Bart Is My Agent

This question has come up a lot lately. The Phoenix real estate market is moving so fast that plans A, B, C, and sometimes D may come into play.

At List For My Zip and Haiduk Realty Experience, we do our best to guide you through your real estate journey and steer clear of as many surprises as we can, but inevitably things happen. If your home is sold and your next home isn't ready, or your closing is delayed, your options will depend on your family. Can you couch surf for a few days? Do you have a family with a second home in the area? A family you like well enough to stay at their place for some time? Short-term rentals can be a lifesaver when it's not tourism season. It can get expensive if you compete with spring training fans or other people trying to escape the cold, snow, and gray. There are also hotels. That can be tough but at least is a bed, bathroom, and roof over your head. We have friends that spent months, yes months, in a hotel with four kids and dogs.

While some things are unforeseen, it's best to chat with your Realtor ahead of time to ensure a plan and a couple of backup plans.

Man, this sibling trio puts on a great show! We had a chance to see them five or six times in 2020-2021, including intimate concerts and meet and greets, and Kristen and the girls saw them at LifeFest in WI with 25,000 others. They are one of Myla's favorites, and it's adorable to watch her sing along with their songs. The last time we had a chance to see them, they took so much time with the girls and their friends. They answered some hard-hitting questions, accepted Myla's portraits of each of them, and CAIN even asked the girls to dance on stage with them. I'm so blessed that I was able to watch our girls experience the moment.

I'm thankful for the songs they write and the message they share with the world. What's more impressive is that they live out their message, spend time with the littlest of their fans, make them feel important, and remind them they are a child of God.

It seems that inventory is starting to rise a little! This is good news for buyers who are still on the hunt for a new place to call home. We have a long way to go to get close to a balanced market, but it's a small step in the right direction!

Sometimes we need to realize it's not up to us to do it all. Asking for and getting help is a good thing and giving credit to those who help us is equally important.

This is the song that gets everyone on the dance floor at every event. The piano intro, the beat, the fun lyrics, it just gets the toe-tappin' and the legs movin'.

Don't worry; I won't call you a relic or say you're over the hill. I like old-time rock and roll too!

It was a day early but the Southwest Collins was my tequila drink yesterday. Not sure what will be tonight’s. 🤔

God gave each one of us abilities. They are gifts from Him - Use them! Don’t let lies or fear take away your faith in yourself and who God created you to be.

Here are a few photos from the last time NEEDTOBREATHE was in Phoenix. It's a huge bummer that I don't have a video of this song because it's probably in my top 5 to 10 songs. The lyrics depict a couple of brothers who decided their brotherhood was more important than the success of their band. If you don't know this song, please find it wherever you listen to music and take four minutes to take it in. You'll be blessed.

Brother or sister, blood-related or not, everyone needs at least one relationship like the one described in this song. It may not be the same person forever and ever, but it might. I pray you have someone you can call when you feel alone.

Guys, we're worst at this. Many of us don't admit our weaknesses or failures, but, let's honest, we grow when we do. Find the friend that will shine like a lighthouse in the sea, someone to hold you accountable, who you call when you're someone to remind you that God created you in the image of God, the ultimate fortress when the storm is brewing, the listening ear or voice of reason.

End of the year activities started with a K-3 choir concert. Thankful for keeping it real with loving Jesus and our country! ✝️ 🇺🇸

Y/N: S**g carpet should make a comeback. 🤣👎🏼😵‍💫

It's time to own it. I was born in 1976, when s**g carpet, wood paneling (aka 70's shiplap), and lava lamps were a thing. 😄

And here are a few events from 1976:

🎤 "Shake Your B***y" was the number 1 song the week I was born. Seems fitting…
🥇 Nadia Comaneci scored the first perfect 10.0 in Olympic history.
⚾️ The Cincinnati Reds won the World Series for the second year in a row.
📽 Everyone was walking around yelling "Adrian!" in their best Sylvester Stalone impression.
🪨 See above; Rocky was a top movie of 1976.
🍳 A stamp cost 13 cents, and a dozen eggs cost 69 cents - YES, PLEASE!
🍎 Apple was founded.
📼 VHS was introduced!
🇺🇸 And Jimmy Carter became the 39th President of the United States.

What's something that happened the year you were born?

**gcarpet

Do you inspire others to dream, learn, do or become more?

Don't forget to budget for these items when you're planning on buying or selling a home! You probably won't have to tackle all five of these at once, but I've found it's good to be over-prepared than under.

If you have questions about any of these, don't hesitate to call, text, or message me. I'm happy to help!

Would you add any to this list?

Happy Easter Monday!

Yesterday we celebrated Easter and the resurrection of Jesus, who forgives our sins, gives us eternal life and loves us so much.

The amazing songwriters of Because He Lives captured the profound act of the resurrection and what it means in a few simple yet powerful words.

"Because He lives - I can face tomorrow, Because He lives - Every fear is gone, I know He holds my life and my future in His hands."

Matt Maher is so talented and delivers this song so well. A dear friend and one of our church's worship leaders, Erick Mauldin, absolutely rocks this song when it's on the Sunday morning worship docket.

"Amen, Amen, let my song join the one that never ends!"

I'll go first: Celebrating Myla's 8th birthday was definitely the highlight of my week! 😍

I struggle with this personally. Anxiety can overtake me, and then I don’t take advantage of the chance to do things. It may not be catching the tradewinds, but it might be missing the moment to have a conversation with someone.

Take advantage of your dreams and opportunities placed in your path.

Trends remain consistent with past months - Inventory is up, the average sales price is up, and demand is still high. 📈

// I was more into rap in the early 90s, so I didn't start listening to grunge rock until later. However, once I finally listened to Pearl Jam, Alive just stood out. The opening guitar solo and Eddie Vedder's distinct sound drew me in.

I don't know the meaning behind the lyrics, but as a guy raised by a single mom with my dad being pretty absent, this great anthem reminded me it doesn't matter the circumstance, I'm still alive, and that's the important thing. Do I deserve to be? That is up to my Creator, but I need to take advantage of whatever time I have left.

Have you ever wondered: Can one Realtor represent a buyer and seller in the same transaction?

The short (and legal) answer is yes, the state of Arizona allows one Realtor to represent both the buyer and seller with prior written consent.

However, even though Realtors inevitably use reasonable skill and care, there will be loyalty, obedience, disclosure, and possibly confidentiality conflicts. There are some situations when it's right and in the best interest of everyone, but, in my opinion, it's not very often.

Have questions? Reach out - I'm here to help.

This is a great perspective if you struggle with not winning. I have “learned” a lot and have paid many stupid taxes. Share the lessons you have learned with others, and help them learn from you so more of us can win.

Johnny Cash may be one of the best songwriters and storytellers ever, and this song is an excellent example of both! I’m pretty sure he didn’t shoot a man in Reno just to let him die, but his delivery of the story could make you believe he did. I’m thankful for my mom’s love of music and all her vinyl and eight tracks that she would play, especially exposing me to Johnny Cash.

Any Johnny Cash fans out there?

After some reflection and discussion with a few friends, we realized that we put too much stock in succeeding in worldly things. I believe Satan uses our tendency of striving for worldly success to pull us away from things that truly matter.

If we are busy succeeding in the wrong things, we may not be focusing on our relationship with God, our spouse, or our kids. We may not focus on serving others or using our gifts.

I’m working to define what “succeeding” looks like for me.

What does success look like for you?

Whew, listen to this on your way home from work today! This one gets me!

On "that" day (we all have them) when there is some "stuff" going on, and you just don't know what to do or think no one understands- man, these lyrics will bring you to tears or your knees and fill you with the great reminder that our Creator and Savior takes us just as we are.

"Come out of sadness, from wherever you have been. Come broken-hearted, let the rescue begin… There's hope for the hopeless, and all those who have strayed, come sit at the table, come taste the grace. There's rest for the weary, rest that endures, Earth has no sorrow that heaven can't cure."

When I'm in the middle of one of those days or moments, I try to listen to this song. It's a great reminder that our Savior is there waiting for us no matter what we have done or where we are. We just need to turn to Him.

Are online valuations accurate? It's a fair question and one that I get asked often.

Here's the deal:

Online sites can provide high-level information and price ranges. This much is true. However, working with a qualified Realtor who understands your local market, walks through your home, and has spent time in other homes in your area will provide you with the most accurate information.

After seeing this quote, I had to dig in a little more for context, and the context may be wiser than the quote. 🤯

"When I was a boy," said B. Washington, "I used to like to fight. I used to like to get a boy down in a ditch and hold him there. But as I got older, I saw that I could not hold him down there without staying in the ditch myself."

Although it isn't always easy, we are called to lift each other up. Reading Mr. Washington's reason for doing so is simple, true, and inspirational. I pray for our world and that we all realize that holding someone down means that we also are held down with them.

Cords. Wires. 😵‍💫

But they don’t have to be like 🍝 all tangled up everywhere.

Click to read how to organize and hide that mess* 👉🏼 https://bit.ly/3JDMrkr

*Mega bonus points to anyone who conceals their TV wires in a false wall that they build

Always remember that you are where you are for a reason and have special gifts that are needed: Don't be afraid to use them.

First off, I apologize for the ridiculous, automated texts you receive from someone wanting to buy your house. 🙄 I get questions from people on how companies use their numbers. The truth is, there are companies out there that cross-reference your name, address, the number you use for your loyalty programs, and all your email addresses to figure out if you are in their target market. Yeah, big data! 👎🏼

Another popular "scam" is after you purchase a home and receive an official-looking document that offers a certified copy of your deed. There really isn't a need to have that, but it's much cheaper to ask for a copy from the county recorder if you would like one.

Lastly, it's a little rarer, but someone requesting to change the wiring instructions is shady. It doesn't matter which title company you are working with; their wiring instructions aren't going to change. They have deep relationships with their banks, and if they were going to change banks, it would be a big deal. All that to say, if you are buying or selling your home, wiring instructions won't change. If you receive a call or email saying they have, please call your Realtor right away and forward the email or phone number that contacted you.

Have questions? I'm here to help.

Whether you are a picker, a grinner, a lover, or a sinner, or if you are playing your music in the sun - You might be a joker, a smoker, or a midnight toker. It doesn’t matter. The one thing you have done is made the guitar riff sound after being called Maurice.

The Joker by Steve Miller Band may be the song I have heard the most on a jukebox. You see, kids, there used to be a box with records or CDs in them at restaurants and local establishments... 💿😎