• Listing volume down 15% from 162,000 (2008) to 147,000 – Those Sellers in the market are much more realistic and ready to sell
  • Sales volume jumped 55% over 2008 – up 60,000 units to over 93,000
  • Median  Sales Prices for 2009 are down 11.5% (8% for Average Sales Price) -  Positive news because 2008 saw a severe drop of 37%!
  • Total Sales Volume increase of 35% – Up from 11.6 billion in 2008 to 15.7 billion in 2009 – This was the first rise in FOUR YEARS!

Information from ARMLS (Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service)

Comments Comments Off

It’s still not too late to take advantage of the homeowner’s tax credit.  It’s not just for first-time home buyers but for repeat buyers too. Buyers who have a contract in place to purchase a primary residence by April 30, 2010, and close the transaction by June 30, 2010, can qualify for the tax credit.

Read More→

Comments (0)

It is interesting to see the recent surge in foreign real estate investment in Washington D.C. and in New York.    Washington D.C. had more foreign real estate investment in 2009 than any of the 3 years prior with New York stretching it’s 2009 mark almost to the high mark of 2007.  In contrast, foreign investment in Los Angeles has not rebounded like San Francisco.  This information is from AFIRE ( Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate), the official voice of foreign real estate investors in the United States.

Chart of US Cities - Foreign Real Estate Investment 2007-2009

Chart of US Cities - Foreign Real Estate Investment 2007-2009

Comments (0)

What a great idea! Thursday, December 10 at 6:30 pm   Map it

SMOCA (Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art) is hosting a unique event.   Explore the works of William Wegman in his exhibit  Unexpected Wegman through a directed sketching activity.  The first 20 people to show up for this Sketching in the Galleries workshop receive a complimentary signed William Wegman postcard.  Click here for more information about SMOCA events.

One of the great things about living in Scottsdale is the diverse arts programs sponsored by SMOCA and the Scottsdale Center of the Arts.  They get my annual donation faithfully because what is a city without art?

Comments (0)

I just received word that the House of Representatives unanimously passed SB 1004 .  With this fix, Arizona will continue to operate as a deed of trust state with the protections that have been in place since 1971.  SB 1004 repeals and replaces ARS §33-814 which essential returns the statute to its original status prior to the passage of SB 1271.  This bill passed as an emergency pass which means it will go into effect as soon as signed by Governor Brewer.

Read More→

Greater Airpark History, Economy Topic for December Mayor and City Council Breakfast

The public is invited to learn about the Greater Airpark area and its history at the upcoming Mayor and City Council Breakfast.

The event will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at Scottsdale Quarter, 15169 N. Scottsdale Road, fourth floor.  Coffee and juice will be provided.  RSVPs are not necessary. For more information, contact the Mayor’s Office at (480) 312-2433.

The event will feature remarks from Mayor W. J. “Jim” Lane, Councilman Robert Littlefield, and North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Representatives Jason Bressler and Tom Lakatos who will speak about retail economics.  In addition, city staff members Dave Meinhart will talk about the Airpark Transportation Plan and Harold Stewart will discuss business signage.

As part of the 2011 General Plan Update, the city is reviewing the Greater Airpark Community Area Plan.  Half of the six phases have been completed.  The current stage, expected to be done in February, includes revising the draft plan based on public input.  For more information about the plan, visit www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/planning/areaplans/GreaterAirparkCAP.asp.


Categories : Scottsdale Events
Comments (0)

How appropriate that the day after we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr, Barak Obama will be sworn in as the President of the United States.

In honor of both occasions, enjoy these quotes by Martin Luther King Jr.:

————————————————

The ultimate measure of a man

is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience,

but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Read More→

Categories : General
Comments (0)

HomeSteps, the division of Freddie Mac lender owned homes, is offering a great Buyer promotion.   Under the current HomeSteps promotion, the buyer will receive a credit for up to 3.5% of the purchase price for closing costs.

Pertinent facts of this offer are:

  • Offers must be presented on HomeSteps homes before January 31, 2009. 
  • The Buyer must be purchasing the home to live in
  • The Buyer must be financing the home (if a cash sale, there is a limit of 1% )
  • The Closing Cost Offer must be mentioned with initial offer
  • Credit cannot exceed the total closing costs

Call Melissa for a list of HomeSteps properties in Scottsdale or the Phoenix area. 877.451.0748 or 480.621.4044

Categories : Home Financing
Comments (0)

According to Zip Realty,  Phoenix –Scottsdale real estate was the second most frequently searched zip code for homes for sale in 2008.  Here is the list of the top ten – and Phoenix zip codes made 5 of the top ten spots.  Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa and Gilbert all made the top ten list.  Zip Realty is in 35 markets.

  1. Phoenix – Phoenix
  2. Phoenix-Scottsdale
  3. Phoenix-Chandler
  4. Orange County-Irvine
  5. Las Vegas-Summerlin
  6. Phoenix-Mesa
  7. Orlando-Orlando
  8. Phoenix-Gilbert
  9. Atlanta-Atlanta
  10. Las Vegas-Henderson-Green Valley
Comments (0)

I received the latest update dated December 22, 2008, for the current foreclosures of Freddie Mac homes in Scottsdale.  There are 15 total foreclosure homes in the following Scottsdale zip codes: 85251, 85255, 85258, 85259 and 85260 (These are the zip codes I subscribe to but I have access to others, if you are interested).  Typically, foreclosed homes are not maintained and need a bit of work.  But the price can make the work part seem manageable.  Let me know if you’d like more information about any of these homes.

Click here to see a zip code map of Scottsdale

Zip Code # Homes Low Price High Price
85251 6 $79,900 $127,900
85255 5 $119,000 $349,900
85258 2 $304,900 $312,900
85259 1 $234,900 $234,900
85260 1 $239,900 $239,900
Comments Comments Off