Homes & Lifestyle Media, Issue 5, 2014 by Brett Benning

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

O U R T E AM PRESIDENT | PUBLISHER Brett Benning EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Denise Meridith DESIGN DIRECTOR Kathleen Mocharski PHOTOGRAPHY Bridgette Marie Photography MULTI MEDIA MANAGER Ross Kamela

INTEGRITY. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary the definition of INTEGRITY is: the quality of being honest and fair.

As I grew older I came across all different types of people. Some that lived with high integrity and others who seemed to find a “grey” area. They often said their questionable decisions were “circumstantial.” I noticed many of these people’s questionable decisions were driven by fear, lust and/or greed. I also noticed in most cases where they were at in life was a direct reflection of their INTEGRITY. INTEGRITY is not something you turn on or off. You are either honest and fair or you are not. I am reflecting on INTEGRITY this issue because this defines the ONLY type of people and businesses HOMES & LIFESTYLE media will associate with. With this in mind we are very excited to share our BIGGEST issue ever and all the incredible people who helped create it. Please take your time and enjoy reading about the new OPTIMA SONORAN VILLAGE luxury rental residences, our TOP 4 CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS and all the other amazing luxury home professionals we are so grateful to work with daily. Sincerely, Brett Benning Founder & Publisher

Cover photo provided by Bridgette Marie Photography

Growing up in Wisconsin “integrity” was something you valued in yourself and others you associated with. It was the foundation to building happy and fulfilling relationships, the glue that helped both personal and business relationships grow and thrive. It was part of a moral code I thought was just normal and part of being a human.

Brett Benning, President & Publisher Direct 480.717.1310 Brett@HomesandLifestylemedia.com www.HomesandLifestylemedia.com 7137 E. Rancho Vista Drive #B67 Scottsdale, AZ 85251

HOMES & LIFESTYLE media is published 6x annually on recycled paper and reaches 60,000+ affluent female home owners, 5,000+ businesses, 500+ select builders, architects, interior designers and home improvement professionals and over 5,000 top producer Realtors in Paradise Valley, Arcadia, Biltmore, Central Ave corridor, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek and Carefree. The publisher, editorial director, production manager, and contributors reserve their rights in regards to copyright of their work. No part of this work covered by the copyright may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher, contributors, editors and related parties are not liable for the actions or results taken any person, organization or any party on basis of reading information, stories or contributions in this publication, website or related products.

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C O N T E N T S F E AT U R E

Homeowner Financial Group’s Top Loan Officer Shares His Passion for Helping People Live the American Dream

Scottsdale’s #1 New Luxury Rental Residences

TOP 4

More Sellers and Realtors Are Staging Their Homes…What’s all the Rage About?

Street of Dreams Top Designer Shares Feedback About New Trends

Phoenix Golf Course Lifestyle Expert Brett Weiss Shares Exciting New Real Estate Tips & Trends

What’s New with Home Entertainment?

The Truth About Credit Repair Services

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Delivering a 5 Star Experience Every day. Every loan. Every time. Do you remember the last time you had a 5 Star Experience? Because “average” has become typical, I now remember every 5 Star Experience. When customers like me are fortunate enough to have a 5 Star Experience, we come back over and over. Have you ever wondered what the 5 Star Experience could look like with your mortgage lender? Meticulous pre-qualification process so you can count on loan approval. Weekly updates for all party’s involved in the transaction. Standard 25 day turn around from contract to closing. Loan documents delivered to title 4 days in advance. $1,500.00 lender credit for client on any late closing. I want you and your clients to come back to me and my team every time for mortgage services. I will deliver a 5 Star Experience. Every day. Every loan. Every time.

John Conklin Branch Manager - NMLS ID 275915 7047 E Greenway Pkwy, #220, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Direct: 602-753-1403 Office: 602-753-1401 johnc@fairwaymc.com www.JohnConklinmtg.com Guarantee Requirements: The borrower’s personal financial qualifications stay the same or improve: Personal financial qualifications includes but is not limited to employment, income, assets, credit scores, and debt. The agreed upon loan parameters stay the same or improve: Agreed upon loan parameters includes, but is not limited to maximum loan amount, maximum total monthly payment, maximum interest rate, interest rate market conditions, down payment requirements, property insurance requirements and mortgage insurance requirements. The property meets all necessary loan requirements: Necessary loan requirements of the property includes but is not limited to, appraised value, insurability, property condition, inspection condition, legal title conditions, HOA conditions and housing project conditions. Guarantee not applicable to delays outside lender control. © 2014 FIMC ID #2289 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). EQUAL HOUSING LENDER.

ASK THE EXPERT

Homeowner Financial Group’s Top Loan Oﬃcer Shares His Passion for Helping People Live the American Dream Brett Benning with Jeﬀ Williamson, Homeowners Financial Group USA, LLC

Brett: The recession ended the careers of many real estate professionals. You have been very successful in a very competitive arena for many years. How long have you been in the lending business, Jeﬀ, and why are you still so passionate about the lending industry? Jeff: I have been in the lending business for 14 years. Simply put, I am passionate about this business because we help secure the American dream for families. It’s where they live, entertain, their children grow up, and families bond in a home environment. We live in such an incredible and ever-changing world. It has continued to challenge us, which only keeps us working round-the-clock for the American dream. Our daily work makes us a more valuable team in business and our personal lives. This is the attitude that we convey to our clients and their referrals, with their financing. We provide a unique and long lasting public service by helping families secure their new homes. Brett: What is so diﬀerent about what you and your team do vs. other lenders? Jeff: Everyone on my team plays the role they absolutely love, and we are committed to working like a well-oiled wheel. For example, we have become a secondary solution lender for many builders in the Valley. If a loan is turned down with the original mortgage company, we immediately step in to take it to a seamless close for their client. Many times, it’s a struggle; but by performing as a team, we change lives. A potential buyer’s spirit may be broken when they learn that they may be turned down for his/her dream home, and it may be due to something very minor that another lender simply overlooked. These are the very families, friends or associates we all know. They may desire that their children live and grow up in a particular school district. There is no bigger reward to our entire team than to be able to say the words they are all waiting for, “Your loan is closed! Welcome to your new home!” Brett: Are there any unique products that are really hot right now? Jeff: “Clean Slate” is an amazing loan product many “rebounding” clients can use. Our product was created for individuals, who have had a recent short sale or foreclosure or bankruptcy. There is no or little seasoning requirement. Buyers may immediately take advantage of this solid real estate market with still historically low interest rates. And, they do not have to wait out the standard waiting periods enforced. In addition, the 1/2% down FHA program allows buyers to purchase with almost no down payment. 26 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

Brett: Are the banks starting to loosen up on their criteria? Can you give some examples? Jeff: What got our country into a financial debacle has made us all more responsible to and for our borrowers. Loans with lower credit score requirements (580), higher loan-to-value loans, such as on jumbo products (90%), and loans that, in most cases, will allow buyers to purchase immediately after a short sale or foreclosure. What we want to see are happy, solid families building neighborhoods, in which we can all be proud to live, work and play. Our responsibility is to our communities, and to do the right thing to ensure that American dream. Brett: You have a beautiful family. How do you keep it all together so well? Jeff: Thank you. We are very fortunate. Natalie, my incredible wife, is definitely Mommy to the max. She handles that biggest job in the world so gracefully and manages our family life and activities seamlessly. She has a passion and talent for fitness, of which she is an instructor for Karve Studio. We are always super-busy, but are a perfect and supportive team. It allows me to focus and have the valuable time needed to handle my demanding business. Many people count on our success—our clients, our builders and our team. It is all about balance. The pace is exhilarating, yet the rewards are unparalleled. My day starts and ends with our wonderful children. I am certainly grateful. Everything in-between is what you do for other people and their families like your own: a powerful reward. ABOUT JEFF C. WILLIAMSON Jeff Williamson, an Arizona native, is with the powerful mortgage banker Homeowners Financial Group, currently lending in Arizona and California markets. Since the beginning of his career, he has always kept a builder mentality, began working with many of the great builders around the Valley and is currently the preferred loan officer in many communities. Jeff has extensive knowledge of all loan types (FHA, VA, Conventional, Jumbo etc.) and all property types, and continues to cater to every buyer/borrower profile. Jeff has been awarded “Loan Officer of the Year/Top Producer” from 2010-2013. “The mortgage business has been wonderful to me,” he says, “Like any other relationship in life that means something, you love it through the good and the tough. You must communicate, work as hard as you can, and maintain balance. This is what I do. It is not a job or work; it is a part of my life. It loves me back in so many different ways. The people you assist in obtaining home ownership are so overwhelmingly thankful at times, all I can say to them is, ‘I am simply doing what I promised you I would do.’” Readers can visit the website http://homeownersfg.com to learn more about Homeowners Financial Group USA, LLC and reach Jeff directly at (602) 373-7779 or jcw@homeownersfg.com. Jeff’s NMLS#236505; AZ BK#0906222; NMLS#93718

Bridgette Marie Photography The Henry, Phoenix, AZ

ASK THE EXPERT

More Sellers and Realtors Are Staging Their Homes… What’s all the Rage About? By Brett Benning with Robin Leigh

taging homes seems to have become the norm for many home

sellers and Realtors®. To learn more about why this trend seems to be catching on so fast, I sat down with Robin Leigh, Founder & President of Staged to Sell Designs, Phoenix’s fastest growing staging company.

Brett: How much does staging cost? Robin: We have a staging option for every seller no matter what the budget. We can provide a 2 hour detailed and written consultation for $250 all the way up to a home which is furnished like a builder’s model

Brett: Staging homes seems to be really popular with Realtors® and

inside and out. There are a wide variety of customizations we oﬀer to

home owners looking to sell. What are the top 3 reasons why?

make it possible for any one to stage their home to sell for top dollar.

Robin: The number one reason to stage a home is to maximize its appeal to the broadest number of buyers in the marketplace. Staging converts the seller’s home from a personal property into a product which results in at least 5% more money to the seller and causes it to sell 90% faster. Buyers who purchase staged homes connect to the property and are easier to work with during the emotional home purchase pro-

“We have a staging option for every seller no matter what the budget.”

cess. Fact is, higher sales prices, shorter market times and easier transactions are the top 3 reasons. It is the most amazing, beneficial opportunity I’ve seen in 28 years in the residential real estate business. Brett: When I was building spec homes I used to have them staged and it amazed me the range in quality of work the so called expert “home stagers” delivered. What are the 3 most crucial things Realtors® and Sellers should consider when selecting a professional home staging company? Robin: Staging is completely unregulated, which is fine with me because I’m not fond of more regulations of any kind. More importantly it gives us an advantage: we have set the standards for our business as if we were indeed heavily regulated. Some of the criteria we suggest asking any “Home Stager” prior to hiring them is where they got their

Brett: I have seen your company grow like wild fire the past 9 months. How are you growing so swiftly? Robin: We work VERY hard! And we spend the time necessary to educate our clients about what we do and how we can help them. We turn down at least one stage every week because we won’t do the job if we feel we can’t truly bring value to their listing and help the client. We look at our staging services as becoming a crucial part of the team process just like the lender, home inspector and/or title company. And we directly impact the seller’s bottom line in a positive, measurable way. Brett: What are some of the benefits to working with your company “Staged to Sell Design” vs. your competitors?

training and qualifications, where their staging materials come from

Robin: I’ve been in residential real estate for 28 years so I have a

and to ask if their stagers are background checked and drug tested. Do

diﬀerent perspective. My career has been built around understanding

they have a large portfolio of work they are willing to share along with

what sellers and buyers want. Stagers often get caught up in the

local references and testimonials? What does their contract include

romantic notion of ‘decorating’ and miss the point, which is to sell the

in the way of liability, insurance and bonding? Finally what does the

home quickly and for top dollar. Home staging is not interior design

staging company actually do step by step? Are they simply a furniture

although good design is one aspect of staging. I have first hand

rental company or are they working as a partner to help you, the seller,

knowledge of the challenges Realtors® face when trying to be 100%

in every possible way, to sell your home.

honest and yet tactful about how to help their sellers get their best

28 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

Photograph Courtesy of www.StudioCloudyAz.com

price. Realtors® know when a house doesn’t show as well as it should but have no idea how (or the courage) to convey that information. We are the professional, credible, third party who comes in and ultimately helps the seller and buyer both get what they want.

STAGED TO SELL DESIGN SERVICES We provide professional home staging services for all budgets and needs. Our results show we generate higher sales prices and usually help homes sell over 90% faster than non-staged homes.

I tell everyone we work with… ‘If you will let us help you, we can al-

Centrally located at 6615 N Scottsdale Rd., Suite 100, Scottsdale AZ 85250.

most always predict your outcome’ and that is pretty exciting for us!

Call today 602-652-2220 or visit our website at www.stagedtoselldesign

HOMES & LIFESTYLE media | 29

ASK THE EXPERT

Street of Dreams Top Designer Shares Feedback About New Trends By Brett Benning with Debra May Himes

Brett: Tell us about the “2013 Street of Dreams” project you were involved with last October - December. Debra: The 2013 Street of Dreams Homes attracted over 20,000 visitors, so I would say it was a great success. I think it was because many people are now looking for new ideas to incorporate while updating their existing homes or exciting and interesting designs for the new homes they are building. Brett: What was the overall response from the people visiting the homes? Debra: I was fortunate to be able to chat with some of the visitors to the Street of Dreams, and the response was wonderful. I think everyone enjoyed themselves and the overall experience. Brett: What new kitchen design trends were most popular? Debra: In the house that I was involved with, we showed many new ideas for kitchens. There are some great appliances now available that I think are worth mentioning. Of course, coﬀee centers are quite fun and the rage right now. In addition, many manufacturers such as Sub-Zero & Wolf are now oﬀering one of my favorite new appliances — a Convection Steam Microwave —worth checking into. Brett: What unique features of the homes were well received? Debra: The home I was involved with brandished many wonderful architectural details. For example, the entry ceiling was clad in “Mushroom Wood” which gave the ceiling a very interesting and earthy detail. Throughout the house, I used a deep cobalt blue tile for accents. We also had a wonderful metal artist detail our entry niches and Master Bedroom fireplace in metal cladding with a steel background. Brett: Tell us about your vision for the home you helped design?

Debra: The builder for this home wanted Santa Barbara architecture. Part of my job is to provide interesting architectural detailing while also creating an inviting and interesting interior. In addition, I wanted the builder to be proud of his finished house. Brett: What design elements were you most excited to incorporate? Debra: As I mentioned previously, I was able to introduce to the project a metal artist that provided some wonderful and exciting new architectural elements that truly enhanced the house. Of course the “Mushroom Wood” ceiling in the entry of the home was also a huge hit. Brett: Where do you get your inspiration? Debra: I get much of my inspiration from my clients. We are a team and my job is to get into their heads and pull out what it is they are trying to accomplish in their projects. Each project is diﬀerent, and should be—as everyone is unique. My challenge then is to make their hopes and dreams for their home come to life in the best way we can possible achieve that. I think in many cases, my clients make me a better designer. ABOUT DEBRA MAY HIMES Debra May Himes, has been a designer for over 30 years in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. She has designed her own collection of exceptional pieces, which now comprise her Jonathan David™ furniture line (named after her sons). She also created “Jewels”™ by Debra May Himes, a drapery hardware line, which received an ADEX Platinum award by the Design Journal for Design Excellence in 2006. Himes has won many other design excellence awards (e.g., “Best of Show” at the 2010 ASID Design Excellence Awards). Debra May Himes’ portfolio can be seen at www.dmhdesign.com and she can be contacted at 480-497-2699 or Debra.Himes@DMHDesign.com 31 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

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Bridgette Marie Photography Desert Highlands Golf Club Scottsdale, AZ

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Phoenix Golf Course Lifestyle Expert Brett Weiss Shares Exciting New Real Estate Tips & Trends By Brett Benning with Brett Weiss, REALTOR®

he Phoenix Metropolitan Area is renown for its golf courses. It is not just the quantity, but also the quality of courses, which distinguishes it. Spectacular views of desert canyons, Saguaro-shrouded hillsides, meticulously groomed greenways under brilliant cloudless blue skies, and innumerable signature holes designed by golf icons, attract players from all over the world and entice people to purchase and build luxury homes nearby. Publisher Brett Benning recently interviewed Brett Weiss, REALTOR® at RE/MAX Luxury Real Estate in Scottsdale, Arizona. Weiss specializes in primary residences, vacation and investment homes. He is also an expert in the golf course lifestyle, which is such an important component of the quality of life of luxury homeowners in the Valley. Brett B: Please share with us some of the recent trends you have seen across the Valley with luxury golf course communities. Brett W: The most exciting trend I am seeing is the commitment to improving these already-amazing communities and clubs. With the rebound in the housing market we have enjoyed, many communities are making improvements and major renovations to keep their residents and members happy. Over the last year I have seen an increased demand for year-round play, even as we start heating up here and through the summer. For those “die-hard” players that are here year-round, I really like a couple of communities. One is Desert Mountain, which has six courses and golf available all year. Desert Mountain’s Chiricahua course was named the No. 1 Most-Challenging Golf Course in the Valley, according to slope rating by the Phoenix Business Journal. Another great club and community is The Boulders, which has golf 365 days a year. The Boulders was recently named in “Best Courses You Can Play - Arizona: #13 North Course and #14 South Course (2014)” by Golf Week Magazine. Then there’s Pinnacle Peak Country Club, which was called “Arizona’s Best Kept Secret” by the Arizona Republic. Brett B: Are there any new or established golf course developments gaining a lot of recent attention? Why? Brett W: In general, real estate, in nearly all the nice communities, has been trending upward strongly recently. In my opinion, the hottest communities right now for real estate are in DC Ranch, which includes Silverleaf, Pinnacle Peak Country Club, Troon, Desert Highlands and Grayhawk. In addition to the golf, the amenities within these communities are top notch, which is surely the catalyst for their rise. Desert Highlands’ accolades include: “America’s Best 100 Residential Courses 2013” by Golf Week Magazine: #60. On the golf membership side, Pinnacle Peak Country Club in North Scottsdale comes to mind immediately. I know they currently have

a waiting list for membership. Another club that currently is at its member capacity, for the second time in a year, is Estancia. Estancia was named #1 private course in Arizona by Golf Digest in 2013. Troon North and Grayhawk are public courses, which have a long line of accolades for their courses, as well. Golfweek ranked their courses in the top 25 of “Best Courses You Can Play- Arizona for 2013.” Troon North (Pinnacle) was #5, Troon North (Monument) #6, Grayhawk (Talon Course) #18, and Grayhawk (Raptor Course) #20. Brett B: What is the price range to be a member at the more popular, private luxury golf courses? Brett W: Here is a graph of the costs at some of the more popular private courses in Phoenix. Course

Initiation

Monthly

Annually

Desert Mountain

$65,000

$1320

Whisper Rock CC

$130,000

$11,600

Boulders

$60,000

$459

Estancia

$135,000

$16,000

Desert Highlands

$75,000

$1100

Brett B: I understand you were selected to be the exclusive Phoenix real estate agent for a new golf enthusiast website being launched in Phoenix. Please tell us more details. Brett W: Yes, I’m very excited about that. I was hired by Mike and Michelle Seman, the founders of Go Time Golf, to find a beautiful home in the golf course community of Desert Mountain. GoTimeGolf.com is a membership website for all levels of golfers worldwide. It links golfers with “everything in golf,” including real estate, equipment, apparel, instruction, golf courses and much more. I am the exclusive real estate agent for Arizona for GoTimeGolf.com, and am really looking forward to working with their extensive network of members and vendors. ABOUT BRETT WEISS Brett Weiss was born and raised in Wisconsin, and brought his midwestern values with him to the Valley in 2002. He has a background in finance, working as a mortgage broker/banker for 8 years, and has extensive experience investing in local real estate. This experience and skill set make Brett one of the most dynamic agents in the Phoenix/ Scottsdale market. Brett works at RE/MAX Luxury Real Estate and splits time in two oﬃces: his Kierland location is 15435 N. Scottsdale Rd, Suite 110, and his Grayhawk oﬃce is located at 20301 N Hayden Rd, Suite 105. Readers are encouraged to contact Brett directly at (602) 410-2515 or email Brett@ArizonaLuxuryGroup.com. You can also visit his website at www.BrettWeissRealtor.com 35 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

ASK THE EXPERT

What’s New with Home Entertainment? By Brett Benning with Kurt Schmidt

Brett: How long have you been in the audio/ video business Kurt? Kurt: I have been in the industry for 21 years. I started back in college when I lived in Michigan selling car audio products and have been in Arizona since ’97 doing it for homes and businesses. Brett: You have seen a lot of changes in your industry. What are some of the most significant changes you have seen this past year in the TV market? Kurt: In recent years, the size of the TV’s. It was not that long ago we could not even discuss going as big as 75, 80 or 90”. Brett: What is one of the most unique new technologies in TV’s that most consumers may not know about? Kurt: The new 4K (Ultra HD) TV’s. They are 4 times the resolution as 1080p. They are truly amazing; you really have to see them in person. Brett: It seems that the price of TV’s has come down significantly in the past 3 years. Why is this so? 36 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

Kurt: All products go through a cycle with price drops. If you remember, VCR’s were $1,000 when they first came out and then slowly dropped until they were practically giving them away. Same thing goes for DVD and Blu-ray players, they were both $1,000 when they first came out and then slowly dropped through the years. TV’s have dropped due to eﬃciencies in manufacturing, but just as the TV’s come down in price, they will go back up when new technologies come out like 4K (just like it did going from DVD to Blu-ray). Brett: Your Scottsdale Showroom is amazing… and huge. What is the big diﬀerence between your showroom and other retailers and installers in your business? Kurt: Unlike many of the other high-end home theater and automation companies in the Phoenix area, we have a beautiful showroom where you can come to see and hear what is possible. Another huge benefit we have is that we are here 7 days a week, so we are not an appointment only, Monday through Friday showroom. This is a huge bonus not only for consumers, but also for

interior designers, real estate agents, etc. who want to bring their clients into our showroom. Regarding the big box stores, well it’s not just our showroom that makes us diﬀerent, it is our talented sales and installation teams that really sets us apart. Our sales team has an average of 21 years sales experience in this industry and our award-winning installation teams can install everything. ABOUT STARPOWER Starpower was founded to provide clients with the ultimate experience in high-end, custom installations of audio, video, security and automation. Every client, every room and every request is unique in our eyes. When you choose Starpower for intelligent entertainment design, our only desire is to make you the star. You can see the wide array of exciting, state-of-the-art home theater and home automation options at Starpower’s Scottsdale showroom. It is located at 7077 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054. For more information, visit their webiste at www.star-power.com or call 480-538-1700.

SEARCHING for a “Pre-MLS” Luxury Spec or Newly Remodeled Home? Welcome to Luxury Private Listings. We have the pulse on “Off Market,” “Pocket Listings” and “Pre-MLS” Luxury Spec and Newly Remodeled Homes. We work closely with investors, custom home builders and developers to market and sell their homes prior to hitting MLS. Find Your Dream Home First!

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Scottsdale’s #1 New Luxury Rental Residences By Denise Meridith

n 1967, architect Moshe Safdie’s Habitat 67, a Lego-inspired complex of apartments and terrace gardens at the Canada World’s Fair, landed him on the cover of national magazines. But his models were never built. Today, our cover story features a local architect— David C. Hovey—and his family, who have succeeded in combining the architectural ideas of blending apartment living and nature, with business savvy to create some of the most innovative communities in the US: Optima®. “Optima®” is where the active, but environmentally-conscious homeowner, who wants the low-maintenance convenience of apartment living, but the comfort and style of a luxury community, wants to be! Optima® is a family aﬀair. President David C. Hovey Sr. and his wife, Eileen, Director of Sales and Marketing started the company 35 years ago in Chicago. David Sr. wanted to reinvent residential housing by optimizing development, design and construction, and to raise the design standard by building architecturally ambitious housing designed to accommodate modern people with their contemporary needs. His designs are always site-specific to the climate and lifestyle of their location, whether it is the Optima Chicago Center in Illinois or the new Sonoran Village in Arizona. continued on page 46

45 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

David Jr. graduated with an undergraduate degree in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University and a Masters of Architecture from Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). David’s sister, Tara, a Wharton graduate, is also involved in the family business and Lauren owns her own Strength and Conditioning company, and also resides in Scottsdale. David still commutes to Chicago monthly to work with the family operations there. Optima Biltmore Towers, located at 24th Street and Camelback, was the first Arizona Optima® community in 2006. The next community— Optima Camelview Village—opened in 2007. That eleven-building, 700-unit community combined landscaped terraces, a 10-acre community park, shaded pedestrian walkways, and resort-quality recreation and entertainment amenities with access to all of the urban benefits (e.g. shopping, restaurants, etc.) of downtown Scottsdale. Every unit, ranging from 800 to 4000 square feet, has a garden terrace, with views of the landscaped courtyards, or of the Scottsdale city lights. Interiors include nine-foot ceilings, gourmet kitchens with granite countertops and designer appliances, and a media room

“Optima Sonoran Village will be the ultimate attraction for active, health-conscious tenants.” or library. David and Camelview have received numerous national and international awards (including Multi-Family Building of the Year) for architectural design and environmental sustainability. These days, Phoenicians driving east on Camelback Road may be wondering what is going on with the large cranes on the corner of 68th Street. Optima Sonoran Village, whose Phase 1 first opened in March 2013, is expanding, and will be the most unique and expansive of the Optima Arizona properties. Homes & Lifestyle Media are recognizing David’s Optima Sonoran Village as Scottsdale’s #1 Luxury Rental Condo Development. 46 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

The five residential buildings of Sonoran Village will consist of luxury one bedroom convertible, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. There are ten diﬀerent floor plans with fiftyseven variations, from the convertible one bedroom to three bedroom homes, available for lease with pricing starting at $1,200/month. Internally, the apartments feature warm, earth tone colors, porcelain stone flooring, granite countertops, designer cabinetry, private garden patios, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls to maximize natural lighting. Techies will appreciate the DirecTV and high-speed Internet included with each unit. Everyone will appreciate that David’s apartments are built to high, luxury standards, using state-of-the-art steel/glass/concrete technology, as opposed to the usual Phoenix lumber and stucco. Recreationally, when Phase II is completed this summer, Optima Sonoran Village will be the ultimate attraction for active, health-conscious tenants. It will boast two large, outdoor, resortstyle pools and hot tubs; a state-of-the art 19,000 square-foot fitness center (with new Life Fitness cardio and fitness machines); basketball and racquetball courts; a lap pool; putting greens; a party room; lounges with largescreen television; pool and ping pong tables; and many other amenities. Outside, environmentally-oriented tenants can enjoy extraordinary views of Camelback Mountain, strolling along shady walkways among acres of landscaped natural features, or hikes in the nearby McDowell Mountains. Sonoran Village will be one of the first properties to be certified under the City of Scottsdale’s new International Green Construction Code (IGCC). Some of the features include elements consisting of 95% local and recycled materials; energy-eﬃcient buildings; water-conserving plumbing; reduced emissions during development; and excellent indoor air quality. Those more into nightlife than wildlife can enjoy the exciting clubs, bars or 90 restaurants of surrounding urban Scottsdale. Village residents also can take advantage of being across the street from Scottsdale Fashion Square with its 300 stores.

Bridgette Marie Photography

Overall, we are very pleased to call this our home. The location is perfect; the amenities are excellent; the public areas are always well-maintained; and most importantly; everyone on the staff is always friendly and cheerfulâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; from leasing agents to maintenance staff. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for luxury, hassle-free living in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, Optima Sonoran Village is the place for you. -Shashwat (Shash) Dave

Bridgette Marie Photography

Pool side at Optima Sonora on Camelback Rd

It is not just architectural design that makes the Optima® properties unique or David Hovey successful. Sound business strategies, management style, and advanced technology have all contributed to Optima’s success. David has a small, highly-skilled, professional core team, which meets daily, and can make decisions quickly. Optima® has also perfected use of 3D virtual design modeling. Eﬀective use of the technology has resulted in ultra-eﬃcient design and construction coordination. In this issue, Homes & Lifestyle Media is recognizing David for his dedication to designing internationally recognized award winning architecture and for his vision for Optima Sonoran Village in creating the #1 Luxury Rental Condo Development in Scottsdale. Unlike so many development projects, Optima Sonoran Village is ahead of schedule, with the 11–story building opening in January 2015, and the remaining two buildings being completed by fall 2015. Phase 1 is 97% leased; so demand for the new buildings can be expected to be high.

As an Optima Sonoran resident, I have experienced the best in luxury apartment living. The amenities, including the residents club, pools, and the on-site car wash are unequaled! The various living spaces are tastefully designed and offer great exposures and views. On site management really pulls your living and lifestyle experience together, they are friendly, informative and strive to meet your every need and request. A great place to live in downtown Scottsdale! – Jeﬀ Fisher

ABOUT OPTIMA Readers are encouraged to schedule an appointment to get a tour of Optima Sonoran Village calling (480) 990-7400 or through the website at www.OptimaSonoranVillage.com The leasing oﬃce is located at Lower Level 1 at 6895 E Camelback Road in Scottsdale. David Hovey Jr., AIA, can be reached at hoveydjr@optimaweb.com or 480-874-9900.

TOP 4

Phoenix’s TOP 4 Custom Home Builders

Photography by OnView360.com

By Denise Meridith

rom 2008-2013, during the recession, there was little investment in new home construction in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. But as the market has recovered, it has unleashed a boom in custom home design and building. Homes & Lifestyles Media brings its readers information and education about all aspects of luxury homes and the lifestyles that they accommodate. The Valley is blessed to be home to many of the best US professionals in real estate. Previously, H&LM has recognized the Top 9 Phoenix Luxury Realtors and the Top 4 Real Estate Investment Realtors & Brokers. These professionals will help a prospective homeowner locate and finance the home of his/her dreams, but the right people and companies are

needed to help build it. This issue, H&LM is honored to highlight the Top 4 Custom Home Builders: Sage Lentz of Sage Luxury Homes, Mark Doerflein of MAK Construction, Corneliu Olari of CrownLux Homes, and Brian Rives of Cantabria Homes. These are the people who are best able to convert that vacant, dusty desert lot into the dream luxury home and landscape the client has always desired. They are excellent listeners, great team leaders, sound money managers, and creative geniuses. Our three have diﬀerent backgrounds and styles, but with a common objective: only the customer’s best interest and vision in mind. From concept to finished product, they are best able to provide the most outstanding customer attention and service.

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TOP 4

Enhancing the Most Sought After Neighborhoods One Home at a Time By Denise Meridith

Bridgette Marie Photography

n 2001, Phoenix native and ASU graduate Sage Lentz followed his desire to express more creativity, and moved from commercial construction to residential home building. Today, with 60 custom homes ranging from 3,000 to 24,000 square feet to his credit, Sage is being recognized by Homes & Lifestyle Media as one of the top four builders in Arizona. Sage started with subdivisions in Desert Hills, and has built homes from Scottsdale to Arrowhead. Most of his homes today are in Arcadia and in Paradise Valley, where he lives. Results of Sageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creativity encompasses homes from single stories to multi-stories with elevators, and all styles from colonial, mission, and Mediterranean to currently popular contemporary Ranch and Santa Barbara models.

Photo by Stan Hillhouse Sage Luxury Home on Exeter in Arcadia

Sage Luxury Homes, which opened in 2006, can handle all aspects of home creation from start to finish, and can recommend the talented architects and tradespeople the homeowner needs. It can take up to one to two years to complete a custom home that exceeds the customer’s expectations. Sage had six projects underway, and, thus, was not impacted during the recent recession in Phoenix.

“We are continually seeking and implementing new ways to improve the home building experience for our customers,”

Sage’s company is unique in that they offer in-house interior design services. His staff, which handles accounting, project management and coordination, design and construction, is highly skilled and experienced, including a head of construction with 30 years in the business. “We are continually seeking and implementing new ways to improve the home building experience for our customers,” says Sage. “Our goal is to continue to build the highest quality of homes, most efficiently, in the shortest amount of time.” To ensure this, Sage starts every day at 5:30 AM, meeting with clients, architects, designers, realtors, trades people, and visiting each job site, until 7 PM. He also manages to squeeze in time for basketball, wine tasting and travelling. Sage enjoys hiking popular local trails, like Camelback Mountain, South Mountain and McDowell Mountains, and is preparing to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim, 26 miles, for the third time. Since 2006, Sage has expanded his enterprises to include two new companies: Sage Commercial Builders and Sage Concierge Services. Sage Commercial Builders handles build outs for restaurants, medical and other commercial facilities. Sage Concierge Services is a very innovative venture Sage launched last year. Luxury homeowners can contract monthly or annually to change light bulbs, patch dry wall, roofing inspections, pick up dry cleaning, pool cleaning, touch up paint, or do any other maintenance or household chore they do not have time or inclination to do themselves. “Currently we provide maintenance services for 100 around the Phoenix Metropolitan area,” says Sage. Sage Luxury Homes was, also, recently recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal, as one of the Top 10 Builders. Sage’s vision for the next five years is to continue to grow his three businesses, and have Sage Luxury Homes become a household name in Arizona for anyone wanting to build a new home or remodel an existing one.

ABOUT SAGE LUXURY HOMES Sage Luxury Homes has been recognized as being one of the top builders of quality luxury homes in Arizona. The headquarters is located at 4237 N Craftsman Court, Suite 200, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. For more information, about the company’s pride, not only in the homes it has built, but also the long-lasting relationships it has developed with its clients, readers should visit sageluxuryhomes.com For information about Sage Lentz’s other companies, readers can go to sagecommercialbuilders.com or sageconciergeservices.com Sage Lentz can be reached by phone at 480-518-1104 or slentz@ sageluxuryhomes.com. 56 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

Photo by Stan Hillhouse Sage Luxury Home on Exeter in Arcadia

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TOP 4

$3 Million Remodels to New Custom Builds Cantabria Homes Craftsmanship Always Shines By Denise Meridith

Bridgette Marie Photography

his year is a special one for ASU graduate and one of our top four homebuilders— Brian Rives. It is the 10th anniversary of when he started his own luxury home company—Cantabria Homes (“Cantabria” is an old Gaelic term that means “Dwelling in the Mountains”). The grandson of a general contractor, Brian followed in his footsteps, and chose custom home building after spending several years in land acquisition, land development and home production. “I wanted to create one-of-a-kind projects that owners can be proud to live in.”

The average size and cost of Cantabria Homes range from 2,400 square feet for a complete gut-and-remodel at $130k to an 11,500 square-foot, single story new build reaching the $3 million mark. In a previous issue, Homes and Lifestyle Media magazine showcased the contemporary design remodel/addition in North Scottsdale, a 10,000 square foot home, which required 2 ½ years to update as an entertainment oasis.

“A successful builder has to be a good listener.” Cantabria Homes is renown for its outstanding and all-encompassing customer service. Once the client buys his/her desired lot, Cantabria takes care of the rest—i.e., design, engineering, construction, HOA and city approvals, landscaping, etc.—for the busy homeowner. Cantabria has a small core staﬀ, allowing them to keep the personal touch with each client But Brian acknowledges that partnerships— with clients, investors, trade personnel, etc.—are very important to not just meeting, but exceeding the homeowner’s expectations. Brian cites three reasons that Cantabria Homes is uniquely successful: 1. Establishing personal relationships with the homeowner. “I’m happy when my clients are happy,” says Brian. Throughout the past decade, his business has come from word-of-mouth and referrals. 2. Carefully managing the homeowner’s investment. Just as an outstanding financial planner seeks to successfully manage and grow a client’s stock portfolio, Brian seeks to manage and protect the homeowner’s monetary investments in his/her luxury home. Cantabria Homes seeks ways to value engineer each project to the benefit of the client in order maximize the Return on Investment (ROI). 3. Making the client’s vision a reality. Brian says: “A successful builder has to be a good listener.” He is not concerned about what architectural style, budget or features he likes; his goal is to create the client’s dream house. Brian works hard to accomplish these goals. His typical day consists of checking on the progress of each of the projects currently underway; putting things in place for upcoming projects; and taking care of the business side of things. But the hard work has paid oﬀ and he loves his career. He sums it up: “I would say that the best part of my career is when a client expresses how much they love their new home… without any prompting. You know that you have exceeded their expectations when they make those comments to you completely on their own.” 60 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

Photography by OnView360.com

Brian’s achievements in acquisition, development and home building during his career have resulted in over $400 million in inventory. Brian is a “boutique builder,” who focuses on the quality of the project rather than the quantity of projects. Last year, Cantabria Homes managed three projects (including one that is still in construction after two years) and, this year, they will be starting three new projects.

Photography by OnView360.com

ABOUT CANTABRIA HOMES Cantabria Homes is a premier Scottsdale custom homebuilder and one of Home & Lifestyle Media’s Top 4 Builders. Its founder—Brian Rives— is a skilled and passionate builder and developer of over 300 homes. Readers can see samples of Cantabria Homes’ completed work online at www.cantabriahomes.com Brian Rives can be reached at 877-797-7307 or brian@cantabriahomes.com

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Bert Wunderlich was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. He started his mortgage banking career in 2008 and has found a home at Prime Lending. Bert prides himself in putting the client first and providing multiple options tailored to their needs. His top priority is communicating to all parties in the transaction and providing weekly updates to ensure a quick and painless closing. He has well over a thousand closed loans in his career. Bert’s strong work ethic and being available at all hours allows him to give nothing but the best customer service possible. “I feel it’s very important to be creative and research all options for each client regardless if it is a purchase transaction or a refinance,” Bert says, “Having an in-depth product knowledge in our ever changing regulatory environment is paramount.” Bert is very excited for what Prime Lending has to offer prospective clients and is working very hard to bring their products to the Arizona real estate market.

Bert helped me with my mortgage when I bought my first home in Val Vista Lakes in Gilbert. He is one of the best in the business and answered my phone calls whenever I called him which is hard to find!! I am a real estate broker in Tempe, so I know how hard it is to find a good loan person! I definately recommend Bert to anyone who is looking to finance a home!!! A+

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Senior Mortgage Banker 480-346-8368 bwunderlich@primelending.com www.bertwunderlich.com NMLS: 184592

Bridgette Marie Photography

– Julie M. Anderson Local Home Hunters Tempe, AZ

1120 South Dobson Rd, Suite 230, Chandler, AZ 85286 All loans subject to credit approval. Rates and fees subject to change. Mortgage financing provided by PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company. Equal Housing Lender. © 2014 PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company. PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company (NMLS: 13649) is a wholly owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is licensed by: AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions - mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334. V070213.

TOP 4

Paradise Valley Custom Home Builder Makes Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mark with Sophisticated Hillside Remodels By Denise Meridith

ast year, Homes and Lifestyle Media

(H&LM) featured the spectacular makeover of a mountainside contemporary home, completed by MAK Construction in Paradise Valley. This year, H&LM is proud to recognize MAK Construction, which, since 2004, has

Bridgette Marie Photography

been successfully helping homeowners, realtors

and

businesses

design

and

implement such renovations, ranging from $50,000 to millions of dollars, as one of our Top Four Builders.

Photo by Stan Hillhouse

66 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

Mark Doerflein, and Tim Cooper, a UK native, who has been in construction for over 26 years, and head of operations for MAK, work diligently to build high quality costom homes for their clients. In concert with an architect, a homeowner who desires a new home or a complete renovation generally meets with Mark or Tim, who help them develop the goals and budget. Mark and Tim review or create the scope of work, and conduct a walk-through with the homeowner to review the plans. Finally Tim assembles the team and oversees the production. Mark and Tim also must maintain good working relationships with all of the other outstanding and loyal tradespeople who help them work on and build the homes. “We work hard to treat everyone fairly,” says Mark, “And expect fairness in return. All of our partners and potential partners and trades are people who stand behind their word and their work.”

“Bringing your dream to life” is MAK’s motto. The quality of workmanship in MAK homes is impeccable. Their custom construction can transform plans to reality for new construction, and not just the usual kitchen, but also everything from wardrobes and closets to custom finishes and systems to ensure that the home looks, works and feels right. MAK works on projects of all sizes from bathroom

Photo by Stan Hillhouse

remodels to complete, new construction.

Photo by Stan Hillhouse

Unlike many in the construction industry, MAK stayed busy during the recession. Many homeowners chose to remodel their existing homes, rather than invest in new construction. Most of MAK’s work these days is in Paradise Valley, and a majority of the projects are contemporary in style. In order to do a great job for the client, the builder “must have the ability to listen to the client, and then advocate for them.” There are innumerable questions to be asked and decisions to be made during the process, which lasts many months, of building that dream home. “There are so many great things about being a builder,” says Mark, “Everything is always changing. It is fun to work outside. We get to see a project through from beginning to end. Clients present challenges and we enjoy figuring out the answers.”

ABOUT MAK CONSTRUCTION MAK Construction services both residential and commercial customers, and both new construction and remodels. Homeowners who are interested in “turning their house into a dream home,” can call MAK’s oﬃces at 480-368-0348 to set up an appointment or may visit the website www.makconst.com and fill out the interest form. 69 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

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TOP AGENT PROFILE

STEPHANY MAI • Born in Hong Kong • ASU Business Degree Graduate • Fluent in Chinese, Cantonese and English • Enjoys working out, hiking & outdoors • International Buyer Realtor with Luxury Private Listings • Resides in Biltmore Direct: 480.285.2782

I N N O VAT I O N & D E S I G N

Miele’s New Generation 6000 Line Sets New Benchmarks in Design, Technology & Innovation By Denise Meridith

hether luxury homeowners are building new dream homes or remodeling their current homes, the kitchen is usually the center of attention. Some want the most modern look, while others want to go retro; but all want the highest quality, state-of-the-art technology. The launch of Miele’s new Generation 6000 line featuring convection ovens, speed ovens, steam ovens, combi-steam ovens, coﬀee systems, microwave ovens and gourmet warming drawers, sets new benchmarks in design, technology and innovation, and will exceed the expectations of the most discerning homeowners.

lifestyle. “Whether the design of the space calls for the appliances to be the ‘heroes’ or to blend seamlessly into the cabinetry, Miele has a solution,” said Dirk Sappok, Director of Product Development.

The Generation 6000 appliances are unique and awe-inspiring. The 30" Convection Oven features over 100 semi-automatic MasterChef programs and steam injection system to thrill any home gourmet chef. The Whole Bean Coﬀee System boasts an automatically-adjusting CupSensor, and an EasyClick Milk System. Meanwhile, the One Touch for Two allows users to prepare two beverages simultaneously, including specialty drinks like latte macchiato and cappuccino.

ABOUT MIELE

Generation 6000 oﬀers a choice of two design styles (i.e., ContourLine or PureLine) and new color options, which would fit into any desired

78 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

The Generation 6000’s new M Touch display allows homeowners to easily navigate program and control options with the swipe of the screen. Keeping with their promise of “Immer Besser” (meaning forever better), Miele’s Design for Life philosophy underlines the quality and longevity of its appliances.

Miele was founded in Germany in 1899, with the promise of “Immer Besser,” a phrase meaning “Forever Better.” It is the world’s largest family-owned and -operated appliance company, with representation in nearly 100 countries. Miele, with a wide range of exceptional consumer appliances, is committed to the highest quality, performance and environmental standards. To learn more, readers should visit mieleusa.com facebook.com/mieleus or youtube.com/mieleus and follow us @MieleUSA.

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TOP 4

Master Designer and Builder Oﬀers Turnkey Custom Home Solutions By Denise Meridith

Bridgette Marie Photography

he route Corneliu Olari took to becoming one of Home & Lifestyle Media’s Top Four Custom Home Builders has been more circuitous than some others’. His Romanian parents brought their young son to this country seeking better opportunities, and “Cornel,” through dedication and hard work, has taken full advantage of those opportunities.

Central Scottsdale property Designed and Built by Cornel Olari, Crown Lux Homes Bridgette Marie Photography

Paradise property Designed and Built by Cornel Olari, Crown Lux Homes

Cornel graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in architectural design and a minor in construction management. His first job while working through college, was as a valet for some of the top restaurants and clubs in the valley as well as premier events such as the Barrett Jackson car auction and The Phoenix Open, was mind opening. He wasn’t just a carhop. It taught him the importance of dealing with a broad range of people and expectations and delivering great customer service in every situation.

“My mission is to give the client the best value for his/her dollar,” But the desire to design always drove him. In his last year of school, Cornel got his first experience in design with Cornoyer Hedrick Architects. At Cornoyer Hedrick, he worked on resort projects, medical facilities and assisted living projects for brands such as Marriott, Hyatt and Chandler Regional Medical Center. He practiced and perfected his passion for design-build concepts during his six years with Arrington Watkins Architects. Becoming a specialist in government facilities, he created industrial complexes, maintenance yards, apartment houses, custom homes and even some of the City of Phoenix new firehouses. By 2004, Cornel was able to realize his dream of having his own design firm — ocStudio — and then his own construction company in 2007. “I finally had the freedom to create the custom homes I had designed.” Along with many commercial, multi-family, and luxury car dealers, Cornel has gone on to design and build multiple custom homes in some of the most sought after neighborhoods in the valley. This vast designbuild experience has helped Cornel launch Crown Lux Homes this year and, with his enthusiasm and drive for perfection, will become the elite custom home developer in the south west. 84 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

Like our other Top Builders, this sole proprietor understands how invaluable partnerships are to his success. “I work with professionals that I have known for a long time, people I can trust, people whom I treat like family. They share my vision and have my back, allowing me to take the risks I need to take to create something special.” Cornel uses all those lessons he learned from growing up in Arizona— from his experiences building everything from government buildings to multi-family housing, to knowing how to satisfy the demands of all types of people by providing outstanding customer service to each client. As he tries to focus on only a limited number of clients every year, each one can count on Cornel’s personal attention to their project. What makes Crown Lux Homes unique is Cornel’s ability to take advantage of his extensive familiarity with North Scottsdale—the climate, the spectacular views, the latest trends, and the particular features of each site—to help the homeowner or business owner create his/her individual dream project. Any “green” technology used must add value to the property. “My mission is to give the client the best value for his/her dollar, to ensure that the homeowner or business owner winds up with a project worth more than he or she invested in it,” he says. But Cornel believes in playing as hard as he works. His passions include fast cars, playing soccer, boating, traveling, beachcombing, and hanging out with friends. Moreover, he ensures that he also devotes plenty of time and attention to his family. Readers who want someone with local valley expertise, who will spend the time to focus on his/her individual residential or commercial dream project, can count on Cornel Olari. “I look for partnerships, not clients,” he says.

ABOUT CORNEL OLARI AND CROWN LUX HOMES Cornel Olari is one of Homes & Lifestyle Media’s Top Four Builders. His Crown Lux Homes projects vary from a high-end nightclub to custom homes in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley to a Tuscany-style assisted living complex. His projects are known for their high quality finishes, jawdropping views, and budget-consciousness. Readers can view some of Cornel’s latest accomplishments on the website crownluxhomes.com or contact him at 480-370-9229 and ocstudio@ymail.com. 85 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

SPOTLIGHT

After Losing His Parents & Almost His Life...Ryan Madrid Helps Others Through Life’s Most Devastating Challenges By Denise Meridith

yan Madrid had a storybook life. He was raised in Arizona by

For example, Ryan has a strong network of divorce attorneys. The

wonderful parents, graduated from Northern Arizona University with

attorneys need help with clients, who must decide how to divide

a degree in business administration, married his school sweetheart,

property, if and when to sell estates, how to distribute sales revenue,

and had two children—a son and daughter. Ryan had a great job as a business consultant with Proctor & Gamble. He had never encountered any obstacles, and enjoyed the kind of Norman Rockwell-type existence worthy of a 1950’s television show. Then, within a five-year period, his father and best friend died suddenly from pancreatic cancer, his mother also passed, and he was in a lifethreatening motorcycle accident, that left him with serious spinal cord

“I am more than a mortgage professional,” says Ryan. “I am a ‘connector’” and other thorny issues related to divorce. Ryan is the perfect expert to

damage. Ryan had to learn how to walk again. Suﬀering from a long-

consult with both the attorneys and their clients.

term disability, he lost his career and his marriage.

Ryan says his early success plus his hardships have humbled him and

Instead of being hopelessly despondent, Ryan miraculously used what

made him more compassionate and uniquely able to help others. His

he learned during this experience to build a new life, a new career and a new mission to help others. In 2013, Ryan accepted a job with V.I.P. Mortgage. During his own misfortunes he had to go it alone—struggling through the hassles of everything from healthcare to life insurance and estate issues to the

finance and business background also provides him useful skills in the mortgage industry. “It’s not all about mortgages,” Ryan says. “My motto is ‘What now?’ I want to be a resource when people get to that fork in the road of life. I want to help others find the right direction.” Whether or not a homeowner is facing a crisis, Ryan Madrid is a uniquely

repercussions of divorce. He has been able to use the knowledge, skills

responsive professional, who can assist in overcoming hurdles.

and abilities he developed during this experience to develop a trusted

ABOUT RYAN MADRID

network of service providers. His “power team” now consists of highly skilled realtors, attorneys, life coaches and others who can help his clients navigate the sometimes-rough waters surrounding real estate and mortgage issues.

Ryan Madrid is a second generation Arizonan, who is a loan oﬃcer with V.I.P. Mortgage at 4900 North Scottsdale Rd, Suite 6000, Scottsdale AZ 85251. He loves the great people with whom he works at V.I.P. Mortgage. They help people “navigate the crossroads

“I am more than a mortgage professional,” says Ryan. “I am a

of life by listening, connecting and following through.” Readers can

‘connector’,” who can empathize with a client and provide him/her

learn more about Ryan and the company by visiting the website

with access to trustworthy professionals, who can help overcome

www.vipmtginc.com/team/ryanmadrid. They can reach Ryan directly

almost any realty issue related to a professional or personal challenge.”

at 602-292-8219 or ryanm@vipmtginc.com.

86 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

Bridgette Marie Photography The Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix, AZ

ARCADIA BRIAN NORTH Visionary

CHERI REEVES Property Specialist

GREG CORBETT Property Specialist

HEATHER WILSON Property Specialist

Continually on an upward trajectory, Brian’s focus is not on his stellar production numbers or his list of accomplishments, but on staking his reputation on the highest quality service to both his clients and his colleagues. “My greatest goal is that someday I’ll be voted REALTOR of The Year,” he says, “not from any vain pursuit, but because the award is voted on by my peers. Their recognition of my work would be the best accolade I could imagine.” Everything Brian does is working toward this end goal and with this kind of outlook he will leave an incredibly positive mark on his community as he builds his bright career.

Cheri may have been raised in Arizona, but she has managed to travel all over the world in not only her professional, but personal adventures. Previously working in international business, some of her favorite destinations include Thailand, Dubai and Hong Kong. After spending so much time away from her roots, she decided to plant her feet back in Phoenix. Cheri quickly found a home with North&Co. and hasn’t looked back. What are her plans for the coming year? “I have a lot of experience in the luxury market and am looking to bring additional culture to Arcadia. I have a genuine love for travel and look forward to bringing more international buyers into the market to see how much Arizona and Arcadia have to offer.”

Originally from Colorado, Greg moved to Arizona in 1993 and became a licensed Realtor in 2004. Since then, Greg spent four successful years as an on site agent in new home sales and then moved into the resale market in 2008. After several years working all over the valley with multiple offices, Greg finally found his home in Phoenix with North&Co. and has been there ever since. His outlook for 2014? “This should be the first year in quite some time where we see a healthy market which means homes will sell if you price them right. The demand for our amazing community will remain strong as usual.”

Heather started her sales career selling new homes for a thriving Valley home builder in 2004. She excelled as a member of a sales team, winning the Peer Award for Excellence. It was during this stint that Heather learned the home building process from start to finish. Her passion for remodeling older homes led her to live and sell in the Camelback Corridor and Arcadia areas. After 5 years at Realty Executives, Heather and her sister, Kris McLaughlin, teamed up with Brian North to launch North & Co. last year and have experienced great success. As for Heather’s favorite Central Corridor and Arcadia hot spots “I’m loving the cozy see-and-be-seen nature of The Henry. The Stand is a family favorite for weekend burgers, tacos and shakes. And Chestnut's Nutella coffee cake alongside Cartel's herbal tea is perfection.”

Contact Cheri at cheri@northandco.com

Contact Greg at Greg@northandco.com

Contact Heather at heather@northandco.com

BILTMORE KRIS McLAUGHLIN Property Specialist

AMY OWENS Property Specialist

R. JUSTIN WEAVER Property Specialist

KATIE LUND Property Specialist

KATIE GILBERT Property Specialist

Kris brings a unique marketing perspective to real estate. After graduating cum laude from Wake Forest University with a Bachelors of Arts in Communications, Kris had a successful career in advertising sales and marketing at Wired Magazine in New York City and San Francisco. Moving to Arcadia in 2005 to partner with her sister, Heather Wilson, Kris brought her skill set, ten years of sales experience and passion for connecting with people to the Phoenix real estate market. Together, they go above and beyond to serve their clients’ needs. Why does she love to be a part of North&Co.? “It’s made up of a group of Realtors who really care about their clients and their community. We have a vested interest in the preservation and improvement of Arcadia neighborhoods. It’s where we live.”

Amy Owens is a seasoned agent who manages to bring a fresh approach to the team. She is very open with her clients and wants them to be a part of the process. “I’m very straightforward and I work hard for everyone no matter the price of the listing, or the type of property,” she says. “I’ll fight for my clients and protect their interests with honest service and integrity.” As a result of her approach, many of the people she works with start as clients and end up as friends. Amy is well connected in the community with ties to the local school system and she is a great resource for clients, particularly for those with families. As for Amy’s favorite Biltmore area hot spots? “I love to eat at Hillstone, best Veggie burger in town! I'm also a big fan of True Foods for a lighter, healthier meal with a trendy flair.”

Born and raised in AZ with degrees in Philosophy and Psychology from Arizona State University, Justin is both analytical and intuitive. This perspective makes him adept at market analysis and gives him a compassionate ear for his clients’ needs. “In my previous career, I was a legislative research analyst,” he says. “I worked with a number of bipartisan issues at the Arizona Senate and that experience helps me to see all sides of the transaction in real estate. I understand what it takes to make a great investment and find the best deal, but I also know that our listings are, in reality, places where people will build their lives. We can never lose sight of that.”

Outgoing and energetic, Katie Lund moved here from Minnesota with high hopes and high ambitions. She is a fourth generation real estate agent who knows how to get the job done. “Being in real estate is like being a matchmaker,” she says. “There’s nothing I love more than finding the perfect home for my clients.” As a first time homebuyer herself, she loves helping people get started in the market, especially in her areas of expertise, Biltmore and Arcadia. When you work with Katie, you get an agent whose enthusiasm and passion for real estate are matched only by her tenacity.

Katie has joined North & Co. as part of the initiative to expand the company’s footprint in the Biltmore. A transplant from Victoria, British Columbia, Katie loves exploring Arizona and thrives on meeting new people and building her network of friends and clients. She is a bold, young agent who is eager to learn from this dynamic team. “Real estate has always been my path,” she says. “For the last five years I have been working on my own, but I was drawn to the spirit of collaboration with North & Co. I’m excited to be a part of the team and to help people create their home in the North Central area.”

Contact Kris at kris@northandco.com

Contact Justin at justin@northandco.com

Contact Katie at katie.lund@northandco.com

Contact Katie at katie@northandco.com

Contact Amy at amy@northandco.com

3131 E CAMELBACK RD #410 PHOENIX, AZ 85016 PHONE 480.250.6687 WEB northandco.com

I N N O VAT I O N & D E S I G N

Scottsdale Based Trutankless Wins 2014 Award for Best Home Technology Product By Denise Meridith

hen someone mentions water heater, most homeowners

the market in every way we can. The benefits of the forward thinking

think of a big, bulky ugly white tank that needs to be hidden in a

technology and what it means to the future of smart-home technology

closet somewhere, where hopefully it will not flood the house when

is immense.

it inevitably starts to leak in seven years. But now there is finally a solution to this age-old problem. The trutankless™ water heater is the first water heater to use state-of-the-art technology to help the homeowner save, energy, space and water, without sacrificing the convenience or aesthetics of his/her luxury home. At the National Association of Home Builders International Builders Show in Las Vegas this February, the trutankless™ water heater received the Best of IBS 2014 Award for Best Home Technology Product. This

“The industry response to our product has been incredible. It’s exciting to be involved with a product that is such a natural fit for builders and developers.” –Scott Bailey

award is intended “to encourage companies to bring forward-thinking products to market and to recognize those innovators who exemplify ingenuity and relevance, producing products that help builders build

Hot water accounts for 25% of residential energy costs and $8.1 billion

and sell homes.”

could be saved in the US if American families switched to trutankless™

This issue of Homes & Lifestyle Media features products, which utilize the latest smart technology. What is most exciting and unique about trutankless™ are its state-of-the-art features, which include an easy plug

units. The units are competitively priced to purchase and install, and their long-term value (most homeowners will get a return on investment in just 4-5 years) is significant.

& play set up, Wi-Fi and home automation compatibility, and Android/ IOS phone and tablet apps to provide alerts and peace of mind. The motto of trutankless™ is “Hot Water. Perfected.” Scott Bailey, the Vice President for Business Development says, “trutankless™ eliminates so many of the negative elements associated with the 100-year old water heater technology in use today.” trutankless’ use of electricity means the homeowner is not dependent on access to natural gas lines. With power management and flow meter features, trutankless™ provides hot water at a consistent temperature, while enhancing energy usage and performance. It eliminates the bulky 40-80 gallon tanks, taking up valuable space in homes, which need to be replaced regularly, and resulting in 7.3 million tanks filling up our landfills every year. Arizona native James Greager, President of Greager Custom Homes, Inc., has been building custom homes in Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley,

ABOUT TRUTANKLESS™ WATER HEATERS

and north Scottsdale for 22 years. He is installing trutankless™ water

trutankless™ water heaters use electricity and smart technology

heaters in all of his new homes and oﬀering previous customers an

to deliver hot water instantly when and where it is needed, while

upgrade to trutankless . He is excited about his new opportunity as

saving energy, money and hassle. The potential uses of trutankless™

Business Development Manager for Bollente Inc. and will be promoting

water heaters can include everything from one bathroom to a whole

the product to custom home builders, developers, plumbing

house or apartment, recreational vehicle, cabin or boat. For more

contractors, and multi family developers. We are here to support the

information, contact Toni Weitenhagen by phone at (623) 455-6977 or

industry—Arizona is our backyard so we are committed to servicing

email t.weitenhagen@trutankless.com.

™

91 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

ASK THE EXPERT

The Truth About Credit Repair Services By Brett Benning with Mark Hegenbart

Brett: Working in Real Estate, I have heard lots of horror stories about credit repair companies. What’s diﬀerent about Paragon Credit Services?

as if it were a new account and therefore lowers your credit score because the credit reporting agencies reflect the account as a “recent delinquency.”

Mark: It is true, the credit repair industry has a terrible reputation and rightfully so. Most credit repair companies charge their clients, regardless of the outcome. This practice does not serve the client’s interest as the company has no incentive to perform. This practice is illegal on the state and federal level. However most credit repair companies continue to charge their clients in this manner. We charge our clients for the results we achieve on their behalf.

Brett: Is paying oﬀ my credit cards in full, each month, really a good idea?

“…only work with companies who offer credit repair on a “pay for performance” basis.” Brett: How much will my score go up after I pay off a collection account? Mark: Paying off collection accounts will, in most cases, lower your credit score. This happens because part of your credit score is based on the date of last activity. When you make a payment you update that date. This effectively renews the collection account 92 | HOMES & LIFESTYLE media

Mark: No. Your credit score is literally a snapshot in time. Your card balance will likely show as the balance before it was paid oﬀ. This causes your score to reflect the possibility that you carry high amounts of revolving debt, making you a less attractive credit risk. In fact you should always leave a small balance on each card, even $25 is fine. And never charge more than 30% of the maximum limit on the card. Brett: I see several places online where I can go to electronically dispute negative items on my credit report. Is this a good way to improve my credit score? Mark: No. Never dispute anything electronically. When you dispute electronically, your dispute is handled by an automated system called “E-oscar.” This system is setup to verify the erroneous information and cement it on your credit report for good! Federal law requires that we tell our clients that they can dispute items on their credit report on their own. However, it is our strong opinion that you are best served by

working with a professional that has a deep understanding of the law and utilizes proven strategies for achieving your goals. Brett: How can a client be sure that the company they have chosen to help them fix their credit is reputable? Mark: We recommend that you contact the state attorney general to determine if there have been any complaints or actions taken against the credit repair company. Also, only work with companies who offer credit repair on a “pay for performance” basis. This is the only way to ensure that you only pay for the value you receive. ABOUT PARAGON CREDIT SERVICES Paragon Credit Services strives to be the industry leader in credit repair services. When we use the term “leader,” we do not mean the largest provider in the industry. We lead the industry in achieving successful outcomes for our clients in a cost effective, legal, moral and ethical manner. For help in repairing your credit, contact Mark Hegenbart directly at 877-317-4982. Check them out online at paragoncreditservices.com Mention Homes and Lifestyle magazine to receive $100.00 off the cost of your service.

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