While scrolling through new listings in the Arizona Regional MLS today, one listing jumped out at me.  The main photo was not unusual.  The list price versus square footage looked accurate for the area in Scottsdale.  In fact, everything looked great.  But the list price caught my eye as they used only one number when creating this listing. Listing agents will tell you it's best to include zeros as the 4 or 5 digits of every price because you don't want to miss out by using 9s.  But what about numbers that give you bad vibes?  Not wanting to misunderstand that aspect of listing a home for sale, I consulted Google and found these answers. Number 13: In many Western cultures, the number 13 is considered unlucky. This is why some buildings skip the 13th floor, and some people avoid hosting... 06/16/2025

What does someone do for fun after several successful careers have ended, and the next adventure begins? Well, truth be told, the sky’s the limit.This June 2025 Anna “Banana” Kruchten opened the points store, and I decided it was time to go shopping. I started my shopping spree at the tennis shop near my house.After watching the last match of the French Open tennis tournament hosted at Roland Garros in Paris, France, I realized time might be running out for me to become a top player. The men’s championship match at Roland Garros, between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain was a five-hour marathon fought by two of the finest young talents to come into the game in years.The quality of the match, which will be talked about for years, spurred a level of enthusiasm in me I ha... 06/18/2025

Singer Johnny Cash once sang, “I’ve been everywhere, man. I’ve been everywhere.”I’m not as lucky as Johnny, as I haven’t been everywhere. Everywhere is probably too big a goal for one lifetime. But I have a goal to go to as many places as I can before the day comes that travel is no longer a possibility.Domestically, I have traveled to forty-five of the fifty states (yes there are still only fifty) having spent at least one full day in each, some states, Illinois, Florida, and Wisconsin have been fortunate enough to have me as a guest for longer stints.Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Louisiana, and West Virginia, watch out! You are on my radar.A few years ago, my wife and I made a goal to visit each continent at least once.So far, we have been to South America visiting both Sao Paulo and Rio de ... 06/19/2025

Is this really a challenging question? You love Garden Gnomes you say. OK many of us do. Do you go to them for REAL ESTATE advice?You may have questions about real estate and seek out some of the wisest and oldest truths,  such as:1. Where do I find the best home to buy? 2. Should I start with a "lowball offer"?3. Do I really need to spend money on an inspection?4. Should I wait to buy a home until the market is better than now?You have these questions and not sure whom to ask? You could ask me as your personal REALTOR®... "OR" you could ask the usually friendly, reliable but sometimes erratic and misunderstood "Garden Gnomes".You prefer to start with the garden gnomes this time, you say? OK, OK. Your REALTOR® is probably busy and the Garden Gnomes are sitting around outside, in where e... 06/18/2025