The Arizona Republic reported today on something that I have known about and been touting for years. BusinessWeek has recently recognized Fountain Hills as the "Best Affordable Suburb" in Arizona. The town was recognized for its "natural beauty" and outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and golfing. And, let's not forget about the "Frolf".
According to BusinessWeek, the median home price in Fountain Hills is $380,182. By comparison, Scottsdale's median price for 2008 was $476,250, making Fountain Hills a much more affordable option.
The Town's Mayor, Jay Schlum sites the Town's high-perfoming schools, low crime, small town flavor and award-winning parks as attributes that make Fountain Hills such a great place to live. Fountain Hills is also, as he says, "good real estate value.
Schlum says "We are a community that is oriented to an outdoor active lifestyle, and that draws out a youthful energy." I couldn't agree more! That is one of the wonderful things that originally attracted me to Fountain Hills.
Over the years I have heard many homebuyers tell me they decided to look for a new home in Fountain Hills because friends, family members, and sometimes even strangers told them it is the best place to live in Arizona. I believe that the residents of a community are the best testiment to its qualities.
Great news for people looking to move to Fountain Hills, homes in Fountain Hills right now are even more affordable than they have been in many years. This is a great time to make a move to the "Best Affordable Suburb" in Arizona!
The Town of Fountain Hills Parks & Recrecreation is gearing up for their 18th Annual Turkey Trot on November 27, 2008.
What is a Turkey Trot?
It's a 5K Fun Run and 2K Fitness Walk that start from the Fountain Hills Library and go past the fountain. Mayor Jay Schlum will start the event and "Mr. Gobbleson", the official mascot of the Fountain Hills Turkey Trot, will help with a pre-race warm-up. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners in each division.
Stick around after the Turkey Trot to enjoy a fabulous Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade, which is the only Thanksgiving Day Parade in Arizona, features groups from throughout Fountain Hills and around the valley including the incomparable Fountain Hills High School Marching Band, the GWRRA Motorcycle Drill Team, and much more! The theme of this year's parade is Jingle Bells "Rock" the Hills.
The Ford Ironman Arizona Triathlon will take place this coming Sunday, November 23, 2008. This event attracts top athletes from around the world to compete for 80 qualifying spots in the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii as well as a $75,000 pro prize purse.
They are expecting roughly 2,100 competitors from over 30 nations. Competitors will have a full day ahead of themselves with a 2.4 mile across Tempe Town Lake, and 112 Bike loop between Tempe & Fountain Hills, and a 26.2 mile run that loops around the Tempe Town Lake. Because both the bike and run courses are being done in loops, it should make for some great spectating as well.
Traffic will be restricted between Fountain Hills & the Southeast Valley on race day.
This race will result in partial road closures throughout Tempe & the east valley, including the Beeline Highway (Hwy 87) heading into Fountain Hills and towards Payson. For details on the route and partial road closures visit the event website. You can also access traffic information by calling 511 or visiting http://www.az511.com.
What does this mean for home buyers? It means that if you are interested in buying a home in the $300,000 price range, NOW is the time to make your move! Call me today to get started on your personalized home search.
Just a Reminder: Perhaps you were on vacation and missed the news about the new FHA loan limits for 2009. For Maricopa County the new maximum loan limit will be $271,050.
What does this change mean for borrowers? Less buying power.
Will it affect those purchasing homes?
Will it hurt those who could have initially done refinances up to 95% at the 2008 limit of $346,250?
If you or anyone you know are can afford and are interested in buying a home in the $300K range but want to take advanatage of putting less than 10% down...NOW is the time to contact your financing parter to discuss the steps necessary to get you into that new home.
As the end of 2008 rapidly approaches, now is a great time to take an objective look at the events of the past year and evaluate your progress in terms of your real estate investment goals.
Were you able to meet or exceed your real estate investment goals for 2008?
If so, what do you feel was the #1 contributing factor toward reaching your goals?
If not, what challenges did you face that you feel prevented you from reaching your goals?
By revisiting our short and long term goals frequently, and evaluating our progress, we are able to make necessary adjustments to help us obtain those goals. When we share our goals and results with others we maintain a greater level of personal accountability while benefiting from the valuable knowledge and advice others have to offer.
I'd love for you to share your results, comments and insights so that we may all benefit from the experience and knowledge that you have gained throughout the last year.
Challenges within the real estate market and the economy as a whole may still be lingering over the nation like a menacing storm cloud, but in Arizona that cloud has a bright silver lining. As real estate prices are decreasing throughout the southwest, homes in Arizona have become much more affordable spurring a dramatic 28.3 percent increase in home sales for the third quarter. According to the NAR, this was the largest quarterly sales gain in the nation.
As home sales increase and inventory dwindles, prices are going to start to rise again in response. If you want to get into the market while prices are still low, now is the time to make your move! There are still plenty of great deals for home buyers and investors. Give me a call today at 480-205-6324 to set up your free customized home search.
I just took a new listing on a beautiful 2.5 acre custom homesite in the prestigious gated equestrian community of Granite Mountain Ranch. Priced at just $289,000 this is the lowest priced lot in Granite Mountain Ranch.
This fabulous cul-de-sac lot has paved roads to the property and water, power & phone on lot. From here you will enjoy panoramic mountain views that take in The Goldfields, Four Peaks, Granite Mountain, The Superstitions, Weavers Needle & more.
Bring your horses! This community offers more than 15 acres of common equestrian facilities including 2 arenas and bridle paths. On 2.5 acres there is plenty of room for your new custom home and barn. Ride out directly from the property into the nearby Tonto National Forest and Scottsdale Preserve.
MLS#: 4068902
Address: 14001 E Rancho Del Oro, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Subdivision: Granite Mountain Ranch
Lot #: 94
Lot Size: 2.5 Acres
Price: $289,000
This is a short sale. Lender approval is required.Click here for more information and virtual tour.
Please contact Bonny Puckett, Call Realty, at 480-205-6324 for more details or to schedule a showing.
One of the things I love most about Fountain Hills is all the great hiking trails we have in and around the town. For a quick day hike right in town, I really enjoy the Dixie Mine Trail.
The Dixie Mine Trail is a fairly easy 5.6 mile trail through the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Along the way you will enjoy beautiful mountain views, stunning natural desert vegetation, and an opportunity to view desert wildlife in its natural habitat.
Parking for the trail is located just outside the entrance gate to the Eagle Nest subdivision at the end of Golden Eagle Blvd. It's about a .6 mile walk through the community to the trailhead. At the trailhead, you will need to pay a park entrance fee of $1 per person.
About 2.8 miles into the trail, you come to the highlight of this great hike, the Dixie Mine. Although currently, not much more than a gated hole in the ground next to a pile of rubble, the site represents a time when prospectors scoured the hillsides of the McDowell Mountains in search of precious metals.
Mining began here sometime around 1917 and continued for nearly 50 years with the hopes of striking large deposits of commercial ore. But, despite drilling nearly 500 feet of tunnels and a 240 ft deep shaft, the mine never paid off and operations were shut down.
Shortly after, the City of Scottsdale filed an application to purchase the area for use as a city park. The area has subsequently been added to the McDowell Mountain Regional Park.
Many hikers turn around after reaching the mine, or you can keep following the trail for another 2.2 miles to its intersection with the Pemberton Trail.
This is also a popular trail for trail runners and mountain bikers.
The Fountain Hills Festival of Arts & Crafts will be held this Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 14th through 16th from 10am to 5pm each day. The festival, which takes place near the fountain at Saguaro Blvd & Avenue of the Fountains in downtown Fountain Hills, features nearly 500 artists, live music, food & beverage & much more! Admission & parking are free and wheelchairs & scooters are available for rent if needed.
This is a great opportunity to enjoy a beautiful weekend outdoors and see what this charming town has to offer.
Directions to the Festival
From the South East Valley Take 87 - (Country Club Drive) north to Shea Blvd., turn left at Shea Blvd. At the first traffic light, turn right on to Saguaro Blvd. Continue on Saguaro Blvd. to downtown and follow signs for parking.
From the South West Valley Take 10 East to 202 East. Exit 202 at 87 - (Country Club Drive). Turn left at exit, heading North. Continue for approximately 12 miles to Shea Blvd. Turn left at Shea Blvd. At first traffic light, turn right to Saguaro Blvd. Continue on Saguaro Blvd. to downtown and follow signs for parking.
From the North West Valley Take 101 South. Exit at Shea Blvd. East. Continue on Shea Blvd. for approximately 5 miles. Turn left to Palisades Blvd. Continue on Palisades Blvd. to downtown and follow signs for parking.
Don't let the name fool you. This extraordinary cycling adventure begins in Scottsdale and circumnavigates the beautiful McDowell Mountains in North Scottsdale, going right through the heart of Fountain Hills. The race benefits The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, an organization committed to preserving the Sonoran desert and its mountains for the benefit of this and all future generations.
The race begins at 7:00am at the Market Street Bridge at DC Ranch. From there, the course will wind through approximately 70 miles of rolling hills and spectacular desert views through Scottsdale, Rio Verde and Fountain Hills. COURSE MAP
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The Town of Fountain Hills Parks & Recrecreation is gearing up for their 18th Annual Turkey Trot on November 27, 2008.
Challenges within the real estate market and the economy as a whole may still be lingering over the nation like a menacing storm cloud, but in Arizona that cloud has a bright silver lining. As real estate prices are decreasing throughout the southwest, homes in Arizona have become much more affordable spurring a dramatic 28.3 percent increase in home sales for the third quarter. According to the NAR, this was the largest quarterly sales gain in the nation. 
I just took a new listing on a beautiful 2.5 acre custom homesite in the prestigious gated equestrian community of Granite Mountain Ranch. Priced at just $289,000 this is the lowest priced lot in Granite Mountain Ranch.
One of the things I love most about Fountain Hills is all the great hiking trails we have in and around the town. For a quick day hike right in town, I really enjoy the Dixie Mine Trail.
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