Finally Some Positive Real Estate News!
Arizona Homeowner July / 2010
The Phoenix Business Journal reports that Phoenix area home prices rose an estimated 1 percent from April 2009 compared to April 2010. This is according to the Arizona State University-Repeat Sales Index which measures the changes in home prices from year to year. This new data from ASU backs up a national report that came out on May 26, 2010. According to Karl Guntermann, the author of the new report, “Prices for lower-end houses and the foreclosure segment of the market, which turned positive in March, continued to increase on an annual basis.” Guntermann says higher-priced homes still didn’t show a significant slowdown in the rate of price declines until this April. They remain just out of positive territory, with an estimated 3 percent drop from April 2009 to April 2010. The condo/townhouse market remains rough. Preliminary numbers for March and April anticipate 19 percent annual decline. The ASU-RSI is produced through the Center for Real Estate Theory and Practice at the W.P. Carey School of Business.
Featured Properties
hot weather blues? 6 Cool Ideas for Chilling Out
Wendy is a full-time Realtor who pours her heart and soul into serving her clients’ best interest. Whether listing and selling your home for the best price in the shortest amount of time or finding the perfect home to suit your needs, she is tireless in her efforts. When not working with clients she spends time furthering her real estate education. In 2009 she completed courses to become an “Accredited Buyer’s Representative,” a “Certified Distressed Property Expert,” a “Certified Negotiation Expert,” a “Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource,” and other additional courses.
Homeowner Tip of the Month
Effective January 1, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency, under the Clean Air Act, will no longer allow air conditioning equipment that uses the refrigerant R-22 (commonly known by the brand name Freon®) to be manufactured. This new mandate is designed to protect the environment from ozone depleting hydrochlorofluorocabons (HCFCs) that can be released through leaks and improper disposal. A new refrigerant, 410A, (commonly known by the brand name Puron®) is available and is less harmful to the ozone and environment if it leaks from an air conditioning system. R-22 systems will be able to be repaired as long as parts are available, but after this time these units will need to be modified or replaced. This can be a costly expense to the homeowner. Now may be the time to consider purchasing a home warranty for your home with a company that provides modification or replacement coverage for these units. If you already have a home warranty in place check with your provider to see how they will handle the R-22 phase out. I will be happy to give you a list of Home Warranty Companies that have already announced their coverage for this phase out. Call me with any questions you may have 480.215.0959.
24350 N. Whispering Ridge Way | Troon Village 2582 Sq. Ft. | 2 Bed | 2 Bath • $575,000 Edmunds-built home boasts breathtaking city light and Troon Mountain views. Upgrades galore! Never leave home with your resort-style backyard and patio!
26252 N. 40th Place | Tatum Highlands 1582 Sq. Ft. | 3 Bed | 2 Bath • $245,000 Wonderful single-level family home in excellent neighborhood. Fenced PebbleTec pool. Home backs to open space for privacy and great sunset views!
summer energy bills Tips for Saving Cold Cash
WENDY KIRTLAND RE/MAX Fine Properties 21000 N. Pima Rd., Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85255 eFax: 480.355.9514 WKirtland@FineProp.com If you know of anyone who may be interested in receiving this newsletter, please send me an email or give me a call. I am always happy to add more subscribers to the list. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.
11080 N. 109th St. | Emerald Scottsdale 1008 Sq. Ft. | 2 Bed | 2 Bath • $169,000 Patio home with private courtyard, open floor plan, fireplace and stainless steel kitchen appliances. The community features a pool, spa, tennis courts, walking paths and well-kept open spaces.
Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net
appetite for asian? Roy’s Ahi Poketini
Event Calendar July 2010 13th Annual New Works Festival Phoenix Theatre, July 9th – August 1st 602.254.2151 or phoenixtheatre.com This fun and interactive month-long festival showcases new plays in a one-of-a-kind format. Not only do the actors and writers participate in the storytelling, but the audience plays a large part as well with the story progression. Lively and unique, it’s your chance to participate in the theatre!
Prowl and Play Phoenix Zoo, July 10th 602.273.1341 or phoenixzoo.org Ever wonder what goes on at the zoo at night? Take a guided night hike along the dark trails and hear stories from the Park Rangers on what takes place after the gates are closed. Cool off in the Leapin’ Lagoon or catch a ride on the Sneak-a-Peek Safari Train and find out what sort of silly antics the “animals” are up to when no one is around! Organic Wine Tasting Armitage Bistro, July 21st 480.502.1641 or armitagewine.com Trying to include organic items into your diet? Why not start with your vino? The two leading organic wineries in Napa, Long Meadow Ranch and Frog’s Leap, are featured as the local sommelier presents a large variety of whites and reds. Even better, this wine tasting is free to guests who make a $10 purchase of food. Damon Wayans Tempe Improv, July 22nd – 25th 480.921.9877 or tempeimprov.com As part of a large family of talented comedians and actors, Damon Wayans has plenty of material to entertain the crowds. Wayans has been performing stand-up for 28 years now and has included many movie credits to his resume such as Last Action Hero and Bulletproof. Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants Chase Field, July 24th 602.462.6500 or arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com Three cheers for our home team as they battle it out against the Giants at Chase Field. Of course, what baseball game would be complete without peanuts and Cracker Jacks? Make sure to arrive early – the first 15,000 fans will receive infielder Mark Reynold’s replica jersey.
Summer is here … and so is the sizzling heat. Of course, for us Arizonans that means almost nonstop air conditioning which translates to increased energy consumption. Not good for your wallet or the environment. Make this the summer you get a handle on your cooling costs—no more excuses. Try these easy tips to reduce your home energy costs. Your piggy bank and the planet will thank you! Get your air conditioning in tip-top shape. Here in the Valley, we use air conditioning more than any other area in the country. So we should be sure our systems are working at optimum efficiency. First off, make sure to check your air conditioning system for any problems, necessary replacement filters or parts, or repairs. Be sure your unit and coils are cleaned of dirt and debris, so your AC won’t have to work harder than it’s supposed to. Dirty air filters restrict air flow and will cause your system to run longer than necessary. Routine maintenance from a professional can keep your AC running at its best. Rethink your thermostat. Set your thermostat five degrees higher this summer and you’ll save about 10 percent on cooling costs, according to the University of Phoenix’s green @ home tips. Take it a step further and install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat and save as much as $115 per year. This allows you to program daily settings so your AC isn’t running at full capacity while no one is home. Check for drafts. The more hot air that gets in, the more you have to crank the AC. Same goes for cool air that seeps out of cracks. Look for air leaks around doors, windows, vents, and attics. Repairs are quick and easy with proper caulking, weather stripping, and insulation. Also, make sure that doors and windows are shut tight all day long. Use fans (in some cases, sparingly). Raising your thermostat and using fans? Great. Just don’t run the fans when no one is in the room to feel the benefit. Fans do not cool the air, only circulate it. So when we’re under a fan, it is cooling our bodies, but not the air itself. Remember, fans use energy too so use them only when people are present. One fan that’s always a plus: A whole-house fan installed in the attic which draws hot air out and brings cooler nighttime air in. Decrease the square-footage you’re cooling. This may be one of the only times less square footage is better than more! Try isolating rarely-used rooms in your home. Close vents and buy vent covers so you aren’t unnecessarily cooling rooms that are usually unoccupied (think guest rooms and formal dining rooms). Close the doors to these rooms, if possible, and consider them off-limits until cooler weather prevails. Plant deciduous (leafy!) trees on the south and west side of house. This will provide ample shade to keep your home much cooler during these long hot summer months. Similarly, porch and patio covers, awnings, and solar window screens will provide shade, keeping your home cooler longer. Put off cooking and cleaning. Well, at least using the oven, washing machine and dryer. Save these heat-producing tasks for later in the day say, after 8 pm, if at all possible. These appliances create ample heat in your home that will only cause your AC unit to kick it up a notch. During cooler days, cook several meals at once and freeze them until sizzling days when all you’ll need to do it run the meals through the microwave, suggests the Consumer Energy Center (www.consumerenergycenter.org). Think no-cook, cold meals such as salads, cold soups, and sandwiches. And try using low-use energy appliances such as electric skillets and the microwave, which uses two-thirds less energy than your stove.
Your Home
1. Treat yourself to an all-natural popsicle. Skip the scary-ingredient supermarket concoctions and make your own instead. Simply freeze homemade lemonade, limeade, orange or grape juice in popsicle molds or in ice cube trays with toothpicks inserted. Nothing could be easier … and no kid can resist this classic summer treat. Yum! 2. Slip and slide at two very unique water parks. Two of the most popular watering holes in our area offer incredibly different experiences for daredevils. First, there’s the action-packed theme park Wet ‘n’ Wild (www.phoenix.mywetnwild.com) in Glendale built just two years ago and now Arizona’s largest water park. Don’t miss the Maximum Velocity Dueling H2O Coaster – you have to see it to believe it. Something in a natural setting more your speed? Slide Rock State Park (www.azstateparks.com/parks/slro/index) in Sedona offers visitors natural scenic beauty and a place to wade and cool off in a natural creek. A slick chute in the rock lets visitors ride a natural slide down the creek. 3. Lace up your skates and hit the ice. It’s hot outside, so why not go ice-skating at a local (note – indoors!) ice rink? At the Ice Den, (www.coyotesice.com) located in North Scottsdale, you can skate right next to the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes Hockey club. Pretty cool! This 120,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art ice skating
and entertainment center is also home to restaurants and a fitness center. Finally, a chance to bundle up this summer! 4. Be cultured. You’ve come to the right spot if you like museums. The Phoenix metro area boasts numerous museums where you can escape the heat and learn something to boot. Are you an art buff? Head to the Phoenix Art Museum (www.phxart.org), home to more than 18,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, as well as fashion design. The Heard Museum Phoenix (www.heard.org) provides visitors with a look at American Indian cultural art and fine art, set in 10 exhibition galleries. Got kids? You’ll all love the Children’s Museum of Phoenix (www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org). The museum provides hands-on, interactive exhibits designed for kids ages birth to 10. A few other spots to beat the heat: the Hall Of Flame Museum of Firefighting (www.hallofflame.org); the Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum (www.admmr.state.az.us); the Arizona Military Museum (www.azdma.gov/museum/index.html); the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum (www.azcama. com/museums/doll_toy); and the Arizona Capitol Museum (www.lib.az.us/museum/). 5. Get a brain freeze! Nothing says summer around here more than a trip to the ice cream
parlor. Beat the heat at a few of the local favorites, from trendy to classic to retro cool: The Gelato Spot (four locations in the Valley), Sweet Republic (Scottsdale), Mary Coyle Ol’ Fashion Ice Cream Parlor (Phoenix), Culver’s (several locations), and Udder Delights (Gilbert). 6. Host a movie marathon. Here’s a chilly idea: Invite a few friends over, crank up the AC, and watch a marathon of snow-themed flicks. A few to try: Dr. Zhivago, Fargo, Snow Dogs, Snow Falling on Cedars, and Vertical Limit. Serve frozen treats and drinks and ask friends to join in on the fun by wearing a hat and mittens.
Ahi Poketini AHI & AVOCADO MIXTURE 8 oz fresh sashimi grade Ahi, 1/2 inch diced 1 avocado, 1/2 inch diced 1 pinch Shichimi Togarashi (Japanese seven-spice blend) 1 pinch Hawaiian red sea salt 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 1/2 tsp. rice wine vinegar 1 oz. ogo (seaweed), chopped 1 tsp. Sriracha brand sauce 1 tsp. truffle oil 1 tsp. Rayu (hot sesame seed oil) 1 tsp. Furikake (rice seasoning) 1 tsp. white sesame seeds
Local Flavor!
Hot Summer Nights Concert Series City Center, July 10th, 24th 480.319.8700 or citycenterofcitynorth.com Dance under the stars at this concert series, featuring the Valley’s most talented musical acts. Not just catered towards adults, there will also be face painting, balloon animals and cotton candy. Concert goers can also enjoy exclusive discounts from participating restaurants and retail shops the evening of the event.
Too hot to handle doing much of anything this summer? Try these ideas to keep your cool and have fun at the same time.
Gently toss ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Featuring Roy’s 7151 W. Ray Road • Chandler 480.705.7697 or roysrestaurant.com
WASABI AIOLI 1/2 cup kewpie mayonnaise 1/4 cup wasabi powder 1/2 cup water 2 limes, juiced 2 tsp. honey Salt and pepper, to taste GARNISH Tobiko (flying fish roe) Shiso leaf Kaiware (daikon radish sprout) In a small bowl, whisk together wasabi powder and water to form a loose paste. Add mayonnaise and continue to whisk until smooth. Add lime juice and honey. Season with black pepper to taste. Coat the inside of a chilled martini glass with wasabi aioli. Place a small mound of Ahi and avocado mixture in center of glass. Garnish with caviar, kaiware sprouts and shiso.
Event Calendar July 2010 13th Annual New Works Festival Phoenix Theatre, July 9th – August 1st 602.254.2151 or phoenixtheatre.com This fun and interactive month-long festival showcases new plays in a one-of-a-kind format. Not only do the actors and writers participate in the storytelling, but the audience plays a large part as well with the story progression. Lively and unique, it’s your chance to participate in the theatre!
Prowl and Play Phoenix Zoo, July 10th 602.273.1341 or phoenixzoo.org Ever wonder what goes on at the zoo at night? Take a guided night hike along the dark trails and hear stories from the Park Rangers on what takes place after the gates are closed. Cool off in the Leapin’ Lagoon or catch a ride on the Sneak-a-Peek Safari Train and find out what sort of silly antics the “animals” are up to when no one is around! Organic Wine Tasting Armitage Bistro, July 21st 480.502.1641 or armitagewine.com Trying to include organic items into your diet? Why not start with your vino? The two leading organic wineries in Napa, Long Meadow Ranch and Frog’s Leap, are featured as the local sommelier presents a large variety of whites and reds. Even better, this wine tasting is free to guests who make a $10 purchase of food. Damon Wayans Tempe Improv, July 22nd – 25th 480.921.9877 or tempeimprov.com As part of a large family of talented comedians and actors, Damon Wayans has plenty of material to entertain the crowds. Wayans has been performing stand-up for 28 years now and has included many movie credits to his resume such as Last Action Hero and Bulletproof. Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants Chase Field, July 24th 602.462.6500 or arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com Three cheers for our home team as they battle it out against the Giants at Chase Field. Of course, what baseball game would be complete without peanuts and Cracker Jacks? Make sure to arrive early – the first 15,000 fans will receive infielder Mark Reynold’s replica jersey.
Summer is here … and so is the sizzling heat. Of course, for us Arizonans that means almost nonstop air conditioning which translates to increased energy consumption. Not good for your wallet or the environment. Make this the summer you get a handle on your cooling costs—no more excuses. Try these easy tips to reduce your home energy costs. Your piggy bank and the planet will thank you! Get your air conditioning in tip-top shape. Here in the Valley, we use air conditioning more than any other area in the country. So we should be sure our systems are working at optimum efficiency. First off, make sure to check your air conditioning system for any problems, necessary replacement filters or parts, or repairs. Be sure your unit and coils are cleaned of dirt and debris, so your AC won’t have to work harder than it’s supposed to. Dirty air filters restrict air flow and will cause your system to run longer than necessary. Routine maintenance from a professional can keep your AC running at its best. Rethink your thermostat. Set your thermostat five degrees higher this summer and you’ll save about 10 percent on cooling costs, according to the University of Phoenix’s green @ home tips. Take it a step further and install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat and save as much as $115 per year. This allows you to program daily settings so your AC isn’t running at full capacity while no one is home. Check for drafts. The more hot air that gets in, the more you have to crank the AC. Same goes for cool air that seeps out of cracks. Look for air leaks around doors, windows, vents, and attics. Repairs are quick and easy with proper caulking, weather stripping, and insulation. Also, make sure that doors and windows are shut tight all day long. Use fans (in some cases, sparingly). Raising your thermostat and using fans? Great. Just don’t run the fans when no one is in the room to feel the benefit. Fans do not cool the air, only circulate it. So when we’re under a fan, it is cooling our bodies, but not the air itself. Remember, fans use energy too so use them only when people are present. One fan that’s always a plus: A whole-house fan installed in the attic which draws hot air out and brings cooler nighttime air in. Decrease the square-footage you’re cooling. This may be one of the only times less square footage is better than more! Try isolating rarely-used rooms in your home. Close vents and buy vent covers so you aren’t unnecessarily cooling rooms that are usually unoccupied (think guest rooms and formal dining rooms). Close the doors to these rooms, if possible, and consider them off-limits until cooler weather prevails. Plant deciduous (leafy!) trees on the south and west side of house. This will provide ample shade to keep your home much cooler during these long hot summer months. Similarly, porch and patio covers, awnings, and solar window screens will provide shade, keeping your home cooler longer. Put off cooking and cleaning. Well, at least using the oven, washing machine and dryer. Save these heat-producing tasks for later in the day say, after 8 pm, if at all possible. These appliances create ample heat in your home that will only cause your AC unit to kick it up a notch. During cooler days, cook several meals at once and freeze them until sizzling days when all you’ll need to do it run the meals through the microwave, suggests the Consumer Energy Center (www.consumerenergycenter.org). Think no-cook, cold meals such as salads, cold soups, and sandwiches. And try using low-use energy appliances such as electric skillets and the microwave, which uses two-thirds less energy than your stove.
Your Home
1. Treat yourself to an all-natural popsicle. Skip the scary-ingredient supermarket concoctions and make your own instead. Simply freeze homemade lemonade, limeade, orange or grape juice in popsicle molds or in ice cube trays with toothpicks inserted. Nothing could be easier … and no kid can resist this classic summer treat. Yum! 2. Slip and slide at two very unique water parks. Two of the most popular watering holes in our area offer incredibly different experiences for daredevils. First, there’s the action-packed theme park Wet ‘n’ Wild (www.phoenix.mywetnwild.com) in Glendale built just two years ago and now Arizona’s largest water park. Don’t miss the Maximum Velocity Dueling H2O Coaster – you have to see it to believe it. Something in a natural setting more your speed? Slide Rock State Park (www.azstateparks.com/parks/slro/index) in Sedona offers visitors natural scenic beauty and a place to wade and cool off in a natural creek. A slick chute in the rock lets visitors ride a natural slide down the creek. 3. Lace up your skates and hit the ice. It’s hot outside, so why not go ice-skating at a local (note – indoors!) ice rink? At the Ice Den, (www.coyotesice.com) located in North Scottsdale, you can skate right next to the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes Hockey club. Pretty cool! This 120,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art ice skating
and entertainment center is also home to restaurants and a fitness center. Finally, a chance to bundle up this summer! 4. Be cultured. You’ve come to the right spot if you like museums. The Phoenix metro area boasts numerous museums where you can escape the heat and learn something to boot. Are you an art buff? Head to the Phoenix Art Museum (www.phxart.org), home to more than 18,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, as well as fashion design. The Heard Museum Phoenix (www.heard.org) provides visitors with a look at American Indian cultural art and fine art, set in 10 exhibition galleries. Got kids? You’ll all love the Children’s Museum of Phoenix (www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org). The museum provides hands-on, interactive exhibits designed for kids ages birth to 10. A few other spots to beat the heat: the Hall Of Flame Museum of Firefighting (www.hallofflame.org); the Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum (www.admmr.state.az.us); the Arizona Military Museum (www.azdma.gov/museum/index.html); the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum (www.azcama. com/museums/doll_toy); and the Arizona Capitol Museum (www.lib.az.us/museum/). 5. Get a brain freeze! Nothing says summer around here more than a trip to the ice cream
parlor. Beat the heat at a few of the local favorites, from trendy to classic to retro cool: The Gelato Spot (four locations in the Valley), Sweet Republic (Scottsdale), Mary Coyle Ol’ Fashion Ice Cream Parlor (Phoenix), Culver’s (several locations), and Udder Delights (Gilbert). 6. Host a movie marathon. Here’s a chilly idea: Invite a few friends over, crank up the AC, and watch a marathon of snow-themed flicks. A few to try: Dr. Zhivago, Fargo, Snow Dogs, Snow Falling on Cedars, and Vertical Limit. Serve frozen treats and drinks and ask friends to join in on the fun by wearing a hat and mittens.
Ahi Poketini AHI & AVOCADO MIXTURE 8 oz fresh sashimi grade Ahi, 1/2 inch diced 1 avocado, 1/2 inch diced 1 pinch Shichimi Togarashi (Japanese seven-spice blend) 1 pinch Hawaiian red sea salt 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 1/2 tsp. rice wine vinegar 1 oz. ogo (seaweed), chopped 1 tsp. Sriracha brand sauce 1 tsp. truffle oil 1 tsp. Rayu (hot sesame seed oil) 1 tsp. Furikake (rice seasoning) 1 tsp. white sesame seeds
Local Flavor!
Hot Summer Nights Concert Series City Center, July 10th, 24th 480.319.8700 or citycenterofcitynorth.com Dance under the stars at this concert series, featuring the Valley’s most talented musical acts. Not just catered towards adults, there will also be face painting, balloon animals and cotton candy. Concert goers can also enjoy exclusive discounts from participating restaurants and retail shops the evening of the event.
Too hot to handle doing much of anything this summer? Try these ideas to keep your cool and have fun at the same time.
Gently toss ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Featuring Roy’s 7151 W. Ray Road • Chandler 480.705.7697 or roysrestaurant.com
WASABI AIOLI 1/2 cup kewpie mayonnaise 1/4 cup wasabi powder 1/2 cup water 2 limes, juiced 2 tsp. honey Salt and pepper, to taste GARNISH Tobiko (flying fish roe) Shiso leaf Kaiware (daikon radish sprout) In a small bowl, whisk together wasabi powder and water to form a loose paste. Add mayonnaise and continue to whisk until smooth. Add lime juice and honey. Season with black pepper to taste. Coat the inside of a chilled martini glass with wasabi aioli. Place a small mound of Ahi and avocado mixture in center of glass. Garnish with caviar, kaiware sprouts and shiso.
Wendy Kirtland Wendy is a full-time Realtor who pours her heart and soul into serving her clients’ best interest. Whether it be listing and selling your home for the best price in the shortest amount of time possible or finding the perfect home to suit your needs, she is tireless in her efforts. When she is not working with clients
Wendy Kirtland Cell: 480.215.0959 eFax: 480.355.9514 WKirtland@FineProp.com RE/MAX Fine Properties 21000 N. Pima Rd., Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85255
she spends time furthering her real estate education. In 2009 she completed courses to become an “Accredited Buyer’s Representative,” a “Certified Distressed Property Expert,” a “Certified Negotiation Expert,” a “Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource,” and other additional courses. Not a day goes by that she is not learning something new.
WKirtland@FineProp.com If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.
Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net