McDowell Mountain Ranch Lifestyle

May | June 2014

McDowell Mountain Ranch

We have 20 years experience as full-time real estate professionals specializing in McDowell Mountain Ranch luxury-gated communities such as yours; and we live here too. Our business background and real estate acumen is extensive with over 40 years in corporate management. We serve the Maricopa County Superior Court as Real Estate Special Commissioners and also instruct licensees in contract negotiations at the Arizona School of Real Estate and Business.

Featured Cover McDowell Mountain Ranch Property Listed at $1,375,000

McDowell Mountain Ranch Home Sales By Community

Our business philosophy is simple; we personally handle the sale of your home such that you feel the value you receive exceeds your expectations.

November 15, 2013 - April 15, 2014

We welcome the opportunity to support you with the sale or purchase of your home as your local real estate experts.

Address SQFT Bed Bath CASTLE CHASE 15624 N 106th Pl 1,500 3 2 10793 E Betony Dr 1,936 3 2 CIMARRON HILLS 11027 E Beck Ln 10988 E Karen Dr 10859 E Karen Dr 11125 E Karen Dr

Visit our website or scan the code with your smartphone to see what’s for sale in each distinct McDowell Mountain Ranch community!

w w w. M M R Re a l E s t a t e . c o m

BILL FUCHS Associate Broker, ABR, e-PRO, CDPE

CATHY FUCHS Realtor, MBA, ABR, ASP, CDPE

Direct: 480.205.5888 Direct: 480.323.5333 Bill@TheFuchsGroup.com Cathy@TheFuchsGroup.com Real Estate Special Commissioners Chairman’s Club 2013 ,2012, Platinum Club 2011, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005

The Fuchs Group | RE/MAX Fine Properties 21000 N Pima Rd, Ste 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

3,375 3,926 3,501 3,566

4 4 4 4

3.5 3.5 3 3.5

List Price

Sold Price

List/Sold Price Per SQFT

Sold Date

Listing Courtesy Of

$415,000 $385,000 $276.67 / $256.67 03/18/2014 RE/MAX Fine Properties $435,000 $425,000 $224.69 / $219.52 12/20/2013 RE/MAX Fine Properties

$629,900 $622,784 $186.64 / $184.53 $815,000 $780,000 $207.59 / $198.68 $887,000 $870,000 $253.36 / $248.50 $1,095,000 $1,075,000 $307.07 / $301.46

12/20/2013 Realty ONE Group 02/14/2014 RE/MAX Fine Properties 03/07/2014 Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty 11/27/2013 RE/MAX Fine Properties

CIMARRON RIDGE 11503 E Beck Ln 2,700 3 3.5 11351 E Caribbean Ln 3,749 4 2.5

$750,000 $725,000 $277.78 / $268.52 01/23/2014 Realty Executives $860,000 $804,100 $229.39 / $214.48 11/15/2013 Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty

DESERT CLIFFS 10982 E Butherus Dr

$649,000 $625,000 $276.05 / $265.84 01/06/2014 Sales Connection

2,351 4 2

ONE HUNDRED HILLS 11551 E Le Marche Dr 5,070 4 4

$1,500,000 $1,450,000 $295.86 / $286.00 2/13/2014 Prudential Arizona Properties

SIENNA CANYON 11072 E Winchcomb Dr 2,936 4 2.5 10651 E Palm Ridge Dr 3,156 5 2.5 11132 E Winchcomb Dr 2,941 4 2.5

$700,000 $685,000 $238.42 / $233.31 12/12/2013 Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty $750,000 $720,000 $237.64 / $228.14 04/04/2014 HomeSmart $750,000 $730,000 $255.02 / $248.21 11/26/2013 RE/MAX Fine Properties

SONORAN ESTATES 14123 N 111th Pl 3,829 4 3.5

$1,200,000 $1,185,000 $313.40 / $309.48 02/26/2014 RE/MAX Fine Properties

SONORAN FAIRWAYS 10479 E Sheena Dr 2,294 3 2 10502 E Sheena Dr 2,026 3 2 10614 E Meadowhill Dr 1,994 3 2

$485,000 $460,000 $211.42 / $200.52 03/06/2014 RE/MAX Fine Properties $475,000 $465,000 $234.45 / $229.52 03/28/2014 RE/MAX Fine Properties $475,000 $470,000 $238.21 / $235.71 04/09/2014 RE/MAX Fine Properties

SUNRISE POINT 11341 E Raintree Dr 11484 E Helm Dr 11428 E Raintree Dr 11616 E Raintree Dr

1,667 1,886 1,886 2,704

2 3 2 3

2 2 2 3

$500,000 $495,000 $575,000 $650,000

$465,000 $480,000 $555,000 $650,000

$299.94 / $278.94 $262.46 / $254.51 $304.88 / $294.27 $240.38 / $240.38

12/19/2013 HomeSmart 03/21/2014 HomeSmart 02/11/2014 RE/MAX Fine Properties 11/15/2013 RE/MAX Fine Properties

TROVAS 10939 E Lillian Ln 11088 E Acacia Dr 11056 E Acacia Dr 16301 N 109th St

3,112 2,958 3,597 4,065

3 4 4 4

3.5 3.5 3.5 4.5

$624,900 $649,000 $724,900 $985,000

$600,000 $625,000 $675,000 $945,000

$200.80 / $192.80 $219.41 / $211.29 $201.53 / $187.66 $242.31 / $232.47

02/18/2014 DPR Realty LLC 02/14/2014 Curt McCormick & Associates, L.L.C. 03/20/2014 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 12/31/2013 Southwest Land Associates

VERMILLION CLIFFS 16319 N 108th Way 3,136 3 2.5

$675,000 $656,500 $215.24 / $209.34 12/12/2013 RE/MAX Fine Properties

All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Data Source Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service.

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

Summer Solstice Celebrate A Fresh Start

Luxury Market Solid Performance With Jumbo Loans & Stock Market Strength

Cool Down With Modern Margarita’s Watermelon Honey Mix & Cilantro Vinaigrette

Featured Cover Home

Just Listed By The Fuchs Group

In Good Taste Modern Margarita 602.795.8111 | ModernMargarita.com

CILANTRO LIME VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS: 1/4 c Agave nectar 2 limes zested 1 c lime juice 2 Serrano peppers roasted

1 c vegetable oil 1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS: In a sauté pan heat the Agave nectar over medium heat. Once the Agave begins to simmer add the zest of the 2 limes. At this point the Agave nectar is beginning to caramelize, carefully add the 1 cup of lime juice and reduce by half. Once it has reduced by half the original volume, remove and cool.

Mark your calendars! June 21st marks the summer solstice, or the longest day of the year. Not only does this day mean the most hours of sunshine all year (hurray!), but throughout time it has symbolized a period of renewal and rebirth. At the start of summer, plants are beginning to grow and mature, bees are busy pollinating, and you too may feel more energetic and filled with a desire to get things done. In today’s world, it’s a perfect time to reconnect with nature and make plans and goals for the year ahead. The summer solstice occurs when the earth’s tilt toward the sun is at a maximum. At this time, the sun is at its

Meanwhile char the Serrano peppers on an open flame or in a toaster oven, once charred set aside to cool. Once everything has cooled to room temperature place the Agave/lime liquid in the blender puree add the Serranos with their charred skins (seeds can be removed for a milder dressing). Stream in the oil, then finish the dressing with the rough chopped cilantro. Blend for a couple seconds but leave the cilantro fairly coarse. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chef recommends this dressing drizzled over a shrimp salad with goat cheese or a light salad with mixed greens and seasonal fruits.

northernmost point in the sky. In fact, the sun’s position at noon changes very little for a few days before and after the summer solstice. The word solstice comes from the Latin solstitium or sol (the sun) and –stit or -stes (standing). It’s a time of celebration after many months of colder temperatures and long, dark days. In many cultures, the summer solstice is still celebrated today. In Sweden, people dance around the maypole at festivals; in Britain, many still travel to the rocks of Stonehenge, where the ancient ruins align with the summer solstice and present magnificent viewing; and right here in the United States, people mark the day with festivals, running races, and distinct rituals. In fact, right in Sedona, the Hopi and Navajo peoples have always celebrated the mystical summer solstice and today certain groups offer retreats to teach of the day’s spiritual significance. Bonfires are another ancient ritual associated with the summer solstice. The fire is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune for the year ahead. No matter

WATERMELON HONEY MARGARITA INGREDIENTS: 3 oz tequila (ArteNOM Blanco Tequila recommended) 2 oz watermelon water 1 oz honey syrup 1 oz strained fresh lime juice Take a watermelon and cut out all the fruit. Use a juicer or blender and pulverize into a puree. Pass the puree through a fine strainer or cheese cloth, the resulting fluid is watermelon water. Next, fill a sauce pan with water and put the bottle of honey in the pot and heat it up. Once the water is hot, remove the bottle and bring the water to a simmer. Remove the pan from the heat and measure out equal parts hot water to honey. Dissolve the honey completely in the water and transfer syrup to a bottle and chill in the refrigerator before using. Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain over fresh ice in a margarita glass. Garnish with a watermelon rind peel.

Luxury Market Update

by Mike Orr – Director of Real Estate Studies at ASU’s WP Carey School of Business and Principal of The Cromford Report The luxury home market in Maricopa County had an excellent year in 2013, easily its best in the last seven years. We saw almost $5 billion in sales of homes over $500,000 during 2013 at an average price of $223 per square foot. This was an increase of 37% over 2012’s total of $3.6 billion in sales. The annual average sales price per square foot for homes over $500,000 gained 6% between 2012 and 2013. In addition to the general recovery in the local housing market, two changes fueled this additional success in luxury homes. Firstly, jumbo loans have become very popular with lenders since 2012 and they are competing with each other to offer attractive loan terms to well-qualified borrowers. Contrary to the usual situation, the larger the loan amount, the lower the interest rates on offer, and this has helped boost activity at the very top end of the luxury market. The second factor was the strength in the US stock market in 2013 which has increased the wealth of those invested in it. Advances in the stock market tend to have a strong correlation with demand for luxury homes. Another encouraging sign is that the average number of days on market is down 5% for sales and down 14% for active listings over the last twelve months. Distressed homes are also having a negligible impact on the luxury market. When counting homes over $500,000, we see that lender

owned homes are less than 0.6% of active listings and short sales and pre-foreclosures are down from 3.8% at the start of March 2013 to just 1.5% this year. However the success during 2013 has brought many more sellers into the market in 2014. At the beginning of March 2014 we had 51% more active listings of homes for sale over $500,000 than we had a year earlier. This means sellers have a lot more competition in 2014 and buyers have more choice and something of an edge in negotiations. Mitigating the increased supply, demand has held up much better than in the rest of the market and luxury home sales increased 3% by unit and 7% by revenue when we compare the first two months of 2014 with the same period in 2013. The greatest improvement was among homes over $2 million which were up 79% in the first two months of 2014 compared with the same period in 2013. As long as the stock market continues to perform well and the Phoenix economy continues to improve, the luxury home market is likely to outperform the more general housing market in 2014.

your beliefs, it’s a fun way to celebrate the change in seasons and get outdoors to reconnect with nature and the rhythm and cycle of life, which we often are disconnected from in today’s modern computerized world. Much in the way modern day people think of New Year’s Day as a day to make positive changes and resolutions, throughout time people have considered the summer solstice as a time of growth, and a time to improve their lives and make positive changes. After all, with more daylight you probably feel more energized to get more done than you do in the cooler, darker days of winter. So whether you’re looking to make a career move, get your dream home once and for all, or find your soul mate, make June 21st a day to get outdoors and celebrate the start of something new, fresh, and full of possibilities. Maybe even light a bonfire … you never know what good fortune could be coming your way!

Event Calendar MAY | JUNE 2014 Rock-N Glow 5K Westgate Entertainment District | May 18 872.216.4569 | RocknGlow5k.com Rock-N-Glow 5K fun run/walk is energized by continuous bursts of music along the course with participants covered in glow-in-the-dark swag. Come light the night for a great cause. Add your own creative glow by dressing up in costumes that rock and glow! Carnival of Illusion: An Evening of Old-World Magic Arizona Biltmore Resort | May 24 480.359.7469 | CarnivalOfIllusion.com Step right up and get ready to laugh, have fun, and celebrate a magical night out with Carnival of Illusion! This top-rated attraction is “Revitalizing Magic” by blending their international travel theme with all the charms of a Vaudeville-inspired roadshow. Carnival of Illusion is a night of magic, mystery and oooh la la! Les Misérables Phoenix Theatre | Now through May 25 602.254.2151 | PhoenixTheatre.com Les Misérables has thrilled audiences all over the world; now, the timeless classic returns for Phoenix Theatre’s 93rd season. Experiencing this musical on stage will touch your heart and soul in a way no film can. The tale of Jean Valjean’s unjust imprisonment and quest for redemption is set against the highly volatile political backdrop of a revolutionary period in France. The stunning score features beautiful orchestrations and instantly recognizable melodies including On My Own, Bring Him Home and I Dreamed a Dream. This sweeping epic of love, loss, rebellion and rebirth is delivered with heartbreaking poignancy. At Phoenix Theatre, you’ll be closer to the barricade than ever before! The 99th Annual Southwestern Amateur Cochise Course at the Desert Mountain Club | June 4-7 480.595.4090 | SWGA.net As the highest-ranked amateur golf tournament in the Southwest, the championship attracts the world’s best amateur golfers. This 7,019-yard course which Jack Nicklaus has called “one of the most picturesque golf courses in the world” will provide the players with a true test of their skills. With origins dating back as early as 1908, the tournament was formally organized into a regional competition in 1915. Since then the championship has grown to many more players and a stepping stone for many great future PGA Tour stars. Hollywood Costume Phoenix Art Museum | Now through July 6 602.257.1222 | PHXArt.org A ground breaking exhibition that celebrates and explores costume design as a key component of cinema storytelling. Arriving in Phoenix from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, this major multimedia exhibition explores the essentials of costume design and illuminates the costume designer’s creative process, bringing together more than 100 of the world’s most iconic costumes from a century of filmmaking.