Almost all Real Estate Agents know that good pictures are extremely important in marketing your home. I can’t think of a single thing that is more important the good high quality pictures. I state this some what reluctantly as when I peruse the local MLS I’m dumb founded by the lack of pictures, let alone the lack of quality pictures. If 97% of all Real Estate Transactions begin on the internet, what do you think they are looking at? Pictures!

One really simple way to improve the quality of your pictures is Pole Aerial Photography or PAP and it won’t cost you a fortune to get started. All you need is a painters pole and a pole pixie. A pole pixie is nothing more then an inexpensive adapter that allows you to attach your camera to a standard pole.

You can get  a 16′ extendable painters pole at Lowes, Home Depot or Ace. That’s all you need! Obviously the better your equipment the better the pictures but for this tip we’re just staying to the basics. You probably already own a smartphone. Just get a spare case and glue a compatible nut to it, set the phone on camera and a 5 second delay, hoist and shoot. Yup your shooting blind but digital is cheap. Just repeat if you didn’t get the shot.

Wide angle is important! There are many wide angle attachments for your phone or point and shoot camera and I would highly recommend them.

Here’s 2 images shot from the same place except one is shot as a PAP.

 

Spring is here in “the valley of the sun” and everyone across the country. Many people are packing up, leaving their winter real estate behind, and getting ready to head back to their home places in the likes of Chicago, Ohio, Wisconsin and all over Canada as their cold winter season is over.

For those who are staying here in the valley, mainly those who live, work, and play full time here, we all know what the rules are when we deal with the very hot sun here. For those visiting the valley this summer, you can leave your flannels, scarves, and jackets behind. It’s going to be hot!

Keep in mind, summer here is quite different here than the areas containing tons of humidity. It could be a 100 degrees for dry heat and it’s quite comfortable by comparison of only 85 degrees weather conditions containing hazy, hot and humid elements. Monsoon season, which begins in July, will have some sticky weather at times, and an occasional storm may appear providing spectacular lightning shows, especially at night.

As the sun beats down on you and the heat reaches 120, the routine from heat exhaustion and protection remains the same just like everywhere else.

Learn not to Burn:

• Apply Sunscreen.
• Limit outdoor exercise and strenuous activity.
• Wear loose fitting and light clothing.
• For those who like to drink beer or any forms of alcoholic beverages, and pop, I have bad news.  Keep those in the refrigerator. Consider water, fruit and vegetable juices.
• Never leave anyone unattended in the car, not even for a second.
• If you feel any signs heat exhaustion, go inside and perhaps seek medical attention.

This list is pretty much the routine of common sense, of course. The best time to be outside during the Arizona summer is anytime after 6:00PM through about 11:00 in the morning.

One more advice I forgot to mention. Take a dip in the pool!  There are so many places to go with pools. Plus, there are homes here in the valley with pools. If you don’t have a pool, and don’t want to deal with personal pool maintenance, there are many condominiums all over the valley with pools, including Scottsdale. Here are some of luxurious resort style condominiums you may want to consider here in Scottsdale that have pools, and the Homeowner’s Association (HOA) does all the work for you.

Scottsdale Real Estate and Condominiums For Sale:

Cachet at McDowell Mountain Ranch

Grayhawk Condomniums

McCormick Ranch

The Sage

 

Mark Gridley, TecKNOW Real Estate Agent
eXp Realty Fountain Hills, AZ
Mark.Gridley@PhoenixPowerSearch.com
48o.818.5155
http://fountainhillsinformation.com/
Fountain Hills Real Estate
Arizona Buyers Advisory 

As your buyer’s real estate agent, I strive to be sure the contracts are signed and delivered properly to the listing agent as accurately and fast as possible. At times, getting the contract signed on paper, scanned then emailed, mailing it or delivered at the listing agent’s office  can be an absolute hastle. These days are beginning to end fast. Officially, it has ended for me.

I am one of those agents who is determined to take care of you fast. That said, I have implemented my strategies of working up the details of delivering purchase contracts as fast as possible. It’s critical knowing that the Phoenix market is low on housing inventory these days. It’s time to pick up the pace to get the offer signed, sealed, and delivered as quickly as possible. I am not in this business to lose, and you are not in buying game to lose as a result of slow delivery speed.

As we walk through a home, you look at all the things you like about the home. You think of how like the floor layout, the condition, the location, the lot, and literally everything about the home. Your mindset races and then all of the sudden, Bam! You pulled the trigger to make an offer right now. You are in luck with me as your buyer’s agent.

My job is to present to you the contract on the spot, through my iPad. We work up the details of the purchase contract to be submitted to the listing agent as we are in the home. Through me, you are able to sign the contract on my iPad and then it is immediately delivered to the listing agent right away without any hastle. So, how do you like that? Timing is everything, but the rest of the forms can go later, including Homeowner’s Association, if there is one, and Market Conditions clause. We will work up all details together inside the home. This process will take in a matter of minutes. The only thing in question is. How long will it take for the sellers to respond?

As we work together to make offers, I would like to preview you of the following real estate in various areas with high walk score ratings. This means offers could come fast!

Old Town Scottsdale Condominiums For Sale:

Showing properties 1 – 1 of 1. See more Old Town Scottsdale community real estate.
(all data current as of 2/20/2012)

1. $314,900 : 7770 E Camelback Road, Unit 3, Scottsdale
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 2,377 sq ft

   Lot size: 4,404 sq ft

   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Fountain Hills Real Estate For Sale:

Showing properties 1 – 5 of 500+. See more city of Fountain Hills real estate.
(all data current as of 2/20/2012)

1. $154,900 : 16677 E Westby Drive, Unit 205, Fountain Hills
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,284 sq ft

   
2. $179,900 : 16734 E La Montana Drive, Unit 205, Fountain Hills
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,430 sq ft

   
3. $2,600 : 16677 E Westby Drive, Unit 201, Fountain Hills
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,284 sq ft

   
4. $3,500 : 16800 E El Lago Boulevard, Unit 2046, Fountain Hills
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,873 sq ft

   
5. $179,900 : 16636 E Westby Drive, Unit 201, Fountain Hills
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,190 sq ft

   Lot size: 1,769 sq ft

   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Paradise Valley Real Estate For Sale:

Showing properties 1 – 5 of 352. See more city of Paradise Valley real estate.
(all data current as of 2/20/2012)

1. $106,000 : 7008 E Gold Dust Avenue, Unit 207, Paradise Valley
   
   3 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,153 sq ft

   Lot size: 1,168 sq ft

   
2. $94,900 : 9990 N Scottsdale Road, Unit 2011, Paradise Valley
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,095 sq ft

   Lot size: 937 sq ft

   
3. $109,900 : 6885 E Cochise Road, Unit 213, Paradise Valley
   
   1 bed, 1.00 baths

   Home size: 740 sq ft

   Lot size: 742 sq ft

   
4. $145,000 : 6885 E Cochise Road, Unit 208, Paradise Valley
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,049 sq ft

   
5. $90,000 : 9990 N Scottsdale Road, Unit 2018, Paradise Valley
   
   1 bed, 1.00 baths

   Home size: 701 sq ft

   Lot size: 706 sq ft

   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Phoenix – Desert Ridge Real Estate For Sale:

Showing properties 1 – 5 of 31. See more Desert Ridge community real estate.
(all data current as of 2/20/2012)

1. $215,000 : 4735 E Abraham Lane, Phoenix
   
   3 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,540 sq ft

   Lot size: 4,646 sq ft

   
2. $212,000 : 21802 N 48th Street, Phoenix
   
   3 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,322 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,090 sq ft

   
3. $215,000 : 4823 E Melinda Lane, Phoenix
   
   3 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,540 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,121 sq ft

   
4. $175,000 : 5450 E Deer Valley Drive, Unit 1012, Phoenix
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,246 sq ft

   
5. $424,900 : 4501 E Sands Drive, Phoenix
   
   4 beds, 2.50 baths

   Home size: 2,511 sq ft

   Lot size: 10,283 sq ft

   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Phoenix – Arcadia Real Estate For Sale:

Showing properties 1 – 5 of 6. See more Arcadia community real estate.
(all data current as of 2/20/2012)

1. $159,000 : 4345 E Cheery Lynn Road, Phoenix
   
   3 beds, 1.00 baths

   Home size: 1,148 sq ft

   Lot size: 8,969 sq ft

   
2. $139,900 : 1815 N 50th Street, Phoenix
   
   3 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,969 sq ft

   Lot size: 9,548 sq ft

   
3. $589,500 : 6105 E Osborn Road, Scottsdale
   
   3 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 2,276 sq ft

   Lot size: 13,725 sq ft

   
4. $895,000 : 4002 N 54th Place, Phoenix
   
   4 beds, 3.50 baths

   Home size: 3,226 sq ft

   Lot size: 17,929 sq ft

   
5. $22,000 : 5844 E Lafayette Boulevard, Phoenix
   
   5 beds, 6.00 baths

   Home size: 5,441 sq ft

   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Opening its second spring season is this beautiful state of the art facility that’s home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies, prior of their departures from Tuscon.  Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is situated on Native American Indian land. What’s unique about the ballpark is it’s the only park used by teams in Major League Baseball that was built on Native American Indian land also. The Rockies and the Diamondbacks take pride in being part of the Indian community. The ballpark is surrounded with the Talking Stick Resort, so after the game, you can go to the casino for a few rounds of black jack or live entertainment. Just west of the ballpark is the Municipality of Scottsdale and the McCormick Ranch area. There are many properties available and close to the ballpark.

Lets Talk Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball:

Arizona’s favorite team really shocked the baseball world this past season with stellar performances by this young club. They have proven to the world that they can compete with the best in baseball, including their divisional foe and 2010 World Champions, San Francisco Giants. Manager Kirk Gibson was the key of the Diamondbacks’ success in his managerial skills in winning the National League West Division crown, only to come just short in the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

I am looking at the hitting team this year. I don’t have any question that the Diamondbacks are armed and ready to contend for at least another wild card spot or the championship in their division. Again, I do believe their projected #3 hitter Justin Upton will be the key of success for Arizona. Last year at the shortstop position, Stephen Drew was hit with an ankle injury and the question remains if he will be back on the field by opening day or not. Will Drew be ready to go or will they rely on Willie Bloomquist again at the leadoff position? Overall, this lineup will be strong again and feel their new left fielder, Jason Kubel will be a huge asset of this team. If the right chemistry is there in the line-up, I do believe they have enough offensively to make another run for the playoffs again.

The Diamondbacks are back in full force in pitching as well. You have a good core of young talent on the team, which really could set this team up for years to come. It would be interesting to see what Ian Kennedy will do this year, just after he came short of winning the Cy Young award. I don’t doubt he will have another repeat performance. I do like the pick up of Trevor Cahill from Oakland, though he will have a transition to the National League from the American League that has the Designated Hitter. The rotation is good and the pen should be even better this year. We know what JJ Putz can do as the D-Backs closer.

Overall, the Diamondbacks have a huge advantage all around. They have a manager who has been exposed to playoff baseball numerous times. Their divisional competition is tough as well. This National League Division is still wide open. If Kirk Gibson manages the team to a championship caliber team in 2012, look out.

Lets Talk Colorado Rockies Baseball:

The 2011 season was disappointing for the Rockies. Now that’s behind them, they are looking ahead for a better season in 2012. They dealt with injuries and the rest was just awful. The pitching was inconsistent and they knew changes had to be made to prepare for the 2012 campaign. The position players had a difficult season and the Diamondbacks won in their division.

As I look at this team for the 2012 season, they had to make the moves and picked up some key positional players who could put this team back in the playoff hunt. They picked up an All-Star from the Minnesota Twins, Michael Cuddyer will start for them in right field. Casey Blake at 3^rdbase is a good pick up for them and should make some noise and provide good veteran leadership for the Rockies. Without a doubt, their two bright spots in the lineup of Carlos Gonzales at Left Field and shortstop Tony Tulowitzki will pick up where they left off from 2011. The Rockies do have some players who are All-Star caliber and some of the key moves could really make them pretend the 2011 season didn’t happen. Chemistry in the lineup isn’t yet determined.

The 2011 pitching staff was an absolute disaster. Of course, those off season moves had to be made and they made some key moves, of which I like. Their number one pickup Jeremy Gutherie from Baltimore is a good pick up. Yes, his Earned Run Average was over 4.00 last season, but he has the longevity to stay on the mound as he pitched over 200 innings each of the last three seasons. The bullpen can rest a little easier. Guillermo Moscoco and Jhoulys Chacin are solid starters despite losing records in 2011.  Rafael Bettancourt is a solid pitcher in the pen and could really provide the Rockies a good number of saves this year. Pitching coach, Bob Apodaca will have his work cut out for him to get this staff going in a place full of thin air at elevation 5,280.

Overall, the Rockies will be competitive. I really like the additions they made in hitting. Pitching is in question, but if  Manager, Jim Tracy can get this team ready and overcome some obstacles, I feel the Colorado Rockies could be in playoff contention this year.

As the Diamondbacks fans have homes here, I will provide real estate information to fans from Colorado. I will be glad to assist and welcome Rockies’ fans in finding real estate. I have all the keys! Welcome Rockies fans!

Scottsdale Real Estate For Sale for Colorado Rockies Fans:

In vicinity of Salt River Fields at Talking Stick:

Showing properties 1 – 10 of 381. See more 85258 zip code real estate.
(all data current as of 2/13/2012)

1. $139,500 : 9450 N 95th Street, Unit 201, Scottsdale
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,164 sq ft

   Lot size: 126 sq ft

   
2. $179,900 : 8750 E Via De La Luna –, Scottsdale
   
   3 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,465 sq ft

   Lot size: 167 sq ft

   
3. $475,000 : 7525 E Gainey Ranch Road, Unit 128, Scottsdale
   
   2 beds, 2.50 baths

   Home size: 2,392 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,908 sq ft

   
4. $349,500 : 8520 N 85th Street, Scottsdale
   
   4 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 2,073 sq ft

   Lot size: 10,414 sq ft

   
5. $230,000 : 8653 E Royal Palm Road, Unit 2008, Scottsdale
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,121 sq ft

   Lot size: 180 sq ft

   
6. $215,000 : 8726 E San Pedro Drive, Scottsdale
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,949 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,125 sq ft

   
7. $425,000 : 8989 N Gainey Center Drive, Unit 148, Scottsdale
   
   2 beds, 3.00 baths

   Home size: 2,113 sq ft

   Lot size: 1,797 sq ft

   
8. $799,000 : 10148 E Topaz Drive, Scottsdale
   
   3 beds, 3.50 baths

   Home size: 3,426 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,750 sq ft

   
9. $125,000 : 9125 E Purdue Avenue, Unit 108, Scottsdale
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,084 sq ft

   Lot size: 1,084 sq ft

   
10. $250,000 : 10191 N 105th Way, Scottsdale
    
    2 beds, 2.00 baths

    Home size: 2,041 sq ft

    Lot size: 4,480 sq ft

    

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.