The Phoenix Housing Blog

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Memorial Tribute to Our Heroes - May 26th, 2008

Memorial Day Tribute to Our Heroes!

My very first attempt at making a movie/video with 'Movie Maker'
..all I can say is, it's a blast, fun and a great new tool in my arsenal!

May You all have a
Happy, Safe and Enjoyable
Memorial Day!

Candace Robinson is a Licensed Arizona Real Estate agent with HomeSmart Real Estate in Phoenix, Arizona metro area. As a member of our local Arizona Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. She works with both Buyers and Sellers serving the East Valley and surrounding areas including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Ocotillo, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ahwatukee and more.

Living in Arizona since 1974. She has raised three children in the Town of Gilbert and very familiar with the wonderful lifestyle that Arizona has to offer! If you are looking into buying or selling a home in the Phoenix metropolitan area, hire a REALTOR® like Candace, who wants to win your business and trust. Candace would be honored to share with you an educated idea of what your home's value is based on experience, local knowledge, and comparable actual sales in your neighborhood! To get a FREE no-obligation Home Evaluation specific to your needs be sure to contact Candace Robinson. If you have any general questions about buying or selling real estate in Arizona please don't hesitate to contact her at CRobinson@hsmove.com or call her direct at 480-202-3558 or click on the links below for all you real estate needs.

Featured Properties

Candace Robinson HomeSmart Arizona Real Estate Agent

Candace Robinson www.ArizonaHomeCentral.com serving all your Real Estate needs in the Phoenix metro area including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Ocotillo, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ahwatukee and more. Call 480-202-3558

Copyright © 2008 CKRobinson

Real Estate Blogging Gathering - May 2008

You’re invited to join the first NEXT
AZ Real Estate Blogging Network
!



RSVP: join@azrealestateblogs.com For more information: 480-202-3558

Thursday, May 29th • 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
3100 W. Ray Rd. Suite 137, Chandler, AZ 85226
Lunch 11:30 - 12:00 ~ Class Break-out 12:00
Northwest corner of Ray/101 San Tan Loop

map & directions

Jay Thompson - 'The Phoenix Real Estate Guy'

AZREBN_logoJay has a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. From January 2005 to January 2006, he served as a Commissioner on the Town of Gilbert Human Relations Commission.

There is no question why I jumped on board when Jay became interested in getting involved with AZREBN. He is a huge influence on how our network is being structured. His knowledge, technology skills and willingness to share and teach what he knows is astounding! He contributes to many Real Estate Blogs and has his own you can check out at www.PhoenixRealEstateGuy.com. Jay has been a guest speaker with Inman, has been profiled in local magazines and more! We are so grateful to call Jay Thompson as a member our of AZREBN Team!

AZREBN Team Instructor
www.PhoenixRealEstateGuy.com
Team Teaching w/Shailesh starting in June!


Mike Jones - 'Mike in Tucson'

Mike Jones - Mike in TucsonMike is so personable and a great communicator, that's why he is such an asset to our AZREBN Team. His passion to learn and give will make you feel right at ease to listen to every tid bit he shares! It's way obvious why he has been asked to teach.

"I show up ON TIME. I do WHAT I SAY I'm going to do. I FINISH what I start. If I mess up, I 'FESS UP & I fix it. In the mortgage business, these 4 things are why you'll want to do business with me," Mike says. He can walk the talk, come on make it a great afternoon with Mike.

Series I: Setting Up Your Professional Blog (beginners)
A. Setting Up Your Profile
1. Introduction
2. Call to Action Buttons
3. Professional History
B. Writing Your First Post
1. Content
2. Tags
3. Group Placement
C. Working With Images
1. Creating the image
2. Optimizing the image
3. Inserting the image
4. Sizing the image
5. Placing the image on the page for good
6. Editing imageins within posts
AZREBN Team - Instructor
www.Activerain.com/blogs/miraclemike
Series I - Setting Up Your First Professional Blog
12:00PM -1:30PM

Shailesh Ghimire - 'AZ Mortgage Guru'

Shailesh Ghimire AZ Mortgage Guru Shailesh is such a passionate and successful blogger, his expertise and knowledge definitely can deem him the 'AZ Blogging Guru' for sure.

His knowledge and wisdom he brings to the AZREBN Team is outstanding! His integrity, attention to details is a true asset to any network. We are honored to have him a part of our teaching team. Don't miss out, you won't be disappointed!
Series I - Blogs Begin With Wordpress
A. Getting Your Worpress Blog Set-up
1. Hosting
2. FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
3. Domain Pointing/Set-up - Buy (bring your credit card)
B. Picking A Theme
1. Uploading to Server
2. Undestanding Hosting Connections
3. Designing Blog to Your Taste
4. Create Pages
5. Write Your First Post - Content is King!
** NOTE: If you have a domain you would like to use and be prepared for the class, contact Shailesh to direct it to your hosting account. If you have any questions please direct them to Shailesh in advance.

AZREBN Team Instructor
www.AZMortgageGuru.com
Series I - Blogs Begin with Wordpress!
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm


The first of many series to come from our AZREBN Team, Jay Thompson, Shailesh Ghimire and Mike Jones! Thursday will kick off our second meeting for blogging techniques, tips and plain getting started for those that are new to blogging and veterans alike! Bring your hungry bellies, your laptop, pen & paper and roll up your sleeves and be prepared to leave with more than you came with! RSVP at Join@AZRealEstateBlogs.com

I look so forward to meeting up with everyone again this month! Last month was a great opportunity to mingle and greet! This month we are going to get down to the 'real' business we all have been waiting for.

See you there,

Candace Robinson

AZ Real Estate Blogging Members don't forget to pass out your barrel of monkeys for the movie basket!

GETTING MY BLOG STARTED!
Come learn the Blogging techniques and tips from pro bloggers!
Share and learn network about blogs,
how to build a strong online presence!
SUCCESS STORIES WITH MY BLOG!
Come listen to Top bloggers share their successes with having a RE blog! Come share your ideas and experiences of how it can be a huge lead generating Blog!

©copyright AZ Real Estate Blogging Network 2008

Google Bots and Search Results - Tip for Searching Google

We all have come to know or should know that the Google search engine is a powerful thing! 

When you sit at your computer to search on Google you will be overwhelmed with pages and pages of search results.  Google bots are able to provide surfers millions and billions of documents that typically are meant to be hidden away. 

Many of the documents include entire text of costly ebooks, contracts, reports and marketing materials.  All of these can be found if you know how to find them!

The trick is simple and I am going to share it with you.  It's free, legal and results are immediate. 

Next time you use Google to search to find information, include the following to your search parameters:

  filetype:pdf 

For example, if you are researching how to work expired listings, search Google for

‘work expired listings filetype:pdf' (no quotes). 

I think you will be pleasantly surprised of the Google results. Your search results will return full PDF documents that can include expensive reports you can freely download and read.  

If you add filetype:pdf to ‘how-to' information, ebook titles or legal contracts, its very likely you will be amazed with what you can find.  And thanks to Google, it is free and legal. 

Now on the flip side of this, for those of you that sell information on your web pages and make a profit selling documents, it wouldn't hurt to do a search for your document name using the same parameter ‘filetype:pdf' and see if it comes up in the search on pages you don't want it to be. 

Well, there you have it...Happy Google searching.  Just remember, "Knowledge is Power"

UPDATE 5.26.08

You can also use the following parimeters as well if you are looking for a specific file, try using the following:

Adobe PostScript (ps) Lotus 1-2-3 (wk1, wk2, wk3, wk4, wk5, wki, wks, wku) Lotus WordPro (lwp) MacWrite (mw) Microsoft Excel (xls) Microsoft PowerPoint (ppt) Microsoft Word (doc) Microsoft Works (wks, wps, wdb) Microsoft Write (wri) Rich Text Format (rtf) Shockwave Flash (swf) Text (ans, txt)

Candace Robinson is a Licensed Arizona Real Estate agent with HomeSmart Real Estate in Phoenix, Arizona metro area. As a member of our local Arizona Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. She works with both Buyers and Sellers serving the East Valley and surrounding areas including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Ocotillo, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ahwatukee and more.

Living in Arizona since 1974. She has raised three children in the Town of Gilbert and very familiar with the wonderful lifestyle that Arizona has to offer! If you are looking into buying or selling a home in the Phoenix metropolitan area, hire a REALTOR® like Candace, who wants to win your business and trust. Candace would be honored to share with you an educated idea of what your home's value is based on experience, local knowledge, and comparable actual sales in your neighborhood! To get a FREE no-obligation Home Evaluation specific to your needs be sure to contact Candace Robinson. If you have any general questions about buying or selling real estate in Arizona please don't hesitate to contact her at CRobinson@hsmove.com or call her direct at 480-202-3558 or click on the links below for all you real estate needs.

Featured Properties

Candace Robinson HomeSmart Arizona Real Estate Agent

Candace Robinson www.ArizonaHomeCentral.com serving all your Real Estate needs in the Phoenix metro area including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Ocotillo, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ahwatukee and more. Call 480-202-3558

Copyright © 2008 CKRobinson

REALTORS® Pledge of Performance and Service

Jessica Horton - Broker
Brio Realty, WA
A great Broker Jessica Horton from Bellevue, WA with Brio Realty has taken on a new challenge to get to know the Code of Ethics through and through. She has comitted to learn it paragraph by paragraph and has invited you to participate. So with you I share the
REALTORS®
Pledge of Performance and Service
for your review.
gameAlso, a link here to the Code of Ethics for you to review so that you can prepare yourself for you to get to the head of the class.

Come on by and share your thoughts, opinions and knowledge. How's that to keep it alive, Jessica? I am so looking forward to learning and gaining from your wisdom!

2997 E. Washington Ave, Gilbert Arizona - Higley Groves West

Higley Groves West Home For Sale in Gilbert, Arizona!
 

VIRTUAL TOUR

Schools

MAP LOCATION

More Photos

More Homes in Higley Groves West For more information: 480-202-3558

2997 E. Washington Ave, Gilbert, Arizona 85234


www.PhoenixArizonaRealEstateHomes.com

 

Stunning Gilbert home in desirable tree-lined Higley Groves West neighborhood!  Spacious Greystone 3 bedroom plus den and bonus room! Open and bright island kitchen with 42" upgraded light oak cabinets, granite counters, double oven, built-in microwave, walk-in pantry, built-in desk and bay eat-in area!  Formal living and dining rooms, butler pantry, 20" tile, ceiling fans and 10' ceilings throughout! Large full master suite, separate shower and garden tub, his and her walk-in closets. Custom coffer molding in master suite with private exit to outdoor covered patio.  Enjoy your sparkling heated pebble-tec play pool with water feature, therapy jets and custom finished pebble sheen extended patio.  Custom concrete covered patio, natural gas fire bowl. Professional landscaping with watering/drip system front and back.  Conveniently located near freeway loop 202, I-60, new hospital, SanTan Village Mall, theaters and two golf courses! Must See, too many upgrades to mention! Pride of Ownership! Call 480-202-3558 for showing!

 

 
Realtor Home Page | Contact Me | Open Houses | My Listings | Selling | Buying | My Blog
 



Higley Groves Home in Gilbert, Arizona for Sale, All Photos belong to CKR
© 2008 Candace Robinson
HomeSmart Real Estate - 1745 S. Alma School Rd. Suite 115, Mesa Arizona 480-889-3700 - 480-202-3558 direct AZHelpUSell@yahoo.com


 

I Don't Have Time To Blog!

ClockSo often I have hear the thought or comment. "How will I ever find the time to Blog?" I am sure many of us real estate professionals have asked ourselves that exact question. Since I started Blogging and the bug got to me, I have struggled with setting up a schedule to blog consistently. It's not that I don't want to blog, don't have the time to blog. It's working a routine in my day to make it happen. I know this, not blogging is not an option. I know I have to make time in my day to fit it in! The benefits are too great not to blog. I have to work blogging in my schedule weekly, the benefits are too great! This then leads me to ask, When? ... Everyone has their own thoughts as to when is the best time to blog and you will need to determine that for yourself. I prefer blogging in the early hours and late hours and post when I complete it. It doesn't always happen that way, but for me, I am not one to block out an hour here or there to make it happen. I think Teresa Boardman, the real estate blogging Goddess from St. Paul says its best,

"It is part of my daily routine and part of my weekly schedule. I don't use time blocking, I find that too restrictive… but I do plan which tasks I will complete each day and writing is always on the list."

Theresa shares that marketing and prospecting have always taken time and that it's a good practice for real estate professionals spend about two hours a day prospecting. I can't agree with Theresa more. If we shift our minds and understand the power and benefits of professional blogs, we would all make time and prioritize our days accordingly. Consider it a form of farming, newsletters and direct mailing. Put your personal touch on your own blog, send that out to your SOI and friends and family. You would be surprised that your blog will be the 'hot topic' at the next BBQ or office meeting. Show it off, share it and find the time. You can't afford not to. I love Theresa's thoughts about finding the time to blog and her statement,

"We all have time to show houses, get listing contracts signed and attend closings. Writing a blog is just as important. I can't imagine not having time to show houses. Most of us figure some way to work that into our schedules. Why doesn't writing a blog post get the same kind of priority? It is just as likely to generate revenue as showing homes. From a big picture point of view showing homes can lead to one sale in the near future but writing a blog post every day, can lead to home sales for years."

Don't dare say you don't have time to build your business through a blog, do your research, ask around! There are many professionals here in AZ Real Estate Blogging Network that can testify of their successes and closings due to their blogging efforts! So what are you waiting for, get your blog started!

To read a fabulous article written by Theresa Boardman, contributor at The Real Estate Tomato Blog, click here.

Come join our group AZ Real Estate Blogging Network monthly and learn the basics and setting up a blog with Mike Jones, AZREBN member. Learn how to set up a Wordpress blog and how to host it yourself with our Team of Instructors. For more information, email me at Join@AZRealEstateBlogs.com

Candace Robinson is a Licensed Arizona Real Estate agent with HomeSmart Real Estate in Phoenix, Arizona metro area. As a member of our local Arizona Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. She works with both Buyers and Sellers serving the East Valley and surrounding areas including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Ocotillo, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ahwatukee and more.

Living in Arizona since 1974. She has raised three children in the Town of Gilbert and very familiar with the wonderful lifestyle that Arizona has to offer! If you are looking into buying or selling a home in the Phoenix metropolitan area, hire a REALTOR® like Candace, who wants to win your business and trust. Candace would be honored to share with you an educated idea of what your home's value is based on experience, local knowledge, and comparable actual sales in your neighborhood! To get a FREE no-obligation Home Evaluation specific to your needs be sure to contact Candace Robinson. If you have any general questions about buying or selling real estate in Arizona please don't hesitate to contact her at CRobinson@hsmove.com or call her direct at 480-202-3558 or click on the links below for all you real estate needs.

Featured Properties

Candace Robinson HomeSmart Arizona Real Estate Agent

Candace Robinson www.ArizonaHomeCentral.com serving all your Real Estate needs in the Phoenix metro area including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Ocotillo, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ahwatukee and more. Call 602-889-3700

Copyright © 2008 CKRobinson

Selling Arizona Homes Creatively!! This IS NOT DMX!

Just about everything has been done to assist in selling homes, but this Arizona Real Estate agent spurred on by a contest involved his entire family to help market his home!

I have to say, you really need to be creative and willing to be responsive to the current market conditions! This particular agent is consider owner/agent and really brought some creativity to the table. I am not sure his talent is in rapping, however it might just get the job done!

With video on the horizon and internet marketing strong, I don't blame this Arizona Agent for pulling out all the stops! I applaud you and wish you the best of luck on the sale of your beautiful home!

 

                                                

Candace Robinson is a Licensed Arizona Real Estate agent with HomeSmart Real Estate in Phoenix, Arizona metro area. As a member of our local Arizona Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. She works with both Buyers and Sellers serving the East Valley and surrounding areas including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Ocotillo, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ahwatukee and more.

Living in Arizona since 1974. She has raised three children in the Town of Gilbert and very familiar with the wonderful lifestyle that Arizona has to offer! If you are looking into buying or selling a home in the Phoenix metropolitan area, hire a REALTOR® like Candace, who wants to win your business and trust. Candace would be honored to share with you an educated idea of what your home's value is based on experience, local knowledge, and comparable actual sales in your neighborhood! To get a FREE no-obligation Home Evaluation specific to your needs be sure to contact Candace Robinson. If you have any general questions about buying or selling real estate in Arizona please don't hesitate to contact her at CRobinson@hsmove.com or call her direct at 480-202-3558 or click on the links below for all you real estate needs.

Featured Properties

Candace Robinson HomeSmart Arizona Real Estate Agent

Candace Robinson www.ArizonaHomeCentral.com serving all your Real Estate needs in the Phoenix metro area including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Ocotillo, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ahwatukee and more. Call 602-889-3700

Copyright © 2008 CKRobinson

37 Years of Service GPS - Dr. Brad Barrett Retires - Wow - I Am Feeling Old...

You know you are getting older when the police officers and fighters can call you Mom! You know you are getting older when the teachers are looking like they barely graduated from high school. But you really know you are getting old when you catch up on the local news and learn that your childhood neighbor is retiring from 37 years of service of public education! 

Dr. Barrett retire celebrationDr. Bradley K. Barrett, Gilbert Public Schools Superintendent announced his retirement in November of 2007. Thursday, May 8, 2008 there will be a GPS career celebration in his honor at Highland High School Auditorium from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. 

Dr. Barrett probably doesn't remember me as the kid next door that was often called to babysit his children while he found time to take his lovely wife out for an evening. I'm not quite sure why it is that I remember him and his family so vividly but I do. We lived in Mesa at the time and I had just moved from the east coast to live with my Dad and their's was the first of the families my parents met and I became a regular in their home watching their young family. Great memories back then as a young lady making my way into the 'real' working world. I think back then I earned .75 cents an hour! I was big time then.

The community is invited to attend in honor of Dr. Barrett at the celebration which will include presentations from GPS students, District officials, and performances from GPS high school musical groups. Immediately following the program refreshments will be served in Highland High School Hawk Hall located at 4301 E. Guadulupe Road, Gilbert, AZ 85234.

Congratulations Dr. Barrett, your service has been well served, your integrity, passion for the students and staff has been stellar! May you enjoy your retirement and find yourself basking in the warm rays of the Arizona sunshine! Go Highland Hawks (Ok, So I have two graduates from Highland High School and one next year...).

  

 

Candace Robinson is an Licensed Arizona Real Estate agent with HomeSmart Real Estate in Phoenix, Arizona metro area. As a member of our local Arizona Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. She works with both Buyers and Sellers serving the East Valley and surrounding areas including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Ocotillo, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ahwatukee and more.

Living in Arizona since 1974. She has raised three children in the Town of Gilbert and very familiar with the wonderful lifestyle that Arizona has to offer! If you are looking into buying or selling a home in the Phoenix metropolitan area, hire a REALTOR® like Candace, who wants to win your business and trust. Candace would be honored to share with you an educated idea of what your home's value is based on experience, local knowledge, and comparable actual sales in your neighborhood! To get a FREE no-obligation Home Evaluation specific to your needs be sure to contact Candace Robinson. If you have any general questions about buying or selling real estate in Arizona please don't hesitate to contact her at CRobinson@hsmove.com or call her direct at 480-202-3558 or click on the links below for all you real estate needs.

Featured Properties

Candace Robinson HomeSmart Arizona Real Estate Agent

Candace Robinson www.ArizonaHomeCentral.com serving all your Real Estate needs in the Phoenix metro area including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Ocotillo, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ahwatukee and more. Call 602-889-3700

Copyright © 2008 CKRobinson

Just Listed in Gilbert - 2997 E. Washington Ave - Gilbert, AZ Higley Groves West

Desirable Higley Groves West

2997 E. Washington Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233 View Map

Immaculate Home in Desirable Higley Groves West. Beautiful tree-lined streets with plenty of parks and HOA maintained green-belts. Pride of ownership, this beauty features a split floor plan with Formal Living and Dining rooms, Full Master suite with separate tub/shower! Dual vanities, his and her walk-in closets, custom coffer in the master suite. Fabulous decorator touches with custom colors, ceiling fans through out, 20" tile with accents of travertine squares. Gourmet kitchen with granite counters, 42" upgraded light Oak cabinets, built-in desk, microwave and walk-in pantry. This island kitchen features the stove-top in the island. Breakfast eat-in area, plenty of cabinetry for storage and double ovens! The backyard features a heated salt-water pebble sheen pool with water feature! Therapy jets in pool bench! Professional landscape in front and back yards, sprinkler/drip system, grassy areas with custom concrete stained patio. RV Gate, extended patio with custom natural gas Fire Bowl! Plumbed for natural gas for future BBQ. Convenient location to schools, fine dining, shopping, theaters and freeway access, I-60, Loop 202. The home boasts so many custom touches and upgrades, it's a must see!

Details

Asking Price:
458,900.00
MLS:
2976796
Sq. Feet:
2715
Lot Size:
10200
Bedrooms:
3+de
Bathrooms:
2.5
# of Floors:
1
HOA/Maintenance Fees:
85.00
Garage Size:
3
Subdivision:
Higley Groves West
Year Built:
2001

Property Amenities

    - Range/Oven
    - Sink Disposal
    - Full Refrigerator
    - Microwave
    - Dishwasher
    - Fireplace
    - Kitchen Island
    - Security System
    - Attic
    - Patio
    - Grass Lawn
    - Yard
    - Fenced Yard
    - Swimming Pool
    - Central A/C
    - Central Heat
    - Walk-in closet
    - Tile floor
    - Family room
    - Living room
    - Bonus/rec room
    - Office/den
    - Dining Room
    - Breakfast nook
    - Granite Countertops
    - Laundry area - inside
    - Wired for Surround Sound
    - Gas Fire Bowl
    - Salt Water/Heated Pebbletec Pool with Water Feature
    - Custom Concrete & Extend Patio
    - Tree-Lined Neighborhood

Community Amenities

    - Garage Parking
    - Basketball court
    - Playground

Contact Info

Candace Robinson
REALTOR®



Main 480-889-3700
Cell 480-202-3558
Email | Website