Downtown Living in Phoenix! Stunning 3 Level Corner Townhouse $585,000

DOWNTOWN LIVING! Sleek & Contemporary 3 Level Corner Townhouse. 1st level spacious office & half bath. 2nd level living room, dining room, fireplace, kitchen, half bath & 2 balconies. 3rd level 2 master suites each with walk-in closets & balconies plus full size laundry. Kitchen features granite tile counters, SS appliances and high-end gas range. Designer window treatments and ceiling fans in all rooms. Hardwood floors on 2nd level and plush carpet on 3rd. 2 car garage. Community pool and gym. 1 block to light rail and walking distance to all that downtown has to offer! Minutes to airport, seconds to I-10. Pet friendly neighborhood. Don’t wait – this one won’t last!

More info and pics.

June Festivals and Events in the DC Area

The Washington, DC area and its surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia host lots of annual festival and special events.  Here are just a few during the month of May, for a full list and detailed information, visit dc.about.com.

Alexandria Waterfront Festival
June 14 & 15, 2008. Oronoco Bay State Park in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The event includes historic tall ship tours, live entertainment, arts & crafts exhibits and a children’s sea hunt adventure.

Reston Town Center Taste of the Town
June 14, 2008, noon-10:30 p.m. Enjoy a variety of food from the region’s finest eateries, live music, activities and games. Admission and parking are free. Tastings start at $1.

National Capital Barbeque Battle
June 21 & 22, 2008. If you love barbecue you’ll love the food samples, cooking demonstrations, interactive displays and children’s activities at this sizzling summer festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 9th & 14th Sts.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival
June 25-29 and July 2-6, 2008. Celebrate cultural traditions from around the world. The Festival includes daily and evening music and dance performances, crafts and cooking demonstrations, storytelling and discussions of cultural issues. This is one of Washington, DC’s most popular summer devents.

DC Caribbean Carnival
June 28-29, 2008. Enjoy the colorful parade and festival with live performances from local and international artists, food, crafts and entertainment.

Montgomery County Heritage Days
June 28-29, 2008, 12-4 p.m. More than 30 historic sites in Montgomery County, Maryland showcase the county’s rich history with free music, dance, food, and children’s activities.

June Festival and Events in the Phoenix Area

The Phoenix area and its surrounding communities host lots of annual festival and special events.  Here are just a few during the month of June, for a full list and detailed information, visit phoenix.about.com.

Big Boys and Their Toys
Classic cars, collector cars, RV and off-road, boats and sports cars, and lots of other toys at the Phoenix Convention Center.   June 14, 15, 16 .

Firebird International Raceway Summer Spectacular
Robosaurus makes his only Arizona Appearance. Jet Cars, Funny Cars, fireworks. 
June 21.

Grand Canyon State Games
Olympic-style competition in judo, weight training, baton twirling, table tennis and more. 
June 19-22.

Jazz in the Garden
Friday evenings starting at 7 p.m. Enjoy listening to a variety of jazz styles under starry skies on the Garden’s beautiful Ullman Terrace. Gourmet picnic dinners, bar, wine tasting for an additional charge. Desert Botanical Gardens. Tickets must be purchased. Ticket price includes admission to the garden.
Every Friday evening in June .

Miss Arizona Pageant
During the last week of June you can see some of the brightest and most talented young ladies in the state compete for the Miss Arizona crown. The winner will get to represent Arizona at the Miss America Pageant. June 19 – 21.

Starry Safari Friday Nights at the Phoenix Zoo
Select zoo trails will be open as will gift shop and snack bar. Animal encounters, water play activities, carousel rides and more. Bikes and boats available to rent. Every Friday night in June .

Check Commute Costs Before Buying

When you’re stuck in traffic, you have time to think.  Should I have left home earlier?  How bad will my commute be in five years?  Would life be easier and cheaper if I found a job someplace the roads aren’t as crowded and the homes aren’t so expensive.

These are all things you should consider when buying a new home.  Always do a trial commute during rush hour before you make an offer on a home.  Time the ride and estimate your gas consumption.  If you’re thinking about taking public transportation, price out the weekly expense.

As you size up neighborhoods, take the time to figure out whee you will worship, buy groceries, go to the movies, enroll the kids in dance class or pick p an extra gallon of milk.  Is bus or rail service available, even if only as a backup for days when your car is in the shop?  Will your children be able to ride bicycles to the pool, or does a six-lane highway make that too dangerous?

It’s easy to underestimate your total transportation budget when you househunt on a quiet Sunday afternoon.  And misjudging your travel needs can derail your after-purchase budget.

Source:  Elizabeth Razzi, The Arizona Republic 6-8-08