Thursday, April 11, 2019

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Real Estate update. For more info see www.fuscorealty.net

Mortgage Payments Drop $50 per Month on a Median Priced Home

Listings Under Contract Up 19% in 5 Weeks!

For Buyers:

Buyers got a break last month as 30-year mortgage rates dropped significantly from an average of 4.41% to 4.08%, which is the lowest they have been since January 2018. On a $267,000 home (the median sales price in Greater Phoenix) the drop equated to nearly $50 per month in savings on principle and interest, which was enough to get many buyers off the couch and looking for homes. This rate drop combined with an increased conventional loan limit up to $484K and a 32% increase in weekly seller price reductions meant that price ranges between $200K all the way up to $800K saw a combined 19% increase in contracts written over the last 5 weeks. Contract activity is expected to increase at this time of year anyway due to seasonality, but last year over the same 5 weeks it only increased 8.6%. For buyers who are still waiting for prices to begin declining, their wait just got longer.

For Sellers:

The drop in mortgage rates could not have come at a better time for sellers. Up until 6 weeks ago the negotiating advantage sellers have been enjoying for years in Greater Phoenix had weakened to the point where the market was on track to enter balance within a matter of months and price appreciation would have begun to slow even more. However by April 4th the average 30-year mortgage rate (as reported by Freddie Mac) had dropped to a 15-month low. This spurred buyer activity and resulted in Listings Under Contract, which were 10.2% below 2018 last month, to sharply increase and surpass 2018’s April count by 0.8%. Currently sales volume is down 9.6% from last April, however when these contracts close escrow over the next 4-6 weeks May and June should fare much better. Don’t get too excited though, the seller market is still much weaker than last year. Affordability and demand were helped by this interest rate drop but could quickly be negated as prices continue to rise. Sellers still need to be mindful of their asking price to get under contract before buyer activity seasonally begins to decline between May and the end of the year.

Commentary written by Tina Tamboer, Senior Housing Analyst with The Cromford Report

©2019 Cromford Associates LLC and Tamboer Consulting LLC

Monday, April 1, 2019

Consider These Creative Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund.

Consider These Creative Ways
to Spend Your Tax Refund.
Tax season is, perhaps, the one time of year that nearly everyone dreads. However, many people enjoy a silver lining in the form of a tax refund, which may provide an unexpected (although typically minor) infusion of cash. While it may be tempting to spend your tax refund on a temporary pleasure, such as a shopping spree or dinner at an expensive restaurant, using the extra money strategically can yield future benefits.
Here are a few creative ways to use your tax refund—that you probably won’t hear about from your financial advisor:
- Start a “freedom fund.” Do you ever have days when you just want to quit your job and take some time to regroup until you figure out your next step? Should you ever decide to do so, a freedom fund is a savings account designed to financially sustain you. Ideally, it should be separate from your regular savings and left untouched until you need it. At the very least, a freedom fund will provide you with peace of mind that you have alternatives if your job becomes unbearable.
- Invest in personal development. Between work, family, and all the other stresses of life, many people put personal development on the back burner. Personal development may include taking steps to improve your career in the long-term by cultivating your skill set, reaching fitness goals, pursuing a hobby or personal passion, or simply taking more time for relaxation and self-care. Regardless of what personal development means to you, the extra money from your tax refund may be used to help advance your goals. For example, you may consider using the funds to take a course, obtain a certification, or hire a life or career coach.
- Check off an item on your bucket list. While tackling the items on your bucket list may be a splurge, it is a splurge that is strategically designed to fulfill important goals that you’ve set for your life. By applying your tax refund toward your dream vacation, a special item that you’d like to buy, or an experience you want to have, you will ensure that the money is spent on something meaningful to you rather than an indulgence you’ll ultimately regret.
- Cultivate some goodwill. If you are interested in investing your tax refund in the joy of giving back, there are countless options for doing so. In addition to standard charities, microloans offer a great way to help someone else—either domestically or abroad—achieve their dreams. Microloans are small, short-term loans with low interest rates that are offered to entrepreneurs who may have trouble accessing traditional loans due to a lack of collateral or credit history.

Friday, March 15, 2019

Kids things to do. 3/15/19

Happy St. Patrick’s Day weekend! Wear green to the 36th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Family Faire, support kids at the Run to Fight Children’s Cancer at Grand Canyon University or hear the Oscar-winning “Star Wars” score performed live by the Phoenix Symphony. Plus “Cirque du Soleil: Amaluna” and much more!

Childsplay stages "The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show" in Phoenix
See vibrant color and gigantic puppets galore at the Arizona premiere of this show based on Eric Carle’s classic children’s books. It takes the stage March 17-April 21 at Herberger Theater Center.

Raising Outdoor Kids: Learning to paddleboard 
Stand-up paddleboarding is not something most people think of when considering outdoor recreation in the desert. Yet, there are many opportunities to do it, each with a unique Arizona landscape as a backdrop.

Spring Break: Despite the traffic, Los Angeles offers overlooked family fun
It’s easy to dismiss L.A. — with nightmarish traffic and overpriced hotels — as a family-friendly vacation spot. But here are several gems that make it worth a road trip.

GCU hosts Run to Fight Children's Cancer Saturday
Gwyn Satterlee, 7, is the honorary race starter for the Run to Fight Children’s Cancer this Saturday at Grand Canyon University. It’s the largest race in Arizona dedicated solely to pediatric cancer, and it helps families battling the disease.

Spring Break Camps
Still need a fun, safe environment for kids during spring break? It’s not too late. Here are more than two dozen local kids venues with day or weeklong camps.

Summer Camp: Theater camps in metro Phoenix
Summon your child’s inner drama queen (or king) and put it to creative good use at one of the Valley’s many theater camps for kids — from improvisation to Shakespeare.

RAK Giveaway
Here’s a chance to win four tickets to Childsplay's production of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show,” onstage March 17-April 21 at Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Kids things to do

Winter Art Series Begins This Wed. Please Read All The Way Down...
This Wednesday, January 16th - The Art of Romero Britto.
PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL WITH YOUR FRIENDS...
Get Them Involved In Their Local Library..

Free Winter Art Series For Kids at Sunrise Mountain Library

Sponsored by a City of Peoria Art Grant and the Friends of the Peoria Public Library.
Three January Wednesdays - 1/161/23 and 1/30Ages 6-12 years old.
Join in the fun as we explore the lives of great artists and our own creativity as we complete personal works of art! 
Must Be Able To Attend Independently. No Sign Up Required. Drop In after school between 3 p.m.—4:15 p.m. To Start, Ends at 5 p.m. Project takes—45 Min to 1 Hour.
 Wed. Jan. 16th - Artist Romero Britto Pop Art Design Basics
Wed. Jan. 23rd  Watercolor Basics— A Circular Perspective
Wed. Jan. 30th - Artist Robert Indiana—Cubism with a Pop Art Twist. 


Valentine Family Art Afternoon
Wed. Feb. 13th 3 - 5 p.m. Ages 2-12. Sunrise Mountain Library.
Theme - All You Need Is Love.  Beatles Lyrics as Art & A Family Project - Celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Day. Drop By Afterschool.

It's time to show the love! Join us as we make Valentine gifts, cards and more for those we love. There are projects for all age groups. Just drop in afterschool between 3-5 p.m. to make a Valentine project or take them home to work on as a family!  


2019 Lego Club Dates Announced Through May!
Hosted By LegoMaster Randy Proch
It’s Fun - Each Month You Will Learn A New Lego Concept & Build Great Lego Creations. Join Us! Ages 6-12 years. 2 p.m.- 3 p.m. No Sign Up Required.
A Register To Win Prize Each Month.
Saturday, February 9th, 2019 Topic: Bridges
Saturday, March 9th, 2019 Topic: Building A City
No Lego Club In April
Saturday, May 11th, 2019 Topic: Star Wars


Save The Date! Bravo Peoria Book Sale..
Fri. March 1st 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sat. March 2nd 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunrise Mountain Library Community Room. The sale will feature a large selection of children's books, DVDs, CDs, Books on CD, gifts and toys and other select non-fiction categories. All sales benefit our Peoria Libraries.


 Please Help Us - We Are In Great Need Of Donations.

Donation Drive - We Need Kid's Books, Fiction and Non-Fiction Books, DVDs, CDs, Video Games & Craft Supplies! The Friends are very grateful for donations of hardback or paperback books, children’s books, cookbooks, magazines, DVDs and CDs. Please bring your donations to the Library’s front desk. Tax donation receipts are available. We regret, due to space and processing concerns, that we are unable to accept materials that are dusty, dirty, missing  covers, smoke filled or  water damaged,  encyclopedias, VHS & cassette tapes, textbooks over 5 years old or magazines over 6 months old, except for AZ Highways and National Geo.
Need A Birthday Gift? Donate A Book in Honor
The Books In Honor Program - A unique and special gift!

Donate A Book To Your Local Library In Honor of Someone Special.
The Gift That Celebrates Your Special Someone & Benefits Your Community
Check Out Our New Video!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5cnwYFgbtc
For a minimum tax deductible donation of $25, you can place a book in your local library to celebrate a family member, friend, teacher, volunteer or someone special in your life! For additional information, please see the BIH Form Below! Forms are available at both branches.
Please Support Our Generous Sponsors

Culver's Restaurant. 8330 West Deer Valley Road, Peoria.
Thank you Zach, Autumn and the crew at Culver's for joining our team! We appreciate your support of our FREE programs. Great coupons are available at the Library or click on the link below to print or bring this email in on your cell phone. Join E–Club For Coupons and Deals.Sign up at www.Culvers.com, just click on Delicious Perks to join their e-club and receive a FREE single scoop of frozen custard!

Kohl’s Lake Pleasant Store – Cheers to our wonderful Kohl’s Associates in Action Team. The store is located at Lake Pleasant Towne Center, 10072 West Happy Valley Road, Peoria, AZ 85383-1229

Dairy Queen – Lake Pleasant Wal-Mart Center. Please congratulate Mr. Kalra on his new, fourth store in Goodyear! Order your cakes online at www.dqcakes.com! Coupons available in the SML Recycled Reading area.

HomeSmart Realty - Yvonne Owens,  Realtor.  When you use Yvonne mention FRIENDS and sellers will receive professional pictures of their home and buyers will receive a complimentary initial termite inspection. Yvonne has received the Platinum Award from Real Living and the Bronze Category by WeMAR for Achievement in Sales. Contact at (602)332-4413 or at YvonneOwens@cox.net for your real estate needs.

Legacy Traditional School, Peoria. Legacy Traditional School Peoria is now enrolling kindergarten through 8th grade for the 2018/2019 school year.  We provide a back to basics education with an accelerated curriculum. Legacy uses Spalding for language arts, Saxon math, and we include P.E., computers, Spanish, art, and a Mozart music program.  Legacy instills character, citizenship, and patriotism on all of our campuses. LTS is located at 7877 W. Hillcrest Boulevard, Peoria, AZ 85383. Legacy Traditional School is Arizona’s highest rated K-8 school network and believes there is no limit to what a student can achieve with a great education and strong character. We serve 14,600 students across 13 campuses in Arizona and Nevada. Learn more at www.legacytraditional.org. For additional information, please call 623-299-9825.

NextCare Urgent Care  www.nextcare.com   Try their WAHOO (Wait at home or office) feature before your next visit.  NCUC is located at 20470 North Lake Pleasant Road #102, Peoria, AZ., across from Bashas.

The Peoria Sunset Lions www.peoria-sunset-lions.org   Collection boxes for used cellphone and eyeglasses are in available in both libraries. The Lions meet the second and fourth Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Brother’s Restaurant in downtown Peoria.

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