Some Arizona Energy Saving Tips!Those of us who live year round in Arizona, are fairly energy efficient during the summer months because of our higher electric bills; however, during the winter, we need be equally as diligent in exercising care. Just a few small tips will save us the money we would prefer spending on food, clothing, and necessities:1.  Set your thermostat between 66-68 degrees (health permitting) - and at night, turn your thermostat off....stay warm under comforters and blankets. We wear longer sleeved shirts, and flannels around the house during the day to stay comfortable.2.  Keeping our window blinds open during the day with the sun shining in, and closed as it cools down.3.  Change our heater/furnace filters regularly.4.  Weatherize your home including caulking and... 01/07/2009

For those living in Mesa, Arizona, the City of Mesa offers an array of recycling programs as well as options for the disposal of solid waste of large amounts of trash. Be sure and check out their website to learn of the services offered by the City of Mesa. Curbside bulk item and appliance collection is available upon request for a minimal fee. The City of Mesa provides roll-off trash containers suitable for home remodeling/demolition projects and special events at competitive prices. Household hazardous waste disposal options available. Some of the acceptable items include paint, pesticides, batteries, electronics, appliances, tires, etc. Customers can even sign up for an automatic email reminder Recycling not only saves the planet, but an additional benefit includes money for the libr... 01/03/2009

Hey Everyone: I took a poll of family, friends, and clients and here are our top 10 new year's resolutions!   Lose Weight Manage Debt Save Money Get a Better Job Get Fit Eat Right Get a Better Education Drink Less Alcohol Quit Smoking Reduce Stress Overall Reduce Stress at Work Take a Trip Volunteer to Help Others Anyone have anything to add??? :0) Katie Halle REALTOR® EcoBroker® Certified The Halle Group Mobile: 480.250.0023 Office: 602.476.1942 Fax: 480.889.3695 http://www.katiehalle.com Listen to our podcast: http://myrealtalk.podbean.com/ Ask about my FREE foreclosure list or my “green” homes! Keller Williams Integrity First Realty 2500 South Power Road #121 Mesa, AZ 85209 01/02/2009

For those of you in Mesa, Arizona, who purchase and use live Christmas trees - now there is a place to take your tree and have it  recycled - FREE. The City of Mesa, at mesaaz.gov/waste, has great information on all types of recyling, but to take your tree for recycling, and learn of where and what time, click - HERE! You are asked to be sure and remove the lights, ornaments, nails and other items. Flocked trees WILL NOT be accepted. For further information, you can call: 480.644-2688. Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: Active Rain; or P... 12/27/2008

For anyone living or visiting in or around Mesa, Arizona, be sure and include a visit to the annual display of lights at the beautiful Mesa Temple! Since it is Christmas, and it had stopped raining, my husband and I decided to visit the temple lights at around 5:30! It was a balmy 60 degrees out, and there were lots of people, but it wasn't too crowded so we got a great parking spot. For more information and to find out what performances are presented each evening, be sure to check it out at: Christmastemplelights.com. There is free parking and free admission. I am sharing my favorite photos....It is difficult to narrow down 'cause I got lots of them. This was my first experiment with my SLR night photos. I tried them without a tripod, and some of them were a little blurry, but 90% of t... 12/25/2008

Now this is great news! For new home buyers, here's an opportunity to save money on your appliances! Purchasing a super-efficient dishwasher and clothes washer, before December 31 comes with a $20 to $75 cash rebate. Be sure to stop by www.srpnet.com/appliancerebate for a list of qualifying appliances and a rebate application. For even more information, call 602.236-2075. For a chance to win a Whirlpool high-efficiency clothes washer and dryer, be sure and visit the SRP booth at the Maricopa County Home Show from January 16-18. The newest Cabria laundry pair is donated by Whirpool. Complete an SRP entry form at the Home Show for a chance to win. Visit www.srpnet.com/powerwise for the contest rules, and more information about the washer and dryer.     Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me a... 12/21/2008

"Want To Have Prospective Clients Call You?" HassleFree800.com Toll-Free Call Capture System Review Before I go any further in this article, I’d like to make a few things crystal clear. I was not given a “review copy” of HassleFree800.com. In 2004, I bought the 800 number service, I forget where I’d first heard about it, but I believe it was when I went to a By Referral Only or Craig Proctor workshop.   I reviewed it, compared it, liked it, bought it, tweaked it and played with it. I like the service… thus why I have been using it, went back and bought a distributors license so I can use it and tell the world my likes and dislikes.   Ok, with that out of the way, I really think HassleFree800 is the best “in the box” toll-free call capture I’ve ever come across, though I still have a fe... 12/19/2008

As of January 1, 2009, all vehicles in the state of Arizona MUST clearly display in which state the car has been registered. All of those cutsey license plate "frames" saying - who knows what -  frequently cover the top of the plate that displays the state. There will be no exceptions - fines will be imposed - therefore, stand behind your vehicle and check it out! Can you clearly see the name of the state, or is it partially obscured? As I've been driving around since I became aware of this new law, I have been noticing how many of the names of the states are not clearly visible. Please make sure to tell your friends and especially our winter visitors. Everyone must comply - else they will be subject to a citation.     Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information ... 12/19/2008

  A thousand miles. A thousand gifts. A thousand smiles. It began in earnest a few months ago. My son made contact, through the boy scouts, with the Mesa Rotary club. For the past quarter century they've been bringing Christmas to orphanages in Guaymas, Mexico. When he asked what he could do to help- they told him to gather presents... as many as he could. With the help of his friend, Tanner,  they made a door-to-door plea within a square mile of our residence. Together they managed to collect over a thousand gifts. Members of the Rotary club collected additional toys and candy. These items were loaded into the planes of several volunteers. They came from Arizona and nearby states... each offering time and resources to bring Christmas to those with challenges. We drove down to Guaymas ... 12/15/2008

In the Phoenix Valley, many/most of the newer communities have a Home Owner Association. That means, for those who don't know, that there are "Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions" governing the community. Buyers when you purchase a home in Phoenix or in Mesa, or in Phoenix Valley, you will be given a copy of the By-Laws and CC&R's for your community. Generally title will mail them to you within ten days of opening escrow.  It would behoove each buyer to actually review and/or read the CC&R's to make sure they are aware of the rules and regulations set forth therein. I'll cite some "for instances" below: 1.  Say, for instance, you the buyer, purchase a home and move into a family community. You have 4 children, and of course want to install a trampoline (with a net for safety reasons)... 12/10/2008

Have you ever read a novel call 'Line of Duty' by Michael Grant? One of his characters delivers this line, see if you can relate: " A guy I fish with once told me a funny story.  He'd just bought an anchor, and as he went foward to tie it to the anchor line, he slipped and fell overboard. "Suddenly, he sitting on the bottom of the lake in 15 feet of water, cradling his brand new anchor. He didn't want to let go, but he was running out of breath. "Realizing his choice was drowning or losing the anchor, he reluctantly let go and swam to the surface." The character in the novel, a police detective, went on to say: "The 'Job' has been my anchor and I've been holding it for 23 years. I don't want to let go either, but I've run out of breath." Most people can be caught holding onto prized anc... 12/10/2008

First... watch this video... and then continue reading   Have you ever asked yourself, "What is the purpose of all this work? I see others enjoying the warm soup of success and prosperity. Yet, I can't enjoy it... because I have no spoon." In 2005, I joined a real estate investment program led by Mike Watson. During the early days, when Mike did the free seminars himself, he spoke about a process he called The Foundation to Success. At that time, there were 10 points to his process. Today, I am going to expand on point number two...which is "Know You're Why." I believe he calls it your "Red Button Statement." It has taken three years and tens of thousands of dollars, but I've finally embraced my "why." Have you seen the movie called, "The Bucket List" with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nichol... 12/08/2008

Be sure and join up with other Phoenicians when we take advantage of the Phoenix free METRO train rides between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ON Saturday, December 27, 2008!!! Take a ride along the 20-mile route between Phoenix and Mesa and a series of parties at rail stations! The METRO will offer free rides between 10-6 on Sunday, December 28 AND free through Wednesday, December 31. HOW COOL IS THAT?  Beginning January 1, fares are $1.25 one way and $2.50 for all day, the same as regular bus fares. I've watched for what seems eons for this light rail to be built, and now it's ready to go. Just a few days away before the long-awaited opening. For more information on its routes, and for a map, click on phoenix light rail. How many of you want to join me? Let's all ride together!!! Here's a m... 12/04/2008

In Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona, we have a Save Our Space Campaign. I would think this would be viable across the country, but I wanted to share this information for those who disregard that blue sign. I don't know about you, but it irritates the heck out of me when I see someone young, agile and clearly NOT disabled park in a spot designated for the disabled! Some "just for a minute."  We saw someone the other evening, park in the handicapped parking to run into Block Busters.  Fortunately, in Mesa, each shopping area has myriad spots reserved for the disabled.  Warnings to those who want to park in such a spot - even if it's for a minute. The Save our Space campaign warns motorists that if they park in a spot disignated for the disabled, they could be taking away a space from someome wh... 12/03/2008

Mesa, AZ Mortgage Rates December 3 2008 Mortgage News Rates have ticked up slightly since the early part of this week/late part of last week -- but are still in the mid-f% range.  Mortgage applications have increased substantially since last week when the Fed announced a new stimulus package. As always, we are your local Mesa, Arizona mortgage experts and look forward to working with you. 12/03/2008

One of the hardest things for me to do is to stay focused.  It's probably not that hard for you, correct? What I've found helpful, is to break down every hour into 15 minute segments. I tell myself---- "Self, what is the most important thing you can do in the next 15 minutes? What can you do that will be highly productive and beneficial in the long run?" Well last night at around 11:47 p.m., "Self" told me, "The most important thing you can do, the one thing that will be highly productive and beneficial in the long run is... TO GET OFF THE COMPUTER AND GO TO SLEEP!" Below is part 2 of the 10 Powerful Steps Every Real Estate Should Use To Get Blog Traffic.  Remember, to subscribe to my blog "Adventures in Door Knocking" to have my musings come to you automatically. This tips are from Yar... 12/03/2008

In every bloggers life comes a special day - the day they first launch a new blog. Now unless you went out and purchased someone else's blog chances are your blog launched with only one very loyal reader - you. Maybe a few days later you received a few hits when you told your sister, father, girlfriend and best friend about your new blog but that's about as far you went when it comes to finding readers. I have a list of top 10 techniques new bloggers can use to find readers created by Yaro Starak of BlogMastermind. These are tips specifically for new bloggers, those people who, like me, have next-to-no audience at the moment and want to get the ball rolling. Yarak states, it helps if you work on this list from top to bottom as each technique builds on the previous step to help you creat... 12/02/2008

I don't know that I ever did the "Black Friday" thing, but I guess lots do. On the news last evening, there were tons of people sitting in line at Best Buy (since Tuesday night) in order to catch a good deal! WOW!!! I guess if I had to wait in line to feed my family, then I would consider such an action, but to get a "deal?" While at the doctor's the other day, the girl who was getting me ready for the doctor was all excited about: going at 4:00 in the morning tomorrow to get a deal. She told me that she had witnessed people grabbing things out of the hands of others, etc. She was so excited! I told her I would see her next time to see how she made out. WOW! Now that would be interesting, huh? Fly on the wall might be fun. ;-) I found some good links for searching for deals online befor... 11/27/2008

    Clowning Around!    YEP this is my office on Halloween- we like doing fun stuff together and enjoy a little laughter.  It was interesting what everyone came as- yes that's me the clown- I love helping everyone have a good time.  That night at my home I stayed in costume for the "Trick or Treat" participants and about 8:30 the last group came by- older kids- they had heard about me and asked "If they were to give me their candy since my costume was better?"  Well we did high fives and I took some of their chocolate and they took my gummy worms.  It was all good- they said they would see me next year if their parents would let them come over and share some chocolate with me.  I hope I'm here next year at my office and at my home.  I wonder what and where I will be next year?  Whatever... 11/21/2008

MESA, ARIZONA SHORT SALE REALTOR WANTS TO HELP ARIZONA HOMEOWNERS AVOID FORECLOSURE! SHORT SALE MESA, AZ - SHORT SALE MESA, ARIZONA Do you owe more than your Mesa home is currently worth?    Is your Mesa, AZ home loan amount equal to or higher than your current home value?   Are you behind on payments, or realize that you can no longer afford your home?    If this is your situation, SellQuickForCash.com can help! Selling a home that has a loan higher than it's worth is extremely difficult, if not impossible.  Who would want to pay above the true value of a home?  Usually when a homeowner owes more than the home's current market value and can no longer afford the home, they are left with two choices: 1. Lose the home to foreclosure due to no one wanting to buy an overpriced home;  2. Ne... 11/13/2008