Mirabel May 10

CALL TOM... Your Investment Will Be Glad You Did! For three consecutive years (2006, 2007 and 2008), Tom Locati has made The Wall Street Journal’s list of top 50 Realtors® in the United States, by sales volume. In addition, during the same three years, he has been ranked as the #1 agent at Russ Lyon | Sotheby’s International Realty. That’s impressive. But what’s equally impressive, Tom lists and sells nearly $300 million dollars of North Scottsdale luxury real estate each year and is the only Realtor® from Arizona to make the Journal’s ultra-elite list. Tom is one of the country’s leading luxury real estate professionals, representing a wealth of fine properties and affluent clients who rely on his discretion, experience, investment acumen and intimate knowledge of the Scottsdale real estate market. “I generally work with a small segment of society often looking for a second, third or fourth home. My job is to empower you (my client) through knowledgeable, reliable real estate information firmly grounded in ethical and moral real estate transactions; thus, providing a comfort level essential in allowing you to make an informed financial decision.” Tom believes the luxury real estate business is ultimately wrapped around two primary concepts. “First, you have to have a sound understanding of how money and real estate investments work. In fact, acquiring the perfect property is foremost a matter of finding a wise investment and coupling that with a client’s personal tastes and desires. However, it’s equally important that I am able to create a comfort level for the investor/client based not only on market knowledge, but on expert guidance with proven results.” This is what puts Tom at the top of the real estate profession year after year. “If a professional business approach to real estate acquisition is what you seek, call me - Your Investment will be glad you did. I look forward to visiting with you!”

tomlocati@me.com www.tlocati.com Fax: 480.419.6931

Tom Locati Russ Lyon | Sotheby’s International Realty 20909 N. 90th Pl. #209 Scottsdale, AZ 85255 FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED

May 2010

A SAMPLING OF REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY IN

FEATURED PROPERTY:

10433 E. Wildcat Trail | Lot 218 | 3 Bed | 3.5 Baths | 4,544 Sq. Ft. | $2,475,000 Outstanding South Facing Golf Course Lot. Overlooking the 12th green with breathtaking city and mtn. lights is just one reason why this home is one of the finest properties available in Mirabel, and in a class of its own. Masterful, thoughtful architectural design has left nothing to chance in this singlelevel masterpiece. This great room floor plan offers large, expansive wood beams, stone columns & fireplaces, flagstone floors, and the finest detail and craftsmanship available. Nothing in this custom home has been overlooked or compromised to cut costs. You will enjoy the gourmet kitchen with premium appliances, granite countertops and the most elegant and peaceful outdoor living spaces to enjoy AZ’s beautiful sunsets and sunrises. An absolute pleasure to see. Address

Lot #

Sq. Ft. / Bed / Bath

Price Per SF List Price

38227 N. 104th Pl. 36322 N. 100th Way 37475 N. 104th Pl. 36791 N. 102nd Pl. 10391 E. Addy Ln. 37891 N. 104th Pl. 10549 E. Wildcat Trl. 9964 E. Mirabel Club Dr. 10135 E. Aniko Dr. 36919 N. Mirabel Club Dr. 10787 E. Addy Way 37310 N. 104th Pl. 10099 E. Mirabel Club Dr. 10827 E. Winter Sun Dr. 10433 E. Wildcat Trl. 10433 E. Mirabel Club Dr. 10409 E. Wildcat Trl. 10899 E. Sundance Trl. 37417 N. 105th Pl. 10763 E. Addy Way 11050 E. Wildcat Hill Rd. 36783 N. 101st St. 10612 E. Winter Sun Dr. 38347 N. 104th Pl. 36744 N. 101st St.

53 275 28 307 23 37 222 351 318 187 148 18 269 68 218 245 217 101 80 149 167 321 60 48-49 323

6083 / 4 / 6 5239 / 4 / 6 5170 / 4 / 4.5 5469 / 4 / 4.5 4033 / 3 / 3.5 6208 / 4 / 6 6050 / 4 / 6 4389 / 4 / 4.5 5529 / 4 / 4 3931 / 4 / 4.5 4561 / 3 / 3.5 5236 / 4 / 4.5 4957 / 4 / 4.5 5559 / 4 / 4.5 4544 / 3 / 3.5 5757 / 4 / 4.5 5648 / 5 / 6 5735 / 4 / 5 5796 / 4 / 6.5 6043 / 4 / 7 6163 / 4 / 5.5 6993 / 5 / 6 9500 / 5 / 6 7760 / 5 / 7 6382 / 5 / 6

$230 $286 $295 $292 $396 $265 $280 $399 $343 $496 $437 $381 $403 $441 $545 $433 $442 $452 $448 $455 $454 $557 $421 $641 $939

$1,400,000 $1,500,000 $1,525,000 $1,595,000 $1,599,000 $1,645,000 $1,695,000 $1,749,000 $1,895,000 $1,950,000 $1,995,000 $1,995,000 $1,999,000 $2,450,000 $2,475,000 $2,495,000 $2,495,000 $2,595,000 $2,595,000 $2,749,000 $2,795,000 $3,895,000 $3,995,000 $4,975,000 $5,990,000

141 226

5636 / 4 / 4.5 4704 / 3 / 4

$257 $339

$1,450,000 $1,595,000

SOLD: 10656 E. Winter Sun Dr. 61 10180 E. Mirabel Club Dr. 290

5942 / 4 / 4.5 5845 / 4 / 4.5

$227 $274

Sold Price $1,350,000 $1,600,000

CURRENTLY FOR SALE:

PENDING:

TOM LOCATI

480.600.2345

BARRY VAN PATTEN

480.202.2413

10660 E. Wildcat Hill Rd. 36516 N. 105th Pl.

All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The properties on this list have been listed/sold by various participants in the MLS. Due to space limitations, not all Mirabel listings can be shown. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing. Not affiliated with Terrabrook Mirabel, LLC or Discovery Land Company.

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

ISSN-1939-9650

Inspirations for a Dazzling Powder Room

Rates? Down Payments? Qualifications?

What’s New in Mortgage Lending

Heaven On A Plate

Il Terrazzo’s Agnolotti Pasta Mirabel’s

Hot Real Estate Listings

popularity, powder rooms are larger and therefore offer more opportunities for great design solutions. I typically like these baths to be at a minimum of 60 square feet. Q: What is the best color scheme for a powder room? A: One reason powder rooms are so much fun is that they can have their own personality. If allowed, I always use dramatic finishes and colors. This is one space where using dark colors in a small room does not bother me. These rooms are supposed to be dramatic and intimate. Again, the homeowner should look for something special that will be used in that room, and use one of those colors to help create the mood.

Featuring Il Terrazzo at The Phoenician 6000 E. Camelback Rd. • Scottsdale 480.423.2530 or thephoenician.com

AGNOLOTTI

Pasta Packets Filled with Sweet Corn, Mascarpone, Goat Cheese,Thyme and a Brown Butter Sage Sauce When it comes to interior design, some rooms in the home just call out for some drama! Powder rooms are at the top of the list as a wonderful and fun little space to play with. Get inspired to create a powder room that’s becoming to you and your guests with tips from the Valley’s own Debra May Himes, ASID, IIDA, LEED AP, of Debra May Himes Interior Design & Associates.

INGREDIENTS: white corn agnolotti filling (see recipe below) agnolotti pasta (see recipe below) 2 oz. butter 6 sage leaves (3 fried, 3 fresh)

Q: Are powder rooms becoming more and more popular? A: Powder baths are very popular spaces in today’s homes. I see them in all sizes of homes and each homeowner wants the space designed in an extraordinary way. Key elements include a decorative sink (often a vessel sink), a bath cabinet or pedestal, a decorative mirror, a functional and attractive (but not overpowering) faucet, interesting and dramatic finishes, great art and, of course, some striking (but appropriate to the room) candles.

WHITE CORN AGNOLOTTI FILLING INGREDIENTS: 3 cups heavy cream 12 ears white corn, grated on the medium holes of a box grater 3 tsp. kosher salt 3/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper 3 tsp. sugar 3 oz. creamy goat cheese 9 oz. mascarpone cheese 6 Tbs. grated parmigiano reggiano 1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme

Q: What is most important to remember when it comes to designing a powder room? A: Always, when designing any space, the function of the space is most important. When considering how to attend to the design of a powder bath, the homeowner needs to consider all the uses for this bath. For example, if the powder bath will alternate as a pool bath, more durable finishes may be required along with possible provision for more storage options. Once this decision is made, the powder bath should be designed with flair. It can be whimsical, elegant, or casual, but the design of these spaces can make a significant statement.

Bring cream to boil and reduce to 1 cup. Stir in grated corn, salt, pepper, sugar and bring back up to a boil. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cheese and thyme. Place bowl in a larger bowl with ice and allow to cool and set. AGNOLOTTI PASTA INGREDIENTS: 3 1/2 cups Doppio Zero flour 3 large eggs plus 2 yolks (all at room temp) pinch of salt

Q: Is the size of the powder room very important? A: A few years ago, powder rooms were just coming into view as an important and potentially dramatic space in the home. At that time, less square footage was allocated to these baths, and therefore a little more difficult to work with. Now, fortunately, because of their

Mix ingredients and knead until the dough has formed a nice ball. Allow dough to relax for at least 20 minutes but preferably overnight. Roll out pasta into sheets, layer with the filling and shape into large triangle pockets. Seal with egg whites and gently place on a semolina-dusted sheet tray. METHOD: Drop completed agnolotti pockets in boiling pasta water. In a medium sauté pan brown the butter with the fresh sage leaves. Toast the pasta in the brown butter. Garnish the plate with some of the brown butter and fried sage leaves.

Excited to buy a home in today’s opportunistic market but wondering what the lending environment is like these days? There’s good news (how about historically low interest rates combined with amazing real estate deals), as well as some sensible news (the times when anybody could get a loan for any amount are long gone). In the end that’s good, albeit sobering news, for everyone; buyers, sellers, and lenders alike. This adds up to the perfect time for some people to make a great real estate investment. Although lending laws have gotten strict, many good loan programs exist and the real estate market is ripe for those who are ready. So what’s new in the lending world as opposed to five years ago? Five years ago people were able to obtain a mortgage regardless of their credit and financial stability. Back then the loans performed so well that there were mortgages given to people who couldn’t even evidence employment. Now lenders are back to the basics of making sure the borrower can actually afford the loan being applied for. And for these reasons obtaining a mortgage

may be more difficult than it has been in the past. However, the notion that it’s nearly impossible to qualify for a loan is simply untrue. You may be surprised at what’s available to you. What’s the latest in interest rates? 30-year fixed-rates hovering right around 5 percent on most loan programs continue to sit at historically low levels. Five-year ARMs are in the low 4-percent range. Once the housing market and economy begins to show a steady stabilization (predicted by many analysts to occur by the 4th quarter of this year), we can expect the Fed to begin raising interest rates again. While a conventional loan now requires a 5-10 percent down payment, other loans do still exist that require lower or even no down payment, appealing to those who simply don’t have the money saved up. The borrowerfriendly FHA loan requires only 3.5 percent down, making it very popular right now (if you buy a home in foreclosure there is almost no down payment with this loan). VA loans for veterans require no money down, and there’s

Q: Is the sink always the focal piece of the space? A: The sink is very important to the room. It can be colorful, fanciful, a vessel or under-mount. I often will use colors from the sink to dictate the colors I will use as finishes for the rest of the room. When used with a lighted pedestal or cabinet, the powder bath sink can not only act as the focal point, but also serve as a breathtaking night light for guests. Q: How should one accessorize this intimate space? A: When accessorizing a powder bath, the homeowner will usually have more choices because the rooms rarely have showers, and are not used as much. I like nice art, and often try to find decorative shelves for storage issues. I will also accent with some great wall-hung piece that may be more architectural in type than just art. Candles in the powder room are great. Plants also work, though space may be an issue. Q: Can you point out some of the highlights of a favorite powder room you’ve designed? A: The focal point of the powder room is the custom iron and onyx pedestal that supports a glass vessel sink. Designed specifically for this room, this bowed pedestal is crowned with an onyx stone top, which is lit for impact and will also act as a wonderful night light for guests when these clients are entertaining. Below the stone top is a frieze of iron squares inset with onyx. Arching down from the frieze and ending in a copper ball are iron straps that bow and support the top. Surrounding the pedestal and sink, metallic Venetian plaster contrasts with the texture and pattern of the travertine stone tile design. A decorative mirror, wall-hung sconces, and candles add ambiance and interest to the space. In addition to her studio’s award-winning custom interior design services, Debra May Himes Interior Design & Associates introduces Destination Interiors, a complete design package for vacation homeowners in the Southwest and beyond. Visit www.dmhdesign.com.

a unique program called a USDA loan, available for properties in rural areas or near farms, which also require no money down. So be on the lookout for the loan that suits your needs best. For borrowers in need of a Jumbo loan (amounts exceeding $417,000), the lending landscape has been notably tight for the last couple of years. Lenders are generally requiring no less than 20-30 percent down and interest rates are higher. However, there have been some rumblings on Wall Street lately as investors are slowly beginning to purchase these Jumbo loans in the secondary market again. The sale of these portfolio loans to investors allows banks much-needed liquidity and in turn allows them more flexibility to lend. Already there are a small number of lenders easing up on their Jumbo requirements and rates. Programs currently exist for a 5-year ARM in the low 4 percents with a large down payment and excellent credit. The good news is threefold. 1. Interest rates are at fantastic levels. 2. Lending requirements are easing up and should continue to do so. 3. Real estate values have adjusted and there are some unheard of deals out there right now. All this adds up to once-in-a-generation opportunities for purchasers and investors. Happy home hunting!

MAY 2010 25th Annual Children’s Charity Golf Tournament Gainey Ranch Golf Course, May 7th 602.275.7852 or umom.org Tee off to a great cause in support of the UMOM New Day Centers, an organization dedicated to helping families and children in need through programs and shelters. This golf event also includes evening programming beginning with a silent auction and reception followed by a fabulous dinner. Mothers Day Brunch Phoenix Zoo, May 9th 602.273.1341 or phoenixzoo.org Looking for a way to tell Mom that you’re just “wild about her”? How about a unique Mothers Day experience at the zoo? Enjoy a gourmet catered lunch and some quality time with Mom as you stroll around the zoo checking in on your favorite wildlife. Brunch is served from 11-1, but your admission includes all-day access to the zoo. Ib Anderson’s Play Symphony Hall, May 14th – 16th 602.381.1096 or balletaz.org Described as a “seven-course meal,” Ballet Arizona’s Artistic Director Ib Andersen showcases this unique display of art through human form. Spectators experience a vast amount of emotion and feelings through the movements of over 30 talented dancers. This performance is aesthetically intriguing with imaginative choreography, costume and lighting design. Glee Live! Dodge Theatre, May 15th 602.379.2800 or gleetour2010.com You sing and dance along every Tuesday night to your favorite musical sitcom, now is your chance to see them perform live! Glee is taking their show on the road and entertaining the crowd with their many covers such as Don’t Stop Believing and the fan favorite Somebody to Love. Phoenix is lucky enough to be one of only three cities that will be hosting this exciting event! Diamondbacks vs. Blue Jays Chase Field, May 23rd 602.462.6700 or arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com Cheer on our Diamondbacks as they play into their 12th season. Whether you splurge on a pool suite or just regular field-level tickets, you will surely enjoy yourself. Bring the kiddies out for this game – not only will they relish devouring those peanuts and popcorn, but the first 5,000 will receive a Diamondbacks bat and ball set. Chimney Rock Wine Dinner BLT Steak, May 27th 480.905.7979 or localwineevents.com Expand your knowledge of wine over a fabulous fivecourse meal. This year’s Wine Series welcomes John Terlato, Vice President of Terlato Wines International. John will take you through his family’s Chimney Rock Winery collection, while Chef de Cuisine Marc Hennessy marvels you with his dinner creations.