H2K's Arizona Real Estate Blog

• April 26, 2008 - Efficient & Earth Friendly

Ever since the 1992 Energy Policy Act banned sales of 1.6-gallon toilets that used 3 to 5 gallons per flush, homeowners have been searching for an effective low-flow toilet. It’s been an elusive hunt. Double-flushing (wasting even more water) to fully clear a bowl seemed the only solution.

Over the years, wider pipe openings and pressure-assisted pumps slowly improved performance. Today we have a new generation of high-efficiency toilets that use less than a gallon of water.

To help consumers find these water misers, in 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency began giving a new seal of approval to low-flow toilets. Look for the WaterSense label, awarded to any toilet that uses 20 percent less water than the standard 1.6-gallon models. "The label lets consumers know with certainty that they’re choosing products that use significantly less water without worry whether those products will perform well," says Rob Zimmerman of Kohler Co.

(kohler.com). Eight Kohler products join the FloWise toilet (1.28-gallon) by American Standard (americanstandard-us.com) as WaterSense worthy.

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• April 25, 2008 - Great Outdoors

3 beautiful innovations in patio furniture

These materials look classic, but each has a new twist that makes it better than ever.

All-weather wicker.

No longer do you have to scramble to move your outdoor furniture indoors when clouds turn dark; this synthetic bamboo look-alike can brave rain or shine. Since the material is dyed, the furniture won’t peel or flake like painted natural wicker. See porchesandyards.com/wicker for many options.

Cast aluminum.

At first glance, it’s everything you want out of cast iron: strength, durability, elegance. But cast aluminum is also lightweight and will never rust. Visit patioandhomefurniture.com/aluminum-furniture for ideas.

nviroWood. Outdoor furniture’s version of the electric car, this material looks like wood, feels like wood and saves the world one step at a time. Made of 100-percent recycled plastic, EnviroWood has all the perks of wood without the maintenance. Visit seasidecasual.com for products.

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• February 26, 2008 - H2K's Arizona Real Estate Blog - The Basic of Short Sales

We just posted a new entry on our Blog. Please read it when you get a =
chance. Thanks!

Title: The Basic of Short Sales
Category: Buyer & Seller Tips
Date: February 26, 2008
Link: =
http://www.realtown.com/Homes2Know/blog/buyer-seller-tips/the-basic-of-sh=
ort-sales

Randy Eihausen, RFS, e-PRO
REALTOR=C2=AE =E2=99=A6 Realty & Mortgage Counselor
Residential Finance Specialist =E2=99=A6 e-PRO Internet Professional
CENTURY 21 Multi-Million Dollar Club

Direct Phone: Randy - 602-579-4984 or Paul - 602-451-4444
www.Homes2Know.com

CENTURY 21 All Star, Realtors, 430 West Warner Rd. STE 122, Tempe, AZ =
85284
Office Phone: 480-831-2221 =E2=99=A6 Fax Number: 602-266-9802

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
2002 Century 21 Real Estate Corporation. =C2=AE And SM - trademark and =
servicemark of Century 21 Real Estate Corporation.
Equal Housing Opportunity.

L&G Mortgagebanc, 8737 East Via de Commercio, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Phone: 602-451-4444

Helpful Resources for Buyers & Sellers: Get FREE consumer reports on =
buying, selling and financing, search the MLS, get a FREE valuation of =
Your Home and More at www.Homes2Know.com.

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• February 26, 2008 - The Basic of Short Sales

Real Estate “Short Sales” have been getting some attention in the news lately. But just what is a “Short Sale?”
Simply put, a short sale is the sale of a mortgaged property that results in the mortgage holder receiving less that what is owed to them. The mortgage holder is “shorted” part of the mortgage balance.

In order to do a short sale, the bank or mortgage company must agree to it. But why would they agree to take less money?

The answer; banks don’t like owning, maintaining or selling houses. It interferes with their main business of lending, managing and investing money.

If you find yourself in the position of having to sell your house and you don’t have the equity in your house or cash reserves to pay the mortgage off in full, a short sale may help you out.

Here’s how to go about doing a short sale, step by step:
1. Determine the current market value of your home.
2. Add up all of the selling costs you will need to pay.
3. Find out what the payoff amount is on your current loan(s).
4. Do the math, subtract the loan balance & the selling costs from the market value.
5. Call your lender and ask for the “loss mitigation” department or a supervisor. Explain your situation to them.
6. Ask them what their procedures are for a short sale. If they are willing to work with you, get all the forms and requirements and see if you can work out an agreement. Be prepared to convince them your case deserves consideration. They will probably want a financial statement with all your bills and assets shown. They may even want to see your household budget. Don’t take it personally, it’s just business.
7. Sell the house. The bank will probably be involved with most of the contracts and offers.

The biggest mistake made by home owners in financial trouble is not getting in touch with their lender. Almost all lenders would rather work things out with you than take back your home. Especially in today's market.

Questions? Comments? Give us a call or email. We love to talk real estate!

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• February 10, 2008 - Chandler's up scale Fulton Ranch Community

Fulton Ranch is one of Chandler, AZ's most upscale communities offering an excellent planned community with outstanding homes and amenities such as lake front home sites, walking paths along private lakes, stunning community entry. Club house and more! One of my favorite divisions of this up scale community is the Aegean Cove subdivision which offers the most lavish home plans to date. The homes offer interesting architectural details including double spiral staircases, dramatic radius entryways, tall coffered ceilings, fabulous private courtyards and huge master retreats. The kitchens are semi-custom allowing the new homeowner to personalize a variety of items including granite surfaces, back splashes , top of line appliances, bay windows, stunning wood cabinetry, butler pantries and over sized islands. The homes sizes range from 3500 to over 6000 square feet; most with casitas that are perfect for a home office, exercise studio or guest house!

Below are some photos of the community and of my favorite model the Corinth

Which is a fabulous floor plan offering 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, 4 car garage, detached casita with private courtyard and over 5000 square feet of living space. Prices start in the high 800's .Please contact us to view any of the wonderful homes at Fulton Ranch. We are very well acquainted with the community, homes and sales staff!