Top 10 Things to do in the Greater Phoenix Area This 4th of July

Southwest Ambulance Arizona Celebration of Freedom
Mesa gets the party started early the Friday and Saturday before Independence Day. This festival features a family fun zone, wet zones, beer gardens, food booths and music on a variety of stages. The High Octane Car Show will feature classic, custom, hot-rod and lowrider cars, while the Cox Freedom Plaza will have the Fallen Heroes Memorial, the world's largest Lego American flag and Childsplay's "Rock the Presidents." Actor-singer-producer John Schneider will perform and emcee various events, and the whole thing will wrap up with a fireworks show. Special room rates are offered at Marriott Phoenix Mesa.
When: 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 29-30.
Where: Main Street between Morris and Centennial Way, downtown Mesa.
Admission: Free.
Details: 480-644-4600, azcelebrationoffreedom.org

Harold's Corral Third of July Fireworks
You might want to mosey on up to Cave Creek for Harold's annual free fireworks show Tuesday, July 3. You can enjoy an outdoor barbecue with live music inside and out, and face painting, shaved ice and a mobile game truck for the kids. Book a room at the Tumbleweed Hotel, and you'll get a free shuttle to and from Harold's as well as a fireworks table reservation.
When: 5:30 p.m., with fireworks at sunset July 3.
Where: 6895 E. Cave Creek Road.
Admission: Open seating is free, reserved seating $5-$20.
Details: 480-488-1906, haroldscorral.com.

Surprise 30th Annual 4th of July Celebration
Surprise will celebrate the Fourth with a minor league game between the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels. Bargain hunters can find $1 peanuts and popcorn and $2 hot dogs and soda. A fireworks show set to patriotic music is 8:30 p.m. This is a ticketed event, limited to the first 10,000 fans, with a maximum of six tickets per family. Admission is free with a canned-food donation to benefit local food banks. Surprise residents can guarantee seats by picking up tickets early at the Community & Recreation Services Office, 15960 N. Bullard Ave.
When: Gates open at 4:30 p.m., 5:30 game and 8:30 fireworks Wednesday, July 4.
Where: Surprise Recreation Campus, 15850 N. Bullard Ave.
Admission: Free tickets to the first 10,000 fans with a canned food donation. Tickets required.
Details: 623-222-2000, surpriseaz.gov

Independence Day Music Festival
Country music superstars Miranda Lambert and Darius Rucker co-headline the annual festival, which will also feature Edens Edge. Lambert took home female vocalist of the year awards from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, and Rucker sang for Hootie & the Blowfish before reinventing himself as a country star in 2008. This festival includes a pre- and post-party with food, beverages and music along with a fireworks display on the Colorado Rockies practice fields after the concert.
When: 3 p.m. free pre-party, 5:30 concert and 10:30 fireworks Tuesday, July 3.
When: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Salt River Reservation.
Admission: $22-$89, free admission for children who sit on laps. Fireworks viewing is free with $10 parking.
Details: 480-270-5000, saltriverfields.com

After Dark in the Park
Celebrate a little early at this free event featuring food vendors, live music and bounce houses for kids. Bring your blanket and a picnic basket to enjoy during the fireworks or sample cuisine from local food vendors.
When: 7-9 p.m., with 8:45 fireworks, Saturday, June 30.
Where: Deer Valley Park, 19602 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix.
Admission: Free.
Details: 602-495-3735, phoenix.gov/parks/fabphx4.html.

July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival
Grab your blanket and head to Tempe Beach Park for live entertainment, including rock, pop and reggae. After working up a sweat in the inflatable village and rock wall at the Family Fun Fest, get a cool-down at the Azcentral.com splash playground. The food court will featureJuly 4 fare, while those 21 and older can enjoy the Budweiser Beer Gardens. The main attraction is a fireworks show from the Mill Avenue Bridge, choreographed to patriotic and classical music. Arrive early for a good spot on the lawn.
When: Gates open at 5 p.m., with 9:20 fireworks, Wednesday, July 4.
Where: 80 W Rio Salado Parkway.
Admission: In advance: $5 at select Tempe outlets; $6 Valley-wide at Fry's. Day of event: $8 or two for $15. Children younger than 12 admitted free. VIP Garden tickets: $60 for adults, $30 for children 5-12.
Details: 480-350-5189, tempe4th.com

Wet n' Wild 4th of July and BBQ 
Visit wet n wild on the 4th of July for family fun all day and all night long. In addition to their slides and attractions the Park will display fireworks and host an all-you-can-eat BBQ. The BBQ is served from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Red Rock Ravine picnic area and will include grilled BBQ chicken & hot dogs, green salad, western style beans, corn-on-the-cob, sliced seasonal fruit and Coca-Cola beverages.
When: Park opens at 10:00 am
Where:4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road,  Glendale, Arizona 85310
Admission:The firework shows is free with park admission and begins at 9:30p.m. BBQ meal tickets are just $9.99 plus tax for all Gold Season Pass and Season Pass holders; $9.99 plus tax for ages 3-11; and $11.99 ages 12+.  Get your meal tickets today!


4th of Zoo-Ly at the Phoenix Zoo
Ever wonder what all the animals are up to after dark? Come and find out when you celebrate the Fourth with the zoo. This family-friendly event includes a catered barbecue dinner from 7 to 8:30 at the Lakeside Lawn, face painting, bounce houses, animal discoveries, carousel rides and evening access to Stingray Bay. Get a VIP view of Tempe's fireworks show. Seating is available, so you don't need to bring your own chairs. Beer and wine may be purchased at the dinner and fireworks show, and there will be cool treats for everyone during fireworks.
When: 7-10 p.m., with 9 p.m. fireworks, Wednesday, July 4.
Where: 455 N. Galvin Parkway.
Admission: $40 for age 13 and older, $35 for children 3-12, age 2 and younger admitted free (but still require reservation).
Details: 602-914-4333, phoenixzoo.org

All American Festival
This festival will feature separate stages for country music, rock and roll, and kids' music at the Peoria Sports Complex. There will be plenty of activities to keep the kids busy, including inflatables, face painting and a rock wall. If you're feeling brave (and hungry) you might consider signing up for the Sonic Footlong hot-dog-eating contest. There will be an F-16 flyover at 7 p.m. Concessions and beer will be for sale.
When: 5-10 p.m., with 9:15 fireworks, Wednesday, July 4.
Where: 16101 N. 83rd Ave.
Admission: $5 adults 13 and older, kids 12 and younger free. Parking is free.
Details: 623-773-8700, peoriasportscomplex.com

Hollywood & Wine featuring Clint Black
Grammy Award-winning country music legend Clint Black will perform an intimate July 4 show in the Arizona Biltmore's Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom as part of its 2012 Hollywood & Wine, a three-month festival of food, film and fun. This all-ages show features concessions and a cash bar. For a premium, front-table ticket holders attend a meet-and-greet with Black. Check with the Biltmore on special room rates.
When: Doors open at 7 p.m., concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 4.
Where: 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix
Admission: $30-$40 for general admission, $75-$125 for tableside seating, $195 for front-row tableside seating with a Clint Black meet-and-greet.
Details: 602-955-6600, arizonabiltmorehollywoodandwine.com

Watch Your Kids Around Water!

Summer is officially here and as temperatures begin to climb in to the into the 100's in the Valley of the Sun families will be gathering around the pool area. If your home has a pool don't forget to practice good pool safety. So far this year we has heard of too many drowning deaths or near drownings, and despite constant education we still see a rise in drowning deaths. There are a few things you can do as a resident with a pool to help keep you and your family safe this summer.
Small children who can’t swim obviously should not be have free access to a swimming pool, and even older children who know how to swim should use a pool only under adult supervision. In fact, adult awareness and supervision should be considered the first line of defense against pool accidents. No safety equipment can completely take the place of a responsible person keeping tabs on children’s whereabouts. That said, safety features are still important, and many are required by law.

For almost 20 years, Arizona statutes have required newly constructed pools at private residences with children under 6 years old to be surrounded by a fence at least 5 feet high. The state law does not apply retroactively to pools constructed prior to June 1990, but local governments are free to pass more stringent requirements, and many have. A Scottsdale or Mesa swimming pool, for instance, must be surrounded by a 5-foot (or higher) fence regardless of whether children live in the home. In Peoria, a fence is required if the residence has children under age 7. Despite any legal exceptions, however, the most prudent thing homeowners can do is to enclose their pools.

Pool fences should not have openings exceeding 4 inches, nor should they have horizontal bars on the outside of the fence that are spaced closely enough to aid in climbing. Mesh (chain-link) fences should have a mesh size no greater than 1.75 inches, also to deter climbing. The inside of any pool fence should be at least 20 inches from the edge of the water, and the outside should not be placed close to any structure in the yard, such as a playhouse, that could serve as a “stepping stone” to climbing over it.

By practicing good pool safety and following the suggestions above you can make this a fun in the sun summer. Remember it can only take a second for a child to leave your site so proper pool safety must be a top priority.

iDeal Realty & Management

9051 W Kelton Lane, Suite 10

Peoria, Arizona, 85382

623-201-3544

 www.idealrealtyaz.com  

Phoenix Area Rental Statistics for June

iDeal Realty & Management
623-201-3544 
Email Us 

Median Lease $: $1,125
Average Lease$: $1,275
Average Days on Market: 43
Number of closed rentals last month: 3,061

 The heat map below shows where the most active rentals are. Areas with red circles have a flood of active rentals available driving down rental prices, where as small yellow circles means rentals are scarce and rental prices are up in general. Market statistics can change daily and the following information is for reference only.

Phoenix Pool & Yard Maintenance

Being that we are now getting into the summer months here in Phoenix, AZ I thought it would be a good time to bring this up. June through October here in Phoenix are the best months for swimming and having a great time in swimming pools. With temps reaching as high as 115 degrees, a nice cold pool to relax in can really do wonders for your sanity! But with pools comes great responsibility and one of those happens to be keeping up with your pool maintenance. Phoenix pool service is a must for keeping your pool nice and clean and a great company to check out here in the valley of the sun is Turquoise Pool & Yard Services. They do a great job and offer a unique approach to pool care by giving you the option of combining pool care and yard service with one company at a reasonable rate. This approach eliminates the chance that the landscaper will show up the day after the pool was cleaned so that you always have a crystal clear pool to enjoy.

Give Turquoise a call at 602-296-7178 and tell them iDeal Realty & Management referred you for the best pricing.

iDeal Realty & Management

www.idealrealtyaz.com

623-201-3544

Thank You!

I just wanted to take a moment and thank all of you who came out to our Gran Opening party on Friday. It was a great event, and we had more people than we have expected. According to  the Peoria Chamber of Commerce we had one of the largest events this year. We hope to have many more success stories like this in the years to come.

Thank You,
From the iDeal Realty & Management Team


P.S I have posted some pictures of the event on our Facebook page please take a look at them and like us while you are there!  www.facebook.com/idealrealtyaz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Jason Danch
iDeal Realty & Management   
(623) 201-3544
jason@idealrealtyaz.com
www.idealrealtyaz.com

Jason Danch Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification
Buyers and Sellers Benefit from REALTOR® Expertise in Distressed Sales

Peoria, Arizona 6-14-12 — Jason Danch with iDeal Realty & Management has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.

According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures.  For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction.  REALTORS® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.

“As leading advocates for homeownership, REALTORS® believe that any family that loses its home to foreclosure is one family too many, but unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes, and a foreclosure or a short sale results,” said 2009 NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. “Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community, as well, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a REALTOR® who has earned the SFR certification for these kinds of purchases.”

The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk, and provides resources to help REALTORS® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves. To earn the SFR certification, REALTORS® are required to take one core course and three Webinars.  For more information about the SFR certification, visit www.REALTORSFR.org or call 1-877-510-7855.

Reminder of Our Grand Opening Tomorrow!

Our GRAND OPENING will be

June 15th, 2012

1:00pm - 4:00pm 

Ribbon Cutting at 2:00pm 

Join us for light snack, beverages and an opportunity to learn more about our company, our philosophy and what makes us stand out among the other property management companies. 

City of Glendale Votes on Jobing.com Arena Lease

The Glendale City Council on Friday afternoon voted, 4-2, to approve a 20-year arena lease management deal with potential Coyotes owner Greg Jamison as he and his group of investors attempt to purchase the team from the National Hockey League. The vote capped a rather lengthy special City Council Meeting at the City Court.  

Jamison, who is a former CEO of the San Jose Sharks, still has to be formally approved for ownership by the NHL's Board of Governors and league executives. The NHL Board of Governors expects to approve Jamison as owner in about three weeks.

Although the City of Glendale vote settles one of the larger questions remaining, there is still a lot of work to be done before the ownership of the Coyotes will be transferred and a deal finalized.

iDeal Realty & Management
9051 W Kelton Lane, Suite 10
Peoria, AZ 85382
623-201-3544
www.idealrealtyaz.com

Next Friday is our Grand Opening!

Our GRAND OPENING will be

June 15th, 2012

1:00pm - 4:00pm 

Ribbon Cutting at 2:00pm

Intrest Rates Fall Again

It won't be the first time you have heard the phrase "interest rates are at an all time low" however they have fallen again putting them at the lowest point ever and there are talks that they may drop even lower in the near future.

Below is just a sample of what interest rates are available on the market as of June 1st. If you were waiting for a sign that it is time to buy a new home or if you have always dreamed of owning your first home these rates should be sign enough.

Conventional: 20% down from AmeriSave

30 yr fixed       3.25%     APR 3.447
20 yr fixed       3.25%     APR 3.376
15 yr fixed       2.75%     APR 2.870

FHA 3.5% down from AmeriSave
 
30 yr fixed       3.25%       APR 3.922
15 yr fixed       2.75%       APR 3.201

iDeal Realty & Management

9051 W Kelton Lane, Suite 10

Peoria, Arizona 85382

(623)201-3544

www.idealrealtyaz.com

Why hiring a property management company pays for its self

Generally speaking there are two types of landlords today. There are those who were "forced" into being a landlord, because they would much rather sell their home, however  they are unable to do so because of the current market conditions. The other type of landlord is the investor, who is looking to buy houses at a bargain and rent it out for cash flow or to sell once the market rebounds. In either case professional property management is something that will pay for its self.

Let me show you an example of what I mean by professional property management paying for itself. Lets take a landlord and call him John. John has a property that is 20 miles away from the home that he is currently living in, and his mortgage payment is $1000 per month. The home should rent for $1250 per month.

First lets start with advertising

John says "I know how to post things on craigslist", and in fact John has sold many things using craigslist. with this said that is exactly what John dose he makes a detailed ad for his property and sits back and waits for the phone to ring. Problem # 1 with craigslist is that craigslist is only one small place that potential tenants are looking for rentals online. To be successful you need to be on the MLS and post to the 20+ other rental sites on the web. So every week John re posts his ad on craigslist hoping the phone will ring more this week. Problem # 2 with re-posting once per week is that your ad will only be on the first page for about 20-30 minutes per week. To be successful you need to re post your ad every 48 hours which takes time. In the current market rentals are taking between 30-60 days to fill. Lets say it took John 50 days to fill his rental that cost him $2000 in mortgage payments.

Second lets look at showing the property to potential tenants

John has gotten a few calls on his property and he is excited so he schedules a time to show them the property. The first appointment he has is at 1pm on Saturday, he drives the 25 miles to the house and arrives at 12:45 to wait for the potential tenant... 1:20 rolls around and the tenant has not shown up... and finally at 1:30 the potential tenant calls John to let him know she will not be able to make it after all and wants to take a look at it at 5pm instead. Disappointed John agrees to meet at 5pm and drives the 25 miles back to his home only to drive back a few hours later. By now I think you get the point that not everyone who wants to look at the property will show up. Generally you will have to show a property to an average of 5-10 potential tenants before you get one qualified applicant.  All said and done John put 480 miles on his car and spent $95.76 on gas to show his property, not to mention the amount of his personal time he invested.

Now lets discuss qualifying a tenant and writing a lease

After 50  frustrating days of meeting people at his property and fielding phone calls John is desperate to find a tenant for his place so he decides to accept an application for a lady who says she works for her brothers construction company. John decides to download a lease from the internet and to tweak it to make it work for his situation. The tenant is good and pays on time for the first 7 months and in month 8 the tenant calls John and says she will be a little bit late with the rent payment. John spends the rest of the month trying to track down the rent before he decides he needs to get professional help.

Now in this example bob is out the cost of the professional help plus the $1000 mortgage payment that was not paid by the rent. Also John spent $650 for professional help with the eviction, which would be covered by the eviction assurance plan if he would have gone with property management services from iDeal Realty & Management. Also now he must re advertise and show the property all over again and wait for a new tenant.

Lets total up the Costs and see how much John saved... or could have saved

Renting the property himself cost

• $2000 - Mortgage payment before finding a tenant
• $95.76 - Gas to drive to showings
• $1000 - Mortgage payment when tenant fell behind
• $650 - Professional help with the eviction
• Having to re advertise and going through the process to find a new tenant
• Total Cost - $3745.76

Using a professional property management company (iDeal Realty & Management)

• $695 Marketing fee (paid when a tenant moved in) utilizing MLS and 20+ websites
• $10 set up fee
• $75 per month Management fee
• $10 per month Eviction Assurance (exclusive to iDeal Realty & Management)
•   Not having to invest any of your time or energy into the property and having a tenant that was properly qualified living in your rental
• Total Cost - $1,715.00

So as you can see professional property management really does pay for its self in the long run.

If you are in need of professional property management give the pro's at iDeal Realty & Management a call today!

iDeal Realty & Management 

9051 W Kelton Lane, Suite 10

Peoria, Arizona 85382

623-201-3544

www.idealrealtyaz.com