Live Beautifully | December 2016

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TARADEL, LLC.

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

20 16

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

Lisa | Matt | Laura

DECEMBER

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

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

In This Issue

As you well know, the holiday month of December brings many visitors to the Valley. And who can blame them? Why slog

COMMUNITY CONNECTION ________________ Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship

offered at

$2,250,000 ________ MLS#5525305

through piles of snow when they can enjoy sunny days poolside and crisp evenings by the fire pit? If you’re expecting friends or family to visit you during the holidays, turn your “host-with-the-most” reputation up a notch with some of our ideas for showing your guests a great time in beautiful Scottsdale!

REAL ESTATE UPDATE ________________ North Scottsdale Luxury Home Market

For a Western Experience: Do your guests dream of dusty trails

YOUR HOME ________________ Key Decorating Tips To Make Any Home Better

Museum of the West. Lastly, don your boots and spurs and head over to

and cowboy hats? Show them an Old West experience they’ll never forget. Start with a guided horseback ride through scenic desert trails at McDonald’s Ranch, followed by a captivating visit to the Scottsdale Harold’s Corral in Cave Creek for lively dinner and dancing!

For Your Fitness-Minded Guests: Get their day started with a bloodpumping hike of Pinnacle Peak. Next, refuel and reenergize with a

This authentically Southwestern home is nestled on a large lot with direct access to hiking trails from the backyard. Upon entering, mesmerizing views of the McDowell Mountains are framed by the 12-foot windows in the great room. With vigas, latillas, plastered walls, Saltillo tile floors, kiva fireplaces, rounded corners and peeled-pine poles, the estate exudes authenticity. Numerous features include: gourmet kitchen with solid granite, six-burner Wolf gas stove and custom-built hood vent; pool, spa and waterfall; large master

Estates at Desert Crest Scottsdale

AROUND TOWN ________________ Scottsdale Events to Enjoy in December

4 Bed + Office + Bonus 4.5 Bath 5,725 SQ FT 3.8-Acre Lot

NEW & NOTEWORTHY ________________ People, Places & Things to Know About FEATURED PROPERTY ________________ Authentically Southwestern

healthy lunch at Kale & Clover. Saddle up for a rockin’ afternoon spin class at RPM Spin and then wind down the day with a delicious organic dinner at True Food at the Scottsdale Quarter.

For Your “Spoil-Me” Guests: Let the Scottsdale sunrise take their breath away with a hot air balloon ride over the desert, followed by a half-day Sun Suite Escape package at the Spa at the Boulders. Spirit them away in an exotic dream car from Beverly Hills Rent-a-Car in Scottsdale for a three-hour driving adventure, before settling into your exclusive and private dining experience at the Four Seasons’ Talavera.

We hope you enjoy your holiday season, and that it’s filled with joy, laughter and the pleasure of loved ones in your company. Happy Holidays from our family to yours! ~The Luckys

suite with luxurious bathroom; billiards room with built-in wet bar; separate den and a movie theatre room. In a word: Spectacular!

YOUR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS

CORPORATE OFFICE:

CONTACT:

The Luckys North Scottsdale 8852 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, J-3 Scottsdale, AZ 85255

602.320.8415 Lucky@RussLyon.com LisaLucky.com

North Scottsdale Luxury Home Market

While other segments of the Valley real estate markets are selling briskly, the luxury market is a buyer’s market right now. Do sellers need to be overly concerned about falling home values or properties languishing on the market? Not necessarily. What it DOES mean though, is that pricing the listing properly from the start is essential for success. Listing it high – “just to see what happens” – is a huge mistake right now. It almost guarantees that nothing will happen! Additionally, since buyers have so many beautiful properties to choose from, sellers need to take the extra steps to make their property “show ready” and in excellent condition – before it hits the market. In some cases for older properties, this also means substantial updating.

Now that the election has passed, many buyers that have been sitting on the sidelines will come out to buy. Coupled with the fact that we’re approaching the best time of year for sales is encouraging for the market.

Wondering what it would take to make your home ready to compete? We’re experts at that! In just one visit to your property we can tell you what you may or may not need to do, how much your home would likely sell for, and how long it may take.

We’d love to consult with you!

REAL E S TAT E

update

SPOTLIGHT ON

& NOTEWORTHY

By: Judith Taylor Source: Houzz.com

CamelotAZ.org WHAT THEY DO:

“Since its inception in 1980, Camelot has offered one-on-one education, with instruction tailored to the individual needs of our students. Camelot specializes in serving riders with physical disabilities, and our students learn riding, driving, grooming, training, vet care, and stable management.

Camelot Ranch is located on 14.25 acres of the Sonoran Desert in the Pinnacle Peak area of Arizona. Our barrier-free, wheelchairaccessible facility makes it possible for students to saddle, ride, and groom our horses with minimal help.”

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Volunteer to be a Ranch Hand: Specific duties include stall cleaning, feeding and watering of livestock, some light grooming duties if appropriate, and other light barn chores such as sweeping or cleaning tack and equipment.

Volunteer to be an Instructor Assistant: Function as an important part of a team, helping to provide horsemanship training to the students. These volunteers assist students in fetching, grooming, tacking, and mounting horses. During mounted lessons, they may be leading, side walking, or simply watching the lesson unless needed by the instructor.

Volunteer to be a Groundskeeper: Specific duties include watering desert plants and shrubs; minor weeding and treetrimming; and maintaining safe riding trails by monitoring on a weekly basis for litter, debris, or low-hanging branches.

Donate: Any amount is appreciated!

1. Pick the paint color last. I get calls all the time from homeowners who want to pick a paint color before they move in.

I get the logic. Why not arrive to walls with a fresh coat of paint? Of course you can do it this way, but in my opinion it’s not ideal.

There are thousands of paint colors with various tints, tones and shades. And each one looks different from home to home, because light sources vary, meaning what looks good in your current home might not in your new one. You want the color that best complements your upholstery, artwork, rug and whatever else. You can pick that color only if your stuff is actually inside your home.

2. Give your furniture some breathing room. Resist overcrowding a room. Gracious living means space to maneuver with ease. This is really great news if you are working with a tight budget. You don’t need to fill up a space with lots of furniture. Spend more of your budget on fewer but better-quality pieces, and your room will look better than if it’s stuffed to the gills with flea market finds.

3. Hang artwork at the right height. Galleries and museums hang artwork so that the midline (center) of each piece is 57 inches to 60 inches from the floor. (The average human eye level is 57 inches.) And you should do the same.

In a room where the ceilings soar, there might be a tendency to hang the art higher. But remember: It needs to relate to human scale, not the structure’s scale.

If you’re not sure, take a picture. It’s remarkable how much a photo can reveal. Print it out or use Photoshop or an app to draw on the photo. This can give you a sense of whether a larger or smaller piece of art is needed or a tall plant might be best to fill a vacant spot.

4. Resist the urge to be too theme-y. For example, the Cape Cod look is a very popular request.

You know the hallmarks: beadboard, a blue and white nautical palette, some sailboat paintings. But this has been done so many times, it lacks individuality. The coastal vibe can be achieved through a palette, artwork and materials that give the effect without drawing on the obvious clichés.

DECEMBER 7-11 | ExperienceScottsdaleGolf.com

DECEMBER 17 | SurLaTable.com

DECEMBER 21 | MaricopaCountyParks.net

Golf Digest’s Gauntlet Tournament

Handmade Holiday Chocolates

Dragonfly Trail Exploration Hike

What could be more fun than a holiday-themed hands-on cooking class? Learning to make chocolates of course! The chef instructors at Sur La Table at Kierland Commons take guests through every delicious step of creating homemade truffles, tempered chocolate and layered peppermint bark. Learn techniques that will make your holiday treats a gift all your friends and family will yearn for year after year

Don your hiking boots, grab your best buddy and join a park ranger on a moderate 3.5-mile hike of the Dragonfly Trail. You’ll visit a prehistoric rock art site and walk along a scenic section of riparian habitat adjacent to Cave Creek. Organized by the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, this community event promises to bring a little nature respite into your day.

As part of the inaugural Scottsdale Golf Week, the Gauntlet Tournament package includes three days of golf play, private dining events, an “inside-the-ropes” discussion with Golf Channel Broadcast Analyst Tim Rosaforte, a lavish gift bag and a hole-in-one shootout.

new

BREAKFAST DONE BETTER Opening soon next to Grimaldi’s Pizzeria at the Scottsdale Quarter, is a cozy new breakfast joint with a modern hipster vibe. Breakfast Kitchen Bar, offering creative menu items such as their Lobster Omelet, Chicken & Waffle Hash and Croissant French Toast, strives to be your new go-to place for not just breakfast, but brunch, lunch and your daily happy hour. Also serving sandwiches, salads and tapas, you can meet up with business colleagues or bring the kids.

BreakfastKitchenBar.com

CLASSIC AMERICAN STYLE New at Kierland Commons is the iconic American clothier J. McLaughlin. As its first location in Arizona, this warm and welcoming store offers traditional fashions with “cheeky details” for both men and women. Their collections include ready-to-wear fashion and accessories.

Think quality materials and superior design; both with a hint of the unexpected.

JMcLaughlin.com

december

When we compare the most recent month of October 2016 to the prior year, October 2015, the market reports show that there has been an increase in properties on the market, and a decrease in the median sold price. In October 2015, there were 614 homes for sale. In October of this year, it had increased 13% to 695 homes. The median sold price for October of last year was $1,590,000 compared to $1,335,000 for this year – a drop of 16%. However, the average price per square foot was higher in 2016 than last year. The 16% drop year-over-year in median sales price does not indicate that property values have dropped 16%. What this tells us is that the higher-end homes are not selling as well this year as are the lower-priced properties closer to $1,000,000.

Key Decorating Tips to Make Any Room Better

2016

Many Scottsdale residents ask us, “What direction is the housing market going?” Let’s take a look at the luxury market. We’ll compare single-family homes that have sold for $1,000,000 or more, in the North Scottsdale zip codes of 85255, 85262 and 85266.

North Scottsdale Luxury Home Market

While other segments of the Valley real estate markets are selling briskly, the luxury market is a buyer’s market right now. Do sellers need to be overly concerned about falling home values or properties languishing on the market? Not necessarily. What it DOES mean though, is that pricing the listing properly from the start is essential for success. Listing it high – “just to see what happens” – is a huge mistake right now. It almost guarantees that nothing will happen! Additionally, since buyers have so many beautiful properties to choose from, sellers need to take the extra steps to make their property “show ready” and in excellent condition – before it hits the market. In some cases for older properties, this also means substantial updating.

Now that the election has passed, many buyers that have been sitting on the sidelines will come out to buy. Coupled with the fact that we’re approaching the best time of year for sales is encouraging for the market.

Wondering what it would take to make your home ready to compete? We’re experts at that! In just one visit to your property we can tell you what you may or may not need to do, how much your home would likely sell for, and how long it may take.

We’d love to consult with you!

REAL E S TAT E

update

SPOTLIGHT ON

& NOTEWORTHY

By: Judith Taylor Source: Houzz.com

CamelotAZ.org WHAT THEY DO:

“Since its inception in 1980, Camelot has offered one-on-one education, with instruction tailored to the individual needs of our students. Camelot specializes in serving riders with physical disabilities, and our students learn riding, driving, grooming, training, vet care, and stable management.

Camelot Ranch is located on 14.25 acres of the Sonoran Desert in the Pinnacle Peak area of Arizona. Our barrier-free, wheelchairaccessible facility makes it possible for students to saddle, ride, and groom our horses with minimal help.”

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Volunteer to be a Ranch Hand: Specific duties include stall cleaning, feeding and watering of livestock, some light grooming duties if appropriate, and other light barn chores such as sweeping or cleaning tack and equipment.

Volunteer to be an Instructor Assistant: Function as an important part of a team, helping to provide horsemanship training to the students. These volunteers assist students in fetching, grooming, tacking, and mounting horses. During mounted lessons, they may be leading, side walking, or simply watching the lesson unless needed by the instructor.

Volunteer to be a Groundskeeper: Specific duties include watering desert plants and shrubs; minor weeding and treetrimming; and maintaining safe riding trails by monitoring on a weekly basis for litter, debris, or low-hanging branches.

Donate: Any amount is appreciated!

1. Pick the paint color last. I get calls all the time from homeowners who want to pick a paint color before they move in.

I get the logic. Why not arrive to walls with a fresh coat of paint? Of course you can do it this way, but in my opinion it’s not ideal.

There are thousands of paint colors with various tints, tones and shades. And each one looks different from home to home, because light sources vary, meaning what looks good in your current home might not in your new one. You want the color that best complements your upholstery, artwork, rug and whatever else. You can pick that color only if your stuff is actually inside your home.

2. Give your furniture some breathing room. Resist overcrowding a room. Gracious living means space to maneuver with ease. This is really great news if you are working with a tight budget. You don’t need to fill up a space with lots of furniture. Spend more of your budget on fewer but better-quality pieces, and your room will look better than if it’s stuffed to the gills with flea market finds.

3. Hang artwork at the right height. Galleries and museums hang artwork so that the midline (center) of each piece is 57 inches to 60 inches from the floor. (The average human eye level is 57 inches.) And you should do the same.

In a room where the ceilings soar, there might be a tendency to hang the art higher. But remember: It needs to relate to human scale, not the structure’s scale.

If you’re not sure, take a picture. It’s remarkable how much a photo can reveal. Print it out or use Photoshop or an app to draw on the photo. This can give you a sense of whether a larger or smaller piece of art is needed or a tall plant might be best to fill a vacant spot.

4. Resist the urge to be too theme-y. For example, the Cape Cod look is a very popular request.

You know the hallmarks: beadboard, a blue and white nautical palette, some sailboat paintings. But this has been done so many times, it lacks individuality. The coastal vibe can be achieved through a palette, artwork and materials that give the effect without drawing on the obvious clichés.

DECEMBER 7-11 | ExperienceScottsdaleGolf.com

DECEMBER 17 | SurLaTable.com

DECEMBER 21 | MaricopaCountyParks.net

Golf Digest’s Gauntlet Tournament

Handmade Holiday Chocolates

Dragonfly Trail Exploration Hike

What could be more fun than a holiday-themed hands-on cooking class? Learning to make chocolates of course! The chef instructors at Sur La Table at Kierland Commons take guests through every delicious step of creating homemade truffles, tempered chocolate and layered peppermint bark. Learn techniques that will make your holiday treats a gift all your friends and family will yearn for year after year

Don your hiking boots, grab your best buddy and join a park ranger on a moderate 3.5-mile hike of the Dragonfly Trail. You’ll visit a prehistoric rock art site and walk along a scenic section of riparian habitat adjacent to Cave Creek. Organized by the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, this community event promises to bring a little nature respite into your day.

As part of the inaugural Scottsdale Golf Week, the Gauntlet Tournament package includes three days of golf play, private dining events, an “inside-the-ropes” discussion with Golf Channel Broadcast Analyst Tim Rosaforte, a lavish gift bag and a hole-in-one shootout.

new

BREAKFAST DONE BETTER Opening soon next to Grimaldi’s Pizzeria at the Scottsdale Quarter, is a cozy new breakfast joint with a modern hipster vibe. Breakfast Kitchen Bar, offering creative menu items such as their Lobster Omelet, Chicken & Waffle Hash and Croissant French Toast, strives to be your new go-to place for not just breakfast, but brunch, lunch and your daily happy hour. Also serving sandwiches, salads and tapas, you can meet up with business colleagues or bring the kids.

BreakfastKitchenBar.com

CLASSIC AMERICAN STYLE New at Kierland Commons is the iconic American clothier J. McLaughlin. As its first location in Arizona, this warm and welcoming store offers traditional fashions with “cheeky details” for both men and women. Their collections include ready-to-wear fashion and accessories.

Think quality materials and superior design; both with a hint of the unexpected.

JMcLaughlin.com

december

When we compare the most recent month of October 2016 to the prior year, October 2015, the market reports show that there has been an increase in properties on the market, and a decrease in the median sold price. In October 2015, there were 614 homes for sale. In October of this year, it had increased 13% to 695 homes. The median sold price for October of last year was $1,590,000 compared to $1,335,000 for this year – a drop of 16%. However, the average price per square foot was higher in 2016 than last year. The 16% drop year-over-year in median sales price does not indicate that property values have dropped 16%. What this tells us is that the higher-end homes are not selling as well this year as are the lower-priced properties closer to $1,000,000.

Key Decorating Tips to Make Any Room Better

2016

Many Scottsdale residents ask us, “What direction is the housing market going?” Let’s take a look at the luxury market. We’ll compare single-family homes that have sold for $1,000,000 or more, in the North Scottsdale zip codes of 85255, 85262 and 85266.

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TARADEL, LLC.

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

20 16

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

Lisa | Matt | Laura

DECEMBER

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

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

In This Issue

As you well know, the holiday month of December brings many visitors to the Valley. And who can blame them? Why slog

COMMUNITY CONNECTION ________________ Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship

offered at

$2,250,000 ________ MLS#5525305

through piles of snow when they can enjoy sunny days poolside and crisp evenings by the fire pit? If you’re expecting friends or family to visit you during the holidays, turn your “host-with-the-most” reputation up a notch with some of our ideas for showing your guests a great time in beautiful Scottsdale!

REAL ESTATE UPDATE ________________ North Scottsdale Luxury Home Market

For a Western Experience: Do your guests dream of dusty trails

YOUR HOME ________________ Key Decorating Tips To Make Any Home Better

Museum of the West. Lastly, don your boots and spurs and head over to

and cowboy hats? Show them an Old West experience they’ll never forget. Start with a guided horseback ride through scenic desert trails at McDonald’s Ranch, followed by a captivating visit to the Scottsdale Harold’s Corral in Cave Creek for lively dinner and dancing!

For Your Fitness-Minded Guests: Get their day started with a bloodpumping hike of Pinnacle Peak. Next, refuel and reenergize with a

This authentically Southwestern home is nestled on a large lot with direct access to hiking trails from the backyard. Upon entering, mesmerizing views of the McDowell Mountains are framed by the 12-foot windows in the great room. With vigas, latillas, plastered walls, Saltillo tile floors, kiva fireplaces, rounded corners and peeled-pine poles, the estate exudes authenticity. Numerous features include: gourmet kitchen with solid granite, six-burner Wolf gas stove and custom-built hood vent; pool, spa and waterfall; large master

Estates at Desert Crest Scottsdale

AROUND TOWN ________________ Scottsdale Events to Enjoy in December

4 Bed + Office + Bonus 4.5 Bath 5,725 SQ FT 3.8-Acre Lot

NEW & NOTEWORTHY ________________ People, Places & Things to Know About FEATURED PROPERTY ________________ Authentically Southwestern

healthy lunch at Kale & Clover. Saddle up for a rockin’ afternoon spin class at RPM Spin and then wind down the day with a delicious organic dinner at True Food at the Scottsdale Quarter.

For Your “Spoil-Me” Guests: Let the Scottsdale sunrise take their breath away with a hot air balloon ride over the desert, followed by a half-day Sun Suite Escape package at the Spa at the Boulders. Spirit them away in an exotic dream car from Beverly Hills Rent-a-Car in Scottsdale for a three-hour driving adventure, before settling into your exclusive and private dining experience at the Four Seasons’ Talavera.

We hope you enjoy your holiday season, and that it’s filled with joy, laughter and the pleasure of loved ones in your company. Happy Holidays from our family to yours! ~The Luckys

suite with luxurious bathroom; billiards room with built-in wet bar; separate den and a movie theatre room. In a word: Spectacular!

YOUR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS

CORPORATE OFFICE:

CONTACT:

The Luckys North Scottsdale 8852 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, J-3 Scottsdale, AZ 85255

602.320.8415 Lucky@RussLyon.com LisaLucky.com