Remember your first prom? The dresses and tuxes. The lights. The music. The dancing. Why not relive that special night again? Save the date for the Sun City Senior Prom at the Sundial on Saturday, March 10th at 6:00 p.m.

The Sundial Recreation Center located at 14801 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City hosts the third annual Senior Prom themed “Springtime in Paris.” Spend an evening in Paris and stroll along through memories and celebrate the beauty of all things spring. Dress in your best and come prepared to dance to live music from the band, Faded Jeans starting at 7:00pm.

As KOOL FM’s “2016 Battle of the Cover Bands” Winner, Faded Jeans is the energetic, five-piece electric party band for everybody! Their song list spans Classic Rock, R&B, Pop, Oldies, Country, 70’s Funk, Rockabilly, and Blues, with each song performed true to style. Faded Jeans has something for everyone and is comprised of an incredible mix of musicians from across the country, all with stellar professional experience.

Although the Sun City Senior Prom at the Sundial is a free event for all Recreation Center of Sun City (RCSC) members and their escorted guests, you must obtain a ticket at the Lakeview Clubs and Activities Office at the Lakeview Center. Tickets must be picked up at the Lakeview Clubs and Activities Office no later than Monday, March 5th. Please click here for event details.

For more fun things to do in Sun City, active adult activities or information about available homes for sale in an Arizona retirement community, please contact Sharon Mason today.

Did you know? According to U.S. Census data approximately thirty-four percent of homeowners in the U.S. no longer have a mortgage. If you’re an Arizona retiree that wants to be one of the percentage of homeowners that doesn’t have a monthly payment, then here are 3 tips to pay off your mortgage early.

1.) Bi-weekly Payments: This tactic is a no brainer. There are fifty-two weeks in the year and twelve months. If you pay half your regular mortgage payment every two weeks, you'll have made twenty-six half-payments, or thirteen full monthly payments by then end of the year. So you’re effectively making a full extra payment each year. Check if your bank will set up a biweekly mortgage payment plan and ask the bank to credit extra payments toward principal so you save more on interest expense.

2.) Creative Refinancing: There are a few ways you can refinance your home loan to help you pay off your mortgage early. You can refinance your mortgage to a lower rate but keep making the higher payment which helps shave years off your mortgage. Or you can refinance your mortgage to a shorter term which cuts the amount of interest you pay sooner.

3.) Give a Little More: You’d be surprised what a difference even paying just a little more will make on paying off your mortgage sooner. Even something as small as rounding your payments up can help. For example: Round a mortgage payment of $644 up to $650. A mere $6 more a month on a $200,000, 30-year loan can save you four payments at the end of the mortgage loan! Also, be sure to apply any extra money you pay towards paying off your mortgage to the principal balance, not just the next payment.

Obtaining the dream of living debt-free by paying off your mortgage early may seem like a stretch, but it is actually a perfectly obtainable goal if you stay focused. If you’re an active adult looking to sell your Phoenix home or find a home in a luxury Arizona retirement community, please contact Sharon Mason today!

Finally retired? Congratulations! In addition to being the boss of your own time, retirement affords you a variety of new tax breaks that aren’t available to younger people. But are you aware of all the tax breaks you can claim? Here are the top 3 overlooked tax breaks for retirees.

1.) Bigger Standard Deduction: When you turn sixty-five, the IRS offers a gift in the form of a bigger standard deduction. The extra $1,550 will make it more likely you’ll take the standard deduction rather than itemizing and, if you do, the additional amount will save you almost $400 if you’re in the twenty-five percent bracket. Couples in which one or both spouses are age sixty-five or older also get bigger standard deductions than younger taxpayers.

2.) Medical Expense Deductions: Until 2017, taxpayers age 65 and older get a break when it comes to deducting medical expenses. Those who itemize get a money-saving deduction to the extent their medical bills exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income. For younger taxpayers, the AGI threshold is ten percent. If you’re married, only one spouse needs to be sixty-five to use the 7.5 percent threshold.

3.) IRA Contributions: If you’re married and your spouse is still working, he or she can contribute up to $6,500 a year to an IRA that you own. If you use a traditional IRA, spousal contributions are allowed up to the year you reach age 70 ½. If you use a Roth IRA, there is no age limit. As long as your spouse has enough earned income to fund the contribution to your account (and any deposits to his or her own), this tax shelter’s doors remain open to you.

If you or someone you know is retiring this year or are seeking a retirement home in Sun City, please give me a call today. I can help you find the perfect Arizona retirement community where you can enjoy your golden years!

Seeing the same layouts day after day, week after week, and year after year is enough to make even the most devoted homeowner feel bored. Since February is the month of love, reignite some interest in your home with these 3 projects that will make your fall in love with your home again.

1.) Flower Power There’s a reason why so many people give the gift of flowers this time of year. Because they’re beautiful! Plants and flowers in your home can add color, fresh air, and even a sense of peace and wellbeing. Treat yourself to fresh flowers on your dining room table. Add some color to your landscape with some bright, unusual flowers, or take advantage of the gorgeous Arizona weather and start that garden you’ve always dreamed about.

2.) Light Up Your life: Lighting is often an underrated feature but is truly one of the most important details. Replacing the light fixtures in your house can dramatically increase your home’s beauty. Anything from lighted Victorian style ceiling fans to Tuscan themed wall mounted sconces can add both personality and value to your space. Under cabinet kitchen lighting and dimmer switches are both very functional and attractive options that can be added to your abode as well.

3.) Red for Love: Nothing gets the blood moving quite like a punch of color in your home. Brighten up your living room with warm red throw pillows. Add a vase of red roses to your bedroom nightstand. Or pair your bathroom décor up with red rugs and accessories. If you’re feeling like daring do-it-yourselfer, a red accent wall in your kitchen can make a heartwarming eye catcher and a sweet conversation starter.

If you’re looking for more ways to improve your Sun City home, or if you’re looking for a new home in an Arizona retirement community to fall in love with, contact Sharon Mason today.

Looking for a something fun to do in Sun City this evening? If you’re a music lover who loves to boogie then you’ll definitely want to catch the Motown Magic Sun City show tonight! The show takes place at 7:00 pm at the Sun City Sundial Auditorium located at 14801 N. 103rd Ave. Sun City, AZ 85351 and is only $17 per person for Recreation Center of Sun City (RCSC) Cardholders and $20 per person for non-RCSC Cardholders.

Motown Magic is a solid-gold production that guarantees to have everyone out of their seats and dancing in the aisles! This show jives through the decades of Motown chart topping hit artists and groups like The Temptations, Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and more. There’s little doubt the memories will help re-create the soulful musical memories before the night is out!

Tickets available at the Lakeview Clubs and Activities Office and doors open at 6:00pm. Unable to catch this show? Don’t despair! There’s a December ’63 concert taking place next Wednesday, February 6th at the Sun Dial where the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons comes to life in this re-creation of a Frankie Valli concert experience, showcasing all of your favorite songs including one-of-a-kind classics that have been thrilling audiences for decades along with the band’s most popular singles from the musical Jersey Boys.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Sundial Recreation Center; this active adult gem boasts amenities such as RCSC’s only indoor swimming pools, numerous concerts and special events and the center offers a large contingent of chartered clubs.

Please click here for a list of upcoming shows and activities taking place at the Sundial Auditorium in Sun City. Looking for more fun things to do in Sun City for retirees? Or are you seeking the perfect Arizona retirement community to call home? Contact Sharon Mason, your Arizona Retirement Expert, today!

There’s rarely a greater joy in life than when you make that personal decision to hang up your hat and enjoy retirement. Just don’t forget that retirement takes planning, commitment, and a good financial head on your shoulders. Here are 3 helpful tips to prepare for retirement in 2018.

1. Determine your needs: Retirement can be expensive, with experts estimating that you need seventy to ninety percent of your preretirement income to maintain your standard of living when you stop working. The average American spends twenty years in retirement, so ask yourself, “What do I want?” Do you want to buy a home? Travel? Go back to school? Start a business? Determining your retirement needs and identifying what you want to do in retirement will help you plan better so you can enjoy your golden years to the fullest.

2.) Build a solid savings: Financial experts now recommend saving as much as fifteen percent of your salary for retirement. Don’t touch your retirement savings early or you may have to pay withdrawal penalties, lose principal and interest, and lose tax benefits. If you’ve just now started saving with few years left until retirement, don’t be deterred. It never hurts to explore investment and saving options that can help you reach your retirement goals faster.

3.) Eliminate debt: It's easier to save and fund your retirement when you don't have looming debts hanging over your head. When you're about to enter your retirement years, credit card debt -- and any student debt -- should be paid down. Thirteen percent of baby boomers still have student loan debt. Sit down with a financial planner to whip up a plan to quickly eliminate debt so you can use you can retire in style.

If you or someone you know plans on retiring in 2018 or are seeking a luxury Arizona retirement community, please give me a call today. I can help you find the perfect retirement home where you can enjoy your golden years!

As a full-service full-time Associate Broker for RE/MAX Professionals, I take great pride in specializing in the top local Arizona retirement communities. I’ve been a licensed REALTOR® since 1994 and my experience and certifications have helped make me an asset to home buyers and sellers alike. For sellers, my extensive marketing plan gives homeowners the opportunity to get the maximum value for his/her property.

For buyers, I help negotiate the best possible deal and search until I find the perfect property. Nothing satisfies me more than seeing the smiles that come with a successful sale. That’s why I love hearing from the people I’ve helped with their real estate goals. Here’s what one of my previous sellers had to share about their experience working with me.

“We are writing this letter to you in appreciation of all you did to expedite the recent sale of our home. We bought and sold many houses over the years and like to think we know how to pick a Realtor- and this time was no exception.

We appreciated the fact that you responded to our first phone call and that pressure was excreted to list with you. The presentation/comp book was well done and helped with the pricing of our property. Your knowledge of today's real estate market, interest rates etc... Was most helpful and led to a full price sale in less than two weeks.

Your professional manner, the fact that you came when you said you would, and kept us apprised of what was happening when other agents showed our home, made this a very positive experience.

It has been a pleasure having you as our agent and we have recommended you to our former neighbors. Thank you so very much for everything.” - Len and Carol Hilder

Ready to sell your Phoenix home in 2018? Or are you looking to buy a Phoenix home in one of the premier Arizona retirement communities? Let's get together to talk about your real estate needs together. I’m only a phone call away!

October's old witches and goblins have gone
The turkey and stuffing are done
The wind brings a chill as December arrives

The tree lights all twinkle as one
The icicles hang from the roof-tops in town
As the rain and the snow starts to fall
The storefronts light up with Christmas displays
And Santa arrives at the mall

As presents are bought and presents are wrapped
For those that we love and adore
A small child's eyes, so young but so wise
Wants one more trip to the store

The video game, the doll or the train
Santa must know I've been good
I'll stay up all night, and help him unload
And get all the gifts that I should

Yes, Christmas is here, the laughter and joy
And all that goes with it you see
But when it is gone, our friendship goes on
You make every day Christmas for me...

Written by Mike Kimes

The best part of the holidays? Spending time with family and friends who make the season bright and memorable with their love and laughter! No matter how you celebrate, please remember to enjoy the little things because they will one day become the big things.

Have a Happy Holiday and a wonderful New Year!

December is officially here and if you’ve recently retired, you may find that your holiday celebration might look a little different. Thanks to reduced obligations and increased free time, Arizona retirees may be better able to enjoy the season. However, older adults need to be wary of common pitfalls that can trip up holiday celebrations later in life. Here’s what the holidays look like after retirement.

It's a common mistake for seniors to continue lavishing gifts on their grandchildren after retirement during the holidays. While retirees with plenty in savings think they can afford to splurge, many don't take into consideration how it will affect the long-term value of their portfolio. Having a budget is essential for avoiding overspending on gifts.

Gifts aren't the only thing that might change after retirement. Travel may need to be adjusted. If older adults choose to retire in a different state from their family, the cost of holiday travel may become a cost burden. Seniors may need to budget more for airfare. They may also need to rent a vehicle or book extra nights in a hotel if they want to return home at a more leisurely pace. Because driving extra hours can wreak havoc on aging bodies, the easier and more cost efficient your holiday travel plans are, the better.

Regardless of how or where you’re spending your holidays after retirement, it’s important to make smart financial choices so that you’ll have less to worry about during this busy, festive season.

If you’d like more tips on retiring in Arizona or if you’re seeking an Arizona retirement community to call home, please contact Sharon Mason today!

Despite record low inventory for the month, October home sales increased 2.5 percent year-over-year and kept 2017 prices ahead of 2016, according to this month’s RE/MAX National Housing Report. Thirty-seven of the fifty-three metro markets in the November RE/MAX National Housing Report posted sales increases over October 2016. Meanwhile, inventory gauges were at their lowest point for an October in the report’s nine year history.

The Months Supply of Inventory dropped to 3.3 – the lowest for any October in this housing report. It was mirrored by the Days on Market average of fifty-one days, also a new low for October for the report and a full week faster than the selling rate of homes in October of last year. The Median Sales Price of $224,000 increased 3.3 percent over last October and was $19,000 higher than the same month in 2015. The median price remained on a par with the prices of last spring that kicked off the peak summer selling season.

“The housing market is steady and at least somewhat predictable with record-low inventory and increasing prices in markets across the country,” said Adam Contos, RE/MAX Co-CEO. “With job growth and increased household formation, buyers will struggle and may even be priced out of the market until home building catches up.”

The average Days on Market for homes sold in October 2017 was fifty-one, up two days from the average in September 2017, and down seven days from the October 2016 average. To access the housing report infographic, visit: rem.ax/2cYFT50.

If you are looking to sell your Arizona home or are ready to buy a home in a luxury Arizona retirement community, please contact Sharon Mason today.