Power Ranch Community Open House

My Arizona Home Team will be participating in a HUGE community open house in the Power Ranch Master Planned Community on Saturday, Dec. 1 between 12 pm and 3 pm. Power Ranch is located at Power and Queen Creek Roads in Gilbert. Please visit us at our listing located at 4627 E. Sundance Ave. Hope to see you there and have a great weekend!

Deck the Halls, Safely

Here are a few tips to make decking the halls a little more safe and energy efficient!

Decorative Lighting:

Only use lights, decorations and cords with a ”NOEL” or U/L testing agency label. Make sure plugs and sockets are free of defects.
Do not tie together more than 3 extension cords.
Do not run cords under carpet or anywhere they could get crushed or cause a trip hazard.
Keep electrical devices out of the reach of children.
Do not leave lights on when going to bed or leaving the house.

Outdoor lighting:

Only use lights approved for outdoor use.
Do not hang outdoor lights with nails or tacks. Instead use insulated staples or hooks.
Keep outdoor lights away from power lines.

Christmas Trees:

Fresh trees should be cut at a 45-degree angle about one inch above the original cut and place it in a sturdy stand. Make sure that it is securely anchored.
Place trees away from fireplaces, televisions and other heat sources. Fresh trees can dry out quicker if placed near a heat source making it more susceptible to fire. Make sure that fresh trees have plenty of water.
Artificial trees should be made of a fire resistant material. Never put lights on a metallic tree.

Fireplace Safety:

Whether you have an indoor or outdoor fireplace, do not burn boxes or wrapping paper in a fireplace. These materials ignite quickly and burn uncontrollably.
Use a metal container and store container outdoors when cleaning out fireplaces. Ashes can remain hot for several hours if not days.

Energy Costs:

Everyone likes their house to shine brighter than all of the others on the block. That, of course, can cause an increase in your energy bill. The following is and easy way to help to calculate your energy cost during the holiday season.

Count the number of bulbs your using on your trees and decorations.
Check the wattage per bulb- one watt per bulb is normal.
Multiply watts per bulb by the number of bulbs your using.
Convert to kilowatts (kw)-1000 watts equals 1 kilowatt.
Estimate the number of hours in a month the lights are on. (5 hours per day X 30 days=150 hours)
Multiply the total kilo watt-hours by the total cost of electricity. Total cost for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity on average is 14 cents per kilowatt-hour. So, for example, the total cost of holiday lighting would be 150 kwh X .14 = $21.
RISMedia.com

HISTORICAL REAL ESTATE MARKET QUOTES TO PONDER:

Please keep these in mind when you begin to panic over today's market analysis findings by our lovely media outlets....

“The prices of houses seem to have reached a plateau, and there is reasonable expectation that prices will decline.” – Time Magazine 1947e

“Houses cost too much for the mass market. Today’s average price is out of reach fro two-thirds of all buyers.” Science Digest 1948 ( average price at that time: $ 8,000)

“The goal of owning a home seems to be getting beyond the reach of more and more Americans.” Business Week 1969 ( average price at that time $ 28,000)

“The era of easy profits in real estate maybe drawing to a close.” –Money Magazine 1981

“If you are looking to buy, be careful. Rising home values are not a sure thing anymore.” –Miami Herald 1985

“Most economists agree…a home will become little more than a roof and tax deduction, certainly not the lucrative investment in was…” Money Magazine 1986

“We’ve started to go back to the time when you bought a home not it’s potential money-making abilities, but rather as a nesting spot.” Los Angeles Times 1993 ( Note that 1993 was THE absolute low-point for the real estate values in L.A. Prices have sky-rocketed since.)

“Financial planners agree that houses will continue to be poor investment.” Kiplinger Personal Financial Magazine 1993

“A home is where the bad investment is.” San Francisco Examiner 1996

Lowest Rates in 25 Months


We couldn't have asked for a better Chirstmas treat than the one we got on Monday: the lowest 30-year fixed-rate in over two years. That's right. For those of you who have been patiently waiting, here's your chance to save anywhere from $5,000 to $7,500 or even more on the mortgage financing you've been looking for. Do not miss this great opportunity to cash in on the lowest rates since October 2005.

Here's why you should act now:

Monday saw the lowest 30-year fixed interest rate in over two years. However, each time this interest rate reached previous low points, both last year and earlier this year, it began increasing and didn't stop, climbing over 0.50% in the months that followed!


Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac tightened guidelines, announcing new Loan-Level Price Adjustments. In the first quarter of 2008, most borrowers who have good credit, but have FICO scores below 680, will now be forced either to pay more points at closing or incur a higher interest rate.
The amount that a borrower could be forced to pay, even if they've never been late on a payment, could be as much as 2.00% in points or an interest rate that's 1.00% higher than the going rate.

On a $250,000 home loan, a borrower could have to pay up to $5,000 in order to receive normal market rates! Borrowers choosing the higher interest rate, under the worse case scenario, would stand to lose over $7,500 in just the first three years of the loan.

Choosing to wait could cost you money both in the form of higher market rates and points. This could well be the greatest holiday present you could treat yourself to this year, but only if you act fast!

Whatever Happened to Quiet?

So I'm glancing through the paper this morning, with the satellite receiver on so I could listen to Fox News (but not watch since the TV is in the shop), and there's 3 pages of ideas for tech toy gift giving. HDTVs, iPods, portable CD players, jump drives, iPod speakers and headphones, remote controls, mobile phones, computers, Blackberries, and the list and ads went on ad nauseum. In real estate, as in most businesses, technology is such a necessity that we can never get away from it. Voice mail, email, text messages, live phone calls all seem to be a necessary part of life. Yet it seems to me that all these things that were supposed to make our lives easier, more productive and wealthier have become such an intrusion in our lives that sometimes I really resent it! When the phone rings at my house, my lovely wife will ask me if I'm gonna answer it. When I reply no, she always says, "what if it's important?." To which I say, "if it's important, they'll leave a message." Sometimes she doesn't get that I'm sick of technology since I've been "connected" for the last 12 hours and have only one desire at that point and that is to totally disengage, sit on the patio with a cup of coffee or some other beverage of choice and unwind.

When I was a kid, my parents encouraged me to have quiet time everyday. It might be for reading a book, reflecting on or starting the day, or simply to just let the mind rest. As I was reading the paper with all the extraneous background noise, I wondered, "whatever happened to quiet?" Why must we constantly have some sort of visual or audible stimulation? Have we become so insensitive to the simpler things of life that we can't survive without all the "stuff" we think we must absolutely have to get us through the day?

Oh well, must get to the rest of the email, start making phone calls and texting business associates and clients, scrambling for the next sale since I do have to feed the family and pay the mortgage, and get the brain engaged for another 12 hour day. I can't wait for 9PM so I can have a little more peace and quiet.

Hot Swiss & Bacon Dip by Chef Dad

I saw this one on Good Morning AZ and it looks fabulous, I can't wait to try it myself! It's perfect for all of your holiday parties. Enjoy!!! = )
~Ashley Dewey

Ingredients:
12 slices Bacon (cooked and chopped)
12 oz. Swiss cheese (shredded)
8 oz. Cream cheese (softened)
3/4 Cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. Worcester sauce
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. Horseradish
¼ Cup Scallions (a.k.a. "green onions", green part only, diced)
Salt & Pepper


Instructions:
1)Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2)Cook your bacon until slightly crispy, but not crunchy. Drain on paper towels, chop into small pieces then set aside.

3)In a mixing bowl, combine all your ingredients plus about ¼ teaspoon of both salt & pepper.

4)Put in a buttered or sprayed casserole dish and bake for 35-40 minutes or until brown & bubbly.

5)Serve warm with Chef Dad's "Toasted Baguettes" (separate recipe) or crackers.

Cooks Note; This dish can be made a day or two ahead of time, just be sure to cover with plastic wrap. You can use Swiss or Gruyere cheese.

Andies Chocolate Chips Cookies

OK so I tried the the recipe the other day. They are so delicious! Happy Holidays Everyone!

3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons water
2 eggs
2 cups chocolate chips
2 1/2 cup flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 boxes Andes candies



In sauce pan over low heat, melt butter; add sugar and water. Then add chocolate chips. Stir until partially melted. Remove from heat; stir , then cool for 5 minutes. Add eggs and dry ingredients; mix with a mixer on low speed until blended. Chill 1 hour. Make into little balls and bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes. While still hot, put Andies candy mint on each cookie, let it get soft then swirl mint with spoon. Cool on baking rack.

Market Watch

I received this "Market Watch" article from Michael Fink at CountryWide. I found it very interesting! It discusses interest rates, the sale #'s from this years Black Friday, etc. and how what this means about the economy, etc. Take a look:

"PRESENT MARKET CONDITIONS- The Federal Reserves decision not to push rates higher on Tuesday was a turning point because its policy-making committee had raised interest rates a quarter-point each of the last 17 times it has met, dating back to June 2004.
But last month Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke told a Senate committee that the economy appeared to be slowing enough to rein in inflation. Housing starts moved higher in October, after 3 consecutive months of decline, the US Census Bureau & HUD reported. The stock market has stayed up due to the sinking dollar, which has benefited companies that depend on foreign sales. The indicator to watch most closely to gauge the likelihood of further economic deterioration is the labor market. The number of workers applying for jobless benefits fell by 11,000 recently & suggests job market deterioration has been modest. Retail sales performance over the Thanksgiving weekend is closely watched because it accounts for up to 8 percent, or roughly $40 billion, of all holiday sales, according to the National Retail Federation, the industry trade group. On Black Friday, retail sales rose 8.3 percent, the biggest increase in 3 years, according to ShopperTrak, a research company. However, it appears that consumers are spending more carefully due to rising energy costs, falling home prices & a tight credit market.

EXPECTATIONS- Quicken Loans Chief Economist Bob Walters says the recent loosening of credit, is bringing buyers to the market & beginning to prompt builders to start on new homes. "New home buyers are benefiting from the law of supply & demand, as they take advantage of lower prices & other builder incentives, in addition to attractive long term interest rates. With the up tick in housing starts, homebuilders are also seeing the effects of loosening credit, which is helping attract buyers back into the market for a new home." Walters said.

GUIDANCE- Mortgage rates continue to be at historic lows. If you are considering purchasing or refinancing your home, it's critical for you to work with...professional[s] who [are] committed to understanding your needs and advising you [properly]."

My Arizona Home Team are expert realtor consultants and experts on energy efficiency. We can advise you, at no cost to you, on the home buying or selling process and on energy saving tips to keep your utility costs down. This is especially important if you are thinking about buying a new build as energy costs continue to rise! We help you with your walk-through inspections for FREE. Please don't register at a new build community without calling My Arizona Home Team first!

How to Become a People Magnet

Thought this was an interesting article especially for all of the business men / women out there. Enjoy! - Posted by Katie Halle


Wednesday, November 14, 2007
How to Become a People Magnet 
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

By Dani Johnson

Keys to increasing your sales, client retention, referrals, company morale and more!


I grew up in an abusive drug afflicted home and was told by my father my whole life that I was fat, ugly and good for nothing. I had no dreams, no goals, no self-esteem – nothing.



So when I was first exposed to the business world, I did not believe I could succeed. After six months of failure, I was blessed to find a mentor who taught me some key principles that turned things around.



Then I got married to a guy who drained my bank account and left me with $35,000 in credit card debt. I became totally homeless living out of my car and had to start all over again. Within two short years I became a millionaire at the age of 23.



Below are some of the foundational key skills I learned early on, and have since taught tens of thousands of other entrepreneurs through our coaching programs and live seminars, that will give you an immediate change in the results you are getting and will turn you into a people magnet that others want to follow.



Learning and consistently applying these simple skills will increase your sales, client retention, referrals, company morale and loyalty. If you are in sales, this formula below will change your closing ratios dramatically. If you are married or have kids, these simple steps can turn around any relationship on a dime or make a good relationship great!



Smile. 93% of communication is non-verbal. Smiling may be the easiest way to change your non-verbal communication with others. Smiling shows confidence and builds curiosity. It relaxes others, and can immediately change the energy in a room. It will attract others to you and make them want what you have.



Make sure you smile while talking on the phone. This is so important. Smiling on the phone has raised people's closing ratios by more than 50%. Smiling changes your posture and says, "I know where I'm going, even if you don't." It's says, "I'm excited, I have energy! And I'm going with or without you!"



When I was homeless, living out of my car, I searched for one positive thing I could focus on that would make me smile. That one thought changed my focus, gave me something to smile about and was the beginning of my situation turning around. The next 10 hours in my business, I made $2000 which got me out of my car and into an apartment.



Be yourself – not an amateur sales person. It's very important to be yourself. If you're yourself, then your guard is down, and guess what? So is the other person's! You want to build a relationship with the person you are talking with and this is what we call, "friends first". When I get on the phone and I'm being myself, the whole goal is to build a friendship with the person on the other end of the phone.



I start my conversation off in a very friendly way and that builds trust right away. If they trust you, they're going to do business with you. If you're being yourself, the prospect or client can tell.



Encourage sincerely. Develop the habit of sincerely encouraging your prospects, clients, employees, friends and family members. When you first meet someone, find something to encourage them on. Be sincere, don't flatter. Most people go months without someone else showing any interest in them – be that person who encourages and appreciates them and you'll have an instant friend who trusts you.



One of my goals that I built my business on is to be a positive and encouraging influence on every person I come in contact with. If your heart is in the right place this is simple and makes an impact on everyone around you. With a prospect, it begins that relationship that moves them from just a "short term sale" to a long term referring "client".



Ask questions. Learn to become a good interviewer. Use the acronym F.O.R.M. to find a person's needs, strengths and goals.



1. Ask them about their family (F), where they live or grew up, if they have any kids, if they are married, etc.
2. Ask about their occupation (O) or what they do for a living. Ask what they like about it and what they don't like.
3. Ask about what they do for fun or recreation (R).
4. And finally, offer a message (M) or solution to their needs or goals.



You can use this formula to get to know someone and discover what motivates them as well as what they are dissatisfied with in their life.



Truly listen to people when you talk with them. Don't just think about what you are going to say next. Make eye contact and repeat back to them their needs, strengths and goals. This works beautifully for problem solving, resolving personal issues and even discovering their personality to make sure you are maximizing their strengths.



Speak to their personality. Learn how to identify and speak to each of the 4 primary personality groups:



1. Rubies are generally motivated by challenge, money and being the best.
2. Emeralds like to have all the facts before making a decision.
3. Safires are motivated by fun and being part of the team and
4. Pearls are motivated by a cause and helping others.



Learn how to focus on the other person's strengths and put them in positions that allow them to excel. Don't make the mistake of talking only about what gets YOU excited or is important to YOU. The other person may not even care! Talk about what gets them excited and now you have their attention! Listening and asking questions is how you find out what the other persons hot buttons are.



Be a winner NOT a whiner. Don't complain or talk about your problems, no one else really cares. All they care about is their problems and if you can help solve them! I had every reason in the book to complain, whine, murmur and blame. And for several weeks, I did that and that's why I was homeless. When I stopped nursing my problem, cursing my problem and rehearsing my problem – and I started looking for one good thing that I could focus on I then took action and went on to make my first million. So be a winner, not a whiner!



Offer a solution. When working with people, let them know what the next step is to get closer to their goal. If you can help others get what they want, you will always have what you want. So think in terms of what does my prospect, my client, my spouse, my kids, my boss, my employee want? Then figure out a way to make that happen.



Have faith. There is one thing I know beyond a shadow of a doubt: If you don't fight the trial, the person, the circumstances, the issue, the pain, the suffering – and you just by faith trust God and move forward – you will always come out better on the other side of the trial!



Don't freak out the next time a bomb drops on your life…have faith and say, "Okay I know something good is going to come out of this one. What do I need to learn out of this so I can be better next time?"



The bombs are going to drop, that is for certain. But it's how we deal with them that determine sour success in every area of our lives.



Practice consistently. You may be saying, "Dani, there's nothing new here that I didn't already know or hear before." My question to you is, are you using it? Do you practice it consistently? If not, why? What is stopping you? For many people, the issue is a matter of the heart. You have to be willing to drop your ego and get over your own insecurities and issues to focus on others first.



The key to attracting people to you and positively influencing others is realizing that you are NOT the issue! If you want long term success and peace of mind, you must have a clean heart with pure motives. Anyone can learn some techniques and use them to manipulate people. But if your heart is pure and you truly have that other person's best interest in mind, and you learn to be a servant first, then you are sowing good seed. Do that, and there is no level of success you cannot attain – and your influence with others will be positive and eternal!

Arizona Republic Mexico Article 11/25/07

Yes,

Now we all know that buying property in Mexico or investing in another country is a very bad idea and all of us who do so will lose everything if we choose to believe what we read in today's newspaper. At least that's what Dennis Wagner stated in today's Sunday paper.

Maybe we will see another article from Dennis Wagner on the positive side of Puerto Penasco in an upcoming paper. Maybe he could mention that numerous international companies have invested billions of dollars in Rocky Point, or possibly mention that on Sandy Beach and other areas surrounding Puerto Penasco that there are numerous projects already completed and currently under construction. Maybe he could mention that Cabo, Cancun, and other major tourist’s areas also looked like Rocky Point at some time in the past.

Why take a stab at an entire resort area due to the failure of one project? That's like saying if one builder in the Phoenix area is in trouble, stay away from all of them or you're going to lose everything.

Anyone with any level of intelligence or common sense should be able to see right through this piece of fish wrap, otherwise known as a newspaper. As a true full time real estate professional in Phoenix with extensive knowledge of the Rocky Point market, I would like to once again thank the Arizona Republic for another outstanding piece of advice for all of us. Now we have just given the general public, who are all Realtors at heart, all of the ammunition they need to tell us that the market may never recover and why pay a Realtor for professional advice when the Arizona Republic offers it for free.

Just think, if Dennis Wagner would have printed an article like this 3 years ago about the Phoenix market, maybe the tens of thousands of investors around the country would've stayed away and not stuck us with 25,000 bare bones spec homes which is truly the root cause of our local real estate adjustment.

I’ll compare anyone buying in Mexico on their own without professional advice to someone buying in Phoenix without professional advice. Oh that’s right; I’ve already mentioned those 25,000 Arizona Republic readers above.

26 Valley places to see Santa

26 Valley Locations to see Santa

1. Arizona Mills: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays, Saturdays, Nov. 17 through Dec. 24. Santa visits. From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 24. Arizona Mills, 5000 Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe. 480-491-7300. http://www.arizonamills.com/.
2. Arrowhead Towne Center: Sundays through Saturdays, Nov. 23 through Dec. 24. Santa visits 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 23-24, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, Dec. 3-8 and Dec. 10-14; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 and 9; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 15 and 17-22; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 23; and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Arrowhead Towne Center, 7700 W. Arrowhead Towne Center, Glendale. 623-979-9764. http://www.arrowheadtownecenter.com/.
3. Breakfast With Santa: Sunday, Saturday, Dec. 8-24. Also includes a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas with Mrs. Claus. Seatings are at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 and 24. Reservations required. Lantana Grille, Pointe Hilton Resort at Squaw Peak 7677 N. 16th St., Phoenix. $26.95; $15.95 for ages 4-12. 602-997-5850.
4. Chandler Fashion Center: Sundays through Saturdays, Nov. 23 through Dec. 24. Santa visits 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 23-24, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, Dec. 3-8 and Dec. 10-14; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 and 9; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 15 and 17-22; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 23; and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Chandler Fashion Center, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. 480-812-8488. http://www.chandlermall.com/.
5. Desert Sky Mall: Sundays through Saturdays, Nov. 23 through Dec. 24. Santa visits 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 23-24, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, Dec. 3-8 and Dec. 10-14; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 and 9; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 15 and 17-22; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 23; and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Desert Sky Mall, 7611 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix. 623-245-1400. http://www.desertskymall.com/.
6. Fiesta Mall: Sundays through Saturdays, Nov. 23 through Dec. 24. Santa visits 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 23-24, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, Dec. 3-8 and Dec. 10-14; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 and 9; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 15 and 17-22; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 23; and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Fiesta Mall, U.S. 60 and Alma School Road, Mesa. 480-610-0842. http://www.shopfiesta.com/.
7. Glendale Glitters Spectacular: 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23-24. Downtown Glendale, 59th and Glendale avenues, Glendale. . http://www.ci.glendale.az.us/.
8. Glendale Glitters Enchanted Evenings: 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 30 through Dec. 22. Downtown Glendale.
9. Holiday Celebration: 4-8 p.m. Nov. 30. Holiday sweets, picture with Santa, balloon twisting, and special booths. Also Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet Nutcracker cast performs. Polka Dot Dreams, 7131 W. Ray Road, Suite 26, Chandler. 480-496-9494. http://www.polkadotdreams.com/.
10. Jingle Bell Hike to Santa: 9-11 a.m. Dec. 1. Hike a third of a mile with Santa. No dogs allowed. Thunderbird Conservation Park, 59th Avenue, north of Deer Valley Road, Glendale. (623) 930-2044. www.glendaleaz.com/parksandrecreation/parksandfacilities/thunderbirdpark.cfm
11. Kierland Commons: Sundays through Saturdays, Nov. 17 through Dec. 24. Santa visits noon-8 p.m. Nov. 17, 23 and 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 17-23; noon-6 p.m. Nov. 18 and 25 and Dec. 2, 9 and 16; 4-9 p.m. Dec. 14; and 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Pets can visit Santa 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 18 and 25 and Dec. 2, 9 and 16. Kierland Commons, 15205 N. Kierland Blvd., Phoenix. FREE to visit; price for photos varies. 480-348-1577. http://www.kierlandcommons.com/.
12. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park: 6:30-9 p.m. Sundays through Saturdays, Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. Park is decorated with thousands of holiday lights. Opening night includes a tree-lighting ceremony, entertainment and Santa. Santa is at the park through Dec. 23. Also train and carousel rides. The park is closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. $2 train ride; $1 carousel ride; free for age 3 and younger with a paying adult. 480-312-2312. http://www.therailroadpark.com/
13. McCullough-Price House: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 18. Event includes holiday cookies, visit with Santa, and a tour of the facility. McCullough-Price House, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler. 480-782-2876. www.chandleraz.gov/history.
14. Metrocenter Mall: Sundays through Saturdays, Nov. 23 through Dec. 24. Santa visits 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 23-24, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, Dec. 3-8 and Dec. 10-14; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 and 9; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 15 and 17-22; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 23; and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Metrocenter Mall, 9617 N. Metro Parkway West, Phoenix. 602-997-8991. http://www.metrocentermall.com/.
15. Mrs. Santa Claus, North Phoenix: 10 a.m. Dec. 18. Sing songs and celebrate the season with the wife of Santa Claus. Also 11 a.m. North Valley Regional Library, 40410 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Phoenix. 602-652-3000. http://www.mcldaz.org/.
16. Mrs. Santa Claus, Surprise: 10 a.m. Dec. 8. Enjoy stories, magic and songs with the wife of Santa Claus. Northwest Regional Library, 16089 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. 602-652-3000. http://www.mcldaz.org/.
17. New River Kiwanis Community Park: 3-6 p.m. Dec. 2. Arts and crafts for kids, picnic food provided and gifts. Santa will also make an appearance. New River Kiwanis Community Park, 48606 N. 17th Ave., New River. 623-465-0726. http://www.newriverkiwanis.org/.
18. Paradise Valley Mall: Sundays through Saturdays, Nov. 23 through Dec. 24. Santa visits 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 23-24, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, Dec. 3-8 and Dec. 10-14; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 and 9; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 15 and 17-22; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 23; and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Paradise Valley Mall, 4568 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix. 602-996-8840.
19. Promenade Classic Holidays: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 23. Santa photos, carriage rides, and a concert by the Dickens Carolers at noon. Concert benefits Scottsdale's Vista del Camino food bank. Promenade Shopping Center, 16427 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Cash donation or two cans of food to attend concert. 480-385-2820.
20. Santa Paws Pet Photos: Sundays, Saturdays, Nov. 17 through Dec. 9. Get your pet's photo taken with Santa Claus Nov. 17, Dec. 1 or Dec. 9. Benefits Arizona Basset Hound Rescue. Call for an appointment. Three Dog Bakery, 2442 E. Camelback Road, Suite 8, Phoenix. (602) 522-2333. http://www.azbassetrescue.com/
21. Santan Village: Sundays through Saturdays, Nov. 23 through Dec. 24. Santa visits noon-8 p.m. Nov. 23-24, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, Dec. 3-8 and Dec. 10-23; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 and 9; 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 24. SanTan Village, 2361 S. SanTan Village Parkway, Gilbert. 480-899-1878. http://www.shopsantanvillage.com/.
22. Santa's Theme Park: 3 p.m. Sundays, 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 3 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 22 through Jan. 6. Firebird International Raceway, 20000 S. Maricopa Road, Gila River Reservation. $19.95; $14.95 for kids 3-9 and seniors 60 and older; family pack available. 480-247-9591. http://www.visitsantas.com/.
23. Scottsdale Fashion Square: Sundays through Saturdays, Nov. 23 through Dec. 24. Santa visits 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 23-24, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, Dec. 3-8 and Dec. 10-14; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 and 9; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 15 and 17-22; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 23; and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Scottsdale Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. 480-990-7800. http://www.fashionsquare.com/.
24. Superstition Springs Center: Sundays through Saturdays, Nov. 23 through Dec. 24. Santa visits 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 23-24, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, Dec. 3-8 and Dec. 10-14; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 and 9; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 15 and 17-22; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 23; and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Superstition Springs Center, 6555 E. Southern Ave., Mesa. 480-832-0212. http://www.superstitionsprings.com/.
25. Visit With Mrs. Claus: 3 p.m. Dec. 17. Celebrate the holidays with Santa's wife while enjoying songs, cookies and cocoa. Litchfield Park Branch Library, 101 W. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park. 602-652-3000. http://www.mcldaz.org/.
26. Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa: 5-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-8. Santa visits for photos and gift requests. Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa, 300 Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park. 623-935-3811. http://www.wigwamresort.com/.

Merry and Bright?

This morning's USA Today has an article about holiday decor and the advantages of using LED lights as opposed to the traditional incandescent bulbs.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-11-20-led-lights_N.htm

This one seems like a no brainer. According to the sources in the article, over the past 40 years, the brightness of LED lights has doubled every 18 months and the cost has dropped approximately 33% in the same 18 month increments. LEDs will last for 50,000 hours, incandescents only 1000 hours. While the cost for LED light strings is about 50% more, their cost to operate is 35 times less! The payback on these comes in the first year and from then on, they're free! Again, a no brainer.

Many cities are switching to these lights for their holiday decorations. New York's Rockefeller Center tree which will be lit next week will be draped in 30,000 LEDs. The National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC this year will also be outfitted with LEDs for the first time.

Other cities and towns across America are making the conversion and with the decreased cost for energy to power them all, some are considering leaving them up year round, thereby saving the cost of annual put up and take down. Again, seems like a no brainer.

So where can you get these for your home? Most of the stores carry these during the holidays and with discount coupons from stores like Michael's, Target, the cost becomes extremely affordable, even though they are not that expensive to begin with. And when the credit card bill comes in January, it'll make the holiday seem that much more merrier.

Calamity or Opportunity?

The big real estate headline in this morning's AZ Republic was about foreclosures being up in the Valley nearly 600% over the same period last year. On the surface, this seems somewhat tragic, and in many ways it is. We wouldn't downplay the severity of the problems this presents for homeowners who find themselves in this situation. Yet, as history has proven time and again, one man's calamity is another's opportunity. Albert Einstein said "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Donald Trump said on CNBC recently that the next six months presents the greatest time to buy real estate in many decades. If a person is in a position to buy and hold, now is the time to buy. Denzel Washington is quoted as saying, "I say luck is when an opportunity comes along and you're prepared for it." Every wise investor knows you make your money on the front of the deal, not the back. Many who thought they were investors were really gamblers. They were betting on the "come." When the "come" didn't come, they did nothing but roll craps.



So while the foreclosure mess is quite tragic for some, it represents an incredible opportunity for the right person with the resources. An old Bulgarian Proverb says, "Seize opportunity by the beard for it is bald behind." Don't wait for this opportunity to go bald. Catch it coming at you for once it's gone, it may never return.

The Simple Life sans Paris

A recent story from the Associated Press, and reported in the AZ Republic today made a case for clothes lines. Yes, clothes lines and a time when life was simpler. Remember when we hung our clothes out, the warm sun drying them in a reasonable time, the fresh smell? Ah, but no more. Life without clothes dryers. Hmmm......how would we ever make it.? The challenge with clothes lines is......they hardly exist anymore. Most homeowners associations prohibit them, not wanting to allow anyone to air their laundry, dirty or not. So, we resort to the sounds of thumping shoes and scraping zippers as the dryer drum turns, sometimes for hours a day.

There could be some change on the horizon, though. There is a move on by grass roots "Right to Dry" groups nationwide to override HOAs across the country. Why? Do we really want to see our neighbors blue jeans, t-shirts and dainties on the line? I'm sure we don't want to but could tolerate it given the following statistics. In 2005, there were 88 million dryers in the US, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Annually, these dryers consume 1,079 kilowatt hours of energy per household, creating 2,224 pounds of carbon-dioxide emissions. Do the math and the numbers become mind boggling. That's 95 Billion KWH of energy and nearly 196 Billion pounds of carbon-dioxide emissions. I'm choking and coughing on the numbers, dollars and pollution just thinking about it!

So maybe it's time to get back to a simpler life...a greener life....a healthier life. Why not, it really wouldn't be that difficult. Just gotta get past those darn HOAs.

New York AG Sues Appraisal Co.

USA Today reports this morning that "New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo sued a major appraisal company Thursday, saying it helped Washington Mutual (WM) inflate home appraisals as part of what Cuomo called a nationwide pandemic that's contributed to the housing recession." We all know about the mortgage industry and credit markets upheaval. You'd have to be living in a cave in Afghanistan to not be aware of it and even then with wireless internet, one could conceivably be fully up to date on the latest news in the world. AG Cuomo's suit filed yesterday is just another indication of how far "out there" some mortgage lenders were willing to go to seal a deal. We hear a lot about the unscrupulous lenders, real estate agents, buyers and sellers who are ignorant of the process and legal ramifications of unethical and illegal behavior. Not much has been said about these appraisal companies, who were buying loyalties from the lender by inflating values to keep the deal together. Just another piece of the puzzle. Could this spread to other states? Only time will tell. The entire story of Cuomo's suit can be found at the USA Today website or any of the other wires, I'm sure.

Eco-Friendly Homes

An article in today's USA Today highlited the current trend in "green building" and energy efficiency home construction. In my opinion, AZ is way behind in this technology. In the desert southwest, where temperatures can reach 120 degrees in the summer, one would think green building and energy efficient construction would be a no brainer. Yet the production builders, with very few exceptions, continue to build energy sucking product instead of energy efficient product. There are only a few production builders in the Phoenix area who are building what can truly be described as a high performance home. The additional cost to insulate properly, install high performance windows and high efficiency HVAC systems is minimal compared to $500 power bills at least 3 - 4 months of the year. (It was still nearly 100 degrees in Phoenix this week.) When homeowners choose between being comfortable or making the mortgage payment, foolish as it may seem, they inevitably choose comfort. It is very likely that high energy bills are part of the issue with foreclosures at all time highs and one reason Arizona is in the top ten list for foreclosures in the country. Come on, builders, offer a better product. Mortgage lenders, come up with programs that allow for energy efficiency improvements that reduce mortgage payments. State and local governments, provide incentives to builders and consumers alike to encourage high performance construction. The immediate benefits would be dramatic, not to mention the snowball into other areas of life like health care, and potentially a boost in investment from the more available cash, It goes on and on. Let's get with the program.

Massive Community Open House!

Fantastic Open House opportunity! 30 homes open this Saturday, November 3, 2007 from 11am to 3pm. Tour at least 5 homes and be eligible for the prize drawing (dinner, golf, gift cards, etc...)

Trilogy @ Power Ranch

4707 E. Rakestraw Lane, Gilbert, AZ 85297

For more information call Ben @ 480-329-6309!