Opening night at  The Arizona Theatre’s production of  Woody Guthrie’s American Song.  The  cast was exceptional and delivered so much great heart and spirit you can’t help but sing along, tap your foot, or clap your hands.  One of my favorites was “Deportees,”   This song was about an actual airplane crash that happened back during that period. A plane carrying Mexican immigrants crashed, but in the media they were not given the dignity of being named, instead they were just called deportees.

Live theater my friends, that  is why I love the arts so much.   This show takes you through an emotional journey, high and low and so fitting for the times it makes the human spirit and heart to feel, react, and think.    

for tickets visit  http://www.arizonatheatre.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportee_(Plane_Wreck_at_Los_Gatos)

Contributed by Mario Romero, CRS, CDPE, CLHMS
602-252-4191 office, 602-254-9810 fax
The Romero Team - Melcher Agency
www.TheRomeroTeam.com
www.ShortSaleTeamAz.com
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Real estate is ending 2010 on a positive note with President Obama recently extending tax credits that add value to home ownership and home improvements. On the 17th of this month Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. The Act extended tax benefits, reduced payroll taxes and extended a variety of energy efficient tax credits. The extension of the tax credits for energy efficient improvements include those for new homes, existing homes, and building credits. The credits are good for improvements made throughDecember 31, 2011.

Thus far the year is also ending with the mortgage interest deduction (MID) in place, a vital benefit to home owners everywhere this allows homes owners to write off the interest paid on mortgages. While the MID is being threatened to be reduced or eliminated as a way to recover money and reduce government debt, it hasn’t been altered yet, making homeowners throughout the United States grateful for the time being.

Home sales are holding their own as mortgage rates remain hovering above historic lows. Re-financing and buying real estate is benefiting greatly form these low rates. The low interest rate is helping boost sales, appearing to stay put until recovery is in full swing. All in all real estate is ending 2010 in a good position to pick up speed in 2011.

Click here to learn more about real estate provisions that are a part of Obama’s latest tax bill.

Contributed by Mario Romero, CRS, CDPE, CLHMS
602-252-4191 office, 602-254-9810 fax
The Romero Team - Melcher Agency
www.TheRomeroTeam.com
www.ShortSaleTeamAz.com
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There are a number of smart decisions home owners can make to live greener during the holidays, choices that will not only make people lessen their impact on the environment but also add a little zip to your holiday spirit. The holidays breed good will toward men and the spirit of giving, and there is no need to ignore the environment in the process.

Wrapping paper. Wrapping paper no doubt creates the most garbage during the holiday season and choosing recycled or reusable materials is easier on the landfills. Fabric makes a great wrapping and can be used again for further wrapping or to make something out of.

Christmas trees. Christmas tree farms grow trees strictly for Christmas time, lessening the effects that could come from chopping a tree down in a forest, its natural environment. Choosing a farmed tree is kinder than cutting one down.

Recycle your tree. Most neighborhoods have areas designated as Christmas tree drop-off sites. Dropping your tree off will enable it to be turned into mulch or returned to the environment in a different way.

These are just a few ways to lessen the burden we make on the environment during the holiday season. We live in a consumer society, something we are all guilty of, and the holidays represent a time of greatest impact. It might just lift our spirits to do our part toward easing the impact during this busy time of year.

 

Contributed by Mario Romero, CRS, CDPE, CLHMS
602-252-4191 office, 602-254-9810 fax
The Romero Team - Melcher Agency
www.TheRomeroTeam.com
www.ShortSaleTeamAz.com
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The Christmas tree is one of the most easily recognizable signs of the arrival of Christmas and like many other Christmas traditions is derived from a fusion of Christian ideas with older pagan traditions.

The Druids in ancient England & Gual and the Romans in Europe both used evergreen branches to decorate their homes and public buildings to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Legend holds that Saint Boniface, a 7th century monk from England, used the triangular shape of a fir tree as a symbol to teach Germans about the Holy Trinity.

The first documented use of an evergreen tree in a Christmas celebration was in Riga, Latvia, in the year 1510. The Christmas tree tradition as we know it today dates to the 16th century when devout Christians in Germany brought decorated trees into their homes.

German born Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, is credited with starting the trend in England in 1841 when he brought the first Christmas tree to Windsor Castle.

The first record of a Christmas tree being on display in the United States was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania. It is interesting that while Europeans generally favored smaller trees of three to four feet in height, Americans began using trees that stretched from floor to ceiling. By the 1890′s, Christmas ornaments were being imported from Germany and Christmas trees had begun to become more popular in throughout the United States.

Franklin Pierce was the first American President to show-off a Christmas tree in the White House and in 1923; President Calvin Coolidge lit the first national Christmas tree on the White House lawn.

The Spode motif is a timelesss tribute to the Christmas Tree and we have selected a few of these keepsake collectibles and added fresh flowers to create some classic holiday floral arrangements

Contributed by Mario Romero, CRS, CDPE, CLHMS
602-252-4191 office, 602-254-9810 fax
The Romero Team - Melcher Agency
www.TheRomeroTeam.com
www.ShortSaleTeamAz.com
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The Story Neighborhood was originally purchased in 1887 and 1906 by Francis Q Story, a horticulturist who ws also known as the “father of the Sunkist orange.” Period revival houses dominate the architectural character of the district, being split almost equally between Spanish revival and Tudor revival. The neighborhood also contains examples of other Revival styles, such as English cottage, Norman cottage, Mediterranean, Pueblo, Mission style , Neoclassical, Colonial, Praire and Art Moderne.

Contributed by Mario Romero, CRS, CDPE, CLHMS
602-252-4191 office, 602-254-9810 fax
The Romero Team - Melcher Agency
www.TheRomeroTeam.com
www.ShortSaleTeamAz.com
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The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) just released their existing-home sales numbers, but what does this mean for homeowners and buyers in The Phoenix Metro area?

According to NAR, 379,000 homes were sold nationwide in September, and they expect that a total of 4.53 million homes will be sold in 2010. This is down 19% from 2009 numbers when buyers were looking to take advantage of the tax credit that initially ended in November.

Short sales have become an increasing portion of these (and national) home sales. Helping local homeowners avoid foreclosure, I’ve experienced a high degree of success in short sales.

                               Here is the local statistics of activity in the Phoenix Metro MLS

With millions of homeowners across the country seeking this better option to foreclosure, if you or anyone you know is having trouble paying the mortgage and doesn’t know what to do, contact me for more information.

I can help

Contributed by Mario Romero, CRS, CDPE, CLHMS
602-252-4191 office, 602-254-9810 fax
The Romero Team - Melcher Agency
www.TheRomeroTeam.com
www.ShortSaleTeamAz.com
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You may have heard that Bank of America, Ally Financial (formerly GMAC), and JPMorgan Chase have all temporarily suspended foreclosure proceedings to investigate possible problems with mortgage documentation. Bank of America froze foreclosures in all 50 states, but recently announced they will move forward in the 23 states that resolve foreclosures through their judicial systems. Ally and Chase have continued to halt proceedings in these states. 

For homeowners having problems making mortgage payments, this may seem like tremendous opportunity to stay in their homes. The unfortunate reality is that the foreclosure process will start again, and for those facing foreclosure, the real opportunity lies in the extra time to find better alternatives. The first step to take during this opportunity is to contact an educated real estate agent as soon as possible to learn about options. 

For homeowners who owe more on their homes than what they’re worth and don’t what to do, I can help provide options and hope during this time of uncertainty. Together, we can take a proactive approach to a situation millions of Americans are facing everyday. We can use this extra time for developing a strategy to get past this time of distress, and move toward a brighter, more stable future.

Contributed by Mario Romero, CRS, CDPE, CLHMS
602-252-4191 office, 602-254-9810 fax
The Romero Team - Melcher Agency
www.TheRomeroTeam.com
www.ShortSaleTeamAz.com
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The current super low mortgage rates have many people wondering whether or not now is the time to refinance. For 23 weeks rates have been under 5%, last week headlines touted that the average rate for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage was 4.19%, the lowest recorded since mortgage rates began being recorded. With such history how could now not be the time to refinance? Oddly enough, now might not be the right time for you.

Here are some things to keep in mind to determine whether refinancing is right for you:

• Do you have equity in your home? If you are underwater on your mortgage you will have a hard time refinancing.
• Costs of refinancing. How much is it going to cost to refinance and how many months will it take to recoup the cost? Will you be in your home that long?
• Taxes. Mortgage insurance is a write-off come tax time. Is lowering the interest in your best interest?

These are just a few points to think about when considering refinancing your real estate. If you have plenty of equity, good credit and overall financial stability this could be the best time. There are a lot of things to think about when refinancing, for example, if you have less than 20% equity you will have to have prime mortgage insurance (PMI) which will add to your monthly costs. Take time to evaluate your financial and real estate picture. The historically low rates are eye-catching and are great for buying a home but they may not be ideal for refinancing your home.

Contributed by Mario Romero, CRS, CDPE, CLHMS
602-252-4191 office, 602-254-9810 fax
The Romero Team - Melcher Agency
www.TheRomeroTeam.com
www.ShortSaleTeamAz.com
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When it comes to distressed real estate it is important for home owners to know that foreclosure is avoidable. Foreclosures have been in the media so much over the past few years that the term is commonplace, but the reality is that foreclosure is not something that most people want to face, or need to face. It is important for home owners to know their options and understand that foreclosure is the last stop on the distressed real estate road.

• Short sales are an option for those whose property is in the pre-foreclosure state. Basically a short sale is when a home owner sells his property for less than is owed on the loan. The lender has to approve the short sale for it to happen.
• Reinstatement is when a home owner is able to catch up on past-due loan payments and a home loan is back in good standing.
• Loan modification is when a mortgage is changed, typically by lowering the monthly payments and perhaps extending its length. Loan modification leads to the reinstatement of a loan.
• A forbearance agreement is when a lender agrees to suspend payments for a given period of time.

When dealing with distressed property it is important for people to know what the options are. A Realtor who is savvy in short sales can help tremendously as the process can be difficult and easier with experience. Look for Realtors who are either a CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) or an SFR (Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource). Foreclosure is an avoidable predicament if a home owner takes the necessary steps.

Click here for more information on preventing foreclosure.

 

Contributed by Mario Romero, CRS, CDPE, CLHMS
602-252-4191 office, 602-254-9810 fax
The Romero Team - Melcher Agency
www.TheRomeroTeam.com
www.ShortSaleTeamAz.com
Follow Me on Twitter

Fall is an important time of year for gardening, and how you deal with your garden at this time of year can affect how your garden will grow come Spring. While there are plants that are at their best in Fall, many need to be cut back and put to bed for the upcoming Winter months.

A few things to do to your garden in the Fall:

• Cut back flowering plants, whose blooms have come and gone.
• Get rid of any unhealthy plants.
• Weed your flower beds.
• Get rid of any fruits and vegetables that may have fallen to the ground.
• Rake up any leaves and debris.
• Turn over the soil.

Cleaning your garden in the Fall will get rid of elements that could get in the way of Spring growth. In addition, turning over the soil can get rid of weed roots and seeds that would lead to more weed growth in Spring. Cutting perennial plants back promotes healthy, thicker growth when dormant periods are over. While different parts of the country may have different growing season, gardens everywhere have seasons and need to be paid attention to accordingly.

Click here to learn more about Fall gardening from HGTV.

 

Contributed by Mario Romero, CRS, CDPE, CLHMS
602-252-4191 office, 602-254-9810 fax
The Romero Team - Melcher Agency
www.TheRomeroTeam.com
www.ShortSaleTeamAz.com
Follow Me on Twitter