Mesa, Arizona's Real Estate Market Heats Up
by Blanche Evans
Low interest rates and rising home prices have combined to make sellers happy in Mesa, and buyers anxious to get in before prices or rates go higher, say local Realtors. "Mesa Arizona is a great place to live," says Realtor Pam Stevenson, "there are many nice neighborhoods. Mesa is an established community with many services, restaurants and recreational activities. Located 12 miles southeast of Phoenix, Mesa is the third-largest city in Arizona. With a population of 450,000 and growing, Mesa continues to attract thousands of newcomers each year. "Affordable housing is one of the attractions to Mesa," suggests Stevenson. "Most of the new home building is in North Mesa and East Mesa. Mesa's shopping, recreational, educational and cultural amenities are some of the most extensive in the Valley. Many 'snowbirds' migrate to Mesa in the winter months to enjoy the sunshine, golf courses and desert living." Say Realtors Wally and Patricia Neal, "Mesa has several communities in the Northeast that are near-new, with some still under construction, and there are significant sections of open land and citrus groves for future development. But most Mesa structures are several decades old, with a very wide variety of renovation and remodeling that has been applied. As a result, even on the same block, very similar homes can vary greatly in price." They add, "A very positive factor for Northeast Mesa is the substantial progress of the 202 Freeway, which is operational almost to Power Road and the new-home communities being built there." "The home market in Mesa is hot," says Realtor Gregg Beeson, "The resale market has increased by 19 percent in 2003 over 2002 and the median price has increased by 7 percent. Both of those numbers signify a hot market that benefits both the seller and the buyer. Looking at basic supply and demand the market is tilted slightly to the seller, but there are many great opportunities for the buyer." Beeson advises, "Buyers, the sooner you buy a home the sooner you will take advantage of the appreciation of this great market. Home prices is about many things like location, age of home, shopping, freeways, views and many other factors." | 
