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