A Diamond in the Desert - Phoenix Metro Area

I have always been facinated with the southwest and used to travel through the Southwest from the Midwest on my way to California each year for our vacation. The Southwest has so many things to see; the Painted Desert, Petrofied Forest, The Grand Canyon, the Crater, and of course my beloved Phoenix, Arizona.

In 1997 I decided to hitch my wagon to the back of my trusty steed named "Buick" to make the journey to Phoenix. It was an easy journey inpart except my horseless buggy coughed and gagged with each mountain I would pull. I was not only facinated by the terrain, but the local wild life as well, particulary the friendly Turkeys that followed me down the road.

JUST KIDDING!

However, in comparison to the pioneers who blazed the trails many years prior to my journey, my trip was a piece of cake.

WATER IN THE DESERT

Somewhere around 300 AD, the Hohokam Native American settled in Phoenix where they build miles of waterways by capturing water from the Salt River, which allowed them to grow crops and expand their villages. Unfortunately Today, this ancient tribe has mysteriously vanished, with very few theories of what may have cause them to disappear. The Pima Indians are thought to be the direct decendants of the Hohokam.

Today, I look at the mountains and marvel at how the settlers pulled their wagons over the rocky terraine, and how the heatmust have been unbearable - after all my Buick had air conditioning. What really facinates me is the vision they had that turned dust, tumble weeds, and cactus into a town and eventually the beautiful city of Phoenix.

Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and is located on the upper edge of the Sonoran Desert. The city itself is surrounded by 22 other cities and the entire area is affectionally know as the Valley of the Sun. According to the last census, Phoenix had a population of 1,321,045 with 495,832 housing units; a land area land area of 474.86 sq. miles; and a water area of 0.23 sq. miles. There are said to be over 200 golf courses where many of them have been designed by Robert Trent Jones , Jack Nicklas and Arnold Palmer.

Phoenix certainly is a wonderful place to vacation and live. For the sports minded person, Phoenix is the home of the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Cardinals, Diamond Back Baseball Team, Phoenix Mercury and the Phoenix Coyotes. It also is the home of many minor league baseball teams and spring training location for many baseball teams across the USA.

You don't have to travel to Las Vegas to gamble, although Las Vegas is less than an hour away by air. Phoenix metro has several casinos that are open 24 hrs for your pleasure. Looking for the ocean? It is not in Phoenix, but it is less than a hour away in California. However Arizona has over 30 man made lakes where you can fish, and enjoy boating activities.

In the Phoenix area there is Lake Pleasant Regional Park which offers 23,662 acres of ideal boating and camping opportunities. It has 10,000 acres of crystal clear-water where visitors can enjoy water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, or fishing. Lake Pleasant offers over 140 developed sites for RV and tent camping.

Housing opportunities are abundant in the Phoenix Metro with many choices. If you are looking for golf course or retirement communities, single family homes, Condo's, Townhomes, or luxury homes, Phoenix and its 20+ cities has it all.

To get a comprehensive list of homes available visit http://www.homes4saleaz.com/

LIFE'S LESSONS

LESSIONS THAT CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats




2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your.... hair.....

3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.

4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato..................




5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food..........................



6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair......................


7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time..............



8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk............



9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts................


.10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap..........




GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:






1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.




2) Wrinkles don't hurt.

3) Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts

4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.. ..


5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.

6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy

GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD


1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional..


2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.


3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.


4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.


5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.


6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician


7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.



THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:



1) You believe in Santa Claus.











2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.






3) You are Santa Claus.






4) You look like Santa Claus.



SUCCESS:


At age 4 success is . . . . not piddling in your pants. At age 12 success is . . . having friends. At age 17 success is . .. having a driver's license. At age 35 success is . .. . .having money. At age 50 success is . . having money. At age 70 success is . . . having a drivers license. At age 75 success is . .. . having friends. At age 80 success is . .. . not piddling in your pants.

Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way; BUT NEVER forget the blessings that come each day. Have a wonderful day with many ! *smiles* Take the time to live!!!Life is too short.



Dance naked. woo-hoo!
Author unknown

10 Tips on Finding Your Style : Decorating : Home & Garden Television

10 Tips on Finding Your Style : Decorating : Home & Garden Television

HGTV Ideas Newsletter - July 8, 2009

HGTV Ideas Newsletter - July 8, 2009

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read my Blog. My relationship with my clients and customers goes beyond the sale; I love helping them turn their houses into homes. Adding color through accents can change the personality of your living space. Colorful walls, pillows, rugs, throws are wonderful ways to give a room the punch needed to turn dull rooms to outstanding rooms.

Please enjoy the newsletter, and please don't forget me when you are looking to purchase a home, office, business or land - I am only a call or click away.

Making a House Your Home

As a real estate professional I have sold many homes throughout the 13 years I have been in the business. One of the most interesting things I have found with each house sold, is how people turn them from houses to homes. I have found that each home has its own distinct personality.

Now I am not speaking of whether the house is a two story home, or ranch styled; it is more than that. When entering a home, I can tell if the people love to cook, enjoy music, entertainment or sports. I can determine if the home is occupied by a single person or a family. Or if they like dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, or even pot belly pigs. Yes, I have entered many homes where Fido is actually "Rosie", the pet pig.




Speaking of Pets
When entering homes, I have been attacked by dogs, cats, and birds. I am happy to say, I have not yet been attached by a pig. I have been startled by two tiny eyes glowing from under a bed, it was a pet iguana in his favorite hiding place. I have seen pet tarantulas, mice, frogs, and turtles. I have stepped over shedded skins of snakes, and even found a snake guarding the family safe deposit box. (No ATM card need here) YIKES!


Colors & Decor

Colors in a home says a lot about the occupants as well. I can tell if they are happy, sad, angry and even confused. As an example, if the dining room walls are "red", I know guest usually linger at the dining room table, (red stimulates the appetite). If I see murals of balloons, clouds, picket fences in a bedroom, I discern that first of all, it is a little girl's room and her happiness is most important to her parents. Of course the obvious tale tale signs of a boy's room is blue walls, college flags, race cars, football, etc. Teenagers rooms are obvious too. Posters of entertainers, "DO NOT ENTER" signs on bedroom doors, bright electrifying colors - and usually the Maid is on vacation.
Helpful Hints
Turning a house to a home involves reflecting your very own personality, whether through paint color or decorative accessories however, when placing your home on the market you want to appeal to anyone and everyone, which may mean making important changes.


Here' what you may want to do:
1. De clutter - makes the rooms looks extremely large. Remove personal photos, memorabilia, take out unnecessary furnishings
2. Tone down paint colors - no deep colors; makes rooms look smaller
3. Tidy up closets, children's rooms, rec rooms, garage areas
4. Clean windows reflects light - opens up the rooms
5. Refresh or replace worn out furniture
6. When inviting potential buyers into your home, make sure your pets are in a "holding" area away from the flow of the home
7. Paint where needed
8. Tighten up the curb appeal- grass cut, bushes trimmed, etc.

9. Get a home inspection so you will know what to expect when getting the repair list from the Buyer
10. Hire a staging professional professional help is always the best


You want to look at your house as a product to sell, not as your home.


With the accessibility of the Internet, people not only learn how to decorate their homes, but also find information on selling their homes.

Always trust the sale of your home to a real estate professional one who is credentialed, familiar with the area you are interested in selling or purchasing, and has years of experience in the real estate industry. It will save you money, time and headaches. For more information of how to prepare your home to sell, contact me for a free consultation.

Otherwise, enjoy your home, until you are ready to turn it into a house.