8 minute read
Real Estate
Real Estate The Digital Homebuying Hunt
Home Buying Digitally Continues to Grow in Popularity in Local Real Estate Market
By Darren Tackett
The world of house hunters has become increasingly digital. In 2021, 97% of buyers looked online for their next home, and 51% purchased their home online. In North Phoenix, and in the homebuying community at large, handling transactions digitally (where a potential buyer is not physically present) has become more common than traditional in-person transactions. With so many moving here from out-ofstate (Seattle accounting for 15.6% and Los Angeles topping the charts at 30.4%) combined with slim inventory, it becomes impractical to be here on the ground waiting for the right home to come on the market.
Real estate agents now have a common practice for working with out-of-state buyers. When a new listing hits the market, it is shared with prospective buyers via text and/ or email. If a buyer is interested, a video walkthrough is scheduled with the listing agent. A video walkthrough is preferred in lieu of FaceTime or Zoom because this allows buyers to watch it as many times as they want, and they don’t necessarily have to be available in real-time. Assuming a buyer likes what they see, an offer is submitted utilizing digital signatures. Upon acceptance of the offer, inspections are scheduled in coordination with a buyer’s schedule, which allows them to fly or drive in to see the property. Many buyers choose not to be present and will Zoom or FaceTime with home inspectors to review the results. After the inspection period is complete, near the close of escrow, the buyers have an option to complete a final walkthrough of the property. It is not uncommon for them to waive a final walkthrough and to see the home the first time when they finally take possession.
The first time I completed a transaction digitally was well before the invention of FaceTime and smartphones. I was on pins and needles knowing I convinced the buyers the home was nice and met their needs. Now, with all the tools at our disposal, I feel almost no pressure when selling homes this way and, in fact, it can even be a smoother process overall when executed properly.
There are potential downsides when it comes to virtual transactions. Some clients feel there is no substitute for seeing a property in person. Driving through the neighborhood and seeing how other neighbors keep their homes, as well as the topography, all are much easier to understand when physically being there. It is also becoming more common for listing agents to exclude virtual showings when they have multiple offers because the virtual offers tend to have a higher cancellation rate.
However, there are many benefits for buyers and sellers with the added flexibility that digital homebuying provides. If you are on deployment, moving across the country or unable to meet in person, the tools and technology available to preview, inspect, sign, and buy afford you the opportunity to buy or sell your home with relative ease.
Darren Tackett is the founder of the RE/MAX Fine Properties Tackett Team. He has been involved in real estate in the Northeast Valley for more than 18 years. Darren has extensive experience in luxury homes, golf communities, land and lot sales, land development, investment properties and distressed properties.
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Cover Story
Karsten’s Ace Hardware Celebrates 20 Years of Neighbors Helping Neighbors
THE NORTH 32ND LOCATION DOUBLES IN SIZE THANKS TO COMMUNITY SUPPORT
By Michelle Talsma Everson Photos by Kimberly Carrillo
When locals pass by the Ace Hardware on 32nd Street, they’ve likely noticed the construction and growth. That is because, thanks to community support, the locally-owned hardware store is doubling in size—going from 10,000 square feet to more than 22,000 square feet. With perfect timing, this growth comes as Dave Karsten, owner of the 32nd Street Ace Hardware location, celebrates the 20th anniversary of his five Ace Hardware locations this month.
While many may assume that Ace Hardware is a national chain owned by one brand, it’s actually the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world. Karsten owns five Ace Hardware locations across the Valley, including the growing North 32nd store. While each shop has a separate opening date, Karsten and his team plan to celebrate two decades in business at each location this month. In addition to the North 32nd Ace Hardware, Valley residents can find Karsten’s Ace Hardware locations in Cave Creek, Carefree, Maricopa, and Goodyear.
“All Ace Hardware stores are individually owned and operated by local entrepreneurs and are supported by the national brand,” Karsten says. “They are really good hardware stores and merchandise can look different at each location. Each location’s team makes the difference; our emphasis at every location is ‘neighbors helping neighbors.’”
Karsten adds that each of his Ace Hardware locations has their own “personality” based on the neighborhood the hardware store serves. For example, the Carefree location has more of a small town feel and is “definitely your hometown hardware store,” he says. His oldest location, in Cave Creek, in addition to hardware, is also a full-service feed store with feed for horses, cows, chickens, goats, and more.
Most applicable to North 32nd residents is the North 32nd Street Corridor store, located at 10620 N. 32nd Street. The hardware store’s growth gives local shoppers a lot more to choose from in the way of home improvement items and big brands.
“We have the motto, ‘The best brands in one place,’ and that describes our North 32nd location to a tee,” Karsten says. “We are so thankful to the community for their continued support—they’re the reason we’re able to grow so much.”
“With this growth at our North 32nd store, we will be expanding into more categories that haven’t been included at this location before,” adds store manager Andrea Theobald.
At the North 32nd Ace Hardware, you can find the best brands and services in:
• Automotive • Automotive Key Shop • BBQ brands including Big Green Egg, Napoleon,
Traeger and Weber • Cleaning Supplies • Electrical • Hand and Power Tools featuring Milwaukee,
DeWalt, Craftsman, and more • Hardware • Home Décor • Housewares • Lawn and Garden • Nursery • Paint and Sundries • Outdoor Living • Plumbing • STIHL and EGO Outdoor Power Equipment • Swimming Pool Shop • Window Screen Shop
“Our North 32nd shop, especially now that we’ve expanded, has the big power brands in all of the categories our customers expect, including barbecue supplies,” Karsten says. “We’ve increased the gardening center, fasteners department, outdoor power equipment, and more.”
Since the local Ace Hardware has grown, Karsten and his team are also looking for a few more “red vested heroes” for the sales floor. He shares that he and Theobald look for employees who are in alignment with their company’s purpose and core values.
“All of our team members live up to our values of being ‘the helpful place’ and ‘neighbors helping neighbors,’” he says. “Our purpose is to serve others. Of course, we want employees with experience in hardware and our other offerings, but that spirit of service is what’s most important—we can train everything else.”
Those wishing to apply at the North 32nd Ace Hardware store can find out more information by calling the store at 602-971-1036, visiting storejobs.acehardware.com, or asking about employment opportunities in-person.
With an emphasis on community, Theobald adds that North 32nd customers recently raised $19,000 for local nonprofits by rounding up their totals at the register. “We are so thankful and appreciative of the North 32nd community—they are such big fans and supporters of local businesses that it truly makes a difference,” Karsten says.
To learn more about the North 32nd Ace Hardware location, follow them on Facebook @ paradisehillshardware, call 602-971-1036, or stop by in-person at 10620 N. 32nd Street.
This content is sponsored by Karsten’s Ace Hardware.
20th Anniversary Celebrations
To celebrate the anniversary of the five Karsten’s Ace Hardware stores across the Valley, each location is hosting celebratory events and sales the weekend of March 18-20. Celebration Details Include: Friday, March 18: The North 32nd location will have a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. There will also be tool demos and deals with Stanley, Black & Decker, DeWalt and Craftsman. Saturday, March 19: BBQ demos featuring Big Green Egg and Traeger. Sunday, March 20: There will be an anniversary cake, decorations, and a 20% off sale. At the North 32nd location, there will be a raffle with over $1,000 in prizes March 18-20 as well. Follow the North 32nd Ace Hardware location on Facebook @paradisehillshardware for detailed event info.
Phoenix/North 32nd: 10620 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix; 602-971-1036 Cave Creek: 28220 N. Tatum Boulevard, Cave Creek; 480-513-7020 Carefree: 36889 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Carefree; 480-488-4400 Maricopa: 21542 N. John Wayne Parkway, Maricopa; 520-494-7805 Goodyear: 610 N. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear; 623-932-1017
