New Search Features Added to Gilberthomes.com

Thanks to the technology of Google and Realbird, I've added an awesome new search feature to gilberthomes.com!  Please check it out and give feedback!  Thanks.  -Aaron


UPDATE:  Realbird didn't quite cut it, so we've added new new search features.  Please check them out and give us your feedback.

Tiny carpet patches

I'm not sure who innovated the concept of tiny patches of carpet surrounded by a sea of tile, but they sure do make my life as a realtor hard.  I can't sell a house like this!  Tile it or carpet it - I don't care, but make up your mind!

'Extreme Makeover' Home in Gilbert is Heading for Auction

I guess it's no surprise that this dream home that was gifted by "Extreme Makeover:Home Edition" ended up becoming a heavy burden on the recipients when the high property taxes, energy costs, landscaping, and other expenses started piling up.  The listing is below:

http://www.flexmls.com/link.html?reqx4ol9yyu,12,1

Get Ready for Spring Training!

March is almost here, and one of the biggest tourist draws and most exciting times for local residents is Major League Baseball's spring training, when we get teams from all over the country to share our warm weather with us.  Most popular here in the East Valley are the Chicago Cubs, who have called Mesa, AZ their spring-time home for 40 years (that's a guess -- not sure of the exact timeline).  The San Francisco Giants, who play in Scottsdale, are also very popular with East Valley residents.

Games are usually under $15 per person and the weather is amazing here in March.  Please visit the Cactus League Official Website for trip planning tools and details.  

Gilbert Historical Home Values

This chart from Zillow.com show the estimated value of an average home in Gilbert, Arizona over the last 10 years.  According to Zillow, the average Gilbert home was worth $362,900 in 2006 at the peak of the market, but dropped as low as $188,700 at the end of 2009.

The above chart, also from Zillow, shows the average price-per-square-foot in Gilbert, Arizona of homes actually sold.  Obviously, it varies by the house and the neighborhood, but in general, if you want to buy a 2,000 square foot house in Gilbert, AZ, expect to pay about $200,000 in today's market.

Shea's Spacy New Homes

Shea seems to be taking a bit of a risk with its new concept:  "Shea Spaces."  Putting a modern, urban-condo looking unit in a nice golf-course subdivision in the suburbs (Seville neighborhood of Gilbert, AZ) is certainly non-traditional.  My concern is that those modernistic designs don't seem to stand up to time.  It's always the more conservative homes that still look good years later.  On the other hand, Shea is a great builder, and I'm sure they've done their research.  Either way, I can't wait to see how they turn out.

Biking in Arizona

It was an especially warm winter day today, and my brother-in-law and I took advantage of the opportunity to get some good cardio in.  This picture was taken today just north of Mesa, Arizona on Usury Pass Road, a popular highway for cyclists.