How long will it take to sell my Gilbert, AZ home? - March 2016

The amount of time it's taking to sell a home in Gilbert, Arizona had an expected decrease in March after leaping upwards the previous month. On average in the month of March 2016 a home in Gilbert took 76.9 days on the market before finding a buyer. This was almost a 3 day decrease from February of 2016 when it was taking an average of 79.3 days to sell a home in Gilbert. However, going back a year to March 2015 the average home in Gilbert sold after 90.1 days on the market so we have certainly seen an improvement year over year. There are still some homes in price ranges around $200,000 which are selling almost as fast as they are being placed up for sale, and yet some other homes in higher price ranges are taking longer than the average to sell. 

The most competitive price range in Gilbert, Arizona currently is that of the first time home buyer between $200,000 and $250,000. Homes in that price range are being bought up the quickest and some are receiving multiple offers within the first few weeks of being listed for sale.

We are now in the beginning stages of the busy Spring and Summer selling season. Historically it will begin taking less time to sell a property as there are more buyers during this time of year. If you're a buyer, you want to see the Days on Market increase because for you that means you have more time to think about a home before needing to make an offer. If you're a seller you want to list your house sooner rather than later. The Spring and Summer time real estate market will bring more listings and more homes competing against yours for the eyes and dollars of buyers. Armed with a little knowledge and a hard-working real estate agent from Zion Realty buying or selling a home will be a little less stressful! 

The Most Expensive Home sold in Arizona last week - 4/26/16

The most expensive home that sold in Arizona last week is a multi-generational gated compound comprised of a 4,500 square foot main home, and two separate guest houses one of which is just over 1,500 square feet and the other is a shade under 1,000 square feet. Completely renovated from floor to ceiling in 2015 this luxury property was brought in to modern style and design by incorporating today's gray and white color palette along with clean lines, shiny chrome's, and subway tile patterns throughout. The main living area is bright, open, and spacious with tall ceilings and massive exposed wooden beams. A wet bar area is perfect for entertaining. The chef's kitchen is expertly laid-out and allows for flow and function. The rest of the interior is simplistic yet elegant and it's classic look will stand the test of time. 

The exterior of this magnificent residence matches the interior. It's stylish and functional. The new owner will be able to pull in through the private gated entry and travel down their elongated driveway to the four garages which have the capacity to hold up to eight vehicles. The backyard is tastefully arranged with a covered cabana, sparkling pool, multiple outdoor fireplaces, and relaxing spa. There isn't a real "wow factor" here but you come away with a sense that this truly is a high-end, rich property. A small but interesting tid-bit regarding this home is that it took almost a full year to sell and the sales price was much less than the original asking price. When this home was placed on the market it was listed for $3.1 million but the final sales price was only $2.4 million. Click on the picture below for the full MLS listing:

Location: Phoenix

Size: 4,456 sqft

Bedrooms: 6

Bathrooms: 8

Lot size: 39,133 sqft

If you are in the luxury home market and want a list of luxury homes available in Arizona, contact us Today! We'd love to help you find your dream home!

Coronado Ranch Homes for Sale in Gilbert, AZ 85297 - Update March '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 March 2016:

Total Sold Homes: 5

Average List price: $287,960

Average Sold price: $286,780

Approximate Square Footage of Sold homes: 2,332

Average Sold Price per Square Foot: $125.69

Average Days on Market: 71

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. 

Animals of the MLS

We've got a blurry basset hound in this week's Animals of the MLS. This old fella looks like it was a chore just to walk all the way in to this room so that the could sniff out this stranger. The gray snout would indicate this seniors best days could be behind him but instincts still run strong and he wasn't about to let this agent go without a thorough investigation. Basset hounds are friendly, easy going dogs that get along well with other animals and children. In spite of it's short stature, however, these canines can weigh up to 80 lbs and deliver a boisterous bark which can be intimidating to potential buyers viewing a home. 

Although almost universally known as likable and sociable, a basset hound is a great example of why a homeowner should consider completely removing their pet during showings. Even if our companion was kenneled but allowed to remain in the home there's no doubt his excitement would get the better of him when buyers entered his home and they'd be greeted with a chorus of booming woof's which could intimidate a potential home shopper to the degree they might not even feel comfortable touring the property. Sellers should do everything they possibly can to make their home a comfortable and inviting atmosphere setting the mood for a positive showing experience. 

As for the picture itself, it's blurry and dingy. In spite of the blinds being open this room is still cave-like and dimly lit. The dark furniture and tile certainly don't help in lightening up this space but the first improvement I would have made would have been to eliminate the small forest growing in the corner. Not only does that plant overpower the room but it blocks a lot of the natural sunlight attempting to enter in through the open windows. When it comes to clutter, I've seen worse. However, a few items in this space could have been stored away to allow this room to breathe just a little more. Using a wide angle lens also would have shown this room's size much better. As it stands, a potential on-line home shopper doesn't get the full scope of this space based upon this photo. 

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!

Open House - 2237 S. Las Palmas Circle Mesa, AZ 85202

Zion Realty proudly presents 2237 S. Las Palmas Circle for sale! A wonderfully updated Dobson Ranch home on a large cul-de-sac lot! The front gate opens to a quaint courtyard and raised garden area. You will enter the home to an open foyer and cathedral ceilings. Pride of ownership shines brightly in the updated kitchen which features stainless steel appliances & eat in kitchen area. The family room offers a wet bar, fireplace, rustic wood flooring & opens to the extended covered back patio and pool area. Covered patio features ceiling fans & mister system. Relax outdoors as you overlook your Pebble Sheen pool with waterfall and sun shades. Pool has been converted to salt water, has newer pump, color changing led lights, and also provides a removable safety fence. The backyard offers plenty of space to sprawl as this property sits on almost a 12,000 square foot lot. Roomy master bath features dual vanities & closets including a walk in. 

Upgrades made in the last 3 years include:

• All new windows & sliding glass door
• New hot water heater
• New interior and exterior pain
• New bathroom fixtures, sinks & toilets
• New sprinklers and drip irrigation
• New A/C condenser & fan
• New roof over garage & patio

Laguna Park is just a brisk walk away where you'll find playgrounds, shady grass areas, and walking trails around the lakes. Dobson Ranch amenities include community centers with pools, tennis and family friendly activities. Do you have a daily commute to work every day? This property has quick access to the 101 & US 60 freeways.

Open House information:

Date: April 22, 2016

Time: 3:00pm to 6:30pm

Location: 2237 S. Las Palmas Circle Mesa, AZ 85202

Have you Emotionally Disconnected from your House yet?

According to a study published in 2013 by the National Association of Home Builders the typical buyer of a single-family home was expected to remain in their property approximately 13 years before selling. This number has been steadily declining since 2009 when homeowners retained ownership of their properties for an average of 20 years. 

When some individuals purchase a home they envision themselves raising children, celebrating endless holidays, creating countless memories, and growing old all under the same roof. However, others don't have such a sentimental attachment to sticks, bricks and mortar. Regardless of which end of the spectrum you find yourself, there's no denying that both short-term and long-term memories can be accrued during your time as a property owner.

Making the decision to sell your home isn't an easy task. Sometimes life events outside of our control force a move, or perhaps after careful planning and consideration you've chosen to stake your claim at a different residence for varying reasons. No matter the situation an often overlooked aspect of departing a property is realizing you may have been more emotionally attached than you previously thought. 

The physical exertion that is involved with packing and moving is undeniable but you could be underestimating the emotional toll that relocating can take on you or your family. Emotionally disconnecting from a place you hold near and dear can take time but it's an important step in your new journey forward. There are many signals that indicate you are not emotionally detached from your home and these can jeopardize not only your current living situation but your future as well:

Procrastinating Necessary Tasks

Not everyone is an early riser or a go-getter. There are some of us who take our time and carry-out our daily schedules methodically, carefully, and at a slower pace than others can handle. But preparing for a move requires a certain diligence. If you've already received and accepted an offer for your property there has been an agreed upon Close of Escrow date in which you are contractually obligated to vacate the premises. 

During the process of packing up your possessions you may find yourself taking a stroll down memory lane far too often allowing yourself to be distracted and hesitant to part from such fond thoughts and recollections. In an attempt to avoid the sometimes overwhelming emotions that can rise up due to a move you may find yourself dragging your feet when it comes to completing the necessary assignments involved in moving. This could put you in a difficult position of being in breach of contract putting your whole move at risk. 

Sabotaging the Sale

When you first decided to sell your home you no doubt did your research and selected a real estate professional to represent you. A thorough examination was completed on your property, a value was assigned, and the for sale sign was installed proudly in the front yard. 

Potential home buyers will begin their requests to view your property but if you are still emotionally attached to your home the reality of strangers parading through your beloved abode can be difficult to allow. You may find yourself making it difficult for home shoppers to set appointments so they can determine if your house is a good fit for their needs. 

Keeping your home as clean and tidy as possible is an absolute must when placing it up for sale. Buyers want to walk in to an uncluttered, well-kept space in which they can begin to envision themselves living. However, if you still have emotional ties tightly wrapped around your residence, you may just find yourself subconsciously leaving a few dirty dishes in the sink or allowing the kids to keep their toys strewn about their rooms. This could end up leaving a bad first impression causing a well-qualified, well-matched home buyer from placing an offer on your property. 

If granting access to your home was not a troublesome task and maintaining a sparkling clean living space was relatively effortless, then perhaps you may be a homeowner who undermines your agents efforts when offers on your home begin to emerge. Thwarting a perfectly good purchase offer is another tell-tale sign that you have not emotionally unattached yourself from your current home. 

Not all home purchase offers are fair and reasonable. There are those potential home shoppers that will attempt to buy your home for the least amount of money possible and have you pay as many of their loan and closing costs as they can. It's your real estate agent's responsibility to explain each offer in detail so that you can determine an acceptance or appropriate counter offer. But being emotionally attached to your home will cloud your judgment and skew your thinking. You could find yourself making unreasonable demands or being unwilling to budge on any aspect of a home buyer's offer.

Selling a home requires give and take on the parts of the seller and the buyer. Negotiating a fair and respectful deal takes finesse and a readiness to compromise on certain issues. If you find yourself drawing so many lines in the sand that you've boxed yourself in, perhaps you need some help in taking emotion out of the equation. 

Burdensome Buyer

Selling a home means you'll be purchasing a new one in most cases. Finding a different place to hang your hat takes time and just like your present home each option will have it's pluses and minuses. There is no perfect property. If you're still emotionally attached to your current residence every new home you view will seem sub-par.

Minor imperfections will become insurmountable repairs. Minuscule deficiencies will turn in to deal breakers. Before you know it you'll have toured dozens of properties that would have been a good fit had you not picked apart every microscopic inadequacy until you convinced yourself to move on. Don't fall in to the trap of comparing new homes to the one you're selling especially if you're still passionately connected. 

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So how do you go about disconnecting yourself emotionally from a property which evokes pleasant thoughts and holds so many amazing memories? It's certainly normal to have feelings of sadness and sorrow when leaving such a warm and loving home. Embracing change isn't an easy assignment especially when that shift means letting go of a place you held so dear. Whether you're an adult or a child, moving away from a beloved residence can require a delicate balancing act to ensure the well-being of all involved. 

Where are you going next?

The sooner you begin looking for your new home the quicker and easier it will be to emotionally detach from your current property. Searching and viewing houses can be fun and exciting! There may have been aspects of your residence that you always found lacking and this is your opportunity to make some changes. Perhaps you never appreciated your master bedroom being right next to all of your children's bedrooms. This is a great time to seek out a home with a split floor-plan. Maybe you've been desiring a much bigger yard with a pool and plenty of room to entertain. Now is the perfect opportunity to check off some items that have been accumulating on your wish list!

Explore your new Stomping Ground

No matter how long you've resided at your current homestead you undoubtedly have a list of favorite restaurants, shopping centers, grocery stores, and gas stations in which you frequent around your immediate area. A great way to begin disconnecting emotionally from your home is to try out new coffee shops, diners, boutiques, and markets that will now be your chosen places to visit on a weekly basis. 

Every city and neighborhood has it's own special hang-outs and popular venues which all of the locals know about. Take some time to research and test out these acclaimed establishments. Walk the streets of your new neighborhood before you move in to find new parks, paths, and playgrounds. The more you get excited about what your new location has to offer, the quicker your emotional attachment to your old house will fade. 

Discuss new Decorating Ideas

Even a "move-in ready" home can use some touch-ups and improvements.Everyone enjoys putting their own personal touches on their house. Selling a home and buying a new one gives you the opportunity to refresh and update your decor. Did you have design style ideas piled up which were never realized at your previous property? Now is the time to revisit those color swatches and samples you saved years ago but never got around to choosing. Purchasing a new home is the perfect opportunity to start picking out new paint colors, draperies, and bed spreads. 

If you have a big enough budget, perhaps it's time to ditch that old, worn-out couch and love seat in exchange for a luxurious new sectional and recliner. Did your previous home have gold plated fans and lighting fixtures from the 1980's? Start looking for current styles such as brushed nickel and chrome that you can have installed in your new house. Discussing all the ways in which you want to decorate your new home will instantly begin to help you emotionally disconnect from your previous property. 

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Emotionally disconnecting from a place you called home can be a tougher task than you think but it's a necessary endeavor we must all embark upon when leaving a beloved residence. Everyone deals with loss differently and moving from a property which was special can feel as if a large piece of you is being left behind. There's certainly no shame in acknowledging or admitting difficulty in detaching yourself from your home. 

Taking the time and necessary steps which will allow you to begin mentally enjoying the next chapter of your life can seem like a daunting task but is well worth it in the end. 

If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in Gilbert, Arizona or the East Valley, 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.