WWW.AZCENTRAL.COM
|| S U N D AY , A U G U S T 16 , 2 015
|| 1R
R E A C H U S || TA M E R A T H O R N T O N , TA M E R A . T H O R N T O N @ A R I Z O N A R E P U B L I C . C O M || B U S I N E S S . A Z C E N T R A L . C O M
What What do do you own? you own?
CATHERINE REAGOR REAL ESTATE
Home inventories inventories help Home helpyou you recover losses when disaster recover losses when disasterstrikes strikes
We’re No. 5 ... or 13, 17, 31 for real estate
KATHERINE ROTH | ASSOCIATED PRESS
Fire is always a possible threat, and as the planet warms, wild weather has become more common. Homeowners can prepare for disasters by making home inventories — detailed lists of household belongings and their approximate value. Making a home inventory can be easy; there are inexpensive or free services, apps and software. “The format is not nearly as important as just having some kind of list,� said Jeanne Salvatore of the Insurance Information Institute in New York, a non-profit that helps
Metro Phoenix dropped off a top-10 list of areas with the most homeowners underwater on their mortgages. The region ranks about average for rent increases and is in the top 15 for home flipping. The Valley didn’t make a recent list of the healthiest or least healthiest housing markets. Arizona is one of the priciest states for mortgage fees. And the Phoenix-area isn’t ranked among the top 20 hottest housing markets in the U.S. now. All are results from new rankings for the housing market. Late-night TV legend David Letterman made lists an American staple. I receive housing-market rankings almost daily. Some are helpful for consumers, while others don’t make a lot of sense.
See INVENTORY, Page 3R
A look at the recent rankings:  About 15 percent of metro Phoenix homeowners owe more than their house is worth, according to a second quarter survey from RealtyTrac. That ranks the Valley No. 31 for underwater homeowners. The area ranked high for underwater borrowers like other boom and bust areas after the crash, but rising home prices and falling foreclosures in metro Phoenix has led to a steady drop in the number of homeowners stuck without equity in their house. Las Vegas and the Florida cities Orlando and Tampa still rank in the top 10 for the highest levels of underwater loans. This list is credible and helps people thinking of buying, selling or refinancing see how metro Phoenix fares with the rest of the U.S.  The average rent for a Phoenix-area apartment has climbed about 7 percent, according to the latest report Axiometrics. That increase ranks us No. 17 nationally, slightly higher than the U.S. average. Rents in Portland, San Francisco, Denver and Sacramento are increasing twice as fast as ours. Apartment rents show whether an area is growing, and help people decide whether to move to an area as well as whether to rent versus buy. The list is used by many economists and industry experts.  During this year’s second quarter, about 6.7 percent of the Valley’s home sales were flips — houses bought and then resold within 12 months — according RealtyTrac. ILLUSTRATION BY ALIYA MOOD/ THE REPUBLIC AND THINKSTOCK
See REAGOR, Page 3R
$5
find your next place. PHOENIX | 32317 North 16th Avenue | Open Today 1-4PM
IT’S A SONORAN FOOTHILLS BLOCK PARTY. Come see MLS# two magnificent homes just blocks apart today from 1-4pm. This Bedrooms home boasts spectacular mountain vistas from the incredible yard. Bath Heated pool, fire pit, putting green and Ramada with fireplace and Pool BBQ. View windows, Walnut hardwood floors, fireplace and high ceilings inside. Notable granite island kitchen with Viking cook Sq. Ft. hood. Tall 16’ sliding doors bring the outdoors inside the beautiful Parking family room. Sitting room master. Five-star casita set up as an Lot Size executive’s office. Gated courtyard. Private corner lot. A semiZIP Code custom T.W. Lewis home. Don’t miss the magnificent community amenities. Clubhouse, pool, tennis and basketball. Close to nearby Online Pics mountain trails. – Joseph Callaway Price
Brought to you by Those Callaways, (480) 596-5751
- 5302815 -4 -4 - Yes - 3,192 - 2-Car Garage - 13,153 Sq. Ft - 85085 - ThoseCallaways.com - $675,000
see more inside $5
SCOTTSDALE | 37910 North Boulder View Drive | Open Today 1-5PM
WARM, RICH, DRAMATIC ELEGANCE. Nestled in North MLS# Scottsdale, this stunning home features a wealth of unique fixtures Bedrooms and finishes including mesquite and rock flooring, rolled beam Bath ceilings, sunlit hallways, handsome custom cabinetry and much Pool more. Lush desert setting. Long pavered drive to expansive circular motor-court. Hacienda-style courtyard. Foyer w/two-way fireplace. Sq. Ft. Magnificent living room w/massive ceiling beams, custom art/ ZIP Code media niches, hardwood floors, wall of exits. Master retreat w/ distressed-wood double doors, lavish fireplaced bath. Dining/ Online Pics Price dessert patios, beach-entry pool, spa, fire-pit, barbecue island. Fabulous mountain, city lights, sunset views. Visit tourfactory. com/1383625. See inside for details, directions.
Brought to you by Sandra Baldwin, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty
- 5302179 -4 - 3.5 - Yes - 4,248 - 85262 - BaldwinTeam.com - $1,395,000
see more inside $5