Real Estate

REAL ESTATE 85383 REAL ESTATE YEAR IN REVIEW

By Frank May

Isay this every year, and every year it rings more true...this year flew by, and it feels like it went faster than ever! Time stands still for no man or woman. Things that happened in 2019 but feel like they were years ago include: Avengers Endgame (even as I write this I am shaking my head that it was this year!); the Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire; the US women’s soccer team won the World Cup; The Big Bang Theory finale; a man ate his 30,000th Big Mac (did you miss this one?); the Diamondbacks won the World Series (ok, that one was years and years ago, but I thought I’d slip it in to see if you are paying attention, and I love the D-backs!); and Grumpy Cat passed away (I loved grumpy cat). What a fast year it was!

I don’t know how your year was personally (I hope it was great), but if you owned a home in 85383 this past year, you did well. If you have owned a home in 85383 for the past five years, then you have done incredibly well!

As we end this decade, I thought I would share some numbers to be thankful for in the Upper West Side:

• The average home sale in 2015 was $344,653.

This past year it was up to $426,540. Almost $82,000 in added equity.

• The number of homes sold in 2015 was 1,296.

This past year it was up to 1,864. Demand has increased each year.

• The average days it took for a home to go under contract in 2015 was 95 days.

This past year it was down to 77 days!

• The inventory (homes actively for sale) on December 1, 2015, was 442 homes.

As of December 1, 2019, we had 375 homes.

As we enter this new decade, the forecast is that prices will continue heading up because more people are moving to the area, they have fewer homes to choose from, and the interest rates have remained very low.

An interesting fact from Michael Orr that “Despite the euphoria of 20052007 and the nightmare of 20082011, on average homes are selling 81.6% higher today than they were in the year 2000. That’s an average appreciation rate of 4.3% per year over the course of 19 years.”

That means with all the crazy price increases in 2004, 2005, and 2006, and then all of the insane price drops between 2008 and 2010, we are right where we would be if we had experienced a 4.3% (a very reasonable range) increase year over year since 2000 - just as if it had never happened! So, I hope no matter when you bought that you are encouraged that you own a home in a wonderful area, in a beautiful state where people are moving. I hope you have an incredible 2020 and may all of our home values continue to go up!

Frank May grew up in the valley, graduating from Northwest Christian School and NAU. He is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty and has been helping both buyers and sellers for 18 years

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BUILDING PEACE OF MIND: LUNA AZUL OPENS IN NORTH PHOENIX

Phase One of Luna Azul spaces and to encourage socialization With that in mind, the 2,500-square Community opened in October among residents.” foot community clubhouse serves as a The 1,100- to 2,000-square-foot, two- of last year, but this beautiful hub of the neighborhood with regular and three-bedroom homes at Luna Azul utopian pocket neighborhood is one Another important element of this 30- activities and even events where the range from the low $400s to the high man’s dream 10 years in the making. home pocket neighborhood is that it surrounding neighborhoods are invited $500s and have incorporated a wide Mark Roth, founder and project allows residents to live independently, to join. range of features that can be customdeveloper of Luna Azul, and his wife with a family member or caregiver ized to address and accommodate the initially began dreaming of a future and to be in charge of their own “We want the surrounding neighbor- varying needs of individuals with intelhome for their daughter, who has a caring services. “With most group- hoods to be included and families to lectual, developmental and acquired rare disability. housing scenarios, the care is bundled. feel welcome. We were very careful disabilities. However, we were very deliberate not to build an institution. We’ve built Roth, a practicing attorney with about not offering caregivers on a first-class resort-style community, These features include highly durable a successful 30-plus year career staff,” says Roth. “We didn’t want designed specifically for people with flooring and finishes chosen for longevswitched gears and began focusing on our residents to feel married to their disabilities,” says Roth. “With residents ity and ease of care; low-maintenance how his daughter’s future would look caregivers or ever feel the need or now living there, we’re seeing the Luna bath and kitchen counters without grout once she left the comfort and safety of desire to move if they weren’t happy Azul concept work, even to the point lines for ease of cleaning; wide doorher home when she became an adult. with the services. Each resident and where some residents are flourishing ways and hallways for accessibility; “We looked at the choices that existed their families are in charge of bringing beyond their parents’ expectations and large private front porches surrounding and realized that there really weren’t in the services they want or need. This their need for in-home care is less than lush courtyards that encourage social any that provided what we wanted was very important to us and we’re was originally planned, confirming engagement among the residents; for our daughter. From the planning, not aware of another solution like this all my expectations of how impactful in-home spaces that help minimize sensecurity, construction, technology… in the country.” friendship and inclusiveness is on our sory overload and mitigate social chalit just didn’t exist.” So, Roth decided lives.” lenges as well as CAT6 pre-wiring for to create it. “We started with the idea That said, Luna Azul provides a an extensive range of Smart Technolof what it would look like if we could number of amenities that provide The 4.5-acre development has its own ogy safety, energy and control options. build anything for her,” he says. peace of mind for residents and their Community Association, which profamilies alike, including gated entry vides heightened attention through 24/7 Construction of the second phase of Roth says that he chose the location into the community, as well as pre- on-site monitoring by a team of Com- 16 new homes is expected to begin in because it was central to all areas wiring in each home to provide for munity Coordinators who also organize early 2020, with completion of the full around the valley, as well as in the most up-to-date technologies a full calendar of social activities for development slated for fall 2020. proximity to many of the vocational including smart door locks, outlets, residents and their guests — and enservices, volunteer opportunities, alarms, sensors, light and noise courage residents to come and join the When asked if Roth anticipates buildsocial activities and entertainment control, internet-based controls that fun. “We literally have people knocking ing more neighborhoods like Luna Azul that are so important to this can be managed remotely and more. on the door and encouraging people to around the valley or the state, he says, community. “We wanted to offer easy This is another way that allows family participate. Our staff is intended to help “It’s a huge undertaking and currently access for families to be able to come members to be involved as much the community and be highly engaged all my attention is focused on this and visit anytime. We didn’t want to as they want or need to be. “We are with the residents. They can also be neighborhood.” But he adds, “I would be too far out in any one area of the exploring how we can add more contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a love to. It would do my heart a lot of valley,” says Roth. “We wanted it technology to ensure the families are week if the electricity goes out or if say good to just do this.” to be close to the freeway and close involved,” he adds. my daughter calls me and says someone to the services our residents need. It is in the backyard, there is someone on For more about Luna Azul, visit www. all came together for us there — it In addition to allowing families and staff who can go over and check it out.” lunaphx.com. seemed ideal to us.” caregivers access, they are always welcome to the community as part Luna Azul is what is being called a of the welcoming environment that ‘pocket neighborhood.’ Roth, who Roth intends to create at Luna Azul. grew up in Phoenix then moved to “We wanted to create a neighborhood Seattle, found this type of community where people with disabilities is the in the Pacific Northwest. These com- norm, but we also don’t want to isolate munities, designed by famed architect them,” says Roth. “The primary Ross Chapin, are defined by their force was to create an environment cottage-size homes, large front porch/ where our daughter could develop patios and homes that are built around friendships and have a social life. I a central area — such as a common want her to be included in activities green space — and that face one and life in a place where people know another. “This type of neighborhood is her, where people are looking out for built to encourage a sense of respon- one another and where disability is sibility for the community’s shared expected.”

COVER STORY

4 Alarm Charity Golf Tournament

PEORIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HITS A HOLE IN ONE FOR CITY’S FIRST RESPONDERS

On Friday, January 10 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Peoria Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 4 Alarm Charity Golf Tournament in support of the city’s first responders at the Rees Jones-designed Quintero Golf Club. Located at 16752 West State Route 74 in Peoria, Quintero has been named among the “Best Public Courses” by both Golf Digest and GolfWeekly magazines.

Scot Andrews, President and CEO of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce gives a little background about the history of this event, saying, “Over the last few years, the Peoria Chamber has focused on a golf tournament primarily as the largest fundraiser for the Peoria Chamber alone. The event was not viewed by our members as a quality event. This year, the vision our new leadership was to create a one-of-kind event and at the same time, help and support our great City of Peoria and its business community. We in Peoria are fortunate by having the marque public golf course, Quintero Golf Club, in our own backyard.”

Quintero is the #1 public golf course in Arizona as well as among the top 100 in the country. “We wanted to create a first class experience this year and with the expansive practice area, we are able to offer an extensive activity center for pre-tournament fun and competition,” says Andrews. “Quintero resides in the shadow of Lake Pleasant, tucked back into the rolling hills of northern Peoria. Beautiful

By Molly Cerreta Smith

vistas and a challenging golf layout make this a must-play for all those who love the game of golf.”

Upon learning of the many needs within the Peoria Fire and Police Department, they wanted to share the proceeds with this group and execute a firstclass Chamber event. This is the first year that the Peoria Chamber of Commerce is doing the “First Responder Cup” competition within the overall golf scramble. “We are close to sold out. We are excited to see how the event will grow in the coming years,” says Andrews. “Plus, this is a great chance for our business community to meet and participate in a great networking event with our Police and Fire responders. First Responders who win get to keep the acclaimed trophy for a year!”

A few months ago, the CEO and the City of Peoria conducted a benchmarking session with the City and Chamber officials from Olathe, Missouri. During these idea exchanges, Andrews was touched by the City of Peoria and Police presentations relative to the effects of traumatic service experiences both these departments endure every day serving our great city and the types for support provided to help First Responders cope and manage the impact of these day to day experiences. This was the impedance to want to support their tireless work.

The tournament is marketed to the Chamber’s membership, non-member valley businesses and our city and state officials. The Chamber reached out to the community of first responders all over the valley and many of the members have sponsored first responders to play in the tournament. Andrews adds, “We have strong support from our city leaders and this year, Mayor Cathy Carlat and Councilmembers Michael Finn and Bill Patena will be participating along with the leadership from Peoria PD and Fire.”

New this year is the addition of a very interactive element to the tournament — creating an activity center before the scramble featuring many fun “experiences” for golfers including the Tin Cup Longest Drive with a 7 Iron, The Phil Mickelson Wall Flop, Glass Pane Break, Putting Contest, and more.

Andrews adds, “Quintero’s state of the art technology will allow us to quickly tabulate winners and we will also have live music provided by Cold Soup and presentations by Peoria Police Chief Art Miller and Police Fire Chief Bobby Ruiz and remarks from myself and other city officials.”

Registration and breakfast takes place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., followed by Activity Center and Competitions. The Shotgun Start is at 10:00 a.m., and the tournament runs until 3:00 p.m. after which the awards afterparty beings. While at press time, the tournament was close to sold out, there were still few open spots as well as opportunities for sponsorship.

For more information, visit www.peoriachamber.com

PEORIA FIRE-MEDICAL DEPARTMENT HOSTS ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET

The Peoria Fire-Medical November 22, 2019 at the Rio Vista Each year the Johnny Valentine crews arrived on scene to find Department held its annual Recreation Center. Our December Award is given to the sworn member heavy fire conditions and near zero awards banquet on Friday, issue was already to the printer the who best epitomizes the Peoria visibility from the smoke. While day of this event, but we Fire-Medical Department’s core performing a search and rescue in thought it important to values; team, trust, professionalism the mobile home, Firefighter Parks still share (albeit later and efficiency. Johnny Valentine was found an unconscious victim, who than we’d like) and a Peoria firefighter who served the he successfully removed from the celebrate the heroic citizens of Peoria until his un-timely structure. Retired Battalion Chief first responders in our death from brain cancer in 1996. Steve Kelley was the incident community. commander at that fire and The 2019 recipient of the Johnny nominated Parks for the award. “His The awards banquet Valentine Award was Firefighter actions that day saved this woman’s included dinner Greg Bury, who was nominated by life,” Kelley said of Parks. and speeches from Battalion Chief Tony Neely and Peoria City Man- Captain Danny Comella. In his In addition to the Johnny Valentine ager Jeff Tyne, nomination address Captain Comella Award, and Firefighter of the Year and Peoria Fire noted, “Greg emulates the same Award, approximately 60 other Chief Bobby Ruiz. qualities as Johnny, his work ethic firefighters and civilian staff were Included in the with our new people is nonstop. You honored for their contributions awards presented, would be hard pressed to find a guy over the past year. Included in the were the two most that works as hard as Greg.” awards were; Letters of Recognition, prestigious awards Civilian of the Year, EMS Provider the department gives: The 2019 Firefighter of the Year of the Year, Meritorious Service Firefighter of the award was given to Firefighter Awards, Fire Chief Awards, Unit Year and the Johnny Michael Parks for his heroic actions Citations, Medals of Honor, and Valentine Award. at a mobile home fire. At that fire, Medals of Valor.

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