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Arizona Science Center Is For Families!

Arizona Science Center EntranceA Constantly Changing Educational Forum

Phoenix area residents are fortunate to have a facility such as  the Arizona Science Center. The icing on the cake is the proximity to the light rail transit station.   Myself, my wife and my son and his friend parked at the Sycamore & Main park and ride in Mesa and boarded the light rail and rode into Phoenix and got off 1 block from the center.  An all day light rail adult ticket was $3.50, and for children $1.75. My only regret was that we arrived so late in the afternoon that we could not take advantage of all the attractions. Fry’s was sponsoring the entire weekend so admission was free.  Thank you, Fry’s.

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Why Post Tension Slabs Are Used In Phoenix

Post Tension SlabPost Tension Slabs  reduce settling issues

This giant checker board is actually the “guts” of an unbonded post tension slab.

Post tension slabs are used to create a monolithic slab that is stronger than the typical slab and foundation that is poured in stages.  Post tension slabs are used in many parts of the country where the soil has high shrink / swell potential, also commonly know as expansive soil because they resist soil movement.   Many parts  of the Phoenix area have soil that is expansive  and exhibits a high shrink / swell potential.  The USDA has published a shrink / swell potential map for Phoenix which identifies the cities or towns most affected by this condition.

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Crystal Gardens Waterfront Homes – Avondale Lake Community

This Avondale Lake Community Is Truly Unique

Crystal Gardens entrance lake

As you drive along Crystal Gardens Parkway you notice that this is not like other Phoenix lake communities.  If you stop to observe the lakes, you’ll find out they are not lakes but “treatment cells”.   Further research reveals that these cells also have “working fish” and are part of the Avondale Wetland project.   That’s when you really wonder what’s going on and feel the need to understand this Avondale waterfront community.

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Superstition Lakes Condos – Mesa Waterfront Community

Superstition Lakes Condominiums in MesaMesa Lakefront Community of Superstition Lakes, a gated community

What does Superstition Lakes have to offer? Plenty.  It is located on the  Mesa – Gilbert border and next to exceptional restaurants and less than a mile away from the Superstition Mall and the Superstition freeway.  The Superstition Spring Golf Club provides lush green landscaping in addition to the man made lakes that surround the complex.  Residents of this gated commuity  have access to the clubhouse, spa and community pool.

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What A Buyer Must Know About A Short Sale!

The Ins and Outs of a Short SaleAugust 2009 Distressed Sales

Short sales have gone from being a rare and infrequent occurrence a couple of years ago to a significant number of the real estate transactions in Phoenix due to the number of homeowners with negative equity that need to sell.

Simply stated,  a short sale is when the proceeds from the sale are less than the amount owed and the sale is contingent upon an acceptable agreement between the seller and the seller’s creditor(s).

The chart above furnished by The Cromford Report shows the percentage of distressed sales for each city for August 2009.  The blue bars represent the portion of total sales that were short sales.  As banks are increasingly reluctant to foreclose, short sales are on the rise.  For example, short sales accounted for more sales than bank-owned homes during August in Anthem.  And in Fountain Hills, short sales were equal to the number of foreclosure sales.

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