For the 4th…

Well, no doubt you are making plans for the 4th of July.  In case you are interested, Tempe is hosting it’s fireworks display again, sponsored by TruWest & CBS5.  Here are the park-and-ride details and other traffic information for the festivities.

If you are looking for a different 4th celebration - here in information for different east valley cities:

Chandler
Gilbert
Mesa
Phoenix
Scottsdale

Happy Independance Day!
Your REALTOR (R)
Rob

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Great New Website

I want everyone to know about this great new webiste I found called www.ezlooky.com. It has all sorts of coupons. One thing I really liked about this site over others is that there is no registration and you can print only the coupons you want. There are coupons for things like Sonic, Dolly Steamboat dinner cruises, nail salons, and automotive repair shops.

The next time my family and I want to eat out we’re going to go to www.ezlooky.com and print off a coupon for Champions. Buy One Get One FREE Entree! That is a great deal and it is just down the street from my house which saves on gas! If you get on and check it out, let me know what you think of and find on the site. I am interested to hear what others think of it. More businesses should take advantage of this. Right now with the economy and everyone trying to save money anywhere they can.

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Set up a Drip Irrigation system at your home…

Great time to be saving on your water bill…here is a super article about planning a “low flow” or “drip” irrigation system for your home.  Save tons over traditional sprinklers while conserving water too!

Link: Planning and Laying Out a Low Flow Irrigation System | DoItYourself.com.

Your REALTOR (R)
Rob

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Completion of Red Mountain Freeway Brings a PARTY!

Hey everyone!

The road work on the last bit of the Red Mountain portion of the Loop 202 is due to be completed soon. Even more exciting is that ADOT is having a party to celebrate!  They are calling it the “Rounding Out the Red Mountain” and it is scheduled for 15 July between University and Power roads ON THE NEW FREEWAY!  Now you can really tell the kids to go play in traffic!

Check out ADOT’s Official Website for more details.

Your REALTOR (R)
Rob

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Free Concert by Air Force Band of the West

The 45-member United States Air Force Band of the West Concert Band will be in concert on March 11 at 7:30 p.m., in the center’s Tom and Janet Ikeda Theater. Check the Mesa Art’s Center Calendar for more details!

Your REALTOR (R)
Rob

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Business is flying at Falcon Field

AZCentral.com is reporting “Falcon Field now 4th busiest general aviation airport.” Is this increase in business having an effect on you?

Your REALTOR (R)
Rob

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Speed “humps” on Hermosa Vist Dr to be Removed…

Found this in at AZCentral.com today…

“The six sets of experimental speed humps were supposed to have been in place on Hermosa Vista Drive between Gilbert and Lindsay roads for six months as the city evaluated results. They’re being yanked after six weeks in the wake of a survey that found them vastly unpopular with most drivers in the neighborhood. ” (Click here for full article)

I live off of Hermosa Vista Dr and found that these increased traffic on my street. I found them to be a bit harsh, however I thought the most annoying thing about them was the uneven break for the Emergency Vehicles. My conundrum is that I also agree that people go to fast on Hermosa Vista Dr. I had gotten in the habit of putting my cruise on 25 before the speed humps and people would invariably ride right up on my tailgate.

What was your experience with them? Please comment!

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Top Spellers from Maricopa County head to State Spelling Bee…

Congratulations to the Maricopa County Region One Spelling Bee top 10!

Top spellers

1. Jonathan Gauthier, Kyrene Altadena Middle School, Ahwatukee Foothills

2. Theo Vermaas, Fees Middle School, Tempe

Other top finishers

Sam Shearer, Eagleridge

Sumeet Patwardhan, Kyrene Aprende

Nicholas Connelly, Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies

Brandon Gimber, Ward Traditional Academy

Kyle Varney, Kyrene Monte Vista

Trent Woodward, Fremont Junior High

Connor White, Connolly Middle School

Raymie Humbert, Kyrene del Pueblo

* Top two finishers go on to State Spelling Bee

(List courtesy of AZCentral.com)

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AZ Republic Article on Appraisals - Response

For those of you who missed it, the Republic blaming appraisers for the current real estate market.  Here is the link to the original article: http://www.azcentral.com/realestate/articles/0106appraiser1230.html and below is a more objective look at the current market condition.

I am again appalled at the sensationalism that the Republic has brought to bear on the real estate industry.  Let’s add some real perspective and education to this very poorly written article.An appraiser’s job is to determine market value.  In the 2005 market, there was an incredible lack of supply of homes and an average to high level of demand.  Naturally that causes prices to rise.  In our case, prices rose very quickly.  As prices increased, fewer buyers were available (fewer people qualified for the higher cost of housing).  Demand fell off.  At the same time, many people that bought, decided to sell (many of which were investors).  This relaxed demand and increased supply caused prices to relax as well, and in the case of some areas of the valley, prices have fallen.  Basic economics.  This phenomenon could not be ignored by appraisers who correctly recognized that the market was moving upwards.  Value is the price one buyer and one seller agree to exchange property on.  People were willing to pay a higher price, therefore the value of the property was higher.

As for the homeowners who used the equity in their home through HELOC or refinancing, your home was never intended to be an ATM.  Lenders appraisal standards for HELOC and refinance products are often less stringent.  A “Full” appraisal is often not required.

I am disappointed that the Republic feels it must blame someone for market conditions that natural economic forces have brought to bear.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that mortgage fraud that involved some inflated appraising has gone on, but not to the extent that this article implies.

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Weekend Report!

WEATHER

(Courtesy of www.Wunderground.com)

SPORTS

Mustang Invitational Soccer Tournament is on this weekend at the Red Mountain Soccer Park

Xaiver tops Corona Del Sol in Girls Soccer

Arizona Basketball Challenge coming 26-29 Dec 07 - Click here for Schedule

MLK Basketball Classic coming MLK weeknd - 18-20 Jan 08

THINGS TO DO

Arizona Science Center is hosting the TITANIC Exibition

Mesa Arts Center hosts “Jim Henson’s Fantastic World”

Last chance to see the “Sounds of Christmas” at the Broadway Palms Dinner Theater

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