The City of Peoria, AZ #55

Peoria, AZ Ranks number 55 of the top 100 Best Places to Live  per Money Magazine.  The issue coming out in August states that the sports, performing arts and preservation of open space are all qualities that helped Peoria make the list.

As a resident of Peoria I agree, this is a great place to live!

To read the complete article please see the attached link:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/snapshots/PL0454050.html

Down Payment Assistance in Peoria, AZ

Hey all you First Time Home Buyers the City of Peoria, AZ is stepping-up and wants to help you buy a home in Peoria, AZ by offering down payment assistance.  They are offering up to $10,000 in assistance to low income buyers. For those of you that don’t think you will qualify it worth sending in the application to find out. They are offering an additional $5,000 in assistance to residents purchasing foreclosure homes.

If you are interested and would like more information on this program please see the link below.

http://www.peoriaaz.com/neighborhood/docs/PAR_Brochure.pdf

Foreclosure questions

If you or someone you know is facing foreclosure please see the attached link. It is an article giviing you some advice on what to do.  If you have additional questions once you have reviewed the article please contact me. I will be happy to help you in anyway I can.

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2008051906?OpenDocument

The Man Cave

Sometimes you wonder are we going forward or backwards in society?

I have a good friend and he has a Man Cave. This is his 1/2 of the garage set aside specifically for him and his projects. It is complete with the beer fridge, couch, air hockey table, TV, a/c when it gets hot and all of his tools.

Some people might say what the heck, how about a living room or game room, but you have to understand this is an area where guys like to hang-out. You don’t have to really be doing any work to appreciate the wall of tools or cool breeze blowing in the open garage door.

It is almost like sitting on the front porch in the old days before they stopped building homes with front porches. My friend knows most of his neighbors and is very welcoming when people pass by.  I have enjoyed many an evening working on something or just kicking back in the man cave.

My 6 year-old son is proud to tell people he is a member of the Man Cave. There are even pictures of other Man Caves. http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/04/16/mancave.irpt/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Even one of the local radio stations here in Phoenix, AZ has a commercial about the ultimate man cave and your chance to win it.

I think there is something to be said about having a man cave.

 

Is the Phoenix Real Estate market turning?

I was having lunch with Tony Scardina from Security Title today discussing the Real Estate market and what he thinks it will take to get things going.

Tony was quick to point-out that this market is probably the best real estate market since our grandparents first bought homes near the end of the great depression. There is a large inventory of homes to choose from with great interest rates. His office is starting to see an increase in activity which is a good sign.

I agree with Tony, there are some great deals to be had in this market. There are investors out there buying 5 and 10 homes all at once. They are buying foreclosure properties and either holding them or renting them out. There are Canadian Buyers using their buying power to get their retirement homes.

Maricopa county lead the nation with the largest increase in residents – 102,000 people either moved here or were born here in 2007.

If you are thinking of buying a home keep your eyes and ears open the winds of change are starting to blow. No it will not be a monsoon like 2005 but don’t be surprised if there is a dust devil every now and again.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0319census0320.html

The last home game for this season

The last home game for the Phoenix Coyotes is this Thursday at Jobing.com Arena starting at 7 pm against the Dallas Stars. I hope to see you there to cheer on our Coyotes!

Unfortunately they did not make the playoffs this season but they did provide us with plenty of excitement! I hope you can make it to the last game to thank the Coyotes for the great season. You also will get a preview of the talent coming up… Kyle Turris who recently signed with the Coyotes a couple of days ago is a great up and coming player. 

With our young team getting experience this year we are sure to be even better next year!

 http://coyotes.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=358722&page=NewsPage&service=page

  Hope to see you Thursday night!

Jimmy Buffet’s Coming to Town

This is a call out to all you Parrot Head’s. Jimmy Buffet is coming to town to offer a free concert at his famed restaurant Margaritaville at Westagte City Center on April 9,2008. There is a catch you have to win the free tickets by either visiting the restaurant or being a lucky winner from one of the media outlets.

This should be a great concert! Hopefully I will see you there!

http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/2008/04/01/20080401gl-buffet0401-ON.html

The time to buy is now!

I recently received my official swammie hat and thought I should immediately put it to good use. OK not really… but I did come across a great article that I thought everyone should read.

The anticipation is that our current economic situation will be improving in 2009. If this is correct that means those people who are looking for a deal on buying a home should buy now or in the next few months.  (see article below.)

Unfortunately there is no magic bell that is going to be ringing to let everyone know we have hit rock bottom in the real estate market. By the time people hear the market is picking up most of the great deals will be gone.

I recommend if you are thinking of looking for a home in the next few months you contact me or a Realtor you know right away. They will be able to give you information regarding the current market conditions in your area and then you can decide if it is the right time to buy! Good Luck!

http://biz.yahoo.com/cnnm/080321/032108_cnn_poll.html?.v=9&.pf=banking-budgeting&submit=Done

Best Cities for Business

First I want to let you know that yes I know I am a Realtor for the Phoenix Metro Area in Arizona but I must congratulate those cities that made the list especially since I have lived in a couple and visited others. The Best Cities for Business per Forbes Magazine.

As a former native of Iowa I want to congratulate Des Moines, Iowa for making the list as one of the Best Metros to live in for Business. I also want to congratulate Olympia and Spokane, WA. Although I have never lived in Washington I have visited both of these cities a couple of times and thought they were great places.

For best small metros I big shout-out to Sioux Falls, SD, this is a great city and I would recommend living there to anyone wanting to move to the Midwest. At one time this city had the most small parks per capita of any city in the country. You can’t beat the Midwestern Hospitality! I also want to give cudo’s to Iowa City, IA home of the Hawkeye’s!

For other towns check the attached…

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2008032005?OpenDocument

Buying Real Estate in Rocky Point

I have been asked by several of my past clients what my thoughts are in buying real estate in Mexico… mainly in the Rocky Point area also known as Puerto Penasco.

I am very honest and tell them I personally have never been to Rocky Point. I hear it is very nice. As for buying real estate there (Mexico) you have to be very careful. There have been several complaints recently regarding getting a clear title for the land. You will want to be sure to do your due diligence and not get caught-up in the moment.

There was an article recently in The Arizona Republic that is worth reading. I have attached a link to the article below.  

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0306rockypoint06.html?&wired