Hello!If you are looking for something to do today in Phoenix, why not check out the "Art Detour" in Downtown Phoenix?  Click HERE for the details from www.azcentral.com!The website for the event is www.artlinkphoenix.com.Sharon Kotula and Adam TarrRE/MAX Excaliburwww.WeAreAZRealEstate.com  03/04/2007

Hello!We have been working hard on our website, www.WeAreAZRealEstate.com, to update the pricing and availability of Urban Living homes - condo conversions, new lofts, townhomes, condos, etc.....We added 2 new Phoenix-Area Condo Conversions, Palmaire, and The Lofts at Arcadia - click HERE for more info!There is also a new-build townhome community in Phoenix, called Papago Vista - click HERE for details on it!Please keep in mind, we strive to know all we can on ALL projects in the Greater Phoenix Metro Area, including Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, and Desert Ridge....and we can represent you as a buyer AT NO COST TO YOU!  It makes sense to take advantage of our FREE services, and have an agent working on YOUR behalf!HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!Sharon Kotula, ABRAdam Tarr, e-PROYour Phoenix Area ... 03/03/2007

We may have seen a signal that spec homes are selling well and more buyers are getting back into the market.  According to RL Brown's Phoenix Housing Market Letter, single family permits climbed to 2,876 in January.  It is the highest level since August 2006.  Brown points to builders cutting prices hon homes and drawing buyers to some fringe communities once again.  For more info see http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0228biz-talker0228.htmlHas the "market correction" occurred or are we still in the middle of it.  I know the answer for the Tempe condos market.    03/01/2007

Okay this is crazy but true.  A builder in town, a very well known builder, has partnered with a non-profit organization by the name of "Rainy Day".  Their point is to encourage responsible home ownership.  So if you qualify, low to average income, and want to build a house in the right community, you get to participate in this program.  For your first year, every time you make a mortgage payment on time this foundation will reimburse you the entire payment.  Is that crazy?!  For a year.  No, you don't have to be a first time home buyer.  You just have to live in the home.  And no, it doesn't have to be a 30 year Conventional, it can be interest only if you want.  The funds are starting to dwindle, big surprise, so if you want in on this, contact me today.  If you like the community and... 02/28/2007

Hello!There was a great article on www.azcentral.com today.  It detailed that in January, the Phoenix Metro area hit a 5-month high for number of building permits issued.  What does this mean?:1.  Builders are selling their excess inventory homes.  For some time, they were carrying far more "Spec" homes than normal, due to over-estimating buyer interest, and buyer fallout.  Finally, they are selling off these homes, and are pulling permits to start new ones - to meet buyer demands.  2.  More buyers are re-entering the market!  After carrying too much inventory, builders are going to be more cautious/realistic in the number of speculative homes they start.  They are going to try to keep pace with buyer demand.We've said it all along - Phoenix is, and will continue to be - a great place t... 02/28/2007

Your Phoenix, AZ Housing Report for Zip Code 85050January 07  The following information is compiled from Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS) data. If you are considering buying or selling a home we hope it will be helpful. This data is for the entire ZIP code of 85050. If you would like community specific information please contact us.Total Active residential listings as of 2/24/07                                  295Total Active Single Family Listings as of 2/24/07                             249Price range of Active SF Listings                                       $240,000 to $1,540,000Number of sold in January                                                             43Number sold same period previous year                                          32% change year over... 02/24/2007

Housing Prices 2006 over 2005Surprisingly, and amid all the hoopla of a slow market and lower sales volumes, the average price for a home in Phoenix was up slightly in 2006 compared to 2007 according to the ASU Real Estate Center. By December of 2006 average home prices were $222k compared to $205k for the same period the previous year. What you read in the newspaper about a "crashing" market is doom and gloom and I suspect a ploy to sell newspapers and generate water cooler gossip that turns into more bad urban legend. Take heart owners, not all is bad. Although it may be a bit of a buyers market, you're still looking good. Darryl L. King, B.Sc., AHWD, e-PRO®, GRI REALTOR®, MRE Societyhttp://www.dkingrealty.com/ 623-293-2864 02/23/2007

We thought you might be interested in some real estate statistics for the Phoenix Metro area.  These statistics come from Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS).  Keep in mind that this does not reflect FSBO's, as reliable information on those sales is hard to come by.For the entire ARMLS area which covers the entire Phoenix Metro area including parts of Pinal County, there were a total of 74,108 sales of single family and condo properties.  As of December 31, 2006, there were 41,339 active single family listings and 2932 active condo listings.  The number of active listings is down from earlier in the year.Approximately 39% of all listings in 2006 sold.  Considering the frantic sales of 2004-2005 when almost everything sold in a matter of days, this can give you an idea of t... 02/21/2007

You probably never thought of this, but women's shelters in the U.S. go through thousands of tampons and pads monthly. Assistance agencies generally help with expenses of "everyday" necessities such as toilet paper, diapers, and clothing, but one of the most BASIC needs is overlooked - feminine hygiene products. Seventh Generation, a green paper products and cleaning products company, has a do-good attitude and will donate a box of sanitary products to a women's shelter in your chosen state - just for clicking the link. Talk about easy (and, yes, it is Legitimate)! http://www.tampontification.com/donate.php You click on the link, you pick your state and you're done.  Pretty easy.Thanks for helping out. Please pass this on.  Feel free to post on your own local blogs. 02/20/2007

Right about now, half the nation is getting pretty darn sick of snow, ice, and cold.  They're thinking about someplace warm, without hurricanes and without earthquakes.  Many times that leads you right to Arizona.   And why not?  Today it was a balmy 62 degrees.  I actually broke out a sweater.  But took it off sitting in the sun of course.  But how much would it cost you to live here really?  Moving from Philadelphia?  Make around $60k a year?  Your comparable Phoenix salary is $48,591.  Everything will cost less, groceries will be about 21% less, housing a huge 29% less, and utilities are 21% less.  Looks like a smart move to me!Let's say you're moving from Boise, ID and you make about $60,000.  Your comparable salary in Phoenix will be $63,958.  Groceries will cost you about 6% more,... 02/20/2007

 Great news.    Economists are projecting that the end of the real estate decline is near completion.   David Lereah, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors recently was quoted as predicting a steady rise in existing home sales in 2007 and into 2008.  He predicted the new home sales will suffer into latter into 2007 due to their large inventory of homes.   Additionally he believed that home prices have leveled and since mortgage rates are still favorable home sale activity will pick up and even allow modest price gains later in the year.    This will occur when the balance between homes listed and demand levels.Lastly, David Lereah of the National Association of Realtors forecast that home prices will grow 1.9 percent in 2007.    This is a national average and in t... 02/13/2007

TRULY AN AMAZING PROPERTY.THREE BEDROOM(POSSIBLE FOURTH BEDROOM/BONUS ROOM),TWO BATH,SUPER HUGE COVERED PARKING AREA,BLOCK FENCED YARD AND MUCH MORE.IF EVER THERE WAS A MOVE IN READY PROPERTY,THIS IS IT!THE OWNERS OF THIS HOUSE ARE METICULOUS AND IT SHOWS.WITH THIS HOME THE FRIDGE,WASHER,DRYER,HOT TUB/SPA,MICROWAVE & MORE STAY.AS THEY SAY,GRAB YOUR TOOTHBRUSH.THIS HOME HAS FRESH PAINT TO BOOT.YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO COME AND CHECK OUT THIS HOME IF IT EVEN COMES CLOSE TO YOUR NEEDS,YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!MORE FEATURES INCLUDE NORTH/SOUTH EXPOSURE,R/V PARKING,SECURITY SYSTEM,MATURE LANDSCAPING WITH WATERING SYSTEM,SKYLIGHT,SINGLE LEVEL,SEPERATE LIVING QUARTERS IN BONUS.GO TO http://www.circlepix.com/tour.htm?id=502384&mls_tour=1 FOR MORE INFO!!! 02/11/2007

For those of you new to the Valley and needing a hint or two on a great place for Valentine's Day, you've come to the right place.  Here's a list of my favorite romantic spots:Be crazy and set up a candlelight dinner on the hill, by the waterfall, overlooking the lake at Freestone Park.  Sure people will look and smile, but I guarantee, your love will never forget it.  Just watch out for duck poo.The Landmark Restaurant in Mesa is incredibly nostalgic and truly one of a kind.  Especially great for those who love salads.  There is a whole room dedicated to the salad bar.  Not great for those that can't handle stairs, though.  It's in an old, refurbished church building.  The Compass Restaurant in downtown Phoenix is the only rooftop-revolving restaurant in all of AZ.  Absolutely incredib... 02/09/2007

Scottsdale and Phoenix Events this weekend!Hello!It is going to be a beautiful weekend weather-wise; be sure to get out and enjoy it!  Here are some events happening this Friday - Sunday:One of the events going on this weekend is the Scottsdale Fine Art & Chocolate Festival.  It features more than 150 artists' work, displayed alongside artful chocolate creations.  What a great opportunity to get your Valentine something special!  Hours are 10AM - 5PM, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and admission is $2.  The "Taste of Greece" Festival also is this weekend, at Tempe Beach Park.  There will be food, rides, cultural events, dancing, and more!  Click HERE for more details!  The Men's Luxury Toy Expo occurs at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, too!  Admission is $12.  Click HERE fo... 02/09/2007

 I thought it would be useful to find out the current status of the real estate market in some Phoenix subdivisions.    If you have any questions regarding this data or the real estate market in Phoenix, please contact me at (623) 640-0937.  In Adobe Highlands, as of the end of January 2007 there were 14 active homes for sale listed in MLS.      The average list price was $435,814.29.     There were no pending homes (under contract) and none sold during January in Adobe Highlands. In Desert Ridge, also for the month of January 2007, 8 homes sold with an average sale price of $516,300.  As of January 31 in Desert Ridge there were 71 active homes with an average listing price of $572,456.34 and 14 homes were pending with an average list price of $551,771.43.In Dynamite Mountain Ranch two ... 02/07/2007

Hello!There was an article on http://www.azcentral.com/ yesterday detailing the rent situation in Phoenix - click HERE to read it in its entirety.It states that Valley renters will pay an average of 5.4% more this year in rent, or $785 a month.  Plus, with vacancy rates projected to fall below 5% for the first time in years, landlords won't be offering great incentives like they have in the past - i.e. 1st month free, or lease renewal specials.We had predicted this again and again.....with so many condo conversions, a large number of rental units disappeared - but the number of renters did not.  Supply and demand dictates that if there is a low supply, prices will rise.  If you are currently renting, this is a great reason to look into investing in your own home.  We can get you in touc... 02/06/2007

Hello!Wow, what a week Phoenix just had!  The FBR Open brought in thousands of tourists and MILLIONS of dollars of revenue!Along that similar line, here is a great link to Phoenix area festivals for Winter and Spring!It was on the Arizona Republic website - one of our local papers.If you live here, or plan to visit this winter/spring, make sure you check it out!  The weather is PERFECT this time of year to get out and enjoy all the area has to offer!Sharon Kotula, ABRAdam Tarr, e-PROYour Phoenix Area Real Estate SourceRE/MAX ExcaliburScottsdale, AZinfo@WeAreAZRealEstate.comwww.WeAreAZRealEstate.com  02/05/2007

Phoenix proper saw many of the same trends as Glendale and Peoria for home values and home sales in the last few years except Phoenix home values actually climbed slightly the last quarter of 2006.    The Phoenix median home value climbed to $223,500 the last quarter of 2006 from $221,675 posted the third quarter of 2006.     Granted this is only a slight increased, but compared to the typical decreases from the surrounding communities, it is a welcome sight.   In the fourth quarter of 2005 the median home price was $207,000 and in 2004 the price was $148,550 so Phoenix proper has seen a consistent increase in home prices.As in the other valley communities, Phoenix did see a downturn in the number of homes sold.   The end of 2004 there were 7140 resale homes sold.  This number dropped t... 01/28/2007

Lets just talk a moment about the current climate in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. It depends on who you talk to as to what story you will get. The media has a bit of the driving factor in the market slowing down. All you hear about is "The Bubble" and when is it going to bust. In my opinion and everday observations, "NO!" Granted, prices did skyrocket in our market but are still within reach of most. The market is just starting to balance itself out. You cannot compare the market of 2004-2005 to that of a normal market. Sellers were spoiled. Multiple offers on the first day listed. Although, great for sellers, just think about the five other buyers that got outbid. In Summary, we are just getting back to a balanced market.   01/26/2007

From the Arizona Republic:Governor pursues plan for commuter rail lines â€" ADOT is days away from asking bidders to plan a passenger rail line connecting Phoenix and Tucson by Centennial Day, Feb 14, 2012. The arrival of commuter rail in Arizona is not a guarantee because some state law makers oppose rail, saying it isn't worth the subsidy. But involvement by the state increases the chance that it could become a reality. "The governor clearly believes that we have to explore these options and implement some," said Jeanine L'Ecuyer, Napolitano's spokeswoman. "She wants wide open thinking on this subject. She's serious about these executive orders. She expects results and does not want these studies to be a book on the shelf." ADOT will look at a wide range of options, from new or expedi... 01/25/2007