Lisa Bartlett

Many kids probably wonder what Santa does during the "off season." Well, now we know, he lives in Sun City, Arizona. Yes, Santa is a snow bird? How do I know this? I met him of course! Sun City is a wonderful retirement community with 7 recreational centers. While swimming with my mother and son at the Marinette Rec Center in Sun City, we saw a man who looked very very familiar. Yes, it was Santa. He posed for a few pictures with my son and then even gave him an autographed picture.

If you are over age 55 and looking for a great place to live, consider Sun City. Many of the homes, which were mostly built in the 60s and 70s have been remodeled. There are single family homes, townhomes (single level), condos, twin homes (duplexes), and apartments. The people who live here are friendly and helpful; they really take care of one another. I know this because my mother lives there. She loves it. There are 7 rec centers with ammenities like heated pools (some shallow and some deep), bowling, billiards, art classes (painting, pottery, jewelry making, wood working, etc.), fitness centers, and various group activities, leagues, and day trips. Sun City is truly a wonderful community in which to live and socialize with other active adults. Oh, and for you golf fans, there are plenty of great golf courses! You can even drive your golf cars on the streets around town.

Sun City is close to shopping, restaurants, and various other activities. Within 6 miles are the NFL Cardinals, NHL Coyotes, MLB spring training (Mariners - Padres-Rangers-Royals), Arrowhead Mall, Challenger Space Center, Wildlife World Zoo, Arizona State University-West, Rio Salado College, Lake Pleasant, Broadway Dinner Theater, and many other features.

If you'd like more information about living in Sun City, please call me anytime and I will gladly give you a "phone tour" of this wonderful community. Who knows, maybe if you visit, you'll also get to meet Santa!

Sincerely,
Lisa (future Sun City resident)

To email Santa for guest appearances: santainarizona@yahoo.com or call (623) 293-0378.

Hi Everyone:

Some people from outside of Arizona may not know this, but Arizona does NOT observe Daylight Savings. It makes it a bit confusing, especially if your job involves setting meetings or other contact with people across the United States and around the world.

What time zone is Arizona is?

Arizona Time is the Mountain Time Zone of the United States of America (USA). Mountain Standard Time (MST) is 7 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-7).

Does Arizona observe Daylight Saving Time?

Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time (DST) and remains on Mountain Standard Time all year.

The effect of this is that Arizona is on the same time zone as Mountain Time states during the winter months. In the summer months is on the same time as Pacific Daylight Time states.

President Obama just signed the legislation to extend and expand the home buyer's tax credit. This is GREAT news!

There are some new, great changes to the tax credit. The biggest change being that CURRENT HOMEOWNERS will now be eligible for an up to $6,500 tax credit. If you sell your home and buy another (aka relocate) AND you've lived in your current home for at least 5 years, you may be eligible for the tax credit.

I will post the details of this fully under the $8,000 Tax Credit link on the left side of my web site at www.azhouseagent.com.

I will also post a FAQ shortly outlining the details, once it has been fully passed by the President.

If you'd like to know what your home is worth in today's market, please don't hesitate to call or email me. I can provide a full price analysis, FREE for you with no obligation. I'm here to provide you any information you need to help you make your decision of whether or not it's time to sell your home.

EMAIL: lisa@azhouseagent.com

PHONE: 623-760-8390

WEB: www.azhouseagent.com

I'd like to clarify the issue of the $8,000 first time home buyer's tax credit. As of today, the deadline is still November 30. It has not yet been extended. I do, however, think that it will be extended soon. Sentaor Harry Reid is hoping to attach the proposal to an unemployment benefits bill that may reach the Senate floor this week. "We do expect this tax credit plan to be considered as a part of the unemployment bill at some point," said Regan Lachapelle, a spokeswoman for Reid.

In addition to extending the time limit for the tax credit, there are a few changes that are being propsoed. Homeowners (not just first time home buyers) buying a new primary residence would be eligible for a $6,500 tax credit if they owned their home for five consecutive years in the previous eight. That's a great addition and will enable many more people to take advantage of the tax credit. However, individuals who earn more than $125,000 annually and couples who earn more than $250,000 would not be eligible.

As soon as the extension is either passed or squashed for good, I will post an update.

If you have any questions about the tax credit or the housing market, please don't hesitate to call me any time at 623-760-8390.

I'd like to thank all the people at Deer Valley Worship Center who hosted the Movie-at-the Park and Trunk-or-Treat last night at Terramar Park in Peoria, AZ. At 6:30 everyone started showing up, some driving and some walking from their homes in Terramar. I walked along with my 5-year old son, my boyfriend Ray and our neighbors. First we took Dylan around to each car's trunk for trick-or-treating. Afterwards, they showed the movie Night at the Museum. Everyone put down blankets on the grass and enjoyed popcorn and hot cocoa, provided by the nice people at DVWC.

This was our second time attending the movie-in-the-park event and it was fantastic both times. The kids get to play in the playground, have some snacks and then watch a movie. It's a wonderful family night that I highly recommend attending. It's a bit cold now, so I'm assuming they might not have another until it warms up, but if they do, I'll post it here ahead of time!

Have a wonderful and safe Halloween everyone!