Phoenix: Home of the Fizzies

Okay, as if we haven't given you enough reasons already to move to the Phoenix/Scottsdale areas, here is another one: Phoenix is the exclusive test market for a new/old product called Fizzies. Fizzies are tablets that were popular in the 50's that flavor drinking water, turning them into a soft drink.

The company that is manufacturing the product has chosen Phoenix because of the large number of senior citizens here. The company is betting that the older population will be more likely to remember the product and purchase it for their younger relatives, thus spreading word about the product.

Fizzies come in seven flavors, including lemon lime, fruit punch, and root beer. They are a healthier alternative to colas, as they are made from Splenda and contain Vitamin C. They are available in area Hi-Health stores.

So there you go. Not only is this the land of the sun, but we have soft drinks you can't get anywhere else!

If you are considering relocating to the Phoenix or Scottsdale areas, please contact Choice Group Realty today.

Branded Cities: the Future of Real Estate?

Westgate City Center is 223 acre $850 million development located near Glendale, Arizona. The "mini-city" will include work and recreational projects, as well as 2,200 condos. The development is located near two major sports venues, Jobing.com arena (the home of the Phoenix Coyotes hockey team) and the University of Phoenix stadium, which will be hosting the 2008 Super Bowl. Annual visitation to the city is expected to be around 22 million.

What's really interesting is that the development represents the beginning of a new wave of branding initiatives by major companies. Nissan has signed on as the "Official Automobile of Westgate City Center" and will have a major presence through the city.

The concept is being spearheaded by the Branded Cities division of Clear Channel Outdoor, a company that specializes in billboards and other forms of outside advertising. For its sponsorship dollars, Nissan will get signage on three 100 foot tall Times Square style media boards, product placement at numerous other locations throughout the city, and live events sponsorships. Nissan will also be the sponsor of many sporting events and related broadcasts, such as ESPN pre-game shows.

With 20 to 30 large multimedia boards, the city will very much be a live, branded advertising environment, which Nissan will largely control. So is this the future of real estate? Or just a fad? We think it's very likely this could be a major development, especially as real estate prices continue to escalate. By building tightly controlled mini-city environments and attaching it to corporate sponsorships, economies of scale can be achieved. It may be cheaper to live in places like this, where large companies are pouring money in to get their marketing message across. But do people really want to live in an environment surrounded by advertisements? Only time will tell. We're still rather partial to the idea of having one's own house and back yard.

Choice Group Realty knows Phoenix/Scottsdale real estate. If you're looking for the home of your dreams, call us today!

Real Estate Advice: Have Faith. Have Patience.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've probably heard about the difficulties the real estate/mortgage industries are suddenly having. There are a lot of homes on the market, and credit has gotten very tight. Some of the largest mortgage companies in the world are in very real danger. And a lot of people are losing their homes.

Our advice?

Have faith!

If you are looking for a new home but are worried that it may be out of your reach, here is what we advise you to do. Create a picture in your mind of your ideal home. Envision it. Hold that picture there every day. Then start talking to people who can help you find that home. If you're searching for a home in the areas of Scottsdale or anywhere else around Phoenix, then please call us...for example. And finally, have faith! If you want it bad enough, it can happen. It may take longer than you would like, but don't give up.

If you're trying to sell your home, our number one piece of advice is to have patience. If you are in too big a hurry, you will likely have to take less for your home than you would like, especially in the current market. And the same advice as above applies - envision selling your home to the perfect buyer at the perfect price, find the right people to help you, and have faith.

Choice Group Realty will do whatever we can to help you find the perfect home in the Phoenix/Scottsdale areas, so please call us today!

Scottsdale Winter Wonderland Raises Money for Good Cause

Here's a fun news item: Market Street Park on Pima Road in North Scottsdale will host Summer Snowball this Saturday, Aug. 18th. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, and admission is $10.00. Scheduled activities include art projects, a snowball throwing contest, and shaving cream-sculptured hair styles.

Proceeds from Summer Snowball benefit Homeward Bound, a program that helps families with children that have faced domestic violence or homelessness. Participants are also being encouraged to bring school supplies and canned foods.

DC Ranch Community Foundation is sponsoring the event. The organization works to enhance educational opportunities for community members and students.

Arizona: Be Careful in the Sun

Many people are drawn to Arizona because of the incredible amount of sunlight we get here. There is no doubt that the sun can be very good for you, both mentally and physically. It just makes you feel good...but you need to be careful! As with most things in life, moderation is the key.

To receive the health benefits of Arizona's intense sunlight, you only need a few minutes of exposure a day. Beyond that, you risk getting skin cancer. So it is very important to cover yourself with a strong sunscreen, and if possible, light-colored clothing. Contrary to what you might think, light clothing will actually keep you cooler.

To help combat the ill effects of overexposure to the sun, the Arizona Cancer Center has opened up the Skin Cancer Institute. A major area of activity for the institute will be public awareness and education about how to protect yourself from the sun. It also has sophisticated equipment which can be used to take a close look at moles and lesions for signs of skin cancer. The institute has two locations: Scottsdale and Tucson.

Scottsdale is blessed with some of the finest health care in the world, being home to the world famous Mayo Clinic and other fine medical facilities. Thankfully, now we have one of the top institutes to help us stay safe from our wonderful, but potentially deadly, sunlight.

Choice Group Realty knows Scottsdale and Phoenix area real estate. If you would like help finding your perfect home in the land of the sun, call us today.

Home Bargains Available in Outskirt Areas of Phoenix

If you are looking to move into the Phoenix area and are highly concerned with finding a nice home at a bargain price, you might want to look in one of the areas on the outskirts of Phoenix, such as El Mirage, Buckeye, and Gilbert. There is a rising trend in some of these areas of home owners getting behind on their mortgages and trying to sell before losing their homes. While this trend certainly has its negatives, the fact is that it is a positive for a bargain-seeking home purchaser.

Adding to the downward pressure on home prices in some area is the fact that there are many more homes on the market than there have been in recent years. It's a buyer's market.

A recent article on the Arizona Republic web site pointed out the following facts:

• During the first half of 2007, 84 homes were foreclosed in Anthem, compared to 3 during the same period in 2006.
• In Buckeye, there were 245 foreclosures through June of this year, compared to 66 last year.
• In Avondale, there were 122 foreclosures through June, compared to 5 in 2006.

Choice Group Realty specializes in high-end homes in the Scottsdale area, but these facts point to the fact that if you are a bargain hunter, there are certainly homes on the market in other areas that you may want to take a look at. We can help you find these homes. While we hate to hear about anyone losing their homes, selling and moving on is a better option for these home owners than accepting a foreclosure.

Call Choice Group Realty today and we'll get started working for you!

The Richest Real Estate Education is in Phoenix

We came upon an interesting article on CNNMoney.com about a company based here in Phoenix called Nouveau Riche University. It's not really a university. It's a week long program that instructs its students on how to make money in real estate. The core idea behind the program is to leverage your existing assets to buy income-producing real estate.

There are, of course, considerable risks with this investment approach. A change in interest rates, or a down real estate market, or an inability to rent out properties can all result in a negative cash flow situation. On the upside, this approach has been used successfully by many real estate investors to build considerable fortunes.

We are going to withhold judgement on how effective Nouveau Riche's training and strategies are. We will say that for much, much less money, you can learn the techniques on your own. Nouveau Riche has its own real estate agency through which it sells properties to its students. This is one aspect of which we are a bit suspicious. To charge $16,000 to teach someone how to invest in real estate, and then turn around and sell them the property (also charging fees for that service) seems like a conflict of interest.

But the fact that this business is located right here in our own backyard sort-of highlights that this is a hot area for real estate investing. Real estate is on everybody's mind around here.

Rather than invest a sizable chunk of money on real estate training (which may be questionable), it may be better to use that money as a down payment on a new home, investment or otherwise, which will reduce your risk and reduce your payments. Scottsdale is still one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, and Choice Group Realty knows Scottsdale real estate. So call us today!

New Look for Scottsdale's Canal Bridge for Good Cause

The Canal Bridge in Scottsdale, Arizona joins downtown's Southbridge district to the Waterfront. Don't be alarmed - but the bridge is soon going to be turning pink! Starting September 28th and continuing through October, the bridge will be lit up with pink Christmas lights. This is being done in honor of and to raise awareness about Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A pink bulb can be sponsored for $20. There are also other levels of sponsorship available, such as $500 Twinkles and $10,000 Guiding Lights. The Arizona Institute for Breast Health, which is organizing the event, expects that most of the bulbs will be sponsored by those who want to pay tribute to loved ones who have dealt with breast cancer.

To learn more, check out www.thepinklightdistrict.org.

And as we say every time, if you are looking for a new home in Scottsdale (or anywhere in the Arizona area), please give us a call...because we know Scottsdale!

A Couple of Interesting Business Moves for Scottsdale

J. Alexander's, a Tennessee-based restaurant chain is opening a location in Scottsdale, Arizona. The restaurant is an upscale casual dining restaurant that specializes in wood-fire cuisines, including steaks, prime rib, and seafood. We have eaten at a J. Alexander's and can testify that it is wonderful eating.

The restaurant will be located at The Borgata, across the walkway from Taneko Japanese Tavern, facing Scottsdale Road. It will occupy over 12 thousand square feet and seat 180. J. Alexander's is also looking at other locations in Scottsdale for more restaurants, so it seems the restaurant may become a Scottsdale fixture.

In other news, Heard Museum has relocated to a new location in North Scottsdale. The museum is recognized for having one of the finest collections of Native American art in the U.S. The new location will allow the museum to display more of its permanent collection, in addition to special exhibits.

In addition to expanded exhibition space, the new location will also have an expanded cafe, Arcadia Farms, which will offer signature salads and sandwiches, and a new menu featuring Southwest entrees influenced by Native American cuisine.

If you would like to call ever-growing Scottsdale home, please contact Choice Group Realty today. We know Scottsdale, and can help you find the perfect home.

City of Scottsdale Teaches About Water Safety

Here in Scottsdale, Arizona, there are many swimming pools (at people's homes as well as at hotels and public areas), not to mention our local rivers and lakes. So a lot of swimming takes place here. On July 13th, a 20 month old child drowned in her family's back yard pool, the first drowning reported this summer. In response, the city of Scottsdale is sponsoring many activities as part of Arizona's Drowning Impact Awareness Month.

This Wednesday, August 1st, there will be a water safety day at each of Scottsdale's four public pools (Cactus, Chaparral, Eldorado, and McDowell Mountain Ranch). The event will include games and prizes, and of course, water safety tips along with a mock water rescue.

On August 19th, Scottsdale will have a Water Walk from 6 PM to 9 PM to bring water safety information to residents at their homes.

For more information, call 480-312-POOL.

Yes, Scottsdale residents definitely enjoy their swimming and their lounging by the pool. If you'd like to be one of them, contact Choice Group Realty today and we will help you find your perfect Scottsdale home, swimming pool and all.

Scottsdale Home Prices Holding Up Market

As the number of homes on the market rises and home prices fall across the country, Scottsdale's real estate market remains strong. A recent report by USA Today demonstrated that although some home prices in the Scottsdale area have fallen, their time on the market remains less than 40 days. There are a lot of homes on the market, but buyers are still snapping them up, demonstrating the value attached to homes in this area.

There is value to be found in Scottsdale-area homes in the sub-$700,000 price range, as smaller home prices have fallen compared to a year ago. Homes priced above that level continue to sell very strongly.

The USA Today article highlights an 11.25 acre ranch purchased in 1999 for $3.2 million which is on the market at a price of $12 million, highlighting the strong appreciation in Scottsdale real estate over the last decade.

If you are going to purchase property in Scottsdale, we strongly advise you to seek the expertise of an agency that knows this area. Choice Group Realty specializes in Scottsdale and others areas around Phoenix, and we know how to get you the most home for your money (or get the most money for your home). So contact us today.

Chef Brad Miller Brings a Little More Fame to Scottsdale Dining

Hell's Kitchen is a reality TV show that airs on Fox. In it, a group of young chefs work in a restaurant for celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay is to the world of cooking what Simon Cowell is to music - he's rude and has a quick, sharp tongue - and that's why people love him. This season, the show's third, featured a young Sous Chef from right here in Scottsdale - Chef Brad Miller.

Only 24, Miller already has an accomplished resume that includes attending the Scottsdale Culinary Institute and stints at some of the Scottsdale area's finest restaurants, such as the Arizona Biltmore and the Latilla.

Miller represented himself well on the show, but circumstances conspired against him and he ended up being the seventh chef eliminated. In a recent article on buddytv.com, Miller talked about the fact that because of the time constraints, participants were often edited to appear worse than they really were. In his final show, many problems were blamed on him that were a result of the actions of others. But viewers did not see all of that.

Despite his exit from the show, Miller represented himself and Scottsdale well. He is already receiving many calls as a result of the show, but hopefully he will stick around Scottsdale and its top-notch dining scene.

Choice Group Realty knows Scottsdale. If you are looking for a home here in Scottsdale or anywhere else near Phoenix, please talk to us before deciding on a realtor. You'll be glad you did.

Scottsdale, Arizona - the New Fashion Destination

We've got on at length about the many attractions and outdoor activities available to residents of the Scottsdale area, but did you know this is also an emerging fashion destination? Christopher Cashak is doing everything he can to make sure the world knows it. Cashak is a former executive at a national fashion publication who has founded an online television show called CASHAK.TV.

CASHAK.TV includes fashion show videos, fashion spreads, interviews and more. The web site focuses purely on young fashion-savvy women who are in an income bracket to afford high-end fashions. Most of the site's content is generated right here in Scottsdale, where the company is based.

Throughout the summer, the online show has filmed footage at Scottsdale pool parties, asking fashion questions to the attendees. The footage has been used to create a countdown of the hottest bikinis, sunglasses, etc. for this summer.

The company films a monthly fashion show that takes place at Six Lounge in Scottsdale. The shows feature fashions from local stores.

So...what does this have to do with real estate? Not much. But it just kind-of points to the fact that Scottsdale is one of the hippest, hottest parts of the country. So why wouldn't you want to live here?

For help finding a Scottsdale home that meets your needs and matches your personality, contact Choice Group Realty today.

Restaurant Expansion Highlights Scottsdale Canal Growth

The city of Scottsdale is committed to economic growth along its famed canal. The city is funding new walkways and bridges along the north and south banks of the canal near Scottsdale Road, along with the Marshall Way bridge and Plaza and another public plaza that will include a bridge designed by famous architect Paolo Soleri.

But what's just as exciting is the private investment going on in the same area. A strong example of this is the Kyoto Japanese Restaurant. The owner of the restaurant, Masa Kudo, is undertaking a $4 million expansion that will have space for offices and shops, as well as an underground parking lot.

The restaurant will expand from 4,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet, and capacity will increase from 130 to 180. Kyoto is well known around Scottsdale for its high quality, affordable sushi and teppanyaki. The restaurant has been in business for nearly a quarter-century, so clearly Kudo is doing something right.

This type of building expansion, along with the city-sponsored plazas, walkways and bridges, and new residential development, shows that the canal is definitely a hot and growing area of Scottsdale.

If you are looking for a home in the Scottsdale area, call Choice Group Realty today. We know Scottsdale!

RealTravel Rates Fountain Hills the Number Two Hidden Treasure in North America

"Team Edwards" is the name of a couple involved in an online travel community called RealTravel. The site, which was labeled the Best Online Travel Community Site of the Year for 2007 by the Association of Travel Marketing Executives, is a travel blogging and travel guide site. Team Edwards recently concluded a three month journey around the U.S. and Canada. Real Travel subsequently released a press release entitled "Real Travel Reveals Top Ten American Treasures" based on the Team Edwards experience.

Coming in at number two on the list is our very own Fountain Hills. Team Edwards was very impressed by the town's fountain, which is the tallest in the world. Team Edwards described their experience as so:

It was by far one of the oddest sights we’ve experienced. Apparently the fountain is on a schedule — on for 10 minutes, off for 10 minutes. Luckily, we happened on it while it was on. The pond and fountain were part of a beautiful park, complete with ducks and cactus gardens.

There are so many incredible treasures right here in our own back yard. If you haven't been to the famous fountain in Fountain Hills, you definitely need to pay it a visit.

Other notable sites on the list included California's Avenue of the Giants (coming in at number one), Chattanooga's Ruby Falls, and the Badlands of South Dakota.

You can read the entire article here.

If you're thinking of living in Fountain Hills or anywhere in the Scottsdale/Phoenix areas, please let Choice Group Realty help you find your perfect home.

Scottsdale Arts Festival Seeking Artists

Every year, Scottsdale is home to one of the nation's top arts festivals - the Scottsdale Arts Festival. The event is organized by the Scottsdale Cultural Council and annually attracts submissions from over 900 artists.

The festival takes place March 7 - 9, 2008 at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall.

Approximately 200 artists will be selected to display their work. Artists are selected by a panel of art professionals, and prizes are awarded in multiple categories. Almost any media is eligible - from ceramic to wood working.

To apply, visit www.zapplication.org between July 15th and October 17th. There is a $30 fee to apply.

To learn more, visit http://www.scotssdaleartsartsfestival.org. This is a wonderful event that anyone who is into art will love. Highly recommended.

Loop 101 Corridor - Further Proof of Growth for Scottsdale

A recent article in the Arizona Republic highlighted the commercial development happening on the Loop 101 corridor between Scottsdale and Tempe, including:

• Pima Center, a $700 million development that will offer 3.5 million square feet of space for offices, retail businesses, and lodging.
• Riverwalk Arizona, a 187 acre mixed-use development by the Alter group.
• Calendar Stick, a development that was completed in 2005.
• Expansion at Chaparral Business Park.
• Windstone, a $50 million retail shopping center.

The article states that, according to the economic development department of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, up to 10 million square feet of development is under construction.

Although the home market has slipped in recent months (and really, wasn't it due for some kind of correction?), land in general in the Scottsdale area remains a valuable, precious commodity.

If you are interested in purchasing real estate in the Scottsdale/Phoenix areas, contact Choice Group Realty today!

Free Concerts at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Coming to an End Soon

If you don't know about McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, then you need to go check it out if you are anywhere near the Scottsdale area. Through the early part of the summer, the park has free concerts featuring local acts performing everything from rock to blues. But there are only two concert nights left, July 8th and 15th, so you're almost out of time to enjoy these free, outdoor concerts. You can even ride the train during the show!

Speaking of trains, the train at the park is the main attraction. The Paradise and Pacific Railroad is an exact 5/12 size replica of a Colorado narrow gauge railroad. The track is 1 mile long and the cost to ride is only $1.00 (free for children under 3). It's a truly unique and enjoyable experience that we highly recommend, especially if you have children.

Scottsdale is full of parks and outdoor activities for people of all ages. So come visit us and you may just decide you like it here so much you want to stay. Contact Choice Group Realty if you ever have need for help finding your perfect home.

Land Sale Demonstrates Incredible Value of Scottsdale Real Estate

A land sale recently occurred in which a 123 acre tract of Arizona desert located between Scottsdale and Paradise Valley sold for $100 million. That's $813 thousand per acre for undeveloped desert. The property will be turned into a Ritz-Carlton community with a hotel, luxury homes and villas. It is reported that Earl Holding originally purchased the land in the 1970's for just over $5 million. He then sold the land in 2005 for $86 million.

Now we certainly don't mean to imply that you can use this as a gauge for the value or expected appreciation in value of your home. But it's an example, in general, of the value afforded to real estate in this part of Maricopa County. Real estate here is a good investment.

Lucky for you there are land and homes on the market. And people familiar with the area who can advise you on your investment. We strongly advise investors in real estate to seek the services of qualified brokers who specialize in a particular area.

Choice Group Realty can help you find your perfect Scottsdale home. We know Scottsdale real estate. We'd be happy to talk to you.

Scottsdale - Summertime Luxury on a Budget

Scottsdale is home to many high class resorts that are generally on the expensive side (in the area of $500 per night), but offer incredible accommodations and luxury. However, during the summer months, these rooms can be had for a fraction of the cost.

It is hot in Scottsdale this time of year, no doubt. But it's not the dripping wet humid hot that you get in the deep South. And the area is still a wonderful location for experiencing the great outdoors. What's better in 100+ degree weather than a raft ride down a cool river?

During the summertime, Scottsdale's resorts target the summertime vacation crowd, which is different from the convention crowd, where the resorts normally make their money. This provides an opportunity for families to have a first-class vacation at a deep discount.

There are also over 200 golf courses in Maricopa County, so if your vacation plans include a little golf, there is nowhere better to visit.

And while you're here, if you decide this might be a place you want to stay (which we highly recommend), we have many homes to show you. Just give us a call!

Need Quick Emergency Room Service? Come to Scottsdale, Arizona

A recent study by Press Gainey Associates shows that the national average length of time between when a patient enters and leaves a hospital emergency room is about four hours. Unfortunately, for much of the state of Arizona that time is more than five hours. But not if you live in Scottsdale.

Scottsdale Healthcare, the company that operates Scottsdale's two emergency rooms, states that its average ER length of visit is three hours - much quicker than the state and national averages. Four years ago the emergency rooms at Shea and Osborn Hospitals initiated a "Throughput Project" to focus on efficient patient visits. Given that some patients coming through emergency rooms have very serious problems, minutes of time can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.

Scottsdale will also benefit from the opening of a third emergency room when Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak, a new medical facility, opens in November. The distribution of emergency medical care to a third facility should result in even greater improvements in ER care efficiency.

So...if your life circumstances dictate that you may need quick and efficient emergency room care, Scottsdale's highly efficient medical care may be just what you need. We have lots of houses for sale in Scottsdale, so call Choice Group Realty today and let us know how we can help you.

McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona - How to Plan a Community

McCormick Ranch, a planned community in Scottsdale, Arizona, dates back to the mid-40's when the McCormick family purchased 160 acres in Scottsdale for a winter home. The McCormicks were descendants of Cyrus McCormick, who invented the reaper, and John Rockefeller. Anne McCormick had a passion for raising horses, so soon after moving in, she began breeding horses and acquiring property around the original location.

In 1970, the property was purchased by Kaiser-Aetna. By this time, the ranch occupied seven square miles. Kaiser-Aetna hired George Fretz, who was the City Planner for Scottsdale, to plan the community. At the time of the purchase, it was the largest single piece of property ever sold for a planned community within city limits.

Ongoing development of the community was based on a plan created by Gruen Associates and Scottsdale Environmental Planners and Consultants.

Amenities include two 18-hole golf courses, over 25 miles of bicycle paths, tennis courts, and man-made lakes which accommodate sailing and fishing. The area offers fantastic views of surrounding mountains and well-maintained roads and landscaping.

The community is very concerned with maintaining the proper authentic "look", so the McCormick Ranch Property Owners' Association has established a set of rules that residents must abide by. This not only protects the visual integrity of the community, it helps protect home values.

We have properties available right now in this highly desirable part of Scottsdale, so call Choice Group Realty today to discuss your real estate needs.

Heaven in Arizona: the Desert Mountain Community of Scottsdale

Today we are going to talk about the Desert Mountain community in northern Scottsdale. For golfers, this community truly is heaven on earth. It was named one of the world's best golf communities by Robb Report magazine. It's no wonder considering that it features SIX Jack Nicklaus Signature courses. There is no location on the entire planet with more. Nicklaus himself claimed that building the Desert Mountain courses were one of the highlights of his career and he believes that it will always be known as one of the greatest courses in the world. Desert Mountain also have a very extensive practice facility, with four separate practice ranges and help available from PGA-trained professionals.

To go along with the six courses, there are also six separate club houses. Each club has its own golf shop as well as multiple dining options. The Sonoran fitness center and spa provides its members with a plethora of fitness options and spa treatments. The tennis facility, often called the "Wimbledon of the West", features three different playing surfaces: grass, hard composition, and clay.

Homes in the area are designed to blend with the beautiful surroundings, using timber, stucco, stonework and metal roofs to capture that "old west" feel. The homes range in elevation from 2,500 to 4,800 feet above sea level, giving the community an average temperature 5 to 10 degrees below the Phoenix area. Prices range from around half-million to multi-millions.

If you would like to learn more about living in Desert Mountain, or want to hear about properties for sale there, call Choice Group Realty today. We have lots of homes in Desert Mountain to show you.

Fountain Hills, Arizona - Natural Beauty and Room to Stretch Out

We've talked about some of the more up-scale, "planned community" type areas to live in around the Phoenix area. Today we're going to discuss a wonderful little town called Fountain Hills, famous for its fountain that shoots water over 500 feet in the air.

Fountain Hills is surrounded by desert on all sides - the Fort McDowell Indian Community to the East, the McDowell Mountain Range to the West, the McDowell Mountain Regional Park to the North, and the Salt River Pima Indian Reservation to the South. The naturally enclosed nature of the town and the fine people who live there give the area a special "down-home" kind of feel, even though it is still just a short drive from the big city. Houses in the community tend to be bigger, and lots bigger, than other similar communities around Phoenix.

One of the main advantages to buying a home in Fountain Hills is that no matter where it is located, you will have a spectacular view. There are numerous parks, ball fields, walking paths, and of course, golf courses - some of the finest (and most difficult) golf courses in the country.

Fountain Hills offers its own complete eduction for its children, serving pre-school through 12th grade. Montessori and Christian eduction is available, and there is even a strong network available for home schooling.

In terms of attractions, there are numerous staged events every year as well as a plethora of outdoor activities that can be engaged in year-round. As mentioned above, the town is home to a fountain that is capable of pumping water over 500 feet into the air, although it is generally set to about 300 feet. It has been featured in the Guinness Book of World's Records as the world's tallest fountain. If you are a gambler, the Fort McDowell Casino has the state's largest card room. Whitewater rafting is a popular activity down the Salt River. These are just a couple of the MANY activities available to the residents of Fountain Hills.

If quality of life, room to stretch, and peacefulness are what you are looking for, there are fewer places that will give you that like Fountain Hills. If you would like to investigate living in this wonderful little town, contact Choice Group Realty today.

Desert Highlands - An Introduction to One of Arizona's Most Exclusive Communities

Today we're going to introduce you to one of Arizona's most exclusive communities - Desert Highlands.

Desert Highlands is a private, members-only community located in Scottsdale. The community occupies 850 acres in the Sonoran desert. There are currently nearly 500 completed homes in the community, as well as lots available for new construction. Homes in the area range in price from $1 million to $11 million.

The community revolves around an 18 hole Jack Nicklaus golf course that hosted the 1983 and 1984 PGA Skins Game. Other amenities in this beautiful community include an 18 hole putting course, a world class clubhouse, pond, walking course, and basketball court. There is also a 7,000 square foot fitness center that includes weight machines, cardio machines, free weights, personal trainers and masseuses.

There are a number of services available to residences of the community, such as a landscaping service, a pool maintenance service, home management (while you are away), and a concierge service.

Residents of Desert Highlands are protected by a state of the art security system and professionally trained security personnel.

If you would like to live in this world class private community, call Choice Group Realty today!

Your Dream Home Awaits in Paradise Valley, Arizona

Paradise Valley - it just sounds nice doesn't it? And you know what? It is! Paradise Valley is a small town near Scottsdale in Maricopa County. It is home to a number of celebrities, including Alice Cooper (who we discussed in a previous blog post). It also home to twelve resorts, making it a premier tourist destination in the Central Arizona region. The small town covers about 15 square miles, none of which is covered in water. The hilly areas outside of town include the Mummy Mountain Preserve Trust, which is over 300 acres of pristine wilderness.

Education is a high priority in the town. Children of Paradise Valley residents attend the Paradise Valley Unified School District, one of the better school districts in the state. In fact, Newsweek ranks the top two regular high schools in the state as BOTH being in the Paradise Valley district. Altogether, the district has 23 schools ranked as "excelling" and 8 as "high performing".

There are around 14 thousand people in the town, with the largest age group being 25 to 44. So this is not a retirement community - just a community of people looking to live life to its fullest.

Homes in the area have a median resale value of over $1 million, with many selling for $15 million or more. So it is definitely an exclusive area. If you are ready to step up to a fine Paradise Valley home, call Choice Group Realty today. We'll help you find the home of your dreams!

The Mayo Clinic: One More Big Reason to Move to Scottsdale

The Mayo Clinic is consistently ranked as one of the top hospitals in the country. Its' very name is synonymous with top notch medical care. And it's another BIG reason to consider making Scottsdale, Arizona your home. There are only three states that have a Mayo Clinic location - and one of those states is Arizona.

The Arizona Mayo Clinic is located on a 284 acre plot of the Sonoran Desert in Scottsdale, right at the foot of the McDowell Mountains. It is a wonderful place to renew your health, away from everyday stress.

Mayo Clinic describes itself as "a not-for-profit medical practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of virtually every type of complex illness." It is the world's largest integrated, not-for-profit medical group, with over 2,500 doctors.

It's no secret that if you have a serious illness, there is nowhere you could go for better care than Mayo. We who live in Scottsdale or Phoenix are lucky enough to have this world class facility right in our own back yard.

If you have a serious medical condition and could benefit from living near Mayo, please contact Choice Group Realty today. A better life awaits you!

Dealing with the Arizona Heat

It gets hot here in Arizona - both in the desert and in the cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale. If you are moving here from a cooler location, there are some things you need to keep in mind for your own health and the health of others. Follow these rules and you will beat the heat:

If you are working or playing outside on a hot day, keep water nearby. And it is best not to be by yourself.

Do not go to sleep outside exposed to the sun.

NEVER leave children or pets in a car on a hot day. The temperature in the car will only be magnified, and it can be extremely dangerous.

It might be best to leave your air conditioning running to maintain a constant temperature in your home.

Do not walk barefoot outside on a hot day.

Do not touch metal objects that have been sitting in the sun.

Now, this advice can be applied to just about anywhere in the U.S. in the summertime - but Arizona is one of the hottest states, so these tips are even more critical here. We love the sun out here, but if you're not respectful of its power, you can really get burned...literally!

Arizona LEARNS - Researching Arizona Schools For Your Children

In 2002, Arizona governor Jane Dee Hull signed House Bill 2658, also known as "Arizona LEARNS." Arizona LEARNS is a rating system for Arizona schools that assigns one of four categories to schools:

Underperforming - does not yet meet state performance and progress goals.

Maintaining Performance - meets state performance goals; needs improvement to meet progress goals.

Improving - Exceeds state performance and progress goals.

Excelling - for grades K - 8, 90% of pupils passed all subject areas of the AIMS test and achieved one year of academic progress in all subject areas of the Arizona measure of academic progress; for grades 9 - 12, 90% of pupils passed all subject areas of the AIMS test, the dropout rate is 6% or less, and the school's graduation rate is 90% or better.

The current ratings are based on three years of performance. Arizona has received federal grant money that is to be used to improve underperforming schools.

If you would like to check on the scores of schools in an area where you are considering relocating, you can access this information at the following web site:

http://www.ade.az.gov/srcs/main.asp

The site has search functionality that lets you search for particular schools by school name, district, or zip code. You can also learn much more about Arizona's public schools here.

If you would like help locating the perfect home to go along with the perfect school for your children, contact Choice Group Realty. We're here to help!

Scottsdale, Arizona: the Green City

In 2005, Scottsdale, Arizona became the first city in the U.S. to adopt a Gold policy from the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based national standards program for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings that is sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Scottsdale resolution which adopted the LEED Gold program requires that any new occupied city buildings be designed to achieve certification. Also, future building renovations and new non-occupied buildings should include as many LEED principles as possible.

Prior to the passing of the Gold policy resolution, way back in 1998, Scottsdale established the first Green Building Program in Arizona, which was a residential building program designed to encourage environmentally friendly building.

Last week, the Granite Reef Senior Center in Scottsdale became the city's first new building to be awarded LEED Gold certification. Also, last year, more than a third of all new single family building permits were for "green" homes.

So why should any of this matter to you? We just wanted to point out the environmentally aware culture of Scottsdale. This is a town that is on the cutting edge in terms of proscribing building measures that will insure the least negative impact to our environment and that reduce energy consumption. If you are an environment/energy-conscious person, there is no other city in the United States with more positive, "greener" residences that Scottsdale.

Choice Group Realty can help you find your perfect "green" home. Call us today!

Phoenix, Arizona: Let's Go River Rafting!

Today we thought we would talk a little about one of the greatest activities you can do while in the Phoenix, Arizona area: river rafting. Rafting is the act of utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other body of water. It is usually done on what is called "whitewater," which is water that has a bubbly, frothy appearance because of the rapid and unstable current. Whitewater rafting is an incredibly exhilarating experience, and central Arizona has some of the finest rafting in all the world. Following are a few companies you can contact to arrange a river rafting trip here:

Mild to Wild Rafting - www.mild2wildrafting.com - rafting tours on the Salt and Verde Rivers in lengths ranging from an afternoon to multi-day.

Desert Voyagers Guided Rafting Tour - www.desertvoyagers.com - specializing in trips that combine a desert jeep tour with river rafting.

Salt River Tubing & Recreation - www.saltrivertubing.com - spend the day or afternoon tubing the Lower Salt River rapids near Mesa, Arizona.

There are more rafting companies to choose from. We just wanted to get you started. If you do venture out into the river, remember to wear your life vest, wear shoes (to protect your feet from the rocky river bottom), stay sober, use sun block, and drink lots of water. Now get out there and experience some real river rafting, like only Arizona offers!

Cinco de Mayo, Cyclo de Mayo and More Good Times in Scottsdale

Here in this part of the country, we have a special fondness for Cinco de Mayo. Scottsdale will host this year's Cinco de Mayo festival at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall on Friday, May 4th. The festival will include a performance by the Scottsdale International Club dancers, as well as music from other performers and arts & crafts, dancing, and lots more for the whole family.

Scottsdale is also hosting an event called Cyclo de Mayo, which is a series of 1o bicycle races held in the 5th Avenue area on Sunday, May 6th. The races take place on a half-mile, grand prix style course. There will be live bands and a kid zone. For more information, visit www.proconcyclingaz.com.

If bicycling isn't your thing, how about some frisbee? The Ultimate Frisbee Association is holding a tournament at CAP Basin Sports Complex. Ultimate frisbee is a sport similar to football, except the players pass a frisbee instead of a ball. You have to see it to believe it.

These are only a few of the activities going on this weekend around the city of Scottsdale, Arizona. This high energy city is always providing its citizens with plenty to do.

If you would like to learn how to make Scottsdale YOUR home, just give us a call!

The Apache Trail...Superstition Mountains...the Mystery of Apache Trail, Arizona

Apache Junction is a small town in our areas of coverage, and one of the more unique ones. The town of approximately 32 thousand is located on the border of Pinal and Maricopa County. It takes its name from its proximity to the junction of the Apache Trail and Highway 60. Apache Junction (which the locals often call "AJ") is a popular retirement destination. It lacks the glamour of some of its neighboring towns but retains more of that Old West spirit.

Much of the popular film Raising Arizona was filmed there, which is appropriate given the curious nature of the town. For instance, the town is situated at the start of the Apache Trail, which was a stagecoach trail through the Superstition Mountains. The Superstition Mountains, often referred to as "the Superstitions", are a beautiful range of dessert mountains that now anchor the federally-designated Superstition Mountain Wilderness Area.

Apache Junction is also said to be in the general area of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, a legendary gold mine that, according to its tale, is cursed or protected by spirit guardians. The area is now a designated wilderness area and mining is not allowed.

To say there is a lot of history and legend associated with the land that is now Apache Junction would be an understatement.

If you'd like to give Apache Junction a try, call us today. We can show your properties there, as well as Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, and many more towns and neighborhoods. We're here to help you find your perfect home.

The Importance of Prequalification in Finding Your Perfect Arizona Home

There are a lot of homes on the Phoenix/Scottsdale markets right now. This is a natural occurrence that has resulted from a slight downswing in the very strong housing market the last few years. As we stated in our last post, it's a buyer's market. But before you run out and start talking to real estate agents, there is one step we recommend you take that could save you a lot of time and frustration: prequalification!

Prequalification does not commit you to anything. It usually doesn't cost you anything. It simply lets you know how much buying power you have to acquire your new home. This is invaluable information to have when it comes time to actually find your perfect home, and it will help you realtor help you save a tremendous amount of time.

To get prequalified, you will have to be able to provide accurate information regarding your monthly expenses and income, as well as your credit history. You don't want to hide anything, because you will be discovered and it will only prolong the process.

Choice Mortgage Company offers numerous flexible programs (including 100% financing) and fast and easy processing. Call us today to help us start getting your financing ready to purchase your Arizona dream home.

Arizona Home Sales: It's a Buyer's Market in the Valley

The real estate marketing in our areas (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, etc.) is in the midst of somewhat of a correction. There has been a lot of speculation nationwide about the bottom falling out of the housing market. We fear no such bottom here. Why? Because the economy here has always been strong and it continues to be strong, and we have a diverse housing market.

BUT...if you're looking to buy a home in this area, conditions are in your favor (especially relative to last year), so the time to take action is NOW. Don't wait until the market heats back up. At the present time, we are experiencing somewhat of a normalization as demand tries to catch up with supply. So you may be able to purchase more home for your money right now than you could last year, but that may not be the case a few months from now.

In general, Arizona is an affordable housing market, especially relative to our neighbors in California. That fact, combined with the present softening of the market, make this the ideal location and time for home purchasers looking to move to a pleasant climate while maximizing their home purchase value.

There will be no bust in our housing marketing because of our strong economy and strong job growth. So buyers should take advantage of a flattening of home prices while there is still time. Call Choice Group Realty today and we will walk you through the process of finding your perfect home and use our connections to help you get it financed.