Tierra Santa May be McCormick Ranch’s Best Value

McCormick Ranch has often been regarded as one of Scottsdale’s most desired communities. Its central location, manicured greenbelts and pathways, shops and eateries have helped make 85258 a sure bet in terms of values overall.  Tucked away in the northeast corner of McCormick Ranch lies one subdivision often missed – Tierra Santa – a community offering carefree living, resort-like amenities and single family home prices that’ll make you think it’s a condo.

I’ve just listed a property in Tierra Santa – Arabian Gardens if you ask the tax assessor – that’s a perfect example.  The community is quaint and residents know one another.  Situated between Mountain View and Shea just west of the 101, you discover a charming Italianate colonnade of about 50 homes, all single family homes ranging in size from about 1,525 – 2,160 square feet.  Central to all is an impeccably groomed lawn complete with pool, cabana and tennis courts. 

The community takes care of all front landscaping and that helps explain the pristine curb appeal all the homeowners enjoy. 

Here’s a peak at 8778 E. Appaloosa Trail – it’s a 1,800 square foot home with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. It would make a perfect lock’n leave vacation home or create a great easy-maintenance lifestyle for someone who appreciates being close to hospitals, shops, dining and the freeway. 

The living room is impressive with its soaring vaulted ceilings, marble-clad fireplace and snow-white tiled floors.  Beyond lies the formal dining area and an open great room space and ample kitchen.  The split floor plan provides privacy for visitors.  Out back, the bubbling fountain takes center stage from the sprawling covered patio and no-hassle desert landscaping. 

Check out the full listing here.

Most homes in McCormick Ranch were built in the ‘70’s and early ‘80’s.  Not so here.  Homes in Tierra Santa – Arabian Gardens came much later – this home was built in 1993 and you’ll notice the difference with ceiling heights, fire sprinklers and other more modern design elements lacking in most of 85258.

If you’re looking for a central location in North Scottsdale at a bargain price, you may want to consider Tierra Santa.

Prescott Vacation Getaway Blends Historic Charm with Today’s Luxuries

Sitting on the front porch the other day, a couple riding their bikes stopped at the corner and said, “this has got to be the cutest street in America”.  Like this couple, I, too, fell in love with the tree-lined street of Prescott’s Mt. Vernon Avenue and recently gobbled up a vacation cottage there.  My passion for preservation, magnetism towards historic homes and the terrific real estate values got me hook, line and sinker.  So, in the spirit of full disclosure, I’m ready to share the cottage with others and am starting to market it as a vacation rental getaway.

Location, location, location.  Mt. Vernon is just a couple of blocks from the town square Prescott, Whiskey Row, eateries and the many antique shops that line Cortez.  Built in 1910, the cottage has a personality all its own. 

With my background in the luxury hospitality industry and in anticipation of a guests every need, it has been well appointed, including antiques and period furnishings, a well stocked kitchen with tools to create any feast, and rich linens and plush, thirsty towels.  With two bedrooms and two full baths, the cottage is nicely set up to accommodate family and friends.  Satellite TV and high speed internet will keep the techies connected, too.  Weekend or week-long stays are encouraged, and like the Phoenix/Scottsdale seasonal visitor, there is also a market for furnished vacation rentals in Prescott for a month or two.

Check out the complete rental details on VRBO, a terrific site targeted to those looking for vacation rental property and weekend getaways. 

Like Lombard Street in San Francisco or Michigan Avenue in Chicago, it didn’t take long to learn that having an address on Mt. Vernon is one that commands attention.   Even the organized tours make Mt. Vernon a must.  One thing is certain, sitting on the front porch watching the passersby is as close to perfect as I’ve ever found.  Well, sandy beaches and umbrella drinks, excluded.  It’s the ideal RX for that much deserved getaway.

Casa Buena Home Offers Affordability & Primo Scottsdale Location

We've all heard it before: "Location, location, location." And most of the time, you have to pay dearly for those words!  Not so in this Scottsdale gem!

Between Shea and Mountain View just east of Scottsdale Road sits the mature enclave of Casa Buena, a highly desirable area largely because it's close to everything - all the shops, dining and entertainment venues people flock to Scottsdale for in the first place! 

And talk about affordable!! Here's a neighborhood just blocks away from affluent Gainey Ranch where Charles Barkley resides that most anyone can actually afford to have a home without having to liquidate the entire retirement account.

I've been sitting a fabulous home in Casa Buena open this weekend that's priced to move! It's been lovingly cared for, is absolutely spotless and gently lived in as it is a vacation home.  Just about 2,000 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, formal living, dining and a enormous family room with charming kiva fireplace and the hard to find 3-car garage.  Priced at $359,000, that's less than $180 a square foot and this baby is move-in ready and needs nothing!

Tasteful tile in all the right places, designer paint, wood plank ceiling in the kitchen and entryway, wet bar, plantation shutters everywhere, even the garage has been upgraded with epoxy floors! Definitely worth a look if you're out and about this weekend.  Just look for Tom Weiskopf open house signs.

What a great opportunity for someone - either as a permanent residence or to use a vacation home, Casa Buena is muy bueno!

Photos courtesy of ARMLS.

Show and Tell

Remembering my first few days back at school each year, Show and Tell was always an agenda item.  The teacher would have each student come up front and tell the class about his or her summer.  Nervously, we’d come to the front of the classroom and describe some educational adventure, a family camping trip, perhaps a road trip vacation. 

With my passion for homes – new and old, I thought I’d do the same and take you on an arm chair tour to the Rocky Mountain town of Grand Lake, CO where each year I am fortunate enough to spend a cool, peaceful and relaxing week with my entire family.   

Founded in the late 1870’s, Grand Lake began as a mining town and a summer haven for the well-to-do that could venture over Trail Ridge Road where the elevation peaks at over 11,000 feet.  They’d arrive in their horse drawn buggies after the snow finally melts sometime after the 4^th of July.  The destination was clearly worth the journey and they built some wonderful cabins, cottages and lakeside retreats to be used as their vacation homes.

Sit back and enjoy some of the historic and significant homes of Grand Lake:

 

Abandoned cabin at Big Meadow in Rocky Mountain National Park circa late 1800's.

The famed Hallmark family home.

The Grand Lake Yacht Club

If you go, you need to make a point to visit the Kaufmann House, home to the Grand Lake Historical Society.  And, no trip to Grand Lake is complete without an evening of fine dining and relaxing at the historic Rapids Lodge overlooking the river. 

Not a bad spot for a vacation home, eh?