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

Sedona Poll of the Month

Results from Last Poll

What is your favorite time of year to visit Sedona?

Last month we asked Sedona Buyers what their favorite season to visit Sedona is. From the poll results we concluded that it depends where our clients come from. Our eastern US clients like visiting in the winter because we are warmer than their local temps. Our clients from Phoenix and other warmer climates like to visit us in the summer to escape the desert heat, etc.

If you haven't ever visited Sedona yet, we always recommend Spring or Fall. However, there truly is no best time to visit. Sedona's four mild seasons make us a great place for visitors year-round!

Contact Us or call - 928.282.4166 x 253 for more information about the Sedona area & local Sedona Real Estate updates.

If you have any suggestions for new poll topics, Send Us an Email.

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.

Review Us on Zillow


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Review Us on Yelp

If you have any difficulty, let us know and we can walk you through the process. Thanks again for your time!

#91 - Oak Creek Country Club

Sedona is home to some of the most spectacular golf courses in Arizona and possibly the whole country. Among the unique courses, Oak Creek Country Club is one of our favorites due to its atmosphere and amazing Red Rock views.

Golf Course Specs:

• Robert Trent Jones Designed
• 18-Hole Championship Golf Course
• Open to the public
• Traditional Layout (Comparable to Midwestern Courses)
• 6,824 yards, 3 lakes, and tree-lined meandering fairways
• 1st Golf Course in Sedona AZ

Click for full article: Oak Creek Country Club.

#86 - Sedona’s Proximity
to San Diego, CA

Whether you are escaping Arizona’s summer heat or warming up in the winter, San Diego, CA is a must do vacation for all Sedona residents. Over the years we have made the drive to San Diego numerous times and we always come home to Sedona more appreciative than when we left.

Only eight hours south-west of Sedona, San Diego is the perfect weekend getaway. Relax on the beach, ride a wave, bike ride around Coronado Island, or experience the many fabulous restaurants. If you are like us, you will enjoy the beach city, but soon will long for the tranquility of your home in Sedona.

Click for full article: Sedona’s Convenience to San Diego, CA.

Buyers

Tax Advantages of Home Ownership

The question of, “Is renting really cheaper than owning?” is always present when working with Sedona Real Estate Buyers. The simple answer is yes, renting is less expensive than owning Sedona Property in today’s market. However, there are more points to think about when calculating the comparison of renting versus owning.

One such benefit of home ownership is the deduction of your mortgage interest expenses. As tax day approaches, we’d like to remind you that you may be missing out on extra tax savings if you do not own a Sedona Home. Whether it is your primary residence, or a second home, you can deduct the mortgage interest paid on your loan throughout the calendar year from your personal income tax return. This includes your primary mortgage loan's interest as well as any interest paid on a Home Equity Line of Credit (a.k.a HELOC).

Another part of your monthly mortgage payment that may be tax deductible is your annual property taxes. Considering these potential tax benefits, we strongly urge you to talk with your accountant to figure out if buying a home benefits your current tax situation.

If your accountant gives you the green light to move ahead with Buying Sedona Property, Contact Us or Search Sedona Homes for Sale now! Together, you may find out that owning a home (instead of renting) actually leaves more money in your pocket after April 15th than you expected.

While we are still on the topic of taxes, let us throw out some other possible tax savings of buying. If you bought your home in 2012, or the tax year at hand, don’t forget to ask your accountant if you can write off discount points paid upfront and/or origination fees for your new mortgage. We find that often these expenses can be claimed by the buyer even if the seller paid for them in closing costs. Interesting!

Because the Sedona Real Estate Market is largely a Second Home/Vacation Home market, we’ll also mention a few possible tax deductions for second home owners. Items such as mortgage interest, property taxes, property management fees, home depreciation and other rental costs are typically tax deductible. Speak with your accountant and make sure that you keep good records of all property related expenses incurred over the year.

Please keep in mind that the IRS has many rules for homeowners, especially second homes. The number of days rented vs. owner occupation plays a large role in determining what tax breaks are allowable. Always follow the updated rules for the current tax year and consult with your accountant to see if you can benefit from these tax savings.

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

Sellers

Prepare for Multiple Offers

In the Real Estate Boom of the last decade, multiple offers on properties were much more common. Today sellers are starting to experience the multiple offers phenomenon when they price their Sedona Homes correctly.

Understanding what makes a strong offer is key. In today's market we want you to be prepared if multiple offers come in on your property. One way is to respond to all potential buyers with a counter for their "Highest & Best”. We want the buyers to present their highest price with the best terms. You may come to realize that the highest price is not always the best offer.

Below are the components of an offer to focus on when considering a "Highest & Best Offer".

Highest Price

We know your net profit is a high priority, but please don't let this component be the most important factor when choosing from a group of offers. If prices are close, receiving your proceeds from the sale sooner may be more beneficial for your situation.

Shortest Inspection Period

We recommend giving buyers an adequate amount of time to inspect the investment they are about to purchase. Offers with a shorter inspection period benefit the seller and can expedite the escrow process. Typically the earnest money becomes non-refundable at the end of the inspection period (unless there is a financing contingency). That fact makes the buyer typically commit to closing the transaction or to cancel and move on. The earlier you can get this commitment from the buyer, the better chance you will have to close the sale.

Fewest Expenses

Always factor in the Seller's required expenses. When the Seller is asked to pay for items such as a Lot Survey, Home Warranty, and Closing Costs, the net proceeds are affected. A higher offer with these expenses added in may actually net you less of a return when you sell your Sedona Property.

Ability to Close (Cash)

Financing is always a contingency of a contract. If you have a cash buyer with reasonable terms, we may urge you to take a hard look at that offer; especially when compared to offers where the buyer will be borrowing funds. Cash is still "King" in Sedona's Real Estate Market.

Shortest Close of Escrow

A short inspection period allows you to promptly determine if the buyer will back out due to the condition of the Sedona Property. Once the inspection period is over, an escrow can move quickly. Obviously the shortest Close of Escrow is always appealing to sellers. We recommend weighing this term along with the others when making your decision of which offer is strongest.

We hope this helps in your decision making as a Seller of Sedona Property priced right for today's market. Contact Us with any questions about negotiations. We are here to help!

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

Thunder Mountain Video Tour

Located in West Sedona at the base of Chimney Rock and Thunder Mountain, this Sedona Subdivision also has views of Coffee Pot, Cathedral, Cockscomb and the Munds Mountain Range. We think the Thunder Mountain subdivision is a great place to build your dream home or to relocate to in an existing property. Thunder Mountain's West Sedona proximity is a great spot to access and enjoy all that Sedona has to offer.

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

Thunder Mountain Property Listings

Featured Properties

80 La Barranca Drive

Sitting high on this 1.04 acre lot, the builder has captured Million dollar Red Rock views or Mogollon Rim mountain views from almost every window. High-end Details include: Rich hand-hewed maple hardwood flooring, soft designer interior paint, coved ceilings, upscale lighting, granite counters, Deville custom maple cabinetry, travertine and fir accent beamed ceiling.

For more features & information on this VOC/Big Park Home please Email Rob & Pam - or give us a call 928.821.3508.

Click for More Information

2230 Edgewood Drive

Excellent view lot in West Sedona. Easy build. Sewer available.

Call Rob for more details - 928.821.3508 or Email Us.

Click for More Information

Ingredients

• Vegetable Oil
• Kosher salt
• 1 1/2 pounds linguine
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
• 5 tablespoons good olive oil
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic (9 cloves)
• 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined (just buy them that way)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 lemons)
• 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced in half-rounds
• 1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes

Directions

• Drizzle some oil in a large pot of boiling salted water
• Add 1 tablespoon of salt and the linguine
• Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or according to the directions on the package
• Meanwhile, in another large, heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat
• Add the garlic
• Saute for 1 minute. Be careful, the garlic burns easily!
• Add the shrimp, 1 tablespoon of salt, and the pepper
• Saute until the shrimp have just turned pink, about 5 minutes, stirring often
• Remove from the heat, add the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon slices, and red pepper flakes. Toss to combine.
• When the pasta is done, drain the cooked linguine and then put it back in the pot
• Immediately add the shrimp and sauce, toss well, and serve.