Tucson Real Estate News

Since relocating our office to our "OWN" building, we have had one devil of a time while waiting for internet service to be brought to the office complex we are now in.

Had we gotten an honest answer from our provider at the previous office (starts with "Q"), we would have stayed another month at our rented location and waited for their competitor to finish their installation before moving.  Instead, we were told "no problem...just take your wireless modem with you."  On move-in day, the technician told my broker:  "I don't know why they told you that...we haven't ever offered internet service here...only (Brand T) so far."

Suffice it to say, it has been a challenge to share 2 wireless cards from cellular companies amongst the office staff, broker and agents during the past month.  Our provider-to-be put us in touch with an IT consultant in the complex who graciously set us up to share his company's feed for the last few days.

Please allow me to introduce RYAN LEED of Leed Computer Consulting, and head of IT at Drachman/Leed Insurance! 

He is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer   and has consulted on a wide variety of applications, needs and fixes (gee, since Windows '95!).  His unselfish act of help to The Pepper Group will not go unnoticed and I hope that he gets more clients as a result of the word-of-mouth that our firm is about to put forward on his behalf.

Visit his website:  LeedCC or give him a call at 520.382.0333 

If he does this kind of help at a moment's notice as a favor...imagine what he can do for a client!

How often do you think of your high school days and suspect the drum major would be a full-fledged, up-and-coming Diva of the Jazz World?

Well, not very often...but it can happen.  Kathleen Grace has traded the drum major title for the higher honor of major talent, according to critics in the jazz world.  The graduate of Canyon Del Oro High in Tucson received glowing reviews for her debut album, "Songbird" and has kept the momentum going with a strong follow-up work, "Sunrise."

Chosen as one of the "Directors Picks" at the San Jose Jazz Festival, the Kathleen Grace Band is turning some heads.  A close friend of mine (her aunt) is overjoyed at Miss Grace's success so far.

Critics nationwide have lauded her live performances as a rising star on the jazz scene: 

"One of the most interesting newcomers on the American scene...The airwaves should be full of Grace " -Chistopher Louden, JazzTimes.

From the Dallas Morning News.. "The music was absolutely lovely. I kept trying to think of a word to describe the Los Angeles jazz vocalist whose voice is mellow and pure. The title of her new CD captured the description perfectly: Songbird." SXSW (South By Southwest) Best of the blog

."The Divas have the potential to become one of the jazz world's breakout acts. Record execs should listen closely to this fascinating trio of gifted performers." LA Times "Tales From The Diva Den"

"The future of jazz lies in the artistry of young talents such as Los Angeles vocalist Kathleen Grace...in hands like these jazz can find a newer, younger audience that knows how to party in high sheen places." Tucson Citizen CD Review

Kathleen and her band, KGB will perform at The Hut on 4th Avenue headlining a triple bill on Saturday night.  Tickets are only $5--be there and support your tucson art scene or pay $50 next time she comes to town! 

Visit her MySpace page to learn more about Kathleen and listen to some of her music. (Yes, you can buy a CD there)

           Kent Simpson

Tired of all the plastic bags you get everywhere you shop?  Is that dedicated corner or drawer in your kitchen constantly full of 847 bags you hate to throw away, but can't figure out what to do with them?

Have you bought a smaller trash can than you really need, just so that you can get some use out of the multitude of bags on hand?

Well, you might just consider a reusable bag when you go shopping for groceries.  In Tucson, Basha's grocery stores and Shamrock Farms are giving them away today!  All you have to do is bring 5 plastic bags in and trade them in.  Future savings and promo deals will be tied to utilizing the reusable bags, so you'll save some green in your wallet too.

I don't know if you can empty that drawer and get a bunch of reusable bags in return, but at least one will make a dent.  Certainly can't hurt.  Now what to do with that pitifully small wastebasket?

Stephen M. Weeks, of the Tucson law firm, Weeks & Laird PLLC, has come up with a solution for many people facing foreclosure--those facing an ARM adjustment that may send them into the realm of foreclosure.

After representing many homeowners in a bad situation, he came up with a plan that will help many get out of harmful predatory subprime loans.  The goal is fourfold:  avoid ARMs & negative amortization, allow for affordable house payments without a large amount down, keep tax breaks and allow an owner to gain equity, make it profitable for lenders to adopt this strategy.

The U.S. Patent Office awarded Weeks a patent for his plan on March 18.  Having a prominent local come up with a solution to a problem facing so many nationwide is not only good, but good for tucson real estate.  I look forward to seeing it in action soon!

To read about the plan in depth, please read the article in BusinessWire.

On Tuesday, April 22, the public has an opportunity to learn about different aspects of buying or selling homes from a wide variety of professionals in the industry.

The Housing Opportunities Committee of Tucson Association of REALTORS® hosts the event as part of their ongoing public education offering, free of charge or obligation!  Professionals from the lending industry, home inspections, escrow and title, real estate, staging, insurance and local non-profit organizations will be there to answer questions and provide information. 

Whether you're new to the thought of buying a home, selling a home or have bought several, looking to invest or just plain curious, come spend an evening in a no-pressure, no-hassle atmosphere.  This event is designed to be fun and enjoyable--as well as informational.  The Homebuyer/Homeowner Fair is just one way that the REALTORS® in Tucson give back to the community.  Last November, over 50 people attended the last event.

Come join us!  We'll even feed you!

When:  Tuesday, April 22  5-8 PM
Where:  Tucson Association of REALTORS® Building
            Tucson Boulevard, just north of Grand Rd

I'll see you there!

Click Logo To Visit Website

Spring Fling isn't your stereotypical college Spring Break event.  In fact, there isn't even any beer (what?).  Spring Fling is organized and run by the students of Univerisity of Arizona as a fundraiser for different clubs, groups, sororities and fraternities:  in its 34-year history, Spring Fling has become the largest student-run carnival in the United States!

Every year, over 3,000 students volunteer their time, talents and effort to help put on Spring Fling...last year, over 30,000 people attended the 4-day carnival.  An average of $80,000 per year gross profit is realized by the participating groups.  U of A students man the food, games and work to organize the event, line up corporate sponsors and keep the fun and spirit of the event alive throughout the year.

When Spring Fling started in 1974, there were 20 booths and a few carnival rides.  The event has now moved off campus to the Rillito Downs racetrack facility to occupy 7 acres framed by the beauty of Tucson's Catalina Mountains.

The tremendous effort that goes into putting together an event like this every year can only be matched by the spirit of fun and giving back to the community that students engender.  Every year, the carnival is opened early for underpriveleged children to enjoy the rides free of charge.  The lessons learned in every aspect of this event cannot be learned in a classroom, and neither can the reward of a child's smile.

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers build award-winning burritos!

Scenes From The Midway During Sunset In Tucson

Not A Sign You'd Expect To See and Enjoy It!

The author preparing to meet his impending doom...or revisit dinner?

My hat's off to these students, and to the spirit of fun, entrepreneurship and caring that they show us each and every year!  Visit the Spring Fling Website

It must be an addiction, but I can't go somewhere in Tucson without taking a photo of
the sunset!

         Kent Simpson

Gas prices keep rising, and we in Tucson are lucky enough to have the best prices in the state, if not the country.  Regardless, why pay more than you need to?

There are 2 grocery chains in Tucson that sell gas also--and part of their customer loyalty rewards are discounts on gasoline purchases.  At Fry's grocery stores, you not only save on your store items when scanning your customer loyalty card, but when you purchase $100 or more within a month, you get 10 cents per gallon off of your gasoline at their pumps!  Albertsons doesn't use a customer card anymore, but they offer a similar incentive:  spend $50 in one visit, get 25 cents a gallon discount when you fill up at the store; spend $100 and save a whopping 50 cents per gallon!  Trick is:  there's only 1 Albertsons with a gas station--at the corner of Grant & Tanque Verde. 

This has been ActiveKent reporting...back to you, Jim.

For the past few years, local rumors and water-cooler conversations have cropped up concerning a large mixed-use development going in on Tucson's Southeast side:  "There's a Mall of America being built in Tucson!"   some have claimed, while others chime in with comments about developers floating rumors to help sell their homes and a whole host of other thoughts.

The truth is this:  Yes, there is a huge developement going in, and no, it isn't being put together by the homebuilders who have been instrumental in the growth of the region.  Passages of Tucson is a 400-acre mixed use development to include shopping, living, health, offices--you name it.  Plans are for anywhere from 1.5 million square feet of retail and business space to over 6 million square feet (depending on market conditions).  Frontage along I-10 in Vail will be over a mile long. The developer was deeply involved in the Mall of America project:  Robert Hoffman.  He has over 40 years in development experience under his belt.  It is real.  It is here.  Now.

(From Passages of Tucson Website)

The region of Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico may not seem at first glance to be the type of area to support such a project, but the demographics and forecasts on both sides of the border, combined with the results in dimensions unseen before the Mall of America project make sense, especially with Mr. Hoffman's track record.  Think you know Tucson?  Wait 10 years...you ain't seen nothin' yet.

Take a look at the website:  Passages of Tucson

Listen to Robert Hoffman's Interview

            Kent Simpson

Want to view some of the latest architectural home ideas?  Care to keep up on trends in design?  CubeMe is a collection of blogs and interesting articles on a wide array of home-related subjects!

NextHouse by Empyrean International LLC
March 31st, 2008 by Chantal

Besides homes themselves, there are articles on innovative designs for appliances, green techniques and examples.

                                  
                                                                                   Ray, the Stove Radiator by Sikken               
                                                                                          March 12, 2008 by Hans

The information on innovative products doesn't stop with building, but design and furniture are featured also.  It is a great place to stretch one's mind and see examples of "out-of-the-box" thinking.

Divided, A Chest of Drawer by Front Design
Feb 29, 2008 by Hans

While not everyone loves contemporary design--I like the fact that Cube is a collective work.  Archiving and providing a place to celebrate excellence in any endeavor deserves a visit!

                                                                            
Often people will ask me:  "How is the crime in this neighborhood?"  By law and ethics, I am not allowed to answer that question.  To ensure that my clients and other interested parties can have an opportunity to see for themselves what is going on in any neighborhood, I point them to the Tucson Police Department's website.

TPD has done a great job of formulating statistics city-wide...even putting them into map form that one can roam at will and zoom in on areas of interest.  Nice Job, TPD!

Tucson Police Department Crime Stats

         
          Kent Simpson

When working with families moving to Arizona (or anywhere for that matter), one of the first things they ask me is:  "How are the schools?"

The Arizona Department of Education has made it easy to check on schools anywhere in the state.  On their website, you can look up an individual school or by county, district, town and see their "Report Card" anytime one likes!  You can even compare schools at the click of a mouse.  Check it out...how is your school performing?  Arizona School Report Cards

Last year, the Tucson City Council unanimously voted to approve building a new 12,300 seat arena downtown as part of a plan including new hotels, to invigorate the ongoing redevelopment in the area. 

Now, new figures on the cost of said arena show a price tag of $196 million, and the sparks have begun to fly as the entire project is re-examined.  Some want the idea of redeveloping the current Tucson Convention Center (TCC) back on the table while others deride the thought as "awful" or a "band-aid" solution. 

Councilwoman Shirley Scott questions whether the public should spend nearly $200 million while local businessman Bruce Ash says, "That kind of number is what I always expected it to be."  He also states that a new arena is critical to business in the city, that without it, the city could lose an opportunity to attract more conventions and ancillary businesses that dovetail such an improvement.  The issue of public vs. private funding of the project is gathering steam.

Meanwhile, squabbling about the design of the arena itself has a new chance to further delay plans, with Councilwoman Nina Trasoff going so far as to send plans to Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects, a Toronto based firm. 

Tucson needs a new arena, and a major project to ramp up the ongoing revitalization of downtown.  Whether public or private money, or a hybrid of the two is used, the pricetag isn't going to get any cheaper.  It is time for the dithering to end and get on or off the pot.  Stick by your decision, City Council, and get the ball rolling.  In the long run, it will greatly benefit the city.  Killing the project now will set the city back 15 years.  It is easier (and cheaper) to lead than play "catch-up."  Rio Nuevo, or whatever label the leaders want to put on downtown redevelopment has some good momentum:  don't stand in the way to play politics.

Arizona Daily Star Story

For some in Tucson, this is a foregone conclusion, but for many, it is a surprise to hear that Lute Olson will return to coach the Wildcats next year.  After a year of whispers, arched eyebrows and a chorus of "I dunno" wonderment, the venerable coach and Basketball Icon of Arizona will return from a lengthy absence to coach the men's team again.
                                                                                

Almost as many questions and rumors surround Olson's return as did his sudden and "hush-hush" departure.  With Kevin O'Neill going from virtually a lock to be Lute's successor to firmly being shown the door, what kind of message is being sent to prospective candidates to replace him?  Why the secrecy and ominous feel to the past year?  What kind of examples are being held out to the kids?  Does Lute have what it takes, at 73, to continue his legacy of success?  Is this a case of ego gone awry and athletic director Jim Livengood not having the stones to check it?  Could this program be headed for the trash heap instead of the top of the conference?

I like Lute Olson, admire his work, but I can't help but feel that the poor handling of his leave-of-absence and sudden return will tarnish his legacy and damage the program to some degree.  Best of luck to all -- don't do it again.  Seriously.

             Kent Simpson

The other day while driving to preview some property--I noticed that there was a slight "rumble" from my rear tire that hadn't been there before.  Thinking that perhaps I had knocked a weight off of the rim while bouncing around some dirt roads, I made a mental note to take it in and have my wheels balanced again.

When I took my truck into the tire dealership the next day, the tech told me that someone had switched tires with me, substituting their tire that was about to blow out due to separated belts for my good tire.  Apparently this happens more often than you'd think on vehicles with factory wheels:  it is quick and easy if someone has a good jack and a larcenous streak.

To make a long story short, the guys at C&J Tire & Wheel in Tucson, Arizona set me up with a new tire to replace the bad one...and applied the warranty that was still left on the stolen one.  They saved me $70 or so by being kind enough to do something that they didn't have to do.  I have now put locking lugnuts on all 4 wheels.

I am so impressed with their kind business practice that they have gained a customer for life, and referrals from me anytime someone mentions tires in my presence.

Thanks, C&J!

Innovation and technological advances are the hallmark of the Wired NextFest.  "Green" technology is quickly becoming a focus of the tech industry, with all sorts of gadgets and energy-saving/storing devices being featured as "the next big thing."

Discovery Channel furnishes this clip for anyone to use on their blogs:

I find it both interesting and inspiring to see bright minds working to improve the efficiency of their own products while finding solutions to empower people in remote areas with technology that the rest of us take for granted.

I wonder what this year's NextFest will introduce?

Phoenix - March 31, 2008

As a result of an analysis of current stategovernment policies and procedures, a constitutional review board has recommended that the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) be shut down and all real estate activity be suspended, pending a review of the department's legality under strict constitutional law by the Arizona Supreme Court.

Dr. Loof Lirpa, a law professor at University of Middle Arizona, who heads Governor Napolitano's Special Inquiries Committee issued this statement:  "Until further notice, or the expiration of the governor's milk in the refrigerator, we strongly recommend that all contracts, clauses, addendums and closings be examined carefully today.  After all, it is April Fool's and you can't be sure of anyone's purity of motive today."

Made ya think for a moment, huh?  Happy April 1, everyone!