Phoenix wheelchair accessible home with roll in shower

Remodeled Accessible Phoenix Home includes Roll In Shower

One of the most impressive features of this wheelchair accessible home located at Shea and 36th street in Phoenix is the well planned roll-in shower.   Other universal design features include a no step front door entry as well as built in ramps to the back patio and the garage.  The 17″ tile floors in the main living areas, kitchen and master bedroom make this handicap accessible home even more functional.   Hallways and door openings are at least 36 inches wide in most areas of the home.  Generous storage is right outside the master bedroom.

The bathroom also features a roll under sink and a tile counter top.  Quality tile accents can be found throughout this accessible master bathroom which includes a raised toilet.

Universal Design and Visitability Features throughout

It is evident that the remodeling activity incorporated many universal design features such as the roll in shower, grab bars, wide door frames and hallways, tile flooring, pull out shelves in the kitchen, and ramps at the front and back doors. Another favorite feature is the roll under breakfast bar that looks out onto the backyard.

The backyard cannot be overlooked which is very accessible from the back patio door with a built in ramp.   The 25′ long covered patio has a ceiling fan and a built in gas grill on the east end. Large shade trees create a relaxing backyard that also provides excellent privacy.   A separate shed or workshop stand in the corner of the yard waiting for additional storage or use as a workshop for weekend projects.

A cozy and inviting gas fireplace finishes off the family room which is located right next to the kitchen in this open floor plan accessible home.   Plantation shutters accent the front windows of the home, both in the living area as well as the  front bedrooms.

Even more pictures of this rare and special wheelchair accessible home can be found by viewing the visual tour.  Or visit my website page dedicated to accessible homes in the Phoenix valley.  For additional information, call Gordon Baker at 480-326-8571.

Short Sale Will Continue in the Phoenx Area

Short Sales continue to be a major part of the market in Phoenix

 

Short sales have become a significant part of the Real Estate transactions. 

The chart to the right shows the sales in January 2010 by city and the corresponding percent of sales by type; Bank or Lender Owned in red, Short Sales in blue, with the remainder being traditional sales. Anthem had the highest percentage of short sale transactions in January 2010 with 38%.  As you can see, every city or town in Phoenix is experiencing short sales and the underlying hardships that make these sales necessary. From Avondale to Anthem, and Gilbert to Glendale, it is a trend that will continue for all of 2010 and longer.

Short sales are defined as the market value being less than the amount owed to the bank(s).  Nationwide, 24% of all properties with a mortgage were upside down or negative equity. In Arizona, the number is estimated to be closer to 51%.  When a homeowner experiences a hardship such as relocation, job loss, divorce, separation, or health issues and must sell, but have negative equity, the choices are difficult.  The Arizona Department of Real Estate and the Arizona Association of Realtors recently released a Short Sale Seller Advisory that discusses the options available to homeowners in this situation.  A website that also have information regarding short sale can be found at Phoenix Foreclosure Options

If you know if anyone who is experiencing a hardship and needs additional information regarding short sales and the available alternative, please pass on this information or have them call me at 480-326-8571 with any questions.

The newest Gilbert, Mesa and Queen Creek Hospitals

Hospitals Keeping Up With Growing East Valley

There are many variables that affect a buyer’s decision regarding the perfect home.  Obviously, the appeal and price of the home are the  most important.  When it comes to the area around the house, what are the critical variables?  For many people, accessible and quality healthcare are a must have that cannot be compromised, especially in emergency situation .  Luckily for those searching for a home in the Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa and Queen Creek / San Tan Valley area, quality hospitals are a byproduct of the developing east valley infrastructure.   In the last 4 years, the east valley has seen four new hospitals open their doors.  Mercy Gilbert Medical Center opened in June 2006, Mesa’s Mountain Vista Medical Center opened July 2007,  Banner Gateway in Gilbert opened Sept. 2007, and Banner Ironwood in Pinal County is scheduled to open in November of 2010, even though it was finished Fall of 2009.

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Tempe Homes with Guest Quarters or In Law Suites

Guest or In Law Suite Homes in Tempe Enjoy Other Benefits

A Tempe home that provides a separate guest quarter and entrance may be the perfect solution for a family with an aging parent.  The decision to locate in Tempe benefits from the strong mass transit system that can provide a safe way to travel throughout the valley. One element of that system is the Phoenix Light Rail System.   Of the 28 stations, 8 of them are located in Tempe.  The light rail is also wheelchair friendly, and passes right in front of the Disability Empowerment Center in Phoenix.

Tempe Homes with Guest or In Law Suite

Tempe, unlike other cities further removed from employment centers provides close access to freeways and more developed transportation infrastructure so nothing is really very far away and  commuting time can be significantly reduced.

For more Tempe housing information please contact me at 480-326-8571.

Ventana Lakes offers active adult living in lake community setting

Ventana lakes waterfront homes in Sun City and Peoria offer active adult lake community propertyActive Adult Retirement Community is part of Peoria and Sun City

The Ventana Lakes Active Adult community is not the largest retirement community in the Phoenix valley, but it does have the distinction of being the only community  in the Phoenix valley that is part of two cities, Peoria and Sun City, and part of two zip codes, 85373 and 85382.  Those residents that live west of 107 Ave. are in Sun City,  85373.  The Ventana Lakes residents east of 107th Ave. are part of Peoria,  85382.  Regardless of the city or zip code, all homeowners belong to the Ventana  Lakes Property Owners Association. Ventana Lakes , situated on 480 acres, has been recognized as the “Adult Community for the Young-at-Heart”.

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Arizona MLS System Adds Accessibility Features Search

Added Search Fields Enhance Wheelchair / Handicap Accessibility Search Fields For Phoenix Homes

Just recently the ability to search for Phoenix Az homes with accessibility features  improved significantly.  Previously, the only way to search for homes with wheelchair or handicap features was through a search of the description for certain words such as “roll-in shower”, “ramps”, “wide doorways”, or  “wheelchair accessible”.  This was unreliable because you depend on the listing agent to accurately describe these features in the remarks section of the listing.  The new fields are a tremendous improvement, but  still rely on the listing agent to recognize and properly input the features. Below is a list of the new fields.

Enlarged Accessibility features

The added fields help define the various degrees of accessibility.  Accessibility is not a “yes” or” no”  question.  Some potential buyers may require a roll in shower and 32″ wide doorways while others only need  a zero grade entrty and tile or hardwood floors. The 21 fields provide a more complete picture of the features that a buyer may need or desire, and allow the seller to better exposure.

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Gilbert New Home with 2 Masters, Guest Suite or Casita

Flexible Floor Plan offers Casita, Guest Suite and 2 Master Bedrooms in Gilbert

Bach Front ViewYou can tell when the east valley real estate market is picking up.  The new home builders are coming back into the market.  I stopped into the  models of a new home builder in east Gilbert looking for multi-generational homes that offer a casita, in law suite or two master bedrooms.  I was pleasantly surprised by what I found, especially in one floor plan that is extremely versatile.  If a buyer is willing to wait, the house could be customized to include a downstairs and upstairs master and a casita / guest suite downstairs.   The casita would include a separate outside entrance where the guest suite access is from the house.

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Trilogy At Power Ranch - Gilbert Casita Homes

Award Winning Trilogy at Power Ranch in Gilbert

Trilogy at Power Ranch ClubhouseTrilogy at Power Ranch is the recipient of the Gilbert Excellence Award Neighborhood of the Year for 2009. This age restricted active adult community has an endless supply of amenities which include tennis courts, swimming pool and spa, pool tables, cyber cafe, and planned social activities to name a few.  The list would not be complete without mentioning the Trilogy Golf Club with a 18 championship  par – 71 golf course that stretches over 6,800 yards.  Trilogy at Power Ranch  has all the amenities that could keep you entertained and busy without having to leave the community.

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Gilbert - A Safe Place for Families

Gilbert Receives High Ranks As A Safe Arizona Community

Welcome to GilbertCQ Press released its annual City Crime Ranks and Gilbert ranked as Arizona’s safest city and 24th safest nationwide.  The ranking was based on data from 6 categories reported by local law enforcement agencies during 2008.

This information can be invaluable to those families that find themselves in the situation where they are caring for elder parents and raising their own children.  A recent study by Communispace reported that over 20 million Americans find themselves as part of the “Sandwich Generation“; simultaneously taking care of aging parents while raising children and/or teenagers.  This population demographic will continue to grow as people live longer and recent economic developments force couples to become multi-generational caregivers.  Multi generational or extended family housing needs will therefore also increase.

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Active Adult Community Profile - Province in Maricopa

Province active adult lake communityAward Winning Active Adult Retirement Community in Maricopa

Even from the entrance you begin to understand why Province was voted the Best Active Adult Community in 2006 by the National Association of Home Builders’ 50+ Housing Council.  It is one of the best maintained communities in Arizona and offers residents a wide range of amenities.  This guard gated active adult lake community includes 50 acres of man made lakes, 125 acres of parks and greenbelts and a clubhouse second to none with over 30,000 sq.ft.   The clubhouse and recreation center is awesome. Read on.

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