• http://ww2.chandler.k12.az.us/

• http://www.chandlerchamber.com/html/education.htm

Due to a booming city population and open enrollment laws, Chandler Unified School District is one of the fastest-growing districts in the state. Serving 22,000 students, the district opened seven schools in the last ten years. The district now consists of 17 elementary, 3 junior highs and 2 high schools. Chandler's high school students consistently score top marks on college-entrance exams, and Hamilton High School is one of the most technologically advanced schools in the country. Arizona State University is located just 15 miles north of Chandler; the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University are within a two-hour drive.

Because of their outstanding educational programs, most of the schools in our district have been cited for excellence by both the Arizona and U.S. Departments of Education. Anderson Elementary School received the Arizona "A+ School Award" in 1995-1996, and was designated a "Blue Ribbon School" in 1997-1998 by the U.S. Department of Education.

To read more about the Blue Ribbon Program you can visit their site at www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/BlueRibbonSchools/.

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• Gilbert Unified School District

Gilbert Public Schools enjoy a reputation for quality and excellence, combining academics, cultural expression and athletic achievements. Outstanding personnel and beautiful, well-maintained facilities are the keys to their educational programs.

• Gilbert Elementary Schools

• Gilbert Junior High Schools

• Gilbert High Schools

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• Mesa Unified School District

Mesa USD is Arizona's largest school district, with 72,000 students, innovative programs, modern facilities, and nationally recognized schools. The school district is committed to excellence in its 49 elementary schools, 12 junior highs, 5 high schools and various special alternative programs. Programs include vocational education (grades 7-12), special education, gifted, creative and performing arts, and English as a Second Language. A variety of alternatives, including basic schools, Montessori programs and an arts-integrated elementary school, are also available to Mesa families.

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The costs of buying a home may be daunting. For example, you may have finally saved enough for a down payment on your first home, with a little left over to buy the furniture you will need. Then you hear about having to pay closing costs you weren't anticipating, and this may seem like a real setback.

One way to cover such a shortage is to make the sellers an offer that calls for them to credit you for some of the closing costs. As a rule, the sellers may pay a maximum of 3 percent of the sales price if the buyer is putting five percent down. If the buyer is making a down payment of 10 percent or more, the seller can contribute up to 6 percent of the sales price to cover the buyer's closing costs. Some items, such as prepaid taxes and the first month's mortgage payment, must be paid by the buyers. Sellers may also contribute to paying the appraisal, points, title insurance, settlement attorney fees, state or local transfer taxes and similar items.

Keep in mind that if the credit is included in the price of the house, the appraiser will have to justify the amount, based on sales prices of similar homes in the neighborhood.

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