Heidi Hutchins, Arizona Realtor

10/12/2026

Who do you know who is interested in buying or selling real estate? Your referrals are the highest compliment I can receive.

10/11/2026

How did Beijing clean up the air pollution?

Beijing was able to clean up the air pollution for the 2008 Olympics, and much of the improvementhas been maintained. I asked how.

They moved pollution causing factories further outside the cities. They prohibited coal burning. Apartments were switched to non-coal burning heating. Someone just showed up at your Condo and changed it, whether you wanted it or not. At first people complained because the new units were more expensive. Then the government subsidized it and paid 70% of the cost.

Finally, in the weeks leading up to the Olympics, they launched rockets to make it rain for a couple of weeks straight. Then, right before the Olympics, they launched other rockets to stop the rain. Beijing had the most beautiful weather it had ever had for the Olympics.

Also, they implemented rules that cars can only drive 4 days a week, Monday through Friday, based on license plate numbers.

“If the Chinese government wants to accomplish something, it can do it!”

10/11/2026

Is it you?

10/10/2026

October 10th is National Cake Decorating Day!

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

Lessons about personal finance and how money works can be included in books you read to children. Here are some suggestions.

Reading books to your children is fun, and one of the great joys of parenthood is watching them lear...

10/08/2026

Contact me if you are interested in selling, buying or investing in real estate.

10/08/2026

Real Estate in Xi’an China

China is:

· Politically - pure Communism

· Economically - free market

The government owns all the land. When people talk about “buying” a condo or an apartment in China, they are really entering into a 70-year lease from the government. Many people now live in large high-rise complexes.

Both of our guides, Yale and Jenny had parents who were farmers and grew up without running water or electricity. They both described their childhood as austere. Now, however, they and their parents all live in condos.

Our guide asked, “Do you think the Condos all look the same inside, or are they all different?” I expected a cookie cutter type of development. I was wrong.

When they finally saved enough money to “buy” a condo (guides’ parents paid cash), all they got was a concrete shell! Each “buyer” then customized everything.

A 100 sq meter apartment is about 400k in Chinese Yuan in Xi’an China (for the 70-year lease). The new Condo owners usually hire a contractor to do everything. (A Home Depot opened briefly but went out of business.) It will easily be months for the contractor to do all the work. They pick everything, so all the condos are highly individualized. Most people have high end Japanese TOTO toilets and all the latest appliances in new condos.

10/06/2026

Are you ready for a fresh start?

10/05/2026

Terracotta Warrior Making
As part of our tour in Xi'an, China, we learned about the craftsmanship and attention to detail that artisans poured into each of the Terracotta Warrior statues. We had a chance to make our own statue to take home as a souvenir.