​We recently adopted a dog from Maricopa County Animal Care and Control and wanted to share our experience in case it helps anyone thinking of adopting a dog.

There are currently over 400 adoptable dogs with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control.
You can view the adoptable dogs online, and when you visit there are additional dogs that have not yet made it to their website because they are newly arrived and in a waiting period to make sure their dog parents aren't looking for them, but you can pre-apply to adopt these dogs too.

 There is a good deal of information attached for each dog online and scanned with a QR code from their in-person kennels such as answers to the intake questions, and notes on the dog's behavior while at the shelter.  Bring a fully charged phone so you can check these out while there.

From the website, you'll notice that each dog will have a location that will help you to find the dog when you go visit.  
East Kennel and West Kennel refer to two different locations of Shelters.
One is in the East Valley: 2630 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Mesa, AZ 85201 (Near Mesa Riverview)
and the other in the West Valley: 2500 S 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009

In both locations, they allow for you to wander around and look at the dogs in their kennels, no need to check in up front.
The East Kennel is an older building than the West and the kennels are very close together. When we visited they had one wing of the East kennel closed.
The West Valley location is a much more spread out and newer nicer building.  When you walk in you might think you need to check in with the front desk, but they allow you to simply walk through to view the dogs.  In the West Valley location, there are a few dogs inside when you first walk in, but then there are doors that look like exit doors however if you look closer you'll realize they take you outside to multiple buildings reached housed with different dogs.  

If you find a dog you like, you go back to the counter and ask to take the dog out to play.  They will take you to a play area and bring the dog to you for some one-on-one time.  

In addition to the adoptable dogs, there are many of what they call lost dogs, these are dogs that were found on the street and are in a waiting period to see if their owner comes looking for them.  One good news story from my visit was when I watched a woman check in at the front desk inquiring about her lost dog and they had him, tears of happiness on that one.  But some of these dogs never get claimed, and you can pre-apply to adopt.  These dogs tended to be the more in-demand breeds, my guess is that there are people who are aware such as the certain breed and they go seeking certain breeds (I noticed people who looked like they knew where they were going much more than I did being my first visit there).  A few of the breeds I think I saw that were deemed "lost dogs" were golden retriever, Australian shepherd, heeler etc. 

A dog deemed adoptable you can take home the very same day.
The fees are very reasonable, $50 for a dog who has been there less than 30 days, $25 for a dog more than 30 days, $25 for a senior dog, and $150 for a puppy.
They give you a bag of dog food a collar and a leash.  The dogs come pre-microchipped so consider what name you want to name your new dog before going and they'll set it all up correctly.  

It can be an overwhelming experience for animal lovers.  Be prepared for that and know that if you adopt you are helping the situation.
Thank you for considering adopting, save and share this video.


More from Maricopa County: https://www.maricopa.gov/214/Adopt-a-Pet

So much to do this November in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills!
I've covered some events above and will link to them below.
Please share any events you are hosting or interested in if they are in Scottsdale or Fountain Hills this month.
Cheers!

Scottsdale:
Canal Convergence: https://canalconvergence.com/2022-overview/
Scottsdazzle: https://scottsdazzle.com/
Library card holder event at Scottsdale Stadium: (two of them)
https://scottsdale.libnet.info/event/7293249
https://scottsdale.libnet.info/event/5736167

Bonus event not in video:
Lunch & Learn holidays pies at Arcadia Farms in Old Town Scottsdale
​https://www.arcadiafarmscafe.com/cooking-classes?utm_source=sqmktg_email

Fountain Hills:
Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts
https://www.fountainhillschamber.com/artfairs/
Turkey Trot 5K
https://www.experiencefountainhills.org/events/2022/turkey-trot-5k-run--fitness-walk

Pictured above: Cruisin' @ Phil's.
Come out every Sunday, October 16, 2022 through May 21, 2023 8am-2pm
Located in the back parking lot.
16852 E Parkview , Fountain Hills AZ 85268
More info here: www.philsfillingstationgrill.com/cruisin.html

Trick or Treat on the ball field, inflatables, thriller flash mom, and food trucks!
More info on Spooky Blast here: ​https://www.fountainhillsaz.gov/762/Spooky-Blast

​Dance Part at the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce.
Saturday Oct 22, 2022
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM MST
16837 E Palisades Blvd
FH Chamber Morgan Memorial Event Patio
$35.00 Individual Registration
$45.00 Individual Registration at the Door
More info here: Dance Party at the Chamber

Live music at Grapeables Wine Bar every Friday and Saturday evening in October.
7 - 10:30 PM
12645 N. Saguaro Blvd, #9
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
More info:
www.grapeableswinebar.com/event-calendar.html

Saturday October 22
6 - 11pm
Art, music, and performances
Located across from The Mission
For more info:
https://www.scottsdalediadelosmuertos.com/

When: September 23 & 24th 2022
5- 10 pm
Where: Fountain Park in Fountain Hills, AZ
Mingle with your Fountain Hills neighbors and sing along to old time German songs.
Traditional German food & a German band will be there!
For ticket information:
​https://www.fountainhillschamber.com/oktoberfest/

Love Fountain Hills and want to look into homes for sale in Fountain Hills?
Full list of Fountain Hills AZ Homes for sale:
mlx.io/gdtnf5wloe

Land for custom new construction homes in Fountain Hills AZ:
mlx.io/gdtngdyofz

This has been the biggest honor of my career. Back in July I was voted in by my peer group as the Golden Ruler for the month.  With that they put me on a billboard and created this video for me.  I am full of gratitude for the Brokerage and my peers who voted for me.  If you are thinking about buying or selling real estate that deals with any of the following, I'd be so happy to help:
Old Town Scottsdale
Optima Real Estate
Optima Camelview
Troon Scottsdale
Eagle Mountain Fountain Hills
Eagle Mountain Arizona
New Construction Homes in Fountain Hills
Fountain Hills AZ Homes for Sale

This should be a really neat event as the Fountain itself lights up at night, and Fountain Hills is one of the best places around to look at the stars as it's a dark sky city.
If you've been thinking about Fountain Hills Real Estate or New Construction Homes in Fountain Hills AZ but you haven't been out to visit, this would be the perfect opportunity to get out there and get to know the communitiy.

If you're thinking of new construction homes in Fountain Hills, AZ you'll need three things:
- Land
- a Land and Construction Loan
​- and a builder

& I've got you covered on all three.
​
Currently listed lot for sale: 
9431 N Solitude Canyon
Fountain Hills, AZ

This lot is in a gorgeous luxury community and not only requires minimal site prep which is important when building new construction in such a mountainous area such as Fountain Hills AZ but also has incredible views.  Imagine sipping cocktails while floating at the edge of your infinity pool gazing at the city lights in the distance and the stars above.  Did I mention Fountain Hills AZ is a dark sky city?  It's one of the best places around for star gazing.

Give me a call, email, or text if you'd like more information on getting started.

So you're thinking "I want to sell my property in Scottsdale" and wondering if it's still a good time to sell? You may be hearing stories of the market shifting and worried you missed out on the best timing to sell.  Fear not.  Yes, the market is shifting, but it's still a seller's market.  I'm sure you've been hearing stories over the last six months about how nearly impossible it has been for buyers to get an offer accepted.  I jokingly have been telling my buyers that we no longer need to give the sellers free cheeseburgers for life, hooray! So what does that mean for you as a home seller?  Your representation is more important than ever.  And no matter the city you might be planning to sell your home in, good representation can still make a huge difference in how much you sell your home for.  The two things I suggest you look for you in your listing agent: 1. Marketing Skills & 2. Sales Skills

So how can you tell? 

1. Marketing skills.

The first thing I would do is look at an actual listing from the listing agent.  The easiest way to do this would be to ask your potential listing agent to send you some links to past listings.  You can also go to their Zillow page or Realtor.com page for some of those - keep in mind though that these might also be homes where they represented the buyer, so look closely.  The top two things you'll be looking at here are the photography and the listing description.  If the pictures don't fill the frame, the agent likely did not use a professional photographer.  One of the biggest benefits of using a professional photographer is the wide-angle lens that gets a lot more of the room in one shot.  Other things to look for in photography: Are there so many photos that it gets boring to keep clicking next? Do the most important rooms show up first like the kitchen, living room, and primary bedroom and bath? Or are you looking at the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms before you see the primary?  Buyers are human beings, and human beings have attention spans, so it's important to get the important stuff in early.  Are there pictures of things that don't matter like a photo that only includes the bed or the inside of a standard closet? Funny one for you, but I seriously see this from time to time ... is the listing agent themselves in a mirror holding their phone up to take the photo?  If so, run!


Next, take a look at the listing description.  Start by asking yourself how it makes you feel after reading it.  Was there grammar or worse, spelling errors?  Did the description help you to understand how the home would live better than simply reading the listing details, or did it repeat things that are already in the listing like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms?

Secondly, how is your listing agent candidate doing with digital marketing?  These days digital is important.  Start by Googling his or her name.  What comes up?  If you can't find anything about your potential agent, you might consider that a red flag.  Hopefully, instead, you're seeing all or some of the following regarding your possible agent: a Google Business Profile with positive reviews, their website, YouTube videos, and their branded social accounts such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.  The better your agent's online presence is, the better your chances of added digital marketing will be for you.  In addition to doing your own online reconnaissance on your possible listing agent, you might also ask questions around digital when you're in conversation with him/her.  

2. Sales Skills
This one is probably easier to ask questions directly to your agent around.  Here are a few sample questions that can give you an idea of how they are doing with sales skills.
1. Start by asking an open-ended question as simple as "tell me what your sales approach looks like"?
2. Can you give me an example of how you've dealt with objections when selling a home in the past? This one is the old HR in me.  Asking a question that asks for an actual example from the past keeps the answerer from answering hypothetically.  Almost anyone can answer a hypothetical well, but asking for real-life examples can be very telling. 
3. Who is your favorite salesperson whom you've learned the most from?
4. Are you full-time?  A part-time agent just simply won't be as tuned in to the market and what the current trends are as a full-time agent would.  Sounds silly comparing but would you go to a part-time heart surgeon?  I hope not, and while real estate is not life or death, it can be the difference of tens or sometimes even hundreds of thousands of dollars.


If you're thinking of selling your home here in Scottsdale (or the Greater Phoenix area), I hope you would consider me to list and sell your home.  Call me or send me a text to set up a meeting 

If you're thinking of selling your home in another part of the country, I hope this has been helpful for you to find the best agent possible to represent you.  There are quite a few agents out there, and as in any industry, there will always be the 'standout professionals', the 'I can't believe you got hired', and everything in between.  Who you choose to hire can make a significant difference in your own income, so choose wisely!