New Home Closing Cost Assistance
We are excited to announce our Closing Cost Assistance Program Rite-Way Realty is excited to announce our Buyer's Closing Cost Assistance Program.
We will contribute up to 2% of the purchase price of your new home toward your closing costs. For example: Purchase a $500,000 home and Rite-Way will contribute up to $10,000 toward your closing costs. Purchase a $800,000 home and Rite-Way will contribute up to $16,000 toward your closing costs.
What is the catch? This offer is only valid with certain new home builders and certain existing homes. The list of builders changes constantly. All you need to do is email or call today for an updated list of builders and communities. Some lenders place restrictions on the amount we can contribute.
Fairly simple rules to save a huge amount of money.
What are you waiting for? visit http://NewHomes.AZHomeBuyerHelp.com Rite-Way Realty, 2200 N. Central Ave. Phoenix 623-326-0597 Tracy Thompson http://www.AZHomeBuyerHelp.com
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Tartesso Buckeye Update
Although this master-planned development's name is derived from an ancient Phoenician cultural center, Tartesso aspires to be among the most modern of communities. The sprawling 12,000-acre development has been approved for 40,000 homes.
The first phase, located at Sun Valley Parkway and Tartesso Parkway (Indian School Road), will include sites for 17 elementary schools and three high schools. Open space will be abundant in Tartesso, with plans for 26 parks in the works. The largest of these parks will feature full-size baseball fields, lighted basketball courts, facilities for smaller children, and picnic areas. A Tartesso golf course has not been planned. Commercial or mixed-use sites in Tartesso potentially could encompass 717 acres, or more than 10 million square feet. Tartesso will be accessible from Interstate 10 by two existing interchanges at Sun Valley Parkway and Miller Road. Three additional interchanges eventually will be installed at Johnson Road, Bruner Road, and Wilson Avenue.
Tartesso's main thoroughfare will be Sun Valley Parkway, which historically has been called the "Road to Nowhere" after development dreams turned sour in the 1980s. Developers are ready to fill the 160 square miles of desert with 300,000 new homes in one of the last large pieces of undeveloped land in the metro area. Buckeye's Sun Valley area will be metro Phoenix's next big growth corridor. Planners are projecting that 500,000 to nearly 1 million people will move to the area in the next 40 years.
More development along the Sun Valley Parkway is on the way. Stardust Development is partnering with Sterling Centre Corp. to build Tartesso Town Center, a 3.5 million-square-foot project planned for the entrance to the community. Developer El Dorado Holdings is partnering with Sonoran West Properties to develop Douglas Ranch, the state's biggest planned development. Douglas Ranch will cover 35,000 acres, more than twice the size of Manhattan. Douglas Ranch will eventually have 84,000 homes, 250,000 residents, four freeway interchanges, and dozens of office parks and malls.
Pulte bought or bought options on several parcels of land totaling about 4,100 acres east of the Sun Valley Parkway between Missouri and Northern avenues. The new community will be part of the Sun Valley area of Buckeye. Pulte will build one of its signature all-ages Anthem communities there. Pulte is building Sun City Festival in the northern part of the Sun Valley area. Pulte also is developing property in Tartesso.
I took a trip out to Tartesso in Buckeye, AZ this weekend to update my photos and get an update on progress. I was able to preview homes with 4 builders. Trend Homes is not open on Sundays. Keep this in mind when planning to visit the community.
Unlike the past few years, builders were happy to have a REALTOR visit and were very friendly and helpful. If you are planning on visiting any new home community, you really can and should have a real estate agent with you. Builders will not give you a discount because you don't use an agent. It will NOT cost you extra if you use one and it might just save you money if you do as many builders are offering incentives to REALTORS which might not be advertised to the general public. You are also protecting your best interests by having an agent act as your fiduciary.
Back to Tartesso....
As evidenced by the photos on my site, there are a lot of homes already built and many under construction. Parks are in place as well as tennis courts. Almost every subdivision has a playground area with grass and jungle gym. There is signage for future schools.
The biggest negative was the lack of a central sales center. Recent master-planned communities like Verrado and Estrella Mountain Ranch have a central area with a map of the entire community and directions to individual builders. A feature such as this would be extremely helpful at Tartesso as I found some of the signage and round-abouts confusing.
Contact me today if you would like more information on builders, floor plans and pricing available at Tartesso. Copyright 2006. Tracy Thompson is a member of the National Association of Realtors, The Arizona Association of Realtors and the Glendale Board of Realtors. To find out more about home buying and selling, contact Tracy at 623-326-0597 or email Tracy@TalkToTracyHomes.com http://www.azhomebuyerhelp.com/
The first phase, located at Sun Valley Parkway and Tartesso Parkway (Indian School Road), will include sites for 17 elementary schools and three high schools. Open space will be abundant in Tartesso, with plans for 26 parks in the works. The largest of these parks will feature full-size baseball fields, lighted basketball courts, facilities for smaller children, and picnic areas. A Tartesso golf course has not been planned. Commercial or mixed-use sites in Tartesso potentially could encompass 717 acres, or more than 10 million square feet. Tartesso will be accessible from Interstate 10 by two existing interchanges at Sun Valley Parkway and Miller Road. Three additional interchanges eventually will be installed at Johnson Road, Bruner Road, and Wilson Avenue.
Tartesso's main thoroughfare will be Sun Valley Parkway, which historically has been called the "Road to Nowhere" after development dreams turned sour in the 1980s. Developers are ready to fill the 160 square miles of desert with 300,000 new homes in one of the last large pieces of undeveloped land in the metro area. Buckeye's Sun Valley area will be metro Phoenix's next big growth corridor. Planners are projecting that 500,000 to nearly 1 million people will move to the area in the next 40 years.
More development along the Sun Valley Parkway is on the way. Stardust Development is partnering with Sterling Centre Corp. to build Tartesso Town Center, a 3.5 million-square-foot project planned for the entrance to the community. Developer El Dorado Holdings is partnering with Sonoran West Properties to develop Douglas Ranch, the state's biggest planned development. Douglas Ranch will cover 35,000 acres, more than twice the size of Manhattan. Douglas Ranch will eventually have 84,000 homes, 250,000 residents, four freeway interchanges, and dozens of office parks and malls.
Pulte bought or bought options on several parcels of land totaling about 4,100 acres east of the Sun Valley Parkway between Missouri and Northern avenues. The new community will be part of the Sun Valley area of Buckeye. Pulte will build one of its signature all-ages Anthem communities there. Pulte is building Sun City Festival in the northern part of the Sun Valley area. Pulte also is developing property in Tartesso.
I took a trip out to Tartesso in Buckeye, AZ this weekend to update my photos and get an update on progress. I was able to preview homes with 4 builders. Trend Homes is not open on Sundays. Keep this in mind when planning to visit the community.
Unlike the past few years, builders were happy to have a REALTOR visit and were very friendly and helpful. If you are planning on visiting any new home community, you really can and should have a real estate agent with you. Builders will not give you a discount because you don't use an agent. It will NOT cost you extra if you use one and it might just save you money if you do as many builders are offering incentives to REALTORS which might not be advertised to the general public. You are also protecting your best interests by having an agent act as your fiduciary.
Back to Tartesso....
As evidenced by the photos on my site, there are a lot of homes already built and many under construction. Parks are in place as well as tennis courts. Almost every subdivision has a playground area with grass and jungle gym. There is signage for future schools.
The biggest negative was the lack of a central sales center. Recent master-planned communities like Verrado and Estrella Mountain Ranch have a central area with a map of the entire community and directions to individual builders. A feature such as this would be extremely helpful at Tartesso as I found some of the signage and round-abouts confusing.
Contact me today if you would like more information on builders, floor plans and pricing available at Tartesso. Copyright 2006. Tracy Thompson is a member of the National Association of Realtors, The Arizona Association of Realtors and the Glendale Board of Realtors. To find out more about home buying and selling, contact Tracy at 623-326-0597 or email Tracy@TalkToTracyHomes.com http://www.azhomebuyerhelp.com/
Thursday, August 24, 2006
West Valley Phoenix Growth
West Valley Phoenix Happenings
According to the City of Avondale, the widening of McDowell road is to be complete by mid-September. Yesterday I was surprised to find the lanes on the west side of Avondale Blvd. open. There are still cones everywhere, testing my skills at serpentine driving but, at least there is now a road with pavement. Progress is being made.
Let’s travel down the road to Gateway Crossing at 99th Ave. and McDowell. Although there were still barriers and cones and those yellow flashy light things all over the place, pavement spans almost the entire width of McDowell Road and there is substantial development on the south-side of McDowell at 99th Ave. Claim Jumper already has their sign up and is advertising a September 25 opening date on their web site. If you have never eaten at Claim Jumpers, just a tip, the portions are HUGE.
Signage at Gateway Crossing indicates the Best Buy, Hobby Lobby, and Old Navy stores are all underway. Also in that same area will be an Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, Rack Room Shoes (anticipated opening October 2006), Paradise Bakery, and more.
Recently I had an interesting conversation with a client about the lack of shopping and dining alternatives in the South West Valley. We both had a good laugh about having to choose between JCPenney and Kohl’s when faced with a shopping emergency. It is nice to see some new choices on the horizon.
Copyright 2006. Tracy Thompson is a member of the National Association of Realtors, The Arizona Association of Realtors and the Glendale Board of Realtors. To find out more about home buying and selling, contact Tracy at 623-326-0597 or email Tracy@TalkToTracyHomes.com http://www.azhomebuyerhelp.com/
According to the City of Avondale, the widening of McDowell road is to be complete by mid-September. Yesterday I was surprised to find the lanes on the west side of Avondale Blvd. open. There are still cones everywhere, testing my skills at serpentine driving but, at least there is now a road with pavement. Progress is being made.
Let’s travel down the road to Gateway Crossing at 99th Ave. and McDowell. Although there were still barriers and cones and those yellow flashy light things all over the place, pavement spans almost the entire width of McDowell Road and there is substantial development on the south-side of McDowell at 99th Ave. Claim Jumper already has their sign up and is advertising a September 25 opening date on their web site. If you have never eaten at Claim Jumpers, just a tip, the portions are HUGE.
Signage at Gateway Crossing indicates the Best Buy, Hobby Lobby, and Old Navy stores are all underway. Also in that same area will be an Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, Rack Room Shoes (anticipated opening October 2006), Paradise Bakery, and more.
Recently I had an interesting conversation with a client about the lack of shopping and dining alternatives in the South West Valley. We both had a good laugh about having to choose between JCPenney and Kohl’s when faced with a shopping emergency. It is nice to see some new choices on the horizon.
Copyright 2006. Tracy Thompson is a member of the National Association of Realtors, The Arizona Association of Realtors and the Glendale Board of Realtors. To find out more about home buying and selling, contact Tracy at 623-326-0597 or email Tracy@TalkToTracyHomes.com http://www.azhomebuyerhelp.com/
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
West Valley Traffic Update
West Valley Update
What a wonderful rainy morning we had today. Having spent my childhood in Ohio on the shore of Lake Erie, I will freely admit to having days where living in the dry, rain-free desert can be somewhat depressing. I look forward to Monsoon season and the occasional wind and rain that come with it.
It always seems the eastside gets the best storms. Now I am fully aware there are many of you who hate Monsoon and the accompanying destruction but rain and wind can be such a refreshing change of pace. That is until you try to drive in it. The traffic on I-10 into Phoenix was miserable this morning. Actually, it is miserable every day but today was exceptionally bad. We get rain so infrequently that the combination of ‘weather fear’ along with the road slickness thrown in with the miserable West Valley traffic were a recipe for disaster.
The good news is what the Arizona Department of Transportation plans to do with the West Valley I-10 situation. The widening of I-10 was scheduled to begin in 2014 but the Arizona DOT has announced an accelerated fall 2007 date for Phase I of the project.
Phase I will involve the creation to two inside lanes from the existing median. This expansion will occur from the Loop 101 to Sarival Road. With the lanes being added to the existing median, the Arizona DOT does not anticipate the need for road closures.
Once Phase I is complete, the project will move to Phase II. This will add an HOV lane and another regular lane from Dysart to Sarival creating a total of 5 lanes from the Loop 101 to Sarival Road.
Hopefully this will mean I will enjoy my rain and my commute just a little more and all of us will be able to reach our destination just a little faster with a little less frustration.
Tracy Thompson is a member of the National Association of Realtors, The Arizona Association of Realtors and the Glendale Board of Realtors. To find out more about home buying and selling, contact Tracy at 623-326-0597 or email Tracy@TalkToTracyHomes.com. http://www.azhomebuyerhelp.com/
What a wonderful rainy morning we had today. Having spent my childhood in Ohio on the shore of Lake Erie, I will freely admit to having days where living in the dry, rain-free desert can be somewhat depressing. I look forward to Monsoon season and the occasional wind and rain that come with it.
It always seems the eastside gets the best storms. Now I am fully aware there are many of you who hate Monsoon and the accompanying destruction but rain and wind can be such a refreshing change of pace. That is until you try to drive in it. The traffic on I-10 into Phoenix was miserable this morning. Actually, it is miserable every day but today was exceptionally bad. We get rain so infrequently that the combination of ‘weather fear’ along with the road slickness thrown in with the miserable West Valley traffic were a recipe for disaster.
The good news is what the Arizona Department of Transportation plans to do with the West Valley I-10 situation. The widening of I-10 was scheduled to begin in 2014 but the Arizona DOT has announced an accelerated fall 2007 date for Phase I of the project.
Phase I will involve the creation to two inside lanes from the existing median. This expansion will occur from the Loop 101 to Sarival Road. With the lanes being added to the existing median, the Arizona DOT does not anticipate the need for road closures.
Once Phase I is complete, the project will move to Phase II. This will add an HOV lane and another regular lane from Dysart to Sarival creating a total of 5 lanes from the Loop 101 to Sarival Road.
Hopefully this will mean I will enjoy my rain and my commute just a little more and all of us will be able to reach our destination just a little faster with a little less frustration.
Tracy Thompson is a member of the National Association of Realtors, The Arizona Association of Realtors and the Glendale Board of Realtors. To find out more about home buying and selling, contact Tracy at 623-326-0597 or email Tracy@TalkToTracyHomes.com. http://www.azhomebuyerhelp.com/
Monday, August 21, 2006
You don’t know what you don’t know until you know you don’t know it
You don’t know what you don’t know until you know you don’t know it
Yes, the title is a mouthful but I mean well. I recently had the opportunity to present on 1031 Exchanges to the American Society of Women Accountants. They were a great group of women from all walks of accounting. Self-employed, non-profits, small companies, retired, Fortune 500’s. You name it, it was represented.
This was an exceptionally eye-opening experience for me. At least twice a week I have the occasion to say to a client “You need to discuss this with your CPA”. That quote sums up how much interaction I have with those in the accounting profession other then dealing with my own accountant.
I made the same assumption about accountants that many make about real estate agents. I assumed all would be familiar with 1031 Exchanges and know the basics at the very least. What I learned that night was I knew very little about accountants and accounting in general. Accountants have specialties just like real estate agents. Most that I encountered had little, if any, knowledge on tax-deferred exchange.
Ironically, I began my presentation explaining the lack of education requirement for real estate agents in 1031 Exchange and how it could be very likely that the account would be the most knowledgeable individual in the transaction. What I know now is very few accountants specialize in real estate and even fewer specialize in business or investment real estate.
The point of my story is to emphasize just how important it is for the seller, the real estate agent, the accountant, and the intermediary to familiarize themselves with the level of knowledge and experience of the other parties in the transaction. You never know what you don’t know unless you ask.
If you are interested in learning about the advantages of a 1031 Exchange, please visit www.MyAZ1031.com for an overview and to request more information. If you or your organization would like a presentation on 1031 Exchange, feel free to contact me. Programs vary in length from 50 minutes to 3 hours.
Copyright 2006. Tracy Thompson is a member of the National Association of Realtors, The Arizona Association of Realtors and the Glendale Board of Realtors. To find out more about home buying and selling, contact Tracy at 623-326-0597 or email Tracy@TalkToTracyHomes.com http://www.azhomebuyerhelp.com/
Yes, the title is a mouthful but I mean well. I recently had the opportunity to present on 1031 Exchanges to the American Society of Women Accountants. They were a great group of women from all walks of accounting. Self-employed, non-profits, small companies, retired, Fortune 500’s. You name it, it was represented.
This was an exceptionally eye-opening experience for me. At least twice a week I have the occasion to say to a client “You need to discuss this with your CPA”. That quote sums up how much interaction I have with those in the accounting profession other then dealing with my own accountant.
I made the same assumption about accountants that many make about real estate agents. I assumed all would be familiar with 1031 Exchanges and know the basics at the very least. What I learned that night was I knew very little about accountants and accounting in general. Accountants have specialties just like real estate agents. Most that I encountered had little, if any, knowledge on tax-deferred exchange.
Ironically, I began my presentation explaining the lack of education requirement for real estate agents in 1031 Exchange and how it could be very likely that the account would be the most knowledgeable individual in the transaction. What I know now is very few accountants specialize in real estate and even fewer specialize in business or investment real estate.
The point of my story is to emphasize just how important it is for the seller, the real estate agent, the accountant, and the intermediary to familiarize themselves with the level of knowledge and experience of the other parties in the transaction. You never know what you don’t know unless you ask.
If you are interested in learning about the advantages of a 1031 Exchange, please visit www.MyAZ1031.com for an overview and to request more information. If you or your organization would like a presentation on 1031 Exchange, feel free to contact me. Programs vary in length from 50 minutes to 3 hours.
Copyright 2006. Tracy Thompson is a member of the National Association of Realtors, The Arizona Association of Realtors and the Glendale Board of Realtors. To find out more about home buying and selling, contact Tracy at 623-326-0597 or email Tracy@TalkToTracyHomes.com http://www.azhomebuyerhelp.com/
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Smoke Alarm Batteries
Smoke Alarm Batteries
Arizona does not change their clocks for daylight savings time. I’ve never bothered to research why but I would have to guess it has something to do with Arizona having enough daylight and no need to save any. Until 3:30 this morning, I never really gave it much thought other then having to do a little extra math to determine the time in other parts of the country.
Traditionally, consumers are advised to change their smoke alarm batteries when they change their clocks for daylight savings time. Well, what if you don’t do daylight savings time? You become me. You totally forget to change your smoke alarm batteries until the smoke alarm starts chirping at 3:30 in the morning. The dog goes a little nuts and the husband has to dig the ladder out of the garage. Navigating the kitchen ‘junk’ drawer at 3:30 in the morning to find a 9-volt battery is a challenge.
All of this was a little dose of reality. Don’t become me. Enjoy your sleep. Go buy some batteries. Go check your smoke alarm. Go on. What are you waiting for?
Visit http://www.AZHomeBuyerHelp.com
Arizona does not change their clocks for daylight savings time. I’ve never bothered to research why but I would have to guess it has something to do with Arizona having enough daylight and no need to save any. Until 3:30 this morning, I never really gave it much thought other then having to do a little extra math to determine the time in other parts of the country.
Traditionally, consumers are advised to change their smoke alarm batteries when they change their clocks for daylight savings time. Well, what if you don’t do daylight savings time? You become me. You totally forget to change your smoke alarm batteries until the smoke alarm starts chirping at 3:30 in the morning. The dog goes a little nuts and the husband has to dig the ladder out of the garage. Navigating the kitchen ‘junk’ drawer at 3:30 in the morning to find a 9-volt battery is a challenge.
All of this was a little dose of reality. Don’t become me. Enjoy your sleep. Go buy some batteries. Go check your smoke alarm. Go on. What are you waiting for?
Visit http://www.AZHomeBuyerHelp.com
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Arizona Cardinals...no longer without a home
Are You Ready For Some FOOTBALL?
Pathetic. A word frequently associated with the Arizona Cardinals. Not just because of their record as a football team but because their home stadium was, to be blunt, pathetic. Sun Devil Stadium is a great stadium for a college football team. Bleacher seats, no cup holders, blazing hot sun. For a college student, it creates the perfect combination of reasons for have another adult beverage. For the Arizona Cardinals, it created another reason to call the team pathetic.
Not Anymore!
Seven days from now the Arizona Cardinals will host the Pittsburg Steelers at the new Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Honestly, the most highly anticipated event to happen to the West Valley and possibly all of Phoenix. The Cardinals now have a permanent home. The positive effect this has on the West Valley of Phoenix is hard to quantify. The destination retail, dining, and residential spaces planned at the Westgate City Center is nothing short of impressive. The electronic billboards and signage will represent the largest grouping of media outside of New York's Times Square. Glendale, Arizona coming in second to New York City, who would have thought?
Yesterday I visited the new stadium. The team shop is open and very impressive. I was floored by the level of customer service displayed by the staff and security. I was even able to get an interior picture of the stadium with the field in place.
This signals the next chapter for the West Valley of Phoenix. We will finally be able to compete with other major residential areas as far as shopping and amenities are concerned. This bodes well for our property values and for our futures.
Copyright 2006. Tracy Thompson is a member of the National Association of Realtors, The Arizona Association of Realtors and the Glendale Board of Realtors. To find out more about home buying and selling, contact Tracy at 623-326-0597 or email Tracy@TalkToTracyHomes.com http://www.azhomebuyerhelp.com/
Pathetic. A word frequently associated with the Arizona Cardinals. Not just because of their record as a football team but because their home stadium was, to be blunt, pathetic. Sun Devil Stadium is a great stadium for a college football team. Bleacher seats, no cup holders, blazing hot sun. For a college student, it creates the perfect combination of reasons for have another adult beverage. For the Arizona Cardinals, it created another reason to call the team pathetic.
Not Anymore!
Seven days from now the Arizona Cardinals will host the Pittsburg Steelers at the new Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Honestly, the most highly anticipated event to happen to the West Valley and possibly all of Phoenix. The Cardinals now have a permanent home. The positive effect this has on the West Valley of Phoenix is hard to quantify. The destination retail, dining, and residential spaces planned at the Westgate City Center is nothing short of impressive. The electronic billboards and signage will represent the largest grouping of media outside of New York's Times Square. Glendale, Arizona coming in second to New York City, who would have thought?
Yesterday I visited the new stadium. The team shop is open and very impressive. I was floored by the level of customer service displayed by the staff and security. I was even able to get an interior picture of the stadium with the field in place.
This signals the next chapter for the West Valley of Phoenix. We will finally be able to compete with other major residential areas as far as shopping and amenities are concerned. This bodes well for our property values and for our futures.
Copyright 2006. Tracy Thompson is a member of the National Association of Realtors, The Arizona Association of Realtors and the Glendale Board of Realtors. To find out more about home buying and selling, contact Tracy at 623-326-0597 or email Tracy@TalkToTracyHomes.com http://www.azhomebuyerhelp.com/
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