AZ Humane Society holds demonstration and waives fees
To date this year, the Arizona Humane Society has taken in over 31,000 animals.
31,000 animals surrendered or found, in less than 9 months.
19,000 of them being cats or kittens.
To say the Humane Society is overwhelmed would be a gross understatement.
But you can help this weekend!!
On August 28-29th, AZHS is WAIVING all adoption fees!!
If you've been thinking about adding a "fur-kid" to your family, this weekend is a great opportunity!
And if you can't adopt, at least make a donation. Food, Blankets, Dog/Cat Toys, or Cash.
These people do good work, help them out if you can
Erin Goldbach
Vanguard Platinum Realty
Designated Broker
602-524-0186
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Solar Panels and Sales Prices
Asking "What can I do to increase the sales value of my home?", may seem like an odd question in this real estate market, where many owners are facing negative equity.
However, with the increased push for Alternative Energy, and the incredible tax breaks and incentives offered to defray the initial costs, Solar Panels and Solar Energy for Residential homes has become an interesting prospect to many home owners.
The question then becomes: Are they worth it?
That is a very difficult question with many variables, and the answer comes down to a resounding "maybe".
For some people, with lower energy needs, and who plan on occupying their home for a long period of time, 10-15 years, then, Yes, they may be.
For people with higher energy needs, and no plans to stay in their home for the long term, a smarter choice would be to use their money for upgrades that would improve the energy efficiency of their home. These would include additional insulation, a new, more efficient HVAC system, and new water heaters.
In the Phoenix market, the average 5,000 watt solar panel system, which would power a normal home, costs roughly $35,000. With the tax breaks and incentives, the out of pocket cost to the consumer is usually about $13,500.
*Assuming* the average household has a monthly electric bill of $100, it's going to take a little over 11 years to hit the break even point on that expense.
11 years is a long time. But, there is the possiblity that you could sell any excess power back to the electric co, which would help offset the cost. And there's also the possiblity that energy prices will increase, which would also cause the system to pay for itself more quickly.
In the minus column, though, is the cost of the system's maintanence. And that varies depending on the system you have installed, and who sells it to you.
The other popular option is to lease the system. This carries some risks that I'm not comfortable with.
First of all, the leases are long term, 20 years in most cases. What happens in the meantime?
Who's responsible for maintanence?
What if the system is damaged in a storm? Who's insurance would cover it? Would you even be able to get it covered by your home-owner's policy? Who pays if the system has to be moved to do roof repairs?
What happens at the end of the lease? If you sell your home, is the lease transferrable to the new owners? Do you own it at the end of the lease, or will they remove it?
As tempting as Solar Energy is, especially here in Phoenix, there needs to be some serious consideration that goes into your decision whether or not to invest in a residential system.
There's a good article available at the Wall Street Journal, with some more good info
http://http//online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704407804575425512927624110.html?mod=WSJ_RealEstate_LeftTopNews
If you have any questions about other things that may increase, or decrease, the value of your home, or how to best stage it, feel free to give me a call!
Erin Goldbach
Designated Broker
Vanguard Platinum Realty
602 524 0186
However, with the increased push for Alternative Energy, and the incredible tax breaks and incentives offered to defray the initial costs, Solar Panels and Solar Energy for Residential homes has become an interesting prospect to many home owners.
The question then becomes: Are they worth it?
That is a very difficult question with many variables, and the answer comes down to a resounding "maybe".
For some people, with lower energy needs, and who plan on occupying their home for a long period of time, 10-15 years, then, Yes, they may be.
For people with higher energy needs, and no plans to stay in their home for the long term, a smarter choice would be to use their money for upgrades that would improve the energy efficiency of their home. These would include additional insulation, a new, more efficient HVAC system, and new water heaters.
In the Phoenix market, the average 5,000 watt solar panel system, which would power a normal home, costs roughly $35,000. With the tax breaks and incentives, the out of pocket cost to the consumer is usually about $13,500.
*Assuming* the average household has a monthly electric bill of $100, it's going to take a little over 11 years to hit the break even point on that expense.
11 years is a long time. But, there is the possiblity that you could sell any excess power back to the electric co, which would help offset the cost. And there's also the possiblity that energy prices will increase, which would also cause the system to pay for itself more quickly.
In the minus column, though, is the cost of the system's maintanence. And that varies depending on the system you have installed, and who sells it to you.
The other popular option is to lease the system. This carries some risks that I'm not comfortable with.
First of all, the leases are long term, 20 years in most cases. What happens in the meantime?
Who's responsible for maintanence?
What if the system is damaged in a storm? Who's insurance would cover it? Would you even be able to get it covered by your home-owner's policy? Who pays if the system has to be moved to do roof repairs?
What happens at the end of the lease? If you sell your home, is the lease transferrable to the new owners? Do you own it at the end of the lease, or will they remove it?
As tempting as Solar Energy is, especially here in Phoenix, there needs to be some serious consideration that goes into your decision whether or not to invest in a residential system.
There's a good article available at the Wall Street Journal, with some more good info
http://http//online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704407804575425512927624110.html?mod=WSJ_RealEstate_LeftTopNews
If you have any questions about other things that may increase, or decrease, the value of your home, or how to best stage it, feel free to give me a call!
Erin Goldbach
Designated Broker
Vanguard Platinum Realty
602 524 0186
Friday, August 20, 2010
Property Management Packages!
Vanguard Platinum is now offering Property Management Services!!!
For those of you unfamiliar with the story, I worked in property management for a number of years, and fell in love with that aspect of the real estate business. I started Vanguard Platinum with the specific intention of starting my own property management business, and now that's exactly what we're doing!
I'm happy to announce our new PM Packages. Each is designed to meet the needs of owners requiring different levels of assistance.
Our Premium Package!! *For Out of State owners, or those who want to be "Hands-off"*
1) collection of rents, payments of city sales tax, H0A fees, and mortgage. Issuance of the monthly accounting report with net monthly rent payment. Serve as tenant’s primary contact for rent related issues.
2) Provide tenants 24-hour maintenance assistance. Landlord may pre-authorize repairs up to a specific dollar value and create prudent reserve fund to cover such costs. Property manager would collect repair estimates from licensed contractors for repairs above pre authorized amount, and present to owner.
3) Locate qualified tenant. Applicants are subject to a thorough credit, and criminal, background check. Current employment and income are verified, as well as previous rental history. Commission paid to Tenant’s agent of $250, or 3% of gross lease (owner’s choice) for locating qualified tenant.
4) Act as landlords third party designee to set up relevant city or county sales/rental tax accounts. As well as designated representative for out-of-state owners.
5) Initiate and conduct eviction proceedings on owner's behalf, in the event of tenant’s default.
6) Conduct monthly drive-by inspections to evaluate exterior and yard maintenance(with photo documentation). Conduct quarterly, randomly timed, walk through inspections to assess interior upkeep and conditions.
Standard package *for landlords with vacant properties and/or new to property management*
1) collection of rents, payments of city sales tax, H0A fees, and mortgage. Issuance of the monthly accounting report with net monthly rent payment. Serve as tenant’s primary contact for rent related issues.
2) Provide tenants 24-hour maintenance assistance. Landlord may pre-authorize repairs up to a specific dollar value and create prudent reserve fund to cover such costs. Property manager would collect repair estimates from licensed contractors for repairs above pre authorized amount, and present to owner.
3) Locate qualified tenant. Applicants are subject to a thorough credit, and criminal, background check. Current employment and income are verified, as well as previous rental history. Commission paid to Tenant’s agent of $250, or 3% of gross lease (owner’s choice) for locating qualified tenant.
4) Act as landlords third party designee to set up relevant city or county sales/rental tax accounts. As well as designated representative for out-of-state owners.
5) Initiate and conduct eviction proceedings on owner's behalf, in the event of tenant’s default.
Basic package *for landlords with existing tenants who want to handoff bookkeeping tasks*
1) collection of rents, payments of city sales tax, H0A fees, and mortgage. Issuance of the monthly accounting report with net monthly rent payment. Serve as tenant’s primary contact for rent related issues.
We will also reduce, or waive, our set up fee for owners with multiple properties.
For Questions, or to set up an appointment,call:
Erin Goldbach
Designated Broker
Vanguard Platinum Realty
602 524 0186
Erin@Eringoldbach.com
For those of you unfamiliar with the story, I worked in property management for a number of years, and fell in love with that aspect of the real estate business. I started Vanguard Platinum with the specific intention of starting my own property management business, and now that's exactly what we're doing!
I'm happy to announce our new PM Packages. Each is designed to meet the needs of owners requiring different levels of assistance.
Our Premium Package!! *For Out of State owners, or those who want to be "Hands-off"*
1) collection of rents, payments of city sales tax, H0A fees, and mortgage. Issuance of the monthly accounting report with net monthly rent payment. Serve as tenant’s primary contact for rent related issues.
2) Provide tenants 24-hour maintenance assistance. Landlord may pre-authorize repairs up to a specific dollar value and create prudent reserve fund to cover such costs. Property manager would collect repair estimates from licensed contractors for repairs above pre authorized amount, and present to owner.
3) Locate qualified tenant. Applicants are subject to a thorough credit, and criminal, background check. Current employment and income are verified, as well as previous rental history. Commission paid to Tenant’s agent of $250, or 3% of gross lease (owner’s choice) for locating qualified tenant.
4) Act as landlords third party designee to set up relevant city or county sales/rental tax accounts. As well as designated representative for out-of-state owners.
5) Initiate and conduct eviction proceedings on owner's behalf, in the event of tenant’s default.
6) Conduct monthly drive-by inspections to evaluate exterior and yard maintenance(with photo documentation). Conduct quarterly, randomly timed, walk through inspections to assess interior upkeep and conditions.
Standard package *for landlords with vacant properties and/or new to property management*
1) collection of rents, payments of city sales tax, H0A fees, and mortgage. Issuance of the monthly accounting report with net monthly rent payment. Serve as tenant’s primary contact for rent related issues.
2) Provide tenants 24-hour maintenance assistance. Landlord may pre-authorize repairs up to a specific dollar value and create prudent reserve fund to cover such costs. Property manager would collect repair estimates from licensed contractors for repairs above pre authorized amount, and present to owner.
3) Locate qualified tenant. Applicants are subject to a thorough credit, and criminal, background check. Current employment and income are verified, as well as previous rental history. Commission paid to Tenant’s agent of $250, or 3% of gross lease (owner’s choice) for locating qualified tenant.
4) Act as landlords third party designee to set up relevant city or county sales/rental tax accounts. As well as designated representative for out-of-state owners.
5) Initiate and conduct eviction proceedings on owner's behalf, in the event of tenant’s default.
Basic package *for landlords with existing tenants who want to handoff bookkeeping tasks*
1) collection of rents, payments of city sales tax, H0A fees, and mortgage. Issuance of the monthly accounting report with net monthly rent payment. Serve as tenant’s primary contact for rent related issues.
We will also reduce, or waive, our set up fee for owners with multiple properties.
For Questions, or to set up an appointment,call:
Erin Goldbach
Designated Broker
Vanguard Platinum Realty
602 524 0186
Erin@Eringoldbach.com
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Phoenix 1st Time Home Buyers Assistance!
Just a quick update, I'll have more info later.
But here's the jist of it:
The City of Phoenix is offering a $15,000 incentive to 1st time home buyers!!
BUT!! (there's always a "but") This incentive is only available for certain Fannie Mae foreclosure homes. These homes are completely move in ready!
That's right! Completely refurbished! Including appliances!! Yeah! Move-in-ready!!
AND! These properties will NOT be listed on the MLS!! So, in order to find out about them, you need to talk to a realtor who's got the info from COP! (that would be ME!)
Requirements are basic FHA requirements as far as credit score and DTI (if you don't know what that is, call me).
But you only need 1% down, NOT 3.5%!! That's what the $15,000 is for! to cover down payment, and closing costs, and then whatever else you want!
The $15,000 becomes a "silent Second", with no interest, no payments for the entire time you own the home!! You do have to repay the loan when you sell the home, but when else is someone going to offer you $15,000 just to buy a home??
If you'd like more info, give me a call!
Erin Goldbach
Designated Broker
Vanguard Platinum Realty
602 524 0286
But here's the jist of it:
The City of Phoenix is offering a $15,000 incentive to 1st time home buyers!!
BUT!! (there's always a "but") This incentive is only available for certain Fannie Mae foreclosure homes. These homes are completely move in ready!
That's right! Completely refurbished! Including appliances!! Yeah! Move-in-ready!!
AND! These properties will NOT be listed on the MLS!! So, in order to find out about them, you need to talk to a realtor who's got the info from COP! (that would be ME!)
Requirements are basic FHA requirements as far as credit score and DTI (if you don't know what that is, call me).
But you only need 1% down, NOT 3.5%!! That's what the $15,000 is for! to cover down payment, and closing costs, and then whatever else you want!
The $15,000 becomes a "silent Second", with no interest, no payments for the entire time you own the home!! You do have to repay the loan when you sell the home, but when else is someone going to offer you $15,000 just to buy a home??
If you'd like more info, give me a call!
Erin Goldbach
Designated Broker
Vanguard Platinum Realty
602 524 0286
Saturday, May 1, 2010
CNNMONEY.Com Article Written by Morons.
CNN, Which is apparently as clueless about Real Estate as it is about just about everything else, posted this load of crap about mistakes home buyers make. Unfortunately, the author, or authors, of this drivel are ignorant of how real estate transaction are actually conducted.
And, here's the REALITY of Realty.
1. "Know your credit score" Yes, your credit score is a major factor in whether you can qualify for a mortgage, what kind of mortgage, and the interest rate. HOWEVER, it is far from the ONLY factor. INCOME!! How much money you make is a huge factor! As is your "DTI" Debt To Income. If you make $50k/year, have perfect credit, but also $100K in Debt (especially credit cards), you won't get a loan even if you have an 800 FICO!
2 "Buying a car before the house" Yes, a bad move because it MAY lower your credit, BUT!! even worse move because it will raise your DTI!!
3 "Skimping on Home inspection" Can't argue with this one. Home Inspections are a MUST!! However, If you can't afford to have a home inspection done, YOU SHOULDN'T BE BUYING A HOUSE! Seriously, a H.I. cost $250-450, and if you're that strapped that you can't pay for it, then you won't be able to afford any repairs. Wait to buy till you have more funds!
3 "Skimping on Home inspection" Can't argue with this one. Home Inspections are a MUST!! However, If you can't afford to have a home inspection done, YOU SHOULDN'T BE BUYING A HOUSE! Seriously, a H.I. cost $250-450, and if you're that strapped that you can't pay for it, then you won't be able to afford any repairs. Wait to buy till you have more funds!
4 "No Lawyer" Apparently, whoever wrote this crap either is, or has a relative who's a lawyer. The author also doesn't understand that as a Licensed Realtor, it is your duty to protect and promote your clients best interest. In other words, it's YOUR Realtor's job to make sure you don't get screwed. And that comes first and foremost in any reputable Realtor's mind. If you think your Realtor would let you take a hit just to close a deal, GET A NEW REALTOR!!
6 "not budgeting for Insurance" Further proof that the author of this article is completely ignorant!
You CAN NOT get financing, conventional or otherwise, unless you know, before purchasing, what your insurance costs will be!!
Why? #1 If your insurance costs are too high, you either won't be able to afford your total mortgage payment, and you'll default,
#2 or you'll drop the insurance, which will breach your contract with the lender who financed you, because THEY have a stake in the house too!
You CAN NOT get financing, conventional or otherwise, unless you know, before purchasing, what your insurance costs will be!!
Why? #1 If your insurance costs are too high, you either won't be able to afford your total mortgage payment, and you'll default,
#2 or you'll drop the insurance, which will breach your contract with the lender who financed you, because THEY have a stake in the house too!
If you want to sit down with a Real Estate Broker who actually knows what they're talking about, and get some good advice about buying a home, and what you'll need to do, please, call me!
Erin Goldbach
Designated Broker
Vanguard Platinum Realty
602 524 0186
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
What's so special about April 30th 2010???
Why should that date mean anything to you?
April 30th...............
No, not your Mother's birthday. Not your anniversary. Tax day was two weeks before........
April 30th is when the New Home Buyer's $8000 tax credit ends!!!
That's a big deal!!
For 10 more weeks, if you buy a home, and you haven't owned a home in the last three years, you qualify for an $8000 tax credit! That's right! The Federal Government will send you a check for $8000!
What's the catch? There is none! You have to have the property under contract by April 30th, and close by June 30. That's it!
And there's also the Existing Home Buyer Credit of $6500! If you've lived in your home 5 of the last 8 years, and are up/down sizing because of a life event (you have a child, or one goes to college), you can get a $6500 tax credit when you purchase your new home!
Do you know someone who's renting? Do you know someone who's outgrown their current home?
Have them give me a call to see how I can help them get FREE MONEY!
Erin Goldbach
Vanguard Platinum Realty
602 524 0186
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If you do, there are specific, and very broad, contingency clauses that allow the buyer to get their EMD back. Failure to appraise for sales price, failure to passinspection, failure of the buyer to secure financing are all standard language contingencies in the AAR sales contract.
I would NEVER allow a client of mine to sign a contract waiving these contingencies, and neither would any other responsible agent!