Today, the state of Arizona is 100 years old, and I’d like to share a fun little tune about Arizona I recorded yesterday at a class I took on Arizona history.   Ken Bennett, Arizona’s Secretary of State, took the stage at the beginning of class and shared his thoughts!

Enjoy!

Today, I took a class on 100 years of Arizona history.  Learned a lot of interesting facts about the state I call home.

And heard this song, called "I Love You, Arizona" by Rex Allen Jr., for the first time.

Beautiful song. Beautiful state.

photo credit: midiman

My family moved to Phoenix in 1969, and some of my best summer memories are of the monstrous dust storms and huge, torrential rains.  When it was over, we’d run outside and play in the rivers of water running down the street.

When I talk to newcomers to the Phoenix area and mention that we have “monsoons“, I get inquisitive looks.  Easy to understand why.  Desert and rain just don’t seem to go together.

I did a little research this morning, and discovered that the term monsoon is actually linked to a shift in wind.  Normally, our winds come from the west or northwest, but in the summer they shift so that they are coming from the south or southwest, which brings moister air into the state.

From the Basics of the Arizona Monsoon & Desert Meteorology web site, I also learned:

….the term “monsoons” as in “when the monsoons arrive …” is a meteorological no-no. There is no such beast. The word should be used in the same manner that “summer” is used. Consequently, the proper terminology is “monsoon thunderstorms” not “monsoons.”

This site has lots of technical weather details related to our monsoon season, plus you can learn how to be a weather spotter.  I also discovered gustadoes, which are a combination of a “dust devil” and a “tornado“.  You can also read about the differences between a wet and a dry monsoon storm. 

Up until a year ago, the beginning of monsoon season was marked by three consecutive days of dew points averaging 55°F or higher. 

Now, the National Weather Service (NWS) has determined that:

“….the monsoon “season” will start on June 15th every year and end on September 30th, regardless of weather conditions. In years past, the first three consecutive days with average dew points of 55 degrees marked the beginning of the monsoon—typically in early July. And the monsoon ended with the last string of three days with such damp dew points–usually in September.”

Sarah Walters, 12 News Today AM meteorologist, tells me that the dated monsoon season is now officially called “The Arizona Monsoon Season“, and she sent me a couple excellent weather links to share:

Monsoons in Arizona

Monsoon Tracker 

Safety can be an issue with monsoons, so if you are outside, know what to do, in the case of lighting, dust storms, and flooding, so I’ve included a few links that I hope you find helpful in being prepared.

Monsoons & What to do if… - Tips on staying safe in a monsoon from the City of Scottsdale

Safety Tips from the Salt River Project (SRP) - Including what to do if you are caught inside or out.

Monsoon Safety from the American Red Cross – additional tips for what to do in a flash flood

1. “Is this property still available?”
2. How many offers?” 

Sales are up all over the Phoenix metropolitan area. When it comes to foreclosures, the number of days on market for active listings has dropped 42% in the last quarter, from 201 to 116 days.  Our average time on market for current pending sales is 28 days. 

According to ARMLS statistics, 7600 properties sold in the month of March. Over 2,000 more than the month before.  Almost 70% of these homes were bank-owned. 

Foreclosures are driving the market.  Houses are selling.  The home sales price free fall may be almost over, at least for lender owned properties.

Safari Drive is a very contemporary mixed-use community, with work, live, and play, all part of the environment.  Simple lines and striking architecture, coupled with amenities, set the development apart.

photo credit: Dru Bloomfield – At Home in Scottsdale

The interiors of the condos are very open, with lots of light, provided by floor to ceiling glass.  Kitchens are large and integrated with the living areas.  High end appliances. Beautiful bathrooms. Camelback views to the west.

When completed, just a few of the amenities will include three pools, spa and fitness center, market and on-site dining.  The location is ideal for a urban lifestyle.  Many additional restaurants are nearby. Fashion Square Mall just across the street.  Scottsdale Waterfront and 5th Avenue shops are within easy walking distance.  Recreational opportunities are nearby.

photo credit: Dru Bloomfield – At Home in Scottsdale

At this point, several of the residential building are complete.  Both full and part-time residents are living in the community. Business are up and running. It is at the beginnings of being a uniquely, vibrant community.

Condos range in size about 1500 to 4,000 square feet, with1 to 4 bedrooms.  Prices are currently in the the $500,000 to $1 million range.

The development’s web site has lots of information about the community and the concept.  You can also view floor plans for currently available condos.

Access to Safari Drive is via Highland Avenue, east of Scottsdale Road. If you’d like a personal tour, just let me know.

We currently have quite a few bank-owned properties listed for sale.  This past week, the seller announced that they besides accepting pre-qualification letters from Wells Fargo and Wachovia, they will also accept Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA).

This was the first I’ve heard of the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation before, so did a little homework for you.

From the their web site:

NACA is committed to working with people who do not have access to affordable credit. NACA’s participants, or “Members,” are primarily people who have low-to-moderate income, people who will live in communities that need increased rates of homeownership and revitalization, or people who have difficulty obtaining reasonable and affordable credit.

And…

• NACA provides everyone with one mortgage product, which is the best one available anywhere with No downpayment, No closing costs, No fees, at a below market fixed rate and you do not need perfect credit.
• NACA provides free, personalized, and comprehensive counseling to all Members to address your particular credit and financial issues and help determine a mortgage payment you can afford. NACA’s counseling and underwriting criteria are “character-based” and not based on credit scores and ratios.

The program appears to have extensive education and counselling components to assist a home buyer in learning about the home buying process, costs, and budgeting.  It is a program that is sorely needed at this time, and amazingly the interest rate being quoted on their web site today is 5%.

If you are a first-time home buyer, interested in purchasing a home this year, check out the NACA program.  It may be just what you need to make an educated and affordable home purchase in today’s market.

The Phoenix office is located at:

5212 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 248-4408

Read more about what his Local Anaylsis newsletter starts out with this week:

Phoenix is the most unique market in the country right now. Any renter with a stable job and the desire to become a homeowner and live in Phoenix for a long time should be buying a home right now because affordability has never been better (our analysis goes back to 1981).

However, the problem is that few have a stable job. Phoenix has lost a whopping 86,800 jobs in the last 12 months, which is 4.5% of its employment base, and every major sector of the economy has lost jobs except Education and Health Services.

The article goes on to compare the cost differences in renting vs. owning, showing a $700/month swing since 2006.  He also indicates the low-down government backed loans may not be around forever.

Read the full article “Owning is Less Expensive Than Renting in Phoenix” .