Phoenix Area - One of the Six Best Places for Deals

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."