| Arizona history and realty are two topics | | | | presently is zoned for 4 acre minimum lots. |
| that have long interested both Arizonans and | | | | Some of the selling points for certain |
| those from other states. Wickenburg is a | | | | parcels of lands include mountain views, |
| somewhat well-known town not far from | | | | large open spaces, large boulders and |
| Phoenix, Arizona, referred to as the Dude | | | | saguaros, natural vegetation, proximity to |
| Ranch Capital of the World. Just northeast of | | | | government land, city water and electric, |
| this town, but not nearly as well known, is a | | | | ability to have horses on property, and |
| smaller town known as Congress. Congress has | | | | minimum building size requirements for site |
| a population of around 2,000 people and is | | | | built homes. The Northwest Valley of Phoenix, |
| located near the Southern border of Yavapai | | | | Surprise and Peoria specifically, were some |
| County. The town for a brief period in the | | | | of the fastest-growing areas during the |
| late 1800's featured a booming gold mine. The | | | | housing boom. Some investors extrapolate that |
| mine has since closed and there has not been | | | | growth further Northwest into areas like |
| a large, thriving business to take its place. | | | | Wittman, Wickenburg, and Congress, although |
| The town's size is relatively large at about | | | | it could take many, many years before tract |
| 38 square miles, with a very low population | | | | homes start popping up in the area. Other |
| density. | | | | real estate buyers simply see the area as a |
| | | | lower cost alternative for ranches or second |
| For those interested in real estate in | | | | homes, in comparison to high cost Central or |
| Congress, the town feeds into the | | | | Northern Arizona markets like Prescott, |
| Phoenix-based Arizona Regional Multiple | | | | Payson, or Flagstaff. |
| Listing Service (ARMLS). A recent MLS search | | | | |
| showed approximately 60 homes available on | | | | Most realty companies that specialize in |
| the market, four pending listings and seven | | | | Congress are actually located in much larger |
| listings that had sold in the past six | | | | Wickenburg. However, any ARMLS member |
| months. The median price of the active | | | | technically can list Congress properties in |
| listings was about $235,000, however the | | | | the MLS or work with interested buyers in |
| median price of the sold listings was about | | | | Congress. Offices that have memberships in |
| $101,000 as the bottom three sold listings | | | | both the Phoenix and Prescott MLS systems may |
| were all mobile or manufactured homes. Raw | | | | have an advantage in dealing with Congress |
| land parcels were all over the map. There | | | | realty since they can list the property in |
| were approximately 63 active listings, no | | | | both systems. Nearby Yarnell properties tend |
| pending listings, and five listings that had | | | | to be listed in the Prescott system and |
| sold in the past six months. One listing sold | | | | sometimes buyers will be looking at both |
| for over $900,000. This listing was for an | | | | areas. Additionally, the Arizona Association |
| over 7 acre lot with commercial potential, | | | | of Realtors officially assigns Congress to |
| however. Some of the basic home lots listed | | | | the Prescott system, although the actual data |
| in Congress are available for as little as | | | | tends to indicate that the Phoenix MLS system |
| $40,000. There is one active listing which is | | | | (ARMLS) is the MLS of choice. This is most |
| listed at around $8 million. This includes | | | | likely because of the close ties Congress has |
| over 330 acres of residential land which | | | | to Wickenburg. |