The Wood Group Real Estate Podcast

This Is the Perfect Time of Year to Give Thanks

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 10:28:00 -0800

Happy Holidays! We want to say thank you to all of the people who keep this country safe, and we encourage you all to thank the people who make your life so great.

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Happy Holidays! Now is the perfect time to reflect and give thanks.

We are so fortunate in this country to live in abundance and safety. Thank you to all of the law enforcement officers, firefighters, military, and the border patrol. We are especially grateful this year for the men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice each day that they go to work.

Each of us has so much goodness in our life. It is important to be thankful for your spouse, parents, friends, and family. Those relationships are what make life so sweet.

Those relationships are what makes life so sweet.

Now is the perfect time of year to let those people know how much they mean to you and how thankful you are for them. These acts of kindness and words of encouragement bring the buzz to this holiday season.

As always, if you have any real estate questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Meanwhile, happy holidays to you and your family. We hope you enjoy the season!

Is It Time to Stop Renting and Buy a Home?

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Tue, 6 Dec 2016 11:03:00 -0800

We'll discuss the key questions you need to ask yourself to find out whether you're ready to stop renting and buy your first home.

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If you're currently renting but thinking about buying your first house, how do you know if you're ready? There are a few questions you must ask yourself to find out:

Are you ready for the financial commitment? Owning a home requires a substantial financial commitment. You have to pay a down payment and closing costs which each cost thousands of dollars, as well as inspection costs.
Do you have healthy credit history? You'll begin to qualify for a mortgage with a 620 credit score, but if you want to get the best rates available, you need a score of at least 700. If you don't have the best credit habits, now's the time to start developing them.
Are you ready to make compromises? The house you've envisioned might not meet what your budget is.
Are you emotionally prepared? When you rent and your fridge goes on the fritz, you call the landlord. If your rent goes up, you can just move. When you own a home, however, and your toilet breaks, you're on the hook. Your property taxes may go up, too.
Has your lifestyle outgrown renting? If you're ready to start a family, you'll probably need more rooms and square footage and possibly a yard for a swingset and a dog, for example.
Renovations. If you've got the itch to try some DIY projects, owning a home may be the next step for you. How many landlords will let you do renovations to their property? Not many.

Our housing market is completely different than it was during the 2012 election.

If you're thinking about getting out of a rental and buying a house, I'd love to give you a free copy of my book Brilliant Buying, which features tips for home buyers. If you have any questions for me, please don't hesitate to call or email me. I'd love to work with you!

How the Election Affects the Real Estate Market

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Fri, 4 Nov 2016 09:55:00 -0700

How does the presidential election affect the housing market? Don’t get drawn in by all the hype; always look to reputable resources if you want to know the truth about our housing market.

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How does the presidential election impact the housing market? Business analysts have watched elections for years and they have found that some things do change during an election year.

In fact, some of these studies found that the marketing and advertising done by the candidates’ campaigns have more of an impact on market uncertainty than the actual results of the election do. These negative ads fuel uncertainty among voters, and that uncertainty sometimes spills over into the business world, which causes myths to begin in the real estate industry as well.

I encourage you not to believe in all of the hype. I think that it is best to hear from the experts that service and analyze the real estate industry and have done so for decades.

According to the National Association of Realtors, inventory has been very low this year. However, even though 2016 got off to a slow start, we have seen the best growth since 2007.

Not only that, at the beginning of the year, Fannie Mae said that consumers and businesses didn’t have much confidence in the economy. However, since the number of pending home sales and the number of mortgage applications have both gone up and interest rates have gone down, it looks like the market is trending upward at this time.

Our housing market is completely different than it was during the 2012 election.

Finally, you should keep in mind that since the last election in 2012, our housing market is in a totally different place. Back then, home values were just starting to rise as we exited the Great Recession of 2008.

In fact, 2012 was probably the first year that we started to see some gains in the housing market. Since 2012, home prices have increased by an average of $60,000 nationwide. Not only that, the unemployment rate was at 8% four years ago; today, the unemployment rate is hovering at around 4%.

Ultimately, you have to look at the facts and figures from reputable sources, like Fannie Mae and the National Association of Realtors, in order to see how the market is really doing. Don’t get drawn in by all of the hype that comes with presidential elections.

If you have any other questions about our current market, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

How Landscaping Affects Your Home’s Value

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 08:39:00 -0700

By focusing on your landscape’s design, varying the plants and shrub sizes and colors, and diversifying the plant life itself, you can increase your home’s overall value.

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If you’re a homeowner, you’ve probably wondered if the money you put into your landscaping is worth it. The answer to that question might surprise you.

Sometimes homeowners assume that an interior project is going to provide much more bang for their buck, but a recent study from Virginia Tech found that your landscaping is worth as much as 15% of your home’s value. For your landscaping to be worth that much, though, there are a few key elements you have to focus on:

The landscape’s design.
Varying the plant and shrub sizes and colors.
Diversifying the plant life itself.

In the aforementioned study, they found that if you key in on those three things on a $50,000 house and do them well, that home’s value could increase from between $8,500 to as much as $19,000.

What do I mean by landscape design? I mean that you don’t want to plant a bunch of trees, bushes, and shrubs together without any kind of layout in mind. What you want to do is minimize the long-term maintenance and avoid that cluttered, overgrown look that often happens without any design plan.

Landscaping the right way can increase your home’s value by as much as 15%.

If you want your house to feature accentuated curb appeal, think about the space between your plants. Vary that space with both smaller and larger plants, shrubs, and trees. Vary the color of them as well. Not only will this accomplish an uncluttered look, but it will also give these plants room to grow. Additionally, mixing in some wildflowers here and there is always a great idea. Wildflower variety packs will give you a burst of color at different times throughout the spring and summer.

You can diversify your plants by making sure they’re not all the same style. For example, mix and match shrubs based on the kinds of leaves it has. Here in Tucson, you can’t go wrong with adding a cactus or some other kind of desert flora.

The point of these strategies is to match the landscaping to your home size and your yard size. If you do this, you will get the most bang for your buck and never have to wonder again if you’ll be getting your investment back.

For more tips on how to get the best bang for your buck on home improvements and other major household costs, follow us on Facebook or visit our website. If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me or give me a call. I look forward to hearing from you!

Are You Up to Date on Health Insurance?

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 11:25:00 -0700

I’m joined by Anna Monterosso of Halsi Insurance Group today to talk about health insurance and the upcoming open enrollment periods.

Today I'm happy to be joined by Anna Monterosso of Halsi Insurance Group who is going to tell us a little bit about open enrollment, Medicare, and some other healthcare information.

Fall is definitely health insurance season, Anna says, with three open enrollment periods coming up. The first is Medicare, which runs October 15th through December 7th, then, the open enrollment period for individuals under 65 runs November 1st through January 31st. Lastly, there's a special open enrollment exclusively for small businesses that runs from November 15th through December 15th.

This open enrollment for small businesses isn't really advertised much, but it's really valuable for them. If small businesses haven't offered coverage in the past due to cost, this open enrollment period allows them to offer benefits to employees without paying a minimum amount toward the premium or having to meet participation requirements.

Even with these dates approaching, rates always change, which Anna says is just the nature of the business. Changes really depend on the type of product, so what Anna likes to do with her clients is to go over them annually to look at increases or decreases in price, as well as changes in benefits. They want their clients to know what to expect.

Rates always change, so stay up to date.

So what does Anna recommend for people who are 65? Anna says it depends. If they are 65 and already on a Medicare product, they're going to want to wait until open enrollment to make any changes. Anna and Halsi would be a good group to call to schedule an appointment to review their current coverage.

If they're going to be 65 within the next few months, Anna recommends giving her a call three months before their birthday so she can sit down and walk them through the process from beginning to end; enrolling in Medicare for the first time does take time. They want to ensure they have the correct coverage in place in time for their 65th birthday.

Thanks to Anna for joining us today, and a big thanks to Halsi for all they've done. They've been in business in Tucson for more than 20 years and they have a real hands-on relationship approach to serving people. I think that's really what separates them from a lot of the other health insurance companies out there.

Health insurance is accessible to anyone, so if you're considering making a change in your policy or you want to get health insurance for the first time, give Anna a call at (520) 296-7881 to help you with any insurance information. You can also visit Halsi's website for more information.

Introducing Our New Pathway to Purchase Program

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 12:27:00 -0700

Have you heard of the new Pathway to Purchase Program? Today I’m joined by Derrick Polder from Summit Funding to inform you about this new down payment assistance program and why it’s one of the best we’ve ever seen.

The Pathway to Purchase Program was released just last month. There is $48 million available in it, and you aren’t required to be a first-time home buyer to apply for it. That being said, you do have to occupy the property as your own residence. If you own a home currently and are planning on selling it before buying a new one, that’s ok. You cannot, however, turn your home into a rental property while looking to buy another home.

Not only do you not have to be a first-time home buyer, but you also don’t have the same restrictive income guidelines of previous programs. Past programs, for example, would stipulate that you could only make 80% of the median income. If you made upwards of $50,000, then, you couldn’t even consider those programs. The cap for the Pathway to Purchase Program, however, is just under $93,000, and that’s based on qualified income.

The program is also for purchase only, meaning you can’t use it on a refinance. Your property is eligible as long as it falls under the jurisdiction of the city of Tucson or the city of South Tucson. The program features a conventional loan, meaning that out of that $48 million, they’re going to apportion 10% toward your down payment up to a cap of $20,000.

It’s one of the best programs we’ve ever seen.

How long this opportunity will last depends on a number of factors, such as how many people will qualify and how long it will extend for. To the best of Eric’s knowledge, though, it will be available for the next two years, give or take a month or two.

If you’re a home buyer and want to learn more about the financing aspect, you can apply online at www.thepoldergroup.com. For another website that features some quick bullet points for this program, you can explore www.p2paz.com.

While this program is quite advantageous, it’s not for everyone. If you have any other financing needs or questions regarding it, don’t hesitate to reach out to Derrick’s team.

As for me, if you have any other real estate questions, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to help.

What Makes 2016 a Home Seller’s Dream?

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Tue, 9 Aug 2016 15:42:00 -0700

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There are three types of markets in residential and commercial real estate: a buyer’s market (when there are more homes for sale than buyers to buy them), a balanced market (when there are an equal number of buyers and homes for sale), and a seller’s market (when there are more buyers than homes to purchase).

2016 qualifies as a seller’s market. Compared to the last year, the amount of existing inventory has fluctuated downward between 15% and 25%. What's happening is that there are more buyers competing for one property than there have been in the past. When multiple buyers compete for the same house, that house often sells for at least asking price or more.

“

People have more buying power.

”

If you’ve tried to sell a home in the past but couldn’t, now is the time to revisit the market.

A question I’m getting a lot is, “Why is this year different than any of the past years?” It’s not too different, but what it comes down to is affordability. Interest rates were expected to go up this year, and they’ve actually gone down. As a result, people have more buying power. Even if you’re not selling a property this year and staying in the home you have, you might want to consider refinancing. If, for example, you’re currently paying 4.5% or more on your mortgage, you will save tens of thousands of dollars refinancing to today’s interest rate.

If you have questions about market conditions or you're thinking about buying or selling a home, give me a call or send me an email.

Tips for Making Your Small Tucson Home Seem Bigger

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 14:18:00 -0700

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What can you do to make your small house seem bigger? The word “small” is relative, but if you’re considering selling your property and your home is the smallest in the neighborhood, it could negatively impact your home sale.

Here are a few things you can do to improve your odds of selling faster and for more money:

1. Mirroring. Mirrors reflect light, and you can use them both indoors and outdoors. Mirrors also give the illusion that the rooms are bigger.

2. Take it high. I’m talking about the curtain rods. Don’t leave them at window level. Placing them higher on the wall and closer to the ceiling gives the impression that your ceilings are taller.

3. Go lean and sleek when choosing furniture.

“

Reducing the amount of items in
your home makes a huge difference.

”

4. Declutter. If you already have a small space, there is nothing worse than filling it up with belongings. Reducing the amount of items in your home will make a huge difference.

5. Built-ins are key. When bookshelves or entertainment centers are built into walls, you save floor space. However, once those are bolted to the walls, they are considered fixtures of the property so it’s assumed they will go with the house when it sells. If you want to take these things with you, you have to be upfront about that.

If you have any questions, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

Introducing My New Book, with Hundreds of Real Estate Tips

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Fri, 8 Jul 2016 08:22:00 -0700

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I wanted to take a minute to spotlight a book that I recently wrote.

My new book has more than 300 pages of tips that will save home buyers and sellers thousands of dollars when dealing in real estate. It has more than 200 tips all in one place. Part One of the book is called Brilliant Buying: 101 Money Saving Tips When Buying Townhouses, Condos, Single-Family Homes, and even Investment Properties. Part Two is titled Savvy Selling, and it has 99 money saving tips when selling your home or condo or investment property.

“

This book includes things
like how to profit by $30,000 or more
when selling your house.

”

The contents of this book are truly useful to anyone, from first-time home buyers to people who have bought and sold many houses. It includes things like how to profit by $30,000 more when selling your house, and also reveals for buyers if purchasing a brand new house is the financially smartest decision in the long run.

Those are just two examples of the hundreds of useful, money-saving tips. This book is my way of giving back, by sharing more than two decades of experience in sales, negotiating, and real estate.

If you or someone you know is planning a move in the next nine months, I'd like to give you and your referral a free copy of this book. Just give us a call or shoot us an email or text and we'll get you a couple copies ASAP. If you give away your copy, we'll always replace it!

The Best 4th of July Celebrations in Tucson

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:40:00 -0700

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I just wanted to take a moment to wish you and your family a happy Fourth of July.

I also would like to take this chance to honor and give immense gratitude to all the men and women of our armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can be free. Thank you for what you have done for our country.

I also wanted to pass along some information about what's going on this weekend in Tucson and some good places to watch fireworks.

First and foremost, the area around "A" Mountain is a popular place to watch fireworks. You get a great view of the fireworks that will be going off about 9 p.m. The Tucson Convention Center is pretty close by there, and they'll have food trucks and entertainment starting Monday afternoon.

You can also check out the Star-Spangled Spectacular up in Marana at Silverbell and Crossroads from 5-9 p.m. They'll have food trucks and entertainment as well, and also fireworks that will start at about 9 p.m.

“

There are seven different places in Tucson to watch fireworks.

”

The last thing in the Tucson area is up in Oro Valley at James Kreigh park from 5-9 p.m. as well. They'll also have food trucks and entertainment, as well as some other vendors with the fireworks to follow.

There are seven different places in Tucson to watch fireworks, but these are the ones that are the most popular. If you want to get out of Tucson for the weekend or even just Monday, the D-backs are playing the Padres on Monday, with fireworks after the game. I saw a really great Groupon offer floating around with seats for about $22, if you're interested.

Thanks again for watching today, and more importantly, thanks again to our men and women who serve and allow us the freedom to have celebrations like these. God bless you all!

5 Tips for Tucson Buyers in This Competitive Market

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 13:06:00 -0700

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Right now, the Tucson real estate market is on fire. As a buyer, how can you get the house you want in a competitive market? There are a few strategies to keep in mind.

1. Be informed. If there’s a specific neighborhood, community, or builder that you’re interested in, stay informed. Set up automatic alerts for homes in the areas you like. That way, you’re notified as soon as a property becomes available. A Realtor can help set that up for you.

2. Be prepared to buy the best house, even if it’s the first house you see. If you’ve been searching online and you really admire a property, I encourage you to act on it. You don’t want to miss out! It could be weeks before you find another one.

3. Work with a Realtor. Professionals have the inside track on information. We have pocket listings and we hear from the builders and communities offering properties you might be interested in. A pocket listing is a home that is not going to be on the market for another six to eight weeks. However, a Realtor can get you into that property before it hits the MLS.
4. Get pre-approved. There’s nothing worse than finding a house and discovering you can’t make an offer because you are not pre-approved. A pre-approval lets you know how much home you can afford.
5. Know what to offer and when. If you enter a property and see that there have been a lot of visitors on the sign-in sheet, the house has generated a lot of interest. You might end up in a bidding war. There are a few things you can do in this situation. First, ask your Realtor to find out the details of the offers you are competing against. Find out what type of financing the other buyers are using, as well as how much money they are putting down.

There are many other strategies for finding a home in a competitive market. If you have any other questions, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

What Is the Cost of Waiting to Buy a Home in Tucson?

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Thu, 12 May 2016 12:30:00 -0700

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If you’re thinking about selling your Tucson home, you’re probably also thinking about the cost of waiting until next year to purchase a home.

You’re probably looking at home values in your area - especially the short-term ones. If you’re also buying, it’s important to factor in the overall cost of buying, too. There are two big factors to consider when evaluating that cost.

You need to consider the home’s appreciation rate over time, and the interest rate. The rate at which these two factors change is often called the cost of waiting.

According to a recent home pricing index, home values are expected to rise 5.5% nationally this year. A 30-year loan rate is expected to rise to 4.5% in that same timeframe. The impact of these projected changes could be huge.

For example, a $250,000 home can be bought today with an interest rate under 4%, which amounts to about a $1,100 monthly mortgage payment. If you were to wait a year and let these changes take hold, that same house will cost $263,000 with an interest rate of 4.5% and a monthly mortgage payment of about $1,350!

That $189 monthly difference may not seem like much, but it really adds up over time. Over the course of a 30-year loan, that’s more than $67,000.

When considering these factors, it makes your decision easier. For more tips or any questions you may have, please feel free to reach out today.

Will Green Features Increase Your Tucson Home’s Value?

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 09:46:00 -0700

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A lot of homeowners are wondering if green features like solar panels increase the value of their home.

Solar panels on your roof are common green features. Hot water heaters are too, but it doesn’t end there. Things like sustainability, a house that uses recycled materials, and anything that conserves water or energy are also considered green features. If you already have these features installed in your home, or you’re thinking about investing in them, here are a few statistics to consider.

Solar systems increase the value of your home by $3 per installed watt. Most houses have a 6,000 watt system. That usually costs $25,000 before any incentive you might receive. However, with solar energy, you’ll experience an $18,000 increase in your home’s value.

Another study by the University of California at Berkeley studied 1.6 million home sales during a 5-year span. They examined homes that were designated as green or energy efficient. Energy efficient homes were found to sell for 9% more compared to those without green features.

Keep in mind boosting home value means more than just adding on green features. Additionally, it’s only been five years since these features have been available in single-family homes. There isn’t much hard data out because this kind of thing is so new. One thing’s for sure, though; anytime you can improve the overall cost of homeownership, it will add value and marketability. As energy costs continue to rise, energy efficiency will appeal to more buyers.

If you’re thinking about buying or a selling a Tucson home, give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to answer any questions about this topic and more!

How Kevin Wood helped us sell my mother-in-law’s home from out of state and find a great condominium.

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 08:02:00 -0700

"After 51 years of marriage my father-in-law passed away suddenly leaving my mother-in-law alone 2000 miles from her family. When she decided to move I had two problems. First, selling her four-bedroom home in Florida and then, finding the right condominium blocks from my home in Arizona. Now, I’ve known Kevin Wood for years, so he was my first phone call. Kevin researched and interviewed several local Florida real estate agents before recommending one who went above and beyond to help me sell her home, and that was the easy part. Next, we had to find my 77 years old mother-in-law a suitable condo. We knew it would be a fraction of the size of the home she had lived in for decades, so it had to have the amenities, view, and physical condition that she required. Plus, it had to be close to my home. Kevin spent significant time researching my area and provided the inside information we needed to make the right decision. A few weeks later we closed on the perfect unit. My mother-in-law couldn’t be happier with her new home and we couldn’t have made her happy without Kevin Wood, my realtor for life. I wholeheartedly recommend you contact Kevin whether you are buying or selling, locally or long-distance, Kevin does it all."

- Maury Kauffman

Is Spring Always the Best Time to Buy in Tucson?

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:42:00 -0700

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When I got into the real estate business in 2005, I was told that spring is always the best time to sell a home. I was skeptical, but I took a look at the numbers and it’s true.

This is what I found: Between January and June of every year for the last 60 years, 75% of all the inventory available was sold.

That’s ¾ of homes selling in the first six months of the year. This could be happening for a number of reasons:

Corporate and military relocations happen in the spring
Home values rise in the spring

Families tend to move at this time before summer break
Curb appeal peaks during the spring
Tax season brings tax returns, which are used for down payments on homes

There are many more reasons why people come out and buy during the spring. Some are simple reasons like the weather is just better, but other reasons are more complicated. Either way, it’s a fact that the springtime is the best time to buy or sell a home.

We expect a really excellent market to take shape this year, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to buy or sell a home.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Marketing DOES NOT Sell Tuscon Homes

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 09:09:00 -0800

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Today, we’re going to talk about why marketing doesn’t sell homes. If marketing doesn’t sell homes, what does? The market itself sells homes!

One of the common questions I get is, “What kind of market are we in? Is it a buyer’s market? Seller’s market? Balanced?” The answer depends on the price point of the house you’re trying to sell.

For instance, all the houses priced between $150K and $300K are selling in less than 70 days, indicating a definite seller’s market. Now, does this mean that all houses between $150K and $300K are selling each month? Absolutely not. There are hundreds of homes that don’t sell each month, mostly because they are overpriced.

Let’s take this a little further. Say you own a $200K house and you decide that you want to sell. You put it on the market, you list with a Realtor, and you price it at $235K. A couple of months go by, and it doesn’t sell. Finally, you throw your hands up in the air. Why on earth won’t this house sell? The answer is the buyers in the market bought the house down the street for $200K. Buyers are educated about the market, and know the value of a home in your area.

These two examples clearly demonstrate how the market sells homes and not marketing. If you would like to learn more about how we can sell your home for more money in less time, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

How we helped Heidi Trevethan sell three homes.

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 08:19:00 -0800

“We had our house up for sale in a short sale, and he was really knowledgeable throughout the entire process. He did the talking with the bank, and that was helpful because we couldn't have done that ourselves. We had tried to close multiple times on the short sale, and Kevin actually gave up his commission so that he could close on our house. I think that says a lot about his character.”

-Heidi Trevethan, Home Seller

Helping Baby Boomers Buy and Sell Homes in Tucson

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Tue, 9 Feb 2016 11:41:00 -0800

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If you were born between 1946 and 1964, then you're part of the Baby Boomer generation. I've been serving this ambitious, optimistic, and forever young generation for over 10 years. I enjoy working with Baby Boomers which is why I recently earned the Senior Real Estate Specialist designation.

Calling Boomers "SENIORS" is a big mistake. This generation has redefined retirement. Their optimistic, fun loving, and competitive. In fact many boomers choose to continue working. While some work for the income most want the challenge. The boomers are also known as the "SANDWHICH" generation. Why the label? Well, many boomers still have adult children who are financially dependent and their parents are living longer, healthier lives. So the boomers are sandwiched in between. Now that's a challenging position to be in and yet another reason why I respect this generation so much. Thanks again for tuning in!

Tuscon Real Estate 411 for 2016

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 08:39:00 -0800

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It's been a long road back, but the Tucson housing market is healthy. 2015 closed with over $3 billion in total sales volume. In 2015, 14,500 homes, condos, and townhouses were sold. That's a 10% increase over 2014.

Finally, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by 0.25%. The last time the Fed raised rates, Facebook was still used for college students and had 1/10th the users of Myspace. What year was that? It was 2006! That's ten years.

What does this mean for home buyers and sellers this year? For starters, the rate increase was minimal at best. Mortgage rates will still be around 4% for a 30 year fixed mortgage, so if you have your eye on a house, your monthly payment isn't going to change much. It's a terrific time to buy a home!

As a seller, this affects you too. The lower the interest rates, the more house potential buyers can afford. Plus, your home value has gone up as much as 20% during the last three years. If you tried to sell a few years ago and it didn't work out, 2016 may be the year to try again.

As you can see, 2016 will be a great year for buyers and sellers. If you're buying, houses are still affordable. If you're selling, you may be able to get more than you thought, even if Zillow is telling you otherwise.

If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

How we helped Alyson Miller sell her home by going above and beyond

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 13:11:00 -0800

-Alyson Miller, Home Seller

Three Types of Loans With Zero Down Payments

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 12:19:00 -0800

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Can I buy a home without a down payment? The answer is yes, you can! There are three different programs that allow you to do this.

The IDA Loan: It stands for Industrial Development Association. You can buy a house anywhere within a city with this loan, which isn’t always the case.

The USDA Loan: This stands for the United States Department of Agriculture, much like you see in the grocery store. This loan program started over a hundred years ago to give farmers aid and help them buy homes in the rural areas they lived in. Thus, to qualify for this loan, you must purchase a home in a rural place. Luckily, there are plenty of rural areas in Tucson!

The VA Loan: This stands for Veterans Affairs. If you’re an active in duty or a retired veteran, you qualify for this program specifically.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, or have a real estate question, give me a call or email today. I’m happy to have a conversation with you about your real estate needs.

Tips for Picking the Perfect Jewelry this Holiday Season

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 14:55:00 -0800

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The holiday season is coming up, and a lot of you out there are planning on getting some jewelry for that special someone in your life. Today I am joined by private jeweler Maury Kauffman. I’ve known Maury for over 5 years and has helped dozens of people I know with their fine jewelry needs, whether it be engagement rings, anniversary presents, and many unique pieces in between. I thought it would be a good idea to bring him on today and discuss three of his top tips for buying jewelry during the holiday season. He’s got some great insight, here are his tips:

1. The sooner you acquire fine jewelry, the better.

The most attractive and best valued pieces always sell out. Fine jewelry is handmade, so there’s simply no time to make more if you wait too long.

2. Beware of industrial diamond stud earrings

As the holidays approach, you are going to start seeing ads for $899, $599, and even $399 diamond stud earrings. These diamonds are such poor quality, they are considered industrial grade and should be used for grinding, not wearing. They have absolutely no resale or trade-in value.

3. Ignore the over-the-top sales

Some stores are famous for their 60%, 70%, even 80% off sales. In reality, these stores just mark up their prices normally so they can mark them down later. They offer a selection that’s typically lower in quality as well. If a piece is originally $2,000 and for this sale it’s marked down to $599, it’s probably worth about $400. Remember, you get what you pay for.

If you have any questions for Maury, or want to talk to him about finding that perfect, unique piece for your gift, visit his facebook page here, and his website here.

If you have any real estate questions for us, don’t hesitate to reach out. We would love to hear from you!

Avoid Reducing Your Home Value

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 10:03:00 -0800

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Making repairs on your home before you sell can increase your home’s value, but only if you go about making the right repairs in the right area. Often times, people choose to undergo grand remodeling projects in the kitchen or bathrooms, which can lead to over-improving, which can negatively affect your home’s value. Today we are going to talk about where you should be spending your money to get the best possible return on your home sale, and how to avoid over-improving your home.

The easiest way to avoid over-improving is to talk with a licensed home appraiser before making any improvements. They will be able to tell you what your home is worth now, what it will be worth after the upgrade, and if undertaking the project makes financial sense.

If you have a certain amount of money you want to invest back into your home, don’t just do it in one place. Put some money into the kitchen, some into the bathrooms, and some into flooring or new paint. This way your whole house can get a face lift, not just one area.

One easy fix that can really pay dividends when it comes time to sell is dealing with messy or overgrown landscaping. If you determine anything to be an eyesore, remove it.

Taking on big projects on your own has become pretty common these days, probably from all of those DIY TV shows. In the end, if you’re undertaking a big project, you want to hire or at least consult with a professional. It will save you time and money in the long run.

Overstuffing the remodel is also a common mistake. To avoid this, don’t get bigger pieces of decor or furniture, get smaller ones. Also, use lighter colored paint and higher wattage light bulbs to add a bright, roomy feel to rooms that feel a little smaller.

If you have any questions for us, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Should You Buy or Sell in the Fall?

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Tue, 3 Nov 2015 09:28:00 -0800

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The summer home selling season passed, but people are still buying and selling homes. Fall is a terrific time to sell!

First, you will face less competition. Most sellers think the market comes to a screeching halt this time of year. During the spring and summer, there are lots of buyers, but there are also more sellers. In the fall, your home will stand out.

Secondly, fall buyers are extremely motivated. In the spring and summer, buyers have plenty of time to shop before they make an offer. In the fall, buyers cannot afford that luxury. This means you will have a smoother and quicker transaction in the fall, and still get a fair price for your home.

Fall is a great time of year to sell a home. Check out THIS ARTICLE to learn more about what makes fall such a great time to sell. If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Our Favorite Fall Events in Tucson

info@thewoodgrouptucson.com (Kevin Wood) — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:02:00 -0700

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One of my favorite things about fall in Tucson is the mornings and nights get cooler. Plus, we are just a short drive away from higher elevations, small towns, and daytime temperatures that are in the 70s. It's the perfect time to take part in autumn festivities, and there are some great Halloween and fall events happening in and around Tucson.

Ever since we moved to town 10 years ago, Apple Annie's in Wilcox has been one of our family's favorite places to go. It's a great place for pumpkins, hay rides, corn mazes, and more. Their Pumpkin Celebration is going on now through Halloween. Apple Annie's is a great place for the whole family. The corn mazes are divided into different levels: easy, intermediate, and so difficult you'll need a helicopter to come find you! For more info, go to AppleAnnies.com.

Marana Pumpkin Patch is a little closer to town, and there's plenty to do there as well. Marana has zip lines, a petting zoo, and, of course, pumpkins. We spent all day there last year. They even have a pumpkin cannon! There's nothing quite like a bunch of kids at the helm of a pumpkin cannon. Go to MaranaPumpkinPatch.com to learn more.

If you're looking for more scary stuff this Halloween, then you need to check out Nightfall at Tucson Studios. Nightfall has been nominated for Best Theme Park Halloween Event by USA Today. Nightfall is a haunted town. No pets are allowed, and unless you want your kids waking you up every night because they had nightmares, call a babysitter. Go to NightfallAZ.com, and make sure you have your sound turned up a bit when you do!

As always, Halloween is October 31st. Trick-or-treating hours run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

As you can see, there is plenty for you to do here in Tucson this fall. If you have any questions about today's video or about real estate in general, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!