The Importance of Prequalification in Finding Your Perfect Arizona Home

There are a lot of homes on the Phoenix/Scottsdale markets right now. This is a natural occurrence that has resulted from a slight downswing in the very strong housing market the last few years. As we stated in our last post, it's a buyer's market. But before you run out and start talking to real estate agents, there is one step we recommend you take that could save you a lot of time and frustration: prequalification!

Prequalification does not commit you to anything. It usually doesn't cost you anything. It simply lets you know how much buying power you have to acquire your new home. This is invaluable information to have when it comes time to actually find your perfect home, and it will help you realtor help you save a tremendous amount of time.

To get prequalified, you will have to be able to provide accurate information regarding your monthly expenses and income, as well as your credit history. You don't want to hide anything, because you will be discovered and it will only prolong the process.

Choice Mortgage Company offers numerous flexible programs (including 100% financing) and fast and easy processing. Call us today to help us start getting your financing ready to purchase your Arizona dream home.

Arizona Home Sales: It's a Buyer's Market in the Valley

The real estate marketing in our areas (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, etc.) is in the midst of somewhat of a correction. There has been a lot of speculation nationwide about the bottom falling out of the housing market. We fear no such bottom here. Why? Because the economy here has always been strong and it continues to be strong, and we have a diverse housing market.

BUT...if you're looking to buy a home in this area, conditions are in your favor (especially relative to last year), so the time to take action is NOW. Don't wait until the market heats back up. At the present time, we are experiencing somewhat of a normalization as demand tries to catch up with supply. So you may be able to purchase more home for your money right now than you could last year, but that may not be the case a few months from now.

In general, Arizona is an affordable housing market, especially relative to our neighbors in California. That fact, combined with the present softening of the market, make this the ideal location and time for home purchasers looking to move to a pleasant climate while maximizing their home purchase value.

There will be no bust in our housing marketing because of our strong economy and strong job growth. So buyers should take advantage of a flattening of home prices while there is still time. Call Choice Group Realty today and we will walk you through the process of finding your perfect home and use our connections to help you get it financed.

Mesa, Arizona - One of the Hottest, Fastest Growing Cities in the U.S.

From 1980 to 1990, the population of Mesa, Arizona increased from 152 thousand to 288 thousand, a whopping increase of 89% (number one in the country). By 2000, the population had increased to 404 thousand. Today, Mesa is the third largest city in Arizona. So what accounts for this incredible growth?

It is a number of factors, including:

• A very mild winter.
• A very pleasant year-round atmosphere. In fact, Mesa has over 320 days of sunshine every year. How many places in this world can make that claim?
• Strong economic conditions.
• An incredible array of outdoor/sports-related activites.

If you're a golfer, then you are going to love it in Mesa. There are many golf clubs. Just a few are:

• Arizona Golf Resort
• Augusta Ranch Golf Club
• Desert Sands Golf and Country Club
• Dreamland Villa Golf Course
• Las Sendas Golf Club
  

This is no way a complete list. Just a start.

There is also horse back riding, desert exploration, hiking, even river tubing!

But despite all this, ultimately, the reason for Mesa's growth is the fine people who live here. There is a warmth of the Southwest that radiates in the people who call this city home. We invite you to come check it our for yourself. And if you decide to stay, Choice Group Realty is here to help you find your perfect dream home. Just call us!

Scottsdale's Seven Downtown Districts

Have you been to downtown Scottsdale lately? If not, boy are you missing out. Here is a quick primer, so you'll know what you're missing.

Downtown is divided into seven districts:

• Scottsdale Fashion Square. Fashion like you wouldn't believe, available from the likes of Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy's, Dillard's (the largest in the country!), and way too many more to list. Overall, there are more than 225 retailers here.
  
• Entertainment District. Fine dining and night time entertainment of all varieties can be found here.
  
• Scottsdale Waterfront. Located in Scottsdale's downtown canal bank district, this is the link between Fashion Square and Old Town Scottsdale.
  
• 5th Avenue Shops & Boutiques. Featuring over 35 restaurants and 80 specialty shops, this district combines the glitz of fine shopping with the appeal of old Scottsdale.
  
• Brown & Stetson Business / Scottsdale Arts District. First rate hotels, professional services, shops, restaurants, plus dozens of art galleries.
  
• Old Town Scottsdale. Experience the old Southwest here, with numerous historic buildings and shopping focused on Southwestern style.
  
• Scottsdale Health Care. Some of the finest health care in the Southwest is available right here in downtown Scottsdale.

We will talk more about these areas in future posts, but the point is clear: if you're looking for some action, downtown Scottsdale, Arizona is where you need to be!

The Famous and Infamous Celebrities of Phoenix

We don't know what it is, really...maybe it's the wonderful weather? Maybe it's the fantastic golf courses or amenities? Whatever it is, the Phoenix/Scottsdale areas attract people from ALL walks of life, as evidenced from some the more famous (and infamous) people who live here, such as:

Alice Cooper. Cooper's family moved to Phoenix when he was 10 to help with his bronchial asthma. To this day, he remains a loyal resident of Phoenix, Arizona. He is an avid golfer and can often be found golfing around Phoenix, or at a little league baseball game. He is a devoted husband and father of three, and despite his shock rock background, is known as one of the nicest guys around. He started a foundation to help inner city kids avoid drugs and gang violence, and he hosts his own annual celebrity golf tournament.

Jenna Jameson. Jammeson, widely regarded as the top actress in the adult entertainment industry, is also a successful businesswoman who makes her home in Scottsdale. She has appeared on television, over a thousand magazine articles, and has graced over 400 magazine covers.

Sandra Day O'Connor. O'Connor is an icon in this country for being the first woman elected to the U.S. Supreme Court. She graduated with high honors from Stanford with a degree in Economics, and then law. In 1981, President Reagan appointed her to the Supreme Court. She and her family still maintain a residence in the Phoenix area.

So there you go...if this city is good enough for rock stars, adult film stars, and Supreme Court justices...there must be something truely unique about it.

Choice Group Realty is here to help you find your perfect home here.

Phoenix: A City Literally Born From Ruins

Most people probably don't realize that Phoenix, Arizona is literally a city born from ruins. The city was founded by Jack Swilling in 1867. Swilling thought the area had great farming potential, except for lack of precipitation. So he built a series of canals that followed the paths of canals built many hundreds of years ago by a civilization known as the Hohokam.

The Hohokam civilization, which dates back to about 200AD., created about 135 miles of irrigation canals with no type of modern equipment. There is evidence that they raised cotton, tobacco, maize, beans, and more. The Hohokam disappeared between 1300 and 1450 - thus the city today known as "Phoenix" has arisen from the ruins of a proud ancient people.

The Hohokam civilization, it is believed, declined because of an inability to produce enough food and necessities to sustain the large communities which had formed over the years. For about a hundred year period beginning around 1355, the Hohokam broke up into smaller groups and moved on in search of better farming areas.

When Swilling came upon what is now Phoenix, he wanted to name it "Stonewall", after Stonewall Jackson. Lord Darrell Duppa suggested the name "Phoenix", giving a nod to the ancient civilization that had successfully occupied the area for hundreds of years. We think Duppa had the right idea.

Now that you know a little more about the meaning of the name, come check it out for yourself! There is no better place in the country to make your home that the Phoenix/Scottsdale areas of Arizona. Choice Group Realty can help you find the perfect home here for your family.

Welcome to the Choice Group Realty Phoenix/Scottsdale Arizona Blog!

Hello! This is the first official post in the Choice Group Realty blog. Choice Group Realty is an agency that specializes in properties in the North and East Valleys of the Phoenix/Scottsdale areas. Hiring a realtor that specializes in a particular area, as we do, has many advantages. We know this area, know the people, know the properties, and know the institutions that can help you finance the home of your dreams. We hope you will check back with us often as we discuss the history, attractions, and all the other reasons you should consider living here. We will also do our best to educate you on what you need to know to find your perfect home.

Some of the cities we represent are Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe and Mesa. These areas have fantastic weather, some of the world's nicest golf courses, as well as world class accommodations. Phoenix claimed the number one spot for job growth in the country, and Maricopa County is the fastest growing county in the country. To say this is a "hot spot" is an understatement.

Again, we welcome you to our official blog and hope you will visit us often to learn more about this wonderful section of the SouthWest.r>