New Build or Resale? Why YOU want us to represent YOU in building your dream home.

If you live in the greater Phoenix area, and you've driven anywhere in the last few months, you've seen that there is a heavy presence of new home builder's in the area, specifically in the North & West Valley. As a Realtor in a heavily saturated new build market, I currently have a love/hate relationship with builder's. They can make life easy or very difficult for the average Realtor. On the love side, as a buyer's agent, I love new home sales! It can be a dream transaction. Your client's walk through a gorgeous model home, absolutely fall in love with all the fancy upgrades, furniture, and pretty things the stagers have stashed in the home. The process is straight-forward, with very few hiccups along the way. The buyer's move into a brand new home, where things are pristine, new, smell good, and EVERYTHING has a warranty, just in case. Why even show resale homes, right??? There are so many more things that can go wrong on the resale side, right? Possibly, sometimes.

On the "hate" side, with buyer's, it can be hard putting it nicely, to tell your buyer's to stay away from these gorgeous model homes, or to at least wait for a Realtor to accompany them. I get it! Before I was a Realtor, I loved going through the model homes, too (I still enjoy it, what am I saying?), for the same reasons buyer's love the model homes. It's an easy way to kill an afternoon. You can go through at your own pace, get decorating ideas, see several homes all at once, and you don't even have to have an appointment.  Most of the time, it's low-pressure sales, that if you don't show any interest, the builder's salesperson doesn't work you over like you are buying a used car. All in all, whether you are looking to buy today, in 6 months, or a year from now, it can be an enjoyable day walking through these model homes. The "hate" part for us, as Realtors, though, is that, as soon as our clients walk through the door, the builder thinks they have them, as an unrepresented client. So if we aren't with you, on your first tour, they want you to buy from them, unrepresented. UNREPRESENTED. So one of the biggest purchases of your life, they want you to use their lender, their title, AND go into the deal, without anyone representing your best interest. I did say that new build's have very few hiccups...meaning that there ARE times when there is a hiccup, or even a situation much bigger than a hiccup. I've personally had problems in new build contracts, with general build-out issues, electric, HVAC, framing, and one time, they even installed the AC on the wrong side of the home, blocking the only gate to the backyard installed on the property. I've had clients that couldn't shut lights off, because there was no switch affiliated with the lights that were on. I've had pre-wired speakers, not actually be pre-wired. Currently, I have one builder, who is not using the correct insulation, that is per our contract. Now, saying this, I've also had new builds that have gone start-to-finish with no issues at all. But, just in case, wouldn't you want someone on your side? Someone to communicate on your behalf? Someone that has your best interest at the forefront-not the bottom line's, the GC's, not the builder's, & not the lender's? Your best interest! That's who we work for. YOU! 

Did you know that you can negotiate with a builder? Most of the time they won't even let on that you have options to negotiate? They give you the base price, and present you with an al a carte menu of all the upgrades that you just saw in the model home, that may or may (probably) not have been included. In the last 4 new build sales we've done, at least one portion has been negotiated. One builder gave them $7500 off their advertised base price, just by asking. Another waived a lot premium that equalled a $10,000 savings, and one ended up giving them $5000 in unadvertised upgrades. We have one just going into contract that gave us a discount on pricing, waived backyard landscaping, which saved them almost $10,000 AND they are paying for the buyer's closing costs on the loan, which is another $9,000+. Every builder is different, but if you don't have representation, you may not be able to negotiate these items, or know what is possible. There is a value to having representation with experience under their belt, to ask the questions that you may not even think of. We, as Realtors, go through these experience's day-in and day-out. So many times I've heard my client's say, "Thank you, I'm so glad you're here. I never would have thought of that!".

We hope that this doesn't come off as "anti-new build". That's not what we're trying to convey. We just want to help educate why it's best to go into any situation in Real Estate, with proper representation. We are in the BUSINESS every day. We want to help you with one of the biggest investments you may ever purchase.

In the next blog entry, we'll discuss some of the items that can be negotiated in a new build situation, we'll highlight some of the best builders that we've worked with, and touch on Spec homes. Contact us at 602-882-6045 for a comprehensive list of new home builder's in the area, or check out resale homes on our website at www.3rdbasehometeam.com.

Official Realtor Post: 4240 N. 112th Ln, Phoenix, AZ 85037

3^rd Base Realty Group’s Home Team is excited to announce a new listing that is coming up on the market in the West Valley at 4240 N. 112^th Ln.  This 3 bed 2 bath single family home is a perfect starter  for that growing family.  The home sits on an over-sized corner lot that backs up to a beautiful greenbelt that borders Phoenix, Glendale, and Avondale.  The extra room in the backyard boasts a RV gate with additional concrete for parking extra cars, boats, or any other toys you may have!  You are minutes away from Camelback RanchSpring , Westgate Entertainment District, University of Phoenix Stadium, and Jobing.comArena.  Call Jim or Faith today to schedule a showing!

Jim Casartelli and The Home Team have the experience and expertise to help aid in any real estate transaction. With extensive experience in buying, selling, leasing, and property management in both residential and commercial markets, the team will truly exceed your expectations in customer service and communication. Please contact Jim directly with any questions or to schedule a time to view the home. 

Pre-MLS Listing- Coming Soon: 8102 N 53rd Place Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 Official Listing Agent Blog Post

The 3rd Base Home Team is excited to unveil their upcoming listing of this Paradise Valley Beauty.   8102 N 53rd Pl will be officially listed on the market in February of 2014.  The home is in the gorgeous Vista Rica subdivision of Paradise Valley, near Scottsdale, Arizona.  Located at the base of Mummy Mountain the views are un-parralleled, with the home sitting on 1.6 private acres, your lush rear yard faces west, perfect for viewing some of the most gorgeous sunsets you'll ever see.

Originally purchased as a Spanish Colonial home, the home has undergone some major updating and renovations by the current owners, bringing a more contemporary take on the original Spanish motif.  Used primarily as a vacation home, the family wanted to ensure that the home could be a resort style getaway, that could be used to entertain friends and family. Boasting a tennis court, soundproof music studio, separate guest house with game room, separate enclosed gym, beautiful heated pool & spa, theatre room, and children's play area, you'll never lack for entertainment.

Originally built in 1989, 53rd Place is just over 8000 square feet, with 5 bedrooms, and 4.5 baths.  The home's ambiance is magnified by 5 fireplaces, making the expansive home warm and cozy, while still feeling like the grand estate it is.  Any chef would feel right at home, cooking in the gourmet kitchen that features Viking appliances, built-in Miele coffee maker, double refrigerator/freezers, granite countertops and 2 ovens and dishwashers.

For a Pre-MLS private viewing, please contact Faith Vance at 602-882-6045. Listing price still to be determined. Updated photos to follow.

Faith Vance and The Home Team have the experience and expertise to help aid in any real estate transaction. With extensive experience in buying, selling, leasing, and property management in both residential and commercial markets, the team will truly exceed your expectations in customer service and communication. Faith served as the buyer's agent in 2010 on 8102 N 53rd Pl, and is familiar with the home, area, and updates that have gone into the property since the purchase. Please contact Faith directly with any questions or to schedule a time to view the home. 

Official Realtor Post- New listing in Old Town Scottsdale at Scottsdale Palms 6824 E 2nd St Unit #104 Scottsdale, AZ 85251

3rd Base Home Team is pleased to offer this new listing FOR SALE. This one bedroom unit, in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale has retro charm, and beautiful landscaping. Located near Old Town's Historic Art District, moments from the Waterfront Shopping, Scottsdale Palms is the only community in the area with a HEATED salt-water community pool. Unit 104's Patio opens up to pool & BBQ area with lush landscaping and palm trees. Cable, gas, and water all included in the monthly HOA fee. This unit has been well taken care of for many years, and is just looking for the perfect owner. Whether you are looking to be close to all the action,or are looking for a seasonal property to rent when you are not in town, this is it! Close to shopping, bars, and restaurants.

Please contact Faith or Jim at 602-882-6045 for more details.  The 3rd Base Home Team is made up of Faith Vance, and Jim Casartelli.  For more information on this, or any other listing, please give them a call at 602-882-6045 or 623-521-1992. At 3rd Base, they serve the entire Valley for any of your real estate needs.  Buying, Selling, leasing, property management, land or commercial real estate. Faith and Jim pride themselves on the personal touch! As one of the few teams to offer incentives in listing your home for sale on the market, you will not be disappointed!

Official Realtor Post- Brand new on the market 21002 W Ridge Rd Buckeye, AZ 85396- Like new Home for Sale in Verrado

The 3rd Base Home Team is pleased to release the official Realtor listing of 21002 W Ridge Road in Buckeye, Arizona, in the master-planned community of Verrado. This 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home is like new, and shows beautifully.  Situated on a corner lot, across from Franklin Row in Verrado, this K Hovnanian Descanso floorplan home is impeccable. Over $30,000 in upgrades should put this home at the top of your search! As you walk in the front door and open living area, you are met with not one, but two larger than normal 3-paned, patio doors that open up to a gorgeous pavered patio, with beautiful pergola, and mountain views. A terrific open floorplan allows for plenty of entertaining room, and the large patio doors lend to having a full outdoor living area, that flows from the inside out. Dark cabinets, and large tile give this home a clean and sleek look. Upstairs you will find an oversized master suite, as well as the second and third bedrooms and another full bath. The lot is larger than most of the comparables, as it sits on a corner lot, without having another home overlooking the yard. Don't miss out on this home, as it won't be on the market long.  The seller's are providing a one year home warranty with a successful contract.

Gorgeous Covered Front Porch 

Large Open Floorplan

Oversized 3-pane patio door create an outdoor living area

Dark wood cabinets make this kitchen gorgeous

Huge Master Suite

Outdoor patio with pergola

View of Franklin Row Park from Front Porch

Verrado is an award winning master planned golf community, developed by DMB.  With amenities like community pools, fitness center, shopping, golf, parks everywhere you turn, and a true sense of neighborhood and community, Verrado has made a name for itself in the West Valley of Phoenix. Nestled in the White Tank Mountains, you will never look for anything to do, as there are plenty of activities available in the community. With bike lanes, hiking trails, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, and plenty of children's play areas and playgrounds, your family will have no reason to stay inside!

Verrado's Schools were given the honor of being ranked A+ this past year in the Arizona school district of Litchfield Park.

The 3rd Base Home Team is made up of Faith Vance, and Jim Casartelli.  For more information on this, or any other listing, please give them a call at 602-882-6045 or 623-521-1992. At 3rd Base, they serve the entire Valley for any of your real estate needs.  Buying, Selling, leasing, property management, land or commercial real estate. Faith and Jim pride themselves on the personal touch! As one of the few teams to offer incentives in listing your home for sale on the market, you will not be disappointed!