Are housing prices coming down in AZ like they are in NJ? (Phoenix: estate)

[cmist]

Originally Posted by Boatdrinks

There's no rich cultural experience on that side of town either. I would say people are friendlier up there and less stuck up I agree. But the way you descibe Gilbert with such venom it is because you are jealous we made one of the top safest cities? Chill a little bit on Gilbert it's a preferance. This whole valley is an endless sea of identical cookie cutter homes. Even beloved Scottsdale same homes twice as expensive.

That is SO true! The west valley looks JUST like the east valley - the houses look the same, neighborhoods look the same, strip malls look the same...it's crazy to say the west valley is any different. The same builders are building in the east and west valleys and they're all building the same models in both valleys.

The only difference between the east and west valley is that the west valley has the football stadium...and it's closer to CA, for all the Californians who've moved here and drive back to see family and friends.

Oh, and I agree that there's a bit of a snob factor here in Chandler and Gilbert. A few years ago, I read that people were referring to Chandler as "The New Scottsdale." I've found that to ring pretty true as it relates to peoples' attitudes....they tend to flaunt their money a lot here. We had friends from Seattle in town this week and we went to Chandler Fashion Center. They all commented on how "made up" all the women were, all carrying their Coach bags and wearing their designer clothes. I haven't found that to be the case in the west valley, though I'll admit I don't spend much time there.

In my opinion, there are VERY few unique areas in the Phoenix area, and I wouldn't include the east valley OR the west valley on that list. I will say, though, that I like Chandler and Gilbert very much. I've lived in both cities and have had great experiences in both areas. While we have our share of snobby people here, most people are VERY nice and we've really enjoyed it here.[/quote]


I will agree with all of this, and apologize if it looks like I'm attacking "Gilbert" with such venom. I think I'm just trying to make it less lopsided. I only said that I thought BOTH sides are equal when another person says its "the best"

For scenery though besides strip malls and stucco homes, Look at a map yourself and notice how many neighborhoods in N. Glendale and N. Peoria are broken up with little mountain ranges, and look how many are NOT in the east valley. Thats all I'm saying, it can be a nice diversion from all the stucco... *even if you do have to see it through the stucco/tile roofs*

Maybe a person from wisconsin would find it nice to actually have to drive through some mountain ranges on their daily commute like west wing, sonoran mountain ranch, pleasant valley, arrowhead ranch around 51st ave, and there are even more! All of which are areas with mts all in your midst and incorporated into the area... IF a person can consider EVERYWHERE, its one thing to think about... but not a defining reason to live there.

I totally agree that there is no real rich culture moreso on the west than the east too... I only said Gilbert really *doesn't* have some rich experience you can't get anywhere else as the magazine placement implies. I get annoyed when someone jumps in and says out the the WHOLE valley... Gilbert is the best without even wondering... where do work? what do you like to do? do you have family/friend you want to be close to (or far from?) People blindly say... hmm... lets see... you have a family? I got it! Gilbert!!!

In reality a person should say exactly as you guys just did... there are a lot of great family neighborhoods, and equally good school districts all over. If you have an RV, Boat or like toys like quads/dirtbikes, you may need to find an area that doesn't have an HOA... and good luck finding that in the new "scottsdale" of the east valley. Try to avoid the outskirts for commuting reasons and slower resale market... blah blah blah... and get close to what you want to do so its easier to do the things you want/need to do and WHERE-EVER that may be... you will find its all similar in the safer parts of town.

No, I really don't understand as a resident that has lived in a lot of places *including gilbert* why that place in some magazine. Residents are willing to die by the sword defending that position without even knowing WHY its there. I lived there myself with no big complaints, but now I live in the N. West side and like that fine too. Fact is, there really are more mtns. over here, which I find nice. BUT I recommend people find a place thats closest to their work/friends/family and DON'T be sad if it turns out its NOT Gilbert.

For all any of you know someone from the Chamber paid to put in there because of sagging resales? Maybe not... anyone have any BETTER reason why they think its there? and DON'T say family friendly because thats NOT UNIQUE to Gilbert... SORRY!

[cmist]

I will agree with all of this, and apologize if it looks like I'm attacking "Gilbert" with such venom. I think I'm just trying to make it less lopsided. I only said that I thought BOTH sides are equal when another person says its "the best"

For scenery though besides strip malls and stucco homes, Look at a map yourself and notice how many neighborhoods in N. Glendale and N. Peoria are broken up with little mountain ranges, and look how many are NOT in the east valley. Thats all I'm saying, it can be a nice diversion from all the stucco... *even if you do have to see it through the stucco/tile roofs*

Maybe a person from wisconsin would find it nice to actually have to drive through some mountain ranges on their daily commute like west wing, sonoran mountain ranch, pleasant valley, arrowhead ranch around 51st ave, and there are even more! All of which are areas with mts all in your midst and incorporated into the area... IF a person can consider EVERYWHERE, its one thing to think about... but not a defining reason to live there.

I totally agree that there is no real rich culture moreso on the west than the east too... I only said Gilbert really *doesn't* have some rich experience you can't get anywhere else as the magazine placement implies. I get annoyed when someone jumps in and says out the the WHOLE valley... Gilbert is the best without even wondering... where do work? what do you like to do? do you have family/friend you want to be close to (or far from?) People blindly say... hmm... lets see... you have a family? I got it! Gilbert!!!

In reality a person should say exactly as you guys just did... there are a lot of great family neighborhoods, and equally good school districts all over. If you have an RV, Boat or like toys like quads/dirtbikes, you may need to find an area that doesn't have an HOA... and good luck finding that in the new "scottsdale" of the east valley. Try to avoid the outskirts for commuting reasons and slower resale market... blah blah blah... and get close to what you want to do so its easier to do the things you want/need to do and WHERE-EVER that may be... you will find its all similar in the safer parts of town.

No, I really don't understand as a resident that has lived in a lot of places *including gilbert* why that place in some magazine. Residents are willing to die by the sword defending that position without even knowing WHY its there. I lived there myself with no big complaints, but now I live in the N. West side and like that fine too. Fact is, there really are more mtns. over here, which I find nice. BUT I recommend people find a place thats closest to their work/friends/family and DON'T be sad if it turns out its NOT Gilbert.

For all any of you know someone from the Chamber paid to put in there because of sagging resales? Maybe not... anyone have any BETTER reason why they think its there? and DON'T say family friendly because thats NOT UNIQUE to Gilbert... SORRY!

[sweattea]

I will agree with all of this, and apologize if it looks like I'm attacking "Gilbert" with such venom. I think I'm just trying to make it less lopsided. I only said that I thought BOTH sides are equal when another person says its "the best"


I understand and I agree with you. I have lived in Glendale and I liked it very much and I thought the Peoria schools were excellent. Glendale had lots of family friendly neighborhoods. It's just that Glendale is so huge and the crime stats are not as appealing but you have to know what neighborhoods to reside in.

[cmist]

Originally Posted by sweattea

I understand and I agree with you. I have lived in Glendale and I liked it very much and I thought the Peoria schools were excellent. Glendale had lots of family friendly neighborhoods. It's just that Glendale is so huge and the crime stats are not as appealing but you have to know what neighborhoods to reside in.

Yes, that is true... so probably when you factor in the rough parts of S. Glendale that truly don't affect the north parts, ON PAPER, Gilbert can look better but ONLY because it doesn't have as big of a funky zone like Glendale does in the south which truly is more like West Phx, than Glendale.

Funky parts of Mesa compared to Gilbert aren't any *further* away than the worst parts of Glendale are from the best parts of Glendale. Glendale is just a bigger city, 4th largest, that doesn't average out as nicely on paper so therefore doesn't come spitting out of a computer report as the "best places to live"

[Down Logan]

I would think twice before buying a home anywhere in the Phx metropolitan area. Realtors in the area will tell you that the developers and city planners have way overbuilt and are still planning new developments even further out than the sprawl has already spread. The job growth is not looking good either as several recent company mergers have resulted in overlaps of facilities and processing centers and their employees are telling them that they don't consider Phoenix a good place to work/live. So much of the growth statistics that are published are winter home sales for those people in the country who can afford to buy a home in AZ and only use it a couple months out of the year. Prices are expected to drop across the area again by as much as 25 - 30%.

[daaver]

My house is NW PHX appraised for over $600k last year. It is just under 3500 sq.ft., seven bedrooms, three bath, three car garage, in a nice neighborhood in a cul-de-sac with a large barkyard and RV gate. I have been trying to sell it since June, and have got Nothing. We started at $589k for a quick sale, and are currently at $489k. We are up against the loans, and I am in the process of selling my paid off cars to come up with money to drop the price further. The realtor said we need to come down about $40k, but I don't think that is going to be possible without money suddenly sprouting out of my backside. I had planned to buy something out here once we moved, but that is no longer realistic. We are going to be long term renters for the foreseeable future, quite possibly with a spare loan to pay off to cover selling the house driving our $500 hoopties since the cars are going.

Not that I am complaining.

But yes, prices are WAY down in PHX, and nothing is moving.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by daaver

My house is NW PHX appraised for over $600k last year. It is just under 3500 sq.ft., seven bedrooms, three bath, three car garage, in a nice neighborhood in a cul-de-sac with a large barkyard and RV gate. I have been trying to sell it since June, and have got Nothing. We started at $589k for a quick sale, and are currently at $489k. We are up against the loans, and I am in the process of selling my paid off cars to come up with money to drop the price further. The realtor said we need to come down about $40k, but I don't think that is going to be possible without money suddenly sprouting out of my backside. I had planned to buy something out here once we moved, but that is no longer realistic. We are going to be long term renters for the foreseeable future, quite possibly with a spare loan to pay off to cover selling the house driving our $500 hoopties since the cars are going.

Not that I am complaining.

But yes, prices are WAY down in PHX, and nothing is moving.

I'm sorry to hear of your misfortune. I hope things improve for you. My niece was in similar straits a couple months ago. They finally gave the keys to the bank and walked away. Circumstances vary, but AZ has an anti-deficiency law that protects homeowners from judgments on mortgages. You get the credit ding, of course. But I'm not sure that is all that important anymore. My niece turned around and bought another new house (smaller, lower payment) on a lease-purchase deal from a real estate investment trust looking to unload assets. They still have their cars. As far as for the right or wrong of it, many of the big movers and shakers around here did the same thing to the tune of billions in the last real estate crunch. The taxpayers footed the bill through the Resolution Trust Corporation and now the same developers are back, fat and rich once again. It's just business. Ought to be good enough strategy for the little man too.

[Sean_Harrington]

It depends on WHERE your house is in AZ. If you are in the Phoenix area, surrounded by thousands of houses all the same, and 300 of them are for sale, how do you get somebody to buy yours?

My house just sold, up North, and it was at full asking price, but it did take 4 months. The entire state is not the Phoenix market.

[daveinarizona]

I'm not a realtor, but I am an investor. Take a look at every statistic that would make a person want to move into a community:
Crime
Average income
Job growth
Amount of people with college degrees
Amount of people with graduate degrees
etc etc etc

The only city that has better statistics is Paradise Valley which is full of doctors/lawyers/business owners.

You know a city is growing in the right direction when even the Wendy's has granite counter tops!

Here are the real reasons why you'd want to move to Gilbert or if you own here...keep it:

There are 3 major medical facilities within 5 - 10 miles in any direction of 85297. The San Tan mall and Main Street mall will be done 100% by next year. This will create new jobs and there will be more corporate interest as a result which will in turn create even more jobs and interest in the area. Also...why not move to the west or north? Well for one thing, driving towards the sun in the morning and driving towards the sun when you go home after work flat out sucks. Ask anyone that lives in Glendale and works in Phoenix or Chandler. Why not live in Scottsdale? Over priced and the 101 traffic is awful. Why not Tempe? Crime, older housing, only thing new going up are overpriced Condos on a fake lake.

The fact is anything in the southwest is going to grow over the next few decades because more and more people are leaving the colder areas and moving this direction. Prices are stabilizing now and assuming people keep having babies...our population will keep getting larger compounding and there will be another rush of people into Arizona again. Don't forget, it wasn't all investors that were signing up to buy homes and standing in lines just a few years ago. It was a lot of families who don't want earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc etc etc.

Long live AZ!

[yworry1979]

It really depends on the situation. Right now the Valley is trying to stabilize... anything between 250-400K is really adjusting to it's true market value. The average home price in the Valley has continued to rise, despite less sales after the record years the nation we experienced. Just some quick facts... the Valley (Phoenix and surrounding suburbs) are still gaining 150,000 people per year & that's not counting the illegal residents. If you'd like to know more - I don't mind helping newcomers to the valley. Moderator cut: No realtors offering services