Sun City Grand Real Estate & Arizona Retirement Communities

The mantra over the last year has been all about change.  I think I can handle change but the constant changing of our financial institutions is now becoming concerning.  I used to be a WAMU customer, tonight I am a Chase customer...BUT for how long? 

Over the past few weeks I have heard numerous complaints about WAMU and Chase and their recent credit practices.  It really got me to wonder how soon something would change.  Tonight's news verified my thoughts. 

My Client shared with me about his WAMU Checking account.

• My client has two checking accounts.  The first account is over 4 years old.  The second account is 4 months old.
• On September 12^th two checks were deposited into the new checking account.
• On September 19^th, my client was trying to reconcile is account balance on the internet and found that a 21 day hold was placed on both checks. 
• My client was never notified of the bank hold on either check.
• On September 22^nd, my client provided copies of the two canceled checks to WAMU.
• The two checks that were deposited on September 12 were cancelled on September 18!
• As of tonight, my client is still waiting for WAMU to release the funds.

 Second Client - Chase Line of Credit

• These clients wanted to purchase a home using their line of credit.
• Their home is owned free and clear and does not have a mortgage on it. 
• The home could sell for between $500,000 and $600,000.
• The line of credit was for $200,000.
• There was no balance on the line of credit.
• Late Friday night my client learns (again on the internet) that there is a ZERO line of credit available.
• Chase closed the line of credit without informing the customer!
• A friend of mine confirmed that the same had occured in his line of credit acount!

The writing was on the WaMu walls.  

Do you think that this failure will restrict ready and willing buyers from making purchases?

What do you think about the  WAMU or Chase short sales - will it become a reality or just a myth?

Interesting communications can result in making friends and influencing people.  Sometimes agents can make you laugh your socks off with their comments.  This week I was showing property to a buyer from Norway.  We saw everything in her price range with all of the upgrades that she wanted, homes with and without pools and even golf course properties.

•  I always anticipate emails and telephone calls from the listing agent the day after I have shown the property.  Early the next morning I had received 6 emails requesting feedback.  I took my time and carefully responded in accordance to what the buyer had communicated during the showing. 
• Most of the properties were vacant on lockbox and a couple properties were occupied.  I tend to respond to the occupied requests first since I made the appointment with the seller to show the property.
• The buyer is in negotiations for a property on 987 Good Drive.
• This morning I met up with an agent whose listing I had shown at 123 Easy Street.  I have had several transactions with this agent who is a wonderful person to work with.
• The agent works for another brokerage firm and is relatively new to the business as with myself.  A person that I would describe as creative thinker with an energetic personality.
• While walking on the sidewalk into my office and the agent is driving next to the sidewalk.  The agent stops, rolls down his window and says, "I drove over to your office to pick up the contract for my listing at 123 Easy Street - just throw it into the front seat and I will go over right now to present it to the sellers right now".
• Laughter ensued.  I had no contract for the agent, but I'll be sure to remember that he is a wonderful person to work with, one who knows the Arizona Purchase Contract and a person who has a sense of humor.

 Marketing yourself is important - having a great personality, being able to communicate well and having humility helps also.  

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!

Most home owners associations in retirement communities allow RV loading and unloading for a 3 day maximum.  What do you do after the 3 days have expired?

If you haven't been to Arizona, this is RV time in the "Valley of the Sun" and they are rolling in.  The snowbirds are now returning with cars, boats and horses being towed by their luxurious recreation vehicles.  There are more and more RV's in the area every day.  They can be seen Sun City West and Sun City loading and unloading.  I guess baby boomers are experiencing the American dream of retiring and traveling around the United States.  Even the younger crowd is enjoying the RV living and traveling.

What do you do when you own a winter retirement home in the Sun Cities as well as a RV?  What about your horse, where can you board it?  Simple, use the Sun Cities RV Compound.  Residents of Sun City, Sun City West and Sun City Grand are the only persons who qualify to use the Sun Cities Recreation Vehicle Compound.  

Don't live in the Sun Cities???? Sorry.  The compound is exclusively for the residents of Sun City, Sun City West and Sun City Grand.  Your Sun City, Sun City West or Sun City Grand recreation card is your proof of residency to enter the compound.  You can park your RV, travel trailer, fifth wheel, utility trailer or boat there. 

The fees are extremely reasonable $4.25 a lineal space foot per year.  I was informed that the rate has not increased since 2006.  Temporary storage for your guests cost about $20 per month.  The compound is rather secure with guards who patrol the compound.  Business hours are from 8 to noon Monday through Friday, with new entries arriving no later than 11:30 daily.

Happy RV'ing to you and enjoy the casual retirement lifestyle in the Arizona West Valley Sun Cities.

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!

Many people belong to a country club.  I have been a guest at several clubs around the United States and have seen some interesting behaviors.  In one most recently, the ladies played cards in the ladies restroom and I according to my husband, the men did the same. 

The Phoenix Country Club has been around for over 100 years.  Built in downtown Phoenix, it has lush greens and fairways.  Membership requires a hefty wallet to purchase. There is a big hullabaloo about its restaurants.  So what's up at "THE CLUB"?

There are 3 restaurants, one for the entire membership, one for the females and one for males.  It seems that the males have business discussions in the male restaurant.  The females have their private business conversations in the female restaurant.

The country club rents out its facilities to groups at again a hefty price.  Some of the most notable Arizona families have weddings and social functions at "THE CLUB".  Corporations also utilize the facilities for corporate events.  There are golf tournaments and benefits to charitable events held at "THE CLUB". 

Most recently, the Arizona Attorney General's office has said that the Phoenix Country Club does not qualify as being classed as a private club.  The key to making the decision was the amount of public rentals of the facilities.  As such, Arizona's Attorney General Terry Goddard has recently filed a sexual discrimination lawsuit for restaurant segregation. 

This is a very hot topic aound Arizona water coolers, and believe me there are many water coolers in Arizona.

Is this discrimination or is this just a choice that private member should have?  Do you feel that the separated restaurants should be abolished?  What about the card games in the separate restrooms? 

The date has been set!  The annual Sun City Grand community yard sale will be held on November 1st from 7 to 3 in the parking lot next to Dillons Grand. 

You won't find an estate sale or yard sale in Sun City Grand.  The annual community yard sale is the ideal place to pick up "treasures" or to dispose of "stuff".  Golf clubs, golf carts, household items, antiques and lots of little "stuff" will be up for sale.  Mark your calendars and come early.

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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!

Sun City Grand real estate is different from most other areas in Arizona.  I live here in Sun City Grand, I work here, I know this community!  The retirement community tends to be more cautious with their investments and although prices have decreased, the price reduction rate is not as severe as other areas in the valley.  Most buyers would like to see all that is available until they find that "perfect retirement home".  Whether it is a fulltime residence or a secondary residence, the time involved in searching for the ideal property can be extremely time consuming.

This year Phoenix has seen major turmoil with its fluctuating market.  It's been an interesting time watching the markets around the valley and concentrating on my market specialization.  Sun City Grand homes are selling.

The past month has been extremely hectic, full of referrals and sales.  After long and grueling hours (working up to 12 hours daily), the final sales statistics have been released.  Again I was the top producing agent in a company of over 300 agents.  The attached advertisement was recently published in a local newspaper.

I am grateful for your business and I value your referrals.  I would like to thank all of you for your kindness in making my success possible.  I appreciate the trust you have placed in me and I owe all of my success as a top producer to all who have valued me.  Thank you and Mahalo.

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!

On Saturday, September 20 from 7am to 1pm, the City of Surprise will be sponsoring its annual "Sept. 20 Clean-Up Event".  Everything except for hazardous waste can be disposed of at the Northwest Regional Landfill and its FREE FREE FREE - to Surprise residents only.  You will just need to show your proof of residency in the City of Surprise (Drivers License or Electric Bill).  A single load can weigh up to 2,000 pounds at no cost, but NO construction materials.

Residents can dispose of a single load that weighs up to 2,000 pounds at no cost during the event. No major construction materials will be accepted.

Paint, pool chemicals and pesticides will be collected on October 11, 2008 at the Surprise  Household Hazardous Waste Collection Evwhich will ent be at the Public Works Maintenance Yard, 13433 W. Foxfire Drive.

For additional information about the Clean-up Event or the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event contact the Surprise Public Works at 623.222.6000, or on the web at www.surpriseaz.com.

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!

Every year I try to guess the exact date that the Phoenix temperature will decrease and we actually start feeling cooler.  It's a little idiosyncrasy of mine that I started when I first moved to Arizona.

In early August, Donna who is a local stager, visited one of my open houses.  Donna brought me a a "care package" with a bottle of water, an apple, an energy bar and lots of good old fashioned company.  Prior to her arriving, no one had been to my open house .  It was very hot well over a 100 degrees and the water was a welcomed gift since the refrigerator in the home was unplugged.

The Donna said that she had just moved to Sun City Grand from Colorado.  She began describing the cool temperatures and the activities one can enjoy in the cool mountains.  I in turn described the summer weather in Hilo.  If you have never been to Hilo, you will probably experience a good drench since it rains almost every day in Hilo.  I know that it snows in Colorado and the rainy Hilo weather but if I had my druthers, I would take the heat.

Just before Donna left she said, "When do you think that it will start to cool down?"  My response was, "September 9th".  Well tomorrow is the ninth of September and lets see if the cooling trend will begin.  If not, oh well, I can guess again next year.  If it does cool down, it's will be my first time to be correct.

10/3/08...I got it wrong another year, but I will try again next year.  I guess the official date would be today.

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!

SURPRISE!  After many months of watching there is a BIG sign posted on Bell Road and the word is out.  Surprise Arizona is full of surprises!  It's a bank, no it's a dry cleaners, no, but it's the FORTH for the little city of Surprise..........it's .......... a...........MCDONALDS!  Yes, Surprise will have another McDonald's built in the center of the city.

The newest McDonalds will be located at 16547 West Bell Road, right next to the new Bank of America that just opened.  It is unclear if they will be having an indoor or outdoor playground.  I don't care, I just have their French fries on my mind.

If you live in Sun City Grand, Mountain Vista Ranch or in Surprise Farms, this newest McDonald's will be just moments from your communities. 

This McDonalds is also located right in front of the soon to be Sam's Club.  Here is the most current construction pictures of Sam's Club.

Besides hosting the spring training for the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, John McEnroe will be playing tennis in Surprise this year.  Our little city is growing like a weed and we are going to be a big guy, very soon.

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!

Sun City West Real Estate and Corte Bella Market Update

This market report provides the original list price and the sale price of properties located in Sun City West and Corte Bella during the month of August, 2008.

Properties on this recently sold list have been listed or sold by various participants in MLS. Information deemed reliable and accurate, but not guaranteed.

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!