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phoenix real estate: Home Prices Move Up - 09/30/09 04:47 PM
According to an article in the September 25th issue of the Phoenix Business Journal, home prices in the Phoenix area rose .08 percent from May to June. This is taken from the Arizona State University Repeat Sales Index.
This is the first month-to-month increase since 2007 and the median price of a home in the Phoenix area is $122,000 up from $119,000 in May.
According to the article these new numbers offer some evidence that "perhaps" the worst of the plunge in home prices may be over - at least for now.
Here is hoping that they are correct in there … (1 comments)
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phoenix real estate: What Matters Most - 08/18/09 10:50 AM
I'm a firm believer in a positive attitude and believe if you radiate enthusiasm and confidence it rubs off on others and they react positively to you.
How do you see yourself? It is so easy to obtain a negative defeatism attitude if we listen to the TV news or read ithe paper. Good positive upbeat stories don't sell, but the negative sensationalism is always printed. Usually there is one upbeat "feel good" piece on national TV news and that is in the last story reported for 2-3 minutes. The entire news cast is doom and gloom.
When subjected to the … (2 comments)
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phoenix real estate: Where is Your Property Manager? - 08/12/09 10:44 AM
Homes being rented in Home Owner Association community's with absentee landlords need a qualified property management company to oversee the property. Most complaints received by HOA board of directors revolve around fines received from weeds, illegal parking, trash containers left in view, and noise.
In many cases letters requesting fine waivers contain verbiage that the owners have a property management company and the owners know the property is being taken care of. How they know this is a mystery because they are in California or Texas and haven't seen the property. However, the owner has called the manager and they report that … (3 comments)
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phoenix real estate: A Core Value - Pass It On - 08/11/09 11:28 AM
Progress is a wonderful thing in many cases and it is good to leave some things in the past. Take for example how I'm writing this blog. In the olden days I would be writing with a pen and paper, later a typewriter, now the computer, where I can save my work and have a "program" check my spelling. There are some things that never go out of style and one of those is respect for all people, especially those that are older.
Showing respect speaks volumes about who you are what values you possess. The great Jackie Robinson said, "I'm not … (3 comments)
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phoenix real estate: Knock, Knock, Knock - 08/08/09 10:12 AM
I read this thought provoking quote in Life's Little Instruction Book, number 123, "Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly." We often don't see the opportunity right in front of us because we are thinking, talking, and dwelling on the negative. Right now Realtors® are selling homes. Right now buyers are buying homes. How are these agents finding and listing homes? How are these agents finding buyers and helping them buy?
If you don't know what opportunity's are in front of you it would be a terrific time to listen - especially listen to those here in Active Rain … (1 comments)
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phoenix real estate: I have a License - I'm a Car - 07/31/09 04:47 PM
Congratulations, you passed the test and now have a real estate license! However, passing the test and knowing the basics does not make you a sales professional any more than sitting in your garage makes you a car. Many agents don't come from a sales background and to become a professional additional effort is required to learn selling techniques, customer service skills and advanced real estate knowledge.
Even in this challenging economy there are still real estate practitioners who fail to recognize that our profession changes rapidly and they need to keep up with these changes. In Arizona it takes 24 CE hours every two years to … (2 comments)
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phoenix real estate: I'm Stupid - Help - 07/26/09 10:45 PM
I admit, I'm "old school" and over 45 so, I'm obviously stupid. In the "olden days" I was taught to be courteous to others in my personal and professional life. Courtesy wasn't a sometime thing, only to be used when it was convenient, easy, or if I felt like it. For example, if I received a phone message and the caller requested information I was taught to respond back in a timely fashion, even if it was to acknowledge the call and tell the person I would need to get the information and get back to them.
I learned that being … (6 comments)
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phoenix real estate: Surprise City Hall - Wow - 07/24/09 04:23 PM
The new Surprise City Hall is open and the four-story 134,000 square foot north building housing the city staff and council chambers is beautiful. Right next to this building to the south is the one-story 26,000 square foot facility that is home to Rio Salado Colleges' Communiversity. Rio Salado offers two and four year degrees.
This complex is quite a contrast to the old dilapedated facility utilized for so many years on Bell Road. I can only describe the new facility in one word - WOW! The buldings feature natural stone elements that tie in Surprise's western backdrop - the White Tank … (2 comments)
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phoenix real estate: Mystery Listing - 07/23/09 12:50 AM
I pull up to the curb with the clients in tow. The real estate sign is hanging by one fastener and papers are scattered all over the yard. Overgrown weeds fill the sidewalk cracks and around the bushes. At the security door, cobwebs greet us and I unlock the screen and then the door, as the handle rattles in my hand, I swing the door open. The wave of rancid smelling, weeks old food, fill our noses as we step into the front room. Our eyes view trash, clothing, broken furniture, toys and other items left behind, strewn all over in … (1 comments)
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phoenix real estate: Surprise - Safest Place to Live - 11/28/07 02:33 PM
Not only is Surprise, Arizona very beautiful but it has been named one of the safest cities in the country and the safest in Arizona, according to the 14th annual "City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America" which was released on November 19, 2007.
Surprise Police Chief Dan Hughes said that a low crime rate boils down to "community partnerships." "We are extremely fortunate to have outstanding officers and a great public response to programs such as Block Watch."
Surprise ranked as the 33rd safest city in America and the highest in Arizona according to the survey.
If you are looking for a … (7 comments)
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phoenix real estate: Surprise Party - 11/18/07 09:23 AM
Everyone loves a party and a Surprise party is always terrific. You are all invited to the 6th annual Surprise Party at the Surprise Recreation Campus in Surprise, Arizona on Friday November 30th and Saturday December 1st. The admission is free with a donation to Sanderson Ford's Operation Santa Claus.
There will be Arts and Crafts, Skydivers, Balloon Glow, the second annual Classic Car Show, and interactive Kid Zone, Live Animal Shows, $1 Elephant rides, and a special guest appearance by SpongeBob SquarePants.
The Surprise Recreation Campus is located in the heart of Surprise in the Northwest section of Phoenix. There will be plenty of food … (2 comments)
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phoenix real estate: Ashton Ranch - Surprise, Arizona - 11/17/07 10:17 AM
If you are looking to purchase a home in the beautiful community of Ashton Ranch, located in the heart of Surprise, Arizona now is the time to buy. There are currently 57 homes offered through the Arizona Multi-list Service and these homes range from $156,900 to $252,000.
Now is a perfect time to look at Ashton Ranch for you family. It is only 1 mile from the Surprise Recreation Complex, Aquatic Park, DreamCatcher Park, the Westside Library and spring training home of the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals baseball teams.
Ashton Ranch has three pools with hot tubs, spacious common areas … (0 comments)
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phoenix real estate: Are you Listening? - 11/17/07 09:43 AM
When President Lyndon Johnson was junior senator from Texas,he had a sign on the wall of his office that read: "You ain't learning nothing when you're doing all the talking."
As Realtors we love to talk, love to let the client know all about what we can do for them and how we can service their needs. However, do we actually know what their needs are when we are talking all the time?
It's had to be a good listener--especially when we like to talk so much ourselves. So often, we listen to part of what is being said, then ignore the speaker an think … (7 comments)
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phoenix real estate: White Tank Mountains - 11/14/07 05:43 PM
For those of you who enjoy hiking, there is no better location than the beautiful White Tank Mountains just west of Surprise, Arizona. In fact the Maricopa County rangers at the park offer ranger-guided hikes and family-oriented programs. Reservations are not needed unless requested.
It is recommended that you wear sturdy, closed-toes shoes for most programs and bring plenty of drinking water. There are no fees for the programs, however entry fee to the park is a mere $5.
You can get to the White Tank Park on Olive Avenue, west of the Loop 303 in Waddell.
This is a fun way … (3 comments)
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phoenix real estate: The Key Ingredient - 11/14/07 12:49 PM
I fancy myself as a pretty good cook. I'm not as creative as many but I can follow recipes very well and I can get all the ingredients in there to make a pretty mean meal. Those who cook know that leaving out key ingredients can spell disaster for the meal. So it is in the Real Estate business, leave out a key ingredient and it can spell disaster.
What is the "key" ingredient in your business? The Dartnell Company put out a Salesmanship bulletin years ago and I think they hit the nail on the head when they said, "The key … (3 comments)
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phoenix real estate: Water and the Desert - 11/12/07 11:42 AM
Water is a most precious commodity in the desert. Programs to conserve and reuse water are vital to each community. The city of Surprise, Arizona has teamed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program to help residents conserve water and reduce costs.
The Phoenix Business Journal reports that WaterSense program is "designed to decrease nonagricultural water use through simple conservation methods and the use of high efficiency products." The EPA has a criteria for efficiency in products and WaterSense-labeled product meet this strict standard.
The beautiful city of Surprise also is receiving international recognition for its wastewater plan. A Swedish Company, Alfa … (0 comments)
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phoenix real estate: 3 AM - 11/12/07 10:09 AM
All of us in Real Estate know that the market is not what it should be and we struggle. Retail is in the same boat and can you imagine having to work at 3 AM in a retail store? The Arrowhead Town Center is a big mall in the Northwest corner of Phoenix and the Disney store at that location will open at 3 AM on November 23rd, the day after Thanksgiving.
Are there any other retail outlets in your area that open that early? Maybe it is a new trend and we should hold open houses early in the morning to … (3 comments)
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phoenix real estate: Veterans Day Ceremony - 11/07/07 04:03 PM
Come honor those who have served our Country on Friday November 9th at the Surprise Northwest Regional Library on Bullard. The City of Surprise is inviting all veterans and the public to attend this special Veterans Day ceremony which will start at 10 AM.
Patriotic displays, a police and fire honor guard, speeches and songs will be part of the hour-long event and a Mayoral Proclamation will be read in honor of all veterans.
Veterans living within Surprise city limits may call for a free ride to and from the event through the city's Dial-A-Ride service. Come and join the celebration.
… (4 comments)
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phoenix real estate: Enthusiasm - 11/07/07 12:45 PM
How much enthusiasm do you have for your work each day? Do you energize others and do they like to be around you because of your enthusiasm? Do your clients sense your enthusiasm and energy for your work and because of that does it give them confidence?
Productivity Plus a sales motivation letter has said, "Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a think, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your objective."
We … (2 comments)
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phoenix real estate: Ten Commandments of Good Human Relations - 11/06/07 09:25 AM
I have been in sales and marketing for over 30 years and I have collected many thoughts and stories. I ran across this and felt it worthwhile to share as a reminder since we are in the "people" business.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOOD HUMAN RELATIONS
1. Speak to people. The isn't anything as nice as cheerful word of of greeting.
2. Smile at people. It takes 72 muscles to frown, but only 14 to smile.
3. Call people by name. The sweetest music to everyone's ears is the sound of his/her own name.
4. Be friendly and helpful. If you would have friends be friendly.
5. Be … (6 comments)
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Gaylen Thornton
Surprise,
AZ
More about me…
Desert Heritage Real Estate
Office Phone: (623) 878-7878
Cell Phone: (602) 578-0612
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