Jenny Browne, US Preferred Realtor

"Housing Bust" - Over?

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal states that the housing bottom is here.  Nationally, the bottom was most likely in April.  Are we finally hearing good news about the housing market from a major newspaper?  Sounds like we are and I definitely agree!  There has been an increase in buyer activity in the Valley over the last 45 days - more people looking and more buyers putting in offers.  Phoenix continues to work out the problems of the foreclosure properties, but even those are moving off the market.  As you read the Wall Street Journal article, you will see that the writer says we will not have another peak for 15 years.  Please remember that he is speaking of National speculations, not specifically our Phoenix area.  If you speak with many of the commercial real estate experts and economists in our area, they would say that Phoenix is set to have its next little "boom" around 2012.  Yes, these are all speculations, but we must remember that these same experts called the current "bust" too.  What should you do with this information?  The saying goes... you make money on the purchase of an investment NOT the sale.  Timing is everything and the time is now. 

Have a great week. -Jenny

The Best Places to Live in the Valley

In the May issue of Phoenix Magazine they covered the "Best Place to Live" in the Phoenix area.  Here are some of the places that were listed and the reason they were chosen...

Urban living-- Downtown Tempe

Can fit both the growing family and an empty-nester -- Chandler

You want to be a cowboy? -- Carefree/Cave Creek

Affordable, mature trees, and remodeling needed -- Woodlea and Coronado Neighborhoods, Phoenix

Season Ticket-Holder -- Glendale's Sports and Entertainment District (runner-up -- downtown Phoenix)

Rural feeling with lots of room for your horses -- Queen Creek

Single and looking -- Downtown Scottsdale

For that small town feel -- Verado, Buckeye

There are a many more listed, including where I live (Agritopia, Gilbert -- where they describe a very dog-friendly atmosphere with lots of walking paths. Coffee shop and restaurant on site as well).  You can click on Phoenix Magazine and read the rest of their picks for 2008.

Have a great and SAFE Memorial Day weekend!  -Jenny B

National Exposure

For those of you that live in Gilbert (like me), you all have heard of Joe's Real Barbecue restaurant on Gilbert Road.  Well, Joe has another restaurant called, Joe's Farm Grill, located on the edge of the agritopia community on Ray and Higley Roads.  Why is this important real estate news?  It's really not, BUT Joes' Farm Grill will be featured on national TV tonight (Monday 5/19).  The Food Network will feature the Gilbert eatery during an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives at 10 p.m, according to the network's Web site.  Guy Fieri, the host of the show, came to Gilbert in December for the taping.  Maybe some good national coverage of Gilbert will bring more buyers... ??  We can hope!

Have a great week.

Jenny B

Design Video

Do you have a small space that you need help designing?  This video shows a couple who did a great job decorating their very small house.

The Checks are Coming...

Well, here we are in that week in May that some of us will be receiving our "stimulus" checks.  What's your plan?  I've heard some people talk of paying off debt or putting it in savings accounts for emergency use later.  That's not what the government wants you to do, though.  They want you to go SPEND it!  Buy things.  Invest in the market.  Remodel your bathroom. Do SOMETHING RIGHT NOW.  The East Valley Tribune writes about a Wall Street Journal article that covers this topic.  Investors are anxiously waiting to see how we will use our checks.  I am all for using the money for whatever is best for you and your family.  I've even spoken to a few people who plan on giving a large chunk of it to their church!  There are so many ways to use this check... let me know your plan!  Whatever the American people choose to spend their money on- it sure will be interesting to see if the checks "stimulate" the economy.

Have a great week.  -Jenny

   

The Credit Crunch

Remember the days of multiple credit card applications found in your mail box?  With all the talk of America's bad credit over the last 10 months, those days should be over, right?  Well, not exactly.  I'm still getting them and you probably are too.  If there is a huge problem with credit in our country, why do companies still offer so much of it?  Well, our government is taking a long, hard look at the practices of credit card companies as well as the mortgage companies that are still offering credit using HELOC's.  A recent article in the East Valley Tribune spends some time on the subject.  The article states that most lending institutions have actually tightened their standards for lending money without government interference.  Let me know if you think the government needs to step in with more regulations or if the institutions themselves are doing a good job self-regulating.

Have a great week.  -Jenny B