Another Mother's Day has come and gone. What better way to express your love for your children than to write to them, at least that is my thought! I personally am not musically inclined, however several are in my family. In fact, my father is a professional musican. As a child and adult I have witnessed my father practice and do the weekly 'jam' sessions all over the Phoenix Valley. We even lived in Nashville where he played the 'Grand Ole Opera' and he accompanied many top artists.
My love for music runs deep, I just was not blessed with vocal talent, however I have always made a connection with lyrics to songs. I have been inspired by songs/lyrics over the years; there are many, however the one that I keep close to my heart is the song "I Hope You Dance," by Le Ann Womack. (please be sure to play the video manually below, the autostart has been disabled).
Often times we are challenged with the twists and turns of life, we can often times lose our faith and want to throw in the towel. We become confused and lonely, we get derailed and perhaps don't want to carry on. As a mother of three wonderful children, my desire while on this earth is that my children know that I love them unconditionally, that I desire for their happiness in all things. That they know without a shadow of a doubt that I wish them passion, success and true love! That they know I am here to carry them through lifes ups and downs. My children know my love for this song, probably more than they care too. On Mother's Day a few years ago I gave each one this book titled the same, "I Hope You Dance" which included the CD. Each was personalized with their photos, my favorite personal memories written to each one and a little note that if there was one song that I dedicate to them, this is the one!
Cory, Kip and Karly I dedicate this post to each of you. I want to express my gratitude and thankfulness that I was chosen to be your mother. That God blessed me with this calling, that I was able to be your temporary guardian while on this earth, that I could be the one you called, "Mother."
Individually you each are so talented, so kind, so loving to your fellow man, so compassionate to others. Your example to me has been exemplary, your passion is contagious and your heart is so giving! I Hope You Dance and you never lose your sense of wonder! If you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I Hope You Dance! Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens, I hope you live your dream and that you live, love and laugh forever! May this song inspire you as you each have inspired me to be better!
No down payment. Do need security deposits and possibly first and last months rent;
Moving expenses in and out;
Can't lose money from falling home values;
No property tax;
Rent can rise with inflation;
Usually you get less space for the money.
No tax breaks, your landlord gets any and all tax breaks available.
Owning:
Ongoing repair and maintenance responsibility;
Down payment required, but for some, can be little or no money;
Can gain value and be available as a loan resource (equity loan);
Equity may go up, down or stay stagnant;
Moving expenses in and out;
On-time payments create good credit record. Late payments can harm credit score;
Over time, your mortgage balance decreases and equity builds, even if the value of the home does not increase;
Property taxes, insurance, etc.
There are tax advantages to owning a home (consult competent legal and/or accounting advice for details on your situation).
Renting:
When the lease is up you can easily move out;
Flexibility;
Less work in maintaining a home or apartment;
Able to check out the neighborhood before making a permanent commitment to live there;
Less stressful than choosing a home;
Typically there are restrictions on noise, use, design, pets, children, etc.
Owning:
Moving typically requires more thought and time;
Definitely more responsibilities;
Requires the choice of neighborhood and home;
The ability to remodel or redecorate the home to match your needs and desires;
No restrictions on who occupies the home or how to use it (apart from Home Owner Associations);
Pride of ownership.
Should you buy or rent?
Should you sign another lease or should you jump in and buy your first home?
Despite the risks and responsibilities, most people enjoy homeownership. There are many rewards as mentioned above. Purchasing a home is generally a sound investment. As you are paying down your home loan, you are building equity. Not like most purchases, a home purchase can increase in value over time.
There is no question that people that own a home are typically better off long term than those that are renting. There are many ways to make home ownership a reachable goal.
When you are ready to buy and looking in the Phoenix metropolitain area, hire a REALTOR® like myself, who wants to earn your business. I invite you to contact me direct to assist you with all your real estate needs or questions! I will happily guide you through the biggest decision of your lifetime, don't hesitate to contact me at 480-202-3558 or email me at CRobinson@HSmove.com. If you need additional guidance on all the preliminary steps in purchasing a home such as getting pre-qualified be sure to contact me and I can help you every step of the way.
So many ask themselves, "should we rent or buy?" There is no right or wrong answer to buying or renting, the best decision is what is best for you. What is most important is that you do your homework. Put into consideration your situation financially, your commitment, weigh out the costs, responsibilities of homeownership. Start the process of getting pre-qualifed and getting yourself organized. Understanding the process of buying the best home.
Candace Robinson HomeSmart Real Estate| 1745 S. Alma School Rd. | Mesa, AZ 85210 | 480-202-3558
Buying a home can be an exciting experience. Understanding what to do and what move to make next is key. I have organized some short explanations to help you understand the process to help you learn quick and easily.
Buying a home can be one of the most rewarding and yet one of the most stressful experiences of your life. I hope that you find this series helpful and easy to read. There are several ways to make home ownership a reachable goal. Hopefully this series will guide you as you learn and understand the home buying process and that your experience will be as satisfying as the experience of living in your new home. If you have any questions or Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Series 1: BEFORE YOUR SEARCH BEGINS
Understanding the basics of home buying and being prepared for all the steps involved will make your search easier, faster, and more enjoyable.
BORROWERS:
A Borrower is the party in a loan agreement which receives money or other instrument from a lender and promises to repay the lender in a specified time. Most home buyers need to borrow cash to pay home sellers in full. In the world of mortgages, a home owner's mortgage payments often become an investor's income. The lenders rarely meet the borrowers, so they rely on a system of detailed documentation to assure that you can the home you're considering are worthy of their investment.
LENDERS:
Various institutions lend money for mortgages. Among them are mortgage banks, savings and loans, banks, and credit unions. Lenders may keep loans and profit from interest and fees, or sell loans to other investors, profiting from the up-front fees and monthly payments from the actual lender.
PACKAGERS:
Huge financial institutions such as Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHMC) (the two primary originators of home loans) are packagers. They buy loans from lenders (the ones you deal with), then either keep them or bundle them into large packages of $500 million or more. These packaged loans, called mortgage-backed securities, are sold with guarantees to large investors. In other words, if a home owner fails to repay a mortgage, the packager will pay the investors and take the loss.
LARGER INVESTORS:
The large investors, such as insurance companies, pension funds, and mutual funds, buy the packages to earn the interest paid on mortgages. Investors come from all over the world because American homeowners are considered to be among the most reliable groups of borrowers in the world. The reliable stream of payments is a source of steady income, and helps these investors plan their cash flow.
SMALL INVESTORS:
The large investors may attract small investors (people like you) by offering the prospect of sharing in the steady income and low-risk investments. One type of mutual fund, for example, is a Ginnie Mae (GNMA) fund, where the main portion of the income earned comes from home mortgage investments. So if you invest in an insurance policy or a mutual fund for its income, you may actually be receiving income paid from your own mortgage payments!
IT'S A FACT
For 2006, a total of 67,035 resale homes were recorded, in contrast to 110,835 sales for 2005 and 102,115 recordings for 2004. While the market slowed appreciable, 2006 is the fourth best resale market year on record, falling between 2002 (62,625 sales) and 2003 (73,785 sales) numbers.
What are the benefits and limitations? When will you be ready to buy a home? Be sure to contact Candace Robinson Before Your Search Begins for all the Basics of Home Buying in Arizona!
Inspirational Movies From Simple Truths Each movie below is available for viewing. I have no direct relation with Simple Truths®. I was introduced to this wonderful site through a dear friend. I put the collection of movies here to share with those that are intrigued by inspirtational quotes, thoughts and motivating material. Brokers, REALTORS®, and business owners alike can benefit from these inspiring movies. Feel free to share these with your friends and family and visit their website for more great products at SimpleTruths.com. Be sure to check out their New Blog. Enjoy!
These are great motivational movies and great to share with your class, family and send to a friend to cheer them up!
To A Child Love Is Spelled T-I-M-E To a Child Love is Spelled T-I-M-E: An unforgetable movie! It will make you think and stir your soul. View Movie
The Dash The Dash: Making a difference with your life. Over 30 million views in the last 9 months. This 3 minute movie will grab your heart and not let it go. View Movie
The Race The Race: Life's greatest lesson. The Race is 5 minutes of thought provoking, heart-moving inspiration. "The Race is not just a homerun, it's a grand slam". View Movie
The Power of Attitude The Power of Attitude: Don't watch this powerful movie unless you're ready to get fired up! Visually stunning graphics coupled with a high energy soundtrack and powerful messages. View Movie
What it Takes to be #1 What it Takes to Be #1: Lombardi Philosopy transcends football. His powerful words capture the fundamentals of success - in any sport, any business or in any life. View Movie
The Simple Truths of Service The Simple Truths of Service: An unforgettable true story about a young man with Down's Syndrome who changes the culture of a grocery story by being creative and giving the customers more than they expect. A wonderful story very near and dear to my heart. Dedicated to my bud Shea Hogle, I could see you working as a 'bagger' anyday! View Movie
212 The Extra Degree 212 The Extra Degree: Be prepared to be inspired. Here's a warning...once you watch it, you will never forget it. View Movie
The Nature of Success The Nature of Success: A visually stimulating experience with a high energy soundtrack that will inspire you to reach your goals. Not to mention some fabulous Real Estate! View Movie
The Power of Teamwork The Power of Teamwork: Be inspired by the Ultimate Team. This movie is sure to motivate your team. View Movie
Rock Solid Leadership Rock Solid Leadership: How great leaders exceed expectations. Breathtaking photographs, great quotes, and uplifting music will bring the keys to leadership alive. View Movie
One Solitary Life One Solitary Life: A powerful essay from a 1926 sermon by James A. Frances depicts the life, journey and message of Jesus. View Movie
This might be a little long winded and I apologize, however I am pretty passionate about this subject and of course my kids.
As I've pondered my entry for the challenge on 'Honesty and What it Means to You?' For well over a week now, two questions kept coming to mind over and over again. How has honesty and integrity played a part in my world and have I been able to convey the importance of these two words to my children over the years?
I am a blessed Mother of three children, I started my family at a very young age and have learned much about integrity and honesty over my lifetime. I have two grown sons, Cory & Kip and a teenage daughter, Karly (our 'pink' bonus after nine years of no babies). Today (September 20th) we celebrated my youngest sons 25th birthday. Like so many other significant dates on the calendar I often find myself reflecting back over the years and ponder my role as a Mother. Asking myself, have I set a good example, did I show enough love, have I given too much advice, did I express my opinion too strongly? But mostly, I wonder if I have taught my children about being honest with their fellow man, themselves and in all their business dealings and relationships in life? Have I express the importance of ones character and explain how far integrity will take them? I hope so...but at times I can't help but wonder if they will take my mistakes in my life time as their sole example. Oh yes, I have made my mistakes and have learned from some of life's hard knocks and that integrity and character are much more valuable than popular choices are any day!
I feel that I strive to instill honesty and integrity in my daily life and hope that my family, friends and business clients see that in my reflection and behavior. I abide by all the laws of the land and would not condone illegal actions of any kind. I live a very modest lifestyle and find that if you live your life with integrity it seems to make life a lot less cumbersome.
I have been subject to some individuals in my lifetime that have lacked integrity and have been dishonest in many ways including business dealings. They have displayed some not so appealing behaviors with their interaction with others. My theory is that it's best to gravitate towards people that share similar values and morals as your own so that you aren't tempted to compromise your own convictions and values.
Teaching our children to be honest, to be true to their principles and standards should be an easy task right? Sure, there may be times in our life when it will not be popular to be honest, times when you may be shunned for being true to your standards. Everyone needs to be accepted and loved. However, a person does not gain lasting respect by giving in to social pressure and violating their personal standards. You may gain temporary popularity, but never lasting respect.
So it can be asked, "how can we show tolerance for other people’s opinions and lifestyles without jeopardizing our integrity?" Simple, if you choose to live a life of truth. Be honest with yourself and others. Do not rationalize that dishonesty is right. Choose friends who share your same standards. Treat everyone with kindness and respect. Prepare to be an influence for good in the world are just a few things we can do as an example for our children, to our fellow co-workers, friends, clients and even our neighbors.
Retain integrity and striving to think and act for oneself will cause others to respect you. Having integrity is by far more valuable than social acceptance. Your life will prosper and others will gravitate toward you, your clients will respect you for your convictions, trust you and want to do business with you.
Integrity is a quality of being complete, it is courage, it is forthrightness, goodness! Take these away and there is nothing left but an empty shell. Being honest and with integrity brings inner peace, purpose of life and security in all you do. Lack of integrity brings the opposite, discord, competition, hardship, fear and confusion.
Honesty and integrity with yourself and as a licensed REALTOR® or professional holds a higher standard of ethics and we should not be asking, “What will others think of me, and my practices?” but, “What do I think of myself if I do this or fail to do that?” Is it proper? Is it right?
As a mother I hope that my children deal honestly with their co-workers, employers, friends and family relationships and themselves. I pray they choose the right and set the example in their daily lives, that they seek those that deal honestly. They stand strong for their beliefs and they respect those that are different. That they don't fear being different because of the unpopular choice of todays society!
I have a favorite plaque on display that I keep near my entry way as others come into my home. This plaque displays a message that is a pretty simple guide of 'life skills' and a way of life that I hope my children heed. Across from the plaque I have my children's 8x10 photos of their headshots on the wall which reflect in the mirror hanging above the buffet that displays my plaque. From several angles you can see the plaque and the reflection of my children's faces in the mirror. No one probably makes the connection of the reflection in mirror but this Mother. However, I often wonder if my children feel they can look themselves in the mirror each day and be proud of their dealings, their choices and relationships. Do they reflect the image of honesty? Do they reflect the image of good character? Do they reflect the image of integrity in their lives? Are they leading a life of example, will they know when to make the right unpopular choice? I hope so, I pray so. Does your reflection please you? I hope that we remember daily that we owe our children, friends, clients, spouses, partners, employers, employees and especially ourselves nothing less than to be true to ourselves. To lead by example, to learn by our mistakes and to strive to be honest, to seek out those that will not want us to compromise our values. Be respectful to those that have different opinions and those that choose differently.
In parting, I share with you my most treasured plaque below and may we let it serve as guide in our own lives in our daily interactions and remember that respect is earned, integrity is a virtue and your word and character is all you really have. As we wear the badge as REALTORS® and professionals that we remember to act with integrity, make it a part of our daily routine, practice ethically, respect those that are different. Be an example to others. May you be blessed with success and happiness in all you do. Thank you for reading my long winded thoughts! "Thank you Jo for inspiring me to reflect with your challenge."
Candace Robinson, Arizona REALTOR HomeSmart Real Estate, www.ArizonaHomeCentral.com, (480) 202-3558, Serving the East Valley- Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Ocotillo, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ahwatukee Arizona.
Welcome to your virtual Arizona directory. I'm Candace Robinson, an Arizona Licensed Real Estate agent with HomeSmart Real Estate in Mesa/Gilbert/Tempe/Phoenix area. As a member of our local Arizona Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. I work with both Buyers and Sellers serving the East Valley and surrounding areas including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Ocotillo, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ahwatukee and more.
Providing a full range of real estate services for you, Candace Robinson with Home Smart Real Estate is here to help you every step of the way! If you are looking into buying or selling a home in the Phoenix metropolitan area, hire a REALTOR® like myself, who wants to win your business and trust. I will 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 me. If you have any general questions about buying or selling real estate with my Help-U-Sell's marketing plan please don't hesitate to contact me.
Gilbert is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the nation. And for good reason! For those seeking a dynamic, community minded environment, Gilbert has it all, delivering a contemporary suburban lifestyle bordered by the urban resources of the adjacent Phoenix.
Gilbert offers excellent freeway access. US-60 runs along the northern border of the Town, connecting to the other cities in the East Valley. The San Tan freeway runs directly through Gilbert from US-60 south, and west to the Interstate 10. Gilbert is only about 15 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Gilbert, Arizona has successfully maintained its small town feel and you will find the sense of community is focused on raising a family, quality education, plentiful leisure activities, and a fantastic business core. It is an excellent reference for businesses and residents alike. Gilbert was ranked #22 as the safest cities in US in 2006.
Gilbert and surrounding communities include parks, equestrian trails, golf courses, tennis courts, fishing, boating. Whatever your choice of lifestyle, Gilbert offers an excellent quality of life!
Town of Gilbert Population by year
1950
1,833
1960
1,971
1970
5,717
1980
16,920
1990
29,122
2000
109,697
2005
173,989
2006
191,517
Gilbert is centrally located in Arizona and was incorporated on July 6, 1920. In 1902, the Arizona Eastern Railway asked for donations of right of way in order to establish a rail line between Phoenix and Florence. A rail siding was established on property owned by William "Bobby" Gilbert. The siding, and the town that sprung up around it, eventually became known as Gilbert. Gilbert was a prime farming community, fueled by the construction of the Roosevelt Dam and the Eastern and Consolidated Canals in 1911. It remained an agriculture town for many years, and was known as the "Hay Capital of the World" until the late 1920s. Gilbert began to take its current shape during the 1970s when the Town Council approved a strip annexation that encompassed 53 square miles of county land. Although the population was only 5,717 in 1970 the Council realized that Gilbert would eventually grow and develop much like the neighboring communities of Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler. In the last two decades, Gilbert has grown at a pace unparalleled by most communities in the United States, increasing in population from 29,122 in 1990 to over 191,000 in 2006.
I moved to Arizona in November of 1974 and have lived in the Gilbert/Mesa area ever since. I built my first home in Gilbert in 1987. I raised my three children in Gilbert and found this a very exciting place for all walks of life. The Gilbert School District was my main motivation to move from Mesa where my parents lived to Gilbert. Our first home was built by a local contractor, ALC Builders. I currently still live in Gilbert, Arizona and find this a fantastic place to raise your family, own your own business and be centrally located to so many wonderful resturants, shopping malls, parks, and recreational activities. Enjoy yourself in Gilbert, Arizona!
The AZ Real Estate Blogging Network kicked off April 24th, 2008 with a big bang! The attendance was fantastic! We met at 9:00 am, Thursday at the SanTan Village Mall in Gilbert, Arizona. We mingled and enjoyed our lattes, morning coffees and sodas while settling in at 9:30 a.m. to a fabulous line-up of speakers, Teri Ellis, The Lady in Red, Paul Slaybaugh, our ActiveRain celebrity, Shailesh Ghirmire, AZ Mortgage Guru, Mike Jones, Mike in Tucson and clean up was with our local blogging celebrity, Jay Thompson! I personally want to thank the speakers for a marvelous job they did and for their expertise and willingness to make this kick-off meeting a huge success! Without you this would not have been the event it was! There was much to share and much to learn and it was great to see the p***ion and participation among the attendees. I really believe that this is going to be the monthly meeting to be at and to have such great resources available to each and everyone in attendance for free! You can't beat that! Enjoy the photos below in my slideshow and as time allows I will upload the Video footage of the speakers for those that missed it or for those that want to recap of the event.
A special 'thank you' to this month's Sponsors:
Shelli Bates - LandAmerica Lawyers Title - 480-688-9387
Ron Kohatsu - World Inspection Network WIN - 480-844-2882
Jim Crandell - Homestead Appraisals - 480-390-8530
If you are interested in more information on the monthly meetings, email me direct at AZREBlogs@Yahoo.com and I will get you the upcoming event. May's meeting will be held May 29th, 2008 in the Tempe area. If you are interested in being included be sure to email me so that I can send out an invitation. Also be sure to check out our new group we just started called AZ Real Estate Blogging Network, come check it out!
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 ***ociation of REALTORS® and the National ***ociation 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.
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
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