Living In The East Valley

LivingInTheEastValley.com

2009-04-06T13:35:00.001-07:00

We have switched our blog format to Wordpress. You can view our new blog at www.LivingInTheEastValley.com.

Mortgage Rates at 52 year low

2009-03-26T12:49:00.003-07:00

Mortgage rates have come down this year to levels not seen since 1956. This makes it a good time to refinance or to buy a home.

Read more about it at CNN/Money.com - Home Mortgage Rates at 52 Year Low

Free Pass to Phoenix Museums and Zoo

2009-03-23T16:55:00.003-07:00

A new program begins on April 1 at the Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe libraries. Patrons will be able to check out a free Culture Pass at the circulation desk. The patron will then be given a voucher good for admission for up to four people which will be good for seven days for the museum of their choice. At the end of seven days, the voucher will expire and another patron can check out that pass. There are a limited number of passes available at each library.

The museums that are participating are: Arizona Museum for Youth, Arizona Museum of Natural History, Arizona Science Center, Bead Museum, Cave Creek Museum, Children's Museum of Phoenix, Desert Botanical Garden (starting June 1), Heard Museum, Mesa Contemporary Arts, Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Zoo, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and Taliesin West.

More Information regarding The Culture Pass

Fix a Leak Week

2009-03-17T16:59:00.002-07:00

Did you know that this is Fix a Leak Week? The EPA launched its program with a demonstration in Phoenix. They set up two demonstration toilets, 2 facuets, and a shower head in a Phoenix residents driveway to demonstrate how much water can be wasted from leaks.

Fix a Leak Week in Phoenix

The EPA's Watersense site has lots of information on how to save water including information to consider if you are purchasing new toilets, faucets, or showerheads.

Real Estate Market Statistics - February 2009

2009-03-06T15:30:00.000-07:00

Some good news! Months of inventory of homes (includes single family homes, town homes, and condos) in the Greater Phoenix area has dropped from 17.3 in February 2008 to 9.6 in February 2009. Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, and Queen Creek all had significant decreases from the year before. Tempe has about the same number of months of inventory as last February. Scottsdale did have an increase in the months of inventory. When a real estate market has an average of about six months of inventory it is considered to be "normal".

Months of Inventory: 2009, 2008
ARMLS: 9.6, 17.3
Chandler: 11.0, 14.6
Gilbert: 8.4, 13.3
Mesa: 9.4, 13.9
Phoenix: 8.0, 21.7
Queen Creek: 5.8, 14.5
Scottsdale: 21.6, 19.0
Tempe: 14.0, 14.0

This data is supplied by the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service. ARMLS, West USA, and Pat & Amy Monahan do not guarantee the accuracy of the data.

When Will The Real Estate Market Hit Bottom?

2009-03-04T17:46:00.003-07:00

Here's a take from Andrew Waite of Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine - he sees an increase in title insurance policies ordered this year as a sign that the market is scrapping along the bottom. Read more - Great News More Market Bottom Evidence

We think the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit will bring more buyers back into the market. We probably won't start seeing the affects of that until April and later months sales are posted. Buyers are just now hearing about the tax credit and will need time to find a house and purchase it.

Chandler Police Open House and Car Show

2009-03-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

Come on out and see the 2009 Police Department Open House and Car Show. It's Saturday, March 7th from 10 am til 2 pm. at the main station downtown.

Not only will you see some awesome cars, but there's a SWAT team Display, VIN etching, a Bike Rodeo and K-9 demos.

Win a $500 Gift Card and I'll add $50 to it.

2009-02-27T14:46:00.000-07:00

We all have pools here in the valley and we spend boat loads of money maintaining them. Enter to win $500 at Shasta pools.

And I'll add 10% or $50 to the gift card. To win, just enter the Shasta Pools contest and leave a comment below with the date you entered. If Shasta Picks your name as the winner and you've entered here, I'll add $50.

The Cactus League

2009-02-26T14:31:00.000-07:00

Baseball spring training has started a week early. You can see your favorite major leaguers from now until the end of March.

The best deals are down in Tucson where you can catch the Arizona Diamondbacks for as little as $5. The most expensive seat is $16. Or you can see the Colorado Rockies for between $4 and $17. The lower prices are lawn seating, so no chairs included. But, you might just get a home run ball.

The rest of the teams will range from $6 up to $80 per seat. The average price looks to be in the $23 range. I'm not sure why Cactus league baseball is more expensive than the regular season, but it is.

Want to know more? Go to the website of Major League Baseball and either click on today's schedule or on your favorite team. And have a hot dog and beverage for me.

Schedule for the next three days

Today's scores

Your Favorite Team

Robert Body's East Valley

2009-02-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

Tempe Town Lake at Sunset

(click photo to enlarge)

I wish I could take photos like this. Robert Body is a local photographer that has taken some beautiful photos of the East Valley. He has been gracious to allow us to showcase some of his photos. I could probably do one a day for the next 5 years and not showcase all his work. So, here's my plan.

Every other week on Wednesday we will have "Robert Body's East Valley". Starting today. You can click on the labels to see all his work or you can visit his website to see his Arizona photos and photos from all over America. Enjoy them online or you can even purchase pictures from him to give as gifts or to hang on your own walls.

RobertBody.com

Create Your Own Cookbook

2009-02-25T08:01:00.001-07:00

Do you have a folder of some type filled with assorted pages of recipes you have been given by friends or cut from magazines and newspapers? Would you like to have one cookbook with all of your favorite recipes? This is not a sales pitch; however, I have discovered that Better Homes and Gardens sells a personal cookbook that they call a Taste Book. You can select the book design, select from the many recipes already available, or add your own. Then you can have the book printed and sent to you for yourself or a gift. I haven't tried this yet - but it seems like it could be a good gift idea or way to organize recipes.

First Time Buyer Tax Credit for 2009

2009-02-23T14:27:00.002-07:00

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed by the President on February 17, 2009. It contains a first time home buyer tax credit that is somewhat different from last year. Here is some basic information about the credit.

What is a tax credit?
A tax credit differs from a tax deduction in that the amount of the credit is deducted from the amount of tax you owe. A deduction reduces that amount of income which is subject to tax. In the case of this first time home buyer tax credit, if the amount of the credit is greater than the amount you owe, then you will be sent a refund check for the remaining amount of the credit.

Who is a first time home buyer?
Someone who has not owned a principle residence, a home they have lived in, for at least three years previous to the purchase of a home this year.

What type of home can I buy?
Single family homes, town homes, and condominiums all qualify.

What is the amount of the credit?
The credit amount is 10% of the cost of the home up to a maximum of $8000. Income limits do apply. The credit phases out for individuals with an adjusted gross income over $75,000 or a couple with an adjusted gross income over $150,000.

When do I have to purchase to get the credit?
You must purchase a home between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.

Does the credit have to be paid back?
This credit does not have to be paid back for people who purchase between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009 unless the home is sold within three years and then the entire credit us due upon the sale of the property.

People who purchased a home between April 9, 2008 and December 31, 2008 will have to pay back their credit over a 15 year period. If they sell the home within 15 years, then the remaining balance of the credit will be due upon the sale of the property. (Rules for last year’s credit were different and the maximum amount was $7500.)

When do I get the money?
This is a tax credit. You will not get the money when you buy the house. Instead the credit will be applied to the taxes you owe for 2009. This will occur when you file your 2009 taxes in 2010.

Consult an Accountant
Tax laws are complicated and each year there are new changes; therefore, we always recommend that you consult your accountant or the IRS regarding any tax questions that you might have including whether or not you qualify for this tax credit.

Source: National Association of REALTORS®.

Does Your Dog Need a License?

2009-02-23T13:41:00.004-07:00

If you live in Maricopa County and your dog is at least three months old, it needs a license and it must be vaccinated against rabies. If you fail to license your dog, you can be fined and charged with a misdemeanor. When purchasing a license for your dog you must present a certificate of rabies vaccination. It costs less to license a dog which has been spayed or neutered.

Altered Dog (Spayed/Neutered) = $16.00 (Note - "altered" is the county's term not mine)
Unaltered Dog = $40.00
Senior Citizen Household (Altered Dog/limited two dogs) = $6

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control offers programs with low cost for vaccinations and to assist with the care of your dog. For more information: http://www.pets.maricopa.gov/.

To apply online for a dog license - Maricopa Dog Licensing

Certified Negotiation Expert

2009-02-20T17:05:00.003-07:00

It's a funny story. REALTORs need to get 24 hours of continuing education every two years. I need some hours before May. I saw this class that would get me over the minimum and it was near my home. I signed up, expecting nothing more than getting my hours and maybe learning one or two useful things.

George Will said, "The future has a way of arriving unannounced."

I walked into Tom Hayman's class on becoming a better negotiator. By taking this two day course I can become a 'Certified Negotiation Expert' and I can only say 'Wow!'

I've come away with over a dozen ways to help my clients make more money when they sell their homes, save more money when the buy a home and make the whole process less dramatic for buyers, sellers and REALTORs too.

As I go through my notes and all the additional charts and graphs I have been given I will blog about it and let you know how our real estate operation will change.

This new knowledge, on top of my existing knowledge of negotiating will benefit my clients immensely.

Credit Card Bills - Need Help?

2009-02-19T08:34:00.001-07:00

The major credit card companies have gotten together to provide help to people having trouble paying their credit card bills. VISA, MasterCard and Discover are all participating. They have launced a new site - HelpWithMyCredit.org and a toll-free number - 866-941-1030.

They recommend that you first talk with a representative of your credit card company to see if you can negotiate lower fees or modify your payment plan. They can also refer you to a consumer credit counseling service.

Arizona Republic article - Credit-card Companies Offer Help

Just Published

2009-02-18T13:44:00.002-07:00

I just published an article at ezarticles.com.

Foreclosure Real Estate Purchase Contract - What to Expect

Can You Buy Happiness?

2009-02-17T16:43:00.005-07:00

I just read about some research that has been recently done regarding happiness and purchases. The assumption going in was that experiences would generate more happiness than material purchases. However, it seems this is not always the case. A positive experience such as an enjoyable vacation, concert, or day at the amusement park seems to generate more happiness than a material purchase such as a sofa. However, experiences don't always turn out to be positive. Negative purchases of experience or material goods seem to be about equal.

This seems like it could be a pretty complex issue. For example, if you buy materials for a hobby, are you buying an experience or material goods. What about if you buy a painting? And one person's dream vacation might someone else's nightmare.

We want to know what you think - take the poll on the right side of the screen, leave a comment, or do both.

For more information from Discovery @ Olin, Washington University Business School - Happiness for Sale: Do Experiential or Material Purchases Lead to Greater Happiness?

Arizona Cornhole

2009-02-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

February in Arizona is a great time to get outside and play. These guys are taking a lunch break and getting in a game of Cornhole.

The object is to get the beanbag in the hole or at least on the table.

You know you need to change the air filter when?

2009-02-15T14:18:00.001-07:00

Or it could be titled, "What you might see when you are looking at homes for sale." Yeah, that's dust or dirt on the ceiling fan and the ceiling.

When to change your air filter or clean it.

Tempe Town Lake

2009-02-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Is the drought over? The reservoirs are at capacity and we are starting to release the extra water. This is Tempe Town Lake with it's rubber dam lowered allowing water to escape down the usually dry salt river.

News, is that the Salt River will be wet north and south of the lake and that McKellips Road will be closed until spring. It runs along the river bottom for about 500 yards.

If you want to see more pictures of life in Arizona, visit my daily photo blog.

Arizona Daily Blogs

2009-02-13T14:08:00.003-07:00

Want to see a daily photo for your favorite Arizona town? These bloggers post one photo each day about their town or Arizona. On the fifteenth of every month they collaborate and do a common theme.

Phoenix Daily Photo

Chandler Daily Photo

Flagstaff Daily Photo

Prescott Daily Photo

Scottsdale Daily Photo

Tempe Daily Photo

Scottsdale Daily Photo

Chandler Daily Photo

Four Peaks and Snow

2009-02-12T14:06:00.003-07:00

The winter months in this part of Arizona will give you sunny days in the 60's. With chilly mornings and the occasional freeze warning. This is a view of downtown Phoenix from Tempe Town Lake.

But, as you look northeast, you might just catch a glimpse of the 'other Arizona', one that is 5000 feet in elevation and covered in snow. This is Four Peaks, the closest mountain range to the Phoenix metro area that gets any significant amount of snow.

The Bisbee Cave House

2009-02-11T23:20:00.000-07:00

Are you looking to live in a cave, Batman? Here's a solution down in Bisbee and it's for sale.

The Bisbee Cave House $1,950,000

What Would You Take to Antiques Road Show?

2009-02-09T16:46:00.003-07:00

This is the item that I have always thought about taking to Antiques Roadshow. It belonged to Pat's grandmother and originally had electric candlesticks and the glass fruit in the boat also lit up. I've always been curious about it. I'll have to admit that it is not really my style however, I enjoy things with a family history. So, we'll continue to hold on to it and maybe someday our grandchildren will be curious about it too.

Antiques Roadshow Coming to Phoenix

January Market Statistics

2009-02-09T15:46:00.002-07:00

First the good news - total active listings, properties for sale, in ARMLS are lower than they have been in 20 months and the number of sold properties was 65% higher in January of 2009 than in January last year.

Total January ARMLS inventory represents about 11.5 months of inventory. When a real estate market has an average of about six months of inventory it is considered to be "normal". Listed below is the months of inventory by city. You can see that there is a fairly wide variation by city. The same can be true of neighborhoods within cities.

Months of Inventory
Chandler - 11.3
Gilbert - 9.5
Mesa - 11.8
Phoenix - 9.7
Queen Creek - 7.1
Scottsdale - 23.4
Tempe - 16.7

December Market Statistics

November Market Statistics

This data is supplied by the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service. ARMLS, West USA, and Pat & Amy Monahan do not guarantee the accuracy of the data.

Antiques Roadshow is Coming to Phoenix

2009-02-09T08:44:00.002-07:00

Have you always wanted to bring something from your home to Antiques Roadshow to be evaluated? Now is your chance. The show will be in Phoenix on August 1. You will need a ticket. The tickets are free but there are a limited number available. You need to apply for tickets. The Antiques Roadshow website says that applicants will be accepted at random to be given tickets.

Goodreads

2009-02-06T09:19:00.001-07:00

Do you like to read? Whether you read a lot or just a little, I have a website for you. It's called Goodreads. A place you can search for the perfect book. But, also, a place to keep track of those you've read, rate them and write a review. There's so many good things in Goodreads, you're better off visiting the website and seeing for yourself.

Below is a book I read late last year. I was able to copy and paste this from Goodreads right to this blog.

Bowerman and the Men of Oregon: The Story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike's Co-founder by Kenny Moore

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Running, history and a biography. What more could I want.

View all my reviews.

Joe's Farm Grill

2009-02-05T16:55:00.000-07:00

Looking for a unique dining experience, visit Joe's Farm Grill at Agritopia. It's on Ray Road, just east of the 202.
Joe's is in Agritopia, a subdivision with it's own farm. I can't explain it better than the website, so go check it out. It might be a perfect place for you to call home. Or it might be a great place to have lunch. Joe's offers burgers, chicken, pizza and ice cream in a picnic like setting.

The food is served fast, but the line is usually long. If you've been to the other Joe's - Joe's Real BBQ, than you know why the wait is worth it.

And this Joe's has BBQ too!

Huge Used Book Sale

2009-02-02T08:56:00.002-07:00

The 53rd Annual VNSA Used Book Sale is scheduled for February 14 and 15. This is one of the largest used book sales in the country. It is held at the Arizona State Fairground Exhibit Building located at 1826 W McDowell Rd in Phoenix. They accept donations of books prior to the sale.

For more information about the sale or for information regarding book donation - vnsabooksale.org.

VNSA = Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association

Home Tour in Historic Phoenix Neighborhood

2009-02-01T08:51:00.002-07:00

The annual Willow Historic District home tour is scheduled for February 8 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. You can purchase tickets in advance or on the day of the event. This neighborhood tour features homes dating from the 1920's to the 1940'2 and includes examples of Tudor, Spanish, and Bungalow style homes.

For More Information - WillowHistoricDistrict.com

D'Arcy Ranch, Cottonwood, SunRise

2009-01-30T17:46:00.004-07:00

Just north of the Chandler Fashion Center are three neighborhoods built in the 1990's. All three are within walking distance to the mall, employment and all kinds of restaurants.

The houses are stucco one and two story homes. From 1300 square feet up to 4000. There might be one or two near 5000. Average size yards, most lots are from 5000 square feet up to 13,000.

To the north of these communties are three large office buildings. Some could walk to work or to Firehouse Subs, The Spicy Pickle and a japanese restaurant.

To the south is the fashion center and P.F. Chang's, Olive Garden and other chain restaurants. Or you can take in a movie at Harkin's Theatre.

These communities are serviced by Kyrene del Sureno, the local elementary school that's right next to Harter Park with it's ball field, sand volleyball, basketball and playground.

How Does the East Valley Stand Up?

2009-01-29T14:26:00.003-07:00

Those of us who live here know that the East Valley cities are a great place to live. Some other people agree with us. Click on a city name to get more information about the city and ranking information.

CNN/Money Rankings of Best Places to Live in 2008:

Gilbert, AZ - 28
Chandler, AZ - 30
Scottsdale, AZ - 47

Sustainability Rankings 2008:

Mesa, AZ - 50

Best Sports Cities Ranking - Sporting News 2008:

Phoenix/Tempe - 6

Features Buyers Want

2009-01-28T17:30:00.001-07:00

Here are the five kitchen and bath features buyers want the most:
36% want a separate shower enclosure in the master bath
31% want an eat-in kitchen
24% want high-end appliances
23% want granite counter tops
21% want a kitchen island

Source February 2009 issue of REALTOR® Magazine - Source: NAR 2007 Profile of Buyers' Home Feature Preferences

Impove Your Odds of Getting Your Home Sold

2009-01-27T08:18:00.003-07:00

When you are selling your home what it looks like on the inside matters. Buyers will look at photos of the inside of your home on the Internet and will decide based upon these photos whether or not they want to see your home. Don't think that if the inside of your home is a mess that you can still get buyers by not having interior photos of your home posted on the MLS. Many buyers browse only those homes that have multiple photos.

Once you get them interested enough to come view your home, it is important that the home look clean and clutter free when they arrive to view it. Potential buyers should be able to picture themselves living in your home. This means that you need to pack up or give away items that are cluttering up your home. To get an idea of what this means, look at a few model homes in new built subdivisions and see how they are decorated. Look in some home decorating magazines and count how many personal items are displayed. Limit yourself to a similar number. Homes with clean and spacious (uncluttered) interiors tend to sell faster.

For more information - Realty Times article - Clutter Free Helps Sell Homes

Insulate for Savings

2009-01-26T11:38:00.004-07:00

According to SimplyInsulate.org 60%of homes in the United States are under insulated. Their website contains information on determining the correct amount of insulation for your home, how to calculate potential energy savings, how to install insulation yourself, and how to hire a contractor.

Click here to learn about financial incentives available for installing insulation in Arizona.

Before you buy a newly built home

2009-01-22T16:17:00.005-07:00

Before you buy a newly built home, check on the financial health of the builder. You want to make sure they will be able to complete the community in a timely manner. This applies whether you purchase directly from the builder or from a current owner of a property in that community. If the builder is having financial difficulties it is likely that the HOA for that community is as well. How do you check? Click on the link to the AZ Department of Real Estate listing below. There is also a current article from the AZ Republic with a listing for Chandler. You may still decide to buy in one of these communities but you should make sure you have done your homework before you do.

Also, for those of you that don't live in this area, please realize that most of the Phoenix area cities are very large and with the expection of outlying areas new build communities represent a very small portion of the cities housing. The Phoenix area is a great place to live with lots of great communities.

Unfinished Subdivisions Create Problems - AZ Republic

AZDRE List of Home Builders in Financial Trouble

Sky Harbor - America's Healthiest Airport

2009-01-21T08:02:00.005-07:00

Health Magazine's December 2008 issue had an article about America's Healthiest Airports. They ranked Phoenix Sky Harbor as number one. The judges felt that there are a lot of healthy eating options available and the very clean bathrooms got high marks. Did you know that there are two parks for exercising pets within the airport?

Read the article to find out more - America's Healthiest Airports

By the way, there are a lot of comments following the article. Not everyone agrees with rating Sky Harbor number one.

Scuba Dive in Chandler

2009-01-20T15:21:00.001-07:00

Well, not really. But, you can meet up with scuba enthusiasts at the Chandler N Depth Scuba January Meetup on the 21st (6 pm) at
Chuy's Mesquite Broiler
4623 E Elliot Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85044
(480) 496-0775

Is the Sun Peaking Out Behind the Clouds?

2009-01-20T13:34:00.003-07:00

Kenneth Harney wrote an article for Realty Times about the possible changes that could come about in the real estate market depending upon what actions the new administration and Congress take in the near future. He indicates that if foreclosures are greatly reduced then the real estate market is likely to start returning to normal. The article is pretty interesting and you can read it by clicking on the link below.

Real Estate Outlook: Change Anticipated

By the way - those of you who are looking for the market bottom should know that we are starting to see multiple offers on some well priced properties. We called for a client to get information regarding a short sale property and learned that they already had 10 offers. Remember, we will only when the market bottom is until we have passed it.

Standin' On The Corner

2009-01-19T08:40:00.002-07:00

Are you an Eagles fan or maybe you just like the song "Take It Easy". Well, if that is the case, you can go to Winslow, Arizona and visit the Standin' On The Corner In Winslow Arizona Park. There is a statue of a young man holding a guitar and a mural of a girl driving by in a truck. There is no cost to visit the small park.

For more information: standinonthecorner.com or winslowarizona.org.

Chandler Residents?

2009-01-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

I'm looking for the resident that has lived in Chandler the longest. With no gaps, except for military service and/or college. So, if you've lived in Chandler for over 30 years, let me know.

If you know someone that might qualify, let me know.

What Kind of Deals Are Out There?

2009-01-15T08:11:00.004-07:00

It seems like people are always asking us to tell them what good deals are out there in the housing market. So, since October, we have been posting a "Deal of the Week" property on our websites. These are properties which are not our listings and are not short sales. They may be bank owned properties that were foreclosed upon or owned by an individual. We look for properties that we think represent a lower price than similar properties in the same area. Others must agree with us because many of these properties have sold or are under contract. When that happens, we removed the property from the website.

Please realize that a property is only a good deal if it meets your needs. That should be your first consideration. Secondly, we look for properties that represent a good value. We do not guarantee that they are the best value available. There are lots of properties out there and we only pick one new condo/townhome or single family home each week.

So if you don't see something that sparks your interest, send us an email telling us what you are looking for and we'll do a search for you, or use the search buttons in the upper right of this blog to do your own search. (Email us at Pat@RealtySecrets.net)

See what you think of this week's deals:

Townhome - 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage in Tempe for $164,900

Single Family Home - 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage in Tempe for $184,900

Sunday is going to be HUGE

2009-01-14T14:59:00.003-07:00

Looking for some fun this weekend? I suggest you head out to the Rock N Roll Marathon on Sunday morning. Watch 35,000 runners run from downtown Phoenix to ASU in Tempe. There's live bands about every mile on both the full marathon (26.2 miles) and the half marathon (13.1 miles). I'm doing the half this year, so look for bib #32622. Then, head on over to Glendale to either buy tickets to the game or just enjoy the atmosphere at all the bars and restaurants right outside the dome.

It's the Cardinals and Eagles fighting to be a Super Bowl team. This is a first for the Cardinals and for Arizona. Go Cardinals.

Then after the game, head back over to Tempe Town Lake to see Smashmouth. If you have a race bib, it's free. I can just see smashmouth fans begging for the race bibs at the finish line.

December 08 Real Estate Statistics

2009-01-13T07:49:00.000-07:00

Above are graphs of local real estate statistics for the Phoenix area. Some of the East Valley cities seem to be doing better than the greater market area. Both Chandler and Gilbert saw significant reductions in the number of listings available for sale. Chandler went from 2714 in December of 07 to 2140 in December of 08. Gilbert went from 2712 in December of 2007 to 2260 in December of 08. Queen Creek has gone from about 16 months of inventory in January of 2008 to approximately 6 months of inventory in December of 2008. This was partially due to the large number of homes sold in Queen Creek in December 2008 - 346 versus 159 sold in the 12/07.

This data is supplied by the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service. ARMLS, West USA, and Pat & Amy Monahan do not guarantee the accuracy of the data.

Baseball Exhibit at Mesa Historical Museum

2009-01-12T14:30:00.005-07:00

Do you love spring training baseball games? The Mesa Historical Museum has a new exhibit which commemorates 100 years of professional baseball in Arizona - Play Ball: The Cactus League Experience. The exhibit will include interactive children's games and never-before-seen memorabilia. Their website - playballexperience.com - includes a history of the Cactus League. It even allows you to share your favorite Arizona spring training memory.

The Mesa Historical Museum is located at 2345 N Horne St. Call 480-835-7358 for more information.

Got Citrus?

2009-01-07T11:48:00.004-07:00

It seems that 2008 was a good year for lemons. I can hear many of you making up jokes already. We had a bumper crop on our dwarf lemon tree. We will of course be making lemonade and perhaps lemon pie.

If you are one of the many Valley home owners with too much citrus, please consider donating it to St Mary's Food Bank Alliance. For a $10 per tree donation, volunteer gleaners will pick your citrus for donation.

For more information or to schedule a citrus pick-up call 623-344-2158.

A New Year - A Fresh Start

2009-01-03T07:56:00.000-07:00

The Federal Housing Administration has a new website page full of information that will help you get your financial house in order. The page is titled My Money, My Home, My Future. This is for anyone wanted to review their finances and finacial plans not just home owners.

FHA - My Money, My Home, My Future

Changes to Investor Loan Rules for Purchase of Condos

2008-12-31T08:42:00.001-07:00

Realty Times has an article which explains the Fannie Mae changes to rules for loans to investors purchasing a condo. Fannie Mae tries to control the percentage of units within condominium communities that are not owner occupied by restricting loans if the percentage of investor owned properties is too high.

If you are considering purchasing an investment property, you should begin by talking with a lender. Downpayment requirements and other criteria are different than criteria for homes that will be occupied by the owner. Also, let the lender know if you are planning on purchasing a condo as an investment property. The lender should be able to explain to you any special rules for condo loans.

Realty Times Article - Investor Report: Investor Policy Changed

Recycling Your Christmas Tree

2008-12-30T13:45:00.001-07:00

About.com has a great article with information on how you can recycle your Christmas tree. It provides information by city within the Phoenix metro area. Many cities will collect the trees and chop them up to use as mulch.

About.com - Christmas Tree Disposal in Phoenix

Metro Max Card - Discounts

2008-12-23T10:21:00.002-07:00

If you will be traveling, shopping, dining, or visiting entertainment venues along the light rail path, you may want to print out a free Metro Max Card. It offers discounts at many locations along the route. You don't have to take the light rail to get the discounts.

To print your card and obtain a listing of offered discounts - Metro Max Card

Remember the grand opening of the light rail in Dec. 27 and you can ride free through Dec. 31. Click here for Metro Light-rail Grand Opening Information.

Fun Free Holiday Tags, Small Boxes, and more

2008-12-18T08:51:00.001-07:00

We just learned about thetoymaker.com and thought we would share the information with you. You can print free Christmas tags and small gift boxes and many items for other holidays. There are also coloring pages and paper toys that can be printed. Everything looks nice and fairly easy to do.

A Special Greeting Card

2008-12-17T15:50:00.001-07:00

Did you know that you can request a special greeting card be sent from the President under certain circumstances. You can request one for: the birth of a child, someone celebrating their 80th or older birthday, a couple who was just married, or a couple celebrating their 50th or greater wedding anniversary. Recipients must be U.S. citizens. It might be fun to surprise someone with one of these.

For more information: White House Greetings

Help for Homeowners with a Federal Tax Lien

2008-12-17T15:42:00.004-07:00

There was an article in Wednesday's AZ Republic about steps the IRS is taking to help homeowners who are attempting to refinance or obtain a loan modification but have a federal tax lien on their home. If this applies to you, you'll want to read the article. Just click on the link below.

AZ Republic Article - IRS Helps Homeowners Deal with Federal Tax Lien

November Market Statistics

2008-12-10T16:03:00.004-07:00

Above are the statistics for the number of current listings in November plus the number of sold listings. Chandler had the most significant decrease in active listings ending November with a 9.5 month supply of listings. For the total Arizona Regional MLS there was a 12.8 month supply. Sales were 4435 units in November 2008 up 34% from November of 2007.

This data is supplied by the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service. ARMLS, West USA, and Pat & Amy Monahan do not guarantee the accuracy of the data.

New License Plate Law

2008-12-10T11:00:00.001-07:00

You may or may not have heard that Arizona has a new law regarding license plate frames that goes into effect on January 1. License plate frames cannot cover up the state name, "Arizona". We've removed the frames from both of our cars.

For more information:

AZ Republic Article - Law Targets License-plate Frames

Mortgage Applications Up

2008-12-09T15:29:00.002-07:00

An article in Realty Times, Real Estate Outlook: Mortgage Applications Rise by Kenneth R. Harney, indicates that a national survey indicated an increase of 37% in applications for loans to buy houses. What is driving the increase? A combination of lower interest rates and affordable home prices. It looks like many people have decided that this is the time to buy a home and the market may be starting the change.

Holiday Lights Map

2008-12-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

AZ Central has a map which shows 98 different homes in the Phoenix area that have been decorated for the holidays in a spectacular fashion. Look for some near and enjoy some free holiday entertainment by doing a driving or walking tour.

Holiday Lights Map

Beginning of Housing Recovery?

2008-12-03T15:48:00.002-07:00

There was an article in today's AZ Republic regarding signs that the local housing market may be starting on the road to recovery. Click on the link below to read it.

Steps Made in Housing Recovery

Minature Christmas Village

2008-12-03T08:41:00.003-07:00

We discovered a house in Chandler with a huge minature Christmas Village in their garage. They are open on Saturday and Sunday nights. They also have a food drive box in their drive way if you would like to make a contribution - it is completely voluntary. This is a lot of fun for adults and children to look at. The address is 720 N Los Feliz, Chandler. They gave us permission to post pictures and their address on our blog.

Holiday Lights at the Phoenix Zoo

2008-12-02T08:13:00.002-07:00

Another fun holiday season evening is the Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo. This is particularly enjoyable with children. You can stroll through the zoo where the plants are decorated with hundreds of lights and there are numerous light sculptures to enjoy. Zoolights runs from November 27 to January 11. You can buy tickets on-line by visiting their site (click on previous Zoolights link).

Luminarias at the Botanical Garden

2008-12-01T08:03:00.001-07:00

One of the things we enjoy doing during the holiday season is attending Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden. You get to stroll through the park at night lit by many luminaries. At various spots throughout the park there will be small musical groups performing or sometimes solo artists. Stop and enjoy these groups for as long as you like before moving to the next. You can check the website to see which musical groups will be performing on each night. It is recommended that you buy tickets in advance as many nights do sell out. Discounts on tickets are available for Garden members.

Value of Home Remodeling

2008-11-28T08:49:00.001-07:00

The 2008 Cost versus Value Report for home remodeling projects is now available. It ranks various home remodeling projects based upon the expected percentage of the projects cost that could be recouped when the home is sold. Keep in mind that these are national averages. Some of these figures would not be the same in Arizona. For example, it lists the addition of a deck to a home. In most Phoenix area homes there is a patio not a deck. A covered patio is much more valuable that a patio without shade. Costs for adding a patio would be different than costs to add a deck. Features included in the patio such as a built in cooking area would also affect value.

There are many factors which will affect how much you will recoup on remodeling. If you are planning on selling within a year, consult a real estate agent before engaging in any remodeling projects. The agent can advise you as to which projects will most help the sale of your home. If you are planning on living in the home for many more years, you should not expect to recoup the same percentage as if you sold your house within a year of the remodel.

2008 Cost vs Value Report

Do You Live in a Flood Zone?

2008-11-26T15:27:00.004-07:00

It may sound crazy but there are flood zones in Maricopa County even though we are in a desert. Most home insurance policies do not include flood insurance.

More information about flood insurance and link to Maricopa County 100 Year Flood Plain Map

There are some roadways that have washes instead of bridges. These washes may only be full of water a few hours a few days of the year when we get heavy rain and flash flooding. If you encounter a flooded wash, do not attempt to drive through it. The Flood Control District of Maricopa website indicates that many cars will float in 2 feet of water. Don't take chance, take another route or wait for the wash to be clear of water.

Amazing Photos Through History

2008-11-24T16:20:00.003-07:00

Millions of photos from Life Magazines archives are now available on-line through a photo archive hosted by Google. The archive includes photos that we never published in the magazine. You can do a search on a particular subject by adding "source.life" to your Google search term. Or you can go to the home page and do a search there or click on a decade to view - the 1860's through the 1970's. You can also click on famous peoples names, places, events, sports, and culture. The pictures are pretty amazing.

Home Page of Life Magazine Photo Archives

"Phoenix" Search of Life Photo Archives

How Do You Cook Your Turkey?

2008-11-19T12:15:00.001-07:00

There are several different ways to cook a turkey. For many years, I have been using the Reynolds Oven Cooking Bags. I follow the directions on the box. I shake the flour in the bag. Then, I put a lot of cut up carrots, onions, and celery in the bottom of the bag. I place my turkey on top of the vegetables in the bag. These yields some great tasting carrots and lots of flavorful juices/broth to use in making gravy. One year, I had my oven stop working on the night before Thanksgiving. I cooked a turkey in my microwave in one of these cooking bags and turned out just fine - it was even browned some.

One other thing that I do that works well is that I cook additional stuffing in my crock pot on low. I put the stuffing in the crock pot at the same time I put the turkey in the oven. I used store bought stuffing mix and add the usual ingredients on the box plus a chopped up granny smith apple.

How do you like to cook your turkey? Leave a comment and let us know.

Holiday Music

2008-11-14T08:24:00.002-07:00

It is hard to believe that it is almost time for Thanksgiving and Christmas already. If you are ready to get into the mood - you might want to listen to a radio station such as 99.9 FM KEZ which is playing Christmas music all of the time now. I'm not ready to listen to Christmas music all of the time now but it can be fun to listen on occasion. One of my favorite newer Holiday Cd's is the Barenaked Ladies - Barenaked for the Holidays. The CD contains Holiday music not just Christmas music. I also really like a duet by Bing Crosby and David Bowie of Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy. It is available on Bing's Crosby's Christmas Classics CD and possibly on other Cd's. This music is also available on ITunes. Leave a comment and share your favorite Holiday album or song.

Savings on Holiday Lights

2008-11-12T11:31:00.005-07:00

One of the great things about living in Arizona, is that you don't have to battle bad weather if you want to put up holiday lights on your home. If you need to purchase new lights here are some ways to save money:

SRP - Save Up to $5 on Holiday LED Light Sets (LED lights use up to 98% less electricity than the conventional incandescent strands - from SRP Contact newsletter).

Michael's - Weekly Ad & Joann's - Weekly Ad These two stores frequently have lights on sale and often have a coupon in their newspaper ad.

Other places to check ads are home improvement stores like Lowe's and Home Depot, plus Target, and Costco.

October Residential Sales Up Over Last Year

2008-11-12T08:21:00.003-07:00

Some good news in October, total ARMLS (Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service) residential sales were up by 56% over the previous year with a total of 5,370 sales. Months of inventory was sitting at about 10.5 months compared to last October when it was over 17.5 months. Chandler and Gilbert have made the most progress in reducing inventory of active listings.

This data is supplied by the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service. ARMLS, West USA, and Pat & Amy Monahan do not guarantee the accuracy of the data.

Deal of the Week

2008-11-11T10:50:00.001-07:00

We have added a new feature to our websites - The Deal of the Week. There are a lot of opportunities for savvy buyers in the current Phoenix area resale market. Listed on this section of our websites are the properties we have picked out from the MLS each week to highlight. These are not our listings. We look for properties that are priced below other comparable properties. Some may be move in ready and others may need a small amount to a lot of work done. Each week a new property will be added. We have included homes that have been foreclosed upon, that are currently owned by banks, and regular resales but have not included short sales. We realize that what constitutes a "good value" will be different for each of you. As always when purchasing a new home consider your needs and wants first.

Townhome and Condo - Deal of the Week

Single Family Home - Deal of the Week

Fishing in Phoenix and the East Valley

2008-11-09T08:40:00.003-07:00

Through a joint program with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and local parks divisions there are 16 lakes in the Valley that have been stocked with fish. If you are 14 or older, you will need a Class U license to fish in a lake that is part of the Urban Fishing Program. Licenses are available at Arizona Game and Fish departments and many fishing, hunting, and sporting goods stores. The 2008 Class U fishing license is on sale for half price in November and December.

Locations of Urban Fishing Lakes

AZ Republic article - Urban Anglers Can Reel in Fun Without Having to Leave Town

AZ Game & Fish Department

A Global and Historic Perspective on the Economy

2008-11-08T08:19:00.003-07:00

I read an interesting article at the W.P. Carey School of Business (ASU) website. The media tend to dwell so much on all the negative things happening in today's economy. There is not question that there are some difficult things happening and almost everyone is affected in one way or another. So, it can be refreshing to take a step back and look at how far the United States and the world have come and the positive role that the United States has played and will continue to play in world economic growth. Click on the link below to read the article or listen to the podcast.

Podcast: America's Six Unstoppable Trends

Is a Credit Union Home Loan Right for You?

2008-11-07T08:46:00.002-07:00

As a follow-up to my previous post on Credit Unions, I thought I should share this article on credit union home loans. It explains how credit unions did not get themselves involved in the subprime mortgage mess and that they do have money to lend. You do have to be a qualified buyer, don't expect a 100% loan. They can be a good option for many people.

Realty Times - Credit Unions to the Rescue

A Bargain on Electronics?

2008-11-06T08:18:00.002-07:00

Circuit City has announced that it is closing all of its Phoenix area stores. Liquidation sales started on 11/5. Usually with these types of sales markdowns start out modest and work there way up as time passes. It is usually a how long can you wait situation. Do you buy the item you want now or do you wait to see if you can get a lower price and risk someone else buying it before you do? Some additional information is available below.

Circuit City Breaking News - includes press release and locations of stores that will be closing

AZ Republic Article - Circuit City to Begin Liquidation

A You Up for a Challenge?

2008-11-05T15:55:00.002-07:00

You might want to consider the upcoming Urban Dare Race in Scottsdale on November 8. It begins at noon with check-in beginning at 11:00am at Scottsdale Civic Center Mall at Drinkwater Blvd and Second St. The cost is $90.00 per team.

What is an Urban Dare race? Teams consisting of two people race across a course that will require speed but also the ability to solve clues at various spots along the course. There may be some skill challenges involved too. It is recommended that you bring a digital camera and a cell phone. You may want to phone a friend for some assistance with questions. Also, some clues may require that you take a picture of yourself at specific locations.

Are you intrigued? Read the Urban Dare blog or the AZ Republic Article - Game on: Urban Dare Race Tests Wit, Athleticism.

Which Jane Austen Heroine Are You?

2008-11-04T08:22:00.001-07:00

This is kind of fun if you are a Jane Austen fan. I'll have to say that I appreciate the books a lot more now than I did when I was younger. Her ability to understand and portray different personality types and social interactions is as true today as it was when she wrote her books. Just the settings and background have aged.

Take the Quiz here!

Bank of America to Halt Some Local Foreclosures

2008-11-03T11:32:00.005-07:00

Last summer, Bank of America bought Countrywide. Countrywide was the nation's largest sub prime lender. As a part of a settlement agreement with the Arizona Attorney Generals office, Bank of America has suspended foreclosure notices for about 2,000 homes in the Greater Phoenix Area and many more in the rest of Arizona. The bank will work with the borrowers for these loans and try to modify the loans to make the payments more affordable so they can stay in their homes.

AZ Republic Article - B of A agrees to halt 2.000 Foreclosures

Where to Call for Help if You Are Struggling to Make Your Home Payments:

If you have a Bank of America Loan - 800-669-6607

For Anyone in Arizona - Arizona Mortgage Foreclosure Help Line - 877-448-1211

Chandler GIS Day

2008-11-03T08:15:00.002-07:00

GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems. This is the type of system that is used by 9-1-1 to locate callers but it has other uses. Chandler is offering a seminar on the real-world applications of GIS technology. The Chandler City Scope indicates that "Residents will learn how the Police and Fire departments utilize GIS to respond to emergencies and track crime information; other City departments will demonstrate how they use GIS, and residents will learn how to view the City's GIS Data" The event is free and will be held on Wednesday, November 19 from 8:00am to noon at the Community Center rooms 109-110. The Community Center is at 125 E Commonwealth Ave. For more information call 480-782-2468 or click here.

A Different Kind of News

2008-11-01T10:14:00.001-07:00

If you are looking for a different kind of news coverage, you might want to try NewsWatch, ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication's award winning student newscast. Channel 8's Magazine indicates the show will report on stores that affect ASU, metro Phoenix, and Arizona. It will start airing on Eight World beginning Nov. 4 and will air on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights at 9:00pm. Eight World airs on digital channel 8.3 and Cox 88. I haven't been able to determine if it is available on Direct TV or other satellite TV providers. If someone knows, please leave a comment.

Photography Workshops to be held at Arboretum

2008-10-31T09:17:00.007-07:00

For those of you who live out of state you might be surprised to learn that Arizona has an arboretum. Even in the desert there are a few trees that grow. Boyce Thompson Arboretum is located east of Phoenix. Maggie Leef who is a nature photographer will be offering three photography workshops at the Arboretum. The cost to register is $22.50 for non-members and $15.00 for members. The classes are as follows:

Beginners Photography Class, Nov. 2 from 9:00am to Noon

Fall Color Photography Class Nov. 16 from 9:00am to Noon and Nov. 29 from 9:00am to Noon

Class sizes are limited so you do need to call in advance to enroll. Call the Arboretum at 520-689-2723. To see some of Maggie's pictures click here.

There a number of other special events at the Arboretum that you might enjoy. Or you might enjoy just visiting the Arboretum and going for a nature walk on the trail.

First Time Buyer Tax Credit

2008-10-30T10:47:00.003-07:00

There has been a lot of talk in the press about the first time home buyer tax credit but not a lot of detailed information. I was unable to find detailed information at the IRS site at this time but the National Association of Home Builders has put a lot of information together at their site FederalHousingCreditTaxCredit.com. The credit is available for people who buy a home between 4/9/08 and 7/1/09. The home can be a resale or a new build. The tax credit acts as an interest free loan and must be repaid over 15 years. As always, we recommend that you talk with your accountant to get specific information about how the credit will benefit you.

September Home Sales Are Up!

2008-10-30T08:36:00.004-07:00

First the good news! Buyers are starting to respond to the good prices and sales were up considerably in September. Total ARMLS sales for September 2008 were 6,150 compared with 3,377 in September of last year.

Above is a slide show of graphs for each city showing the number of active listings, the number of new listings, and the number of solds by month for the last 12 months. It is encouraging to see that in some cities the number of active listings has decreased in the past few months. However, with the number of new listings being added each month it will be a while before the market comes back into balance. Foreclosures have become a big factor in the market. No one can predict how many more foreclosure properties will be added to the active listings in coming months.

This data is supplied by the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service. ARMLS, West USA, and Pat & Amy Monahan do not guarantee the accuracy of the data.

Consider a Credit Union

2008-10-29T15:49:00.006-07:00

If you are not a member of a credit union, you might want to consider joining one. They typically offer lower rates on auto and home loans and often have higher rates on CDs than some banks. Deposits are still FDIC insured up to the allowed amount. You do have to qualify to join a credit union but the criteria is often broad and it is likely that you will qualify for at least one credit union in your community. For example, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union has this statement on their website with regards to who qualifies for membership - "Persons who live, work, worship or attend school, including businesses and other legal entities, in Gila, Maricopa and Pinal Counties"

Here are some resources for more information:

US News audio commentary on the benefits of credit unions

America's Credit Unions - Credit Union Locator

Rebates Available for Appliance Purchases

2008-10-28T11:30:00.001-07:00

If you are an SRP customer and considering buying a new clothes washer or dishwasher before the end of the year, then you should check the rebate offers available by clicking on the following link. To qualify, purchases must meet the defined energy ratings.

SRP Appliance Rebate

I couldn't find a similar program for APS customers; but, if someone knows about one, please leave a comment.

AZ Foreclosure Data

2008-10-23T15:55:00.005-07:00

The AZ Republic had an interesting article about local foreclosures in today's paper - Data show how foreclosures pull down Valley home values. We have certainly been seeing and selling homes that have been foreclosed upon. While these can be good deals for buyers, depending upon the condition of the property, they are probably contributing to the decrease in home values (as the article indicates). These bank owned properties on average are selling for less than those owned by sellers. In some cases these bank owned properties are not in as good of condition as the seller owned properties which is a contributing factor to the lower price. Additionally, the majority of banks will only sell the proprety "as is" and will not do any repairs to the property. The number of foreclosures and sales of foreclosures varies widely by zip code. The AZ Republic site has a link - Bank Owned Sales Prices by Zip - where you can input a zip code and get sales data. An example of the data provided for zip code 85226 in Chandler and zip code 85206 in Mesa follows.

ZIP code - 85226 (Chandler)
Resale median - $259,000
Traditional resale median -$260,000
Foreclosure resale median - $230,000
Resales - 259
Traditional resales - 232
Foreclosure resales - 27

ZIP code - 85206 (Mesa)
Resale median - $202,500
Traditional resale median - $205,500
Foreclosure resale median - $185,000
Resales - 274
Traditional resales - 246
Foreclosure resales - 28

Check Out a Fall League Baseball Game

2008-10-17T12:34:00.004-07:00

Did you know that Arizona hosts some MLB fall league baseball games? Minor league players representing the major league teams play ball in the valley. So if you want to relax and enjoy the weather while watching a game, check the links below.

AZ Republic article - AZ Fall League Helps Families Save Money

AZ Republic article - Fall League Teams

MLB AZ Fall League Site

MLB AZ Fall League Schedule

Blog Problems

2008-10-16T17:39:00.005-07:00

Last week around mid-week we started having problems accessing our blog. So, if any of you were trying to read our blog and couldn't get to it, we are sorry. After some time consuming and frustrating time spent reading Google Blogger Help, we seem to have worked through the problems. I think the problem was with our custom domain registered at GoDaddy and how it pointed to Blogger. So, we'll keep our fingers crossed and hope that the problem does not recur.

Working for Your Downpayment

2008-10-15T17:03:00.001-07:00

An article in the AZ Republic indicates that Trend Homes is offering a program where buyers can do some of the painting for their new home and apply this towards their down payment. For more information:

Will Work For Down Payment - article

Trend Homes Website

How to Use Less Water and Save a Little Money

2008-10-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

SRP's website has some water saving ideas. It indicates that toilets are the biggest water users in the house. So, if you need to replace a toilet consider getting one that is high efficiency. We switched to a water saving shower head at the beginning of the year and have been happy with it. The difference was not real noticeable and after a shower or two it seemed perfectly normal. If you have a water saving idea - share it here by leaving a comment. I'd particularly like to hear from someone who is using a smart irrigation controller to see if they are happy with it.

John McCain's House

2008-10-13T14:13:00.002-07:00

No, not this one. I got an invitation to a Realtor only open house for the one that our Senator and his wife, Cindy are selling here in Arizona. You can take a virtual tour of it, if you'd like.

It's stunning! (click here)

Chandler Veterans Benefits Expo

2008-10-13T13:15:00.002-07:00

The City of Chandler and the AZ Department of Veterans' Services will host a Benefits Expo for military veterans, Saturday, Oct. 18, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at the American Legion Branch No. 35, located at 2240 W Chandler Blvd. Veterans and their families can attend to obtain information on benefits and services available for military veterans including: health care, retirement, vocational assistance, educational opportunities, mortgage funding options and more. For more information call 480-558-2052.

Information obtained from Chandler City Scope.

Information on Veterans Administration Home Loans.

What Style is Your House?

2008-10-10T11:06:00.001-07:00

The National Association of REALTORS® has a web page that describes all of the common architectural styles of homes in the United States. While the page is meant for real estate professionals, it is also assessable for the public. Styles discussed include: Pueblo, Contemporary, Ranch, Prairie, and many more.

NAR Residential Styles

A Chance to Be Christine

2008-10-02T08:11:00.003-07:00

The AZ Republic today had an article about a contest the Phoenix Symphony is running for girls ages 8 to 18. They are looking for one girl to play the role of Christine for one song from Phantom of the Opera - "All I Ask of You". The winner will sing a duet with Broadway star Franc D'Ambrosio at the Symphony's New Year's Eve gala. She will also win some other prizes. Deadline for entry is October 8. For more information, click on the links below:

Phoenix Symphony - Call For Christine

AZ Republic Article

Schnepf Farms corn mazes

2008-10-01T10:29:00.005-07:00

As hard as it may be for some people to believe, corn is grown in some parts of Arizona. Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek has been growing a corn maze for a number of years. This year's maze features Muhammad Ali. Below is a link to a slide show of this year's corn maze plus some from past years courtesy of azcentral.com. There are lots of things to do at Schnepf Farms, so check out their website to see all of the options.

Corn Maze Slide Show

History Repeating Itself?

2008-09-30T13:49:00.005-07:00

I was glancing through the May issue of REALTOR magazine which had an article and a timeline regarding Home ownership in America. Here are a few items I noticed on the time line, does any of this look familiar?

1997 - 1979 The Energy Crisis
1980 With inflation running at 13 percent and unemployment near 8 percent, single-family home sales plunge 22 percent from a year earlier.
1981 By September, mortgage rates surpass 18 percent and end the year around 17 percent.
1987 A 32 percent decline stock values between Oct. 13 and Oct. 19 exceeds the magnitude of the 1929 stock market crash.
1989 The failure of nearly 1,000 savings and loan associations lead to passage of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recover and Enforcement Act and creation of the Resolution Trust Corp.
1991 Mortgage interest rates dip below 10 percent for the first time in 12 years.
1995 President Bill Clinton unveils a National Home ownership Strategy with a goal of raising the nation's home ownership rate to 67.5 percent by 2000. This goal is reached.
2000 Stocks begin a downward plunge in March, marking the end of the dot-com boom.
2003 Residential mortgage rates dip below 6 percent in January.

Source - May 2008 Issue REALTOR Magazine

Earning Airline Miles without Flying

2008-09-29T08:34:00.004-07:00

Like many people we fly occasionally but not frequently. We still like to earn and use our frequent flyer miles. It used to be that those miles could just sit out there without expiring. Well, those days seem to be gone. With U.S. Airways/America West, one of the major carriers out of Phoenix, in order for miles to remain usable you have to earn some at least every eighteen months. Usually this is not a problem for us but sometimes it is. We don't want to get every airlines credit card in order to earn miles. So, we've started using their Dining Dividend Miles program. We recently tried a new restaurant for lunch that was on the program called Sandstone Cafe. It is a small place that is locally owned located at the intersection of Ray and Rural in Chandler (near the Hollywood Video). The food was good and reasonably priced.

Daily Photo of the East Valley

2008-09-26T09:34:00.003-07:00

Do you like to see pictures? City Blogs is a network of bloggers that post a daily picture of their city. If you like Paris, you can see a blogger's daily view of that city. Cincinnati? That city too.

We have some here in the valley too. Mesa? Chandler? Phoenix? Tempe?

I just started the Chandler Daily Photo blog. Every day, 365 days a year, I'll have a picture from Arizona on the blog. Not all are Chandler, but all will have an Arizona theme to them. If you'd like to contribute a picture, I'd be more than willing to consider it. Just email it to me with a brief story behind it.

Do you recognize the building above? It's in Tempe on the campus of Arizona State University.

NAR Information on the Bailout

2008-09-25T11:41:00.003-07:00

There are lots of articles out there on the proposed bailout of Wall Street, so I know you have a lot of potential reading. However, I thought some of you might be interested in the following.

9/22 NAR Economists Commentary - $700 for What?

9/23 - NAR Letter to Senator Dodd

Real Estate Market Outlook

2008-09-25T11:38:00.004-07:00

Here is the National Associations of REALTORS® President's podcast. It is directed towards REALTORS® but has good information for the public as well.

Win a Free Year of Lightrail Rides

2008-09-25T10:58:00.006-07:00

There is contest to develop a new safety slogan for the Metro light rail which will be opening in a few months. The winner will receive a free year of rides. Entries are due by September 30. Email your slogan to casey.newton@arizonarepublic.com with "light rail slogan" in the subject line. The second article below explains how the winning slogan will be selected.

AZ Republic Article 09/23 -Metro-safety slogan sought

More From AZ Republic - How to Win a Year of Free Light-Rail Rides

Free Star Gazing

2008-09-23T10:37:00.001-07:00

ASU has free Astronomy Open Houses scheduled throughout the school year. The next one is September 26 from 8:00pm to 10:00pm. This is a chance to stand on the roof of one of the buildings and look at the night sky through a more powerful telescope than someone would normally have in their home. Check their website for more information regarding a talk and other activities.