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Does Solar Add Value To Your Home?

Yes, No, Maybe

My favorite answer. Frustrating at times but it is true.

Let’s dig down…

Leasing Solar- No

If you are leasing a solar system you don’t own it so it is not adding value to the home.  Even if the solar lease has been pre-paid. The savings you may see on utilities is a bonus to the resident.  But the solar panels when leased do not add value.

Purchased Solar – Yes and Maybe

If you own the solar, it does add value to the home.  You own it and it conveys with the property.  YEAH!

If you purchase Solar and pay the solar off up front, most definitely the solar adds value to your home.  If you paid $30,000 for your solar, don’t expect to get $30,000 back in value.  Remember you also got about 10% back in tax credits, reducing what your out of pocket really was to around $20,000.  Depending on the age of the system, and the KW production of the system the value added will be something around or more likely below the $20,000.

If you purchased Solar with a loan, and you are still paying on that loan, the value added is different.  Like above, you still received your tax credits and may have used them to reduce the loan balance, also reducing your payment.  That is delightful on your wallet, especially over time.  Until you have paid down the loan, and have more equity in the system, the value it gives your home is significantly less.  And as the system ages your equity increases… you are not likely to reach the same value given to the homeowner who pays for the system up front until the loan has been paid off.

See, Yes, No, Maybe

If you are considering Solar, give me a call I am happy to share my knowledge with you.

Irene 480-788-0171

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Have you heard of a HECM?

Have you heard of a HECM?

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage?

Are you or your spouse 62?

You could live in your home without any mortgage payments.  Did you know that?

Its true.

 

Jacqui Hamilton
Concord Mortgage
jacqui.hamilton@concordmg.com
623-900-1935

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What do Harvey and Irma mean for you and having your new home built?

As Irma heads to Florida, Houston is in the early stages of picking up the wet pieces and trying to look forward to sunshine filled and dry days.  

One area that is affected nationwide after a disaster like major Hurricanes is building supplies.

Building time frames will get longer in Arizona, and other states not affected by Harvey and Irma.   

Suppliers prioritize their materials to those locations hit hardest. (and it is mandated by the government that they do)  Builders in other areas and states have delays in their construction due to lack of materials.  This also means that the builders don’t require as many employees to just hang around and wait to swing their hammer.  The combination of lack of materials and fewer on hand workers result in delayed construction build times.  

If you are already contracted with a builder for your new home, plan on your closing date being pushed out.  If you are about to have a builder start your home, and they previously informed you of a 5-7 month build time.  That just got extended to 7-9 months.  

The builder purchase contract has a clause to allow them up to 2 years to get your home built.  Now they don’t want to take that long, but they have the right to.  That clause exists for times like these.

Many of the construction workers will leave states where they have resided and move temporarily to the areas that have been ravaged by nature.  Creating another challenge of not enough construction workers available when the supplies are once again readily available.  

Our prayers and donations are directed to helping so many recover from unimaginable loss.  

 

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Predictions for the Greater Phoenix Real Estate Market

This is a portion of an article written by our broker, Jim Sexton in the Arizona Journal of Real Estate and Business for December.   The first half of the article deals with variables to be resolved post election by the president.   Jim’s predictions follow:

 “2012 will have around 90,000 sales reported by ARMLS, which will be a 10-12% drop from 2011 numbers, but the overall dollar volume of those sales will be up almost 6% from 2011.  The average price per square foot will be up over 13% for 2012.  Using these trends, I believe that the number of sales in 2013 will remain around 90,000, although if I could give a range it would be 85,000-95,000 sales for the year.  I think prices will continue to bounce back.  I don’t expect another 13% increase, but I see a price improvement in the 5-8% range.  I expect active inventory to rise from the current less than 3 month supply to the more balanced 3-4 month supply.  Both short sales and REOs

will continue to decrease.  Distressed properties made up 70% of the market 2 years ago, 65% 1 year ago and currently are at 41%.  Look for that downward trend to continue to under 30%, with REOs below 10% and short sales dropping to around 20%.  Also expect to seeArizona’s population continue to grow and the building industry inPhoenix‘rise from the ashes’.  Both will continue the positive steps we’ve seen to our economic recovery for the region.”

 Based on Jim’s experience, knowledge and his great batting average we are expecting that 2013 will be a successful and positive year for real estate in our Valley of the Sun.

 

 

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CantaMia – a new 55+ retirement community

dreamstime_l_5059099CantaMia is another great example of locating an Active Adult Community within or adjacent to a multigenerational community.   It offers the opportunity for the 55+ family members to enjoy their extensive exclusive Active Adult facilities as well as share the additional recreational activities with their families who live in the Estrella ranch community.   This I think is the best of both worlds.   It is also interesting to see that as families in Estrella grow and reach the empty nest stage, they are purchasing in the adjacent CantaMia!

CantaMia was designed by Engle Homes, but no construction was started. It was saved from bankruptcy by Joseph Carl Builders, who then joined with Avatar homes (AVHI on the NASDAQ) under the name of Vitalia by AV Homes.   The total number of homes when built out will reach 1700, a fairly small community by some standards.   The recreational activities however are equal to those of the much larger communities.  The 29,000 sq ft Village Center has indoor and outdoor pools, a beautifully equipped demonstration kitchen, an excellent variety of exercise and activity centers as well as a mini café and wine bar.  The workout room boasts a cushy bamboo floor and the computer room and fitness center have instructors from Estrella Community College.  The common areas use reclaimed water for irrigation in keeping with their entire energy saving theme.  There are 14 model homes to guide your home choice, with emphasis being on their Green building techniques.  Check the current prices on our website.  The builder is a member of the Environments For Living, and is a Green Certified Builder.  The homes have been tested for efficient use of utilities and are awarded very high scores. All homes include solar as an energy source.    In keeping with the Green living, the exercise, cooking and activity programs are designed to encourage healthy life choices.  CantaMia’s Sierra Estrella Mountain views and many lakes provide a tranquil and relaxing setting in which to enjoy your healthy retirement.