Moving | Kristin Graziano Group

Sellers Pocketing Significant Profits Despite COVID-19

August 11, 2020 By admin

When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, there were a lot of concerns about how it would impact the housing market—including whether it would spark a decrease in home values.

But, as it turns out, the opposite is true—and sellers are netting significantly more profit when they sell their home than anticipated.

According to a recent report from ATTOM Data Solutions, during Q2 of 2020, home sellers netted a median $75,491 when they sold their home—up from $65,620 from Q2 2019. Q2’s profit represents a 36.3 percent return on investment compared to original purchase price—the highest ROI for sellers since the Great Recession.

The Takeaway:

So, what does this mean for you? If you’re thinking about selling, now is a great time to make a move, fetch top dollar for your home, and walk away from the sale with a healthy profit.

The Top Reasons People Are Moving RIGHT NOW

August 11, 2020 By admin

The months of quarantine and shutdowns across the US gave people plenty of time to think about what they’re looking for in their next home—and now that restrictions have been lifted in many parts of the country, a large percentage of those people are reentering the market, looking for homes, and getting ready to move.

But what, exactly, are the motivations behind those moves?

A recent survey from HomeLight, which polled real estate agents seven times between April and June, examined the question “what are the top reasons motivating people to move currently?”

According to the survey, the most popular motivators driving people’s moves right now include needing more space (44 percent), a desire to buy a property instead of renting (41 percent), and getting out of the city and moving to the suburbs (37 percent).

The Takeaway:

So, what does this mean for you? The pandemic has given a lot of people clarity on their motivations to move and what they’re looking for in their next property—and if you’re one of those people, now is a great time to make a move and buy a home.

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.

The Takeaway: