Finding Phoenix Neighborhoods

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

WE'VE MOVED!!

Dear Cherished Readers,

This wonderful blog about Phoenix area neighborhoods has grown to big for the (free) Blogger platform. It is time to own my own site. So join us at http://www.findingphoenixneighborhoods.com/ for all the same articles about family friendly neighborhoods plus bonus information about schools, good deals, and "gotta knows".

Thanks!

Elena Thurston

Labels: bye

Elena Thurston, Family Realtor @ 10:53 AM
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Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Reading the Numbers for Gilbert Arizona

If you are thinking about buying or selling real estate in Gilbert Arizona, you need to be well armed with good information. Here are some interesting statistics for us.

At the current absorption rates Gilbert Arizona has:

Price Range Currently Active Months of Inventory

$1-199k 316 3.2

$2-299k 771 4.0

$3-399k 442 5.4

$4-499k 249 8.4

$5-599k 120 12.9

$6-699k 93 23.3

So what does this really mean, oh number crunchers? To me, it means the more expensive home you have to sell, the less chances you have to sell it in a reasonable manner. It also means, the more expensive home you want to buy, the better chances you have of getting a great deal because those people are desperate.

Therefore maybe you can afford a higher mortgage payment but you really want someone else to pay your closing costs and maybe even your down payment, the $400k price range might be the way to go.

The other good news is that in the first three tiers, pending contracts have risen each month in the second quarter of 2008. That to me is a hard fact that the bottom rung of the real estate ladder is getting active again, which is the basis for the whole kaboodle. If the first time buyers aren't getting into the market, then ain't nobody moving up.

Labels: gilbert real estate, market report

Elena Thurston, Family Realtor @ 10:04 AM
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Friday, June 27, 2008

4th of July Events for the Family!

There are some great places to check out the fireworks and have some fun.

Don't forget plenty of water, even after dark!

fireworks

Gilbert's Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration: Mesquite high School, 550 S. McQueen Rd, Gilbert. 5 pm to 10:30 pm, fireworks begin about 9 pm. Admission and parking are free, no cooler's, pets, alcohol, tobacco, or weapons. Live entertainment, contests, games, inflatables, community exhibits, food, and beverages. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs.

Chandler's 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks Spectacular: Tumbleweed Park, southwest corner of Germann and McQueen roads. Gates open at 4 pm, Fireworks begin about 9L30 pm. Live music, classic cars, free kids' carnival, food and fireworks.

Rawhide Red White and Boom: Rawhide is at 5700 West North Loop Road, Chandler. See website for pricing details, www.rawhide.com. Rawhide and Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce are brining one of the Valley's largest fireworks displays to Rawhide's star-spangled Main Street.

Mesa's 4th of July Celebration: Gates open at 6 pm at Mesa Community College Dobson Road and Southern Avenue in Mesa, Family entertainment, Fireworks at 9 pm. Admission is $1 per person with kids under 6 admitted free.

July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival: For location go to www.tempe4th.com. Live entertainment, inflatable village with rides, rock climbing walls, water wars and more, from 4 to 11 pm. Advance purchase tickets at Fry's are $6, Children 12 and younger are free. Tickets are $8 at the gate or $15 for two.

Labels: gilbert events, mommy news

Elena Thurston, Family Realtor @ 5:33 PM
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Thursday, June 26, 2008

You Know You're an Arizona Mom if...

Arizona Moms are unique with a lifestyle reserved only for them.

You know you're an Arizona Mom if...

Your 2 year old can say "sunscreen".

It's 99 degrees in April and you say, "At least it's not hot yet."

Carpool drivers are chosen by the strength of their A/C.

You own at least 10 pairs of sunglasses.

You know of 10 places to get a pedicure within 5 miles of your home. And you're on a first name basis with all of them.

The BEST way to Know You're An Arizona Mom...

You keep oven mitts in your minivan to use the steering wheel without 3rd degree burns.

If you're thinking of moving to Arizona and need some secrets from an Arizona Mom, contact Your Local Expert,

Elena Thurston

Labels: family real estate, mommy news

Elena Thurston, Family Realtor @ 1:47 PM
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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Top 5 Things to do in Gilbert, AZ. Even in the Summer!

Gilbert is a lovely suburb of Phoenix, Arizona and considered by many to be the best mix of affordability, low crime, family friendly, with easy access to downtown.

But it's still part of Arizona and summertime in Arizona means HOT HOT HOT! So what are the Top 5 Things To Do In Gilbert, AZ, even when it feels like an oven?

As always, I start with food. You gotta check out Joe's Farm Grill. Great food with a retro feel, it's built in the middle of the organic fields that supply the yumminess. HUGE trees, misters, and lots of green grass make it comfortable even in the heat of summer. Get out of your cave, uh house, and enjoy the outdoors again.

Gilbert has a brand new mall, the San Tan Village . My favorite thing to do there is take the kids to an early matinee movie at the Harkins Movie Theatre (the $4 kids combo is actually a really good deal), afterwards hit the water spray park at the east end. The kids love it and it burns off tons of energy. Just don't forget the sunscreen!

Go for an evening stroll at the Riparian Preserve. With all of the beautiful plants, birds, streams, and waterlife, you forget you're in the middle of a desert. Afterwards hit the observatory for the star-gazing. Now that's a good time!

Take the whole family to Bounce-U. Family Bounce Night is Tuesdays from 5-8 pm and it's a blast! Huge inflatable slides, obstacle courses, even basketball courts. It's a blast and a workout to boot.

Speaking of workout, check out the climbing wall at the Freestone Recreation Center. Nothing like hanging out in cool air conditioning while scalings mountains and conquering fears. Makes for a great (and cheap) date night!

For more information about Gilbert Arizona and what a great place it is to live, check out the Gilbert Relocation Package.

Your Family's Realtor,

Elena Thurston

Labels: family real estate, gilbert events, gotta know, mommy news

Elena Thurston, Family Realtor @ 9:39 AM
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Monday, June 09, 2008

It's Sooo Good to be Back!!

It has been awhile since my last post. I'm supposed to feel guilty but, I have to admit, I don't. Since my last post I have sold four houses, listed two more, enjoyed my last trimester of my pregnancy, given birth, and recuperated from said birth. Now that is a productive three months!!

Therefore I am happy to announce the birth of my first baby girl. Given my internet protocol, I don't mention the names of my children. But suffice it to say, she was born in May with a quick and easy labor, she's growing like a weed, the boys adore her, and she's simply wonderful.

I'm back in the real estate saddle and looking forward to helping my buyers and sellers accomplish their goals. Onward!

p.s. Baby picture by Haleigh Rohner of www.SnapAllAZ.com

Labels: family real estate

Elena Thurston, Family Realtor @ 2:05 PM
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Thursday, March 20, 2008

First Time Home Buyers in the Phoenix Area

I have quite a few first time home buyers right now and I find myself wanting to make the entire process simple and less intimidating for them. Please keep in mind this is only for the Phoenix-area and this simplified explanation of home buying does not apply to Short Sales. Don't forget to learn about home buyer down payment assistance. On with the show...

Let's assume that two important things have already taken place: you have been pre-qualified by a reputable lender and you and I have communicated at length about what you truly want for your first home. We have gone house hunting and you believe you have found the one you want. Now what?

First we make an offer. You and I will talk about market conditions, neighborhood comps, discussions deal with the other agent, etc. to find the best negotiating strategy. Part of that offer is Earnest Money. It's the money that goes on the table, that communicates to the seller that you are serious about buying the home. It is generally around 1% of the sales price. That money can be applied to your down payment or your closing costs. Negotiating will go back and forth for awhile and then we will have a signed contract. Then what?

Once that contract is signed, then begins the 10 day inspection period. During that time we will employ a qualified home inspector and your lender will require a termite inspectiontoo. I will suggest you do your own looking around as well, take walks in the neighborhood at different times of day, check out the sex offender registery for the area, drive your commute to work. The title company is also during their own checks to make sure the title is clear enough to sell to us and where exactly are the property taxes going. You and I will meet with the inspector to find the list of things wrong and decide what truly matters to you. Then what?

We present the seller with a list of repairs we would like them to complete prior to close of escrow. They have a set amount of days (usually 5) to consider our request and respond. We then have a set amount of days (generally 3) to decide if we want to accept their response or back out altogether. If you decide to back out for some crazy reason, you will be entitled to your earnest money. If you decide to move on, your earnest money (generally) is now considered part of the deal.

After the repairs are hammered out, it's generally a waiting game for the lender. They will order the appraisal and make sure it appraises for at least what you are paying. They will ask you to send them tons and tons of documents and you'll get sick of talking to your loan officer all while wondering if he/she doesn't call, what's wrong? Finally you make it to the last week or so. Then what?

First we check to make sure the agreed upon repairs actually happened. Then we sign documents at least 3 days prior to close of escrow, at which time you fork over whatever you are paying for closings costs and down payment. The seller also needs to sign documents. Then, if all goes well with the lender, they wire the loan amount to the title company, the title company then records the sale with the county and then, only then, is the house truly yours. I pick up the keys from the other agent and you own a little piece of Arizona.

Here's how I make it easier for you. I do all the comparative research and lead the negotiation process. I also write a dang good contract that protects you as much as legally possible. I then assist you in finding a great home inspector, and help you see what repairs are truly needed and what we can negotiate on. I keep in touch with your lender to make sure things are rocking and rolling there, and progression isn't halted because of something silly. I check on the repairs and report back to you. Then, if needed, we can sign those final documents at your office instead of taking 2 hours out of your work day to get to the title company.

Home buying can be incredibly stressful and intimidating but it doesn't have to be. Buying your first home can be exhilarating and empowering with the right team of people on your side.

Labels: az real estate, first time home buyers, short sales in Gilbert

Elena Thurston, Family Realtor @ 3:12 PM
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