Hello Active Rain! Hello World! This is Donna Ball hailing you from Lake Havasu City, Arizona. I am one of those rare individuals that loves their life, their job, and their home (town). I love living in Lake Havasu. For me, desert living is the perfect lifestyle. Living in the desert next to a lake, makes perfect, perfection. I love living in the sunshine and watching the sun reflecting on the lake. I love watching the colors change to rainbow hues on the mountains. I love looking up at night and seeing billions of stars shinning down on me. There is very little rain to cloud my day; so who could ask for anything more. I love my job, real estate. Being able to help people find their perfect home is exciting to me. Helping sellers meet their goals is just as exciting. Living in the perf... 11/03/2008

No matter what your political affiliation, it is important for you to get out there next Tuesday, November 4th, and exercise one of your most precious rights as an American citizen...VOTE!  Here is a list of your local polling places in Lake Havasu City: Precinct #7 (Desert Hills) Desert Hills Fire Station - 3983 London Bridge Road Precinct #33 (Industrial) Lake Havasu Baptist Church - 2101 N Palo Verde Blvd Precinct #34 (Palo Verde) Hampton Inn (Old Holiday Inn) - 245 London Bridge Rd Precinct #35 (London Bridge) Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church - 1975 Daytona Dr Precinct #36 (SARA) Our Saviours Luthern Church - 3163 Maricopa Ave Precinct #43 (Smoketree) Mohave County Library - 1770 McCulloch Blvd Precinct #44 (Starline) Hilltop Community Church - 3180 McCulloch Blvd Precinct #52 (... 10/30/2008

It appears that the Lake Havasu real estate market is beginning to stabilize and may even be experiencing a turnaround.  Home sales have been up since January of this year.  They have leveled off in the last four months, but have remained consistent.  Lake Havasu listings are down 20% since September 2007.  This reduction in inventory means that more homes are selling.  Median home prices have also stayed consistently around or under $200,000 throughout 2008.  The median home price in September 2007 was $218,750.  This means that more people are able to afford to buy a home.  Even though home prices are lower, total sales are up by 64% from September 2007.  Typically, January is a high volume month for Lake Havasu home sales due to the increase of residents moving back to Lake Havasu fo... 10/23/2008

The latest statistics for the Lake Havasu real estate market show that single-family home sales in Lake Havasu were up 27% in September from September 2007 (87 single-family homes sold in September 2008 vs 59 in September 2007).  However, year-to-date numbers for September 2008 were down 9% from the same time last year (869 year-to-date in 2008 vs 952 year-to-date in 2007).  The average sales price has gone down from $262,663 in September 2007 to $240,509 in September 2008.  Vacant land sales were down from 6 in September 2007 to 4 in September 2008, but the total dollars in sales has gone up ($654,000 in September 2007 to $1,976,120), resulting from an increase in average sale price of $494,030 (vs $109,000 in September 2007).  Year-to-date average sales price figures for vacant land i... 10/16/2008

If you're in the market for your first home but your budget can't afford that beautiful, large, brand new home, consider a smaller home or a fixer-upper.  The trend nowadays with first time homebuyers has been to buy a bigger home in turnkey condition.  However, this may be out of your price range.  An older home in need of simple cosmetic work: paint, landscaping, window treatments and/or carpeting, can bring a huge discount on the price.  Many sellers are looking to sell a home quickly and decide against making simple changes.  Always make sure to get a home inspection before purchasing a property, however, to see what fixes a home is in need of.  That way, you are better able to weigh the cost of repairs against the discounted price of the home.  Keep in mind that equity will build u... 10/02/2008

The Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce is having its 12th Annual Happy Harley Days this Friday, September 26, with this years theme being "Leather & Lace". The event will be held at the Relics and Rods Hall at the Aquatic Center from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. The event is in celebration of the Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary. Tickets to this great event will sell for $250 for two admissions, two hearty steak dinner's, and a chance to win a new 2008 Limited Edition 105th Anniversary Harley Davidson Softail Fatboy. Harley Davidson fans will also get to enter the 50/50 drawings for chances to win cash and prizes throughout the entire day. Other prizes will be awarded throughout the evening, as well. There are only 175 tickets left, so don't delay and get yours soon. This will be a great event... 09/25/2008

Come to Rotary Park in Lake Havasu City on Saturday, September 27th for Family Safety Day.  This free event includes a bicycle obstacle course, car seat safety inspections, help with proper installation of car seats, crafts, free food, skateboard competitions, free bike registration and licensing, a bounce house, airbrush tattoos and free giveaways.  The local Lake Havasu Fire Department, Law Enforcement officials, FOP Lodge 47 and the city's parks and recreation department are sponsoring a Fire Truck Tug to benefit Special Olympics.  Three different categories will compete separately: up to eight men on a team, up to ten women on a team or co-ed teams of five of one gender and four of the other.  The cost of registration for each team will be $100, which can be raised through the membe... 09/18/2008

Many people in Lake Havasu City are starting to spend more time in their outdoor living space, as cooler weather approaches. Outdoor living space helps homeowners to enjoy nature at its best, and it increases the home's value. Many homeowners are expected to spend money on updating their homes. Some popular updates include the kitchen, bathroom, closet, and expanding their living space to the great outdoors. As budgets get tighter and tighter, many homeowners will be opting to add an outdoor living area to their home. It's one of the least expensive and most trendy ways to add to your home without breaking the bank. Outdoor living has become much more sophisticated over the years, more so in the last five years. Today's outdoor living spaces contain kitchens, living rooms, tv's, firepla... 09/18/2008

Where were you seven years ago when you heard the devastating news about the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and the heroic actions of a group of people on a plane downed in that Pennsylvania field?  Today, Lake Havasu City will gather at London Bridge Park to remember that day and honor the memory of those lost in the tragedies.  The ceremony will begin with a prayer and a moment of silence followed by a posting of colors and the National Anthem being sung by choirs from Thunderbolt and Daytona Middle Schools.  Local essay contest winners will lead the Pledge of Allegiance while presenting wreaths to place on the Sept. 11 Memorial in the park.  Lake Havasu's own Mayor Mark Nexsen and Joe Torillo, a retired New York City Firefighter injured during the 9/11 rescue and recovery, are set to spea... 09/11/2008

Many people from around the country will honor today's victims, and Lake Havasu City is not exception. Residents here will be honoring them with their own special ceremony. Flags will be raised at the 9/11 Ceremony at London Bridge Beach Park in Lake Havasu City, today. For many, images will come back that have forever been imprinted in their minds. Lake Havasu City residents believe it is important for everyone to take time out of their day, today, to remember those who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy. So, today's ceremony will start with an opening prayer from Ford Richardson, the Chaplain of the Veterans of Foreign Wars from Post 9401. Richardson's prayer will be followed by a moment of silence. The posting of colors will be conducted by the Lake Havasu City Fire Department... 09/11/2008

You know that a tidy front yard, beautiful foliage and gorgeous flowers go a long way in making that critical first impression on visitors to your home. But, another large, often overlooked area for possible positive curb appeal is your driveway. Thankfully, unless the driveway poses a safety hazard or is cracked and crumbling, creating an attractive entrance to your home is not an expensive process. One easy way to keep your driveway crack-free is to reseal it. You can find great sealants that also fill in small cracks by visiting your local home improvement warehouse. Adding low-voltage or even solar landscape lighting creates a lovely border for your driveway. Another great border option is a row of flowers, colored pavers or even a rock garden. And make sure that you don't forget th... 09/04/2008

Many residents around Lake Havasu City have a goal to have the cleanest lake on the Colorado River. So, they have banned together to pick up all the trash left behind by visitors and other careless residents. You know the old saying, "One mans trash is another mans treasure?" Well, that's not always true and, in this case, it would be great if everyone would trash their trash. The lake would be beautiful all the time without the unnecessary litter around it. Cleaning up the lake will become a monthly process for the Chemehuevi Tribe, the Lake Havasu Marine Association, and resident volunteers. Some of the last clean up volunteers included Mayor Mark Nexsen, Dean Barlow, Don Callahan, the Lake Havasu Yacht Club, Lakeland Marine, Tantrum Motor Sports and several others. Trash prevention w... 09/04/2008

Is your home starting to look a little worn around the edges and you want to sell, but you don't have the money to invest in a major overhaul?  There are a few quick fixes you can make that cost little money: A fresh coat of paint is a quick, easy, inexpensive way to brighten up a room.  A beautiful neutral color on the wall will bring an older home into the 20th century and appeal to a wide variety of potential buyers.  Painting the baseboards and other trim a bright white makes the walls pop even more. Lift up the carpet.  If there is salvageable hardwood underneath, you have hit the jackpot!  You can do your own staining and sealing quite easily and inexpensively, but hire a professional to sand down the floors.  This will typically cost you only $1-$1.50 per square foot.  However, i... 08/28/2008

It's that time of year for the 12th Annual Havasu Iron Man Extreme Golf Tournament. The tournament is growing each year with several great players. Last year's tournament raised over $16,000 for Lake Havasu City scholarships and youth groups. This year's tournament is expected to bring in much more. The Mohave State Bank, BJ's Cabana Bar, and Campbell Redi Mix will be this year's sponsors. Without these great sponsors, the tournament could not happen. This year's tournament players are coming from miles around. Some are coming from as far away as Missouri. They will all compete for the title of Havasu Iron Man Champ at three of Lake Havasu City‘s golf courses. The Havasu Island Golf Course, London Bridge West Golf Course, and London Bridge East Golf Course are all part of the game. The ... 08/21/2008

When Rick Williams' father passed away recently without establishing a will, Rick decided to team up with his partner, Steve Moss (Kelley, Moss and Williams), in cooperation with the Mohave County Senior Center to offer free estate planning for Lake Havasu City's senior citizenry from 9am-3pm on September 27, 2008.  They are planning to have four to six attorneys on hand that day to help seniors establish living wills, complete wills and durable and health care powers of attorney.  Additionally, notary publics and witnesses will be on hand to complete any necessary documentation.  Participants can expect it to take approximately 30 minutes to complete all legal documents.  Only seniors with assets of $750,000 or less are eligible.  However, those with more complex estate planning issues... 08/21/2008

Two stores in Lake Havasu are offering up a spectacular deal for their patrons.  If temperatures soar over 114 degrees Fahrenheit on Labor Day (September 1st), you can receive a full rebate of a previous purchase (within certain parameters).  Mexidona Fine Handcrafted Imports and Crown Jewels are both participating in this awesome deal.  Mexidona is offering the rebate on purchases made between August 1-23 and Crown Jewels is offering the rebate on purchases made between August 1-24.  Proof of purchase at these stores between these dates is needed for the rebate.  There is absolutely no catch.  Simply put, if the temperatures reach above 114 in Lake Havasu on Labor Day, your purchase between those dates at those stores is free.  The offer is backed by Promotion and Prize Indemnification... 08/14/2008

Lake Havasu City's Riverwalk area could be getting its first tenant soon.  Tom Flatley, the developer of the London Bridge Resort, is working on plans to build a 5-story combination retail and residential structure on 4.4 acres in the Riverwalk district.  The main floor of the complex would strictly be for retail shops and restaurants, with over 88 condominium complexes (one- and two-bedroom units) on the floors above.  They do have some requests for slight modifications to the rules regarding rezoning the area from a C-1 to a CRW usage.  These requests are being considered by Lake Havasu's Planning & Zoning Commission.  Opponents of the project say that many residents don't like the idea of more residential units along the channel and that the proposed height of the building would be ... 08/07/2008

Styles for Less has officially opened its doors to Lake Havasu City residents and visitors.  This is the fifth store to open at the Shops at Lake Havasu 's 109-acre shopping center.  Other shops that have already opened are JCPenny, Dillard's, Wal-Mart, and PetSmart. There are several more shops scheduled to open soon, such as Famous Footwear, American Eagle Outfitters, Kay Jewelers, Sally Beauty Supply, Michaels Arts & Crafts, rue21, Jus' Kidding, C.J. Banks, Christopher and Banks, Tropical Smoothie Café, Chacago Grill, Ah-So Steak and Sushi, Orseenie Coffee and Tea, #1 Nail Experts, a 10-screen UltraStar Cinema and more.  All these new stores will make it so convenient for Lake Havasu City residents and visitors.  It will give them a variety of stores all in one location. Many of the ... 08/07/2008

Another Beautiful Day in Havasu.  I just wanted to give you the "heads up" on some dates to mark on your calendars: According to the latest Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Calendar: October 4-12th will be the 27th ANNUAL IJSBA WORLD FINALS - (personal watercraft races) 8am to 5 pm, FREE Admission at the Crazy Horse Campgrounds. October 15-19th will be the 31st ANNUAL RELICS & RODS RUN TO THE SUN - Wed: Registration, Thurs: Poker Run and Cruise Night on McCulloch, Fri & Sat: Show & Shine at the Nautical Havasu Island Golf Course, Sun: Parade on McCulloch.  Admission: Fri & Sat $7 or $10 for both days. October 21st to November 1st is the 37th ANNUAL LONDON BRIDGE DAYS - Fun activities October 25th will be the ANNUAL CUPCAKE MOUNTIAN LIGHTING at 9pm, Cupcake Mountain (southwest-Califo... 07/30/2008

The financial reports this week were not the most glowing but if the truth is told things are not as bad as people fear. The economy is weak.The upside is that the economy is definitely in a slow growth phase but it is growing albeit slowly. The economy is not at a standstill and it is not in a recession. Corporate profits are still near-record levels at $1.5 trillion. Banks are reporting losses.The upside: The Financial sector of the economy is still fairly strong although not making the profits they made a year ago. Profits still totaled over $19 billion after adjustments for loan losses. The real estate market is weak and slow.The upside: the housing market continues to improve in more markets across the nation. Home sales are increasing not by leaps and bounds but by one sale at a t... 07/24/2008