Small houses cost less, not even buy but also to heat and cool. Home projects such as painting cost less in a smaller house, even furnishing and decorating costs more in larger homes. Marana has beautiful homes that aren’t enormous, but are very spacious.

Small homes in Oro Valley save time. A large house takes longer to clean and maintain the yard. You can use the extra time to do something you enjoy like explore Arizona.

A smaller home in AZ means less clutter. You wont have unlimited amounts of storage space, so you will be forced to simplify your home.

When making updates, like investing in new countertops, you can splurge because there is less space to cover.  You can have quality upgrades.

Smaller homes in Tucson, Arizona are easier to sell. Buyers are interested in energy-efficient homes. Claire Prager can help you find the home of your dreams no matter that size.

Prevention makes the biggest difference. Be a good neighbor. If you know one of your neighbors is going to foreclose find out what you can do to help keep the property looking nice and be sure to maintain your property.  If the neighborhood looks nice chances are the foreclosure won’t be vacant long.

If you see broken windows, trash in the yard, or overgrown weeds, report them quickly. You don’t want to problem to get worse. This isn’t a big problem in Tucson, Marana or Oro Valley, but being prepared will continue to prevent a foreclosure from hurting housing prices.  An eyesore can turn into a health or safety hazard quickly.

Another option is to help sell the Arizona property. Call Claire Prager to help sell your AZ property. Talk up the area and see if you know anyone who’s looking to buy in your area.

Don’t waste your time trying to find out who owns the house to make them take responsibility, and avoid trying to fix the problems without permission. Go through the proper channels.

Walk around the neighborhood in Tucson, Marana or Oro Valley at several different times throughout the day. Trust your gut.  You will be a part of the neighborhood after you buy a house there. Make sure the neighborhood fits your wants and needs just like the house does.

While walk around your potential Arizona neighborhood look at the other houses. Are any of them abandoned, are there any missing street lights? The broken window rule comes into play here. If there aren’t many dark and lonely spots, chances are you’re safe.  You and your neighbors are the first line of defense. Look for a neighborhood in AZ that takes pride in the neighborhood.

See if your new neighborhood is built with safety in mind. While walking through the neighborhood, here are a few things to look for. Multiple use areas like parks, well maintained land and buildings, people out walking.

You can also find crime data online. But keep in mind that the data doesn’t tell the whole story. Your best bet is to talk to your prospective neighbors. Let them tell you about the Tucson neighborhoods.

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Don’t make a frivolous offer on the house you want.  The market is definitely a buyers market, but that doesn’t mean that houses in great neighborhoods are getting several offers. Put in some research to figure out what a good offer is, don’t try to shortchange the seller. Houses in Marana are desirable, so make sure you put in the right offer so you can get the house of your dreams.

Don’t guess at how much you can afford. Ask for help, find a broker or banker, they can help you. Also take into consideration that the cost of buying a house is more than the sticker price. There are costs to owning a home in Arizona.

Not taking the neighborhood into consideration is a major mistake. Make sure to spend time in your new neighborhood before buying the house. Understand the atmosphere, and the good and bad things you will experience while living there.

Finally take the time to find an agent that works for you. Most people in Oro Valley don’t think you need one, but having an agent represent you during the home buying process is a surefire way to get it done quickly and correctly.

Following these easy steps can help first time homebuyers in AZ get the perfect house without making a serious mistake.

10 ways to boost a home’s sale price in AZ

1. 1. Retouch the front shell:

If the exterior of your home isn’t appealing, no one is going to want to go inside and see all the upgrades you’ve made in there. You want your home to project a cozy feeling. The outside front of a house is the most important area for improvement. New paint outside makes the house more inviting.

1. 2. Trim the Trees:

Making sure that the lawn, garden and trees are well maintained helps make your home more alluring to buyers. It doesn’t matter if you hire a professional or do it yourself, also try adding some color to the flower beds.

1. 3. Paint Interior:

New paint inside is a cost effective way to make the home more appealing to buyers. Be sure to stick to neutral colors, like light cream. This will make the house look crisp and fresh.

1. 4. Floors:

Improving floors is a great move. Simple things like buffing hard wood or having the carpets cleaned can help boost sales, and you don’t need to replace the carpet or refinish the wood.

1. 5. Make Major Repairs:

No one has extra money anymore, there is no cash left for the buyers to make major repairs like fixing the leaking roof. This will make your house stand out from the others that need repairs.

1. 6. Get Warranty for appliances:

Put your appliances under warranty to give buyers confidence that they wont break down quickly, and if they do, they are covered.

1. 7. Make your home Energy Efficient:

Energy Efferent homes are more attractive, getting new windows and better insulation are small changes, that make a big difference to potential home buyers.

1. 8. New Light Fixtures:

You can add value to your home simply by replacing old or broken light fixtures. Pay particular attention to the entry way of the home, if it’s inviting, buyers will want to see the rest of the house.

1. 9. New Stove:

Instead of upgrading the entire kitchen, just a new stove helps potential buyers take interest in the kitchen. You get the look of a new kitchen to entice buyers without shelling out too much extra money.

10. Freshen up the Bathrooms:

Mildew stains aren’t attractive, it makes potential buyer think you didn’t take care of your home. Replace the caulk with new mildew-resistant caulk. And replace the sink if it’s cracked.

Making these small, affordable changes can really boost your sale price in Marana. Simple touches show a potential buyer how much you have cared for your home.  If you would like a few more suggestions ask Claire Prager, your agent who would be happy to give a few pointers.  It doesn’t matter if you’re in Tucson, Marana or Oro Valley small upgrades can help you get the sales price you want.

However, no matter if you’re searching for condos in Tucson, luxury homes for sale in Marana, or more family-oriented real estate in Oro Valley, one of the biggest selling points will be size. How much home you buy will impact your ability to accommodate your family, your belongings, and your life, and square footage is often one of the best ways to maintain resale value. Many homebuyers in the Arizona region adhere to the adage that “bigger is better,” and the homes for sale in the market today reflect that.

How Much is Too Much?

Before you rush out and buy the biggest house you can afford, it’s a good idea to evaluate your housing situation and what your needs really are. By being creative with space and changing the way you look at value vs. square footage, you may discover that it is much more convenient – and cost-effective – to consider a smaller living space.

Square footage costs money. Not only are you going to pay more in your initial purchase price for a home that’s twice the size, but a bigger home tends to equal bigger money all around. From utilities, electricity, and regular maintenance to buying enough furniture to fill the space, there is a lot about a big house that requires your time and money. Also, many of these factors increase pretty rapidly the older your home gets (especially upkeep and heating), so that large historic Tucson house for sale might require your attention for decades to come.

You don’t want the biggest house on the block. If you have the biggest house in your neighborhood, chances are your home value will be affected – and not in a good way. People almost always prefer to live in the nicer Tucson real estate areas, and are willing to sacrifice things like square footage and luxury amenities to get there. A big or nice house in a less desirable area might not lend itself to better resale later.

You’d be surprised what a little organization can do. One of the best things about buying a new AZ home is that you get a fresh start in the place you call home. You are handed a blank slate in which to fit your life, your furnishings, and all the items you’ve accumulated throughout the years. If you buy a smaller house with a better layout, you might be able to fit all your things with room to spare. If your new home doesn’t have that extra bedroom you’d been hoping to convert into a study, you might find that some built-in shelving and a cleverly placed room screen more than makes up for it. Homes in Europe tend to be half the size of their American counterparts, but clever organization and setup makes them seem much, much bigger.

Your new home in Tucson doesn’t have to be the biggest house in the neighborhood, and it doesn’t have to come with an impressive square footage tag in order to be a good investment. Many individuals have found that a cozy townhouse right in the middle of downtown brings a lot more opportunity than a four-story suburban home could never do, and many families are brought together by a big, open kitchen instead of a kitchen and formal dining area. Talk with Claire Prager to learn more about finding a space that can be transformed into a home – no matter how big or small it is.

At first glance, selling a house on your own might seem like a good idea. After all, in this tough Arizona real estate market, sidestepping an agent can help you save money or even allow you to reduce the selling price of your home for a faster offer. At the same time, you are in control of the process, and you don’t have to work your schedule around someone else’s.

However, as most professionals in the real estate business will tell you, for sale by owner homes come with some pretty substantial legwork. In fact, you may even find yourself turning to contract lawyers and home inspectors anyway, since few people have a working knowledge of home sales without a real estate background. To sell your own Tucson, Marana or Oro Valley home, you have to be prepared to:

Sort through potential buyers. Just because someone is looking at your house doesn’t mean they might buy it. Many people “window shop” when it comes to houses on the market, and may not have any intention of buying a house at all. Others might not have been pre-approved or pre-qualified for a home loan, and although they may sincerely want to make you an offer, it might not be something they will be able to get a bank to back them up on. And if they do make an offer, your home could be tied up for weeks while the financiers sort through the details only to fall through at the end.

Negotiate the real estate contract. In almost all cases, the sale of a house requires a contract that goes through the hands of the bank, an attorney, a title or escrow company, and a notary. Real estate agents have the right connections and knowledge to push all the paper through without losing sight of those little details that get you the best deal. Unless you’re familiar with contract law and the process of buying or selling a home, this could be both costly and time-consuming to do on your own.

Showcase your home properly. One area in which Claire Prager has an advantage is in staging, preparing, and listing your house for sale. Few homeowners have the emotional detachment necessary to make the right changes or to list the home at a price that is reasonable for the market according to home valuation estimates.

Work with other real estate agents. Over 90 percent of people work with a Tucson real estate agent when buying or selling a home. This means that the people coming to look at your house might be working with an agent of their own. However, both brokers and agents are less likely to show their clients homes that are FSBO. This can drastically reduce your pool of applicants.

Any chance to save money during the home selling process might seem like a good idea, but as is the case with most things, taking a shortcut isn’t likely to yield the best results over the long-term. Selling a Tucson, Marana, or Oro Valley house isn’t always easy, and it isn’t always fun, but when you choose to put your trust in Claire Prager, you can see for yourself just how much better the entire process can be.

If you do find that you’re second-guessing your Marana home purchase or Oro Valley condo long after the papers have been signed, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate the situation. In almost all cases, buyer’s remorse is a temporary feeling that can be overcome in a few easy steps.

• Weigh the pros and cons of the house. This should be done both before and after you make your AZ real estate purchase. Every house, no matter how old it is or where it is located, is going to have its benefits and drawbacks. The important thing is not to concentrate too heavily on either one. The balance of the good and bad in the house is what is going to turn it into a home.

• Personalize the space as soon as possible. Many times, the reasons behind buyer’s remorse have very little to do with the house itself and more to do with your feelings about it. It is an unfamiliar place, with few of the associations you’re used to. Start with just one room and make it yours, whether you do it with paint, decorations, or a bookshelf full of all your favorite knickknacks. Having at least one place where you feel completely at ease will help you feel better about the house as a whole.

• Address the flaws, one at a time. Perhaps you didn’t realize that the hot water tank only offered five minutes of hot water. Maybe you didn’t accurately measure the living room, and your beloved leather couch set won’t fit in the space. It’s possible you even failed to notice that the dark patch on the ceiling is actually a plumbing problem. Getting a house inspection prior to the sale will go a long way in helping you avoid these problems, but even the best inspection won’t find every single little flaw in the house. The best thing to is to try not to focus on the “what-ifs” of the home purchase and put your mind to the tasks at hand. With a clear head, figure out the costs associated with repairs or figure out how you might adjust your “perfect” setup to make the space livable. Many of these types of problems will arise over time anyway – no house is perfect, and even the newest models will inevitably get hit by wear and tear.

• Stop searching for other Tucson homes for sale. When you’re buying a home, you’re most likely pouring over magazines, constantly checking Internet real estate listings, or even hitting the streets themselves in order to find the perfect residence. This can be a hard habit to break, especially if you’re afraid you didn’t make the right choice. However, avoid the temptation to keep looking. Chances are, those houses aren’t as perfect as you think they are, and they’re just holding you back from loving your new home.

• Take time to relax and enjoy. Buying a home is a big step, and it can also be a stressful one. Take a brief vacation. Spend a weekend not doing home improvements or moving your belongings. Remember why you fell in love with the house in the first place.

By the time you settle into your new home and your regular routine, any feelings of buyer’s remorse are going to be long gone. As long as you do your homework ahead of time and work with a Tucson real estate agent you trust, you can rest assured that your home will be the right one for you, and in time, you’ll wonder how you were ever able to consider living anywhere else.

Most people in the AZ real estate market rely on referrals to find Tucson or Marana real estate agents they can rely on. And while this is a great place to start, you should be prepared to sit down and ask your potential new real estate agent a few questions before you rely solely on the recommendation of a friend or co-worker.

How much experience does the agent have with the Tucson real estate market? An intricate knowledge of the local cities and their neighborhoods is important in a AZ real estate agent. After all, knowing what to expect from housing prices, local schools, crime rates, and other features (such as where a new high-rise commercial district or freeway is going to be built) is key in making a smart home purchase. Look for both longevity and a great track record in terms of sales made and placed.

What kind of skills make up the agent’s resume? Buying or selling a Tucson home isn’t just about matching your vision with an appropriately-priced home. In fact, being a real estate agent has a lot more to do with paperwork and legal/financial steps than anything else. Make sure your agent is experienced in everything from negotiation to the latest home technology, and ensure that he or she has great contacts for home inspections, appraisals, and other contractual issues.

How does the agent communicate? Real estate agents in Oro Valley and the surrounding areas tend to be great at offering flexible business hours and working around your schedule to find the right home, but you’ll also want to consider how approachable the agent is – both in person and online. A real estate agent who has a strong online platform, including things like home search options and housing cost estimates, is often more valuable than one who requires all questions and house options to go directly through him or her.

What other considerations are important to you? Because buying a home is such a personal experience, it’s vital that you have real estate agent you trust to help you make the important decisions. Issues like honesty and personality, the ability to network with bankers and other professionals, and attention to detail might crop up and play a role in your AZ home buying experience.

No matter who you choose to help you find a new home, remember that you aren’t required to stay with an agent if you’re not comfortable with the relationship. While professional courtesy is always appreciated, you can always switch to a new Tucson real estate agent if you feel that you aren’t getting as much out of the experience as you want.

Depending on what you want out of your home, finding the right style for you can be a lot of work – fortunately, it can also be quite a bit of fun.

Costs of New vs. Older Arizona Homes

In the past, deciding which type of home you wanted was largely a matter of price, since most older homes came in at a considerably lower price tag than new developments. In today’s market, however, there are new and historic homes that fall into the entire spectrum of housing costs – as long as you know where to look.

Older homes with renovated interiors have the double advantage of supplying old world charm and the latest in kitchen and bathroom amenities. However, older homes that haven’t been updated with modern heating, cooling, pipes, or electricity can become a financial drain when it comes to dealing with the AZ weather. In this same way, newer homes with jetted tubs and a pool out back might provide everything you need to live comfortably, but there might be a trade-off when it comes to lot size and unique architectural features.

Of course, location matters, too. Tucson and Marana homes for sale that have a little bit of historic charm tend to be found within small, unique neighborhoods closer to the downtown center. New development homes and those in gated communities tend to be found further out, especially in more suburban regions where there is more room for growth. These differences in location can have an impact on housing prices, since you may have to pay more for proximity to the city.

Benefits of an Older Home

Although all older homes vary – especially when it comes to things like updates, renovations, and location – most of them provide great benefits from an aesthetic point-of-view, including:

• Craftsmanship and architectural details
• Unique layouts
• Larger lot sizes
• Centuries-old features
• Mature landscaping

Benefits of a Newer Home

New homes tend to come with a much lower level of hassle, which can be a great boon to those buying a house for the first time or for young families who may not want to put a lot of time into their residence. Some of the features of a new Tucson home include:

• Less maintenance overall
• New pipes, roofs, appliances, electricity, etc.
• Larger storage spaces/More square footage
• Often closer to family-friendly features like schools and parks
• Energy efficient updates

Which Home is Right for You?

If you have been considering buying a Tucson home for awhile, you might already have a good idea of what you want out of your house, and what types of architecture appeal to you the most. However, many of the benefits of old homes (or new homes) can’t really be appreciated until you see them first-hand.

Ask your Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley Realtor to show you the best of both worlds, and you might be surprised by what really draws you in. Just remember that every house – even the new ones – will require a little bit of work before they really start to feel like home.