No Doc Loans are not Sub Prime Financing

Or you may know them as Stated Income, No Income Qualifiers, NINA, and SIVA or, well you get the point. These products were initially designed for the self employed business owner, who for a variety of reasons may not be able, or desire to evidence their income to qualify for a traditional mortgage in order to buy real estate.

The designers of this niche mortgage product came up with other underwriting guidelines to compensate for the lack of verifying the applicant's income. These guidelines included superior credit a sufficient down payment and some form of remaining liquid assets in reserve. Over the years however these products have become more lenient in some regard and they are being confused with sub prime mortgages. When in fact sub prime has more to do with credit than income.

The interesting thing is that these so called "No doc loans" underwritten with superior credit, equity and reserves as originally designed perform as well as a standard conforming loan, not as sub prime. In fact as many 35% of all loans these days may have some form of a no doc element to them, yet the foreclosure rate for these mortgages is under 2% even in today's troubled times.

These mortgage products are readily available in their original form although the true sub prime loans have undergone serious scrutiny and more restrictive guidelines in some cases disappeared altogether. For more information regarding mortgage products you can visit our affiliate Choice Mortgage at http://www.choicemortgage.us/ or contact 480-905-1900 to speak with a loan professional.

You can always count on Choice Group Realty to help you with finding homes for sale in Phoenix Metro area.

Can I get a Home Loan today?

A lot of people asking this question nowadays based on news about mortgage industry facing problems. And the answer is - Yes! - you can buy your Arizona Home. And with a such low interest rates and a great selection of available homes for sale you should.

If you meet the reasonable credit, income and down payment requirements of the "Conforming" Loans:

• VA with a maximum loan value of $359,650
• FHA maximum loan value of $263,160
• Conventional maximum loan value of $417,000
  

In Central and East Valley alone, there are 20562 homes for sale today that meet the criteria of one or more of these programs.
Homes for sale in:

• Phoenix 10213
• Tempe 724
• Scottsdale 1660
• Mesa 3904
• Chandler 2005
• Gilbert 2056
  

Even though, "Non-Conforming" loans are being impacted the most, they are still available just have stricter qualification guidelines.

Choice Group Realty is affiliated with Choice Mortgage and can help with your real estate financing needs. Have a question about Phoenix homes, call us today!

Real Estate Advice: Have Faith. Have Patience.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've probably heard about the difficulties the real estate/mortgage industries are suddenly having. There are a lot of homes on the market, and credit has gotten very tight. Some of the largest mortgage companies in the world are in very real danger. And a lot of people are losing their homes.

Our advice?

Have faith!

If you are looking for a new home but are worried that it may be out of your reach, here is what we advise you to do. Create a picture in your mind of your ideal home. Envision it. Hold that picture there every day. Then start talking to people who can help you find that home. If you're searching for a home in the areas of Scottsdale or anywhere else around Phoenix, then please call us...for example. And finally, have faith! If you want it bad enough, it can happen. It may take longer than you would like, but don't give up.

If you're trying to sell your home, our number one piece of advice is to have patience. If you are in too big a hurry, you will likely have to take less for your home than you would like, especially in the current market. And the same advice as above applies - envision selling your home to the perfect buyer at the perfect price, find the right people to help you, and have faith.

Choice Group Realty will do whatever we can to help you find the perfect home in the Phoenix/Scottsdale areas, so please call us today!

Arizona: Be Careful in the Sun

Many people are drawn to Arizona because of the incredible amount of sunlight we get here. There is no doubt that the sun can be very good for you, both mentally and physically. It just makes you feel good...but you need to be careful! As with most things in life, moderation is the key.

To receive the health benefits of Arizona's intense sunlight, you only need a few minutes of exposure a day. Beyond that, you risk getting skin cancer. So it is very important to cover yourself with a strong sunscreen, and if possible, light-colored clothing. Contrary to what you might think, light clothing will actually keep you cooler.

To help combat the ill effects of overexposure to the sun, the Arizona Cancer Center has opened up the Skin Cancer Institute. A major area of activity for the institute will be public awareness and education about how to protect yourself from the sun. It also has sophisticated equipment which can be used to take a close look at moles and lesions for signs of skin cancer. The institute has two locations: Scottsdale and Tucson.

Scottsdale is blessed with some of the finest health care in the world, being home to the world famous Mayo Clinic and other fine medical facilities. Thankfully, now we have one of the top institutes to help us stay safe from our wonderful, but potentially deadly, sunlight.

Choice Group Realty knows Scottsdale and Phoenix area real estate. If you would like help finding your perfect home in the land of the sun, call us today.

Home Bargains Available in Outskirt Areas of Phoenix

If you are looking to move into the Phoenix area and are highly concerned with finding a nice home at a bargain price, you might want to look in one of the areas on the outskirts of Phoenix, such as El Mirage, Buckeye, and Gilbert. There is a rising trend in some of these areas of home owners getting behind on their mortgages and trying to sell before losing their homes. While this trend certainly has its negatives, the fact is that it is a positive for a bargain-seeking home purchaser.

Adding to the downward pressure on home prices in some area is the fact that there are many more homes on the market than there have been in recent years. It's a buyer's market.

A recent article on the Arizona Republic web site pointed out the following facts:

• During the first half of 2007, 84 homes were foreclosed in Anthem, compared to 3 during the same period in 2006.
• In Buckeye, there were 245 foreclosures through June of this year, compared to 66 last year.
• In Avondale, there were 122 foreclosures through June, compared to 5 in 2006.

Choice Group Realty specializes in high-end homes in the Scottsdale area, but these facts point to the fact that if you are a bargain hunter, there are certainly homes on the market in other areas that you may want to take a look at. We can help you find these homes. While we hate to hear about anyone losing their homes, selling and moving on is a better option for these home owners than accepting a foreclosure.

Call Choice Group Realty today and we'll get started working for you!

The Richest Real Estate Education is in Phoenix

We came upon an interesting article on CNNMoney.com about a company based here in Phoenix called Nouveau Riche University. It's not really a university. It's a week long program that instructs its students on how to make money in real estate. The core idea behind the program is to leverage your existing assets to buy income-producing real estate.

There are, of course, considerable risks with this investment approach. A change in interest rates, or a down real estate market, or an inability to rent out properties can all result in a negative cash flow situation. On the upside, this approach has been used successfully by many real estate investors to build considerable fortunes.

We are going to withhold judgement on how effective Nouveau Riche's training and strategies are. We will say that for much, much less money, you can learn the techniques on your own. Nouveau Riche has its own real estate agency through which it sells properties to its students. This is one aspect of which we are a bit suspicious. To charge $16,000 to teach someone how to invest in real estate, and then turn around and sell them the property (also charging fees for that service) seems like a conflict of interest.

But the fact that this business is located right here in our own backyard sort-of highlights that this is a hot area for real estate investing. Real estate is on everybody's mind around here.

Rather than invest a sizable chunk of money on real estate training (which may be questionable), it may be better to use that money as a down payment on a new home, investment or otherwise, which will reduce your risk and reduce your payments. Scottsdale is still one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, and Choice Group Realty knows Scottsdale real estate. So call us today!

New Look for Scottsdale's Canal Bridge for Good Cause

The Canal Bridge in Scottsdale, Arizona joins downtown's Southbridge district to the Waterfront. Don't be alarmed - but the bridge is soon going to be turning pink! Starting September 28th and continuing through October, the bridge will be lit up with pink Christmas lights. This is being done in honor of and to raise awareness about Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A pink bulb can be sponsored for $20. There are also other levels of sponsorship available, such as $500 Twinkles and $10,000 Guiding Lights. The Arizona Institute for Breast Health, which is organizing the event, expects that most of the bulbs will be sponsored by those who want to pay tribute to loved ones who have dealt with breast cancer.

To learn more, check out www.thepinklightdistrict.org.

And as we say every time, if you are looking for a new home in Scottsdale (or anywhere in the Arizona area), please give us a call...because we know Scottsdale!

City of Scottsdale Teaches About Water Safety

Here in Scottsdale, Arizona, there are many swimming pools (at people's homes as well as at hotels and public areas), not to mention our local rivers and lakes. So a lot of swimming takes place here. On July 13th, a 20 month old child drowned in her family's back yard pool, the first drowning reported this summer. In response, the city of Scottsdale is sponsoring many activities as part of Arizona's Drowning Impact Awareness Month.

This Wednesday, August 1st, there will be a water safety day at each of Scottsdale's four public pools (Cactus, Chaparral, Eldorado, and McDowell Mountain Ranch). The event will include games and prizes, and of course, water safety tips along with a mock water rescue.

On August 19th, Scottsdale will have a Water Walk from 6 PM to 9 PM to bring water safety information to residents at their homes.

For more information, call 480-312-POOL.

Yes, Scottsdale residents definitely enjoy their swimming and their lounging by the pool. If you'd like to be one of them, contact Choice Group Realty today and we will help you find your perfect Scottsdale home, swimming pool and all.

Scottsdale Home Prices Holding Up Market

As the number of homes on the market rises and home prices fall across the country, Scottsdale's real estate market remains strong. A recent report by USA Today demonstrated that although some home prices in the Scottsdale area have fallen, their time on the market remains less than 40 days. There are a lot of homes on the market, but buyers are still snapping them up, demonstrating the value attached to homes in this area.

There is value to be found in Scottsdale-area homes in the sub-$700,000 price range, as smaller home prices have fallen compared to a year ago. Homes priced above that level continue to sell very strongly.

The USA Today article highlights an 11.25 acre ranch purchased in 1999 for $3.2 million which is on the market at a price of $12 million, highlighting the strong appreciation in Scottsdale real estate over the last decade.

If you are going to purchase property in Scottsdale, we strongly advise you to seek the expertise of an agency that knows this area. Choice Group Realty specializes in Scottsdale and others areas around Phoenix, and we know how to get you the most home for your money (or get the most money for your home). So contact us today.

Chef Brad Miller Brings a Little More Fame to Scottsdale Dining

Hell's Kitchen is a reality TV show that airs on Fox. In it, a group of young chefs work in a restaurant for celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay is to the world of cooking what Simon Cowell is to music - he's rude and has a quick, sharp tongue - and that's why people love him. This season, the show's third, featured a young Sous Chef from right here in Scottsdale - Chef Brad Miller.

Only 24, Miller already has an accomplished resume that includes attending the Scottsdale Culinary Institute and stints at some of the Scottsdale area's finest restaurants, such as the Arizona Biltmore and the Latilla.

Miller represented himself well on the show, but circumstances conspired against him and he ended up being the seventh chef eliminated. In a recent article on buddytv.com, Miller talked about the fact that because of the time constraints, participants were often edited to appear worse than they really were. In his final show, many problems were blamed on him that were a result of the actions of others. But viewers did not see all of that.

Despite his exit from the show, Miller represented himself and Scottsdale well. He is already receiving many calls as a result of the show, but hopefully he will stick around Scottsdale and its top-notch dining scene.

Choice Group Realty knows Scottsdale. If you are looking for a home here in Scottsdale or anywhere else near Phoenix, please talk to us before deciding on a realtor. You'll be glad you did.

Scottsdale, Arizona - the New Fashion Destination

We've got on at length about the many attractions and outdoor activities available to residents of the Scottsdale area, but did you know this is also an emerging fashion destination? Christopher Cashak is doing everything he can to make sure the world knows it. Cashak is a former executive at a national fashion publication who has founded an online television show called CASHAK.TV.

CASHAK.TV includes fashion show videos, fashion spreads, interviews and more. The web site focuses purely on young fashion-savvy women who are in an income bracket to afford high-end fashions. Most of the site's content is generated right here in Scottsdale, where the company is based.

Throughout the summer, the online show has filmed footage at Scottsdale pool parties, asking fashion questions to the attendees. The footage has been used to create a countdown of the hottest bikinis, sunglasses, etc. for this summer.

The company films a monthly fashion show that takes place at Six Lounge in Scottsdale. The shows feature fashions from local stores.

So...what does this have to do with real estate? Not much. But it just kind-of points to the fact that Scottsdale is one of the hippest, hottest parts of the country. So why wouldn't you want to live here?

For help finding a Scottsdale home that meets your needs and matches your personality, contact Choice Group Realty today.

Loop 101 Corridor - Further Proof of Growth for Scottsdale

A recent article in the Arizona Republic highlighted the commercial development happening on the Loop 101 corridor between Scottsdale and Tempe, including:

• Pima Center, a $700 million development that will offer 3.5 million square feet of space for offices, retail businesses, and lodging.
• Riverwalk Arizona, a 187 acre mixed-use development by the Alter group.
• Calendar Stick, a development that was completed in 2005.
• Expansion at Chaparral Business Park.
• Windstone, a $50 million retail shopping center.

The article states that, according to the economic development department of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, up to 10 million square feet of development is under construction.

Although the home market has slipped in recent months (and really, wasn't it due for some kind of correction?), land in general in the Scottsdale area remains a valuable, precious commodity.

If you are interested in purchasing real estate in the Scottsdale/Phoenix areas, contact Choice Group Realty today!

Free Concerts at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Coming to an End Soon

If you don't know about McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, then you need to go check it out if you are anywhere near the Scottsdale area. Through the early part of the summer, the park has free concerts featuring local acts performing everything from rock to blues. But there are only two concert nights left, July 8th and 15th, so you're almost out of time to enjoy these free, outdoor concerts. You can even ride the train during the show!

Speaking of trains, the train at the park is the main attraction. The Paradise and Pacific Railroad is an exact 5/12 size replica of a Colorado narrow gauge railroad. The track is 1 mile long and the cost to ride is only $1.00 (free for children under 3). It's a truly unique and enjoyable experience that we highly recommend, especially if you have children.

Scottsdale is full of parks and outdoor activities for people of all ages. So come visit us and you may just decide you like it here so much you want to stay. Contact Choice Group Realty if you ever have need for help finding your perfect home.

Land Sale Demonstrates Incredible Value of Scottsdale Real Estate

A land sale recently occurred in which a 123 acre tract of Arizona desert located between Scottsdale and Paradise Valley sold for $100 million. That's $813 thousand per acre for undeveloped desert. The property will be turned into a Ritz-Carlton community with a hotel, luxury homes and villas. It is reported that Earl Holding originally purchased the land in the 1970's for just over $5 million. He then sold the land in 2005 for $86 million.

Now we certainly don't mean to imply that you can use this as a gauge for the value or expected appreciation in value of your home. But it's an example, in general, of the value afforded to real estate in this part of Maricopa County. Real estate here is a good investment.

Lucky for you there are land and homes on the market. And people familiar with the area who can advise you on your investment. We strongly advise investors in real estate to seek the services of qualified brokers who specialize in a particular area.

Choice Group Realty can help you find your perfect Scottsdale home. We know Scottsdale real estate. We'd be happy to talk to you.

McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona - How to Plan a Community

McCormick Ranch, a planned community in Scottsdale, Arizona, dates back to the mid-40's when the McCormick family purchased 160 acres in Scottsdale for a winter home. The McCormicks were descendants of Cyrus McCormick, who invented the reaper, and John Rockefeller. Anne McCormick had a passion for raising horses, so soon after moving in, she began breeding horses and acquiring property around the original location.

In 1970, the property was purchased by Kaiser-Aetna. By this time, the ranch occupied seven square miles. Kaiser-Aetna hired George Fretz, who was the City Planner for Scottsdale, to plan the community. At the time of the purchase, it was the largest single piece of property ever sold for a planned community within city limits.

Ongoing development of the community was based on a plan created by Gruen Associates and Scottsdale Environmental Planners and Consultants.

Amenities include two 18-hole golf courses, over 25 miles of bicycle paths, tennis courts, and man-made lakes which accommodate sailing and fishing. The area offers fantastic views of surrounding mountains and well-maintained roads and landscaping.

The community is very concerned with maintaining the proper authentic "look", so the McCormick Ranch Property Owners' Association has established a set of rules that residents must abide by. This not only protects the visual integrity of the community, it helps protect home values.

We have properties available right now in this highly desirable part of Scottsdale, so call Choice Group Realty today to discuss your real estate needs.

Heaven in Arizona: the Desert Mountain Community of Scottsdale

Today we are going to talk about the Desert Mountain community in northern Scottsdale. For golfers, this community truly is heaven on earth. It was named one of the world's best golf communities by Robb Report magazine. It's no wonder considering that it features SIX Jack Nicklaus Signature courses. There is no location on the entire planet with more. Nicklaus himself claimed that building the Desert Mountain courses were one of the highlights of his career and he believes that it will always be known as one of the greatest courses in the world. Desert Mountain also have a very extensive practice facility, with four separate practice ranges and help available from PGA-trained professionals.

To go along with the six courses, there are also six separate club houses. Each club has its own golf shop as well as multiple dining options. The Sonoran fitness center and spa provides its members with a plethora of fitness options and spa treatments. The tennis facility, often called the "Wimbledon of the West", features three different playing surfaces: grass, hard composition, and clay.

Homes in the area are designed to blend with the beautiful surroundings, using timber, stucco, stonework and metal roofs to capture that "old west" feel. The homes range in elevation from 2,500 to 4,800 feet above sea level, giving the community an average temperature 5 to 10 degrees below the Phoenix area. Prices range from around half-million to multi-millions.

If you would like to learn more about living in Desert Mountain, or want to hear about properties for sale there, call Choice Group Realty today. We have lots of homes in Desert Mountain to show you.

Fountain Hills, Arizona - Natural Beauty and Room to Stretch Out

We've talked about some of the more up-scale, "planned community" type areas to live in around the Phoenix area. Today we're going to discuss a wonderful little town called Fountain Hills, famous for its fountain that shoots water over 500 feet in the air.

Fountain Hills is surrounded by desert on all sides - the Fort McDowell Indian Community to the East, the McDowell Mountain Range to the West, the McDowell Mountain Regional Park to the North, and the Salt River Pima Indian Reservation to the South. The naturally enclosed nature of the town and the fine people who live there give the area a special "down-home" kind of feel, even though it is still just a short drive from the big city. Houses in the community tend to be bigger, and lots bigger, than other similar communities around Phoenix.

One of the main advantages to buying a home in Fountain Hills is that no matter where it is located, you will have a spectacular view. There are numerous parks, ball fields, walking paths, and of course, golf courses - some of the finest (and most difficult) golf courses in the country.

Fountain Hills offers its own complete eduction for its children, serving pre-school through 12th grade. Montessori and Christian eduction is available, and there is even a strong network available for home schooling.

In terms of attractions, there are numerous staged events every year as well as a plethora of outdoor activities that can be engaged in year-round. As mentioned above, the town is home to a fountain that is capable of pumping water over 500 feet into the air, although it is generally set to about 300 feet. It has been featured in the Guinness Book of World's Records as the world's tallest fountain. If you are a gambler, the Fort McDowell Casino has the state's largest card room. Whitewater rafting is a popular activity down the Salt River. These are just a couple of the MANY activities available to the residents of Fountain Hills.

If quality of life, room to stretch, and peacefulness are what you are looking for, there are fewer places that will give you that like Fountain Hills. If you would like to investigate living in this wonderful little town, contact Choice Group Realty today.

Desert Highlands - An Introduction to One of Arizona's Most Exclusive Communities

Today we're going to introduce you to one of Arizona's most exclusive communities - Desert Highlands.

Desert Highlands is a private, members-only community located in Scottsdale. The community occupies 850 acres in the Sonoran desert. There are currently nearly 500 completed homes in the community, as well as lots available for new construction. Homes in the area range in price from $1 million to $11 million.

The community revolves around an 18 hole Jack Nicklaus golf course that hosted the 1983 and 1984 PGA Skins Game. Other amenities in this beautiful community include an 18 hole putting course, a world class clubhouse, pond, walking course, and basketball court. There is also a 7,000 square foot fitness center that includes weight machines, cardio machines, free weights, personal trainers and masseuses.

There are a number of services available to residences of the community, such as a landscaping service, a pool maintenance service, home management (while you are away), and a concierge service.

Residents of Desert Highlands are protected by a state of the art security system and professionally trained security personnel.

If you would like to live in this world class private community, call Choice Group Realty today!

Your Dream Home Awaits in Paradise Valley, Arizona

Paradise Valley - it just sounds nice doesn't it? And you know what? It is! Paradise Valley is a small town near Scottsdale in Maricopa County. It is home to a number of celebrities, including Alice Cooper (who we discussed in a previous blog post). It also home to twelve resorts, making it a premier tourist destination in the Central Arizona region. The small town covers about 15 square miles, none of which is covered in water. The hilly areas outside of town include the Mummy Mountain Preserve Trust, which is over 300 acres of pristine wilderness.

Education is a high priority in the town. Children of Paradise Valley residents attend the Paradise Valley Unified School District, one of the better school districts in the state. In fact, Newsweek ranks the top two regular high schools in the state as BOTH being in the Paradise Valley district. Altogether, the district has 23 schools ranked as "excelling" and 8 as "high performing".

There are around 14 thousand people in the town, with the largest age group being 25 to 44. So this is not a retirement community - just a community of people looking to live life to its fullest.

Homes in the area have a median resale value of over $1 million, with many selling for $15 million or more. So it is definitely an exclusive area. If you are ready to step up to a fine Paradise Valley home, call Choice Group Realty today. We'll help you find the home of your dreams!

Mesa, Arizona - the Biggest, Little City Around

Quick quiz - which of these cities (not MSA's, just cities themselves) has the highest population - St. Louis, Pittsburgh, or Mesa?

The answer is Mesa!

Mesa, Arizona is an interesting city of around 450 thousand, making it a large city unto itself, even though it is part of the Phoenix MSA.

The city is a mix of all different kinds of people, including about a 10% Mormon population. The city was founded by Mormons and still houses one of the religion's oldest temples.

Despite its relatively large size, the city is mostly residential, as its residences make their living primarily by driving elsewhere, such as into Phoenix.

The median family income of the city is $49 thousand. Like most cities, Mesa has its fair share of poverty, although the city also has more than its share of extravagant neighborhoods. If you work in the Phoenix area, Mesa may be an excellent option for you to locate your family. Call Choice Group Realty today and let us find your perfect home in this little big city.

Phoenix-Area Real Estate - the Value of Staging

An interesting trend in the home market began developing as the real estate market slumped in Central Arizona: staged home decor.

The fact is that your existing home decor may not be appealing to potential purchasers of your home. And most people lack sufficient imagination to envision what your home might look like with a different decor. This lack of imagination could cost you a sale.

So don't make people use their imagination! Decorate your home with some new furnishings, artwork, rugs, or various wall decor. Relative to what you might earn by getting the full sales price for your home, it will be a bargain. The practice is called "staging". Staging typically costs from $500 - $1,500 to modest size homes - a lot less than it would probably cost you if you had to lower the price of your home!

When staging your home, don't go overboard. Stick with neutral colors and items that are the correct size for your home. All you're trying to do is show buyers the potential in your home.

If you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself, there are lots of people who are now in the business of staging homes for sellers. It might be a very good investment to hire one of these people to come in and stage your home. Your bottom line with thank you.

If you need help buying or selling a home in the Arizona/Scottsdale areas of Phoenix, call Choice Group Realty today!

Phoenix and Scottsdale's Mid-Century Gems

There is a movement in many Phoenix and Scottsdale neighborhoods to restore buildings built in the mid-twentieth century. Many of the buildings feature very distinctive architecture quite different from modern designs. The movement is especially strong in relation to homes from the period. There is even a web site devoted to the appreciation and restoration of mid-century commercial buildings and homes, www.modernphoenix.net.

With regard to homes from the era, it has resulted in very high demand, limited supply, and above average sale prices. There are just more people who want these homes than there are homes on the market. Little marketing has to be done and they often sell for 20% more than comparable homes.

Probably the most desirable of the mid-century homes are ones designed by or somehow associated with a few particular architects. The most notable of these includes Ralph Haver and Al Beadle, both of whom were local to Phoenix, as well as California architect Joseph Eichler. The homes are typically characterized by wide bands of windows, carports, and open floors.

Just a few neighborhoods identified as featuring these mid-century homes are Village Grove in Scottsdale, Paradise Gardens, and the Bon Vie condos in Central Scottsdale. There is a much more complete list at http://www.modernphoenix.net/neighborhoods.htm.

If you want to live in one of these mid-century gems...well, we can't guarantee it. But if you tell us what you are looking for, we will do our best to find it. We have hundreds of homes to show you, so the chances are excellent we have a home to show you that will be your dream home.

The Apache Trail...Superstition Mountains...the Mystery of Apache Trail, Arizona

Apache Junction is a small town in our areas of coverage, and one of the more unique ones. The town of approximately 32 thousand is located on the border of Pinal and Maricopa County. It takes its name from its proximity to the junction of the Apache Trail and Highway 60. Apache Junction (which the locals often call "AJ") is a popular retirement destination. It lacks the glamour of some of its neighboring towns but retains more of that Old West spirit.

Much of the popular film Raising Arizona was filmed there, which is appropriate given the curious nature of the town. For instance, the town is situated at the start of the Apache Trail, which was a stagecoach trail through the Superstition Mountains. The Superstition Mountains, often referred to as "the Superstitions", are a beautiful range of dessert mountains that now anchor the federally-designated Superstition Mountain Wilderness Area.

Apache Junction is also said to be in the general area of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, a legendary gold mine that, according to its tale, is cursed or protected by spirit guardians. The area is now a designated wilderness area and mining is not allowed.

To say there is a lot of history and legend associated with the land that is now Apache Junction would be an understatement.

If you'd like to give Apache Junction a try, call us today. We can show your properties there, as well as Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, and many more towns and neighborhoods. We're here to help you find your perfect home.

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.