• Why Live in Sedona?
• Buyers & Sellers
• Feature Subdivision
• Recipe

Things to Think About
Regarding the Sedona Market

Visit Our Sister Sedona Website - BuySedona.com

#187 - Sedona Star Gazing

Sometimes you need a break from the busy world that we live in. Some stop to smell the roses while others take a vacation far from home to escape their daily lives. Here in Sedona, we enjoy doing something a little different when we are in need of a break. When we want to take some time for ourselves, we simply enjoy a night under the peaceful stars.

Like those of you from the Midwest will understand, the sky can appear grey or dull blue even on days where no storm or cloud coverage is in the forecast. Here in Sedona we are fortunate to have a bold, bright blue sky and “300 Days of Sunshine“. The lack of cloud coverage (and city lights/smog) allow the gorgeous...

Click for full article: Sedona Star Gazing.

#16 - Authentic Mexican Food

Are being asked the dreaded question “What’s for dinner”? The answer is easy, South-of-the-boarder! With all of Sedona’s choices for authentic Mexican food, choosing dinner is a no-brainer. We recommend you try several Authentic Mexican Restaurants’ to find which style you like the best. Some of our favorites include: Elote Café – by The Kings Ransom Hotel, Javelina Cantina – on the Hillside, or El Rincon – in Tlaquepaque.

Cuisine is not the only thing “mexican” in Sedona. A lot of Sedona’s architecture is...

Click for full article: Authentic Mexican Food.

Buyers

More Than Just a Pre-Qualification

Currently the Sedona market climate for real estate transactions when obtaining a loan are requiring a minimum of 45 days for the escrow process. Many times cash buyers tend to win bidding wars and sometimes negotiate slight discounts on purchase prices when compared to their counterparts procuring a mortgage. Our Buyer Tip this month is to help buyers that need to qualify for a loan be better prepared and more competitive against cash buyers.

Recently we’ve had a couple of transactions fall apart even after the buyers obtained a pre-qualification. This led broken hearted Buyers and frustrated Sellers. We have also had a few clients sell properties in other states that require the buyer’s to not only obtain a pre-qualification, but to go one step further and go through the underwriting process in full, ahead of negotiating their offers. This strategy can prevent the anguish we described above and better prepare you to compete in the Sedona Real Estate Market.

As a buyer, whenever you go through the loan process, there are numerous factors that go into qualifying for the loan. A pre-qualification is a good start, but it is only as reliable as the information you provide your lender. It is imperative that you explain all details of your financial life. Simple actions such as moving funds from one account to another, opening new credit cards, or failing to pay a past debt can disqualify you, even up until the day of closing.

Our strategy is to discuss with your lender the possibility of you, as the buyer, being underwritten prior to making an offer. This will not only shorten the time needed to close the loan, but it may also prevent you from falling in love with a property and/or spending any extra money on inspections/appraisals without a more certain guarantee that you can qualify for the mortgage.

Other states such as California and Utah, require buyers to be underwritten themselves, prior to making an offer. They also require buyers remove their financing contingency earlier in the escrow process than we do here in Arizona. If you as the buyer are underwritten earlier, all we need to do is make sure that the home inspections go well and the property appraises. This will set you apart from other buyers that also need to obtain a loan, because you will be a more qualified buyer and can also offer a shortened escrow period.

Be sure to have an honest relationship with your lender and go through the underwriting process as soon as possible. If you have any questions about how to set yourself up with the strategy described above, feel free to contact us. Remember our goal is to best prepare you to make your next Sedona Property purchase go as smooth as possible.

For more home buying tips, click for our Sedona Home Buying Guide.

Sellers

Maximize Your Buying Power

We know this may sound like a buyer tip, but most of you Sedona Sellers are trying to rid yourself of your Sedona Property in hopes of purchasing another property in another market. Our goal as Selling agents is never to have you settle, but it is our objective to help you achieve your financial goals in the long run. It may be in your best interest to divest your Sedona Property in order to make your next purchase sooner rather than later, therefore maximizing your buying power.

The idea of having cash today, even though it may not be the full amount you were hoping for, could help facilitate your purchase of a well-priced property in your next area. That cash, coupled with near all-time low interest rates, your best strategy is to look at your current property as a business/investment decision.

Reflect on the following… instead of considering the value of your Sedona Home as the total amount of what you paid for it plus the amount you have invested in it, rather consider it as the buying power of the proceeds you will net at closing. If that amount allows you to purchase outright, or to assist in financing your next property, it may be in your best interest to accept a lower sales price today rather than to wait for the Sedona market to appreciate (which in turn could mirror the appreciation of your next market as well). This strategy may not seem straight forward at first, however please utilize our experience and expertise in order to determine if these steps are the right move for you & your family financially.

A consultation with a tax professional may also be beneficial. They may be able to help determine if selling your Sedona Property at a loss before the end of the 2016 tax year will improve your tax obligation come April. We’ve had a few past clients where such decisions proved to be advantageous to sell earlier rather than to hold the property and wait to maximize their sales price.

We are here to help and want you to remember that all-time low interest rates, if needed, are what make the next few months an important decision time for your family. Consider your pricing strategy now as our busy season approaches so you are well placed to compete in the Sedona Market.

For more Selling Tips, or ideas to Stage Your Home, visit the Sedona Property Selling Tips on our website.

Thunder Mountain Ranch

A Sedona Subdivision full of higher-end homes and vacant lots with gorgeous views of Sedona Red Rocks. Thunder Mountain Ranch is located in the heart of Sedona and close to all amenities. When purchasing property in Thunder Mountain Ranch you only own a building pad, which makes natural landscape a breeze to maintain, giving you the desired "lock-n-leave" possibility.

For more information about Thunder Mountain Ranch Properties for sale or Subdivision Details please don’t hesitate to Contact Us at 928.821.3508 or 928.282.4166 ext 253.

Thunder Mountain Ranch

Featured Properties

Ingredients

• 1/2 15 - ounce package (1 crust) rolled refrigerated unbaked piecrust
• 12 ounces assorted garden heirloom tomatoes (Cherokee Purple and/or Brandywine) or regular tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup half-and-half, light cream or milk
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup shredded Swiss, cheddar, Monterey Jack, and/or Havarti cheese (4 ounces)
• Paprika

Directions

• Let piecrust stand at room temperature according to package directions. Unroll piecrust into a 9-inch pie plate. Crimp edge as desired. Line unpricked pastry with a double thickness of foil. Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 8 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 4 to 5 minutes more or until pastry is set and dry. Remove from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, place tomato slices on paper towels to absorb excess moisture. In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion. Cook until onion is tender but not brown, stirring occasionally.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, flour, basil, salt, dry mustard and black pepper.
• To assemble, sprinkle cheese onto bottom of the hot, baked pastry shell. Spoon onion mixture over cheese. Arrange a single layer of tomato slices over cheese, overlapping slightly. Slowly pour egg mixture over tomatoes. Sprinkle paprika over egg mixture.
• Bake, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes or until egg mixture is set in center. If necessary, cover edge of pie with foil for the last 5 to 10 minutes of baking to prevent overbrowning. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
• Nutrition Facts: Servings Per Recipe 6, iron (mg) 1, calcium (mg) 202, Potassium (mg) 269, sodium (mg) 426, Cobalamin (Vit. B12) (µg) 1, Folate (µg) 32, Pyridoxine (Vit. B6) (mg) 0, Niacin (mg) 1, sat. fat (g) 11, Riboflavin (mg) 0, chol. (mg) 146, Thiamin (mg) 0, Fat, total (g) 23, vit. C (mg) 7, carb. (g) 26, vit. A (IU) 923, pro. (g) 11, cal. (kcal) 352, sugar (g) 3, fiber (g) 1, Polyunsaturated fat (g) 1, Monounsaturated fat (g) 4

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