Phoenix Arizona Waterfront Homes

Christmas lights light up lake communities

Christmas time in lake communities takes on an added dimension.  In addtion to the he annual ritual of displaying holiday lights in the front yard,  waterfront lots can decorate the backyards which can be seen from quite a distance.   Some lake communities even schedule a boat parade to show off decorated boats. Some communities such as Val Vista Lakes and The Islands in Gilbert make the boat parade an annual event.

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New Bridge Installed Over Tempe Town Lake Dam

One Oct. 18, 2011, the new Tempe Town Lake Pedestrian bridge opened, connecting the north and south shores of Tempe Town Lake.  The bridge consists of 4 spans, each measuring 228 feet, weighing 165,000 lbs.  The bridge protects the bladders of the dam from the sun and contains a built-in sprinkler system to cool the bladders when needed.   This was the point of contention when one of the bladders failed on July 20, 2010, that the maintenance had been inadequate. The picture to the left was taken just days after the dam failed and sent over 750 million gallons of water down the Salt River.  The lake was dry for 3 months before the dam was repaired and the lake refilled in October 2010.

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Waterfront Homes,  Patio Homes, Condos, and Townhouses in The Lakes in Tempe, Az.

 Within The Lakes master planned lake community are over 260 waterfront homes that include condos, townhouses, patio homes  and single family homes built around  a 50 acre man made lake in Tempe.  Residents enjoy a community pool and spa, tennis courts, basketball and sand volleyball court. The club facilities are open to residents for parties, receptions and host many of the community sponsored activities such as water aerobics, boxercise, Yoga classes, and The Lakes Women’s Club.  More information can be gathered at The Lakes Community website.

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Waterfront Homes and communities that allow boating

Phoenix real estate market update for 2011

I found the following quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt, “There are as many opinions as there are experts.” Speculating on real estate trends is a favorite past time for anyone, especially as of late. It is easy to get caught up in the broad “one size fits all” real estate commentaries, so read on to see what’s really happening with Phoenix area real estate. To truly understand, it is always best to look at the data and identify trends.

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Waterfront Townhouses in The Lakes in Tempe, Az.

One of the many residential housing options offered in The Lakes  master planned lake community is Harbour Village, with spanish architecture and lush green landscaping. Not a large complex, Harbour Village consists of  40 units, 12 of which have waterfront views of the lake.   These waterfront townhouses have found favor with prospective buyers since they typically sell within 2 months of being offered for sale, and are strategically located to take advantage of the widest part of the the lake.

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Charter schools provide an alternative to traditional public schools

One of the many, but very important items on the checklist of things to do for a family relocating to the Phoenix area is researching schools.  Which school is the best school in the area we want to live? Which district is the best? Do they have extra-curricular activities? And the questions go on and on.  These families will also have to add another question that they may not have considered previously, “What about charter schools?” Read the rest of this entry

Arizona Jobs Bill – HB 2001 will lower business property taxes, targets jobs creation

Arizona is open for business with business property tax cuts and targeted incentives aimed at job creation.  That’s the purpose and strategy behind HB 2001 that was signed into law last month.  That’s what the sponsors want you to remember.   What they didn’t tell you is what will happen to residential property taxes.  Buried deep in the 214 page bill is a change to the tax treatment of residential property.  And in this bill what they didn’t tell you will cost you.  How so? Read on.

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Excelling in Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Education

Even though the Mesa Arts Center is located in Mesa, residents of the entire Phoenix valley can enjoy the most comprehensive and largest Arts Center in Arizona.  Located on a seven-acre campus, the  212,000 sq.ft. $95 million facility focuses on performing arts, contemporary arts, and arts education.  The Mesa Arts Center(MAC)  features 4 theatres that range in size from the smaller 98 seat Farnsworth Studio Theatre to the larger Ikeda Theatre that seats 1,600, along with five art galleries and 14 studios and classrooms.

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 Granite – An Elegant Natural Stone Upgrade

Granite counter tops in Phoenix homes are always considered an upgrade and a distinguishing characteristic in any kitchen. The Arizona Regional MLS has recently made “granite countertops” a searchable field for those buyers where granite kitchen counter tops are a “must have”.  While buyers and sellers alike will attest to the natural beauty of granite, the facts behind this natural igneous upgrade are sometimes unknown. 

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