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Casa Grande, AZ Real Estate News

By Melissa Yost, ABR CDPE
(RE/MAX Casa Grande)
The Casa Grande Police Department has set up a really interesting mapping ability on their website. Users are able to map residential, commercial and vehicle burglary crimes as well as auto theft on a map that is powered by Google. The map is really easy to use and will be a valuable tool for homebuyers coming in from other areas! The map can be found here: http://www.casagrandeaz.gov/web/guest/crimemap. You can easily move and recenter the map to find your neighborhood, or you can enter an address and the map will relocate to the address. This way you can see what crimes were committed in a certain time period in your neighborhood. The map does not give exact locations, but does provide a street name and a marker in the general area of the crime. Below is a screenshot of my neighborhoo...
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By Melissa Yost, ABR CDPE
(RE/MAX Casa Grande)
I suppose the old addage, "Don't blink, or you'll miss it!" applies to the bottom of the real estate market! The experts have been telling us that nobody can time the market, well they were right! Over the past year, I've been used to waking up early to drink my coffee, watch the news, and sift through the new listings and price reductions each morning. This process used to take at least an hour out of my morning, now I can get through the HotSheet within 15 minutes! The new listings each day would be 20+! Now we're lucky to see more than 5 everyday! And price reductions are fewer and less drastic. So what does this mean? Less inventory means less selection and control for buyers... in turn this means more control for sellers. Buyers have been competing in blind auctions for the past fe...
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By Jennifer Srock - ABR,GREEN,GRI,SFR, Home Buyer Specialist
(Realty Executives Arizona Home Pros)
What makes Casa Grande, Arizona so desirable? At an elevation of about 1395 feet, Casa Grande is strategically located at the intersection of two major interstates, I-8 and I-10. It's just 45 minutes south of the Phoenix Airport and an hour north of Tucson. Casa Grande is a smaller community and housing is more affordable than the two bigger cities. However, the previously known as "bedroom community" is growing fast as you will see in some of the links below as you get to know Casa Grande, Arizona.  Active Adult Communities-(*Register you & your realtor*) Mission Royale, Palm Creek, Ironwood Village, Villa de Jardins, & nearby Robson Ranch. Arizona Builders in Financial Trouble- List of Arizona developers & home builders with projects in foreclosure, recorded liens or general financial...
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By Jennifer Srock - ABR,GREEN,GRI,SFR, Home Buyer Specialist
(Realty Executives Arizona Home Pros)
What's a Buyer's Agent? When an agent works with you to buy a home, that agent is acting as a buyer's agent. Do you know if this agent was just working with a seller as a seller's agent prior to switching hats and meeting with you as a buyer's agent? Do you know if your realtor is someone who understands the problems, has the solutions and spends 100% of their time working with buyers, or  if they're a jack of all trades trying to work with buyers, sellers, and everything else in between? Why is a team beneficial? Getting an agent who has a team means you have more eyes looking out for you, more people available for you, and communication on a regular basis. Each team member applies their specific strengths and experience to provide you superior service and results than you could ever e...
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By Donna Graham, Casa Grande Real Estate Agent
(AZ New Horizon Realty)
ARMLS (Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service) has joined forces with Fannie Mae to launch a pre-approval pilot. which is intended to help streamline the Short Sale process. The pilot will pre-approve the listing price of the home.  The lender will accept the offer if the transaction meets other standard requirements (e.g., asset check, fraud detection, and no second liens, etc.).   Currently, Countrywide Home Loans is the only lender participating in the pilot with ARMLS.  The pilot will last for 90 days and if successful realtors will be able to indicate on their MLS listings that it is "Fannie Mae Pre-Approved.  Benefits for REALTORS® . Increases transparency on the Short Sale process. Minimizes the guesswork for your clients on price negotiations . Offers direct access to the len...
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By Donna Graham, Casa Grande Real Estate Agent
(AZ New Horizon Realty)
I receive many calls from homeowner's inquiring about Selling their home as Short Sale.   I specialize in selling Short Sale Properties in Casa Grande, Arizona City, Eloy, Maricopa, and Coolidge, Arizona.  I have extensive knowledge and a high success rate closing Short sales and it doesn't have to cost you anything.  It is very important to work with a Short Sale Real Estate Agent who is experienced with the process.  There are many options available to homeowner's in distress.  Don't let your home go to foreclosure.  Give me a call and I will be happy to discuss the different options available to you. I have been very successful & have worked with many different lender's with short sales and I know the process it takes to suceed.  Call Donna Graham, Realtor Prudential One Realty. 520-...
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By Tim Haight, Broker/Owner
(Pinal Realty & Property Management LLC)
For anyone looking to play in Casa Grande you should check out Francisco Grande. Built in the 60's for the San Francisco Giants Baseball team, it is long with some narrow fairways as well as some that are wide open. There are deals to be had and the staff is very friendly.Tim
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By Jennifer Srock - ABR,GREEN,GRI,SFR, Home Buyer Specialist
(Realty Executives Arizona Home Pros)
An Ounce of Maintenance is Worth A Pound of Repairs When was the last time you gave your house a check-up? Cars need to be serviced every five thousand kilometers or so, but your home doesn't exactly have an odometer. That's why it's important to put it on a regular inspection and maintenance routine. By tackling this seasonal and monthly outline of specific tasks, you can keep your household running safely and efficiently all year long. Spring / Summer Exterior: Trim trees and plants away from your home, including the roof Clean and remove debris from gutters and downspouts  Examine and repair caulking of the windows, stucco, and trim Examine paint on siding, trim, and doors (paint is essential for protection) Clean shade screens  Examine roof for loose, cracked, or missing shingles/ti...
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By Jennifer Srock - ABR,GREEN,GRI,SFR, Home Buyer Specialist
(Realty Executives Arizona Home Pros)
As we come upon the New Year our thoughts are filled with ways to improve our lives. My resolution for this year is to provide my clients with even better service.  I take pride in knowing that my clients have benefited from the energy that I have devoted to meeting their needs and I plan to work even harder this year. The opportunities that I've had in working with referred clients have provided me with my most enjoyable and rewarding experiences. Now, you're wondering what you have to do with my resolution. Have you ever heard of your Reticular Activator? Did you even know you had one? It's part of your brain that heightens your awareness of certain things. For example, do you remember the time when you last bought a new car? All of a sudden, you start seeing cars just like yours all ...
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By Jennifer Srock - ABR,GREEN,GRI,SFR, Home Buyer Specialist
(Realty Executives Arizona Home Pros)
Owner's Facing Foreclosure For some homeowners, foreclosure may seem the easiest or even, only option. Interest-rate increases have driven monthly payments too high and properties cannot be sold for enough to pay off the loan, causing homeowners to feel so overwhelmed and helpless that many just walk away and let the lender have the property. Sadly, many Americans could escape foreclosure if they'd just talk to their lender.  So, what are some things you can do if you're facing foreclosure? •·         Contact your mortgage lender and let them know about your hardship. Explain that you are willing but unable to make your payments. Ask if a deferment or forbearance is an option they'd be willing to entertain? Do you need to sell your home? Find out if your lender will approve a short sale...
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With all the talk of the $700 billion bailout money being diverted to bail out everyone but homeowners who can't pay their mortgage payments, it's easy to assume you have few options except foreclosure or mailing your keys back to your lender.  Please don't assume that foreclosure is your only answer.  AND please don't make the assumption that your lender will automatically approve a short sale. Short sales (mortage companies accepting a payoff less than the principle balance) are a viable alternative to a foreclosure.  They have been described as the "brain surgery" of real estate.  There are several steps to a successful short sale and very few Realtors have been properly trained in the current approval process.  Before choosing a listing agent, make sure your Realtor has received ext...
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By Jennifer Srock - ABR,GREEN,GRI,SFR, Home Buyer Specialist
(Realty Executives Arizona Home Pros)
  Have you been able to help the buyer's team of you, your lender, and your realtor understand your situation prior to finding the home? If so, you will have saved yourself time and given your team confidence in knowing they aren't missing anything from you that may cause delays or even forfeiture of the loan, the home, and/or your earnest money. Being prepared is a crucial advantage! Entering into negotiations with an offer may result in an accepted contract so be sure this is the home you want to buy.  Your offer is your first step in negotiating a sales contract with the Seller.  How does the home compare to other properties you may have seen in the neighborhood?  All you have to do is put the home in one of three categories - average, above average, or below average. Always put your...
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By Jennifer Srock - ABR,GREEN,GRI,SFR, Home Buyer Specialist
(Realty Executives Arizona Home Pros)
  Don't Move Money Around   When a lender reviews your loan package for approval, one of the things they are concerned about is the source of which you'll be getting funds for your down payment and closing costs.  It's most common to be asked to provide statements for the last 2 or 3 months on any of your liquid assets.  This includes checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, stocks, mutual funds, your company 401K and any retirement accounts.   If you have been moving money between accounts, there may be large deposits and withdrawals in them. Consult your loan officer if you feel the need to move money around.   The mortgage underwriter (the person who actually approves your loan) will probably require a complete paper trail of all financial ...
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By Jennifer Srock - ABR,GREEN,GRI,SFR, Home Buyer Specialist
(Realty Executives Arizona Home Pros)
  Should I Try to "Time the Housing Market"?   When supply of available houses for sale is much greater than the supply of Buyers willing to buy them, appreciation may hesitate and prices may even drop.  This is what happened in the early eighties to mid nineties and through 2008; which started as early as 2006 after a major surge of appreciation in 2005 when there was more buyers than sellers.  “People think they know more than they really do,” says Jason Zweig, a personal finance columnist at The Wall Street Journal and the author of Your Money & Your Brain (Simon & Schuster, 2007), a critically acclaimed examination of how neuroscience, psychology, an economics affect financial decisions. There are times when a vigorous economy builds consumer confidence about his or her  ability to ...
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By Melissa Yost, ABR CDPE
(RE/MAX Casa Grande)
Realtor.com published an article today stating, "Housing inventories in 29 major metropolitan areas declined 1.6 percent in October compared to levels in September, according to figures compiled by ZipRealty Inc." This intrigued me. I decided to pull some graphs and statistics on our local inventory. Well, guess what? Our inventory is actually down 10.7 percent from September! Wow! That kicks the national trend's butt! Are you wondering what that means in our area? It means that we're easing back into a healthy market. In Shift, Gary Keller's new book, he defines three types of real estate markets. Here's the breakdown: BUYER'S MARKET: More than 7 months of inventory BALANCED MARKET: From 5 to 7 months of inventory SELLER'S MARKET: Less than 5 months of inventory October's data is showi...
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By Chastity Guevara
(Camelot's Quest Realty)
Today was the annual picnic for Wal-Mart DC 7013 in Casa Grande, AZ.   My husband, Rick, is a receiver there as well as a licensed real estate agent with my company.He and I took 2 of our nieces, Keely and Gabriella "Sissy", to the picnic along with our son Austin and my mother Kathy. This is a picture of my husband Rick and my son Austin with a QA associate.  My husband is pointing at me as I approach with the camera.  He says he didn't know I was taking a picture. This picture is of my mother Kathy and my 2 nieces...Keely is the older of the two.  They are telling Grandma where to go next.       At the picnic there was of course food and music and games such as volleyball, soccer & mini golf.       There was plenty of Ice Cream and Snow Cones!       The inflatable slide, basketball, p...
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By Chastity Guevara
(Camelot's Quest Realty)
4 Day School Week In July the Governing Board authorized Casa Grande Union High School District to check into a 4 day school week in an effort to cut costs.  The Casa Grande Union High School District formed a committee which is meeting Thursday's through November to look into cost cutting methods such as the four day week.  The school board wishes to form a recommendation for the Governing Board's meeting in December of this year. The final decision is up to the Governing Board. Toltec District schools are already on a 4 day week.  The school begins a few minutes before other schools and last roughly an hour longer.  Students in the Toltec District seem to like the arrangement.  Currently the Toltec schools have Fridays off which some parents complain about. Some parents in the Casa G...
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Here is the map for USDA Rural Development Home Loans in Casa Grande Arizona.  If this is your area, please print it out and use it as a reference.  To verify an address you are looking at as eligible for the USDA Rural Home Loan, please email me with the address and I'll Check it for you. You can find more USDA Rural Home Loan Maps on my USDA website.                       Click on the map to download a pdf copy of the Casa Grande AZ USDA Rural Home Loan eligibility map. I'll get more up as time permits... Paul DunnTucson's #1 FHA Mortgage Loan OriginatorArizona USDA Rural Home LoansFHA Secure Short Refi on SquidooMortgage Marketing Community
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By Jerry Murphy, CRS, SRES, Anthem, Phoenix, and Scottsdale AZ Real Estate
(Long Realty West Valley)
1738 E. Primera Dr. - Casa Grande, AZ 85222 Benjamin B. Bailey Property Marketing Expert Arizona Premiere Living Windermere West Valley 480/220-8022 Ben@ArizonaPremiereLiving.com Jerry Murphy REALTOR® Arizona Premiere Living Windermere West Valley 602/334-3757 JWMurphy@Windermere.com $170,000 MLS# 4006621 3,260 Square Feet 5 Bedrooms + Loft 3 Baths Mountain Views Open Floorplan Great Community!!! Short sale opportunity! Truly incredible value on beautiful 5 bedroom, 3 bath home in up and coming Casa Grande. Home is very well appointed with 20' ceramic tile floors, pre-wired for surround sound, neutral colors throughout, huge master bedroom with fantastic walk-in closet perfect for those who like a well organized closet. Fantastic mountain views upstairs and down, with extended patio an...
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By Donna Graham, Casa Grande Real Estate Agent
(AZ New Horizon Realty)
Short Sale Real Estate Agent, I have had approvals in a little as two weeks and closed numerous Short Sale properties in Maricopa, Casa Grande, Arizona City & Coolidge, and Eloy Arizona over the past 3 years.  Negotiating a short sale with the lender takes experience.  A Realtor needs to make sure that all the documents that the lender requires are submitted at one time.  Each lender you deal with may have different requirements, so it is up the seller & Realtor to check with the lender prior to submitting a short sale offer.  It is especially important that once an offer is submitted, that the Realtor makes contact with the lender weekly for an update.  It can take weeks before the Realtor is actually directed to the right person that they will be negotiating the offer with. A short sa...
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