1-877-MKR AND U

More on Downtown Lofts and Condos

Dave Richards — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:13:00 GMT

Condos and lofts in downtown Phoenix offer a wider selection than ever. The Stadium Lofts, the Summit at Copper Square and the "soon to be completed" 44 Monroe are but three examples of the booming loft market that maintains a steady flow of new projects breaking ground every month. For those with a tighter budget but desiring a turnkey accommodation, consider a condo...this market is fresh from an onslaught of condo conversions. This over supply means a good price for the consumer. Don't risk missing the best deal, call a professional at MKR today to get the knowledge you need to make the BEST choice in today's opportunistic market. Call MKR today at 1-800-MKRANDU to learn more and to find the loft or condo perfect for your needs.

"Bank Owned" Properties--What's the Big Deal?

Dave Richards — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 01:57:00 GMT

I've heard many buyers and agents express disappointment in the bank's unwillingness to drop significantly from their listed price point. In summary, the comments I've heard go something like this, ""They should have taken our offer...it ended up selling for less---serves them right!"

Serves "who" right? A "bank owned" property is priced and negotiated via a standard process. The fact is, the negotiations are almost predictable based on "time on market", the earnings quarter in which a potential "close of escrow" will occur and other factors specific to the organizations set process, procedures and overall goals. Taking an emotional stance with a bank is like punishing your car by not putting gas in it. Simply put...it's counterproductive.

Timing and realistic expectations are the two most important ingredients in the successful purchase of a bank-owned property. General rules to consider and abide by to avoid wasting time and causing yourself stress are:

1. Don't expect a bank to make an overly generous concession shortly after being put on the market.

2. Don't expect a bank to make any repairs

3. Don't compare a transaction with a bank to a standard "seller/owner" sale; you will be setting yourself up for disappointment.

4. Have a strong grasp on the big picture and don't get caught up in the particulars.

5. Ask questions regarding what to expect from the bank by asking the listing agent in advance.

6. Ask the listing agent for a copy of the purchase contract addendum that the bank will require to be made part of the contract. They will rarely sway from these stipulations, so why not avoid any future disappointments by reviewing this before considering an offer?

7. Ask the listing agent if there have been previous offers and if so how long did it take for the bank to respond, how much did they drop from the list price and anything else that may be important to you. Your agent should be able to assist you in identifying issues that may be unique to bank owned properties and that may affect your decision to purchase.

Like anything in life, attitude is everything. With the wrong expecations, you'll end up wasting your time and/or set yourself up for an unpleasant and stressful transaction. However, if you understand what you're dealing with and know some of the simple rules and possible procedural exceptions, you can find some very good deals. Remember....a bank will never say, "We don't have to sell."

MKR Realty has a continuous inventory of foreclosed properties. Feel free to call to inquire about our current inventory and/or new listings soon to come on the market!

Truly Distinct!!! - 2035 W. Nido Ave. in Dobson Ranch

Dave Richards — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 19:52:00 GMT

Dobson Ranch, Mesa - Announcing a price reduction on 2035 W. Nido Ave., a 2,405 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4 bdrm single story. Now MLS® #2851685 $450,000 - Everything updated!!!.

Not your typical home. This home was customized with over $100,000 of top quality material and design and style found rarely outside of the much higher custom areas. Some of the details are obvious...others are hard to pinpoint but add up to a whole different experience. You'll feel it almost immediately. The home is not like all the others in this price range. In fact, you won't find anything quite like this home...designed in the neo-classical style without being overbearing. Any pretentious feel of the home is balanced by the casual feel of the satillo flowing throughout the home. This may seem like an unlikely combination, but it actually works quite well in keeping a casual style which is what this house is alll about.

Take note of all of the details, not just the obvious differences...like the stately columns fauxed by talented hands. Enjoy the difference and know that this house is suitable for anyone's tastes. It's refreshing when expecting more of the same, but walking into something different. This is truly a "one-of-a-kind" house that you can feel proud to own and to entertain in. Professional and subtle antique faux wash in various styles add stimulation throughout every nook of the house without bein gaudy in any way whatsoever. You may take note of the crown molding throughout all the rooms of the house with flat ceilings, but you may not notice a more unusual feature of these ceilings. All of the ceilings have been "floated out", a subtle, yet distinctively clean look that really hits your subconscious after being so programmed to expect fully textured ceilings in almost any home you enter in the valley. There are some fun surprises in almost every light switch including hidden recessed lighting in the diningroom soffits that shine onto the ceililng...these, partnered with the dimmer lights shining down in each of the four art niches provide for a very special romantic or simply awe-inducing atmosphere. You'll also notice similiar hidden lights in the bathroom skylight. Take note of the custom kitchen island and striking glazed cabinetry---ahhh...something other than oak, maple or cherry! No need to fret---there is ample granite covering these spacious countertop areas and backsplash.

To be enjoyed from the entry, kitchen, diningroom and familyroom is a custom designed fireplace with a mix of two travertine colors contrasting nicely with lightly fauxed plaster columns and mantel. It's rare to find a mantel, let alone a long inviting hearth...all but extinct in contemporary gas fireplaces. Be sure to open the cabinetry and enjoy the witty custom options that---once you use---you'll wonder how you did without. The same goes for the laundry room with two built-in hampers for your coloreds and whites...and pull-outs for trash and recycling, a hang bar for clothes, built-in ironing board and space for a fridge, along with pantry space and lots of cabinets for making the best use of space. It's hard to imagine anything else you could possibly need in your laundryroom.

Think of how nice it'll be to have three spacious built-in bookshelves in this home's wide hallway to display your curios and those family and friend photos that put a simile on your face everytime you pass.

Your secondary rooms are NOT those tiny 10x10s---there is space to have a bed and to sit down in THESE rooms. Even a teenager could be satisfied in these spacious, well lit rooms. Storage aplenty in this house made for that most fastidious buyer. In addition to the built in cabinetry and pull down attic staircase in the garage, there is a long custom-built storage structure running parallel to the house on the east side--perfect for storing the jetskis, party supplies, yard tools, etc.

How many houses in a tract home development have four exterior exits other than the main entry---all leading to private and lush landscaped environments--each with its own flavor? Enjoy morning breakfast on the west patio off the kitchen surrounded by lush grass and bountiful citrus trees while greeting the friendly neighbors and enjoying a freshly picked orange or grapefruit (there are lemons too for the bold). Or...how about a barbeque off the south side of the house using the built-in grill and warmer across from the covered patio? Serve your side dishes out of the serving window to the covered wraparound bar.

From the masterbedroom, sneak out through the arcadia doors to enjoy late night dips in a truly A++ pool...take note of the tiled surface with mozaic sea animals....another atypical feature. If visiting at night, please make sure to have the fiberoptics turned on. Imagine laying in your bed with the remote and setting your choice of up to 8 colors or all 8 continually changing as they circle around the pool and work their way down the slide and waterfalls. This...added with the sounds of the waterfalls...is truly mesmorizing and will ensure pleasant dreams.

The front room pushes out from the front of the house like a peninsula, leaving the side open to the courtyard-like entry. To take advantage of this, french doors were added--not just for another opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, but also to create the perfect secluded home office with a private entrance. In winter, imagine leaving the doors wide open. An occassional glimpse of a hummingbird will keep you happy and productive as you go "humming" along with a smile on your face. It's a great entryway to relax and greet the neighbors when you've been alone in the office too long and have a craving to socialize. The 300sf room is well hidden from the rest of the house when clients visit...keeping your personal life separate from your work life. However, with architectural cutouts on the south wall and the east side left open, the floorplan remains open, airy with a wonderful spacious feel from the moment you enter. Consider using this room for a gameroom, hobby room, playroom or it's original intent---a formal livingroom. Across the hall are double glass doors leading to what was once the 4th bedroom. Although a spectacular set up for an assistant or his/her private offices, gameroom and a den, etc., the closet is still in place, as well as the door to the hallway, so transititioning this room back into a bedroom would not be a difficult task---nor would it adversely affect the feel of this fantastic home. It is currently used as the home office, while the front room is dedicated to TV entertainment.

Some of the concepts from the 70s and early 80s are really underappreciated. For instance, the master bath was remodeled but the sunken tub with the large picture window to the lighted garden atrium was left in place, while floor to wall travertine was added to enhance the luxurious touch this amenity brings to your mastersuite. Glass block and custom sized glass door finish off this bathing experience. You really need to experience this bath to fully appreciate the 70s appeal of a sunken tub...a feature sure to come back in style some day!

Although the sunken floor in the front was filled in, the old trash compactor was replaced with a new one. Whatever people say about them, I think it's the best invention since the dishwasher. It truly cuts down on your trips to the trash bin and is environmentally smart---just remember to put food items in the garbage disposal only and non-food items in the compactor. Remember...there is a built-in recycling pull-out close by as well!

Why do I know so much about this home?...because, of course, I am the owner. Although I've been gone for three years while it's been lovingly maintained by two wonderful sets of tenants, I still wish I could have brought it with me when I made my move to the downtown core. Whomever purchases this home will truly love it like everyone before. This home just "feels" good!!!

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MKR Realty,Inc. Introduces its New MKR Realty Professional Staging Services

Dave Richards — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 23:02:00 GMT

Note that this information is outdated.

MKR Realty,Inc. has officially released its Professional Staging Services to MKR clients only. This service, combined with Professional Consultation, Creative Marketing and a proven system approach for collecting accurate decision-making information, has consistently resulted in "days on market" significantly lower than average as well as significantly higher sale prices than comparable properties. Don't take our word for it.....see what our clients have to say....

Roosevelt Historic Neighborhood voted "Best of Phoenix"

Dave Richards — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 12:25:00 GMT

Note that this information is outdated.

Readers' Choice: Best Historic Neighborhood azcentral.com May. 1, 2007 12:00 AM Roosevelt Historic District Most of the residential areas from Central to 7th Avenue, Fillmore to McDowell Road. When Americans rebelled against the factory-made bric-a-brac of Victorian architecture, they opted for sturdy, hand-made-looking bungalows with a kind of Frank Lloyd Wright ranch house look, with graceful oriental aspects. Most American cities have a "bungalow belt" from this Arts and Crafts era: roughly 1910 to 1925. In Phoenix, that history is best preserved and celebrated in the Roosevelt Historic District. A diligent neighborhood association and lots of City of Phoenix assistance, have turned this once-crime-ridden downtown neighborhood into a showcase of beautiful, large homes, tony restaurants and delis, and easy access to the downtown and midtown offices. The light rail will run all along the eastern side of the neighborhood. The area is circled by elegant watering holes and eateries nearby. There are many great historic neighborhoods in Phoenix; Roosevelt is the most urban and diverse. If you have a bike, that's all you'll need. (AZ Republic, May 1, 2007)

Single Story For Sale in Silverhawke

Dave Richards — Sat, 05 May 2007 06:00:00 GMT

A Class of it's Own!

• 1,900 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4 bdrm single story "Don't Forsake Yardspace for A Single Story Flrplan" - MLS® #2758531 $339,900 - Affordable Quality

Silverhawke, Gilbert - 'In A Class of its Own'.This home shines from the street with fresh 2-tone paint & pristine landscape.Bell tower entry leads to an eye-pleasing expansive view of rich cherry wood floors flowing from the foyer into the open den,living/diningrm & into the back greatrm. A light neutral paint scheme offers a stimulating contrast. Note the custom stained cabinetry-a welcome change from the standard oaks & maples.Expansive north facing windows frame an inviting low maintenance botanical garden yard that is surprisingly shady.Brick laced patio pillars & a cobblestone sidewalk combine a rare charm to a desert setting.Bountiful Citrus trees on side yard. Brief walk to lush park.

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Single Story For Sale in Paseo Crossing Phase 1

Dave Richards — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 06:00:00 GMT

• 2,074 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4 bdrm single story - MLS® $325,000

Paseo Crossing Phase 1, Chandler

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Single Story For Sale in Grayhawk

Dave Richards — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Top Upgrades & Location at Reduced Price

• 1,329 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story "Living Area all on one level" - MLS® #2616616 $385,000 - Low Price for 2CG Model!!

Grayhawk, Scottsdale - EMBRACE THE SCOTTSDALE LIFESTYLE WITH THE LOWEST PRICED 2 CAR GARAGE UNIT AT TESORO IN GRAYHAWK! THIS UNIT INCLUDES ALL OF THE BELLS AND WHISTLES!!! MAKE THIS YOUR PRIMARY HOME, 2ND HOME OR INVESTMENT PROPERTY---IT'S A PERFECT PROPERTY FOR ALL THREE OPTIONS!!!! THIS IS A PREMIUM END UNIT FOR EXTRA PRIVACY AND PRISTINE DESERT VISTA VIEWS. EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE EXTERIOR ROCK ELEVATION, BRIGHT OPEN FLOORPLAN WITH SPLIT AND SPACIOUS BEDROOMS--EACH WITH IT'S OWN BATH. UPGRADED LIGHT FIXTURES AND CEILING FANS*GRANITE COUNTERS*STAINLESS STEEL* CUSTOM RIVERROCK TILED DECORATIVE TRAIL FROM THE MASTER BATH ENTRY INTO AND UP THE SHOWER WALL GIVES A DISTINCTIVE TOUCH OF CLASS. EXTRA AMENITY INCLUDES TWO PATIOS OFF THE MAIN LIVING AREAS, BOTH LARGE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE PATIO FURNITURE. YOU'LL WANT TO SPEND SOME TIME HERE TO FULLY APPRECIATE WHAT THIS AREA IS ALL ABOUT. THE 2 CAR GARAGE IS A PREMIUM OPTION AND RARELY AVAILABLE IN THIS COMMUNITY. THIS ONE COMES EQUIPPED WITH BUILT-IN CABINETS, A SOFTWATER SYSTEM AND AN ALARM SYSTEM. THE GRAYHAWK COMMUNITY WAS MADE WITH RESORT LIVING IN MIND, WHICH YOU'LL BE SURE TO UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU VISIT THE COMMUNITY CENTER ONLY A SHORT WALK AWAY WITH ITS LARGE HEATED POOLS, SPAS AND WATERFEATURES, A FULL SIZED FITNESS CENTER---NOT TO MENTION A GREAT PLACE TO MEET NEW FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES. ALL THIS AND VERY CLOSE TO DCRANCH MARKETPLACE &101FWY!

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1 1/2 Story For Sale in Abralee Meadow

Dave Richards — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Back on the Market--buyer didn't qualify

• 2,571 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 1 1/2 story - MLS® #2717243 $415,000 - Lots of Quality for the $

Abralee Meadow, Chandler - Enjoy the suburbs without sacrificing your identity! This home has the feel and look of a much pricier custom home. Dormers, front porch, posts and other thoughtful details convey a character so difficult to find in newer tract-built homes. This is a home you can truly feel proud to come home to!

Inside, you'll find a floorplan that is fully useable and highly practical, you'll wonder why there are so few greatroom floorplans in this square foot range. Over 2500 sq. ft. of useful space! 4 oversized bedrooms--split 2 and 2 and 3 bathrooms for guest or extended family privacy. Open from an "entertainment-sized" 400sf greatroom is a cheerful open room to function however you see fit: a formal diningroom, a office/den, a gameroom or an exercise.

Extra spacious master walk-in closet and a luxury bathroom with split his/her sinks,glass block, separate shower & garden tub. Beautifully upgraded kitchen with granite counters, undermount sink,& maple cabinets. Neutral tile and carpet. Separate exit to backyard from master bedroom. Very private lot with no homes behind and ready for your creative design.

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