Today is #TransformationTuesday, and we wanted to give you a break from all the before and after shots of your diligent friends who have been hitting the gym. Just feast your eyes on this 6,000 square-foot Mesa mansion that has undergone some change before recently hitting the market. It's fun to watch, whether or not it's in your price point.  

This home is a great example of how a face lift (guided by your dedicated seller experts... hint...that's us) can do wonders, even when we are in this strong of a seller's market.  
Speaking of the market, here are some current trends to note*:
Total sales for homes over $500,000 was up 25 percent from this time last year.
Supply is still very low, leading to continuously climbing prices.
The monthly median price is $249,900 (a peak not seen since Sept. 2007).
The price per square foot continues to increase as well, especially in the southeast valley.
If you want to capitalize on these peaking prices, reach out to u; ...

We advised buyers who were on the fence one year ago that if they were planning on buying within the next couple years, they should do it sooner because prices would continue to rise for the foreseeable future. 
At the dawn of 2018, we have the same guidance. In fact, it's even more urgent than one year ago. The market is in an interesting predicament as we start the new year. Supply is extremely low, and this typically means one thing for prices: ↑ ↑ ↑
Here are numbers to give you an idea of what the market is doing: 

Active listings are down by nearly 14 percent from one year ago (and 9 precent from last month)*
Average sales price per square foot is up 8 percent from last year (while general inflation has stayed the same) 


Other factors add to the urgency, including rising interest rates.
So what does this mean for you? 

Buyers: If you are in the market, you should probably put the pedal to the metal. Prr ...

The Phoenix valley is home to three cities that made top 10 on a list of best cities in the nation to buy a family home. 
Chandler is in the #1 spot, with Gilbert at #3, and Scottsdale finishing up at #8, according to data compiled by SmartAsset. The study looks at a number of factors, including changes in home values and rent costs, property taxes, house sizes and median housing costs. 
Use these links to start your search for homes in each of these areas:

search Chandler homes
search Gilbert homes
search Scottsdale homes ...

We like to keep you informed about what is going on in the housing market, and right now, the update is easy: It's still a seller's market. Supply is still low. Home prices are still climbing. 
We talked to a client recently who wanted to break into this market, but was a little discouraged with these climbing prices. This had them considering renting instead of buying. 
It's important to know, however, that the cost to rent has been climbing right along with these home prices. In fact, here in the Phoenix area, it is 38.5 percent cheaper to own a house than it is to rent, according to Trulia's October Rent vs. Buy report. 


If you buy you also benefit from equity buildup, home value appreciation and even some tax benefits.
In this market, if you can afford to rent, you can typically afford to buy. We also work with some great lenders who have fantastic loan products if you don't feel you have enough money saved up for a down pay. ...

After seeing the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, many of us Valley residents are grateful we live on land that basks in the sun 300 days a year. 
But in the wake of the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, it's important to take a look at what we can learn from afar.
According to an estimate by the Consumer Federation of America, only about 20 percent of Houston-area homeowners who experienced flooding actually had flood insurance when Hurricane Harvey hit. 
You might find yourself wondering how residents so close to the coastline would risk not having that important safety net. But what you might not realize is that many valley residents face similar risks of flooding. 
Remember back in 2014, when remnants of a tropical storm hammered the valley with record-breaking rainfall? There were pockets of flooding across they valley, including 200 Mesa homes adjacent to Emerald park.
Flooding and home insurance: what is covered and what isn't
Most insurance; ...