Why home buyers LOVE Sun Lakes, Arizona

Why do home buyers LOVE Sun Lakes, Arizona?  It’s real simple.

When you purchase a home in Sun Lakes, you’re purchasing a country club lifestyle.  Golf Courses, Swimming Pools, Tennis, Fitness Centers, Racquet Ball, Pickle Ball, Billiards, Clubhouses, Restaurants, Miles of Walking Paths…the list goes on.

My buyers, Bill & Dianne Stoutenberg from Alberta Canada said it best~

“Amy had asked us what type of lifestyle and property we were interested in? We did not realize how important the lifestyle question was until we looked at various properties in Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler. Amy showed us several properties in those areas and we quickly realized we did not want to buy just another home in another city suburb. We wanted a winter vacation country club lifestyle.

Amy showed us several properties in Sun Lakes Oakwood area and the associated amenities. We were impressed with the 27-hole golf course, 3 swimming pools (heated for winter use), the beautiful club house, other recreation facilities and community security. The area was kept in immaculate condition and the people we met were very friendly.”

So what is the age demographic in Sun Lakes? Here’s where most people have a mis-perception.  Sun Lakes differs from many active adult communities.  The 2010 census profile best illustrates this point.

Population:  13,505

Ages:
Over 55:   12,317
Under 55:   1,188

Yes… you read it correctly almost 10% of the population living in Sun Lakes, AZ is under the age of 55 (including…my husband & I!)

Federal law (Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988) to Title VIII of the 1969 Civil Rights Act requires communities intended for residents 55-years of age or older only need have 80% of the residents who must be 55-years of age or older.

This is great news for the buyer today who wants a country club lifestyle and fits the age criteria!

Amy Jones, REALTOR
RE/Max Infinity ~ www.YourSunLakesLifestyle.com ~ 480-250-3857

Economic Notes for the Week of April 16th

It was a somewhat quiet ‘in-between’ week for economic news, as most of the focus was on markets and an upcoming earnings season.

The Small Business Optimism Index, while not always in the news, became a catalyst for market activity early in the week, as it fell from 94.3 to 92.5 for March.

Import prices were higher than expected in March at +1.3% (although February’s gain was revised down to a negative number)—mostly due to oil and raw materials being priced higher.  Other prices carried through and were higher as well, such as vehicles and vehicle parts and other finished consumer goods.  The year-over-year increase was +3.4%, which ties into broader inflation readings. Read more

Economic Notes for the Week of April 9th

The closely-watched ISM manufacturing index number came in slightly better than expected, at a one-point increase from 52.4 to 53.4 for March.  The production and employment components rose, while new orders fell back a bit.  Improvement here is tempered, but steady.

The ISM non-manufacturing index, which was released a few days later, declined a bit from 57.3 to 56.0, which was slightly larger than anticipated.  Components were mixed as new orders and general business activity were down, but employment improved and remains robust under this particular index’s measure. Read more

Economic Notes for the Week of April 2nd

The final estimate for the Q4 2011 real GDP was released last week, and stood unchanged at +3.0%.  Personal consumption was flat, goods spending was revised upward a bit, and services consumption was revised down slightly—nothing too significant overall.  More importantly, gross domestic income was revised up to +5.2%, which is the same level realized in Q3.  Looking at the GDI’s rate of growth can be somewhat helpful from the standpoint of the economy’s momentum.  While it’s interesting and informative to see the economy’s path of growth in the last several quarters, this is now old news and doesn’t matter much anymore—three months into the next quarter.  It is really just a reflection on how right or wrong the initial estimates were and how adjustments might be made that could affect the current quarter’s growth pace.  Preliminary estimates place 2012 Q1 real GDP at anywhere from +2.0% to +3.0%, although predictions differ for the year as a whole.  Several firms just raised their 2012 projections for the U.S. and world by a quarter percent or so. Read more

Create a House Hunt Checklist

 The Home

Space is one of the first things people notice when touring a home. Are there enough bedrooms to accommodate the household? How spacious are storage closets? Square footage and the practicality of the floor plan are elements that demand major consideration. Is there a garage or a basement? These are some standards you should have set in your head before beginning your home search, but it doesn’t hurt to add these elements to the checklist. After you’ve evaluated the space, take time to note the condition of the home. Some suggest breaking it down further into interior and exterior conditions. Look specifically for dampness and odors, age and condition of the roof as well as the functionality of gutters and downspouts. Finally, don’t forget to make note of extra perks such as a fireplace, great landscaping, fences, a patio/deck, and sun screens as well as overall energy efficiency.

The Neighborhood

One of the most common things homebuyers look for in a neighborhood is safety. Individuals want to feel secure in their new surroundings. How close are you to police and fire stations, the hospital or schools? Does the neighborhood provide trash services? Don’t forget to investigate these issues by creating a physical or mental checklist.

Convenience

Location, location, location is becoming a greater concern for many homebuyers. When looking at a home, take the time to figure out how far you would be from the grocery store, shopping, highways, local amenities, etc. These are just some things you want to ask yourself as you evaluate the location of a home.

Take the time to look at all aspects of the property and surrounding area-from the actual structure to the neighborhood, and location will help you make a more accurate and informed decision when choosing a home.

 

Economic Notes for the Week of March 12th

The ISM Non-Manufacturing index increased in February from 56.8 to 57.3, which was somewhat of a surprise as consensus estimates assumed a small to modest decline.  It reflected solid strength in service sector activity, as new orders and general business activity were both up at the highest levels since early 2011.

Factory orders fell -1.0% for the month, which was slightly less than expected, and some of the components were positive for the near-term.  Core durable goods orders were revised upward, as were core shipments.  Non-durable goods inventories were also up a bit. Read more