Archive for April, 2008
Tempe Condos: From Boring to Enticing
April 28th, 2008 categories: Architecture, Phoenix real estate
I visited, recently, a few luxury condo projects in Tempe. It is fascinating to see how much better a product is offered by those who have a Vision.
First project: which name i won’t mention- they speak about exceptional attention to detail, but it is disappointing- they lack it- or rather there are no details you could pay attention to. 
The models are a proof that the builder “knew better” and apparently did not hire an interior consultant. The result is a boring place and the only luxury is the price, and views maybe, if you are high enough, which pumps up the price, surely.
Second project: Bridgeview by IBI/HB Architects
Excellence- both inside and outside.
What a pleasure it is to see a more adventurous approach to such important places like kitchens and baths. If the old marriage of a low grade, plain granite counters with cherry or knotty alder cabinets gives you goosebumps, this is a place to go! Many models have high gloss, lacquered cabinets with great choices of granite, you will see more ceramic tile, mosaic tile in the baths and much more. Irregularly shaped rooms remind me of the famous Crystal Point, the valley’s first high rise; they are large and easy to plan.
In addition to amenities that are common in high rises, here you also can enjoy a zen garden, a library with a fireplace, and a putting green. There is a wide price rage from $700’s for 1,168 sf condo to $5 M for close to 5,000 sf two level penthouse with 2 beautiful staircases in both wings. (finishes to be chosen by buyer)
Third project: Centerpoint by Avenue communities- there is so much about it! You have to visit the place- the concept is exactly what we need in the valley. The whole idea here is about well being, people, creating a community where it is easy to connect. From an utterly unique 23,000 sf backyard located on the 7th floor, thru 6,500 sf market, cafe ,grocery; Trattoria M with chef Michael of Michael’s at the Citadel; to PurVine-novel educational venture where you will be able to learn the art of wine making, produce your wine – this place of 800 homes will become a true landmark not only for Tempe.
Intrigued?
Call me for a private tour. Joanna 602-358-1392
View Homes and Condos for Sale in Tempe at SearchValleyHomes.com
PhoenixTrends.com to see what’s selling and active in your neighborhood.
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Road Side Beauty
April 28th, 2008 categories: Local Color
It’s amazing the type of beauty we can pass by each day and not notice.
These are weeds and some wild flowers along the side of a house that grew wildly this spring. I watched them break the surface of the bare ground and grow larger by the day as I walked to do my occasional hiking in the Dreamy Draw park. It was only when Joanna and I went together and she pointed them out that I notice how beautiful and striking these flowers are. The colors were vibrant, bright and amazingly hypnotics.
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Unlimited Coffee in North Central Phoenix
April 27th, 2008 categories: Local Color
No CDs to buy, no books, coffee machines, no loud music playing, no cups with logos to buy. You won’t find the latter items here, and that is a good thing, and it’s one of the reasons I just don’t like going to Starbucks. Moreover the coffee is better at 
Unlimited Coffee, located in North Central Phoenix on the South Side of Glendale Avenue just East of 7th street. Though coffee is very important it’s the whole experience that counts. Whenever I had coffee at Starbucks i felt I was contributing to the bottom line of investors and a big corporate machine. Not to put down the importance of corporations, because they are important. At some point the coffee shops fail to be local and it’s the local stuff the makes a city culturally important with a sense of place. Unlimited Coffee is local. It’s located inside an old building which used to function as a pizza place a long time ago.
When I first saw it going in I was skeptical as to location, but there are so few places that are truly local where people can meet that long travel times are sometimes involved just to have that experience.
Inside the decor is sparse, raw and limited with few leather sofas, plastic chairs, somewhat basic spartan tables. But it’s full of people drinking good coffee and discussing things together or starring at their laptops like I am at this moment. I feel comfortable here, and the did I mention that the coffee is good, in fact better. Will Unlimited take the place of my favourite coffee shop which was killed off a while ago. Maybe? What is missing for me is a place to sit outside were I don’t have to stare at cars, plus I like watching people. Either way Phoenix is maturing and becoming a better place to live because places like this exists. Please open more of them.
Unlimited Coffee is located at 741 E. Glendale Ave on the South Side.
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What is real estate investing about?
April 24th, 2008 categories: Edits
This picture exemplifies the benefits of real estate investing. The key word is cash flow. It is cash flow that will allow you to be just like Rupik, this mad minded lazy and food picky smooth fox terrier. 
Cash flow will give you the freedom to do what you want, whether it’s travel, good cars, bigger donations to NPR or lazying on a Sunday afternoon. Learn more about cash flow strategies in Phoenix real estate at PhoenixMarketTrends.com our more serious blog.
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For relaxing and pleasure pursuits this Phoenix home may be it.
April 23rd, 2008 categories: Homes Worth Buying
This may just be one of the better places to spend some time with good neighbors and friends. A large courtyard with a view of the city and the mountains. A few tables and more chairs, there is enough room for them at the outside fireplace where you can heat up in the cool evenings of the Arizona spring of fall or grill some organic free range chicken sausage on a stick, and have lots of beer, dark ales or a porter.
In the huge, quiet garden enjoy the fireplace and a good conversation in the built in heated spa while listening to the 2 water falls on the other end of the yard, flowing into the pond. Does this spark your interest? Well, this beautiful home is for sale. It’s not an ordinary remodel… it has been completely redone inside and outside, but it’s also in wonderful neighborhood just a short walk away from some of the best hiking trails in the Phoenix valley.
Besides this picture there there are 74 others at www.22place.com plus full details about the home and the area. Priced at $575,000. Just to entice you even more. It has a 4 car garage.
Excited! Call Joanna at 602-358-1392
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What’s going on with the Phoenix real estate market?
April 23rd, 2008 categories: Market Trends
That questions is loaded as is every answer to it! The only real answer is, is that it’s at best an educated guess, but there are some things that make things clearer. We’ll get to those later.
Take a look at the chart or homes sold in Phoenix for the last 3 years. Note that in the last 2 years, 2006 and 2007, sales of homes dropped or stayed pretty flat from January to February except in 2008 the sales from January to February increased followed by an increase in March. What does it mean?
It means that April will be a critical month for determining the what trend the current Phoenix market is following and where we may be in the real estate cycle. My take on it is that we are at or near the bottom especially if you take into consideration the price per square foot. It looks and feels, in the gut, like were at the bottom.
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Welcome to Real Estate Confluence.
April 8th, 2008 categories: Edits
We may not always realize it… but no matter where we live, no matter where we work, shop, eat, go for vacations, we can’t avoid it – it is always there : real estate. (yes, except when we are in wilderness..) “without (real estate) architecture there would be no history, no point of reference” says Daniel Libeskind.
The home, school, office, hotel, warehouse, restaurant, mall, welcome center (to enter wilderness area) – the way it is built, designed, the solutions applied, materials used, color, light chosen, scale it has, the elements of surprise that we suddenly discover about exterior and interior alike, the floor-plan, the way it interacts with the outdoors…. Doesn’t it all affect the way we live, feel, perform, connect with others, the level of stress or contentment we develop while there, etc? I say: YES! At least… this is the way I see it.
From this perspective it is hard for me to find any area that does not relate somehow to real estate – I am choosing only few topics that do, that matter to me. Architecture, Design, Responsible living, Local color. Hopefully these topics will flow together harmoniously and make this site fun and informative place; fun is the key. Then there is the Attic. (currently Edits) From an attic we may have a broader view of the area. It is in the attic that you will find opinions, replies, thoughts, quotes and reviews. A sort of lapidarium.
Real Estate Confluence will deal with the multiple streams of living in Phoenix and how they all relate to real estate in general but more specifically how life is in Phoenix.We invite you to be a guest writer, if you have insight on any development happening or existing in the Central, North/ Central, East Phoenix or Scottsdale, if you are a designer, help to create new solutions- in design or that are easy on the environment, know about events others should know about, if you want to tell us about independent enterprises, we want to hear from you. Let us know – how you see it!
Joanna Zajusz
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