4th of July in the Valley of the Sun

Photo credit maf04

This year’s 4^th of July celebration will mark the 239^th anniversary of the birth of our nation and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Americans will be celebrating the way we always have with backyard barbecues, picnics, parades and, of course, fireworks!  Against the backdrop of a clear desert sky, fireworks displays in Arizona take on a particular beauty.  Here is a guide to some of the fireworks and other events planned in and around Phoenix for this 4^th of July weekend.  With a little planning, you can catch a different light and sound show every night.

July 2^nd – The long holiday weekend will kick off with a family celebration from 6:30 to 9:30 in Maryvale Baseball Park followed by Light up the Sky fireworks display at 9:10 pm.  On the same evening, Anthem Community Park will host an Independence Day Celebration complete with food and carnival rides from 6:00 – 10:00 with the fireworks set to go off at 9:30. 

July 3^rd and 4^th – Scottsdale will be home to the Independence Day Music Festival featuring Wilco, Dr. Dog and Little Big Town.  Gates will open each night at 5:00 pm with pyrotechnics after the concerts.

July 4^th – Fireworks spectaculars are planned for Tempe Beach Park, Goodyear Ballpark, the Westgate Entertainment District, Peoria Sports Complex, Wigwam Resort and Tumbleweed Park – just to name a few locations.  100,000 or more people will attend the televised Fabulous Phoenix Fourth at Steele Indian School Park.  In addition to the huge fireworks extravaganza, there will be local entertainers, a “Kid Zone” with inflatable rides, a classic car show and “Splash Zone” to cool off.   Due to the size of this event, the park will be closed to vehicular traffic in the evening and people are encouraged to travel to the event via METRO Light Rail.

At 8:00 am on the 4^th of July, the Arcadia 4^th of July Parade will welcome all patriots to its own small town parade starting at the corner of 60^th Street and Calle Tuberia.  This charming neighborhood event dates back to 1996 when a local woman planted small flags in her neighbor’s yard to mark the holiday and the tradition grew from there.

July 5^th – McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale will host local bands, train and carousel rides.  Bring a blanket or chair and cap off the fabulous 4^th weekend with fine food and music.

Happy 4^th of July!  I hope your own celebration is as warm and spectacular as the sight of fireworks in the night sky over the Valley of the Sun.

3 Steps to Owning Your Own Home

 

So you are tired of renting and think it may be time to become a homeowner.  Congratulations!  You are probably bursting with enthusiasm and already searching the internet to find the right house.  Before going any further, take some time to follow my “3 Steps to Owning a Home.”  A small amount of time and effort invested up front will save you time and money in the long run.

      1. Team up with a group of experienced professionals.

The best time to establish a relationship with a real estate agent is before you even begin your house hunt.  A home is a huge investment and you will want to work with someone you know and trust.  Start with an experienced local Realtor in an area you would like to explore.  A good Realtor will be able to put you in touch with mortgage loan specialists, home inspectors and other professionals you will work with on the road to owning your home.

      2. Get your financial affairs in order.

Sit down with a pencil and calculator and conduct a detailed review of your financial situation.  If you have excessive credit card debt or other unsecured loans, now is a good time to see about paying down the principal. Gather copies of your recent tax returns, paystubs and bank statements.  There are many expenses associated with owning a home – mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, common area costs and homeowner association fees, as well as repair and maintenance costs.   A mortgage loan professional can help you determine just how much house you can afford.  It’s up to you to determine how much you are comfortable spending.

      3. Perform a realistic assessment of your wants and needs.

Having a clearly-defined picture of your short and long-term real estate goals will greatly enhance your chances of finding the right property.  In keeping with the principles of Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, begin with the end in mind.  What kind of home and neighborhood will best complement your lifestyle, wants and needs?   What amenities and conveniences are on your “must have” list and which ones can you live without?  Share this vision with your Realtor to enable them to help find the best house for you – one that is in synch with your financial situation, lifestyle preferences and long and short-term goals.

Buying a home can seem very complicated, but it does not have to be if you follow these 3 first steps to home ownership.  Enjoy the hunt!

4303 E Buena Terra Way, Phoenix, AZ 85018, Shara Terry, Camelback Mountain

This Hikable, Walkable, LIVABLE Camelback Mountain Arcadia-esque Retreat offers casual elegance with modern chic. On nearly half acre this quiet courtyard-entry property allows you to WALK not drive to Echo Canyon, bike the canal & shop 5 minutes away at the Biltmore or Scottsdale Fashion Square. Soak in stars, sunsets & the red side of Praying Monk every day. The split open floor plan home has soaring ceilings & was completely remodeled down to the studs & updated in every corner. Dream kitchen has thick slab quartz, custom cabinetry & sub zero to entertain & impress. Salt water pebble-sheen pool, many water features, sport court w/bleachers, office, huge game room w/ kitchenette, 3 car garage, hot tub and more! This perfect property will hit everything on your checklist. Welcome Home!

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3 Top Reasons Why Your House Isn’t Getting Showings

In the residential real estate world, there is nothing quite as disheartening as listing your home for sale only to discover that nobody cares. Even in a robust market, there are still mistakes committed that keep the purchasers from coming. If your property is languishing and failing to generate internet hits and showings, you must sit down with your Realtor to find out why.

Here are a few common missteps that are guaranteed to keep buyers away:

        1. The property is too difficult to show.

While it may be inconvenient to vacate the house at a moment’s notice for a showing, it is a necessary sacrifice when you are trying to sell your home. Be ready to grab your keys, kids and pets to vacate the premises when your agent calls. When buyers’ agents are putting together an itinerary of showings for their clients, listings that require several days’ notice with complicated instructions often end up at the bottom of the pile. You will have to be flexible when it comes to showing your home. In addition, you will also need to remain accessible via phone, email or text messaging. In the event that your agent receives an offer, you’ll want to be the first to hear about it.

        2. The marketing is poor.
 

Every house has a buyer and the marketing of the property must be directed at the appropriate target audience. Nowadays, it is imperative that a home has a strong online presence on numerous websites with quality photos that will entice viewers to want to see more. If the local agents and buyers in your community do not know that the property is for sale, then it is not being marketed properly. A successful Realtor will know how to market correctly so as to emphasize its best features and strong points.

        3. The home is overpriced.

This is the most common reason properties remain on the market too long and fail to attract consumers. In order to have any shot at a quick sale, a home has to be priced right. Overpricing usually occurs when buyers purchase during a peak in the market and cannot accept the economic reality that prices sometimes fall. Every so often, homeowners fail to understand that sentimental attachment does not necessarily translate to a higher price tag. Today’s well-informed house shoppers will only pay for what a property is worth.


The best way to avoid a lengthy listing on the MLS is to work with a knowledgeable local Realtor who will view your home as the valuable financial asset that it is and help you price it accurately, make it accessible and presentable for showings, and market it to a suitable buyers' pool.

Enjoy Year-Round Vacation Living in Arizona Biltmore

Visitors to the Biltmore community in Phoenix quickly discover what countless celebrities and other residents have known for a long time– a home in Biltmore offers year-round vacation living in an upscale neighborhood. Here are just a few of the many aspects that contribute to Biltmore’s reputation as the preferred location for distinguished homebuyers in Phoenix.


Landscape Vistas to Die For

The views from many homes in this affluent locale will take your breath away. Where else can you wake up every day in a spa-like setting and enjoy magnificent vistas of the Piestewa Peak, Camelback Mountains, City of Phoenix and Sonoran Desert on your morning walk? Combine that with incredible sunsets and you have all the key ingredients for a permanent vacation home.


Biltmore’s Rich Heritage

The Biltmore area owes its name and heritage to the world-renowned Arizona Biltmore Hotel, constructed in 1929 with architectural input from Frank Lloyd Wright. Known as the “Jewel of the Desert”, the Arizona Biltmore has been hosting celebrities, politicians and dignitaries for 85 years. Irving Berlin is rumored to have written “White Christmas” while vacationing here. Marilyn Monroe was a frequent poolside guest and Ronald and Nancy Reagan spent their honeymoon at the Biltmore. Phoenix residents consistently vote the Arizona Biltmore as one of their Phoenix Points of Pride.

Art, Restaurants & Shopping

Biltmore residents have easy access to shopping and dining at the sprawling hotel/spa complex, plus all that the greater Phoenix Scottsdale area has to offer. Foodies are kept busy at the local farmer’s markets and world-class dining spots, while shoppers enjoy Biltmore Fashion Park which is home to Louis Vuitton, Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier and dozens of other high-end retailers. The entire district abounds with art galleries, sure to please even the most finicky collector.


Recreation

The Sonoran Desert’s warm, dry climate permits pleasure for golf and tennis enthusiasts, as well as mountain bikers, hikers, runners and walkers, throughout the year. All these activities are enjoyed against the backdrop of the spectacular desert scenery. A brisk morning stroll followed by lunch and golf on the same course that has hosted U.S. presidents is a typical day in Biltmore. And you can end each with a heart-stopping sunset.
 

Whether you’re looking for a year-round or second vacation home, Arizona’s Biltmore neighborhood is worth a look. Every day will feel like a holiday!

Surprise Your Mom this Mother's Day

As Mother’s Day rolls around this year, let’s take the time to remember all the great things – large and small - that moms do for their children. Flowers are always appreciated and everyone enjoys a nice brunch, but, for a change, why not surprise your mom with a different kind of celebration? Here are a few suggestions for dazzling mom this Mother’s Day:

Organize a Family Hike – Here in the desert, we enjoy beautiful weather all year-round and are surrounded by incredible hiking trails. If you enjoy the same access to nature’s finest, organize a multi-generation hike on a terrain suitable for all. Finish the day with a family picnic.

Visit a Botanical Garden or Plant Your Own Garden – A family outing to the nearest botanical garden is another great idea. Gardeners and non-gardeners alike will appreciate the beauty of spring flowers in full bloom. If your mom is an avid gardener herself, you could plant a new flower bed or vegetable patch and stake it with a homemade sign that says “Mother’s Day 2015.” If there are young children in the family, they can also help plant seeds and illustrate the sign.

Tea Party – Surprise all the moms in your family with an invitation to a formal tea party. Encourage dressy attires and silly hats, then, serve tiny tea sandwiches and cake or cupcakes with a selection of teas. The little girls in the family will love it. After tea is served, join the boys in the family for some fun in the sun.

Family Bike Ride – Gather mom, dad, grandma, grandpa and the kids for a family bike ride in a local park. Take some photos of all the moms and finish the day with a potluck barbecue prepared and served by dads and children.

It really does not matter what you do on Mother’s Day as long as you do it in the company of the ones you love, so might as well try something new this year. Your mom will always love you no matter what, which is why it’s nice to show your affection and appreciation for her every once in a while in ways that are fun and entertaining for the whole family. It will surely be a day she would remember.

How to Stage Your Home to Sell - A DIY Guide

Home staging may begin with a thorough cleaning of the property, but there is much more to it than just that. It involves elbow grease, a natural feel for interior design and a hint of magic. Professional home stagers do an incredible job. However, if you are on a tight budget, there are still a number of things you can do on your own.

Think of yourself as a set designer for a play or film. You are to create an atmosphere that will transport the actors and audience into another world. Home staging works the same way. The goal is to make your home appealing to a wide range of potential buyers. More importantly, it allows buyers to visualize themselves living in it. There is definitely a little enchantment involved. If you are thinking of selling, here are a few tips for casting the right spell on potential buyers.

You want your buyers to feel they could live in your home the minute they step across the threshold. As visitors enter, make sure it is inviting and smells clean. A colorful planter on the front porch is a good start to maximize impact on all senses. If you are going to burn candles or use air fresheners, the scent should be clean and neutral – nothing too strong. Plus, there should be nothing to trip over or squeeze past. The flow of traffic in the entire house must be natural and barrier-free.

In order to create this ambience, most homes will require serious de-cluttering following a floor-to-ceiling cleansing. You will have to remove some large items, in addition to most of the tiny knickknacks, pictures and mementos. Pet bowls and toys should be out of sight. This part can be difficult, though, because of your emotional attachment to your stuff. On top of all that, closets need to be organized as well. Overflowing drawers and closets will only leave buyers wondering if their own stuff will fit. Think of the process as getting a jump-start on your packing for the big move.

Once the cleaning and clutter removal is complete, focus on the lighting in every room. Pull back shades and blinds to permit the flow of natural light. One or two family photos artfully displayed are fine, as are a stack of books near the fireplace or an heirloom quilt folded neatly over a bed rail. If you can, pull furniture away from the walls, and set up several cozy seating and conversation areas throughout the home. Always remember to have clean towels and fresh soaps in all bathrooms. Lastly, one or more fresh flower vases in the main living area and master bedroom are a nice touch.

Home staging is one of the best tools available to sellers who want their property to stand out from the rest of the pack. Hire a pro or do it yourself. Either way, make sure that the scene you create is warm, welcoming and irresistible to anyone who walks in the door.