Sun City Grand Real Estate & Arizona Retirement Communities

I saw a dog get killed this morning.  It rained a bit in the valley last night.  There was lots of thunder and lightening.  Animals get afraid during the Monsoons - especially dogs.  Seeing this gorgeous dog die is haunting image in my mind tonight.

We hear about children being hit by cars all the time.  I would never want to witness such an occurrence.

Driving in the far left line, I was toodling down the road going about 35 miles an hour.  I reached over to change the radio station - trying to see who McCain would be picking as the Vice President running mate.

A white SUV overtook me in the far right lane.  The male driver was driving at least 60 miles in a 35 mph zone.  Two dogs were running in an open field.  It happened quickly.  The dog was just trying to cross the street and was hit by the SUV right passenger tires, thrown into the air and landed on the opposite side of the street.  Cars traveling the opposite direction stopped to help the poor German shepherd.

And what about the SUV that killed this beautiful dog, well the SUV just preceded speeding down the street.  I wonder if the children riding in the backseat realized what had happened.

It's going to be a long holiday weekend.  There are storms all around the country.  Drivers, slow down.  This gorgeous creature was someone's beloved pet that probably got loose during last night's thunderstorm.  The sight of this dog being hit will tug on my heart for a long time. This very well could have been a child.

There is some information that you can't wait to share.  As a matter of fact, many of us just want to scream it out from the rooftops.

Some areas of Surprise has resulted in a dramatic increase of listings, a decrease in sales and a tremendous amount of foreclosures, short sales, and REO properties. 

Sun City Grand is an age restricted community in the City of Surprise.  If you are waiting for the market to go down further, Sun City Grand may not be the community to wait on.  According to the latest MLS information, Sun City Grand is holding it's own in sales.  Check it out.  The number of properties listed is decreasing, the numbers of sales in escrow remain constant as well as the number of homes sold and closed in escrow.

It's all about people, being honest, having integrity and product knowledge.

Sun City Grand  ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!

Sometimes pictures cannot truly depict the beauty one experiences.   Curb appeal is very important when selling a home and the entrance into the subdivision is equally important.  If you consider coming and going from an elegant entrance is heart warming and uplifting, and feel that it is important when buying a home, you will have to check out one of the newest communities in Surprise Arizona.

It is located off Grand Avenue, about 2 miles north of the entrance of Sun City West and Sun City Grand. 

ASANTE
The name in itself is elegant. This community, in my estimation, is an award winner!   Asante, is a Master-Planned Community by Lennar.

The entrance is spectacular to say the least!  It features rows upon rows of date palm trees.  The bridge at the entrance has five water falls flowing from each side of the bridge down at least 20 feet into a large pond.  Even the lettering on the entrance sign is extraordinary.

There were four models open this afternoon.  I believe that eventually there will be nine models in the model park, each floor plan will have three elevations to select from.  My buyers thought that all of the homes were functional, had large bedrooms and modern with the great room concept floor plan.  Home sizes range from 1,820 sq ft to 3,561 sq ft.  Prices start in the $230's and Lennar has included many standard features.

Check it out and be sure to take your realtor with you on your first visit.

Asante
16510 West Calle Lejos Street
Surprise, AZ 85387
Telephone (623) 556-9700

It's all about people, being honest, having integrity and product knowledge.

Sun City Grand  ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!

My son is presently searching for his new Chicago home. His first thought was to purchase a foreclosed home instead of one that is not foreclosed.  During a recent telephone call, he asked me, what do I need to know about purchasing a foreclosed home?

• NO WARRANTY ~  Unfortunately most of these properties do not utilities connected thereby precludes a complete inspection.  I have found that many banks will not connect the gas to a property.  This makes it impossible for a buyer to confirm that the furnace, water heater, barbecue, or gas fireplace is properly functioning properly.  Good luck with finding someone to repair these items at a reasonable price.  It has been my experience that the price to repair these items has been astronomical.</.

• AS IS ~ Most listings indicate that the property is being purchased in an as-is condition.  In other words, buyers beware and do your homework.  There is typically no disclosure statement to provide the buyer with some sort of indication what repairs were previously made.  I feel that this is especially important when living in the desert since we have a tendency to have scorpions.  If you have ever been bitten by a scorpion, you would want to know if there were any scorpions in the home you would be purchasing. There may not be scorpions in Chicago but as a mother, I would feel a little safer knowing if there was a history of some sort of creature in the home.

• ANGRY OWNERS ~ The previous owner has probably seen their American dream crushed when they were unable to make that mortgage payment.  Disgruntled owners frequently leave these properties in disarray.  To add to the problem, vandals seem to have been targeting vacant homes.  Consequently, there may be a substantial amount of cleanup required.

• LIST PRICE ~ The primary advantage of purchasing a foreclosed property is the list or selling price of the property.  Know the comparables (COMPS) in the area and do a complete pricing research.  Complete a projected cost analysis of any repairs that you may anticipate with purchasing a prospective property.  Although the property may be purchased at a "bargain price", it may not result in a bargain if you have an exorbitant amount of repairs.

It may be a great investment and be the home of your dreams.  Do your researches, ask family and friends, ask the neighbors, and when you select that ideal home, enjoy it for years to come!

Do you have any other recommendations that you feel buyers should be cognizent of when purchasing a foreclosed property?

I packed my bag and went to Chicago for the day.  Yes, this mama was checking out her little boy making sure that he was eating well.  Besides that, I was on a scouting mission trying to help him narrow down the area for him to live.  We had checked out Lincoln Park the month before and were concentrating in downtown Chicago, on the river or near Michigan Avenue this visit. 

Now there's this one client whom I will refer to as Miss Dodi.  I make regular weekly visits to her home and we talk about real estate, homes for sale in Sun City West, what the market has done for the week and girly chitchat around her pool.  Miss Dodi always has a peanut butter sandwich ready for my weekly visits. 

Miss Dodi is from the old school, was raised in the south, and is in her seventies.  Miss Dodi moved to Chicago as a young child but never really lost her southern hospitality and charm.  Eight years ago she and her husband moved to Sun City West.

There are three things that she loves: her family, the "Cubbies" and "White Castle" hamburgers.  We didn't have "White Castle's" when I was being raised in Hilo and since I am now a vegetarian; I've never had the opportunity to partake in a "White Castle". 

I told Miss Dodi of my trip the week before I was to have left.  No big deal I thought, I would just be gone for a day but would miss our weekly chat.  Miss Dodi's facial expression changed.  I couldn't read it, but it changed.

I left for Chicago the next week and spent the entire day scouting the potential areas that my son was interested in.  At the end of the day as I jumped into a taxi to the airport, I remembered that I had missed my weekly visit with Miss Dodi.  "Take me to the nearest White Castle."  With a bag of 10 White Castle hamburgers in hand I boarded the airplane back to Phoenix. I think everyone five or six rows in front or back of me could smell the aroma of the hot onions. 

I dropped off the package late that night. Miss Dodi sat up in bed and ate her hamburger as we both watched the late night news. 

It's Miss Dodi's birthday today and I sure miss her.  Our friendship was short but a good one.  Memories are all we have when people have gone.  Make them good ones that you can smile about.

It's all about people, being honest, having integrity and product knowledge.

Leolinda Bowers

Sun City Grand  ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!

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 of the few Arizona shelters that will house mothers along with their teenagers, both daughters and sons.  Eve's Place can house 40 women plus children and babies. 

Denise Brown, sister of Nicole Simpson, was the key note speaker for the last Eve's Place fundraiser.  September 19th is the next fundraising event.  Nick Palance, a famous tenor singer, will be doing a concert at West Valley Art Museum which is located at 17420 N Avenue of the Arts, in Surprise.  Tickets can be purchased by calling (602) 252-4477.  The $30 per person donation includes a social and concert with all proceeds going to support Eve's Place.

Eve's Treasures has its own truck for donation pick up. Eve's Treasures welcomes donations and volunteers. Stop by sometime and check this thrift store and its special treasures. 

Eve's Treasure
Sun Bowl Plaza Shopping Center
10765 West Peoria Avenue
Sun City, Arizona

It's all about people, being honest, having integrity and product knowledge.

Leolinda Bowers

Sun City Grand  ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!

The signs are up.  Dirt is being moved about and the property is being excavated.  Is it coming soon?  Good question. 

A couple of days I saw two signs labeled Brunswick Zone XL is coming and space available. The signs were posted on the vacant lot on the northeast corner of Reems and Waddell.  I've asked many nearby residents and there seems to be conflicting reports.  I've also done some internet research and did not find anything specific to the location of the first Surprise Arizona bowling alley. 

Reems and Waddel is an excellent location since it is in the heart of Surprise. Remember now, it's all about location, location, location and this is one of the best locations in Surprise if in actuality the new Brunswick bowling center will be constructed on these corners. 

According to a recent news article, there were two bowling alleys scheduled to be built in Surprise. One location is on the corner of Litchfield and Waddel and a second location is on the corner of Reems and Waddel.  Both locations are central to Surprise residents. 

The Reems and Waddel signs were erected a couple of days ago.  I saw them on my way to have dinner at my favorite Surprise restaurant "Vouge".  I have a restaurant review on Vougue" that I should be posted sometime this week. 

If the first City of Surprise bowling alley is built, it will be a welcomed sport that will provide excellent entertainment to all who live in the nearby communities.

Aloha and Mahalo!

Leolinda Bowers

Sun City Grand ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!

Surprise Arizona is one of the fastest growing cities in Maricopa County and it has a SECOND brand new school opening tomorrow morning!  It's named Desert Moon Elementary School and is located on the corner of Pat Tillman Blvd and 166th Avenue in Surprise. [Pat Tillman Blvd was named after the American hero who played football at Arizona State University and the Arizona Cardinals.  Mr. Tillman lost his life in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004.]

If you travel on Grand Avenue, you can't miss seeing the gigantic new school building off to the east of Grand and north of the 303.  The school is located about 2 miles from Sun City Grand and Sun City West entrances. The address is 23251 North 166th Drive.  Desert Moon Elementary is part of the Dysart School District with grades kindergarten through 8^th.  Jason Black, a Surprise resident, is the school principal. School colors are black, blue and yellow.  I like this one, the school mascot is an owl - how wise and clever! 

According to a recent press release, there are 25 schools in the Dysart School District which is made up of 3 high schools, 20 elementary schools, an alternative program and a early childhood center.  Kudos goes out to the City of Surprise present and past officials for being progressive in building schools and infrastructure necessary to sustain the rapid growth in this beautiful city. 

Good luck students, teachers and Mr. Black.  I wish all of you a successful school year!

Aloha and Mahalo!

Leolinda Bowers

Sun City Grand Real Estate

Sun City Grand ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!

Surprise Arizona has a brand new school that will be opening tomorrow.  Located on the corner of 171^st Avenue and Bajada Road, the Desert Oasis Elementary School will open their doors tomorrow morning for the first time. 

It is projected that around 400 students will be in attendance (Kindergarten to 6th grade).  I believe that this is the first school in the City of Surprise that is part of the Nadaburg School District.  The school mascot is the roadrunner which is a delightful bird for anyone to watch.

Teachers were scurrying about this morning as they worked on getting their new classrooms ready for tomorrow's grand opening.  The play grounds have brand new equipment.  I can only imagine the school children in the morning walking into a brand new classroom with the latest upgrades possible.  I vividly remember my first day of school, do you? 

 DLR Group was the architect and Core Construction built this gorgeous school.  According to records, the school was built on time and within budget.  Congratulations to that project manager!

Surprise Arizona is one of the fastest growing cities in Maricopa County.  Congratulations to the City of Surprise and thank you teachers and Mr. Collins for the dedication necessary in making this a momentous and eventful day for all of the students.

Aloha and Mahalo!

Leolinda Bowers

Sun City Grand Real Estate

Sun City Grand ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!

We've waited and waited.  Promises were made and it seems as though the time has passed very slowly.

Finally, the time has come!  Beginning August 11, the westbound lanes of Bell Road from Parkview to just east of the Loop 303 will be resurfaced.  The eastbound lanes on Bell Road from Parkview to Grand Avenue will also be resurfaced.  Hooray!  The ROADWORK will finally begin!

According information provided at a recent Sun City Grand homeowners meeting, this means that the road will be resurfaced with some type of rubberized asphalt.  I did not post any information on the meeting until the actual City of Surprise press release was distributed.  Evidently the rubberized asphalt should decrease road noise for residents with homes that back up to Bell Road or are near to Bell Road. 

The resurfacing project will have a positive affect to the communities of Sun City Grand, Kingswood Park, Arizona Traditions, Sun Village, Happy Trails, Bell West Ranch as well as all who travel on Bell Road - and that's almost everyone who live in Surprise!

During the construction phases, Arizona Public Service will be upgrading their power needs in the area.  Arizona American Wall will also be adding a new water line.  Although there are three construction phases, the Bell Road pavement work is projected to be completed in November 2008.  The City of Surprise has reiterated that the construction plan will not close businesses along Bell Road.

The road project was in the planning stages when I built my home in Sun City Grand four years ago.  It is long awaited for and will be a pleasure to travel the area without going through the potholes.  The road should provide the quiet enjoyment to properties that are near Bell Road.

Aloha and Mahalo!

Leolinda Bowers

Sun City Grand Real Estate

Sun City Grand ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!

Have you found any flowers that bloom in the dead of night?  

People who live in Arizona are referred to as a "Zoni".  Because of the cooler weather, "Zoni's" love San Diego!  However, most "Zoni's" who work just prefer to head to northern Arizona every Friday to enjoy the cool pines.  The trip from Surprise (Sun City Grand) takes about 2 hours.  Leaving the 100 plus degree weather and entering into the 65 degree weather is a delightful change.  The elevation is about 7,500 ft. 

I found this flower blooming at about midnight last night in Northern Arizona.  I believe that this plant is indigenous to Arizona and can be found above 6,000 ft. in altitude.  It grows on a vine and requires a substantial amount of water because I found it in creek beds. 

One of our neighbors told us about the flower growing in front of our cabin.  The neighbor did not know the name of the flower but he has seen it at night when walking his dog. I've googled it and cannot seem to find its name.

I took these pictures at about midnight using my camera flash to catch the beautiful yellow flowers that were about 3 inches in diameter.  The flower did not have a fragrance. 

I took these pictures of the same creek bed at about 10am this morning.  As you can see, there are no flowers in bloom. 

Do you have any idea what kind of flower this may be?  Is it poisonous?  Why does it bloom only at night?

 Aloha and Mahalo!

Leolinda Bowers

Sun City Grand Real Estate

Sun City Grand ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!

Mark your calendars for November 5 through 9, 2008.  The Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex will be the stage for the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Championships and the Outback Champions Series Tennis. 

The event features round-robin matches with Jim Courier, Wayne Ferreira and Todd Martin and 5 others who are all competing world ranking tennis players.  To compete in the Champion Series, the players must have either reached a Grand Slams final played on a Davis Cup team or rankied in the top five of the world in singles.

Tickets are sold at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet complex or online at www.ticketmaster.com. 

Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex
14469 W. Paradise Lane
Surprise, AZ

Aloha and Mahalo!

Leolinda Bowers
Sun City Grand Real Estate

Sun City Grand ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!

The City of Surprise is one of the fastest growing cities in Maricopa County, Arizona.  Every day there are new building signs being erected.  Construction is on the rise and will continue to proliferate since the West Valley is probably the best viable option for growth in Maricopa County.

The newest addition to the City of Surprise is the new Trader Joe's that is located on the west side of Grand Avenue between Outback Steakhouse and Goodyear Tire.  The address should be anywhere between 14087 and 14225 Grand Avenue.

This is the 11^th Trader Joe's that will be built in Maricopa County and the first for the City of Surprise.  Trader Joe's is not your typical neighborhood health food grocery store. Besides bread and milk, you can find imported cheese, organic produce and hand-tossed pizza from Italy at Trader Joe's.  If you are looking for something different and unique, Trader Joe's will probably have it.  Trader Joe's is known for its tropical atmosphere, and "green" consciousness.

The first Trader Joe's in Surprise is scheduled to open their doors in Spring of 2009.  It is a golf cart away from the retirement communities of Sun City Grand and Sun City West while being totally accessible for the entire City of Surprise.

The next nearest Trader Joe is presently located on 99^th Avenue and Greenway which is located in Sun City.   Needless to say the Surprise Trader Joe's will probably be one of the busiest food stores in the area due to its wide organic food selection.

Aloha and Mahalo!

Leolinda Bowers

Sun City Grand ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!