The Clark Report
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News, Culture, More Than 140 Characters
March 2010
In This Issue
March Get Your PHX
The Tax Credit Two-Step
Downtown Venue Review
In Other Market News...
CenPho Community
March Get Your PHX
Bragg's Pie Factory, Sapna and Maybe a Trolley

Bragg's Pie Factory


The goal of Get Your PHX is to show up, en masse, to support those who pioneer new restaurants, stores, bars and event spaces. We want to provide them a boost as they put their sweat, tears and wealth on the line to make life great downtown. Plus, we want to provide a chance for you to meet others like you, who want to get the most out of Phoenix.


We had a city scape-worthy view on the top floor of the Luhrs tower with incredible wine to boot last month, thanks to Hansji Urban  and the fine folks at Action Wines. Last month had the second highest attendance of all of our events.  Some of our fine friends tried to find us at the top of the Luhrs Tower, not the Luhrs Building, taking the staircase 10 flights up to find us. Now, that's dedication!

March has just as much in store. The Bragg's Pie Factory has been a fixture in CenPho since 1947. It served as a bakery for two decades and then later as a furniture store and was recently renovated and added to the National Historic Register. The building now houses design studios such as our friends at Modern Cat, cafe Sapna, as well as other small businesses & special events.

This month's event will be sponsored by Jeannie Bolger, of Nova Home Loans. She will be available to answer your home loan questions and will have a special free prize.

We will also have information and plans available from Robert Graham, who is advocating for a Trolley line on Grand Ave. (See "The World According to GARP", January Clark Report)

March Get Your PHX
Thursday, March 18th from 5:30 to 8:00
Bragg's Pie Factory
1301 NW Grand Ave
Phoenix, 85007
Parking available in garage on Madison

Map here


Please RSVP to me via email or through Facebook so I can get an accurate count. 

The Tax Credit Two-Step

I think people have been taking this recent home-buyer tax credit for granted.

You have plenty of time to grab a house before the tax credit goes away in June, right?

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Here is what you need to know:

1) You must have an accepted offer by April 30th and a house closed by June 30th.

Tax Credit Two-StepIt is now a two-step dance, my friends!

2) Expect people to start panic buying in late March. This will mean fewer houses available and that you will need to act very quickly when you see a house that you like.

3) You should work backward from April 30th. If you need to have an accepted offer then:

a. Short sales may be tricky. You may get an accepted offer in time, but you may not close by June 30th.

b. If you are offering on a foreclosed (bank-owned) leave time for the bank to get back to you on your offer --that can take a week or two.

c. Start looking in early March. Expect 2-3 weeks of "shopping time." Get those offers in no later than April 15th.

Give me a call. I'm more than happy to help you navigate the market: 602-561-5881.

Downtown Venue Review: La Condesa



La Condesa Artwork
 
1919 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 254-6330

I love the places that you have to look for. They are most often the places where the owners think more about the food than the signage outside.

That is true of La Condesa. This unassuming little building at Palm Lane and 16th Street was easy to miss. But inside is new, clean and full of the most interesting art I've seen in a while. I'm a fan of Dia de los Muertos themes, but these took it to the next level, with images of beautiful women and themes that spoke of modern Mexican identity.

La Condesa means "countess" and refers to a part of Mexico City, famous for its wide variety of food.

Oh yeah, the food. Oh, yes, The food! We split a few tacos so that we could try a little of everything. Amy really enjoyed the Baja Sur Dogfish Shark Taco. I was bowled over by the Mayan Cochinita pibil Taco. The layers of tangy, spicy flavor that came out of that little thing makes my mouth water even now.

We are both Vegetarians of Convenience (we both avoid meat 90% of the time, but when you gotta try something, you just gotta try.). We had the La Condesa Veggie Taco, which was generally unremarkable.

La Condesa HorchataI had the strongest reaction to the simplest thing. They have a widely-varied salsa bar under the montage painting of death, Diego, Frida and El Santo.

In that bar is a little piece of the fabled Mayan treasures. I found myself speechless every time I put a little bit of the cream cilantro salsa in my mouth. You know the trite, over-used saying "It was like butter"? Well, it was like butter. I can't get that out of my head. So, sue me.

Yelpers spoke of the amazing Horchata, which, with the exception of pecans and fresh fruit, did not taste any different than what I could get at Ranch Market. But, "A" for effort.

The Good: The atmosphere was lovely. This is an inexpensive, wonderful lunch option. I will definitely go back. Maybe even today.

The Bad: I could easily see this place getting very slow with a small crowd.

The Ugly: Park on the street at your own peril.

In Other Market News...

You might have noticed that the Clark Report is a little shorter these days. Well, between caring for my wonderful clients and running for office, I can get a little crunched for time in the writing department.

But I can always make time for new clients. If you know of anybody who is thinking to buy or sell a home, please think of me. My business depends on referrals and I work very hard for my clients!

The Market Snapshots
It's been a while since I've just laid it all out there for you. The market data, that is. I did this several times last year. Back then I was predicting that prices were going up during 2009...and I was right! (Just had to say it.)
Here are some of the most telling stats.

Hooray! Rates are Down Again
After fears in late January that interest rates for FHA loans were going to start going up, they seem to have leveled off again. There are still concerns that rates will start heading upward in March.

Al Beadle Apartment, Up for Grabs
One of my good friends owns an Al Beadle condo here in town. Commonly known as a Beadle Box, and highly sought after. You should look at the photo tour (click title). This place is for rent starting mid April.

CenPho Community

Influence the Phoenix City Plan
It is very late notice, but you can help influence the Phoenix City plan tomorrow (which guides us for the next 10 years) at a meeting tomorrow. I am a fan of the idea that we could build a general plan using the Wiki model, just like Wikipedia does --but at much less cost and much greater participation.

Save Energy Quickly
Here is another good post from my friend Tazmine Loomans who is an architect and green renovator of older homes explaining how you can save big bucks by just upgrading our water heater.

Gotta Say, This Just Cracked me Up
Somebody is starting a fish farm in CenPho. What will they think of next? Golf in the desert?

Parking Fines Going Up in CenPho
I understand that the city needs money. But really? Let's just discourage parking in the only place in the city that is actually making money right now!

Do I Actually Agree with Bob Robb?
Well, sorta. He makes a good point or two. GPLETs are problematic, but I don't think that means that all tax incentives are bad. Cap 'em and don't over-do it, is what I say.

All Aboard The Sky Train!
I'm in favor of some better transit around the airport and this is a really good background piece on that issue. Other cities understood the need for this long, long ago.

Why You Need A Metal Roof
Why do I keep re-posting things from Tazmine? Because she is sooo right all the time! Check this out about metal roofs.

Look for more recent posts on www.GetYourPHX.com.

Final Words, Compliance and Other Legal Stuff

As always, I respect your right not to be bothered with annoying spam email. If you would like to be removed from my email list, just let me know. Thanks!


Sincerely,
 
Ken Clark

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