MyPhoenixMLS Blog

July may be one of Phoenix’s hottest months, but there’s no shortage of cool (figuratively and literally) activities.  Read on. . . (And thanks as always to About.com for the listings!)

For information about what’s going on in Phoenix on the Fourth of July, read Monday’s blog.

 

4th Friday ArtWalk
What: Photography, jewelry, crafts, paintings, sculptures and more. Live music.

When: July 24 from 6 p.m. 9 p.m.

Where: Mesa Riverview

Arizona Derby Games
What: All-girl Roller Derby

When: July 18

Where: Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix

Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball
What: The Arizona Diamondbacks play professional baseball
When: Visit http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/schedule/downloadable.jsp?c_id=ari for the schedule

Where: At Chase Field in downtown Phoenix

Birds in the Garden
What: Join expert birders for a morning bird walk along the Garden trails. Everyone, including first-time birders, is welcome. Wear a hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. Bring binoculars if available.

When: Every Monday in July at 7 a.m.

Where: Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix

How much: This activity is included in the regular admission fee.

Cave Creek Film & Arts Festival
What: Choreography, film, music, photography, poetry, short stories and visual arts competition.

When: July 9 - 18

Where: In Cave Creek.

Crossroads of the West Gun Show
What: The shows offer hundreds of tables of interest to both the once a year hunter and the avid collector.

When: July 11, 12

Where: Arizona State Fairgrounds

First Friday
What: About 100 downtown Phoenix art galleries, studios and art spaces.

When: First Friday of the month

Where: Downtown Phoenix

How much: Free

Flashlight Tours
What: Nights in the desert are anything but dull. Nighthawks fly, night-blooming flowers open, toads sing and owls watch as you roam the trails of the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, never knowing what will be around each corner. Wear walking shoes, and bring a flashlight.

When: Every Thursday and Saturday in July at 7 p.m.

Where: Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix

How much: Flashlight tours are free with admission, but require reservations. Call 480-941-3510.

Latin Rhythms Festival
What: Live music, wine tasting, food sampling

When: July 17-19

Where: Kokopelli Winery & Bistro in Downtown Chandler

Lori Piestewa National Native American Games
What: Sporting competitions in basketball, cross country, softball, track & field, volleyball.

When: July 16-19

Where: Fort McDowell Indian Community, Salt River Indian Community and the greater Fountain Hills area

Maricopa County Home and Garden Show
What: Hundreds of exhibitors. Seminars, demonstrations, and displays.

When: July 31, August 1, 2

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Free Concerts
What: Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy a variety of music

When: July 5 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Where: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale

How much: Free; train and carousel rides are available during all concerts for a small charge.

Mighty Mud Mania
What: Part of Scottsdale Parks and Recreation Summer Program. The one place it’s O.K. for the kids to get dirty.

When: July 17

Where: Chaparral Park in Scottsdale

Monsoon Madness
What: Inflatable bounce-houses, water slides, dunk tank, the Queen Creek Mud Pit, and more.

When: July 11

Where: Queen Creek

Movies at the Museum
What: Independent and classic cinema and documentaries relating to art, artists, and works on view in the Museum, usually followed by discussion.

When: July 8 at 4pm and 7pm and July 18 at 1pm

Where: Phoenix Art Museum

How much: Free with paid museum admission. First come, first seated.

Movies in the Park
What: Classic Disney and Pixar movies.  Bring your own snacks and a blanket and enjoy the show.

When: July 11 at dusk

Where: Pacana Park in Maricopa

How much: All movies are free; snacks will also be available to purchase.  Call for info 520-316-6961.

New Works Festival
What: The works may include stage and screen plays, musicals, children’s theatre and performance pieces. The Festival also includes educational components such as works-related discussions, workshops and internships.

When: July 10 - August 1

Where: Phoenix Theatre, 100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Phoenix Mercury WNBA Basketball
What: The women of the Phoenix Mercury play professional basketball

When: Visit http://www.wnba.com/mercury/schedule/ for the schedule

Where: US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix

Scottsdale ArtWalk
What: Spend a casual evening walking downtown and enjoying fine art.

When: Every Thursday evening

Where: Scottsdale Art District

How much: Free

Starry Safari at the Phoenix Zoo
What: Select zoo trails will be open as will gift shop and snack bar. Animal encounters, water play activities, carousel rides and more. Bikes and boats available to rent.

When: Every Friday and Saturday night in July

Where: Phoenix Zoo

Summer Band Concert
What: Live music.  Bring a lawn chair or blanket. No pets.

When: July 2, 9, 16, 23 at 8 p.m.

Where: Glendale Amphitheater in downtown Glendale

How much: Free; refreshments will be available for purchase.

Summer Concert
What: Live music

When: July 11, 18, 25 at 7 p.m.

Where: Kierland Commons Plaza

How much: Free

Summer Concert Series
What: Live music

When: Every Saturday night from 7 p.m. to 9 pm.

Where: Arrowhead Towne Center Amphitheater in Glendale

Summer Family Night at SMoCA
What: The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) invites your family to celebrate the Dog Days of Summer, this year’s annual Summer Family Night. Activities include a puppet show and a show by the Great Arizona Puppet Theater. Tour SMoCA’s galleries and see the new exhibition Unexpected Wegman, interesting and unusual prints by this famous artist who often (but not always) uses dogs as models for his artwork. Kids can make an artwork inspired by their favorite dog, followed by splashing in the fountain, bubble play and popsicles. Bring kids’ swimsuits and a towel.

When: July 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)

How much: $20 for a family of up to 4 people, and $4.00 for each additional child.  Pre-registration is required.

Summer Spectacular ArtWalk
What: Scottsdale Arts District and dozens of galleries host artist receptions, demonstrations, and live music.

When: July 9

Where: Scottsdale Arts District

Third Friday Concert in the Park
What: Bring a blanket and listen to local bands perform.

When: July 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Civic Space Park, 424 N. Central Ave., Phoenix

Winter in July
What: Chill out with the animals at c. Activities will include piles of snow, a separate toddler snow-play area, snowball targets, water slides, snow and ice treats for the animals.

When: Chill out with the animals at The Phoenix Zoo. Activities will include piles of snow, a separate toddler snow-play area, snowball targets, water slides, snow and ice treats for the animals.

Where: The Phoenix Zoo

Did I miss your favorite July activity?  Click on the “Comments” link below and let me know!

July 4th has long been one of America’s favorite holidays.  And why shouldn’t it be, what with all the parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues!  It was on July 4th, 1776 that the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, the first step on the 13 colonies’ path to freedom as a sovereign nation.

How are you going to celebrate the Fourth here in Phoenix?  You’ll find a variety of ideas below.  Thanks, as always, to About.com for the listings!  (And stay tuned for our monthly listing of events in July — to come later this week.)

Fourth of July Activities in the Phoenix-Area Cities

*4th of July in Surprise is free with a canned food donation.  It is a ticketed event, though, that’s limited to 10,000 people.

*At Litchfield Park, fireworks are free but water activities are not.

*In Goodyear, admission is free, but rides are not.

*In Casa Grande, some activities have a charge.

*Events in Ahwatukee are on the 3rd of July.

Other Fourth of July Activities

Classic Car Show and Great American Picnic at the Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa
What: On Friday evening the resort will feature a Classic Car Show from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with live entertainment starting at 7 p.m. on the Terrace overlooking the Wigwam’s golf course. The July 4th event takes place on the resort Front Lawn with hayrides, historical tours, fireside s’mores, a display of the latest military vehicles and equipment from the 944 Reserve Wing stationed at Luke Air Force Base, an F-16 flyover and a fireworks spectacular at 9 p.m.

Where: Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa

When: Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

How much: Both events are open to the public and are free. The Great American Picnic will also feature a family-style BBQ cookout with live entertainment from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for $15/adult and $9/children under 10. The Wigwam is offering a special Great American Picnic hotel stay package from $109, with each additional night just $50, that includes two adult and two child tickets to the cookout and premier firework seating.

Light Up the Sky: Maryvale Baseball Park
What: Games, contests, information booths, community groups and a fireworks show.

Where: Maryvale Ball Park

When: Friday, July 3from 6 to 9 p.m.

How much: Free

A Star Spangled Shoot Out at Rawhide
What: Live music, face painting, a “Best Dressed” Cowboy & Cowgirl Costume Contest, performances by Rawhide’s own Rough Riders, seasonal food items at the Steakhouse & Saloon, and an Aerial Fireworks Display!

Where: Rawhide

When: Saturday, July 4^th beginning at 5:30 p.m.

How much: Admission to Rawhide and parking is free.

“Old Fashioned” Fourth of July Spectacular at the Rockin’ R Ranch

What: All-you-can-eat BBQ beef or chicken dinner, a patriotic show by the Rockin’ R Wranglers, and a fireworks display. Free watermelon, gold panning and wagon rides start at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. in the air conditioned theatre and dining room. Fireworks follow the dinner and stage show.

Where: Rockin’ R Ranch in Mesa

When: Saturday, July 4^th beginning at 5:30 p.m.

How much: Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for children 3-12, ages 2 and under are free.  Call for reservations.

I’ve blogged before about how important the Internet is as a tool for home sellers.  Why?  Simply put, because a huge percentage of buyers look to the Internet first when they’re starting their home search.

ABC News the other day did a story about how “A Good Web Listing Can Help to Sell Your House During this Down Market.”  While the authors do admit — rightly, I think — that the most important factor determining whether or not a home sells is the price (price relatively high, forget about it; price relatively low, you’ve got a hot potato), they agree that the sellers’ web listing is a big factor now, too.

“‘Sellers used to have to worry about curb appeal: How does the grass look, etc.,’ said Spencer Rascoff, CEO of Zillow.com. ‘Now a seller needs to worry about Web appeal: When a buyer is browsing on the Web, what is their first impression.’”

Here are some tips to create that great web listing:

1) A picture is worth a thousand words.  Zillow.com’s advice: “Lots and lots of beautiful photos. I’m talking 30-plus.  And make your main display photo the one that best represents your home. Take photos of the things people care about - the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, and even the closets! Photograph all of the unique features your home has to offer - a large soaking tub, a wrap-around porch, a big backyard.  Let the photos tell your home’s story.”

2) But the words matter too.  Write a short-but-sweet description of why your house is someone’s dream home.  Make sure that the story you tell with your photos is complemented by, and complements, the story you tell with your words.  I asked Molly Castelazo, who recently launched cmrealestatemarketing.com to rewrite the following Internet listing:

1234 Main St., Anywhere, US 12345

• 4-bd, 2.5-ba, 2600 sq. ft.
• Custom tile throughout
• Updated kitchen w/ stainless steel appliances
• Gorgeous backyard w/ built-in grill and pool

Here’s what Molly did:

1234 Main St., Anywhere, US 12345 - low-maintenance luxury with room to grow

• Sized just right with room to grow - 4-bd, 2.5-ba, 2600 sq. ft. - so you won’t have to move again in 5 years
• Easy-to-clean luxury that’s kid- and pet-friendly - custom tile throughout
• The perfect kitchen for rainy-day cookie baking - updated w/ stainless steel appliances
• Enjoy endless days of budget-friendly summer fun in the easy-maintenance backyard with built-in bbq and pool

“The first listing lists the home’s features.  The second talks about the home’s features, too, but pairs those features with benefits that the home offers the prospective buyer.  After all, today’s choosy home buyer doesn’t care about the features of a house; she cares about the benefits - why that house would make a great home,” Molly writes in her e-book, How to Win Clients in Today’s Tough Market (written for real estate agents but great for sellers, too).

3) Add in some action with videos.  From ABC News: “Some people are so bent on increasing their home’s Web appeal that they shoot their own videos. If you give it a try just be sure not to pan too fast or zoom too much. Why? Because that can be annoying to watch.”  That said, if you can do a good job (or hire a professional), a virtual tour of your home can be even more enticing than 30+ great photos.

What do you think?   What’s been your experience marketing your home for sale online?  Click on the “Comments” link to join the discussion!

Two years ago, most of the rules related to real estate were lax.  Or, at least, regulators looked the other way.  Today, the pendulum has swung completely to the other side - now everything from the mortgage to the appraisal is scrutinized carefully.  Where appraisers were encouraged to appraise homes for high values three years ago, they’re now being “encouraged” to assign low values to homes.

But there are steps you can take to ensure that your appraisal is as fair as possible; because whether you’re buying or selling a home, looking to cancel your private mortgage insurance, appealing your tax assessment, or thinking about remodeling, you’ll need an appraisal — which is an objective determination of the market value of the home.

Step 1: Use a local, licensed, certified appraiser.  Arizona requires that appraisers be licensed; ensure that yours is at http://www.appraisal.state.az.us/.

Step 2: Ask what professional designations the appraiser has, and from what groups. According to a recent Realty Times article, “Affiliation with the Appraisal Institute or other trade group is also key. Institute members typically work beyond state licensing and certification requirements to earn a Senior Residential Appraiser (SAR) designation just as real estate agents work beyond state licensing requirements to achieve designations based on greater education and experience.”

Step 3: Ask how long the appraiser has been in practice.  More experienced appraisers are more likely to a) know how to determine the market value of a property even in a highly volatile and unusual market; and b) operate with integrity - if they didn’t, they wouldn’t still be in business.

Step 4: Ask the prospective appraiser how much experience he has in your market and your type of property.  Just as being a brain surgeon is very different than being a heart surgeon, so is appraising homes in the suburbs very different than urban condos.  Also ask how much work the appraiser does in your neighborhood.  Again, familiarity with your market will likely lead to a more accurate appraisal.

Step 5: Ask what types of clients the appraiser usually works for.  Are the appraiser’s clients typically homeowners, estates, lenders, or relocation companies?  From Realty Times: “Determine how much of the appraiser’s work is done for lenders. A high number could mean the appraiser is just returning predetermined values the lender wants, rather than true market values. If all of an appraiser’s work is done for a lender and the appraiser tells you he or she never comes in with a value that is lower or higher than the sales price, find another appraiser, whenever possible.”

Step 6: Ask to see a copy of the appraisal before the sale and mortgage close.  Make sure when writing contracts that they’re contingent upon a fair appraisal.  When you get a copy of the appraisal, go over it with your real estate agent.  Make sure that the information the appraiser noted about your home is accurate and, if the appraiser’s valuation is out of sync with what you expected, scrutinize the market “comps” (comparable properties in your neighborhood).  You can challenge an appraisal if you think the valuation was poorly done (though I’ve been told that lenders rarely overturn an appraisal).

What do you think?   Have you had a particularly bad or good experience with an appraiser?  Click on the “Comments” link to join the discussion!

The online magazine Knowledge@W. P. Carey, produced out of ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business, recently reviewed Steve Bergsman’s “After the Fall: Opportunities and Strategies for Real Estate Investing in the Coming Decade.”  I haven’t read the book yet myself, but I will — Knowledge@ certainly makes it sound like a must-read for anyone involved — or thinking about getting involved — in real estate.

Some of the most salient points from the Knowledge@ story:

• “‘Although that (late-’80s) recession was different in that it was led by commercial real estate overbuilding instead of residential real estate over-lending, essentially when it comes down to it, we are talking about the same thing: too much liquidity in the system, which over-stimulates investment and drives up values falsely,’ Bergsman writes.”

• “‘When flipping starts, the investment market begins to take on all the characteristics of musical chairs, except in the children’s game when the music stops, the last child sitting is the winner. In the flipping game, when markets collapse, the last investor sitting or standing is the loser.’”

In other words, a market in which an investor can buy a house one month and sell it several months later, without having made any changes, for tens of thousands of dollars more is a fundamentally over-inflated market — a market that is bound to crash.

So what’s the lesson? The lesson is not that investing in real estate is a fool’s game.  The lesson is that real estate investment is a long-run (or at least longish-run) proposition.  Think about a five-year time horizon, at least, when thinking about how long you’ll have to hold a home as an investor until you can make a good profit reselling it.

And, Knowledge writes, “Bergsman injects perspective,” — just the kind of perspective I’ve long been blogging about — ” noting that single-family sales rose from a respectable 5 million annually in the late ’90s to a record 7.5 million in 2004, then sunk to 6.5 million in 2006 and about 5.39 million in 2008, which is still historically respectable.”

What do you think?   Have you read “After the Fall”?  Click on the “Comments” link to join the discussion!

Read on for a snapshot of what went on in the Phoenix area real estate market in May.

Enjoy!

What specifically happened last month/quarter in this market?

A total of 9,980 resale homes sold in Maricopa County in May, up 9.7% from April and 38.4% higher than in May 2008.  Of the homes sold, 30% were foreclosures, slightly higher than the share of foreclosures in April (27%) but much lower than the share in May 2008 (40%).

“The slowdown [in foreclosure activity] can primarily be attributed to the various hiatus programs that lenders instituted, while awaiting the new loan modification and refinancing programs from the federal government,” according to Jay Butler, director of Realty Studies in the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus.

The median price of homes sold in Maricopa County in May was also up - 2.5% - after falling slightly (1.4%) in May. The median price of $135,000 is 32.8% lower than the median price in May 2008.

Foreclosed homes represented a good deal for buyers in some Valley cities - particularly in Tempe and Chandler, where the median price of a foreclosed home was 9% and 3% less than the price of a traditionally-sold home, respectively.

Will the market conditions continue or will they change?

“Historically, May is one of the strongest months in the resale home season that usually lasts until August,” said Butler. “During the resale season, sales and median prices tend to increase, so some improvement in the local housing market would not be unexpected.”

“There is increasing hope that the housing troubles are beginning to ebb, and the bottom, along with a potential recovery, are  in sight,” said Butler. “However, many problems continue to exist that could hinder the timing of any recovery. The impact of foreclosures on the market has been the primary concern of the last year and will continue to be in the coming months, especially with the end of many hiatus programs and the weak job market.  The fundamental mitigating factor could be the various existing and potential loan modification programs that will allow households to save their homes.”

What are the bright spots in the Greater Phoenix real estate market?

Median prices of traditionally-sold homes rose in many Valley cities, including Phoenix (3%), Chandler (1.8%), Tempe (6%), El Mirage (4.6%), Glendale (2.6%), Sun City (7.9%), and Surprise (3.8%).  Prices fell, in contrast, in Scottsdale (down 7.4% in May after rising 6.7% in April), Gilbert (5.6%), and Mesa (down 1.8% in May after rising 2.3% in April).  In Maricopa County overall, the median price of traditionally-sold homes rose 4% in May.

The number of homes traditionally sold (as opposed to foreclosure sales) in May compared to April also increased in most Valley cities - up 1.7% in Phoenix, 6.1% in Scottsdale, 17.2% in Chandler, 8.3% in Gilbert, 69.2% in Tempe, 7.7% in Glendale, 17.6% in Peoria, and 4.6% in Maricopa County overall.

What’s happening in the Greater Phoenix condo market?

The number of townhouses and condos resold in Maricopa County rose 13.6% to 1,085 homes in May after rising 6.1% in April; sales were 20.6% higher than in May 2008.  Sales were up in many individual cities as well - 18.6% in Phoenix, 33.3% in Chandler, 5.9% in Mesa, 80% in Tempe, 57.1% in Glendale, 33.3% in Peoria and 20% in Sun City.

Median prices were basically flat in Maricopa County overall, but rose in many individual cities - 2.2% in Scottsdale, 13.4% in Gilbert, 7% in Mesa, 18.9% in Tempe, and 3.4% in Surprise.  Prices were down in Phoenix (6.8%), Chandler (10.2%), Glendale (15.5%), Peoria (33.5%), and Sun City (9.9%).

An article yesterday in the Arizona Republic talked about a number of steps home sellers can take to get their home sold.  One was: “Ask your listing agent to burn up the phone lines with calls about your home.  During the heady seller’s market a few years back, well-priced properties in popular neighborhoods practically sold themselves and listing agents had relatively fewer marketing duties. But now that the buyer is king, the well-honed marketing skills of an experienced listing agent are more important than ever.”

I couldn’t agree more.  But the article devoted far too little space on what may well be the most important duty of a real estate agent: marketing your home.

In the report, “11 Must-Know Seller Secrets: Don’t Try to Sell Your Home without Them” which is free on my website, I talk about the importance of marketing: “Mistake #2: Signing a listing contract with a real estate agent without a verifiable marketing plan.  Most agents require their clients to sign a listing contract that binds you to stay with the agent for a specified period of time - and imposes penalties for cutting out before the contract has expired. Yet many listing contracts don’t require the same of the agents (they can simply stop actively marketing your home).

Talk with prospective agents about options for early contact termination, without penalty, if you’re not happy with the service they’re providing. Write your service expectations into the contract so your agent understands what you expect him to do - and get the agent to agree in writing to the service he will deliver (while an agent can’t guarantee he will sell your house in a specified time frame for a specific price, he can guarantee, for example, that he’ll call 25 prospective buyers each day, or send you weekly market reports, or give you a staging consultation).

The real estate experts at MyPhoenixMLS.com offer a verifiable marketing plan. We’ll lay out our plans for marketing your home when we begin our work together. Then we’ll give you access to the Personal Update Center where you can check on what we’ve been doing to market your home. There you can read prospective buyer’s comments, see who we’ve contacted, check out who’s come to see your home, verify all the places that your home is currently listed, read notes from our weekly touch-base phone calls, and more.”

The fact is that marketing is always critical — it’s how your real estate agent gets the word out about your home, and entices buyers to come see for themselves.  In the strong seller’s market of 2004-07, sellers could get away with lackluster marketing efforts; not so today.  If you want your house to sell, quickly and for a good price, you’ve got to market like it’s going out of style.

What do you think?   How have you marketed/would you market your home to sell?  Click on the “Comments” link to join the discussion!

I read an article online the other day (it’s from the Columbus Dispatch) about a real estate agency in Ohio that will pay clients’ mortgages if they get laid off during the first year of buying their new home.  The deal, of course, is to take some of the risk away from buying a new home in these uncertain economic times.

Worried that you may lose your job before you’ve even finished unpacking?  Worry no more!  Your real estate agent will cover up to $1,500 of your mortgage for up to 6 months.  (I’m sure tons of small-print conditions apply, as they always do.)

It’s a tool that I’ve seen car companies and even some home builders using for a while now.  And it must work, or they wouldn’t be doing it, right?  They probably figure that the $9,000 they might have to pay - in the event a client loses her job - is less than the money they will get from the sale of the house and mortgage interest (the real estate agency also owns a mortgage company, which you have to use in order to get the deal).

I’m not bashing companies that offer these kinds of deals, here - of course, it has to make sense for them to do it.  (In fact, some Keller Williams Realty offices in Florida are offering similar deals.)  And, on the face, it’s a good deal for buyers, too - as long as you really can afford what you’re buying, it alleviates some of the risk posed by shaky economic times.

So, what I want to know is: How much does offering a deal like this really boost a company’s sales?  I wouldn’t be surprised if it was dramatic.  Partly because more people will buy from you if you assume some of the risk.  And partly because of the press companies get for making these deals in the first place (especially when it’s novel - like in real estate).

What do you think?   Have you heard of real estate agents in the Phoenix-area offering deals like this?  If you’re already thinking of buying a new house, would a deal like this convince you to do it?  Click on the “Comments” link to join the discussion!

Every week — or a couple of times a week — the REALTOR.com® Blogging Team asks for submissions on certain topics as a way to feature interesting content on the Let’s Talk blog on Realtor.com.  This week, they asked: “What do you enjoy blogging about and why do you do it?”

If you read the MyPhoenixMLS.com blog very often, you’ve probably noticed some common themes in the topics I post about:

• The Phoenix-area real estate market.  My philosophy is that knowledge is power.  To help buyers and sellers make educated decisions based on accurate information about the market, I write at least once a month about market statistics in the Valley’s cities.

• Foreclosures.  I write a lot about foreclosures for two reasons: 1) Foreclosures are impacting a lot of people right now — disproportionately in the Phoenix area (compared to the rest of the nation).  I want to provide the kind of information that can help people who are struggling.  2) I’ve been helping banks sell their real estate owned (foreclosure) properties and I can see the importance of buyers being educated about the opportunities — and pitfalls — that can come with buying a foreclosure property.

• What’s going on in the Phoenix area.  At the first of each month, I post a long blog about cool activities going on around Phoenix that month.  It’s kind of a guilty pleasure — it clearly doesn’t relate directly to the Phoenix real estate market, but it’s hugely popular.  And it’s a great way to help clients who have moved from out of town get to know the Valley.

What are the topics you’re most interested in reading?  I really want this to be a conversation, not a lecture, so click on the “Comments” link below to share the topics that you most like to read about.

Even as the mercury rises — it’s hot, hot, hot — there are a ton of cool things to do in the Phoenix area this June.  You’ll find events and activities to pique every interest, every age — from family activities to romantic couple activities to things to do for the hardest-to-please teenager.  Thanks, as always, to About.com for the listing information.

4th Friday ArtWalk

What: Photography, jewelry, crafts, paintings, sculptures and more. Live music. 6 p.m. 9 p.m.

When: June 26

Where: Mesa Riverview

Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball

What: The Arizona Diamondbacks play professional baseball at Chase Field.

When: Various dates in June (click to see the schedule)

Where: Chase Field

Arizona Special Olympics Summer Games

What: 2,000 athletes compete in track and field, powerlifting, gymnastics, softball skills, tennis and other events at the ASU Band Practice Field

When: May 30, June 1, 2

Where: ASU Band Practice Field

AZ Salsa Festival

What: Live Salsa dancing from national and local acts, Salsa workshops

When: June 13

Where: Venue of Scottsdale

Big Boys & Their Toys

What: Classic cars, collector cars, RV and off-road, boats and sports cars, and lots of other toys.

When: June 19, 20, 21

Where: Phoenix Convention Center

Bloomin’ Beerfest

What: The event marks the anniversary of Leopold Bloom’s fictional journey through the streets of Dublin in the James Joyce novel, Ulysses. Bloom’s journey included stops at more than a few pubs. Sample some of Arizona’s top craft brewers. Entertainment.

When: June 6

Where: Irish Cultural Center, Phoenix

Downtown Chandler Art Walk

What: Visit more than 50 artisans set up along the streets in front of the unique shops and cafes of Historic Downtown Chandler.

When: First Wednesday of the month

Where: Historic Downtown Chandler

How much: Free

Family Farm Day

What: U-pick garden, children’s activities, watermelon eating and corn husking contest, train rides. New this year: child/adult pedal kart race track.

When: June 6

Where: Tolmachoff Farms

Festival of Light’s Annual Wine and Beer Tasting Festival

What: Over 50 varieties of wine and beer to taste, appetizer tasting from several local restaurants and live entertainment.

When: June 6

Where: Ahwatukee

First Friday

What: Visit more than 100 downtown Phoenix art galleries, studios and art spaces.

When: First Friday of the month

Where: Phoenix

How much: Free

Flashlight Tours

What: Nights in the desert are anything but dull. Nighthawks fly, night-blooming flowers open, toads sing and owls watch as you roam the trails of the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, never knowing what will be around each corner. Wear walking shoes, and bring a flashlight.

When: Every Thursday and Saturday in June at 7 p.m.

Where: Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix

How much: Flashlight tours are free with admission, but require reservations. Call 480-941-3510.

Free Fishing Day

What: On the second Saturday in June the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages everyone to get out and fish. It’s fun, it’s relaxing, and it’s a great opportunity for a family outing.

When: June 13

Where: Riggs Flat Lake

Gilbert Spring Concerts in the Park

What: These free concerts take place at the Freestone Park amphitheater, located by the lake in Freestone Park in Gilbert. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

When: June 4

Where: Freestone Park in Gilbert

Grand Canyon State Games

What: Olympic-style competition in judo, weight training, baton twirling, table tennis and more.

When: June 18-21

Where: Various locations (click to see locations and maps)

Itty Bitty Beach Party

What: Free poolside parties at select City of Phoenix pools for preschoolers and their parents (ages 6 and under) with games, dance contests, swimsuit contests, refreshments and prizes.

Paradise Valley Pool 17648 N. 40th St. June 12, 9:30- 11:30am
Harmon Pool 1239 S. 5th Ave June 19, 9:30am - 11:30am
Pecos Pool 17010 S. 48th St June 26, 9:30am - 11:30am
Deer Valley Pool 19400 N. 19th Ave. July 17, 9:30-11:30am

Jazz in the Garden

What: Concerts are on Ullman Terrace at Desert Botanical Garden. Must be 21 years or older to attend concert.

When: June 5, 12, 19, 26

Where: Desert Botanical Garden

How much: Ticket price includes Garden admission. Advance ticket purchase recommended.

Juneteenth Celebrations

What: Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.

When: Various locations (click for dates and locations)

Where: Various locations (click for dates and locations)

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Free Concerts

What: Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy a variety of music. Train and carousel rides are available during all concerts for a small charge.

When: June 7, 14, 21, 28 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Where: Scottsdale

Miss Arizona Pageant

What: During the last week of June you can see some of the brightest and most talented young ladies in the state compete for the Miss Arizona crown. The winner will get to represent Arizona at the Miss America Pageant.

When: June 18 - 20

Where: Location: Mesquite High School, 500 S. McQueen, Gilbert

Moonlight Movies

What: The City of Phoenix shows free movies at Steele Indian School Park in central Phoenix. Call for info 602-495-0739.

When: June 20 at sunset

Where: Steele Indian School Park

How much: Free

Movies at the Museum

What: Independent and classic cinema and documentaries relating to art, artists, and works on view in the Museum, usually followed by discussion.

When: Various dates in June

Where: Phoenix Art Museum

How much: Free with paid museum admission. First come, first seated.

Music on Mill

What: A showcase of local musicians performing on the streets. Musicians and performers, covering various musical genres, will activate public space and give visitors a positive, unique experience. Musicians at Music on Mill can be identified by branded donation paint cans that will be placed at each of their locations. The public is encouraged to donate towards performances so musicians return week after week.

When: Every Thursday evening from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: Mill Avenue District, Tempe

Phoenix Mercury WNBA Basketball

What: The women of the Phoenix Mercury play professional basketball at the US Airways Center.

When: Various dates in June (click to see the schedule)

Where: US Airways Center

Scottsdale ArtWalk

What: Every Thursday evening the Scottsdale Art District invites you to spend a casual evening walking downtown and enjoying fine art.

When: Every Thursday evening

Where: Scottsdale Art District

How much: Free

Smooth Jazz the Kasbah

What: A new jazz performance each week at the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa Kasbah pool. Resort giveaways.

When: June 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa Kasbah pool

How much: Concerts are free and open to the public, seating is on a first come, first serve basis. RSVP for the concerts to Montelucia.Events@ihg.com.

Spring Concert in the Park

What: An evening concert at the Freestone Park amphitheater in Gilbert. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

When: June 5

Where: Freestone Park amphitheater in Gilbert

How much: Free

Starry Safari at the Phoenix Zoo

What: Select zoo trails will be open as will gift shop and snack bar. Animal encounters, water play activities, carousel rides and more. Bikes and boats available to rent.

When: Every Friday and Saturday night in June

Where: Phoenix Zoo

Summer Band Concert

What: Refreshments will be available for purchase. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. No pets.

When: Every Thursday in June at 8 p.m.

Where: Glendale Amphitheater in downtown Glendale.

How much: Free

Summer Concert Series

When: Every Saturday in June from 7 p.m. to 9 pm.

Where: Arrowhead Towne Center Amphitheater in Glendale

WaterDance Film Festival

What: A different movie each week will play on a giant 30-by-50-foot, high-definition, LED screen in WaterDance Plaza. Bring blankets and chairs.

When: June 5, 12, 19, 26 at 8 p.m.

Where: Westgate City Center, Glendale

And don’t forget Father’s Day is June 21!  You’ll find brunches, concerts and other ideas for things to do with Dad all around Phoenix.

Did we miss your favorite event?  Click on the “Comments” link below and let us know!