I welcome the opportunity to assist your plans to purchase a home in the Valley of the Sun:

• From world-class resorts, spas, shopping, golf courses, renowned restaurants and vibrant nightlife, the 2,000-square mile Phoenix Metro area has it all!
• Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix offers a wide array of sports, hiking trails and other outdoor activities
• Learn about Old West and Native American history while visiting many interesting museums and galleries, such as the Phoenix Art Museum and the Heard Museum
• Have some family fun and enjoy a Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Diamondbacks or Arizona Cardinals game. 

Looking for information about BARGAINS, FORECLOSURES in west valley communities simply give me a call or email me and request a list for your consideration.  Today's available properties in Maricopa County offer prices that make purchase of a home for First Time Homebuyers and all interested in an opportunity to purchase for long term appreciation very affordable.  Funding is available for those interested in purchasing Distressed Properties to assist with the repairs that are needed in some cases.

FirstTime Homebuyer Assistance programs are currently available from some of the cities in SW county. HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Community Grants may increase available funding in the coming months. Please contact me for information regarding application and educational requirements.

low interest rates.

• Deposit Waivers - Fannie Mae will waive the earnest money/deposit requirement for public entities using public funds to purchase a Fannie Mae-owned property. Individual homebuyers who have qualified for public funds and want to purchase a Fannie Mae-owned property do not have to meet the usual earnest money/deposit requirement. Deposits for these buyers can be as low as $500.
• Reserved Contract Period - Upon receipt of an acceptable offer, buyers have the ability to renegotiate their offer after obtaining an NSP-required appraisal.
• Extra Time for Closing - Buyers receive up to 45 days to close — 15 days more than is usually permitted for purchases of Fannie Mae-owned properties.

As a buyer, you now have plenty of choice, as well as the upper hand in negotiations. You also still have the benefit of

You can't be sure that a house you buy today won't lose more value before prices recover, but if you can pay well below what sellers were getting last year, you've already built in a comfortable cushion against price drops.

Free yourself to act fast.   Contact a lender and obtain a pre-approval for your home purchase. This will provide you with a price range for your home purchase and of equal importance when you identify a home you will be in a position to make the strongest offer possible. If you need suggestions on lenders please give me a call or simply respond to this email and I will be pleased to share some contact information for lenders that have been most helpful to my clients.

Know how strong you are. The longer a house has been for sale, the more powerful your position as a bidder. "Time on market is a good indication that someone is likely to be really hungry." Please feel free to contact me for the full details of a home's listing history, complete with time on market and any asking-price changes.

First impressions make a significant impact on a buyer's decision-making process! 

Once your home goes on the market, it becomes a product. Home Styling or Staging simply allows you to highlight the best of your home and de-emphasize its flaws. It's not about decorating, but actually turning your home into a model, to appeal to the broadest range of prospective buyers. The goal is to make people feel like they could live there, and the best way to do this is to "neutralize" the surroundings.

Try out these helpful styling tips taken from Setting the Stage - REALTOR® Magazine Online. They've compiled the best tips from stagers and real estate pros—things you can do for little or no expense—to put a home in prime showing shape.

• Clear out closets and clutter—sellers can give away or pack up toys, linens, and small kitchen appliances to store offsite. Buyers are also forgiving of storage boxes neatly tucked away in a garage or basement.
• Focus most on the most visible areas—the foyer, kitchen, living room, master bedroom, and family room.
• De-personalize the home by removing photos, mementos, and dated items.
• Use plants in colorful pots or inexpensive wicker baskets to fill in empty spaces.
• Look to home catalogs for little details on beautifying the home. For instance, group books, pictures, and objets d’art appealingly on bookcases.
• Try angling one or two pieces of furniture slightly and move furniture 4 inches to 6 inches from the wall to create more interesting room spaces.
• Put away large collections— porcelains, plates, and so on.
• Remove valuables, prescription medicine, collectibles, and breakables.
• Trim trees, prune shrubs, and make sure the lawn is mowed and watered regularly.
• In summer, turn on the sprinklers for five minutes, 30 minutes before the open house. It makes the lawn and driveway sparkle.
• Refrain from cooking anything that leaves a distinctive odor, such as fish, garlic, or cabbage.
• Hire a professional service to clean the home, including the carpets and the windows.
• Set the dining room table with attractive linens, dishes, and stemware.
• Arrange fresh or silk flowers throughout the home.
• Light a fire in the fireplace in fall and winter.
• A mirror in a pretty frame can make a small room feel more open.
• Use as much natural light as possible. Add extra lamps in dark rooms or corners.
• Make functional repairs—fix dripping faucets, sticking doors, and broken fences.
• Bring in another pair of eyes—even if it’s not a professional stylist. The person may see problems you and have missed.