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Send a Letter Via The Hashknife Pony Express

December 26, 2017 By Heather Tawes Nelson

– The Hashknife Pony Express Rides Again –

Before the modern mail system, letters and mail were delivered by horseback. Most people have heard of the Pony Express, but they may not realize that Arizona has its own Pony Express, the Hashknife Pony Express.

The Hashknife Pony Express is still riding and delivering mail for the United States Postal Service. In fact, it is the longest-running official Pony Express in the United States.

Once a year, they make a 200-mile journey via horseback from Holbrook, Arizona to downtown Scottsdale with about 20,000 pieces of mail. Each year, over two dozen riders who have been sworn in as “honorary mail messengers” in full cowboy gear make the trip.

Send a Letter with the Hashknife Pony Express

Did you know you can mail a letter that will travel with the Hashknife Pony Express? All you need to do is purchase a special “Pony Express Mailer” for a $1 donation via one of the locations listed here. Then, when your letter is ready to be mailed, write Via Pony Express on the bottom left corner of the envelope and drop it back off by February 1st.

Before the ride, the Pony Express riders will hand stamp each letter with the very special “Via Pony Express” logo. And after negotiating 200 miles on horseback, your letters will be delivered on February 9th to the Scottsdale Museum of the West in Downtown Scottsdale.

What a great way to celebrate our Western history and end up with a very special letter.

VIDEO OF 2016’S RIDE

2018 Schedule of Events

There are days of events that lead up to the annual ride, including parades and breakfast with the riders. Then there are additional events in each of the cities they are passing through over the several day journey.

On the final day, February 9th, the mail will be delivered in Old Town Scottsdale.

Photo by William Arthur Fine Stationery

Scottsdale AZ Luxury Home Market – November 2017

December 22, 2017 By Heather Tawes Nelson

– Scottsdale AZ Luxury Home Market Performance for November 2017 –

This is an analysis of the luxury home market in Scottsdale in November. This report covers the sales activity of homes prices in excess of $1 million and the activity has been broken into four price bands to provide additional detail.

The four sales activities we are tracking are:
Active – How many homes were for sale at the end of the month.
UCB (Under Contract Accepting Backup Offers) – The number of homes under contract, but still accepting backup offers at the end of the month.
Pending – The number of homes showing pending at the end of the month.
Sold – How many homes sold during the month.

– NOVEMBER 2017 –

Scottsdale Homes Priced Between $1,000,000 – $1,499,999

– Active Scottsdale Homes on the Market: Inventory jumped over 11% between October and November, surpassing the 12 month average of 314.
– UCB Scottsdale Home Sales: UCBs ended the month at 21. This is on the lower end of what we have been seeing over the past 11 months.
– Pending Scottsdale Home Sales: Pending sales were up by two to 23 at the end of the month.
– Scottsdale Homes Sold: Thirty-one homes sold in November.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 93.9% – On average, buyers saw a discount off of list price of 7.1%

Scottsdale Homes Priced Between $1,500,000 – $1,999,999

– Active Scottsdale Homes on the Market: Inventory fell slightly to 212 at the end of the month.
– UCB Scottsdale Home Sales: UCB’s were up to 13, which is ahead of the 11 month average of 11.
– Pending Scottsdale Home Sales: Pending sales were very healthy at 15. This is the most activity we have seen in this price point since the high season earlier in the year.
– Scottsdale Homes Sold: The number of homes sold saw a huge rebound over a very slow October. Eleven homes sold.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 94.9% – On average, buyers saw a discount off of list price of 5.1%.

Scottsdale Homes Priced Between $2,000,000 – $2,999,999

– Active Scottsdale Homes on the Market: Inventory increased for the second month in a row to 177. This is ahead of the 12 month average.
– UCB Scottsdale Home Sales: UCBs were up by one to five at the end of the month.
– Pending Scottsdale Home Sales: Pending sales saw a nice jump to the highest level we have seen in the past 12 months.
– Scottsdale Homes Sold: Nine homes sold during the month, slightly ahead of the 12 month average of eight.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 94.4% – On average, buyers saw a discount off of list price of 5.6%

Scottsdale Homes Priced $3,000,000+

– Active Scottsdale Homes on the Market: The number of homes for sale was up slightly over October.
– UCB Scottsdale Home Sales: UCBs had a healthy rebound over October. We ended the month with five, slightly ahead of the 11 month average.
– Pending Scottsdale Home Sales: Pending sales fell after a fantastic October. However, the four pendings were right on par with the 12 month average.
– Scottsdale Homes Sold: Seven homes sold in November. This volume is what we would expect during the high season.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 93.4% – On average, buyers saw a discount off of list price of 6.6%.

November was a surprisingly strong month for many of the price segments, in a period where we typically see sluggish activity.

If you would like additional detail on home sales activity, please visit our 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 were pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 12/1/2017 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 expressed or implied.
Copyright © 2017 Heather Tawes Nelson | Joyce Tawes

Phoenix and Scottsdale AZ Luxury Condo Sales – November 2017

December 18, 2017 By Heather Tawes Nelson

– Luxury Condo Sales in Scottsdale and Phoenix – November 2017 –

The following is a report on the luxury condo market in Scottsdale and Phoenix. For the purposes of this report, we are calling any units priced at $1 million or more luxury units.

ACTIVE LISTINGS AT THE END OF NOVEMBER

The number of units for sale remained level between October and November with 53 condos for sale. Thirty-three of the units were located in Scottsdale and the remaining twenty were in Phoenix.

The most expensive unit for sale remained the same. This Scottsdale Waterfront Residences penthouse had three bedrooms and three and one-half bathrooms. It was listed for $3,595,000.

The least expensive units for sale all came in at $1,049,000 and there were three of them. The two in Phoenix were located in the Optima Biltmore community. They were both three bedroom units. The third condo was located in Scottsdale’s Optima Camelview. This home had three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 2,200 square feet.

UCB* LUXURY CONDO SALES IN SCOTTSDALE AND PHOENIX

November closed out four UCB listings in play. They were evenly divided between the two cities.

Main Street Place is currently under development, so this has carried over for many months now. Listed for $1,975,000, this condo had 3,563 square feet, three bedrooms and three and one-half bathrooms.
Scottsdale Waterfront Residences had a UCB. It was a two bedroom, two and one-half bathroom unit with 2,041 square feet. It was on the market for $1,299,000.
Two Biltmore Estates had a single UCB. It was a three bedroom, three and one-half bathroom, 3,950 square foot unit that was listed for $2,638,000.
8 Biltmore/Fairway Lodge gained a UCB in November. This three bedroom, two and one-half bathroom, 2,400 square foot unit was listed for $1,049,000.

*UCB status means a condo has an accepted contract, but that the seller has requested that they accept backup offers. Most times you will see this status when the contract is in the inspection/due diligence period.

PENDING LUXURY CONDO SALES IN SCOTTSDALE AND PHOENIX

November ended with eight pending sales of luxury condos. Seven of them were located in Scottsdale and many of them are in communities still under development.

Pending Condos in Scottsdale

Three of the eight pending sales were located in the under development Main Street Place. Square footage for these units came in between 2,345 and 2,520. Prices ranged from $1,165,000 (3rd floor), to $1,300,000 (2nd floor) and to $1,975,000 (4th floor).
Optima Kierland, a new luxury development, ended the month with two carryover pendings. One had two bedrooms, two and one-half bathrooms and 2,283 square feet. It was listed for $1,653,000. The other was a three bedroom, three bathroom, 1,706 square foot home. It was on the market for $1,075,000.
Optima Camelview was home to a single pending sale. It was a three bedroom, two and one-half bathroom unit with 3,354 square feet. It was listed for $1,653,000.
The final pending is a carryover at the Enclave at Borgata. Still being built, this condo had three bedrooms, three and one-half bathrooms and 2,765 square feet. It was on the market for $1,820,572.

Pending Condo in Phoenix

The sole pending sale in Phoenix was found in Portland on the Park. This three bedroom, three bathroom, 1,904 square foot unit was on the market for $1,109,500.

LUXURY CONDO SALES IN SCOTTSDALE AND PHOENIX

There were an impressive five sales during the month of November. All of them were in Scottsdale, with the exception of one.

Phoenix’s sale took place in The Residences at 2211 Camelback. It was a two bedroom, two and one-half bathroom unit with 3,017 square feet. It had been listed for $1,450,000 and sold for $1,425,000.
Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons had a sale. The unit had two bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,593 square feet. It was on the market for $1,200,000 and sold for $1,175,000.
Scottsdale Waterfront Residences had two sales. One was a two bedroom, two and one-half bathroom, 2,092 square foot unit. It was on the market for $1,350,000. and sold for $1,335,000. The other sale was one of the highest prices sales of 2017. It was a penthouse unit with 3,940 square feet. It had been listed for $3,595,000 and sold for $3,250,000.
Envy, a newer community in Old Town Scottsdale, had a single sale. It was a two bedroom, two and one-half bathroom unit with 1,995 square feet. It was being sold for $1,289,000 and closed for $1,125,000.
The final sale in November was in Optima Camelview. It was a three bedroom, two bathroom home with 1,845 square feet. It had been listed for $1,247,000 and ended up closing for $1,225,000.

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 were pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 12/1/2017 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 © 2017 Heather Tawes Nelson | Joyce Tawes

20 Home Gadget Gift Ideas to Fit Any Budget

December 12, 2017 By Heather Tawes Nelson

– 20 Home Gadget Gift Ideas For All Budgets –

Looking for the perfect present for a loved one this holiday season? We’ve rounded up 20 of our favorite gift ideas. And since we work in real estate, we focused on items that add enjoyment, comfort and, in some cases, major value to your home.

From music lovers to home chefs, we’ve got something for everyone. And we’ve included a range of price points to suit any budget, from under $50 to a major splurge … in case you’re feeling extra generous this year. We hope you find this list useful in identifying gifts your friends and family will love. And maybe some of these items will make your wish list this year, too!

Approximate Price Ranges

$ – under $50

$$ – $51 to $200

$$$ – $201 to $500

$$$$ – Splurge

FOR COOLER DESERT DAYS AND NIGHTS

Heat things up this holiday season! Keep your loved ones cozy all winter with these gifts that add warmth and a touch of luxury.

Tabletop Fireplace – $

On cold nights, nothing beats the comfort and glow of a fire. Whether you’re looking to cozy up on the couch with a good book, or enjoy a relaxing night in the backyard with family and friends, a tabletop fireplace is an easy way to light up your evening. The Regal Flame Black Utopia Tabletop Fireplace can be used indoors or outdoors, no vent required. It runs on ethanol, which can be mixed with citronella to double as a mosquito repellent for outdoor use.

Towel Warmer – $$

Who wouldn’t love to wrap themselves in a warm towel when they step out of the shower on a cold morning? While heated towel racks are available in a variety of styles and price points, the Anzzi Glow 4-Bar Electric Towel Warmer in Polished Chrome is an entry level version that gets good reviews. Modern and elegant, this model plugs into a nearby outlet for easy installation and is made of rust-resistant stainless steel. Turn your daily shower into a spa-like experience!

Smart Thermostat – $$$

Now you can wake up to a warm house, even if you like it cool while you sleep. After using the Nest Learning Thermostat for a week, it will start to recognize your patterns and adjust the temperature automatically to your preferences. In its third-generation, Nest claims to pay for itself over time in energy savings. It uses sensors and your phone’s location to check if you’ve left the house, then sets itself to an Eco Temperature. And this smart-thermostat knows when you typically get home from work and can heat things up before you return. If your schedule changes, you can even adjust the temperature remotely from your smartphone.

Radiant Floor Heating – $$$$

Radiant heating has been a popular alternative in new construction to traditional forced-air heating systems. And new technology has made it easier and less expensive to retrofit existing homes with radiant heating. According to BobVila.com, “radiant floors are heated either with electric resistance cables or hot water flowing inside tubing” beneath the floor. It’s energy-efficient, effective, and doesn’t blow dust and allergens around the way forced-air systems do. Not only will you love stepping onto a heated floor on a cool morning, you’ll be adding value to your home, as this is an appealing upgrade to buyers when it comes time to sell, particularly in the cooler northern part of the state.

ROCKIN’ AROUND

It’s holiday music time! Music lovers are sure to appreciate these gifts guaranteed to enhance their listening experience throughout the home.

Showerhead Speaker – $

Whether you enjoy singing in the shower or listening to your favorite podcast, the H2oVibe Rain Showerhead Jet with Wireless Bluetooth Speaker syncs with any bluetooth-enabled device so you can stream your favorite music or other audio directly into the shower. The waterproof speaker easily detaches from the showerhead so you can bring it with you from room to room while you get dressed. And the showerhead itself features jets with three times more spray power than the average showerhead, creating a spa-like experience.

Voice Controlled Smart Speaker – $$

Smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home not only stream music on demand via voice control, they can also serve as a central hub for numerous other smart-home devices. Now you can change the channel on your TV, make a phone call, turn on your lights, set your thermostat and lock your front door, all without lifting a finger.

High-End Wireless Speaker – $$$

If you prefer a premium speaker, the Sonos Play:3 is the mid-range option in the brand’s line of wireless speakers. It delivers rich and robust sound with a sleek design that can placed horizontally or vertically to fit almost any space. Sonos speakers sync with Amazon Echo and Alexa, which enable you to control the speaker with voice commands. And you can easily add additional speakers from the Sonos line for an enhanced, surround-sound experience.

Whole Home Audio System – $$$$

The sky’s the limit when it comes to whole-home audio systems, and for a premium sound system you can expect to make a significant investment. Companies like Yamaha offer a wide variety of components, all designed to work in conjunction to give you a customized whole-home audio and home theater system to suit your needs.

ADD SOME SIZZLE TO THE SEASON

Home chefs will love these gifts, perfect for holiday entertaining and home cooking all year long. Not only will they bring excitement to the recipient, everyone in the family will benefit from the delicious dishes these gifts are sure to inspire!

Bread Maker – $

Warm, fresh bread can make any meal feel special. With a bread machine like this one from Hamilton Beach, you can enjoy fresh rolls, pizza dough, cakes, jams, flatbreads and croissants with minimal effort. Plus, there’s a gluten-free setting, which makes this a perfect gift for anyone avoiding gluten in their diet.

Electric Smoker – $$

If you love to barbecue, the Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker gives you the tenderness and flavor of smoking meat, without the hassle. The integrated meat probe alerts you when the meat reaches a predetermined internal temperature, and when it’s done cooking the “warming” feature keeps your food hot until it’s ready to be served.

Smart Sous-Vide Machine – $$$

Sous vide is a method of cooking in which food is vacuum-sealed in a plastic pouch and then placed in a water bath to cook at a precise temperature. The new Mellow Smart Sous Vide Appliance hits the market this holiday season and promises to make sous vide as easy and foolproof as a slow cooker. Its built-in cooling system keeps your food cold until it’s ready to be cooked … so you can stick a piece of salmon in before you leave for work, choose the time you want it to be ready, and dinner will be done when you get home.

High-End Oven Range – $$$$

To really heat things up in the kitchen, any home chef would love a new high-end range, like this 36” Dual Fuel Range with Six Burners from Sub-Zero Wolf. With ten custom cooking modes—including one for proofing dough and one for dehydrating—and a temperature probe alert, this oven makes cooking almost foolproof. And the timeless stainless steel design will enhance the beauty of any kitchen. Investing in a high-end range not only adds enjoyment to meal preparation, it’s highly-desired by home buyers … something to consider if you plan to list your home within the next few years.

SPARKLE AND SHINE

Holiday lights and candles aren’t the only way to make a home sparkle. These cleaning gadgets and appliances will keep your home clean and shiny all year long … and hopefully bring some joy to the cleaning process!

Portable Deep Carpet Cleaner – $

Anyone who has pets or young children will love the convenience of a cordless and portable spot cleaner like the BISSELL SpotLifter 2X Portable Deep Carpet Cleaner. Its cleaning brush agitates soiled spots while simultaneously sucking up debris. Use it to remove small spills and stains from carpet, furniture, rugs, drapes, car seats, and other upholstered items.

Robotic Vacuum Cleaner – $$

Robotic vacuum cleaners have been around for years, but new technology has made them more effective and lowered the cost significantly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT N79 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner provides a good mix of features and value. It offers several cleaning modes and moves easily from rugs to tile to carpet. You can also control it with your smartphone using the ECOVACS App.

Dishwasher – $$$

While a high-end dishwasher with all the bells and whistles can certainly be a good investment, there are some great values on the market for those with a more modest budget. For example, the Maytag Front Control Dishwasher gets consistently great reviews for its powerful motor that disintegrates bits of food to deliver sparkling clean dishes, even without rinsing. And its elegant exterior will upgrade the look of your kitchen … all without breaking the bank.

New Washer/Dryer – $$$$

If anything can make laundry exciting, it’s a new washer and dryer with smart-technology like the Kenmore Elite Smart Washer and Dryer. Now you can start a load of laundry remotely from your smartphone to time it with your arrival home. You can also customize washer and dryer cycles and receive an alert when a cycle is complete. And with the Express cycle, you can wash and dry a small load in 45 minutes, saving you time and energy.

KEEP THE GRINCH AWAY

Nothing is more important than the safety of you and your family. Protect your loved ones—and deter intruders—with gifts that keep you and your home safe and secure.

Smart Light Bulbs – $

The Philips Hue White Smart Bulb Starter Kit is a good entry-level investment in smart lighting technology. Now you can automate your lighting and control your lights from your smartphone using the Philips Hue App. Deter burglars by making it look like someone’s home when you turn your lights on remotely. And stay safer by never entering a dark house again. Plus, it has several options to enhance the look and ambiance of your home lighting.

Video Doorbell – $$

Watch over your home and greet visitors from your computer or smartphone with a video-enabled doorbell, like the Ring Video Doorbell 2. Adjustable motion sensors alert you when someone is approaching your door, and live video and audio allow you to see and talk to visitors without opening the door, even if you’re away from home. The best part is, they’ll never know you’re not home if you don’t tell them.

Smart Lock – $$$

Control and monitor your locks from anywhere with a smart lock like the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect. Now there’s no need to leave a key under the doormat or give a copy to the housekeeper. You can activate keyless access remotely, and even lock up when they leave, all from your computer or smartphone. And no more fumbling around for your keys in the dark. Similar to keyless entry for your car, Smart Lock Pro automatically unlocks your door when you approach.

Security System – $$$$

An in-home security system is still one of the best ways to protect your home and family from intruders and alert you to the presence of smoke or carbon monoxide. Some companies, like Vivint, can integrate your security system with video monitoring, a doorbell camera, smart locks, garage doors and even your thermostat. Prices vary depending on the options you select, and a monthly monitoring service is required, but a home security system can bring peace of mind knowing your family and home are protected.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

As real estate professionals, we get to visit people’s homes every day and talk to buyers and sellers about their favorite features. So we have a unique insight into the elements that truly make a house special, bring joy to homeowners and add value to a home. Did we miss your favorite home-related gift? If so, we’d love to hear about it. Please share in the comments below!

If you do decide to “splurge” on a home upgrade, contact us for recommendations on the best options for your particular home. Buyer expectations and preferences vary depending on price point, style of home and neighborhood. We can run a comparative market analysis to find out how the upgrade you’re considering will impact the value of your home, before you make the investment.

Quick Video Update of the Scottsdale Real Estate Market – November 2017

December 9, 2017 By Heather Tawes Nelson

– November 2017 Scottsdale Housing Market Video –

November 2017 – Video

Here is a one-minute video overview of the Scottsdale, Arizona real estate market for the month of November.

Scottsdale Active Listings

Here is a look at how many homes were for sale at the end of November 2017 compared to November 2016.

Inventory was down 14% between the two time frames. There was also a 14% decrease in inventory between September and October.

Here is housing inventory again, with a month-over-month comparison.

Inventory saw a 3% decline between the end of November and the end of October.

Median List Price for Scottsdale Homes

Median list price is a metric that tells you the midpoint of home asking prices. Half of the homes for sale are priced higher and half of the homes are priced lower.

The median list price in November was $895,000. This is almost a $100K increase from November 2016 where it was $800,000.

Days on Market

Days on Market (also referred to as DOM) is a quick metric that gives you an idea of how healthy a given real estate market is. A high DOM means homes are selling more slowly and a low DOM means homes are selling more quickly.

November 2017’s DOM was 88, down 8% from November 2016’s 96 days.

Median Sales Price for Scottsdale Homes

Similar to the median asking price above, this is the median sales price for homes.

November’s median home sales price was $537,200. This is up quite a bit over November 2016’s $495,800 and is also up over October’s $490,000.

Number of Homes Sold

This final section will cover home sales on a year-over-year basis and a month-over-month basis.

Between November 2016 and 2017, sales were up 8%.

However, between October and November 2017, sales were down by 4%.

We hope that you found this video and commentary helpful as you gather more information to make smart informed real estate decisions.

For more Scottsdale real estate information or if you have any questions about the local area, feel free to contact Joyce at (480) 209-7843 or Joyce@LiveBetterinScottsdale.com.

Click to watch other videos on our Live Better in Scottsdale YouTube Channel

Disclaimer: Data deemed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.

Scottsdale AZ Single Family Home Sales – November 2017

December 5, 2017 By Heather Tawes Nelson

– November 2017 Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Home Sales –

November ended with some solid sales and pending activity.

SCOTTSDALE HOME SALES ACTIVITY – NOVEMBER 2017

The chart below depicts the past year’s worth of home sales activity in Scottsdale. Each month, we track four metrics.
They are:

– Single-family homes for sale which are shown on the red line.*
– Under contract, but accepting backup offers (UCB) which are shown on the green line.*
– Pending home sales which are shown on the purple line.*
– Home Sales which are shown on the blue line.

NOVEMBER 2017 RESULTS

Scottsdale Homes for Sale: Inventory was down slightly at the end of November after two months of large increases.
UCB (Under contract, accepting backup offers): UCB sales fell slightly to end the month at 269.
Pending Homes Sales in Scottsdale: Pending sales were up 5% over October. This is the second month in a row where this figure has increased.
Scottsdale Home Sales: The number of homes that sold was down 2.8% compared to October. However, this is still a solid sales figure as we start to close out the year.

This next section takes a look at two other metrics that are helpful in understanding the Scottsdale housing market.

The top section is comparing sales activity on a month-over-month basis. Three of the four metrics we track declined relative to the prior month, but pending sales were up.

The lower section compares what homes sold for in relation to the price they were on the market for. On average, buyers purchasing in November saw a 4.1% discount off of asking prices. This figure has been pretty level throughout 2017, with the exception of February.

Overall, November turned in a solid performance. Inventory leveled off and sales, pendings and UCBs all held their own.

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

Search Scottsdale AZ Homes for Sale

Here is a sampling of some of the homes on the market, or click the link above to see all of the homes for sale.

Disclaimer: Data and information were pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 12/1/2017. 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 © 2017 Heather Tawes Nelson | Joyce Tawes

The Boulders Carefree and Scottsdale – 2017 Real Estate Update

December 1, 2017 By Heather Tawes Nelson

The Boulders Carefree and Scottsdale – 2017 Real Estate Activity

– About The Boulders –

The Boulders is an upscale golf community with an elegant well-known resort and spa on-site. Its landscape is very distinctive due to large boulder outcroppings throughout the community. The Boulders is home to two 18-hole golf courses that were designed by Jay Morrish as well as a tennis complex.

The Boulders offers a number of housing options. There are smaller casitas that many people use as second homes or rent out privately. (Some of these casitas are in the rental pool for the resort as well.) If you are looking for a larger home, there are lovely custom-built homes on and around the golf courses.

Below is a recap of The Boulders’ home sales activity in 2017.

THE BOULDERS HOMES FOR SALE AND PENDING SALES AS OF 11/28/2017

There are currently 46 homes for sale in The Boulders. The asking prices for these homes range from $589,000 for a 1,631 square foot casita up to $3,000,000 for a stunning custom home with 6,738 square feet.

There are four homes in UCB (Under Contract Backups) status. This status indicates that a contract has been accepted, but that the seller is still actively looking for backup offers. The prices for these UCB homes range from $789,000 (2,832 square feet) to $965,000 (3,230 square feet).

Three homes were pending sale at the end of November. The lowest priced pending was $837,000 (2,800 square feet) and the highest priced pending sale was $1,100,000 (3,683 square feet.)

THE BOULDERS 2017 HOME SALES

Below you will find all of the sales that have happened in the Boulders so far this year, broken down by quarterly performance.

As we typically see in Scottsdale, sales activity in Q2 was the highest. In fact, it was double the volume of Q1 and Q3. Q4 has only three sales to-date, but there are seven homes in UCB or pending status, so this could change a lot by the end of December.

Average sales price moved around quite a bit over the year, as did price per square foot on sold homes.

I am not seeing any real patterns emerge, with the exception of the square footage decreasing over the course of the year.

If you would like to know more about The Boulders community or the homes there, please feel free to contact us.

Here are some homes currently for sale in The Boulders:

Scottsdale, AZ

Disclaimer: Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Data and information were pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 11/28/2017 and can change at any time. The analysis looks at residential single family home sales activity in The Boulders in Scottsdale and Carefree, Arizona. This blog represents the opinion of the author. No warranties implied or expressed.
Copyright © 2017 Heather Tawes Nelson

2017 Holiday Events In and Around Scottsdale

November 28, 2017 By Heather Tawes Nelson

– 2017 Holiday Celebrations in Scottsdale –

The holiday season is now in full swing, which means there are tons of holiday events going on in and around Scottsdale.

Here are some noteworthy celebrations and events going on over the next month:

Santa Experience from HGTV – Now through December 24th – HGTV is sponsoring a Santa Experience in the Scottsdale Fashion Square’s food court. There will be free photos with Santa plus interactive exhibits, such as the Naughty or Nice Meter.
Desert Ridge Holiday Events – Now through December 28th – Desert Ridge has a large number of events planned over the next month. Nightly snowfall, readings from Mrs. Claus, holiday movie screenings, live music and so much more await.
Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden – Now through December 30th – On select evenings throughout the month, 8,000 luminaria lanterns will be hand-lit and provide a beautiful glow all through the Desert Botanical Garden. Live entertainment and cocoa or cider will add to the fun.
Christmas at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess – Now through December 31st – The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is home to a spectacular winter and Christmas wonderland. There are rides, light displays, ice skating, S’moresland, visits from Santa and character appearances and more! Both young and old will be amazed and entertained.
Scottsdale’s Scottsdazzle – Now through January 1st – Downtown Scottsdale kicked off Scottsdazzle 2017 last weekend. This event includes over a month of exciting events and dazzling lights. The tree lighting took place over the past weekend and during Hanukkah, there will be a menorah lighting each evening. Concerts, champagne parties and day and night tours are just a few things you can expect during this wonderful annual event.
The Polar Express– Now through January 6th – The Polar Express has been a family favorite for years. Starting in Williams, take a magical train ride to the North Pole.
Phoenix Zoo’s Zoolights – Now through January 14th – Zoolights is one of the most popular holiday events in the Phoenix area. Millions of lights bring hundreds of displays to life nightly and music in motion shows by the lake are sure to delight. Santa will be making an appearance and each evening snow will fall.
Illumination Symphony of Light – Now through January 14th – Come experience this magical drive-through light extravaganza. Millions of lights will be on displays that are synchronized to holiday music. Once you are done, feel free to park and play or grab a bite to eat.
Christmas in Carefree– December 1st – 31st – Downtown Carefree has expanded its Christmas celebration to last all month long. During the week, enjoy the lovely decorations and displays. On the weekends, there will be visits from Santa, a snow playground, a holiday market, live entertainment, food and drink and much more!
Holiday Lights at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park – December 1sth through January 7th – This annual event is a favorite for folks all over the Valley. The event kicks off on December 1st with a tree lighting hosted by Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane. And, for you Family Circus cartoon fans, Jeff Keane (the co-creator) will be handing out autographed calendars. From there, every evening (except December 4, 24, 25 and 31) the park will come alive with thousands of lighted displays. Hop on the train for a magical tour of the exhibits.
Phoestivus – December 14th and 21st – Fans of Seinfeld will love this event that takes place twice in December, benefitting the Phoenix Open Air Market. Seinfeld references will abound – “Pheats” of Strength anyone? Local vendors will be selling food, beverages and gifts and don’t miss Hipster Santa.

As always, this is just a partial list, so feel free to add any other events in the comment section.

Disclaimer: Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.