| If you really know your American history (and/or | | | | will be high and not a particularly wise use of |
| have ever read the book or seen the PBS | | | | resources. |
| documentary Cadillac Desert) you understand full | | | | It's also popular to have private swimming pools in |
| well that settlement of the West and water | | | | climates such as we have here in the Phoenix |
| issues are inextricably bound - particularly in the | | | | area. Aside from tremendous drain on local water |
| desert areas where many people choose to | | | | resources, your Phoenix real estate agent will |
| make a phoenix real estate investment. | | | | advise you that a swimming pool, while lifting your |
| The fact is that without water, there would be no | | | | property's value, represents a considerable |
| Phoenix AZ real estate - nor the city of Phoenix | | | | investment in terms of maintenance and a |
| proper, for that matter. Fortunately, the Gila River | | | | potential liability as well. The possibility of someone |
| is nearby, as well as a number of creeks and | | | | being injured or drowned in your swimming pool is |
| reservoirs. Over 1300 years ago, these enabled | | | | something that home insurers take into |
| the Hohokam People to grow crops on the | | | | consideration when determining risk and potential |
| exceptionally fertile land. Almost a century before | | | | liability. |
| the time of King Charlemagne, the Hohokam | | | | In general, when planning to settle down in |
| created a highly developed civilization in the Valley | | | | Maricopa County, it's good to consider living in |
| of the Sun that endured for seven centuries. | | | | harmony with the environment rather than |
| Their systems of irrigation canals formed the | | | | attempting to adapt it to your own tastes. |
| basis of the modern metro area's water systems | | | | Choose a home with environmentally-friendly, less |
| today. | | | | water intensive landscaping. Make sure your home |
| Those of you planning to invest in Phoenix real | | | | has low-flow toilets and shower heads - then learn |
| estate or settle down in the area will do well to | | | | all you can about water conservation. The Arizona |
| remember however that Maricopa County is a | | | | Department of Water Resources at is a good |
| desert. Water is a precious resource, and in order | | | | place to start learning about the latter topic. |
| to maintain the quality of life we enjoy in this | | | | Meanwhile, your Phoenix realtor can help you to |
| area, it is important to practice water | | | | choose the perfect home that will meet the |
| conservation. | | | | needs of your family while making a minimal |
| Many Phoenix homes are landscaped using the | | | | impact on the environment and local water |
| native vegetation within attractively designed rock | | | | resources. Once you have chosen and settled into |
| gardens. While a home with a traditional lawn may | | | | the ideal home, you will come to appreciate the |
| appear to have greater value, the cost - both | | | | unique ecology and beauty of the Southwest |
| financially and ecologically - of maintaining a lawn | | | | desert on its own terms. |