Parke & Jennifer's Bloghttp://www.parkeandjennifer.com/blogGoodyear AZ real estate market news provided by Keller Williams Realty Professional PartnersSun, 19 Feb 2012 01:00:00 GMTKeller Williams Realty Announces Expansion to Vietnam Chris Heller, President of KW Worldwide announced on February 14th, 2012, that Keller Williams Realty was expanding to Vietnam under the leadership of Paul Mason, new President of KW Vietnam.  Heller also announced that the company is in various stages of negotiation for expansion to other countries including South Africa, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Egypt among others. 

]]>http://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/Keller-Williams-Realty-Announces-Expansion-to-Vietnamhttp://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/Keller-Williams-Realty-Announces-Expansion-to-VietnamSun, 19 Feb 2012 01:00:00 GMTPhoenix Home Prices Have Bottomed Market Pulse

"The idea that average Phoenix home prices are falling is a myth.  The price bottom occurred on September 15, 2011.  For almost three months now, they have been on a strong and clear upward trend, and any suggestion that sales prices are flat or falling is based on a misunderstanding or misreading of the data."

Mike Orr

Director, Center for Real Estate Theory and Practice, Arizona State University and Cromford Associates LLC 

 

]]>http://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/Phoenix-Home-Prices-Have-Bottomedhttp://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/Phoenix-Home-Prices-Have-BottomedSat, 14 Jan 2012 01:00:00 GMTThought About How To Save On Energy Costs



Did you know that your home is full of energy vampires?

Also known as phantom load, vampire appliances are things like cell phone chargers, microwaves, and even flat-screen TVs that continue drawing power from wall outlets even when they appear to be switched off. Some telltale signs are devices that emit light such as DVD players, and some make noise such as a laptop. A few, like a cell phone charger, may even be warm to the touch. Families are encouraged to go on a “vampire scavenger hunt” around their homes and unplug "vampires". “The amount of energy – and money – wasted through vampire draw is downright frightening. Each year, it takes the combined output of 17 power plants to power devices that U.S. homeowners think they’ve turned off, from microwaves and coffeemakers to flat-screen TVs and cell phone chargers." You can reduce energy costs in a fun, interactive way.

]]>http://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/Thought-About-How-To-Save-On-Energy-Costshttp://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/Thought-About-How-To-Save-On-Energy-CostsFri, 04 Nov 2011 06:40:00 GMTDon't Sweat the Small HolesFound a product that I wanted to share with you.  It's a house stager's best friend.  Erase-A-Hole allows you to patch holes in drywall, plaster, and wood caused by nails or furnishings.  Rub the applicator across the hole in a circular motion until it's filled, the wipe the excess with a damp cloth or shape it with a tool. The patch dries with an even finish, ready for a cost or paint or stain. With a shelf life of 3 years, Erase-A-Hole is handy to have around. Cost is $6.95 and is available by going to www.erase-a-hole.com

]]>http://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/Dont-Sweat-the-Small-Holeshttp://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/Dont-Sweat-the-Small-HolesWed, 05 Oct 2011 10:48:00 GMTMoney Saving FactFACT:

Trying to keep energy costs down?  You can lower cooling costs by up to 14% by raising your thermostat two degrees and using a ceiling fan.

]]>http://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/Money-Saving-Facthttp://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/Money-Saving-FactTue, 20 Sep 2011 17:10:00 GMTYou and Your Parents - Should You Become Their Landlord?There may be a tax savings opportunity available if the following situation applies to you.  Do your parents live in a home that has gone up in value?  If they are in their retirement years, it is likely that they are no longer benefitting from homeowner tax breaks.  By purchasing your parents home and renting it back to them, you can both benefit.  Your parents gain access to their home equity and generous tax deductions become available to you!  You must rent the home back to your parents at the going rate, however. Avoid gift-tax complications by paying a fair price for the home and supporting the price with an appraisal.  Once you own your parents home, you're entitled to the tax benefits of owning rental property.  At some point, your parents will no longer be able to live in the home.  Then you have the option to sell it, rent it, or live there yourself which can lead to even more tax benefits.  Consult with your CPA for details.  

]]>http://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/You-and-Your-Parents-Should-You-Become-Their-Landlordhttp://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/You-and-Your-Parents-Should-You-Become-Their-LandlordTue, 20 Sep 2011 17:01:00 GMTVacation Homes Are Selling Again!Real estate market in the tank?  Not necessarily.  The vacation home market is showing improvement right now. Yes, people in this segment are beginning to purchase again.

Vacation Homes

Last week Market Watch published an article discussing the vacation home market. Dan White, president of Daniel A. White & Associates, a wealth management firm in the Philadelphia area, was quoted in the article-

"A lot of people are worried about the (stock) market today because of the volatility and the fact we could be going into a double-dip recession.  They're looking for other avenues.  Real estate, if we're not at the bottom (in prices), people think we're pretty darn close."    

The article also explained some purchasers are seeing this an an opportunity to buy a vacation/retirement home-

"Some baby boomers are seizing an opportunity to get a deal on a vacation home they can enjoy now but that's also a home that eventually will become their primary residence when they retire."

]]>http://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/Vacation-Homes-Are-Selling-Againhttp://www.parkeandjennifer.com/Blog/Vacation-Homes-Are-Selling-AgainMon, 12 Sep 2011 11:15:00 GMT