The Official Website of the Arizona Department of Real Estate has placed on its website a list of builders experiencing financial difficulties. I've provided a link of the pdf file provided by the Department of Real Estate for those purchasing new homes and for their Realtors! - Builders Experiencing Financial Difficulties. As Realtors, it's our duty to be "informed."  This list would be useful for your buyers, or to place on your website or personal blog. Checking the website of the Arizona Department of Real Estate regularly will help us stay aware of what is going on in our State.

This is not just happening in Maricopa County, but throughout our state. Yet another good reason for buyers to use the services of a Realtor instead of going out on their own.

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 Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog.

Libraries seem to be more on the minds of those living in Mesa, Arizona these days. I think that many people are getting back to a simpler/less expensive life.

As a child and as an adult, there are few places that I love more - than a library. There are so many interesting things to learn, so many really cool books. When I was very young, my mom would take us to the library to check out books. I LOVED that experience. I would check out the maximum number of books to read. Being the oldest of eight children, in order to get off by myself so I could read and "escape," I'd climb up on my bunk and nestle in on the inside of the bunk next to the wall to be out of view. I would then read for hours and hours. Did I tell you? I LOVE BOOKS!!! I have shelves of books, many of them, and acquire them as if they will somehow help me know more just by osmosis.

My latest book that I am reading is "The Last Lecture." Because my husband does not like to read, and to make certain that he read this book, "I am reading it to him." Yep, I read it out loud. I think he likes that. We're down to only about five pages, and I'll read those to him as we travel back up to the White Mountains this week.

If I were asked to recommend a book to read and to live by the pearls of wisdom contained therein, it would be "The Last Lecture." It's a book that I won't even loan out....I'd rather buy it and give it away as a present. It will sit on my coffee table to be read and re-read, and marked and remembered. You may have seen Randy Pausch interviewed by Diane Sullivan, or watched him on You Tube.....; however, that doesn't even scratch the surface of the insight that Randy Pausch had on life. I admire him as a man, a husband, a father, and a master teacher. I've included his video here, though it is quite long. If you listen to him, and you like to read, you will want to read his "The Last Lecture."

This is kinda silly, but I have three questions for y'all:

1 - I've noticed a "glitch" in the point count...anyone else? I wrote a post on the 11th with lots of comments, and no extra points. As one who has been on Active Rain for what seems eons, I'm accustomed to having that number show up so I know where I am in the "chain." I'm just checkin' 'cause - though I don't really CARE about points - (yeah, right), we're all competitive or we wouldn't be in this business we're in. BUT I do need to know where I am!

2 - Do any of you wonder what else you have left in your brain about which to write? Do you feel like you might be just regurgitating - in a different way of course - what someone else has said a gazillion times? Or even what you've said before? Now I don't think I'm boring, but I "feel" like I might be getting that way. Maybe that's just me?

3.  And another thing? HAVE YOU NOTICED? Our group lists are NOW alphabetized? Is that cool of the Active Rain guys/gals or what?

So, my fellow Rainers, what do you think? about number 1, number 2, or number 3?

Seriously, I was so busy today - real estate business is definitely picking up in Arizona!!!

Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? 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. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: Active Rain; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog.

Since January, I have been noticing more transactions closing and wanted to come up with some numbers to share so we can see and compare what is happening in our Mesa, Arizona and the Phoenix Valley. 

I had bookmarked and today finally reviewed the video explaining just how to do a graph presented by none other than Jeff Turner. It's located in Google Docs, and after quite some time, I was able to turn out a finished product. I "tried" to figure out how to change colors for each month, but couldn't. I don't think I have enough columns since I was only focused on closed sales. I'm glad I spent the time figuring it out....it is a great tool.

Since the graph only shows in round numbers, I've given you the exact numbers of closings which are as follows:

• January 2008 - 2869
• February 2008 - 3416
• March 2008 - 4255
• April 2008 - 4812
• May 2008 - 5603
• June 2008 - 5724
• July 2008 - 6005
  

Do you see a trend? I sure do. The graph is pretty cool even without the different colors. ;-)

Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? 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. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: Active Rain; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog.

I was listening to the news the other day when something was mentioned about a new search engine. I've wanted to share the news 'cause after checking it out......especially Cuil.com, I was fascinated. My daughter had told me about another one, SearchMe.com so I checked that one out as well.  Since I am using Firefox, one of the options at the top of the search page is which search engine to use. I'll cut and paste the "look," here for all to see. What else would I search for...., but - you got it, Teri Ellis, Realtor. See what turned up - 488 results! I can only show you a snippet, but you get the idea. Let me know what you think!

SearchMe.com results - a photo of my newly designed website!

One of the things that is interesting to me on Cuil.com is the idea that it picks up comments made by me as well as others, and all sorts of information from my stand-alone blog, my websites, obviously posts on Active Rain, and more.

SearchMe is like a book...it opens pages which are kinda cool. Very graphically appealing.

WARNING, be SURE to spell CUIL.com right....; otherwise, an adult site pops up. Oops....

Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? 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. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: Active Rain; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog.

I've been doing a series on day trips from Mesa, Arizona. All of the day trips have been within a 3-4 hour drive from East Mesa, Arizona. I've been primarily sharing the north areas, but promise to share more of the south communities when it cools off. I kinda sorta feel like "Arizona Highways" sharing some of my favorite hot spots for those living or moving to Mesa, or even the Phoenix Valley. There are sooooo many places to visit, to see, and to enjoy.

My next "day trip" is of photos and information on our recent hike on the Mogollon Rim Interpretive Trail located just inside Lakeside, Arizona in the White Mountains. A dramatic 200 mile long uplift split Arizona into two greatly different regions, after the seas withdrew. At the Mogollon Rim, you are on the edge of the Colorado Plateau, a flat landscape broken here by the volcanic White Mountains. Looking below, you will see mountain ranges and lowlands known as the Basin and Range Region. The flavors of both regions are woven together here, creating surprising variety.

Part of the trail is covered with asphalt, and it's a fairly easy walk and wheelchair accessible. It leads over a bridge, and comes to a halt at the edge of the panoramic views. Then, a dirt trail continues, and we continue around on the dirt trail to the beginning.

Looking off of the Rim we are able to see the White Mountain Apache Reservation (at least we know it's there. The Apaches have lived in the Rim area for hundreds of years. There is much history in this area, and I've included some from Wikipedia below.

I couldn't resist taking a photograph of this little bridge....;-)

A great panoramic view at the top......

The Rim is an escarpment defining the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau, and along its central and most spectacular portions is characterized by high limestone and sandstone cliffs. It was formed by erosion and faulting, and dramatic canyons have been cut into it, including Fossil Creek Canyon, and Pine Canyon. The name Mogollon comes from Don Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollón, Spanish Governor of New Mexico from 1712-1715.

Much of the land below the Mogollon Rim lies 4000 to 5000 feet (1,200 to 1,500 m) above sea level, with the escarpment rising to approximately 7,000 ft (2,100 m). Extensive Ponderosa Pine forests are found both on the slopes of the Rim and on the plateau above. It is a major floristic and faunal boundary, with species characteristic of the Rocky Mountains on the top of the plateau, and the species of the Mexican Sierra Madre Occidental on the slopes below and in the Madrean sky islands (high, isolated mountain ranges) further south.

The Mogollon Rim's limestones and sandstones were formed from sediments deposited in the Carboniferous and Permian periods. Several of the Rim's rock formations are also found in the walls of the Grand Canyon. In many places the Rim is capped or even buried by extensive basaltic lava flows.

The Rim's uppermost sandstone stratum, the Coconino Sandstone, forms spectacular white cliffs, sometimes several hundred feet high. This Permian period formation is of eolian (windblown) origin, and is one of the thickest sand-dune-derived sandstones on earth.

Cities near the Mogollon Rim include Payson, and Show Low. It is bisected by Interstate 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The eastern portion of the Rim was the site of Arizona's largest-ever wildfire in June 2002, the 470,000 acre (1,900 km²) Rodeo-Chediski fire. The Mogollon Rim was also the site of the Dude Fire that started on June 25, 1990. This fire grew to over 30,000 acres (120 km²) and killed six wildland firefighters. Other large fires have burned along the Rim since 1990, and the area's Ponderosa Pine forests remain vulnerable because of past fire suppression and fuel build-up.

Ready for your day trip yet? We live in an amazing country, and need to take time to see it and enjoy it while we can. ;-)

Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? 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. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: Active Rain; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog.

Taking a day trip of just three hours north and east of East Mesa, Arizona, you can enjoy a beautiful edifice, situated on top of a hill overlooking the entire city of Snowflake, Arizona, the valley, and a beautiful 27-hole golf course built by the church in 2002. This building/edifice is the Snowflake Temple, built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The temple is literally surrounded by spectacular homes, trees, flowers, and awesome golf greens.

I was able to capture a photo of the temple from the golf course and wanted to share it and the history behind this temple with my readers.

Wikipedia provides some insight about Snowflake and its history. Elevation just under 5,000, it is sitting on a mesa with clear skies, and uncluttered streets. It is certainly a worthwhile day trip from Mesa, Arizona to visit Snowflake and see this beautiful Temple.

The Snowflake Arizona Temple is the 108th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mormon pioneers first settled Snowflake, Arizona in 1878 at the request of LDS Church President Brigham Young. The town of Snowflake was named after William J. Flake and Erastus Snow, two of the Church's early leaders who helped supervise colonization of the area.

The Snowflake Arizona Temple serves 35,000 members, many of them descendants of the first pioneers to the area. The temple is set on a knoll that has become known as "Temple Hill." About eight feet was removed from the top of the knoll so the two-level temple could be built. The lower level is partially set into the knoll.

There are about 9,000 people who live in the Snowflake area, but more than 94,000 people attended the temple open house during February 2002. Church President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Snowflake Arizona Temple in four sessions on 3 March 2002.

The temple grounds complement the natural surroundings and feature a beautiful water fountain. The exterior of the temple is finished with two tones of polished Empress White and Majestic Grey granite from China, very similar to that of the Fukuoka Japan Temple. Much of the furniture has a pioneer look out of respect for the area's pioneer ancestry. The temple interior also incorporates Native American patterns stenciled on walls and woven into the carpet.^[1] Items such as handcrafted rugs, baskets, and pottery also decorate the interior. The Snowflake Arizona Temple has a total of 18,621 square feet (1,729.9 m²), two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms. It is Arizona's second temple, the first having been dedicated in Mesa in 1927.

Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? 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. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: Active Rain; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog.

For those of you who love to play golf, as my husband and I do, AND you live in the Phoenix Valley.... well, it's sorta hot to play in the summer. SO, take a day trip. Only three hours north and east to the Snowflake Golf Course. It's sitting at the top of a mesa, and has spectacular views.YET another good reason to settle in Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix southeast valley.

I took these photos yesterday while purportedly playing "at" golf. I think the pictures did better than my golf game. It clouded up, thundered, lightening, and started to get us a bit wet on the 8th hole..... but we perservered since the lightening wasn't that close. Actually, "I" should have quit then. ;-) Know what I mean?

Especially noticeable, was the thick, plush green of the fairways.

There are two courses at Snowflake. A nine hole (which we play on), and an 18 hole....., so something for everyone. AND the temperature yesterday? In the 70's.  ;-)  I liked THAT.

Snowflake Municipal Golf Course
27 total holes at this golf facility
Golf Only facility
50 tees driving range
27 regulation holes

For the price, you can drive up, have lunch, play 9-18 holes, and be back home in Mesa, Arizona in time for dinner. Now THAT's a day trip! ;-)

Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? 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. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: Active Rain; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog.

If you are a buyer looking for a home in East Mesa, one of my favorite family communities is Crismon Creek. Crismon Creek is located on the eastern edge of Mesa just one mile east of the 202 and south of the 60, nine miles from Gold Canyon and hiking trails galore, 20 minutes from Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake for boating, skiing and fishing; one mile from a new hospital - Mountain Vista Medical Center; Superstition Springs Mall; restaurants; and the new Supersition Gateway Center at Signal Butte and Baseline.This location is just 140 miles from Show Low, (where today, it is 75) 100 miles from the Salt River Canyon, about 1.5 hours from Oak Creek Canyon, just north of Sedona. Now that the 202 loop is completed, heading on up to Flagstaff is a piece of cake.

Homes in East Mesa and in Crismon Creek are affordably priced, and in a great location.

Crismon Creek is a smaller community with just about 350 families. Crismon Creek has wonderful retention basins, three playgrounds, and wonderful families.

During soccer season, you will see a father who is coaching 4-6 year olds practicing in the large front retention basin.

During our monsoon or rainy seasons, our retention basins fill up...just exactly why they are there.

So, if you've been looking for a home in Mesa, a great family neighborhood, try Crismon Creek! Give me a call.

Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? 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. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: Active Rain; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog.

Some of you may remember my post where I shared a tour and some photos of a day trip in March 2008 to Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flats.