Warren Buffet believes the housing market downturn will end in 2011. In his annual letter to shareholders he wrote,
Prices will remain far below ‘bubble’ levels, of course, but for every seller or lender hurt by this there will be a buyer who benefits. Indeed, many families that couldn’t afford to buy an appropriate home a few years ago now find it well within their means.
Don Grafues
Resource: REALTOR.org

Map of 50 states' Well-Being

Component parts to Arizona's Well-Being,
Gallup has an
interactive graph on all 50 states’ well being. The national average Well-Being index is 65.9. Hawaii has the highest overall Well-Being Index score (70.2) while West Virginia scored the worse (60.5). Arizona is 21
st with a score of 66.4, slightly above the national average. To view the map on the Gallup site click on the tab labeled “Well-Being”.
Don Grafues
Resource: Gallup
A Chandler man was
arrested on February 16 on suspicion he gutted his foreclosed home. If you are a regular reader you may recall our December 31 post titled “
;Strip Your Home And Do Time”. Stripping or gutting your home when it is being foreclosed is illegal in Arizona.
This particular suspect was turned in by his neighbor. Another way that police are catching people accused of this crime is by monitoring Craig’s List on the web. A red flag goes up when they see a seller offering appliances, doors, faucets, etc.
Don Grafues
Resource: azcentral.com

Ground fissure near Picacho, Arizona.
The Arizona Geological Survey has produced a new fissure map for the Dragoon Road study area in Cochise County. You can see the map at
http://azmap.org/fissures.
Fissures develop when the ground settles following drops in the groundwater table. The Dragoon Road fissure is close to an agricultural area that uses a lot of water.
The first fissure was noticed in Arizona in 1927. Ground fissures can be found in six southwestern states and in other countries such as China, Greece and Kenya.
Don Grafues
Resource: AZ Geological Survey
Cochise County sheriff announced a rabies clinic in Benson at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic on February 20. A number of wild animals in the county tested positive for rabies so protecting your pets is important. More information can be found
here.
Don Grafues
Resource: Arizona Range News
Want to generate a fifth of the electrical energy you use in your home? And do it efficiently and economically?
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REALTOR.org ran an article on January 25 about how long you can expect certain materials, fixtures and appliances to last.
- Aluminum roof coating: 3-7 years
- Enameled steel sinks: 5-7 years
- Security systems: 5-10 years
- Carpet: 8-10 years
- Smoke detectors: fewer than 10 years
- Faucets: 10-15 years
- Garage door openers:10-15 years
- Air conditioners: 10-15 years
- Asphalt: 12-15 years
- Termite-proofing during construction: 12 years
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Cochise County Health Department announced it will provide regular H1N1 vaccination on Thursdays from 8:00 AM to Noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM every Thursday beginning January 14 at the following Health Department locations. All age groups may participate and there is no charge for the vaccination. 50 doses will be available at each location each Thursday and will be administered on a “first come, first served” basis.
- Benson, 126 W. 5th St., (520) 586-8200
- Bisbee, 1415 Melody Lane, Bldg. A, (520) 432-9400
- Douglas, 515 7th St., (520) 805-5600
- Sierra Vista, 4115 E. Foothills Dr., (520) 803-3900
- Willcox, 450 S. Haskell Ave., (520) 384-7100
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