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Chuck Willman, Arizona Realtor® 480.292.0600

The Return to Housing Affordability

Non-Computer 2 by Constantin Jurcut - http://www.sxc.hu/profile/costi

Look at Those Prices!

In 2004 people around these parts (that's the Phoenix metro area for anyone new to this blog) found that there was an abundance of homes from which to choose.

Houses were affordable and the selection was tremendous.

Then came the boom. For the next two years the affordable selection dwindled.

What do I mean by affordable?

Affordability has a nuanced meaning. For you, it means anything that fits your budget. For the market it includes any home that the average resident can afford.

When the average home buyer is able to purchase the average home the market is at equilibrium. When the average home's price is too expensive for the average home buyer corrections tend to follow.

Welcome to the correction.

For the home seller- this is not great news. Such times encourage lower sales prices.

In Arizona home sales have been maintaining or rising over the past few months. Homes are selling at prices lower than the past few years. Though this may be of concern to sellers it's welcome news to the buyers.

Houses have become affordable again. This is not just true in Arizona; it's part of a larger trend. If you're on-the-fence, it's time to take a look. Here are some of the perks of buying in the next month.

  • A variety of loans that offer low rates and low down payments.
  • Builder incentives for new construction.
  • Federal government tax incentives.
  • Low prices.

Would you like to know more? Give me a call.

Chuck Willman - Gentry Realty - 480.292.0600

Arizona Home Builders in Financial Trouble - August 19,2008 List

The Arizona Department of Real Estate has released a list of, what they call, "Arizona Homebuilders in Financial Trouble". This disclosure is to advise potential buyers to be aware that such properties could have issues of special concern that may be typical of builders undergoing financial difficulties.

Note: This list is current as of August 19, 2008.

Count LOCATION DEVELOPER DEVELOPMENT
1 Avondale Cachet‐Brisas LLC Verado Parcel 4.904
2 Avondale Jackson Properties Estrella Vista at Buckeye
3 Gilbert Element Homes Power Ranch Neighborhood 8
4 Chandler Element Homes Sonoran Mountain Ranch Parcel 10; Sonoran 
5 Chandler Elite Homes Sun Groves
6 Chandler Randall Martin Homes Higley Park
7 Clarkdale Empire Residential Sales, L.P. Mountain Gate
8 Clarkdale Silverbell Vistas,Inc. Silverbell Vistas
9 Clarkdale Verde Highlands LLC The Highlands
10 Cochise Crestview 48 LLC Crestview
11 Coconino Premiere Acquistions LLC Presidio in the Pines
12 Flagstaff Empire Residential Sales L.P. Flagstaff Meadows Unit 3
13 Gilbert Lighthouse Land & Development LLC Avalon Estates
14 Gilbert Sunwest/Stratland Stratland Estates
15 Litchfield Zacher Homes The Cottages at Palm Valley
16 Maricopa Elite Homes Tortosa
17 Mesa Randall Martin Homes Dobson Crossing
18 Mesa Sun River Mesa Condo Sun River Mesa Condo Tract 5142
19 Navajo Suntide West, LLC Torre Lakes
20 Peoria Cachet‐Caletas, LLC Blackstone Vistancia
21 Peoria Cachet‐North Vistancia LLC Replat of Vistancia Village, Parcel G‐5
22 Phoenix 47 Maryland Development, LLC Maryland Manor Condo Development IV & V
23 Phoenix Cambria Homes Los Somantos
24 Phoenix Classic Communities Park Place Village Condo
25 Phoenix Empire Land/KB Homes Saguaro Springs
26 Phoenix Ponticello,LLC Tramonto Parcel #‐1, aka Monticello
27 Phoenix V & M Homes, LLC Roeser Park
28 Phoenix Village at Surrey Hills, LLC The Village at Surrey Hills, Condo
29 Phoenix Zacher Homes Residences on Missouri
30 Phoenix Zacher Homes The Residences on Maryland
31 Pima Sierra Pacific Homes LLC Countryside Manor
32 Pima Sierra Pacific Homes LLC Sonoita Ranch
33 Pima Sierra Pacific Homes LLC Valley Hermoso
34 Queen Creek Elite Homes San Tan Height
35 Scottsdale Quantum at Troon North The Ridge at Troon North, A Condo
36 Surprise American Partnership, LLC/Keystone Desert Oasis of Surprise Parcel B4
37 Surprise Elite Homes Rancho Silverado
38 Surprise Randall Martin Homes Marley Park Parcel 1
39 Tucson Ducati Homes Loyaya Verde II
40 Tucson Ducati Homes Valley Lane Townhomes
41 Tucson River Elks, LLC River Walk
42 Tucson Santa Rita Townhomes LLC Crown of Tucson
43 Tucson Tucson Copper Hills Estates LLC Copper Hill Estates
44 Yavapai Enchanted Canyon LLC Enchanted Canyon
45 Yavapai Sierra Pacific Homes LLC Sonoran Ranch Estates II 

Volunteer Opportunities in Mesa and other Phoenix area Cities

Helping Hands program

The city of Mesa, Arizona has opportunities for volunteers- people who have time to lend a helping hand. They even have a web page which lists the opportunities and includes a sign-up form. It's found here: City of Mesa Volunteers.

One that I became aware of is the Building Strong Neighborhoods Initiative. Katie Brown is the volunteer coordinator. She's looking for "neighborhood ambassadors" to work in pairs. They'll be conducting door to door surveys to query Mesa residents about issues in the community.

In times past, such surveys could take weeks. The goal for this season is to perform the service in a single day. Interested? Here are the basic requirements: Must be at least 18 and be able to attend the August 12 orientation being held at Fire Station 202 at 830 S. Stapley. The survey date is August 16.

For more information, go online at the above link or give Katie Brown a call at 480.644.3705.

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Here are volunteer opportunity links for other valley cities:

Town of Gilbert Volunteers

City of Chandler Volunteers

City of Scottsdale Volunteers

City of Phoenix Volunteers

Queen Creek, Arizona - Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre is Underway

Queen Creek EquestrianSometimes you see a project and you just know it's going to be something good. The Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre is one of them.

It's the $15.9 million centerpiece of the 128 acrea master plan community that includes a level equestrian park, a variety of neighborhood parks and trailhead facilities. The entire system of parks trailheads and masterplan is expected to finished at an entire cost of $225 - 250 million.

Located at the Southwest Hawes and Riggs Road in Queen Creek it is bound to be a destination address for the southeast valley of Phoenix Arizona.

The Queen Creek area has grown so quickly that it has attracted the attention of large venue and commerce groups from around the nation. Several marquis projects are in the planning stages- this is one of several that has made it past the hurdle and is currently being constructed.

Sometimes a cities biggest secrets are found on the official website. To keep up with the latest community events, go here: QueenCreek.org. You can also download the planning document for this and other projects. Here's a pdf explaining the project in great detail: Final Plan.

HorseShoePark

The Day Has Arrived: Mesa Picks New Mayor May 20, 2008

vote - Photo 782736 by Steve Woods
Though I spend most of my time working in Tempe and Scottsdale, I'm a resident of Mesa.

For those keeping track, I'm also been interested in seeing who our next mayor would be.
Here are the posts I've written about this:


The time has finally arrived for this city of more than 450,000 residents to decide who wins the run-off election between Scott Smith and Rex Griswold. It's also time to choose a few pivotal council seats.

Polls will open from 6 a.m. through 7 p.m.

For a list of polling places go here: Mesa Polling Locations