Norman Rockwell, the iconic American painter, had it right! He created literally hundred of paintings picturing the essence of American life, most about our homes. Somewhere along the way we began thinking of “homes” as just “houses” - another commodity to be “flipped”, collateralized, and bartered like stocks and bonds. We hear the din about our “national housing market” and assume that includes our local market. The Valley of the Sun has profound “pocket markets”. Taking averages or median prices leads us to such fallacies as comparing price per square foot between divergent areas irrelevant to each other like Paradise Valley and Queen Creek. That’s like dressing for national weather; it means little or nothing locally, we’ve been drowned in meaningless statistics. But, the realities of our local housing market remain, if house prices are down by 8% in the past 12 months according to the Case-Shiller index, but up by a net 80.2% between 2002 and 2007, it left homeowners with most of their paper gains intact. Furthermore, houses have some obvious and unique benefits: sheltered capital gains, liberal income tax deductions for interest and property taxes and leveraged appreciation. A REALTOR® can do the research necessary for you to make an informed decision based on your housing needs and long term investment potential. Although houses are still an important financial asset, the predominate reason for American’s “home-hunger” is in danger of being lost. We need to get back to considering the most basic of human desires, shelter for our families. We can’t afford to underestimate the joy of owning a home, the sound and warmth of a crackling fire on a cold winter night, the fragrance of dinner cooking in the kitchen, the gathering of family and friends at the holidays. A home is more than just a house, it is the place where memories are made and cherished for a lifetime. Norman Rockwell had it right; the American Dream is still homeownership. Most people still want Home for the Holidays.
Camello Vista in McCormick Ranch
Filed Under Apartments Condos, Communities, McCormick Ranch · Tagged: camillo vista, McCormick Ranch communities, McCormick Ranch town homes
Camello Vista is located south of McCormick Parkway and to the east of Hayden Rd. This town home community has single level, two level and upstairs/ downstairs units. The community was built from 1974-1978 with 241 homes. All of the homes have detached 2 car garages. The community has 2 heated pools with heated spas and club houses with on-site management office. The main clubhouse has rooms for parties, a kitchen for food preparation, some exercise equiptment, as well as a library/ card room. The HOA fees are currently $325 a month and include roof repair, water, sewer, garbage, pest control and blanket insurance policy.
Home for the Holidays
Filed Under General Real Estate · Tagged: Jim Sexton, John Hall & Associates
My broker, Jim Sexton was in the Arizona Republic’s Brokers Corner last week.
“Home” for the Holidays
Understanding Credit
Filed Under Credit Scores · Tagged: Lending & Credit, Loans
How a credit score is calculated is a mystery to many people. Here are a few basics on understanding credit, and how your score is calculated.
Payment history is responsible for about 35% of your score. Make on time payments.
Outstanding balances are responsible for about 30% of your score. Meaning how you manage your debt. How much debt do you have in relationship to how much credit is already available to you? If you have a credit card with a $1000 credit limit, it is best to have no more than 50% balance or $500 on that account. It is even better if you only have 40% or $400 on that account.
Types of credit for a good balance; The ideal is a mortgage, credit card and car payment. You want to have at least one year of payment history with each of your accounts or credit lines. If you have all brand new accounts, they will need on time payments, over time to bring your score up.
Another 10% of your score is based on inquiries. Each time you apply for a credit card, cell phone, or any other business that requires your social security number, they are all checking your credit. Too many times and your score could be impacted by as much as 2 -50 points.
As for the rest, well there are still a few mysteries in the world. Make your payments on time, don’t max out your accounts and don’t have too many accounts (that can hurt worse than too few).
McCormick Ranch Wreath Kits from the POA
Filed Under McCormick Ranch, Things to do · Tagged: holidays, McCormick Ranch
Christmas Wreath Kits from the McCormick Ranch Property Owners Association are now available. This is the 25th year the POA has been doing wreath kits. The kits are avilable starting on December 12th. All McCormick Ranch residents are invited to come by the Association office at 9248 N 94th Street (east of Pima Rd, South of Via Linda at the end of 94th Street on the west corner).
They provide the fresh cut juniper and pine as well as pine cones and the tube frame as well as instructions. Assembly is easy, well lets call it simple. Be sure to bring your gloves.
I got started with the basics and had a bare spot where I placed my pine cones. All I need now is a pretty red bow. Have fun, and get creative!
McCormick Ranch Golf Club
Filed Under Golf, McCormick Ranch · Tagged: McCormick Ranch Golf Club
The McCormick Ranch Golf Club offers more than just golf. Located on McCormick Ranch Pkwy, between Hayden and Scottsdale Rd. Go for lunch at the Club Restaurant and enjoy the view across the fairway to Camelback Mountain. Plan a party or wedding reception at the McCormick Pavilion, a fully covered open air banquet facility provideing beautiful lake front views.
There are of course 2 resort golf courses, the Pine and the Palm, that are open to the public 365 days a year. Each course is over 7000 yards long. The Pro Shop has been recognized as one of the Top 20 daily fee shops in the country.
Check out www.mccormickranchgolf.com for all the details rates and Tee times.
Holiday Lights
Filed Under Entertainment, Misc Stuff · Tagged:
Holiday Lights are beautiful to see. The best I have seen in the area is the Freedom Building located on Mccormick Parkway, next to McCormick Ranch Golf Club. With the reflection on Camelback Lake it is beautiful to see. Be sure to drive by this winter season. Or for an even better view plan on staying across the water at the Millennium Resort, Scottsdale McCormick Ranch
6 Public Hikes set for December
Filed Under Things to do · Tagged: hiking in Scottsdale
SCOTTSDALE - The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy ends its fall schedule with six free public hikes in December.
Some of the hikes are on the newly opened trails on the west side of the McDowell Mountains.
All the hikes are led by experienced conservancy guides, who often stop to discuss the desert environment and answer questions from hikers.
Hikers should bring ample water and wear sturdy, covered shoes or boots. Hats, sunscreen and snacks are suggested.
No reservations are required. All hikes begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.
For detailed directions to the meeting places visit the web site www.mcdowellsonoran.org or call 480-998-7971, ext. 100.
December’s hikes
Saturday - Scenic Trail - A 4.8-mile foothills loop in McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers unique mountain views. Mild inclines only. About 3 hours. Meet at the Trailhead Staging Area lot about 3 miles into the park off McDowell Mountain Road, which is the extension of Fountain Hill Boulevard at the north end of Fountain Hills, about 7.5 miles north of Shea Boulevard. There is a $5-per-car entry fee to the park.
Sunday - Ironwood Wash - A 7.5-mile round trip with a 800-foot elevation gain past a mountainside quartz outcropping into a high wash lined with large ironwood trees. The climbing is on gradual grades. About 4 hours. Meet at the parking lot southwest of McDowell Mountain Ranch Road and 104th Street.
Dec. 8 - Cactus Trail - A 3.2-mile loop along Little Granite Mountain past some of the finest stands of saguaro cactus anywhere. A few steep places but mild inclines otherwise. Allow about 2 1/2 hours. Meet at the north end of Alma School Road, north of Dynamite Boulevard.
Dec. 9 - Wingate-Bell Loop - The main trail in the new Gateway Area is a rugged, 11-mile trek through Windgate Pass and Bell Pass that involves more than 2,000 feet of climbing. Excellent East Valley and interior-mountain views. For very hardy hikers. Allow about 5 1/2 hours. Meet at the parking lot southwest of McDowell Mountain Ranch Road and 104th Street.
Dec. 15 - Desert Ecology Hike - Learn how deserts are formed and maintained in a 5-mile hike with a 500-foot elevation gain on the Quartz Trail. Grades are not steep. Allow about 3 hours. Meet at the parking lot southwest of McDowell Mountain Ranch Road and 104th Street.
Dec. 16 - Cathedral Rocks - A 5.5-mile loop to a striking rock formation that appears to have been a gathering place for ancient people more than 500 years ago. Mild inclines only. Allow about 3 hours. Meet at the north end of Alma School Road, north of Dynamite Boulevard.
This article can be found on the Arizona Republic website www.azcentral.com
