Forecast for the Week

Friday will be a big day this week, and not just because people will be getting ready to celebrate the Labor Day Holiday. The Labor Department's Jobs Report for August will be released at 8:30am ET. July's report showed glimmers of hope for an improving job market: 247,000 jobs lost in July versus economists' expectations of 328,000 jobs lost, the smallest loss since August 2008. Even better, the Unemployment Rate dropped to 9.4%, from the prior month's reading of 9.5%, which broke a streak of 9 straight monthly increases. It will be important to see if these trends continue.

Speaking of the job market, it will also be important to keep an eye on Thursday's weekly Initial Jobless Claims Report. The recent trend of higher than expected Claims is disappointing after what appeared to be a steady decline in Claims earlier this summer. We'll want to take notice on Wednesday of the Meeting Minutes from the latest Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Any comments regarding future inflation could move the markets.

Remember: Weak economic news normally causes money to flow out of Stocks and into Bonds, helping Bonds and home loan rates improve, while strong economic news normally has the opposite result. As you can see in the chart below, Bonds and home loan rates faced an extremely tough triple layer of resistance at the end of last week. With no Treasury auctions ahead this week, I will be watching closely to see if Bonds and rates can bust through this resistance and improve any further.

Chart: Fannie Mae 4.5% Mortgage Bond (Friday Aug 28, 2009)

Let's Swim!

There are two types of people, those who exercise on a regular basis and those who don't do it nearly enough. Regardless of the category you fit into, swimming is an exercise that can benefit everyone. So, grab your swimsuits and head for the water. We're going swimming!

Thanks to the success of Michael Phelps and the members of the United States swim team at last year's Olympics in Beijing, the popularity of swimming is at an all-time high. From their domination throughout the events to their incredible physiques, US swimmers have created a stir, inspiring many of us to hit the pool. We thought it only fitting that we chime in with some tips to get you started.

Why Swim?
Swimming is primarily an outdoor activity, something that all of us can use a little more of. There's something rejuvenating about enjoying a little sunshine and fresh air while exercising your body. The bonus is that once your workout is finished you're already at the pool or the beach. Now all you have to do is relax.

On a more scientific note, swimming is a whole-body low-impact exercise, which makes it perfect for everyone. It is a great way to increase range of motion for all the major muscle groups without placing undo stress on joints and ligaments.

Aside from building strength by moving your body through the resistance provided by the water, swimming is also a cardiovascular exercise. As long you have access to a pool, it is an inexpensive and effective way to either cross-train or rehabilitate your body.

Getting Started
As with any form of exercise, we recommend having a physical examination performed by your family physician to determine if you are healthy enough to partake. Once you've received a clean bill of health, the next step would be to procure a comfortable swimsuit, swim goggles, and earplugs. Depending on your skill level, a small foam kickboard and fins may also be a good purchase. The good news is that all of these items are relatively inexpensive and can be found at almost any sporting goods store.

For those of you looking to improve your swimming ability, you may want to find either an adult swim coach, or a Master's swimming program (a national organization dedicated to all levels of adult swimming) in your area. Both options are great for improving your technique and breathing, two of the more important aspects of swimming. YMCAs as well as aquatic centers are great places to start your search.

If swimming is your introduction to regular exercise, we recommend you start by improving your vertical strength and core strength through various exercises performed at the shallow end of the pool. Walking and jogging in waist-deep water are two such examples.

The Workout
The type of swim workout you choose should directly reflect your overall fitness level and your skill as a swimmer. There are several websites that offer personalized workouts based on this information. One that we like is Swimplan.com. Registration on this site is free, but it does require you to answer a few questions based on the aforementioned criteria.

Before finding your workout on Swimplan.com, we first recommend you measure the length of the pool where you will be doing the majority of your swimming. Since most workouts are broken down and measured in meters, having an idea of your pool's length will allow you to convert the meters into laps.

The following workout is from Swimplan.com and is just one example of a great workout for a beginning swimmer:

Duration: 30-45 minutes
Distance: 900 meters
Pool Length: 25 meters

Warm Up (repeat 2 times)
-1 x 25m Freestyle Swim (even pace)
-Rest 10 seconds

-1 x 25m Breaststroke Swim (even pace)
-Rest 10 seconds

Build Up (repeat 3 times)
-1 x 50m Single-arm with kickboard and fins (6 x left, 6 x right)
(This is a freestyle swim using one arm at a time. Complete 6 arm strokes with the left arm followed by 6 strokes with the right. The not-stroking arm holds the kickboard out front and swaps with the stroking arm every six strokes.)
- Rest 10 seconds

-1 x 50m Freestyle Kick with fins
(This is freestyle kicking using a kickboard and fins. Grip the front edge with both hands and rest your forearms on the board. Your chin should just touch the water.)
-Rest 10 seconds

Core (1 time)
-4 x 50m Freestyle DPS (Distance Per Stroke)
(Concentrate on long, efficient strokes and a high streamlined body position to reduce drag in the water. Count your strokes per lap, attempting to reduce your strokes with each lap.)
-Rest 20 seconds

-4 x 50m Freestyle Swim
-Rest 15 seconds

Warm Down (1 time)
1 x 100m Easy Stroke
(Swim your choice of stroke at a slow, relaxed pace)

A Few Last Tips…

Wear Your Sunscreen
Just because you're in the pool the entire time doesn't mean your body won't be exposed to the sun. Be sure to wear a waterproof sunscreen with at least 30 SPF while swimming.

Stretch!
Even though most swim workouts include some sort of warm-up phase, it does not mean you should just jump in the pool and start swimming. Be sure to stretch outside the pool for at least 10 minutes before starting your workout. Doing so will not only help prevent injury, it will also maximize your performance.

Swim With a Partner
Just like many other types of workouts, swimming is best when done with a partner. Swimming in pairs will increase your motivation and ensure your safety.

We've given you the tools and information to get started. All that's left is to go swimming!

Calling all buyers....

Positive Signs: Home Prices on an Upswing in Second Quarter 2009

2009 Q2 2009 Q2/2009 Q1 2009 Q1/2008 Q4 1-Year

Level Change (%) Change (%) Change (%)

U.S. National

Index 132.64 2.9% -7.4% -14.9%

June 2009 June/May May/April 1-Year

Metropolitan Level Change (%) Change (%) Change (%)

Phoenix 104.73 1.1% -0.9% -31.6%

Composite-10 153.20 1.4% 0.5% -15.1%

Composite-20 141.86 1.4% 0.5% -15.4%

Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-08-25/positive-signs-home-prices-on-an-upswing-in-second-quarter-2009/#ixzz0PIJzNtfc

New Listing! Not a short sale!

Queen Creek, AZ

REGUALR RESALE!NOT A SHORT SALE OR BANK OWNED!LOCAL OWNERS,QUICK RESPONSE! THIS FANTASTIC 4 BEDROOM 2.5 BATH HOME IS SITUATED ON A GIANT SIZED CUL DE SAC LOT AND COMES WITH ALL KITCHEN APPLIANCES, WINDOW COVERINGS AND A GREAT POOL! FORMAL LIVING AND DINING, PLUS A HUGE FAMILY ROOM & A LOFT. UPSTAIRS LAUNDRY, WALK IN CLOSETS, RV GATE, COMMUNITY POOL, TENNIS COURT AND GOLF COURSE...NEED I SAY MORE! CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION!

$100 Down Can Buy You a Home!

Yes, you read it correctly! There is a new FHA program that allows first-time home buyers to purchase a home for only $100 down. To make the deal even sweeter, I can get most, if not all, of your closing costs paid for; plus, an extra $1,000 cash back after closing! No strings attached! So, if you thought you would never be able to save up enough money to buy a home, this is your chance! Please call Leah Hamman, Realtor with Keller Williams Integrity First and My Arizona Home Team for more information (480)330-6242. Let me find you a home that qualifies for the above programs!

Subdivisions are coming back to life!

Unfinished Chandler subdivisions once dotted with empty streets, vacant lots and languishing model homes are starting to buzz with construction and sales activity again.

It's giving city officials a sign that the local economy is improving. Residents in the languishing neighborhoods are seeing a day when they can stop worrying about blight, weeds and living in what looks like a ghost town. And buyers who want to live near shopping, employment centers and freeways are getting deals they wouldn't have seen two or three years ago.

In the upscale Fulton Ranch where $450,000 price tags were once common, buyers are moving into new homes in the $250,000 to $350,000 range. The stalled Maracay Homes' Stonefield Enclave near Dobson and Germann roads on the former Dugan Dairy site is back to building and selling after months of no activity.

New-home construction across the city took a sharp upswing this summer after many dismal months. In June, the city issued 147 building permits for single-family homes - more than the previous nine months combined and up from a low of one in February. Most are for homes in unfinished south Chandler subdivisions, said David DeLaTorre, advance planning manager.

"A lot of construction had been stalled because of the poor housing market," DeLaTorre said. "Maybe the positive news that the market is changing on a national level started to make people decide to buy homes again," he said.

Dennis Webb, vice president of operations for Fulton Homes, said the builder has launched new models, lowered prices and is changing buyer options, making once-standard features like pricey granite countertops an optional upgrade. Builders are shying away from the pricier products because tight lending makes it more difficult and expensive for buyers to obtain "jumbo" loans, he said.

Fulton Homes, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in February, has sold more than 100 houses in the city since the filing and continues to improve, Webb said. The builder's south Chandler subdivisions are desirable because they are near shopping, freeways, Intel and the Price Road Corridor, he said.

DeLaTorre said other stalled subdivisions seeing renewed activity are Shea Homes' Old Stone Ranch near Lindsay and Ocotillo roads, T.W. Lewis' Valencia II near Chandler Heights and Gilbert roads, and Fulton Homes' Geneva Estates near McQueen and Ocotillo roads.

In May, Blandford Homes purchased 86 vacant lots at a trust sale of Portello at Dobson Crossing near Arizona Avenue and Queen Creek Roads after residents struggled for months with weeds and upkeep. The subdivision was one of four that Scottsdale-based Randall Martin Home walked away from early last year.

Others remain tied up in foreclosure or bankruptcy, but city officials expect renewed activity once ownership and debt issues are settled.

However, there are few new subdivisions in the planning stages and multi-family projects such as apartments and condos remain stalled, city records show. Only one multifamily building permit was issued by the city this year. And commercial and industrial construction has been at a near standstill for more than a year.

DeLaTorre said Chandler had been preparing for a home-building slowdown, but the economy put the brakes on it sooner than expected. That's because the city is approaching build-out and running out of vacant land. That day won't come as soon as once expected, but the newly brisk home-building pace "is not going to last forever," he said.

Property Tax Scam...

Goddard sues company over property-tax letters
33 comments by Angelique Soenarie - Aug. 15, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

State Attorney General Terry Goddard filed a lawsuit and received a temporary restraining order against a California firm that has mailed thousands of official-looking letters soliciting money in exchange for a property-tax-assessment analysis.

The letters carry the name Property Tax Review Board Inc. and imply that the company can reduce property-tax bills if residents pay $189.

Goddard said the advertisement violates Arizona's Consumer Fraud Act because of its official appearance and because the deadline for property-tax appeals was in April. OAS_AD('ArticleFlex_1')

Goddard himself received a letter at his home Thursday and said the personalized advertisement "is close enough that it would really grab my attention."

The letter does state that it is from a non-government agency but only in fine print.

"We are hoping we are going to be able to protect anybody else from this," Goddard said, adding that his office received hundreds of calls, including complaints from the state's 15 county assessors.

Mesa resident William Rogers Jr., 81, said he received a letter Thursday and was suspicious. He said he was concerned that newcomers to the area might be taken in.

"Heck, they might see this and write a check to reduce taxes," he said.

He said he called the Better Business Bureau and learned there were other complaints.

The lawsuit names Property Tax Review Board Inc., a Granada Hills, Calif., company; Property Tax Review Board President and CEO Michael McConville of Simi Valley, Calif.; and Carmen Mercer of Tombstone, the owner of the post-office box included in the solicitation.

Attempts to reach McConville and Mercer for comment Friday were unsuccessful.

The restraining order requires the defendants to stop mailing the advertisements and allows postal authorities to intercept any responses.

"Given the sophistication of the solicitation, I'm afraid many people have written $189 (checks) because it is such a compelling piece," he said.

According to Goddard's office, Mercer has turned over the post-office box to U.S. postal inspectors and has surrendered the more than 1,000 responses she received.

Goddard said Mercer, who has cooperated with investigators, claimed she was asked by a friend to open the post-office box and did not know what it was going to be used for.

Goddard added that postal inspectors will work to return the money to residents.

The lawsuit seeks to stop the defendants from soliciting property owners, as well as refund payments they've already received and pay $10,000 for each violation.

Homeowners can also file a complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Information and Complaint section at 800-352-8431 or www.azag.gov.

Are Mortgage Delinquencies Slowing?

The Chicago-based credit reporting agency TransUnion says that while mortgage delinquency rates continued to rise in the second quarter of the year, the pace is slowing from its seemingly break-neck speed in months prior.

According to a report released by the company Monday, the number of borrowers 60 or more days past due on their mortgage increased for the tenth straight quarter in Q2, hitting an all-time national average high of 5.81 percent.

Traditionally seen as a precursor to foreclosures, this statistic is up 11.3 percent from the previous quarter’s 5.22 percent average. But for comparison purposes, from the fourth quarter 2008 to first quarter 2009, delinquencies jumped nearly 16 percent. TransUnion says its data indicates a continuing deceleration in mortgage delinquencies.

The company reported borrower delinquency rates were highest in Nevada (13.8 percent) and Florida (12.3 percent). North Dakota (1.5 percent), South Dakota (2.1 percent), and Alaska (2.4 percent) boasted the lowest rate of homeowners behind on their payments.

The three areas showing the greatest percentage growth in delinquency from the previous quarter were Wyoming (+27.8 percent), Utah (+22.2 percent), and Hawaii (+21.7 percent). However, there were some bright spots: North Dakota and Ohio both showed a decline in mortgage delinquency rates, down 0.66 percent and 0.22 percent, respectively.

“In its first quarter analysis, TransUnion reported a potential positive sign in mortgage delinquency rate trends,” commented FJ Guarrera, VP of TransUnion’s financial services division. “For the first time since the recession began at the end of 2007, the quarter-to-quarter growth rate for national mortgage delinquency showed a decrease. Now, with the release of second quarter results, we see even more deceleration in mortgage delinquency, an indication that the mortgage market is beginning to stabilize.”

TransUnion’s forecasts now indicate the 2009 mortgage delinquency rates reaching less than 7 percent by year end. However, due to a continued downward trend in housing prices throughout the year, as well as high unemployment levels, the company says it does not see national delinquency rates beginning to fall until the first half of 2010.

With regard to TransUnion’s regional forecasts, Nevada has now eclipsed Florida as the state expected to experience the highest mortgage delinquency rate by the end of 2009, reaching as high as 16 percent. North Dakota is expected to continue to exhibit the lowest mortgage delinquency rate by year-end (1.4 percent), with forecasts now beginning to show a downward trend.

FREE-Home Buyers Round Table Discussion

Home buyers are so confused these days! And who can blame them! Mortgage rules change every day. Do I qualify for the tax credit? Can I use the money for down payment? What are closing costs? Why buy instead of rent? What’s a short sale? Whew!

Purchasing a home is very personal and we want to make it a little more personal. You can look on the internet or speak with someone on the phone about mortgages and the housing market. Or meet us face-to-face to get your questions about the largest purchase of your life answered in person!

My Arizona Home Team at Keller Williams, TCT Properties, Metro Arizona Mortgage and Security Title have teamed up to put together a class to make your home purchasing experience a little less confusing. We hope that you’ll join us!

Tuesday, August 18, 7pm
2500 S. Power Rd. #121
Mesa, 85209

Call Barbara or Tim for more details:

(480) 510-9551 or (480) 213-5592

Save or Pay Down Debt?

Should you be putting money in savings or investments at the same time you're paying off a loan?

That's one of the most frequently asked questions we get at Kiplinger, and the answer isn't always obvious. Even if you have run up a balance on a high-rate credit card, you may hear a nagging voice in your head urging you to keep plowing money into savings for retirement, college for the kids or a new home.

The simplistic solution – to invest if you can earn a higher interest rate than you're paying on your loans – can be downright dangerous. That became clear when, in the late '90s, a wave of questionable advice suggested that homeowners actually create more debt to invest in the booming stock market – by pulling out some equity via a cash-out refinancing or home-equity loan. Then came the bear market.

The best answer lies in separating good debt from bad debt. It's almost always a good idea to get rid of credit card and other high-interest loans before you start setting aside cash. However, you probably don't want to accelerate mortgage or student loans at the expense of saving for retirement.

Begin by making a list of all your debt and the interest rates on those debts to prioritize which ones you should pay first, says Deena Katz, president of Coral Gables, Fla., financial planners Evensky, Brown and Katz. Then look at your alternatives for saving and investing and, if necessary, reset your priorities.

Step 1: Pay off the high-interest debt

If you have high-interest credit card debt, tackle that first. It doesn't make sense to start saving or investing until you've paid off this debt. You'd have to make more than 20% after-tax return on stocks, bonds or mutual funds to make them a better investment than paying off a credit card with an interest rate above 15%, says Clark Randall, a financial planner with Lincoln Financial Advisors in Dallas.

There is one exception to that rule of thumb: If your employer offers a 401(k) plan and will match your contributions up to a certain level, fund it up to that level – even if you have credit card debt – because you're getting a 100% return on your investment, says Randall. Contribute more than the match level once you've paid off your consumer debt.

If you're drowning in debt, liquidate assets such as stocks and use your savings – but not a 401(k) or IRA – to pay off your credit cards. If you're in dire straits, you can borrow up to 50% (no more than $50,000) from a 401(k). Although you pay yourself back with interest, you give up tax-free compounding, and you will have to pay back the loan immediately if you leave your employer.

Step 2: Identify the good debt

For the most part, it's usually not a good idea to pay off your home mortgage unless you have a lot of extra cash. After all, Uncle Sam refunds part of your interest payment if you itemize your deductions on your tax return.

Use your money instead to invest in liquid assets. However, Randall recommends paying off your mortgage (and any other debt you might have) by the time you retire so you can get by on less money.

Don't be in a rush to pay off student loans, either. The old rule that allows a tax deduction only for interest paid during the first five years of repayment is ending. Qualifying interest on student loans can be written off no matter how long it takes to pay off your loans.

However, you can ease the burden of repaying your loans. Thanks to recent legislation, you can now shop around for the best terms. For example, lenders may offer a rate reduction if you elect to have your loan payments automatically deducted from your bank account. And some lenders will knock more off your rate after 24 or 36 months of on-time payments. Compare deals at ConsolidationComparison.com.

Step 3: Save and invest

Once you've eliminated high-interest consumer debt, start saving as much as you can. The best place to begin is a 401(k). The next best option is an IRA (see Open Your First IRA).

In addition to putting money into a retirement account, you need cash that's readily available in an emergency so you don't have to rely on credit cards. (If you are paying down your credit card balances and still paying high rates, it is probably better to keep paying off the cards and borrow from them in case of an emergency, says Katz.)

Set aside enough money to tide you over for three months if your paycheck suddenly stopped. If you have less-than-steady income, such as from a commissioned sales position, or a job that has more exposure to economic fluctuations, consider setting aside six months' income. (Use our calculator to see how much you should save.)

Sock it away in a high-yield savings account or money market fund on a monthly basis until you reach your desired amount.

Reprinted with permission. All Contents © 2009 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. www.kiplinger.com

Open House

Come visit our open house this Saturday, August 13th from 1pm to 3pm.

Beautiful home in a hard to find private cul-de-sac location in Higley Groves. This large home offers a walk out 2nd level deck with misting system, private rear lawn with mature landscaping, 4 BR’s & bonus room, open kitchen and family room, separate living room, front porch, washer, dryer, & refrigerator included. This home is in great shape and located in the outstanding Gilbert School district.

Any Questions Please Call Abbey Herr at 480-433-8326! Hope to see you there!

Great Time to Buy

Don't wait for prices to increase and interest rates to go back up. Right now is a great time to buy! Here are some good reasons on why it is a good idea to have a real estate consultant help you with one of the biggest investments you'll make in your life:

When it comes to purchasing a resale home-
*Your pool of possible homes is increased dramatically by using an agent. Real estate agents have access to all available listings that match your criteria and, in some cases, information on homes that may be coming on the market but are not yet listed.

When it comes to purchasing a new build/construction home-
*The Builder's Sales Agent represents the builder and you will sign a document stating so. You are simply a customer to them. The general thought is that you don't need realtor representation on a new build.
*Most agents will take you to the sales office, sign you in, allow you to buy, and you will not hear from him or her again until their paycheck comes in 3-12 months. My Arizona Home Team believes this is unfair and could violate agency duties to you, the client. You deserve true representation!
*My Arizona Home Team will guide you through the process, assist you with design center options, and advise you on what will bring value to the home at resale versus what will simply increase your level of enjoyment of your new home.
*My Arizona Home Team will also perform thorough consulting throughout every phase of construction, be present at all walkthroughs and inspections, help you prepare punch lists, and negotiate on your behalf with the builder regarding any conflicts that may arise.
*My Arizona Home Team will ensure you achieve the goal of an A+ home.


So, why use My Arizona Home Team in the purchase of your home over any of the other 95,000 licensed agents in AZ? We have over 50 years combined experience in representing both buyers and sellers. In AZ, one can get a real estate license and be representing you in the largest investment of your lifetime in less than 10 days! Do you really want an inexperienced agent advising you on this major investment?

We have received local and national recognition for our involvement with several energy efficiency programs and have performed hundreds of detailed quality control consultations with our clients. If you’re looking for someone to drop you off at a sales office then only call when the check is ready, please do not call us. If you’re looking for unparalleled service, Realtors that completely understand the building process, have extensive knowledge of windows, air conditioning systems, insulation, framing techniques, and are experts in quality control and energy efficiency, then you have found your agents at My Arizona Home .

Check out our Construction Consulting Page at http://myarizonahometeam.com/construction-info.asp#1onsite

Gorgeous Custom with Casita & Basement

5 EASY WAYS TO IMPROVE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME

1. Paint! It's cheap and easy. You'll be surprised at how much different a nice, fresh coat of paint can make to a room. If you'll be selling your home in the near future, stick with neutral tones.

2. Update fixtures! You may need some electrical experience to tackle this project but even if an electrician is needed, the cost is still pretty low. Replacing old, out of style fixtures with modern ones is a very quick way to give your home an update.

3. De-clutter your home! While this project may not necessarily increase the actual value of your home, it will increase the perceived value. Picture yourself going to an open house. If the home is cluttered, the walls covered in posters and pictures, the floors covered with excessive furniture and other objects, it is difficult to see what the home looks like beyond these things. Remember LESS is definitely MORE.

4. Clean! This would appear to be the most obvious way to increase the perceived value of your home but apparently many people overlook it. There's nothing more displeasing than going to an open house to find dirty dishes in the sink, laundry piled up in the utility room, beds not made or just general junk lying around.

5. Get the yard work done! The yard is the first thing home buyers see. Sometimes, it's the only thing they see. If the yard is cluttered, over grown and unkempt, many people will simply drive right by without stopping to see the home. After all, if the yard is that poorly kept, what reason do they have to believe that the home is any better?

Staging a home properly is always the best option when selling your home. If you would like a professional consultation, please contact My Arizona Home team today!

Lender owned vs Non-Lender owned Sales

Are Home Prices Stabilizing?

After nearly three years of declining home prices, the value of U.S. homes finally grew on a monthly basis in May for the first time in nearly three years, according to a 20-city index released this past week.

We had our first increase in the monthly index since July 2006, with
the index showing a month-over-month increase of 0.5%, according to the report from financial data company Standard & Poor's and economists Case-Shiller.

Annually, home prices in the 20 cities have fallen 17.1%, but it was the second straight month that the year-over-year decline lessened.
According, to David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee S&P, "This could be an indication that home price declines are finally stabilizing."


However, Robert Shiller, the Yale economist who co-founded the index, says that there has been a decrease in foreclosure sales and that this shows up in the index statistics as a plus for home prices. But added that foreclosures could increase again in the near furture, but the future does look encouraging. In fact, with recent efforts of the government, confidence is moving higher and we are beginning to see signs of recovery in other areas as well.


On the other hand, Paul Bishop, the managing director of research for the National Association of Realtors, was glad to see the upturn but did not want to overemphasize the results of a single month, saying the economy is not out of the woods yet.
"Job losses could continue after the recession ends," he said. "That's where the economy intersects with consumers in the most tangible way. Until consumers have some level of confidence that the economy is improving, many will be reluctant to buy."


Where prices are heading from here is yet to be seen. However, with the price of homes in the current market, coupled with government intervention for modification for existing homeowners, tax credits for new homeowners and historically low interest rates, buyer activity has increased. More homeowners are now attempting to remain in their homes and new home buyers are trying to purchase homes. It will of course be very interesting to see where June and July's numbers come out when released.

Frustrated with the Real Estate Market?

$8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

The information in this blog pertains to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

• The tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.


• The tax credit does not have to be repaid.


• The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.


• The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.


• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

$8,000 tax credit deadline is coming! Get your first-time home buyers credit before it's too late! Contact any member of My Arizona Home Team to get started!

Closed sales over 36 months

Need Landscaping?

For quality, reliable, and affordable landscaping......Call Matt Olsen with
Arizona Professional Landscaping, LLC
480.620.4884

Average Sales Price Graph

Lender owned, Short Sale & Regualr Sales comparison

5 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score

Purchasing a home can feel overwhelming for buyers no matter how many times they've been through the process. And today, your credit score is more important than ever when it comes to your ability to buy the home you really want. If you are looking to improve your credit score, now is the perfect time to get started. Here are some great strategies you can utilize right away to give your score a little boost. And check out the accompanying video with Linda Ferrari from Credit Resource Corporation for even more details.

Create Some Balance: While paying down installment debt (car, school, mortgage, etc.) will definitely boost your credit score, paying down or paying off revolving debt, such as credit cards, can cause a quick jump in your credit score. The trick is to get and keep your balances below 30% of your credit limit on each card. For faster results, attack those cards with balances closer to their respective credit limits first, as opposed to those cards with simply the highest debt. Remember, if you pay off any credit cards completely, do not close your accounts without discussing it with your mortgage professional first. Cancelling those cards may inadvertently undo all of your hard work.

Know Your Limits: Make sure that your credit card issuers are reporting the correct limits on your accounts to the three major credit bureaus. Without an available limit, your account will appear to be maxed out at its highest reported balance each month. This could cost you up to 80 points in certain instances. Some creditors, such as American Express® and certain cards issued by Capital One®, actually have a policy of not reporting available credit. However, most companies will report your credit limits if you ask them in writing.

Take Some Credit: If you have a credit card account in very good standing, make sure that all three credit bureaus know about it. Just like your credit limits, some creditors don't report your information to all three credit companies – this is why credit scores often vary between bureaus. If this is the case, give them a call to find out why. Correcting this oversight could provide a significant boost to your score. Also, if you're in very good standing, ask your creditor for a lower rate or higher credit limit. This will increase the gap in the debt you owe versus the credit you have available. Sometimes hinting about closing an account can suddenly bring out the generous spirit of certain card issuers. Give it a try. The worst they can say is no.

Protect Your Interests: Your credit is calculated based solely on the information available to your creditors. If you have a HELOC, make sure it's listed as a mortgage or an installment account on your credit reports and not a revolving debt. If you had a bankruptcy, be sure that all items associated with the bankruptcy are being reported correctly, that is with a zero balance. This action could increase your score by 50-100 points. Because simple mistakes like these can wreak havoc on your credit score, it's important to monitor your credit every four to six months.

Even the Score: If you find information on your credit report that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete, then you have the right to dispute it free of charge. For the fastest results, visit the appropriate credit bureau's website and file a complaint online. If supporting documents are necessary, you have to file your dispute by mail. With just a little bit of effort, you could be well on your way to a higher credit score...and to owning the home of your dreams!