White Tank Mountains

White Tank Mountains
Sunrise on a Stormy Day

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Stable Market In Clearwater Farms

The last post raised some questions in my mind about where the market is going in Clearwater Farms, so I did a little research.

From January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006 there were 26 sales in this subdivision ranging in price from $340,000 to $881,000.

The average sales price was $531,438
The average asking price was $547,611
The average square footage of the home was 2529
The average price per square foot was $210.14
The average days on market was 91

At present time there are 4 sales pending closing, which I mentioned in my last post. Those sale prices are not available until after closing, and I will post the sale prices at a later date, but we do have the asking prices, and they are as follows:

The average asking price was $507,350
The average square footage of the home is 2124
The average asking price per square foot is $238.87
The average days on market is 211

Of the four sales that have closed in 2007, the averages are probably not a good comparison because of the one larger unusual property that had considerable more acreage, but the averages are as follows:

The average asking price was $801.975
The average sales price was $761,250
The average square footage of the home was 3143
The average price per square foot was $242,20
The average days on market was 58

After eliminating the bigger property the averages are as follows:

The average asking price was $602,633
The average sales price was $581,666
The average square footage of the home was 2591
The average price per square foot was $224.49
The average days on market was 51

When compared then to the 2006 sales prices, it shows a slight increase in the overall price, and a slight increase in the price per square foot, with a normal average days on the market.

Presently there are 17 homes on the market in Clearwater Farms ranging in prices from $425,000 to $782,888, and the averages are as follows:

The average asking price is $567,375
The average square footage of the home is 2492
The average price per square foot is $227.68
The average days on market is 111

Now that's a lot of numbers, and I expect they are all rattling around in your head, but what it really comes down to is that the prices are holding pretty firm here, but the average time on the market is increasing due to the slow down in the overall real estate market.

It is my hope that you will post questions or suggestions to this blog, and that it will eventually become a place for a community conversation.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Clearwater Farms 2007 Sold Properties

In this market, it's interesting to look at the properties that are selling in our neighborhood and the prices those properties are bringing. So far in 2007, there have been 4 properties in Clearwater that have sold and closed.

7335 N. 181st Ave. is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 1/2 car garage, 2150 sq. ft. home built in 1984 on 2 acres and it sold for $460,000. Asking price was $499,000. There were no horse facilities or other improvements mentioned. Closing date was 1/12/2007

6140 N. 185th Ave. is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 3 car garage, 2967 sq. ft. home built in 1997 on 2 acres and it sold for $605,000. Asking price was $609,000. No horse facilities or other improvements mentioned. Closing date was 1/31/2007

7207 N. 175th Ave. is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 1/2 car garage, 2657 sq. ft. home built in 1999 on 2 acres. It also has guest quarters, a barn, tack room, 9 to 15 miniature horse stalls, 4 large stalls, wash rack, round pen, covered tractor storage, workshop w/ac and 3 large pastures. It was priced at $699,900 and sold for $680,000 on 1/7/2007.

18009 W. Maryland Ave. is a 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath, 2 1/2 car garage, 4800 sq. ft. home, built in 1999 on 3 acres. It also has a gazebo, landscape system, corral, barn and path around property for horses or ATVs. This was quite an unusual "Gone With The Wind" type mansion and the asking price was $1,400,000. It sold on 1/31/2007 for $1,300,000.

There are also several homes that are Pending.

6728 N. 186th Ave. priced at $449,500
6627 N. 183rd Ave. priced at $450,000
6856 N. 186th Avve. priced at $499,900
7229 N. 173rd Ave. priced at $630,000

I will post the information and the selling price on these homes in a later post.

There are currently 17 homes on the market in Clearwater Farms ranging in price from $425,000 to $782,888.

Friday, February 9, 2007

How to Choose the Right Real Estate Professional

Choosing the right real estate professional is the most important decision when you are buying or selling a home. The person you choose will determine how smooth the transaction will be and whether or not you find the right property. Whether it's your first home or you are a seasoned buyer or seller, any time you sell or buy a piece of property you are making some very big decisions, and you deserve to have the best service available.

Many people are astounded at the commissions involved and shy away from hiring a professional thinking they will save that money and put it in their pocket. An experienced and trained real estate professional will save you money in the long run by knowing the market, the best area for appreciation, guiding you through the inspection period, the mortgage application, the escrow and closing requirements, etc.

Just like any profession, there are those who do not deserve your business so here's a list of things to know when you are looking for an agent. Remember the word agent. The person you are hiring is representing you as your agent. They cannot make decisions for you, but it is their job to furnish you with the information you need to make an intelligent decision, to represent you in any negotiations, and be fair to all parties. The following is a list of things you should look for:

1. Choose a Realtor®. When is a real estate agent a Realtor®? When he or she becomes a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. The Voice of Real Estate, the world's largest professional association. Realtors® are required to abide by a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and that is important when you are choosing someone to represent you. You can recognize a Realtor® by the logo on their card or simply ask them if they are a member of the National Association of Realtors®.

2. Choose experience. Not to bash the newcomer to real estate because I have been there, but experience brings wisdom, and there is no substitute for it when you are making the purchase of a lifetime. If a newcomer is closely supervised by a good broker, they do often offer more enthusiasm and a willingness to go the extra mile.

3. Choose education. The real estate industry requires that each agent meet certain educational requirements for re-licensing but there are other standards to look for that show you whether or not the agent is well educated. Designations. such as ABR, GRI, CRS, CRE, ePro, indicate that an agent is meeting educational requirements above and beyond the standard requirements.

4. Choose compatibility. It is important that you are able to communicate with your agent. Does he or she listen to what you say and make notes? First of all, be clear about what it is that you want so you don't keep changing the parameters of your search, and then make sure your agent is showing you what you've asked to see.

5. Choose cooperation. Make sure your agent is willing to cooperate with you, other agents, mortgage professionals, title companies, and other people involved in the transaction. Once you've found a cooperative agent, make sure you do your part by getting any information that is requested of you in a timely manner.

As a consumer, what are the things you look for in an agent? Please feel free to comment if you feel I have left out important issues.

Monday, February 5, 2007

Clearwater Farms, Waddell, Arizona

If you asked the average Phoenician directions to Waddell, they would probably say "Where?". Waddell, Az has a very nice post office, a general store established 2 years ago, and lots and lots of 2 and 3 acre horse properties.

Clearwater Farms was subdivided in the 1980s, and, at that time, you could buy 2 acres for about $40,000. It was way out by the White Tank Mountains and there were miles and miles of cotton and rose fields in between it and civilization. There was a custom built model home and I just happen to live in it. I'm not even sure who the builder was but he built a good solid 2 x 6 construction ranch home with a tile roof and stucco exterior, beautiful kitchen with solid oak cabinets, a huge dining room, nice formal living room, separate family room with a beautiful red brick fireplace, a laundry room where you can actually set up an ironing board, a generous master bedroom with attached 3/4 bath, a full bath, and two more bedrooms. It's a very homey, typical 80s floor plan that you can live with, and there are a lot more here that are similar, built by the same builder. The oak cabinets are his signature. Some of these homes, like mine, have been renovated and updated as new owners moved in.

The subdivision has evolved into about 450 homes, no two exactly alike, on either two or three acres, most with horse facilities. To the West looms the beautiful White Tank Mountains, furnishing an ever-changing array of sunsets and sunrises, storm cloud laden or clear sunny mountain scenery. To sit on your patio with a cup of coffee and gaze to the West, is far better than a visit to the spa or your psychoanalyst.

There are people here who make their living on their property. They board, train, or show their horses or other people's horses. Many horseshoers and veterinarians live here, and then there are those who just enjoy having a home on acreage and make their living at other occupations. There's always somebody riding their bike, walking, or riding their horse down the street. It's a great place for young people. There are still open spaces around the subdivision where they can ride their ATVs, and now they can walk down to the general store for a coke or an ice cream bar after school.

The Loop 303 Highway runs a half mile east of Clearwater Farms and just on the other side is the Wildlife World Zoo. We now have several other subdivisions around us. To the south are beautiful custom homes on 1/2 acre lots that are selling upwards of $800,000 and further south another subdivision of smaller homes on regular size lots. We still have vacant land to the north, but not for long; and then further north is Cortessa, another huge subdivision. Civilization is moving in, but we still have our way of life, and we love it and protect it.

I'd love to have Clearwater Farms residents post their thoughts here and help me describe our place in the sun.

Sunday, February 4, 2007

My Very First Blog

I'm excited, nervous, not sure of what I'm doing, but determined to learn.

My purpose here is to communicate with other people who love living in this beautiful state, or want to live here and own a home on acreage for animals. Horses are my animal of choice, but I also love dogs, sheep, cows, chickens, turkeys, & Ginnie's, and have had all in my care at one time or another.

I grew up on a ranch in New Mexico, and, much of what I am today, I learned there. I believe in being honest and fair, giving a days work for a days pay, never pretending you know all about something or someone. I believe that judging a book by its cover is a huge mistake, it's not worth owning a gorgeous horse that will hurt you, and nobody likes you if you track turkey poop into a fancy beauty spa.

I've been selling real estate since I got my license in Colorado in 1972 except for a couple of years when I did real estate finance. I had my own United Farm Agency in Logan, New Mexico for 4 years and sold lots of residential properties around Ute Lake and a few ranches ranging in size from 40 acres to 5,000 acres. Since 1986 I've been here in Phoenix and most of that time I've lived on and specialized in selling homes on acreage. I don't pretend to know everything about anything, but I know more about selling real estate and what you need to care for horses than anything else.

At the present time, I own 6 horses and board 2 so I'm well acquainted with mucking stalls; the price of hay here in the valley; Veterinarians that are never on time, but leave you sighing with relief that your horse is not permanently lame ,and holding a receipt equal to a months rent in your hand; and who you can depend on to feed if you have to meet a client.

I'd like to hear from anyone out there in Blogger Space who has the same interests and/or questions about my way of life.

Latte' and Bambi

Latte' and Bambi
Brother & Sister Born On Our Farm

Mario Orozco & Hope

Mario Orozco & Hope
Great Trainer & Great Paint Filly