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TO REGISTER PLEASE VISIT:

 http://www.southscottsdalehomes.com/buy-a-home/home-buying-webinar.aspx

WHY IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO BUY?

¨ Discounted home prices!

¨ Historically low interest rates!  Lock in your rate now before they start increasing!

¨ Seller paid closing costs!

¨ Low and no down payment loan options!

¨ Increase your net worth! Average net worth of renters is $25,000 as compared to that of Home Owners at $194,610!

¨ You may still qualify for the $8,000 First Time Buyer Tax Credit!

TOPICS TO BE COVERED INCLUDE:

What to expect when buying a Short Sale or Foreclosure

Financial benefits of owning versus renting

Interest rates for first time buyers

Low down payment financing options

Tax benefits of owning a home

FREE SHORT SALE WEBINAR

DO YOU OWE MORE ON YOUR HOME THAN IT IS WORTH?

Ask yourself....

¨ How many years will it take until my home's value is worth at least the current amount of my mortgage?

¨ Has my interest rate adjusted or is it going to be adjusting?

¨ What do I expect interest rates to do as inflation increases?

¨ Why are my friends, family and neighbors buying homes like mine for half of what I paid?

¨ Am I throwing good money after bad by making my mortgage payment every month?

Do You Understand Your Options?

¨ Loan Modification vs. Short Sale vs. Foreclosure

¨ Do You Understand the Repercussions of Your Options?

¨ Financial & taxation consequences?

¨ Legal liability?

¨ Credit consequences?

¨ What is the Best Option?

Learn about your Options.....

Special Guests Include

-Dean Wegner- Author of "Life After Foreclosure," Featured on MSNBC, Fox News, USA Today, and Downsized

-Real Estate Attorney

-Credit Expert Consultation Available

TUESDAY MAY 3rd at 4PM

To Register go to:

http://www.southscottsdalehomes.com/sell-a-home/short-sale-webinar.aspx

• Featured Article:  Where Have Phoenix Property Values Dropped the Most?
• Featured Properties for Sale
• Investment Properties
• Business Leader of the Month:  Tracy Coukoulis with Exclusive Paint and Autobody
• Fun Facts and Tips: Top 7 Landscaping Don'ts
• What's Happening Around Town this Month: April's Outdoor Events and Easter Celebrations
• Pets of the Month:  Henry & Patty
• Community Leader of the Month: Face in the Mirror
• Referrals and Contact Information

Featured Article

Where Have Phoenix Property Values Dropped the Most?

By: Alyssa Samuelson

According to the Cromford Report, 21.1% of single family residences in Maricopa County have received a Notice of Trustees Sale since the beginning of 2006.  Of those, 59.7% were foreclosed on by the lender.  That means that 12.6% of single family homes in Maricopa County were foreclosed on between January 1^st, 2006 and December 31^st, 2010.

The West Valley has been hit the hardest.  The top 23 zip codes with the most foreclosures are all on the west side and include the cities/areas of west Phoenix, Tolleson, Buckeye, El Mirage, Tonopah, Avondale, Surprise, Laveen, Glendale, and Youngtown.  The first “non-West” area appearing in the list is in south Phoenix (#24).  The first Southeast Valley city is Apache Junction (#28) and the first Northeast Valley is 85032 at #64.

In the top 23 zip codes, the percent of overall homes in foreclosure is over 60%.  Prices have fallen the most here.

The areas least affected by foreclosure are those in retirement areas and in higher end zip codes.  Extremely low numbers of foreclosures have occurred in Paradise Valley (85253), in five zip codes in Scottsdale (85250, 85259, 85255, 85258, 85266), two in Tempe (85284, 85283), and four in retirement areas (85375, 85263, 85351, 85248).  Prices have fallen the least here.

Featured Properties for Sale

Fun Facts & Tips

Top 7 Landscaping Don'ts

• Don't let landscaping overwhelm your house. Choosing varieties of trees and shrubs that are bred to grow to a particular size means you won't have to spend your time pruning — or fighting your way out the front door.

• Don't start landscaping without a plan even if you intend to do the work in stages. A plant-by-plant detailed rendering isn't necessary, but do know where your hardscaping needs to go, allow room for access by delivery or work vehicles, and, where there's going to be heavy traffic, put plants in last.

• Don't plant too much of the same thing. When these trees stop flowering, what will the landscape offer?

• Don't let a big lawn suck your resources. A nice stand of lush grass is a time, water and nutrient glutton. Reduce the size of your lawn with landscape beds that feature attractive, low-maintenance perennials, shrubs and trees.

• Don't let ivy climb your house unless you're ready to do annual pruning. The ivy vines may be beautiful, but once established, they can cover windows, gutters and beyond. They can also serve as bridges for pests, especially termites. And never let vines climb a frame house.

• Don't plant trees too close to the house, and don't plant species that may overtake the yard or your home's proportions.

• Don't install one-dimensional planting beds. Plant in layers, with low-growing plants concealing the legginess of the taller plants behind. The small "facer" plants give you the chance to introduce plants of a complementary color and texture.

What’s Happening Around Town This Month

April's Outdoor events and Easter Celebrations

• April Pools Day
  Water games, contests, a Kids Zone and water safety demonstrations. Eldorado Aquatic and Fitness Center, 2301 N. Miller Road. Free.
  In 2011: April 23
• Arizona Asian Festival
  A free festival featuring ethnic cuisine, arts and crafts, and entertainment such as martial arts demonstrations, cultural dances and music from nearly a dozen Asian countries. Mekong Plaza in Mesa.
  In 2011: April 16, 17
• Arizona Bike Week
  Bands, rallies, exhibits, competitions, charity rides, auctions, raffles--everything for the motorcycle enthusiast.
  In 201l: March 30 - April 3
• Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball
  The Arizona Diamondbacks play professional baseball at Chase Field. Video: Baseball at Chase Field.
  In 2011: Various dates in April
• Arizona Renaissance Festival
  Apache Junction. Each year you can enjoy music, theater, comedy, food and drink, crafts, games and knights jousting at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Watch the video.
  In 2011: February 12 - April 3
• Arizona Special Olympics Summer Games
  2,000 athletes compete in track and field, powerlifting, gymnastics, softball skills, tennis and other events at the ASU Band Practice Field.
  In 2011: April 28 - 30
• Bike to Work Day
  Encourages people to use bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation. Free breakfast.
  In 2011: April 20
• Birds in the Garden
  Join expert birders for a morning bird walk along the Garden trails. Everyone, including first-time birders, is welcome. Wear a hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. Bring binoculars if available. Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix at 8 a.m. This activity is included in the regular admission fee.
  In 2011: Every Monday and 2nd Saturday in April
• Bull Riding
  Professional Rodeo Bull Riding. You can watch or you can ride. Admission charge and riding fees apply. 8 p.m. Rawhide.
  In 2011: Wednesdays and Saturdays in April
• Concerts in the Park
  Bring a lawn chair to the Gazebo at Veterans Memorial Park. 4 p.m. Free. Apache Junction.
  In 2011: April 16
• Cooks & Corks / Great Arizona Picnic
  Food sampling, musical entertainment, interactive Kids Zone, cooking demonstrations. Scottsdale Civic Plaza/Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. .
  In 2011: April 9, 10
• Copperstate 1000 Field of Dreams Cruise In
  Attracts hundreds of cars from local car enthusiasts: classics, muscle cars, exotics, street rods and more. Tempe Diablo Stadium. Free admission.
  In 2011: April 10
• Country Thunder
  Four days of camping, big name country music, arts and crafts vendors, and food court in Florence, Arizona.
  In 2011: April 7 - 10

Easter Celebrations in the Valley

Where: Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
When: April 13 through April 23, 2011.
What: The world's largest annual outdoor Easter Pageant. English and Spanish-language performances. It is a musical production depicting the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Performed on the grounds of The Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center. Parking is free.
More Information: Easter Pageant at the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Where: Earl Edgar Recreation Facility, Miller Rd and Beloat, Buckeye
When: April 16, 2011 from 9 a.m. to noon
What: Come join Mr. & Mrs. Bunny for a hippity-hoppin’ time at Buckeye’s 13th annual “Spring Celebration.” Children's stuffed animal parade, photos with Mr. and Mrs. Cottontail, Spring craft projects, Easter Egg Hunt, vendors, games. The Buckeye Fire Fighter's Assocation will host a pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m.
More Information: Town of Buckeye

Where: Great Arizona Puppet Theater, Phoenix
When: April 6 - April 24, 2011
What: Based from Beatrix Potter’s tale, The Tale of Peter Rabbit is performed to original music. Preschool through 3rd grade.
More Information: Great Arizona Puppet Theater

Where: Mother Nature's Farm, Gilbert
When: April 22 and 23, 2011
What: Easter at Mother Nature's Farm hayride, maze, farm animals, bounce house, carnival games and plenty of fresh air and space to run around and play. $7 per child, $3 per adult. For an extra charge there will be photos taken by the old tractor with Peter Cottontail from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Foods like snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn; food carts with lunch items to enjoy a family picnic.
More Information: Mother Nature's Farm

Where: Surprise Recreation Campus
When: April 23, 2011
What: Mr. and Mrs. Bunny wikll attend Surprise's Spring Eggstravaganza celebration. Easter egg hunts scheduled by age groups, inflatables, clowns.
More Information: Surprise Spring Eggstravaganza

Where: Schnepf Farms, Queen Creek
When: April 23, 2011
What: Easter Egg-Citment Easter Egg Hunt. Easter egg hunts hunts will be divided into age groups beginning at 11 a.m. Includes a photo with Easter Bunny, Easter Egg Hunt, unlimited train rides, carousel rides, hay rides, petting zoo & honeybee ride, Easter cookie and hot dog lunch. Cost: $25 per child, adults free. Make a reservation, as space is limited.
More Information: Easter Egg-Citment at Schnepf Farms

Where: Peoria Sports Complex
When: April 23, 2011
What: Admission is free to the Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunt when you bring canned food to benefit the St. Mary's/Westside Food Bank Alliance. The event will feature candy hunts for 8 different age groups as well as a family hunt. Entertainment, make & take crafts, carnival games, inflatables, pony rides and more. Some activities have a nominal fee.
More Information: Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunts

Where: Ahwatukee Community Park, Warner & 48th St.
When: April 23, 2010 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
What: Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee's Annual Easter Parade and Spring Fling features live entertainment, carnival rides, games, merchant booths. 100% of the proceeds from The Spring Carnival and the parade benefit local children’s programs and charities.
More Information: Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee

Please visit www.about.com for more information

Pets of the Month:

Henry & Patty

Breed: Sheperd
Gender: Male
Birthday: 3/23/2009

More About
Henry
Howdy! Name’s Henry, and although you may not notice it at first, there’s something a little different about me. You see, I’m missing one of my back paws; not that this slows me down even a little bit! I still love to run and play either with people or with toys- squeaky toys are my favorite! I can’t wait to find my forever home (hopefully one that is fully stocked with squeaky toys)! Hope to see you soon!

Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Gender: Female - Spayed
Birthday: 2010-7-13

More About Patty
Patty is a sweet but shy girl looking for a loving home.
Good with cats?: Probably good with cats
Good with other dogs?: Maybe

For photos, more information or to adopt Patty, please visit http://aawl.org/adopt/cats/patty44945?i=404

For this month's community leader, we would like to recognize the Face in the Mirror organization.  Face in the Mirror is committed to a very personal and supportive philosophy of improving the outer well-being of cancer patients who continue to face the challenges of their disease. As the patient's outward appearance declines from chemotherapy, medications, and radiation, one's morale and mental toughness can suffer greatly. As confirmed by Internist, Dr. Arthur Pelberg of Phoenix, Arizona, "How you look, directly affects how you feel. We know there is a direct correlation between a person's emotional and physical health. Illness can consume ones energy; appearance can easily fall by the wayside. Helping a patient look better can give them the extra boost they need to actually be better."  

Face in the Mirror volunteers reach out to women of all ages with all types of cancer. Our goal is to encourage and give hope in the midst of life's personal storm by enhancing the outward beauty, thereby contributing to the patient's sense of well being. Face in the Mirror's outreach provides the following gifts and services:

• Botanical and chemically free Facial cosmetics and skin care products tucked into a beautiful linen drawstring bag. Bag is embossed with our signature carnation and logo.
• A hand massage with a kind word to add relaxation to the stressful day of
  medication and loneliness. Or just to sit and hold her hand.
• A lovely comfortable wig or scarf to add that little personal touch of
  beauty or confidence.
• A book of poetry entitled "The Psalm of Life", which was written by
  Barbara MacLean, filled with words to inspire and uplift the spirit.
• An endearing song, recorded on a CD, entitled "Face in the Mirror",
  delivering a message of hope and love to ALL women dealing with their own face in the mirror
• A beautiful personal mirror, given with the hope that one day she may look at herself and say, "the face in the mirror is still me...She's still me!"

Face in the Mirror is looking for volunteers!  For more information on volunteering or donating, you can visit www.faceinthemirror.org or become a fan on facebook.

• interested in purchasing a property (including multiple first time home buyer programs)
• selling a property
• in need of finding a renter for an investment property
• in need of finding a home to rent