Gilbert has seen a slow down in the housing market and sales prices decline over the last several months. There has been stiff competition from builders which is hurting the resale market as well as many foreclosures. Several builders have recently gone into foreclosure as well, leaving Gilbert with several unfinished subdivisions and many homeowners wondering what will happen to their subdivision's HOA's.

Home prices in Gilbert have depreciated 13% from 2006 to 2007. However, there is good news on the horizon. Gilbert's resale inventory level is continuing to see a slight decrease and is currently at 2,200 active listings. The average days on market has also continued to show a month over month decrease and is now at 119 days. The trned for closed sales is also showing an increased with 343 homes sold in June and currently 123 under contract and 427 pending sales. The average sales priced for June is $280,000 for 2,297 square feet.

The good news for Gilbert - The median sales price is $265,000, down from $327,000 which is great news for buyer's affordability. There are a lot of opportunities for buyer's out there right now. It's a great time to purchase a home with the large amount of homes to choose from, the incredible builder incentives, and the resale deals to be had.

Chandler has continued to see a downward trend in home prices since the latter half of 2006. 2007 finished the year off with a depreciation rate of about 12% and the first decline in homes in over 15 years.

June Residential Highlights
Closed sales are continuing to increase and June saw 358 homes sold vs. 340 in May, a 5% increase. It appears that we have possibly hit bottom as closed sales have continued to creep up and have increased every month since Sept. 2007 with the exception of January. Pending sales also showed a jump and are on track to continue to improve with approximately 399 homes currently pending and another 100 homes under contract.

New listings are continuing to decrease, a very good sign that we are finally selling off the excess inventory. An interest side note is that Expired and Cancelled listings has also declined. Chandler has a little over 2,100 active listings, down from a high of 2,700 in October 2007. At the current rate of sales, Chandler's supply is nearing a more normal inventory level with a 7 month supply currently. A normal market is considered a six month supply. Now is the time to take advantage of the great buyer opportunities while they are still there! The inventory is great, prices are amazing, and many sellers, including banks, are willing to provide down payment and/or closing assistance, as well make repairs.

Mesa is following the valley's trend of a buyer's market. Current inventory has continued to see a slight decrease month over month and the current inventory is now at over 4,100 active listings. Median prices are down slightly from $243,500 to $235,000 while the average sold price for June was $215,000 for 1,797 square feet. The large number of foreclosed homes continues to drive prices downward. However the flip side is that opportunities abound.

The number of pending sales is also continue to show a slight increased and is currently at 626 with another 146 currently under contract. Closes sales finished in June with 486 homes sold. An interest twist to this are the number of Expireds and Cancelled listings. This number has dropped for the second consecutive month, these numbers are also less than the same period in 2007 meaning that sellers are more realistic on their pricing and the the homes for sale truly need to sell. There is less "testing of the waters".

Mesa currently has about a 12 month supply of homes available. The good news is that sales increased over May by about 2%. The average price for June is the lowest in 36 months and does not follow the trend of the past 2 years where we saw prices increase or remain the same in the month of June. The final good news is that the average list to sale price increased to about 95.3% as buyers and sellers are coming closer togather on price.

Mesa is still in a strong "buyer's market" as the inventory is great, prices are amazing, and many sellers, including banks, are willing to provide down payment and/or closing assistance.

Debra Ludlow had lived in the Tradition East neighborhood for 15 years but didn't really know all of her neighbors.

But things began to change last year when some of her neighbors began to band together to improve things in the community near Chandler Boulevard and Cooper Road. The group applied for a Chandler traditional neighborhood grant and used the money to spruce up common walls, get dumpsters for neighborhood cleanup and even held a block party that got people out of their homes and into the street mingling with one another.

"After 15 years there were people in my cul-de-sac that I had never seen," Ludlow said. "They'd drive their cars into the garage and go into the house through the garage. I knew what their cars looked like, but not the people. Now I see people in the grocery story and we're going, hey, I met you at the party last year. You're my neighbor." <script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="http://gcirm.azcentral.gcion.com/RealMedia/ads/Creatives/OasDefault/azc_circ_newscontent_home/TFSMFlashWrapper201.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"></script>

The funds, up to $10,000, can be used for things like improvement of common areas of the neighborhood, crime prevention or even social events such as a block party.

The grant process at Tradition East began last year when resident Penny Ross decided she would see what the city could do to help her neighborhood. She attended a grant request workshop and after that set about trying to get her neighbors involved.

She started by simply walking the streets of the neighborhood and knocking on doors.

"It was rough," Ross said. "I canvassed the community three times. I had people yell at me and slam doors in my face. (Ludlow) got cursed at."

She said some neighbors were concerned they were trying to organize a homeowners association. But eventually, residents could see the value in what they were trying to accomplish and joined their efforts.

"I was impressed by the initiative," said neighbor Derek Jacobs. "I wanted to thank them for what they're doing. I think the entire neighborhood benefits from it. It's a positive, contagious thing."

Neighbors who first met at the block party are now doing things together like forming walking groups. City officials say that kind of social investment makes neighborhoods stronger.

"When you get to know your neighbors you look out for each other," said Neighborhood Programs Administrator Stefanie Garcia. "You know who should be in your neighborhood and even who doesn't belong there."

More Tradition East residents are coming out and putting together a plan to apply for another grant (communities are limited to one grant per year) when they become eligible.

"If one person can get it started, maybe two more will get involved the next year and more the next," Ludlow said. "Then you can pass the ball on."

About the program: Chandler's neighborhood grant program provides up to $10,000 for traditional neighborhoods, or up to $5,000 (in matching funds) for neighborhoods with HOAs, depending on the age of the neighborhood. The funds can be used for things like improvement of common areas of the neighborhood, crime prevention or even social events such as a block party.

How to qualify: The basic criteria are that the neighborhood be registered with the city, that residents put in at least 250 hours of sweat equity and also go through one of the city's grant request workshops.

More information: Call the office of Neighborhood Programs at 480-782-4320 or go to that department's link on the city's Web site, www.chandleraz.gov.

Chandler is hosting a Summer Splash Fesitival July 19th in DR. A.J. Chandler Park, located downtown Chandler. This is a wonderful water-related event for some summer fun and a good way to stay cool in our summer heat. The festival is a new event which will be a family-friendly day of water-related activities, with water slides, dunk tanks and cyber maze water tag. Aqua-Tots will be on hand to give free tot swimming lessons. There will also be arcade games, food and entertainment. Admission is free.

However, volunteers are needed for the Summer Splash Festival, being held July 19 in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park in downtown Chandler.

Volunteers will oversee the activities and make sure that children are participating safely in the dunk tanks, water slides and wading pools. Certified lifeguards will also be there.

Volunteers are asked to work a two-hour shift between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

For information, call the event's sponsor, the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, at 480-855-3539 or e-mail dccp@downtownchandler.org.

Tradtion and Tradtion East are a master planned community that feature several home builders and many styles and size homes. The neighborhood is located in Chandler between McQueen and Cooper Rds, bordered on the south by Chandler Blvd.

The neighborhood is a non-HOA community. This is a rare feature in Chandler for homes that have been this recently build and offers the owners in the community the flexiblity of being able to park their RV's on their own property. The nieghborhood features two city parks, Jackrabbit and Pima. Pima Park is a large regional park that offers a jogging trail, ramadas, play area, and basebase fields.

Tradtion and Tradition East attend wonderful award winning schools. Sanborn Elementary is an A+ state school and a federal Blue Ribbon School. Willis Junior High has also won the A+ award several times, and Chandler High School is one of the few secondary schools in Arizona to have been awarded the A+ award twice within three years. Chandler High school is an Excelling School that offers students the opportunity to achieve an International Bacalaurate diploma and the only Chander high school to offer that program. Chandler High is also known for it's outstanding band program and is ranked 5th in the nation.

Tradition and Tradition East offer many types of homes from starter size homes built by Richmond American to large two story homes built by Graystone. Homes range in size from 1100 square feet to slightly over 3,000 square feet. The builders that developed that area are Richmond American, Ryland, Inco, Laurelcrest, US Homes, and Graystone.

Tradition and Tradition East are a wonderful neighbor offering many styles of homes to choose from, award winning schools, and many recreational amenities. It's a great place to call home.

Search Traditon & Tradtion East Homes

Click here for School Information:
Sanborn Elementary
Willis Junior High
Chandler High School

There are plenty of "Desert Deals" in the Valley of the Sun with prices in some communities dropping 20% - 30%. Sun, golf, and attracting retires, Arizona ranks second in the nation having overtaken California in 2006. However, retirees have not managed to insulate the local real estate market from the shakeout. Our foreclosure rates have nearly tripled since 2007 according to RealtyTrac.

However, this translates into some great bargains. The city center has held up better according to Jay Butler of Arizona State University realty studies. Instead, the real estate deals are in the planned communities that surround Phoenix, which are magnets for retirees and are dropping to the tune of 20% -30%. A one million dollar home at the market's apex might go for the med- 700's now, especially in areas like Surprise or Queen Creek.

Phoenix's Maricopa County has 158 golf courses, the most of any county in the country, so looking for that special second home or retirement home, you have to look no further than the Phoenix area for great "Desert Deals."

Sponsored by the Chandler Lion's Club, the City of Chandler and Kalil Bottling Company, the Spectacular begin at 4 p.m., with live music, a bike parade and soccer games at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
The park, located on the southwest corner of McQueen and Germann roads, will brim with things to do for both families and adults. The Lion's Club expects the greatest attendance yet, as the 4th falls on a Friday for the first time in five years.
John Stewart, event chairman of Chandler Lion's Club, says this means more activities and more space.
"We are anticipating big crowds and are loaded up and ready for it," Stewart says. "We have good events, good fireworks and a lot of activities to entertain people while they are there."
Kids' activities include a free carnival, 24-foot rock climbing wall, military exhibit with at least six tanks for all ages to explore and several get-wet activities such as water balloon wars, a dunk tank and waterslides.
Children ride their decorated bikes around the park in the Cactus Bike Push, Pull, Peddle Bike Parade at 6 p.m., hoping to win the grand prize of a Harro bicycle. Participants can register at any Cactus Bike location until July 3.
There will be a beer garden for adults, which will also have blended margaritas and pina coladas. The band Corporate Affair will headline the event, with Neon Factor kicking off the live music.
Parking is located in both of the park's lots and is $5 per vehicle. Food, drinks and coolers are allowed in, although the Lion's Club appreciates support and suggests each guest buy a soda or water. No barbecuing or grilling is allowed. For more information about the Spectacular, call 480-782-2735. For parade details, call 480-782-5483.

About Ashley Park

A Great Neighborhood!

Ashley Park/Superstition Ranch is a premier neighborhood in Chandler. It offers many amenities to please all. Located is eastern Chandler, the subdivision is ideally situated to Chandler Fashion Square, Gilbert Town Center, and the new Lifetime Fitness Center. Both the US-60 and the Loop 101 are about 5 miles away providing easy access to other parts of the Valley of the Sun and Sky Harbor International Airport. The Neighborhood offers two beautiful waterfall entries, private community parks, basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, children's play equipment, and several ramadas with barbeque areas. A walking/bike path greenbelt leads to Sanborn Elementary and Pima Park.

Ashley Park also has the benefit of being in the Sanborn Elementary School and Chandler High School boundaries. Sanborn Elementary received the State of Arizona A+ Award and the National Blue Ribbon School Award. Sanborn was rated #8 in the nation for the 2001/2002 school year. Chandler High has received the State of Arizona A+ Award for the 2003 school year and offers the globally-recognized International Baccalaureate Diploma as well as one of the largest College Level Examination Program (CLEP) testing centers in the United States.
Ashley Park features a wide variety of homes to meet any size family. Built by Fulton Homes, a leader in quality built homes, the neighborhood features The Seasons series of homes starting at 1441 square feet and includes The Treasures, The Woodlands, The Sunrise, and The Vintage which are upscale basement homes featuring up to 6 bedrooms, over 4,000 square feet, and with a 4 car garage option.
So no matter what your home needs are, Ashley Park will have a home to fit your needs and it's a great place to live!

Click Here to Search Homes in Ashley Park

Click here for School Information:
Sanborn Elementary
Willis Junior High
Chandler High School

About Tradtion & Tradtion East

Tradtion and Tradtion East are a master planned community that feature several home builders and many styles and size homes. The neighborhood is located in Chandler between McQueen and Cooper Rds, bordered on the south by Chandler Blvd.

The neighborhood is a non-HOA community. This is a rare feature in Chandler for homes that have been this recently build and offers the owners in the community the flexiblity of being able to park their RV's on their own property. The nieghborhood features two city parks, Jackrabbit and Pima. Pima Park is a large regional park that offers a jogging trail, ramadas, play area, and basebase fields.

Tradtion and Tradition East attend wonderful award winning schools. Sanborn Elementary is an A+ state school and a federal Blue Ribbon School. Willis Junior High has also won the A+ award several times, and Chandler High School is one of the few secondary schools in Arizona to have been awarded the A+ award twice within three years. Chandler High school is an Excelling School that offers students the opportunity to achieve an International Bacalaurate diploma and the only Chander high school to offer that program. Chandler High is also known for it's outstanding band program and is ranked 5th in the nation.

Tradition and Tradition East offer many types of homes from starter size homes built by Richmond American to large two story homes built by Graystone. Homes range in size from 1100 square feet to slightly over 3,000 square feet. The builders that developed that area are Richmond American, Ryland, Inco, Laurelcrest, US Homes, and Graystone.

Tradition and Tradition East are a wonderful neighbor offering many styles of homes to choose from, award winning schools, and many recreational amenities. It's a great place to call home.

Click Here To Search For Homes in The Tradtions and Tradtion East Neighborhood
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