Colleen Gunderson

Last year 63% of all the buyers that purchased property in our office in Casa Grande where from outside the town, or outside the state OR outside the Country. The #1 country for investment buyers into the Phoenix area market place is our friends to the north, Canadians.

Good news is that Casa Grande is a very desirable and affordable place for any buyer but particularly the Canadians and here is why. Casa Grande is nestled between Phoenix and Tucson so you are literally about mid-point and can take advantage of the amenities of both large cities. Or better yet fly in to either airport you are only 45-60 minutes from home!

The next benefit is that home prices are averaging under 100k for nearly new or new build properties and you can find an abundance of bank owned homes with upgrades, or move into a adult community, golf community or lake community for less than 125K.

Other news worthy benefits, Casa Grande homeowners are going to benefit from an expansion of trails in the Casa Grande Mountain Park, which is an approximate 1025 acre park that will be starting in January is getting some additional development of trails for non-motorized use and this will expand everyones outdoor experience in hikes of varying length and endurance.

With home prices being extremely low, community development is strong, location is super for winter visitors, retirees, or anyone looking for small town lifestyle nestled between the two largest cities in Arizona its a bargain. For additional views of homes visit, www.casagrandehomeguide.com and for those seeking something closer to Phoenix, visit www.tempeallstarrealestate.com

Okay you have to learn how to compliment your offline intiatives with an online intiative! Give yourself an "agent audit" and ask, on a scale of 1-10 where am I at in online lead generation. Do you know what is happening when clients click on your listings, and do you even know where all the listings are syndicated to?

If you live in the West Valley of the Phoenix area there is going to be a great opportunity to better understand how internet leads aren't bad, they just have long escrow periods! Be scientific about your internet lead responses and join in the fun. For more information about the training session view the link below.

http://www.azrealestatecareerfinder.com/training-schedule.php

I recently attended a seminar for my local association and the guest speaker was Michael Maher, author of the 7 levels of communication. My husband and I had been out to dinner in a local restaurant and we observed two young couples and two small children all sitting around the dinner table. The 2 women were both talking to somebody else on their smart phones, the 2 children each had a game boy in hand, and 1 of the two men was texting at the table. The other man looked like he was on an island by himself. It gave us both a sense of how you can be surrounded by people yet so disconnected from each other.

I loved the seminar, I went out today and bought a ton of stamps, (yes snail mail) because I am going to recommit to sending personal hand written notes to my agents, my clients AND my friends and family. They deserve it. No more relying on just drip campaigns, and quick text message for occasions that warrant more. We can use technology to make things simpler and quicker, but nothing replaces the human element.

One last thought and that is to embrace a new generation, the generation of generousity, a kinder, slower, more personal way to reach out and serve each other, especially when it is tempting to use the latest greatest technology for our convenience. Lets use text messages to transmit simple messages, lets use our voices and communicate and give more out then what we take. Read this book and see how you can take people from acquaintences to referral relationships, Michael is the #1 REALTOR in Kansas City and I thought is presentation and book is something we could all use!

Investors are flocking to spend their cash on investment properties in the Phoenix market. Only 30 minutes away in Casa Grande, Arizona there is a "sweet spot" of nearly new foreclosed homes at prices that provide less risk and equally good or better return for risk. Canadian Investors have been the strongest foreign buyers in Arizona and they are investing in Casa Grande as an alternative to Phoenix areas where prices for homes similar can be 2 and 3 times higher.

Current examples: You can get a builder model home 4 car garage, pebble tec pool, upgraded cabinets and counters with 3200+ square feet for under 130K! Not low enough you say? Okay how about a 2400+ sq ft home nearly new, upgraded, wood floors, pre-approved short sale for under 100K? Okay still not low enough? WAKE UP they have really great properties that are as low as 55K older but clean and updated ready to rent. Still not low enough, how about clean 1980's 4 bed 2 bath for 49K.

Its out there and the rental market is strong, our vacancy rates are extremly low and Casa Grande is expanding with a good work base of it's own. I've been in the business and doing property management for 20+ years...I have never seen anything this great. I am thinking of putting one on my VISA.

The greatest wealth in our country will be built out of this market. http://www.casagrandehomeguide.com/69986-Casa-Grande-AZ-Foreclosed-RESCity.aspx

In my previous blog I wrote a harsh opinion on"Cash for Keys". I am reversing my opinion; only for this one instance. I served a cash for keys offer to a tenant and her story read like the Danielle Steele novel on foreclosures. First she entered into a rental agreement on a home in Casa Grande, Arizona on January 2010, with someone who had occupied the home, who represented to her they were the owner. You guessed it it they were the tenants. They ran off with first months rent and her security deposit. totalling $5600. Her husband passed away leaving her single with 3 childre, then by August 2010 she had a foreclosure notification hanging on the door.

She was called regularly by the actual owner who told her NOT TO WORRY he was certain he was going to get a friend to purchase the home and she and her 3 children could stay there. THE NIGHT BEFORE trustee sale he called her assuring her his friends were going to buy it at trustee sale and she'd be able to continue to rent.

It went back to the bank, she kingly accepted CFK of $1500, (a miracle I thought) and moved everything out, turned it over in less than a week and was courtesy and thoughtful. She deserved it, and probably more. My faith that their are some good people in bad situations who deserve some benefit was restored...till Monday!

Another day in REO biz in Casa Grande, Arizona!