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So, I just received an email from someone I know here on BP asking about 2 addresses and my opinion of the area. 
          
          It got me thinking, if anyone else has questions about the Phoenix area, if you're considering purchasing a property and you're not very familiar with it, you can ask me. 
          
          All you have to do is gimme the address, intersection or neighborhood. Just don't be too vague, I understand if you don't want to give me the exact address but don't ask me about Mesa or Peoria or I'll just give you a vague answer :). I'll give you a fair opinion of the neighborhood, maybe some history of the neighborhood etc... 
          
          I won't tell you if you should or shouldn't do this or that, I'll just give you my knowledge of the area and hopefully it will help you. Unless your personal friends with the person (seller, wholesaler, realtor) selling you the property, you may get fluff from them where as I won't give you fluff. 
          
          Just offering to help, I don't know if anyone knows my beloved city better than I do so use me if you need it, I won't mind.

Nick J. · Answer

Justin, central and 7th? you talking Phx? b/c central and 7th ave or St. never intersect silly goose, you knew that. I've never been there. I used to love, and I mean LOVE Jordan's Mexican food at Central and Thomas until they closed up. We still go to their 7th ave and Bethany location. That's only when I don't get to eat at a family friends we call Mexican Joe. He and his wife and mother.....................love it!!! they can cook!!!!!

Matt, show me a place in the entire USA that is safe and family friendly?

You're right, the ROI right now in Phx for buy/holds are going to be low considering the low costs of purchasing a home and rents have been getting dragged down really hard. Surprise though is a great city/suburb. Growing up, we considered it Little Sun City because of all the elder/retirees that were migrating there. Back then, it was considered 'out of city limits' and really far. Now a days, it's but a quick jump on the 101 freeway. Also, it's not considered Little Sun City anymore. Surprise was built/over built during the boom and there are some amazingly sweet deals! Just remember, ROI won't be that great on a long buy/hold for a while.

In regards to Glendale and Peoria, too spotty to say one way or the other. Glendale, you're going to find is older than Peoria in terms of the homes. The neighborhoods are what I consider lower-middle class if that makes sense. With the expansion of Peoria, Surprise and El Mirage suburbs, Glendale has fallen behind.

Peoria, if you're in the northern parts of it are just fine. Thankfully, unlike Glendale, it's not as 'landlocked' so they've been able to expand/develop neighborhoods greatly, even all the way up to Lake Pleasant area which is really cool!

My only other consideration would be to consider central Phoenix area where without becoming a racist, a majority of Hispanic/Americans reside. Central Phoenix to me isn't just about lower home values but 'better long term' decisions. In most of the central phoenix neighborhoods where its primarily Hispanic, you'll find longer term tenants who keep the house,lawn and minor repairs in better shape than most, if not all other ethnic background residents. If you want decent ROI on long term buy/holds, rent to a great Hispanic family in central Phoenix.

Hope that helps in some way.

Carla Reid · Answer

The one in Chandler is down the street from my house.  When it was first opening, and I didn't know what it was, I couldn't figure out why an ambulance was always in the parking lot.

Oh, and my favorite Mexican restaurant is The Original Garcia's on 35th Ave & McDowell. Yum!

Rich Weese · Answer

I have a question about location. Is The Heart Attack Grill the very best location to eat, enjoy the naughty nurses scenery, and maybe die of heart attack with a smile on the face? Rich

Steve Babiak · Answer

Go to the post produced by the person you wish to message with.  Click the "follow" link beneath their picture.  Follow that person and also send a colleague request.  Once the colleague request has been accepted, messaging is permitted.

Scott E. · Answer

Hi Nick..

I'd like to bounce a few ideas off of you if possible. I am new to REI and ready to buy in phx, first my primary residence then expand my portfolio w/ some rentals. You sound like just the type of guy I need to be talking to.

Is there any way that I can send you a private message? I can't figure out how.

Thanks ahead of time!

Vikram C. · Answer

It's hard to tell.  I personally feel we are pretty close to the bottom here in Phoenix but mine is a minority opinion.  The market is somewhat soft right now and people think it is a continuation of the downward trend while I think it is a seasonal thing.

Matt Eilers · Answer

Thanks V.

Was down in the area about a month ago looking around.  Coming from a ski resort town (Breckenridge, CO) with resort real estate prices, I could not believe what you could get for the price.
With the # of foreclosures, it seems like the market still has some more softening in prices to come.  Agree/disagree?

Whenever we saw a house, I would go over to the fences and hop up to see what the neighbors yard looked like.  It seemed like 1/2 of the 3-5 places I could see were either seriously neglected by the homeowner/tenant or abandoned and are soon to be coming to the market.  I kind of got the feeling that there is still a lot more inventory waiting to be brought to the market.

Will probably be coming back again to look around as with the prices, hard to pass up.

Vikram C. · Answer

What's the spiciest Mexican or New Mexican restaurant in town?  I tried a couple that were supposed to have really hot sauce and it wasn't hot enough for me.  (My brother asked them whether their hot sauce was their mild sauce!)

Matt, Nick is spot on about Glendale but the small area to the north of the 101 is better than the older areas.

Rich Weese · Answer

I was in AZ a couple weeks ago.  Returned to Heart Attack Grill. Different location and a few changes. They have an actual menu now (was just the back of a business card), nurses not as "naughtily " dressed anymore, and have shakes that are made of buttermilk. Supposedly just one small ingredient different from a pure butter shake! Still fun and worth the visit. My buddy from Vegas that was with me, immediately wanted to open a franchise in Vegas on the strip. Try it out once, but don't order the quadruple bybass burger unless you can really eat.  A fun place. Rich

p.s. They advertise a special diet program to offset all those yo-yo diets. Continually eat there and you will have no up and down, just considtent increase in your weight. When you reach 350 pounds, "your goal", ( as per pic, I was at that weight once) you may eat FREE for the rest of your life!!!!!

David Beatty · Answer

Hey Everyone,

I am somewhat new to Phoenix, but I have to say that Los Dos is great and I am addicted to their salsa, but the customer service is horrible but I keep coming back for more.

I haven't been to the Heart Attack Grill even though it is down the road from my house.

I am a newbie to real estate and the phoenix market but would love to start networking. Any suggestions from you vets out there in Phoenix?

(Dont worry I am not going to bug you to be my mentor because I took you out to lunch, lol. Just want to meet like minded people!

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