Buying a Home • February 22, 2022

5 Tips for Making Your Best Offer on a Home

by David Eichbaum

As a buyer, you need to be ready to make an offer on a home in a seller’s market. Here are five easy tips to help you rise above the competition.

Know Your Budget: It’s critical to know your budget to be a successful homebuyer. First, create a plan to save for a down payment. Next, work with a lender to get pre-approved for a loan. This will communicate to the sellers that you are a serious buyer. Along with this, pre-approval will allow you to act quickly when you’ve found your perfect home and give you a competitive edge.
Be Ready To Move Fast: With today’s market, homes fly off the market within weeks. It’s imperative to act quickly and stay on top of the market. Your agent can help you put together and submit your best offer when you find the home you want to buy.
Lean on a Real Estate Professional: No matter what the housing market looks like, rely on a trusted real estate advisor. When you’re looking to buy or sell a home, it’s essential to have a real estate professional by your side. They can help you navigate the complicated process, answer any questions you have, and provide valuable advice. They’ll know about all the available properties in your area and can help you narrow down your search. They’ll also be able to provide you with information about the neighborhoods you’re interested in, such as schools, commute time, etc.
Make a Strong but Fair Offer: In today’s housing market, a large portion of homes are being sold above list price. Lean on your real estate advisor to help you submit a strong yet fair offer in such a competitive market. Make sure your offer is well thought-out and presented in a way that shows you are serious about buying the home. Your offer should also be backed up by a pre-approval letter from your lender. You’ll put yourself in the best possible position to buy the home you want by doing these things.
Be a Flexible Negotiator: It’s critical to be a flexible negotiator. This means working with your real estate advisor to consider taking certain contingencies off your contract. However, don’t get carried away. Remember to protect yourself as the buyer. Your real estate advisor can help you understand what contingencies are reasonable and which ones should be waived to make the deal happen. Waiving a contingency too soon can put you at risk, so consult with your advisor first.

Today’s competitive landscape makes it more critical than ever to make a firm offer on a home. Let’s connect to make sure you rise to the top along the way: 928-458-9815

Real Estate • February 9, 2022

Bloomtree Realty: Best of Business 2021

by David Eichbaum

Happy to be apart of the Bloomtree Team!

The Prescott Area • January 22, 2022

People Love Williamson Valley Corridor in Prescott!

by David Eichbaum

Williamson Valley is Diverse

I love the diversity of the Williamson Valley area north of Prescott, Arizona. The Williamson Valley area is located northwest of downtown Prescott and offers a variety of home styles, subdivisions, and properties.

If you have any questions about homes available in Prescott, give me a call. I love to talk Prescott, and I love to talk real estate!

I have listed below some information and homes available at a few subdivisions in the Williamson Valley Corridor in Prescott. Get in touch with me, and I can answer your questions.

Crossroads Ranch

Crossroads Ranch, located along Williamson Valley Road approximately 20 miles north of Prescott, Arizona, is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Prescott landscape. Antelope, javelina, deer, elk, and bobcats enjoy the natural landscape and rolling hills covered with pinon and juniper vegetation. Crossroads Ranch is a 5,000-acre Equestrian Community with home sites ranging from 4 acres to 100 acres. This elite community offers country living with all of the conveniences of modern living, including underground utilities and paved streets. Homes in Crossroads Ranch range from modern ranch homes with fertile pastures to incredible gated Custom Estates. There are many parcels still available to build your dream home.

Williamson Valley Ranch

Williamson Valley Ranch in Prescott, Arizona, is a prestigious, private neighborhood conveniently located ten miles north of the city of Prescott. The unique equestrian subdivision features beautiful, custom homes. Many homes are exclusively solar, some homes are contemporary in design, while others are classic ranch style. Homes range in size from 1100 sq ft on up to over 6000 square feet, with lots ranging from 3 to 8 acres. There is plenty of room for the kids, toys, and horses! In Williamson Valley Ranch, you’ll enjoy country living at its finest complete with paved roads, underground utilities, and riding and hiking trails nearby.

Granite Oaks

Granite Oaks in Prescott, Arizona, is located at the base of the Granite Mountain in the Williamson Valley corridor, near Williamson Valley Road and Bard Ranch Road. The subdivision of upscale custom homes borders the state land and has access to acres and acres of endless riding and hiking trails. The home sites range from 1 to 3 acres offering lots of privacy and horse privileges. Residents love enjoying country living while living only a few miles from downtown Prescott.

Talking Rock

Talking Rock is an upscale master-planned golf community in the Williamson Valley corridor north of Prescott, Arizona. This prestigious community offers private and tranquil living only twenty minutes from shopping, dining, and medical services. At the heart of Talking Rock is the inviting Ranch Compound, a one-of-a-kind clubhouse, which provides a place to meet for recreation and connect with your neighbors. Architect Jay Morrish designed the highly acclaimed golf course, which lies perfectly in the natural contours of the land, the rolling terrain, and beautiful vistas.

Homeownership • December 22, 2021

5 Tips on Saving Money on Homeowner’s Insurance

by David Eichbaum

Homeowner’s insurance is a necessity as a homeowner. It protects your home and belongings from disasters that can happen, such as fire or theft. However, the cost of homeowner’s insurance can be daunting for some homeowners who have to save up just to afford it each year. Here are five tips on how you can save money on your homeowner’s insurance!

Shop Around: The first tip to save money on homeowner’s insurance is to shop around. Many companies offer different packages for homeowners, so you might find better rates if you look at more than just your current company! It never hurts to ask friends and family about their experience with other insurers before making a final decision as well.
Increase the Deductible: Increase the deductible amount on your policy. The higher the deductible, the lower premium costs will be per month or year depending on how often it needs changing (usually every six months). For example, maybe instead of paying $200/month now, you can pay $250/year; this is a $100 savings!
Bundle Your Policies: Bundle your homeowner’s insurance policy with other policies you have, such as car or health insurance. Many companies offer discounts for those who bundle their policies together- so it’s definitely worth looking into!
Remove Extras: Remove any extras on your policy that you don’t need. For example, if you live in a small town without the risk of theft, remove the “theft” coverage from your policy. This could save you anywhere from $20-$50/year, depending on the company and plan you choose.
Renew Yearly: Renew yearly instead of every six months or every two years like some companies require. This keeps your rates low since they are averaged out over 12 months instead of just six or two.

Saving money is essential, especially when it comes to something as crucial as homeowner’s insurance. You can save hundreds of dollars on your homeowner’s insurance policy by following these five tips! Just remember always to shop around and compare rates before making a decision.

Real Estate • November 22, 2021

Real Estate Terminology: What is a Pocket Listing?

by David Eichbaum

Have you ever heard of the term “pocket listings?” Or “coming soon” listings? Or “whisper” listings? These are homes that are for sale and change hands quickly and quietly without any public advertising whatsoever.

These “pocket listings” were usually the avenue of the famous and wealthy who wanted their privacy and who would work with an agent who could find a buyer among word-of-mouth networks of agents representing high-end buyers. Often this happened only in urban areas or in the luxury segment. Still, in markets where inventory is tight and bidding wars are not uncommon, pocket listings are becoming more mainstream.

During the technology age of marketing homes via the web and social media, why not advertise a home in a market where multiple offers are the norm? It can depend. In some cases, the seller may want a quick and painless sale and would prefer not to go through the traditional cleaning, curb appeal sprucing, and open houses. When the seller’s agent knows the buyers directly, a simple walk-through with prospective buyers is often enough to secure one acceptable offer.

Sellers should understand that it’s possible for a pocket listing to generate a slightly lower price. While it’s not always the case, the trade-off for a quick, quiet sale may be worth it. If you’re considering a pocket listing, you will likely be required to sign something which indicates your consent to avoid a wide-scale advertising effort. An agent has a responsibility to try and secure a seller the best possible price and will want to make sure there’s a clear understanding.

Pros and Cons of a Pocket Listing

There are many items to consider when selling a home, especially if you will do a Pocket Listing. Below is a recap of the pros and cons of a pocket listing from an article by Moving.com.

Pros for the seller is that they maintain their privacy and that a pocket listing can prevent the unfortunate experience of having a home’s value decrease because it remained on the market too long.
Pros for the buyer is that the competition won’t be as fierce, the buying process will be more flexible, and they may be able to purchase the home below market value.
Cons for the sellers is that fewer buyers will be offered on the home, and it may take longer for the house to sell.
Cons for the buyers is that there will be less wiggle room on the price, and there will be a lack of information and photos on the home.

On the whole, casting the widest possible net for a buyer is the best strategy for securing the highest closing price. Still, if you’re more comfortable with a quick and quiet approach, you might want to talk to an agent about the prospect of a pocket listing.

I know selling is a tough decision, with numerous factors to consider. Give me a call, and I can answer your questions and put your mind at ease: 928-458-9815

Buying a Home • October 22, 2021

Hunt for a Home Like a Pro

by David Eichbaum

Are you on the hunt for a home? Studies report that 49% of home buyers use the internet to find a home, 31% use a real estate agent, and 7% look for ‘For Sale’ signs and ‘Open House’ signs in yards. There are various sources to find a home, and if you want to hunt for a home like a pro, here are some simple tactics that will make your experience much more efficient, pleasurable, and likely to land you a home you want to buy.

House Hunting Tactics

Know what you can afford. A price range usually narrows the field considerably. If you need help determining how much you can afford, ask an agent to help you work through that math. Getting pre-qualified with a mortgage company can also help you find the answer to this question.
Know where you want to live. Each neighborhood offers its own flavor of amenities and schools. Understanding things like walk scores, commute times, and the quality of the school district can have a significant impact on your choice. The Prescott Quad Cities has numerous subdivisions, and to learn about each community, visit our town information pages here: Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, or Dewey-Humboldt.
Know what type of home you want. How much room do you need? What do you envision for your future? Do you love gardening, or would you rather never worry about a lawn? Do you work from home? Do you want a historic home? Is a new construction your dream? First, know what you can afford, then look at each of your desires and priorities.
Give yourself plenty of time at showings. You may have an urge to see as many homes as you can in a single day or weekend, but feeling the crunch of the clock can keep you from thoroughly inspecting the house and getting a feel for the property. Open drawers, cabinets, and walk around the yard area as well.
Sign up for property alerts. Homes pop up on the market all the time, and you will want to know when they do. Sign up on our website to receive alerts when a home that meets your parameters becomes available. Enter your search criteria, and after viewing the results, select ‘Save Search’ and enter your contact information. Taking this step may give you the competitive edge you need to secure your home.
Tell friends and family what you’re search criteria. One of the best times to find your home is before it’s on the market. Friends, family, work associates, and their network of friends may know someone who’s thinking about selling just the sort of house you want. Ask around!

Starting the home searching process is an exciting time. If you have questions, ask me, Real Estate is my specialty. I am more than happy to help you work through this process with you. Contact me today about your home search.

Selling a Home • August 22, 2021

Make Your Home Stand Out for Less

by David Eichbaum

When two homes are comparable to one another, why will one edge the other out? The difference is in the details. Small little touches will give a home a significant edge in the market.

So, what is it about a home that catches a buyer’s eye? What makes a home “feel right”? Below is a list of a few clever design upgrades that will provide your home with an overall feeling that it is of higher quality than the competition:

Custom Home Address: A custom home address plaque is a commonly overlooked upgrade by homeowners. It is an affordable killer upgrade that will add curb appeal to the home. For between $50 and $100, create the plaque to include the home’s numbers and the street name spelled out. Use Pinterest to research the design that will best fit your home.
Upgrade Light Switch Plates: Freshen up each room in the house by splurging a few extra bucks to swap out old switch plates. Upgrading dirty, chipped, or cheap-looking switches are a fantastic way to spruce up the look in your home. In the bathroom and kitchen, match the color of your new switch plates to the tile.
New Cabinet and Drawer Hardware: Modern drawer handles work wonders in rejuvenating tired or outdated cabinets. Concentrate first on the kitchen because it is the home’s central location, then look for options to upgrade the bathroom as well.
Paint the Front Door: The front door is the first thing buyers will see. Create a welcoming environment with some extra plants, and add a fresh look by painting the front door.
Dimmers in Major Rooms: Create a bright and warm environment with lighting. Utilize natural lighting by opening your blinds and updating light fixtures. A simple solution is increasing the wattage in your lamps and fixtures. However, with bright lighting, adding dimmer switches in major rooms creates a little sense of luxury. If you’re looking to install the dimmers yourself, there is a quick tutorial by Home Depot. Click here to view their YouTube Video.
Neutral Paints: Bold paint colors can throw off potential buyers. Instead, freshen up the design of your home by sticking with light neutral wall colors. Light colors add freshness and style.
Crown molding: Tasteful crown molding can make a plain room feel high-quality. The key is adding molding, which doesn’t seem flashy or inappropriate given the size and existing decor in the room. Better Homes and Gardens has a great tutorial on How To Transform a Room with Crown Molding.

You might not be able to quantify the exact return these clever upgrades will net you, but you can bet they will help your home stand out from sellers who won’t take the time to make some simple changes. Remember, success is in the details!

Home Renovations • Homeownership • July 22, 2021

Tips to Freshen Up Your Outdated Bedroom

by David Eichbaum

When it comes to room remodels within your home, kitchens and living rooms will take victory when ranking importance. However, don’t forget the bedroom! A stale and outdated bedroom style could be the deal-breaker. Buyers will envision themselves in each room of the home, and if with a bit of freshening up, the bedroom can become a relaxing calming space to invite those potential buyers in.

Declutter: Lastly, but most importantly, declutter. Remove distracting knick-knacks off nightstands, organize the closet, and store away roughly 2/3 of your belongings. Consider using the Kon Mari Method to remove the clutter from your life.
Fresh Paint & Remove Outdated Wallpaper: A fresh coat of paint is a huge step in updating your bedroom. Does your bedroom have a paint color that could be off-putting to buyers? Is there outdated wallpaper? Remove that wallpaper, or off-putting color, and choose a neutral color to create a relaxing space. Light gray or blue are often recommended colors. If there is wallpaper involved, don’t be afraid of the wallpaper removal process, here are tips by HGTV for wallpaper removal.
Remove Popcorn Ceilings: Popcorn ceilings can date a room. Popcorn ceilings catch dust easily, are difficult to clean, and hard to repair. Removing your popcorn ceilings will instantly modernize your bedroom. This Old House offers three popular options for removal, include scraping, covering with a new layer of drywall, or skim coating with plaster to create a new texture.
Light & Windows: Lighting is essential, but make sure it’s the right kind of light. Don’t create a dim dark space, and don’t utilize fluorescent lighting. Instead, take advantage of natural light, lamplight, and low light. Clean the windows to receive the most natural light. Along with this, choose light bulbs with warmer tones.
Bedding: Make your bed look as comfortable as possible! Puff it up and make it cozy, or, consider purchasing a fancy comforter. Create an inviting place they will want to relax in. Ballard designs offers multiple possibilities to arrange your pillows to ‘cozy up’ your bedroom.
Mirrors: Mirrors can offer reflected light to make a bedroom look bigger, however, too many mirrors can create a funhouse environment. Find a balance, don’t go overboard, but instead, one or two mirrors strategically placed can create a larger-looking bedroom.
Remove Frills: Excessive frills can scream “Outdated!” Check those bed skirts, window dressings, and curtains. Toning down the frills will bring your outdated look up to date.

These steps will freshen up that room and take it to the next level! If you need someone to evaluate your interior appeal, I would be happy to share my thoughts and guide you towards maximizing your home’s appeal!

Homeownership • June 22, 2021

Tips to Save on Your Energy Bill

by David Eichbaum

As a homeowner, it’s essential to keep your home running efficiently to save money and help the environment thrive. It is necessary to pause and take time to think about making some key upgrades that will improve the efficiency of your home. If you’re looking to sell your house and increase the pool of potential buyers in your market, the energy upgrades below are something that you should consider.

“In the U.S., energy costs eat between 5 and 22 percent of families’ total after-tax income.”
What should you spend on utilities? (Source: Wallet Hub)
“If you’re working with a budget, and trust me, you should be, your utility costs should be no more than 8-10 percent of your monthly income.” (Source: Money Management)

How can you make your home more efficient?

Below are some handy tips that can help you improve the energy efficiency of your home and how to make them happen:

1) Make the Switch to LED

LEDs are a great example of how innovation and technology can make your life easier. They last at least 25 times longer and consume up to 90 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs.

Tip: By switching five of your home’s most frequently used bulbs with ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs, it’s possible to save $75 on energy costs annually.

2) Seal Those Leaks

On average, heating and cooling account for almost half of a home’s energy consumption. All the minor leaks can be equivalent to leaving open a 3-foot-by-3-foot window.

Tip: Take simple steps like caulking windows, sealing leaks around chimneys and recessed lighting, and sliding draft guards under your doors to save up to 20% on heating costs.

3) Heat and Cool Efficiently

Don’t waste money heating or cooling an empty home. Install a programmable thermostat and, in colder weather, schedule your home’s heat to lower when you are away or asleep and increase when you are returning home or waking up. In warm weather, schedule the thermostat to raise the temperature when you are away or asleep and lower it at other times.

Tip: Follow the U.S. Department of Energy’s recommended temperatures and be energy-efficient all year.

4) Maintain Your HVAC System

Make sure to clean or change your furnace filters regularly. A dirty furnace filter will slow down airflow, making the system work harder to keep you warm (or cool) and costing you more money.

Tip: Consider getting a winter tune-up. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a semi-annual or yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can be vital to improve efficiency, saving you money, and making your home more comfortable.

A few more tips you may want to consider when trying to conserve energy.

Not all clothes need to be washed in warm water. If possible, wash your clothes in cold water.
Use your microwave instead of your stove when cooking.
Set your refrigerator temperature to the manufacturer’s recommendation to avoid excessive cooling and wasting energy.
Turn off the heated dry on your dishwasher and air dry instead.
Turn off the lights when they’re not in use. Lighting accounts for about 12% of a typical residential utility bill.

By making a few key upgrades to your home, you’ll save on your utility bills and improve your home’s energy efficiency. When you’re ready to sell your house, these key features will make it even more attractive to potential buyers. Contact me when you are ready to get together to discuss what buyers are looking for when it comes to energy efficiency options in our area.

Selling a Home • May 22, 2021

Selling Your Home? Waiting Could Be Costly.

by David Eichbaum

Humans are impatient by nature. At times being patient and waiting pays off. Other times, waiting can cost you money. Surprisingly, individuals who wait too long to sell their homes can hurt the bottom line. Traditional thinking would suggest it may be best to wait to sell when there is a flood of buyers in the market, but right now may be an even better time to list your home.

We can see the overall economy is good: wages are rising, near record-low unemployment rates, and the mortgage interest rates are still very low. Over the past 10+ years, the housing market has stabilized, so what (if anything) is the biggest challenge in the housing market today?

The answer is simple: it’s inventory.

What does this mean?

While homes are coming to the market, they aren’t coming fast enough!

According to BankRate.com, “a seller’s market is a real estate term, indicating that there are more real estate buyers in the market than there are sellers. When demand is higher than the supply, home prices increase, which benefits sellers. During a seller’s market, buyers have little room to negotiate price because demand is high. Seller’s markets usually occur when the economy is good, and there is low housing inventory available in the area.”

Time to Sell

When we look at the numbers and see the challenge presented by low inventory, we can see that now is a great time to sell your house. This market provides an opportune time for sellers, who own homes in the starter and middle-level markets, to sell in a sellers’ market before inventory catches up with demand. Serious buyers are actively in the market and ready to make a move during these situations. When inventory is limited at the lower end, like it is today, selling before more homes are listed could mean a significant seller’s advantage to those who are ready to move up. The upper level of the market has much more inventory available to move into, so it’s a win across the board.

What Does This Mean

If you’re considering selling your home, now may be a great time to make your move. Take advantage of the high housing demand and the low inventory of homes for sale at the lower end of the market and use your purchasing power while mortgage rates are down to go after the move-up home of your dreams.

Give me a call, and I can help you decide if now is the right time for you.

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