Ever wonder what an Arizona real estate licensees are supposed to do for you in a real estate transaction?

Here’s the list from the Arizona Department of Real Estate:

 1000 Shangri La, Oak Creek Canyon

This home was purchased in 2008 as a foreclosure and it was updated throughout.  Since 2008:

• new appliances
• laminate wood flooring
• hot tub/spa
• extended decks
• remodeled bathrooms (2)
• added storage
• painted exterior

This property was built in 1986 and when purchased in 2008 looked like this:

This is what 1000 Shangri La Dr, Oak Creek Canyon, looks like today:

The interior of this Oak Creek Canyon house:

At night you can hear the water running down the creekway…during the day you can hear the birds, watch the wildlife of deer, Javelina, and other assorted critters.

Other features of this property:

• private well
• sprinkler system
• 2 bedrooms + loft
• 2 bathrooms
• laundry room
• under house storage
• RV parking space
• single A/C unit in bedroom
• tinted windows

Rancho Shangri La is located halfway between “The Trout Farm” and “Slide Rock State Park” along SR89A.

A bit of history:

Historical weather of the area:  click here.

From Wikipedia:

“Oak Creek Canyon is a river gorge located along the Mogollon Rim in northern Arizona between the cities of Flagstaff and Sedona. The canyon is often described as a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon because of its scenic beauty. State Route 89A enters the canyon on its north end via a series of hairpin turns before traversing the bottom of the canyon for about 13 miles (20.8 kilometers) until the highway enters the town of Sedona…

… is about 12 miles (19.2 km) long, ranging in width from 0.8 to 2.5 miles (1.3 to 4 km). The depth of the canyon ranges from 800-2,000 feet (240 to 600 meters). However, due to the faulting that played a major role in its formation, the west rim of the canyon is 700 feet (210 meters) higher than the east rim. The average elevation of the west rim is 7,200 feet (2,160 meters) while the east rim elevation is 6,500 feet (1,950 m)

Oak Creek, a tributary of the Verde River, flows along the bottom of the canyon, and is one of the few perennial streams in the high desert region of northern Arizona…”

Further up the road is West Fork, one of the most awesome places in the fall.  Reds, oranges, greens, chartreuses, dark greens…  But it has many, many hikers and visitors during the rest of the year.  Located just north of Sedona… West Fork is the most popular hiking trail in the Coconino National Forest and possibly the most scenic in Arizona. It is a perfect hiking trail in all seasons.

There’s so much more to tell you about this beautiful property… why not call Kathy Howe for a showing?

• 928-274-4088 call or text me
• kathy@kathyhowe.com for additional information 

map courtesy of Corelogic Q3 2011 Report

It appears that Arizona still has a way to go to recover from the housing market decline.  But the translation is that there may be many great buys for those who are looking for properties, either for use as principal residence, secondary residence, or investment.

From a report from AZCentral.com, during the summer of 2011, shows that the “underwater” or negative home equity amount for Arizona homeowners averaged “$60,000″.  The real estate market in Sedona includes many short sales and foreclosures.  That is also true for most of the Verde Valley.

So now is the time for you to take advantage of buying a Sedona or Verde Valley property and begin a live of red rock vistas, small town living, and outdoor living throughout the year.

Negative Home Equity

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy   928-274-4088   kathy@kathyhowe.com

• how2arizona real estate LLC
• Owner/Broker
• Buyer Broker Representative
• Uptown Sedona Resident
• Real Estate Educator – owner:  how2educate LLC
• Maricopa County Court Volunteer Mediator

Negative Home Equity

Can anyone tell me why real estate agents cannot return a phone call, a text, or an email within 24 hours?

Under R4-28-1102(2) of the Arizona Administrative Code:

R4-28-1102. Property Negotiations

Except for owner listed properties, negotiations shall be conducted exclusively through the principal’s broker or the broker’s representative unless:

1. The principal waives this requirement in writing, and

2. No licensed representative of the broker is available for 24 hours.

Agents use smart phones that allow them to answer phone calls, text, or read/answer email.

Voicemail allows the agent to change their voicemail message each day, especially when they are going to be busy and may not be able to return a call as quickly as on another day.  Technology is awesome!!

So why do agents not return phone calls, text messages, or emails for over 24 hours?

24 hours

As an instructor who teaches other than the Sedona area, I hear agents complaining bitterly about the lack of communication within our industry.  Sad.  At first I thought perhaps those older agents who were not tech-savvy were the culprits, but no.  According to agents of all ages, the lack of communication occurs across the generations.

Not good.

Our consumers are entitled to more and better.

In many classes, educators try to remind agents to define the means of communication with clients prior to establishing a working relationship.  Most people have preferences.  Ask them what they prefer and work to return communication within 15 minutes if possible or at your earliest convenience.

how2arizona real estate LLC requires the agent’s phone number an signs, websites, ads, etc.  We want you to be able to go straight to the agent for information.  If you cannot reach the agent, call Kathy Howe 928-274-4088.  As broker, I can assure you that you will get a call back within 24 hours…My message is changed every day to let you know what I have on my agenda, and when I might be free to speak with you.  Like most agents, the more detailed a message, the easier it is for me to have the information for you when I return your call, text, or email.

24 hours

When you have a question, it can seem like an eternity!!

Kathy Howe, owner/broker

• how2arizona real estate LLC
• 928-274-4088
• kathy@kathyhowe.com

Proud Uptown Resident

24 Hours

189 Ridge Rock Rd, Sedona, AZ 86351

Sedona Golf Resort

• 2594 sqft
• 3 bedrooms
• 3 baths
• Reduced to $525,000

Gently used (1 week a year)

MUST SEE! Is a second home…Numnerous upgrades: including plantation shutters in all rooms, celing fans in bedrooms, raised vanities in all three bathrooms, pre-wired sterio speakers in living room, dining/kitchen master bedroom,and rear patio. Gas fireplace insert, chandelier in dining room and matching pendant lights in kitchen and hall. Granite island in kitchen,upgraded cabinets. upgraded coriancoundtertops with tumbled stone backsplash. 4′ extension of 3 car garage, 70 gallon hot water heater plus instant heat pump. Large covered pation. Hilton spa discount and special golf rate. Within walking distance of golf, spa, bank, geocery store, post office and other business outlets.

Furniture & artwork available under separate agreement

Sedona Golf Resort

The Sedona Golf Resort is just off SR179, minutes off I-17.

1-2 hours from greater Phoenix.  An hour from Flagstaff.  Escape the snow of Flag and enjoy golf and good times at the Sedona Golf Resort.

The Sedona Golf Resort is on SR179, south of Sedona, located in the Village of Oak Creek.  A resort community for those who want the conveniences of big, medium, or small cities at hand, but private enough to enjoy the upscale resort living of golf, home dinner parties, exclusive vistas and views…  the Sedona Golf Resort offers all of this and more.

Bert Berkshire (Agent and lives across street)  928-300-3523

sedonabert@msn.com

Sedona Golf Resort

A SEDONA CHRISTMAS

from SEDONAKATHY

We are all worried about the US economy and wonder what we can do to improve the outlook, jobs, and leadership.

A thought…

Buy American.

Think:  Made in America

Think about it… just buy 5% more American-made products than you did last year.

Imagine if everyone made that their 2012 resolution.

Have a very warm, wonderful holiday.  May your Christmas bring you to Sedona, either in person or in spirit.  May your Christmas be spiritual and may your New Year begin with the wonder of “what can be”.   Remember, you are only limited by your imagination.

Dream.

Merry Christmas

and a very Happy New Year.

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

born Christmas day

Uptown Sedona Homes for Sale

If you’re looking for a property for sale in one of the most stable neighborhoods in Sedona, give Kathy Howe a call:  928-274-4088.

Here are a few of our favorite Uptown listings:  Click here.

Here is the Sold information for Sedona areas, including Uptown:  Click here.

Area 41 includes Uptown.

Uptown 

This is the time to come to Sedona, enjoy the cool, brisk weather, hike Brins Mesa, stop at West Fork for a walk along Oak Creek while you “leaf-peep” the fall colors, stop at Junipine Resort for lunch, or call to see if you can dine at Garland’s Resort.

Fall in the Sedona area is one of the most beautiful times of the year.  From Jazz on the Rocks, the Plein Air Festival at the Sedona Art Center, Halloween on Main Street, start of the Sedona Chamber Music’s 29th season, and strolling through Tlaquepaque, you will sense and feel the serenity, peace, and sense of self that we residents feel all year round.

For more information about what to do while in Sedona, visit the Sedona Chamber of Commerce.

Ladies:  Chico’s is at The Pinon Shops at the Hyatt in Uptown!

For hiking information, visit The Hike House, or venture out on your own.  To help you with hiking information, click here.  For Sedona Restaurants, try Picazzo’s, Heartline Cafe, The Coffee Pot Restaurant, the Hideaway, Ken’s Creekside, the Barking Frog, Shugrue’s, Javelina Cantina, Taos Grill, Hundred Rox at Amara, L’Auberge de Sedona, Canyon Breeze for dancing on the weekends… The Cowboy Club in Uptown features buffalo burgers and cactus fries…

This picture was taken 11-10-10 as part of Kathy’s annual fall walk along Oak Creek in West Fork.  She’s been doing it since the early ’70s and it only gets better every year.

More pictures of the West Fork area can be found at SedonaKathy’s website.

Once you have savored the tastes, smells, and sights of Sedona and the surrounding areas, consider making Sedona a permanent place for you to vacation by looking at possible second, third, or fourth homes.  If you really sense the beauty and peace of Sedona, consider this your new permanent residence.  Let Kathy show you properties throughout the Sedona area… it just might be the first day of the rest of your life!

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy 928-274-4088, kathy@kathyhowe.com is a resident of…

Uptown Sedona

Play Golf at the Sedona Golf Resort

Sedona in the fall is awesome!  Beautiful fall colors begin to dot the landscape.  The weather is clean and crisp.  The golf is outstanding!  And there are specials.  Grab your clubs and book a tee time at the Sedona Golf Resort.

The Sedona Golf Resort

A day of Sedona golf is one of the best things you can do for yourself.  When your game is over and you have a chance to look around, call Bert Berkshire to show you some of the properties for sale at the Sedona Golf Resort.  Bert has a great listing at 189 Ridge Rock Road.  It’s one of the best priced of the Sedona homes for sale in the area an it’s barely been lived in!  On a cul-de-sac…

  Call Bert:  928-300-3523

Let Bert show you

The Sedona Golf Resort

And spend some time at the Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa - then maybe head over to Tequa for dinner at one of the restaurants.

One of Sedona’s best restaurants can be found at Cucina Rustica.  One of the finest Italian restaurants in the area.

Shopping at the Outlet Mall…

Sedona’s Golf Resort area, located south of Sedona on SR179 is one-of-a-kind in vacation living.  Try it.  You won’t be disappointed.  The Resort is located near the Village of Oak Creek and its club house, tennis, and golf course.  The area is perfect for those who want to enjoy Arizona and avoid the big city life.  Two great areas for outdoor living.  Sedona golf is the best!

Try the Sedona Golf Resort

1535 Bent Creek, Cornville AZ Land

If you click on the address above you can go to the page that will play the video showing the views.  Then call Kathy for a showing:  928-274-4088.

 Cornville AZ Land

  Bent Creek, Cornville AZ Land for sale

Cornville AZ Land

The owners will consider financing the property.  Negotiable.  Call Kathy Howe for the gate code before showing as the residents have a gate to keep out unnecessary traffic… a really great benefit of living in the area.  Yes, there are CC&Rs and restrictions on kind of house and size of house.  The area is unique and well maintained.

Cornville is considered Area 17 in the SVVAR MLS.  If you are looking for properties in Cornville or Page Springs, go to:  SVVAR MLS and put in 17 when asked “what area”.  Cornville AZ Land actives will be available to you.

1.94 acres

Information about Cornville, AZ

kathy@kathyhowe.com

Call or text:  928-274-4088  Kathy Howe

how2arizona real estate LLC

CORNVILLE AZ LAND

This article appeared in the Sedona Red Rock News on Wednesday, 9-28-11

There are many wonderful things to say about Sedona and this article hardly covered all of them.  When I went on the Board of Directors for Sedona Main Street, I wanted to reunite the neighbors with Uptown.  So many of the stories, the memories, and the love of Sedona is rooted in the foothills behind the Uptown shops.  Many of the neighbors have been there since the ’70s.  Some longer.

UPTOWN SEDONA

My Sedona…

Visitors.  We are delighted you’ve chosen to visit Sedona!

The first thing you’ll be asked is how long you’ve lived in Sedona.  It’s part of the culture to determine how rooted you are in the community.  Trust me.  Even if you just arrived to spend the day at Tlaquepaque, unless you assert your visitor status, the question will come up.

Next, you will be judged on how you navigate the round-abouts.  If you get through the one at Sr179 and Schnebly without a “honk”, you’re ready to tackle the big one and go to the Post Office without stopping or getting hit.  How do you navigate a round-about?  According to my niece, Reilly, who lives in New Zealand: “If the car coming your way is bigger and faster than you, yield!”  Technically, if you’re in the “round” portion, you have the right-of-way.  For heaven’s sake, do not stop in the round-about to let cars go by.  That is a local reason to use the horn.

So you’re a night person.  Hopefully you filled up on nightlife before driving to Sedona.  Oh, it’s not that we don’t have a “night life”, it’s just that our version of “tripping the light fantastic” might be a bit different than yours.  Did anyone tell you that the average age of a Sedona resident is 51?  Having said that, if you want to kick up your boots or stilettos, you should be directed to the Canyon Breeze on the weekends, Ken’s Creekside in the evenings, or Relics, down the road in West Sedona,.  No, you won’t see many residents at those places as there are not enough designated drivers in the Sedona to get us home.  It’s hard enough at our age to drive, let alone blow into a contraption before starting the car.  That, and, in West Sedona there are no streetlights along SR89A.  No telling where you might end up.

The residents.  Are they friendly?  Most of the time.  You can find them early in the morning walking in the foothills behind Uptown Sedona, from Forest to Jordan Park, as singles, doubles or small packs.  Some will have dogs on leashes while the cat people will be the fast walkers pacing themselves and ending their morning exercise with a stop at Starbucks for a Latte and a paper.  The neighborhood is friendly.  Just be careful.  If the gossip is good, it will be hard to get them to move to the side of the road to let your car go by.  Have patience

What’s to love about Sedona?  The pesky Javelinas who root through the bulbs, flowers, and prickly pear cactus left unattended, unfenced, and sometimes non-existant; but, if Javelina are not seen for several weeks, residents call out across the arroyos or down the hills (notice how sound carries here?) asking “Have you seen the Javelina?”  Next, they will put out food to lure them back.  Same with the deer.  Bucky and Buckette are always welcome in Sedona.

Cocktail hour.  Rock naming.  Did you know that the number of rocks named, are in direct proportion to the number of Martinis consumed?  You can now understand why the residents prefer their own decks or patios instead of venturing out to a restaurant or bar.  Dancing after rock-naming is unheard of in Sedona.

Peace and quiet.  Even in the Uptown area of Sedona where dark-sky compliant lighting casts a misty glow over SR89A and SR179, the neighborhoods are dark as pitch.  Going next door to a neighbor’s house after dark requires at least one LED 1000 lumen flashlight in order to find the road, let alone the house.

Shopping Sedona.  You can tell the female residents by the “Chico’s” look.  It has been heard:  “Chico’s?”  “Chico’s!!”  The Sedona male residents?  Aloha shirts.  Well, think about it.  Would it be better if they wore their red dirt shirts?  And welcome Petsmart!  Monday of Labor Day weekend, Petsmart did a “soft” opening, followed by a Grand Opening on 9/10.  You now have the added advantage of identifying a resident from a visitor by the free Petsmart T-shirts!

Sedona has changed, but then who hasn’t.  Sedona isn’t the same unfinished, diamond-in-the-rough that I met in the early ‘70s.  She’s all grown up now, added a little gloss and glitter, and she has enhanced the scenery in every direction. My Sedona is still Sedona Schnebly: a woman of immense strength and character.

Visitors, come back and mingle with us in Uptown Sedona where we natives are friendly!

Kathy Howe

UPTOWN SEDONA RESIDENT

As of 11-27-11, there are 28 listings in Sedona Uptown’s area 41

We will only be listing those North of SR89A.  Call for those South of SR89A, along SR179, Brewer Rd, and along Cook’s Hill.  928-274-4088

320 Ridge Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336

• $799,900
• $166.3/sqft
• 3beds/3.5 ba
• 4810 sqft
• .294 ac
• Courtesy of Ed Pennington of Russ Lyon Sotheby Real Estate

Call Kathy Howe, buyer representative, and an Uptown resident:  928-274-4088 (call or text) or email kathy@kathyhowe.com

 190 Purtymun Lane, Sedona, AZ 86336

• $705,000
• 247.54/sqft
• 3 bed/2ba
• 2848 sqft
• .41 acres
• Courtesy of Karen Dunlap/Rick Wesselhoff, Coldwell Banker

Buyers Agent:  Kathy Howe  928-274-4088 / text  email:  kathy@kathyhowe.com

how2arizona real estate LLC

535 Sunset Lane, Sedona, AZ 86336

This is one of Kathy’s favorites… modestly priced and located blocks from Sedona Main Street on SR89A.

• $279,000
• $194.43/sqft
• 2 bed/2 bath
• 1435 sqft
• .23 acres
• Courtesy of Janice Latrell, Sedona Red Rock Realty

26 Manzanita Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336

Kathy lives just a few blocks from this home, has shown it numerous times.  Large home with wonderful views.

595 Jordan Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336

• $387,900
• $114.09/sqft
• 4 bed/7 ba (previously a Bed & Breakfast)
• 3400 sqft
• 12197 sqft lot
• Courtesy of Andrew Meyer, Re/Max Peak Properties Flagstaff

Call, text, or email Kathy Howe for more information or to schedule a showing:  928-274-4088.   Kathy represents buyers as a buyer representative, teaches real estate, and is available to assist you in choosing a property.

385 East Ridge Road, Sedona, AZ 86336

More Uptown Sedona listings to come…

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

Kathy lives, works, plays, and serves on the Board of Directors of Uptown Sedona’s Main Street Program.  Uptown is the original center of Sedona with historical information, the Jordan Park Heritage Museum, trail heads, views, shopping, restaurants, and is part of the Gallery district.

Uptown Sedona Homes for Sale

Uptown Sedona Listings

Visitors.

We are delighted you’ve chosen to visit Sedona!

The first thing you’ll be asked is how long you’ve lived in Sedona.  It’s part of the culture to determine how rooted you are in the community.  Trust me.  Even if you just arrived to spend the day at Tlaquepaque, unless you assert your visitor status, the question will come up.

Next, you will be judged on how you navigate the round-abouts.  If you get through the one at Sr179 and Schnebly without a “honk”, you’re ready to tackle the big one and go to the Post Office without stopping or getting hit.  How do you navigate a round-about?  According to my niece, Reilly, who lives in New Zealand: “If the car coming your way is bigger and faster than you, yield!”  Technically, if you’re in the “round” portion, you have the right-of-way.  For heaven’s sake, do not stop in the round-about to let cars go by.  That is a local reason to use the horn.

So you’re a night person. Hopefully you filled up on nightlife before driving to Sedona.  Oh, it’s not that we don’t have a “night life”, it’s just that our version of “tripping the light fantastic” might be a bit different than yours.  Did anyone tell you that the average age of a Sedona resident is 51?  Having said that, if you want to kick up your boots or stilettos, you should be directed to the Canyon Breeze on the weekends, Ken’s Creekside in the evenings, or Relics, down the road in West Sedona,.  No, you won’t see many residents at those places as there are not enough designated drivers in the Sedona to get us home.  It’s hard enough at our age to drive, let alone blow into a contraption before starting the car.  That, and, in West Sedona there are no streetlights along SR89A.  No telling where you might end up.

The residents. Are they friendly?  Most of the time.  You can find them early in the morning walking in the foothills behind Uptown Sedona, from Forest to Jordan Park, as singles, doubles or small packs.  Some will have dogs on leashes while the cat people will be the fast walkers pacing themselves and ending their morning exercise with a stop at Starbucks for a Latte and a paper.  The neighborhood is friendly.  Just be careful.  If the gossip is good, it will be hard to get them to move to the side of the road to let your car go by.  Have patience

What’s to love about Sedona? The pesky Javelinas who root through the bulbs, flowers, and prickly pear cactus left unattended, unfenced, and sometimes non-existant; but, if Javelina are not seen for several weeks, residents call out across the arroyos or down the hills (notice how sound carries here?) asking “Have you seen the Javelina?”  Next, they will put out food to lure them back.  Same with the deer.  Bucky and Buckette are always welcome in Sedona.

Cocktail hour. Rock naming.  Did you know that the number of rocks named, are in direct proportion to the number of Martinis consumed?  You can now understand why the residents prefer their own decks or patios instead of venturing out to a restaurant or bar.  Dancing after rock-naming is unheard of in Sedona.

Peace and quiet. Even in the Uptown area of Sedona where dark-sky compliant lighting casts a misty glow over SR89A and SR179, the neighborhoods are dark as pitch.  Going next door to a neighbor’s house after dark requires at least one LED 1000 lumen flashlight in order to find the road, let alone the house.

Shopping Sedona. You can tell the female residents by the “Chico’s” look.  It has been heard:  “Chico’s?”  “Chico’s!!”  The Sedona male residents?  Aloha shirts.  Well, think about it.  Would it be better if they wore their red dirt shirts?  And welcome Petsmart!  Monday of Labor Day weekend, Petsmart did a “soft” opening, followed by a Grand Opening on 9/10.  You now have the added advantage of identifying a resident from a visitor by the free Petsmart T-shirts!

Sedona has changed, but then who hasn’t.  Sedona isn’t the same unfinished, diamond-in-the-rough that I met in the early ‘70s.  She’s all grown up now, added a little gloss and glitter, and she has enhanced the scenery in every direction. My Sedona is still Sedona Schnebly: a woman of immense strength and character.

Visitors, come back and mingle with us in Uptown Sedona where we natives are friendly!

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

Sedona

Uptown Sedona resident

501 Manzanita Drive, Sedona, AZ

The pleasure was all mine.

Sedona buyers come to us filled with anticipation of owning a piece of the most beautiful landscape in Arizona.  360 degrees of awesome views.

How we assist them in translating those feelings into the actual purchase is the key.  Are they looking for a deal?  Are they looking for their future?  What kind of future lifestyle?

Sedona buyers:

When you are interviewing an agent to assist you in your purchase, find one who knows, loves, works, and lives in Sedona.  You’ll feel the love.  For those of us who live, work, and play in the Uptown Sedona area, it’s easy to show people the lifestyle.  Neighbors walking every AM from Forest St to Jordan Park.  The names of their dogs.  Where the coyotes, Javelina, and the deer were last seen.  Neighbors caring for the needs of each other.  If it’s the small town environment you are looking for, Uptown Sedona has it all.

Our thanks to Lydia Reynolds at Pioneer Title for her excellent customer care during the escrow process, and to Tim Hammes who redid the survey, and to Steve Burnett of Arizona Waste Water who provided the soil testing.  We appreciate all you did for the Sedona buyers and sellers.

None of this would have been possible if it had not been for the Sedona sellers of this lot.  Watching their property values drop over the last 5 years to never thought of lows.  Thank you for making this possible for the new “settlers”.  You have made their dreams a reality.

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

• Representing both seller and buyer in this transaction
• how2arizona real estate LLC
• 928-274-4088
• kathy@kathyhowe.com

Sedona Buyers and Sellers

An Uptown resident representing Sedona buyers and sellers

Mortgage Acts and Practices

MAP Rule

The Rule imposes requirements on those that provide information about mortgage credit products to consumers by prohibiting misrepresentations during these communications and also imposing recordkeeping requirements. The Rule will impact real estate professionals that provide this information to consumers, such as giving a consumer a lenders rate sheet. The Rule takes effect on August 19, 2011.

The Rule is to protect the consumer from misinformation about loans and loan costs and the Rule will apply when a real estate professional provides information about a specific mortgage product to a consumer.

It covers both oral and written communications which must be saved by the salesperson/broker for 2 years and contain this disclosure:

“This communication is provided to you for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon by you. [Name of brokerage] is not a mortgage lender and so you should contact[entity providing mortgage product(s) identified] directly to learn more about its mortgage products and your eligibility for such products.”

The new Rule lists 19 examples of prohibited deceptive claims, including misrepresentations about:

• the existence, nature, or amount of fees or costs to the consumer associated with the mortgage;
• the terms, amounts, payments, or other requirements relating to taxes or insurance associated with the mortgage;
• the variability of interest, payments, or other terms of the mortgage;
• the type of mortgage offered;
• the source of an advertisement or other commercial communication; and
• the consumer’s ability or likelihood of obtaining a refinancing or modification of a mortgage or any of its terms.

An interesting observation from FTC BEAT. The author writes a well  thought out synopsis of the new MAP Rule and its impact on the real estate community.

It’s going to be interesting to see how real estate licensees and brokers handle this.  In AZ the licensee/salesperson is not required to keep transaction documents, only the broker.  The broker will be responsible for the supervision of this Rule… the question will be “how”.

MAP Rule

Let’s wait to see how the new Rule affects us…

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

• how2arizona real estate LLC
• how2educate LLC
• katthy@kathyhowe.com
• 928-274-4088
• Uptown Sedona resident and member of the Sedona Main Street Program Board of Directors

Let’s hope this Rule goes away…

The perfect technology for a real estate agent office:

• 23″ desktop with all the whistles and bells
• KeyScan keyboard scanner
• Neatworks scanner for cards, receipts, documents
• tablet/laptop/netbook – Dell Inspiron Duo
• smartphone

Your real estate agent’s technology skills can mean the difference in time, information, and communication skills.

Ask your real estate agent about:

• Do you have a scanner?
• Do you use email?
• Do you use social media?
• Do you use digital signatures?
• Do you have a website?
• Do you use videos for your listings?
• Do you have a camcorder so you can send me videos of listings?
• Do you have the ability to interface with me over the Internet? (Skype, etc)
• Do you text?
• Do you blog?
• Do you use QR codes?
• ETC…

Don’t know what those things mean? Click on the links. All of these things should be familiar to your agent.

REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY MATTERS

Courtesy of the New York Times

Arizona 2010 Census Information

Click here for information on the Arizona Census 2010 information.

• Coconino county (includes parts of Sedona):     15.6%
• Yavapai county (includes parts of Sedona):        26.0%
• Maricopa county (includes greater Phoenix):     24.2%

2010 Census

Major changes in ethnicity/race from 2000 census:

• Coconino county:       Asians    +99%
• Yavapai county:         Asians  +104%
• Maricopa county:       Asians    +99%

• Coconino county:      Whites     +11%
• Yavapai county:        Whites      +19%
• Maricopa county:      Whites      +10%

• Coconino county:          Hispanics     +43%
• Yavapai county:            Hispanics      +75%
• Maricopa county:         Hispanics      +48%

The 2010 census shows the continued emigration from the Midwest to the West and to parts of the South and Southeast.

ARIZONA 2010 CENSUS DATA

Based on the 2010 census:

• Arizona has 6.4 million residents, growing over 1 million since 2000
• 25.7% have bachelor’s degrees

Due to large growth in the state, Arizona will be undergoing redistricting.  Most of the counties are dealing with plans at the time of this posting.  Redistricting in Yavapai county can be accessed here.  For Coconino county, click here.

Arizona will gain 1 House of Representatives seat.

Click here to get Arizona’s 2010 census information in a great format that can be printed out.

All of this is important to business and real estate because with this information we can determine the business and housing needs of the future.  Arizona was moving fast and loose during the mid-2000s and most of all indicators show that Arizona over-built on a grand scale.  For the future, the 2010 census data will be used to determine how long it will take for absorption and how long before new builds will account for much of Arizona’s economy.

2010 Census

Read more about Sedona and then look for Sedona properties for sale by looking for open houses or just browsing the SVVAR MLS.

Kathy Howe, Owner/Broker

• how2arizona real estate LLC
• 928-274-4088
•  kathy@kathyhowe.com

2010 census

…a great article from Coldwell Banker.

                                                        Average Listing
         Country                   Market                 Price (USD)
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Aruba                     Aruba                                $445,875
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Australia                 Brisbane                             $583,555
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Australia                 Gold Coast                           $674,796
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Australia                 Sydney                             $1,047,250
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Belize                    San Pedro                            $366,750
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Bermuda                   Bermuda                            $1,253,750
------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Costa Rica                Santa Ana                            $617,500
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Curacao                   Willemstad                           $227,733
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Czech Republic            Brno                                 $264,097
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Czech Republic            Ceske Budejovice                     $170,125
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Czech Republic            Prague                               $638,750
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Dominican Republic        Cabarete                             $328,500
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Dominican Republic        Sosua                                $196,250
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Ecuador                   Salinas                               $75,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
France                    Asniere sur Seine                  $1,957,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
France                    Boulogne                           $2,565,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
France                    Neuilly-sur-Seine                  $4,204,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
France                    Paris                              $3,624,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Greece                    Athens                               $632,624
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Guatemala                 Guatemala City                       $265,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Honduras                  San Pedro Sula                -       $193,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Honduras                  Tegucigalpa                          $242,750
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Indonesia                 Bandung                              $232,558
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Indonesia                 Denpasar                             $158,430
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Indonesia                 Jakarta                              $354,651
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Indonesia                 Surabaya                             $210,756
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Ireland                   Dublin                               $687,289
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Italy                     Aosta                                $976,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Italy                     Milan                              $1,918,750
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Italy                     Riccione                             $898,750
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Italy                     Rome                               $1,777,750
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Lebanon                   Beirut                               $765,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Lebanon                   Jounieh                              $387,500
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Malta                     Attard                               $505,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Malta                     Fgura                                $405,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Malta                     Sliema                               $605,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Malta                     St. Paul's Bay                       $430,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Mexico                    Mexico City                          $566,500
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Mexico                    Monterrey                            $400,211
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Netherlands               Amsterdam                            $862,320
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Netherlands               Bussum                               $631,984
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Netherlands               Rotterdam                            $574,400
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Netherlands               The Hague                            $827,770
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Panama                    Panama City                          $285,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Peru                      Lima                                 $423,125
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Peru                      Trujillo                             $281,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Romania                   Brasov                               $477,714
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Romania                   Bucuresti                            $562,236
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Spain                     Madrid                             $1,877,070
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
St. Croix                 Christiansted                        $540,400
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
St. Kitts-Nevis           Nevis                              $1,103,750
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Turkey                    Ankara                               $264,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Turkey                    Antalya                              $227,500
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Turkey                    Istanbul                             $417,975
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Turkey                    Izmir                                $311,000
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Turks and Caicos          Providenciales                     $1,033,750
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Venezuela                 Caracas                              $138,497
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Venezuela                 Maracaibo                             $94,776
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Venezuela                 Porlamar                             $208,039
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Venezuela                 Valencia                             $119,718
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Vietnam                   Da Nang                              $803,571
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
Vietnam                   Ha Noi                               $816,667
------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------

 Real estate can be a castle or a cottage.

REAL ESTATE is always a good long-term investment.

how2arizona real estate is placing an ad in a Chinese newspaper with other

Glozal members to attract Chinese investors/buyers in the Sedona market.

THINK SEDONA for your REAL ESTATE needs.

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

928-274-4088   kathy@kathyhowe.com

how2arizona real estate LLC

WATER QUALITY

ARIZONA WATER COMPANY

If you live in Sedona, AZ, you will be served by a private water company.  See our related post.  Knowing and understanding the potential health affects of Sedona’s drinking and bathing water should be investigated prior to purchasing property in Arizona, particularly if you are purchasing a property that has a well or if you are planning to drill a well.  Water quality is important.

Here is a report concerning the new Arizona Water Company surcharge and its relevance to new arsenic standards.

Arsenic levels in the US.

EPA’s Arsenic Information:  Click here.

EPA’s drinking water quality standards:

“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for inorganic arsenic in drinking water at 0.05 mg/L (mg/L = parts per million or ppm). Drinking water that meets the current standard is associated with little or no risk and should be considered safe with respect to arsenic. However, this standard is currently under review and the MCL may be decreased in the future.”

Removal of arsenic:  ”The most reliable water treatment processes for arsenic removal are reverse osmosis and distillation. Of the two processes, reverse osmosis devices are less costly, take less time, and use less energy than distillation devices. Reverse osmosis devices can be installed at the point of entry (for the entire household water supply) or for drinking water only. Treating all of the household water will be considerably more expensive than treating drinking water only. Many water treatment companies sell or rent reverse osmosis devices and offer maintainence agreements.”

Click here for the Coconino Water Quality Report (including Sedona) which rates Sedona 6 out of 10.  Many options are available to improve your water quality and remove arsenic and we have listed but a few resources in this post.  A starting place.  Before you purchase, do your independent research.

FYI.  If you have a septic system or an alternative waste system, check with experts on what affect the filtration system might have on the waste facility.  Depending on who you talk to or which side of the issue you read, there will be many varied opinions.  One thing that does seem to be common: raising the salt water discharge into the waste system may upset the ph level necessary for the bacteria do do their job.  Ask an expert.

WATER QUALITY MATTERS

From the Arizona Department of Health Services comes this brochure on arsenic in Arizona. Click here.

From the University of Arizona comes this water quality warning (especially if you are going to own or drill a well):

And then:

• Test your well water regularly….including Arsenic
• Determine the level of Arsenic contamination and what is your exposure level to Arsenic.
• If you are experiencing any health problems which could be caused by excessive exposure to Arsenic…. consult your family physician or Arizona Department of Health Services.
• If your well water Arsenic tests exceed 10ppb, stop drinking it…move to a safer source of water for drinking and cooking while you come up with a plan

The full report: click here.

Contact numbers:

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality 3033 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012 1–800–234–5677 ext 4536 1–602–207–4536

From the EPA, more Arizona phone numbers:  Click here.

Kathy Howe

Owner/Broker how2arizona real estate LLC

• 928-274-4088
• kathy@kathyhowe.com

WATER QUALITY MATTERS

This is the real estate structure in Arizona.  Salespersons and Associate Brokers hang their real estate licenses with the Employing Broker and are supervised by the Designated Broker.  All listing employment agreements and all buyer broker agreements are taken by the salesperson or associate broker for the employing broker.  Each real estate salesperson or associate broker is usually and Independent Contractor who works with the employing broker through an Independent Contractor Agreement.

Many sellers and buyers never meet the Designated Broker of the Employing Broker, the real estate brokerage firm, and are only familiar with “their” agent.  So it’s easy to understand why there is confusion and misunderstandings when Dual Agency occurs.

When a salesperson with the same real estate brokerage firm who works under the same Designated Broker writes an offer on a property listed by that firm, Dual Agency has occurred.  It occurred when the property showing took place…even before the offer was written…

Dual Agency = Limited Agency

It starts when the showing occurs and the disclosure should be made by the salesperson, if only casually.  The Arizona Association of REALTORS(R) have a great agency disclosure form called the READE form which includes disclosure about Dual Agency.

Here’s how Dual Agency works:

If you want more information on how Dual Agency works in Arizona, read this post on our sister site, how2educate LLC

• Ask questions if you are writing an offer on a property listed by your agent
• Ask questions if your agent is writing an offer on a property within their brokerage
• Ask your agent how things will work if an offer comes in from an agent with your brokerage
• Ask how you will be represented in a Dual Agency situation

Successful Dual Agency transactions work when salespeople work for the equal interests of the principals.

Disclosed Dual Agency can work.

Looking for Sedona area properties for sale? Click here.

Kathy Howe  Owner/Broker, how2arizona real estate LLC, kathy@kathyhowe.com

and owner/administrator/educator of how2educate LLC

Arizona’s Dual Agency

Arizona Water Company

…announced an Arizona Corporation Commission approved surcharge effective immediately.

Not every resident of Sedona is serviced by Arizona Water Company so if you are about to purchase a property in the Sedona area, be sure to inquire as to which company will service the property.  Ask your real estate agent to use a good home inspector to determine if the tank is energy efficient or does it need to be replaced.  The newer the heater, the more efficient the appliance.  You should also look at purchasing a home warranty to be certain that the unit will be properly maintained and serviced.  Also check for rebates and tax credits before making a final decision on what system will work best for you and your property.

Sedona has no “city water company” but is served by a number of private companies.

Other Sedona companies:

Oak Creek Water Company

Big Park Water Company

2002 Sedona Community Plan

Here is a good article from the City of Sedona as to how the water companies impact our community.  Click here.  If you need additional information, consider solar, or a tankless heater.  Check with the local landscape companies for a list of plants and trees that can live in our more arid conditions.  And, while Sedona does not have many car wash facilities, it serves the community well to use those we have as most recycle their water.  Every drop helps!

I have a Rinnai gas heater and love it.  Amazingly enough, many Sedona plumbers discouraged me from installing it .  After choosing to do my own research, I finally contacted a Phoenix Rinnai dealer who lived up to my all expectations (and the company was owned by a woman).  Not having to worry about leaks or having to deal with the solar panels we had when living in Phoenix, the tankless heater has been an excellent choice for me.  Don’t you be discouraged if your heart is set on a tankless unit.  When you get the plumber who starts telling you that changing the venting will drive up the cost, ask about and do what I did:  purchase and install an exterior unit.  As a result, we had no venting issues for my gas unit.

Compare a tankless system to a solar system.

While living in Phoenix we had a solar system that was awesome.  It’s what works best for you in the area where you live that should be your consideration; so, here’s a chart for comparison…

Compare systems:

• Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy
• how2arizona real estate LLC
• 928-274-4088

“What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.” ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Conserve water.