Congress Realty

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