According to a news article in the Phoenix Business Journal, The city of Surprise is giving a tax break to a Michigan auto company that plans to develop a Toyota dealership and another auto facility along the planned Loop 303 freeway. Surprise approved a tax incentive package for United Auto Group to develop the dealerships at the planned Prasada project along the 303 in the westside suburb. UAG will get 50 percent of the sales tax revenue generated by its dealerships over the next 10 years, according to city documents. That could amount to as much as $9 million in tax rebates, according to an analysis prepared for Surprise by Applied Economics, a Phoenix research group. Surprise also will reimburse UAG for fees, permits and other costs associated with the project, according to the deve... 05/14/2007

As of the end of April 2007, I monitored the sales activity for the following zip codes in Surprise Arizona.     The results were as follows:             STATUS             ZIP CODE          QUANTITY          AVG LIST PRICE          AVG SALE PRICEPending  8537487$294,646.89 $0.00 Sold  8537489$287,726.81 $278,913.07 Pending  8537986$278,181.07 $0.00 Sold  8537973$280,608.41 $271,164.88 Pending  8538728$362,689.29 $0.00 Sold  8538723$368,530.43 $359,341.30 Pending  8538838$275,561.63 $0.00 Sold  8538820$301,285.75 $283,501.15  If you have any questions about the real estate market in Surprise Arizona, please contact me at (623) 640-0937.     For more information, please view my website at www.donrichhomes.com. 05/14/2007

There were 6 homes sold in Bell West Ranch for the month of April 2007.  The average list price of these homes was $228,131.67 and average sale price was $223,998.33.    As of April 30, there were 2 homes under contract.     The average list price of these pending homes was $297,500.00.    As of the end of the month, there were 36 active listings in Bell West Ranch.    The average list price of these homes was $297,264.47. For more information about Bell West Ranch or other fine communities in Surprise, please view my website at http://www.donrichhomes.com/.    05/10/2007

Sun City Grand is a Del Webb/Pulte Master Planned Retirement Community located in Suprise, Arizona about 20 miles from downtown Phoenix as a crow flies and north of Bell Road and west of Grand Avenue.  Within this beautiful community you will find over 9000 homes ranging in size from 1000 square feet to well over 3000 square feet all on very nice sized lots.  All of these homes were built between 1998 and 2006 in 4 phases.  Property values in Sun City Grand have increased significantly over the last few years.  Upon entering this community you will be very impressed by the towering Date Palms, lush landscaping, and beautiful flowing water falls.  Sun City Grand appeals to all the senses and they spare no expense to keep it looking beautiful and colorful year-round.          For more inf... 04/24/2007

Bell West Ranch had 33 homes for sale as of the end of March 2007.    These active home in MLS had an average list price of $301,487.    There were 2 homes sold during this period of time and two homes pending under contract.    These homes in Bell West Ranch had an average sale price of $261,500 and an average list price of $216,975.  For more information about Bell West Ranch or other fine homes in Surprise Arizona, please contact me at (623) 640-0937 or visit my website at http://www.donrichhomes.com/Bell_West_Ranch/page_1687480.html.   04/12/2007

In Mountain Vista Ranch there were 8 homes sold during the month of March.     These homes reflected an average price of $227,748.  There were 81 homes active as of the end of March 2007.    These homes had an average list price of $246,803.  There were 13 pending homes as of the end of March 2007 in Mountain Vista Ranch, Surprise Arizona.    These homes had an average list price of $235,212.  For more information about Mountain Vista Ranch, please view my website at www.donrichhomes.com or call me at (623) 640-0937.  04/11/2007

In Corte Bella, a newer active adult community in Surprise Arizona, there were 93 active homes as of the end of March 2007.     The average list price for these homes was $446,121.  During the month of March 2007, six homes were listed as pending in MLS.    These homes had an average list price of $387,715.For more information about Surprise Arizona or real estate in Corte Bella, please visit my website at www.donrichhomes.com or call me at (623) 640-0937.  04/11/2007

In Sun City Grand real estate there was 59 homes pending as of the end of March 2007 and 47 sold homes.     The average price of these homes were $403,720 (list price) and $381,187.23 (sold price). As of the last day of March 2007 there were 409 active homes for sale with an average list price of $373,985 in Sun City Grand.     There were 6 homes that were pending with contingencies.  For more information about Sun City Grand, please visit my website at www.donrichhomes.com or call me at (623) 640-0937.  04/11/2007

Where is the new Surprise City Park?  It will be located in Surprise Farms, west of 303.  They were supposed to break ground in December of 06'.  The city has said that it is due to begin right beofre summer starts in 07'.  However, now there will be no aquatic water park until 2010.  The rest of the park will be as planned.   The skate park is also currently being planned.  It will be located in the middle of Surprise by the lake park off Bullard.  This is  great news for the kids.  No mention on when completion will be.  03/23/2007

I have a couple homes in Surprise where the owners are willing to get creative on the terms.  One home is a single level four bedroom with 2 bath that has never been lived in. Located in Greer Ranch, close to where the new mall will be.  It is 2165 Sq. Ft.  He may be willing to carry 5% or honor a lease purchase agreement. the other is a bigger home in Surprise Farms community that has 4 huge bedrooms with a dena and an extra bonus room upstairs.  3800 sq. ft. with all the upgrades.  The home has never been lived in.  Willing to do a lease purchase with 10k down and rent of 1600/month.    03/23/2007

 I've recently updated my Sun City Grand page on my website www.donrichhomes.com.    I thought I would update my blog with many of the great features of this community.     Even though the community is sold out for new homes, I continue to be impressed with number of amenities available in Sun City Grand.    The data in this blog has been confirmed with residents - my in-laws who love the community.    They personally are very active in softball, euchre, ping pong, lady putters, water volleyball, and now pickleball (a modified version of tennis).   Sun City Grand is a Del Webb/Pulte Master Planned Retirement Community located in Suprise, Arizona about 20 miles from downtown Phoenix as a crow flies and north of Bell Road and west of Grand Avenue.  Within this beautiful community you will... 02/26/2007

It has recently been in the news about Sun City Grand's discussion of changing its age guidelines.    Historically when Sun City Grand, a Pulte/Del Webb development, was built, newly built homes were only allowed if one person on the title was over the age of 55.  The exception was that 10% of new buyers of new builds could be under the age of 55. All resale homes had to be to individuals that met the over 55 requirement.The discussion has been to change to resale home restrictions to individuals over 45 rather than the 55 year old requirement.  The existing restriction of individuals under 19 staying in Sun City Grand for a maximum of 90 days will remain in place.   This would mean an influx of younger adults into Sun City Grand, but still would limit children to basically visitors. Th... 02/08/2007

In 1938, Homer Ludden - real estate developer and state legislator - founded Surprise and named it after his hometown in Nebraska.  Originally it was a farming community of just one square mile.Surprise incorporated in 1960, and had a population at that time of approximately 1,000 people.Fast forward to now and the population of over 100,000 occupies 76 square miles!Money magazine has given Surprise high marks for job growth since 2000, and a comprehensive General Plan spurs the growth of better jobs.Recreational options include the Surprise Stadium, which hosts the Cactus League Spring Training for Major League Baseball's Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers.  Surprise Center adjacent to the Stadium offers pools, waterfalls and slides at the Aquatic Center.  Visit the Heard Museum West... 11/29/2006