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How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Phoenix Arizona

Thinking about becoming a real estate agent?

Live in Arizona?

Here are a few tips to help you become an agent and get started quickly.

Let’s first look at the stuff most people don’t talk about.

#1. Make sure real estate is right for you.

Make sure real estate is right for you

You must be a “people person” and enjoy talking, a lot.

#2 When you are first starting out find a mentor. Or join a team.

You will start out as a dishwasher, bottom of the ladder, but with hard work and determination, you can rise quickly.

#3 Know that being an agent is a tough job, especially when you are first starting out.

Many people have the misconception that being an agent is easy. It is not.

On the average, 80% of agents will quit 1 year after becoming an agent.

Of the 20% who are left, 80% of them will quit after 5 years.

Why? Because being an agent is tough.

As an example, you might spend 2 or 3 months working on a deal only to have it fall apart at the end and not close, back to square #1.

Therefore, you must always have multiple deals in the pipeline to offset the deals that don’t close.

Ok, having all of that in mind, here are the steps to follow to become a real estate agent in Arizona.

You must be 18 years of age or older and have legal US residency.

You complete 90 hours of real estate school from one of the many RE schools in the Phoenix area and other large cities. Each school will have a final exam you must pass before taking the official state exams.

You must pass two state RE exams, one on general real estate knowledge and one on Arizona state law as it applies to real estate.

Once you complete all of this and pay your licensing fees, and submit your fingerprints, you are good to go.

My best advice to you is make sure you find a good mentor to help you along and teach you the ropes.

Stay focused, talk to as many people as you can without be pushy.

We are always looking for a good agent!

Please put us on your list of real estate agents to interview before making your choice.

We look forward to meeting you!
Click here to contact us now

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Winter 2016 Might be the Best Time to Buy a House Ever

Are you thinking of buying a home?

Do you have your down payment ready and your credit in check?

Do you know how much you can safely afford and what areas you might want to live in?

If you answered yes to most the questions above, then this winter might be the best time for you to purchase that new home.

Why?

Well here are a couple reasons that this winter might be the best time in US history to buy.

  1. Interest rates are still very low, but they are threatening to increase soon.

Kiplinger is reporting that bond rates went up from 1.8% to 2.1% the day after our presidential election in anticipation of new policies from President-Elect Donald Trump.

Wages are now growing at a 2.8% annual rate, which also indicates a tightening labor market. The only reason the Fed would hold fire is a meltdown in the financial markets, but that does not appear likely now.

The Fed is on track to raise interest rates on Dec 14th 2016. They are also reporting that in 2017 we can expect up to two more interest rate hikes.

Expect interest rates to rise gradually after December 14. They will be more volatile now, as fears about the deficit wax and wane. But unless those concerns deepen considerably, rates should show only a modest uptrend. Read the rest… 

  1. Spring is typically the busiest season for home buying and selling, while winter is the slowest.

This means while the selection of homes might be a little less, sellers can be more motivated to work a better deal with you.

Also, mortgage lenders who are competing for your business in this lean season, will probably work harder for you as well and you might walk away with a better loan package.

Since there are less buyers looking in winter months, homes listed for sale lower their prices, especially the motivated sellers.

buy-a-house-in-arizona

Be on the look for people who are being transferred to another state and must move fast, or estate sales which happen when somebody passes and family members are looking to sell fast.

Make sure you have your real estate agent set you up with MLS alerts so when new homes come on the market you can run out and look them over.

Also, Craig’s list is a good place to check for homes for sale. 

A lot of times the sellers themselves will list them there and leak the reasons they need to sell.

Having been in the Phoenix area real estate market for many years, I must say that this winter might be the best time in history to buy that new home.

Are you going to be buying another home in the Phoenix area?

Please put us on your list of real estate agents to interview before making a choice.

Having an entire team on your side, is better than a single agent!
And as the buyer, hiring us doesn’t cost you one Penney!

We look forward to meeting you!
Click here to contact us now

 

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How to Really Clean Your House Fast and Like a Pro

Whether you are moving or it is the weekend and time to clean the house, making your home really clean can be challenging.

Women will say that if a man does it, they will be able to find dust swept under chairs and crumbs hidden under those canisters on the kitchen counter.

Face it, women are the best when it comes to a good deep cleaning job.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

We dug hard and are proud to bring you some easy to do cleaning tips that even a guy can follow and get good results.

Ok we said good not great, let’s leave it at that.

First off, lets look at how NOT to do a real thorough cleaning.

This is pretty funny 🙂

Enough fooling around, let’s get down to the real meat of this article…

#1. Daily Kitchen Cleaning Routine!

Here’s a good kitchen cleaning routine – something you can do each day that shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.

It’s simple and it works!

#1b. 5 Nasty Things In Your Kitchen & How to Clean Them!

For those looking to tackle the toughest spots in their kitchen, this video is for you!

#2. Cleaning your sinks.

Here are some handy secrets for sink and drain cleaning – including:

– Emptying the sink, Cleaning the sink, Shining the sink & much more.

#3. Cleaning your Bathroom(s)

A bathroom cleaning routine for people that hate (and love) cleaning! Straightforward, thorough and well-explained.

#4. Cleaning Your Bedrooms

A simple system for how to clean and organize your bedrooms.

#5. Cleaning Your Carpets.

There are many ways to clean your carpets.

You can use baking soda or a cleaning machine.

Let’s look at both.

How To Clean A Carpet With Baking Soda

player

How To Deep Clean Your Carpets with a Machine

#6. Cleaning Your Garage

I find garages are smelly and grimy and tend to get disorganized throughout the year.

In this video, we tackle some common garage cleaning and storage challenges.

While you have a clean garage, you might as well do some organizing too.

How to Organize Your Garage

Get your garage organized with these helpful tips and storage solutions.

#7. How to Clean Your Yards.

Do you have grass lawns?

If so here are some helpful tips even if your guy has been playing Call of Duty 4 all winter long!

Back yard cleanup

How to Remove Weeds from your Lawn/Grass

How to Edge your Front Yard

How to clean your (green) dirty pool.

Just in case your pool needs a deep cleaning.

There you have it.

Following these tips should end with a super clean house, even if you are a guy!

Now take action!

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5825 E University DR 105-108, Mesa, AZ 85205

Great opportunity to purchase 4 beautiful units in a prime location in mesa!

Many improvements made during time of ownership. single story block construction, each unit has its own private patio.

Great unit mix with 2 one bedrooms and 2 two bedrooms.

All units are currently occupied and individually metered for electric.

All units have new a/c units.

Great location, close to the red mountain 202 and the 60 fwy.

Lot Size Dimensions: 131 X 103

Covered Parking Spcs: 4

Total Parking Spcs: 8

Uncvrd Parking Spcs: 4

Year Built: 1984

List Price: $389,900

2

Kitchen

Bathroom

Bathroom

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How To Get Your Home Ready to Sell

Are you getting ready to sell your home?

To maximize the sales price, you will want to make sure every part of your home really shines.

Here is a short series of videos to help you achieve your goal and get the most out of your house at the closing table.

Let’s start with the exterior of your home.

#1. Improving your home’s curb appeal

Tips include grooming your yard, washing your home’s exterior, and making sure windows and doors are properly maintained. Another great option is remodeling your driveway.

#2.  5 Curb Appeal Elements You Shouldn’t Ignore.

When it’s done right, increasing your curb appeal gets your house noticed in the competitive real estate market.

If you’re a handy homeowner, there are plenty of do-it-yourself opportunities to make sure your home gives the right first impression.

#3. Decorating Ideas for Your Front Porch

Boost your home’s curb appeal by upgrading your front door and the space around it.

Complete your new look with outdoor rugs that replicate indoor carpet styles and patterns.

Creating a welcoming entrance can be easy and as simple as repainting the front door!

Moving on to the interior of your home.

#4. Cleaning and removing your stuff

The video below shows you the 3 D’s – Deep clean, De-clutter and De-personalize.

 He discusses some step by step tips to you can use to get your home ready to sell so that you can sell it quickly and get the top dollar for it.

(Note you can click the “X” to close the annoying popup)

#5. How to stage your kitchen

Watch this video for 3 EASY STEPS to prepare your Kitchen when SELLING your home!

#6. Staging Tips for The Bedroom

These days, life is moving too fast and most people don’t want to buy a home they have to fix up.

#7. Staging Tips for The Bathroom

Bathroom Design Trends 2016.

#8. Staging Tips for The Living Room

Living Rooms are often the first space that a home buyer views when walking through the front door.

First impressions are crucial when selling your home.

Start with a blank canvas and start removing everything from the area.

Position furniture in a way that shows off the living room’s potential.

#9. Fool-proof home staging tips to sell your home

Here are some final tips for staging your home.

In closing, taking the extra time to go over your entire home, inside and out,
should increase your home’s value and appeal and make your home sell faster.

Are you going to be buying another home in the Phoenix area?

Please put us on your list of real estate agents to interview before making a choice.

Having an entire team on your side, is better than a single agent!
And as the buyer, doesn’t cost you one Penney!

We look forward to meeting you!
Click here to contact us now 

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5338 E Hilton Ave Mesa AZ 85206

Beautiful model home elegance in the highly desired gated community of San Michelle!

Great curb appeal and extended driveway.

This home is spotless and ready to move-in.

Spacious and bright great room.

Open kitchen with upgraded stainless steel appliances, pantry, lots of cabinets and counter space.

Kitchen

KITCHEN

Master bathroom has dual vanities and private toilet room.  

Master-Bathroom

MASTER BATHROOM

San Michelle has a community pool!

Great location with easy access to the freeways, shopping, restaurants and schools.

Hall bathroom

HALL BATHROOM

Living-Room

LIVING ROOM

Master-Bedroom

MASTER BEDROOM

back-yard

BACK YARD

If are interested in taking a look at this home,
please tap to call us here 

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Grass Lawn Maintenance Tips for Phoenix Home Owners

Whether you are getting ready to sell your home, or getting ready for summer, having a great looking yard can be easy and fun.

How To Mow A Lawn Like A Pro

First off if you have grass yards, it is probably time to go out there and mow the grass down.

And of course you want to do that like a pro!

First thing is you need the right equipment to do the job right, so you need a lawn mower with a grass catcher, a weed wacker, then finally you need a leaf blower.

Secondly, you need to the right safety gear, good clothing protection to cover up from the sun’s rays plus sunscreen, good eye safety glasses, proper footwear and ear plugs or ear muffs.

Finally, you need to know what order to mow the lawn to do the job efficiently whether you are doing the job for money or to make the wife happy.

The order of job tasks is as follows: edges & trimming first, then mow, and finally blow away the small debris.

Lawn Aeration and Overseeding

Next after you get your lawn mowed like a pro, you will want to try and make it look like a golf course, right?

Yes! And what does every golf course superintendent do religiously without exception?  

Aerate and seed!

How To Plant Grass Seed

If your yard has some bare spots, here are a few tips to fill them in with lush grass.

The Secret to Killing Weeds

Did the long winter rest bring some unsightly weeds into your grass yard(s)?

What is the secret to killing weeds?

To be honest, there are no secrets.

When dealing with nature you have to formulate a plan based on the seasons.

Here is what to do:

How to Grow Flowers and Plants from Seed

Next are you wanting to add a new look to your yard(s)

Adding plants and flowers can do the trick.

One of the most cost efficient ways to add beautiful shrubbery to your home is starting with seeds.

Growing flowers from seed opens up the options for your garden and yard.

The steps in the video below will help you successfully grow plants from seeds and bring life and color to your outdoor living space.

How to Start a Flower Garden

Starting a flower garden is a great landscaping idea to beautify your yard or add to an existing garden.

Now you have some good ideas to make your grass lawn and yards really shine and make your neighbors jealous.

Plus, if you are getting ready to sell your home, a little extra work in the yards will make the front yard presentation “pop” to all potential buyers see as they roll up to your home for a walk through.

 

Are you getting ready to sell your home?

Please put us on your list of agents to interview before making an agent choice.

Having an entire team on your side advising you through the entire home sale process, is better than a single agent!

We look forward to meeting you!
Click here to contact the Mark Gunning Team now 

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Infographic – Who is Who in a Real Estate Transaction

Here is an easy to understand infographic explaining who is who in a real estate transaction

Click on the image for full size version.

Who is Who in a Real Estate Transaction

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3018 E Woodland Dr, Phoenix, Az 85048

Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Approx SQ FT: 1,594 / County Assessor
Year Built: 1990

Beautiful and Pristine Home Recently Remodeled and Upgraded with Over $50,000 Of Upgrades!

Lush Green Grass with Beautiful Landscaping and Curb Appeal!

Walk Inside to Fresh New Paint, New Tile, New Baseboards and New Carpeting.

With Soaring Ceilings That Make This Home Open and Spacious.

The Kitchen Features Brand New Cabinetry, New Granite Counter-tops and New Stainless Steel Appliances.

All The Electrical Outlets Have Been Replaced by A Licensed Electrician as Well as New Lighting Throughout the Interior and Exterior!

The Bathrooms Features New Cabinets, New Mirrors and Delta Faucets.

Brand New Blinds Throughout.

Walk Out Back to Your Own Backyard Paradise That Features a Beautiful Sparkling Pool and Spa!!

This Quaint Community Includes Biking/Walking Paths, Children’s Playground,

Tennis Courts, Swimming Pool and Spa.

Great Location, Close to I-10 Fwy, the 202 Fwy, Hiking Trails and Quality Restaurants!

Please contact the Mark Gunning Team for more information or to view this home.

Living Room

Living Room

Back yard with pool

Back Yard with Pool & Spa

Kitchen at 3018 E Woodland Dr, Phoenix, Az 85048

Large Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom

Please contact the Mark Gunning Team for more information or to view this home.

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When is the Best Time to Sell Your Home?

You are getting your home ready to sell.

You have all the repairs done.

New paint and carpet.

Home has been scrubbed inside and out.

Lawns look fantastic.

You are ready to go…

But did you know that there is an optimal time of year to sell your home where you could see as much as $1700 more price and 19 days less selling time?

Consumer reports recently wrote an article showing these stats from the home statistic giant Zillow.

And the winning time of year to sell your home?

Sell your home in the month of May

The month of May!

 

Here are the best times to sell your home for several regions and cities, as measured by Zillow’s data.

May 1-15: Across the U.S. generally, as well as New York and Northern New Jersey; Chicago; Dallas-Fort Worth; Philadelphia; Detroit; Riverside, California; Phoenix; Seattle; Minneapolis-St. Paul; Tampa, Florida; Baltimore; Pittsburgh; and Portland, Oregon.

May 16-30: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim; Boston; San Francisco; Denver.

June 1-15: Houston.

The benefit to listing your home at the right time can be significant. Read the rest… 

 

The first 2 weeks in May seem to be the best for the Phoenix area, as it is not super-hot yet and people moving here want to do so before the nuclear heat hits us in late May, early June.

It is interesting that even if there is a higher inventory, selling in the month of May typically will bring you a higher price.

However, if the winter months had sales at lower prices, this can affect your home valuation.

You might want to check around your neighborhood, and ask a real estate agent, to see what homes have sold and are currently listed, to give you a better idea of price says Dana Hill, VP of Buyer’s Edge.

 

When your house is being valued, the appraiser will look into data for comparable homes sold in your neighborhood. But if the most recent data is from a home that sold for cheap in the winter, it can hurt your valuation.

Having only bits of comparable housing data “kind of holds you hostage,” said Dana Hill, vice president of Buyer’s Edge Realty in Bethesda, MD.

With more homes selling in the on-season, the comparable data (or “comps”) are more accurate. Hill recommends waiting to be the second or third person in your neighborhood to put your house up for sale to take advantage of those comparable sales.

While you’re at it, be sure your appraiser knows your neighborhood. If a home recently sold for $600,000 but it was a tear-down, while normally prices are $1.2 million, you’ll want an appraiser who understands that, said Hill.

Either way, the more data the better—and the prime season is when the data are most robust. Read more pros and cons of selling right after winter here…

 

Your best bet is to research your neighborhood and plan out your sales strategy.

Put in as much effort as you did when you cleaned up your home before listing it for sale.

Working with a savvy real estate team can certainly help you make the best choices and sell for the most return.

Please put us on your list of agents to interview before making a choice.

Having an entire team on your side, is better than a single agent!

We look forward to meeting you!
Click here to contact us now

Or Tap to call Mark here 

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