2007-02-05T22:32:01Z www.newhomeswebzine.com 48 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 By Kimberly Hundley 49 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 By Bobby Bala 50 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 A new home is like a blank canvas, waiting for color and design elements to bring it to life. Homebuilder design center consultants help new homebuyers choose designer fixtures, decorative moldings, window frames and even intricate door designs that express their style preferences. 51 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 The year was 1970. The soon-to-be community of Fountain Hills was merely a small enclave at the base of the McDowell Mountains in the Arizona desert. There were no homes or schools on the old cattle ranching land, but there would soon be one major attraction. 52 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 By Andrew Bart 53 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 By Abby Boburka 54 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 By Mayor Mary Manross 55 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 By Leah Gross 56 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 By Karen Young 57 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Ask young boys what they want to be when they grow up and "fireman" often tops the list. Phoenix Fire Chief Bob Kahn is one guy who followed through on that desire ... in a big way. Today, he oversees 1,600 sworn firefighters responding to 150,000 emergencies each year. In addition to 76 engines and ladder trucks that operate out of 56 fire stations, Phoenix Fire Department also encompasses special operations, hazardous materials teams and urban search and rescue. Phoenix is also known nationwide for its sophisticated fire-based Emergency Medical Services in which all firefighters are EMTs or paramedics. Having studied crisis management at Harvard University, Kahn believes the Valley is safer than most other large cities during emergencies. "We stay very competitive and set the standard for fire service," he says. The department's average response time in 2007 was 5 minutes, 12 seconds. 58 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 With today's host of indulgent spa shower fixtures, faucets that add just the right mix of personality to the master bath and glamorous finishes to top it all off, it's really no surprise that the bathroom has become a centerpiece of the home. As people seek relief from their hectic lifestyles and choose to spend more time at home, many home owners are choosing to design their bathrooms to resemble luxurious spa retreats. 59 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 For many years, Casa Grande has quietly assumed its role as a small farming community steeped in tradition. And while many understood the city's charms, most had only seen Casa Grande from the road between Phoenix and Tucson on Interstate 10. But for those who venture into the heart of Casa Grande, a wonderful surprise awaits them: a vibrant, diverse and innovative community with a true hometown appeal. 60 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Residents of Florence, one of the oldest towns in Arizona, are proud of its history and the designation of its downtown area as a National Historic District. Over 130 of its buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic places, and the town strives to strike a balance between preserving the past and preparing for the future so that an authentic sense of place is maintained and new growth and revitalization is encouraged. 61 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Residents of Florence, one of the oldest towns in Arizona, are proud of its history and the designation of its downtown area as a National Historic District. Over 130 of its buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic places, and the town strives to strike a balance between preserving the past and preparing for the future so that an authentic sense of place is maintained and new growth and revitalization is encouraged. 62 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 With the Valley experiencing a rapid population boom, the transportation infrastructure has had a difficult time keeping up. In 2004, voters passed Proposition 400 to build and execute a regional transportation plan to help with congestion on the roads and freeways. A key aspect of the plan is high capacity transit. The 20-mile METRO light rail project will bring convenience and connection to the Valley when it opens for operation this December. 63 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Master planned communities have a unique and ongoing history in the U.S. housing market, according to research by Chris Fiscelli of the Urban Futures Program. Its origins in the Valley can be traced to the 1960s when city planners developed a "General Master Plan" for the city. The first tangible outcome of the city's efforts was the master planned community of McCormick Ranch. It was truly a master planned community. The city included office parks, recreational parks and commercial centers. 64 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Every spring season new buyers hit the market looking for the perfect place to call home. Most seek the home with the beautiful front entrance, square footage for the entire family, and the intricate architectural details that set it apart from the rest. For those already nesting in their dream houses, ongoing maintenance is required to ensure beauty and structural durability. Yet often overlooked by both of these groups is the potential for damaging pests that lurk behind their walls or beneath their soil. 65 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:33:28 The Hohokam people, early farmers, settled near the current grounds of Pueblo Grande Museum at 44th Street and Washington around AD 450 and lived in the area for 1,000 years until about AD 1450. The community of Pueblo Grande boasted populations between 1,000 and 2,500 people at various times and approximately 10,000 acres of cultivated land. The main crops were cotton, corns, beans and squash. These early desert dwellers supplemented their diets by hunting small game such as rabbits and mule deer and possibly by fishing. 6 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:00:00 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:00:00 As the season turns from summer to fall then to winter, people anticipate the changing color of the leaves and the cooler weather. Most people enjoy the fall color show, however, the bitter cold of many Midwestern and Eastern states drives people to warmer climates during the winter. This is especially true for Arizona, which benefits from this seasonal migration. The state was once known for the "snowbirds" that it attracted, a phenomenon of part-time residents, usually retirees, who spent the winters basking in the desert sunshine away from the harsh winters and frigid temperatures of their native states. 10 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:00:00 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:00:00 You never get a second chance to make a first impression - and neither does your home. Most buyers make their decision to purchase a home within minutes of entering it. If you haven't captured their attention immediately, you've lost a sale. A professionally Staged home will help you appeal to the broadest possible market by making your home warm and inviting. 9 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:00:00 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:00:00 If asked to describe a typical home security system, many homeowners conjure up images of coming home from work, opening their front doors and entering a code to silence a high-pitched squeal of an alarm. Others would describe a bedtime routine of punching in codes to ensure their systems are armed throughout the night. 7 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:00:00 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:00:00 The frenzy of major cities can often be a burden. Snarling traffic, constant noise and congestion in urban areas can offset the benefits and make life stressful for those living within. It should therefore come as no surprise that many residents have been seeking an escape from such pressures. But where can one turn for a reprieve without sacrificing access to all the conveniences we have come to depend upon? For many, the answer has become the sleepy, neighboring towns of Carefree and Cave Creek. 8 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:00:00 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:00:00 A backyard swimming pool is more than just a place to swim. The backyards of Arizona homes are not just about the surrounding desert landscape, intense summer heat coupled with year-around mild temperatures, they also take into account recreational and stylistic influences. 11 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:00:00 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:00:00 The year was 1970. The soon-to-be community of Fountain Hills was merely a small enclave at the base of the McDowell Mountains in the Arizona desert. There were no homes or schools on the old cattle ranching land, but there would soon be one major attraction. This was the year Robert P. McCulloch, the founder of thriving Lake Havasu City, decided he wanted to base a new community around one major landmark. So he began research and development on the namesake for which the community is now most famous. 12 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:00:00 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:00:00 The towns of Green Valley and Sahuarita span Interstate 19 about halfway between Tucson and Nogales. At the base of the beautiful Santa Rita Mountains, the 2,900-foot elevation communities enjoy temperate weather that is much cooler than the metropolitan Phoenix area. Green Valley and Sahuarita boast 65o average high temperatures throughout December and January, and average 100o in June and July. The pleasant temperatures and more than 300 days of sunny skies annually make the area ideal for outdoor recreation. 13 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:00:00 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:00:00 A new home is like a blank canvas, waiting for color and design elements to bring it to life. Homebuilder design center consultants help new homebuyers choose designer fixtures, decorative moldings, window frames and even intricate door designs that express their style preferences. 14 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:00:00 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:00:00 Since the company’s establishment in Arizona in 1992, Cresleigh Homes Arizona, Inc. has quietly established a commendable reputation in the Valley for quality homes in highly successful communities with award-winning innovative design. Through aggressive land procurement and subsequent land planning, the simplistic goals at Cresleigh remain the same; to provide communities where people want to live by designing homes that provide the freedom to adapt personal lifestyle to individual needs. 15 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:00:00 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:00:00 “When we look back on our lives now, it hasn’t always been this way,” Randy Gatewood comments. If the Gatewood’s gorgeous Gilbert home is any indication, life is pretty good now on and off the field. 16 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 With average daily high temperatures of 82 degrees through August, summer is a great time to enjoy Flagstaff's natural beauty. The scenery is inviting; mountain tops, caves, woods and canyons invite visitors to go rock climbing, biking, camping, fishing, horseback riding or birdwatching in the great outdoors. 17 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 When homeowners look to add something special to their new homes several scenarios come to mind. There's new kitchen cabinets and stainless-steel appliances, an organization system for the garage or an added splash of color for the bedroom walls. Though these upgrades add style and value, the home's most used feature - the floor - often fails to make the list. Homeowners are in contact with their flooring from the moment they set foot in their home to the time they go to bed. For something that gets so much use, one would think it would be a top contender for upgrading; however, it is frequently passed over in favor of more visual improvements. 19 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 What is the difference between an online monitoring system and a self-contained system? 20 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 "We have the best of both worlds here," said Marana Mayor Ed Honea. "Our rich heritage enables us to move forward with pride. People want to live and do business in Marana." 21 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 iNest is a real estate broker that focuses exclusively on newly constructed homes. Given that iNest is a subsidiary of Lending Tree, you may find their advice a bit surprising. While they suggest that prospective new home buyers determine how much they can afford by getting prequalified for a loan using iNest's parent company, Lending Tree, almost 80% of iNest's clients end up utilizing the builder's preferred or in-house lender when they buy their homes. 22 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Richard Doria, his wife Susan, their eight-year-old daughter Triana and their slow-moving chow chow Gubbio, have called Doria's creation their home for a mere six months. 23 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 More and more people are looking to their own homes and backyards for an escape from a hectic world and there's no better place to float away from the world than the swimming pool. Backyards have also become aesthetic and sensory experiences, as well as a place that fulfills practical recreational needs. 25 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:00 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:00 Bone-crunching tackles, 50-yard field-goal returns and glorious power plays led by The Great One Wayne Gretzky-if it's the fast-paced world of professional sporting excitement you seek, Glendale's got your game. Or maybe you want to slow things down a bit with a leisurely stroll through unique boutique shops under a blanket of millions of twinkling holiday lights, breathtaking views from a hike through nearby mountain scapes or a late-night glass of wine at a fine restaurant. Well, we can handle life at that pace, too. 28 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:00 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:00 The squeaky wheel may get the grease, but it's the steady drip that gets results. Water - Use It Wisely has several tools on its website to help Arizona residents properly design their drip irrigation systems to save time and money. Visit the outdoor water use section at www.wateruseitwisely.com. Both the interactive "Outdoor Water Use Guide" and the "Landscape Watering Guide" provide valuable tips for designing an efficient system that will promote overall plant health and a thriving landscape. 29 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:00 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:00 When many people think about synthetic grass, one of the first images to pop into their mind is the backyard of Mike and Carol Brady, the infamous couple of perfection from the 1970s TV show, The Brady Bunch. Some may think of the Astroturf their favorite NFL team plays on every Sunday. Others may even think of the lime green outdoor carpeting many of our parents or grandparents had on their front porch to add color and the look of grass to their home. Synthetic grass has made leaps and bounds since the early days of its conception. Homeowners who are unsure if they have seen today's synthetic grasses would probably be surprised to know that they most likely have some installed within their own neighborhood. 30 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:00 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:00 Urban, traditional, Tuscan, Old World Spanish - keeping up with lighting trends can be as difficult as keeping up with fashion. Fortunately like fashion, lighting can be as individual as you want it to be. Thousands of styles, hundreds of manufacturers and dozens of shopping options are available to home buyers and homebuilders. Mass retailers offer the basics but for those looking for real style and personal attention, independently owned and operated lighting retailers are the perfect place to shop. 31 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:00 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:00 Nestled in the shadows of the Santa Catalina Mountains, the town of Oro Valley is an attractive community, offering a dynamic blend of rich history, community amenities, cultural diversity and an array of lifestyle choices for young and old alike. 24 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:00 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:00 The traditional condo buyer is often thought of as the young professional, in their mid-20s, purchasing their first home or the seasonal buyer purchasing a second home in the Valley. However, neither is the case for all new condo projects, as certain infill developments are finding another sophisticated condo lifestyle audience. These buyers are interested in a home that allows them the freedom to enjoy an active lifestyle, yet not give up the luxury design and amenities they have become accustomed to in their previous homes. 32 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 38 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 For more than 28 years, Mattamy Homes has been associated with quality in the home-buying industry. Founded in 1977 by Peter E. Gilgan in Ontario, Mattamy is Canada's biggest builder and now ranks among the 20 largest homebuilders in North America. 33 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 An attractive front entry can considerably increase the value of your home. The National Home Valuation Study reports that an enhanced entry could add as much 6.6 percent to a home's worth. That's an attention-getting statistic, whether you're trying to sell or are shopping for a new home. As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and for a house, the entrance is where it all starts. 34 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 The search for a new home can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. So can selling your existing residence. You may struggle with seeing the hidden potential of a home and look purely at its cosmetic features. To see beyond the superficial flaws and make wise choices, try approaching each home (and your own) with the eyes and attitude of an interior designer. 35 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Garage enhancements have become one of the latest trends in home improvement. An organized, handsome garage improves your quality of life while attracting home buyers and boosting resale price. 36 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 It is the 38th largest city in the United States, and is bigger than Tampa, St. Louis, Miami and Minneapolis. But it has a low crime rate, affordable housing, superior schools and an excellent quality of life. No wonder a statewide survey ranked Mesa as the smartest city in Arizona while Money Magazine rated it as the third-best "Big City" in America. 37 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 05:00:00 In Arizona's only live tropical butterfly exhibit, hundreds of specimens make themselves at home in the gardens' greenhouse. Represented are more than 50 species from Australia, Asia, Africa and the tropical Americas. 39 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:01:25 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:01:25 Arizona Village Communities (AVC), founded in Scottsdale in 2003, finds and acquires ideal sites to be developed into special private residential communities. Sometimes the company develops the homes itself. Take, as a prime example, The Villas at Ocotillo, a private, gated, waterfront residential neighborhood situated on 10 acres within Ocotillo, one of Chandler’s most-acclaimed master planned communities. 40 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:36:49 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:36:49 Upwardly urban might be the best way to describe Tempe, Ariz. The city of 160,000 residents swirls with 4 million tourists a year, a workforce of 175,000 — and more than a dozen colleges, universities and trade schools bringing to Tempe more than 150,000 students. All this within 42 square miles. 41 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:59:17 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:59:17 Chandler has been one of the fastest growing cities in the nation - with good reason. This diverse community of more than 240,000 people offers something for just about everyone—and has the awards to prove it! We’ve been named one of the Top 100 Communities for Young People by the America’s Promise Alliance, One of the Top 5 Places to Retire by AARP and one of America’s Top Walking Communities by Prevention Magazine. 42 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:03:59 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:03:59 Most of us have heard about the “so called” illusion of home ownership regarding condominium living. Those who consider themselves in the know say—“Well, you don’t really own the land, you know. You merely own the unit itself.” 43 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:19:14 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:19:14 Animal prints are no longer the mark of fashion’s wild side. For spring 2008, the call of the wild sounded more like a primal scream on the catwalks. Animal prints are back with a vengeance, not that they ever strayed far.