Arizona Real Estate Specialists

I've not really done this before.

I'd love to copy and paste Mana Tulberg's post of last evening ...

but it's better if you would just go there and read for yourself:

Camarillo Boy Raises Money For Mom

There you'll find the story of a family dealing with a personal setback...

... and a son who has found a very innovative way to help his mom.

I have nothing more to add except this-

it's a must-read.

"Have any spare change?" She asked me.

She could have been a down-on-her-luck college student.

No... her name was Nancy. She came to Tempe, Arizona from Topeka.

Her original intent was to make it to L.A., form a band, get discovered, "in that order!" she said. I asked her the story. She explained it simply, without the drama that I would have expected. "I'm not a runaway- too old for that... I'm just a person whose dream is somewhat delayed."

Just shy of California, Arizona made for "close enough". Now, she and Silver ... the dog she found along the way (kindred spirits) spent the evenings at an undisclosed location. She would pick the most comfortable place she could find; get some shut-eye; hide her belongings and hit the town square to "spange" for meal money ... that is, to ask for spare change. I asked her how business was, "business is good" she replied, "People have been very kind."

Nancy is one of America's homeless. Or maybe she was. I met her a few years ago... gave her a dollar and my newspaper. She said, "God bless," Then, after a curtsy, she and silver went on her way, meandering toward the statues of the large rabbits west of Mill Avenue.

Though her story may be very different than that of the next homeless person, they all have a similar plot line. One day you have a bed beneath a roof- next you're settling for anything similar. As the current housing market continues the doldrums- people are having difficulty selling the one they own. Others can't afford that step-up residence they'd hoped for.

There is however, one bright spot on housing... and it is this: Homelessness is down.

HUD released a report today that declares some very good news: "Last year, nearly 32,000 fewer persons lived on the nation's streets and in emergency shelters." The best news is in the category of the "chronically homeless"- defined as disabled person who have lived on the street for more than a year. Their numbers have dwindled from 763,010 in 2005 to 671,888 last year. "This reduction is the largest documented decrease in homelessness in our nations history", states Philp Mangano, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

To what do we attribute this success? The collective effort of government, relief agencies and good people with free time. Though a double digit drop (12%) in homelessness is a healthy trend. These groups would not be satisfied unless they can see this trend continue.

What are the figures in your area? HUD's reports are here: HUD Homeless Reports

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Photo Credit: "Make a Wish" by Chris Watk. Here's the backstory behind the photo in (what I presume to be) the photographer's own words: "This was ingeneous ...and it worked too! Off the pier the blanket lay with people pitching their coins trying to make the glass."

I'm not sure how long this will be online, but there's something definitely out-of-the-ordinary about picture number seven in this home listing.

http://www.redfin.com/WA/Shoreline/17247-11th-Ave-NE-98155/home/87419

The new owners, I'm guessing, will hope the dog doesn't "convey" with the home.

It's a modern day Clifford; I can only imagine the dogfood bills.

I don't know if it will get taken down, but here's the picture:

"How is campus housing doing?" I was asked recently. Hmmmm.... funny you should ask.

"By 2020, Arizona State expects its student count to jump nearly 60% to 100,000, competing for just 22,500 campus beds."

This is one line that from CNN Money's July 22, 2008 report "In Bruised REIT World, Student Housing Defensive Bright Spot" ... it's also a harsh reality facing today's college student.

Today's student is most likely going to rent an apartment or live in a dorm. Few will be able to (or will desire to) purchase a home. I work with parents of students who have seen an opportunity. They can purchase a home for their student; rent the other rooms out and turn the expense into an income opportunity.

Is there a market at Arizona State University? Here's another line from the report, "The first tenants won't move into Vista del Sol in Tempe, Ariz., until next month, but its nearly 2,000 beds have been preleased for months. Cancellations aren't a concern: There's a lengthy waiting list."

Is there a market near your University? Let's see... quoting again "As the population swells and the majority of high schoolers seek degrees, enrollment is projected to hit 20.4 million, up 42% in 25 years"

Colleges and Universities aren't going away. Wherever there is a growing campus there is scarcity. Scarcity drives up prices. Though students have a limited income they also need a place to live. During this market downturn, housing prices are down- even near the universities.

There are great buying opportunities for those willing to put the time into finding them.

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Chuck Willman is a real estate agent based in the Phoenix metro area.

www.AZvest.com  -  480.292.0600

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photo credit: Clifford Wong, "More shots around ASU 4"

Sometimes you see a project and you just know it's going to be something good. The Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre is one of them.

It's the $15.9 million centerpiece of the 128 acrea master plan community that includes a level equestrian park, a variety of neighborhood parks and trailhead facilities. The entire system of parks trailheads and masterplan is expected to finished at an entire cost of $225 - 250 million.

Located at the Southwest Hawes and Riggs Road in Queen Creek it is bound to be a destination address for the southeast valley of Phoenix Arizona.

The Queen Creek area has grown so quickly that it has attracted the attention of large venue and commerce groups from around the nation. Several marquis projects are in the planning stages- this is one of several that has made it past the hurdle and is currently being constructed.

Sometimes a cities biggest secrets are found on the official website. To keep up with the latest community events, go here: QueenCreek.org. You can also download the planning document for this and other projects. Here's a pdf explaining the project in great detail: Final Plan.

There's a new top-level domain available and people appear to be loving it. Many of the common business words have already been reserved. If you've wanted to regiser your own name, and found that it's unavailable as a .com or .net, well, this is your chance.

Who wants a .me address? Bloggers, people who want a personal resume site, families who wish to post events and pictures. In short, a person. If you fit that description then maybe you can be a part of the "land rush" to see if you can beat the next person with your name rushing to the sites to check.

I know that GoDaddy is selling the .me domains, but check your favorite registrar to see if they have it as well. If you prefer GoDaddy, their link is here: goDaddy's dot.me ... I believe they also give you a free email address.

Arizona's Copper Basin area of Queen Creek is one of the fastest growing communities in Pinal County. Pinal County is the fastest growing county in the nation. So, it only stands to reason, that the services that accompany such growth are arriving.

Among current projects in the planning and construction phases are new high school, shops, hospitals and now- an expansion campus for Central Arizona College.

Central Arizona College has an enrollment of 12,000 students. The new 7,000 square foot facility will offer two year degrees, continuing education programs, as well as GED certification.

The program also has partnership agreements with other state universities such as Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University.

Classes will be available days, nights and weekends to accomodate working residents.

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Chuck Willman is a real estate agent specializing in first time home-buyers and investment homes.

www.AZvest.com - 480.292.0600

It's the late July in Tempe Arizona and that means two things.

• ASU football begins real soon.

• It's time to buy season tickets.

I was reminded of this when I was at Tempe Marketplace last evening. It's our new outdoor mall that has become all the rage.

The misters were going full blast, like a tropical fog. When I looked to the ground I saw this.

It's Sparky, the mascot of the Arizona State University Sun Devils. He's telling you to buy season tickets for as little as $99. In typical fashion he taunts, "You probably spent more on the shoe's you're wearing."

"They're cheap flip-flops, Sparky" thought I "but your point is well taken."

If you're looking for some real fun, go to Sun Devil Central and order your season tickets. You can claim the sundevil made you do it.

People are getting very excited about this team. Though USC is the odds-on favorite to win the Pac-10, many pollsters have the team from Tempe ranked right up there at number two.

Some sporting news companies predict big things for the USC/ASU match-up on October 10th as both teams have a relatively good chance of facing each other undefeated. (Of course, I fully expect my Tucson friends to look back at that last sentence and laugh.)

There is the classic question pair:

• Is the glass half empty?

• Is the glass half full?

• What's in the glass?