Blog
Writing from Kristan Cole Network and its members.
Comparing Verrado, Buckeye, Litchfield Park and Goodyear
What to compare across Verrado, Buckeye, Litchfield Park and Goodyear for retirement: amenities, HOA structure, healthcare access, water providers and lifestyle fit.
Is It Cheaper to Buy or Build a House in Alaska?
Buying vs building in the Mat-Su Valley as of June 2026: Wasilla's $426K median, 14 days on market, Alaska's short build season, permits, and construction loans.
Living in Pinetop Year-Round Versus Part-Time: What to Know
Pinetop year-round versus seasonal living: snowfall of around 38 inches, winter parking rules, Show Low healthcare, internet limits, and the Phoenix drive.
What to Know About Luxury Home Inspections Before You Buy
Pools, elevators, septic and custom construction change what a luxury inspection has to cover in Prescott. Here are the Arizona rules and the local market numbers.
How Much House Can I Afford on Retirement Income in Arizona?
What retired buyers need to know about qualifying on Social Security, pension, and retirement assets, plus Cave Creek market figures as of June 2026.
Prescott vs Prescott Valley vs Chino Valley: Key Differences
How Prescott, Prescott Valley and Chino Valley differ in layout, shopping, commute, lot sizes and water service, with median prices and days on market.
When Should I Update My Home Before Listing in Scottsdale?
What to update before listing a Scottsdale luxury home, what to leave for buyers, and how permits, pool rules and Arizona disclosure shape the decision.
How Do HOA Fees Work When Buying a Condo in Anchorage?
What Anchorage condo HOA fees cover, how to read the budget and reserves, why snow removal drives cost, and the questions to ask before you close.
Paradise Valley vs North Phoenix: What Living There Is Like
Paradise Valley is zoned 70.4% residential at mostly one house per acre. North Phoenix runs on village planning and HOAs. How the two actually live.
How Do I Know If an HOA Is Right for Me?
What to check before buying in a Peoria or West Valley HOA community: fees, CC&Rs, rental and pet rules, board meetings, and the Arizona resale disclosure.
Should I Hire an Admin Assistant or a Buyer's Agent First?
Admin support or a licensed buyer's agent as your first hire? Compare legal limits, pay benchmarks, and the production math behind each decision.
Can a US Citizen Buy Land in Alaska Without Restrictions?
Any US citizen can buy private land in Alaska, but state auctions are residents-only, private land is under one percent of the state, and boroughs control platting.
How Do I Price My Services as a Buyer's Agent in Arizona?
How Arizona buyer's agents set, document and explain compensation after the NAR settlement: percentage or flat fee, agreement terms, and the shortfall conversation.
Qualifying for a Second-Home Mortgage on Retirement Income
What lenders require when a retiree finances a second home: occupancy rules, reserves, debt ratios, and retirement income documentation, with Tucson figures as of July 2026.
What Does a VA Loan Appraisal Actually Check in Arizona?
A VA appraisal in Arizona sets value and confirms the home meets VA Minimum Property Requirements. What gets flagged, who pays for repairs, and the 7-day timeline.
Prescott or Prescott Valley: Which Should You Buy In?
Prescott and Prescott Valley differ in terrain, layout, commute and housing stock. Median sale prices for the three months ending August 2026, and what each means for you.
Desert Ridge vs Tatum Ranch: What Differences Should I Expect?
Desert Ridge and Tatum Ranch compared on layout, lot sizes, amenities, freeway access and home styles, with June 2026 market figures for both North Phoenix areas.
How Do I Verify School Boundaries and Enrollment in Scottsdale?
How to confirm which school serves a Scottsdale address, why listing-site maps are approximate, and how open enrollment and boundary changes actually work.
Buying a Horse Property in Arizona: A First-Time Buyer's Guide
What first-time buyers should ask before buying an Arizona horse property: zoning, well rules, fencing and arena checks, upkeep, and Cave Creek market figures.
How Do I Verify What's Included in an Arizona New Build?
What Arizona new construction buyers should confirm about base price, upgrades, completion, warranty, landscaping, HOA disclosure and the Certificate of Occupancy.