Hello, Valley of the Sun Homeowners, trusted Homesmart REALTOR®, DeDe Forwood, coming at you live from the tremendous and happening Phoenix real estate market. If you are thinking of selling your home, be it in the short or long term, there are certain behaviors you must avoid so that the process is successful and does not become inconvenient. Based on valuable insights from a recent realtor.com article and my experience in our local market, I dug deeper into a few of the most common mistakes and how they can be avoided. Resist the Urge to Skip Concessions In a seller’s market that is often ..read more

Immaculate, stylishly updated 3-bed + office/den, 2BA retreat! This charming home seamlessly blends retro vibes with modern living, featuring light-filled rooms, historic arches and awesome built-ins. The spacious, upgraded eat-in kitchen boasts s/s appliances, granite counters, ample cabinets, gas range and room for both an island AND a large table! Convenient flex room-office/den/home gym off kitchen. The primary bedroom offers access to a large covered patio and private bath. Outside, unwind in the serenely-landscaped backyard with covered patios, pavers, turf, and cool fencing. Additional ..read more

Hey, Phoenix homeowners, potential buyers and investors, friends, clients, and associates!  Here’s the news, listings, open houses, events and more!  Reach out if you have any specific questions!  I’ve enjoyed several conversations this week with friends, colleagues and clients looking for next steps.  Enjoy!  Things are definitely looking up! The steep fall in mortgage rates has helped existing home sales improve for the first time in 5 months, and builder confidence also moved up. If your New Year’s resolution is to finally get into a new home in 2024, let’s discuss ..read more

Agents see (and help clients avoid) a lot of mistakes over the course of their career — and because of this, they’re a great source of insight and wisdom. The problem is, it’s often difficult to prove many of the things they know are true or not. Unfortunately, most people don’t sell a house all that often, so it’s really a live and learn situation. It’s generally only after the dust has settled that can they truly assess whether the advice they received from their agent was solid or not. While there are exceptions to every rule, there are certain pieces of advice that sell ..read more

Hey, Phoenix homeowners, potential buyers and investors, friends, clients, and associates! Ready for your Pre-NYE real estate and more check-in? Here’s the news, listings, open houses, events and more!  Reach out if you have any specific questions!  I’ve enjoyed several conversations this week with friends, colleagues and clients looking for next steps.  Enjoy!  Things are definitely looking up! The steep fall in mortgage rates has helped existing home sales improve for the first time in 5 months, and builder confidence also moved up. If your New Year’s resolution is to fin ..read more

Saving up for a down payment on a house can be a significant challenge for many individuals and families. The common misconception that a 20% down payment is required often makes the goal seem more daunting than it needs to be. According to Lending tree, 31% of Americans still believe they need to save that much. However, recent data shows that the average down payment for a house in 2023 was 14.4%, significantly lower than what many people believe.  Down payments can even be as low as 3.5% To make the process even more accessible, there are over 2,000 Down Payment Assistance (DPA) progra ..read more

Hey, Phoenix homeowners and potential buyers and investors! Ready for your Pre-holiday real estate check-in? Here’s the news, listings, open houses, events and more!  Reach out if you have any specific questions!  I’ve enjoyed several conversations this week with friends, colleagues and clients looking for next steps.  Enjoy!  Things are definitely looking up! The steep fall in mortgage rates has helped existing home sales improve for the first time in 5 months, and builder confidence also moved up. If your New Year’s resolution is to finally get into a new home in 2024, le ..read more

So I’d LOVE to show you my new listing…It’s in the wonderful 55+ community of Sun Air Estates, one of my favorite in the Valley! This 2+ bedroom 2 bath, 1398 SF Gemini Twin Home (1/2 of a duplex) is close to the 101, Westgate and more! It’s got updated paint, lighting, cabinets and granite counters in the kitchen.  It has wood-look tile throught (no carpet). It has a one-car garage, washer and dryer and water softener,  and a private low-maintenance fenced yard (with doggy door installed for your 4-legged best friends!) This charming adult community offers a pool, rec center, lot ..read more

Hey, Phoenix homeowners and potential buyers! Ready for your weekly real estate check-in? Here’s the news, listings, open houses, events and more!  Reach out if you have any specific questions!  I’ve enjoyed several conversations this week with friends, colleagues and clients looking for next steps.  Enjoy! Phoenix-Area Real Estate News  The State of Mortgage Payments: A beacon of positive news emerges as serious delinquencies on home loans hit a 17-year low in October, as reported by Black Knight Financial Services. Despite a slight uptick in national foreclosure starts, t ..read more

Hey Phoenix homeowners, gather around! The holiday season is not just about twinkling lights and festive cheer; it’s also a golden opportunity to make a savvy move in the real estate game. Why, you ask? Well, let’s unwrap the reasons why listing your home during the holidays is like giving yourself the ultimate gift. 1. Less Competition, More Spotlight: ‘Tis the season to stand out! With many homeowners hitting pause on selling during the holidays, your property gets the spotlight all to itself. Less competition means more eyes on your home, increasing the chances of finding that perfect buyer ..read more