August continued a downward trend in Active median prices for homes here in Gilbert, Arizona. The busy Summer housing market appears to finally be coming to an end this year. Conversely, the Median price for New homes coming on to the market did see an increase in August however it still hasn't fully regained the value that was lost in the market from June to July 2015. The average home in Gilbert was Active for sale at $319,900 in August. The average Sold home in July closed at $258,700 which is a $2,000 increase from July, and the median price of newly listed homes was $283,900 which is almost $4,000 above July's numbers. So what do these numbers mean if you are a current homeowner in Gilbert or you wish to become one?...read more.
What I learned in Real Estate this week - 9/6/15
You all know the phrase, "If you love someone let them go. If they come back it was meant to be". Well this holds true for not just romantic or friendly relationships. It is also applicable for real estate. I was referred to a client over eight months ago. She was a pre-approved buyer ready to make her first splash in to the pool of home ownership. Our first few meetings were typical. We established her wants, needs, desired locations, and budget. Armed with her enthusiasm and my expertise we set off on our home hunt.
The first few times out looking at homes she was like any other first time home buyer. Wide eyed and sometimes overwhelmed with all of the information she needed to process with each house we visited. Even though I was taking her to properties that matched most of, if not all of, the requirements she laid out for me there seemed to still be a disconnect. She wasn't finding what she thought she was looking for in a home. Week after week I would send her homes I felt were a good fit and time after time we'd go view the homes with no success...read more.
Animals of the MLS
You can take the cat out of the jungle but you can't take the jungle out of the cat. This week's Animals of the MLS features a domesticated feline in what may feel like their natural habitat. As luck would have it our furry friend was taken in by owners who happen to have the perfect house color to blend in and go unnoticed by potential backyard birds. It seems as if they were taken by surprise by the agent taking pictures as the look on their face is one that says, "Hey, wait a minute. You're not supposed to be able to see me!"...read more.
It's hard to focus with a Chainsaw in your ear
Friday's around offices Nationwide are usually associated with winding down your busy week. There tends to be a lighter and livelier atmosphere as employees and their bosses can see the weekend approaching. Especially on a Labor Day weekend such as this. Dreams of getting in that last camping trip of the Summer before Fall is upon us, and thoughts of sleeping in past your usual morning alarm are circling around all of our heads. I decided to make today all about getting caught up on paperwork and office bound duties that I had gotten behind on throughout the week. I had no showings or appointments lined up so this seemed like a perfect strategy going in to the day. That is until he arrived...read more.
Arizona Division I and II Friday Night High School Football Schedule
Friday night is almost here. During this time of year that can only mean one thing to Arizona residents: High School Football! There are some great local Gilbert school matchups this week as well as other tough Division I and Division II games on the schedule. Get out there and support your local high school teams this weekend! Here are this week's games:
Division I
Centennial vs Basha 7:00pm at Basha
Liberty vs Brophy College Prep 7:00pm at Brophy
Chandler vs Chaparral 7:00pm at Chaparral
Williams Field vs Desert Vista 7:00pm at Desert Vista
Hamilton vs Highland 7:00pm at Highland
Perry vs. Mountain View(Mesa) 7:00pm at Mountain View
Division II
Catalina Foothills vs Cienega 7:00pm at Cienega
St. Mary's vs Corona del Sol 7:00pm at Corona del Sol
Poston Butte vs Gilbert 7:00pm at Gilbert
Westwood vs Ironwood Ridge 7:00pm at Ironwood Ridge
Mountain Ridge vs Mequite 7:00pm at Mesquite
Horizon vs Mountain View(Marana) 7:00pm at Mountain View
Pinnacle vs Saguaro 7:00pm at Saguaro
Boulder Creek vs. Salpointe Catholic 7:00pm at Salpointe Catholic
Desert Ridge vs Sandra Day O'Conner 7:00pm at Sandra Day O'Conner
Bradshaw Mountain vs Shadow Ridge 7:00pm at Shadow Ridge
Notre Dame Prep vs Skyline 7:00pm at Skyline
Canyon Del Oro vs Tucson 7:00pm at Tucson
Apollo vs Valley Vista 7:00pm at Valley Vista
Sunnyside vs Westview 7:00pm at Westview
It's Hard to Hit a Moving Target - 6 Ways to Be a Better Hunter
Every hunter has their own method and way to go about tracking it's prey. Lions, Alligators, Hawks, and any other predator uses it's unique talents and abilities to seek out their next meal. Some lie in wait while others strike quickly. Patience and accuracy is a must or else you'll go without. It's not just exclusive to the animal kingdom either. Humans that hunt for their food also need to know the intricacies of their prey. Where do they gather? When do they feed? What time of day can they be most seen?
Regardless of the hunting style, it's universally known that a moving target is much harder to hit than one standing still. A second accepted truth about hunting is that not every attempt is successful. Even the most skilled sportsman can be out-maneuvered and out-witted by a perceptive and shifty herd. In the wild, predators or humans can't go too long without a successful hunt or else they'll starve. It's the same in the business world. We can only afford to miss so many targets before we start to experience the negative consequences.
So as business professionals how do we become better hunters? How do we track down our target audiences and shoot our marketing arrows with enough accuracy to hit as many targets as possible?...read more.