Arizona For Canadians, Our Guide for Canadians Buying Arizona Real Estate

Foreclosures Dropping in Phoenix

2010-01-20T13:28:00.001-08:00

Everyday I encounter astonishment from Canadian clients when I tell them that the number of foreclosures in Phoenix are dropping. They often don't believe me because it is exactly opposite of all of the rumors they hear in Canada. Well the rumor mill isn't the best source of information. Every month we have had statistically less and less foreclosures on the market. As a result, the prices in Phoenix are stabilizing and in many neighborhoods starting to rise. No there isn't a "tsunami of foreclosures about to hit the market" or any other such nonsense. The fact of the matter is prices are not going to get any cheaper. If you are interested in Phoenix real estate, the longer you wait, the more you will pay.

We specialize in Phoenix and Scottsdale real estate for Canadians. We would be happy to answer your questions. Email me at Carmen@ThePhoenixExperts.com.

I was a real estate lawyer in Alberta before moving to Arizona to become a Realtor. I understand all of the differences between Canadian and Arizona real estate transactions. I explain those differences to my clients and can take you through the process of buying Arizona real estate step by step. Why use a less experienced Realtor?

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Arizona Realtor / Former Alberta Lawyer
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Happy Holidays from Sunny Arizona!

2009-12-19T03:11:00.000-08:00

Best wishes to everyone for a warm and happy holiday. We are very excited about 2010 and hope you are too. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful clients over the past year for their business. We hope we have made each and every one of you feel special and appreciated.

Carmen and Marc Brodeur
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263
Specializing in Arizona Real Estate for Canadians

Today's Mortgage Rates

2009-11-16T11:33:00.000-08:00

I am often asked if mortgages are available for Canadians in Arizona. Yes! There are 3 companies that we can refer you to for a mortgage. Here are today's rates from IMortgage:

These are rates for Canadians purchasing in Arizona with 30% down for vacation homes only (no rental properties). No Social Security number is needed. They will use your Canadian credit report.

30 year fixed 5.25%

15 year fixed 4.75%

5 year arm 4.25%

7 year arm 4.5%

(Rates are for November 16^th 2009. Subject to change without notice)

We specialize in real estate in Phoenix and Scottsdale for Canadians. Visit our website www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or call me at 1-800-300-0263. Lets get started to find your dream home!

Carmen Brodeur

www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Canadian Dollar Dropping...Anyone Have a Crystal Ball?

2009-10-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

As you are probably aware, the Canadian dollar has dropped a few cents in the past week. This has caused concern among Canadian buyers. The Canadians I have spoken with this week fall into 2 categories:
(1) We need to find a home to buy IMMEDIATELY before the dollar drops further, or
(2) We have decided to wait a month until the dollar comes back up.

Who is right? Unless you have a crystal ball, no one can say for sure. I have in the past seen many Canadians assume that by waiting the dollar will increase, only to have it drop further. These people are shooting themselves in the foot. History shows that the dollar goes both directions, up and down. It will not necessarily improve in a month. If they wait even longer, say 3-4 months, they will miss the whole winter season. What use is buying a vacation home in Phoenix in the summer. You will have to wait until winter 2010 to use it to escape the snow.

If you are concerned about currency fluctuations you should exchange your money with a professional currency exchange firm prior to finding a home. That way you lock in the best exchange rate possible. Email me for details of the company we use in Edmonton, Alberta.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Arizona Realtor / Former Alberta Lawyer
1-800-300-0263
Carmen@ThePhoenixExperts.com

The Perfect Way to Buy an Arizona Condo from Canada

2009-10-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Allan’s of Calgary, Alberta for an incredible deal! This family did everything right when searching and buying a condo long distance from Canada. First they contacted me and told me exactly what they wanted and what they wanted to spend: under $200,000 for a pool view 2 bedroom condo. Well deals like that are extremely rare. Most pool view condos in Scottsdale are much higher than $200,000. I set them up on an automatic email alert program so that they received an email whenever a new property they may be interested in hit the market.

One such condo hit the market on Friday morning, they called me immediately. It was a gorgeous fully updated 2 bedroom plus loft condo in the Edge at Grayhawk with a perfect pool view from the living room, both bedrooms and spacious balcony, all new stainless steel appliances for only $179,900. That is a steal of a deal and they knew it. They immediately put in an offer for almost full price before a bidding war started. If they had they waited to fly down to view the property there definitely would have been multiple offers within a few days. Because they offered almost the full list price on the very first day on the market they got it. The competition from all of the other buyers looking for the same thing was avoided. Now that is acting smart! They now have 10 full days to fly down to look at the condo. If they change their mind or don’t like it they get all of their earnest money back. It is that simple.

If you are looking for a specific type of condo in Scottsdale we would be happy to help you. Just let me know what you are looking for and I can send you automatic VIP email alerts whenever new properties come on the market. The best way to get a deal is to snatch it up fast. The early bird gets the worm. Email me at Carmen@ScottsdaleExperts.com or visit our website www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Arizona Real Estate Agent / Former Alberta Lawyer
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

The Snow Must be Flying...

2009-10-15T21:20:00.001-07:00

How can I tell it's snowing and cold in Canada? Not because I watch

the weather forecast, it's because my phone has been ringing off the hook. Canadians calling wanting to buy a home in beautiful sunny Arizona.

I can't blame them, why wouldn't you want to trade shoveling your driveway for laying by the pool or golfing the day away? Especially when home prices have hit bottom and the Loonie is almost par again (yeah!). This is the opportunity of a lifetime. Never again will the Canadian dollar be almost par at the exact time that the US real estate market has crashed and hit bottom.

View all Phoenix and Scottsdale real estate at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or call 1-800-300-0263.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Arizona Realtor and Former Alberta Lawyer
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

It is Time to Get Off the Fence

2009-10-13T15:56:00.001-07:00

Canadians need to get off the Fence and invest in Arizona Real Estate

There is no better time to buy Real Estate in the Phoenix area. With properties practically half price of what it was a few years ago, anyone that is on the fence would be crazy not to buy now. This opportunity will not last for long. In fact we are seeing prices stabilize, and in some areas actually start to rise. My team specializes in working with Canadians buying second homes and investment properties. We have had great success in finding the perfect investments for many Canadians.

Carmen Brodeur
Arizona Realtor / Former Lawyer
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Multiple Offer Situations - Canadians Buying in Arizona Have an Advantage

2009-08-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Streams of Canadians are buying homes in Phoenix. Why not with prices nearly half of what they were a few years ago and the Canadian dollar up. This is THE time to buy. The real estate market in Phoenix has hit the bottom and prices are starting to rise. As a result, all of the potential buyers who have been sitting on the fence waiting for the "right" time to buy are all jumping into the market at the same time.

One reality Canadians often ask about is the "multiple offer" situation. "What if there are multiple offers on the property I want?" If the property is priced right there is a good chance it will receive multiple offers. The seller, often the bank, has a couple choices. They can accept the "Best" offer, counter the best offer, or ask for "highest and best" from all offers. "Highest and Best" means everyone that has an offer in has the opportunity to raise their offered price. A good rule is to offer what you are comfortable with and not get to caught up in the bidding wars.

Most Canadians buying real estate in Arizona finance in Canada and pay cash for the home. This is where Canadians have a huge advantage against Americans who are offering a financed offer in multiple offer situations. Cash is king and a cash offer will usually be accepted before a financed offer. Most sellers, especially bank owned foreclosures, will even accept a lower priced cash offer before a financed offer. Please call me if you have any questions.

We specialize in Arizona real estate for Canadians. Let us help you find your vacation home, retirement home or investment property. Visit www.ThePhoenixExperts.com for more information about Canadians buying homes in Arizona.

Marc Brodeur BS, DC
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Tips for Canadians Buying a Foreclosure in Arizona

2009-08-21T16:10:00.001-07:00

Most Canadians that are buying a home in Arizona are interested in foreclosures. I am a certified foreclosure specialist and always show my Canadian clients the foreclosures on the market. Foreclosures will often represent the best deals in a neighborhood so are a serious consideration. Currently about 75% of our business is foreclosures. So as you can imagine, we are very knowledgeable about how to get the best foreclosure deal.

The process of buying a foreclosure in Arizona is very simple for a Canadian.

Contact us and we'll discuss your price range and areas to consider.
We will do a custom search for you and email you listings of properties with full details and photos that match your criteria. You will also be set up to automatically receive an email alert whenever a new foreclosure goes on the market in the area and price range you are considering.
Review those properties and let us know what appeals to you most. Your search will evolve over time as you consider all of the options. We are here to help you determine what type of property and what area suits your needs best.
Set up financing if necessary. About 90% of our Canadian clients end up financing their Arizona homes with a personal line of credit or home equity line of credit in Canada. It is possible to get a mortgage here in Arizona but you end up paying more with a much higher interest rate.
Book a trip to Arizona to take a look at your favorite properties. Be sure to bring your "proof of funds" which is required in Arizona to make an offer on real estate. That would be a copy of your line of credit, bank statement, RSPs, stock accounts etc. Anything that shows you are financially capable of purchasing the homes you are interested in.
After you choose the home for you we will draw up the offer. It will usually take 2 days to get a response on a foreclosure.
Once your offer is accepted you wire a small earnest deposit directly from your Canadian bank account to the Title company. It is usually $1000-5000 depending on the purchase price.
An inspection is scheduled. You will usually have 10 full days to complete all inspections and due diligence. If you decide not to proceed we cancel the contract and you get your earnest money during the inspection period. If you choose to proceed then the Title Company starts their work.
You wire the remainder of the purchase price shortly before close of escrow. You usually "close escrow" which means you actually purchase the home and take possession within about 30 days. Congratulations are in order!

Please call me at 1-800-300-0263 if you have any questions about buying a foreclosure. We specialize in finding homes for Canadians in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Visit www.ThePhoenixExperts.com for more information. Canada to Arizona is our specialty!

Marc Brodeur BS, DC
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

What Our Clients Say About Us...

2009-08-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

We understand how difficult it is for Canadians to choose a realtor when buying a home in Arizona. It can be a daunting process for many Canadians because is difficult to know who you can fully trust. You may be investing a substantial portion of your financial net worth in an Arizona home. The process is a little different for Canadians buying Arizona real estate and you need an Arizona realtor who is experienced in cross border purchases.

I received the nicest email today that I wanted to share with you:

Carmen,

My family and I would just like to take a minute to thank you and Ariel for all of the hard work you put into making our experience in Phoenix a memorable one. Although the process isn’t over, we are very appreciative of the care and attention that has been paid to us. We would like to let you know how accommodating and professional Ariel was throughout the weekend. We came to a decision Friday night of what we wanted, and completely changed our focus. Ariel had many properties lined up for us, but had to abandon that plan to search for others in a different area. She explained the pros and cons about buying in certain areas, but didn’t discourage us, or try to impose her personal opinions. She worked very hard to find us many exciting places to view. We look forward to the remainder of the process and will be talking to others about our experience.

Sincerely,

Val/Sam, Sandi/Kurt, Michelle/Wayne J

We specialize in Phoenix and Scottsdale real estate for Canadians and can show you properties anywhere in the Phoenix area. I have hand selected only the finest professionals for our team. We strive to provide the most exceptional service possible. Visit www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or call us at 1-800-300-0263 to start your home search.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Realtor / Former Alberta Lawyer
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Why Canadians Trust Us When Buying Homes in Arizona

2009-08-11T13:53:00.000-07:00

Buy Your Foreclosure Now

2009-08-06T13:38:00.001-07:00

The foreclosures available in Phoenix have dropped dramatically in the past 3 months. At the same time, the price of homes have hit bottom in many areas of Phoenix and are starting to rebound. These factors combined have caused a huge amount of prospective buyers to jump off the fence and all try to buy the remaining foreclosures at the same time. Multiple offers for foreclosures is the norm. When we make an offer on a foreclosure these days and there are NOT multiple offers, we are always shocked. The key to getting the best foreclosure without competing with multiple offers is to act fast. As soon as you see a foreclosure on line that you are interested in you should make an offer to lock it up under contract. Once your offer is accepted the bank cannot accept other competing offers. On the other hand, you are not contractually obligated to buy the property until the end of the 10 day inspection period. You can change your mind and walk away from the deal any time during the first 10 days without losing anything.

Here is a great CNN article about how important it is to act fast when buying a foreclosure.

About the Author: Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB is a former lawyer from Edmonton Alberta who is now a Phoenix Realtor. She specializes in working with Canadians who are purchasing a home in Arizona. Her Alberta legal background is a tremendous advantage to Canadians who purchase in Arizona. She can explain all the differences in the process between Canada and Arizona. She welcomes your calls at 1-800-300-0263 or Carmen@ThePhoenixExperts.com.

www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
The Realtors Canadians Trust!

Take Advantage of the High Canadian Dollar to Buy Arizona Real Estate

2009-08-04T10:26:00.000-07:00

The Canadian Dollar hit 93.5 cents US today for the first time since last year. With the US housing market turning around and prices starting to increase, now is the time to move as the bottom appears to be behind us. Its becoming a sellers market in Metro Phoenix up to the $500,000 mark and then it becomes a buyers market again. We are advising all of our buyers to act now to avoid regrets.

About the Author: Marc Brodeur BS, DC is a Phoenix Realtor who specializes in helping Canadians who want to purchase homes in Arizona. He is originally from St. Albert, Alberta and attended The University of Alberta. He has been in Scottsdale for 10 years and enjoys helping fellow Canadians find their vacation or investment property in Arizona. View all available Phoenix and Scottsdale homes at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. Marc can be reached at Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com or 1-800-300-0263.

Marc Brodeur BS, DC
Realtor Specializing in Arizona Real Estate for Canadians
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Beware of Short Sales!

2009-07-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

Many Canadians buying homes in Arizona ask us about short sales. It is not a term commonly used in Canada. Short sales are pre-foreclosure situations where the homeowner is about to be foreclosed on so they are tying to sell the home. However, they owe more to the bank than what it is worth. This is called "being underwater" on your mortgage. They try to sell it for an amount LESS than what they owe on the mortgage.

There are thus a minimum of 3 parties in a foreclosure: seller, buyer and bank. There is a fourth party if there is a second mortgage. All 3-4 parties must approve the sale. As you can imagine this is very difficult, impossible in many situations. Most short sales do not sell. I have heard up to 80% of short sales never close.

The biggest hurdle for a short sale is getting the bank's approval for the home to sell for less than the mortgage amount. The bank is writing off the balance of the loan over and above what they get at the sale. It is a very slow process to even get the bank to respond to your offer, much less give approval. It usually takes 2-3 months for a bank to acknowledge that you have put in an offer on a short sale. At that point they will assign a negotiator to the file. That person will order an appraisal on the property. This is usually another month to get this back. Then the bank will look at your offer to see if it is close to the appraised value of the home. It will only accept offers close to the value of the home. If your offer is significantly less than the value of the home it will reject it or counteroffer.

Short sales often do nothing but waste a seller's time and create frustration. Many times the home is listed on the mls for an artificially low price that the home would never sell for. The listing realtor is doing this just to get offers on the home. The listing Realtor knows that the bank would never approve a sale at that price. This is done all the time unfortunately.

Other reasons short sales fall apart and do not sell:

The homeowner abandons the property and can't be found to sign the final documents (this happened to one of our clients after they waited 3 months and jumped through all the hoops)
The homeowner declares personal bankruptcy and nullifies the deal
The buyer gets frustrated and tired of waiting around for 3 months while they see other great foreclosure opportunities pass them by and they finally give up
The two banks that hold the 1st and 2nd mortgages cannot agree on a price together or how they will split the proceeds. I have seen this happen even when the same bank holds the 1st and the 2nd but they are processed out of 2 different states with 2 different offices responsible.
The bank takes too long to even acknowledge that there is an offer on the table and the home gets foreclosed in the interim. This should not happen but unfortunately often the offer is sitting in a pile on someone's desk for months.
There are other liens on the title that can't be cleaned up. For example if there is builder liens, mechanic liens, HOA liens etc someone needs to pay for those before the home can be sold. The homeowner is destitute and can't pay. That means either the bank or the buyer has to pay. This is another whole can of worms.
Just before the deal is finally about to close (this is 3-4 months down the road) the homeowner moves out and intentionally damages the property. I have seen many punch holes in the walls, missing appliances or flooded homes in the past year. I think most people believe they are "getting back at the bank". As you can imagine, when damage is found at the final walk through the deal falls apart.

This is just a short list of the possible problems and pitfalls with short sales. As a former lawyer the possible legal problems with short sales is mind boggling. I don't know why anyone in their right mind would look at short sales instead of real foreclosures.

Bank owned foreclosures have clean title and the banks ususally respond within 48 hours. The entire deal is under contract within a few days and closes within 30 days generally. We recommend to our Canadian buyers that if they want a quick super deal they should try to stick to true foreclosures, instead of wading into the murky waters of pre-foreclosures. Please feel free to call me at 1-800-300-0263 to discuss how to tell the differences between foreclosures and pre-foreclosures.

For more information check out the foreclosure section on www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Realtor / Former Alberta Lawyer
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263
Carmen@ThePhoenixExperts.com

Build Your Wealth With Phoenix Foreclosures

2009-07-22T16:35:00.000-07:00

It's not too late to invest in Arizona through foreclosures. There have been many articles in the media about the frenzied bidding wars over the low priced foreclosures in Phoenix. Click to view the most recent article in USA Today. This is all true but as experienced foreclosure Realtors we can help. Phoenix foreclosures are 80% of our business. We know the tricks to getting a great foreclosure locked in under contract for you before the bidding wars get out of hand. Foreclosures are being bought up quickly but new foreclosure properties are coming on the market daily. We set up our VIP clients on automatic email programs so that they receive an email as soon as a new foreclosure that meets their requirements hit the market. This gives you a huge jump on your competition. Most of the good foreclosures are gone within days. Simply call me at 1-800-300-0263 or email me at Carmen@ThePhoenixExperts.com to start today.

If you would like help finding next investment property or vacation home call us at 1-800-300-0263. Visit the foreclosure section of our website to view all Phoenix foreclosures available. Foreclosures are a great investment to help you build your wealth.

Carmen Brodeur
Former Alberta Lawyer / Phoenix Realtor
I Specialize in Helping Canadians Purchase Arizona Real Estate

www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Financing for Canadians Buying Real Estate in Arizona

2009-07-21T17:24:00.000-07:00

Many people are surprised to to hear that Canadians who purchase homes in Arizona are able to get a US mortgage to finance their Arizona home. There are several major banks here that finance Canadians. Many have loan programs specifically for Snowbirds. Loan programs and requirements change daily but most require a good Canadian credit report and 30% down. We work primarily with the US subsidiaries of the Bank of Montreal and the Royal Bank. Contact us for more information or check out the financing information on our website www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

We are here to help make your dreams a reality. As former Albertans, we know how daunting it is to purchase an Arizona home across the border. We know how to make it happen.

Marc Brodeur BS, DC
Realtor Specializing in Phoenix Real Estate for Canadians
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263
Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com

Canada to Arizona - How Do I Know If the Arizona Home I Am Looking At Is a Cream Puff or a Lemon?

2009-07-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

It is absolutely critical to get a home fully inspected before you purchase it. The home inspection is one of the most important parts of the home buying process. In Arizona, you have 10 days after your offer is accepted on a home to do all inspections. This is called the "due diligence" period.

We work with a highly qualified inspector who we can refer you to. The home inspector we recommend to our clients is extremely picky and very critical - just what you want in an inspector. He will do a thorough inspection of your property and email you a very detailed report the same day. It is generally over 20 pages long and includes multiple photos of any issues that arise. The home inspector will give the straight answers about the condition of the property. You can purchase the home knowing exactly what you are getting. If problems are discovered, you have the option to simply terminate the contact during the 10 day inspection period and get your deposit back.

Check out our website at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. We specialize in finding homes for Canadians in Phoenix and Scottsdale. We love to help Canadians buy real estate in Arizona. Canada to Arizona is our specialty.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263
Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com

Phoenix Real Estate for Canadians - Phoenix Goes BOOM

2009-07-09T11:38:00.000-07:00

A recent article in the LA Times describes the buying frenzy going on in Phoenix currently. So many home buyers have been sitting on the fence waiting for "the right time" to buy. Now that the market has hit bottom and prices are starting to rise in many areas, everyone has jumped in at the same time. Bidding wars are common, especially on the best foreclosure deals.

If you are interested in getting the best deal on a Phoenix or Scottsdale home we encourage you to start your search soon. The best deals are going fast and the Canadian dollar is very strong. It is the perfect opportunity to get the Arizona home you have been dreaming about.

Visit www.ThePhoenixExperts.com for all Phoenix and Scottsdale real estate. We specialize in Arizona for Canadians. If you are planning a move from Canada to Arizona, or just want to inquire about Arizona real estate for Canadians call us at 1-800-300-0263.

Marc Brodeur BS, DC
Arizona for Canadians Specialist
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Scottsdale Foreclosures - Click Here

Is there a Phoenix Property Watch or Phoenix Home Check Service for Canadians?

2009-06-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

Arizona Real Estate for Canadians is our specialty and thus we are often asked by our Canadian clients about who is available to take care of the home when they are in Canada. We work closely with a wonderful Phoenix and Scottsdale property watch service called Harris Home Management. This Phoenix home watch service is run by Wayne Harris, who is formerly from Montreal. We have known him personally for 10 years and is completely reliable and trustworthy. Harris Home Management will check on your Phoenix or Scottsdale property while you are away. This gives you peace of mind that it is being taken care of.

Harris Home Management's Phoenix property watch service includes:

Check the inside and outside of the home for any possible problems
Operate faucets and flush the toilets
Verify that the windows and doors are locked
Check the thermostat to insure the air conditioning is cooling properly
Check for visible signs of mildew, mold, insects or rodents
Investigate unusual odors
Assess whether or not pool appears to be regularly maintained and note any obvious problems
Make you aware of landscape maintenance issues that need attention, such as tree limbs on or near your roof, obvious signs of broken sprinkler heads or insect infested hedges
In the event of an emergency, he will contact you immediately by phone.

You can contact Wayne Harris of Harris Home Management regarding his Phoenix property watch service at (602) 363-1900 or info@harrishomemanagement.com.

We specialize in Arizona for Canadians. If you are considering a move from Canada to Arizona, or are a Canadian buying Arizona real estate call us first.

About the Author: Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB is a former Alberta lawyer, now Arizona Realtor. She is the only Realtor in Arizona who is also an Aberta lawyer. She specializes in Arizona real estate for Canadians. Visit www.ThePhoenixExperts.com/AboutUs for more information about Carmen and her team of professionals dedicated to Canadians to Arizona.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
We Welcome Your Calls at 1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

The Process of Buying a Foreclosure for Canadians in Arizona

2009-06-06T23:10:00.000-07:00

When you purchase a home that was foreclosed you are dealing directly with the bank or lender. These homes are considered unwanted inventory to the bank. The banks are in the business of lending money, not holding real estate. They want to get rid of the homes as soon as possible. Most foreclosures are listed 10-15% below market price (which have already dropped 30-50%). Foreclosures can thus be an excellent investment. Most banks are extremely cooperative in negotiations and will respond to offers within 2-3 days (some even within hours!). Banks will not make any repairs or warranties about the house. They are always sold "as-is". The bank that owns the property will not do any repairs prior to close of escrow. As a prospective purchaser you still hire a home inspector to do a full inspection of the property. The inspector will give you an extensive report with photos of any potential problems. Once the inspection has been done you have the option within your inspection period (which is usually 10 days) to either continue with the transaction and purchase the property as-is, OR refuse the property due to the results of the inspections and get your deposit back. The inspection and 10 day walk period will give you peace of mind.

We Specialize in Helping Canadians in Arizona. Arizona Real Estate for Canadians is our Business! Don't trust this important transaction to someone who pretends to know the intricate differences of Canadians buying in Arizona.

I am the only Arizona Realtor who is also a former lawyer in Alberta. I offer my clients special expertise. I welcome your calls at 1-800-300-0263. Call me and lets get started to find your Arizona home.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Arizona Realtor / Former Alberta Lawyer
1-800-300-0263

View all Arizona Real Estate for Canadians at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Arizona for Canadians - Should a Canadian Buy an Arizona Foreclosure?

2009-06-06T22:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, definitely! Many of the best deals in our current market are foreclosures. Many of our Canadian clients have purchased foreclosures. We are very experienced with foreclosures and negotiating with the banks for the absolute best price and terms. We receive emails from clients daily asking if the listing is "for real" because it seems to good to be true. That's the beauty of many foreclosures. They are priced so low at fire sale prices that they are almost too good to be true. That is exactly the reason many foreclosures are snapped up by "on the ball" buyers within a few days of being put on the mls. The best deals go fast and sell within days of being put on the mls. If you want to take advantage of a super foreclosure deal it is essential that you are able to act quickly. This means you need to have your financing or cash ready. You also need to be able to get down to Phoenix quickly if you see something that you want to make an offer on. Like they say, the early bird gets the worm!

We specialze in Arizona Real Estate for Canadians. If you are a Canadian buying Arizona Real Estate call us for our specialized help. As a former Alberta lawyer, I offer my clients special assistance that other realtors cannot. I am the only Arizona Realtor who is also an Alberta lawyer. My primary concern is protecting my clients with careful drafting of all contracts, especially for foreclosures.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Arizona Attorney / Former Alberta Lawyer
I Welcome Your Calls at 1-800-300-0263

View all Arizona Real Estate for Canadians at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

The SMART People Are Buying Homes Now

2009-06-05T22:27:00.000-07:00

It is interesting what types of people are purchasing homes from us these days. Most of our current clients are highly educated entrepreneurs, professionals, doctors or retirees with high levels of financial experience. They are not necessarily the most affluent group, but rather the most educated group. Less educated or less sophisticated people are not buying during this so called economic crisis. It is the well educated, sophisticated buyers who know that this price correction is temporary. There's a lot of doom and gloom being spread in the media about the housing market and overall turbulent economy. The sophisticated buyer knows that this is the perfect time to "buy low and sell high". They want to take advantage of falling housing prices to strengthen their financial portfolio. Anyone who has good credit and a small down payment can get a loan with one of our lenders and purchase real estate in Phoenix.

Interested in buying Phoenix or Scottsdale real estate? We can help you get financing, find your perfect investment or vacation home, and make your dream a reality! View our website www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or call us at 1-800-300-0263. We specialize in Canadian buyers.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Arizona Realtor / Former Alberta Lawyer
1-800-300-0263

www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Foreclosure Bus Tours In Phoenix Are For Suckers!

2009-06-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

I got a call from a prospective client in Canada asking if we do "Foreclosure Bus Tours". I always smile and shake my head whenever anyone asks me that. For those of you who are not familiar with these - a Realtor rents a bus, packs it with people and takes them from foreclosure to foreclosure over several hours. This is NOT the way to search for a foreclosure deal. First of all, the Realtors will generally only take you to their foreclosure listings, not necessarily the best foreclosures. Secondly, you are packed in like sardines and are forced to go to foreclosures that you may never in the world consider. For example, if you are only interested in condos - too bad - you still have to go see all the houses. If you are only interested in Scottsdale - too bad - you have to go all over the valley to other cities. If you are only interested in a certain price range - too bad- you have to go to foreclosures way out of your price range. Sound like a waste of time? It is!

The absolute worst thing about a foreclosure bus tour is that if you are shown a cream puff perfect foreclosure you are almost guaranteed a bidding war for that home. 5-10 people on the bus will want the same foreclosure. So you are fighting and bidding against everyone else on the bus. There is built in competition.

The best way to find a foreclosure is to contact us and we will do a custom search for exactly what you want. We will give you a personal foreclosure tour of the best listings (not just our listings) and you can review them without the competition of a bus full of people. View all available foreclosures on our Foreclosure Deals page. Contact us at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or 1-800-300-0263 and lets get started to find your dream home.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Arizona Realtor / Former Alberta Attorney
We Welcome Your Calls at 1-800-300-0263

www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

What Our Clients Say About Us....

2009-06-04T14:45:00.001-07:00

I received the nicest email today and wanted to share it. It was from a client in Lethbridge who just recently bought a condo (then referred us to her friend who also bought a condo).

We wanted a condo in Phoenix but didn't know where to start. We found The Phoenix Experts web site and were impressed with the wealth of information that was available for Canadians. We contacted Marc and Carmen Brodeur and described what we wanted. Rather than trying to "sell" us a condo, Marc and Carmen partnered with us to find the perfect condo for our lifestyle and needs - an amazing deal on a 2 bedroom condo foreclosure in a great location. They made the buying process extremely easy and were incredibly helpful. We trusted their knowledge and expertise and appreciated their attention to detail. After we took possession of the condo, they continued to provide outstanding service by referring us to numerous service professionals (insurance, cleaning service, decorator, property check, etc.). Marc and Carmen are truly experts at what they do and we can't thank them enough. We are so happy!

Dean & Lori Johnson

Lethbridge, Alberta

If you are interested in receiving the best possible representation from an Arizona realtor call us. As a former Alberta lawyer, I offer my clients special services that other cannot. I am the only realtor in Arizona who is also an Alberta lawyer. We specialize in helping Canadians find the best possible deals. We welcome your calls at 1-800-300-0263 or Carmen@ScottsdaleExperts.com.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Arizona Realtor / Former Alberta Lawyer
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

How Do I Know If I Am Buying a Cream Puff or a Lemon?

2009-06-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

The home inspection is one of the most important parts of the home buying process. You have 10 days after your offer is accepted on a home to do all inspections. We work with a highly qualified inspector. The home inspector we recommend to our clients is extremely picky and very critical - just what you want in an inspector. He will do a thorough inspection of your property and email you a very detailed report the same day. It is generally over 20 pages long and includes multiple photos of any issues that arise. The home inspector will give the straight answers about the condition of the property. You can purchase the home knowing exactly what you are getting. If problems are discovered, you have the option to simply terminate the contact during the 10 day inspection period and get your deposit back.

Check out our website at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. We specialize in finding homes for Canadians in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Arizona Realtor / Former Alberta Attorney
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

What Should I Bring With Me When I Go to Arizona to Buy a Home ??

2009-06-03T22:18:00.001-07:00

Bring Your Proof of Funds

If you are making a trip to Phoenix to purchase a home, you will need to bring with you one very important document: Proof of Funds. The home buying process in Arizona is a little different than in Canada. When we find your dream home and you want to make an offer on it, you need to provide with the offer some sort of proof that you are financially able to complete the transaction. Sellers in Arizona will not even look at an offer without proof of funds. This can be a copy of an open home equity line of credit, personal line of credit, bank statement with cash in the account, investment account statement, even your RSP.

We are dedicated to serving Canadians interested in Phoenix or Scottsdale homes. Call us at 1-800-300-0263 with all of your questions or contact us through www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Arizona Realtor / Former Alberta Lawyer
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Build Your Family's Weath Through Foreclosures

2009-06-03T22:14:00.000-07:00

It's not too late to invest in Arizona real estate through foreclosures. Foreclosures are being bought up quickly but new foreclosure properties are coming on the market daily. Register for our Home Finder Service and specify that you want a foreclosure. We'll email you unlimited access to all Arizona bank owned deals. Or call us at 1-800-300-0263 and get homes sent to you by email as soon as they hit the market. Get a jump on your competition and receive instant email updates as soon as a new foreclosure becomes available. If you would like help finding next investment property, call us at 1-800-300-0263. Foreclosures are a great investment to help you build your wealth.

As a former attorney, I especially enjoy negotiating with banks for foreclosures and guiding my clients through the process of purchasing a foreclosure.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Arizona Realtor / Former Alberta Lawyer
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

The Importance of Knowing What You Want and Being Decisive

2009-06-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

The foreclosure market in Phoenix is moving FAST right now. The word is out that our market is at the bottom and foreclosures are insanely cheap. It seems that everyone is suddenly here to buy a foreclosure property. Six months ago, foreclosures would sit on the market for weeks or months before being bought. Since, there was less activity and interest, the bank would entertain offers 10% or more below list price. Since February, the best foreclosures are snapped up within days of being put on the market. There are usually MULTIPLE bidders on the best properties. This creates a bidding war situation where each buyer is told by the bank to give their "highest and best offer". They look at all offers together rather than negotiating with the person who give the first offer (which used to be the norm). As a result, foreclosures have been selling for 99.7% of list price. Some go over list price, some go under.

When you see a foreclosed property that interests you, it is in your best interest to make an offer. If you wait, another more decisive buyer will get the deal. You will have 2-3 days during negotiations, and 10 days after your offer is accepted to thoroughly weigh all the options and determine whether it is the right purchase for you. You can change your mind and get your deposit back at anytime during this inspection period.

We are foreclosure experts. See more information and view foreclosure properties on our Foreclosure Deals page at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or call us at 1-800-300-0263 to start your search for a foreclosure.

Carmen Brodeur BA, LLB
Realtor / Former Attorney
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Bidding Wars and Buying Frenzies

2009-05-22T14:48:00.001-07:00

There have been numerous article lately about the Phoenix market prices hitting bottom, all of the bidding wars for the remaining foreclosures and prices starting to rise. Here are a few articles for anyone who is interested in Phoenix real estate::

Recent Articles on Phoenix Real Estate Market

Phoenix's Housing Bust Goes Boom
Bidding Battles Hit Phoenix Housing Market
Promising Signs From Valley Housing Data
Study Shows Phoenix Prices May Be Bottoming Out

To find the best deal on a home in Phoenix, call me at 1-800-300-0263 or email me at Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com. We specialize in foreclosures and can negotiate the best deals possible. Visit www.ThePhoenixExperts.com for more information and to view all available foreclosures.

Marc Brodeur BS, DC
Lead Realtor, The Phoenix Experts
1-800-300-0263

Canadian Dollar Going UP UP UP!

2009-05-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

The Canadian Dollar is up again today. It hit a high of 90 cents for a few minutes today. That is an EIGHT month high. What incredible timing - Phoenix housing is hitting the bottom and Canadian dollar is hitting a high. I never imagined that these factors would align together at the same time - but they are. If you are serious about buying a home in Phoenix now is the time! I had a long discussion with a buyer from Red Deer, Alberta today who is trying to perfectly time the market. He has bid on SEVEN homes here this week. Does he plan to buy 7? No, only 1 but the bidding wars are so intense on the remaining foreclosures that often it is necessary to bid on multiple homes just to get one under contract. He plans to close and purchase on a home in 30 days. So he locks in the lowest price home this week, lets the Canadian dollar keep rising for a month and converts his money at the last minute a month from now. Now that is sharp thinking!

View all available foreclosures on our website at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. To start you home search call me at 1-800-300-0263 or email me at Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com. I look forward to getting you your Arizona dream home.

Marc Brodeur
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Phoenix Real Estate Hitting Bottom Says Arizona Republic

2009-04-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

The Arizona Republic newspaper reported on Saturday that the affordable end of the Valley's housing market could finally be at the bottom looking up. Home sales have soared to levels not seen since 2005. Pending home sales are up 70% from a year earlier. There were 40% less foreclosures on the market during March than February. Many of the deals will be gone soon. Prices show signs of leveling off in some areas. Home prices may be slightly higher by June in the lower priced areas according to one local real estate analyst.

Click Here to Read the Entire Arizona Republic Article

Interested in buying a Phoenix or Scottsdale home before prices go back up? Call us at 1-800-300-0263 to find your new home or visit www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Hey! What Happened to my Condo??

2009-03-14T07:40:00.000-07:00

I got a call today from a Canadian client quite upset that the condo he has been admiring online is suddenly vanished from his webpage. He wanted to know what happened to his condo. It was sold, of course, to someone who ACTED rather than just ADMIRED the deal. The inventory of homes and condos at the bottom of the price range (under $200,000) are moving fast. The best properties are sold quick. He somehow didn't think it was fair that it wouldn't be available for him to look at when he gets here next week. The only way to "reserve" a condo until you can come look at it is to make an offer. We make offers on properties for clients in Canada all the time. It can easily be done by email. If your offer is accepted you have 10 days to come take a look at the property. If you like it - buy it, if you don't like it - don't buy it and get your money back during the 10 day period. It's that simple.

If you want to reserve a great deal by making an offer, just give us a call at 1-800-300-0263 or contact us through www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. Like they say, the early bird gets the worm.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Interested in Scottsdale Resort Condos?

2009-03-13T07:22:00.000-07:00

Check out our new website exclusively for Grayhawk condos in Scottsdale. Grayhawk is an award winning master planned community in North Scottsdale. It is one of our favorite communities in Scottsdale. It is in a highly exclusive area and has two PGA level golf courses. It is ideally located just north of Loop 101 between Scottsdale and Pima roads. It has easy access to Scottsdale's finest shopping, restaurants, golf and spas. Condos start as little as $93,000 for a 1 bedroom flat. Homes in Grayhawk are up to $3.5 million for a custom home on the golf course. Owning a property in a "name brand" community like Grayhawk helps increase your appreciation more so than other "no-name" communities. There are 8 different condo communities within Grayhawk to choose from. Visit www.GrayhawkCondosOnline.com to see all of the exciting possibilties.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.GrayhawkCondosOnline.com
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Good Foreclosures Drying Up

2009-03-12T15:18:00.000-07:00

The latest foreclosure statistics released today from the Arizona MLS show a dramatic leveling off of foreclosures. See the chart below. Foreclosures had been rising steadily for the past 2 years. Then in January, suddenly the foreclosure numbers leveled off. We have seen this in the market very clearly with our clients. There are fewer good foreclosures. The best foreclosures are sold within 10 days of going on the market. The best foreclosures have multiple bidders and end up being sold for full list price or slightly more. The market is clearly turning in Phoenix. The opportunity to snap up a great foreclosure deal is coming to an end. We are close to the bottom and the foreclosures are drying up. The many homeowner bail out programs are starting to make a difference. People are doing loan modifications rather than foreclosures.

Interested in getting a foreclosure bargain? Check out the foreclosures available at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or call us to begin your search today.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

How Do I Know If I Am Buying a Cream Puff or a Lemon?

2009-03-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

The home inspection is one of the most important parts of the home buying process. You have 10 days after your offer is accepted on a home to do all inspections. We work with a highly qualified inspector. The home inspector we recommend to our clients is extremely picky and very critical - just what you want in an inspector. He will do a thorough inspection of your property and email you a very detailed report the same day. It is generally over 20 pages long and includes multiple photos of any issues that arise. The home inspector will give the straight answers about the condition of the property. You can purchase the home knowing exactly what you are getting. If problems are discovered, you have the option to simply terminate the contact during the 10 day inspection period and get your deposit back.

Check out our website at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. We specialize in finding homes for Canadians in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Canadian Dollar Moving Up

2009-03-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

Great news. The Canadian dollar has increased 3% since yesterday. A swing like that can save you $6000 on a $200,000 house. If you are serious about purchasing a home in Phoenix you need to take advantages of currency swings like that. Using a foreign exchange company can be the easiest way to pick the right moment to exchange your Canadian dollars for Amercian dollars. We can recommend you to two highly reputable international exchange companies. They can get you a better exchange rate than your local bank. Call us for more information or visit our website www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Want a Fully Furnished Home? Just Ask - It's a Buyer's Market!

2009-03-08T06:34:00.000-07:00

An interesting thing happened this week. We had two buyers purchase homes with us this week. Both clients decided to ask for all furnishings in the homes to be included with the homes. Generally if a seller is willing to part with the furnishings it is listed in the mls as being sold with furniture. In this case, neither home was listed as having furnishings available. We advised both of them that these were primary residences that they were buying so not to get their hopes up. When sellers live in the homes full time, compared to the house being a second home, you are much less likely to get the furnishings. Obviously those sellers have to move somewhere and most people don't want to start over with furnishing their own homes. We were able to successfully negotiate to purchase both homes fully furnished. Our clients are delighted. Just another example that this is truly a Buyer's market. Buyers hold all the power and can ask for just about anything these days. What a great position for buyers!

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0264

Comparing Today with the Great Depression

2009-03-03T09:13:00.000-08:00

I love it when people compare the current situation with the Great Depression because it makes it even more obvious what an incredible opportunity it is to buy real estate at today's prices. The biggest misconception in the media, in my opinion, is that today's situation can even be compared in any way to the Great Depression. When you look at the facts, we are not anywhere close to where we were in 1929. During the Great Depression, we had 50% foreclosures compared to approximately 2.5% today. Eighty years ago unemployment was at 25%, compared to 6% today. Obviously the economic situation is hugely different. On the flip side, prices of homes are down 50% in many areas, compared to 60% during the Depression. The prices of homes in Phoenix are down a similar percentage to what happened during the Great Depression yet the situation is completely different. What an opportunity to buy low and sell high.

Seize the opportunity of a generation and purchase a Phoenix or Scottsdale home at an unbeatable price. Log on to www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or simply call me. I am happy to help.

Marc Brodeur
Realtor
The Phoenix Experts
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

How President Obama's Housing Plan Will Affect Canadians

2009-02-25T16:55:00.001-08:00

President Obama's recently announced plan to help distressed homeowners will ultimately have an effect on Canadians who want to purchase a home in Phoenix. The plan's purpose is to reduce the number of foreclosures and thus stabilize the housing market. If the plan succeeds in reducing the foreclosures coming onto the market, Canadians will no longer have the huge inventory of cheap foreclosures to choose from. As the foreclosures dry up, the market will readjust and prices will first stabilize and then begin to rise. We have already seen Queen Creek (in SE Phoenix) hit bottom and prices have begun to rise. The plan will accelerate the rebound of the housing market in Phoenix.

If you are interested in taking advantage of the crash of the housing market in Phoenix, your window of opportunity may be slipping away shortly. To start your search for a Phoenix or Scottsdale home contact me at 1-800-300-0263 or www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. Let's get started to find your dream home.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

The President's Plan to Save the Housing Market in Phoenix

2009-02-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

Obama's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is part of the President’s broad, comprehensive strategy to get the economy back on track. The plan will help up to 7 to 9 million families restructure or refinance their mortgages to avoid foreclosure. In doing so, the plan not only helps responsible homeowners on the verge of defaulting, but prevents neighborhoods and communities from being pulled over the edge too. It will enable up to 5 million families to refinance their mortgage to lower their payments through conforming loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. It will allow Judicial Modifications of Home Mortgages During Bankruptcy for Borrowers Who Have Run Out of Options. It will provide $1.5 Billion in Relocation and Other Forms of Assistance to Renters Displaced by Foreclosure and $2 Billion in Neighborhood Stabilization Funds. It will improve the "Flexibility of Hope for Homeowners" and Other FHA Programs to Modify and Refinance At-Risk Borrowers.

The President's plan is to reduce foreclosures and thus stabilize and ultimately strengthen the housing market. Once foreclosures are reduced the prices of homes in Phoenix and Scottsdale will begin to rise.

View currently available Foreclosures on our website www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. Call me to begin your Phoenix home search today. Everyone knows that current real estate prices in Phoenix are only temporary.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor

www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Is Financing STILL Available for Canadians??

2009-02-23T14:45:00.000-08:00

Many Canadians are surprised to to hear that even with the current "credit crisis" in the US, Canadians are still able to get a mortgage to finance their Arizona vacation home. It is true that loan programs and requirements are changing daily. Nevertheless, the major banks here that finance Canadians still have excellent programs for Snowbirds. We work primarily with the US subsidiaries of the Bank of Montreal and the Royal Bank. Both banks can finance your Phoenix vacation home with 30% down, and a 3 year interest rate of approximately 4.875%. Contact us for more information or check out the financing information on our website www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. We are here to help make your dreams a reality.

Marc Brodeur
Realtor Specializing in Phoenix Real Estate for Canadians
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263
Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com

Baseball Cactus League for Canadians

2009-02-22T08:31:00.000-08:00

We're in high season for Canadian snowbirds, and we're about to get even busier. Our baseball Cactus League starts on Wednesday and continues until April 2nd. An estimated 1.5 million fans are expected to attend a Cactus League game. Canadians love to attend the games. You can see major league teams play each other, tickets are cheap and the weather is perfect. Sitting outside in the sunshine, enjoying a cold beer and watching a game is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. There are 14 teams in the Cactus League, boosted by the addition of the LA Dodgers, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. Next year the Cincinnati Reds will also be joining the Cactus League. Watch a fun video of spring training on our website www.ThePhoenixExperts.com at the bottom of our Arizona Videos page.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
Specializing in Phoenix & Scottsdale Real Estate for Canadians
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

One of Our Favorite Scottsdale Communities: Grayhawk

2009-02-20T07:26:00.001-08:00

If you are looking for an upscale Scottsdale lifestyle, I would encourage you to consider Grayhawk. It is a masterplanned community in North Scottsdale. It sits on some of the best real estate in Scottsdale. Grayhawk has condos, townhomes, villas, patio homes and houses to fit every lifestyle and budget. Since the crash of prices, you can get a 1 bedroom loft condo for as little as $100,000. The other end of the spectrum in Grayhawk is a custom home with spectacular golf and mountain views for $3 million. Grayhawk has miles of hiking and biking trails. It has easy access to loop 101 freeway. It is close to the shops and restaurants of Hayden Peak Crossing, Scottsdale One, Scottsdale 101, Market Street and more. Grayhawk Golf Club boasts 2 award winning golf courses - The Raptor and Talon Courses. It is the home of the Fry's Open professional golf tournament and is less than 1 mile to all the action of the Phoenix Open at the PGA Tournament Players Club. The Quill Creek Cafe at the Grayhawk Golf Club is one of my favorite restaurants in all of North Scottsdale with perfect golf, lake and mountain views on the patio. Grayhawk is a great community overall and the prices are currently exceptional for this North Scottsdale location!

The Importance of Being Decisive When Looking At Foreclosures

2009-02-18T14:19:00.001-08:00

The foreclosure market in Phoenix is moving FAST right now. The word is out that our market is almost at the bottom and foreclosures are insanely cheap. It seems that everyone is suddenly here to buy a foreclosure property. Months ago, foreclosures would sit on the market for weeks or months before being bought. Since, there was less activity and interest, the bank would entertain offers 10% or more below list price. Since December, the best foreclosures are snapped up within days of being put on the market. There is usually MULTIPLE bidders. This creates a bidding war situation where each buyer is told by the bank to give their "highest and best offer". They look at all offers together rather than negotiating with the person who give the first offer (which used to be the norm). As a result, foreclosures have been selling for 99.7% of list price. Some go over list price, some go under.

When you see a foreclosed property that interests you, it is in your best interest to make an offer. If you wait, another more decisive buyer will get the deal. You will have 2-3 days during negotiations, and 10 days after your offer is accepted to thoroughly weigh all the options and determine whether it is the right purchase for you. You can change your mind and get your deposit back at anytime during this inspection period.

We are foreclosure experts. See more information and view foreclosure properties on our Foreclosure Deals page at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or call us at 1-800-300-0263 to start your search for a foreclosure.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Beware of Home Auctions in Arizona!

2009-02-13T15:58:00.001-08:00

Many people are enticed by the ads they see for home auctions. More and more auctions are being held on a regular basis in Arizona. Ads will show a photo of a beautiful mansion with a huge banner across it - "$50,000 Opening Bid". Keep in mind, If It's Too Good To Be True It Probably Is. There are many potential problems with buying a home at an auction.

Many homes at auction are sold for current market value - rarely are you getting a spectacular deal.
If you purchase a home at auction you are responsible for also paying the Auctioneers Fee which is usually 5% of the price of the home.
The prices listed in advertisements as the opening bid ($50,000 etc) are not what the homes sell for. Most homes have a minimum reserve price that must be met in order to sell. Even if it is an absolute auction without a minimum reserve, many sellers just pull the plug on the auction if market value is not reached - this is legal in Arizona.
Often you are not even able to look inside the home. It is extremely rare to be able to have an inspection done on the home. You have no way to know if the air conditioning, furnace or appliance work, if there is termites or mold, etc.
If your bid is accepted at auction you are legally bound to buy the home. No inspection period and no refunds of your deposit.
Arizona has no regulations on home auctions! Tactics to manipulate bidders are legal in Arizona. Sellers can legally manipulate bidders with Ghost Bidding (where the auctioneer pretends to accept bids) and Shill Bidding (where an agent of the seller poses as a bidder to drive up the price and foster competition among legitimate bidders). This is difficult to believe but true!! Here is a link to an excellent article on home auctions in the Arizona Republic.
Most people attending home auctions are inexperienced with the auction process and can easily get carried away with all of "the excitement".

Looking for an excellent deal? We can help you find a great REO foreclosure property, below market value. It doesn't get any better than that. Foreclosures give you the flexibility of a 10 day inspection period and a fully refundable deposit during the 10 days. Check out current foreclosure deals at our website www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. Don't foolishly buy a home at auction without a full inspection and appraisal.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Comparing Today with The Great Depression

2009-02-09T11:44:00.001-08:00

I love it when people compare the current situation with the Great Depression because it makes it even more obvious what an incredible opportunity it is to buy real estate at today's prices. The biggest misconception in the media, in my opinion, is that today's situation can even be compared in any way to the Great Depression. When you look at the facts, we are not anywhere close to where we were in 1929. During the Great Depression, we had 50% foreclosures compared to approximately 2.5% today. Eighty years ago unemployment was at 25%, compared to 6% today. Obviously the economic situation is hugely different. On the flip side, prices of homes are down 50% in many areas, compared to 60% during the Depression. The prices of homes in Phoenix are down a similar percentage to what happened during the Great Depression yet the situation is completely different. What an opportunity to buy low and sell high.

To seize the opportunity of a generation and purchase a Phoenix or Scottsdale home at an unbeatable price, log on to www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or simply call me at 1-800-300-0263. I am happy to help.

Marc Brodeur
Realtor
The Phoenix Experts
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Looking for a Foreclosure?

2009-02-06T07:42:00.000-08:00

Bank foreclosures are often a great way to get a fantastic deal on a home. If you're the type of person who recognizes what a great investment some of these properties could represent, you will be interested in our free foreclosure email alerts. We have a new free computerized service which automatically searches out all new foreclosures every day. When you register for this no-obligation service, you are alerted whenever a new foreclosure in the price range and area you are interested in hits the market. This service saves you a lot of time and research. This information will give you a huge advantage over other buyers in the marketplace. As I've said before in this blog, the very best foreclosure deals are gone within 2-3 of hitting the market. If you don't have the most current information you are missing the best deals.

You can request foreclosure email alerts by simply clicking Foreclosure Home Finder Service and filling out the information on the type of home and price range you are looking for. Specify in the comments section that you want to see only foreclosures. It's that simple!

The Phoenix Experts are foreclosure experts. We can negotiate with the bank to get you the very best deal. See more foreclosure information at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Current Financing Rates For Canadians

2009-02-04T09:53:00.000-08:00

There are many US banks that will give financing to Canadians to purchase a vacation home in Arizona. It is done all the time. We work closely with a local bank that is a subsidiary of the Bank of Montreal. It has a special Snowbird Mortgage Program. To buy a vacation home in Arizona they only require 20-30% down. Rates are approximately 4.875% for a 3 year fixed mortgage or 5.25% for a 5 year mortgage. Rates change daily but you can see what a great deal they have for Canadians. There is absolutely no pre-payment penalties if you pay if off early. Current Bank of Montreal clients save even more because the application fee is waived. Many Canadians who believe the Canadian dollar will recover are financing and buying now. They are taking advantage of the low interest rates and enjoying the perfect winter and spring weather this year, rather than putting their dreams on hold. When the Canadian dollar recovers they will simply pay it down at that time. It is an excellent way to begin living the life you deserve.

Interested in more information about financing? Contact us for more details or check out our website www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
We Are Dedicated to Canadians Clients

Come With Us on a Foreclosure Tour!

2009-02-03T15:11:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a great deal on a property in gorgeous Scottsdale, join us for the inside scoop on the latest foreclosed properties to hit the market. There will be approximately 7 homes featured on each tour depending on available inventory that week. We can individualize your tour to feature properties in your target price range and type of home desired. To sign up for a foreclosure tour you should be planning to buy within the next 2 months and you must already be pre-approved for your loan. The reason for this is that the foreclosure market is moving VERY fast right now. There has been a huge surge in foreclosure sales since December. The best foreclosures sell quickly within a few days of being put on the market. As a result, the available inventory of properties changes quickly - so you need to be ready to jump! Email us to sign up for a personalized foreclosure tour or call 1-800-300-0263.

View available foreclosures and learn more about buying a foreclosure on our Foreclosure Deals page of www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. We are foreclosure experts in Scottsdale and Phoenix.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Separating Fact From Fiction

2009-02-02T14:40:00.001-08:00

The rumor mill in Canada tends to exaggerate the state of the Arizona real estate market. Yes, Arizona real estate is ON SALE currently. Not just any sale, but a HUGE SALE. You can currently buy homes for 50% off of the prices two years ago. I have even seen some homes go for 55% off. This is a fantastic deal by anyone's standards. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to get into a beautiful home in Phoenix or Scottsdale. This is also a great investment opportunity to buy LOW (way low) with the plan to SELL HIGH in the future. This is the current reality of the market in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

When you hear absurd stories about people buying a 1.2 million dollar house for $250,000 in Phoenix these days you need to realize that is an exaggeration. That is simply not a true story. Do you really believe you can get a house for 80% off?? Perhaps the story teller meant that the house would be worth 1.2 million in Calgary or something like that. Then the story was passed along without that part. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Take advantage of home prices HALF OFF and grab the opportunity of a lifetime. Call me about how you can easily buy the home of your dreams. Financing is available for Canadians.

Marc Brodeur
Realtor, The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Wish Us Luck at the Super Bowl!

2009-02-01T07:21:00.000-08:00

Good luck today to the Arizona Cardinals at the Super Bowl. Our hometown team made it to the Super Bowl against all odds. No one thought a few years ago that they would ever be Super Bowl contenders. Now we have a gorgeous new football stadium and a great team. If you haven't seen our new hockey arena and football stadium you must see them. They are next to each other in Glendale at Westgate. Westgate is an huge entertainment complex with the 2 stadiums, hotels, restaurants, shops and more.

My Canadian blood doesn't let me get too excited about football. Frankly I'd rather see the Stanley Cup make it to Phoenix than the Super Bowl. Maybe the Phoenix Coyotes will pull off a miracle like the Arizona Cardinals and make it to the playoffs some year.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Wealth Through Foreclosures

2009-01-31T15:44:00.000-08:00

It's not too late to invest in Arizona through foreclosures. Foreclosures are being bought up quickly but new foreclosure properties are coming on the market daily. Register for our Home Finder Service and specify that you want a foreclosure. We'll email you unlimited access to all Arizona bank owned deals. Get homes sent to you by email as soon as they hit the market. Get a jump on your competition and receive instant email updates as soon as a new foreclosure becomes available. If you would like help finding next investment property, call us at 1-800-300-0263. Foreclosures are a great investment to help you build your wealth.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Why The Smart People are Buying Homes Now

2009-01-30T10:04:00.000-08:00

It is interesting what types of people are purchasing homes from us these days. Most of our current clients are highly educated entrepreneurs, professionals, doctors or retirees with high levels of financial experience. They are not necessarily the most affluent group, but rather the most educated group. Less educated or less sophisticated people are not buying during this so called economic crisis. It is the well educated, sophisticated buyers who know that this price correction is temporary. There's a lot of doom and gloom being spread in the media about the housing market and overall turbulent economy. The sophisticated buyer knows that this is the perfect time to "buy low and sell high". They want to take advantage of falling housing prices to strengthen their financial portfolio. Anyone who has good credit and a small down payment can get a loan with one of our lenders and purchase real estate in Phoenix.

Interested in buying Phoenix or Scottsdale real estate? We can help you get financing, find your perfect investment or vacation home, and make your dream a reality! View our website www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Comparing Arizona and BC Taxes

2009-01-28T19:55:00.000-08:00

Arizona is extremely tax friendly to Canadians. Our clients from BC are usually elated to find out that Arizona does not have any real estate transfer tax. Currently in BC when you sell a property you must pay a substantial real estate transfer tax. BC residents pay 1% of the fair market value up to $200,000, plus 2% on the portion of the fair market value that is greater than $200,000. For a $400,000 home (a shack in BC and a mansion in Phoenix) you would pay $6000 tax. During the last state election, the citizens of Arizona passed a state constitutional ban on real estate transfer taxes - so rest assured there are no changes in the future to this policy. When you compare BC and Arizona, Arizona is the clear winner - lower home prices and no transfer tax!

We are dedicated to clients from Canada. We are originally from Canada so clearly understand Canadian cross border issues. Please feel free to email me with any questions or contact me through www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Who Will Care For My Phoenix Home When I Am In Canada?

2009-01-26T11:01:00.000-08:00

Many Canadian clients are concerned about who will help them take care of their Phoenix home when they are back in Canada. No need to worry! There are many many service professionals who can help. We can refer you to Property Caretakers, Pool Cleaners, Landscapers, House cleaners, Security Companies etc that we know and trust. These people will watch your home, clean your yard or pool, clean the home between guests or seasonal renters, and keep your home safe and secure. The Property Caretakers perform a great range of services including checking on the inside and outside of the home, starting the appliances, running the water or whatever you want them to do. Most Property Caretakers charge about $50 per visit and will go as often as you wish (twice/month, once/month etc).

Contact me for my list of service professionals that I highly recommend. I am always happy to help. Also check out www.ThePhoenixExperts.com for answers to more frequently asked questions by Canadians.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Are Foreclosure Prices Negotiable?

2009-01-24T07:07:00.000-08:00

Yes, you can negotiate on a foreclosure - but usually not by very much. The housing market in Phoenix has changed considerably in the last 6 months. Last year you could realistically offer 10-15% below list price for a foreclosure and expect to get it. These days the sharks are out! The word is out that homes in Arizona are crazy cheap and the sharks are out. Everyone is trying to buy a foreclosure suddenly. The best foreclosures - those that are clean, with appliances and in "move in" condition - sell within 2-3 days of being put on the market. They generally have multiple bidders and sell for list price or very close to list price. It is no longer possible to get a good foreclosure for much less than list price. Of the last 10 foreclosures we have put bids on during the past 2 months, 90% of those homes ended up with multiple bidding wars between the buyers. Luckily many of those bidders put in unrealistically low offers so our clients were often the winning bidder with a realistic price. Most foreclosures are priced at 50-60% off the previous purchase price. So paying full list price, you are still getting the deal of the century. That is the big picture you need to keep in mind when making your bid. Those bidders who want it even less are just unrealistic and will not be successful in the end.

We are foreclosure specialists. We sell more foreclosures in a month than most Realtors in Phoenix sell in a year. Check out our foreclosure deals page on www.ThePhoenixExperts.com for more information about foreclosures currently available.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Do I Really Need a Passport to Go to the US?

2009-01-23T08:07:00.000-08:00

Many Canadians ask us whether they really need a passport to enter the US these days. If you fly into to the US, you do need a valid passport. If you drive into the US, you can enter with only your birth certificate and drivers license for 6 more months. Starting June 1, 2009, U.S. law will require Canadians to present a valid passport to enter the United States by water or land. What a difference this is from when I was a kid in Alberta and we would hop back and forth across the border with NO id whatsoever. Times sure have changed.

Apply for your passport today to ensure you have it when you need it. We all know how long it takes for Passport Canada to process the application and get you your passport.

We specialize in helping Canadians purchase homes in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Call us with any questions.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Is the Sky Really Falling?

2009-01-21T14:09:00.000-08:00

It is easy to think the world is coming to an end as we know it…or at least, the sky is falling…when your pick up a newspaper, listen to the news or logon to the Internet. Yes, we are experiencing troubling economic times, but how do we separate fact from fiction and know if now is the time to consider investing in Phoenix real estate. Listening to all the hype in the media you would think the sky is falling. The fact is, real estate in Phoenix is on sale...not just any sale but this is a HUGE SALE. Prices are down 50% in many areas. I have seen may properties go for 55-60% less than last purchase price!! The deals are everywhere. While I have no crystal ball about whether we are at the bottom, I can definitely say we are close. Home sales are way up. December had a huge increase in pending sales over November. That never happens. December is usually quite slow during the holidays. I believe, rather I know, that this is an excellent time to invest in Phoenix real estate. We all know that buying low and selling high is the way to make money. We all know that this current economic situation will not last forever and Phoenix real estate prices will return to the premium levels seen previously. The fact is foreclosures are already slowing down with all of the homeowner bail out packages currently available. We have seen temporary market corrections before, this is nothing different.

Search resales, foreclosures and more at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. Check out our "Foreclosures" and "Prices Are Down" pages for more statistical information on the current housing market in Phoenix. To take advantage of the current sale prices on Phoenix and Scottsdale real estate, just call me and we'll get started to find you a great deal.

Marc Brodeur
Realtor
The Phoenix Experts
Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Eliminate Those Exchange Rate Blues

2009-01-20T13:31:00.000-08:00

The best way to eliminate the regret of not converting your Canadian money when the rate was higher is to start to move your money into US funds on a systematic basis through a foreign exchange company. We work with an international foreign exchange company in Edmonton that can set up systematic exchanges as the dollar hits pre-determined prices. For example, the dollar is currently about 84 cents. You could tell them to exchange $10,ooo, $20,000, $25,000 or any specific amount every time it goes up a penny. So for the split second instant it hits 85 cents, 86 cents etc your money is exchanged. This is very similar to a limit order on the stock market. By taking action and taking control you avoid currency speculation and the ritual guessing game of which way the Canadian dollar is going. Leave it to the pros.

We are dedicated to serving Canadians interested in Phoenix and Scottsdale real estate. Call us with all of your questions. We are here to help you get the best deal on all aspects of the transaction. For more information pertinent to Canadians see the Info For Canadians page on our website www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

We're Going to the Superbowl!!

2009-01-19T18:53:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to our Arizona Cardinals on their incredible win yesterday! All of Phoenix is buzzing over the Arizona Cardinals going to the upcoming Superbowl.

Phoenix is a true sports town. We have teams in all major sports:
Hockey (my favorite): the Phoenix Coyotes coached by Wayne Gretzky
Football: the Arizona Cardinals
Baseball: the Arizona Diamondbacks
Basketball: the Phoenix Suns

We also have Nascar Racing, the Phoenix Open Golf Tournament, the Cactus League Spring Training and much much more. Phoenix is truly a mecca for sports lovers.

Interested in Phoenix real estate? Quickly search all homes and condos at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or give us a call. We are here to help.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

The Differences Between Canadian & US Mortgages

2009-01-18T18:29:00.000-08:00

Many clients ask us if they get a mortgage in the US, how will it be different than the mortgage they have back home? The biggest difference is obviously that it will be in US dollars. If you earn Canadian dollars and you are paying back your mortgage in US dollars, your mortgage payment will fluctuate as the currency fluctuates. This could be an advantage or disadvantage. Some of our more optimistic clients who think the Canadian dollar is going back up, but want to buy now, are buying with a US mortgage. As the Canadian dollar goes up, their US mortgage payment effectively goes down.

Another difference with US and Canada mortgages is the amortization. In Canada a mortgage is typically amortized over 25 years, in the US it is 30 years. In the US you can also lock in your interest rate for all 30 years, while in Canada a 10 year fixed rate is more common.

We would be happy to refer you to several local lenders with special programs for Canadians purchasing real estate in the US or look at our Financing page on www.ThePhoenixExperts.com We are dedicated to serving Canadians interested in Phoenix and Scottsdale real estate.

Marc Brodeur
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

How Long Can Canadians Visit the US?

2009-01-17T11:23:00.001-08:00

Canadian visitors can stay in the US for up to 6 consecutive months without a visa. If you wish, you can also break up those 6 months into multiple trips throughout the year. Extensions to the six-month limit may be granted for medical reasons by the US immigration service. So if you purchase a home here in Arizona you can enjoy our beautiful weather for an entire 6 months every year without any immigration issues. If you wish to retire here and stay longer than 6 months every year, you will need to apply for permanent residency or a visa through a immigration lawyer. We can refer you to local immigration lawyers who can help your dream become a reality. Just call us for more information.

Are you a Canadian interested in Phoenix or Scottsdale real estate? Visit www.ThePhoenixExperts.com for more information for Canadians about purchasing real estate in the US.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Our Contractors Work Magic!

2009-01-16T13:44:00.000-08:00

It is completely understandable that the typical Canadian client who purchases a condo or home here in Phoenix wants to buy that property in perfect condition. After all, you are living 2000 miles away and can't oversee renovations personally. The reality of the situation, however, is that many times you will get a much better deal on a property that is in need of a little TLC or updating. We have excellent contractors that we have worked with for years that can help turn your property into your perfect vision. Many of our clients have literally arranged for renovations with a single phone call to our suggested contractors. These contractors do not work for the Phoenix Experts. Rather they are independent professionals we have been lucky enough to get to know over the years. We fully trust their abilities and know they are honest. Let us know what type of work you want done and we will tell you who to call. It's that simple. Services include painting, drywall work, tiling, granite counters, whole kitchen renovations, room additions, plumbing, electrical and much much more. Simply contact me for a list of my best contractors. Together we can turn your house into a home.

Thinking of buying Phoenix or Scottsdale real estate? Visit www.ThePhoenixExperts.com to search all available homes or give me a call. I'm glad to help!

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Can Canadians Get US Mortgages?

2009-01-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

YES! We work with several lenders here in Phoenix that lend to Canadians all the time. Bank of Montreal and Royal Bank of Canada both have subsidiary banks in the US with special loan programs for Canadians buying real estate in the US. There are also large US banks with similar programs. No US social security number or credit report is required. All you need is 20-30% down and good Canadian credit. We would be happy to refer you to the mortgage specialists in Phoenix that we work with regularly. Just contact us for more information or look at our Financing page at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

We are dedicated to serving Canadians who want to buy homes in Phoenix or Scottsdale.

Marc Brodeur
Realtor
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Do You Have the Exchange Rate Blues?

2009-01-13T09:07:00.000-08:00

I speak with many Canadians who commiserate with me that "...if only they exchanged their money when it was par...". I can understand the feeling of regret for not acting sooner, but I always tell fellow Canadians to look at the big picture. Historically for the past 25 years the Canadian dollar has hovered around 65 cents. We are currently close to 85 cents! This is still an excellent exchange rate. The short lived time that our Canadian dollar was par to American dollar has come and gone. I highly doubt it will happen again during this decade. I personally think people are fooling themselves if they think it will happen again anytime soon.

Many prospective home buyers tell me that they will wait until the Canadian dollar comes back up. Well while they are waiting for the Canadian dollar to come back up, the price of Phoenix homes will probably also start going back up. We are seeing a big change in the Phoenix real estate market. Homes are moving much faster, sales are way up and foreclosures are drying up thanks to federal assistance programs. If you sit on the fence, the opportunity to buy a cheap home in Phoenix with a good exchange rate, may just pass you by.

Let us help you find you a great deal on a Phoenix or Scottsdale home. Start your search now at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Resort Style Golf Communities

2009-01-12T07:42:00.000-08:00

Many Canadians ask us for homes or condos to look at which are in "golf communities". This means different things to different people. The term "golf community" is very loosely used in the Phoenix and Scottsdale MLS system. You can describe your property as having "golf amenities" or as being in a "golf community" if a golf course is in the general vicinity. There are over 150 golf courses in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area. As a result, almost every home is within a reasonable distance to a golf course. Many sellers indicate on the mls that their house is in a "golf community". In reality, the golf course is down the road and around the corner. If golf course proximity is important to you, we can help filter out the pretenders from those homes which are in true golf communities where you will be living surrounded by lush fairways. We are very familiar with the best resort style golf communities in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Let us help you live the lifestyle you have always dreamed about. Your golf home is waiting for you in Scottsdale or Phoenix! Check out www.ThePhoenixExperts.com for all golf condos and homes currently available.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

How Much Money Should I Bring When I Go To Arizona To Buy A Home?

2009-01-11T20:40:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not - NONE! You do not need to put down any money with your offer, only the proof of funds which I discussed in my last blog. Once your offer is accepted (usually a day or two later depending on negotiations) then you will need to put down a refundable earnest deposit. This is usually $3000-10,000. That can be wired or a certified check can be sent from your bank in Canada. In general, you do not need to bring any money with you during your house buying trip. All funds can be transferred from Canada during the transaction after your offer is accepted.

We specialize in helping Canadians buy their dream homes in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Visit www.ThePhoenixExperts.com to search all available homes or give me a call. I'm glad to help!

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

What Documents Should I Bring When I Go to Arizona To Buy A Home?

2009-01-09T10:12:00.001-08:00

Bring Your Proof of Funds

If you are making a trip to Phoenix to purchase a home, you will need to bring with you one very important document: Proof of Funds. The home buying process in Arizona is a little different than in Canada. When we find your dream home and you want to make an offer on it, you need to provide with the offer some sort of proof that you are financially able to complete the transaction. Sellers in Arizona will not even look at an offer without proof of funds. This can be a copy of an open HELOC with credit available, open personal line of credit, bank statement with cash in the account, investment account statement, etc. A letter from your bank in Canada that you have the funds available may suffice, although I have seen these rejected on rare occasions.

We are dedicated to serving Canadians interested in Phoenix or Scottsdale homes. Call us with all of your questions or contact us through www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Canadian Dollar Going Back Up!

2009-01-09T10:04:00.000-08:00

The Canadian Dollar has improved significantly during the past month from a low of 77 cents. It is currently at approximately 84 cents. That is a huge jump in one month. This will make a big difference when considering the purchase of a home in Phoenix. The price of a $200,000 US home in Phoenix, is approximately $20,000 cheaper for Canadians this week, than it was 4 weeks ago.

We are dedicated to serving Canadians interested in Phoenix or Scottsdale real estate. Go to www.ThePhoenixExperts.com for more information about currency exchange options for Canadians when purchasing a Phoenix property. Call us for all of your real estate questions. We are happy to help.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Ways to Get the Best Exchange Rate

2008-12-30T12:26:00.000-08:00

When you convert large sums of Canadian dollars into American dollars for the purchase of your Phoenix home, it is always a good idea to go through a foreign exchange company, rather than your local bank. A foreign exchange company will be able to get you a better rate 99% of the time. As a result, you can save thousands of dollars. We work closely with a global foreign exchange company with headquarters in Edmonton. They have several ways to get a great rate:

Spot Contracts

This is buying currency immediately, or ‘on the spot’. If you need your currency as soon as possible a Spot Contract is the answer. You can agree to a price over the telephone, and they purchase the currency on your behalf that day. They watch the currency fluctuations throughout the day and attempt to get you the best rate of the day (banks simply exchange all funds at the same time every day, regardless of the fluctuations within the day).

Forward Contracts

This is essentially a ‘buy now, pay later’ contract where a client can fix a rate based on today’s price for a future date. For example, if you have decided to purchase a house within a few weeks or months you may not want to watch the value of the payment changing each day as the currency rates fluctuate. If you want to know exactly what it is going to cost when you need it, you could simply enter into a Forward Contract until the date you needed the US funds, and fix it at today’s price. You need to put down a 10% deposit to secure the rate. When you want the funds delivered, you pay the remaining 90%. In the meantime you can rest assured that you know exactly what the payment will be and you are not at the mercy of the markets.

Market Orders

This is similar to a market order on the stock market. You determine at what exchange rate you are willing to buy the US dollars. The foreign exchange company watches the rates fluctuate and as soon as your target is reached the US dollars will be bought on your behalf.

Feel free to contact me for more information about foreign exchange companies. My goal is to save you as much money as possible on the purchase of your new Phoenix home. Find more information about currency exchange and search for your new home in Phoenix or Scottsdale at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Merry Christmas to Everyone Back Home in Canada

2008-12-25T21:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas Greetings! We hope all of our family, friends and clients are having a wonderful Christmas. We are enjoying our Christmas with our two children, however this year it was unusually cold in Scottsdale. It was raining here earlier this morning. We were not able to have Christmas dinner outside by the pool this year. That is our usual Christmas tradition. We even had to wear sweaters and long pants when we went out for a walk after dinner. We hear Canada is also unusually cold and snowy this year as well. Sounds like we are all having a cold snap.

Our warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday and a very prosperous 2009!

Marc Brodeur
1-800-300-0263
Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

The Prices of Golf Homes Have Dropped

2008-12-18T09:27:00.000-08:00

Since the price of Phoenix and Scottsdale real estate has fallen so far, it is now possible to buy a golf home or condo at prices we haven't seen in years. This morning I was doing a search for a client and was shocked to see 4 homes directly on the fairways of the Stonecreek Golf Course for between $330-400,000. Stonecreek is a beautiful course in NE Phoenix. This is one of the very best areas of town. It is next to Paradise Valley Mall and 5 minutes from Scottsdale. There are tons of shops, restaurants and things to do in the area. It is one of my favorite areas of all of Phoenix. If you are considering a golf home, the time is now. These prices won't last for long.

Looking for a Golf property? Visit our Fast MLS Search page at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or give me a call at 1-800-300-0263. I'd be happy to help!

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Are Gated Communities Really More Exclusive?

2008-12-18T09:14:00.000-08:00

Many Canadian clients specifically request to be shown only homes or condos in gated communities. Many Canadians consider gated communities to be more prestigious or exclusive. Perhaps it is the fact that there are so few gated communities in Canada. Only the super elite communities in Canada are gated. There is also a perception that gated communities are more safe. I personally don't think of gated communities as being more exclusive or safe in any way. Cars usually follow each other in through the gates. Some of the most expensive homes in Phoenix and Scottsdale are not gated. I currently live in a gated community in Scottsdale, but have lived in both gated and non-gated communities. I don't see much difference between them. We are happy to show our clients whatever types of homes or communities they are interested in. We are here to help.

Quickly search all gated homes in Phoenix and Scottsdale at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Are There Any Beautiful Foreclosures?

2008-12-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

Yes, foreclosures are available in all property types, price ranges and conditions. It is not only the poor who are being foreclosed on. There are gorgeous vacation resort condos, golf lot homes and even million dollar Scottsdale houses that have been foreclosed. The appearance and condition of foreclosures can be in both extreme ends of the spectrum. We have seen some beautiful foreclosures that are in perfect move in condition. Others are filthy with broken windows, holes in the walls and have been stripped of all appliances etc. The foreclosures which are in the best shape, best areas and best price go quickly within days of being put on the market. If you are serious about purchasing a great foreclosure you need to have your financing in place or cash ready and be wiling to act quickly to jump on the deal.

Check out all the beautiful foreclosures at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

What Level of Service Do You Expect?

2008-12-11T10:48:00.000-08:00

This morning I received, without a shadow of a doubt, the WORST customer service I had ever experienced. (For the sake of your own sanity, I will spare you the details.)

I have the HIGHEST expectation of customer service. When I am a customer, I expect my phone calls and emails returned promptly, pertinent information sent as promised, and then followed up on later to confirm that I received the information and am a happy customer. I have to admit, I would probably be the highest maintenance customer you would ever have. In turn, I therefore pride myself on providing the same great level service to my own customers. Since we specialize in Canadians purchasing real estate in Phoenix and Scottsdale I know that it is even more important to give great customer service. Searching for a home long distance, especially from another country, can be overwhelming and difficult. That is why our team of professionals are dedicated to give the best service possible. We can't be perfect, nor can we please all the people all the time, but we sure try.

Start your Phoenix home search now at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com and let us "wow you" with our service!

Marc Brodeur, Realtor

www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

1-800-300-0263

Advantages of Phoenix Over Palm Springs

2008-12-06T08:21:00.000-08:00

Many Canadians that contact us let us know that they are also considering Palm Springs. There are many advantages of Phoenix over Palm Springs:

1. Phoenix is far superior in the number of direct flights from Canada. Sky Harbor Airport is the 5th largest airport in all of the US. It has direct flights from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto. Most flights to Palm Springs require connections.

2. Phoenix is a larger city and has many more events, activities, restaurants and stores.

3. Phoenix has FOUR major league sports teams. We are one of very few cities in the US with a team in all 4 sports. Phoenix Coyotes (NHL), Arizona Diamondbacks (Baseball), Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Phoenix Suns (NBA). Palm Springs does not have any major league sports. We also have NASCAR racing, the Phoenix Open Golf Tournament and Cactus League baseball spring training.

4. Phoenix has lower real estate prices than Palm Springs. You can get a large house here for the price of a small condo in Palm Springs.

5. Phoenix has lower home insurance rates than Palm Springs. The benefit of no natural disasters in Arizona.

6. Phoenix has lower property taxes than Palm Springs.

7. Arizona does not have a state FIRPTA tax for foreign property owners. California has an additional FIRPTA tax payable by foreigners upon the sale of the property. (Both states are subject to the national FIRPTA tax.)

8. Arizona does not have a real estate transfer tax, unlike California. In fact, Arizona will most likely NEVER have a real estate transfer tax because in the last election in November a proposition was passed that put a prohibition of real estate transfer taxes into the Arizona State Constitution.

When you consider the additional amenities, lower real estate prices and lower taxes: Phoenix is the clear winner! Read more about living the great Phoenix lifestyle on www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. You can also easily search through the entire MLS system and find the home of your dreams.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor

www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

1-800-300-0263

Are Furnished Residences Available?

2008-12-04T14:00:00.001-08:00

Yes, we can find you a beautiful turn-key, fully furnished condo or house. There are several furnished residences and former model homes available. We recently helped a couple from Calgary purchase a fully furnished home in Scottsdale. It included all furniture, bedding, towels, dishes, cups, decorations and accessories. It even included the pool toys and margarita glasses. Everything they could possibly need to enjoy their new luxury vacation home in the sun.

Decorator furnishings are also available through our affiliated Interior Designer. Our Interior Designer can furnish your entire home for you. She will take care of everything right down to the sheets, towels and dishes if you like. We are here to help you in any way that we can. Easily search for your new home at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Now Is the Time to Buy Your Future Retirement Home

2008-12-02T13:58:00.000-08:00

With the crash of Phoenix real estate prices, we are seeing more and more astute Canadians purchasing their retirement homes NOW, even if they are 5-10 years away from retirement. We all know that the current slump in Phoenix prices is only temporary. Arizona has always had a huge draw for retirees with its gorgeous weather, legendary golf, world class spas and shopping, great airport service, healthy economy and a local calendar packed with activities and events. Many Canadians are looking to the future and are buying their retirement homes now. They are renting them temporarily until they are able to retire. In that way, they can take advantage of the huge price drop. Who knows how high prices will bounce up in 5-10 years when they are ready to retire. It may bounce right out of their price ranges. These savvy buyers have peace of mind knowing their home in the sun will be waiting for them when they are ready. What a great idea!

Quickly search all retirement communities at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Are Foreclosure Prices Negotiable?

2008-11-26T10:53:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is possible to negotiate the price of a foreclosure similar to other resales. We are very experienced negotiating with banks for foreclosures. However, whether this will work is dependent on the interest from other buyers. We have seen many foreclosures with multiple bidders. Some of the best foreclosure deals are already priced so significantly below market value that multiple bidders may force the final price above list price. If there is very little interest in a property, we have successfully negotiated discounts of up to 10% off list price. Each situation is unique and depends on many factors. Search all foreclosures at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

What Fees Can I Expect When Buying a Property in Arizona?

2008-11-25T13:52:00.000-08:00

All purchasers, whether Canadian or American, will pay "closing costs" which include a home inspection, termite inspection, appraisal, title insurance, county recording fee and pre-paid taxes. Generally closing costs for people who use financing will be up to 2-3% of purchase price. Cash purchasers pay up to 1/3 less (only 1-2% of purchase price) because if you pay cash you do not have to pay for lenders title insurance. Unlike Canada, lawyers are generally not involved in a residential real estate purchase and thus there are no legal fees to pay. The Title Company acts as the impartial third party to coordinate the transaction and ensure that you get clean title. All Title Company fees are included within the closing costs estimated above.

Have more questions? Look through our Canadian FAQs page on www.ThePhoenixExperts.com or give us a call at 1-800-300-0263. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
1-800-300-0263
Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Renting Your Phoenix Home Part of the Year

2008-11-24T20:44:00.000-08:00

Many Canadians ask us about whether they could rent out their Phoenix home while they are not using it. If you own a condo or home in a popular area it is certainly possible to rent your home as a monthly furnished rental. The high season is November to April. Depending on many factors, you can expect to receive approximately $2 and up/sq ft during high season. So a 1200 sq ft condo would rent for approximately $2400/month during the winter. You are more likely to find visitors who want to rent your home on a monthly basis if it is located in a popular, resort setting and it is well furnished. The home must show well on internet photos in order to attract attention. There are many internet websites where you can advertise your home or local rental companies that you can use. Feel free to call us with any questions or check out our Canadian FAQs page at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

What in the World is a Short Sale?

2008-11-20T08:19:00.000-08:00

Many Canadian clients ask us about Short Sales. It is not a term commonly used in Canada. Short sales are pre-foreclosure situations where the homeowner is about to be foreclosed on and in a last minute attempt to keep the foreclosure off of his credit history they try to sell it. The home is worth less than what he owes on the home. The homeowner must get approval from the bank to sell for less than the mortgage amount and ask the bank forgive the balance of the mortgage. There are thus 3 parties in a foreclosure: seller, buyer and bank. All 3 must approve the sale price. This is usually a very tricky situation. Most short sales do not sell. I have heard up to 80% of short sales never close. Short sales usually do nothing but waste a seller's time and create frustration.

Short sales are handled by a bank's loss mitigation. As you can imagine with the US credit crisis, these departments are completely overwhelmed and understaffed. It can take up to 3 months to get a response from the bank for an offer. During this time you are just left hanging. Most times, after waiting for weeks or months to hear back from the bank about your offer, they simply say no. Banks are often unwilling to accept the below market offer on the home and forgive the balance of the mortgage - are you surprised? This is often the fault of the listing realtor that puts the property on the mls for an unrealistically low price in an attempt to get any offer. Other times, during the process the homeowner just takes off and can't be found. The seller has to sign all the documents to complete the transaction and if he can't be found the deal can't close. Also if the homeowner declares personal bankruptcy, which often happens, that delays the transaction until the bankruptcy is resolved. Other times, there are second mortgages or other liens on the property which have to be negotiated to clean title. During that time period many homes simply go to foreclosure leaving the buyer empty handed.

There are numerous possible problems and pitfalls with short sales. We recommend to our Canadian buyers that if they want a quick, easy super deal they should try to stick to true foreclosures, instead of wading into the murky waters of pre-foreclosures. Please feel free to call me to discuss how to tell the difference on listings between foreclosures and pre-foreclosures. for more information about short sales or to search for Foreclosures check out www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Getting the Best Exchange Rate

2008-11-18T10:31:00.000-08:00

Since the Canadian Dollar has dipped in comparison to the US Dollar, it is more important than ever to get the very best exchange rate possible. Many Canadian buyers simply let their local bank exchange the funds for their Phoenix home purchase. This is such a large purchase that a difference of a few pennies on the exchange rate can equal$2000-6000 or more in savings. That's enough to start furnishing your new home. Don't throw that kind of money away. Proper planning for the exchange of Canadian to US funds is imperative. Foreign exchange companies offer many advantages to your local bank. They watch the markets continually as the exchange rate fluctuates throughout the day. They can choose the best exact moment of the day to make the exchange. The local bank will not do that. They make all of the trade at the same time every day. With a foreign exchange company you can also set a limit order and instruct them to only exchange the funds once the exchange rate reaches a certain price. This is similar to buying a stock at a limit order, rather than market order. You name the price at which you are willing to purchase your US dollars. It places you in control of the situation.

Many of our Canadian clients have used Globex Foreign Exchange in Edmonton, Alberta. We would be happy to refer you to the private client representative that we routinely work with. Please feel free to call or email us for her contact information. Read more about currency exchange options on www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. We are here to help you get the best deal, in all aspects of the transaction.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Update on the Phoenix Market

2008-11-14T07:26:00.000-08:00

Foreclosures are selling rapidly in Phoenix right now. The word is definitely out that Phoenix is a bargain and buyers are coming in strong from California and Canada to pick up the deals. The number of buyers in the west valley is up over 400% since January. Anything under 300k is moving rapidly. Of the last 10 deals that we negotiated under 300k, 8 out of 10 had multiple bidders. When there are multiple bidders on a house the successful buyer is usually the one who puts in an offer just under asking price. If you are putting an offer on a foreclosure you need to be realistic in your purchase price. If you are lucky enough to be the only bidder, it is rare to get more than 10-12% off list price. Usually the banks will negotiate up to 10% off list price. In order to get that 10% they want a cash purchase with a close date as fast as possible (my last foreclosure deal closed in 10 days!).

Let us help you find a great foreclosure and jump on it. We know how to successfully negotiate with the banks to lock in the deal. It is the opportunity of a lifetime.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

You Get What You Pay For

2008-11-13T16:36:00.001-08:00

The old adage "You Get What You Pay For" is very true in real estate. I fully understand it is very difficult to search for a Phoenix home online from Canada. However, if you see houses online that are priced under $100,000 you need to ask yourself why they are priced that way. Generally homes under six figures are in the farthest edges of the city. Living on the edge of the city presents many challenges. The commute into the city is usually fierce. This is a major consideration whether you work here or not. Even if you are only coming as a snowbird to enjoy the weather, you will still have to leave your home to shop, get gas, for entertainment and to go restaurants. If there is a lack of basic grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants etc you will still have to fight the traffic to get to those places. Communities such as Maricopa and Queen Creek are exburbs, not suburbs. They are practically out in the desert on the way to Tucson. There are no decent freeways in that area. All the roads are congested 24-7 from what I hear. This affects not only whether you enjoy your home, but also future appreciation and investment potential. If locals don't want to live there, you will have a difficult time selling your home in the future. Please feel free to call me to discuss the local areas and what community might suit you best. We are here to help. We want to help you find the perfect vacation, retirement or investment home.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

The Best Month to Buy a Home in Phoenix

2008-11-12T19:56:00.000-08:00

According to statistics, December is the single best month to buy a home. December has the lowest number of properties going into escrow. Most people are preoccupied by the holidays and put aside house shopping until after the new year. That simply means there are less buyers in December. Sellers get desperate in December when the number of buyers in the market dry up. People who make offers on homes in December have less competition and sellers are much more receptive to any and all offers. If you are seriously considering purchasing a home in Phoenix or Scottsdale this winter, try to do it in December. You could save a lot of money. Feel free to contact me about Phoenix or Scottsdale real estate. Live the lifestyle you deserve!

Marc Brodeur, Realtor

www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

1-800-300-0263

Phoenix Housing Market Changing Rapidly

2008-11-11T07:12:00.000-08:00

The Phoenix real estate market is shifting rapidly! September 2008 had the highest number of homes sold in over 30 months according to Arizona Regional MLS! There is a significant upward trend of the number of homes sold. The number of homes pending (under contract, waiting to close) is currently the highest it has been in 3 years.

The latest statistics on Phoenix real estate show the market is heading towards a normal market from a buyers market. A normal market is 7 or less months of inventory. We are now below 9 months of inventory. This is only the second time since 2006 that we are below 9 months of inventory.

Phoenix should be back to a normal market by the second quarter of 2009 at the latest, if the current trend continues. The homeowner's bail out bill signed by President Bush should further help to stabilize the housing market. Don't wait too long to take advantage of the cheap home prices we still have in Phoenix!

If you have any questions about the Metro Phoenix Real Estate Market, please feel free to call Marc Brodeur at 1-877-832-3328.

	New Listings	Active Listings	Sold Listings	Months Inventory
Sep/2008	14,034	54,651	6,187	8.83
Aug/2008	13,588	55,107	5,639	9.77
Jul/2008	13,527	55,808	5,906	9.45
Jun/2008	13,558	57,208	5,694	10.05
May/2008	13,062	59,060	5,598	10.55
Apr/2008	13,827	60,136	4,808	12.51
Mar/2008	13,521	59,862	4,257	14.06
Feb/2008	13,068	59,410	3,415	17.40
Jan/2008	16,059	56,921	2,870	19.83
Dec/2007	8,976	58,569	3,342	17.53
Nov/2007	11,670	60,583	3,314	18.28
Oct/2007	14,262	60,505	3,422	17.68
Sep/2007	12,921	59,574	3,377	17.64
Aug/2007	14,844	58,823	4,307	13.66
Jul/2007	13,890	57,563	4,686	12.28
Jun/2007	14,335	57,506	5,401	10.65
May/2007	14,820	56,672	5,772	9.82
Apr/2007	15,269	54,993	5,475	10.04
Mar/2007	16,606	52,328	5,906	8.86
Feb/2007	13,707	50,123	4,884	10.26
Jan/2007	15,944	47,277	4,352	10.86
Dec/2006	8,649	48,128	5,325	9.04
Nov/2006	11,416	50,639	5,323	9.51
Oct/2006	13,822	51,295	5,548	9.25

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Foreclosure Deals

2008-11-10T14:10:00.001-08:00

I receive emails from clients daily about foreclosures that they saw on their personal web pages (custom searches made for each client with our free Home Finder Service). They often want to know if this deal is "for real" because it seems to good to be true. That's the beauty of many foreclosures. They are priced so low at fire sale prices that they are almost too good to be true. That is exactly the reason many foreclosures are snapped up by "on the ball" buyers within a few days of being put on the mls. The best deals go fast. I know the rumor mill in Canada may be behind and you may be getting the impression that homes just sit on the market for months and months in Phoenix. That is absolutely true for homes that are not priced well. Nothing will move a home if it is over priced. The real deals, however, sell within days. If you want to take advantage of a super foreclosure deal it is essential that you have all your ducks in a row and are able to act quickly. This means you need to have your financing or cash ready. You also need to be able to get down to Phoenix quickly if you see something that you want to make an offer on. Like they say, The Early Bird Gets the Worm!

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Purchasing a Foreclosure

2008-11-06T13:35:00.001-08:00

The process of purchasing a foreclosure is similar to the process of buying a regular resale home with a few important differences. The most significant difference is all foreclosures are sold AS-IS. The bank that owns the property will not do any repairs prior to close of escrow. As a prospective purchaser you still hire a home inspector to do an full inspection of the property. The inspector will give you an extensive report with photos of any potential problems. Once the inspection has been done you have the option within your inspection period (which is usually 10 days) to either continue with the transaction and purchase the property as-is, OR refuse the property due to the results of the inspections and get your deposit back. Most problems with foreclosures are cosmetic issues that can be easily fixed. The inspection and 10 day walk period will give you peace of mind.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-877-832-3328

Arizona Continues to be Tax-Friendly for Canadians

2008-11-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the big election day here in the US. The citizens of Arizona passed an amendment to the state constitution banning real estate transfer taxes in the future. Just another example of how tax-friendly Arizona is. Thirty five states have real estate transfer taxes. They range from 0.1 to 2.2% of the sale price which goes directly to the state. Many Canadians fail to realize how many additional taxes there are in other states. For example California also has an additional state FRPTA tax on the sale of real estate which is just for foreign residents. Property taxes also vary widely from state to state. Florida, California and Texas have enormous property taxes compared to Arizona. In Arizona, we have NO real estate transfer tax, NO state FRPTA tax and LOW property taxes.

Marc Brodeur
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Maintaining a House Long Distance

2008-11-04T13:07:00.000-08:00

Most Canadian purchasers are torn between buying a house or a condo. They love the idea of having the extra square footage, private yard, garage and possible private pool of a house but also love the "lock-and-leave" lifestyle of a condo. It is a very personal decision. I am often asked about the extra costs of maintaining a house. A landscaping service is usually $80-90/month. Depending on the yard, you may need a landscaper as a regular monthly service. If the yard is "xeriscaped" which means it has only desert plants and cactus, you may be able to get away with only getting landscaping service 4-6x per year. Even with rocks, desert plants and cactus, we still get plenty of weeds that need to be controlled and the plants need to be trimmed back. A swimming pool definitely requires monthly maintenance (twice per month in the summer due to the heat). Most pool companies charge $90 per month including labor and chemicals. I am often asked by Canadians if they can just drain the pool when they are not here. Unfortunately no, the heat will damage the plaster or pebbletec. If left without water all summer the bottom of the pool may crack. A property caretaker or concierge service can check your house regularly as discussed in my last blog. A security system is usually $300-400 to install and then $40/month for monitoring. If someone breaks in the security company will alert the police and will also call you or a local contact. This gives most people peace of mind. I always recommend getting to know the neighbors as well. Having the next door neighbor keep an eye on your house can be the best security available. Feel free to call or email me for a list of my favorite landscapers, pool companies, security companies, property caretakers etc. We are here to help!

Marc Brodeur, REALTOR
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Property Caretakers for Canadian Owners

2008-11-02T18:31:00.000-08:00

There are several property caretaker services in Phoenix for Canadian property owners. These companies will take care of your home while you are out of town. Most of the services charge $25-40 per visit and will go to your home as often as you wish. Many people hire them to check their homes 1-2x per month. These services will do whatever you wish while they are at your home. They can check on the condition of the property, run the water, start the appliances, check to make sure the pool and landscaping maintenance companies are doing their jobs properly, verify the security system is functioning, etc. They can also meet contractors or maintenance crews, arrange cleaning or repairs, pick up packages and start vehicles. They are similar to a concierge service in many ways. We would be happy to refer you to our favorite property caretaker services. They are bonded, insured and extremely reliable.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Making Travel Plans to Look at Phoenix Real Estate

2008-10-31T13:36:00.000-07:00

I've spoken to many clients over the last few days who are just starting to make their travel plans to visit Phoenix for the purpose of looking at real estate. My advice is always book soon! The winter season is, of course, our high season and the best rentals and flights go fast. The more time in advance that you can make your plans the better. If you need any referrals to local long term furnished rentals (by the week or month) please feel free to call my wife, Carmen, at 1-877-832-3328. She helps many of our clients find the best rental deals in Scottsdale. She knows all the great deals.

Marc Brodeur
Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Financing Options for Canadians

2008-10-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

Within the last few years it has become quite easy for Canadians to get a mortgage from a US bank to purchase a vacation home in Arizona. Several years ago this was unheard of. Now Canadians with good credit can get a US mortgage with 20-30% down. Interest rates are aproximately 6-7% and can be locked in for up to 30 years. Most of our clients, however, choose to finance their Phoenix homes through Canada. Canadian banks will not give you a regular mortgage for a US home, because they are unable to foreclose on that home if you fail to pay the mortgage. They will however, lend you money as a personal line of credit or through a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to purchase a vacation home. The benefits of financing in Canada and then paying cash for the home in Phoenix is financial security. You have locked in the exchange rate and your monthly payment. As the currency fluctuates (which we have seen in the extreme during the past month) your monthly payment does not change. If you took a US mortgage and was paying back your US mortgage with Canadian dollars, the monthly payment would effectively go up every month that the Canadian dollar went down. We can refer you to mortgage professionals in both Calgary and Edmonton. Please feel free to contact us for referrals.

Marc Brodeur
Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Gated Communities for Canadian Snowbirds

2008-10-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

Most Canadians who call us about purchasing a home in the Phoenix area immediately say they want a gated community. Gated Communities have both pros and cons. It is our experience that most people want to buy in a gated community because of the perceived level of security. Unfortunately, that is all it provides - a PERCEPTION of security. Cars simply follow each other through the gates without proper access. There really is very little extra security provided by gates. Security does increase substantially with MANNED gated (ie: a security guard standing at the gate 24 hrs per day) but most of those communities are exorbitantly expensive. A gate provides very little increased security. A gate also costs more for your home owners association monthly fee. Gated communities will cost you a higher HOA fee than a community without gates. Phoenix and Scottsdale are very safe cities but if you are concerned about security we recommend investing in a personal electronic security system for your home. It will cost you approximately $300 for the system and $40 per month. It can easily be monitored from Canada and will provide you with peace of mind. We are happy to refer you to Phoenix security companies which we recommend.

Marc Brodeur
Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Canadian Dollar Jumps Up!

2008-10-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the Canadian Dollar made a HUGE jump up. It was up 4.7% in a single day. This spike closely paralleled the surge in the price of oil. The shows how fast the currency can change in your favor. On a $300,000 US house the price effectively decreased $15,000 Cdn in a single day! Hopefully this is the start of a trend in the right direction.

We are happy to recommend you to local Foreign Exchange Companies in Alberta who can help you exchange your funds at the best possible rates.

Marc Brodeur
Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Are We Close to the Bottom??

2008-08-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

Well the banks are getting some interesting medicine now. A lender that I meet with regularly told me she had 2 loans she was working on that hit some unexpected bumps. They were on purchases of bank owned properties that did not appraise for the value of the home. The "winners" of bidding wars excitedly dashed off to the bank after winning a bidding war........only to find out they don't appraise for what they bid. And now the bank can't sell them for that price as they can't get financing.

Wow. Is it a sign the market is in fact very close to the bottom? Here in Phoenix we have had the prices plummet to near depression era levels in parts of the city. The far west valley and the far east valley have been particularly hit hard.

During the depression prices dropped up to 65%. I am regularly seeing price drops of 40-50%, and occasionally 60%. Yet the economy is not in that bad of shape. Here in Arizona most of my buyers are coming from Canada and paying cash. Where else can you buy a 3300 square foot home for $210,000 that was built 2 years ago? What a bargain. How much farther will this go? It can't go much farther down!

I can easily find the previous price paid for any home currently on the market and thus determine the price drop. If you are interested in a particular home and want to know how much of a price drop there has been just give me a call or email me. I will pull the records for that home and let you know. I am always happy to help.

Marc Brodeur, REALTOR

www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

1-800-300-0263

Scottsdale Foreclosures

2008-07-22T08:12:00.000-07:00

How you perceive the Scottsdale Foreclosure situation is similar to whether you think in terms of the glass being half full or half empty. The statistics are startling. There were 640 homes in the 10 zip codes of Scottsdale that were foreclosed from January - June, 2008. That is an increase of 378 percent over the same time frame last year. However, from a more positive outlook, that is a small fraction of what the West valley has experienced. There are many individual zip codes in the West valley that have had over 600 foreclosures by themselves. The NE valley is weathering the storm much better than the rest of the Valley.

If you would like more information about the current foreclosure situation, call me. My goal is to find my clients the very best deals in town!

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenix Experts.com
Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

6000 Foreclosures Currently in Phoenix!

2008-07-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

There are over 53,000 listings on the MLS currently. 6000 of those homes are foreclosures. You read it right - Six Thousand Foreclosures Are Currently On the Phoenix Market! This does not include the number of foreclosures that were previously on the market and snapped up by bargain hunters already. The exact number of short sales on top of the foreclosures are hard to gauge. The MLS does not report statistics on short sales.

Foreclosure notices are up over 20% on average since one quarter ago. The question is how bad will this get before the number of foreclosures start to decrease?

According to Wall Street a year ago, the largest number of adjustable rate mortgages would adjust in the second quarter of 2008. That quarter just passed. I doubt many could refinance as their comps would come in low. If their mortgages adjusted in April, May and June, many would have quit paying their mortgages recently. This large wave of foreclosures will hit the MLS soon. There is a 90 day cure period for the loans and then the trustee sales may spike through the roof in September-December, 2008.

This of course is only a rough guesstimate of when this will completely fall apart but it looks like the foreclosure situation in Phoenix may still get a lot uglier folks. But with every dark cloud there is a silver lining. Homes are finally becoming affordable again for the average Joe. This is especially encouraging news for first time buyers who were locked out of the bubble market.

If you are interested in scooping up a foreclosure bargain, call me. I'll help you make an informed decision. I show my clients only the best deals in town!

Marc Brodeur, Realtor

1-800-300-0263

www.ThePhoenixExperts.com

Update on Phoenix Foreclosures

2008-07-14T14:31:00.000-07:00

Occasionally I will run the numbers on zip codes in the Phoenix area to see how they look. As of tonight (Sunday, July 13th at 1130 PM AZ Mountain Standard Time) Surprise's 85379 zip code and Buckeye's 85326 zip code both had 649 foreclosures scheduled in the next 90 days. If those zip codes were fully built out (ie 10,000 addresses), and that is unlikely as they are half pasture, there are approximately 1 in 15 homes headed to foreclosure this quarter in those areas. The quarter that follows or precedes this does not include the same homes. When the foreclosures stop flowing it will be interesting to see how many homes foreclosed in those zip codes. I would guestimate it would be a few thousand over an 18 month span with probably another 1000 in short sales. Both of these zip codes had an explosion in building during the bubble and a great deal of so called investors (now called speculators). It is interesting how verbiage evolves isn't it?

Continuing on, Goodyear's 85338 currently has 466 foreclosure notices. They are the runner up in the west valley. Again a lot of construction in that zip code during the bubble.

In the far north valley, we have Anthem's 85086 coming in at 431 current foreclosure notices.

One has to understand that not all will end up foreclosing. The odd one will actually cure in the 90 day period, but that is the exception in this market. Most foreclose and a smaller percentage also are sold via short sale before foreclosure. That is if the bank will actually get back to you before the foreclosure date! It amazes me how many of these pre-foreclosure/future trustee sales are not even active listings when one does this search. It is hard to sell a property as a short sale when they aren't even listed! The owners most likely don't see the short sale helping them much, especially if they were an "investor-read speculator" during the bubble. When you have 5 properties going to foreclosure, will a short sale or two actually help your credit rating vs 3 foreclosures? So they walk....

Litchfield Park's 85340 came in at 296 foreclosures. Getting better as we get closer to the 101.

Scottsdale's 85255 had 255 foreclosures. During the bubble 500 new homes were built in DC Ranch's Desert Parks area. That is northeast of the 101. There are a lot of trustee sales scheduled in that area. 85254 had 204, mostly in condo conversion projects converted during the bubble. Not really a big surprise. Far north Scottsdale's 85262 had 108 foreclosure notices, and 85259 (Hidden Hills area of Scottsdale) had 170.

Desert Ridge's 85054 had only 22. Amazing. Almost 20 are in a condo conversion project. Converted during the bubble unsurprisingly. So the rest of the east side of Desert Ridge which didn't have any single family homes built during the bubble have 4, that is correct, 4 foreclosures. I guess people just can't walk away from good shopping! Hey Nordstrom's is coming to City North, why would anyone sell their home there right? ; )

The west side of Desert Ridge (85050) where Aviano was built during the bubble has 121 foreclosure notices. Are we seeing a pattern here? Any zip code with a lot of building activity during the bubble has a lot of foreclosures now.

Paradise Valley has 44 currently scheduled. It will be interesting to see how many are scheduled in a few more quarters. Many luxury home builders speculated in 85253 and started building with out a buyer and now they sit. Only the crickets are active. Homes over 3 million are as common as bigfoot sightings right now in the Business Journal.

Biltmore's 85016 has 225 foreclosure notices. Many are condo conversions or new condos in that zip code also. Arcadia's 85018 has 157 foreclosure notices. Mid-town's 85012 has 37 scheduled, and 85013 has 80 scheduled. Interestingly those last 2 zip codes actually appreciated in value in 2007.

If you have any foreclosure questions, feel free to shoot me an email @ Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com or call me at 602 692 4288.

Marc Brodeur
Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
Marc@ThePhoenixExperts.com
(602) 692-4288
1-800-300-0263