Where is your Magical Space?
June 29th, 2008 categories: Phoenix real estate
Doesn’t it happen to you sometimes? Driving, deep in thoughts, suddenly you see a door of your garage and you don’t know how you’ve got here! That is how I found myself in Singapore. Not driving though, but surfing. I was looking for info on Singapore’s architecture, when I opened an intriguing page that immediately pulled me in. In this case I didn’t see the door of my garage but a cover of a Moleskine journal; one of many that in 2007 were passed around to people of different walks of life, who completed it with their drawings, writings, photographs… all related to their understanding of a Magical Space, as a “place that holds memories and emotional treasures”
Selected pages can be seen here:
http://magicalspaces.fivefootway.com/
For some, the magical space is an airport, that always brings them a feeling of happiness.
Another one, lists several places either in Thailand, India, or China.
Someone else jotted “it is a place which exist in my mind only”
It took me a while to recall my magical spaces. Some of them are left far behind me. Spontaneous travels, hitchhiking. Moleskine journals. A Map and Music.
Pacific Coast at Big Sur. Sometimes these are weather conditions that inspire me to write or paint, think of a story.
As someone said- these are not the events alone, but what meaning we give them- this is what reveals who we are.
Where is Your Magical Space? Can you tell me about it?
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Paradise Valley Has No Sidewalks
June 25th, 2008 categories: Phoenix real estate
That’s not entirely true, there are lots of sidewalks in Paradise Valley, straight and curving. In fact, Lincoln has been getting a very long stretch of a very fancy sidewalk along the south side. But, there are many streets that still don’t have sidewalks and they should not get them. This is what makes Paradise Valley unique; in part, the rural feel in the middle of the Phoenix metropolitan area.
The photograph exemplifies a common street with natural desert landscaping, winding streets, no sidewalks and beautiful views, all the while the luxurious homes or the older ranch homes hide further back on the large lots. This street windes down the foot of Mummy Mountain with a view of the McDowell Mountains in the East.
- Read more about Paradise Valley at Phoenix Market Trends
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Phoenix Homes Misrepresented.
June 23rd, 2008 categories: Edits, Phoenix real estate
That will be important for buyers who are looking on their own, with or without Realtor’s representation. There are currently ads on Craigslist. com now, put up by agent advertising homes for sale, stating, that the address of the property will be released to you after the advertiser received from you a signed “loyalty agreement”. “No Buyer Realtors allowed!” Nice, isn’t it. So in order to get details about the property you have to first sign a “loyalty agreement” this is most likely buyer broker agreement. That’s fine to en extent, but even with this there are issues. These could be exclusive listings, but the are not. It all goes bad from here.
For any Realtor, it will take just a minute, maximum, to identify the property on MLS, who its listed by, is it exclusive or not and its entire history, but a buyer shopper does not have that luxury. So here is the deal with these listing. They are being advertised by agents who are not the listing agent of the properties being advertised. Not only that but the listing agent do not know about this and did not authorize it. It’s wrong to advertise someone’s else listing as yours especially if you are forcing a prospective buyer to sign away to see details readily available else where. This is not like other sites where you see lots of properties form multiple agents; these disclose who the broker is.
This argues with standard of practice 12-10 of NAR’s code of ethics.
What is a “nice” way to share listings? IDX search. You may find it on many Realtors websites and I see more and more people using i.e http://realestateconfluence.com/phoenix-home-search
The IDX Program permits MLS Participants to grant and receive permission to display each other’s active listings on certain public Internet websites. Unless they opt out.
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Phoenix Metro May 2008 Home Resale Numbers Including Foreclosure Sales.
June 21st, 2008 categories: Market Trends, Phoenix real estate
ASU Polytechnic has put out their May 2008 Greater Phoenix data. This data is derived from different sources, then the Phoenix resale numbers we presented at Phoenix Market Trends for May, which come from the ARMLS (Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service).
ASU data separates regular sales from foreclosed sales.
In May 2008, 5,740 home sold, these are resale homes. A total of 1,475 homes out of the total were foreclosed transaction. This represents 25% of all home sold. Contrast this with 2007 when 5.8% of the homes sold were foreclosed sales in Maricopa County.
In Phoenix the total homes sold were 1,420 with a break down of 940 “traditional sales” and 480 foreclosed sales, or 34% were foreclosure sales. That’s quite a lot of homes.
(Graph is from ASU Realty Studies)
Compare the above numbers to 2007, when a total of 1,405 homes sold in May but only 6% were foreclosed sales (85). In most cities the amount of foreclosed sales increased with cities like Tempe, Scottsdale and Sun City with the lowest percentage of foreclosed sales to normal sales and cities like Avondale, Phoenix, Glendale and several others with the most.
While sales were about equal to those last year, Jay Butler states, “However, in a weak economy, many households now will not have the needed income to save their homes, even with a new mortgage payment plan.”
Indeed, the economy seems to be slowing down and inflation on the increase and the dollar is weak, not to mention the price of gasoline and food, all of which is having a direct effect on the turnover of money and the less money turns over the worse everyone will be off.
Despite the difficult road ahead there is no reason not to buy a home or invest in real estate, quite the contrary. If a buyer or investor has the resources and availability of financing this may be the period, which may be now and for the next few quarters, purchase properties that will provide a good return and possibly a very good return in the long run.
Look for homes on our advanced Phoenix MAP MLS Search
Learn more about investing in Phoenix real estate.
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Eating Local in Woodlea Historic District In Uptown Phoenix
June 6th, 2008 categories: Phoenix real estate
I spend more time recently in Midtown Phoenix. While showing listings in Woodlea historic neighborhood, I noticed few things in the area, I did not see here before. And who doesn’t like to discover something NEW…
In addition to Wag n’ Wash, Revolver Records and several nice vintage shops, that have been here for some time, there is also Copper Star Coffee . A place, that can save your life on Sunday morning , if you will find yourself unexpectedly in the area, looking for a trustworthy place to get breakfast.
I wished we could all forget about the overused phrase in MLS listings: ” Honey stop the car! This is it!” but i actually stopped my car rapidly, noticing a boutique CHOCOLATE place next to Melrose Pharmacy. (It is called iBloom). They have excellent smoothies, chocolate covered fruits, flowers. I promise i will be back with a friend. Will weBloom ? 
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Artisan Lofts on Osborn in Midtown Phoenix
June 4th, 2008 categories: Phoenix real estate
We love this building. Its beautiful and it looks well built. This is one of the earlier such projects in Phoenix and to date looks very good. Its a timeless design which should withstand the test of time.
Artisan Lofts on Osborn are and award winning loft community just east of 7th St and Osborn. These were completed in 2001. This residential building is one of the more unique and beautiful buildings in Phoenix. It overlooks the Phoenix County Club just to the south in Midtown Phoenix the heart of the Phoenix valley.
The building is 40 one and two story residential lofts ranging in size from 1,000 sf. to just over 2,700 square feet.
All lots have private balconies with view to either Phoenix Country Club, Piestewa Peak (formerly Squaw Peak, Central Corridor or Camelback Mountain.
The design included concrete floors, exposed duct-work, soaring ceilings and as with lofts, and open floorplan. Though individual units are different.
The community features
- A fitness room
- Magnificent Rooftop Terrace
- Secured mail room
- oversized elevator
- lobby
- secured access and secured assigned parking stalls.
Its no wonder this community has won so many award as a whole and individual owners units. Its a building which fits in well with the Phoenix urban lifestyle and the Phoenix desert landscape.
Above are currently active for sale lofts in the Artisan Lofts on Osborn.
Call Joanna at 602-358-1392 to view any of these.
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Phoenix Home Sales News for April 2008
May 13th, 2008 categories: Market Trends, Phoenix real estate
April 2008 Phoenix Home Sales News from PhoenixMarketTrends.com
The buzz is out. ASU Polytechnic has put our their April numbers for Greater Phoenix real estate sales and all the blogsites are shaking with activity, some just putting out numbers while other are commenting about those putting out number and then putting them out themselves, then others are…So what’s the break down.
In April 5,585 homes sold compared to 4,855 last year. That’s quite an increase. From what the report shows the pick up in sales is for lower priced homes. There is a lot of short sale, foreclosed and distressed properties being sold for very low prices, especially on the outskirts of Phoenix metro. Its the higher end homes that are stagnating now with high inventory and lower sales. This is probably the reason that year on year median home price for the Phoenix valley declined to $210,000 from last years $265,000.
Affordability is up, loans are available and buyers as well as inventory now see the opportunity and can act on it. Getting rid of the starter home stock should help with sales up the food chain but this may not happen because many of the homes sold are vacant anyways so there is no one to move up.
The increased activity is good but, is it a sign of a return? Probably not. The market is simply stabilizing at the bottom which may last a while and fluctuate both down and up.
A Coutrywide economist seems to think we are in for additional turmoil after a bit of peace this year.
“Home prices will stabilize for the remainder of this year with many forecasting a permanent bottom. The next leg down for this economic and credit cycle will begin next year with another government stimulus package to follow. Patience will be rewarded to those that don’t chase the first bounce off a temporary bottom. Those with debt should liquidate into strength and build savings for the opportunities that lie ahead in 2010 and beyond.”
Is this relevant for Greater Phoenix? Probably, but each neighborhood and segment moves differently.
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Tempe Condos: From Boring to Enticing
April 28th, 2008 categories: Architecture, Phoenix Condos, 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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