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Here is our latest listing. This is a beautiful home on the golf course has great panoramic views, high quality finishes, and a SOLAR energy system that brings the electric bill way down to practically nothing. Contact us if you'd like to see it!

760 Golf View Drive
Cornville, AZ

MLS# 508281 - Residential

If you are looking for a "gem" of a home, located on a golf course, in an upscale, gated, 55+ community - then your search is over. Breathtaking panoramic views of the golf course and the Mingus Mountains greet you from a beautifully landscaped back yard with paver patio and a spa. This move-in ready home features quality finishes inside and out. Loads of custom cabinetry will g...

As you probably already know, Sedona is no stranger to special recognition for its natural beauty and hospitality. I have reported several times on awards that Sedona has received, including the Most Beautiful Place in America from USA Today. In my never ending quest to provide you with even more reasons to visit Sedona, I eagerly awaited the announcement of the best beer towns in America, only to have my hopes dashed. Sad to say, we did not make the top ten. However, I was able to get some solace from the fact that number one is in my home state of Michigan. Traverse City took home the top honors with an Oktoberfest Index of 100! To see the full list, go to http://money.cnn.com/gallery/r...

It's been nine years since the Fed raised interest rates! How much has happened in that time? Well, for one thing, the housing market has gone through boom times to bust, and back to boom. But the Federal Reserve is making not so subtle hints that the economy is strong enough to stand an interest rate hike, and it may be just around the corner. But there is still time to take advantage of historically low rates to purchase your dream home on beautiful Sedona. Call us to help with your Sedona Real Estate questions.

There are several ways to look at real estate appreciation, including Average Sales Price, Median Sales Price, Average Price/Sq ft and Median Price/Sq ft. Ah, but which one to use. Here are some guidelines.

Average sales price tends to give too much weight to luxury home sales while median sales price does the opposite, giving too much weight to the cheapest homes. Our favorite is average sales price per sq ft. Though not perfect by any means, it is usually the best compromise solution.

You then need to determine what period of time you will take your measurements over: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months , 12 months, etc. Short periods tend to give you very large variations from month to month...

This home has been repriced to sell quickly. Located in the Village of Oak Creek, withing walking distance of amenities, it would alos make a terrific rental.

100 Horse Canyon Drive
Sedona, AZ

MLS# 506519 - Residential

If you are looking for a peaceful, friendly neighborhood this 2 BR split design, single level home with open floor plan needs to be at the top of your list. Owner has made several important improvements including a new roof, paint (exterior & interior), a skylight & new toilets. This home lives "big" with it's wood burning stove in the great room, cathedral ceilings, & heated & cooled Arizona room (now being used as an office). Step through sliding glass doors from...

The owners have told us that they want to sell this creek front lot NOW, so the price has dropped from $295,000 to $210,000. If you've been thinking about building in a great Sedona community, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss!

365 Cross Creek
Sedona, AZ

MLS# 505464 - Land

Creek front property in AZ's high desert, in a gated community with acreage & red rock views is RARE!! This property has what most new home buyer's to Sedona want on their "must have" list, i.e. creek front access, privacy, views & easy access to hiking trails. Underground utility wires protect the pristine nature of this area. It's only a short 10-15 minute drive to Sedona or Cottonwood & all the a...

Here is our newest listing, beckoning you to a great new life in the Verde Valley.

696 S Santa Fe
Cornville, AZ

MLS# 507860 - Residential

This 2 bedroom with den (or possible 3RD bedroom) lives "big" with an open floor plan that make 1727 sq ft feel like 2000+. Master Bdrm is a private suite, with HUGE walk-in closet. Natural light from large windows in combined kitchen, dining, & living room area creates a central living theme. Kitchen is made for someone who needs plenty of cabinets, an over-sized pantry, generous counter space & island prep area. Take advantage of the breakfast bar for quick meals or entertaining. Enjoy magical panoramic views from large covered patio. Low mai...

Here is our newest vacant land listing for a lot with incredible views. If you have questions or would like to see it, please call.

73 Meteor
Sedona, AZ

MLS# 507862 - Land

This gently sloped, hilltop lot showcases the highly coveted, panoramic, red rock views to the North & East. Take advantage of the low maintenance, lush landscaping that nature herself provided as native Juniper trees & stunning Manzanita bushes cover the property The red rock views are jaw-dropping and you are within walking distance of restaurants, fine shopping, & access to the National Forest hiking trails. This centrally located lot has been surveyed, staked accordingly, and conceptual home renderings are ...

Jan has been named the winner of this years Kudos Readers Choice Award for Real Estate in Sedona. It's quite an honor to be selected from the hundreds of real estate agents in the Verde Valley, and she will continue to offer the high level of service that brought her this recognition. Click on the Choice Awards link to see all of the winners in other fields.

In the past most people have considered a reverse mortgage only when refinancing, but many of our clients are now using one to purchase a new home. If they have assets, but not a lot of income, this can be a good way to buy more of a home than they would qualify for with a traditional mortgage, and reduce monthly outlay at the same time. Below are some advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage.

Advantages of a reverse mortgage:

• No fixed due date
• Repayment not required as long as the home remains the borrower's principal residence 
• Nonrecourse loans -- the amount can never exceed the selling price
• Borrower holds title to property
• Loan proceeds not taxable
• Flexible payment...

The National Association of Realtors reported today that existing home sales in June had risen to their highest level in over eight years. This is very good news for all of us, and in Sedona it is important because many people need to sell homes elsewhere before they can buy here. Click on Home Sales to read the whole article.

Our market statistics for the first half of the year compared to prior year are a mixed bag. With regard to single family homes under $1,000,000, the number of sales is down 3%, the price per square foot is up 3%, and the average days on market is virtually unchanged. Sales of million dollar homes are up 38% and the median sales price is up 46%. Vacant lot sales are down 30% and the median sales price is down 10%. For a closer look at the numbers click on the market statistics page on our website.

Sometimes there is a temptation for home owners to try to sell their homes without being represented by a real estate agent. Doing it this way is called For Sale By Owner (FSBO). And maybe they can, but there are good reasons not to try. Here are five:

1. There Are Too Many People to Negotiate With

Here is a list of some of the people with whom you must be prepared to negotiate if you decide to For Sale By Owner:

• The buyer who wants the best deal possible
• The buyer’s agent who solely represents the best interest of the buyer
• The buyer’s attorney (in some parts of the country)
• The home inspection companies which work for the buyer and will almost always find some problems with the ...

The National Association of Realtors just reported that Arizona is second only to Florida as the choice for Canadian home buyers. That has also been our personal experience in Sedona. And while sales to Canadian buyers are down 20% from last year, they still account for a very healthy $1.9 billion dollars.

Here it is again. The next installment will be on February 6, 2016, and it offers a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon events. You won't find a prettier course anywhere. Click on this registration link to get signed up early.

I very often sing the praises of Sedona, including it's natural beauty, the amazing selection of events and festivals, the hiking and biking, and more. But here's one that I hadn't even considered. According to a recent article in the Red Rock News, Sedona is the top ranked Arizona city for commuters. A study found that of all Arizona towns with a population over 10,000, Sedona commuters spent the least amount of time behind the wheel. Average commute time was a mere 15.3 minutes. Who knew? And if people weren't slowing down to take in the incredible views, we'd be even better. Click on this Commuter Article to see the whole story.

The City of Sedona has made enforcement of the short term rental ordinance a high priority, and last week gave it more teeth by amending it to require a minimum fine of $1000. The law prohibits the rental of any single family dwelling in residential areas for less than 30 days. Its stated purpose is to "safeguard the peace, safety and general welfare of the residents of Sedona and their visitors and guests."

A couple of months ago I reported that when the new disclosure forms from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau take effect on August 1, we can expect it to take much longer to close a real estate transaction when a mortgage is involved. We are now hearing that we should expect it to take 60 days. Most of that is because it gives the borrower not only time to understand all of the costs, but also more time to shop it around. This change shouldn't affect cash deals. I will be taking a workshop on this on June 24, and will explain it in greater detail then

The Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty office has moved into temporary space while our new office building is being erected. For the next year we will be located at 2030 W State Route 89a, which is also the home of the Mary D Fisher Theater. This move was necessitated by the fact that Whole Foods Market has decided to expand into the space that we used to lease. Our telephone and fax numbers will remain the same. It's all good, so stop by for a visit when you're in the neighborhood.

According to the Conde Nast Traveler list of U.S. cities that make the best impression, Sedona ranks number one! Some of the runners up include Jackson WY, Savannah GA, Key West FL, Taos NM and Carmel-by-the-Sea CA. As you can see, we're in good company. To see the whole list, click on this article.