Do you see the city of Arlington anywhere on the map? Either, do I!
Yep! That's it! If you blink while you're driving by you'll miss it!
I have lived in Arizona for over 30 years and I had never heard of Arlington until now. This is my story about John, Melanie and Arlington, AZ. I met John and Melanie at a showing of my listing on Sunaire Drive in Florence, AZ. They were newly married and had set up a wedding registry at their favorite credit union for their wedding guests and family members to deposit money in their behalf to be used towards a down payment on a home in lieu of gifts. John and Melanie had been gifted the necessary 3 1/2 percent for a down payment plus excess for closing costs, they both had stable and long term employment, good credit and with the help of one of my favorite lenders was able to meet the qualification requirements for a FHA mortgage. Although, they loved Florence they were open to suggestions about a location that would better suit John's commute into Phoenix everyday.
They were looking for an acreage property on the outskirts of the Phoenix metro area to raise their future family. I found in my MLS search a well-built HUD foreclosed home along with a fixer in Arlington, AZ that fit their criteria. I asked them if they were adventurous enough and could humor me in exploring the possibility. They were on board! We took a daytrip out to Arlington to look at homes.
Arlington, Arizona is a stone's throw east of the Palo Verde nuclear plant.
Yep! That's it! If you blink while you're driving by you'll miss it!
They fell in love with a home in Arlington that day. We made an offer on this HUD home and it was accepted!!! It was built in 2006 with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1510 square feet on an acre lot with a primeter fence, complete with a fully covered extended back patio and 2 car garage. Thanks to my favorite lender, Gary Smith of BNC National Bank, he was able to build the $1,100 repair escrow into John and Melanie's financing package as a FHA 203K. This would allow them to have the repair money set aside in an escrow account to have the repair made after closing. After a thorough home inspection, it was determined that there was a water leak that inundated the garage with water almost immediately after turning on the main water valve. They found that it was due to a broken valve on top of the hot water tank. After closing it only cost $150 to have it repaired. The remainder of the repair escrow was credited to the principle balance of their FHA mortgage loan. Awesome deal!!!
Gorgeous views of mountains from back patio! House sits on a little hill for optimal viewing in all directions. Creosote bushes to Melanie's delight!
Other than the water heater repair the home was in good condition. It was evident that the previous owners took pride in ownership. Being this was a foreclosed home it was being sold in the "As-Is" condition. HUD was agonizing slow with their answer at the beginning but in the end, John and Melanie have a beautiful home to enjoy with their family for years to come. And they lived happily ever after.
Barb Merrill Works 4 U!
