Entries Tagged 'Area Happenings' ↓

Chandler hit a benchmark 250,000 residents this month.  The 6 largest Arizona cities (population-wise that is) are Phoenix #1, Tucson #2, Mesa #3, Chandler #4, Glendale #5, Scottsdale #6. 

Chandler is now about as populated as St. Petersburg, Florida & Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Hip Hip Hooray! But wait…where’s the parade?  Where are the balloons?  Hmmm…  is this not good news?  At first I thought, no…not good news. I don’t really want to live in a “big city”.  But when I look around me and see all the great restaurants, shopping and entertainment venues, I realize I wouldn’t have these great amenities living in a town of 1000. 

 So Yippee!  We are the 4th largest city in Arizona!  Yes, Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.

I enjoyed my 1.20 minutes of fame today as I was interviewed by Sara Acevedo of Fox 10 News. (click to see the interview)

 The topic?  The Canadian buyers who are taking advantage of their strong Canadian Dollar and our weak real estate market.  There continue to be tremendous real estate deals in the Phoenix Metro area and Canadians are wisely snatching them up and paying cash. 

They are hitting the market at a perfect time as I have reported in my Weekly Real Estate Market Update, there has been increased buyer activity in almost every East Valley community over the last couple weeks.  If this activity continues, we will begin to chip away at our inventory which will help us return to a more stable real estate market. 

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For more Information visit Chandler Arizona Real Estate.  This information was provided by Amy Jones, a multi-million dollar top producing Realtor with RE/MAX Elite. Amy specializes in residential, vacation homes & cabins, as well as retirement communities in the communities of Ahwatukee, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Maricopa, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Sun Lakes, Tempe and the White Mountains communities of Pinetop/Lakes & Show Low.  Search the Arizona MLS 

Chandler has arrived..or at least the first bus route south of Pecos Road has.  Beginning this summer the first bus route will start on Dobson Road & Ocotillo with more routes to follow. 

The first route will begin in July and will run north to Riverview at the Red Mountain Freeway in Mesa.

Chandler’s Transportation Services Manager, Mike Normand announced to the Neighborhood Advisory Committee this week that Chandler can expect big increases in transit options and funding over the next few years.  This is great news for a wonderful community that was lacking mass transit.

 The next new route is planned for 2010 and will run on Gilbert Rd.  This route currently ends at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and passes through Gilbert and Mesa.  The new extended routh will continue south to Riggs Rd then east to Basha High School on Val Vista Drive.

In 2011 bus service will begin on Arizona Avenue in South Chandler and on Alma School in 2013.  Both lines will run to Ocotillo Rd and more lines will be added as the need arises.

By the end of this year, a park and ride lot will be completed at Tumbleweek park and the city has plans for another park and ride lot close to Snedigar Sportsplex next to the new Fulton Ranch Shopping Center on Alma School between Ocotillo and Chandler Heights.

 For more information about bus transportation in the city of Chandler visit the transportation website at http://www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=457

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For more Information visit Chandler Arizona Real Estate.  This information was provided by Amy Jones, a multi-million dollar top producing Realtor with RE/MAX Elite. Amy specializes in residential, vacation homes & cabins, as well as retirement communities in the communities of Ahwatukee, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Maricopa, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Sun Lakes, Tempe and the White Mountains communities of Pinetop/Lakes & Show Low.  Search the Arizona MLS

It’s springtime in the Valley of the Sun. So before that infamous Sun starts puting out the heat, get outta the house and enjoy events in the Phoenix East Valley!  Here are just a few that deserve attention. 

Scottsdale Festival Artwalk, Every Thursday from 7-9pm
http://www.scottsdalegalleries.com/

Picacho Peak: Civil War Reenactment, March 8-9
http://www.desertusa.com/azpicacho/azpicacho.html

Fountain Hills Fine Art & Wine Affaire March 21-23
http://www.thunderbirdartists.com/festivals/FountHills_March07.htm

The Chandler Ostrich Festival March 7-9
http://www.ostrichfestival.com/

Tempe Festival of the Arts & Crafts (This ain’t your granny’s craft show!)March 28-30
http://www.tempefestivalofthearts.com/HomePage.aspx

Chandler Jazz Festival April 25-26
http://www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=160

Visit the Renaissance Festival through March 30th
http://www.royalfaires.com/ARIZONA

Spend the day at the Desert Botanical Gardens
www.dbg.org

Check out the Riparian Preserve in Gilbert
www.RiparianInstitute.org

Go to the Maricopa county Fair 4/9-4/13
www.MaricopaCountyFair.org

Spring Training Games at Tempe Diablo Stadium
www.LosAngeles.Angels.mlb.com

Check out all the events at Schnepf Farms
www.SchnepfFarms.com

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For more Information visit Chandler Arizona Real Estate.  This information was provided by Amy Jones, a multi-million dollar top producing Realtor with RE/MAX Elite. Amy specializes in residential, vacation homes & cabins, as well as retirement communities in the communities of Ahwatukee, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Maricopa, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Sun Lakes, Tempe and the White Mountains communities of Pinetop/Lakes & Show Low.  Search the Arizona MLS

My list of Canadian buyers coming to Chandler to buy a home continues to grow as our inventory of homes in Chandler continues to grow as well. 

Why Chandler you might ask?  Chandler is close enough to the airport but far enough to be out of the congestion of Phoenix.  Chandler is new enough and the Canadians I am working with definitely want newer.  Homes and townhomes preferably built after 2000.  An abundance of golf courses and lakes also make the area inviting.

Close to amenities including brand new shopping centers, movie theaters and an abundance of new restaurants, from fast food to gourmet.  Chandler is fitting the bill for our Canadian buyers.

Canadians are doing their homework before they arrive.  I’m researching and narrowing their choices months before their plane lands.  They arrive, usually with cash in hand and sellers including builders and condo conversion developers are happy to further discount their already heavily discounted properties.

My Edmonton buyers last weekend opted for a condo conversion in Chandler which came with a hefty discount on top of a discount.  Their purchase came after looking at properties in Mesa, Gilbert, Ahwatukke and as far east as Queen Creek.  A home in Queen Creek on the golf course and priced at $200,000 for 2000 square feet was a close second.  I was told a similar home in Edmonton would sell for close to 1 million dollars.  It’s easy to see why our homes are so attractive.   Imagine travelling just a few hours in a plane to a place where you could buy a million dollar home for $200,000…sign me up!

It’s not just our attractively priced homes that are enticing to our Canadian neighbors.  Our cost of living is substantially lower.  2 Buck Chuck is known as 12 Buck Chuck in Canada.  From wine to clothing, the strong Canadian Dollar is providing a great opportunity for an affordable Phoenix vacation.  Add to that the affordable airfare…it’s really a no-brainer. 

Canadian’s are catching our housing market at a low and hoping to realize a nice profit when our market turns around…which it historically has always done.

I thought I might be seeing a decline in the number of Canadian buyers who have been contacting me, but quite the opposite.  Word seems to be spreading.  It’s good news for Sellers in the Valley.  Tomorrow a Canadian buyer may be looking at your home too!

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For more Information visit Chandler Arizona Real Estate.  This information was provided by Amy Jones, a multi-million dollar top producing Realtor in Chandler, Arizona. Amy specializes in residential, vacation homes & cabins, as well as retirement communities in the communities of Ahwatukee, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Maricopa, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Sun Lakes, Tempe and the White Mountains communities of Pinetop/Lakes & Show Low.  Search the Arizona MLS

Yes, McDonald’s is going upscale with the first restaurant of it’s kind in the state.  Featuring plasma screen tvs, wireless internet access, a toddler play area and booths with high leather backs.  Ooo la la!

An upscale exterior will complete the look with  glass and metal, striped awnings, and a double-lane drive-through. Customers in the drive-through lane will be able to look through a window into the kitchen before reaching the pick-up window.  Hmmmm.  I’m not sure I want to see the kitchen before I order, but OK.

The new restaurant will be located at Val Vista and Pecos near the new San Tan Village.  Have you been to the new San Tan Village?  It’s pretty amazing.  And now…with this gourmet McDonald’s, you’ll have somewhere to take your upscale toddler!

Rande Gerber, known by some as Cindy Crawford’s husband, and his brother, Scott, are opening Stone Rose, at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess just in time for Maxim’s big Superbowl party Friday night.  Watch for Cindy, Brad Pitt & Cuba Gooding to hit the 45×45 foot dance floor that is being built over a pool. 

Last night, Pamela Anderson dressed in her signature “sexy mama” attire joined Phoenix Suns Shawn Marion at Venue in Scottsdale for Wednesday night’s Hearts and Helmets Celebrity Party and Poker Tournament where tickets at the door were going for $1000 a head, with proceeds going to charity.

Other Suns players attending the event were Steve Nash, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw and Grant Hill along with  Atlanta Falcons Ovie Mughelli, and Olympic Gold winner Dan O’Brien.

Brad Pitt AND George Clooney.  How will the valley contain all that beauty?

 This information was provided by Amy Jones, a multi-million dollar top producing Realtor. For more information visited Chandler Arizona Real Estate. Amy specializes in residential, vacation homes & cabins, as well as retirement communities in the communities of Ahwatukee, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Maricopa, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Sun Lakes, Tempe and the White Mountains communities of Pinetop/Lakes & Show Low.  Search the Arizona MLS

I will be the first to tell you I was born without a “sports gene”.  My husband will concur.  I really think I’d be more tempted to sit down and watch a game if I didn’t have to listen to all the sportscaster’s commentary.  Women have always taken the rap about being incessant chatterers.  I take it whoever started .that rumor had never listened to a sportscaster…blahblahblah.  It makes my teeth itch. 

That being said, having the Superbowl come to town doesn’t excite me all that much.  BUT…WAIT…Hollywood typically shows up at events like this and that does make it a bit more interesting.

So, Starwatch 2008 is in full swing. 

Heading the list in my personal opinion are George Clooney, Will Smith, Vince Vaughn and Will Farrell who are scheduled to attend the Creative Artistis Agency part at the Mondrian Scottsdale on Feb. 2

Sandra Bullock and her husband Jesse James, Tom Hanks, Jim Carrey and Nick Lachey who will be attending an invitation only party at upscale Skye Restaurant in Peoria on Feb. 2 starting at 7 pm.  Backtracking here…Skye will also be hosting Jordin Sparks and some of the other Idol runner-ups (there’s actually a photo of Sanjaya on the Skye promo page, does that mean he’ll be there too?) who will be performing on Jan. 30 and P. Diddy on Feb 1.

Ashlee Simpson will be performing on Jan. 30 at Myst in Scottsdale.

On Feb 2, Rapper and actor Ice-T and his wife, Coco, will preside over the DMS Bowl 2008 after-party also at Myst (taking over for Jamie Foxx who cancelled due to scheduling conflicts) following a concert that night at Veterans Memorial Coliseum by Akon, T-Pain, Ne-Yo, Fabolous and Eddie Griffin. They’re expected at the party, along with Black Street, Guy and Doug E. Fresh. (Ok, who are these people?)

944 Magazine is turning four acres of Scottsdale waterfront into the “Epicenter of Entertainment” or so they say.  Celebrities and Special Events From Thursday-Sunday of Super Bowl XLII Week include Wyclef Jean, Fall Out Boy, 50 Cent, Paris Hilton, Velvet Revolver, Juliette and The Licks, Paul Oakenfold to Own the Night. (I recognize a couple of these…just what is Paris going to do?)

Axis/Radius performances on Thursday, Friday & Saturday include performances by Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock, P. Diddy and Nick Lachey.

Mary J. Blige and Maroon 5 will kick off the first concert in the NFL Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Concert Series on Thursday, Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m.

A gospel concert will bring Patti LaBelle and Donnie McClurkin to Phoenix Symphony Hall on Jan. 31. Rap star Ludacris will be the big draw at a Feb. 2 show at the Celebrity Theatre.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will be performing during the halftime Show (this is the part of the game I will actually watch).

A post event reception where you can meet Jay Leno.  Tickets for this event started at $50,000 and are, sadly, sold out.  Sorry Jay, I had to take a pass (hey… isn’t that a football term?)

There’s a whole slew of famous athletes who are going to be hosting parties at their namesake restaurants or at the very least attending a party, but I wouldn’t know them if I saw them.

Starwatch Superbowl 2008 continues….

For more Information visit Chandler Arizona Real Estate.  This information was provided by Amy Jones, a multi-million dollar top producing Realtor with RE/MAX Elite. Amy specializes in residential, vacation homes & cabins, as well as retirement communities in the communities of Ahwatukee, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Maricopa, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Sun Lakes, Tempe and the White Mountains communities of Pinetop/Lakes & Show Low.  Search the Arizona MLS