The 032 is a really good investment.  As we continue to gather more annual data post 08′ crash, what may not have been perceived as strong neighborhoods are showing their strength. This comes from Catherine Reagor over at the AZ Republic:

“The northeast Phoenix ZIP code 85032 draws the most buyers in the city. Last year, 1,151 homes sold across the area’s neighborhoods. Even as Phoenix area sales slowed by 15 percent in 2014, sales in 85032 climbed almost 16 percent. Its central location, freeways, shopping and parks are popular with buyers and renters. The median home price climbed more than 10 percent in 2014, double the overall rate for the Valley. Foreclosures had been high in this area, but now buyers looking for a deal have fewer short sales from which to choose.”

It seems clear as to why people flocked back to the 032; location, location, location. But from that stand point one would think the great recovery would be evident in local business.  That aspect still appears to be in flux.  Part of what makes North Phoenix so attractive is the accessibility to Scottsdale; in particular the Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons.  And of course there is Desert Ridge and City North just across the 101 to the north.  Maybe I’m a broken record, but it would be good if the “mom and pops” in the 032 had an opportunity to thrive.  Here’s to you OBH, Casey Jones, Rainbow Doughnuts, Shea 032. Keep rollin.

Had an interesting lunch yesterday.  Was enjoying my once a week nooner at Barro’s Pizza in Cave Creek.  It’s a good deal, a slice, a salad and drink for about 4 bucks.  (Suggest to always assist the Barro’s slice with a salad. Just an fyi).  Anyway, generally I like to mind my own business, but a couple 20 something’s came in and sat next to me and they were TALKING REALLY LOUD.  Tried to ignore as their conversation began with their on-line dating exploits on Tinder.  Eventually the conversation turned to Real Estate.  One of them has a home for sale out in a town I hadn’t heard of.  He is trying to sell it himself. We call this FSBO, For Sale By Owner. He has purchased a lock box and a FSBO sign and when realtors call him to show, he gives them the lock box code and lets them show.  He’s got it figured out, except it has been sitting there for almost a year.

Let’s be honest. Home buyers, home sellers, have more information and resources available to them then ever before. So it’s understandable why people think they can do it themselves. But is it possible that many Realtors are by-passing the FSBO when they are working with buyers? Absolutely. I have called on FSBO sellers before, generally just because I saw their sign and wanted to see what they were asking.  They can be ornery.  Obviously they have already to chosen to try and by-pass the Realtor as it is. But really, most serious buyers are working with an agent, so it’s in the FSBO’s best interest to at least be courteous. “Bring me a buyer.” 🙂

Finally as I was finishing my lunch, I heard the guy say, “Hey, I’m not going to pay someone 15% or whatever it is to sell my house.”  To which the other guy responded, “Yeah, and I think you need 2 agents.”  So I wiped my mouth looked over and said, “Hey guys, I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation.” To which they both looked at me very blankly. I continued, “I’m in Real Estate, and it’s generally 6%, 3% to each side. It can be a tricky transaction, it’s good to have someone guiding you through it.” With that I dropped my card and headed to the drink station for a refill of Sprite and went out the door.  It was my mike drop moment.  What can I say.  Helping one homeowner at a time.

But come on, 15%? I can see why he didn’t want to hire an agent. If nothing else get educated.  Interview a couple Realtors, see what they have to say.  It’s a service business. We are there to make this transaction as easy as possible.

This comes from Patrick O’Grady of the Phoenix Business Journal: “Mortgage website HSH.com found that Phoenix-area residents must earn $43,836 annually in order to afford the median-priced home in the Valley — which, at $218,800, would mean a monthly payment of $1,023.”

Average rent in Phoenix is approximately $1100. Having shown quite a few properties to clients in the 1100 range, believe me, they always ask in disappointment, “What if we were willing to pay 1200 or 1300?” Reality is, you generally have to pay 1300-1400 a month for a decent rental with some square footage in the Valley.

This makes O’Grady’s point all that more interesting.  Think the down payment is the main obstacle keeping renters from buying.  But maybe that obstacle is not as insurmountable as thought.  For instance, just had a client qualify for a conventional 30 year loan for 5% down (with very good credit). On a 218K home that would be $10,900 down.  And if that person had been renting at 1300/month and now has a 1,023/monthly mortgage they would save, drum roll please… $3324 annually! In 3.2 years one would save back the 10,900. And come tax time the interest paid becomes deductible. Wow. Food for thought folks, food for thought.

On another note, want to give a shout out to Ed and Jessica at Universal Drain Cleaning (602)-482-1900.  Was in a pinch at a rental property the other day.  The kitchen sink was badly clogged and me in all my infinite might (and 5 hours of trying) had lost hope of getting  it cleared.  Kind of a bad deal for the tenant considering she had been very limited in her use of the kitchen faucet for 3 days.

I called Universal at 3:30, he arrived at 5 and had it unclogged by 5:30.  Just in time for the tenant to return home at 6.  Always good to have someone in your phone.  Wished I had called 4 1/2 hours earlier

Having just bought a car last summer for the wife to run the turkeys around in, I can understand the appeal of “leasing.” Depending on what your looking for, a lease can seem like a fantastic deal.  I mean we’re talking about driving off the lot in a new car for a reasonable down-payment and more than likely a very reasonable monthly payment.  So what’s the hitch? As this article points out in greater detail, it really hurts your debt-to income ratio. The full amount of the lease shows like a unpaid credit card balance on your credit report.  That in-itself can make qualifying for a home loan very difficult.  Better to keep your credit looking good and have the flexibility to enter into home ownership.  Rents are high these days and with a lack of housing inventory, they’re only going higher.  Would suggest it’s better to be building equity in a home and driving a used car.

Wonder if the “car lease” thing is part of what’s holding back the Millennial crowd from buying their first house?  Read the other day that average age of first time home buyer is 37.  Pre-housing slump it was 27.  That’s half a generation. Figure at the end of a 30 year mortgage, one would be 67.  I don’t think anyone is retiring before the house is paid off.  Here’s hoping I make it to 67 eh?

http://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/is-your-car-lease-keeping-you-from-buying-a-home/?iid=rdc_news_hp_carousel_theLatest

If you were stranded on a desert island with only one food to eat for the rest of your life, what would you want it to be?

For me, probably a Chicago Dog. Not sure how my digestive system would handle hot peppers forever, but what the heck, I’m stranded on a island for goodness sake.

Now that we have that out of the way, want to give a shout out to my friend Shawn in the 331, “The Hot Dog Daddy.”  If you are a lover of hot dogs, you should head up to Cave Creek and see Shawn.  He’s located in in the parking lot of Wild West Mall on the north side of Cave Creek Road just as you enter in to town.

In fact might be fun this weekend to head up grab a dog and stroll your way through town. Weather is beautiful, people are out and Cave Creek is a happening.

It is not my intention to become a reviewer of services, but as my experience has grown with managing properties and the people that work on them, there is no reason to not share some of this experience.  And I do tend to get calls and text(s) from people asking about a/c companies, termite services, plumbers etc. etc. that I use and trust.  This is as a good a forum as any to elaborate further.

The Good…

Advanced Plumbing Services

Really impressed with this company on every level.  With managing seasonal residential homes in Cave Creek/Carefree I deal with quite a few vendors.  Rarely are they awesome. Find most companies have grown too large for themselves and service really suffers.  Not the case with Advanced.  Owner came out gave me estimate that did not change after job was done.  They were able to get repair scheduled very quickly.  Guys that came out and performed service were very professional and did a great job.  Mind you, this is a $3.5 million dollar mansion on Black Mountain that had a burst pipe under the floor. It was important they worked clean.  It’s a short list of great plumbing companies in this Valley. This is one!

Anyone remember what movie this is from?  Can you tell me what “technology” they are destroying?  Classic!

As technology like smart phones, apps, Facebook, blogs and so on have permeated their way into the mainstream culture, it’s been my way to take a wait-and-see attitude before jumping in.  It’s good a way to find out what has staying power without investment in fads or trends that come and go.

Problem is… When I finally did get a smart phone about a year ago, I had to take a class so I could understand how to work it.  Funny thing, at 42 I was the youngest person in the class by 15 years or so.  Accept the instructor of course, who was probably around 25.  Seems the world is turned upside-down these days.

All this said, my friend Kelsey in the 331 sent over an invitation to a new website called Nextdoor.com.  Maybe it’s not new. It’s new to me.  But seems like a great way for communities to better connect on nuts and bolts type issues such as finding a lost dog or tortoise, as is the case where I live.  Maybe you want to sell an end table without attracting every looky-loo in the valley.  To me though, this is a great way to exchange info on vendors or maybe, just maybe, saying hi to those who live around you.  Boy am I living in the fast lane now.

Attached invite link below.

https://nextdoor.com/invite/raaqsrpjvhzextzmukpr

Say howdy neighbor!

Have a friend here who is looking for a game of tennis or basketball.  Think he’s more of a basketball player though. Looks like he is going to plant himself on the 3 point line.  Guess he’s been watching Steph Curry.

Want to give a shout out to my friend Keith in the 032.  He is hosting/coordinating the 3rd POW WOW (Produce On Wheels Without Waste) event of the season.  Set up will be in the parking lot in front of Genesis Church at the corner of 32nd and T-Bird tomorrow morning.  For $10 anyone can pick up to 60lbs of produce. Gates open at 7:30, volunteers are asked to be there by 6:45. Wrap up is at 11am.

Come join us if you can.  It’s a wonderful time to be out in the crisp morning air enjoying community.

Lastly, want to remind everyone to keep their water mains and irrigation systems covered for a few more weeks.  Had an issue at one of the properties I manage.  Plumber came out, said people have been getting hit with cracked pipes everywhere.  FYI folks, more than likely that aint copper coming in from the your water meter (pvc is cheaper for builders to install).

Hope to see you this weekend!

Over and out.

Happy new year to everyone!  Doing a little rebranding here at the 032. Very much wanted to maintain a nebulous blog about community, restaurants, watering holes, shops, housing etc… Found that by not really saying anything specific, I wasn’t saying anything.  Just hanging with my friend Josh in the 032.

Here’s reality; I’m selling. I’m selling houses, I’m selling my services at Son Volt Properties, I’m selling North Phoenix, I’m selling Cave Creek.  I’ve chosen to sell these things because I believe in them.  I have lived in Cave Creek since 2002.  Have attended church in the 032 since 2012.

I like consistency, (my residential service business is named after my favorite band Son Volt, who I’ve listened to since 1995) and I do believe in community.  Have chosen to talk about the “032 revitalization” quite a bit because it concerns me that it may come and go without any actual revitalization, just some “north 032” signs and faded bike lanes.  Wouldn’t it be better if North Phoenix became a hot neighborhood like Central Phoenix?  I believe in being part of the solution. Cave Creek on the other hand needs no help.  It’s simply just a great place to live, work, play and raise three little turkeys.

I’ve been selling real estate since 2005 and survived the down turn years by helping people self-manage rental properties, managing seasonal residents homes, helping clients with differed maintenance projects and basically doing anything anyone called me about. It has me refined my view service.  Yes sir. Roger that.

If you have any real estate or property question/need.  Call me. If nothing else, I can help point you in the right direction.

Skol Vikings!

You ever heard of Luckenbach, Texas?  Got this song on my five disc changer in my shop.  Recorded by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson in 1977.

“Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we’re livin’
Got us feuding like the Hatfields and McCoys
Between Hank Williams’ pain songs and
Newberry’s train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain
Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain”

Great song, have thought many a times I should head to Luckenbach and check things out. Maybe go to a show or two.  Like to feel no pain.

Turns out Luckenbach is a mirage.  According to author Peter Doggett in his 2000 book Are You Ready for the Country?, Doggett recalls that Jennings later told audiences that “he hated the song and (had) admitted ‘The guys that wrote the thing have never been to Luckenbach. Neither have I.”

So disappointing.  Move along young feller’ nothing to see here.

Like to experience a real Luckenbach, but I aint no sellout.