The weather is stunning and the houses are open. Please join us at either one of these great properties on Sunday from 1pm to 5pm!

Please see this PDF file (OH_Tour-2010_1114-LETTER) for a list of all 44 homes that are on the Group Open House tour tomorrow, Sunday, November 14th.

This Group Open House covers North Central Phoenix. Please have a look and visit a few homes! This is a buyer’s market, so this is the time to look!

We are excited to bring you the First Annual Phoestivus Market on December 15th, 2010.

We hope that this will be the start of a new tradition in Arizona. Because, really? Who doesn’t like a gifts, food and chestnuts on a cool(ish) Arizona December evening?

We are highlighting locally-owned, organic and locally produced food and wares.

For Visitors:

We will be at the Phoenix Public Market at 14 East Pierce in Downtown Phoenix. (Map it)

We are very grateful for our event co-sponsors: CenPho.com, CO+HOOTS, Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Grand Avenue Merchant’s Association, Local First AZ, Phoenix Community Alliance, Phoenix Public Market and Roosevelt Row.

For Venders:

Please Note: The application deadline has passed for new vendor applications. Please direct questions to Monika.

Application — As this is our first year, we are adapting the normal application that the good folks at the Downtown Public Market use. Download the Vendor Application and guidelines. Please send application to Monika at monika@afterthediet.com. You can fax your application to 602-256-0117.
Cost –– Info coming soon.
Deadline for Application: December 5, or until the 20 spots are reserved (first come, first serve).
Other Conditions: Only locally-grown or produced goods and foods. Please see the application for guidelines.
Questions: Please contact Monika at monika@afterthediet.com or at 623.486.0737.

For Everybody:

Please help us spread the word. Please download the image of the poster  and share it on email, Facebook or whatever floats your boat. (See here for Phoestivus Poster.pdf or click here for the JPEG version)

For this event, we are looking for holiday-themed products and food to help us make this First Annual Phoestivus Market memorable. Please focus your attention, decoration and inventory in that direction.

79 people applied to be redistricting commissioners in time for the October 15th deadline.

Check out the story here.

There are some great names in there. Some I don’t know.

However, as I often say, this is the least noticed, but most important game in town right now. More important that the elections we are about to have.

Despite what some say, we could have more than 10 out of 30 state legislative districts be competitive. We have only 4 right now and our legislature favors extremism as a result. Further, it is simply unfair that over half of all registered voters effectively don’t have a choice in their elections in Arizona because whomever wins in the primary election in most districts will win in the general election.

How do we fix this? First, we get commissioners that agree that we can have more competitive districts. Second, we as citizens have to push back against those in government who will seek to draw districts for their own narrow interests. Redistricting is not rocket science and the ASU Morrison Institute is going to help you learn how to draw district lines using the best known mapping software, called Maptitude.

See here for more information about workshops that they will host in December. Unfortunately, they will cost money. So, it is best for groups or organizations to send somebody to participate.

For the sake of our state, please get involved!

More to come…

Three major condo projects, 44 Monroe in downtown Phoenix, 3rd Avenue Palms in Phoenix and Safari Drive Scottsdale, all went in to foreclosure in 2007 when the builders could not sell at the obnoxiously high prices they listed.

After the developer, Corus Bankshares Inc., lost the properties and went bankrupt, a Chicago firm, ST Residential, was created to move the properties again.

Check out the AZ Republic notice here.

This is an interesting development because the condo market is in such disarray right now. Long story short, almost every condominium project in the country last year was “de-certified.” Certification is required if you want to buy a condo property with an FHA loan. Since the vast majority of buyers right now are FHA buyers, the condo market is in trouble.

This is why I have been able to help people find incredible condos for less than $100,000. Some even lower, like the 2br/1.75ba place around the corner from me for $40,000.

But, how do they recover? Well, these three developments will certainly get FHA certification. So, you would be able to buy there. But even with FHA certification, there are only a certain number that are allowed to go FHA. For instance, the Pierre of 5th condominiums were certified when they came back from foreclosure. But they can only do conventional at this point because they sold the maximum allowed to go FHA.

I don’t know what the limit is on these new properties, but it is easy enough to find out.

Still, given all of that, I think the prices for 44 Monroe and Safari will  be a little too high for most and they will have to come down. I think that 3rd Avenue Palms is pretty well priced, starting at $80,000 (undoubtedly for a 1br/1ba). However, I can’t imagine that Safari Drive, starting at $249,500, will do a brisk business for a while –even for Scottsdale.

In other words, I don’t see other condos or residential homes coming down any further (we have been skipping along the bottom of the market for a while), but at least two of these particular projects will probably have to come down or sit empty for a while longer.

…Just a little prediction. File it appropriately.

Please note this generous price reduction on 1520 W Berridge Lane, from $260,000 to $249,000.

This is a mid-century home that has been completely updated and upgraded. The owners brought together a team of architects and designers from Los Angeles who preserved the authentic 1950s brick beauty of the home, but added incredible value to the home, from the designer features all the way down to the plumbing and electrical.

The sellers believe in preserving a mid-century home, and adding features respectful of the original design while completely modernizing the inside to give confidence to the new owners that this home will last. This is a New Century Modern home!

See the virtual tour here, and see a list of features below.

Property Features
Property: 1520 W. Berridge Lane, Phoenix, 85015
Home: 1771 square feet
Lot: 8,905 sq. ft.

Features:
4 bedrooms Living Room
3 bathrooms Family Room
Kitchen Dining Room
6’ Peninsula Laundry Room

Kitchen
Customized Contemporary Cabinetry
Gorgeous 6’ Peninsula/Island
Sleek Contemporary Hardware, that seamlessly disappears
Designer Italian 24” Tile
Silestone Quartz Countertops
Designer Stainless Steel Sink w/Commercial Chef Style Faucet
All New Stainless Steel Contemporary Appliances
Separate Gas Cook-top and European Style Electric Oven
Stainless Microwave & Hood Vent
Stainless Steel Multi-function Dishwasher
Garbage Disposal
Retro 50’s Pendant Lights over Island and Recessed Lighting
Throughout.

Living Room
Flanked by a Custom Contemporary Room Divider
Dual-Paned Contemporary Front Door w/
Contemporary Stainless Steel Pull Handles & Dual Deadbolts
Designer Italian 24” Tile
Brushed Stainless Steel Retro 50’s Light Fixture
Fully Restored Mid-Century Steel Casement Windows

Family Room
Flanked by a Custom Contemporary Room Divider
Dual-Paned Contemporary French Doors w/
Contemporary Stainless Steel Push/Pull Handles & Deadbolt
Designer Italian 24” Tile
Brushed Stainless Steel Retro 50’s Light Fixture
Spacious and connects with the Kitchen and 6’ Peninsula

4 Bedrooms
Contemporary Designer Lighting
New Doors w/ Brushed Stainless Steel Hardware & Handles
Ecru Carpet & Padding
Fully Restored Mid-Century Steel Casement Windows
Spacious New Closets
Master Bedroom w/private bathroom,
Master Bedroom, Front Exterior is Framed in Brazilian Ipe
Master Bedroom flanked by Contemporary Drapes and Hardware
Natural Light Abounds in every Room
Views of the Exterior Scape frame every Bedroom

Bathroom #1
Customized Contemporary Vanity
Sleek Contemporary Hardware
Silestone Quartz Countertop (Green Feature)
Dual Flush Toilet (Green Feature)
Designer Italian 12” x 24” Grey Dual-Glazed Tile
Sleek Contemporary Square Shaped Vessel Sink
Sleek Contemporary Vessel Sink Lavatory Faucet
Kohler Shower Fixtures
Contemporary Designer Light Fixture

Bathroom #2
Customized Contemporary Vanity
Sleek Contemporary Hardware
Silestone Quartz Countertop (Green Feature)
Dual Flush Toilet (Green Feature)
Designer Italian 12’ x 24” Ecru Dual-Glazed Tile
Sleek Contemporary Undermount Sink
Sleek Contemporary Lavatory Faucet
Glass enclosed Walk-in Shower
Contemporary Designer Light Fixture

Bathroom #3
Customized Contemporary Vanity
Sleek Contemporary Hardware
Silestone Quartz Countertop (Green Feature)
Dual Flush Toilet (Green Feature)
Designer Italian 12’ x 24” Ecru Dual-Glazed Tile
Sleek Contemporary Undermount Sink
Sleek Contemporary Lavatory Faucet
Glass enclosed Walk-in Shower
Contemporary Designer Light Fixture

Dining Room
Modern Black & White Drum Shade Chandelier, setting a modern mood!
Designer Italian 24” Tile
Fully Restored Mid-Century Steel Casement Windows
Amazing View of the Professionally Landscaped Rear Yard

Laundry Room
Spacious laundry room
Can also be accessed as a “Pantry Storage” area
Dryer hook-ups for both gas or electric
Designer Italian 24” Tile
Gorgeous Louvered Door w/Stainless Steel Handles

Front Exterior Foyer
Custom Designed Contemporary, Brazilian Ipe Exterior Foyer, a nod to both
Ralph Haver and Al Beadle, it sits atop a Smooth Stucco Wall.
Designated by Sleek, Contemporary, Stainless Steel Address Numbers.
Progressive Exterior Light Fixture
Framed by a Contemporary Walkway and landscaping w/Exterior Scape Lighting.

Rear Covered Patio
Custom Designed Contemporary Rear Covered Patio, inspired by Al Beadle.
Custom Designed Sunbrella Framed Screens set atop a decidedly Contemporary
Patio Structure, that exudes both form & function!
A Wall of Brazilian Ipe frames the Rear Contemporary French Doors that are
accessorized w/Stainless Steel Pull Handles.

Landscaping
Professionally Landscaped with Modern Xeriscape that is flocked with Bobsod, to
merge seamlessly within the irrigated neighborhood scape. (Green Feature)
Custom Designed Contemporary Basket Weave Redwood Fence that frames the
Zen like Exterior Scape.
Rear 12 Foot Gated Entrance with parking of approx. 55 linear ft..
Professionally designed Front & Rear sprinklers controlled by a Rain Dial Timer.
Exterior Lighting w/ timer.
Front Custom Walk-way designed w/6’ wide steps and well lighting, accented by
grey rock.
This expansive lot allows for the architecture to be surrounded by a beautifully
landscaped exterior, inviting the exterior into the interior, with lots of interior
window views!
Capturing the essence of a “Modern Phoenix Lifestyle!”

New Systems and Features
Day & Night HVAC –4 ton Unit, 13 Seer
New HVAC Ducting throughout
New Roof 2010
Electrical Wiring, Circuitry and Panel
Hardwired Smoke Detector System
Plumbing, Drains & Sewer Line (connects @ rear of the yard)
New 3/4” Water Meter and New 1” Main Line
Interior Gas Lines from the Meter
New Insulation throughout (Green feature)
Drywall, Texture and Paint
Cat 5-Wire for Internet & Phone
All New Contemporary Light Fixtures & Recessed Lights
Customized Contemporary Cabinetry (Green Feature)
Dual Flush Toilets (Green Feature)
Sleek Contemporary Hardware
Interior & Exterior Doors
Brushed Stainless Hinges & Door Handles
Custom Mirrors thru-out
Front & Rear Sprinklers & Timer
Exterior Contemporary Lighting & Timer
Custom, Contemporary, Redwood, Basket Weave Fencing w/ 12’ Gate
New Padding & Carpet thru-out all bedrooms
Closets, Doors and their Interior finishes
Glass Shower Enclosures
Custom Contemporary Room Divider
Fully Restored 50’s Steel Casement Windows (completely functional)
Custom Contemporary Architectural Elements designed in Brazilian Ipe
Planning & Design
Architectural Plans – by L.A. Architect: Dada Design
Land Survey—by: Starlink Surveying
Professionally Designed & Landscaped by Urban Oasis Design
Professionally Designed Interior by Dada Design
New Water Meter 3/4” & 1” Mainline—permitted by City of Phoenix

The phrase of the day is “Feed in Tariff”.

No, it is not a tax on over-eating at McDonalds.

It is a way of encouraging the use of renewable energy. Germany is most famous for this method, but it is not the only one. Read here about how our Corporation Commission might consider the issue.

Why is this important to you? Well, if you’ve ever asked “why don’t we have more solar in Arizona?”, then this is one major reason why.

There are two types of methods generally used.

1) Rebates –this is what we have now. Basically, if you install the panels, you get a rebate from the utility company (as required by the Corporation Commission).

Example: The gross cost for solar panels that I want to put on my roof is $15,000. The utility will give me a rebate of $8,000. Then I can also take various tax credits, etc. The ultimate cost will be around $7,000.

Why this is good: Its better than nothing, which is what we had.

Problems: You need to be able to come up with the initial cost (although leasing companies have made this a little better). Also, just because you install it does not mean that you will use it. Further, as the utilities are the ones who give out the rebates, they can slow the process of installation.

2) Feed in Tariff –The utility (and other rate payers) pay you for the electricity that you produce and put in to the system with renewable energy technology.

Example: My electric bill is $100 per month. But I know that every month I could generate $150 per month worth of electricity, based on current rates and what I know the utility will pay for the electricity I generate. I pocket $50 per month and get free electricity.

Why this is good: It gives investors certainty that they will get money back from their investment. It drives the installation of manufacturing for that renewable resource, but also energy efficiency (the less energy you use, the more money you pocket at the end of the month!).

Problem: Some argue that those rate-payers who don’t have solar have to absorb the cost difference of installing solar versus the cheaper coal/gas options. The important thing to keep in mind, however, is that (a) costs for solar are decreasing and (b) it will cost more if we wait and try to do it later.

So, look at this map. Who do you think would benefit if we do this the right way?

‘Nuf said….

I know that I like the idea of being able to refinance the loan on my home, even though the market would not allow my home to appraise for the purchase price.

Why not? After all, I’ve never missed a payment, even at the higher rate. I’m a good borrower. I’d love to get 4.3% interest!

Heck, I just did it with my car. I went to a different lender and asked if I could give them the balance of my loan. They did it and it saved me 30% of my monthly costs.

Well, a proposed law would allow you refinance your home, even if you can’t get an appraisal for what you bought the home. You would have to have an FHA, or government backed, loan. There will certainly be other limitations, I’m sure.

It is called “Blanket Refinancing.” See more here and here. There are not many details as of yet.

So, this is the question that I want to throw out to you: Is this a good idea?

On one side, it will lower costs for 30 million home owners. Maybe they can start spending the money they save in the economy and get the economy moving again.

On the other side, the bond markets already reacted negatively when this idea was floated previously. If people don’t want to invest in bond markets because they are afraid that government interference could have some negative consequences on their profits, then maybe this could have some unintended consequences. Also, would it cost even more for our already-indebted federal government?

I don’t pretend to understand how this could be bad (or good) for the bond markets and, therefore, you and me….yet.

I will keep an eye on this and report more to you as I learn more. Stay tuned…

Remember a couple weeks ago how I said that markets are driven by consumer confidence and that after a couple weeks of better news people will start spending part of that pent-up savings?

Perhaps this is one of those indicators. A stock market news and commentary website is suggesting that Phoenix real estate is a good investment, citing that our economy always bounces back.

Other news sources are reporting initial upswings in new home construction.

I reject all of the double-dip recession talk. In fact, the recent increase in the stock market seems to have thrown that in to serious doubt. I certainly rejected the talk of a wave of new foreclosed properties flooding the market.

Maybe going in to the holidays we will start having some good news. That would be a nice synergy: holiday spending mixed with higher consumer confidence and really, really low home prices.

So, how’s this for an eventful evening?

I’m driving along Osborn Rd., near my home near 7th Ave and Osborn Road. Heading east. It’s dark. Last Thursday evening.

Got the setting in your head?

I pass this guy on the south side of the street (so, on my right for the directionally-challenged). He is just finishing tagging a large apartment building sign with green paint.

My jaw drops as I think, “Really, right out here where we can all see you? Really?”

I slow down to get a look. He sees me. I drive ahead a little to pull over on the north side of the street to call Crimestop, police non-emergency. (That’s 602-262-6151, in case you ever need it.)

I’m sitting in the parking lot of Superstar Video fighting with my iPhone to find the number, and he is moving east at a good pace. You have to keep a good pace up while tagging, you know. It’s just part of the mystique, I guess.

I look over my shoulder while the phone is dialing and he is crossing over the street to my side, right toward me. This is not a little kid. He’s no Andre the Giant either, but I’m guessing that he did not spend much time in the library over lunch hours. He is somewhere in his late teens or early twenties, I figure.

I’m on the phone with Crimestop trying to tell her two things at the same time: 1) I just saw this guy tag a sign and I’m watching him. I need to get cops here before I lose him; and 2) this guy is approaching my car, looking right at me with that arms-spread-out, hands-up, “wha’s up”, “you better move along” look.

She’s a little disbelieving for a second because police non-emergency normally expects to get calls about neighbors who won’t stop dumping yard waste in each other’s ally space. I’m sure it didn’t help that I was talking so quickly that she probably thought I was a Russian immigrant.

So, I’m staring at him and talking to her, not letting up. He’s giving me his best, “I’ll cut you” look.

I should mention at this point that I REALLY HATE TAGGERS. I mean with a passion. People work their butts off for their property, and these guys not only deface somebody else’s work, but they also make all of our lives just a little harder with every paint spray and pen stroke.

Don’t tell me its art. Don’t tell me its culture.

Tag up a piece of canvass that you paid for yourself and then I’ll believe you.

I guess he figured that he had successfully intimidated me, or that he better move on because I was still on the phone with somebody at this point.

He moves off ahead of me to the east and then easily, lightly reaches his arm out to a car parked 20 feet in front of me and sprays across the front hood.

I’m telling this to the Dispatch and I think she was taken aback by the gall of it as well, by the tone in her voice.

She say’s, “hold on, I’m trying to get some officers to you.” It goes  quiet and tagger guy is moving east more quickly now, crossing 7th Ave.

I’m not about to lose this guy. My first perp, man! Are you kidding?

A tricked-out Prius, but not mine...

So, I swing my turbo-charged Toyota Pious out on to the street and hang back to watch were he is going. It was amazing that this guy had gotten himself up to the pace of an Olympic speed walker, but still kept that arms-swinging-across-the-butt, chest-high swagger that said, “Don’t cross me, man! I’ll paint you green!”

A few steps later, I see the a white spinning paint can leave his hand and disappear behind  bush in front of Safeway and what used to be the old Furr’s Cafeteria (the octogenarians who used to hold up there would have been aghast at the sight).

So, I drive ahead of him so it looks like I gave up and I circled around in the Safeway parking lot, the whole time talking to Dispatch. I keep telling her where he is, even as he crosses back to the south side of the street and continues east.

Then a major development in the world of Ken, the Perp Tracker: the suspect takes off his dark shirt to reveal a white undershirt. Dark shirt thrown aside, he is starting to lose his swagger in favor of a faster gait.

This guy is a master of disguises. Not only did he ditch the paint can, but he changed clothes and now he’s running. Surely nobody will recognize him!

I swing out past the shoppers; open trunks, canvass reusable shopping bags in mid-pack, and on to the street again. Now he is on my right, but ahead of me by about 50 feet. He ducks in to one of the long, low-slung apartment buildings to my right and I pass as I watch him move down the breezeway, as if he just got back home from a light jog around the block.

I’m trying to describe this to Dispatch, who is intermittently leaving my company. She is trying to try to patch me in directly to the police line so I can talk to the officers in the cars and in the helicopter, which is on its way.

It did not work, unfortunately. VERY unfortunately. Because, admit it folks, how cool would THAT have been?!

So, I’m sitting on Osborn with my hazard lights on where I last saw him and I’m thinking I’d better move. If the cars going around me don’t take off a rear view mirror, then the police who are on their way are likely to think my dinky little car is an old plastic bag on the side of the road and drive over it.

So, I go back over to the Safeway parking lot and park closest to where I lost him. Dispatch (I’m great friends with her by now, so I can call her “Dispatch.” We’ve been through a lot together, don’t you know.), is asking me whether the officers are there yet.

By now two police SUVs are pulling up; one down the ally around where he went and another searching the street. The helicopter (yes, a helicopter for a tagger) is over head looking for him. I distinctly remember saying to Dispatch, “Wow, they got here fast! I love you guys! Great job!”

Yep. Adrenaline makes you say stupid things.

A third SUV enters Osborn further to the east as I see Perpie (I can call him “Perpie” now. We’ve been through a lot together, don’t you know.) walk out of the apartment buildings and back to Osborn. His entire demeanor is as if to say, “Me? I’m just out for a stroll while I compose some poetry about dandelions.”

I’m telling Dispatch, “That’s him, you’ve got him in the helicopter spotlight”, as if her desk is in the helicopter and she can see any of this. The officers just pull him aside and detain him. No running. No “Cops” Reggae music soundtrack.

Dispatch, being the experienced and busy woman that she is gets my digits, asks me to stay put and hangs up.

So, to speed up this story (because I know that you probably have work that you should be doing right now, rather than reading this), I talk to the officer, identify Perp, take the officers to the can of paint, show them where he spray painted the car, which is now gone (poor people), and point out the tagged apartment building sign.

I was especially proud when one cop, after the officers had hauled Perp away and we were all talking in front of Superstar Video, gives me the best complement I’d ever heard. He said, “Man, I’ve never seen a civilian tail a suspect like that. You should have heard the play-by-play on the radio. We knew just where to get him.”

Now, this is just a tagging. I know. It seems silly in some ways to detail this chase. We are not talking about armed robbery here.

But I am simultaneously proud of being a part of catching Perp and cognizant of the comedy of a guy like me driving around in a little Toyota Prius with police and a helicopter tracking a small time crook.

It makes me realize what our officers go through night after night and how happy I am that I don’t have to do it.

Epilogue:

The next day I went out to my car and found that he tagged my driver’s side headlight while he was crossing in front of my car, trying to intimidate me.

I took pictures and let the reporting officer know.

In re-reading this story, it is neither as funny or as exciting as it was when it happened. Again, its the adrenaline.

I am also reflecting on the fact that a kid like this, whom I learned is 17 years old, probably has nobody to take him aside and tell him, “This is not the route you want to take for your life. Divert now and let me tell you how.” That makes me deeply sad.

However, I still feel that we should not back down from people like this out of fear. That is when we lose our neighborhoods again.

Quick update!

Please see this PDF file for a list of all 32 homes that are on the Group Open House tour tomorrow, Sunday, October 3rd.

This Group Open House covers the whole valley. Please have a look and visit a few homes! This is a buyer’s market, so this is the time to look!