Blog
N. Mark Kramoltz, JD, GRI, CIPS writes blog articles on the metro Phoenix, Arizona, national and global real estate markets. Written from his perspective as a designated broker and real estate attorney, his articles avoid the inaccuracies and vacuous industry propaganda common to most real estate writings. He also blogs about animals (mostly dogs in the military) due to his love of pets and military history.
Understanding Flood Insurance Coverage, Part 1.
Other than our once in a lifetime rain in October, flooding is a rare occurrence in Arizona. But because of the adverse effect of flood zones on property, I have written about floodplain requirements frequently: Some of the latest include New Floodplain Requirements,...
Haunted Home Stories for Halloween.
As I do annually, here is your haunted home story for 2026: the Rosson House. The Rosson House was built in Phoenix in 1895 for Dr. Rosson and his wife Flora. It currently operates as a history museum restored to its original condition and filled with 19th-century...
Can You Have a Horse? Part 4.
As to municipal regulations in the Phoenix metro area, living in the county is generally the best option for horse owners. In Maricopa County, occupant-owned horses can be kept on any single family lot. On smaller lots (R1-35 or smaller), horses must be kept in...
Reasons for and Solutions to Loan Rejection, Part 3.
Employment Issues. In my previous posts, I wrote that to get a loan, you need a down payment, and you need verifiable income and cash reserves in addition to your down payment. The verified income part typically means having a job. But a loan application can be turned...
The Cats that Saved Leningrad during WW2, Part 2.
The German blockade of Leningrad caused mass starvation in WW2. But a mother and daughter survived thanks to their cat Vaska. Every day, Vaska would go hunting and bring home a mouse, a bird or rat. The mother would make stew or goulash with the meat for her, her...
Do you Need to Disclose if you Pay Cash?
Beginning March 1, 2026, new federal reporting requirements aimed at combat money laundering in cash transactions were scheduled to take effect. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) reporting would be generally required for cash transfers of residential...
What Overseas Visitors are Coming to Arizona?
As set forth in Global Home Buying Recovering, global buyers are gradually returning to the U.S. Pre-Covid it was estimated that nearly 6 million international visitors annually came to Arizona. The 2025 numbers are estimated to be 5 million. So compared to past...
Scottsdale Ranks No. 1 for Jobs.
WalletHub analyzed 182 U.S. cities using 31 factors to determine the strength of local job markets - from job openings per applicant and employment growth, to the average starting salary each month. Scottsdale finished number one for jobs in 2025, in large part...
Can You Have a Horse? Part 3.
As to other Valley of the Sun cities, in Carefree you need 5 acres and you are allowed one horse per acre. In adjacent Cave Creek you only need two contiguous acres, and you can have five large animals per acre up to five acres. That works out to be 25 large animals...