by Amy Jones on June 30, 2009
Budget cuts have taken the bang out of many of the area fireworks displays. So just where can you go in the Valley to view some mighty fine fireworks? How about these~
Chandler Fireworks at Tumbleweed Park
Festivities begin at 4:00 with fireworks beginning at 9:30. It will be a great collection of fun including a live stage music production. Admission is free. Parking is $5.
Gilbert Fireworks at Mesquite High School
Something for everyone including games, food and of course, fireworks beginning at 9:00 pm. Admission is Free. Parking is $5.
Tempe Fireworks at Tempe Towne Lake
Festival begins at 4:00 with fireworks at 9:00. This one is always a hit and worth the $5 admission charge (which you can purchase at several tempe locations). The fireworks are choreographed to patriotic and classical music.
Phoenix Fireworks at Steele Indian School Park
Entertainment begins at 6:00 pm and don’t miss the giant misting area (the best part when it’s over 100 degrees!). Fireworks at 9:20. Free.
Ahwatukee Fireworks at the Ahwatukee Foothills Country Club
Gates open at 6:00 pm, fireworks at 9:00. Red, White & Boom (gotta love that name). Bands and food. Admission is free.
Scottsdale Fireworks at Fort McDowell Casino
Food, fun beginning at 4:00 and fireworks at 9:00. Free hot dogs and hamburgers from 4-6. Admission. Free. Don’t miss the “Kid Zone” from 306 behind the Radisson Hotel (admission $2).
Maricopa Fireworks at Pacana Park
“Great American Barbecue”. Games and a hot dog eating contest. 6:00-10:00. Free admission.
Queen Creek Fireworks at Schnepf Farms
Festivities are always done right at Schnepf Farms. $10/carload (100% going to charity). 4-10pm with Fireworks begin at 9:00. Lots of activities here!
Me? I’ll be watching the fireworks from my couch on my tv…where it’s cool!
by Amy Jones on June 27, 2009
Ashton Woods is advertising their new homes at Pecan Groves at Morrison Ranch in Gilbert, Arizona. You can find their big green signs at several intersections in Gilbert and Chandler and they’re certainly eye-catching.
I’ve been driving by this sign near my home for what seems like forever. The first time I saw it, I thought it was advertising a new cemetary. I thought “wow, that’s a kinda creepy way to advertise a cemetary.” Then rationale set in and I realized that just couldn’t be it. It took another drive by to see that it was actually advertising the new Morrison Ranch Community called The Pecans (as in Pecan Trees and a nice community, by the way.)
I still think it’s creepy though. Makes me think about that old movie about a hotel that planted it’s guests in the back yard. Up to their necks in the dirt and then made beef jerky out of them. Like I said, creepy.
BUT…it did get my attention, so maybe Ashton Woods isn’t so crazy.
by Amy Jones on June 26, 2009
It’s Friday and it’s been a crazy week…so I thought I’d take a break from a Real Estate post with something a little off the wall, and this is definitely off the wall~
A headline caught my eye today about a couple who were charged with domestic assault in Shelbyville, Tennessee last Sunday. Apparently James Earl, age 40 and Mary, age 44 were having an argument when things got physical and Cheetos became a weapon. I wonder if it was the puffy ones or the crunchy ones?
The report said there were no physical marks on either party and officers really couldn’t tell who was the aggressor. WHAT???? Who’s got the orange fingers? Seems pretty simple to me.
If there have to be assaults in the world, may Cheetos always be the weapon of choice. What a wonderful world that would be.
by Amy Jones on June 23, 2009
ASU recently reported that over the last 3 years, Glendale has been the hardest hit by home price declines. Since the peak of our real estate market in 2006 here are the numbers for percentage drop in prices for a few Valley communities ~
Since 2006~
- Glendale home prices down 52.8%
- Peoria home prices down 51.9%
- Mesa home prices down 47%
- Chandler home prices down 39.1%
- Tempe home prices down 31%
- Scottsdale/Paradise Valley home prices down 29.2%
BUT…prices are starting to stabilize. In fact, this months median sales price in the Arizona Regional MLS has risen by 7.8%. The most probable reason for the jump is the diminishing inventory in West Phoenix areas where home prices were as low as $50,000. Lender owned properties comprise a smaller percentage of the total number of homes sold which has diluted their power to bring down the median sales price to as low as we saw it in April.
All in all, some positive signs for our market and with prices in some areas at 1999 levels, a great time to be a buyer. Do I sound like a broken record? I just wish I needed to buy a home. Wow…there are some GREAT deals out there and I’d hate for buyers to miss that boat.
