Luxury House - How the other half lives!!

Occasionally, I like to look at houses that there is no way I can afford.  They are most peoples dream homes, the house when all the kids are gone and I've made my fortune house.  Well, if I continue to live in Prescott, this would be high on the list, maybe first.  It's great because it is located close to everything.  Someday I would like to own a big ranch, but if you do that you have to live so far from all the restaurants and other entertainment.  This place is 10/15 minutes from downtown Prescott.  Also, its got a infinity edge pool that over looks Prescott.  I could only imagine swimming in that at night with all the downtown lights, awesome.  I could go on and on about this estate, check it out and make your own decision.  What do you like, let me know, and if I can pre-qualify you for the house, we'll go look at it!!  If there is something else that you want to sell or buy, let me know and I can help you with that as well.  You can call or text at 928-925-6050 or email me at jpmaneely@kw.com.


Hassaympa Stunner

Investor Deal of the Week

I know it's kind of ugly, but that doesn't mean it won't rent and make you money, and you'll own a iconic piece of early Prescott Valley.  Seriously, where can you find cool architecture like that around here.  According to the owner, and I think it is accurate, that this will rent easily at $450/month.  If that's the case, it will make approx $10,800/year.  Take 25% off for maintenance, property tax, insurance, and other cost, and you'll clear $8100/year.  That over an 11% CAP rate.  A capitalization(CAP) rate is calculated by divided your income by the purchase price, in this case, $8,100/$71,500.  And that is if you pay full price.  It's been on the market over a month, and it the foreclosure world, that's old.  Here is a link for more details,

http://www.paarmls.org/prs/maildoc/5384_1323733237-Dec-12-2011-6_40_37pm.html

As always, if you have any interest in this or any other real estate, buying or selling, I would really appreciate having the opportunity to earn you business and confidence.  Call or text me at 928-925-6050, or  email at jpmaneely@kw.com.

Big Mama Headed South for the Winter

Now that the weather is getting miserably cold here in Prescott, it's time to head south.  Most of the time I go to the Black Canyon Trail, partly because it is less than an hour drive.  Occasionally I will go to South Mtn.  It has good trails with some technical terrain.  This most recent ride, I was told about the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve.  For those of you who don't know where it is, it's located to the south of Carefree Hwy, North of Deer Valley Rd and east of the I-17 freeway.  It's a small strip of small mountains near the Nortera Development.  Rick Brazil told me to try them out over the Thanksgiving weekend.  

Looking South over Deer Valley

   Since they were close to my inlaws, I thought I would give them a whirl.  I parked near 14th St and Carefree Hwy.

This was definitely the wrong place to start.  Take a look at the MAP, which I rarely do, and you can see they have a multiple places to start, which doesn't include this one.

The only reason I chose this was because, again, it was close.  Starting here forced me hop the fence and ride 4 miles through flat desert and open construction areas that had been abandoned due to the recession.  That whole time, I could see the mountains and trails, but had no good idea on how to get there.  The roads where like spaghetti on a map, they kept crisscrossing but never seemed to get me where  I wanted to be.  One minute I'd be on a  nice 2 track making good time, the next it would stop and turn into bare desert.
Finally I found the trail that I wanted to be on.

Nice and groomed, relatively gentle slope, nothing that couldn't be handle by the amateur mountain biker.  The Bobcat trail meandered up for a short while until I hit the intersection of the Western Vista Trail.  Now the picture here doesn't do it justice.  The trail went from fun and easy to straight up.  I didn't have to take the trail, it did go anywhere but to the top of a hill.  And as all men know, if there is a hill to climb, you can't let the challenge go.  Fortunately it was only a 3rd of a mile long.

Big Mama on top!!

The trail was steep enough that I had a hard time keeping my front tire on the ground. My new rear tire, the Maxxis Ardent, was great, never slipped and kept me moving forward.  This trail was the only hill that was a challenge in the area that I rode.  Everything in the Preserve was well groom and non technical.  Trails were wide enough so that passing, or in my case, being passed by the Swiss American Bike Team,  was easily done without making anybody angry or forcing them of the side.
The trails continue around small peaks, through washes, around lots of cactus, and before long, I had been riding for 2 hours.  I don't know if it was because of the Thanksgiving weekend or what, but this area had very little use being that it was surrounded by houses.  If you are in the area and have a little time to kill, this is a fun ride, I would recommend it to all levels of riders.  Downhillers are the only ones I can see not enjoying the trail I rode.  I ended up ride about 10 miles of trails inside the preserve and another 10 out side in my desert wanderings.  If you want to add more distance, try starting in the Cave Butte Recreation Area, I think that is where I will start next time.  I when I do, I'll fill you in on the continuing adventures of Big Mama.

It's time to buy!!

The National Association of Realtors lead economist Lawrence Yun has editorialized this month that rents are currently rising 3.5% yearly, potentially upwards of 5%.  With rents doubling in the next 14-20 years, I think it makes it a great time to buy.  Either to avoid paying excessive rents or investing your hard earn money.  Make your money work for you and come talk to me about buying a great investment property.  I can get you a great rental here in Prescott for 35k-40k a door, and as low as 20k/door in the Phoenix area.  Call me at 928-925-6050 or email me at jpmaneely@kw.com to see if we can find a house/investment that is right for you.

Here is a the article from Lawrence Yun:
http://realtormag.realtor.org/news-and-commentary/economy/article/2011/11/rent-s-upward-ride-could-prices-follow

Cool Indian Ruins

I've been hunting a lot lately, well, maybe I should say hiking since I have yet to see my cow elk.  Anyway, I keep finding tall peaks to climb and in the process finding these awesome ruins.  The first one is way back near Drake, the other is just off Hwy 89 near Little Hells Canyon.  There are easy to find, you just needs a high clearance vehicle to get close, otherwise you'll have an extra long hike.

Sunrise over Drake looking East

Sunrise over Drake looking South towards Woodchute Wilderness

Next 8 are Drake Indian Ruin

Built in View Holes

Next 3 are at Little Hells Canyon

Bill Williams Mtn

The only thing I found on my hunt!!

Some hunter was very disappointed to lose this, a 7x6!!

  

5 Reasons to Use a Professional Realtor

I do agree, as you think I would!! This is a great article why going about selling or buying real estate by yourself is not in your best interest. You have chosen your field and are by all accounts, are very good. I have chosen my field, which I very much enjoy, and have excelled. Don't choose an amateur do guide you through what could be very difficult waters. The average real estate practitioners don't have the everyday experience to keep you out of legal trouble. Myself, my team, and Keller Williams has placed an emphasis on our education to make us the best and most professional Realtors in the field. Take a look and hopefully you'll agree.

http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=74&SubSectionID=107&ArticleID=97210

It's Official, I'll Never Race in Africa!!

Not that I would over fly to Africa for a race, but this officially sealed the deal. I've seen lots of wild life riding around the southwest on my bike, but nothing has every charge me, well, except for some crazy dogs on the reservation near Tucson, but they didn't have antlers the size of my bike. Cool thing is, Scott Bikes stepped up and gave this kid a new bike.

As my son always says... 'ya gotta see this!!'


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2oymHHyV1M&feature=player_embedded

Good News for Stoneridge Residence

I thought it was M3 corp, now I read it's Univest? More twists and turns than Hwy 89a to Jerome. It seems that it's almost done. Univest corp out of Scottsdale is buying Stoneridge, much to my delight. Hopefully they'll start building soon and we can reduce the burden on the CFD. Not only that, I think it will breath new life into the community, especially the real estate aspect. If outside buyers don't have any negatives to hear about the community and they know their property taxes will stay the same, hopefully, just maybe, people will look more seriously at our community. If you want to read more, here is a link to the Daily Courier...



http://www.prescottaz.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1086&ArticleID=97234

Arizona Best Fest

Maybe its subliminal thinking, but I always see the title as Az beer fest! However, it looks like it could be fun, especially because of the Copper Chopper. The Best Fests are only happening in the territorial capitals of Az... Prescott, Tucson, and Phoenix.



Check it out at www.AZ100Years.org.

For all the Veterans and active military

Here is a great program I just became aware of. The Dream Makers Program is all active duty military, veterans, and members of the Department of Defense and Homeland Security. If you are a first time homebuyer and fit one of these categories, this may be for you.

http://www.pentagonfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dream_index

The rain brings out the 'horny' toads

I don't see these little guys to often, especially on my bike. I had to stop and take a pictures because my kids think horny toads are the coolest of all the lizards. My oldest went to a summer camp at the Highland Center for Natural History and they had a day to study the horned toad. He came home all painted(for camouflage) and had paper plate horns. He thought it was the greatest. By the way, if your in Prescott area, a wonderful place to go. You can hike around the Prescott National Forest or to Lynx lake, among many other things.

http://www.highlandscenter.org/

New Home Designs

I know I like this. While remodeling and selling houses, some of these ideas have always appealed to me. Even though I am not a cook, a big pantry like my old house was great. Interior fireplaces are a must. And the straight staircase, what kids doesn't like to slide down the stairs. For more on the story, check out inmannews.com at

http://www.inman.com/news/2011/07/22/10-home-design-choices-cut-costs-not-quality

Foreclosure Sales Decline Second Straight Month

Finally, a little good news about the real estate market. For the past 3 years, the market has been inundated with foreclosed house and there seemed to be no end in sight. Well maybe, for the second straight month, the foreclosure rate has dropped, loan modification rates are down, and the 60+ day delinquency rate is only up modestly. All good signs for a recovering market and helps support my opinion that we have hit the bottom of sliding home prices.

Here's the article:

http://www.dsnews.com/articles/foreclosure-sales-decline-for-second-straight-month-2011-07-11

Fantastic House in Dewey

Check out my listing in Dewey just outside the country club. It's 1900sqft with 3br/2bath and an additional 1700sqft of unfinished basement. Fully fenced 1.6 acres with 2 stables, corral, tack room, and wash station make it great for horses. Check it out at my website:

http://jasonmaneely.yourkwagent.com

Great New Ad Running in USA Today

For those of you sitting on the fence, here is a great ad that ran in USA Today on July 14th. I've told everyone who will listen that this is the best time to buy. It is possible that the prices may go down, but even if it is another couple of percent, most people will keep the equity in there purchases as long as you were able to put the normal 20-25% down. Any with the low interest rates and VA, FHA, and other loans allowing owner occupants to put down at little as 3%, there no reason for people to be renting.

Check it out:

http://www.realogy.com/documents/USATodayadFINAL07132011.pdf