tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312357162011-04-21T16:39:33.710-07:00A resource to find the best family friendly neighborhoods across Phoenix and the surrounding 'burbs.Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.comBlogger501100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-58367899639360310752008-08-20T10:53:00.003-07:002008-08-20T10:56:47.610-07:00

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

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-55673416743947275522008-07-08T10:04:00.002-07:002008-07-08T14:28:59.059-07:00

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

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-80563258560747809662008-06-27T17:33:00.002-07:002008-06-27T17:35:18.699-07:00

There are some great places to check out the fireworks and have some fun. Don't forget plenty of water, even after dark!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,

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-60830648341243686032008-06-26T13:47:00.000-07:002008-06-26T13:50:18.321-07:00

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

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-44209911483044390032008-06-17T09:39:00.000-07:002008-06-17T09:40:09.388-07:00

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

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-91218796070225379352008-06-09T14:05:00.004-07:002008-12-11T07:21:35.512-07:00

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

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-9010381166772844072008-03-20T15:12:00.001-07:002008-03-20T15:13:14.498-07:00

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

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-40866776253637400142008-02-23T17:08:00.008-07:002008-12-11T07:21:36.361-07:00

I grew up in what I now realize, was an idyllic neighborhood. It was one of Arizona's first "master-planned" communities. There was main street with the grocery store, the drugstore, the florist, the bank. The elementary school was smack in the middle of town. There was a huge golf resort in the middle too but I never paid much attention to it. For me, it was where we watched the 4th of July

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-64212386601688523072008-02-22T08:42:00.003-07:002008-02-22T09:36:33.670-07:00

Recently a client came to me with a specific request. She and her husband are ready to move to THAT home. The one where they want to really put down roots, raise their four children, and not leave for a long, long time. Of course there are requirements for the house: a certain number of rooms, bathrooms, etc. But what really matters to them is the neighborhood. That is what will make or break the

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-54514746333065464132008-02-18T19:14:00.005-07:002008-12-11T07:21:37.036-07:00

What kind of house is for sale in Gilbert, AZ for less than $200,000? Most people would think, "not much". There's actually a ton of variety available. If you are willing to look at short sales, there's even more to choose from.Please remember this is just a current snapshot of the market taken at the time of writing this article. There is no guarantee these home will continue to be available but

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-88260527116480686052008-02-11T09:39:00.000-07:002008-02-11T09:41:15.366-07:00

I work hard and I play hard, I admit it. My husband has to schmooze clients and staff for most of his lunches during the week so by the time we're together on the weekends, the poor guy has to be dragged out to play with me, when he'd probably rather eat a home-cooked meal and watch a game. Solution: become a real estate agent! Take clients out to eat and it's even tax-deductible! Just

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-60586045170414444272008-02-08T08:18:00.000-07:002008-02-08T08:20:17.869-07:00

When past clients have decided to relocate to Gilbert, AZ, many of them stated that the abundance of family activities made their choice easy. However it's not easy to find a list of all the fun things in the area in one place. Here's a good first attempt:Something specific first clued me in to how family friendly Gilbert is when I first moved here a few years back. I loaded the kids up for

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-61622166783088700632008-02-04T09:27:00.000-07:002008-02-04T09:29:22.161-07:00

As Short Sales are all the buzzword these days, I decided it was time to give my readers a snapshot of what that translates into for my homebase, Gilbert, AZ.First, let's define Short Sale. Many of my clients first interpret it to mean like a "fire sale". People need to sell their home really quick, fast, and cheap. That's almost true. Short Sale refers to the fact that the lender has agreed

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-55919803072239970512008-02-02T09:24:00.000-07:002008-02-02T09:25:06.580-07:00

For those looking to relocate to Gilbert, AZ and it's family friendly neighborhoods, I thought I would summarize some info that came from our monthly city paper. It can give you a good idea of city government priorities as well as citizen involvement groups.Artists between 5 and 18 years can submit original art work to be showcased at the 2008 Global Village Festival. Work should be inspired by

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-12209568758063398132008-01-31T17:38:00.001-07:002008-01-31T17:38:58.696-07:00

Today the Arizona Republic published an article stating that Gilbert residents wanted to know more about the four candidates for the Gilbert Public Schools Superintendent position that is up for grabs. Education is always important in community issues, but GPS holds one of the highest ranking school districts in the entire state. It is one of the major things that have kept our community

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-8533929703312327982008-01-27T17:55:00.000-07:002008-01-27T17:57:29.528-07:00

I was asked recently to write about why I do Real Estate...My story is a short one, but very powerful for me.Awhile ago, I was able to sell a beautiful home in a short period of time. Turns out the wife's best friend had had her home on the market for almost a year without one offer. The market wasn't all that bad at the time and it didn't make much sense. Her listing contract ended and she

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-78402757340238300242008-01-21T15:32:00.000-07:002008-01-21T15:34:42.408-07:00

Okay, I'll admit it. I am not a pet person. For one reason only, they (dogs especially) tear my little heart out. My heart is torn in enough pieces with my sweet kids so I can't do it with a pet too. However, that's the exact reason why I love to write about Gabriel's Angels.Gabriel's Angels started with one dog and one woman, going to the Crisis Center and visiting the children there. With

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-13213105033015894752008-01-16T09:39:00.000-07:002008-01-16T09:41:24.685-07:00

This question is very common for people thinking of moving to the Phoenix-area, or even just from the West Side to the East Side. When people research good schools (which are VERY important for resale value and investment regardless of your child status), three areas generally come up. The Scottsdale/Paradise Valley area, which is generally too expensive for most families, and then the city of

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-70803364652100726962008-01-08T13:32:00.000-07:002008-01-08T13:41:43.090-07:00

With the holiday season finally over and Spring fast approaching, the most common question I get these days is, "What kind of improvements should I make on my home?" My first response is always, if you have to go into debt to do it, it's probably not worth it. But if you have some money saved or there's a nice tax refund coming, it's nice to know which improvements you will both enjoy on a day to

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-91608113072803624902008-01-02T15:54:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:21:37.391-07:00

As a professional Realtor, I see dozens of homes every week. I love it but it has made me cynical as to being satisfied with my own next purchase. I have been able to determine what makes a really great home and I know I won't be satisfied with less than amazing. Luckily for my husband, that time is a long way off.Once in awhile I come across a home with the "it" factor that even I could be

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-18640814430284432542007-07-12T21:03:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:21:37.505-07:00

Darla and Scott were looking for the right house in the right neighborhood. They envisioned their kids spending lots of time outside, but close to home. They found it with Jake's Ranch.Jake's Ranch is a popular neighborhood in Gilbert, AZ for a number of reasons. First the location: just two miles from the freeway, three miles from the new mall, Costco, as well as the new hospital and numerous

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-61302051211489450712007-06-08T15:58:00.000-07:002007-06-08T16:06:06.124-07:00

Just so everyone knows, my sellers of this stunning home in Chandler, have lowered their price to rock bottom. Not only is it a great home (see the tour at bottom), but the kicker is the neighborhood. I've written about Pinelake Estates before, but to reiterate:*Stunning grounds with green grass, beautiful lake and white fences*Huge, and I mean huge, city park just down the street makes this

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-85814195011340552942007-06-06T09:04:00.000-07:002007-06-06T09:15:54.375-07:00

This Week's "You Gotta Know" is also a "Killer Deal" for the month. Okay, no pictures and no maps because I am holding exclusive knowledge on this one. This is for those of you working in Gilbert, Mesa, maybe Chandler, that aren't afraid of living in a developing area because you know it will appreciate. From my home in the center of Gilbert, it takes me about 25 minutes to get there.Get where

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-20409163885033350062007-05-17T18:24:00.000-07:002007-05-17T18:33:11.210-07:00

One Great Phoenix Area NeighborhoodYou search and you search. You know you want an affordable home. Surrounded by unaffordable homes, good investment right? You know you want a pool but not the expense or the maintenance, so community pool it is. You know you want a new home, one you can call your very own that no one else has lived in. You know you want an elementary school just down the street.

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-42061612496575628772007-04-09T07:58:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:21:38.031-07:00

One of the Best Phoenix Area NeighborhoodsI am so excited and pleased to announce that I finally have a neighborhood profile for the amazing Agritopia neighborhood in Gilbert, AZ. Brent Hagerman, who owns a beautiful home I am selling in Chandler, mentioned that his sister, Misty lives in Agritopia. I was able to interview her to see if this beautiful neighborhood is as amazing as it

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-89964386467597040822007-04-06T15:38:00.000-07:002007-05-13T20:36:39.864-07:00

I realize with chagrin, that I haven't even profiled my own neighborhood! How silly is that! Luckily I feel like my neighborhood is quite family friendly and I can easily brag about it.Country Lane is a new community in the heart of Gilbert, AZ. Many of us built a home here for the top two reasons, location and affordability. We gave up some other things but it was worth it I think. The location

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-69632300014948282832007-03-26T20:32:00.000-07:002007-03-26T20:35:19.890-07:00

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!

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-87444266462640235512007-03-07T08:31:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:21:38.498-07:00

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

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-4651212115135659722007-03-05T15:05:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:21:38.940-07:00

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.

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-59524796553068004342007-03-01T00:51:00.000-07:002007-03-01T00:53:35.484-07:00

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.

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-16329237974603677982007-02-20T08:46:00.000-07:002007-02-20T08:48:43.665-07:00

My clients can't because they're in an ironclad lease for a few more months. But someone will love this home and it's a great price.Brand new: 1756 square feet, 3 bedrooms plus loft, 2.5 baths. North/South facing, 2 AC units for energy control, 2 car garage, awesome driveway that kids will love. Great community with elementary school within walking distance plus a community pool. Walking

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-69284732214932625162007-02-19T08:04:00.000-07:002007-02-19T08:09:48.400-07:00

So, you're hunting around, you've decided on AZ because you're finally sick of cold/earthquakes/hurricanes/floods/out of control housing costs, take your pick. But you're not quite sure of where to settle down and call home.To help you out in this important decision, I'm going to run a series of the Top 5 Things about each East Valley city, Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Queen Creek, and Tempe. So

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-41044793588277254792007-02-19T07:57:00.000-07:002007-02-19T08:03:56.876-07:00

Since I have many first time home buyers, and many of you are first time home buyers, I thought you might benefit by reading about the experience of others. You'll get to see the search from beginning to ending for a young couple, getting ready to buy their first home. Names have been changed for privacy but the experiences are real.John and Jane have been married for awhile, have two beautiful

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-23972310726350678052007-02-10T10:46:00.000-07:002007-02-06T20:59:35.465-07:00

For those of you new to the Valley and needing a hint or two on a great place for Valentine's Day, you've come to the right place. Here's a list of my favorite romantic spots:Be crazy and set up a candlelight dinner on the hill, by the waterfall, overlooking the lake at Freestone Park. Sure people will look and smile, but I guarantee, your love will never forget it. Just watch out for duck

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-19026951706357967772007-02-06T20:53:00.000-07:002007-02-06T20:59:35.826-07:00

Welcome Home: Carino EstatesNear Alma School and Germann in Chandler, Carino Estates is an inviting neighborhood that lands as a top pick. Residents feel safe and welcome in this great Phoenix-area community. Built about six years ago, the friendly neighborhood is new enough to look great and old enough to feel established and comfortable. Residents say their favorite amenities include the

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1169529071868062332007-01-22T22:09:00.000-07:002007-01-22T22:11:11.870-07:00

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a Blog Party. This will be the place to be. Get your blog noticed, win prizes, hang out with your friends and meet some new ones.Get more info here.

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1169527569879847842007-01-22T21:31:00.000-07:002007-01-23T16:13:18.793-07:00

I love, love, love to find new neighborhoods that are just teeming with kids playing outside and parents hanging out chatting. It reminds me of my childhood and it's what I dream for my kids. So far, so good. We're in Country Lane, in Gilbert.I have found a couple of neighborhoods that fit the above description but I don't know anyone in them to interview for an in depth article. I suppose I

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1167280139670737182006-12-27T21:06:00.000-07:002007-01-23T16:14:37.099-07:00

There are few new home communities in the Valley that are still selling homes at a steady clip. Most of them are lacking in at least one area: location, size of home for the money, neighborhood character, and finally decent lot size. One Chandler community has it all and the steady sales prove it.Old Stone Ranch by Shea Homes first garnered interest in the East Valley because of the proposed

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1167278745857332032006-12-27T21:03:00.000-07:002006-12-27T21:05:45.870-07:00

Hooray for us! We just accepted a (cash) offer on the Stombergs home AND were able to find them a fabulous new home with only 2 days of looking! They close on the both homes in January and I am so excited for them! Congrats you guys!

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1166496507890722212006-12-18T19:46:00.000-07:002007-01-23T16:02:13.942-07:00

From the Arizona Republic:Metropolitan Phoenix's housing market continues to show a steady pulse, with prices for existing homes edging up less than 1 percent in November to $259,000. 5,040 homes sold in November, up from the 4,985 sales recorded in October 2006, according to the latest housing report from the Arizona Real Estate Center at ASU. Last year, nearly 7,200 homes sold in November. "

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1166074274340335372006-12-13T22:17:00.000-07:002007-01-23T16:16:45.467-07:00

Recently, I've been hearing from prospective buyers and one of the more popular questions is "What's the deal with Gilbert? Is it really that great?" which translates to "Is it really worth the extra cash to buy a house in Gilbert?" To which I have to respond "Quite Frankly, Yes."If you have a family, will have a family, or think someday it would be nice to sell to a family, then Gilbert is a

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1165963706736759872006-12-12T15:38:00.000-07:002007-01-23T16:02:58.314-07:00

While this is a pretty constant question when acquaintences find out I'm in real estate, recently it has become more intense. People are noticing that houses are staying on the market a "long" time and prices are coming down to what we now consider more "reasonable". But there is a serious fear that the market isn't done going down and buyers could lose money.I'm going on a limb and am going to

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1165958204545485062006-12-12T14:15:00.000-07:002007-01-23T16:04:05.386-07:00

Like most families, our day begins with breakfast. Of course, dodging flying oatmeal isn’t an issue for most families. For us, it’s an almost daily occurrence. As breakfast ends and the boys are let loose on the backyard, I find myself grateful for several aspects of my home. I love that it’s only three steps from the high chair to the sink. I love how the back door opens to the kitchen tile

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1165880149269077132006-12-11T16:24:00.000-07:002007-01-23T16:03:47.058-07:00

Sometimes I feel like the internet is the best invention for "waste of time". For three days I had my new nephew in my home which increased my herd of little boys to three. For three days I didn't check my email, post comments anywhere, or even turn on the computer. Can you believe it? When was the last time you spent 72 hours in your home without turning on the computer? Having a little one that

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1164754368742394982006-11-28T15:34:00.000-07:002007-01-23T16:04:33.832-07:00

Country Lane in Gilbert Arizona has some great features:Community playgroups and friendly neighborsOnly 2 years old with great affordabilityFabulous location at Lindsay and WarnerTo read more about Country Lane click here.

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1160806445236145322006-10-13T23:03:00.000-07:002007-01-23T16:05:01.352-07:00

As a Family Real Estate Specialist, I have noticed that many families are forgetting some crucial family needs while searching for a home. Since the entire process can be so overwhelming, it is easy to overlook some of the day to day necessities. Here is my list of Top Ten Things to find in your next family home.What elements of a neighborhood are calming? Are there walking trails for you and

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1156829572661598982006-08-28T22:30:00.000-07:002007-01-23T16:05:28.152-07:00

Higley Groves hasTree-lined streets with real mailboxes!Each street is a cul-de-sac ending at a park.Family Friendly neighborhood with street BBQ's, Halloween pot lucks, holiday cookie exchanges, etc. For more information about Higley Groves click here.

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1155078228126059542006-08-08T15:57:00.000-07:002007-01-23T16:05:56.670-07:00

Stratford Estates hasThe best option for finding a large, newly built home on a large lot with no HOA!Mesa taxes but Gilbert schools, the best combinationFamily Friendly neighborsAnnual Halloween block partyTo find out more about Stratford Estates, click here.

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1155077795215611342006-08-08T15:44:00.000-07:002007-01-23T16:06:31.905-07:00

Arden Park hasAn incredible location, close to freeways, parks, shopping and schools. A very family friendly atmosphere with lots of kids and moms who socializeA stable neighborhood with little turnoverFor more information on Arden Park in Chandler, click here .

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235716.post-1153120959353262122006-07-17T00:14:00.000-07:002006-08-17T14:39:34.866-07:00

There is an overall feeling in our nation of "not belonging". Especially in the Phoenix area, where so many people have moved from somewhere else. This feeling is made more real by the prevalent act of "coccooning", most Phoenicians drive into their garage at the end of the day and don't come out until they drive back out the next morning. Very few people know their neighbors' names, let alone

Elena Thurston, Family Realtorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056375784042545400noreply@blogger.com1