Gina McKinley, ABR, CDPE, CRS ~ Chandler, Gilbert, & Mesa's #1 Expert

All ghosts, goblins, ghouls, creatures, princesses, cartoon characters and superheroes are invited to Chandler's Halloween Spooktacular, a family-friendly, safe alternative to trick or treating.
The annual event is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 30 at the downtown Chandler Library plaza, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave. In the event of inclement weather, the festivities will be held next door inside the Community Center.

Festivities include games, arts and crafts, costume contests, souvenir photos and a haunted house. Candy is provided at all activities, and there will be fun foods to eat.

Everyone is welcome to wear a costume and enter the costume contest and parade at 6:30 p.m. Contest categories are: Scariest, Best Group/Family, Best Superhero, Best Cartoon Character and Best Princess.

The cost to attend the Halloween Spooktacular, which is presented by the Chandler Recreation Division with support from the Chandler Lions Club, is $2 for attendees 15 years of age and younger.

A complete list of upcoming special events in Chandler is available online at www.chandleraz.gov/special-events or by calling the City's Special Event Hotline at 480-782-2735.

Statistics released on Friday show the highest number of real estate sales in two years. As expected, recent reports show the combination of low interest rates, dropping home values and the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit are all seen as the biggest boosts toward the Scottsdale AZ real estate sales increase and nationwide.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released data that displayed a 9.4% increase in home sales for September 2009 which were the best statistics since July of 2007.

The positive signs in Scottsdale AZ real estate and nationwide is the increasing economy faith, as this seems to be another sign to many that we are slowly climbing our way out of the recession. The hope is that the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit will be extended and possibly even expanded.

Overall, 31% of homes sold in September were first time home buyers, and 29% of the sales were distressed properties across the country. While Scottsdale AZ homes for sale and real estate across the nation remain at their most affordable values in recent years the hope is that the upward, positive trend will continue.

Gina McKinley is a Scottsdale AZ real estate agent that can help you take advantage of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit before it expires in November. Call Gina McKinley at 480-355-8645 or visit her website today to learn more about how she can show you the best Scottsdale AZ properties.

New incentives are in the works nationwide for promoting short sales in order to avoid more foreclosures than necessary. The plan is meant to prod lenders into allowing more short sales.

Currently short sales are frequently avoided by lenders because offers are seen as too far below the last appraised value of the property, even though the foreclosed upon sales price in the end may be even lower. The incentives that are being mulled over are expected to pass soon.

The plan is to give the lender $1,000 for allowing a short sale to occur and the buyer a $1,500 credit at closing. The plan is expected to be passed by the treasury as a way to keep properties selling. Short sales are seen as a way to help the home owners nationwide avoid a credit hit as well as to take a house off the lender's books before the house becomes officially a foreclosure.

The new incentives are supposed to help avoid a foreclosure rate increase.

Gina McKinley, a Phoenix real estate agent, can help you understand how to use this new incentive to your advantage when purchasing Phoenix AZ real estate. Gina McKinley can be reached at (480) 355-8645 or by email.

Today's Market is bringing out many novice investors wowed byt the low prices. Prices in Chandler, Gilbert, & Queen Creek have dropped by about 52% since the peak in 2006. Many novice investors will look at the price and think, I can just buy this at such a great price and rent it, not considering the repairs that the home may need or vacancie rates.

Here are some of the key rules for noivce investors: These rules will serve you well when followed.

Number one: Due diligence is never optional. You've got to understand the local market - and that includes not just where prices are headed, but specific market demand for rental real estate in this price segment, and even the local government's plans for the area where you're thinking of buying. How much needs to be spent to make the property rentalable, what is the area's vacancy rate.

Number two: Buy with a written plan - just like the large professional investors use, with an entry strategy and an exit strategy. How long are you going to hold onto the property, how much will it earn you during your period of holding?

And what's the endgame - a sale to another investor? 1031 Exchange into a larger property, two smaller properties,etc? Conversion to condos? Tear it down and build something that's closer to the underlying real estate's highest and best use? When it is written dowm you can analyze it better.

Number three: Calculate the actual costs of the property in advance - not just the bargain basement price, but how much you'll need to fix it and feed it - the management costs, rental commissions, vacancy costs, taxes, to name just a few.

Not know these things up front, will cause frustation, financial strain, and other surprises. And there are no good surprises in real estate. For information on buying investment property, and our property management information and rate, please call today at 480-355-8546 or visit me at http://www.locatearizonahomes.com/resources-landlords.asp

It is possible to purchase insurance that will keep you from losing equity in your Arizona home. Arizona real estate has long been thought of as a great investment but in recent years has proved to be a bit more volatile. A company out of California has provided a solution to anyone who is uneasy about buying a new AZ home and potentially losing money in the investment. For 1% of the value of your Arizona home, you can purchase insurance that protects you in case your house depreciates.

Working Equity Inc., is essentially selling insurance that guarantees the value of your Arizona home later if you decide to sell. Of course, there are a few regulations. You must own your Arizona home for at least two years, and it must be your primary residence. Working Equity Inc. is selling peace of mind in an uncertain market, and that could be something that is worth 1% of your home value.

For more information on a unique guarantee for your Arizona home, click here, or call Gina McKinley, an Arizona realtor, for more information on Arizona home equity guarantees. Gina McKinley can be reached at (480) 355-8645 or by email.