Arizona Real Estate Specialists

As if we haven't heard enough about the banking crisis, I'm wanting to tell you there's one more article to explore.

Ok... it's not really an article but a program.

It's not on television- it was on the radio.

I've been having conversations with people and decided it would be better just to let people know where to find it.

National Public Radio's program "This American Life" stepped outside the box and tackled a financial story.

...a story we've heard from just about every angle.

The crew explains the collapse of the U.S. banking system & the toxic asset cleanup system in 59 minutes.

Did you miss it? Want to hear it?

It's really easy, because you can click a link or download the podcast.

It's very thought provoking and visits such topics as:

 

• Who is the bad guy in all this? (hint- it's all of us).

• Are the largest banks insolvent or just in a bind that will fix itself?

• What does GDP and personal spending have to do with the mess we're in?

I hope I didn't lose you on that last one... it's one of the most compelling parts.

And it's all explained in language that the average person will find understandable.

It's the best coverage I've heard in a very long time.

Download or web stream the podcast: "Bad Bank MP3"

Download the transcript: "Bad Bank PDF"

This American Life Official Website

Photo Credit: by "Business Piggybank 3" Kamil Dratwa

 

There are people that know, it seems, everything there is to know about social networking.

Then there are those who want to know more.

If you fit in either category... and kind find your way to Scottsdale Arizona in late April then this would be the place to be. Read what Calie Waterhouse has to say about it.

In the wake of the announcement that President Obama would be presenting a plan to help struggling homeowners, many are asking this question:

"Do I qualify?"

There's an easy way to find out.

There's a goverment website called FinancialStability.gov that walks you through the process.

I reccomend that you click on that link to see the overview... it's brief.

Or, if you'd like, you can go directly to the link Find Out if You Are Eligible.

From there, you'll be asked a simple series of questions. Depending on the answers, you'll be directed to the section that applies to your situation.

Also, if you'd like to speak to a live person, there's free assistance here:

Homeowner’s HOPE™ Hotline: (888) 995-HOPE

 

Panoramic photo of Canyon Lake (Arizona). Photo by Greg Folley, January, 2007

When you think of Arizona, what comes to mind?

When I've asked this questions, I've received many responses- such as:

• Professional Sports (Suns, Diamondbacks, Cardinals, Coyotes)
• Golf (Professional Tournaments and Recreational)
• The Desert (Cactus, Scenic Drives)
• Growth (Massive Poulation Influx, Retirement Destination)
• Lakes (What?!)

That last one is, perhaps, the most surprising... but it's true- Phoenix has many lakes nearby.

Some have claimed (falsely I might add) that the area has the hightest boat ownership per capita.

Though it's not true, it is conveivable ... it seems you see vehicles towing boats year round.

Where are they headed?

Well... they could be destined for the state's largest lakes: Lake Powell and Lake Mead.

Or they could be travelling closer to home. These are the lakes closest to Phoenix:

Lakes Near Phoenix	Distance from	Direction	Nearest City
Lake Pleasant	45 minutes	NW	Sun City
Saguaro Lake	40 minutes	NE	Scottsdale/Mesa
Canyon Lake	40 minutes	NE	Mesa/Apache Junction
Apache Lake	60 minutes	NE	Mesa/Apache Junction
Roosevelt Lake	75 minutes	NE	Mesa/Apache Junction

So... if you're into Fishing, Water-Skiing, Jet-Skiing, Swimming, Boating and Sight Seeing, come to Arizona.

The lakes are in great shape right now... despite the long term drought, some of the resevoirs are near capacity.

Best yet, with temperatures in the 80's recently, it's becoming boating season again.

OK- in Arizona, it's almost always boating season.

Why is it that new devolpments in the Phoenix metro area appear to cost a billion dollars?

That's the price tag that Gaylord Entertainment wants to spend in building a hotel and convention center in Phoenix's east valley city of Queen Creek.

That's also the price tag that has been floated for a Rock-n-Roll theme park near downtown Phoenix.

The park is said to be considered for a 22 acre section of land around Celebrity Theatre.

If you don't know, Celebrity Theatre, it's a local landmark that is known for its intimate setting. No seat is further than 75 feet from the stage.

It's also "in the round" meaning the stage rotates... so no one is stuck watching the performance from a permanent side or back view.

Details are sketchy so far... Channel 15's site states that this will be a multi-use venue that could include hotels, restaurants and housing and office space.

Also- Phoenix's mayor, Paul Johnson appears to be very willing to make this happen.

So... if anyone makes the statement, "I hear Phoenix knows how to Rock-n-roll" ... they may have a billion reasons to agree.

I'll keep you posted about this one.

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When not blogging about real estate development projects in Arizona, Chuck Willman performs real estate in and around the Phoenix metro area. www.AZvest.com.

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Illustration Credit: "Band Silhouette 8" by Ben Smith.

There was a summer where my mom took up part time employment. She made a deal with me: I'd make five dollars a day if I had the younger kids clean their rooms while I straightened up the other rooms and fed them lunch. After that we'd go to the city pool for a couple hours.

It was a great opportunity. I made a hundred dollars a month and didn't have to beg to go to the pool every day. I also, for the first time, developed a work routine. I found that I could do major cleaning (mopping, bathroom scrubbing, laundry) on alternative days and, by so doing, it made the 'tween day fix-ups much easier.

A major part of the routine was making lunch while listening to Paul Harvey's news and comments. Later, I discovered his "rest of the story" program. In this broadcast he'd tease you with a story told in a way that no one else could duplicate. In the end, you'd find out who he was talking about... and it would almost always be a surprise.

Paul Harvey passed away yesterday at the grand age of 90. He lived across town. Though I never met him, his influence in my life is significant. I can still see the surroundings of the kitchen and feel the pleasure that was mine as he joined me on my daily schedule.

Also, I have read each of his books... they're great, uplifting entertainment... each chapter is brief enough that you can feel enriched in a few moments or... more likely... feel unable to stop yourself until you've finished the book with haste.

Thank you Paul Harvey for bringing us the rest of the story for so very long.

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Microphone Illustration by Peter Suneson