Chino Valley, Arizona is a beautiful and thriving community located just north of Prescott. With a population of around 12,000 people, Chino Valley offers a small-town feel with all the amenities of a larger city. There are many reasons why living in Chino Valley is such an amazing experience, and why you should consider working with West USA Realty of Prescott to find your dream home or sell your current one. One of the biggest draws of Chino Valley is its stunning natural beauty. Surrounded by the Bradshaw and Mingus Mountains, the town boasts spectacular views and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. From hiking and mountain biking to horseback riding and fishing, there are endless opportunities to explore the great outdoors in Chino Valley. Speaking of horseback riding, Chino Valley is also a paradise for equestrians. The town has a long history of ranching and agriculture, and many residents own horses or participate in equestrian activities. There are numerous ri...

  The spring season appears to be warming up in housing as more and more buyers enter the market. And after  rising   mortgage rates sidelined so many buyers last year, that’s a good sign for  sellers .   Realtor.com  has   the latest: “Spring is officially here, and like green shoots emerging from the bleak winter,  new data suggests that more buyers are back in the market , although more subdued compared to a year ago.” We know buyer activity is trending up because of mortgage purchase application data. According to  Investopedia : “A mortgage application is a document submitted to a lender when you apply for a mortgage to purchase real estate.” That means the number of mortgage applications shows how many buyers are applying for mortgages. Put another way, an increase in mortgage applications means an increase in buyer demand – and as Joel Kan, VP and Deputy Chief Economist at the  Mortgage Bankers Association  (MBA),...

There have been a lot of shifts in the housing market recently. Mortgage rates rose dramatically last year, impacting many people’s ability to buy a home. And after several years of rapid price appreciation, home prices finally peaked last summer. These changes led to a rise in headlines saying prices would end up crashing. Even though we’re no longer seeing the buyer frenzy that drove home values up during the pandemic, prices have been relatively flat at the national level. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR), doesn’t expect that to change: “ [H]ome prices will be steady in most parts of the country  with a minor change in the national median home price.” You might think sellers would have to lower prices to attract buyers in today’s market, and that’s part of why some may have been waiting for prices to come crashing down. But there’s another factor at play – low inventory. And according to Yun, that’s limiting j...

   Prescott Valley, Arizona is a hidden gem in the Southwest. Located in Yavapai County, just a short drive from Phoenix, Prescott Valley offers a unique blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities. There are many reasons why living in Prescott Valley is an amazing place to call home, and why you should consider working with West USA Realty of Prescott to help you find the perfect home or sell your current one. First and foremost, Prescott Valley boasts an incredible climate. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, residents can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities throughout the year. From hiking and biking in the spring and fall to boating and fishing in the summer, and even skiing and snowboarding in the nearby mountains during the winter, there's always something to do outside in Prescott Valley. Another reason why living in Prescott Valley is so special is the sense of community that residents enjoy. The town has a population of around 45,000 people, which make...

  The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has been bouncing between 6% and 7% this year. If you’ve been on the fence about whether to buy a home or not, it’s helpful to know exactly how a 1%, or even a 0.5%, mortgage rate shift affects your purchasing power. The chart below helps show the general relationship between mortgage rates and a typical monthly mortgage payment: Even a 0.5% change can have a big impact on your monthly payment.  And since rates have been moving between 6% and 7% for a while now, you can see how it impacts your purchasing power as rates go down. What This Means for You You may be tempted to put your homebuying plans on hold in hopes that rates will fall. But that can be risky. No one knows for sure where rates will go from here, and trying to time them for your benefit is tough. Lisa Sturtevant, Housing Economist at  Bright MLS , explains: “It is typically a fool’s errand for a homebuyer to try to time rates in this market . . . But volatility in mort...

  Are you considering a move to a charming and historic city nestled in the heart of Arizona's mountains? Look no further than Prescott! This city boasts a rich history, breathtaking natural surroundings, and a welcoming community. And with the help of West USA Realty of Prescott, your transition to life in Prescott can be seamless. One of the biggest draws of Prescott is its real estate market. Whether you're in the market for a spacious family home or a cozy retirement cottage, Prescott has options for every budget and lifestyle. The area's mild climate, stunning landscapes, and proximity to outdoor recreation make it a popular choice for retirees, families, and young professionals alike. But what sets Prescott apart from other cities in Arizona? For one, its historic downtown area is a vibrant hub of local businesses and events. You can stroll the tree-lined streets, enjoy a cup of coffee at a quaint café, or catch a show at the historic Elks Theatre. And with a variety ...

  Spring has arrived, and that means more and more people are getting their homes ready to sell. But with recent shifts in real estate, this year’s  spring housing market   will be different from the frenzy of the past several years. To sell your house quickly, without hassles, and for the most money, be sure to follow these four simple tips: 1. Make Sure You Give Buyers Access One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a seller is limiting the days and times when buyers have access to view your home. In any market, if you want to maximize the sale of your house, you can’t limit potential buyers’ access to view it. If it’s not accessible, it could cost you by sitting on the market longer and ultimately selling for a lower price. 2. Make Your Home Look as Good as Possible on the Inside For anything to sell, especially your home, it must look inviting. Your real estate agent can give you expert advice on ideal staging for your home. Even updating a room...

  If you’re  thinking   about selling this spring, it’s time to get moving – the best week to list your house is fast approaching. Experts at realtor.com looked at seasonal trends from recent years (excluding 2020 as an uncharacteristic year due to the onset of the pandemic) and determined the ideal week to list a house this year: “Home sellers on the fence waiting for that perfect moment to sell should start preparations, because the best time to list a home in 2023 is approaching quickly.  The week of April 16-22 is expected to have the ideal balance of housing market conditions that favor home sellers, more so than any other week in the year. ” If you’ve been waiting for the best time to sell, this is your chance. But remember, before you put your house on the market, you’ve got to get it ready. And if you haven’t started that process yet, you’ll need to move quickly. Here’s what you should keep in mind. Work with an Agent To Determine Which Up...