Hiking in Scottsdale

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Pinnacle Peak
Did you know Scottsdale was once named by National Geographic as one of the nation’s top 15 hiking destinations? With more than 400 miles of well-maintained trails in the area, it’s no surprise. If you’re planning a hike in Scottsdale, here are a few popular ones:

Gateway Loop Trail

The Gateway Loop Trail is a peaceful and solitude trail away from the city bustle. The 4.5-mile trail only gains 655 feet in elevation perfect for a nice leisurely walk through the desert or for trail running. The trail loops you back around to your starting point. www.mcdowellsonoran.org

Lost Dog Wash

Once an old jeep tour route, Lost Dog Wash climbs a low ridge into the McDowell Mountains. Spectacular views of surrounding landmarks like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West as well as other mountains like Camelback and Pinnacle Peak can be seen from this trail. The trail only gains about 380 feet in elevation, the out-and-back length of just over 5 miles. www.mcdowellsonoran.org

Go John Trail

If you want to see a desert tortoise? Then you may want to hike the 6-mile Go John Trail. It loops around jasper-studded hills with a few moderate bursts of difficulty. The trail features views of nearby Spur Cross Ranch, and in the spring there are blooming wildflowers throughout. www.maricopacountyparks.net

The Scenic Trail-McDowell Mountain Regional Park

Located near the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the Scenic Trail is good for families because it has a wide variety of scenery without too much elevation gain. Enjoy the sights of the Verde River and Superstition Mountains as well as springtime wildflower blooms. If you walk the full trail out and back and you’ll cover nearly 7 miles. www.maricopacountyparks.net

Pinnacle Peak

If you’re ready for a moderate workout, this Pinnacle Peak trail is a great choice. The smooth, wide trail leads you to the summit where you’ll enjoy expansive views of the Valley. Be alert for wildlife, as your hiking partner may be friendly quail, jackrabbits, cactus wrens and road runners. The trail is 3.5 miles out-and-back, with an elevation gain of approximately 1,300 feet. www.scottsdaleaz.gov

Spring Training

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Spring Training
Attention baseball fans! It’s that time of year again-baseball Spring Training time. Spring Training 2019 begins this weekend! Baseball under the warm Arizona sun has been a tradition since 1947 when the Cleveland Indians and New York Giants came here to prepare for the season ahead of them. Now, the Cactus League’s 15 teams call Arizona home for Spring Training and Scottsdale is fortunate to be home to the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies and our home team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Baseball fans come from all over the country to warm up and watch their favorite teams play at Scottsdale’s premier baseball facilities.

Scottsdale Stadium was originally built in 1965 and is home to the San Francisco Giants. It has been called “the gem of the Cactus League ball parks” for its awesome location right in the middle of historic and scenic downtown Scottsdale and a short walk to a wide selection of restaurants, clubs and art galleries. Visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov for the Scottsdale Stadium spring training schedule.

The Salt River Fields is the latest and greatest in spring training stadiums and consists of separate training facilities and clubhouses accommodating each team along with an 11,000 seat main stadium with a roof structure designed to provide plenty of shade. The stadium also offers open fan observation area and batting cages. In addition, if you are not into peanuts or cracker jacks, then SRV has you covered. They not only offer traditional baseball fare, but also food for vegetarians, gluten-free options, and high end dining. Visit www.saltriverfields.com for the Salt River Fields spring training schedule.

To view homes for sale in the Scottsdale area before or after a game, give us a call! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Phoenix/Scottsdale Real Estate Market February Update – January 2018 Stats

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Here is the Phoenix/Scottsdale area Monthly Real Estate Market Report for February 2019, which shows 5,474 homes sold in the month of January compared to 6,198 homes in January 2018. This is a 11.7% decrease for the number homes sold year over year. The market has slowed seasonally but does remain strong with the average sale price is up 3.9% year over year. And the amount of listed homes is up by 9.1% to 19,338 from 17,441 in January 2018. Demand slowed a bit at years end but remains strong going into February/March when the market improves seasonally. And sales activity has been constrained by the lower supply of listed homes. Supply of listed homes has come up from a 5+ year low. The average days on market is down 5.8% from January 2018 to just 66 days.

Click here to see the full December 2018 Market Report & Statistics

Give us a call or text us at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077 and let us know 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 more helpful articles. – Chris & Cheryl Park

Love is in the Air!

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Valentines Day

Love is in the air this week for Valentine’s Day. If you are still looking for an idea how to celebrate, treat your Valentine to one of these romantic Valley dining destinations.

Palo Verde Restaurant at the Boulders
February 14th, 2019
4:00pm–10:00pm
$78 per person
Romance and scenic views are on the menu at the Boulders Resort’s Palo Verde Restaurant. They are offering a four-course, pre-fixed Valentine’s Day dinner. Choose from a bounty of delicious options, including fresh seafood, Beef Tenderloin, Osso Bucco and a shareable chocolate dessert for two. www.theboulders.com

Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn
February 14th, 2019
5:00pm–10:00pm
$85 per person
Toast love this year at Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn. Chef Jeremy Pacheco and the Lon’s culinary team have prepared a delicious multi-course menu that pairs perfectly with one of the nearly 700 wines featured on the restaurant’s award-winning wine list. Menu highlights include creamy Lobster Bisque, Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef Striploin, Atlantic Halibut, and Dark Chocolate Cake. www.hermosainn.com

T. Cook’s
February 14th, 2019
5:00pm-10:00pm
$135+ per person

Celebrate this Valentine’s Day at Royal Palms Resort and Spa’s most romantic and iconic restaurant, T. Cook’s. Executive Chef Alex Robinson will be preparing a special four-course, prix-fixe menu paired with a Veuve Clicquot Rose toast. Enjoy delicious dishes such as Coffee Rubbed Beef Tenderloin and Basil and Mascarpone Tortellini and end the evening with their Dark Chocolate Cherry Decadence. www.royalpalmshotel.com

Verde Canyon Railroad
February 14-16th, 2019
1:00pm
$129 per person
If you have time for a day-trip, drive 2 hours north of Scottsdale to Clarkdale to enjoy a scenic ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad. The Chocolate Lovers’ Special features flowing fountains of chocolate, irresistible pastries and desserts, as well as breathtaking views from your cozy seat in the first-class car. Pair your sweet treats with a flight of Verde Canyon Railroad’s private-label wines for an added blush of romance. www.verdecanyonrr.com

When you are ready to look for a new home to fill with LOVE, give us call! Chris 480-754-9477 & Cheryl 480-754-9077

Letting Go of Your Home

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home for saleFor many people, selling a home is a process that is filled with emotion because they have lived in their homes for years creating memories. Others are facing necessary moves because of unfortunate circumstances. Even sellers preparing for a desired move are likely to face some feelings of attachment to their home that can threaten to interfere with the sale process. Despite the difficulty, emotionally detaching yourself from your property before listing it is the first step in ensuring a smooth sale.

Here are some tips to help you let go of your home:

If the move is necessary, but unwanted then be honest with us. We are accustomed to working with sellers in all sorts of different and difficult situations. Being upfront with us about potential problems will enable us to act in your best interest.

We use the assistance of a professional stager. She will help you remove your personal items and neutralize the home so that buyers will view it as a blank slate. This can help accelerate your process of moving on and seeing your home for what it is when it is for sale.

Leave the property when buyers come to look at your home and allow realtors to handle the showing. Lingering sellers can cause potential buyers to feel uncomfortable and may interfere with their perception of the property, and observing any negative reactions that buyers may have will only make the process of letting go more difficult for the seller.

When you are preparing to pack your belongings, take photos of your favorite spots in your home to preserve memories. Focus on your next step and new opportunities that selling your current home will provide you. Even if now is not your preferred time to move, focusing on the highlights of your new home and neighborhood will start the excitement about the transition.