Take a drive through almost any city in Arizona and you’ll see it: a once-thriving shopping mall or strip center that’s been left to decline. Parking lots full of trash, graffiti on walls, broken lights, and at night — drug deals, prostitution, or homeless encampments.
The sad truth? These commercial properties are often managed by companies hired by absentee owners who care more about collecting rent checks than protecting neighborhoods. And while they let things slide, the impact doesn’t just stay on their side of the street. It spills directly into nearby communities — even luxury neighborhoods with homes worth millions.
The Problem With Property Management Today
Property managers and corporate owners often cut corners:
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Failing to keep lots clean and safe
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Reducing or eliminating security
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Ignoring loitering and illegal activity
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Turning a blind eye to tenants who bring down the area
Look at Arizona Mills Mall as an example. Just a mile away are neighborhoods where homes go for seven figures. But who wants to pay top dollar for a house when the closest shopping center looks like a crime zone?
Why Homeowners Should Care
Your home’s value isn’t determined only by the property itself. Location and surroundings matter. When nearby commercial centers decline, so does:
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Perception of safety
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School ratings and desirability
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Buyer interest in the area
Even if you maintain your home perfectly, bad management across the street can cost you thousands of dollars in lost equity.
The Accountability Gap
The problem comes down to accountability:
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Out-of-state or corporate mall owners aren’t invested in the community.
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Property managers are paid whether they do the job well or not.
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Local government tends to drag its feet — until decline is visible and hard to reverse.
That leaves homeowners paying the price.
A New Approach: Citizen-Led Accountability
We believe it’s time for change. That’s why we’re starting a new company designed to:
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Hold property managers and owners accountable when they neglect their properties.
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Shine a light on the worst offenders, so communities know who’s responsible.
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Empower residents to protect their neighborhoods without waiting on slow-moving government agencies.
This isn’t about politics or red tape. It’s about protecting property values, safety, and quality of life for everyday people.
Take Action Now
If you live near a struggling mall or strip center, don’t stay silent. The decline of those properties directly impacts your investment.
We’re building a public-focused, citizen-led accountability movement — one that works outside of government bureaucracy but demands accountability from property owners, managers, and officials.
Together, we can clean up our neighborhoods, raise property values, and take back control of our communities.
👉 Stay tuned for our upcoming podcast episode, where we’ll break this down even further and highlight real-world examples here in Arizona.
GRANDON GROUP CAN BE REACHED AT WWW.THEGRANDONGROUP.COM
