Urban Life

The Willo Tour 2012 is going to be great

2012-02-10T15:14:37-07:00

Just a last minute reminder that the Willo Tour is happening this weekend on Sunday, February 12th, 2012.

If you've never been to the Willo Historic Home Tour in downtown Phoenix, you should change that. Many people have no idea we have some very sweet historic homes in downtown Phoenix and Willo is home to a bunch of them.

Beside the historic home tour, they ahave a great street fair with music, food and lots of vendors with wonderful gifts and goodies.

We have more information including how to buy tickets and where to park for the 2012 Willo Historic home tour on our sister site. Just click on the link below

2012 Willo Historic Tour Information, Parking and Tickets

Best to you,

Gene Urban
The Urban Team at Realty Executives
Phoenix, AZ
602-234-5777

Urban Team's Downtown Phoenix Real Estate Site Has A New Look

2011-12-02T13:36:08-07:00

The web site gnomes have been very busy lately changing the theme and updating our downtown and north central real estate, home information and search site, UrbanConnectionRealty.com.

We've been using the StudioPress Agent theme for a whiile and just updated to the latest version. It has amazing navigation tools and everyone tells us it is much easier to get to articles on the real estate subjects they care about. The best comment so far is that the new design is better than a bag of fritos.

We've added a completely new section to the site about short sales in downtown and north central Phoenix. We've collected the most asked short sale questions and written artlces to provide in-depth answers. Here is a direct link to the short sale page with links to the answers:

Short Sale Help, Information in Downtown and North Central Phoenix AZ

In addition to the short sale section, we are continuing our journey through the 35 historic districts in downtown and midtown Phoenix. This project has turned to to be incredibly fun. We've been researching historic archieves, walking Fred the Dog though neighborhoods and taking some real quality time. Our goal is to provide new insight in these special pieces of Phoenix history rather do a cut and paste rehash of someone elses work. Here is a link to the landing page for the historic district and info section of the site:

Historic Phoenix Homes Arizona

Wow, this post got longer than intended. We hope you like the new look and ease of navigation on the UrbanConnectionRealty.com site. If you have comments or want us to add something, leave us a comment on the site. We love your input.

Best to all,

The Urban Team at Realty Executives
7600 N. 16th Street, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85020
602-234-5777
602-486-4839 (text)
Gene@UrbanTeamAZ.com

What to do in Downtown Phoenix

2011-06-27T17:31:08-07:00

People often ask us what to do in downtown Phoenix? What are the best restaurants? Do we have a favorite nightclub or bar? Are there tours of downtown Phoenix. What cultural venues and events happen in downtown Phoenix? I think you get the idea.

Since we specialize in downtown real estate, it is natural to think we know where to go and what to do. In response, we've been putting together a list of over 100 things to do and places to go in in downtown Phoenix. I'll tell you, it is quite a project.

The initial phase is done and we have created our list that includes some of our favorite restaurants, bars, places to listen to music, places to shop, museums, theaters and lots more. Over time we will be adding individual posts on the different places with our thoughts.

In the meantime, you can check our the list on our sister site that specialized in all things downtown... www.UrbanConnectionRealty.com. For a direct link to the article simply go to,

What To Do and Places to Go in Downtown Phoenix Arizona

People Like Living in Phoenix According to Inman News

2011-06-02T09:28:20-07:00

Inman News says Phoenix continues to be a top place for people searching for homes in the US. This news comes as no surprise to us who practice real estate in the Greater Phoenix market... we’ve been busy!!

Realtor.com, a well known consumer real estate search site, tallied up the search data and tells us where people are searching for homes. Out of all the places in the US people can look to buy a home, my home town of Phoenix, AZ came in 4th this time. The Chicago area toped the charts with Detroit and Las Vegas coming in 2nd and 3rd.

A few of us were in the lunch room talking about the good news and why people look at Phoenix when consider a move. We came up with a number of reasons people choose to move to Phoenix from other parts of the country:

You don’t have to shovel sunshine.
None of us can think of a time when a real hurricane hit Phoenix.
Our home prices are among the lowest in the Sun Belt states.
Tsunamis don’t make it this far.
We have a very cool football stadium.
We are a city of young and old people who want to live life to its fullest.
The entrepreneurial sprit lives here in a big way.
A low cost of living compared to many other attractive areas.
We have some killer mountain biking and hiking trails.
If you want snow and pine trees they are just a couple hours away.
We hardly have any flying, skin biting insects.
A thriving downtown.
People can ride horses in and out of the city.
If you are a foodie, you will find lots of great restaurants.
Great hospitals and health care pros.
One of the Seven Wonders of the World is nearby... The Grand Canyon
Killer deals on Foreclosure homes.
Every major sporting event is represented here.
Endless Sunshine.
Fantastic Golf... nearly 300 courses in Arizona.
A short hop to California beaches, Colorado skiing, Cancun, and Las Vegas.

So, what are you waiting for? A great new life and home is just waiting for you in our fair city and the Urban Team is here to help get the adventure started. We’ll be here every step of the way. You can start by using the home search tool right here on our site.

Best to you as you explore the possibilities.

Gene Urban & Ron Urban
The Urban Team at Realty Executives
Gene@UrbanTeamAZ.com
602-234-5777

connecting people to the perfect place for over 20 years.

May 3 2011 Phoenix Mayor Candidate Debate Information

2011-05-04T11:35:43-07:00

I attended the debate between the 5 Phoenix Mayoral candidates last night at the Phoenix Theater at 1st and McDowell. The place was packed as Greg Stanton, Wes Gullett, Claude Mattox, Peggy Neely and Eisenhauer answered questions posed by moderator Frank Commacho. Special thanks to Citizens for Phoenix who hosted the debate.

I took notes as the candidates for Mayor of Phoenix answered each question and posted an article on our sister site, www.UrbanConnectionRealty.com. If you would like to read what I heard the candidates say, just click on the link below.

Phoenix Mayoral Candidate Debate Results for May 3 2011

Hope you enjoy...

Gene Urban
The Urban Team
602-234-5777
gene@UrbanTeamAZ.com

April Real Estate Market News and Information Greater Phoenix

2011-04-14T12:55:06-07:00

Our good friend Sarah Moran from Equity Title just sent the real estate market news and update for April 2011.

I like Sarah's approach to performing real estate market analysis and home price projections. Like me, she is based in supply and demand therory and she includes social connectors when possible. This report is a broad one with real estate market information Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Gelendale, Tempe and most other cities in the Greater Phoenix region. Thus, it is supply and demand based as social consideration such as job growth is too regional to be use when painting with a broad brush.

That said, here is the real estate market news for April 2011 provided by Equity Title and Sarah Moran:

Hello!

Here is the Market Update through the end of March 2011. Please note that the Valley Wide graph represents all of the MLS. The table below that graph just represents recordings for new and re-sales for Maricopa County.

Good News: Total active listings have dropped by another 2883 units over the beginning of last month. As of yesterday, we sit at 36,883 Actives, which is the lowest amount in April for the last two years! Good news for sales, too: Sales are up to 9135 for the last 30 days, as of yesterday. We are currently sitting at a 3.8 months of supply.Traditionally, 3.8 months of supply is considered a Balanced Market! Wow!

Distressed Market Pie Chart: This chart shows you the percentage of distressed properties that are being listed and sold. Short Sales currently represent 20% of the Closings and 38% of the active Listings for a 8.3 Months of Supply ~ This has dropped from the 9.8 months of supply we had in February. Distressed Sales (Short Sales and REOs combined) accounted for 66% of the total sales for March.

Closings are Increasing: There were 9118 closings in March 2011 vs. 8657 closings in March 2010 ~ which equates to a 5% increase over last year (even without the Tax Credit)!

Reality Check: The Median Sold Price for Maricopa County for March 2011 was $120,100. In March 2006, the Median Sold Price was $260,000! In March 2000, the Median Sold Price was $132,000. Use this at your listing appointments to help explain what has happened to our market and get realistic list prices!

We currently sit at a 3.8 months of supply in the valley. This may seem balanced but the high-end market continues to be stagnant. In the entire MLS, only 88 properties sold for $1+ million for the month of March. An astounding 94% of the closed MLS Sales for March were less than $400,000!

Please click on the link below to take you to the Graphs. You can save/print/email them from there! Use these with all of your clients, SOI and Open Houses! Everyone wants to know what is happening in Real Estate - Be the authority!! Remember that you can always go to www.eta-az.com and click on Market Update for this info as well!

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT GRAPHS

MONTHS OF SUPPLY

East Valley: 3.7

NorthWest: 3.6

Paradise Valley: 15.8

Luxury ($1mil+): 15.8 (WOW! This has dropped drastically!)

Southwest: 3.4

Peoria/Glendale: 4.5

Camelback Corridor: 5.0

Cave Creek: 6.4

Ahwatukee: 3.9

Scottsdale: 6.1

Apache Junction: 2.6

Fountain Hills: 4.4

Buckeye: 3.1

Desert Ridge & Tatum Corridor: 3.3

Councilwoman Neely Unfit for Mayor of Phoenix?

2011-03-23T04:43:00-07:00

The Arizona Republic ran an article today questioning the fitness and ethics of Councilwoman Peggy Neely to run for mayor of Phoenix. As those who have been following the early race know, Neely has been reluctant to quit her job as a Phoenix council member and announce her candidacy.

Some argue Neely is playing fast and loose regarding the resign to run law that requires a declared candidate to resign his or her position if that position is an elected one.

Instead of declaring her candidacy, Neely has been “exploring” the possibility of running for mayor. The question is whether or not she has actually been campaigning while holding office or not. If you look at her web site it sure feels like someone is running for office. She has testimonials, she’s asking for donations, and she has a place to sign up to support her un-campaign.

Neely says everyone is crazy and there is no merit to the questions being raised about her exploratory committee. Here is a little quote from Neely in response to a few of many allegations of misconduct.

Residents in north Phoenix have accused Neely of a having a conflict of interest tied to the road expansion because some of her campaign co-chairs are zoning attorneys who represent developers that could benefit from Sonoran Boulevard.

Neely, however, has denied a conflict. She has said the plans for Sonoran Boulevard have been on the books long before she launched her exploratory committee for mayor.

There were dozens of comments at the end of the Republic article and none were too positive. Most were common sense statements about a public servant who bends to-near-breaking the laws of our state and who obviously feels she has said right. Some would call her a good ol boy if she wasn’t a she.

Here is one of my favorite comments:

If you want any kind of verification that Ms. Neely is just "more of the same", look at how she manipulates the "resign to run" law. Sure she may be "technically" within the wording of the law but do we rally want to elect someone who knowingly operates in this manner?....I do NOT. In short "Watch what they DO - not what they SAY" !

I don’t know about you but I am so tired of politicians who are self-serving verses serving the public good. Let’s vote in a great mayor this year verses a cliché politician.

Gene Urban

This is a political commentary piece and reflects my personal opinions as protected under the constitution of the United States.

radiate phx gets arrogant in february

2011-02-22T13:47:47-07:00

RadiatePHX will hold its February 22nd meeting at one of the latest additions to the downtown Phoenix restaurant offerings, The Arrogant Butcher. This new Sam Fox concept restaurant just opened its doors on February 21st and Radiators will be among the first to taste and experience it first hand.

Radiate Phx, or RadiatePHX or Radiate Phoenix, depending you how you spell it, is a group of people whose passion is the urban core of Phoenix. We meet monthly to learn about things downtown. We like to call it non-traditional networking since the emphasis is on learning about businesses and happenings in downtown Phoenix verses shoving your business card in someone’s face. We may shove a beer in your direction or ask your opinion about light rail, the mayor’s race or ask you your thought of the book Midcentury Marvels, but business relationships are casual and strengthened over time with this group.

WHAT: RADIATEPHX
WHEN: FEBRUARY 22ND FROM 5:30 – 7:30
WHERE: THE ARROGANT BUTCHER AT CITYSCAPE

To register go to our blog. RadiatePHX

Hope to see you there,

Gene Urban
The Urban Team at Realty Executives
www.UrbanConnectionRealty.com
602-234-5777

Downtown Phoenix Sports District to Light Up Things

2011-02-14T16:39:40-07:00

An article in the Arizona Republic and on AZCentral.com today has stirred up a lot of controversy on Facebook, Twitter and other social sites.

As is usual, many of the comments are spot on and some are riff with unsupported allegations and false information... welcome to social news.

I read through the articles, made a few calls and feel I have a decent understanding of the plan. I say decent because everyone puts their spin on things and the full picture is often hard to paint, especially for a paint by numbers guy like me.

My base take on things is there are a number of people out there who are trying to figure out what to do to re-energize the fallen downtown Phoenix “sports district”. Rather than the epic entertainment and sports neighborhood many envisioned, we have a condo tower in questionable recovery,vacant storefronts and more questions than answers.

The plan discussed on AZCentral uses “flashy Vegas-type signs” to enliven the area and create ad space. The digital ads would create revenue for both the organization behind them and the City of Phoenix.

The organization mentioned above has a vested interest in the future of downtown sports since they also have ownership interests in the DBacks and Suns. To some folks that makes them evil,while others say, yeah for the home team.

Personally, I see both pros and cons. Lights, cameras, action is not just a director’s statement, it is used to spark action. Digital ads are energetic and energy is what the region needs. Ads create revenue and getting national retailers to drop money downtown can be advantageous... not always but not never either. The ad revenue is a taxable event so a City suffering from revenue shortfalls would have a new food source.

On the con side of things, lots of large signs may not add positively to the flavor of the district. That will depend on where they are placed, how they are structured and the creativity of the ads being shown. They could be very cool or they could just throw off a lot of light pollution without adding a cultural advantage.

I’d love to hear your take on things. Hopefully with well thought ideas verses simple rants... we get enough of those on AZCentral and other blogs... UrbanLIfe readers are above that in most cases.

Best to you

Gene Urban
The Urban Team
602-234-5777

Downtown Phoenix Dog Park up for Debate

2010-11-03T14:38:34-07:00

Sean Sweat has been on a fast race collecting signatures asking the City of Phoenix to create a dog park on the gone-forever Ramada/Sahara Inn site.

His cause made AZCentral.com where much was mentioned about why a dog park was not feasible. Basically, the City and ASU says its the money. However, the hairs on my arms keep tingling and something just doesn’t seem right about the entire Ramada Inn land story.

The City was in a tremendous hurry to tear down a landmark. During the demolition an article came out about the lack of student housing and the need to build more. Couldn’t they have done that by simply remodeling the hotel? It already had 175 rooms, space for a cafeteria, kitchens, group areas, parking, meeting rooms and more. It seems like the 5 million they spent on purchasing the hotel, the cost of demolition and the funds needed to build a parking lot would have paid for much of the remodel.

Plus, they would have had a steady stream of rental income from ASU downtown students for years to come and lets not forget the short and long term jobs it would have created. Aren’t jobs what we need to springboard our economy? Seems like I’ve heard more than one politician talk about that. I guess they forgot that in the case of the Ramada Inn.

So, my question here on Urban Life, is “what is really going on in the background here?” Why has every option raised about this property been met with deaf ears? Do are civic leaders have some strange parking lot fetish?

Although I like Sean’s idea of a dog park for downtowners, I see little chance of success. None of the City’s power brokers seem to care about adding residential amenities to the neighborhood unless there is a taxable advantage.

So, we will probably keep hearing about a law school planned for the acreage, even when there is no plan or budget. However, the Sheraton will have overflow parking for their guests who generally do not have or rent cars when attending a downtown conference or trade show.

What scares me most is that ASU is purported to be an institute of higher learning, the City of Phoenix is one of the best run cities in America and the Sheraton is a hugely successful corporation, yet none had a bit of sense over the Ramada Inn site.

Gene Urban
The Urban Team at Realty Executives
602-234-5777

connecting people to the perfect place