Phoenix/Scottsdale Real Estate Market April Update – March 2018 Stats

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Here is the Phoenix/Scottsdale area Monthly Real Estate Market Report for April 2018, which shows 9,596 homes sold in the month of March compared to 9,242 homes in March 2017. This is a 3.7% increase for the number homes sold year over year. And the average sale price is up 9.1% year over year, while the amount of listed homes is down by 15.4% to 16,814 from 18,990 in March 2017. Inventory of listed homes is still well below last year at this time, and demand continues to remain strong going into Spring. The average days on market is down 6.6% from March 2017 to just 71 days. (Click on the link below or the image to view the full Market Report)

Click here to see the full March 2018 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 Spring, 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.

Scottsdale Culinary Festival 

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food festival photoA local favorite, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival is back next weekend, attracting more than 30,000 people from around the region to enjoy the sights, sounds and taste of Scottsdale’s local culinary scene. The annual event featuring over 40 local restaurants, bands, a cooking challenge and more will take place April 14-15th at the Scottsdale Civic Center.

Sponsored by the Cocktail Society, this year’s event is expected to draw major crowds as it celebrates a major milestone of 40 years. The Local Lounge, presented this year by Hensley Beverage Co., will showcase local wineries, craft beer and spirits from around the state. Additionally, a beer garden will feature more than 30 Arizona breweries and over 250 beers on tap.

After eating and drinking the local fare, make sure to hop over to the four performance stages that will be featuring a variety of bands and musicians. This year’s headliner is the rock band Everclear, performing on Saturday night. Also, 90’s Pop Band Eve 6 will open for Everclear.

Don’t forget that all the proceeds benefit local nonprofit Scottsdale League for the Arts. Founded in 1992, the SLA provides grants and funding for local artists, art programs and art education through special events like the Culinary Festival and other fundraising efforts.

This family-fun event is the perfect opportunity to try different Scottsdale restaurants and discover the great local flavors. Kids can enjoy face painting, bouncy houses and fun performers like magicians.

With a variety of cuisines, there’s something for everyone at this year’s festival. The festival will be broken up into different passport sections, including the European Plaza, American Square, Latin Hill, Asian Village and Sweet Street.

Tickets are still on sale and can be purchase up until the day of the festival! It’s one of our favorite local events, and is a great opportunity to support local restaurants, all while benefiting a great cause.

We are Scottsdale local area real estate experts.  Browse this interactive map to learn about neighborhoods and view homes for sale listings.

Fantastic Scottsdale Luxury Communities

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McDowell Mountain photoWhat better place is there to retreat from the commotion of city life other than in the calmness of a cool Southwest summer night and the serenity of watching the sunset over the desert night-sky? Beautifully decorated by the colors of the desert, Scottsdale provides a unique serene environment for true relaxation. Deep in the shadow of the McDowell Mountains, lie several beautiful golf courses, luxurious resorts, and fine dining against the beautiful backdrop of the Sonora desert. Scottsdale is popular for its many elegantly planned communities within which are hosted breathtakingly beautiful luxury properties up for sale.  Here are some of our favorite:

One of such communities is the DC Ranch. Providing several beautifully designed Spanish styled luxury homes, with a spectacular environment located on the hillsides overlooking the valley of the sun.  DC Ranch has beautifully maintained grounds with many walking and biking trails.

click here to view homes for sale in DC Ranch. 

Ancala is a north Scottsdale community spanning over 850 acres of land in the Sonoran desert. It is a luxurious residential area providing spectacular scenery of the McDowell and Camelback mountains, amazing amenities and beautiful prestigious luxury homes. It is located south east of Loop 101 and is conveniently located to the best of what Scottsdale has to offer.

click here to view homes for sale in Ancala.

Grayhawk is another beautiful north Scottsdale community with close to 3800 homes all located in a beautiful and serene environment with an amazing views of the Pinnacle peak and the McDowell Mountains.  Grayhawk has beautiful golf grounds, excellent schools and offers quick access to many popular amenities in Scottsdale and North Phoenix.

click here to view homes for sale in Grayhawk

Neighborhood Spotlight: Fountain Hills

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Located just Northeast of Scottsdale, the community of Fountain Hills is a unique and interesting town that offers outdoor recreation, a thriving art community and dozens of local events that unit the residents.

Home of the fourth largest fountain in the world, Fountain Hills features a spectacular 560-foot fountain in the center of town. Serving as the focal point for the community, it’s a point of pride for residents. Taller than the Washington monument and the Great Pyramids, the fountain was built in 1970 and sprays for 15 minutes every hour between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Fountain Hills downtown photoThe thriving downtown area offers family-friendly entertainment, while catering to an art-cantered adult community. The downtown area offers a sprinkler splash pad for children to run through during the hot summer months, and a robust Farmer’s Market and Art Walk. The Fountain Hills artist’s gallery is owned and operated by 30 local artists that create and sell their work in the heart of the Fountain Hills. If you’re looking for a history of Fountain Hills, stop by the River of Time museum that offers historical background on the area.

Fountain Hills also offers over 50 miles of biking and hiking trails, including outdoor Jeep tours, kayaking, golf courses for outdoor activity year-round. Notable hiking trails including the Tonto National Forrest, McDowell Mountain Preserve, and Saguaro Lake – located 20 minutes away from Fountain Hills.

And you can’t forget the annual fairs! The Fountain Hills Great Fair takes place every February, bringing over 500 artisans and craftsman to the small community with free admission. It also includes musicians and restaurants from all over the world.

If you’re looking for a lively option, don’t forget about Fort McDowell Casino, offering a variety of dining and cocktail options, all surrounded by the environment of fun card games and slot machines. It’s the state’s largest card room! The casino also offers live music and shows on a weekly basis.

Located just 25 minutes from the airport, Fountain Hills is a great option for those wanting a more serene living option that gives the convenience of being close to Phoenix. Surrounded with expansive mountain views and natural desert landscape, Fountain Hills offers family-friendly fun with a unique artist community and thriving downtown environment, all within a short drive to the bustling city of Phoenix.

Click here to learn more about Fountain Hills and view homes for sale.

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

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Here is the Phoenix/Scottsdale area Monthly Real Estate Market Report for March 2018, which shows 7,046 homes sold in the month of February compared to 6,532 homes in February 2017. This is a 7.3% increase for the number homes sold year over year. And the average sale price is up 7.2% year over year, while the amount of listed homes is down by 12.9% to 17,319 from 19,869 in February 2017. Inventory of listed homes is still well below last year at this time, and demand continues to remain strong going into Spring. The average days on market is down 8.7% from February 2017 to 74 days. (Click on the link below or the image to view the full Market Report)

Click here to see the full February 2018 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 Spring, 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.

 

Great Staycation Resorts for Locals

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Montelucia Resort Spa photoWhen summer hits, the rush to hit the road and go for a nice vacation trip begins. Before you know it, what was meant to be a nice time to relax might begin with a big headache with all the stressful traveling plans you have to make and the hassles of airport transportation, airline tickets, booking a rental car, and time wasted at congested airports. So instead of hitting the road the next time you want to go on vacation why not have an awesome time right in your own backyard.

The Valley is home to several vacation wonders that will simply blow you away. With their luxurious spas and pools, secluded romantic gardens, exclusive golf courses and exquisite dining, all you need for a wonderful vacation is right here at home. Here are some of the best deals you can go for:

  1. The Boulders Resort and Spa: beautifully perched at the foot of the black mountain the boulder promises a peaceful vacation at very low summer rates. From luxurious casita accommodations to the legendary 33,000-square-foot Waldorf Astoria Spa, four swimming pools, a world-class golf course and scintillating dishes at the newly designed restaurants. This peaceful paradise offers summer amenities and programs specially designed to give you a blissful getaway.
  1. Sheraton Grand: a truly traditional resort proudly showcasing the culture, art, and legends of the Pima and Maricopa Tribes. This award-winning holiday getaway at Wild Horse Pass is located on the Gila River Indian Community near Chandler, Arizona. The guest rooms all have a cultural theme. It also has two golf courses at Whirlwind Golf Club, and you can get a well-deserved relaxation and transformation at the Aji Spa. The wild horses, for which the location is named after, can be seen from the patio at the Kai Restaurant while enjoying an amazing dining experience here.
  1. The Hermosa Inn: A trip to the Hermosa Inn is literarily a visit to Paradise. This luxury, the hotel is located in a residential area in one of Phoenix most exclusive neighborhoods, Paradise Valley.  The resort boasts of enchanting new deluxe casitas and newly-renovated guest casitas. With a true Southwest experience provided by an Arizona-themed decoration, garden settings, and private patios. The Inn Is also popular for its superior cuisine and excellent wine list
  1. Tempe Mission Palms: talk about finding the right spot, this hotel is located at just the right place with more than 100 restaurants, bars, and shops within a fairly walkable distance from it. Located in the Mill Avenue District Downtown Tempe, the hotel also has a metro train station in its vicinity, allowing you to quickly take a trip by train to explore neighboring towns if you so desire.
  1. Royal Palms Resort and Spa: located in Phoenix Arizona, make your staycation a romantic gateway at the Royal Palms. Situated on a nine-acres plot at the base of Camelback Mountain, the resort is built on the original Spanish Revival villa of Delos and Florence Cooke, and is home to a very large collection of Mediterranean art and exotic flora giving it a unique romantic feel. It is well-suited for honeymooners and longtime loves looking for a truly romantic holiday get-away.
  1. Arizona Biltmore: located in central Phoenix, “the jewel of the desert” as it is fondly called provides for your holiday enjoyment luxurious gardens, dining, and accommodations, Tennis and golf course, and everything else you need to pamper yourself on your vacation. It has a three in one paradise pool, and a 92-foot waterslide, providing unlimited poolside amusement. the pool also has a spacious and comfortable indoor sitting area with HDTV and full bath, a private patio area with chaise lounges and table and chairs, and offers special food and beverage service.

Click here to learn about Scottsdsdale and surrounding areas’s neighborhoods.

Why Now could Be The Best Time To Sell your Home

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Scottsdale home photoYou’ve probably heard that spring or fall is the best time to list your home for sale. But with the recent changes in tax legislation and potentially rising income rates, many buyers are looking for homes to buy.

While several homeowner tax breaks still exist under newly enacted laws, there are worries that housing prices might decline over the next few months as a result. This is particularly a worry in geographic areas where prices are inflated.

Another negative thing about the new tax laws for homeowner is the state and local tax deduction. Previously, homeowners in areas with higher property taxes could deduct those bills in full. Under new tax law though, the deduction is maxed out at only $10,000, meaning that homes with higher property taxes might not be as appealing to buyers.

Many individuals looking to buy a home won’t fully grasp the consequences of some of these new tax laws. But additionally, if you previously got a huge tax break — such as a $20,000 property tax deduction — those will no longer be available under the new reformed laws. This law is specifically focused around high-property value cities like New York City and Los Angeles, but can still influence perception of the overall market.

Finance experts recommend keeping your home costs to less than 30 percent of your take home pay. If the new tax laws are making your home costs jump, consider selling while interest rates are still low for buyers.

Speaking of interest rates – industry forecasters are concerned that the national average of interest rates could rise to over 5 percent in 2018. Currently, the average mortgage rate is around 4.5 percent, which is the highest it’s been in 4 years. Mortgage rates have not peaked over 5 percent since 2011.

Another great reason to sell your home is the fact that home prices are likely at their peak. One study estimates that over the last year, home prices raised 6 percent in much of the country. This makes it a great time to potentially cash out on all that equity or refinance for a lower interest rate.

No matter your situation, several signs are pointing to this spring being a great time to sell your home. Contact the Sibbach Group for a confidential consultation If you are thinking of listing your home in this sellers-market.

Click here to read February Phoenix and Scottsdale Real Estate market Update

Noteworthy Happy Hour Places in Scottsdale

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happy hour photoNorth Scottsdale is a place for having good leisure time. It is widely known to have some of the finest golf courses which attract numerous people across the planet. However, beyond the golf courses and the beautiful landscape and real estate scene, North Scottsdale also has a long list of wonderful locations where you can visit together with your friends and co-workers. These locations, called happy hour places, offer drinks, meals, and other shopping and leisure activities at very good prices within a stipulated period of time. To help you grab seats with ease, we have compiled the best happy hour places in North Scottsdale. Check them out and visit when you can.

  1. Market Street Kitchen

Located in the DC Ranch area, Market Street Kitchen offers happy hour every day for a period between 4-6pm. Here, their happy hour specialties include grilled fish tacos, summer melon salad dressed in a sweet tea, grilled chile pork stew, and more. The regular prices for these meals could range from $8 to $14. However, during happy hour, these prices are slashed by half. They also have drinks which range from Three Olives flavors to craft beers at $5.

  1. Sapporo Scottsdale

Sapporo Scottsdale is located in Southern Kierland, with happy hour offerings running from 3pm to 7pm on weekdays. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, happy hour is slated for 10pm-close. More interestingly, Sapporo Scottsdale offers happy hour specials throughout the summer – every day during the summer. Beverages could start from $5 while wines have a price range of $5-$12 including pineapple martini, ginger bourbon lemonade, and more. The available specials are beef sliders, hoisin bbq ribs, tuna lettuce wrap, et cetera.

  1. Armitage Bistro

Armitage Bistro can be found at DC Ranch. At Armitage Bistro, they offer happy hour every day of the week starting from 4pm to 7pm. The offers include spirits, martinis, wine, and food such as Armitage fries, Margherita flatbread, grilled artichoke, and toasted ravioli. They take $1 off drinks and beers, and the wine offering ranges from $5-$14.

  1. North Italian Farmhouse

The North Italian Farmhouse is also located in Kierland. Unlike most happy hour locations, North Italian Farmhouse run their happy hour specials every hour of the day on Sundays. On Mondays to Fridays, happy hour specials are available between the hours of 3pm-6pm. The eats include chef’s board, salads, Zucca chips, chef’s pizza of the day, and spiced nuts. Drinks include sangria, beer and well drinks which could cost from $2-$5.

  1. Twisted Rose Winery

Located off Northsight, Twisted Rose Winery has similar happy hour schedule as North Italian Farmhouse, but it is more organized and entertaining. Happy hour specials are available at Twisted Rose Winery from 3pm-6pm Mondays to Fridays. The Twisted Rose Winery menus combine handcrafted wines, martinis, and beers with twisted up dishes that give a wine focus. They have daily offerings from Mondays to Fridays which implies that specific specials are available on specific days. For instance, on Wineastic Wednesday, all bottles of wine become available at half the original the price; TGIF Friday is entertainment-focused with wine-tins of $7 and lots more.

  1. Brio Tuscan Grille

Brio Tuscan Grille is located around Scottsdale Quarter with happy hour offers that last Monday to Friday between 3pm-6:30pm. Brio Tuscan Grille is more flexible than other locations in its happy hour specials as it also becomes available in the bar on Mondays to Thursdays by 9pm-close. For a tasty treat, you will have to start with $3.95 for eats such as Brio burger, Tuscan tasters, and Pepperoni Flatbread.  Drink specials for sangria, cosmos, mojitos, and more start at $5.

 

Conclusion

North Scottsdale is a place where you can easily find top restaurants serving really delicious meals at good prices. During their happy hours though, you just won’t want to miss out because of the varieties of meals and drinks plus the discounts and unbelievable low prices they come with. The next time you are thinking of a good happy hour location in North Scottsdale, just scroll through this article, visit anyone of your choice, and let us know what you think.

Click here to learn about Scottsdale neighborhoods by map.

 

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 2018, which shows 6,198 homes sold in the month of January compared to 6,013 homes in January 2017. This is a 3.0% increase for the number homes sold year over year. And the average sale price is up 10.3% year over year, while the amount of listed homes is down by 13.7% to 17,441 from 20,200 in January 2017! Inventory of listed homes is still well below last year at this time, and demand continues to remain strong going into the winter/spring. The average days on market is down 12.5% from January 2017 to just 70 days. (Click on the link below or the image to view the full Market Report)

Click here to see the full January 2018 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/spring, 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.

Best Golf Courses in Scottdale 

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golf photo

With more than three hundred and thirty days of sunshine each year, Scottsdale certainly provides the best weather for a fun recreational golf game. If you are a golf lover already living in Scottdale, you are probably familiar with some, or all of the golf courses. While playing golf, one thing all of us want is to have as much fun as possible, even professional players can attest to this simple truth.  But, you cannot have a fun game on a bad course – that will only frustrate you.  Also, how can you enjoy a good golf game on a course where you have to spend more than half of the time of play looking for your balls or your opponent’s? That will rub off all the fun from the game. These golf courses listed here gives you enough room to hit your ball and find it easily off the tee. This makes the game more interesting and fun. Remember the aim is to have as much fun as possible!

The following courses are some of the more popular golf courses in Scottdale but that’s just our opinion, we’ll like to hear yours especially if you’ve ever played in a golf course in Scottdale.

1. Troon North ($189-$249)
Troon North is one of the courses in Scottdale. This public course is made up of two courses – Pinnacle Peak course and Monument course. The Pinnacle Peak course is set at the base of a Pinnacle while the Monument course which is considered the better of the two is named after the Monument under the third hole. The Troon North golf course has 36 holes, all designed in desert style by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morris. Both courses provide spectacular views and with tees placed high above fairways. The course also have a few carries and good vistas from the tees making it easier for balls to be found. The Troon North also provides extensive practice facilities, so if you will like a little warm-up before the actual game, you can do so with ease.

2. TPC Scottdale ($108-$299)
The newly renovated TPC’s Champion Stadium and Stadium Course at TPC Scottdale is a course everyone should at least visit once in a while. With great Clubhouses, golf instructions, PGA tour level golf and lots of practice equipment, TPC Scottdale is more than just a golf course, it’s a whole new experience. What’s even more exciting about this course is the finishing stretch which includes two risk-reward holes – one over water (the par-5 15th) and the other drivable (par-4 17th), making every game as dramatic as possible.

3. Camelback Golf Club ($100-$200)

The Camelback golf course features two courses – the Padre course and Ambiente course both of which were recently renovated by Jack Snyder, Hurdzan Fry Environmental Golf Course Design. The renovation have made the courses more Eco-friendly, which is one of the major aim of the renovation in addition to improving the course layout, making it easier for players to keep up with their games. The course features rolling terrains, undulating fairways and cutting drop in elevation. There are no forced carried in any of the courses making it friendly almost every golfers especially beginners.

4. Grayhawk Golf Club 

Grayhawk Golf Club features two great desert courses – the Raptor Course and Grayhawk’s Talon Course. The Raptor course seen as the better of the two courses was designed by Tom Fazio and has been used to host major PGA tour events. The Grayhawk’s Talon Course was designed by David Graham and Gary Panks and features the par-3 17th and the drivable par-4 13th.

Scottsdale provides you with the best clear whether any golfer will ever hope for to play in. So, if you’re planning on visiting Scottsdale or even already in town, don’t miss this opportunity to play in some of the best golf courses in the country.

Click here to learn about Scottsdale’s Neighborhoods by map.