Arizona Homeowner Mar-Apr 2011 presented by Jan Ross and Mary Swenson

Brady Holland

Senior Mortgage Banker

V.I.P. Mortgage, Inc. 8414 N. 90th St. | Suite 102 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

85026 PERMIT 1441

Real estate financing can be a daunting task. And that is especially true in today’s world where lenders are more cautious about lending due to economic uncertainty. I understand that choosing a mortgage is one the biggest decisions that you will make. You want the best interest rate and you want the pre-approval, application, and close of escrow process to be hassle-free. I understand. I listen to your needs. And I respond quickly and deliver. Let me put my nearly two decades of residential lending experience to work for you! • The needs of every client are different. I specialize in tailoring a loan and financing strategy that will best fit the individual needs of each client. • Have you ever closed on a mortgage and later had remorse that you may have picked the wrong loan program or paid too much in fees? I offer a benefit analysis on every loan to ensure that the loan program and the associated costs are the best fit and in the best interest of the client. • I use the latest lending technology to deliver a loan credit decision in hours, not days. • Closing thousands of loans over the course of my career assures you that as an industry veteran I have the knowledge and expertise to handle every situation. • My impeccable reputation is my best asset. I always strive to exceed your expectations and earn your business for life!

Call me today!

I hope you had a nice holiday season. It is hard to believe it is now 2011. Happy New Year! 2010 was another pretty good sales year in the Metro Phoenix housing market. Interest rates were low, home prices were affordable, and there was a federal tax credit that helped build up buyer demand. December homes sales are expected to come in with a strong reading. These 4th quarter numbers compare favorably to what we saw at the close of 2009 (a record-setting year). It is very encouraging that home sales have picked up again at the end of the year. For 2011 we expect home sales volumes to slip a bit due to lower demand and rising mortgage rates. Home values may dip too as foreclosure lenders discount their prices to get their properties sold. Many people are asking when our real estate market will hit bottom and stop losing value. When the foreclosure and short sale inventories shrink, we will see more buyers of non-distressed, non-bank-owned homes which will

stabilize and eventually increase home values. WE need a marked improvement in employment opportunities to help struggling homeowners stay out of foreclosure while bringing in new buyers. Experts estimate the economy to take a big step forward in 2011. The other big factor influencing home sales and refinance activity is interest rates. Earlier this year we saw a six-month drop in mortgage rates that took us to historic lows. We recently saw those lower rates evaporate in just six weeks as the Federal Reserve implemented a program to create inflation to try to jump-start our ailing economy. As the economy improves next year, we will see mortgage rates rise. This is a clear signal to those wanting to refinance or purchase a home to do so as soon as possible to lock in a low mortgage rate before they bounce higher. The Federal Reserve has hinted at a raise in the prime rate in 2011, affecting those with a Home Equity Line of Credit. For those with existing mortgages, the start of the New Year is an excellent opportunity to review your mortgage options ahead of expected rate increases. Please contact me today for a free evaluation.

MORTGAGE RATES Brady Holland

Senior Mortgage Banker NMLS 180079

Office: 480.278.8993 Cell: 480.272.3282 E-Fax: 480.223.4290 BHolland@VIPMtgInc.com

America’s Beloved Game is a Home Run for The Valley

sunscreen for your home

Loan Rates for $150K-$417K:

Residential Window Films

Loan Rates for $418K-$1.5M:

your new favorite fare

as of 12/18/10

• 30-Year Fixed: 4.875%/4.989% APR • 15-Year Fixed: 4.250%/4.440% APR • 5/1 ARM: 3.625%/3.727% APR • 30-Year Fixed: 6.000%/6.062% APR • 5/1 ARM: 4.375%/3.535% APR • 7/1 ARM: 5.000%/4.008% APR

*Note: All rate quotes offered at 0% origination fee for primary home purchase or no cash-out refinance financing with 720+ FICO score. Loans under $417K are quoted based on 20% equity while loans over $417K require 20%-30% equity. Other financing options are available upon request. All rates are quoted subject to change without notice. NMLS 145502 AZ BK#0909074

Arizona Homeowner March | April 2011

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

Frank & Albert’s Poached Grouper

Event Calendar

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME...

Arizona Aloha Festival Tempe Beach Park, March 12th and 13th 602.697.1824 I AzAlohaFest.org Experience the rich cultures of the South Pacific Islands with exciting performances, delicious cuisine, hands-on activities and a shopping paradise filled with Hawaiian and Polynesian crafts. Enjoy many performances including Tahitian drummers, Hawaiian hula dancers, and Samoan slap dancers on one of three stages. Kids’ activities include lei making, poi balls and tapa print stamping. Bring your ukulele and flowered shirt, and join in on the fun! Modern Masters Orpheum Theater, March 25th – 27th 602.381.1096 I BalletAz.org Ballet Arizona, the Valley’s premier dance company is known for its innovative and artistic work. Billed as “...mixed classic steps with modern gestures” by The Arizona Republic, this presentation by acclaimed choreographers Ib Andersen and Christopher Wheeldon continues the company’s tradition of inventiveness and commitment to creativity. Celebration of Fine Art Scottsdale Road south of Loop 101, through March 27th 480.443.7695 I CelebrateArt.com In its 21st year, one of Scottsdale’s most popular events brings artists and art lovers together in a unique assembly where interaction among visitors and artists is the highlight. In over 40,000 square feet of working studios, serious collectors and simple art appreciators can watch artists create their pieces live, ask questions and learn about what inspires their designs. From realistic to impressionistic, abstract to contemporary, there will be art that speaks to your heart. A café on the premises serves light fare and wine tastings are offered on the weekends. Forks ‘n Corks CityScape, April 7th 602.604.0729 I ForksAndCorks.org Want to immerse yourself in the Valley’s premier chef offerings, restaurants, resorts and fine wines? This culinary event draws foodies from all over the country as guests mix and mingle, and indulge in savory samplings. The evening benefits the Arizona Hotel and Restaurant Education Foundations, aiding in scholarships for the industry’s next crop of rising stars. Copperstate 1000 Field of Dreams Cruise In Tempe Diablo Stadium, April 10th 602.307.2007 I MensArtsCouncil.com The Copperstate 1000 celebrates our culture’s automotive legacy with a four-day, 1,000-mile route through scenic Arizona. The vintage cars participating in the event are showcased for a public viewing and kick-off to the rally. If Barrett-Jackson and Russo & Steele got your blood pumping, you’ll enjoy circulating with the cars and their owners before sitting down for the fanfare-filled European-style departure! Pat’s Run ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium, April 16th 480.621.4074 I PatTillmanFoundation.org Pat Tillman, former ASU and Arizona Cardinal football player, died while serving as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan. In honor of Pat and his #42 Sun Devil jersey, this 4.2-mile run/walk is staged so that all participants finish on the 42-yard line of Sun Devil Stadium. Proceeds support the Foundation’s Military Scholars program. Join over 30,000 participants, volunteers and spectators in a moving celebration and honoring of a true hero.

...from Arizona’s Intense Sun If there’s one thing Arizonans can agree upon, it’s the fact that we have cornered the nation’s market on sunshine! In fact, protecting ourselves from the harsh summer sun has become almost an obsession. We busy ourselves with sunblock, sun visors, sun screens, sun shades and sunglasses. Water cooler talk turns to UVA, UVB, and SPF. We discuss sun spots, age spots, hot spots and cold spots! But with all the care taken to protect ourselves from the sun, how much thought have you given to adding a layer of “sunblock” to your home? If you’ve lived in Arizona for at least one summer, you no doubt drive a car that has tinted windows. Reserved for limousines and “cars of questionable character” in some parts of the country, auto tint is the absolute norm here in the Valley. So it only makes sense to consider protecting your home in the same fashion. The benefits of residential window tinting are many. Perhaps most important is the comfort factor. Today’s residential window films can reduce up to 99% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays and up to 78% of the solar heat that would otherwise travel right through your windows. That translates into cooler interiors and more comfortable living. Do you have a room in your home in which you suffer from annoying glare at any given time of the day? Turn that room into your favorite room in the house with the sun-cutting features of window films. As you can imagine, residential window films can substantially reduce your cooling and heating bills. Blocking that hot sun from ever penetrating the windows gives you a tremendous head start that blinds and curtains can’t compete with. Plus, in winter, the window films act as insulation for maximum heat retention. Window films can offer your home that extra touch of elegance and privacy. They can give your home’s exterior a uniform appearance and lend a rich and warm look to your interiors as well. If you desire a minimalist décor, window films can help you avoid the need for heavy window coverings. With 99% of the UV rays blocked, you’ll be protecting your home’s expensive interiors. Window coverings, furnishings, carpeting and wood flooring can take a real beating from the sun. Don’t wait until your belongings are ruined before you take the extra step in protecting them. Lastly, installing window films can provide an extra element of safety to your home. The film on the windows will provide fragment retention by holding the glass together during accidental breakages, destructive weather, vandalism or burglaries. One of the biggest misconceptions about window films is that they interfere with the home’s views or create an unwanted darkness in your rooms. Those were some problems of the past, but today’s technology brings us films with better heat rejection, low reflectivity and they’re almost invisible from the inside. In fact, there are films on the market now that have none of those undesirable dark or shiny characteristics and do not contain any metal which could have the capacity to interfere with cellular phones or other wireless devices. Another worry that homeowners have is how well the films will hold up. Today’s films should not peel or scratch. In fact, many are developed with specialized scratch-resistant coatings that were not available years ago. Bubbling should not be an issue unless the films are installed improperly. Normal cleaning of the windows is also allowable. For more information on protecting your home with residential window films, visit www.3M.com/prestige.

Your Home

Ah, the aroma of freshly cut grass and juicy hot dogs. The sound of peanut shells crunching underfoot. The sensation of warm sunlight caressing your arms. The hustle and bustle of a fan-filled stadium. The crack of a bat and the cheer of a crowd. It can only mean one thing…baseball season is here! In the Valley of the Sun, residents and visitors alike are distinctly fortunate to enjoy a yearly bonus to the baseball season: Spring Training! A time-honored tradition in Metro Phoenix, Spring Training is not only a popular excuse for cutting out of work on a weekday, but it creates an incredible economic boost to the Valley as well. In 2009, Cactus League Spring Training was attended by 1.57 million people and had a statewide impact of $359 million! Our World Series Champion Arizona Diamondbacks begin their regular season in April. Their home opener on the 8th against Cincinnati is in the evening, so all you Dads out there that pull your boy out of school to sneak off to the first game of the season won’t need to do so this year! Starting this year, the Diamondbacks have moved their Spring Training up to the Valley from Tucson. So we’re able to get a sneak peak at the team all through the month of March…and in fantastic fashion – a brand-new ballpark! Located on a 140-acre site near the Pima-Loop 101 Freeway and Indian Bend Road in Scottsdale, Salt River Fields, the new Spring Training home of the Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies, is the first MLB stadium built on Native American land.

Of course, only the best will do for our newest Cactus League stadium! From its thoughtful design to envelope a majority of the stadium seating in cool shade, to its modern and creative amenities, Salt River Fields is a top-notch venue and even a one-of-a-kind destination. A high-definition video board featuring LED technology is the largest of any Cactus League Spring Training facility in the Valley at a whopping 24 x 48 feet in size. The stadium features luxury suites, three party decks, three observation towers, and pathways with views overlooking team batting cages and the practice fields. Concession stands offer traditional baseball fare, along with delights from Native New Yorker, Cold Stone Creamery and Salty Señorita. There’s even a wiffle ball court for kids. Visitors will get a dose of culture while at the ballpark. There will be signs throughout the ballpark with information on the Pima and Maricopa tribal history and restroom signs will be in Maricopa, Pima and English languages. When the boys of spring become the boys of summer after the month of March, Salt River Fields continues as a venue all through the year. From sporting events, festivals, car shows, social gatherings, conventions and other community events, we now have one more dynamic reason to love living in the Valley of the Sun!

2 Million+: Estimated construction man hours 7,000: Fixed seats 4,000: Lawn seats 2,165,878: Square feet of sod $100 Million: Estimated cost of new stadium 4: Major League fields 8: Minor League fields 4: Half fields 2: Agility fields 3000: Parking spaces 10,558: Light fixtures $8: General Admission lawn seating $25: Premium Infield Box seating For information on Salt River Fields and ticketing, call 888.490.0383 or visit SaltRiverFields.com. For D-Back regular season tickets, call 602.462.6500 or log onto DBacks.com.

OLIVE OIL POACHED ROCKY POINT GROUPER

Local Flavor!

March | April 2011

A view from the first base line from the new 7,000-seat stadium at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

FISH 4 grouper filets, approx. 7 oz. each 1 cup olive oil salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the Orange Butter In a saucepan, heat the cream over medium heat and allow it to cook down by half. Whisk in the butter until melted. Add the orange juice. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.

GREEN BEANS 12 oz. whole green beans 1 tsp. olive oil salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the Salad Mix the frisee, orange segments and candied pecans with a little olive oil.

SALAD 16 orange segments (can used canned Mandarin oranges) 1 cup frisee 1/2 cup candied pecans dash olive oil GARNISH 12 cherry tomatoes, cut in half

Featuring Frank & Albert’s at Arizona Biltmore 602.381.7632 | FrankAndAlberts.com

ORANGE BUTTER 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 4 oz. butter (1/2 stick) juice of 1 orange salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the Green Beans Sauté green beans in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Prepare the Fish Salt and pepper the grouper. In a sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat to sizzling. Add fish to the pan. Cook on each side, approximately three minutes per side, until firm to the touch. Assemble the Dish Set 1/4 of the green beans on each of four plates. Add a fish filet on top of the beans. Mix the frisee, orange segments, candied pecans and season with a little olive oil. Garnish fish with the frisee salad. Drizzle orange butter on the outside of the plate. Add six tomato halves around each plate. Serves 4