The Scott's Sell Scottsdale

I have to say that I love meeting all the diversified and talented individuals whom I am fortunate enough to assist in buying and selling homes here in Scottsdale, Arizona.

I met Donna and Herbert when I was a relatively new Scottsdale Realtor.  We became fast friends and kept in touch for several years. Finally, Donna convinced Herbert that they just had to move to Arizona. So, we began a search for them and their pets.  They now have a lovely home in north central Scottsdale and have not regretted moving "west".

We have remained good friends. I asked Donna if I could share her story as she has blossomed in to a wonderful southwestern artist. Below is her story. Please view more of her work her work at this site.

Donna Leonard is a transplant from Northern Virginia and moved to Arizona in 2006. She has always loved to paint but never had any formal training. After a few nudges from her neighbors who love to paint, she enrolled in a few classes at Scottsdale Artist School and the Via Linda Senior Center. That was enough to get her started and she developed a theme of painting cowboy portraits in oils. She loves the western scenery and will soon branch out into painting landscapes and desert life as well.

Donna entered a juried show at the Scottsdale Artist School and was chosen to exhibit her painting in the Best and the Brightest show in 2008 http://www.scottsdaleartschool.org. She is also on the 2009 www.gamblincolors.com site after entering a black and white portrait. She is currently entering more contests.

She lives in Scottsdale with her 21 birds and Pomeranian (and her wonderful husband of course)

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Scottsdale Real estate Sales - search for homes in Scottsdale AZ

The Arizona Regional Multiple Listing System (ARMLS) has made the Cromford Report available to subscribing Realtors. This report provides detailed information to track the history and current status of the greater Phoenix residential resale market and offers unique insight into its future direction. It is an excellent tool for Realtors to provide up to date sales statistics and current market snapshots.

The greater Phoenix metro area statistics are favorable as sales are increasing and the market inventory steadily decreases. The local real estate market is most active in the $250,000 & less price range as investors and first time home buyers have jumped in to the market. The current Phoenix inventory is at 4.1 months supply, which is considered ‘normal’ for our area. Other areas/cities range in inventory. A variety of individual stats for a specific city or zip code can be computed. Feel free to contact me for the detailed information you are interested in researching.

The table below provides a detailed statistical analysis of today's residential resale market in the Phoenix metropolitan area as of May 21, 2009. The figures shown are for the entire Arizona Regional area as defined by ARMLS. All residential resale transactions recorded by ARMLS are included.

Geographically, this includes Maricopa County, a large part of Pinal County and a small part of Yavapai County. All dwelling types are included. For-sale-by-owner, auctions and other non-MLS transactions are not included. Land, commercial units and multiple dwelling units are also excluded.

© 2009 Cromford Associates LLC www.cromfordreport.com

Explanation of Column Headings

• ST = SHORT TERM TREND - The arrows in this column indicate the direction of the change between TODAY and LAST MTH
• LT = LONG TERM TREND - The arrows in this column indicate the direction of the change between TODAY and LAST YR
• Color code: The background to the trend arrow is colored green if the direction is favorable for sellers and is colored red if the direction is favorable for buyers. It is colored yellow if the change was zero. If the circle is white then the statistic is neutral for both buyers and sellers.
• TODAY means the date given at the top of the page.
• LAST MTH means the same date last month.
  
• LAST QTR means the same date three months ago.
• LAST YR means the same date one year ago. 2 YRS AGO means the same date two years ago.

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Search the Phoenix MLS for properties currently listed for sale

The ‘Chihuly—The Nature of Glass’ - blown glass exhibit currently at the Arizona Desert Botanical Gardens will be displayed through May 31, 2009.

This display of unusual and creative glass art sculpture is well worth the visit. Dale Chihuly's work is included in more than 200 museum collections worldwide. This is his first exhibition in an outdoor desert environment. His creative art work is quite amazing. We arrived early enough to view the glass sculptures before sunset and then also took in their beauty after the sun went down. Mr. Chihuly has created a variety of glass works are displayed throughout the gardens.

The colors are vibrant and the detail is amazing. His innovative glass creations are magnificent. I can only imagine how long it must have taken for him to create, transport and set up this exhibit. Not to mention, that many are displayed in the middle of some very thorny cacti! The event is fun for all - you can view not only the glass exhibit, but also experience the beauty of the red buttes of Papago Park and the wide variety of desert plants maintained throughout the Desert Botanical Gardens 50 acres! The gar

den is Home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world. only 10 days left - plan your tirp soon.

Arizona is a great place to live, work and play!          

More photos on Flickr

The Bottom? I suppose your guess is as good as mine. The only way to know if you have ‘hit’ the bottom in the real estate market is when it begins to rise again. There definitley has been a boost in sales as many of the foreclosures and short sale properties are selling. Even new homes sales are increasing slightly. The interest rates remain historically low, the inventory is shrinking and first time home buyers cashing in on the opportunity to own by taking advantage of the first time home buyer $8,000 tax credit. This sounds good and we are definitely moving in the right direction but the recovery will probably be slow.

So what are the real estate ‘goo-roos’ and ‘experts’ saying?

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said May 5th that the economy appeared to be stabilizing, but warned that a real recovery is still months away.

The Cromford Report: stats report “Current Pending sales are the highest ever recorded-let’s say that again the HIGHEST EVER RECORDED yes that includes 2004 and 2005.”

A May 2009 ASU study indicates that there is a glimmer of hope that house prices are getting close to the bottom.

The good news is that many of the short sales and foreclosures are finally being removed from the market which is slowly encouraging non-stressed property owners to begin to list their homes for sale. Bottom or bottom line, due to the drop in home values over the past year+, it is still a good time to purchase a property here in the Valley of the Sun.

Search the local Scottsdale and greater Phoenix area real estate listings

Gary and Claudia Scott, realtors

Location, location location.  Finally Scottsdale Arizona is once again affordable..

Of the 5,800+ listings currently available in Scottsdale 1,566 are priced over million dollars while only 128 are priced below one hundred thousand with the majority of 4200+ properties priced between.  There is a great variety of options in this prestigious city from modest condo to multi million dollar mansion, there is something for everyone. This market now provides an excellent opportunity for that snowbird to actually purchase a property rather than rent during the desirable high season.

There are currently 768 properties in escrow and a total of 827 have closed escrow since Jan 1, 2009. The volume of properties in escrow continues to increase as more buyers are entering the market. Many of the more reasonably priced properties are being purchased. The inventory is remains high compared to the traditional market average-there are some excellent opportunities available. 

This is a snapshot of the MLS for Scottsdale AZ real estate sales statistics for March 28, 2009:

Saarch the MLS for properties for sale in Scottsdale AZ

Scottsdale Arizona a town of affluence and golf courses. Many people thought this upscale area would be immune to the foreclosure epidemic spreading across the country. However, the numbers prove differently.  Although there are not as many distressed properties as other citiies, Scottsdale does have is share of forclosure problems.

The local Scottsdale Arizona residential real estate tax records indicate that a total of 2,031 homes are in foreclosure and scheduled for auction in Scottsdale from March 24, 2009 and on.  Note: that not all homes in foreclsure are listied for sale in the MLS.   The MLS (March 24, 2009) has a total of 5,925 active listings of these 1,172 are short sale/lender owned/foreclosure properties. The asking price of MLS distressed properties in Scottsdale ranges from $49,900 to $3,495,000! A buyer has a wide selection to choose from!

Here are the Scottsale tax record auction foreclosure properties by zip code:

Scottsdale by zip code: Total 2,031 properties
      Schdeuled Residential Real Estate Auctions     

Search the Scottsdale MLS by zip code:
South Scottsdale 85250
South Scottsdale 85251
South Scottsdale 85257
North Scottsdale 85254
North Scottsdale 85255
North Scottsdale 85258
North Scottsdale 85259
North Scottsdale 85260
North Scottsdale 85262
North Scottsdale 85266

Dinner, dancing, a dance contest and a costume contest provided a pleasant evening of entertainment for all who participated. The Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force hosted  “A night in the 40’s Big Band Dance” last night in the Arizona Wing Hanger Museum at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona. 

The open hanger and mild temps are perfect for the evening of fun.  The B-17 Sentimental Journey among other WWII aircraft and memorabilia provided  the backdrop for this nostalgic event. I must admit that I was not here in the 1940’s (close though) but a celebration of the sacrifices of the military and a reflection of era is a  tribute to the men and women who preserved the way for us today.

The US Marines opened the event by proudly presented the flag for the National Anthem.

Early entertainment provided musical melodies including Ballroom, Latin, Swing, and Country from the war years performed by the Kathy Donald Jazz Ensemble. Brownies and coffee for dessert topped of a great dinner provided by Taylor Rays. 

The costumes were amazing and some of the military uniforms were actually donned by those who proudly wore them in the 40’s. The costume contest is always a fun spectacle as the variety and originality are quite vast. From Rosie the Riveter and Carmen Miranda to the ‘All American Family’ & a variety of armed forces uniforms - all who participated were dressed to reflect the era. The ‘All American Family’ won this year. Not everyone who dressed in the flavor of the era joined in the contest. So, the friends we went with decided that next year we should also join in the fun and dress for the occasion…..we have a year to figure out what or who we want to be and then search for just the right clothes! Photos to follow next year :-)

 The Sun Lakes Big Band performed a wide selection of Big Band Music from the war years including Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and  Glenn Miller among others. It was fun to dance and  equally as much fun to watch the dancers. Our group concluded we may want to look in to group dance lessons so that we felt more comfortable dancing to some of the swing music. That should to be fun!             

There were 2 dance contests. One for those 15-40 and the second for those 41 and older. It is amazing how talented both groups were! Even with our dance lessons, I don’t think we could compete with these couples. We will be quite content to sit and watch the contests again next year.

It may take a while for some of those catchy tunes to leave my brain!  “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”, "I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time", “Chattanooga Choo Choo”, “Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree”….

Watch for the dates of this annual event next year!
Arizona is a great place to live and play!

See more photo on our flicker account   http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyandclaudia-scott/

Scottsdale and Paradise Valley MLS real estate statistics for all property types sold in February 2009:

• Total of 168 single family homes sold in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley

· Total of  156 single family homes in Scottsdale

· Total of    23 single family homes sold in South Scottsdale

· Total of  133 single family homes in North Scottsdale

· Total of   83 patio homes, townhomes and condos sold in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley

· Total of   77 patio homes, townhomes and condos sold in South Scottsdale

· Total of   34 patio homes, townhomes and condos sold in South Scottsdale

· Total of   43 patio homes, townhomes and condos sold in North Scottsdale

 The Numbers by Zip code

 Search the MLS for properties by zip code: 

•  
  • South Scottsdale 85250
  • South Scottsdale 85251
  • South Scottsdale 85257
  • North Scottsdale  85254
  • North Scottsdale  85255
  • North Scottsdale  85258
  • North Scottsdale  85259
  • North Scottsdale  85260
  • Paradise Valley    85253

 The Cactus League is now in full "swing" as the professional and want-to-be professional baseball players descend on the Valley of the Sun to practice for the 2009 MLB season.  It is a fun time for all baseball lovers.  The stadiums are smaller, the players are closer to the fans, autographs are easier to obtain and there is an excitement in the air.

We traveled to Peoria Stadium, spring training home of the Seattle Mariners, for a game against our beloved Arizona Diamondbacks.  The weather was perfect, slightly overcast making it less bight and in the mid 70's.  Unfortunately the Diamondback's were on the short end of the stick losing 11 to 7 but the atmosphere and entertainment made the trip across town worth it!

The Mariner fans were very excited with their newest player Ken Griffey Jr who walked a couple of times, had a hit and scored twice. Fortunately for the Diamondbacks, the professionals from last year came through with several hits and batted in 5 of the 7 runs. We were introduced to recent signee infielder, Ryan Roberts who had 2 hits and a walk. It is always fun to get a look at some of the minor league prospects.  We were sitting toward left field and were impressed with Brandon Watson who made 2 spectacular catches.

All in all is was a fun day at the ball park and we are looking forward to the upcoming season!

The Cactus League Spring Treaining Facilities

Search for a home or condo in the Phoenix metro area

Now is an excellent time to enter the Scottsdale Real Estate market.  The local market continues to be sluggish but is slowly showing signs of life.  According to the MLS statistics, there was a total of 5,935 properties listed for sale in Scottsdale as of March 1, 2009 with a total of 410 properties in escrow from Feb 1—March 1st and 258 (4%) closed sales during the month of February. 

The MLS sales for Scottsdale zip codes for February 2009 are:

Search for properties in these zip codes by selecting the MLS hyperlink below:

Scottsdale 85250

Scottsdale 85251

Scottsdale 85254

Scottsdale 85255

Scottsdale 85257

Scottsdale 85258

Scottsdale 85259

Scottsdale 85260

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