My Recent Blog Posts

For two decades, the Silverleaf community in north Scottsdale has represented exalted Southwest living. This super-luxury hillside estate home, 10719 E. Rimrock Drive, elevates Silverleaf still higher. The gated community’s first LEED-certified home, the two-story 13,111-square-foot Formal Mediterranean-style home in the Horseshoe Canyon neighborhood combines environmental excellence, including energy-saving geothermal, luxury spaces and materials, precision craftsmanship and remarkable views toward the mountains and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

What’s available and best value beyond 16 Million? Listing success rate is down to 70%, the lowest we have seen for more than a dozen years, according to our sources at Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Real Estate, Scottsdale. The fall out rate has dropped dramatically — from 8% to 30% just within the last four months.

In today’s luxury real estate market, the industry is embracing sustainability, welcomed by designers, architects, landscapers and homebuyers alike. In luxury homes, one's best self is captured and exemplified. The new core ideas of luxury housing are eco-friendliness and sustainability. In today's society, aspirational living is combined with environmental consciousness. Our growing awareness of our responsibility towards the planet is largely responsible for this change. As a result, consumer behavior has changed towards simplified and organic lifestyles and living.

Discover the many joys of Southwest desert living at Hidden Canyon in the award-winning Las Sendas community of north Mesa. Designed and to be built by Micela Properties, this 9,299-square-foot Modernterranean custom combines exclusivity, gated entry, privacy, luxury finishes and smart home amenities. With the saguaro-rich Tonto National Forest immediately behind it, no one will build between you and the mountains; they are yours to enjoy for as long as you choose.

Marketplace corrections impact certain sectors of Phoenix metropolitan area housing in different ways A picturesque view of the Scottsdale skyline — a coveted ZIP code for many who call the Valley of the Sun home. (File Photos/DigitalFreePress) Data points, insights & observations of Phoenix single-family home valuations By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press As the real estate cool down of summer 2022 defines a new marketplace normal, certain price points for single-family homes in the Phoenix metropolitan area are being impacted differently by recent changes at the Federal Reserve, experts say.On June 15, the Federal Reserve made the decision to raise interest rates by 0.75% — which experts say is an attempt to stave off more negative inflation rates lowering the value of the American dollar.For one Scottsdale real estate professional, Sandy Karpen, the change to interest rates is having its desired effect here in the Phoenix metropolitan area but also across the nation. Mr. Karpen is part-owner of RE/MAX Fine Properties and has been selling real estate since 1991.“The whole idea of the increase in interest rates was to slow down the rising prices and I don’t think Phoenix is unique,” he said in a July 7 phone interview. “I think what we are seeing is happening in every major metropolitan market in the country. The appreciation of 3% to 5% is a normal marketplace and is very typical but when you are getting 30% to 35% year-over-year that is not a natural occurrence of the market.”But Mr. Karpen is exact in his stance the Phoenix metropolitan housing market is not experiencing similar data points that ravaged the real estate business in 2008.

The Summit Silverleaf neighborhood in offers wonderful panoramic views of the Scottsdale valley and has some of the highest elevations found in the North Scottsdale area. This is a very small and remote area with some of the top real estate for sale in the guard gated community of Sliverleaf. Homes in this area can offer over 10,000 square feet of living space with stunning Mediterranean style architecture. Silverleaf is one of the few communities that offers multiple properties over the $10 million dollar price point and currently go as high as $32,000,000. These are very upscale estate properties nestled in a Mountain area in the North Scottsdale area. The Summit is one of several neighborhoods that offer homes for sale for under $10 million dollars.

The Apache Cottages Scottsdale community has many wonderful neighborhoods located within this guard gated complex with a wide range of real estate prices, views and home sizes. One unique neighborhood is the Apache Cottage neighborhood which is located in the heart of the Desert Mountain area. These three bedroom houses will average around 2,400 square feet of living space and can offer wonderful views of the Nicklaus Championship golf course. The views can also include mountain, sunset and beautiful city lights. For those looking for a simple one story cottage that offers an adequate amount of room in a secure gate environment then this neighborhood is the perfect fit.

Frank Aazami of Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty has listed a Desert Mountain Estate home in the Saguaro Forest area of Desert Mountain in North Scottsdale, Arizona.  Frank Aazami is a luxury real estate agent who specializes in selling luxury homes in the North Scottsdale valley. 10013 E Reflecting Mountain Way, Scottsdale, Arizona is a luxury 5 bedroom, 6 bath home with 7,012 square feet of living space.  The home was built for grand entertaining and designed in the Old World Tuscan architectural style.  The residence offers custom finishes throughout the home including natural stone and hickory wood flooring.  The walls have a nice smooth plaster finished that blends perfectly with the Tuscan theme.  The Master Bedroom does not fail to impress with a large sitting area complete with coffee bar, outdoor patio, steam shower and huge walk-in closets with their own washer/dryer.  A luxury resort style pool next to to the outdoor covered patio great room includes it's own dining area and fire pit area.  Complete with a guest house and golf membership to the Desert Mountain golf course this home has it all.

Upper Canyon is one of the most exclusive communities in the guard gated community of Silverleaf in Scottsdale, Arizona. Silverleaf is located in the hills of North Scottsdale and is considered one of the most expensive communities in Phoenix and Scottsdsle area. The community was originally built around the Silverleaf golf course and has luxury resort style amenities that you would find in a 5 star resort hotel. In fact, the community is well known for it's recreational and spa activities that draw many to this luxury community.

The Saguaro Forest Gated community in the Desert Mountain area of Scottsdale, Arizona is a final destination for luxury home buyers looking for golf front homes in a world class community setting. Desert Mountain is located in North Scottsdale and is considered one of the most sought after communities in Arizona. The community is secured by a 24 hour guard gate around the perimeter of Desert Mountain with over 30 communities to choose from. You will find many different price points ranging from small cottages to large luxury estate homes that sit directly on the golf course. One of the most exclusive and expensive communities within Desert Mountain is "Saguaro Forest."