Aviano May 10

May 2010

The Bruno Group consistently ranks with the most market share in Aviano. Our current inventory includes: • 3821 E. Cielo Grande – Sold! – $490,000 Under contract in one day. • 3814 E. Cielo Grande – Sale Pending – $490,000 Under contract in 10 days. • 3667 E. Crest Lane – Sold! Under contract in 12 days. • 3720 E. Bryce Lane – Sale Pending – $470,000 • 3663 E. Louise Dr. – Available (not a Short Sale) – $485,000 The fact remains that even in this unique real estate environment, The Bruno Group consistently ranks with the most market share out of all real estate agents in Aviano. Why? Because while most agents promise the moon and stars, we deliver! Our service is backed by our Unique Performance Guarantees.

OUR EXCLUSIVE SELLER GUARANTEE:

Your home sold in 64 days, at a price acceptable to you, or we will pay you $5,000 cash*. Visit www.HomeSoldGuarantee.com or call 602.369.0988.

SHORT SALE PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE:

Your home sold and 100% release from your mortgage in 30 days, or we will pay you $1,500 in cash*. Visit www.QuickMortgageRelease.com or call 602.369.0988. Short Sales are a fact of life in Aviano as the real estate market’s correction has definitely impacted all Aviano homeowners. However, there is no need for your home to ever go to foreclosure. Short sales are made simple by The Bruno Group. Our Short Sale program has been featured nationwide.

AVIANO Real Estate Market Report ACTIVE LISTINGS

PENDING SALES

CLOSED 2010 YTD

OVERALL

# Listings

10

24

18

List/Sold Volume

$5,355,700

$4,932,899

$10,658,449

$8,757,250

List/Sold Low Price Avg High

$374,000 $535,570 $920,000

$399,000 $485,375 $649,999

$360,000 $444,102 $800,000

$381,500 $486,514 $650,000

Approx. Low Sq. Ft. Avg High

3,211 3,637 5,240

3,130 4,412 6,850

2,624 3,811 6,850

2,417 3,734 6,800

List/Sold Low Price Per Avg Approx Sq. Ft. High

$111 $145 $204

$108 $111 $152

$86 $119 $160

$85 $134 $202

Days On Low Market Avg High

6 71 201

34 119 245

-49 58 336

0 71 220

Statistics gathered from MLS. Values reflect single-family residences.

Inspirations for a Dazzling Powder Room

Special Short Sale Webinar Exclusively for Aviano Residents May 27th • 6:00 pm By popular demand, we are offering an exclusive Webinar for Aviano residents. You are guaranteed to learn why a Short Sale is better than a foreclosure and the step-by-step process. We will also have an attorney present to offer FREE legal advice concerning Short Sales. To sign up visit www.QuickMortgageRelease.com or call 602.369.0988.

Rates? Down Payments? Qualifications?

Read what your former Aviano neighbors are saying about The Bruno Group:

What’s New in Mortgage Lending

“I am a licensed Realtor myself, and I know how difficult this real estate market is. I decided to contact The Bruno Group to list my house after receiving their marketing materials. I thought “how could they live up to all their commitments and guarantees?” I listened to their presentation about their buyer-focused marketing programs, and decided to give them a try with my listing. Sure enough, the day after I listed my house, I had a contract at full list price. When I asked how they did it, they told me they emailed my property specifications to all their buyers in waiting. They did this before my house was even officially on the market. It was as if they were looking for my buyer before they ever took my listing.” —Madeline McVey *Terms and Conditions Apply. Not intended to solicit properties currently listed. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Heaven On A Plate

Il Terrazzo’s Agnolotti Pasta

Paul Bruno

Mobile: 602.369.0988 Paul@PaulBrunoGroup.com

www.TheBrunoGroup.com

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

ISSN-1939-9650

Aviano’s

Real Estate Market Report

popularity, powder rooms are larger and therefore offer more opportunities for great design solutions. I typically like these baths to be at a minimum of 60 square feet. Q: What is the best color scheme for a powder room? A: One reason powder rooms are so much fun is that they can have their own personality. If allowed, I always use dramatic finishes and colors. This is one space where using dark colors in a small room does not bother me. These rooms are supposed to be dramatic and intimate. Again, the homeowner should look for something special that will be used in that room, and use one of those colors to help create the mood.

Featuring Il Terrazzo at The Phoenician 6000 E. Camelback Rd. • Scottsdale 480.423.2530 or thephoenician.com

AGNOLOTTI

Pasta Packets Filled with Sweet Corn, Mascarpone, Goat Cheese,Thyme and a Brown Butter Sage Sauce When it comes to interior design, some rooms in the home just call out for some drama! Powder rooms are at the top of the list as a wonderful and fun little space to play with. Get inspired to create a powder room that’s becoming to you and your guests with tips from the Valley’s own Debra May Himes, ASID, IIDA, LEED AP, of Debra May Himes Interior Design & Associates.

INGREDIENTS: white corn agnolotti filling (see recipe below) agnolotti pasta (see recipe below) 2 oz. butter 6 sage leaves (3 fried, 3 fresh)

Q: Are powder rooms becoming more and more popular? A: Powder baths are very popular spaces in today’s homes. I see them in all sizes of homes and each homeowner wants the space designed in an extraordinary way. Key elements include a decorative sink (often a vessel sink), a bath cabinet or pedestal, a decorative mirror, a functional and attractive (but not overpowering) faucet, interesting and dramatic finishes, great art and, of course, some striking (but appropriate to the room) candles.

WHITE CORN AGNOLOTTI FILLING INGREDIENTS: 3 cups heavy cream 12 ears white corn, grated on the medium holes of a box grater 3 tsp. kosher salt 3/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper 3 tsp. sugar 3 oz. creamy goat cheese 9 oz. mascarpone cheese 6 Tbs. grated parmigiano reggiano 1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme

Q: What is most important to remember when it comes to designing a powder room? A: Always, when designing any space, the function of the space is most important. When considering how to attend to the design of a powder bath, the homeowner needs to consider all the uses for this bath. For example, if the powder bath will alternate as a pool bath, more durable finishes may be required along with possible provision for more storage options. Once this decision is made, the powder bath should be designed with flair. It can be whimsical, elegant, or casual, but the design of these spaces can make a significant statement.

Bring cream to boil and reduce to 1 cup. Stir in grated corn, salt, pepper, sugar and bring back up to a boil. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cheese and thyme. Place bowl in a larger bowl with ice and allow to cool and set. AGNOLOTTI PASTA INGREDIENTS: 3 1/2 cups Doppio Zero flour 3 large eggs plus 2 yolks (all at room temp) pinch of salt

Q: Is the size of the powder room very important? A: A few years ago, powder rooms were just coming into view as an important and potentially dramatic space in the home. At that time, less square footage was allocated to these baths, and therefore a little more difficult to work with. Now, fortunately, because of their

Mix ingredients and knead until the dough has formed a nice ball. Allow dough to relax for at least 20 minutes but preferably overnight. Roll out pasta into sheets, layer with the filling and shape into large triangle pockets. Seal with egg whites and gently place on a semolina-dusted sheet tray. METHOD: Drop completed agnolotti pockets in boiling pasta water. In a medium sauté pan brown the butter with the fresh sage leaves. Toast the pasta in the brown butter. Garnish the plate with some of the brown butter and fried sage leaves.

Excited to buy a home in today’s opportunistic market but wondering what the lending environment is like these days? There’s good news (how about historically low interest rates combined with amazing real estate deals), as well as some sensible news (the times when anybody could get a loan for any amount are long gone). In the end that’s good, albeit sobering news, for everyone; buyers, sellers, and lenders alike. This adds up to the perfect time for some people to make a great real estate investment. Although lending laws have gotten strict, many good loan programs exist and the real estate market is ripe for those who are ready. So what’s new in the lending world as opposed to five years ago? Five years ago people were able to obtain a mortgage regardless of their credit and financial stability. Back then the loans performed so well that there were mortgages given to people who couldn’t even evidence employment. Now lenders are back to the basics of making sure the borrower can actually afford the loan being applied for. And for these reasons obtaining a mortgage

may be more difficult than it has been in the past. However, the notion that it’s nearly impossible to qualify for a loan is simply untrue. You may be surprised at what’s available to you. What’s the latest in interest rates? 30-year fixed-rates hovering right around 5 percent on most loan programs continue to sit at historically low levels. Five-year ARMs are in the low 4-percent range. Once the housing market and economy begins to show a steady stabilization (predicted by many analysts to occur by the 4th quarter of this year), we can expect the Fed to begin raising interest rates again. While a conventional loan now requires a 5-10 percent down payment, other loans do still exist that require lower or even no down payment, appealing to those who simply don’t have the money saved up. The borrowerfriendly FHA loan requires only 3.5 percent down, making it very popular right now (if you buy a home in foreclosure there is almost no down payment with this loan). VA loans for veterans require no money down, and there’s

Q: Is the sink always the focal piece of the space? A: The sink is very important to the room. It can be colorful, fanciful, a vessel or under-mount. I often will use colors from the sink to dictate the colors I will use as finishes for the rest of the room. When used with a lighted pedestal or cabinet, the powder bath sink can not only act as the focal point, but also serve as a breathtaking night light for guests. Q: How should one accessorize this intimate space? A: When accessorizing a powder bath, the homeowner will usually have more choices because the rooms rarely have showers, and are not used as much. I like nice art, and often try to find decorative shelves for storage issues. I will also accent with some great wall-hung piece that may be more architectural in type than just art. Candles in the powder room are great. Plants also work, though space may be an issue. Q: Can you point out some of the highlights of a favorite powder room you’ve designed? A: The focal point of the powder room is the custom iron and onyx pedestal that supports a glass vessel sink. Designed specifically for this room, this bowed pedestal is crowned with an onyx stone top, which is lit for impact and will also act as a wonderful night light for guests when these clients are entertaining. Below the stone top is a frieze of iron squares inset with onyx. Arching down from the frieze and ending in a copper ball are iron straps that bow and support the top. Surrounding the pedestal and sink, metallic Venetian plaster contrasts with the texture and pattern of the travertine stone tile design. A decorative mirror, wall-hung sconces, and candles add ambiance and interest to the space. In addition to her studio’s award-winning custom interior design services, Debra May Himes Interior Design & Associates introduces Destination Interiors, a complete design package for vacation homeowners in the Southwest and beyond. Visit www.dmhdesign.com.

a unique program called a USDA loan, available for properties in rural areas or near farms, which also require no money down. So be on the lookout for the loan that suits your needs best. For borrowers in need of a Jumbo loan (amounts exceeding $417,000), the lending landscape has been notably tight for the last couple of years. Lenders are generally requiring no less than 20-30 percent down and interest rates are higher. However, there have been some rumblings on Wall Street lately as investors are slowly beginning to purchase these Jumbo loans in the secondary market again. The sale of these portfolio loans to investors allows banks much-needed liquidity and in turn allows them more flexibility to lend. Already there are a small number of lenders easing up on their Jumbo requirements and rates. Programs currently exist for a 5-year ARM in the low 4 percents with a large down payment and excellent credit. The good news is threefold. 1. Interest rates are at fantastic levels. 2. Lending requirements are easing up and should continue to do so. 3. Real estate values have adjusted and there are some unheard of deals out there right now. All this adds up to once-in-a-generation opportunities for purchasers and investors. Happy home hunting!

MAY 2010 25th Annual Children’s Charity Golf Tournament Gainey Ranch Golf Course, May 7th 602.275.7852 or umom.org Tee off to a great cause in support of the UMOM New Day Centers, an organization dedicated to helping families and children in need through programs and shelters. This golf event also includes evening programming beginning with a silent auction and reception followed by a fabulous dinner. Mothers Day Brunch Phoenix Zoo, May 9th 602.273.1341 or phoenixzoo.org Looking for a way to tell Mom that you’re just “wild about her”? How about a unique Mothers Day experience at the zoo? Enjoy a gourmet catered lunch and some quality time with Mom as you stroll around the zoo checking in on your favorite wildlife. Brunch is served from 11-1, but your admission includes all-day access to the zoo. Ib Anderson’s Play Symphony Hall, May 14th – 16th 602.381.1096 or balletaz.org Described as a “seven-course meal,” Ballet Arizona’s Artistic Director Ib Andersen showcases this unique display of art through human form. Spectators experience a vast amount of emotion and feelings through the movements of over 30 talented dancers. This performance is aesthetically intriguing with imaginative choreography, costume and lighting design. Glee Live! Dodge Theatre, May 15th 602.379.2800 or gleetour2010.com You sing and dance along every Tuesday night to your favorite musical sitcom, now is your chance to see them perform live! Glee is taking their show on the road and entertaining the crowd with their many covers such as Don’t Stop Believing and the fan favorite Somebody to Love. Phoenix is lucky enough to be one of only three cities that will be hosting this exciting event! Diamondbacks vs. Blue Jays Chase Field, May 23rd 602.462.6700 or arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com Cheer on our Diamondbacks as they play into their 12th season. Whether you splurge on a pool suite or just regular field-level tickets, you will surely enjoy yourself. Bring the kiddies out for this game – not only will they relish devouring those peanuts and popcorn, but the first 5,000 will receive a Diamondbacks bat and ball set. Chimney Rock Wine Dinner BLT Steak, May 27th 480.905.7979 or localwineevents.com Expand your knowledge of wine over a fabulous fivecourse meal. This year’s Wine Series welcomes John Terlato, Vice President of Terlato Wines International. John will take you through his family’s Chimney Rock Winery collection, while Chef de Cuisine Marc Hennessy marvels you with his dinner creations.