Sales volume was down 6% from August while average pricing is also down 2.5% (price per square foot down 3%).  If you look at sales from Septeber ’09, sales were down 13% and pendings down 22% from last year.  Although this sounds bad, month to month pendings have been increasing about 4% so it seems buyer activity is keeping somewhat dependable and this will positively keep inventory moving if it can be sustained.  The supply on the market increased 2.7% from August, primarily by properties <$200k.  With this price range being attractive for investors, both for flipping and buy&hold, we could see an increase in buying activity by this sector of our market and since inventory is increasing, prices should remain favorable for quite some time.  Foreclosure notices are holding steady, which would which lends to increasing inventory (and hence maintaining favorable buying prices).

For my full Market Trends Report, please go to www.BethAHickey.com for a request.  I will not contact you outside of this report unless requested.

Another great thing about this time of year… home buying!  Lets face it, trudging from the car to the house, searching through hot vacant homes, just not so fun under our always shining Arizona sun.  The fall however is a whole different experience.  Home buyers can drive with their windows down checking out the different neighborhoods and spend as much time as they like searching around the property, with the cool weather making it a much more relaxing experience.  After all, the average high this time of year for Phoenix is 99 degrees in September, 88 degrees in October and 75 degrees in November.  You just can’t find dry, warm weather like that anywhere else in the country. 

If you would like to learn more about our current temperatures or seasonal averages CLICK HERE.  I am not wasting another minute inside.  Time for a walk to the park with my two little boys!     

Are you looking for a motivated agent to assist you with all your real estate needs?  I specialize in helping Veterans find great homes or rentals by using their VA Benefits.  Please contact me anytime at 602-614-6493, toll free at 888-897-7821 x.132 or at tiffany@tiffanypettit.com.

All the way up and down Scottsdale road there are thousands of stores,  featured inside the many  shopping centers.  Kierland is one of the most beautiful outdoor malls in the vallley, with an excellent selection of stores including,  J.Crew, Victoria’s Secret, Anthropology (one of my favorites) Coldwater Creek, an enormous Border’s Books and many, many more great shops.  The restaurant selection is also abundant with 2 of Sam Foxs’ restaurants, The Greene House & North,  a Tommy Bahamas Restaurant,  Starbucks,  Cold Stone Creamery and a home town favorite , Zinc Bistro. The food is always delicious–must try the french fries, and a great wine selection–Zinc Bistro reminds me of being on the Titanic–it has that turn of the century feel, with very delicious and updated cuisine.

After a long day of shopping, you can visit any number of bars and restaurants, enjoy the cool air conditioning, rest your feet and spend some quality time while enjoying some good eats and drinks!

Across the street from Kierland, you will find a brand new, very fun and funky outdoor mall called the Scottsdale Quarter   http://www.scottsdalequarter.com/  I  really love this new mall because it is home to the international clothing retailer H&M, one of my favorites, and then West Elm and  William Sonoma Home–2 amazing home furnishing stores , one high end and one for the first time home buyer (West Elm is very similar to the Ikea look and feel  ) that are brought to us by the same corporation as the  Williams Sonoma stores. With plans for up to 10 chic, new restaurants.  The Oakville Grocery is already a huge hit, stay for lunch or just as easily grab a gourmet meal to go!

As your real estate professional for the Scottsdale/ Paradise Valley area…make sure you make an appointment with me, Wendy Cracchiolo, with eXp Realty, to preview some of the most beautiful homes that are flooding our market and the prices have never been so low.  Great selection and very motivated sellers!

Wendy Cracchiolo  602-672-2806     wendy.c@scottsdaleparadise.com   www.scottsdaleparadise.com       www.phoenixpowersearch.com