Heidi Tourangeau

My 7th Grade teacher, Mr Bannister, used to say that to us ALL the time...and most of the time, because I lived in Upper Michigan, the sun wasn't shining and the birds were not only not singing, but they weren't there because it was SO cold!

However, if Mr Bannister had lived here, in Arizona, he would have been right 350+ days a year and could not have been more right now that it is October in Arizona!! The birds truly are singing, the sun is most definitely shining and Arizonan's are out, in full force working on their yards, attending local events, biking, hiking and so much more because it is our turn to come out of 'hibernation' and enjoy our 70 degree winter!

As I sit here, writing in my blog and holding an open house, my mom and brother are headed to Gilbert's Barktoberfest and then to Tempe's Oktoberfest, all the while stopping at local Farmer's Markets to pick up some fresh produce!

Do I love Arizona in the Fall...if our leaves changed colors like they did in Michigan, it would be beyond perfect, but I'll take what we have over -20 degrees any day :)

Check out AZCentral.com's website (http://bit.ly/o2XILS ) for more info on the above events and SO much more!!! And don't forget about Schepf Farms Annual Pumpkin and Chili Party...WAY too many activities to list, but here is their website: http://www.schnepffarms.com/event.htm

Enjoy Fall in AZ!!

Open House today....are we running out of houses in the Valley?

Seems like it, I must say! I had several people come into the home I was holding open today and every one of them commented on the limited amount of options that were available to them; now, many of them were looking for something specific, but a few were talk amongst themselves and wondering if settling for a 3 bedroom instead of a 4 bedroom might be their only option at this time.

I belong to many different social media sites and have quite a few Realtors that are friends of mine, and they are actually noting the same thing and as early as a few days ago, AZCentral.com was reporting just how the confusing the market is (http://bit.ly/pfzqTQ); are we up or are we down? Is it a buyer's market or is it a seller's market?

I'm listening to 3TV and according to them, there are 227,696 vacant homes in the Valley, which make up for 14% of the homes in the Valley and almost equal the amount of homes in Tucson!

My opinion, it's neither. I believe, right now, it is the bank's market. While a few traditional sales are starting to creep into our market, it is still dominated by foreclosures and short sales and neither of those are going to go away soon; especially with all of the homes that have yet to be released by the banking industry...don't forget, we had record numbers, broken every year, of foreclosures happening for several years in a row.

Of course the job market has to pick up and there are a zillion other things that have to happen in order for us to get back on our feet! I, however, believe in the spirit of the American and we have been through worse and we've always fought the good fight and come out on top and we will do it again :)

It's that time of year and our Chandler Whole Foods is getting into the spirit by asking everyone to come by tomorrow, October 8th between 12-2 for National Costume Swap Day! Whole Foods in Chandler is asking for everyone to bring their kid and adult costumes...who knows, you may end up with the costume of your dreams!

If National Costume Swap Day is not your thing, don't forget about the Tempe Oktoberfest going on at the Tempe Town Lake through Sunday; here is the link for more info: http://tempeoktoberfest.com/. There are 22 German Beers to sample, weiner dog races and games and entertainment for both the young and the young at heart!

AND, if those events don't tickle your fancy, Schnepf Farms is having their annual Pumpkin & Chili Party every Thursday through Sunday in October!! Discounted tickets can be purchased at any Fry's Food & Drug and a can't miss - Hillbilly Bob's Pig Races are happening throughout the day! Click on the picture below for more info!