Elena Thurston, Family Real Estate Specialist

The internet, blogging in particular, is good at many things. It can help you find the perfect school. It can help you find the right neighborhood for your family. Sometimes it even finds your friends. But once in awhile...it creates even a miracle.

On August 16, 2008, a Mesa Arizona couple were in a plane crash and suffered massive 3rd degree burns. The story could end there, in sadness. It even gets sadder, the young couple has four sweet children.

But the story doesn't end there. In fact that's where the story gets magical. Turns out this young mom, Stephanie Nielson, has much magic of her own. She blogged, but not just your run of the mill blabbering that so much of us do. She took magic and put it on the screen. She not only entertained you but thrilled you with inspiration. The creativity that spills from her blog posts is astounding.

When news of the plane crash and the extensive hospitilization that would be needed for Stephanie and her husband reached the internet, magic created magic. The blogging world united in a never-before-seen kind of way. Thousands of dollars have been raised from fellow bloggers in a variety of ways. Community garage sales, online auctions, even ski day fundraisers are being organized. News of the bloggers fundraising have been broadcast on national news shows.

As a local blogger of family friendly neighborhoods, I knew I needed to do my part. From now until the end of the year, 10% of all my commissions will be donated to the Nielson Recovery Fund.

Stephanie Nielson's blog posts are now being reposted as thousands of people are now finding her blog and begging for more. When she wakes up from her chemically-induced coma, she will certainly find fame waiting for her.

Visit the Nie Nie Dialogues, be touched, get inspired, maybe even donate. The internet is a magical thing.

Agritopia is a wonderful community here in Gilbert, Arizona. If you're thinking of moving to the Phoenix area, be sure to put this neighborhood on the list. Don't forget to check out the full neighborhood profile.

Taking a glance at some of the current homes for sale, I see a few "shiny pennies" that stand out from the rest.

A brand new "Cottage" just came on the market, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a little over 1700 square feet. The Agritopia Cottages could be considered "courtyard homes". The garages are "rear entry" while the front of the home faces out to a common courtyard. There isn't a backyard but a sideyard. Very nice for those craving low-maintenance living. This home has a wrought-iron stair rail and is nicely appointed at a great price, $209k.

There is a pre-foreclosure in the "Classics" (the more traditional style of single family homes, front and back yards, etc.). This one is over 2500 square feet with a 3 car garage. Nicely upgraded, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, bargain priced at $300k.

Lastly, if you're really looking for space check this out: Over 4,500 square feet, corner lot, 5 bedrooms plus a theater room and craft room, fully finished basement. Smoking deal at only $419,500.

The draw of Seville as an attractive investment for Gilbert home buyers, has allowed this neighborhood to steadily close sales. There are 107 homes currently for sale, which is slightly more than last month. However 13 homes have closed escrow during September which is almost double than August. 28 homes have currently accepted offers.

When location is everything in real estate, it really pays to invest in a neighborhood that continues to sell, even in a down market. Some of the draws of Seville include: great school within the community, friendly and outgoing neighbors, the (totally optional) country club and golf club that are very family focused, and the proximity to the San Tan Mountains.

To learn more about living in Seville, check out the neighborhood profile at Finding Phoenix Neighborhoods.com.

Well, here it is the end of another month and the home sales for Agritopia has done really well! There are 12 homes currently for sale, eight homes have accepted offers and two homes have closed escrow, all during the month of September.

Homes in Agritopia range from the small (1500 square feet) to the huge (over 5,000 square feet). The price per square foot currently averages $114 and days on market is currently averaging 103.

Agritopia is a really incredible neighborhood in the heart of Gilbert, Arizona. To learn more about the neighborhood and wonderful amenities, check out this article at Finding Phoenix Neighborhoods.com

The morning was spent at a swim party. Came home, ate some lunch, started writing a blog post and responding to emails from clients. And started to feel a little warm, did I get too much sun? By 2 pm it was 83 degree inside and 106 degrees outside. Since the thermostat was set for 79, this was NOT a good sign.

Worried this would be a huge A/C repair bill, not to mention it was a Thursday BEFORE a holiday weekend, I was shaking in my flip flops. Would I have to spend the next five days at my in-laws?!

I remembered a company I had used for a client's A/C repair and gave them a call. At 2:30 in the afternoon in Arizona in the summer.

They got my name, number, and said the repairman would be there TODAY with a 30 minute call ahead. He arrived at 4:30 pm. Air Conditioner was repaired by 6:30. Can you believe it?!

Company is called Parker and Sons. Obviously I highly recommend them and they don't know I'm posting this. Their number is 480-963-1829. They do A/C, Heating, and Plumbing Repair.