Moving | Kristin Graziano Group

Frequently Asked Questions BEFORE You Sell Your Home

November 5, 2019 By admin

Q: How much needs to be done to my house before putting it on the market?

Our best advice, before spending months and millions (figuratively) upgrading your place—or just throwing up your hands and giving up before you begin—show your home to a Realtor. You might be pleasantly surprised by your current sales prospects. A lot of times there are things that don’t need to be done and sometimes there are important things you want to address before listing your home. Our team can help guide you in the direction and offer advice for your listing.

Q: How much is my house worth?

While the median home price in the Phoenix area is about $273,000 (According to azcentral.com in 2018), including new homes, the exact price of your own home will depend on its size, neighborhood, and lots of other factors. Further complicating matters is your own skewed perspective: We tend to mentally inflate our home’s positives and airbrush out the flaws that are all too apparent to the cold, calculating eyes of buyers. Be careful to not compare your property to the highest price home in your neighborhood, but rather price your place strategically. Stay realistic.

Q: How long will it take to sell my home?

According to Zillow, in 2018, homes in the Phoenix area were on the market an average of 68 days. However, the sales time varies wildly based on area and price. Pricing competitively and make sure that you and your agent are getting the place in front of as many eyeballs as possible.

Q: Is staging really important?

On average, a staged home sells 88% faster—and for 20% more money—than a home that’s left as is. The reason it works, of course, is it gives buyers a “stage” onto which they can play out their home-owning fantasies and envision themselves living in your home. We have an amazing staging designer who stages all our homes when needed and our listings do not sit on the market for long when they are staged and priced properly. This service is part of what we do and we never charge for it.

Q: Should I be present when buyers view my house?

We recommend you are not present but you can come by when there is an open house, it’s just better to not claim ownership so potential buyers are not uncomfortable. A solid real estate team will share questions, comments and surveys from showings with you. At KGG, we have a list of questions we ask each and every potential buyer then that feedback is relayed to our sellers and the seller can make adjustments on items as necessary.

Q: What is the agent’s commission?

While the commission can vary, it is typically 6% of a home’s sale price —and that’s usually shared with the buyer’s agent. But what’s implied by this question is “What are Realtors doing to earn that fat check?” Here are some facts to keep in mind: Unlike lawyers who get paid by the hour, or doctors who are paid by the appointment, listing agents don’t get paid unless they make a sale. For every hour an agent spends with a client, he or she will typically spend nine hours on average working on that client’s behalf doing everything from networking to finding potential buyers to filling out paperwork. And no, not all agents are created equal. It’s no different from choosing an attorney, accountant, or the doctor who will deliver your baby. You want to be sure that you trust that person and are comfortable with them.

Another Inventory Shortage May Be On The Horizon

September 30, 2019 By admin

It was just a few years ago that the US was in the midst of the worst inventory shortage in history, creating fierce competition for available properties—and driving up prices in the process. And while the market has become more buyer friendly in recent months, some experts predict another inventory shortage may be on the horizon.

According to a recent article from realtor.com, new home listings are either declining or staying the same in markets across the country. If that trend continues, it could mean another historic inventory shortage. “It was only 18 months ago that the number of homes for sale hit its lowest level in recorded history and sparked the fiercest competition among buyers we’ve ever seen,” said Danielle Hale, realtor.com’s chief economist, in the article. “If the trend we’re seeing continues, overall inventory could near record lows by early next year. So far there’s been a lackluster response to low mortgage rates, but if they do spark fresh buyer interest later in the year, U.S. inventory could set new record lows.”

Our Takeaway:

Today, there isn’t the fierce competition for property that the market saw a few years ago—but that could change with another inventory shortage. So if you’ve been thinking about buying a home, now’s the time to make a move.

5 Things to Help Your Move Be Smooth

September 16, 2019 By admin

It’s inevitable when you move to be stressed and out of sorts. We have compiled a list of things to help it be a little smoother and keep you a little saner.

1. Accept Help.

Hire a helper or enlist a family member or friend who loves to pack. Treat them with their favorite food and drinks. Pull out the Sharpies and write on all the boxes what room they belong and if it’s an important item – Mark Open 1st on the outside to help expedite your unpacking when you get settled in.

2. Hire Movers.

If you plan on using U-Haul, they offer helpers when you get book your truck. Companies like Just in Time Moving or Muscular Men Moving can help save the day. Most of the time, if you are packed, the moving help can focus on the bigger items and keep you “moving” along (no pun intended). Having movers also keeps you working on time which if you have ever moved, which most of us have, then you know how painful the entire day can be.

3. Don’t Forget Your Food.

Use coolers and insulated bags to transport your fridge food to your new home. If you have items that can be donated, take them to a local food bank in your area.

4. Professionally Clean.

If you have a house you are selling or have to leave an apartment in a clean condition in order to get a deposit back, be sure to hire a professional real estate cleaning service in your area. You can do the work yourself but unless you are meticulous, the services are usually better and pretty affordable.

5. Change Your Address Promptly.

The United States Post Office will forward your mail, so long as you have completed a Change of Address Form online. It’s a good idea to go into online bank accounts, subscription services and recurring bill websites and change your address manually. Notify friends and family of your new address as well buy a simple email.

8 Ways A Great Real Estate Agent Can Change Your Life

August 28, 2019 By admin

A real estate transaction can be an exciting thing to experience, but it can also be nerve-wracking and stressful. Your experience will largely depend on the circumstances surrounding your transaction and, perhaps more importantly, the team you’re working with.

A great agent will not only get you over the finish line to the best of their ability, but they can also change your life for the better. Here are eight ways:

1. We will show you we care

In today’s fast-paced world, it seems like everyone’s attention is in short supply. A great real estate agent will show you that’s not always the case, by listening and caring about you and your needs. Not only will being a good listener help an agent do their job, but it’ll also show you that even in business, there are still people out there who care.

2. We can save you a lot of money

There’s an old expression, “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.” Hiring a great agent can save you literally thousands of dollars, as the right agent will not only negotiate effectively, but also know what pitfalls to look for as the transaction moves along, saving you money in the process.

3. We can help you see things in a different way

One of the most overlooked aspects of hiring a great agent is just how much of an effect they can have on your perspective. For instance, you might think that you’re looking for something in particular, but a great agent can take what you asked for and find something that’s even better than anything you’ve ever considered. A great agent is like an expert matchmaker.

4. We will do more than help you buy or sell a home

A great real estate agent will go above and beyond for you. They’ll help you find contractors, give recommendations on design (if you’re open to them), and even help you navigate the restaurants in your new neighborhood. Great agents provide so much value because they want to be your go-to resource for anything to do with real estate.

5. We can find you something that no one else can

Great real estate agents aren’t necessarily miracle workers, but they’re close. A great agent will surprise you with something no one’s ever thought of before, whether it’s finding a property that you didn’t know about, or a solution to an otherwise complex problem. A great agent is proactive and instead of sitting around waiting, will make things happen for you.

6. We can take a lot of stress away

One of the best things about a great real estate agent is the peace of mind that comes from working with them. There are lots of things that can go wrong during a real estate transaction, and a great agent knows this and will not only anticipate issues ahead of time, but will shoulder the burden and solve problems for you, making it a low-stress experience.

7. We will go to battle for you when it counts

The right agent is like a general you can depend on when the going gets tough. From searching for the right property or buyer, to negotiating, to pushing the deal through despite all obstacles standing in the way… a great real estate agent won’t back down from adversity and will battle for your best interests at all times.

8. We can become a friend for life

Maybe your real estate agent is already your friend, but if not, with a great agent you might eventually become one. Real estate is much more about relationships than it is about individual transactions, and great agents know this. They also usually have the kind of infectious personality that you always want to be around. So don’t be afraid to form a lifelong friendship with your real estate agent, it could truly change your life.

If you are ready to make a move with your home, consider giving our team a call (480) 229-6569, we will take great care of you.

Why You Shouldn’t Let A Website Tell You Your Home’s Value

August 27, 2019 By admin

Picture this…

There’s an inexperienced real estate agent in your town.

He hasn’t sold any homes yet.

He wants to drum up some business.

So, he climbs up onto your roof and paints what he estimates to be the value of your home.

He feels like this could be a win-win:

YOU get to know the value of your house, so he was helpful to you, without even having to meet with him…

… and HE gets to show you how that he knows his stuff. Hopefully you’ll turn to him for help once you want to sell your home.

But you’re kind of ticked off, aren’t you?

First off, this guy painted on your roof. That’s just vandalism.

Beyond that, he wasn’t even close to accurate! The value he painted up there is tens of thousands of dollars off.

He didn’t even see inside your home

You notice he did the same thing to all the other houses in the area.

He seems off on the value of all of them.

It’s still kind of intriguing, though, because you’re like, “Hmm, I always felt like Bill’s place was worth less than mine. Looks like I was right. But there’s no way Gary’s house is worth more than mine, that agent is craaaazy. Unless maybe Gary did some major remodeling inside…”

But how would the agent know? He never even went inside your neighbor’s house. Or your house. Or anyone else’s house.

He just eyeballed everyone’s house from outside, and took a quick peek at some data available to the public. Then slapped his estimate up on your roof for everyone to see.

His estimates are all over the place. Some high. Some low. Once in a while he seems to be somewhat in the ballpark.

His “value” affects your actual value

Beside the fact that this guy vandalized your roof, now you have people sizing up the value of your home based upon a number he came up with, without even seeing inside your home.

It was careless and thoughtless.

He lacked respect for your privacy, your equity, and ultimately your wealth. The value of your home can now be viewed by anyone, for whatever reason they feel.

It would be even worse if you were in the middle of trying to sell your home, and now you have buyers pulling up, seeing your painted roof, and considering his estimate when (and if) they make an offer.

Can you imagine if a real estate agent actually did this?!

You’d probably want to report him to the police, his real estate broker, the real estate commission… and all of your friends, family and neighbors.

You’d want everyone to know not to trust this guy, or give him any business.

Online valuation sites are basically doing this to you

You’ve probably seen or heard about websites where you can look up the value of your house (or anyone else’s house) for free.

It seems great because there’s no need to even talk to a real estate agent. Just pop in the address, and voila, you get to see the value of the home.

You might figure that it’s super accurate, since they use fancy algorithms and stuff.

However, these online real estate valuation sites are all basically painting a number on your roof, without ever having gone inside, and without ever having sold a house. And they’re definitely not experts in your local market.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about it.

They’re using public data to come up with their estimates. They didn’t steal anything. They didn’t actually paint on your roof (they just hover a value over it digitally).

They post disclaimers about their accuracy (or lack thereof), at least if you really, really look for them.

Plus, who would you even report them to anyway?!

Start valuing real estate agents’ values

The thing is, these sites exist because people tend to like them, and look at them. They wouldn’t exist if people didn’t continue to click on them. But people do.

They certainly are convenient, and entertaining, even if they are not accurate.

Many people just don’t want to deal with real estate agents, until and unless they have to. But that’s actually what you should be doing if you want an accurate value of your home.

Great real estate agents take a lot of time and pride in estimating the value of a home. This is not something you can do remotely by simply reviewing public data and algorithms.

In order to be accurate, even a local real estate agent needs to see inside of your home.

So, instead of encouraging these online valuation sites to exist, by visiting their sites and clicking around…

…click on a local real estate agent’s site, and invite him or her in to take a look at your house, and come up with an accurate value.

Don’t rely on an online valuation.

And, whenever possible, spread the word about the inaccuracy of these online valuations because they can affect the perceived value of your home… and beyond. And they will exist as long as people continue to pay them any attention.

Pay attention to real estate agents instead.

Top 3 Free Sites For Neighborhood Crime Reports

July 21, 2019 By admin

Whether you are looking to move into a new neighborhood or interested in your current areas crime, you should be aware of what is happening around your home and property. Check out these resources and bookmark the one that works for you.

Spot Crime This site is free but does require you to register. You can search by date, address or simply drag the map.
Crime Reports™ this is a collection of all the Phoenix area Police Department feeds.
This resource is free and doesn’t require any login. You can also search sex offenders within a zip code simply by typing the address you want to search around.
National Registry of Sex Offenders This site maps out known sex offenders up to a 3 mile radius of an area.

Other apps like NextDoor and Facebook can be helpful in determining the community vibe in specific areas and always ask around to neighbors and friends you may know if the areas. Always be aware and always be prepared. We want you to stay safe and know your neighborhoods! As always do your research!

Our Takeaway: