Phoenix Arizona art lovers can enjoy a weekly event called "First Fridays". These "arty" events happen from 6pm till 10pm on the first Friday of each month. More than 80 art galleries and art spaces, plus street performers and sidewalk vendors participate in the vents. Maps, parking and shuttle service is available at Barton Barr Central Library, 1221 N Central Avenue in Phoenix. This Phoenix Public Library is located just south of McDowell Road on Central Avenue. Stop inside to get a First Friday brochure, that includes all the member galleries, their locations in the downtown Phoenix area, and the best shuttle bus route that will get you out and about! The shuttles eliminate the parking nightmares that would occur if everyone tried to park at all the galleries. Participants in the Fir... 09/02/2007

Located in Downtown Phoenix is the Downtown Phoenix Public Market. This open air market is open every Saturday year-round from 8am until noon. It’s a community location where small local farmers can bring their produce to sell. Local artists and crafters also are involved in making this a Phoenix experience. In season there are squashes, melons, tomatoes, lettuces of all descriptions, eggplants and more. Several of the vendors offer organic produce. Artists and crafters offer an amazing variety of the best of southwest art, plus other types of crafts and art also. The location 721 N Central at the SE Corner of Central Avenue and McKinley Street (2 blocks S of Roosevelt). When the Market closes at noon for the day, take a stroll 2 blocks N to Roosevelt where there is “Roosevelt Row”. Thi... 09/02/2007

New statistics came out recently that show that Phoenix leads the nation in retail construction.  Considering the state of real estate across the nation as well as locally, that is relatively good news.  High retail construction shows that there is still growth.  We have said for a long time, even before the downturn in the market that the Phoenix area should recuperate faster than many other metro areas.  The reason is that we have the overall economy, job growth, and climate to attract people to this area. There are naysayers who think that the high retail construction will just lead to more empty stores.  But consider this, residential construction typically occurs before the retail and commercial construction.  A decade of strong growth, capped off by record numbers in '04 and '05 m... 08/16/2007

There were 13 homes sold in Desert Ridge in July 2007, with an average listing price of $550,469 and an average sale price of $528,115.  Sale prices were 96% of list prices.  Sold Price per Square Foot was $239.73.  The range of sold homes was $282,500 to $1,015,000.  As of August 1, there are 20 pending or contingent homes under contract.  As of August 1, there are 150 active listings with an average list price of $758,610 and average list $/sq.ft. of $247.30 Although sales volume was half of the month before and the average price was down significantly from the month before, average price per square foot was up over $5/ft.  This indicates that the average sold price decrease is due to smaller homes being sold during this period compared to June (actually about 426 sq.ft. less average)... 08/07/2007

Phoenix AZNeeding to sell and wanting to sell are two different animals in this market. The truth is if you don't have to sell now and can wait - do so. The current market indicators are saying that the market we are in will continue into 2009. The only exception to this would be if you are planning to move out of state into a market that maybe on the up swing. The current indicators are also saying that the Phoenix market has not hit bottom yet. So if you are intending to move into such a market, sell now and take your profits with you.Beware of agents who tell you not to worry about the market. I can sell your home and get what you want. We in the business call that "buying a listing". Buyers determine the price of your home not an agent and not you as a seller. The buyers in any give... 08/06/2007

If you're one of the hundreds of homeowners in Phoenix, Scottsdale or other parts of the valley facing foreclosure and you're not sure what to do, get ready! Here in Arizona, there's no question, you're going to have plenty of people coming to your door and sending things in the mail.By all accounts, it's overwhelming. Hundreds of mailers. Dozens of phone calls. Lots of people come a-knockin'.But wait! Before you let them in, read this little guide from the FTC:Consumer Facts: Mortgage Payments Sending You Reeling? Here’s What to DoAmong those knocking at your door you'll find all types: the good, the bad, and the ugly.More on these to come later, along with how to hook yourself up with folks who'll put your best interests before their own. They're the ones who live by the Golden Rule, ... 08/03/2007

An article in the Arizona Republic says it all: U.S. mortgage foreclosures rise 30%, Ariz. up 74% This pretty much sets the stage for what's going on with foreclosures in Arizona today. With something like a 13 month supply of listings on the MLS and seemingly countless new homes standing empty waiting for buyers, not to mention the meltdown in the mortgage markets drying up almost all chances to refinance, the situation faced by the homeowner receiving a Notice of Trustee Sale and entering the foreclosure process in metropolitan Phoenix is increasingly grim. Ditto for the rest of the state.  08/02/2007

Good question, and the answer is it depends.  I like to find out what is the motivation for a sale and take it from there.  For instance, I just had an appointment where the gentleman wants to move up to a bigger home, and he wanted to know if it was a good time to sell.  My thought, sure it is.  Of course it is a buyers market and you will most likely not see as much money on the sell of your home, but you also will be able to recoup on the purchase of the move-up home.  Interest rates are good, so make the move.  Again it depends on every situation. 07/31/2007

  From the Arizona Republic, reports that home building in metropolitan Phoenix continues to stumble, with permits dropping 23 percent from last year. But it's not all bad news as we remain among the nation's leading housing markets. Phoenix, Arizona ranks No. 4 among the top five new-home markets nationwide, according to the latest building permit data from the U.S. Census Bureau. New York takes the lead, followed by Houston and Dallas. Valley housing analyst RL Brown highlighted the ranking in his latest newsletter, the Phoenix Housing Market Letter, which provides monthly new-home building and sales data. Brown said the traditionally strong Phoenix market retains potential even though builders have suffered some damage. "If you're a home builder, you want to be where the action is," ... 07/31/2007

By now most of the Arizona population and some of the country have had the chance to hear about the horrific accident that happened on Friday involving the news helicopters. Up until then I certainly didn't realize the danger they put themselves in. It really makes you wonder is all that worth it? Why can't we just have 1 helicopter "subcontracted" out to whomever needs them, and then feed the story/camera angles/pictures at that time?We now have 4 people who have lost their lives over something that didn't need to happen; and families that are suffering over their losses. We send our prayers and thoughts to their families, coworkers and friends. 07/29/2007

Here in Phoenix today, we had a terrible accident that occured between two television helicopters.   Local Channel 3 and Channel 15 helicopters were covering a car chase below on the streets of Phoenix when they collided.  The wreckage landed in Steel Indian School Park, where fortunately no one on the ground was injured.Sadly, all four people in the choppers did not survive.  Each chopper had one pilot and one camerman.It's a sad day here in Phoenix as we all feel like these professionals are part of our families.  We know their wives and children and some details about their lives (like when one of them was in the market for a new car).Our prayers and  deepest sympathies are extended to these families - both personal and professional. They will all be missed. 07/27/2007

Hello and good Friday to all! It was publicized today on http://www.azcentral/ that the city of Phoenix ranks 4th in the nation in Parkland-per-capita!  Boasting 26 acres of park per 1,000 residents, Phoenix blows the average of 17.5 acres out of the water!  The top 4 look like this:Raleigh, NC San Diego, CA Houston, TX Phoenix, AZ What does this mean to our city?  It's just one more way our quality of life exceeds the national average.  It allows us to preserve native land, so future generations can enjoy it and appreciate what our region looked like before all the construction..... HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!Sharon Kotula, ABRAdam Tarr, e-PROYour Phoenix Area Real Estate SourceRE/MAX ExcaliburScottsdale AZ480-483-3333 info@WeAreAZRealEstate.com http://www.weareazrealestate.com/ 07/27/2007

Construction ContinuesThe Arizona Department of Transportation has notified that the following areas of I17 will be restricted for construction.    Currently under construction is I17 between the Loop 101 and Carefree Highway.   Once these improvements are completed then the area of I17 between Carefree Highway and Anthem will begin.     The current construction impacts subdivisions such as Tramonto, Sonoran Foothills and Tatum Ranch.  I-17 will be restricted to one lane overnight on the following dates: Thursday, July 26 9 p.m. - 5 a.m. Friday, July 27 9 p.m. - 7 a.m.Sunday, July 29 - Thursday, August 2 9 p.m. - 5 a.m.  For more information about Tramonto, Sonoran Foothills and Tatum Ranch, please view my website or call me at (623) 640-0937. 07/27/2007

More and more I have seen foreclosures on the rise in the hispanic community.  Of course this is happening every where and not just to this segment of our population.  Just yesterday I had an appoinment to preview and give a listing presentation.  Turns out the homeowners have fallen behind on their payments due to an adjustable rate mortgage.  Yes, they signed the paperwork, but they had no understanding of what they were getting into.  Now they are looking at a market with many homes for sale, and having to price a home very aggressively to have it sell.  Then you get the opportunist who come out and try to save them from foreclosure, taking what equity is there in a quick flip.  Not that it wrong, but it should be done with everyone involved knowing what exactly is happening.  There ... 07/26/2007

I came across the following article: Price risk for the top 50 U.S. markets which puts Phoenix in the number 2 spot for risk of price decline.  Click on the link above to view the complete table.  The Phoenix market has a risk score of 646 which means there is a 64.6% chance this market will decline over the next two years. Annual House Price Appreciation has slowed dramatically - 1st Quarter 2006 was 37.33% while the same period this year was down to a mere 4.52%. Recent numbers for 2nd Quarter 2007 show things to be essentially the same as 1st Quarter 2007 - which seems to contradict the price decline prediction. One thing is certain - prices will remain stable, will increase, or will decline.  If you think they will increase - then now is the time to buy.  If you think they will rema... 07/20/2007

(This post was originally written by Karen George, wife of Michael.) Yep.  This is my 100th post.  I had intended upon writing a mortgage-related post today, but another ActiveRainer told me that I should acknowledge the 100th post "blogging milestone".  (I figured I would put Mark Twain's picture up as he once famously opined about statistics himself.) I also realized that in the past month, I've been asked to write a MeMe twice and it had completely slipped my mind, until today.  A MeMe should be appropriate for my 100th post, right? Scott Parsons "tagged" me and so did Marchel Peterson.  To both of you:  I am so, so sorry that this has taken me so long.  I really am. From what I understand, I am just supposed to write five things about myself, so here goes: 1.  I have been married t... 07/16/2007

In this "interesting" market here in the Phoenix area rental bargains abound.  How about a high end upgraded, $850,000, 3,000 sq ft, in a gated community for $1,995 per month? Too steep?  Well - it is on a mountainside lot! How about a $650,000, 3,200 sq ft home, again in a gated community for a mere $1,600 per month! I could go on - but I risk making some homeowners cry. Sound too good to be true?  I toured eighteen (18) of them today. Is it time to rent - rather than own? If you are considering selling a home or real estate in the Phoenix area you owe it to yourself to talk with Haven Express at Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners to determine whether Tony Marriott is the best real estate Broker in the Phoenix and Scottsdale metropolitan area to help you with the sale of your... 07/15/2007

New N. Central Phoenix Townhome ProjectHi and welcome to the weekend.  We just added a new townhome home project to our Urban Living - Phoenix page called URBAN 30. (scroll to the bottom of the page) URBAN 30 is a gated neighborhood with 30 three story townhomes in a convenient location near Northern and 19th Avenues.  Just a couple blocks from I-17 and a short walk to the planned Northwest extension of the Light Rail.  Home sizes start at 1636 sq. ft. with at least 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Prices start at $315K.  For more information on this property, click here or contact us at urban@WeAreAZRealEstate.com. ( We do not represent the seller of this property.)In addition to this new project, we have freshened and added existing projects in the Desert Ridge area to the Urban Living - Pho... 07/14/2007

It seems that many Sellers are living on Fantasy Island.  What's more - they have managed to convince supposedly "professional" real estate agents to move there with them! (Click the graphic on the left for video)I continue to be amazed by the number of overpriced listings - and I mean overpriced to the point where there is absolutely no justification or reason for the list price except that's what the Seller wanted to list it for.It takes two - perhaps three - to create these listings.  The Owner / Seller, the Listing Agent, and the Listing Broker who blesses it.Why would the three of them do such a thing? Is it a "Hail Mary" football pass hoping that lightning will strike? Is it that the Listing Agent will take a listing at any price just to have inventory to hold Open Houses in searc... 07/13/2007

Who are the biggest Employers in the East Valley?by Kaushik Sirkar, Chandler AZ REALTORChandler Arizona Real EstateIts no secret that a strong employment base is a key factor that drives growth and supports local economies.  Job growth will often help to drive new construction and growth within the Real Estate market as well.  On that note I came across this article from the East Valley Tribune which lists the top 40 employers in the East Valley.  These companies are some of the major drivers for the Valley's current and future growth!Thanks for Reading :)Kaushik Sirkar, Chandler AZ REALTORChandler Arizona Real Estate  07/11/2007