This photo was taken at the beginning of the Summer, prior to the heat!  My family and I like to walk and hike South Mountain Preserve, the Spring rains prior to the Summer brings out the most gorgeous desert flowers and makes for an exceptional walk! 

For more photos please visit our photography blog at Phoenix Area Specialists.

Desert Blooms… is a post from: Phoenix Area Specialists

Price Trends

The median single family home price as of August 29 2010 for MESA is $147,162.

Market Conditions

With a Market Action Index as of August 29 2010 at 16.09, MESA is currently a buyer’s market.

Sales and Demand Trends

The average property in MESA as of August 29 2010 has been on the market for about 138 days.

Price Per Square Foot

The median price per square foot for homes in MESA as of August 29 2010 is about $84.

Homes for Sale

There are about 2,490 properties on the market in MESA as of August 29 2010.

Although the median pricing for Mesa, Arizona is down just slightly compared to the last few weeks of our graphs, the price per sq foot has maintained it’s value.  Mesa is still a Buyers Market.

For more GREAT blogs and statistical information on Phoenix and it’s surrounding cities, please visit Phoenix Area Specialists blog!

MESA Real Estate Market Report 09/02/2010 is a post from: Phoenix Area Specialists

steady path toward recovery.

If you’re thinking about selling your home in the near future and want to be sure you get the most bang for your buck

take a look at this list for ideas on home improvements that could get you more money in the long-run.

 Update your kitchen – This is definitely one of the bigger projects on this

list, yet renovating a kitchen in an older home can have huge benefits. In

fact according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value 2009-10

Report, a mid-range renovation of a kitchen is estimated to recoup about

72% of the homeowner’s initial investment. Not only that, an updated

kitchen can lure in buyers who may have reservations about another

aspect of the house.

 Paint – For a fairly small investment, painting rooms or specific walls in

your home provides dramatic results. If you’re planning to sell soon, be strategic about the colors you choose to paint. For example, hot pink and

neon blue might not attract a high offer on your home. Instead choose neutral or warm and inviting colors such as yellow. Buyers want to

picture themselves in your home, creating that environment for them from the get-go sets you up for seller success!

 Build a deck – Can you smell the burgers from here? A deck is an excellent addition to your home, even if you’re not

planning on selling any time soon. When you do decide to sell a deck is an excellent selling point because buyers

see it as an extension of their home. Decks are also a great return on investment. Homeowners who invested an

initial $10,634 recouped a little more than 80 percent or $8,573.

 Add Siding -  Siding is becoming a more popular project for homeowners since the explosion of green initiatives. The

U.S. Department of Energy says that qualified siding (dual-or-triple-paned) windows can save as much as 15% to

20% on energy bills. With more buyers are looking for homes with Energy Efficient upgrades that will save them

money in the long run, this is an excellent addition that recoups an outstanding 80% on the initial investment.

 Landscape – Curb appeal is king. Not only is landscaping an excellent hobby for some, it pays off big for buyers and

at little cost to the seller. Landscaping is generally cheaper than many indoor projects and since it’s the first thing

they see when they drive up, may determine whether or not a buyer will even look at your home.

 Replace the Windows -  Do you feel a breeze? It might be time to replace windows. Not only will this project reduce

your energy bill, you could reap potential tax benefits if you install energy efficient windows qualified by The U.S.

Department of Energy.

 Modify the Bathroom -  Bathroom updates are always a solid investment that can recoup as much as 78 percent of

your initial investment. Just be sure to stay away from anything too trendy. For one, it may not match the rest of your

house and it could turn more traditional buyers off.

 Put in a Swimming Pool -  Before you put in a pool it’s important to consider which part of the country you live in. If

you live in an area where the amount of time spent cleaning the pool outweighs the amount of time spent enjoying

the pool, you may want to reconsider. If you live in an area of the country that experiences great weather, nearly

year round, a pool can significantly boost your homes’ value.

 Fix up the Basement -  Be honest! Is your basement the damp, smelly area of your home? Does it leak regularly or worse flood? If the latter sentence

describes your basement in any way, it’s time for an update. Consider calling in the pros if it’s bad enough, or think about adding drywall,

insulation, laminate flooring or even a bathroom.

 Install Central Air Conditioning -  Here’s another opportunity to go green. Installing a central air conditioning unit can be costly, but it could boost

you’re homes’ value by up to 10 to 20 percent. Not to mention, you’ll be able to see through your window!

Sources: www.remodeling.hw.net

For more great value ideas and improvements please visit Phoenix Area Specialists blog!

Add Value to Your Home with Improvements that Pays Off is a post from: Phoenix Area Specialists

Markwood North, also known as Sienna is a beautifully planned out community located in Chandler, Arizona.  Markwood North is conveniently located in the southeast portion of Chandler, just south of the Chandler Airpark, between Cooper Road and Gilbert Road.

Shops, restaurants, everyday conveniences are just around the corner.  Markwood North is also nestled in between two very popular malls in Chandler, Chandler Fashion Center and San Tan Village.  Markwood North is also minutes away from the newly revamped Historic Downtown Chandler, which offers a variety of fine restaurants or even just an evening stroll under the lights of Chandler.

Homes in Markwood North / Sienna were developed by Trend Homes around 2003-2006. Markwood is a very popular community here in Chandler,  currently there are 7 homes for sale in the Markwood North community ranging in price from $249,000 to $369,000.  What makes the homes at Markwood North very desireable is the combination of modern floor plans with old world architectural stylishness. Markwood North features a range of community amenities including greenbelts, basketball courts, walkways, picnic areas and play parks for the younger children.

Current Schools for Markwood North / Sienna community

Elementary School – Haley Elementary School

Middle School – Santan Junior High School

High School – Perry High School

**It is best to verify these schools, boundaries can changes before the school year and throughout the school year.  Chandler Unified School District

If you have questions about the homes currently for sale in Markwood North / Sienna or any homes in Chandler AZ, please feel free to give me a call or simply send me an email  -  I’d love to help!

Homes for Sale in Markwood North 85286 is a post from: Phoenix Area Specialists

My husband and I just had to replace our master bedroom toilet and long story short, our Handiman said call the City of Chandler and they will come out for free and pick-up your excess refuse.  How cool is that, the convenience of free curb-side service.

Refuse Service               For excess amounts of refuse or recyclables, residents may call (480) 782-3510 to schedule a free curbside bulk collection twice a year, and thereafter, $25 per scheduled bulk collection.

Residents also may use the City’s Recycling-Solid Waste Collection Center, located at 955 East Queen Creek Rd. (entrance just west of McQueen Road).

Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 pm, Thursday thru Monday. CLOSED every Tuesday and Wednesday, and on the following holidays: New Year’s, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

A current City of Chandler Utility Services bill is required, along with picture identification.

For more GREAT blogs about Chandler Arizona, please visit Phoenix Area Specialists!

Free curbside service in Chandler is a post from: Phoenix Area Specialists

For more GREAT blogs and statistical reports, please visit Phoenix Area Specialists!

Price Trends

The median single family home price as of August 29 2010 for CHANDLER is $202,015.

Market Conditions

With a Market Action Index as of August 29 2010 at 16.01, CHANDLER is currently a buyer’s market.

Sales and Demand Trends

The average property in CHANDLER as of August 29 2010 has been on the market for about 120 days.

Price Per Square Foot

The median price per square foot for homes in CHANDLER as of August 29 2010 is about $102.

Homes for Sale

There are about 1,892 properties on the market in CHANDLER as of August 29 2010.

Chandler Arizona Market Trend 09/01/2010 is a post from: Phoenix Area Specialists

Home permits for July are Up!!!  -  The town of Gilbert issued 93 home permits in the month of July, this is an increase of 21 over the previous month. Gilbert issued 70 permits for the month of May and 82 in the month of April.

Beth Lucas, a spokeswoman for the town of Gilbert says, “Gilbert is definitely continuing to grow at a healthy pace, as a destination for new families.”

 

For more GREAT blogs on Arizona and it’s surrounding cities, please visit Phoenix Area Specialists!

More Good News for Gilbert Arizona is a post from: Phoenix Area Specialists

Just Reduced…GREAT Property in Chandler Arizona! is a post from: Phoenix Area Specialists

Splash pads have become increasingly more popular in the Phoenix Arizona market because of its extremely safe way to have a backyard water park. Imagine letting you children just run outside and play in the water – and they will play for hours! Most pool builders specialize in large swimming pools and even play pools, which they deem “child friendly”, but nothing is as “kid friendly” as a splash pad with NO standing water, which means “no drowning hazards” for small children!

Now, the heat is still on in Phoenix…I’m beginning to think, we are never going to see cooler weather!  But here are some really cool Splash pads throughout the Phoenix area you can take your family too.  And in today’s economy, the price is still right…FREE! 

Splash Playground at Tempe Beach Park

This popular one-acre splash park is actually an interactive lesson for children, and teaches them how rainfall goes into the ocean or into the city water supply. Children start their learning adventure under a metal circle of clouds, where “rain” falls down and collects into streams. The water then leads to the “ocean,” where there are toy whales to ride. Only about two inches of water actually collects at any given time, which is cleaned and recycled to be circulated over and over again. There is always an attendant on duty during operating hours, and visitors can also reserve picnic tables nearby.  Tempe is an enjoyable city, just walking distance from restaurants and shopping centers.

Details: 10 a.m.-7 pm. daily. South bank of Tempe Beach Park, 80 West Rio Salado Parkway , Tempe. 480-350-8625

Chandler Spray Pads

There are a few splash pads in the Chandler area, including one at Desert Breeze Park that is especially unique. Some of the spray features are in the shapes of animals, with three dolphins and an elephant showering visitors with cool water. Kids can sit on top of the animals, and three ground fountains also cool them off. Over at Espee Park, the giant primary-colored splash pad has a tower that pours water down on the laughing kids below. Three candy cane-shaped fountains, spray rings and ground sprays also keep children cool.

Details: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. through August, 10 a.m.-6 pm. September-October. Desert Breeze Park, 660 North Desert Breeze Blvd.,   Espee Park, 450 East  Knox Road. 480-782-2727

Goodyear Community Park

The spacious splash pad gives kids plenty of space to run around and cool off on a hot day. The area has colorful arches that spray water in all directions so children can get soaked running underneath them. There is also a tumbling water feature that automatically fills up buckets of water that empty out onto visitors below. There’s also a big skate park where older kids can shred on the half-pipes and fun-boxes, basketball and tennis courts, a concession stand and plenty of shaded picnic tables and grassy areas.

Details: 9 a.m.-8 pm. daily through October. Goodyear Community Park, 3151 North Litchfield Road. 623-882-7525

Shopping Center Splash Pads

Several of the outdoor malls around the Valley have areas to cool off and get a little wet after a long day of shopping and maybe some lunch.

• Tempe Marketplace (McClintock Road and Loop 202)

• Desert Ridge Marketplace (Tatum Boulevard and Loop 101, Phoenix)

• Westgate City Center (9401 West Glendale Ave., Glendale)

• SanTan Village (Williams Field Road and Loop 202, Gilbert)

• Kierland Commons (Greenway Parkway and Scottsdale Road, Phoenix)

Children should wear bathing suits at all of these water features.

Now for the Splash pad that has a nominal fee…

Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo has its very own splash area in the park, called the Leapin’ Lagoon, that’s free for all zoo guests. Jet streams of water spray out from the ground, providing a refreshing respite after a long day of walking around the zoo. The perfect day? Start the morning by checking out all the animals, take a ride on the Endangered Species Carousel, enjoy lunch by the African Savanna and then cool off at the Leapin’ Lagoon in the afternoon.

Details: 10 a.m.-8 pm. daily through October. Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvin Parkway. $9-$18, Free for children 2 years and younger. 602-273-1341

For more GREAT Things To Do throughout Phoenix and it’s surrounding areas, please visit Phoenix Area Specialists Blog!

Splash Pads is a post from: Phoenix Area Specialists

Classes are interactive, hands-on setting to allow for practical applications and optimum learning.  The curriculum will include training on how to effectively address challenges that affect hose who live within an HOA.  The topics to include: HOA budgets and structure, meeting facilitation, CC&R enforcement, homeowner rights and so much more.

The best part about this popular HOA Academy is classes are FREE!  You must pre-register by August 27.  Call 480-782-4320 or email neighborhood.programs@chandleraz.gov                                            

The Academy consists of six evening classes beginning on Thursday September 2, 2010.  They will run every Thursday through October 7.

Time:   6-8:30pm

Place:   Chandler Police Department

            250 East Chicago Street

            Main-Station Community Room                                                                                                                                                      

For more GREAT information on the City we love and call home, visit Phoenix Area Specialists Blog!

Chandler Arizona HOA Academy – Starts September 2 is a post from: Phoenix Area Specialists