You may have seen my previous stories about the effort to put historic trollies on Grand Avenue as an economic development project. This low-cost project would help encourage new businesses along Grand Ave between Van Buren and Roosevelt –a trend that is already under way, but which could quicken and bring new income to Phoenix.

Since writing these stories, I joined the Grand Avenue Rail Project (GARP) board and we are working to get recognition of the great return on investment this represents.

It came to my attention this last week that the folks at the Trolley Museum, where they house the historic trollies which we hope to use on Grand Ave., have received a proposal from a neighboring city to take our trollies and add them to their local museum.

From what I am hearing, the Phoenix Trolley Museum folks, not getting a particularly warm feeling from City of Phoenix, are seriously considering taking this other museum up on their offer. From what I hear, some in the City really want to take back the trolley museum building at Margaret T. Hance Park so they can use it for other things. They have gone so far as to encourage the Trolly Museum to move, but they have not provided a viable place for them to go.

The sad part is that there is a very viable option, which the Museum folks and GARP founder Robert Graham have been advocating for: put the trolly museum on Grand Ave., along with an accompanying trolly line that will encourage new business on Grand.

Thus their frustration.

Here is my concern: if the Trolley Museum moves to some other city, it will be even more difficult to see the GARP idea through and it will represent yet another Phoenix stab at historic preservation. Even sadder is the fact that the city does not need to lay out much money to make this happen. They just need to partner on proposals to the federal government for transportation dollars, which can be used for this purpose.

The estimated cost to build the infrastructure, outfit a new museum on grand and operate the system: $10 million. I believe that the resulting new home sales, infill development and business starts along grand will be worth ten times that.

Please contact your city councilmen and let them know that you support the Grand Avenue Rail Project.

I’m very proud to announce a new listing that I have at the widely-coveted Villa del Coronado.

Please see this link for the listing information.

These condos, built in 1958 are one of the few quintessential examples of Mid-Century Modern design left in Phoenix. Did you know that one of our previous governors used to own a property here?

I use the word “coveted”, above because this community is absolutely pristine and sought-after by Mid-Century Modern buffs.

The owner of this property has renovated the bathrooms with beautiful modern features, opened up the great room. The Villa de Coronado community has two salt water pools, with one heated. It is also one of the few properties downtown with individual garage parking.

The community takes care of everything, even some maintenance for each unit. That way you can get out and explore, wether you are going across the street to the Phoenix Art Museum or to the light rail stop about 300 feet away.

These properties are co-operative condos, a rare breed in Phoenix. As such, the properties are kept in immaculate condition by people who are very particular about the type of property they own. It means that if you own one, you actually own a portion of a corporation. As such, all of your taxes, electricity, gas and other usual HOA fees are paid out of one monthly fee. It also means that these properties can only change hands by paying cash, with one exception –“seller carrybacks”. Financing is not an option.

To put it another way, because you are buying in to a corporation a lender is not likely to give you a loan.

What is a “seller carryback,” you ask? Check out this post from way back in 2010 about seller carrybacks and how they work. Basically, you can buy it directly from the owner through installments.

If you want more information about this unique opportunity, please give me a call at 602-456-9388.

Every so often I like to do a reminder on credit. It’s kinda important, ya know.

So, your credit score, also called a FICO score, is a number based on the information in your credit file that shows how likely you are to pay a loan back on time. You’ll want your number to be higher, rather than lower, because that show’s you’re  less risky (not to be confused with risqué).

Consumers with scores above 700 are usually charged pretty low rates, but those with scores above 760 are charged the lowest rates. So, what should you do if you have less than stellar credit? Jeannie Bolger at Nova Home Loans has come to the rescue with some of her top tips for improving your credit score.

PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME
According to Jeannie, “The best way to raise your credit score is to develop a positive history of using credit to outweigh the old, bad credit history.”  If you’ve made any late payments, establishing or re-establishing a good track record of making timely payments will raise your score.

KEEP YOUR BALANCES LOW
Jeannie also suggests that you keep your current credit card balance at 30% or less than the maximum credit limit. High outstanding debt can affect your score and maxing out your credit cards could lower your average score by as much as 70 points.

OPT OUT
Visit www.optoutprescreen.com to tell the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) to stop selling your credit history. You’ll be able to opt of “pre-approved” credit card offers for a period of five years or indefinitely.

GET A SECURED CREDIT CARD
A secured credit card (one that requires you to make a deposit against the card’s credit limit) is a great way to develop a positive credit history. Jeannie cautions that you should not max it out. Instead, maintain a very small balance each month and be sure that the card reports to all three credit bureaus.

GET IT IN WRITING
If you’re paying off an old collection or charge-off, speak to the creditor about removing derogatory information on your credit report in exchange for payment. And don’t forget to get it in writing.

Jeannie Bolger can be reached at Nova Home Loans at jeannieb@novahomeloans.com or (602) 550-8674

Not only will we be celebrating our independence come July, but we’ll also be celebrating independents. That’s because July 1 through July 7, 2012 is the 10th anniversary of National Independents Week (or “Indie Week” if you’re cool). This is the week that everyone is encouraged to shop locally and support independent businesses.

A great place to start is by visiting Local First Arizona where you can find a directory of local business and learn how to “Shift the Way you Shop”. According to the website, for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $73 remains in the local economy and $27 leaves . In contrast, when you shop at a business that is not locally-owned, only $43 remains in the local economy and $57 leaves.

Shopping local re-circulates your money over and over, creating more tax revenue to the state and your community. Not only do local businesses help to drive the economy, but they also support sustainability and add character and uniqueness to the community. You’ll also probably get better and more personal service.

In honor of Independents Week, Local First Arizona is offering a “Golden Coupon” where you can get 20% off at participating local establishments.

So, go ahead and take the pledge to shop locally and support your community merchants. Then head down to the farmer’s market, the Melrose District or your favorite local restaurant and help build our economic independence during Independents Week.

I’m in this great group called Valley Leadership. In fact, I am graduating from their Class 33 this weekend. As part of our work, we were put in groups for a project to benefit the community. There will be a panel of judges this Friday to review our work and choose the best project.

Well, here is our project: we created videos, a website and a curriculum for middle school students to see interviews with people in various careers. This will help them think about what they would like to do and what they need to study to make their dreams happen.

We are very excited about the result. Just look at some of the great folks who did interviews with us. Further, this project is sustainable. Our partners, Be a Leader, the National Association of Asian American Professionals and the National Black MBS Association will continue to add videos over time. 

Here is the press release with all the information about the project. Please have a look.

My clients have just listed their new property for rent at 7th St. and Portland.

These townhouses were built in 2007, have all the latest modern features, secure garage space and pool access.

You can walk to First Fridays, or any number of great downtown activities.

Only $1,400 per month for a 2br/2ba 1,548 square foot townhouse!

Please contact me at ken@getyourphx.com or 602-456-9388 for more information.

(Yeah, go ahead. Say it. “Phoenix and Historic Preservation are oxymorons.” Did you get it out of your system? Ok. Thanks. Proceed.)

In keeping with the National Preservation Month’s May theme—“Discover America’s Hidden Gems”—past and present Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission members will share their favorite Phoenix memories and “hidden gems”.

Nine Phoenix resident commission members, from at least one of the following categories—registered architect, real estate professional, archeologist, and historian—serve on the commission for a three-year term. The newest member is Tazmine Khatri Loomans (“but you can call me, Taz”), architect, writer and advocate for sustainable building practices. Her first committee meeting was May 21, but I know she’ll have plenty to contribute to the celebration! (For more info on Taz, check out her excellent ‘city. sustained.’ Phoenix-based blog, Blooming Rock.)

Maybe we’ll hear something along the lines of discoveries in 2010’s excellent coffee-table book, “Midcentury Marvels: Commercial Architecture of Phoenix, 1945 -1975” co-written by The Phoenix Historic Preservation Office and Ryden Architecture, Inc.

The Phoenix Historic Preservation Office writes books!? And they do a lot more, working to protect and enhance historic neighborhoods, buildings, and sites. They work closely with the Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission, to identify designate districts and properties that are eligible for a listing on the Phoenix Historic Property Register.

To qualify as a Historic Property in Phoenix, a property has to be at least 50 years old or have achieved an exceptional level of significance in the past 50 years.

“Significance” can mean one or more of these things: that the property is connected to events have contributed to wide patterns in the Phoenix history; that it is associated with significant people from Phoenix history; that it has, or is likely to in the future, provide information that will be helpful to increasing our understanding of Phoenix history or pre-history; and/or that the construction of the property clearly represents a specific type, period, or method; or it represents the work of an artistic master.

National Historic Preservation Month Celebration
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 29
Encanto Clubhouse
2605 N. 15th Ave.

Like many of you, I was shocked by the sudden closing of the Phoenix Public Market. I am still trying to process it. This was our locally-owned center point downtown.

I’ve not made any comments on it because I wanted a better sense of what may come next. So, I have a little more insight for you.

I spoke with Dan Klocke, who is the VP for Development of the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, and board director for the Community Food Connect, which  is the nonprofit organization that runs the Public Market and the outdoor market. This is the group that benefits from our annual Phoestivus Market.

Dan told me that it is up to the landlord what will happen next INSIDE the market. Dan spoke very highly of the building owner as a cooperative partner in finding a new direction and felt confident that something good will come in to the market. Says Dan, “This location has a lot of caché, it has proven itself and people are going to swoop in to take advantage of this location. I believe there will be a good user of the space that will play well off the outdoor market, and who respects local.”

Dan is asking us all to do whatever we can to support the outdoor market in this time of need. Please remember that the market is happening tonight, as usual, and that the last day of the market is this Saturday, where you will be able to get great close-out specials on many of the products you usually enjoy there.

As for the future of the Phoestivus Market, Dan felt confident that we will continue working together on that, too.

Dan is in a tough position with two jobs right now, one very uncomfortable. Please drop by and support the market, as well as the work of the entire staff over there.

Oh, and Cindy Gentry, you are an inspiration and I thank you for all of your tireless hours of work.

I get this question all the time, from timid sellers looking for the best deal on a house that they call home.

So lets look at the facts.

If you can choose when to sell, it’s best to wait until your local real estate market is “hot,” or a “sellers’ market.” (which we’ve got) 

This can occur on a very local basis, regardless of what’s common across the United States. In Phoenix we’ve got high demand and low inventory. But here are some other things to consider.

• Mortgage interest rates are low, allowing buyers to finance larger mortgages.
• The economic climate of downtown phoenix is healthy, and people feel confident about the future.
• There was a jump in house buying activity, as often occurs in the spring, and a lot of new families are trying to get in before the new school year.
• Living in Downtown Phoenix is great! The neighborhoods are considered especially attractive thanks to the great community involvement.

Of course, not everyone gets to choose when to sell. But right now is the right time.