Wednesday, June 4, 2008

What makes a Great Real Estate Blog

After taking a little time off for a much needed vacation, I have had the chance to think about what I appreciate and look for in real estate blogs.

Here's my short list of what I see as important qualities for establishing a long term interest in any Blog readership. Hopefully these will speak volumes for themselves. It seems to me that in the world of real estate there is so much information available that it often becomes watered down in the ongoing struggle to get out as much content as possible in order to beat out the others:


1. Frequency and quality of writing - Let's face it this is of primary importance in gaining any readership.
2. Relevant and informative content - The content has to establish some positive meaning in order to me to keep me coming back.
3. An understanding of how the real estate industry operates - This is something I look for in real estate blogs. I want to find an expert with real opinions that matter to the industry as a whole.
4. Active participation and insight into their local community - It means a lot to me when I find an agent who can provide a real sense of belonging to a community and who actually establishes herself as an individual who cares about the community they represent and live in.


If you want to find out about the inside details on real estate in Phoenix and the latest news and observations in local and national real estate be sure to visit the Phoenix Real eStatesman Phoenix Real Estate Blog.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Ten Great Reasons to Live in Phoenix

If you are considering a move or relocation to Phoenix, finding the right Phoenix real estate agent can greatly simplify the process. Phoenix realtors are knowledgeable about the area and can tell you everything you need to know about the neighborhoods and properties you review. They'll also share ten benefits of living in greater Phoenix.


  1. State capital

    You will find this large city provides offerings that you'll not find in smaller towns, as well as fabulous restaurants.

  2. Warm, sunny climate

    Phoenix is located on the northern edge of the Sonoran Dessert. As such, it does have rather high summertime temperatures, which can often reach one hundred degrees. Winter temperatures, on the other hand, are very pleasant and mild; a perfect setting for many outdoor activities and sports not available year round in other areas of the country.

  3. Sports hub

    Phoenix hosts a wide variety of sports teams. The Arizona Cardinals football team, the Diamondbacks major league baseball team, the Suns NBA team and the Mercury Women's NBA, the Coyotes ice hockey team, and the Arizona Sting lacrosse team all call Phoenix their home.

  4. World-class library

    A gem of the region, the Burton Barr Central Library, is headquarters of the Phoenix Public Library. It offers five stories and nearly one million books for public use.

  5. Notable architecture

    The Chase Tower, the tallest building in the entire state, is located in Phoenix. Measuring in at 483 feet tall, the private Arizona Club Restaurant is located on the Tower's 38th floor.

  6. Native American heritage

    Phoenix has a long Native American heritage, which is celebrated at the Heard Museum, home to Native American art. It includes a full Navajo hogan, a traditional home used by the Navajo, jewelery, dolls, and more.

  7. Ghost stories

    If you like ghosts, you'll want to check out Phoenix's Hotel San Carlos. It has also hosted President John F. Kennedy.

  8. Unique locales

    Phoenix is also home to Mystery Castle. Famous for its construction of unique materials such as goat's milk, auto parts, railroad tracks and telephone poles among others, Mystery Castle also sports a dungeon.

  9. Artful attractions

    The greatly loved Phoenix Art Museum, a WPA project back in the 1930's, is a notable highlight of Phoenix. Roughly 17,000 works of art are on display at the museum.

  10. Historical mansions

    Phoenix is also home to the Wrigley Mansion, of chewing-gum fame. In fact, this historical mansion is a Phoenix Point of Pride.

Friday, February 1, 2008

Five Reasons to invest in Phoenix real estate

In today's volatile realty market, investing in Phoenix real estate just makes sense. Here are five top reasons to consider a Phoenix real estate investment.


  1. Highly attractive to 'snowbirds'

    Phoenix is a popular spot for "snowbirds," or retirees that escape colder climates to live in the area during its notably warm and pleasant winter months. Many desire to permanently move to Phoenix, however, and seek available properties.

  2. Healthy population growth

    Phoenix's population is growing rapidly as the economy diversifies. Many move here to take advantage of great job opportunities in government, research projects performed at Arizona State University, and many high-tech and telecom companies that have moved to the area.

  3. Proximity to natural treasures

    Phoenix's geography and natural habitats draw many people who appreciate its proximity to several beautiful parks. Choice locations include Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park with its botanical collection, the famed Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park in Phoenix and the 16,500 acre South Mountain Park. These beautiful sites draw new residents to Phoenix on a regular basis.

  4. Major sports hub

    Sports fans are highly motivated to purchase Phoenix real estate. The city is proud to host the Cardinals (football), the Diamondbacks (major league baseball), the Phoenix Suns (NBA), the Phoenix Mercury (Women's NBA), the Phoenix Coyotes (hockey) and Arizona Sting (lacrosse) teams. Major league baseball teams, nine in number, also conduct spring training in Phoenix; a huge draw attracting sports enthusiasts to the area to buy homes.

  5. Golfer's haven

    Golf enthusiats from around the world flock to Phoenix to take advantage of its 320 sunny days year. Many golfers dream of buying Phoenix real estate to enjoy golfing here on a permanent basis. Famous courses, such as the Arizona Biltmore-Adobe Course, The Legend at Arrowhead Golf Resort designed by Arnold Palmer, and the Superstition Springs Golf Club (a PGA Tour qualifying site) are huge incentives for golfing enthusiasts to move to Phoenix.


Experienced local real estate professionals can assist you in the process of Phoenix real estate investment by detailing local market conditions and supplying Phoenix Housing Sales Reports for your consideration.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Is this the best time to buy a home in Scottsdale Arizona?

Honestly, regardless of location or market condition, there is really no such thing as the "best time" to buy a home - and this includes Scottsdale Arizona real estate. A number of factors come into play when considering the purchase of a Scottsdale Arizona condo or other type of home.

  • interest rates
  • demand relative to supply
  • demographic projections
  • mass psychology


Most experts agree the market will adjust this year; balancing the housing supply with the demand. Discount mortgages and "adjustable-rate mortgages" (ARMs) generated a surge of refinancing, however, interest rate increases became burdensome for many, resulting in a glut of sellers and falling housing prices.


This downward trend is happening in the Phoenix-Scottsdale region, however, less dramatically. Far from a "collapse of the housing market", Scottsdale is simply experiencing a normal market correction. The reduction in Scottsdale Arizona real estate prices have been buffered in comparison to less desirable real estate markets by :

  • a strong local economy
  • a substantial job growth
  • an influx of new residents


Sellers in the Scottsdale area should consider what is needed to replace their current home, and what the current market will bear. Inflexibility and an unwillingness to negotiate may keep your house on the market far longer necessary. Understand that it may take three months - or longer - to find a qualified buyer if you are not prepared to negotiate. In this case, you may want to wait six months to a year before selling.


On the other hand, there hasn't been a better time to buy Scottsdale Arizona property. Many sellers are highly motivated and are happy to negotiate a favorable price. Just be sure you are buying for the right reason: the days of "flipping" properties for quick profit is over. It is unlikely the dramatic run-up in home values that led to such practices - questionable from an ethical standpoint in any event - will be repeated any time soon. Scottsdale real estate is an excellent investment, but it is a long-term one; keep this in mind when shopping for a home or a condo.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Best Areas for Shopping in Phoenix

Long-time and new residents alike both agree world-class shopping abounds in Phoenix. Whether you seek excellent dining or shopping, Phoenix has it all. Residents who have purchased Phoenix homes or Phoenix condos will be pleased to discover several appealing shopping destinations conveniently close by.


  1. Fresh Food

    One of the best locations to shop for great organic, locally grown food is the Downtown Phoenix Public Market. It features a unique atmosphere of food, art and music. The Market is a great place to support local farmers and enjoy some of the freshest food in the area. There is a diverse selection of wares available at the Market, including fresh crackers and biscotti, root beer, fresh eggs, peaches, heirloom squash, Armenian cucumbers, salad greens, Kaleidoscope carrots, and figs. There are also glorious flowers and plants available to cultivate in your own garden.

  2. Exceptional Eateries

    Phoenix boasts a great selection of restaurant options. The following are only a few of my favorites :

    • The Lalibela Ethiopian Cafe serves a taste of the exotic. Featured are classic Ethiopian dishes such as kye sega wat, or cubed beef simmered in spices. Vegetarians will happily devour the red split lentils (misir wat) and tikil gomen, an offering of spiced carrots, cabbage and potatoes.
    • Pizza Heaven serves garlic-laden pizza with tangy marinara sauce and fresh golden crust in its homey, casual setting.
    • Taco Shoppe Frybread and Long Wong's both serve an outstanding Native American treat called Fry Bread
    • Tapino Kitchen and Wine Bar features a great tapas menu, a wonderful happy hour with excellent wines, and an outdoor lounge that provides the perfect setting for a late drink in Scottsdale.


  3. Dramatic Decor

    Phoenix's unique blending of cultures and southwestern style can easily be carried into your home's decor. There are many fine sources in the area.

    • El Amigo Del Perico is the place to go for decor that reflects Phoenix's unique splendor. The store boasts a treasure trove of Mexican imports, Zuni, Navajo and Hopi Native American jewelry. You'll also find wall hangings and decorative tiles.

    • John C. Hill Antique Indian Art in nearby Scottsdale features amazing Native American art and artifacts. They carry fine Navajo rugs, silver and turquoise jewelry and beautiful baskets.

Monday, January 7, 2008

What to Expect From Your Phoenix Realtor

This short list provides you with what to expect from a knowledgeable Phoenix Realtor and help to make sure that you are successful in buying the Phoenix or Scottsdale property of your dreams.

  1. You should expect your Realtor to be focused solely on buying homes. There should be no distractions on finding you the best home to meet your needs.

  2. Your Realtor should provide close consultation with with you to determine what you need and want in a home.

  3. A Good Realtor will help you with all of the different loan options that are available to you from your lender, and be there to answer your questions. This includes assistance in getting your loan pre-approved and obtaining a Loan Status Report, which is a required report for your Arizona Purchase Contract.

  4. You should expect your agent to be on top of the search and who checks daily for new listings, matching them to your desired criteria.

  5. Your real estate agent should also set up tours for you of prospective properties, and help save you time by previewing properties for you, reporting back to you often.

  6. An experienced Phoenix Realtor should know how to negotiate and have a clear understanding of the housing market to come up with the most successful offer on the home.

  7. You want a Realtor who will be there after all the paperwork is signed to make sure all of the inspections and repairs get done properly, and that the paperwork with the lender and the title company is proceeding smoothly

Using this short list of expectations as a guide you will have a greater chance of finding success in finding one of the Phoenix condos or Phoenix homes for sale that fits perfect with your needs and finances.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

A Buyers Market?

For those individuals considering buying a house in Phoenix Arizona, there may be no better time than the present to make a permanent home in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun.

By now, most people have realized that home values in many parts of the country have been falling. Questionable lending practices by the mortgage industry have been called into question and many people around the country are indeed having difficulty. Along with this is the inability of those with mortgages to meet their payments which has caused many lenders to go under.

As a result there are many very motivated buyers in many parts of the country. For those interested in the Phoenix housing market, there indeed has been some dip in the value of houses, however, due to a strong local economy and an large influx of new residents, this dip has has not been overly dramatic. The median home price, while somewhat lower than a year ago, is still over $20,000 more than it was at the height of the boom in 2005. Sound advice would be that when buying a Phoenix Arizona home or condo, you should do it with the intention of staying in that home for at least five years. At this point in time looking for quick purchases as a chance to “flip” the property for a profit would a financial mistake.

For individuals who do want to move to the area, consideration of all of the positive s to be gained from a move to the area should be taken into account – issues such as the quality of life, the strength of the local economy and the many advantages of living in the Phoenix metro area with all that it has to offer. For individuals and families purchasing one of the many Phoenix condos or Phoenix homes for sale will most likely be making an excellent long-term investment. While nobody can predict the future, all indications point to a thriving, growing community in the Valley of the Sun in the coming decades.