Fountain Hills' Eateries

There are a lot of great restaurants in Fountain Hills and I wanted to specifically mention a few of my favorites. 
Always a favorite of the Fountain Hills' locals and visitors alike, is The All American Sports Grill on the corner of Saguaro Blvd. and Avenue of the Fountains.   The location is perfect with the views of the famous fountain across the street, beautiful mountains in the background and people watching walking the park or playing frisbee.   This great bar has way too many flat screens to count but everyone in your party is sure to catch whatever sporting event they wanted to watch in this place.  Did I mention the awesome drinks and grub?  With a great Happy Hour menu and generous portions you can never go wrong at this establishment.
Phil's Filling Station a couple of blocks north from the All American Sports Grill on Saguaro Blvd. is another great Fountain Hills' restaurant with down home cooking and the largest menu in town.  They serve different ethnic food just about every night of the week plus a huge menu all the time.  Sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.  Again generous portions at very affordable prices!
We love visiting the Euro Pizza Cafe in Fountainside Plaza on the weekends for breakfast after a brisk walk and after dark anytime for the awesome fountain views and great Italian fare.  Again, lots of good food at reasonable prices.  Dining on the patio by candlelight watching the fountain glowing with a full moon behind it is an unbelievable site not to be forgotten.
A new establishment in an old location is the Hao Restaurant where the old Ha Ha China used to be.  It has been completely updated and remodeled.   We have dined there a couple of times for lunch and dinner and have found the food and service to be very good.   Nice ambience too. 
Another new restaurant which is getting raving reviews is Kimmie's on Saguaro where Edgewater used to be.  I have only tried their Friday night Fish Fry but found it to be very good and filling.  Generous portions and great atmosphere.  Always seems to have a crowd and dining outside overlooking the fountain park too!
If you haven't tried any of these Fountain Hills'favorites, you should!!!  Plus, there are alot more great restaurants in town that deserve a try.  Fountain Hills has more to offer than a famous fountain, great mountain views and awesome people.  It has great places to eat and make memories for a lifetime!!

Celebrate the Fourth of July in Fountain Hills, AZ!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the first official days of summer! Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday we were taking down holiday decorations? It’s amazing how time flies, and yet again we’re in the midst of one of the busiest times of the year. From soccer practice, to summer camp, to family vacations, summer tends to disappear before it’s begun.

As a Fountain Hills real estate agent, one of my goals for this blog is to keep residents and visitors in the know about local events and places to explore around town. There is so much going on this season that it can be challenging to soak it all in! With our nation’s birthday upon us in a couple of weeks, I thought it was only appropriate to fill Fountain Hills, AZ residents in on our very own Fourth of July celebration.

Fourth at the Fountain will be held on July 4, 2013 at picturesque Fountain Park. A nominal fee ($5 per person, 12 and under are free) grants you access to an evening of patriotic fun. The event kicks off with a live musical performance by local favorite, “Ageing Hipsters,” at 5:30pm. At 8:30pm, stick around for a spectacular nighttime demo by the Arizona Skyhawks Parachute Team featuring music and flares. A bounce house, fun slide, and dunk tank will provide entertainment all evening long. And, what Fourth of July celebration is complete without great food? If you don’t plan on participating in the hot dog eating contest, you can still fill up on food and drinks available for purchase from on-site vendors.

Fountain Hills, AZ is an incredibly tight community that comes together throughout the year to celebrate local events big and small. In particular, the Fourth of July is one of those holidays where family traditions are sparked and carry on for years to come. If you’ve decided to buy a home in Fountain Hills, I hope the Fourth at the Fountain celebration becomes something you look forward to each and every summer.

In the midst of all of the barbecues and pool parties, this season is significant for those who are looking to buy a home in Fountain Hills before the school year begins. If you have yet to start your home search, don’t panic! As a Fountain Hills real estate agent, I have extensive experience helping Arizona homebuyers achieve their goals of homeownership from the initial planning stages through closing. When you’re ready, please contact me and I’d be happy to help you get started.

Happy Fourth of July! 

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Mortgage 101 for First-Time Homebuyers

Have you finally made the decision to quit the renting game and buy a home in Fountain Hills? Congratulations! This is a huge milestone that I promise you won’t regret. You’ll always look back at this time in your life and remember feeling independent, excited, and a little bit overwhelmed. With how complicated the home buying process has become over the years, I’m sympathetic to how daunting the task can seem. However, it is my job as a Fountain Hills real estate agent to make this experience as stress-free and as fun as possible for you.

A very important step in the home buying process is to secure financing. It’s uncommon that a homebuyer pays for his or her new home in cash, and even more rare when a first-timer does so. Here’s where a mortgage comes in. For those who are completely new to the home buying process, a mortgage is a loan you take out to finance the purchase of your new home. You have many options when it comes to selecting a mortgage, which is a process your Fountain Hills real estate agent can guide you through from start to finish.

You are generally required to have 20% of the purchase price up front as a down payment. You will pay the remainder of the purchase price in monthly installments over a period of 15 or 30 years, depending on the mortgage you select and get approved for. You also have the option of choosing an adjustable mortgage rate or a fixed-rate loan. Typically, homebuyers will select an adjustable mortgage rate in a seller’s market when interest rates are high. The mortgage rate will be fixed for a number of years, and then change over time as interest rates fluctuate. A fixed-rate loan is your best bet in a buyer’s market. You’ll lock in a low interest rate that will remain consistent over the lifetime of your loan.

Once you have decided to buy a home in Fountain Hills, it can be difficult to ignore the impulse to start shopping immediately. A little bit of online browsing never hurt anybody, but I strongly suggest that every homebuyer first pay a visit to his or her local bank to discuss financing. While getting preapproved for a mortgage isn’t a requirement to buy a home, it does give you a realistic idea of how much you can afford. This way, you’ll start your Fountain Hills home search on the right foot and in the right price range.

While there’s a lot more to it, I just wanted to provide a few basic principles to help you start thinking about your approach to obtaining a mortgage. As a Fountain Hills real estate agent, I am available to you at any point in the home buying process whether you have a quick question or would like an experienced professional to assist you all the way through closing. One of the best parts is that there is no obligation and my services are completely free of charge. What’s not to love? When you’re ready to take the next step in the home buying process, please give me a call. I look forward to helping you become a homeowner in Fountain Hills!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Keep Cool in Fountain Hills This Summer!

If you haven’t noticed, the temperatures are rising in Fountain Hills, AZ! As I’m sure you know, running the air conditioner on a consistent basis wastes a lot of energy. Not to mention, it will make your jaw drop when you get your electric bill each month! Rather than sit in an icebox and watch the summer unfold from inside your Fountain Hills home, get out and explore what the city has to offer. There are plenty of things you can around town that promise to keep you cool, and I’ve rounded up a couple of my favorites below.

Fountain Hills Splash Park
12925 N Saguaro Blvd.
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

Many would argue that the best (and most fun) way to stay cool during the summer is to get wet. As Fountain Hills, AZ is best described as a luxury desert community, it’s only appropriate that a beautiful oasis awaits you at Fountain Hills Splash Park. Pack up a towel and sunscreen and get ready for hours of fun in the sun every day this summer from 9am until sunset.

Oyo Frozen Yogurt

12645 N Saguaro Blvd.

Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

When you’re looking for a tasty treat to cool you down this summer, a trip to Oyo Frozen Yogurt is in order. Oyo is relatively new to Fountain Hills, AZ and has been well received by the community. Just a short jaunt from the Fountain Hills Splash Park, a bite of frozen yogurt at Oyo provides a convenient relief from the afternoon sun. How does some refreshing Pink Lemonade Sorbet sound right about now?

If you’ve been a longtime resident of Fountain Hills, AZ, what are some of your favorite ways to keep cool during the summer? We’re so fortunate to live in such a vibrant and welcoming community that provides us opportunities to get outdoors, mingle with our neighbors, and enjoy nature. Are you thinking about buying a home in Fountain Hills? If you’re new to the area or are still in the planning stages of organizing your move, make a summer bucket list and have fun exploring Fountain Hills, AZ. If you need expert assistance navigating the Fountain Hills real estate market, please contact me! I have guided Arizona home buyers for over 30 years, and it would be my pleasure to provide you the same service.

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Will Fountain Hills Home Prices Continue Momentum?

The Phoenix Business Journal recently reported that Phoenix home prices were up by 30% in March 2013, and that home inventory remained low at roughly a one-month supply. Is this pace sustainable? And how closely are these trends tied to Fountain Hills real estate?

Our local market isn't moving as fast, but home prices are still trending higher than last year. Fountain Hills homes are spending an average of 76 days on market.

A year ago, home sales in Fountain Hills were running about the same pace. Consistent demand from home buyers is allowing us to absorb new listings in a reasonable timeframe.

The median price for a Fountain Hills home is running 28.4% higher than a year ago. In this sense, we are echoing some of the trends in the Greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area. Our homes spend a little more time on the market as we do not have as many investors. All the same, sales are brisk, and homes under $300,000 are getting a lot of activity.

We do not yet have a balanced market, due to the fact that home owners have been reluctant to place their homes for sale. Despite our improved home values, the market is still below the price peaks of 2005-2007. Some home owners may be holding out hope that values will draw closer to those highs in the near future.

However, we do not have the same brand of rocket fuel available today that placed home values on the moon several years ago. Mortgages are much more difficult to obtain today. While there are investors influencing the market, they are cash buyers, and not speculators leveraged with easy debt. At the same time, home builders are gearing up to fill demand, which will improve home inventory.

When it comes to future home prices, no one has a crystal ball. Knowing when to sell your Fountain Hills home is more a matter of information rather than market timing! If you are interested in obtaining the current market value of your home, I would be happy to help you!

If you are thinking about selling your Fountain Hills home, my 30+ years of experience in Fountain Hills real estate will be your advantage. I will provide you with a complete home sale consultation to help you price your home correctly, and net top dollar from the sale.

Why wait? Contact me today for expert assistance!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Want Top Dollar for Your Fountain Hills Home? Don't Sell on Your Own!

Whenever the Arizona real estate market is on a roll, Fountain Hills homeowners can be tempted to try and sell a home on their own. Especially when for-sale-by-owner services spring back up, promising big results for an up-front fee. But the truth is, you rarely do better going it alone! Here are just a few reasons why!

1. Trust. Real estate professionals adhere to a code of ethics and standards of conduct that protect home sellers and buyers alike. We are licensed and regulated. We are educated in many different areas of specialty. As resources for the community, we provide market information and guidance free of charge through websites, blogs, social media and more.

2. Price. Automated, online home values are very generalized and can be "off" by thousands of dollars! This is because they do not take condition and amenities into consideration. These values are a starting point for discussion, but should not be used as a price basis when selling - or buying - a home! Only an experienced real estate professional can provide an accurate comparative market analysis and insights on sales trends.

3. Negotiation. The objective of selling your home is to obtain the best possible sales price in the shortest amount of time. There's much more to it than listing a price and then sticking to your guns! Sales contracts and contingencies get complicated, and without tactful negotiation, deals don't happen. Real estate professionals are trained negotiators and skilled diplomats.

4. Exposure. The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) provides a database of homes for sale that is unmatched by any sale-by-owner service. Homes on the MLS are distributed to the largest and most popular real estate websites in the country, and can be viewed by home buyers worldwide!

Getting top dollar for your Fountain Hills home begins with using an experienced real estate professional! My 30 years of experience in Fountain Hills real estate is your advantage when you are selling a home. From market guidance, to home staging advice, to expert sales strategies, my proven methods will help your home stand out from the competition!

I have helped home sellers succeed throughout all market conditions! When you have questions about selling your home, call me! I will be happy to help you! 

 

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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Preparing Your Purchase Offer For A Fountain Hills Home!

Fountain Hills real estate is in demand! Reduced home inventory has resulted in higher prices throughout the Phoenix-Scottsdale area. Cash buyers and investors remain active in the market, creating competition for home buyers who must rely on a mortgage for their home purchase.

Fortunately, there are ways for first-time buyers and others who rely on a mortgage to complete with cash offers. It all comes down to doing your homework, and presenting a well-structured offer. Here are some tips to help you!

1. Have a mortgage approval letter in hand. An approval letter is provided by the lender after all loan paperwork has been submitted and a mortgage underwriter has given the loan a green light. It shows the home seller that your financing is solid, and all you need is the right house! One caveat: the home must meet the required appraisal value to support the loan.

2. Keep your contingencies brief. You want to protect yourself, but gone are the days when a seller could be pushed backwards. An offer that has too much "red tape" will not get very far.

3. Make your best offer first. In a competitive market, you may not have the opportunity to enter "round two" of negotiations and offer a little more later. This doesn't mean you should over-pay; but it does mean you should be aware of market conditions and base your offer accordingly.

4. Make it easy for the seller to say "yes" to your offer, by making it simple, and by being flexible on certain negotiable points. It's okay to give a little! Don't sweat the small stuff.

Home buying doesn't have to be stressful! For home buying success in our competitive Fountain Hills real estate market, use the services of an Accredited Buyer Representative! I have helped Arizona home buyers for over 30 years, and I'd like to help you too!

I will provide you with expert, professional representation throughout the home buying process. Contact me today for complete home buying help in Fountain Hills!

Tina Nabers
Nabers Property Management & Real Estate
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See Homes for Sale in Fountain Hills
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