Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended & Expanded

Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended & Expanded

You may not have heard the news. In addition to the best real estate prices in decades and the very lowest mortgage interest rates we now know that the real estate tax credit has been extended to contracts written and accepted by April 30th, 2010, and also expanded to included move-up home buyers.

Home Team Scottsdale is here to help you take advantage of the prices, rates and get all the tax credits you deserve. Call 888-925-2562 or visit HomeTeamScottsdale.com today and start your Scottsdale Area Real Estate search with the Home Team on YOUR side.

The National Association of Realtors published this helpful guide for comparing the program that was expiring on November 30th with the one which was just signed by President Obama.

NAR Issue Brief: Homebuyer Tax Credit

A couple of the highlights include:

* Purchase contracts must be written by April 30, 2010.
* Move-up home buyers are eligible for a $6500 tax credit, providing they meet income limits and occupancy rules.
* First-time home buyers are still eligible for a $8000 tax credit, with income limits.
* Qualifying home prices are capped at $800,000.

I suspect that there are a few home buyers that are breathing a sigh of relief, knowing that they still have time to find a home, make an offer, and close before the extended 2010 deadline.

And there’s the potential to release a whole new wave of homes for sale. Homes that have been lived in, where the owners have taken care of them, and will disclose the history of the home to the buyer. I’ve listed six houses like this in just the past two weeks, and I suspect that I will be hearing from a few more folks who’ve been sitting on the fence, deciding whether the time was right to sell and buy up.

Here’s a link to the actual language of H.R. 3548: Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009.

'Tis the Season

’Tis the season

One of my most favorite holidays is Thanksgiving. Looking forward to that time with family and friends, to pause for a moment and be thankful. And it is also the official start of the holiday season and high season in the Scottsdale area.

We are also fast approaching the end of the year. Some things to consider:

’Tis the season to purchase a home

You may think it is a little crazy to tackle the huge task of home buying during the fast paced holiday season. But this holiday season is especially a GREAT time to find real estate deals in today’s economy.

This year in particular will be different from other years; the economy has boosted the motivation of many sellers to sell, interest rates are at an all time low, prices are way way down, inventory is plentiful and the extended and enhanced tax credit makes this the best time ever.

Many property owners are anxious to get the home sold before the end of the year because it helps on their taxes; and financial institutions and lenders that are looking to close the books on 2009 may be more willing to act quickly to get a transaction closed by year end.

’Tis the season to rent a home

If you need a rental property, this holiday season is a particularly good time for renters to find a home. Many homeowners not willing or interested in selling their properties has also increased the amount of rental inventory available. Many are willing to rent below their costs just to get some help with their financial burden each month.

’Tis the season to rent a furnished home

Hotels cannot match the per person rates of furnished rental homes and condos. Search the largest selection of luxury furnished Scottsdale area homes and condos at the best rates in years. And now is the time to select your seasonal rentals. Enjoy some great deals during horse shows, car auctions, Spring Training or just spend the season in the Scottsdale area enjoying the weather, events and maybe some golf.

’Tis the season for property owners too

Property owners interested in selling or renting their Scottsdale area properties now is a good time to start the listing process. It’s a good time for starting the research, taking photos, cleaning and maintenance, etc.

We all have something to be thankful for, so please enjoy the time with loved ones all this holiday season. And Remember, Home Team Scottsdale is here to help you with your Scottsdale area real estate needs this holiday season and all year long.

Sincerely,

Jim

Jim Kempski

RealEstate.com REALTOR

HomeTeamScottsdale.com

480-389-4224 D/L

866-680-1170 Fax

Skype: jimkempski

Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended & Expanded

Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended & Expanded

You may not have heard the news. In addition to the best real estate prices in decades and the very lowest mortgage interest rates we now know that the real estate tax credit has been extended to contracts written and accepted by April 30th, 2010, and also expanded to included move-up home buyers.

Home Team Scottsdale is here to help you take advantage of the prices, rates and get all the tax credits you deserve. Call 888-925-2562 or visit HomeTeamScottsdale.com today and start your Scottsdale Real Estate search with the Home Team on YOUR side.

The National Association of Realtors published this helpful guide for comparing the program that was expiring on November 30th with the one which was just signed by President Obama.

NAR Issue Brief: Homebuyer Tax Credit

A couple of the highlights include:

* Purchase contracts must be written by April 30, 2010.
* Move-up home buyers are eligible for a $6500 tax credit, providing they meet income limits and occupancy rules.
* First-time home buyers are still eligible for a $8000 tax credit, with income limits.
* Qualifying home prices are capped at $800,000.

I suspect that there are a few home buyers that are breathing a sigh of relief, knowing that they still have time to find a home, make an offer, and close before the extended 2010 deadline.

And there’s the potential to release a whole new wave of homes for sale. Homes that have been lived in, where the owners have taken care of them, and will disclose the history of the home to the buyer. I’ve listed six houses like this in just the past two weeks, and I suspect that I will be hearing from a few more folks who’ve been sitting on the fence, deciding whether the time was right to sell and buy up.

Here’s a link to the actual language of H.R. 3548: Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009.

It is a Historic time to buy.

Wow, talk about a great time to buy.

Let's see, we have:

Historic Prices for quality real estate, Low interest rates and plenty of selection.

This could be a huge opportunity for the young too.

In addition to the obvious benefits at the end of a 15 or 30 year mortgage you will be young enough to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Young people just starting to invest and buying their first homes are potentially the big winners in this recession.

First-time homebuyers, most between the ages of 25 and 45, accounted for about 45 percent of home sales from January through July 2009, according to the National Association of REALTORS®

"This is a historic time," says George Jaramillo, a 35-year-old business analyst in Atlanta, who recently bought three homes, two of them foreclosures. "It's a great opportunity to make some great gains in the future."

A study by investment company T. Rowe Price points out that investing when prices are low can result in amazing gains. For instance, between 1970 and 1990, the annualized rate of return for the S&P 500 was 11.5 percent.

"We need to be shouting from the rooftops that this is not the time to get out of the market if you're young," says Christine Fahlund, a senior financial planner with T. Rowe Price. "This is the time to be in the market."

Home Team Scottsdale is here to help with all your Scottsdale area purchases. Get the Home Field Advantage with HomeTeamScottsdale.com. 1-888-925-2562

It is a Historic time to buy.

Wow, talk about a great time to buy.

Let's see, we have:

Historic Prices for quality real estate, Low interest rates and plenty of selection.

This could be a huge opportunity for the young too.

In addition to the obvious benefits at the end of a 15 or 30 year mortgage you will be youg enough to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Young people just starting to invest and buying their first homes are potentially the big winners in this recession.

First-time homebuyers, most between the ages of 25 and 45, accounted for about 45 percent of home sales from January through July 2009, according to the National Association of REALTORS®

"This is a historic time," says George Jaramillo, a 35-year-old business analyst in Atlanta, who recently bought three homes, two of them foreclosures. "It's a great opportunity to make some great gains in the future."

A study by investment company T. Rowe Price points out that investing when prices are low can result in amazing gains. For instance, between 1970 and 1990, the annualized rate of return for the S&P 500 was 11.5 percent.

"We need to be shouting from the rooftops that this is not the time to get out of the market if you're young," says Christine Fahlund, a senior financial planner with T. Rowe Price. "This is the time to be in the market."

Home Team Scottsdale is here to help with all your Scottsdale area purchases. Get the Home Field Advantage with HomeTeamScottsdale.com. 1-888-925-2562

You can buy a Phoenix home for $150,000

There are 125 metro areas including Phoenix where starter homes cost $150,000 or less.

By Marilyn Lewis of MSN Real Estate

Believe it or not, you can get into a $150,000 starter home with less than $2,500 in savings. You'll need to leverage the new $8,000 federal tax incentive and have at least average credit, but your monthly payment would work out to about $1,000 a month including taxes and insurance.

According to National Association of Realtors economist Lawrence Yun, starter homes are usually priced about 30% below a local market's median. (The "median" is where half the homes cost more and half cost less.) So the most promising cities for families to buy a first home would have median prices of $215,000 or below (as a $150,000 home is about 30% less than the $215,000 median).

According to the NAR, 125 metro areas including Phoenix had a median price of less than $215,000 at the end of the first quarter; you'll find the list below, plus links to find homes priced 30% below each market's median. In some of these markets, that starter home will cost far less than $150,000.

3 tips for new buyers
Before you beat a path to the nearest open house, educate yourself on the homebuying process.

Curt Lorden, senior loan officer with Residential Finance Corp. in Tampa, Fla., offers this guidance:

1. Buy less home than you can afford. "Just because we might be able to qualify you for it, doesn't mean you should go for the max," the loan officer says. Leave slack for retirement and college savings. Rather than what you want, consider what, realistically, you need: "We, as Americans, got a little bit egregious as to how much house do you get," he says. "The reality is, you got there and you only needed half of it."

2. Think ahead. Since prices are still dropping, be prepared to stay in your new home at least five years. When prices recover, you should at least break even when you sell. Forget about making a fortune on a home. Those days are probably over for a while. And, if your family is growing, get a home big enough to meet your needs five years out rather than going for granite countertops and high-end upgrades now.

3. Stash the credit. If you don't need the tax credit for a down payment, use it to pay down consumer debt, to start a college fund for your kids or to fatten your retirement account.

You also can educate yourself on the home buying process by taking a class. Banks, credit unions, financial counseling agencies, community colleges and state extension services offer free or inexpensive classes and workshops. Watch your local papers and TV for announcements or see HUD's list of government home buying programs, including classes and counselors.

Find a loan
Once you're ready to get serious, your first step is to find the loan, Lorden says, even though it may seem backward when what you want to do right now is shop.

"If I had a friend or a family member looking to buy their first home, I think it would be very important to sit down or talk over the phone with a mortgage consultant, even before they retain [a real-estate agent]," Lorden says.

Apply to several lenders. Compare annual percentage rates (APRs) to see who's offering the best deal.

Lenders will offer to "pre-qualify” you, giving a rough idea of what you can borrow. They'll chat about your finances and pull your credit score. But what's the point? It's only an estimate. You can't hold them to it. You won't know how much they'll truly lend you and what the cost is until you get a lender to commit to a loan amount and interest rate — a "good faith estimate." For that, you must apply.

Lenders will ask for documents proving:

• Your income
• Your bank account balance
• Your monthly expenses, including what you owe and whom you owe it to.

Finally!

To all my fellow Cubs fans, finally.

New ownership takes over.

Say it's so.

CHICAGO -- Major League baseball owners yesterday unanimously approved the sale of the Chicago Cubs from the bankrupt Tribune Co. to the family of online brokerage billionaire and longtime fan Joe Ricketts.

The vote was made during a conference call. Tom Ricketts, who has headed the sale for his family, could take day-to-day control of the Cubs by the end of the month.

Commissioner Bud Selig says the Ricketts family will be "great owners and custodians" of the storied franchise perhaps best known for a World Series championship drought that now stands at 101 years.

Mortgage rates near historic lows

Unbelievably great mortgage rates and low low prices. We may never see anything like this again in our life time.

Mortgage rates have hovered near historic lows in recent weeks, with prime borrowers making 20 percent downpayments this week able to obtain 30-year fixed-rate mortgages at just over 5 percent, Freddie Mac said in releasing the results of its weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.07 percent, with an average 0.7 point, for the week ending Sept. 10, Freddie Mac said, down from 5.08 percent last week and 5.93 percent a year ago.

“Mortgage rates remained historically low over the past two weeks, keeping housing very affordable,” said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. “As a result, mortgage applications leapt 17 percent over the week ending September 4, led by a 23 percent jump in refinancing demand, according the Mortgage Bankers Association. In fact, nearly three out of five applications were for refinancing current loans.

Let HomeTeamScottsdale.com work for you and find you the best deal on a Scottsdale area property.

Get the Home Team Advantage on your Side.

It's Official Home Team Scottsdale is ready to help

Home Team Scottsdale is ready to help with your Scottsdale area real estate needs.

Jim Kempski, A RealEstate.com REALTOR, has launched HomeTeamScottsdale.com.

Specializing in residential properties in Scottsdale, Phoenix including the Kierland and Biltmore areas and Northern Tempe.

Everyone knows the Home Team has the home field advantage. Get your Home Team Advantage!

We are here to work for you in Selling your property, Buying a new home or with your Scottsdale Leasing needs.

Visit HomeTeamScottsdale.com, email HomeTeamScottsdale@gmail.com or call 1-888-925-2562 and Get the Home Team on Your Side.

Great views including the Cactus!

Just read this interesting article by a travel writer that recently visited Scottsdale.

Scottsdale is all very hip and happening, with fancy hotels, great golf courses (allegedly—I’m no golfer) and highly rated restaurants. But during my visit last year, I was mesmerized by the cacti. So many varieties, so many personalities. I snapped umpteen photos.

Sometimes we who live and work in Scottsdale forget how beautiful it is. We have one of the most beautiful deserts in the world. Even our cacti is unique.

When we help families rent or buy a Scottsdale area properties, HomeTeamScottsdale.com always attempts to feature the views, because our clients are looking for that desert view, gold course view, mountain view, sunset view or even a lake view.

When planning your next Scottsdale area visit, make sure you visit HomeTeamScottsdale.com for the best deal on Scottsdale area Real Estate including; Buying, Selling and renting. Even luxury furnished rentals for the month or season.

Scottsdale CVB's “Name the Scottsdale Cowgirl” promotion has selected a Name

The formerly nameless diamond-roping cowgirl featured in the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau’s newest ad campaign will now be known as Camelback Kate as voting for the “Name the Scottsdale Cowgirl” promotion ended April 15.

Web site visitors chose Owen Edgar from Scottsdale for his name submission of Camelback Kate.

All total, 928 votes were received for the contest finalists. More than 4,200 names were submitted for the contest and came from 46 states, as well as throughout Canada.

The entries generated by this contest are significantly more than any other promotion the CVB has conducted in recent years. The “Name the Scottsdale Cowgirl” contest was part of the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau’s efforts to promote its new brand advertising campaign, which launched in January.

Five new Scottsdale ads showcase the city’s sophistication and vibrancy in the Sonoran Desert while exploring the layered experiences inherent in a quintessential Scottsdale vacation.

HomeTeamScottsdale.com Is Celebrating Mom’s The Entire Month of May with A Free Rental Car

This May HomeTeamScottsdale.com will be offering a free Enterprise Rental Car
with a weeklong vacation rental during the month of May.

Scottsdale, Arizona – April 2009/HomeTeamScottsdale.com/Press Release – HomeTeamScottsdale.com, Real Estate services, based in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona is pleased to announce, they will be celebrating mothers, grandmothers and families this May. All vacation rentals arriving in May will receive a free Enterprise rental car for one week – allowing families to get out and explore Arizona!

HomeTeamScottsdale.com has access to hundreds of furnished listings and plenty of properties perfect for Mom & Dad to get away for some much needed rest and relaxation. But, they also have luxury furnished rental properties that the whole family will enjoy – from Great Grandma all the way down to the youngest children. Imagine a vacation were the whole family will enjoy spending quality family time in private luxury homes with private pools, gourmet kitchens, game rooms, theater rooms and high speed Internet. HomeTeamScottsdale.com prides itself on offering professional real estate services including; Buying, Selling and Renting luxury rentals at prices that make traditional lodging prices seem Outrageous.

“With all that Mother’s do for a family, we at HomeTeamScottsdale.com think they deserve more than one day a year for us to show our appreciation. An Arizona vacation with a free rental car is a great way to say thank you!” says Jim Kempski, President of HomeTeamScottsdale.com. “Now that HomeTeamScottsdale.com is providing a free rental car for the week families will be able to fly into Phoenix, pick up their car and head straight for their vacation – does it get much easier?”

For more information on this special offer from HomeTeamScottsdale.com, interested travelers should call 888-925-2562 or visit HomeTeamScottsdale.com

HomeTeamScottsdale.com offers vacation help throughout Arizona, allowing vacationers to choose a luxury home base while taking advantage of everything Arizona has to offer. Whether it is sightseeing the Grand Canyon, golfing at some of the best golf courses in the United States, enjoying the many street festivals and events, relaxing at world class spas or enjoying the dining and nightlife – HomeTeamScottsdale.com has the home field advantage for you.

HomeTeamScottsdale.com area expertise in Arizona include:
• The North Valley which includes: North Scottsdale, North Phoenix, Carefree and Cave Creek
• The East Valley including: Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and the famous Phoenix Biltmore area
• And coming soon: Tempe

About HomeTeamScottsdale.com
HomeTeamScottsdale.com is a premier, luxury vacation & second home real estate sales and rental assistance firm. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, HomeTeamScottsdale.com's Property Sales Listing Program has taken traditional property marketing to the next level, providing traditional services and adding the Internet prowess of RealEstate.com.

HomeTeamScottsdale.com provides Buyers comprehensive and professional representation. We are your advocate in the purchase. HomeTeamScottsdale.com provides Renters comprehensive and professional representation in finding the perfect rental home or temporary housing.

What a week in The Scottsdale area.

It has been a good week to be in the Scottsdale area. I have been to 2 Spring Training games this week, 1 more coming over the weekend and now we have 2 days of NCAA men's basketball.

Seems like the last 10 days of Spring Training brings the most night games. That makes it easier for those of us that live and work here to get to more games. The baseball fans visiting the area like it because that can watch 2 games a day now.

As we have always said, when you add the Scottsdale areas events with the sunny weather and add a great place to stay that makes for a great vacation. And with HomeTeamScottsdale.com you have your choice of homes, condos, resort rentals, villas and estates to select from.

Check out HomeTeamScottsdale.com for the best deal on a professionally managed vacation rental and our Spring Specials.

The Scottsdale Arts Festival, one of the most premier arts festivals in the country

Another great reason to visit the Scottsdale area is always the events. This weekend we have the Scottsdale Arts Festival, one of the most premier arts festivals in the country bringing tens of thousands of visitors each day over the weekend.

The Festival is known for the high quality and variety of fine arts and fine crafts available, as well as the continuous presentations, performances and demonstrations that take place throughout the weekend.

The Scottsdale Arts Festival spans the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, located in Old Town Scottsdale, adjacent to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

Live entertainment featuring jazz, folk, classical, blues, rock and world music. Roving entertainers offer impromptu performances throughout the festival grounds. And remember when planning your Scottsdale area visit, you need to contact HomeTeamScottsdale.com. "We make traditional lodging prices seem outrageous.

Baseball fans all over started to wake up Today

Today was the opening of Spring Training and we were fortunate to attend the Cubs home opener in Mesa Arizona. And was it a beautiful day. 80's and sunny today in the Phoenix area.

For the first game of the year, the players performed well. The game was very entertaining. You could tell this was the first game for the fans. I overheard several calls and you could tell it was hard to admit to the callers that they were calling somebody attending a baseball game. The stands were full of out of town visitors, so you can image the reaction from that Chicago caller. You are where? It is how warm?

And the sights and sounds of spring time were there. It was wonderful. The bleachers resembled a picnic at the beach. Vendors were selling the usual; beer, peanuts, crackerjack, etc.

And the best part of today's game, Micah Hoffpauir, hoping to secure a spot on the 25-man roster, hit a go-ahead grand slam in the fifth inning.

There is still time to make your arrangement to visit the valley and watch your favorite team in a very intimate stadium. Contact HomeTeamScottsdale.com, 888-925-2562. Get your best deal on one of our Professionally Managed Vacation Rentals and we will include a free rental car for the week. Call for details or visit HomeTeamScottsdale.com

Cubs Cactus League Record: 1-0

Specialty Lodging Is Attracting All-Stars This Spring

HomeTeamScottsdale.com Is Attracting All-Stars This Spring

Baseball & Basketball Stars Are Finding Their Arizona Accommodations with HomeTeamScottsdale.com

Scottsdale, Arizona – February, 2009/HomeTeamScottsdale.com/Press Release – HomeTeamScottsdale.com, the leading professional vacation rental firm in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona is pleased to announce that they are experiencing a record breaking winter and spring rental season. What has led to this record breaking season--great weather and activities such as sight-seeing, fine dining, golf, festival & events and the great nightlife. Major sports stars and their fans staying with HomeTeamScottsdale.com for the NBA All-Star Game and Major League Baseball Spring Training season took HomeTeamScottsdale.com over the top.

This record breaking rental season follows the records set in 2008 when Phoenix hosted the Super Bowl and is truly showing that even in a tough economy, travelers still need to get away and they want to come to Arizona. HomeTeamScottsdale.com is the first and only choice for luxury homes with private heated pools, affordable condos, and romantic luxury villas and estates that will take your breath away. HomeTeamScottsdale.com prides itself on offering luxury vacation rentals at prices that make traditional lodging prices seem outrageous.

“A review of our February arrivals showed us that we could have formed our own Major League Baseball All-Star Teams which made all of us at Specialty Lodging very proud. We strive to provide not only the finest vacation rentals at the best value in the areas we serve – but also to provide the best customer service. At HomeTeamScottsdale.com all of our guests are treated like an All-Star,” stated Jim Kempski, President of HomeTeamScottsdale.com.

Jim added, “With Spring Training in full swing and games starting on February 25^th, why not stay were the stars stay – HomeTeamScottsdale.com? We still have limited openings for February, March and April and not only are our properties convenient to all the baseball action, but they offer all the amenities vacationers could ask for and you will also be able to enjoy all of Arizona. We invite vacationers to visit our website, HomeTeamScottsdale.com or call our dedicated team at 888-925-2562 to book their next vacation.”

This year a record fourteen Major League Baseball teams will call Arizona home for Spring Training. With fan friendly ballparks, there's no better place to enjoy a Spring Training game than at one of the 11 stadiums in nine cities throughout Arizona that host the Cactus League. Best of all, Specialty Lodging has great professionally managed vacation homes convenient to all of the great Spring Training action.

Spring Training baseball games start on February 25^th and continue throughout March with the following teams participating in the Cactus League in 2009:

• Arizona Diamondbacks (Tucson)
• Chicago Cubs (Mesa)
• Chicago White Sox (Glendale)
• Cleveland Indians (Phoenix)
• Colorado Rockies (Tucson)
• Kansas City Royals (Surprise)
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Tempe)
• Los Angeles Dodgers (Glendale)
• Milwaukee Brewers (Phoenix)
• Oakland A’s (Phoenix)
• San Diego Padres (Peoria)
• San Francisco Giants (Scottsdale)
• Seattle Mariners (Peoria)
• Texas Rangers (Surprise)

HomeTeamScottsdale.com offers vacation rentals throughout Arizona, allowing vacationers to choose their base of operations for their trip. Whether it is sightseeing the Grand Canyon, golfing at some of the best golf courses in the United States, visiting your favorite Major League Baseball Team during Spring Training, enjoying the many festivals and events, relaxing at world class spas or enjoying the dining and nightlife – HomeTeamScottsdale.com for your perfect vacation.

HomeTeamScottsdale.com offerings in Arizona include:

• The North Valley which includes: North Scottsdale, North Phoenix, Carefree and Cave Creek
• The East Valley including: Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and the famous Phoenix Biltmore area
• And coming soon: Tempe
  

About HomeTeamScottsdale.com
HomeTeamScottsdale.com is a premier, luxury vacation & second home real estate sales and rental assistance firm. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, HomeTeamScottsdale.com's Property Sales Listing Program has taken traditional property marketing to the next level, providing traditional services and adding the Internet prowess of RealEstate.com.

HomeTeamScottsdale.com provides Buyers comprehensive and professional representation. We are your advocate in the purchase. HomeTeamScottsdale.com provides Renters comprehensive and professional representation in finding the perfect rental home or temporary housing.

Scottsdale, what else is happening

Already mentioned this is NBA All Star Weekend in the Phoenix area.

We forgot to mention the other World Class Events going on, this weekend Scottsdale is hosting the 54th Annual Arabian Horse Show.

Also, these events might not be world class events, yet. But this weekend Scottsdale is also host to the Hard Rock Invitational (gymnast), the Arizona Fine Arts Expo and the 5th Avenue Fine Art and Wine Festival.

And let's not forget about The Cactus League Spring Training. Pitchers and catchers reported to work today and the rest of the team reports next week. Games start on February 25.

Coming to the Scottsdale/Phoenix area for events, Spring Training, golf, shopping or just the sun, visit HomeTeamScottsdale.com.

About HomeTeamScottsdale.com
HomeTeamScottsdale.com is a premier, luxury vacation & second home real estate sales and rental assistance firm. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, HomeTeamScottsdale.com's Property Sales Listing Program has taken traditional property marketing to the next level, providing traditional services and adding the Internet prowess of RealEstate.com.

HomeTeamScottsdale.com provides Buyers comprehensive and professional representation. We are your advocate in the purchase. HomeTeamScottsdale.com provides Renters comprehensive and professional representation in finding the perfect rental home or temporary housing.

Are you ready for some Basketball?

The NBA All Star Weekend is in Phoenix this year and the festivities have already started.

There is an increase in related events this year. A downtown All-Star Block Party and an NBA Cares and Cooks fundraising event are being added to the usual entertainment staples, including the league-sponsored bash following All-Star Saturday Night, the Legends Brunch and the welcoming party for invited guests, which will be held this year at Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix.

The Phoenix All Star Block Party

The NBA will throw a free outdoor festival for fans during All-Star week.

The NBA All-Star Block Party presented by Right Guard will feature appearances by players and legends, musical performances, video game kiosks, concessions, basketball competitions and a retail outlet.

TNT and NBA TV will broadcast live studio shows from the block party Feb. 12, 13 and 14.

Right Guard, which joined the NBA as an official marketing partner last June, will host player appearances and provide coupons for free products.

Right Guard is a brand of Dial Corp., which moved into its new Scottsdale headquarters in December.

If you are planning to come to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area this year, for a vacation or Corporate Relocation, Specialty Lodging is your source for the areas finest properties and professional short term furnished lodging. Visit http://www.specialtylodging.com/arizona.htm

Arabian Horse Show, World Class Event Scottsdale

The Arabian Horse Show is a World Class Event held in Scottsdale for the past 54 years.

54th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is scheduled to take place on: February 12-22, 2009

One of the most anticipated horse shows for all horsemen comes once a year in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show attracts over 2,500 of the world's best Arabian and Half-Arabian horses, as well as horsemen, horse lovers and even shoppers. This year the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is celebrating its 54th birthday and will be held the week of February 12-22, 2009.

This year's show will award over $1,000,000 in prize money in over 640 classes including Western riding, English riding, Halter, Jumping, Native Costume, Liberty, English Pleasure, and more. The show will also feature a Gamblers Choice in which horses race around the arena jumping obstacles for points and a Youth Lead Line Class where many young children will compete for the first time in the show ring. Of course the main draw of the show is always the Supreme Halter Champion. The coveted title of Scottsdale Supreme Halter Champion will be awarded to the world's most prestigious Arabian on Sunday, February 22nd.

Specialty Lodging's Homes and Condos are the perfect way to enjoy the Show, entertain friends, guests and clients in your professional vacation home rental. Visit http://www.specialtylodging.com/arizona.htm or call 800-778-8532.

Scottsdale, FBR Open Great scores, great course. Rookie Glover leads. Cardinals Superbowl. What a weekend. http://specialtylodging.blogspot.com/

Scottsdale, FBR Open Great scores on a great course. Rookie Glover leads. Cardinals in the Superbowl. What a weekend for us in Arizona.

Lucas Glover won an important title in the Valley as a Nationwide Tour golfer, but taking the FBR Open would mean even more.

Glover shot 6-under 65 Thursday at TPC Scottsdale to take a share of the first-round lead on a day when many of the top names in the PGA Tour event struggled to find the leader board.

James Nitties, a PGA Tour rookie from Australia, also carded a 65. Charley Hoffman and former University of Arizona star David Berganio Jr. shot 66. http://www.fbropen.com/WhatsNew.asp

Cue the music and give us steep steps to climb - a Rocky moment is building for Super Bowl XLIII.

The Arizona Cardinals entered the playoffs channeling the likes of Rodney Dangerfield, who got no respect. Las Vegas bookies placed 40-1 odds on the Cardinals winning the Super Bowl.

But much like last year's New York Giants or an upstart, first-term senator announcing two years ago that he would run for president, the Cards have proved one thing: Never rule out the little guy. http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2009/01/29/20090129SB-underdogs0129-CP.html#comments

Wow, what a great weekend, especially if you are from Arizona.

Next time you are coming to the Scottsdale/Phoenix area, make sure you live like a local, only Special with Specialty Lodging Arizona. http://www.specialtylodging.com/arizona.htm

Scottsdale, FBR Open (PGA) Tournament starts Today. The Birds Nest Opens at 330, Enjoy!

Scottsdale, The FBR Open (PGA Tour) Tournament starts Today. The Birds Nest Opens at 330, Enjoy!

Annually sporting the largest crowds on the PGA TOUR, the FBR Open has gained legendary status on TOUR for being unlike any other golf tournament. Yes, the Phoenix TOUR stop is different from all the rest, but what makes it so? It starts with the unbelievable golf played by the likes of JB Holmes, Aaron Baddeley, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh on the beautiful TPC Scottsdale and ends with the biggest galleries on TOUR. In between the golf and the galleries are The Thunderbirds. Hosts of the Open since 1939, this fine group of Valley business men has turned an ordinary "golf tournament" into a community event/happening -- commonly referred to as "The Greatest Show on Grass" -- and along the way have raised close to $53 million for Arizona charities.

The 2009 edition will mark the 74th playing of the Open, and the sixth as the FBR Open, making it one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR.

Home base for many FBR & Golf Fans is Specialty Lodging, Arizona's Professional Vacation Rental company. Great Rates & Great Homes, Condos, Resort Rentals, Villas & Estates

Specialty Lodging Offers Spring Training Fans the Perfect Home Base

Cactus League Brings Major League Baseball to Arizona

Scottsdale, AZ – January 2009 – Specialty Lodging, the leading vacation rental firm in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona is pleased to announce that is still has great luxury accommodations available to baseball fans planning a trip to Arizona to see some great Spring Training Baseball in the Cactus League.

This year a record fourteen Major League Baseball teams will call Arizona home for Spring Training. With fan friendly ballparks, there’s no better place to enjoy a Spring Training game than at one of the 11 stadiums in nine cities throughout Arizona that host the Cactus League. Best of all, Specialty Lodging has great professionally managed vacation homes convenient to all of the great Spring Training action.

Spring Training starts in late-February and continues throughout March with the following teams participating in 2009:

• Arizona Diamondbacks (Tucson)
• Chicago Cubs (Mesa)
• Chicago White Sox (Glendale)
• Cleveland Indians (Phoenix)
• Colorado Rockies (Tucson)
• Kansas City Royals (Surprise)
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Tempe)
• Los Angeles Dodgers (Glendale)
• Milwaukee Brewers (Phoenix)
• Oakland A’s (Phoenix)
• San Diego Padres (Peoria)
• San Francisco Giants (Scottsdale)
• Seattle Mariners (Peoria)
• Texas Rangers (Surprise)

Specialty Lodging offers vacation rentals throughout Arizona, allowing vacationers to choose their base of operations for their trip. Whether it is sightseeing the Grand Canyon, golfing at some of the best golf courses in the United States, visiting your favorite Major League Baseball Team during Spring Training, enjoying the many festivals and events, relaxing at world class spas or enjoying the dining and nightlife – Specialty Lodging has the Arizona property for your perfect vacation.

Vacationers will marvel at their choices in vacation rental which include luxury homes with private heated pools, affordable condos, and romantic luxury villas and estates that will take your breath away. Specialty Lodging prides itself in offering luxury vacation rentals at prices that make traditional lodging prices seem outrageous.

Specialty Lodging offerings in Arizona include:

• The North Valley which includes: North Scottsdale, North Phoenix and Cave Creek
• The East Valley including: Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and the famous Phoenix Biltmore area
• Northern Arizona including Sedona, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon
• And coming soon: Tempe, Tucson and Carefree

“Our guests coming to Arizona for Spring Training will learn that Specialty Lodging is dedicated to giving our guests the best possible experience when choosing a home, condominium, villa, estate or resort rental to pursue their vacation plans. The luxury properties we represent have become a magnet for people looking for great weather, exciting activities, professional management staff and a great vacation home. We invite our Spring Training guests to enjoy the natural beauty of Arizona and the exciting events scheduled in our area in between Spring Training Baseball games. We are positive that there is something to interest every member of the family during your trip,” stated Jim Kempski, President of Specialty Lodging.

Jim added, “If you are a baseball fan, you will enjoy the unique intimacy the Spring Training stadiums offer as you will get up and personal with the games and players. With over 100 luxury vacation rentals, Specialty Lodging continues to be the leader in professionally managed vacation rentals in the areas we service. We invite vacationers to visit our website, www.SpecialtyLodging.com, view our real-time availability and book online or call our dedicated team at 866-316-4821 to book their next vacation.”

About Specialty Lodging
Specialty Lodging is a premier, luxury vacation home, and rental management company. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Specialty Lodging provides a comprehensive and fully integrated management and marketing services program to individual owners of vacation homes and investors. Specialty Lodging’s Property Management Program has taken traditional property management to the next level, providing traditional services of sound property maintenance, comprehensive accounting, and adding Specialty Lodging’s Comprehensive Marketing Program.

Specialty Lodging is owned and operated by Jim and Mary Kempski. Jim and the team at Specialty Lodging are heavily involved in community and industry endeavors. Specialty Lodging can be found on the web at www.SpecialtyLodging.com and can be reached at 480-429-3844. This press release submitted and formatted by Visual Data Systems on behalf of Specialty Lodging.

Specialty Lodging Welcomes Travelers to Arizona’s Great Winter Events

Specialty Lodging Welcomes Travelers to Arizona’s Great Winter Events

Special Events and Great Weather Have Tourists Flocking to Arizona and Specialty Lodging

Scottsdale, AZ – January 2009 – Specialty Lodging, the leading vacation rental firm in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona has announced that it has exceeded expectations for the winter rental season and now has limited availability for highly sought after winter vacations. Marked by great weather and many exciting events in Arizona this winter, the area has continued to be one of the top vacation destinations in the United States during the winter months.

Specialty Lodging offers vacation rentals throughout Arizona, allowing vacationers to choose their base of operations for their trip. Whether it is sightseeing the Grand Canyon, golfing at some of the best golf courses in the United States, visiting your favorite Major League Baseball Team during Spring Training, enjoying the many festivals and events, relaxing at world class spas or enjoying the dining and nightlife – Specialty Lodging has the Arizona property for your perfect vacation.

Vacationers will marvel at their choices in vacation rental, which include luxury homes with private heated pools, affordable condos, and romantic luxury villas and estates that will take your breath away. Specialty Lodging prides itself in offering luxury vacation rentals at prices that make traditional lodging prices seem outrageous.

Specialty Lodging offerings in Arizona include:

• The North Valley which includes: North Scottsdale, North Phoenix and Cave Creek
• The East Valley including: Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and the famous Phoenix Biltmore area
• Northern Arizona including Sedona, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon
• And coming soon: Tempe, Tucson and Carefree

A sampling of the January events in the greater Phoenix-Scottsdale area includes:

• FBR/Phoenix Open (PGA Golf) 1/26 - 2/1
• Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show 2/12 - 2/22
• 5th Avenue Fine Art & Wine Festival 2/13 - 2/15
• Hard Rock Invitational (Gymnastics Event) 2/13 - 2/15
• NBA All Star Game 2/15
• Cactus League Spring Training 2/25 - 4/2
• Parada del Sol Rodeo 2/27 - 3/1
• 39th Annual Scottsdale Arts Festival 3/20 - 3/22

“Specialty Lodging takes great pride in giving our guests the best possible experience when choosing a home, condominium, villa, estate or resort rental to pursue their vacation plans. The luxury properties we represent have become a magnet for people looking for great weather, exciting activities, professional management staff and a great vacation home. The natural beauties of Arizona, the exciting events scheduled in our area, the world class golf and Spring Training Baseball lend themselves to a most enjoyable and memorable vacation this winter and spring,” stated Jim Kempski, President of Specialty Lodging.

Jim added, “With over 100 luxury vacation rentals and with plans to add even more, Specialty Lodging continues to be the leader in professionally managed vacation rentals in the areas we service. We invite vacationers to visit our website, www.SpecialtyLodging.com, view our real-time availability and book online or call our dedicated team at 866-316-4821 to book their next vacation.”

About Specialty Lodging
Specialty Lodging is a premier, luxury vacation home, and rental management company. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Specialty Lodging provides a comprehensive and fully integrated management and marketing services program to individual owners of vacation homes and investors. Specialty Lodging’s Property Management Program has taken traditional property management to the next level, providing traditional services of sound property maintenance, comprehensive accounting, and adding Specialty Lodging’s Comprehensive Marketing Program.

Specialty Lodging is owned and operated by Jim and Mary Kempski. Jim and the team at Specialty Lodging are heavily involved in community and industry endeavors. Specialty Lodging can be found on the web at www.SpecialtyLodging.com and can be reached at 480-429-3844. This press release submitted and formatted by Visual Data Systems on behalf of Specialty Lodging.