Four Downtowns in 24 Hours part 1

This was not planned; it was more like serendipity. My husband and I had visited some of our favorite places in the east valley (and a new one!) and we did not realize until we were driving to downtown Chandler that we had visited four downtown areas in 24 hours. I want to share with you some amazing places in the east valley. Let me know if you have been here before, or if not, go visit and let me know what you think!

Four Peaks Brewing Company in Tempe

Four Peaks is one of my favorite places in Tempe. There are so many great places to eat and visit in Tempe, but every time we are in the neighborhood, we seem to direct the car here. Four Peaks Brewing Company is located on 8th street between Rural and McClintock. It’s an unusual place for a bar and restaurant, but the Arizona State University college atmosphere surrounds the old building which delivers charm and a laid back ambiance. The original brick building was started as an ice factory in 1892, then it was converted to a creamery in 1927. The brew masters of Four Peaks renovated the building and opened their doors in 1996. Their goal was not only to make great beer, but to provide excellent food that no other bar could match.

Four Peaks has the staple wings and hamburgers which go great when watching football or baseball on their many televisions, but what sets them apart are the unusual fare. On a regular day, one can find menu items such as the Arizona Chicken Egg Rolls with a creamy and sweet jalapeno sauce, a grilled Salmon BLT on whole grain bread, a white pizza drizzled in olive oil with chicken, basil and pine nuts, or a hot Italian Beef Beer Bread sandwich using bread made in house. The brewery also has three specials during lunch and during dinner which is where the foodie in me goes nuts. I was looking at last night’s specials in the email I get twice a day and was pretty happy I wasn’t there…I wouldn’t have been able to choose: Short Rib Cannelloni with homemade pasta, spicy marinara and béchamel cheese and sautéed baby arugula, Confit Pork Belly with Yukon Gold potato pancake, and Blackened Ahi tuna with a pumpkin seed mole, sweet corn rice and broccolini.

The other night, we went with my husband’s family from El Paso. It is always fun to take someone there for the first time. It was a Tuesday night and the wait was still about 30 minutes, but it was worth it. This time of year is the best. The brewery is open with plenty of patio seating and they just released their famous, limited seasonal, the Pumpkin Porter for the first time in cans. The people watching is great, with a mix of college students studying or taking a break with their friends to groups of older men and women telling stories and rating the quality of the seasonal or cask conditioned brew. The only negative to Four Peaks is the parking. I recommend getting there before peak lunch or dinner times to get a spot along 8th street next to the brewery, or there is a small parking lot around the back, otherwise there may be a slight walk. Four Peaks has a location in Scottsdale with a full menu and a “Tasting Room” also in Tempe which features a different food truck parked next to it every day, but the 8th street location is the heart of it all and encompasses the spirit of Tempe.

Take advantage of this real estate market!

Hopefully you have heard that the deadline for the $8000 Federal First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit is November 30th. That means the home has to close escrow by that date. Many first-time home buyers are rushing to meet the deadline! It is a great time to be a home buyer! Mortgage rates are at an all time low, there are lots of homes to chose from in the market, and prices are unbelievably low. I see homes closing at unheard of prices every day in the East Valley!

The advantage of buying now, with a low interest rate and low price, means that over the next few years, your home will appreciate in value. That means that it will not be long before the house is worth more than you paid for it! I am already seeing evidence of the market started to stabilize. Prices are slowly back on the rise. I know there will still be more inventory coming! Houses are being put on the market every day that are under priced. You would be amazed...

So, my question is for the renters out there... why are you still renting? With these rates, you can own a home, with a yard (maybe a pool), no stairs, no landlord, no pet restrictions...for less than you are paying for rent. I spoke to a few renters today. The main concern I heard was about credit. Yes, that is a big factor, but it is not a brick wall. I personally know several different mortgage lenders who work with banks and private lenders to help people get approved. If you cannot buy now, then there are great things you can do to raise that credit score and make a game plan for yourself. It's good to have a goal! It makes you focused and determined. The main thing is to talk to people in real estate and ask questions. There are so many options out there and an experienced agent and mortgage lender can find what will work best for you!

There is still (a little) time left to take advantage of the tax credit. Though Washington is trying to push for an extension, it is not for sure. Let's go see what we can do now!