So, our housing market here in Sedona is improving nicely – there is a real interest in properties from First Time Home Buyers AND investors.

The Federal Home Buyer Tax credits of course help the market, the economy and of course offer a great incentive for potential buyers to stop renting. As always there is  much talk when it comes to the homebuyer tax credits – however, with the deadline looming for buyers who are not yet under contract and who are still looking for a property now is an excellent time to really explain: How to claim the money?

As explained excellently by the National Association of Realtors in their latest article about the credit, there are things you have to consider as a buyer claiming the credit.

Firstly, to be eligible (as part of a few other qualifications) you need to close on your home purchase between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, or have a binding written contract by April 30, 2010 and close by July 1, 2010. Also, you also have to decide whether you want to apply the credit to your 2009 tax return, filed on or before April 15, 2010; (or if you have already filed for 2009, file an amended 2009 return) or, apply the credit on your 2010 return, filed on or before April 15, 2011. (If you purchased your home before Dec. 31st 2009 you can only claim on your 2009 return.

Your accountant or tax preparer will assist you in completing Form 5405 to determine the amount of your available credit.

Regionally here, sales in the West declined just 5.2% to an annual rate of 1.28 million in January but are 7.6 percent higher than January 2009 so the market is growing. With mortgage rates remaining so low, now is definitely the time to puchase, get a great mortgage deal AND take advantage of the credit.

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Realty Times poses the question: Arizona: Is Now THE Time to Invest in the Grand Canyon State? The answer seems to be a very firm – YES! If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact AULT&ASSOCIATES in downtown Sedona.

For a complimentary search of the Sedona MLS and access to all property currently on the market in Sedona AZ, visit www.claudiaault.com. For the best in Sedona Real Estate service and knowledge, contact Claudia Ault at 928-301-3016 or Larry Ault at 928-301-0852

EXCITING NEWS!

While home sales nationwide in January this year slowed, home sales are still way above January 2009 levels according to the National Association of Realtors.

Existing home sales dropped 7.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.05 million units in January from a revised 5.44 million in December, but remain 11.5% above the 4.53 million-unit level in January 2009.

As expected it is the delay between shopping for a home and closing on a home that has caused the slight drop – However, more excitingly again is the news that the level of inventory fell again, this time by 0.5% to 3.27 million existing homes for sale which represents a 7.8 month supply at the current sales pace. Raw unsold inventory is 9.6% below a year ago and is the lowest since March 2006!

With the spring homebuying season around the corner sales activity should pick up dramatically in that time as the extended tax credit it taken advantage of.  The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $164,700 in January, unchanged from a year earlier. Distressed homes, which accounted for 38 percent of sales last month, continue to downwardly distort the median price because they typically are discounted in comparison with traditional homes in the same area. Also, it was noted that first time homebuyers represented 40% of home sales in January while investors accounted for 17% of sales. Buyers shopping for homes also increased 9.4%.

Regionally here, sales in the West declined just 5.2% to an annual rate of 1.28 million in January but are 7.6 percent higher than January 2009.

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Realty Times poses the question: Arizona: Is Now THE Time to Invest in the Grand Canyon State? The answer seems to be a very firm – YES! If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact AULT&ASSOCIATES in downtown Sedona.

For a complimentary search of the Sedona MLS and access to all property currently on the market in Sedona AZ, visit www.claudiaault.com. For the best in Sedona Real Estate service and knowledge, contact Claudia Ault at 928-301-3016 or Larry Ault at 928-301-0852

With now being the best time to purchase a home in Sedona, it is important to remember a few important thing – when making an offer on a property - DO NOT FIXATE ON PRICE!

Offering to purchase a property is a delicate balance on what the offer consists of – there are other factors than pricing. Too many potential buyers/sellers fixate on price. However, it is important not to. Buyers and sellers need to know that the dollar amount itself is not the most important part of the deal. There are several other componants which make up the offer which should be considered before making an offer (if you are a buyer) or accepting an offer (if you are a seller):

1. Closing Date  – When you want to hand over the keys and move in/out!

2. Inclusions and Exclusions – Furniture/appliances?

3.  Terms and Conditions – An exit strategy and set of rules which all parties have to abide by.

All of these things together, if worked together, can lead to a smooth process and a great offer. Ultimately it is all about how comfortable you feel. It starts with pricing but doesn’t end there!

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Realty Times poses the question: Arizona: Is Now THE Time to Invest in the Grand Canyon State? The answer seems to be a very firm – YES! If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact AULT&ASSOCIATES in downtown Sedona.

For a complimentary search of the Sedona MLS and access to all property currently on the market in Sedona AZ, visit www.claudiaault.com. For the best in Sedona Real Estate service and knowledge, contact Claudia Ault at 928-301-3016 or Larry Ault at 928-301-0852

Exciting ideas to help you sell your home this spring here in Sedona Arizona. -There are several ways in which you can improve your springtime curb appeal.

You can make your home cleaner and at the same time taking care of a few small projects to spruce up your homes curb appeal, which will help it show better when selling! As we have always said – tidy your front porch!

1. Driveway and Sidewalks.

Stain/pressure wash your driveway and walkways. Fix cracks and make sure that everything is neat and tidy – this is the first impression a buyer gets of a property. When it comes to staining – note that this is a cheap way of sprucing up your driveway. Make sure you select a complimentary color.

2. Pain the front door.

Use a constrasting color to make your home stand out! Perhaps experiment with a few different colors to see what you like.

3. Landscaping

Ensure that all your trees and bushes are trimmed. Also, consider some early spring plants, this will add some color to your yard and make your home look extra inviting. Use outdoor lighting to help enhance the look of your home.

4. Inside Cleaning

Clean all windows and skylights, you will be amazed how much of a difference this makes with the amount of light that comes into your home. Also, make sure to keep the insides of cabinet and drawers tidy – buyers love to open these! Think what you were like when you looked at the home originally! Also, ensure that bathrooms are clean and that all baseboards have been given a fresh coat of pain, this will really help add to the wow factor.

So go ahead – make your home show ready for sale this Spring in Sedona!

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Realty Times poses the question: Arizona: Is Now THE Time to Invest in the Grand Canyon State? The answer seems to be a very firm – YES! If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact AULT&ASSOCIATES in downtown Sedona.

For a complimentary search of the Sedona MLS and access to all property currently on the market in Sedona AZ, visit www.claudiaault.com. For the best in Sedona Real Estate service and knowledge, contact Claudia Ault at 928-301-3016 or Larry Ault at 928-301-0852

Exciting news for the Arizona Real Estate market! The market is recovering nicely according to data released by Fidelity National Title.

The figures show that the top of the market was in June 2006 and the bottom was April 2009, with numbers increasing since. Also, interestingly, the maximum inventory of homes on the market was in April 2008.

Pending home sale for the Arizona MLS are at a record level for this January 2010 – showing that there is an increased demand for housing in the state. – This is great news!

Recovery will likely be slow, but will gather momentum. Therefore buyers and sellers should not expect a dramatic jump in numbers for 2010, but a gentle increase in figures. However this doesn’t mean that the numbers are any less impressive – for instance, the number of homes under contract is more than double what it was last January and the recent trend of price increases in certain areas is a great positive indicator.

There has also been a shift in the type of sales, bank owned foreclosure properties (REO’s) have seen a drop, where as short sales and reglar sales have increased.

In short, with the market turning now is the time to invest in a new home for you here in Arizona!

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Realty Times poses the question: Arizona: Is Now THE Time to Invest in the Grand Canyon State? The answer seems to be a very firm – YES! If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact AULT&ASSOCIATES in downtown Sedona.

For a complimentary search of the Sedona MLS and access to all property currently on the market in Sedona AZ, visit www.claudiaault.com. For the best in Sedona Real Estate service and knowledge, contact Claudia Ault at 928-301-3016 or Larry Ault at 928-301-0852

Now this really re-defines the meaning of real estate!

Before we all inhabited the Verde Valley there were plenty of Native Americans – in particular the the Sinagua tribe. These people were attracted to the Verde River and its tributaries. The Sinagua farmed the fertible river banks and built dwellings in the cliffs - guess what? Some of those cliff dwellings are still there!

They are definitely an interesting early form of housing. They have been the focal point of many parks and monuments in Arizona as well as the subject of much study.

However, you can learn more about the Sinagua, central Arizona cliff dwellings and other structures the Sinagua built when archaeologist Matt Guebard leads a discussion at 2 p.m. Feb. 7 at Red Rock State Park in Sedona. If you are in the area it would be a great event to attend.

The Sinagua indians lived in the valley from 1125-1400 AD and bought with them their distinct culture. However exact levels of population are unknown. – This event is definitely a great day out for the family to learn more about the heritage of our great nation!

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Realty Times poses the question: Arizona: Is Now THE Time to Invest in the Grand Canyon State? The answer seems to be a very firm – YES! If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact AULT&ASSOCIATES in downtown Sedona.

For a complimentary search of the Sedona MLS and access to all property currently on the market in Sedona AZ, visit www.claudiaault.com. For the best in Sedona Real Estate service and knowledge, contact Claudia Ault at 928-301-3016 or Larry Ault at 928-301-0852

Doing home repairs is not something which the average Sedona Arizona homeowner relishes in doing! However, they must be done – particularly after hard winters.

But in order to keep costs under control, it is often better to focus on smaller jobs and also do repairs over time – rather than trying to do several jobs or one huge job all at once.

Also, lets face it, most of us leave repairs until we sell our home!

These days with foreclosures and short sales many repairs are not carried out, so by spending a little money on the smaller jobs can reap rewards in making your home stand out when it comes to selling!

Things which shouldn’t be overlooked include: changing your furnace air filters regularly, fixing leaky faucets/toilets, repairing caulking issues in the bathroom and defective electrical outlets/wiring – these may seem insignificate but they can make a big difference!

Also, with regards to air filters, experts say that 60% of service calls are caused due to dirty filter related issues – therefore, by changing your filters regularly ensures that you keep your unit maintenance costs under control! It can also save you money as when your unit is maintained properly it works at its maximum efficiency! With estimated savings of around $100 per year just by changing your air filters, its not chump change! – A great reminder to check your filters is when you get your bill – a very poignant visual reminder one might say!

Also, with regards to other repairs we mentioned, a leaky faucet can cost you more than a few gallons of water every month. It can cause mold and a whole host of other problems!

It is all about appearances, if your home looks maintained then buyers will feel it is worth purchasing, if there are leaky faucets, broken or cracked tiles and caulking as well as a air conditioning unit that limps along then they may thing the home is in need of serious repairs!

In short – look after your home, it can help save you money and repay you dividends when it comes to selling!

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Realty Times poses the question: Arizona: Is Now THE Time to Invest in the Grand Canyon State? The answer seems to be a very firm – YES! If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact AULT&ASSOCIATES in downtown Sedona.

For a complimentary search of the Sedona MLS and access to all property currently on the market in Sedona AZ, visit www.claudiaault.com. For the best in Sedona Real Estate service and knowledge, contact Claudia Ault at 928-301-3016 or Larry Ault at 928-301-0852

The rise in pending home sales in January is critical to the recovery of Arizona’s real estate market. Prices are expected to increase, although slowly. The latest report shows pending sales hit a record 9,883 in the first week of January 2010 — a 79 percent increase over the 5,530 tally a year ago. The Arizona real estate market peaked in June 2006, with the bottom hitting in April 2009 and maximum inventory of homes on the market in late April 2008.

However, rather than dwelling on the past it is exciting to predict that there will be a shallow upward trend across the market as there is a move towards more homes coming under contract. Interest in the previously slow $250,000-$400,000 range is also hotting up! Short sales are also making an increasing appearance on sales statistics.

According to NAR, overall 2009’s figures were way above 2008; In 2009 there were 5,156,000 existing-home sales nationwide, which was 4.9 percent higher than the 4,913,000 in 2008 – the first rise since 2005. The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $178,300 in December, which is 1.5% higher than December 2008!

What to suggest with all this good news?! Well, now is the time to buy as the last chance of getting a great deal is slipping away!

Click here to subscribe to our RSS Feed.

Realty Times poses the question: Arizona: Is Now THE Time to Invest in the Grand Canyon State? The answer seems to be a very firm – YES! If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact AULT&ASSOCIATES in downtown Sedona.

For a complimentary search of the Sedona MLS and access to all property currently on the market in Sedona AZ, visit www.claudiaault.com. For the best in Sedona Real Estate service and knowledge, contact Claudia Ault at 928-301-3016 or Larry Ault at 928-301-0852

Despite Sedona being a little more wintery this winter than usual – as is the rest of the country! It is still a great time to take advantage of the real estate market – which is heating up!

In the last decade the real estate industry has changed beyond recognition, as has Sedona.

Back 10 years ago in the year 2000 (remember all that Y2K stuff?!) buyers were just discovering the wonders of the internet – in 1999 only around 37% of homebuyers searched for their next home purchase online. Today, it is around 90% according to the National Association of Realtors. Of course technological wonders like this blog are possible due to the advancement of technology.

As we said the market is heating up here in Sedona and nationally and although despite the 9 month run on pending home sales increasing, the National Association of Realtors latest data shows that pending home sales have declined but are still way above a year before! Here out in the west of the country the index declined 2.7 percent to 124.6 but is 21.4 percent above November 2008.

This however, is partly expected due to the initial pent up demand being tapped into thanks to programs like the first time homebuyer tax credit. This means that we will likely see steadier growth over the next few months as the recovery continues – NAR notes that the rock bottom interest rates as they are right now cannot continue!

So if you are thinking of buying a home this January, now is the time to do it – don’t wait until later in the year when the tax credits end, rates will likely be higher and, likely so will prices!

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Realty Times poses the question: Arizona: Is Now THE Time to Invest in the Grand Canyon State? The answer seems to be a very firm – YES! If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact AULT&ASSOCIATES in downtown Sedona.

For a complimentary search of the Sedona MLS and access to all property currently on the market in Sedona AZ, visit www.claudiaault.com. For the best in Sedona Real Estate service and knowledge, contact Claudia Ault at 928-301-3016 or Larry Ault at 928-301-0852

LOOK – Exciting news for Northern Arizona and the Verde Valley - Despite only recently writing about Sedona Schools, a housing development being built in the Verde Valley is the first in Northern Arizona designed to run off solar power!

The development, called “Grey Fox Ridge” located in Cottonwood contains homes which are going to run off of solar power. It is estimated that homeowners would see a decrease in their electric bill to around 50% of existing bills or just by the homes other green features by around 26% compared to a conventional home. Very exciting news indeed!

Each home is equipped with 10 solar panels on the roof, and homeowners can add additional ones if desired and power is stored for later use.

This is a great move forward and the Verde Valley is a perfect location to showcase this technology thanks to its high levels of daylight and sunshine hours.

It is likely that other developments will follow suit in the near future due to the general push to go green in Sedona and in Real Estate as a whole!

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Realty Times poses the question: Arizona: Is Now THE Time to Invest in the Grand Canyon State? The answer seems to be a very firm – YES! If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact AULT&ASSOCIATES in downtown Sedona.

For a complimentary search of the Sedona MLS and access to all property currently on the market in Sedona AZ, visit www.claudiaault.com. For the best in Sedona Real Estate service and knowledge, contact Claudia Ault at 928-301-3016 or Larry Ault at 928-301-0852