Animals of the MLS

We've got two large, lurking beasts in this week's edition of Animals of the MLS. Curious as to the reason they've been relegated to the backyard, these best friends are peering through the glass trying to catch a glimpse of the stranger taking pictures who gets to enjoy being inside while they're stuck outside. The pleasant demeanor on their faces and neutral stances tell you that chances are slim that these boys would be a threat to anyone, however, their sheer size is enough to intimidate smaller children, older individuals, or even those who are bent towards having a fear of animals.  

This is a prime example of why it's so important that pets be kenneled or completely removed for home viewings. I'd venture to guess the homeowners would tell anyone that their beloved animals are friendly as can be, however, that doesn't mean they wouldn't be a distraction to home shoppers. Would you rather a prospective buyer be enthralled and engaged in the home that you're selling, or spend their time playing with and petting your dog without ever fully taking in all your home has to offer? Also, with two animals this size a homeowner needs to ensure all "leavings" and pet toys are picked up, thrown away, or put away. If a slight accumulation of pet droppings are found in the yard it will not only be an eyesore but also give off a foul stench giving a buyer a bad first impression. 

As for the picture itself, there are quite a few issues I would have corrected in this home before placing it on the market. The very first problem I have is how dark this room is even with the blinds open. The dark paint on the walls, the dark furniture, dark rug, and dark fixtures all lend to this room feeling dreary and dingy. Speaking of furniture, it's way too bulky for this space. The entertainment unit, and heavy wood table pieces would be better served in a cabin up in the mountains. It over powers this room and leaves a buyer wondering if there would be enough living area when in reality this is most likely a pretty standard size family room you would find in most homes. Lightening up the paint and storing a few of the furniture pieces would have opened up this room tremendously. Selling a home isn't necessarily a convenient task to undertake but if the goal is to sell, then preparing your home for the market isn't just about pricing it correctly. 

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!

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

Total Sold Homes: 10

Average List price: $286,049

Average Sold price: $281,490

Approximate Square Footage of Sold homes: 2,092

Average Sold Price per Square Foot: $138.46

Average Days on Market: 68

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. 

Open House - 6532 E. Maverick Rd. Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

Don't miss your chance to buy in to the highly sought after subdivision of Camelback Country Club Estates. The most affordable home in the entire neighborhood is ready for your own personal touch and style. Oversized designer arched entryways greet you throughout each room. Separate formal dining and living rooms allow enough space for even the largest gatherings. The Kitchen is appointed with high-end stainless steel appliances and ample counter space to satisfy any home chef. Enjoy endless nights around the fire in the Family room while serving cocktails and beverages from the built in wet-bar. Work from home in the attached office overlooking a private courtyard with calming water fountain. You'll never want to spend money going to a fancy resort again once you step in to the custom backyard with full size sport court, extended covered patio, and sparkling diving pool. 

Residents of Camelback Country Club Estates have quick and easy access to Mummy Mountain Park, Camelback Mountain, championship golf courses, Paradise Valley Mall, Freeway access, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Resort and Casino, and award winning Scottsdale and Phoenix Restaurants.  

Open House information:

Date: May 21 2016

Time: 11:00am to 2:30pm

Location: 6532 E. Maverick Rd. Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

The Most Expensive Home sold in Arizona last week - 5/17/16

It's only happened a few times in this weekly blog series but last week it happened again. The most expensive home that sold in Arizona last week was a $3.9 million dollar new build property in Paradise Valley, however, neither the sellers nor the listing agent provided much information about the property and uploaded only one exterior photo. Lack of intriguing facts, figures, and photos certainly doesn't make for a good blog post so I'm defaulting this week to the most expensive home that sold in my own town of Gilbert, Arizona last week. A Tuscan style luxury property was sold for $935,000 in the custom neighborhood of Weston Ranch. Quintessential to the area the exterior is comprised of stone and stucco with additional decorative columns aligning the entry way. Traditional low-maintenance desertcape landscaping and a pavered driveway was installed in the front yard. Meanwhile, the backyard boasts of a synthetic turf volleyball court and playground along with a covered barbecue entertainment area. The large sparkling pool has a walk-over bridge and waterfall grotto where kids and adults will spend endless hot Summer afternoons splashing, diving, and playing.

The interior of this luxury residence is fresh and modern. The combination of white cabinets and built-in bookshelves, gray walls, and brown wood-look tile flooring blend expertly together. The spacious kitchen has every convenience an at-home chef desires and the Master Bedroom features it's own separate sitting area. Guests and extended family will find themselves right at home in the fully furnished one bedroom guest casita with small kitchenette. Click on the picture below for the full MLS listing:

Location: Gilbert

Size: 4,608 sqft

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4.5

Lot size: 34,013 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!

April 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 April, home sellers in Gilbert, Arizona saw the second monthly increase in a row in this ratio. According to the numbers, home owners are getting around 97.5% of their asking price when selling their home. Traditionally, prices and values begin to increase during the busy Spring and Summer moving seasons. 

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 97.5% 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

Everyone has that one friend who always maintains a pleasant and easy going disposition no matter what life throws at them on a daily basis. I bet this week's featured pet on Animals of the MLS hasn't had a bad day in his life. Perfectly comfortable to be chubby and lovable the expression on our furry friends face tells you he doesn't have a care in the world and his owners are most likely as cool and calm as he is. I'd go out on a limb and guess this big-boned bulldog hasn't missed too many meals and judging by his closely guarded chew toy he also hasn't missed a lot of opportunities to play. 

Bulldogs may be short and compact but they are thick and heavy. Not necessarily a breed of dog that is known for excitedly jumping up on strangers but if the moment ever struck them they could definitely knock an unsuspecting person back on their heels and perhaps even cause a smaller child to fall to the ground. This is why no matter how friendly an animal may be it's always the best idea to have them kenneled or completely removed for home showings. Potential buyers can be heavily distracted or turned off by the presence of animals. You want home shoppers to get ehthralled with your property, not your pet. 

As for the picture itself, it does absolutely nothing to show a selling feature of the home. The glare coming from the window in the background is not only distracting but blurs any aspect of the entry way. Only because I've been in real estate in Arizona for 18 years I can tell this picture is of the great room area consisting of the kitchen and main living space. However, individuals moving here from out-of-state may not be familiar with our open concept floor plans and would have no idea which part of the interior this photo is suppose to be representing. The real estate agent was kind enough to leave their drink, phone, keys, and paperwork on the counter adding to the already cluttered entertainment unit to the right of the photo. Needless to say, this is one unfortunate and unprofessional picture which never should have been used to market this property for these homeowners. 

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 at Today!