1. February 2012 by Teri Ellis.

I share my personal musings on Valentine’s Day and what “special” attention can be given to those you love!

Funny how this differs with men than for women. As a woman, I “personally” DO like flowers.  Since I’m married, I tend to be a bit frugal about spending lots of money on flowers -  but flowers are still welcome!  Chocolates (really good ones) are indeed something wonderful! I prefer See’s, but have been known to enjoy less expensive candy. One rose would do as well…actually the thought really DOES count. Remember your woman on Valentine’s Day with a thoughtful card and a single rose, or box of candy. If you listen – really – well, you’ll know just what would please her.

Now, as for my hubby, I just get him a card with lots of love ‘cause that’s exactly what he likes. Over the years, I would choose a red shirt and a card, but always something red along with chocolate for him.

When my children were small, I would select a red article of clothing and place that along with a heart-shaped box of See’s candy by their plate at dinner. They always liked that. My daughter has continued that tradition with her family.

Posted in Teri's Musings, Arizona, Homes Arizona, Out and About in Town | Print | No Comments »

6. January 2012 by Teri Ellis.

I’ve been frantically cleaning out my house and my garage just to get rid of the “stuff” I’ve accumulated in just nine years after moving into my brand new home in 2002! WHAT do I need so badly that I use up the third car garage with bric-a-brac or this-n-that? Then, there’s my office, my closets, my “spare” bedroom! Puleeze….do I “really” need those clothes that I’ve not worn for five years? And how about files I’ve stored in the garage from 1990? So beginning in November, I began the cleaning, the removing, the donating, and I’m getting down to the tons of paperwork stored in the cabinets in the house and the garage. SHREDDING!!!!

Though I shred my paperwork as I go through the mail, I’ve got files and boxes and reams of stuff that I plan to take to the “Shred-A-Thon” in Mesa, Arizona on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Time: 8-noon, where: 2412 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona.

This includes Mesa residents only, five box limit per household, no commercial businesses.  For questions, call: 480.644-2221 or visit mesarecycles.org.

Posted in Arizona, Mesa | Print | No Comments »

10. August 2011 by Teri Ellis.

When going into a new home subdivision, be sure to bring your Realtor!  Did you know? The agent at the new home subdivision represents the BUILDER, not the BUYER! I’ve gathered together more suggestions and tips from the Department of Real Estate – along with my own ideas for your information:

New Homes in a Subdivision

1.  You should read the Arizona Department of Real Estate Public Report. By law, this document must be given to you before you sign the purchase contract. You must sign a receipt for the Report. By signing the receipt, you imply that you have read the report.

The Public Report will inform you about such things as:

• Flooding and drainage disclosure
• A description of adjacent land and uses
• Who provides electricity, telephone, gas, water and sewage disposal
• Common community and recreation facilities
• Assurances for completion of improvements
• Local services and facilities, including schools, shopping facilities, public transportation, medical facilities, fire protection, ambulance service, police protection and garbage services
• Taxes and assessments
• Property owners association details

If you have any questions about the Public Report, you are welcome to call the Arizona Department of Real Estate at 602-468-1414. A Subdivision Representative will assist you with your questions.

The cover sheet of the Public Report contains a disclaimer by the Department of Real Estate. Read it carefully. Most importantly, note that it states:

“Not all of the information in this report has been verified by the Department; certain information has been accepted by the Department as true and accurate based on attestation of the subdivider and/or the subdivider’s agents. You should verify all facts before signing any documents.”

2.  Read the purchase contract carefully. Note that if the builder or developer is not placing your earnest money deposit in escrow, the funds may be placed in the builder’s or developer’s general funds account, and may be used for any purpose. You could lose the money if the builder or developer declares bankruptcy or otherwise goes out of business. If the funds are not going to be placed in escrow, that fact must be stated in a separate paragraph in the purchase contract and you are required to initial that paragraph. Make sure you understand where your earnest money is going to be deposited.

3.  Before you sign a purchase contract, drive around the home for at least a mile or more in every direction to see how the surrounding area appears to you and what land use of safety issues exist in the area. Is there a storm drain or canal nearby that might pose a hazard to your children? Is the home or building site near an airport or a manufacturing plant? Visit the area at different times of day, on weekends and in the evening. Disturbing noises and odors can travel farther at night.

In areas where there are expanses of vacant land nearby, check city or county zoning maps to see if nearby property is zoned for apartments, industrial or commercial use. Land zoned for commercial use might be used to construct anything from a shopping center to a hotel. To obtain this information, call the city or county planning and zoning department listed in your telephone directory.

Check Arizona Department of Transportation maps to find the nearest future freeway routes, and whether roads in the area are slated for widening. For information about reviewing the maps, call 602-255-7011.

3.  Call the school district serving the subdivision to determine whether nearby schools are accepting new students. Some school districts have placed a cap on enrollment. You may find that your children cannot attend the school nearest you and may even be transported to another community.

4.  Read the deed restrictions, also called CC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions). You might find some of the CC&Rs are very strict, especially those addressing landscaping, RV parking, play equipment, satellite antennas, and other common amenities — particularly if the subdivision is governed by a homeowner’s association.

5.  Check out the homebuilder with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. You can determine the number of complaints customers have filed against the contractor, whether any are unresolved and whether the builder’s license has ever been suspended or revoked. You may reach the Registrar of Contractors at 602.542-1525.

Posted in Arizona, Real Estate, Mesa, Homes Arizona, Real Estate Market, Buyers | Print | No Comments »

20. June 2011 by Teri Ellis.

When working with a Buyer, I heartily recommend they purchase (about $350) a home inspection! I provide several names of individuals or companies that are ASHI certified, and the Buyer chooses. Most of the companies will also do a termite inspection at the same time for a small additional charge. Home inspection prices are based on the square footage of the home, whether it has a pool, age, etc.

For those Buyers who do choose to have a home inspection, I would suggest  they also  arrange for the inspector to re-inspect the home after the repairs have been made to make certain the repairs have adequately been completed. 

On more than one occasion, when the home inspector did a re-inspection, it was found that the roof had not been repaired, or the other items of importance were not completed to the satisfaction of the Buyer. This isn’t necessarily the Seller’s doing. The Seller will probably not be climbing up on the roof to inspect the job. It’s could be the negligence of the repair person hired by the Seller to complete the “fixes” and the “repairs”.

Today our active listings total 22,948, and our pending contracts are almost to 13,547. The active listings are going down as much as 1,000 per week in the past couple of months.  Could it be? We are heading toward a housing shortage? Only time will tell! Buy why wait until we’re all scrambling to find an affordable home – competing with one another. That’s just what drives prices up.  With the interest rates as low as they are, Buyers need to seriously consider making their move!

Posted in Real Estate, four bedroom pool home, Arizona, Mesa, Homes Arizona, Real Estate Market | Print | No Comments »

25. May 2011 by Teri Ellis.

Crismon Creek is a small community located in East Mesa. Situated just east of Crismon Street and north of Baseline, this popular spot in Mesa sports three parks/tot lots, retention basins, a great mix of families and retirees, is 1/2 mile from the 60 Freeway and only one mile from the 202. Just east of Crismon Creek is the Mesa Swap Meet and Superstition Gateway which boasts such big stores as Wal-mart, Kohls, Best Buy, restaurants, theaters and more.

One of the favorite activities that the HOA Board oversees each year is the Easter Egg Hunt. I’ve heard that even  some of the streets have an Easter Egg Hunt totally put together by the homeowners. I’ve included some photos of our recent “Hunt.”

The community also holds two garage sale events during the year. For current and up to date information on Crismon Creek, check out the CrismonCreekBlog. For a search of homes in Crismon Creek simply click here – Crismon Creek. To search the entire Phoenix Metropolitan area including Mesa, Gilbert, Gold Canyon, Chandler, Queen Creek, click here – MLS. For any questions or information requests regarding Crismon Creek or surrounding areas, just call me, Teri Ellis, at Homes Arizona Real Estate - 480.382-8711. OR you can email me at: Teri@TeriEllis.com, follow me at Facebook – Mesa Arizona Real Estate, or Twitter – MesaAzHomes!

Posted in Arizona, four bedroom pool home, Mesa, Homes Arizona, Buyers, Real Estate Market, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »

13. October 2010 by Teri Ellis.

I recently “happened” upon an article about Special Warranty Deed vs. a Warranty Deed. I began to wonder? In our real estate markets, do those purchasing a property understand just how each of these Deeds protect them? The simple explanation?

Arizona’s standard residential contract provides for a general warranty deed from the seller.

So, whether buyers purchase a bank owned or a seller owned property, generally the title insurance covers any defect in title. This is yet one more reason to have good title insurance.

Related articles

• The ABC’s of Deeds (stroupecondoblog.com)

Posted in Arizona, Buyers, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »

9. June 2010 by Teri Ellis.

Image via Wikipedia

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is offering flights to smaller towns across the US.

More and more flights are being added to Allegiant Air’s schedule.  Keep in mind that airline flight schedules are subject to change without notice via their web site. Please contact the airline directly to confirm arrival and departure times and to make reservations.

Please check-in a minimum of two hours prior to your scheduled
departure time or check with the Airline to confirm minimum check-in
time.

Allegiant Air

Reservations: www.allegiantair.com
or 1-702-505-8888

For flight status please visit Allegiant’s
flight
status Web page

To check-in for your flight visit Allegiant’s
Web
check-in page

Bellingham, WA 

Billings, MT

Bismarck, ND

Cedar Rapids, IA

Eugene, OR

Fargo, ND

Grand Forks, ND

Grand Island, NE

Grand Rapids, MI

Great Falls, MT

Medford, OR

Missoula, MT

Pasco, WA

Peoria, IL

Rapid City, SD

Redmond-Bend, OR

Rockford, IL

Sioux Falls, SD

South Bend, IN

Springfield, MO

Wichita, KS

Related articles by Zemanta

• Allegiant to acquire six Boeing 757-200 aircraft. (planegrazy.com)

Posted in Arizona, Mesa, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »

17. March 2010 by Teri Ellis.

Image by alancleaver_2000 via Flickr

There is help out there for working families and those needing help filing their federal income taxes and obtaining the Earned Income Tax Credit.  The program is offered by the City of Phoenix, Arizona in cooperation with several partners and the IRS.

Last year, this special tax preparation assistance helped more than 5,000 families receive Earned Income Tax Credit payments of $7.39 million, and is available at more than a dozen sites in the city.

Those who earned less than $13,440 and married couples filing joint returns who earned less than $48,279 may be eligible for credits of $457 to $5,657. Additional credits might also be available such as child care expenses and education costs.

Call 602.263-8856 for more information about the location of the more than 13 sites and their schedules.

Related articles by Zemanta

• 5 IRS Tax Credits You May Qualify For (directoryofkansascity.com)
• IRS offers help to those eligible for earned income tax credit (timesunion.com)
• What is the Earned Income Tax Credit? (bargaineering.com)

Posted in Arizona, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »

27. February 2010 by Teri Ellis.

Image by Teri Ellis via Flickr

I’ll be posting most of my new information on AzLadyInRealEstateBlog.com.   This will contain good information for buyers and sellers in the Phoenix real estate market. Searching for a home, searching for a specific community? Then watch carefully. I will be setting up one-click links to properties throughout the valley. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if you would like me to set you up on a portal specific to your searches.

Posted in Arizona, Buyers, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »

6. December 2009 by Teri Ellis.

Image via Wikipedia

Hazardous
Waste Collection and Recycling Event in Mesa on December 12, 2009! 2412 North Center (Center Street North of McKellips)

 I appreciate the opportunity to clean out the garage, get rid of those
“things” that have been sitting around forever and dispose of them in a
safe and green manner.  

Event Hours: 8 a.m. - 12 noon.  Materials will not be accepted after 12 noon!!

Here’s a list of ACCEPTABLE ITEMS:

Paints, polishes and varnishes;
paint related materials;
turpentine;
appliances (limit 2);
aerosol cans;
adhesives;
motor oil/antifreeze;
transmission fluid;
fuel additives;
pool chemicals;
prescription drugs;
gasoline;
batteries;
mercury;
pesticides;
computer equipment;
televisions;
compact fluorescent lights;
automobile tires (limit 5);
rims accepted only if tire has been removed

List of UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS:

Commercial/industrial waste;
55 gallon drums of material;
large truck tires;
radioactive material
explosives.

For more information, call City of Mesa Customer Service at: 480.644-2221 or visit www.mesaaz.gov/waste

Related articles by Zemanta

• Recycle Those Old Pods! (diabetesdaily.com)
• Nextworth pays cash for old gadgets, helps being green (gadling.com)
• 4 Ways to Recycle Your Old Cell Phone (treehugger.com)
• How-to: recycle your old gadgets (engadget.com)

Posted in Arizona, Mesa | Print | No Comments »