AZHO Olson March 10

Arizona Homeowner March / 2010

iServe Residential Lending 8925 E. Pima Center Pkwy. Suite #100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The financing of your real estate can be a daunting task. You want the best interest rate and you want the pre-approval, application and close of escrow processes to be hassle-free. I understand.

I listen. I respond quickly.

• I specialize in custom-designing a specific loan for each individual client. With over 400 loan programs at my fingertips, you will get a mortgage that best fits your unique situation.

• I use the latest technology in loan underwriting. You’ll receive a loan decision within hours. Don’t wait days to find out if you qualify for the home you really want!

• Closing thousands of

loans and working with

thousands of borrowers

assures you that I have

the knowledge and

expertise to handle

any situation.

• My impeccable reputation is my best

asset. I always strive to exceed your expectations!

CALL ME TODAY!

achieve tranquility

CAN’T MOVE?

TRY A REMODEL INSTEAD January housing sales were down a bit. And as a result home inventories are up and are taking slightly longer to sell than they were a few months ago. It’s hard to pinpoint why it slowed. It may be what is referred to as a “January Hangover” from the holidays. As is usually the case, the spring home sales season will provide a good indication of how the rest of the year will go.

For those ready and able to buy a new home there is no better time then now. We have excellent federal tax credit incentives for first-time and repeat homebuyers that expire in April of this year. And we also have nice low home prices, low interest rates, and a good inventory of homes available.

Existing homeowners who cannot buy a new home right now may be feeling a little left out.

Many people owe more on their homes than they are currently worth and therefore can’t sell. While others would rather wait until home values increase over the next few years before considering selling. If you find yourself in either of these situations, what do you do if your current home is looking a bit drab and you can’t move?

For many the answer is a home renovation.

If you are planning to stay in your home but are not happy with the same old look, a home renovation may cure what ails you. Perhaps it’s time to put in a pool or refresh the landscaping.

Or maybe a kitchen and family room remodel would make you happy. Sometimes even just minor changes such as new paint can make a world of difference. During the housing boom a few years ago, you could call 20 contractors and be lucky if one of them called you back in

a week. That is not the case today. With a much slower home construction market you are more likely than ever to get top-notch renovation work at a bargain price.

And if you are wise with what you choose to renovate, you should also add considerable value to your home.

With cash being tight in a down economy, most people who dream of home improvements think they can’t afford the cost. While others think that with tight lending standards they probably can’t get renovation financing. While it is more difficult to get home renovation financing then it has been in the past, options are still available.

And with mortgage rates still at a historic low, making improvements to your home may be much more affordable then you think.

A home renovation loan starts with an appraiser that will review your contractor work bids and estimate what the home will be worth after the added improvements. Then the lender will lend based on the future value of the home with the improvements. Since 2nd mortgages are hard to come by these days, the most common renovation loan also involves a refinance of an existing loan. That gives you a single new loan that includes the pay-off of the old loan plus added cash for the improvements. As long as the financed improvements are at least $5K, we have several options available. Feel free to contact me to see if a home renovation loan would be a good fit for you!

Creating A Sense Of Calm In Your Home

HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS

Jim Olson Loan Officer 602.692.6962 jimo@iservelending.com www.iServeCompanies.com BK0906322

• Mortgage rates are at a 50-year low. Almost everyone can benefit by either buying a new home or refinancing to a low fixed rate. Call now for a free review of your options.

• First-time homebuyers are eligible for an up to $8K tax credit, and repeat homebuyers are eligible for an up to $6,500 tax credit for buying a home by April 30th, and closing by June 30th.

• If you have a Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA or VA loan you may be eligible for refinancing even if your owe more on your loan then your home is worth. (Call us to determine if you are eligible.)

MORTGAGE RATES AS OF 2/10/10 Loan Rates for $150K-$417K

30 Year Fixed @ 5.000%/5.309%APR 15 Year Fixed @ 4.500%/4.879%APR 5/1 ARM @ 3.875%/4.253% APR

Loan Rates for $418K-$1.5M

5/1 ARM @ 4.375%/4.672% APR 7/1 ARM @ 4.750%/5.099% APR

*Note: Quotes assume primary home financing with 720+ fico score on a single family property with 20%-30% equity.

All quotes offered at 1% origination fee. Certain restrictions apply.

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

protectors of children The Heroes of Childhelp

poolside pleasure

P.F. Chang’s Lemon Grass Non-Tini

Event Calendar

childhelp: Helping Children In Need

Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival Downtown Carefree, March 5th – 7th 480.837.5637 or thunderbirdartist.com This award-winning, three-day festival has something for every art lover. Not only will you view one-of-a-kind pieces displayed throughout the festival, but this event also promises the state’s largest wine tasting featuring first-class vintages from all over the world. Plenty of boutique shopping, dining at outdoor cafes and live music are available for your entertainment.

17th Annual Beach Ball J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge, March 6th 602.538.5381 or pchbeachball.com You may not make it out to The Hamptons this spring, but Phoenix Children’s Hospital is throwing their own white-themed soiree. This elegant night includes cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner and lively dancing. Arizona welcomes back the talented duet Zowie Bowie as the musical entertainment.

Oscar Night America Arizona Biltmore, March 7th 602.212.9900 or arthritis.org Since you probably won’t get an invite to Hollywood for the Academy Awards, come to the next best thing, Phoenix’s Oscar Night benefitting the Arthritis Foundation.

The entire evening replicates the swanky real deal with a red carpet entrance flanked by paparazzi, champagne with your gourmet meal and even a take-home “swag bag.”

Guests will feel like a true celebrity as they watch the award show live on a giant screen.

Avenue Q ASU Gammage, March 9th – 14th 480.965.3434 or asugammage.com This Broadway musical may feature talking and singing puppets, but leave the kids at home for this one! Avenue Q tells the story of Princeton, a college grad with big dreams of making it in New York City but with a small bank account.

Walk for Wishes Kiwanas Park, March 13th 602.395.9474 or arizona.wish.org Choose from the 5K run or the 1-mile walk. The theme this year is “Pancakes and Pajamas” with prizes for participants with the best PJs. The event benefits the Make a Wish Foundation, granting wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Spring Training: Giants vs. Cubs Scottsdale Stadium, March 30th 480.312.2580 or cactusleague.com Bring your hat, sunscreen and glove and take in a fabulous spring day at the ballpark! Home to the San Francisco Giants, Scottsdale Stadium is in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale and seats 11,500 fans which includes a large grassy area for really spreading out!

make your home your haven Between family and work and the demands of today’s busy lifestyle it may seem as if you’re always on the go. Why not give yourself a sense of peace and tranquility the moment you walk into your home? With the right design elements, your favorite space can be your own private sanctuary from the rest of the world. Follow these calm-inducing tips from interior designer Anita Lang, owner of Interior Motives design studio in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills, who created the gorgeous guest suite above and on the cover.

Color is the key to calm. “The first step in creating this escape from life’s hectic pace was to select the color palette,” says Lang. “A spa blue was carefully chosen so its tone would evoke a calming emotional response. The simplistic color scheme used only spa blue and neutrals mixed with textural natural materials, resulting in a refreshingly simple sanctuary.” For your space, think neutral colors, such as tans, creams, whites, pale blues, and sea glass greens. Avoid bright hues such as reds and oranges, which can have the opposite energizing effect (instead, try these colors in your home office or kitchen where you need some invigorating!).

Texture can lead to tranquility. The look and feel of the fabrics and materials in your space can also help create a feeling of serenity. After all, who wouldn’t want to relax in a room full of soft, velvety linens and lush upholstery that invites a touch? “To keep the monochromatic color scheme of this space from slipping into boredom, careful consideration was given to the textures in fabric selection,” says Lang. “Ultra suede for its velvety look and luxurious feel was the primary fabric for bedding, the built-in bench, and the Roman shades.” Steer clear of anything that feels rough or harsh or that wouldn’t be pleasant to the touch.

Declutter for that Zen feeling. Another key to calmness is simplifying your space. “The act of accessorizing this space was mostly about editing,” notes Lang. “Items were removed to allow the simple yoga sculpture and shell-inspired bowls at the foot of the bed to finish the composition.”

In your home, stand back once you’ve finished designing your space and try to choose at least five items you could remove to give your home an open and airy feeling. Finding a place for paperwork, kids’ toys, books, and all the other clutter that fills a home will help immensely.

Get into nature. Natural elements in a home also add to a relaxed and simple aura. Just think the opposite of what fills up our techno world (ditch the computers, cell phones, alarm clocks, and other electronics). Choose a simple non-shedding plant, candles, rock sculptures, or bold seashells. These items make a statement without being distracting, overbearing, or fussy. In Lang’s interior, natural elements were chosen for the custom bed clad in Anigre wood veneer, as well as many of the accessories made from wood, stone, and sea shells.

Don’t overlook lighting. A glaring light in the wrong spot can be anything but peaceful.

That’s why lighting is so important when creating a haven in your home. “Throughout this room, lighting was given careful attention,” adds Lang. “From soft lighting in fixtures around the bed and halogen cans that pinpoint the light perfectly for bedtime reading, to appropriately placed cans in the seating circle and vanity lights, ambient and task lighting enhance the environment.”

Just remember to keep lighting soft and bring natural light into your space by removing heavy drapes or window treatments.

Choose just one room for your own private escape. If creating an entire home of neutral colors or decluttered spaces seems a bit too daunting for you, try choosing one room for your tranquil escape. Bedrooms and bathrooms are perfect choices for these peaceful locales. For bedrooms, keep televisions and glaring alarm clocks at a minimum or tucked out of sight when not in use. And keep work out of the bedroom, because thinking about deadlines and bosses is usually anything but peaceful!

Your Home

In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month coming up in April, learn about the impact of an incredible organization that celebrated 50 years of work in 2009.

Childhelp, founded in 1959 by CEO and Co-Founder Sara O’Meara and President and Co-Founder Yvonne Fedderson, is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect, and at-risk children. With its national headquarters in Scottsdale, the organization focuses on advocacy, prevention, treatment, and community outreach. In doing so, Childhelp has brought healing to countless children during the last five decades.

But just how did this wonderful organization get started? In 1959, while on a governmentsponsored goodwill tour of Japan, young Hollywood actresses Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson discovered 11 JapaneseAmerican children wandering the streets of Tokyo, Japan. The children, born from American troops during the Korean War, were not welcome at orphanages because of their mixed-race. Eventually, the actual number of these orphaned children grew to more than 100 and it became clear to the actresses that a separate orphanage needed to be created.

Raising funds back in the States, O’Meara and Fedderson helped fund a home for the children and eventually founded International Orphans Incorporated (IOI). From 1960 to 1964, IOI helped establish nine orphanages, a school, and a hospital in Japan and Vietnam. In 1974, the group helped rescue

thousands of orphans from Vietnam.

The organization’s focus shifted to America’s problem of child abuse when the founders met then-First Lady of California Nancy Reagan, who suggested bringing to light America’s “best-kept secret.” In 1978, now-called Childhelp developed a residential treatment facility exclusively for severely abused children. Known as the Village of Childhelp West in Beaumont, California, the center offered therapeutic programs and innovative art and animal therapy programs. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Today, Childhelp operates treatment centers across the country—including a center in Phoenix and a mobile center traveling throughout Northeastern Arizona—and, since 1982, operates the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD®, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. The hotline is for children of abuse and for parents who feel they are losing control and want to be sure they don’t endanger their children.

To learn more about Childhelp, or how you can volunteer time or make donations, call 480.922.8212 or visit childhelp.org.

Helping Arizona’s Children Childhelp offers two ways to help the children of Arizona. The Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona, opened in Phoenix in 1998, uses a one-stop approach to investigating and treating child abuse. This facility uses a team-approach between law enforcement and medical and child protective services. The center staffs more than 60 full-time professionals.

And in keeping with the goal of minimizing trauma to the child, there is a playroom and each child who visits the center is allowed to take and keep a toy from the gift closet.

For children in Northeastern Arizona, Childhelp, in partnership with the Safe Child Center at Flagstaff Medical Center, provides various services from the Childhelp Children’s Mobile Advocacy Center of Northern Arizona. Specially designed for abused children in rural and tribal communities, the mobile center is the first of its kind in Arizona, offering one-stop services at selected locations. The goal of this groundbreaking service is to reduce investigation time and trauma for abuse victims who simply are not able to travel to the Phoenix location.

P.F. Chang’s Lemon Grass Non-tini

Local Flavor!

March 2010

Ingredients: Fresh-squeezed juice from 1/2 of a lemon, 1/2 of a lime and 1/2 of an orange 1.5 oz Monin Lemon Grass syrup .5 oz simple syrup Procedure: Squeeze juice into shaker. Muddle fruit and juice with Monin Lemon Grass syrup and simple syrup in shaker. Add ice and shake.

Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Featuring P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Locations Valleywide • pfchangs.com

Event Calendar

childhelp: Helping Children In Need

Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival Downtown Carefree, March 5th – 7th 480.837.5637 or thunderbirdartist.com This award-winning, three-day festival has something for every art lover. Not only will you view one-of-a-kind pieces displayed throughout the festival, but this event also promises the state’s largest wine tasting featuring first-class vintages from all over the world. Plenty of boutique shopping, dining at outdoor cafes and live music are available for your entertainment.

17th Annual Beach Ball J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge, March 6th 602.538.5381 or pchbeachball.com You may not make it out to The Hamptons this spring, but Phoenix Children’s Hospital is throwing their own white-themed soiree. This elegant night includes cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner and lively dancing. Arizona welcomes back the talented duet Zowie Bowie as the musical entertainment.

Oscar Night America Arizona Biltmore, March 7th 602.212.9900 or arthritis.org Since you probably won’t get an invite to Hollywood for the Academy Awards, come to the next best thing, Phoenix’s Oscar Night benefitting the Arthritis Foundation.

The entire evening replicates the swanky real deal with a red carpet entrance flanked by paparazzi, champagne with your gourmet meal and even a take-home “swag bag.”

Guests will feel like a true celebrity as they watch the award show live on a giant screen.

Avenue Q ASU Gammage, March 9th – 14th 480.965.3434 or asugammage.com This Broadway musical may feature talking and singing puppets, but leave the kids at home for this one! Avenue Q tells the story of Princeton, a college grad with big dreams of making it in New York City but with a small bank account.

Walk for Wishes Kiwanas Park, March 13th 602.395.9474 or arizona.wish.org Choose from the 5K run or the 1-mile walk. The theme this year is “Pancakes and Pajamas” with prizes for participants with the best PJs. The event benefits the Make a Wish Foundation, granting wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Spring Training: Giants vs. Cubs Scottsdale Stadium, March 30th 480.312.2580 or cactusleague.com Bring your hat, sunscreen and glove and take in a fabulous spring day at the ballpark! Home to the San Francisco Giants, Scottsdale Stadium is in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale and seats 11,500 fans which includes a large grassy area for really spreading out!

make your home your haven Between family and work and the demands of today’s busy lifestyle it may seem as if you’re always on the go. Why not give yourself a sense of peace and tranquility the moment you walk into your home? With the right design elements, your favorite space can be your own private sanctuary from the rest of the world. Follow these calm-inducing tips from interior designer Anita Lang, owner of Interior Motives design studio in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills, who created the gorgeous guest suite above and on the cover.

Color is the key to calm. “The first step in creating this escape from life’s hectic pace was to select the color palette,” says Lang. “A spa blue was carefully chosen so its tone would evoke a calming emotional response. The simplistic color scheme used only spa blue and neutrals mixed with textural natural materials, resulting in a refreshingly simple sanctuary.” For your space, think neutral colors, such as tans, creams, whites, pale blues, and sea glass greens. Avoid bright hues such as reds and oranges, which can have the opposite energizing effect (instead, try these colors in your home office or kitchen where you need some invigorating!).

Texture can lead to tranquility. The look and feel of the fabrics and materials in your space can also help create a feeling of serenity. After all, who wouldn’t want to relax in a room full of soft, velvety linens and lush upholstery that invites a touch? “To keep the monochromatic color scheme of this space from slipping into boredom, careful consideration was given to the textures in fabric selection,” says Lang. “Ultra suede for its velvety look and luxurious feel was the primary fabric for bedding, the built-in bench, and the Roman shades.” Steer clear of anything that feels rough or harsh or that wouldn’t be pleasant to the touch.

Declutter for that Zen feeling. Another key to calmness is simplifying your space. “The act of accessorizing this space was mostly about editing,” notes Lang. “Items were removed to allow the simple yoga sculpture and shell-inspired bowls at the foot of the bed to finish the composition.”

In your home, stand back once you’ve finished designing your space and try to choose at least five items you could remove to give your home an open and airy feeling. Finding a place for paperwork, kids’ toys, books, and all the other clutter that fills a home will help immensely.

Get into nature. Natural elements in a home also add to a relaxed and simple aura. Just think the opposite of what fills up our techno world (ditch the computers, cell phones, alarm clocks, and other electronics). Choose a simple non-shedding plant, candles, rock sculptures, or bold seashells. These items make a statement without being distracting, overbearing, or fussy. In Lang’s interior, natural elements were chosen for the custom bed clad in Anigre wood veneer, as well as many of the accessories made from wood, stone, and sea shells.

Don’t overlook lighting. A glaring light in the wrong spot can be anything but peaceful.

That’s why lighting is so important when creating a haven in your home. “Throughout this room, lighting was given careful attention,” adds Lang. “From soft lighting in fixtures around the bed and halogen cans that pinpoint the light perfectly for bedtime reading, to appropriately placed cans in the seating circle and vanity lights, ambient and task lighting enhance the environment.”

Just remember to keep lighting soft and bring natural light into your space by removing heavy drapes or window treatments.

Choose just one room for your own private escape. If creating an entire home of neutral colors or decluttered spaces seems a bit too daunting for you, try choosing one room for your tranquil escape. Bedrooms and bathrooms are perfect choices for these peaceful locales. For bedrooms, keep televisions and glaring alarm clocks at a minimum or tucked out of sight when not in use. And keep work out of the bedroom, because thinking about deadlines and bosses is usually anything but peaceful!

Your Home

In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month coming up in April, learn about the impact of an incredible organization that celebrated 50 years of work in 2009.

Childhelp, founded in 1959 by CEO and Co-Founder Sara O’Meara and President and Co-Founder Yvonne Fedderson, is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect, and at-risk children. With its national headquarters in Scottsdale, the organization focuses on advocacy, prevention, treatment, and community outreach. In doing so, Childhelp has brought healing to countless children during the last five decades.

But just how did this wonderful organization get started? In 1959, while on a governmentsponsored goodwill tour of Japan, young Hollywood actresses Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson discovered 11 JapaneseAmerican children wandering the streets of Tokyo, Japan. The children, born from American troops during the Korean War, were not welcome at orphanages because of their mixed-race. Eventually, the actual number of these orphaned children grew to more than 100 and it became clear to the actresses that a separate orphanage needed to be created.

Raising funds back in the States, O’Meara and Fedderson helped fund a home for the children and eventually founded International Orphans Incorporated (IOI). From 1960 to 1964, IOI helped establish nine orphanages, a school, and a hospital in Japan and Vietnam. In 1974, the group helped rescue

thousands of orphans from Vietnam.

The organization’s focus shifted to America’s problem of child abuse when the founders met then-First Lady of California Nancy Reagan, who suggested bringing to light America’s “best-kept secret.” In 1978, now-called Childhelp developed a residential treatment facility exclusively for severely abused children. Known as the Village of Childhelp West in Beaumont, California, the center offered therapeutic programs and innovative art and animal therapy programs. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Today, Childhelp operates treatment centers across the country—including a center in Phoenix and a mobile center traveling throughout Northeastern Arizona—and, since 1982, operates the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD®, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. The hotline is for children of abuse and for parents who feel they are losing control and want to be sure they don’t endanger their children.

To learn more about Childhelp, or how you can volunteer time or make donations, call 480.922.8212 or visit childhelp.org.

Helping Arizona’s Children Childhelp offers two ways to help the children of Arizona. The Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona, opened in Phoenix in 1998, uses a one-stop approach to investigating and treating child abuse. This facility uses a team-approach between law enforcement and medical and child protective services. The center staffs more than 60 full-time professionals.

And in keeping with the goal of minimizing trauma to the child, there is a playroom and each child who visits the center is allowed to take and keep a toy from the gift closet.

For children in Northeastern Arizona, Childhelp, in partnership with the Safe Child Center at Flagstaff Medical Center, provides various services from the Childhelp Children’s Mobile Advocacy Center of Northern Arizona. Specially designed for abused children in rural and tribal communities, the mobile center is the first of its kind in Arizona, offering one-stop services at selected locations. The goal of this groundbreaking service is to reduce investigation time and trauma for abuse victims who simply are not able to travel to the Phoenix location.

P.F. Chang’s Lemon Grass Non-tini

Local Flavor!

March 2010

Ingredients: Fresh-squeezed juice from 1/2 of a lemon, 1/2 of a lime and 1/2 of an orange 1.5 oz Monin Lemon Grass syrup .5 oz simple syrup Procedure: Squeeze juice into shaker. Muddle fruit and juice with Monin Lemon Grass syrup and simple syrup in shaker. Add ice and shake.

Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Featuring P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Locations Valleywide • pfchangs.com

Arizona Homeowner March / 2010

iServe Residential Lending 8925 E. Pima Center Pkwy. Suite #100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The financing of your real estate can be a daunting task. You want the best interest rate and you want the pre-approval, application and close of escrow processes to be hassle-free. I understand.

I listen. I respond quickly.

• I specialize in custom-designing a specific loan for each individual client. With over 400 loan programs at my fingertips, you will get a mortgage that best fits your unique situation.

• I use the latest technology in loan underwriting. You’ll receive a loan decision within hours. Don’t wait days to find out if you qualify for the home you really want!

• Closing thousands of

loans and working with

thousands of borrowers

assures you that I have

the knowledge and

expertise to handle

any situation.

• My impeccable reputation is my best

asset. I always strive to exceed your expectations!

CALL ME TODAY!

achieve tranquility

CAN’T MOVE?

TRY A REMODEL INSTEAD January housing sales were down a bit. And as a result home inventories are up and are taking slightly longer to sell than they were a few months ago. It’s hard to pinpoint why it slowed. It may be what is referred to as a “January Hangover” from the holidays. As is usually the case, the spring home sales season will provide a good indication of how the rest of the year will go.

For those ready and able to buy a new home there is no better time then now. We have excellent federal tax credit incentives for first-time and repeat homebuyers that expire in April of this year. And we also have nice low home prices, low interest rates, and a good inventory of homes available.

Existing homeowners who cannot buy a new home right now may be feeling a little left out.

Many people owe more on their homes than they are currently worth and therefore can’t sell. While others would rather wait until home values increase over the next few years before considering selling. If you find yourself in either of these situations, what do you do if your current home is looking a bit drab and you can’t move?

For many the answer is a home renovation.

If you are planning to stay in your home but are not happy with the same old look, a home renovation may cure what ails you. Perhaps it’s time to put in a pool or refresh the landscaping.

Or maybe a kitchen and family room remodel would make you happy. Sometimes even just minor changes such as new paint can make a world of difference. During the housing boom a few years ago, you could call 20 contractors and be lucky if one of them called you back in

a week. That is not the case today. With a much slower home construction market you are more likely than ever to get top-notch renovation work at a bargain price.

And if you are wise with what you choose to renovate, you should also add considerable value to your home.

With cash being tight in a down economy, most people who dream of home improvements think they can’t afford the cost. While others think that with tight lending standards they probably can’t get renovation financing. While it is more difficult to get home renovation financing then it has been in the past, options are still available.

And with mortgage rates still at a historic low, making improvements to your home may be much more affordable then you think.

A home renovation loan starts with an appraiser that will review your contractor work bids and estimate what the home will be worth after the added improvements. Then the lender will lend based on the future value of the home with the improvements. Since 2nd mortgages are hard to come by these days, the most common renovation loan also involves a refinance of an existing loan. That gives you a single new loan that includes the pay-off of the old loan plus added cash for the improvements. As long as the financed improvements are at least $5K, we have several options available. Feel free to contact me to see if a home renovation loan would be a good fit for you!

Creating A Sense Of Calm In Your Home

HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS

Jim Olson Loan Officer 602.692.6962 jimo@iservelending.com www.iServeCompanies.com BK0906322

• Mortgage rates are at a 50-year low. Almost everyone can benefit by either buying a new home or refinancing to a low fixed rate. Call now for a free review of your options.

• First-time homebuyers are eligible for an up to $8K tax credit, and repeat homebuyers are eligible for an up to $6,500 tax credit for buying a home by April 30th, and closing by June 30th.

• If you have a Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA or VA loan you may be eligible for refinancing even if your owe more on your loan then your home is worth. (Call us to determine if you are eligible.)

MORTGAGE RATES AS OF 2/10/10 Loan Rates for $150K-$417K

30 Year Fixed @ 5.000%/5.309%APR 15 Year Fixed @ 4.500%/4.879%APR 5/1 ARM @ 3.875%/4.253% APR

Loan Rates for $418K-$1.5M

5/1 ARM @ 4.375%/4.672% APR 7/1 ARM @ 4.750%/5.099% APR

*Note: Quotes assume primary home financing with 720+ fico score on a single family property with 20%-30% equity.

All quotes offered at 1% origination fee. Certain restrictions apply.

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

protectors of children The Heroes of Childhelp

poolside pleasure

P.F. Chang’s Lemon Grass Non-Tini