The Baxter Home Sales Blog

24-Month Summary of Active,Sold and New Listings

2012-02-09T12:28:00.000-08:00

	New Listings	Active Listings	Sold Listings	Months Inventory
Jan/2012	9,987	25,294	6,466	3.91
Dec/2011	7,573	25,752	7,721	3.34
Nov/2011	8,749	26,070	7,140	3.65
Oct/2011	9,892	25,934	7,522	3.45
Sep/2011	9,792	25,799	8,020	3.22
Aug/2011	10,292	26,506	8,743	3.03
Jul/2011	9,509	27,831	8,431	3.30
Jun/2011	10,646	29,687	10,355	2.87
May/2011	10,763	32,117	9,799	3.28
Apr/2011	11,186	35,546	9,454	3.76
Mar/2011	12,552	38,676	9,956	3.88
Feb/2011	10,836	41,405	7,154	5.79
Jan/2011	12,575	43,058	6,523	6.60
Dec/2010	9,751	44,869	8,241	5.44
Nov/2010	11,215	46,239	6,686	6.92
Oct/2010	12,287	46,191	6,521	7.08
Sep/2010	12,841	45,391	6,701	6.77
Aug/2010	12,972	43,930	6,963	6.31
Jul/2010	12,545	43,021	6,906	6.23
Jun/2010	12,457	42,110	9,156	4.60
May/2010	11,821	41,473	8,923	4.65
Apr/2010	14,078	42,592	9,132	4.66
Mar/2010	14,709	43,450	8,799	4.94
Feb/2010	12,902	42,985	6,421	6.69

Market Overview for Maricopa County January 2012

2012-02-07T11:08:00.000-08:00


Maricopa Cty							JANUARY	2012

1 MONTH OVERVIEW				# of Expired & Cancelled listings	--------------------1 month averages----------------------
Price range 1,000s	# of Active listings	# of Pendings & AWC	Pending Ratio	# of Expired & Cancelled listings	# of Closings Last month	Average List Price of Sold Homes	Average Sold Price	List to Sales Price Ratio	Days on Market (Agent)	Days on Market (Cumul)
0 - 99,999	2,776	6,494	233.9%	596	2,179	$ 63,423	$ 62,868	99.1%	70	77
100,000- 124,999	1,024	2,003	195.6%	152	655	$ 113,411	$ 111,563	98.4%	75	84
125,000- 149,999	1,177	1,872	159.0%	160	624	$ 137,836	$ 134,609	97.7%	73	84
150,000- 174,999	872	1,276	146.3%	117	481	$ 161,886	$ 158,299	97.8%	87	98
175,000- 199,999	1,004	950	94.6%	95	371	$ 186,845	$ 181,348	97.1%	78	90
200,000- 224,999	564	606	107.4%	62	200	$ 214,146	$ 209,085	97.6%	75	85
225,000- 249,999	762	609	79.9%	83	244	$ 237,024	$ 240,372	101.4%	76	96
250,000- 299,999	1,153	831	72.1%	139	303	$ 275,799	$ 266,020	96.5%	83	94
300,000- 349,999	832	451	54.2%	86	184	$ 328,014	$ 315,147	96.1%	92	102
350,000- 399,999	750	352	46.9%	78	132	$ 379,119	$ 363,724	95.9%	94	101
400,000- 449,999	465	198	42.6%	54	63	$ 427,023	$ 407,176	95.4%	73	85
450,000- 499,999	414	150	36.2%	38	60	$ 476,113	$ 458,191	96.2%	112	121
500,000- 749,999	1,032	353	34.2%	101	104	$ 613,326	$ 577,549	94.2%	111	138
750,000- 999,999	602	122	20.3%	35	54	$ 852,713	$ 800,007	93.8%	169	199
1 million +	1,198	117	9.8%	80	59	$ 1,711,706	$ 1,542,501	90.1%	263	319

24-Month Inventory Summary Active, Sold and new Listings; and Inventory

2012-01-12T11:48:00.000-08:00

24-Month Inventory Summary Active, Sold and new Listings; and Inventory

	New Listings	Active Listings	Sold Listings	Months Inventory
Dec-11	7493	26243	7794	3.37
Nov-11	8749	26408	7161	3.69
Oct-11	9892	26046	7535	3.46
Sep-11	9792	25816	8026	3.22
Aug-11	10292	26486	8748	3.03
Jul-11	9509	27813	8436	3.3
Jun-11	10646	29665	10357	2.86
May-11	10763	32100	9799	3.28
Apr-11	11186	35532	9454	3.76
Mar-11	12552	38666	9958	3.88
Feb-11	10836	41399	7154	5.79
Jan-11	12575	43050	6523	6.6
Dec-10	9751	44865	8242	5.44
Nov-10	11215	46235	6687	6.91
Oct-10	12287	46189	6521	7.08
Sep-10	12841	45389	6701	6.77
Aug-10	12972	43928	6963	6.31
Jul-10	12545	43019	6906	6.23
Jun-10	12457	42108	9156	4.6
May-10	11821	41472	8923	4.65
Apr-10	14078	42592	9133	4.66
Mar-10	14709	43450	8799	4.94
Feb-10	12902	42985	6421	6.69
Jan-10	13219	41905	5663	7.4

Home Affordable Refinance Program 2.0

2012-01-06T21:18:00.000-08:00

Homeowners can start applying for the government's revamped refinancing program today. But much like the first time around, experts say many borrowers will see it as too little too late.

The program is intended to help borrowers who owe significantly more on their home than what it's currently worth. It expands on the original Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP, which was created to help borrowers who owe up to 105% of their home's market value to refinance their mortgage, and was later expanded to those who owed up to 125%.

This newest incarnation, dubbed HARP 2.0, removes the 125% cap, allowing borrowers who are deeply underwater to get a new mortgage at a lower interest rate and with more affordable monthly payments. To qualify, borrowers must have either a Freddie Mac- or Fannie Mae-backed mortgage.

While experts say the new HARP will help more borrowers -- roughly 11 million homeowners are underwater, according to data and analytics firm CoreLogic -- they point out its limitations.

There may be delays

For starters, the whole process could take months. Lenders who underwrite mortgages manually can start processing refinancing applications this month, say spokespeople from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But those who depend on an automated software system to underwrite mortgages must wait until updates are made, says Brad German, a Freddie Mac spokesman. (Many lenders rely on the automated system.)

Those lenders won't be able to start processing applications and delivering loans until at least early February for Freddie Mac-backed mortgages and until March for Fannie Mae-backed mortgages.

That's not the worst of it, say experts: Some borrowers might not be able to qualify at all
The program requires that borrowers have missed no more than one payment during the past year and none during the past six months, says Keith Gumbinger, vice president at HSH Associates, a mortgage-data firm. If they don't meet this criterion, they'll have to wait until they do in order to qualify.

Also, borrowers who've already refinanced through HARP are ineligible. "It's a nice little step, but (it's) not really going to get the housing market restarted," says Ira Rheingold, executive director of the National Association of Consumer Advocates, whose members include attorneys that represent distressed homeowners.

What's more, the program is entirely voluntary. Lenders are not required to refinance mortgages for underwater homeowners. (The government doesn't provide incentives for lenders to participate in HARP.)

Many homeowners who qualified for the existing HARP program were turned down because lenders were unwilling to take on that risk, says Gumbinger. Lender resistance may also derail some borrowers' attempts to refinance under HARP 2.0. It's up to each lender to determine whether they'll participate in the program. (Freddie Mac lists participating lenders on its website.)

That said, experts say some aspects of refinancing will get easier. For example, borrowers who apply to the same lender to whom they make their monthly payments won't have their credit scores checked, they point out, and won't be required to provide documentation proving their income. The lender will simply call the borrower's employer to confirm job status. That could come as relief for borrowers who've recently experienced a pay cut or a ding to their credit score. (Estimate your credit score for free.)

Is it worth it? Gumbinger points out that qualifying homeowners stand to save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan by refinancing to a lower rate. However, the program does not reduce mortgage principal, so even after successfully refinancing, borrowers will still remain underwater, he says.

Market Overview for Maricopa County December 2011

2012-01-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

Total Market Overview


Maricopa County							DECEMBER	2011

1 MONTH OVERVIEW				# of Expired & Cancelled listings	AVERAGES
Price range 1,000s	# of Active listings	# of Pendings & AWC	Pending Ratio	# of Expired & Cancelled listings	# of Closings Last month	Average List Price of Sold Homes	Average Sold Price	List to Sales Price Ratio	Days on Market (Agent)	Days on Market (Cumul)
0 - 99,999	3,199	5,952	186.1%	826	2,762	$ 64,859	$ 63,968	98.6%	81	88
100,000- 124,999	1,183	1,745	147.5%	194	798	$ 113,436	$ 111,827	98.6%	79	91
125,000- 149,999	1,315	1,535	116.7%	184	737	$ 137,627	$ 134,997	98.1%	74	87
150,000- 174,999	996	1,105	110.9%	146	539	$ 162,733	$ 158,692	97.5%	72	82
175,000- 199,999	1,036	797	76.9%	146	471	$ 188,346	$ 182,659	97.0%	88	97
200,000- 224,999	623	461	74.0%	84	240	$ 212,904	$ 206,879	97.2%	79	89
225,000- 249,999	784	532	67.9%	106	283	$ 237,514	$ 230,218	96.9%	81	96
250,000- 299,999	1,194	694	58.1%	157	373	$ 275,856	$ 267,203	96.9%	102	117
300,000- 349,999	784	379	48.3%	100	191	$ 325,308	$ 315,365	96.9%	82	85
350,000- 399,999	711	269	37.8%	87	189	$ 376,577	$ 364,090	96.7%	91	102
400,000- 449,999	481	142	29.5%	50	73	$ 424,665	$ 409,980	96.5%	74	81
450,000- 499,999	386	126	32.6%	57	85	$ 475,937	$ 452,130	95.0%	105	118
500,000- 749,999	995	249	25.0%	110	151	$ 594,676	$ 569,116	95.7%	124	142
750,000- 999,999	571	112	19.6%	64	54	$ 857,337	$ 788,250	91.9%	204	224
1 million +	1,089	114	10.5%	96	66	$ 1,794,429	$ 1,567,323	87.3%	229	271

Should I Buy a Brand New Home or a Foreclosure?

2012-01-04T21:40:00.001-08:00

Buyers need to be very careful in this market when deciding which type of home to buy. Many buyers feel that purchasing a foreclosure is going to be the best deal for them. This concept, however, is a fallacy in some cases. Since Maricopa County has a very low level of listing inventory at this time and buyer demand is high, most listings are priced at market value or above. The only time we see a property under market value is in a short sale situation when the property is distressed or has a poor floor plan.

In most cases the bank-owned inventory is priced according to the condition of the property. The banks are now pricing their homes over market value due to the demand and the fact that most of the properties end up in a multiple offer situation. Most bank-involved properties are not in move-in condition and require new paint and flooring at the very least. What appears to be a good deal, may not be so good if the buyer purchases a property at market value and then must deal with repair issues and and upgrading the house. These extra out-of-pocket costs will put the buyer into an instant negative equity situation. In the event that they had to sell the property again in the near future, they would be up-side-down. In some cases, it is better for a buyer to purchase a regular resale that is priced slightly higher than market value and is in move-in ready. In the case where a buyer wants to have a pool, it is much more cost effective to buy a house with a pool already in ($10,000 value) rather than purchasing a new pool ($30,000-$60,000+).

Example: Property appraises for $125,000.

1 - Buyer A purchases a property slightly under market value that appears to be a good deal at $120,000. Buyer spends $20,000 to upgrade appliances, carpet, paint, window coverings and backyard landscaping. Now he has spent $140,000 and is now $15,000 up-side-down.

2 - Worse yet, Buyer B buys the same house and spends $20,000 to upgrade appliances, carpet, paint, window coverings and backyard landscaping. He also adds a pool at $30,000. Now the buyer has spent $170,000 and is approximately $45,000 up-side-down. His new pool has a $10,000 value and the new upgrades he put in have little or no value to an appraiser.

3- Buyer C buys a resale home, the same model as above with a pool. Buyer pays $135,000 cash for the home and has no out-of pocket expense and is now $10,000 up-side down.

Who is the smarter buyer? An appraiser will give a $10,000 adjustment for a pool at the highest, no adjustment for window coverings or new carpet or paint.

What happens if these buyers need to sell their home unexpectedly? This economy is scary. What if the buyer gets laid off from their job and is forced to sell? What is the buyer transfers with work?

Another option for buyers now is new construction. The prices are a little higher, but the buyer gets a brand new home with a warranty. These houses are also built better in many cases as well, with a more energy efficient ratings due to low E windows, higher seer A/C and 2 x 6 construction. Some new home builders such as Meritage and Beazer have included solar panels for solar hot water and furnace; low flow faucets, spray foam insulation, double flush actuator toilets, insulated water heater and raid bird weather sensing irrigation. In the long run, the buyer ends up saving thousands every year in energy costs and tax credits. They still have to spend money to put their window coverings in and do their landscaping, which easily puts the buyer into an instant negative equity situation. The best deals on new construction are found with the builder's spec homes, which are completed homes or almost complete homes. The builders want to get these off their books and therefore, the buyer can negotiate the price and sometimes landscaping and window coverings.

In summary, we believe the best deals right now are with some short sales, builder spec homes, or reasonably priced re-sale homes. It is important to find the home that closely matches the buyer's tastes and one that will require minimal upgrading or repairs. It is worth making offers on the bank-owned properties as long as the buyer does not over bid and as long as they know that it is difficult to get an offer accepted. If the buyer has cash, they must be extra careful, as they will not have an appraisal to protect their price point.

We have seen some increase in value in the past few months and now is a great time to buy as home prices are down 70% in some cases off their highs several years ago. Please call us anytime to discuss your buying needs.

Green Your Home – A Green Adventure Awaits

2011-12-05T13:38:00.000-08:00

A GREEN ADVENTURE AWAITS

Imagine you're preparing for a special trip. Call it the adventure of a
lifetime: a safari in Africa, a trek in the Himalayas, a weeklong rafting excursion
through Grand Canyon National Park with your friends and family. Maybe you'd
prefer a visit to historic sites in an old-world city like Rome, Italy. Or perhaps
your ideal adventure is just a relaxing week spent on a beach someplace.
No matter your preference, you would likely make your choice based on some
personal priorities—the things that are most important to you. Priorities might
include ensuring that your adventure enhances your sense of well-being, that you
have the financial means to enjoy yourself while you're on your trip and that you
have experiences rich enough to create lasting memories—stories that you can
share with others.

We'd like you to think of greening your home as a similar type of adventure.
Like travel, you get to shape your own experience. Greening involves planning
and is often a multistep process—it takes time. Rome wasn't built in a day and
you don't green a home overnight. Your green home improvement journey will
be full of options. Some are more important than others, and some are more
demanding. Not everyone wants to green every aspect of a home, just as not
everyone wants to encounter lions in the wild while on vacation. Some prefer
ease and comfort and will work with a team, some might favor a challenge and
are willing to get their hands a little dirty, and others might go all out with a I'm
game for whatever it takes mentality. You get to decide what's best for you.

FEARS AND FACTS ABOUT GOING GREEN
So, what does "green" mean to you? Does the thought of a greener home
and a greener lifestyle make you excited, apprehensive, or maybe a little of both?
Let's start by taking a look at some of the common fears and facts about what it
means to go green. Like us, you may be surprised.

Five Fears about Going Green
1. Green is just a bunch of hype.
2. Green is too expensive a lifestyle change.
3. Green is too difficult a lifestyle change.
4. Green will not benefit me personally.
5. Green will not really make a difference.

Fear #1: Green is just a bunch of hype.

Fact #1: True "green" is anything but hype. Sure, there are plenty of confusing
messages out there. So let's quickly cut through the information about what green is
and what it's not. At its heart, green is real, green is common sense, and green is
likely already a part of your life, whether you know it or not. Your decision to go green is about a commitment to having better choices, now and in the future. Greener choices can help you save money and enable you to lead a healthier life, while conserving energy and natural resources. Is there something wrong with the idea of living more in tune with the natural world? Not at all. In fact, it's the best possible way to live.

Fear #2: Green is too expensive a lifestyle change.

Fact #2: Green can save you money over time.
Some view green homes and green lifestyles as the exclusive domain of the
wealthy. Actually, this is the realm of the financially smart and the healthy.
Why? Because most of the simple green actions you can take cost nothing,
whether you do them at home or in your day-to-day behaviors. Think of
reducing, reusing, and recycling—the basic language of going green. Instead
of shrinking your bank account, going green can actually help you save money.
And if you choose not to spend a dime on new materials like solar panels or new
windows, it will only cost you a little thought and effort to reuse materials and
reduce your energy and water consumption habits.
For example, take a shorter daily shower and keep your thermostat set a few
degrees higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Small changes like these
can actually save you hundreds of dollars each year. Try them out and then
compare your energy bills after a year. Should you choose to spend money on
home-efficiency systems upgrades, then there's often a local, state, provincial,
or federal tax incentive or rebate program available from your utility provider.
In some locales, you can even take advantage of dual rebates. These add up to
immediate savings and meaningful money over the long haul as energy prices rise.
Being money smart is also about being healthy. Think about it: If the changes
you make to your home make it less toxic, logic tells us that over time, you'll be
making fewer sick visits to the doctor. That's saving more than just money.

Fear #3: Green is too difficult a lifestyle change.

Fact #3: Green is about ease and simplicity.

Green is not a complex undertaking. Green begins in our minds, and it requires

us to slow down and focus our awareness a bit differently. It starts with

our habitsand extends throughout our homes. For many, leading a greener

life might be a matter of recycling more regularly, using less water and

energy at home, walking more and driving less. Are these dramatic, impossible

lifestyle changes? Not at all. Keep in mind that green as a process is only as

difficult a s you decide to make it. You don't have to give up your car, your

clothes, or your lattes and go live in the forest to be green. You can do it

in more practical ways. There are different shades of green, from those

who are a deeply committed dark green to the more moderately minded

light green. You define your level of commitment and your
vision. This article will help you identify the few green changes that can help you
achieve whatever shade of green you aspire to become.

Fear #4: Green will not benefit me personally.

Fact #4: Green benefits you directly (and your neighbors too).

First and foremost, going green will make you feel good as you contribute to
the well-being of the whole world. That's not just perception, that's reality. Do
good, do right, and live well; enjoy the positive effect you have on others. If
you're still not convinced, then let's consider what you stand to gain personally.
If you can save money by consuming fewer resources and using less energy and
water, is that not a material gain? If you can improve the air quality that you,
your family, and your guests breathe inside your home, is that not a health gain?

If you're acting as a steward of the planet for yourself and your family, imagine
the millions of people in the future applauding you for your forward-thinking
approach. And beyond the stewardship argument, going green is an educational
and inspirational experience. Green can be a creative endeavor that's rewarding
and most certainly worth doing.

Fear #5: Green will not really make a difference.

Fact #5: You alone can make all the difference in the world.
What you may perceive as impossible is actually very doable. You just need to
consider where and how to begin. As an individual, every contribution you make
can change the world for the better. As part of a family of billions of people,
your example and influence can make a huge difference. Just by reading this
book, you're already taking the first step. The point is, you can do as Mohandas
Gandhi did and "be the change you wish to see in the world." Just think and act
wisely. You can make a difference in your life, for your children, and for theirs.

THE GREEN YOUR HOME MODEL

These are often abstract priorities, like living healthily, being money smart, or acting more sustainably. But how do we make these ideas more concrete? We can best do this through applying a three-stage model , which will help you understand your priorities, focus on the tangible elements and take key actions in areas of your home that matter most. We call these areas our "three green home zones," and we've organized this article around taking on specific green improvement projects in each. It's important to note that our model is based on extensive research of what works—the tried-and-true practices of many green-minded homeowners, including our personal green experiences. We've also taken recommendations from green-building experts and green real estate professionals from throughout the industry.

Stage One: Three Green Priorities
People choose to go green for different reasons. And it helps to recognize that every green decision we make is based upon three shared priorities in our lives: improving our health, saving money and reducing our impact on the environment. So if you're asking, "How do we know these are the top priorities?", you should know—you told us so! We looked at data from the National Association of Home Builders and McGraw-Hill Construction.* Sure enough, health concerns consistently top the list along with saving money on utilities and making sustainable choices to conserve resources and protect the planet. The simplest way to address our green priorities is to ask: "Is it healthy?", "Is it money smart?", and "Is it sustainable?" Let these questions guide you when it comes to making green home improvement decisions. Are they the only considerations? No. But most homeowners agree they are what matter most.

Stage Two: Three Green Elements

In stage two, we take a look at what we've identified as the three elements of a green home: air, energy, and water. Simply put, these are the resources that we need and use every day. They're the ones that actually make life possible—and they're resources that we sometimes take for granted. While our three priorities help us understand why we go green, the three elements that support these priorities are essential to our understanding of what green is about, from a very basic resource perspective. What's useful about these elements is that each one relates to our three priorities. How? The most important element of a healthy home is the air inside because it's what we breathe into our bodies and bloodstream. The most important element of a money-smart home is the energy that flows through it because we have to pay for it. And the most important element of a sustainable home is its water because it's a precious, dwindling resource. Thinking about the three elements—air, energy, and water—should help you to look at your home as a dynamic place that supports the life you live.

Stage Three: Three Green Home Zones
We're clear on our three priorities, and we understand how to think about our
three supportive elements. Now comes the fun part. In stage three, we put this
knowledge to use. This is the application stage, where the rubber meets the
road. To be successful, we'll need to focus on the three "green home zones"
listed below:

1. The Inside Zone

2. The Systems Zone

3. The Outside Zone

In each home zone, you will establish your green priorities and identify actions that will positively impact your home's air quality, energy usage, water consumption—or all three!

1. The Inside Zone

Our inside zone refers to our home's interior living spaces, such as the rooms
and nonpermanent fixtures that we can see, touch, interact with, or experience.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, we typically spend more than 80 percent of nonworking or commuting hours inside our homes. We sleep, eat, do household chores, care for others, and take on various leisure activities.

Because we spend so much of our time inside our homes, it's important we
address the inside zone first and foremost. It's also important to keep in mind
that while we only have twenty-four hours in a day, these days add up to a
lifetime. To live long lives, our health becomes our priority. Because we spend
so much of our lives inside, it only makes sense that we make a healthy inside
zone our first priority. Of the three zones, the inside one is where we go to
recharge and relax with our family and friends. It's our refuge.

2. The Systems Zone
The systems zone refers to the hard-working mechanical, electrical, and
plumbing components that we generally can't see inside our walls, like the ducts,
wiring, and pipes that make our home life easier and more comfortable, as
well as the items that are bolted in place—like our central heating, ventilation,
and air conditioning (HVAC) units. The systems zone is about operations and
efficiency. You may compare it to the cockpit of an airplane: When you get on
a plane, you know it's there, but you don't mess with it. You also rely on the
captain and flight crew to know what they're doing to meet your expectations
for the flight. They control the temperature levels, ventilation, and can make
adjustments as needed to ensure a favorable overall experience. The same is true
of the systems zone in your home, where you're in the captain's chair. When
your systems zone isn't running optimally, your in-home experience isn't as
good as it could be and your dollars are not being well spent. You want comfort
and reliability and low maintenance at a low cost. That's being money smart,
which is the top priority in the systems zone. So, it's important to look at this
home zone next, as it impacts your utility bills and your pocketbook the most.
And not only that, the systems zone also bridges the inside and outside zones.
So it makes sense to think of it as the middle zone in the Green Your Home
sequence, the zone that powers and ensures performance in your home.

3. The Outside Zone
Finally, the outside zone refers to the exterior areas of the home—features like
our lawns, shade trees, flower beds, and gardens—and items attached to exterior
surfaces, like gutters or awnings, or even a patio on the ground. It is the final
zone when it comes to greening a home. This zone is the last one we discuss
because not every homeowner has or wants an outside zone. But it's still hugely
important for this Green Your Home adventure. If you have a yard or a garden
or even just a balcony, it's likely you spend time there. And what you do there,
like watering and planting, matters from a standpoint of sustainability.
Three priorities and three supportive elements shape your green path. Yet the
bulk of your green home-improvement journey resides within each of the three
home zones: your inside zone, your systems zone, and your outside zone. It's
where you can select specific improvements that make sense to you and make a
difference in our world—one project at a time.

Apply the 80/20 Principle when greening your home zones.

To help you put the three priorities, three elements and three zones from our
model into action, here's a final point to keep in mind. You may have heard of
Pareto's Principle, which is also known as the 80/20 Principle. It states that 20
percent of your efforts determine 80 percent of your results. The 20 percent
is your priority. It's what you focus on most to produce a successful outcome.
This concept can be applied to every aspect of our lives, from our jobs to our
relationships and even our home-improvement projects.

So, what does it mean when it comes to greening our homes? It means that
20 percent of our green improvements—those practical projects we focus on
most in this article—will lead to the most successful green results. We can't take
on every project at the same time. Instead, we're best served by picking one
project and sticking to it until it's done. It's like drawing u p a list of five goals
you'd like to accomplish and then picking the one that is most important. This is
what you do to decide on your 20 percent.

Put another way, for the greatest results we should focus most of our efforts
on the top priority in each zone (i.e., air in the inside zone or energy in the
systems zone). This focus becomes the 20 percent that drives success in each of
our home zones. The remainder of our efforts can be divided among the other
two priorities in each zone. This is the most effective way to deliver meaningful
green results.

In the inside zone of your home, the priority of being healthy is your 20 percent. It's
the anchor of your everyday environment, where good air quality and abundant natural
light can help ensure well-being. Focusing on projects that help you achieve this healthy
outcome is what you want to do. When given the choice, who wouldn't want the most
energy-efficient, high performance home that they can have? Comfort at a reasonable
cost is the most desirable way to achieve a lower monthly utility bill. For the systems
zone, the priority of being money smart is your 20 percent. Projects that deliver a cost
savings outcome are what you want to focus on in this zone. And finally, in the outside
zone, the priority of being sustainable is your 20 percent and saving water is your focus.
In caring for your yard in a water-wise way, you also care for the planet and do your part
to ensure water for future generations. It's a great gift and you'll never get a single word
of thanks for it. But that's okay. Projects that help you while they conserve resources for
the future are the best way to improve and enjoy the living landscape you call your outside
zone. Concentrating on the top priority translates to the most success in each zone. In the
inside zone, it's being healthy. The systems zone is all about being money smart. And the
outside zone is mostly a matter of sustainable practices.

SIX THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU BEGIN

The first step in the Green Your Home adventure is to examine the
bigger picture to determine the "big why" behind all your green improvements.
There are six things to think about before you embark, and they will influence
your decision making on the finer details.

Six Things to Consider Before You Begin

1. Focus on resale value.

2. Keep your climate in mind.

3. Get more for less.

4. Embrace the payback principle.

5. Take advantage of potential rebates and incentives.
6. Weigh now vs. later.

1. Focus on resale value
The fact that you're greenovating is a smart preparation for the day you shift from
homeowner to home seller. While some projects may not seem like a big deal, making
improvements like adding low-flow fixtures in the bathrooms will be appreciated
by potential buyers. There are many ways to add value to a home. The best way
to ensure your improvements provide payoff potential is to ask your real estate
agent for advice. Markets vary, so ask which types of green features are in
demand in your market.

2. Keep your climate in mind
North Carolina builder Marcus Renner has a story he likes to tell about the
super-green clients who approached him about building an Earth ship home in
Ashville. An Earth ship home is half-submerged and built of rammed earth and
recycled tires. It's designed to function in harmony with the environment—a
desert environment, that is. In arid climates, like New Mexico, their south facing
windows can absorb the heat of the sun during the day, and the dense,
heavy walls radiate the heat during the cool desert nights—passive heating in
action. It's a brilliant, high-efficiency design for an intended habitat. However,
in damp, forested North Carolina, as Renner quickly ascertained, it's less-than optimal.
But his clients insisted on it, so he moved forward. As Renner predicted, the trouble
began almost immediately. The submerged dwelling hit all sorts of groundwater problems.
So did the flat roof, which wasn't designed to withstand heavy rain or snow. Unglazed
windows leaked much of the heat. Consequently, with the systems in need of frequent
overhauls, it was not a good financial value.

We recommend thinking hard about what features will get the most use in your
climate. A radiant floor heating system doesn't make much sense in Mobile, Alabama, where it will only run a couple months a year. Homeowners in the North may want to skip the super, high-efficiency air conditioner and invest instead in sealing and insulation. No matter where you live, there are few green upgrades for which the payback period, also called a cost-benefit analysis, is the same. So do your homework: Ask experts for help in determining which projects are most appropriate for your climate zone.

3. Get more for less
Rest assured, not every green investment needs to be the newest green product
on the market. In fact, creatively recycled features are some of the most
sustainable options. Did you know that you can purchase decking made out of
plastic grocery bags and carpet derived from old soda bottles?
Reusing materials is another green choice worth exploring. Portland remodeler
Pat Lando is one shining example of someone who knows how to get more out
of less in a home. He carefully re-used virtually all the original components of
the 1961 ranch home he remodeled."All the doors, all the casework are going back
in," he says. "The masonry chimney was ground up for subbase. There's a small
amount of hardwood floors that we couldn't use, but that went to someone else's
home. So basically, only two dumpsters of material left the site, and one of those
was wood being ground up for mulch."In a world of "less is more", Lando clearly
shows that the greenest thing may not be the greenest new thing. It might just be
the thing you already own.

4. Embrace the payback principle
One of the best things about green improvements is that many of them will pay
back through increased energy efficiency. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are a
great example: a $3.50 bulb lasts ten times longer and uses 75 percent less energy
than an incandescent bulb. The net result: The compact fluorescent "pays"
you about $30 over the life of the bulb. This principle can help you prioritize
potential investments.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 14 percent of an average home's energy costs go to heating water. That said, an efficient hot water heater, such as an Energy Star model, would start paying you back sooner than, say, a more energy efficient dishwashing machine, which typically accounts for about 2.5 percent of energy, according to the Boston-based Consortium for Energy Efficiency. If you absolutely have to choose between them, upgrade your water heater. In the kitchen, your refrigerator is a much higher priority than a new stove. The U.S. Department of Energy cites the fridge as one of the biggest energy consumer in the home, second only to the HVAC unit.

The payback principle is a smart consideration when you're considering high dollar
investments, such as solar panels or wind turbines. However, there are
many great options that can reduce your utility costs and/or lower your carbon
footprint. We know that the payback principle can be hard to calculate, because
different improvements have different payback lengths, based on factors such
as cost of the feature, price of the utilities, how and when you run the feature,
and so on. Plus, many of your upgrades—sustainably harvested wood floors, for
example—won't pay you any dollars until you sell your home for a premium to
a buyer who can appreciate the value. Here's another way to think about it: If
a green project is really important to you for nonmonetary reasons, then the
payback principle may be less important to you. The true payback might be a
cleaner conscience and a better home environment for you to enjoy.

5. Take advantage of potential rebates and incentives
Many states, provinces, and cities are willing to reward your environmental
responsibility by offering rebates and incentives for replacing inefficient
appliances and fixtures with high-performing new ones.
Depending on where you live, you could get an incentive to do the following:

• Purchase water-conserving appliances and low-flow plumbing fixtures.

• Add solar CPV panels, insulation, or efficient windows and doors.

• Replace grass with drought-tolerant landscaping.

Do your homework early in the planning process so you don't lose your chance for
a great rebate check. Ask your real estate agent for advice. If you live in the United
States, visit www.dsireusa.org, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables
and Efficiency. In Canada, visit www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/incentives.cfm or
http://www.ec.gc.ca for information about energy and efficiency rebates.

6. Weigh now vs. later
Part of the planning process involves considering your long-term plans for
your home. You don't have to make every improvement today. Even if you're
stripping a home down to the studs, there may still be features that don't make
sense—or cents—to add right now. Your professional team can help develop
your game plan. Architect Ron Wickman asks, "Maybe you don't want to add all the bells and whistles today, but can you do things that will make it easier to add bells and whistles four or five years down the road?" When he added a second story to his home, he designed the room with wiring for the solar panels he hopes to one day affix to his roof. Again, this not only saves money, it gets back to one of the fundamental principles of green living, which is designing adaptable spaces that will serve you for a lifetime.

If you have any additional questions about greening your home please feel free to use us a source of information. (623) 536-1111

We are also very familiar with each of the builders in the area and their expertise in "Green" home building. We also have home inspection professionals who specialize in "Green" guidance.

For More information on Greening your home you may want to consider ordering a copy of the "Green your Home" Guide from Keller Williams Realty.

Source: "Green your Home" A Keller Williams Realty Guide: Produced by Keller Inc.

30-Day Market Snapshot for Maricopa County, Arizona

2011-12-02T09:22:00.000-08:00

30-Day Market Snapshot
as of 11/26/2011
(from ARMLS for past 30 days
Residential sales only)

These numbers mean we currently have 2.54 months of inventory (2.52 last week)
(Active listings divided by sold listings!!!!)

Active listings in ARMLS	19,622	(19,673 last week)
Active with contingency	7,580	(7,692 last week)
Pending sales	10,798	(10,945 last week)
Sales in last 30 days	7,700	(7,780 last week)
Cancelled in last 30 days	1,713	(1,824 last week)
Expired in last 30 days	670	(679last week)
Temporarily Off Market-last 30 days	555	(531 last week)

(Compliments of Baxter Home Sales At Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners • Phoenix/Glendale Arizona) 623.536.1111

30 – Day Market Snapshot for Maricopa County, Arizona

2011-10-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

30-Day Market Snapshot
as of 10/28/2011
(from ARMLS for past 30 days
Residential sales only)

These numbers mean we currently have 2.54 months of inventory (2.57 last week)
(Active listings divided by sold listings!!!!)

Active listings in ARMLS	19,791	(19,830 last week)
Active with contingency	7,662	(7,704 last week)
Pending sales	11,322	(11,226 last week)
Sales in last 30 days	7,769	(7,704 last week)
Cancelled in last 30 days	1,682	(1,632 last week)
Expired in last 30 days	731	(732 last week)
Temporarily Off Market-last 30 days	551	(603 last week)

(Compliments of Baxter Home Sales At Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners • Phoenix/Glendale Arizona) 623.536.1111

Obama Recently Announced Changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program

2011-10-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

Widely anticipated changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) were announced on Monday, October 24,2011.

The two big questions are who will benefit and will the program work. The program has helped only a fraction of the homeowners that the administration had hoped for. By easing eligibility rules, the administration hopes 1 million more homeowners will qualify for its refinancing program.

A Roadmap of the initiative is as follows:

What is the Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP?
This program was started in 2009 to allow homeowners to refinance at lower rates. It was designed to allow borrowers to refinance their homes at lower rates without having at least 20% equity in the home. Few homeowners have been able to qualify due to being in a "negative equity situation". The administration hoped that the program would help 4 to 5 million refinance their homes, but in reality only about 900,000 homeowners have been able to take advantage of this program.

Why the lack of participation?
The program was limited to those borrowers whose home values have dropped no more than 25 percent below what is owed. Most of the hard hit areas have had a loss severity in excess of 50 percent. Also some did not want to incurr the refinance fees with the threat of looming continual downward price pressure on our housing market.

What changes are going to take place to allow more people to take advantage of this program?
The home owner's eligibility will no longer be limited by the loss severity or depreciation realized. The refinancing fees have been reduced dramatically so the cost of refinancing will reduced. The program will also extend through 2013.

Who is eligible?
Those whose loans are owned or backed by the two big GSEs Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.To qualify for refinancing, a loan must have been sold to Fannie and Freddie before June 2009. Homeowners must be current on their loan. One late payment during the last six months will disqualify the homeowner.

Who will benefit the most?
Arizona, California, Nevada, and Florida

When will it begin?
Fannie and Freddie will issue the full details of the plan to lenders and servicers on Nov. 15, per the administration.

This program will do nothing to help the 6 million homeowners behind on their mortgage payments.

If you would like more information concerning your home value or to discuss how this plan can apply to your situation please feel free to contact us today. 623.536.1111

Source: “A Guide to Administration’s New Mortgage-Refi Plan,” The Associated Press (Oct. 24, 2011)

HOA or No HOA?

2011-10-25T11:14:00.001-07:00

We have found over the years that our homes are only as valuable as the neighbor’s homes. With that being said, sometimes it is hard to appreciate a homeowners association until you don’t have one, or until you drive through a subdivision that does not have one. The difference in the subdivisions can be drastic. Trucks and cars are parked down both sides of the street. RV’s, including boats, campers, trailers, motorcycles and vans are parked on the side of the house. Cars and trucks are parked in the front yard because garage and driveway space is taken. Grease stains cover the streets. Front yards are not landscaped or have multiple types of fencing blocking the front yards. Trash and debris are piled high on the sidewalks.

Unless there are rules with consequences in place, many homeowners and renter s do not take responsibility for keeping their exterior property clean, presentable and organized. Therefore, if your neighbor’s house is not presentable, then your home has less value. We see this example most when we list a property for sale on a run-down street or next to a neighbor who fails to maintain their property. The neighbors and quality of the neighborhood will turn a potential buyer off right away. Many times when we have buyers in the car and we pull up in front of a home in an un-kept neighborhood or a property adjacent to an un-kept home, we do not even make it out of the car.

In summary, let’s look at the pros and the cons of living within a HOA:

Pros
Below are three ways in which a HOA is helpful and beneficial to a community.

They are responsible for maintaining and paying for the upkeep of common areas, such as swimming pools, play grounds, public gardens. Without an HOA, the residents may not have a community with these amenities within their neighborhood.
They help maintain or raise property values by regulating and putting rules and consequences in place to help keep a neighborhood looking good, such as preventing the issues above.
They are responsible for mediating disputes between residents. If there is a problem with a neighbor, the HOA should be able to help resolve it quickly and easily with hopefully little animosity left over, as it was the HOA making the final decision, not a complaining neighbor.

Cons
Here are reasons some people don’t like HOAs.

Residents feel as if the HOA is always watching them to see if their grass is mowed to the right level; if they have planted the right types of flowers in their yards; or if they have a pet that is oversized or of the wrong breed.
The dues they owe are just another added expense for them to consider when factoring how much home they can afford. The dues typically will go up over the years, without much warning also.
An HOA can put a lien on your home if you do not pay your dues within a set time frame. And if you fight them in court and lose, more than likely you’ll have to also cover the HOAs legal bill.
A management company is usually hired to also help set and enforce the rules, which cause some worry to the homeowners as they feel that they are giving control of their properties/community to a company that is managing several others and thus having no personal tie to the community.

When considering these cons to living in a subdivision, just remind yourself that it is true that some HOA's are overzealous in their enforcement of the restrictive covenants, but those regulations were not created just to harass people about every little detail, but instead to protect the residents' property values. Their purpose is to help maintain a certain consistency, conformity, capital improvements, and conveniences for the neighborhood. In doing so, an HOA inherently restricts the rights that would otherwise exist for its members based on municipal codes. The collected dues are used toward the maintenance of the common areas or community property, or for other services. It is not meant to be a profit-making venture in most cases.

So, what is the value of your homeowner association? If you consider the amount of assessments you are paying annually and compare that to any drop in value of your property, wouldn't you agree that the value you are receiving for the payment you are making is worth it?

Top Ten Reasons To Use Baxter Homes Sales

2011-10-25T10:57:00.001-07:00

2 For 1: You really have 2 listing agents representing you instead of one! We are interchangeable and are experts in both the buying and selling sides of the real estate transaction. Secondly, we can be at two places at the same time to better serve your needs.
Experience: We have closed hundreds of transactions over the past several years. With the tough market that we are currently in, our experience will help minimize any negative circumstances that may arise. Our team consists of professional, seasoned and efficient listing agents, buyer’s agents and short sale specialists.
Keller Williams Reputation: Keller Williams agents lead the industry in experience, education and results.
Education: Marta Baxter - Bachelors Degree in Business Management / Marketing Arizona State University; John Baxter - Bachelors Degree in Finance / Information Technology Stetson University Deland, Florida.

Continuing Education - We attend real estate classes on a regular basis to stay informed of the latest issues concerning the industry.

98% Short Sale Success Rate for 2011 – We have closed over 250 short sales since 2007.
Communication: We believe in strong communication during the listing and escrow period and are always available.
Save You Money on Fees: We will discount the real estate fees on your listing if you either purchase another home from us or if we sell your home ourselves (We sell over 30% of our own listings!) When you purchase a home from us, we pay for your home inspection!

9. Area Specialists / Networking: Due to our extensive experience in the area, we can price your house right thus netting you more money. We have lived and worked in the area for more than 20 years thus having extensive knowledge about the schools and the local community. We have excellent relationships with many of the local realtors thus creating another reason to get your home sold.

No Obligation Guarantee: If you change your mind, you may cancel at any time.

Should I Consider a Short Sale?

2011-10-25T10:55:00.001-07:00

Are you currently late on your mortgage payments? Do you foresee being late in the future? Is your loan balance more than 50% higher than what your home is worth? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may want to consider short selling your home. If you have a hardship causing you to be in a distressed financial situation for reasons including, but not limited to the following: divorce, job loss, income reduction, job transfer or illness, then we can most likely get your home approved for a short sale. You must provide 2 years of tax returns, 2 months of paystubs (if working), 2 months of bank statements and a financial worksheet stating your current monthly income and expenses. These financials (for the exception of the tax returns, in most cases) must show a hardship.

We have seen that short sales are much easier on the credit than a foreclosure. Usually it is in your best interests to proceed with a short sale before you go into foreclosure. If you are interested in short selling your home or know someone who is interested, please visit our website at www.baxterhomesales.com for more information. Before completing the necessary forms, please complete the information page on our website so that we can better advise you on your specific situation.

Don’t Let Your Short Sale End Up in Foreclosure!

2011-10-25T09:42:00.000-07:00

With a national success rate on short sales of less than 50%, are you prepared to take a risk with a listing agent who is inexperienced in this field? The banks do not make it easy and you need a disciplined, aggressive agent who has closed at least 100 short sales. Too often, the listing agent or negotiator will give up at the first ”no” that they get from the bank. The short sale negotiation is a game and whoever plays the best game wins. Many variables exist that need to be in place in order to insure the success of a short sale. The short sale package, consisting of all of the seller’s financial information and purchase contract need to be set up for success and there are many details to consider in preparing for a short sale. Additionally, the banks do not have the infrastructure in place to approve all of the short sales they are faced with. You must find a realtor who is well-versed in the dynamics of a short sale and one who is experienced enough to get into the bank’s hierarchy if need be. In some cases, however, if the bank’s net on a short sale is not favorable, there is a first and a second mortgage that will not work together or a mortgage insurance company wanting additional funds from the seller at closing, a the bank and or seller may let the property go into foreclosure. We have a trained team who specializes in short sales and have a 97% success rate in getting these sales approved and closed.