What I learned in Real Estate this week - 11/15/15

Our job as real estate agents is to facilitate, guide, educate, and serve. Each transaction has it's own troubles and nuances. Every seller or buyer will have their different personalities that we must learn so that we can best communicate and partner with them in the most effective and efficient way possible. 

I don't handle rental homes very often. More often than not, they are time consuming and not a very good resource for income unless you are specifically in a property management role. However, in certain circumstances I will list a rental home if it's in an area that is close by so that it's not too inconvenient to show, and if it's a home that I feel will rent quickly. 

I've had a rental home listed for a little over 30 days which has gotten very steady showings each week, but for one reason or another hadn't been the right fit for anyone until this week. I showed the property to two different families on consecutive days who both said it was perfect for them and they both desired to put in an application. But their reasons for wanting the rental could not have been more contrasting...read more. 

Animals of the MLS

We've got one thirsty pup on this week's edition of Animals of the MLS. It doesn't matter whether it's hot or cold outside. When dogs need a drink a pool is just one big water bowl to them. Now in the human world someone striking an unsuspecting pose near a swimming pool with their back to a possible prankster is ripe to be pushed in to that large body of water. It's a good thing this pooch doesn't have any such friends around to take advantage of his precarious position. 

I somewhat feel sorrowful for our four-legged friend because by all accounts, this entire backyard has been sealed under rock and mortar. There's no cool grass to roll around in or trees to sit under and enjoy the shade of a spring day. I have to imagine the owners needed to take their family pet on multiple daily walks so they could relieve themselves on a surface other than solid stone. Having access to jump in to a refreshing pool whenever the mood strikes them somewhat makes up for a lack of sod to spread out on I suppose. 

As for the picture of the backyard itself there isn't a lot to boast about. You can tell that the pool is larger than the camera captured but it still leaves the viewer to question just howbig it is. The plants and shrubbery seem to have been trimmed for the photo shoot and the patio furniture is straightened and in order but there's really nothing too inviting about this space. All of the stone on the ground give the backyard a very cold, unappealing, and lifeless aura. There are some buyers however, that would view this as an attractive no-maintenance option to a home which could be ideal for some individuals lifestyle. 

If you're selling your home in Gilbert, Arizona or the East Valley let the experts at Zion Realty help you. We take professional photos and put together a perfect marketing strategy to sell your property. Contact us Today!

Single Story Homes for Sale in Gilbert, Arizona with a Fireplace

Arizona may be known for our harsh Summer temperatures but during the Fall and Winter it does get cold enough on the desert floor to use fireplaces for those lucky enough to have them. However, owning a home with a fireplace adds extra maintenance tasks which can be burdensome for those already short on time. 

Fireplace safety and maintenance should be a high priority for those who have them in their homes. Here are some fireplace safety and maintenance tips to follow:

1. Clean the firebox at least once a week during the months it's in use. 

2. Have the chimney swept and inspected once a year.

3. Ensure your fire detectors in the home are in working order.

4. Keep combustible materials such as drapes and furniture away from the fireplace when a     fire is burning. 

5. Burn only seasoned wood that has been cut, dried, and under cover for at least 6-12                months registering less than 20% moisture. 

6. Ash from a once burning fire can be hot enough to flame-up again up to three days so              always wait that long to remove ashes from your fireplace. 

7. Never use a vacuum to clean up ashes as live coals may still be remaining.

8. Install a chimney cap to prevent water damage, to keep animals from nesting, and to             avoid debris from blocking the chimney ventilation. 

9. Inspect the exterior of your chimney to check for chipped bricks or cracked masonry             joints. Ensure the chimney is not leaning or separating from the home. 

10. Test your damper before using your fireplace to protect against improper ventilation.

Fireplaces can be thoroughly enjoyed when they are in proper working order and safe to use. Few things signify the Holiday season like sipping your favorite warm beverage around the family fireplace as the sounds of crackling logs and rustic smell fill the room. 

Click here for a list of available single-story homes in Gilbert, Arizona with a Fireplace.

If you or someone you know are interested in purchasing or selling a home in Gilbert, Arizona contact us Today! Let our experts guide you through the entire process and ensure you are professionally represented. 

Is this "hoe" still available? How to Maintain Professionalism.

I'll be the first one to admit that I was not among the better known spellers in my school days. When I was younger I battled a mild form of dyslexia coupled with a major case of laziness. If I was unsure in regards to the use or spelling of a word, as long as it looked close enough I went with it. My mother having a career in early childhood education was frustrated and bewildered almost daily at my inappropriate use of the English written language. I never really experienced the full negative ramifications of a poorly crafted document until I was at The University of Arizona. It was then that I discovered professors weren't nearly as prone to forgiving spelling mistakes as high school teachers in a small Michigan farm town had been. 

Since then the advent of Microsoft Word,  Spell-check, and Google has almost made it simultaneously easier and harder to learn the appropriate spellings of words. It used to be that if I wanted to research the correct use and spelling of a word I had to reference a book my kids know nothing about called a Dictionary. This forced me to stop what I was doing, flip through the pages of what seemed to be a ten pound book, locate the word in question and find it's correct usage. A funny habit formed when a Dictionary was in heavy use. Not only did I find out the appropriate spelling of the word in which I was looking to use, but I would also come across other words on the same page which peaked my interest, causing me to pause and learn the origin and spelling of that additional word as well. 

In today's world we type away on our keyboards with reckless abandon knowing that with the simple click of a mouse we need but wait a few seconds for all of the squiggly red lines to appear underneath the words that have been misspelled. This modern technological advancement has most assuredly allowed us to communicate quicker but at what cost to our ultimate on-going and life-long education? 

There's few other ways to leave a bad first impression when it comes to the business world than having poor grammar and spelling. Whether it be an email, text message, or any other form of typed communication a sloppy attempt at written conversation will quickly draw the ire of a recipient. Regardless of your profession if you want to be taken seriously then even the simplest of tasks must be performed with the highest quality.

I was recently in receipt of an email from another real estate agent inquiring as to the availability of a home I have listed. The subject line of that email read "Is this hoe still available?" After I composed myself from the laughter that ensued upon seeing that headline appear in my email In-box I responded to the agents attempt at professional communication. I understand that not every text message or email I've ever composed was flawless, however, I have a habit of double and sometimes even triple checking spelling and grammar before I send off my attempt at electronic conversation. I do this because I know how bad of a speller I am and I know my limitations.

The misspelling of word in a subject line may seem like an insignificant mistake but I would argue it's the tiniest of  habits and nuances that make the distinction between a simple business person and a professional. Besides reviewing communication before it's sent, here are some other aspects of being a professional that often get overlooked:

Does your appearance match your ability?

Times have and will continue to change in regards to clothing choices and hair styles. There are those professionals who service wealthy clients who expect their representation to mirror their perception of success. Yet there are restaurants and retailers that cater to a younger audience who would reject the notion of being assisted by an employee in a suit and tie or formal dress. Who is your audience and what are their expectations? Even if you're in an industry where every day is a casual Friday is your attire at least presentable?

Is your personal hygiene questionable? After several cups of coffee in the morning will you show your client common courtesy by safeguarding against offensive exhalation? Did you shower after your mid-day workout before scampering off to your next appointment or just splash on enough Old Spice or Chanel No. 5 to suffocate an entire crowd? As long as you've taken the steps necessary to maintain a well-kept appearance you will always be viewed as a professional regardless of your target demographic. 

Are you running on-time or constantly running?

Punctuality is another mark of any true professional. Our clients and peers are busy and don't deserve to have their time wasted. It leaves a bad impression when you're known by friends, family, business associates, and customers as being chronically late or unreliable. As business professionals we want to be viewed as calm, cool, and collected. Nothing will shatter this perception quicker than having scores of people watch you physically running from your vehicle in to an office building in an attempt to make an appointment on-time. It's hard to present yourself as a professional with beads of sweat streaming from your forehead coupled with shortness of breath. Punctuality matters. It's a simple yet important aspect of being a professional.

Does your speech clash with your clients?

Each part of the Country speaks a different language. Oh, we might have the same dialect but our vernacular varies. Words and phrases in the Pacific Northwest have different meaning than States located in the Southeast. Do you speak the same language as your clients? Younger audiences may have a heavy usage of trendy slang terms but if those same words were spoken to a more accomplished or cultured crowd you may come across as uneducated, unpolished, and unrefined. On the opposite side of that spectrum if I were to sound too cultured and classy when addressing a more youthful demographic they could be put off by my unrelatable diction. My verbal communication is much different if I'm in front of a retirement age client versus a millennial first-time home buyer. To be seen as a professional we must adapt our language and speech patterns to fit the customer that is in front of us. 

Is your demeanor decipherable?

Let's face it, we all have bad days. Cars break down on the way to appointments, kids find themselves in the principles office, and beloved family pets pass away. The line between being a business person and a true professional is drawn when we have those troublesome moments and fail to maintain our integrity for the betterment of our clients. If we arrive at an appointment frazzled and frayed from a day that knocked us down and out then we aren't representing ourselves or our customers appropriately. Emotionally charged circumstances can affect our ability to perform the duties and obligations set before us. Perhaps postponing or rescheduling that consultation, interview, or assignment is what's needed. However, if we choose to show up, our clients shouldn't be able to decipher the difference between our good days and our bad ones. We should always maintain our composure in even the most trying of times.

Whether it's an incorrectly spelled word in an email or adorning a t-shirt at a black tie only event there are ways that we can present ourselves as unprofessional. If we want to separate ourselves as the cream of the crop then we should pay attention to the subtle actions that distinguish a business person from a consummate professional. 

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate in the Gilbert, Arizona or East Valley area then let the professionals at Zion Realty assist you. Contact us today!

The Most Expensive Home sold in Arizona last week

The most expensive home that sold in Arizona last week was a luxurious custom new build home with magnificent mountain views! This property was so desirable upon completion that it only took 14 days to sell once put on the open market. Paying just under $3 Million cash, the new owners apparently couldn't get their offer in fast enough! One more caveat to this transaction is that this was an Owner/Agent who had this exclusive property built and sold. 

Situated on just under 1-acre of desirable desert land in Paradise Valley, this upscale property can best be described as simple elegance. Inside and out the clean lines and minimalist approach to the design and style shows a modern and sophisticated approach. You won't find any real "wow factor" yet there is still an overwhelming sense that this is indeed a specially and well crafted home. The high ceilings, imported stone, 200-bottle wine closet, 5-car temperature controlled garage, and 1,300 square foot guest house all tell the tale of what it's like to own a luxury property in Paradise Valley. However, the builder was able to wrap all of these exclusive upgrades in to a package that isn't overly extravagant or gaudy...read more.  

Homes for sale in Gilbert, Arizona - October 2015 Market Report

The Gilbert, Arizona housing market is entering it's standard Fall and Winter slow down. Housing numbers in October showed a spike in houses listed for sale and a drop in closed transactions. There were 1,180 homes actively listed for sale in October which is almost 100 more than September but down more than 200 from October of 2014. There were 574 new homes listed in Gilbert for sale in October which is 41 more than September, however, there were only 355 homes that sold in that same period as compared to the 370 homes that sold in October of 2014...read more.