Three Types of Loans With Zero Down Payments




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.
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Location: Tucson, AZ, USA

Tips for Picking the Perfect Jewelry this Holiday Season




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!
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Location: Tucson, AZ, USA

Avoid Reducing Your Home Value




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!
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Location: Tucson, AZ, USA

Should You Buy or Sell in the Fall?




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!
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Location: Tucson, AZ, USA

Our Favorite Fall Events in Tucson




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!
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Location: Tucson, AZ, USA

Best Bang For Your Buck Home Improvements




Every homeowner wants to add value to their home, but not everyone knows the best way to do so. Today, I will share some of the things you can do around the home that will get you the most bang for your buck!


It's well known that the kitchens and the bathrooms are the best places to sink your home improvement dollars, but there are other things you can do as well. Improving these areas will increase your enjoyment of the home and make your home worth more too. Take a look at the ways you can get the best return on your investment:

  • A minor to mid-range kitchen remodel will get you a 99% or more return; what you need to do is replace the kitchen sink, the countertops, and faucets.
  • Replacing your door with a steel front door will get you 98% or more return on your investment.
  • A minor to mid-range bathroom remodel will get you a 95% return on your remodel.
  • Replacing your windows is simple and easy, and will net you an 85% return on your dollar!
  • An exterior repaint of your property will increase your curb appeal and get you a solid return on your dollar!

What these stats fail to reveal is the increased marketability of your home, which will get you a great value for your home as well! If you have any questions about this topic, or if you would like real estate assistance, please don't hesitate to give us a call or shoot us a quick email. We would love to hear from you!
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Location: Tucson, AZ, USA

Is the Tucson Market Leaning Towards Buyers or Sellers?




Today we are here to talk about the Tucson housing market. One of the most common questions we're asked is if we are in a buyer’s or a seller’s market. Right now, we are actually in a balanced market.

Another question we get asked about a lot is inventory. Currently, we have 5,500 single-family homes, townhomes, and condos available for sale in Tucson. Inventory is balanced right now, so we haven’t seen a big rise in home values lately.


Now interest rates have hovered right around 4% over the last few years. These are historically low rates, and your buying power now is higher than it has been for quite some time.

If you have any questions for us, please don’t hesitate to call us or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
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Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
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