Lake Havasu City Teachers Get Certified

Recently, three Lake Havasu City teachers received national education certifications.  It’s the most that the district has received since 2002.  The district now has nine National Board Certified teachers who have completely finished the program, which has been described as the most difficult achievement of their lives.

This is no easy certification to prepare for.  Over 200 hours goes into compiling the teacher’s portfolio and then another 100 hours is spent preparing for the test itself.

The test is completely voluntary and will never be required.  So, those teachers who have set the goal to get this certification should be recognized in a special way.  The Lake Havasu City teachers who have chosen to take the certification have done so because they want to better themselves as teachers.  Many would even agree that the certification process was more rigorous than getting their master’s degree.

The certification process gets really in-depth with questions that have the teachers reflecting on how they make every decision in the classroom, how they differentiate their instruction, how they group children and what materials they use.

I give a hats off to these teachers who have gone through the effort and that extra mile to complete the certification process.  It shows how committed they are to being life-long teachers and role models to our Lake Havasu City students.

Realtor® Cheryl Westwood ~ Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Lake Havasu’s Tree Lighting Ceremony Back On

When the tree lighting ceremony in Lake Havasu City was canceled to help balance the budget, many Lake Havasu residents were very disappointed.  There just isn’t the holiday spirit around town without the annual tree lighting ceremony.

After an article was published last month announcing the cancellation, citizens began to swamp city officials with phone calls in protest.  City officials had no other choice but to find a way to fit the ceremony back into its budget and back into Lake Havasu’s place in history.

Now, with volunteers tending to all the last minute details, Lake Havasu City’s 29^th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held as usual in Wheeler Park.  The ceremony will begin December 10th at 6:30 p.m. with a whole new lineup of entertainment this year.

The City of Lake Havasu has also guaranteed to continue the tradition.  The event will be organized by both public and private groups to help share the costs of the event in the future.

This year’s tree lighting ceremony will include a short speech by Lake Havasu City Mayor Mark Nexsen and introductions of Ed Frederico, the original donator of the Christmas tree in Wheeler Park.  Frederico is expected to share his memories of how the tree came to be the community tree.  School students will even get to hang their handcrafted decorations on the big tree and there will be a presentation of Trees of Honor by the Blue Star Mothers.

One very lucky student will get the honors of lighting the big tree.  Each student will place their name in a drawing.  The fist name drawn will be the one to illuminate the tree.

Following the tree lighting, there will be three local groups singing Christmas carols.  Each group will be dressed in old-fashioned clothing and will sing three songs each.  Santa will also be available after the tree lighting ceremony for last minute gift requests from the children.

 With the danger of a cancellation, many Lake Havasu City residents are looking forward to this year’s tree lighting ceremony more than any other.  It already sounds like it will be one for the record books.

Have a happy holiday ~ Realtor® Cheryl Westwood

Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Expecting Guests for Christmas? Tips to Help You Prepare

When you plan to have guests visiting your home for Christmas, you should start to plan with sprucing up your guest room.  You want your guests to feel as comfortable as possible during their stay.  Therefore, imagine that your guest room is a luxury hotel room and consider what you have in it. 

These tips should help you prepare your guest room so your Christmas visitors will feel right at home:

The Bed

The bed is where they will rest their weary heads each evening and you want them to get the rest they deserve.  So, make sure they have a comfortable bed with fresh, clean linens.  If a spare bed is out of the question, there are many affordable air mattresses on the market that are just as comfortable.

Pillows

For a little added comfort, throw some extra pillows on the bed.  It’s better to have too many than not enough.  Consider a combination of big, medium and small pillows.

Extra Linens

You never know what can happen when you have guests.  Therefore, it is a good idea to have an extra set of clean linens in the guest room for your guests.  Be sure to let them know where the extra set is though.

Small Gifts

You can let your guests know how excited you are that they are staying with you by leaving a small gift basket to help welcome them.

Lighting

Every guestroom needs good lighting.  Make sure your bulbs are bright and, if you have lamps, make sure they are accessible next to the bed where your guests will be sleeping.  Candles for emergencies are also a good idea.

Extras

Go the extra mile by letting your guests know when you have your meals scheduled out or have events planned for their stay.  Place extra seating in their room for suitcase space while they unpack or make space in the closet for their things.  A clock, phone, magazines, television, calendar, etc. will also help them feel more comfortable. 

Making your Christmas guests feel comfortable and welcome will help them remember you as the best host ever.

Keller Williams Arizona Living Realty ~ Realtor® Cheryl Westwood

Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Buying an Investment Property – Tips to Keep in Mind

Whether buying one or five investment properties, there are always a few things to keep in mind to help you be a successful real estate investor.  Therefore, I would like to share a few tips for Buying an Investment Property.

When starting off, you don’t have to be a millionaire with all cash in the bank.  There are thousands of real estate investors out there who aren’t all cash buyers.  People who are not rich can also make solid investments and see positive cash flows if they know how to invest successfully.

Things to consider when investing in real estate:

Location, Location, Location

The location you choose is the most important factor part of a successful real estate investment.  But, you also have to choose a location you can afford.  The location you choose will definitely determine the type of tenants you will attract and how much rent you can charge.  Try choosing a location that will appreciate in value over time and be less susceptible to the ups and downs of the real estate market.  A real estate professional can help you with these important decisions.

Don’t Go Overboard

If you decide to buy a fixer-upper, you don’t want to go overboard.  You don’t have to have granite countertops in your investment property and stainless appliances.  This only holds true when you are selling the home.  Your investment property will be getting wear and tear from tenant after tenant.  Almost all tenants are perfectly happy with units that are clean, light and bright. 

Think Long-Term Investment

In today’s real estate market, you don’t even want to think about flipping a property.  You want to hold your investment for at least five to ten years.  So, think long-term investing when you purchase. 

Have Some Cash on Hand

Buying a non-owner occupied real estate property today requires at least 25%-30% down. So, be prepared to bring cash to the table.

Calculate Ownership Costs

Make sure you are getting a good investment by calculating the costs first.  This includes all expenses of owning and managing the property, not just how much you will be paying on the mortgage.  Your expenses should include property taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs, vacancies and utilities during vacancies.

Be smart about your real estate investment and you will soon see a positive cash flow that you can enjoy. However, be sure you are saving what you need to to cover your expenses.

Keller Williams Arizona Living Real Estate ~ Realtor® Cheryl Westwood

Lake Havasu’s Thanksgiving Holiday Events

Most people love to get out and mingle with their fellow neighbors throughout their communities during the holidays and in Lake Havasu, there will be a few holiday events going on that will help make that happen.

21st Annual Turkey Trot

11/21/2009 – Come join the fun in the 5K race / 2 mile fun run or you can just walk.  Race begins at 7:30 a.m. at Sara Park.  The entry fee is now $27.  For more information, contact the Lake Havasu City Parks & Recreation at (928) 453-8686.

Western Welcome Club of Arizona Holiday Boutique

11/21/2009 – Bring the whole family for this free event at the Community Aquatic Center on 100 Park Avenue from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  For more information, contact Willie at (928) 855-2238 or Carolyn at (928) 855-5583.

London Bridge Thanksgiving Regatta

1127/2009 – Here’s a great day of fun for everyone at the London Bridge Yacht Club from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The race begins and ends in Thompson Bay.

If you have visitors coming into town this Thanksgiving holiday season or you just want something to do yourself, check out some of these great events.  They are sure to keep you and your visitors happy and busy while they are in town. 

Find more events around the Lake Havasu area by visiting the Lake Havasu City Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday season.  ~ Realtor® Cheryl Westwood

Finding the Perfect Retirement Community in Lake Havasu City

Finding the perfect retirement community in Lake Havasu City can be as simple as 1, 2, 3.  Since Arizona is so popular for its pleasant climate, vast public land and recreational opportunities, it’s just plain easy to find the perfect retirement community for any senior.

Arizona is a crossroad of heritage and culture where several diverse traditions have met and combined into the unique state that has defined Arizona today, which has helped make Lake Havasu City a popular place to retire.

Best known for the London Bridge, Lake Havasu is also known for its abundance of recreational opportunities and perfectly mild winters to enjoy them in.

Lake Havasu City’s retirement communities are made up of two different types of people: permanent residents and snowbirds.  The permanent residents are those who have found that Lake Havasu’s climate works for them year-round.  The snowbirds are the retirees who are looking for a warm alternative to the biting cold winters from the state they reside in the rest of the year.

When it’s time to retire, be sure to research all that Lake Havasu City has to offer.  You may be surprised with what you’ll find.

Keller Williams Arizona Living Realty ~ Realtor® Cheryl Westwood

Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Protecting Yourself & Home – Avoid Real Estate Scams

Homeownership is one of the biggest dreams of many Americans.  Due to record numbers of homeownership and cheap mortgage rates, many homeowners are prime targets for scams.  Therefore, I’d like to take the opportunity to point out three of the top current real estate scams to help homeowners, buyers and sellers from losing thousands of dollars or their home.

The top three real estate scams that can be found right now include identity theft via mortgage request, loan flipping and the old bait and switch.

The bait and switch technique is a fraudulent method where a loan product is publicized at a beneficial rate (bait).  Later, the product or rate is subsequently changed for the gain of the lender (switch).  For example, one interest rate is guaranteed to you at the time of selling a loan, but a higer rate is given at the time of closing.  This practice is deceitful and illegal.

When obtaining a mortgage quote or getting pre-approved for a mortgage, many consumers believe that their financial details are secure.  However, on many occasions, your financial details can be hacked within 24 hours of your credit bureau inquiry and even your loan officer is unaware of your financial details being swiped away.

Loan flipping is another type of mortgage scam that is common in the real estate industry.  Loan flipping denotes frequent refinancing of a mortgage within a short time, giving very small gains to the borrower.  Lenders who flip loans ask too much for an origination fee with every consecutive refinancing.  These fees are usually asked for based on the whole loan amount, not only on the increased amount summed up with the loan principal through refinancing.

If you are considering a mortgage refinance, a home equity loan or buying a home, you should find a lender you can trust.  It is very important to shop around and do your homework before making a final decision and never give your personal details until you are confident that the individual or company you are talking to is someone you can trust.

To protect yourself from being scammed, the best offense is a good defense.  Research and make inquiries often.

Keller Williams Arizona Living Realty ~ Realtor® Cheryl Westwood

Search the Lake Havasu City, Arizona MLS

Choosing the Right Lender

Today, there is a variety of choices of lenders to choose from and often homebuyers find themselves asking which lender is right for them.  Today’s choices include mortgage brokers, banks, Internet lenders and home builders.  And each lender has its own advantages and disadvantages of using them.  Therefore, I would like to go over the different types of lenders to help homeowners make a sound choice when it comes to buying a home.

Types of Lenders:

Banks - Advantages of banks are that they are regulated by state and federal agencies, many branches provide you with one-on-one access and your current banking relationship can get you a reduced mortgage rate.  Disadvantages of banks include being limited to only offers the bank has to offer, some may lack negotiation leverage when it comes to publicized rates and you may not get the best rate.

Mortgage Brokers - Advantages of mortgage brokers include having access to a wide variety of lenders, you can shop for the best rates to save money and you can quickly find another lender if your first application is turned down for some reason.  Disadvantages of mortgage brokers include that they are free to set their own pricing and many will mark-up the wholesale rates to whatever they want, services will vary from broker to broker and many function as a lender’s agent and have the lender’s best interest at heart, not yours.

Home Builders - Advantages of home builders is that it’s a good way for first-time homebuyers to qualify and the buyer doesn’t take title to the property until the home is complete.  Disadvantages of home builders include them favoring lenders who offer higher rates and sometimes they can pressure you into getting their loan instead of using a lender of your choice.

Internet Lenders - Advantages of Internet lenders are that they allow you to shop for competitive rates online.  Disadvantages of Internet lenders include a greater learning curve for the homebuyer to understand the borrowing process and the abundance of spam that comes with it.

With careful planning and consideration, you can choose the right lender for the loan you need.  I hope this article helps make that choice.

 

Keller Williams Arizona Living Realty – Realtor® Cheryl Westwood

Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City

Keeping Your Credit Score in Check to Buy a Home with Purchasing Power

For those wanting to buy a home with purchasing power, keeping your credit in check can sometimes turn into a guessing game.  Many times, we find ourselves questioning how paying the minimum balance will affect our credit, how paying late will affect our credit, how missing a payment will affect our credit and so on.  Therefore, I have compiled a list of answers to many of these questions using a 10-point scale to help you grade yourself.

Using this 10-point scale will help you keep your credit in check to help you buy your dream home with purchasing power. 

Making the minimum payment on your credit card (4) – All credit card companies like it when you take your time paying off your credit card.  The slower you pay it off, the better for them.  This won’t necessarily affect your credit score.  However, you shouldn’t make this a regular practice.  Paying only the minimum payment will just keep you in debt longer and you’ll only end up paying more in interest.  Sometimes, the amount you end up paying in interest may end up being two to three times more than what you originally owed.

Making late payments (6) – Credit card companies are notorious for adding on late fees.  Payments that are made just a few minutes late will accrue late fees, interest charges and other penalties.  Depending on how late the payment is made, the credit company may report the delinquency to the credit bureaus, which will hurt your credit score.  

Missing a payment (9) – Credit card companies really get you when you miss a payment.  They slam you with late fees, interest charges and other penalties.  And, you will most likely see a rise in your interest rate.  You will also have to face a hard hit on your credit report of about 35% on your credit score.  This will result in paying more when trying to get a home loan or prevent you from getting one at all.  Missed payments not only have immediate consequences, but also long-term consequences, too.  Therefore, be sure to pay your credit card payment on time each month.

Purchasing on a card for rewards (1) – Paying off your credit card on time and in full just to grab extra rewards isn’t necessarily a bad plan.  Just be careful playing this game.  Most people end up spending more money when paying with plastic.  So, it’s easy to get in over your head.

Having too many credit cards (6) – Applying for multiple credit cards just to grab discounts on clothes or other merchandise will most likely have you letting bills slip through the cracks.  This also increases your chances of being a victim of identity theft.  A general-purpose card is all you should need.  It serves its purpose well.

Maxing out your credit cards (7) – Maxing out your credit cards will also have a serious impact on your credit score.  Around 30% of our score is based on “credit utilization.”  This is the amount of credit you have used versus the amount you have available.  It also signifies a bad trend in your personal finances when you max out your cards.  Although maxing out your credit cards may not have an immediate impact on your financial pull, it will always show that you are not good at budgeting your money wisely.

Keeping up with your credit at all times will help when it comes to buying a home.  With good credit, you will have more purchasing power.

 

Keller Williams Arizona Living Realty with Realtor® Cheryl Westwood

Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Lake Havasu City’s Fall Fun Fair

Children all around Lake Havasu City, Arizona are ready for and excited about the Fall Fun Fair that is scheduled for this Saturday, October 17^th.  The youth of the city’s residents and visitors will all be enjoying over 80 different games and various other activities at this year’s annual event. 

The Fall Fun Fair has been organized by the Lake Havasu City Parks & Recreation Department and will be held at Rotary Community Park from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The first 2,000 children who come to the event with a parent will receive a bag of treats.  Each bag has been donated by the Havasu Community Credit Union.

This year. there won’t be the usual costume contest, but a costume parade instead.  Many people around Lake Havasu City already think this will be a big hit for the event.  And, since this is a family-oriented event, attendees are asked to please wear a Halloween costume or a red-white-blue costume if you will be participating in the parade.  This year’s theme is “patriotic” to go along with the London Bridge Days parade theme.  The parade will begin at 5:00 p.m. 

The Lake Havasu City Fall Fun Fair will be selling tickets for the games at 25¢ each, with proceeds going to over 40 different contributing organizations.  There will also be a talent show from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lake Havasu Aquatic Community Center. 

Each year, the children of Lake Havasu have so much fun and this year’s event sounds like its fun may surpass the others. 

 

Keller Williams Arizona Living Realty with Realtor® Cheryl Westwood

Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City, Arizona