Sun City Grand Community Yard Sale November 1, 2008The date has been set!  The annual Sun City Grand community yard sale will be held on November 1st from 7 to 3 in the parking lot next to Dillons Grand.  You won't find an estate sale or yard sale in Sun City Grand.  The annual community yard sale is the ideal place to pick up "treasures" or to dispose of "stuff".  Golf clubs, golf carts, household items, antiques and lots of little "stuff" will be up for sale.  Mark your calendars and come early. View Larger Map It's all about people, being honest, having integrity and product knowledge.   Sun City Grand ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community! 09/16/2008

Sun City Grand real estate is different from most other areas in Arizona.  I live here in Sun City Grand, I work here, I know this community!  The retirement community tends to be more cautious with their investments and although prices have decreased, the price reduction rate is not as severe as other areas in the valley.  Most buyers would like to see all that is available until they find that "perfect retirement home".  Whether it is a fulltime residence or a secondary residence, the time involved in searching for the ideal property can be extremely time consuming. This year Phoenix has seen major turmoil with its fluctuating market.  It's been an interesting time watching the markets around the valley and concentrating on my market specialization.  Sun City Grand homes are selling. ... 09/16/2008

It`s time to buy some bank owned homes in Surprise Arizona! These are homes up to 50% off of sales price in 2005. Some of these are in great condition, some with pools, RV gates, huge square footage's for bottom dollar. Solutions Real Estate and the Ultimate Sales Team can help you find these deals. We are professionals that help buyers find, negotiate the best price and sort through the bank owned homes in Surprise Arizona that don`t make sense to buy. Please contact through one of our websites www.SmokinHotBankDeals.com or call myself or my area specialist Debbie Powers 623-202-1212 09/14/2008

On Saturday, September 20 from 7am to 1pm, the City of Surprise will be sponsoring its annual "Sept. 20 Clean-Up Event".  Everything except for hazardous waste can be disposed of at the Northwest Regional Landfill and its FREE FREE FREE - to Surprise residents only.  You will just need to show your proof of residency in the City of Surprise (Drivers License or Electric Bill).  A single load can weigh up to 2,000 pounds at no cost, but NO construction materials. Residents can dispose of a single load that weighs up to 2,000 pounds at no cost during the event. No major construction materials will be accepted.     Paint, pool chemicals and pesticides will be collected on October 11, 2008 at the Surprise  Household Hazardous Waste Collection Evwhich will ent be at the Public Works Maintenan... 09/10/2008

There are so many restaurants in the Surprise Arizona area that I decided to break them down into two maps. The first map gives you more of the fine dining options. Most of these are national chain restaurants but there are a few in the mix by local entrepreneurs. In some cases I've used the term "fine dining" loosely. Some of these restaurants are more like a Denny's, offering a wide variety of dishes. The second map shows you most all of the areas fast food restaurants and pizza joints. If you click on the link to take you to a larger map, it will list out all the restaurants. If you click on the corresponding balloon you have the option of getting directions if you are not familiar with the location. I'm sure these maps are by no means complete but they should give you more than enou... 09/10/2008

SURPRISE!  After many months of watching there is a BIG sign posted on Bell Road and the word is out.  Surprise Arizona is full of surprises!  It's a bank, no it's a dry cleaners, no, but it's the FORTH for the little city of Surprise..........it's .......... a...........MCDONALDS!  Yes, Surprise will have another McDonald's built in the center of the city. The newest McDonalds will be located at 16547 West Bell Road, right next to the new Bank of America that just opened.  It is unclear if they will be having an indoor or outdoor playground.  I don't care, I just have their French fries on my mind. If you live in Sun City Grand, Mountain Vista Ranch or in Surprise Farms, this newest McDonald's will be just moments from your communities.  This McDonalds is also located right in front of... 09/08/2008

Yesterday, September 3rd, 2008, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) named the city of Surprise a "Greening Greater Phoenix Community," "This is quite an honor to have Surprise recognized for its availability of green sites, which includes a commitment to build in infill areas, and designating areas inside the community that would serve well as cluster sites for environmental employers," says Economic Development Director John Hagen. If building a cleaner community is an issue close to your heart, you may want to take in one of the two upcoming educational events the City of Surprise will be hosting this month.  On September 20 and 27. industry leaders will be on hand to showcase solar products and explain how they work for the residential and commercial markets. To read the comp... 09/04/2008

Sun City Grand Real Estate Sales & Arizona Traditions Market Update August 2008 This market update provides the original list price of the property at the time the property was listed and prior to any price adjustments.   Golf Course Properties Address Model Sq Ft Original List Price Sale Price Days on Market 18728 N Clover Ct Windsor 3089 $899,000 $825,000 100 16937 W Artesia Dr Ashbury 2483 $699,000 $650,000 77 20875 N Grand Staircase Dr Borgata 2129 $510,000 $425,000 51 16522 W Monteverde Ln Stonecrest 2282 $489,000 $420,000 180 AVERAGES     $649,250 $580,000 102             Non-Golf Course Properties         Address Model Sq Ft Original List Price Sale Price Days on Market 15344 W Echo Canyon Dr Acacia 1580 $229,000 $225,000 76 15032 W Medinah Way Borgata 1950 $329,000 $287,500 107... 08/31/2008

Did you know Surprise, Arizona was named after developer Homer C. Ludden's hometown of Surprise, Nebraska? Well, as a resident, in the next couple of years you will probably be hearing more about the history of our city. The City of Surprise, AZ is turning 50 in the year 2010. In order to commemorate the big anniversary they are asking residents to participate. If you have old photos, newspaper clippings or stories to tell about our fair city, organizers would like to include them in a history book or video. You could even have your 15 minutes of fame on film while they video tape you telling your story. It sounds like a fun project. If you have anything you'd like to contribute, just call Sherry Aguilar at 623.222.1220 or e-mail her at clerk@surpriseaz.com . To see some of the pictures... 08/31/2008

  The September 2008 issue of the Surprise, Arizona Senior Center newsletter is out. Click HERE to see it. Just because the thermostat is in the triple digits doesn't mean you have to be cooped up inside.  Did all your friends leave for cooler climates?  Head out to the Surprise Senior Center and make some new friends.  In addition to your own community activities, there are many trips and activities you can participate in here. Click HERE to view the Senior Center Calendar Click HERE to view the Senior Center Lunch Menu   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in one of the Phoenix west valley active retirement golf communities, please call me or visit my website http://KathyAndersonRealtor.com. Here you will find information on homes f... 08/30/2008

There is some information that you can't wait to share.  As a matter of fact, many of us just want to scream it out from the rooftops. Some areas of Surprise has resulted in a dramatic increase of listings, a decrease in sales and a tremendous amount of foreclosures, short sales, and REO properties.  Sun City Grand is an age restricted community in the City of Surprise.  If you are waiting for the market to go down further, Sun City Grand may not be the community to wait on.  According to the latest MLS information, Sun City Grand is holding it's own in sales.  Check it out.  The number of properties listed is decreasing, the numbers of sales in escrow remain constant as well as the number of homes sold and closed in escrow. SUN CITY GRAND HOT SHEET 8/17/2008 8/10/2008 8/3/2008 7/27/200... 08/18/2008

Sometimes pictures cannot truly depict the beauty one experiences.   Curb appeal is very important when selling a home and the entrance into the subdivision is equally important.  If you consider coming and going from an elegant entrance is heart warming and uplifting, and feel that it is important when buying a home, you will have to check out one of the newest communities in Surprise Arizona. It is located off Grand Avenue, about 2 miles north of the entrance of Sun City West and Sun City Grand.  ASANTEThe name in itself is elegant. This community, in my estimation, is an award winner!   Asante, is a Master-Planned Community by Lennar. The entrance is spectacular to say the least!  It features rows upon rows of date palm trees.  The bridge at the entrance has five water falls flowing ... 08/16/2008

The signs are up.  Dirt is being moved about and the property is being excavated.  Is it coming soon?  Good question.  A couple of days I saw two signs labeled Brunswick Zone XL is coming and space available. The signs were posted on the vacant lot on the northeast corner of Reems and Waddell.  I've asked many nearby residents and there seems to be conflicting reports.  I've also done some internet research and did not find anything specific to the location of the first Surprise Arizona bowling alley.  Reems and Waddel is an excellent location since it is in the heart of Surprise. Remember now, it's all about location, location, location and this is one of the best locations in Surprise if in actuality the new Brunswick bowling center will be constructed on these corners.  According to ... 08/12/2008

Surprise Arizona is one of the fastest growing cities in Maricopa County and it has a SECOND brand new school opening tomorrow morning!  It's named Desert Moon Elementary School and is located on the corner of Pat Tillman Blvd and 166th Avenue in Surprise. [Pat Tillman Blvd was named after the American hero who played football at Arizona State University and the Arizona Cardinals.  Mr. Tillman lost his life in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004.] If you travel on Grand Avenue, you can't miss seeing the gigantic new school building off to the east of Grand and north of the 303.  The school is located about 2 miles from Sun City Grand and Sun City West entrances. The address is 23251 North 166th Drive.  Desert Moon Elementary is part of the Dysart School District with grades kindergarten throu... 08/10/2008

Surprise Arizona has a brand new school that will be opening tomorrow.  Located on the corner of 171st Avenue and Bajada Road, the Desert Oasis Elementary School will open their doors tomorrow morning for the first time.  It is projected that around 400 students will be in attendance (Kindergarten to 6th grade).  I believe that this is the first school in the City of Surprise that is part of the Nadaburg School District.  The school mascot is the roadrunner which is a delightful bird for anyone to watch.   Teachers were scurrying about this morning as they worked on getting their new classrooms ready for tomorrow's grand opening.  The play grounds have brand new equipment.  I can only imagine the school children in the morning walking into a brand new classroom with the latest upgrades ... 08/10/2008

We've waited and waited.  Promises were made and it seems as though the time has passed very slowly. Finally, the time has come!  Beginning August 11, the westbound lanes of Bell Road from Parkview to just east of the Loop 303 will be resurfaced.  The eastbound lanes on Bell Road from Parkview to Grand Avenue will also be resurfaced.  Hooray!  The ROADWORK will finally begin! According information provided at a recent Sun City Grand homeowners meeting, this means that the road will be resurfaced with some type of rubberized asphalt.  I did not post any information on the meeting until the actual City of Surprise press release was distributed.  Evidently the rubberized asphalt should decrease road noise for residents with homes that back up to Bell Road or are near to Bell Road.  The res... 08/04/2008

Have you found any flowers that bloom in the dead of night?   People who live in Arizona are referred to as a "Zoni".  Because of the cooler weather, "Zoni's" love San Diego!  However, most "Zoni's" who work just prefer to head to northern Arizona every Friday to enjoy the cool pines.  The trip from Surprise (Sun City Grand) takes about 2 hours.  Leaving the 100 plus degree weather and entering into the 65 degree weather is a delightful change.  The elevation is about 7,500 ft.  I found this flower blooming at about midnight last night in Northern Arizona.  I believe that this plant is indigenous to Arizona and can be found above 6,000 ft. in altitude.  It grows on a vine and requires a substantial amount of water because I found it in creek beds.    One of our neighbors told us about t... 08/03/2008

Mark your calendars for November 5 through 9, 2008.  The Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex will be the stage for the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Championships and the Outback Champions Series Tennis.  The event features round-robin matches with Jim Courier, Wayne Ferreira and Todd Martin and 5 others who are all competing world ranking tennis players.  To compete in the Champion Series, the players must have either reached a Grand Slams final played on a Davis Cup team or rankied in the top five of the world in singles. Tickets are sold at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet complex or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex14469 W. Paradise LaneSurprise, AZ         Aloha and Mahalo! Leolinda BowersSun City Grand Real Estate Sun City Grand ~ I live here, I... 08/02/2008

ModelOn the Golf CourseMesquite/PoolMissionCoronadoOff the Golf CourseMesquite/Pool/Lg Lot SierraSierraVerbenaVerbenaBorgataBorgataPalo VerdeManzanitaManzanitaMaderaMaderaLantana w/DenHeritageHeritageSageSageSageSageSageSageCypressWillowIrisCedarLa Solana CondosVista Sq.Ft.2779 s.f.2374 s.f.1996 s.f.2815 s.f.2243 s.f.2075 s.f.2019 s.f.2035 s.f.1958 s.f.1958 s.f.1870 s.f.1712 s.f.1712 s.f.Unknown1627 s.f.1546 s.f.1411 s.f.1435 s.f.1338 s.f.1338 s.f.1338 s.f.1322 s.f.1338 s.f.1338 s.f.1330 s.f.1183 s.f.1120 s.f.1099 s.f.604 s.f. Address17596 N Escalante Ln19426 N Coronado Ridge15113 W Alegria Ct14975 W Muirfield Ln19759 N Altos Way20924 N Vista Trail15808 W Canyon Whisper15528 W Coral Pointe Dr17156 W Lachlan Ln16651 W Bajada Trail15515 W La Salinas Ln15805 W Autumn Sage Dr16262 W Starry... 08/01/2008

The City of Surprise is one of the fastest growing cities in Maricopa County, Arizona.  Every day there are new building signs being erected.  Construction is on the rise and will continue to proliferate since the West Valley is probably the best viable option for growth in Maricopa County. The newest addition to the City of Surprise is the new Trader Joe's that is located on the west side of Grand Avenue between Outback Steakhouse and Goodyear Tire.  The address should be anywhere between 14087 and 14225 Grand Avenue. This is the 11th Trader Joe's that will be built in Maricopa County and the first for the City of Surprise.  Trader Joe's is not your typical neighborhood health food grocery store. Besides bread and milk, you can find imported cheese, organic produce and hand-tossed pizz... 07/31/2008