Hi Folks- For anyone that watches or goes to the city council meetings I ma sure you are aware of the theatrics going on right now.  Between all the drama on the council, there has been some progress on the city park in Surprise Farms.  No plans are concrete, however, Mark Coronado spoke at the last meeting and implied that they are going to shift some money around between the phases of the park to at least get some grass for phase 2 of the park.  the paper reported that the pickleball courts will now move to the tennis/raquet facility.  This is the most positive news for our neighborhood in a while.  Let's see when they start now....The market here is staying steady.  Rates have gone up alot in the past couple months but there are still buyers and the  numbers in SF are remaining stabl... 06/25/2007

Good Morning -A quick note on how the local Surprise market is doing lately.   People,  we have buyers.  there are many people out there currently shopping for homes, they are looking for the best deal and those home priced in the top 10% of the market WILL GET SOLD.  The builders are very aggressive still, however, their inventory is depleting.  The sooner the better, right?  They are especially dominating the bigger home market.  Out of 7 homes pending in Surprise between 3500 square feet and 4000 Square feet, 6 are builder spec homes for well below $100 per square foot.There is a product that the builders do not have in their "spec" inventory....  homes under $225,000.  You can have one built in 6-8 months, but most builders do not have much in the "move-in" now catergory.  This is g... 06/12/2007

 The subdivision of Sun City Grand had 47 homes sell during the month of May 2007.  These home had an average list price of $381,902.98 and average sale price was $368,444.68.  As of May 31, 2007, there were 32 homes under contract in Sun City Grand. The average list price of these pending homes was $340,237.50.There were 309 active listings in Sun City Grand as of the end of May 2007.    The average list price of these active listings was $367,536.87. For more information about Sun City Grand or other fine communities in Surprise Arizona, please view my website at http://www.donrichhomes.com/.      06/10/2007

The subdivision of Bell West Ranch had 4 homes sell during the month of May 2007.  These home had an average list price of $229,950.00 and average sale price was $229,725.00.  As of May 31, 2007, there were 5 homes under contract in Bell West Ranch. The average list price of these pending homes was $249,080.00.There were 43 active listings in Bell West Ranch as of the end of May 2007.    The average list price of these active listings was $310,188.88.For more information about Bell West Ranch or other fine communities in Surprise Arizona, please view my website at http://www.donrichhomes.com/Bell_West_Ranch/page%20_1687480.html or call me at (623) 640-0937.    06/09/2007

Yesterday is one of the better ones.I recently represented a young Air Force sergeant being transferred to Luke AFB in Arizona. She had known she would be transferred last year, and made contact with me over the web.Over the ensuing months we kept in contact, I sent her listings, we talked occasionally. Three months ago, she sold her home in Texas, moving into base housing temporarily. At this time, we picked up the activity. I showed her parents homes in her behalf. We actually wrote 5 offers, presented 4 offers before we got one accepted. At all times she has been the nicest, most organized and cooperative client I have ever represented on either side of the table. We closed escrow last week. She will not be here for another two weeks. She has not even seen her new home yet. She has c... 06/09/2007

Surprise Arizona Dog Owners - Surprise Arizona Dog Park If you are a dog owner living in Surprise Arizona, you may want to check out the Community Dog Park located at 15953 N. Bullard Avenue in Surprise Arizona. This dog park has both small and large dog sections with shade structures. There are drinking fountains for pets and owners, picnic tables, a holding area. The dog park has landscaped trees and turf. The hours are sun up to 10 p.m. For more information, call 623-266-4500. If you are a home owner in Surprise or elsewhere in the Phoenix Arizona Valley areas and it's time to sell your home call Bob and Carolin Benjamin to help you. If you are thinking of relocating to the Surprise area, or other Phoenix Valley city, we can help you also.  Call us at 480-201-3001. 06/09/2007

The subdivision of Arizona Traditions had 5 homes sell during the month of May 2007.  These home had an average list price of $247,699.80 and average sale price was $237,700.00.  As of May 31, 2007, there were 5 homes under contract in Arizona Traditions. The average list price of these pending homes was $237,100.00.There were 56 active listings in Arizona Traditions as of the end of May 2007.    The average list price of these active listings was $312,664.73.For more information about Arizona Traditions or other fine communities in SurpriseArizona, please view my website at http://www.donrichhomes.com/Arizona_Tradtions/page_1687474.html.    06/08/2007

There were 12 homes sold in Mountain Vista Ranch for the month of April 2007.  The average list price of these homes was $242,566.67 and average sale price was $238,241.67.    As of April 30, there were 8 homes under contract.     The average list price of these pending homes was $225,081.25.    As of the end of the month, there were 79 active listings in Mountain Vista Ranch.    The average list price of these homes was $248,948.80. For more information about Mountain Vista Ranch or other fine communities in Surprise, please view my website at http://www.donrichhomes.com/.    05/28/2007

Just received a letter that has been passed to me.  the letter is from Jim Rumpeltes (Surprise City Manager).In summary it is regarding the Phase II of the park which is to include a dog park, disc golf, ramadas and a playground for approximately $2.6 million.  It states that that Phase II is not even in the city's 5 year plan yet.  they plan on focusing on Phase I which is to be done by the end of 2008 (besides the aquatic park). that will be done by 2010.Looks like a dirt lot off of 175th ave for 5 more years.... Yeah!  05/18/2007

Good Afternoon Everyone- Your Surprise Farms Specialist with an update on the market.  So far after a brief speedbump in late Feb/March the local market seems to be picking up  steam.  The normal spring rush was late to start but a surge in the past month on smaller homes in a less costly price bracket have been selling well.  Homes under $225,000 are moving well right now.  Also homes with pools are getting alot of attention.  the builders are getting very aggressive with their pricing and incentives, however, most have stopped pulling permits and are focusing on depleting their inventory first.  from the numbers I am seeing, they are doing a great job at this.  The sooner the better!!!It is a great time to buy as well.  rates are still low and most are saying that it should stay that ... 05/18/2007

Finally we have some positive news on the new park.  The city has gone over the budget and have approved some money (just over 5 million) for the city park in Surprise Farms.  Some of the plans include pickleball courts (thank you pickleball people for your support) and a aquatic park.  No word on when the groundbreaking is going to be.  The city plans to start in phase 1 of the park which is adjacent to Willow Canyon High School.  Phase 2 has an unknown start date.     05/18/2007

There were 14 homes sold in Surprise Farms for the month of April 2007.  The average list price of these homes was $268,650.00 and average sale price was $260,100.00.    As of April 30, there were 19 homes under contract.     The average list price of these pending homes was $276,787.21.    As of the end of the month, there were 189 active listings in Surprise Farms.    The average list price of these homes was $295,915.69. For more information about Surprise Farms or other fine communities in Surprise, please view my website at http://www.donrichhomes.com/.    05/16/2007

There were 44 homes sold in Sun City Grand for the month of April 2007.  The average list price of these homes was $395,195.45 and average sale price was $381,292.05.    As of April 30, there were 56 homes under contract.     The average list price of these pending homes was $372,659.64.    As of the end of the month, there were 356 active listings in Sun City Grand.    The average list price of these homes was $369,848.79. For more information about Sun City Grand or other fine communities in Surprise, please view my website at http://www.donrichhomes.com/.    05/16/2007

Homes for sale in Sun City Grand, Westbrook VillageIf you like many others believe you have to be 55 years old to live in an active adult community, have I got news for you.Both Sun City Grand, and Westbrook Village have lower age restrictions. You may buy a home and live in it at age 45 in Sun City Grand. Homes for sale in Sun City Grand range from $129,000 to $889,000.Westbrook Village has an even lower age limit. You can buy a home and live in it in Westbrook Village at age 40. Homes for sale in Westbrook Village range from $149,000 to $539,000.How can these communities do this? The federal rule is that 80% of the homes have at least 1 occupant over 55 years old, and no occupant under 19 years old for longer than 90 days. If the bylaws of the community allow it, and the community gov... 05/15/2007

According to a news article in the Phoenix Business Journal, The city of Surprise is giving a tax break to a Michigan auto company that plans to develop a Toyota dealership and another auto facility along the planned Loop 303 freeway. Surprise approved a tax incentive package for United Auto Group to develop the dealerships at the planned Prasada project along the 303 in the westside suburb. UAG will get 50 percent of the sales tax revenue generated by its dealerships over the next 10 years, according to city documents. That could amount to as much as $9 million in tax rebates, according to an analysis prepared for Surprise by Applied Economics, a Phoenix research group. Surprise also will reimburse UAG for fees, permits and other costs associated with the project, according to the deve... 05/14/2007

As of the end of April 2007, I monitored the sales activity for the following zip codes in Surprise Arizona.     The results were as follows:             STATUS             ZIP CODE          QUANTITY          AVG LIST PRICE          AVG SALE PRICEPending  8537487$294,646.89 $0.00 Sold  8537489$287,726.81 $278,913.07 Pending  8537986$278,181.07 $0.00 Sold  8537973$280,608.41 $271,164.88 Pending  8538728$362,689.29 $0.00 Sold  8538723$368,530.43 $359,341.30 Pending  8538838$275,561.63 $0.00 Sold  8538820$301,285.75 $283,501.15  If you have any questions about the real estate market in Surprise Arizona, please contact me at (623) 640-0937.     For more information, please view my website at www.donrichhomes.com. 05/14/2007

There were 6 homes sold in Bell West Ranch for the month of April 2007.  The average list price of these homes was $228,131.67 and average sale price was $223,998.33.    As of April 30, there were 2 homes under contract.     The average list price of these pending homes was $297,500.00.    As of the end of the month, there were 36 active listings in Bell West Ranch.    The average list price of these homes was $297,264.47. For more information about Bell West Ranch or other fine communities in Surprise, please view my website at http://www.donrichhomes.com/.    05/10/2007

Sun City Grand is a Del Webb/Pulte Master Planned Retirement Community located in Suprise, Arizona about 20 miles from downtown Phoenix as a crow flies and north of Bell Road and west of Grand Avenue.  Within this beautiful community you will find over 9000 homes ranging in size from 1000 square feet to well over 3000 square feet all on very nice sized lots.  All of these homes were built between 1998 and 2006 in 4 phases.  Property values in Sun City Grand have increased significantly over the last few years.  Upon entering this community you will be very impressed by the towering Date Palms, lush landscaping, and beautiful flowing water falls.  Sun City Grand appeals to all the senses and they spare no expense to keep it looking beautiful and colorful year-round.          For more inf... 04/24/2007

Bell West Ranch had 33 homes for sale as of the end of March 2007.    These active home in MLS had an average list price of $301,487.    There were 2 homes sold during this period of time and two homes pending under contract.    These homes in Bell West Ranch had an average sale price of $261,500 and an average list price of $216,975.  For more information about Bell West Ranch or other fine homes in Surprise Arizona, please contact me at (623) 640-0937 or visit my website at http://www.donrichhomes.com/Bell_West_Ranch/page_1687480.html.   04/12/2007

In Mountain Vista Ranch there were 8 homes sold during the month of March.     These homes reflected an average price of $227,748.  There were 81 homes active as of the end of March 2007.    These homes had an average list price of $246,803.  There were 13 pending homes as of the end of March 2007 in Mountain Vista Ranch, Surprise Arizona.    These homes had an average list price of $235,212.  For more information about Mountain Vista Ranch, please view my website at www.donrichhomes.com or call me at (623) 640-0937.  04/11/2007