In one word - "Internet."  But let us explain the process.

Today we hear so much about companies that will buy your home making a cash offer within 24-48 hours that will close in 60 days or less.  This can be helpful if you have a family emergency requiring the seller to leave the area - or if the seller has seen a new build or resale home where a "contingency offer" probably won't be considered.

There are several companies out there you’ve likely heard about – one did a presentation at our HomeSmart meeting to explain the details of their process.  And we, your Realtors can help. This is an overview of one.  Forpurposes of providing you information without naming a specific company, we shall refer to them as "QUICK SELL" or "QS" for short.

The focus on this quick sale venue is more about a fast closing without having to ready your home for showings; not lower costs to the seller. The seller still pays a fee to sell (averaging 6.5%) and is required to do home-repairs per the inspection but it guarantees you’ll be out within 60 days or less assuming there are no surprises during the Inspection period.  Here’s the basic process

• QS purchases homes by making a competitive cash offer based on provided amenities and photographs – charging a fee of about 6.5%on average. (a little more than Realtor’s fees)
• QS will then inspect the home; verify the value and present a repair list asking the seller to repair those things the end-buyer will likely ask for (when QS puts your former property back on the market for sale on the Multiple Listing).
• The seller can perform all the repairs or provide a credit to QS to avoid the hassle of doing the repairs themselves.
• Then you close escrow - you're free to move on.
• After purchasing your property, QS will perform deferred maintenance and minor remodeling as needed before putting your home (which they now own) on the multiple listing service to resell it. This exposes the home to Realtors and the internet to hopefully find a buyer.  (So, we’re still out there selling those homes.)
• The home is then available via a code box for people to see the home with or without their Realtor from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. QS uses security cameras to monitor the property.

WHAT PROPERTIES WOULD "QS" WORK WITH?

•  Single family homes, townhomes/condos
• Priced between $100-$500,000
• Built after 1960
• Lots up to ½ acre

WHAT PROPERTIES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY BE EXCLUDED?

• Any with leased solar
• Additions without proper permits
  
• Known foundation issues
• Distress properties/REO
• Tenant-occupied property
  

As your Realtor, we can facilitate this for you...and then bow out. 

This is not a threat to "standard" real estate; just another venue where we  mutually respect each other.  There’s a place for everyone in this business. The objective is always to help our seller move forward

Note: this is not to be confused with the company currently running a series of TV commercials slamming the real estate profession implying we "don’t do anything" so they apparently don't invest the time we do with  our clients, or they'd understand.  This form of advertising is offensive because SERVICE is our middle name. Their website, however, brags that they have "professional real estate agents" servicing your home. Wait - they said we don't do anything? Confusing. The website says their listing fee is $3,600 for the seller but the fine print indicates that the seller also pays the buyers' Realtor a commission (generally 3%). They don’t offer any benefits otherwise. It doesn’t sell any faster. The seller still must ready their home, show it; the property will go on the multiple listing service where we Realtors are expected to sell it.____________________________________________________________

What is NEXTDOOR?  NEXTDOOR is a social networking service for individual neighborhoods whose mission is to use technology to help neighbors build stronger and safer neighborhoods.

It was founded in 2008 and launched in the United States in October 2011. NEXTDOOR’S distinguishing feature is that users use their real names and neighborhood, They go to greater lengths than typical social media sites to ensure that user names and locations are true. Posts are not seen by the general public; only users who actually reside in that geographic neighborhood. 

We belong to NEXTDOOR DESERT RIDGE and find it very useful for everything from neighborhood information provided by the local police department to lost or found pets to neighbors needing recommendations for everything from plumbers to where to purchase items.  In fact, we just responded to a post for a plumber.  But, there are a few courtesy rules:

•  It’s not there to provide a platform for political viewpoints or sell your business (That’s the internet like Facebook)
• Use your real name (your personal address does not show up)
• Report safety concerns to the police but feel free to warn neighbors – for example, if you’ve spotted someone suspicious, notify the Police and then mention in on NEXTDOOR to warn yours neighbors to keep an alert eye.
• Post requests for help – ask for recommendations for a handyman, or anything else you need. We’ve seen young mothers form groups within the neighborhood. Or BUNCO groups formed. The opportunities are endless.
• Don’t post anything personal about your neighbors – work it out in person.
• It’s a great venue to post items for sale (or free such as used moving boxes).  You know that people who respond are in the neighborhood. 

For more information, go to the website to find your neighborhood...or start one: 

https://nextdoor.com/find-neighborhood/

It’s always a good idea to ask your Realtor and/or friends for recommendations for a reliable mover. There are many things you can do to make the process easier and estimates more accurate.

• Get at least two estimates
• The #1 procedure to following in getting moving estimates - be sure to request a home-visit when calling a moving company. We say that because most movers offer to estimate over-the-phone. There is no way to get an accurate estimate until the movers put eyes on everything you’re moving - from the closets to the rafters.  Garages, kitchen cabinets & pantries, closets, wall art, televisions, crawl-space storage, under-bed storage boxes…those forgotten items can make a big difference in your estimate.  The number of rooms you have is the tip of the iceberg.
• Be sure to specify if TV’s, fine art, large mirrors, delicate lamps etc. will be packed by the owner or the moving company. Packing those fragile items take a great deal of extra time and packing materials so it’s good form to be sure they know what the movers’ job is.
• If you pack your own fragile items (i.e. flatscreen TV’s, art, lamps), ask if those items are covered by the movers’ insurance replacement program in case of damage. 
• If you follow these suggestions as a standard procedure in obtaining estimates, you’ll be comparing apples to apples. And the estimate will be more accurate.
• Preparation for moving (packing and sorting) takes longer than you think so plan ahead on packing materials and your time. 
• Boxes can be very expensive.  Often, you’ll see notifications on websites such as Nextdoor or Craig's List from people who offer them free after their move– or you can buy them at Home Depot and at storage companies.  Packing materials for glassware can be purchased as well and is a good investment in keeping your fragile items safe.
• Label every box as to 1) which room it will go into and 2) what it contains.  If the contents are FRAGILE, mark the box accordingly.
• Once you know you’ll be moving, begin the packing process. Even if your home isn’t yet sold.  Start going through items – dispose of items you no longer want (gift, charity donation or sale).  Begin packing up things you rarely use but plan to take with you.  If you don’t have space to stack boxes in your garage, it’s worth it to rent a temporary storage unit.

Being a Hoosier, Al grew up loving pork tenderloin sandwiches.  This is a light version that makes a wonderful entrée.

• 4 pork cutlets
• ½ lemon / juice
• ½ cup finely grated Parmesan
• 1/3 cup flour
• Olive oil – 2-3 TBS

Directions:

Pound cutlets to ¼" thick; season with pepper and garlic salt.  Sprinkle each side with lemon juice

Mix the flour and Parmesan together (we use a 9" square pan).  Dredge the meat in the mixture – making sure both sides are coated.

Heat 2 TBS Olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-heat.  When the oil shimmers, add cutlets and cook until golden brown and crisp. Turn over for another 4-5 minutes to cook the other side.  You’ll probably only get 2 in the pan at once.  Drain on a paper towel on a plate.

Repeat as needed until all the cutlets are cooked.

This is not to be confused with the deep fat-fried breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches that Al grew up enjoying.  It’s quick, light, very tasty and EASY.  You can serve it over a variety of things- angel hair pasta,  mashed potatoes, Polenta – or absolutely nothing.  It stands alone nicely.  Add a nice green vegetable such as grilled asparagus on top with shaved Parmesan for color. Fit for a King – yet takes about 20 minutes to prepare.

And of course, you can serve it on a bun  – with tomato, lettuce, sliced onion, pickle and mustard – the Hoosier way

By the way, we buy those huge pork roasts at COSTCO; Al cuts skinny "chops" from the ends before he makes roasts and regular thicker chops.  They’re perfect for this.

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There are so many inspection companies out there and most of them are excellent but this one is a stand-out – TOTAL INSPECTIONS.

We recommend Bob Nau, a licensed General Contractor for over 30 years who formerly did high-end home remodeling.  He’s hung his Home Inspection license at TOTAL INSPECTIONS.  He’s very thorough and one thing, that is critically important, is that Bob knows exactly what to look for. 

TOTAL INSPECTIONS reports are professionally written to provide  easy-to-read information with photos. After each inspection, Bob offers an informative client walk-through so the Buyer has a clear picture of the home’s condition

AND…their prices are excellent; based on a sliding scale of square footage – not a flat fee. And for an additional $60, Budget Brothers will do a termite inspection/report for the Buyer.

Call Bob at: 480-226-7915 or email him at [email protected]

You can also go to the website to make an appointment – just be sure under NOTES that you request BOB NAU as your Inspector.

www.totalinspectionsaz.com