Seal Team War Dog in Action

When U.S. President Barack Obama went to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, last week for a highly publicized, but very private meeting with the commando team
that killed Osama bin Laden, only one of the 81 members of the super-secret
SEAL DevGru unit was identified by name: Cairo, the war dog.
Cairo, like most canine members of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs, is a Belgian
Malinois.  The Malinois breed is similar to German shepherds but smaller and
more compact, with an adult male weighing in the 30-kilo (66 lbs) range.

German shepherds are still used as war dogs by the American military but
the lighter, stubbier Malinois is considered better for the tandem
parachute jumping and rappelling operations often undertaken by SEAL teams.
Labrador retrievers are also favoured by various military organizations around the world

Like their human counterparts, the dog SEALs are highly trained, highly
skilled, highly motivated special ops experts, able to perform
extraordinary military missions by SEa, Air and Land (thus the acronym).
The dogs carry out a wide range of specialized duties for the military
teams to which they are attached: With a sense of smell 40 times greater
than a human’s, the dogs are trained to detect and identify both explosive
material and hostile or hiding humans. The dogs are twice as fast as a fit human, so anyone trying to escape is not likely to outrun Cairo or his buddies.

The dogs, equipped with video cameras, also enter certain danger zones
first, allowing their handlers to see what’s ahead before humans follow.
As I mentioned before, SEAL dogs are even trained parachutists, jumping
either in tandem with their handlers or solo, if the jump is into water.
Last year canine parachute instructor Mike Forsythe and his dog Cara set
the world record for highest man-dog parachute deployment, jumping from
more than 30,100 feet up — the altitude transoceanic passenger jets fly at.
Both Forsythe and Cara were wearing oxygen masks and skin protectors for
the jump. Here’s a photo from that jump, taken by Andy Anderson for K9 Storm Inc. (more about those folks shortly).

As well, the dogs are faithful, fearless and ferocious — incredibly frightening and efficient attackers. I have seen it reported repeatedly that the teeth of SEAL war dogs are replaced with titanium implants that are stronger, sharper and scare-your-pants-off intimidating, but a U.S. Military spokesman has
denied that charge, so I really don’t know (never having seen a canine SEAL
face-to-face). I do know that I’ve never seen a photo of a war dog with
anything even vaguely resembling a set of shiny metal chompers.

When the SEAL DevGru team (usually known by its old designation, Team 6)
hit bin Laden’s Pakistan compound on May 2, Cairo ’s feet would have been
four of the first on the ground. And like the human SEALs, Cairo was wearing super-strong, flexible body Armour and outfitted with high-tech equipment that included “doggles” — specially designed and fitted dog googles with night-vision and infrared capability that would even allow Cairo to see human heat forms through concrete walls.

Now where on earth would anyone get that kind of incredibly niche hi-tech
doggie gear? From Winnipeg , of all places. Jim and Glori Slater’s Manitoba hi-tech mom-and-pop business, K9 Storm Inc., has a deserved worldwide reputation for designing and manufacturing probably the best body Armour available for police and military dogs. Working dogs in 15 countries around the world are currently protected by their K9 Storm body Armour.

Jim Slater was a canine handler on the Winnipeg Police Force when he
crafted a Kevlar protective jacket for his own dog, Olaf, in the mid-1990s.
Soon Slater was making body Armour for other cop dogs, then the Canadian
military and soon the world. The standard K9 Storm vest also has a load-bearing harness system that makes it ideal for tandem rappelling and parachuting.

And then there are the special hi-tech add-ons that made the K9 Storm
especially appealing to the U.S. Navy SEALs, who bought four of K9 Storm
Inc.’s top-end Intruder “canine tactical assault suits” last year for
$86,000.  You can be sure Cairo was wearing one of those four suits when he
jumped into bin Laden’s lair.

Here’s an explanation of all the K9 Storm Intruder special features

Just as the Navy SEALS and other elite special forces are the sharp point
of the American military machine, so too are their dogs at the top of a
canine military heirarchy.

In all, the U.S. military currently has about 2,800 active-duty dogs
deployed around the world, with roughly 600 now in Afghanistan and Iraq .
Here’s the link to a dandy photo essay about U.S. war dogs that just
appeared in the journal Foreign Policy. http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/05/04/war_dog  Several of the photos included here are from Foreign Policy, as you will see. Other photos are from K9 Storm Inc.

As for the ethics of sending dogs to war, that’s pretty much a moot point,
don’t you think? If it’s ethical to send humans into combat, then why not
dogs?

Article by: Rebecca Frankel, deputy managing editor of ForeignPolicy.com

Housing Crisis to End in 2012 as Banks Loosen Credit Standards         

Veteran Life in Arizona

The numerous sunny days, warm weather, and striking landscapes are just a few of the many reasons why people are often drawn to Arizona, and the same goes for veterans. After service, many Arizonian veterans are eager to lay down some roots, and desire to start doing so by purchasing a home. However, the weak economy and the aftermath of the housing market crash haven’t exactly made obtaining a conventional mortgage loan easy. In fact, in many instances, the large down payments and high credit scores required can make it nearly impossible.

However, veterans don't need to put their dreams of homeownership on hold just because conventional lenders have increased their lending requirements. Government programs, in particular the VA Home Loan program, still over affordable and accessible lending options. The VA Loan program was specifically created to meet the distinct financial needs of veterans and active duty service members by providing members with the opportunity to obtain a VA guaranteed loan.

Because the VA home loan is guaranteed by the VA, military members are able to receive borrower benefits that they would otherwise be unable to obtain with a conventional loan. Such benefits come without further application and include:

• no down payment needed
• no mortgage insurance required
• competitive interest rates
• flexible lending terms

VA home loans also have high loan limits meaning that eligible borrowers may be able to purchase a home without the need of additional financing. Due to the diverse geography of the state, the average home price in Arizona ranges anywhere from $250,000 to $350,000 and above. In Arizona, the VA loan limit is $417,000 which means that eligible veterans can achieve 100 percent financing without the need of a down payment or private mortgage insurance.

The VA Home Loan program also makes homeownership more accessible to veterans by having lenient eligibility requirements. Aside from submitting a Certificate of Eligibility, veterans must simply meet a service requirement in order to be eligible. Although the VA home loan program has no income or credit requirements, interested military members should note that VA lenders will generally require proof of a stable income, as well as a mid range credit score of at least 620.

Veterans should also be aware that the VA home loan program is not the only benefit available to them after service. In addition to affordable home loans, veterans are also able to receive educational assistance in the form of reduced college or trade school tuition, and may even opt to partake in an apprenticeship program to obtain skills needed for their desired vocation. Other programs are also available to make transitioning into civilian life easier.

While the military will brief veterans on the benefits available to them, it doesn't always immediately provide military members with them. Aside from a pension, most veterans need to educate and apply themselves to any programs they wish to take part in. So if you are a veteran, or have a veteran in your life, be sure to inform yourself about the various programs that are available. 

Kevin Pearia is a mortgage commentator for Veterans United Home Loans, the nation’s leading dedicated provider of VA Home Loans. Kevin is the author of "Veteran Life in Arizona".

A big thank you to Anita Clark Realtor® who is an colleague working out of Georgia for provide one of the most extensive lists of discount programs for our USA Veterans. The article is attached for your review.

Passage of the "Jobs Bill" - Residential Property Tax Impacts
During the 50th Second Special Session the Arizona state legislature passed HB 2001, more commonly referred to as the “Jobs Bill.” The promoted intent of this bill is to create a more business-friendly state, which will attract all types of businesses both large and small, create jobs, and provide tax relief to businesses. The legislation focused on several key areas: corporate income, businesses property tax cuts, job training, the Arizona Competes Fund, and the newly formed Arizona Commerce Authority. Though this legislation has been touted as a solution to get Arizona back on its economic feet, one has to wonder at what and whose expense, specifically as it relates to the cost associated with the tax cuts for businesses.

During the 50th Second Special Session the Arizona state legislature passed HB 2001, more commonly referred to as the “Jobs Bill.” The promoted intent of this bill is to create a more business-friendly state, which will attract all types of businesses both large and small, create jobs, and provide tax relief to businesses. The legislation focused on several key areas: corporate income, businesses property tax cuts, job training, the Arizona Competes Fund, and the newly formed Arizona Commerce Authority. Though this legislation has been touted as a solution to get Arizona back on its economic feet, one has to wonder at what and whose expense, specifically as it relates to the cost associated with the tax cuts for businesses.

One such solution buried within the 214-page bill is to shift the cost to Arizona homeowners in the form of increased property taxes. Currently, many homeowners are unaware that their residential property taxes are lowered by a payment made from the State General Fund directly to the county in which the property is located. This payment is paid to residential properties in Class Three of the property tax code. Class Three properties include owner-occupied primary residences and second/vacation homes. Currently, the rebate happens automatically without the homeowner having to apply for the tax reduction. To note, rental properties are required to be registered as Class Four of the property tax code and are not eligible for the homeowners rebate. Each homeowner can locate their home’s annual rebate by looking at a past year’s property tax bill for the words, “State Aid.”

Under the new legislation, owners of second or vacation property would be disqualified from receiving the homeowner’s rebate, which normally saves the homeowners up to $600 a year—their property taxes will go up. On top of automatically disqualifying some properties from the rebate, the bill further complicates the process of obtaining the rebate by requiring the homeowner to go through the cumbersome process of signing an affidavit beginning in 2012 and subsequent even-numbered years, under penalty of perjury, that they are living in the home or that the home is being leased or rented to a relative. The affidavit will be mailed along with the annual Notice of Full Cash Value sent to owners of Class Three Property. The forms must be completed and returned to the County Assessor within 60 days or the residential property will be reclassified as Class Four and the property taxes will go up as much as $600 depending on the home’s value. The problem with the affidavit is that it treats the property as a rental until the homeowner can prove otherwise. As Tom Farley, CEO of the Arizona Association of REALTORS® stated in Senate testimony “the new affidavit requirements may be overlooked or mishandled by homeowners who are entitled to the rebate. They are going to throw it in the trash and the next thing they know their taxes will increase substantially.”

AAR’s concerns lie in the fact that the original intent of the homeowners rebate was to go to all Class Three Residential Property and this bill picked winners and losers. Business wins, while Arizona’s struggling homeowners lose both with increased taxes and bureaucratic paperwork. Although AAR met with individuals from both the Governor’s office and members of the Legislature to voice our strong concerns with the cost shift to homeowners, the “Jobs Bill” was signed into law by the Governor on February 17, 2011.

Written: April 2011

Nicole LaSlavic joined the Arizona Association of REALTORS® as Government Affairs Director in November 2010, joining CEO Tom Farley in representing the association at the Arizona capitol. In the past, LaSlavic worked as a lobbyist for a law firm as well as a local government relations lobbying firm. In both capacities, she worked to develop, advocate and implement policy and programs on a broad range of issues including health care, retirement, public safety and economic development. Throughout her career, she has developed and maintained relationships with legislators, staff and members of the various state agencies. In addition, Ms. LaSlavic has solid expertise in fundraising and event planning for both political candidates and organizations. You can reach her at nicole@aaronline.com

Waste Management Phoenix Open 2012

Affectionately called “The Greatest Show on Grass”, the PGA Tour tournament has been played at the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Stadium Course in Scottsdale, Arizona since 1988.

The four rounds of golf played here, attracts the largest galleries of any tournament in the world. Record attendance was 538,000 in 2008. In the first day of attendance for 2012 on Thursday the count was over 77 thousand people.

Prior to 1988, this PGA Phoenix Open tournament was played each year at the Phoenix Country Club near downtown Phoenix beginning in 1932 with a winning purse of $2,500 of which $600 was paid to Ralph Guldahl, the winner for that year! It is one of the oldest PGA Tour competitions.

Through  the years, golf legends that have played this tournament include Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Gene Littler, Billy Casper, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Davis Love, Johnny Miller, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to name just a few!

In 2012 the purse will be well over $6 Million Dollars with the winner taking over $1 Million Dollars of the total prize money.

The TPC Stadium Course is a Par 71, 7,216 yard, Jay Morrish/Tom Weiskopf designed Stadium Course. There are lush greens of manicured turf that are woven though natural desert washes, known as “arroyos” with Saguaro cacti and other beautiful desert landscape, with 72 strategically placed bunkers that create significant challenges for even the seasoned golfer!

The TPC course has been ranked by Golf Week as #6 of Top 30 Municipal Golf Courses in the US and by Golf Digest among the Top 75 Golf Resorts in North America. Beautiful Scottsdale real estate surrounds the TPC golf course that was designed to take advantage of the panoramic views and open spaces.

The Thunderbirds Charities organization has participated in this tournament for the last 77 years and donated millions of dollars to hundreds of Arizona charities. In 2011, the Thunderbirds donated over $4 Million dollars to over 100 deserving causes. Their donations range from $2,500 to $250,000 going toward a very wide range of programs and capital campaigns.

Not to be missed during the Phoenix Open, each evening during the tournament entertainment is provided at the Birds Nest- known as the “place to be” where you can “rock your socks off” to top names in the national music industry!

Whether you’re walking the course with the players or sipping on your beverage in the corporate areas there is fun for kids and adults alike at the Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.

OMG! It Happened To Me – Do I Declared Bankruptcy, Short Sale?

I’m scared to death! What’s going to happen to my credit, and how long will I have to suffer from this!

How many times have you heard this declaration and the question is asked, how long do I have to wait before I can get a loan, what will be the results of this action, and is short sale better then bankruptcy? We’ve heard it many times and see it even more on the Trulia and Zillow question and answer sites.

Sometimes the responses are not correct and the wrong answer is extended. We all know that referring these questions to the financial or legal experts is a must, but there isn’t any reason why we cannot give some guidance based on current laws. Here are some basic so you can guide your potential clients to the appropriate expert.

Item                                    FHA                    Conventional

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy         2 yrs.                  4 yrs.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy       1 yrs.                  2 yrs. After*

Foreclosure                       3 yrs.                   7 yrs.

Short Sale                        1 day/3 yrs.**      2 yrs.***

Deed in Lieu                     3 yrs.                   2 yrs.***

Note:

•   * Conventional financing available after Chapter 13 is fully paid off and then two years pass, or four years from dismissal date.

·         ** The following Short Sale rules apply for FHA:

• If Borrower is not late on any credit items; AND they are not Short Selling a HUD load, they only have to wait one day after the close of the Short Sale. The test is given:
  
• Was the transaction completed to take advantage of declining market conditions?
  
• Was a sililar or superior property purchased within a reasonable commuting distance from the original property?
  
• If Borrower is Short Selling a HUD loan or is default on the subject mortgage, they must wait 3 years.

·         *** For Deed-in-Lieu or Short Sales;

• 2 years if LTV is 80%
• 4 years if LTV is 90%
• 7 years, all other cases.

These rules can change and of course there are other extenuating circumstances that the subject matter expert can address during their consultation. This information is current as of this writing.

Lake Pleasant's Scorpion Marina and Yacht Club is a Success

Scorpion Bay Marina and Yacht Club at Lake Pleasant in Arizona is working hard to maintain their successful venture. The work on the $20 million Scorpion Bay Marina & Yacht Club, a 164-acre, full service marine development planned for the west side of Lake Pleasant, has completed the marina and is still working on it to make it even better. This is exciting news for the Valley of the Sun as we needed an updated marina. The lake is under the control of the Arizona Bureau of Management and it serves as a water resovior for the area. Although the depth of the lake fluctuates it is currently at 1,675 feet deep or at 71% full and rising.

Scorpion Bay offers amenities and conveniences that are unmatched in the industry. Parking is a breeze with their motorized tram. It will transport you and your gear from the parking lot to the dock walkway in just minutes. The new restaurant and bar is waiting for your arrival. They offer live music on the covered outdoor patio where family and friends can gather for a great experience while enjoying a fantastic view of the lake.

In addition to the restaurant there is a fully stocked convenience store and deli. Snack, sandwiched, pop, beer and just about everything you need for a fun filled boating experience. Don’t have a boat, no problem, boat rentals are available that include sport boats, pontoon boats, fishing boats, Kayaks and water toys.

Lake Pleasant is a 9,000-acre lake, located north of Peoria in the Valley's far north side and a favorite play area for Valley waterbabies. Close by is the community of Trilogy at Vistancia. It’s a planned community offering gold and every amenity you can imagine, it’s the ultimate resort life today with many home choices, to include the last phase of the new homes currently being built.

The Scorpion Bay Marina and Yacht Club will be located on the lake's west shoreline just north of the park's operations center in an area commonly known as "Dirty Shirt". Scorpion Bay will be located in a park-like setting that features state of the art facilities to serve the growing boating public. The plan is to develop a family friendly marina with all the amenities the boating public would find at any world class lakeside facility.

For more information about the Scorpion Bay Marina and Yacht Club, call 1-800-636-BOAT (2628) or visit http://www.skipperbuds.com/ on the Internet.

Below is a unique video about the marina that used a camera mounted on a remote controlled helecopter. This video is about four minutes in length.

Eagle Mountain Real Estate | Eagle Mountain Estates AZ

Eagle Mountain is a premier master planned golf community located in Fountain Hills, Arizona, exquisitely nestled upon the the ravines of the famed McDowell Mountains offering spectacular view of the mountains, desert, golf course, distant Phoenix and the whole valley. This gated community assures privacy and tranquility as well as promoting an active lifestyle for its residents. 

One of the major amenities with this community is the Country club and golf course. The Eagle Mountain Golf Club is a 4-star recipient of Golf Digest's Places to Play. Aspiring golfers can hone their golfing skills and sign up for a lesson with the finest fully-trained staff professionals or become a Resort Golf Academy member – Arizona's premier golf school destination. With two large putting greens, a chipping area, a practice bunker and a full-length driving range, it is no surprise that Eagle Mountain is in the top of the “must-play in Arizona” list. This community was recently voted as "Best New Public Course" by the Arizona Republic Golf Section.

Eagle Mountain real estate is sought after for its wide array of homes from condominium and town homes to luxury estates. Homes in Eagle Mountain feature gorgeous architecture, stunning landscaping, and a panoramic view of the valley, these and more at an affordable price.

Homeowners and guests can relax in the peaceful ambiance an exclusive retreat while being in close proximity to everyday conveniences in Scottsdale. Find your dream home and own a beautiful golf property in Eagle Mountain where you can wake up to a gorgeous sunrise and enjoy golden desert sunsets.

For inquiries on Eagle Mountain real estate in Fountain Hills, Arizona, just Email or call us at 480-595-6412.

To view current listings go to Eagle Mountain real estate listing

Looking into Chandler Real Estate

Chandler, Arizona has seen its fair share of up and downs over the century ever since its establishment back in 1913. The ranch turned town, turned city has experienced slow progress for over half of its history but has since prospered with its low population and now has over 230,000 residents as accounted by the recent census conducted in 2010. As little as the population had been, many famous athletes come from the Chandler area. Adam Archuleta of the Chicago Bears, Channing Frye of the Phoenix Suns, guitarist Tom Linton of Jimmy Eat World and former heavyweight boxer Zora Folley all come from Chandler, Arizona. Chandler real estate has suddenly become a point of interest since it is a very stable and affordable place to settle in and a lot of major industrial companies like Verizon and Intel have established industrial sites in the area.

As a matter of fact these employers are becoming the top sources of income in the Chandler area and have become a viable reason for many people to relocate into the area. The top employers as of 2011 include Intel with over 9,700 employees, Bank of America with over 3,500 employees, Wells Fargo with over 2,200 employees, Verizon Wireless with over 2,000 employees and Microchip Technology with over 1,500 employees. Other top employers include Avnet and Orbital Sciences.

A quick glance at any Chandler real estate portal, or at the town hall information center, or the Arizona Multiple Listing Service website you can easily get a grasp that there are a ton of affordable Chandler real estate properties available. For example there is a current real estate property at the time of writing that is going for $164,900. This is a private property spanning 2,052 square feet for the house and over 7,100 square feet for the lot. Where most houses at this price would be relatively average, this house carries four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a garage for four vehicles. That’s not the only deal you can find among Chandler real estate. There is also a property being sold for $99,000 at the time of writing and this has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and the house covers over 1,400 square feet. It isn’t an old, crumbly piece of property either. This house was recently built in 2004.

For those with a bit more money you can find a property worth $325,280 for sale at the time of writing. It covers over 2,600 square feet, has four large bedrooms, two bathrooms and one partial bathroom. It also has a study, an open patio and a three car garage. It has its own library area, a family and living rooms. This is an entirely new property with construction just completed in 2012.

Chandler, Arizona is enjoying a modern day growth in real estate value. Chandler real estate used to struggle with the poor source of income of the local area but with the spur of major companies setting up in the city the place has suddenly become a gold mine for those seeking affordable but comfortable and amazing property.

For more information call or email us or visit http://www.ChandlerRealEstateQuest.com for current Chandler real estate listings, neighborhood information, market reports and much more.