When I started my real estate career, we had corded phones, cell phones were very uncommon, and these kinds of crazy new things called the internet and a fax machine were changing the way we could communicate.

Fast forward 20 years or so and the internet has certainly changed. Fax machines aren’t nearly as cool as they once were and a ton of new communication tools are available.

Text messages, instant messaging, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, email and many more communication tools are available in today’s world. As a real estate agent, I feel like it is a good idea to try and find out how our friends, customers, clients, and business associates prefer to communicate so that we can help to facilitate a transaction that is as smooth as possible.

It’s funny, one client will think email is lame, some hate to text and others live by it. The instant or direct message can be useful for some and a headache for others. A phone call? NO WAY say some and yes-please say others.

When I talk about communicating these days, I almost always mention the tools available through Google +.  From text messaging and phone calls to using Google Voice to video conferencing and photo sharing, document storage and delivery, the options are many. Heck, you’re probably on Facebook and you might even have a Twitter account, too. What’s your method of choice when contacting friends or business associates?

Mixing business with pleasure:

While much of my life revolves around my real estate business, most people know how close I am to family and friends. I recently bought a little Chromebook computer for my mom so that she can communicate easier with family, friends and her grandkids.  I like the video below because it reminded me of my mom and it is a fun example of some of the personal uses for Google+, which is just one of the ways we communicate with grandma.

So, if you are a friend, colleague, client or family member, I hope we’ll be able to keep in touch. It’s nice to know we have so many options…

Nick can be reached at 602-803-6425 as well as on all major social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and more.

The post Communication Skills Are Always Important appeared first on Nick Bastian.

Mac’s is an awesome family-owned neighborhood business. We’ve been fortunate to get to know the McDonnell’s over the years and felt like it would be fun to ask them for a small donation to help the kids out. What do you think? I bet it will work like a charm…

If you know these kids, you know they are rarely at a loss for words. Apparently, the camera had them a little shy for a brief time. In the end, they got their point across. And for a good cause.

The post Cub Scout Fun at Mac’s Broiler and Tap appeared first on Nick Bastian.

This past week, I noticed that a new place opened up in the building next door to us, a place called Spokes on Southern. Naturally, I wanted to see what they were all about. Spokes has a good looking menu of burgers, salads and sandwiches, and they are an “Ale House” which certainly sounds like fun. The building is nice, they have space for private parties, there is an awesome patio and the people seem cool. In doing a little more research about the place, I learned that Spokes on Southern is a “sibling” to Boulders on Broadway which is a Tempe favorite, as well.

Spokes on Southern is in the same building that used to be Sneakers Sports Grill, Streets of New York and the old Uptown Brewery. While these places didn’t make the location work, I have a feeling the people behind Spokes can do very well here. The place really does have a cool feel to it. Their commitment to good food and good beer with a theme that works well in Tempe should be a great fit for the area.

Spokes is a locally owned business which I think is always a plus. In checking them out, I easily found their Facebook and Twitter pages and also found that they are a place where people can “Mealmatch” to help people less fortunate than us. Seriously, these guys are cool.

Spokes On Southern

1470 E Southern Ave

Tempe, AZ 85282

480-307-9920

I’ve been known to ride my bike to the office once in a while, and I think the whole “bike theme” they have going on at Spokes on Southern is something that I’ll enjoy. It is going to be fun having them as a neighbor.

If you want to learn more about Spokes on Southern, check out this review at Mouth By Southwest. ( or just go check them out for yourself )

Hey, Spokes… Welcome to the neighborhood!

The post Tempe Tower Welcomes Spokes On Southern appeared first on Nick Bastian.

Dad and I talked about the housing market in Tempe, about pricing of the units and about a plan to sell the home. After our conversation, we agreed to work together and that I would prepare the necessary paperwork to get started. The comps are pretty clear as there have been 7 homes in the same condominium complex that have sold recently.

As I began looking at the mls sheets for all seven of these units, I noticed that ALL of the pending and recently sold ( there are no current active listings ) properties list McKemy as the middle school.

McKemy Middle School has been closed.

Granted, not all of the different firms that represented sellers in this neighborhood are located in Tempe and, maybe they don’t read the paper, but this brings up an interesting discussion that I have had on a couple of different committee meetings over the past few years.

Check your data:

This is a text book example of how easy it is for an agent to just look in the mls and see what other homes in the area list for the neighborhood schools. It’s easier than actually verifying the information via the school district web sites, right? It certainly takes less time.

It did take me a few clicks to get to the Tempe school boundaries pages and I admit, they aren’t always the easiest things to find. But, these two pages told me what I needed.

First, the Tempe High School Boundaries page showed me this home is located within the boundary for Tempe High School.

Second, the Tempe Elementary School map showed me the school boundary maps for elementary and middle schools in Tempe. One look at the map and you would see that McKemy is not even listed. ** Please note: this info can change, and there have been discussions about uses for this closed school. if you see this in the future, let us help you verify the current info if you would like*

Tempe Middle school Boundaries 2012-2013

The current middle school for this neighborhood is Connolly Middle School. A list of some of the homes for sale in this are can be found below. If you would like your favorite Tempe real estate agent to check the information for you, just give me a call at 602-803-6425. We’re glad to help.

Homes For Sale - Connelly Middle School

46 Listings

$270,000 619 E LOMA VISTA Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282

$119,900 1905 E UNIVERSITY Drive F-122
Tempe, AZ 85281

$249,900 1415 E MINTON Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282

$229,900 1810 E LA JOLLA Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282

$199,000 280 S EVERGREEN Road 1318
Tempe, AZ 85281

$115,000 916 S HACIENDA Drive D
Tempe, AZ 85281

$473,000 538 E FAIRMONT Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282

$310,000 2120 E GOLF Avenue
Tempe, AZ 85282

$349,000 701 E ALAMEDA Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282

$194,950 4009 S SIESTA Lane
Tempe, AZ 85282

$175,000 2134 E BROADWAY Road 1062
Tempe, AZ 85282

$320,000 1914 E HERMOSA Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282

previousnext

MLS IDX Listing Disclosure © 2013

Copyright Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved. Information Not Guaranteed and Must Be Confirmed by End User. Site contains live data.

The post Tempe School Boundaries Have Changed–Not Everyone Paying Attention appeared first on Nick Bastian.

Many of you know Lori, so you know that she had a very successful sales career when we met. Lori’s background working for RR Donnelley  involved many large accounts like US Airways, AT&T, and Best Western International, and this experience is a perfect fit for success in the real estate business, as well. Her personal skills, attention to detail, business planning, and sales knowledge will certainly be an asset to our business.

While the stay at home mom gig has been an amazing opportunity for our entire family, Lori’s desire to have more “adult conversation” comes at a time when, by working together, we can better manage my growing business.

Please join me and say “congrats!” to the newest member of the Realty Executives family.

The post Realty Executives Welcomes Lori Bastian appeared first on Nick Bastian.

My life at home consists of an awesome team, as well. Most of you know me pretty well by now, and it’s no big secret that I think my wife is pretty cool. In addition to being cool, she is my rock, she is an amazing mother to our three boys, and she helps me run a pretty tight ship around our home.  Over the years, we’ve found that together, we are one heck of a team.

Now it’s time for Lori to be part of another team. Lori has a huge heart. She certainly has a heart for our family, but for many years she’s also had a deep desire to participate in a short term mission trip. I’m going to try and keep this somewhat brief, so lets just say that an incredible opportunity to serve others presented itself and WE decided it was something we could not ignore so… Lori joined a team of people that are heading to Papua New Guinea. What!?!?

Lori is going to support our friends who are missionaries with the Mibu Ministry in Papua New Guinea. They are amazing people and we have had the pleasure of getting to know them when they return to the states on furlough. Today, a team of people from Sun Valley Community Church in Tempe will be heading to PNG for a couple of weeks and my wife is on that team. They are all very excited to be going to PNG!

Team PNG!

We both have a ton of emotions running through us as this trip becomes a reality.

Sad: Sad to be apart for the longest stretch of our marriage. We really are inseparable. 

Happy: Happy because we know for sure that this time will be an awesome experience in so many ways. Lori’s journey in Mibu, Madang and Papua New Guinea, and mine here with the kids.

Scared: Yeah, that scared part is mostly me. As much as I hate to admit it, I hate the thought of being without Lori for such a long time. I hope I don’t mess up the kids’ homework, send them to school looking like misfits or have them constantly having to say… “mom doesn’t do it that way!”

Excited: Lori is going on an amazing journey, thousands of miles away. A place that is completely out of her comfort zone. I just can’t explain how cool I think that is. Me? I get to continue to sharpen my dad skills. I am really looking forward to “guy time” with the boys.

Thanks to all of you for being a part of our journey.

The post Team Effort appeared first on Nick Bastian.

So, how fun is that? You know it will be a big hit on game night, right?

The super-swanky Paradise Valley is the priciest purchase at $400.00, but you can go on out to Apache Junction for $60.00. The city of Tempe is going to cost you $260.00 and you can grab Chandler for $100.00.

Get in trouble? No jail time, it’s off to Rules Class.

A card from the new ARMLS-OPOLY board game says: Your real-estate blog goes viral! Collect $100. – I can’t wait to get that card.

In good markets and bad, we see people playing the real estate game. As in life, there will be winners and losers. Anyone want to challenge me to a game of ARMLS-OPOLY?

Bring it on!

The post ARMLS Playing The Real Estate Game appeared first on Nick Bastian.

In 2006 and 2007, the Home in 5 program helped over 2200 families with a 5% grant to be used towards the expenses of down payment and closing costs when purchasing a home. This was a highly successful program that was ultimately responsible for over $400 million in down payment assisted home loans. That’s big.

After the market crash in 2007, interest rates were extremely volatile and mortgage bonds were becoming far less appetizing for investors. The original Home in 5 down payment assistance program was a bond driven program, so it was ultimately gone with the wind… with so many other home buyer options.

Now called Home in 5 Advantage, here are the highlights:

• 5% down payment assistance. Assistance is calculated as 5% of the initial principal balance of mortgage loan.
• 30 year Fixed Rate Home Loan. Interest Rate (set by IDA) currently 3.875% **The interest rate may change periodically to stay competitive with the market**
• This is a grant, so no repayment is required.
• Eligible loan types: FHA, VA, or USDA-Rural
• Minimum 640 credit score
• Maximum of 45% debt to income ratio
• There is no First Time Homebuyer Requirement
• Maximum qualifying income of $90,000
• No maximum home purchase price (subject to income and debt ratios)
• Important for Military (Qualified Veterans, Active Duty Military, Active Reservists, Active National Guard)
• Down Payment Assistance is increased to 6%
• No income restrictions

————————————————————————

About the author:

Shane Hollenback is a mortgage lender in the east valley. Shane can be reached at 480-270-4820

The post Down Payment Assistance in Maricopa County appeared first on Nick Bastian.

Dalton Kesley, Tempe, AZ

The post Nick is a true professional appeared first on Nick Bastian.

I love the way Flag Day is celebrated in the Camelot Corner neighborhoods in Tempe. Many residents fly their own flags, but even more proudly wave the flags put up by Scout Troop 576.

A Community That Cares:

For Independence Day, Veterans Day, Labor Day, Flag Day, Presidents Day and Memorial Day, Scout Troop 576 puts up flags in our yards and at neighborhood entryways. They ask for a small and very reasonable annual donation to the Boy Scouts of America and then come to each person’s home early in the morning on each of the holidays to install the flags.

A sincere thank you to Troop 576 for this cool community service!

On my bike ride this morning, I shot photos of a small example of flags in yards within the Camelot Village and Round Valley Estates neighborhoods. Many more flags were flying. I “only” shot about 25.

Click on the slide show below to see samples of some of the homes flying their flags. Or, click this link to see individual pics from our flag day celebration.

While the Flag Day celebration is cool, you should see what we do for the 4th of July… God Bless America!

The post Cool Flag Day Celebration appeared first on Nick Bastian.