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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

2019 Phoenix Open

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Phoenix Open

Starting this weekend, thousands of Arizona residents and visitors will head to North Scottsdale for the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Last year, the popular PGA Tour broke its attendance record by almost 64,000 people, reaching a total of more than 719,000 for the week! With next week’s weather forecast to be 70 and sunny, will they break the record again?

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
January 28th: Practice rounds, Kadima.Ventures Pro-Am
January 29th: Practice rounds, Kadima.Ventures Pro-Am, R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day, trick shot show
January 30th: Annexus Pro-Am, Phoenix Suns Charities Shot at Glory
January 31st: Round 1
February 1st: Round 2
February 2nd: Round 3
February 3rd: Round 4

ADMISSION & DISCOUNTS
“Ford Free Days”: There is no admission cost on the first two days of the Phoenix Open, Monday and Tuesday, January 28th & 29th. The pros will be out on the course for practice rounds.

General admission: Admission is $45 on Wednesday, January 30th, Thursday, January 31st, and Sunday, February 3rd; and $60 on Friday and Saturday, February 1st & 2nd .

Free child admission: Individuals 17 and younger are free all week with paid adult admission.

Military, vets and first responders: Military members (active duty, reserved, retirees and veterans) and police officers, firefighters and EMTs can get free (there is a $1 verification fee per person who applies)
admission for himself or herself, and a guest each day of the tournament. You have to register through “Birdies of the Brave” to claim the tickets.

FOOD AND DRINK OPTIONS
Food and drink is a big part of any event and the Phoenix Open will not disappoint!

El Rancho- Located on top of the hill near the 12th hole green, El Rancho has bleacher-style seating that has vantage points of the 12th green, 13th tee-box and 6th green and fairway. This year, El Ranch is expanding to 18,000 square feet. There will beer and tequila tasting, tables and umbrellas, and food.
Craft Beer Haus at 7: Opening on Wednesday, Craft Beer Haus will feature MillerCoors-owned craft beers, including Blue Moon and Leinenkuge. There will also be food and backyard-style games. It is located between the 6th hole fairway and 7th hole green.
FanZone: The FanZone is near the 9th green and is home to Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, Zinburger and Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant. Dierks will have a chicken wrap sandwich, chicken tenders and fries. Zinburger’s menu includes hamburgers, a crispy chicken sandwich, a double cheeseburger, and fries.
Bottled Blonde: Located near the 18th fairway, Bottled Blonde will have wrapped sandwiches, drinks and bottle service.

DATES January 28th – February 3rd, 2019
LOCATION TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, 17020 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Visit wmphoenixopen.com and coorslightbirdsnest.com for more information.

For more information on North Scottsdale real estate, give us a call at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077.

Valley Farmers Markets

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Farmers MarketFarmers markets showcase the bounty afforded us by Arizona farmers, growers and artisans. Lucky us, we have such beautiful winter and spring weather to enjoy the outdoor markets, one of the many reasons we love living here!

Farmers Market at the Mercado
Abby Lee Farms, Blue Sky Organic Farms, Relish This, Sun Valley Bees honey and Big Red’s hot sauce are among the vendors you’ll likely find at this farmers market at the Mercado del Lago shopping center at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale.
Details: Sundays from 9:30am-1:30pm November-February, and 9am- 1 pm March-May. Mercado del Lago, 8300 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. arizonacommunityfarmersmarkets.com

Fountain Hills Farmers Market
Beef steaks, hard-to-find seasonings from Go Lb. Salt, jam from Grandma Patti’s Kitchen and gourmet popcorn from Gypsy Jane’s are just a few of the things you’ll find at this weekly festival in Fountain Hills. Eat while you shop and visit vendors making grilled cheese and other dishes.
Details: Thursdays from 11am-5pm October-mid April. 16858 Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills. experiencefountainhills.com

Scottsdale Arizona Farmers Market
This market in Old Town Scottsdale has evolved into a weekly food festival, with demonstrations to show you how to prepare things farmers are selling. You’ll find dozens of farmers, ranchers and vendors selling coffee, vegan desserts, cheese, crostini, pasta, candy, tamales, soups, wild-caught Alaskan seafood, hummus, tomatoes, spicy pickles, grass-fed lamb, microgreens, frozen entrees, bread and more.
Details: Saturdays from 8am-1pm October-May. 3806 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale. arizonafarmersmarkets.com

Arizona Community Farmers Market
The state’s oldest farmers market offers one of the largest selections of produce, along with fresh chickens and grass-fed lamb. Dozens of vendors sell specialty foods, including cupcakes, jam, jerky, chili pies, wild salmon, tamales, green-chile stew and tortilla soup. The location is at a park with a playground, fishing pond, ducks and geese.
Details: Saturdays from 8am-1pm October-May, and 7-11am June-September. 3502 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix. arizonacommunityfarmersmarkets.com

Grayhawk Raptor Retreat Open House Sat 1/19/19 from 1-4pm

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We will be holding an Open House this weekend on Saturday 1/19/19 from 1-4pm in Grayhawk’s Raptor Retreat neighborhood at 7930 E Rose Garden Ln, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Call us at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077 if you would like more information. This gorgeous, remodeled one level home has 3+bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a heated pool & spa, and a 3 car garage. We hope to see you there.

If you would like to see homes in other Scottsdale neighborhoods such as Grayhawk, McDowell Mountain Ranch, DC Ranch, Gainey Ranch, McCormick Ranch, Desert Mountain, Troon, Sonoran Hills, Desert Ridge, Terravita, etc, let us know. We will send you listings for homes in your area of interest, and schedule showings for access to any homes that you would like to see

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

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Here is the Phoenix/Scottsdale area Monthly Real Estate Market Report for January 2019, which shows 6,508 homes sold in the month of December compared to 7,204 homes in December 2017. This is a 9.7% decrease for the number homes sold year over year. The market has slowed seasonally but remains strong with the average sale price is up 5.9% year over year! And the amount of listed homes is up by 3.5% to 17,745 from 17,128 in December 2017. Demand has slowed seasonally but remains strong going into January/February when the market improves seasonally. And sales activity is still constrained by the lower supply of listed homes. Supply of listed homes is just off a 5+ year low. The average days on market is down 3.2% from December 2017 to just 62 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

Grayhawk Raptor Retreat Open House Sat 1/5/19 from 1-4pm

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We will be holding an Open House this weekend on Saturday 1/5/19 from 1-4pm in Grayhawk’s Raptor Retreat neighborhood at 7930 E Rose Garden Ln, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Call us at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077 if you would like more information. This gorgeous, remodeled one level home has 3+bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a heated pool & spa, and a 3 car garage. We hope to see you there.

If you would like to see homes in other Scottsdale neighborhoods such as Grayhawk, McDowell Mountain Ranch, DC Ranch, Gainey Ranch, McCormick Ranch, Desert Mountain, Troon, Sonoran Hills, Desert Ridge, Terravita, etc, let us know. We will send you listings for homes in your area of interest, and schedule showings for access to any homes that you would like to see.

Grayhawk Raptor Retreat Open House Sat 12/22/18 from 1-4pm

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We will be holding an Open House this weekend on Saturday 12/22/18 from 1-4pm in Grayhawk’s Raptor Retreat neighborhood at 7930 E Rose Garden Ln, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Call us at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077 if you would like more information. This gorgeous, remodeled one level home has 3+bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a heated pool & spa, and a 3 car garage. We hope to see you there.

If you would like to see homes in other Scottsdale neighborhoods such as Grayhawk, McDowell Mountain Ranch, DC Ranch, Gainey Ranch, McCormick Ranch, Desert Mountain, Troon, Sonoran Hills, Desert Ridge, Terravita, etc, let us know. We will send you listings for homes in your area of interest, and schedule showings for access to any homes that you would like to see.