Susie Johannes

Hi! I Would Like to Introduce Myself!

Hi! I have attached this video so that you can get to know me a bit! I would love to hear from you regarding buying or selling a home in Lake Havasu City, AZ!

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Real Estate, Lake Havasu City, AZ Investment Homes

We have come to a fork in the road here in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. We have had many people buying homes for their primary residences in the last year, and many folks are buying a second home, too. There isn't a more beautiful and fun place to live, after all! We have year round boating, a vast network of trails for off road vehicles in our deserts, a great sampling of restaurants and shopping with more coming each day, and there seems to be some event constantly going on in the city. It is impossible to sit home and claim boredom here!

We now have come to a place where we are seeing a shortage of rental homes. Yes, people here are losing their homes, just like in the big cities. However, most of them still have jobs, children in schools here, and they still need a roof over their heads. Next year, we have been approved to have ASU (Arizona State University) open a campus here in town. This will create even more of a shortage on an already short rental market.

 Homes are selling here, and there hasn't ever been a better time in history to purchase a home. People seem to know that now. The wealthy are off the fence, purchasing investment homes. When that happens, the rest of us can take that as a sign that the time is right for all of us. We are seeing the homes below $125,000 actually moving into multiple offer situations, bidding wars, and in many circumstances, selling for over list price. Our lower end market has turned into a seller's market, before our very eyes.

There is a huge opportunity out there right now for those that can jump in and purchase a home. The options are many....move into it, use it as a vacation home, or rent it out. Those who rent their new homes out find that rental incomes by far outvalue the small percentages of interest they are reaping from their savings accounts and CD's. It is a great time to take that money out of the bank, invest in real estate, have an income each month from the investment, AND have an equity building on top of that! In Phoenix at the present time, 56% of homes sold are being sold to investors. People need a place to live, no matter what the economy. It is a win-win situation!

The Windows Are Open!

As the end of October approaches, I am reminded of all the reasons why I LOVE living in Lake Havasu City, Arizona! Of course, I love all of the seasons, including our long hot summers. Actually, the summers really are what makes the residents here "hardy souls". If we can live through days that reach 124 degrees, and weeks on end of almost-120 degree temperatures without respite, we feel we really can survive most anything. After all, who else can claim that they live somewhere that boasts a "low" temperature at night of 107? I love being able to drive anywhere in town, and being able see the lake, with it's sparkling blue water beckoning. I love the wave of the palm trees against the bright blue sky. I may not love having to hold my steering wheel with paper towels or pot holders, but I love our lake. We can swim at will, boat, fish, wakeboard, paddleboard, kayak, or sit on a beach and watch the world go by. After a long day of showing property, we can rush home, put on our bathingsuits and be in the water, within 10 minutes. It is a simpler life. Living here makes me appreciate life, and what it has to offer.

Of course, at the end of October, those 100+ degree days become few and further between. And this is the time of year that we can actually OPEN OUR WINDOWS! Those who aren't accustomed to our summers may not appreciate this, but our hearts beat with joy the very first night it gets below 80 degrees! We watch the Weather Channel the way others watch sports. Throwing open those windows and listening.. to the sounds of night...the chirping of crickets, the howl of a coyote, the wind gently blowing through the palm trees...it is almost as good as Christmas is to a child! It is wonderous!

The end of October also is the celebration of our cityhood...London Bridge Days. This has been going on for almost 40 years, which makes me believe that the timing was probably planned by our founders, too, to celebrate the ending of the heat. We begin with a parade, which includes the US Marine band marching down McCulloch Blvd playing those fabulous patriotic tunes. It always brings a tear to my eye, listening to them, standing saluting our flag as they march past. I am a proud American, and our little city is a proud city. The beginning of Fall is in the air, a new season, a new beginning.

October fills me with hope and it energizes our population. We see our neighbors out doing yard work, washing windows, cleaning their cars....anything they can to just be outdoors, to enjoy the cooler air. Opening the windows begins a new season, and makes us quite proud that we "made it through another summer"! Opening the windows brings optimism, that tomorrow always has the capability of being an even better day!

Choosing Your Realtor

Buying a home is an exciting experience! Sharing that experience with a Realtor can be the making of a life-long relationship. When you choose your Realtor, choose someone that you can communicate well with, someone with whom you feel completely comfortable. You will need to be able to be honest, telling them what you want, and how you feel about the homes that you see. When you get into the car to see homes with your Realtor, you should feel relaxed and easy. There shouldn't be an uncomfortable silence.

It is important that the agent you choose be able to exactly understand what your wants and needs are. If you don't want to go over a certain price range, they need to make certain not to take you out of that. The same goes for your needs as far as location, bedrooms, baths, garage spaces, etc. I actually form such a close connection with my buyers that twice in the last year I have chosen primary residences for my out-of-town clients.  I sent photos, sent them a contract, helped them through the escrow process, and handed them their keys at closing, which, by the way, was the first time they had ever physically seen THEIR new home! Both couples walked into their new home and were absolutely thrilled! One of the wives cried with happiness. What a feeling that was for me!

It is very important that your Realtor takes their time with you. Don't try to rush the process. Let them get to know YOU, and what you want. The end results will be guaranteed to be happy results! 

There Has Never Been a Better Time!

I am a Realtor in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. If you are considering buying a home in our area, there will never be a better time for that to happen!  The prices are at an incredible low at the moment, and interest rates are amazing! I never dreamed, even during the years I was a Loan Officer doing mortgage loans, that we would see these rates. If you have been on the fence about buying, it is time to make that JUMP!

We have a terrific selection now of all sorts of homes in every price range, from fixer-uppers to high end homes that are move-in ready. For under $100,000 you can get a home to make into your own. The homes that were previously priced in the mid-$200K range are now in the mid-$100K range. We are selling homes. If the home is priced correctly, they go quickly.

Lake Havasu City has much to offer, and I am going to be blogging about that in the coming weeks, letting you know what we have to offer that no one else does! We have a fabulous temperature year-round! We have our beautiful lake, which provides a multitude of activities. You can boat, swim, fish, wake-board, wake-surf, windsurf, sail, paddle board, kayak, jetski......you name it, we have it! We have some terrific restaurants, movie theaters, live theaters, a new mall, and a growing Main Street business area. Our local Chamber of Commerce and our Travelers and Visitors Bureau have made some really exciting things happen here. We have street fairs, car shows, Winterfest, Rods and Relics, Run to the Sun, Desert Storm boat races, IJSBA World Finals for the jetski industry, to name a few. We have a really fun community Halloween night, and they have added a New Years Eve party to Main Street. There is something here for everyone, no matter what your likes and dislikes are. Our schools have high ratings in the state, and the class sizes, although growing, are still much smaller than in the larger cities.

I truly believe that there will never be a better time to buy that new home than the time that is NOW.

 

 

Oh BOY! Was There EVER Mold!

I have clients who live in Montana. They purchased a really nice foreclosure home from me here in Lake Havasu City, AZ about a year ago. They are one of those couples with whom I clicked, and we went from client/Realtor to friends. Shortly after closing, they mailed me a key to their new home, "for emergencies". I naively never even thought twice about one coming up.

About a month ago, they called me. One of their neighbors had phoned to let them know that there was a "little bit of water" running out from under the garage door. They (and I!) assumed it was the hot water heater which is located in the garage. They asked if I would mind running over and taking a quick look. I drug my husband along, as we were on the way home from being out of town....thank heaven I did.

We opened the front door, and were met with a home full of water....about 2 inches of it throughout! I was horrified! I was a "little" upset and sent my husband in with the camera...he being a much braver soul than I am! It turned out that a pipe in the attic had burst, and water was shooting up onto the roof under-sheeting for who-knows-how-long. All of the ceilings on that side of the house had collaped, on top of their new television, their new master bedroom furniture, their new carpeting, and into the garage. Their boat was full of water and insulation, and the cabinets in the kitchen were already expanded more than wood was ever meant to be!

And mold....oh boy, was there ever mold! After the first 3 or 4 minutes I had to go outside, as my throat had closed and I couldn't breathe. The entire thing was absolutely horrifying! This has to be a homeowner's worst nightmare, aside from a fire.

I have helped them from afar....I am the one who has met the insurance adjuster, helped them choose their mold remediation company and their contractors. This entire incident has made me acutely aware of the perils of "Out-Of-Town-Homeownership"! We have many of those here in our lovely city.  I would suggest to those that own a home that isn't visited frequently to have someone go in regularly to check it. Paying a company $40 or $50 a month to go in, flush toilets, check for leaks, break-ins, etc., is MUCH cheaper and more simple than being faced with what my wonderful clients are going through at this moment. As agents, I feel that we need to suggest this whenever we sell a home that will be unoccupied for long lengths of time. It is something that we never imagine happening, but the threat is always lurking out there!

Real Estate Lake Havasu City AZ - Time to JUMP!

Well, we are approaching the end of September, 2010. It has been a tulmultuous year with the economy and the housing market. Here in Lake Havasu City, we are still selling homes, and the sales are going well. We haven't seen the huge slowdown that has been seen nationwide. The total homes on the market now are down to 746. Of those, 283 are priced below $185,000, and 184 of those homes are priced below $150,000! Foreclosures and Short Sales comprise 150 of those homes that are now available, hovering at around 25% of our market. That is a vast improvement when we look back and year and see we were around 40% or so. We also have 556 lots for sale in the Single Family residence market. Of those, 316 are priced below $100,000, and 70 of them are priced below $50,000! 

When you see the available housing numbers shrinking, it is time to buy. We may never see prices this low again in our lifetimes. Combined with low prices, interest rates are amazing right now! If you have been on the fence, wondering whether to buy or wait, it is time to jump! 

 Do you already own a home here in Lake Havasu City? We are having a shortage of available rental homes at the moment, too. The people who are losing their homes need a place to live. For the most part they still have jobs, families, and income. They need to put a roof over their heads. This is a fabulous time to think about making an investment in your future. There are several terrific property management companies here in town who can help make the rental and leasing option worry-free for you.

Now is the time!  JUMP! 

Visit my Facebook page for up to the moment happenings in Lake Havasu City!

It All Began With Mayonnaise!

I was making lunches the other day, for myself and my husband. As I reached for the ingredients in the refrigerator, I removed 2 jars of mayo. I made our sandwiches. He insists on Miracle Whip and I prefer Best Foods Light, myself.  I always buy both and make our lunches to suit each of us individually. It occurred to me to wonder whether we were a little "weird" or whether there were other couples and families that use a variety of brands based on their individual likes.

I was sitting a model home that same day, and puttering at my computer. With the mayo issue still on my mind, I posted a Facebook comment about it.  I briefly told the story and asked what others used or did. I hardly expected that simple little question to go as far as it did! It seems that a LOT of people have huge opinions on their mayonnaise!

Within about an hour, I had close to 20 comments about peoples' likes, dislikes, usages, etc. I learned a lot about each of my friends that day! Then I dropped it, forgot all about it. Yesterday one of my Facebook friends, Carra Riley, the author of "Cosmic Cow Pie, Connecting the Dots" posted "I can see a whole blog post on the concepts that get people talking on Facebook". I first thought, "why would anyone be interested in mayonnaise in a blog post"? BUT, after I had some time to think about it, I realized that this is a perfect, textbook example of social networking!

I have used Facebook for about a year, and I love it.  I never considered it to be a part of my Real Estate marketing, though, until recently. I looked at it as strictly a personal item. I have been keeping up on Active Rain with the pluses of using Facebook as a source of advertising and marketing. I finally set up a Facebook page for my Real Estate about a month ago. It hasn't taken off quickly, the way I had hoped it would, but I have linked it to my website and I have a steadily growing list of fans. I truly do believe that social networking is the wave of the future. The XYZ generation will be the ones buying homes, and they spend most of their time on the internet and texting. If we don't have the keys to give them to find us, we are going to be left out of the future market picture. We need to stir things up with the way we do things, just the same way I seem to have stirred things up, innocently asking my friends about mayonnaise. Sometimes we get set in our ways, and for now it may work well, but we need to stay on top of things and keep growing! We owe that to ourselves and to our public!

Calling All Investors!!!

We seem to be having quite a shortage of rental homes these days. With so many families losing their homes, due to Short Sales and Foreclosures, there is a huge demand for a place for them to live, to put a roof over their heads. If you have been considering buying a home as an investment, now is the time to stop thinking about it and to DO it! We have a great supply of families ready to rent your home. The rates are low, prices are low, there is a supply, AND there is demand. In a few years, these families will be able to qualify to buy a home again, and then will be the perfect time for you to sell! Contact me today to talk about it! I would be happy to guide you in your decisions.

Proud To Live In Lake Havasu City!

I have resided in Lake Havasu City, AZ for 16 years. The time has flown past! When I first moved here from the Los Angeles area, I felt like I had moved to the moon! The landscape is so different than what I had grown up with, and been accustomed to. All of the sudden, instead of green grass and lush greenery all around, I was surrounded by gravel yards. I quickly fell in love with my city. I love the feeling of wide open spaces, the turquoise blue of the sparkling water in our lake, the bright green of an ocotillo plant against a stark desert background. There is so much beauty to behold here that you need to just relax and take it in slowly, one item at a time.

This weekend is Labor Day, which signifies the ending of summer. Yes, the lake stays warm and the tourists continue to come after that but things do slow down for a bit after this busy weekend. The temperatures will now begin to drop, and we who managed to get through the heat finally get our reward! After all, we enjoy 9 months of absolute perfection, weather wise! The other 90 days are wonderful too. After all, how many people  can boast that they live near a lake which offers a complete treasure trove of activities? We can boat, jet ski, swim, fish, windsurf, sail, ski, wakeboard, wake surf, paddleboard, kayak.....the list goes on and on. We can quickly pack an ice chest, and away we go!

After this weekend, though, things will quiet a bit. The lake becomes less crowded. We residents are the ones left here to enjoy the peace and quiet, the perfection of gorgeous weather and water. This is the time of year that we begin the next round of fun revolving around our natural setting....off roading, jeeping, dirt bike riding, hiking, fishing, camping, and a multitude of other activities. Lake Havasu City, after all, offers almost everything....well, except for snow!

My three sons attended the schools here, and I can't say enough about the positive experience we had. I owned a business here for many years. The Chamber of Commerce is wonderful. We recently obtained our first "mall". Yes, there are still openings, but considering the economy that we live in at present, I feel very lucky that it opened at all. The Parks and Recreation Department has wonderful activities to keep our children active and involved in the community.

I was thinking today about my job as a Realtor, and convincing others of why they would want to put their roots down here. The sense of community here is astounding. The city is still small enough where the residents rally if there is a person or family in need. We are great at fundraising, and at taking care of our own. Our community members have a heart. That is the best way I can think to describe it. In all honesty, I can't think of another place I would want to live! I love my city!

Buying a Short Sale or Foreclosure vs. Private Owner?

Some of my buyers believe that purchasing a foreclosure or a Short Sale is a "better deal" for them in these times than it would be to purchase from a private homeowner. That is not necessarily the case. The private homeowners realize that in order to sell their homes they must compete in this market filled with foreclosures and short sales, and they have priced their homes accordingly. I can help you look at pricing and counsel you which way to go in these situations. Remember, all homes, if being sold to a buyer who must get a loan, must be appraised. If they do not appraise for the amount of the sale, it is up to the seller to work with you, the buyer, in order to reach a more equitable price. Don't feel the need to specifically look at foreclosed properties, as you may be missing out on an even better home for your future! Let me help you find the right direction to go on this issue. I am a National Association of Realtors-Certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource.  I have the training to help you no matter which road you choose.

Price Reduced on 2519 Inverness Drive in Lake Havasu City North

Lake Havasu City North, Lake Havasu City  -  Announcing a price reduction on 2519 Inverness Drive, a single story. Now MLS® $74,900 - Reduced!.

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One Year Home Warranty

Note that this information is outdated.

Mention that you saw this message in my website and I will provide you with a FREE one year home warranty at the close of your transaction. I want every client to feel confident in their purchase, and I make this a reality!

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Lake Havasu Real Estate

Well, things are changing here in Lake Havasu City! The inventory of homes is slowly disappearing, and prices have stabilized. As we head into our busy summer season, I just wanted to remind you that there has never, and probably, in our lifetimes, won't BE a better time too buy a home here! The interest rates are still very low, but the prices of homes are going to begin to creep upwards again.  No, it won't happen fast, but they will go up bit by bit, and won't be as low again as they are right at this point in time. I have had many clients from out of state purchasing homes this past year. They realize that they are getting an excellent value in a wonderful city. We also did well this year with the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, which, unfortunately, ended in April. If you have been riding on the fence, trying to decide when you want to jump in and purchase, it is time to jump off and buy that home that you have been dreaming of!  Call or email me and let's get to it!  I look forward to working with you! 

susie@susiej.net or 928-486-4517

Real Estate in Lake Havasu City, AZ

If you have been searching for property in Lake Havasu City, waiting for the "right time", wait no longer!  The rates are at their lowest and home prices are also at their all-time lows.  There is a tax credit currently of $8,000.00 for first time homebuyers, if the home closes by November 31st of this year.  The supply of foreclosed homes has been cut in half over the last year, and it is becoming quite normal to see multiple offers on homes with homes selling above asking price.  As that happens, we see that the market is pointing to a stabilizing effect, a leveling out.  There has never been a better time to buy, and if you miss this chance, you may regret it.  I have lived here in Lake Havasu City for 16 years.  I have raised my 3 sons here, and am familiar with the city, the schools, the churches, and the community at large.  I would LOVE to help you with your purchase!  Please give me a call!