Buying an Active Adult Community Home in Marana, AZ: Sunflower

Buying an Active Adult Community Home in Marana, AZ: Sunflower

Nestled under the tip of the Tucson Mountains near Saguaro National Park, you'll find the quiet community of Sunflower. This active adult community includes ten different floor plans within its 967 homes. Driving into Sunflower, you immediately notice the immaculate yards, well-maintained native landscaping and common grounds. Lush grass and desert gardens are framed by the views of nearby Safford Peak.

What is an Active Adult Community? Well, it's a home setting with maintenance-free living, desirable attractions such as a pool, tennis, golf, etc. and is often targeting towards people aged 55 or older. The setting allows easy access to social, recreational, and education pursuits close to your own door. Residents are responsible for their own medical, dietary, laundry and housecleaning responsibilities. HOA rules require that at least 80% of the households include a resident 55 or older, with permanent residents 19 or older.

The Master-planned community of Continental Ranch encompasses Sunflower, and has enjoyed tremendous growth and progress in the past decade. Community parks, Pima County library, shopping complexes, cinema theater -- all within minutes of your home in Sunflower Community. Other Continental Ranch amenities include office buildings, several large chain grocery stores, Urgent Care center, restaurants, and skate park. The Tucson International Airport is 30 minutes from your door. With the recently completed Twin Peaks Interchange, freeway access is 2 minutes away.

Some of the amenities at Sunflower Community include fitness center, lighted tennis courts, a heated pool, spa, clubhouse which includes computer, billiards, and rooms to enjoy games or crafts at your leisure. The Sunflower Community offers so many activities – from biking and book clubs, Card clubs like Euchre, Bridge, Pinochle, and Canasta, Golf, needlework and quilting – to hiking and travel clubs.

You can search for current homes for sale for Sunflower Community by clicking on the underlined text or visit my webpage and the search engine provided for all of Marana, Oro Valley, and Tucson Homes for Sale.

If you are relocating or retiring to the Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, or Vail area and would like a visitor’s packet, I’d be happy to send one!

Sunflower Community in Marana, AZ is just one of the many beautiful and affordable locations to live in the Grand Canyon State. Give us a visit – you’ll be glad you did.

It's About that Rattlesnake Time Again!

Temperatures are rising and the birds and bugs are waking up. Along with those familiar critters are the species no one wants to get too up close and personal with....Rattlesnakes.

Rattlesnakes in the Tucson, AZ desert can be as close as your back yard. Did you know they can climb walls? Paints a freaky picture, doesn't it.

Here's the thing...unlike on SCI/FI cable, rattlesnakes don't stalk you. They like to be left alone. More rattlesnake bites happen because they've felt threatened than through any other way. So...if you see one, keep your distance and leave them alone!

Here in the Tucson, AZ desert areas, we can expect snakes to be around until the cold weather days appear, generally late October.

With a little more research on snake bites, I've discovered that the AVERAGE snake bite "victim" is not from Arizona, and the majority of those people have actually “stepped” on the snake. So, visitors, beware!

Here's a few preventative tips:

1. Trim the brush around your property and keep it free from debris.

2. Be aware of your surroundings. I tend to be looking up at the mountains or down at the vistas when hiking...I have to remind myself to watch where I step as well!

3. Snakes love the shade on a summer day. Keep your eyes open and stay on designated pathways.

4. Sturdy, high top boots are helpful. So is a walking stick of sorts.

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5. What to do if you come across a snake? SLOWLY back away, or stay still. Most snake bites, again, are defensive.

6. Dog walkers/owners - attend Rattlesnake Classes at your local pet stores. Keep them leashed. (the dogs...., not the rattlesnake)

What to do if you’re bitten by a Tucson, AZ desert Rattlenake:

Call 911 or get urgent care within 2 hours

Remain as calm as possible to keep your pulse rate down. Keep the bite below heart level if possible

Cleanse the wound but do not flush with water. Cover lightly.

Don't use a tourniquet or ice.

Don't attempt to remove the venom.

Stay away from sodas, beer or alcohol after being bitten

Try to remember what the snake looked like so you can tell the doctor. (color, markings, etc)

I've never seen a snake in the wild, and I've done plenty of exploring. Don't let the fear of a Tucson, AZ desert Rattlesnake keep you from discovering lovely Tucson and vicinity! I am always happy to assist you in your home search or sale! Please contact me for more information on the beautiful SW Desert!

Tucson REALTORS® Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament May 11, 2012

Tucson REALTORS® Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament May 11, 2012

If you're a golfer, golf fan, or just like getting involved in local events raising money for local needs, the Tucson REALTORS® Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament May 11, 2012 might be just the thing to get involved in!

We are looking for golfers, spectators, sponsors, gift basket donations, and more -- and are gearing up for a fun day in a beautiful locale - The El Conquistador Golf Course - The Last Territory.

Please contact me for more information! I'm a member of the committee for the Tucson REALTORS® Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament May 11, 2012 and also have information to share regarding our upcoming Texas Hold'em Tournament and Softball Tourney as well!

Blogging with a Bad Back

Blogging with a Bad Back

Tuesday of this week (now it's Saturday) I woke up with a "crick in my back". I thought I was slouching at my blogging, buying and selling homes for sale Tucson, and didn't pay it much mind until the day progressed and I could no longer stand straight.

By the NEXT morning, when my legs started giving out with little electric shock spasms, I reviewed my options:

1. Go to a doctor and get pain meds and carry on

2. Go to a trusted chiropractor and see if there's something going on that needs fixing.

Number one was the easiest choice, believe me. But something told me that I'd better toughen up and take choice 2.

My daughter has had a friend in school for many years that I think "radiates joy". Lovely, lovely girl and family. Her father happens to be a chiropractor.

Long story short - I'm sitting with ice, or laying with ice, off and on now. It's my new profession - resting.

I'm in escrow with three deals right now but happen to have a window of time until next Tuesday. Hope that's enough.

I still can't walk.

Funny what you take for granted until it's gone.

Fortunately it's fixable - no arthritis, bone spurs, disc damage, etc.

Like Loreal says, "Because I'm worth it..."

I bet you're worth it, too.

Take care of yourselves this 2012. You're the best business proposition, the best asset, the best deal you could ever have.

And one more note...thank goodness for smart phones!

If you're looking for homes for sale Tucson, I'll be back. And, I'm really good at sending you some links to peruse right now!

"It's Not Easy Being Green" But Here's 8 Quick Tips!!

"It's Not Easy Being Green" But Here's 8 Quick Tips!!

Last Christmas everyone on my list got cloth shopping/grocery bags. I wrote a silly little rhyming poem to go with about going green.

It was a really enjoyable project, actually. I made them out of material I’d saved since my children were small and lived endlessly in “jam pants” and lounging pajamas. It was always fun to pick out materials that matched their personalities, or events in their lives at the time, and I took the idea forward to 2010 with my GREEN bags.

My son in Alaska got Green Bay Packers Bags and Moose; My gardener friend got flowers and teacups; Another received varieties of sunflowers; Another son got …Green Bay Packers Bags and Holstein Cow Patterns (he lives in Wisconsin) …anyway, you get the idea.

The best is – the bags are eye-catching and “spread the word” about being GREEN just by being visible. I can't tell you how many conversations were started over inquiries about the bags.

It helps tie in with the latest catch phrase – Reduce, Re-use, Recycle – because we need to change, and we need to inspire others to do the same.

REALTORS and real estate agents have the opportunity for further education, and NAR has added Green Features to MLS listings. As consumers, ask your agent about GREEN features. You can search for homes that have solar panels, solar water heaters, multi- paned windows, ceiling fans, sun screens, energy star appliances, and so forth. Cari Genarelli wrote a great post on picking your green "battles" here. If we all remember, a little dab’ll do ya – for starters – we can’t help but rub off on others.

Here’s eight quick tips on how you can get started:

1. Reduce: use less (Try using both sides of your copy paper in your printer, wrap gifts in newspaper, use email instead of paper, eat your leftovers)
2. Reuse: Use your shoe boxes to organize your bathroom niceties or organize your sock drawer, use socks as dust rags, 2 lb coffee containers as sink-side compost until you empty them in your outdoor compost.
3. Recycle: Many communities have curb-side pickup now which makes it easy. Be sure you know WHAT can be recycled, and remember it has to be clean. (No pizza boxes oozing with tomato sauce and cheese) Buy a filtered water dispenser rather than plastic throwaway bottles, use your plastic shopping bags several times, or for pet litter, or vanity trash can liners. Cathy Dick has a great post on here that shares how to dispose of hazardous, or poisonous materials and where to look for recycling drop off areas to avoid contaminating the earth.
4. Use power thriftily: Un-plug chargers, light switches off, use low-power settings
5. Protect our Water resources: Repair dripping faucets, catch drips in containers to use for watering plants, water garden plants early in the morning
6. Shop Naturally: Look for labels like Energy Star or Green Seal, look for keywords such as organically grown, farmer’s markets, recycled materials, produced locally, water efficient
7. Show off: Blog about community businesses that promote sustainability and green practices, shop with your new Bags!
8. Walk: Get healthy, save gas, map what areas are “walkable” in your community. Michael Caruso has a great blog here! Support your local community!

If you'd like more information on recycling in Tucson, AZ, please check out my blog posting here on places you can take your STUFF!

Reprinted from my Active Rain Blog 6/2010

Happy Clients in Tucson, AZ

Happy Clients in Tucson, AZ

This was my clients Saturday morning when I handed over the keys to their new home. Well, not really THEIR home to move-into, but one to remodel and share with family.

They've been looking for over a year. Their criteria was tough: Under 40K, in a certain neighborhood, over 1000 sq. feet, and fix-able.

Phew! So believe me when I tell you it's "been a year". They tease that they were about ready to adopt me. :)

Looking for a fixer upper in Tucson, AZ? Like making old into new? Here's a link to current properties available in the metropolitan area of Tucson, AZ under 60K, minimum 2 bedroom and 2 bath homes.

Oh, and that photo above? That was actually a room in their house. :)

Contact me if you'd like more information on great projects with homes for sale Tucson, AZ.

The SnowBirds are Back in Tucson!!!

The SnowBirds are Back in Tucson!

I've been noticing the past couple of weeks that the roads are really getting crowded again. The temperatures are dropping and the cars are piling up. It just takes longer to get places. When I'm making an appointment to see homes for sale in Tucson - I need to be on time!

It reminded me of a blog a wrote a while back I thought I'd share again for the occasion. Road rage can be a dangerous thing, and combine that with all the different driving styles of the visitors and residents of Tucson, along with texting, cell phones, and agressive driving - well, it's a dangerous world out there!

Buckle up, leave early, and drive safe!

Things That Make You Go Hmmm - How's your Road Rage?

I clicked on Twitter tonight to leave a few posts and my eyes caught this blog link about things that make you mad. It was a very cute little story. I got to thinking about my own list of pet peeves, and more specifically, the role of anger when behind the wheel, and how that has affected my job.

REALTORS spend a great deal of time driving. When I was brand new agent, I proudly purchased two large, bright yellow door magnets for my car to proclaim to everyone that I was in real estate and ready to do business. I thought it would be a great way to visually remind all my neighbors and community members that I was a Professional.

There was just one little problem. I have this tendency to forget my turn signals or gesture/swear when someone cuts me off or pulls out right in front of me. I tend to play the passive-agressive role and slow way down when I get a tail-gater on my bumper and they can't get around me. And then there are the little old ladies barely peaking over their steering wheels that I race by on my way to some appointment or other.

In just a short time, I began to worry that having my name and phone number boldly imprinted for anyone to see might NOT be the best idea. All I'd need was some road rager calling me on their cell phone...

So have I mended my professional driving image and let the tailgater whiz by? Do I patiently wait through traffic jams and intersection snaffus with a calm facade presented to all? Does Great-Grandmama get the right of way now, no matter how slow she's going?

...I confess - it was easier to take the signs off. My car doors are bare now.

How about you? Do your driving skills divulge your inner flaws? Any embarrassing anecdotes to share?

- How's your Road Rage?