For people still mourning the closing of the Maricopa Events Center in Sun City West AZ, all is not lost! Sun City still has it's Sun Bowl Venue that looks to have a great line-up this fall. Just a sampling of things to come: Doo-Wop to Motown, Barbershop Quartets, the Bar D Wranglers from Durando Colorado, and the U.S. Air Force Band of the West... a 45 piece concert band providing music from Sousa marches to top-40 hits. To see a complete list of events to come click on the picture to take you to the Fall 2009 Schedule. Get ready for some great entertainment! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in one of the Phoenix west valley active retirement golf communities, please call me or visit my website http://KathyAndersonRealtor.com. Her... 08/30/2009

So much has changed since Del Webb broke ground on the original Sun City, a community that would forever change people's idea of how retirement living should be. At the time, Sun City was an oasis out in the middle of the AZ desert with nothing around for miles. What Del Webb was exceptional at, was creating the vision. Before breaking ground on the first home he made sure people saw the dream, capturing spectacular views and giving people resort-style living. Club houses and golf courses were strategically planned out and put into place so the future residents knew what to expect the day they moved into their new home. While he wasn't the one to create the concept, he IS the one who created the benchmark of success other builders hope to obtain. "Del Webb's Sun City was created with a ... 08/30/2009

 Why  the Paradox? The answer is at once simple and complex. The Phoenix AZ market is currently driven by the lenders selling foreclosed properties. In addition, there are many people who face foreclosure. Currently there are over 40,000 notices of default pending. These  factors depress listing prices. Buying activity is centered on these foreclosed homes, with the dominant players being investors chasing these homes with CASH. It is very difficult for the traditional buyers to successfully compete in this market. Sun City is slightly different, in that there are few foreclosed homes and buyer activity has been stable, if lower than normal, for the last few months. The problem here is that the prospective buyers who would like to sell the old family home and move into an adult communit... 07/12/2009

Like it's namesake, the mythical bird, real estate is beginning to rise! Buyer activity has risen each of the last three months! Bank-owned (REO) homes are now selling as fast or faster than they are listed! The Sun City inventory of homes for sale has decreased  over the last couple of months. To read more about this, interest rates and the first time buyer credit, click here Jim Little, Your Sun City REALTOR®To search the MLS with NO Registration, click HERE 06/21/2009

Who can imagine the sheer terror the young men who invaded Normandy 65 years ago felt? I quake to simply think of it. I live and work in Sun City AZ, and am honored to know some of the men and women who fought the battles of WWII. It is my honor to know and serve these people. 06/06/2009

   Built by the Del Webb Corporation in 1960, Sun City is the largest master-planned retirement community in the world, with a population of 45,000. World-famous for its active, resort retirement lifestyle, Sun City has set the standard that many other retirement communities around the U.S.A.  now follow.   Sun City Arizona Homes - Adult Living at Its Best!   Friends and neighbors, the arts, physical fitness, and golf are key components of the active-adult lifestyle. Hundred of clubs and organizations allow neighbors to gather and participate in their favorite pastimes, from aerobics to woodworking. Sun City is self-contained with many retail centers, restaurants, 11 golf courses, three country clubs, and seven recreation centers which offer swimming, tennis, bowling, fishing, and othe... 05/30/2009

Jim Little | Ken Meade Realty | 623-521-6768 9514 W. Greenway Rd., Sun City, AZ Convenient central Sun City location, Friendly condo group. Your perfect seasonal or year-round home. 2BR/1.5BA Condo offered at $132,500 Year Built 1972 Sq Footage 1,658 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 1 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 405 sqft HOA/Maint $145 per month DESCRIPTION Enter this beautiful duplex condo through your saltillo tile paved entry courtyard. This home features a light and bright step saver kitchen with a brakfast nook looking onto the entry courtyard. You will enjoy the formal dining/living area and your additional Arizona room and screened patio. Spacious 2 car garage with storage cabinets, and a good sized utility room also. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES ... 05/29/2009

 In the day, we all had to serve. When my turn came, I enlisted 12/7/1964 serving until 12/6/1970. I reported to Fort Polk on my 19th birthday. Yes, I've had better birthdays.  It is now 45 years later and I have never forgotten my Drill Sergeant, a HUGE bear of a man, wearing the same campaign hat that Smokey the Bear wore. Back to my subject, you never forget your Drill Sergeant, Drill Instructor, etc. This frightning but dedicated individual took callous youths and made men and women out of them. They were respected, feared, and yes, sometimes hated by those they trained. I am sure one thing never happened, they were probably never thanked for the lessons taught. Today, I would like to correct this. Sgt Gooding, wherever you are, thank you. I have stood on your shoulders for my whole... 05/25/2009

The real estate market in Sun City is showing mixed signs of recovery. We have 770 active listings and 123 listings were sold in April. This results in 6.26 months of inventory. This 6.26 months of inventory (absorption rate) is very significant. An absorption rate of 6 is considered to be a balanced market. More than six is considered a buyer"s market. less than 6 is a seller's market. If this continues for 2 more months we will have a balanced market for the first time since the 2004-2005 market bubble. Average selling prices were $135,000 for single family homes and $99,000 for condos and duplexes. Interest rates are at a 37 year low now. This, coupled with the first time buyer's refundable tax credit of up to $8,000 makes today the best time to buy a home in the memory of most agent... 05/03/2009

Just listed, a beautiful 2 bedroom 2 bath Sun City model H103. Gated Front Patio, great curb appeal, large corner lot, covered and secured rear patio. Tiled kitchen and breakfast nook with smooth range top, digital stove and newer dishwasher. Both bedrooms are large enough for king size furniture, and feature walki-in closets. 2 car garage and utility room. 04/30/2009

Buyers often ask me: "What is the market going to be like if I buy a home today?" Unfortunately, in the short-term my answer has to be, "I don't know". I have never been an agent who recommends short-term purchases, flips or investor remodels, so I have to give my clients my long-term answer. In the long-term I look the the history of how the market in the Sun City neighborhood has behaved over the last 5 years. In spite of the price decreases since the 2005 "Bubble" market, the Sun City Neighborhood real estate market has performed well,  with an appreciation rate of 30+% in Zip code 85351 in the 2003-2008 period, and an appreciation rate of 43 % in 85373 over the same time frame. (Source, Arizona Republic, 3/22/2009) It looks like real estate beats the stock market doesn't it? With to... 03/23/2009

    Restoring an old car takes both time and money. But, I bet you, most classic car collectors will tell you it's worth it. These cars mean a lot to them not only for how they look now, but for the memories they help preserve. This morning I enjoyed a display of Sun City car enthusiasts the C.A.R.S. Club of Sun Cities and would like to share them with you... go to Classic Car Slide Show 03/21/2009

                                   For the dedicated and the casual fans alike, spring training in the valley of the sun offers a welcome break from the cold. It also give fans the chance to see there favorite players up close before the start of the regular season. This year the west side welcomes the central division champions Chicago White Sox and the legendary LA Dodgers to its newest stadium, Camelback Ranch in Glendale. In Goodyear, (home of the largest JumboTron screen in the Cactus League) we welcome the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds to the Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear. Whether you are heading to the Peoria sports complex or Surprise Stadium the west side is growing in popularity not just to live but to play too. From Mesa to Surprise, the Cactus League welcomes eve... 03/09/2009

Yesterday, February 18, 2009, the President revealed his housing recovery plan. He chose Arizona to make this speech since it is one of the states most affected by the current housing and foreclosure crisis. After analysis of this program it is evident very few people will be helped in our most affected markets, including Arizona.     After doing hours of research, I am sad to say the plan is disappointing to say the least. Looking at just two of the valley's many communities here are my findings. Sun City Arizona, a retirement community, average sales price in 2006 = $224,414. In 2008 the average was $179,139, a 20% loss in value. Surprise Arizona, a family community, average sales price in 2006 = $273,244. In 2008 the average was $$204,477, a 25% loss in value. The Arizona Regional ML... 02/19/2009

The weather report today at 8AM Mountain Standard time. Minneapolis....._41 degrees with wind chill. SUN CITY.........53 degrees and sunny. It will be 75 today. Typical winter in the Sun City Neighborhood. Enough Said? Jim Little, your Sun City REALTOR® Please visit my Web Site, suncityneighborhood.com where you can search the MLS with no registration for free.   01/15/2009

  It is true we do have wildlife in Sun City it's just a little less wild. Ducks, geese, swans, rabbits, and quail boy do we have quail! We also have predators, coyotes mostly but owls and hawks are there too.  If it wasn't for them, we would be up to our belly buttons in rabbets and quail. They are a part of Sun City as much as the golf course or the block walls. It is a good eco system over all. Although sometimes a coyote will get a cat or small dog or even my golf ball, for the most part it works as long as we remember they are wild animals not pets. If one of these animals become a nuisance or are hurt you can call Arizona Game and fish at 480-981-9400 for direction of what to do. And always remember Do not feed the animals they bite! 12/06/2008

Last night, 9/28/08, I attended the Sun City Recreation Association's free concert. How nice to sit under the stars on a warm, balmy night listening to such songs as Only You, Twilight Time, and the unforgettable Unchained Melody as well as many others. (digression, how do grown men sing falsetto? Doesn't it hurt?) These concerts occur almost every weekend during the fall in Sun City, and are free to RCSC members (all homeowners in Sun City Belong) and their guests. The October Sun Bowl Concert schedule is: 10/5/08 6:30 p.m. Desert Winds Community Steel Orchestra, Latin, pop, and island tunes. 10/12/08 6 p.m. Arizona Winds, an adult concert band, traditional band music etc. 10/19/08 6 p.m. The Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix, founded in 1929, 17 years after Arizona became a state! 10/26/... 09/29/2008

Temperatures are moderate, we have a gentle rain, not a monsoon gully-washer, buyer activity is picking up and the snowbirds aren't even here yet. What does it all mean? Fall may be falling, won't that be great!!! It has been a relatively mild summer, starting late, but all in the Sun City neighborhood look forward to the fall change. Cooler (mid 80's) weather is always welcome after the summer. Jim Little, your Sun City REALTOR® Please visit my Web Site, suncityneighborhood.com where you can search the MLS with no registration for free.   09/08/2008

               That is the second most popular phrase from today's home shoppers. It is only second to "I have to sell my home to buy a new one."                Here are some solution suggestions for dealing with either of these issues.                Are you a prospective buyer who doesn't like the kitchen, carpet or...? Just get a buyer's agent who has the mortgage contacts to help you get a Renovation Loan like         FHA's 203K program, or a conventional lender's similar program.                If you buy an eligible home using a renovation loan, you don't have to settle for an outdated, inefficient floor plan, ugly carpet, or a home with a great location but not enough space.                Renovation loans can be used for almost any remodel or improvement that will ADD VALUE to t... 08/21/2008

There are lots of busy little beavers in Sun City.  Volunteers are scurrying about labeling merchandise, resetting shelves, hanging pictures and moving furniture.  Eve's Treasures is will be open for business in a new Sun City location on August 15th. It is over 8,000 sq ft and is set up as a thrift store style boutique. The proceeds of Eve's Treasures are used to support Eve's Place.  So what's so special about Eve's place?  Eve's Place is a domestic violence shelter located somewhere in the Northwest Valley of Arizona. Eve's Place is the brain child and was founded by fellow Sun City Grand Ken Meade Realtor, Marge Clark.  Barbara Levy, a Sun City Ken Meade Realtor, is the fundraising chairperson.  Both ladies have spent countless hours making Eve's Place a reality. Eve's Place is one ... 08/12/2008