Gold Canyon Arizona Blog

Arizona Pool Pump Law-Title 44-New Jan 2012 Regulations

benjaminteam — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:04:15 +0000

If you own an Arizona home with a swimming pool you’ll want to be aware that the Arizona Legislature recently passed Title 44 that requires new energy-efficiency standards for residential pool pumps, pool pump motors and portable electric spas. This new legislation went into effect January 1, 2012.

The new Arizona law doesn’t mean you have to run out and change your in-ground pool and spa motor immediately, but it does require any newly installed pumps that are at least one horsepower or greater to meet the new standards. Dual-speed pumps will be the minimum efficiency for pool pump installations moving forward, and inefficient single-speed pumps will no longer be allowed.

By requiring the change on all pool pumps over one horsepower or greater, the new regulation is thought to be something that will ultimately help homeowner’s save money over time.

Some pool experts say that single-speed pool pumps are fine if all you want to do is circulate the water in the pool but they don’t have enough speed to run a pool cleaner, waterfall or other electrical extras that need an occasional, bigger blast of energy.

If the pump has only has one speed, it’s running full-blast even when your pool cleaner and waterfall aren’t operating—with no option to dial back to a lower level of energy when all you need is to circulate the water—which is most of the time.

That’s a huge waste of energy, and it’s costing a pool owner about 80 percent more in electric bills than the owner should be paying.

While some critics of the new regulation complain that it will require consumers to purchase pricey upgrades in what is already a tight economy—at $1200 to $1400—it is thought that pool owners should recoup the cost within three years with the amount of money saved on yearly electricity bills.

It is said by some pool company professionals that after the first three years the pool owner will save money by going with a variable-speed model. Depending on how a pool owner adjusts their seasonal timer, they can go from paying $350 to $400 a year with a single-speed pump, down to $100 per year and some as low as $55 with a newer pool pump.

A pool pump can use more electricity than any other appliance in a person’s house except their air conditioner. Pool professionals say that many pools are equipped with pumps that are too big and use way more energy than the person needs to keep the water sparkling clean. The new regulation will ultimately help homeowner’s save money over time.

Pool professionals say that the best bet is the variable-speed pump. It is said that it can cut energy use by up to 80 percent compared with single-speed pumps.

To learn more about the new Arizona pool pump law and determine how to best handle your own pool pump needs, contact your the service professional who services your pool.

To read more about Title 44 here are links -

More information about the law regulating pool pumps can be found in Title 44, Chapter 9, Article 19, Section 44-1375 of the Arizona Revised Statutes:

Also SRP has a page dedicated to pool pumps that you may find helpful.

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Cash Was King For Phoenix Arizona Area Home Sales In 2011

benjaminteam — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:03:00 +0000

Cash was king for Phoenix Arizona area home sales in 2011. While loans have record low interest rates, they are difficult for many people to obtain. In 2011, recent reports showed that in the overall Phoenix Arizona area real estate market in 2011, cash sales accounted for 47 percent of all sales. Of the remaining sales, 27 percent were financed with conventional loans, and 21 percent by FHA loans. VA loans accounted for 3 percent of total sales.

This information says both that 1) loans have been difficult for many to obtain, and also 2) that a large portion of the market is being sold to investors.

If you are thinking of buying and need a good lender who can assist you in getting Pre-Qualified for a loan, let us know, we can refer you. And if you are an investor who is planning to use cash for your purchase, we can help you also.

(Data from ARMLS – deemed to be correct, but not guaranteed.)

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Gold Canyon Real Estate Stats-December 2011-Plus Year End Report-2011

benjaminteam — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:58:36 +0000

Let’s review Year 2011 in Gold Canyon Arizona real estate and also take a close up look at what happened in December 2011.

There is a lot of press reports speculating about if the market is getting better or not — read through the facts, and you decide what you think.

Residential home sales in the Gold Canyon Arizona area for December 2011 showed a typical seasonal increase in home sales for the month, over the November 2011 sales numbers. (Every year when “seasonal visitors” and “snow birds” arrive in the area, there is an uptick in sales.)

But the average price per square foot for the homes sold in December 2011 was down from the prior month (November 2011), for both “traditional” sales, as well as “distressed homes” .

But, while the average price per square foot sales prices are showing down for December 2011, if one looks at prior year history, (December 2010), statistics and facts show that the average price per square foot stats are up in December 2011 for “traditional” sales over the past year, but only by a mere few dollars. But don’t get excited – both 2010 and 2011 facts show prices down from the average price per square foot stats for 2009.

“Distressed” sales prices show down for December 2011 over the December 2010 history, but again only by a few dollars. But looking at December 2009, the average price per square foot for “distressed” homes is showing considerably down in December 2011 over the December 2009 figures.

Statistics show that the prices for Gold Canyon homes did go down during the past year. The average price of a home sold is down from the 2010 numbers. And certainly if one goes back to the December 2009 facts, the current market is down in average price of the homes sold for that year as well, both for “traditional” sales, as well as the “distressed” sales.

People read the press and then ask us all the time – “is the market getting better?” Honestly the numbers have changed so little there is nothing to be considered a new trend. When this type of information is reported by the press, it might be true in some other localized areas, but it’s not what the statistics show here in the Gold Canyon and East Phoenix Arizona Valley area. Certain categories actually show a continuing downward trend. In general the facts show more of a “yo-yo” effect than any real trend for the better — in most tracking categories the stats show up a bit one month, down a bit another – back and forth, some months by only a mere few dollars and sometimes only pennies.

The market is being driven largely by location. A house in north Phoenix might go for the asking price, while a house farther out in Queen Creek or Buckeye might sell in a short sale for half of what the owner owed.

But something to consider — while it may appear that there has been some stabilization in 2011, it may be only a temporary bottom. Those of us in the industry are aware that banks are now letting many owners miss between 24 to 36 payments before they often times finally foreclose. The volume of homes that this is happening with is thought to be huge. These homes don’t appear on any radar screens until they actually do foreclose. These potential foreclosures may have the ability to drive down prices more in the future — only time will tell.

State-wide one (1) out of every six (6) homes in the state is standing empty. Many of these homes were built to be flipped and have never seen a human inhabitant. Some market watchers still don’t believe a real recovery has started.

Is the market getting better — you decide?

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December 2011 – and Year 2011 Review
Real Estate Stats
Gold Canyon Arizona at a glance

Information is provided by Benjamin Realty LLC, your local Gold Canyon and East Phoenix Valley Realtors.

December 2011 sales shows 42 Gold Canyon homes closed escrow during December. In November 2011 there were 28 homes closing escrow during that time period. This increase can be primarily thought to be up due to the seasonal visitors/snow-birds who come to the Gold Canyon area annually during this time frame. (Of note in December 2009 there were 52 homes sold during that time frame. So the past 2 years December’s have both seem fewer sales for the time period than in 2009.)

Average price per square foot for sold homes in December 2011 was $96.77 – down from November 2011’s sales price averages which was $103.58. (In comparison to 2010 December facts, December in 2010 showed average price per square foot was $93.22. But December 2009 showed $103.83 — more of a yoyo than any real trend.)

Average price of homes sold in Gold Canyon Arizona in December 2011 was $194.063, which was down from the November 2011 averages of $223,161. (December 2010′s average price of home sold was $227,484. and December 2009′s average price for homes sold was $216,632.)

Distressed properties – of the 42 homes sold in the Gold Canyon Arizona area in December 2011, 18 of the properties sold that were “distressed”***. (For the same December time frame, in 2010, 20 of the 36 homes sold were distressed and in December 2009, 28 of the 52 homes selling in that time frame were distressed.)

Average price per square foot for “distressed” homes sold in December 2011 was $76.67, and was down from the November 2011 average of $80.70. (For the same December time frame in 2011, the average price for “distressed” homes sold in that time period was $78.91. And in December 2009 the average price for “distressed” homes sold in that time period was $90.13. Definitely a downward trend over the the past 2 years in this category of homes.)

Number of homes on market (in MLS) in Gold Canyon Arizona during December 2011 was 323. In November 2011 there were 325 homes listed in the MLS. (Comparing December 2010 there were 372 homes for sale in that time frame and in December 2009 there were 411 homes listed in the MLS for sale then.)

Based on current the 323 homes on the MLS, at the current rate of home sales this is an 8 month inventory of homes. (But remember we are in the “season for snow-birds” and “seasonal visitors” and this number will change over the year and the seasons change.)

(** A “distressed” home means either a home is a “short-sale”or one that has foreclosed. A “traditional” sale means there is not a bank involved, such as a short-sale or foreclosure. A “traditional” sale is with human owners, not a financial institution. )

With the market showing no major upward or downward trends, and changes in the foreseeable future uncertain it seems — if you need to move, or need to buy, what are you waiting for… it may not significantly change in the near future?

If you want to search the entire inventory of homes -
and get more info about what is going on with short sales and foreclosures
in the current market, we invite you to visit this section of our website.

If you need real estate assistance,
contact Bob and Carolin Benjamin at 480-201-3001.
We help both buyers and sellers.

(This data is compiled from the Phoenix ARMLS for the time period
that is referenced. Data is deemed to be accurate, but not guaranteed.)

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Federal Housing Administration Extends Anti-Flipping Rule

benjaminteam — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:21:23 +0000

The Federal Housing Administration is extending a temporary waiver of its “anti-flipping” rule for the second year in a row. This means home buyers relying on FHA-insured financing will continue to be able to buy homes that have changed hands in the last 90 days.

The waiver is a boon for investors seeking to rehab and flip properties, because it expands the pool of eligible borrowers to include those relying on FHA-backed loans, popular with first-time home buyers and others who lack the cash to make large down payments.

If you are a buyer and need to get a loan to purchase a home, contact us and we will connect you with a lender who can help you.

Resource – to read more about this topic.

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Goin’ Postal Gold Canyon Moves To A New Location

benjaminteam — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:31:01 +0000

Goin’ Postal Gold Canyon has moved to a new location as of January 3, 2012. They moved to the office suite next to the liquor store on Kings Ranch Road, just up Kings Ranch Road from their old location. Their new address is 6499 S Kings Ranch Road, Suite #6. There is a parking lot in front.

Gold Canyon does not have an actual US Post office in the area. The nearest one is in Apache Junction. Goin’ Postal Gold Canyon is a Full Service Shipping Center that offers everything Gold Canyon residents need for shipping and handling mail services. They offer United States Postal Services, FedEx, UPS, Freight, fax Service, copy service, personal mail Boxes, eBay trading assistance, boxes, plus packing materials for sale and more.

Goin’ Postal Gold Canyon is owned by Tim and Amy Pettigrew, familiar faces in Gold Canyon. Tim is President of the Gold Canyon Business Association and both Tim and Amy are active in a number of community organizations and events. They can be reached at 480-288-8950, goldcanyon@goinpostal.com, or look for “Goin’ Postal Gold Canyon” on Facebook.

Be sure to stop by the new Goin’ Postal Gold Canyon address and welcome Tim and Amy and staff to their new location.

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Gold Canyon Arizona Real Estate Stats-November 2011

benjaminteam — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:50:57 +0000

Residential home sales in the Gold Canyon Arizona area for November 2011 were not very different from the October 2011 sales figures … very little change. Mere pennies in some cases.

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November 2011 – Real Estate Stats
Gold Canyon Arizona at a glance

Information is provided by Benjamin Realty LLC, your local Gold Canyon and East Phoenix Valley Realtors.

November 2011 sales shows only 3 more homes sold during November than in October 2011. November sales were 25 and October sales were 28. (Of note, November 2010 saw 29 homes selling during that same time period. )

Average price per square foot for sold homes in November 2011 was $103.58 – up from October 2011’s sales price averages which was $94.48.

Average price of homes sold in Gold Canyon Arizona in November 2011 was $223,161, which was up from the October 2011 averages of $197,176.

Distressed properties – of the 29 homes sold in the Gold Canyon Arizona area in November 2011, there were 11 of the properties sold that were “distressed”***.

Average price per square foot for “distressed” homes sold in November 2011 was $80.70, up a whole 2 cents from the October 2011 average of $80.72.

Number of homes on market in Gold Canyon Arizona during November 2011 – there were 325 homes on the MLS. This is more than the number showing on the MLS in October 2011, which was 298.

Based on 325 homes on the MLS, at the current rate of home sales this is an 12 month inventory of homes.

(This data is compiled from the Phoenix ARMLS for the time period
that is referenced. Data is deemed to be accurate, but not guaranteed.)

If you need real estate assistance, contact Bob and Carolin Benjamin at 480-201-3001. We help both buyers and sellers.

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Gold Canyon Arizona Real Estate Stats-October 2011

benjaminteam — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:50:11 +0000

Residential home sales in the Gold Canyon Arizona area for October 2011 were very slightly up from the September 2011 sales figures. Also the average price per sq foot of homes sold was slightly up from last month’s reports as well, for “traditional” sales. The average price per square foot for “distressed” sales was down slightly from the prior month. In general nothing much in the Gold Canyon Arizona housing market is changing.

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October 2011 – Real Estate Stats
Gold Canyon Arizona at a glance

Information is provided by Benjamin Realty LLC, your local Gold Canyon and East Phoenix Valley Realtors.

October 2011 sales shows slightly more homes sold during October than in September 2011. October sales were 25 and September sales were 23. (Of note, October 2010 saw 23 homes selling during that same time period. )

Average price per square foot for sold homes in October 2011 was $94.48 – up from September 2011’s sales price averages which was $91.40.

Average price of homes sold in Gold Canyon Arizona in October 2011 was $197,176, which was down from the September 2011 averages of $222.052.

Distressed properties – of the 25 homes sold in the Gold Canyon Arizona area in October 2011, there were 12 of the properties sold that were “distressed”***.

Average price per square foot for “distressed” homes sold in October 2011 was $80.72, down from the September 2011 average of $82.46.

Number of homes on market in Gold Canyon Arizona during October 2011 – there were 298 homes on the MLS. This is more than the number showing on the MLS in September 2011, which was 257.

Based on 298 homes on the MLS, at the current rate of home sales this is an 12 month inventory of homes.

(This data is compiled from the Phoenix ARMLS for the time period
that is referenced. Data is deemed to be accurate, but not guaranteed.)

If you need real estate assistance, contact Bob and Carolin Benjamin at 480-201-3001. We help both buyers and sellers.

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Gold Canyon Arizona Real Estate Stats-September 2011

benjaminteam — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:55:17 +0000

Residential home sales in the Gold Canyon Arizona area for September 2011 were down from the August 2011 sales figures. Also the average price per sq foot of homes sold was down from prior months reports as well, for both “traditional” sales, as well as “distressed” sales.

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September 2011 – Real Estate Stats
Gold Canyon Arizona at a glance

Information is provided by Benjamin Realty LLC, your local Gold Canyon and East Phoenix Valley Realtors.

September 2011 sales shows fewer homes sold during September than in August 2011. September sales were 23 and August sales were 28. (Of note, September 2010 saw 28 homes selling during that same time period. )

Average price per square foot for sold homes in September 2011 was $91.40 – down from August 2011’s sales price averages which was $98.39.

Average price of homes sold in Gold Canyon Arizona in September 2011 was $222,052, which was slightly down from the August 2011 averages of 223,057.

Distressed properties – of the 23 homes sold in the Gold Canyon Arizona area in September 2011, there were 12 of the properties sold that were “distressed”***.

Average price per square foot for “distressed” homes sold in September 2011 was $82.46, down from the August 2011 average of $87.16.

Number of homes on market in Gold Canyon Arizona during September 2011 – there were 257 homes on the MLS. This is more than the number showing on the MLS in August 2011, which was 230.

Based on 257 homes on the MLS, at the current rate of home sales this is an 11 month inventory of homes.

(This data is compiled from the Phoenix ARMLS for the time period
that is referenced. Data is deemed to be accurate, but not guaranteed.)

If you need real estate assistance, contact Bob and Carolin Benjamin at 480-201-3001. We help both buyers and sellers.

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Day of the Cowboy-Oct 28-30-Gold Canyon Arizona

benjaminteam — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:21:26 +0000

The 5th Annual Day of the Cowboy will be held in Gold Canyon Arizona on October 28,29,30, 2011.

Tickets for the festivities are available at 3 locations:

Gold Canyon Golf Resort
6100 S. Kings Ranch Rd.
June 480 671-5512

Canyon Rose Storage
6405 S. Kings Ranch Rd.
480 983-2171

Pinal County Sheriff
5750 S. Kings Ranch Rd.
Lt. Villar
520 866-5199
tamatha.villar@pinalcountyaz.gov

For more information about all the festivities visit the official
Gold Canyon Day of the Cowboy website for details.

There are lots of activities planned. A lot of our winter visitors will be back into the area. Everyone plan to go out and have a good time.

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Gold Canyon Arizona Real Estate Stats-August 2011

benjaminteam — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:37:26 +0000

Residential home sales in the Gold Canyon Arizona area for August 2011 were up slightly from the July 2011 sales figures. This should not be considered to be a new trend as the slight elevation is due to the homes that sold during August being somewhat larger and therefore a bit more pricey.

The average price per square foot for “distressed” homes in August 2011 was also up slightly from July 2011 figures. But again one should not read into the slightly higher number to mean the “distressed” properties have started an upward trend.

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August 2011 – Real Estate Stats
Gold Canyon Arizona at a glance

Information is provided by Benjamin Realty LLC, your local Gold Canyon and East Phoenix Valley Realtors.

August 2011 sales at a glance shows a very slight few more Gold Canyon homes sold in August 2011 than in July 2011. August 2011 sales were 28 and July 2011 sales were 22. (Of note, August 2010 saw 30 homes selling during that same time period. )

Average price per square foot for sold homes in August 2011 was $98.39 – slightly up from July 2011’s sales price averages which was $92.09.

Average price of homes sold in Gold Canyon Arizona in August 2011 was $223,057, which was up from the July 2011 averages of $180,665.

Distressed properties – of the 28 homes sold in the Gold Canyon Arizona area in August 2011, there were 15 of the properties sold that were “distressed”***.

Average price per square foot for “distressed” homes sold in August 2011 was $87.16, slightly up from the July 2011 average of $82.54.

Number of homes on market in Gold Canyon Arizona during August 2011 – there were 230 homes on the MLS.

Based on 230 homes on the MLS, at the current rate of home sales this is an 8 month inventory of homes.

(** A “distressed” home means either a home is a “short-sale”or one that has foreclosed.)

(Note there were 2 additional home sales that happened in August 2011 which we did not count in the averages for August, as to do so would have simply skewed the numbers completely put of being averages altogether. The uncounted 2 homes that we did not count in the averages were sold for well in excess of $1+++million dollars — homes that were completely one of a kind.)

(This data is compiled from the Phoenix ARMLS for the time period
that is referenced. Data is deemed to be accurate, but not guaranteed.)

If you need real estate assistance, contact Bob and Carolin Benjamin at 480-201-3001. We help both buyers and sellers.

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