Thanks to all your advice and assistance I have found myself making this jump from number 100 in Phoenix to numbe 51 in about a week. It has been through the many questions answered and advice given that I have been able to navigate AR and now find myself reaching to get closer to that number one spot, Mr Marriott, althoug he has over 100 times the activity I do, I know it will take a long time to reach him. I decided a few weeks ago to start my day on AR and have seen a nice uptick in activity and discipline. It seems that AR gets the juices flowing for me and daily updates of my status on AR allows me to keep an eye on te prize and focus on my goal of reaching higher and higher in the AR Community. Also, as you can imagine, starting the day off by seeing gains in my goalplan puts me i... 08/14/2008

For most of you in Arcadia, school has started and it is time to get back in the swing of things.  Led by Scoutmasters Win & Francesca Thomas, Arcadia Cub Scouts first Pack meeting for Pack 6 will be next Wednesday August 20th at 7 pm in the Hopi cafeteria.  We will be registering new and old Scouts, and talking about Scout-O-Rama and the upcoming Campout.  As always, this first meeting is a business meeting but it really helps us when everyone shows up to get the scoop on the upcoming year. If you have a son in 1st to 5th grades who would like to join Cub Scouts, please stop by and attend this informational meeting.  Annual costs for scouting are very minimal, and the values, friendships and fun that the children enjoy are priceless.  Adults looking to give back to the community and sh... 08/13/2008

Hello I am new to this group, I look forward to networking here and getting to know htis group, thanks for the invite. The market here in Phoenix is getting active with many hispanics picking up many of the REO's offered by the many lenders. Are there any additional links out here for more info on NHREP? Is it a part of NAR? 08/13/2008

Prepare For The Future HomebuyerMarket at the NAHREP Convention! Come To The Only Industry Event For Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and the Hispanic Homebuyer Market! 2008 Hispanic Marketing Convention & ExpoArizona Biltmore Resort & SpaPhoenix, ArizonaSept. 27 - Oct. 1, 2008 Click here for more information The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals No Other Forum Addresses Your Business And TheCommunity's Needs Like This One! Year After Year This ConventionAttracts Leading Emerging Markets Experts, Fortune 100 ExecutivesAnd the Hispanic Market's Highest Producers Check Out the New Additions to the 2008 Program FHA and Conventional Financing: Financing with Optimism With FHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery And Freddie Mac CEO Richard Syron The A-Z of Foreclosures ... 08/12/2008

A new advertisement in the Sunday Real Estate section of the Arizona Republic for a condominium community called Avalon Hills in Phoenix that asks "Why Rent when you can own ???"; further claiming 100% of your rent goes to your down payment. These days one of the main challenges for buyers is having enough of a down payment as a result of more stringent lender requirement in obtaining financing. This 100% equity program allows people who want to buy to enter into an option agreement to purchase the property anytime within 12 months if they choose. The buyer pays rent each month all of which gets deposited in an escrow account on their behalf; rent accumulates as equity towards a maximum (per the lease-option agreement) 5% down payment. Several things happen. the buyer gets a place to li... 08/12/2008

Prepare For The Future HomebuyerMarket at the NAHREP Convention! Come To The Only Industry Event For Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and the Hispanic Homebuyer Market! 2008 Hispanic Marketing Convention & ExpoArizona Biltmore Resort & SpaPhoenix, ArizonaSept. 27 - Oct. 1, 2008 Click here for more information The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals No Other Forum Addresses Your Business And TheCommunity's Needs Like This One! Year After Year This ConventionAttracts Leading Emerging Markets Experts, Fortune 100 ExecutivesAnd the Hispanic Market's Highest Producers Check Out the New Additions to the 2008 Program FHA and Conventional Financing: Financing with Optimism With FHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery And Freddie Mac CEO Richard Syron The A-Z of Foreclosures ... 08/12/2008

Recently the market in Phoenix is gaining a bit of traction amongst lender owned properties. These homes are often at well below market values and are great deals for investors and homeowners alike. Many of these homes are listed with select groups of agents, some of which, do not even reside in Arizona! When navigating through these homes for my buyers it has been extremely frustrating to have to call and agent outside of the state to get information and never be able to reach them. Looking through the MLS some of these agents have dozens of listings and yet they make it extremely difficult to submit a contract as you cannot make contact with them or their brokerage. This has happened to me twice last week. I am at the point know where I must submit a contract hoping that it reaches th... 08/11/2008

I just wanted to thank everyone for helping me cross the 100th Rank in Phoenix. I am relatively new to blogging and have been sharing and learning with all of my fellow Active Rainers for just a short time but I feel that I have gained so much knowledge and experience in the industry that would be difficult to get anywhere else. Thanks for all your help. 08/09/2008

Here's a mistake I'll never do again. As the downturn in the Real Estate Market affects me I am left wondering about the deals I left on the table and the mistakes I have made. I once listed a remodeled duplex in Phoenix, AZ. The seller was a close friend who needed to sell ASAP. Because he was a friend and had a large number of contacts and friends he asked that I write into the contract that commission would only be paid if I brought the buyer, wrote the contract and sold the home. Commission would also be paid if another agent bought the home and I represented the seller. Commission would not be paid if any of his contacts purchased the home. I truly feel he did this without bad intentions. I had done something similar for a relative of his and he felt that I had agreed to market the... 08/08/2008

Over the weekend, August 8 - 10, 2008, Loop 101 will be closed Westbound at I17.   This closure will impact many northern communities such Stetson Valley, Stetson Hills, Sonoran Foothills, Tramonto, Fireside and Anthem. Similar projects will continue through 2009, at that time we expect to see improved roads, interchanges, and exits which will enhance transportation to and from these same communities.  Below are a list of current projects underway (Provided from ADOT) Interstate 17 from Pinnacle Peak to Happy Valley roads Sunday, Aug. 10 - Tuesday, Aug.12 10 p.m. - 5 a.m. I-17 will be restricted to one lane northbound overnight from Sunday night until Monday morning and southbound from Monday night until Tuesday morning to set temporary concrete barriers for the widening project. Loop 1... 08/08/2008

Even though the dog days of summer are upon us the Phoenix real estate market is still pluggin along nicely.  Here are July's numbers for the week ending 7/31/08: Active Listings: 13,464 Homes Pending: 1,770 Homes sold in last 30 days: 1,366 (up 12% over June '08, up 25% from July '07) Burn rate (Inventory on market/by homes sold last 30 days) = 10 months supply Avg. Sale price (Solds): $219,501 (Down 8% from June '08, Down 28% from July '07) Avg. price per sq. ft. (Solds): $125.98 (Down $8 per Sq. Ft. from June '08,  Down 30% from July '07) Avg. Days on Market (Solds): 112 (Down 16 days, 12% from June 08, Up 17 days, 18% from July '07) To learn more about Phoenix real estate click here  For more information about Anthem Arizona visit: www.allaboutanthem.com 08/07/2008

Last week I wrote that this was coming. I mentioned how down payment assistance programs like Nehemiah might go away. Well, it's been passed into law now. For buyers and sellers who do not know what I'm talking about...here's the run down: For a long time it's been quite the norm for a buyer to ask the seller of a home to cover part of their closing costs, if not all of them. A buyer would often even ask for down payment money to come from the seller. The idea is that the buyer wanted to get into the home for as little money down as possible. Who can blame them, right? Nehemiah, Ameridream and other non-profit organizations were formed for the purpose of gifting money to a buyer. See, most lenders aren't keen on having a seller give money to a buyer as part of a real estate transaction ... 08/07/2008

My goal for this post is to turn you on to a blog I subscribe to and that I think you should subscribe to also. It's a simple idea...just posting inspirational and motivational ideas, but the writer does it consistently and with quality. I think you'll find it beneficial to visit every so often. I talked to the author in a forum a few months back and ended up subscribing to his blog. I have found the content to be consistently good and I find myself telling people about the posts there quite often. Here are a two of the newer posts that I found particularly cool:  1.      The most motivational and inspiring videos on YouTube  "YouTube is not only a place to watch funny videos, it can also be a tool you can use to motivate and inspire yourself. Here is a collection containing eleven of t... 08/07/2008

A Neighborhood in the Phoenix Central Corridor Ranch Solano | Phoenix Central Corridor Rancho Solano is a small neighborhood in North Central Phoenix.  It's the only neighborhood which has pavers for a side walk along Central Ave which make riding a bike quite a vibrating experience. This is a very beautiful neighborhood of about 70 homes.  It's characterized by large lots; most are 20,000 s.f. or larger and many are up to an acre; the lawns are green with lush well manicured grass.  You won't see any two story homes.    read more here. 08/05/2008

Hi Again! Yes, I've been a little quiet lately.  With the kids out of school it seems like we are busier now than ever.  Thank goodness school starts up again next Monday!  This year Brandon is moving to Villa Montessori and we are so excited.  He get's to be reunited with his friends Matthew and Max from from baseball.  Lizzie is #1 on the waiting list for Desert Mountain High School, so she will be starting the year at Coronado High until she gets accepted at Desert Mountain - hopefully sooner than later.  If you are wondering why?  Both of our children are special needs and need programs that cater to their strengths and challenges.  If you need information on any of the special needs programs in the area, I'm sure that we can be a wealth of information to you. We were blessed to be ... 08/04/2008

Phoenix MLS Search with ALL Foreclosures. Search Phoenix AZ MLS FREE/ALL Foreclousres! 24 hour Phoenix MLS Foreclosure Search. View ALL FORECLOSURES in Phoenix and surrounding cities LIVE. Phoenix Foreclosure MLS Search We are your FORECLOSURE EXPERTS and want to make sure you have ALL of the BEST information. BANK OWNED - Beautiful newer home with over $80,000 builder, landscape & designer upgrades including, extended garage with utility sink & service door, extended covered patio,bay windows in breakfast nook & master BR with french door access to backyard. Stereo pre wire in game room-loft, spindled wood handrail, security system, 40inch cherry kitchen cabinets, Corian countertops & additional counter space & cabinets in breakfast area, 18inch Travertine tile, 4 inch base boards, sun... 08/03/2008

One night at just after 8pm a fire broke out in North Londonderry.  Located in the tight nit community of Bockman's Mobile Home Park, a neighbor saw flames coming from a drier vent and he called the fire department.  According to neighbors, the home owner had "Left the dryer going when he went off for a bit, when he came back, the firemen were hard at work."  Lorraine Cookson told Londonderry Hometown Online News, "He has two dogs, one was with him and the other was in the home.  Soon after the Londonderry Fire Department arrived at 8:09 they brought the dog out of the home that was on fire with a muzzle in what appeared to be a way to keep it from harming the men."  Neighbors report that one of the rescuers may have been bitten, we have no conformation of that at this time. The cause m... 08/03/2008

Call us at (800) 900-2807 for EXCLUSIVE Phoenix Home Buyer Leads. We are happy to announce just 1 of many new websites that are linking up Realtors with relocating families. www.PhoenixBuyerLeads.com is our new Phoenix Buyer Leads website, that Realtors can request more information on how to receive EXCLUSIVE Home Buyer Leads. We receive 12,000 - 15,000 scrubbed, fresh, matched to Free411.com leads per month, and a good majority of these home buyer leads come from Arizona. Most of those Arizona leads come from Maricopa county. We need a strong agent who can invest some time, energy, and patience with these home buyer leads. Check out the website, learn what we do.. then give us a toll-free call. We are turning the lead generation game on its head... with our new revolutionary home buyer... 08/01/2008

The population of Phoenix makes it the largest capital city in the United States and the sixth largest city in the entire country.  Students in public schools are served by over 30 school districts.  Arizona State University, one of the largest public universities in the US, has a campus here.  Phoenix's award-winning Parks and Recreation Department maintains more than 100 urban parks, city golf courses and community centers.  They also offer great summer programs all over the city. Phoenix is a large city with big city amenities.  Here, you can go to museums, art galleries, live performing arts venues, sporting events, wineries and even enjoy luxurious spas.  The multi-cultural influences in the city help create a diverse community that affects everything from local art to food.  The s... 07/31/2008

Phoenix Arizona 1031 Exchange Property Naming Here. Find your Phoenix Arizona EXCHANGE property NOW. Resitential, Commercial, Multi-Family. Exchange your Investment porperty in Phoenix Arizona. There has NOT been a better buying market ever in Arizona. Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Mesa, Peoria, Glendale, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, and other cities are great candidates for your 1031 exchange. I see amazing real estate buying deals all of the time in Poenix and throughout the valley. Some of the best exchanged properties are the bank owned foreclosures. It is nearly impossible for the non-foreclosed house to compete with the pricing od a lender owned home in the greater Phoenix area today. Exchange your property for multiple properties in this low priced arizona market. Phoenix is the 4th... 07/30/2008