Lately I have been asked by a large group of people if I can get 100% financing for first time home buyers.  There is been so many changes to mortgage guidelines lately that most of us get really confused on who we can really qualify for a home.  So I will set the record straight by first stating that YES first time home buyers can get 100% financing, and attached below of some of the most popular financing products for this type of client. I will rank this list based on what I feel are the best 100% financing programs:FHA Loans with Down Payment Assistance:  This program is actually 97% financing, but the buyer can use down payment assistance.  Down payment assistance is basically a gift of the 3% down payment.  The gift can come from many sources such as a family member, a church or a... 10/29/2007

SynopsisMichael Clayton (George Clooney) is an in-house "fixer" at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. A former criminal prosecutor, Clayton takes care of Kenner, Bach & Ledeen's dirtiest work at the behest of the firm's co-founder Marty Bach (Sydney Pollack). Though burned out and hardly content with his job as a fixer, his divorce, a failed business venture and mounting debt have left Clayton inextricably tied to the firm. At U/North, meanwhile, the career of litigator Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton) rests on the multi-million dollar settlement of a class action suit that Clayton's firm is leading to a seemingly successful conclusion. But when Kenner Bach's brilliant and guilt-ridden attorney Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) sabotages the U/North case, Clayton faces the bigg... 10/27/2007

(Arizona State Football 8-0)Its now official, Arizona State Football is the "REAL DEAL" and has a chance at a national title.  I just got back from watching the game, as ASU beat CAL 31-20.  Arizona State is now the only undefeated team left in the PAC 10.  Under new coach Dennis Erickson, ASU is on a collision course with a big bowl berth.  Now, I do not want to brag, but this team is getting it done.  At halftime, after a slow start and some really bad calls by the officials, Arizona State was down 20-14 CAL.  The Sun Devils came back in the 2nd half to rally and win the game.  Now they have been doing this all year, and no one would give them credit, but tonight the national sports media is all eyes on the Sun Devils after knocking off a ranked opponent for the first time since 2004.... 10/27/2007

Last month, the city approved a new parking structure and Phase 2 of "6th Street Park" next to the Orchidhouse Lofts in downtown Tempe.  The plans for the garage include first floor retail space, office space as well as a rooftop garden... obviously, not your typical parking structure!  At the same time, Phase 2 of the "6th Street Park" will finally wrap the City Hall building on the East side of the property.  This will complete most of the circular sidewalk that currently runs through "6th Street Park".  There will be a water feature added as well.  If all goes as planned, completion of the project would be within the next 2 years.  Take a look at the renderings and let me know what you think! Would you like to live or work in Downtown Tempe? Call an Urban Real Estate Broker who actua... 10/25/2007

Cinderella Affaire is a non profit organization operated by Tempe Arizona's Community Council. Cinderella Affaire collects formal wear, prom dresses and tuxes which are then given to teenagers in low income families so they will have wearing apparel for homecoming dances and proms. Often times after formal wear is worn a few times, it is discarded and something else is purchased, leaving lovely garments languishing in the backs of closets. Dust them off, take them out of the boxes and donate them to this very worthwhile cause. With the price of formal dresses and tux rental these days, a family on a low income budget simply can't afford to purchase these formal items, leaving low income teenagers to feel very left out of these high school traditions. You can check out the organization's... 10/23/2007

Sometimes, I have to chuckle when I look and see how our society makes the decisions that we do.  When we get sick, we go see a doctor who has spent a good portion of his life in school training for his career.  When we need an attorney we seek out only the best and look for law firms with a great proven track record.  If we are investing our money into the stock market, we seek out professionals or insiders who understand how to protect our money for our retirement.  But, for some reason when we decide to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home, this common sense approach to business is thrown out the door.  Some of us end up making poor decisions on mortgage loans and working with sub-standard lenders who will cost us more money in the long run.  I think I know why this happe... 10/23/2007

Across the Universe directed by Julie Taymor and starring Evan Rachel Wood and Jim Stugess is a musical that uses the songs by The Beatles to convey the story.  Read Plot Summary below:Adock worker Jude (Jim Sturgess) travels to America in the 1960s to find his estranged father. There he falls in love with sheltered American teenager Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood). When her brother Max (Joe Anderson) is drafted to fight in the Vietnam War, they become involved in peace activism. The film title and main characters are named after various songs by The Beatles. Written by MIB6116 Musical based on The Beatles songbook and set in the 60s England, America, and Vietnam. The love story of Lucy and Jude is intertwined with the anti-war movement and social protests of the 60s. Over 30 Beatles' songs are... 10/21/2007

The Brownstones at Tempe remind me so much of the architectural style that I just saw in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.  (Granted I much prefer the history and construction in Holland but since that city is about seven hundred years older than Phoenix, let's give Brownstones at Tempe a break).  Nonetheless, once you turn the corner into the community one can not help but notice the quaint feel of the community.  Tall narrow buildings with varying looks and facades reminds one of small town America.The exterior of each home brick and/or stone facades at the front and back of the properties.  The interiors have mondern technology and wiring, two and three story floor plans, granite countertops, wood floors, and upgraded appliances.  All the garages are in the back of the homes so that the fr... 10/21/2007

The WeKnowUrban High Rise and Loft Tour of Tempe on October 13th, went over wonderfully.   We had a bus with over twenty high rise and loft condo enthusiasts join us for about two and a half hours as we visited communities like Sotelo Condominiums, Hayden Ferry, TUL, Brownstones of Tempe, and Centerpoint High Rise Condominiums.  It was a dynamic group with architects, real estate agents, urban enthusiasts, and a man who is already under contract for a Centerpoint unit.  People were very chatty and easily shared their likes and dislikes of the various properties.  The heighth of the bus gave us all a very unique perspective allowing us to see Tempe Town Lake better than is possible from an automobile.Here's a great shot of the lake and Tempe in general.  A great shot from the area near N... 10/21/2007

If you are into yoga, massages and organic foods you may want to check out a new holistic center near Tempe Arizona called I Am ... The Center. You can take classes, get a massage, meet with financial therapists, or just hang out at the bistro that serves organic foods. There is also live music on Sunday nights. The center is the brainchild of a Phoenix Valley attorney who wanted to have all these things under one root to be able to partake of and enjoy. Thinking of relocating to Arizona where you can enjoy facilities such as I Am The Center? Give Bob and Carolin Benjamin a call at 480-201-3001. We can help you with your relocation needs. 10/20/2007

371 W Lodge Dr, a beautiful Tempe AZ condo in upscale Brittany Lane Community!You absolutely have to see this beautiful home in upscale Brittany Lane, conveniently located near ASU & AZ Mills Mall! This modern home is across from the manicured common area and sparkling community pool! Priced to sell!This beautiful patio home condo offers 1174 square feet of living space!Easy flowing floorplan offers 2 big bedrooms plus a large Den/Office/Guest Room!Neutral colored carpet is complimented by color accent freshly painted walls!Front yard landscaping maintenance is provided by the Homeowners Association!Spacious greatroom floorplan is perfect for every lifestyle, and great for entertaining!Brittany Lane provides residents a valuable parking area for RV's, boats, big toys, etc.!Galley type k... 10/16/2007

Everytime I turn around the mainstream media is providing the consumer with another article on the mortgage crisis.  There is not a day that goes by now that I know of someone who was a mortgage lender who recently has exited out of this business.  They a making a mass exit because they state "the business is slow", or "its a bad market".  My opinion is different.  They are leaving because they did not provide their customers a unique experience and did not build a great relationship.  My entire business has been built on providing unique services that not many other mortgage lenders can compete with.  Most of these things are small, but mean a lot to my customers.  I wanted to take a moment and share some of these unique things I do.I am honest with my customers upfront:  This includes... 10/15/2007

Earlier in the season, I ripped Arizona State and their new coach Dennis Erickson for what I considered a poorly executed football game against Colorado, but as the College Football season is moving on and Arizona State is still undeafted (7-0) with a perfect PAC 10 conference record (4-0), my mind is now made up that these guys are for real.  Arizona State now has a bi-week off before preparing for their homecoming game against Cal.  I think Arizona State might be able to have a breakout year and end up in a BCS bowl.  Yes their schedule will be tough, but then again, I have seen everyone of their opponents in the PAC 10 go down to other teams we have defeated.  So now its up to the Sun Devils to earn the race to a BCS bowl game.  Its funny how the polls have Arizona State ranked.  The... 10/14/2007

 The 39th Annual Fall Tempe Fesitval of the Arts will be held on Mill Avenue as always.  The Festival will start on Friday November 30,  and go thru December 2, from 10:00am to dusk.  You will have the opportunity to purchase art, crafts and other holiday items.  Enjoy live music and eat some homemade goods.  For more information visit the website at http://tempefestivalofthearts.com  10/12/2007

First of all let me try to put this movie into some perspective, before reviewing the film for you.  Every Review I read on this film said it was BAD, Really BAD, You need to be in a certain mindset before you see this film such as drunk or loosened up.Expect this to be a very unrealistic slap stick type action film.Ok, The housekeeping items are now done, I will now review.Shoot Em ' Up reminded me of a film that the stars: Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti, lost a bet and were forced to make this film.  Attached is the synopsis:Clive Owen stars in this gritty, over the top action thriller as Mr. Smith, a gun-toting badass with a hair trigger and an unknown past. He's far from a doctor and farther from a parent, but when he unwittingly discovers an innocent woman delivering a baby right in ... 10/11/2007

CURRENTLY FEATURED PROPERTY : 525 TOWN LAKE CONDOMINIUM Three story, 2 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathrooms, 1,265 s.f., Corner Home with hard wood floors in living room, kitchen & master bedroom. Multiple patios with Awesome views of swimming pool, jacuzzi, Papago Mountains. Convenient to Mill Avenue, Tempe Town Lake and Tempe Center for the Arts, ASU and everything downtown Tempe has to offer! Offered at $469,000. Call or email for more information on this property or other properties in Downtown. Want to live or work in Downtown Tempe? Call an Urban Real Estate Broker who actually lives & works in Downtown Tempe!Contact us at our live/work loft in downtown Tempe. Urban Realty would love an opportunity to share with you what we know about urban living and help you find your life in the heart of the... 10/08/2007

Last night I saw the movie "The Kingdom", and thought I would write a quick review of that film.attached is the link for the trailer:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0431197/trailers-screenplay-E32688-10-2 This film was directed by Peter Berg and Starred Blockbuster Stars, Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman.This is an action/drama about a terrorist attack that happens in Saudi Arabia to a US American compound and soon the FBI gets involved to investigate the plotters behind the attack.The movie starts out as an action film, then quickly changes to a drama and finishes out at the end to be an action film.  The film trys to help uncover a deeper reason and cause between our relationship with the Middle East culture and the American culture.  My opinion is that it doe... 10/08/2007

Ok, I learned something that I was not aware of until recently and thought I would share with everyone.  Recently (during the last 6 months) I switched to a different mortgage company.  In my prior life, I worked for one of the big box lenders who we did about 98% of all our loans in house.  What this means is we the lender would originate the loan, process it, underwrite it, sell it to an investor and retain servicing rights to our loans.  Since the amount of mortgage production this company did was huge, they could take a little more risk on some of the FHA loans they approved.  I never understood this fully until I recently made a switch.My new company has a different business model.  We originate the loan, process it, underwrite it and then sell it to an investor on the open market ... 10/08/2007

Just a few yards from the back of the Phoenix Zoo, is a wonderful little park called Evelyn Hallman Park - formerly known as Tempe Canal Park.  Most of the park is designed with marked trails, but for those of you who love to fish, purchase your Urban Fishing license and plan on spending a day. Coined as one of the "best Urban fishing habitats" this is a definite place of enjoyment for avid fishermen. Located near McDowell and College Ave, in Tempe, AZ - if you can muster through a bit of construction, this is a great place to get some exercise and enjoy these beautiful Arizona mornings.  Just in case you need some proof - check out these great shots taken just last week:                                                                    P.S.  If you watch very carefully, you'll even be... 10/06/2007

I am not one to brag, but when you live in Arizona and have been an Arizona Cardinals fan as long as me, you start believing in miracles.  My team is (2-2) in week 4 of the NFL Season. Wow! Go Cards! I know most of you are laughing right now because I can agree a (2-2) record is very pathetic, but let me share all the franchise records this team has beaten with this (2-2) start. LOL :)  NOTES FROM CARDINALS 21-14 WIN VS. PITTSBURGH KEN WHISENHUNT became the first Cardinals head coach to win his first two home games since Charley Winner in 1966. Winner's Cardinals won the first three home games before tying their fourth and finished 5-1-1 at home in '66. The Cardinals were able to beat a Pittsburgh team that looked nearly unstoppable in the first three weeks of the season. The Steelers w... 10/04/2007