Three I-10 ramps to reopen next week

Three I-10 ramps to reopen next week

and an update on an earlier post: the electronic billboards off the 101 by Westgate near the University of Phoenix Cardinal Stadium are now up and running and in fact there are two of them. Most of the adds are for restaurants in the SW Valley including Peoria near the Peoria Sports Complex as well as pizza joints in Goodyear. Today I saw an add for Cirque du Soleil happening at Westgate - stay tuned for more...

Uzi Husain, proudly serving the metro Phoenix/Scottsdale/Goodyear, Palm Valley and SW Valley communities real estate needs since 2005 -

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Rent-to-own home deals gaining in popularity

Rent-to-own home deals gaining in popularity

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Scottsdale gears up to buy 400 acres of state trust land

Scottsdale gears up to buy 400 acres of state trust land

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Avondale launches Rx discount program

Avondale launches Rx discount program

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Home prices increase from April to May

Home prices increase from April to May

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Energy Audits & Energy inspections...

Energy is high on the Obama administrations list of "To Do's" & so is this just another step towards incorporating energy inspections as part of the home inspection process to buy and sell a home. There are a lot of rebates being offered for green initiatives for conscientious home owners this year (see your tax advisor for more info on that) as well. This is an interesting article, I've shared the link below. Meanwhile if you want to know more about conducting an energy audit for your home at least here in AZ, drop me a line.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/business/energy-environment/18codes.html

All the best!

Uzi

6 new restaurants join CityScape project

6 new restaurants join CityScape project

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Tiger cubs a powerful draw for Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium

Tiger cubs a powerful draw for Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium

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2009 Financial Forum "the new reality"

I'm attending this later today in Scottsdale...will tell you all about it.  Basically a commentary of what has transpired on Wall St. that has led to the mess we're in today and the outlook for real estate at this time...stay tuned

An Observation of the greater Phoenix housing market

Whoa! Is this a coincidence or a new trend.  Today as I was searching through the ARMLS (Maricopa County, greater Phoenix housing) I came across two new listings in two different parts of town that were not flip, short sale or REO but good old fashioned traditional equity sales (I checked tax records).  Just yesterday we got the news we're down to 3.33 mnths of inventory in the valley based on the active listings in the MLS but now I have to ask, is this a coincidence or a trend?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this.

Uzi Husain

inventory is low???

I just read our inventory in Maricopa county is now at 3.33 months - this is terrific news and a sign of recovery - we don't know what the crystal ball has in store for us next but we'll take all positive news as it comes - if you've been thinking about selling your home or investment property whether as a traditional equity sale or a shortsale now is the time to consult with your favorite realtor.

Twitter Twitter

In the past few weeks I've had several occassions where I've called on the availability of a listing and received a text message back from the listing agent. I'm cool with that. I like my iphone and I enjoy texting. Then twice in the last 3 weeks I've had a scenario where from availability to offer to counter offer acceptance the entire transaction was done via email and I never got to speak to the listing agent even once! Now I love gadgets (told you i'd be stir crazy if I ever lost my iphone) and techonology, damn it I own a technology company for heavens sake but yet I find that some times in business you need to have a good old phone conversation as well - hey it worked for years didn't it? Well, so i'm wondering what's next - are we ready to discuss availability on properties and negotiate offers via twitter? If so follow me on
https://twitter.com/uziHusain and while you're at it and if you're uber cool then look me up on facebook, I might just add you as a friend!
Happy Friday folks
Uzi Husain, REALTOR

The Farmers Market at Estrella Mountain Ranch

I think I'm embarrassed to say that in my 6 years of being a West Valley resident I finally had a chance to stop by last Saturday at the Estrella Mountain Farmers Market. The Farmers market is held once a month by the lake at Estrella Mountain Ranch at the yacht club - the next one is on May 19th.

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and it was worth the while taking a stroll through the tree lined path overlooking the boat docks. Fresh Tamales, jewelry, bags, crafts, olive oil, fresh fruit and veggies and salsa vendors were lined up under white tented booths.

If you go, take a lot of cash because very few of the vendors offer debit or credit card transactions and don't forget your camera. After a stroll, relax on the green grassy banks along the lakes and take in Arizona beauty. You may see me again, this time, I'll probably have a book or laptop with me - I get inspired by the water!

Cheers,
Uzi Husain
Arizona Realtor, serving Goodyear & The Phoenix metropolitan area

coffee snob...

finally, a coffee shop has opened in the WEST VALLEY city of Buckeye in Verrado and gives coffee afficiaonados a choice of not having to buy their coffees from the ubiquitous, over rated, processed, commercial joints otherwise known as Starbucks! If you're in the West side of town, stop in and grab a cup of Joe, a gelato, breakfast, a granita, a spruzzo and what ever else your heart might desire at Mokarabia on Main Street in Verrado.

Cheers,Uzi HusainArizona Realtor, serving Goodyear & The Phoenix metropolitan area

useful INFO

Ever found yourself wondering where the nearest “widgets store” is when you’re out and about…maybe you don’t want to pay that $1.50 charge for every 411 call and maybe that GPS Navigation system in your car is just not what you thought it would be and now you hate using it…well…here’s something that might be a nice alternative…

http://labs.google.com/goog411/

for more details on this, check it out in my other blog on localism.com
http://activerain.com/blogsview/75350/411-The-Yellow-Pages

Cheers,
Uzi Husain Arizona Realtor, serving Goodyear & The Phoenix metropolitan area

Localism.Com

I've been actively posting on localism.com brought to you by the activerain community. If you're interested in real estate news, info etc. check it out....

Cheers,
Uzi HusainArizona Realtor, serving Goodyear & The Phoenix metropolitan area

Growth Outlook for the West Valley...

snippets of business news, courtesy of my Team Leader at the Goodyear, Keller Williams office:

1. BUSINESS NEWS:
   The Collier International 2020 vision report projects that 50% of future growth will be in the west valley; that the downtown Phoenix and the area near 24th Street and Camelback will continue to be the location of choice for Class A office space but that it will continue into the North Scottsdale Airpark and Deer Valley areas as well as the Glendale Sports complex; the I-17 corridor will be where the infill opportunities will be -- older existing products will be torn down or remodeled; and that the Williams Gateway may become the east valley's version of Souther California's Inland Empire, an area that boasts one of the most robust economies in the US. For more info, visit their website at www.colliers2020vision.com.
2. Economy tracker: Building permits were down 45% in January 07 over January 06; unemployment was at 3.9% compared to 4.5% in January 06; personal income jumped up 1.% from the prior month due to increases in wages and salaries; personal spending showed an increase, with a .5% gain from the prior month; housing starts were down 38% over a year ago; and new home sales were down 20%.
3. More than 50 valley venues have been secured for NFL and Super Bowl XLII host committee events and parties during Super Bowl week. Final selection should be completed by early summer.

Cheers,
Uzi Husain, REALTOR(R)
Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners
WEB: http://www.UziHusain.com
"Consider UZIng a Professional for your next Real Estate Transaction"

Tempe TownLake and Condos, condos, condos...

Driving East bound on the 202, you look over at the lake and realize, oh man, where are all these buildings coming from...and what exactly are they? Don't fret...here's the deal: two housing developments are proposed for near Tempe Town Lake near the new Tempe Center for the Arts. Town Lake Villas would contain eight multimillion-dollar single-family homes ranging from 4,600 to 5,800 square feet with underground parking with space for at least four vehicles, elevators to the homes second floors and rooftop gardens with Jacuzzis. Next door, plans for more condos and townhomes are being proposed by Zacher Homes, who wants to build four condominium towers that could reach 25 stories. Preliminary plans show the "Residences at the Arts Park" would be on the northwestern corner of Roosevelt and First Street. Per an article in the AZ Republic, it was stated that "city officials said they expect the Town Lake Villas homes could cost up to $2 million. The developers behind the Residences at the Arts Park units say the condos will cost about $400 per square foot to build".

Cheers...
Uzi Husain, REALTOR(R)
Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners
WEB: http://www.UziHusain.com
"Consider UZIng a Professional for your next Real Estate Transaction"

Buzz...

I thought I'd share the following newsworthy items:

• The Surprise City Council unanimously approved Westcor's plans to build a 3,000 acre mixed-use project that will include auto mall, shopping mall, residential development and a hospital. The project will be located on the Loop 303 between Greenway and Cacus; opening is expected in 2008.
• The City of Goodyear is reviewing plans for the Estrella Falls mall also scheduled to open in 2008. This will be similar to the Chandler Fashion Center.
• Population figures show the following growth: Goodyear: 559% increase to 41,225 since 1990 ; Surprise population has tripled since 2000 to 103,000; Buckeye has seen a 368% increase, Glendale a 60% increase, and Peoria a 171% increase.
• The Peoria Center for Performing Arts opened in February after 1-1/2 years of construction; located between Peoria Avenue and Washington Street their website at www.peoriaaz.com
• Rose Properties has purchased a 17-acre commrecial parcel at the southwest corner of Avondale Boulevard and Lower Buckeye Road and plans to develop a retail hub.
• The WOMEN IN BUSINESS trade show and luncheon will be held on March 29th at the Arizona Biltmore. You can visit the following website at phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/event/2885 for more information.
• Cancer Treatment Centers of America plans to build a $75 million facility along the Loop 101 as part of the Banner Estrella Medical Center. The 200,000 sf facility will have 30 to 40 beds; groundbreaking should take place in July with completion approximately 15 months later.
• Glendale is on the short list of hopefuls vying for the 2011 Super Bowl!

Luke Days of Thunder...

Are here...if you're in the West side of town on Saturday, April 24 or April 25th you'll have an amazing opportunity to see a stunning air show put together by the nice folks from Luke Air Force base...from the Blue Angels to the F16 fighter jets...it's quite a show! Cars start lining up around Litchfield Road just north of Camelback at the crack of dawn in some cases so you'll want to get here early. Although to be honest with you if you're in Avondale, Glendale near WestGate, Litchfield Park or Goodyear, north of I-10 you'll be able to see the air show fairly well and no doubt hear it even better!

I'll be at an OPEN HOUSE in the Peoria/Glendale neighborhood myself so I'll end up missing it but I've been seeing them practice the last couple of days so I don't feel too bad.

BTW - what's with the weather...yesterday was a nice change with all the rain but I hear it hailed in Tempe today!

ciao,
Uzi
http://www.uzihusain.com

check it out if you're bored or want to do some house hunting...