Fountain Hills: The Secret's Out

Scenic Four Peaks.  Photo from Flickr courtesy of midiman.

Arguably some of the best views in all of the Valley are offered in Fountain Hills.  If breathtaking views is part of the criteria for your second home or vacation home, Fountain Hills needs to be part of the search.  Often overlooked, and happily so if you talk to residents of Fountain Hills, it sits to the east of Scottsdale on the back side of the McDowell’s.  As you crest the hill on Shea Blvd, you’ll immediately see why locals want to keep it a secret.

Fountain Hills fountain photo from Flickr courtesy of Brent Schmidt.

The founding fathers of Fountain Hills clearly made a huge error in naming the town.  “Hills” don’t even come close to describing the picture postcard views that unveil themselves in every direction, around every curve.  We’re talking mountains here.  Peaks, complete with a dusting of snow at certain times of the year.  And, the fountain is really an enormous geyser that shoots straight into the heavens. 

This small, sleepy little town is quiet and quaint.  No big box stores or shopping malls to congest the scene.  Local shops and eateries provide refreshing charm. And from what I’ve heard, golf that is second to none.

For the home buyer, Fountain Hills offers it all – from condo’s and townhomes to lock ‘n leave patio homes.  Single family villas to sprawling estates behind gated entrances.  And, nearly all have taken advantage of the spectacular views and natural desert terrain.

A testament to the love affair locals have with Fountain Hills may be best illustrated by the number of homes for sale in town.  Inventories are at an all time low.  In going through the MLS today, there are a total of 356 listings – that’s it.  And, when you cull out the condo’s from the total number of listings on the market today, you have 219 single family homes to select from.  That’s it. Period.

And, last month, while most other cities in the valley were closing 50, 60 or even 70% of total sales in the REO/distressed segments, Fountain Hills sales was exactly the opposite.  70% were “normal” transactions.  Wow.

See for yourself - see all active single family homes currently available for sale in Fountain Hills here.

Panoramic views of Fountain Hills from Flickr coutesy of mlabowicz.

With inventories like that, it’s a seller’s market in Fountain Hills.  Those views are indeed worth the few extra minutes drive east on Shea.  If you’re tired of stucco walls and homes on top of one another, consider Fountain Hills. But hurry.  When a home hits the market, it’s likely not to last long!

Driving in Phoenix

It's not often that I pass on an e-mail, but this one I just had to share.  It reminded me of a previous blog post entitled, "The Guide for the Winter Visitor" that addressed driving on the streets of Phoenix.  Thanks to friend and my reliable fix for much need humor, Kent, here's what he had to share:

Those of you who spend much time in the saddle cruising this continent will understand that the really funny thing is that it’s all so true!

1. 'Phoenix' actually consists of Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe,   Mesa, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, Tolleson, Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Sun City, Sun City West, Sun City Grand, Sun Lakes, Surprise, Laveen, Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, and half of the Mexican border.

2. The morning rush hour is from 4:00 am to noon.  The evening rush hour is from noon to 9:00 PM.  Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.
 
3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph.  On Loop 101, your speed is expected to match the highway number.  Anything less is considered 'Wussy.’
 
4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere.  For example, cars/trucks with the loudest mufflers go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, in the East Valley, SUV-driving, cell phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.
 
5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended.
 
6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It's an offense that can get you shot.
 
7. Road construction is permanent in Phoenix.  Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment during the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting. 
 
8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, dogs, barrels, cones, cats, mattresses, shredded tires, rabbits, vultures, javelinas, roadrunners, and the coyotes feeding on any of these items.
 
9. Maricopa Freeway, Papago Freeway and the 'I-10' are the same road.  SR202 is the same road as The Red Mountain FWY.  Dunlap and Olive are the same street too.  Northern and Shea are the same street.  Also, Glendale Ave. becomes Lincoln Drive.  Jefferson becomes Washington, but they are not the same street.

‘I-17’ is also called The Black Canyon Freeway as well as The Veterans’ Memorial Highway.  The Superstition is also known as US 60.  The 101, 202, and 303 remain a large mystery to most of us.  It is not yet determined if there is a Red Mountain and a San Tan or just a Red/Tan Mountain.  The SR51 has recently been renamed the Piestewa Freeway because Squaw Peak Parkway was too easy to pronounce.

SR101 is also the Pima FWY except west of ‘I-17,’ which is also The Black Canyon FWY, and The Veterans’ Memorial HWY.  Lastly, Thunderbird Rd. becomes Cactus Rd.---but, Cactus Rd. doesn't become Thunderbird Rd. because it dead-ends at a mountain.
 
10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, it has been 'accidentally activated.'
 
11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65 mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be 'flipped off' accordingly.  If you return the flip, you'll be shot.
 
12. For summer driving, it is advisable to wear potholders on your hands.
 
13. Please note that there are many, MANY more issues to the phenomenon of driving in Phoenix---like the 4-cars-through-a-red-light rule---but these will at least get you acquainted with our unique life on the road.

Actually, you should be fine if you just focus.  Put the phone down, the make up away, the beer in the cup holder and the cigarettes in your pocket. 

And, if you need a map, I'm happy to provide a Phoenix/Valley map to any one who asks.  Good luck out there and drive safe!

Photo from Flickr courtesy of Jimmy_Joe.

New Meaning to a Frightful Halloween

Wonder whatever happened the Halloween’s you cherished as a kid? Until my latest discovery, they sure have been a far cry from the good old days I remember from my past.  I may have found America’s favorite spot for Halloween.  And, a scary one, to say the least.

As a kid, Halloween was one of the best days all year - second only to Christmas.  I remember planning my costume for months, picking out the best neighborhoods with the greatest propensity for the best candy.  As soon as school got out, my friends and I would converge and we’d spend hours getting into our costumes and plan the nights’ festivities. 

Some of the greatest memories of my past Halloweens were those homes that went all out with decorations.  Some homes set up little spook houses you’d have to meander through to get the prized candy.  The ones with the fishing line tied to the ceiling that would brush up against your cheek as you walked by.  Maybe it was a bowl of slim with eyeballs in it that you’d have to put your hand in before any treats.  I remember a scarecrow sitting on a bench that would literally come to life and lurch towards you as you’d approach the doorstep.  Ah, those were the days. 

One thing I have noticed is Halloween in Arizona is different.  People get into here much more so than other places I’ve lived.  But, it’s still a far cry from my youth.  I may have had a dozen (at most) little guys come to my door this past year in Scottsdale. 

 

Having temps well north of  -2° outside surely may make Arizona evenings more conducive for a memorable Halloween.  Take a look at one Arizona spot that really gets into the spirit.  Haunted spirits, too.

Prescott, Arizona is known for a lot of things.  There’s always some sort of an event going on or an exhibit on display down at the Square, but at Halloween time, one particular street in town may make the top 10 list in all of America. 

Take a glimpse at

Mt. Vernon Avenue

.  Halloween on Mt. Vernon has been a tradition going back many years.  Maybe the old, turn-of-the-century historic homes with paranormal sightings and haunted out buildings has something to do with it. 

I was talking with a Mt. Vernon homeowner the other day – Ralph - and he warned me about what happens on Mt. Vernon each and every Halloween.  And trust me, it scared the **** out of me.

Hundreds – make that thousands - of ghosts, goblins, Barbie’s and Harry Potter’s converge on this quaint little street in quintessential Americana.

I had heard Mt. Vernon was the place to be, but he helped clear any cob webs from my thoughts.  He said every year is grander than the last and shared his experience of last year, 2010.

The tradition of Halloween on Mt. Vernon goes back years.  The historic mansions and bungalows have long been favored as “the” street for any holiday and Halloween is no exception.  The city closes the street off to traffic and people from all over – literally – spend the evening along Mt. Vernon.  Years ago, the city would help subsidize the residents of

Mt. Vernon Avenue

with treats, but that is no longer the case.  Homeowner’s enthusiastically support the tradition on their own and do so with open arms.

Mt. Vernon homeowner’s go all out with decorations and treats.  So much so, I've seen tour buses driving past as their passengers gawked at the homes.  You'd think you were in Beverly Hills or something.  Nope, this is Prescott's Mt. Vernon Avenue.  Giant spiders reach out with their hairy arms as you approach the sidewalk, witches invite you to bob for apples in huge pots with steam bubbling up from the ground.  Ghosts play Ring-a-around the Rosy and eerie music is piped from a head stone.  Pickett fences are dressed in cob webs, or scarecrows, or skulls.  Orange lights twinkle in the bushes.  Ghosts sway from the trees.  Each home is an experience and no two are alike.  And even better, the candy is said to be biggest and the best in all of Arizona.  We’re not talking the bite-size morsels you get in a 2 pound bag, either. 

Last year, Ralph posted a sign at the front door of his historic Craftsman bungalow saying they would accept callers from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  It said that he and his wife were enjoying a family dinner together prior.  The hands swept to 7 o’clock, the door hardly could shut.

His advise to me:  “Shop at Costco, don’t skimp and plan on spending about $500”.  I laughed.  I thought he must take stand-up comedy lessons from the same place Kyle surely goes.  Guess not.

Ralph went on to say, last year, between the posted hours, he and his wife greeted 3,462 trick or treaters.  Some people had more than he did as they weren’t adhering to restricted hours.  Ralph spent over $500 at Costco and still ran out of treats before lights were out at 9.  "We counted 'em," he said.

Talk about a frightening Halloween!  That’s down right S-C-A-R-Y!

Imagine, over 3,000 sweets.  Even at a quarter a piece, that’s $865, and he didn’t have enough candy because he ran out.  It’s hard to fathom that much candy.  That’s a small loan for many folks!  Maybe the local dentists should step up and help out this year!

So, if you’re walking the streets of Mt. Vernon this Halloween, do me a favor.  Tell who ever greets you at their door how much you appreciate all they do to make Mt. Vernon such a special and memorable place.  They’re the ones keeping the spirit(s) alive and we need to applaud them for their generosity.

September’s Priciest Home

10777 E. Distant Hills Drive, Scottsdale

Although the luxury market continues to be sluggish throughout the Phoenix and Scottsdale area, Stephen D. Tuttle did what he could to spur the real estate market on.  He put his name on the title to 10777 E. Distant Hills Drive.  The residence located in North Scottsdale’s Desert Mountain estate is September’s priciest home sale with a sales price of $4,200,000.

Perched high on the Lost Star hillside, this custom built estate boasts 5 bedrooms, 6 ½ baths on nearly an acre of picturesque Sonoran desert.  The main home offers 7,330 square feet and is dressed in rich woods, iron detailing, and natural stone.  The separate guest house accommodates a richly appointed living room with an additional guest suite.

I'm sure any caterer will appreciate this kitchen.

The open floor plan of this Desert Mountain beauty was designed to maximize the desert vistas, enormous windows to the absolutely stunning views beyond.  The home features a great room concept ideal for entertaining, a climate controlled wine room, game room, mosaic lined pool, 7 car garage, and even an elevator.  It was built in 2010 by luxury home builder, Paul Lovato for Lance and Lori Mortensen but reportedly, they never lived there – rather, “had a change of plans”.

Just imagine soaking in that hot tub!

Views of the Desert Mountain golf course from Tuttle's new home.

Here’s the details on Tuttle’s new digs:

Listed December 20, 2010.  Closed September 15, 2011.

Total days on the market was 250 days.

Original list price was $4,975,000.  Final sales price was $4,200,000.

Sales price per square foot: $572.91

Scottsdale Adds World Class Medical School to its CV

Arizona continues its climb in providing unsurpassed medical care with the latest announcement by Mayo Clinic.  Teaming up with Arizona State University, the duo plans to develop a $266 million medical school branch in Scottsdale at the Mayo Clinic campus off of

E. Shea Blvd

and

132^nd Street

.

The facility to be named the Mayo Medical School-Arizona campus could begin teaching med students by 2014.  This has got to be a positive thrust for real estate in the 85260 and 85259 zips.

Check out the article in AZ Central for complete details. 

Graphic from Flickr courtesy of Vectorportal.

Distressed Luxury at the Arizona Biltmore

I blogged last week about a gargantuan bank-owned Paradise Valley home with exquisite details inside and out.  His and hers everything.  And a garage to handle your 21 automobiles.  It might surprise you to know, REO’s in the luxury segment are not that uncommon.  Bank owned properties are becoming more and more prevalent in the ultra-luxury residential market.

Last week’s home was priced at $15,995,000 – that’s about $640 a square foot.  Probably well under the builder cost considering the details and amenities.  If you thought that was a bargain, wait ‘til you see this mind-boggler REO gem: 

Just off of Camelback Road sits the venerable Arizona Biltmore Resort.  A destination that has long been a haven to the rich and famous – both seasonal residents with second homes and those that call their Biltmore estate a primary residence.  Visitors would arrive – and still do – from around the world to this sprawling resort to thaw, relax and bask in the desert sun since the 1930’s. 

The meandering drive leading to the hotel can take your breath away.  It is lined with truly sterling properties with manicured lawns, impeccably trimmed privet, flowering perennials and rich canterra doorways to welcome their visitors.  One such home is now being offered as a bank owned REO – 41 E. Biltmore Estates.

Situated on the Biltmore course, this custom estate sits on over an acre with stellar views from every direction.  Built in 2002, the 17,800 square foot home features nine bedrooms for when the hotel is sold out, 11 baths, wine room, library, entertaining spaces galore, four-car garage and flawless rear grounds.  Meticulous attention to the details abound, amazing fixtures, state of the art features, and imported facets. 

Truly a great buy for the value minded, priced at $6,950,000, 41 E. Biltmore Estates is being offered for a mere $390 a square foot.  Builder’s cost on this desert jewel is likely to be more than double that. 

Entry at 41 E. Biltmore Estates

Library.

My kind of kitchen.

Master Bedroom

With 9 beds, guess you need this double sized laundry room!

Now, I’d say that’s a five-star residence!

Photos courtesy of ARMLS.

Scottsdale Earns Ribbon for Best US City

In a new report by Businessweek.com, Scottsdale enters the show ring once again as one of America’s best!  The judges adorned our fare town with the pristine white ribbon, awarding Scottsdale as the 4th of the best US city. 

The site studied 100 of the nation’s largest cities and looked at a number of factors including, quality of life, low unemployment, recreational attributes and schools.  In fact Scottsdale out performed all other cities except for one – Irvine, CA – for its quality of education.  The trophy for the best city went to Raliegh, NC.

The top five winners are:

Raliegh, NC

Arlington, VA
Honolulu, HI

Scottsdale, AZ
Irvine, CA

Find out what most of us already know and read the full story and learn more about Scottsdale being the fourth best US city.

Photo from Flickr courtesy of Shorts and Long | The Both And

Buyer Beware

We’ve all put the lipstick on the proverbial pig and hoped for the best, but when it comes to real estate, as a buyer, we may want to rethink how we go about selecting the perfect home.  The pig is still a pig!  After all, we’re buying more than underwear here.  What is one of the biggest investments we make in our lifetime, that warm and fuzzy feeling we get when we drive up to the front and take a quick walk around the may not be the best way to buy a home.

Ever since HGTV has captured our attention, we’ve seen what a bit of spit and polish, usually in the way of paint, flooring and staging can do to enhance a homes appeal. Have you stopped to think about what may be covered up by all that nice new paint and shiny floor?  I stumbled across a great article I have to share that caused me to raise an eyebrow and may shed some light on how you go about purchasing your next home.

Many of us are drawn to the décor and cosmetics and tend to overlook other elements.  A word to the wise, you may not want to discount that house with the pink paint and shag carpet – those are easy fixes if you can see beyond the obvious.  The dream of your future may very well be a gem in the rough!

Photo from Flickr courtesy of Pig by SeeMidTN.com (aka Brent).

Not Your Everyday Bank Owned Home

People are always looking for a great deal, especially when it comes to real estate.  You can find a foreclosure in nearly every neighborhood.  And, August market statistics show these types of sales made up nearly 70% of the transactions.  Usually, they are priced to sell and don’t stay on the market very long.

We’ve seen the news segments showing a couple who lost their job, couldn’t get a loan mod, went through their entire life savings and finally had to walk away from their home.  Unfortunately, those stories of hardship are pretty common lately.

Distressed properties can be found in every price range.  Foreclosed properties are not just in the lower priced segments any more. 

But, I have to point out another side to the foreclosure story.  Homeowners that didn’t lose their jobs.  People with bank accounts as hefty as a small country.   People who lost equity in their home (who didn’t) and didn’t have a snowballs chance in Phoenix to make it up.  People that sat around the pool one night drinking their glass of Opus One and decided not the make any more mortgage payments.  These are the folks that coin the new term: Strategic default, and it’s the reason we’re seeing REO’s in the ultra-luxury market as well.

Thanks to Candy over at Candy's Dirt for pointing this one out: Here’s one bank owned beauty I just had to pass along.  And, I don’t know the full story behind it, but I do know that the couple that turned it back to the bank did at the time have income – significant income, I might add. Sure the bills must be exorbitant.  The maid and lawn service alone has to cost a small fortune.  Plus, the annual real estate taxes of $52,000 would surely put a dent in most people’s check books.  For whatever reason, they decided foreclosure was their best option.

Here’s what they gave up:

5 acres, 7 beds, 10 baths spanning 17,000 square feet in Paradise Valley (well, actually a total of 25,000 feet under roof).  The home features two pools, a 2 bedroom guest house of nearly 2,000 square feet, movie theatre, his and hers libraries, his and her dressing rooms, a billiards room, a piano room, a wine room, an exercise room and a Jay Leno-like garage to accommodate 21 cars.  Oh, I can’t forget the $1.2 million security and sound system and its own solar electric generating station.

Now offered for sale, it can be yours for a mere $15,995,000.  The bank has reduced the list price from its original asking price of $17,900,000. Check out the full listing here.

Now, I’m trying to figure out what the hardship must have been.  I’m guessing the true hardship facing the previous owners of this bank owned beauty is deciding on Brazilian hardwood or Italian marble for their new digs. 

Photos courtesy of ARMLS.

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.

August’s Priciest Home

It’s hard to believe another month has past us by, and while most of you are packing up the station wagon and piling the kids in the back seat to head out of town, I’m going through the stack of closings from August.  It was fun to see the valley had some 50 homes that sold for an amount north of a million dollars this last month.  The winner of the valley’s most extravagant sale goes to a home in Scottsdale's exclusive Silverleaf, that swanking ‘hood at the base of the McDowell Mountains in DC Ranch with a sales price of $3,875,000. 

The custom estate was built in 2005 and sits in the Upper Canyon high above the valley on over 2 acres with breathtaking views from every direction.  The 7,182 square foot home includes 6 bedrooms, 6 ½ baths, a generously-sized guest house, 4-car garage, exquisite details such as Venetian plaster, stone, and hand scraped wooden floors, the requisite wine cooler that accommodates 1,000+ bottles to compliment the pizza you pull out of the Renato pizza oven.

A great open floor plan, terrific entertaining spaces inside and out, plus exceptional attention to detail is abundant throughout.  It’s easy to see why this home didn’t take long to sell. 

Here’s the details:

Listed June 9, 2011.  Closed August 31, 2011.

Total days on the market was 65 days.

Original list price was $4,795,000.  Final sales price was $3,875,000 – All cash.

Sales price per square foot: $539.54.

The home was originally purchased in January of 2005 for $4,550,000.

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?