Remember last year when I was trying to explain what was happening with the residential inventory? As of today, in our entire MLS, we are under 13,000 and our single family homes  number just under 10,000.

I’ve been helping a few buyers (or should I say) “attempting” to help my buyers to find that perfect home. The only price range that is a good bet would be over $300,000.  Many of those under that price range, are receiving multiple offers.

So? What does that mean to the Sellers? Now might be a good time to consider selling your home! Seriously! I might be calling people like they did in the old days to see if you’re interested in listing your home.

No matter the market, I will do the best I can do….list your home or help you find another one.

It’s amazing when I look back at the numbers in blog posts such as this one where we had almost 50,000 active listings, and as low as 7,000 active listings in January 2005! I enjoy checking the numbers to see what the housing market is doing. Folks, we ARE DOWN!!! We are now at a time where finding that perfect home, and negotiating, is coming at an end. For Sellers, if you price your home right, now is a good time to list your home for sale! 

Following are the numbers!  As of right now, overall, the total (including apartment homes, mobile homes, condos, and single family dwelling) now is 15,665.

The lowest price, interestingly is $2,750, a beginning low bid at auction. The key number to watch is the overall $15,665 even though that is everything on the market as of this minute! I’ll break down a few of the areas on the east side including Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Gold Canyon. Inventory is declining FAST!

The available ACTIVE properties in Phoenix – 2,557, PENDING – 3,210

The available ACTIVE properties in Mesa – 1,168, PENDING - 1,113!

The available ACTIVE properties in Gilbert – 439, PENDING – 661!

The available ACTIVE properties in Chandler – 520, PENDING – 661!

The available ACTIVE properties in Gold Canyon – 224, PENDING – 50!

Remember, these numbers include: short sales, auctions, foreclosures AND a normal seller sale.

The market is definitely on the upswing AND good pricing and selection is becoming scarce. If you would like more info on the market in your area, just give me a call at: 480.382-8711 for assistance!

First: SRP is offering “The Great Fridge-a-Thon Roundup. To save energy costs on that old fridge or freezer that is sitting in your garage, and you are an SRP customer, and to have someone pick up your working fridge or freezer (they will even mail you a check for $30), then visit fridgeathon.com for instructions, and save money each year.

Second: Call 602.374-6808 to get a check up on your new or old cooling system. For $29.95 per unit (excluding tax), a licensed, bonded and insured contractor will perform a 16-point checkup on your cooling equipment. This is a savings of 50%. To take advantage of this offer, call the SRP Certified Contractor Program at: 602.274-6808. For more details, go to savewithsrp.com. Offer expires April 30, 2012!

Third: If you have been putting off replacing an older central air conditioner, don’t risk an expensive breakdown during the hottest time of the year. Stay cool this summer with the SRIP Cool Cash Rebate Program. Cool Cash provides as much as $400 back when you install a new, qualifying high-efficiency system by April 30, 2012! For more information, call 602.264-3108 or logon to savewithsrp.com.

I hope this is helpful to many of you. When you are ready to buy or sell a home in the Phoenix and Mesa Valley, give me a call at: 480.382-8711 for answers to questions or the opportunity to list your home or help you find one.

Every year, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce hosts the Ostrich Festival! Lots of attractions such as Ostrich races, thrill rides, monkey shows, reptile adventures, magic and variety shows, freak show, dock dogs, high flying dog shows, bubble thrill show, cowboy shows, exotic petting zoo, and most important of all? FOOD!!!

Location: Tumbleweed Park, in Chandler, Arizona - (SW corner of Germann and McQueen) Days/hours: Friday 2 pm-midnight ~ Saturday 10am-midnight ~ Sunday 10am – 11pm.

All festivities included in price of admission. For more information log on to: Ostrich Festival,
or call: 866.993-2477.

For information about Country Thunder evens, the entertainment lineup and the location/hours, go to http://countrythunder.com.

Special discounts for SRP customers.

On October 15, 2011, I posted the number of active listings, pending listings in the Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona markets as well as closed listings as of July 30! See my article at: h

A quick recap of the October 15 numbers:

“In our entire multiple listing area:  as of today, there are 19,783 active listings.

In Phoenix: there are 3,883 ACTIVE listings, there are 3,082 PENDING, and 5,252 have CLOSED since July 30, 2011.

In Mesa: there are currently 1,642 ACTIVE listings, 1,018 PENDING, and 1,848 CLOSED since July 30, 2011.”

As of TODAY, February 15, 2012, there are 17,034 Active listings! Downward trend in available homes for sale across the board. As a reminder, this number includes: other counties and cities outside of the Phoenix Metropolitan area! I’ll break down the numbers as I did in October as I remind my readers, in January 2005, we had less than 7,000 active listings! We are headed that way now. The pickings are slim these days for great properties, but they are out there. It just takes more looking, more negotiating, and more work – but we CAN make it happen.

In Phoenix: there are 2,903 active listings, 3,116 pending listings, and as of October 15, 2011, 7,445 closed!

In Mesa: there are 1,290 active listings, 1,090 pending listings, and 2,767 have closed since October 15, 2011!

We now have 2,749 less available homes for sale than we did in October! The inventory is definitely doing down – watching to see what it does in the future. Meanwhile…….

I love Arizona! There are so many beautiful places to see! Weather is wonderful during the winter especially, but during the summer, there are myriad areas to camp, to fish, to boat, to visit just a short trip to the mountains or to the lakes.

As a child, we would camp at Oak Creek Canyon, just north of Sedona, for two weeks sleeping in tents, or outside, bathing in the cold, cold streams. My dad would leave while we were sleeping and catch fish for breakfast.  Good memories.

Arizona is considered part of the Southwestern United States and is bordered by New Mexico to the east, Utah to the north, Nevada to the northwest, California to the west, its northeast corner touches part of Colorado, this area is known as the Four Corners. To the south of Arizona is the country Mexico with which it shares a border of 389 miles. The state is called the "Grand Canyon State" and the "Copper State" as it is the home of the Grand Canyon and has produced large amounts of copper from its mineral deposits.

Arizona became a state on February 14, 1912 and became the 48th state accepted into the United States. The state capital is Phoenix, which also is the largest city in the state. Phoenix is the largest capital city in the US.

Arizona’s climate can be very hot. In Phoenix, the average temperature is about 107 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. AND it has been known to occasionally get up to 120! AND we enjoy monsoons in July/August which cools us down, but then humidity kicks in. BUT, no matter what, I can always go outside utilizing the conveniences of air conditioning in my car, in my home, in the markets, etc.

So far this winter, I don’t believe we’ve dipped much below 60 (which is cold for us Arizonans!) February has been pretty much in the high 60’s and 70’s, and beautiful!

During the winter months, many people migrate to Arizona to enjoy the mild weather. After spending a couple of months here, they often purchase a home to return to every winter. For those living here full time, there are mountains close by where it is at least 20 degrees cooler than the valley. Many purchase a second home in those mountains and commute to the valley once a month or so.

Happy Birthday Arizona!!!

Funny how this differs with men than for women. As a woman, I “personally” DO like flowers.  Since I’m married, I tend to be a bit frugal about spending lots of money on flowers -  but flowers are still welcome!  Chocolates (really good ones) are indeed something wonderful! I prefer See’s, but have been known to enjoy less expensive candy. One rose would do as well…actually the thought really DOES count. Remember your woman on Valentine’s Day with a thoughtful card and a single rose, or box of candy. If you listen – really – well, you’ll know just what would please her.

Now, as for my hubby, I just get him a card with lots of love ‘cause that’s exactly what he likes. Over the years, I would choose a red shirt and a card, but always something red along with chocolate for him.

When my children were small, I would select a red article of clothing and place that along with a heart-shaped box of See’s candy by their plate at dinner. They always liked that. My daughter has continued that tradition with her family.

I’ve been frantically cleaning out my house and my garage just to get rid of the “stuff” I’ve accumulated in just nine years after moving into my brand new home in 2002! WHAT do I need so badly that I use up the third car garage with bric-a-brac or this-n-that? Then, there’s my office, my closets, my “spare” bedroom! Puleeze….do I “really” need those clothes that I’ve not worn for five years? And how about files I’ve stored in the garage from 1990? So beginning in November, I began the cleaning, the removing, the donating, and I’m getting down to the tons of paperwork stored in the cabinets in the house and the garage. SHREDDING!!!!

Though I shred my paperwork as I go through the mail, I’ve got files and boxes and reams of stuff that I plan to take to the “Shred-A-Thon” in Mesa, Arizona on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Time: 8-noon, where: 2412 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona.

This includes Mesa residents only, five box limit per household, no commercial businesses.  For questions, call: 480.644-2221 or visit mesarecycles.org.