Gilbert Real Estate Blog

Queen Creek Fire Department to promote importance of water safety

July 28, 2010 // 1 Comment »

August is drowning impact awareness month, and Queen Creek firefighters want to remind residents of the ABCs of water safety: adult supervision, barriers between children and water, and classes in CPR for adults and swim lessons for children.

Drowning is a top cause of injury-related death for children in Arizona, especially in the one- to five-year-old age group. Child drowning is preventable, but sometimes, little can be done for a child once he or she has fallen into the water. To date, this year there have 54 water-related incidents in Maricopa County involving water, including eight child drowning fatalities.

Drowning can be avoided by following these important and life saving rules:

• Maintain constant adult supervision at all times.
• Install barriers surrounding the pool. Fences should be five feet high and gates should be self-closing and self-latching.
• Keep items that can be used for climbing away from pool fences.
• Never keep toys in or around a pool.
• Have a phone nearby. Post the 9-1-1 emergency telephone number and the physical address of the pool on the phone.

Purple ribbons recognizing the importance of water safety and the impacts of drowning are available free-of-charge at Queen Creek Town buildings and both Queen Creek fire stations through the month of August.

For more information about the Queen Creek Fire Department or for additional safety tips, visit www.queencreek.org or www.facebook.com/qcfire.

Click the following link to search for Queen Creek Homes with Pools.

Posted in Localism in Queen Creek

Queen Creek Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre Friday Fun Nights

July 13, 2010 // 2 Comments »

Every Friday night, June 4  – October 15, 6 – 11 pm, Queen Creek will host a variety of equestrian events at its newest entertainment venue.  The fun will include gymkhana barrel racing, pole bending, team roping and music by Cowboy Way mobile DJ.  Admission is free so come join the fun.  No horse required!  Queen Creek Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre is located at 20464 E. Riggs Road, on Riggs Rd between Hawes and Ellsworth in Queen Creek.

Click the following link to search for Queen Creek Horse Properties.

Posted in Localism in Queen Creek

Queen Creek Crime Rates Decline

July 9, 2010 // Comments Off

Crime statistics and response times for law enforcement calls in the Town of Queen Creek declined in 2009 despite a population increase.  Total incidents, as reported by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), declined by almost 7% as the population of Queen Creek grew by 9%.  Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene within 4 minutes, a decline from 5 minutes in 2008.

MCSO has 37 sworn deputies assigned to Queen Creek, including patrol deputies, school resource officers, detectives and a crime prevention deputy.

Queen Creek continues to strengthen its efforts in controlling crime with a shoplifting campaign and the use of bait cars in local shopping centers and residential neighborhoods.

Click on the following link if you’re interested searching for all Queen Creek Real Estate listed for sale.

Posted in Localism in Queen Creek

Queen Creek Monsoon Madness

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Splash into fun at Queen Creek’s wettest and muddiest event of the year.  Monsoon Madness, presented by the Town of Queen Creek and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and several local sponsors, will be held at Founders’ Park, 22407 S. Ellsworth Rd. in Queen Creek on Saturday, July 10 from 9 am – 1 pm.  Festivities include 100 foot Soap and Slide, Mad Mud Volleyball, Wet & Wild Zone, Itty-Bitty Water Play Zone and Monsoon MudSlide.

If you’re interested in living in Queen Creek, click on the following like to search for Queen Creek Real Estate listed for sale.

Posted in Localism in Queen Creek

I’m done… I can’t buy a home in this market…

July 16, 2009 // 2 Comments »

Okay…  I’ll confess…  I’m bummed…  a home buyer I’ve been working with for over 6 months decided to call it quits.  No, he didn’t commit suicide – at least not in the physical sense – but in the metaphysical real estate sense.

His one question?  “Why in hell should I continue to view properties that I have no chance of buying?”

This home buyer has excellent credit and has worked his tail off to save up the 3.5% down payment required for an FHA loan.  His price range is $80K-$100K, and we’ve been looking for a home in the East Valley, primarily Mesa and Phoenix.  He’s been open to a single family detached house, townhome or condo.

I’ve lost count of the total number of properties we’ve viewed, and the  number of aggressive offers (even above comps) that we’ve submitted on nice, decent homes ~ but to no avail…

We’ve gotten our asses kicked on every last one of them – by two types of buyers:

1. Cash
2. Conventional Financing

With a cash buyer, there is typically no appraisal done on the property, and there’s no financing contingency – both of which are HUGE incentives to the seller.

With conventional financing, the buyer is paying 20% down and at least on the surface appears to be a better credit risk than an FHA buyer who is only putting down 3.5%.

My client simply got tired of the fray, and gave up.  And while I very much appreciate and respect this client, I am very disappointed with his decision.  Patience and perseverance will always prevail.  My only regret is that this particular client gave up his dream and allowed defeat to dominate his lifestyle.

Am I deluded?

Posted in arizona market conditions

Queen Creek Real Estate – June 2009 vs. June 2008

July 10, 2009 // Comments Off

QUEEN CREEK, ARIZONA

…is indeed a community with great demand and incredible values!

June 2009 vs. June 2008

404 single family detached houses were purchased last month vs. 355 last year (June 2008).

The average price paid was $140,010 vs. $170,817 last year.

The median price came in at $112,550 vs. $145,000 last year.

The ratio of purchase price to list price was 100% vs. 98% last year.

The average time on the market was 76 days vs. 96 days last year.

There were 1,755 Active single family listings vs. 2,510 last year.

Click Here for full current Queen Creek Market Conditions

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All data is derived from the Arizona Regional MLS and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

photo by Miguel Folch

Posted in queen creek market conditions

$8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit

July 7, 2009 // Comments Off

The “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” passed the House and Senate on February 13, 2009, and was signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009.

The bill is a $780 billion package, roughly one-third of which is dedicated to a home buyer credit.

Here are the highlights:

1. 
   

   The tax credit is for first time home buyers, with a “first-time home buyer” defined as a person who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.

2. The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000, and does not have to be repaid as long as the home is not sold within 3 years.

3. The tax credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

4. Single persons with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

5. The credit must be claimed on a federal tax return to reduce the buyer’s income tax liability. Any remaining unused credit will be refunded to the buyer.

Below is a summary chart of the tax credit, along with a side-by-side comparison to the 2008 tax credit.

Inasmuch as this is a tax related issue, and I am neither a tax accountant or a tax attorney, you should consult with a tax professional regarding your specific situation and benefits.

Gilbert Homes ~ Chandler Homes ~ Mesa Homes ~ Queen Creek Homes ~ Phoenix Homes

Posted in tax credit