AZ Active Retirement Living

Scams against the elderly - A warning to our Arizona retirement communities homeowners

Because of the warm Arizona climate, Sun City, Sun City West, Sun City Festival and Sun City Grand Arizona (just to name a few) are popular destinations for baby boomers & seniors alike.  While many move here with "significant others" it is a fact of life that many of our residents eventually find themselves alone or isolated.

Unfortunately there are scammers or other criminals who have made a career out of taking advantage of our elders.  I came across this video from Arizona's Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and thought I would share it with you as a reminder to watch out for yourselves as well as others who live close by.

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Ken Meade Realty
Sun City Grand Office

(602) 703-8930

Explore Arizona with the Sun City Grand "Grand RVers"


Not one to sit around in your brand new Sun City Grand home?  There are so many clubs in Sun City Grand that it won't be a problem.  If you like to hit the road and explore new places though, or revisit old favorites, than you'll want to check out the Sun City Grand "Grand RVers".

Just check out the schedule for this next year.  What fun!

Feb. 22, 2010 - Red Rock Adventure in Sedona AZ
March 15, 2010 - Tucson AZ, an outdoor lover's paradise
Apr 6, 2010 - Remember the Alamo, San Antonio TX
Sept 7, 2010 - High Sierra Adventure, CA Sierra Mtns
Sept 13, 2010 - Reno NV Air Show
Oct 5, 2010 - Albuquerque NM Hot Air Ballon Festival
Oct 27, 2010 - Welcome Back Jamboree in Cave reek AZ
Nov 23, 2010 - Thanksgiving Rally in Tonopah AZ
Jan 24, 2011 - Palm Springs CA Escape

Click HERE to see pictures from this last years events.

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If you are in the market to buy or sell Sun City Grand real estate, Sun City Festival real estate, Sun City West real estate, Corte Bella real estate or any of the other west valley Phoenix AZ active retirement communities, please call me or visit my website.

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Ken Meade Realty
Sun City Grand Office

(602) 703-8930

ASU Lifelong Learning Spring 2010 schedule for Sun City Grand

To take advantage of the ASU Osher Lifelong Learning Institue classes that are being held in Sun City Grand you need to scoot to one of the three following locations today thru Wednesday.

Monday, January 25th, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Sonoran Plaza Ballroom (Sun City Grand residents only)

Tuesday, January 26th, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Chaparral Center, Lifelong Learning classrooms (open to the public)

Wednesday, January 27th, 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the SCG Lifelong Learning volunteer office located at 10791 N Remington Dr (open to the public)

Click HERE for registration and class enrollment instructions

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If you are in the market to buy or sell Sun City Grand real estate, Sun City Festival real estate, Sun City West real estate, Corte Bella real estate or any of the other west valley Phoenix AZ active retirement communities, please call me or visit my website.

Subscribe to my AZActiveRetirementLiving.com blog feed

Ken Meade Realty
Sun City Grand Office

(602) 703-8930

Since those of us living in Arizona don't see much rain annually it isn't surprising that once we experience a huge storm, like the one we just had roll through town this last week, issues with the Sun Cities roofs become evident very quickly.

Moving to Arizona from Washington state one of the things that my husband and I realized right away is how low maintenance living in the desert can be (comparatively speaking).

We don't have to mess with cleaning out the gutters like you do when you have pine and fir trees all around you.  We don't have to worry about moss growing in every crack and crevice of the roof.  And there isn't much spring cleaning required in a desert landscape.

Low maintenance however, doesn't mean no maintenance.  While the tile roofs you find in Sun City Grand, Sun City Festival, Corte Bella and the newer sections of Sun City West are pretty durable, they aren't impervious to the elements of mother nature.

It is a rare inspection that is conducted where there aren't at least a few minor roof fixes required.  Roof tiles slip, caps need to be resealed, cracks need to be patched.  So even if you don't have a huge water spot on your ceiling, use the last weeks weather as a reminder to have the health of your roof checked out.  Prevention and maintenance can save you a bundle of money in the long run.  And if you are trying to sell your home it says a lot to potential buyers about how well you have maintained your home.

Working for Ken Meade Realty in Sun City Grand, I have access to a vendor list for clients who are in need  of some sort of service/maintenance.  This list is compiled from Ken Meade Realty Realtors and satisfied clients.  Of course we all have people we know we can count on and give the bulk of our referrals to, so if you are in need of repairs call your realtor.  We are a wealth of information.

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If you are in the market to buy or sell real estate in one of the west valley Phoenix AZ active retirement communities, please call me or visit my website.

Subscribe to my AZActiveRetirementLiving.com blog feed

Ken Meade Realty
Sun City Grand Office

(602) 703-8930

The weather in Arizona this week could be one for the record books.  The picture to the left is of an area wash.

People all over Arizona braced for one of the biggest storms the state has seen in some time.  Yesterday they were even warning of Tornadoes in Phoenix.  We aren't done with the storm yet but it appears the worst may be over.

I feel bad for the winter visitors to our Arizona retirement communities who decided to roll into town this last week.  Yesterday the airport was even shut down and a report last night said over 120 flights were delayed or canceled.

It appears those of us here in the NW valley had some of the highest rainfall totals for the greater Phoenix AZ area with Sun City Festival in north Buckeye logging just over 4 inches of rain in the last week and areas around Arizona Traditions getting close to 5 1/2 inches.  These numbers are courtesy of Rainlog.org and may be different from other reporting agencies.

Having come from Washington state, when I first moved here I used to think... big deal.  But when you consider Arizonas ANNUAL rainfall average is around 7 inches, AND you factor in the hard desert landscape that isn't very absorbent, you begin to understand the impact weather of this kind can have and how dangerous it can be.

Since we have been running at a precipitation deficit over the last several years all of this snow and rain is very welcome.  We should have one of the most magnificent displays of wildflowers in the desert landscape along with Cacti in bloom come this spring.

And if you didn't realize Arizona is more than just a desert, take a look at the following video.  I remember one year while visiting my brother-in-law in Scottsdale in October we took a short 20 minute (or so) drive to Carefree and I got to see my first display of snow in Arizona.

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If you are in the market to buy or sell Sun City Grand real estate, Sun City Festival real estate, Sun City West real estate, Corte Bella real estate or any of the other west valley Phoenix AZ active retirement communities, please call me or visit my website.

Subscribe to my AZActiveRetirementLiving.com blog feed

Ken Meade Realty
Sun City Grand Office

(602) 703-8930

Tornadoes in Phoenix?  Winter visitors to our Arizona retirement communities this week got more than they bargained for!  It's raining cats and dogs.

I feel like I am back living in Seattle Washington.  While I got really tired of of the winter storms when I lived in the rain for months at a time, I actually enjoy it here.  It's not unusual for us to get most of our annual rainfall in a span of just a couple of weeks... and this week is a doozy!

I feel bad for the winter visitors that came down to look for their retirement homes in Sun City Grand or those who were looking forward to the Barrett-Jackson auto auction in Scottsdale.

I guess we are making the national news scene because I got a call from my beloved aunt & uncle in Pennsylvania.  They apparently saw that we have 50 to 60 m.p.h. winds forecast for tonight.  I no sooner hung up the phone with them when a tornado watch was announced.  Wild stuff for sure (at least for us Arizonans)

Check out the videos below courtesy of azfamily.com

National Weather Service issues tornado watch for Phoenix area

Flooding forces evacuations for residents in Sedona

Every time we have rain somewhere in Arizona we inevitably have people who don't understand (or think they know better) how dangerous it can be to drive through area washes.  What may appear to be just a little water running across the road can quickly become a rescue mission.  As a result a Stupid Motorist Law was enacted to alleviate the costs to our cities and counties.

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If you are in the market to buy or sell Sun City Grand real estate, Sun City Festival real estate, Sun City West real estate, Corte Bella real estate or any of the other west valley Phoenix AZ active retirement communities, please call me or visit my website.

Subscribe to my AZActiveRetirementLiving.com blog feed

Ken Meade Realty
Sun City Grand Office

(602) 703-8930

Open House in Sun City Grand Arizona - Borgata Floor Plan - January 24, 2010

Address:  20117 N Painted Cove Dr, Surprise, AZ 85387

This beautifully upgraded Borgata will be open for you to see in person this Sunday, January 24, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m..  Located on a cul-de-sac lot across from the Cimarron rec center this home has an exceptional private lot with extended patio, built-in BBQ, firepit, front courtyard with view of the White Tank Mountains and more.

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If you are in the market to buy or sell Sun City Grand real estate, Sun City Festival real estate, Sun City West real estate, Corte Bella real estate or any of the other west valley Phoenix AZ active retirement communities, please call me or visit my website.

Subscribe to my AZActiveRetirementLiving.com blog feed

Ken Meade Realty
Sun City Grand Office

(602) 703-8930

Sun City West Grand Opening - New Pickleball Courts! 


The pickleball craze has hit Sun City West residents.  On January 15th they had a grand opening of their new courts.  I came across a video that was produced by YourWestValley.com and have included a link for you to see it (warning - there is a short commercial you have to see first). Click on the picture to check it out. 

Click on Sun City West Pickleball to find more information on the SCW Club website.

According to pickleballcentral.com the sport began close to my home town of Seattle WA, on Bainbridge Island.  I haven't tried it out myself but it must be great fun.  This popular sport has also become a big hit in other area Arizona retirement communities.  Check out Stay Active in Sun City Grand with one of the biggest crazes... Pickleball.  What a great way to stay active and in shape!

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If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in one of the Phoenix west valley active retirement golf communities, please call me or visit my website http://KathyAndersonRealtor.com.

Subscribe to my AZActiveRetirementLiving.com blog feed

Ken Meade Realty
Sun City Grand Office

(602) 703-8930

Stay Active in Sun City Grand with one of the biggest crazes... Pickleball!  According to pickleballcentral.com the sport was created close to my home town of Seattle WA, on Bainbridge Island.  The family dog "Pickles" would chase the balls and hide them.  They became known as Pickle's balls which was then shortened to pickleball.

Pickleball has become a huge sport in our Arizona Active Retirement Communities.  Dare I say... more popular than tennis?

All I know is, one of my Sun City Grand clients has become absolutely gaga about pickleball and wants me to get out on the court with her.  If I wasn't so busy selling real estate I'd take her up on it.  She loves it (and I think her sister needs a break!).  I even ran into her out in Sun City Festival while taking clients around looking at homes.  There was a pickleball tournament going on and she and her sister were checking it out.

What a great way to stay active!  One of the most important areas to strengthen as we get older is our body core.  What better way to keep our core strong then to move around on a pickleball court.

Plus... it's fun!  Just check out the pictures on the Sun City Grand Pickleball website.  Here you will also find pickleball playing tips,

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If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in one of the Phoenix west valley active retirement golf communities, please call me or visit my website http://KathyAndersonRealtor.com. Here you will find information on homes for sale in Sun City Grand Surprise Arizona, resales in Corte Bella, Sun City Festival real estate, Arizona Traditions MLS listings, Trilogy at Vistancia and Sun City West, PLUS see a map of the Surprise AZ area retirement communities. Don't hesitate to call or email if you have questions.

Subscribe to my AZActiveRetirementLiving.com blog feed

Ken Meade Realty
Sun City Grand Office

(602) 703-8930

Big happenings this week at the Barrett Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, AZ.  Click HERE to the schedule of events starting Monday January 18th and going to Sunday January 24th.  More than 200,000 people are expected to attend this one of a kind event.  Kellie Hwang gives some good pointers in her Arizona Republic article out today.

This is a lot of fun to attend.  The problem this time of year is finding the time to see and take in all the events each weekend has to offer around the valley.  Last year I missed most of them as I was too busy with work.  I'm surprised my husband hasn't mentioned the auction yet as someday we will own a classic car of our own and he loves to take in the Barrett-Jackson.

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If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in one of the Phoenix west valley active retirement golf communities, please call me or visit my website http://KathyAndersonRealtor.com. Here you will find information on homes for sale in Sun City Grand Surprise Arizona, resales in Corte Bella, Sun City Festival real estate, Arizona Traditions MLS listings, Trilogy at Vistancia and Sun City West, PLUS see a map of the Surprise AZ area retirement communities. Don't hesitate to call or email if you have questions.

Subscribe to my AZActiveRetirementLiving.com blog feed

Ken Meade Realty
Sun City Grand Office

(602) 703-8930