scottsdale luxury lifestyle

Real Estate UpdateTownhome & Condo Popularity

Springtime FavoriteSalty Señorita’s Caesar Salad

Blissful SurroundingsOh-so Elegant!

Market UpdateExclusively Presented By

Kaplan & Karbon

SCOTTSDALE LUXURY

Arizona Best Real Estate | 11333 N. Scottsdale Rd. | Suite 100 | Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Vicki Kaplan480.677.1330

[email protected]

Kelly Karbon480.313.4952www.besthomesinscottsdale.comKelly@BestHomesInScottsdale.com

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing. Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

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Experience Scottsdale LuxuryArizona VS National Real Estate Market

We’ve all heard the saying that “all real estate is local,” right? But when you read the Wall Street Journal or listen to Bloomberg Radio, or watch CNBC News, the information you are getting is about the national real estate market. So how does the Arizona real estate market compare to the national market and those in other states? Every quarter, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) comes out with a year-over-year percent change in price report. This graph (top) is based on data from the 4th quarter of 2014. As you can see, prices across most of the country are up over 4% year-over-year. However, some states did better than others, such as Nevada and North Dakota, which were up more than 8%. In the mid-Atlantic and New England states, prices rose just under 3%, and a few states (Vermont, Maryland and Washington DC) actually went down. In

Arizona, prices are up 4.4% year-over-year.

Prices have actually risen more

than 70% in Arizona since the bottom of the

market in 2011. With such a dramatic increase, some people may be wondering if another bubble is forming. Well, in spite of the significant growth of the last few years, we are still a long way below the peak of the market. The bottom graph shows when each state reached the peak of real estate prices and how far off they currently are from that peak. Some states never experienced the bubble and subsequent burst, so they are currently at their peak, while other states are nowhere near their previous apex. In Arizona, we are still 28.6% below the pinnacle of the 2006 market, so local real estate prices still have plenty of room to grow!Call Kaplan & Karbon today to discuss how these statistics may impact your real estate goals and decisions. Source: www.CoreLogic.com

Year-Over-Year Percent Change in Price (by State)

Price & Time Since the Peak (by State)

Source: www.FHFA.gov

Are We Bubble-Bound?

By Michael Orr | Director of Real Estate Studies at ASU & Principal of The Cromford Report

Between September 2013 and January 2015 the Greater Phoenix housing market suffered from an unusual combination of weak demand and low supply. The only sector that was firing on all cylinders was the extreme luxury market. Although homes over $2,000,000 sold in higher quantities than they had since 2006, the bulk of the market saw relatively low sales volumes and prices that were mostly stagnant. However we saw a low level of loan delinquency and little distress in 2014. Although buyers enjoyed some negotiation power this showed up in concessions like having their closing costs paid by the seller rather than any downward pressure on pricing.

A change occurred in February 2015 as a significant up-tick in demand produced far more homes under contract and a shrinking supply of homes for sale. This was particularly true of the sector from $150,000 up to $600,000 which includes the entry level homes as well as most of the move-up market.

Investor demand is back down to normal, so this additional buyer interest is coming from ordinary owner-occupiers

and second home buyers. The market in March 2015 continues to strengthen and in the majority of areas, sellers have the upper hand in negotiations again. The number of multiple bid situations is increasing and upward pricing pressure is starting to build.

There are many potential reasons for the increase in demand:

• Down payment requirements are lower than in 2014

• More millennials are starting families

• People foreclosed in 2008 are becoming eligible for conventional loans again

• Some lenders are gradually loosening their underwriting guideline

• FHA loans are more affordable thanks to lower insurance premiums

• Unemployment continues to fall

• Central Arizona’s economy continues to strengthen

• Increased consumer confidence & more disposable income thanks to lower fuel costs

• Interest rates remain remarkably low by historic standards

It is difficult to determine which combination of these is having the most effect, but whatever the reason, it is very obvious that more people are interested in home buying than a year ago.

Another trend that has developed is a growing preference for attached homes – condos and townhouses, suitable for a “lock and leave.” These are increasing market share at the expense of single family homes which have traditionally taken 85% of the total market by unit count. The current renewed buyer interest is likely to quickly overpower the supply of both condo and single family homes and if it continues we anticipate a busier year for new home construction than in 2014.

Elegance. How do you define it? When it comes to your home, it’s anything that makes you feel special, graceful, and sophisticated. Being in elegant surroundings—think of a posh hotel, a chic urban eatery, or even a grand museum—has an impact on how we feel. We feel uplifted and stylish, and in turn, we feel happy, like anything can happen on any given day. Here’s how to create an elegant room filled with the right elements so you’ll feel inspired to live a beautiful life.

If you want elegance, the size and grandeur of a room definitely helps set the stage. A living room with high ceilings, an open floor plan, and tall windows is a perfect place to start. Silk drapes can give a room a sweeping feeling of elegance with soft natural light streaming in from behind. Even if you don’t have those elements, simple tips can trick the eye. Hang your drapes as high as possible, just grazing the floor to give the room a feeling of height. To keep it airy and open feeling, select light paint hues or maybe an ethereal white. Light colors will keep the space soothing and inviting … you want a room of enlightenment. (Leave the darker colors for the den!)

Décor is usually minimal in sophisticated spaces, for clutter is anything but elegant. Artwork lends a refined touch to interiors, and adds splashes of color to more monochromatic rooms. Neutral area rugs and symmetrically aligned furniture keep the mood intimate and understated. Sofas and armchairs are more tailored and trimmed than their softer, sink-into-them cousins that are more at home in the family room. Wood tones are also mostly light, while lamps, frames, and accessories are done in shiny silvers and golds for a polished look.

Appoint your room with glass and metal end tables and coffee tables to achieve a free-flowing space. This is a room for discussions, music, and entertaining.

The final details for an air of joyful elegance: fresh flowers in beautiful vases, books on favorite artists and authors, and perhaps sculpture or a piano to make the mood sublime. We’re not talking stuffy … just setting the room with beautiful items that make you smile when you see them, that evoke memories and make you feel blissful and ready for anything that may come your way. Living your life in a beautiful and elegant setting can truly impact your happiness. Find your bliss!

Grilled Caesar Salad with Wild King Salmon

Salty Senorita’s SaltySenorita.com | 480.947.2116

In Good Taste

Residential Real Estate

Urban Wine WalkLight Rail Corridor | May 16VisitPhoenix.com | 602.254.8698A fun day of wine tasting and a trip through the world of wine! All the participating restaurants are on the Light Rail corridor and are within a short walk from each stop. They will be offering up to three wine samples and snacks. You can start the Urban Wine Walk at any location of your choosing. All you need to participate is a map, an adventurous spirit and an all-day Light Rail pass. The walk begins at 1:00 PM and walkers must be 21 and over to participate.

Spring Restaurant WeekVarious Locations | May 15 – May 25ArizonaRestaurantWeek.com | 602.307.9134This statewide affair that gives foodies a wealth of dining opportunities and the chance to get outside their own neighborhood and try something new. From sizzling Southwestern and soothing comfort foods to five-star dining and international fare – it’s all on the table during Arizona Restaurant Week. So prepare your taste buds and dig in.

Cave Creek Balloon FestivalRancho Mañana Golf Course | May 23CaveCreekFestivals.comCome out for the Sixth Annual Cave Creek Balloon Festival. This year is going to be bigger and better than ever! The Rancho Mañana Golf Course will once again become a magical field of glowing splendor when brightly colored and whimsically shaped balloons come to life. Enjoy live music by local bands, food and beverages that include locally brewed Four Peaks. Gates open at 5:00 PM and glowing balloons to venture off at 7:30 PM.

Andy Warhol: PortraitsPhoenix Art Museum | May 15 – June 21PHXArt.org | 602.257.1880Come out to view Andy Warhol’s work from his student days. An American artist who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art, the exhibition examines Warhol’s fascination with celebrity culture and the “world famous”. It will feature more than 150 screen prints, paintings, drawings, and Polaroid portraits.

Saturday Night Starlight TrainsVerde Canyon Railway | May 30 and June 27VerdeCanyonRR.com | 800.320.0718On select Saturday evenings, the train departs at 5:30 PM from the Verde Canyon Railroad just outside of Sedona. The first part of the trip you will get to enjoy the beautiful sunset. Once you reach the turn-around point, you will get to experience the beautiful celestial bodies. A magical experience. These evenings sell out quickly, so if you are interested make sure to book your reservations soon to jump aboard!

MAY | JUNE 2015

Event CalendarBlissful SurroundingsINGREDIENTS

SALMON4- 6oz Wild King Salmon filet (skin off) 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste

CAESAR SALAD2 heads romaine lettuce 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 4 tbsp Caesar dressing Salt and pepper to taste

CROUTONS1 loaf focaccia bread 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp parmesan cheese Salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION

SALMONSeason salmon with salt and pepper. Wipe the hot grill with a lightly oiled towel and place salmon on the grill at a 45 degree angle to the grill grate. Grill the salmon for 2-3 minutes then turn the fish over to the opposite side and cook for an additional 2 minutes until medium rare.

CROUTONSCut focaccia bread into 1/2 inch cubes. Drizzle olive oil and parmesan over focaccia cubes and season with salt and pepper. Bake the cubes at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

SALADCut romaine lettuce in half by length and brush with olive oil. Grill romaine until slightly softened. Drizzle Caesar dressing over romaine, place on a serving platter, top with croutons and parmesan cheese. Place salmon on top of the salad, drizzle with olive oil and garnish with lemon.

Yields: 4 Servings

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