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I just read an interesting article by Lou Barnes in Inman News stating that there is a very good chance that mortgage rates will fall below 4% again, based  on what's happening with long term interest rates. If you'd like to read the whole article, click on Inman News Article.

A recent article in CNN Money reported on the five best cities to grow older in. According to  Milken Institute's Best Cities for Successful Aging report, number one is Madison, Wisconsin, followed by Omaha, Provo, Boston and Salt Lake City. While I know these are great cities, they do share a common characteristic that would eliminate them for me: Winter! Which is why I am partial to Sedona. We have mild winters, amazing natural beauty, an interesting populace, and proximity to Phoenix. Make Sedona Your Home!

Preparing a great Thanksgiving dinner is all about the timing, according to Jan. I know that personally I have a hard time keeping track of 2-3 dishes at the same time, let alone a six course meal. Well it's KitchenPad Timer to the rescue. This App will allow you to keep track of nine dishes at the same time....5 stove-top and four oven timers. Click on KitchenPad Timer for details.

Below are excerpts from a recent article in the Bloomberg News that further support the position that the real estate market is getting stronger. Click on this Bloomberg Article Link to read the whole thing.

"Existing homes sold at a 5.26 million annual pace in October, the most since September 2013, the National Association of Realtors reported on November 20. Purchases of previously owned U.S. homes last month climbed 1.5 percent from a revised 5.18 million pace in September, the real-estate agents’ group said. It was the fifth consecutive month that the sales pace topped 5 million. Prices also climbed, the group said."

“This is much healthier than we’ve seen over the last year or so,...

After a slow start in 2014, the real estate market in Sedona continues to improve at a sustainable rate. Sales picked up in the third quarter, and the median price of a home is 6% over prior year. Distressed properties have almost disappeared from this market, and demand continues to increase, as can also be seen in the amount of new construction. For more details click here. 

This home is move in ready and is pri

6300 Wide Horizon Court
Cornville, AZ

MLS# 505134 - Residential

Located on a quiet cul de sac, this move-in-ready home has the quality, floor plan, views, privacy and proximity to amenities that homeowners want! Low maintenance desert landscaping and a gated front covered patio invite you to take-in a sunset or enjoy a leisurely lunch in the shade. Kitchen has beautiful custom counters, large island for food prep, a built-in wine fridge, breakfast bar and an eat-in area (i.e. nook). A built-in desk area and cabinets make the 3rd bedroom a great craft room or a private den. A great use of space, and large windows make this 3 bdrm home seem muc...

As a Barbershop singer, I was recently privileged to sing at an event honoring Veterans in the Verde Valley. And as a Viet Nam vet myself, I was touched by the sincerity of the appreciation. Please take the time to thank a vet for his/her service on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11.

Here is our newest listing for vacant land, and it's a beauty! Cross Creek Ranch is a great location....just see the information below!

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 amenities the Verde Valley offers. Best of all, imagine a home nestled in the middle of nature with decks...

If you're looking for a beautiful Sedona townhome, centrally located, with fantastic finishes, this is it. The interior has been meticulously maintained and the exterior is taken care of by the home owners association, allowing you to move right into a carefree Sedona lifestyle.

104 Pine Leaf
Sedona, AZ

MLS# 505461 - Residential

Situated in the heart of West Sedona this Nepenthe townhome is within walking distance of shopping, hiking and Sedona's other amenities. Quality upgrades include Knotty alder built-ins, hand railings and doors, granite countertops, rough Italian marble fireplace, bathrooms tiled from floor to ceiling, enlarged master shower and cedar closets are just some...

If you are looking for a place that is tucked away, yet conveniently located to Sedona, and is OK for horses, this is it.

260 Mockingbird
Sedona, AZ

MLS# 505428 - Land

For horse lovers or individuals who want to be close to Sedona and yet tucked away to do their own "thing" - - - search no further - - you've found your land!!! Cradled in the backdrop of one of Sedona's red rock outcroppings you'll find beautiful native plants, trees, and an easy-to-build-on piece of land. Home could be positioned on slight elevation at center of property which would provide magical panoramic views on at least 3 sides of the home. Land has been surveyed - corners are marked. Attractively priced to...

Another release for the S&P / Case-Shiller® Home Price Index® shows prices rising more slowly. The data relates to sales that occurred between June and August 2014. In Phoenix prices increased .18%, compared to 4.32% during the same time frame last year. This data suggests that price stabilization is occurring.

Jan has been an excellent negotiator for years, and recently decided to take it to the next level. She recently earned the Certified Negotiation Expert Designation. This is one of the top designations in the real estate business and further supports her mission to get the best deal possible for her clients.

The chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, Lawrence Yun, is predicting a strong market in four of the next five years, based on the following confluence of positive trends. After a slow start this year, partly due to the frigidly cold winter, home sales are picking up steam. Existing-home sales have risen for four straight months and in July were at the highest pace of the year, 5.15 million. Pending contracts point to more gains, too.

• Job growth is a plus 2,600,000 in the past 12 months
• Mortgage rates have stayed low even after the Fed started talking about tightening monetary policy
• Inventory levels are increasing
• New home construction is on the rise
• Distressed...

Join 30 Award-winning contemporary artists as they paint the landscape “en-plein air.” They come from all over the United States to spend seven days painting outdoors, and to share their incredible talent and unique experiences with this challenging art form. Workshops, Paint-Outs, Historic Events, Native American Celebration, Plein Air Gallery and more. Presented by Sedona Arts Center 928-282-3809 SedonaPleinAirFestival.org

This new listing of ours is a must see, if you're looking for quality, views and privacy in the Village of Oak Creek

365 Concho Drive
Sedona, AZ

MLS# 505128 - Residential

A lush garden courtyard welcomes you to a home that truly has it all !! If quality location, red rock views, privacy, a fenced yard, a basement-storage area, & move-in-ready are on your "must have" list - - you'll find it here! Sky lights & walls of glass frame Sycamore trees & desert landscaping. Quality appointments include crushed quartz counter tops, red oak flooring, stained glass entry doors, lead crystal knobs (on cabinets & doors), soft close drawers, Toto-low flush toilets with self closing lids, copper...

Here is another great new listing, this one at Verde Santa Fe in Cornville. This is a lot of home for a very good price, and it is in excellent condition.

6300 Wide Horizon Court
Cornville, AZ

MLS# 505134 - Residential

Located on a quiet cul de sac, this move-in-ready home has the quality, floor plan, views, privacy and proximity to amenities that homeowners want! Low maintenance desert landscaping and a gated front covered patio invite you to take-in a sunset or enjoy a leisurely lunch in the shade. Kitchen has beautiful custom counters, large island for food prep, a built-in wine fridge, breakfast bar and an eat-in area (i.e. nook). A built-in desk area and cabinets make the 3r...

This beautiful home just came on the market today. It was built to last, using superior techniques rarely found in residential construction. If you're looking for an open, contemporary floor plan that showcases

2390 Mule Deer Rd
Sedona, AZ

MLS# 505133 - Residential

If you're looking for an open, contemporary floor plan with superior construction that showcases Sedona's red rocks, then place this home on the top of your list to SEE!! You'll watch the secrets of the high desert & its wildlife come alive from dramatically designed 20' tall windows. Follow a curved glass & oak stairwell to your 2nd level & enjoy rich sunsets from the den/media room or deck areas off the bedrooms. Gue...

The measurement of price per square foot for home sales is both useful and annoying. It's annoying because it doesn't take into account many components that determine market value, including location, view, finishes, vintage and condition to name a few. But it's useful because it does indicate market trends. When you look at it from that perspective, the market continues to improve in Sedona. Average price per square foot has gone up from $175 in April, 2012 to $217 in August, 2014. That's a 24% increase.

Garland's Oak Creek Lodge, a landmark in Sedona for more than forty years, has new owners. If you've been an fan of Garland's, you'll be glad to know that the new owners plan to keep the current staff and run things the same way. If you haven't been there before, we highly recommend it.

Clients often ask what improvements they should invest in when it's time to sell their homes. I just came across an interesting article, and a link to a website that you can use to check it in your local market. Following is a list of the top ten improvements under $1500, ranked according to return on investment. This list is recommended by over 600 real estate agents from around the country.

Cleaning and de-cluttering ($290 cost / $1,990 price increase / 586% ROI)

Lightening and brightening ($375 cost / $1,550 price increase / 313% ROI)

Home staging ($550 cost / $2,194 price increase / 299% ROI)

Landscaping ($540 cost / $1,932 price increase / 258% ROI)

Repairing electrical or plumb...