Troy and Mia's Blog - Chandler and East Valley Experts

Your toilets are the most likely place to find water leaks

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:09:55 -0600

Once you have determined that you have a water leak, your toilets are the most likely place to find the water leaks. Here's how you go about checking for leaks in your toilets. First, before you dig in too deep, perform the dye test:

1. Remove the tank lid
2. Remove any in-tank cleaners
3. Check the overflow tube
4. Flus and wait for the tank to refill
5. Drop a dye tablet, or food coloring into the toilet tank
6. Wait 15 minutes

If the color seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leaking toilet.

Here are some simple fixes to a leaky toilet:
Check the overflow tube, and adjust it so the water is within one-half inch of the top of the tube. Check that the lift chain is not stuck or catching on anything. Then check the rubber flapper and make sure it is seating properly. Check for corrosion and clean the area.

If you made these repairs, and your toilet is still leaking, your toilet may have a pitted valve seat. You may have to install a replacement kit that you can get from most home repair stores.

Water leaks in the home are more common than you think

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:52:46 -0600

Water leaks in the home are more common than you think. Higher water bill than normal? Perhaps you have a water leak in your home that you don't know about. Finding these leaks can be easier than you think. Here's the first thing to do to see if you have a water leak in your home:

1. Locate your water meter, where the water from the city enters your home.

2. Make sure all water is turned off inside and outside the home. This includes the evaporative cooler, and the swimming pool auto filler.

3. Read the meter and record the figures.

4. Re-read the meter 20 minutes later.

5. If the reading changes, or you notice a movement of the dials on the meter, you need to find out where the water is going.

The most likely place for water leaks in your home are your toilets.....

No matter what market we are in, Pricing a home right is the most important thing to do

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:12:32 -0600

No matter the market, pricing a home right is the most important thing to do. I recently read an article that talked about Mr. and Mrs. home seller looking for advice on how to sell their home in this down market. To give you a little background, this couple purchased their home back in 2003 for $419,000, as a home and investment they said. Also, according to the couple, they turned down an offer to buy the home for $800,000 a year later. At the time, the couple didn't think the timing was right. Little did they know, the timing couldn't have been more right.

Flash forward to 2008 where the article says the couple finally decided to put the home up for sale. They decided to list the home at $829,900. According to the article, the homeowner spent $75,000 transforming the lot, and upgrading two bathrooms. So, in four years eight months, the homeowner was looking for a $335,900 (less the $75,000 in upgrades) profit, almost double what they bought the home for.

Now the article goes on to say that the home owners were not able to sell the home, and that we were all supposed to feel sorry for them. They decided to ask for expert advice to determine why their home didn't sell. First of all, the article doesn't tell you that these same home owners had listed their home back in June of 2006 for $899,000, and guess what, it didn't sell then either. The article also doesn't tell you that these home owners also have a rental home.

Anyway, the three experts they sought advice from were a home stager, a horticulturist specializing in xeriscape, and of course a real estate agent. The home stager liked the home, but said it could use a little color and warmth. They also said that the home needed to be in tip-top shape in order to compete in that price range, as "You've got some really tough competition out there." It would cost the home sellers $600 to $1,800 for three months of staging, depending on what was requested. The horticulturist said the xeriscaping was a little too harsh and monochromatic. In other words, "There's nothing inviting about the space." He recommended mature trees for shading, blending desert plants with all the cactuses, and pathways to accentuate areas such as the outdoor spa and firepit. He also suggested removing the plastic patio table and chairs, and to add large potted plants. It would cost $2,500 to $6,500 to install a drip irrigation system, and another $6,000 to add six or seven mature trees for shading. The real estate agent thought the listing could use better pictures, and thought the home was in a great neighborhood. The agent recommended that the kitchen and flooring need to be updated in the 1979 home. Here's where it gets interesting. The agent recommended a list price of $500,000 to $550,000 after the remodel! That's a far cry from the seller listing the home for $829,900 without the upgraded kitchen and flooring. It's a $279,900 difference.

These home sellers had their home on the market for a little over a year, and finally took the home off the market just a couple of months ago, after dropping the price to $689,500. Is it any wonder this home didn't sell? These home sellers listed their home at such a high price, they were chasing the market down, but not fast enough. This is a prime example of people being greedy and not listening to professional advice. This home probably could have sold for $500,000 to $550,000 a year ago, and even with the remodel, the home sellers could have made between $50,000 to $100,000. That doesn't sound like too bad of a profit in less than 5 years.

Lessons Learned:
Don't be greedy, if the home is an investment, accept any offer that is double what you paid for the home.
Take quality photos, and make sure you are getting exceptional marketing for any home listed over $500,000.
Know what your competition looks like, and what they are selling for.
Broaden the home look to appeal to the masses of buyers.
Be neat, but don't make the home look vacant.
Get rid of anything that makes a luxury home look cheap, like plastic furniture.
Add warmth by opening curtains, turning lights on, adding potted plants, and making the home smell nice.
Leave the home during any home tours to make any potential buyer feel more comfortable.
Price the home according to it's location, condition, and the market.
Keep in mind that, no matter what market we are in, proper pricing of a home is the most important thing to do.

Foreclosures still playing a big role in Arizona resale home sales

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:27:20 -0600

Foreclosures still playing a big role in Arizona resale home sales.

Distressed homes helped overall sales of single family homes in November reach 8,335. This turns out to be a 28% increase from November of 2008, but down 16% from October 2009. Jay Butler, director of realty studies at ASU, "predicts another wave of foreclosures could hit after the first of the year because of the... weak job market and... that homeowners are having a tough time paying their mortgages."

About 61% of November resale single home sales involved foreclosures, with 36% resulting from new foreclosures and the remaining 25% resulting from previously foreclosed homes that were sold again. The median price of homes sold in foreclosure fell another 5% in November to $145,500. In November 2008, the median price of homes sold in foreclosure was at $155,100.

Some good news is the same monthly report from Arizona State University showed that the median price for traditional home sales rose 2%, up to $143,000. However this was 12% lower than in November 2008.

So, foreclosures still make up over 60% of monthly sales, are continuing to fall in price, and there seems to be more foreclosures in Arizona on the horizon.

You tell me if this is a good sign or not. Perhaps it depends on whether you need to sell, or need to buy?

10 Reasons First-Time Home Buyers in Chandler, AZ should consider buying a new home

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:00:25 -0600

10 reasons first-time home buyers in Chandler, AZ should consider buying a new home.

First-time home buyers are finding more and more reasons not to buy bank-owned and short-sale properties. If you are a first-time homebuyer in Chandler, here are reasons 1 through 8 why you might want to consider purchasing a new home from a builder:

    1. Many bank-owned and short-sale properties have things to clean, repair, and buy. There are things like missing cabinets, fixtures, and appliances, not to mention bad plumbing and electrical, holes in walls, stained carpeting, and painting of both the interior and exterior. And those are just the things you can see!
    2. There is usually an extended period of time required to buy short-sale properties, which could take up to 6 months or more. Even then, a home could fall into foreclosure, as there are many uncertainties when dealing with sellers and banks.
    3. You are eligible for the $8,000 federal tax credit, which has been extended through April 30th, with a closing needed before June 30, 2010.
    4. You can take advantage of the three year decline in valley home prices, and still very low interest rates. Home prices are as low as they were back in 2002.
    5. You have a large inventory of new and speculative homes left over from all the new home construction between 2003 and 2005.
    6. You do not have to sell an existing home.
    7. You can buy a more energy efficient home, with better windows, insulation, and newer A/C units and water heaters. Your monthly utility costs will also be less.
    8. Buying new, you can take full advantage of all new home warranties from the builders.

Reasons number 9 and 10, are extra incentives coming directly from the builders themselves:

    9. Some new home builders have reduced their prices even more by adjusting some of their standard features.
   10. New home builders are also taking advantage of this by focusing their attention on the lower end of the housing market. According to Greg Burger, and associate with RL Brown on the Phoenix Housing Market Letter, out of 4,025 new home floor plans in active subdivisions, nearly two-thirds of them are for homes priced under $250,000. Some new home subdivisions have entry level homes starting as low as $80,000.

Statistics are showing that in some newer subdivisions, first-time home buyers make up as much as 90 percent of the buyers of new homes. Now I have shown you 10 great reasons for first-time home buyers in Chandler, AZ to consider buying a new build. Just don't forget to take a Realtor with you!

The FHA is changing the lending rules for Condos

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:25:26 -0600

Watch Out, the FHA is changing the lending rules for Condos! Because of this, many developers are scrapping plans for any new projects. As of this last Monday, the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) started limiting how many of you can get your loans insured when buying a condo. The new rules have also put restrictions on buildings with poor finances, too many deliquent owners, and a high number of rentals. The intent of the tighter lending standards is to protect the financial health of the FHA. Right now, about 18 percent of loans insured by the FHA are deliquent or in foreclosure, and this puts them below their allowable minimum.

This is a critical issue with those of you interested in purchasing condos, as the FHA has been a key source of financing in the past. The reason the FHA has been so key to condo buyers is because you only need a 3.5 percent down payment for this type of financing.

One of the new rules is that the FHA is only going to allow 50 percent of a condo building's units to use FHA backed loans, and that rule will drop to 30 percent in 2011. Another rule is that at least 30 percent of units in a new building must be pre-sold before the FHA will insure any loans. That number will increase to 50 percent by 2011. These changes will complicate the ability for you to make your condo purchase moving forward.

The government feels these rules are necessary to ensure that you are purchasing units in viable buildings, as well as help ensure that defaults on condo loans don't rise too high. The problem is, many condo buildings may have difficulty selling their units to perfectly good buyers because of these rules, and that could extend vacancies and lower the value of the complex. Let's just hope these new FHA lending rules for condos don't backfire on all of us.

Arizona High School Football Playoffs

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:52:48 -0600

After my sons first season of tackle football ended Thanksgiving weekend, I thought it would be a great experience for him to watch a high school football playoff game. Tonight, we went to the state 5A Division 1 semi-final game between the Hamilton Huskies and the Chandler Wolves. Boy was I surprised! First of all, we got there just before the game started, because we had to park almost a mile away in a strip mall. When we finally got to the field, there was absolutely no seating available on either side, Hamilton or Chandler. There must have been over 6,000 people in attendance. So, my son and I had to stand along the fence near the south endzone the entire game. The one good thing is that it only cost $5 to get into the game, so the price hasn't gone up much since I won a state championship back in 1981.

Once the game started, boy did the game look different than when I played. For one thing, the players are twice as big as what we were. Our offensive line barely averaged over 200 pounds and we were one of the biggest offensive lines in the whole state of Oregon at the time. Now, almost every offensive lineman weighed at least 250, and I am sure there were a couple that were at, or over 300 pounds. The players on offense and defense both looked like they were faster than anyone on my high school team. Back in the day, you were super fast if you could run a 4.6 40 yard dash in high school. Tonight, the linemen on both teams were probably running faster than that, and much quicker too. Then there were the running backs. Our running backs were short and stalky, but when I say that, they were like 5' 7", and all of 160 to 170 pounds. Tonight, the running backs didn't look much taller, maybe 5' 8" to 5' 10", but they all looked like they weighed close to 200 pounds. Again, they were darting in and out so fast, they looked like Barry Sanders.

Two more things that were a lot different than when I played. First, there were a lot of passing plays. When I played high school football, none of the teams passed the ball very often. It would be very uncommon to attempt more than 10 passes in a game, and the completion ratio back then was typically less than 50%. I don't think any quarterback ever passed for over 1,000 yards in a season. The playoff game tonight probably had 10 passes by Chandler in the first quarter. Also, our games always lasted 2 hours no matter what. Tonight's game lasted right at 3 hours, for a game with four 12 minute quarters.

The game was a good one through the first half, as it ended with Hamilton leading 14 - 7. Chandler scored on the last play of the half on a 50 plus yard pass. The second half ended up being a blowout, as Hamilton scored on their first three possessions, afterwards, the score being 35 - 14. The game ended with Hamilton winning 49 - 21. It sure was amazing to watch those athletes play, and to think they were only 15 to 18 year olds.

Next weeks state championship game will be held in the University of Phoenix stadium, where the Arizona Cardinals play.

Arizona's Economic Recovery

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:47:52 -0600

Arizona's Economic Recovery How long will it take for Arizona's Economic Recovery? A recent article ran in the Arizona Republic states that it may take four more years to rebound from our economic woes. Lee McPheters, director of the JPMorgan Chase Outlook Center says "Arizona remains dead last among all the states for job growth and is expected next year to experience an unprecedented third straight year of job losses." Since the recession officially began in December 2007, Arizona has lost 265,000 jobs according to the U.S. Labor Department. Personal income is expected to decrease by 1.5% in 2009 for the first time ever. Phoenix is only behind Las Vegas when it comes to having the most homes underwater, which is when the owner owes more than their home is worth.

Arizona is still considered to be in a recession, although many parts of the country believe they are well on their way to recovery. One thing that holds Arizona down is the state budget deficit, and the decline in sales-tax revenue and personal income taxes. McPheters feels that the state budget defecit will continue to be around $1.5 billion to $2 billion a year for several more years. Another thing that may hold Arizona back from a quicker recovery is the lack of jobs, which may deter people from moving here. One other item that may hold Arizona's recovery back is the high inventory of homes, office, multi-family, industrial and retail space. Scottsdale economist, Elliott Pollack feels the Arizona metropolitan area over-built during 2003 through 2006, and it will take years to fill these vacancies in both residential and commercial real estate.

We will just have to wait and see. Even if it does take longer for us to recover in Arizona, I feel it will be a positive thing, and when things do turn around, we will see greater growth than in many other areas of the country. Arizona's Economic Recovery may take longer, but will be greater.

Chandler Luxury Home Stats through October 2009

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:22:34 -0600

Chandler Luxury Home Sales and Stats through October 2009

I recently ran a report through our MLS to see what the Luxury Home Market was like in Chandler, Arizona. I started with how many homes have sold from Jan 1 through October 31 that were over $500,000. There was a total of 142 homes sold. Out of that, there were 82 homes that sold from $500,000 to $599,999; 40 homes that sold from $600,000 to $699,999; 15 homes that sold from $700,000 to $999,999; and 5 homes that sold for over $1,000,000.

Out of the 142 luxury homes in Chandler, 99 were sold in a gated community. There were also 99 homes that had pools, 36 that were in a lake subdivision, and 19 that were waterfront lots. Ten of the luxury homes sold in Chandler were in a golf course subdivision. There were 35 that had mountain views, and 11 of the properties allowed horses. There were also 10 of the luxury homes sold that had a separate guest house. There were 136 of the Chandler luxury homes that had 3 or more garages, and 22 had RV parking. The majority of the homes were 4 (52 homes) or 5 (62 homes) bedrooms, and 3 1/2 baths (53 homes), or 4 1/2 baths (37 homes). Every home was over 3,000 square feet, and 77 were over 4,000 square feet, while 23 were over 5,000 square feet. There were 94 luxury homes sold in Chandler that were single story, 44 two story, and 4 that had 3 or more levels.

The area in Chandler where the most luxury homes were sold, 127, was south of the 202 Freeway, and East of Price Road. There were only 15 luxury homes sold north of the 202 Freeway, and 28 of the 142 were sold East of Gilbert Road. Most of the homes sold (66) were on 15,001 to 24,000 square foot lots. There were 36 homes on 10,001 to 15,000 square foot lots, 18 homes on 24,000 to 43,559 square foot lots, 11 homes on 0 to 10,000 square foot lots, and 11 homes sold on lots over 1 acre in size. There were only 2 of the 142 Chandler luxury homes sold that were built in 2009. There were 78 of them built between 2005 and 2008, 42 built between 2000 and 2004, 14 built between 1990 and 1999, and 8 of the luxury homes in Chandler that were sold were built before 1990.

There are certain Chandler neighborhoods that cater to the custom and luxury home buyer. Most of them are in South Chandler, and have been built over the past ten years. These are your Chandler Luxury Home Sales and Stats through October 2009.

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For More Information:

Contact Troy and Mia Erickson, Realtors®, Terra Solis Realty, LLC. Licensed Residential Realtors® in Arizona at 602-295-6807 for Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek Arizona custom, unique, and luxury Real Estate.

You can view all Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek custom, unique and Luxury Real Estate from our website. We are here to help you buy or sell!

A great day for Arizona Fall League Baseball

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:55:53 -0600

It turned out to be a another great day in Arizona yesterday, as me and my son headed off to watch another Arizona Fall League baseball game. My son had a mission this season, and nothing was going to stop him.

It was only the second Saturday he had off from a youth football season that started back on August 22nd. My son and I took the opportunity to catch one more Arizona Fall League game before the season ends next weekend. We made it to one other game earlier this season to see the number 1 overall MLB draft pick, Stephen Strasburg. This phenom signed a $17 million dollar, 5 year contract with the Washington Nationals, and has been known to throw over 100 mph.

The first Arizona Fall League game we saw on October 16th was a night game, and it was Strasburg's first outing as a professional pitcher. It was a very unusual night, as there were a few thousand in the crowd that evening. Typically there are fewer than 150 in the entire stadium for an Arizona Fall League game, but everyone was there to see Strasburg. It's not unusual for my son to get several autographs from players, and his mission was to get Strasburg's.

Since Strasburg was pitching that night, he wasn't signing anything before the game. After the game, hundreds of autograph hounds surrounded him, and my son didn't have a chance. He left the game disappointed, but I told him he would get another chance.

Yesterday's game, we had no idea Strasburg was going to pitch. He has been off for the last 12 days with a sore neck. When we arrived at the stadium, my son saw Strasburg warming up, and knew he wasn't going to get an autograph before the game. We had our hot dog and waited patiently throughout a great game. At the top of the ninth inning, another large crowd started forming just outside Strasburg's dugout. By the time my son got down there, there were more than 100 fans. My son was in the back and at the end of the group of autograph seekers (almost all adults). He was as far away as you could be from the dugout. As soon as I saw that, I thought the odds of my son getting Strasburg's autograph were slim to none, again.

Like I said earlier, my son was on a mission, and this huge crowd wasn't going to stop him. As soon as Strasburg stepped out of the dugout, my son knew that he was too far away to ever get an autograph. After about a minute, my son decided to run around the back of the crowd, and head right towards the dugout. There was no room to squeeze in, so my son actually jumped on the dugout and stretched his hands out, hoping for his chance. At this point, I couldn't even see my son anymore, so I had no idea what he had done.

After a couple more minutes of waiting, I saw my son coming towards me. He had the biggest smile on his face, and I knew he did it, he got Strasburg's autograph! I asked how he succeded with so many people down there. My son told me that as soon as Strasburg saw him on the dugout, he skipped over about 10 adult autograph seekers and signed my son's baseball. So, thanks to some inginuity from my son, and a little compassion from Strasburg, our mission was accomplished. If you ever have an opportunity to attend an Arizona Fall League baseball game, I suggest you jump at the chance. This is why I love baseball players, and I love the Arizona Fall League!

Gilbert 5 bedroom exquisite inside

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:12:49 -0600

This Gilbert 5 bedroom home has a stunning entry, magnificent kitchen, and is exquisite inside. It boasts over 3,000 square feet of functional living space in the Val Vista neighborhood.

Troy and Mia Erickson | Terra Solis Realty, LLC | troyandmia@terrasolisrealty.com | 602-295-6807

1236 E. Palo Verde Street, Gilbert, AZ

Magnificant Inside!

5BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $313,900

Year Built	1995
Sq Footage	3,530
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	3 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

You've been waiting for this one! New paint, new kitchen, striking entry, gorgeous curved stairwell. This home has it all. Formal dining room and living room, plus a great room style family room, LOFT/Game room, eating area and large island kitchen. Brand new cabinets, granite, and all kitchen appliances are in! One of the 5 bedrooms is downstairs and could easily be an office, library or den, with new wood laminate floor! 3 car garage with epoxy floor, cabinets on all 3 walls, and service door. Master bedroom has huge walk in closet, bathroom with separate shower and tub, dual sinks, and is spacious and bright. Secondary bedrooms are some of the largest you will ever see! Check the measurements! Covered patio, extra concrete area great for patio furniture. Grass too, plus pad behind double gate for RV/boat/quads. Check HOA for RV guidelines.

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5	Photo 6

Contact info:

Troy and Mia Erickson

Terra Solis Realty, LLC

troyandmia@terrasolisrealty.com

602-295-6807

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Nov 10, 2009, 10:56am PST

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You can view all Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek custom, unique and Luxury Real Estate from our website. We are here to help you buy or sell!

Chandler short sale with a pool, and in great condition

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:26:18 -0600

What is so great about this Chandler short sale with a pool? Well, first of all, it has a pool, and second, it is in great condition for a short sale.

Troy and Mia Erickson | Terra Solis Realty, LLC | troyandmia@terrasolisrealty.com | 602-295-6807

870 N. Woodside Drive, Chandler, AZ

Raintree ranch short sale

3BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $160,000

Year Built	1995
Sq Footage	1,349
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Oh My Goodness! What a great home! This is a short sale, but will be worth the wait. Great location in Chandler. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen with newer appliances, and yes, the frige stays! Not a stripped down home. This has been taken care of and is loved by the owner. Wonderful pool, covered patio and extended pavered patio. Tile and wood flooring with carpet in all the bedrooms. Not very many properties like this with a pool in this part of Chandler. Close to Loop 101 and convenient, even for an ASU student!

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4

Contact info:

Troy and Mia Erickson

Terra Solis Realty, LLC

troyandmia@terrasolisrealty.com

602-295-6807

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Nov 10, 2009, 10:41am PST

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You can view all Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek Custom and Luxury Real Estate from our website. We are here to help you buy or sell!

Gilbert home over 2,000 sq ft close to everything

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:30:16 -0600

This Gilbert home is over 2,000 sq ft, and priced under $100/sq ft. Just minutes from the new San Tan Village mall, and even closer to Western Skies Golf Course. This home is super clean and move-in ready. There is a new tax credit that includes first time homebuyers and current homeowners as well. Contact us for more info.

Troy and Mia Erickson | Terra Solis Realty, LLC | troyandmia@terrasolisrealty.com | 602-295-6807

966 E. Cantebria Drive, Gilbert, AZ

Whole lotta house in a great Gilbert location!

3BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $180,000

Year Built	2003
Sq Footage	2,002
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Wow, not an REO or Short Sale! Fantastic house with Huge kitchen, upgraded cabinets, granite tile countertops, black appliances, pantry, and eat in kitchen. Large family room with tile den and 1/2 bath downstairs. Upstairs features open and spacious loft as second living area. Master bedroom is large with HUGE walk in closet and lots of shelving. Master bath has double sinks and raised vanity. 2 additional bedrooms upstairs. Cute yard with little upkeep as HOA maintains ALL of the common area. Home has all neutral colors and is clean as a whistle! Fast answers, why wait?

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5	Photo 6

Contact info:

Troy and Mia Erickson

Terra Solis Realty, LLC

troyandmia@terrasolisrealty.com

602-295-6807

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Nov 10, 2009, 11:05am PST

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You can view all Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek Custom and Luxury Real Estate from our website. We are here to help you buy or sell!

Quaint Mesa home on the golf course for under $170k

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:11:57 -0600

Quaint Mesa home on the golf course, unbelievable price. If you like golf, you will love this little diamond in the rough.

Troy and Mia Erickson | Terra Solis Realty, LLC | troyandmia@terrasolisrealty.com | 602-295-6807

6344 E Mills Street, Mesa, AZ

Golf course home!

2BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $169,950

Year Built	1994
Sq Footage	1,470
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Golf Course STEAL! FRESH INTERIOR PAINT, and pre-inspected, report is on the counter. MUST SELL NOW! SEND us an offer! You'll love the light airy feel of this home. Windows everywhere looking out to the course. Formal dining room could function as a den depending on your needs. Split plan, could almost be 2 master bedrooms. Both have a walk in closet! Kitchen features nice breakfast bar island with plenty of work space and gas range. Painted Mountain golf course home is perfect for a vacation rental, second home, or better yet, YOUR NEW HOME! Please look at the photos, then go see it. Nice lot location too.

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 1
Photo 2	Photo 3
Photo 4	Photo 5

Contact info:

Troy and Mia Erickson

Terra Solis Realty, LLC

troyandmia@terrasolisrealty.com

602-295-6807

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Nov 10, 2009, 10:23am PST

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You can view all Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek Luxury and Custom Homes from our website. We are here to help you buy or sell!

Lovely Tempe Home for sale - Close to ASU and Freeways

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:59:10 -0600

Lovely Tempe home for sale with unique floor plan, and a pool!

Troy and Mia Erickson | Terra Solis Realty, LLC | 602-295-6807

489 W. Carmen Street, Tempe, AZ

Terrace Walk Beauty!

3BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $229,000

Year Built	1986
Sq Footage	1,843
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	3,999 sqft
HOA/Maint	$39 per month

DESCRIPTION

Wonderful home, spacious, bright, soaring ceilings! Office/loft looks down on entry and living room- stunning! Newer Trane AC unit-15 seer, and a newer water heater. Back patio is very cute- seller is leaving patio table and both umbrellas! Kitchen is open to family room. Nice sized laundry leads to garage with shelving. Tile flooring downstairs, carpeting in all bedrooms. 3 bedrooms plus office upstairs. Half bath conveniently located downstairs for guests. Community pool, parks nearby, wonderful neighborhood. Cul de sac location too! I think you will love this Tempe home! Close to freeways for ease of commute.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- High/Vaulted ceiling	- Hardwood floor
- Tile floor	- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator
- Stove/Oven	- Laundry area - inside	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Swimming pool(s)

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front	Kitchen
Family Room	Office or Loft Area
Master Bath	Community Pool

Contact info:

Troy and Mia Erickson

Terra Solis Realty, LLC

602-295-6807

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Nov 10, 2009, 9:45am PST

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You can view all Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek Custom and Luxury Real Estate from our website. We are here to help you buy or sell!

Homebuyer tax credit extended!

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:35:39 -0600

It's here, the newly expanded and extended homebuyer tax credit! I received in my email today a letter that was sent out by our 2009 NAR President, Charles McMillan. In it, he explains that the House and Senate have passed the amendment that expands and extends the homebuyer tax credit. Yes the bill is extending the credit to current homeowners! In the letter, Charles explains that the bill should be sent to President Obama for him to sign in the next day or so.

Below is Charles' podcast which details the new tax credit.

http://www.realtor.org/about_nar/presidents_report/_podcast_archive/mcmillan_taxcreditextended_20091105

Here is a comparison chart between the old homebuyer tax credit, and the new bill which should be in affect soon.

http://www.realtor.org/fedistrk.nsf/files/government_affairs_tax_credit_ext_chart_110409.pdf/$FILE/government_affairs_tax_credit_ext_chart_110409.pdf

I hope you find this information valuable.

Is this a good thing for our economy? What happens when this extended tax credit ends? Will there be a negative affect, or drop off in real estate sales after the tax credit ends?

If you're a first time homebuyer or current home owner, will this new homebuyer tax credit affect whether you will buy a new home over the next 5 months?

My question to all of you realtors is, how will this expanded and extended homebuyer tax credit impact your area, and your real estate business?

Good news for Stratland Estates in south Gilbert

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:35:57 -0600

Good news for Stratland Estates in south Gilbert. Pulte Homes, Meritage Homes, and Toll Brothers have purchased 230 vacant lots, which have been sitting empty since the developer, Stratland Estates L.L.C., filed for bankruptcy in July of 2008.

Stratland Estates is located near Higley and Germann Roads. The developers who have purchased the vacant lots plan to start building their new homes, and completing the neighborhood early next year. Pulte acquired 107 lots, and will build homes ranging from 1,900 to 3,000 square feet in size. Meritage will build 65 homes in the community, and Toll Brothers will build on the remaining 58 lots.

Taylor Morrison homes currently has 10 brand new homes for sale as well in Stratland Estates. Their 4 bedroom model is starting at $214,990, and boasts almost 2,000 square feet. Taylor Morrison's highest priced listing is a 6 bedroom home with over 3,500 square feet, and is listed at $299,990. A total of 15 homes have sold in Stratland Estates this year.

There has been an unexpected increase in new home construction permits in Gilbert, as nearly 1,000 permits have been issued so far in 2009. Is this a sign that the times are changing, and the real estate market is starting to pick up again? I think it's too early to tell yet, but this is a very good sign for Gilbert and the community of Stratland Estates.

Luxury homes in abundance in Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:11:26 -0600

Did you know that there is an abundance of stylish custom and luxury homes in Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek? There are currently 133 homes for sale ranging from $500k up to $7,400,000 in Chandler alone. There are currently 147 active listings in Gilbert ranging from $500k to $3,900,000. In Queen Creek, there are currently 50 luxury homes ranging from $500k up to $1,650,000.

If you are ready to step-up, are moving from another state, or just looking to purchase a new home, the East Valley has some beautiful luxury homes. Many of them are on acreage, or larger lots, are horse properties, or include a lovely pool, or more!

For example, here are three exceptional East Valley luxury homes:

Chandler luxury waterfront beauty...

Check out this pool and view!

Gilbert luxury home...

...a golf course backyard

... and check out this custom Queen Creek Luxury home on 1.33 acres:

Ranch style...

custom kitchen...

more info on Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek Luxury Homes...

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You can view all Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek Luxury Real Estate from our website. We are here to help you buy or sell!

Extending the First Time Homebuyer $8,000 Tax Credit

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:55:38 -0600

There was a chance that the U.S. Senate was going to vote on extending the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers as soon as today, but now they won’t vote until next week at the earliest according to the latest information on bloomberg.com.

“I think the first-time home-buyer credit is a great example of funding that’s helped to stabilize the housing market and should be extended,” said Jared Bernstein, chief economist to the Vice President, on Bloomberg television.

The current $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit was enacted as part of the $787 billion economic stimulus package and it is set to expire November 30th.

The proposal is to extend the credit until April 30, and expand it to allow for more Americans to qualify. It looks as though the new extended plan will allow for homebuyers who have lived in their prior residences for at least five years to receive a credit of $6,500 for a new purchase under the plan. The plan would also allow couples earning as much as $225,000 and individuals as much as $125,000 to qualify for the tax break, which is higher than the current tax credit.

The intent of the extension is to prevent home sales from slipping any lower. The economy continues to struggle to recover from the worst drop in home prices since the Great Depression. More than 1.2 million borrowers have claimed $8.5 billion of the $13.6 billion set aside for the homebuyer tax credits this year, according to the Treasury Department. The Obama administration says that the credit has helped stabilize the nation’s housing market.

A new twist to the measure is that it would require those receiving the tax break to remain in their new homes for three years, or they would have to repay the credit. Lawmakers also said they will not extend this beyond the new April 30, 2010 deadline.

I know that there are thousands of Real Estate Agents anxiously awaiting the extension of the $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit program, and some homebuyers currently on the fence as well.

Don't forget to turn your clocks back

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:46:00 -0600

With daylight savings time occuring this weekend and many of you going to work early Monday morning, I am hoping that all of you remembered to turn back your clocks. At 2:00am Sunday morning is the official time that the time changes from standard to daylight savings time.

There are, however, places like Arizona where I live, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, America Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Marianas, where we do not observe daylight savings time, and our clocks will not need to be changed.

However, what this does is affect how our time is related to everywhere else in the United States. Now California is an hour earlier than Arizona, and the east coast is now only two hours different.

For those of you who observe daylight savings time, which is pretty much everyone in the United States, I hope you enjoyed your extra hour of sleep!

Daylight saving time will need to spring forward on March 13.

America's Safest Cities - Phoenix Metropolitan area

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:13:03 -0500

Forbes Magazine has just announced America's safest cities for 2008, and the Phoenix Metropolitan area was ranked 14th overall, just behind San Diego. Forbes looked at the country's 40 largest metropolitan areas in four different categories. The Phoenix Metropolitan area is the 12th largest metropolitan city based on population. The categories to determine America's safest cities included workplace death rates, traffic death rates, natural disaster risk, and violent crime rates.

The Phoenix Metropolitan area ranked 17th in violent crimes and workplace fatality rates, 27th for traffic death rates, but 5th in natural disaster risk. Congratulations to Minneapolis-St. Paul for being ranked number one. To read the entire article and see the complete list, visit America's safest cities.

2009 Major League Baseball World Series

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:29:50 -0500

The Major League Baseball World Series starts tonight. It's the defending world champion Philadelphia Phillies vs. the New York Yankees, the team you either love or hate. Who will win?

Both teams are ripe with quality players and quality pitching. New York has starting lefty C.C. Sebathia (19-8 with a 3.37 ERA), and Philadelphia has it's own lefty in Cliff Lee (7-4 with a 3.39 ERA with the Phillies). Other starting pitchers for Philadelphia include Pedro Martinez (5-1, 3.63 ERA), Lefty Cole Hammels (10-11, 4.32 ERA), and Joe Blanton (12-8, 4.05 ERA), or another lefty J.A. Happ (12-4, 2.93 ERA). Additional starters for the Yankees include A.J. Burnett (13-9, 4.04 ERA), Lefty Andy Pettit (14-8, 4.16 ERA), and Chad Gaudin (2-0, 3.43 ERA) or Joba Chamberlain (9-6, 4.75 ERA).

Both teams have quality relievers. The Phillies have Brad Lidge who has 31 saves, as well as Ryan Madson, and lefty Scott Eyre. The Yankees have Mariano Rivera with 44 saves and a 1.76 ERA, as well as Phil Hughes, and lefty Phil Coke.

The two teams combined have 20 former or current All-Stars. As far as power from the plate, the Phillies have four players who hit 30 or more home runs this year, and the Yankees have seven players who hit more than 20 home runs. The Phillies are averaging 6.1 runs in the post season, and the Yankees are averaging 5.3 runs each game in the post season.

The Phillies had a record of 93-69 during the regular season, and the Yankees were 103-59. Head to head this year, the Phillies won two of three at Yankee Stadium. Both teams have made it to the World Series in relative ease. The Phillies disposed of Colorado 3-1, and then beat the Dodgers 4-1 in the National League Champion Series. The Yankees swept Minnesota 3-0, and then beat the Angels 4-2 in the American League Champion Series.

Game one is tonight, and will set the tone for the series. Recent history shows that 11 of the last 12 winners of game 1 have gone on to win the World Series, so the game tonight is critical. Whether the Philadelphia Phillies can repeat, or the New York Yankees win their 27th World Series Championship, THIS WILL BE A GREAT SERIES TO WATCH.

Come to our third Annual Chandler Neighborhood Party in the Park!

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:15:13 -0500

This Saturday, October 24, 2009, you are invited our third annual Chandler Neighborhood:

Party in the Park!

This is a celebration of our success that we want to share with our friends, neighbors, family, partners, and all past and future clients. The Party in the Park is at Dobson Park (Northwest corner of Alma School and Queen Creek Road) from 3pm to 6pm - Look for the big red balloon in the sky.

LIVE BAND, FREE FOOD, SPECIAL KID EVENT, TONS OF FUN!!!

LOTS of prizes including: Front row AZ Cardinals vs Seattle Seahawks 11-15-09
Restaurant gift cards, Hotel Stay, Prizes for the kids only— Polar Ice passes, Aspire class, Botanical Garden passes, and many more!!!

Come one, come all to this FREE family fun event

See if you can spot me in this wonderful video from my broker. Hint - I'm near the end, and wearing a blue shirt:

Chandler AZ Home Sales by Price

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:15:26 -0500

I ran a report in our MLS recently to show Chandler AZ home sales by price from January through September 2009. I wanted to make sure that what I though was going on, really was going on. Yes, Chandler home sales have increased, and are close to where they were back in 2006. At the same time, we all know that prices have dropped back down almost to where they were back in 2003. Here is the information I compiled:

PRICE	TOTAL SOLD JAN - SEPT 2009	AVERAGE DAYS TO SOLD
$0 - $199,999	3,113	70.62
$200,000 - $299,999	813	82.56
$300,000 - $399,999	330	93.97
$400,000 - $499,999	148	112.00
$500,000 - $699,999	93	134.93
$700,000 - $3,000,000	18	162.17

From this information, I have concluded that homes are selling, but the majority of homes that are selling are from $0 to $199,000, almost 70% of all homes sold. If you include homes priced up to $299,999, they make up almost 87% of total home sales. That means only 13% of all home sales in Chandler this year have been sold for $300,000 or more.

At the same time, you can see by the average days to close, they increase as the sales price goes up. Of course, this obviously means that the lower priced homes are selling much faster than the higher priced homes. This is typical for the real estate market, and this really comes as no surprise.

However, if you are looking for a home priced under $200,000, you should be aggressively searching, and have all your finances ready to go to make a quick offer. This chart of Chandler home sales by price shows that homes under $200,000 are not staying on the market long at all.

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Contact Troy and Mia Erickson, Realtors®, Terra Solis Realty, LLC. Licensed Residential Realtors® in Arizona at 602-295-6807 for Chandler Arizona Real Estate.

You can view all Chandler Real Estate from our website. We know Chandler Arizona Real Estate and we are here to help.

Taste Chandler Culinary Festival - 2009

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:28:45 -0500

The first annual Taste Chandler Culinary Festival is coming to Historic Downtown Chandler. Taste Chandler is an opportunity for local chefs to showcase their cuisine, and to put Chandler on the map as a culinary destination, Anthony Canecchia owner of San Tan Brewery explained. It is also an opportunity for participants to "taste" a variety of regional foods, wine and spirits from 35 different establishments all in one evening. In addition to a range of food, the event will feature entertainment including jazz music and live performances by local musicians, as well as a silent auction.

Modeled after the Boy's and Girls Clubs' annual Taste event in Scottsdale, organizers of the event are hoping to grow Taste Chandler into a signature culinary event that would rival Scottsdale's big weeklong blowout.

Taste Chandler is open to those 21 and older. The event will run from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, October 3rd, and be held at A.J. Chandler Park (between Arizona Avenue and Buffalo Street). Tickets are $45, which includes beverages. Proceeds will benefit the Downtown Chandler Community Foundation, a nonprofit responsible for fundraising activities of Downtown Chandler Community Partnership and The Chandler Service Club.

Restaurants planning to participate include: Arizona Cheesecake Company; Better Than Sex Cake Café; Cathy’s Rum Cake; Cork; Crave Artisan Ice Cream; Divine; El Zocolo; Juan Jaimes Tacos & Tequila; Kokopelli Winery; La Stalla Cucina Rustica; Latitude Eight; Murphy’s Law; Pita Jungle; Red, White & Brew; SanTan Brewing Company; Sauce; Serrano’s; Sidelines; Simply Bread; Simply Unique Gelato; Spicy Pickle; Sushi Eye in Motion; Teakwoods; Tomaso’s; Urban Tea Loft; and Von Hansen’s Meat Market.

The event in Chandler is expected to be a big hit, and is anticipating close to 1,000 attendees this year. "We're starting with small steps, but there's no reason why this can't really grow to be a huge event," said Eileen Brill Wagner, executive director of the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership. The event is presented by the HDE Agency in partnership with Alliance Beverage and Whole Foods.

Come on down to Taste Chandler Culinary Festival, and experience good food, good music, with good friends, for a good cause.