About Phoenix's Scottsdale

I've written about Arizona's Centennial Celebration before. But today is our Official Centennial Birthday and so I thought I would share our official state song. I couldn't find a video of Rex performing the song so I'm afraid the lyrics will have to do. I love my home state, Happy Birthday and Happy Valentines Day Arizona! Here's to 100 more!

"I Love You Arizona" words and music by Rex Allen Jr.

I love you, Arizona;
Your mountains, deserts and streams;
The rise of Dos Cabezas
And the outlaws I see in my dreams;
I love you Arizona,
Superstitions and all;
The warmth you give at sunrise;
Your sunsets put music in us all.

Oo, Arizona;
You're the magic in me;
Oo, Arizona,
You're the life-blood of me;

I love you Arizona;
Desert dust on the wind;
The sage and cactus are blooming,
And the smell of the rain on your skin.

Oo, Arizona;
You're the magic in me;
Oo, Arizona,
You're the life-blood of me.

Copyright 1981 by Boxer Music Used with permission.

Photo Copyright Michael Stoklos Used with permission.

Potential clients often ask "why should I talk to a lender before I find a home?" My response is always the same "it will make your buying experience so much easier and here's why."

1. It's the first step in the process of buying a home in Scottsdale, and it's not just my first step. No professional agent is going to work with you if you aren't serious enough to get lender approval. And when you're buying a home in Scottsdale you want to be represented by a professional service driven agent. You want a Realtor that is looking out for your best interests.

2. Unless you are paying cash you will have to have a pre-qualification form from a lender in order to buy a home in Scottsdale so why not get it out of the way?

3. The home buying process can be challenging under the best circumstances don't add to the challenge by wasting time and energy looking at homes either online or in person that you may not qualify for or that may be off the market or sold by the time you get qualified.

4. While you may believe that you're a good credit risk it's the lender that actually decides who gets a mortgage and for what amount. So if there are credit issues that need to be dealt with it is far easier to do so up front.

5. Sellers, who are serious about selling their home in Scottsdale, will not entertain an offer unless the offer comes with a pre-qualification form.

If you're serious about buying a home in Scottsdale get pre-qualified it will make your buying experience so much easier.

We can provide you with a list of mortgage brokers in the Scottsdale Area that provide excellent service, have spotless reputations and are a pleasure to work with.

Email Nancy@NancyLaswick.com or call 602-793-1627 and begin the search for your dream home.

Indulge Burgers & More - When You Really Want It Your Way!

At Indulge you can literally get your burger in more than a thousand combinations because you have the ability to select your hormone free protein, (beef, including Kobe beef, chicken, turkey etc.) a variety of freshly baked buns, artisan cheeses, toppings, sauces, condiments and an equally impressive group of side dishes. Your server can assist you in filing out your order, a paper menu with check boxes and pencils are provided.

If you aren't in the mood for a burger you can try one of the many specialty sandwiches like the Fried Bologna or the Grouper. Sides include Fresh Sweet Potato Fries, Garlic and Parmesan Chips, Fried Dill Pickle Chips, Crispy Fried Onion Strings, French Fries with Cheddar Cheese or French Fries with Cheese and Chili. Salads such as the Bleu Cheese, Strawberries and Walnut salad are also available. Oh, I almost forgot they also have a Black Bean Veggie Burger, I've not tried it but was told by a fellow diner that it's very tasty.

I can personally endorse the Original Cheddar Burger, and my husband's favorite is the Vesuvius Volcanic, also if you haven't tried the Land Shark Lager, give it a try, very tasty.

The owner Lee Klein, longtime valley restaurateur, hopes to open two or three more restaurants around the valley until then you'll have to make the drive to: Indulge Burgers & More 10392 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253 480-998-2222. It's so worth it!

But It's A Buyer's Market, Right?

In the Phoenix Metro Home Market it is to a degree. It's a buyer's market, but that does not mean home owners, banks or investors are offering their properties at prices far below market values. Many times potential clients have the wrong idea about the phrase "a buyers market". If you listen to various media, mostly televsion, you might get the idea that somehow people are virtually giving their homes away.

I recently saw a TV spot that repeatedly talked about buying a home for $1,000 dollars. Not $1,000 down, $1,000 total. I didn't call the number on the screen so I have no idea what that really meant but I'm pretty sure it wasn't the whole truth.

I've had buyers that wanted to put ridiculously low offers in on homes that were obviously going to be getting more than one contract. I try to explain that the discount, (from the run-up), is already priced into the listing. The home may be selling for 50 -60% of what it sold for in 2004 or 2005 but prices haven't dropped in recent months and the market is pretty stable. So if you're planning to offer .60 cents on the current dollar get ready to be disappointed.

Some buyers are able to process the current market information and use it to make a great deal and some continue to try and find something for nothing and for those buyers there is an old Wall Street saying that seems appropriate, "Bulls make money, bears make money but pigs get slaughtered".

Don't loose out on the best buyers market in more than a decade email Nancy@NancyLaswick.com or call 602-793-1627.