The home inspection is one of the most important parts of the home buying process. You have 10 days after your offer is accepted on a home to do all inspections. We work with a highly qualified inspector. The home inspector we recommend to our clients is extremely picky and very critical – just what you want in an inspector. He will do a thorough inspection of your property and email you a very detailed report the same day. It is generally over 20 pages long and includes multiple photos of any issues that arise. The home inspector will give the straight answers about the condition of the property. You can purchase the home knowing exactly what you are getting. If problems are discovered, you have the option to simply terminate the contact during the 10 day inspection period and get your deposit back.

Check out our website at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com. We specialize in finding homes for Canadians in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Many Canadian clients are concerned about who will help them take care of their Phoenix home when they are back in Canada. No need to worry! There are many many service professionals who can help. We can refer you to Property Caretakers, Pool Cleaners, Landscapers, House cleaners, Security Companies etc that we know and trust. These people will watch your home, clean your yard or pool, clean the home between guests or seasonal renters, and keep your home safe and secure. The Property Caretakers perform a great range of services including checking on the inside and outside of the home, starting the appliances, running the water or whatever you want them to do. Most Property Caretakers charge about $50 per visit and will go as often as you wish (twice/month, once/month etc).

Contact me for my list of service professionals that I highly recommend. I am always happy to help. Also check out www.ThePhoenixExperts.com for answers to more frequently asked questions by Canadians.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Yes, you can negotiate on a foreclosure – but usually not by very much. The housing market in Phoenix has changed considerably in the last 6 months. Last year you could realistically offer 10-15% below list price for a foreclosure and expect to get it. These days the sharks are out! The word is out that homes in Arizona are crazy cheap and the sharks are out. Everyone is trying to buy a foreclosure suddenly. The best foreclosures – those that are clean, with appliances and in “move in” condition – sell within 2-3 days of being put on the market. They generally have multiple bidders and sell for list price or very close to list price. It is no longer possible to get a good foreclosure for much less than list price. Of the last 10 foreclosures we have put bids on during the past 2 months, 90% of those homes ended up with multiple bidding wars between the buyers. Luckily many of those bidders put in unrealistically low offers so our clients were often the winning bidder with a realistic price. Most foreclosures are priced at 50-60% off the previous purchase price. So paying full list price, you are still getting the deal of the century. That is the big picture you need to keep in mind when making your bid. Those bidders who want it even less are just unrealistic and will not be successful in the end.

We are foreclosure specialists. We sell more foreclosures in a month than most Realtors in Phoenix sell in a year. Check out our foreclosure deals page on www.ThePhoenixExperts.com for more information about foreclosures currently available.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Many Canadians ask us whether they really need a passport to enter the US these days. If you fly into to the US, you do need a valid passport. If you drive into the US, you can enter with only your birth certificate and drivers license for 6 more months. Starting June 1, 2009, U.S. law will require Canadians to present a valid passport to enter the United States by water or land. What a difference this is from when I was a kid in Alberta and we would hop back and forth across the border with NO id whatsoever. Times sure have changed.

Apply for your passport today to ensure you have it when you need it. We all know how long it takes for Passport Canada to process the application and get you your passport.

We specialize in helping Canadians purchase homes in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Call us with any questions.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Many clients ask us if they get a mortgage in the US, how will it be different than the mortgage they have back home? The biggest difference is obviously that it will be in US dollars. If you earn Canadian dollars and you are paying back your mortgage in US dollars, your mortgage payment will fluctuate as the currency fluctuates. This could be an advantage or disadvantage. Some of our more optimistic clients who think the Canadian dollar is going back up, but want to buy now, are buying with a US mortgage. As the Canadian dollar goes up, their US mortgage payment effectively goes down.

Another difference with US and Canada mortgages is the amortization. In Canada a mortgage is typically amortized over 25 years, in the US it is 30 years. In the US you can also lock in your interest rate for all 30 years, while in Canada a 10 year fixed rate is more common.

We would be happy to refer you to several local lenders with special programs for Canadians purchasing real estate in the US or look at our Financing page on www.ThePhoenixExperts.com We are dedicated to serving Canadians interested in Phoenix and Scottsdale real estate.

Marc Brodeur
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Canadian visitors can stay in the US for up to 6 consecutive months without a visa. If you wish, you can also break up those 6 months into multiple trips throughout the year. Extensions to the six-month limit may be granted for medical reasons by the US immigration service. So if you purchase a home here in Arizona you can enjoy our beautiful weather for an entire 6 months every year without any immigration issues. If you wish to retire here and stay longer than 6 months every year, you will need to apply for permanent residency or a visa through a immigration lawyer. We can refer you to local immigration lawyers who can help your dream become a reality. Just call us for more information.

Are you a Canadian interested in Phoenix or Scottsdale real estate? Visit www.ThePhoenixExperts.com for more information for Canadians about purchasing real estate in the US.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

YES! We work with several lenders here in Phoenix that lend to Canadians all the time. Bank of Montreal and Royal Bank of Canada both have subsidiary banks in the US with special loan programs for Canadians buying real estate in the US. There are also large US banks with similar programs. No US social security number or credit report is required. All you need is 20-30% down and good Canadian credit. We would be happy to refer you to the mortgage specialists in Phoenix that we work with regularly. Just contact us for more information or look at our Financing page at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

We are dedicated to serving Canadians who want to buy homes in Phoenix or Scottsdale.

Marc Brodeur
Realtor
The Phoenix Experts
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Believe it or not – NONE! You do not need to put down any money with your offer, only the proof of funds which I discussed in my last blog. Once your offer is accepted (usually a day or two later depending on negotiations) then you will need to put down a refundable earnest deposit. This is usually $3000-10,000. That can be wired or a certified check can be sent from your bank in Canada. In general, you do not need to bring any money with you during your house buying trip. All funds can be transferred from Canada during the transaction after your offer is accepted.

We specialize in helping Canadians buy their dream homes in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Visit www.ThePhoenixExperts.com to search all available homes or give me a call. I’m glad to help!

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Bring Your Proof of Funds

If you are making a trip to Phoenix to purchase a home, you will need to bring with you one very important document: Proof of Funds. The home buying process in Arizona is a little different than in Canada. When we find your dream home and you want to make an offer on it, you need to provide with the offer some sort of proof that you are financially able to complete the transaction. Sellers in Arizona will not even look at an offer without proof of funds. This can be a copy of an open HELOC with credit available, open personal line of credit, bank statement with cash in the account, investment account statement, etc. A letter from your bank in Canada that you have the funds available may suffice, although I have seen these rejected on rare occasions.

We are dedicated to serving Canadians interested in Phoenix or Scottsdale homes. Call us with all of your questions or contact us through www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com
1-800-300-0263

Many Canadian clients specifically request to be shown only homes or condos in gated communities. Many Canadians consider gated communities to be more prestigious or exclusive. Perhaps it is the fact that there are so few gated communities in Canada. Only the super elite communities in Canada are gated. There is also a perception that gated communities are more safe. I personally don’t think of gated communities as being more exclusive or safe in any way. Cars usually follow each other in through the gates. Some of the most expensive homes in Phoenix and Scottsdale are not gated. I currently live in a gated community in Scottsdale, but have lived in both gated and non-gated communities. I don’t see much difference between them. We are happy to show our clients whatever types of homes or communities they are interested in. We are here to help.

Quickly search all gated homes in Phoenix and Scottsdale at www.ThePhoenixExperts.com.

Marc Brodeur, Realtor
1-800-300-0263
www.ThePhoenixExperts.com