Archive for the 'Prescott Homeowners' Category
Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo
June 25th, 2008 categories: Just For Fun, Prescott Homeowners, Prescott Nights
Frontier Days Rodeo
In 1888, when Prescott was the capital of the Arizona territory, a group of Prescott businessmen dreamed up a 4th of July cowboy contest featuring the areas best cowboys and ranchers. The cowboys competed for small cash prizes and bragging rights at the local Whiskey Row Saloons. This year Prescott will celebrate the 121st annual Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo, and every year the rodeo get bigger and the cowboys get better! This is a great event that the entire family will enjoy.
This year’s dates for the rodeo are June 30th to July 5th.
Rodeo performances are at 7:30 PM nightly, and 1:30 PM July 4th and July 5th.
Frontier Days Events:
Frontier Days Rodeo: June 30th to July 5th. Performances are nightly beginning at 7:30 PM. Afternoon performances at 1:30 on July 4th and 5th.
Get your tickets in advance at RODEO TICKETS
Prescott Rodeo Grounds
840 Rodeo Drive
Prescott, Az. 86305
(928) 445-3103
The Kiwanis Kiddie Parade: July 4th at 8:30 AM at Cortez and Goodwin Street
Colorful little cowboys, cowgirls and costumed pets too! Last year, there were 400 entrants. Bring the family.
The Frontier Days Parade: July 5th at 9:00 AM at the Courthouse Plaza
This year there will be more than than 200 entries including the Rodeo Royalty Court, floats, church and civic groups and High School Marching Bands.
The Prescott Frontier Days Fine Arts and Crafts show: July 4th - 6th at the Courthouse Plaza.
The World’s Oldest Rodeo will be inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame on July 12th, 2008. Prescott Frontier Days has extensive history. To learn more, click Frontier Days History
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When It Rains, It Pours
June 23rd, 2008 categories: Just For Fun, Prescott Homeowners
When it rains in Prescott, it can really pour.
Prescott is the only place I know of where it can rain in your front yard, but not the back. I’ve always thought that the weather service should have two or three locations that measures Prescott rainfall totals because it can vary so dramatically from one end of town to the other.
Currently, rainfall totals for Prescott are measured at the Prescott Airport located at Hwy 89 and Willow Creek Road.
If you are one of those people who are interested in rainfall totals for your neighborhood, here’s an interesting web site; RainLog.org
You can become a member and log rainfall totals for your specific neighborhood, or simply check in and see how much rain has fallen in the Prescott area.
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Foreclosure Crisis: Do Not Leave Your Pets Behind
June 16th, 2008 categories: Prescott Homeowners
As more and more homeowners face foreclosure, many pets are becoming victims of the housing crisis as well. Across the nation, dogs and cats are arriving at shelters in record numbers as their owners move to rentals that do not accept pets, or relatives that do not welcome pets. In some cases, people are leaving animals behind in homes they are abandoning.
No one likes to think of leaving their pet in a shelter, but it’s far more humane than merely abandoning them. If keeping your pet is absolutely not an option, plan ahead. Find a “no kill” shelter that will foster your pet until a new home is found.
Click on the links below for information on pet adoption agencies in the Prescott area.
United Animal Friends
Miss Kitty’s Cat House
Yavapai Humane Society
Abandoning your pet should NEVER be an option.
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Protecting Your Prescott Home From Wildfires
June 11th, 2008 categories: Home Sellers, Prescott Homeowners
With summer lightning storms and high temperatures quickly approaching, it’s important to be sure your home has adequate defensible space in case of a wildfire.
Countless wildfires and forest fires happen every year in the United States, with peak season running from April through October. Annually, wildfires claim hundreds of thousands of acres, resulting in the evacuation of millions of people. Thousands of homes go up in flames, causing damage estimated in the billions.
Wildfire will find the weakest link in the defence measures you have taken on your property. The primary determinants of a home’s ability to survive a wildfire are its roofing materials and the quality of the defensible space around it. Every small step you take will make a difference and determine whether or not your home will survive a wild fire.
Here are some steps to take to create defensible space around your home:
1. Remove excess vegetation, thin trees and shrubs within the defensible space.
2. Be sure your roof and gutters are clean from leaves and pine needles.
3. Trim branches that hang over the roof. Be sure all branches are clear of the chimney.
4. Chimney screen must be in good condition.
5. Grass and weeds must me kept mowed to a low height.
6. Attach garden hoses to all of your outdoor hose bids.
7. Wood should be piled away from the house, out of the defensible space.
8. Remove all leaves, grass and debris from underneath trees to prevent the fire from spreading to the tops of trees.
9. Replace large shrubs with smaller shrubbery or succulents.
10. If your roof is not made of fire retardant materials, consider replacing it with one that is.
For more information on creating defensible space, click here: defensible space
We have been very fortunate in Prescott in regards to wildfires. The last wildfire Prescott experienced was the “Indian Fire” which started on May 15, 2002. It was the most significant fire in Prescott over 100 years. 5 homes were destroyed along with 1365 acres of vegetation. Due to the USFS fuel reduction, quick coordinated initial attack by the USFS, Prescott Fire Department, Central Yavapai Fire District, and the cooperation of the Prescott Police Department, Yavapai County Sheriff’s office and Yavapai Division of Emergency Management and numerous volunteers the fire was contained in five days. Let’s be fire wise and keep our community safe.
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Arizona Monsoon
June 10th, 2008 categories: Just For Fun, Prescott Homeowners
The Arizona Monsoon is just around the corner, and the corner is even closer this year than last. Prior to 2008, the Monsoon Season was considered to have started when there were three consecutive days when the dew point averaged 55 degrees or higher. In 2008, the National Weather Service decided to take the guesswork out of the start and end date of the Monsoon Season. Beginning in 2008, June 15th will be considered the first day of Monsoon Season, and September 30 will be the last. This decision was made so more emphasis would be placed on safety, and not the definition of Monsoon Season.
According to the Daily Courier, this Monsoon may be more severe than recent years bringing heavier rains and more damaging lighting. Monsoon storms can be awe-inspiring to experience, but life threatening if you’re caught outdoors. Here are some safety tips.
1. If you see a sign that says “Do Not Cross When Flooded“, take it seriously! It takes only a few feet of moving water to move your car, even if it’s an SUV. If you do get caught in flood waters, try to climb out on to the roof of your car and wait for help. Use your cell phone to call 911.
2. If you’re driving, slow down. Rain storms limit visibility and make the roadway slick.
3. Lightning Strikes are beautiful to watch, but dangerous. On average, 67 people per year are struck and killed by 
lightning in the United States. If you’re caught outside, stay away from open fields, high points of land, trees or other tall objects, standing bodies of water and all metal objects. Click HERE for more information on lightning safety.
4. Monsoon storms can produce severe hailstorms. Those of you who lived here in 1999 probably remember the hail storm that struck Prescott Valley. If you get caught in a hail storm, find shelter immediately. Avoid windows and skylights. If possible, move your vehicle to to a sheltered area.
5. Take care of your Pets during Monsoon Season. Thunderstorms can be very frightening to your pets. If you know that a storm is on the way, bring them inside, or make sure they are in a safe, secure area. Their first instinct may be to run, and you don’t want them running onto a busy roadway.
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What The Heck is a 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange?
March 6th, 2008 categories: Home Buyers, Home Sellers, Prescott Homeowners, Real Estate News
For more information on 1031 Tax deferred exchanges click on the following link; tax exchange
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Do you know your credit score?
March 4th, 2008 categories: Home Buyers, Prescott Homeowners
Do you know your credit score?
Credit scores are a vital part of being a consumer and citizen of the United States. A credit score is a number that helps lenders and others predict how likely you are to make your credit payments on time. Each score is based on the information then in your credit report.
If you want to rent an apartment and do not have good credit scores, your apartment application may be turned down by the landlord. Your scores also may determine how big a deposit you will have to pay for telephone, electricity or natural gas service.
Companies that want to lend you money look at your credit scores all the time. They look at your scores when deciding, for example, whether to change your interest rate or credit limit on a credit card, or whether to send you an offer through the mail. Having good credit scores makes your financial dealings a lot easier and can save you money in lower interest rates. That’s why they are a vital part of your financial health.
Today, many people have credit scores that are suffering due to adjustable loans, credit card debt and so on. Not to mention the foreclosure and short sale market and it’s far reaching effects.
There are 5 parts to evaluating your credit score. As a rule, credit scores analyze the credit-related information on your credit report. How they do this varies. Since FICO scores are frequently used, here is how these scores assess what is on your credit report.
| 1. | Your payment history – about 35% of a FICO score Have you paid your credit accounts on time? Late payments, bankruptcies, and other negative items can hurt your credit score. But a solid record of on-time payments helps your score. |
| 2. | How much you owe – about 30% of a FICO score FICO scores look at the amounts you owe on all your accounts, the number of accounts with balances, and how much of your available credit you are using. The more you owe compared to your credit limit, the lower your score will be. |
| 3. | Length of your credit history – about 15% of a FICO score A longer credit history will increase your score. However, you can get a high score with a short credit history if the rest of your credit report shows responsible credit management. |
| 4. | New credit – about 10% of a FICO score If you have recently applied for or opened new credit accounts, your credit score will weigh this fact against the rest of your credit history. FICO scores distinguish between a search for a single loan and a search for many new credit lines, in part by the length of time over which inquiries occur. If you need a loan, do your rate shopping within a focused period of time, such as 30 days, to avoid lowering your FICO score. |
| 5. | Other factors – about 10% of a FICO score Several minor factors also can influence your score. For example, having a mix of credit types on your credit report – credit cards, installment loans such as a mortgage or auto loan, and personal lines of credit – is normal for people with longer credit histories and can add slightly to their scores. |
There are many resourses available to check your credit. Make sure you keep your credit in good health. It may come in handy some day…
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Television Antennas.. Soon to be a part of our past
February 20th, 2008 categories: Prescott Homeowners
Antique Road Show, year 2090
Louise has been patiently standing in line with a contraption her Grandmother and Mother used to hang wet clothes on in the winter. It has been in the basement of her Great-grandfather’s home for as long as anyone can remember, anchored to the floor with guy wires, holding countless hangers of wet clothes. It has a 5’metal pole with other long thin round pieces of metal jutting out from it. Sort of like the branches of a tree. So here she stands, her question and contraption in hand. It’s finally her turn and the conversation goes something like this; “Well, what have we here?” “my family has used this to hang wet clothes on for as long as anyone can remember but my husband insists that it was originally used for something else but he doesn’t know what” “well, what you have here is a television antenna. This would be installed on the roof of a house and then connected to the television with a couple of wires” “what’s an antenna?” Louise asks. “an antenna is something that would catch a signal, radio, television, etc., as it went through the air and then transmit the signal to your “receiver” in this case, a television. “They stopped using these for televisions sometime back in 2009.
If you are one of those TV watchers that are still using the antique antenna, beware: A long awaited change is coming to a TV near you. As of February 17th, 2009, antenna fed televisions without digital tuners will go blank unless they have separate converters. For more information, please read the article on AZ Central.com regarding “digital only” TV reception.
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Prescott Real Estate; a year in review
February 19th, 2008 categories: Home Buyers, Home Sellers, Prescott Homeowners, Prescott Real Estate Trends, Real Estate News
2007 Prescott Real Estate. A year in review:
Wow! What a transition… To say that Prescott experienced some major Real Estate adjustments in 2007 is an understatement. We enjoyed double digit appreciation for several years, and came to expect it as normal. Although the trend started to slow toward the end of 05, many home sellers, and Realtors didn’t start to feel the burn until 07. In 2007, average home prices adjusted downward in almost all neighborhoods. Days on market adjusted upward along with interest rates. The interest rate increases kept many first time home buyers out of the market all together, or afraid to take the plunge. Buyers looking to up size could no longer afford the larger home and were forced to stay put.
A large listing inventory, and fewer buyers made 07 an especially challenging year for home sellers. 50% of the listing inventory sold, which was down from 79% in previous years. Only 13% of the vacant land on the market sold. Days on market widened to 158 days which was quite a switch from the ” good old days” when homes sold before they hit the MLS. Not to mention the foreclosure market and sub prime lending disaster which we may not see the bottom of until 2009.
2007 brought many changes to our local Real Estate companies. There was simply not enough business to support the growing number of Licensed Realtors in the area. Currently there are 1,643 Licensed Real Estate agents belonging to PAAR (Prescott Area Association of Realtors) that number is down from well over 1,700 in 2005. I predict that in 2008-2009 more of our local Realtors will be forced to leave the Real Estate business. Mortgage companies and well as Escrow companies have seen their share of cut backs, consolidations and lay offs.
Eventhough lost sleep and my graying hair was a big part of 2007, I am always the optimist and hope that 2008 brings sunnier condition to our Prescott Real Estate market. The sooner we all accept “what is” in the Real Estate market, the brighter the sun will shine for all of us. Here’s to a great 2008!
Here are some sales statistics comparing 2006 to 2007.
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Don’t let your dream home become a nightmare… Get a home inspection before purchasing a new home
February 19th, 2008 categories: Home Buyers, Prescott Homeowners
Don’t let your dream home become a nightmare…… Get a home inspection..
According to the National Association of Realtors, 84% of home buyers requested that a home inspection be performed as part of their purchase contract.
99% of Licensed Realtor recommended to their buyers “inspect the home you are buying”.Home inspections are a now a standard step to purchasing a home. You wouldn’t buy a used car without first having it inspected? Home buyers want to know what they are purchasing, and they should. No one want to move into their dream home and have it become a nightmare. Roofs, furnaces, air conditioners or electrical repairs can cost thousands. And then you have to find the right contractor, have your house torn apart, and then write the check. This can be a hassle as well as an emotional rollercoaster. Protect yourself from the start and have the home your’e purchasing inspected. Here are some questions to ask a home inspector.
- First, ask for recommendations and names of qualified home inspectors. Speak with all of them to determine which will be most qualified to inspect your home.
- Ask for qualifications. Is he or she a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors or National Association of Home Inspectors?
- Does the inspector have a license? Inspectors are not required to be licensed in all states.
- How many inspections do they do each year?
- Can you contact their past clients?
- Do they carry Errors and Omissions insurance?
- Is there a guarantee of the work?
- What specifically does the inspection cover, what part of the home is not inspected?
- What type of report is provided?
- How long does it take to receive the report, and how much does it cost?
Protect your investment. Get a home inspection!
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