I’m a fan of unusual homes. From tiny homes to recycled homes, I’m fascinated by unconventional ways one can build houses that save on construction costs and future utility bills.
Our own house plans are for plastered walls with straw bale infill, and we’re close to breaking ground. But when I picked up the latest issue of granola crunchy Mother Earth News, for a minute I considered scrapping our plans. To live in a grain bin.
You really have to click that last link and check out the photos to see how architects and builders are taking the big round structures pictured above and turning them into stunning homes. I had never heard of such a thing as a grain bin house, but I was intrigued.
Low Cost, Low Impact
You might be wondering, as any rational person would, what would possibly drive someone to turn a grain silo into a house. Turns out there are quite a few reasons grain bin inhabitants chose the structure. Consider the following features:
Eco-friendly. Many builders buy used bins, and they can be recycled. Mother Earth News suggests finding used bins by placing an ad in farm magazines or on your local farm co-op bulletin board, through a local bin dealer or erector, or surprisingly, even on Craigslist and eBay.
Low maintenance. Not fond of painting your house? That’s no longer a task on the to-do list with a grain bin house. The shiny metal will dull to gray, but you’ll never have to pick up a paintbrush.
Cost effective. Bins cost $30 per square foot or less (not including slab or assembly costs). You can get smaller bins for an office or workshop for a few hundred dollars, or sometimes for free.
Visual appeal. Mother Earth News interviewed Mark Clipsham, an architect from Iowa, who says, “…curved forms are used in either the most expensive and prestigious buildings or the most utilitarian and primitive ones. These forms have evolved out of use because of changes in available materials, labor costs and prevailing building methods. But why not use something utilitarian and affordable — a grain bin — to build what is otherwise in the realm of the expensive and exclusive?”
Bells and Whistles
Earl Stein’s 1,800-square foot grain bin home in Woodland, Utah, uses high-tech systems and solar heat gain to use less energy. The house, called Monte-Silo, was designed by Gigaplex Architects out of two linked corrugated metal grain silos, arranged to enjoy a view of the Provo River. The home features the following:
Rubber-covered concrete floors heated by sunlight that pours through the windows
Radiant heat in the floors (Stein says even with the indulgence, his heating bills are far below the average for houses of the same size in Utah.)
Heat retained with computer-controlled drapes
Propane-burning stove
Metal grating and guard rail of the second level deck provide shade in the great room during the summer
Another beautiful example of a high-end grain silo home is M. J. Gladstone’s 450-square-foot, octagonal living room and bedroom combo with and attached angular shed that holds the kitchen, dining area, home office, bathroom, and a closet. Both Gladstone’s and Stein’s homes cost about $200 per square foot.
A Simple, Owner-Built Home
On the other end of the spectrum is an owner-built grain bin home constructed with mostly locally sourced materials. A 3,000-bushel grain bin was converted into two one-room apartments with plenty of cost-saving features, such as the following:
Used grain bin with walls, a roof, and a concrete floor
Straw bale insulation
Double-paned glass windows and doors placed to maximize solar heat gain
Doors, windows, and straw bales purchased locally
Reclaimed wood from a nearby barn
24-watt solar electric system
The owners chose a grain silo home because it could be inhabitable in about three months (before winter). In fact, the speed of assembly makes these structures ideal for emergency situations in areas hit by natural disaster. Final cost wasn’t listed for this home, but it’s fair to say it’s at the low end of costs for a grain bin home.
Grain bins aren’t just being converted into homes, either. People have made offices, workshops, playhouses, storage buildings, and guest apartments out of them. Considering expense, strength, and maintenance, they’re an ideal building material. Unusual? Most definitely. But when you start to think outside the box, they make a lot of sense, too.
What do you think about unconventional homes like these? Would you ever live in one? What about building a workshop or office out of a grain bin?
By Soko Directory Team / Published July 6, 2023 | 8:32 am
KEY POINTS
NCBA mortgages offer home loans in Kenya of up to 105 percent of the value of the property for persons seeking to acquire, construct, and finance property in major urban and rural areas within major towns.
Ah, the importance of having a home, that sacred haven where mismatched socks find solace and the fridge acts as a portal to culinary delights. It’s the place where you can unabashedly belt out your favorite tunes in the shower, all while envisioning yourself as the next superstar.
It’s where the cozy warmth of a well-loved couch embraces you like a comforting hug, and the walls listen to your secrets without judgment. Your home is the fortress where you battle the chaos of the outside world, armed with blankets and remote controls, and emerge victorious as the reigning champion of relaxation.
Related Content: Dear Entrepreneur, Here Are Reasons Why NCBA Is The Bank To Go To For Your Financial Needs
The journey to owning a home is not that easy. It is expensive, resources-demanding, and sometimes tiring. The amount of resources in terms of cash needed often makes millions of people opt for renting rather than having a home of their name.
The truth is, however much you pay in terms of rent, whether you live in the slums or in one of the posh estates in the country, and if you have no home in your name, if you are still paying rent, then you are homeless. But there are better, easy, and more convenient ways to own a home, and this is what I am about to tell you about; NCBA Home Loans:
Related Content: Is Loop By NCBA Bank Kenya Worth The Hype?
The Home Loans
NCBA mortgages offer home loans in Kenya of up to 105 percent of the value of the property for persons seeking to acquire, construct, and finance property in major urban and rural areas within major towns.
These properties may be for owner-occupation or investment purposes. The bank offers some of the most competitive Mortgage rates in Kenya to both local and diaspora customers.
The Steps
Step 1: Loan application. The customer interested in securing a Home Loan will be required to fill out forms and submit all the necessary requirements.
Step 2: The forms will be assessed by the bank for approval.
Step 3: The NCBA Offer Letter. Here, the customer will be required to fulfill all the requirements in the offer letter.
Step 4: The valuation of the property will be done by a valuer from NCBA.
Step 5: Security perfection/conveyance. Here, the transfer of title and or Legal Charge on the title – Done by an NCBA-approved lawyer will be done.
Step 6: The funds are released to the customer’s bank account.
Related Content: NCBA Bank Kenya’s Citizenship Program: Branching Out For A Greener Future
What are the key features that make them tick?
Mortgage loan facilities of the loan amount in local currency, 1.5 percent of the loan amount in foreign currency.
NCBA mortgage loans are offered in Kenya Shillings, Dollars, Pounds, and Euros.
Up to 105 percent Financing of property value or market price whichever is lower.
Maximum term of up to 25 years.
Home loan Interest is calculated on a reducing balance basis.
Click HERE for more information on the NCBA Home Loans and HOW to Apply.
Related Content: Valine Akoth Crowned Overall Winner Of The NCBA Sponsored Mug Golf Tournament At Thika Barracks Golf Club
About Soko Directory Team
Soko Directory is a Financial and Markets digital portal that tracks brands, listed firms on the NSE, SMEs and trend setters in the markets eco-system.Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/SokoDirectory
and on Twitter: twitter.com/SokoDirectory
The apartment hunt struggle is real these days, especially with ever-competitive rental markets. You have to know precisely what you’re looking for in an apartment, whether it be specifics like a walk-in closet or just the general location you want to live. You need to always think about things like the security deposit, the lease and the landlord.
It’s also a good tip when looking at the apartment you might rent to check everything from the bathroom to the bedroom. Make sure all the outlets and smoke detectors work and that the space is precisely what you want. Don’t forget to get good referrals because landlords often ask for them when you’re renting.
These are all important things to consider once you’re touring a new apartment but before you even get to the tour, there’s one thing you should also consider and that is what you should wear while apartment viewing.
Does it matter what you wear to an apartment tour?
While there are more important aspects to finding and securing a new apartment — such as your credit score, the security deposit and the application process — the truth is clothing does matter. Think of apartment viewing as a job interview and follow the same etiquette. Don’t arrive late — real estate agents and leasing managers are busy people who have many separate showings in a day, so don’t waste anyone’s time and dress for the future apartment you want.
What to wear to an apartment tour with a leasing agent
You might wonder if clothes really matter. Well, as they say, you should dress to impress. Most likely there are other people viewing the same apartment that you are with their leasing agent and you want to stick out. It also doesn’t hurt to impress the landlord of the apartment you want to rent in this competitive rental market
Remember, those first impressions are important and while it’s good to know what’s on the inside is what counts, it can’t hurt to make the outside match the inside. While clothes may vary depending on the situation, here are some tips on what to wear while apartment viewing.
1. Dress according to the weather
Since you can view an apartment in all types of weather, you should dress accordingly. It’s pretty basic knowledge — if it’s cold, wear a coat and good shoes. If it’s hot, wear something that you won’t sweat through. Consider these clothing tips for each season.
Winter: If you’re going on an apartment tour in the winter then you should obviously dress for the weather to stay nice and cozy. Consider wearing one of your nicer coats and boots to the tour. Wearing weather-appropriate shoes will make it so you don’t have wet feet or drip water throughout the place you’re touring with real estate agents.
Fall: Think about wearing something casual like a nice pair of jeans and a crisp shirt. Avoid clothing with tears, wrinkles and holes in it. Wear something that you’ll be comfortable but confident in.
Spring: Think about wearing a nice spring dress or skirt or khakis. Business casual attire is always a good go-to when house hunting.
Summer: During hot weather, it’s totally understandable to want to wear less clothing. However, when touring an apartment with your leasing agents, it’s best to avoid tight or short items. You want to wear something that you won’t sweat through but that still looks nice and presentable.
2. Wear business casual attire on an apartment tour to impress the property manager
You still might wonder exactly what you should wear when looking at apartments. Well, generally speaking, you can always rely on business casual attire. You really can’t go wrong with a nice pair of pants and a button-up shirt. You can dress up your street clothes by adding a few accessories here and there. Just be sure to take an iron to your clothes so they’re freshly pressed and this will make them look more professional.
3. Step it up a notch for your apartment viewing
You might have to choose different clothing depending on the apartment complex you’re touring. If you’re looking at a particular apartment that’s a bit more upscale, then business casual might not cut it and it might require formal attire. Check out the apartment community and see what the people are like and dress accordingly. Talk to the property managers and ask about what you can generally expect from the apartment complex.
If this is the case, then you can always go with a nicer pair of dress pants or dress or even consider a button-up and tie. When in doubt it’s always better to over-dress than to dress too casually.
4. Wear comfortable shoes
It’s easy for renters to forget the hard parts that go into apartment hunting, such as the amount of walking that goes into touring apartments and walking around the complexes. Touring apartment after apartment gets tiring easily and is hard on your feet. It’s a good idea to wear shoes that you can walk around in for the day and not get nasty blisters.
If you don’t want to walk around in heels for the day, then opt for some clean sneakers. There’s nothing worse than being uncomfortable, and you don’t want anything to distract you from the apartment you might rent.
5. Wear something that makes you feel confident and be yourself
While there are many tips that you can follow, there’s always room for exceptions. The bottom line is that you should always dress in something that makes you feel the most confident. Whether that’s jeans and a T-shirt or a suit, just be yourself. Nothing looks better on a person than confidence. Before you leave your bathroom or bedroom, take one last look at yourself and remind yourself that you’ve got this and that property is yours. If you have confidence, then you’ll have no problem finding the apartment of your dreams.
Sign the lease while looking your best
A landlord will consider things like your credit score and ability to pay rent on time over what you wear to an apartment tour, but it doesn’t hurt to dress up and look nice when touring apartments you’re considering renting. First impressions matter, whether we like it or not. So, put your best foot and fanciest shoe forward and you’re well on your way to signing a lease.
Ashley Singleton is a writer who loves following and writing about current lifestyle, DIY and home improvement trends. You can read some of her other work on the Lady Spike Media website. In her spare time, she performs stand-up comedy in Los Angeles.
There’s nothing worse than finding your dream apartment only to discover that you don’t quite meet the income requirements to qualify. Maybe you have poor credit or maybe you don’t make enough money each month to cover the rent. Whatever the reason, you know that you’re not quite what the landlord is looking for in a tenant. If you still have your heart set on that unit, you can bring in a co-applicant.
But there are benefits and drawbacks to co-applicants that you should know and consider before going down that road.
What is a co-applicant?
A co-applicant is an additional person you add to the rental application and resulting lease agreement for an apartment. If you have poor credit or your finances are in shambles due to recent bankruptcies, they boost your application with their improved assets like income or a great credit score.
Along with you, they jointly sign and bear the financial responsibility for paying rent for the apartment for the entire lease term. You both sign the lease agreements and are equally responsible for the apartment’s costs, but there is typically a primary applicant and then a secondary co-applicant. Think of it as a co-borrower when taking out a loan. You’re both taking out a stake to live in this apartment complex, and you’ll both be on the hook for costs. They also have the same rights to live in the apartment as you.
Both you and the co-applicant will need approval from the landlord. You’ll both need to submit apartment applications with all your personal information, rental history and employment history. The landlord will also need to run a background check and credit check to retrieve information on both you and the co-applicant to make sure you both qualify.
What is the difference between a co-applicant, a co-signer and a guarantor?
Terms like co-applicant, co-signer or guarantor are sometimes used interchangeably during the process of applying for a rental property. But in fact, there are key differences that separate all three. It’s also important to know and understand the differences between the three types in case you still need a third party to sign your lease but don’t necessarily want to live with that person.
Co-signer
A co-signer is a third-party person who signs a lease agreement along with the applicant, but they generally won’t live on the property. Similar to a co-applicant, they do have the right to live in the apartment or have access to it. People usually ask family members or friends to act as their co-signer and help vouch for them as tenants.
A co-signer is an insurance policy of sorts. By co-signing the lease, they’re guaranteeing that they’ll cover the rent in the event that the tenant fails in their responsibilities or falls behind on regular payments. For younger applicants just starting out who don’t have a good credit score or a well-paying job, many landlords prefer the stability of having someone co-sign.
Guarantor
A guarantor is a person who also signs the lease as a third party, but they aren’t entitled to live on or have access to the unit. Their relationship to the agreement is strictly financial, guaranteeing that either you or they will pay rent each month.
What are the pros of getting an apartment with co-applicants?
There are all sorts of benefits to renting an apartment with a co-applicant, from companionship to having someone to help with monthly rent payments.
Improves the odds of having your application accepted
Do you know that saying that two heads are better than one? Well, if you have bad credit or your monthly income is too low, two applicants are far better than one.
When you apply to an apartment with a co-applicant, their credit history, income and other assets are jointly considered along with yours. If you’re adding someone with more financial stability and overall better financial standing than you, it can greatly improve your odds of being accepted for the apartment.
Having someone to help pay rent
If you’re going to live with your co-applicants, odds are you’re both going to pay rent. With rental rates climbing ever higher, having someone to split the cost of the rent payment is a big money-saver.
Having an emergency fallback
Life happens and sometimes you come up short on rent on the first of the month. Knowing you have someone else you can turn to for help not only reduces stress but ensures you stay on good terms with the landlord and don’t have late payments added to your record.
Potentially lowers costs
Bringing on a co-applicant with excellent credit history can also help you save money. A good credit history shows that the co-applicant is financially responsible and more likely trustworthy. This can incentivize the landlord to reduce some fees like the security deposit.
Getting to live with someone else
Whether friend, partner or family member, living with someone you know and get along with has far more than financial benefits. It gives you the chance to create wonderful memories during a certain chapter in your life.
What are the cons of leasing an apartment with a co-applicant?
At the same time, you want to use care on who you sign a binding legal contract. People can reveal a whole different side of themselves when they move in. That’s true even individuals you’ve known for years like friends or partners.
That’s why it’s important to consider the ramifications of adding a co-applicant to the application process. It’s also why you shouldn’t simply sign a lease with someone you don’t know that well.
They have the same legal rights to the apartment
Co-applicants have the same rights to the apartment as you since both yours and their names are on the lease as co-signers.
If they don’t make sure that their share of the rent gets paid, you could be on the line for repayment.
Late or missed payments could damage the credit of both applicants
If you’re the primary applicant for the property and your co-applicant doesn’t pay their share of the rent, it could hurt your credit. Their credit will also be impacted.
Your relationship with the co-applicant could be impacted
If things go south between you and the co-applicant, it’s more than your finances that could be impacted. It could damage your relationship. That’s why one of the key takeaways in this debate is that you need to fully understand the ramifications of signing a legally binding document to live with someone.
Carefully consider who you want as your co-applicant
It’s all well and good to need someone to act as a fail-safe to help you get started as a renter. A co-applicant can bolster you. But, they can also become a hindrance if they’re not reliable since they have the same rights to the apartment.
Zoe Baillargeon is an award-winning writer and journalist based in Portland, Oregon, where she covers a variety of beats including travel, food and drink, lifestyle and culture for outlets like Apartment Guide, Rent., AFAR.com, Fodor’s, The Manual, Matador Network and more. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, reading and spoiling her cat.
Are you dreaming of owning a piece of the American Southwest? Arizona, with its vibrant desert landscapes, sunny weather, and diverse cultural attractions, offers an irresistible allure for those seeking a new place to call home. However, before embarking on this exciting journey, it’s essential to understand the homebuying process specific to the Grand Canyon State. From navigating local regulations and financial considerations to finding your perfect abode in a downtown Phoenix condo or a serene house in Gilbert, this Redfin article will serve as your comprehensive guide to buying a house in Arizona.
So, fasten your seatbelts as we explore the steps, intricacies, and tips to make your Arizona homebuying experience smooth and successful.
What’s it like to live in Arizona?
With its year-round sunshine and warm climate, Arizonans enjoy an outdoor-centric lifestyle by hiking, golfing, and exploring the vast desert landscapes. The state is also home to several renowned national parks and monuments, including the breathtaking Grand Canyon and the stunning red rocks of Sedona, providing endless opportunities for adventure and exploration. Arizona is also known for its intense summer heat, and protecting yourself and your property when living there is essential. Check out this article to learn more about the pros and cons of living in Arizona.
Arizona housing market insights
The Arizona housing market is experiencing some notable trends and shifts. The median sale price currently stands at $436,100, showing a 6.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Several cities in Arizona have emerged as competitive real estate markets, including Pinetop, Flagstaff, and Cottonwood. Popular cities in the Phoenix area, such as Scottsdale, Chandler, and Gilbert, are also witnessing significant growth and attracting prospective homebuyers. However, the housing supply in Arizona has decreased by 4.7% year-over-year, indicating a tightening market. These data points suggest a dynamic and evolving housing market in Arizona, with fluctuating prices, competitive cities, and limited supply, all of which have implications for buyers.
Finding your perfect location in Arizona
For several reasons, selecting the perfect location for buying a house in Arizona is vital. First and foremost, Arizona offers diverse landscapes and communities, each with its unique charm and amenities. By carefully considering your desired location, you can align your lifestyle preferences with the area’s offerings. Additionally, the location of your home greatly impacts factors such as commuting time, access to essential services, quality of schools, proximity to recreational opportunities, and potential appreciation of property value over time.
If you’re unsure where to start, using tools like a cost of living calculator can help you determine what cities are within your budget. We’ve put together a glimpse of the five popular cities, so you can get an idea.
#1: Tucson, AZ
Median home price: $330,000 Tucson, AZ homes for sale
Moving to Tucson offers a unique and vibrant experience that blends desert beauty, cultural richness, and a relaxed atmosphere. Outdoor enthusiasts can delve into the picturesque trails of Saguaro National Park, embark on invigorating hikes or bike rides in the nearby Catalina Mountains, or indulge in a round of golf on world-class courses. Embracing its rich cultural heritage, Tucson boasts a thriving arts scene featuring captivating museums, art galleries, and the renowned Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. While the cost of living in Tucson exceeds the national average by 4%, there are affordable Tucson suburbs, ensuring a balance between cost-effectiveness and access to the city’s attractions.
#2: Mesa, AZ
Median home price: $440,000 Mesa, AZ homes for sale
As the third-largest city in Arizona, Mesa is known for its suburban neighborhoods, well-maintained parks, and outdoor activities. Moving to Mesa, you’ll enjoy over 300 days of sunshine each year, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Explore the nearby Superstition Mountains, go hiking or biking in Usery Mountain Regional Park, or enjoy water sports at the nearby Saguaro Lake. Mesa also offers a rich cultural scene, with attractions such as the Mesa Arts Center, which hosts a variety of performances, exhibits, and festivals throughout the year.
#3: Phoenix, AZ
Median home price: $439,950 Phoenix, AZ homes for sale
Known as the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix is a bustling metropolis with a thriving economy, vibrant culture, and many amenities. With a move to Phoenix, residents can enjoy an abundance of sunshine throughout the year, allowing for a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, golfing, and exploring the scenic desert landscapes. Phoenix is home to major sports teams, including the Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Diamondbacks, offering exciting opportunities for sports enthusiasts. Additionally, if you’re looking for affordable Phoenix suburbs, several options provide a more budget-friendly housing market while offering access to the city’s amenities.
#4: Flagstaff, AZ
Median home price: $645,000 Flagstaff, AZ homes for sale
Flagstaff enjoys all four seasons, attracting residents who revel in the mesmerizing hues of autumn, the snowy winters that offer thrilling skiing and snowboarding opportunities at Arizona Snowbowl, and the mild summers perfect for hiking and camping. If you’re a lover of stars, moving to Flagstaff will grant you the chance to experience the Lowell Observatory, where residents can delve into the wonders of the night sky. It’s worth noting that the cost of living in Flagstaff is 14% higher than the National Average. Still, the city’s unique offerings and natural beauty make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking an exceptional living experience.
#5: Scottsdale, AZ
Median home price: $830,000 Scottsdale, AZ homes for sale
Scottsdale is renowned for its world-class resorts, spas, and golf courses, attracting visitors and residents seeking relaxation and indulgence. Scottsdale’s Old Town showcases a charming blend of historic charm and modern sophistication with its trendy boutiques, art galleries, and renowned dining establishments. Moving to Scottsdale can be expensive, with the cost of living exceeding the national average by 13%. If you want to stay on a budget, there are affordable suburbs outside downtown.
The homebuying process in Arizona
If the allure of Arizona has swept you away, and you have your heart set on a specific city or neighborhood, it’s time to dive into the homebuying process.
1. Prioritize your finances
Getting your finances in order is crucial when buying a house in Arizona. You can position yourself for a smooth and successful homebuying journey with careful financial planning and preparation. Start by assessing your credit score and addressing any issues to ensure you qualify for favorable loan terms. Next, determine your budget and calculate how much you can comfortably afford, considering factors like down payment, closing costs, and monthly mortgage payments. Using tools like an affordability calculator can help you determine your budget.
Various programs are available for first-time homebuyers in Arizona, including the Pathway to Purchase, which can assist with up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.
2. Get pre-approved from a lender
Securing a pre-approval when buying a home in Arizona can provide numerous advantages. By obtaining pre-approval from a reputable lender, you clearly understand your financial standing and borrowing capacity. This knowledge empowers you to set a realistic budget, ensuring you focus on homes within your price range. Pre-approval also enhances your credibility as a buyer, demonstrating to sellers that you are serious and financially qualified.
3. Connect with a local agent in Arizona
Working with a local agent during the homebuying process in Arizona is of utmost importance. Local agents possess invaluable knowledge and expertise specific to the Arizona real estate market, which can significantly benefit buyers. They are well-versed in the intricacies of different neighborhoods, market trends, and pricing dynamics across the state. So whether you need a real estate agent in Tucson or an agent in Phoenix, they’re here to help.
4. Start touring homes
When touring homes in Arizona, keep a discerning eye and consider key factors that can influence your decision. First, pay attention to the home’s location and neighborhood. Consider proximity to schools, amenities, and commute times to ensure it aligns with your lifestyle. Assess the property’s condition, checking for any signs of wear, structural issues, or potential maintenance needs. Look for natural lighting, functional layouts, and ample storage space that meet your requirements.
5. Make the offer
The offer is a critical aspect of the homebuying process in Arizona, carrying significant weight in determining whether your dream home becomes a reality. Crafting a strong offer is essential to stand out in a competitive market. Consider the listing price, property condition, and local market trends to determine a fair and competitive offer. Your offer should include the purchase price, contingencies, and desired timelines for inspections, financing, and closing.
6. Close on the house
The closing process is a pivotal moment in the homebuying process in Arizona, where all the necessary paperwork is finalized, and ownership of the property is transferred. It’s a critical step that requires careful attention to detail and a thorough review of the closing documents. During the closing, you will sign various legal documents, including the mortgage, deed, and other necessary paperwork. It’s essential to carefully review and understand these documents before signing to ensure you know the terms and obligations.
If you’re new to the process and still have questions, Redfin is here to help. The First-Time Homebuyer Guide goes into more detail about each step in the homebuying process.
Factors to consider when buying a house in Arizona
Due to Arizona’s geographical location, there are distinct factors to consider when buying a home.
Climate and weather
When buying a house in Arizona, it is crucial to consider the climate and weather, as well as the impact climate change is having in the state. Arizona offers a diverse range of climates, with hot summers exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) in desert areas like Phoenix and Tucson. These cities are also known for their mild and pleasant winters, attracting snowbirds and retired individuals seeking warmer temperatures. On the other hand, the northern parts of the state, including Flagstaff and Sedona, provide a cooler and more moderate climate, with snowy winters and comfortable summers. Homebuyers must take into account their preferences and tolerance for extreme heat or cold when selecting a location within Arizona.
Additionally, the state’s unique desert climate presents both advantages and challenges. Efficient cooling systems and proper insulation are necessary to combat the intense summer heat, while the dry weather increases the risk of drought and wildfires, prompting homeowners to consider shade availability, outdoor living spaces, and landscaping options to mitigate the sun’s impact.
Dual agency
Arizona allows for dual agency in real estate transactions, which refers to a real estate agent representing both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction. In dual agency, the agent acts as a neutral intermediary, facilitating the transaction and ensuring a fair process for both parties. However, it’s important to note that dual agency requires all parties’ informed consent.
Buying a house in Arizona: Bottom line
Navigating the homebuying process in Arizona requires careful consideration and strategic decision-making. From understanding the importance of location to getting finances in order, securing pre-approval, and working with local agents, each step plays a vital role in achieving a successful and satisfying home purchase. By being well-informed, proactive, and adaptable, homebuyers can confidently navigate the Arizona real estate landscape and find their perfect place to call home in this beautiful southwestern state.
Buying a house in Arizona FAQ
What are the requirements for buying a home in Arizona?
To start it off, a down payment is necessary, although the specific amount can vary depending on factors such as the loan type and lender requirements. A good credit score is also crucial, with a minimum score of around 620 often preferred for conventional loans. Income and employment verification is required to demonstrate the ability to repay the mortgage. Lenders assess the debt-to-income ratio to ensure borrowers can manage their monthly payments. It is advisable to conduct a property appraisal and home inspection to determine the value and condition of the property.
What is a typical down payment on a house in Arizona?
A typical down payment on a house in Arizona can vary depending on various factors. Generally, it ranges from 3% to 20% of the purchase price. The percentage often depends on the loan type, lender requirements, and the borrower’s financial situation. For conventional loans, a down payment of around 20% is ideal for avoiding private mortgage insurance (PMI). However, options are available for lower down payment percentages, such as 3% or 5%, particularly for first-time homebuyers or through government-backed loan programs like FHA loans.
What credit score do I need to buy a house in Arizona?
When buying a house in Arizona, the credit score requirement can vary depending on the type of loan and the lender’s criteria. Generally, a good credit score is preferred to qualify for favorable mortgage terms. A minimum credit score of around 620 or higher is typically required for conventional loans. However, loan programs, such as FHA loans, offer more flexibility and can accommodate borrowers with lower credit scores, sometimes as low as 580. It’s important to note that a higher credit score generally improves your chances of securing a mortgage with competitive interest rates and favorable terms.
High above the Las Vegas Strip, solar panels blanketed the roof of Mandalay Bay Convention Center — 26,000 of them, rippling across an area larger than 20 football fields.
From this vantage point, the sun-dappled Mandalay Bay and Delano hotels dominated the horizon, emerging like comically large golden scepters from the glittering black panels.Snow-tipped mountains rose to the west.
It was a cold winter morning in the Mojave Desert. But there was plenty of sunlight to supply the solar array.
“This is really an ideal location,” said Michael Gulich, vice president of sustainability at MGM Resorts International.
The same goes for the rest of Las Vegas and its sprawling suburbs.
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Sin City already has more solar panels per person than any major U.S. metropolis outside Hawaii, according to one analysis. And the city is bursting with single-family homes, warehouses and parking lots untouched by solar.
L.A. Times energy reporter Sammy Roth heads to the Las Vegas Valley, where giant solar fields are beginning to carpet the desert. But what is the environmental cost? (Video by Jessica Q. Chen, Maggie Beidelman / Los Angeles Times)
There’s enormous opportunity to lower household utility bills and cut climate pollution — without damaging wildlife habitat or disrupting treasured landscapes.
But that hasn’t stopped corporations from making plans to carpet the desert surrounding Las Vegas with dozens of giant solar fields — some of them designed to supply power to California. The Biden administration has fueled that growth, taking steps to encourage solar and wind energy development across vast stretches of public lands in Nevada and other Western states.
Those energy generators could imperil rare plants and slow-footed tortoises already threatened by rising temperatures.
They could also lessen the death and suffering from the worsening heat waves, fires, droughts and storms of the climate crisis.
Researchers have found there’s not nearly enough space on rooftops to supply all U.S. electricity — especially as more people drive electric cars. Even an analysis funded by rooftop solar advocates and installers found that the most cost-effective route to phasing out fossil fuels involves six times more power from big solar and wind farms than from smaller local solar systems.
But the exact balance has yet to be determined. And Nevada is ground zero for figuring it out.
The outcome could be determined, in part, by billionaire investor Warren Buffett.
The so-called Oracle of Omaha owns NV Energy, the monopoly utility that supplies electricity to most Nevadans. NV Energy and its investor-owned utility brethren across the country can earn huge amounts of money paving over public lands with solar and wind farms and building long-distance transmission lines to cities.
But by regulatory design, those companies don’t profit off rooftop solar. And in many cases, they’ve fought to limit rooftop solar — which can reduce the need for large-scale infrastructure and result in lower returns for investors.
Mike Troncoso remembers the exact date of Nevada’s rooftop solar reckoning.
It was Dec. 23, 2015, and he was working for SolarCity. The rooftop installer abruptly ceased operations in the Silver State after NV Energy helped persuade officials to slash a program that pays solar customers for energy they send to the power grid.
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“I was out in the field working, and we got a call: ‘Stop everything you’re doing, don’t finish the project, come to the warehouse,’” Troncoso said. “It was right before Christmas, and they said, ‘Hey, guys, unfortunately we’re getting shut down.’”
After a public outcry, Nevada lawmakers partly reversed the reductions to rooftop solar incentives. Since then, NV Energy and the rooftop solar industry have maintained an uneasy political ceasefire. Installations now exceed pre-2015 levels.
Today, Troncoso is Nevada branch manager for Sunrun, the nation’s largest rooftop solar installer. The company has enough work in the state to support a dozen crews, each named for a different casino. On a chilly winter morning before sunrise, they prepared for the day ahead — laying out steel rails, hooking up microinverters and loading panels onto powder-blue trucks.
But even if Sunrun’s business continues to grow, it won’t eliminate the need for large solar farms in the desert.
Some habitat destruction is unavoidable — at least if we want to break our fossil fuel addiction. The key questions are: How many big solar farms are needed, and where should they be built? Can they be engineered to coexist with animals and plants?
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And if not, should Americans be willing to sacrifice a few endangered species in the name of tackling climate change?
To answer those questions, Los Angeles Times journalists spent a week in southern Nevada, touring solar construction sites, hiking up sand dunes and off-roading through the Mojave. We spoke with NV Energy executives, conservation activists battling Buffett’s company and desert rats who don’t want to see their favorite off-highway vehicle trails cut off by solar farms.
Odds are, no one will get everything they want.
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The tortoise in the coal mine
Biologist Bre Moyle easily spotted the small yellow flag affixed to a scraggly creosote bush — one of many hardy plants sprouting from the caliche soil, surrounded by rows of gleaming steel trusses that would soon hoist solar panels toward the sky.
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Moyle leaned down for a closer look, gently pulling aside branches to reveal a football-sized hole in the ground. It was the entrance to a desert tortoise burrow — one of thousands catalogued by her employer, Primergy Solar, during construction of one of the nation’s largest solar farms on public lands outside Las Vegas.
“I wouldn’t stand on this side of it,” Moyle advised us. “If you walk back there, you could collapse it, potentially.”
I’d seen plenty of solar construction sites in my decade reporting on energy. But none like this.
Instead of tearing out every cactus and other plant and leveling the land flat — the “blade and grade” method — Primergy had left much of the native vegetation in place and installed trusses of different heights to match the ground’s natural contours. The company had temporarily relocated more than 1,600 plants to an on-site nursery, with plans to put them back later.
The Oakland-based developer also went to great lengths to safeguard desert tortoises — an iconic reptile protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, and the biggest environmental roadblock to building solar in the Mojave.
Desert tortoises are sensitive to global warming, residential sprawl and other human encroachment on their habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has estimated tortoise populations fell by more than one-third between 2004 and 2014.
Scientists consider much of the Primergy site high-quality tortoise habitat. It also straddles a connectivity corridor that could help the reptiles seek safer haven as hotter weather and more extreme droughts make their current homes increasingly unlivable.
Before Primergy started building, the company scoured the site and removed 167 tortoises, with plans to let them return and live among the solar panels once the heavy lifting is over. Two-thirds of the project site will be repopulated with tortoises.
Workers removed more tortoises during construction. As of January, the company knew of just two tortoises killed — one that may have been hit by a car, and another that may have been entombed in its burrow by roadwork, then eaten by a kit fox.
Primergy Vice President Thomas Regenhard acknowledged the company can’t build solar here without doing any harm to the ecosystem — or spurring opposition from conservation activists. But as he watched union construction workers lift panels onto trusses, he said Primergy is “making the best of the worst-case situation” for solar opponents.
“What we’re trying to do is make it the least impactful on the environment and natural resources,” he said. “What we’re also doing is we’re sharing that knowledge, so that these projects can be built in a better way moving forward.”
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The company isn’t saving tortoises out of the goodness of its profit-seeking heart.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management conditioned its approval of the solar farm, called Gemini, on a long list of environmental protection measures — and only after some bureau staffers seemingly contemplated rejecting the project entirely.
Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the conservation group Defenders of Wildlife show the bureau’s Las Vegas field office drafted several versions of a “record of decision” that would have denied the permit application for Gemini. The drafts listed several objections, including harm to desert tortoises, loss of space for off-road vehicle drivers and disturbance of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, which runs through the project site.
Separately, Primergy reached a legal settlement with conservationists — who challenged the project’s federal approval in court — in which the company agreed to additional steps to protect tortoises and a plant known as the three-corner milkvetch.
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The company estimates just 2.5% of the project site will be permanently disturbed — far less than the 33% allowed by Primergy’s federal permit. Regenhard is hopeful the lessons learned here will inform future solar development on public lands.
“This is something new. So we’re refining a lot of the processes,” he said. “We’re not perfect. We’re still learning.”
By the time construction wraps this fall, 1.8 million panels will cover nearly 4,000 football fields’ worth of land, just off the 15 Freeway. They’ll be able to produce 690 megawatts of power — as much as 115,000 typical home solar systems. And they’ll be paired with batteries, to store energy and help NV Energy customers keep running their air conditioners after sundown.
Unlike many solar fields, Gemini is close to the population it will serve — just a few dozen miles from the Strip. And the affected landscape is far from visually stunning, with none of the red-rock majesty found at nearby Valley of Fire State Park.
But desert tortoises don’t care if a place looks cool to humans. They care if it’s good tortoise habitat.
Moyle, Primergy’s environmental services manager, pointed to a small black structure at the bottom of a fence along the site’s edge — a shade shelter for tortoises. Workers installed them every 800 feet, so that if any relocated reptiles try to return to the solar farm too early, they don’t die pacing along the fence in the heat.
“They have a really, really good sense of direction,” Moyle said. “They know where their homes are. They want to come back.”
Primergy will study what happens when tortoises do come back. Will they benefit from the shade of the solar panels? Or will they struggle to survive on the industrialized landscape?
And looming over those uncertainties, a more existential query: With global warming beginning to devastate human and animal life around the world, should we really be slowing or stopping solar development to save a single type of reptile?
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Moyle was ready with an answer: Tortoises are a keystone species. If they’re doing well, it’s a good sign of a healthy ecosystem in which other desert creatures — such as burrowing owls, kit foxes and American badgers — are positioned to thrive, too.
And as the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, human survival is inextricably linked with a healthy natural world.
“We take one thing out, we don’t know what sort of disastrous effect it’s going to have on everything else,” Moyle said.
We do, however, know the consequences of relying on fossil fuels: entire towns burning to the ground, Lake Mead three-quarters empty, elderly Americans baking to death in their overheated homes. With worse to come.
The shifting sands of time
A few miles south, another solar project was rising in the desert. This one looked different.
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A fleet of bulldozers, scrapers, excavators and graders was nearly done flattening the land — a beige moonscape devoid of cacti and creosote. The solar panel support trusses were all the same height, forming an eerily rigid silver sea.
When I asked Carl Glass — construction manager for DEPCOM Power, the contractor building this project for Buffett’s NV Energy — why workers couldn’t leave vegetation in place like at Gemini, he offered a simple answer: drainage. Allowing the land to retain its natural contours, he said, would make it difficult to move stormwater off the site during summer monsoons.
Safety was another consideration, said Dani Strain, NV Energy’s senior manager for the project. Blading and grading the land meant workers wouldn’t have to carry solar panels and equipment across ground studded with tripping hazards.
“It’s nicer for the environment not to do it,” Strain said. “But it creates other problems. You can’t have everything.”
This kind of solar project has typified development in the Mojave Desert.
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And it helps explain why the Center for Biological Diversity’s Patrick Donnelly has fought so hard to limit that development.
The morning after touring the solar construction sites, we joined Donnelly for a hike up Big Dune, a giant pile of sand covering five square miles and towering 500 feet above the desert floor, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The sun was just beginning its ascent over the Mojave, bathing the sand in a smooth umber glow beneath pockets of wispy cloud.
On weekends, Donnelly said, the dune can be overrun by thousands of off-road vehicles. But on this day, it was quiet.
Energy companies have proposed more than a dozen solar farms on public lands surrounding Big Dune — some with overlapping footprints. Donnelly doesn’t oppose all of them. But he thinks federal agencies should limit solar to the least ecologically sensitive parts of Nevada, instead of letting companies pitch projects almost anywhere they choose.
“Developers are looking at this as low-hanging fruit,” he said. “The idea is, this is where California can build all of its solar.”
We trekked slowly up the dune, our bodies casting long shadows in the early morning light. When we took a breather and looked back down, a trail of footprints marked our path. Donnelly assured us a windy day would wipe them away.
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“This is why I live here, man,” he said. “It’s the most beautiful place on Earth, in my mind.”
Donnelly broke his back in a rock-climbing accident, so he used a walking stick to scale the dune. He lives not far from here, at the edge of Death Valley National Park, and works as the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity’s Great Basin director.
As we resumed our journey, the wind blowing hard, I asked Donnelly to rank the top human threats to the Mojave. He was quick to answer: The climate crisis was No. 1, followed by housing sprawl, solar development and off-road vehicles.
“There’s no good solar project in the desert. But there’s less bad,” he said. “And we’re at a point now where we have to settle for less bad, because the alternatives are more bad: more coal, more gas, climate apocalypse.”
That hasn’t stopped Donnelly and his colleagues from fighting renewable energy projects they fear would wipe out entire species — even little-known plants and animals with tiny ranges, such as Tiehm’s buckwheat and the Dixie Valley toad.
“I’m not a religious guy,” Donnelly said. “But all God’s creatures great and small.”
After a steep stretch of sand, we stopped along a ridge with sweeping views. To our west were the Funeral Mountains, across the California state line in Death Valley National Park — and far beyond them Mt. Whitney, its snow-covered facade just barely visible. To our east was Highway 95, cutting across the Amargosa Valley en route from Las Vegas to Reno.
It’s along this highway that so many developers want to build.
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“We would be in a sea of solar right now,” Donnelly said.
Having heard plenty of rural residents say they don’t want to look at such a sea, I asked Donnelly if this was a bad spot for solar because it would ruin the glorious views. He told me he never makes that argument, “because honestly, views aren’t really the primary concern at this moment. The primary concern is stopping the biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis.”
“There are certain places where we shouldn’t put solar because it’s a wild and undisturbed landscape,” he said.
As far as he’s concerned, though, the Amargosa Valley isn’t one of those landscapes, what with Highway 95 running through it. The same goes for Dry Lake Valley, where NV Energy’s solar construction site is already surrounded by energy infrastructure.
What Donnelly would like to see is better planning.
He pointed to California, where state and federal officials spent eight years crafting a desert conservation plan that allows solar and wind farms across a few hundred thousand acres while setting aside millions more for protection. He thinks a similar process is crucial in Nevada, where four-fifths of the land area is owned by the federal government — more than any other state.
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If Donnelly had his way, regulators would put the kibosh on solar farms immediately adjacent to Big Dune. He’s worried they could alter the movement of sand across the desert floor, affecting several rare beetles that call the dune home.
But if the feds want to allow solar projects along the highway to the south, near the Area 51 Alien Center?
“Might not be the end the world,” Donnelly said.
He shot me a grin.
“You know, one thing I like to do …”
Without warning, he took off racing down the dune, carried by momentum and love for the desert. He laughed as he reached a natural stopping point, calling for us to join him. His voice sounded free and full of possibility.
Some solar panels on the horizon wouldn’t have changed that.
Shout it from the rooftops
Laura Cunningham and Kevin Emmerich were a match made in Mojave Desert heaven.
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Cunningham was a wildlife biologist, Emmerich a park ranger when they met nearly 30 years ago at Death Valley. She studied tortoises for government agencies and later a private contractor. He worked with bighorn sheep and gave interpretive talks. They got married, bought property along the Amargosa River and started their own conservation group, Basin and Range Watch.
And they’ve been fighting solar development ever since.
That’s how we ended up in the back of their SUV, pulling open a rickety cattle gate off Highway 95 and driving past wild burros on a dirt road through Nevada’s Bullfrog Hills, 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
They had told us Sarcobatus Flat was stunning, but I was still surprised by how stunning. I got my first look as we crested a ridge. The gently sloping valley spilled down toward Death Valley National Park, whose snowy mountain peaks towered over a landscape dotted with thousands of Joshua trees.
“Everything we’re looking at is proposed for solar development,” Cunningham said.
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Most environmentalists agree we need at least some large solar farms. Cunningham and Emmerich are different. They’re at the vanguard of a harder-core desert protection movement that sees all large-scale solar farms on public lands as bad news.
Why had so many companies converged on Sarcobatus Flat?
The main answer is transmission. NV Energy is seeking federal approval to build the 358-mile Greenlink West electric line, which would carry thousands of megawatts of renewable power between Reno and Las Vegas along the Highway 95 corridor.
The dirt road curved around a small hill, and suddenly we found ourselves on the valley floor, surrounded by Joshua trees. Some looked healthy; others had bark that had been chewed by rodents seeking water, a sign of drought stress. Scientists estimate the Joshua tree’s western subspecies could lose 90% of its range as the world gets hotter and droughts get more intense.
But asked whether climate change or solar posed a bigger threat to Sarcobatus Flat, Cunningham didn’t hesitate.
“Oh, solar development hands down,” she said.
Nearly 20 years ago, she said, she helped relocate desert tortoises to make way for a test track in California. One of them tried to return home, walking 20 miles before hitting a fence. It paced back and forth and eventually died of heat exhaustion.
Solar farms, she said, pose a similar threat to tortoises. And at Sarcobatus Flat, they would cover a high-elevation area that could otherwise serve as a climate refuge for Joshua trees, giving them a relatively cool place to reproduce as the planet heats up.
“It makes no sense to me that we’re going to bulldoze them down and throw them into trash piles. It’s just crazy,” she said.
In Cunningham and Emmerich’s view, every sun-baked parking lot in L.A. and Vegas and Phoenix should have a solar canopy, every warehouse and single-family home a solar roof. It’s a common argument among desert defenders: Why sacrifice sensitive ecosystems when there’s an easy alternative for fighting climate change? Especially when rooftop solar can reduce strain on an overtaxed electric grid and — when paired with batteries — help people keep their lights on during blackouts?
The answer isn’t especially satisfying to conservationists.
For all the virtues of rooftop solar, it’s an expensive way to generate clean power — and keeping energy costs low is crucial to ensure that lower-income families can afford electric cars, another key climate solution. A recent report from investment bank Lazard pegged the cost of rooftop solar at 11.7 cents per kilowatt-hour on the low end, compared with 2.4 cents for utility solar.
Even when factoring in pricey long-distance electric lines, utility-scale solar is typically cheaper, several experts told me.
“It’s three to six times more expensive to put solar on your roof than to put it in a large-scale project,” said Jesse Jenkins, an energy systems researcher at Princeton University. “There may be some added value to having solar in the Los Angeles Basin instead of the middle of the Mojave Desert. But is it 300% to 600% more value? Probably not. It’s probably not even close.”
There’s a practical challenge, too.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has estimated U.S. rooftops could generate 1,432 terawatt-hours of electricity per year — just 13% of the power America will need to replace most of its coal, oil and gas, according to research led by Jenkins.
Add in parking lots and other areas within cities, and urban solar systems might conceivably supply one-quarter or even one-third of U.S. power, several experts told The Times — in an unlikely scenario where they’re installed in every suitable spot.
Energy researcher Chris Clack’s consulting firm has found that dramatic growth in rooftop and other small-scale solar installations could reduce the costs of slashing climate pollution by half a trillion dollars. But even Clack said rooftops alone won’t cut it.
“Realistically, 80% is going to end up being utility grid no matter what,” he said.
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All those industrial renewable energy projects will have to go somewhere.
Sarcobatus Flat may not be the answer. Federal officials classified all three solar proposals there as “low priority,” citing their proximity to Death Valley and potential harm to tortoise habitat. One developer withdrew its application last year.
Before leaving the area, Cunningham pointed to a wooden marker, one of at least half a dozen stretching out in a line. I walked over to take a closer look and discovered it was a mining claim for lithium — a main ingredient in electric-car batteries.
If solar development didn’t upend this valley, lithium extraction might.
On the beaten track
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The four-wheeler jerked violently as Erica Muxlow pressed her foot to the gas, sending us flying down a rough dirt road with no end in sight but the distant mountains. Five-point safety straps were the only things stopping us from flying out of our seats, the vehicle leaping through the air as we reached speeds of 40 mph, then 50 mph, the wind whipping our faces.
It was like riding Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds — just without the Yeti.
Ahead of us, Muxlow’s neighbor Jimmy Lewis led the way on an electric blue motorcycle, kicking up a stream of sand. He wanted us to see thousands of acres of public lands outside his adopted hometown of Pahrump, in Nevada’s Nye County, that could soon be blocked by solar projects — cutting off access to off-highway vehicle enthusiasts such as himself.
“You could build an apartment complex or a shopping mall here, and it would be the same thing to me,” he said.
To progressive-minded Angelenos or San Franciscans, preserving large chunks of public land for gas-guzzling, environmentally destructive dirt bikes might sound like a terrible reason not to build solar farms that would lessen the climate crisis.
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But here’s the reality: Rural Westerners such as Lewis will play a key role in determining how much clean energy gets built.
Not long before our Nevada trip, Nye County placed a six-month pause on new renewable energy projects, citing local concerns about loss of off-road vehicle trails. Similar fears have stymied development across the U.S., with rural residents attacking solar and wind farms as industrial intrusions on their way of life — and local governments throwing up roadblocks.
For Lewis, the conflict is deeply personal.
He moved here from Southern California more than a decade ago, trading life by the beach for a five-acre plot where he runs an off-roading school and test-drives motorcycles for manufacturers. His warehouse was packed with dozens of dirt bikes.
“This is my life. Motorcycles, motorcycles, motorcycles,” he said, laughing.
Lewis has worked to stir up opposition to three local solar farm proposals. So far, his efforts have been in vain.
One project is already under construction. Peering through a fence, we saw row after row of trusses, waiting for their photovoltaic panels. It’s called Yellow Pine, and it’s being built by Florida-based NextEra Energy to supply power to California.
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Lewis learned about Yellow Pine when he was riding one of his favorite trails and was surprised to find it cut off. He compared the experience to riding the best roller-coaster at a theme park, only to have it grind to a halt three-quarters of the way through.
“I don’t want my playground taken away from me,” he said.
“Me neither!” a voice called out from behind us.
We turned and were greeted by Shannon Salter, an activist who had previously spent nine months camping near the Yellow Pine site to protest the habitat destruction. She and Lewis had never met, but they quickly realized they had common cause.
“It’s the opposite of green!” Salter said.
“On my roof, not my backyard,” Lewis agreed.
Never mind that conservationists have long decried the ecological damage from desert off-roading. Salter and Lewis both cared about these lands. Neither wanted to see the solar industry lay claim to them. They talked about staying in touch.
It’s easy to imagine similar alliances forming across the West, the clean energy transition bringing together environmentalists and rural residents in a battle to defend their lifestyles, their landscapes and animals that can’t fight for themselves.
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It’s also easy to imagine major cities that badly need lots of solar and wind power — Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix — brushing off those complaints as insignificant compared with the climate emergency, or as fueled by right-wing misinformation.
But many of concerns raised by critics are legitimate. And their voices are only getting louder.
As night fell over the Mojave, Lewis shared his idea that any city buying electricity from a desert solar farm should be required to install a certain amount of rooftop solar back home first — on government buildings, at least. It only seemed fair.
“Some people see the desert as just a wasteland,” Lewis said. “I think it’s beautiful.”
The view from Black Mountain
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So how do we build enough renewable energy to replace fossil fuels without destroying too many ecosystems, or stoking too much political opposition from rural towns, or moving too slowly to save the planet?
Few people could do more to ease those tensions than Buffett.
Our conversation kept returning to the legendary investor as we hiked Black Mountain, just outside Vegas, on our last morning in the Silver State. We were joined by Jaina Moan, director of external affairs for the Nature Conservancy’s Nevada chapter. She had promised a view of massive solar fields from the peak — but only after a 3.5-mile trek with 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
“It’ll be a little StairMaster at the end,” she warned us.
The homes and hotels and casinos of the Las Vegas Valley retreated behind us as we climbed, looking ever smaller and more insignificant against the vast open desert. It was an illusion that will prove increasingly difficult to maintain as Sin City and its suburbs continue their march into the Mojave. Nevada politicians from both parties are pushing for legislation that would let federal officials auction off additional public lands for residential and commercial development.
Vegas and other Western cities could limit the need for more suburbs — and sprawling solar farms — by growing smarter, Moan said. Urban areas could embrace density, to help people drive fewer miles and reduce the demand for new power supplies to fuel electric vehicles. They could invest in electric buses and trains — and use less water, which would save a lot of energy.
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“As our spaces become more crowded, we’re going to have to come up with more creative ideas,” Moan said.
That’s where Buffett could make things easier.
The billionaire’s Berkshire Hathaway company owns electric utilities that serve millions of people, from California to Nevada to Illinois. Those utilities, Moan said, could buck the industry trend of urging policymakers to reduce financial incentives for rooftop solar and instead encourage the technology — along with other small-scale clean energy solutions, such as local microgrids.
That would limit the need for big solar farms — at least somewhat.
Berkshire and other energy giants could also build solar on lands already altered by humans, such as abandoned mines, toxic Superfund sites, reservoirs, landfills, agricultural areas, highway corridors and canals that carry water to farms and cities.
The costs are typically higher than building on undisturbed public lands. And in many cases there are technical challenges yet to be resolved. But those kinds of “creative solutions” could at least lessen the loss of biodiversity, Moan said.
“There’s money to be made there, and there’s good to be done,” she said.
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It’s hard to know what Buffett thinks. A Berkshire spokesperson declined my request to interview him.
Tony Sanchez, NV Energy’s executive vice president for business development and external relations, was more forthcoming.
“The problem for us with rooftop solar,” he said, is that it’s “not controlled at all by us.” As a result, NV Energy can’t decide when and how rooftop solar power is used — and can’t rely on that power to help balance supply and demand on the grid.
Over time, Sanchez predicted, a lot more rooftop solar will get built. But he couldn’t say how much.
Rooftop solar faces a similarly uncertain future in California, where state officials voted last year to slash incentive payments, calling them an unfair subsidy. Industry leaders have warned of a dramatic decline in installations.
As we neared the top of Black Mountain, the solar farms on the other side came into view. They stretched across the Eldorado Valley far below — black rectangles that could help save life on Earth while also destroying bits and pieces of it.
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Moan believes the key to balancing clean energy and conservation is “go slow to go fast.” Government agencies, she said, should work with conservation activists, small-town residents and Native American tribes to study and map out the best places for clean energy, then reward companies that agree to build in those areas with faster approvals. Solar and wind development would slow down in the short term but speed up in the long run, with quicker environmental reviews and less risk of lawsuits.
It’s a tantalizing concept — but I confessed to Moan that I worried it would backfire.
What if the sparring factions couldn’t agree on the best spots to build solar and wind farms, and instead wasted years arguing? Or what if they did manage to hammer out some compromises, only for a handful of unhappy people or groups to take them to court, gumming up the works? Couldn’t “go slow to go fast” end up becoming “go slow to go slow”?
In other words, should we really bet our collective future on human beings working together, rather than fighting?
Moan was sympathetic to my fears. She also didn’t see another way forward.
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“We really need to think holistically about saving everything,” she said.
The sad truth is, not everything can be saved. Not if we want to keep the world livable for people and animals alike.
Some beloved landscapes will be left unrecognizable. Some families will be stuck paying high energy bills to monopoly utilities, even as some utility investors make less money. Some tortoises will probably die, pacing along fences in the heat.
The alternative is worse.
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Buying a home can be challenging these days. Home prices remain high, and interest rates are up significantly compared to a few years ago. In fact, according to Freddie Mac, the average rate on 30-year loans is now creeping toward 7%.
Will rates stay high for the foreseeable future? There’s no way to tell for sure, but there are ways to get around them if they do.
Find out what today’s mortgage rates are here.
What to do if mortgage interest rates stay high
If you’re looking to purchase a house but high mortgage rates are holding you back, here are the strategies that might help.
Buy now, refinance later
One clear option is to buy a house now, at today’s rate, and then refinance your loan when interest rates inevitably drop.
According to Robert Esposito, director of sales at RelatedISG Realty, mortgage refinancing is a particularly good option for those searching for average-priced homes, as their value will only increase in price as time goes on.
“They will encounter the most competition,” Esposito says. “A property worth $500,000 today might be worth $600,000 a year from now, and then you realize you didn’t save any money.”
Check out current mortgage rates here to start exploring your options.
Make a larger down payment
Making a big down payment can help in two ways. First, “it could offer a lower interest rate,” says Sam Sharp, executive vice president of national sales at Guaranteed Rate.
It will also reduce your total loan balance and help you avoid private mortgage insurance, which means lower monthly payments.
“Making a large down payment lowers the total loan amount and interest rate,” Esposito says.” It also makes you eligible for better loan terms or even to avoid private mortgage insurance altogether.”
Consider different loan options
Exploring less-common mortgage products is another option. Adjustable-rate mortgages, for example, offer lower rates than fixed ones for the first few years of the loan. These are good if you only plan to be in the home for a few years — before your rate can increase.
“Having worked with buyers in every stage of life over the years, we find that most people overestimate the amount of time they will live in a property and thus end up with a rate higher than necessary,” says Lindsay Barton Barrett, a licensed associate real estate broker at Douglas Elliman. “If you can get an ARM, you can save substantially — even if you stay beyond the adjustment date. What happens is that you pay a higher mortgage rate for one year in five years versus paying a higher rate for all six years.”
Getting a shorter-term loan can help, too. For example, the current average rate on 30-year loans is 6.71%, according to Freddie Mac. With 15-year loans, though, the average drops to just 6.06%. This could save you quite a bit in long-term interest. Just keep in mind that you’ll have a higher payment due to the shortened pay-off timeline.
Begin comparing your loan options online today.
Stay put and improve your current home instead
If you already own a home, tapping into your equity with a home equity loan, home equity line of credit (HELOC) or cash-out refinance may be another strategy. These allow you to borrow from your home equity, which could provide funds for improving or expanding your current home as needed.
According to CoreLogic, the typical homeowner has a whopping $274,000 in home equity, so this could be a viable option for many. Still, it depends on where you live. If you’re in a condo or tight urban area, for example, there may not be space to expand.
Using your home equity also means taking on more debt, often at variable rates. These rates can be volatile, particularly as the Federal Reserve continues to fight inflation.
“Home equity lines at a variable rate track higher interest rate numbers since they are tied to factors like benchmark rates, which are currently very high,” Barrett says.
See today’s home equity rates and find out how much you may be eligible to borrow.
Buy down your rate
Buying down your rate can work as well. In this scenario, you purchase “points” — usually for 1% of the loan amount — which reduces your interest rate by a nominal amount (typically 0.125% to 0.25%).
“In recent years, we’ve found it very common for buyers to buy points, which act as prepayment interest and reduce the overall interest rate on the mortgage,” Esposito says.
Some lenders also offer temporary buydowns, where a seller or lender pays to reduce a buyer’s interest rate for a set period. After that, it goes back to the normal rate.
“This will allow for a credit from the seller that will pay the interest difference on a loan over the course of one to three years, resulting in a temporary rate reduction as high as 3% below the market rate,” Sharp says. “This is a great way to lower the monthly payment for homebuyers.”
Wait for rates to drop
Finally, you can always wait it out. As they say, “what goes up, must come down,” so mortgage rates will inevitably fall at some point. The question is when.
Fannie Mae’s forecast currently projects rates will finish out 2023 at an average 6.3%. The Mortgage Bankers Association predicts a bigger drop to 5.8%.
Still, these aren’t guarantees. And even if rates drop, it could mean more buyers in the market, which could drive up home prices.
“If rates decrease because inflation is deemed under control, then the economy overall will be more stable and lend itself to confidence,” Barrett says. “Between more purchasing power and confidence in the market, home prices would increase — meaning many will have missed the opportunity to buy real estate.”
Ready to see your mortgage options? Start by viewing today’s rates here.
Every situation is different
There’s no clear-cut strategy for dealing with today’s high mortgage interest rates. The right move for you will depend on your goals, your budget and your personal situation, so make sure to talk to a mortgage professional before deciding how to proceed.
And once you do decide to move forward, make sure to shop around for your mortgage. Freddie Mac estimates that getting at least four rate quotes can save you up to around $1,200 every year.
Last week, I announced that Kris and I have refinanced our mortgage at 4.96% for 30 years. In the comments, Ian expressed disappointment that we’d opted for the longer term when we could have afforded to take out a 15 year mortgage at 4.625%. “Starting your 30 years over is no way to get rich slowly,” he wrote.
He has a point.
Kris and I took out the 30-year mortgage because we wanted a safety net. We will continue to pay $2,000 each month toward our mortgage, so we could have afforded the shorter term, but we opted to take a longer mortgage so that we had a cushion if something happened.
But was this a smart move? How much will it cost us to do this? Let’s find out.
Running the Numbers
You all know that I love to play with spreadsheets. I pieced one together to run the numbers on our mortgage. Just for curiosity’s sake, I first looked at what might have happened if we had not refinanced at all and planned to repay the old loan on a normal schedule (you can play with actual mortgage rates get current numbers):
Existing mortgage pre-refinance
Principal remaining: $206,345.33 Interest rate: 6.25% Total payments remaining: 303 (25 years, 3 months) Regular payment amount: $1386.60 Total repaid: $420,139.80 Total interest paid: $213,794.47 Interest/Principal: 103.61%
Now, here are the totals if we were to pay the refinanced, 30-year mortgage without any sort of acceleration. Note that the payment amount does not include taxes and insurance (which adds another $280.21 to our monthly obligation).
30-year without acceleration
Principal borrowed: $212,900 Interest rate: 4.96% Total payments: 360 (30 years) Regular payment amount: $1137.69 Total repaid: $409,568.40 Total interest paid: $196,668.40 Interest/Principal: 92.38%
By refinancing, we’re saving $10,571.40, even if we don’t pay extra, and even if we stretch the loan out to 30 years. Next, I looked at a 15-year mortgage without any sort of acceleration.
15-year without acceleration
Principal borrowed: $212,900 Interest rate: 4.625% Total payments: 180 (15 years) Regular payment amount: $1642.30 Total repaid: $295,614.00 Total interest paid: $82,714.00 Interest/Principal: 38.85%
Clearly, a 15-year mortgage is a better option — if you can afford to make the payments, which in this case would cost an extra $504.61 every month. (And if inflation isn’t running rampant. I have not accounted for inflation in any of these scenarios.)
But Kris and I pay more than the minimum. We pay a flat $2,000. If we subtract $280.21 for taxes and insurance, that means we’ll be paying $1719.79 toward principal and interest each month. How does this affect our costs? Let’s look at the 30-year loan with accelerated payments:
30-year with acceleration
Principal borrowed: $212,900 Interest rate: 4.96% Total payments: 174 (14 years, 6 months) Regular payment amount: $1719.79 ($1327.97 final month) Total repaid: $298,851.64 Total interest paid: $85,951.64 Interest/Principal: 40.37%
This is the plan we intend to follow. For us, there is a huge difference in the total we pay (and how long it takes us to pay it) between an accelerated and a non-accelerated 30-year mortgage. We save over $110,000 and 15 years by making extra payments.
But we will still pay more interest than if we had taken the 15-year mortgage. What about accelerating the 15-year mortgage? Let’s look:
15-year with acceleration
Principal borrowed: $212,900 Interest rate: 4.625% Total payments: 169 (14 years, 1 month) Regular payment amount: $1719.79 ($960.31 final month) Total repaid: $289,885.03 Total interest paid: $76,985.03 Interest/Principal: 36.16%
Financially, this is the best option of all. But it only shaves 11 months and about $6,000 from the standard 15-year option. Ian may be right: it might have made more sense for us to take a 15-year loan.
Doing What Works For Us
Let’s assume that Kris and I are going to be able to make our $2,000 payments every month for the next 15 (or so years). If we had opted for the lower-rate 15-year loan instead of accelerating the 30-year loan, we would have the debt paid off five months earlier. What’s more, we would save $8,966.61 in interest payments, or roughly $640 per year ($53 per month).
Ian’s point — and it’s a good one — is that although Kris and I saved $250 per month by refinancing, we could have saved another $50 per month (with no changes to our current plans!) by choosing a 15-year mortgage instead of a 30-year mortgage.
Did we make the wrong decision? Time will tell. If nothing happens along the way, then this will have been a poor choice. But if we experience some sort of financial setback, our caution just might save our bacon. With the lower payments of the 30-year option, we could live indefinitely on either one of our salaries alone. As with all investments, lower risk brings lower reward — and that’s the choice we made this time.
What choice would you have made and why? I suspect that many GRS readers opt for 30-year mortgages when they could afford the higher payments and the shorter term. I know that we’re certainly not the only ones among our friends who have done this!
Note: I did not save the spreadsheet that I used to run these numbers. If you’re wanting to do similar math, check out the mortgage calculators at Dinktown.
Inside: You are frustrated because amazon order says delivered but not received. This happens for a variety of reasons. Learn how to find missing packages with updated tracking.
We’ve all been there. You order something on Amazon and the estimated delivery date is just a day or two away.
But then, that day comes and goes…and your package still hasn’t arrived.
Worse yet, when you check the tracking information, it says “delivered”! So where is it?
If this has ever happened to you (and chances are good that it has), don’t worry – you’re not alone.
In fact, it’s one of the most common issues that Amazon customers face.
So what can you do if your Amazon order says it was delivered but you can’t find it?
What to do if your Amazon package says it was delivered today but have not received yet?
It can be incredibly frustrating and confusing when you eagerly await the arrival of an Amazon package, only to find that it is marked as “delivered” but is nowhere to be found.
This situation often leads to a mix of emotions, including disappointment, worry, and confusion.
However, there are steps you can take to track your package and resolve the issue.
In this guide, we will provide you with a detailed, step-by-step process on what to do if your Amazon package says it was delivered today but you have not received it yet.
By following these instructions, you can navigate through the frustration and hopefully locate your missing package.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
How do I track my Amazon order that says it has been delivered?
It can be incredibly frustrating and confusing when an Amazon order is marked as delivered but has not actually been received by the customer. This is a common issue that many customers face, and it can lead to a lot of stress and worry.
To ensure that you have the most accurate and up-to-date tracking information, it is recommended to double-check your tracking information.
However, there are steps that you can take to track your Amazon order and determine its whereabouts.
Sign into your Amazon account.
Once you are signed in, click on “My Orders” to access your order history.
From there, you should select the “Track Package” option for the appropriate order.
If your package has been delivered, you can also see delivery information and specifics on where the package was left. For example, it may say “near the front door” or “inside the residence’s mailbox.”
However, it is important to note that this information may not be available for every shipment, as it relies on the delivery person noting such details.
If the tracking information shows that the package has been marked as “delivered,” but you have not received it yet, there are a couple of steps below on how to handle the situation.
How to Use Third-Party Providers to Track Package:
If your Amazon package is delivered through someone outside of Amazon, you should refer to their tracking information.
While the Amazon account dashboard is a great place to check for updates, it is also beneficial to go directly to the source.
If your package was sent via USPS, you should check the USPS tracking tool for more details.
The same applies if your package was sent via FedEx or UPS – you should use their specific tracking tools.
To streamline the process, you can copy and paste your tracking code into a web browser or the Google search bar. This will provide you with the most recent updates for your tracking information.
Remember to be patient and give it 24-48 hours before contacting Amazon for further assistance.
What are the possible reasons for an Amazon package saying it was delivered but not received?
There are a few reasons this could happen.
Most are completely outside of your control and you have to be patient for them to be fixed.
1. Order May Have Marked Delivered Too Early
Occasionally, delivery companies may mistakenly mark a package as delivered when it hasn’t been. This can happen due to miscommunication or system errors. In such cases, contacting the delivery company for clarification and providing them with the necessary details can help resolve the issue.
If the delivery driver marked the package delivered, before it arrived at your doorstep, then you will be searching for something that is not there.
This happened to me with an Amazon order delivered by USPS. I spoke to the USPS driver and they said they were helping each other finish delivery routes and to transfer the package to the new driver, they had to mark it as delivered.
This discrepancy between the tracking data and the actual delivery can lead to confusion and disappointment. It is important to understand why Amazon tracking data might not be accurate in order to address this issue effectively.
2. Package could have been stolen
One of the main reasons for a package being marked as delivered but not received is theft.
According to a report from C+R Research, 67% of Americans have reported having a package stolen.
Unfortunately, package thieves are quick and practiced, making it difficult for the authorities to catch them in the act. This results in customers losing their packages and feeling helpless.
The consequences of package theft are significant for customers. Not only do they face financial loss, but they also experience frustration and inconvenience.
Being proactive and vigilant is crucial in safeguarding packages from theft and ensuring a smooth online shopping experience.
3. Package could have been misdelivered
There are several possible reasons for this, with one of the main possibilities being misdelivery. Misdelivery happens when the package is mistakenly delivered to the wrong address or handed over to someone other than the intended recipient.
This can occur due to various factors such as human error, incorrect address information, or confusion during the delivery process.
For example, if the intended recipient’s address is 123 Main Street, but the package is delivered to 132 Main Street by mistake, the recipient will not receive the package.
In such cases, it is important to approach neighbors and inquire if they have received the package on your behalf. Good neighbors will realize the mistake and hand over the package to you.
Learn exactly what to do when Amazon delivered to wrong address.
4. Personal Delivery Instructions not Followed
Another cause of misdelivery can be attributed to the recipient’s own delivery preferences.
Sometimes, recipients may have specified in their delivery preferences for Amazon to leave the package at a front door, back door, side porch, or garage. However, your packages may not be left at the specified location.
This is true when an option other than the front door is selected.
5. There could have been a mix-up with the address
If you live in an apartment complex, this happens more often than you’d think.
Amazon packages sometimes show as “delivered” in the tracking information, but customers may not actually receive them. One of the potential reasons for this discrepancy is a mix-up with the address. There are several common scenarios that can lead to this issue.
This can happen if the customer did not provide the complete address information during the ordering process. Similarly, if the address was missing the street direction, such as N. Main Street vs. S. Main Street, it can result in the package being delivered to the wrong location.
What should I do if I haven’t received my Amazon order?
It is not uncommon for customers to encounter the frustrating situation where their Amazon order is marked as delivered, but they have not actually received the package.
This can be a cause for concern, but there are steps you can take to track your package and resolve the issue.
By following the guidelines provided by Amazon, you can increase your chances of locating your missing package and finding a solution.
1. Investigate Your Surroundings:
Take a closer look around your home and consider places where the package may have been delivered that are not immediately noticeable.
It is possible that the package may have been left at your garage door instead of your front door or maybe in your driveway. Once, we saw our package sitting on the base of the basketball hoop.
Additionally, check your mailbox as Amazon sometimes passes on parcels to the USPS.
2. Check with Your Neighbors
If you feel safe and comfortable doing so, you can check with your neighbors to see if they received the package on your behalf or by mistake.
My rule of thumb is to look at the picture. That normally helps to decipher similar-looking houses.
Just in case, Amazon delivered to the wrong address.
3. Check Order Status and Shipping Address:
Double-check that there were no shipping errors and ensure that your shipping address is correct.
Just log in to your Amazon account and go to your orders.
Let’s be honest… I accidentally sent something to my mom instead of my house. Oops.
4. Wait 48 Hours:
Before taking any action, it is important to give the delivery process to reflect any changes.
Sometimes, tracking information may update prematurely, or carriers may deliver packages as late as 10 PM. The package could still be on its way and may arrive later that evening or the next day.
Learn how late does Amazon deliver.
5. Contact Amazon Customer Service
If you have followed the previous steps and still have not located your package, it is time to reach out to Amazon’s customer service.
Log in to your Amazon account and choose one of the two options:
You can choose whether to speak via a bot or by phone. Just to note.. the phone option may not be immediately obvious.
Explain the issue to the representative, and Amazon will initiate an investigation.
If your claim is genuine, they will issue a refund.
How can I tell if my package has been stolen?
The best way to tell if your package was truly stolen is to install security cameras.
That way you know the package was delivered and then stolen off your doorstep.
Unfortunately, package thefts continue to rise, especially during the holiday season.
If you determine the package was stolen, it is also advisable to contact your local police department, especially if the stolen items were valuable.
Taking preventive measures, such as tracking your orders and utilizing Amazon Lockers, can also help protect your deliveries in the future.
FAQ
Fortunately, Amazon provides various channels through which customers can seek help and get their concerns addressed promptly and effectively.
To contact Amazon for assistance with an order, customers can follow a few simple steps.
Log into your Amazon account either through the website or the app.
Once logged in, customers can type “contact Amazon customer services” in the main search bar.
This will direct them to the Amazon customer service page, where they can find the “Get help now” option under the “Amazon customer service” section.
Clicking on “Get help now” will lead customers to a page where they can select “something else” and then “contact us.”
Once the appropriate option is selected, customers can provide details about the problem they are facing and what they would like to be done to resolve the issue. For example, they may request a replacement or a refund.
Alternatively, customers can also request a call back by using the chatbox on the customer service page. This option allows customers to have a more direct and interactive conversation with an Amazon representative.
Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee is a form of protection offered to customers who have purchased products from third-party sellers on the platform.
This guarantee covers all third-party orders that are not sold or fulfilled by Amazon. It provides customers with a recourse option in case they encounter issues such as missing packages or receiving significantly different items than what was ordered.
To be eligible to claim the A-to-Z Guarantee, customers must fulfill specific requirements.
It is important to note that Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee has specific terms and conditions. The guarantee applies to certain delivery speeds and select products.
It is always important to remain vigilant and take appropriate action if you suspect fraudulent activity.
Regularly monitor your Amazon account for any suspicious activity or unauthorized purchases.
Be cautious when dealing with third-party sellers and carefully review their ratings, reviews, and return policies before making a purchase. If a deal seems too good to be true, it may be a sign of a fraudulent seller.
If you have already made a purchase and suspect fraud, you can contact with Amazon.
Can I get a refund for my Amazon order if it is not delivered?
Customers can get a refund for their Amazon order if it is not delivered. Understanding the refund policy for undelivered packages is important to ensure a smooth resolution to the issue.
Here are the steps to follow:
Sign into your Amazon account and go to “Orders”.
Select the order with the missing package.
Click on “Problem With Order“.
Choose “Request a Refund” from the options.
Select a reason for the refund from the drop-down menu.
Click “Submit” to initiate the refund process.
If the package was shipped by a third-party vendor and not by Amazon, it is recommended to contact the vendor directly for assistance.
What other steps can I take to track my Amazon order?
When an Amazon order is marked as delivered but has not been received, it can be a frustrating experience.
Above we covered, all of the steps to fix your situation.
However, you could consider Amazon Map Tracking, which allows you to track the real-time progress of select packages delivered by Amazon.
This feature provides you with the remaining number of stops the driver has before the delivery arrives at your door. Typically, you will get a notification when your package is 10 stops away or less.
Now, You Know What to do With Amazon Packages Not Delivered
Taking these additional steps is crucial in resolving the issue of a marked “delivered” but missing package.
While this is frustrating, especially for something you really needed by a certain date, it can be easily solved and fixed.
Knowing what time do Amazon packages arrive will help you to make sure you track your deliveries closely.
There are plenty of steps we outlined above to make sure your package is swiftly back in your hands.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Whether you prefer to travel by land, sea or plane, almost nothing compares to the thrill of seeing new places.
However, once you’ve been on the road for long enough, you may be tired of the packing and repacking, checking in to flights and out of hotels — not to mention the unsuccessful attempts at claiming your half of the armrest.
If this sounds like you, you may want to consider buying a recreational vehicle (RV). There are plenty of perks: It can save you money, it feels like home and it gives you more freedom than other types of travel.
Let’s look at the best time to buy an RV and some of the benefits of owning an RV.
When is the best time to buy an RV?
You’ll want to take a few factors into consideration.
It may be tempting to invest in an RV when the sun is shining, the trees are blooming and the fresh summer days are yawning ahead.
Don’t. It’s during the best weather that prices for RVs are at their peak. Think early spring to early fall, when the roads are good and families have time off.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Like cars, RVs also come out with new models. Take advantage of last year’s model — or buy used — to spend less out the door.
Instead, like other purchases, you’ll want to buy your RV when demand is low.
The best time of year to buy an RV is around late fall or early winter after the high season has passed. This may mean waiting a bit before you can hit the road, especially if you live somewhere with a colder climate, but it can save you money in the long run.
Why buy an RV?
We’ve already discussed the best time to buy a travel trailer, but what if you’re on the fence? There are plenty of reasons to buy an RV, though you’ll want to do research to be sure it’s the right move for you.
It can save money
Is owning an RV worth it? An RV is a big purchase — there’s no doubt about that — but in the long run, it can save you money overall.
Of course, this will depend on how much you travel, how many people you travel with and the budget you typically have, so you’ll always want to crunch the numbers to be sure the purchase makes financial sense for you.
If you tend to splurge on travel or have a large family, vacation costs can quickly add up. Plane tickets, rideshares, meals out and hotels will all run up the tab.
RVs can be an expensive purchase upfront, but there’s something to be said for having a place to sleep, a kitchen to cook meals in and space for extra people without paying more.
You can bring pets
Everyone who’s ever owned a pet knows how hard it can be to travel. Whether you’re planning on leaving them with a sitter (which costs money) or taking them with you (which also costs money), there are added logistics around traveling when you have animals.
Bringing your own RV allows you to take your pets with you without paying extra. It also means you won’t need to be separated from your furry friends.
It gives you more freedom
Anyone who’s ever flown to a destination and stayed in a hotel knows that transportation options are limited.
If you’re in a city center, you can use public transit or walk, but otherwise, you’ll likely need a rental car. This can seriously inhibit the types of places you can visit unless you’re willing to pay for a rental vehicle, or several rideshares (if available).
While an RV isn’t going to help you navigate narrow cobblestone roads, it gives you the freedom to travel wherever you like at any pace you want. And because your vehicle is also your bedroom, you have more flexibility of where to stay, especially in remote locations.
It can earn you serious points
You should always maximize the rewards you earn on your spending. This is true for everyday purchases but especially for costs you incur while traveling.
A whole host of travel credit cards focus on rewards for airfare and hotels, but if you’re traveling with an RV your biggest expense is likely to be gas.
If you’re more interested in earning points, you may also want to consider the Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Business Credit Card, which earns 8x Wyndham Rewards points on gas purchases. Since free hotel nights at Wyndham start at 7,500 points per night, it’ll be easy to rack up enough rewards for plenty of stays.
🤓Nerdy Tip
You can also rent vacation homes from just 15,000 Wyndham points per bedroom per night thanks to the company’s partnership with Vacasa.
It feels like home
Perhaps the biggest perk of purchasing an RV is filling it with all your things. These things then come with you, wherever you are, and you never need to worry whether your bag will incur fees for weighing more than 50 pounds.
This means you’ll have your own cups, blankets, ergonomic pillows, clothing and more on hand with no fuss. That can be worth a lot in peace of mind and comfort.
Buying an RV recapped
Buying an RV is a big decision and one you’ll want to consider carefully.
While it can be expensive, choosing to travel with an RV can provide some significant benefits over other methods of travel. This includes the ability to pack as much as you’d like (including bringing along your pets), extra freedom to travel where you want and no per-person ticketing costs for things like airfare.
Before you buy an RV, be sure to do the math to make sure that it makes sense for you. You’ll also want to wait for the best time of year to buy, when prices and demand are at their lowest, to ensure that you get the best deal.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for: