Life in Sun City West, AZ Blog

Life in Sun City West, AZ Bloghttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/A hopefully fun perspective of moments, events, happenings in the local Sun City West and Phoenix area. From hummingbirds and fig trees to spring training and events in the Greater Phoenix area.en-usSun, 24 Jan 2010 14:05:00 GMT10GDRSSFeeds v1.0All about Arizona Adult Communitieshttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2010/01/24/all-about-arizona-adult-communities<div>3:05:06 PM, Sunday, January 24, 2010 </div> <div> </div> <div>Well I was going to do some research for this blog entry but as I began I came across this great website the will tell you about more Arizona Adult communities than I would ever have time to do.</div> <div> </div> <div>What I will do in future posts is spotlight those adult communties in the Northwest Valley that I am familiar with and work in, so that I may be able to give additional insight to the ammenities and benefits of various communities where I live and work.  In the meantime check it out all the different types of communities that are available in Arizona:</div> <a style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.activeadultliving.com/AZ/arizona.htm" target="_blank"> <div><strong style="text-decoration: underline"><br /> All about Arizona Adult communities</strong></div> <div><font face="#ce_temp_font#"></font> </div> </a><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2010/01/24/all-about-arizona-adult-communities" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2010/01/24/all-about-arizona-adult-communities#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2010/01/24/all-about-arizona-adult-communitiesSun, 24 Jan 2010 14:05:00 GMTRolls Golf Car(t) anyone?http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/18/rolls-golf-cart-anyone<div>Very Fun!</div> <div><img style="width: 531px; height: 510px" height="510" src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/GC_Rolls_2.jpg" width="531" align="left" alt="" /></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div><img src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/GC_Rolls_1.jpg" width="580" align="left" alt="" /></div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/18/rolls-golf-cart-anyone" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/18/rolls-golf-cart-anyone#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/18/rolls-golf-cart-anyoneSun, 20 Dec 2009 08:52:00 GMTHummer3 golf car(t)http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/17/hummer3-golf-cart<div>Love this one!  I believe this is available for sale if anyone is interested.  Seems this gentleman's son won the cart in a golf tournament and is unable to use it in his community, so he gave it to his Dad to use and sell. Enjoy!<br /> <img style="width: 427px; height: 445px" height="445" src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/GC_Hummer_1.jpg" width="427" align="left" alt="" /> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div><img style="width: 429px; height: 292px" height="292" src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/GC_Hummer_2.jpg" width="429" align="left" alt="" /></div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/17/hummer3-golf-cart" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/17/hummer3-golf-cart#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/17/hummer3-golf-cartThu, 17 Dec 2009 07:03:00 GMTAnother Cool Golf Car(t)http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/16/another-cool-golf-cart<div> </div> <div>Well I mentioned previously that I would share more cool golf carts/cars along the way, so here you go.</div> <div>This one is a hot rod golf car, shown here at an event that a local dealer, <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Golf+Cars+of+America+Sun+City+West&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Golf+Cars+of+America&hnear=Sun+City+West&cid=733338593007015018" target="_self">Golf Cars of America </a>had in their parking lot recently: </div> <div><img alt="" src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/GC_Hot_Rod_1.jpg" width="580" align="left" /></div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/16/another-cool-golf-cart" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/16/another-cool-golf-cart#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/16/another-cool-golf-cartWed, 16 Dec 2009 09:37:00 GMTThe unofficial theme song for Sun City Westhttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/14/the-unofficial-theme-song-for-sun-city-west<div> </div> <div>I love this fun take on an old favorite song!  I have dubbed it my unofficial theme song for Sun City West.  I hope you enjoy and agree.  It is called the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=7lSliucgygc " target="_blank"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=7lSliucgygc" target="_blank">"Ode to Forgetfulness"</a> </a>;)</div> <div> </div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/14/the-unofficial-theme-song-for-sun-city-west" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/14/the-unofficial-theme-song-for-sun-city-west#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/12/14/the-unofficial-theme-song-for-sun-city-westMon, 14 Dec 2009 13:44:00 GMTNEW Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credithttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/11/11/new-repeat-home-buyer-tax-credit<div>Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 9:56:37 AM</div> <div> <strong style="text-decoration: underline">REVISED 1/28/2010:</strong> GREAT INFORMATION JUST <span style="text-decoration: underline"><a style="color: #ff9900" href="http://dpastori.longrealty.com/Content/Content.aspx?CategoryID=558317" target="_blank"><a style="color: #ff9900" href="http://dpastori.longrealty.com/Content/Content.aspx?CategoryID=558317" target="_blank"><strong>CLICK HERE </strong></a><a style="color: #ff9900" href="http://dpastori.longrealty.com/Content/Content.aspx?CategoryID=558317" target="_blank"><strong>FOR THE LINK ON MY LONG REALTY WEBSITE</strong></a></span></a></div> <div>Today I am adding to this blog the occasional real estate information entry.  </div> <div> </div> <div>Here is an overview of the new/extended Tax Credits available to First-time Home Buyers and Repeat Home Buyers:</div> <div> </div> <div>$8,000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance</div> <ul style="color: #333333"> <li>The $8,000 tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.</li> <li>The tax credit does not have to be repaid.</li> <li>The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the homeï¿½s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.</li> <li>The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.</li> <li>The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.</li> <li>For homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, the income limits are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.</li> <li>For homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010, single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit. </li> </ul> <p class="subhead1">The $6,500 Move-Up / Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance</p> <ul style="color: #333333"> <li>To be eligible to claim the tax credit, buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years.</li> <li>The tax credit does not have to be repaid.</li> <li>The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the homeï¿½s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500.</li> <li>The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.</li> <li>The credit is available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase qualifies provided it is completed by June 30, 2010.</li> <li>Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit. </li> </ul> <p>For more details the <a href="$8,000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance">National Association of Home Builders </a>has set up some pages offering answers to frequently asked questions.  I think it is important to have a good information source for new policies and benefits.  I believe this link provides such <a href="http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/">information regarding the extended and new tax credits available to first time home buyers AND repeat home buyers</a>.</p><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/11/11/new-repeat-home-buyer-tax-credit" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/11/11/new-repeat-home-buyer-tax-credit#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/11/11/new-repeat-home-buyer-tax-creditWed, 11 Nov 2009 09:08:00 GMTGolf Car(t)shttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/10/30/golf-carts<div>6:42:20 AM Friday, October 30, 2009</div> <div> </div> <div>One of my favorite things that we get to do here in Sun City West or most any golf community I guess, is to drive a golf car(t)s around.  In fact before we moved here and I was fairly resistant to the idea, I told my husband I would only move here if we got a golf cart, mind you I don't golf (yet).  </div> <div> </div> <div>Growing up as I kid I used to love the little cars at Disneyland and you know that's kind of what riding a golf cart is like.....it is the Disneyland ride that never ends!!</div> <div> </div> <div>These vehicles are great for doing quick errands, running to a friend's house, I don't do a whole lot of real estate in it, but I do run around in it to check flyer boxes and check on listings.  I can even fit about $100 worth of groceries in it.</div> <div> </div> <div>These little vehicles last for a very long time, have low maintenance costs, get tons of miles per gallon on the gas models, or right now you if you get a new 2009/2010 electric golf car and you can get a tax credit for up to $5335!  Per dollar spent that's way better than the "Cash For Clunkers" or the "First Time Home Buyer's Credit"!!!!!!</div> <div> </div> <div>You can drive these babies on the street anywhere the speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less, guess what.....there is no speed limit higher than 35 mph in Sun City West!  I suppose that was not accident when Del Webb was planning the communities.</div> <div> </div> <div>I still think there should be a golf car club here in Sun City West.  Folks love their golf cars, some are fancy some are not, as time goes on I will share pictures here of some unique ones I've seen around town.<img alt="" src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/GC_Chevy_3.jpg" width="304" align="left" />  Here's one now:</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>This one, and a few others like it around town have a '57 chevy package, including the tuck 'n' roll upholstery!  The colors I've seen turquoise and red, and the upholstery are said to be the actual Chevrolet colors of the real full size '57 chevy's.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>There will be more pictures </div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/10/30/golf-carts" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/10/30/golf-carts#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/10/30/golf-cartsFri, 30 Oct 2009 07:12:00 GMTBeep-Beep!http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/10/13/beep-beep<div>Tuesday, October 13, 2009 6:23:55 AM</div> <div> </div> <div>Beep-Beep! A roadrunner sighting...</div> <div> </div> <div>This past weekend at an Open House I spotted this Roadrunner!  </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div><img alt="" align="left" src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/road_runner_1.jpg" width="336" />I have only seen one before this and that was on the road (appropriately enough), not at all this close.  Surprisingly the Arizona Roadrunner is not that common or very shy.   </div> <div> </div> <div>I happened to spot him from inside the house, this <a style="color: #000080; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.windermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.PartnerLanding&listingid=34162164" target="_blank">particular home </a>has a really cool enclosed front patio, so a roadrunner bird really stood out.  When I stepped outside to get a better look and hopefully a picture with my camera/phone, I spooked the little guy and he jumped up on the wall and went over to the neighbor's front yard.  Since so far that day the roadrunner was my only visitor to the Open House I followed him with my camera/phone and was able to snap this picture, though he did not like it as his little crown raised up as you see in the picture.  </div> <div> </div> <div>I am also including the picture of the bird when it jumped on the wall, though it is not very clear it may give you a sense of the actual size of the roadrunner, as the are larger than most birds you see around here.  It is hard to tell from the picture but this guy is close to a foot tall, more if you include his tail.  For more information about roadrunners check out this cool little <span style="color: #000080"><span style="color: #000080; text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #000080"><span style="color: #000080; text-decoration: underline"><a style="color: #000080; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.azgfd.gov/video/Roadrunner.shtml" target="_blank">video from the Arizona fish and game website</a><a href="http://www.azgfd.gov/video/Roadrunner.shtml" target="_blank">.</a></span></span><a href="http://www.azgfd.gov/video/Roadrunner.shtml" target="_blank"> </span></a></span><span style="color: #000080"><img alt="" align="left" src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/roadrunner_2.jpg" width="336" /></span> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/10/13/beep-beep" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/10/13/beep-beep#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/10/13/beep-beepTue, 13 Oct 2009 06:44:00 GMTOur Swanshttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/12/our-swans<div>Saturday, September 12, 2009, 7:55:22 AM</div> <div> </div> <div>Another characteristic of this community that I really enjoy and appreciate are the swans.  As you drive by the various water features located on the seven golf courses around town you see the swans, there is a couple for just about every water feature.  They have names like Ozzie and Harriet, Fred and Ethel, Birdie and Bogie, among other famous and not so famous couples.  When I drive by and see them peacefully swimming across the water, I almost instantly relax, these beautiful birds so suddle(y) add peace and beauty to our surroundings.  Here is a picture from the <a target="_blank"><a href="http://www.rcscw.com/swans.html" target="_blank">Recreation Center of Sun City West's <a href="http://www.rcscw.com/swans.html" target="_blank">website</a></a></a>, the site also offers all the names of the swans and where they reside in the community.   </div> <div> </div> <div align="center"> <div align="center"><img alt="" src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/swans.jpg" width="289" /></div> </div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/12/our-swans" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/12/our-swans#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/12/our-swansSat, 12 Sep 2009 08:05:00 GMTIce Cream Truck in The Arizona Summer...http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/11/ice-cream-truck-in-the-arizona-summer<div> </div> <div>Just for Fun.............Note: It doesn't really get this hot.</div> <div><img src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/ice_cream_truck_in_AZ_01.jpg" width="580" align="left" alt="" /></div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/11/ice-cream-truck-in-the-arizona-summer" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/11/ice-cream-truck-in-the-arizona-summer#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/11/ice-cream-truck-in-the-arizona-summerFri, 11 Sep 2009 14:52:00 GMTCoyote encounterhttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/08/coyote-encounter<div>11:47:49 PM Tuesday, September 08, 2009</div> <div> </div> <div>This evening my husband and I tootled(?) over in our golf car(t) to catch a sunset view from the front of a client's prospective new home.  I was hoping to take a picture or two and send it to them.  But we got there a little ahead of sunset, it was still a breathtaking view.  You see the home sits across the street from a water feature/fountain of a golf course here in Sun City West.  Here it is:</div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><img style="width: 496px; height: 298px" height="298" alt="" src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/misc_014.JPG" width="496" /></div> <div> Anyway back to the story.....As we were leaving I observed a coyote off in the distance (to the right beyond this picture).  He was nibbling grass on the golf course, as I pointed it out to my husband, he noticed another coyote about 20 feet away from the first one I saw, this coyote was also just nibbling grass along with a bunch of quail.  For those of you who don't know coyotes and quail do not usually hang out together like this, so it was a little odd to begin with....</div> <div> </div> <div>Then just beyond  the coyotes on the golf course, we noticed  a man walking two dogs on the sidewalk.  My husband and I noticed at the same time and we both gasped, as small dogs (& cats) are a delicacy for coyotes, an unfortunate part of the cycle of life here in Sun City West.  Anyway, we were about to jump in the golf cart, zip down towards the man and try to warn the man or startle the coyotes.  Well no worries, the smaller of the two dogs saw the coyotes started barking at them and/or the quails with that big ol' small dog attitude and the coyotes and the quail took off running away down the golf course.  That was quite a sight!</div> <div> </div> <div>Back to the view, I am so excited for my clients, we found a great house, with a great view, that I think they will enjoy for a long time!  The home has a great front semi-private courtyard where they will be able to sit and have coffee in the morning or watch fantastic Arizona sunsets in the evening!  </div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/08/coyote-encounter" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/08/coyote-encounter#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/08/coyote-encounterWed, 09 Sep 2009 00:10:00 GMTVenting about hot homes....http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/04/venting-about-hot-homes<div>Friday, September 04, 2009 10:53:36 PM</div> <div> </div> <div>So I know this blog is supposed to be about life in Sun City West and not real estate per say, but I am a Realtor and this is about my life in Sun City West, so I'm going with it.....</div> <div> </div> <div>O.K., I'm not sure how to start this entry.  I don't want to sound negative, I guess just hopefully helpful.  </div> <div> </div> <div>Here goes, if you are a homeowner or a listing agent in Arizona...or anywhere that gets very hot in the summertime.  And you are trying to sell your home I'd like to take a moment of your time to make some suggestions, that could help sell your home faster.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>#1</strong> If your home is vacant, <strong>PLEASE just leave the AC on!!!!!!!!!!!!!</strong> I'm not suggesting a chilly 70 degrees or even 80 degrees, though 80-85 would be very comfortable.  But at the very least set the thermostat to not more than 89 or 90 degrees max for goodness sakes!!  It will be worth the money in electricity to have someone buy your home sooner rather than later.  Simply because the longer they stay the more they look at and experience the home. </div> <div> </div> <div>#2 Invest $5.00 in some small sized bottled water and keep it nicely chilled in the refrigerator with a note to agents and their clients to let them know water is available.  Leave your refrigerator on at the warmest setting, it will cost less and will still keep the water cool.  That way also the refrigerator will not smell, there is almost nothing worse than opening a refrigerator (in a super hot house, looking for cold water) that has been turned off for awhile, that awful smell just permeates the room (ewww, a bad smell raging through a hot house)!  <em>A little hint, if you put large plastic jugs of water in the freezer, when the water in the jugs freezes, it will take less energy to keep the refrigerator running, because the jugs of ice keep the freezer cold.</em></div> <div> </div> <div>Now the venting......</div> <div> </div> <div>I have spent this summer going in and out of HOT homes (I'm talking HOT, 95-104 degrees!), and a hot car.  Remember when folks are out to buy homes in hot climates in the summer time, it is not for fun or entertainment, these are serious buyers and you want them to want to be comfortable in your home. </div> <div> </div> <div style="color: red">SIDEBAR:  Yes, by the way, there are quite a few buyers out there right now in the summer heat.  Home sales by units is up at 2005 numbers for the last 4 months, in our office, in our community and in Maricopa County in general.  In fact some parts of the county are even seeing housing prices going up!! Yes it is still a good time to buy, there is still plenty of inventory available to choose from out there.  For more info and or details check out the <a href="http://arizona.choosewindermere.com/blog" target="_blank">Windermere Arizona Blog</a> for the latest facts and figures by city.</div> <div style="color: red"> </div> <div>Yes I bring water for my clients and myself, but it runs out or gets warm/hot and there is nothing more refreshing than some nice cool water, in a nice cool home.  </div> <div> </div> <div>See when a home is being sold it is a very large ticket item for the person buying the "item", so some marketing needs to be considered, think about it, if you go shopping in a market or store how long would you stay if there was no air conditioning?  Get the picture, good, let's move on here.   so the idea is to <span style="text-decoration: underline">get them to stay in your home for as long as possible</span>, at least semi-<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>COMFORTABLY!!!!!!!!</strong>  </span></strong>Because if either the agent or the client gets too uncomfortably hot, they ain't going to stick around very long.  </div> <div> </div> <div>This summer, there is a lovely home in our community, with a rare, unique and desirable floor plan for sale here in town, that while it is a tad overpriced, I will show it every chance I can....want to know why, can you guess???  </div> <div> </div> <div>This homeowner knows what to do; The temperature of the home is always very cool, comfortable and refreshing, she leaves the home, there is chilled bottled water sitting in a bowl of ice with a note for us to help ourselves.  She has even left fresh baked cookies, and snacks, there is nice music playing, all the lights are on, the home smells nice, she even has the jets in the little spool going.  You know she wants to sell her home and wants you to enjoy and remember the time you spend there.  Because of this hospitality, and it is a lovely home, I have had clients want to try to make the house work for them, in large part because of how well she takes care of potential buyers and their agents.  I mean we would make an afternoon of it, if it were feasible, I have had my clients look through the home and the casita two, three times while we are there enjoying the hospitality, really looking at the home and enjoying the experience.  </div> <div> </div> <div>Remember,  It is not just about staging the home with furniture, but staging the environment/atmosphere to make the potential buyer comfortable too.  Remember this please.  </div> <div> </div> <div>Now of course if you are not in town, you cannot do this, but you or your agent can leave water in the refrigerator and at least make the inside of the home a little cooler than outside, or at the very, very, very least let the ceiling fans run on low and keep the hot air moving.  Besides I don't think it is good for a home, to let it be so hot for so long, doesn't' something happen to the wood in constant heat like we have here in Arizona??</div> <div> </div> <div>Please know I'm not talking about situations where the homes are in foreclosure or a short sale where the seller is no longer living there.  That is a whole different situation and one expects and understands that it is not the best set of circumstances.</div> <div> </div> <div>Well I feel better already!! Thanks for listening and I hope this information helps you or someone you know somewhere down the road to sell your/their home.</div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/04/venting-about-hot-homes" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/04/venting-about-hot-homes#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/04/venting-about-hot-homesSat, 05 Sep 2009 00:01:00 GMTSun City West Hummingbirdshttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/03/sun-city-west-hummingbirds<div>Thursday, September 03, 2009 1:36:53 PM<br /> </div> <div>My goodness, I have never met hummingbirds like the ones in our backyard (If you can meet hummingbirds?!)  They are very people friendly and inquisitive.  The other morning Mike was out looking at the hummingbird feeder because it was empty and he wanted to see if the bees were still hanging around.    And while he was looking at the feeder, it a hummy (as we like to call them), flew up and hovered about 12 inches from his head and looked at the empty feeder with my husband, then it apparently turned and looked at him as if to say "Don't just stand there buddy, fill it up!"  </div> <div> </div> <div>I had a similar experience when we first moved here.   I was standing out back and had one fly up, hover around my head as if to see who the new neighbors in town were.  My Dad "help raise to tiny hummingbird babies, "Bivo & Tivo" and he is sure they still come around to visit, I'm sure they do to!</div> <div> </div> <div>The hummy's here are all so unique to each other, they do not all look alike but have very unique shimmery colors, some look like they are wearing caps, they just seem to have a lot of character and personality.  </div> <div> </div> <div>Another agent told me a story about a friend of his who would sit out on his patio with a red cap on and a local hummy got in the habit of coming in and sitting on the bill of his cap on a regular basis, even when there were others around.  One day the agent put his friend's cap on and when the hummingbird came around, it stopped and hovered, took a look at the agent's face and realized it was not his usual human "friend" and took off.  </div> <div> </div> <div>Don't get me wrong, I'm sure we are humanizing them way to much here, but they sure are fun and interesting.  I believe that amongst themselves they are very aggressive and territorial.  I guess I'm glad that they are our friends ;)</div> <div> </div> <div>If you want to know more about Arizona hummingbirds <a title="White Mountains online" href="http://www.wmonline.com/gamefish/Hummers.htm" target="_blank">White Mountains on line</a> offers some good info and tips.</div> <div> </div> <div>Please feel free to share your hummingbird story here.  </div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/03/sun-city-west-hummingbirds" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/03/sun-city-west-hummingbirds#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/03/sun-city-west-hummingbirdsThu, 03 Sep 2009 14:03:00 GMTMonday night spaghetti dinner....http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/01/monday-night-spaghetti-dinner<div> </div> <div> At the Sun City American Legion ~ Good food, interesting people and a great deal!</div> <div> </div> <div>Well who knew that a good (all you can eat!) spaghetti dinner could be had for a whopping $6.50 which includes salad and garlic bread on Monday nights at the American Legion Post on 99th Ave. in Sun City. I think you have to be a guest of a member or a member.  To be eligible to join you have to have served in the military during qualifying wartimes.  In my husband's case is was during the Vietnam war.  But we had never been before last night, our neighbor took us, so now we know all about it.  I guess they serve a mean BBQ rib meal once or twice a month...I will keep you posted.  Aside from the great food at a great price the attendees were all very friendly and interesting too.  Adding a really ecletic ambiance to the evening.  The motorcycleish vehicle below was parked proudly in front of the post,  and is reflective of the entertaining personalities we enjoyed that night. For more info about the American Legion visit their website: <a title="American Legion website" href="http://www.legion.org/homepage.php" target="_blank">http://www.legion.org/homepage.php</a></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div><img alt="" align="left" src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/AMERICAN_LEGION.jpg" width="423" /> </div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/01/monday-night-spaghetti-dinner" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/01/monday-night-spaghetti-dinner#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/09/01/monday-night-spaghetti-dinnerTue, 01 Sep 2009 14:51:00 GMTA day in the life....http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/08/29/a-day-in-the-life<div>Saturday, August 29, 2009 1:26:22 PM</div> <div> </div> <div>Is it just me or do your days sometimes feel like this is how it goes............</div> <div><img alt="" align="left" src="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/images/day_in_the_life.jpg" width="580" /></div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/08/29/a-day-in-the-life" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/08/29/a-day-in-the-life#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/08/29/a-day-in-the-lifeSat, 29 Aug 2009 13:27:00 GMTMy first blog entry...http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/08/29/my-first-blog-entry<div>Saturday, August 29, 2009 7:47:04 AM</div> <div> </div> <div>Finally, finally, finally my first blog entry!  </div> <div> </div> <div>Of course you don't know this, but I have been meaning and wanting to start this thing for ages now.  Originally I was not sure what to write about that anyone would be interested in reading.  I did not want to write just about real estate, so I looked around and decided to share with you hopefully good information, thoughts and observations about this special community where I live and work.  </div> <div> </div> <div>It may be pictures or moments happening literally in my own backyard, unique to here and probably not happening in your backyard, to things happening on the block, in the neighborhood, the community and interesting happenings, news and events in the Phoenix area.  Of course I will throw in some real estate information along the way too.</div> <div> </div> <div>I look forward to your contributions too!  In the meantime, if you want good real estate stats for the Maricopa County area, check out the local Arizona <a title="Windermere blog" style="color: #333399" href="http://arizona.choosewindermere.com/blog" target="_blank">Windermere blog</a> for great facts, graphs, figures and trends.</div> <div>TTYL, </div> <div>Deb P.</div><P><a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/08/29/my-first-blog-entry" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/08/29/my-first-blog-entry#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Debbie Pastorihttp://debbiepastorirealtor.com/blog/2009/08/29/my-first-blog-entrySat, 29 Aug 2009 08:13:00 GMT