Visit the Wild West

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Cave Creek Frontier Town photoIf you’re interested in visiting some of the iconic Old West sites, there are definitely some places worth paying a visit in Arizona. For example, a kid-friendly attraction, Rawhide is a fun destination. This theme park is styled after a real Wild West frontier town, complete with a general store, a saloon, a blacksmith, and a photo emporium. There are also attractions such as a petting zoo, hay rides, gold panning, a shooting gallery and live-action stunt shows. While there is no charge to enter Rawhide, there is a price per attraction (or you can buy an all-inclusive wristband). Rawhide closes for the summer, but is now open during the fall, winter and spring seasons.

A few hours south of the Valley of the Sun is the town of Tombstone. Known as “the town too tough to die”, this historical town is centered around the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park. This two-story museum houses several historical documents and memorabilia which describe the O.K. Corral gunfight between Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and the cowboy fugitives. The museum also is home to a reproduction of the sheriff’s office, courtroom and gallows. Also in Tombstone are the Bird Cage Theatre and the Boothill Cemetery (with its humorous headstones). Every second, fourth and fifth Sunday of the month, the Tombstone Vigilantes re-enact gunfights on Allen Street, and on the fourth Saturday of the month, shops stay open late for Tombstone at Twilight. Consider also stopping at Old Tucson Studios on your way back home. This 320-acre Western town/movie set and theme park recreates the Wild West as seen in more than 300 TV shows and movies, including 3 John Wayne westerns. You’ll have your choice of performances and stunt shows, you can pan for gold, take a trail ride around the property or watch living-history presentations. Old Tucson Studios is open only on the weekends from October 1 through September 5 (closing for the month of September).

If you’re interested in more natural views of the Wild West, check out Monument Valley, located on the Arizona-Utah border. Monument Valley, located on the Navajo reservation, features scenes of breathtaking natural beauty that will be recognizable to anyone who has watched a Western movie. Check out Goulding’s Lodge & Trading Post, which has a free (donations accepted) museum featuring movie stills, call sheets, movie posters and other memorabilia, as well as a detailed map featuring specific movie locations around Monument Valley.  You can also hire a Navajo guide for a personal tour, who will share the stories and legends behind each rock formation. For more history about mining in Arizona, head to Goldfield Ghost Town, located in Apache Junction at the base of the Superstition Mountains. You can take a 25-minute tour of a mine shaft, and also tour the town with its museum, bordello, a church, livery stables as well as a reptile exhibit. Other activities include a zip line, a shooting gallery, panning for gold, riding a train and horseback rides. Gunfights are held on Saturdays and Sundays. Finally, the Yuma Territorial Prison is located in a State Historical Park, and is home to a museum which details what life was like for those incarcerated at the turn of the 20th century. The first prisoners in 1876 were the ones who built the cells in which they were imprisoned. You can visit the former mess hall and walk around inside of the original cell block.

Lighting Fixtures

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Whether you are thinking about selling your home, or just want to update your current home, paying attention to your lighting fixtures is a great way to brighten your living areas, as well as make them more current with today’s trends and styles.

updated lighting photoThere’s nothing worse for an agent to walk into a home that shines everywhere but with the lighting fixtures. This is such an easy and often inexpensive fix. With the advent of so many unique and beautiful lighting options, some lighting fixtures can even double as a focal point of the room itself. While you don’t need to have a fancy, expensive chandelier, taking the time to pick out a dramatic lighting fixture in the right space will make your room look amazing.

For example, on trend right now are tiered lighting fixtures. These fixtures are stacked and multi-dimensional and look fantastic in dining rooms. Another dining room lighting fixture that’s becoming very popular are rectangular chandeliers. These can be anything from an industrial chic chandelier to classic crystals or even brushed nickel with Edison bulbs in glass enclosures.

Pendant lighting is a classic fixture over kitchen islands, but are still on trend, especially some of the larger pendant fixtures with 8 or 10 bulbs. Cage pendants are particularly stylish, yet are traditional. Oversized drum lighting fixtures are another fun trend that also read as classic in many rooms, from the living room and bedroom to the dining room and kitchen.

Whatever lighting fixture you choose, be sure to pay attention to finish and scale. While being matchy-matchy with the rest of the fixtures in your rooms (such as door hardware and faucets) isn’t a requirement, keeping in the same tone and color family will create a harmonious design décor. The scale of the fixture is also important. If you choose an oversized lighting fixture for drama, tone done the rest of the surrounding décor so it doesn’t compete with the scale of the fixture. The bottom line, however, is that going light and bright with beautiful lighting fixtures is a win-win proposition for updating your home, or getting it ready for sale to maximize your resale value.

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Trends in Tile Flooring in 2017

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Whether you are thinking about selling your home, or just want to update your current home, taking a look at current trends in tile flooring is a great way to make sure your home is updated and on par with today’s trends and styles. Tile is a perennially popular option for flooring thanks to it being so low maintenance. From pet owners to parents to allergy sufferers, everyone loves tile floors for bathrooms and kitchens, and often throughout the home.

wood tile photoOne major design trend in tile flooring is the wood-look plank style flooring that can be seen all over design blogs, in home improvement stores and on HGTV home design shows. These tile planks come in a wide range of colors, textures and sizes. While most of these tiles do mimic the look of wood floors very well, be careful if you venture into lower price ranges as some of these tiles tend to look too busy and “plastic”. Also, try to avoid larger or wider grout lines, as these detract from the wood look you will desire. The way these tiles are laid is also important, as the way they are set can convey a variety of styles from rustic to modern.

Another tile trend is the use of more modern larger format tiles, such as 24 x 24 inches. No longer do homeowners want or desire smaller 12 x 12 tiles, as the larger the better. These larger tiles tend to make rooms look larger and more open. Other larger tile sizes are 12 x 24 tiles. These can be laid in a brick pattern or laid straight, either of which will modernize a room. Some homeowners are mixing sizes of tiles, but be careful here as a busy pattern on the tile mixed with a varied size of tile may not result in the look you desire.

Finally, consider the color of tile when you are narrowing down the tile options. Beiges and browns are still on trend, and are staying the course with classic, traditional looks as well as more modern looks as they are a perfect neutral. But gray tiles in both warm and cool tones are absolutely on trend as well. Gray is currently the “it” color in the design world, and paired with a more traditional tile style, should stay the course of design trends should you desire to sell your home down the road. I’d be happy to share my opinions in this regard.

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March Festivals in The East Valley

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Scottsdale Waterfront monument photoOne of the perks of living in Arizona during the spring season is there’s no barrier to outdoor festivals, thanks to our fabulous, sunny and mild weather in March.  If you’re looking to get outside and enjoy this amazing time of year, here are a few fun activities to consider.

The annual Parada del Sol Rodeo takes places March 9-12 and is an outdoor rodeo competition with lots of extras such as pony rides, a petting zoo, a kids’ area, beer garden, a hoedown, professional bull riding contents and country music dancehall parties.  This event is open from 7 p.m. March 9 until 2 p.m. on March 12, at WestWorld of Scottsdale, located at 16601 N. Pima Road.  The rodeo offers both reserved and general admission/bleacher seating.

If the arts are more your speed, you may enjoy the Scottsdale Arts Festival which features over 170 national artists.  With an online bidding auction (proceeds benefit the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts), you can take home your favorite pieces.  The festival will also host live music, gourmet food and family-friendly art events.  March 10-12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Scottsdale.  There is an entry fee for adults, but this event is free for children younger than 12.

One unique festival is the 15th annual Kite Flying Festival in Fountain Hills on March 11th.  This event is presented by the Pakistan Information and Cultural Organization, and features food, music, arts and crafts and kids’ activities all by the famous fountain.  You will be able to purchase kites to join in on the fun.  From 11 am to 6 pm, in Fountain Park at 12925 N. Saguaro Boulevard.

Finally, another cultural event to consider is the 23rd annual Aloha Festival on March 11-12th at Tempe Beach Park, located at 80 W. Rio Salado.  This free festival features a celebration of the cultures of the South Pacific Islands, with performers, artists, crafts for kids, as well as a marketplace with foods and handiwork for sale.

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Keeping Your Home Secure While It’s on the Market

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Home For Sale photoAdmittedly, listing your home for sale can be a stressful, and often disruptive life event.  One of the concerns that home sellers may have is keeping their home secure and safe while it’s on the market, and open to the public for showings.   Therefore, here are some tips to help you maximize keeping you and your family safe during this time.

First, while prepping your home for sale, take some steps to maximize your family’s privacy.  Remove anything in your home that contains private information such as personal photos, items with your family’s names on it, your children’s school information/team sports, and any financial information about you and your family.   As a corollary to this, also go through your home and remove (and secure) valuable items that you may have on display.  For example, items such as valuable musical instruments, jewelry, electronics, guns/gun safes, and artwork, are items that may be enticing to those with nefarious motives.

Another area to consider is items that may tip off people in your home that you will be absent for extended periods of time, such as calendars with upcoming vacations clearly marked.   And, do you have any medicine (especially narcotic pain medicine) in your medicine cabinets?  Prospective buyers do open these, to check out storage capacities, so be sure to secure these items before showings.   Finally, don’t leave extra keys out in the open (for your home, your vehicles, etc), or any key codes displayed where people can see them, or any extra remotes for your home’s garage.

Taking a few small steps to secure your home’s belongings as well as the security of your family will help to make this often-stressful time a bit less difficult to navigate.  Having this peace of mind will prove to be invaluable in the long run.  I’d be happy to give you more tips that are specific to you, and your individual situation.

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High-Speed Adventures

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Penske Racing Museum photoSometimes, dinner and a movie just isn’t going to cut it.  Sometimes, we feel the need for a high-speed adventure.  Here are a few places to consider paying a visit, to feel that wind in your hair:

  1. Located in Eloy, approximately a 30 minute drive from Phoenix, is SkyDive Arizona, which is one of the largest sky diving facilities in the world.  You can try tandem jumping, attend ground school to learn how to skydive solo, or for those who aren’t quite as daring, enjoy indoor skydiving in the vertical wind tunnel, where every minute in the tunnel is equal to a minute of free-fall skydiving time.
  2. Located in Scottsdale just west of the 101 freeway, Octane Raceway features a 1/3 mile indoor/outdoor track where you can race one of 32 electric Sodi RTX racing karts from Europe.  These karts have 10,000 RPM for maximum torque and a top speed of 45 MPH. Minimum height requirements are 54 inches, so even those under the age of 16 can join in the high-octane fun.
  3. Another go kart option can be found at K1 Speed, centrally located near the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.  The 20HP electric carts reach speeds up to 45 mph and racers will enjoy the large track.  Junior racers must be at least 48 inches tall.
  4. For a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience some REAL speed, check out the Bondurant High Performance Racing School.   Located in Chandler, AZ, Bondurant features a 1.6-mile, 15 turn multi-configuration race track on a 60-acre facility, designed by world champion driver Bob Bondurant.  Known as “The Fastest 60 Acres in America”, Bondurant also has access to the 3 racing tracks at Firebird International Raceway.  Drivers have access to over 200 cars equipped for racing on the tracks, and will receive full instruction and safety training before beginning one of multiple programs and passes available.  Bondurant also has a SuperKart Track for go karts, perfect for group outings, corporate kart leagues, for anyone at any skill level.

Be sure to check out www.groupon.com and www.livingsocial.com for coupons and deals for the above attractions.

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Birthday Party Spots

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There are literally dozens and dozens of fun locations where you can host your child’s next birthday.  Thinking outside of the box means lots of fun for the birthday guest of honor and all of their guests:

  1. Phoenix Zoo – Let your birthday kiddo be wild at the Phoenix Zoo with one of their hosted birthday party packages for ages 1-12.  The packages include admission for up to 10 kids and 12 adults, printable invitations, a reserved party ramada with party host, plus party favor bags, ice cream, lemonade and a T-shirt for all guests.  Admission to Stingray Bay or a carousel ride is included with the package.  Several add-ons include pizza and private animal presentations.
  2. Castles n’ Coasters – This outdoor amusement park is located near Metrocenter Mall off I-17 and Dunlap Avenue.  With a 10-guest minimum, and only 24-hours minimum notice, your birthday boy or girl can enjoy 18 holes of miniature golf and all-day unlimited rides (bumper boats, roller coasters, log ride, ropes course and go-kart racing) with their party guests, with some of the various packages offered.  All packages include a party room with soft drinks, pizza and ice cream.
  3. Sea Life Arizona Aquarium – Is your birthday child a fan of sea life?  Then this place is a perfect fit with its 161,000-gallon aquarium complete with underwater tunnel.  Birthday packages for ages 4-12 include a host, decorated party room, all-day admission for 15-20 guests plus goody bags.  The birthday gift for the birthday child is included thanks to the included annual pass!  Deluxe add-ons include supervised crafts, party games and a mermaid or pirate party host.
  4. AZ Air Time photoAZ Airtime – A surefire party pleaser is this indoor trampoline park, which features an extra-large free jump space, trampoline basketball, two trampoline dodgeball courts and a giant foam pit, all for jumpers 7 and up.  For jumpers 6 and younger, there’s a separate jump area with a 1,500-square foot trampoline as well as two bounce houses with slides.  Birthday packages include the use of a party room or reserved party tables, as well as jump time and a party host. Some add-ons include pizza, unlimited soft drinks, decorations and extra jump time.
  5. Childsplay – For a truly unique birthday party experience while supporting the local theatre, consider the Childsplay birthday experience.  This birthday party experience offers discounted seating for parties of 10 or more to a chosen play.  A VIP button for the birthday child, birthday sign and happy birthday wishes from the stage are also included.  Add ons include a backstage tour as well as themed toys and books.

What is PMI?  

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buying process people photoNavigating the home-buying process can be akin to traveling in a foreign country where one isn’t familiar with the language.  There is a lot of vocabulary that isn’t familiar to non-real estate professionals.  One such term is PMI.  PMI, or private mortgage insurance, is insurance for lenders.  Homebuyers who have at least 20% of the sales price as their down payment on their new home must pay PMI.  Lenders require PMI in these situations because they’re assuming more risk when they are investing more in the home than you are.

The actual rate and monthly cost of PMI varies from homebuyer to homebuyer.  The rate and cost depend on several factors such as the value of your new home, the type of loan you’re signing and your credit score.  

The good news is that if you make timely payments on your mortgage every month, your PMI will disappear when you reach 20% of the equity of your home.  This varies from lender to lender, however, as some lenders will stop PIM when you reach a 78% loan-to-value ratio.   While this ratio may occur naturally as you make payments, it may also increase due to your home’s value increasing.

If this is the case, you can request that the lender remove your PMI payment.  This typically occurs when you present the lender with an independent appraisal to prove your home’s value has appreciated to the 78% loan-to-value ratio.  This is at the discretion of the lender, however.  Be sure to ask what your particular lender’s policies are in this regard, before you sign the loan documents.

Another way to remove the PMI is by refinancing your home loan.  For example, if there is a reduction in mortgage rates and you decide to refinance, you may also be able to ask your lender to remove the PMI.  Finally, there are “no PMI” loan programs out there.  However, these programs typically feature a higher interest rate or higher fees in lieu of the monthly PMI amount.  Be sure you have all of the information, regardless of the type of loan.

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Scottsdale Community Golf Courses

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desert highlands golfWhether you are an accomplished golfer or a beginner still learning the ropes, Scottsdale is truly a mecca for the sport of golf.  While Scottsdale is host to world-renowned designer courses, there are also several public or community courses, perfect for all levels of players from the novice to the expert.  Here are some public courses to check out in Scottsdale:

  1. Phoenician Resort Golf Course—Canyon, Desert and Oasis Courses.  With 3 different 9 hole courses, the combinations of these Homer Flint and Ted Robinson Sr designed courses are endless.
  2. Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club—This 18-hole, par 70 course was developed in 2000 by the Gilmore-Graves Architectural Design Company.
  3. Talking Stick Golf Club—North Course and South Course.  These two courses were designed by Bill Core & Ben Crenshaw.  The Golf Club also features a 17,000-square foot driving range.
  4. TPC of Scottsdale—Champions Course and Stadium Course.  Home to the Waste Management Phoenix Open, these courses are also open to the public.  The Champions Course was designed by Randy Heckenkemper, while the Stadium Course was designed by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf; both are par 71 courses.
  5. Camelback Golf Club—Padre Course and Ambiente Course.  The Padre Course was designed by Arthur Hills, and its 6,903-yard, par 72 design features some challenging water holes.  The Ambiente Course is a Jason Straka design, with 4 par 5 holes.
  6. Coronado Golf Course—This affordable (cash only) community golf course features a 9-hole course, as well as lighted driving range, putting and chipping greens.  Opened in 1966, this charming 1,850-yard, par 31 course is perfect for beginners!
  7. Grayhawk Golf Club—Raptor Course and Talon Course.  The Raptor Course features 7,090-yards, and this par 72 course was designed by Tom Fazio.  The Talon Course was designed by Gary Panks and David Graham, and this 6,973-yard course is also a 72 par course.
  8. Kierland Golf Club—Ironwood, Acacia and Mesquite Courses form 27 holes of golfing fun.  The Ironwood is a Scott Miller design with 3,539-yards and is a par 36 course.  Acacia is also a Scott Miller design, with 3,435 yards.  The Mesquite is 3,478-yards and is also a par 36 course.
  9. McCormick Ranch Golf Club—Palm Course and Pine Course feature 36 yards of golf play, all with gorgeous mountain views.  Both courses were created in 1972 by Desmond Muirhead.
  10. The Orange Tree Golf Club—This beautiful, tree-shaded course near Camelback Mountain was developed in the 1950s and features 18 holes in a par 72 course.

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Holiday Excursions Perfect for Children

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christmas tree photoIt’s that time of year again, and what better way to get your kids in the mood for celebrating than an excursion up north?  One of the most popular holiday events is the North Pole Experience.  This interactive experience is set in the “North Pole” which is entered via a trolley ride through a magic portal in Flagstaff, Arizona.  Families will board the trolley from the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, and after a short ride to the portal, families will alight from the trolley at the North Pole.  Elves will whisk the trolley passengers away to Santa’s Workshop, where families will work side by side with elves making toys for Santa to take to children around the world.  Each room of the expansive workshop features a different activity, snack or story.  This experience lasts about 90 minutes and ends with the children sitting on Santa’s lap.

To continue this magical experience, consider staying at the Little America Hotel, which beginning in mid-November, decorates its hotel and grounds with millions of holiday lights, making for one of the largest light displays in Arizona.  The hotel also offers a special breakfast with Santa as part of its partnership with the North Pole Experience, so your little ones will get to spend additional time with the big guy.

Another popular holiday experience that’s perfect for families with younger children is the Polar Express.  Hosted by the Grand Canyon Railway, this highly interactive train ride is based on the Polar Express children’s book written by Chris Van Allsburg, and is an adorable hour-long adventure to the “North Pole”.  Families will board the train at the train depot in Williams, Arizona at 5:30 or 7:30 p.m. and will return back to the depot.  The depot is adjacent to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, which also offers special booking rates to Polar Express passengers.  Be sure to check out the adorable gift shop too!

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