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I Wish I Could Give Her a Million Stars

January 20, 2017 by Deanna Bimer

I wish I could give her a million stars!! She is amazing!! She helped us by our home 10 years ago. During the big housing boom, she drove around to look for house for sale by owner, picked us up and ran us around the area to look at houses. In the 10 years we owned our home, we made several changes, from adding walls, to taking off rooms, new floors and windows. When we were ready to sell, she came over and remembered what the house used to look like. Complementing us on all the changes. I was amazed she remembered. She has such a passion for the customers, I wish I could bring her to Texas to find me a house here!! When I move back to Phoenix, she will be my first call again!!

Zillow 10/06/2016

Winter Hikes in Phoenix

January 8, 2017 by Deanna Bimer

Tom's Tumb hiking trail The weather is fantastic for hiking! Unlike during the blazing hot summer months, one can hike a mountain during the middle of the day without carrying a dozen gallons of water. What a treat! There are several dozen hiking trails in Phoenix, of course, but there are a few that are more popular for good reasons.

First, Camelback Mountain is the quintessential Phoenix hike. Bobby’s Rock Trail is one of the easiest routes on this otherwise-challenging mountain, with an elevation change of 200 feet. This quarter-mile trail follows the Echo Canyon summit trail out of the parking lot, and is perfect for families and younger kids. For those who desire more of a challenge, and amazing views, the Echo Canyon Trail is a very difficult 1.23-mile hike to the summit, ascending 1,280 feet to 2,704 feet above sea level. The trail can be very crowded and parking is very limited on the weekends, but the payoff is worth it with vistas that demand to be photographed. The Cholla Trail is on the back side of Camelback Mountain (accessible via 64th Street) and, while challenging, is easier to navigate because it’s not as crowded as Echo Canyon. With gains of 1,300 feet over 1.42 miles, the first 1.1 miles are standard trail hiking with the last third of a mile a scramble over rocks in the “saddle” of the mountain.

Next, located in northeast Scottsdale, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve features many different trails for all skill levels. One popular option for beginner and intermediate hikers is the Gateway Loop Trail which is about 4.4 miles and offers breathtaking scenery. More advanced hikers can join the Windgate Pass Trail from the Gateway Loop, to link up to the Tom’s Thumb Trail, a challenging hike with a reward of a phenomenal viewpoint at Tom’s Thumb, a 114-foot granite spire. Children would enjoy the Bajada Trail, a short nature loop.

Nearby Pinnacle Peak Park features a 3.5-mile round-trip trail that is popular with everyone, from families to trail runners, thanks to its meticulously maintained wide trails and gorgeous vistas. Because the trail is an out-and-back hike (1.5 miles each way), be sure to take note of the mile markers along the way if you don’t intend to hike the entire trail. A little past the ½ mile mark is the Grandview rest stop which offers a gorgeous panoramic view of the Valley of the Sun, with McDowell Mountain in the distance. Go one mile further and you’ll reach Owls Rest, where you can see Camelback Mountain to the south. While there are no facilities or water fountains on the trail, much of the trail is shaded due to how it winds between the mountain.

Another wonderful location for a variety of hikes is the Thunderbird Conservation Park, west of Phoenix in Glendale. About 20 minutes from Scottsdale and North Phoenix, this beautiful park is not as well-known as other hiking spots, but it offers equally beautiful vistas with fewer crowds. With over 20 miles of trails (labelled H-1 to H-5), the longest hike in this park is the H-1 hike. An approximately 5-mile hike at the ridgeline (with a 400-foot elevation) with switchbacks to the summit, results in a beginning to intermediate level hike that can be completed in about 2 hours. All ages and fitness levels will find a hike to enjoy in this beautiful little park.

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New Builds – What Can Wait?

December 6, 2016 by Deanna Bimer

If you’re considering buying a new build home, and have been put off by the high cost of the every little thing the builder offers to make your new home a dream home, there are some potential solutions. The question comes down to whether the changes you want to make are structural or are cosmetic. In other words, what changes should you do during the construction of the new home, and what changes can wait until after construction is over and you take possession?

Generally speaking, you should consider making any structural changes before the builder starts construction. This means any changes that affect moving walls, adding or reducing square footage, moving fireplaces, sinks, plumbing, exterior doors, should be addressed prior to construction beginning, to save money. So, if you’re interested in increasing the number of bedrooms, or adding some closets, getting these structural changes made during the building process is optimal for both the builder and your wallet. Prewiring your home for networking and home automation is done before the walls go up, so you should make these decisions before the builder starts.

As far as cosmetic changes, things like cabinetry should probably be addressed pre-build because they will affect your countertops and backsplashes. Depending on their placement, they may even affect your flooring so work with your builder to determine whether this is the case. Another cosmetic change that you may want to address pre-build are your shower walls. Having to demolish tile or cultured marble shower walls can be more costly to change later on.

Purely cosmetic changes that are cheaper to implement after the build is completed include paint, fixtures (lighting and sink faucets) and landscaping. Flooring may be cheaper to install after, so long as it isn’t hard-surface flooring like tile. Consider having the builder install their lowest grade carpet and even a linoleum in as many rooms as possible. Carpeting is a cheap material to remove. Linoleum may be able to be left in place, with hardwood or tile installed on top once you move in.

Natural Wild West and Mines

November 9, 2016 by Deanna Bimer

The beautiful Southwest is also home to some amazing history about the Wild West. If you’re interested in visiting some of the iconic Old West sites, here are some places worth paying a visit:

Monument Valley, located on the Arizona-Utah border, features scenes of natural beauty that will be recognizable to anyone who has watched a Western movie. Monument Valley is located on the Navajo reservation, and is home to some recognizable rock formations, namely, the Mittens. Check out Goulding’s Lodge & Trading Post, which has a free (donations accepted) museum featuring movie stills, call sheets, movie posters and other memorabilia, as well as a detailed map featuring specific movie locations around Monument Valley. You can also hire a Navajo guide for a personal tour, who will share the stories and legends behind each rock formation.

Jerome, also known as the Wickedest Town in the West, is a former copper mining town which perches on a hillside. This adorable town is lined with shops, art galleries and restaurants, and is a fun way to spend a beautiful autumn day. Visit the Jerome State Historic Park, home to the Douglas Mansion, with its museum detailing the history of both Jerome and the Douglas family. And be sure to check out the Audrey Shaft Headframe Park, which features a 1,900-foot mining shaft covered with glass, allowing visitors to learn about what mining was like with a peek into the depths of an old mine.

For more history about mining in Arizona, head to Goldfield Ghost Town, located in Apache Junction at the base of the Superstition Mountains. You can take a 25-minute tour of a mine shaft, and also tour the town with its museum, bordello, a church, livery stables as well as a reptile exhibit. Other activities include a zip line, a shooting gallery, panning for gold, riding a train and horseback rides. Gunfights are held on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Yuma Territorial Prison is located in a State Historical Park, and is home to a museum which details what life was like for those incarcerated at the turn of the 20^th century. The first prisoners in 1876 actually built the cells in which they were imprisoned. You can visit the former mess hall and walk around inside of the original cell block.

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Sources for Pet Adoption

October 12, 2016 by Deanna Bimer

If you’re new to the area, and are unsure of where to find your next pet, or you are just interested in finding a new furry friend, here are a few places you may want to check out:

1) One of the largest sources of adoptable animals here in the Valley of the Sun can be found at one of the two locations operated by Maricopa County Animal Care & Control. All adoptable animals will be spayed/neutered before being eligible for adoption, and will also receive a rabies vaccination and dog license tag as part of their adoption fee (cats are exempt from both in Maricopa County). The cost to adopt dogs and cats is among the lowest in the Valley, and ranges from $0 (for cats who have been at the facility for 30 days or more) to $100 (for dogs under 6 months old).

2) Another, less-overwhelming source of pet adoption to consider may be one of the six adoption locations run by the Arizona Humane Society. Their website has an easily searchable list of adoptable animals, complete with photos and details about each animal. Arizona Humane Society features dogs, cats and various other pets such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. They also feature a variable adoption pricing structure, which helps to finance medical care or other services needed by other animals in their care.

3) If you’re looking for a smaller dog for your condo or patio home, check out the Arizona Small Dog Rescue. While specializing in the adoption of small breed dogs, this organization also hosts some cats and a few larger breed canines. This non-profit, no-kill shelter rescues most of its animals from kill shelters around the Valley, but also accepts strays and owner surrendered animals. This rescue organization spays and neuters, vaccinates, microchips and evaluates and socializes all of its animals before making them available for adoption. Arizona Small Dog Rescue permits you to bring in your current animal to visit with potential adoptees, to see if they get along.

4) Another option may be searching for adoptable pets on websites such as Petfinder.com which compiles an extensive list including photographs and pertinent details of the many animals available for adoption here in the Valley of the Sun. The search parameters will let you narrow down by size, breed, age and desired characteristics, which will make your search more focused.

Northeast Valley Map of Neighborhood

I Wish I Could Give Her a Million Stars

Winter Hikes in Phoenix

New Builds – What Can Wait?

Natural Wild West and Mines

Sources for Pet Adoption

WHY REGISTER?

Seamless Home Buying Experience

I Wish I Could Give Her a Million Stars

Top Notch

Should the Seller be Present at the Open Home?

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