The Pinkberry (www.pinkberry.com), YogoTango (www.yogotango.com), Red Mango (www.redmangousa.com) and other similar concepts which team a hip, modern and usually urban space with "good for you" frozen yogurts and toppings have been sweeping some Asian countries for years.  In the last year or so, California has practically been breeding these new concepts.  In downtown San Diego alone there are already four of these cool spots!  So, it was only a matter of time that the purveyors of these creamy delights set their eyes on their neighbor next door (Arizona).  Downtown Tempe has landed one such concept currently under construction in the Brickyard on Mill development along Mill Avenue.  This is great news for those Tempe residents who want a tasty treat, but would rather keep the intake o... 08/01/2008

The USA Today cover page on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 read, "Reinventing America's Suburbs... Gas prices help drive push for more town centers to go with housing".  You can read the whole story below.  We predict the media will continue to promote the benefits of urban living as fuel costs continue to rise. USA TODAY ARTICLE 07/30/2008

Last week, I was in San Francisco for two different real estate conferences. I had a great time, and enjoyed the convenience of utilizing San Francisco's public transportation system. I specifically picked a hotel that was between the two conferences and was adjacent to a BART station so that I could try it all out. From the airport, during traffic, I was at my hotel in less than a half hour and the cost was just over five bucks. The bus system on Market street was surprising to me as well. I recall seeing at least 4 different types of bus that stopped directly in front of my hotel. For a buck fifty, I could get to most parts of the city and yes, it took me within a block of my conference on Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, I rode BART toward down town and exited within a very short ... 07/30/2008

  "Have any spare change?" She asked me. She could have been a down-on-her-luck college student. No... her name was Nancy. She came to Tempe, Arizona from Topeka. Her original intent was to make it to L.A., form a band, get discovered, "in that order!" she said. I asked her the story. She explained it simply, without the drama that I would have expected. "I'm not a runaway- too old for that... I'm just a person whose dream is somewhat delayed." Just shy of California, Arizona made for "close enough". Now, she and Silver ... the dog she found along the way (kindred spirits) spent the evenings at an undisclosed location. She would pick the most comfortable place she could find; get some shut-eye; hide her belongings and hit the town square to "spange" for meal money ... that is, to ask f... 07/29/2008

Over the past month or two, the City of Tempe and the Downtown Tempe Community (Tempe Leadership Class) have been adding the following signs to the Mill Avenue District.  An idea which has proved successful in other downtown environments, the "Give Change for Change" campaign maintains that sometimes a "hand out" is not always a "hand up".Taken from the actual signage: "Giving change or food to panhandlers or homeless people may hurt more than it helps by encouraging life on the streets and by discouraging people from seeking the real help that they need."  It continues, "If you really want to help, feed the change for change parking meters mounted to most of these directory locations instead...".  The idea being that the change you give to the meter will actually go to aid organization... 07/28/2008

Recently I sent an email to my congressional district representative to let him know I support Down Payment Assistance Programs such as Ameridream.  DPA is about to be gone and I think our politicians have little knowledge of the overall effect on our local real estate economy.  In just the last 12 months, I have used Ameridream an average of once of month.  Now these buyers will have to wait a much longer period of time to enter the buying market.  Anyhow, Here is Mr. Mitchell's response.  I do not think this guy has any real idea on what he voted on and how this will effect his constituents.   Here is his response letter: July 24, 2008   Mr. Gary Earl Miljour 1205 E Vinedo Ln Tempe, Arizona 85284-1531     Dear Mr. Miljour:   Thank you for contacting me regarding down payment assistanc... 07/24/2008

In case you missed a recent issue of Sunset Magazine- this was a great little expose on downtown Tempe.  We always love seeing Downtown Tempe in the media, but when it receives national play, we are thrilled! Congratulations to the Mill Avenue District, Tempe Town Lake, and the local shops that made the cut.   07/16/2008

The parking garage next to Tempe city hall is going up fast and most are looking forward to its completion.  Why you ask?  Why would anyone care about another parking garage in downtown Tempe?  Well, for obvious reasons, additional parking is very good for the downtown environment.  But, that isn't why we are looking forward to it.  This garage will also be wrapped at the street level with retail space thus hiding it's more mundane purpose.  Here is a rendering of what it will look like: No word yet on who the retailers, or cafes may be.  But, we'll report here as soon as we know.  We'll keep our fingers crossed that they can draw some good tenants even in this slower market.  Here is a current photo of the construction progress:   Others are interested too! Here is a link to an Arizona... 07/14/2008

As we get closer to December when the new light rail trains begin to carry passengers in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, we are seeing a lot more media coverage. A few weeks ago, there was a story in the AZ Republic talking about the development along the 20 mile route and the amount of public and private development created since 2004. The figure; SIX Billion dollars.  According to the article.. "The price tag includes projects already completed, developments under construction and announced projects within a half-mile radius of the line that officials from those cities say will likely come to fruition, according to Ben Limmer, a Metro light rail planner." They also had a breakdown (as provided by Metro) that mentioned the following. (yes, we know the real estate market is different today tha... 07/07/2008

It finally happened.  Arizona Legislators finally got it together and passed a bill that will make loan officers licensed in Arizona starting in 2010. Attached is the article from Catherine Reagor with The Arizona Republic.  Now for the 1st time loan officers in Arizona will have to be tested and licensed. What does this mean to me? Well, not very much because I have been playing by the rules to start with.  What it should do is make it more difficult for those who want to enter the market of loan originating.  With consumer confidence at all time lows and our industry being lumped in with used car sales men any type of professional testing and licensing cannot be bad for raising the consumer confidence levels.   07/06/2008

Most of us probably are planning some fun activities for this weekend.  I am planning a family get together on the 4th.  Most of us also would never think that one alcoholic drink can end you in jail with a DUI.  Well here in Arizona is just can.  You see I had the pleasure of having to attend a defensive driving class recently and just learned that Arizona passed a law in September 2007 which makes us one of the strictest states in the union on DUI laws.  This law that is now in effect has a Zero Tolerance DUI rule and here is the basic way it works. Arizona law enforcement can issue a DUI for being impaired to the slightest degree.  In Arizona you are legally considered intoxicated when your blood alcohol content reaches .08 or higher.  This is pretty typical in most states.  However,... 07/01/2008

SIX THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN GOING CONDOJuly 1, 2008Whether you are looking for a second home, downsizing, or just a first time home buyer, condominiums and lofts are a fantastic choice.  Obviously, there are many lifestyle choices when choosing a home, but condominium living has much to offer.  Here are six things to consider before you go condo:1 •  Lifestyle / LocationNo doubt lifestyle and location are the biggest factors in condo ownership.  Resort style living has some great perks.  Lately, hotel like services are becoming more typical and are designed to make an owner feel as though they are on permenant vacation.  Also, most of the urban choices offered are located in the heart of the city and are usually within walking distance to numerous restaurants, shops, light rail, busi... 07/01/2008

Tempe Town Lake July 4th Festival Bands Tuning Up to Play at the State’s Biggest and Best Independence Day Festival TEMPE, Arizona - Some of the best local bands in Arizona are getting ready to entertain a big crowd this year at the 57th Annual CBS5 Tempe Town Lake July 4th Festival, presented by TruWest Credit Union and produced by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe. Live music will kick-off in the afternoon with the smoothest singers performing at the biggest Independence Day celebration in the state. “We have some amazingly talented performers and bands in Arizona and it’s always fun to showcase them at Tempe’s July 4th festival,” said Mike Cryer, Kiwanis Club of Tempe member. “We love to introduce the audience to new music and bring back some of the crowd favorites.” Scottsdale singer and so... 06/30/2008

I just showed a fantastic one bedroom loft at a great modern new loft community in Tempe called Tempe Urban Living (aka TUL).  This three story, almost 1200 square foot condo is priced at just $329,000 and is a "make sense" deal in my opinion. The architecture is clean and edgy, the interior finishes are sleek and European, the community is gated with industrial style rusty metal panels, and every condo has it's own private roof top balcony space. Prices even a couple months ago were about $100,000 higher which was nuts.  But now that the owner has gotten real I think he'll start getting some sales.  W 06/30/2008

  Many congratulations to Arizona State University. The Tempe institution has achieved it's best-yet finish in the Sports Academy Director's Cup ... claiming a number four ranking among all university sports programs. Every year the NACDA ranks each university's sports program. Results are based on national championships and placement within the polls of each athletic event. Arizona State finished in the top ten eight times while bringing home a national championship in Women's Softball, and the Men and Women's Track and Field programs. I must congratulate ASU's VP of Athletics, Lisa Love; she has managed to build a successful program in very little time. Also, as a big Pac Ten fan I'm happy to point out that the conference claimed three of the top four positions. Not bad! Here are thi... 06/29/2008

If you are living in the Tempe Arizona area and seeking something fun to do while cooling off check out Kiwanis Wave Pool,. Kiwanis Wave Pool, offers a tumultuous pool. The pool is Tempe's busiest of the Tempe area's 4 pools: McClintock Pool, Clark Pool, Escalante Pool, and Kiwanis Wave Pool. Kiwanis Wave Pool never stays still. Plus it has 3-foot waves that arrive like clockwork to create an artificial ocean shore. The covered pool delivers fun without harmful ultraviolet rays, which makes it popular with parents concerned about summer-sun exposure. An being heated, it's open year-round. Last season, Kiwanis Wave Pool, attracted 93,503 people. For more inforamtion about the pools in Tempe Arizona visit their website. 06/28/2008

I was a little surprised that SunCor decided to sell one of their two office towers at Hayden Ferry Lakeside to New York based Sumitomo corp. While some of the projects in and around the Mill Avenue District have been delayed, canceled or had different "financing issues" come up, the Hayden Ferry project is one that seems to have it all. Great location, great views, easy access to freeways, the airport and the upcoming light rail line etc.. The project is a wonderful mix of commercial and residential uses. The commercial building that has been sold has a decent tenant in Smith Barney. Several other high profile tenants include KPMG, MetLife and the new corporate offices of Fidelity National Title. Fidelity decided to lease the entire 11th floor, leaving the posh 24th / Camelback locatio... 06/28/2008

So, what is with this blogging thing, anyway? I began blogging about a year and a half ago. VERY slowly at first but it has picked up (slightly)as I learn more of the benefits for myself and for my clients. Yes, my clients. You see, I have never been a "writer." (many will attest to that) BUT, for the past 15" years, I have been a REALTOR. It is in my blood, it is what I do. Currently, the percentage of agents that have a blog is very small but I promise you, that percentage has begun to change. My clients benefit from my real estate endeavors in several ways. The more successful I have become, the more people I meet. The more people I meet, the better chance they will be interested in what I have to offer. Everything we do is geared towards providing the best information possible to cu... 06/28/2008

Lofts at Orchidhouse: New to market! Check out this new loft available for sale at the Lofts at Orchidhouse:     CLICK HERE FOR MANY MORE PHOTOS & MORE INFO: ORCHIDHOUSE LOFT TEMPE CONDO Live in the heart of Downtown Tempe in this beautiful, 5th Floor loft at the Orchidhouse.  Stunning 11 foot ceilings, large, operable windows, beautiful Northern views, and warm wood flooring makes this loft an amazing place for anyone to call home.  Zoned "live/work" for those entrepreneurs looking for a hip and modern space.  Although the loft is currently a 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom it is easily transformed into a 2 bedroom.  The Orchidhouse Lofts are walking distance to Mill Avenue`s shops and restaurants, the future light rail system, ASU, and everything else downtown Tempe has to offer!  Offered at $4... 06/26/2008

If you a history buff like me you might have noticed that on the Northwest Corner of Priest and Southern that the Petersen house is under renovation.  The Petersen house is one of the oldest landmarks left in Tempe.  This Victorian Home was built in 1892 and is now owned by the City of Tempe and is a museum.  I had the pleasure of touring it once.  When the renovations are done, it will be re-opened to the public again.  for more information on the Petersen house visit the city of Tempe website at www.tempe.gov/petersonhouse   06/19/2008