Arlene Friedman Associate Broker
85026 PERMIT 1441
Established & Recognized
REFINANCING IN THE CURRENT MARKETPLACE: REASONS IT MAKES SENSE When it comes to refinancing a mortgage there are multiple factors that can make it beneficial to do so. Of course, in the current marketplace with interest rates at record lows, the first reason to refinance is most always a lower interest rate. However, there are other reasons as well that make sense to refinance. The first reason to refinance is to get a lower interest rate on your mortgage. Of course many borrowers would like to refinance, but can’t because they have little or no equity due to falling home values. The second reason to refinance is to move to a more stable fixed-rate loan from an adjustable-rate loan. In this regard, many borrowers do have lower interest rate loans, but those rates are not long-term fixed rates, but rather adjustable-rate mortgage rates that will sooner or later adjust and will do so upward when rates inevitably rise again. For those borrowers a fixed rate, even if it is not tremendously lower makes sense over the long term. Even more so, there are borrowers who do not plan on staying in a home long term, but with adjustable-rate mortgages in the current market also being extremely low it even makes sense for the borrower who is only going to spend five more years in a home to refinance into, for instance, a new five-year fixed-rate mortgage. Over those five years the savings can still be enough to justify the process of a refinance. Cash-out refinances were in vogue as property values rose during the real estate boom of the early 2000’s but for certain borrowers who still have equity in their homes, cash out refinances with rates at record lows, still make sense. I’m here to answer your questions about buying and selling. I can offer you a free analysis of your home’s value as well as guide you to exceptional purchase opportunities. Please call and we can discuss your specific goals and how I can help you to achieve them.
• Associate Broker • Graduate Realtor Institute • Who’s Who in Residential Real Estate in North America • Lifetime Member Phoenix Board President’s Roundtable • Lifetime Member Scottsdale Board Million Dollar Club
Maricopa County 2010 MLS Data Distressed Sales vs. Normal Sales
Special Listing conditon Foreclosure Normal Sale Short Sale
Jan 2,480 2,022 1,164 5,666
Feb 2,675 2,430 1,316 6,421
March 3,566 3,615 1,620 8,801
April 3,527 3,822 1,787 9,136
May 3,415 3,753 1,762 8,930
Jun 3,370 3,611 2,181 9,162
Jul 2,725 2,554 1,651 6,930
Aug 2,737 2,398 1,917 7,052
Sep 2,933 2,303 1,511 6,747
Oct 2,854 2,321 1,423 6,598
Nov 3,398 2,331 1,523 7,252
Total 33,683 31,160 17,855 82,698
Furniture Designed Specifically For You
Distressed Sales vs. Normal Sales Overlaying Total Sales per Month
Foreclosure Normal Sale Short Sale
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Maricopa County 2010 MLS YTD Distressed Sales
bring your pooch
Dog-Friendly Hot Spots In The Valley Normal Sale
If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.
custom-made!
Maricopa County 2010 MLS Data
Foreclosure
Business: 480.998.0676 Cell: 602.549.9114 ArleneFriedman@cox.net
Arizona Homeowner January | February 2011
Short Sale
Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net
perfect for a cozy winter evening
Seasons 52’s Roasted Pears
Event Calendar January | February 2011 Through Fashion’s Looking Glass: Europe in the 1950s and 1960s Phoenix Art Museum, January 12th 602.257.1222 | PhxArt.org Lovers of the art of fashion will enjoy their journey through the land of fashion lead by docent Lois Albert. Along the way, you’ll visit the fashion capital Paris in the 1950s, after the effects of World War II. Your next stop is swinging London, where the fun and free spirit of the youth affected their fashion industry with miniskirts, bobbed hair and the ever-popular manmade fabric. This historical and thoughtful discussion is included with your museum admission.
Dog owners rejoice! If you and your pooch are looking to get out and meet some new fluffy friends and enjoy the great outdoors together, you’re in luck. The Valley is home to numerous “bark parks”— recreational areas specifically created for dogs to have a place to socialize and schmooze with one another—as well as pooch-friendly stores and restaurants. (Word on the canine circuit is that Phoenix city officials are also planning on building two more dog parks in the future, so keep your floppy ears open!) We’ve compiled a list of some of Fido’s favorite parks and social spots for any dog owners who may not be aware just how pet-friendly our area is. And for those who are looking to hit the hiking trails with their four-legged friends, be sure to check out the Canine Hiking Club of Arizona’s website (MyDog8AZ.com), which offers links to numerous dog-welcome parks and trails. Woof, woof...what are you waiting for?
Barrow Grand Ball Arizona Biltmore Resort, January 15th 602.406.3041 | SupportBarrow.org Have a “ball” at the Barrow Neurological Foundation’s main event of the year. This lively evening consists of fine dining, ballroom dancing and, of course, a one-of-a-kind auction. Proceeds benefit Barrow Neurological Institute in its dedication to research projects and providing important funding for innovative scientific studies. The organization’s goal is to beat last year’s funds of $2.5 million raised.
Spring Awakening ASU Gammage Auditorium, January 27th – 28th 480.965.5062 | ASUGammage.com As winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, this new-age show is like no other. The story follows a group of 19th-century German students through their self discovery as they change from child into adult. It depicts how morality, sexuality and rock ‘n roll shape what they once were, into who they will become. Leave the children at home for this one, as the show explores many risqué topics. Music in the Garden: Traveler Desert Botanical Garden, February 6th 480.941.1225 | DBG.org Enjoy a relaxing afternoon under the Valley’s blue skies as you enjoy the sounds of local musical artist Traveler. Hungry guests can partake in the fabulous brunch and spirited drinks available at a chef-attended station for an additional cost. During intermission, surprise your companion with a complimentary dance lesson taught by professional instructors on the professional ballroom dance floor. 56th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show WestWorld of Scottsdale, February 17th – 27th 480.515.1122 | ScottsdaleShow.com Billed as the largest and most prestigious Arabian horse show in the world, the show has grown from 50 horses at its inception in 1955 to nearly 2400 horses bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world to compete for a chance at winning. Among the gorgeous equine eye candy, you’ll find plenty of bling and boutique shopping under the tents!
BARK PARK: Chaparral Dog Park LOCATION: 5401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale MANAGED BY: City of Scottsdale POOCH PROS: Separate areas for active and passive
dogs, night lights, fenced, restrooms, and very large. CANINE CONS: Can get crowded.
Is your home ready for an update? In the market for new furniture? Most of us go one of two routes on this endeavor: We work with our interior designer who helps up select the perfect pieces, or we head to the furniture store and make our own selections. Of course, there is another brilliant option that you may not have considered: Custom-made, one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. Too pricey you say? Too hard to conceptualize what you want? Too daunting to even consider? Read on, fearless homeowner, for some insight and advice from Debra May Himes, interior designer extraordinaire (DMHDesign.com). Q: What are the benefits of custom-designed furniture, as opposed to shopping at furniture stores or working with an interior designer that purchases pre-designed furniture? A: I began designing furniture for my clients because I wanted to provide special pieces specific to my client’s needs. Another reason I design product is that often I cannot find exactly what I want for my client’s space. And if I design something special for my client, no one else will have this piece. When someone hires a designer, they should be getting solutions and designs beyond what they can find or imagine. These pieces are also of very high quality. I have wonderful crafts men and women that I have used for years and that know what I want and expect. Q: How do you collaborate with a homeowner in determining the design? A: When I design for my clients, I try very hard to get inside their heads. I want most of all to provide design solutions and products that they can use and enjoy. By the time I begin designing custom furniture for my clients, I have usually already been working with them on the interior of their home for a while and have a pretty good idea of what they like and how they will use these pieces. The pieces I design for my clients have a specific function and fill a specific need. They are more than art pieces, they have a design purpose. The finishes and materials chosen for the piece must perform well in the manner it is used, and must enhance the design of the piece and the space it will be in. Q: Where do most clients place your furniture? Are there specific rooms or pieces that are most often requested? A: Most of the pieces I have designed for my clients can be found in living rooms or great rooms, dining rooms, powder baths, master bedrooms, and kitchens. Sometimes, my clients will just tell me early on in the project that they will want me to design pieces for their home. Then, as we go through the process of the design of their interiors, it will be clear what pieces should be designed. Q: What are some of the most special pieces you’ve designed? A: I have had the delight of designing so many pieces for people, and they are all special in different ways. Usually, they are complex in design, and not so easy to produce. Often, I have lost a night or two of sleep worrying over how it all will come together. And when it does, my clients’ faces are great rewards for all of my effort. I really do a get a kick out of making my clients happy and providing something they will truly use and enjoy for years.
Your Home
BARK PARK: Echo Mountain Off-Leash Arena LOCATION: Grovers Basin and N. 20th Street, Phoenix MANAGED BY: City of Phoenix POOCH PROS: Large (2.3 acres), fenced, separate
small dog area, doggie water fountains. CANINE CONS: Some say it’s not the cleanest of
parks. BARK PARK: Horizon Dog Park LOCATION: 15444 N. 100th Street, Scottsdale MANAGED BY: City of Scottsdale POOCH PROS: Fenced, irrigation system to keep the
dust down, and shade from trees. CANINE CONS: Small (only 2/3 of an acre).
BARK PARK: Snedigar Sportsplex Dog Park LOCATION: 4500 S. Basha Road, Chandler MANAGED BY: City of Chandler POOCH PROS: Doggie obstacles including a see-saw,
balance beam, tunnel, and hurdles. CANINE CONS: A bit on the small side, and dirt fields rather than grass can make it muddy.
Pooch-Friendly Places in the Valley POOCH-FRIENDLY PLACE: Biltmore Fashion Park LOCATION: 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix DOGGIE DETAILS: This outdoor shopping mall
welcomes well-behaved leashed dogs and most stores (including Macy’s, Saks, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, and others) allow dogs inside. So cool! POOCH-FRIENDLY PLACE: Bookman’s Books LOCATION: 8034 N. 19th Avenue, Phoenix and other
locations DOGGIE DETAILS: This used-media mecca is totally dog-friendly. Just keep ‘em leashed.
POOCH-FRIENDLY PLACE: In the Raw LOCATION: 8320 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale DOGGIE DETAILS: This coffee bar, juice bar, and dog
bar caters to health-conscious people and their pooches. Sip a smoothie or down a wheatgrass shot while shopping for doggie food and treats. POOCH-FRIENDLY PLACE: The Mesa Monastery LOCATION: 4810 E. McKellips Road, Mesa DOGGIE DETAILS: Eat outdoors and tie your furry
friend to one of the al fresco tables. It doesn’t get any better than this. POOCH-FRIENDLY PLACE: Roadrunner Park
Farmers Market LOCATION: 3502 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix DOGGIE DETAILS: The market offers seasonal local
produce, baked goods, and the like. Dogs are welcome, so bring your buddy to help you sample the goods and decide what to buy!
ROASTED BOSC PEARS INGREDIENTS: 4 bosc pears 1 1/2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 1/8 tsp. fresh ground pepper
Local Flavor!
Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event WestWorld of Scottsdale, January 17th – 23rd 480.663.6255 | Barrett-Jackson.com Well-known to locals and international travelers, this annual celebrated auction is more than just a venue for the sale of automobiles. The week-long event includes multiple VIP private parties, fashion shows, live entertainment, and even a road rally. This is where true car aficionados come to see, and where the celebrities and fashionistas come to be seen. Don’t miss it!
Valley Bark Parks
PROCEDURE: • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. • Wash pears and cut them in half. Pat dry. • Toss pears with olive oil and salt and pepper in bowl. • Lay pears on baking dish skin-side down, cut-side up. • Roast pears in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. • Rotate tray. • Continue cooking 15 minutes until soft and caramelized. • Serve as an accompaniment. • Top with chutney or cranberry relish for added special touch.
Featuring Seasons 52 | 602.840.5252 | Seasons52.com
Serves 4
Event Calendar January | February 2011 Through Fashion’s Looking Glass: Europe in the 1950s and 1960s Phoenix Art Museum, January 12th 602.257.1222 | PhxArt.org Lovers of the art of fashion will enjoy their journey through the land of fashion lead by docent Lois Albert. Along the way, you’ll visit the fashion capital Paris in the 1950s, after the effects of World War II. Your next stop is swinging London, where the fun and free spirit of the youth affected their fashion industry with miniskirts, bobbed hair and the ever-popular manmade fabric. This historical and thoughtful discussion is included with your museum admission.
Dog owners rejoice! If you and your pooch are looking to get out and meet some new fluffy friends and enjoy the great outdoors together, you’re in luck. The Valley is home to numerous “bark parks”— recreational areas specifically created for dogs to have a place to socialize and schmooze with one another—as well as pooch-friendly stores and restaurants. (Word on the canine circuit is that Phoenix city officials are also planning on building two more dog parks in the future, so keep your floppy ears open!) We’ve compiled a list of some of Fido’s favorite parks and social spots for any dog owners who may not be aware just how pet-friendly our area is. And for those who are looking to hit the hiking trails with their four-legged friends, be sure to check out the Canine Hiking Club of Arizona’s website (MyDog8AZ.com), which offers links to numerous dog-welcome parks and trails. Woof, woof...what are you waiting for?
Barrow Grand Ball Arizona Biltmore Resort, January 15th 602.406.3041 | SupportBarrow.org Have a “ball” at the Barrow Neurological Foundation’s main event of the year. This lively evening consists of fine dining, ballroom dancing and, of course, a one-of-a-kind auction. Proceeds benefit Barrow Neurological Institute in its dedication to research projects and providing important funding for innovative scientific studies. The organization’s goal is to beat last year’s funds of $2.5 million raised.
Spring Awakening ASU Gammage Auditorium, January 27th – 28th 480.965.5062 | ASUGammage.com As winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, this new-age show is like no other. The story follows a group of 19th-century German students through their self discovery as they change from child into adult. It depicts how morality, sexuality and rock ‘n roll shape what they once were, into who they will become. Leave the children at home for this one, as the show explores many risqué topics. Music in the Garden: Traveler Desert Botanical Garden, February 6th 480.941.1225 | DBG.org Enjoy a relaxing afternoon under the Valley’s blue skies as you enjoy the sounds of local musical artist Traveler. Hungry guests can partake in the fabulous brunch and spirited drinks available at a chef-attended station for an additional cost. During intermission, surprise your companion with a complimentary dance lesson taught by professional instructors on the professional ballroom dance floor. 56th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show WestWorld of Scottsdale, February 17th – 27th 480.515.1122 | ScottsdaleShow.com Billed as the largest and most prestigious Arabian horse show in the world, the show has grown from 50 horses at its inception in 1955 to nearly 2400 horses bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world to compete for a chance at winning. Among the gorgeous equine eye candy, you’ll find plenty of bling and boutique shopping under the tents!
BARK PARK: Chaparral Dog Park LOCATION: 5401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale MANAGED BY: City of Scottsdale POOCH PROS: Separate areas for active and passive
dogs, night lights, fenced, restrooms, and very large. CANINE CONS: Can get crowded.
Is your home ready for an update? In the market for new furniture? Most of us go one of two routes on this endeavor: We work with our interior designer who helps up select the perfect pieces, or we head to the furniture store and make our own selections. Of course, there is another brilliant option that you may not have considered: Custom-made, one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. Too pricey you say? Too hard to conceptualize what you want? Too daunting to even consider? Read on, fearless homeowner, for some insight and advice from Debra May Himes, interior designer extraordinaire (DMHDesign.com). Q: What are the benefits of custom-designed furniture, as opposed to shopping at furniture stores or working with an interior designer that purchases pre-designed furniture? A: I began designing furniture for my clients because I wanted to provide special pieces specific to my client’s needs. Another reason I design product is that often I cannot find exactly what I want for my client’s space. And if I design something special for my client, no one else will have this piece. When someone hires a designer, they should be getting solutions and designs beyond what they can find or imagine. These pieces are also of very high quality. I have wonderful crafts men and women that I have used for years and that know what I want and expect. Q: How do you collaborate with a homeowner in determining the design? A: When I design for my clients, I try very hard to get inside their heads. I want most of all to provide design solutions and products that they can use and enjoy. By the time I begin designing custom furniture for my clients, I have usually already been working with them on the interior of their home for a while and have a pretty good idea of what they like and how they will use these pieces. The pieces I design for my clients have a specific function and fill a specific need. They are more than art pieces, they have a design purpose. The finishes and materials chosen for the piece must perform well in the manner it is used, and must enhance the design of the piece and the space it will be in. Q: Where do most clients place your furniture? Are there specific rooms or pieces that are most often requested? A: Most of the pieces I have designed for my clients can be found in living rooms or great rooms, dining rooms, powder baths, master bedrooms, and kitchens. Sometimes, my clients will just tell me early on in the project that they will want me to design pieces for their home. Then, as we go through the process of the design of their interiors, it will be clear what pieces should be designed. Q: What are some of the most special pieces you’ve designed? A: I have had the delight of designing so many pieces for people, and they are all special in different ways. Usually, they are complex in design, and not so easy to produce. Often, I have lost a night or two of sleep worrying over how it all will come together. And when it does, my clients’ faces are great rewards for all of my effort. I really do a get a kick out of making my clients happy and providing something they will truly use and enjoy for years.
Your Home
BARK PARK: Echo Mountain Off-Leash Arena LOCATION: Grovers Basin and N. 20th Street, Phoenix MANAGED BY: City of Phoenix POOCH PROS: Large (2.3 acres), fenced, separate
small dog area, doggie water fountains. CANINE CONS: Some say it’s not the cleanest of
parks. BARK PARK: Horizon Dog Park LOCATION: 15444 N. 100th Street, Scottsdale MANAGED BY: City of Scottsdale POOCH PROS: Fenced, irrigation system to keep the
dust down, and shade from trees. CANINE CONS: Small (only 2/3 of an acre).
BARK PARK: Snedigar Sportsplex Dog Park LOCATION: 4500 S. Basha Road, Chandler MANAGED BY: City of Chandler POOCH PROS: Doggie obstacles including a see-saw,
balance beam, tunnel, and hurdles. CANINE CONS: A bit on the small side, and dirt fields rather than grass can make it muddy.
Pooch-Friendly Places in the Valley POOCH-FRIENDLY PLACE: Biltmore Fashion Park LOCATION: 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix DOGGIE DETAILS: This outdoor shopping mall
welcomes well-behaved leashed dogs and most stores (including Macy’s, Saks, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, and others) allow dogs inside. So cool! POOCH-FRIENDLY PLACE: Bookman’s Books LOCATION: 8034 N. 19th Avenue, Phoenix and other
locations DOGGIE DETAILS: This used-media mecca is totally dog-friendly. Just keep ‘em leashed.
POOCH-FRIENDLY PLACE: In the Raw LOCATION: 8320 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale DOGGIE DETAILS: This coffee bar, juice bar, and dog
bar caters to health-conscious people and their pooches. Sip a smoothie or down a wheatgrass shot while shopping for doggie food and treats. POOCH-FRIENDLY PLACE: The Mesa Monastery LOCATION: 4810 E. McKellips Road, Mesa DOGGIE DETAILS: Eat outdoors and tie your furry
friend to one of the al fresco tables. It doesn’t get any better than this. POOCH-FRIENDLY PLACE: Roadrunner Park
Farmers Market LOCATION: 3502 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix DOGGIE DETAILS: The market offers seasonal local
produce, baked goods, and the like. Dogs are welcome, so bring your buddy to help you sample the goods and decide what to buy!
ROASTED BOSC PEARS INGREDIENTS: 4 bosc pears 1 1/2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 1/8 tsp. fresh ground pepper
Local Flavor!
Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event WestWorld of Scottsdale, January 17th – 23rd 480.663.6255 | Barrett-Jackson.com Well-known to locals and international travelers, this annual celebrated auction is more than just a venue for the sale of automobiles. The week-long event includes multiple VIP private parties, fashion shows, live entertainment, and even a road rally. This is where true car aficionados come to see, and where the celebrities and fashionistas come to be seen. Don’t miss it!
Valley Bark Parks
PROCEDURE: • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. • Wash pears and cut them in half. Pat dry. • Toss pears with olive oil and salt and pepper in bowl. • Lay pears on baking dish skin-side down, cut-side up. • Roast pears in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. • Rotate tray. • Continue cooking 15 minutes until soft and caramelized. • Serve as an accompaniment. • Top with chutney or cranberry relish for added special touch.
Featuring Seasons 52 | 602.840.5252 | Seasons52.com
Serves 4
Arlene Friedman Associate Broker
85026 PERMIT 1441
Established & Recognized
REFINANCING IN THE CURRENT MARKETPLACE: REASONS IT MAKES SENSE When it comes to refinancing a mortgage there are multiple factors that can make it beneficial to do so. Of course, in the current marketplace with interest rates at record lows, the first reason to refinance is most always a lower interest rate. However, there are other reasons as well that make sense to refinance. The first reason to refinance is to get a lower interest rate on your mortgage. Of course many borrowers would like to refinance, but can’t because they have little or no equity due to falling home values. The second reason to refinance is to move to a more stable fixed-rate loan from an adjustable-rate loan. In this regard, many borrowers do have lower interest rate loans, but those rates are not long-term fixed rates, but rather adjustable-rate mortgage rates that will sooner or later adjust and will do so upward when rates inevitably rise again. For those borrowers a fixed rate, even if it is not tremendously lower makes sense over the long term. Even more so, there are borrowers who do not plan on staying in a home long term, but with adjustable-rate mortgages in the current market also being extremely low it even makes sense for the borrower who is only going to spend five more years in a home to refinance into, for instance, a new five-year fixed-rate mortgage. Over those five years the savings can still be enough to justify the process of a refinance. Cash-out refinances were in vogue as property values rose during the real estate boom of the early 2000’s but for certain borrowers who still have equity in their homes, cash out refinances with rates at record lows, still make sense. I’m here to answer your questions about buying and selling. I can offer you a free analysis of your home’s value as well as guide you to exceptional purchase opportunities. Please call and we can discuss your specific goals and how I can help you to achieve them.
• Associate Broker • Graduate Realtor Institute • Who’s Who in Residential Real Estate in North America • Lifetime Member Phoenix Board President’s Roundtable • Lifetime Member Scottsdale Board Million Dollar Club
Maricopa County 2010 MLS Data Distressed Sales vs. Normal Sales
Special Listing conditon Foreclosure Normal Sale Short Sale
Jan 2,480 2,022 1,164 5,666
Feb 2,675 2,430 1,316 6,421
March 3,566 3,615 1,620 8,801
April 3,527 3,822 1,787 9,136
May 3,415 3,753 1,762 8,930
Jun 3,370 3,611 2,181 9,162
Jul 2,725 2,554 1,651 6,930
Aug 2,737 2,398 1,917 7,052
Sep 2,933 2,303 1,511 6,747
Oct 2,854 2,321 1,423 6,598
Nov 3,398 2,331 1,523 7,252
Total 33,683 31,160 17,855 82,698
Furniture Designed Specifically For You
Distressed Sales vs. Normal Sales Overlaying Total Sales per Month
Foreclosure Normal Sale Short Sale
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Maricopa County 2010 MLS YTD Distressed Sales
bring your pooch
Dog-Friendly Hot Spots In The Valley Normal Sale
If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.
custom-made!
Maricopa County 2010 MLS Data
Foreclosure
Business: 480.998.0676 Cell: 602.549.9114 ArleneFriedman@cox.net
Arizona Homeowner January | February 2011
Short Sale
Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net
perfect for a cozy winter evening
Seasons 52’s Roasted Pears