Lake Havasu City Realtors

Lake Havasu, Arizona beaches rated #1 in North America

2011-10-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

According to Wanderlust and Yahoo! News, Lake Havasu, Arizona was voted number 1 in North America as the best non ocean beach!

We are not just a party town. We are a town now recognized for our miles of sandy beaches. We are family oriented, kid friendly and we offer a lot of activities such as off-roading and we even have a casino.

This is a huge boost for our city. About 750,000 visitors come to our town each year. It is nice to be recognized for something other than Spring Break which is just a blip on the map according to our Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Lake Havasu City, AZ Realtors are standing by for your Call Now! Office 928-505-5478 Brenda Cell 928-846-6044 Willie Cell 928-846-6046 or visit us at http://www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

Appraisal's in Today's Market

2011-10-06T13:05:00.001-07:00

The changes to the appraisal process require that Realtors and Lenders do not know which appraiser we might get. They are rotated from a pool of available and licensed appraisers.

Just as in any trade there are some that are better than others and knowing and understanding the market. Here in Lake Havasu we can even get an appraiser assigned from a neighboring city and those cities may be declining in value.

Concern over appraisal is not just a buyer issue. It affects sellers as well. If a seller takes an offer and the appraisal comes in higher they do not always breathe a sigh of relief. Often they think they should have asked for more money. In reality this is not always the case. We may have just not had as thorough an appraisal as we should have or our appraiser has a different set of experiences and data that is used.

Until Real Estate gets back to a new normal we will continue to see pricing as a moving target and appraisers just like Realtors have to continue to evaluate this ever changing landscape of Real Estate and price is one thing that will continue to challenge us all.

Lake Havasu City, AZ Realtors Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are standing by for your Call Now at
928-505-5478

Looking for Cheap and Cute Condo?

2011-09-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

WOW! If you have dreamed of having a place in Lake Havasu City but the prices were too probative, this is your year to get a deal.

Priced at $49,000 this is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo that comes mostly furnished and absolutely move in ready. Winter visitors find it a fun place with daily Happy Hours by the pool and good friends.

Call us for your private showing!

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478 Brenda Cell 928-846-6044 Willie Cell 928-846-6046 www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

We Sold Another Short Sale Today!

2011-08-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

We just closed another successful short sale today in Lake Havasu City, AZ for a client. We listed the home 5/24/2011 and had it under contract by 5/27/11 which was 3 days on the market. Getting through the bank approval process was less than 2 months and then we scheduled a 30 day close once we got the approvals!
Our success was driven by pricing to compete with other distressed properties and intended to drive multiple offers which it did. We ended up with 4 offers and submitted the highest and best to the bank for consideration.

Our list price was $113,000 and we sold it at $120,000. Here is a copy of the tour on this home!

Call Brenda and Willie Gonzalez to list your short sale and GET IT SOLD!

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478 Brenda Cell 928-846-6044 Willie Cell 928-846-6046 www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

Loans are available for Canadian Buyers of US Property

2011-08-08T16:57:00.000-07:00

Canadian Loans for Arizona Property

We have loans for Canadian home buyers in Lake Havasu City, AZ!
Brenda and Willie Gonzalez of RE/MAX Prestige Properties in Lake Havasu City, AZ are the REALTORS that you need when you are buying in Lake Havasu!

There is money available from several banks to back your home purchase.
We work with a couple of lenders that have loans available for foreign nationals. Rates are about 1.5% higher than average rates BUT rates are at an all time low right now.

If you have been dreaming of owning a winter home in the US and love the beautiful sunshine filled days in Arizona take a look at what Lake Havasu City has to offer.

Prices are lower than they have been for years. Foreclosure inventory is still stable and holding at about 75 properties at any given time with most of these priced under $150,000. Although there are many places in the US to find home prices lower than Lake Havasu you won't find the clear blue skies, no freeways and the wonderful weather we have at those prices.

Lake Havasu City is a resort town that caters to the visitors no matter what your season.

If you like golf we have it.
If you like fishing we have it.
If you like cars and car clubs we have it.
If you like a tan in the winter we have it.
If you like off road desert sports we have it.
If you like outdoor activity we have it.
If you like friendly outgoing people we have it.

Fill out the form on the link right here ( click here ) and we will have a lender contact you today to see how much you can spend in SUNNY Lake Havasu City, AZ.

Brenda and Willie Gonzalez

RE/MAX Prestige Properites
928-505-5478 Direct
http://www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

J.D. Power: RE/MAX Highest in Customer Satisfaction

2011-07-27T10:05:00.001-07:00

J.D. Power: RE/MAX Highest in Customer Satisfaction	Select Language▼

In the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Home Buyer/Seller Study released today, buyers and sellers award RE/MAX the highest rankings in customer satisfaction.
It’s clear: RE/MAX Associates are the ones consumers trust most to guide them through one of the most challenging real estate markets ever seen in the U.S.

View the buyer survey resultsView the seller survey results

"I want to personally thank and congratulate every one of you for contributing to this prestigious recognition," says RE/MAX Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger. "It truly reflects your professional excellence, your enthusiasm for education, your commitment to distressed sellers, your individual drive, and many other qualities that serve the interests of your clients. Your efforts change lives, and those people have spoken." Homebuyers ranked RE/MAX on a 1,000-point scale with a score of 805 and home sellers put RE/MAX on top with 791, leading all other real estate franchises in the survey. Consumers rated RE/MAX in the following categories:

Overall satisfaction
Agent/Salesperson professionalism
Variety of additional services
Real estate office
Real estate company marketing (seller survey only)

The 2011 Home Buyer/Seller Study includes more than 4,200 evaluations from more than 3,680 respondents who bought or sold a home between March 2010 and April 2011. The study was fielded between March and May 2011.
Send comments or questions about the survey results to mediagroup@remax.net.
About J.D. Power and Associates Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

	Select Language▼

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478 Brenda Cell 928-846-6044 Willie Cell 928-846-6046 www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

Top 6 Reasons Your Home Did Not Sell

2011-07-12T09:19:00.001-07:00

Your home was listed with another Realtor and did not sell during the listing timeframe. Here are the Top 6 reasons a home doesn’t sell.

Reason #1 is price. Buyers are sensitive to price per square foot and if yours is out of line with other similar homes to yours it will not get the activity it needs to sell. We offer a FREE Price Opinion of the value of your home.

Reason #2 is the stage. This includes first the curb appeal and then a clean and clutter free interior. We offer a FREE Staging Consultation and we stage all our vacant homes. Ask us for details.

Reason #3 is the picture story. Without professional quality pictures (and all 24 that we can show) and a virtual tour the internet surfer may not even put yours on the list. All our listings have the full 24 allowable pictures; a virtual tour and professional qualify presentation.

Reason #4 is internet presence. Your home needs to have a strong internet marketing plan. We have a 20 Steps to SOLD Marketing Plan we would love to share with you.

Reason #5 is accessibility to view the home. If a home is occupied it is critical that the buyer agents can get in touch with either the homeowner or the Realtor to schedule a showing and in the buyer timeframe to view.

Reason #6 is lack of marketing. You must have a proactive FULL TIME Realtor who works the data for continuous improvement of your showings. We are both full time Realtors and are dedicated to your needs.

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478 Brenda Cell 928-846-6044 Willie Cell 928-846-6046 www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

Lake Havasu City Neighborhoods

2011-05-03T12:45:00.000-07:00

Lake Havasu City clients come from all over the country and Canada so often they don’t have a feel for our town and the area. It is about 20 minutes from one side of town to another so there is not really a good side or a better side of town.

We are for the most part a spot built town. We do not have many planned communities or subdivisions so you can have new homes mixed with older ones and well-kept homes next to those who let the curb appeal go. The best way to find the right home is by driving the neighborhood to see if it is a good fit for you.

We have 3 primary zip codes.

South 86406

Some people choose the south side for its more quiet feeling. On the south side of town you will find:

• Entrances to BLM land for desert play

• The Speedway and various events held at the Fairgounds

• The Courses of London Bridge Golf Course and Country Club

• Close to Boat Launch Ramps

North 86404

Some people choose the North side for the views. On the north side of town you will find:

• The mall and Walmart

• Havasu Heights for acreage if you like wide open spaces

• The Refuge Golf and Country Club

• Close to Boat Launch Ramps

• Entrances to BLM land for desert play

Central 86403

Some people choose the central side of town to be close to the hospital and downtown events.

• Walking distance to downtown events

• Near Hospitals and Doctors

• Close to Boat Launch Ramps

• Actually this area is close to everything because it is right smack in the middle.

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-More Borrowers Have 'Strategy' to Defaulting

2011-04-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-More Borrowers Have 'Strategy' to Defaulting

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478Brenda Cell 928-846-6044Willie Cell 928-846-6046www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

Sewer Vs Septic in Lake Havasu City, AZ

2011-04-18T12:39:00.000-07:00

Clients ask about Sewer Connections in Lake Havasu City and we wanted to give you the most current information we can find on what to expect when buying a home.

Cubic Feet of Water             Sewer Charge
3,000                                      $219.00
1,400                                      $102.22
700                                         $51.11*
562                                         $41.00**

When you purchase a home in Lake Havasu City your utility usage and costs will of
course be based on how much time you spend here and whether or not the home is used
full time or part time. In addition there are a few other considerations. Does
the home have a pool? Do you have dual pane windows? Is your home insulated
well?

Lake Havasu City is moving to Sewer in almost all areas of town. If the home you are
looking at does not have sewer yet it is important to know when or if it will
happen in your area.

There is a $2,000 per household charge when sewer comes to your home. The owner of
the home at the time of connection will be responsible for this charge.

Sewer

Lake Havasu City sewer rates are based on your average water usage from November 16 to April 10.
The lowest 3 months are used to calculate your monthly sewer charge for the
next 12 months.

*A two person household utilizing conservation (with a pool, water softener and
desert landscaping) could have a winter quarter average usage of 700 cubic feet
of water.

**This is the MINIMUM Sewer Charge

Septic

If your home is on Septic of course you avoid the sewer charge, however it is
important to know when and if sewer is coming to your home. The current
assessment is $2,000 per household when sewer is connected. Additionally if sewer is coming to your area soon your monthly charges are determined by your current water usage.
The Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality requires the septic be pumped and inspected with change of ownership.

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478 Brenda Cell 928-846-6044 Willie Cell 928-846-6046 www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

Residential Estates Home

2011-03-02T10:19:00.000-07:00

The London Bridge Golf Course is located in an area of town called Residential Estates. This is one of our premier areas for buying a home in Lake Havasu City.

We just listed 2051 Oak Drive last week and have been getting showings each day since. We expect a quick sale on this one.

If you are looking for a nice area of town, underground utilites, covered patio, lake view, private backyard and a pool don't let this one pass you by.

Ask your Realtor to show it to you or if you are not working with a Realtor give us a call 928-505-5478!

The Refuge Golf and Country Club

2010-12-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

18-hole Golf Course

This is a private golf course however you can play this one by purchasing member for a day passes or seasonal memberships. All memberships including the daily passes allow you full access to the facilities and Clubhouse Bar and Grille.

The course is under new management and lots of exciting plans are in the works for continued improvements. I am very excited for the changes as well as the ability to play this beautiful golf course now.
There are many custom and semi custom homes for sale in the gated community surrounding this beautiful location. Current home inventory includes price ranges from $399,900 to $1,450,000 for an exclusive custom home.

If you prefer to build your home in this exclusive community we have lots of all sizes and price ranges and several authorized builders to make your dream home come true.

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478 Brenda Cell 928-846-6044 Willie Cell 928-846-6046 www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

Santa Watch Lake Havasu Ctiy, AZ

2010-12-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

A Lake Havasu City, AZ CHRISTMAS

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town,

no noses were frozen, no snow fluttered down;

no children in flannels were tucked into bed,

they all wore their shorty pajamas instead.

To find wreaths of bougainvillea was not very hard,

for bougainvillea grew in every back yard;

in front of the houses the Daddies and Moms

were adorning the cactus and Arizona palms.

The sleeping kiddies were dreaming in glee,

hoping to find water skis under the tree;

they all knew that Santa was well on his way,

but he was on a Jet Ski instead of a sleigh.

As soon as Santa arrived he started his work,

for he hadn't a second to linger or shirk;

he whizzed around town, all up and down the river,

through the warm Havasu breeze without even a shiver.

From Havasu you could see the lights from the Casinos that gave Laughlin a glow,

and lighted the way for Santa below;

as he jumped from the Ski, he gave a wee chuckle,

for he was dressed in bermudas with a wee turquoise buckle.

There weren't many chimneys but that caused no gloom,

for Santa came in through the screened family room;

he stopped at each house, but stayed only a minute,

emptying his sack of everything in it.

Then, before he departed, he treated himself

to the glass of cactus juice left up on the shelf;

he turned with a bounce and jumped on the Ski,

remembering he had more houses to see.

He shifted the gears and stepped on the gas,

and up the Colorado River he went like a flash;

and I heard him exclaim as he went on his way,

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, Lake Havasu City, I WISH I COULD STAY!!"

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478 Brenda Cell 928-846-6044 Willie Cell 928-846-6046 www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

Buying a Condo in Arizona

2010-12-10T11:14:00.003-07:00

Buying a condo in Lake Havasu and other places in Arizona as well is much easier if the buyer is paying cash. We have only 2 condo places in town that are approved for FHA loans.

To qualify as a condo complex with Conventional Loans here are some of the general guidelines:

• 51% owner occupied (primary or second homes)

• No more than 15% past due on HOA dues

• No more 10% can be owned by a single entity

• Budget Review

• Reserve Review

In a town where a large percentage of our buyers are second home owners you can see how you can run into some difficulty. Ask your Realtor some questions before you start the process if a condo is what you are looking for.

For more information click on this link Buying a condo in Lake Havasu and other places in Arizona as well is much easier if the buyer is paying cash.

For more information click on this link Condo Guidelines for Lenders

supplied by

Russell M. Ideishi

Mohave State Bank Mortgage

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478 Brenda Cell 928-846-6044 Willie Cell 928-846-6046 www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

MLS 850332

2010-12-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

MLS 850332

Beautiful better than new home with tile everywhere except the bedrooms and oversized 9 ft garage doors!

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478Brenda Cell 928-846-6044Willie Cell 928-846-6046www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

Sell Your Lake Havasu Home

2010-11-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

Your Home Listed Here

Over 90% of buyers now find their next home on the internet. Don't miss out! When you are ready to list your Lake Havasu Home go with experiance and marketing. Get it SOLD!

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478 Brenda Cell 928-846-6044 Willie Cell 928-846-6046

http://www.yourlakehavasuhome.com/

Lake Havasu City, AZ: Buying Distressed Homes in Lake Havasu

2010-10-22T11:37:00.001-07:00

Lake Havasu City, AZ: Buying Distressed Homes in Lake Havasu

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478Brenda Cell 928-846-6044Willie Cell 928-846-6046www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

Buying Distressed Homes in Lake Havasu

2010-10-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

Are you a good candidate to buy a distressed property in Lake Havasu? Here is a brief overview of the process and a checklist to help you decide if one of these distressed property categories are right for you. Use this information to help your Realtor find the right home for you.

Pre-Foreclosure/Short Sale

These properties are typically occupied and may have a history that shows they have been on the market for a while. In any case the homeowner is likely past due on the mortgage and the short sale might be an effort for them to sell before foreclosure. In order to sell “short” the seller must show a hardship to pay. Part of selling “short” means that the seller must get the bank’s approval to sell for less than the current mortgage amount.

Are you a good fit to purchase a short sale?

 Most important is patience. The process can take up to 6 months and we have seen them take as long as a year to close.

 Are you okay giving up your power and your Realtor’s power in presenting your offer?

 Are you willing to go 30 days at a time with no communication from the bank and stay comfortable that you are not forgotten?

 Do you have the resources to make repairs if needed? These are sold “as is”

Auction

Most often you are on your own with this process. This is a courthouse steps process although the sale can take place anywhere. States are different so do your research. If you find the home you want to place a bid for, drive by it and confirm what you are willing to bid. You show up at the designated time and date with a cashier’s check for the required amount for that auction.

 Do you have the required cash to bid successfully?

 Are you knowledgeable about the market prices in the area?

 Do you have the resources to make repairs if needed? You are buying “as is” and will not know the condition until after the purchase.

Bank Owned

If the auction is not successful the property ownership is transferred to a lender. These are the properties that will be listed in the local MLS and with a Real Estate office. For the most part these work similar to any other property you might purchase. You make an offer, the bank must accept your offer, and you use a title company to ensure clear title. The 2 major differences between these and a homeowner owned property is 1. The bank writes additional terms that are required to purchase this property. 2. You may be bidding against multiple bidders so you have to give it your best shot.

 Cash is king here but it is possible to finance.

 You must show all of your funds to purchase. Have a bank statement ready and if you are getting a loan, pre-qualification is necessary.

 Often you are required to pre-qualify with a specific lender.

 Be willing to accept the banks terms which may include a penalty if you do not close on time.

 Do you have the resources to make repairs if needed? You are buying “as is”.

 Can you stay the course if you are not the winning bid until you find a home that works for you?

We hope that these tips are helpful to you. Choose a Realtor who can help with all additional questions you might have.

If you do not have a Realtor think Brenda and Willie Gonzalez, The G Force of Havasu for your next purchase. We have the training, commitment and knowledge to help you negotiate your best deal! Visit our website now http://www.yourlakehavasuhome.com/

3711 El Dorado

2010-10-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

Santa Fe Style Custom Home in Lake Havasu City Arizona. Perfect for desert lovers as it is surrounded on 2 sides to the BLM land for miles and miles of off road trails. Last house before the desert! This house comes complete with a private yard, tons of extra parking in addition to the 3 car garage. See a panoramic view of the lake from inside the home!

Virtual Tour

The G-Force of Havasu, Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here for all your Real Estate Needs. Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today! Call Now! Office 928-505-5478 Brenda Cell 928-846-6044 Willie Cell 928-846-6046 www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

Never Lived in Home for Sale

2010-08-31T11:07:00.000-07:00

Lake Havasu City, Arizona never lived in home for sale! Priced NOW at $235,000 The house was finished in 2006 but in a series of unfortunate events the builder was unable to continue in business. The financer now has the home and it is ready for a new owner.

This 3 bedroom home is all brand new with a split bedroom design that allows guest privacy. The master bedroom has a beautiful garden tub, separate glass walled shower and huge walk in closet. The kitchen has a perfect layout with decorative shelves and a pantry. There is a breakfast bar for casual dining in addition to a dining area. The living room area is a straight 27 ft room that can be separated to allow for a dining space, my favorite maybe a pool table game area or just a very large family room.

Outside you will find wonderful mountain views and a block wall surrounding the yard to provide as much privacy as you desire. If you want a pool you already have the walls complete! The covered back patio is 37 feet deep and we love our outdoor living here in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and this size is hard to find.

Parking is plentiful in the 3 car boat deep garage with extra RV parking on the side.

Call for your private showing of this move in never lived in home for sale in Lake Havasu City Arizona.

Who is The G Force of Havasu?

2010-08-29T09:18:00.000-07:00

The G Force of Havasu is all about you! This website The G Force is just for you! Our customer service is for you!

You tell us what you need and we want to meet your expectations.

You decide how and when you want us involved to help you either buy or sell in Lake Havasu. Many of our buyers start looking as long as 2 years before they actually buy in Lake Havasu City. We are in it for the future as well as today and we will give you the same level of commitment no matter when you will be making your move to Lake Havasu so please don’t hesitate to ask for our help.

We know the market and we know what it takes to buy a second home or to permanently relocate. We moved here from Mission Viejo, California. Willie grew up in Vista, California. Brenda grew up in Kentucky. We spent 7 years in Utah. We keep a part time place now in Temecula, California. We get what you are looking for.

If you want a Real Estate team that goes above and beyond for you look no further. We often look after our part time client’s homes for them after the purchase and no we do not charge. We just want you to love this town as much as we do!

Again, you decide. Everyone is different and we want to work your way. Call us 888-501-5478!

The G Force of Havasu is all about you! This website The G Force is just for you!

Lake Havasu City, AZ Real Estate: MLS 838794

2010-08-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

Lake Havasu City, AZ Real Estate: MLS 838794

MLS 838794

2010-08-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

MLS 838794

Horse Property! This lot is almost 3 acres located in the quiet Havasu Heights area. The land had a double wide on it before so it already has a 2 car garage, electric, septic, a flat pad and a storage barn!

G Force Tips for Getting a Loan

2010-08-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

We hear from our clients all the time that it was never this hard to get a loan or we did not have to put as much down when we bought before and various similar statements.

It is not about the lender it is about Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae. They make the rules that provide the loans for most of the homes you buy.

"We keep telling people: 'Don't open new accounts. Don't close existing accounts. Don't do anything whatsoever that will alter your credit situation,'"
at the time of closing.

Be honest from the day you get your pre-qualification letter. It will not be in your best interest to try to spin anything because everything has to be proven in the end.

If the bank asks for something don’t think they will forget or that it is not important because it is. You must find a way to comply.

Underwriting used to be a easy signature verification process but now they go over everything with a fine tooth comb. Expect in most cases to provide some additional supporting documentation. It is rare that you are just waived through at the end.

This month’s story from the Lake Havasu Realtors

A deal was scheduled to close July 15. The buyer was getting an FHA loan. *Remember this is for owner occupied dwellings and you can do this with as little as 3.5% down payment and often the seller will pay some of your closing costs.

It was discovered at close when final paperwork was reviewed by underwriting that the potential buyer had ordered homeowner’s insurance as a landlord. They did not get the house!

We can’t stress enough that you need to get your financial house in order if you are seeking a loan.

This is not intended to scare you away but to make the process pain free when you are ready. It is not to early to call a lender and see where you stand TODAY. It is better to be prepared in advance. Do not waste anytime. Get started today!

Brenda and Willie Gonzalez
The G Force of Havasu
Put the Power of The G Force to work for you today!

Real Estate News, Lake Havasu City, Arizona

2010-03-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

Real Estate in Lake Havasu City, Arizona

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE SPIN!

Lake Havasu City, Arizona is a beautiful place to live and work. We are also a small town so politics and word choice plays an important role in the perceptions people have of us.

I was reminded of perceptions just this week. As Realtors it is up to us to let our clients know the state of our markets. With our words and actions we can either encourage or discourage the buyers. As a group we can influence our individual markets, especially if we are on the same page with market performance.

Our local Real Estate spokespersons went on record to say our market for February was "grim". When you hear that what are you thinking? I know as a Realtor I got got worried for a minute about my job. I questioned the data I had just reported to my buyers and then I went back and double checked. I felt busy. I had clients and so did my fellow Realtors.

Our market performance is not "grim" and I realized it is all about the spin and understanding the detail of the data we are responsible to our clients to report.You can't just report how February performed compared to January but you have to look at the BIG picture. In the big picture we are finding new homes and incredible deals for our buyers right now. Our market is recovering fast! When I was a corporate employee before my Real Estate career I learned that numbers can be interpreted several ways and it is important to use numbers not just to spew out data but to really interpret and understand the story behind them. We can help each other to improve the public perception of our Real Estate markets. We can all make sure we are reading the story behind the numbers and looking at the big picture.

Compared to the same period last year 2009 we have sold 19% more residential properties. Our average sales price is only down 9%. That data and spin says good things about the future of our town. Vacant land sales increased 170% over last year the same period so building is making a comeback. Multi-Family home sales were up over 1000% so investors obviously believe that we have a rental market also.

I hope that we can all use this reminder to be careful of our word choice.

http://www.yourlakehavasuhome.com/

A House is not a Home

2010-01-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

When you put your house on the market for sale it becomes a marketing product. It is not a home now it is a house to sell. If you are thinking about selling it is time to take an inventory of your own home and think about the marketing product you will want to sell.

Are you selling your collections? If not them you might want to begin to put them away now. Buyers are distracted by little things. I have had clients take a picture of a poem on a wall or stop to look at a collection. They also often times look at the pictures of baby’s especially. We all love babies! All of these things distract from the marketing product you are getting ready to sell. The potential buyer has about 30 minutes’ tops to judge your home and you want to make sure they see what you want to sell. Make sure to do your best to keep the conversation with the Realtor inside all about your product. Remove the collections and all but a few of your family photos because just face it you know what they look like already, right?

Property condition is critical to getting a good offer. The one I have the most trouble convincing clients of is to replace worn carpet before the home is marketed. If you have a credit card or cash to buy new carpet you will always make more money in an offer by replacing the carpet now. I saw a home listed recently that has been on the market for a year and it has a $3,000 carpet allowance offered to the buyer. I can have new carpet installed in that sized home for $2,200 tops. A buyer sees UGLY and a buyer sees what it is, not what it is going to be. Buyers keep overlooking this home because they can’t see anything but UGLY. If the buyer sees fresh, new and clean the buyer will always pick the one that is move in ready.

So if you want to sell fast and for the most money possible start thinking about your marketing plan for your home. What product will get you the fastest sale and the most money?

If you want a free 30 minute consultation call me today at 888-501-5478 and put the power of The G Force to work for you!

http://www.YourLakeHavasuHome.com

Lake Havasu City, AZ Real Estate: Stage It 2 Sell It

2010-01-20T13:19:00.000-07:00

Lake Havasu City, AZ Real Estate: Stage It 2 Sell It

Stage It 2 Sell It

2010-01-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

Sellers often have a fear of the word staging as they relate that to spending money. I have put together a quick checklist you can feel free to use for your own home listing. These things help stage properly for a good offer and they are low to no cost items but must do’s to get it sold in the shortest amount of time.

Cheap Stuff and Must Do Checklist for All Listings

Light fixtures should have bulbs and working properly
Increase wattage in hallways and dark corners
Turn on all lights if possible for showings
Repair cracks in walls and ceilings
Replace or Repair broken light switches
Keep all blinds or curtains open during the day the let in the light
Pack up the valuables to protect them
Get rid of houseplants with dead leaves
Remove furniture that takes up too much of the space. We are selling the space!
Reduce the number of books on bookshelves.
Reduce the family pictures. You know what the family looks like already.
Reduce the number of pictures on the wall if distracting
No girlie posters
Wash all Windows
Pack up all little things. If it is smaller than a basketball it probably needs to get packed.
Be sensitive to odors. This will turn off buyers fast! “If you can smell it you can’t sell it”

These are just a few suggestions from by client blogs. Feel free to use this or any of my other hints and ideas from my website. Visit today at http://www.yourlakehavasuhome.com/ and put the power of The G-Force to work for you!

Lake Havasu City, AZ Real Estate: Calling all Realtors

2010-01-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Lake Havasu City, AZ Real Estate: Calling all Realtors

Calling all Realtors

2010-01-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

During my first year in Real Estate I put most of my marketing efforts into getting listings. I loved working with sellers. I loved the challenge of finding new ways to help my sellers understand the process. I am also an Accredited Staging Profession with Staged Homes and I loved helping my sellers show the home as the best it could be.

Then we got into a down market and sellers were for the most part financially strapped. The idea of staging was just plain scary to them. They saw dollar signs and worried that because they had little to no equity in their homes they could not afford to do anything else. They did not understand staging.

This year I have a new resolution to help more sellers through this new Real Estate Market. My goal is to teach my sellers that staging a home is not a $5,000 event. It can be free and it can be easy. I am changing my marketing plan to show them how. I write a column monthly for my newsletter that is called staging for life. It provides fresh ideas each month about how to live by the staging rules in everyday life and avoid the rush when life changes and selling becomes a part of the plan.

Most Realtors stage their listings. They just don’t call it that. With over 80% of our buyers finding the home that they buy on the internet first it is now more important than ever to stage a home. Again it can be free and it can be easy. It makes the difference sometimes in a prospective buyer looking at your listing or passing it by. We all know that sellers are happy when we can get traffic in the door.

Won’t you make it your resolution too this year to do more for the sellers and show them the free and easy ways they can stage to sell? If you don’t do it now practice ways to show your sellers the importance of this. Find your own nice ways to train them to rid the place of odor, move the clutter, clean up the yard or whatever is needed. If you avoid the subject your listings will suffer and stay on the market longer.

Together we can raise the bar for how a home should look when it is listed. How do you feel about this? Can we all do better?

Vist my website anytime at http://www.yourlakehavasuhome.com/

Lake Havasu City, AZ Real Estate

2010-01-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

Lake Havasu City Homes Sales ended the year with a 32% increase in the number of sales 2009 over 2008. The average sale price however was down 24% for the year as our buyers and investors were snapping up the foreclosures in the less than $125,000 range. November and December started a trend of buyers selecting homes in a slightly higher price range. Our average sold price range was up from $120,785 in November to $212,802 in December. The data seems to imply that our lowest point in price was around February 2009 and a fight the rest of the year to get back to stabilization which seemed official in November.

Condos, factory built and land are still struggling to get back to anywhere near the previous years in average sold price. This can be attributed mostly to the fact that we do not have as many sales in these categories and not as many foreclosures. The prices although they are low do not compare to the drastic price cuts we have seen this year in Single Family home sales. The average condo sale price is $85,000, the average land sales price is about $57,000.
So what are you buying right now? We have 212 Single Family homes in pending status. 20% are priced under $100,000, 46% of them are priced from $100,000-$200,000 with the majority of these under $150,000. The cheapest list price was $42,900 for a handyman home to $1,299,900 for a luxury home. We have 18 lots under contract. The cheapest being $33,000 and the most expensive is listed at $1,500,000 on Jones Drive with over 8 acres. I guess someone is planning to build a subdivision so that is good news also for the future of Havasu.

Reminder: If you are looking to get a home in the under $100,000 price range it is best if you can spend more than just a few days looking. It is critical that you have your financials together. Most are bank owned and you will need to prove your money or financing. This inventory changes daily due to the quick sale turn around time. Your competition for these homes is great.

Foreclosures inventory is up again. As of today we have 127 on the market in Lake Havasu City. The rumors apparently were true that suggested we would have an increase in inventory at the beginning of the year. Again I want to remind you that this inventory changes daily. Compare it to looking through a sale rack table at your discount department store. Things are picked over and you have to spend some time sorting through it all to find the bargain.

Please visit our website for more important information about Lake Havasu City and our Team. http://www.yourlakehavasuhome.com/

Lake Havasu City, AZ Real Estate: Step Program to a Quick Home Sale

2009-12-13T14:08:00.001-07:00

Lake Havasu City, AZ Real Estate: Step Program to a Quick Home Sale

Step Program to a Quick Home Sale

2009-12-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

Admit you are powerless over what the market is willing to bear related to price. It does not matter what you think your home is worth, nor does it matter what you have invested. Not all upgrades get you top dollar. It matters only what the buyer thinks your home is worth. Price your home right for the market today.

Hire the right representation. You need to interview more than one Realtor before you hire your seller agent. A common error in a small town such as Lake Havasu City is that often the seller knows someone and just hires who they know, not the agent who is most qualified to get top dollar in the shortest amount of time. Sit down and think about what you want your agent to do for you. It always comes down to just one thing and that is to make you money. Are you willing to give up thousands of dollars just to help a friend? Is your friend a top producer? Think through your options before you make this very important financial decision. It could be the difference between a home that languishes on the market and chases the price lower and lower or a quick 30-60 day sale for the list price.

Be able to turn your will over to your seller agent. Trust that you hired the person most likely to make a successful sale. Do not 2nd guess your Realtor but please do participate and ask questions. If you make the right hiring decision you have to know that you picked the best of the best and your Realtor is successful because they know what works and what is expensive and less successful.

Make a searching and fearless inventory of your home features, benefits and flaws. This is list should be used with your Realtor’s help to accept the things you cannot change, and to change the things you can. Make a staging plan. If you occupy the home there are several opportunities you have that are at no cost. They are things such as de-cluttering, minimizing accessories, keeping the odors minimal and turning on the lights and leaving for showings.

Continue to make small changes and be open to all feedback. Potential buyers will tell you through your agent about the opportunities. If they do not select your house but pick another one instead there is a reason why. Make sure you are getting this feedback from your agent. The truth is your house became the comparable that justified why they selected the other one.

This is your opportunity to continue the path to get yours sold. It all starts with hiring the right agent and setting the price.

Loans for Canadian Buyers in Lake Havasu City, AZ

2009-11-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

SPOTLIGHT ON PRODUCT OF THE MONTH

LOAN PROGRAMS FOR

CANADIAN BORROWERS

The following is our program guidelines for Canadian borrowers:

PRODUCTS AVAILABLE: 2/1 –year ARM 3/1 – year ARM 5/1 – year ARM

These are Treasury adjustable rate mortgages with the first interest rate and payment adjustment after two, three or five years and annual rate and payment adjustments thereafter. Margin 2.75% Adjustment Cap 2% up or down lifetime cap is 6% over the initial rate. No prepayment penalty.

LTV/CLTV: maximum loan and combined loan to value cannot exceed 75% of the appraised value or sales price.

ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES: 1 unit primary or second home only. Note – the borrowers cannot own more than four mortgaged properties including subject property.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FROM BORROWERS:

T1 (last 2 years) Current paystubs showing YTD income

T4’s (last 2 years) Two months most current bank statements, all pages.

Certificate of Residency (i.e. – passport) Mortgage statements (current)

Completed loan application (I will be glad to take over the phone)

W8Ben (if no U.S. social security #)

RATES ARE GREAT – PROCESSING IS GREAT – SO WHY WAIT –

CALL TODAY FOR LENDER Referral! 888-501-5478 Brenda and Willie Gonzalez

Avoid the Flu in Lake Havasu City, AZ Real Estate

2009-10-26T08:44:00.002-07:00

Getting a flu shot is at least 70% effective in preventing illness or reducing its severity and I don’t want to make light of this as the best preventive medicine. New flu strains come up all the time but doctors say that a flu shot is your best defense.

Here are some tips though for reducing your risk by moving to Lake Havasu City!

Lake Havasu, where the town seems to roll up the sidewalks by 9:00 PM makes it easy to stay rested. As you visit the various activities you will easily note that the crowd begins to thin by usually 8:00 PM. The exceptions of course are the places that cater to the young, less than 25 years of age, crowd.

Take the right Vitamins. Lake Havasu City has plenty of sunshine to help boost your immune system and your level of Vitamin D. I recently read that Vitamin D is maybe more important even than vitamin C to reducing the flu. This was a result of a study by the Colorado Denver School of Medicine and Harvard.

Keep warm in Lake Havasu City where the average minimum temperature is 63.26. The average maximum temperature is 90.39. The average annual precipitation is 3.82. We have clear blue skies almost every day!

Have an active social life by attending all the free fun filled activities that are put on by our community in Lake Havasu City for the family. It would be almost impossible to not make new friends as you begin to know the town and all the options available no matter what you like to do in your spare time.

Avoid stress by moving to Lake Havasu City where we have no freeways and the most traffic you will see is before and after one of our free fun filled events. You can’t go very fast in a town where street traffic speed limits are 24-35 miles per hour and it is legal to drive desert toys and golf carts on the street.

Enjoy a drink in Lake Havasu City. This is a double edged sword but studies say that up to 2 drinks a day especially red wine have half the risk of coming down with a cold. The good news is if you drink we are a VERY social town and you will have lots of friends to share this activity The bad news is that everyone who moves here seems to gain 10 pounds so watch out for that one!

Brenda and Willie Gonzalez are here to be your guide in finding your preventive medicine right here in the sunshine of our beautiful Lake Havasu City! Visit our website today at http://www.yourlakehavasuhome.com/

Lake Havasu Foreclosures Update

2009-10-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

I keep thinking this inventory will slow but we are still steady at 107 foreclosures available in the MLS on the market in Lake Havasu City as of today.
Of these 107, 18 are priced under $100,000 but you will have to look very hard and fast to find one that does not need a bit of work at this price. If it is a nice one it will drive up a bidding war. Be prepared for this and do not be afraid of it. You are getting a deal at these prices.
Expect that if you are trying to find your deal it is best if you can spare at least a week to look at new inventory as it comes out. Work with your Realtor and get a shopping cart about a month or so before you come to town to buy. With the cart you can get a good idea of what the inventory is like and what is selling fast.
If you do not require you home right away a short sale is a great option for you. We have 66 of these short sale properties on the market in Lake Havasu.
A short sale is when the seller owes more on the home than the asking price and we try to get the bank to take an offer of less than what is owed.
Most short sale inventory is on the higher priced homes. This is the price range that got a lot of buyers in trouble in the Real Estate market of the past.
If you can wait 3-6 months to close, have the patience to start over if it does not work out then this is another way to get a home priced like a foreclosure and it opens up your potential for a deal.
Again it is a great time to get a home in Lake Havasu and start your Lake Havasu Lifestyle.
The G-Force of Havasu!

http://www.yourlakehavasuhome.com/
Brenda and Willie Gonzalez

Stage your home for sale and life

2009-10-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

A recent show on Oprah was about decorating time warps and it caused me to think about this and how I could use this information for my clients. The idea is that most of us change our hairstyle frequently but look at an old picture of yourself and see the style that you had at least 15 years ago. Does your home still look like it did 15 years ago? Does one room, all rooms? If so it is time to freshen up.

I write a newsletter each month for my clients and in it I have a column called Staging for Life. The idea is to make small changes on a regular basis so that you don’t end up in a time warp. Each month I write a new suggestion. Your home is your stage for presenting yourself to your friends and family.
Simplify your life and catch your rooms up to your new hairstyle which is much less fussy than it was 20 years ago. What is the style of today for your hair and your rooms? Do you keep things because they were expensive when you bought them?

I recently wanted to give my home office a new look and chose colors and items that made me think of islands. I spend a lot of time there so I wanted this room to make me smile each day.

I redecorated this room with less than $75 dollars including new paint by repurposing what I had in other rooms in the house. I found a picture in the garage that I had not used for 5 years of a beach and I rounded up some other beach pictures from various locations in the house. I did have one time warp dilemma. I had a chair in the office that I had for maybe 15 years. It was well built and my husband got stuck on the fact that it was expensive when I bought it and did not want to get rid of it. It would have cost at least $300 to recover it and the style was just dated. I finally convinced him that I have used it up. The depreciation is much like a car. It was old and tired. I used a chair I had in my bedroom instead since I rarely used it there. We repurposed the footstool which now serves the outside patio and gave the chair to charity.

We love the new room now and we found a great way to compromise without spending a lot of money and the room looks completely different.

What can you update today? See me on the web @ http://www.yourlakehavasuhome.com/

Winter Homes in Lake Havasu

2009-09-24T06:11:00.000-07:00

Buying Lake Havasu Property
Yes! it is a great time to buy a winter home in Lake Havasu City! The sun shines almost everyday and the temperatures average from the high of 80 in the winter months to a low of 43.

Whatever outdoor activity you enjoy you can find it here in Lake Havasu City. The most popular winter activities seem to be fishing and car shows.

Real Estate Market

The current Real Estate prices are at a low not seen for several years. I can find you a cute house right now for under $150,000. This price range was non existent a few years ago so come on check out our town and let me make you second home dream come true this year.

Foreclosures

We have inventory of around 100 foreclosed homes right now and many of these just need simple cleaning, painting and often new carpet. These homes are often priced as much as 40% under market value. If you are considering a home this year be sure to let us look at these for you also. Visit our website at http://www.yourlakehavasuhome.com for your free forclosure list.

Buying a Foreclosure in Lake Havasu

2009-09-09T15:36:00.000-07:00

If a property is not a foreclosure the buyer can make any offer they want within reason because the idea is that you want to get a dialog going with the seller and come to terms that you both can agree too.
The opposite is true when you are shopping foreclosures. Some banks do not negotiate at all. I do have a guideline and it is this: If the property is new on the market and a great deal it will sell within days and for equal to or more than the asking price in 99% of the cases. If a property is hot we can tell and we will tell you. If the property stays on the market for at least 3 weeks then it may not be a great deal and you can offer less and get it sometimes at your price.
Most banks do not lower the foreclosure price until about week 3.
The other point in which a foreclosure might get multiple offers or become a great deal is if one did not sell and the bank just lowered the price.
Note that if a foreclosure is new to the market or just reduced you won’t be the only one bidding if it is a great deal. Your best bet to buy is to get your offer in immediately.
Almost 100% of our buyers lose the first foreclosure property they try to buy because most of us have an issue with paying more than full price. We are all looking for a bargain and we fail to see the bargain in front of us.
This is the most missed point that we attempt to convey to our buyers.
Take a step back when you look at foreclosures. The bank wants to get the property off the books so they price under market value to do this in most cases. They are not pricing to entice you into making offers but to actually sell.
There are still those that got them for less but it is all about the house. We know the bargains and the bargains will not usually go cheaper than asking price. Day one the bank will hold out for full price in almost 100% of the cases. After a couple of weeks you have some power to bargain.
What is harder to see is that if you pay full price or in some cases more than full price it is still a great deal. Again the good ones go in the first few days on the market so timing is everything.
This could beg the question “Should I just wait until the price is reduced to buy it?” That depends if it is a bargain it won’t be there later. A bargain is a bargain, period.
If it is a good deal your Realtor can tell you and in that case we suggest you not wait.
I cannot stress enough it is not about you and your personal formula it is about the market and what the market is doing today and your Realtor is your best source for market data. Our code of ethics requires us to give you honest and fair representation.
If you are already working with a Realtor be sure to ask your Realtor to help you make the best offer for a particular property. We can guide you so that you get the home and the bargain you are looking for.
Brenda and Willie GonzalezThe G-Force of Havasu