Scottsdale AZ Real Estate & Lifestyle

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Heather Tawes Nelson

Halloween 2014 Events in Scottsdale and the Phoenix Valley

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– Halloween and Fall Events in Scottsdale – 2014 –

MacDonalds Ranch Scottsdale Pumpkin HallloweenIf you have ventured into any stores lately, it feels like Halloween has already been here for weeks. But, now it is just over a month away and I thought I would compile a list of some Halloween and Fall Festival Events going on in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas.

PUMPKIN PATCHES, PARTIES AND FESTIVALS

  • MacDonald’s Ranch Pumpkin Patch – MacDonald’s Ranch is located in North Scottsdale and is one we visit annually. Take a hay wagon ride or train ride out to the pumpkins and pick out your favorite.  Plus, there are tons of activities, a petting zoo, a maze, pony rides and more. It opens on October 1st and runs through Halloween. It is open daily, except for Tuesdays.
  • City of Scottsdale’s Fall Festival –  On October 25th from 5-9PM, the City of Scottsdale is hosting a free Fall Festival. There will be costume contests for kids and pets, games to play, a haunted forest, pumpkin decorating, fireworks and more.
  • Mother Nature’s Farm –  This family-owned farm is down in Gilbert has a ton of activities for kids and adults to enjoy including a maze, air bounce, animals and more. People are encouraged to bring a picnic and make a day of it or you can buy food on-site. Opens October 1st and runs through October 31st.
  • Desert Botanical Garden’s Great Pumpkin Festival –  From October 23-26, the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix will be hosting its annual Great Pumpkin Festival. There is a hayride to the pumpkin patch, live music entertainment and more. Price included with DBG admission and it is free to members.
  • Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party – Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek is going all out for their Pumpkin and Chili Party this year. The party will be taking place Thursdays through Sundays during the month of October. Besides picking out a pumpkin or enjoying some chili, you can also ride on a roller coaster, catch some pig racing or a BMX show, navigate through corn mazes and so much more.
  • Vertuccio Farms – Vertuccio Farms in Mesa is the site of another fun Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch. In addition to pumpkins and hay and corn mazes, there are lots of other activities including an air bounce, an 1800’s variety show, spider crawl, slides and more. Food available for sale. It runs daily from September 27th through November 2nd.
  • Enchanted Trail – The Enchanted Trail can be found at the Rio Salado Audubon Center on October 17, 18 and 19. This evening hike allows you to see and learn about nocturnal desert animals. Participants get to make a mask, perfect for Halloween.
  • Phoenix Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo and Howl-o-ween – Boo! at the Zoo runs from October 20-26 from 9AM to 5PM and features pumpkins, a maze, a scavenger hunt and more. Howl-o-ween will be taking place from 6:30-9:30PM on October 24-25. Come dressed for tricks and treats, including animal encounters, a DJ, haunted trails, magic shows and more.
  • Cave Creek Wicked on October 25th – From 11AM to 4PM, come enjoy family-friendly costume contests for kids, dogs and horses, trick or treating and lots of fun activities. Starting at 7PM, events for adult fun are planned including a bar crawl and costume contests.

 

PREPARE TO BE FRIGHTENED 

Here are three attractions that feature haunted houses, terror and more. Obviously, these are not for the faint of heart…

  • Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare – The Great American Nightmare is now open at WestWorld in Scottsdale.  It features three different haunted houses and other frightening experiences. It is open on Friday and Saturday nights through mid-October and then switches to Thursday through Sunday nights through November 1st.
  •  House of Screams Haunted House – This haunted house is located on Thunderbird just west of I-17. In this attraction, you are trying to avoid being one of homicidal Clyde Bailey’s next “victims.” A portion of the proceeds will go to Alice Cooper’s The Rock Teen Center and Bosom Buddies of Arizona, a breast cancer awareness non-profit. It opens September 27th and runs through November 2nd.
  •  AZ Field of Screams – The Field of Screams is located in Glendale. Here, you navigate a cornfield maze, waiting for the next horror to appear. Open Friday and Saturday nights from October 3rd through October 31st.

Bocara – New Upscale Homes Coming to North Scottsdale

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– Bocara North Scottsdale – New Home Development by Camelot Homes –

Bocara luxury homes Scottsdale AZA new community is coming soon in North Scottsdale. Located on the eastern side of Scottsdale Road, just north of Pinnacle Peak will be Bocara. Bocara is an intimate community of fifty residences built by Camelot Homes.

Bocara will be an elegant, gated community with plenty of open space for residents to enjoy. There are even plans for a common garden area where homeowners can plant, cultivate and share vegetables and more.

The homes are set back off of Scottsdale Road and many have lovely mountain views in the distance. The community is conveniently located and is just a minute or two from the nearest shopping and dining. And, the Loop 101 freeway is just a few minutes down Scottsdale Road.

Bocara Models and Floorplans

Bocara offers three floorplans with options to have anywhere from three to six bedrooms as well as two and one-half to six bathrooms. All of the floorplans are single-level and were designed with energy efficiency in mind.

The smallest floorplan is one with three bedrooms and two and one-half bathrooms. It comes with 3,106 square feet and base pricing starts at $744,900. From there, you can go all of the way up to a five bedroom, six bathroom home with 4,142 square feet. Three car garages are included and a fourth car garage is an available upgrade on some homes.

Additional options include a second story loft, a guest casita and more.

Lot sizes range from approximately 11,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet.

Currently, base model pricing runs from $744,900 to $802,900. And, as with all new homes, any upgrades or options will be additional.

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If you would like more information about the homes or would like a tour of Bocara, please contact Joyce Tawes at (480) 209-7843 or via email.

Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Prices, terms and details subject to change. 

Things to Do in Scottsdale AZ – October 2014

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– Scottsdale Events for October 2014 –

Scottsdale Pinnacle Peak MountainIt is hard to believe that September is already halfway complete and that October will be here shortly. But, with that in mind and thinking about the cooler temperatures to come, here are some upcoming events in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas.

  • October 1 –  The Eagles will be playing at the Gila River Arena, (the Jobing.com arena) in Glendale. The will be bringing their “History of the Eagles – Live in Concert” tour and will be in town for one night.
  • October 11 – The Phoenix Zoo is holding its annual Rendez-Zoo event. This upscale fundraiser features food from top area restaurants as well as a seated dinner by the lake. Learn about the zoo initiatives, experience a preview of Zoo Lights and bid on auction items.
  • October 15-16 – A Taste of Cave Creek is back. Head on up to Stagecoach Village in Cave Creek to enjoy food and drink from over twenty-five Cave Creek eateries. Enjoy live music as you enjoy the fresh air and good fun.
  • October 17 – Taste of the Town at Scottsdale Quarter – Enjoy some of the Valley’s best food and drink as well as live music at this annual event. There will be a silent auction and proceeds benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
  • October 25-26 – The Polo Party is back for its fourth year at WestWorld and promises to be even bigger and better. In addition to exciting polo action, there will be food events, fashion shows, after parties and so much more.
  • October 27 – November 2 – The Charles Schwab Cup returns to the Cochise Course at the Desert Mountain Golf Club. See top players battle it out for the title.
  • October 29 – Jo London is teaming up with Jaguar for an event based on Jaguar’s new ad campaign “It’s Good To Be Bad.”  From 6-10PM, come view the latest and greatest  Jaguar models as well as enjoy some tasty food and drink.
  • October 31 – November 2 – The Thunderbird Artists are back for the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival. Stroll through the Carefree Town Center and enjoy some wonderful art that includes paintings, sculptures, mixed media and more.

These are just a few of the many fun events coming up in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas. Feel free to add other events in the comment section.

Reciprocal Golf Program for Top Scottsdale Area Courses

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– Ten Scottsdale Area Golf Courses Offering Summer Reciprocal Golf Program –

Scottsdale AZ Golf CoursesMany of Scottsdale and the surrounding area’s top private golf clubs collaborated to put together a reciprocal golf program for the summer month.

We are entering the final few weeks of the program as the courses are being prepared for overseeding, but there is still plenty of time to participate and play a few new courses.

The participating clubs are:

  • Desert Highlands – Scottsdale – Last day of play is September 21st
  • The Boulders – Scottsdale/Carefree – Last day of play is September 7th
  • DC Ranch – Scottsdale – Last day of play is September 28th
  • Troon Country Club – Scottsdale – Last day of play is September 21st
  • Pinnacle Peak Country Club – Scottsdale – Last day of play is September 21st
  • Ancala – Scottsdale – Last day of play is September 28th
  • Firerock Country Club – Fountain Hills – Last day of play is September 28th
  • Phoenix Country Club – Last day of play is October 5th
  • Blackstone Country Club – Peoria – Last day of play is September 28th
  • Tonto Verde – Rio Verde – Last day of play is September 21st

 

How to Participate:
Members will need to contact the golf shop at their respective clubs to make reservations. Reservations will need to be made several days in advance and the names of all of the players will be needed at that time. Costs are $30 plus tax for members and $70 plus tax for guests.  Some clubs will allow you to bill back to your account and others require payment up front. Proper dress required.

There are some great courses on this list and it is a wonderful way to get out and explore some new terrain and areas of the valley.

 

Note: Dates, terms and prices are subject to change. Please consult with your Golf Shop for availability and bookings.

Scottsdale AZ Luxury Home Market – August 2014

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– Scottsdale AZ Luxury Home Market Performance for August 2014 –

Contrary what we have been seeing elsewhere, some of the Scottsdale luxury price points had a very good August.

In this report, I am reviewing the activity of the luxury home market in Scottsdale. All of these homes have asking prices of $1 million or more. And, since there can be quite a bit of variation as prices increase, I have split the data into four price bands for further analysis.

Each price segment includes 12 months of the followingScottsdale Luxury Home in Troon information:
Active – The number of homes for sale at the end of the month.
Pending – The number of homes under contract at the end of the month.
Sold –  The number of home sales that month.

– August 2014 –

Scottsdale Homes Priced Between $1,000,000 – $1,499,999
– Active Scottsdale Homes on the Market: Inventory was actually up in this price point, whereas it has been decreasing elsewhere. It is still under the 12 month average of 247.
– Pending Scottsdale Home Sales: Pending sales were also up at the end of the month, something we did not really see elsewhere, which is a positive sign.
– Scottsdale Homes Sold: However, only 16 homes sold in August, well under the 12 month average of 28 and the lowest we have seen since January.
–  Sales Price to Listed Price: 96.2% – This is the highest we have seen this figure in many months.

Scottsdale home sales between $1 and $1.5 million August 2014

Scottsdale Homes Priced Between $1,500,000 – $1,999,999
– Active Scottsdale Homes on the Market:  Inventory dropped to 117 at the end of the month, well under the 12 month average of 143.
– Pending Scottsdale Home Sales: Pending homes were much lower in August and the lowest we have seen in the past year.
– Scottsdale Homes Sold:  Eight homes sold again in August, on par with July and lower than the 12 month average of eleven.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 97.7% – This is a strong figure and higher than we were seeing earlier in the year.

Scottsdale home sales between $1.5 and $2 million August 2014

Scottsdale Homes Priced Between $2,000,000 – $2,999,999
– Active Scottsdale Homes on the Market: As we have seen virtually everywhere else, inventory was down at the end of the month.
– Pending Scottsdale Home Sales: Homes under contract stayed level with July and came in at 10.
– Scottsdale Homes Sold:  Seven homes sold in August, which was more than double the sales in July and was ahead of the 12 month average of 6.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 92.4% – This is lower than we have been seeing over the past few months.

Scottsdale home sales between $2 and $3 million August 2014
Scottsdale Homes Priced $3,000,000+
– Active Scottsdale Homes on the Market: Inventory was actually up at the end of the month and was back over the 100 mark.
– Pending Scottsdale Home Sales: Only three homes were pending, which is the lowest we have seen since last September.
– Scottsdale Homes Sold: There were five sales in August, which is really strong. The 12 month average for this price point is 3.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 90.8% – This figure has been hovering in this range for the past few months.

Scottsdale home sales over $3 million August 2014

The Scottsdale luxury real estate market had a mixed month. Sales activity was strong in the $1-$1.5M range and the $3M and above range. Interestingly enough, these two price bands were also the only ones to see inventory increase. Sales in the $1.5M-$3M range were level. Since pending sales were down in most price points, I anticipate September to be a little quieter.

If you would like additional detail on home sales activity, please visit my Scottsdale Luxury Home Market Reports page and click on the downloadable “Scottsdale Market Trends” report.

Search Scottsdale Luxury Homes for Sale

Disclaimer:  Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Data and information was pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of  9/1/2014 and can change at any time. The analysis looks at single-family luxury resale homes in Scottsdale AZ over the last 12 months. There may be new home inventory in these figures if the developer is using the MLS to market its homes. This blog represents the opinion of the author. No warranties implied or expressed. Copyright © 2014 Heather Tawes Nelson | Joyce Tawes

Phoenix and Scottsdale AZ Luxury Condo Sales – August 2014

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– Luxury Condo Sales in Scottsdale and Phoenix – August 2014 –

Scottsdale Waterfront ResidencesWe saw another slow month for luxury condos throughout the Valley. This slowdown is something we see seasonally as the market takes a break during the warmer summer months.

This report will take a look at the sales activity of luxury condos with asking prices over one million dollars.


ACTIVE LISTINGS AT THE END OF AUGUST

Inventory was down two twenty at the end of the month. This was down one over July.

Typically Scottsdale has more units on the market than Phoenix, but last month twelve of the twenty were in Phoenix with the remaining eight in Scottsdale.

The Landmark  in North Scottsdale continues to be the community with the most expensive unit for sale. This elegant luxury penthouse has three bedrooms, three and one-half bathrooms and 4,877 square feet. The asking price was $3,450,000, but at the end of August the price was reduced to $3,100,000.

The Mark community in Old Town Scottsdale is where you will find the lowest priced luxury condo.  It is a two bedroom, two and one-half bathroom home with 2,451 square feet. It is listed for sale for $1,000,000.


PENDING LUXURY CONDO SALES IN SCOTTSDALE AND PHOENIX

At the end of August, there was a single pending sale in this category. This particular home was located on the ninth floor in the sought-after Scottsdale Waterfront Residences community. It had two bedrooms, two and one-half bathrooms and 2,265 square feet. The asking price at time of contract was $1,450,000.

LUXURY CONDO SALES FOR AUGUST

There was also a single sale  in August and this unit was also located in Scottsdale Waterfront Residences. It was a two bedroom, two and one-half bathroom penthouse with 3,363 square feet. It had been listed for $2,900,000 and ultimately sold for $2,182,000.

Scottsdale Phoenix Luxury Condos August 2014

As predicted, August was a quiet month for this segment of  luxury market. And based on a single pending sale, I anticipate September will be another quiet one.

Learn More About Phoenix and Scottsdale Luxury Condos

Search Phoenix and Scottsdale Luxury Condos for Sale

 

Disclaimer:  Days on market figures are cumulative days on market. Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Data and information was pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 9/1/2014 and can change at any time. The analysis looks at resale luxury condos in Scottsdale and Phoenix over the past 12 months. Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.  There may be new condo inventory in these figures if the developer is using the MLS to market its homes. This post represents the opinion of the author. No warranties express or implied.
Copyright © 2014 Heather Tawes Nelson | Joyce Tawes

Scottsdale AZ Single Family Home Sales – August 2014

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– Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Home Sales in August 2014 –

Scottsdale AZ Luxury Home As Scottsdale continues through its low season, we saw the expected corresponding drop in home sale activity in August. Inventory, pending sales and home sales were all down.

SCOTTSDALE HOME SALES ACTIVITY – AUGUST 2014

The graph below charts out the previous twelve months of real estate activity in Scottsdale. You will see data for the following three categories:
– Single-family homes for sale are shown in red.* 
– Pending home sales are shown in green.*
– Home Sales are shown in purple.


AUGUST 2014 RESULTS

Scottsdale AZ Home Sales August 2014

  • Active Scottsdale Homes for Sale: Inventory dropped again. It has been dropping steadily since March and was down 3.3% over the end of July. This is well below the 12 month average of 2,071 homes for sale.
  • Pending Homes Sales in Scottsdale: As anticipated, pending sales were down in August to 273. This is the seasonally slow season and this figure came in below the 12 month average of 317.
  • August Home Sales in Scottsdale: A total of 360 homes sold in August. This is the first time it has dropped into the 300’s since March 2014. The 12 month average for sales is 366.

The next chart takes a look at two things, the rate of change from month to month as well as a peek into sales prices as compared to list prices.

The top section shows how the categories change from month to month. For instance, pending sales were down 10.5% between the end of July and the end of August. And it is interesting to look at the patterns. Looking at active homes on the market, you could see the sharp increase as sellers put their homes back on the market last Fall as well as at the beginning of the year. Then, we see inventory going down as we moved into the slower summer months.

The lower section compares sales prices of the homes with the prices they had been listed for. This figure has been pretty level through the last year and in August, buyers, on average, received a 4.1% discount off of asking price.

 

Scottsdale Real Estate Activity August 2014

August was a quiet month for Scottsdale home sales.  The positive takeaway is that this is in line with the seasonality we see every year and as we move back into the high season, we should see things start to pick up again.

Search Scottsdale AZ Homes for Sale

 

*Figures for active homes for sale and pending sales are based on the numbers at the end of the month.

Disclaimer:   Data and information were pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of  9/1/2014 and can change at any time. The analysis looks at single-family resale homes for sale and home sales in Scottsdale AZ over the last 12 months. Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. There may be new home inventory in these figures if the developer is using the MLS to market its homes. This post represents the opinion of the author. No warranties express or implied.
Copyright © 2014 Heather Tawes Nelson | Joyce Tawes

Things to Do in Scottsdale: September 2014

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–  Noteworthy Scottsdale Area Events in September 2014 –

The Musical Instrument Museum Phoenix AZAs we look forward to the cooler temperatures the next couple of months will bring, I wanted to share some ideas of things to do in Scottsdale this September.

SEPTEMBER 2014

  • September 6 – Brazilian Day at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – Enjoy Brazilian music, dance, entertainment, food and more at this afternoon event.
  • September 8 – The Polo Party Preview – Excited about the polo event coming up in October? Here is your chance to socialize top American polo players at the elegant Omni Montelucia.
  • September 10 – Sassi’s Food and Wine Series– Explore the food and wine of Piemonte Italy in this month’s demonstration class.
  • September 10 – Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons  are coming to the Celebrity Theater to sing some of their trademark hits.
  • September 12-14 – Pickin’ in the Pines in Flagstaff – Take a ride up the hill to Flagstaff and enjoy a weekend of bluegrass and acoustic music.
  • September 18-27 – Ballet Under the Stars is back again. Watch beautiful outdoor ballet performances from Ballet Arizona all over the Valley.
  • September 19 – Get ready to laugh because Kathleen Madigan is coming to the Talking Stick Resort.
  • September 20 – Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market at WestWorld – Search vintage, antique, repurposed and handmade items from local and non-local vendors and artists.
  • September 26 – Crosby Stills and Nash concert at the Mesa Arts Center – Hear music new and old from these icons. There is a pre-concert BBQ available for an additional cost.
  • September 27 – Tim Barber Charity Walk for POP – This charity event consists of a two mile walk and raises funds for prostate cancer awareness efforts.
  • September 27 – Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day – This national event has 1,500 museums opening their doors for free on this date. Click on the link for participating museums.
  • September 27 – The legend B.B. King will be performing at Phoenix’s Comerica Theater.
  • Ongoing – Live concerts at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) – All month the MIM is offering a variety of concerts in many genres.

 

While this list is not exhaustive, I thought I would highlight some of the ones that stood out to me.

And, if you are looking for more things to do, Local First Arizona has put together a great Arizona Fall Arts Roundup Guide.

If you have any events you would like to recommend, please feel free to share them in the comments section.

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