The economy is all we hear about on the news! However this latest data from Sedona and the Verde Valley on Sales Tax revenue may come as a surprise.

Numbers are up – what does this mean? Well, it means that people are spending more in the area. Locals, visitors, the lot! Showing that the economy is improving.

Except for Camp Verde, all communities in the Verde Valley and Sedona posted gains in sales tax revenue for July over the same month last year.

Sedona in July moved into positive numbers in both retail and total sales tax categories. Retail tax revenue was up from $244,689 last July to $258,063 this year. The total sales tax collections for all categories were up to $1,140,395 for July from $1,073,215 last year.

This is very important! Even in home sales – despite a fall in the level of actual sales, there is some positive news.

Nationally the news on homesales is not as good as it has been in recent months according to the National Association of Realtors, Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist has said that slightly lower numbers may continue for a few more months after the surge of buyers but that they should level out due to the high level of affordability.

Despite that annual sales are expected to reach 5 million in 2010 because of healthy activity in the first half of the year. This means 2010 is a great year as annual sales averaged 4.9 million in the past 20 years, and 4.4 million over the past 30 years! Mortgage rates are still at historic lows according to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to a record low 4.42 percent last week!

On prices, the national median existing-home price for all housing types was up 0.7% from a year ago, Single-family median existing-home prices were higher in 11 out of 19 metropolitan statistical areas reported in July in comparison with July 2009. Also, raw unsold inventory is 12.9% below July 2008 numbers. The level of investor purchases also increased with investors accounting for 19% of sales in July, up from 13% in June. So despite actual sales being lower there is alot of positive news in NAR’s findings.

It confirms what we have been saying, that now is the time to invest in Sedona Arizona Real Estate!

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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

NAR has released sales figures and as expected sales have slowed a little after the end of the tax credit. So sellers are very much worried about making their home be “the one” that buyers choose. After all, Sedona has some beautiful homes but sellers – when it comes to selling and staging your home there are a few areas that can always do with a little attention. Here are some suggestions on renovations that are affordable to make and take little to no time or effort but have a great impact:

1. The Kitchen – this is obvious - kitchens sell homes. Asides from cleaning replace or repair splashbacks, damaged cupboards, declutter and replace or add handles to your cabinets.
2. High traffic areas – carpets, doorways, handles, baseboards etc. Dust, clean, polish and scrub!

3. Outside – mow the lawn, water plants, clean out any weeds and trim edges. A little elbow grease goes a long way in this area.

4. Bathrooms – replace cracked tiles and caulk lines, repair or replace grouting and most importantly, clean and scrub to the extreme to make your bathroom shine!

5. Clean windows – this might not seem obvious, but a clean window lets in more light which makes a space look and feel larger – on that note, move certain furniture away from the walls by just 1 -2  feet, this really doesn make a space feel larger.

NAR have released the latest sales statistics for the nation and the news is mixed, home sales may be 8.5% up over last year but have slowed after the tax credit ended month on month. So now more than ever, putting in effort to help get involved in the selling of your home by sprucing it up has never been so important!

Don’t forget, sellers, that Ault&Associates are here for you!

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

Sedona is such a beautiful relocation destination – however in the summer months it can get very hot! Therefore, what do you do? Crank up the air conditioning!

BUT! This is far from ideal when it comes to helping your wallet, small habit changes can add up to big savings when it comes to electricity.- electricity bills are part of everyday life, but here are some tips for homeowners in Sedona this summer to save money on their electricity bill:

1. PULL THE PLUG! Don’t just switch off devices! Unplug them from the outlet!

2. SWITCH OLD BULBS FOR CFL’s: Change old fashioned lightbulbs with compact fluorescent Light bulbs – these last ten times longer than traditional bulbs and will pay for themselves in six months and use 75% less energy.

3. CHUCK OLD APPLIANCES WITH ENERGY STAR: These use alot less energy and save you big bucks over their lifetime.

4. THEMOSTAT: Turn up the AC Thermostat when you are out during the day and turn the temperature down when you are in to make yourself comfortable.

5. LIGHTS OUT: This is an old one, but it’s a good one! Turn off the lights in rooms you are not using.

Let us know if any of you homeowners in Sedona see savings!

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

HOT OFF THE PRESS! Pending Home Sales in the United States have risen as reported by NAR!

Experts, such as Lawrence Yun agree that there is likely a potential second surge in home sales thanks to the homebuyer tax credit. NAR’s Pending Home Sale Index, a forward looking index rose 8.2% in February and is 17.3% above February 2009.  Here out in the west the index rose a healthy 14.6% above the previous February.

Also there have been rumours of multiple offers on properties and also price rises in certain areas of the country. This is exciting news for all. However, at the same time, NAR also has exciting news for green real estate - with the general drive to go green, real estate has tried to be at the forefront of the green revolution. – Marketing and identifying green homes just got easier for home buyers and sellers with the new Green MLS Tool Kit. The National Association of Realtors now offers the tool kit for Realtors to help them add a Green initiative to their local MLS.

Buyers are becoming more eco-friendly and environmentally aware and want green real estate. All Realtors are seeing this trend and here in Sedona, Arizona we are naturally seeing a change. – Sedona is often at the forefront of the green revolution and in this case is no exception, with solar panels, water conservation and more! Sedona is one of the greener cities in the country!

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

City finances may not be the most riveting conversation starter, however in these sensitive economic times many are more interested in how public officials spend your money.

Sedona City Council approved the City budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 on Tuesday, June 23 2009. The media has dubbed the news “The Good, The Bad & The Ugly” referring to the cities prudent planning (the good) and the bad & ugly being the economy and having to use some reserves.

The good news is that the City operating fund (otherwise known as General Fund) is in better financial condition, comparatively, than most other municipalities in Arizona. Because the City has been conservative in its revenue forecasts over the years. revenues have generally exceeded expenses therefore, Sedona has accumulated over a ten million dollar reserve account as a “rainy day fund”.

This means that for the 2008-2009 fiscal year with the current economic conditions worldwide it is expected that the city will dip into the fund by about 5%. Preparing for the economy the city started controlling expenditure early – Beginning in the early fall of 2008, staff and Council began to reduce City expenditure with Hiring freezes, educational and travel allowance reductions, contingency freezes and elimination of surveys and studies were all initiated to reduce General Fund expenditures. In addition, over $1,000,000 worth of Capital projects were deferred.

This is just the tip of the iceberg on the budget. However, what is sure is that with a steady real estate market and careful fiscal policy Sedona will be poised to boom once again when the world pulls away from the grip of this recession.

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 Claudia Ault and her team 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.

Starting tomorrow, May 1st 2009 the new rulings entitled the HVCC – Home Valuation Code of Conduct come into force.

However with many confusing rumors and negativity floating about on the web about how the new rulings will effect the real estate and mortgage process at the moment will be changing, let us take some time to explain how it will effect you:

The HVCC is designed to help protect consumers from any relationship between a lender or mortgage broker and a specific appraiser. It does not forbid independent appraisers to be used, but just limits how they interact with the mortgage broker or lender. This means, in theory, that the consumer can be assured that the appraiser is acting in the best interests of the consumer in returning a fair market value for a property.

To avoid the HVCC becoming meaningless there are several safeguards in place, for instance Freddie Mac (FHLMC) will not purchase any loans from sellers who do not adopt the code. The news on how Fannie Mae will handle the Home Valuation Code of Conduct has not been announced yet. To ensure that the code is enforced and the quality of appraisals is upheld there is to be the formation of a regulatory body named the Independent Valuation Protection Institute (IVPI).

It has been said by some that the rulings will mean higher costs for the consumer as well as leaving many brokers unprepared. What is sure is the the next few months as the rules start to really take effect will be interesting.

If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact Claudia Ault and her team 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.

According to the National Association of Realtors the Federal Housing Administration is key to the housing market recovery process.

With the collapse of many major banks the FHA has come into the fold as the primary source of financing for millions of Americans looking to purchase a home.

Over the past 18 months, FHA has handled an increase in volume four times greater than 2007 levels, increasing its market share to over 30 percent. Also the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has made a number of important and valuable changes to FHA over the years that has enabled it to stand up to the challenges of today’s mortgage market

FHA has handled its role and volume increase well, for instance in utilizing the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit to allow buyers to apply it toward downpayment requirements. This has helped bring much stability to the national real estate market.

Here in Sedona the market is recovering well. Buyers are taking advantage of a great selection of inventory available, low mortgage rates and increasing levels of financing becoming available.

If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact Claudia Ault and her team 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.

Sedona is such a popular destination that it often needs no introduction, however the Los Angeles Times has written a nice travel piece on Sedona urging travellers to take advantage of the lower gas prices at the moment and to get into their cars, hit the road and head to Sedona!

The article offers advice on where to stay, where to eat and some interesting pictures of the area!

This ties in nicely with Sedona’s new Hiking Community website: www.sedonahiker.com

This website and its launch by Sedona.biz LLC shows how popular hiking is in the Sedona area. Many people look at the red rocks and the Verde Valley and think what a great place to hike. There are numerous trails and if your feet hurt a little, you can always take a pink jeep tour!

The website is designed to be a social networking site for hikers who take advantage of Sedona’s landscape. However, it also offers a great chance for those visiting to see pictures and video of the area. Whats better? Well, the site is free and easy to use!

So come one, come all! Sedona is waiting for you!

If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact Claudia Ault and her team 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.

With so much to see and do in Sedona, Arizona it is no wonder that the question – where do we eat? Often comes to mind! Particularly in such a health conscious community!

Sedona is a great place to find a fabulous eatery. There is a wide selection of different foods to suit different tastes as well as costs to suit every budget.

In some ways it is a case of “which country would you like to dine at this evening” as there is the AAA Four-Diamond winner; L’Auberge Restaurant on Oak Creek or how about Thai Spices, an inexpensive local favorite that features fresh, spicy Asian food. The choice is yours!

There are a smattering of family friendly restaurants, ethnic choices, light meals or fine dining. Generally, unless a restaurant states, casual dress is acceptable in Sedona.

Arizona Central has published a great list of restaurants which can be perused online, this gives a ready reference guide to what there is in the area and is viewable by clicking here.

If you have decided that you would like to own a home in Sedona as a full time resident or part time then contact Claudia Ault and her team 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.

Sedona Arizona is not only celebrating Water Awareness Month, it is also the National Association of Realtors Fair Housing month which is now in its 41st year and commemorates the passing of the Fair Housing Act in 1968.

The National Association of Realtors is committed to ensuring that there is equal access to housing an in its strict code of ethics article 10 is written with the Fair Housing Act in mind..

NAR guidelines are strict and by using a Realtor you can be sure that they are following these guidelines to ensure that all have access to housing.

What does the law actually say? Well in short – the following:

Fair Housing Act (1968) - The Fair Housing Act declares a national policy of fair housing throughout the United States. This law makes illegal any discrimination in the sale, lease or rental of housing, or making housing otherwise unavailable, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

If you would like to know more about what is going on locally for Fair Housing Month contact your local Realtor. If you are in the Sedona, Arizona area then contact Claudia Ault and her team 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.