31. August 2008 by TeriE.

For those of us living in Arizona, we realize what a great state it is. One prime example: Phoenix Valley offers assistance to those struggling economically.

With the cost of groceries these day, I found this very cool deal….St. Mary’s Food Bank Club is offering groceries worth $100+ for $30.  No identification is required - these food packages are open to everyone! No proof of citizenship, income, identification are required. Go to ABC15.news for detailed information online. I’ve included some of the information from their website below.

“Pantry Package, $13: includes 14 to 16 meal staples, such as canned vegetables and fruit, pasta and beans.
 
Meat Package, $16-$20: includes four to five meat items, such as pork chops, beef patties and chicken breasts.
 
If you buy both the pantry and meat packages combined it will cost just $30 and you will get two bonus boxes, which includes the donated surplus items.”

There are three of these food banks located in our Phoenix west valley. I’ve provided a list with addresses and times as well as a link to the website for additional information:

1. 4211 N. 43rd Avenue in Phoenix (43rd Avenue and Indian School Road) - Tuesday-Saturday, 8am-3pm
2. 13050 W. Elm Street in Surprise (south of Dysart Road and Bell Road) - Tuesday-Saturday, 8am-3pm
3. 5605 N. 55th Avenue in Glendale (55th Avenue and Bethany Home Road) - Monday-Friday, 8am-3pm

Have additional questions? Contact the foodvalueclub@firstfoodbank.org or (602) 415-5474, or log onto to their website at http://firstfoodbank.org/.

Be sure to contact each location for additional information.

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29. August 2008 by TeriE.

I just discovered this really cool document entitled the Home Buyers’ Bill of Rights for home buyers and renters in Mesa, Arizona.  The Bill of Rights’ for consumers in Arizona begins with a statement as follows:

“THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE, IN COOPERATION WITH INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC, CREATED THIS “BILL OF RIGHTS” TO HELP EDUCATE YOU, THE CONSUMER, OF YOUR RIGHTS WHEN PURCHASING OR RENTING PROPERTY.  AS A REAL ESTATE CONSUMER IN ARIZONA, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW MATERIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPERTY.

THE FOLLOWING LIST REPRESENTS SOME OF THE IMPORTANT MATERIAL FACTS YOU SHOULD EDUCATE YOURSELF ON BEFORE PURCHASING ANY TYPE OF PROPERTY IN ARIZONA.”

In an effort to better acquaint home buyers and renters with their “rights”, I have included a link to the information above, and shared the material below as well.

BUYERS AND TENANTS: YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW:

• If the property is located in an incorporated city or unincorporated part of the county.
• If title insurance is available and if fire insurance can be acquired.
• If you will have fire and police protection and, if so, who provides this service.
• If the roads provide access for fire protection and police service.
• If the roads are maintained, and by whom.
• If utilities are available, and who provides them. (Water, Electric, Gas, Sewer, Trash)
• If the water supply is adequate.
• If the jurisdiction the property is located in has conservation restrictions and policies.
• If the property is located in a school district, and the distance to the closest schools.
• If there are any natural or geological hazards, pests or wildlife.
• If there are essential services near the property such as grocery and medical services.
• If there is crime in the area and the crime rate.
• That you have a right to equal housing opportunity free of discrimination.
• If the property is affected by a military installation.
• If there is an Arizona Subdivision Disclosure Report, an Affidavit of Disclosure or a Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement.  You should read these disclosure documents before you purchase or rent.

THERE MAY BE OTHER ITEMS NOT LISTED ABOVE THAT YOU SHOULD EDUCATE YOURSELF ON BEFORE BUYING OR RENTING PROPERTY.  FOR A LARGER LIST, PLEASE REFERENCE THE BUYER’S ADVISORY GUIDE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE.

Visit www.AZRE.gov to begin answering your questions! We are here to protect you and the public.

The more informed the buyers are here in the Mesa, Arizona and surrounding areas are, the more informed their decisions can be.

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: Active Rain; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog.

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26. August 2008 by TeriE.

I received an email from a home buyer recently asking me whether I’d heard anything about problematic radon in kitchen granite countertops. I replied that I had not heard, but would do some research. I was surprised when I googled it because there were several articles dealing with that issue, most of them dated July 2008.

I searched around and came across an article in snopes.com, the website that provides us with the inside information of whether a rumor is true or not true. Well, it is true; however, I wanted to know if there was a test, or a way to tell whether the granite you have in your home/and in mine, is emitting this radon. This article provides information for inexpensive kits ($20-$30) to determine whether your granite is “hot.”  These kits can be purchased from hardware stores or online as indicated in the article.

This is great information to share with your buyers who are considering purchasing a new home into which they will be adding granite, or resale homes with granite.

As with many other things in this world, I had no idea. If you google “granite countertops radar,” you will find a bevy of related articles.

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: Active Rain; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog.

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20. August 2008 by TeriE.

The Official Website of the Arizona Department of Real Estate has placed on its website a list of builders experiencing financial difficulties. I’ve provided a link of the pdf file provided by the Department of Real Estate for those purchasing new homes - Builders Experiencing Financial Difficulties. As Realtors, it’s our duty to be “informed.”  This list is particularly useful for potential buyers of new homes. Checking the website of the Arizona Department of Real Estate regularly will help us stay aware of what is going on in our State.

This is not just happening in Maricopa County, but throughout our state.

Yet another good reason for buyers to use the services of a Realtor instead of going out on their own.

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate.

Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: Active Rain; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog.

Today’s market August 19, 2008: Active listings - 52,574  Pending/Under Contract - 7,037

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7. August 2008 by TeriE.

Just last evening, I heard of another scam artist taking money from a “renter.”  Problem is, the home didn’t belong to the scammer, and they advertised the property on Craig’s List. Somehow they - the scammer - got a key to the house which was vacant, and rented it to an unsuspecting tenant who paid a $1,500 security/rental deposit. Unbeknownst to them, the real owner shows up surprised that someone is moving in.

In Maricopa County, you can check on the Maricopa County Recorder’s website to find the REAL owner. So many people out there waiting to grab unearned income by scamming.

Be careful, and check to make sure that the home you are renting is (1) owned by the real owner, and (2) check to see if there are any foreclosures pending on a potential rental. There are many people collecting rent for a home they are not making payments to their lender, and thus, it goes into foreclosure. Be very wary!!!

Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com.

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3. August 2008 by TeriE.

I found a really good website that will provide you with the information you need to recycle just about anything. You simply plug in your zip code, what you want to recycle, and voila, Earth911.com will provide the answer. This website also provides a plethora of other great information.

Since I live and work in Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona, I’ve provided battery disposal information for those who live in my area!

Check out this cool website….it has lots of very cool information to help us stay green!!!

Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com.

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2. August 2008 by TeriE.

I wasn’t even aware of this “move over” law until I heard today about a tow truck driver changing a tire for someone on the freeway was struck and killed along with the driver of the disabled car. I had no idea it was a law until today. I’ve always moved over for emergency vehicles and police cars out of a sense of being courteous or cautious. Now I know that it’s the law. Do YOU have a law in your state like this? Check it out on this link.  I plan to post this on my website and other blogs as well. It just MIGHT save a life.

Now there is a push to move over for tow truck drivers as well….Personally I think that if someone is pulled over on the side of the road - we need to move over a lane.

Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com MoveToSunnyAz

“Commit yourself to a dream … nobody who tries to do something great but fails is a total failure. Why? Because he can always rest assured that he succeeded in life’s most important battle — he defeated the fear of trying.” ~ author unknown

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