Newsletter -- June 2014
(Old Newsletters)
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365 Reasons to Live in Sedona
#5 - Sedona’s Perfect Summer Weather!
One reason so many people decide to live in Sedona is the amazing climate. Unlike most central Arizona cities in the low deserts that are accustomed to extreme heat during the summer months (day and night), Sedona’s temperature cools down dramatically during the evenings and overnight. This temperature change not only allows you to be more active in the early mornings and in the evenings, but in the later summer months it allows you to open your windows at night to enjoy a cool breeze as you sleep.
How to Take Advantage - Summer in Sedona is the perfect time to enjoy the breathtaking sunrise and gorgeous sunsets! With the daytime temperature averaging...
Click for full article: Sedona’s Perfect Summer Weather!.
#96 - Sedona AZ Horse Trails
One reason we love living in Sedona AZ is the various outdoor activities that one can do to take advantage of Sedona’s awe-inspiring countryside – the possibilities are endless!
And although anything outdoors in Sedona is spectacular, riding horse in Red Rock Country is an activity many Sedona residents enjoy. On any given day if you take a drive out on Sedona roads such as Dry Creek, Red Rock Loop or Verde Valley School Road, be prepared for a glimpse of the old west. Horse riders often travel on the shoulder of roads, on their way to some of the many trails in and around Sedona AZ, typically on the outskirts of town...
Click for full article: Sedona AZ Horse Trails.
Buyer & Seller Tips of the Month
Buyers
Will Your Stuff Fit?
A lot of factors go into finding the perfect Sedona Home. One of the most overlooked facets of a home is usable storage. Having a game plan of how much storage your family needs in each section of the property can help you identify your ideal Sedona Property.
We suggest you consider the following factors to determine if the potential property has “what it takes”!
- Kitchen cabinets
- We have found that kitchen storage is one of the first things buyers look at. Second to that, the men always look to the garage. In the kitchen, don’t judge a book by its cover. Newer and remodeled kitchens have deeper drawers, toe kick drawers, pullout pantries, etc. to maximize space. Make sure there is enough space for your cooking necessities.
- Garage
- Consider how much excess space there will be once your vehicles are parked. Do you have a lot of outdoor/sporting equipment that must fit into your garage's nooks & crannies? We’ve noticed that when a particular property is lacking interior storage and/or attic space, the garage becomes the catch-all. It is important to account for all of the items that will need to be stored.
- Attic Space
- Most Sedona homes have southwestern/pueblo architecture a.k.a. a “flat roof”. That limits the attic space when compared to other homes with pitched roofs. Like most of our clients, if you are relocating to Sedona from the Midwest or back East, we know you are accustomed to attics. Nevertheless, if you fall in love with a home that doesn’t have an attic, just be sure that there is ample space in other areas of the home that allow you to organize and store your belongings.
- Interior Closets – Linens, coats, etc
- Sedona’s moderate temperatures make it less necessary to completely transition wardrobes from season to season. Heavy flannel sheets and electric blankets are more of a luxury than a necessity. Interior closets should be flexible to hold a variety of items, not just the traditional expectations. When inspecting these storage areas in your new Sedona Home, make sure they are flexible enough and close in proximity to the rooms of your choice.
- Outside storage (shed) – lockable & non-lockable
- Do you have a lot of electrical tools, yard maintenance equipment, gardening tools, etc. that need to be locked or stored in a dry area? If the prospective property doesn’t have a shed onsite, and one is necessary for your needs, make sure there is adequate room to build one. Knowing the property is flexible enough to meet your needs is something that always helps down the road. You don’t want to outgrow your new Sedona Property too fast!
Note: If your potential Sedona Property has a septic system, make sure you know where the leach field(s) are. Building on top of a leach field is not advisable just in case you have issues in the future.
Although we don’t condone snooping while previewing someone’s Sedona Property, we do suggest that you open all of the cabinets and storage spaces once you are serious about a property. Just to make sure the current storage areas are flexible enough for you and your family’s needs.
For more home buying tips, click for our Sedona Home Buying Guide.
Sellers
Is your landscaping hurting the possibility of a sale?
We’ve discussed curb appeal numerous times…Let’s think about it as a Vegas Buffet. The more options you have, the better chances you have of attracting the majority of people. If each buyer has a different opinion about what the perfect landscaping should look like, your goal should be to appeal to the masses.
In our educated opinion, we suggest that you tend to the following problem areas while you refine your exterior maintenance.
- Allergens
- Get rid of high allergen trees – such as Cypress, Maples, Cottonwoods, & Junipers. Some people moving to Sedona are surprised by the amount of allergies we, Sedona locals, get. Once you are affected by them, you do everything you can to limit the irritation.
- Weak trees or branches near house
- We suggest cutting back trees near the home and/or near power lines. Living in a dry climate, we always like to reduce the risk of fire. Also, some buyers tell us they are going to remove certain trees immediately upon purchase. If the tree appears to be struggling to survive, consider removing it early so it won’t be a deterrent later.
- Don’t suffocate the house
- Having plants and trees near the home can allow wildlife better access to burrow. Keep everything trimmed away from the home and roof in order to prevent unwanted pests from accessing areas where they won't be disturbed.
- Poor drainage
- If your Sedona Property’s yard has drainage issues, find a solution & fix them! Drainage issues can lead to much larger structural problems. With Monsoon Season on the horizon we suggest getting a professional landscaper to diagnose your problem(s) and create an inexpensive solution. Ask them to review and change the grade of your landscape as needed.
- Don’t buy random plants
- Pick a theme and stick with it! Yes having a variety of greenery appeals to more people, but it doesn’t look appealing altogether. Pick a neutral theme – we suggest a few evergreen plants that require low water & low maintenance so as to not deter buyers from future high-upkeep concerns.
- Vegetables for a lifetime
- More and more often we are seeing buyers interested in garden areas. If your green thumb isn’t intact then we suggest that you find areas that may be able to accommodate a future garden. Let your Sedona Realtor know where the closest access is to water and/or electrical (if needed) so they can convey that information to potential buyers. Helping the buyers with their vision may seperate your Sedona Real Estate from the rest.
Don’t forget to close up any open cracks or access panels to prevent wildlife from co-habituating with you. Also watering plants near the foundation could cause some structural concerns.
Obviously all of the above problems won’t apply to your Sedona Property. Our goal is to give you some ideas to think outside the box in order to appeal to the majority of Sedona Home Buyers. The sale of your Sedona Property may be riding on it!
Let us know if you would like us to help strategize the marketing & sale of your Sedona Property. We are here to help!
For more Selling Tips, or ideas to Stage Your Home, visit the Sedona Property Selling Tips on our website.
Feature Sedona Subdivision
Foothills South Video Tour
Directly across from the Sedona Campus of the Verde Valley Medical Center and within walking distance to Sedona Red Rock High School, Foothills South Subdivision is perfectly located.
For more information about Foothills South Property for sale or Subdivision Details please don’t hesitate to Contact Us at 928.821.3508 or 928.282.4166 ext 253.
Foothills South Property Listings
Did you enjoy the video tour of this subdivision? Take a look at the links below and see if there are any homes or vacant land available that meets your needs. Foothills South, located in the West Sedona area of Sedona, is a great place to enjoy Red Rock Views and access to hiking trails and most of Sedona's amenities! Click below to view:
Featured Properties
430 Foothills South Drive
From the moment you enter this Contemporary home through the beautiful stained glass door, you feel this is modern living at it's finest. You will be greeted with a dramatic slate and copper accent wall. This home is situated to capture...
Click for More InformationFor more features & information on this West Sedona Home please Email Rob & Pam - or give us a call 928.821.3508.
15 Foothills South Drive
Over 1/2-acre luxury custom lot in the gated community of Foothills South. Panoramic views of Sedona's famous red rocks including Thunder Mountain and the Mogollon rim. Corner Lot. Sewer available. The perfect site for your future Sedona dream home...
Click for More InformationCall Rob for more details - 928.821.3508 or Email Us.
Local Lender Update
Have you looked at your home’s value recently? It may be worth more than you think. Nationwide, real estate prices have climbed since hitting bottom by about 20% since 2011. In some cases homes in the Verde Valley have climbed higher in value than 20%. If this is true for you, you may have more options when it comes to refinancing or selling your property.
Homes are very desirable here in the Verde Valley. Interest rates are expected to increase in the long term, so if you are in the market for a home it may make sense to jump on these low interest rates while you still can. If you have any questions do not hesitate to pick up the phone or send an email.
Jonathan Burgueno
Mortgage Advisor MLO 290524
Pinnacle Capital Mortgage
Branch Manager
(928) 282-3200
Equal Housing Lender AZBKBR0116852
For more tips & tools, please visit the Lender's Section of our website.
Recipe of the Month
Tomato Basil Chicken
Makes 6 Servings - Courtesy of Laaloosh.com
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 6 fillets
- 2 tbsp light butter (I used Brummel & Brown)
- 1 lb cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Spray a medium sized non-stick skillet with non-fat cooking spray or an olive oil mister and set over medium high heat.
- Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt, pepper and oregano.
- Place into pan and cook about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until chicken is almost entirely cooked through.
- Turn the heat down to medium and then add in the tomatoes and garlic.
- Cook for about 4-5 minutes.
- Add in basil and butter, and stir until combined.
- Season with additional salt and pepper as desired.
- Turn heat to low and let sit for about 5 more minutes.
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.