Understanding the Zillow Zestimate
So how does Zillow get their real estate information? How do they come up with the Zestimate? Understanding how Zillow works and their business plan can shed a new light…
Blog about the latest news in Rio Verde
The Home Inspection
During the process of purchasing a home the residential purchase contract allows for the buyer to have a period after the terms of the contract has been accepted to go…
Value vs. Price: Buyers seek both
There are many different tools and considerations in setting the price of a home to sell. It is a fact that the seller or a real estate agent eager to…
Verde Ranch cookouts benefit the Reigning Grace Ranch
Anchoring love at the Reigning Grace Ranch
Rio Verde welcomed Reigning Grace Ranch to the Box Bar Ranch as an intermediate home while their new 20 acre ranch was being prepared at 172nd and Rio Verde Drive this spring. Reigning Grace was started in 2009 by Christopher and Amanda Moore, and pairs at-risk youth with formerly abused horses to experience the life therapy both share with one another. 75% of the children in the program are in foster care or child protective services programs. Most of the horses have been rescued and rehabilitated from abusive and neglected backgrounds. Reigning Grace Ranch is a registered equine rescue in the state of Arizona.
What do at-risk kids and neglected horses have in common? Both have lost trust in those who had them in their care. How do you get that back? Reigning Grace pairs each child with a mentor and a horse. One of the first things that happens is the horse picks the child, not the other way around. Kids are placed in a circle, and the horse “goes to” the child that will be his for the 7 weeks of sessions. During the process the child along with their family learn the skills of a working horse ranch: Hard work, problem solving, leadership, self-esteem, responsibility, life skills, character development and the calming therapy of a horse.
The HOA-Tough love
It’s about time someone stood up for the issuer of tough love: the HOA. Lovers of the right to own property in a free society will screw up their faces at the mention of a Home Owner’s Association. Who needs someone telling you what 12 colors of dirt you can use to paint your house, and then charging you for the privilege? Maybe I want to paint my house purple, or never weed the yard, or leave my car in the driveway since I have exercised my right to exercise and my garage is a gym.
One of Home Owner’s Associations greatest values is they help the homeowner maintain the value of their property. A healthy HOA, with reasonable by-laws and competent leadership can add great value to your investment. Those home buyers who don’t want to be told what to do have the option to live in another area, and those who want a consistent experience should not fear the HOA.
Taking Title to Property in Arizona
Home ownership! You have found your dream home, and before you close the Title Company calls to ask you how you would like to take title. What? How can you know! If this is your first home, or your first in Arizona, this question may be puzzling. What are your choices? What can happen if you die? What about your heirs? What about estate taxes? What if you own a home with someone you are not married to? What if you and your neighbors want to “go in” to buy the vacant lot behind your houses to preserve your view and privacy? Taking title may have significant legal, estate planning, and tax consequences. You should seek legal and tax advice from qualified professionals.
Fourth of July low rider
Hot Time, Summer in the Verdes
Happy Fourth of July! Out here in Arizona, I guess you could say everyday is some variation of a summer day. But the Fourth is a guaranteed hot one. Our summer days make us dream a little bit about our youth “up North”, wherever that is for you. Consistent 100 degree days greet us by the end of May, and do not leave until we are well into October. By time Fourth of July hits, we also start to deal with the Monsoon season. Humidity that was ridiculously low in the 3-7% range soars to the 40% range. Now I know, if you are back in the east or mid-west, 40% is a dry day. But it isn’t 108 degrees and no shade to be found along with the 40%. It’s hot baby!
So what can you do when it is that hot? The pool is an option, but even the water in the pool becomes swampy warm by July. I guess we will have to golf! (more…)
Rio Verde receives Audubon Sustainable community designation
April 22 was Earth Day, and on that day Rio Verde received the designation as an Audubon Certified Sustainable Community. Rio Verde has been working toward becoming a sustainable community…
Rio Verde voted #1 Golf Course/Community in Arizona
In a Ranking Arizona opinion poll Rio Verde Country Club and Golf Community have been voted the No. 1 "Private Golf Course" and "Active Adult Community" by Ranking Arizona: the…
Kentuck Mountain view
Rio Verde Hiking group hits the trail
“No sign-up, just show up.” This is the directive of the Rio Verde Hiking Club leader, Jim Urban. Jim has been the leader of the Rio Verde Hiking Club, and in Jim we trust! His knowledge of the area trails and history make him a interesting guide and fountain of knowledge. Our first hike of the season was November 14, and about 27 Rio Verde hikers showed up in the parking lot to set out to Kentuck Mountain in the Tonto National Forest. (more…)
