This really is a beautiful place to live

I was hiking the Pinnacle Peak trail a couple days ago, which I try to do 2-3 times a week.  I can exercise anywhere, including at home, but I enjoy the PP trail for it's level of exercise and, of course, for the natural beauty.  There are many other trails in the area, and I have posted about them on various venues before.  They all have their attributes.  This isn't as much about this particular trail as it is the wonderful natural beauty of the Arizona desert.

While on this hike two I heard and saw a couple things that triggered my thoughts to write this.  I saw a family with a young boy who had a toss camera in his hands.  He stopped to take a picture, and took a few steps, wound the camera and took another.  This brought back fond memories of a trip our family took back in 2007.  My son had just gotten a new digital camera for his birthday and was very excited to use as we made our way through some of the national and state parks in northern AZ.  One stop was at the Petrified Forest.  As we made our way along the trail, my son was step, click...step, click...step, click.  While he loved the camera, it was truly nature that was captivating to him, and there are a few hundred pictures to document that.  On that trip we also visited the Painted Desert, the Grand Canyon, and a couple state parks that included cliff dwellings and lava flows.  We all really enjoyed it.

The second thing I heard on the Pinnacle trail was a young couple saying "it's amazing that this is all in our back yard.  It's a shame so many people who live here don't bother to explore what the Phoenix area has to offer". (A little paraphrasing on my part, but the sentiment is the same)

I couldn't agree more.  Whether it's the trails in the McDowell Mountain Preserve, The Phoenix Mountains Preserve or many others throughout the Phoenix metro area, there is much to behold.  I have seen families of deer, all kinds of lizards and much more on my hikes.  But it's not just our local area.  The state is full of wonders, from the Red Rocks of Sedona, to the Grand Canyon, and south to Karchner Caverns, the state is a wonderland.

Whether you live here, are just visiting, or want to move here, check out all of our natural resources!!  You won't regret it.

Adam Tarr PC
Mav Realty
480-236-7374

I am not buying it, you are

In all my years in real estate, I have often been asked by clients what I thought of a property, and whether they should buy.  My short answer is that I am not the one who will be living in the home, or paying for it, so, I can't really make that commitment.  I always review the info available so that my clients can make an educated decision.

I just read a blog post by Nick Vandekar, a Realtor in the Philly Main Line area.  I think his post covers the above subject well, and doesn't need my restatement.  Good job Nick.  Here is what he wrote, and I fully agree with:

A client loved a particular home. They made an offer and their offer was accepted. It was an estate selling the home as is. Home inspections were arranged. Issues arose.
The home was riddled with mold. Water was getting into the basement.  It was going to take extensive remediation to fix.There were also potential issues with the electrical wiring and the home inspector called for further investigation by an electrical contractor. However the inspector said the house was solid and had good bones.
The buyer arranged some further inspections and contractors to visit the house. Yes the wiring needed to be replaced, it was old and was not up to code. But nice house and well built said the electrician.
The contractor visited to look at the issue of water penetration, yes it would need some landscaping and some drainage issues to fix the water penetration. Well built house said the contractor.
Finally the mold remediation expert came by. He looked around and shook his head, it was going to take a lot of work to fix, but it could be done and the house was worth it as it was well built.
Now, the client was handy, the price was a deal for the area, the location was excellent, close to the buyers work, in a good school district, etc. But not once did an inspector or contractor say "Don't buy the house".
In conversation he was intrigued that not once did anyone question his purchase or advise him not to buy. Everyone mentioned how well built or what a great location or words along similar lines.
He was very surprised. So we sat down and said to him, it is your decision to buy or not to buy. Every expert is here to give you information so you can make the right decision for you. They supply you with the data, you make the choice. Not them. It is really irrelevant what they think about the house other than their specific area of expertise. Likewise, it is not our position to tell you to buy or not or what price to offer or pay. Only you can make that decision, we can supply you with the information, the data, explain it and help you feel confident in your decision, but at the end of the day it is your choice. You have to decide if you want to pay the price for the renovations, the remediation of the mold, the updates to the electrical system, the landscaping and everything else and if it is worth it to you.
They went ahead and they were very happy, they got a home in a great location, with excellent equity built in as the repairs were completed and they love their home. It was exactly what they were looking for and they don't regret buying the home, not even once.
But, don't expect anyone to tell you what to do. It is your choice when buying a home, we can all only give you the data and the information you need to make the decision.

Adam Tarr PC
Mav Realty AZ
480-236-7374

December 2018 Real Estate Stats, Scottsdale AZ 85254

December 2018 saw a total of 64 home sales in the 85254 Zip code of Scottsdale.  As of this writing there are 212 active listings and 68 under contract within 85254, so the inventory levels are at 3.31 months worth of supply based on the December sales.  85254 encompasses an area roughly bounded by Shea Blvd on the south,Tatum Blvd on the west, Bell Rd and the CAP canal on the north and Scottsdale Road on the East in Scottsdale and NE Phoenix.   Some of the main attractions and destinations in 85254 include Kierland Commons, Westin Kierland Resort, CrackerJax Family Fun Center, Orange Tree Resort, Excelling Paradise Valley Unified School District and Scottsdale School District schools and much more.  85254 has long been called the "magic zip code" in the real estate business for it's desirability.  For more information on the area as well as available homes, please  call me at 480-236-7374.

Total December sales: 64
Average Price Per foot: $226.72
Sale price as a percentage of list price: 97%
Average sale price: $517,730
Average Days on market: 66

This breaks down by type as follows:

Single Family Detached Homes
Sales: 48
Average Price Per foot: $209.55
Sale price as a percentage of list price: 97%
Average sale price: $555,476
Average Days on market: 64

Condos and Townhomes:
Total sales :16
Average Price Per foot: $278.23
Sale price as a percentage of list price: 98%
Average sale price: $404,492
Average Days on market: 72

Prices for all properties ranged from $144,000 for a 1/1, 753 sq. ft. condo in Tuscany Villas  to $1.358M for a  4/4, 4999 sq.ft. custom home in Century Club Estates.

Adam Tarr PC
MavRealty
480-236-7374

Desert Ridge December 2018 Real Estate stats

December 2018 saw a total of 45 home sales in the Desert Ridge area.  As of this writing there are 114 active listings, This brings the  inventory level to 2.53 months worth of supply based on the December sales.   There are currently 26 properties under contract.   Desert Ridge is a wonderful master planned community in Northeast Phoenix.  Desert Ridge is ideally situated close to the junction of the Loop 101 and SR 51 for easy access to all parts of the valley.  Desert Ridge boasts award winning schools, fabulous shopping and dining and wonderful neighborhoods.  For more info on Desert Ridge Homes, check out Desert Ridge or call me at 480-236-7374. Find out about the Desert Ridge Lifestyle now!

December Total sales: 45
Average Price Per foot: $204.07
Sale price as a percentage of list price: 98%
Average sale price: $533,406
Median sale price: $552,000
Average Days on market: 63

This breaks down by type as follows:

Single Family Detached Homes
Sale: 35
Average Price Per foot: $200.38
Sale price as a percentage of list price: 99%
Average sale price: $602,180

Median sale price: $590,000
Average Days on market: 63

Condos and Townhomes:
Total sales : 10
Average Price Per foot: $216.99
Sale price as a percentage of list price: 98%
Average sale price: $292,699
Median sale price: $289,000
Average Days on market:63

 December sales are typically slow, and we should see significant increases in January, with the start of the selling season in our market.  Sales are still strong with reasonable appreciation year over year.

Adam Tarr PC 

MavRealtyPhoenix AZ