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Amy Jones

Sun Lakes AZ Homes for Sale Update

10-12-09
Amy Jones

239 homes are listed for sale in Sun Lakes, AZ
$249,500 is the median list price of a home in Sun Lakes
162 homes (68%) are listed for less than $300,000

chandler real estate

SINCE JANUARY 1, 2009~
279 homes have sold in Sun Lakes
$187,500 is the 2009 median sales price of a home in Sun Lakes

Of the homes that sold in 2009:

212 (76%) sold for less than $300,000

$37,500
~ the price of the least expensive home sold in Sun Lakes this year. A 1334sf manufactured home, with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths located in Sun Lakes #1

$580,000 ~ the price of the most expensive home sold in Sun Lakes this year. Located in Oakwood Country Club, a 3000sf, 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with Casita and a pool and situated on a golf course lot.

*Information obtained on October 11, 2009 from Arizona Regional MLS is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Chandler Real Estate Market Update ~ 2 highest priced 2009 home sales located in Stellar Air Park

10-12-09
Amy Jones

1230 homes are listed for sale in Chandler, AZ
$229,900 is the median list price of a home in Chandler, AZ
846 homes (69%) are listed for less than $300,000
24 homes are listed for $1,000,000 or more
163 (13%) are lender owned
318 (26%) are listed as short sales

chandler real estateSINCE JANUARY 1, 2009~
3104 homes have sold in Chandler, AZ.
$191,900 The median sales price of a home in Chandler, AZ

Of those:

2490 (80%) sold for less than $300,000
5 (less than 1%) sold for over $1,000,000
1329 (43%) were lender owned
573 (18%)
were short sales

$19,500 ~ the price of the least expensive home sold in Chandler this year. An 858 sf home, with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath (a definite fixer-upper).

$1,500,000 ~ the price of the most expensive home sold in Chandler this year. Located in Stellar Air Park, a custom home being remodeled during the sale, 4,223sf, 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath home with Casita and an airplane hangar. (The second highest home sale to date was also located in Stellar Air Park at $1,499,000)

*Information obtained on October 11, 2009 from Arizona Regional MLS is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

A map Sun Lakes' Oakwood Country Club Walking Path ~ Don't leave home without it!

10-11-09
Amy Jones

oakwood country club walking pathOne of the things I love most about living in Oakwood in Sun Lakes is the 3 miles of walking paths that wind throughout the western half of the community. Shaded with a canopy of trees over some parts of the path, you might even forget you're in the middle of the desert!

Homes that border the walking path are restricted to view fencing if they choose to fence their yard so there's a feeling of openness on the paths which also feature landscape lighting for those evening strolls.

I caution you that if you're walking late in the evening, you may just get sprayed by a sprinkler or two, but that just makes you pick up your pace just a little!

The first time I attempted to follow the walking path I got miserably lost. A leisurely walk that would normally take about an hour, took me almost 3. One of the reasons is it's easy to lose your way is that the path can end on one street and pick up a half block away. So, I've created a handy walking map for all the walkers who may be unfamiliar with the Oakwood walking path. Happy walking!

Click here for a copy of the map.

Haunted Houses and Halloween Things to Do in Phoenix and the Surrounding East Valley

10-09-09
Amy Jones

arizona halloweenAll things spooky in Halloween Events in Phoenix and the surrounding East Valley including Haunted Houses, Carnivals, Corn Mazes and even Haunted Golf . Let me know if I've missed any and I'll add more as I find them...so check back!

Mesa's Golfland Sunsplash Fright Nights including Gauntlet Haunted House and Spooktacular Golf (155 W. Hampton Ave). Gauntlet House is a 1300's themed multi-level haunted house full of hiding places and dead ends. Based on the Black Death plague. If it sounds a little too scary for you...try the Spooktacular Golf instead. 7-10 pm Thursdays & Sundays, 7-midnight Fridays & Saturdays through November 1. Gauntlet Admission $12. Spooktacular Golf Admission $7.75/adults, $6.50/Children. Discounts at www.golfland-sunsplash.com/frightnights/main.html

Terror Nights at The Haunt in Tempe (511 E. LaDonna Drive). Haunted yard with a chamber of the Living Dead, Michael Myers, Haunted Library, Walk through Graveyard, Haunted Picture Gallery and the Phantom Organist. FREE! Donations accepted. Bring a non-perishable item for the holiday food drive. 6:15-10pm 10/29-31 www.thehauntaz.com

Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party in Queen Creek (24810 Rittenhouse Rd) A clasic family friendly event including pig races, bonfires, marshmallow roasting, hay rides, corn maze, rides, rock climbing wall & fireworks and yes...chili. Thursdays (10am-9pm), Fridays-Saturdays (10am-10pm), Sundays (10am-9pm) through 10/31 (the corn maze opens 10/15) $14/person. (2 & under/free). Discount tickets available at all Frys. www.schnepffarms.com

Vertuccio Farms Corn Maze & Fall Festival in Mesa (4011 S. Power Rd.) Corn maze, hay rides, or barrel train ride to the pumpkin patch. Sundays (10am-7pm), Mondays-Thursdays (9am-9pm) Fridays-Saturdays (9am-10pm) through November 20. $7/person, (4 & under/free) www.vertucciofarms.com

Mesa Ghost Tour & Historical Walk Downtown Mesa (58 W. Main St) Listen to spooky stories about paranormal happenings in the city's oldest buildings. Guests receive a trick-or-treat bag filled with discount offers from downtown merchants. October 24 10:30am. Adults/$10, Children 3-12/$6 (Children under 3/Free) www.mesahistoricalmuseum.org Register online or call 480-835-7358 480-835-7358

Gilbert Family Halloween Carnival Freestone Park (1045 E. Juniper Ave.) Features Frankenstein's Fishing Hole, Ghost Bingo, Pumpkin Decorating, Inflatable Bounces & Slides, Food Court & Entertainment. October 24th 5-9pm. $4. (3 & under/Free) www.ci.gilbert.az.us

Witches' Night Out in Mesa (12 W. St.) For ages over 21. Contests for best cackle, sexiest & ugliest witch and most creative. Dance music and light food. Proceeds to benefit the Arizona Humane Society and Lost Our Home Pet Foundation. www.witchesnightout.com

Trunk or Treat in Queen Creek at Mountain Park (22201 S. Hawes Rd.) A unique and inexpensive way to trick-or-treat! Children trick-or-treat by going from car trunk to car trunk on "Trunk or Treat Street" to get their bag filled with goodies. Individuals or groups sign up to host and decorate a trunk, and the Town of Queen Creek provides all the candy to be given out at the event. Ghouls, goblins and ghosts of all ages will enjoy a festival of activities. 10/31 from 5-9pm FREE! www.queencreek.org/Index.aspx?page=518

Monsterland, Queen Creek (195 W. Ocotillo Rd) Monsterland is the only haunted attraction in Arizona that can actually boast a 40 minute experience. Haunt Worlds Mask Maker of the year 2008 & 2009 Midnight Studios has created over 2 acres & 400 years of Fear, Fun and Adventure for the entire family. Over 1000 ORIGINAL monsters as well as original props from our personal collection which includes the wolf from American Werewolf in London. 20000 watts of power, world class animated props, state of the art sound and lighting and real life environments you can feel! Opens 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays in October, and every day the last week of October. $11 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.; $22 after 7p.m. www.monsterland.com.

Haunted Walk for Goulie Ghosts in Mesa's Usery Mountain Regional Park (3939 N. Usery Pass Road. Use white bed sheets to transform you and your children into ghosts for this easy, costumed walk on the Desert Hawk Trail. "Ghost Rangers" will judge the best child and adult homemade ghost costumes. After the "haunted" walk, they'll provide cookies, drinks and spooky stories around a campfire. NOTE: COSTUME REQUIRED!! Only costumed ghosts will be permitted on the walk. 10/24 at 7pm 6 per vehicle park entry fee. www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery

Harvest Night at Living Word Bible Church (3520 E. Brown Road) Rides, games, costume contests and tons of candy make for a sweet alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating. 10/31 from 7-9pm FREE! www.LivingWordOnline.org

Ghost Hunting Stories at the Mesa Red Mountain Library (635 N Power Rd) Get spooked by ghost hunting stories on Saturday, on 10/10 from 11am-Noon and visit the Main Library, 64 E. First St. on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. to hear the East Valley Paranormal Society will be talking about their experiences investigating haunted locations in the Valley. Video and audio findings will also be included. FREE!

Fall Festival at Gilbert's Sonrise Assembly of God Church (75 W. Olive St. Gilbert) Games, car show, bounce houses, indoor maze, face painting. 10/31 from 6:30pm - 9pm FREE!

The Crypt and The Asylum at Doomtown at Rawhide Ranch in Chandler (5700 W. North Loop Road) Rawhide, the 1880s Western-themed town goes by the name of Doomtown in October, when creepy Wild West characters roam the streets and two 3,600-square-foot haunted houses set up shop. There's also a spooky train ride, special live-action shows and Halloween-themed kids' activities. Doomtown opens at 5:30 p.m., and the haunted houses open at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Nov. 1. The houses open half an hour early Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 30-31. Admission to Doomtown is free, but haunted house passes are $13 for one haunted house or $17 for both. A $24 combo pass includes entry to both houses and a Town Pass, which includes most shows and attractions. www.hauntedaz.com

Mother Nature's Farm Pumpkin Patch in Gilbert (1663 E. Baseline Road) The pumpkins at this patch range from 1 ounce to 500 pounds. Children's entry fees include a small pumpkin, pumpkin decorating, a hayride, air and straw bounces, animal feeding and a hay-bale maze. For adults, there's a market offering fall decorations, flavored honeys, candles and crowd-pleasing munchies like hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through Nov. 6, except for Halloween; the patch closes at 3 p.m. on Oct. 31. $7/child; $3/adult. www.mothernaturesfarm.com

Final Destination IV: Hell House 09 in Chandler ( 585 E. Frye Road) Organizers of this 45-minute walk-through attraction, which has been called sick and socially polarizing, say 288 attendees exited the house crying in 2008. In addition, 55 quit, two vomited and one fainted. No one younger than 13 is allowed inside. 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 29 and 30; 6 p.m. to midnight Oct. 31. $10 per person, or $20 for a Fast Pass. http://hell101.com

Epiphany's Pumpkin Patch at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Chandler (800 W. Ray Road) This pumpkin patch offers daily storytelling for kids among the pumpkins. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 13-16; noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17-31. FREE!

Nightmare on Kent Street in Chandler (6402 W Kent Dr) Celebrating their 10th year, Nightmare on Kent Street is a family oriented haunt. The "Nightmare" features over 20 unique scenes, using live actors, animatronics, and other special effects to create a fright you won't soon forget. The haunt is divided into several sections in order to provide the most family friendly environment possible. For those in line, classic Halloween movies and a static display are available to shorten the wait. Once inside, there is a seating area with adult supervision for any one not brave enough to enter the main haunt. Those brave souls who are willing to risk the journey will find themselves in a dark, twisting maze that preys upon their darkest fears. Amidst the clinging fog, eerie lights and creepy sounds, surprises await around every corner. Even our tour guides have been known to scream out in terror! 6:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27-28 and 6:30 to 11 p.m. Oct. 30-31 . FREE! Cash donations for ICAN (a non-profit after school program for Chandler youth) greatly appreciated. http://nightmareonkentstreet.com

Arizona Scream Park in Scottsdale (8823 E. McDowell Road) 10-acre park features four haunted attractions - Alice's House of Nightmares, 3-D Fear Factory, Castle of Darkness and Goldminer's Revenge. There are also palm and tarot card readings, concessions and an attraction that mimics what it's like to be buried alive. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, and 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 25; open every night Oct. 26 through Nov. 1. $16-$25, plus $5 to park. www.azscreampark.com

Chris Birkett's Haunted Graveyard: The Mansion in Scottsdale (8414 E. Valley Vista Drive) A residential display that mimics Halloween Town, the sinister, spook-filled burg in Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," and Disneyland's "Haunted Mansion." A setup featuring illusions and moving parts controlled by out-of-sight air compression and computers creates good, clean spookiness the whole family can enjoy. 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 27-31. FREE! (Donations appreciated) www.birkettentertainment.com/hauntedgraveyard

The Great Pumpkin Festival at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix (1201 N Galvin Pkwy) A fall-themed outdoor festival with hayrides and free pumpkins for kids 12 and younger. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22-25. Free with paid Garden Entry ($5-$15). www.dbg.org

Ghosts of Phoenix Tour at the Hotel San Carlos (202 N. Central Ave.) Tour normally restricted areas of an old hotel known for paranormal activity. Not recommended for children younger than 8. 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 14, except on Halloween. Tours will be held at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Oct. 31. $6 for kids 8-12; $12 for adults. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. www.ghostsofphoenix.com.

New to Sun Lakes, AZ? An Open House just for you!

10-08-09
Amy Jones

Sun Lakes AZAre you new to Sun Lakes? Here's a great way to learn about all Sun Lakes has to offer.

Saturday, October 24, 2009
8:00 - Noon at the Sun Lakes Country Club
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the Oakwood Country Club

Leave about clubs and activities in Sun Lakes!