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Our newest listing at 55 Arroyo Drive just hit the market last Saturday and we quickly had multiple offers. The home is now pending, but taking back-up offers. If you are considering the sale of your Sedona area real estate, please contact us to see how we can help.

Two weeks ago 27 agents and friends of Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Real Estate in Sedona spent two mornings picking up trash in Oak Creek Canyon. The event was sponsored by the Oak Creek Watershed Council, and resulted in numerous bags of trash and recyclables being removed form our beautiful Canyon. The Council was also able to raise over $3000 in grant funds because of our efforts. Above is a picture of our group.

Who knows what 2014 will bring to the housing market? Nobody for sure, but here's what David Berson, former chief economist for Fannie Mae thinks. He predicts that 2014 will be the strongest year for housing since before the Great Recession. Why? Employment growth is accelerating and unemployment is declining. And there is pent up demand because people who would normally have been living on their own have not purchased homes because of concerns about the economy. Finally, he predicts that interest rates will not rise enough to stop people from buying their own homes. If you're ready to purchase real estate in Sedona, let us know how we can help.

We love our community, but it's also nice to get special recognition from a source as terrific as the Smithsonian Magazine! This month's issue features an article entitled "The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2014", and Sedona is included. So follow their instructions. Visit this year, and give us a call while you're in town. To see the article, click on the following link. 

 http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/20-best-small-towns-to-visit-in-2014-180950173/?page=8&no-ist

Jan Bigelow is a member of the Sedona Luxury Real Estate Professionals (SLREP), a select group of 25 agents. If you are thinking about buying or selling luxury real estate in Sedona, here are some interesting facts to consider when choosing an agent, and more specifically, Jan. 

•          In 2013 there were 33 closed residential sales over $1MM
•          A SLREP  agent  was either the listing agent or selling agent or both for 30 of the 33 transactions. 
•          What that means is over 90% of the luxury sales in 2013 involved a SLREP agent
•          SLREP agents represent roughly 4% of all the agents in the Verde Valley
•          Bottomline – this small select group was involved in mo...

There has recently been quite a bit of press regarding shifting opinions on home ownership. Pundits are questioning whether the recent challenges that many homeowners have faced will sour the American dream of owning a home. Of course, there are many factors to consider, but if it becomes a financial decision, buying a home is the clear winner! How do we know that? Every six months Trulia's chief economist runs the numbers to answer just that question. And according to the latest data, assuming a 30 year mortgage fixed at 4.5% interest, buying is cheaper in all of the 100 largest metro areas by an average of 38%. So if you're ready to get off the fence and buy a home in Sedona, we're here...

Russ Lyon Sotheby's has established a Foundation to coordinate activities to support local charities, and Wally Reule serves on the committee to make recommendations on what worthy causes to support in the Sedona area. It is a way that our agents and staff can give back to the wonderful community that we call home. Our first event will be held on March 11-12 and will help the Oak Creek Watershed Council in a clean-up the the creek in Oak Creek Canyon. Twenty agents are signed up for a minimum of one half day each. But we are not trying to keep all the fun to ourselves. Please contact me if you would like to join us, or stay tuned on our website for future events.

It's an exciting time in Sedona!  The Sedona International Film Festival celebrates its 20th year, kicking off on February 22nd, and running through March 2nd.  Offering a mix of features, documentaries, shorts and special events.  This year Susan Sarandon will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. 

This home at 1040 Rodeo Road in Sedona

1040 Rodeo Rd
Sedona, AZ

MLS# 503024 - Residential

Centrally located in one of West Sedona's finest subdivisions & nestled under Thunder mountain, this move-in-ready home offers easy access to USFS hiking trails as well as red rock views from your living room, bedroom & front courtyard. The extra large back yard is private & invites you to relax on the upper deck, or one of the lower paver patio's, or in the Jacuzzi. Grape vines and fruit trees (apricot, fig, cherry, and apple) will provide you with lots of pie baking opportunities. Crown molding, wood flooring, French doors, & cathedral ceilings provide warmth and charm to this spacious hom...

We just listed this home on the MLS last night. It's a beautiful home in a gated community in Cornville. When

6070 E La Privada
Cornville, AZ

MLS# 503022 - Residential

Panoramic views of the Mingus Mountain range welcome you to this executive style, stucco home. Unique features of this distinctive home, are it's extra high ceilings, walls of glass, and private baths in each of the 3 bedrooms. High-end finishes include granite, stainless, and custom blinds & draperies. Listen to the soothing sounds of the water features which grace both the front courtyard and back patio. Landscaping is low maintenance leaving plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful community pool. This move-in-read...

For the past few years we have heard that there is a huge "shadow inventory" of homes that lenders have taken back, or plan to take back, and when the time is right, they will dump them all back on the market. The fear is that when that happens, prices will plummet. But what are the facts? First, in Arizona the serious delinquency rate on mortgages has dropped from a high of 13.2% to a present rate of 2.9%. Prices have gone up 15.2% in the past year, and inventories are at their lowest levels in many years. Granted, rising interest rates and low inventories may hinder buying, but demand remains strong, and outstrips the supply. If you're waiting for the dump of cheap properties into the m...

Several of our clients asked us to see if there was a way to make the pictures of the listings larger. So we did, and there is! When you are viewing a listing, simply clip on the expand icon in the upper right hand corner of the image, and the picture will fairly jump off the page at you. You'll feel like you're actually in Sedona, even if you're still sitting in your living room in Michigan. Just another example of how we're here to help make your search fir Sedona Real Estate a pleasant experience.

The final numbers for real estate agents are out for 2013, and Jan is a confirmed Rock Star, finishing in the top 2% of all local agents. Thanks very much to all of our friends who bought, sold, or referred new clients to us. Our goal for 2014 is to be in the top 1%, and our strategy is the same as it has always been: to provide outstanding service. We hope you enjoy a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

The Sedona real estate market has been keeping us very busy. We closed seven transactions in the first three weeks of November, and all indications are that we will be very busy again after the first of the year. We are looking forward to a wonderful holiday season, and wish you the same. In the meantime, we are never too busy to help with your real estate needs. Please call us and let us know how we can serve you.

The short answer is "no".  In a Realty Times article written by Nora Ling Lane, we are reminded that your home will not sell when it's off the market. While it's a busy time for you, your home may never look more warm and inviting. Just let your agent do the work. She also points out that people who are looking at that time of year are serious buyers, and a number of people provided testimonials to support that. If we can help you with your Sedona real estate transaction, please email us or give us a call.

Did you know that on this website you have access to a very powerful tool to assist you in your search for your dream home in Sedona. Not only do you have immediate and up to date access to all of the data on our Multiple Listing Service, but you can also save your favorites and your searches. You can even have our website notify you automatically whenever something new comes on the market that matches your search criteria. And best of all, Jan and I are always available to answer questions you may have about any of the properties that catch your fancy. What are you waiting for? Register today!

The days of bountiful foreclosure opportunities are over in Sedona. In October only 12 of the 279 active listings for homes (not including vacant land) were distressed properties. The process of buying one is still tedious, and most of the bargain prices are gone. And if that isn't enough, many have deferred maintenance, and you will be buying it "AS IS".

While buying a new home, have you wondered if anyone ever died in that home. I haven't, but apparently enough people have that the demand has led to a new website at www.diedinhouse.com. For only $11.99 you can find out who died, when and the cause of death. You can also get the "vitality status", whatever that is, of previous residents. So if you get a spooky feeling while looking at a house, now you know where to go to confirm your suspicions.