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VAR Blog Brawl - Vote Phoenix Real Estate Guy!
2008-03-10 00:33:00
The Virginia Association of Realtors is having a little March Madness-like fun with their “First Annual Real Estate Blog Brawl”. The Phoenix Real Estate Guy had a first round bye, but the voting polls are open for Round 2. Head on over to this post and cast your votes! (Just make sure you vote for us! ) While you are there, visit the other blogs in the brawl, there are some good ones. And check out the rest of the VARBuzz. The Virginia Association of Realtors is leading the pack in my opinion when it comes to open and transparent communication with their members. .Technorati Tags: VARBuzz, Blog Brawl Search the Phoenix area MLS no registration required! © 2007 Jay Thompson, Phoenix Real Estate Guy . If you are reading this outside your feed reader or on any blog other than The Phoenix Real Estate Guy, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact legal@ThompsonsRealty....
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Arizona Moves Back into the Pacific Time Zone
2008-03-09 17:48:00
Techincally of course, the State of Arizona did not change time zones and suddenly find itself in the Pacific time zone this morning. It’s just that we stood still while everyone else “sprung forward”...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Arizona Moves Back into the Pacific Time Zone ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/ariz ona-moves-back-into-the-pacific-time-zone /799" });

The Zonie Report - Arizona?s Multimedia News Source
2008-03-08 00:40:00
The Zonie Report -- a one stop shop for Arizona news!SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "The Zonie Report - Arizona’s Multimedia News Source", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/the- zonie-report-arizonas-multimedia-news-sou rce/798" });
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SmallBrokers.com: An Internet Forum for Small / Independent Real Estate Bro
2008-03-07 22:13:00
SmallBrokers.com - an internet forum for small / independent real estate brokers and their agents to share ideas, ask and answer questions. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "SmallBrokers.com: An Internet Forum for Small / Independent Real Estate Brokers", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/smal lbrokerscom-an-internet-forum-for-small-i ndependent-real-estate-brokers/796" });
More About: Real Estate , Small

New FHA Loan Limits for Maricopa and Pinal Counties Released
2008-03-06 19:59:00
Newly revised FHA loan limits for Maricopa and Pinal counties in Arizona. Plus link to find limits across US.SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "New FHA Loan Limits for Maricopa and Pinal Counties Released ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/new- fha-loan-limits-for-maricopa-and-pinal-co unties-released/794" });

How Many East Valley Real Estate Listings are Short Sales?
2008-03-05 22:11:00
Data on current real estate short sale listings inthe Phoenix East Valley (Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, and Tempe real estate)SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "How Many East Valley Real Estate Listings are Short Sales ?", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/how- many-east-valley-real-estate-listings-are -short-sales/793" });
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Thanks for the Memories Brett
2008-03-04 23:59:00
Most wins: 160 Most consecutive starts: 253 regular season (275 including playoffs) Most completions: 5,377 Most passing yards: 61,655 Most touchdown passes: 442 9 Pro Bowls 3 straight MVPs Superbowl Champion Played every game with boundless grit, passion and enthusiasm. You will be missed. .Technorati Tags: Brett Favre retires ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Thanks for the Memories Brett", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/than ks-for-the-memories-brett/792" });
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Strange Search Term of the Week
2008-03-03 23:33:00
Delightfully tacky yet refined real estate. That’s what someone Googled today and found the Phoenix Real Estate Guy blog sitting in the #1 position. (it leads to the “Death of the Pink Flamingo” post from November 2006. Incidentally, it appears the kitschy lawn ornament is back in production). It does make me wonder what exactly they were ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Strange Search Term of the Week ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/stra nge-search-term-of-the-week-2/790" });
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Attention Phoenix Golfers! New Online Golfing Community Launched
2008-03-03 21:57:00
A social network for golf enthusiasts. Lots of features. Search 18,000 golf courses.SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Attention Phoenix Golfers! New Online Golfing Community Launched ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/atte ntion-phoenix-golfers-new-online-golfing- community-launched/789" });

Phoenix Homes Listing Data: Under $200K
2008-03-02 04:53:00
One of yesterday’s posts referenced Phoenix homes listed under $200,000. As promised, here are the actual numbers of homes currently listed in the Phoenix area MLS for under $200K. Of note: Data is for single-family detached homes only. No condos, town homes, or manufactured homes (other than erroneously entered data, of which there is certainly some).  “Total ARMLS” covers all of Maricopa County and the vast majority of Pinal County. As such, it includes many small outlying areas (where approximately 1/3 of the homes under $200K can be found). Note the percentage of inventory under $200K for the ‘burbs that are somewhat distant from Phoenix proper — Queen Creek, Maricopa, and Apache Junction. They are showing significantly higher percentages than areas closer in. This should not be surprising to anyone familiar with real estate in these areas. .Technorati Tags: Phoenix real estate listings data, Phoenix homes under 0K ...
More About: Homes , Listing

Thompson’s Realty Welcomes Shannon Stephenson
2008-03-01 22:28:00
We are pleased to announced the addition of Shannon Stephenson to Thompson’s Realty . Shannon has been a licensed real estate agent for eight years and brings with her a tremendous work ethic and commitment to her clients. She specializes in new home and re-sale residential real estate in the East Valley of the Phoenix metro area. A resident of Gilbert, Shannon is married to her High School sweetheart Gary and has two great kids, Evan, 16 and Tierney, 18. Shadow the cat and Chance the black lab round out Shannon’s immediate family. Gary and Shannon are originally from rural southwest Colorado and have lived in the Phoenix area for over 10 years. She’s a big sci-fi fan, plays Everquest on-line and has taken my money more than once at the poker table. Shannon is an avid photographer who is available for real estate, still and portrait photography work. Her photography clients include Phoenix sculptor Gary Whittington. We are completely confident that Shannon brings valuable skill...

Phoenix Under $200K Market. And, A “Generation Y’er” Speaks
2008-03-01 00:18:00
Interesting article today in the Arizona Republic: Under-$200,000 market gives home sales a pushAffordability lures first-time buyers, investors I personally haven’t seen the “bidding wars” on short sales mentioned in the article. Not to say it isn’t happening, but in my experience the short sales are sitting there until the bank takes them back (for the most part). But there is no question that the under $200K inventory is growing. I’ll crunch some numbers this weekend and report back. There was one small part of the article I found particularly interesting. 23 year old Bradley Crutchfield, an assistant technician at the Gila River Indian Casino and part time ASU student said he recently bought his first home — a $243,000 foreclosure in Chandler. It was in the (price) range of what I was looking for, but it was my top end and I was only willing to pay that if I could be closer,” Crutchfield, 23, said. “I’ve been looking for...
More About: Phoenix , Market

Why Would Anyone Want to Live In Phoenix? Things to do in Phoenix this Week
2008-02-29 22:19:00
Why would anyone want to live In Phoenix ? I really have no idea… Things to do in Phoenix this weekend. (I recommend anything outdoors) Saturday Calendar of Events Sunday Calendar of Events Spring training games abound And it would be a perfect weekend to check out the Renaissance Festival Wear your sunscreen!! .Technorati Tags: Phoenix weekend, things to do, spring training     Search the Phoenix area MLS no registration required! © 2007 Jay Thompson, Phoenix Real Estate Guy . If you are reading this outside your feed reader or on any blog other than The Phoenix Real Estate Guy, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact legal@ThompsonsRealty.com so we can take legal action immediately. ShareThis---Related Articles at The Phoenix Real Estate Guy:Why We Live in Phoenix…Bumming Aro...
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Testing The Trulia Voices Widget
2008-02-29 19:36:00
Ok, I know I’ve hammered on Trulia Voices in the past. And while I do grow weary of the sometimes awful, and often illegal answers on Voices, there are some good things there. It’s a great place to see what kinds of questions real estate buyers and sellers have. It’s loaded with head-scratching, “What the hell are they thinking?” answers from real estate pros. It’s cheap entertainment. You can learn something there. Sometimes you just have to dig a bit (which is true of any on-line community). And it’s actually not a bad place to pull in a prospect or two (though I’d have to question the ROI that folks who have answered hundreds and hundreds of questions are getting). Trulia has some trulyia cool and wicked smart people working for them, and they do come up with some nifty ideas. The latest is adding RSS feeds to Voices profiles. This allows one to create cool widgets like this: That’s not a bad...
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Birth of a Brokerage: Thompson?s Realty
2008-02-27 21:20:00
The newest real estate brokerage in the Phoenix area, Thompson s Realty , is officially open for business! Our business model is simple: provide superior customer service in everything we do. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Birth of a Brokerage : Thompson’s Realty", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/birt h-of-a-brokerage-thompsons-realty/778" });

Cool Photoshop Tricks
2008-02-26 18:29:00
There is often discussion on real estate blogs about how far (if at all) a real estate agent / photographer should travel down the photo retouching road. Athol Kay has a great series titled Pimp My Listing PhotoSHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Cool Photoshop Tricks ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/cool -photoshop-tricks/776" });
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From the Inbox: Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home In Phoenix?
2008-02-25 20:54:00
Is now a good time to buy a home in Phoenix ? Maybe, maybe not.SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "From the Inbox : Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home In Phoenix?", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/from -the-inbox-is-now-a-good-time-to-buy-a-ho me-in-phoenix/774" });

Phoenix Radio KSLX Hosting ?Cure the Kids? Radiothon to support the Pediatr
2008-02-23 20:48:00
KSLX radio (100.7FM, and a great classic rock station) is hosting their first annual “Cure the Kids ” radiothon through 9:00pm tonight. They are broadcasting live from Chandler Fashion Center to raise money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. You can call 480–722–2873 or 1–877–724–2873 to donate. Or donate online. Call in with a minimum $100 donation and they will ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Phoenix Radio KSLX Hosting “Cure the Kids” Radiothon to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/phoe nix-radio-kslx-hosting-cure-the-kids-radi othon-to-support-the-pediatric-brain-tumo r-foundation/773" });
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Spring Training is Here! Phoenix Spring Training Schedules (Tucson too!)
2008-02-23 07:57:00
Ahhh, Spring Training … Nothing beats it. Cheap ticket prices, intimate surroundings, typically stellar weather. Baseball at its finest. Spring training games begin in the “Cactus League” on Wednesday, February 27 with multiple games every day through March 27. Go here for the full spring training schedule for games in both the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Spring Training tickets can be purchased online at these sites (tickets by mail, phone, and box office/seating info also available): Diamondbacks – Tucson Electric Park. $5 – $20 Cubs – Mesa HoHoKam Park. $6 – $24 White Sox – Tucson Electric Park. $5 – $20 Rockies – Tucson Hi Corbett Field. $4 – $17 Royals – Surprise Stadium. $7 – $22 Angels – Tempe Diablo Stadium. $5 – $25 Brewers – Maryvale Baseball Park. $8 – $19 A’s – Phoenix Municipal Stadium. $6 – $25 Padres – Peoria Stadium. $6 – $23 Giants – Scottsdale Stadium. $8 – $25 ($13 – $28 weekends) Mariners – Peoria Sports Compl...

Wordpress Plug-in of the week: Photo Dropper
2008-02-23 00:31:00
Very cool WordPress plugin - Photo Dropper. Easily search through Creative Commons Flickr photos and post directly into blogs. Thanks Joel (via Twitter!) Search term: “Phoenix” Small photo credit: AZAdam Medium photo credit: AZAdam Large photo credit: AZAdam photo credit: xgeorg00 TONS of photos, even with the “commercial blog” field checked (which it really should be with a real estate agent’s blog, IMHO) Technorati Tags: Photo Dropper, Flickr Search the Phoenix area MLS no registration required! © 2007 Jay Thompson, Phoenix Real Estate Guy . If you are reading this outside your feed reader or on any blog other than The Phoenix Real Estate Guy, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact legal@ThompsonsRealty.com so we can take legal action immediately. ShareThis---Re...
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Blog Wars and Other Such Nonsense.
2008-02-21 18:55:00
There is a lot of “wrong” on the Internet. There is a lot of “right” too. My pledge: From this day forward, focus on the right, leave the wrong alone. The wrong just sucks away too much energy. It’s not worth it.   Drawing by XKCD.com via Sarah Meyers (both excellent by the way!) Search the Phoenix area MLS no registration required! © 2007 Jay Thompson, Phoenix Real Estate Guy . If you are reading this outside your feed reader or on any blog other than The Phoenix Real Estate Guy, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact legal@ThompsonsRealty.com so we can take legal action immediately. ShareThis---Related Articles at The Phoenix Real Estate Guy:For FrancyMerry Christmas vs. Happy HolidaysDisclosing Global Warming? WTF?
More About: Wars , Nonsense , Blog

Point2 Agent Changing Pricing Model
2008-02-21 08:14:00
Point2 Agent has changed their pricing model. Up until today, a “Standard” Point2 NLS membership has been free. Point2 provides a 15 page web site, and membership in their “NLS” (National Listing Service) for no charge. An email I received this evening states that NLS memberships requested after February 20 will be free for six months, then ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Point2 Agent Changing Pricing Model ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/poin t2-agent-changing-pricing-model/767" });

Congrats Rudy!!
2008-02-21 07:08:00
Wow, what a beautiful family! Congrats to my friend Rudy at Trulia on the birth of twins, Bailey and Kilee. That’s Rudy on the right. Wife Sara, Big Girl Summer, *brand new* Bailey and Kilee (I don’t know which one is which). . Technorati Tags: Bailey and Kilee Bachraty ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Congrats Rudy!!", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/cong rats-rudy/765" });
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A $75,000,000 Home
2008-02-19 21:31:00
Video of $75,000,000 home for sale.SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "A $75,000,000 Home ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/a-75 000000-home/762" });
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(Very) Cool Site of the Week: Freshome
2008-02-19 01:54:00
Freshome – Tips, Gadgets and Inspiration is a wicked cool blog that is chocked full of photos and info on all sorts of home design stuff. From their “About” page: Our main mission here on Freshome is to inspire you, to give you ideas and make your home a better place to live. You can find ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "(Very) Cool Site of the Week : Freshome", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/very -cool-site-of-the-week-freshome/761" });

The Taxman Approacheth
2008-02-18 02:11:00
April 15. Man does that day suck or what? I know what I'll be doing on April 15th — that would be filing an extension on my 2007 taxes. Here are some highlights of recent changes to the tax codeSHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "The Taxman Approacheth", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/the- taxman-approacheth/759" });
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Corruption in Gilbert? Mayor Steve Berman Goes Nuclear on TV Reporter
2008-02-17 09:48:00
I’ve been seeing a lot of these signs popping up in Gilbert over the last couple of days. Looks like Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman has annoyed someone again. Berman has a bit of a history with recall attempts (all unsuccessful to date), and public outcry. Outcry? Stories about providing tax incentives to a car dealership that then gave him a F-150 truck, some nonsense about a free custom $1200 suit he kept after appearing in a Dillard’s ad. More serious concerns about fire protection in “county islands”. So I was curious to see what the story was this time. A little research found a video of the Mayor going off on a television reporter from Channel 15. Some back-story may be necessary to get the full effect…. Recently a sports park, Big League Dreams, was opened in Gilbert near Power and Elliot roads (see my post on Big League Dreams here). I knew there were cost over runs on this project (originally projected at $22.7 million with a final ...
More About: Nuclear , Corruption , Reporter

Real Estate Ads Down Under: Video of the Week #16
2008-02-16 05:21:00
Real estate in Austrailia vs. the US.SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Real Estate Ads Down Under: Video of the Week #16", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/real -estate-ads-down-under-video-of-the-week- 16/756" });
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#2 on Google for Phoenix Real Estate?!?
2008-02-14 21:21:00
?Phoenix Real Estate ? is a search term some consider the ?gold standard? for a real estate site / blog. (Personally, I find it somewhat over rated, but that?s another blog post).SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "#2 on Google for Phoenix Real Estate ?!?", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/2-on -google-for-phoenix-real-estate/755" });
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For Francy
2008-02-14 08:01:00
25 reasons I have the best friend and wife a man could ever hope for. She’s compassionate She’s caring She’s thoughtful She understands me She puts up with me! She’s an amazing mother to my children Blond hair and blue eyes. Nuff said. She’s wicked smart She’s a smart ass She handles herself quite well at a Hold ‘em table She has excellent taste in men Star ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "For Francy", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/for- francy/753" });
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