4th of July Lake Havasu Festival

The 4th of July is always a fun time in Lake Havasu City.  This year, Lake Havasu will be celebrating the birth of our nation with a 3-day festival.

Where: London Bridge Beach Park (next to the dog park), beginning today at 1:00 pm
When: Friday (today), Saturday and Sunday
Hours: 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Admission: Free

The 4th of July Lake Havasu Festival will feature live 70s rock music performed by Classic Old School and Badd Apple.  A DJ will also be on hand to play 70s classic rock.  Vendors will be on hand with a variety of wares. B oats and all-terrain vechiles will be on display.  The festival also includes a food court and Beer Gardens.

There will be a 20 minute fireworks show tonight and tomorrow night.

For more information, please visit the 4th of July Lake Havasu Festival website.

If you are visiting our fair city this weekend, remember fireworks are illegal in Arizona.

Donna Ball, Always on the Ball with Lake Havasu real estate

Tax Credit Opportunity in Lake Havasu City

If you are looking for a tax credit, Lake Havasu City may just be the place for you to invest your dollars while receiving a tax credit from the state of Arizona.  Arizona residents have been given a great opportunity to help their community and to receive a tax credit.

Instead of raising taxes to help support extra-curricular school activites, the great state of Arizona is giving its residents a tax credit.  Arizona’s tax law (A.R.S. 43-1089.01) allows residents to deduct up to $400 when supporting school activities.

What an innovative idea!  Instead of raising taxes to help support our schools, Arizona gives its residents a tax break.  Remember, there is a big difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit.  A tax credit is always dollar-for-dollar, which is much more beneficial to you.  At tax time, if you file jointly and owe $400 in taxes, after your tax credit is applied, you will owe ZIP!

Your donation to the Lake Havasu Unified School District extracurricular activity programs and character educations programs today, becomes your tax credit tomorrow.

You can donate any amount you wish, large or small, and the State of Arizona will match you dollar-for-dollar at tax time in the form of a tax credit.

    * $200 maximum for those filing individually
    * $400 maximum for those filing jointly

Lake Havasu High School’s athletic department is saying “thank you” to all who donate the maximum tax credit allowed with a family pass to all Lake Havasu High’s 2009 – 2010 athletic events.  You can donate to the athletic department or towards a scholarship for an individual athlete (not your child). 

For all of you lucky enough to live in our great city, take advantage of this great tax credit because it benefits our students, community and you.  For those of you who do not live in our beautiful sunny state, maybe it is time to think about a move!

Learn more about the Tax Credit at Contribution Online Form: http://www.havasu.k12.az.us.  For more information, you may also speak to Jackie Taylor at the Lake Havasu Unified School District office by calling (928) 505-6917.  Last year, the district raised more than $544,000 for school activities through the tax credit program.

Donna Ball, On the Ball About Lake Havau Real Estate

Seize the Day – Lake Havasu Part 2

A few weeks ago, I posted a blog entitled Seize the Day – Lake Havasu Opportunities Won’t Last Forever.  At that time, I did not realize that there would be a Part 2.  But, after reading the latest real estate news, I found that there was good reason to write a Part 2, or “the rest of the story” (for all the Paul Harvey fans).

There is much happening on the real estate front.  So, deciding what to post today was rather difficult.  I decided to post what I believe is the most urgent news and disappearing opportunities for Lake Havasu home buyers:

* Interest Rates are UP!
* First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit – Time is Running Out

Interest Rates are UP

* Wall Street affects Main Street once again - Treasury Yield Bonds are causing interest rates to rise.
* Interest rates have jumped in the past 3 weeks from all-time lows to today’s current rates.

~April rates were as low as 4.75%
~May rates were as low as 4.91%
~Today’s Arizona rates are 5.375% – 5.875%

In my first Seize the Day post, I made the following statement: “seize the day – take advantage of the opportunity to get the lowest interest rates in 40 years!”

o Unfortunately, that day may already have passed.
o Rates are still lower than last year’s rates (6.5%).
o Following a quick rise in rates, many times there is a fall back.  However it is very unlikely that rates will fall below 5%.
o Higher interest rates mean higher mortgage payments.
o Higher interest rates mean qualifying for a lower sales price.
o Buyers have lost more than $13,000 in purchasing power in less that two weeks.

First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit – Time is Running Out

* Escrow must close on or before November 30, 2009 to qualify for the tax credit.
* Loan processing times have, in some cases, increased due to underwriter scrutiny.  Don’t wait too long.

Tax Credit Advantages

o Dollar-for-dollar credit.
o Any unused portion will be refunded to the taxpayer.
o Can be used as a down payment and/or to pay certain loan fess when using FHA financing.

Seize the day – the opportunities to buy Lake Havasu real estate at today’s affordable prices will change.

* Today’s median price is $153,000  while, in 2008, the median price was $255,000.
* Today’s median price is $153,000, up $3,000 from a month ago.

Seize the day – the opportunities to choose from a large inventory of homes in Lake Havasu will disappear.

* Lake Havasu continues to see a drop in the number of homes on the market.
* April 2009 Inventory: 1,022 homes
* May 2009 Inventory: 969 homes
* Today’s Inventory: 934 homes

Seize the day – the opportunity to take advantage of today’s buyer’s market will not last forever.

* The market is stabilizing nationally.
* The market is stabilizing locally.
* The economy is expected to recover in the fourth quarter.
* The foreclosure rates are still extremely high, but the numbers are beginning to decrease.
* The real estate market is expected to make a full recovery by 2011.
* As the market stabilizes, inventory will decrease.
* As the market stabilizes, home sales prices will increase.

It is time to forget the doom and gloom.  It is time to seize the day.

Donna Ball, Always on the Ball with Lake Havasu real estate

Related Articles:
Lake Havasu is Getting Hot – Real Estate Sales Up Again
Getting Off the Fence – Home Sales Up in Lake Havasu
Lake Havasu Association of Realtor Stats for May 2009

Jack Hardie Park Is Remodeled For Everyone

I am so proud of our Lake Havasu Parks and Recreation Department. They have just upgraded the Jack Hardie Memorial Park, so that everyone can play and enjoy the park facilities, even those with physical challenges. The Jack Hardie Memorial Park is the first park in Lake Havasu to meet ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) standards.

Everyone, resident or visitor will enjoy the new features at the Jack Hardie Memorial Park. The park now features ramps that go right up to the swings and play area. In addition the play area has been enhanced with new playground equipment and a soft flooring, in case anyone take a spill. Young or old, able-bodied or challenged, everyone can enjoy a stroll in the morning on the new wider sidewalks which meet ADA standards, such as grading and smooth finished. And when the call of nature strikes, everyone will enjoy the newly modified restrooms.

The Jack Hardie Memorial Park features:

Ramps to the swings and playground area.
New playground equipment
Soft Flooring
Horseshoe pits
Picnic ramadas
Barbecues
Grassy area

Wider sidewalks to accommodate wheelchairs.
Modified bathrooms
Jack Hardie is open from daybreak until 10:30 p.m. daily, and is located at 2470 Baron Drive.

Other Lake Havsu City Parks:
Aquatic Center
Avalon Park
London Bridge Beach
Rotary Park
SARA Park
Site Six
Wheeler Park
Yonder Park

Donna

Seize the Day – Lake Havasu Opportunities Won’t Last Forever

Warren Buffet says take advantage of today’s real estate and stock markets now.
I say seize the day – take advantage of the real estate investment opportunities in Lake Havasu.  They won’t last forever.
 
Federal Chairman Bernanke says that the real estate market is beginning to stabilize.
I say seize the day – the opportunities to buy Lake Havasu real estate at today’s affordable prices will change.
 
Inman.com says the risk of a second depression are fading.  Everything is getting back to normal.
I say seize the day – consumer confidence is up, buyers are returning to the market and the opportunity to take advantage of today’s Lake Havasu real estate market place will be fading as well.
 
Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey says that applications for prime mortgages have increased for the first time since April 2007.
I say seize the day – take advantage of the opportunity to get the lowest interest rates in 40 years!
 
RealtyTimes.com says reports from all over the nation indicate that the real estate market is turning around.  Even the hardest hit areas are seeing double digit increases in homes sales and are experiencing multiple offers on “best buy” homes.
I say seize the day – the opportunities to chose from a large inventory of homes in Lake Havasu will disappear.
 
RealtyTimes.com reports that 71% of Americans feel that now is a good time to invest in real estate.
I say seize the day – the opportunity to take advantage of today’s buyers market will not last forever.
 
Obama says the first-time buyer tax credit expires in six months.
I say seize the day – the opportunity for free money is disappearing rapidly.
 
Lake Havasu Assoication of Realtors says sales are on the rise in Lake Havasu.
I say seize the day – the opportunity to take advantage of the best real estate buys in Lake Havasu and Mohave County is now.

Donna Ball, Always “On the Ball” with your Lake Havasu real estate needs

Lake Havasu is Getting Hot – Real Estate Sales Up Again

The weather is not the only thing getting hot in Lake Havasu City.  So is the Lake Havasu real estate market!  April saw a 40% increase of sales over those in April of 2008.  In addition, there are about 320 homes that are reported under contract.  Closed sales for 2009 are fast approaching the “500 homes sold” mark.
 
Sales activity began to change in Lake Havasu around October of last year.  Since then, sales have consistently been on the upswing over sales activity in 2008.  Every month this year has also seen an increase in sales over each prior month.

    * January 2009: 79 homes sold in Lake Havasu; a 29.5% increase from 2008, when only 61 homes sold.
    * February 2009: 93 homes sold in Lake Havasu; a 7% decline from 2008, when 100 homes sold.
    * March 2009: 137 homes sold in Lake Havasu; a 31.7% increase from 2008, when 104 homes sold.
    * April 2009: 140 homes sold in Lake Havasu; a 40% increase from 2008 , when 100 homes sold.
 
According to the Lake Havasu Association of Realtors database, there are 1004 residential properties available on the market in Lake Havasu City.  This would indicate that the excess supply of homes is beginning to dwindle.  Only 87 of those currently for sale are listed as foreclosed properties.  There are approximately 265 homes under the median home prices of $153,050.
 
Inventory is decreasing.  The foreclosure market is declining.  Sales are up.  Things are getting hot here in Havasu!

Donna Ball is “Always On the Ball” with all your Lake Havasu real estate needs!

Resurfacing of Lake Havasu Streets Begins

Many of Lake Havasu’s streets will be resurfaced in the next two weeks.  In fact, over 10 miles of the city’s streets will be resurfaced beginning next Tuesday (May 5th).  If your street is scheduled for resurfacing, you should have already received an advance notice from the City.  A second notice will be sent 24 hours before the resurfacing work begins on your street.
 
Resurfacing streets means delayed travel for all of us, so add a little extra time for any commutes you are planning in the next two weeks.  There are over 425 miles of streets in Lake Havasu City, so planning an alternate route should not be too difficult if you are familiar with the city.
 
All of the streets being resurfaced will be open to traffic.  Construction zones will be marked, so look for the signs.  Slow down in construction zones, as some lanes may be closed and access may be restricted.  Be on the lookout for the construction guys with flags.  They will be assisting you in navigating our streets safely.
 
Resurfacing our streets may be a little annoying when traveling, but it keeps our long term traveling much safer and more pleasant.  In addition, it keeps property values up.  So, take a deep breath, slow down a little and enjoy the positive side of our street improvements.
 
Questions regarding construction zones are being directed to Harry Brown at (928) 855-3377.

Donna Ball, Always “On the Ball” with your Lake Havasu real estate needs!

Relay for Life in Lake Havasu

The Relay For Life walkathon will take place tonight at the Lee Barnes Stadium (Lake Havasu High School). Tonight’s Relay For Life is in its 25th year nationwide and in its 5th year in Lake Havasu City.
 
Relay For Life is one man’s vision, showing once again that the power of one can change the world for the better.  The vision has gone global, with 18 countries participating in Relay For Life Events.  Celebrating the vision here in Lake Havasu City will be 29 teams of over 433 walkers and runners that helps raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
 
Relay For Life is a celebration of life for those who have fought the battle and won.  It is a time of remembrance for those who did not.  Relay For Life brings hope to those fighting and who will fight the dreaded disease by funds for cancer research.  The Lake Havasu City Relay For Life teams have already raised more than $27,184 for the American Cancer Society.
 
Opening ceremonies for tonight’s event will begin at 6:00 p.m.  Cancer survivors will be walking the first lap of the walkathon (6:30pm).  If you are a survivor, you are invited to join those on the track.  After the first lap, the participating teams will be taking over the track to walk the night away.  Everyone is invited to come and cheer them on.  There will be various events held during the walkathon which include a Miss Relay contest (9:30), frozen T-shirt contest (10:30), a Cheese puff toss at midnight, a Find your Sole Mate game (2:00) and a Rooster Crow contest (5:00).  You will especially want to attend the Luminaria ceremony at 8 p.m.  This is a moving candlelight time for remembering those we have lost and supporting those who are fighting to survive.
 
The Relay For Life walkathon will conclude with an inspiring performance by the Lake Havasu High School Drum Line.

Donna Ball, Lake Havasu Real Estate
Relay For Life History
 
My Dedications:
To All the walkers: We Are The Champions
To All fighting the battle: Hero (inside of you)
To All who have gone on: Seasons of Love 
To All of us who have been touched by cancer: River of Dreams (In the middle of the night)

Casting Call in Lake Havasu

So, you want to be a movie star?  Well, your opportunity is right here in Lake Havasu!  You may not be the star in the movie (Piranha 3D), but more than one actor started their career in movies as an extra.  If you are between 18 and 25 and look great in a bathing suit, then head on down to Good Faith Casting offices at the London Bridge Resort on Saturday, April 18th.  Good Faith Casting has announced an open casting call for extras” to appear in the movie Piranha 3D.  Speaking parts and non-speaking parts are available.  Although the majority of extras will be the younger set, there are openings for a actors beyond the 25 year age group.
 
Casting director Faith Hibbs-Clark will be attending the April 18th interviews.  It is not required but suggested that actors wear swimwear (girls, get your bikinis on and boys, wear your best swim trunks).  The casting company will be taking photos, so don’t bring your own.  Polish up your acting skills with a focus on playing “drunk” for the partying scenes.  You will also want to be able to die realistically, since this is a thriller movie.  Be enthusiastic but not dramatic.  This is a modern movie, not a silent film.  How well an extra acts can take a movie to the top or cause it to fail.
 
The Screen Actors Guild pays a minimum of $759 a day.  So, it is well worth your time to show off your acting skills.  An added bonus for selected actors is the great food that will be catered morning, noon and night.
 
Break a leg, everyone!
 
Donna Ball, Lake Havasu Real Estate

Havasu Half Marathon This Weekend

It will be an exciting time this weekend in Lake Havasu as the now famous Havasu Half Marathon will be taking place on Saturday, April 4th.  The marathon has grown from a local event to become a regional event and Arizona’s premier Western Arizona marathon run.  Not only is the Havasu Half Marathon a premier event, but it is now an international one.  Travelling all the way from Gateshead, England to participate in the marathon are Neale and Julie Brown.

1500 runners will be participating in the marathon aided by more than 100 volunteers.  Runners will gather at the world renown London Bridge Beach Park, which overlooks beautiful Lake Havasu.  Participants will begin running the course at 7:30 a.m.  Spectators can cheer the runners at the London Bridge Park or along the route at designated locations.

The Havasu Half Marathon offers runners the choice of a 5K (3.12 miles) run or to go the distance, running the full 13.1 mile course.  Half Marathon runners must complete the course within four hours.  Runners will begin and finish the course from the London Bridge Beach Park.  From the park, they will circle the island, enter onto London Bridge Road, running to Mesquite Bay.  At Mesquite Bay, the runners will circle back to the finish line at London Bridge Beach Park.

Forty members of the Lake Havasu High School Boys Track & Field Team have volunteered to help monitor traffic during the event.  You can bet they will be cheering for all the runners of the Havasu Hustlers Run Club.  This awesome organization is donating their proceeds from the registration forms for the Havasu Half Marathon to the Lake Havasu High School Dream Track fund.  The Havasu Hustlers have made a five year commitment to this cause.

The Kingman Regional Medical Center will be taking charge of the Runner Recovery Zone.  The Runner Recovery Zone is a vital part of the race, allowing participants to recover and replenish after the grueling run.

Come out and cheer these brave souls on to their personal victories and treat yourself to the scenic beauty of Lake Havasu.  Be careful if you are driving along the race route this weekend.  I want you and all the runners to be safe (see note below).

Donna Ball, Selman & Associates

Visit these webpages:
Dream Track (see the video and listen to the LHHS student’s vision – Meet the student founder, awesome Lauren Dukes)
Donate to Dream Track
Havasu Hustlers Run Club is looking for Relay For Life (April 17th) participants.  Visit their website or email Shaun Spyr for more information: skimber36@hotmail.com (This e-mail address is being protected from spambots.  You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Note from the Lake Havasu City Public Works Transportation Division:
Traffic control devices will be in place for the duration of the race, with two-way traffic being maintained along the majority of the race course.  Beachcomber Boulevard will be limited to one-way traffic from Crazyhorse Campgrounds to Site 6 until the runners have completed this segment of roadway.  London Bridge Road will be temporarily detoured between Industrial Boulevard and Lake Drive while runners complete this section of the race course.
 
As always, the public is requested to use caution and share the road when runners are present and to obey all traffic signs and traffic control devices when traveling in the area of the race course.