Desert Living: Why Arizona is the “It” Place

If you’re thinking about relocating to Arizona, you’re in for a treat. There are a lot of incredible reasons to love Arizona, so whether you’re a new resident or a local who’s lived here your whole life, you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy about this great state. Though the long-time residents of Arizona have always known how wonderful it can really be, it’s beginning to be more and more popular with people looking to move somewhere with a great climate and plenty to see, do, and get involved in, too. Check out the list we’ve put together below to see what might draw you to Arizona, too.

desert back yard photoThe Desert Scenery

You can’t beat the kind of scenery going on in Arizona. This state is full of incredible vistas and amazing mountain ranges, desert colors and flora and fauna you’ll have to see to believe. Depending on where you live, you might even have a great view of the desert right outside your own window.

Plenty of Outdoor Experiences

Do you love getting out and exploring the great outdoors? How about biking, hiking, horseback riding, or playing outdoor sports all year round? With the great weather in Arizona, you can do all that and a lot more. Plus, there are so many incredible outdoor locations to explore that you’ll never run out of options.

Wine Country

Arizona has a great wine country, especially in the Sedona Valley region. There are tons of great wine tours you can join just about anywhere in the state, and most vineyards will gladly offer a tour as well.

Golf, Golf, Golf

Arizona is where it’s at when it comes to golfing. There are dozens of golf courses in any given part of Arizona, so no matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it. And if you live in a gated community you may even end up with a golf course as part of your home’s amenities, too!

Great Local Cuisine

Foodies are falling in love with Arizona because of the unique cultural dining experiences to be found throughout the state. Don’t be afraid to try all the variations of cactus you can find, including jelly, honey, and even margaritas made with cactus ingredients.

Get to the Grand Canyon

Last but not least, the Grand Canyon is in Arizona, and you can get there pretty easily from anywhere in the state. Visiting this site is a unique experience every time, so it’s worth it to get out and explore—especially if you’ve never gotten to before.

Property Taxes: What to Expect

laptops photoAre you a first-time homebuyer or someone who hasn’t purchased a home in a long time? Do you find yourself wondering what to expect when it comes to property taxes? This is a common question that tends to come up pretty quickly when the topic of buying a home is addressed. Many first-time homebuyers are cautioned to keep their property taxes in mind when budgeting for their new home, and with good reason. Depending on where you live, your property taxes could be significant, and they could make a big difference in the overall price of your home and your monthly mortgage payment as well. Below, we’ve outlined some important information to help you learn what you can about what to expect and how to prepare for your property taxes.

How is property tax calculated?

Property taxes were created as a way to pay government employees of your town or county (such as police officers, firefighters and others) for their work. Therefore, it’s up to your local government to determine your property taxes. In order to do this, your home and the property it sits on are both assessed based on the market value of other houses that have sold recently in your area. You can also figure out an estimated property tax price by multiplying the tax rate you pay in your area by the value of your home in its assessment. You can do this yourself, and you can also ask your realtor to help you determine the property taxes on any home you’re looking into purchasing. You should have at least some idea of property taxes before you make an offer on your home.

When are property taxes paid?

When you purchase your home, you will need to pay property taxes as part of your closing costs. Depending on how you are buying your home, the way in which you make this payment may differ. For example, in some instances, you’ll need to pay these through a cashier’s check or another similar method. In other instances, you can group the payment into the same check you use to pay the rest of your closing costs. The time of year in which you close on your home will affect how much you need to pay in property taxes at the time, too; the rate will be prorated so that you only pay for the months in which you will own the home in the given year. When the next year begins, your taxes will go up to their normal annual amount.

Are you considering pre-qualifying for a mortgage loan?  Contact us or call  480.754.9477 or 480.754.9077.

Exploring Scottsdale’s Art Scene

Indian Art photoAre you new to the Scottsdale area, or are you a resident looking for something exciting to check out that you might not have seen before? Did you know Scottsdale has an exciting and vibrant art scene just waiting for you to discover it? There’s a lot to do in Scottsdale when you’re interested in art, and most of it is focused in and around the Main Street Galleries in downtown Scottsdale. Check out the recommendations below and see for yourself what makes this such an incredible place to tour, learn, and enjoy art.

The Bonner David Galleries

Visit the Bonner David Galleries to enjoy both contemporary and traditional artwork that strays a little bit outside the norm when it comes to the topics and presentation alike found in these unique and stunning pieces. This is a favorite stop on the downtown Art Walk, but you can stop by any time the gallery is open and take time to peruse the collection at your leisure. You’ll enjoy a little bit of everything, from the abstract to portraits and more.

The Legacy Gallery

For nearly three decades, The Legacy Gallery has been a well-known and beloved part of the world of western art. With two other locations in the United States, the Scottsdale version cycles through it gallery displays regularly, so it pays to visit more than once. The focus of the art in this gallery is all western, but you may find some beautiful wildlife and landscape work in amongst the other pieces on display too.

Mainview Gallery

When you want to see a little bit of everything in your art gallery experience, the Mainview Gallery is sure to please. Take a look at the different exhibits put together by this gallery to enjoy a little bit of western artwork as well as still life, landscapes, portraits and more. This is a calming gallery with soothing pieces that will inspire you and encourage you to come back to check it out again and again.

Scottsdale Art Auction

In the middle of the Main Street Galleries, you’ll find the Scottsdale Art Auction, the Southwest’s largest auction dealing in western and wildlife artwork. This is an exciting place to visit when you’re looking to purchase new art for your home. Stroll through the massive showroom and don’t forget to check the calendar for the dates when the auction will be live, too.

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Phoenix/Scottsdale Real Estate Market January Update – December 2017 Stats

Here is the Phoenix/Scottsdale area Monthly Real Estate Market Report for January 2018, which shows 7,204 homes sold in the month of December compared to 7,164 homes in December 2016. This is a 0.6% increase for the number homes sold year over year. And the average sale price is up 8.6% year over year. The amount of listed homes is down by 13.1% to 17,128 from 19,692 in December 2016. Inventory of listed homes is still well below last year at this time. And demand continues to remain strong going into the Winter. The average days on market is down 15.7% from December 2016 to 64 days. (Click on the link below or the image to view the full Market Report)

Click here to see the full December 2017 Market Report & Statistics

Give us a call or text us at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077 if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home this winter, as the strong market continues to be good for both buyers and sellers, or if you have questions about this information. And don’t forget to explore our website AzDreamHomesScottsdale.com to see Scottsdale area homes and helpful articles.