Real Estate
What Makes 85254 “Magic”? By Joseph Callaway
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wenty-five years ago, when JoAnn and I were new agents, we wrote an offer for Donna on a house on Voltaire Drive. The listing agent had obviously suffered a prior complaint about a property in the 85254 zip code because the counter offer said, “Buyer understands and agrees that this home (on Voltaire) is not in the city of Scottsdale. It is in the city limits of Phoenix. Although the U.S. Post Office mailing address is designated as Scottsdale. Repeat – this home is in Phoenix, not Scottsdale.”
Well, JoAnn and I looked at this statement and we figured this issue must have been a problem for this agent in the past. We also looked at this “problem” and asked “How is this a bad thing?” Folks in 85254 get to live in Scottsdale according to their mailing address without all the higher costs and restraints that Scottsdale imposes on its residents. For example, if your home is in Scottsdale city limits and you want to add on to your structure, you must provide architectural blueprints with your permit application. If you are in Phoenix, you may do your own drawing without an architect.
So we came up with “The Magic” 85254 zip code: Scottsdale mailing address, Phoenix taxes and utilities, and Paradise Valley schools. Over the years, most 85254 residents have embraced this magic as a good thing, unlike that cranky agent long ago. If you want to know more about 85254, call Those Callaways Realty. We will be happy to show you property so that you too may experience the magic.
Joseph Callaway is the owner of Thoswe Callaways Realty; he lives in 85254 where he and JoAnn are proud to call home. For additional information, visit ThoseCallaways. com or call 480-596-5751.
Also, the Paradise Valley Unified School District extends well into Scottsdale Proper and is considered to be excellent, so no negative there.
Scottsdale Residents Can Save Money with WaterSmart and Rebate Programs By Valerie Schneider Scottsdale Water’s Conservation Office is excited to introduce the WaterSmart customer portal as well as announce the launch of the updated 2021/2022 rebate program, which will help customers use water more efficiently and wisely. With prolonged drought conditions, the need to heighten efforts to be good stewards of Arizona’s water supply is even more important. Read on for some exciting ways for residents to achieve this mission. First, the WaterSmart portal is now available to all Scottsdale Water customers and can be accessed through Scottsdale’s Online Utility Account platform. Customers can view water use data, utilize an online leak assistance tool, get water saving tips, and potentially see hourly usage data. myhyperlocalnews.com
Go to the Online Utility Account and click on the blue WaterSmart button or go to ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search “WaterSmart” for more information on how and why to sign up. Second, residents can consider ways to permanently reduce water use in and around their home or business. Through smart turf removal, homeowners can transform their yard to an Arizona-friendly landscape. Keep functional grass for pets or play areas and convert the rest to desert-adapted landscape. Single-family residential properties can get up to $5,000 and commercial, HOA common areas or multifamily properties can get up to $20,000. Other removal rebates include removing an in-ground pool/spa and removing a salt-based water softener. All removal rebates require pre-approval.
Whether remodeling a yard or not, Scottsdale offers rebates of up to $250 for the installation of a “smart” WaterSense irrigation controller for residential customers. These controllers self-adjust irrigation times to reflect weather changes. Commercial, HOA common areas and multifamily properties can receive up to $400 per controller. Rebates are also available for WaterSense product installations and include up to $75 per toilet and up to $200 per urinal. Commercial, HOA common areas, and multifamily properties may also receive up to $25 for showerheads and up to $250 per Flushometer-valve toilets. It is important to read the rebate program description prior to removing warm-season grass or purchasing a WaterSense-labeled product as requirements have changed and
stipulations apply. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until application deadlines or fund depletion. To expedite rebate processing, apply online or obtain a hardcopy application by calling 480-312-5650 or emailing waterconservation@scottsdaleaz.gov. Lastly, find more information on conservation programs by visiting ScotttsdaleAZ.gov, and search “water.”
THE SCOTTSDALE STANDARD • September 2021 • 13
