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Favorite Prescott Subdivisions
Oh, how I love Prescott! Prescott, Arizona, offers numerous communities and subdivisions throughout its beautiful landscape. You would get bored if I listed all the subdivisions and their unique qualities and amenities, so I selected a couple of my favorites and told you a little about them below. Click on the link of each to see current homes for sale in each of the areas. After you get done looking, give me a call at (928) 830-6976, and I would love to share more information!
Eagle Ridge, Prescott, AZ
The beautiful Eagle Ridge subdivision off Rosser Road and Highway 89 in Prescott, Arizona, is just minutes northeast of downtown Prescott. Eagle Ridge residents enjoy the spectacular views of the San Francisco Peaks, Granite and Mingus mountains, Thumb Butte, and the Granite Dells from their backyard. The popular community does not have a homeowners association and has approximately 280 single, two-story, and three-story homes.
Cliff Rose, Prescott, AZ
Cliff Rose is an incredibly popular subdivision in Prescott, Arizona. Cliff Rose is located on Hwy 89 two miles north of the Bob Stump Northern Arizona Veterans Hospital, The Picture Show, and the Prescott Gateway Mall. Residents of this quiet subdivision enjoy breathtaking views of Granite Mountain, Granite Dells, and Watson Lakes.
Cliff Rose is also within walking distance to the City of Prescott’s Rowle P. Simmons Community Center.
Prescott Lakes, Prescott, AZ
Prescott Lakes is a Master planned Residential and Private Golf Community in the heart of Prescott, Arizona, conveniently located minutes from downtown Prescott. Prescott Lakes has 13 gated and non-gated neighborhoods within this popular subdivision. The Arnold Palmer Golf Management Group manages the Hale Irwin Signature Championship 18 hole private golf course winding throughout condos, townhomes, patio homes, custom-built, and estate homes. Residents enjoy swimming indoors and outdoors with 30-meter lap lanes, a large open swim area, and a 169 sf whirlpool Spa.
Tips to Win Your Next Home with a Love Letter
Have you been passed up, and not been selected on a home in a seller’s market?
While it may surprise you, your odds of being accepted on buying a home will increase by writing a “Love Letter” to the sellers about their home. Who doesn’t love a “Love Letter”? Sellers especially love “Love Letters”!
A sincere note to the seller has pushed sellers to accept lower offers, even though there were higher offers and more money on the table.
The most profitable offer is viewed to always win the home, however, many fail to remember the emotional factor. Sellers want to see their home go to a buyer that they trust. Along with this, they want to see a buyer that will grow into and enjoy the house.
Recently, a young couple wrote a “Love Letter” to a seller and expressed how multiple generations of their family had grown up in the Prescott area—then shared how excited they were to start a family in the same neighborhood. Additionally, they shared how they would be working in Prescott and how they had been saving for years to make this purchase. And, their offer was accepted, even though there were two additional offers for more money!
Tips for Writing a “Love Letter”
Your goal with writing a “Love Letter” is to give yourself a competitive edge against the competition. Here are the basics you’ll want to cover:
- 1. Explain how much you like their home. Please don’t go overboard, but prove to them you know the home, and you genuinely appreciate their taste and the unique characteristics of the house. Highlight details or improvements that they have made.
- 2. Leave out all of the things you might want to change. The seller may have some emotional attachment to this home. Don’t tell them you’re going to gut the place or rip out their garden.
- 3. Demonstrate you’re qualified to close. Make the seller feel confident in your qualifications as a buyer. Show that you will be a hassle-free buyer by letting them know you’re pre-qualified for a loan or are buying with cash.
- 4. Be humble and positive. Don’t share about the four other homes you’ve lost. Instead, praise the neighborhood and make them feel as though you would be honored to be chosen as the next owner of their home.
- 5. Get personal. Let the sellers get to know who you are on a personal level. You don’t need to be an open book, but let them know who they are selling to.
- 6. Check the letter for typos. Read it out loud. Listen for clunky sentences or awkward repetition. Have someone proof it for mistakes. Their confidence in your attention to detail is essential.
The right agent should be able to tell you if the letter sounds like an honest appeal. Have it included with your offer as a cover letter.
Need help finding a home worth a love letter? We can help.
Are Agents Required?
New Home or Existing?
Are you looking to buy a home? Are you looking for a new build or an existing home? If you are leaning toward purchasing a new build, there is a question you need to ask yourself: Do I need to hire a real estate agent to represent me when I buy a new home from a builder?
And the answer is, legally, no. But, if you don’t, you might be missing out on some tangible benefits that impact your wallet and how much you get for your money.
There are many reasons why an agent is a sound investment during the purchase process with a builder. While some of them can be quite complex and go beyond the scope of this blog post, here are a few highlights:
- Market Value Compared to Purchase Price: How much money are you going to be able to come out of pocket for your down payment? You’ll want an agent with access to information that will help you accurately assess the actual value of that brand-new home. Without an agent, you may receive a nasty surprise when it comes to disparities between your agreed-upon purchase price and the actual market value of the home.
- Negotiation Power: Real estate agents are professional negotiators, and often an agent can get more from a builder than you would on your own. While some of this might be related to purchase price, other perks may include property or home upgrades.
- Financing: It’s probably no surprise that your builder will recommend their preferred financing partners. Many of those “partners” pay good money for the opportunity to handle your loan. But is it the best loan at the best rate? A Real Estate agent can be a sounding board for financing terms and a source for trusted alternatives.
- Contract Expertise: While your real estate agent isn’t an attorney, they do know a great deal about the ins and outs of property contracts. This knowledge includes builder’s contracts, which may have provisions that put you in hot water should something unforeseen happen. Protect yourself with an agent.
These four reasons are a great place to start, but there are plenty more advantages to having a Real Estate agent on your side during the buying process. The bottom line: The builder has a system to maximize their profit and minimize their costs. Shouldn’t you?
There are numerous new home developments in the Prescott area. Contact us if you have questions about any of these homes, or questions about the buying process.
Dena and Dave Plane
- (928) 830-6976
- Facebook: facebook.com/theplaneteam
- Instagram: denaplanehomes
Tips to Utilize Each Square Foot of a Small Bathroom
Do you have a small bathroom that needs to be transformed to feel more spacious and comfortable? There are some simple tips and tricks to utilize each square foot. Just because a bathroom is small doesn’t mean it has to feel small. Many small bathrooms can be transformed into larger-feeling spaces simply by making some adjustments to design choices.
These tips don’t require major renovations, instead, these minor upgrades will help you make the most of the space that you have:
- Add a pedestal sink. Better Homes & Gardens shares that a blocky cabinet under a sink may provide storage, but visually it consumes a chunk of open space. A pedestal sink maintains an open feeling.
- Life Storage offers a solution for your towel rack… use the space behind your door. Stylish towel bars stacked three high on the back of your door can eliminate the need for racks elsewhere in the bathroom and open up more wall space.
- Elevate shelving above the toilet tank. If you have shelves elsewhere, but the space above your toilet tank is empty, consider relocating high shelving to above the “dead space” behind the toilet. Consolidating this used space into a single area can broaden out the rest of the bathroom.
- Utilize the space above your door. We are working to transform your small bathroom into a much larger-feeling space, but you still need storage… Life Storage also provides an idea for that additional storage. By adding a shelve above your door, you can store extra toilet paper, towels, or other products. With this storage being above eye level, it will still provide you with open spacious bathroom space.
- Recess lighting. Even if you have only a few light sources in your bathroom, by hiding some of your lighting in recessed areas, you can reduce the “noise” of big fixtures.
According to the Family Handyman, there are also tips to help make a smaller bathroom appear bigger.
- Use the same paint color for your walls and ceilings.
- Avoid patterned wallpaper
- Strategically place mirrors to reflect natural the light in the room.
- Limit small accessories such as trinkets and knickknacks.
- Install crown molding on the ceiling to give the illusion of a raised ceiling
- Opt for light, soft paint colors
Look on the bright side… at least a small bathroom means less to clean! I hope these tips help you open up your small bathroom into a larger feeling space.
If these design tips aren’t enough to open up your small bathroom, and you are ready to make a move instead, I would love to help. Contact us today and together we can begin the search for your next home.
Easy Fixes to Help Your Home Sell Faster
Even the littlest details count, especially when buyers are looking at purchasing a home. Lots of everyday wear and tear that you don’t even notice can ding your home in the eyes of potential buyers. Here’s my list of simple improvements you can do to help your home sell faster:
- Spruce Up Your Baseboards: Pets, kids, and stumbling husbands in the dark can make a mess of your baseboards. Repainting the baseboards after repairing scratches with putty can make the border of any room look new. Click here to view an article by Abby Lawson that gives simple steps to freshen up your baseboards.
- Fill in Nail Holes: Part of interior repainting should be paying careful attention to nail holes from pictures, shelves, and other wall-mounted objects. Click here to learn about multiple DIY ways to fill in nail holes.
- Review the roof: Do you have missing shingles or broken tiles? Missing shingles could cause mold and moss to grow. Do some cleaning and spot replacement.
- Reinforce your gutters: To reduce staining and damage, keep water off the home’s siding, and reinforce your gutters. Clean them out, dry them out, then caulk them to prevent leaks.
- Update Light Switch & Outlet Covers: Light switches, in most rooms, are used every day. Excessive use can cause wear and tear on the light switch covers. Although it is a small detail, replacing the covers will bring a fresh, clean look.
- Remove Smoke Odor: Filter replacement is a must if there has been smoking in your home. Wash down walls, prime them to seal in any cooked-in nicotine, and repaint. Along with this, be sure to check entryways and lawns for cigarette butts. Click here for an article that offers additional tips to eliminate smoke odor.
- Replace Bad Vinyl Floors: Vinyl flooring is durable and stands up to heaving foot traffic. However, when cracked or cut, it can look dingy. Along with this, a cracked vinyl floor may cause the buyer to believe that there is water damage.
- Carpets Cleaning: Unless your carpets are in total despair, cleaning your carpets can bring new life into your home rather than replacing them. While you can hire a professional for a reasonable fee, another option for carpeting cleaning is stopping by your local grocery store or hardware store and renting a machine.
- Repair Dripping Faucets: Buyers will turn faucets on and off. Therefore, before listing, you do the same. Turn on and off your faucets in the kitchen, bathroom, tubs, showers, and even outside hose bibs. What do you find? Buyers will view dripping faucets as future headaches. Call a plumber, or even consult YouTube for repair instructions.
- Patch Cabinet Scratches: Re-staining or repainting can make cabinets seem new. For scratches on natural wood cabinets of furniture, click here for tips on fixing those pesky scratches.
- Reseal Wobbly Toilets: If the toilet bowl moves when you sit on it, there are rusted, or the bathroom floor is damp and discolored around the commode, replace the toilet or at the very least reseal it.
After finishing these minor improvements, contact me to list your home to sell. These repairs are a significant step to a quick sale.
Small Fixes Before You Sell Your Home
Even the littlest details count, especially when buyers are looking at purchasing a home. Lots of everyday wear and tear that you don’t even notice can ding your home in the eyes of potential buyers. Here’s my list of simple improvements you can do to help your home sell faster:
- Spruce Up Your Baseboards: Pets, kids, and stumbling husbands in the dark can make a mess of your baseboards. Repainting the baseboards after repairing scratches with putty can make the border of any room look new. Click here to view an article by Abby Lawson that gives simple steps to freshen up your baseboards.
- Fill in Nail Holes: Part of interior repainting should be careful attention to nail holes from pictures, shelves, and other wall-mounted objects. Click here to learn about multiple DIY ways to fill in nail holes.
- Review the roof: Do you have missing shingles or broken tiles? Missing shingles could cause mold and moss to grow. Do some cleaning and spot replacement.
- Reinforce your gutters: To reduce staining, damage, and keep water off of the siding of the home, reinforcing your gutters is vital. Clean them out, dry them out, then caulk them to prevent leaks.
- Update Light Switch & Outlet Covers: Light switches, in most rooms, are used every day. Excessive use can cause wear and tear on the light switch covers. Although it is a small detail, replacing the covers will bring a fresh, clean look.
- Remove Smoke Odor: Filter replacement is a must if there has been smoking in your home. Wash down walls, prime them to seal in any cooked-in nicotine, and repaint. Along with this, be sure to check entryways and lawns for cigarette butts. Click here for an article that offers additional tips to eliminate smoke odor.
- Replace Bad Vinyl Floors: Vinyl flooring is durable and stands up to heaving foot traffic. However, when cracked or cut, it can look dingy. Along with this, a cracked vinyl floor may cause the buyer to believe that there is water damage.
- Carpets Cleaning: Unless your carpets are in total despair, cleaning your carpets can bring new life into your home rather than replacing them. While you can hire a professional for a reasonable fee, another option for carpeting cleaning is stopping by your local grocery store or hardware store and renting a machine.
- Repair Dripping Faucets: Buyers will turn faucets on and off. Therefore, before listing, you do the same. Turn on and off your faucets in the kitchen, bathroom, tubs, showers, and even outside hose bibs. What do you find? Buyers will view dripping faucets as future headaches. Call a plumber, or even consult YouTube for repair instructions.
- Patch Cabinet Scratches: Re-staining or repainting can make cabinets seem new. For scratches on natural wood cabinets of furniture, click here for tips on fixing those pesky scratches.
- Reseal Wobbly Toilets: If the toilet bowl moves when you sit on it, there are rusted, or the bathroom floor is damp and discolored around the commode, replace the toilet or at the very least reseal it.
After finishing these minor improvements, contact me to list your home to sell. These repairs are a significant step to a quick sale. 928-830-6976
What are the Pros & Cons of a Pre-listing Inspection
If you’re thinking about listing your home, one thing you might be nervous about is the home inspection. A home inspection is standard practice on most real estate transactions. An essential part of my job as a real estate agent is educating and protecting my clients. Therefore, my job is to teach my clients the pros and cons of a pre-listing inspection.
According to American Society of Home Inspectors a home inspection report will include:
- The condition of the home’s heating system
- Central air conditioning system (temperature permitting)
- Interior plumbing and electrical systems
- The roof
- Attic and visible insulation
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Floors
- Windows and doors
- The foundation
- Basement and structural components
Should You Get a Home Inspection Before You Put Your Home on the Market?
While each house transaction is different, a pre-listing inspection is very beneficial. It is better to know beforehand rather than receiving a nasty surprise down the road.
Benefits of Pre-Listing Inspection
If your home does require repairs, doing them ahead of time will help move the selling process quicker. Along with this, it will allow you to shop for lower-priced supplies, will enable you to gather estimates for the repair, will allow you to hire your favorite contractor, or will enable you to make the repairs yourself.
Repairs vs. Upgrades
You will need to know the difference between maintenance repairs and home upgrades. Making necessary maintenance repairs does not mean that you can increase your list price. Repairing or replacing your home’s roof does not pump up the sale price, but it is useful as a marketing point over other listings in the area. Therefore, a roof is a maintenance repair; it is not an upgrade, such as a kitchen renovation.
If you choose not to make the necessary repairs, know that it could negatively impact your sale price. For example, if you want to hold off and do not take care of a $1,000 plumbing repair, potential buyers will think about the time, inconvenience, and repair cost. There is a possibility that a $1,000 repair could translate to a $3,000 reduction to the asking price.
You Must Disclose
‘Honesty’ is the only policy! Failing to disclose a problem found in the inspection could translate into a much larger problem down the line.
Although I have given multiple benefits for pre-listing inspection, it is vital to consider the pros and cons. I would be glad to sit down with you and talk about your specific concerns you may have about your home if you’re preparing to list it. Contact me today! 928.830.6976
Answers for First-Time Home Buyers
It’s time for first-time homebuyers to turn their dream into a reality and own their very own home. Most first-time buyers have the same questions, which is why I’ve put together this down-and-dirty answer guide for the most common questions home buyers have.
- What kind of credit score do I need to have? Generally, 630 or above is what you’ll want to have. The better your score, the better the terms will be on your loan. Some lenders may give you wiggle room on this, but it all depends on the circumstances. A loan professional can help you navigate this as you go.
- How much of a down payment is required? Some loans will let you in for as low as 3% – 5% of the home’s value, but I would consider 5% to be the floor. More is better, especially if your credit isn’t as optimal as you’d like it to be. Working with a loan officer will help. Now, if you can put 20% down, there are benefits. You will have a smaller monthly mortgage payment, lower interest rate, and you will not need private mortgage insurance.
- What’s the first step to home buying? The next step is getting pre-approval for a mortgage. Don’t shop for a home until you know what you can afford. There’s no use in falling in love with a $300,000 home in your dream neighborhood if the banks will only write you a loan of $150,000.
- How much do I have to pay my real estate agent? As a buyer, you don’t have to pay your real estate agent, the seller is responsible for listing fees. Don’t worry, your agent receives a portion of those fees for helping with the transaction.
- Why should I use a real estate agent? Like a lawyer, doctor, or other professional hired to represent your interests, the agent will not only advise you about the transaction but will protect and facilitate the process.
- How long does it take to buy a house? After you find the home you want to buy, it generally takes between 30 and 45 days. However, the home search can take longer, so have a clear idea of what you’re looking for and able to afford. (Your agent can help you with this. Another reason to have one on your side!)
Jumping back to down payments, here is a list of a few tips that can help you conquer saving for a down payment:
- Find out where your money goes. Track each expenditure, no matter how small. Where are you spending cash?
- Setup a separate savings account. Don’t let your dream home money mingle with your regular checking or savings account. Have a different account with a “hands-off” attitude.
- Pretend you already have a house payment. Once you determine the approximate amount of a new house payment, start making that payment now. Instead of paying the bank, pay your savings account.
Naturally, there’s more to buying a home, but this covers the essential introduction to the process. As your agent, I will walk you through the rest, guiding you along the way. When you’re ready to make a move, reach out to me: 928-830-6976
Woo Sellers with Personalized Touches
If you’re home hunting in a competitive market, you’ve probably had the heartbreaking experience of losing out on the perfect house. It can be incredibly frustrating to find out the seller rejected your offer in favor of another buyer. How can you do your best to make sure it doesn’t happen again?
When a seller entertains multiple offers, it’s essential to understand that many different factors are in play. If you’re an all-cash buyer, you tend to have an advantage, as cash removes potential financing roadblocks. But if you’re like most people, paying cash for a house isn’t an option. What do you do then to make your offer competitive?
First and foremost, make sure you have 100% of your financial house in order. When you are financially prepared, you have pre-qualification for a mortgage as well as proof of funds. Being organized and ready to go will help give you a small edge from the start. Also, be sure you work with an agent who is highly responsive to requests. Sellers don’t need to wait around for agents to provide necessary information when multiple offers are landing in their inbox.
Beyond these factors, there’s another way to boost your offer’s profile: Personalize it.
While most sellers want to go with someone who will pay the most for their home, you should never discount the emotional dynamic to the home selling and buying experience. Though sellers are ready to move on, they often want to feel like their home is going to someone who genuinely appreciates it and needs it.
Work with your agent to craft a personal letter as to why you love the seller’s home. What features do you love? How will this home help you personally, professionally, or with your family needs? Include a photo of yourself and your family. Putting a human face on the offer can transform your offer from one more name in a pile of numbers into a genuine person worthy of living in the seller’s home. Have pets and kids? Bring them into the picture!
Tips to Keep in Mind While Writing Your Letter
- Build a Connection: Look for a connection that you and the seller share. This connection could be being in the same line of work or noticing a hunting sign. Build on that connection.
- Keep it Short: Don’t write a novel. Share your point, build a connection, and add a few reasons why you’re the best buyer.
- Leave Out Remodeling Plans: If you plan on remodeling, be mindful of the seller’s protectiveness over their home. While they are selling their house, they still have emotional attachments to different areas of their home. They may not be fond of knowing that you want to destroy parts of it.
Have your agent personally deliver the offer. Most of the offers are going to be electronically transferred, dumped into a crowded email inbox. An electronic offer can be convenient, whereas delivering a beautifully prepared package complete with a personalized letter and picture can impact the seller.
I will go the extra mile in helping you attain your dream home. Get in contact with me today: 928-830-6976
Endless Possibilities Offered in Prescott, AZ
If you haven’t figured it out already, Prescott and nearby Prescott Valley have something for everyone. You can find anything from affordable to luxury homes, homes on golf courses, active adult communities, and much more.
Prescott, Arizona, located in Yavapai County, is a breathtaking town filled with beauty and history. Prescott has a perfect location, approximately 95 miles south of Flagstaff and 95 miles north of Phoenix. Prescott, located in the Bradshaw Mountains, sits at an altitude of 5,400 feet. The Prescott area can brag of near-perfect weather with an average high temperature in the winter around 52 degrees and an average of 89 in the summer.
Things to Do in Prescott
In Prescott, Arizona, you will find countless activities to do, including horseback riding, golfing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, camping, mountain biking, local breweries, restaurants, and shopping. Living in Downtown Prescott means living just steps from the Old Town Square, providing a feeling of nostalgia mixed with modernity. You can also find a more private and secluded lifestyle in the rolling hills of the Prescott National Forest.
The historic downtown district of Prescott is nothing short of charming. Old Town Prescott feels like it was pulled right from the Wild West, showcasing an old-fashioned town square with a beautiful historic courthouse and quaint storefronts selling items both new and old.
Prescott is home to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Yavapai College, and Prescott College. The community has been referred to as “Everybody’s Hometown” because it is a fabulous place to retire and raise a family and a great place to call “Home.”
There are around 43,000 people in Prescott, and the surrounding “Quad-City” area of Dewey-Humboldt, Chino Valley, and Prescott Valley and the smaller towns of Mayer, Paulden, and Wilhoit, comprise around 103,000 people.
About Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate is a dynamic real estate brand that offers a full range of services to brokers, sales associates, and home buyers and sellers. The growing Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate network includes more than 12,000 independent sales associates and approximately 360 offices serving home buyers and sellers across the U.S., Canada, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. In 1978, Meredith Corporation, one of the nation’s leading media and marketing companies and publishers of Better Homes & Gardens magazine, launched the former Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Service. Meredith Corporation owned and operated the company for 20 years and grew the business into a highly respected name in the real estate industry. Using innovative technology, sophisticated business systems and the broad appeal of a lifestyle brand, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate embodies the future of the real estate industry while remaining grounded in the tradition of home.
About The Plane Team
Dena Plane has served her clients and provided them with excellent service for over 15 years in residential real estate, resale, and new home sales. As a resale agent, Dena has achieved Agent of the Month, Top Ten Agent of the Year, Multi-Million Dollar Club, and International Diamond Society. As the sales manager for new homes, Dena personally sold over 300 homes and custom lots in the luxury golf communities of Prescott and Prescott Valley, Arizona.
Dena is licensed in both Arizona and California and specializes in luxury properties with resort-style living. With a passion for home building and interior design, Dena will help you get your home “show ready” and can easily guide and advise both buyers and sellers on the best practices for a successful outcome!
Dena and her husband Dave are The Plane Team. They help agents increase their production and grow their business and efficiently serve buyers and sellers in their real estate transactions. As your REALTOR’s, Dena and Dave will guide you through the buying and selling process and help you reach your real estate goals! The Plane Team will provide you with the resources and tools for a successful and smooth transaction.
