"With the assumption of the loan, it was a strong offer," says David Guido, senior associate in Phoenix for Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services. He tells GlobeSt.com that the buyer, Georges Ghaby, assumed a $5-million loan with seven years to go and a fixed-rate interest of 5.4%. Well Fargo Bank holds the note for Western Skies Village at 1534 E. Ray Rd.

David Goldberg of Phoenix had been looking for a buyer nearly six months when he gave the listing to Guido and his partner, associate Joseph Compagno. As the loan assumption process advanced, the capital markets and credit crunch came into play. "The assumption of the loan allowed the investor to know what he was getting into with the loan," Guido points out.

Guido says the buyer pocketed triple net leases, all with long terms. The roster includes Curves, Barros Pizza, Jan's Asian Cuisine and a dentist.

Western Skies Village was built in 1998 on a 2.94-acre tract. Guido says it's only one of two shopping centers at the intersection and it's surrounded by residential development in a city ranked as one of the fastest-growing in the Southwest. The Marcus & Millichap team of senior investment adviser Brian Smuckler and associate Jeff Seaman represented Ghaby.