The valley used to be the place to retire — at least part of the [...]]]>

Report Calls Phoenix One of the Worst Places to Retire…NOT TRUE!

PHOENIX – The Phoenix metro is named one of the worst cities in the country to retire — and you can blame it on the housing market. (see video interview below)

The valley used to be the place to retire — at least part of the year, because of our wonderful weather.

But now, some financial experts say the Phoenix housing market seems too gloomy.

Everywhere you look across the valley, there’s another house up for sale, and realtor Bette Zerba says a lot of those sellers will lose money.

“For those people that were thinking that their home was their retirement, I feel for them, because prices have come down dramatically at least 30 percent at least in Sun City areas,” says Zerba.

It’s also the main reason why Phoenix has been named one of the worst places to retire in the country, according to the fiscal times.

The other four places include: Las Vegas, Nevada, and Clark County in general; Davenport, Florida; and the Laguna Woods Village in Orange County, California.

A leading valley real estate professor says he doesn’t see the valley turning around for many years down the line.

Zerba agrees, and says retirees looking to sell are vulnerable.

“Right now they’re in the same predicament as a lot of people in the Phoenix area. If they did purchase after 2004, 2005 they are upside down, there’s no question about it.”

However, there’s a silver living in all this.

“The bright side of the coin, for those who truly want to do some cherry picking and get incredible buys, now is the best time in the world.”

There are 916 active listings in Sun City, Bette Zerba, Re/Max Realtor  says

Chateau On Central Open To Buyers At Significantly Reduced Rate. Save  millions!

The brownstone development, Chateau on Central, at Palm Lane and Central Avenue this month opened to buyers again after months of construction led by the developer, MSI West Investments.

MSI West Investments bought the property this year for $7 million after efforts to sort out [...]]]>

Chateau On Central Open To Buyers At Significantly Reduced Rate. Save  millions!

The brownstone development, Chateau on Central, at Palm Lane and Central Avenue this month opened to buyers again after months of construction led by the developer, MSI West Investments.

MSI West Investments bought the property this year for $7 million after efforts to sort out the bankruptcy of Mortgages Ltd.

Luxury homes

The 21 homes in this development are three stories and include a basement or wine cellar. They also include high-end amenities such as granite countertops, elevators and terraces.

Price point

Most homes include about 5,200 square feet of space, but one home has up to 8,200 square feet.

These luxury homes were originally priced at more than $2.8 million, but since MSI West Investments bought and has worked on finishing the homes, the price has been slashed in half to about $1.4 million.

Home business

The homes, which are near the Phoenix Art Museum and Heard Museum, are made for mixed-use. This designation allows owners to operate offices or businesses in the homes.

Call Us Today For A Viewing Appointment of Chateau On Central 602-791-1766

The article will be published in December in the West Valley Magazine. But here is you sneak peek!

If Trisha Brooks and Bette Zerba have a niche, it’s fun. They call themselves the Cutty Group, a name that sprung from a Whoopie Goldberg comedy that featured a [...]]]> The Cutty Group Real Estate Duo Featured in WestValley Magazine

The article will be published in December in the West Valley Magazine. But here is you sneak peek!

If Trisha Brooks and Bette Zerba have a niche, it’s fun. They call themselves the Cutty Group, a name that sprung from a Whoopie Goldberg comedy that featured a bottle of Cutty Sark. The two are known to dress in “theme,” and they’re always laughing. They are
with Re/Max Desert Showcase in Peoria, but they work Valley wide, as “Biltmore Bette” is sure to tell you.

When asked, “Why partner up?” Trisha explains: “The foreclosure market has created a situation where there is just too much work for one person. It is a way to divvy up responsibility and expenses.” Sometimes property improvements will cost the team upwards of $2500.  Spreading the upfront investment between two is more manageable.

And why partner with a woman? Trisha says she’s seen real estate partnerships break up when they become unbalanced, and that a true partnership has no head. Women see the value of true partnership. They are less likely to let ego get in the way. “For us, it’s not about winning as an individual, but for doing what’s best for the team. We work hard and we play hard. We talk each other through our differences when we are coming from a different point
of view.” Read full article:  In The News:

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Includes Every Phoenix Foreclosure, Short Sale, Bank Owned Home Listings. Over 70,000 listings

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WOW WHAT A BUY!!! HOME FEATURES OVER 1,200 SQFT, 3BR, 2BA, 2CG, DIVING POOL, BIG BACKYARD AND PATIO. BRING YOUR IMAGINATION. THIS PROPERTY IS SOLD ”AS-IS”. All cash offers are eligible for an expedited closing, pending clear title and/or hazard claim resolution, of approximately 15 business days. Property [...]]]> Great Phoenix Bank Owned Home $27,400, AZ 85033

WOW WHAT A BUY!!! HOME FEATURES OVER 1,200 SQFT, 3BR, 2BA, 2CG, DIVING POOL, BIG BACKYARD AND PATIO. BRING YOUR IMAGINATION. THIS PROPERTY IS SOLD ”AS-IS”. All cash offers are eligible for an expedited closing, pending clear title and/or hazard claim resolution, of approximately 15 business days. Property is sold AS-IS including any existing appliances, plumbing, heating and air conditioning and electrical systems.

Search the entire phoenix metro area foreclosure properties for sale

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Great Buy On A Bank Owned Condo $22,900. Phoenix, AZ 85051

WHAT A BUY!!! THIS IS A 2BR/1BA CONDO ON THE GROUND LEVEL. NEAR METRO CENTER AND THE I17. GREAT & CLEAN COMPLEX OFFERS A SPARKLING POOL AND HEATED SPA AND ON-SITE LAUNDRY. NEEDS SOME WORK. HOA INCLUDES ONSITE MASTER CHILLER A/C, WATER, SEWER, GARBAGE, POOL [...]]]>

Great Buy On A Bank Owned Condo $22,900. Phoenix, AZ 85051

WHAT A BUY!!! THIS IS A 2BR/1BA CONDO ON THE GROUND LEVEL. NEAR METRO CENTER AND THE I17. GREAT & CLEAN COMPLEX OFFERS A SPARKLING POOL AND HEATED SPA AND ON-SITE LAUNDRY. NEEDS SOME WORK. HOA INCLUDES ONSITE MASTER CHILLER A/C, WATER, SEWER, GARBAGE, POOL AND AREA MAINTENANCE. All cash offers are eligible for an expedited closing, pending clear title and/or hazard claim resolution, of approximately 15 business days. Property is sold AS-IS including any existing appliances, plumbing, heating and air conditioning and electrical systems. BUYER TO VERIFY ALL LISTING DETAILS INCLUDING HOA.

Search the entire phoenix metro area foreclosure properties for sale

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When a homeowner falls behind on at least three mortgage payments, a lender will usually initiate foreclosure proceedings.

In the first step, the lender hires a trustee to handle the foreclosure and ensure that the process follows Arizona laws.

In metropolitan Phoenix, a notice of trustee sale is filed [...]]]> Losing your home: What Happens in a AZ Foreclosure

When a homeowner falls behind on at least three mortgage payments, a lender will usually initiate foreclosure proceedings.

In the first step, the lender hires a trustee to handle the foreclosure and ensure that the process follows Arizona laws.

In metropolitan Phoenix, a notice of trustee sale is filed with the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office. At that point an auction date is set, but the date can be moved or canceled by the lender de- pending on negotiations with the borrower.

The trustee is charged with providing the homeowner information on the pending trustee sale (foreclosure sale) of their home. If the homeowner files bankruptcy, the foreclosure sale is usually delayed.

If the foreclosure auction occurs as scheduled, an opening bid for the home is posted at least a day before the auction. Traditionally, opening bids requested by the lender were for the amount owed on the mortgage. But after the huge drop in Phoenix-area home prices, lenders are dropping their opening bids to far below what is owed on the home so they don’t have to take the house back, evict the homeowner and hire a real-estate agent to resell the home.

All Valley foreclosure auctions used to be held at the county courthouse. But as the number of foreclosures has climbed, auctions have expanded to the offices of lenders’ trustees.

Now, as many as five foreclosure auctions are held a day in metropolitan Phoenix. The main auction on the courthouse steps starts at noon. Auctions in the law offices begin at 9 a.m. Arizona statute requires bidders to bring a $10,000 cashier’s check to participate.

Trustees hire auctioneers to handle the bidding. Lenders don’t allow homeowners to bid on their own houses.

Due to the backlog of foreclosure homes and pending loan modifications, dozens of trustee sales are postponed every day. Homeowners are typically contacted by trustees about the postponement of the trustee sale on their property. But sometimes postponements are only listed on the Web site of the group the lender hires to sell its foreclosure homes or only announced by auctioneers right before the scheduled auction.

The winning buyer must pay the full amount of the bid by the end of the next business day. Unsuccessful bidders receive their $10,000 deposits back.

The home’s new owner can then begin evicting the former owners if they are still in the home. Someone who lost the home in a trustee sale has five days after being notified by the new owner before the forcible eviction process begins.

On the sixth day after the foreclosure auction, the new owner can file in local or county court for a forcible eviction. If the former homeowners want to fight the eviction, they can appear in court. But if they lose, the new owner can request the Maricopa County sheriff to send a constable to evict them.

Last year, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office handled 1,416 forcible evictions.

Source: The Arizona Republic

Search the entire phoenix metro area foreclosure properties for sale

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In the heart of uptown Phoenix’s desirable Camelback corridor is latest condominium community -  2211 Camelback. With spacious interiors, exquisite styling and a host of amenities, 2211 Camelback delivers an extraordinary [...]]]> The Residences at 2211 Camelback
Biltmore Phoenix Townhouses, Condo’s

Free Central Phoenix MLS Home Search

In the heart of uptown Phoenix’s desirable Camelback corridor is latest condominium community -  2211 Camelback. With spacious interiors, exquisite styling and a host of amenities, 2211 Camelback delivers an extraordinary lifestyle and value. Plus, it pits you at the doorstep of all the exciting Biltmore district has to offer, such as fine dining, upscale shopping and endless entertainment activities.

It has been said that the measure of extraordinary is in the details. The Valley of the Sun’s finest example of life beyond the expected awaits your discovery at the most preferred urban residential address in the prestigious Camelback Corridor. The Residences at 2211 Camelback – a sanctuary within the heart of the city’s preferred cultural district, teeming with couture boutique shopping, exquisite dining, world-class resorts and spas, championship golf, and a liberal array of fine and performing arts venues – heralds Phoenix’s newest landmark of sophisticated urban living.

An ambience of distinction embraces residents and their guests upon arrival and rewards them with soaring architecture, a palette of graceful interiors that invite individuality, and a bountiful treasure of luxury amenities that ensure personal comfort and the ultimate in security and convenience. The 12-story design affords breathtaking views of the Valley – from majestic mountain views to panoramic skylines – dramatically captivating by day and by night.

Biltmore Fashion Park	- One Block
The Ritz Carlton	- One Block
Arizona Biltmore	- One Mile
Freeway 51	- One Mile
Scottsdale Fashion Square	- 10 minutes
Bank One Ballpark	- 10 minutes
America West Arena	- 10 minutes
Phoenix Civic Plaza	- 10 minutes
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport	- 10 minutes

Concierge Staff

• Laundry and dry cleaning service with pick-up and delivery
• Personal spa services
• Travel and driver services
• Dining reservations and catering
• Special events tickets
• Shopping services
• Housekeeping and maintenance services
• Pet services, auto detailing, plant care, etc.
• Business services

Valet parking and underground parking

• Valet parking for residents and guests
• Secured, underground garage with elevator access to the resident floors
• Private, secured entrances to the underground garage from 22nd Street and East Camelback

Technology

• State-of-the-art communications and high-definition television services
• Wiring within each residence to support telephone, high-speed internet, high-definition satellite television, home theater 5.1 surround sound, and multi-room audio
• Wiring hubs in each residence for easy management of telephone, data and television wiring systems

Amenities

• Original artwork by renowned artists throughout common areas
• Gracious lobby with stone floor, coffered ceiling and cascading water wall
• Exclusive resident party room featuring separate guest entrance from porte-cochere, fireplace, 50″ plasma
  screen television, wet bar and catering kitchen with separate service entrance
• Business Center with private boardroom, computer, high-speed internet, fax, and copier
• Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment, men’s and ladies’ locker rooms, steam rooms, and massage room
• Roof top pool terrace with zero edge pool, sun deck, spa, fire pit, gas barbeque, and panoramic mountain and downtown views
• Roof top entertainment terrace with lounge seating and breathtaking views of Piestewa Peak
• Private resident storage units located in the underground parking levels

SECURE ENVIRONMENT

• 24 hour on-site security staff
• Bio-metric fingerprint readers control access to resident common areas and resident floors
• Monitored security cameras for exterior entrances, service areas and underground garage
• Each residence includes a stand alone security system with keypad controls

INTERIOR APPOINTMENTS IN RESIDENCE

• 10′6″ coffered ceiling heights on Levels 1 and 12
• 10′0″ coffered ceiling heights on Levels 10-11
• 9′6″ coffered ceiling heights on Levels 2-9
• Recessed lighting in foyer, great room, dining room, kitchen and master bathroom
• Recessed drapery pockets above all windows
• Rounded drywall corners
• Stone flooring in foyer, kitchen, and master toilet room
• Natural gas fireplace with a travertine hearth and surround in the great room
• Solid core doors with raised panel
• 3 1/2″ door casings and 5 1/2″ baseboards

LUXURIOUS MASTER BATHROOMS

• Marble or granite vanities with Kohler® undermount sinks
• High quality cabinets with full overlay maple doors and concealed hinges
• Over-sized mirrors in wood frame over sinks and make-up vanity
• Kohler® steeping tub with stone tile deck and surround
• Kohler® Coralais faucets and shower fixtures with matching accessories

GOURMET KITCHENS

• Granite countertops with 4″ stone backsplash, Kohler® Entrée undermount sink and Kohler® faucet
• High quality cabinets with full overlay maple doors and concealed hinges
• Dacor® stainless steel gas cooktop, convection oven and microwave oven
• Sub-Zero® built-in refrigerator/freezer
• Asko® dishwasher with concealed controls
• Under-cabinet fluorescent task lighting

To receive more information on 2211 Camelback Townhouse lofts and condos in Phoenix, or to set up an appoint for viewing, please  call 602-791-1766 or email bettezerba@cox.net

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- Main Marker

The leading edge of a powerful winter storm hit the Valley Thursday morning, with heavy rain and strong winds expected later in the afternoon.

The storm already was generating rainfall of an inch an hour in the north part of the Valley, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flood warning. [...]]]> Powerful Winter Storm Hits Arizona

The leading edge of a powerful winter storm hit the Valley Thursday morning, with heavy rain and strong winds expected later in the afternoon.

The storm already was generating rainfall of an inch an hour in the north part of the Valley, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flood warning. The warning was for parts of northeastern Maricopa County, including Scottsdale, Peoria, Wittman, Wickenburg, New River, Fountain Hills and Circle City.

Warnings were also issued for Central Gila County, including the City of Roosevelt, and North Central Pinal County. The warning was in effect until 1 p.m.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service reported flash flooding soon after the warnings were issued for at-risk areas, including Cave Creek Wash, New River Wash, Skunk Creek, Centennial Wash and Agua Fria Wash.

The main thrust of the storm is anticipated for later in the afternoon and evening, said Ken Waters, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“We have one little wave that came through this morning,” Waters said, “but a lot more is coming.”

The Valley could receive upwards of 5 inches of rain, forecasters said, and the flash-flood warning is in effect for for Thursday and Friday.

Steady rainfall in the morning has already dropped more than an inch in parts of Cave Creek, Peoria and Surprise.

Heavy ran was expected later Thursday and all through the night. Already, flooding was being reported and a number of roads closed: — Recker Road, between Elliot and Warner roads, in Gilbert.

– Osborne Road, between Miller Road and Hayden Road, in Scottsdale.

– Un-bridged roads over the Indian Bend Wash, between Chaparral Road and McDonald Drive, in Scottsdale.

Strong, damaging winds were expected between 9 a.m. and midnight — with the hardest hitting in the early afternoon at upwards 40 mph and gusts between 50 to 65 mph, Waters said.

Up north, Interstate 17 is closed near Camp Verde due to the storm as they are expecting heavy snow all day, Waters said. The snow level is expected between 2 to 4 feet by the weekend.

I-17 is also closed in both directions at mile post 298, the exit going into Sedona, and at the Flagstaff Airport, just south of Flagstaff, due to the severe weather conditions, according to Arizona Department of Transportation spokesman Doug Nintzel.

Sections of the interstate were closed after several accidents caused by vehicles sliding off the road as they attempted to go uphill.

“We’re advising drivers to avoid travel to the high country until weather conditions improve,” Nintzel said. “We know a lot of folks want to go play in the snow…the best advice we can give is to wait until the conditions improve and then go have fun.”

Cities in northern and central Arizona spent Wednesday preparing for the nasty winter storm that’s coming in from California.

Forecasters urged residents to avoid crossing flooded areas and reduce speeds on snowpacked and icy roads, postponing travel all together if possible.

Officials in Oak Creek, near Sedona, issued both assurances of preparedness and warning of possible evacuations while Valley cities continued to hand out sandbags.

The storm is the third, and biggest, system rolling through the state this week and has authorities hunkering down for big challenges.

Among those is the possibility that northern Arizona waterways such as Oak Creek will flood. The city put an advisory on its Web site Wednesday saying its police department was getting its evacuation plan ready but no one had been ordered to leave as of Wednesday night.

“We’re gonna get a lot of water,” said Gary Johnson, spokesman for the Sedona Fire Department. “It could be a problem. We’re just not sure.”

Source: Republic reporters Glen Creno Mary Beth Faller, Peter Corbett, and the Associated Press contributed to this article.

The Villas at Biltmore Jewel is a collection of 84 three-story townhouses by Classic Communities at 25th Street and Turney Avenue. The units are grouped together in buildings with as few as six homes and as many as 17.