As we go through life, our priorities and lifestyles evolve, and so do our housing needs. What once seemed like the perfect home may no longer be the right fit. Maybe the kids have moved out, and the empty bedrooms and unused space are becoming a burden. It's interesting how dusty an unused area can get.

downsizing from a large 2-story home in Scottsdale to a one-level Scottsdale townhouse

The maintenance and upkeep of a large house could be taking up too much time and money. Or, you may just feel like simplifying your life and living with less. Whatever the reason, downsizing to a smaller place could be the solution.

Do you have a pool that isn't getting much use? It might be time to find a place without one, or someplace with a community pool you can use without the upkeep. Taking care of a pool can be costly even if you do it…

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Scottsdale real estate subdivision drone shot

Deciding where to live is a significant decision that can greatly impact your overall happiness and quality of life. Whether moving across town or to a new state, selecting a neighborhood that aligns with your priorities and lifestyle is crucial. This is especially true for families who are planning a move. Families have unique needs regarding their living environment, including access to good schools, safe and family-friendly neighborhoods, and nearby amenities and services. This blog post will discuss six key factors to consider when choosing a new neighborhood for your new home. By evaluating these factors, you can make an informed decision and find a community that meets your family's needs and preferences.

Considering the housing market and…

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buildings behind a tree at Scottsdale canal

I was introduced to Scottsdale the first time I visited my parents when they retired to Mesa, AZ. I fell in love with this beautiful city and dreamed about living there one day. This was the only place I would visit where I wasn't ready to go home.

Scottsdale, Arizona, is a city that offers an ideal mix of modern amenities and natural beauty. Located in Maricopa County, it is a part of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. With a population of just over 250,000, it is the sixth-largest city in Arizona. Scottsdale is renowned for its luxurious resorts, world-class golf courses, and vibrant nightlife. However, it's not just a vacation destination; it's also a great place to call home.

Located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale is a beautiful…

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entrance to el pedregal mall in carefree arizona
One of several of the mall entrances from the parking lot

I know I'm not the only one that has sentimental feelings for shopping malls that have changed or no longer exist as I've read about the memories people have had about these places. I come from the southwest suburbs of Chicago and I have many wistful memories of the two more famous malls I hung out at with my friends when we were teens. I'll mention them later since I know a lot of Arizonans are from the Chicago area.

El Pedregal Festival Marketplace, the Dead Mall

The large photo at the top of this page is of some of the boulders you'll pass before getting to the mall. I had read about el Pedregal mall located in Carefree, Arizona, the third highest priced town in all of Arizona, and also…

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first time Scottsdale home buyers

This is an uncredited guest post. The process of purchasing your first house is incredibly exciting. For starters, you may now finally exhibit your sense of style in interior design without being constrained by a landlord. Also, you can buy a pet you've always wanted to have along with whatever else you desire. However, owning your Scottsdale house is not all fun. It also entails a lot of responsibility. Unfortunately, many individuals overlook this part, which can end up costing them considerably. To help you avoid that, we compiled a list of responsibilities every new homeowner should prepare for and expect.

#1 Homeowners Insurance

Getting the right insurance should be your top priority as soon as you purchase your new home in Scottsdale.…

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Layered Phoenix map showing Scottsdale real estate

When it comes to searching for a new home in Scottsdale (or any other Phoenix city), the Internet has made the process easier and more efficient than ever before. I always get questions like:

  1. Where is this located?
  2. Is it close to shopping?
  3. Are there any restaurants nearby?
  4. How close is the school?
  5. How close is this to a highway?
  6. Is there a mountain view? (We can't always tell from maps, but we can see proximity)
  7. Is there a waterway, pond, or other water feature nearby?
  8. How close is a golf course?
  9. How big is the backyard?
  10. Where is the nearest hospital?

And of course, there are many more questions. I sometimes feel bad when I direct people to online maps. But it's so much easier for someone to view a map vs. me…

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what will happen in the Scottsdale real estate market for the remainder of 2023

If you are a buyer or seller, or both, of real estate in 2023, you can easily tell that there has been a shift away from the crazy Seller's Market we saw in 2020, 2021, and the beginning of 2022. Prices are easing and homes are remaining on the market longer.

The real estate market in the US saw a rise in mortgage rates last year, which affected both demand and price appreciation. Availability of homes is no longer the main concern, although inventory still remains lower than normal, but affordability is a great factor for many home buyers. The real estate market is expected to finally stabilize due to the increase in mortgage rates. 

What will happen with mortgage rates?

Economists predict that mortgage rates will fluctuate less this year…

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A man's hands handing out a pencil and holding a Scottsdale home buying contract.

This is an uncredited guest post. If you are planning to buy a house, you are in for a real rollercoaster of emotions! Home buying can be thrilling, nerve-racking, and exciting all at once. Whether you've done this a couple of times or you are a first-time home buyer, it's a fact that the whole process can be confusing. So if your emotions make you feel overwhelmed, perhaps it's time to take a step back and seek the necessary information to ease your stress. We've created a list to answer your question about how to make the home buying process less stressful. Here are the ways to minimize stress when searching for your dream home.

Tips on how to make the home buying process less stressful

Home buying is one of the most important milestones in…

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Lake Pleasant Peoria AZ from the top

We recently had friends in from Illinois and I couldn't wait to show them our hidden gem, Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Many people don't realize that Arizona has lakes, and some are an hour or less away from the greater Phoenix area. I've taken my friends to Canyon Lake when we visited Tortilla Flat (one of my favorite double-decker boat rides). I've also taken them on a boat tour of Saguaro Lake in Mesa. But this was our first group trip to Lake Pleasant in Peoria.

My husband and I took our first trip a while back since I was studying hiking trails and where to see wildlife. I read about the wild burros at Lake Pleasant so we took a trip when my son was out visiting and we saw a herd down on a dry waterway. We even got kind of close to a family of…

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The real estate agent holds the key and gives it to the new owner of a new home in Scottsdale.

If you decide to buy and sell a home at the same time, you will see that this can be a complicated process that requires careful planning and preparation. Many homeowners find themselves in this circumstance, whether moving for employment, downsizing or upgrading to a larger property. It is crucial to get into the process of knowing exactly what you want to achieve.

Timing, contingency clauses, and flexibility are a few things to think about. You may handle the process with confidence and simplicity by taking the time to comprehend these elements and working with a seasoned real estate agent. In this post, we'll look at some of the most important advice and tactics for simultaneously purchasing and selling a property.

This is an essential step…

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