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Life, Tips

Recycling Phoenix

I am a bit intense about recycling. I pick up batteries on the ground when I see them. I drive my recycling to my friends houses because my misguided HOA board refuses to make that a priority.

Most Phoenix resident receive  a recycling bin with their house for all their recyclables. (It is a shame that the city does not recycle for condos, apartments and businesses, but that is something we need to work on.)

But what about all those items you can’t recycle in the regular blue bin?

Light bulbs, car batteries, foam packing peanuts, bubble wrap; none of these items go in the blue can. But throwing them away isn’t an option either. So what do you do? Well, there are recycling options all over the valley for items like these and you can find out where at the click of a button. Earth911 finds recycling options in your area, no matter where youare in the country.

Many of us use compact Flouresent Lightbulbs. Making this change will help to use less electricity at home and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global climate change. But what do you do when the bulb, which contains mercury, burns out? The EPA recommends that consumers take advantage of available local recycling options for compact fluorescent light bulbs. EPA is working with CFL manufacturers and major U.S. retailers to expand recycling and disposal options.

Keep Phoenix Beautiful has been in Phoenix since 1982 to promote the preservation and protection of our environment through cling initiatives and education, litter reduction, beautification, and community improvement activities. You can keep up with them for news and events about your area.

Have pride in your neighborhood! Keep it clean and safe!

March 27, 2012by phxAdmin
First Time Home Buyer, Live, Tips

Going Broker

Over the years, brokers have gotten a bad wrap. I work with people everyday who want to go with big banks and credit unions for their loans (because they haven’t done anything wrong in the past few years, right?).

Just recently I had a client who went with a big credit union for her loan, and 7 days before close of escrow, they decided to pull the loan because the bank had issues with the HOA. Lucky for us, Jeanie Bolger from Nova Home loans came in and saved the day. I can’t tell you the number of times this happens.

Here is what I learn and I want to share with anybody who is thinking about finding a lender:

  1. Big banks are just that BIG. They’ve got lots of red tape and work to get through everyday, before they even think about giving you a loan. On the other hand, a mortgage broker is a certified professional who seeks the best mortgage terms for you by accessing a network of lenders that includes major banks, trust companies, credit unions and finance companies.
  2. Big banks and credit unions tend to be more conservative on loans. So, if you have something out of the ordinary going on, like a second property, a divorce or a spouse with bad credit, stay away from the big banks, especially.
  3. Underwriters work fast with Brokers. Jeannie’s brokers are in the same office, so she can work with the underwriter to make sure everything they need and you need is in place. Jeannie can physically walk down a hall and ask an underwriter a question about a loan and get an answer right away. They can’t do that in the mega bureaucracies.

I recently worked with Lonna to find a home downtown. Lonna wanted to go with a credit union because they had given her pre-approval. One week from closing escrow, the credit union pulled the loan and we once again turned to Jeannie.

Lonna loved working with her. “Jeannie answered all my questions immediately and spoke to me like she was trying to help. It feels like your being interrogated when your with a Credit Union, like you’re just a case number, but with a broker it was like they cared.” Once Jeannie took over, it only took two days from when the underwriter received the application to approval.

So, let me be clear: from the time we started to the time we close, Jeannie swooped in and got it all done within 5 days! Its gotta be a record!

So if you’re thinking of buying a home in downtown phoenix, use a broker. Heck, Call Jeannie!

Or call me for more information about the market: 602-456-9388.

March 23, 2012by phxAdmin
Life, Public Policy, Sustainable Living

Double Your Rebate for Energy Improvements!

It’s officially spring, which means just one thing in Arizona. Downtown Phoenix is going to be unreasonable hot really soon. Lucky for you and your electric bills, Energize Phoenix has just the fix for your energy bill needs.

Energize Phoenix will be holding an energy fair, “it’s Easy with Energize Phoenix”, this Saturday, March 24th at the Burton Barr Library from 10 – 2.

The event is open to the public and the best part, attendees will be eligible for double rebates for their energy efficient home improvement. Phoenix home owners and businesses along the 10 mile, light rail, can sign up for a free energy check and receive up to $3,000 in rebates. That may be enough to cover the entire energy project.

Approved contractors will be at the event to answer questions and identify opportunities. Rebates will be doubled for the day only, so sign up for you improvements that day. And, attendees who ride the light rail and show ticket fare will receive a free CFL bulb! Which reminds me, I need to replace that one in the hallway….

To find out if you qualify visit the Energize Phoenix Website, or call 602 495-5275.

March 20, 2012by phxAdmin
Life

Meet Andy – Yet Another Reason to Move Downtown

March 16, 2012by phxAdmin
Life, Market Analysis

Investing in Phoenix Neighborhoods

I’m sure y’all have heard that “broken window theory” of criminology, made popular by  James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling in 1982. Basically, if law enforcement does not address small crimes like broken windows then it becomes harder to fight more serious crimes.

I’ve seen this in reverse since I moved to Phoenix in 1998. I’ve seen greater attention on the part of the city and police to things like graffiti and petty crimes. As a result, and along with hard work of urban pioneers, things have gotten much better here.

Well, as city budgets have been cut (thank you Grover Norquist and the like), we are not training new cops and we don’t have the ability to respond quickly to graffiti like we once could.

So, we citizens have to respond in new ways. That is why I am happy to see that Mayor Greg Stanton has created an advisory committee to advise him on current issues impacting phoenix neighborhoods. Mayor Stanton believes “our city is only as strong as our individual neighborhoods, so we must keep an open line of communication.”At Quarterly meetings the committee, comprised of 29 members, will discuss such topics as law enforcement, parks, streets, neighborhood services, etc. The first meeting is set for the end of this month.

On of the reasons we love and live in downtown phoenix, is because if it’s walkability and promise for future communities. It’s important to support the local community and neighborhoods, not only for our quality of life downtown, but our home values in the future.

March 14, 2012by phxAdmin
Life, Public Policy, Tips

Demystifying the Short Sale

Short sales sound worse than they are.

Two years ago they took a lot longer and confused many more people (agents and lenders, alike). Now the systems are in place to make these transactions close more smoothly.

Even more important, if you qualify for the HAFA Program, you could get up to $4,500 for short selling your home!

A short sale is where the seller owes the bank more than than the property is worth. The term “short sale” literally means that the property is being sold “short” of what the seller owes the bank. In a short sale transaction the bank must agree to accept less money than what the seller owes and agree to release all liens on the property so that the property can be sold.

If you’re thinking about short selling your home there are a few short steps to the process:

1. Find an Attorney to speak to about your short sale. This shouldn’t cost you a lot of money. You can usually get an initial consultation for about $250. You DON’T need to have an attorney negotiate with the bank for you. If you have a tax attorney or CPA, speak with him or her, too!

2. Get your Property Listed. Listing your property with a seller with short sale knowledge is key to a smooth transaction. This is where I come in.

3. Find a Buyer. You should know that the average “days on market” are much, much lower now than they were even six months ago. This really should not take us long.

4. Send a contract to your lender along with proper documentation. We’ll work with you to make sure all the paperwork is in order for quicker approval. This is the part of the process that takes the longest. But I can take much of the pain out of this.

5. Get Approval and Close Escrow. This part goes largely the way normal sales go –inspection, appraisal, close of escrow.

March 8, 2012by phxAdmin
Life

FHA’s MIP Increase

Just when you thought the world of home finance could not get more exciting, more changes are headed our way in the form of mortgages.

OK, I’m going to type the following but then explain it, so bear with me.

Effective for case numbers assigned on or after April 18th, 2011, FHA is increasing the Annual MIP on all forward mortgages by .25%. For an FHA loan where the home buyer makes the minimum 3.5% down payment, their MI will increase from .90% to 1.15%. And though that sounds scary and monetarily foreboding, it’s not that complicated.

First, What is an MIP? Well, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) encourages mortgage lenders to approve loans for buyers by promising to pay FHA-insured mortgages in full if buyers default on the loans. Collecting the FHA mortgage insurance premium (MIP) on every loan allows the FHA to make good on those promises. Most FHA loans require two types of MIP payments: an upfront premium paid in full at closing, and an annual premium paid monthly over the life of the loan.

FHA’s guidelines are very lenient, although most lenders have overlays in order to bolster the product, and claim that borrowers with credit scores of 580 or more can put down as little as 3.5 percent. The FHA will increase its annual mortgage insurance premium by 0.10 of a percentage point for loans under $625,500. This annual premium is broken down in monthly payments. The upfront mortgage premium is also increasing by 0.75 of a percentage point, bringing the premium to 1.75 percent of the loan amount, which can be financed/added into the mortgage.

What does this mean for you? In the Mortgagee letter issued by HUD, they state that they anticipate this change will have minimal impact on borrowers but will significantly strengthen the Mortgage Insurance Fund.  While I would agree that an extra .25% is not huge, You can save that extra .25% by going under agreement in time for the lender to order the FHA case number prior to April 18th. And you can always put down more than 3.5%

See, not so scary.

If you have questions or need to discuss mortgage options,

Please call Jeannie Bolger, Sr. Loan Officer for more information.

Or call me for more information about the market: 602-456-9388.

March 6, 2012by phxAdmin
Art, Events GYP, Life

March 2012 Get Your PHX at Por Vida Gallery

16th Street Should Not Be Ignored

That is the message of Por Vida Gallery. Our January 2011 Get Your PHX was a celebration of 16th St. and we are going back to see what’s new.

Por Vida owners Pablo Luna, Thomas “Breeze” Marcus, and Lalo Cota have a foothold and a new statement that they want to share with you.

Lalo Cota tells us that 16th is the next logical step in art in Phoenix. First Friday, he says, can’t be about just 3rd and Roosevelt anymore. He tells us that space has become too much about food and artists are struggling. So it is time to expand.

Come see if the leading edge of art in Phoenix truly is making a move east and see Douglas Miles’ transfixing =Apacheria= show in which Miles challenges cliché images of Native American life through mixed media.

This will be the most engaging Get Your PHX that we’ve hosted for some time. So, don’t miss it!

Special sponsors to be announced soon!

Please join us and RSVP at our Facebook Fan Page.

March Get Your PHX
Thursday, March 22nd from 5:30 to 7:30pm.
2800 N. 16th St
Phoenix, AZ 85006 Map Here


March 6, 2012by phxAdmin
Editor's choice, Fashion, Photoshootings

IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK

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Investigationes demonstraverunt lectores legere me lius quod ii legunt saepius. Claritas est etiam processus dynamicus, qui sequitur mutationem consuetudium lectorum. Mirum est notare quam littera gothica, quam nunc putamus parum claram,anteposuerit litterarum formas humanitatis per seacula quarta decima et quinta. Mirum est notare quam littera gothica, quam nunc putamus parum claram,anteposuerit. Investigationes demonstraverunt lectores legere me lius quod.

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Continue reading

March 5, 2012by phxAdmin
Editor's choice, Photography

MY LONG BIKE RIDE

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Continue reading

March 4, 2012by phxAdmin
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