Phoenix City Hiking Parks and Preserves to Charge $5 Fee for Parking
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$5 Parking Fee being added to Phoenix Mountain Parks
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As of August 1st it's going to cost up to $5 per day to anyone who parks at one of the Phoenix mountain parks or  preserves.The mountain parks and preserve areas ring Phoenix and, along with Piestewa, include Camelback, South and North mountain parks. The new parking fee comes as parks and recreation officials attempt to generate $500,000 during fiscal 2010-11 as mandated by the city's new efficiency committee. the seven-member board unanimously approved a lesser charge of up to $5 a day, $50 for six months or $75 per year. Passes would be purchased online, at a parks department website that will be set up this month. Users will log in their car license-plate number and other information, pay and then print out the pass to be placed on their dashboard. Passes also will be sold at city parks and recreation offices. Multiple family cars, two or three, can be listed for that same annual pass, said Jim Burke, Phoenix assistant parks director. No passes are needed for anyone hiking, biking or riding a horse into the Phoenix mountain parks or preserves. For the first six months of the program, no one without a pass will be fined. But notices will go on windshields, noting the new fees and how they can pay for the pass. Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2010/07/03/20100703phoenix-parks-parking-fee.html#ixzz0v65yjEW6 |
Posted at 11:38AM Jul 29, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
Pets Needing A Home - Nonprofit Rescue for left behind foreclosure pets
"Lost our Home" is a nonprofit group of real estate professionals who rescue pets left behind due to foreclosures or other financial hardship.
There are many pets that need a foster or permanent home. You can go to the links below to help out by donating or offering these pets a home. Click the links below for a current list of pets in need provided by the Lost our Home Foundation.
Click Here to view the dogs and cats that need a home.
Posted at 11:08AM Jul 13, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
Maytag Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard
We occasionally learn about appliance recalls That we know could possiblt affect our WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Name of Product: Dishwashers Units: About 1.7 million in the United States Manufacturer: Maytag Corp. of Newton, Iowa or Maytag Corp. of Benton Harbor, Mich. Hazard: An electrical failure in the dishwasher’s heating element can pose a serious fire hazard. Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 12 reports of dishwasher heating element failures that resulted in fires and dishwasher damage, including one report of extensive kitchen damage from a fire. No injuries have been reported. Description: The recall includes Maytag®, Amana®, Jenn-Air®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand dishwashers with plastic tubs and certain serial numbers. The affected dishwashers were manufactured with black, bisque, white, silver and stainless steel front panels. The brand name is printed on the front of the dishwasher. The model and serial numbers are printed on a label located inside the plastic tub on a tag near the left side of the door opening. Serial numbers will start or end with one of the following sequences. For more information click hereMaytag Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard
valued clients. I hope you will find this information useful.
Posted at 10:29AM Jul 13, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
Summer Hiking Guide
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Summer Hiking Guide
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 From rugged routes ascending isolated mountain peaks above the Salt River Canyon to trickling creeks weaving through bucolic glens on the Mogollon Rim, Arizona is a hiker's paradise, especially in the summer. Whether you're interested in epic, adrenaline rushing adventures or easy, breezy creek-side ambles, we've found a listing of 21 trails that are your best bets for cool summer treks.Phoenix Magazine has put together a thorough hiking guide to fulfill your need for adventure all summer long.
They break down the trails into 4 catergories:
Click the links for More information - Have Fun & Be Safe! |
Posted at 10:09AM Jul 13, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
Roommate Contract -Renting a room? Use this!
Roommate Contract -Renting a room? Use this!
Posted at 11:25AM Jun 17, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation and CIGNA team up for Pool Beach Parties
FYI...
City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation and
CIGNA team up for Pool Beach Parties
The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department and CIGNA are teaming up to offer Itty Bitty Beach parties at four city pools this summer. The parties are free and feature lunch, open swim, entertainment, prizes, games and water safety demonstrations.
Dates, times and locations are listed below:
- June 11, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Paradise Valley
Pool, 17648 N. 40th St.
- June 18, 9:30-11:30 a.m., University Pool,
1102 W. Van Buren St.
- June 25, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Pecos Pool, 17010
S. 48th St.
- July 9, 9:30-11:30 a.m., David C. Uribe,
3801 W. Cactus Rd.
More information is available online in the Pools link of the department
website at phoenix.gov/parks or by
calling (602) 262-534-6587.
Posted at 08:33AM Jun 07, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
City of Phoenix Offers a Window to Homeownership
City of Phoenix Offers a Window to Homeownership
Potential homebuyers who qualify can receive $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to purchase a newly rehabilitated home in targeted zip codes in the city under a new “move-in-ready” program.
Money from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program comes in the form of an interest-free loan that is paid back to the city when the homeowner sells or refinances the home.
Buyers must be Federal Housing Administration credit worthy and be below 120 percent of area median income (a family of four can make up to $79,100 and qualify). Investors are not eligible.
An eight-hour homeownership education class is required and homebuyers must live in their newly purchased homes as their primary residence. Homes will include a three-year warranty.
Posted at 02:55PM Jun 01, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
Valley HOAs sue former homeowners
Valley HOAs sue former homeowners
Financially distressed residents are learning the hard way that they can't walk away from homeowners-association assessments - even if their homes are in foreclosure or part of a bankruptcy.
Increasing numbers of lawsuits seeking delinquent HOA dues, fines and legal fees are making their way through Maricopa County Justice Courts, where defendants are often surprised to find out that as long as their name is on the property deed they're responsible for mounting HOA fees.
Posted at 11:54AM May 07, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
Valley HOAs sue former homeowners
Valley HOAs sue former homeowners
Financially distressed residents are learning the hard way that they can't walk away from homeowners-association assessments - even if their homes are in foreclosure or part of a bankruptcy.
Increasing numbers of lawsuits seeking delinquent HOA dues, fines and legal fees are making their way through Maricopa County Justice Courts, where defendants are often surprised to find out that as long as their name is on the property deed they're responsible for mounting HOA fees.
Posted at 11:54AM May 07, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
In foreclosure crisis, demand for family homes in Phoenix rises
In foreclosure crisis, demand for family homes in Phoenix rises:
People looking for family-size houses to rent in Phoenix-area neighborhoods have far fewer choices.
Since September, the number of available rental homes in metropolitan Phoenix has dropped by 40 percent, and probably even more than that when it comes to three- to four-bedroom homes in desirable neighborhoods.
The sharp drop is another ripple effect of the foreclosure crisis.
Read more at: http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2010/05/03/20100503phoenix-home-rental-family-foreclosure-crisis.html
Posted at 03:32PM May 06, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
Homebuyers scramble as mortgage rates jump
Homebuyers scramble as mortgage rates jump
By Alan Zibel And Adrian Sainz, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The era of record-low mortgage
rates may be over.
The average rate on a 30-year loan has jumped from about 5% to more than 5.3% in just the past week. As mortgages get more expensive, more would-be homeowners are priced out of the market — a threat
to the fragile recovery in the housing market.
And if you wanted to refinance at a super-low rate, you may have missed your chance. Rates under 4%
are still available, but only for loans that reset in five or seven years, probably to higher rates.
For people putting their homes on the market this spring, rising rates may actually be a good thing. Buyers are racing to complete their purchases and lock in something decent before rates go even
higher.
"We are seeing some panic among potential buyers who have not found houses yet," said Craig Strent, co-founder of Apex Home Loans in Bethesda, Md. "They're saying: Man, I should have found a house three weeks ago or last month when rates are lower."
Read the rest of the article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2010-04-07-homebuyers-scamble_N.htm
Posted at 12:21PM Apr 27, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
Homeowners can get second mortgages adjusted, too
Just this month, Bank of America became the first major lender in the program to send letters offering modifications to home-equity loan customers struggling with their loans.
Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo joined the program in March, when updated guidelines were issued by the government.
Those banks hold about half of the USA's second liens.
The program, originally introduced in August, is aimed at overcoming an impediment to permanent modifications of first mortgages.
Read the rest of the article here: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2010-04-21-secondlien21_ST_N.htm
Posted at 11:41AM Apr 26, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
Help is on the way to assess your home's value
Help is on the way to assess your home's value!
Valuing a home today in metropolitan Phoenix is difficult for many homeowners.
Foreclosures and short sales weigh heavily on comparable-sales figures, the "comps," in every neighborhood. How those below-market sale prices affect a home's value varies by neighborhood.
To help readers develop their own real-time estimates of a home's value, I asked a group of area real-estate and lending experts for their advice. The worksheet they helped me develop will appear later this week with a story on home-market psychology.
Read the rest of the article here: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2010/04/21/20100421biz-catherine0421.html
Posted at 04:01PM Apr 23, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
Scottsdale makes RelocateAmerica's top 100 cities
Scottsdale makes RelocateAmerica's top 100 cities - While Arizona missed out on the top 10, the state did make a mark on RelocateAmerica’s Top 100 Places to Live in 2010. Flagstaff, Green Valley, Prescott and Scottsdale made the list of cities nominated by RelocateAmerica.com users and selected by the website’s editorial team. "The Scottsdale housing market offers enormous variety, so buyers have unlimited choices regarding where and how they want to live,” the website says, citing lifestyles from urban to family friendly and horse properties.
Read the rest of the article at: http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2010/04/19/daily18.html
Posted at 03:53PM Apr 23, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
Land Prices Jump as Home Builders Move In
Land Prices Jump as Home Builders Move In - Recently, there was a bidding war over some land in Gilbert. In Arizona and across the U.S., home builders are battling to acquire land lots in preparation for ramping up home construction. While volume is tough to track, analysts report that land deals have been rising rapidly in recent months, causing land prices in some of the nation's weakest housing markets to rise for the first time since 2006. "There's been an absolute land rush," said Gregor Watson, a partner with McKinley Partners, a California-based real-estate fund that works with builders. Now the companies are spending millions of dollars to boost their land supply, optimistic that sales will pick up once the employment picture improves.
Read the rest of the article at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703763904575196291509876752.html?mod=WSJ_Real+Estate_LeftTopNews
Posted at 03:41PM Apr 23, 2010 by Louisa Ward & Robyn Viktor in General | Comments[0]
