Val Vista Academy Open House
When: Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Time: 5 - 7pm
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Sonoma Ranch Gilbert AZ 85234 Real Estate and Homes for Sale
Sonoma Ranch Gilbert 85234 Real Estate and Homes for Sale
Last updated on November 18, 2014Sonoma Ranch is located on South-East of Val Vista Drive and Guadalupe Road in Gilbert AZ 85234. Sonoma Ranch community features walking paths, greenbelts and tots play area. Homes were built in the mid 1990's by Shea Homes and ranging from 1,200 - over 3,000 sq/ft.
Sonoma Ranch, Gilbert AZ 85234
Conveniently Located in Sonoma Ranch
Residents in Sonoma Ranch enjoy near by shopping, grocery stores, restaurant and other amenities and minutes away to US 60.
Community and Demographic Information for Sonoma Ranch
Gain valuable insight into the Sonoma Ranch community by looking at household incomes, crime risk, education levels attained, and weather information. Use the map to locate points of interest like shopping, restaurants, and health care services.
School near Sonoma Ranch Community
Sonoma Ranch is served by Gilbert Unified School District. School aged children is attending onsite Sonoma Ranch Elementary, Greenfield Jr High and Gilbert High School. Access Gilbert 85234 school detailed information on school ratings, test scores by grade, student-teacher ratio, and much more.
Affordable Financing Options
Several low down payment financing options including; FHA 3.5% Down Financing, VA ZERO Down Financing, Conventional Financing and others are available. Contact Us to find out what loan programs you qualify for. Learn more about how to buy a house in Gilbert AZ with a low down payment.
Free Gilbert 85234 Market Report
Sign Up for Free Gilbert AZ 85234 Market Report. The data used this Gilbert 85234 Market Report is consolidated from multiple sources and includes current listings, recent sales, and more. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, the knowledge you gain will help put you in control of your real estate transactions.
Selling Your Home in Sonoma Ranch?
Contact Us or call Swee Ng, Gilbert real estate agent at 480.721.6253 today to discuss your potential Sonoma Ranch House Value and our comprehensive marketing plan. We will prepare complimentary competitive market analysis (CMA) to find out what your home is worth at today’s market.
Ready to Sell?
- Call 480.721.6253 or Contact Us to schedule a Complimentary & NO OBLIGATION Seller Consultation
- Go to sell.sweephoenixhomes.com for Comprehensive Marketing Plan when list with us
- Click here to Check your Gilbert home's value instantly
- Click here and Enter your zipcode and find out Market Snapshot for Free
- Not Thinking of Selling Right Now? – Text Update to 480.788.6408 and Your Zip Code and I will send you the following update on the 1st of every month. NO SPAM – JUST ONE INFORMATIVE TXT PER MONTH
- Call 480.721.6253 or Contact Us to schedule a Complimentary & NO OBLIGATION Buyer Consultation
- TXT AZ246 to 32323 to Download My GPS enabled Mobile App and Browse Homes on your smartphone
Swee Ng
Keller Williams Realty
sweeng@kw.com
15905 S 46th St #160
Phoenix
,
AZ
,
85048
480-721-6253
Swee Ng, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty who live, work and play in Gilbert AZ, specialty in Residential Resale, First Time Home Buyer and Investment Homes.
Visit www.SweeEastValleyHomes.com for your Gilbert Real Estate needs.
Go to www.GilbertAZHouseValue.com to find out what your Gilbert house is worth instantly.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Gilbert Market Performance 2012
Gilbert Market Performance 2012 - Single Family Homes
2011
|
2012
|
% Changes
|
|
| Median Sold Price |
$165,000
|
$204,000
|
23.6%
|
| Average Sold Price |
$190,491
|
$227,122
|
19.2%
|
| New Listing |
6035
|
5464
|
-9.5%
|
| Pending Listing |
5282
|
4597
|
-13.0%
|
| Sold |
5152
|
4767
|
-8.0%
|
source armls. Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed
Saturday, January 19, 2013
High-Tech Ways to Save on Home Energy Costs
My home energy bills keep going up — and I don't imagine I'm alone. But in addition to the usual solutions like "turn down your thermostat" and "switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs — or better yet, LEDs", I've discovered some high-tech tools that help save energy — and money.
The Department of Energy estimates that a home energy audit can cut your bills by as much as 30%. But a professional audit can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. So what can you do on your own?
First, do a visual inspection of your crawl spaces. When I had a professional energy auditor come to my house, the biggest efficiency loss they found was from heating ducts that had separated. In many homes, they find areas in the attic or under the floor that aren't insulated at all. Nothing that you can't discover and fix for yourself.
But I promised high tech tips. So here you go:
Infrared Thermal Leak Detector
An infrared thermal leak detector costs $40 and will find leaky, drafty areas that could use some new caulk or weather stripping, or even identify hidden "soft spots" in your insulation — places where insulation is missing or has settled in your walls or in other hard-to-see areas. Sure, you could walk around and feel for cool spots with you hand, but a good gadget is way more fun — and more accurate. This tool also works for hot spots in the summer; places where a lack of insulation allows air-conditioned cool air to leak out.
The "Kill-A-Watt"
Your electric bill can tell you that your costs are going up, but it can't tell you which appliances are really to blame. Plug the "Kill-A-Watt" in between your appliances and the wall to find out how much each of your devices is really costing you. Then you can compare that number to published numbers for new appliances, to figure out how much you could save by upgrading to a more energy-efficient model.
Using the Kill-A-Watt, I found that my 15 year-old fridge uses about two kWh per day. A new one would use about half that. If I replaced my fridge today, I could save about 40 bucks a year. For me, that's too long a payback period, but you could easily discover that you'd save 100 bucks a year — then it starts making sense.
Programmable Thermostats
Even more than your refrigerator, heating and cooling probably take the biggest chunk out of your home energy dollar. While better insulation is almost always worth the money, here's a much cheaper idea: With a programmable thermostat, you can set your heater or air conditioner to take a break when you're asleep or out of the house, and turn back on just before you get home. A bare-bones model costs about $25; you can install it yourself; and it could pay for itself in a single month. The new NEST programmable thermostat, designed by the original designer of the iPod, is a bit pricier. But you can control it from a smart phone, and it even programs itself.
Smart Power Strips
Leaving your home entertainment system devices on all the time can add up to $67 a year of wasted energy. The energy-saving Smart Strip senses when you turn off your TV, and will simultaneously shut off your peripherals.
And I know I should turn off the power strip under the desk to thwart the vampire energy suckers, or at Christmas I know I should go out and turn off the lights, but I often don't. Enter the remote control power strip. Click, and it cuts the juice.
via yahoo
Monday, January 14, 2013
Gilbert December 2012 Market Statistics
Median Sold Price in Gilbert (by zipcode) from December 2011 - December 2012
*Active Listing
|
**Price/SQFT
|
|
Gilbert
|
723
|
$108
|
85233
|
91
|
$106
|
85234
|
112
|
$104
|
85295
|
118
|
$102
|
85296
|
133
|
$101
|
85297
|
102
|
$117
|
85298
|
169
|
$122
|
View All Homes for Sale in Gilbert
View All Traditional/Regular Homes for Sale in Gilbert
View All Homes for Sale in 85233
View All Homes for Sale in 85234
View All Homes for Sale in 85295
View All Homes for Sale in 85296
View All Homes for Sale in 85297
View All Homes for Sale in 85298
View All Bank Owned Listing in Gilbert
Chandler December 2012 Market Statistics
Median Sold Price in Chandler (by zipcode) from December 2011 - December 2012
* Active Listing
|
** Price/SQFT
|
|
Chandler
|
649
|
$110
|
85224
|
81
|
$101
|
85225
|
125
|
$96
|
85226
|
76
|
$114
|
85248
|
242
|
$120
|
85249
|
184
|
$114
|
85286
|
98
|
$120
|
View All Homes for Sale in Chandler
View All Traditional/Regular Homes for Sale in Chandler
Ahwatukee December 2012 Market Statistics
Median Sold Price in Ahwatukee (by zipcode) December 2011 - December 2012
*Active Listing
|
|
Ahwatukee
|
221
|
85044
|
88
|
85045
|
35
|
85048
|
98
|
As 1/4/13. source armls. Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed.
View All Homes for Sale in Ahwatukee
View All Traditional/Regular Homes for Sale in Ahwatukee
View All Homes for Sale in 85044
View All Homes for Sale in 85045
View All Homes for Sale in 85048
View All Bank Owned Properties Listing in Ahwatukee
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Five Costly Errors You'll Want to Avoid When Refinancing
Are you thinking of refinancing your mortgage? Here are five things you don't want to do.
Refinancing could save you a lot of money. That is, if it's done right and under the best circumstances.
But do it wrong and it could cost you - a lot.
"Every person's situation is different, so it's a case-by-case question of whether refinancing makes sense. It doesn't make sense for everyone, and people should know the potential costs going in," says Jim Duffy, a mortgage banker with Cole Taylor Mortgage.
For that reason, we thought we'd look into the most common blunders people make when refinancing - and how much each mistake could cost you. Read on to see what blunders you should avoid...
Blunder #1: Not Shopping Around
Shopping is your right. Shopping is American. Shopping is just plain smart. And when refinancing, you should always shop around.
"While there's not a lot of difference in rates right now, that doesn't mean you shouldn't shop around," says Chris Boulter, president of Val-Chris Investments, Inc., a California-based company specializing in residential and commercial loans.
He says one thing that could vary from lender to lender is the mortgage terms, such as closing costs and fees. These can make a difference in the up-front cost of refinancing your loan. For instance, on a $300,000 mortgage, just a quarter of a percent difference in the up-front costs means a difference of $750.
But of course, the biggest contributor to your mortgage costs is the interest rate you pay over the life of the loan. For that reason, says Boulter, it's vital you get the lowest rate you qualify for. In fact, even a quarter of a percent difference between lenders can really add up.
Don't believe us? Let's check the math. Below is a comparison between two $300,000 mortgages. Both are 30-year fixed-rate loans, but Loan A has a 3.5 percent interest rate*, and Loan B has a 3.75 percent interest rate (a quarter of a percent higher).
Blunder #2: Ignoring Closing Costs and Fees
If you thought those nice lenders would refinance your loan for free, well, think again. Refinancing is a service, and you've probably noticed banks (lenders) generally like to charge money for services.
And when it comes to closing costs and fees, ignore them at your own peril. That's because closing costs and fees could outweigh any refinancing savings. To see why, let's take a closer look at some specifics.
In general, closing costs add up to about 1 percent to 1.5 percent of your loan amount, says Jim Duffy. On a $300,000 loan, that's $3,000 to $4,500.
And in case you're wondering, closing costs and fees typically include things like loan origination fees, application fees, appraisal fees, and other charges, according to a refinancing guide published by the Federal Reserve System, which oversees national monetary policy and the banks.
The Lesson: Make sure refinancing your mortgage is worth the cost. Duffy says a rule of thumb is that if you can lower your interest rate by enough to pay for the closing costs and fees within 18 months, it's generally a good idea to pursue refinancing.
Blunder #3: Over-looking Shorter Term Mortgages
Mortgages last for 30 years, right? Right. Unless it's a 15-year mortgage. Yep, it turns out you have a choice, and choosing wisely could either save you a lot of money or lose you a lot of sleep.
"Typically, you'll get a slightly lower rate on a 15-year mortgage than a 30-year one," says Duffy. "But the real savings come in the amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan." He explains that because you're paying off your loan in half the time, you could save tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the amount of the loan.
However, there is one thing you need to understand: Even with the lower interest rate on the 15-year mortgage, your monthly payment will be higher. This is because you're paying off the loan in half the time and the principal (the amount you originally borrowed) remains the same, says Duffy. So it takes bigger payments to pay it off sooner.
But enough with the talk; let's move on to another example of why you shouldn't overlook shorter-term mortgages. For this one, we'll compare two mortgages of $300,000. The first will be a 30-year, fixed-rate loan with an interest rate of 3.5 percent*; the second will be a 15-year, fixed-rate loan at 2.75 percent*.
The Lesson: If you can handle the higher monthly payment, consider a shorter-term mortgage. You could save a lot in interest and own your home outright in half the time. That's about as far from a blunder as you can get.
Blunder #4: Not Getting a Fixed-Rate Mortgage
Have you been teased by those adjustable-rate mortgage rates that dip below 3 percent? While they are very attractive, it's good to note that they're likely to adjust upward when they do change, says Duffy.
But before we get to that, let's nail down exactly how an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) differs from a fixed-rate mortgage. For that, we'll turn to the Federal Reserve's handbook on adjustable-rate mortgages.
"An adjustable-rate mortgage differs from a fixed-rate mortgage in many ways," notes the Federal Reserve. "Most importantly, with a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate stays the same during the life of the loan. With an ARM, the interest rate changes periodically, usually in relation to an index, and payments may go up or down accordingly."
The most common ARM stays fixed for five years, then adjusts every year or even six months, says Duffy.
Duffy and Boulter both recommend against ARMs except in very specific cases, such as a borrower being dead certain they will be selling their home within a few years. Otherwise, says Duffy, they're missing out on locking in a historically low interest rate and getting long-term savings, and instead, enjoying only short-lived gains.
"My recommendation is to remind [homeowners] that while that 2 percent rate is attractive now, it will adjust in year 6 and it's probably going to go up, because with rates this low, there's not much room for it to go down," says Duffy.
The Lesson: While no one knows what the future holds, with interest rates so low currently, Duffy says that getting an ARM and giving up the security of a fixed-rate mortgage makes little sense.
Blunder #5: Not Knowing Your Home's Value
Do you know what your home is worth? It's an important question if you're thinking of refinancing your mortgage. Why? Because it could affect many things, from whether you qualify for refinancing to the rate you pay, or if you have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), says Duffy.
The best case scenario, he says, is that your home is worth at least 20 percent more than the mortgage amount. In other words, you are trying to refinance only 80 percent or less of your home's current market value (and yes, the lender will want a professional appraisal).
What if your situation isn't the best case scenario? Don't fret. With other qualifications such as good credit and a stable job history, you still have hope - though you may not be able to get the lowest rates.
What's more, if you don't have 20 percent equity, you'll likely also have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), which is often required by lenders to insure them against you falling behind on your loan payments, according to the Federal Reserve.
In case you're wondering, Duffy says PMI costs range depending on the amount of equity you have, the amount of the loan, your credit score, and possible other factors. As an example, he says, for a $300,000 loan, it could range from $50 to $200 per month.
The Lesson: Before you start down the paper trail of refinancing, have a sober assessment of how much your home is worth. If you have less than 20 percent equity, make sure you can reduce your mortgage interest rate by enough to make up for the added cost of PMI.
*The November 8, 2012 average for 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 3.4 percent and 2.69 percent for a 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage, and 2.73 percent for a 5/1 ARM, according to Freddie Mac, an institution established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets.
via yahoo's Homes
The Islands Gilbert 85233 Real Estate and Homes for Sale
The Islands Gilbert 85233 Real Estate and Homes for Sale
Welcome to the The Islands Gilbert 85233 Homes for Sale and Real Estate Portal: your single stop for finding homes for sale and house value in The Islands, Gilbert. Here you can search every available home for sale in The Islands.The Islands, located in Gilbert, Arizona, is the largest lake community in the Phoenix Valley. Elegantly constructed around a beautiful, peaceful lake, properties in the Islands are among Gilbert's most sought-after real estate.
The Islands community consists of three lakes and a large park. This unique oasis in Gilbert allows home owners to enjoy water recreation activities such as boating and fishing year round, while extensive bike paths and green areas allow residents to enjoy the great Arizona winters. The Islands offers an Arizona living experience unlike any other with an upscale active environment and beautiful landscaping.
Sign up for the The Islands Market Update where you will get information on market trends, local schools, community information, and you can even compare areas.
The Islands, Gilbert 85233
The Islands is served by Gilbert Unified School District. School aged children will attend The Island Elementary, Mesquite Jr High and Mesquite High School.
Homes for Sale in The Islands, Gilbert 85233
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Scottsdale Median Sold Price December 2011 - December 2012
Median Sold Price December 2011 - December 2012
December 2012 Market Statistics
| Ahwatukee | Chandler | Gilbert | Mesa | Scottsdale | |
| New | 70 | 225 | 297 | 452 | 359 |
| Pending | 85 | 192 | 268 | 391 | 242 |
| Sold | 95 | 335 | 379 | 535 | 399 |
| Current Active | 221 | 649 | 723 | 1099 | 1632 |
| Median Sold Price compare to last month | -4.1% | +2.4% | -0.6% | +1.6% | +16.5% |
As 1/4/13. source armls. Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed.
