Paul's Scottsdale AZ Real Estate Chronicles

Pulling Weeds

2008-05-11T00:49:22Z

You never had the heart to tell your little boy that the beautiful flower bouquets he proudly presented you with upon bursting through the front door were no more than weeds. Rather, you received each day's gift with a smile and feigned surprise, removing yesterday's withered haul from the makeshift vase to clear the way for the purples and yellows and oranges of the day. The little flower petals looked so misplaced on the dense, malignant stalks. As if these plants had learned through eons of evolutionary persecution to adopt the adornment of a harmless, delicate flower to disguise their true nature. To divert attention from the ground choking tentacles exploding just beneath the earth's surface.

"Don't be alarmed. Just a flower here. No need to pull me!"

Culled from the one remaining vacant lot on the block, my bouquet was superior in every way to my friend, Billy's. I thought so, at least.

Thought so? Heck, I knew so!

Every day after school, before the bus that dropped us at the end of North 80^th Place could even pull away from the curb, we sprinted to our lot. While the weekends would find us building non-code forts from scavenged materials and digging tunnels (thwarted from pioneering a direct route to China by only the occasional trespass of a utility line), school days saw us vie for the most beautiful "flowers" to present our mothers. Striking out in opposite directions, we knew that one perfectly unique treasure was hiding just out of sight somewhere. If we saw mostly purples, we looked for blues. If we saw mostly blues, we looked for reds. With an hour to kill before the day's highly anticipated olive war, we took our time to locate the very best specimens. Only when satisfied that we had crafted the finest bouquets ever seen west of the Mississippi would we collect our abandoned backpacks and trudge the rest of the way home. Each smirking privately in victory.

That lot was developed long ago.

Ironically, the German couple that moved in kept the most beautiful garden in the neighborhood for years. You couldn't pass by their house without marveling at the sight. More often than not, one or both of them would be out in the yard on hands and knees, tending it. Pouncing on the interloping weeds that I once cherished so.

If I had my way this Mother's Day, I'd bypass the store bought roses and eschew the Germans' amazing daffodils altogether. I'd roll back the clock and peel away the stucco and mortar to reclaim the patch of dirt that the backhoes and cement mixers took from me some two decades ago.

I'd return that lot to the barren state that was a blight to every set of eyes except ours.

And I'd pick you the prettiest bouquet that you have ever seen ...

... since yesterday.

I love you, Mom.

Happy Mother's Day,

Paul

Your Scottsdale Non Bank Owned Property Specialist!

2008-05-06T23:53:38Z

Remember back in the day when the buying process entailed finding the home of your dreams? When value was defined by the home that held the most value to you?

Boy I do. I remember it like it was ... 2004, actually.

See, in 2005, everything went nutty in Scottsdale. With rampant speculative buying driving the market up, up and away, the average homebuying Joe stopped looking for a dream home. He just wanted a house. Any house. If it took bidding against 8 other Joes, he did it. He might not have ended up with his dream home, but so what? He'd just turn around and sell it in a couple of years. At the current rate of appreciation, it was destined to be worth a quarter million more by the time he would be clear of capital gains. He'd cash in his lottery ticket, and go buy his palace then.

Flash forward through a lot of headlines and a lot of heartache. While Joe languishes in a property that he can't sell, upside down and backwards, there is a new crop of Joes looking to buy Real Estate in 2008. These Joes aren't particularly hung up on finding the home of their dreams either.

They want a bargain.

Not an everday bargain like you find at Ross or Mervyn's, mind you. No sir. They want the kind of bargain that can only be found by jumping turnstyles with an armful of men's medium v-neck microfiber shirts. Teal. The kind of bargain that interrupts the mall security officer's doodles on the back of his GED coursebook for a mid afternoon low speed golf cart chase. We're talking theft, people.

Unfortunately, too often today's Joe does not stop to consider that he actually wears an XL, and he's really more of a beige Izod guy.

The thrill of the theft seems to have become more important than the item lifted.

I see Joes at the courthouse steps bidding on properties in towns of which this native has never heard.

I see Joes pounding on the doors of any house with a "foreclosure" rider on the sign. Sure the roof is missing, and no one can adequately explain why the house smells of cheap dates and moldy bong water, but it's dirt cheap! (Or should I say, cheap dirt?)

I see Joes scurrying for lists of bank owned properties, short sales and any other term that smacks of distress. Who cares if there are no disclosures, will be no repairs, and the previous owner may or may not be holed up in the utility room with a shotgun, ill temper and a six pack of Schlitz?

Oh, but the marketing on these properties is ingenius! The banks and their agents are modern day Pavlovs, ringing the "foreclosure!" and "bank owned!" bells. Slap such a rider on a sign, and watch buyers drool. Doesn't seem to matter whether the house fits their needs or not. It's cheap!

"Let's get a great buy and wait for the market to rebound ... we'll sell it in a couple years and make a killing!"

New buyers, same trap.

I do not specialize in short sales. I do not specialize in foreclosures.

I list properties for sale that feature real live owners who can make property disclosures and repairs. Owners who typically have an equity position that allows them to price their homes competitively. Owners who have maintained, and continue to maintain, their homes. I list properties that will sell to the buyer who is looking for that perfect home at a great value.

If you are looking for cheap, there is plenty of it out there. Godspeed.

If you are looking for value, come talk to me.

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What do you think of the mockups for my new sign riders? A few may require really small font.

"Non Bank Owned Property!"

"Working Toilets!"

"Non Meth Lab!"

"No Mystery Odors!"

"Absolutely, Positively No Dead Bodies On Premises!"

"Has Walls!"

"Seller Responds to Offers!"

"If You Are Close Enough To Read This Ryder, You Must Not Be Looking For The House Somewhere Near Guadalajara That Was Advertised For Auction"

"Boring Old Great House In Great Neighborhood At Great Price"

"This Neighborhood Still Reflects 2007 Prices Because People Actually Want To Live Here!"

"No Portal To Hell In Garage Floor!"

"Able To Price Competitively Because Little Old Couple Has Owned House For 30 Years And Has More Equity Than Rosie O'Donnell At An All You Can Eat Barbeque!"

McCormick Ranch Real Estate Activity in the Saguaro High School District, April 2008

2008-05-05T11:14:43Z

McCormick Ranch Real Esate Market Report

Saguaro High School District

April 2008

Active Listings

Property Type: Residential Status: Active
Subject Property
#	ML#	Status	Address	Built	Fe Code	SqFt	List Price	LP/ SF	ADOM	CDOM
1	2978969	act	7812 N Via Del Sol -- Scottsdale	1976	42RXP2G	2072	$225,000	$109	13	11
2	2945558	act	7762 N Via de La Sombre ST Scottsdale	1977	32RDX2G	2037	$375,000	$184	64	64
3	2898758	act	8714 E VIA DE BELLEZA -- Scottsdale	1979	32RDX2G	1908	$380,000	$199	143	143
4	2977228	act	7008 N Via De Paesia ST Scottsdale	1975	42FRDX2GS	2152	$399,900	$186	13	13
5	2979845	act	7678 N VIA DE PLATINA ST Scottsdale	1979	22RDXS2G	1812	$405,000	$224	9	9
6	2821245	act	7110 N Via De Amigos -- Scottsdale	1974	32RDXP2G	2011	$415,000	$206	21	270
7	2953545	act	7623 N VIA DEL PARAISO -- Scottsdale	1978	32FRDXP2G	1857	$419,900	$226	52	52
8	2972121	act	7558 N VIA DE LA LUNA -- Scottsdale	1982	32.5RDXO2G	2089	$425,000	$203	21	21
9	2858695	act	7605 N Via Del Paraiso -- Scottsdale	1977	32RDXP2G	1642	$429,000	$261	213	213
10	2889565	act	7805 E Via de Belleza RD Scottsdale	1979	42FRDXPS2G	2331	$429,000	$184	159	161
11	2917506	act	7830 E VIA DE LA ENTRADA -- Scottsdale	1978	32FRX2G	1908	$429,000	$225	108	108
12	2972846	act	7510 N Via Del Paraiso ST Scottsdale	1977	32FRDXP2G	1746	$439,000	$251	20	20
13	2983328	act	7153 N Via De Amigos -- Scottsdale	1980	33RDXPTO2G	1882	$439,900	$234	243	242
14	2954618	act	8793 E VIA DEL ARBOR -- Scottsdale	1979	32RX2G	1700	$444,995	$262	50	50
15	2917244	act	7836 E VIA DE LA ENTRADA DR Scottsdale	1978	32FRXPS2G	1908	$449,000	$235	97	97
16	2955746	act	7844 N 77TH PL Scottsdale	1991	22RXQ2G	1514	$455,000	$301	51	166
17	2957369	act	7768 E Oakshore DR Scottsdale	1993	22RDX2G	1514	$469,900	$310	46	45
18	2930901	act	7782 E VIA DE BELLEZA -- Scottsdale	1978	32.5FRDXP2G	2360	$479,000	$203	88	191
19	2925403	act	7811 N VIA DE LA MONTANA -- Scottsdale	1978	32RXPO2.5G	2650	$539,900	$204	96	96
20	2967083	act	7755 E SORRELWOOD CT Scottsdale	1990	42.5RDXPS2G	2419	$549,900	$227	30	29
21	2980520	act	8416 E VIA DE JARDIN -- Scottsdale	1976	32FRDXP2G	2268	$565,000	$249	184	183
22	2890155	act	7771 E Foxmore LN Scottsdale	1993	42.5FRDXS2G	2419	$569,000	$235	158	158
23	2921397	act	7770 E Via de Viva ST Scottsdale	1988	32.5FRDXP2G	2171	$595,000	$274	110	102
24	2965550	act	7761 N VIA DE LA MONTANA -- Scottsdale	1974	42FRDXPS2G	2367	$599,000	$253	32	32
25	2967346	act	7794 E Sorrel Wood CT Scottsdale	1990	32.5FRDXLO2G	2294	$609,000	$265	28	28
26	2948216	act	8169 E Via de Viva -- Scottsdale	1979	32RDXSO2G	2300	$625,000	$272	60	60
27	2793968	act	7735 N 78TH ST Scottsdale	1991	33RDXPO2G	2294	$639,000	$279	313	313
28	2938285	act	7027 N 79th PL Scottsdale	1979	32RDPO2G	2350	$649,000	$276	76	76
29	2960660	act	8404 E Via De Jardin ST Scottsdale	1976	42.5FRXPO2G	2307	$650,000	$282	39	39
30	2782188	act	8018 E VIA MARINA -- Scottsdale	1979	42RDXPO2.5G	2596	$650,000	$250	332	332
31	2973529	act	7962 E VIA SIERRA -- Scottsdale	1978	42FRDXP2.5G	2386	$665,000	$279	19	19
32	2981075	act	7806 E VIA DE LA ENTRADA -- Scottsdale	1978	32.5RXPS2G	2360	$719,000	$305	9	7
33	2957050	act	7626 E VIA DE LINDO -- Scottsdale	1977	42.5FRDXO2G	2966	$730,000	$246	47	46
34	2895714	act	7758 E VIA DEL FUTURO -- Scottsdale	1978	32.75FRDXPO2.5G	3318	$800,000	$241	136	136
35	2682608	act	7780 E STALLION -- Scottsdale	1991	33RDXO2G	2294	$875,000	$381	475	471
36	2913425	act	7631 E Via Del Placito DR Scottsdale	1985	44.5FRDXPQ2G	4700	$1,295,000	$276	295	294
37	2934377	act	8436 N Via Linda DR Scottsdale	1978	33.5FRDXP2G	3300	$1,395,000	$423	82	267
38	2956783	act	7887 E Via Bonita -- Scottsdale	1978	54RDXPQO2GS	3685	$1,399,900	$380	46	46
39	2890930	act	7625 E VIA DEL PLACITO -- Scottsdale	1979	43.5RDXP2G	3612	$1,495,000	$414	157	157
40	2847856	act	7625 E Via Del Reposo -- Scottsdale	2005	22.5RPO2G	3852	$1,950,000	$506	229	229
41	2957173	act	8424 N Via De Lago -- Scottsdale	1985	64FRDXPSO3G	6000	$3,995,000	$666	46	46
Average						2,471	$733,348		108	123
Number of Properties: 41
( Average ListPrice / Average SqFt ) : ( 733348 / 2471 ) = $ 296.78

Active With Contingency (Under Contract, Accepting Backup Offers)

Property Type: Residential Status: Active With Contingencies

Subject
Property

ML#

Status

Address

Built

Fe Code

SqFt

List Price

LP/ SF

ADOM

CDOM

2874369

awc

7784 E SORRELWOOD CT Scottsdale

1990

32RXP2G

1813

$470,000

$259

187

Average

1,813

$470,000

187

Number of Properties: 1

( Average ListPrice / Average SqFt ) : ( 470000 / 1813 ) = $ 259.24

Pending Sales (Under Contract, Not Accepting Backups)

Property Type: Residential Status: Pending
Subject Property
#	ML#	Status	Address	Built	Fe Code	SqFt	List Price	LP/ SF	ADOM	CDOM
1	2845795	pend	8314 E Via de Encanto -- Scottsdale	1974	41.75FRDXP2G	2333	$499,900	$214	199	198
2	2948082	pend	7789 E STALLION RD Scottsdale	1991	32.5FRDXO2G	2294	$550,000	$240	35	209
3	2968358	pend	8024 E via costa -- Scottsdale	1979	42.5FRDXPO2G	3067	$779,000	$254	9	9
Average						2,564	$609,633		81	139
Number of Properties: 3
( Average ListPrice / Average SqFt ) : ( 609633 / 2564 ) = $ 237.77

Sold in April

Property Type: Residential Status: Sold
Subject Property
#	ML#	COE Date	Address	Built	Fe Code	SqFt	List Price	LP/ SF	Sale Price	SP/ SF	ADOM	CDOM
1	2915141	4/30/2008	7813 N VIA DEL SOL -- Scottsdale	1976	41.75FRDX2G	2164	$355,000	$164	$280,000	$129	106	106
2	2886341	4/14/2008	7818 N VIA DEL SOL -- Scottsdale	1976	32RDXP2G	1984	$389,900	$197	$380,000	$192	86	230
3	2929569	4/11/2008	8040 E Via Del Valle -- Scottsdale	1978	22RXO2G	1890	$409,900	$217	$350,000	$185	48	550
4	2847181	4/22/2008	8101 E VIA CAMPO -- Scottsdale	1979	32RDXPS2G	2208	$439,000	$199	$422,000	$191	192	352
5	2964428	4/30/2008	8319 E VIA DE LOS LIBROS -- Scottsdale	1975	32RXPS2G	2123	$449,900	$212	$420,000	$198	64	64
6	2913438	4/01/2008	8316 N Via Rico -- Scottsdale	1978	43FRDXPSO2G	3462	$1,200,000	$347	$1,140,000	$329	8	8
Average						2,305	$540,616		$498,666		84	218
Number of Properties: 6
( Average SalePrice / Average SqFt ) : ( 498666 / 2305 ) = $ 216.34

The Saguaro High School District includes those McCormick Ranch subdivisions which lie South of Via De Ventura Blvd. From the earliest development in McCormick Ranch (Paseo Village area - early 1970s) to the lakefront and golf lot homes in Palo Viento, the properties which constitute this report vary wildly in value. As such, this data is to be looked upon for broad informational purposes only. For a more concise opinion of your home's true market value in today's market, consult a McCormick Ranch Real Estate specialist today. Better yet, try two! Ray and Paul Slaybaugh have nearly 45 years of combined experience selling homes in our community!

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Ray and Paul Slaybaugh are your McCormick Ranch Real Estate Experts. Ray has been a licensed Realtor in Scottsdale AZ since 1974, and a McCormick Ranch resident since 1979. Paul is a Scottsdale native who up in McCormick Ranch and has been selling the lifestyle since 1999! When the time comes to buy or sell a home in Scottsdale, look no further than Ray & Paul!