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GUESS WHO'S BUYING REAL ESTATE IN PHOENIX AND SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA? (my first post!)

Realtors are buying homes left and right in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Not just for investment but for their familes. Why, because this is the best buyer's market I have seen in 34 years of selling Real Estate in Arizona! It even took me by surprise. Several of my associates have either moved up or downsized in the last 3 months. The really neat part, is that interest rates are still very low. That won't last forever. In the 80s we had rates that were above 12%! Most people don't remember that. It could happen again. Right now 30 year fixed is hovering around 6 1/2 percent. With low rates like that and a dip in home prices (that won't last much longer either), it is the perfect time to buy. And Realtors know it! Shhhhh, don't tell anybody, just go buy something!

Posted by Ray Slaybaugh on 07/31/2007 08:29 PM

Comments (64)

This post has been included in Arizona Information Maricopa County, AZ Information Scottsdale, AZ Information

64 Comments on GUESS WHO'S BUYING REAL ESTATE IN PHOENIX AND SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA? (my first post!)

JUL

2007

Let me be the first to welcome you ... Dad!

Welcome to A/R, Ray. Did Paul rope you into this? Sit, back, relax and enjoy the cool, refreshing rain. (Not like today's Phoenix weather at all).

AUG

2007

Welcome Ray! Though I'm no detective I see evidence that you have a wise and wonderful son who invited you in. Your post is so good and puts things in perspective. Great job!

AUG

2007

Hi Yvonne,

I appreciate your comments. Paul is the computer guy and is getting the old man up to speed.

Calie,

You were the first to get back to me. Thanks. I can see this being addictive. May call you some day about staging. Be sure to get back to Paul, he is serious.

I know what you mean Ray, our youngest daughter does all the fun stuff for me when it comes to the computer. And I'm learning as I go. It isn't as bad as I thought it would be. AR is sure fun so it is worth learning.

Yeahhh! I sooo agree with you! That is what I am telling my agents to share with their clients! We were just talking about the 80's interest rates and you are right, today they are very low comparatively. And, yes, why wait to buy on the high end when you can find what your looking for at a more "negotiable" price NOW!

I'm running an ad in the Scottsdale Times saying exactly this! "NOW is the time to BUY!". Thanks for spreading the word!

OCT

2007

Ray - I really think you should take Paul's advice and become an active contributor. Paul has become one of my best AR friends, and you have a talented son. I hope to see some additional posts from you soon. You must be a great guy to have raised a man like Paul. I just wanted to say, "Hi".

Hi Ray - Father like Son...very creative post. Short, simple and yet motivating! I can only imagine you have so much more to share. Won't you please adorn us with your knowledge, wisdom and valuable blogging skills? Sure wish you would share more Arizona Real Estate with this AZ rookie. By the way, I bought/built my second home in 87' so I know those high crazy rates back then. Now is a great time to buy, buy, buy!!

Ray - for god's sake man, nut up. It is a keyboard. If I can master it, anyone can. I was so delighted to find another survivor from the earliest of baby boomers here. Please pontificate. Share. Ignore the hair geled straight up and less than conservative attire. These kids are on the ball. They just need a little fatherly direction every now and then. Welcome.

Ray- hope you are having a blast on your hiking/camping adventure. Your first post is a keeper. Oh by the way Paul is bragging you up pretty big out there. Look forward to seeing more posts.

Hello Ray, Welcome to AR. Paul has the idea that he wants you to write more and create the potential for more Buyers and Sellers. He seems to be the partner that thinks you should spend a little less time hunting for Bear ( on the off chance you actually locate one-then what? ) and come back to the office. There is actually a chance that he is afraid you will find one and then he will be the one stuck eating the bounty while you enjoy the hide. Been there and done that one and no thanks.

Anyway, I told Paul I would swing buy and encourage you to be more involved and to write more. Your first post was pretty good and it sounds like you are well on you way. Congratulations on the first step and it only gets easier from here. OK, that is actually not totally true. There is a lot to learn but I think you will end up loving it. All of us regulars are addicted I am afraid and we will do say or do anything to gets others addicted too, then we have an excuse for ours.lol

Welcome and in all seriousness, Paul has been just wonderful and it is fun getting to know him and hopefully you as well.

Hope your trip was extraordinary!

Hello? Did you return from the wilds? Paul is one funny guy..... a chip off the old block, I bet! You must see his post telling of a "missing" realtor, you! Greetings from the mountains of Tennessee.

Ray, Your very well taught and trained partner has enlightened us as to your latest adventure. I certainly hope that among your camping equipment and your hunting gear and your cooking paraphernalia you have included a camera. We want evidence of your misadventure. Soon. OK?

Hmmm... I just want to know if you sold any caves to those bears!

Welcome Ray...

Welcome to AR. Hope you had a nice hike. Guess if you answer this there is still a skinny bear out there.

Welcome Ray! I see your conniving little boy is trying to get you addicted! Well, it can easily happen when you encounter the level of talent, wit and kindness that your son contributes here on ActiveRain. I'm betting the apple didn't fall far from the tree, and look forward to reading more of your posts soon!

p.s. Have Paul teach you our language. WTAR!

OCT

2007

Welcome Ray, I took your son's advice and came to visit your blog. It is a good time to buy in Las Vegas too but nobody wants to believe it. They are waiting for the prices to go even lower, which they may or may not. Looking forward to reading more of your expert blogs!

OCT

2007

Ray - Hope you had a great trip. Somedays you eat the bear, somedays... I hope it was the former. Please share som of your insights with us. We won't bite (well, maybe except for Jennifer!)

OCT

2007

Hi Ray, Ray? Are you there? Not that we are really worried, you look very capable of managing quite nicely in the Great Outdoors.
I'm a newbie here as well. You've already said something of substance and encouragement. Keep it up, I need the help.

NOV

2007

Gary,

Thanks for your note. I went into the wild and fortunately, came back out. We had a great adventure, and now it's back to work. I will try to get with this blogging thing. If I don't, Paul will make my life miserable.

Got to say it looks like fun, just have to get with the program.

Ray

Connie,

Not sure if you got my email. Didn't know exaclty how this response system worked. Anyway, the trip was awesome. Beautiful weather although cold at night (25 degrees). Big difference when you leave the desert and go into the mountains. Heard wolves howling and plenty of bear sign. Hope to visit your mountains in TN some day, hear it's gorgeous country.

Ray

Yvonne,

Good to hear from you again. Yes, we took a few pictures but then the camera went FUBAR. We really did go into the mountains, honest! I will post what I have. Was a great adventure. we backpacked 14 miles all together and camped 4 nights. Incredible country, didn't see a soul. Thank God this is a US wilderness area or some developer would be building condos along the creek and charging admission to see the bears. Yes, I am a green Realtor. (most developers are good guys, but others.......)

Ray

Lisa,

The bears were there but we didn't seen any (bear sign all over the place). I thought maybe I could sell a few condos to them in Scottsdale for the winter wo they wouldn't have to do that hibernation thing when the snow starts to fly. Thanks for your comments, I am definitely new at this and I appreciate it.

Ray

Dawn,

We dodged the bears but I think they were watching us. They left little (actually large) greetings along the path we had to step around as well as turning over big rocks looking for grubs, etc. Now it's back to the valley to deal with buyers and sellers. Hmm, not sure which is more challenging. Dealing with the public is sometimes more stressful than worrring about bears tearing up your camp.

Ray

Tom,

When I first tried to respond, I think I sent an email by mistake. If you didn't get it, thanks for your words of encouragement! In answer to your question, I kicked the bear's butt (well I would have if I had seen any, they were smart and hid in the bushes). Actually I think I am more afraid of putting my words on the internet than being attacked by a bear. Once it is in print, you can't take it back, scary.

Ray

Hi Elaine,

Thank you for your comments. Bloggin is definitley a brave new world to me. When I started in Real Estate we carried around thick MLS books the size of phone books. Killed a lot of trees in those days. The only computer we were aware of was named "Hal" in the movie 2001, A Space Odessey. These are good times, technology is great. Love to be able to communicate to people all over the country (world) in seconds.

Ray

Okay Dad,

I'll walk you through the next crucial step. A few groups that you need to join. First up is Active Rain Addicts. You may not be an addict yet, but you will be. We share blood after all. Start posting your blogs there, as it is a very friendly and active group. Another good one is Family Ties. Any post that is more family-related or personal fits in there nicely. Yours truly also just launched a music group in here with a couple of my cohorts called Inspired by Song. Great place to talk about the blues! Another good one is Active Rain Block Party. My friend, Brian in Northern Virgina, started this group as a place to share success stories. Here are the links to each group. On the group page, there is a button on the left that says "join group." Click it and you're gold. Now go make your kid proud!

http://activerain.com/groups/activerainaddicts

http://activerain.com/groups/familyties

http://activerain.com/groups/InspiredBySong

http://activerain.com/groups/activerainblockparty

Hi Ray - sorry I missed saying 'hello' when your first posted. Don't forget to join the Staging it Forward group too:)

Stephanie

Ray,

Great to have you on board AR. The news you are giving us are terrific. Since agents are buying property over there and they do know something about it, must still be a solid buyer's market. How long is it going to last, though?

NOV

2007

OK Ray,

See you are already making headway in the blogging game. Next you get to join the suggested groups (don't forget my friend Stephanie's suggestion) then you get to learn how to do the fun things like putting mountain pictures in your posts. Way to go.

JAN

2008

Ray-It is nice to meet you on AR. I live in Hudsonville Michigan (Grand Rapids area). Last Feb. I visited AZ for the first time. I stayed with some good friends who moved from where I live to Scottsdale. I fell in love with it there. I also hiked Camelback while I was there WOW! My all time favorite part of the trip was the drive we took on the Apache Trail. It was Awesome! Hope to go back someday.

By the way, if you ever need a really good handyman, my friend who moved there from Michigan has a new business there doing all kinds of handyman trades from home improvement to fix-it type projects. He is a good man, very conscientious about his work, reasonable and cares about the people he works for. I have used him to prepare some of my homes that needed repairs or remodeling prior to listing. His name is Craig Mc Donald and his email is craig@macdonald.com. Sorry I don't have his ph# at the moment. you can email me for it if you would like it.

NOV

Ray - found your blog via your fantastic son, and just wanted to say hello. You will so fit in and have fun with this whole blogging thing!!! Join the groups, post, let your hair loose, be you - heck,I like you already and I don't like anybody:-)

Just wanted to stop by to give my gratitude to an honorable man like yourself. Thank you for your part in keeping us safe and free.

And it's true, Inna doesn't like anybody;)

Thanks for your service Ray!!

Hi Ray! Thanks for your service. KM

Ray, you rock!

Thank you for your service. Your son is so proud of you, and rightfully so. My family and I are grateful for what you may think was a small service, but we think was huge. We won't/don't/can't forget what you have done.

With much appreciation,

Elaine

I, too, found your through your son. Happy veteran's day, and thank you for your service!

Ray- Thank you for your service to our great nation. It's the servicemen who fought for our freedoms that paid such a great price for what we enjoy. Today and everyday I appreciate your service.

Ray - I really enjoyed getting the chance to meet you in Houston a few weeks ago, and I wanted to stop by and formally thank you for your service and sacrifice for all of us. I hope you and your family have a terrific Veteran's Day - you have more than earned it. You're a good man!

Ray, I found you through your son and you have a lot to be proud of in him and yourself! Thanks for serving our country and check in here once in awhile. I see by the previous comments that you have already made some interesting friends and if Paul is a "chip off the old block" you must surely be as interesting and compelling. Have a great day...Paul is buying!

Vietnam vet too, welcome home and thanks for doing your service for our Country!

Just wanted to stop by on this Veterans Day and Thank You for your service and honor of our Country so that we may live and enjoy the freedoms that we have. What an inspiration your son must be and what an honor to see how proud he is of his Father! God Bless You!

Ray, thank you kindly for your great service to our country and for raising such a great son! I have had the privilege of getting to know Paul this year and he has become such a great friend to me. He has shared how much he loves, adores & respects you on many occasions. It's obvious that you are a hero in so many ways.

Take care, Ray. I hope to meet you someday.

Wow, I am overwelmed! As Steve knows, we didn't get any parades or much in the way of thanks when we got home. You guys got to me. Vietnam is a forgotten war and that is good and bad. It is painful to look back on yet there are lessons to be learned from it.

For all of you that have friends or relatives in Iraq, I wish them a safe return and I thank them for their service.

Thanks again for all your comments, it meant a lot!

Ray

My father served in Vietnam as well, and I can't begin to articulate how much I appreciate everything that he and you and every other veteran has done to protect and serve our country.

Now, please smack Paul in the head with a shoe for me.

Welcome to AR I know you will enjoy the company of the people you meet here.

Thank you so much for your service Ray!

Don't listen to Lisa, Dad. She's hateful.

Ray,

Thank you for your service to this country......God has blessed you with an incredibly intelligent son with a very naughty sense of humor (which we all love and are all going to assume is genetic) and who is extremely proud of you.

Ray, and when you are done smacking Paul with a shoe, please smack Sardi with the other shoe for me. He'll know what it's for:-)

Hi Paul-

Hey, I am parking here for the evening. Paul is getting smacked in the head with a shoe....and I don't know what for but am just looking for some gratuitous head smacking......

Reaching out across the miles to shake your hand today ... thanks for serving your country and I'm glad you made it back. So when are you going to blog some more?

Hi Ray...Well, I really think 15 months plus a few days is long enough to be inactive here on Active Rain.

Get it, the word is "Active" as in Active Rain is fun, Active Rain is enlightening, Active Rain is an opportunity to share with others, Active Rain is anything but inactive.

Get busy and give us something to read.

Meanwhile, enjoy Veterans Day and thank you.

Kate

P.S. Thank you for Paul also.

Hi Ray! Just stopping by from Paul's blog to let you know that I truly do appreciate your service to our country--Paul is very proud of you and I know is eternally grateful that you made it back to the USA! Thanks again--may God bless you!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Debe in Charlotte

Just stopping in from Pauls Post to tell you how appreciated I am of all you have done for this country!

Ray, I just found your blog, via your charming son, Paul. I want to thank you so much for fighting for all of us. Fighting for our freedom and fighting to protect us, each and every one. Thank you for all that you have done for our fine Country. God Bless you, and God Bless America. I hope you enjoyed YOUR special day.

Now, back to whacking Paul with shoes...or whatever you'd like to do :)

Ray - I just came from Paul's blog and wanted to say thank you to such a special man for your service to our country. You are a true hero and Paul is so very proud of you. God bless you and Happy Veterans Day.

Ray, thanks so much for your service. I salute you, my friend.

Hello Ray. Like several of those above me, I read Paul's tribute and wanted to come here to say THANKS!

NOV

Hi Ray, You son Paul sent me over also. You must be a great man. He had lots of great things to say about you and your family. I have read the comments RE: Vietnam and I feel shame and embarrassment at how some of our countrymen treated you. Although I am to young (not that I am Young trust me I am not) to remember the home coming at the time. When I think how some people treated the veterans I am brought to tears. I admire, respect, and thank every veteran no matter what war, what time, what ever. Your services to our country is greatly appreciated. Hope you become a blogger you have to much knowledge that you need to share.

NOV

Hi Ray! Well, as usual, I am late to the party.

I came by to thank you for serving our country. It is a gift that keeps on giving. Thank you.

My husband is a Vietnam Vet, my 2 son in laws are Army and Navy, the 3 of them have a lot to talk about - yet Vietnam is still a mystery.

I think you should start seriously blogging - you must have lots of RE 'war' stories to tell. The story telling ability seems to run in the family - right?

Gotta go check the children!

FEB

This post is awesome! No wonder you haven't cluttered up your blog with any follow up pieces!

Why mess with a masterpiece, Paul?

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