“With Arms Wide Open”

Well I just heard the news today

It seems my life is going to change

I closed my eyes, begin to pray

Then tears of joy stream down my face

 With arms wide open

Under the sunlight

Welcome to this place

I'll show you everything

With arms wide open

With arms wide open

 Well I don't know if I'm ready

To be the man I have to be

I'll take a breath, I'll take her by my side

  We stand in awe, we've created life

With arms wide open

Under the sunlight

Welcome to this place

I'll show you everything

With arms wide open

Now everything has changed

I'll show you love

I'll show you everything

With arms wide open

Creed

Well the last 12 days have been some of the best days of my adult life. I have learned a new title form some of the research I did prior to Mila’s Arrival. I am considered a “Do Over Dad” That is a dad over 50 and when I first new we were going to have a baby and I was going to be 50 I was a bit scared. The last 12 days have been nothing but positive.  Mila was born at 844 pm on the 8^th of February. Those that know me know that the # 8 is my favorite number. Its king of funny that Tonya wanted to name her Sevyn, so when she was born we did not have a name for her until she was about 36 hours old. That Wednesday morning Tonya, myself and our beautiful baby all joined hands and I started to prey and when we finished I ask Tonya to name our baby and she said Mila Maria Martinez “M cubed” or “3M”. Mila weigh 6 lbs and 19 inches long. She is truly our little miracle, Mila comes from the name MILAGRO (MIRACLE in Spanish) Marie is after my mother.

Having a new born is very special, To see her siblings Brandi, Nathan & Brennan love her so much is a feeling I can not share in words. Mila niece Hayden who is 15 months older then her aunt loves her as well. Then comes the rest of the family and friends that have pored their love over all of us. We truly feel very blessed to have the love and support of so many people. I never realized how many people cared about us and the birth of our little Mila.

This week was spent not at work but visiting friends and family and enjoying our gift from god. Mila has brought so many people together in just the first 12 days of her precious life. Tonya’s Mom & Dad came down from Salt Lake to help us out and helping us out is an understatement. I think I gained weight with all the food and deserts I ate this week. Tonya spends all of her time talking to her and staring at her. I told she is not going to change, but we know that is not true so we just look at how beautiful this gift is. Tonya and I are kind of “in shock” because we cannot believe we have a little girl. 

The Phoenix Metro area has great properties for sale.  We can show you any property listed in the Arizona Regional MLS.  The Nate Martinez Team is proud to set up a private tour of home that meet your personal needs. Just call 602-942-7000 to get started

Not only do we specialize in single family homes, but we also specialize in Bank Owned Homes. We have over 200 bank owned home listed today. You can search all of Bank owned homes at https://repros.brokerbrain.net/public 

On May 19^th I will be participating in a charity golf event for Phoenix Children’s Hospital. As you already know, we are actively involved with Children’s Miracle Network and give money every time we sell a house. In the past we have been a part of other events which raised money for the hospital, such as our motorcycle run, golf tournaments, etc. 

I know its a hard time financially for a lot of us, BUT there is always a child in need, no matter what is happening in the world economy, real estate market or at the White House. Please check out this video and then decide if you can help me by donating what's in your piggy banks. The pledge forms are available on my website at www.NatesHomes.com and you can fax them or email them to us as provided on the form. Pledges need to be received by May 1^st and you can contact Sarah at my office for more details. Thank you in advance for your continued support!  Nate Martinez

http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/champions/index.html

I recently spent some time with Mike Hornacek from Professional Financial Services of Arizona and asked him what he thought about the market conditions in the Phoenix Metro area and this is what he had to say. “Current market conditions and the press are all screaming PANIC - DO NOT BUY! However, this is exactly the time to buy - why?  Because a couple of years ago, everyone was yelling BUY! BUY! BUY! But during this time, the smart money investors pulled back because the mainstream population was caught up in a whirlpool of press reports again. Too many buyers ventured out to purchase without the proper counsel of an experienced Realtor thinking that purchasing real estate was like going to Costco to get the latest yard gadget before they were all bought up.”

Mike continues, “Historically, mortgage rates have never stayed this low for so long. The market changes daily and even hourly but this has been an awesome run of cheap money despite the current oversaturated market. If you hear the news about our dollar softening, eventually so will other countries that hold our bonds as investments. The fear will spread and will result in “dump and sell” back to the US. This strains the oversupply scenario even more and could cause mortgage rates to eventually climb. So when is really the time to buy?  Answer: Right now. Interest rates are still affordable and the home choices are generous.”

Although at the beginning of the year, there was little hope for a first time buyer looking to buy anything within a 100 mile radius of Maricopa County. That has changed over the last 11 months. The market has adjusted itself in favor of great affordability as it always does in the 7-10 year cycles. Additionally, the gap between list price and final sales price is shrinking. In September, it was reported that the median list price was $265,906 and sales price was $234,900. That is only a spread of $31,000, which back in February of this year, the spread was as high as $50,000. The shrinking spread is a positive sign that consumers are regaining their confidence in the market and we may start to see improvement in the number of homes being sold. Home prices have finally reached an affordable point. For example, in Surprise, you will find single family homes listed as low as $140,000. There are amazing deals happening in the market today that were not options for buyers 24 months ago. As Mike said, the time is now to buy. If you want to talk to Mike more about loan options, please contact him at 623-643-1073 or email at michael.a.hornacek@professionalaz.com.

With the changes in the market, there have been an increasing number of REO (real estate owned or in other words, bank owned) properties coming on the market. My team and I recently opened a REO department and we are now working with banks to list and sell these homes. As mentioned earlier by Mike, smart money buys when everyone else is selling and sells when everyone else is buying. If you or someone you know is interested in learning how to make a smart investment in this market, please call myself or any member of my team. We are you real estate experts no matter what kind of market it is! Nate Martinez, RE/MAX Professionals

1. Fort Worth, Texas: $156,500, 1.7 percent
2. Kansas City, Mo.: $157,700, -0.7 percent
3. Houston: $154,900, 1.4 percent
4. Cleveland: $128,700, -7.1 percent
5. Denver: $255,200, none
6. Long Island, N.Y.: $482,300, 1.7 percent
7. Washington, D.C.: $445,300, 0.3 percent
8. Orlando, Fla.: $265,100, -2.4 percent
9. Phoenix: $264,800, -2.7 percent
10. Las Vegas: $307,900, -3.6 percent

2570 S 159^th Ave – sold in 10 days

8002 W Campbell – sold in 8 days

13304 W Market – sold in 1 day

19904 N 78^th Lane - sold 18 days

So what are we doing different? We are using the “Secret” and its working! The age old saying in Real Estate is price, condition and location, and no matter how many years of data we study, the numbers always lead us back here. The homes that meet these market conditions are the ones that sell. It’s no different today and 10 years ago, so learning where to price your home is the key to selling or not selling.

What is your opinion of the market? What are some of you experiences, good or bad? I'd love to hear from you so post your comments, questions or concerns today. Talk to you soon! Nate

All three communities I have talked about here today have several sales over $1 million. Many homes sites were built for the owners, completely custom, and my estimated values of these homes exceeds $2 million. I'd love to hear what you are experiencing and learning about the market. Please feel free to comment and post your own blog and share with me and the rest of the Valley your thoughts on the west valley luxury home market.

Nate

This community is the northwest valley’s premier location comparable to any north Scottsdale gated community. Blackstone at Vistancia will have over 500 residences

(approx. 350 luxury homes and 150 custom home sites). Along with the kid camps and pools, junior golf clinics and tennis courts, there will also be a 30,000 square foot clubhouse opening in January of 2007. Tucked between the 9^th and 10^th hole, this $35,000,000 Hacienda will have courtyards, gathering areas, 3 dining areas and a wine room, with private areas for wine tasting and parties. Also a part of the clubhouse will be a 3,000 square foot fitness center. I have shared with you before, that I personally own a lot in Blackstone, where one day, I will build my dream home. I also enjoy the privileges of a golf membership and would like to invite you for a round of golf or a tour of the community if you are interested in learning more. Please call me direct at 602-430-5226.