Arizona Real Estate Specialists

What creates a community?

I suppose we could say time. By accident we tend to stumble into each other’s paths sufficient to create some sort of relationship.

I think it’s more than that.

We become a community when we share a common bond. It may come through following the common path of witnessing a local team achieve… or, conversely, fail. It may come through collective festivities… where we party with one another.

However, as is true with friendships, many of our deepest relationships are forged through the fire of adversity. In short, through the crucible of mourning we find comfort with those who are “there” for us.

I wish it weren’t so.

The town of Gilbert experienced festivity and tragedy in a single day. With the passing of a local high school student, Kelly Tracy, and the injury of her brother in an early morning car wreck one community is doing what good communities do. They are reaching out to a family in their darkest hour.

The Highland High School band, distraught, cancelled their saturday parade appearance. The students were invited to an evening prayer service at the family’s place of worship, City of Grace church in the neighboring city of Mesa. Collectively they mourned.

This is diffucult for all of us... not just those who have lost loved ones under similar circumstances- our friends and family casualties to a preventable act- another casualty to a drunk driver. We catch ourselves saying that we shouldn’t have to meet this way so often.

Yet, our hearts are big enough to comfort.

A family needs our encouragement. They are witnessing what happens when a community comes together. Collectively we can provide that added strength that is needed when the burden becomes heavy.

The world lost another young one… Taken far too soon… and we wish the Tracy family well. We can only imagine the depth of emotion you’re dealing with right now. Our thoughts are with you.

For those who wish to offer your assistance (from AZCentral): A memorial fund has been set up through Washington Mutual and Chase banks to pay for funeral costs. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the City of Grace Church, 655 E. University Drive, in Mesa.

Anyone who wants to help the Tracy family this week either through volunteering or contributions of another sort can contact Highland High School Band booster member Deidre Baxley, kdbxly@cox.net.

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Photo Credit: "Lonely Leaf" by Mateusz Stachowski

It's here!   Gilbert Days 2008!

Beginning 9 a.m. Saturday November 15, downtown Gilbert will be awash in small town fun and festivities.

It all begins with a parade route that travels down Gilbert road from Juniper to the Town Square.

Then it's on to the Gilbert Municipal Center (South of Warner Road) for a party that lasts from 11 a.m. 'til the cows come home. (Note. The cows go at 5 p.m.)

The parade just keeps getting bigger and better.  Expect to see plenty of floats, cowboys, horsies and any number of creative entries who will present their interpretations of the theme "Country Pride."

This isn't a one-off celebration. There's a carnival on November 22 & 23 along with a rodeo on the same days.

Of course, if you'd like a full slate of activities and directions, there's a handy website to find out more:

www.gilbertdays.com

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Photo Credit: "Festival" by Yarik Mission

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UPATE: I'll be withholding comments on this post. Please see my next post for further comments.

What Creates a Community? A Town Mourns a Loss

You can't leaf through business weeklies without finding a list proclaiming which city or state has the best this-or-that.

So I often take such information with a grain of salt. However, I *am* quite pleased that Business Week came out with their list of "best places to raise your kids" ... mainly because, of the 52 cities studied, Gilbert Arizona came in high on the list.

I know. Everyone has an opinion of which town is best.

Very often the place of our youth ranks very high in our own list. Since I happen to have lived in Gilbert as a younger guy I think their information is top-notch. :-)

I can attest that the quality of schools, the look of the country with access to the city, and the small town friendliness is tough to beat. It's just that kind of place.

Looking to make Gilbert your new home town? Let me know... chuck@newhomesaz.com.

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photo: Soccer Team by William Wilhelms

Right now I'm seeing the same type of client in larger numbers:

This is the season of the First Time Home Buyer.

Much of the time, this is anecdotal information. By this, I mean to say, that sometimes the trends I notice can be unique to me as opposed to being experienced by real estate agents in other areas. However, I'm reading that I'm not alone in this trend.

MSNBC reports (from the 2008 Realtors Conference & Expo in Orlando) that first time home buyer market is on the rise.

"According to the survey, the number of first-time buyers rose to 41 percent from 39 percent of all transactions in 2007."

Here are the factors I contribute to this phenomena:

• Prices are very low. In many cases, home ownership can be less expensive than rent.

• The $7,500 tax credit is very enticing. Many buyers want to purchase before year end to increase their tax savings.

• First timers don't have a home to sell.

If you, or anyone you know, are looking for a home in the Valley of the Sun (the Phoenix Arizona metro area) give me (Chuck Willman) a call at 480.292.0600. I'd love to show you what we have to offer.

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Photo Credit: House in a Box by Svilen Mushkatov

Q. Why did the home-buyer cross the road?

A. To get a better loan.

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Lately I’ve been working with a larger number of people who are crossing the border of Gilbert and Mesa into the town of Queen Creek. It’s amazing what happens when you cross the road:

Homes cost less – and there’s a rural housing loan that covers closing costs.

Also, people often qualify for a larger loan amount.

Here's a recent example:

The borrower qualifies for $110k in Maricopa County with an FHA loan that allows for seller concessions and a 1% down payment. Crossing the border into Pinal County, the borrower qualifies for $123k with very little down.

• In Maricopa County we’re looking at foreclosed properties to be purchased “as is”.

• In Pinal County we’re looking new four bedroom/two bath homes with a full warranty.

Would you be willing to cross the road if you were able to buy more home for the money with no repairs and very little down?

That’s the choice many buyers are making. It's part of the reason Pinal County's home sales continue to increase.

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If you’d like to know more, give me, Chuck Willman at 480.292.0600 …or email me: chuck@NewHomesAZ.com

I’d love to show you what’s available.

I was showing pre-foreclosure property to a client recently when she asked a very good question, "how as-is is it?"

When one purchases a resale home, one has the opportunity to request repairs and see if the seller is willing to make them. Bank-owned properties are somewhat different in this regard. Though it's possible to ask for repairs, it's unlikely that such requests will be granted.

Most properties that have been foreclosed upon are sold "as is". That means the buyer will be purchasing the home without a guarantee that the property will be improved beyond the state it is currently in. In some cases, the property could undergo further damage.

Depending upon state law, the buyer will most likely be allowed an inspection period. Though each contract is different, Arizona buyers may typically cancel a purchase if they discover that the property has issues larger than meets the eye. We know such things by hiring a licensed inspector who is able to provide details regarding the property's condition.

There are many pre-forclosures and bank owned property on the market these days. I've noticed that it has become easier to find property that is in surprisingly good condition. Times like these allow people to purchase far more "home for that money" than in previous years.

All who purchase such homes should take into account a few things before purchasing:

• What repairs will the property need?

• What will the repairs cost?

• What's the price difference between the repaired home and other homes currently on the market?

Sometimes the buyer discovers that the "deal" requires more time and effort than other nearby homes that are in better condition. A good real estate agent and home inspector will be able to assist you in this decision making process.

photo credit: "Sale Avenue" by The Truth About...

Real Estate nerd that I am, I've spent quite a bit of time watching zoning hearings regarding the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. This is the area that includes the old Williams Air Force Base and the nearby General Motors Proving Grounds.

As the Valley of the Sun has continued to grow in size- these once distant locations have been eyed by visionaries and potential citizens alike as a prime destination. The city of Mesa, working in harmony with the cities of Queen Creek and Gilbert have been spending a great deal of time making sure this new population center will be well served.

The latest council meeting consisted of votes and approvals to create, what some have called, an "aerotropolis". This is not a term I've heard before so I consulted wikipedia who explains it this way, "An aerotropolis (pl. aerotropolises or aerotropoli) is a new type of urban form comprising aviation-intensive businesses and related enterprises extending up to 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) outward from major airports."

So... that's what we're about to have here- aviation intensive business and related enterprise. It is expected that the airport will continue to increase the number of flights and destinations. I'd like to concentrate on the enterprise aspects, which include:

• new high density housing and shopping zones.

• a world class hotel (largest in the state) and convention center.

• additional housing at the outer edges of the development.

With the opening of the missing link of the Loop 202 freeway and the expected development of a feeder-arm freeway, the sky is the limit for this new population magnet. With cutting edge design, city planning and, let's face it, revenues headed for the area, many investors are flocking to this part of the valley to get in on the early action.

Surprisingly, one may purchase a new home within 10 minutes of the airport for as little as $115k. Call me if you're interested- I'll show you the area as well as the housing development. It's easy to fine- it's between two golf courses. With the close proximity (15 minute drive) to ASU east campus, many students are finding this to be a better alternative to renting. For the investor, the rental rates on these new homes make this a prime purchasing opportunity. They have new, fully warrantied homes, with rentability and the possibility of escrow growth.

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Chuck Willman is a real estate agent specializing in first time home buyers and investors. He spends most of his time in the southeast valley cities of Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Chandler and Scottsdale, Arizona. Call Chuck at 480.292.0600.

He's at it again. That Joe knows how to make friends- feed them.

As I posted many moons ago, Joe's Farm Grill likes to have a party. This time he wants you to try his cheeseburgers, fries and drink. You won't need to open the pocket book either.

For the uninitiated, Joe's philosophy is this:

"we source the best QUALITY ingredients we can find, emphasizing local ingredients. As much as possible, we use fruit, vegetables, and herbs from The Farm at Agritopia, right at our front door. After that we look to other local farmers and then other parts of Arizona. Not everything can be entirely local, but we give it our best shot. Secondly, we are concerned about using the most HEALTHFUL ingredients. For instance we use local, natural beef for our burgers and transfat free oils for frying, dressings, and marinades."

That's right... that glorious platter of scrumptiousness before you not only tastes like home cooking- much of the ingredients were plucked from the very farm you see beyond your dining table.

If you have yet to make out there, you're missing out. Joe has become a little bit famous- even the Food Network has visited.

Last December host, Guy Fieri showed up for an episode called "Real Deal Fast Food" on a program named "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives". Though I wouldn't call it a "dive" it is a rare place.

You'll feel like you stepped back in time to those days where you could find surprisingly good eats just off of Route 66.

Here's what they're offering today (For the first three thousand guests):

Free Cheeseburger, fries and beverage from 11 -3 p.m. and again from 4 -8 p.m.

Yes. They're crazy.

But in a good way

Location: 3000 E. Ray Road - Gilbert

Here's how to get there:

Joe's Farm Grill is located 1/4 mile west of Higley Road on Ray Road.

The restaurant is on the north side of the road in a grove of trees.

There is a convenient exit on the San Tan Freeway (202) at Higley Road.

Ray Road is the next major street south of the exit.

Lifehacker, one of my favorite blogs, has a great segment about the various freebies available to voters:

1) Krispy Kreme- A star shaped donut

2) Starbucks- A tall coffee

3) Chick-fil-A - Chicken sandwich

4) Ben and Jerry's - Free scoop of ice cream

Of course, there are conditions and variances, so check out the above link. Plus, check the comments section because people have added several more items.

Even more Sticker-Earning Freebies at SlickDeals.

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I know. We shouldn't vote for the goodies but hey- if someone wants to feed me treats, I'm perfectly willing to accept their generosity.

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Photo Credit: EJ Chang (creative commons license)

When I last went to the polls I discovered that my location had changed. This added nearly an hour to the process.

In order to avoid that, I checked to see if there would be any surprises in store for me tomorrow.

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Wondering how to find your polling place?

Google has made it easy.

With the assistance of the league of Women Voters they've created:

The 2008 US Voter Info site.

Just type in your address and the site will show your polling location.

You can also quickly map your location.

Note: This is a nationwide tool.

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For Arizona, here is additional information:

Are you registered to vote?

Arizona election website

Arizona voter hotline: 1-602-542-8683