We truly care about your experience, because it matters!! At our core, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and building long-lasting relationships with our clients and colleagues. We understand that the process of buying or selling a home can be daunting, and we strive to provide a seamless, stress-free experience.
We are a team of motivated but easy-going REALTORS® who strive to deliver superior customer service 7 days a week. We can do this because while we work as 1, we are actually 4 licensed REALTORS® working in unison incorporating our forward-thinking, honesty, expertise, and combined 50 years of experience to provide a unique and unparalleled level of service. Come and experience the difference!
OUR HOME BUYER(S) GUIDE TO PURCHASING A HOME
(with all the steps we will help guide you through, even after you get your keys!)
Here at Integrity All Stars, we truly understand the fun, excitement, and STRESS of purchasing a new home and we are here to guide you and mitigate the number of “bumps in the road” you and your family may go through during this process. We are always at your service and work as a team (Rebecca, James, Ashley and Ayriel) so that we can ensure you have the BEST experience possible and secure the BEST home for your money!
REGARDLESS if you’re a first-time home buyer OR if you’ve been through this before, it starts with just making the decision that you’re READY to purchase a home. For first-time home buyers, it’s great to finally STOP paying someone else’s mortgage and, experience the tax benefits firsthand of owning a home. If you have already owned before, things change often in the Real Estate world, so it’s good to go through the information in this packet still so you will not miss a step in the buying process.
Once you’ve taken the first step – then you need to figure out the HOW and with WHO… and we will help you with that! What we mean by that is you first must have your credit checked and get a mortgage loan approval from preferably a LICENSED loan officer (unless you’re paying with cash). We have 3 we like to work with, however, you may shop around and get a loan from whomever you’d like. When you choose to use someone we have a relationship with, it does make our job easier to mitigate those road bumps we mentioned above… but it’s certainly your choice and it can pay to shop around. Sellers usually won’t accept offers from Buyers that do not have proof they can actually pay for the home, so this step must be done before we go out to look at homes; not to mention, knowing your buying power is crucial before you fall in love with one! (Avoid the kid in the candy store syndrome)
Once we know how much you are able and want to spend on your next home, we will set up a saved search for you to receive automatic listings through the Multiple Listing Service that fits your specific NEEDS and WANTS regarding size, location, and amenities within your future home and neighborhood. We also have an APP for your mobile device and a Portal login for you to access the same MLS that we Realtors use. We do warn against searching on websites like Zillow, Realtor. com, Trulia, or Redfin to just name a few as they get their data from our MLS but many times their info is outdated and they show homes for sale that already sold or incorrect values on homes. Even Zillow themselves admit they are wrong with an average of 2.4-7.49% on values for homes (See http://www.zillow.com/zestimate/#acc). On a sales price of just $300k, that means they could say a home is worth $10k more or less than its real value & a $20k spread is a huge difference! There are lots of homes to pick from out there too, from existing homes to brand new homes; also foreclosure/auction homes or even for sale by owners…. So it can get a little confusing – that’s why we’re here to help you figure out the best option for you! Rebecca has 30 yrs under her belt as a Full-Time Realtor, but combined we have over 50 yrs of experience as a team. Half of Rebecca’s career has been in new home sales, both as a sales representative as well as a manager. If you have an interest in brand new, we can discuss that process in great length – it is a little different than the below… just let Rebecca know and she will be sure you pick the best builder possible and get the best deal possible with them! It can also be quite an adventure! Some people see the first home and say that’s it and some need to see several before they find the right one. (We don’t mind whether it’s 1 or 100 – PLEASE remember that!)
Just to warn you, we may have to bid on more than one home as well… depending on the current market conditions for when you decide the time is right for you to purchase. Is it a Seller’s market or Buyer’s market? What should you offer? Are there multiple bids you’re competing against? What will help you “win” the home you’ve decided is the “one”? This is where an agent with lots of experience can really pay for themselves tenfold; negotiating the best deal for you and utilizing our contacts developed over the years can help gain you an advantage depending on who we are working with for your next home.
There’s also a lot of paperwork to go through in order for you to buy a home. A lot of it is found here for your reference as we like to give it to you in advance to familiarize you with it before we ask you to sign it. Some of it will be signed in the beginning and some throughout the process. We will let you know what we need signed and when – don’t worry!
Once you’re “under contract”, you will need to put down your deposit with the title company selected. We have one we work with regularly and will request them when possible. After that, you will need to work with your chosen mortgage professional to secure your loan and get all requested documentation to their underwriter for the loan. IF you’re a Cash Buyer, you obviously won’t need to worry about this part other than providing proof of closing funds.
The first 10 days is the normal inspection period. This is when round two of negotiations take place for an existing home. You will want to hire a home inspector (we also have a great one to recommend) to check out the home for any defects or repairs that need to be made. (IF it’s a new home, we will discuss this one as it’s actually better to have a home inspection done right before your one-year anniversary and not before you close escrow.) Then, depending on your situation and what is found in the inspection, we will request repairs from the Seller of the home. IF we can’t come to an agreement, we may have to start over and get a full refund of your earnest deposit made with the title company. But don’t fret! Normally we come to an agreement and complete the rest of the process without issue!
After inspections are done, the appraisal is ordered and you will need to finish taking care of any outstanding loan items you need to do. (Please refer to our DO’s and DON’Ts we’ve compiled to help alleviate any headaches before you have them!)
After that, it’s time to put in your change of address with everyone, plan your move, get hazard insurance, put utilities in your name, and then wait for the loan documents to arrive at the title company for your signing. When that happens, we will do a final walk-through to ensure the home is in the same condition as it was at the time of contract (normally it is) and if it’s not, hold up the closing until it is. After monies have been paid and documents signed, the title company will record the transaction, and then we can GIVE YOU THE KEYS to your NEW HOME! That is our favorite part for sure!
Afterwards, we are here to assist with any loose ends or questions you may have. We will send you a copy of your settlement statement at the end of the year so you have it for filing your income taxes the following year. We will stay in touch via email newsletters to keep you on top of Real Estate news. We will invite you to participate in contests and attend special events throughout the year.
OUR GOAL is that we not only become your REALTORS® for life but that you would want your co-workers/friends/ family to receive the same TOP service when they are interested in buying/selling a home. After working with us, you won’t hesitate to refer us to anyone you care about. In fact, we hope you insist on it!
After you’ve gotten your keys to your new home, we will ask for you to complete a customer service survey and/ or a recommendation we can use for future marketing purposes. IF we didn’t do our job well enough that you’ll be delighted to do this for us, then we failed in our books, even if we got paid and you got a home in the end. Being delighted with the experience you have is our GOAL for you (and your family) and we settle for nothing short of that!
NOW let’s go have fun looking at homes together! J
Sincerely,
James & Rebecca Hidalgo Rains, Ashley Kincaid, and Ayriel Von Schert
Shane McBride êêêêê
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
The team was exceptional in both their expertise and responsiveness. In a market like this where every deal is competitive and everything moves so quickly, it was appreciated how available they were and how they always took the time to make sure we were aware of where things stood with both the selling and buying process. I would definitely recommend them to anyone and can assure you’ll be taken care of and in good hands!
Heather Conk êêêêê
Rebecca, James, and their team are amazing. They helped us in every way to find our first home. We looked for over a year, searching for a home in such a crazy market and time. This team responded immediately to all of our questions, homes we were interested in, and any other concerns we had. They worked very hard to help us secure our home. Their knowledge is impeccable, and they are very trustworthy. As long as we live in the valley, we’ll always use this team when looking for future homes.
Asha C êêêêê
I highly recommend Rebecca, James and the entire team to anyone that is looking to buy or sell a home in Arizona. Our experience working with them has been spectacular. We were new to the area since we were relocating from another state and Rebecca was highly knowledgeable, helped us find a beautiful home that met all our family needs perfectly. They worked with us very closely through the entire process, were quick to answer questions and helped us with a few things even after we closed on the home. We consider ourselves lucky to have had the opportunity to work with them. Rebecca and her team are simply the best in real estate.
Ojonsano C êêêêê
As a buyer in this unique real estate market, we all understand how challenging it is to find genuine support; let alone a company or team that lives up to their name. “INTEGRITY” - this word describes it all for Rebecca, James, Ayriel, and the team. We recently gone through the purchasing process with Integrity All Stars and it was smooth as butter. With their team of expert support, each purchasing milestone was reached and closing date was met. Although every stage was equally important, their ability to fully listen and understand our values is what made the experience a phenomenal one. My wife and I aren’t anyone special, but we can recognize a special team when we see one. Best of luck to everyone looking for their next RE opportunity, but who needs luck when you have a great team like IAS!
Coby Johnson êêêêê
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
My husband and I have worked with Rebecca and the rest of the Integrity All Stars Team three different times over the past 10 years. Each sale and/or purchase of a home had a different goal and unique differences. Each time our experience exceeded our expectations and went as smoothly as possible. The entire team is extremely professional, knowledgeable and thorough. I can honestly say that we have complete trust in Rebecca and everyone else involved in the process.
Grant Magnuson êêêêê
Positive: Professionalism, Responsiveness
Rebecca and her team were fantastic to work with. She helped us find a property in Pine/Strawberry, and her knowledge of the people and area was essential to finding the right place and closing on the property. Her advice was extremely helpful when negotiating the deal and subsequent aspects of the close. I would highly recommend Rebecca to anyone with real estate needs .
J Rivera êêêêê
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
Rebecca and her team are All Stars for sure. We had Rebecca and her team help us with 3 properties and we def recommend them to our friends and anyone who is looking for a great realtor with all the resources and knowledge. Rebecca even when
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
super busy ALWAYS finds the time to text or call to follow up with any help that is needed and SUPER QUICKLY!! She and her team are super attentive and take their work seriously. Very dependable for those reasons this office is so popular! Each client gets the time and attention they need. We Can say for that for sure as we had her team help us 3xs over the years and every time we had the same great service and knowledge! Please reach out to Rebecca or her team for your home buying or selling needs. She knows exactly how the market works and has so many tools to help you get what you need! On top of that they are all super kind and courteous always!! Even if you have a question and are not sure if you are ready to sell or buy please reach out to Integrity All Stars or at least save their contact when you are ready so that you have it ready! Thanks Rebecca and Team!
Alice Stevens êêêêê
Refreshingly different in how real estate is done. Their level of service exceeds their name...A keeper!
I’ve bought and sold multiple homes (for both investment and personal use) all over the U.S. since my 20’s, and have had my share of real estate agents. In those 20 years, I’ve also had no problems firing almost a dozen agents who didn’t meet my expectations. My interaction with Rebecca Hidalgo-Rains, James and their Integrity All Star team came in 2018 after I was offered a job in Scottsdale with a relocation package from Hawaii. The first thing I did was scour the internet for reviews for top agents in the Chandler/Gilbert area for high-end homes and came up with five. Rebecca stood out from the rest for her honest insights, negotiation skills and her extensive knowledge and contacts of the East Valley....she grew up in Chandler and is an established real estate veteran in the Valley.
The true test was going to be whether or not she could find a home for us (that met our requirements) in a timely manner in a seller’s market and how smooth the purchase transaction was going to be for us. Not too long after we signed up with her, we found our dream lakefront home...and her Integrity All Star team made the purchase super smooth! After closing, we were pleasantly surprised to be presented with a huge house-warming gift basket from D’Vine and a gorgeous farmhouse plaque (with our family name and new address)!
Once the transaction was complete and we moved into the home, I thought that would be the last we’d ever hear or see of her team (as you would with typical brokers). This is truly where the Integrity All Star team sets themselves clearly above the rest; your relationship only begins with the purchase and grows over time. When we needed a special part to replace a very high-end A/C unit that the home warranty initially didn’t want to cover, Rebecca stepped in and made sure we got our part fixed under the home warranty--stat. A year later, when my mother passed away from a terminal illness and we had to sell her property in Scottsdale on short notice in the start of the summer, Rebecca’s Integrity All Star team delivered once again by selling my mother’s home for us within 1.5 months at the highest price possible. My 3 siblings were all very pleasantly surprised at how easy the Integrity All Star team made the whole process; I just told them who you choose as your agent makes a huge difference! The Integrity All Star team and their close network of the “best of the best” in the field made what would have been a difficult time for us into a quick and painless closure.
The Integrity All Star team is a keeper, and I look forward to recommending them to my family and friends for many more transactions.
Monica Martinez êêêêê
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
I absolutely loved working with this team! They were knowledgeable and kept me up to date on everything from beginning to the very end of the process of both the sell of our home and the buying of our new home. TheY are up to date on the latest technology which made everything super easy for us. I highly recommend Rebecca and her team to anyone who is on the market looking or selling their home. You will definitely be in the best hands with this Powerhouse team!
NEW HOME BUILDER QUESTIONS
SUBDIVISION NAME
COMMUNITY INFORMATION:
How many lots is this community?
Association Fee(s)?
What does the fee cover?
Is there a community pool? q Yes q No
Is there a community park? q Yes q No
What schools? Elem__________________ JH___________________ HS
Is this a gas community? q Yes q No Where is gas standard?
What is located nearby community?
LOT INFORMATION:
What is the standard lot size? _______________ Dimensions?
What type of home will be built around the lot chosen?
Any 2 stories? q Yes q No
Are there color or elevation restrictions? q Yes q No
What is in back/on sides of the lot? ______________ Which way does lot lay?
Interest in lot number? ________ Anyone else interested in this lot? q Yes q No
Is front landscaping included? q Yes q No
INCENTIVES:
With their lender?
With your lender?
MONIES:
Cost of lot reservation?
How long will this hold the lot?
Is lot reservation refunded? q Yes q No
What cash is expected at contract time?
Is this fully refundable if buyer does not qualify? q Yes q No
Any other monies needed before close of escrow? q Yes q No
Contingency requirements (if you have a home to sell)? q Yes q No
WARRANTIES: Inside?
Structural?
ENERGY PACKAGE:
What seer air conditioner? ________________________ Dual Zones? q Yes q No
What is insulation in ceiling? _________________ Walls? ___________________
OPTIONS:
What options are important?
Is the following included?
Covered Patio q Yes q No Granite q Yes q No
Undermount sinks q Yes q No
Vaulted ceilings q Yes q No
PAINT:
Stainless steel appliances q Yes q No
What paint do we get standard with the home?
Can it be upgraded? q Yes q No At what cost?
What paint do we get on the outside?
Are the roof tiles colored through? q Yes q No
BUILD TIME:
SPEC INFORMATION:
THE DOs and DON’Ts
Here is a list of useful tips to ensure an effortless loan process. These DOs and DON’Ts will help you avoid any delays and costly challenges with your loan approval.
DOs
• DO call us if you have any questions.
• DO provide requested documentation promptly and in its entirety.
• DO continue living at your current residence.
• DO continue making your mortgage or rent payments.
• DO continue to use your credit as normal.
• DO keep working at your current employer.
• DO keep your same insurance company.
• DO stay current on all existing accounts.
DON’Ts
• DON’T change your employment or marital status.
• DON’T make any major purchases (car, furniture, jewelry, etc.).
• DON’T change bank accounts.
• DON’T make any large cash deposits into your bank accounts.
• DON’T transfer any balances from one account to another.
• DON’T close any credit card accounts.
• DON’T consolidate your debt onto one or two credit cards.
• DON’T apply for new credit or open a new credit card.
• DON’T max out or overcharge on your credit card accounts.
• DON’T take out a new loan or co-sign on a loan.
• DON’T pay off any loans or credit cards, charge offs, or collections without discussing it with us first.
• DON’T finance any elective medical procedure.
• DON’T join a new fitness club.
• DON’T open a new cellular phone account.
• DON’T start any home improvement projects.
• DON’T have your credit pulled or dispute any information on your credit report.
CHECKLIST
9 If you’re not paying cash, ask us for our preferred lender list.
9 Consider getting preapproved for a loan. You won’t want to waste time looking at houses you can’t afford. Plus, a preapproval letter will demonstrate your viability as a buyer (a good edge, when you bid on a house, if there are multiple offers), and you’ll save time once a bid is accepted.
9 Research potential neighborhoods.
Investigate issues like crime rate, schools, local services, proximity to museums or other institutions that are important to you, commuting distance and property taxes.
9 Make a list of features you want in a house. Divide it into must haves and like to haves
9 Go house hunting with your Realtor.
9 Make an offer (if accepted continue below)
9 Contact title company to make deposit on home
9 Complete mortgage application and turn in requested docs
9 Get an inspection – Sell Home Inspections http://activerain.com/profile/robsell
• Roof - A regular inspector can give some information but a licensed roofer can give you a more thorough inspection and give quotes if any repairs are needed.
• Pool - A regular inspector can give some information but a licensed Pool Technician can give you a more thorough inspection and give quotes if any repairs are needed.
• A/C - A regular inspector can give some information but a licensed HVAC Technician can give you a more thorough inspection and give quotes if any repairs are needed.
• Drain/Pipe Scope - A regular inspector WILL NOT be able to give much information on this as a pipe scope specialist will need to use a camera system to be able to see if there are any leaks, breaks in the line, debris, and other items in the drains/pipes. We recommend any home built before 1972/1973 should have a drain/pipe inspection as the installation of modern ABS drains was not incorporated until around 1972.
9 Complete BINSR with requested repairs to the Seller
9 Lender orders appraisal
9 Order home warranty Old Republic Home Warranty brochure https://www.orhp.com/view-acurrent-brochure-southern-arizona
9 Confirm closing date with title company. Sign necessary paperwork a couple days prior to closing
9 Secure Hazard insurance
9 Contact utilities (**see below)
9 Do a final walk through to insure home is in same condition/repairs made
9 On closing day the lender funds and title records. Congratulations!
9 Review REALTOR® on multiple sites (***see below)
**UTILITIES:
All utilities will need to be transferred to your name by close of escrow.
Electric Service: APS (602) 371 7171 SRP (602) 236 8888
Cable Service: Cox (602) 775 1000
Direct TV (800) 531 5000
Dish (888) 656 2461
Phone/Internet: Century Link (877) 548 6869
Trash Service: Town of Phoenix (602) 262 7251
Town of Gilbert (480) 503 6800
Town of Chandler (480) 782 2280
Town of Mesa (480) 644 2221
***REVIEWS:
https://linktr.ee/Integrityallstars
RIM COUNTRY CABIN TOURS
Have you ever dreamt of owning your own cabin in the cool pine trees? In 2017 we purchased our dream, a little cabin in the cool pines in Strawberry Arizona. Before we invested ourselves, we had stayed in various VRBO rentals over the years in places like Mund’s Park (Flagstaff), Heber, Showlow/Pinetop as well as Pine/ Strawberry. Besides being on average 25 degrees cooler, it’s ONLY 1.5-2 hours from the Southeast Valley where we live, which was huge for us. We originally purchased planning on renting it out when we couldn’t go up there, but we love it so much that we spend most weekends possible (when we aren’t working) in the cool pines with our family and friends. We’ve also sold a lot of cabins since then too. It’s easy to get hooked, there’s so much to offer and everyone really is so nice up there. (It proved to be an excellent get away during Covid as well)
If you aren’t familiar with the area but have thought about renting or buying up there yourself, you should check out some of the links on the website, https://integrityallstars.com/ rimcountry/. And if you’d prefer to rent first, you may want to check out VRBO for some places to test the waters. We always recommend to spend some time up there first getting to know the area to see if you enjoy it as much as we do.
Three of our favorite restaurants to eat and also hang out as they have live music regularly are The Old County Inn, The Weekender Bar & Restaurant, & Pinewood Tavern.
If you like to hike, there are lots of trails, but you definitely should check out the Natural Bridge. Kayaking or just being out on a lake, there’s Blue Ridge which isn’t far. Another past time is riding around town or in the forest in side by sides, lots of trails to do that with some amazing views.
If shopping is your thing, there’s several antique and boutique shops in the area.
All in all, it’s cool, peaceful, quiet and simply gorgeous- if you haven’t been, you should definitely come see why we call it our little slice of Heaven. We’d be delighted to show you some cabins if you do, just give us a heads up by calling our office before you drive up the hill. It really is fun to check out!
Hope to see y’all up there soon!
I LOVE HELPING SENIORS
After nearly 3 decades serving my clients, there is not anything more satisfying than helping our Seniors. They have a special place in my heart. Perhaps it’s because my own Grandparents played a large role in my upbringing, or just perhaps it’s their general lack of having a filter; I don’t really know the reason but I find it fun and rewarding. I like to think I treat them like my own family and always put their needs first whether it’s selling or buying or sometimes both, like I got to do for the Pavlins.
Our office is rather closely located to Sun Lakes and I have helped my mother recently purchase in Solera in Chandler. I believe they are great communities for finding activities and friendships and everyone in general is really nice and looks out for one another. Because I’ve become so passionate about helping our Active Adults, I recently completed additional education and earned the prestigious designation of SRES.
As someone over the age of 50, your needs aren’t the same as a first-time homebuyer or seller. You might be looking to retire, downsize, or join an active adult community. Whatever reason you may have for considering a move, you can depend on an SRES® to guide you through every part of the process.
Why Use an SRES®
Seniors Real Estate Specialists
CERTIFIED TEAM IN THE UNITED STATES
We are so excited to announce that Integrity All Stars – Berkshire Hathaway is now fully Crypto Certified! What does that mean for our clients? Well, we can now help those looking to use their Cryptocurrency to purchase and sell real estate. We can also help sell your home as an NFT and in doing so help reach even MORE potential buyers. As a Crypto Certified agent, we will help our clients through every step of the process and ensure all transactions go on to the blockchain. If this is all still confusing to you please check out Rebecca’s Grateful Heart video she shot with Adam Brown VP of Sales & Broker Relations at Propy on exactly how buying real estate with Cryptocurrency works!
We are so excited to announce that Integrity All Stars Realty is now fully Crypto Certified! What does that mean for our clients? Well, we can now help those looking to use their Cryptocurrency to purchase and sell real estate. We can also help sell your home as an NFT and in doing so help reach even MORE potential buyers. As a Crypto Certified agent, we will help our clients through every step of the process and ensure all transactions go on to the blockchain. If this is all still confusing to you please check out Rebecca’s Grateful Heart video she shot with Adam Brown VP of Sales & Broker Relations at Propy on exactly how buying real estate with Cryptocurrency works!
If you own your current home, but want to upgrade by purchasing a new home, you don’t have to wait any longer.
When you list your home with us, you may be able to:
• Get under contract now and avoid any future price increases
• Receive a discounted REALTOR® commission fee
• Have your new home started before your current home has completely closed escrow
• May be able to avoid the dreaded “double move” For a free, no obligation market analysis of what your current home is really worth!
“I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to Rebecca and Integrity All Stars as they made the whole process of selling our old house and purchasing a new house so seamless. Rebecca is honest, trustworthy and made us feel comfortable from our first meet. We had an idea that Model 208R would be the perfect fit for our family. Rebecca, Lilly and Larry made the whole buying of a new house experience exciting, easy and fun. They all made it a team effort, or family effort, because they make us feel like we are all family. I have been promoting our experience with Rebecca, Lilly and Larry to our friends and coworkers.We hit the jackpot when we were able to connect with them to purchase our new build with CalAtlantic Homes.” ~ Gaylynn England
