Here in the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix many of us enjoy our pools, but with todayâÂÂs tough economic times many are looking for ways to save money. Your pool pump uses more energy than any appliance in your home with the exception of your AC. Making your pool more efficient might save you hundreds of dollars each year. You might want to look at replacing your single stage pool pump with a more efficient variable-speed unit. Manufactures like Pentar or Hayward claim that they can save your energy usage by as much as 90%. Variable speed pumps are more expensive and it takes you an average of two years to recoup the costs of the new unit. Another alternative would be to install a 2-stage pump though not quite as efficient they still will save you. If you are an APS customer they are offering beginning March 15th a $200 rebate on variable pool pumps and $100 on dual speed models. If you go to APS.com you can find a list of participating storesMetro Phoenix market updates and up the minute information on the real estate market in the Maricopa County, Phoenix area. Michelle Owens Home Smart Realty, your metro Phoenix real estate resource. www.metrophxrealestate.com
Monday, December 20, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tiny house movement thrives amid the real estate bust
Tiny house movement thrives amid real estate bust. To simplify their lives and save money in the process many Americans are turning to tiny houses that would fit into many people’s living rooms. This segment of the market is booming. According to Jay Schafer co founder of Small House Society, “its very un American in the sense that living small means consuming less.” Living this small requires one to definitely purge down to only what you absolutely need. Tumbleweed Tiny Houses a home design company design ultra efficient houses where there is virtually no waisted space down to the cubic inch. These tiny houses pack a lot into the size of many people’s closets and they cost ready made between $40 to $50,000. If you building them yourself they cost about half as much. Tumbleweed’s business had grown exponentially since the housing crises began. The tiny house blog attracts more visitors than ever about 5,000 to 7,000 visitors a day. The movement is really about saving money and reducing your carbon footprint.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Gray Development takes step to takeover of CityNorth project
City North
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
New to market
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Housing Market Statistics
New HUD program offers up to 24 months of mortgage assistance to unemployed
Monday, October 4, 2010
SRP out of money for solar-power rebates
Register by today to vote Nov. 2; capitol hosts drive
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Weekend events for kids in Arizona
Friday, September 24, 2010
20 chef-owned restaurants in the Phoenix area
Thursday, September 23, 2010
‘Worst is over’ for housing, analyst says, as Aug. sales rise
Phoenix Residential Housing Market Statistics For 9/23/10
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Prestigious Grayhawk Short Sale Opprotunity
Property Virtual Tour
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Housing Market Statistics
Monday, September 20, 2010
Homebuilder confidence holds at 1-yr low
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Housing Market Statistics
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
This Weeks Mortgage Update
After the recent 4-month rally in the Bond markets, which has led to some of the best home loan rates in history, money has started shifting over to the Stock market. Why has this happened? Some economic reports have been better than expected in the past few weeks... such as the Jobs Report for August and Consumer Confidence. While that’s great news, it’s important to remember that good economic news - or as has happened recently, better than expected news - often causes investors to move their money out of the safe haven of Bonds to Stocks in the hopes of taking advantage of any gains.
So why does this behavior impact home loan rates? When the economy appears strong or starts to improve, and investors move their money from the safe haven of Bonds to Stocks, a decreased demand for Bonds means that Bond prices move lower. And when Bond prices move lower, it means that Bond yields - and consequently home loan rates - move higher.
Friday, September 10, 2010
9/11 observances throughout the Valley
Phoenician readies ballroom for Oct. 1 debut – Phoenix Business Journal
Thursday, September 9, 2010
9/13-19: Spa Week offers $50 treatments at select Valley spas
Phoenix housing market lacks supply of homebuyers
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Deals: Moon Valley, Wildfish Seafood, Don & Charlie's
Luxury Townhome in Central Phoenix
Pointe Hilton Tapatio heads to auction – Phoenix Business Journal
Friday, August 27, 2010
Organized homework space matters
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Give and Get is Here!
Hot spots to dine solo in the Valley
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Camelback parcel once eyed by Donald Trump to be sold - Phoenix Business Journal
Arizona's unemployment rate unchanged at 9.6 percent
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Editorial: Stop failing Arizona; Start fixing immigration
Arizona to change how it evaluates schools
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Virtual home staging cheaper way to go
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Phoenix's five-star restaurants
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Now is the time to buy in the luxury market
Now is the time to purchase that luxury home for a bargain price. Three years into this housing slump luxury homes are beginning to see steep discounts. Despite the beginnings of an economic recovery buyers are struggling to come up with the money for the large down payments and qualify for big jumbo mortgages. With homes languishing on the market sellers are beginning to capitulate by cutting prices to move their properties.
The million plus market seems to be ripe for falling home prices. Until now the drops in real estate have been primarily the lower end properties. The miss match of supply and demand is highest in the million plus market. The best deals will be on homes that might need a bit of work or are not in the most highly sought after locations.
Many finance experts suggest not waiting and predict that mortgage rates are due to rise form the historic lows that are being offered today. The result is that buyers with access to lots of cash can find some fabulous deals right now on the home of their dreams that might not have been attainable three years ago.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Phoenix showing signs that construction is turning the corner
Both residential and commercial construction have remained stagnant for the past two years, but Phoenix is finally showing signs of a turnaround. According to Scott Macpherson, principal of Ryder Levett Bucknall construction is gaining ground again. Construction numbers showed strength in the first quarter of this year. This is good news for Arizona real estate. Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties all showed impressive double digit gains. The Phoenix market appears to be turning the corner with sales up about 2% for the month of April over last years numbers. If you are thinking about purchasing a new home now is most certainly the time to buy. Homes values abound and rates are still near historic lows.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
In years past living large was the trend or at least as large as one could afford. The current trouble in our economy has changed these priorities for many Americans. The average home size is shrinking for many American families, however these families still want to live well.re are 12 trends that reflect the current choices trends and aspirations of families. The number one trend is induction cooking, which is note worthy because it 30% more energy efficient than gas or electric. The number three spot is led by energy sipping not guzzling refrigerators. If you are thinking about replacing you refrigerator buying an energy star appliance may qualify you for a utility rebate, not to mention the energy and money savings. Energy star refrigerators use approximately 20% less energy than not energy star appliances, and if you replace that fridge you bought in the 80s you will most likely save about $100 dollars a year in energy costs by replacing your fridge with an energy star appliance.
Number four trend is stone or composite sinks which blend seamlessly into the counter top for a clean look. The reason for their popularity is they are more durable and easier to clean. Serene color is now the trend and takes up the number five slot for home trends. Ranking number six is home offices. The trend is to maximize smaller spaces and in many instances a home office helps one to do that and take a home office tax deduction.
Number seven is varied wall treatments besides paint. Wallpaper is making a comeback, but wallpaper is not your grandmothers wallpaper any more. There are many different types of textures or even enlarge photos and murals that can be put on walls.
Number eight is do it yourself home projects. The DIY trend is actively growing as many homeowners are looking to upgrade their spaces while saving money by doing it themselves. Many watch popular programs on HGTV and DIY network.
Number nine is a continuing trend in out door living by adding privacy to out door spaces with curtains. Out door curtains can screen out the late afternoon sun saving energy or help screen out nosey neighbors.
The number 10 trend is environmentally friendly and healthy toilets. Todays new toilets can wash and dry you. Many also offer dual flush modes which helps to save water. Some of these toilets even take away smell.
The last two trends are HD TV and creating a home relaxation retreat. Some of these current trends will undoubtedly die with time, but others may become the main stays of the American home.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Metro Phoenix Home Prices Could Drop Again!
Metro Phoenix has a large number of inventory homes for sale right not on the market and a large shadow inventory. The shadow inventory is the number of distressed property sales that might be added to the market this year in 2010. Most of these homes will be from their foreclosure status. Phoenix home prices began to show signs of recovery in the second half of 2009, but this new potential inventory could threaten the recovery and has economist worried those prices might decline further in Phoenix. The shadow inventory is made up of homes that are still set to foreclose, investor homes that they will try to flip, and the thousands of homes that were unable to obtain a successful loan modification. Additionally, it includes homes that are scheduled to experience a rate adjustment since their rates begin to reset this year, and there are thousands of homes that have simply been abandoned by homeowners. It is estimated that approximately 30 to 50% of homeowners in the metro Phoenix area are underwater on their home equity.
These homeowners are the most feared of the shadow inventory because it is difficult to predict to what it will do to our real estate market. All these things factor in and according to Tom Ruff a Phoenix real estate data analyst this will cause our recovery to take longer and be more difficult, but he does not think that it will cause another crash. Shadow inventory does not necessarily have to further damage our market if Banks, Investors and homeowners work at helping the market rather than hurting it.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Increasing Pool Efficiency Pays Dividends
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Pool Efficiency Pays Off! 2010-03-12 14:56:56 Here in the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix many of us enjoy our pools, but with todayâÂÂs tough economic times many are looking for ways to save money. Your pool pump uses more energy than any appliance in your home with the exception of your AC. Making your pool more efficient might save you hundreds of dollars each year. You might want to look at replacing your single stage pool pump with a more efficient variable-speed unit. Manufactures like Pentar or Hayward claim that they can save your energy usage by as much as 90%. Variable speed pumps are more expensive and it takes you an average of two years to recoup the costs of the new unit. Another alternative would be to install a 2-stage pump though not quite as efficient they still will save you. If you are an APS customer they are offering beginning March 15th a $200 rebate on variable pool pumps and $100 on dual speed models. If you go to APS.com you can find a list of participating storesIf you are an APS or SRP client you can sign up for a time of use plan and set your timer to run during off peak hours. IF you do not have a timer get one installed and only run your pump during the off peak hours to save money. Another idea is to switch your pool to LED lighting it is estimated that LED uses 75% less power than incandescent lighting. Clean your trap baskets regularly clogged baskets force your pump to work harder and you to pay more in the long run. All of these tips can help you shave dollars off your electric bill, which in turn puts more in your pocket. | ||||
Monday, March 8, 2010
Come Experience Phoenix Down Town Unique Cultural Renascence
The city center areas of Phoenix have been experiencing a unique cultural renascence. The area has become home to many unique art galleries and fun restaurants along with unique boutiques. First Fridays have become a time when the down town area is visited by hundreds of people. It has become a cultural monthly event for many. This week will host the 22ndannual Art Detour on Saturday and Sunday. The Art Detour begins at the Phoenix Art Museum on Central and Mc Dowel where you can pick up a free map. While you are at it if you are up for some fun places to dine there is Copper Star Coffee on 7th ave. If you are in the mood for Mexican food you might want to check out Americas Taco shop, or if you are in the mood for pizza try some of the best pizza around at Cibo which has been ranked as some of the best pizza in the country by bon appe'tit. All in all you should take the time to check out this valley event. It will promise you a great time this weekend, and fun for singles and families alike.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Greatest Show on Grass!

This coming week Feb 22 thru the 28th marks the start of the Phoenix Open. The event is hosted at the TPC in Scottsdale, but is a landmark event for the Phoenix area and was originally called the Arizona Open. Tbe Phoenix Open originally alternated play between the Phoenix Country Club and The Arizona Country Club. In 1975 the event moved to the Phoenix Country Club exclusively till 1987 when it was moved to its current home at the TPC. The Phoenix Open is one of the five oldest events on the PGA tour marking its 75th year in the Phoenix area. It is deeply a part of Phoenix history.
Ever wonder what it would be like to hit a shot at the 16th hole, which is a famous par 3 hole for the TPC commonly called “the shot at glory.” The lucky two will get their chance along with local celebrities, and Hollywood stars like,” e Ray Ramano & Josh Duhamel they will all tee up for a closest to the pin contest all to benefit this years charity the Wounded Warriors Project. Which is a charity that help wounded vets who come home with readjustment challenges and support them when they return home by helping them heal from all they have went through.
Tournament host will give 100k to each charities chosen by each competitor, and if a competitor makes a hole in one then 1 million dollars will be given to the charity of their choice. It is a fantastic event to go see and a great way to spend some time in our beautiful spring weather enjoying the Arizona Sun we are famed for.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
It is Phoenix Historic home tour time again!
It is Historic Home tour time in Phoenix again. This weekend on 2/14 10 am to 4 pm. Launches the home tour season with the Willow Home Tour and Street Fair. The tour is in the areas of Central to 7th Ave and Thomas South to Mc Dowell Rd. These homes are charming and range in diversity from Tudor style, Bungalow, Spanish Revival, to Ranch style homes. These homes were built between the early 1900’s and up to the 1940’s. You can purchase tickets in advance at willowhistoricdistrict.com on the day of the tour 3rd AVE and Holly.
Feb 28th will be the Friends of Mexican Art Tour. This tour will feature three homes, which will feature private art collections that have been collected from their travels around the world. Tickets can be purchased at Fiesta Furnishings for $50 to purchase the day of call 480-275-5746.
Feb 28th will also host the Coronado Home Tour. This tour will feature homes between South of McDowell between 7th and 18th street that were built between 1930 and 1940.
Coming up in March will host the Windsor Square Historic Home and Garden Tour on 3/7. Then in April the valley will feature the April the Modern Phoenix Home Tour on 4/11. The Modern Home Tour will feature a 1960’s subdivision called Paradise Gardens, and will feature homes influenced by the famous Arizona architect Al Beadle.
These tours are a great way to get to know the beautiful city and the influences from years past. One must understand the past to look toward the future. Our city center is in the midst of a Renaissance. Not to mention it is a great way to spend a weekend during our glorious spring weather that cannot be beet in the Valley of the Sun. www.metrophxrealestate.com your Metro Phoenix real estate resource.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Metro Phoenix Market Update For January 2010
January marked the 2nd highest sales of 4704 transactions second only to January 2005 with 6589 transactions. In the Phoenix area 46 percent of all the sales in January were lender owned properties, 23.6 percent were short sales and 30.4 percent were regular transactions.
Single family detached homes within the range of price $75k to 125 k appears to be weakening this represents 26.3 percent by unit count which is a significant part of the market. While prices from 150k to 600k appear relatively strong.
Within the month of January there were 6752 notices of foreclosure filed and this represents the lowest monthly total since Nov 2008.
All information was obtained from the Cromford Report and ARMLS















