Arizona Real Estate Podcast with Jesse Herfel

Many homeowners are tapping into their home’s equity. Here’s why. Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation Do you notice that pile of cash you're sitting on right now? I'm not joking. 42 million homeowners with mortgages have equity in their home right now.When added up, tappable home equity recently reached $5.5 trillion. That's about $3 trillion more than when the housing market bottomed out in 2012. "Tappable equity" is defined here as the amount a homeowner could borrow before they hit 80% of debt to value.Not surprisingly, many homeowners are looking to tap into these hidden reserves. As just one sign of this, mortgage applications are up 4.1% this January over last year. That's mostly been driven by mortgage refinances, as homeowners are looking to take advantage of low (but increasing) rates to take out some of that equity as cash.Another option to a mortgage refinance is a home equity line of credit (HELOC), a kind of checking account on your home. While HELOCs have been growing in popularity, they've hit a slight snag recently because the new tax bill eliminates the deductions for interest paid on such lines of credit. “Many homeowners are tapping into their equity now. ”What are homeowners who tap into their equity actually doing with the extra cash? Most people are spending it on making their homes even more valuable. According to one survey, 80% of borrowers would consider using that cash to renovate their home. However, other homeowners are using their home equity to cover education expenses, to pay down other debt, or simply for investing, whether in stocks, real estate, or even cryptocurrencies.So should you tap into your home equity?I can't say either yes or no. It’s something you’ll have to decide on your own. However, if you have any questions or would like us to take a look at your specific situation to see what your best move is, we would be glad to help. Don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email any time.

I have some exciting news about a cash buyer in the area. Do you know the benefits of selling to a cash buyer? Find out here. Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationI have some exciting news regarding cash offers: I have a buyer looking to purchase properties in the Phoenix area—upwards of 100 to 150 properties.Cash buyers make it very simple for sellers. When you accept an offer from a cash buyer, you won’thave to go through the hassle of putting it on the market, having to clean it up for showings, or having to stage it.Cash buyers make the process simple for sellers. I can help find a cash buyer and make the close of escrow a lot shorter. You’ll still have your needs as a seller met, and you can still sell it right at market value.If you’re interested in selling your home and would like to explore the option of a cash buyer, we can set up a time to talk about your situation and the options available to you. Feel free to reach out to me. I’d be glad to help.

The holidays are here, and we want to thank you for all your support in 2017 and beyond.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationWe appreciate your support throughout 2017 and hope to see you again next year. Happy holidays, merry Christmas, and happy Hanukkah to all of our friends, family, and clients. We appreciate your continued support throughout 2017. As we sleigh on through to 2018, we look forward to seeing you next year. As always, if you have any real estate needs, feel free to reach out to us.

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } If you want to be successful in getting your home sold, there are a few strategies you can use. Today, I’ve got five key tips and tricks. Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationIf you want to be successful in getting your home sold, there are a few strategies you can use. Today, I’ve got five key tips and tricks. 1. Do not overprice your home. This is the most critical piece of advice I’ve got. Many sellers think they should price high to begin with, with the intention of lowering the listing if need be. However, this is a big mistake. Buyers today are more educated than ever before. If you hike up the price, buyers aren’t going to be interested because they know what values should look like in our market. 2. Have good curb appeal. A lot of sellers think they need to entirely re-landscape. But what I actually mean by having good curb appeal is to have a fresh and attractive-looking yard. You don’t have to go all out. All it takes is a mowed lawn, trimmed bushes, and possibly planting some flowers for color. A buyer should have a great first impression when they pull up to your home. 3. Fresh paint and carpet. These two home improvement items are the best you can make in terms of getting the most return on your investment. Just remember that paint and carpet should be in clean, neutral colors to attract buyers. 4. Declutter and stage your home. Anything that personalizes the home should be removed. Staging your home for sale is a lot different than living in it. An experienced Realtor should be able to help you sell for the most money in the least amount of time.5. Hire an experienced Realtor. The right professional will have the tools and resources to negotiate on your behalf and expose your property as much as possible. An experienced Realtor should be able to help you sell for the most money in the least amount of time.If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Why is now the best time to sell a home in Phoenix in the last decade? Here are just a few reasons.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationWe’re experiencing very low inventory, which means buyers are greatly outnumbering sellers for the time being. How do sellers benefit in a market like this? Here are three ways:1. More money. You’ll get more money now than you would have even 30 days ago.2. Fewer repairs to get the home market-ready. Buyer’s can’t be picky in a market like this. They’ll live with some imperfections in your home if it's priced correctly.3. Shorter transaction with fewer hassles. This is a unique window of opportunity for you to get more for the sale of your home. If you’re considering selling your home or you’ve thought about doing so in the near future, give us a call or send us an email today. We can help put a strategy together for you that will ensure the success of your sale. We look forward to hearing from you.

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } When selling your home, cleanliness and attractiveness matter to prospective buyers. I have five tips to help you spruce up your home before a sale.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationToday, I’ve got five tips that will increase the likelihood of your home selling. Make sure the house is freshly painted. If the color of your home is fresh and neutral, it will appeal to the mass buyer pool. When you use neutral colors in terms of paint, carpet, and flooring, it makes the home feel bigger, more open, and ultimately more appealing.Your carpet should be cleaned or replaced, which will make it more attractive to potential buyers. Like paint, carpet is a cost-effective way of improving your home’s appearance.Both carpet and paint are cost-effective ways of improving the way your home shows. Curb appeal is very important as well. Take care to make your landscaping look clean and manicured. A strong first impression can impact a buyer’s desire to make an offer on your home.Have your home professionally cleaned. Having your home professionally cleaned both inside and out, if necessary, will be greatly helpful. Your property should be kept clean for every showing so that it looks its best each and every time.Hire an agent to represent you. The right agent will position you to the market, market your property on your behalf, and maximize your exposure so that you can get the most money in the shortest amount of time.I do recommend that you call us and schedule a home-improvement walk-through—we’ll walk through the property and make suggestions about what you should or should not do in order to increase your chances of selling your home.Give us a call or shoot us an email, and we’d be happy to visit with you. We look forward to talking with you soon.

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Our team has an opening that we’re looking to fill, so we’re reaching out to you to see if you’re interested.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationAfter 19 years of being in the real estate business and enjoying your continued support here in Gilbert, I’m proud to announce we have an opening on our team we’re looking to fill. We’re reaching out to you first, so if you or someone you know is interested in a career in real estate or already works in the industry and wants to take their career to the next level, don’t hesitate to send us an email so we can set up an appointment. We’d be happy to sit down with you and talk about what we have to offer. We are one of the top real estate teams in the nation, and we’ve been nationally ranked for 19 years in a row. If you have any questions about this opportunity, feel free to reach out to us. We look forward to hearing from you!

Cash-for-your-home buyers and companies may seem like a good deal, but they could cost you.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationCash offers can be tempting—but you should be careful. There are a few red flags you should be mindful of in real estate. To put it one way: be careful who you open your door to. You need to be wary of what kind of services you can truly trust when it comes to your real estate needs.For example, the other day I got an email asking my team and I if we’d be interested in providing comps for some cash-for-your-house buyers and companies. These kind of buyers and companies are struggling to come up with accurate comparables. This raised some concerns for my team and I. We’ve also encountered clients trying to make use of this kind of arrangement, but what ends up happening is that they charge the seller fees. While these cash offers might seem convenient, they actually earn you significantly less. In fact, the average in Arizona is 15% to 30% lower than a given property’s actual market value. So while these cash offers might seem convenient, they actually earn you significantly less. But, if you are wanting or needing this kind of cash offer I can arrange that for you. My team and I offer this same kind of service, but will net you more money. If you have any other questions or would like more information feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Keller Williams is a global leader in real estate training and education. Here is how we can help you take your business to the next level.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationRegardless of where you’re at in your real estate journey, whether you’ve been in the business for 20 years or 20 days, Keller Williams can be a home for you.Our culture is different. We believe that the more you share, the more you grow. Our culture is based on education and professionalism, and we are committed to excellence and giving opportunities to team members to grow and thrive.We’re globally recognized for our training program. Joining Keller Williams means raising your standards and wanting to be around the best with a company that is recognized as a global leader when it comes to training. KW is consistently voted the No. 1 training company across all industries. Every single day, you can engage in some type of education to help you grow your career.We’re the only privately held, agent-owned global real estate brokerage out there. Since 2009, collective agent commissions have tripled to over $6 billion. This is not a real estate venture; this is a vision to service our hometown of Gilbert, Arizona. If you want to learn from the top agents in the industry, this is the place for you.We invite you to come be part of our new office to take your career to the next level. If you have any questions for us or would like to spend some time with us to discuss the next step in your journey, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Today I'm excited to give you a quick walking tour of our new office. We're kicking off business here this month!Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationWe're excited to be coming to you live from the new Gilbert office after a lot of construction in the last week! We wanted to give you a walkthrough of this great new office with Rich Barker from Keller Williams.Check out the video above for a total walkthrough of our new digs!We've got 4,000 sq. feet of expansion space to team up with other agents. We've got lots of office space, a conference room, a great drop-and-go bullpen, a kitchen area, and plenty of expansion space for new agents or new groups for us to team up with. We're opening for business here soon. We've only got a few private office spaces left thanks to all the demand. If you'd like to schedule a private tour or you have any questions about joining us, give me a call or send me a message today. I'd love to hear from you!

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } To commemorate our 18th year in the real estate industry, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for helping make our service possible.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation It’s hard to believe that we’re wrapping up our 18th year in the real estate industry. Time has sure gone fast. Today, we wanted to thank you for the opportunity to be able to help 150 families buy or sell real estate this year. It is a great honor for us to serve you.It’s a great honor for us to serve you. Additionally, we also want to wish you happy holidays. We’re already excited for 2017, and we’re looking forward to moving our offices to a new location, the address of which we will be announcing shortly so that you can continue to receive the support and representation that you’ve come to expect from us.If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email. We look forward to talking with you soon!

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationThere are some things you should absolutely know about real estate contingencies that are in contracts.The first type of contingency is the inspection period. Most of us know that the buyer gets 10 days to inspect the property, and they can cancel the deal at any point along the way. The inspection contingency allows a buyer to walk away. The second is the financing contingency, which many sellers are not aware of. This means that in the event that the buyer is unable to obtain their financing, they can cancel the contract at any point up to the close of escrow and get their earnest money deposit back. The third is the appraisal contingency, which is a big trend in our market right now. There is an appraisal contingency written into the contract, meaning the property must appraise for the agreed-upon purchase price, or other agreements may have to be made between the buyer and seller with the sales price.The fourth one, which is also a big one in today's market, is an offer being contingent upon the sale of the buyer's home. If you get an offer that is contingent on the buyer selling their current home, you want to be sure that they are listing on the MLS with a professional agent to ensure that their home will, in fact, get sold. If they're under contract, you want to know exactly where they're at in that process. Have they gone through the finance and appraisal processes in their existing transaction? In the event they are unable to close, what will be the plan moving forward from there? Any great agent in your local market should be able to help with this.If you have any other questions about contracts, give me a call of send me an email. I'd be happy to help you!

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } I'm excited to say that our organization is growing in leaps and bounds, and this means that we have some great opportunities to offer.Today I wanted to reach out to you or anyone you know who might want to take advantage of a career opportunity and experience immediate production. Click here to request a meeting with us or send us an email at Info@TheHerfelGroup.com and we can set up a time to speak with you.We'd love to tell you more about what this opportunity could look like and mean to you.I hope to hear from you soon!

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } I wanted to talk today about real estate investment properties. Many of the questions I've been getting recently are about whether now is the time to sell your real estate portfolio.My answer is that it is never time to sell - keep your properties forever! That is what your portfolio is meant for.However, if you're trying to time the market and get the most out of your investment portfolio, now is a great time to do it. We know that real estate runs in about seven-year cycles, and the last peak was in 2007. Right now, we're living in the next peak window; therefore, you're going to be able to get the most money possible since 2007. If you want to sell, you'll exit the investment at peak pricing. Looking forward, what you'll get now is probably the most you'll be able to get for a property until about 2022. If maximizing your investment and exiting these investment properties at some point is the most important thing to you, now is the time to do it. On the flip side, if you're looking to buy, the good news is that we have a perfect storm going on right now. As we know, investment properties are all about positive cash flow, so with interest rates as low as they are, you're still able to purchase at today's prices and get positive cash flow. You're having someone else pay your mortgage for you, which is a great investment strategy.As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me by phone or email. I hope to hear from you soon!

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationHow will the election affect your ability to sell your home? This election year has had no effect on the market at all. Low interest rates have continued to drive home sales. Essentially, this election has about as much impact on the real estate market as the Kanye West/Taylor Swift feud. The real estate cycle is what drives home sales. Real estate cycles run about seven years. Our most recent peak was in 2007, after which we went through a valley. Now we are sitting atop another peak. “The real estate cycle drives home sales.”After the election, in 2017 or 2018, the market will most likely decline again. Now is the time to sell. Remember, real estate runs in seven-year cycles; our next peak won’t happen again until 2022 or 2023. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationThere are a lot of misconceptions about which types of home improvements are necessary to make on a home before you sell it. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always a good idea to invest in a large kitchen or bathroom remodel right before you list your home for sale. A good place to start when thinking about improvements is to schedule a home improvement walkthrough of your property. Often you will not need major improvements like replacing cabinets or flooring. A better alternative is to replace your fixtures, door handles, and knobs. A lot of small and inexpensive changes can add up to make a big impact on the overall look of your home. “Repainting, decluttering, and staging your home professionally can completely change the look and feel of your home.”Repainting, decluttering, and staging your home professionally can completely change the look and feel of your home. If you need help securing good vendors for these purposes, we can help. We have pre-negotiated pricing and deals on many common home renovation projects. You’ll get the best price along with the best quality. To schedule your personal walkthrough, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationShould I sell now, or wait a little bit longer?That’s the most frequently asked question we’re getting from our seller clients in today’s market. It’s a common thing to hear in an appreciating market - a seller naturally wants to get as much as they can when they can for their home.Before answering this, we tell them first that you have to know if you’re going to be purchasing in the same market. If the answer is yes, then the value of each home will increase or decrease concordantly. The home you’re selling may go up, but so is the one you’re buying. You can sell for more, but you’ll also pay for more. Knowing this, it makes more sense if you’re financing in today’s market to purchase that next home now and lock in that 30-year interest rate at the low rate we see today. The second thing to consider is the inherent unpredictability of the market itself. Nobody knows if we’ve already reached the top and are about to decline, or vice-versa. The only thing we do know is that right now it’s a seller’s market.  Thus, our advice is twofold: a) don’t try and time the market, and b) if you’re purchasing in the same market, make that move now and lock in that interest rate.Taking all this into consideration, the time to sell is now. Not only are you going to get more money for your home and have less to do as far as getting it ready to sell, but it will spend less time on the market. 

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationToday I’m here with Brandon Morgan, one of our lead listing specialists. He’s going to help me talk about why people sell their homes and how they find out if the time is right to sell a home. Motivation is always a big factor for people. That’s why Brandon always asks a seller why they want to sell their home. Is the home too big? Is the home too small? There are thousands of reasons why people want to move. When an agent understands why you want to move, they can be much more effective during the sale of your home. A lot of people will sell their homes because they have enough equity built up. This is a great reason to sell your home from a financial standpoint. If you’re able to sell now and get out with some equity, then I would recommend talking with us because it may be an excellent time to try selling your home. Our market has appreciated, so now may be the time to make your move. Give us a call if you’d like to work through some of the numbers when you’re attempting to sell your home. We would be happy to arrange a time to speak with you!