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Gilbert, AZ Real Estate News

By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
This is a question that was posted by a prospective home buyer on Trulia this evening.  On the surface, it seems like a harmless enough question.  And apparently a few others had that same thought, as within minutes a couple of real estate agents weighed in and posted answers to the buyer. I was shocked when I read their answers, as the agents literally named and described areas and zip codes that they deemed to be "good" neighborhoods.  What those agents did - probably without a clue - was walk all over federal fair housing laws like they were a pair of old worn out shoes! Check out HUD Fair Housing Laws and Presidential Executive Orders. A friend of mine said, "those agents [that just flagrantly and publicly violated fair housing laws, in writing, on a national real estate site], shou...
Comments 101
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
    1 Northbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) closed between Guadalupe Road and US 60 for overhead sign work. Northbound Loop 101 ramps to US 60 closed. 11:30 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday (March 14) 2 Eastbound I-10 narrowed to one lane between Litchfield and Dysart roads for widening project. Eastbound I-10 off-ramp at 107th Avenue also closed. 11:30 p.m. Friday to 9:30 a.m. Saturday (March 14) 3 Southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) off-ramp at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard closed for widening project. Southbound frontage road closed between Bell Road and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard. 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (March 16) 4 Eastbound I-10 off-ramp and westbound on-ramp at Queen Creek Road (SR 347) closed for resurfacing. Use interchanges at Wild Horse Pass Boulevard or Riggs Road. 6 a....
Comments 2
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
I frequently hear derogatory remarks made about car sales people - particularly "used car salesmen." I also hear many derogatory remarks made about real estate agents, and how they sometimes use the same high pressure tactics as car salesmen. Car sales people help folks make buying decisions and accompany them through the process. Real estate agents help folks make buying decisions and counsel them through the process. The specific techniques and skills utilized by either profession can vary by price range and area, but those lines have become extremely blurred. For instance, there are many cars for sale right now that are priced considerably higher than many homes in certain markets, and vice-versa.     ARE there any significant differences between a car sales person and a real estate ...
Comments 9
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
According to a news release today, Congress has just introduced legislation that if passed would establish a panel to provide independent mortgage advice. The new "panel" would be called the "Financial Products Safety Commission," and would "provide independent advice to consumers on mortgage products. It would also be charged with approving new financial and home loan products before they can be marketed to consumers." Is this just one step closer to governmental control of banking and finance? Or is this potentially some much needed and long over-due oversight of mortgage loan products?     Search Homes in:  Chandler - Gilbert - Mesa - Queen Creek - Phoenix
Comments 19
By Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807, Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor
(HomeSmart)
If you are looking to purchase a new home in Gilbert starting under $150,000, and are considering applying for that new $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit, you should check out The Willows by K. Hovanian Homes. The Willows has four great new neighborhoods in Gilbert.  The neighborhoods are centrally located at Recker and Williams Field Road.  Within these neighborhoods, you can enjoy community features including swimming pools, tot lots, basketball and volleyball courts, and greenbelts. The Courtyards at The Willows has seven single family floor plans to choose from, ranging from 3 to 4 bedrooms, and up to approximately 1,340 to 2,020 square feet.  All homes have two car garages and include fully installed and maintained front yard landscaping.  Again, these homes are starting at un...
Comments 0
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
    1. Southbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) closed between Rio Salado Parkway and Guadalupe Road for carpool lane project. Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) and US 60 ramps to southbound Loop 101 also closed. 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (March 9) 2. Northbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) closed between Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) and Warner Road for carpool lane project. 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (March 9) 3. Northbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) closed between Shea Boulevard and Cactus Road for sign structure work. Northbound on-ramp at 90th Street closed. 10 p.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. Sunday (March 8) 4. State Route 143 (Hohokam Expressway) closed in both directions between McDowell Road and Washington Street for widening work. Eastbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) also narrowed to tw...
Comments 2
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
GILBERT, ARIZONA   ...a shining star in The Valley of the Sun!     February 2009 vs. February 2008   240 single family detached homes were purchased last month vs. 175 last year. The average price paid was $221,280 vs. $298,733 last year. The median price came in at $197,000 vs. $254,990 last year. The ratio of purchase price to list price was 97% vs. 96% last year. 122 of the homes (51%) were bank owned vs. 43 homes (22%) last year. The average time on the market was 85 days vs. 115 days last year. There were 2,644 Active single family listings vs. 3,182 last year.   Click Here for full current Gilbert Market Report Gilbert Homes   photo by Miguel Folch
Comments 2
By Arizona Real Estate Associate Broker
(MR Realty)
Join other locals Thursday, March 5th for the kick-off of the 2009 Spring Concerts in the Park Series! The Concerts in the Park Series is held at the beautiful Freestone Park Amphitheater, located by the lake in Freestone Park (Lindsay and Juniper Roads). There is no charge for these concerts, and you and your family are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy an evening under the stars. Food and beverages are available to purchase. The Desert City Six Enjoy New Orleans style jazz at it’s finest. It’s heartfelt music sometimes hot and spirited, and sometimes sweet and restrained. The Desert City Six preserves the style learned from the fabulous New Orleans masters who pioneered the Americanart form called Dixieland Jazz. The Desert City Six have been performing for more the 6...
Comments 6
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
I met some extremely nice clients this morning - a mom and her son. She had been looking at listings I had been sending her for a couple of weeks, gotten her financing arranged, and they were both quite excited to tour some of the homes that looked and sounded so appealing on-line. The first listing was a relocation property - fresh paint, clean, newer appliances, vacant and immaculate. The second listing was an owner/agent property - vacant but staged, nicely updated, clean and inviting. The third listing was a foreclosed, bank owned property - anybody wanna guess what we found? We were greeted by a warm, friendly family of nice, healthy cockroaches. They lead us to the kitchen, which was filthy beyond imagination and smelled like a sewer. Down the hallway we went, with ripped floorin...
Comments 30
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
Arizona's Maricopa County includes Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, et al. Following is a chart, courtesy of the Maricopa County Tax Assessor, that shows a comparison of 2009 vs. 2010 median Full Cash Value (FCV) for each city in the county.  FCV's will not rarely, if ever, line up with current resale market values, but the trends should be comparable.  Here's a simple equation for you to remember:  Assessed Value does NOT equal Market Value. So FCV should NEVER be used to try to accurately determine the current market value of any given property.  I posted the chart here so you could take a quick glance at the latest annual change in each city.  And we can all go take some Prozac!   ;-)     Homes in Arizona ~ Homes in Gilbert ~ Homes in Chandler ~ Homes in Mesa ~ Homes in...
Comments 5
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
    Northbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) closed between Broadway Road and Rio Salado Parkway for overhead sign work. US 60 ramps to northbound Loop 101 also closed. 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (March 2) Southbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) closed between Southern Avenue and Baseline Road for overhead sign work. 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (March 2) Southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) closed between Cactus Road and Shea Boulevard for overhead message board work. 10 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday (February 28) Eastbound US 60 (Superstition Freeway) narrowed to two lanes near Mill Avenue for widening project. The eastbound US 60 on-ramp at Mill Avenue will reopen to traffic by 5 a.m. Monday. 6 a.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday (March 2) Westbound Interstate 10 narrowed to one lane between ...
Comments 4
Housing aid may not help many Arizonans Experts: Little benefit for those too far 'underwater' by J. Craig Anderson - Feb. 27, 2009 12:00 AMThe Arizona Republic Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan has revealed more details of the Obama administration's $75 billion foreclosure-prevention plan, raising early doubts about the program's ability to help homeowners in Arizona. Most struggling Arizona borrowers are too far upside-down on loans to qualify for refinancing at a reduced loan amount under the program, local real-estate professionals said after learning about provisions discussed by Donovan before Congress on Thursday. Some called it a step in the right direction, but it would help a limited number of homeowners in Arizona unless the guidelines continue to be modified. A key element of ...
Comments 0
By Jan Pickering
(Solutions Real Estate)
Most Expensive Gilbert Home - $2,995,000 Least Expensive Gilbert Home - $38,970 Median Gilbert Home List Price - $248,100 Average List Price - $316,785 Asking Price in Gilbert per Square Foot - $110 Average Days on Market for Gilbert AZ homes - 141 Total Gilbert Inventory - 1938 Absorbed Gilbert Homes This Week - 133 Percent of Gilbert Properties with Price Decrease - 55 % Market Action Index - 14 - Cold!  Buyer's market! From your local Gilbert Real Estate expert. There are many Bank Owned homes for sale. Call or email me for free list of Gilbert Arizona Bank Owned Homes for Sale Visit my website at www.janpickering.com
Comments 0
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
    photo by my daughter: Jenifer Hooker Jenifer Hooker's "Bubbling Lemon" Jenifer Hooker's "Purple Lightning" Jenifer Hooker's "The Eyes Have it" Jenifer Hooker's "Butterflies - Spectacular Works of Art"   Arizona Homes - Chandler Homes - Gilbert Homes - Mesa Homes - Queen Creek Homes  
Comments 6
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
I've been hoping I would never have to blog this story, but it's become such a prevalent story in our country and economy, I suppose it was inevitable.  The law of averages caught up to me! One of my homeowner clients in Arizona is in financial trouble.  Due to circumstances beyond her control, Elaine (we'll call her) is not able to keep with her mortgage loan payments.  She has a first loan and a second loan on her home, and has made a valiant attempt at negotiating loan modifications with both lenders. Elaine's first is an interest-only loan, and the best "offer" she was able to get from them was a reduced interest rate to 4.5% for the next year, going to 5.5% the second year, and then to 6.5% for the remainder of the loan (approximately 25 years). However, the lender would only agree...
Comments 10
By Chuck Willman, NewHouseUtah.com
(Chuck Willman)
It was another Saturday wasted... that was the sentiment, my brother and I had as we woke up just past sunrise. This Saturday would be ground prep. We'd clear the deepest portion of the back yard of any debris and then start shoveling away the grass and weeds. Later in the day we'd create furrows and, if time permitted, start the planting. While others were off playing football, baseball, basketball or any other pick-up game that could be had in the neighborhood, we would be toiling in the soil. Two child laborers- slaves to a dad who insisted we experience the things he had. That would be unlikely. He was born on an expansive farm. We just had the backyard. But... he had a tractor. We had hand tools. I tried to discern who had it harder... but it was a pointless exercise. Turns out fa...
Comments 35
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
    photo by my daughter: Jenifer Hooker Jenifer Hooker's "Purple Lightning" Jenifer Hooker's "The Eyes Have it" Jenifer Hooker's "Butterflies - Spectacular Works of Art"  
Comments 26
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
    Southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) closed between Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Raintree Drive from 10 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Saturday (February 21) for overhead message sign installation. Southbound Loop 101 also closed at Via De Ventura from 9 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Monday (February 23) for message sign installation. DETOUR: Traffic will use frontage road between Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Raintree Drive. Traffic will detour along the off- and on-ramps during closure at Via De Ventura. Northbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) narrowed to one lane between Baseline Road and Southern Avenue from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday (February 21) and from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday (February 22) for HOV lane construction. DETOUR: Consider alternate routes or allow extra travel time in the area...
Comments 7
By Randy Hooker, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek
(Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area)
I've been reading a lot lately about the possibility of new bankruptcy laws that would allow judges to adjust mortgage loan terms when a person files for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. President Obama seems to  be in favor of offering such 'Cram Down' power to bankruptcy judges. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is often called "The Wage Earner's Bankruptcy" because a consistent, regular source of income must be available for repayment of debt ~~ and therein lies the rub! What if you don't have a consistent, regular source of income? I have no desire to debate the merits of 'Cram Down' power being given to judges.  What I'm interested in is the issue of judicial 'Cram Down' relief being available to salaried or hourly individuals but NOT being available to those of us whose income is based on commissions ...
Comments 12
By Elena Thurston, Family Real Estate Specialist
(Keller Williams Legacy One)
My college roommate and I went through all the big stuff together; college life and graduation, marriage, even our first babies were both boys and born about seven months apart. When her son was diagnosed with autism, it was another life changing experience for us. It was shock for me but for many parents of autistic kids, it was kind of a relief for her. She's an incredible woman (who happens to have a medical background) so once she had a diagnosis, she dove into research of every kind and learned everything she could to help her child. S he immediately started to think about therapy and schools. She was then living on the west side of the Valley and slowly started to realize that there were nowhere near the resources her son needed. The question came "Do we move the entire family to ...
Comments 2
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