If you are considering retirement in Sun City, Arizona there are a few things you should know about the homeowner’s association fees and age requirements. Many people are not clear on what the costs are when buying or selling a home located in Sun City, Arizona and it is important to keep track of changes that impact the costs. Below are the current HOA feesfor retirees in Sun City, Arizona:

• Resale Transfer and Recording Fees: $310.00
• Annual Recreation Fee Per Lot: $474.00
• Capital Preservation Fee (waived if already resident owner/not investor) One Time Fee: $3,500
• Dawn Lake Annual Fee: $1,050
• View Point Lake Annual Fee: $565.00
• Seller Disclosure Fee: $200.00
• Tenant Activity Card Annual Fee: 237.00
• Tenant Activity Card Per Person Monthly: $60.00

Sun City, Arizona is an active adult retirement community, and you must be at least 55 years old to live there. If you have any questions or concerns about the fees stated above, you can visit their website at: www.sunaz.com or call at 623-561-4603. If you or someone you know is considering retirement in Sun City, Arizona please give me a call today. I can help you navigate the home buying or selling process in Sun City, Arizona.

Can’t we just get along? That is a frequently asked question among families, especially during the holiday season.

On November 17th the Ridge Recreation Center in Sun City West is hosting a workshop with certified life coach, Linda Burridge to help seniors explore new techniques to help better manage conflicts and misunderstandings during the holiday season. Linda has thirty-five years of experience facilitating leadership development, and helping people create a vision and plan of action to successfully navigate life transitions.

The holidays don’t have to be stressful, or cause anxiety. When values and communication styles differ, conflict can happen and the holidays can bring out the best and worst in each other. Don’t miss out on the joy that you seek while spending time with loved one, because of old conflicts, misunderstandings or lack of open communication.

Join Linda Burridge on November 17, 2016 for the Can’t We Just Get Along Workshop. The event will be held in the Acacia Room starting at 6:00 pm and there is a $10 fee to attend. Click here for more information or to register to attend.

According to the October National Housing Report from RE/MAX, the median sales price for September was 5.1 percent above last year, coming in at $219,780. In a rare occurrence, not a single metro posted a year-over-year price drop. The average Month’s Supply of Inventory rose from 3.4 in August to 3.9, the highest since February. We are still far below the six month’s supply considered to be a market balanced equally between buyers and sellers. Eight markets, predominantly in the Northeast, have a six or more month supply. Meanwhile, nineteen have three months or less, with the majority being in the West. 

“The market usually sees fewer home sales in September, as buyers make a seasonal transition from summer to fall,” said Dave Liniger, RE/MAX CEO, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder. “Even so, sales were the highest of any September since we launched our Housing Report in 2008. Also, price increasescontinue to be in the moderate 5-percent year-over-year range. Overall, this is a market that most everyone can be satisfied with.”

To read the full October National Housing Report from RE/MAX click here. Are you considering a move but unsure of your home values? I can help! Give me a call today to receive a complimentary market analysis and a written plan to get your home sold for top dollar in today’s market. Sharon

Retirement is an exciting time, but there are plenty of steps to take to prepare for this next chapter in life. There are many factors to take into account, such as money, where you will live and who will be your support system. Here are four retirement mistakes to avoid:

Consider Your Assets: whether you put your money in real estate, stocks or cash in a shoe box, how you choose to invest your hard-earned money can make a big impact on your golden years. Experts suggest you diversify and spread out your nest egg into a variety of baskets. Having a monthly or yearly budget is a must. How much do you need for retirement? How can you keep your money working for you, even after you are done collecting a paycheck? Consider your assets carefully.

Long-term Healthcare: no one has a crystal ball and these days’ retirees are living longer, healthier lives thanks to the efforts of modern medicine. But it is important that you be realistic about what your long-term healthcare needs might be. Is there any possibility of major health issues you could face? How many years will your savings or investments last? Explore your options for long-term health care to ensure you are prepared for all scenarios.

When to Stop Working: there are plenty of retired folks who continue working, even on a part-time basis to stay active and sharp. Your retirement funds should not be dependent on collecting a steady paycheck. Even those who plan to continue working should plan ahead – as we age things change and you don’t want to be caught off guard by an unexpected medical or physical change.

Hire a Professional: with a variety of services available with just a click of a mouse, it is not necessary for you to figure out your retirement plan on your own. And don’t think that by pinching pennies you will be better off in the long run! Let an expert help you navigate all the options, find ways to manage your assets and help you plan a long and happy retirement.

Are you ready to retire? If so, I am just a phone call away. Let me help you find the perfect Arizona retirement home!

Charity Frauds have been on the rise in Arizona, and the upcoming holiday season is the perfect time of year for scam artists to take full advantage of our giving spirit. The Arizona Attorney General’s office warns that even legitimate fundraisers should be asked certain questions to ensure that you are not falling victim to swindlers. Here are a few things you should know about charities in Arizona:

Arizona fundraisers must register with the Secretary of State’s office and they must file their charities so you can find out more about them. They are required to disclose a few details, whether they are calling you on the phone or contacting you by mail:

The legal name of the charity.
The purpose of the charity (who they are raising money for).

And if the caller representing a company that has been hired to fundraise on behalf of the charity organization, they must disclose that they are “for profit” in fact the company that was hired is being paid for their services. .

Other red flags that the Attorney General’s Office warns that we should be on the lookout for:

Names of charities that closely resemble legitimate or well-known organizations.
The use of meaningless terms like disclosing they have a tax-ID number.
Guaranteed sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a donation to the charity.

There are many wonderful charity organizations that truly need our support, especially during the holiday season. Don’t be a victim to scam artists who aren’t representing a legitimate organization! If you would like more information or think you may have been scammed, please contact the Arizona Attorney’s Office at 602-542-5025 or online at: https://www.azag.gov/.

Bordering the breathtaking foothills of North Peoria, Trilogy at Vistancia is one of Arizona’s award-winning master-planned retirement communities for active adults’ ages forty-five and up. Vistancia is a multigenerational community with the five-star amentities you deserve in your golden years.

Endless pampering can be enjoyed at the Alvea Spa, which is fully staffed with highly trained massage therapists, naturopaths and professional stylists. Or play a friendly game of bridge or pickelball, or explore your artistic side with oil painting, quilting, scrapbooking, photography to name a few. If you prefer a more refined retirement agenda, you can enjoy a variety of imported cigars, wine and fabulous company in one of Trilogy’s dozens of clubs.

There are nearly seven miles of walking trails, plus a 35,000 square foot facility that offers residents athletic and wellness opportunities, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and four lighted tennis courts. Of course retirement in Arizona wouldn’t be complete without a par-72 golf course, designed by legendary architect Gary Panks.

Trilogy at Vistancia opened in 2004, and homes range from resale to custom and some new home options. Environmentally friendly houses that make minimal impact on the environment and reduce energy costs are also available. Cozy havens comprising 1,314 square feet of living space mesh seamlessly with spacious 3,096 square-foot homes in this resort-style community. You’ll find single-level homes that feature front courtyards, three-car garages and luxuriously appointed interiors.

Want to learn more about Trilogy at Vistancia? Visit me online at: http://www.retirearizonastyle.com/Trilogy

If you are ready to plan your retirement, and you want to learn more about how to retire Arizona style, give me a call today. I’ll help you explore Trilogy at Vistancia real estate through the Arizona MLS and in-person. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Are you looking for a fun way to spend time with your grandchildren this fall? Or perhaps you just need an excuse to get dressed up for Halloween? Either way, you don’t want to miss this upcoming event in Sun City West! Who said Halloween is only for kids?

The annual Halloween Story Time and Parade is coming up on Saturday, October 22nd at the R.H. Johnson Library in Sun City West, starting at 10:00 am in the Main Room.

After an entertaining, but not too scary Halloween story, there will be a parade through the library and an opportunity for your grandchildren to collect non-candy treats.

Of course we highly encourage costumes for everyone, but they are not required to come and enjoy the fun! Why not get dressed up and bring your grandchildren for a little Halloween fun?

For more details you can contact Jane Kauzlaric, the event organizer at 623-544-6130. We hope to see you there!

Sun City Grand Golf Courses

Sun City Grand is one of Del Webb's most stunning retirement communities. One of the reasons is because they do a great job of maintaining the grounds. They will be working on the Sun City Grand Golf Course lakes listed below. I live on Granite Falls North course near the beautiful waterfall at the entrance of Sun City Grand and love it here. I am attaching a few of my favorite photos of the area.

The Sun City Grand Board of Directors recently approved for additional lakes to be hard-edged on the golf courses. The following lakes will be hard-edged...

Desert Springs #10
Cimarron #9
Cimarron Large Putting Green
Cimarron #17
Granite Falls South #8

The project is scheduled to start on October 10^th. Because of this, staff has been allowing those particular lakes to naturally drain so that the contractor can perform their work. This project will take approximately 2 months to complete.

The purpose of the project is to clean up the lake edges to give them a clean look. This will help out with the weed growth as well. Another reason is to use less water. Over time, the lakes have gotten larger and parts of the lakes are not lined which allows water to pass through.

If you would like to learn more about retirement in Arizona, or you are ready to purchase your retirement home, please give me a call today!

Are you ready to retire but not sure where you want to spend your golden years? Here a few good reasons why Arizona is a top retirement destination:

Easy Maintenance Landscaping: the popular choice for landscaping in Arizona is a mix of natural desert terrain, palm trees and cactus. That means you can sell your heavy duty lawn mower because you won’t need it in Arizona! The natural landscaping in Arizona requires very little water or maintenance, and it is beautiful to look at all year long.

Golf Anytime You Like: if you dream of playing golf every day of your retirement, then Arizona is the destination for you! There are literally hundreds of golf courses to choose from, and you can play golf almost 365 days a year in Arizona. If you like the idea of country club living, and a private golf course we’ve got you covered with plenty of options across the Valley of the Sun.

Home Affordability: most retirement communities have a variety of housing options, from apartment style condos to luxury golf course single family homes. In some cities, such as Sun City and Sun City West that are unincorporated areas the taxes remain low because they rely on the residents for their volunteer services. If you are considering Arizona as your retirement destination, I can help you find the perfect retirement home for your budget.

Who Said Retirement Was Boring? If you are worried about not having anything to do after you retire, please think again. The Arizona retirement communities are hopping with a ton of fun filled activities and lifestyle amenities. For example, in Sun City, Arizona you will find 7 Recreation Centers, fitness centers, lap and swimming pools, 2 blowing alleys, miniature golf, boating and fishing, shuffle boards, tennis and racquet ball, dancing, softball plus 130 chartered clubs including arts and crafts, dance, exercise, social and theater to name a few.

Say Hello to Your New Car, or Shall We Say Golf Cart: it is the thing to own when you retire and here in Arizona it is legal to drive a golf cart on the streets up to 35 miles an hour. You will save on gas, vehicle maintenance and look good while you enjoy the beautiful Arizona desert!

Amazing Weather Condition: the number one reason seniors retire to Arizona is the amazing weather conditions. There is no snow to shovel or humidity to suffer through and the sun shines almost every day of the year. Yes, the summer temps are warm but every home and business is equipped with air conditioning, and there are plenty of pools that are perfect for cooling off.

If you would like to learn more about retirement in Arizona, or you are ready to purchase your retirement home, please give me a call today!

There’s no denying that Social Security is one of the most confusing parts of the retirement process. Arizona retirees are often left wondering when they should file, what’s the max amount of benefits they can receive and much more. When approaching retirement, acting on misconceptions, lack of information and myths will only end up hurting you in the long run. Here are 3 Social Security myths we all need to stop believing.

1.) Once you file, you can’t change your mind: Are you an Arizona retiree that has filed for Social Security benefits, but changed your mind or realized you need to wait? Thankfully filing for Social Security is not a one and done process. Retirees can file paperwork to undo their application and stop their benefits within twelve months of when they initially claimed their benefits. Your benefits will continue to accumulate until your reclaim them in the future, however you will need to repay any Social Security that you have received when first filed.

2.) Social Security is untaxable: Receiving social security benefits unfortunately does not absolve you of taxes. Social Security benefit tax is based upon combined income. Combined income is calculated by taking your adjusted gross income plus any non-taxable interest earned plus a percentage of your Social Security benefit. In fact, Social Security taxes can be taxed between fifty percent to eighty-five percent depending on your individual or joint filing combined incomes.

3.) Social Security means instant Medicare coverage: While Arizona retirees can collect Social Security as early as age sixty-two, the minimum age for Medicare eligibility is sixty-five years old. So even if you claim benefits earlier, you still have to wait until age sixty-five to enroll in Medicare and receive medical coverage.

Have questions about these 3Social Security myths? Visit www.ssa.gov for more Social Security information. And if you need help locating the perfect Arizona retirement home, please contact Sharon Mason today.