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Scottsdale Luxury Home Market Performance- August 2008

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Silverleaf Home Scottsdale AZAugust 2008 resulted in a mixed performance for the Scottsdale single-family resale luxury home market.

– AUGUST 2008 –

Homes Priced Between $1,000,000 – $1,499,999
– Actives: There were 531 actives, which is lowest level we have seen since before I started tracking this information last September. The average over the last 12 months has been 602.
– Pendings: There were 32 pending homes, which is below the average of 39 we have seen over the last twelve months.  This is the lowest it has been since around December of 2007.
– Sold: There were 18 sales in August – a very large drop-off from what we have been seeing. The average monthly sales figure is 24.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 90.3%

 Homes Priced Between $1,500,000 – $1,999,999
– Actives: There were 270 actives in August which is one more than July. This figure is still trending lower than the 12 month average of 283 active homes.
– Pendings: There were 8 homes pending in July, down from a high of 16 in June. The average pending figure for the last twelve months is 11.
– Sold: Nine homes sold in August, which is right on the 12 month average. However, the pending sales for August are down, so we can anticipate that September sales for this price segment will be impacted.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 91.4%

Homes Priced Between $2,000,000 – $2,999,999
– Actives: There were 328 homes for sale in this price point in August. This figure has been declining month-over-month since April, when there were 379 homes on the market in this price segment.
– Pendings: There were only 4 homes pending. This is a dramatic drop from the 11 average over the last 12 months. This small number of pending sales will have a large impact on September’s sale’s numbers.
– Sold: There were 8 home sales, a jump up from July’s 5 sales, an increase of 60%. This figure is on target with the average of 8 sales per month over the last 12 months.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 89.9%.

Homes Priced $3,000,000+
– Actives: There were 263 homes for sale in this price point in August. This figure continues to drop and has been decreasing since February 2008.
– Pendings: There were 9 pending homes, a 28.6% increase from July’s 7. This should have a positive impact on September’s sales figures in this price point.
– Sold: There were 4 home sales for over $3,000,000 in August. Four sales per month is also the average for this price point over the last 12 months.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 92.8%

As you can see, the results vary by price band. The positive news is that active listings in all price points have been trending down or are flat. This indicates that some of the excess inventory is getting absorbed by the market. However, pending sales and home sales are not performing as strongly in some of the segments. Hopefully, the number of active homes for sale will continue to decrease and we will see a rebound in pending sales and actual sales as we move into the high season.

For more Scottsdale area market statistics, please visit my Luxury Market Reports page.

 

Disclaimer:
Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Data was pulled from the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing System (ARMLS) and can change at any time. This blog represents the opinion of the author. No warranties implied or expressed.
Copyright © 2008 Heather Tawes Nelson

Labor Day Celebration at Forest Highlands, Flagstaff, AZ

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Forest Highlands Flagstaff Golf HomesThe annual Labor Day party at Forest Highlands this year was the best so far. Once again, the Flagstaff weather threatened to force everyone inside, but the rain stopped just in time for the party to begin.

Members and their families were treated to an international buffet consisting of traditional BBQ fare, Greek sandwiches and salad as well as a taco bar featuring delicious pork tacos. Dessert was Forest Highland’s signature brownies that are always a hit.

People of all ages were spread over the Canyon Clubhouse and driving range. There were games and activities for the little ones as well as the huge expanse of the driving range to run and play on. Adults had the opportunity to mingle and catch up with each other before the official end of summer commenced.

The highlight of the party this year was the entertainment. Forest Highlands secured the Little River Band to come and play. Known for their many hits in the 70’s and 80’s – such as “Lonesome Loser,” “Reminiscing” and “Happy Anniversary” – they had the crowd on its feet the whole time.

The Labor Day party was a perfect ending to another wonderful summer season at Forest Highlands.

 

About Forest Highlands: Forest Highlands is an upscale community located just off of Route 89A in Flagstaff, Arizona. Homes range from cottages up to large homes on acre plus lots. Forest Highlands has two golf courses, the Canyon Course (ranked #1 in Arizona) and the Meadows Course. In addition to golf, Forest Highlands is home to two clubhouses, a tennis complex, two pools, miles of hiking/jogging/biking trails, stocked fishing ponds, a summer recreation program for children and so much more. Click on the link to learn more about Forest Highlands and the other Flagstaff Golf Communities.

 
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Disclaimer: Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This blog represents the opinion of the author. No warranties implied or expressed.
Copyright © 2008 Heather Tawes Nelson

Scottsdale AZ Home Sales Update – Silverleaf – 2008 Performance YTD

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Stunning Views at DC Ranch's Silverleaf Community in Scottsdale, AZBelow is the year-to-date sales information for the upscale community of Silverleaf located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The data was pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 8/27/08 and includes single-family homes and townhomes.

Homes for Sale 69
– Average Asking Price $3,524,275
– Average Square Feet 5,969
– Average Asking Price per Sq. Foot $565.43
– Average Days on Market* 305
Pending Homes 1
– Average Asking Price $5,890,000
– Average Square Feet 8,985
– Average Asking Price per Sq. Foot $655.54
– Average Days on Market* 523
Home Sales 17
– Average Sales Price $3,010,939
– Sales Price to List Price 89%
– Average Square Feet 5,467
– Average Sales Price per Sq. Foot $529.55
– Average Days on Market* 239
– Highest Sale Price $8,200,000
– Lowest Sale Price $1,100,000


About Silverleaf: Silverleaf is one of Scottsdale’s most elegant communities and is nestled within the Mc Dowell Mountains North Scottsdale within the larger community of DC Ranch. The lifestyle at Silverleaf is luxurious and its great location means shopping, dining, entertainment and transportation are just minutes away.

Many of the homes and lots at Silverleaf possess spectacular valley views and have been designed to allow for maximum enjoyment of those views. The Silverleaf Club and Spa is a private, luxurious club with a challenging course designed by Tom Weiskopf.

Silverleaf residents have access to DC Ranch’s amazing amenities including the K-8 school, the 9-acre Desert Camp community center and the 4-acre Homestead community center. Additionally, DC Ranch is home to Market Street, an upscale shopping and dining district that often hosts many community events. View Silverleaf homes for sale.

To see more market snapshots of communities in Scottsdale, please visit my website. 

 

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Disclaimer: Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Data pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 8/27/08. Information can change at any time. This blog represents the opinion of the author. No warranties implied or expressed.
Copyright © 2008 Heather Tawes Nelson

Scottsdale Sales Update – DC Ranch – 2008 Performance

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DC_Ranch_HomesBelow is the year-to-date sales information for the community of DC Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona. The data was pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS as of August 29, 2008 and includes single-family homes, condos and townhomes.

Homes for Sale 154
– Average Asking Price $1,171,634
– Average Square Feet 3,193
– Average Asking Price per Sq. Foot $339.62
– Average Days on Market* 198
Pending Homes 24
– Average Asking Price $1,108,208
– Average Square Feet 3,601
– Average Asking Price per Sq. Foot $300.90
– Average Days on Market* 149
Home Sales 68
– Average Sales Price $824,687
– Sales Price to List Price 94%
– Average Square Feet 2,864
– Average Sales Price per Sq. Foot $286.05
– Average Days on Market* 185
– Highest Sale Price $2,275,000
– Lowest Sale Price $230,000

About DC Ranch: DC Ranch is a upscale community located in North Scottsdale. DC Ranch real estate is comprised of several different neighborhoods that range from condo communities to multi-million dollar estates in gated enclaves.

DC Ranch has its own K-8 school as well as two multi-acre community centers, Desert Camp and The Homestead.

The DC Ranch Country Club is a private club with an 18-hole course designed by Tom Lehman and John Fought.

Homes start at just under $200,000 for a one bedroom/one bathroom condo up to a $5,100,000 5 bedroom/6 bathroom home overlooking the golf course. DC Ranch is home to Market Street, a shopping, dining and entertainment district.

View DC Ranch homes for sale.

To see more market snapshots, please click here.

 

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Disclaimer: Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Data pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 8/29/08. Information can change at any time. This blog represents the opinion of the author. No warranties implied or expressed.
Copyright © 2008 Heather Tawes Nelson

Scottsdale Market Snapshot – Desert Mountain

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Here is a  snapshot of the year-to-date sales information for Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona. Data is as of 8/26/08 and was pulled via the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS).

 Homes for Sale 160
– Average Asking Price $2,682,733
– Average Square Feet 5,018
– Average Asking Price per Sq. Foot $506.63
– Average Days on Market* 308
Pending Homes 4
– Average Asking Price $3,870,000
– Average Square Feet 6,572
– Average Asking Price per Sq. Foot $541.39
– Average Days on Market* 377
Home Sales 44
– Average Sales Price $2,215,525
– Sales Price to List Price 91%
– Average Square Feet 4,736
– Average Sales Price per Sq. Foot $439.06
– Average Days on Market* 291
– Highest Sale Price $6,250,000
– Lowest Sale Price $685,000

About Desert Mountain:
Desert Mountain is a luxurious, private golf community located in far north Scottsdale. Spread over 8,000 acres, it features 7 Jack Nicklaus courses, 6 clubhouses, a tennis complex and so much more. There are several neighborhoods within Desert Mountain, many of them framing one of the six courses. Because Desert Mountain is located so far north, the views from this fabulous community are hard to beat. Homes range from $749,000 for a 3 bedroom/3 bathroom cottage up to a $9,200,000 estate. View Desert Mountain Homes for Sale.

Click here to see more market snapshots of Scottsdale communities.

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Disclaimer: Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Data pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 8/26/08. Figures can change at any time. This blog represents the opinion of the author. No warranties implied or expressed.
Copyright © 2008 Heather Tawes Nelson

Things to Do in Greater Scottsdale: Children’s Museum of Phoenix

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If you are looking for something to do with your children or grandchildren, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix is the perfect place. Designed for children ages 1-10, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix is an interactive, hands-on learning experience for children and adults alike.

Located in the former Monroe School building, built in 1913, the museum sits in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Upon entering, you walk into a large room with soaring ceilings, “streamers” made of CD’s and several stretchy tubes and boxes and tunnels for the kids to crawl into and pop out of. There are also hula-hoops in various sizes for playing. The floor is nice and padded to encourage rolling around. Honestly, many of the kids I saw looked like they would be fine with just staying in this section for the day!

The rest of the activities and exhibits are located on the second and third floors and can be accessed via the stairs or elevators. Everywhere you look is a new opportunity to learn, touch and experiment.

Here is a sample of some of the things to try:

  • Texture Cafe – Kids can “make” their own meals in the kitchens of Texture Cafe. Pizza, pastas, salads, and so much more can be whipped up using silk and velvet materials. Meals can then be “paid for” and “served” at the Cafe.
  • The Market – Here is where the kids are in charge of the supermarket experience. They can select their items and put them in the kid-size carts, measure and weigh their produce and even ring up their purchases at the checkout stand.
  • Area for Under Threes- In this gated, shoes-free area, kids can roam freely and interact with all of the items. Slides, bridges, mini-houses with bedrooms and kitchens, ‘secret’ dens and lots of toys and books await.
  • Art Studio – Here is where hands-on art creation happens. Projects rotate frequently and often involve all members of the family.
  • Book Loft – Take a break from the activity and curl up with a book. There are plenty of different seating areas scattered throughout the loft and books are available in English and Spanish.
  • Pedal Power – A tricycle “track” with plenty of racing room.
  • Pit Stop – A place where race cars zoom by on suspended tracks. Race cars can be modified to see how they perform or you can just sit back and watch the cars speed by.

This is just a sample of what we saw and experienced. Every hallway is lined with fun, interactive learning exhibits. Since there is so much to do, you can come back time and time again and still have an entertaining, new experience.

The best part is that several more exhibits are on tap to open in early 2009. Some of these exhibits include:
– 10,000 Blocks – The Sky’s the Limit
– Building Big – Build your own forts and structures
– Galaxy of the Stars
– The Climber – Top of the World
– Windplay

Details:
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
215 N. 7th Street
(7th Street and Van Buren)
Phoenix, Arizona  85034
Phone: 602.253.0501
www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
– Open Tuesday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM and select holidays.

Places to Eat: Pure Sushi, Scottsdale, Arizona

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Pure Sushi & Bar located in the North Scottsdale community of Grayhawk, is a very welcome relatively-recent addition to the neighborhood.

The interior design of Pure is very contemporary and elegant- all white décor, somewhat stark and very modern, without being cold. There is also comfortable seating under a shaded patio outside if you prefer to dine al fresco. Overall, it gives off a chic “lounge” feel.

Complementing the beautiful design of the restaurant is spectacular sushi and other Japanese specialties. You can find traditional rolls, sushi and sashimi on the menu or you can order off a more traditional dinner menu. Some highlights are the tuna carpaccio and snow crab sunimono starters as well as the yakisoba noodle entrée. The sashimi and sushi samplers are also a great way to taste a variety of different fish.

Pure sushi scottsdaleMy favorite part, however, is the specialty roll menu. You will see some familiar rolls like Dragon Roll and Crunchy Roll, but there is one roll that is an absolute standout and it is actually not a roll. The Box Sushi is composed by layering tuna, salmon, crab and roe into a box to form the “roll”. It is then sliced and served. The box sushi is by far my favorite thing on the menu and is a must-have on any visit.

Pure Sushi is also great for lunch. It is one of my favorite places to take clients. You can order off the sushi menu, a partial dinner menu or they have several lunch specials. Of note are the bento boxes which come with tempura, salad, steamed rice and your choice of teriyaki, tempura or fish. They also have a lunch version of the sashimi and sushi combination platters.

The next time you are in the Grayhawk neighborhood, stop by Pure Sushi & Bar to taste some of the best sushi in Arizona. You may want to call ahead though for dinner, since it can fill up pretty quickly.

 

Details:
Pure Sushi
20567 North Hayden Road
– Hayden and Thompson Peak
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
https://puresushibar.com/main.html

 

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About the Grayhawk Community: Grayhawk is located in North Scottsdale, Arizona. It is comprised of two distinct neighborhoods. The Retreat was developed around the two golf courses and is guard-gated. It has a large number of wonderful amenities including tennis, exercise trails and a community pool. Homes range from townhomes to custom single-family homes. The other neighborhood is called The Park. The Park consists of single-family homes and is a wonderful family-oriented community. The Park has several large play areas and parks sprinkled throughout the area. For more information, please contact me.
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Disclaimer: Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Data and information are pulled from many sources and can change at any time. This blog represents the opinion of the author. No warranties implied or expressed.
Copyright © 2008 Heather Tawes Nelson

Things to Do in Greater Scottsdale – Downtown Phoenix Public Market

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photoA couple of weekends ago, I was able to to visit the Downtown Phoenix Public Market for the first time. It was definitely a treat.

Open on Saturdays from 8AM to noon and Wednesdays 4-8PM, the non-profit Downtown Phoenix Public Market is a great place to go to get fresh, local produce and products. Plus, with the addition of frequent special events going on such as musical performances and classes, it is a worthwhile stop.

On the morning I attended, there were several produce vendors offering items from onions all the way to squash blossoms. To get the best choice of produce, you will want to get there early. We were a little on the later side and many items were sold out.

Other items for sale included fresh bread and bakery products, flavored olive oils, fresh goat cheese, homemade butter and fudge, BBQ sauce, several varieties of canned seafood, handmade knit items, tie-die clothing, artwork, jewelry, pet paraphernalia and so much more.

While the market itself is not huge, there were quite a few varied vendors on site. Plus, it is refreshing to get up close and personal with the people who worked hard to bring fresh local produce to fruition. When was the last time you personally met the farmer who grew the eggplant you just purchased?

If you are looking for fresh-off-the-farm local produce and want to support local vendors of many types of products, the Downtown Phoenix Public Market is for you.

Details:
Downtown Phoenix Public Market
721 N. Central – SE Corner of Central Avenue & McKinley Street
Saturdays 8AM – Noon / Wednesdays 4PM – 8PM
www.downtownphoenixpublicmarket.com
~Free Parking

 

Photo by Ms. Phoenix

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