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Wi-Fi Hotspots in Bullhead City AZ 86442 and Fort Mohave AZ 86426 Areas!

April 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Next Wave Real Estate Investments was the Bullhead City, Fort Mohave, Mohave Valley area’s first real estate cyberoffice and it has worked well for me heading for my 10th year in Bullhead City AZ real estate.

As long as there’s wi-fi for my laptop or service to my Blackberry, I can do most things related to a real estate transaction and quite a few that aren’t.

Here are some of the best wi-fi hotspots on the River, in the Bullhead City, Fort Mohave and Mohave Valley areas to meet clients and generally hang out, where there is wi-fi for my laptop:

Coffee Crafters – the BEST freshly roasted and ground coffee, amazing paninis and desserts, comfortable seating — and they always let me turn down their music when I’m hanging with clients. Near the Target Center just south of the Parkway.

Buffalo Wild Wings – FABULOUS hilltop view of the 3 states we love best-Nevada, Arizona and California! Lots of fun things to do like trivia games for kids (of all ages) and TV screens everywhere for celebrating a closing that went off without a hitch. In Bullhead City at the corner of Ramar and 95.

CorkBeans

Cork and Beans – understated, elegant Tapas-style food and many awesome wines to sample while we’re relaxing to chat about the area. The imported Italian champagne splits are bellissimo! This is an awesome spot the locals all know about. Live music a few nights a week. Mohave Drive at Miracle Mile, across from Wal Mart.

Firehouse Coffee Roastery – One of my FAVORITE places in town! SUPER duper green tea and Chai smoothies, healthy sammies and salads — even gourmet doggie treats.

A drive thru window and easy-find location at the Avi Resort,  and in the Riverview Mall in central BHC.

See ya there and we’ll talk biz! :)


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Do You Want To Live In Bullhead City, AZ 86442?

December 29, 2009 By

If you want to move to Bullhead City AZ 86442, you will be in good company.

Many relocations to our area and even more vacation and seasonal residents’ transactions start happening in Fall when the weather starts to mellow.

And every second Summer, the mistake-makers–those whose buyer (often dual) agents were masters of the ‘panic sell’ and bought wrong, wrong, wrong–come crying that they need to move back ‘home’–or anywhere else.

Upside down as all get out at worst case. Losing money or just breaking even at best.

Living in Bullhead City, Fort Mohave 86426 and Mohave Valley 86440 is GREAT. This Southern California transplant made the move in 1993 and never looked back.

BUT – we came for a 4 month leave of absence from our jobs in LA and rented until we were sure.

Before you buy, you will need to be clued in to the basic and immutable truths about our area.

1. Bullhead City is REALLY HOT in Summer (can be nearly 130 on some days! And it does NOT cool down at night so temperatures are often still over 100 for a low in mid July). And you know all the jokes about it being a ‘dry heat’? That’s ‘mostly’ true. BUT, during our ‘monsoon season’ the humidity cranks up and you’ll think you’re in Florida or New Jersey. Except hotter.

2. Bullhead City can get COLD in Winter. We are the desert! We don’t get snow. But it gets cold! If you are buying a Summer place, you will need to take precautions against freezing plumbing–a chief cause of water damage.

3. Bullhead City jobs are mostly ‘service industry’ related. Arizona is a ‘right to work’ state and our casinos (major source of employment) often won’t get you better than a 30k annual salary including tips unless you make it to upper management.

3. Our way of life is a lot SLOWER PACED than our LA, CA or Las Vegas counterparts. Some can’t deal with how ‘country’ we still are.

4. If you are inclined to overindulge in food, drink or gambling, Bullhead City, with its 24 hour casinos and bars within a 10 minute drive, could very well be your downfall.

5. We have critters–sun spiders as big as your hand–scorpions–rattlesnakes–coyotes–mountain lions. You won’t see ‘most’ of those in the suburbs–and I personally own stock in the pest control company! But move onto a 10 acre ranch at the foot of the Black Mountains? DUH!

So PLEASE, investigate this area well before settling on it. I won’t be crushed that you decided not to rush forward on what might be an unwise move. Some people SHOULD rent. And we have rentals as well as sales.

HOWEVER, if you think this may be the place for you–and it is a WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, FUN place for those who understand 1 – 5 above– here’s a REALLY SMART PLAN:

  • Arrange for a ‘reconnaissance mission‘ trip prior to any property touring to cruise the area solo. That way, you can really figure out what areas you are attracted to without distraction, and at your own pace. Listings, maps, directions, not a problem. Just ask. 

  • Visit our area in Summer — and in Winter.

  • Second reconnaissance mission will be with me. We’ll see some representative properties in areas you’ve found of interest. No pressure. 

  • Get your financing in order. If you are making a job transfer for instance, you may need to rent for a bit first to qualify while you ‘settle in’ to your new position. And loan professionals are not all created alike. I know who the great ones are–and who they aren’t. Ask me before you start clicking around online! 

  • When you are certain you like our area and can handle the extremes of heat and cold, slower pace than big city living and the occasional unwanted ‘critter’, we make an appointment and see a list of the properties that fit your criteria BEST just prior to making your OFFER to PURCHASE. 

  • Let me EDUCATE you about the PROCESS of buying property in AZ, so you enter into your TRANSACTION comfortably, confident that you’re making a sound DECISION.

Remember that working with your real estate broker is a team effort:

YOU, preapproved or funds-ready, knowing what to expect from our area PROPERTIES, ready to work together toward this common goal.

And ME, ready to share my MARKET KNOWLEDGE and BUYING or SELLING STRATEGIES with you as a CLIENT.

You may not know it, but you just got a little bit LUCKIER. Because

LUCK = Laboring Under Correct Knowledge!

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Checklist for Buyers

December 9, 2009 By

Arizona Department of Real Estate
Property Buyer’s Checklist

Here is a checklist for consumers to help avoid some of the pitfalls of purchasing a new or used home, or raw, undeveloped land.

New Homes in a Subdivision

1. You should read the Arizona Department of Real Estate Public Report. By law, this document must be given to you before you sign the purchase contract. You must sign a receipt for the Report. By signing the receipt, you imply that you have read the report.

The Public Report will tell you such things as:

  • Flooding and drainage disclosure
  • A description of adjacent land and uses
  • Who provides electricity, telephone, gas, water and sewage disposal
  • Common community and recreation facilities
  • Assurances for completion of improvements
  • Local services and facilities, including schools, shopping facilities, public transportation, medical facilities, fire protection, ambulance service, police protection and garbage services.
  • Taxes and assessments
  • Property owners association details

If you have any questions about the Public Report, you are welcome to call the Arizona Department of Real Estate at 602-468-1414, extension 400. A Subdivision Representative will assist you with your questions.

The cover sheet of the Public Report contains a disclaimer by the Department of Real Estate. Read it carefully. Most important, note that it states:

“Not all of the information in this report has been verified by the Department; certain information has been accepted by the Department as true and accurate based on attestation of the subdivider and/or the subdivider’s agents. You should verify all facts before signing any documents.”

2. Read the purchase contract carefully. Note that if the builder or developer is not placing your earnest money deposit in escrow or a trust account, the funds may be placed in the builder’s or developer’s general funds account, and may be used for any purpose. You could lose the money if the builder or developer declares bankruptcy or otherwise goes out of business. If the funds are not going to be placed in escrow or into a trust account, that fact must be stated in a separate paragraph in the purchase contract and you are required to initial that paragraph. Make sure you understand where your earnest money is going to be deposited.

3. Before you sign a purchase contract, drive around the home for at least a mile or more in every direction to see how the surrounding area appears to you and what nuisances and hazards might exist in the area. Is there a storm drain or canal nearby that might pose a hazard to your children? Is the home or building site near an airport or a manufacturing plant? Visit the area at different times of day, on weekends and in the evening. Disturbing noises and odors can travel farther at night.

In areas where there are expanses of vacant land nearby, check city or county zoning maps to see if nearby property is zoned for apartments, industrial or commercial use. Land zoned for commercial use might be used to construct anything from a shopping center to a hotel. To obtain this information, call the city or county planning and zoning department listed in the blue pages of your telephone directory.

Check Arizona Department of Transportation maps to find the nearest future freeway routes, and whether roads in the area are slated for widening. For information about reviewing the maps, call 602-255-7011.

4. Call the school district serving the subdivision to determine whether nearby schools are accepting new students. Some school districts, especially in the northwest part of the greater Phoenix area, have placed a cap on enrollment. You may find that your children cannot attend the school nearest you and may even be transported to another community.

5. Read the deed restrictions, also called CC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions). You might find some of the CC&Rs are very strict, especially those addressing landscaping, RV parking, play equipment, satellite antennas, and other common amenities — particularly if the subdivision is governed by a homeowner’s association.

6. Check out the homebuilder with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. You can determine the number of complaints customers have filed against the contractor, whether any are unresolved and whether the builder’s license has ever been suspended or revoked. You may reach the Registrar of Contractors at 602/542-1525.

Previously Owned Homes

1. Be aware that the seller’s broker does not represent you; the seller’s broker represents the seller. The seller’s broker has certain responsibilities to the seller that are not afforded to you. You might wish to retain the services of a buyer’s broker to represent you in the transaction. Usually, the buyer’s broker receives a portion of the commission paid by the seller, and the services may cost you nothing, but you will receive representation equal to that provided to the seller by the seller’s broker.

2. Read the seller’s property disclosure report, and check every item on it. Ask to see receipts for repairs to the home. Look behind large pictures on the wall and behind anything on the floor which conceals large areas of the wall. Look for stains on the ceilings or carpets that might indicate water damage. Read the purchase contract carefully to determine if there are any deadlines for challenging the seller’s disclosure report or for having your own inspections conducted.

3. Order your own termite inspection. It will cost about $30. Don’t rely on a termite inspection obtained by the seller. Some sellers have been known to cover up termite infestation by having several inspections done until they obtain a report that shows no infestation.

4. Consider having the home inspected by a professional home inspector. It will cost perhaps $200 or $300. It is money well spent. For instance, the owner may not know that the roof is rotten and must be replaced. If any alterations have been made to the home – the addition of an Arizona room, for instance — ask to see the building permit. Make sure the alterations are legal. Home inspectors are not currently licensed or regulated by the State (they will be some time in 2002), but your buyer’s broker may be able to recommend a reliable home inspector.

5. Check all appliances to confirm that they work, including the stove burners, oven, garbage disposal, dishwasher, washer and dryer and the water heater.

6. Run water in all sinks and tubs and flush the toilets to make sure they drain properly. If the landscaping includes an irrigation system, check to see that it works.

7. Drive around the neighborhood and observe the condition of the homes. Are lawns mowed? Are there old cars rusting in driveways? Ask neighbors how they like living in the area. Is this really where you want to live?

8. Read steps 3, 4, 5 and 6 for “New Homes in a Subdivision” above.

Raw Undeveloped Land


 

1. Ask to see the Arizona Department of Real Estate Public Report before you sign anything. The contents of the Report are described above in “New Homes in a Subdivision” above. Pay particular attention to the source of utility services. You may find that bringing utilities to the property will be an expensive proposition. If the property you are considering is smaller than 160 acres, if there are more than five parcels in the subdivision, and if the developer cannot produce a Public Report, the subdivision is probably illegal. If you buy the land without reading a Public Report, you may find there is no supply of water, or that it will cost tens of thousands of dollars to bring electric service to the property. You may also find that you do not have permanent legal access to your property.

2. Ask to see the Arizona Department of Water Resources report for the property. Determine that there is an assured or adequate water supply (depending on whether the property is in or outside of a Groundwater Active Management Area), and how much it will cost to have a well dug if necessary.

3. If purchasing raw land with the intent to develop it into smaller parcels, be aware that splitting the land into more than five parcels requires a Subdivision Public Report issued by the Arizona Department of Real Estate. For more information about applying for the report and the cost, contact the Department at 602-468-1414, extension 400.

4. If you have inspected the land and signed a purchase agreement or contract, you have seven calendar days following the day on which you signed the agreement or contract to rescind the purchase in writing without cause. The rescission notice must be received by the seller by midnight of the seventh calendar day. The seller must clearly and conspicuously disclose your right to rescind the purchase. Right of rescission does not apply to new or previously owned homes.

5. If you have not inspected the land before signing a purchase agreement or contract, you have six months in which to inspect the land, and at the time of the inspection you have the right to rescind the purchase.

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