There’s a sense of feeling useless when a disaster hits, explained Rhode Island real estate agent Erin Diaz.

Like many, she was horrified by the impact of Hurricane Sandy, which touched down along the East Coast earlier this week. Surrounded by damage in her home state as [...]]]> Forbes.com  |  Zillow, Contributor  | November 2, 2012

There’s a sense of feeling useless when a disaster hits, explained Rhode Island real estate agent Erin Diaz.

Like many, she was horrified by the impact of Hurricane Sandy, which touched down along the East Coast earlier this week. Surrounded by damage in her home state as well as watching the destruction in hard-hit New Jersey and New York, Diaz said she felt like she wanted to do something to help but wasn’t quite sure what.

These thoughts were running through her head Friday when she received a phone call while working in her real estate office.

“I don’t even know this guy, and he calls — his voice is cracking, you can tell he’s upset — and he asks me to go check on his home,” Diaz said.

The caller was several hours away with his wife, who had been ill, and unable to drive to check on his home.

“He had called three other [real estate] agencies who were not able to help him, and he found me on Zillow and wanted me to check,” Diaz said. “I’d just been waiting to help someone, so I drove over to his house.”

Expecting the worst, Diaz made the half-hour drive along the coast — where parts of the Narragansett seawall had crumbled, washing away local businesses and homes — all the while crossing her fingers that when she called the owner back, she would have good news.

Sand covers the road in Charlestown Breachway, RI. Photo courtesy of Erin Diaz

As she drove, she received a call from someone else, whose brother owned a condo in the area and was out of the country. Again, she agreed to check on the home.

Sand covers the road in Charlestown Breachway, RI. Photo courtesy of Erin Diaz

As she drove, she received a call from someone else, whose brother owned a condo in the area and was out of the country. Again, she agreed to check on the home.

Fortunately, Diaz said, both homes were just fine.

“I was so relieved to be able to make those calls and offer good news that their homes were safe and untouched,” she said. “It’s just been shocking — the destruction. It’s something I never want to see again.

“It’s so devastating, and you feel so useless and helpless and you want do something for someone. It was awesome to help them.”

Read the article at Forbes.

An anonymous buyer has purchased a Phoenix home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright with the aim of preserving an architectural gem that, until last week, was threatened with demolition.

Steve Sells, a principal with 8081 Meridian, which owns the house, confirmed Wednesday that [...]]]> The Republic | azcentral.com | Philip Haldiman | Wednesday, October 23, 2012

An anonymous buyer has purchased a Phoenix home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright with the aim of preserving an architectural gem that, until last week, was threatened with demolition.

Steve Sells, a principal with 8081 Meridian, which owns the house, confirmed Wednesday that it had been sold to a buyer who wishes to remain anonymous, but intends to preserve the structure.

The deal, now in escrow, comes a week before the Phoenix City Council was scheduled to vote on historic designation for the home, a valuable piece of the iconic architect’s Arizona legacy.

The house, in the Arcadia area of east Phoenix near 56th Street and Camelback Road, sold for about $2.38 million, the price it was listed for when it appeared on the multiple-listing service last week, Sells said.

“We’re thrilled that a preservation-minded buyer has stepped forward to buy the home,” Sells said. “We’ve worked very hard to find the right resolution for the home.”

Sells and his business partner John Hoffman, bought the house for $1.8 million in a deal that closed June 20. Sells said the property has been for sale since the day he and Hoffman purchased the home built by Wright for his son and daughter-in-law, David and Gladys.

But Sells and Hoffman have been at odds with the city over the proposed historic designation, claiming it was initiated without proper notification. The owners received city approval to split the lot as a precursor to tearing down the house and building new structures on the site.

As word has circulated of the imperiled home in recent months, it prompted hand-wringing in architectural and historic-preservation circles nationwide and touched off a debate locally over the sometimes dueling demands of property rights and preservation.

Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio, whose district includes the area where the house is located, praised Sells and Hoffman for working with the city to find a resolution.

“I have to give credit to the owners,” he said. “This is the most significant win for historic preservation in Phoenix in years. ”

DiCiccio and Mayor Greg Stanton confirmed they will ask to postpone a vote on historic designation for 30 days to discuss the future of the home with the new owner. Historic status would prohibit demolition for only three years.

Now the real work begins, Stanton said.

“We don’t know the buyer, but the continuance will allow us to reach out to the buyer,” Stanton said. “We just want to make sure the house is preserved for future years.”

Realtor Robert Joffe said the owners have for months searched for prospective buyers willing to preserve it. Joffe said several people have toured the house in the last two weeks following a “severe” screening process.

He said preserving the house was important to 8081 Meridian, so stipulations were made that will ensure that happens.

“This buyer is buying the house for all the right reasons,” Joffe said, adding that the sale could close in two weeks.

The house had been in peril since June, when the city approved the lot split of the property, effectively allowing the owners to proceed with demolition of the house and redevelopment of the land by constructing at least two new houses.

After members of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, a Chicago-based group devoted to preserving Wright’s works, learned the lot split had been approved, they urged the city to designate the house as a historical landmark. The Planning Commission began the process on June 12.

Both the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission have recommended the council approve the historic designation.

The owners received a demolition permit on Sept. 4, but last week 8081 Meridian allowed the deadline to complete the work to pass without requesting an extension.

Officials with the firm said the owners let the permit lapse so they could spend more time looking for a buyer.

Victor Sidy, dean of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin West, said the past few months have been an experience he hopes never happens again. But it will be worthwhile if the house is preserved, he said.

“The owners should be recognized for their willingness to find a good solution to this,” Sidy said. “They could have dug their heels in. If this is really true, then this is a story that we as a city should be really proud of.”

Read the article at The Republic.

Frank Lloyd Wright Photo Gallery at The Republic.

CNN Money | Josh Garskof | April 27, 2012

Want to remodel your home? These eight strategies will help you yield substantial savings.

Do your remodeling in the off season. Like accountants and farmers, home-improvement pros have a slow season when they may slash prices to grab business. Redoing your bathroom in January, replacing [...]]]>

CNN Money | Josh Garskof | April 27, 2012

Want to remodel your home? These eight strategies will help you yield substantial savings.

Do your remodeling in the off season. Like accountants and farmers, home-improvement pros have a slow season when they may slash prices to grab business. Redoing your bathroom in January, replacing a furnace in July, or installing a patio in November could yield 5% to 15% savings.

Buy Online. Everything — including the kitchen sink — is sold online these days, often for 10% to 25% less than at local shops.  But since a delayed, damaged, or disappointing product can derail a project, go see the item at a store first so you know what you’re getting, order early enough so there’s time for an exchange if there’s a problem, and buy only from authorized resellers (you can verify this at the manufacturers’ sites).

Combine small tasks and save. Handymen and specialists typically impose a minimum charge (often two hours at $50 to $100 an hour) just to come to the house. Bundling small jobs could get you two to three times the results for roughly the same cost.

Hiring a contractor? Negotiate! If you’re getting a contractor to do the work, learn the right way to negotiate. First, let the contractor know he has competition, says Russell Korobkin, professor of negotiation at the UCLA School of Law. Hardball haggling won’t work — even if you win a discount, the pro might cut corners to make up the difference. But the remodeling market is still in the dumps, so if he hears you’re considering a few contractors, he’s going to give you his best price.

Set a low bar. Then, before the contractor bids, name your ballpark budget — about 20% under what you really expect to spend, advises Korobkin. He’ll scoff, but you’re setting an anchor that’s going to be in his mind as he puts together his price.

Take a collaborative approach. Ask the contractor to suggest painless ways you could alter the project plan to save money, says Korobkin.

Give the silent treatment. Once you have his final number in hand, let him stew, says Korobkin. If he has any wiggle room left and he’s hungry for work, he’ll reach out with a sweeter offer.

Read the article at CNN Money.

The tide is already starting to turn in some U.S. housing markets, with home prices in these 10 metro areas expected to climb anywhere between 10% and 21% by the end of next year, according to Fiserv.

Yuma, AZ

Median home price: $105,000

Drop since [...]]]> CNN Money | Les Christie | May 30, 2012

The tide is already starting to turn in some U.S. housing markets, with home prices in these 10 metro areas expected to climb anywhere between 10% and 21% by the end of next year, according to Fiserv.

Yuma, AZ

Median home price: $105,000

Drop since market peak: 37.4%

Forecast gain through 2013: 16.7%

Yuma can thank its location for helping it recover from the housing meltdown. The Arizona town sits in a Foreign Trade Zone, where products and materials can be moved between Yuma and Mexico duty-free.

And the nearly constant sunshine also makes it a center for renewable energy development, with companies like First Solar and Abengoa Solar hiring hundreds of workers, according to Julie Engel, director of the Yuma Economic Development Corporation.

Agriculture is another major industry here, especially due to the long growing season.

All that is helping, but the economy is still struggling. The area has one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates, nearly 24% in March. And median household income of just over $45,000.

A structural problem for the economy is that it’s seasonal with agricultural workers often facing months of idle time, according to Moody’s Analytics. The workforce also tends to be poorly educated with only 15.9% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to the Census Bureau.

Yet, home prices are so cheap that the vast majority of families earning the area’s median income can afford a home, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Visit CNN Money to view the other 9 U.S. cities with swift rises in home prices.

Hiking along a flowing creek or wading in a natural spring of azure water under a cascading waterfall are actual activities possible in Arizona. Surrounded by dry desert yet alive with riparian flora and fauna, Fossil Creek is one of only two

Hiking along a flowing creek or wading in a natural spring of azure water under a cascading waterfall are actual activities possible in Arizona. Surrounded by dry desert yet alive with riparian flora and fauna, Fossil Creek is one of only two National Wild & Scenic rivers. Open all year, Fossil Creek is fed by Mogollon Rim springs and flows 20,000 gallons/minute at a constant 70°F. A road runs parallel to the creek and offers easy access to some small falls and ponds along the way. A bridge crosses the creek at one point with trail access a bit farther down the road from the bridge. Taking this trail will bring you past a few small falls on your way to a larger picturesque waterfall flowing into a deep pool of crystal-blue water. Let the relaxation begin. Other trails are longer and more strenuous but offer more solitude and privacy away from the crowds gathered at the more popular and easily-accessible pools.

Directions: From Phoenix head north on the I17. Take the 260 East towards Payson then make a right onto Fossil Creek Road. You’ll continue along this dirt trail for a decent time until you come to the Waterfall Trail. High clearance vehicles are highly recommended. (8-9-12: The entrance from Strawberry has been temporarily closed.)  Be sure to arrive early as the Forest Service does close the road once capacity is reached.

* Periodic road closures occur due to traffic problems.

See what The Arizona Republic says about Fossil Creek.

Our own Alicia spent the day just outside of Strawberry, AZ hiking through Fossil Creek’s trail of waterfalls:

“Nestled in Fossil Springs about two hours outside the valley is an oasis you’d never expect to see here in the desert. Lush emerald green foliage, the songs of happily chirping birds and aqua blue pools found here is just one of the reasons why we natives love our beautiful state.

Perfect for all ages and athletic abilities, the trail is just over a mile long.  It’s well-marked with a few manmade log bridge crossings and rock beds. Yes, your feet are going to get wet and if you’d like you can cool off by wading in the waters. There are plenty of photo opportunities as well. If you’re adventurous, skip the trail and create your own along the flowing water. It makes for an interesting hike and is well worth it. There were just a few people at the waterfall when we arrived and well, I was awe-struck. If you’re thinking small, don’t. This magnificent waterfall also allowed the more courageous person the opportunity to do some cliff diving. I couldn’t be sure but I’d say it’s at least a thirty foot jump into the deep waters. The faint of heart should not attempt this but I couldn’t pass it up! Thankfully a few cheered me on and I made the leap into the waters below. Surfacing, the sound and the mist of the waterfall had temporarily placed me in Hawaii. Absolutely unbelievable!

I’m already planning a trip back to enjoy the longer two-and-half-mile hike beyond the waterfall to the Fossil Creek dam and springs.

Please remember: If you pack it in, pack it out. We’d love for our children and generations beyond to enjoy this small piece of heaven. Leashed dogs are also welcome.”

Grand Canyon, heard of it? Most of us have; it’s widely considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Did you know that there are many different ways of seeing all of the sights that the Grand Canyon National Park has to offer? You can [...]]]>

Grand Canyon, heard of it? Most of us have; it’s widely considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Did you know that there are many different ways of seeing all of the sights that the Grand Canyon National Park has to offer? You can hike it, raft it, drive it or just let your mule do all the walking. Whether you want to take a 3-week river cruise or you’re just passing through, there’s plenty to do. The South Rim is open all year and is the hub of activity at the canyon with lodges, shops, restaurants, a campground, a business center and the visitor center. The Historic District transports you back to the early 1900s and boasts one of the oldest standing wooden train depots in the United States, the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, which remains an active train station today. The North Rim, only visited by 10% of all canyon visitors, has lodging and food service available mid-May through mid-October. As the road less traveled, the North Rim or “other side” of the Grand Canyon can be hiked from the South Rim, (21 miles to the North Rim) or drivable from the South Rim (220 miles/5-hours to the North Rim).

Other ways for intrepid explorers to get around by themselves or for more hesitant adventures to be shown the sights by professionals include jeep/van tours, air tours, rafting trips, mule trips, guided hikes, bicycle rentals and bus tours.

The Desert View Drive (East Rim Drive) follows the rim of the canyon 26 miles east from the South Rim to Desert View (open all year), the east entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park. The Desert View Watchtower stands 70 feet tall at the eastern end of the South Rim. The 1932 replica of a prehistoric Indian tower possesses a breathtaking view of the horizon from the San Francisco peaks to the Painted Desert with the Grand Canyon and its winding Colorado river nestled in the center.

PLAN your visit and map it out ahead of time!

PRINT out your Desert View Drive map and bring it along!

Our own Jeff blazed a trail along the Desert View Drive:

“What a way to spend a day!  We started off early with a good breakfast and made a day of a round trip excursion to the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff.  The weather was nice, the traffic light and the scenery was spectacular.  On this particular Tuesday, there was not the usual throng of people mobbing all the scenic overlooks, making it all the more spectacular.  Standing on the rim, it truly is hard to take it all in.  The more you stand and look, the more you see.  Break out the camera, and even more comes to life.  Add a telephoto lens and you might as well pack a lunch ‘cause were going to be here a while!’

Desert View Drive follows the rim, so it’s an entertaining drive in its own right.  The drivers among us will find it hard to resist the call of that road with its twists and turns, gradual curves, switchbacks and brief straights.  We obeyed all (ok, well most) of the traffic laws but oh so tempting.  All this and you look to your right, and oh yeah by the way, here’s the Grand Canyon!  Every scenic overlook was just that – endless views, fascinating rock formations, the occasional glimpse of the Colorado River and the odd animal.  Pictures simply cannot do this justice as much as you want them to.  Panoramic shots cannot even capture the scale and beauty of the canyon.  And the calming energy of the wind and peaceful nature of the park add to the overall experience.

It’s really remarkable when you stop to think about how varied the terrain is in Arizona.  One drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon and back will highlight and underscore that, especially when taking the less-traveled roads back.

Out of Flagstaff on 180 to 180/64 to the Grand Canyon Village.  Head East through the park on Desert View Drive.  Take your time, enjoy the scenery and take advantage of all the pull-offs and vistas! Exit the park via the East exit on 64 to 89.  Take 89 back to Flagstaff.  Excellent day trip, the length of the drive is enjoyable and incredibly scenic, even when not in the park.”

After catching up on the score of last night’s game or ripping out the latest low-cal dessert recipe for the cookbook, sidestep the trash bin [...]]]> Recycling your newspaper by tossing it into your recycle bin is a great way to help the environment but reusing it instead is a smart way to help your wallet.

After catching up on the score of last night’s game or ripping out the latest low-cal dessert recipe for the cookbook, sidestep the trash bin on your way out the door and take your newspaper to the weeds you just can’t kill.

Lisa Kaplan Gordon of HouseLogic.com recommends laying down wet newspaper as a way to kill weeds without harmful chemicals: “A carpet of newspaper, which blocks sunlight and oxygen from reaching the soil, will smother weeds already sprouted and prevent new ones from growing. Throw down newspaper in 10-sheet layers, wet to hold it down, and cover with an inch or two of mulch. If weeds begin to grow in the mulch, add more layers, making a mulch-newspaper lasagna, which eventually will decompose and nourish the soil.”

Find out more ways to get rid of weeds with household items at HouseLogic.com. Save money with the tools you already have!

* All information is believed to be correct, but not guranteed.

Believe it or not, plants with spines and “prickly” in their names aren’t the only green things that grow in the desert. Hearty gardens are possible in the Southwest, the climate of which can support many different types of vegetables, herbs, flowering plants, succulents and fruit trees.

Believe it or not, plants with spines and “prickly” in their names aren’t the only green things that grow in the desert. Hearty gardens are possible in the Southwest, the climate of which can support many different types of vegetables, herbs, flowering plants, succulents and fruit trees. The University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences gives Timely Tips for Low Desert gardening during each month of the year. Flowers can be fragrant, fruit can flourish and vegetables can thrive in a desert garden that is carefully tended and well-watered during the summer months. The Arizona Republic stresses one of the most important AZ gardening tips is to know your seasons in order to plant the right thing at the right time and it offers an AZ Garden Guide for successful planting and maintenance of plants in the Valley.

See what the University of Arizona’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences says about gardening and landscaping in the Low Desert.

Our own Chuck planted a very fruitful garden, the tomatoes and grapes from which we enjoy in the office. His rhubarb, bell peppers, jalapeños, squash, beets, carrots, onions, eggplants, strawberries and herbs are also flourishing from hard work, and perhaps a bit of a green thumb.

“Last Fall, my wife and I started to plan and build a new garden on our little acre which sits on a slope in New River (very rocky land).  We spend most of our leisure time outside, around the house.  After a lot of hard labor, mixing and pouring cement into several stages of forms, lumber, wire, a drainage system and finding a good source of garden soil we are finally enjoying the benefits.

It has been a true challenge as we have made a couple of adjustments throughout the process.   First, we had to attach garden lattice to the roof and west sides to defuse the sun’s intensity.  Second, we put in a ceiling-mounted irrigation quick coupler system with fittings every 6 feet.  And finally, we had to attach 2 feet and ¼ inch mesh wire at the bottom in hopes of keeping some persistent critters that were smaller than the stucco wire fence openings out.   Next year, we are going to have to build our own design of tomato cages as we never thought our tomatoes would grow over 6 feet tall. Even my wife is surprised at the results as of today and is going to harvest her first eggplant this coming weekend, which I hope she enjoys, but I think I’ll pass.”

Joe’s Farm Grill began as the Johnston family home and farm built in the 60′s. Jim and Virginia’s three active sons Joe, Steve and Paul grew up on the farm. Over the years, the farm has grown everything from alfalfa to sugar beets and now provides much of [...]]]>

Joe’s Farm Grill began as the Johnston family home and farm built in the 60′s. Jim and Virginia’s three active sons Joe, Steve and Paul grew up on the farm. Over the years, the farm has grown everything from alfalfa to sugar beets and now provides much of the produce for the grill including tomatoes, greens, herbs and cucumbers made into pickles in-house. In 2000, the family house was remodeled into a mid-century modern “burger stand”. The large trees were preserved during the remodel, leaving shade from the Arizona sun for lunch time guests. Much of the Johnston family still lives on the farm that is located adjacent to the restaurant and often visit the restaurant for family dinners.

See what The Republic says

See what The New York Times Travel Guide says

Featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Our own Brittany visited Joe’s Farm Grill:

“This weekend I had two friends visiting from out of town and it was my job to choose a unique-to-Gilbert, AZ restaurant to eat at. I am pretty new to these parts, (about 2 months in Arizona) but I knew just the place, Joe’s Farm Grill.

You may have heard of them. They had their name in lights a few years ago when featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Personally, I like food so their large portions work well with my large appetite. Also, I am not a vegetarian, but I just love the veggie burger at Joe’s Farm Grill.

The place is designed to look like a 50’s diner with a few twists. For example, if you go to the restroom you will be surprised with a display of retro barbies and a silly barbie movie to help you pass the time.

We chose to eat outside under a beautiful large oak tree. There was a sign in front of it that said “caution fall and scorpions,” naturally I didn’t read it correctly and yelled, ‘Why are we sitting here, falling scorpions?!’…oops, then we sat down. As we ate our meals we noted that the restaurant was literally built on a farm. And later, I discovered that the produce from the farm is used in the restaurant.

After we finished, one of my friends was aching to try the milkshake so he decided to go back inside and place another order for a milkshake. After quickly devouring the dessert, this self-proclaimed milkshake connoisseur announced that it would now be placed top 3 on his milkshake list.

Though I only got to see my out-of-town-friends for a few hours, they thanked me for my fantastic restaurant picking skills… seriously, they did.”

Just 30 minutes east of Phoenix, Saguaro Lake was formed in 1930 by the Stewart Mountain Dam, flowing with the water from the Salt River. The towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape along the 22 miles of shoreline give the lake its name. Saguaro Lake is a popular [...]]]>  

Just 30 minutes east of Phoenix, Saguaro Lake was formed in 1930 by the Stewart Mountain Dam, flowing with the water from the Salt River. The towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape along the 22 miles of shoreline give the lake its name. Saguaro Lake is a popular place to participate in both water sports and dry activities including boating, sailing, kayaking, fishing and camping. Saguaro Lake Marina includes a boast concession and the Lakeshore Restaurant if you didn’t bring your picnic basket. Just few miles north of Saguaro del Norte, which includes the marina, is Butcher Jones Beach where you can find places to swim, picnic and use restroom facilities. Want to camp but can’t drive a boat? Find a friend who can! Camping is available on the lake but can only be accessed by boat. Camp along the shoreline, first come first served. For fun on the lake without renting a boat, you can simply hop on board the double-deck Desert Belle for a narrated cruise.

AZ Highways TV: Desert Belle Cruises

Find out more: Go-Arizona: Saguaro Lake

Our own Brittany took a trip to cool off at the lake:

“Early one Saturday morning me and my friends load up the truck, hitch up the boat and head east to the Saguaro Lake.

At 5:00am the lake is so serene and untouched. The sun is rising slowly as we launch the boat. And are off to wake board the day away. We go in increments. First Brad, than Josh, than Cami, Chris and then me. I am no pro like my friends, but that doesn’t matter; it is still one of my favorite sports. I watched them do flips and tricks while my main goal is to not fall as I try to slide my way outside of the wake. I do it successfully… most of the time.

It may seem odd, but I love the initial struggle of trying to hang on as you are pulled up out of the water, then once I am up I feel a burst of freedom as I fly across the top of the water. I enjoy the wind in my hair and the water splashing across my face. The exquisite scenery adds to my feeling of freedom.

The blue/green lake water is the perfect temperature, not too hot and not too cold. Other boats join us on the lake and happy cheers can be heard as people literally, rise and fall out of the water. The lake breaks the monotony of desert landscape. As we soak in the splashes of water and rays of sun, our spirits are raised to carry us until we can come back to play again.

There are many other things to do at Saguaro Lake aside from boating. There are hikes to go exploring on. Campgrounds for family trips. And plenty of fishing, being that it is stocked with a large variety of fish by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. This lake is located about 40 miles east of Phoenix making it great for a weekend trip for residents.”