Over the weekend, August 8 - 10, 2008, Loop 101 will be closed Westbound at I17.   This closure will impact many northern communities such Stetson Valley, Stetson Hills, Sonoran Foothills, Tramonto, Fireside and Anthem.

Similar projects will continue through 2009, at that time we expect to see improved roads, interchanges, and exits which will enhance transportation to and from these same communities. 

Below are a list of current projects underway (Provided from ADOT)

Interstate 17 from Pinnacle Peak to Happy Valley roads
Sunday, Aug. 10 - Tuesday, Aug.12
10 p.m. - 5 a.m.
I-17 will be restricted to one lane northbound overnight from Sunday night until Monday morning and southbound from Monday night until Tuesday morning to set temporary concrete barriers for the widening project.

Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) at 27th Avenue
Sunday, Aug. 10 - Monday, Aug. 11
11 p.m. - 5 a.m.
Westbound Loop 101 will be closed at 27th Avenue overnight from Sunday night until Monday morning for work on the I-17 widening project. Loop 101 traffic will be detoured onto the interchange ramps at 27th Avenue.

Interstate 17 at Dove Valley Road
Wednesday, Aug. 13 - Friday, Aug. 15
10 p.m. - 5 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 15 - Saturday, Aug. 16
9 p.m. - 7 a.m.
I-17 will be restricted to one lane in both directions nightly at Dove Valley Road from Monday night until the morning of Saturday, Aug. 16 to set temporary concrete barriers.

Interstate 17 from Happy Valley to Jomax roads
Tuesday, Aug. 12 - Friday, Aug. 15
9 p.m. - 5 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 15 - Sunday, Aug. 17
9 p.m. - 7 a.m.
I-17 will be restricted to one lane in both directions from Happy Valley to Jomax roads nightly from Tuesday night until the morning of Sunday, Aug. 17 for paving.

Deer Valley Road at Interstate 17
Wednesday, Aug. 13 - Friday, Aug. 15
10 p.m. ­- 5 a.m.
Deer Valley Road will be closed westbound overnight from Wednesday night until the morning of Thursday, Aug. 14 and also eastbound overnight from Thursday, Aug. 14 until the morning of Friday, Aug.15 for work on the Deer Valley Road bridge. Alternate routes: During the eastbound closure, traffic can use the southbound-17 frontage road, travel east on Rose Garden Lane and then north on I-17 frontage road to Deer Valley Road. During the westbound closure, traffic can use the northbound I-17 frontage road, travel west on Pinnacle Peak Road and then south on the I-17 frontage road to Deer Valley Road.

Interstate 17 from Dixileta Drive to State Route 74/Carefree Highway
Wednesday, Aug. 13 - Friday, Aug. 15
10 p.m. - 5 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 15 - Saturday, Aug. 16
9 p.m. - 7 a.m.
I-17 will be restricted to one lane in each direction from Dixileta Drive to Carefree Highway nightly from Wednesday night until the morning of Saturday, Aug. 16 for re-striping and relocation of temporary concrete barriers.

If you have any questions about the impact to our northern communities, please don't hesitate to contact me at (623) 640-0937 or www.donrichhomes.com.

The following information is thanks to AZ511.gov.     This impacts subdivisions such as Tramonto, Anthem, Sonoran Foothills, Dynamite Mountain Ranch and Tatum Ranch.  

Weekend Freeway Closures and Restrictions in Phoenix Area; I-17 Closed in Both Directions at Carefree Highway

Several improvement projects will require freeway closures or lane restrictions in the Phoenix area this weekend (March 14-17).  The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) recommends drivers use alternate routes or give themselves extra travel time while the following restrictions are in place:

• Interstate 17 closed in both directions at the Carefree Highway ( State Route 74) from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (March 17) for bridge demolition. DETOUR: I-17 traffic will detour along off- and on-ramps at Carefree Highway.  Expect heavy delays and consider alternate routes, if possible.  Extra travel time recommended.
  
  
• Westbound Interstate 10 closed between Seventh Street and Seventh Avenuefrom 11 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday (March 15) for tunnel maintenance. DETOUR: Drivers are encouraged to use the northbound I-17 truck route starting near Sky Harbor Airport.
  
  
• Southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) narrowed to one lane between Via de Ventura and Chaparral Road from 3 a.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday (March 16) for carpool lane construction.  DETOUR: Consider using southbound State Route 51 (Piestewa Freeway) to eastbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway).
  
  
• Westbound Interstate 10 narrowed to one lane between Avondale Boulevard and Litchfield Road from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday (March 15) for freeway widening work.  Westbound I-10 narrowed to one lane between Litchfield Road and Estrella Parkway from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday (March 15).  Eastbound I-10 narrowed to one lane between Estrella Parkway and Litchfield Road from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (March 15).  DETOUR : Drivers encouraged to give themselves extra travel time, slow down and merge safely approaching the work zones.
  
  
• Eastbound I-10 narrowed to one lane between Bullard Avenue and Dysart Road from midnight to 9 a.m. Saturday (March 15) and from 11 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday (March 16) for lane striping.  Eastbound I-10 on-ramp at Dysart Road closed.  DETOUR: Drivers encouraged to slow down and merge safely approaching the work zone.
  
  
• Westbound Interstate 10 ramp to westbound Pecos Road closed from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (March 17) for pavement repairs. DETOUR: Traffic will detour on local streets, including Chandler Boulevard.
  
  
• Southbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) off-ramp at Chandler Boulevard closed from 11 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Sunday (March 16) for pavement repairs. DETOUR: Use southbound exit at Ray Road to frontage road for mall access.
  

In December 2007 there were 28 homes sold.     These averaged in price between $183,000 and $850,000 and square footages between 1138 and 3389.   The average of the 28 homes was $337,346.

If you would like more information about Sun City Grand, please view my website, Don Rich Homes, or don't hesitate to contact me at (623) 640-0937. 

Home sales slowed in December 2007 with only two homes being sold.    These were $264,900 and $699,000 with square footages of 1635 and 2610, respectively.  

For more information about homes in Trilogy of Vistancia or other fine communities, please visit my website, Don Rich Homes or call me at (623) 640-0937. 

Tramonto sales averaged $326,192 for the month of December 2007.     Five homes sold during this period that ranged in size from 1416 to 3380 square feet. 

If you wish to learn more about homes in this fine community, view my website at Tramonto, or call me at (623) 640-0937.      

Yes, the housing market is struggling.    I'm happy to report that the average selling price in Tatum Ranch has stayed relatively even.   

In September 2007 thirteen homes were sold in Tatum Ranch at an average sales price of $357,231.    In October eleven were sold at an average sales price of $356,636.   The average sales price in November stayed in the same ballpark at $358,200 with five homes sold.   December remained even at an average sale price of $357,241 with eleven homes sold.    

If you want to find more information about Tatum Ranch, please view my website at Tatum Ranch or call me at (623) 640-0937.   

Yes, the housing market is struggling.    I'm happy to report that the average selling price in Fletcher Heights has stayed relatively even.   

In September 2007 two homes were sold in Fletcher Heights at an average sales price of $280,000.    In October five were sold at an average sales price of $287,300.   The average sales price in November slid back to $282,000 with seven homes sold.   December remained even at an average sale price of $283,000 with five homes sold.    

If you want to find more information about Fletcher Heights, please view my website at Fletcher Heights or call me at (623) 640-0937.   

So you are thinking of selling?   Well, the housing market is very demanding with a strong bias towards the buyer.  Realtors are telling buyers that housing inventory is up, interest rates are attractive, and most sellers are motivated.  Depending on your area in this wonderful country of ours, impacts how strong of a buyers market you will be competing in. 

4 Keys to Home Selling (Regardless of Market Conditions)

1.  Condition - The condition of your home in this very competitive market is critical.  In the Phoenix market I am telling my sellers that their home must be in better condition than the competition or expect to take a hit on your final selling price.  Here are some things to look for:  Carpets should be clean and free of stains. Interior paint should appear fairly new and even in color (touch-up if necessary).  Re-paint those baseboards.   Bathrooms and kitchens sell homes -make sure they are spotless to include the microwave and oven.  Remove any clutter from your home and keep it out of sight.  Maintain your home in model show condition at all times.  Ensure beds are made, clothes put away, mirrors throughout the home are clean, and my personal favorite - windows are clean.  It may be a good idea to walk through a model home and notice how everything is in it's place.  Years of research has been done by the new home builders and you should make your home look as close as possible to a model home.  Following are a few tricks of the trade.  Cover laundry baskets with a towel neatly and keep in a closet.  Take all dirty dishes and put them directly into the dishwasher if you have one.  During the winter months have your family take off their shoes at the door to avoid bringing in mother nature.  Prior to going to bed at night do a once through your home and straighten up.  You will find with a little planning, keeping your home model ready is not that hard.  Here is a picture of a room that is ready to show to prospective buyers.  This home is from Peoria, AZ.

2.  Curb-Appeal - When a new buyer comes to look at your home, you want to get their attention right away.  The best way to do this is wow them with your front/back yard and the overall appearance of the home.  Make sure your yard is weed free, the grass is neatly mowed and the trees and shrubs are trimmed as needed.  If you have plants that have overgrown your yard either get a professional to trim them or remove them.  Nothing turns off buyers quicker than a home that is in need of landscape work.  Often a professional landscaper can come in and clean up for less than $500 in the Phoenix area, resulting in the seller receiving several thousand dollars more at closing.  Following are a few other things to think about.  Your entry way should be clean of debris and appear inviting.  Garden hoses and tools should be put away or neatly rolled up.  Sidewalks and driveways should be clean and again free of debris.  Backyards also sell homes!  Make sure the same rules apply and make your backyard as inviting as possible.  Please look at the photo to the right and ask yourself, can I see myself playing in this yard with the kids?  This picture is from Phoenix, AZ

3.  Pricing - Ask the appropriate price from the start.  Never overprice a home to compensate for what you think a buyer will offer.  Have a Real Estate professional provide you with a Market Analysis for your home and neighborhood.  Before I continue, I would like to talk about the disease all home sellers suffer from and this includes Real Estate professionals (when we sell our homes).  Our homes are part of us and every one of us "knows" our home is worth more than everybody else's in the neighborhood.  Truth of the matter is that homes within a neighborhood sell for the same price depending on the size of the home and of course upgrades.  Things like lot size, pools, landscaping also play a role in your homes value.  The strongest factors in pricing your home is condition and curb-appeal.  This picture is from Peoria, AZ    

4.  Selecting your Realtor - Years ago realtors all hung around a water cooler and waited for the phone to ring or a past client with a referral.  These days Real Estate Agents must be willing and able to market themselves by word of mouth, advertising campaigns and most importantly the Internet.  80% of all home buyers and sellers begin their seach in the internet.  This number is rising every year and your prime candidate to represent you should have a massive internet presence to include a web-site that ranks high in all the search engines.  He should possess the ability to market your home nation-wide on sites like, Activerain (localism), Google, Yahoo, Realtor.com, Point2homes.com and many many more.   Your Real Estate Agent should be a full-time agent, and possess vast knowledge in your area.  One note on selecting a friend or distant cousin to sell your home.  The selling of your home must be conducted as a business transaction.  A friend or relative may not give your home the attention is deserves for a myriad of reasons.  I could obviously elaborate but will leave it here.  This picture is from Phoenix, AZ.    

All the photos in this blog are from homes that I have sold in the Phoenix area just to elaborate the importance of curb-appeal and showing condition.  It is my sincere hope that someone out there gets something from this and thoroughly understands the 4 keys to selling a home.  One final thought, you can do everything right and have a great home at a great price and your home sits on the market for several months, please be patient.....

The 2 pictures below are from Phoenix, AZ and Peoria, AZ. 

www.donrichhomes.com