Subdivision map of Maricopa. Many folks ask about the locations of the subdivisions in town. This is the best map that I have found. http://www.vestar.com/newsite/Assets/PropertyAssets/MaricopaTC/MaricopaTC.pdf Please note: The brochure is that of a shopping center coming to town. It has 3 anchor stores and a movie theater.
South on Higley Road pass Ocotillo Road, follow to Marabella Blvd. make a left (east), follow to Wilson Way make a right (south), follow to Aris Drive make a left, model on the right. Address: 3373 E. Aris Drive.
Inventory:
1 Model
Cash and Carry - (No Checks) - All Sales Final
To answer your frequently asked questions, see our FAQ's Page!
Once a poster-child for housing bust, city seeing a turnaround
by Lindsey Collom - Jun. 28, 2009 12:00 AM The Arizona Republic
Maricopa
arose out of the desert in Pinal County almost overnight, in time for
the Arizona housing boom and the painful crash that followed.
Now, it's showing signs of rising again.
The area once consisted of an Amtrak depot, farms and miles of feedlots for cattle heading to market.
Then, thousands of people priced out of the Valley's housing market sought refuge 16 miles south of Phoenix at the end of a lonely highway.
Rooftops began to sprout around the feedlots in 2000 and continued
to spread as the county issued building permits at a breakneck pace.
Maricopa's population exploded from about 1,500 in 2002 to more than
35,000 in less than five years, spurred by subprime loans and
affordable housing. Maricopa was a picture of everything that was
booming about real estate: big, new houses, low mortgage payments, prosperity.
But then came 2007.
Across the country, the mortgage industry began to collapse. In Arizona, Maricopa was among the first to implode.
An epidemic of foreclosures spread across the community. Suddenly,
Maricopa was a picture of everything that was wrong with real estate.
Houses were abandoned. Home values were in free fall. The closest jobs
were miles away. There was hardly anywhere in town to go shopping.
A series of nicknames followed. ABC's "Nightline" called it the "the
poster child for the housing crisis." "Boomtown mirage," quipped the New York Times in 2008.
"Some of the negative perceptions in Maricopa just aren't accurate," said Danielle Casey, economic development manager.
Or at least, they are out of date.
Housing starts, home purchases and a smattering of new retail stores
are green shoots of an economic recovery. To many in Maricopa, they
suggest there is a future, that after the bust, a real town may emerge
from that boomtown mirage.
Housing comeback
Once again, Maricopa is the home of affordable housing.
Armed with low-interest mortgages and an $8,000 federal tax incentive, people are buying foreclosures and starter homes.
Nearly 1,000 homes sold in Maricopa in the first quarter of 2009,
the highest first-quarter sales total since 2006. Combined resales and
new-home sales for last year were higher than in 2007. Maricopa
officials are hoping that the pace continues picking up this year.
"If you're interested in a house in Maricopa, this is the ideal
time," said Mike Orr, real-estate analyst with the Cromford Report,
which tracks the residential resale market in greater Phoenix.
In May alone, 295 home sales went through, compared with 155 during the same time last year.
Banks sold the most homes in May. About 75 percent were
lender-owned, and nearly 13 percent were short sales or homes on the
verge of foreclosure. The rest were normal sales.
Maricopa is also offering the cheapest housing prices in the
southeast Valley. The current average sale price is $99,633, or about
$49 per square foot.
In comparison, the average price in Chandler is $105 per square foot, or about $167,190.
"These homes are selling well below what they cost to construct,"
Orr said. "A lot of people are starting to say these are great
bargains."
Slightly fewer than 450 single-family homes in Maricopa were for
sale the final week of May. That's the lowest active-market inventory
since July 2007.
"Maricopa seems to be a really nice, burgeoning community," said
Robert Hill, 42, who rents a home in the city's Meadows subdivision but
wants to buy. His family moved from San Diego this year.
Hill called Maricopa a community where his family "can be a part of building instead of being a part of something established."
Business rising
Not every community sees Walmart as a savior. But for Maricopa, the
image of the future is cast in the blue glow of a sign that reads
"Always low prices."
When the store opened May 20, it created 320 jobs and gave Maricopa
the chain retailer it needed to keep more money, and sales-tax revenue,
in the community. Studies suggest that Maricopa residents spend
four-fifths of their money outside the city.
"We've been so excited just waiting to get it," said Kat Grover, 52, one of the first customers at the 24-hour supercenter.
Maricopa issued 135 business licenses in 2004, the year after its
incorporation. By the end of 2008, 970 companies were doing business
within city limits.
The majority of them are home-based, while a few are storefronts such as Poco Loco Home Decor & Unique Gifts.
Sonja Templeton and her daughter, Dareece Rosales, opened the store
on a main drag in 2006 with an inventory of mostly home decor. When the
housing market went bust, the mother-daughter team decided it needed a
different business model.
"People are walking away from their houses; they're not fixing them
up to make them look good," Rosales said. "So they'd rather make
themselves look better."
The women reinvented Poco Loco as a boutique in 2008, selling
purses, jewelry, apparel, accessories and shoes. The shop still offers
home decor and design consulting services but on a smaller scale.
Templeton thinks Walmart will help expand her customer base.
"It's really going to benefit us because people will stay in
Maricopa to shop," Templeton said. "If they stay here, they're going to
shop here more and they're going to eat here more."
Cleaning up
When Molly Farabee's children go on walks with the neighbors, they
play a game: Each one carries a trash bag. They compete to see who can
pick up the most trash from the lawns of empty houses.
The casualties of the housing bust are as easy to spot in Tortosa,
the subdivision where Farabee lives, as they are across Maricopa. But
while the weeds grow tall in places, some say local activism will keep
these neighborhoods from ruin.
As the bust arrived, more and more houses fell to foreclosure and
went dark. The 2005-07 U.S. Census American Community Survey found that
20 percent of the homes in Maricopa were vacant. The current vacancy
rate is thought to be between 15 and 25 percent, according to a
city-commissioned report by Elliot D. Pollack & Co.
At the same time, tax revenues fell and the city downsized. It used
to employ two code enforcers. Now, Brian Duncan, the city's senior
code-compliance officer, is the only one left to patrol for overgrown
lots and other problems.
"When you're dealing with hundreds of these properties, you just can't get to them all," Duncan said.
That's where neighbors step in.
Residents in the Acacia Crossings subdivision started volunteering to manicure lots and clear weeds.
The Community Services Department took it as a model and launched a program in 2008 called Copa Cares.
Several subdivisions in Maricopa have taken advantage of the free
yard-cleanup programs. Homeowners associations need only to gather
volunteers, while the city frees up dumpsters for yard waste. ACE
Hardware Maricopa provides tools, rakes and shovels to get the job done.
The Villages at Rancho El Dorado, a subdivision of about 1,850
homes, has hosted two Copa Cares events since April 2008. "It inspires
neighbors," said Peggy Chapados, president of the Villages HOA.
On Farabee's street in the Tortosa subdivision, she said people help each other with their yards.
"I think we all want to live in a beautiful neighborhood," said
Farabee, 30, an eight-year resident of Maricopa. "Regardless of where
the economy stands, we want to feel pride in our homes and where we
live."
Obstacles remain
City officials are well-aware that Maricopa faces obstacles as it
rises from the ashes of the housing bust. The city needs to overcome
budget issues, attract employers and improve transportation.
Meanwhile, the city is trying to expand its services. The first
public building, a library, is opening this month, and city officials
are still planning on an aquatic center and a permanent City Hall.
Maricopa officials and other leaders say new residents such as Hill
continue to move in, and they cite the Maricopa Unified School
District's growth.
An estimated 40 new students are added each month.
The city isn't out of the woods yet, warns Jay Butler, director of
Arizona State University's Real Estate Center. Butler said time will
tell whether Maricopa can truly thrive.
"Do you have the resources to survive?" he said. "Is it getting the
revenue needed to supply the services to its citizens at a level that
will attract new residents?"
Butler also cautioned that home sales are not a good indicator of growth.
"Just because a house has sold doesn't mean somebody moved into it."
City Manager Kevin Evans said officials have re-evaluated city code
and "cleaned up" or simplified processes - such as building permits -
to make it easier for people and companies to do business in Maricopa.
"For a down economy, we're busier than heck," Evans said. "Now, it
ain't all come to fruition yet, but it will. The economy will turn
around. We've positioned ourselves to be one of the first that starts
back up."
The City of Maricopa invites you to celebrate America's Independence Day at the
Great American BBQ.
The event will be full of family fun and events, and
will end with a fireworks display.
Where: Pacana Park, 19000 S. Porter
Rd.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2009, 6 p.m.
The festivities, which
are free* and open to the public, include:
Fireworks at approximately 9pm
Water zone
Food vendors of all kinds
Dance performance
Beer Garden
Live DJ
Whiffle ball tournament
Short films/cartoons on the big screen
Don't worry about
parking either. Arizona Shuttle and the City of Maricopa have provided eight
park and ride locations to help get you to the event quickly and safely. The
shuttle begins at 5:30 p.m. and will pick up passengers at the following
locations:
City Hall
ACE- ADA access
Pima Butte Elementary School
Santa Rose Elementary School
Butterfield Elementary School
Tortosa (H & H flag stop)
Maricopa Wells Middle School
Maricopa Elementary School
If you have any questions about the
event, please call 520/316-6816, or email
press@maricopa-az.gov.
Maricopa's Great American BBQ is sponsored by
Great Western Bank, Orbitel Communications,and Suz's Cruise. Special thank you
to DVD Game Depot for providing the movies and cartoons.
If you are considering moving to Maricopa, then I strongly suggest you look
up Brian. We are from Idaho and planned a trip there in April to look at
Short Sales and Foreclosers. Brian was prepared, he showed us homes in the
price range we suggested, knew exactly where the houses were and didn't have
to fumble with a GPS to find the correct address. All along he was asking us
questions about what we wanted. I would say after 12 to 15 homes HE
suggested that he knew of a new home under construction that he thought would
make us happy. And boy was he right. My wife fell in love with the home
immediately, and it more than met my expectations.
Now I would
suggest that if you find that perfect home and are ready to make an
offer--let Brian negotiate for you. He got the builder to not only give us a
great price, but he got them to pay our closing costs, threw in a
refrigerator, washer and dryer and the window coverings. Brian truly does
represent the buyer. He has even sent us pictures by email to keep us posted
on the construction progress. We close in July and couldn't be happier.
Thanks Brian !!!!!
East
on I-10 Freeway to Baseline Road make a right (west), continue to 38th
Place make a left (south), continue to Branham Lane make a right (west)
to 38th street make a left (south) to Constance Way make a right, model
on the left. Address: 3733 E. Constance Way.
Inventory:
2 Models. The furniture at this sale is being moved from a different location. The second model address will come.
Cash and Carry - (No Checks) - All Sales Final
Date:
Friday June 19, 2009 & Saturday June 20, 2009
Time:
8 am - 6 pm
Builder:
Beazer Homes
Community Name:
STARLIGHT-BELMONT - 1 Model
City:
Avondale
Cross Roads:
Avondlae Blvd. & Maricopa Rd.
Directions:
I-10
west, to 99th Ave. exit & turn left. Follow that to Van Buren &
turn right. Follow to Avondale Blvd & turn left. Follow to Maricopa
Rd. & turn left. Starlight will be on your right. 11421 West Hadley
St. Avondale 85323
Monsoon season started today, on June 15th and goes until September 30th.
The word monsoons sounds pretty scary, but for those used to rain and thunderstorms, it shouldn't be. A monsoon is a storm which can be either wind/dust storm of a large thunderstorm with high winds.
While the monsoon season is less than 1/4 of the calendar year, the Phoenix area gets over 1/3 of the annual rainfall these months.
Dust storms and high winds can cause damage, but the one to watch out for is flash flooding in the Phoenix Valley. Not all areas are prone to it, but the ground here is hard, not easily permeated with water.
Of course water will run to certain designated areas, but during some torrential rains, the water may be flowing on the street to quickly to drive through.
Truth is... I am a good ol' country boy from the South, and I miss the pitter patter of rain on my ceramic tiled roof . I do enjoy listening to the rain and thunder of the monsoon nights!
Here are some quick monsoon facts from about.com
More About Phoenix Monsoon
Meteorologists still track and
report dewpoints and study monsoon weather patterns. Here are some
technical monsoon facts for our area.
The average starting date of the monsoon in Phoenix is July 7.
The average ending date of the monsoon is September 13.
The earliest start date for the monsoon was June 16, 1925.
The latest start date for the monsoon was July 25, 1987.
The average date of the first break in the monsoon is August 16.
The
average total number of monsoon days (where a monsoon day is considered
one with an average dewpoint of 55 degrees or higher) is 56.
The greatest number of monsoon days was 99, recorded in 1984.
The fewest number of monsoon days was 27, recorded in 1962.
The
greatest number of consecutive monsoon days was 72, from June 25
through September 4, 1984. This was also the greatest number of
consecutive days with dew points of 60 degrees or higher.
In Phoenix, normal rainfall during July, August and September is 2.65 inches.
The wettest monsoon occurred in 1984 when we had 9.38 inches of rain.
The driest monsoon occurred in 1924 with only 0.35 inches.
City celebrates first new-from-the-ground-up public
library. The highly anticipated
opening of the new Maricopa Public Library, the first public building built from
the ground up, takes place on Saturday, June 13, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony
at 10 a.m., followed by events for all ages.
"Maricopa's new library will
offer programs of interest to the Maricopa community, and we invite those who
live and work here to help us build a welcoming place to learn, share and
connect with each other," stated Nicole Dailey, Acting Community Services
Director.
Where: Maricopa Public Library is located at 41600 W.
Smith-Enke Road
When: Saturday, June 13, 2009, 10 a.m. - 2
p.m.
The day's festivities, which are free and open to the public, begin
with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance to the library from 10 a.m. to
10:30 a.m. Library doors will open after this and there will be events inside
the library through 2 p.m. Events include:
Maricopa Police Department Honor Guard
Maricopa Fire Department Pipe and Drum Corps
Special readings by local dignitaries and citizens (children's readings,
adult readings)
Historical displays and storytelling
Free book totes and book marks
Bookmark-decorating activity for children
Regular library
hours will begin on Saturday, June 13: Sunday and Monday - Closed Tuesday,
Thursday, Friday, Saturday - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday - 12 p.m. - 8
p.m.
East
on US 60 - Superstition Fry into Gold Canyon go 4.5 miles east of
Peralta Road. The exit after mile marker 208 is El Camino Veigo make a
left (north), travel approx. 1 1/2 miles to El Buho Pequeno make a left
in to the community. Address: 18485 & 18469 E. El Buho Pequeno.
West
on I-10 Freeway pass 91st Avenue to 99th Avenue make a left (south) to
Lower Buckeye Road make a right (west) to 103rd Avenue make right
(north) to Toronto Way make a left (west) them left on 103rd Drive and
right on Toronto Way, models on the right. Addresses: 10328, 10324 and
10320 W. Toronto Way.
Inventory:
3 Models
Cash and Carry - (No Checks) - All Sales Final
Date:
Friday June 05, 2009 & Saturday June 06, 2009
Time:
8 am - 6 pm
Builder:
Beazer Homes - 3 Models
Community Name:
Montesano @ Sierra Montana
City:
Surprise
Cross Roads:
Greenway Road & Verde Vista Drive
Directions:
West
on I-10 Freeway pass Dysart Road to 303 Freeway make a right (north).
Follow all the way to Greenway Road make a left (west).Follow to Verde
Vista Drive & turn left (south).
Follow to Spring Lane & make a right. Follow to Lisbon Lane &
turn left. Models on the right, TUSCANY, MONARCH & STERLING Models.
Inventory:
3
Models. Go to www.beazerhomes.com, pull up state of AZ, you will see a
map of valley showing their subdivisions. See viewing of the models in
Surprise- Montesano @ Sierra Montana.
These Models are not open for viewing. Very large homes. Beautiful
furnishings!
Cash and Carry - (No Checks) - All Sales Final
Date:
Friday June 05, 2009 & Saturday June 06, 2009
Time:
8 am - 6 pm
Builder:
Engle Homes - 3 Models
Community Name:
TownSquare @ Sierra Verde
City:
Surprise
Cross Roads:
Greenway Road & 142nd Avenue
Directions:
West
on I-10 Freeway pass 91st Avenue to 101 Freway make a right (north) to
Bell Road make a left (west) to Litchfield Road make a left (south) to
Greenway Road make a right (west) to 142nd Avenue make a left (south)
make a right (west) into the community, pool straight ahead, building
just north of pool. Address: 15240 N 142nd Avenue, Building 23, Units
1064, 1065 and 2066.
Thanks to my friend Bruce for sending me this email. Bruce is a pretty analytical guy.
Yes sir, I have also notice the CAD creeping up. I hope you dont mind me blogging about the email sir! If you do, just call or email me!!
Hey Brian,
Hope you had a great holiday.
Sounds like you put a lot of miles on.
I have just been scouring
properties and commodities and currencies etc. Kind of dry first thing in the
morning, but it's what I do. Lol
The market has never been better
for Canadians wanting to buy in Arizona. The Stock markets are recovering and on
the rise, housing prices have fallen 18% from this time last year and the
Canadian dollar is up over 90 cents US.
The CDN dollar is 10% lower than
it was at this time last year, but house prices being 18% lower makes it an even
better deal than last year. Plus mortgage rates are at such a low rate ........
Gotta be a gift from heaven for those that missed the first round last year. As
you know the CDN dollar fell to around 76 cents US and that really hurt. But now
it's heading up again and should attract folks back down your way.
Just a thought,
Bruce
I agree 100%. 1 part of the equation is still tough though. I am running into multiple bid situations all over the place. those listings that have incredible descriptions and pictures on the mls are highly sought after. Looking for the "sleeper" is where its at!
Beers at the local sports bar when you get back sir?
I had this all set to post about 2 days ago, but mindlessly deleted it before posting!
It is always good to hold onto old paperwork. I generally hit the builders about once a week. Some of them even send me spec sheets on Mondays.
I noticed that some of the spec sheets had an awful lot of SOLD banners on some of the spec homes. I also noticed that some of the prices seemed a little different.
I have 2 spec sheets in front of me. 1 is dated 6/2/09, the other is dated 5/06/09. (All figures are for the same builder)
Please note this is NOT an entire view of the area market. While looking over the spec sheets, I also noticed that some of the prices have actually dropped from 5/6/09 to 6/2/09.
This is just to show that even though everyone says the market is still bottoming out, there are some companies that know which homes are selling and are adjusting for supply and demand!!
More homes are selling than at any time since 2006. Buyers find themselves in bidding wars over low-end properties. It's what a national housing recovery could look like. By Nicholas Riccardi May 18, 2009
Reporting from Phoenix -- After four years of renting because they were priced out of the real estate market, Jamia Jenkins and Scott Renshaw concluded the time had arrived for them to buy.
They saw that home prices had dropped so fast here -- faster than in any other big city in the nation -- that mortgage payments would be less than the $900 they paid in rent. The city is littered with foreclosed houses, so the couple figured they could easily snatch up something in the low $100,000s.
Three months later, they're still looking.
They have submitted 13 offers and been overbid each time.
"It's just pathetic," said Jenkins, 53. "Investors are going out there and outbidding everyone."
Phoenix's housing bust has turned into a quasi-boom, a sign that its market may have hit bottom and a sneak preview of what a national housing recovery could look like.
More homes are selling than at any time since 2006. Prices are slowly stabilizing. Buyers are once again finding themselves in frantic bidding wars -- only this time over foreclosed houses selling at deep discounts rather than ranch homes listing for vast sums.
"The free market is at work," said Shannon Hubbard, a real estate agent and blogger here. "Prices got driven down so much that people said, 'I'm going to come out and play.' "
Home prices continue to plummet or tread water in much of the nation, but there have been tentative signs of life. Pending home sales rose 3.2% nationally in April, the second month of increases after a record low in January.
John Burns Real Estate Consulting in February identified Phoenix as "the most unique market in the nation," where affordability was better than at any time since 1981 and buying a house was once again cheaper than renting.
Since then, said Chris Porter, a manager at the Irvine-based firm, there have been signs of life in the Sacramento and Washington, D.C., housing markets.
"You'll start to see some markets emerge, and it'll be the ones that went into the downturn first," Porter said. "But it's going to be a slow recovery."
Phoenix experienced one of the most dramatic real estate crashes in the nation. Median home prices for resold homes peaked at $268,000 in June 2006. Now the median price is $120,000. It is the biggest decline in the top 20 metropolitan areas tracked by the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index.
The collapse was devastating in a city that has long depended on housing to power its economy. In the last year, Phoenix lost 41,000 construction jobs and 136,000 overall, accounting for 7% of its workforce.
Home building came to a halt. Many illegal immigrants, discouraged by the sudden lack of jobs, returned to Mexico. Realtors cut staff. Home prices dropped faster and faster each month for two years.
Until March. For the first time in two years, the decline in home prices slowed -- from 37% in February, compared to the previous year, to a still-painful 36%.
Arizona State University business professor Karl Gunterman noted the incremental slowing in a report last month, saying it could be signs of the market bottoming out.
"Once this thing turns, it may turn slowly," Gunterman said in an interview. "But at some point I think it's going to pick up because prices are so low."
Mike Orr, a Phoenix real estate analyst, thinks the market already has hit bottom. Among the signs: As recently as January, a year's worth of homes sat on the market; in March, that dropped to seven months' worth of inventory.
"It's a dramatic change in just three months," he said. "I never imagined it'd get this crazy this quickly."
Orr thinks mid- and high-priced properties still will lose value in the coming months.
"I wouldn't be investing in luxury right now," he said. "But if you're looking for inexpensive homes, you're going to have a fight on your hands."
In a throwback to the boom, real estate agents and investors are swapping stories of brutal competition for bottom-end homes.
Orr called on one property to find it had already received 14 bids. Realtor David Thomas recalled getting a client in a $60,000 foreclosed home in the suburb of Avondale, on a street lined with vacant properties. He recently returned to find almost all the for-sale signs gone.
Jenkins, who has looked at more than 80 houses, said she was being cautious not to get caught up in the frenzy.
"It's going to create the same damn situation we had before," she said. "You're going to buy a house and it's not going to be worth what you paid for it."
Skeptics of the turnaround note that the competition for foreclosed homes may be artificial. They argue that the number of bank-owned properties has shrunk because some lenders held off on foreclosures early in the year as they waited for President Obama to unveil his plan to aid distressed homeowners.
Some warn that a potential flood of new bank-owned properties could drive down prices further.
"Good salespeople are optimistic, generally, and since I'm a good salesperson I'm optimistic we've hit bottom," said real estate agent Rob Call. "But when I look at these numbers there's a lot of uncertainty. . . . I think we're going to scrape bottom for the next two to three years before we see any significant appreciation."
Nonetheless, real estate veterans say they are encouraged that prices, rather than speculation, are pulling buyers into the market.
That's what got Brandon Bumford and his fiancee, Kristin Phipps, looking for their first home. The rent on their two-bedroom apartment, $1,050, is more than the mortgage they would pay on a median-priced house in Phoenix.
"Why waste money putting it in someone else's pocket when you can put it into your home?" said Bumford, 23, who works in document control for Charles Schwab.
But for weeks, every house they looked at was sold before they could put in a bid. "Like all of our friends, we thought there are a million houses for sale, there must be one we can get," said Phipps, 20.
Last week, they found a place that hadn't been spoken for -- a four-bedroom home in the exurb of Buckeye. Built in 2004, the house was originally purchased for $133,000, refinanced at $180,000 and then unsuccessfully put on the market in 2007 for $292,000.
The couple's offer was accepted and they expect to close at the end of the month -- for $110,000.
I think I mentioned it before. The market is pretty crazy right now.
Doesn’t matter what the experts say. They may be looking at the country
as a whole. I am concentrating on the Phoenix Market only.
These are numbers straight from the MLS. The numbers do not include
FSBO’s or “For sale by owners” and some spec homes arent listed on the
MLS, but you will still see the trend.
The following graph is months of inventory currently on hand!
Dont care what the media says, there are buyers.. and they are
snatching up homes. Some are primary residents, some are snowbirds,
some are investors. I have never worked so hard for so few closings.
The issue is primarily the multiple offer situations. Some of these homes are going quickly with many offers.
Here is a report that I subscribe to, with hard numbers.
West
on I-10 Freeway pass Litchfield Rd. to Estrella Parkway make a left
(south) continue south to the Estrella Mountain Community, pass Elliot
Rd. to Westar Dr. make a right (west) to Verdin Rd. make a right,
models on left. Addresses: 18330 and 18336 West Verdin Rd.
Prolouge: We mad a great offer for a home. Prices were the same, but the other client had 30% to put down.
We are hard warkinhg Americans..Many of us dont have that much cash on our hands.
Our offer was turned down for about 4 days, then I get this email "Hey Brian,
Is your buyer still interested....the accepted offer just
bailed this morning. Thanks," They want a little more money upfront, but not really an issue for that house
1 client viewed multiple foreclosures and decided that Maricopa was not for him. 2 clients viewed several homes, and decided that the deals couldn't be beat.
It is a preference. Yes, we are 17 miles from a large city, but heck, saving tens of thousands of dollars, some folks are ok with it.
People that are commuting daily may have an issue, but those coming for a few months a year are ok with it!
We started out the day looking for foreclosures under 100k, but reading verbal and body language, I figured out that the work involved in making it livable for them wasn't worth the price.
They want to come down 3-4 months a year, and a foreclosure wasn't the way to go.
Took them to Glennwilde, which would be my choice of subdivisions (for the amenities). In my personal home, we don't have a poos, but would love a community one (two) pool like in Glennwilde. They chose a spec home after we saw about 10-12 foreclosures.
Everyone is different, just great to have some choices. Congrats Mr Ray & Ms Deb. .
No matter what the "economist:"say. Buyers are there. Especially for distressed (bank owned properties)
Made several offers on the behalf of clients in the past two weeks, only to be shot down but the "multiple offer situation"
By the way, if you are that crappy Realtor that doesn't return calls or emails, you are doing you clients a dis-service.
These are the Realtor remarks from a couple of the properties that we placed offers on.
There are
over 20 offers on this home. Please complete the multiple offer form attached
and submit with your offer. The seller will make a decision after that.
Have 7 offers
on property currently. Supra Lockbox. Buyer and/or buyers agent to verify all
information and to have utilities turned on for inspections.
Currently
have 8 offers on the property.
Offers over
list price have been sent to Lender. Call for more info.
East
on US 60 (Superstition Fry.) to Ellsworth Road make a right (south)
follow to Hunt Highway make a left (east) go approx. 2.5 miles to
Village Lane (entrance to Morning Sun Farms) make a left (north) models
on left in gated cul-de-sac called Morning Sun Circle.
Inventory:
7 Models - Yorkshire 2521, Richland 2509, Montgomery 2497,
Brigata 2485, Reserve 2475, Sienna 2463, Terracina 2405
Many models with a VARIETY of beautiful decor.
DON'T MISS THIS ONE :)
In the fall of 2008 my wife and I began our search for a home in
the Phoenix area. We’ve always dreamed
of being able to escape our Canadian winters, and with the “opportunities”
created by the unfortunate state of the Arizona housing market, we felt the time
was right. We found Brian’s website and
immediately felt comfortable after our first conversation. His knowledge of Maricopa and the east valley
is really second to none. Buying a home
over the Internet isn’t for the faint of heart, but Brian went out of his way to
accommodate our constant requests for pictures and feedback on properties that
were of interest. When we found what we
were looking for, he skillfully guided us through the process of making an offer
and closing on the property.
His advice
saved us thousands of dollars. But that
wasn’t the end of his involvement. Time
and space prevented us from being there until about a month after we took
possession. In that month he literally
”baby-sat” the house for us! He even
took the time to deal with a weed problem in the front yard! If you’re looking for a buyer’s agent who is
customer oriented, highly experienced, and is willing to go the extra mile for
his clients,
I highly recommend Brian Petersheim – “Mr
Maricopa”!
There are several
changes on the horizon for the appraisal side of the business. Starting May
1st, all Conventional appraisals are required to be ordered through a national
service which will then randomly assign them to a local appraiser. With an
extra set of hands in the transaction this will lead to higher appraisal costs
for the buyer and will also add time to the process. This also probably
eliminates the ability to rush appraisals. The other change includes FHA and
will require that all appraisals include an additional “Market Condition” form.
The appraiser is required to include information on active listings and pending
sales and comment on how this data factors into the appraised value. Appraisers
have said that this can take an extra hour to complete which will also
inevitably lead to higher costs and slower turnaround times unfortunately.
This is getting crazy getting an offer accepted with a back
Just thus week.:
House on the market 1 day, by noon, there were three other officers on the property and we need to wait the weekend to get a response.
Had a $63000 listing, my guy likes. Made an offer for $71,0000 and got the home. There were seven other offers
Had a $100,000 home, made an offer of 95k cash, and we were bear out by 500
Many of these houses are going for over list price. Lowballing isnt working unless there is some major damage to it. Something so bad, the normal handyman doesnt want to do!.
There not all like this, but many are, Little luck and lil skill can make the difference!
East
on US 60 (Superstition Fry.) to Ellsworth Road make a right (south)
follow pass Riggs Road to Empire Blvd. make a left (east) to Gary Road
make a right (south) to Brahman Blvd. make a left (east) follow to
Mirandesa Drive make a right then left on Jamaica Hope Way, models on
the left. Addresses: 1152, 1136 and 1120 W. Jamaica Hope Way.
Source: Associated Press/AP Online Publication date: April 8, 2009
By MICHELLE CHAPMAN NEW YORK - Pulte Homes Inc. agreed to acquire Centex Corp. Wednesday in a stock-for-stock deal valued at $1.3 billion that will create the nation's largest homebuilding company.
The transaction, which also includes $1.8 billion of debt, will give the combined business a strong liquidity position with more than $3.4 billion in cash as of March 31.
The pairing of Pulte and Centex comes at a time when homebuilders are still struggling to find their footing as credit remains tight and buyers continue to be leery of big-ticket purchases. The industry in turn has attempted to stem the bleeding by drastically scaling back new construction and throwing more incentives at potential buyers in order to unload existing inventory.
Pulte President and Chief Executive Officer Richard J. Dugas Jr. was optimistic that the combination "puts us in an excellent position to navigate through the current housing downturn."
As part of the deal, Centex shareholders will receive 0.975 shares of Pulte common stock for each share of Centex that they own. The transaction is valued at $10.50 per Centex share based on Pulte's Tuesday closing stock price of $10.77. That represents a 38 percent premium to Centex's closing price of $7.62 Tuesday.
Shares of Centex soared $1.76, or 23.1 percent, to $9.38 in premarket activity, while Pulte stock sank 96 cents, or 8.9 percent, to $9.81.
Centex had approximately 124.4 million shares outstanding for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008.
The companies called the deal a merger, but Pulte stockholders will own about 68 percent of the combined business and Centex shareholders will own the remaining 32 percent. The acquisition comes a little over a month after Pulte adopted a shareholder rights plan to help preserve the value of some deferred tax assets generated by net operating losses, as well as other tax benefits.
Pulte said it enacted the rights plan to decrease the likelihood of "an unintended ownership change." The plan was not adopted as an anti-takeover measure, it added.
The combined company will use the Pulte name and will be based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., the current headquarters of Pulte. The companies said the business plans to maintain a significant presence in Dallas, where Centex is based.
Upon completion of the transaction, Dugas will assume the positions of chairman, president and chief executive officer of Pulte Inc.
While the transaction is geared toward helping the companies make their way out of the housing downturn, it also is expected to save Pulte about $350 million a year. That includes $250 million in overhead costs and $100 million from the anticipated retirement of more than $1 billion in debt by the end of the year.
The newly combined company will have access to more than 59 U.S. markets and gives Pulte access to Centex's land holdings in Texas as well as North and South Carolina.
Pulte and Centex contend that the deal will help them capitalize on what many see as a bit of an uptick in the housing market. Last month the Commerce Department said new home sales climbed 4.7 percent in February, providing some hope that the sales may have reached their bottom and are on their way toward a recovery.
"We believe this is the right combination at the right time in the business cycle. By acting decisively now, we're creating unrivaled firepower to capitalize on the opportunities in homebuilding that are now becoming visible on the horizon," Centex Chairman and CEO Timothy Eller said in a statement.
Eller will become Pulte's vice chairman and will also work as a consultant for two years following the acquisition's completion.
Aside from Eller, Pulte's board will be expanded and will include three other Centex board members. It will also include eight members of Pulte's current board, including founder and Chairman William J. Pulte.
The acquisition, which was unanimously approved by both homebuilders' boards, is expected to close in the third quarter. It is expected to qualify as a tax-free reorganization.
Very frustrating, but good news for the Phoenix Metro area.
There are buyers out there, and many are making offers on homes.
Not sure how many are investors/snowbirds/relocations but they are out there.
Personally, I think that I have a very common taste. Of course I like homes that are big, unique (not cookie cutter) with a nice view, pool etc..
Many other folks have the same tastes. It was apparent, as I was showing homes on Mon/Tues, and there were other Realtors showing the same homes at the same time, on a weekday!
Very uncommon several months ago. I knew that if we made an offer on Monday or Tuesday, and gave the bank until Wed/Thursday, there would be a slim chance that our offer was challenged by other buyers.
I have had several buyers inquiring about listings only to call the listing agent and find there were multiple offers on the home OR, pull the listing up the next day and find that it has been put under contract already.
Truly, the homes to go 1st are the homes with private pools and those with views (both of which are my favorites)
The builders have stopped building (for the most part). The inventory is getting smaller.
Offers have been shot down in Maricopa, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and Chandler, so it seems to be area wide, not just in a specific place.
Not impossible by any means, just getting tougher!
If you have specific inquiries about an area, don't hesitate to let me know. While each area is different, I can pull the latest sales and let you know.
4 Types of pre-12 education available in the town!
1. Public schools 2. Home schooling (many of my friends home school and their children) are well above their grade levels! 3. Legacy Traditional Charter School- Publicaly funded, but accelerated. My 3rd grader is working on 4th grade math,science, etc.. We chose Legacy because of the smaller class sizes. (con) No busses, have to bring them to school and pick up after or let them stay at the ymca classes 4. Certain Schools in Chandler (kyrene district) bus studednts daily from Maricopna to Chandler and back if the parents choose that option!