Newsletter -- August 2015
(Old Newsletters)
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365 Reasons to Live in Sedona
#172 - A Place of Worship for Everyone
Are you someone that is very plugged into the place where you worship? Are you afraid of moving because you fear not being able to find another church that will coincide with your beliefs? Well, rest assured, Sedona is considered a spiritual hub...
Click for full article: A Place of Worship for Everyone.
#169 – Javelinas
“The first time I encountered one of these extremely unusual beasts, I thought I had just stepped into the scene in Princess Bride with the Rodents of Unusual Size inhabiting the Fire Swamp. I simply couldn’t believe what I was seeing…was it a wild boar? a pig? a rodent? a massive porcupine? or some really obscure hybrid?”
As funny as that sounds, we have heard that from several people! Growing up in the Flagstaff & Sedona area, we see lots of Javelinas...
Click for full article: Javelinas.
Buyer & Seller Tips of the Month
Buyers
Do’s & Don’ts
Purchasing a Sedona home is typically one of the largest financial decisions you will make. Along with the fact that you and your family will make this property your “home” makes it a very emotional process. The important thing is to have a levelheaded Realtor® that is in your corner; a Realtor that you can trust to help you make a wise investment rather than an emotionally driven purchase.
Here are some do’s and don’ts so that you don’t find yourself infatuated with a property and end up overpaying for your Sedona Dream Home.
- Don’t: Fall in Love and Overlook Important Details.
- Do: Stay disciplined in your due diligence for your new Sedona Home! If you and your Sedona Agent research Sedona Properties and you only have to view one property before you purchase, consider yourself lucky. During the inspection period attempt to remain unbiased and be open to the unforeseen circumstances that a home inspector may discover. If you overlook potential problems because you have already grown attached to the property, you may regret your decision to overlook those issues if you ever decide to sell.
- Don’t: Overlook Resale Value
- Do: Use your Realtor’s market knowledge! Buyers tend to overlook certain items when they find a property that they love. Some features that aren't a big deal to you today may turn out to be an enormous burden later. When buying a piece of Sedona Real Estate, it is important to approach the transaction with the end in mind. The average American moves every 10 years, therefore you should always consider the resale value when making the initial purchase decision. We’ll give you a hint, views are an important factor to not overlook in Sedona!
- Don’t: Equate ‘short sale’ & ‘foreclosure’ with ‘deal’
- Do: Hire a knowledgeable Sedona Realtor! This issue has calmed down recently compared to the last several years, but we still find that buyers are still programmed to think that foreclosures and short sales are always great deals. For us here in Sedona, a good deal must equate to a “good value.” Your best bet is to contact a Realtor® that is knowledgeable in the area and the inventory. With us being Sedona residents since 1979, we have the knowledge and the experience to help you locate the best deal in Sedona Real Estate, rather than the latest foreclosure or short sale that comes onto the market. Knowing what type of repairs and opportunities a property presents fits right into our previous experience as a contractor by trade.
- Don’t: Lowball instead of negotiating realistically
- Do: Negotiate effectively by offering a realistic bid, not too far below your ending budget, and with the asking price of the property in mind. Show the seller that you are realistic about purchasing their real estate. We have found that being direct, respectful and logical typically leads to buyers prevailing in their negotiations.
Our most important “don’t” to leave you with is to never underestimate Local Market Knowledge. Many of our clients come to us with research that they have done online. While that prior information will be extremely helpful in your search, our expertise in Sedona Real Estate will help you avoid some of the horror stories others have experienced. We are here help. Lean on us and use our market knowledge to help you and your family find the perfect piece of Sedona Real Estate.
For more home buying tips, click for our Sedona Home Buying Guide.
Sellers
Home Pricing Myths
Your home’s value is one of the most important conversations we have as Sedona Realtors. We understand that there are a lot of factors that lead to your strong opinions of where your home should be priced. However, there are a few factors that we would like to discuss to help all of us agree on the best pricing strategy to use to sell your Sedona Home.
Zillow and their Zestimate: This particular feature of the Zillow.com website is a useful tool. They gather information from public records and past sales data from your neighbors to create an estimate on the value of your home. They do not take into effect the condition of the home, the neighborhood condition and most importantly in Sedona -- the Red Rock Views. The lacking of these key components tends to lead us to ignore this feature on their site. Keep in mind, however, that buyers do give some credibility to this estimate, especially when it benefits them.
Your Improvements: Unfortunately we come across Sedona Sellers that have invested plenty of money into their property without any chance of recouping. Improvements that affect your personal tastes or preferences tend to not be high on the “return of your investment” scale. These would include exotic customization or improvements that benefit your particular use of a room or area of the home. We prefer that most of your improvement budget be directed towards upgrading/updating the kitchen, bathrooms and master suite. Our experience in Sedona Real Estate has shown us that buyers hold these areas of the home in high regard.
Your Neighborhood Listings: Keep in mind that it’s not what your neighbors are listed for per se, but rather what they end up selling for. Just because someone asks for a high number, and all of us know your home is better, doesn’t mean that your home should necessarily be priced higher. Our goal is to maximize the value of your home and to sell it as quickly as possible. Competing with a neighbor that is overpriced might cause your home to sit stale as we wait for the market to meet the asking price. Remember it is important to differentiate your home and to set it apart from your competition. In today’s market, pricing is the most effective way to differentiate your property.
What You Owe: We understand what you paid for the property and/or what you still owe is the most important factor when you decide on an asking price. However, what the market will bear does not take into effect your financial situation. We know that this may be a difficult topic, but finding an alternative may be in your best interest in lieu of over pricing your Sedona Property. Staying in the home or renting the home for a while may allow for you to regain some of the lost equity.
Most Important Factor: The main component that we use as Sedona Realtors when deciding your home’s value are the recent sales in your neighborhood. The most important part are the Sold Prices of Sedona homes with similar features, sizing and age. When thinking about listing your Sedona Property, always consult with a Sedona Realtor and ask for a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of your home. You may be pleasantly surprised if your neighbors end up being underpriced. If you have any other questions, or would like to discuss your pricing strategy, please call Rob at 928-821-3508.
For more Selling Tips, or ideas to Stage Your Home, visit the Sedona Property Selling Tips on our website.
Feature Sedona Subdivision
Cross Creek Ranch View Video Tour
Cross Creek Ranch is a Sedona Subdivision off of Lower Red Rock Loop Road. With the sound of the Oak Creek and the beauty of luscious green meadows and tall gorgeous trees that frame the serene Red Rocks Cross Creek Ranch is truly a luxurious neighborhood.
For more information about Cross Creek Ranch Properties for sale or Subdivision Details please don’t hesitate to Contact Us at 928.821.3508 or 928.282.4166 ext 253.
Cross Creek Ranch Property Listings
Did you enjoy the video tour of this subdivision? Take a look at the link below and see if there are any homes that meets your needs. Cross Creek Ranch, located in the Red Rock Loop area of West Sedona, is a great place to enjoy close proximity to hiking & biking trails, golf courses and gated privacy. Click below to view:
Featured Properties
55 Sedona Heights
Situated in Soldier's Pass finest corridor lies this truly one of a kind brand new custom built home with the highest of craftsmanship Sedona has not yet experienced. This world class home is...
Click for More InformationFor more features & information on this Sedona Home in the Soldier's Pass corridor please Email Rob & Pam - or give us a call 928.821.3508.
195 A Vista Mesa
Premium, elevated horse property with Outstanding Red Rock Views. 456 feet borders National Forest Service. Connects to the Hot Loop Trail System which is over 100 miles of horse and hiking trails. Property includes 1400 square feet tack room with covered hay storage. 900 square foot cabin with decks with incredible Red Rock Views...
Click for More Information.Call Rob for more details about this investment opportunity - 928.821.3508 or Email Us.
Recipe of the Month
Rustic Strawberry Peach Tart
Courtesy of SallysBakingAddiction.com
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, sliced (not frozen)
- 2 cups (about 300 grams) sliced fresh strawberries (not frozen)
- 2 Tablespoons (30 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crust
- 1 and 1/2 cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour (careful not to overmeasure)
- 3 Tablespoons (45 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick or 115 grams) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) ice water, plus more as needed
- 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
- additional sugar for sprinkling
Directions
Please Help Us Improve
Service Reviews have become a hot commodity on the web. We can tell future clients how hard we will work for them, but it always comes better from a third party. If you haven't had a chance, please take a moment and let us know how we did. For those of you that have already helped out, thank you once again.
If you have any difficulty, let us know and we can walk you through the process. Thanks again for your time!
Our Pledge...
We know that buying and selling a home is an exciting, but stressful experience. We will do our best to make sure you are informed and comfortable throughout the process.
We know the local inventory and are up to date on current market conditions. We will be truthful in our assessments and will strive to make your dream of buying or selling a Sedona Property a success! Give us a call today and schedule an appointment to see great Sedona Real Estate Deals.