Ahhhh.. It’s around the corner folks… My favorite time of the year in “the valley of the sun” is almost here. Pitchers and catchers will soon report to camp sooner than you know it. The cracks of the bats and the Cactus League will be in full swing, and the 15 teams coming from as far east from Cleveland and far west as Seattle will be in full swing to make their runs for the World Series in Major League Baseball.

Baseball is one of favorite sports, if not, my favorite. The game is unique that require so many strategies and definitely decision making pressures during the most critical time of the year, especially when are still in the playoff hunt or in the World Series. This coming February, I will talk and introduce those communities of where your teams will train this year. Plus, show you a few available homes near the ball parks. As I love the game, I’ll give you realistic brief analysis of where I think your team may stand this year.

Here is the list of where the spring homes are for these following teams:

Camelback Ranch – Glendale:

• Chicago White Sox & Los Angeles Dodgers 

Goodyear Ballpark – Goodyear:

• Cincinnati Reds & Cleveland Indians

Hohokam Park – Mesa:

• Chicago Cubs

Maryvale Baseball Park – Phoenix:

• Milwaukee Brewers

Peoria Sports Complex – Peoria:

• San Diego Padres & Seattle Mariners

Phoenix Municipal Stadium – Phoenix:

• Oakland Athletics 

Scottsdale Stadium – Scottsdale:

• San Francisco Giants

Surprise Stadium – Surprise:

• Kansas City Royals & Texas Rangers

Tempe Diablo Stadium –  Tempe:

• Anaheim Angels

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick – Scottsdale:

• Arizona Diamondbacks & Colorado Rockies

As you prepare your trip to see your teams train this spring, you may want to consider buying real estate as your second home if you are in the valley all through training. Consider me as your real estate concierge for spring training. Here are a few real estate samples to look for in the following three spring training communities:

Giants Fans – Oldtown Scottsdale Real Estate:

Showing properties 1 – 5 of 83. See more 85251 zip code real estate.
(all data current as of 1/10/2012)

1. $160,000 : 3047 N 85th Street, Scottsdale
   
   4 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 2,161 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,734 sq ft

   
2. $179,900 : 3213 N 69th Place, Scottsdale
   
   3 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,854 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,601 sq ft

   
3. $375,000 : 4661 N 65th Street, Unit 242, Scottsdale
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,784 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft

   
4. $245,000 : 4710 N 70th Street, Scottsdale
   
   3 beds, 3.00 baths

   Home size: 2,163 sq ft

   Lot size: 13,888 sq ft

   
5. $169,900 : 8429 E Rosewood Lane, Scottsdale
   
   3 beds, 1.75 baths

   Home size: 1,290 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,663 sq ft

   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Cubs Fans –  Mesa Real Estate:

Showing properties 1 – 5 of 500+. See more city of Mesa real estate.
(all data current as of 1/10/2012)

1. $244,000 : 3017 S Willow Wood –, Mesa
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 2,143 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,660 sq ft

   
2. $151,000 : 425 W Nopal Avenue, Mesa
   
   4 beds, 3.50 baths

   Home size: 2,707 sq ft

   Lot size: 11,942 sq ft

   
3. $152,000 : 1046 N Ambrosia Street, Mesa
   
   4 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 2,203 sq ft

   Lot size: 9,701 sq ft

   
4. $266,750 : 2106 N Stapley Drive, Mesa
   
   6 beds, 4.00 baths

   Home size: 3,859 sq ft

   Lot size: 14,661 sq ft

   
5. $299,000 : 1727 N 93rd Street, Mesa
   
   3 beds, 3.00 baths

   Home size: 2,395 sq ft

   Lot size: 2.14 ac

   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Indians and Reds Fans – Goodyear Real Estate:

Showing properties 1 – 5 of 212. See more 85338 zip code real estate.
(all data current as of 1/10/2012)

1. $171,000 : 2723 N 145th Avenue, Goodyear
   
   3 beds, 2.50 baths

   Home size: 2,595 sq ft

   Lot size: 10,800 sq ft

   
2. $104,500 : 15963 W Gibson Lane, Goodyear
   
   4 beds, 3.00 baths

   Home size: 2,226 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,126 sq ft

   
3. $139,900 : 16750 W Rio Vista Lane, Goodyear
   
   4 beds, 2.50 baths

   Home size: 2,491 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,900 sq ft

   
4. $174,900 : 17553 W Polaris Drive, Goodyear
   
   4 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 2,468 sq ft

   Lot size: 11,224 sq ft

   
5. $104,000 : 17032 W Magnolia Street, Goodyear
   
   3 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 2,097 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,400 sq ft

   

Some good etiquette to follow when visiting a Bark Park:

Don’t bring your dog if its aggressive or in heat.
Be able to control your dog
Vaccines should be current
Clean up after your dog
Offer your dog water
Follow any park rules
Click here for west valley dog parks

Click here for south valley dog parks

Click here for Phoenix dog parks

Click here for Scottsdale,Fountain Hills dog parks

Clear clutter away from rooms, clutter make the rooms look smaller and of course the buyer will think that the rooms are small too. The kitchen counters should be clutter free also.  furniture that is not used put in storage.   Move your furniture around in your home, sometimes the dining room become the office.   Potential buyers need to see each room has a purpose.

Rent furniture or accessories to fill in empty spaces.  Most furniture will show wear  and tear you may want to rent some newer looking furniture, you can also rent accent pieces like vase, dishes and more.

About the program:

America’s Home Buyer Solution Gift Program is designed to provide eligible homebuyers a gift of up to 2.5% of the sales price to be applied towards the FHA down payment and/or allowable closing costs for the purchase of a home.

Targeted towards quality affordable housing, approved homebuyers can purchase a home for as little as 1% down payment. The program also allows for the remaining 1% down payment to be gifted from any FHA allowable source.

The program is offered exclusevely through The Lending Company, a Direct Endorsed US Housing and urban Development lender. There is no requirement for the gift to ever be repaid. It is offered in concert with an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

This is not a seller-paid down-payment assistance program and the seller is not required to participate.

Program Benefits:

• The program provides up to a 2.5% gift to FHA qualified home buyers
• Remaining down payment is as low as 1% (as above, if market conditions allow, down payment from borrower may be as low as 1/2%)
• Seller can and is encouraged to contrbute towards the closing costs to further assist the homebuyer
• Income requirements match USDA Income Guides
• Competitive interest rates
• Flexible FHA approval guidelines
• Not limited to first-time homebuyers
• Standard FHA appraisal
• Owner Occupied purchase only
• 1 units allowed
• FHA approved condominiums allowed
• Loan limits match FHA guidelines for each county
• Minimum credit score of 640
• Successful credit restoration allowed
• Automated AUS/DU approve/eligible determination required
• FHA qualified Non-occupant co-borrower/co-signer allowed
• No prepayment penalties
• Must complete approved Home Buyer Counseling Course
• Must meet income guidelines for approval
  Call Jeff Thomas (602-610-4030 jthomas@thelendingco.com) with the Lending Company to see if you qualify for this great program, and then callTheBrooksteamaz.com to find your “Dream Home”.
  Stephen W. Brooks
  623-202-3833
  www.thebrooksteamaz.com
  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Brooks-Team-AZ-Realtors/178283375540777

You get a large pool-sized lot, a covered patio, a door into the garage from the side, front and rear hose bibs. All the options you might want are already included. I only mentioned some of them.

Oh, did I mention that they come with a Side by Side Refer, Washer/Dryer and a 40″ LCD TV?

So, $5,000.00 in incentives, An $8,000.  tax credit, Side by Side Refer, Washer/Dryer and a new Big Screen TV. Low move-in (less the rent) and low monthly payment, again less the rent. What are you waiting for? Homes ready to move into now.

Michael Manning

EXP Realty, LLC

602-738-8236

HouseMaster 480-345-8570

Ecospec Home Inspections 602-332-7132

Home inspection companies will generally do an overview of the home. Making sure things work such as appliances, toilets, hot water heaters, fixtures, HVAC units etc. They are not specialty contractors.If you wish to have specialty inspections performed such as roofing, pool, lead based paint, radon gas etc. you will need to contact a specialty inspection company and/or a specialty contractor to have these types of inspections performed. Again remember to make arrangements for these inspections immediately following your offer being accepted and that they have been completed within your inspection period. I have an additional list of contractors and inspectors that I can provide you with if you wish, feel free to contact me anytime.

Contact your lender if the transaction is being financed and let them know that you have an accepted offer. Your agent will be sending them a copy of the executed contract. Also provide your lender with your homeowners insurance agents contact info. ( I have included several numbers below of agents I have used in the past.)  Make sure your lender has all the documentation they need to complete your loan such as paystubs, tax returns, financial statements etc.

Contact your homeowner’s insurance agent and inform them that you have an accepted offer and that you will be in need of a homeowner’s insurance policy to be effective by the close of escrow date.

Ken Stephens Allstate 480-948-8817

Toni Allen Farmers 602.324.4668

Be on the look out for information from the title company. They will be sending you a packet to get some information from you. It will also determine how you will take title to the property. Additionally they will include wiring instructions for any funds that need to be brought in at close of escrow. Certified funds are also acceptable.

You will also want to contact the local utility companies about ten days to two weeks prior to close of escrow and make arrangements for the utilities to be turned on and/or transferred into your name.

Salt River Project Electric       602-236-1889

Arizona Public Service            https://www.aps.com/customer/ratewizard/start.asp

Southwest Gas                        877-862-6020

City of Phoenix Water            602-262-6251

Please contact me with any questions or comments:

Tim Broderick

602-741-0862

Buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years would be eligible for tax credits of up to $6,500. First-time homebuyers — or anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the last three years — would still get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers in both groups have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30.The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes above $225,000. The newly purchased property must become the buyer’s primary residence. It can not be used for “vacation” homes.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have. I am here to help. I can be reached at 480 628 2967 or julie@phoenixpowersearch.com. I look forward to being of service.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hJJraNRE6DjWj2orF7SYJ12PADEAD9BPISHG0

There are teams from all over the valley playing. If you love baseball then Arizona is the place for you.

In addition to the Arizona Diamondbacks of the National League playing here during the regular season, we (the Phoenix Metro Area, Arizona) are host to Cactus League Spring Training for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers.

This weekend, local youth teams 18 years and younger have converged on Peoria Sports Complex to battle it out for top honors. The Peoria Sports Complex is the Spring Training home to the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners. The kids are thrilled to be playing on the same fields that the big leaguers play on. Baseball Club Teams from as far away as Queen Creek, Chandler, and Ahwatukee made the trip across town to play in this Labor Day tournament. The since of community and family fun was at an all time high. You could just about here the lyrics to “Take Me Out to the Ballpark” resonating in the air. The kids had access to major league batting cages, bull pens and practice fields.

Please use the link below for more information on the Cactus League Spring Training. There are also links for individual ball parks around town. So chose your neighborhood based on your favorite team and after I have helped you close on your new home I’ll see you at the ballpark. By the way The Outlaws are in first place in this weekend’s 16 and under tournament bracket and will be playing for the championship on Monday. Shoot me an email and I will let you know how it turned out.

http://www.springtrainingonline.com/ includes both Cactus and Grapefruit League info.

Peoria Sports Complex http://www.peoriaaz.gov/sportscomplex/sportscomplex_main.asp

The Cubs play at Hohokam Stadium located in Mesa, Az http://hohokamstadium.com/Home.aspx

http://camelbackranchbaseball.com/ Home of the LA Dodgers located in Glendale, AZ

Brewers play at Maryvale Baseball park in Phoenix http://www.mlb.com/spring_training/ballpark.jsp?c_id=mil

The Oakland As play in Phoenix at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium http://mlb.mlb.com/spring_training/ballpark.jsp?c_id=oak

http://www.tempe.gov/diablo/ Tempe Diablo Stadium home to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/stadium/springtraining.asp Scottsdale Stadium home to the San Francisco Giants

If you have any additional questions please give me a call. For additional information on homes available in the Phoenix and Scottsdale Metro Area please call:

Tim Broderick @ 602-741-0862 or toll free @ 888-481-4447 ext. 126.

You can also reach me by email: tim@phoenixpowersearch.com.

Having worked for new home builders in the area I have a few reasons why and I will start with my own personal new home. Our final walk through went fine. Everything was beautiful. When I set my office up and the electrical outlet that I plugged my computer into did not work I thought, no problem, I have a year warranty. I called the builder and sure enough, they came right out. The hip, (slant) of the roof was no longer accessible from the attic to repair the outlet. The builder said most likely a nail went through the wire. They could fix it but it would require cutting through the drywall until they found the site to repair. An inconvenience to say the least. I just wanted my office unpacked and get back to work! 3 months later I found a termite tube on the exterior of the home which caused me to look further, which I found another tube under the bathroom sink. Yes my home was brand new and under warranty however your home is labeled henceforth at the State of Arizona Office of Pest Management. (OPM).  A health department history of homes if you will.  http://www.sb.state.az.us/  The website is very helpful. Go to the consumer resources and they have everything from pest advisories to termite re-ocurrence or search an address for a home you are considering to purchase to find the history. Yes my address is there. It is the home’s reputation and the more you know the better off you are to make that decision to sign on the dotted line. After all it is usually the biggest investment people make!

Attics: No one likes to take the time or effort to stay there long enough to thoroughly inspect the attic. Common problems are broken trusses, crimped duct work which reduces the line for the heating and cooling to pass through and can even cause extra wear and tear on the heating and a/c unit, disconnected a/c & heating ducts, roof leaks, lack of, or no insulation at all. Since the attic insulation is one on the very last things to go into a new home it is not uncommon to be forgotten. One buyer went through an entire summer without insulation and had excessive utility bills before it was noticed. The builder did get the contractor out and blew in insulation but it was not a pretty sight. The mess from the hose being dragged through the home to the attic access not to mention the insulation droppings that fell around the room and on the clothes in the closet as well. Weather stripping, poor installation and lack of it is another big oversight of some new home builders. It also contributes to loss of heating and cooling and another avenue for bugs to enter your home.

Electrical: As I mentioned earlier my personal story.

Foundation: Lack of a seal. The wood is bolted directly to the concrete and unless it is sealed properly it is another way for bugs to enter your home. I cannot say enough about a post-tension foundation. I feel it is superb. Some new home builders will use a stem-wall and some use a post-tension. It is my understanding that Post-tension foundations are more expensive. Typically a 7” frame up with the Foundation Boards. Then they place metal cables in a checker board pattern that extends out the sides. There is then an inspection prior to pouring the concrete. After a specific cure time of the concrete they come out and pull on the cables to around 30,000 psi (per square inch) then it sits and they return to assure that the psi has held. The cables are cut off at the surrounding slab of concrete and are patched. The other foundation builders use is a stem-wall which the concrete is bolted to the earth and because of earth movement and expansive soil in AZ, cracks in the foundation can occur. It is another avenue for bugs to enter your home. My personal story I had a stem-wall foundation which I believe is the reason I had termites 3 months after I moved in to my new home. Ugh!

Post Tension Foundation

When should the inspector inspect?  I say at the frame completion prior to the walls being closed up and at completion. I also recommend doing your research on the inspection company that you hire!

If you are considering a new home purchase or having one built, I would be happy to help you through the entire process from home-site selection to what you really need to pay attention to at your walk through. I can share more information with you on the various areas that could be important to you.  It goes without saying a list of professionals for you to consider is available as well. Having achieved my lifetime achievement award selling over $52 million in new homes in a period of under 5 years I know what I am talking about. Judy Manning 480-518-0722 cell judy.manning@phoenixpowersearch.com