Chuck Willman, Arizona Realtor® 480.292.0600

What creates a community?

I suppose we could say time. By accident we tend to stumble into each other’s paths sufficient to create some sort of relationship.

I think it’s more than that.

We become a community when we share a common bond. It may come through following the common path of witnessing a local team achieve… or, conversely, fail. It may come through collective festivities… where we party with one another.

However, as is true with friendships, many of our deepest relationships are forged through the fire of adversity. In short, through the crucible of mourning we find comfort with those who are “there” for us.

I wish it weren’t so.

The town of Gilbert experienced festivity and tragedy in a single day. With the passing of a local high school student, Kelly Tracy, and the injury of her brother in an early morning car wreck one community is doing what good communities do. They are reaching out to a family in their darkest hour.

The Highland High School band, distraught, cancelled their saturday parade appearance. The students were invited to an evening prayer service at the family’s place of worship, City of Grace church in the neighboring city of Mesa. Collectively they mourned.

This is diffucult for all of us... not just those who have lost loved ones under similar circumstances- our friends and family casualties to a preventable act- another casualty to a drunk driver. We catch ourselves saying that we shouldn’t have to meet this way so often.

Yet, our hearts are big enough to comfort.

A family needs our encouragement. They are witnessing what happens when a community comes together. Collectively we can provide that added strength that is needed when the burden becomes heavy.

The world lost another young one… Taken far too soon… and we wish the Tracy family well. We can only imagine the depth of emotion you’re dealing with right now. Our thoughts are with you.

For those who wish to offer your assistance (from AZCentral): A memorial fund has been set up through Washington Mutual and Chase banks to pay for funeral costs. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the City of Grace Church, 655 E. University Drive, in Mesa.

Anyone who wants to help the Tracy family this week either through volunteering or contributions of another sort can contact Highland High School Band booster member Deidre Baxley, kdbxly@cox.net.

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Photo Credit: "Lonely Leaf" by Mateusz Stachowski

It's here! Gilbert Days 2008!

Beginning 9 a.m. Saturday November 15, downtown Gilbert will be awash in small town fun and festivities.

It all begins with a parade route that travels down Gilbert road from Juniper to the Town Square.

Then it's on to the Gilbert Municipal Center (South of Warner Road) for a party that lasts from 11 a.m. 'til the cows come home. (Note. The cows go at 5 p.m.)

The parade just keeps getting bigger and better. Expect to see plenty of floats, cowboys, horsies and any number of creative entries who will present their interpretations of the theme "Country Pride."

This isn't a one-off celebration. There's a carnival on November 22 & 23 along with a rodeo on the same days.

Of course, if you'd like a full slate of activities and directions, there's a handy website to find out more:

www.gilbertdays.com

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Photo Credit: "Festival" by Yarik Mission

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UPATE: I'll be withholding comments on this post. Please see my next post for further comments.

What Creates a Community? A Town Mourns a Loss

You can't leaf through business weeklies without finding a list proclaiming which city or state has the best this-or-that.

So I often take such information with a grain of salt. However, I *am* quite pleased that Business Week came out with their list of "best places to raise your kids" ... mainly because, of the 52 cities studied, Gilbert Arizona came in high on the list.

I know. Everyone has an opinion of which town is best.

Very often the place of our youth ranks very high in our own list. Since I happen to have lived in Gilbert as a younger guy I think their information is top-notch. :-)

I can attest that the quality of schools, the look of the country with access to the city, and the small town friendliness is tough to beat. It's just that kind of place.

Looking to make Gilbert your new home town? Let me know... chuck@newhomesaz.com.

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photo: Soccer Team by William Wilhelms

Right now I'm seeing the same type of client in larger numbers:

This is the season of the First Time Home Buyer.

Much of the time, this is anecdotal information. By this, I mean to say, that sometimes the trends I notice can be unique to me as opposed to being experienced by real estate agents in other areas. However, I'm reading that I'm not alone in this trend.

MSNBC reports (from the 2008 Realtors Conference & Expo in Orlando) that first time home buyer market is on the rise.

"According to the survey, the number of first-time buyers rose to 41 percent from 39 percent of all transactions in 2007."

Here are the factors I contribute to this phenomena:

• Prices are very low. In many cases, home ownership can be less expensive than rent.

• The $7,500 tax credit is very enticing. Many buyers want to purchase before year end to increase their tax savings.

• First timers don't have a home to sell.

If you, or anyone you know, are looking for a home in the Valley of the Sun (the Phoenix Arizona metro area) give me (Chuck Willman) a call at 480.292.0600. I'd love to show you what we have to offer.

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Photo Credit: House in a Box by Svilen Mushkatov

Q. Why did the home-buyer cross the road?

A. To get a better loan.

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Lately I’ve been working with a larger number of people who are crossing the border of Gilbert and Mesa into the town of Queen Creek. It’s amazing what happens when you cross the road:

Homes cost less – and there’s a rural housing loan that covers closing costs.

Also, people often qualify for a larger loan amount.

Here's a recent example:

The borrower qualifies for $110k in Maricopa County with an FHA loan that allows for seller concessions and a 1% down payment. Crossing the border into Pinal County, the borrower qualifies for $123k with very little down.

• In Maricopa County we’re looking at foreclosed properties to be purchased “as is”.

• In Pinal County we’re looking new four bedroom/two bath homes with a full warranty.

Would you be willing to cross the road if you were able to buy more home for the money with no repairs and very little down?

That’s the choice many buyers are making. It's part of the reason Pinal County's home sales continue to increase.

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If you’d like to know more, give me, Chuck Willman at 480.292.0600 …or email me: chuck@NewHomesAZ.com

I’d love to show you what’s available.