AZ Bikeweek Rally and Cyclefest 2012 is Coming March 23rd

AZ Bikweek Is Comming!

I have to tell you that I simply love street motorcycles. I fell in love with them about 15 years ago when I lived in Texas. The freedom of being on a motorcycle is thrilling. The power some of them have is so raw that until you actually experience it it is hard to describe. The touring capabilities of most modern motorcycles offered today take away much of the romance of old school bikers hitting the road with a roll sack and no windscreen like a scene from Easy Rider. Cruise Control, XM radio, Cup Holders, Seat & Hand Grip Warmers, Back Rests, Heated and Cooled Vests and so much more would be something the hard core biker would shun as a poser or wannabe biker experience. But I can tell you this, no matter what it is you ride or how often you do, once you start, it’s difficult to stop. I like the modern conveniences so I go along with the latter group, but hey, I like to be comfortable.

This up coming March and April the City of Phoenix will be doing more than buzzing. It will be a city roaring with motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the US. AZ Bikeweek will be starting to gather up some momentum and with weather like we have here in Phoenix in April who can refuse. The sun on your back and the wind in your face with 80 degree weather is a bikers dream and Phoenix will be offering up a heaping shovel full of the right ingredients for a perfect biker recipe. Pre-Rally starts March 23rd through the 27th and Cyclefest at Westworld starts March 28th and runs through April 1st.

The event will kick off with rides from various Harley Davidson riders across the valley like Harley Davidson of Scottsdale, Chesters Harley Davidson and Buddy Stubb’s Harley Davidson. There will also be gatherings in several hot spots for meet ups like a place called “The Hideaway” in Cave Creek. The big event is the celebration that happens in Scottsdale at the Westworld Arena. Under the tent will be great music, great food, lots of drink and eye candy galore.

Here are a couple videos I took while riding my bike during Bikeweek. One is taken in Cave Creek by the Hideaway and Harolds and another was a trip I took riding out to Saguraro Lake past the Salt River.

Vendors will show up to provide you with parts, accessories, clothing, service, motorcycle sales, bikini bike washes and a whole bunch more. I will probably rent a bike for the weekend and feed my riding fix as best I can in 48 hours. If you do ride then get on board and join us for a lot of fun that will last almost two weeks.

In the mean time, for those of you who ride, keep the rubber side down.

Peace,

Big Dollar Auto Auction Hits Scottsdale

Scottsdale hosts some of the most exciting events in the united states and when it comes to big money moving around Scottsdale there is never a shortage!

This years Barrett Jackson auto auction with collectors for all across the nation will not disappoint. The list of cars being offered for sale is longer than a Shakespeare play. So with prices basically 1/2 to 1/3 of what the cars were selling for just a few years ago, there is a great opportunity to own a classic collector car that is within reach of even the most modest budget.

The event happens this week through Sunday and is sure to bring some excitement. There are so many cars available that each one is only observed on the auction platform for about 30 seconds and then the next one in line comes along. It doesn’t leave much time to gather up your paddle to bid so you had better be on your toes.

In case you are unable to attend the auction, you can see it live on Speed TV if you want to follow along. Check out the schedule HERE.

The big money items are usually held until late in the event so if you want to you can wait to see what’s being sold Saturday and Sunday evening.

The auction provides a LOT of parking near the event epicenter which is held at the Westworld Equestrian Event Center off the 101 freeway in North Scottsdale between Bell Road and Frank Lloyd Wright blvd.

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For those of you who think it’s a self centered selfish group of rich enthusiasts you might be very embarrassed by that opinion as Barrett Jackson is also having a Charity Auction of a 1993 Special Commemorative Corvette on January 21st. The proceeds of that sale will be awarded to tGen to Proceeds will go to the Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund at TGen, in Memory of Russ and Brian Jackson. So it’s not all speed and greed. It’s also a chance to help cancer research which is always good business and a great way to provide a very beneficial charity. You can read more about this auction by visiting their web page. Go HERE to read more.

In the mean while, should you choose to attend, give me a shout via e mail and let me know where you’ll be. I’ll be trying to take a peek in the big tent during the week and into the weekend and you just never know, I might be very close by!

StewKeene – Scottsdale Real Estate Professional

Buyers Struggle To Find Homes In Phoenix

As the 2011 year would down in real estate in the Phoenix Metro with new sales numbers beyond what most expected, the inventory list of homes is became shorter and shorter. This has had a dramatic effect on “Supply and Demand” of real estate in Phoenix and the surrounding metro areas including those at values less than 500k such as Scottsdale.

In the North Phoenix area that surrounds Desert Ridge (located North of the 101 freeway and Tatum) and then further north, home inventory has begun to shrink so dramatically compared to a year ago that those that waited to purchase are in a complete panic trying to purchase a home, especially those out of state looking to retire in the most desirable areas.

A recent Article written by the Arizona Republic Columnist Catherine Reagor titled “Phoenix- area housing may be on the mend” highlights what we as selling Realtors have been seeing in the market. Fewer opportunities are driving pricing up creating high demand.

I recently showed homes to two independent out of state couples looking for a place to purchase and retire to in the next 2-3 years. We were looking in Desert ridge and also tool a look at Windgate Ranch in Scottsdale (North of Bell road off Thompson Peak – Toll Bros Development) and saw right away that the “deals” that once were are gone and those that are appearing are disappearing almost the instant they are listed as active.

My feeling is this. It’s still a good time to buy. Rates are los, home prices are still very reasonable and with the Governor of Arizona actively pursuing Employers to come to our great city of Phoenix there is nothing but good news for the future.

Another thing I am predicting is the “rise from the ashes” by builders and new construction. Since inventory is low, a majority of what will be left available will be “new build” and this is when you can see real change in the real estate market, when the demand for new construction returns. In fact, there are a lot of Realtors returning to new construction now for sales which they ran from 4-5 years ago when it failed miserably.

One last thing. There is new refinance reform in the works called HARP “2″ which may provide a way out for those that wish to stay in their homes, even though they are upside down in equity, and keep those homes off the market until much later down the road when the pricing has finally caught up to the amount owed.

These are all positive things for Phoenix and as 2012 continues I can only see very good things happening for us here in Real Estate now and in the future.

All The Best,

Stew Keene – Phoenix Real Estate Professional