May 2008

Selling luxury homes is not about “Selling”. It is about supplying knowledgeable, specific market information empowering people to make informed investment decisions. Any real estate agent can show a home but it takes an experienced REALTOR who understands both the market and finance to be a trusted real estate advisor. The Wall Street Journal (November 12, 2006) ranked Tom number 31 of the Top 50 Agents in the United States by sales volume, with annual sales of nearly $100 million. Tom was the only REALTOR in Arizona to make this prestigious list of national top performers. With sales ranging from $1.5 million to $13.4 million, Tom is one of the most trusted and sought after real estate professionals in Arizona. Over 90% of his business is repeat business and/or referral-based. Known as a “hard working”, “no nonsense”, “tells it like it is” individual, Tom’s business approach has gained him a client base covering a wide range of affluent individuals. From high-profile business executives to successful entrepreneurs and professional athletes, nearly all offer this advice: “Call Tom, your investment will be glad you did!” Tom states, “I have assisted hundreds of people in purchasing wisely in the Scottsdale market. Whether buying or selling, I can assure you a short conversation with me is well worth your time. ” Russ Lyon Realty Company 8852 E. Pinnacle Peak Road J-2 Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Office: 480.585.7070 • Fax: 480.419.6931 tomlocati@cox.net • www.tlocati.com

CURRENT REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY IN

FEATURED PROPERTY:

27336 N. 103rd Way, Lot #210 • 3 bedrooms / 3.5 baths / 5,100 Sq. Ft. • $2,995,000 SOUTHWEST STYLE AT ITS FINEST Extensive use of Viga beams have been used in this Southwest style home. Fabulous views of Pinnacle Peak and the surrounding mountains. Home features granite counter tops, hardwood flooring, appliances include: Thermadore, Dacor and SubZero. Live in the comfort of a wonderful Great Room. Home also includes an office/ den, wet bar and oversized master with large sitting area. Outdoor features large spa, water feature and putting green. A golf membership to the Estancia Club is available, upon board approval, but is not included in the purchase price.

Address

Lot #

CURRENTLY FOR SALE:

28119 N. 101st St. 120 10048 E. Blue Sky Dr. 113 28046 N. 96th Pl. 20 10009 E. Blue Sky Dr. 100 28034 N. 100th Pl. 99 27986 N. 100th Pl. 97 10266 E. Running Deer Trl. 138 27962 N. 100th Pl. 96 27148 N. 97th Pl. 65 28047 N. 96th Pl. 6 27336 N. 103rd Way 210 10265 E. Running Deer Trl. 165 26945 N. 102nd St. 240 27081 N. 96th Way 67 26872 N. 102nd St. 255 27975 N. 96th Pl. 9 27405 N. 96th Way 72 10230 E. Running Deer Trl. 136 28159 N. 96th Pl. 1 28134 N. 96th Pl. 25 26931 N. 103rd St. 259 9672 E. Oberlin Way 12 26942 N. 103rd St. 181 9892 E. Blue Sky Dr. 76 9761 E. Pinnacle Vista Dr. 36 28070 N. 96th Pl. 21 27086 N. 103rd St. 185 27225 N. 96th Way 69 27226 N. 96th Way 50 27926 N. 96th Pl. 18 9720 E. Estancia Way 29 27482 N. 103rd St. 194 27663 N. 103rd Pl. 131 26832 N. 98th Way 230 27550 N. 96th Way 57 9807 E. Blue Sky Dr. 79

SALE PENDING:

10248 E. Running Deer Trl. 137 9709 E. Bajada Rd. 45

Sq. Ft. / Bed / Bath

Price Per SF List Price

2800 / 3 / 3 2800 / 3 / 3 3722 / 2 / 2.5 3450 / 3 / 3 4450 / 3 / 3.5 4470 / 4 / 3.5 3744 / 3 / 3 5360 / 4 / 4 6600 / 4 / 7 5403 / 3 / 4.5 5100 / 3 / 3.5 5400 / 4 / 4.5 4187 / 3 / 3 5019 / 3 / 4 6157 / 5 / 7 4628 / 4 / 4.5 4780 / 4 / 4.5 5498 / 4 / 4.5 4700 / 4 / 5 6074 / 5 / 6 6600 / 5 / 5.5 5382 / 3 / 3.5 5427 / 4 / 5 7000 / 5 / 5.5 4591 / 3 / 2.5 7155 / 5 / 7.5 5047 / 3 / 3.5 6441 / 4 / 4.5 5719 / 4 / 4.5 6521 / 4 / 6 6544 / 4 / 4.5 7140 / 4 / 5.5 7118 / 5 / 6.5 6718 / 5 / 5 7160 / 5 / 7 8445 / 5 / 6.5

$496 $589 $536 $638 $494 $503 $613 $447 $393 $554 $587 $556 $740 $635 $528 $724 $710 $617 $744 $575 $545 $683 $681 $528 $806 $552 $792 $667 $838 $735 $824 $840 $842 $893 $879 $899

$1,390,000 $1,650,000 $1,995,000 $2,200,000 $2,200,000 $2,250,000 $2,295,000 $2,395,000 $2,595,000 $2,995,000 $2,995,000 $2,999,900 $3,100,000 $3,185,000 $3,250,000 $3,350,000 $3,395,000 $3,395,000 $3,495,000 $3,495,000 $3,599,999 $3,675,000 $3,695,000 $3,695,000 $3,699,500 $3,950,000 $3,995,000 $4,295,000 $4,795,000 $4,795,000 $5,395,000 $5,995,000 $5,995,000 $6,000,000 $6,295,000 $7,595,000

5030 / 3 / 4.5 5309 / 4 / 4

$547 $640

$2,750,000 $3,400,000

SOLD: 27089 N. 102nd St.

243

6272 / 4 / 4.5

$450

May 2008

Make a Splash! Hot Trends in Swimming Pools

Sold Price $2,825,000

All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The properties on this list have been listed/sold by various participants in the MLS.

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996

TOM LOCATI

DEBBIE NEGRIN

Direct: 480.600.2345

Direct: 480.734.3498

Tom Locati Russ Lyon Realty Company 8852 E. Pinnacle Peak Road J-2 Scottsdale, AZ 85255 FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED

ISSN-1939-9650

Get Moving! Packing Tips for an Easy Move Satisfying Seafood Salad McCormick & Schmick’s Crab, Mango & Avocado Salad

Estancia’s Hot Real Estate Listings! If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Photography: W. Scott Mitchell

CALL TOMYOUR INVESTMENT WILL BE GLAD YOU DID

Featuring McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants 2575 East Camelback Road • Phoenix 602.468.1200 or mccormickandschmicks.com

CRAB, MANGO & AVOCADO SALAD Yield: 4 Servings Ingredients: 3/4 cup diced avocado 3/4 cup diced mango 10 oz. Dungeness crab meat 4 Tbs. pomegranate reduction or light syrup 4 Tbs. citrus-flavored vinaigrette 4 Tbs. chive oil (see recipe below) 1/2 cup micro greens or spicy sprouts tossed in a small amount of the citrus vinaigrette, for garnish Preparation: 1. To create the “tower,” place a two-inch ring mold on a serving plate. 2. Layer 1: Spoon two heaping tablespoons of avocado into the mold. 3. Layer 2: Spoon two heaping tablespoons of diced mango on top of the avocado. 4. Finish with 1-1/2 ounces of Dungeness crab meat to fill the mold. Press down lightly to set the ingredients. Keeping your fingers or a spoon on top of the mold, apply pressure, and gently slide the ring mold up and off of the salad. Rinse and dry the mold before moving on to the remaining plates. 5. Garnish the top of each salad with the micro greens. Drizzle pomegranate reduction, citrus vinaigrette, and chive oil on the plate and around the tower.

With the summer rapidly approaching, you may be thinking of either remodeling or installing a swimming pool in your backyard. Many homeowners like to bring a resort feel to their property, so many features that were first introduced on hotel and resort properties eventually make it to upscale residential neighborhoods. Each year the trends in pool design change, with some features being evergreen and others becoming yesterday’s fads. Here is an overview of trends emerging or holding strong for 2008. BEACH ENTRIES A beach entry is one that gradually slopes into the pool from the deck, getting deeper with each step. This eliminates the need for stairs or ladders. “This feature is good for homes

with children and for spas,” says Jeremy Smith, President of California Pools and Spas. “It also gives your pool a clean look.” FIRE FEATURES There is something mesmerizing about the combination of fire and water. And, at night, the reflection of the fire flickering in the water adds an enchanting touch. “We’ve recently started installing new bowls that give the appearance of water flowing out of them with the fire floating on top,” Smith says. You can also install tiki torches or other fire accents to create drama around your pool. SPECIALTY FINISHES “Artistic stone has become popular,” says Smith. This gives your pool a more formal look

with its grid-like pattern. Pebble Tec is also growing in popularity. Both surfaces last a long time and can weather pool water much better than other surfaces. For high-end homes, glass tiles are hot. They come in a rainbow of colors, some with unique swirls, bubbles and shading, and can be used to create a wide variety of custom mosaic designs along the surface of your pool. INNOVATIVE EDGES AND SHAPES Zero-edge pools are very popular right now. This is where the water level is even with the edge of the pool, making it look as if there is no edge. These are often found on properties with scenic views. But there is a practical aspect to them, too. “Since you can easily rest your head on the deck with this kind of edge, it can be more relaxing,” says Smith. You can have a zero or infinity edge on one side or all the way around the pool. Smith is entranced by the mystery of each potential pool design. “Every yard has its own story,” he says. “Each is unique and should have a unique pool design.”

YOUR NEXT STEP If you’ve decided to install a new pool or remodel the one you have, Smith advises that you keep these things in mind: 1. What is your lifestyle? Your pool should suit your lifestyle and how you plan to use the pool. Do you have kids? Will you be hosting parties around the pool? Will you be doing a lot of swimming or is the pool mainly a water feature? Do you want the pool primarily to be functional or to create a resort feel? 2. What is the view line? The pool should look like a natural part of your yard’s design, not just something haphazardly plunked down there. “I like to carry the style from inside the home into the backyard,” says Smith. Once you’ve formulated your dreams and needs for your pool, you should look for a reputable builder, says Smith. You want one who is stable enough to complete the job and back it up with some sort of guarantee. Look for a company that has been in the pool installation and design business for awhile. You might consider checking with the Better Business Bureau and asking for references you can call and talk with. You can do some research online at the Bureau’s website, www.arizonabbb.org. You also want “someone who can sit down and design the pool with you, in front of you,” says Smith. “You should be a part of the process.” And, while you are designing, always keep in mind the purpose of the pool: is it for exercise, relaxation, entertaining, family fun or a combination of these things?

CHIVE OIL Ingredients: 2 bunches fresh chives 1/2 cup vegetable oil Preparation: 1. Blend the chives and oil in a blender for five minutes. 2. Place the finished oil into a squirt bottle and set aside. The oil may be made a day ahead of time.

Moving into a new home can come with a lot of different emotions. At times you may feel excitement and joy. At others, sadness and trepidation. Even moves for happy reasons can bring some level of stress. Simply put, moving is a big task with many details to consider. Here are some quick tips to help make your next move go as smoothly as possible: • Plan, plan, plan. Don’t wait until the last few days to start packing, or to hire a moving company. Plan ahead for packing so that you have all of your packing supplies set aside when it’s time to begin. Plan to have extra help while you’re packing and for moving day if possible. • Begin your packing process when you first list your home. Most real estate agents will advise you to clear out as much clutter anyway for showings, so it makes sense to start packing up items that you don’t use on a regular basis. • Start cleaning out your entire home. People are always amazed when they realize how much “stuff” they have accumulated. Donate or dispose of anything you won’t need or want in the new home. There is no point in moving these items, as they only add to your efforts and expense. • Make a list of all of your personal records that must be changed with the move – mail forwarding, financial records, school records, medical records, even your pet’s ID tags. Remember that magazine subscriptions will not automatically forward like the rest of your mail, so contact each publisher with your new address. • At least two weeks before the move, arrange for utilities to be disconnected in the old home and connected in the new. • Before scheduling your move-in date, confirm that the new house will have closed escrow in time. If possible, allow a few days beyond the scheduled close of escrow in case of unforeseen delays or funding issues. • Three to four weeks before your move, start scaling back on grocery purchases and try to use up your existing food supply. Some food items are movable, but it’s best to keep it at a minimum. You might also want to get a supply of paper plates and plastic utensils to use in the final week,

so that you can pack up your dishes and silverware. • If your move includes any lawn equipment, be sure to empty and dispose of any gas or oil before you move it. Even the propane tanks attached to the BBQ are not safe to transport. Any of these items could become combustible and start a fire in the moving truck. In fact, many moving companies will refuse to transport these items at all, so be sure to ask. • It may not be possible to unpack all of your boxes when you first arrive in your new home. Any items that you’ll need within the first several days should be boxed together and marked appropriately so you’ll know which boxes to unpack first. • Don’t pack your cleaning supplies! Have those set aside so that they are easily accessible once all of the boxes have been moved out. • On the day of the move, make plans to keep pets confined, kept elsewhere or under constant supervision. Many families have lost beloved pets during the hustle and bustle of moving day as pets often become scared and stressed over the process.

MAY 2008 The Governor’s Ball Arizona Grand Resort, May 3rd 480.345.1811 or thegovernors.org Indulge yourself in a five-course gourmet meal, complete with wine, music and dancing, while helping at-risk infants thrive. The 22nd Annual Governor’s Ball, which benefits Healthy Steps, a program providing guidance to families with at-risk infants, also includes a silent auction, raffle and complimentary photographs. Mad Mud Run Kiwanas Park, May 3rd madmudrun.com Don’t be afraid to get down and dirty at this year’s Mad Mud Run, benefiting the Arizona Burn Center. The race consists of five miles of fun and excitement where participants will be passing through many obstacles such as the low crawl, five-foot wall and hay hurdles all on the way toward the giant mud pit. Cinco de Mayo Salsa Festival El Pedregal at The Boulders, May 5th 480.488.1072 or elpedregal.com Can you take the heat? Head down to the 2nd Annual Salsa Festival held at El Pedregal at The Boulders where chefs from all over the Valley will compete to create incredible salsas. Some of the other festivities include live mariachi bands in the courtyard, tequila tasting, and salsa tasting. Of course, no Cinco de Mayo festival would be complete without Mexican cuisine, which will be provided by The Spotted Donkey Cantina and The Bakery Café. Big Screen Legend: Music of John Williams Symphony Hall, May 9th-10th 602.262.7272 or phoenixsymphony.org Cinema classics come to life with the help of world-renowned conductor and historian Loras John Schissel. With a salute to John Williams and the genius composers before him, you’ll hear music from Prince Valiant along with the themes from E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harry Potter and, of course, Star Wars. Emily Center Fashion Show The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, May 10th 602.546.2652 or pchemilyfashionshow.com Join in on the fun at the19th Annual Emily Center Fashion Show and luncheon. There will be a fabulous fashion show featuring both children and adults, along with boutique shopping, a luncheon, silent auction and raffle. This is a great family event with all proceeds going to the Emily Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Mother’s Day Lunch and Concert with Esteban Desert Botanical Garden, May 10th 480.941.1225 or dpg.org Treat mom to a day of music and fun at the Desert Botanical Garden’s 6th Annual Mother’s Day Lunch. Relax and enjoy the beautiful garden scenery while you listen to the musical talents of Esteban out in the garden. A fabulous catered lunch will be available at an additional cost.