My friend of many years, Dick Geasland of MIKID shared this invite with me to share with you.

This is the upcoming MIKID Sue Gilbertson Leadership Award.

MIKID improves the behavioral health and wellness of children and youth through a family-centered approach.

MIKID offering an array of services to families of children with emotional and behavioral challenges. Last year MIKID served families in 69 Arizona cities and towns, providing education, resources, and support to hundreds of Arizona families annually.

MIKID’s history stemmed from one individual’s overwhelming concern for the lack of services provided for children in the mental health field and the many serious issues that were not being properly addressed. Sue Gilbertson began her quest in 1984 when her son, Eric, was diagnosed with mental illness.

In trying to get assistance for her son, Ms. Gilbertson found herself amidst a conventional medical community that was simply not equipped to handle the problems her son was facing. She was confronted with a community that was indifferent and uncooperative to her needs.

MIKID focuses on youth and youth-voice, as well as on the adults in the families they serve. In an effort to further this youth focus, MIKID created Youth Summits, a one-day Leadership training for youth, particularly focusing on Transition Age Youth (TAY).

Have you seen these donation meters on the streets in any cities you’ve traveled in recently?

Evidently, Tucson has a program in place. Here’s an article about that.

The idea is to allow people to donate to combat homelessness by putting change (or using a card) at these refurbished meters, rather than giving money to the homeless directly.

There is an organization, called Real Change, which has been working on this issue, and placing meters around on street corners.

Homeless advocates are responding to these donation meters, on both sides. Here’s an interesting, but too brief, article about concerns that some folks have about donation meters.

Homelessness is a growing problem in downtown Phoenix. Since the Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) had to close down a building that housed hundreds of people downtown, we have seen an increase of people on the streets.

To be fair, despite all of the good work that CASS does, they can’t fully address homelessness with the conditions they are working under now. The Arizona legislature has for years cut the dollars that used to go to helping people who are in severe need to get houses.

Advocates will tell you that we need a completely different approach. Rather than warehousing people in poor conditions, many of whom are in need of behavioral health services, drug rehab services, healthcare and job location services, we need to give them affordable housing options where they as individuals are integrated in to stable neighborhoods.

This costs money in the short term, but pays for itself in the long-run.

As realtors, out goal is to make certain people have a roof over their heads, where they want to live. However, the massive build-out of apartments has not resulted in more affordable housing –even for moderate-wealth individuals.

Through 2018, we will focus on this issue. We will encourage donations to our Charity Referral Network to direct toward the housing crisis, and we will give personally.

What do you think?

The Willo Home Tour is right around the corner, on February 11th. This year is the 30th anniversary of the tour. Here are my tips on how to have a great time.

First, a couple disclosures. I live in Willo, but I’ve never put my home up on the tour. I purchased it in late 2013 as a short sale home, in need of quite a bit of work. With our busy schedule with our clients and my legislative duties, the renovation schedule is stretched out over a decade. So, its gonna be a while.

If you are new to Phoenix and you want a primer on the Willo Neighborhood, have a look at this video that I did a few years ago. Its the pre-beard days, and quite a bit goofy, but we had a lot of fun with it.  We did videos on other neighborhoods on our Youtube Channel, as well. (We just re-uploaded them all, so that’s why they have no views.)

Any-who….

Here’s what you need to do to get the most out the Willo Home Tour:

1) Get your tickets right away. They won’t run out, but its good to get them now, rather than standing in line.

2) The Willo Affair happens the evening prior to the tour and is quite a beautiful outdoor dinner in the neighborhood.

3) There are a bunch of food trucks and options, so don’t worry if you didn’t get breakfast on the way out the door in the morning. If you feel like grabbing breakfast, there are many near-by options, including Vovomeena, HobNobs, Press Coffee at the Muse Apartments, and so many other choices.

4) Support the local vendors! I’ve been out there with the vendors for years. They work hard and always appreciate a little love.

5) Wear comfortable shoes. Even if you take the shuttle, you are going to put some steps on that ol’ FitBit.

6) If you have accessibility concerns, check with the organizers. Not every one of these old homes is accessible. Some are, some are not.

7) Parking is a little mad. If you can park a little further away from the tour start, I suggest you do it. The weather is perfect to be outside, so take advantage of the stroll or roll!

8) Be mindful that people live in these homes. They work very hard to get them ready for you to see. But, if you have kids or pets that might want to explore, it may be best to find alternatives for them.

If you enjoyed this one, you might also like the Coronado Home Tour, in February. The Encanto-Palmcroft Home Tour only happens every other year, alternating with the Windsor Square Home Tour.

Here is a great example of why it is important to know HOAs (Home Owner Associations). In particular, why you need to read the CC&Rs (Covenants Conditions and Restrictions), as well as the Rules and Regulations (which describe what you can and can’t do with the property) and Bi-Laws (which describe how the HOA is run) when you purchase a home with an HOA.

Have a look at this story about possible changes in state law regarding when an HOA can force the sale of your home, and how one state senator wants to make it even easier for HOAs to take your property.

Current law: HOAs can foreclose on owners if they fail to pay their dues for a year or get behind by $1,200 — whichever comes first.

Suggested law: One senator wants to allow HOAs to foreclose if you are only six months behind on HOA dues, regardless of the amount.

Have a look at this article from the Arizona Republic for a run-down of the status of the issue.

Here is our take on this issue. First, it is surprisingly easy to get behind six months for some people. We saw it a lot during and after the Great Recession. I served on an HOA board myself, as we dug our way out of that terrible time and back to financial stability.

Second, there are many ways that HOA boards and board members can pile on fees when members first get behind on dues, such that getting caught up gets even harder.

So, while this is less of a problem in a strong economy, it could become worse the next time the economy weakens.

We are not posting this to take a position on this bill. Rather, this is a lesson in the importance of reading your HOA documents during your inspection period.

We understand HOAs and we can help you if you choose to sell or buy in an HOA. Call us at 602-456-9388 for more.

The history of 2032 N. Alvarado speaks to the early growth of Phoenix, before there was air conditioning, an airport or hipsters drinking organic, craft beer. In fact, it was built during the first Phoenix housing boom of the 1920s.

You might have seen this home on our Listings Page. We are so proud to represent this listing. Have a look at the listing and photos that capture how beautifully this home has been maintained.

Source: Arizona Republic Archives

The home is an example of Spanish Mission (which some will argue is Santa Barbara style). Dominant features of the time include an arched batten door,  corbelled imposts and a dominant balcony, which is quite rare and unique now.

Built in 1928 by Harry Tritle, the son of former territorial governor F. A. Tritle. He was the Assistant Secretary of the Territory of Arizona starting in 1897.  He was also the editor of the Arizona Gazette. Many years later, in 1926, he was appointed to the Industrial Commission of Arizona.

Unfortunately, he and his wife, Amy Tritle, divorced in 1932. She was able to maintain control of the property and rented it to Paul Hyde Davies for several years. Paul Davies was a locally-successful business executive, who came to Phoenix from Pittsburgh, where he was an early voice on radio.

The Hyde Davies home was the site of a wedding in 1936 —the maid of honor was the wife of the young Barry Goldwater, who was in attendance, and who had only 6 years earlier inherited his father’s well-known department store business.

The Arizona Republic went to great detail about the details of the wedding and the fashion choices of the many attendees. Unfortunately, the archives articles from the time are behind a pay wall at Newspapers.com.

Reading these old papers is a hoot. Did you know that, when this marriage happened, you could get a Westinghouse Electric Waffle Iron for $8.90 — 90c down and just $1/mo. on your electric bill. So, I guess people did pay for things on their electric bills back then.

Amy (the formerly Mrs. Tritle) re-enters the story in 1938 to sell the house to Preston T. and Margaret Brown. Preston was a well-respected gynecologist and was elected to the Phoenix City Council in 1961. Preston, unfortunately, died at the age of 57.

This home has seen so much of Phoenix’s growth since then. We are still working on compiling the history of the home since that time. So, stay tuned!

If you have a historic home that you hope to sell with the help of a qualified and successful team that also respects the importance of the stories behind historic homes, please contact us at 602-456-9388.

The Green Cleaning Tip for January 2018 is contributed thanks to Going Green House Cleaning. We use their services for our listings and recommend them for our clients.

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Happy New Year!

The holiday season has come and gone and the time has come to embrace the new year.

The new year brings a fresh start and the opportunity to set new goals and motivations for the year ahead. Yet somehow, this fresh feeling that we “feel” doesn’t always relay in to how our lives and homes look coming out of the hectic holiday season. We may feel renewed, but our surroundings may relay a different story. So how can we make our home feel the same way we do? Well, Going GreenHouse is here to help with our first green cleaning tip of 2018 (can you believe it?!?!).

Fridge:

After tossing old holiday leftovers, wipe the shelves and door with a microfiber cloth and an all-purpose cleaner made with plant-based ingredients. Pull your fridge out from the wall and unplug it. Then use your vacuum’s brush tool to gently clean the coils. (If your fridge has a removeable grille in the front, unsnap or unscrew it to get to the coils from the front of the fridge.)

Oven:

Corrosive chemicals in oven cleaners can cause breathing difficulty or skin irritation. Fortunately, you can make a surprisingly effective oven cleaner with a paste of ½ cup of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of dish soap, and water (about the consistency of toothpaste). Rub the paste into whatever holiday leftovers are lingering on the walls and bottom of your oven. Leave it for 5 minutes, then wipe clean with a wet rag or microfiber. To reach the back of the oven, wrap the microfiber around a spatula or long-handled spoon, this will help you reach those hard-to-get areas.

Windows:

Window cleaners may contain ingredients like ammonia and  isopropyl alcohol that may irritate your lungs. To remove gunk without these ingredients, rub a dollop of mayonnaise onto sticky spots from window decals and scrape with a plastic spatula (never use a razor blade, which can scratch the glass) use a plant-based all purpose or glass cleaner on the frame, ledge, and hardware and wipe clean. Then spray the cleaner on a microfiber cloth and wipe the window top to bottom in a “Z” pattern in order to prevent streak marks and create consistency.

Vent covers:

In addition to choosing cleaners with low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), cleaning your vent covers is an easy way to help protect your home’s indoor air quality. Get rid of dust bunnies and allergens by unscrewing vent covers and placing them in a sink filled with hot water and a squirt of dish soap. Wipe the covers carefully with a microfiber, dry, and replace.

Carpet:

Carpet can trap (and hold) dust, dirt, pet dander, and allergens. To freshen and deodorize your carpet, you don’t need special cleaners — just sprinkle baking soda on the entire area and let it sit for at least an hour (the longer, the better). Vacuum it up and repeat if needed.

Although keeping a clean home can seem like a never-ending task, these are a few items that will help you get the new year started on the right foot! Don’t forget, if you need an extra hand, Going GreenHouse LLC is here to be of service! Happy New Year!

As part of a larger strategic plan to raise awareness around climate change and public health, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health is launching the Climate and Health Champions Recognition Program.  They are seeking nominations for youth, individual community members, businesses, and organizations in the county, who are taking action to improve health in the face of a changing climate.

You may know some ideal candidates for these awards, and we’d love to hear about them.  The county is circulating this announcement to our existing community partners.

The Climate and Health Champion Awards recognize local youth, individuals, businesses, and organizations that are taking steps toward implementing sustainable solutions, eco-friendly practices, or policies aimed at improving health and/or improving health equity (through elimination of economic or social barriers to health) that are at risk of climate-sensitive hazards.

Climate-sensitive hazards are exposures such as poor air quality, heat, flooding, drought, wildfires, dust storms, vector-borne disease, etc. that put people’s heath at risk and are influenced by local- to global-scale climate change.

Here are some examples of what eligible projects might include:

• water collection/distribution to address high summer temperatures
• water conservation to address the potential for drought and water scarcity
• school or community garden building
• tree planting to increase shade or combat air pollution
• community cleanup/beautification to encourage walking or biking
• composting or recycling programs that reduce landfill trash
• energy conservation
• trip reduction and hybrid fleet programs
• assisting vulnerable populations (children and older adults, individuals with physical/cognitive impairment, individuals living in poverty, individuals experiencing homelessness, etc.) with adapting to climate change

2032 N Alvarado

We have four new listings coming up this month to kick off the new year.

So, this is just a teaser. We will get you the full new listings as soon as we go live on the MLS. Watch our Facebook page or our listings page on this website for announcements, as they happen.

First, we will present a 1928, 3,500 sqft estate in the Alvarado historic district. That’s between Central and 3rd St at about Monte Vista. This home has a deep history in Phoenix along with incredible details and beautiful features which we will be proud to present. It will list next week at $1,050,000.

You will definitely be hearing more about this one soon.

FQ Story Bungalow Coming Soon!

Second, we will present a 2br/2ba, 1,100 sqft charming bungalow in the FQ Story Historic Neighborhood. This 1931 home has all that you would hope from a property in FQ Story, including historic built-ins, wood floors and easy accessibility to all the fun downtown. Final list price is TBA. Watch for this listing at the end of the month.

Town Homes on 3rd for that downtown lifestyle.

Third, and also at the end of the month, we will present a beautiful 1,700 sqft, 2br/2.5ba property at Townhomes on 3rd. This development was the previous town home project completed by local developer Matt Seaman in 2015. These properties have their own garage parking, with beautiful appliances and views of downtown lights. This property is about 200 yards from the Gold Spot Market. Final list price TBA.

Last, but not least, I am listing my very own 3br/1ba, 1,362 sqft property in the Garfield neighborhood. I am specifically pricing this home for those who want to renovate their own space –rather than investors– because I believe in supporting creative, owner-occupying renovators in a neighborhood that I love.

I purchased this home in 2006 and I’ve put over $50,000 in to it since then. I updated the landscaping, paint, porch, kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms –which could use a touch up. But, I also added a new roof, blown-in insulation, tankless water heater, a foam roof over the master bedroom, historic double-hung windows and other historic touches. This property is coming on the market this week at $265,000.

The market is hopping right now. So, if you need some help finding the right property, or help selling your home, please call us at 602-456-9388.

Green Cleaning Tip for December 2017 is contributed thanks to Going Green House Cleaning. We use their services for our listing and recommend them for our clients.

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I’m dreaming of a GREEN Christmas…

The holiday season is upon us! Holiday parties have commenced, baking is in order, shoppers are shopping, and our agendas are filling up quickly. Last month we discussed how to get our homes holiday-ready and what better way to embrace the holiday hullabaloo than to discuss the topic of resourcefulness.

It is a season of abundance. An abundance of savory dishes and delectable treats. An abundance of tree lots lining the streets. An abundance of wrapping paper, ribbons, and boxes. An abundance of family and friends. Joy and cheer abound. These are all things to embrace and for which to be thankful.

Now think a little bigger. Pull back the curtains, if you will, on the topic of resourcefulness. Take a moment to think of all the boxes, bags, wrapping paper, tissue, and paper products in general that we consume during the holidays. According to a Stanford University study, Americans create an extra 1 million tons of garbage each week from thanksgiving to New Years. It is hard to fathom, isn’t it? This month we are going to step away from the cleaning side of “going green” and instead focus on what it can look like to conserve, because ‘Tis the season…right?

Wrapping paper.

We are all guilty of tearing open holiday gifts without thinking twice. I remember, as a child, watching my mother carefully popping off the tape from gifts and slowly unwrapping. At the time, the anticipation of seeing what was inside had me beside myself. Hurry, hurry, open it! Then I would watch as she carefully folded the paper and set it aside. How obserd. Or is it? You see, what she was doing was saving the paper to reuse down the road. How many rolls of half-used of wrapping paper do you have in your home? Consider this. What if we all made a point of reusing boxes, saving ribbons, and saving wrapping paper? Another way to be environmentally conscious is to purchase recycled wrapping paper or use old newspapers, for a classic twist.

Holiday cards.

It is pleasant to think that we all have boxes upon boxes of every holiday card, from every family, that we have ever received. However, the reality is that a lot of cards end up in the trash, at some point. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Keeping this in mind, consider using cards made out of recycled paper or avoiding buying cards with glossy, shiny, or foil coatings since they cannot be recycled.

Re-Gifting.

Speaking of abundance, what about the idea of re-gifting? Yes, this may sound offensive. However, think of all the gifts this year that will remain unused and untouched. Or the old clothes and toys that will be replaced and end up in the back of some closet, somewhere. Instead of allowing the clutter to build in your home, consider re-gifting or giving back to your community. Too many times old toys and clothes are simply thrown in to the trash and put to waste. Instead of giving in to convenience, be proactive and give your surplus to a local charity, thrift store, family in need, or, well, your sister-in-law for that matter. There are a myriad of ways  to give back this holiday season.

Opportunities to be resourceful are all around us. Sometimes we just need to take the opportunity and commit to doing our part in making a difference. From our Going GreenHouse to yours, Happy Holidays!