February 2016 Market Report - How much is my Gilbert, AZ Home worth?

Every home owner wants to know how much their property is worth. Prices have long since stabilized for the most part here in Arizona and the dramatic shifts in upward and downward pricing have largely ceased. Bidding wars are few and far between and are only reserved for those most sought after locations around the Valley where properties rarely come available. But what can a home owner expect to get from their Gilbert, Arizona home?

The Sold to List ratio is a comparison between the price of what a seller listed their home for sale versus the price in which the home was eventually sold. In February, home sellers in Gilbert, Arizona saw a slight decrease in this ratio after a surprising increase the previous month. According to the numbers, home owners are getting around 96.2% of their asking price when selling their home. Traditionally, prices and values will drop during the Winter and will start to see increases again once the busy Spring and Summer moving season begins. 

The Sold to List price average is around the same percentage it was a year ago which shows a strong and stable real estate market here in Gilbert, Arizona. This is a good reminder to sellers that although you can list a home for sale at whatever price you feel is fair, the free-market will dictate what the home is worth. Ultimately, a home is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. There are certainly homes that get offers at the full listing price but on average most home owners are only getting close to the 96.2% ratio shown in this latest graph.

Conversely, this is also a good reminder to buyers that sellers are getting the majority of their asking price so low-ball offers are not only being roundly rejected but are completely unrealistic in today's stable market. The Gilbert housing market has been steady all year so a dramatic shift up or down in the Sold to List ratio would be a surprise as we approach the busy Spring and Summer market.  

If you need more information on homes for sale in Arizona or to find out what your current home is worth contact us Today! 

Animals of the MLS

We have a curious kitty in this weeks edition of Animals of the MLS. This tabby just couldn't help but check out all the action around the agent snapping photos of their home. I bet they especially wanted to keep an eye out to make sure their cat house in the corner was not messed with by this picture taking stranger. I imagine many a lazy afternoon is spent perched high above the floor sleeping the day away in their specially made kitty clubhouse. It's also situated right by a window so our four-legged friend can keep an eye out on the neighborhood and make sure no strange dogs or squirrels get in to their yard.  

I've said it before that there are two types of cats when you are showing a home. There are the ones who will immediately run up to you and start begging for attention by rubbing against your legs and meowing until they convince someone to pet them. Then you have the kind who will be hidden away out of sight either behind a couch or under a bed. You'll never know they are there unless they get startled and suddenly run away nearly giving you or your clients a small heart attack. I get the impression that this featured feline loves attention and would follow you from room to room giving you a personal tour of the home.  

The actual picture itself isn't as bad as some I've seen on the MLS but it could have been a little better. I like that the windows are open providing a lot of natural light to the area. This gives the room a more spacious feel. The homeowners did clean and straighten up the furniture so it appears organized and inviting. The one aspect that I think was missed was all the extra clutter. There's multiple lamps and end tables. This could have been reduced down to one. The entertainment center is massive for this small space and is filled with unnecessary decorations. Getting rid of the bulky desk and shelving unit and rearranging the chairs to make this room into more of a reading or sitting area would have been a better way to sell this space in my opinion. 

If you're selling your home in Gilbert, Arizona or the East Valley let the experts at Zion Realty help you. We take professional photos and put together a perfect marketing strategy to sell your property. Contact us Today!

Horse Property Homes for Sale in Gilbert, AZ - Update February 2016

It's hard to believe that Gilbert, Arizona was once known as the "Hay shipping Capital of the World." Since the mid-90's Gilbert has experienced a growth explosion not only in population but also in business and commerce. The famous Gilbert railroad tracks that cut straight through the entire Town are still there and plenty of rail shipments find their way through the hustle and bustle of sprawling subdivisions, however, Gilbert is far from the sleepy farm town it used to be. 

Gilbert, Arizona is now the 4th largest Town in the entire State of Arizona. Encompassing just 72.6 square miles Gilbert has transformed itself from an agricultural hub, to an economically diverse suburban populace. But don't let all of this growth fool you in to thinking Gilbert has lost it's cowboy culture. Among the shopping centers, award-winning and nationally recognized restaurants, running trails, and lush green parks, there is still a vast and ever reaching equine lifestyle woven in to the very fabric of this community. 

Horse property owners know the benefits of living in a Town that was founded on a simpler, slower-paced way of living, yet still provides all of today's modern comforts and amenities. Dotted between subdivisions governed and ruled by common Home Owner's Associations are still numerous areas designated for Horse and livestock owners who desire to be a part of this ever growing and thriving suburb of Phoenix. 

Whether you are in the market for an easier to maintain half-acre lot or an expansive ten-acre piece of property which gives you the ability to have numerous stalls, out-buildings, tack rooms, and multiple pastures, Gilbert has just the right home for you. There are a great number of horse properties located right in the heart of Town, or if you prefer a more secluded area on the outskirts of Gilbert, then there are also some wonderful choices that can be found as well. 

Sales information for Gilbert, Arizona Horse Properties February 2016:

Total Sold Homes: 13

Average List price: $536,659

Average Sold price: $511,327

Approximate Square Footage of Sold homes: 3,035

Average Sold Price per Square Foot: $176.69

Average Days on Market: 135

Click Here for a list of current Horse properties for sale in Gilbert, Arizona.

There is quite a wide range of Horse Properties available in Gilbert and there are many different factors to consider when purchasing a home in an area zoned to allow livestock. Let the Gilbert, Arizona real estate experts at Zion Realty help you through the process of determining whether owning a horse property is right for you. Contact us Today! 

Coronado Ranch Homes for Sale in Gilbert, AZ 85297 - Update Feb '16

When it comes to location, outdoor neighborhood amenities, and lifestyle, Coronado Ranch is a highly sought after community situated in Gilbert, Arizona. While consistent residential and business growth has pushed new home builders further away from the center of Town, Coronado Ranch is perfectly positioned to take advantage of a bustling and vibrant area. Located between Higley Rd and Power Rd to the East and West, and Queen Creek Rd and Germann Rd to the North and South, residents of this wonderful neighborhood have just enough room to stretch out yet are still conveniently within minutes of shopping, freeway access, and Nationally acclaimed restaurants.

As soon as you pull in to this subdivision you'll notice the wide streets and tall, mature landscaping that provide a sense of openness and tranquility. This is a large community of 998 homes, however, once you become a homeowner in Coronado Ranch you'll quickly understand how friendly and inviting this active neighborhood really is. Even on the hottest Summer days or coldest Winter nights there is never a shortage of families outdoors walking their pets, running the winding trails and sidewalks, or playing in one of the many lush and green parks.   

Does your job require a long distance commute each day? Residents of Coronado Ranch have easy access to the 202 Red Mountain Freeway. Do you have children who range in age from toddler to college student? If you call Coronado Ranch your home you'll be minutes away from Coronado Elementary School, Williams Field High School, Cooley Middle School, ASU Polytechnic Campus, and the East Valley Institute of Technology(EVIT). 

Need to catch a flight? Coronado Ranch is just a few miles away from Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport. Hungry for entertainment, shopping, and restaurants that have been featured on national television? If you reside in Coronado Ranch you'll have an endless amount of options to choose from since the San Tan Village Mall, Top Golf, and Joe's Farm Grill are all just minutes away. 

If venturing out isn't on your favorite to-do list then Coronado Ranch also has great options for family fun and entertainment built right in to the community. Enjoy a combined 32-acres ofgreenbelts, soccer parks, basketball courts, children's playground areas, and a community splash pad complete with water buckets and water canons! 

Neighborhood Sales information for Coronado Ranch February 2016:

Total Sold Homes: 2

Average List price: $252,450

Average Sold price: $249,500

Approximate Square Footage of Sold homes: 2,001

Average Sold Price per Square Foot: $126.49

Average Days on Market: 90

Click Here for a current list of homes for sale in Coronado Ranch. 

If you or someone you know are interested in purchasing or selling a property in Coronado Ranch or in other areas of Gilbert, Arizona then contact us Today! We are a locally owned real estate brokerage right here in Gilbert and can educate you on the benefits of each community. 

The Most Expensive Home sold in Arizona last week - 3/15/16

It's the one year anniversary of my weekly blog series "The Most Expensive Home sold in Arizona last week"! Closings for million dollar luxury home listings in Arizona last week were sparse but if you're a fan of architects and designers that use natural surroundings to seamlessly blend in their properties to the native environment then you'll be a fan of this peaceful desert dwelling. Using native Saguaro, Palo Verde, Agave, and a vast array of stone and other indigenous features known throughout the area, this luxury home was brilliantly situated among the local terrain. The exterior is a pueblo style home popular here in the Southwest that has a smooth stucco finish, flat roof system, solid wood porch columns, and wrought iron accents to complete the look. The backyard waterfall and infinity edge pool will give the new homeowner plenty of serene moments of reflection as they look out at the spectacular mountain views from their secluded oasis. 

The Southwestern theme is carried directly in to and through the interior of this lavish home. Natural stone and wide-plank wood flooring add to the rustic feel while the massive floor to ceiling windows allow the outdoors to be enjoyed from the comfort of the living room. The kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms are simple and functional yet still provide a richness that compliments the entire property. Of course, who could go without a private elevator to escort you to and from the garage to the main house? A person could easily get caught up in all of the surrounding desert beauty and be fooled in to thinking they were miles away from civilization when in fact this property overlooks the eighth fairway of Desert Mountain Chiricahua Golf Course. Click on the picture below for the full MLS listing:

Homes for sale in Gilbert, Arizona - February 2016 Market Report

The Gilbert, Arizona housing market is beginning to show signs of awakening from the annual Winter slow down that starts in late October and usually carries through February. Let's list and analyze the raw numbers from the chart below first then we'll make sense of what the market is telling us. There were 1,060 Active homes for sale on the market in Gilbert in February which is a 40 unit increase from January. New listings took a slight down turn in February with only 548 new homes being added to the open market for sale. The one statistic that matters most, however, showed a steady gain last month. There were 351 Sold homes in Gilbert in February which was an increase of 57 units from January 2016. 

What do all these numbers mean for buyers and sellers? February is usually the first month after the holiday season that homeowners and home shoppers begin to make their initial plans for a potential move. These numbers and statistics show modest gains and the first slight signs of the housing market gearing up for the busy Spring and Summer season. When the numbers for March are released it would be no surprise to see an increase across the board in all three of these categories. Gilbert, Arizona is still seeing a healthy level of sales activity for homes priced within $250,000-$300,000 which is now the typical first time home buyer price range. However, that doesn't mean there aren't other homes still selling.  

It is becoming increasingly more difficult to find properties below the $200,000 mark in Gilbert but armed with a little knowledge and a hard-working real estate agent from Zion Realty selling your home, or snapping up that perfect property before another buyer gets to it should be a little less stressful. Contact us Today!