Thursday, December 12, 2013

RIS Media: Five Reasons Why You Need to Close on a Home by the End of the Year

If you are debating on whether you should make an offer on a new home before the New Year, now is the time to stop deliberating and submit your bid. Between 2013 tax benefits, and avoiding mortgage rate roulette and changing lending rules, closing before the end of the year can offer significant financial benefits. Top mortgage and real estate experts share five ways you will benefit if you buy a home by December 31, 2013.

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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Start 2014 in Your New Home!

New Construction Located in Ancala!


5 Bedroom 4.5 bath 8 car garage, pool Scottsdale, AZ 8 CAR GARAGE HOME NOW COMPLETE. POOL CONSTRUCTION BEGINS THIS WEEK.(6/10/13) Bring your collector cars and toys. Custom, NEW CONSTRUCTION Santa Fe Territorial home,great cul-de-sac lot on almost half-acre in one of the most desirable country club golf communities in North Scottsdale. 7 Bedroom 5 bath 8 car garage, pool Scottsdale, AZ Remarkable 5 bedroom, 4 1/2 bath 2 story home. Master is on the first floor as is the GUEST BEDROOM W/ SEPARATE ENTRANCE. Additional bedrooms are on the 2nd floor. Enjoy breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain from your 2nd story deck with gas fireplace and outdoor living space.5 YEAR ROOF WARRANTY (See Document tab) 24 Hour Guard-gated community w/mountain views. Full clubhouse, work-out center, country club, banquet facilities, tennis and golf. 7 Bedroom 5 bath 8 car garage, pool Scottsdale, AZ Listed by Dominic Co International Real Estate
Click Here To See This Gorgeous New Home

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Flood Insurance Rates about to Skyrocket?

According to an article in Insurance Journal last week,FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said:  "Last year’s legislation promises premium increases to 1.1 million homeowners who’ve received subsidized, below-risk coverage and could sock even more homeowners whose homes met older building standards or were deemed at lower risk under previous flood maps. Under the old rules, they could retain their old rates since they followed the rules when they bought or built their homes, but they will soon lose those grandfathered rates under the new law.”



Flood Insurance Rates about to Skyrocket? | Keeping Current Matters

AZ Central: 19 Holiday light displays in metro Phoenix 2013



The holiday season wouldn’t be nearly so magical without sparkling strands of icicle lights and multicolored bulbs hanging from eaves and wrapped around trees. And in Arizona, we often apply a Southwestern twist: twinkling white lights draped around saguaros and ocotillos, and luminarias casting a soft glow along pathways.

Here’s are some of the biggest and most popular light displays.

19 Holiday light displays in metro Phoenix 2013

Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade December 28th



Now in its 43rd year, the Parade will feature a wide variety of brightly-colored floats, magnificent helium balloons, equestrian units, specialty groups, charitable organizations and local celebrities. This event will also showcase the participants and winners of various Fiesta Bowl events, including participants in the Fiesta Bowl Band Championship, winners of the Fiesta Bowl Twirl-Pom-Cheer & Flag Championship and the Fiesta Bowl Queen & Court.

Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade

7TH ANNUAL ARABIAN HORSE FARM TOUR


7TH ANNUAL FARM TOUR

December 28th, 2013 - January 1st, 2014

ArabHorse.com proudly invites you to attend the 2013 7th Annual ArabHorse Farm Tour in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. This is a must-attend event unlike any other in the world. Here is the perfect way to welcome in the New Year! Scottsdale's most prominent Arabian horse farms open their doors, welcoming the public to enjoy National Champion horses, meet top trainers, and learn more about this incredible breed. Come share our passion for the Arabian horse. The Farm tours will begin on December 28th and continue through January 1st. All events are FREE TO ATTENDPlease note all events are outdoors on real working Arabian farms, so dress appropriately. There will be limited seating for viewing presentations.
About.com: http://www.arabhorsefarmtour.com/

Thursday, November 21, 2013

CNBC: Turnaround towns: How Orlando and Phoenix are making a comeback



For a long time the sunny weather in Phoenix and Orlando was matched by their economic climates, as both enjoyed soaring housing prices and prosperity in the early 2000s.   Read the article:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101184091#_gus 

Thursday, October 10, 2013

This weekend: ARIZONA TACO FESTIVAL





Tequila expo!  Cooking classes! $2 Tacos!!!!!!  And much, much more!
ARIZONA TACO FESTIVAL

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Arizona, Texas Head List Of Best States For Expected Job Growth - Forbes

 

Arizona, Texas Head List Of Best States For Expected Job Growth - Forbes: The Great Recession had devastating effects across the U.S. and few places were as hard hit as Arizona

Monday, September 23, 2013

Mortgage Rates after the Bernanke Announcement

 Last week, Bernard Bernanke startled many by announcing that the Fed will not wind down their bond buying program right now.

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Mortgage Rates after the Bernanke Announcement

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

TEXAZ Grill | Serving American Food at a reasonable price |NE Corner of 16th St & Bethany Home Rd | Phoenix, AZ | 602-248-7827

 Do you miss homestyle cooking?  This is one of our very favorite restaurants!  Tell Steve we said "hi"!

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TEXAZ Grill | Serving American Food at a reasonable price |NE Corner of 16th St & Bethany Home Rd | Phoenix, AZ | 602-248-7827

Return to a Sellers' Market


Both new and resale median home prices recorded noteworthy gains since year-end
2012, up 18 and 24 percent, respectively. Throughout 2013, the Southeast Valley
has experienced rising land values stemming from employment gains and appealing
demographics
LandMarketSnapshot_2q2013.pdf

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Phoenix Public Market

We made a trip to the Public Market in Phoenix this morning to see what was going on in the summertime.  They still had some local produce, but not much.  We were there about 10 so it would be a good idea to go earlier (they open at 8) to get the best selection.  You could also get fresh juice, homemade tamales, breakfast burritos, and one of the food trucks had 'em lined up for Cajun food! 

Monday, July 22, 2013

The Stand Phoenix | The Hot Sheet Blog

How about fast food that is fresh (never frozen) locally grown and free of hormones?  Check this out:

The Stand Phoenix | The Hot Sheet Blog
The Stand burgers and fries2

Bloomberg: Sales of Existing Homes in U.S. Unexpectedly Dropped in June

Sales of Existing Homes in U.S. Unexpectedly Dropped in June  




I don't think this comes as any surprise:  Sales of previously owned houses unexpectedly dropped in June, hurt by a lack of supply and rising mortgage rates that may slow the rebound in the U.S. real-estate market.
Read the article

Monday, July 15, 2013

Scorpions - Truths and Myths from Susan Talarico, Scottsdale Real Estate

The most predominate scorpion in our area is the Bark Scorpion. I think you’ll find some value in the following information regarding this pesky rascal pictured below.



Scorpions are nature's way of saying "screw you - I'm gonna combine lobsters, spiders, wasps, and nightmares"  
Scorpions are nature’s way of saying “screw you – I’m gonna combine lobsters, spiders, wasps, and nightmares”

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

How About a Boot-Scootin' Burger on the 4th??





  Country music fans might want to make plans to get their boot-scootin' selves down to Old Town Scottsdale on Thursday, July, 4, for the grand opening of Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row.

DierksBentleyWhiskeyRowFood1.jpg

See details

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Bubble? What Bubble?

Wall Street Journal:  Phoenix’s Housing Market: Saying ‘Bubble’ Doesn’t Make It True

 

 

 Read article

PHX Business Journal: Toll Brothers pays $3.7M for Carefree land, luxury homes planned

After a two-year hiatus, Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE: TOL) is back in the land-buying business in Arizona.
Read article

Visit Phoenix: Fun Fact: There are six lakes within a 75-minute drive of Phoenix.

Greater Phoenix Lakes

Though many love to visit and live in Greater Phoenix because of the dry, scenic desert, an escape to a watery oasis can be a perfect summertime getaway. Phoenix has a number of lakes just a short drive away and they all provide something fun for both thrill-seekers and those seeking to relax.
Read article 
 

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Business Insider - The Case For Selling Your House Now... Even If You Think Prices Are Going To Rise


Mortgage rates are on their way back up.
U.S. household net worth just hit an all-time high.
These are among the reasons why Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff says it's now time to sell your house (via Jim the Realtor).
In an appearance on CNBC this morning, Rascoff says an ongoing lack of supply — the result of people still trapped by negative equity — and steady demand will only drive rates up further in coming years,
That means it'll be more expensive to buy a home at a given price down the road than now.

Photo: Scottsdale home values are rising, find out what yours is worth for FREE: http://youmightlikethis.info/myeastvalleyhomevalue

Read article

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Need auto repair?? AAA approved car repair facilities in the Valley


AAA recently released their 2013 Top Shops list with 29 Arizona repair facilities, 16 of which are located in the Valley.
In order to be awarded a spot on the Top Shops list, the shops must maintain a 90 percent customer approval rating, be actively involved in the community, and uphold an exemplary business reputation according to AAA.
Find your closest AAA approved car repair facility:
AAA Mechanic

AAA approved car repair facilities in the Valley

Thursday, May 23, 2013

2 Arizona cities among fastest growing in US


 Two Arizona municipalities rank among the fastest-growing U.S. cities and towns during the year that ended last July 1.phoenix_20120425050256_JPG




2 Arizona cities among fastest growing in US

Monday, May 20, 2013

16 Favorite Places in Metro Phoenix to Eat at the Bar - Phoenix - Restaurants and Dining - Chow Bella



Restaurant bars stopped being strictly bars years ago. Nowadays, many people consider them the best seats in the house for a casual dinner that doesn't require reservations, waiting, or a deep reservoir of patience. Because most of them operate on a first-come, first-served basis, customers are free to grab a stool and get the party started -- no pomp, no circumstance, and just a linen napkin to serve as a place mat.

Windsor-bar.jpg

16 Favorite Places in Metro Phoenix to Eat at the Bar - Phoenix - Restaurants and Dining - Chow Bella

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

11 Favorite Salads in Metro Phoenix - Phoenix - Restaurants and Dining - Chow Bella

 Summer is just weeks away, which means it's panic time for those of us who packed on the lbs. over the winter. Yes, of course, we should've seen this coming, and what the hell happened to that exercise regimen we felt so enthusiastic about back in January? Now there's no place to run and certainly no place to hide, so we're going to look like mastodons in swimwear unless we start eating salads -- and little else -- ASAP

Binks-citrussalad.jpg



 Click here to see:  11 Favorite Salads in Metro Phoenix - Phoenix - Restaurants and Dining - Chow Bella

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Scottsdale #1 for Retirement


No. 1: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Population: 217,385

Retiree ratio: 43,471 people 65 and older (20%)

The city packing the heaviest post-65 punch in America sits just off the northeastern fringe of Phoenix, luring newcomers -- or retaining longtime locals -- with plenty of play and rays.

For retirees with plenty of savings, the north side of Scottsdale serves as an enticing hub, says Tim Cowen, executive director of Maravilla Scottsdale, a nearly year-old community in the area. It bills itself as "a retirement resort with a health-care safety net."

Some Maravilla residents once worked at the area's business giants that, a generation or two ago, chose the Phoenix area for expansion: IBM, Intel or Motorola. Some are former snowbirds, like Cowen, who for years had flocked to Scottsdale for a bit of winter golfing. The TPC Scottsdale golf course, home of the Phoenix Open, lies on Maravilla's southern border. Maricopa County boasts more golf links than any other U.S. county, Cowen said.

"The biggest attraction is the weather (and) just how pleasant it is here," said Bob Shower, a Maravilla resident and retiree, originally from Dallas. "You just have so many days you can be outside."

"Whether it's golf or tennis or hiking one of the trails in the desert or in the surrounding mountains, as we get more mature, activity is important," Shower added. "We can keep active. We don't have to stay inside here."