Live Beautifully | January 2019

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX, AZ PERMIT 3418

***************** ECRWSSEDDM**** Local Postal Customer

20 19

When it comes to the North Scottsdale lifestyle and area real estate, The Luckys are proud to be the eminent source for their clients.

J A N UA R Y

With 100s of millions of dollars in sales under their belts, The Luckys are honored to be reputed as the most proficient

Lisa | Matt | Laura

and skilled in the industry.

602.320.8415 | Lucky@RussLyon.com View more luxury listings at LisaLucky.com

Talus at Troon North offered at

$1,750,000 ________ MLS #5807649

4 Bed + Den | 6 Bath | 7,346 SQ FT Spectacular Italian-inspired SBC Custom Home in gated Talus at Troon North. Elegantly situated on a corner lot located in a private cul-de-sac.

10629 E Troon North Drive, Scottsdale

Offering timeless elegance with an exceptionally well-thoughtout and livable floor plan, this custom Troon Highland Estates home is winner of "Best in Show" at the Street of Dreams.

offered at

$1,655,000 ________

YOUR HOME ________________ 4 Ways to Upgrade Your Fire Pit

MLS #5828668

11955 E La Posada Circle, Scottsdale

Rio Verde Foothills offered at

$1,184,000 ________ MLS #5847801

5 Bed + Den | 4.5 Bath | 3,844 SQ FT A true horse property with gorgeous mountain views on 4.7 acres in Rio Verde Foothills with private well and plenty of room for multiple activities.

15429 E Skinner Drive, Scottsdale

Rio Verde Foothills 5 Bed + Den | 5.5 Bath | 5,715 SQ FT Tremendous value in this custom offers private and open living space. Located in Rio Verde Foothills on over an acre, with a fully paved road and drive leading to the four-car garage and courtyard with fireplace and separate casita entry.

13706 E Bobwhite Way, Scottsdale

COMMUNITY CONNECTION ________________ Spotlight On: Reigning Grace Ranch REAL ESTATE CORNER ________________ Flipping Your Primary Residence

Troon Highland Estates 4 Bed + Den | 4.5 Bath | 5,464 SQ FT

In This Issue

AROUND TOWN ________________ Scottsdale Events to Enjoy in January NEW & NOTEWORTHY ________________ People, Places & Things to Know About FEATURED PROPERTIES ________________ A Sampling of North Scottsdale's Best Offerings in Real Estate

A Hole-in-One Dubbed “The Greatest Show on Grass,” The Waste Management Phoenix Open, hosted by the Valley’s longtime civic organization The Thunderbirds, has morphed from a small, unassuming morning of play into a week-long, first-class affair boasting one of the largest sporting event crowds in the world.

Living up to its name, the tournament is definitely one great show. Unlike any other tournament on the PGA TOUR, The Waste Management Phoenix Open attracts a staggering number of spectators, a field of worthy competitors, and media from around the globe to capture every exciting moment. As the best-attended golf tournament in the world, the tournament has gained legendary status as the most unique stop on the PGA TOUR. “Golf is a long-storied sport, and we have one of the most iconic holes in the sport – the legendary 16th hole,” says Chance Cozby, Thunderbird member and the 2019 Tournament Chairman. “We’ve created an atmosphere that our players and fans have embraced as something unique and special.

People from all over the world come to Scottsdale to experience it. Somewhat like attending the Super Bowl, catching a game at Fenway Park or experiencing a race at Talladega; our very own Open is on bucket lists around the world.”

F O R S COT T S DA L E The business and civic leader volunteers that make up The Thunderbirds not only run the Open but proceeds from the event fund their Valleybased philanthropic activities that benefit not only young athletes but children’s charities and more.

Over the years, millions of dollars of Open proceeds have been donated to numerous non-profit organizations right here in Maricopa County; such as the Special Olympics, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Valley of the Sun United Way, YMCA, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and more. In fact, a staggering $130+ million has been awarded with The Thunderbirds’ proceeds from the Open.

With over 719,000 spectators in attendance for the 2018 tournament, it goes without saying that the economic impact of this annual event is a boon for Arizona. An economic impact study on the tournament found that the 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open had pumped $389.3 million into the state’s economy. By all accounts, the tournament is a win-win-win for the community.

The 2019 tournament, held January 28-February 3 at TPC Scottsdale, will mark the 84th playing of the event. We hope to see you there!

offered at

$874,900 ________ MLS #5831733

CORPORATE OFFICE:

CONTACT:

The Luckys North Scottsdale 7669 East Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 110 Scottsdale, AZ 85255

602.320.8415 Lucky@RussLyon.com LisaLucky.com

4 WAYS TO UPGRADE YOUR

Flipping Your Primary Residence The fix & flip concept for real estate investors is a strategy that many have chosen either as their full-time career or to supplement their income. Done properly, strategically, and with a little market luck on their side, many of these investors have seen success and profits.

One of the downsides to investing in a flip, is the carrying costs of the property that will be incurred before it sells: costs such as monthly mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, utilities, property maintenance, Realtor commissions and closing costs. These carrying costs are one reason why some choose to fix & flip a home that they’ll be living in – their primary residence. The basic idea behind primary residence flipping is to buy a home below market value, move into it, make the necessary updates and renovations, and then resell it after the required two-year waiting period.

There can be some advantages to this. If you live in the home you’re renovating, you’ll only have one set of expenses and carrying costs, which can relieve some of the stress and anxiety to get renovations done as fast as possible and allows for less pressure to sell quickly.

You’ll also be able to avoid paying capital gains tax by living in the property for at least two of the last five years after you’ve purchased it. This is known as the Section 121 Exclusion in the tax code which allows you to avoid paying taxes on $250,000 of the capital gains (filing as an individual), or $500,000 filing jointly as married. That’s quite a savings.

There could be downsides to this too. The requirement to live in the home for a minimum of two years before you can sell it may be a hinderance to profits as you’ll be at the mercy of the ebbs and flows of the real estate market. The possibility of not being able to put the home up for sale when the market is running hot can be a disadvantage.

You’ll also have to deal with living through the renovations and be ready to move again relatively quickly. However, for some, these are minor inconveniences when weighed against the profits that can be made. Of course, you’ll also want to consult your CPA or financial advisor before you make an investment.

We have a lot of experience in helping our clients to strategically choose the right property for such an endeavor. In fact, North Scottsdale has a fair share of homes that, when updated, will sell for quite a bit more than their current value. Contact us and we’ll give you a dossier of properties to consider.

REAL E S TAT E

602.320.8415 or Lucky@RussLyon.com

corner

new

SPOTLIGHT ON:

& NOTEWORTHY

azrgr.org WHAT THEY DO: On 15 acres of beautiful Sonoran Desert in Rio Verde, rests Reigning Grace Ranch. This equine-centric rehabilitation center supports on two fronts: the rescue of horses, and the mentorship of youth.

The horses that find their way to a new life at the ranch come from various situations such as rescue, donation, sanctuary and rehoming due to financial strain. The horses play a large role in the ranch’s objective to offer mentorship and traditional values such as responsibility, patience, respect, accountability, kindness and teamwork to children and teens struggling with divorce, self-esteem issues, eating disorders, autism, social awkwardness and more.

The mentorship program at the ranch is for a duration of nine weeks, in 90-minute sessions once a week with an assigned volunteer mentor, horse, and child.

This equine-centric rehabilitation center supports on two fronts: the rescue of horses, and the mentorship of youth.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Contribute Financially: • For special projects such as an unexpected medical need of an animal • To support the monthly children’s and equine programming • To assist in ongoing ranch operations

Volunteer Positions: • Mentor • Ranch hand • Marketing/fundraising • Handyman • Greeter • Animal caretaker • Junior volunteers (ages 8-18) are also welcome

CARNIVORE CONTENTMENT A North Scottsdale favorite, The Bourbon Cellar, has recently moved into a new location at The Summit on Scottsdale Road

Don’t you just love this time of the year? Where mild, sunny days give way to clear, star-filled chilly nights?

And there’s nothing like gathering around a glowing fire pit with a hot beverage in hand and a cozy lap blanket. If you’re looking for ideas to make your fire pit even more enjoyable, read on for some suggestions to, shall we say, “add fuel to your fire”!

Fire Glass Reflective fire glass comes in all colors, shapes and sizes and makes a beautiful statement. Not only does it camouflage the burner, giving the illusion of flames magically dancing on the surface of the glass, light is always sparkling off of the glass, even in daylight. It gives a sleek, modern look for contemporary décor, and even works as a luxurious focal point for a more rustically designed pit.

Go for glamour, go for charming, or go for daring – there are so many choices.

and Pinnacle Peak. Here, Chef Doug dazzles with fresh, farm-to-table cuisine,

Wind Guards Especially useful for tabletop fire pits, these temperedglass structures will tame your flame and give consistent heat around the pit, even in the strongest winds. No more cries of alarm when the flames blow sideways and torch your glass of chardonnay!

all in a lively atmosphere.

Long Fire Troughs Although the typical fire pit is round in shape, more and more homeowners are converting to a long, rectangular trough. The look is on-trend and is a better way to make space for more people to gather. Some are constructed with built-in bench seating all around to really maximize sitting room.

don’t miss the $5 drink

Flame Ornaments That’s right, you can purchase interesting, sculptural embellishments to place atop the pit to accent the flames and give your fire pit that extra punch of “wow.”

Lunch focuses on USDA Prime beef half-pound burgers, while dinner brings Prime steaks and seafood which is flown in fresh daily. Oh, and specials, all day, every day!

TheBourbonCellar.com

REFORM & RENEW If you haven’t tried a Pilates class, specifically with the reformer carriage which uses a system of pulleys and springs for resistance, you can now head to the new Reformed Pilates location at the Zocallo shopping

JANUARY 12 | McDowellSonoran.org

JANUARY 16-20 | RussoAndSteele.com

JANUARY 26 | MIM.org

The Story of Brown’s Ranch

Russo & Steele Collector Auto Auction

Mozart and Schubert Chamber Music Festival

Scottsdale morphs into the collector auto auction’s world epicenter every

The Phoenix Symphony’s popular Chamber Series continues at the

core strength with interval

January, and many loyal attendees tout Russo and Steele for its reputation

intimate and acoustically superb MIM Music Theater. This season, the

training to provide clients

for wild, action-filled, auction block excitement earning the honor of being

music continues its focus on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and introduces

of all ability levels with

“one of the major players in the Scottsdale scene.” Expect to see European

a more in-depth look at the works of Franz Schubert. Two performances

sports cars, American muscle cars, hot rods, classics and customs in this

are scheduled on this date, an afternoon matinee and an evening

five-day event held at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

performance.

professor, will lead the discussion of an overview of Brown’s Ranch where one of Scottsdale’s early leaders established one of the area’s foremost cattle operations that lasted here for half a century. The 3.5-hour easy hike will be a leisurely 3.5 miles to the ranch headquarters and back describing the physical remains, the colorful personalities, and the historical significance of it all.

of Pilates including balance, flexibility and

a full body workout.

ReformedPilates.com

January

departing from the Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Dr. Charles Holt, retired history

the classical elements

2019

The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy presents a walking history tour

center. The studio fuses

4 WAYS TO UPGRADE YOUR

Flipping Your Primary Residence The fix & flip concept for real estate investors is a strategy that many have chosen either as their full-time career or to supplement their income. Done properly, strategically, and with a little market luck on their side, many of these investors have seen success and profits.

One of the downsides to investing in a flip, is the carrying costs of the property that will be incurred before it sells: costs such as monthly mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, utilities, property maintenance, Realtor commissions and closing costs. These carrying costs are one reason why some choose to fix & flip a home that they’ll be living in – their primary residence. The basic idea behind primary residence flipping is to buy a home below market value, move into it, make the necessary updates and renovations, and then resell it after the required two-year waiting period.

There can be some advantages to this. If you live in the home you’re renovating, you’ll only have one set of expenses and carrying costs, which can relieve some of the stress and anxiety to get renovations done as fast as possible and allows for less pressure to sell quickly.

You’ll also be able to avoid paying capital gains tax by living in the property for at least two of the last five years after you’ve purchased it. This is known as the Section 121 Exclusion in the tax code which allows you to avoid paying taxes on $250,000 of the capital gains (filing as an individual), or $500,000 filing jointly as married. That’s quite a savings.

There could be downsides to this too. The requirement to live in the home for a minimum of two years before you can sell it may be a hinderance to profits as you’ll be at the mercy of the ebbs and flows of the real estate market. The possibility of not being able to put the home up for sale when the market is running hot can be a disadvantage.

You’ll also have to deal with living through the renovations and be ready to move again relatively quickly. However, for some, these are minor inconveniences when weighed against the profits that can be made. Of course, you’ll also want to consult your CPA or financial advisor before you make an investment.

We have a lot of experience in helping our clients to strategically choose the right property for such an endeavor. In fact, North Scottsdale has a fair share of homes that, when updated, will sell for quite a bit more than their current value. Contact us and we’ll give you a dossier of properties to consider.

REAL E S TAT E

602.320.8415 or Lucky@RussLyon.com

corner

new

SPOTLIGHT ON:

& NOTEWORTHY

azrgr.org WHAT THEY DO: On 15 acres of beautiful Sonoran Desert in Rio Verde, rests Reigning Grace Ranch. This equine-centric rehabilitation center supports on two fronts: the rescue of horses, and the mentorship of youth.

The horses that find their way to a new life at the ranch come from various situations such as rescue, donation, sanctuary and rehoming due to financial strain. The horses play a large role in the ranch’s objective to offer mentorship and traditional values such as responsibility, patience, respect, accountability, kindness and teamwork to children and teens struggling with divorce, self-esteem issues, eating disorders, autism, social awkwardness and more.

The mentorship program at the ranch is for a duration of nine weeks, in 90-minute sessions once a week with an assigned volunteer mentor, horse, and child.

This equine-centric rehabilitation center supports on two fronts: the rescue of horses, and the mentorship of youth.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Contribute Financially: • For special projects such as an unexpected medical need of an animal • To support the monthly children’s and equine programming • To assist in ongoing ranch operations

Volunteer Positions: • Mentor • Ranch hand • Marketing/fundraising • Handyman • Greeter • Animal caretaker • Junior volunteers (ages 8-18) are also welcome

CARNIVORE CONTENTMENT A North Scottsdale favorite, The Bourbon Cellar, has recently moved into a new location at The Summit on Scottsdale Road

Don’t you just love this time of the year? Where mild, sunny days give way to clear, star-filled chilly nights?

And there’s nothing like gathering around a glowing fire pit with a hot beverage in hand and a cozy lap blanket. If you’re looking for ideas to make your fire pit even more enjoyable, read on for some suggestions to, shall we say, “add fuel to your fire”!

Fire Glass Reflective fire glass comes in all colors, shapes and sizes and makes a beautiful statement. Not only does it camouflage the burner, giving the illusion of flames magically dancing on the surface of the glass, light is always sparkling off of the glass, even in daylight. It gives a sleek, modern look for contemporary décor, and even works as a luxurious focal point for a more rustically designed pit.

Go for glamour, go for charming, or go for daring – there are so many choices.

and Pinnacle Peak. Here, Chef Doug dazzles with fresh, farm-to-table cuisine,

Wind Guards Especially useful for tabletop fire pits, these temperedglass structures will tame your flame and give consistent heat around the pit, even in the strongest winds. No more cries of alarm when the flames blow sideways and torch your glass of chardonnay!

all in a lively atmosphere.

Long Fire Troughs Although the typical fire pit is round in shape, more and more homeowners are converting to a long, rectangular trough. The look is on-trend and is a better way to make space for more people to gather. Some are constructed with built-in bench seating all around to really maximize sitting room.

don’t miss the $5 drink

Flame Ornaments That’s right, you can purchase interesting, sculptural embellishments to place atop the pit to accent the flames and give your fire pit that extra punch of “wow.”

Lunch focuses on USDA Prime beef half-pound burgers, while dinner brings Prime steaks and seafood which is flown in fresh daily. Oh, and specials, all day, every day!

TheBourbonCellar.com

REFORM & RENEW If you haven’t tried a Pilates class, specifically with the reformer carriage which uses a system of pulleys and springs for resistance, you can now head to the new Reformed Pilates location at the Zocallo shopping

JANUARY 12 | McDowellSonoran.org

JANUARY 16-20 | RussoAndSteele.com

JANUARY 26 | MIM.org

The Story of Brown’s Ranch

Russo & Steele Collector Auto Auction

Mozart and Schubert Chamber Music Festival

Scottsdale morphs into the collector auto auction’s world epicenter every

The Phoenix Symphony’s popular Chamber Series continues at the

core strength with interval

January, and many loyal attendees tout Russo and Steele for its reputation

intimate and acoustically superb MIM Music Theater. This season, the

training to provide clients

for wild, action-filled, auction block excitement earning the honor of being

music continues its focus on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and introduces

of all ability levels with

“one of the major players in the Scottsdale scene.” Expect to see European

a more in-depth look at the works of Franz Schubert. Two performances

sports cars, American muscle cars, hot rods, classics and customs in this

are scheduled on this date, an afternoon matinee and an evening

five-day event held at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

performance.

professor, will lead the discussion of an overview of Brown’s Ranch where one of Scottsdale’s early leaders established one of the area’s foremost cattle operations that lasted here for half a century. The 3.5-hour easy hike will be a leisurely 3.5 miles to the ranch headquarters and back describing the physical remains, the colorful personalities, and the historical significance of it all.

of Pilates including balance, flexibility and

a full body workout.

ReformedPilates.com

January

departing from the Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Dr. Charles Holt, retired history

the classical elements

2019

The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy presents a walking history tour

center. The studio fuses

20 19

When it comes to the North Scottsdale lifestyle and area real estate, The Luckys are proud to be the eminent source for their clients.

J A N UA R Y

With 100s of millions of dollars in sales under their belts, The Luckys are honored to be reputed as the most proficient

Lisa | Matt | Laura

and skilled in the industry.

602.320.8415 | Lucky@RussLyon.com View more luxury listings at LisaLucky.com

Talus at Troon North offered at

$1,750,000 ________ MLS #5807649

4 Bed + Den | 6 Bath | 7,346 SQ FT Spectacular Italian-inspired SBC Custom Home in gated Talus at Troon North. Elegantly situated on a corner lot located in a private cul-de-sac.

10629 E Troon North Drive, Scottsdale

Offering timeless elegance with an exceptionally well-thoughtout and livable floor plan, this custom Troon Highland Estates home is winner of "Best in Show" at the Street of Dreams.

offered at

$1,655,000 ________

YOUR HOME ________________ 4 Ways to Upgrade Your Fire Pit

MLS #5828668

11955 E La Posada Circle, Scottsdale

Rio Verde Foothills offered at

$1,184,000 ________ MLS #5847801

5 Bed + Den | 4.5 Bath | 3,844 SQ FT A true horse property with gorgeous mountain views on 4.7 acres in Rio Verde Foothills with private well and plenty of room for multiple activities.

15429 E Skinner Drive, Scottsdale

Rio Verde Foothills 5 Bed + Den | 5.5 Bath | 5,715 SQ FT Tremendous value in this custom offers private and open living space. Located in Rio Verde Foothills on over an acre, with a fully paved road and drive leading to the four-car garage and courtyard with fireplace and separate casita entry.

13706 E Bobwhite Way, Scottsdale

COMMUNITY CONNECTION ________________ Spotlight On: Reigning Grace Ranch REAL ESTATE CORNER ________________ Flipping Your Primary Residence

Troon Highland Estates 4 Bed + Den | 4.5 Bath | 5,464 SQ FT

In This Issue

AROUND TOWN ________________ Scottsdale Events to Enjoy in January NEW & NOTEWORTHY ________________ People, Places & Things to Know About FEATURED PROPERTIES ________________ A Sampling of North Scottsdale's Best Offerings in Real Estate

A Hole-in-One Dubbed “The Greatest Show on Grass,” The Waste Management Phoenix Open, hosted by the Valley’s longtime civic organization The Thunderbirds, has morphed from a small, unassuming morning of play into a week-long, first-class affair boasting one of the largest sporting event crowds in the world.

Living up to its name, the tournament is definitely one great show. Unlike any other tournament on the PGA TOUR, The Waste Management Phoenix Open attracts a staggering number of spectators, a field of worthy competitors, and media from around the globe to capture every exciting moment. As the best-attended golf tournament in the world, the tournament has gained legendary status as the most unique stop on the PGA TOUR. “Golf is a long-storied sport, and we have one of the most iconic holes in the sport – the legendary 16th hole,” says Chance Cozby, Thunderbird member and the 2019 Tournament Chairman. “We’ve created an atmosphere that our players and fans have embraced as something unique and special.

People from all over the world come to Scottsdale to experience it. Somewhat like attending the Super Bowl, catching a game at Fenway Park or experiencing a race at Talladega; our very own Open is on bucket lists around the world.”

F O R S COT T S DA L E The business and civic leader volunteers that make up The Thunderbirds not only run the Open but proceeds from the event fund their Valleybased philanthropic activities that benefit not only young athletes but children’s charities and more.

Over the years, millions of dollars of Open proceeds have been donated to numerous non-profit organizations right here in Maricopa County; such as the Special Olympics, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Valley of the Sun United Way, YMCA, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and more. In fact, a staggering $130+ million has been awarded with The Thunderbirds’ proceeds from the Open.

With over 719,000 spectators in attendance for the 2018 tournament, it goes without saying that the economic impact of this annual event is a boon for Arizona. An economic impact study on the tournament found that the 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open had pumped $389.3 million into the state’s economy. By all accounts, the tournament is a win-win-win for the community.

The 2019 tournament, held January 28-February 3 at TPC Scottsdale, will mark the 84th playing of the event. We hope to see you there!

offered at

$874,900 ________ MLS #5831733

CORPORATE OFFICE:

CONTACT:

The Luckys North Scottsdale 7669 East Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 110 Scottsdale, AZ 85255

602.320.8415 Lucky@RussLyon.com LisaLucky.com