White Mountain Fishing And Camping

I wanted to write a new segment to our blog and mention some of the wonderful outdoor qualities the White Mountains has to offer. Arizona is a great state with many wonderful scenic destinations and breath taking landscapes. As you know, or if you don’t know, people from Tucson, Phoenix and across Arizona come to the White Mountains to escape the heat to enjoy the wonderful recreational activities this amazing place has.

When I was a young boy, my father used to bring me up the White Mountains to fish and camp on the North Fork of the White River, which is located 15 miles southeast of Pinetop. It was a great place for my father to teach me how to fish for trout on the streams and introduced me to camping. Every year we would make an annual trip to White Mountains every August to enjoy the beautiful forests and cool climate. We continued to come up here from when I was the age of 5 until I was 21 years old. It has become a tradition that I never want to end. As I became older, I began bringing my friends from Tucson to this beautiful country and they to fell in love with Show Low, Lakeside, Pinetop and the surrounding lakes and streams. To this day, whether it would be family or friends, we all try to attend our annual camping trip and enjoy the White Mountain outdoors.

My Home I Rented In Lakeside, Arizona

On my 28th birthday I had made the decision that I wanted to move from Tucson and rent a house in the White Mountains to see if I could see myself living here. In October of 2008, I packed up all of my belongings and rented a Uhaul and made the move. I got in contact with a property management firm in Lakeside, and they found me a beautiful home on a lake / pond. The house I was renting was amazing, you could even fish off my front patio because it was so close to the lake. Two years past by without even blinking and eye because of the fun I was having and outdoor activities that were all around me. I enjoyed the summers for the fishing, camping, hunting, 4 wheeling, hiking, summer nights, ect… And the winters for the snowboarding, sledding, snow, crisp air, warm fires, ect… After two years of living on the mountain, I made the decision to buy a home. An agent from Century 21 showed me properties for roughly 3 months before I bought a home. I now live in Show Low, by Fools Hollow lake. I was very pleased with the smooth process and constant contact with my agent during the entire home buying process.

The moral of my story is that, if you have a family or your single and enjoy the outdoors like I do, then follow your dreams. I always imagined that I would buy a home in the White Mountains where there were pine trees on my property. If your looking for a new cabin retreat or buying your first home, you won’t be disappointed. Raise a family in great weather and less crime that you won’t find in the major cities of Arizona.

Here Are Some Additional Photos Of The White Mountains Ive Taken:

Real Estate Terminology 101

There are often some unfamiliar terms in Real Estate and it’s helpful to get a better understanding of some of these words or abbreviations if you are either searching for a home to buy or thinking of selling your current property.

In the United States, real estate Brokers and their Salespersons most commonly called “real estate Agents” usually handle a sellers marketing/advertising of their property through the selling and assist buyers through a purchasing process. A real estate broker or real estate agent is a party who acts as an intermediary between sellers and buyers of real estate/real property and attempts to find sellers who wish to sell and buyers who wish to buy. In the United States, the relationship was originally established by reference to the English common law of agency, with the broker having a fiduciary relationship with his clients. Regardless of whether a real estate agent assists sellers or buyers legal actions are practiced, some form of negotiating will be preformed, assistance with financing and/or other options.

In many states, the real estate agent or salesperson (acting as an agent of a broker) must disclose to prospective buyers and sellers who represents whom. To work, salespersons must be associated with (and act under the authority of) a real estate broker. Although agents commonly fill out the real estate contract forms, agents are typically not given power of attorney to sign because the broker does a final review before signing. After gaining some years of experience in real estate sales, a salesperson may decide to become licensed as a real estate broker (or Principal/qualifying broker) in order to own, manage or operate their own brokerage. Accepting more responsibility and liability. In most of the United States, a person must have a license before they can preform real estate services or collect money rendered for services. Unlicensed activity is illegal, but buyers and sellers acting as principals (representing themselves) in the sale or purchase of real estate are not required to be licensed. In some states, lawyers are allowed to handle real estate sales for compensation without being licensed as a broker or agent.

A REALTOR is a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Licensed real estate agents who are not members of NAR and cannot use the term “realtor”.

The Multiple Listing System (MLS) a service introduced in 1967 is now available on line, in printed brochures or by getting listings from your agent. A MLS- Multiple Listing Service or also a Multiple Listing System is a suite of services that enables brokers to establish contractual offers of compensation or selling fee’s (among brokers), facilitates cooperation with other broker participants, accumulates and disseminates information to enable appraisals, and is a facility for the orderly correlation and dissemination of listing information to better serve broker’s clients, customers and the public. A multiple listing service’s database and software is used by real estate brokers representing sellers under a listing contract to widely share information about properties with other brokers who may represent potential buyers or wish to cooperate with a seller’s broker in finding a buyer for the property or asset. The listing data stored in a multiple listing service’s database is the proprietary information of the broker who has obtained a listing agreement with a property’s seller.

“Active”: If a listing is active, then it is available for purchase and there has not been an offer accepted. An offer may have been submitted, but it hasn’t been accepted by the seller or bank yet.

“Pending”: This means an offer has been submitted and accepted, and the property is now under contract waiting for closing.

“AWC”: Stands for Active With Contingencies. This means an offer was submitted and accepted, but there are contingencies that must be settled before the deal can close. There are numerous possible contingencies, but by far the most common one is that the deal is contingent on the buyer’s selling an existing property to secure financing. If a listing is in AWC status, additional offers can be submitted, but will be in “second position” to the original offer (ie: a backup offer). If the contingency can not be met, then the contingent contract would be cancelled and the backup offer moves into first position. Once the contingency is met, the listing should be moved to a “Pending” status.

“TOM”: Means Temporarily Off Market. Contrary to what a lot of people believe, TOM does not stand for Taken Off Market. This isn’t a widely used term or status but it does happen. A property may go TOM if a seller is going to be out of town for an extended period, or if the seller decides to do some repairs to the property and doesn’t want it shown while repairs are being done. If an agent starts calling owners who property is in TOM status to try and “relists” their home, they are violating all kinds of listing and ethical rules and regulations. A property in TOM status is still under a signed listing agreement with a broker & listing agent, hence any solicitation of a TOM property is a serious violation and can cause loss of a license.

“Escrow”: The time period when the transaction or contract is being completed or closed by a natural 3rd party who receives the funds and documents to carry out all the terms and conditions that were outlined in the contract.

“Sold”: This indicates the property has been sold to a buyer meaning the transaction has closed – title/deed have been transferred to a new owner.

Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) – is an estimate of the home’s value compared with others. This differs from an appraisal in that property currently for sale may be taken into consideration as competition for the subject property.

“FSBO”: Means For Sale By Owner, owner(s) have elected not to be helped or be represented by real estate professional in selling.

In some cases a seller will ask or a buyer may elect to put up “Earnest Money” these funds are used to show good faith or seriousness from the buyer(s) that is held in escrow until the closing.

Compensation is traditionally based on a pre-determined % of the sales price, split between the buying and selling brokers, and then between the agent(s).

“CC&Rs”: covenants, conditions and restrictions for private land, a subdivision or condominium

“C of O”: Certificate of Occupancy is granted by a government agency after passing inspections where a property is determined to be in compliance with building and safety codes

“Foreclosure”: A legal proceedure when property is originally used as security/collater for a debt/loan is sold to satisfy/pay back the debt owed after default in payment such as a mortgage.

Energy Efficient Tips For Your Home

Here are some tips and tricks to making your home more energy efficient. By improving your home’s energy use you can save yourself huge amounts of money, the planet and the future lifestyles of your great grandchildren. Reducing cost and natural resources by using Energy Star / Energy Efficient appliances are just some ways to going green. Read through our list of tips to make your home a more energy efficient one.

Reducing the size of your living space can significantly reduce you energy cost every month . Consider subdividing your larger home to accommodate multiple households, grow your family to the size of your home, or close off unused rooms to conserve.

Correctly insulating your home can save you money on your heating and cooling bill.  For older homes, insulate from the inside. On newer houses, you can insulate from the outside. The best way to make your home energy efficient is to maximize the insulation’s effectiveness, consistently apply it throughout the house. For example, a well-insulated wall is virtually useless next to an open window. Ensure that your home is airtight and eliminate any air leaks. This will also increase the efficiency in your home and keep your bills low.

Be sure to install quality windows in your home. Double or triple glazed windows can help with the heating and cooling in your home.Whenever possible, reduce the size of your windows; they can represent a huge source of air loss.

Landscaping is another way to make your home more energy efficient. During the summer months, if you in the warmer climate, you can plant trees to give you shade and keep your home cooler in the summer. In the winter, or if your in a cold climate, plant trees that will lose their leaves in the winter allowing your home to get more sunlight.

Another big factor to making your home more energy efficient is installing energy efficient appliances. This can include a water heater, air conditioner, and furnace. Visit your local appliance store and look for appliances that have a energy efficient label on them. These items can save you money each month by conserving on energy.

Using fluorescent lighting in you home can also reduce the amount of electricity you use every month. Fluorescent technology is continuously improving, so using fluorescent bulbs can help keep your energy levels low and also deliver bright light in your home. Combining fluorescent with incandescent lighting is another way to trim your energy usage and obtain a good spectrum of light inside your home.

Having a efficient washing machine with a good Energy Star rating can help save both water and energy. Many of the new brand washing machines with the Energy Star rating even rinses more laundry detergent out of your clothes. Consult with your local appliance store to find out whats available and affordable.

Air drying your laundry can reduce your energy demands and prolong the life of your clothing. In colder climates or apartments you can use an indoor drying rack to air dry your clothes. Otherwise, old school line drying outdoors can often reduce the need for ironing and also save you time.

Do’s and Dont’s For Home Buying And Selling

Here are some important reminder’s for buyers and sellers looking to sell or buy property. It’s always good to be informed and up-to-date on certain actions we take when looking to sell or buy a home. With this list, you will be better prepared to make a decision on what to do and what not to do when its time to make that big investment or sell your home to a potential buyer. The process of selling or buying a home can be life draining sometimes and its good to be knowledgeable on how to handle situations between you and your agent. Feel free to comment if you have anything you would like to add from your personal experiences in the real estate home buying process.

The Do’s

Be certain your agent is knowledgeable about your town, city or the area. He or she should have a good understanding of the local community, schools, recreation and potential HOA’s to share with potential buyers.

Have a clear understanding of the selling process and legal obligations. Familiarize yourself with the typical marketing time in your area, what to expect with a home inspection and any other items that could be of concern. Also, be familiar with the contracts and process, home review or showing, mortgage contingency, title companies, escrows and closing time frames.

The Do Not’s – Dont’s

Do Not just go with the agent who tells you your house is worth the most. Agents should conduct some research to estimate the pricing, and you should consider looking at the competition in your neighborhood or area.

Do Not just assume that the agent who sold you your house will be a good fit on the selling side. Interview more than one person/agent to find out what each brokerage has to offer.

Do Not ignore offers that do not meet your asking price. By not countering even what you consider a low offer or an offer below your asking price, you could easily discourage what may ultimately be a good offer.

Do Not assume that your agent works full-time or can be reached at any time. Be sure to ask and discuss the best forms of communication and contact for both you and your agent.

Eight Tips To Selling Your Home

Here are some useful tips to consider when selling your home. Use these tips to attract potential buyers to gain interest in your home. The more you follow these small steps, the better chance you have in selling your home quickly. Read below of the eight most important things you can do to turn your home into a buyers dream.

You’ve seen them, we’ve all seen them. People hunkered down low in their cars in front of your house or your neighbors house, doing the slow drive-bys and the quick lawn sprints to grab a flyer before deciding whether to request a showing or attend an open house. Make these potential buyers fall in love with your home from the street by adding potted plants and flowers, power-washing patios, walkways and siding. Weed the garden and mow the lawn. It’s your first chance to make a good impression that your home is well cared for, so you’ve got to make it count. Your home’s exterior is your first chance to reel in buyers and make a great first impression. If they see an overgrown lawn or unattractive walkway, they’ll move on to the next house. That’s why it’s crucial to add “curb appeal” to the external attractiveness of a home from the street – before you even put your home on the market.

Make it sparkle, squeak and shine.
Pretend that your mother or mother-in-law is coming for a visit. Think hotel clean. Mop, dust, vacuum, wash windows, baseboards even the cat. Remember that people will look in your cupboards, under your sinks, in your closets and any where else they can. So, pay particular attention to places you normally overlook or odors you may have gotten used to. Also try avoiding even too much of a good smell such as air fresheners or candles as some people may be sensitive to fragrance. You might even consider consulting a neutral nose and fresh pair of eyes by having a friend come by for a small test.

Pay attention to color and light.
You may love hot pink and black in the bathroom, but too-bright colors turn buyers off. Neutralize strong colors for the broadest appeal. A neutral home appears larger and has less chance of deterring someone. Also, open up blinds and possibly remove excess draperies to make sure there’s sufficient natural light throughout the home. Remember, lighting is the most effective way to set a mood.

Depersonalize and declutterize
Few things deter buyers more than a cluttered home. They need to see your home, not your stuff. Excessive and expensive personal items like photos, fine art, collections, personal awards, electronics and collectibles will make it difficult for buyers to see past your personal style and may deter a sale. Taking yourself out of the picture makes it easier for buyers to imagine themselves, and their stuff, in your space. Remember strangers will be in your home, you do not want people remembering the faces of your children or brand of your new flat screen. Home invasions and break-ins do happen, make these unfortunate happenings less of a chance by having these things gone before your agent comes to take photos. Crowded closets and cabinets give the perception that your home lacks space. Get clutter under control by placing excess furniture and unnecessary items in storage and organizing each room. A simple portable locked outside shed or a month to month storage unit can be rented to store these things.

Consider removing or replacing furnishings.
Think about removing or replacing worn or outdated furnishings and get rid of extra pieces. The time has come to move beyond matching furniture, so breaking up your sets may make that good change. Dated can easily become eclectic with editing and rearranging. Consider consulting with a professional staging company or your agent for design direction and advice on rental furnishings to create an inviting home with broad appeal to a wide range of buyers. Displaying new artwork is a great way to breathe new life into a room. Photography can be used to con-temporize a room and add a splash of color as well.

Make repairs or finish your “honey-do” list
Fixer uppers get low-ball offers, if any at all. Don’t give buyers a reason to haggle on price. Make necessary repairs and invest in value-boosting updates. Prioritize by choosing projects that will give you the most return on your investment.
Make your home appear to be a low-maintenance high-priority zone. Oil squeaky hinges or adjust sticking doors. Replacing entire broken fixtures or just replacing a broken part are typically inexpensive and usually have matching decor. So spring for new light fixtures and water faucets. Renew the look of the room by replacing old or dated fixtures, door hardware, light switches, electrical outlets and plate covers. If it’s just plane tacky or older than you, get it out of there. Go to your local home improvement store, if you do not see your bathroom light fixture on the wall of displays it may be too out of date for potential buyers.

Apply a fresh coat of paint or touch up chipped or smudged more fresh paint as well as wipe down dirty walls or hand prints.
Painting is the best bang for your buck and will quickly refresh a dull, dated or too personal room. Slap a fresh, neutral color on the walls and a lighter or white on baseboards and trim, unless these are wood. Choose a beige or taupe for living spaces and a even more lighter neutral tone for bathrooms.

Don’t forget the floors.
Get rid of worn carpets, and consider refinishing worn hardwood floors. If it is in your budget upgrading your lanolin to ceramic tile upgrades and adds value to your home. An inexpensive new area rug is a quick fix and can disguise the look of worn carpet and old floors but it can also bring in added color and depth to a space.

Century 21 Sunshine Realty

Here at Century 21 Sunshine Realty, we are committed to providing professional real estate services to our clients. We strive to go up and above our duties to establish a relationship with our buyers and sellers. Century 21 is a trusted brand where you can feel comfortable when it comes to buying and selling real estate. With locations all across the globe, Century 21 agents are knowledgeable about the marketing techniques best suited for your needs. Brokers and sales associates here in our office have access to some of the best real estate training in the industry so you can rest easy knowing your home sale or purchase is in the hands of a well-trained real estate professional Our service pledge here at Century 21 Sunshine Realty is providing quality service you deserve. Let us consult with you on marketplace trends and assist you with any pricing issues or concerns you may have when it comes to a property your interested in. Our staff is dedicated to providing our clients with daily updated real estate listings that meet your search criteria and budget. Should you have mortgage, inspection, home warranty and title needs, the agents here at Century21 Sunshine Realty can assist you. We do our best to help provide access to a complete real estate package. Contact one of our dedicated Century 21 Sunshine real estate agents below that are extremely knowledgeable about the White Mountains and surrounding communities.

Contact an Agent Today From The Sunshine Realty Office!

Jason Grimes

  • Email Me At: jason.grimes@century21.com
  • Phone Number: 928-358-0559
  • Office Number: 928-537-7121

Cortnie Robinson

  • Email Me At: cortnie.robinson@century21.com
  • Phone Number: 928-358-2653
  • Office Number: 928-537-7121

Ten Steps To Take When Buying A Home

Trying to find that perfect home for you to buy can be a daunting task. Many people run into problems when buying a home because they didn’t do their research before jumping the gun. There are some steps that you can take to make the experience more exciting and less stressful. Follow these ten steps to help your home buying adventure become more rewarding and pleasant.

Finding The Right Real Estate Agent

  • Get in to contact with a well reputable firm like Century 21 Sunshine that will protect you through the home buying process.
  • Find a real estate agent that will work hard at finding a home that meets all the criteria that your looking for.
  • Look for honesty, reliability, and integrity when choosing your agent to represent your home buying process.
  • Find someone you feel comfortable to work with, someone you can communicate well with to make the home buying process more enjoyable.

Affording The Home Your Buying

  • Making sure you can afford the home your buying is an very important step. Take in account of the cost of mortgage, homeowners insurance and yearly property taxes.
  • Get information on your local utilities and a rough estimate as to what they will cost per month. These utilities would include gas, water, electric, sewer and trash. Also determine the cost of the utilities during the colder months and see how much your bills may fluctuate.
  • Be sure to talk with your realtor and find out if the home you are buying is in a neighborhood that is regulated by HOA’s ( Home Owners Association Fees) or CC&R’s ( Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions ). These regulations may have certain stipulations that govern what you can do with your property.
  • Maintenance can be very costly if your property needs lots of up-keep. Take notes of the property and get a good understanding as to what it would cost to keep the home or property cleaned up and well maintained. Be sure to have enough money saved just in-case there is an emergency that arises and something needs to be fixed.
  • In most cases when buying a home there are improvements that need to made. Set aside some money to cover the cost for renovations and repairs that may need to be made to make the house livable or more desirable. This may also include acquiring new furniture, household appliances, fixtures or new flooring. In any case, be sure to take this into account cause it could be a big expense.
  • A very important cost to buying a home is to understand that there are closing costs involved to seal the deal when buying a home. Get in touch with your realtor and financial institution to make sure you are aware of all the money that may be required at closing to purchase your home.
  • When purchasing a home, there are costs that you might endure while transitioning into your new home. Moving expenses can be quite costly. Be sure to plan and budget for these expenses if they should arise.

Mortgage Payments and Interest Rates

  • Consult with your financial institution and find the best interest rates available to you. When trying to determine your mortgage payment, try to factor in that a down payment is typically 20%. The more money you can put down towards your down payment the lower your mortgage payment will be. This will usually save you money in the longer run with lower interest rates and having to avoid private mortgage insurance that’s an additional cost.
  • Add up your monthly income and home expenses and try to find a mortgage payment that is suitable and affordable for you. Keeping your home owners expenses roughly 30% of your monthly income and below is where you want to focus on.
  • When buying home, remember that if you put 20% down payment on the total cost of the home, that you already have 20% equity in that home while you are financing the other 80%.

Understanding Your Mortgage and Everything Involved

  • Take time to read through all your papers before signing on a new home. Get a good understanding when you monthly mortgage payments will start and when they will end.  Find out what your monthly payments will be and be sure to find out if your interest rates are adjustable or fixed.
  • If you have an adjustable rate mortgage, be extremely careful, and get a full understanding of how much they can fluctuate especially if you planning on staying in the home longer than your fixed rate period. If you have any questions about your loan, whether it would be an adjustable rate or a fixed rate, to contact your loan officer for the details on your loan.

Get a Home Inspection Done

  • When you find a home that your are interested in and are considering buying, be sure to get a home inspection done from someone independent from the seller. This is extremely important so your informed of any hidden defects in the house.
  • After getting an inspection done, you will receive a copy of the detailed report so you can determine if there is any extra work that needs to be done on the home. You will also receive information explaining the different features the home may have such as heating / cooling, if your on a sewer or septic tank, what kind of condition the home is in, ect…

Buying a Home Before Selling

  • When buying a home before selling your former one, you can end up paying for two mortgages and two sets of home expense. Plan every detail out and budget if you decide to buy a home before you sell your previous one. This also ties into knowing when your first mortgage payment is due and when your closing will take place on your new home.
  • If you are working on a budget, and trying to sell a property while trying to buy a home, it would be best to sell your previous home first. There is no magical number of what the costs will be when purchasing a new home. The best thing to do is minimize your investment as much as possible but taking the necessary steps to protect yourself from becoming short on cash.

Distance From Work or Workplace

  • Try to get a good idea on what it would cost to drive back-and-forth from work. We all know how expensive gas is these days and driving is pretty much necessary to get the job done. Set aside a budget plan to accommodate the cost of gas and tie that into your monthly expenses so it won’t come to a surprise in the future.

Property Taxes and Tax Benifits

  • The best thing to do to find out about property taxes is to find out what county you reside in and get information on what your yearly property taxes are. Property taxes are usually due twice a year and can usually be intertwined with your monthly mortgage payment and home owners insurance.
  • See if there any tax benefits for purchasing the home you are interested in. Before you buy, talk with an accountant and have them run a tax projection with or without the house and find any details as to what your tax benefits maybe for buying that in particular home.
  • With the declining economy, there have been government programs that help first time home buyers get tax breaks if they purchase a new home. Find out if you qualify for these programs cause they can help you with many of the necessary cost it takes to becoming a home owner.

Emergency Funds For Repairs

  • Being a home owner requires you to be responsible for your property. Having extra cash set aside will allow you to take care of any home repairs, renovations, and or remodeling that may need to be done.  It’s better to have those funds available to you through a checking or savings account than running up credit cards for repairs.
  • There is usually always something that will need to be repaired when you become a home owner. You will feel more comfortable having the funds available to you when something should arise. Get in touch with your neighbors and local community to find out what handyman reputable and affordable if you need to contract someone to maintenance  you home.

Buy Smart And Know All Risks

  • Market prices are always changing with today’s economy. Be smart when choosing your next home. Be sure to look over all your documentation when deciding on a property that your interested in. If you follow these steps when making a home purchase, it will make your home buying process that much easier and know what to expect. Do your research and determine if you making the right choice before you buy. Your realtor should provide you with a good estimate on what a home should sell for based on a number of factors. Have fun and good luck on your next purchase.

 


 
 
 
 

Jason Grimes

  • Email Me At: jason.grimes@century21.com
  • Phone Number: 928-358-0559
  • Office Number:  928-537-7121

Cortnie Robinson

  • Email Me At: cortnie.robinson@century21.com
  • Phone Number: 928-358-2653
  • Office Number: 928-537-7121

 

White Mountains Arizona

Welcome to the new and improved White Mountains Real Estate and home buying guide. We have been working hard to provide our clients with the best property listings through the Century21 brand and MLS network. Find available properties and vacant land to buy that are available through sellers, bank foreclosures, and real estate investors. Each day new listings are added to our website directly through the MLS, so you’re guaranteed not to miss out on your next dream home.

The beautiful White Mountains offers some of the very best in outdoor activities. If you’re an outdoorsy type there are plenty of recreational things for you to do. During the winter months, the White Mountains of Arizona is known for its skiing and snowboarding season. When spring rolls around you can take advantage of some of the best fishing Arizona has to offer. Many tourists enjoy the summer for camping, hunting, fishing and getting away from the heat to enjoy the cool climate. Majority of the White Mountains are surrounded by national forest which provides an excellent destination for campers and people looking to escape the heat.

Since the White Mountains of Az is so popular for its amazing landscape, many people look to buy a second home or a vacation home in the neighboring cities. Relax in the tall pine trees in a centrally located cabin or home, and explore local communities for fine dining, nightly entertainment, and festivities this great place has to offer. With only a population of 40,000 during the winter months and double that during the summer months, its perfect for raising a family with less crime than most of the major cities across Arizona.

Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and get updated information on new homes that hit the market. We do our very best to keep our clients informed with the changing real estate market and news from our surrounding towns. Check back often for more White Mountain Property blog posts.