2025 August issue of InMaricopa Magazine

HOME

Fortunately, the house had no structural issues, but I have heard countless stories of home inspectors finding major problems such as missing insulation in walls or attics, disconnected A/C ducts and missing roof tiles. Always get a home inspection before closing, and have the home reinspected at 11 months so the builder can New homes aren’t always as ‘turn-key’ as the builder might portray. Unless it’s in your contract, you should be ready to pay for backyard landscaping, window treatments, ceiling fans, and a washer/dryer set. And you’ll probably want something better than flat white paint on the interior walls. Make sure you leave room in your budget to purchase these items after closing. fix any new issues that are discovered. ‘New’ means Move-in ready

conditions, HOA amenities, schools, the home’s orientation and exposure to the sun, proximity to the train tracks, road noise, and other factors that the sales representative will likely not share. I can get a lower price without a Realtor In most cases, the builders will not simply reduce the sales price because a buyer purchases without an agent. In fact, you could end up paying more. Your Realtor will provide expertise and services such as researching how long a home has been on the market and help you negotiate the best possible price. They can also help buyers get upgrades or additional credits for closing costs. Brand-new homes are always perfect When I moved to Maricopa in 2006, there was a housing boom and a strong seller’s market. When I decided to buy a new home, I was at the mercy of the builder and had to agree to waive a home inspection. The sales representative told me everything would be fine because the home came with a builder’s warranty. A few months later, the builder was bankrupt, corporate offices were closed, along with any possibility of making a warranty claim.

• Rigorous Tenant Screening • Reliable Rent Collection & Follow-Up • Legal Compliance & Fast Eviction Processing • 24/7 Owner & Tenant Portals • Professional Communication & Issue Resolution With Crest, you’re not alone. You gain a seasoned team ready to act fast, enforce your lease, and handle tenant issues the right way — the first time. Don’t wait until a tenant stops paying to get help. Protect your income. Safeguard your prop- erty. Get your time — and sanity — back.

T HE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN Maricopa offers many options to prospective buyers. A big part of Maricopa’s market are new build homes, and there are few common misconceptions: I don’t need a Realtor to buy a brand- new home The sales agents at the model homes are employees for the builder. They represent the builder’s interests, not yours, and usually do not live in Maricopa. A local buyer agent can point out things about the community, traffic New-build home myths debunked BY DAYV MORGAN

When tenants don’t pay, you pay the price How Crest Premier Properties Management Team can help protect your investment BY SHERMAN AND EUPHEMIA WEEKES

480-838- 9558 CrestPremierProperties.com 4625 S. Lakeshore Drive, Suite 300, Tempe

Dayv Morgan is a Maricopa realtor and owner of HomeSmart Premier.

O WNING RENTAL PROPERTY SHOULD provide steady income, long-term value and financial freedom. But for self-managed landlords, that promise can quickly unravel when a tenant stops paying rent. What may appear as a short-term delay often explodes into a costly and stressful crisis. Non-payment of rent isn’t just inconvenient — it’s dangerous. Every missed payment puts you at risk. You’re suddenly scrambling to cover the mortgage, property taxes, insurance and repairs — all from your own pocket. The longer the rent goes unpaid, the deeper the financial hole becomes. And if you rely on that rental income to support your household or other properties, the impact is immediate and severe. Then comes the emotional toll. Trying to collect overdue rent from a tenant can be tense, awkward and time-consuming. As a self-managed landlord, you’re expected to be the leasing agent, collections department, legal advisor and repair technician — all while navigating complicated state laws that favour due process over speed. In Arizona, even a single error in serving notices or following legal timelines can delay an eviction for weeks or months, allowing unpaid rent to stack up and damaging your bottom line. And the risk starts before the tenant even moves in. Without professional-grade screening tools, you may unknowingly hand your keys to someone with poor credit, unstable income or a history of skipped rent, setting yourself up for failure from the start.

That’s why so many landlords are turning to Crest Premier Properties Management Team, a trusted, full-service firm that protects your property and your peace of mind. Crest delivers:

480-251-4231 DayvMorgan@gmail.com