contract for deed

Whether you want to buy a vacation rental property or you’re looking for a more permanent residence, Scottsdale, Arizona represents an exciting opportunity. A burgeoning economy and multiple job opportunities, a sunny, warm climate and numerous activities mean that Scottsdale can be an exciting opportunity for those with families or young people trying to take advantage of a recreational playground. 

The Weather

The Scottsdale area is known for its warm and sunny, year-round climate. Winter months are mild and there are brisk temperatures at night that drop to the high 40s. During the day, temperatures rest around the high 60s and average rainfall is minimal, as to be expected from a desert climate. 

Spring and fall are the best seasons to take advantage of the outdoor activities, which are plentiful. They are also excellent opportunities to enjoy the outdoor dining experience. Average highs are in the 70s with lows in the 50s. The beginning of the summer is known as the dry season in Scottsdale, and there is little to no precipitation during these months. Temperatures can reach the high 90s during the day and low 70s at nightfall. However, the lack of humidity still makes some recreational activities possible given you take adequate hydration measures. 

The second half of summer is what’s described as a wet season and it features the highest amount of precipitation during the year. This can raise the humidity level and temperatures can reach over 100 degrees. The 80-degree evenings can be humid and it’s the most difficult time to complete recreational activities.

Scottsdale Demographics 

Scottsdale is touted as the “West’s Most Western Town” and even though it only became official as a city in 1951, it has seen substantial growth year after year. The city has a thriving nightlife and one of the 100 largest populations in the US. With a population of just under 250,000, the city features various social opportunities and it has drawn comparisons to Miami Beach. It boasts a diverse population and it represents a wide range of cultures. 

The demographics are geared more towards a young population between 25 and 49 and a large portion of the population is employed in the tourism industry due to the city’s many recreational opportunities. 

Scottsdale History

Despite its incorporation less than a century ago, Scottsdale has a history that dates back to 300 BC. Originally inhabited by the Hohokam, they created a series of canals used for irrigation. Many of these canals are still used today. Scottsdale first saw extensive growth in the 1880s when US Army Chaplain Winfield Scott saw its agricultural potential. He bought 600 acres and he and his brother George Washington Scott became the first residents of what became known as Orangedale. In 1894, they renamed the city Scottsdale in honor of the founder. 

Shortly after, the town established a public school system, post office, and general store. In the 1900s, it continued to expand as the Granite Reef and Roosevelt dams started operating. In post World War 2, Scottsdale experienced its first economic boom by producing cotton for the war effort. The boom came to a halt after the war ended. 

During the Great Depression, many artists and architects made their way to the Scottsdale area and established residence. The town began to grow again. From the 1970s to the 1990s planned communities sprang up and the area expanded so much that residents were afraid of the effect on the natural environment. They commissioned 36,000 acres of the area to protect it from human damages.

Scottsdale Lifestyle

Scottsdale has many benefits to people of all different backgrounds. Whether you want to raise a family or you’re a young adult looking for a place that offers many recreational and nightlife opportunities, Scottsdale can deliver. Suburban areas, low crime, and some of the best schools in the state are perfect for families while a booming economy, bustling social life, great restaurants and shopping centers. 

Located between the mountains and beach areas, a drive of just a few hours can take you to some of the best ski resorts. If you enjoy days at the beach, you can travel four or five hours west to hit some of the most beautiful beaches in California. Despite high temperatures, low humidity creates a comfortable environment and numerous golf courses add to the recreational activities for both retirees and those who enjoy the links. 

Best Neighborhoods In Scottsdale

One of the best aspects of moving to Scottsdale and buying a home comes from the city’s many neighborhoods. No matter what lifestyle you lead, it’s difficult to go wrong with any neighborhood you choose. Some of the more popular areas of Scottsdale include: 

• Gainey Ranch- Gainey Ranch is perfect for families and the ranch covers more than 560 acres and 19 different neighborhoods. 
• Downtown Scottsdale- Downtown Scottsdale has seen significant growth and improvement recently. For those who prefer the western side of the city, the Old Town might be your best bet. This part of the city is perfect for those who enjoy active lifestyles. 
• North Scottsdale- North Scottsdale has experienced exponential growth in the past several years and it houses many employees of the Scottsdale Airpark. It has a number of residential subdivisions and commercial centers and it is considered one of the best places to work in Scottsdale. 

Bottom Line 

Scottsdale is an up and coming part of Arizona that features housing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re looking for a vacation rental property or something more full time, Scottsdale has an area for you. With its healthy economic indicators, bustling nightlife, and outdoor activities, Scottsdale might be your best option. 

Buying a home, anywhere, is a very big commitment. There is a lot of planning that goes into it and, of course, a lot of money. And it only gets more complicated when buying a home from out of state, making an already grueling process longer. However, if you know what you are doing, the process can go much more smoothly and easily. To this end, we have decided to put together the ultimate guide on buying a home in Minnesota from out of State, and we hope you find it helpful.

Figure out a budget and down payment

First things first, you need to consider your buying capabilities. Set a realistic budget for yourself, and plan ahead for the down payment. Typically, mortgage lender in Minnesota ask for 20% of the price as down payment. However, if you go with a government backed loan (VA and VHA loans), your down payment can be as low as 3.5%, or even 0%. However, this option does have its downsides. For one, since you will be borrowing more money, you will pay higher monthly installments. Also, you might want to familiarize yourself with the difference between Deed vs. Title. Additionally, you will want to get pre-approved for a mortgage well ahead of time. This is because most home sellers in Minnesota will want you to be pre-approved before showing you their home. And always remember to compare rates and pre-approval amounts from multiple lenders before deciding.

Figuring out an exact budget should be the first step when buying a home from out of state.

Choose your location and hire a real estate agent

Because you are buying from out of state, and let’s use Texas as an example, you won’t be able to easily tour potential properties. Because of this, it’s absolutely vital to hire a real estate agent to help you throughout the process. Not only will they be able to help you through all of the legalities and the search, they will be able to take you on guided video tours through potential properties so you can inspect them before deciding. However, before finding your realtor, you should decide on a location, and hire a local realtor who knows the area well. Additionally, remember to think about hiring movers too. For example, if you’re moving from Austin, you will want reliable experts to get you into your new home. In order to leave Austin stress-free, you have to hire professionals. And finding reliable ones takes a lot of time.

Decide what you want in a house

In order to help narrow down your search, you have to consider all of the amenities which you must have, and other which would be nice to have. For example, if you have children, you will probably want to have a home close to a school. So, make a list of must-haves, and give it to your realtor. This will help them narrow down the search to properties with amenities that you absolutely need. Location also plays a part in this, but you should realistically decide that before this step. Also, if you’re buying this home for the sake of investment, you might want to familiarize yourself with some tips for effective property management. Once you know exactly you want out of a home, the search for a home should go much faster. Your real estate agent should be able to pin down a few properties which suit your needs.

Knowing exactly what you want out of a home will help narrow down the search considerably.

Visit and make an offer

Once your real estate agent finds a suitable property, you might want to make a trip to the house and take a look in person. Video tours are a great option, but nothing can replace seeing a property in person. Once you visit and are certain you want the home, work with your real estate agent to make an offer. They will be able to help you make an offer which is both reasonable and competitive. Additionally, experts from State to State Move note that you should never move into a home without first seeing it in person. An in-person inspection can reveal issues which are easily missed over a video tour. Also, when making your offer, remember that this price doesn’t have to be final. But, it still needs to be competitive enough for the seller not to simply brush it off.

Inspections, appraisals and closing

Finally, when the seller accepts your offer, you still have a chance to renegotiate the price. By going through a home appraisal and inspection, you could renegotiate the price depending on the inspection. The home inspection should cover: the roof, foundation, plumbing and electrical systems. More specifically to Minnesota, the property should also be tested for radon (because it can be dangerous at elevated levels), and some sellers will need you to perform a pest inspection before closing. When it comes to appraisals, you should familiarize yourself with what highest use means in real estate before going through with it. Regardless, your lender will order an appraisal in order to make sure the home is worth the price tag. When it comes to closing, remember to account for closing costs and don’t forget all of the required documentation. Namely: the deed, mortgage promissory note, final loan application and disclosure statements.

A home inspection and appraisal can help renegotiate the price depending on the results.

Buying a home in Minnesota from out of state – the ultimate guide – closing thoughts

Buying a home from out state is a long and complicated process. But if you know familiarize yourself with the details it can go quite quickly and smoothly. Working with an expert real estate agent and doing your own preparation and research ahead of time is incredibly helpful. Still, only you can know what you the perfect property is, so a visit before deciding on a home should be considered mandatory. We hope you found this ultimate guide to buying a home in Minnesota from out of state helpful, and we wish you a wonderful rest of your day.

Buying a house is one of the most exciting steps you can take. Unfortunately, the home buying process can be confusing for those who have never purchased a home before. The good news is after you’ve purchased your first home, buying your second home is easy. Not sure what goes into buying a house? You’ve come to the right place. This article will break down the home buying process from loan to close. 

Before the Loan

Before you can buy a home, you’ll need to determine whether or not you can afford it. To determine how much you can afford, you can use an online calculator that will tell you how much home you can afford based on your income and credit score. But, of course, other factors affect whether or not you’ll be able to afford a home, such as debts. 

You should be able to easily determine your debt-to-income (DTI). Take a look at your current debt versus your income and consider how much money you can afford on a monthly mortgage. Make sure to include everything in your estimate, including groceries and student loans. Remember, buying a home is more expensive than renting one, and there are costs that renters don’t pay, such as home repairs. 

Next, you’ll need to save for a down payment. Most loans require at least a 3.5% down payment, but it’s typically best to put down 20% of the home’s price so you can pay less on your monthly mortgage bill. If you’re a veteran who qualifies for a VA loan, you might not have to put any money down at all. 

Getting a Loan

When you’re ready to apply for a loan, make sure you get pre-approved first. Getting preapproved will allow you to start house hunting, knowing approximately how much of a loan you can get. A pre-approval letter states how much you’re approved for based on credit score, income, and other factors. Give a copy of your pre-approval letter to your realtor so they can help you find homes within your means. 

To get pre-approved, you’ll apply with a lender of your choice. The preapproval process is typically easy and involves answering questions on an application and speaking to a mortgage professional. A mortgage company will often verify income, credit, and assets with documentation you’ll need to apply, so make sure to have these on hand:

• W-2s
• Pay stubs
• Income statements
• Account statements

There are many different types of loans available for homeowners, so it’s up to you to determine which one is right for you. However, your mortgage loan officer will give you recommendations based on your financial situation. These are the types of loans you may qualify for:

Conventional Loan

Conventional loans are the most popular option for buyers. While the typical conventional loan requires you to put down 20%, many mortgage companies allow you to put down as little as 3%. 

FHA Loan

FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and are ideal for new homebuyers because the credit score and down payment requirements aren’t as strict. You can put down as little as 3.5%. 

VA Loan

VA loans are only available for qualifying veterans, active-duty members, and their spouses. Many veterans opt for this type of home loan because it doesn’t require a down payment. 

USDA Loan

USDA Loans are another government-backed loan that can help individuals purchase their first home. USDA loans require 0% down. However, the home you purchase must be in a rural area, and homebuyers must meet income requirements. 

Finding a Realtor

Homebuyers should always work with a qualified realtor because they don’t have to pay the commission fee. Home sellers pay the realtor fees, making finding your dream home easier. Of course, you can find and purchase a home without help, but a realtor can help you find homes that meet your budget and criteria, take you to showings, and help you negotiate. 

Knowing the Market

As home prices continue to rise, having an awareness of the current housing market is a fundamental skill if you are trying to purchase a home. Currently, it is a seller’s market, and homes are going fast and often for above the asking price. Many factors contribute to the rising cost of homes and the competitive market. For example, Address Scoop’s report on the millennial generation found that more millennials are of home-buying age, making the demand for housing high and the supply low. Inflation and low-interest rates are also contributing factors.

House Hunting

With your mortgage pre-approval in hand, you can begin looking for houses within your budget. Make a list of your top preferences in a home, but keep in mind if you’re on a tight budget, you may not be able to get everything you want. When hunting for a house, consider:

• Price
• Size
• Condition
• Number of bedrooms
• Access to grocery stores, schools, and other places
• Property and real estate taxes

If you’re working with a realtor, they will consider your preferences when house hunting for you and only show you houses that meet certain criteria. 

Making an Offer

Once you find a house you like, it’s time to submit an offer letter to the sellers. An offer letter tells the sellers about who you are and what you’re willing to pay for the home. You can also include a personalized letter for why you want to purchase the home. Your offer letter will also include a deadline to tell the seller when you’d like a response. 

Once the seller receives your offer, they can either:

• Accept the offer
• Reject the offer
• Negotiate 

Getting a Home Inspection

Some lenders require you to get a home inspection before you receive your loan. However, even if your lender doesn’t require it, it’s still something you should do so you can know about any repairs you’ll have to make as the home’s new owner. 

An inspector will go through the house and look for issues, testing electrical systems, roofing, and appliances. After the inspection, you’ll receive a list of problems they found. If there are any serious issues found, you might be able to negotiate with the seller to fix the issues before you close. 

Getting an Appraisal

An appraisal tells you the home’s current value and is a requirement of all lenders. Getting financing can become more difficult if the home is appraised for lower than your offer. Your offer must be thoughtful, but you can also contest the results of an appraisal if you believe it’s too low. 

Closing on the Home

Once you’ve followed through with all of your lender’s requirements, you’ll receive a Closing Disclosure. This document informs you about how much you’ll pay at closing and summarizes your loan terms. Make sure to read through your Disclosure and ensure the numbers aren’t too different from your loan estimate. 

You’ll then go to a closing meeting with your lender and bring your ID, your Closing Disclosure, and funds for paying your closing costs. 

Once everything has been verified, you’ll sign a settlement statement and pay your down payment and closing costs. Next, you’ll sign the mortgage to secure your mortgage note. Finally, once closing is over, you officially own the home. 

The cultural pressure to buy a property should not be underestimated. Getting a mortgage is often deeply ingrained in your psyche, and it is also viewed as the only way for you to truly become a homeowner. This is not the case at all because there are some advantages to renting over buying. If you want to find out more about them, then the only thing that you need to do is look below.

Advantages to Renting

Tenancies can easily be as short as six months. You can move after this time if you find that your accommodation just isn’t working for you. Of course, if you can give the notice to vacate, then this will give you more flexibility and it will also help you to completely uproot your life if that is what you want. Moving out of a rental property can be much faster when compared to selling a property as well. On top of this, you will have fewer fees to pay and this can be useful if you are in a relationship, but it breaks down. Renting can be a very good way for you to test out the waters if you are involved in a romantic relationship.

You don’t have the worry about the expense of maintenance, and you are not responsible for things that may break down, items such as the heating boiler, the plumbing and electrics. This will give you much more financial security and it will also help you to enjoy the finer things in life. If you rent a furnished property then this will include the white goods and the furniture, as it will all be included. Remember you can take out a condo insurance quote in advance as well, so you know how much it will cost you to get all of your goods covered.

Advantages to Purchasing a House

If you are planning for your future in the long-term, and you have the money then homeownership is certainly a smart move. Playing around with a calculator shows that it makes financial sense as well. Even though you will need to pay fees to get your mortgage, you have to know that this still puts you in a strong financial position. You probably won’t have to pay things such as stamp duty and you won’t have to worry about losing out in the long-term because every payment you make will put you a step closer to being able to own your own property.

Saving for a House Deposit

It takes on average, 10 years for someone to raise a house deposit. Studies have also shown that someone who lives in a big city, such as London, may well need to save up over 15 years.  It’s very difficult for people to get on the property ladder for the first time and even if you were able to save up a small deposit, a lot of lenders will want you to have more.

There are more and more 5% mortgages creeping up on the market overall but if you do want to be in a strong financial position then you may want to try and put down more if you possibly can. The main reason for this is because it will give you a much lower interest rate on your loan and this will work in your favor overall.

When you have saved up for your loan, you then need to think about the hidden costs that are associated with your mortgage. This can include the mortgage fees as well as your solicitor fees too. When you have moved in, you will need to spend a good amount of money furnishing your property and you will need to maintain it. If you have roof tiles that are falling off or if you have a broken boiler then this will all add up when it comes to your expenses overall. You also need to think about interest rates, because if this does go up, then you’ll be paying way more in the long run.

Getting A Mortgage with No Deposit

If you are renting right now, then it may be possible for you to get a mortgage without a deposit. You won’t need to worry about waiting to save up or anything else of the sort. If you do take out a 100% mortgage however then this can put you in a very bad situation. You may find that you end up falling into negative equity because you are not able to get the right amount of money for your house when you sell, and you may also find that you are limited when it comes to your profit overall.

Adding artwork to a home can accent aspects of your current interior design such as furniture, rugs, wall colors, etc. If you’ve ever painted a room, selected furniture, and then stood back to look it over and just felt like there was something missing, a really well-fitting piece of art may have been just what you needed to complete the room.

Maybe your furniture and wall colors are sort of drab and a colorful piece of art would really pop in the room and give the room some character. Or maybe your room is overwhelmed with color and what you need is a simple, neutral piece that provides a sense of calm within the chaos. Finding the right type of artwork that complements your space can help you complete your interior design.

That said, hanging art on your walls is an art in itself. You need to take into account a lot of considerations and small details to seek perfection in this task. Chiefly, the position of your artwork depends on two major things, the size of your smaller canvas (the artwork) and the size of your bigger canvas (the walls). Placing the artifacts rightly requires precise measurements and good picture hanging systems.

The following are the basic considerations you need to check in different cases while positioning your art properly.

Normal Wall Height

Solo Art

Hanging a single artwork per wall does not require a lot of contemplation. Just hang the art parallel to the eye level by using the proper picture hanging systems. The basic reason for this is that the viewer while appreciating your art would not want to crane his neck. Thus, the height of around 56-60 inches would suit the best.

Grouping

While grouping a number of artworks on the same wall, hang the largest frame at the eye level as done for solo. Now place all of the remaining artifacts around this considering it as the center.

Tall Walls

For tall walls, positioning your artwork at eye level is not necessary. In such cases, the placement of frames at the vision level would leave a lot of space on the top and look odd. Thus, you can try a series of art or even some artwork tapestries. This way, you will not only end up filling up those spaces smoothly but will also make the ceiling look less far away. Even here, you should try to keep the larger and catchier frames in the central portion near to the eye level.

Other Cases

Walls close to the dining areas are usually visited as seated. Therefore, the eye level of such regions is lower as compared to other walls. This way, your attention hotspot lowers down to 3-4 feet and thus requires you to place the artifacts in the portions of the wall.

While hanging artworks above your furniture or other home decor items, you must keep a gap of around 5 inches. This is the ideal margin for positioning artifacts. In addition, while doing so, you must also keep in mind that the width of the art should be at least ⅔ of the width of the furniture. For instance, the width of an artwork (or group) placed above a 6′ wide sofa should be at least 4′.

Final Words

Good art pieces require proper viewing to be truly appreciated. Thus displaying them at the right height becomes very important. By considering the above factors while hanging your art pieces on the walls, you can create an impressive effect on the viewer’s mind.

No one likes the sound of a dripping tap night after night as you try to go to sleep, not only does it wastewater, but it can drive you crazy the slow drip, drip, drip. Fixing your leaking tap may not be as difficult as you might think with a little bit of know-how. 

Whether you are a seasoned professional DIY or you are new to maintenance and basic house updates, here are some handy tips for fixing a leaking tap in your kitchen. 

How to fix a leaking kitchen tap? 

Firstly, you will need to get an understanding of what you are working with, and whether you have a cartridge valve on your kitchen tap, or a ceramic disc, compression valve, or a ball-style faucet. No matter which one your tap is, you will be able to find a replacement at your local hardware store or your plumbing supplier. 

Once you have determined the type of tap you have, you will need a bunch of tools that are most likely around the home including a wrench, screwdriver, hammer, washers and seal replacements, pliers, valve replacement, and some silicone or grease. 

Step 1: Shut off the water at the wall

This is an important step if you don’t want to be covered in water when you start your kitchen tap DIY. You will find the tap usually under the kitchen sink, and you should turn this off first before taking off the tap handle otherwise you will get soaked. 

Step 2: Once the water is off, detach the kitchen tap handle 

Once you have ensured there is no water flowing, then you can start removing the screws on your kitchen tap handle. Sometimes the screws are underneath the logo in the center of the tap or they could be behind the tap itself, either way, you should be able to find these fairly easily and you will need to use your tools to detach the handle safely. 

Step 3: Remove the valve 

This part can be tricky and you might need to use a little force or a set of pliers – if the valve is stuck this could be due to mineral build-up and you might need to use some silicone or a little bit of elbow grease to get the valve open and off. At this stage, you can also remove any of the rubber components to be replaced. 

Step 4: Replace all the components 

Now you have everything in pieces, it is time to replace the rubber elements and also the valve and then work in reverse to put everything back together. You might need to add some silicone as well to ensure everything is lubricated and working well. 

Once you have completed all these steps, you should turn on the water again and test the kitchen tap is working well and everything is leak-free. If you do find that there is still an issue, you should call in an expert to get them to inspect the work. 

Always call on a licensed and experienced plumber to ensure everything is being carried out to the highest standard and your warranty is not affected for your taps and any plumbing in your house or property.