Finding Phoenix Neighborhoods: March 2007

Monday, March 26, 2007

Ultimate Guide for Downtown Commuting to the East Valley

Recently I published an article on ActiveRain regarding commuting from the downtown area. Many of my current clients are moving to the area from out of state and have asked about the commute. I thought I would put it all in one spot. Check it out!

Labels: commute, phoenix real estate

Elena Thurston, Family Realtor @ 8:32 PM
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Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Pinelake Estates, Great Place to Call Home

Newlyweds Brent and Kirstin Hagerman were on a hunt for their first home. They knew they wanted a family friendly Phoenix neighborhood, that was pretty, with good appreciation.

While driving through South Chandler, they took a glance at the green golf courses, numerous lakes and fabulous shopping. They they look past it to the empty fields and they knew. This is the place, great location, great investment.

Two years and one baby boy later, Kristin and Brent are happy to call Pinelake Estates Home. Kristin explains why, "I love to take walks around the lake and along the canal. We love the views of the golf course and the mountains. There are all kinds of families here."

One of the best features of the neighborhood is the 10 acre city park right in the middle of this friendly neighborhood. Not only does it have a sunscreen-covered playground that every kid would love, it also has horseshoe pits, volleyball and basketball courts, along with covered picnic tables. Of course there is a huge field for baseball, soccer, and football.

Within easy driving you can get to great amenities. Home Depot, Target, grocery stores, the post office, all are an easy 5 minute drive. Chandler schools are highly rated, especially the top-ranked Hamilton High School that is just around the corner.

The Phoenix-area is filled with great neighborhoods and fun activities, especially when you have a friend to show you around. Contact me today for more information about great Phoenix neighborhoods like Pinelake Estates!

Labels: chandler real estate, family neighborhoods

Elena Thurston, Family Realtor @ 8:31 AM
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Monday, March 05, 2007

This Week's "You Gotta Know"

So you've just moved into your incredible new home and one thing is keeping you up at night. No, it's not buyer's remorse. Your amazing real estate agent made sure that wouldn't be an issue. It's the fact that you got such a great deal on your amazing new home in Gilbert (or the surrounding area) that now you don't have enough furniture to fill it up!!

Well, You Gotta Know about Cortate Furniture. If you're like me, you would love new furniture but there is no way on this green earth, that you are paying retail for it. And however much you love a bargain, searching and hunting on Craigs List and eBay is just way too time consuming. Enter Cortate Furniture.

In a little white barn, in the middle of fields is the best priced furniture on the planet. The story goes that a smart woman who was furniture hunting for her own new house, decided there was no way she was paying retail either. So, she got her license and set up shop in this cute little barn.

There's not much too look at but there are about 20 catalogs to look through. The same catalogs the mega-stores order from. When you find what you like, either there at Cortate or at one of the mega-stores, you bring in the item number and find your price. Usually a fourth of the retail price!

For example. I was originally looking for an entertainment center. I found what I wanted at a mega-store but it would cost me $1900 on sale! I found a similar one in a catalog at Cortate's for $640! So I went ahead and got a bedroom set and ultra-plush new king size mattress, still for less than $1900!!

Now, it's just a little operation so there's no delivery, although they can hand you the card of a

guy with a truck. It takes about 2-3 weeks to get your order. And they're only open 3 days a week. Wednesdays and Fridays from 12-6 and Saturdays from 10-4. The sales people are the founder's mom and brother and they are way nice.

Where are they you ask? On Higley Rd, just 1/4 mile north of the new 202 loop, in Gilbert. See here for a map of the area. So, on Higley Rd, South of Warner, North of the Loop 202. Look for the white barn in the middle of the field.

So, check it out, you'll be glad you did. I told you, it's a "Gotta Know".

Labels: gotta know, phoenix real estate

Elena Thurston, Family Realtor @ 3:05 PM
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Thursday, March 01, 2007

Some Great Gilbert Neighborhoods

Here is a little sprinkling of some great Gilbert, AZ neighborhoods. Check back often, as I will keep adding here. Starting on the North side and working down:

Val Vista Lakes - I have written about Val Vista Lakes before, it definitely deserves mention as a great Gilbert neighborhood. It combines a great location, with a fabulous clubhouse including a sandy beach that kids can't get enough of. Along with an excelling school and a huge range of homes, this Gilbert neighborhood is one to check out.

Freestone neighborhoods - any of the neighborhoods around Freestone Park has some Gilbert real estate worth looking at. They range from smaller duplexes to regular family sized to McMansions. Proximity to the great city park lends itself to steady appreciation and entertainment for the whole family.

Circle G Ranches - anytime you see a neighborhood in the phoenix area with the name Circle G in it, you can know they are going to be huge lots, gorgeous custom homes and beautiful mature trees. This Gilbert neighborhood happens to be where the entire town of Gilbert goes on Christmas Eve to look at the beautiful homes and the Christmas lights.

Morrison Ranch- Morrison was a big time Gilbert farmer who, like most Phoenix farmers, sold some of his crop land to developers. What was different was that Mr. Morrison took an interest in the communities that sprung from his land. He wanted to see sidewalks and front porches and white fences. And so you have them. The Morrison Ranches are some of the pretties, and sought after, neighborhoods in Gilbert. Morrison's descendants are quite hands on in the development and run a great blog.

Neely Commons and Country Lane - Well, this is a favorite since it's where I live. Friendly neighbors and an excellent location is key to this community's success. Within two miles you have: multiple grocery stores and banks, the post office, Home Depot and Lowe's, movie theatres, a Target, and a ton of great restaurants.

Jake's Ranch - a beautiful community of all single story homes. The neighborhood has great proximity to the brand new Loop 202 freeway. The homes are mixture of Fulton, T.W. Lewis, and custom. The community has great parks, green spaces, and even tennis courts. Very friendly neighbors. It's also gated.

Spectrum - a very nice community with a huge range of homes. There is a brand new school right in the middle, walking distance for all of the homes. There is one last developer building in there. Call me quick if you want to get in. This community has an excellent locationfor shopping. Walking distance to Kohl's, with Costco, Super Wal-mart, and the new mall just around the corner.

Agritopia- no list of Gilbert neighborhoods and real estate is complete without mentioning Agritopia. Developed by Scott Communities, with direct input from the farmer's family, the Johnsons, Agritopia has made Gilbert real estate history. The homes were the first in the East Valley to reflect the consumer's need to get away from "desert stucco" and go back to neighborhood living. White picket fences, beautiful green lawns, huge front porches, and distinctive Craftsmen style homes, all set Agritopia apart.

But then you throw in the fact that farmland was preserved to grow organic crops that are sold at the onsite farmer's market. And original buildings were preserved for the coffeehouse and grill. Finally, there is a community building, pool, and mini-golf course for the residents. Oh yeah, and they have the rare but highly desired Arizona basements. Yeah, Agritopia is hot, and has the appreciation to show it.

Ready to move to Gilbert, AZ? It is a great place to call home, full of fun activities and friendly people. Especially when you have a friend to show you around. I look forward to hearing from you.

Labels: AZ neighborhoods, family neighborhoods, gilbert real estate

Elena Thurston, Family Realtor @ 12:51 AM
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