2018 Green Valley News INSIDERS

You might be surprised to know that December is the perfect time to buy a home in Green Valley. First of all, the good news is the inventory of homes in Green Valley has improved over the past few months!

And, there are great reasons to buy during this holiday season:

• Less Competition from other home buyers. Even though some of the snowbirds are here, the seasonal renters are not here yet. Most buyers are looking to buy presents, not houses.

• Motivated Home Sellers. Most sellers are selling over the holiday season for a reason. They want to make a move – and move on -- before the new year.

• Faster Closings. The title companies are not as busy this month and are looking to close homes before the year’s end.

• Motivated Agents. Agents aren’t as busy this time of year and will have plenty for time to give you lots of personal service.

• Holiday Spirit. Home sellers have that holiday spirt and, filled with good cheer, might be willing to make a better deal this time of year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah to all.

If you are looking to buy or sell your current home and want a great Green Valley Real Estate Expert, call Scott Chancellor, Realty Executives at 520-360-6973, scott@MrGreenValley.com www.MrGreenValley.com.

The question is always “How Much Is My Home Worth?” If you are thinking about selling, it is the most import question you will have.

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a way to compare your home with other homes that are for sale and that have sold recently. The CMA is an educated way to find home prices. Not all homes have the same features, though -- fireplace, granite, location, etc. -- so adjustments will need to be made to get a more accurate price.

With Green Valley’s real estate market being so hot -- and will get hotter once our snowbirds start showing up -- it’s important to get the right price from the start.

Overpricing your home can result in no showings, no offers and no sale.

Recently, though, I have seen homes sold as much as $20,000 under the current market price. It might be a good idea to get a second opinion on price before you list.

And NEVER rely on Zillow for pricing as it can be quite inaccurate.

If you would like to get an estimated value on your home by a Realtor with years of experience pricing in the Green Valley area, email me at Scott@MrGreenValley.com with your name and address and I will send you a complimentary (FREE!) Comparative Market Analysis on your home.

If you are looking to buy a home or sell your current home, call an Honest and Professional Realtor, Scott Chancellor, Realty Executives at 520-360-6973, www.MrGreenValley.com.

Since Green Valley has no real local government, our homeowners’ associations (HOAs) serve an important purpose. There are over 100 HOAs in the Green Valley area. All HOAs are not created equal, however. They all have different amounts of services they provide and different rules and regulations. The cost of the association can vary from as little as $25 per year to over $200 per month.

A good HOA will help protect your property values by keeping your neighborhood looking its best.

Some great reasons for HOAs are:

1) Keeping your neighborhood looking its best.

2) Sharing common area costs.

3) Helping to settle disputes between neighbors.

HOAs do get a bad reputation for several reasons, like high dues, being restrictive on what you can and can’t do and rules about getting approval for all exterior and landscaping projects.

But, without a good homeowners’ association, you could have your home and landscaping looking good while your next-door neighbor’s yard is full of weeds and their home is in disrepair. Without a good association you could be out of luck. What’s worse is trying to sell your home next to that neighbor.

If you want to protect your biggest investment, buy in a neighborhood that has a great homeowners’ association. Ask about it when you’re considering buying a home in any neighborhood.

If you are looking to buy or sell your current home, call a Green Valley Real Estate Expert, Scott Chancellor, Realty Executives at 520-360-6973, scott@MrGreenValley.com www.MrGreenValley.com.

 If you’re looking to buy a home but you’re not a cash buyer, get pre-qualified up front, now. It will save you a lot of time and heartache later. Your time is too valuable to look at homes that won’t fit into your budget.

Here are some tips:

1) Shop Local. Local mortgage brokers know the Green Valley market and local agents trust them. Stay away from internet lenders. Don’t just look at rates, but also what type of service they will provide you.

2) Know what you can afford. This will help you search for the right home the 1st time and avoid falling in love with something that isn’t in your budget.

3) No Pre-Qual - No contract. All contracts require a pre-qualification form or proof of funds.

Many homes come on the market and are under contract in just days or in some case hours. Buyers must be ready to act fast!

Here is one last tip. If you think you will be competing with other offers, consider offering above the asking price. You will be protected by the appraisal contingency in the contract.

Cash is still king in buying but, remember, most homes still have a mortgage on them.

With a pre-approval and a smart offer, you can still beat out cash buyers and win your dream home.

If you’re looking for an honest, trustworthy Realtor with a great reputation, call Scott Chancellor, Realty Executives at 520-360-6973, scott@MrGreenValley.com www.MrGreenValley.com.

 Green Valley Needs Green Valley Recreation (GVR), because it’s one of the things that make it a special place to live.

The department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that all active adult communities have recreation centers/activities for its residents. Green Valley has one of the best with:

• 13 recreation centers

• Many activities and clubs -- swimming, tennis, pickleball, card games, wood working, ceramics, dance clubs, computer club and much more

• Special events like dances, concerts and movies

• Classes galore -- from arts and crafts to Zumba

The GVR doesn’t have golf courses, so those who don’t play golf aren’t paying for them. Some people ask, then, why they have to pay for GVR if they don’t use the facilities.

Well, having all these amenities and activities makes our community more attractive to outsiders who are looking to buy. It’s similar to how you pay school taxes even though your children are probably not in the system. Good schools also attract buyers, and our school taxes are lower than other communities.

Activities and events are great places to meet your Green Valley neighbors. Whatever you like to do, GVR probably has it. Check it out at http://www.gvrec.org/.

Don’t like GVR? Get involved to change it or, there are homes in Green Valley that were never members. Or you could live in Sahuarita or Tucson.

If you’re looking for an honest, trustworthy Realtor with a great reputation call Scott Chancellor, Realty Executives at 520-360-6973, scott@MrGreenValley.com www.MrGreenValley.com.

As the real estate market continues to heat up, there are fewer and fewer homes for sale. It might be the right time to look into buying a new home. There are several good new home builders here in Green Valley. I’ve worked for several of them. There are some great benefits to buying a new home but some negatives too.

Some of the Pros:

• Customize your home - you can choice your cabinets, counter tops, colors and more. Get exactly what you want.
• Low maintenance - the newest technology means greater efficiency (lower bills), and you get a warranty on the whole home. No worries.
• “New Home Smell” - you know it’s new as soon as you walk in the door.

And some Cons:

• More $$$ - A new home could cost 15 - 25% more than an existing home plus any landscaping, blinds and anything else you need.
• Lack of Charm - Cookie cutter neighborhoods, immature landscaping and small home sites.
• No Changes - Some builders limit the changes you can make.
• Your home will never look like the model.

AND always remember to have a Realtor accompany you on your 1st visit. The new home sales people are very nice but they represent the builder and are trying to get the best deal for the builder, not you.

For information and help with selling your current home and/or buying your next one, contact a Realtor who is a new home expert -- Scott Chancellor, Realty Executives at 520-360-6973, scott@MrGreenValley.com www.MrGreenValley.com.

 Not only is our weather hot but the housing market is even hotter. Since the first of the year over 600 homes have been sold in Green Valley. Currently, there are just over 200 homes for sale.

Sellers always ask, “How much is my home worth?”  The truth is, even in a hot market not all homes sell. Here are a few tips to help sell your home quickly and for the most money:

1. Don’t overprice your home. Price it just above current comps. Don’t get greedy. Not setting the right price from the start is the number one reason homes don’t sell.
2. Make it easy to show. Buyers won’t buy what they can’t see.
3. Post great photos on the internet. This is where the buyers look 1st.
4. Make your home inviting. Open the blinds to make the house bright. Use air fresheners to remove odors or stale smells.
5. Update and repair. Replace old appliances and carpet, paint and do all needed repairs. Buyers in Green Valley don’t want fixer uppers.
6. Keep your AC on. It’s good for your home and buyers will stay longer to look around if it’s cool inside.

Next Month, “How to get a great deal in a seller’s market.”

For information and help with selling your current home and/or buying your next one, contact a Realtor who’s in town all summer -- Scott Chancellor, Realty Executives at 520-360-6973, scott@MrGreenValley.com www.MrGreenValley.com.

Spring has come and almost gone, our snowbirds are leaving and so will be a lot of our Green Valley real estate agents. Whether you’re staying this summer or leaving, you need to get your home ready.

If you leave your home over the summer:

• Turn off the water to your home.
• Set your thermostat to around 87 degrees.
• Have a friend, neighbor or home watch company check on your home.
• Let the Green Valley sheriff’s office know your home will be vacant. They’ll keep an eye on it at no charge.

If you’re staying for the summer, have your AC unit checked out now, before you need it.

Selling in the summer is hot!

The real estate market is still hot and home inventory is low. So, it’ a great time to sell. Strike while the iron is hot!

A lot of Green Valley Realtors leave town over the summer months. With cell phones and computers, these agents can make it seem like they never left town. BUT it’s always best to hire an agent who’s here in Green Valley for the summer instead of 100s of miles away. A Realtor in the area can do everything from showing your home to holding open houses, and just being available.

It’s up to you what type of service you prefer.

For information and help with selling your current home and/or buying your next one, contact a Realtor who’s in town all summer -- Scott Chancellor, Realty Executives at 520-360-6973, scott@MrGreenValley.com www.MrGreenValley.com..

Some sellers want an Open House all the time and others think it’s a waste of time. Real estate agents will tell you every home is different, and some are better candidates than others.

Lots of “lookie-loos”

Lazy agents know all the reasons not to do Open Houses.

It’s true that most who attend your Open House will be unqualified buyers, nosey neighbors and curious Lookie-Loos who have no intention of buying. In rare cases, there could even be some security and theft issues. And for some high-end properties, an Open House might not be the best marketing strategy. 

“I believe, in most cases, an Open House can be a great marketing tool,” said Insider Scott Chancellor of Realty Executives. “It’s a way to open your home up to many buyers in a no-pressure situation.”

Great reasons for having Open Houses

1) Extra Exposure – get more than one buyer in your home at the same time. 

2) Lack of Pressure- buyers can look around as much as they want, without feeling pressured by having an agent showing them around.

3) More knowledgeable Agent- The more your agent sees your home the more knowledgeable they will be on your home and all its special features.

4) It’s Free – and you even get free advertising via the internet.

Next Month: Snowbirds are leaving and so are the seasonal agents.

For information and help with selling your current home and/or buying your next one, contact Scott Chancellor, Realty Executives at 520-360-6973, scott@MrGreenValley.com www.MrGreenValley.com. 

 How times have changed in Green Valley’s real estate market. Now, there’s a low inventory of homes for sale. It’s a Seller’s Market. Prices are up. Some homes are being sold in just days on the market. Are they being sold too cheap? In some cases I believe so, but it’s not always the agent’s fault.

Here’s what YOU can do to get the most money for your home:

• Go for top dollar, but don’t overprice it. Most buyers look online first, so they’ll know yours is overpriced. They might not even look at your home.
• “Put your best foot forward.” Curb appeal is everything, so make it look amazing when they drive up. Inside, make everything clean and bright, get rid of all odors, do all necessary repairs. Buyers expect homes that need work to be discounted.
• Take all offers seriously. Don’t worry if you get fast offers. With few homes available, buyers are waiting to look at all homes as soon as they hit the market.
• Be ready to counter if you get more than one offer.

And Last But Not Least, get an experienced agent who knows Green Valley and the area you’re selling in. Ask them about their marketing plan to get the most money for your home.

Coming Next Month: Open Houses, Do they work?

For information and help with selling your current home and/or buying your next one, contact Scott Chancellor, Realty Executives at 520-360-6973, scott@MrGreenValley.com, www.MrGreenValley.com.

 Over the past year, the real estate market in Green Valley has become a seller’s market, with under 350 single family homes for sale. Some homes are being sold in just days on the market. So, if you find that perfect home, there are a few things you can do to help make sure it’s your next home:

• Make a strong 1st offer. In some cases, offer full price or even higher.
• Make it a clean offer. Don’t ask the seller to make any concessions; no Home Warranty or furniture thrown in for free. Remember you’re buying your next home, not used furniture.
• Add an escalation clause. If more than one offer comes in at the same time, you agree to pay a bit more than the other offers, up to a limit.
• Make your offer now. Do not wait to think it over. Time is not on your side. If it’s your perfect home, it will be perfect for someone else, too. As they say, the early bird gets the worm.
• Make sure your offer is easy to read and complete. Include all required documents.

These steps can make the difference between getting your dream home or having to keep looking.

Coming Next Month: Sellers - “Don’t Leave Money on the Table”

For information and help with selling your current home and/or buying your next one, contact Scott Chancellor, Realty Executives at 520-360-6973, scott@MrGreenValley.com, www.MrGreenValley.com.

The internet has made buying and selling homes easier than ever before. You don’t even have to leave your computer to make or accept offers. What used to take over a week to accomplish can now be done in a few minutes. But this added convenience comes at a big price: risking the security of your personal information. You need to be more cautious than ever before.

Chances are, your home is the biggest investment you’ll ever make. While your personal information is being passed around through the internet by real estate agents, title companies and loan officers, crooks are out there trying to steal your information and, ultimately, your money.

“Using secured emails is one great answer to protect your information,” said Scott Chancellor of Realty Executives. “Check and make sure your agent is using secured emails when sending your personal information to anyone.”

Good rules for all emails:

• Never, ever open any attachments or links from someone you don’t know.
• Never respond to an unknown email. Look at the address bar. If it looks wrong, IT IS!
• Change your passwords often.
• Do not use the same password for multiple accounts.
• Never use unsecured Wi-Fi (i.e. at a coffee shop or other public place) to send or even to view your personal information. Yes, it’s “free,” but it could turn out to be the most costly “free” thing you ever get.

For information and help with selling your current home and/or buying your next one, contact Scott Chancellor, Realty Executives at 520-360-6973, scott@MrGreenValley.com www.MrGreenValley.com