Sun City Grand Real Estate Sales April 2009Golf Course Properties Model SQ FT Original List Price Sold Price Days on Market Address Palo Verde 1,870 $399,500 $360,000 77 20025 N. Clear Canyon Dr Stonecrest 2,298 $475,000 $370,000 146 15205 W. Wildfire Drive Rosewood 2,602 $675,000 $600,000 140 17338 N. Potomac Lane Windsor 3,411 $889,900 $834,000 520 17249 W. Mahogany Way Sierra 2,075 $554,500 $525,000 14 19650 N Echo Rim Drive   Sun City Grand Real Estate Sales April 2009Non-Golf Course Properties Model SQ FT Original List Price Sold Price Days on Market Address Borgata 1,075 $295,500 $275,000 66 19708 N. Concord Drive Borgata 1,894 $310,000 $290,000 4 19501 N. Hawthorn Drive Borgata 1,894 $364,900 $338,000 59 18021 W. Pradera Lane Cordova 2,529 $375,000 $353,000 32 16277 W. Arroyo Vis... 05/02/2009

A couple days ago my husband told me he couldn't mow the yard for a few weeks.  I thought that he just wanted to play golf and forget about mowing our overgrown yard which is relatively small. Golf is his past-time and golf courses in Sun City Grand are pristine almost all year long.    Under the mower he found that a quail hen had laid seven eggs. The quail eggs were tiny, oval in shape about an inch around. I just love animals and the wildlife. Yes, he had a great day of golf. Living in a Phoenix Arizona retirement community has lots of benefits. Sun City Grand, I really like calling his community home. 04/29/2009

With a majority of sellers in my local markets of Avondale, Goodyear, Glendale, Litchfield Park, and Surprise, Arizona "upside down", this is a question I am often asked. There really is only one answer for families in this situation...a "short sale." A short sale is an agreement where the lender on the property agrees to accept less than the full balance owed on the mortgage. Short sales are complex transactions that typically take 4-8 weeks to complete and require an experienced (and persistent) Realtor to manage. I have previously written several blogs about how to complete short sales which can be read here: Short Sale Blog Why should homeowners consider a short sale? There are a number of reasons to consider a short sale. For example, if you need to sell as the result of a job relo... 04/29/2009

Fully Furnished Vacation Condo For Sal - Already has renters scheduled for early next year - almost like instant income potential! Don't miss an opportunity to invest in the Sunny Arizona housing market for your vacation needs or an income investment property while the prices are still low. Low maintenance vacation or rental home in Sunny Arizona? Then look for further, your search is over. This little gem is nicely updated and comes FULLY FURNISHED! You get everything you see, including dishes, washer and dryer, appliances, beds, etc. You even get tenants! The unit is rented to vacationers for January - March 2010. Remarks: FURNITURE AND ALL INCLUDED!! Beautifully updated condominium in Sun Village Golf Resort. This unit far outshines anything else on the market in this community. Lush... 04/28/2009

In searching for current Surprise Arizona listings of short sale and lender owned properties, I found that of the 1,329 properties listed, 655 were either short sale or lender owned.  That's 49% of all properties listed!  Was I surprised, not at all.  643 of those properties were located in communities that are not adult restricted. There are four adult communities (55+) in the City of Surprise, Happy Trails, Sun Village, Arizona Traditions and Sun City Grand.  These four communities contain almost 13,000 properties. There are no short sales or lender owned properties listed in Happy Trails.Sun Village, with a total of 46 properties listed, 2 of which are short sale or lender owned (4%).Arizona Traditions, with a total of 49 properties listed, 3 of which are short sale or lender owned.... 04/27/2009

This market update for Sun City Grand Arizona real estate provides you with a snapshot view for transactions that occurred during the week ending April 26, 2009. Sun City Grand Arizona Real EstateHot Sheet for the Week Ending 4/26/2009 Total Sun City Grand Listings(Excludes La Solana) 248 New Listings 4 Back-on-the Market 0 Price Changes 16 Pending Sales 8 Conditional & Contingent  3 Sold/Closed 3 Current Listings: Golf Course Property Listings 53 Current Listings: Properties OFF the Golf Course 195 Current Listings: La Solana 19 The number of properties currently on the market has decreased each week for the last five weeks.  This week the number of newly listed properties has decreased by 70% over the previous week.  Price reductions are remaining constant while the number of pending ... 04/26/2009

SUN CITY GRAND Real EstateHot Sheet for the week ending 4/19/2009 Total Sun City Grand Listings (Excludes La Solana) 261 New Listings 12 Back-on-the Market 3 Price Changes 17 Pending Sales 8 Conditional & Contingent  1 Sold/Closed 8 Golf Course Property Listings 54 Properties OFF the Golf Course 207 La Solana 19 This week's absorption rate is 53 weeks.   Sun City Grand .....I live here, I work here, I know this community! About The Author Leolinda Bowers is an Associate Broker with Ken Meade Realty. She specializes in Arizona West Valley Retirement (55+) Communities. Leolinda has Bachelor of Science Degrees and a Masters Degree in Business Administration with Project Management concentration. She is a leading sales person who has proven sales experience in the current real estate marke... 04/19/2009

SUN CITY GRAND Real EstateMarket Update for the Week of: 4/12/2009 Total Sun City Grand Listings(Excludes La Solana) 271 New Listings 15 Back-on-the Market 0 Price Changes 17 Pending Sales 17 Conditional & Contingent  2 Sold/Closed 2 Golf Course Property Listings 54 Properties OFF the Golf Course 217 La Solana 19 Sun City Grand inventory has remarkably decreased over the past 5 weeks from 299 to 271 available properties for sale. The inventory decrease can be attributed to an increase in sales as well as an increase of homeowners who are leaving for the summer and taking the home off the market in their absence.   Sun City Grand .....I live here, I work here, I know this community! About The Author Leolinda Bowers is an Associate Broker with Ken Meade Realty. She specializes in Arizona... 04/12/2009

Speechless Sunday ~ Celebrating Easter Phoenix Arizona Style in Sun City Grand          I was showing Sun City Grand homes this morning to some prospective buyers. My buyers were from New York and were amazed at the sight of a costume attached to a Saguaro Cactus. It must have taken a whole lot of time to secure the Easter rabbit decoration, gingerly - as not to get pieced with the sharp thorns. I am a little more fearful to the cacti on the left since I've gotten poked when I passed by one too close. After that lesson I stand a few feet away from any cacti and try to warn people.   04/12/2009

   Finally, a step in the right direction!  After all of the media hype we are all drowning in with regards to the failing economy and the foreclosure crisis, it is about time that someone helped us start whistling to a different tune.  We understand where we are at economically (not in a good way), but instead of dwelling on how horrible it is, we need to do something about it.  The city of Surprise is doing just that.  Finally - a call to action.     Surprise, AZ is currently experiencing one of the worst foreclosure situations in the Valley of the Sun.  In fact, recently, the number of foreclosures inundating the market here grew to 1,400 - an alarming number.  For the reason, Surprise City Council has recently approved what they are calling the Abandoned and Foreclosed Property Acti... 04/05/2009

The annual spring Sun City Grand community-wide yard sale will be held on April 4, from 7am to noon at the Sonoran Plaza parking lot, 19753 N. Remington Drive, in Surprise, Arizona.  Come search out the special treasures and bargains that you won't find in the mall.  Looking for some great "stuff" to sell on ebay?   Items on sale range from antiques, golf clubs, household items to zebras, everything from A to Z.  Since this is one of the only venues in which Sun City Grand residents can have a garage or estate sale, over 200 residents will bring their wares and will be setting up booths at the annual sale.  Best of all, its open to the public. Get there early since this sale commands over 10,000 people in attendance each year.   View Larger Map Sun City Grand .....I live here, I work h... 03/30/2009

This market update for Sun City Grand real estate provides you with a snapshot view for transactions that occurred during the week ending March 29, 2009. SUN CITY GRAND Real Estate Hot Sheet Week Ending 3/29/2009 Total Sun City Grand Listings(Excludes La Solana) 299 New Listings 13 Back-on-the Market 0 Price Changes 21 Pending Sales 12 Conditional & Contingent  1 Sold/Closed 13 Golf Course Property Listings 56 Properties OFF the Golf Course 243 La Solana 22 The absorption rate for Sun City Grand this week is 54 weeks. At the current rate of sales, it will take approximately 54 weeks to deplete the present inventory. The absorption rate for Arizona Traditions this week is 70 weeks. At the current rate of sales, it will take approximately 70 weeks to deplete the present inventory.   03/29/2009

I have been showing lender owned properties to a client for almost a month.  She wants to purchase an inexpensive bank owned home for her son.  Until a few weeks ago, approximately 32% of the homes listed in Surprise were either in foreclosure or a short sale.  On March 5, 2009, Business Week announced that Surprise Arizona  was in the top ten zip codes with improved home sales.  To be exact, Surprise was in the 8th position nation wide. My buyer has placed several full-price offers on lender owned properties.  Her offers were either rejected or countered to best offer.  Needless to say that my buyer became distressed when she could not obtain a lender owned property to purchase at a reasonable price.  I suggested that we look at properties at a higher list price. Flipping a home was v... 03/27/2009

I wrote an announcement here in July 2007, Crescent Crown Distributing is now open in Surprise. This enterprise distributes Miller and Coors as well as many boutique and exotic beers. Perhaps more important, the huge (250,000 square foot (that's over 5 acres folks)) warehouse is only the first to occupy the Surprise spur of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. This opens the doors to many more national and regional distribution, and is an important contributor to an economic recovery of the area. Jim Little, your Sun City REALTOR® Please visit my Web Site, suncityneighborhood.com where you can search the MLS with no registration for free. 03/25/2009

Arizona cactus blooms are spectacular this time of year. Sun City Grand residents and guests are frequently seen taking pictures of the colorful cactus flowers.   These pictures were taken in my neighbor's home in Sun City Grand. The cactus blooms were large and bountiful.  The buds will probably open in a few days. Quite frequently photographers are seen with their tripods trying to capture the moment for posterity.   Sun City Grand .....I live here, I work here, I know this community! If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Sun City Grand, please call me or visit my website to search all Sun City Grand homes for sale,  homes just listed in Sun City Grand homes for sale, Sun City Grand Homes floor plans, Sun City Grand Homes for Sale with 3 Car Garage, homes in Sun City... 03/18/2009

According to Business Week California leads the nation with our own Surprise Arizona coming in at number 8!! That should be welcomed news to the homeowners there who have taken quite a dip in home values.  But, this doesnt mean that the values have gone up, just that the properties are being snatched up more quickly.  One would hope that this increase would follow with some stability.   Surprise offers a great buy for the prospective buyer, with many homes of all types and sizes well under 200,000. To View a property in Surprise or any other Phoenix Metropolitan Area call me today. Karen Turney/Realty Executives/602-999-2742/"It's A Good Move" 03/13/2009

Tennis Grand Slam champion Billie Jean King will be hosting a national diabetes awareness photo exhibit entitled Be the Face of ChangeTM in Sun City Grand on March 13th.  The purpose of the event is to reveal one Sun City Grand resident who was chosen for a national campaign to raise Diabetes awareness.  Novo Nordisk, a health care company specializing in diabetes care, has selected a Sun City Grand resident to join their national diabetes awareness campaign.  The identity of the specially chosen Sun City Grand resident will be revealed on Friday, March 13 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sonoran Plaza in Sun City Grand, in Surprise, Arizona.  The photo exhibit documents the lives of Americans living with diabetes and the changes they have had to make in their lives. From 11 am to 5pm on Saturday,... 03/09/2009

Sun City Grand Resales and Decrease Age Restriction Impact According to the most recent Sun City Grand statistics, resales for 2008 have decreased 13 ½ percent from 2007. Prices have decreased on average approximately 9.8 % in the past 12 months.  Unlike other areas in Surprise, Arizona, this is a definite indication that the Sun City Grand market is strong.  Sun City Grand is an upscale adult community in which there is a definite sustainable demand. Sun City Grand is an age restricted community in Surprise Arizona that allows and encourages younger residents of 45 years of age with no children under the age of 19 years old.  15% of the 9,802 homesites can have residents 45 to 54 years of age.  Renters must be at least 55 years of age.  It is apparent that the lowering of the age requ... 03/09/2009

Sun City Grand Real Estate Sales February 2009Golf Course Properties Model SQ FT Original List Price Sold Price Days on Market Address Kensington 3188 $699,500 $670,000 3 18762 N Saltillo Dr Mesquite 2779 $639,000 $505,000 562 17682 N Pyrite Ct Borgata 1950 $449,500 $402,000 263 15582 W Big Sky Dr Jasmine 2404 $394,000 $395,000 10 16261 W Scarlet Canyon Dr AVERAGES 2580 $545,500 $493,000 210   Sun City Grand Real Estate Sales February 2009Non Golf Course Properties Model SQ FT Original List Price Sold Price Days on Market Address Acacia 1414 $199,900 $194,000 38 16223 W Desert Canyon Dr Acacia 1414 $227,000 $219,000 0 15543 W Encantada Dr Acacia +Spool 1414 $249,723 $225,000 37 19400 N Hidden Canyon Dr Azalea 1570 $269,000 $195,000 565 16279 W Kearney Ln Borgata 1894 $315,000 $295,000 2... 03/02/2009

Sun City Grand Real Estate Sales January 2009 Model SQ FT Original List Price Sold Price Days on Market Address Borgata 1,894 $299,000 $250,000 217 16632 W Rincon Peak Dr Borgata 1,952 $299,900 $287,000 32 17002 W Artesia Dr Borgata 1,894 $310,000 $295,000 9 18302 N Summerbreeze Way Borgata 1,992 $325,000 $300,000 28 14944 W Woodbury Ln Borgata 1,950 $339,000 $339,000 24 19432 N Wasson Peak Dr Cedar 1,099 $219,000 $192,000 128 16211 W Mountain Pass Dr Cholla 1,978 $225,000 $225,000 53 17940 N Estrella Vista Dr Desert Rose 1,834 $299,000 $239,500 167 17073 W Peregrine Ln Hacienda 2,334 $375,000 $363,000 1 18754 W Palacio Ln Kensington 3,082 $642,000 $525,000 466 20251 N Denizen Dr Palo Verde 1,889 $225,000 $225,000 346 17194 N Casita Springs Ct Sage 1,322 $210,000 $185,000 149 16129 W Mo... 02/01/2009