Out and About in The West Valley:  Phoenix Zoo Prowl & Play Finale This Saturday

This Saturday is the last Prowl & Play at the Phoenix Zoo for the summer season and the Zoo is putting on quite a finale. The event runs from 6 to 9:30 pm and is packed full of family fun.  There is a guided night hike along the trails of the Phoenix Zoo or you can jump on the Sneak a Peek Safari Train to see what the animals are up to at night.  The Phoenix Zoo teamed up with Radio Disney so attendees can enter to win Jonas Brother concert tickets as well as meet and greet passes for their upcoming show in September.  In addition, during Prowl & Play, the Phoenix Zoo is also giving away a trip to Legoland in California.

Here are some more fun things to do at the Phoenix Zoo’s Prowl & Play Finale:

• Cool off in the Leapin’ Lagoon or on the Yakulla Caverns splash pads
• Toddler Music Mayhem
• GameTruck (“the complete video game party”)
• Radio Disney tent (music, games and register to win Jonas Brother concert tickets)
• Webkinz Road Trip van which has games and give-awaysBuild a LEGO masterpiece
• ASU Gammage Booth (enter to win tickets to Shrek the Musical, Shrek the Musical buttons and cd samplers, and creat Shrek art)
• Fun Zone Tent (Hula Hoops, bean bags, horse shoes and more)
• Giraffe Encounter (6:30 to 7:30 pm)
• Ride a camel

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Cinda Rose * REALTOR® * CDPE, SFR, CSSN

623-252-9350 * www.TheWestValleyHomeTeam.com * cinda.rose@thewestvalleyhometeam.com

Facing Mortgage Troubles or possible foreclosure?  You are not alone and you have options.  Check out www.TheWestValleyHomeTeam.com for more information regarding foreclosure, strategic foreclosure and short sales that can help you make the right choice.

Out and About in The West Valley: Litchfield Park’s Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium

Litchfield Park has been the home of the Wildlife World Zoo since 1984. Over the years visitors have seen numerous upgrades and improvements made to the local zoo. In December of 2008, the Wildlife World Zoo opened the much anticipated aquarium as well as a new restaurant. If you haven’t checked it out the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium yet it is definitely worth a visit. Set aside a day because there is a lot to do at the zoo!

Aquarium: The Wildlife World Aquarium is unique since it has a campus-like design. The aquarium has three separate buildings and each has a different theme. These buildings are home to approximately 75 different indoor exhibits that feature fish, mammals, birds, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles.

Log Flume Ride: One of the zoo’s newest attractions, this ride takes you around the primates island, through the Wildlife World Aquarium’s south pacific reef tunnel tank (the longest acrylic tunnel in Arizona) and then splashes you down 3 stories!

Skyride: Travel high above the zoo on their skyride and view the animals down below. The round trip takes around 15 minutes.

Tiburon Aquarium Restaurant and Flamingo Lounge: Located inside the Aquarium, you can enjoy dining and watching some of the ocean’s top predators swim by.

Baby Animal Nursery: The Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium has more than 500 species and babies are being born all the time. Check out the nursery often because the young animals at the nursery change from week to week.

Wildlife Encounters: During various times throughout the day, the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium puts on shows about different wildlife at the zoo.

Tropics of the World Reptiles: Come face to face with snakes, turtles, spiders, insects, lizards and even an all-white albino alligator.

Small Mammals of the World: This small building located in the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium is home to monkeys, rodents, bats and more!

African Safari Train: Hop on board the train and view endangered antelope, gazelles, ostriches and more.

Australian Boat Ride: On the boat ride you will see red and gray kangaroos, an albino wallaby, an emu and a kookaburra! It really is like being “down under”!

Giraffe Feeding Station: Climb up the 12-foot platform and come face to face with the world’s tallest land mammal. Pellets are available so you can feed these beautiful animals.

Lory Parrot Feeding: According to their website, the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium was the first zoo in the nation to have a lory parrot feeding exhibit. Zoo workers provide apples and these beautiful birds land right on your hand to eat so you can get up close and personal!

Children’s Petting Zoo: The Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium has a great little children’s petting zoo with deer, baby goats and chickens. Pellets are available so you can walk up and feed the animals. Watch out for the goats though, they will do anything to get those pellets from you!

Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium discount coupons are available so check online.  You can also find 2 for 1 admission coupons on cartons of Hickman’s eggs.

Enjoy your day at the zoo!

Cinda Rose * REALTOR® * CDPE, SFR, CSSN

623-252-9350 * www.TheWestValleyHomeTeam.com * cinda.rose@thewestvalleyhometeam.com

In 2009 Phoenix Magazine voted Litchfield Park as one of the top 8 cities to live in Arizona.

If you are looking to take advantage of low home prices but aren’t sure where you want to look, take a drive out to Litchfield Park. It is like a little oasis in the desert.  And as you get to know the people of Litchfield, you will soon learn that generations of families have raised their families in this quaint small town.

Here’s what Phoenix Magazine had to say about Litchfield Park on their website:
The Cool Retirees (and Their Grandkids)
Litchfield Park
85340

For a 3-square-mile town, Litchfield Park packs in a lot of personas. By reputation, it’s a retirement community populated by snowbirds who stayed. But if that rep is entirely true, why are there so many kids around, and why is the “main strip” anchored by Blu Sushi, an ultramodern Japanese-American joint, and Taps, a stylish black and brick bar where rock music rules and waitresses wear red bustiers?

With its breezy palm-and-orange-tree promenade, you could liken Litchfield Park to Palm Springs – except that the population is one-tenth the size, housing prices are $40,000 less, and the architecture is distinctly Arizonan. And just when you call it a resort community, you remember that only half the town is dominated by the Wigwam Resort & Spa.

“[Litchfield Park] has evolved,” says native Vicki Neal, 30. “It’s a fun little community, a mix of lively retirees and a younger crowd who grew up here.”

“You can be at Grille on the Greens [at the Wigwam Resort] partying with 50- and 60-year olds and having a great time,” says Kait Moore, 40.

So whether you’re a cool, golf-loving septuagenarian or a young family looking for a safe community with a diversely aged social circle, you’ll feel at home “in the park.”

Thinking about purchasing a home in Litchfield Park? I’ve lived in the West Valley for 34 years and am very familiar with Litchfield Park Real Estate. Working with REALTOR® that knows the area is very beneficial when you are purchasing a new home. Visit our website at www.TheWestValleyHomeTeam.com to find information about buying a home in or around Litchfield Park.  Or call 623-252-9350.  Happy House Hunting!!

Goodyear Real Estate:  Zero Down USDA Rural Housing Program

Rural housing loans are back!  They disappeared for awhile when the program ran out of money, but new legislation has brought the loan program back.  With no down payment requirement, no cash reserves requirement and no monthly mortgage insurance, this loan program is perfect for anyone who is looking to purchase a new home.

Other advantages of rural housing loans are an allowable seller concession up to 6%, no pre-payment penalty, and a 30 year loan term.  The property must be purchased as a primary residence and first time home buyers qualify for this program.  If you are looking to purchase a home while prices are low, this may be the loan for you.  Talk to a mortgage professional to determine if you qualify.

Not all Goodyear homes qualify for the rural housing program, however.  To determine if a specific property is in an eligible rural area, send me a message at cinda.rose@thewestvalleyhometeam.com or give me a call at 623-252-9350.

First Time Home Buyers:  How to Make a Wise Buy

With all of the short sales and bank owned properties on the market, now is a great time for first time home buyers to make their move.  Buying your first home is a big step, however, and one that will impact your financial future.  To determine if you are ready to buy your first home follow these steps:

How to Make a Good Buying Decision:

1.  Establish a Realistic Budget: Make sure to take into account mortgage insurance, homeowner’s insurance, taxes and repairs.

2.  Buy What You Need: Make a list of your wants and needs.  Try to stick to what you NEED while still including your wants.  Remember that a bigger house isn’t always better.

3.  Plan For Growth: Plan for growth to ensure that you will be happy in your new home for years to come.

4.  Understand Appreciation: The future value of your home will likely impact your ability to move up later in life.

5.  Work with a Local Agent: Find an agent that is familiar with the area you are looking in.

6.  Get to Know the Neighborhood: Make sure the schools, amenities and other important factors meet your expectations.

7.  Get a Home Inspection: An independent inspection will help ensure that you aren’t confronted with expensive repairs or hidden defects later down the road.

8.  Obtain Insurance Quotes Prior to Making an Offer: Insurance rates vary with each and every home.  Things that are considered are the age of the home, prior claims, the neighborhood and other factors.  Make sure you know how much it will cost to obtain insurance for the property you are interested in.

9.  Verify What Your Tax Rate Will Be: It is very possible that you may be faced with a new tax rate after you purchase the home.  Plan ahead and find out what your tax rate will be.

10.  Get Prequalified with a Lender: It is essential to speak to a lender to find out how much you will be able to borrow and at what rate.  Knowing your approximate monthly payment is critical in determining if a home is within your budget.

Facing Mortgage Troubles?  Get The Facts To Get Back On Track

By now everyone has heard the news that more than 1 in 8 homeowners are upside-down on the mortgage and don’t know what to do. What’s even more alarming is that 7 out of 10 homeowners go into foreclosure without visible intervention.  If you or someone you know is among the many homeowners who owe more money on their home than it’s worth, know that there are options available.  Knowledge is power!

Educating yourself about today’s market is the most important safeguard you can take in preventing lost opportunities and avoiding scams.  Your first step as a homeowner in trouble is understanding your options.   Every homeowner’s situation is different.  The right information leads to the best solution.

Our economy is challenging and millions of people are facing tough decisions and don’t know what to do.  There really are a number of options available depending on the situation.  I have set up a website with free information that will help you choose the best plan of action.  All of the information is in one, easy-to-use location.  Please take a few minutes and visit my website at:

www.TheWestValleyHomeTeam.com

Read more: http://members.houselogic.com/download/web/#ixzz0v10zK1cd

“Tee It Up For Less”

Palm Valley Golf Club is using their website, www.PalmValleyGolf.com, to help local golfers save money this summer.  Palm Valley Golf Club is located in the beautiful community of Palm Valley in Goodyear.  By visiting their websites, golfers can find some great deals, such as their new Palm Card, On-Line Web Specials, and Arizona Resident On-Line Specials (in addition, visitors can register to win FREE golf):

PALM CARD

Palm Valley Golf Club’s new Palm Card offers golfers rates from $12 to $45 from now until 12/31/10.  Purchase the Palm Card and receive unlimited rounds of golf at the low “Palm Card” rates (rates vary seasonally and by course).  According to their website cardholders also receive additional benefits such as:

• Unlimited accompanied guest rounds at your low Cardholder Rates (up to 3 per day).
• Complimentary Tee Gift: Palm Valley Logoed Cap
• Complimentary Round of Golf On Your Birthday
• 10 Complimentary small buckets of practice balls
• Reduced green fees at other OB Sports courses in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Las Vegas, Southern California and “beyond”
• Discounts on apparel, food and beverage (excludes alcohol)
• and more!  Visit the website to check out all of the benefit

ON-LINE WEB SPECIALS – BEST RATES GUARANTEED!

www.PalmValleyGolf.com offers on-line specials that are always the “best rates guaranteed.”   Simply go to their website and click on “Online Web Specials” and book your tee time.  Or you can call the golf shop at 623-935-2500 for more information.

ARIZONA RESIDENT ON-LINE SPECIALS!

www.PalmValleyGolf.com also offers Arizona Resident on-line specials.  Again, visit the website for more information.

PALM VALLEY GOLF CLUB ON FACEBOOK

Palm Valley Golf Club is also on Facebook.  You can view their posts right on their website.  On their Facebook Page there were posts about golf in general, updates about golf tournaments and local golfers, and special deals.  While I was visiting their site, they posted a special deal for the day that included golf and a sleeve of balls for $19 per person on the Palms course. On their Facebook Page you can also check out events and photos.  Definitely worth a “Like!”

Hit ‘em good!

Cinda Rose * Realtor® * 623-252-9350 * cinda.rose@thewestvalleyhometeam.com * www.TheWestValleyHomeTeam.com

Having mortgage troubles?  Facing foreclosure?  Thinking about doing a short sale?  You are not alone.  Your first step should be to educate yourself and make a sound decision about your financial future.  Check out www.TheWestValleyHometeam.com for more information that can help you make the right choice.