Have you ever fallen asleep at an open house?  I mean really asleep where someone would walk in and shake you to awaken you?  No, not you.  Excellent! Anyway, here I am at an open house.  It was my second listing and no one came all day long.  No one arrived after 5 hours and I just wanted to get home!  It was hot - the typical Arizona heat - hot - dry - dry and hot.  The door bell rang and I jumped to my feet.  I greeted the couple like they were my only prized possession.  After all, they were my first and only customers of the month.  This lovely couple visited with me and asked me to show them a house on the golf course.  Sure!  They followed me to the home and they immediately walked to the patio.  They didn't even look inside the house.  Just walked straight though, opened the bac... 05/31/2008

SURPRISE AZ REAL ESTATE I continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep my clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below you will find Surprise AZ real estate statistics for the 4th week of May 2008. New Homes on the market: 67 Number of homes entering escrow: 103 Number of homes closing escrow (sold): 60 Number of homes expiring: 22 Avg Days on Market (sold homes): 77 If you would like a free list of homes for sale in Surprise Arizona, would like more information about the Surprise area or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call. Nick NeillCozland Corporation Real Estate1-800-514-2313 ext. 3005www.surprise-az-real-estate.comnick@nickneill.com   05/30/2008

I just had the best month ever!  To all my clients out there that helped me achieve this success... a heartfelt thank you!  Thank you for your business & for entrusting me with your friends and family. Now... I need your help!  I'm running out of inventory.  If you have a home to sell in one of our west valley active adult communities or you know someone else that does, I'd love to hear from you.  Before you do though, check out my website.  I have hundreds sometimes thousands of visitors every week and at least half of them visit regularly looking for new listings.  I also have over 50 clients set up with personalized searches.  Make sure your home has the internet exposure it deserves. To go to my website home page click onKathyAndersonRealtor.com To see homes in the Phoenix Arizona a... 05/21/2008

Take the time to relax in the tall ponderosa pines and the higher, cooler altitude this Memorial Day weekend.  The drive from Sun City Grand to Mormon Lake is about 2 hours.  (Email me if you need directions - I know a short-cut from Sun City Grand or Surprise AZ) To my thinking, Mormon Lake is one of the most beautiful recreation spots in Arizona, an ideal place to enjoy the long weekend.    When at Mormon Lake, check out the Mormon Lake Lodge.  The meals are excellent and serving portions are large.  The lodge will have entertainment on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The local band is superb for two-stepping.   This weekend starts the official Mormon Lake rodeo roping season.  The cowboys will be doing their stuff on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Be sure to arrive early since the ropi... 05/20/2008

ModelOn the Golf CourseMesquiteAshburyHaciendaStonecrestBorgata/CasitaPalo Verde/CasitaPalo VerdeValenciaChollaChollaOff the Golf CourseHaciendaStonecrestStonecrestMissionBorgata/CasitaBorgataBorgataPalo VerdePalo VerdePalo VerdePalo VerdeValenciaValenciaValenciaValenciaValenciaWindroseChollaSycamoreVerbenaSierraManzanita/CustomSonomaMaderaMaderaMaderaMaderaMaderaAzaleaJuniperCactus FlowerCactus FlowerAcaciaAcaciaAcaciaSageSundanceSundanceKivaWillowCelebrationLa Solana CondosMiradaMiradaAvistar Sq.Ft.2779 s.f.2483 s.f.2334 s.f.2282 s.f.2014 s.f.2200 s.f.1850 s.f.2018 s.f.1934 s.f.1937 s.f.2334 s.f.2298 s.f.2282 s.f.2282 s.f.2014 s.f.1894 s.f.1894 s.f.1909 s.f.1850 s.f.1870 s.f.1909 s.f.2004 s.f.1990 s.f.1950 s.f.1962 s.f. 1936 s.f.2273 s.f.1934 s.f.1772 s.f.2035 s.f.1997 s.f.1735 s.f.1... 05/18/2008

RECENT HOME SALES IN SUN CITY GRAND, Surprise Arizona               APRIL 1, 2008 TO APRIL 30, 2008               GOLF COURSE PROPERTIES               Address Bedrooms Baths Sq Ft Model List Price Sale Price Days on Market 17518 N STONE HAVEN DR   2 1.75 1937  CHOLLA $380,000 $380,000 549 16351 W SCARLET CANYON DR   2 1.75 1934  CHOLLA $445,000 $425,000 94 19416 N ECHO RIM DR   3 2 2334  HACIENDA $475,000 $465,000 3 16111 W STARLIGHT DR   2 2 2282  STONECREST $499,900 $485,000 93 20344 N CACTUS GARDEN TRL   2 1.75 2018  VALENCIA II $499,999 $460,000 525 16500 W DESERT WREN CT   4 3 2200  PALO VERDE $529,000 $475,000 338 19004 N DIAMANTE DR   2 2.5 2483  ASHBURY $549,900 $519,000 199 19711 N REGENTS PARK DR   2 3 2014  BORGATA $559,000 $528,600 13 20409 N PALM CANYON DR   3 2.75 2779  M... 05/07/2008

The City of Surprise just released their brand new General Plan 2020, a significant document that improves the quality of land use and acts as a blueprint for future smart growth in the city. Surprise is on the brink of experiencing extraordinary development, and although exponential action won't occur for a few more years, the 2020 plan has a vision to focus on mini urban environments, all in a series of independent mixed-use villages. This is a growing trend known as New Urbanism, which is the status quo for future sustainable urban growth in the cities around the country. New Urbanism has been around for several decades, as it has unfortunately taken a long time for the sprawl cities of today to rethink their horizontal growth and focus on the development of their core. (You can lear... 05/01/2008

This market update reflects what is occurring in sales and listings in the northwest valley adult communities.  Sold date includes all listings that closed in escrow March 1 to 31, 2008. SUN CITY GRAND 57 homes are pending financing & close of escrow, average sq ft 1,860, average list price $340,716, average days on the market 164 50 homes sold & closed in March: average list price $300,407, average sale price $283,694, average sq ft 1,754, average days on the market 162 6 La Solana condos sold & closed in March: average list price $226,200, average sale price $144,416, average sq ft 1,123, average days on the market 117 238 homes (including La Solana) are listed on MLS: average sq ft 1,863, average list price $341,667, average days on the market 164 04/04/2008

This market update reflects what is occurring in sales and listing in the northwest valley adult communities.  Sold date includes all listings that closed in escrow March 1 to 31, 2008.ARIZONA TRADITIONS8 homes are pending financing & close of escrow: average sq ft 1,688, average list price $255,021, average days on the market 1747 homes sold & closed in March: average list price $255,021, average sale price $242,171, average days on market 17474 properties are presently listed on MLS: average sq ft 1,779, average list price $279,915, average days on the market 173   04/04/2008

Sun City Grand Art Club is a great place to pick up gifts and mementos of the local area for friends and family in other locals.  These retired artisans are superb!   The art club studio is a hidden treasure of prints, drawings and paintings all in various techniques used in creating these magnificent treasures. Residents are able to participate as students with a wide variety of classes.  The art studio is located in the Sonoran Plaza across from Maui Wowi at Joe Zuni's Café.  Check out their website for a wealth of information.  The desert is in bloom at this time of the year.     Visitors and residents are seen scurrying from one yard to another taking pictures of the bold and colorful desert.  Some residents use their photographs to paint from.  If you don't know how to take good ph... 04/02/2008

ModelOn the Golf CourseMesquiteMissionMissionPalo VerdeBorgataOff the Golf CourseCambridgeCordovaStonecrestStonecrestMissionSierraBorgataBorgataPalo VerdePalo VerdePalo VerdePalo VerdeDesert RoseDesert RoseDesert RoseCoronadoVeranoVerbenaManzanitaChollaSycamoreMaderaMaderaSonomaSonomaJuniperCactus FlowerCactus FlowerAcaciaAcaciaAcaciaSageSageCypressCypressCypressCypressCypressWillowWillowWillowCelebrationIrisIrisLa Solana CondosGrandeGrandeMiradaMiradaAvistarVentana Sq.Ft.2779 s.f.2374 s.f.2356 s.f.1870 s.f.1950 s.f.2724 s.f.2529 s.f.2550 s.f.2298 s.f.2316 s.f.2075 s.f.1950 s.f.1894 s.f.1909 s.f.1870 s.f.1889 s.f.1870 s.f.2063 s.f.1854 s.f.1854 s.f.1996 s.f.2167 s.f.2035 s.f.1712 s.f.1934 s.f.1688 s.f.1627 s.f.1627 s.f.1616 s.f.1434 s.f.1495 s.f.1473 s.f.1409 s.f.1414 s.f.1414 s.f.1414... 04/02/2008

An artist rendering of Diamond Resort Retirement Community,Courtesy of RDeLaFuenteFrom AZCentral.Com, the latest breed of retirement communities is a change from the traditional, golf-course-and-recreation-center variety found in the Sun Cities.  A new style of vertical, urban condominiums is taking root, and a development company out of Canada is hoping to sell Surprise seniors on the ultra-hip concept.This new, hip community will begin construction at the corner of Paradise Lane and Parkview Place near the Surprise Stadium in the hopes of targeting younger, more active retirees who want to be in a vibrant, urban setting like Surprise Stadium Village.The company has found that seniors who moved into traditional retirement communities reported that they felt too far removed from upscale... 03/20/2008

Surprise Foreclosure Snippet:  Surprise City Councilmen John Williams and Richard Alton have brought a proposal to the City Council last week to form a citizens committee to address the foreclosure issue. "We want to see what we can do to prevent future foreclosures," Williams said. "And we want to answer the question, how do we deal with the current empty homes?" The Surprise City Council hopes that meeting with residents to discuss the city's foreclosure issues will generate fresh ideas to combat the problems. 03/17/2008

ModelOn the Golf CourseWindsorHamptonMesquiteCambridgeAshburyWindroseStonecrestOff the Golf CourseHaciendaMissionMissionMissionStonecrestVerbenaBorgataManzanita w/ CasitaCholla w/ CasitaChollaDesert RoseVerdeMaderaSonoma (Ext./3 bed)LantanaWillow w/ CasitaHeritageCactus FlowerCactus FlowerSageLegacyWillow Sq.Ft.3418 s.f.2810 s.f.2779 s.f.2668 s.f.2483 s.f.2456 s.f.2299 s.f.2424 s.f.2374 s.f.2300 s.f.2260 s.f.2282 s.f.2035 s.f.2014 s.f.1934 s.f.1934 s.f.1994 s.f.1834 s.f.1782 s.f.1627 s.f.1616 s.f.1540 s.f.1486 s.f.1435 s.f.1427 s.f.1423 s.f.1338 s.f.1280 s.f.1176 s.f. Address16091 W Desert Cove Wy19015 N Moondance Ln17513 N Horseshoe Dr19414 N Ponderosa Ct20131 N Coronado Ridge18061 N San Salvador Ct16151 W Eagle Ridge Dr116321 W Bridal Veil Ln20793 N Kingpoint Dr15056 W Rounders Dr171... 03/07/2008

Sorry I'm a little late getting this posted.  Click Here to see the latest edition of the Surprise Senior Center Newsletter.For those of you who don't have enough activities to pick from within your own communities, or for those who want to meet new people with similar interests you'll want to check this out!Kathy Anderson 02/10/2008

ModelOn the Golf CourseBriarwoodAshbury w/ CasitaCholla w/ CasitaCoronadoVerbena - CustomOff the Golf CourseJasmineMissionCoronadoSierraSierraSierraVerbenaVerbenaVerbenaVerbenaPalo VerdePalo VerdePalo VerdeBorgataSycamoreSycamoreMaderaMaderaMaderaLantanaHeritageLegacyLegacyLegacyWillowCelebration Sq.Ft.2959 s.f.2708 s.f.2181 s.f.2128 s.f.2055 s.f.2422 s.f.2318 s.f.2295 s.f.2015 s.f.2075 s.f.2019 s.f.2035 s.f.2035 s.f.2035 s.f.2035 s.f.1850 s.f.1889 s.f.1870 s.f.1950 s.f.1774 s.f.1824 s.f.1627 s.f.1744 s.f.1627 s.f.1546 s.f.1435 s.f.1280 s.f.1298 s.f.1298 s.f.1183 s.f.1184 s.f. Address15424 W Paradiso Ct18739 N Poppy Ct15407 W Camino Estrella18127 N San Salvador Ct18146 N Sterling Dr15750 W Autumn Sage Dr18823 N Alameda Dr19912 N Hidden Ridge Dr15534 W Camino Estrella19014 N Moondance L... 02/08/2008

ModelOn the Golf Course WindsorAshburyAshburyStonecrestStonecrestStonecrestOff the Golf Course MissionSierraPalo VerdePalo VerdeBorgataBorgataBorgataVerdeMaderaMaderaMaderaAzaleaAzaleaCactus FlowerCactus FlowerSageKivaSilverstoneCelebrationWillowWillowIris Sq.Ft.3389 s.f.2680 s.f.2483 s.f.2282 s.f.2282 s.f.2282 s.f.2300 s.f.2090 s.f.1870 s.f.1900 s.f.1958 s.f.1894 s.f.1894 s.f.1782 s.f.1645 s.f.1627 s.f.1627 s.f.1570 s.f.1563 s.f.1427 s.f.1409 s.f.1338 s.f.1278 s.f.1239 s.f.1184 s.f.1183 s.f.1183 s.f.1138 s.f. Address16633 W Tranquility Ln16964 W Links Dr19209 N Moondance Ln18242 N Hartford Dr15145 W Wildfire Dr15959 W Starlight Dr19027 N Hawthorn Dr15157 W Camino Estrella15542 W Camino Estrella18701 N Diamond Dr16864 W Bryce Canyon Ln16605 W Wagon Spur Ct17348 W Hermosa Dr18326 N Gila... 02/08/2008

 For the homeowners in Sun City Grand, Arizona Traditions, Sun Village & the rest of Surprise, AZ a new ordinance became effective on November 28, 2007 that you should be aware of...  especially if you rent out your home to seasonal visitors or year round tenants.The ordinance is referred to as the "Rental Accountability Ordinance".  While some of the provisions have to do with areas that should not concern our active adult community homeowners, other provisions will require action if you rent out your property.For instance, an owner living out-of-state MUST be represented by an agent/property manager living in Arizona.  Also, the property MUST be registered with the Maricopa County Assessor's Office.You can be fined by the City of Surprise if you fail to register or if you violate any ... 02/05/2008

 Much has been written about the havoc investors & speculators created here in our Arizona Market.  And while prices have corrected from the craziness of 3 years ago, there are many signs our real estate market is doing just fine in some areas.  At least within the walls of Sun City Grand.Vacation and second homes are among the fastest growing segment of the real estate market.  And retiring in Arizona is STILL as big a draw as ever.  The median prices of the homes here are exactly where they would have been had the boom never happened.  Anyone who bought over 4 years ago still has equity in their home.In other words... It isn't all doom and gloom as the media would have you believe.  I have buyers I work with from all over the country & Canada.  Many of them come here thinking they wil... 01/29/2008

                          In December 2007 there were 28 homes sold.     These averaged in price between $183,000 and $850,000 and square footages between 1138 and 3389.   The average of the 28 homes was $337,346. If you would like more information about Sun City Grand, please view my website, Don Rich Homes, or don't hesitate to contact me at (623) 640-0937.   For more information, please view my new blog under www.phoenixrealestatecentral.com for the latest for home sale information in the Phoenix real estate market.       01/29/2008