers still pay cash. About half buy for investment, capitalizing on soaring demand for rental housing in Arizona because many families are lost their homes to foreclosures. Other Canadian buyers want vacation homes.
Many Canadian buyers like Arizona because they don't worry about earthquakes, tornado's, hurricanes and harsh winter weather. Florida has hurricanes, which have jacked up homeowners' insurance rates. In California, where earthquakes are a threat, areas that offer the greatest housing bargains are not vacation spots.
Currently homes priced under $150,000 are selling quickly in the Phoenix market. Things are tightening up which is good news for homeowners. It is a great time to buy homes with low interest rates.
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