Each year the Ahwatukee News compiles a list of the "Best Things" In Ahwatukee.  This year voting is all online.  Voting ends on Dec. 19th, so make sure to visit http://www.ahwatukee.com/sections/bestof/ to give your two cents.   The list will be published in January and will include categories such as best place to work out, best place to shop, best place to get a massage and more.    Thanks for visiting my blog. Please call me at 602.714.1012 or email justin@justinrollins.com for all of your Real Estate and Ahwatukee community information.      12/08/2008

  One of my favorite things about Ahwatukee is the Festival of Lights.  If you've never seen the lights that line Chandler Boulevard, it's a must see.  For a stretch of about 2 miles we decorate all of the cactus and trees with white lights and it really is beautiful.    There has been talk in the last couple of years about not putting up the lights anymore, because unfortunately a few bad apples keep spoiling it for everyone else.  Last year, the generators were stolen a number of times.  Not only is the display of lights awesome there are a ton of great activities.  They include: A kick off Party,  Hayrides, and more.  We are always looking for volunteers or would like more information about the festival of lights,  Please click here Thanks for visiting my blog.  You can reach me at 6... 11/20/2008

  I know you're probably asking yourself what in the world "Ahwa-Turkey is!  This is 5th annual Ahwa-Turkey Stomp  Car & Craft Show.  It promises a great day of family fun with food, games, beer garden, live music, santa pictures & more.  Oh, and don't forget Turkey Bowling.  I think you have to go just to find out what Turkey bowling is...   Date:  Saturday Nov. 22nd Time:   11:00-6:00 PM. Where: Ahwatukee Park 4700 E. Warner Rd.   Admittance is non-perishable food items, frozen turkey, or new/unwrapped toys. They will also be accepting donations that day for Toys for Tots & St. Mary's Food Bank.     11/05/2008

If you're interested in living in Ahwatukee, then you must check out Lakewood.  It's a great location with the convenience of being close to major freeways, but a feeling of serenity.  Lakewood is nestled between the Gila River Indian Reservation and South Mountain.  You're bound to find a home in this community that fits your budget and your style.  Lakewood has 2 large lakes, plenty of greenspace, & walking trails.  You'll want to call Lakewood home.  For more information, call 602.714.1012.        10/28/2008

  Attached is a list of the Health Centers in Ahwatukee.  Thought this might be helpful if you're new to the area.  Also, if you are new in town and need a great doctor in Ahwatukee, my wife used to be in medical sales and can make a few recommendations for the best in town. Thanks for visiting my blog..and feel free to contact me with any real estate needs.  Chandler Regional Hospital1875 W. Frye RoadChandler, AZ. 85224(480) 963-4561(480) 812-0820CHW Urgent Care-Ahwatukee Foothills4545 E. Chandler Blvd.(480) 961-2300Stat Clinix Urgent Care4530 E. Ray Road(480) 598-7500     10/21/2008

This is the first annual Tukee Tailgate Party at the Ahwatukee Foothils Family YMCA.  When:  Friday, Nov. 7th from 4:00-10:00 The two rival highschools in Ahwatukee, Desert Vista Thunder & Mountain Pointe Pride will duke it out on November 7th.  This is a highly anticipated game and it's pretty cool that it will be nationally televised on ESPNU.  If you want to come up to the Y, you can enjoy the game on the big screens while enjoying live music.  Tickets are just $5 and kids under 5 are FREE!  There will be food, wine, and cold beer.  All proceeds will benefit the expansion needs of our local YMCA..     10/16/2008

AHWATUKEE Ahwatukee - it is quite a mouthful. A word from the Crow Indians meaning the "house of my dreams". Very appropriate for an area which houses many beautiful neighborhoods and outstanding custom estates. Wrapping around the eastern and southern edge of South Mountain, Ahwatukee and the Ahwatukee Foothills are both technically located in south east Phoenix. The mountain however, forms a barrier that gives the impression that they are a distinct entity. This barrier - South Mountain - is also the largest city park in the nation. Residents not only can open their backdoor to enjoy all that nature has to offer in the form of hiking, jogging, mountain biking, and picnicking, but can also relax and feast their eyes on the spectacular views. Spring time is a wonderful time to visit Sou... 10/13/2008

Apparently it's a hidden secret.  I remember I lived in Arizona over a year, before I even heard anything about Ahwatukee. We began searching for a house and a friend of mine said, "Why don't you look in Ahwatukee?"   I said, "Ahwa-what?".  The rest is history.  We found a home that we loved and have been in Ahwatukee ever since.  It's kind of a hidden gem, if you will.  It is technically a part of Phoenix, but is know as Ahwatukee.  We often get questions about what zipcodes are part of Ahwatukee, so here's the answer. Ahwatukee includes 85045, 85044, & 85048.   85045 contains primarily the Club West Master Planned Community.  85044 is East Ahwatukee & Mountain Park Ranch, while 85048 is the Foothills or Central Ahwatukee.  The people in the community are very friendly and it's a beaut... 10/09/2008

  Have you heard?  The Ahwatukee Board of Management (ABM) governing all of Ahwatukee has increased their transfer fees and has also added a capital improvement fee on all real estate transactions in Ahwatukee (that's Ahwatukee proper...not the Foothills by the way).  This was apparently done with no notice to the homeowners of Ahwatukee, so if you have heard...you're in the minority.   Read More 10/08/2008

    As of September 25, 2008 there are currently 604 single family detached homes for sale in Ahwatukee.  They range in price from $146,900 for a bank owned home in a retirement community to a high price of $3,995,000 for a 8,450 sq. ft. home with a 12 car garage! There are 70 Patio/Townhomes on the market.  The high price is $435,000 for a home in the Pointe at South Mountain.  The least expensive home is $95,000 for a one bed/one bath home. There are 80 condos for sale ranging in price from $92,900 to $471,000.   If you have any questions about homes for sale in Ahwatukee give me a call at 602 763-6363.   09/25/2008

Here is the weekly report for activity in the Ahwatukee Real Estate market according to the MLS. This information is provided directly from our local MLS. Please feel free to check back often for the most accurate and updated information.  If you'd like a more detailed report for a certain neighborhood in Ahwatukee, click HERE.   Ahwatukee Real Estate Statistics 8/30-9/5/2008   Average List Price:  $362,961 Active Listings:  72 New Listings:  0 Pending:  0 Sold:  1 Average Sold Price:  $476,910     Thanks for visiting my blog.  You can reach me at 602.714.1012 or justin@justinrollins.com 09/05/2008

According to the 2000 census, the 35.8 square-mile village has a population of 85,000.  Reportedly, 86% were White, 9% were Hispanic, 3% were Black, 1% were American Indian, 4% were Asian and 3% were Other. The population grew by an astounding 146% since the 1990 Census, and with the boom in population since 2000, I can only assume that the population is much higher than 85,000 in 2008.   Median Income $110,165 Average Income, Households with Children $132,486 Average Age 35.6 High School Gradutes 98.9% College Graduates 65.1% Average Travel Time to Work 35 minutes   09/03/2008

In 1979 the price of gasoline skyrocketed to $0.86 per gallon. Americans were worried the price would approach $1.00 per gallon and began frantically looking for ways to cut fuel costs.   The Carter administration launched a plan to assist homebuyers in buying and revamping homes to make them more energy efficient.  This plan was spearheaded with the Green Mortgage.  Over the years as the public adjusted to higher energy costs, the Green Mortgage became less popular.  Today, we are again experiencing record fuel costs and many Americans beginning to think Green again. The Green Mortgage is being taken off the shelf and dusted off.  It may be just the ticket for real estate buyers today.   What is a Green Mortgage?  Green mortgages actually come in a couple of different formats. Official... 08/22/2008

South Mountain Inspiration Ahwatukee Foothills' own Mary Lou Stewart has an artist's exhibit at the Chandler Center for the Arts.  Her exhibit is titled Paintings and Assemblages.  She creates dioramas and paintings of quirky subjects that interest her.  She collects objects during her daily South Mountain hikes and includes them in her pieces.  Her three dimensional artworks are colorful and fascinating to see.  Arizona artist, Mary Lou Stewart, has lived in Arizona since 1979, and has taught in the community college system for ten years, currently in the fine art department at Chandler Gilbert Community College. Her background in fine art embraced drawing and composition, and sculptural form. Mary Lou has collected small items from her travels throughout her life, always attracted to ... 08/07/2008

My friend Anders Berg signed up on Active Rain recently and I thought he would be posting articles about how his company Swedeclean could help you clean out your vacant rentals and get them ready for the next tenant to move in, care and cleaning of your tile and grout, and other things related to his business and yours. I bugged him for quite a while to post something and today I got a note from him saying he had finally posted a blog article. I went to see what sage advice he had written about carpet maintenance or getting crayon off of walls and much to my surprise, this is what he had to say for his first post - Please welcome him to Active Rain. Thank you, Ahwatukee's best kept secret 07/27/2008

Ahwatukee's best kept secret must be the Ahwatukee Comedy Club. It started January 2005 and almost every month the Ahwatukee Foothills News and Arizona Republic in some way is mentioning about the monthly event inside the paper. Why do I say Ahwatukee Comedy Club might be Ahwatukee's best kept secret. Because when I'm out and about promoting the comedy club as I do when I visit my carpet and tile cleaning clients I ask them "do you know we have a comedy club in Ahwatukee?" and they all say "No, I don't think so". When I'm at the post office shipping microfiber cleaning products around the country I talk to others in the line. There is always a line at the post office at 51 street! So, standing there I ask: "do you know we have a comedy club in Ahwatukee?" and they reply with the same an... 07/26/2008

Sunday, August 2nd and 3rd, 2008  11:00 to 4:00 Come visit this Brand New ‘Smart' Custom Home in The Sanctuary gated community on Chandler Blvd. and 24th St. in Ahwatukee (South Phoenix).  This amazing home is 4469 sq. ft. with 4-5 bedrooms built on the mountainside.  A home office with a separate outside entrance graces the front of the home.  The home is fully computerized and boasts top of the line Wolf Appliances.  A dramatic entrance and circular family room with 25' ceiling will impress your guests.  Versailles Travertine Tile enhances the main living areas.  Dramatic play pool, spa and fire pit create a unique outdoor living space.  $1,750,000 Call Chris @ 480-628-0496  Email: ChrisL@WestUSA.com HomeSweetAZHome.com     07/26/2008

If you live in or around Ahwatukee Foothills in the Phoenix Arizona area and are looking for someplace to cool off this summer you'll want to check out Pecos Pool. Pecos Pool is one of Phoenix's newest pools and it is the busiest pool. The pool opened in 2004 and last season 88,934 users visited during the season. There are two separate water areas consisting of a play pool and a lap pool. The pool also features diving boards, play structures, two flume sites and zero-depth entry. The majority of the pool area is less than 5 feet deep, and it's geared toward small children. For more information about this family-friendly community pool call (602) 534-9255. 06/28/2008

Excellent Lakewood home- REMODELED and gorgeous!Location: Ahwatukee LakewoodHere is your chance to live in the PRESTIGIOUS Ahwatukee Lakewood community! Walking into your new home you will be greeted by an amazing and LUXURIOUS wood staircase. Four HUGE BEDROOMS with SPACIOUS WALK-IN CLOSETS! The master retreat is big enough for all your furniture and has a RELAXING AND PERFECT sitting room. The home has a warm feeling although the floor plan is OPEN AND BRIGHT with gorgeous CUSTOM FAUX PAINT. The large backyard boasts a FIREPIT and POND so you will be able to perfect Arizona air day or night while enjoying your backyard! The best part about this well maintained and cared for home is the price. It is aggressively priced to not only compete with the foreclosures in the area, but to sell ... 04/16/2008

Excellent Lakewood home- REMODELED and gorgeous!Location: Ahwatukee LakewoodHere is your chance to live in the PRESTIGIOUS Ahwatukee Lakewood community! Walking into your new home you will be greeted by an amazing and LUXURIOUS wood staircase. Four HUGE BEDROOMS with SPACIOUS WALK-IN CLOSETS! The master retreat is big enough for all your furniture and has a RELAXING AND PERFECT sitting room. The home has a warm feeling although the floor plan is OPEN AND BRIGHT with gorgeous CUSTOM FAUX PAINT. The large backyard boasts a FIREPIT and POND so you will be able to perfect Arizona air day or night while enjoying your backyard! The best part about this well maintained and cared for home is the price. It is aggressively priced to not only compete with the foreclosures in the area, but to sell ... 04/16/2008