Gilbert, AZ Second Safest City in the United States

It was recently announced that, once again, Gilbert has been ranked the second safest city in the United States for cities with a population that is greater than 200,000. This ranking comes from Law Street Media using 2013 FBI UCR statistics. This is a great accomplishment for which our employees and the community, as a whole, may be proud. This ranking serves to illustrate the strong partnerships we have forged with our residents and our community’s business owners.

I am often asked how we can continue to achieve accolades such as this with our comparatively low staffing levels. Equally as often, my response is good people, good partnerships, good tactics, and good training. The community we serve is generally law abiding and is made up of people who care about, and are proud of, their community, their neighbors, and their families. For our part, we work diligently to hire similarly minded people who have a desire to serve the community, and who support and abide by our mission statement and values.

Our values focus on treating people with dignity and respect while providing high quality, customer-focused service. In furtherance of this, we work with the community to address their concerns, to maintain their trust and confidence, and to prevent crime. In addition to working with community members, we have built strong partnerships with other criminal justice agencies to address cross-jurisdictional crime. We constantly review the best practices in law enforcement to identify areas where we can improve. We use data to analyze how to best deploy our limited resources that is both effective and efficient. Our tactics and training focus on de-escalation to minimize our use of force, while being aggressive in our efforts to hold people accountable for victimizing and compromising the well-being of our residents. These tactics have saved multiple lives of armed suspects who were threatening to harm themselves or other people.

Our noble profession has been under attack of late; some in politics, media, and special interest groups have accused us of losing the trust or our communities. Ironically, national public opinion polls rate trust in police officers higher than the very occupations that have made these accusations. One media outlet recently reported this in an article, but concluded that trust in law enforcement will most likely be reduced by the coverage of recent events. Law enforcement agencies, like ours, across this great country have made great strides in their communities through partnerships developed by employing community policing. A strong partnership between a law enforcement agency and the community it serves requires open lines of communication and transparency; sometimes there are dynamics in place that make this harder in some communities than in others.

There have been great advances in police tactics and strategies, such as Intelligence-led Policing, that have resulted in reductions in violent crime and overall crime rates. Unfortunately, there are also critics claiming there are too many people arrested for gun crimes and drug offenses; offenses that degrade the quality of life in many neighborhoods. Throughout the recent intense media coverage, one important factor is rarely discussed: solid partnerships and community trust are two-way streets. They must have commitments and open communication between the both police and community. Another important point not being discussed is the significant increase in firearms related deaths of law enforcement officers. I am very concerned about the seemingly encouraged acts of violence against police and that people are being emboldened to resist law enforcement. The place to resist law enforcement and authority is in the courtroom, not on the street.

There are things that we can do to maintain positive relationships and to repair the damage that is being done. We will continue to move forward with our body worn camera program. While we are still working to resolve some issues (such as slow download times), it is my desire to complete the roll-out to officers in patrol functions during calendar year 2015. The benefits of the body worn cameras far outweigh the administrative burden. I feel that it is essential that we move forward with the program to not only hold ourselves accountable for our actions and maintain transparency, but also to protect our officers and our department.

While research indicates that body worn cameras reduce complaints and use of force incidents, they are not an all-encompassing solution to maintain trust and transparency. We must be prepared to explain what is seen on the videos and officer must clearly explain and justify their actions in their departmental reports. These explanations must include officers’ perceptions and observations that resulted in their actions. We continue to use appropriate force when it is necessary to protect ourselves and other, but we must be prepared to explain our actions. We must be prepared to answer why it takes multiple officers to control suspects who are resisting arrest and the dangers posed to officers when a suspect refuses to place their hands behind their back to be handcuffed, resists arrest, or flees from law enforcement.

We must continue to train our officers to de-escalate situations by slowing things down and effectively communicating with people when we can do so without compromising the safety. Patrol tactics should include the creation of distance when approaching suspects to give ourselves options when we are dealing with potential threat situations. We must continue to cultivate a culture in our organization that stresses treating people with dignity and respect when we can, even when they are not treating us that way.

Lastly, we need to take the time to talk to people, rather than talking at them. Ask people to do things before telling them when you can. Do not be afraid to explain the why of your actions and our procedures. Always remember our oath of office and that we are here to serve our community. We are tasked with enforce the law and maintaining order in a culture and environment which resents authority. We will not make everyone happy. It is unrealistic to believe people will like us when we hold them accountable by arresting or citing them. It is also important to remember that the majority of the public we serve appreciate us for our service. They frequently commend our officers and employees for professionalism, compassion, and for going beyond the expected to give them assistance and service. Our goal is to maintain the trust, confidence, and the respect of the majority.

Best wishes to all of you for a safe and happy holiday season and in the New Year.

Chief’s Update Gilbert Poice Department Tim Dorn, Chief of Police

Thinking about buying or selling a home? Contact The Ehlen Team, Your Mesa/Gilbert Real Estate Specialists.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Your home can be featured on the radio with The Ehlen Team!

The Ehlen Team's marketing plan to sell your home is already extensive (Zillow featured listings, open houses, professional photos and more!) and now includes the opportunity to have your home featured on the radio!

We were invited to participate in Rex Parry's radio talk show's real estate segment, and Tim spent Friday morning downtown at KFNX 1100 recording a promotion for our two active listings and an upcoming listing!

Be sure to tune in to Rex Parry on Saturday, December 27th at 6:00 am to KFNX 1100! 

You can also listen anytime online after airing at www.123bz.com.

The 3% down payment mortgage makes a comeback

In an effort to open up lending to more low-income and first time home buyers, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced Monday that they will start backing mortgages with down payments of as little as 3% of the home's price.

But borrowers will still need to meet strict criteria first, the two government-backed mortgage giants said.

The new loans will only be doled out to those who buy private mortgage insurance, have a credit score of at least 620 and offer complete documentation of their income, assets and job status. And, to further mitigate risk, the agencies will require borrowers to receive home ownership counseling.

Both programs are for fixed-rate loans given to first time homebuyers and those seeking to refinance. Fannie will start backing the loans as soon as December 13, while Freddie will start offering them March 23.

The move should expand access to credit for first-time homebuyers, typically younger buyers who have not have had enough time to save a big lump sum.

Fannie and Freddie already back mortgages with as low as 5% down. And the Federal Housing Administration insures 3.5% loans.

Still, according to Mark Palim, who directs economic and strategic research at Fannie Mae, it's a welcome expansion of credit.

"It's not a radical departure from what we're doing now, but anything at the margins helps," he said.

The 3% loans from Fannie and Freddie should also offer some advantages over the 3.5% down loans offered by FHA, according to Palim.

For example, the FHA loans require borrowers to pay for private mortgage insurance premiums for the entire term of the mortgage -- typically 30 years. That means adding an extra 1.35 percentage points to monthly mortgage rates. A loan carrying a 4% rate, for example, becomes a 5.35% mortgage.

In dollars, that's about an extra $80 a month for every $100,000 borrowed or $960 a year. That adds up to nearly $30,000 over the life of the loan.

Under Fannie and Freddie's programs, borrowers are permitted to cancel their private mortgage insurance premiums once the mortgage balance drops below 80% of the home's value -- either because they've made enough payments or the home's value has risen.

If home prices increase 5% a year for three or four years, for example, these borrowers may be able to cancel their insurance and save them tens of thousands of dollars over the next 26 or 27 years.

By Les Christie   @CNNMoney December 9, 2014: 9:29 AM ET

10 Best-Kept Secrets for Buying a Home

Get the most out of your money with these handy home-buying tips. 

Buying Secret #10: Keep Your Money Where It Is 
It’s not wise to make any huge purchases or move your money around three to six months before buying a new home. You don’t want to take any big chances with your credit profile. Lenders need to see that you’re reliable and they want a complete paper trail so that they can get you the best loan possible. If you open new credit cards, amass too much debt or buy a lot of big-ticket items, you’re going to have a hard time getting a loan.

Buying Secret #9: Get Pre-Approved for Your Home Loan
 There’s a big difference between a buyer being pre-qualified and a buyer who has a pre-approved mortgage. Anybody can get pre-qualified for a loan. Getting pre-approved means a lender has looked at all of your financial information and they’ve let you know how much you can afford and how much they will lend you. Being pre-approved will save you a lot of time and energy so you are not running around looking at houses you can't afford. It also gives you the opportunity to shop around for the best deal and the best interest rates. Do your research: Learn about junk fees, processing fees or points and make sure there aren’t any hidden costs in the loan.

Buying Secret #8: Avoid a Border Dispute 
It’s absolutely essential to get a survey done on your property so you know exactly what you’re buying. Knowing precisely where your property lines are may save you from a potential dispute with your neighbors. Also, your property tax is likely based on how much property you have, so it is best to have an accurate map drawn up.

Buying Secret # 7: Don’t Try to Time the Market
 Don’t obsess with trying to time the market and figure out when is the best time to buy. Trying to anticipate the housing market is impossible. The best time to buy is when you find your perfect house and you can afford it. Real estate is cyclical, it goes up and it goes down and it goes back up again. So, if you try to wait for the perfect time, you’re probably going to miss out.

Buying Secret # 6: Bigger Isn’t Always Better 
Everyone’s drawn to the biggest, most beautiful house on the block. But bigger is usually not better when it comes to houses. There’s an old adage in real estate that says don’t buy the biggest, best house on the block. The largest house only appeals to a very small audience and you never want to limit potential buyers when you go to re-sell. Your home is only going to go up in value as much as the other houses around you. If you pay $500,000 for a home and your neighbors pay $250,000 to $300,000, your appreciation is going to be limited. Sometimes it is best to is buy the worst house on the block, because the worst house per square foot always trades for more than the biggest house.

Buying Secret #5: Avoid Sleeper Costs
 The difference between renting and home ownership is the sleeper costs. Most people just focus on their mortgage payment, but they also need to be aware of the other expenses such as property taxes, utilities and homeowner-association dues. New homeowners also need to be prepared to pay for repairs, maintenance and potential property-tax increases. Make sure you budget for sleeper costs so you’ll be covered and won’t risk losing your house.

Buying Secret #4: You’re Buying a House – Not Dating It 
Buying a house based on emotions is just going to break your heart. If you fall in love with something, you might end up making some pretty bad financial decisions. There’s a big difference between your emotions and your instincts. Going with your instincts means that you recognize that you’re getting a great house for a good value. Going with your emotions is being obsessed with the paint color or the backyard. It’s an investment, so stay calm and be wise.

Buying Secret #3: Give Your House a Physical
 Would you buy a car without checking under the hood? Of course you wouldn’t. Hire a home inspector. It’ll cost about $200 but could end up saving you thousands. A home inspector’s sole responsibility is to provide you with information so that you can make a decision as to whether or not to buy. It’s really the only way to get an unbiased third-party opinion. If the inspector does find any issues with the home, you can use it as a bargaining tool for lowering the price of the home. It’s better to spend the money up front on an inspector than to find out later you have to spend a fortune.

Buying Secret #2: The Secret Science of Bidding
 Your opening bid should be based on two things: what you can afford (because you don’t want to outbid yourself), and what you really believe the property is worth. Make your opening bid something that’s fair and reasonable and isn’t going to totally offend the seller. A lot of people think they should go lower the first time they make a bid. It all depends on what the market is doing at the time. You need to look at what other homes have gone for in that neighborhood and you want to get an average price per square foot. Sizing up a house on a price-per-square-foot basis is a great equalizer. Also, see if the neighbors have plans to put up a new addition or a basketball court or tennis court, something that might detract from the property’s value down the road.

Today, so many sellers are behind in their property taxes and if you have that valuable information it gives you a great card to negotiate a good deal. To find out, go to the county clerk’s office.

Sellers respect a bid that is an oddball number and are more likely to take it more seriously. A nice round number sounds like every other bid out there. When you get more specific the sellers will think you've given the offer careful thought.

Buying Secret #1: Stalk the Neighborhood
 Before you buy, get the lay of the land – drop by morning noon and night. Many homebuyers have become completely distraught because they thought they found the perfect home, only to find out the neighborhood wasn’t for them. Drive by the house at all hours of the day to see what’s happening in the neighborhood. Do your regular commute from the house to make sure it is something you can deal with on a daily basis. Find out how far it is to the nearest grocery store and other services. Even if you don’t have kids, research the schools because it affects the value of your home in a very big way. If you buy a house in a good school district versus bad school district even in the same town, the value can be affected as much as 20 percent.

Article by HGTV

Thinking about buying a home? Contact The Ehlen Team to help you every step of the way and learn more about our money saving offers for buyers and sellers!

Phoenix named hot housing market to watch in 2015

Metro Phoenix is one of the U.S.'s "10 hottest housing markets to watch in 2015," according to a new Realtor.com report.

The real estate website's chief economist, Jonathan Smoke, said Phoenix's potential for income growth and new-home construction landed it on the list.

"Phoenix consistently hammers home market growth through new construction. The sprawling desert city continues to see an increase in overall population and household growth. Household growth is anticipated to increase by 7 percent over the next five years," according to Smoke's report.

Smoke's comment about the Valley's new-home market will surprise some because the region's homebuilding market has yet to recover from the crash. The latest data from Phoenix-based RL Brown Reports shows homebuilding is down 15 percent from last year's slower-than-expected pace.

Smoke's list is made up of cities he expects will see the strongest housing growth, affordable prices and fast-paced sales.

Realtor.com doesn't rank its top 10 cities. The rest of the areas expected to see the most housing growth in 2015, alphabetically: Atlanta, Dallas, Des Moines, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Jose and Washington, D.C.

Know someone thinking about buying or selling a home? Contact The Ehlen Team today to learn more about our promotional offers that will save you money!

Catherine Reagor, The Republic | azcentral.com 7:35 p.m. MST December 8, 2014