Archive for the 'Beyond Real Estate' Category
Arizona home owners receive much needed help from Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick
July 20th, 2010 categories: Beyond Real Estate
Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick is making a difference.
Arizona homeowners have had more than their fair share of housing problems. The foreclosure and short sale rate is nearly the highest in the nation, 32% of homeowners are upside down on their mortgages and we haven’t see the end of it.
The good news is, Arizona has an advocate that is truly making a difference for many homeowners whom are struggling and that shining star is 1st District Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick.
It’s not every day you hear that a member of Congress involved him or herself in someones personal problems, but I have heard the same story over and over about Ann Kirkpatrick. Homeowners, Realtors and Mortgage Lenders alike have shared stories with me about her tireless efforts on behalf of Arizona homeowners. It is reassuring to know that an elected official is truly making a difference and improving the quality of people’s lives here in Arizona.
I don’t endorse political officials on this blog site, and Ann Kirkpatrick has made such significant contribution to our State, I felt compelled. In this anti-incumbent political environment, it is important to the State of Arizona that Ann Kirkpatrick be re-elected to Congress.
For more information on Congresswoman Kirkpatrick, see Kirkpatrick for Arizona
I welcome your comments.
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Arizona Monsoon 2010
June 15th, 2010 categories: Beyond Real Estate
I love this time of year. It’s getting warmer and people are starting to talk about the approaching monsoon.
The monsoon season officially begins today, but typically the storms begin to arrive around the first week of July. This seasonal shift in the wind brings us the most fantastic displays of lightening, thunder and rain you can imagine. If you’re a weather buff, you should visit Prescott between July 4th and September 30th and experience the beauty of our monsoon season.
The National Weather Service forecast maps show that this years monsoon will probably be about average. We’ll have to wait and see.
Here are some interesting Arizona monsoon facts:
Average date of monsoon storms beginning - July 7
Earliest Monsoon beginning on record - June 16, 1925
Latest monsoon beginning on record - July 25, 1987
Average date of first break in monsoon - August 16
Average total number of monsoon days - 56
Greatest number of monsoon days on record - 99 in 1984
Greatest number of consecutive monsoon days on record - 72 in 1984
(June 25 - September 5)
Least number of monsoon days on record - 27 in 1962
Wettest monsoon on record (July, Aug. and Sept. rainfall) - 9.38 inches in 1984
Driest monsoon on record (July, Aug. and Sept. rainfall) - .35 inches in 1924
Average monsoon rainfall (July, Aug. and Sept.) - 2.45 inches
This photo was taken near the Pinon Oaks neighborhood in 2009.
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Queensland Heeler saves little girl
February 20th, 2010 categories: Beyond Real Estate
When I read in the paper that a little girl from Cordes Lakes was saved by her dog, I wasn’t surprised that the hero was a Queensland Heeler.
Last Thursday evening, three year old Victoria Bensch wandered away from her Cordes Lakes home, fortunately she was accompanied by her dog, Blue, a Queensland Heeler. Wearing nothing more than a t-shirt and no shoes, Victoria and Blue spent the night enduring freezing temperatures while her family, friends and authorities searched for her. She had been missing for nearly 15 hours when she and Blue were spotted by a DPS helicopter Friday morning.
Blue has been credited for saving little Victoria’s life by keeping her warm and safe during the cold night.
I own two Queenland Heelers and they are smart, loyal and protective dogs. The dog in the picture is my three year old Queensland, Ruby. Our hat is off to Blue for saving little Victoria’s life.
Click on the link below for more on this story.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/02/20/20100220childfound0220.html
Have a great weekend.
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Looking for a warmer place to call home?
January 14th, 2010 categories: Beyond Real Estate, Home Buyers
If you’re tired of looking for your car in this parking lot, maybe it’s time
to consider a warmer climate. Average snowfall in Prescott for the month of January
is 6.1 inches. Just enough to have fun, not ruin your life, or your car.
If this isn’t your idea of a good workout, consider a milder winter in
Prescott, Arizona
If enjoying your yard is nearly impossible this time of year,
come and visit Prescott
Prescott, Arizona has four mild seasons.
The average low temperature in January is 25 degrees
The average high temperature in January is 52 degrees.
The average January snowfall is 6.1 inches
If this winter photo looks a little easier to live with,
come and see us in Prescott.
For more information on Prescott, Arizona weather, contact Sherry Huffman or
Sue Brown at 928.778.4492 or e-mail us at info@thehuffmangroup.com
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Calling St. Joseph
June 18th, 2009 categories: Beyond Real Estate, Real Estate News
Over the years, home sellers have tried every concieveable practice out there in an effort to sell their home faster. Meditations, home selling dances, burning sage, clearing spirits from the house and of course, calling upon every Realtor’s favorite Patron Saint, St. Joseph.
St. Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus and husband of Mary, another favorite Saint of mine. Joseph is the patron saint of workers, carpenters and families. It has been a long tradition of all faiths that burying a statue of St. Joseph in your yard, or a potted plant if you don’t have a yard, will help your home sell faster.
Calling upon St. Joseph to help you sell your home is simple and the kits are readily available on many web sites and in stores. Simply bury the statue in your yard 6 to 12 inches deep, upside down facing the house, the location may vary as long as you can find the statue when the home sells. The final step is saying a prayer to St. Joseph. Step by step instruction are included with the statue.
I believe the true power of burying the St. Joseph statues lies in your faith that your home is going to sell quicker with his help.
Having St. Joseph on your team is a great start, but one other thing that will really make a difference is pricing your home competitively and hiring an experienced Realtor.
Make necessary repairs before putting your home on the market and make sure your home is in saleable condition.
If you would like to discuss market conditions or if you have questions about selling your home, please call us at 928.778.4492.
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I’m Ready for Monsoon Season
June 1st, 2009 categories: Beyond Real Estate, Home Buyers
When it comes to the weather, I’m kind of a weather nut. I love lightening and thunder, and the closer and louder it is, the better! The summers in Prescott are especially exciting for someone like me because of the Monsoon thunderstorms. The Monsoon Season begins around the first part of July, ending sometime in September and the thunderstorms they produce can be unbelievable.
This May we had “Pre-Monsoon” storms with beautiful thunderheads developing in the afternoon and even a few inches of rain.
The Climate Prediction Center’s precipitation outlook for June, July and August 2009 calls for enhanced probabilities of above normal rainfall in Arizona. Yippee!
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Memorial Day
May 23rd, 2009 categories: Beyond Real Estate
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.
Thank you to all of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrafice to protect our country and our freedom.
Wishing all of you a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend.
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Happy Easter
April 12th, 2009 categories: Beyond Real Estate
Wishing all of you a Happy Easter
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Realtors Need a Stimulus Package!
March 3rd, 2009 categories: Beyond Real Estate
As a Realtor, a stimulus package from the government would be nice. If it’s good for AIG to receive billions, why not us? Imagine, all NAR (National Association of Realtors) members receiving a check from Uncle Sam for a million dollars because our industry has been hit by such a negative downturn. Those of us in Arizona would receive 1.5 million because our state has been hit the hardest.
Well, we know that’s not going to happen, so our only option is to put on our “big girl” or “big boy” panties on and create our own emotional stimulus package. Here’s my thoughts, and the great news is, it won’t cost the government a penny.
How many time have your heard “Attitude is Everything”, well, it is. Although we are on a rough road, feeling hopeless and complaining about the situation won’t help. We need to figure out how to stay positive, and work harder than ever knowing that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Check out www.happyrenews.com
Turn off the news. We as Realtors know better than anyone what’s going on out there, we don’t need Matt Lauer to confirm it over and over. I’m not saying to turn a blind eye to what’s happening in the world, just don’t over load yourself with negative media news. Be informed, not inundated.
Concentrate on what you’re grateful for. We all have things in our lives to be thankful for. Our families, kids, friends, pets, our health. We live in the greatest country in the world where possibilities are limitless if we are willing to work for them.
Make a gratitude list and read it daily.
Stay focused on solutions, and share them with other people. We are in the place where we need to think out of the box, come up with new ideas and not be afraid to try them. Through imagination and creation comes thoughts and actions that will help lead us to recovery.
Support your fellow Realtor. We are all in this together and need to support each other through it. A laugh and some kind words goes a long ways these days.
Optimisim, PASS IT ON. If you need a pep talk, call me. (928) 533-6377
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The Arizona Cardinals are going to the Superbowl!
January 19th, 2009 categories: Beyond Real Estate, Just For Fun
“We’re going to the Superbowl!” is what all of us kept screaming after yesterdays victory over the Eagles. We were all wearing Cardinals jerseys, even the dogs were wearing jerseys! It was so exciting to be a part of Arizona sports history. I don’t mean to sound overly dramatic, after all it’s only a football game, but it is the Cardinals and they are going to the Superbowl.
The Arizona Cardinals are headed to the Super Bowl for the first time in the te
am’s history. As a Cardinal’s fan, last place was pretty much the norm, second to last was a good run. But this season was different; The Cardinals week after week surprised all of us in Arizona, but I think the biggest suprise was to their opponents. They were underdogs in all three playoff games, and were even called the worst playoff team in NFL history by one of the announcers.
Yesterday, all of the experts that counted the Cardinals out three games ago were proven wrong in a big way.
Congratulations to Coach Whisenhunt and the team. The Prescott tailgate crew be watching on February 1st
This is unbelievable!
Go Cardinals!
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