About Maricopa County, AZ

This was in the backyard of a home that I recently listed.  According to the homeowners, they have had it for three years and it was about 3 inches when they first purchased it.  It loves the north facing patio and needs three tablespoons of water once a month.

If you looking to buy a home or sell a home in Sun City Grand in Surprise Arizona, please contact me or visit my website at http://LEOLINDA.com.  I am a Sun City Grand resident and a full-time Realtor®.

To search homes for sale in Sun City Grand real estate and homes for sale including Foreclosures and Short Sales go to http:LEOLINDA.com.  Search Sun City Grand Floor plans that fit your lifestyle or check out recent home sales in Sun City Grand.

See other golf course retirement communities including Sun City West, Sun Village, Arizona Traditions, Westbrook Village, Trilogy at Vistancia, Pebble Creek and Sun City Festival at http://LEOLINDA.com. 

 Sun City Grand ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!

LEOLINDA BOWERS
ASSOCIATE BROKER
KEN MEADE REALTY
CELL (602) 403-6865
BUSINESS (623) 937-5701

© 2009 Leolinda Bowers (Arizona Retirement Communities, Sun City West & Sun City Grand Real Estate). Unless otherwise noted, the content, both pictures and written, is the property of Leolinda Bowers.  Reproduction in part or whole without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. 

Chandler, Arizona -  Single Family Home for Sale - $155,000

MLS# 4243885

Great property in subdivision with NO HOA in the heart of Chandler. Very open floorplan with remodeled kitchen and 2 bathrooms. Rooms are good size with big closets. Lots of storage areas throughout the house. Huge backyard with play pool, above ground spa and gazebo. Great for entertaining! Excellent location: close to major freeways and shopping centers. On the cul de sac street. Approved for Fannie Mae Homepath Mortgage Financing and HomePath Renovation Mortgage Financing.

Beds/Baths: 3 / 2
SF: 1,289

Year Built: 1983
Pool - Private: Fenced Pool; Play Pool
Spa: Above Ground Spa; Spa - Heated

Lot Size: 7,501 - 10,000
Level: Single Level
Dwelling Type: Single Family - Detached
Subdivision: SILVERGATE 3 UNIT 2 LOT 2
Tax Municipality: Chandler

Ele Sch Dist: 080 - Chandler Unified District
Elementary School: Goodman
Jr. High School: Andersen
High School Dist #: 080 - Chandler Unified District
High School: Chandler

Thinking of Becoming a REALTOR? You're Starting a Business!

Earlier this week, I wrote a post about all the considerations for anyone new to the real estate business. The single point that received the most feedback and attention had to do with the expenses related to getting started in the business.

Many brand new real estate agents are completely unaware of the costs of hanging out that REALTOR shingle. Regardless of how big/good/well-qualified a broker you sign on with, the fact is that starting in the real estate business means, effectively that you are starting your own business! So in order to do it successfully, you must plan for all the costs involved.

The following is a detailed - but not exhaustive - list of the expenses any new agent can expect to incur:

• Real estate school
• Testing
• Licensing fees
• Fingerprinting (even if you have been fingerprinted in the past)
• MLS setup fees
• Necessary computer hardware and software
• Local and national industry organization fees
• Web design/maintenance/SEO
• Database management
• Graphic design
• Blog platform
• Offline advertising
• Business cards, postcards, flyers, car decals
• For Sale & Open House Signs
• Office rental fees
• Phone/long-distance service
• Support staff
• Automobile upkeep, insurance, and fuel
• Transaction fees
• Networking and business development
• Continuing education

In short, this is not a job to undertake lightly. You want to make sure you've budgeted appropriately, and that you are fully committed to the investment in your success. An unfortunate number of promising real estate careers die a quick death for lack of proper planning and cash flow.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I've been in the real estate industry for a long, long time and I'm happy to share all I know to make your entry into the industry as easy as possible. And, of course, if you're starting your career in Phoenix, make an appointment to come see me in person!

Anna Banana

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Do you live in the Phoenix, Arizona area? Are you thinking about making a change in real estate companies? Give me a call at 602-595-8900 or e-mail me.

Let's talk about your marketing strategies - and how you can better teach others to refer business to you.

PhoenixPropertyShoppe.com

Interesting how perspective can change in just one quick second. As soon as news that the tax credit extension had been approved (see attached document), it seemed people weren't quite as pressured to buy a home, "right now". That isn't at all a scientific observation, but perhaps just a feeling since there were a lot of people, realtors and lenders included, who breathed a sigh of relief. As a result of the extension, a few borrowers that were concerned about the deadline can now take a bit more time to find the home that works the best for them without feeling rushed. Not to mention the added benefit of continuing to help first time home buyers with a lasting benefit in the form of cash back from the government (even if it sets the deficit nationally further in the red - yes the statement is too political for this email so no further mention will be made of it, excuse the lapse in judgement...HAHA). Again, it's that whole perspective thing.

Nevertheless, rates held steady through the week and at this point on Friday, the market is saying to "bail out", which just means to be patient to see how the market moves. Again, there isn't a better time to buy a home then when you are ready. And if you are ready when rates are historically low and the government is giving you money, then by all means...buy a home.

Besides the most important news (see above) there were some other interesting items:

•· Consumer Credit Fell - AGAIN! - For the eighth straight month consumer credit fell and people were borrowing money at a slower pace than in the past. It seems we are moving toward cash and away from credit. But if it is any indication on the upcoming Holiday season, many retailers may be in for some hard times. In some cases, there are stories of retailers beginning their "Black Friday" sales this weekend. Retailers such as Walmart (no surprise there J ), Sears, JC Penney, etc. are having blowout sales every weekend leading up to "Black Friday", all in the hopes of capturing some of that consumer spending which may be very muted this year. It will be an opportunity for many to find great deals throughout the end of the year and leading all the way up to Christmas.

•· Credit Policies continue to tighten - The question always looms: when will the easing on the credit markets occur? When will it not be a battle to the finish line, with the Loan Officer asking for the borrowers' blood to get the deals done??? It seems that in some areas changes are taking place, but not always for the good. For example, trailing secondary wage earner income is no longer eligible income for any conventional loan transaction. (Trailing Secondary income - if a borrower is relocating and the old job will end before the new job begins, the old income cannot be used to qualify). Investors are now asking for three months bank statements for retirement/pension income. There are more guideline changes and credit policy changes that will increase the paperwork needed for many borrowers. Surely one would think these are not standard with every investor, however, they are derived from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and will become commonplace as we move forward.

•· Phoenix Coyotes are 10-6, Phoenix Polar Bears work to raise money for Breast Cancer - If you are a hockey fan, which I am, then you will be pleased with the new brand of hockey the Coyotes are playing. They compete and battle all over the ice, it isn't always flashy but they seem committed to defense and playing the game with intelligence which has led to a decent start. Sure, it will still be a long shot to make the playoffs, but at least they are enjoyable to watch. So long Gretzky! If you are interested in continuing the donations for Breast Cancer, the Junior team that I am involved with is hosting a walk tomorrow morning. You can read more about it at the website: Making Strides for Breast Cancer. You can also check out the webpage at www.phoenixpolarbears.com to see our website and its facelift to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness.

(P.S. We carry Breast Cancer awareness into November due to our season schedule - but, hey shouldn't we be aware of dangers to our loved ones at all times)

Tax Credit Extension Is GREAT News for Phoenix Move-Up Buyers

As you may have heard, President Obama this morning signed an extension of the first-time homebuyers' $8,000 tax credit, with an added credit of $6,500 for move-up buyers. The extension and new credit apply to home purchases occurring between today (November 6, 2009) and April 30, 2010. Purchases signed by the April 30 deadline have until July 1, 2010 to close. And military personnel serving abroad have an extra year, with their tax credit set to expire June 30, 2011.

First-Time Buyers' Credit

• Must purchase a home between November 6, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
• Must not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.
• Applies to primary residences, including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops. Vacation homes do NOT qualify for the tax credit.
• The maximum allowable credit is 10 percent of the purchase price, up to $8,000. The total amount is determined based upon two factors: the purchase price of the home and the buyers' income.
• Income limits have been increased with the extension. They are now up to $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples. Lesser credits are available for singles earning up to $145,000 and married couples earning up to $245,000.
• Whereas there was previously no limit on the purchase price, this extension caps the allowable purchase price of the property at $800,000.

Move-Up Buyers' Credit

• Must purchase a home between November 6, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
• Must have used the home they are selling as their primary residence for at least 5 consecutive years.
• Applies to primary residences, including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops. Vacation homes do NOT qualify for the tax credit.
• The maximum allowable credit is $6,500, the total amount of which is determined based upon two factors: the purchase price of the home and the buyers' income.
• Income limits are up to $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples. Lesser credits are available for singles earning up to $145,000 and married couples earning up to $245,000.
• The allowable purchase price of the property is capped at $800,000.

What this means for Phoenix buyers

Many, many first-time buyers in Phoenix have taken advantage of the $8,000 tax credit since it was passed in February of this year. People who might not otherwise have jumped into the market decided to buy a first home because of this fantastic benefit.

Now, it's Phoenix move-up buyers' turn! We continue to see excellent buys for existing homeowners looking to purchase homes in the $300K to $800K range. The values and options, coupled with the new tax credit, make this the perfect climate for move-up buyers. If you're an existing homeowner in Phoenix who's looking to move up, now is the time to get in the game. Start your search here - and give me a call at 602-595-8900. Phoenix Property Shoppe will make your move-up experience simple, stress-free, and enjoyable.

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Thinking of buying or selling a home in the Phoenix area - or know someone who is? This is the PERFECT time to think about moving up to the next home of your dreams!

Find out how we can help make the buying or selling process simple, stress-free, and enjoyable. Feel free to contact me by phone 602-595-8900 or email me.

Search here for homes in the Phoenix area.

You can also visit our website for more information on Phoenix and the surrounding areas.

Phoenix Property Shoppe