I am including live links to several communities and cities in the Phoenix and Mesa Valley. This is a work in progress, so if you want to see others, just let me know!

Augusta Ranch
Crismon Creek
Dreamland Villa
Foreclosures in Mesa $150,000 Plus
Foreclosures in Mesa - Under $150,000
Gated Properties - Under $350,000
Fountain of the Sun - 55+
Golf Communities - $251,000-$350,000
Golf Communities - $201,000-$250,000
Golf Communities - $151,000-$200,000
Golf Communities - $150,000 or less
Parkwood Ranch
Sierra Ranch
Sunland Springs - 55+

West Phoenix Valley Cities

Waddell, Arizona - Horse Properties and Acreage

Romola in Waddell

Litchfield Park 100-400k

Litchfield Park 401k and up

Goodyear - $150,000-350,000

Goodyear - $351,000+

Homes Arizona provides real estate services in Phoenix, Arizona and surrounding areas including the communities of East Mesa , North Mesa , Gilbert , Chandler , Ahwatukee, Apache Junction, Gold Canyon , Queen Creek , Tempe , and Adult Communities, Scottsdale, new home construction throughout Maricopa and Pinal County. My website offers you information on the Phoenix Valley schools as well as the ability to search all homes that are for sale in the Phoenix, Arizona area. These links only show you a sampling of the available homes. 

I've provided a link to the recycling website! Let's all clean out our garages and get rid of all of those phones, cords, electronics, and make room for all of the new stuff we will be purchasing or receiving as gifts.

Unfortunately, many buyers are competing against cash buyers – and losing.  The old saying, “cash is king” is true in this competitive  real estate market.

Recently one of my buyers made an offer on a foreclosed property. Over asking price, very clean, and a desirable offer to any potential seller. However, the buyer lost out to a cash buyer even though the cash buyer offered less. Even the REO agent wanted my buyer to get the home, but has no say!

Why? You ask? Would the bank accept a lower offer? In our market, appraisals are all over the place. As of May 1, in order to “fix” or “remedy” the problem, a new federal Home Valuation Code of Conduct  was placed into effect. No longer are the lenders allowed to speak with the appraisers – nor are they allowed to “choose” the appraisers that will be appraising a home “they” are lending on. Bottom line? It’s a mess!

The left doesn’t know what the right is doing, homes are not appraising, and there are multiple bids on the most desirable homes.

Despite the issues we face, Realtors will continue to push through the paperwork, the difficult appraisals, and we will write two, three, four and more offers in order to get our buyers a home. Ridiculous? Yes!! BUT, this, too, shall pass!

For more insight and understanding about what’s going on, click on the links here and here.

Many buyers that ARE in the market to purchase a home have an unreasonable expectation of what homes cost. They hear all about the “deals” out there for $50,000 $60,000 and up, and are looking at those prices. And they want a four bedroom, pool, three car garage, etc. I’m even hearing such things as “that home is way overpriced!” Really? How does the buyer know that – unless he/she hears that from a friend, or watches the news, or reads the newspaper. How about “asking” the Realtor?

EVEN if the property is overpriced, it won’t appraise! Typically, those low ball prices indicate a beginning price, or the property has major issues. Even up to $100,000 is a questionable number when purchasing a nice home – even in Arizona.

Many are walking away from the short sales. One warning for all of those buyers considering of a short sale, and thinking what a great deal they will get. Yes, SOME may work, but the majority do NOT.

For one example: What if you make an offer on a short sale, and the seller, as most do, has a second on the property? What if the second lender won’t acquiesce on the money owed to them? Then what? I’ll tell you what!! For months you wait – the first finally agrees on a dollar amount -  but the second won’t budge.

The deal falls through. Simple as that. Never mind that the second loses its entire dollar amount owed if the home is foreclosed upon. I was showing a home on Saturday, spoke with the listing agent, and after months of waiting, this exact scenario happened, and the buyers walked.

Consider purchasing from a seller with whom you can negotiate, and who will make those repairs, and provide you with the disclosures and insurance information that is important. On Saturday, last, I showed several homes – one of which was listed by a seller! It was comparable in size and in price – and in STELLAR condition.

Yes, this is a great time to buy a home, but do so wisely. Work with an experienced and knowledgeable Realtor who can advise and counsel you through the process.

If you love to hike, you will LOVE Arizona. Right now, we are unusually warm - in the mid to high 70's, but it's perfect for being outdoors. For anyone that hikes or just wants to stroll along a trail, be sure to be prepared. Bring plenty of water and a cell phone.  Even when I take a stroll - because it certainly isn't a "hike" for me, I bring water, and I'm never alone.

When those that are unfamiliar with our climate, exit the airplaine with shorts and t-shirts, (coming from the east) they're ready to rock and roll and love our warm and sunny outdoors.

I'm providing a list of some of our hiking trails for those of you looking for a good trail.

1.  Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area - East McDonald Drive - Phoenix, Az 85018; Phone: 602.262-4837

2.  Piestewa Peak - 2701 East Squaw Peak Drive, Phoenix, Az 85016; Phone: 602.262-7901 (right off of the 51)

3.  Superstition Mountains at Lost Dutchman State Park - State Route 88, Apache Junction, Az; Phone: 520.982-4485

4.  Dreamy Draw Recreation Area - 2421 East Northern Avenue, Phoenix 85021; Phone: 602.262-6696

5.  Tempe Town Lake - Mill Avenue and Rio Salado, Tempe 85289; Phone: 480.350-8625

6.  Papago Park - 625 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix 85008; Phone: 602.256-3220

7.  South Mountain Park - 10919 South Central Avenue, Phoenix 85042; Phone: 602.495-0222

8.  Shaw Butte Park - 12898 North Central Avenue, Phoenix 85020; Phone: 602.262-6696

9.  Thunderbird Park - 9170 East Thunderbird Road, Scottsdale 85260; Phone: 480.312-2771

These trails are very popular and well marked. There are others as well. Just off of I-60 heading east from Mesa into Gold Canyon, there is a nice and mild hill on the north side of the freeway. I see cars parked there daily. Enjoy your hike, but again - take plenty of water, wear good hiking shoes, and take a cell and a friend. ;-)

In Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona, many/most of the newer communities have a Home Owner Association. That means, for those who don't know, that there are "Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions" governing the community. Buyers when you purchase a home in Phoenix or in Mesa, or in Phoenix Valley, you will be given a copy of the By-Laws and CC&R's for your community. Generally title will mail them to you within ten days of opening escrow.  It would behoove each buyer to actually review and/or read the CC&R's to make sure they are aware of the rules and regulations set forth therein. I'll cite some "for instances" below:

1.  Say, for instance, you the buyer, purchase a home and move into a family community. You have four children, and of course want to install a trampoline (with a net for safety reasons) and a swing set with a fort at the top and a slide, swing, etc. Have you read your CC&R's?

2.  Next, you want to utilize your RV gate, and park an RV trailer, or a boat alongside your home, or even in the back if the lot is large enough. Have you read your CC&R's?

3.  How about this one: You realize you need extra storage in your back yard, so you build a storage shed (which is 6-10 inches above the wall).  Have you read your CC&R's?

4.  Since your children love to play basketball, you install a basketball hoop in the backyard.....again, have you read your CC&R's.

5.  You'd like to paint your home a different color....

I've just cited a few problematic situations. You, the buyer, will quickly learn what the rules of the HOA are when you attempt to do any of the above without getting Board approval. Many times the Board will be able to approve certain requests based on the contents of the CC&Rs.  Keep in mind that the Board did not structure the rules. They are merely serving on the Board to carry out the rules you agreed to when you purchased your new home. As a former member of the Board of Directors in my community, I was privy to all of the behind the scenes' action. Most of the problems could have been resolved before ever being presented to the Board if only the Buyer had read the CC&R's.

The builders and their attorneys are the ones that typically put together the CC&R's - and from what I've seen, they are pretty much boiler plate.....

Learn to work within the boundaries of the CC&R's, and offer to join the Board to help make your community one in which everyone will want to live.

The City of Phoenix offers many services that are useful and necessary for its growth and its stability. Recently, Phoenix announced that it is  implementing the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) which addresses abandoned and foreclosed houses within the areas of greatest need.

Expected to become available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Spring, 2009, NSP funds will be used in a variety of ways, including down  payment or closing cost assistance for homebuyers to purchase foreclosed houses for use as their own residence.

 Homeownership presents new challenges and new opportunities in this economic climate, but many families have positioned themselves to be successful in this environment.

These homeowners have been careful with their credit, have stable work, they have savings accounts, and they view homeownership as a long-term wealth-building strategy for their family. These potential home buyers are well positioned to take advantage of the numerous housing choices currently available, and NSP funds may be able to assist. 

Neighborhood partners - you … or someone you know… may qualify for $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to help buy an affordable foreclosed home anywhere in the City of Phoenix through the City’s Neighborhood Stabilization program (NSP) Home Buyer Assistance Program. 

For more on what the City of Phoenix offers, be sure to check out the City’s link here. The City offers a plethora of services available to those who seek it out.