There’s rarely a greater joy in life than when you make that personal decision to hang up your hat and enjoy retirement. Just don’t forget that retirement takes planning, commitment, and a good financial head on your shoulders. Here are 4 wonderful ways to prepare for retirement in 2017.

1. Determine your needs: Retirement can be expensive, with experts estimating that you need seventy to ninety percent of your pre-retirement income to maintain your standard of living when you stop working. The average American spends twenty years in retirement, so ask yourself, “What do I want?” Do you want to buy a home? Travel? Go back to school? Start a business? Determining your retirement needs and identifying what you want to do in retirement will help you plan better so you can enjoy your golden years to the fullest.

2.) Build a solid savings: Financial experts now recommend saving as much as fifteen percent of your salary for retirement. Don’t touch your retirement savings early or you may have to pay withdrawal penalties, lose principal and interest, and lose tax benefits. If you’ve just now started saving with few years left until retirement, don’t be deterred. It never hurts to explore investment and saving options that can help you reach your retirement goals faster.

3.)Eliminate debt: It's easier to save and fund your retirement when you don't have looming debts hanging over your head. When you're about to enter your retirement years, credit card debt -- and any student debt -- should be paid down. Thirteen percent of baby boomers still have student loan debt. Sit down with a financial planner to whip up a plan to quickly eliminate debt so you can use you can retire in style.

4.) Learn your Social Security Benefits: A lot of people just assume that social security will meet their retirement needs without truly knowing what could be available come retirement. Social Security pays benefits that are on average equal to about forty percent of what you earned before retirement. You can estimate your benefit and learn more information on the Social Security Administration's Website or by calling them at 1-800-772-1213.

If you or someone you know plans on retiring in 2017 or are considering a retirement home located in Sun City Grand, please give me a call today. I can help you find the perfect retirement home where you can enjoy your golden years!

If you are considering a retirement home in the beautiful adult community of Sun City Grand, located in Surprise, Arizona there are a few things you should know about the homeowner’s association fees and age requirements. Many people are not clear on what the costs are when buying or selling a home located in Sun City Grand, and it is important to keep track of changes that impact the costs. Below are the current HOA fees for retirees who purchase or sell a home in Sun City Grand:

• Architectural Review Fee: $170.00
• Resale Transfer Fee: $100.00
• Disclosure Fee (paid by seller): $130.00
• CARE Fee (onetime fee for each purchaser): $1,291.00
• HOA Annual Membership Fee: $1,291.00
• Property Maintenance Fee for Courtyard: $660.00
• Property Maintenance Fee for Villa: $612.00
• Tenant Activity Card 1-3 Month Lease: $125.00
• Tenant Activity Card 4-6 Month Lease: $150.00
• Tenant Activity Card 7-12 Month Lease: $200.00
• Guest Pass for 10-Punch Card: $30.00
• Guest Pass for 24-Punch Card: $72.00

Sun City Grand is an active adult retirement community nestled in Sonoran Desert with amazing mountain views and plenty of activities to fit any retirement lifestyle. The age restriction for Sun City Grand allows for fifteen percent of the homes to be occupied by retirees between the ages of forty-five and fifty-four. The remaining eight-five percent of the community must be occupied by retirees fifty-five and older.

If you have any questions regarding the HOA fees stated above, you can visit Sun City Grand’s website at: http://www.grandinfo.com/ or call at 623-546-7444.If you or someone you know is considering a retirement home located in Sun City Grand, please give me a call today. I can help you find the perfect retirement home where you can enjoy your golden years!

Buying a home is an exciting process, and part of the reason many retirees pick Arizona is for the unlimited golf course options. But the decision to buy a home on a golf course does require some careful consideration. Here are 4 things to consider before buying on a golf course. 

1. Early to Bed, Early to Rise: the grounds of a golf course must be maintained daily and before the first tee time is scheduled. This means that grounds crew will be out and about working before you have had your first cup of coffee. If you are a light sleeper you could have an issue with the sound of the lawn mowers and carts driving by.
2. Location, Location, Location: there are a couple factors to consider when buying on a golf course. If you are close to cart path, be prepared for traffic throughout the day. You will also want to consider the location of the home and the possibility of golf ball damage depending on how the golfer slices the ball.
3. How Friendly Are You? If the home is located near a tee box, you can expect to hear the players preparing for the next hole. If you plan to spend a lot of time enjoying your Arizona backyard, you may be surprised to see strangers hanging out so closely. However, this could present an opportunity for you to make a new friend!
4. A Golf Course is Not a Public Park: while it might be tempting to hop the fence, and have a picnic on the freshly cut greens of a golf course, that is one restriction they take seriously. For your safety and the safety of the players, homeowners are not allowed to access the golf course at free will. There are some courses that have designated areas but the typical home located on a golf course is only to be enjoyed for the view.

Are you looking for the perfect Arizonagolf course home to spend your retirement in? I can help. Give me a call today.

Stunning Sonoran Model located in Arizona Traditions is just waiting for you to call it home! Nearly 2,300 square feet with an open great room concept, two bedrooms plus a den, two baths and a two-car garage.

Lots of room in the well-appointed kitchen, which overlooks a cozy eat-in nook. Convenient center island and a breakfast bar for quick meals-on-the-go. Honey Oak cabinetry features roll-out shelves, and plenty of room for all your essential kitchen gadgets. Stainless appliance package plus a large walk-in pantry complete this wonderful space.

The split floor plan is private, as well as functional with a large guest room and a generous master bedroom retreat. Master bath includes double sinks, large walk-in shower with bench seating and a walk-in closet.

The grounds are surrounded by mature desert landscaping, coupled with a south facing backyard, the extended patio is the perfect place for entertaining.

Arizona Traditions located in Surprise, Arizona is a guard gated 55+ adult only community featuring amenities such as biking and walking paths, clubhouse, tennis courts, heated pools, workout facilities, and an award-winning golf course.

To view additional information regarding 17781 W Camino Real Drive, Surprise, Arizona please click here. To schedule your private tour of this beautiful retirement home, please call me today.

Despite the typical winter slowdown, November home sales finished 19.1 percent above a year ago and prices increased 1.4 percent over October. Last month saw more homes sold than any other November in the eight-year history of the National Housing Report from RE/MAX. All but one of the fifty-three markets surveyed posted an increase in sales over November 2015, with nearly half of the markets at least 20 percent higher.

“The continued decline of inventory and talk of rising interest rates may have contributed to November’s surge of home sales,”said Dave Liniger, RE/MAX CEO, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder. “Over the past 11 months, the majority of markets have seen home prices return to their pre-recession levels, reaffirming that 2016 has been the best year for the housing market since the recession.”

The 2017 Housing Forecast by the experts at realtor.com are predicting that the Phoenix-metro area will be number one with a projected increase in home values by 5.94 percent and a sales growth of 7.24 percent.

A strong housing economy is good for homeowners, especially those who are considering Arizona as their retirement destination in 2017. If you would like to learn more about retirement in Arizona, please give me a call today. I can help you successfully navigate all your retirement options, and help you make the right decision for your golden years. I look forward to hear from you soon – Sharon

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to reflect on the blessings in our lives, and celebrate the traditions that are most important to us. I love this quote, as it sums up my wish for you this holiday season.

May your hearts be full with the joy that surrounds this most wonderful time of year. From my home to yours, have a very happy, healthy and safe holiday season!

If you are considering retirement in Sun City West, Arizona there are a few things you should know about the homeowner’s association fees and age requirements. Many people are not clear on what the costs are when buying or selling a home located in Sun City West, Arizona and it is important to keep track of changes that impact the costs. Below are the current HOA fees for retirees in Sun City West, Arizona:

• · Resale Transfer Fee: $250.00
• Annual Membership Fee: $435.00 
• Asset Preservation Fee (waived if already a resident owner, not an investor): $3,500.00
• Seller Disclosure Fee: $125.00
• Guest Card (per each card): $3.00
• Tenant Activity Card (1 to 6 month lease) Fee Per Month: $73.00
• Tenant Activity Card Annual Fee: $435.00

Sun City West, Arizona is a beautiful active adult retirement community located in the northern metro-Phoenix area. You must be at least 55 years old to live in Sun City West, Arizona. If you have any questions or concerns about the HOA fees stated above, you can visit their website at: http://suncitywest.org/ or call at 623-214-8629. If you or someone you know is considering retirement in Sun City West, Arizona please give me a call today. I can help you navigate the home buying or selling process in Sun City West, Arizona.

Last month saw the second-most sales – and the smallest inventory – of any October in the 9-year history of the RE/MAX National Housing Report. Despite a slight decrease in the number of transactions, this October is the second best in the history of the report. The markets with the largest increase in sales include Phoenix, AZ +12.2%, Seattle, WA +7.7%, Nashville, TN +6.9%, Milwaukee, WI +6.2%, Boise, ID +5.8% and Raleigh & Durham, NC, +4.9%.

“Although October sales weren’t quite as robust as what we've tracked so far in 2016, it's only the second month this year that didn’t exceed the strong levels set in 2015. But finishing just 1 percent below October 2015 sales is still a very solid performance,”said Dave Liniger, RE/MAX CEO, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder. “It’s the 13th consecutive month of double-digit decline in inventory year-over-year, and that appears to have pushed prices up in all but one market.”

If you or someone you know is considering an upgrade in your retirement home but not sure what your home is worth, please give me a call today. I will provide you with a comprehensive look at market values, and a plan to help you successfully sell your home for top-dollar. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Welcome to PebbleCreek in Goodyear, Arizona! With two creative arts centers, a luxurious clubhouse and the Tuscany Sports and Aquatics Complex, it’s no wonder that so many retirees call PebbleCreek “home.” This 45-and-up active Arizona retirement community features immaculately landscaped grounds, dozens of clubs and a plethora of things to do for all lifestyles.

If you are looking for an active retirement in Arizona, you will find plenty to do in PebbleCreek, such as woodcarving, painting, and ceramics; they also feature crafts rooms designed for sewing, quilting and more. There are dozens of clubs, from bingo and singing to pickleball and ballroom dancing, give residents a chance to connect with each other while doing the things they love.

The all-inclusive fitness center at PebbleCreek is one of the most comprehensive in Arizona. With a dance and yoga room, several multi-purpose activity rooms, and indoor and outdoor lap pools, there are plenty of ways to stay healthy and young in this active retirement community. Seven lighted tennis courts, eight pickleball courts and four bocce ball courts make friendly competition easy; the same goes for the E.J. Robson softball field, where team and tournament play takes place almost year-‘round.

If you prefer to spend your retirement on the golf course, there are two courses located within the community of PebbleCreek in Goodyear, Arizona. Tuscany Falls is a 6,640-yard, par 72 course and The Eagle’s Nest at PebbleCreek is a 6,790-yard, par 72 course. PebbleCreek in Goodyear, Arizona is located within a short drive of Luke Air Force Base where veterans and retired civilians have easy access to the Commissary, medical facilities and other services.

Construction in PebbleCreek has been underway since 1994; both new and resale homes are available. The gorgeous neighborhoods and scenic views make this one of the most sought-after 45-and-up retirement communities in the Arizona. When you are ready to find out about homes for sale in PebbleCreek, or view floor plans that might fit your needs, please give me call at 623-810-9988.

This amenity-packed community is waiting to meet its newest resident—let me get to work finding you the Arizona retirement home of your dreams!

“I love Thanksgiving because it's a holiday that is centered around food and family, two things that are of utmost importance to me.” - Marcus Samuelsson

Thanksgiving Day provides us an opportunity to reflect on the year and count our blessings. As a real estate agent, I have much to be thankful for especially during the holiday season. They say that “home is where the heart is” and on special days like Thanksgiving, my job means so much more to me. I am blessed to have the opportunity to help so many wonderful people find a home where they can make memories that last a life time!

Today, I wish for you to embrace the joy that comes from spending time with family, the traditions that we share, and to know how grateful I am for each of you. Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving!