Pony 4 Precious: Where Compassion Meets Connection for a Life-Changing Experience

Mike Eastwood Chief Executive Officer of West USA Realty of Prescott states. For years, we’ve all heard about the most desirable home features buyers are looking for, from upgraded kitchens to remodeled bathrooms, master suites, and more. The latest on the hotlist, however, might surprise you:  home offices. In a recent article by  George Ratiu ,  Senior Economist  with  realtor.com , he notes how listings with an office are selling quickly: “As more companies have been embracing remote work, buyers are driving demand for houses with home offices higher. Homes featuring the term ‘office’ are selling 9 days faster than the overall housing inventory.” Today, more and more people are working remotely, and that’s not just because the current pandemic is prompting businesses to operate virtually. According to the same piece and the most recent data available, the number of employees working at home was fairly steady from 1997 – 2004 but has been climbing eve...

There’s a ton of real estate information available in the news today and on the Internet. It can be extremely confusing, especially in times of uncertainty like we’re facing right now states Mike Eastwood Chief Executive Officer of West USA Realty of Prescott. If you’re thinking of buying or selling this year, you need an agent who can help you: Make sense of this rapidly evolving housing market Navigate everything from virtual showings to new online marketing strategies Price your home correctly at the beginning of the selling process Determine what to offer on your dream home without paying too much or offending the seller Dave Ramsey, a financial guru, advises: “When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the  heart of a teacher , not the heart of a salesman.” Hiring an agent who has a finger on the pulse of the current market will make your buying or selling experience so much easier....

Ten million Americans lost their jobs over the last two weeks states Mike Eastwood Chief Executive Officer of West USA Realty of Prescott. The next announced unemployment rate on May 8 th  is expected to be in the double digits. Because the health crisis brought the economy to a screeching halt, many are feeling a personal financial crisis. James Bullard,  President  of the  Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis , explained that the government is trying to find ways to assist those who have lost their jobs and the companies which were forced to close (think: your neighborhood restaurant). In a  recent interview  he said: “This is a planned, organized partial shutdown of the U.S. economy in the second quarter. The overall goal is to keep everyone, households and businesses, whole.” That’s promising, but we’re still uncertain as to when the recently unemployed will be able to return to work. Another concern: how badly will the U.S. economy be damaged if ...

The angst caused by the coronavirus has most people on edge regarding both their health and financial situations states Mike Eastwood Chief Executive Officer of West USA Realty of Prescott. It’s at times like these when we want exact information about anything we’re doing – even the correct protocol for grocery shopping. That information brings knowledge, and this gives us a sense of relief and comfort. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home today, the same need for information is very real. But, because it’s such a big step in our lives, that desire for clear information is even greater in the home buying or selling process. Given the current level of overall anxiety, we want that advice to be truly perfect. The challenge is, no one can give you “perfect” advice. Experts can, however, give you the best advice possible. Let’s say you need an attorney, so you seek out an expert in the type of law required for your case. When you go to her office, she won’t immediately tel...

The  2020 Millennial Home Buyer Report  shows how this generation is not really any different from previous ones when it comes to homeownership goals: “The majority of millennials not only want to own a home, but 84% of millennials in 2019 considered it a major part of the American Dream.” Unfortunately, the myths surrounding the barriers to homeownership – especially those related to down payments and FICO® scores – might be keeping many buyers out of the arena. The piece also reveals: “Millennials have to navigate a lot of obstacles to be able to own a home. According to our 2020 survey, saving for a down payment is the biggest barrier for 50% of millennials.” Millennial or not, unpacking two of the biggest myths that may be standing in the way of homeownership among all generations is a great place to start the debunking process. Myth #1: “I Need a 20% Down Payment” Many buyers often overestimate what they need to qualify for a home loan. According to the s...

With all of the havoc being caused by COVID-19, many are concerned we may see a new wave of foreclosures. Restaurants, airlines, hotels, and many other industries are furloughing workers or dramatically cutting their hours. Without a job, many homeowners are wondering how they’ll be able to afford their mortgage payments states Mike Eastwood Chief executive officer of West USA Realty of Prescott. In spite of this, there are actually many reasons we won’t see a surge in the number of foreclosures like we did during the housing crash over ten years ago. Here are just a few of those reasons: The Government Learned its Lesson the Last Time During the previous housing crash, the government was slow to recognize the challenges homeowners were having and waited too long to grant relief. Today, action is being taken swiftly. Just this week: The  Federal Housing Administration  indicated it is  enacting  an  “immediate foreclosure and eviction moratorium for sin...

In times of uncertainty, one of the best things we can do to ease our fears is to educate ourselves with research facts and data states Mike Eastwood Chief Executive officer of West USA Realty of Prescott, Digging into past experiences by reviewing historical trends and understanding the peaks and valleys of what’s come before us is one of the many ways we can confidently evaluate any situation. With concerns of a global recession on everyone’s minds today, it’s important to take an objective look at what has transpired over the years and how the housing market has successfully weathered these storms. 1. The Market Today Is Vastly Different from 2008 We all remember in 2008.  This is not 2008 . Today’s market conditions are far from the time when housing was a key factor that triggered a recession. From easy-to-access mortgages to skyrocketing home price appreciation, a surplus of inventory, excessive equity-tapping, and more – we’re not where we were 12 years ago. None of tho...