Evisa Given - Real Estate

10/20/2026

Arizona has a funny way of saving its most spectacular sunsets for the most unexpected places. You can drive all the way to the Grand Canyon, find the perfect viewpoint, and wait for that breathtaking desert sunset… only to witness the most unbelievable sky of your life outside a random Walmart in Phoenix. 😂🌵🌅

Every Arizonan knows exactly what we're talking about.

You plan the perfect evening. You head out toward Sedona, find a scenic overlook, or take a drive through the Sonoran Desert. You've got your phone ready, the red rocks are glowing, and you're expecting something straight off a postcard.

And the sunset? It's beautiful. The mountains look incredible, the desert turns golden, and everything feels peaceful.

But then, a couple of days later, you're making a quick Walmart run for bottled water, snacks, and maybe something you forgot to buy last week.

You walk back outside, and suddenly THE ENTIRE SKY LOOKS LIKE IT'S ON FIRE. 🔥

Bright orange. Deep purple. Fiery red clouds stretching across the horizon. Golden sunlight spilling over the mountains while the desert silhouettes turn almost black against the glowing sky.

The kind of sunset that makes you stop halfway to your car and completely forget why you came outside.

And where are you standing?

Between a shopping cart, a dusty pickup truck, and a parking lot light that's been on since noon. 😂

No Grand Canyon viewpoint. No scenic hiking trail. No carefully planned sunset adventure. Just you, your shopping bags, and a sky that looks like someone turned the entire Arizona desert into a painting.

The funniest part is that Arizonans have learned not to question it.

We've got dramatic desert landscapes, towering saguaro cacti, red-rock mountains, and some of the most colorful skies imaginable. Yet somehow, the most unforgettable sunset always seems to appear when you're doing absolutely nothing special.

Sometimes Sedona delivers the perfect postcard. Sometimes the Grand Canyon steals the show.

And sometimes, a Walmart parking lot in Phoenix becomes the best sunset-viewing spot in the entire state. 🌅❤️

Because in Arizona, you don't always have to chase the beauty.

Sometimes, you just have to finish your shopping, look up, and say, “Okay, Arizona… you win again.” 😂🌵

Be honest, Arizona… have you ever stopped in a random parking lot just to take a picture of the sunset? 👇

10/20/2026

The Price isn’t the whole story.

When evaluating a home, the purchase price is only part of the picture.

I also look at property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, potential maintenance, and the cost of any updates the home may need.

My CPA background influences how I approach real estate: look at the whole picture before making a big decision.

What costs would you want to understand before buying a home?

10/09/2026

Did you know Arizona has a new Early Real Estate Sales Alert System designed to help protect property owners from deed fraud?

The Arizona Department of Real Estate offers a free service that can notify you by text or email if an escrow officer submits information about a pending real estate sale that matches your registered property.

Why is this worth knowing about? If someone attempts to sell your property fraudulently, an early alert could give you an opportunity to report the suspicious transaction before it moves forward.

✅ Free to register
✅ Text and email notifications available
✅ Register your home, investment property, vacant land, or other real estate

A simple step today could add another layer of protection for your property.

🔗 Register here: https://earlyalert.azre.gov

Please note: This is a voluntary alert system, not a guarantee against fraud, and it does not include every property transaction in Arizona.

Save this post and share it with a homeowner who should know about this resource!

10/09/2026

From the Arizona Registrar of Contractors

HIRE ONLY LICENSED CONTRACTING PROFESSIONALS

Avoid Common Unlicensed Entity Scams

- Beware of door-to-door unlicensed entities offering low-cost construction services.Especially beware if the individual is offering work with “leftover” materials, often offering low costs or warranties. They may tell you that they were working on a neighbor’s home when they noticed a problem with yours, or that you must make a decision on the spot. Once payment is made, however, little or poor work is actually performed.

- Never make a hurried decision. Beware of unlicensed individuals who may try to fast-talk and push you into making an immediate decision about work. Never enter into a contract without first getting bids, checking licenses, and references for any contractor, with which you are interested in working.

- Free inspections may not be free. An unlicensed entity may offer to perform a free inspection. During that inspection, they may claim that there is a serious problem that will put you in danger if it’s not addressed immediately. This can lead to unnecessary and over-priced work. Don’t let anyone rush you into taking action until you have had a chance to get multiple estimates for the work that needs to be done.

- Never pay in cash. Do not pay for construction work in cash, especially if the worker insists or offers to drive you to the bank or ATM to withdraw the funds. Many scams involve an unlicensed entity abandoning a substandard or unfinished project once they have the cash in hand.

If you believe you may have been scammed by an
unlicensed entity, contact AZ ROC at 602.542.1525
and your local law enforcement agency.

10/09/2026

Is it a bad time to buy a house right now? Here's the answer I'd actually give a client:
- Don't try to perfectly time the market.
- Look at monthly payment.
- How long you plan to stay.
- Inventory and negotiating power.
- Your personal financial situation.

Would you buy now or wait? I'm curious—tell me below.

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

🏡 Remodeling activity remains steady despite economic headwinds.
The NAHB Remodeling Market Index rose to 62 in Q3, signaling that more remodelers still view market conditions positively than negatively.
While higher costs, labor shortages, and economic uncertainty are causing some homeowners to pause, remodeling continues to hold up well—and is expected to remain stable through 2026 with slight growth in 2027.
For homeowners considering updates before selling, or improving a home they plan to enjoy for years, it’s a good reminder that strategic improvements can still add value.
Read the full NAHB report

In the third quarter of 2026, the NAHB Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 62, up one point compared to the previous quarter. The RMI has remained within a narrow band between 59 and 70 for the past four years. Remodeler sentiment remains the standout sector within the housing industry...

10/07/2026

Agritopia’s next Farm Night will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. The store is designed to feel like an everyday farmer’s market, with 95% of its products Arizona-grown, made or baked. Read more about Agritopia’s farm-to-plate approach at https://www.phoenix.org/food_and_drinks/farm-to-plate-agritopia-sees-surge-of-interest-in-locally-grown-food/article_6c8a942f-388f-4d66-8401-3f9bd58e4e37.html.

📸: File photo of the James Beard Award-winning baker behind Don Guerra's Barrio Bagel & Slice in Gilbert

10/06/2026

- A historical analysis comparing the mid-1990s housing market to today shows that buying can still outperform renting even with mortgage rates above 7%.
- The price-to-rent ratio matters more than the mortgage rate itself.
- Today's least expensive homes sell for about nine times their annual rent and rent for 10.8% of their price annually.

With mortgage rates above 7%, it's easy to assume that renting must be the better deal.After all, every percentage point added to a mortgage rate