Archive for October, 2008
Brown Family Homes closes its doors
October 30th, 2008 categories: Home Buyers, Home Sellers, Real Estate News
Home-builder Dave Brown of Brown Family Communities announced on Monday that he was forced to closed his doors because his lenders called his outstanding loans due and payable.
Brown has been a home builder in the Phoenix Metro area since 1975 and expanded to Prescott Valley a few years ago and developed the Pronghorn Ranch subdivision.
One major challenge to home builders in Arizona is that buyers are scarce. “Nothing is selling, and I’m giving away $100,000 to anyone who will buy a house” quoted Brown.
His numbers reflect that. Brown completed and delivered 522 homes for $156 million dollars in 2007, and expected to close only 225 homes this year. Brown Family Communities had their best year in 2006, closing 826 homes.
This leaves many homeowners wondering what to do next. If you own a home built by Brown Family Communities and have questions or problems with your home, contact the Registrar of Contractors. Homeowners have a two year window to file complaints with the state agency. Visit the ROC web site, or visit the ROC office in Prescott located at 240 S. Montezuma St, Suite B. The phone number for that office is 928.445.5710.
We personally did not sell any Brown Family Homes but I only heard good things about Dave Brown and his company. He built a nice looking home and kept the prices affordable. In the past few months, according to our MLS, Brown Family Homes appeared to be selling. I guess it was too little too late.
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A Halloween Tradition
October 28th, 2008 categories: Just For Fun, Prescott Homeowners
Historic Mount Vernon Street is a Halloween tradition in Prescott. Trick-or-treaters started flocking to the beautiful tree lined street nearly 30 years ago, and today Mount Vernon residents can see more than 1,000 costumed kids at their door.
The tradition began at the home of Mary Jane and Al Smith located at the corner of Mount Vernon and Goodwin Street. In the 1970s, they started creating an elaborate wake-themed indoor display with skeletons and coffins. More and more neighbors began joining in and word got around town that Mount Vernon was the place to go
on
October 31st.
For the second year in a row, the Prescott Police Department will close off a large portion of Mount Vernon Street between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Come and Join the fun!
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The City of Prescott Finalizes 80 Acres of Open Space in Granite Dells
October 27th, 2008 categories: Real Estate News
Granite Dells is one of Prescott’s most beautiful landmarks. The massive granite boulders rise from the ground as far as the eye can see. You cannot help but be inspired when you drive through the Dells on Hwy 89. When I was a kid, my Parents would take us to the Dells for picnics. We would spend the day climbing up and down on the granite boulders and I thought it was the most amazing place. I still do.
Last week, the City of Prescott finalized a deal preserving 80 acres of open space in Granite Dells. This is a treasure for our city that will benefit generations to come. Prescott Parks and Recreation Director Debbie Horton said plans are already in place to develop new hiking trails on the parcel. Trail construction will begin in early December.
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Prescott Real Estate- It’s Chilly Outside
October 13th, 2008 categories: Prescott Homeowners
Did it get cold all at once, or is it me? I always remember October slowly transitioning from warm to cool to cold. This year it feels like the weather went from warm to cold. The Farmer’s Almanac has predicted that this year we will experience a colder than average winter. Having said that, it’s time to get your home ready for cold weather.
Prevent Plumbing freezes
I always start my winterizing with plumbing. A broken pipe is not only a huge inconvenience, but can be costly to repair.
1. Disconnect garden hoses from the faucet. Drain the water from the hose if you don’t want the hose to freeze.
2. Insulate exposed plumping pipes. You can purchase foam wrapping for pipes, heat tape also works well.
3. Drain any outside lines that are at risk of freezing
Inspect windows and doors
Inspect for broken seals around windows and doors. Use weather stripping around the inside of the windows to create a tighter seal.
Check your furnace
Turn on the furnace to make sure it’s working properly. Check it before the weather gets really cold!
Call an HVAC professional if your furnace needs inspecting. Cleaning the duct work isn’t a bad idea either.
Change the furnace filters.
Have your heating duct work inspected. According to the U.S Department of energy, a home with central heating can lose up to 60% of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if duct work is not well connected and insulated.
Check your chimney
Have your chimney inspected and swept if needed.
Buy a protective chimney cap with a screen. It keeps birds, rain and anything else you don’t want in your chimney out.
Clean rain gutters
Remove leaves and debris from the rain gutter. Clogged or frozen gutters can cause water to back up and seep into the house.
Make sure your gutters carry water away from the foundation of your home.
Insulate yourself
Another thing you can do that costs very little is add insulation. You should have at lease 12 inches of insulation in the attic.
These tips will help you stay warm and save money on your heating bill.
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Health, Happiness and Prosperity
October 10th, 2008 categories: Just For Fun, Prescott Homeowners
What A Week!
This has been a challenging week. The stock market, the credit crisis, AIG, the election…. Enough!!!!!
Do something fun this weekend.. Watch the baseball playoffs, take your kids to the park, watch a funny movie, just don’t watch the news.
If everything you’re reading or hearing lately seems really negative, here’s some positive food for thought from The Optimist Creed.
- Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
- Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
- Think only of the best, work only for the best and expect only the best.Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
- Be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
- Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
Have a great weekend.
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Prescott Real Estate- September 2008 Market Update
October 9th, 2008 categories: Prescott Market Statistics, Real Estate News
The numbers for September varied slightly from August. The number of active listings throughout the Tri-City area has increased by 70 homes, sales were down slightly. The absorption rate for Prescott went from 18.97 months of inventory to 19.54.
The data I used is from the Prescott Area Association of Realtor and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. To compare statistics from August, click August Market Statistics
City of Prescott Statistics for the month of September, 2008
| Price Range | Residential Properties On The Market | Residential Sales Last Month | Absorption Rate # Of Months It Will Take To Sell |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 and below | 232 | 21 | 11.05 |
| $300,001 to $500,000 | 422 | 24 | 17.58 |
| $500,001 to $800,000 | 273 | 9 | 30.33 |
| $800,0001 to $1,000,000 | 74 | 1 | 74 |
| $1,000,001 & above | 93 | 1 | 93 |
| Totals | 1,094 | 56 | 19.54 |
Prescott / Tri City Absorption Rates By Area
See below for area definitions (110 - 150)
| Area | Residential Properties On The Market | Residential Sales Last Month | Absorption Rate # Of Months It Will Take To Sell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | 163 | 7 | 53 |
| 120 | 345 | 27 | 11.21 |
| 130 | 166 | 4 | 40 |
| 140 | 167 | 7 | 13.38 |
| 150 | 116 | 5 | 19.33 |
| Williamson Valley | 205 | 6 | 39.80 |
| Prescott Valley | 640 | 38 | 11.20 |
| Chino Valley | 312 | 16 | 15.58 |
| Dewey | 100 | 7 | 48.50 |
| P.C.Club/ Quailwood | 112 | 6 | 25.75 |
| Totals | 2,326 | 123 | 18.91 |
Area 110: North of Gurley/Thumb Butte, West of Willow Ck Rd including Longview
Area 120:North of Gurley, East of Willow Creek Road, West of Hwy 89
Area 130:East on Hwy 69 from Hwy 89 & 69 Junction, East of Hwy 89
Area 140: South of Gurley, East of Park/White Spar, West of the Ranch
Area 150: South of Gurley, East of Park/White Spar
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Regards,
Sherry Huffman
Realtor-Associate
The Huffman Group, Realty Executives
928-533-1833
928-441-1201 e-fax
sherry@thehuffmangroup.com
www.theHuffmanGroup
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Prescott Real Estate- Pending Home Sales Up Strongly
October 8th, 2008 categories: Prescott Real Estate Trends
This article was released today by the National Association of Realtors. It’s nice when you can post some positive news….
Pending Home Sales Up Strongly
WASHINGTON (October 8, 2008) – Pending home sales activity surged as buyers took advantage of low home prices and affordable interest rates, according to the National Association of RealtorsÒ.
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Have you ever experienced an earthquake?
October 7th, 2008 categories: Prescott Real Estate Trends
Have you ever been in a earth quake? As a a native Californian I experienced many. The ground starts shaking and the first thing that goes through your mind is “how much worse is this going to get?” Second thought is “when is it going to stop?”After the Dow dropped another 500 points today, I thought to myself ”how much worse is this going to get and when is it going to stop?”
I’m not sure if anyone has the answers to either of those questions, I do know that like an earthquake, this too shall pass.
I’m happy to say that Arizona doesn’t experience earthquakes. Knock on wood…
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