Phoenix AZ | Scottsdale AZ Real Estate

There are a lot of choices to buy luxury real estate in Phoenix, AZ, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and the surrounding towns of Fountain Hills, Carefree, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Peoria.

After deciding to buy real estate between Scottsdale , Paradise Valley, Carefree , Fountain Hills or any of the wonderful towns with great homes in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Glendale and Peoria, you have to choose community.

Scottsdale luxury golf communities include Silverleaf, DC Ranch, Grayhawk, Troon Country Club and Troon North.

Peoria luxury resort and golf communities include Sonoran Mountain Ranch and Vistancia.

Fountain Hills is the home to luxury golf community Firerock golf and Country club.

One of the most desirable communities with  unparalleled city lights and majestic  mountain views that is home to the southwestern desert lifestyle is Eagles Nest in Fountain Hills, AZ.

MCO Custom homes promises that at Eagles Nest "you will encounter a world of unsurpassed natural beauty and a plethora of activities in the mountainside community in Fountain Hills, AZ" or reward yourself and "take in the magnificent views from the comfort of  you new custom home."

They have just announced the release of new lots offering some of the most dramatic mountain views, desert views and city light views anywhere in Fountain Hills, Scottsdale or anywhere you can find in the Phoenix area.

Enjoy homes with views of Four Peaks, The Superstition Mountains, the city lights of Fountain Hills and the world famous Fountain Hills, AZ ‘Fountain' shooting water 500 feet in the sky.

I should also mention that the sales center is currently offering FireRock Country Club (Fountain Hills, AZ) golf membership incentives with the purchase of a custom home site or custom home in Eagles Nest.

If you want to build your dream custom home in Fountain Hills, AZ take advantage of premium home sites priced from the mid-$400K to over $1.5million.

I know Eagle's Nest in Fountain Hills, AZ very well.  If you want to enjoy the privacy and serenity of Fountain Hills with the immediate proximity of Scottsdale, Mesa and Phoenix, Eagles Nest in Fountain Hills, AZ might be for you.

Call the Eagles Nest sales office for a private tour of Eagles Nest community in Fountain Hills, AZ or call me today at (480) 221-8080 to learn more about life in Fountain Hills and living in luxury communities in Fountain Hills, AZ and Scottsdale.

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Copyright © James Wexler * Eagles Nest - luxury living in Fountain Hills, AZ*

Contact James Wexler (480) 221-8080 for your Phoenix | Scottsdale area Real Estate needs

Tempe, AZ (adjoining Phoenix) is home to Arizona State University and enrollment is at an all-time high. In fact, it appears that student enrollment growth at ASU will surpass available housing. Thus, there may be some great opportunities for parents to buy a home in Tempe, Phoenix, or Scottsdale instead of renting.

Annual tuition and cost of living is up. Even if you are fortunate enough t o receive scholarship aid, paying for tuition and housing can be expensive for most families.  However, one way that may help hedge the cost of college is actually, buying a home in Tempe versus renting in Tempe while your child is a student at ASU.

If you are a parent with a student who is moving to Tempe, AZ for at least 4 years, buying a Tempe (Phoenix) area condo at today's prices and with all-time low interest rates on fixed rate mortgages may make more sense than renting for students for 4 or 5 years.

If you consider the cost of the mortgage, Phoenix property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA (condo association dues) and maintenance and potential gain (or loss) over the 4 years of more.

If the the cash flow is about the same as renting and you are optimistic about the long-term growth of the Tempe / Phoenix real estate market, than buying a home in Tempe is probably a good decision.

If you decided to buy a Tempe, AZ home, get the right financing and take advantage of the "kiddie condo" program, there are many benefits  of Kiddie Condo programs and buying a home for your future ASU (Tempe) grad.

1. A low down payment (as little as 3% of the purchase price).

2. A lower, owner-occupied interest rate on the mortgage Vs the higher investment property interest rate.

3. Helps the new borrower establish a solid credit rating and get a mortgage to report on their credit for the future building of a FICO score

4. at least one borrower must occupy the property as his/her primary residence, but extra bedrooms could be rented out to help cover the cost of the mortgage payments.

5. mortgage interest deductions may apply , however please speak with your tax advisor or CPA
6. future rental (after your child graduates ASU in Tempe) or selling of a profit

Tempe homes are selling at as much as 30% discount to prices just several years ago. If you are looking for homes in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa or any of the other towns that make up greater Phoenix, a purchase of a condo using the kiddie condo program may have more immediate and long term benefits than renting.

If you are looking to buy a home in Tempe or a kiddie condo in greater Phoenix, contact an expert mortgage professionals who can help with FHA loans and kiddie condo loan programs.

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Copyright © James Wexler * FHA "Kiddie Condo" loan programs for sale in Tempe, AZ  *

Contact James Wexler (480) 221-8080 for your Phoenix AZ| Scottsdale AZ Real Estate needs

Those of you who are kind enough to take time out of your busy days to read my blog, rants, ravings and musing of all things Phoenix | Scottsdale real estate, know that I am not happy with the $700 Billion bailout of the banking system in its current form.

The proposal, now being debated before Congress, calls for more than a $700 Billion (call it a cool Trillion) fund that would solidify bank balance sheets, though not make mandatory the lending of money to borrower' the orginal concept of the plan.

I call this the end of capitalism.

I do not say this because it offers little help to  the real estate market and home values.

I call it the end of capitalism because the bailout by the Federal Government is giving a free pass to corporate America. Basically, big banks were able to participate in 100% of the profits. Yet, virtually, none of the losses.

Think about it like this.

If you could go to Las Vegas, wager and win keep you profits would you? If you do not win, the house would come and give your money back in the form of a low interest loan and say ‘try again'. Now, with this new found money, you have a second chance. If this second change is successful you keep all the profits above and beyond these low interest loans. If this second change does not prove successful, you don't have to pay the money back.

This bailout of those who are not rewarded for taking risk is completely opposite to what built our economy which rewards for risk. And of course, that risk comes at a price if you don't succeed.

What makes matters worse is that if the program does not prove successful and the banks cannot right the ship, the owner of this $700 Billion in bad debt are the American Taxpayer. Most Americans would probably not make this investment the Government is making for us.

Does it get worse?? Possibly.

What also scares me is , "what if this bailout plan actually works?"" and the government takes the debt as the banking system pumps more loans on the market with the new found lottery ticket winning from the FED.

I see the government becoming the owner of a trillion dollars in REO debt as a result of these worthless loans. I call them GEO (think REO, but Government owned real estate) properties.

Ultimately, the government will need to sell this inventory of homes. I expect a flood of GEO real estate on the Phoenix, Arizona real estate market.

These homes will be sold at steep discounts to already sharp price declines as the government has little concern for profits and losses (as we well know).

Government owned real estate will further drive down prices (if that is even possible) and paralyze any chance of homes that are not short sales, REO ,  GEO's and bank owned homes in the greater Phoenix area from selling.

We do not need more homes for sale in Greater Phoenix AZ or any real estate market across the country.

Most people in Phoenix, AZ and most Americans have most of their net worth tied up in their primary residence. Until, supply of homes stabilizes, real estate prices will continue to decline. Until we resolve this issue, Americans will not be able to recover the current economic stranglehold.

Do not let banks have a free pass.

I suggest that we are able to participate in a greater amount in the profits and are offered more security in terms of capital stock. We should be shareholders of the company if we are going to be partners with the banks.

Equity participation for investment risk is how the banks would make an investment. Why should we be any different? Capitalism should apply. There is no reason for the Government (U.S. Taxpayers) to make bad investment decisions.The banks wouldn't and either would you!

Do not let this Bailout be the end of capitalism.

Call you Congressman and let your opinion be heard.

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Copyright © James Wexler * The end of capitalism is upon us*

call me today at (480) 221-8080 to learn more about life in North Scottsdale Arizona and living in luxury retirement communities in Scottsdale AZ.

The great Don Rodgers tagged me for my first experience at a Book MeMe , so here goes.....

The rules are simple (i say with requisite hesitation)....  

So, my instructions were as follows:

1. Grab the nearest book

2. Open the book to page 56

3. Find the fifth sentence

4. Post the text of the next two to five sentences

               5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book or the intellectual one. Make sure you Pick the Closest book

Tom Clancy's Cardinal of the Kremlin, hardly intellectual , reading for the second time , yes, it's that good.

I would rather have an officer tell me what he does Not  know,  than try to impress me with a truckload of #$%* !!

I thinkg I am supposed to interpret this as an analogy to life or at least real estate, but, I am not nearly smart enough to play philosopher, so , I will let it speak for itself.

I have tagged 5 people to do the same! Enjoy!!

Larry Bettag - St. Charles, Illinois

Sharon Paxson - Newport Beach

Dan Brudnok -  Chester County, PA

Judy Toscano - New Hampshire

Rich Dansereau  - Knoxville, TN

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James Wexler (480) 221-8080 for your Phoenix AZ | Scottsdale AZ Real Estate needs

Call me for a private tour of homes in Paradise Valley AZ or Scottsdale AZ or call to learn more about life in Scottsdale AZ and living in luxury communities in Scottsdale AZ.

Those of you who read my blog about Phoenix, Scottsdale Real Estate and new home builders and new home communities in Peoria, North Scottsdale and Glendale know that I have been opposed to the bailout in its current form.

I do think Congress has been working hard to get a plan that will take a major step towards helping (maybe not fixing) the financial crisis that has put a stranglehold on real estate in greater Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and the nation.

The "Rescue Package" will be the largest intervention since the Great Depression. Without going into too much detail the major changes are:

• The government could get at $250 billion immediately, $100 billion more if the president certified it was necessary, and the last $350 billion with a separate certification - and subject to a congressional resolution of disapproval
• letting the government insure some bad home loans rather than buy them - designed to limit the amount of federal money used in the rescue
• To help struggling homeowners, the plan requires the government to try renegotiating the bad mortgages it acquires with the aim of lowering borrowers' monthly payments so they can keep their homes
• The government would receive stock warrants in return for the bailout relief, giving taxpayers a chance to share in financial companies' future profits

I am still not satisfied that the plan will do anything to help real estate.

I expect the government to take possession of real estate , like REO's , think GEO's (Government owned real estate) and they should not be expected to manage a real estate portfolio any better than banks who are in that business. 

As a result, I expect to see a lot of real estate hit the Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria real estate market in the next 6-9 months. More inventory, will drive down prices further. Maybe a necessary evil ? We will see.

Never the less, I am going to play devil's advocate for a moment.

There are approximately 300 Million Americans and about 1/3 are taxpayers or (very) roughly 100 million taxpayers. At a cost of less $700 Million , that equals 7K/ per tax payer.

Agreed, it is not as good as getting $7,000. However, I would argue that if taxpayers are going to pay for 'social' programs for the welfare of the American people, this is probably more important then health care, education or national defense.

Further, these banks should have be able to pay these loans back, with interest. Additionally, the stock (warrant) participation should provide profit participation from the taxpayer investment.

Clearly, we need the banks to be solvent so that depositors will come back and banks can begin lending money again. Not until then can Phoenix real estate get back on the road to recovery.

However, even at a cost of $7K, I believe that every homeowner,  new home builder and real estate investor would take the money out of their wallet to get real estate back on track to lead the economic recovery we desperately need.

Let me know what you think.

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Copyright © James Wexler * Bailout is cheap: only $7/ taxpayer * 

Contact James Wexler (480) 221-8080 for your Phoenix AZ | Scottsdale AZ area Real Estate needs

Call me for a private tour of  homes in Paradise Valley AZ or Scottsdale AZ or call me today at (480) 221-8080 to learn more about life in Scottsdale AZ and living in luxury communities in  Scottsdale AZ.

Every Phoenix real estate home seller wants to know how to sell your home, how to sell your Phoenix home quickly and how to sell your Phoenix real estate close to the listing price.

There are tips & advice on selling your Phoenix home quickly as well as home selling tips and selling Phoenix | Scottsdale real estate mistakes to avoid.

Professional home staging has proven to be an effective way to market your home in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Fountain Hills.

More and more home buyers in Scottsdale and real estate investors in North Scottsdale, Carefree, Fountain Hill, Peoria and all of the towns that make up Maricopa County, Arizona are asking about utility costs.

One option you have to sell your Phoenix real estate is to upgrade you water and energy efficiency by making your house ‘green‘ and investing in your Phoenix area home by turning your energy heating systems to solar power.

If you have ever been to Phoenix, AZ , Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler or Gilbert you know why they call the greater Phoenix area, ‘Valley of the Sun'.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy report on Solar heating systems,

On average, if you install a solar water heater, your water heating bills should drop 50%-80%. Also, because the sun is free, you're protected from future fuel shortages and price hikes.

If you're building a new home in Phoenix or refinancing your Scottsdale vacation home, the economics are even more attractive.

"Including the price of a solar energy water heater in a new 30-year mortgage usually amounts to between $13 and $20 per month. The federal income tax deduction for mortgage interest attributable to the solar system reduces that by about $3-$5 per month. So if your fuel savings are more than $15 per month, the solar investment is profitable immediately. On a monthly basis, you're saving more than you're paying."

Investing in a solar energy system to heat your water system may just what you need to reduce monthly energy costs and get sell your Phoenix home.

Here are 10 Reasons to invest in a solar home in Phoenix AZ:

1. Reduce hot water utility costs
2. $1,000 tax credit from State of Arizona with purchase of your system.
3. The Federal government will give you up to $2,000 in tax credits
4. APS and SRP will give you up to $2,025 fore converting your home hot water system to solar
5. The cost of a solar heating system is usually paid back within 2 years.
6. New solar hot water system is typically offered with each solar system purchase.
7. Phoenix home buyers will love the new hot water heater with modern insulation for energy savings
8. help the environment.
9. Reduce your carbon footprint.
10. Be an example to your neighbors

If you want to market your home as ‘green‘ energy efficient there are a few inexpensive ways to show real estate buyers that you are taking steps to help reduce utility costs, such as using fluorescent light bulbs, low-flow shower heads and upgraded insulated water heater tanks.

Though, for a few thousand dollar investment, you can take advantage of the sunshine and go ‘Green' or go 'solar' to save money and help sell your Phoenix home.

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Call me for a private tour of  homes in Paradise Valley or Scottsdale or call me today at (480) 221-8080 to learn more about life in Scottsdale and living in luxury communities in  Scottsdale.

Copyright © James Wexler * 10 Reasons to invest in solar or a ‘Green' home in Phoenix AZ *

Contact James Wexler (480) 221-8080 for your Phoenix | Scottsdale area Real Estate needs

If you are renting a home in Phoenix or planning on relocating to any of the towns around Scottsdale , like Fountain Hills, Mesa, Paradise Valley or Peoria, there has been no better time than the present to buy Phoenix real estate.

I normally reserve myself from ‘realtor' talk by saying buy a Scottsdale home today. Buy a home from that new home builder in Sonoran Mountain Ranch in Peoria, AZ before the inventory is gone or don't miss out on that Mesa, AZ home.

However, Phoenix real estate prices have dropped as much as 30% in most area outside of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Carefree and Fountain Hills where prices are down closer to 15%.

If you find a Phoenix area home or any Fountain Hills real estate that you love and it is more than 30% off of its 2005 price, here are 5 reasons to buy a home in Phoenix.

1) Phoenix, Arizona Homeownership  has been a sold long-term investment. - Historically, if you purchased a home in the last 30 years in Phoenix, Scottsdale, etc... you would have received substantial tax benefits and as much as 6%-10% annual appreciation (according to the OFHEO). This rate of return includes the downturn we are suffering through currently.

2) Mortgage interest rates are at historic lows -

• Rates on 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages are well below  6% 

3) Mortgage Rate Increases could prevent you from buying homes in Phoenix AZ you want - As interest rates go up the price you pay for a home goes up. In fact, price of a home is most often secondary to how you finance a home. Higher interest, the more you pay for a home in the long-run.

4) Time is everything, not Timing and there has been no better time to buy real estate in Phoenix- it is impossible to predict the bottom in Phoenix real estate. However, home prices in the surrounding towns of Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Peoria are down about 30% in home value. If you purchase now , and stay in your home at least 5 years, history tells us that even with dips in value , your home will appreciate in value.

5)  A hedge against inflation is arguably the most important reason to own a home in Phoenix. Simply, put if you buy real estate in Scottsdale and you monthly mortgage payment on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is , for example, $2,000/month, that payment is fixed for 30 years and never increases. It actually will go down. As inflation goes up (which it always does) and rents in your area and home prices rise, your monthly payment never changes for 30 years. You know that the amount you pay on your Scottsdale or Phoenix area home per month is fixed in time and will never rise as everything else around you does.

There are many great reason to own a home in Scottsdale, Phoenix , etc... such as

• long-term investment
• tax benefits
• a place to live and call home
• a hedge against inflation

Yet, there has been rarely a better time to buy real estate in Scottsdale or Phoenix with fixed mortgage interest rates at historic lows and prices 30% discount to where they were just several years ago.

For more information, call your local Real Estate agent or  call me today at (480) 221-8080 to learn more about life in Scottdale and living in luxury communities in Phoenix |Scottsdale.

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Copyright © James Wexler * 5 Reasons to Buy a home in Phoenix*

Contact James Wexler (480) 221-8080 for your Phoenix AZ | Scottsdale AZ area Real Estate needs

Related Posts

• Dear Mr. Bernanke, Phoenix Real Estate needs an interest rate cut
• home sellers in panic mode, Time to Buy Phoenix Real Estate
• Eagles Nest - luxury living in Fountain Hills, AZ

Fountain Hills, AZ is a small desert town on the outskirts of Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale.

Developed by MCO Properties and MCO Realty,  Fountain hills is a hidden oasis high in the Sonoran Desert offering some of the best real estate (in quality and great deals) and custom homes in greater Phoenix with unparalleled mountain views, desert landscaping and city lights of Fountain Hills, AZ and Scottsdale.

Fountain Hills, AZ is a desert community offering some of the best real estate opportunities in greater Phoenix including single family homes, townhomes, condominiums and apartments.

All of these homes for sale and unsurpassed Arizona desert lifestyle are supported by commercial and retail business, 3 major community parks, a public library, nine schools, a variety of civic groups, churches and diverse religious organizations,fine dining and two primary health care centers.

If you are thinking of buy a home in Fountain Hills, golf enthusiasts rest assure that this Phoenix ‘Malibu' has 3 beautiful public golf courses and one private course.

• Desert Canyon golf Club
• The Golf Club at Eagle Mountain
• SunRidge Canyon Golf Course
• FireRock Golf and Country Club

Fountain Hills, AZ gets its name from its world-famous fountain. Centered in Fountain Hills Park, it shoots nearly 600 feet in the air every hour making it the highest fountain in the world.  Surrounding the Fountain Hills ‘Fountain' is a 30-acre park with areas of picnics , "disc-golf" and large  playground for kids (and adults

The real estate developer, MCO Properties and MCO Realty, has designed 3 luxury home communities in Fountain Hills, AZ offering a variety of real estate and homes for sale.

• Eagles Nest - a gated community with unrivaled mountain vistas of Four Peaks, Superstitions Mountains, and the Goldfields stretching out before you, Eagles Nest offers 244 home sites, 40 miles of walking, hiking and horse trails, all only minutes from Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and Phoenix.

• SunRidge Canyon - is a golf community in Fountain Hills, AZ with 541 production homes, 286 custom home sites, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Keith Foster, neighborhood parks connected by bike paths, and open tracts of undisturbed, natural open space.

• FireRock - just minutes away in Fountain Hills and the nearby communities of Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa, FireRock is a private gated community with luxury custom homes built into the desert terrain of a world renowned 18-hole championship private golf course with panoramic views including the East Valley skyline, Four Peaks, Red Mountain, and downtown Phoenix.

• Eagle Mountain - buying a home in this Fountain Hills community will offer panoramic views of Phoenix and Scottsdale, Red Mountain and the undisturbed Sonoran desert canyon terrain of Scottsdale and Phoenix the ‘Valley of the Sun".

Just 15 minutes to Scottsdale, 17 miles to Mesa, 20 minutes to Tempe and less than 30 miles to downtown Phoenix, Fountain Hills, AZ offers majestic views, scenery, biking, hiking, picnicking, children's playgrounds, golf and the lifestyle to just do nothing.

Life in Fountain Hills, AZ truly offers something for everyone (and their friends.)

Currently, there are great real estate, single family homes, townhomes and condominiums from $150,000 to more than  $2MM and up custom homes for sale in Fountain Hills, AZ

If you want to enjoy the privacy and serenity of Fountain Hills with the immediate proximity of Scottsdale, Mesa and Phoenix, .....  Fountain Hills, AZ might be for you.

Call me for a private tour of the master-planned community and homes in Fountain Hills, AZ or call me today at (480) 221-8080 to learn more about life in Fountain Hills and living in luxury communities in Fountain Hills, AZ and Scottsdale.

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Copyright © James Wexler * Life in Fountain Hills AZ - find Phoenix real estate's hidden jewel*

Contact James Wexler (480) 221-8080 for your Phoenix | Scottsdale area Real Estate needs

AN EXCLUSIVE INVITATION TO the CITYNORTH® SALES GALLERY

• Date:                Tuesday, December 9th
•  
• Time:                9:00 AM
•  
• Location:           
• 5515 E. Deer Valley Drive
• Phoenix, AZ  85054 
• 480.355.0202

www.CityNorthAZ.com

RSVP               Required:        Trudy@SignaturePropertiesAZ.com

After years of thoughtful planning, we are delighted to present all of the dynamic elements that will define the CityCenter of CityNorth.  Experience the vision for the largest mixed-use development in Arizona's history, a co-development of Related Companies and the Thomas J. Klutznick Company.

CityNorth is a unique destination that will incorporate engaging public spaces and world-class architecture to provide a sophisticated and convenient lifestyle for residents and visitors.

Like other celebrated cities of the world, CityNorth will feature distinctive neighborhoods, each with its own personality. High Street, which debuts in November 2008, will be a classic urban setting with approximately one million square feet of national retailers, specialty boutiques, restaurants, Class A office space, medical space and luxury living space above retail.

The Residences on High Street are our first release of residential above retail.  Condominiums range in size from approximately 800 to 1850 square feet, all single story, with 1, 2 and 3 BR plans with prices ranging from $456,000 to just over $1M.  

In the fall of 2010, CityNorth will debut The Boulevard, CityNorth's grand public space and central focus of the community, with elegant condominium residences, luxury retail and creative office environments.  Refreshing landscaped in-city parks featuring cascading fountains, inspiring art installations and public performance spaces run through the heart of this extraordinary urban enclave.  

54th Street, also opening in the fall of 2010, is the vibrant, dynamic gateway to CityNorth.  Elegant residences will overlook exquisite arcades and canopies of vivid bougainvillea in this bustling commercial corridor.

Please join us for cocktails and appetizers immediately following our presentation.

We look forward to sharing the CityCenter of CityNorth with you.

The CityNorth Sales Team, Signature Properties , Exclusive Residential Broker

Until now, Phoenix area home sellers where those most severely impacted by the sharp drop in Arizona real estate prices and disappearance of home buyers.

A new victim is emerging; .....Buyers of new home construction.

There are an increasing number of builders who are suffering from this Real Estate recession. As a result, they are having problems with financing and many new home builders in Arizona are filing for bankruptcy protection.

In fact, nationally, there are a record number of builders going broke and looking to the U.S. bankruptcy court for protection from creditors.

The larger builders are suffering less than the small local builders who were caught in the Phoenix, Scottsdale downturn and national mortgage crisis and have less access to capital to weather the storm.

Let me be clear. The vast majority of builders in the Greater Phoenix area are stable and have the assets and resources to remain.

However, there are also a growing number who are struggling to meet financial demands. As a result, they are having difficulty continuing operations.

What does this mean to buyers?

The new victim is the buyer of new construction from these failing builders. Buyers bough lots, picked floor plans and are in the middle stages of the building process of their home. Now, there are increasing instances of builders not being able to finish the homes.

The buyers of new construction are in a unfortunate situation. They have put down a minimum of 10% of the home value. They have prepared to move into their home at a predetermined date. Now the builder is insolvent and filing for Bankruptcy. They do not have the financial capability to complete construction.

This is such a growing concern that Sam Wercinski, Arizona's Real Estate Commissioner, issued a Consumer Alert to buyers of homes form Arizona home-builders.

"Homebuyers and their real estate agents have the right to know if a builder is in financial trouble and what the status of their earnest money or home completion is. The Department of Real Estate can help provide this information and give assistance to consumers in need,"

The Arizona Department of Real Estate is now posting information on builders who are in bankruptcy or are having financial difficulties so consumers can make informed decisions and take steps to protect themselves.

A list of known builders is available on the Department's website: www.azre.gov Consumers should also reference the Commissioner's Advisory No. 2 on the website's home page which provides guidance for homebuyers, real estate agents and others impacted by a builder ceasing operations.

You can also contact the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) or the Arizona Association of Homebuilders for information on local builders financial health.

If you have been considering buying a home from a new home builder, make sure you check the list before making a decision.

If you are in the middle of the home building process, ask your Realtor for an update and information on its ability to continue and complete construction.