September in Scottsdale: Home, Life Local News, ChatGPT Fun, & Market Updates

September is here, and this month’s newsletter has a little bit of everything - from the never-ending surprises (and expenses!) of homeownership to fun things to see and do around town. I’ll share what Americans continue to see as one of the best long-term investments, catch you up on what’s happening in Scottsdale, and wrap things up with a rather unusual question: Who’s the smelliest? Trust me, you’ll want to see what ChatGPT has to say about that one!

Here's the September lineup:
One Thing After Another
September Sights
Americans Say This is the Best Long-Term Investment
The Scottsdale Scoop
Who's the Smelliest?

One Thing After Another

About two months ago, we discovered that one of our split HVAC units wasn't working in the basement. It…

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August in Scottsdale: What's One More, Free Museums, and a $1M Surprise

Your August Scottsdale Guide: Free Days, Market Updates, and Local Fun

August is here, bringing plenty of reasons to get out, explore, and stay informed. In this month's roundup, I'm sharing a fun personal update (yes, our family grew by one more furry friend!), highlighting some of the best activities happening around the Valley, and rounding up seven days when you can visit local museums for free. You'll also find the latest local headlines in The Scottsdale Scoop and a look at an interesting housing trend as more cities see starter homes top the $1 million mark.

Whether you're looking for things to do, curious about what's happening around Scottsdale, or keeping an eye on the real estate market, I hope you find something that catches your…

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Your Scottsdale Homeowners Insurance Bill Went Up. Here's What to Do About It.

Is Your Scottsdale Homeowners Insurance Bill Higher Than Last Year?

Quick Answer: Homeowners insurance costs have climbed sharply across Arizona, with premiums up roughly 48% statewide since 2021, according to the Consumer Federation of America. The national average now sits at $3,303 per year, a $648 jump from four years ago. In Scottsdale specifically, a typical policy runs around $1,643 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, though many homeowners are paying more depending on location and home age. You can reduce your premium by shopping competing quotes annually, raising your deductible, and asking your insurer about mitigation discounts.

Why Did My Homeowners Insurance Go Up So Much?

The short answer: insurers paid out a lot…

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July in Scottsdale: Events, Local News, a 75th Birthday, and Elon Musk's Trillion-Dollar Fortune

July in Scottsdale: Celebrating 75 Years, America's 250th, and the Latest Real Estate News

July is here, and with it comes plenty of reasons to celebrate, explore, and maybe even be a little nostalgic. This month's newsletter converted to a blog post is filled with a little bit of everything - from saying a heartfelt goodbye to one furry friend while giving a warm welcome to another, to celebrating Scottsdale's 75th birthday and all the history that comes with it. And don't forget, this Fourth of July commemorates the 250th birthday of the USA!

I've also rounded up some fun local events to help you make the most of July, along with a few Scottsdale news stories that could affect our community. And just for fun, we'll take a look at Elon Musk's…

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Chicago to Scottsdale: The Honest Guide From a Prior Chicagoan

So You're Thinking About Trading Chicago Winters for Scottsdale Sunshine?

Let's be real for a second. If you've ever stood on a Chicago street corner in February, wind ripping through your coat like it has a personal grudge against you, and thought "there has to be a better way," you're not alone. Thousands of Chicagoans make the move to Scottsdale, Arizona every single year, and most of them will tell you the same thing: they wish they'd done it sooner. Illinois is among the top 10 states from which residents move to Arizona.

But moving from one of America's biggest cities to a desert resort town is a big deal. It's not just a change of address. It's a completely different way of living. So before you start packing boxes and Googling "how to…

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Sitting on the Sidelines: The Hidden Price of Waiting for Better Housing Markets

Should You Wait for Housing Prices to Drop? Here's What the Numbers Actually Say

A lot of people are doing the same thing right now: sitting tight, watching the housing market, and hoping prices will eventually come down enough to make buying feel reasonable again. It's an understandable impulse. Nobody wants to overpay for the biggest purchase of their life. But here's the thing—Oxford Economics, one of the most respected economic research firms on the planet, just crunched the numbers on how long that wait might actually take.

Their answer? Seven years.

That's not a casual estimate or a wild guess. Oxford Economics does economic modeling for governments and major financial institutions worldwide. When they say housing affordability won't…

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From Scottsdale Sizzle to AI Scams - June Has Arrived

Summer will officially be here this month, and Scottsdale is heating up in all the best ways. This month, I'm tackling what it really takes to thrive during the sizzle, exploring some great escapes to beat the heat, and taking a closer look at the exciting luxury rental development shaping our community.

We're also diving into another cautionary tale that affects us all - how to protect yourself and your loved ones in an increasingly digital world - plus all the latest happenings around town.

Let's jump in!

Here's the June lineup:

• Are You Ready for the Scottsdale Sizzle?
• June Jaunts
• Avala - An Upcoming Scottsdale Luxury Rental Project
• The Scottsdale Scoop
• Your Home Could Be the Next Target: What AI Romance Scams Are Doing…

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Your Gray Walls Are Showing Their Age - Here's What Buyers Want Instead

What’s In and Out for Homes in 2026, According to Buyer Behavior

Some of my highest-read blog posts have been my home decorating posts. That tells me that home decor is a subject many people are interested in. I think it's more curiosity than a blueprint for what a person should immediately follow to make sure their place is decorated in the current style. It's like fashion, designers create new looks for the current year, and it's fun to watch and see, but most of it doesn't fit with the average person's lifestyle.

However, home decor is something people can pick and choose when considering an update or a remodel. So these decorating posts are what today's interior designers are telling us is in or out of home decor fashion. It's up to us…

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The Most Popular Backyard Improvements for Comfort, Relaxing, and Real Life

Why Your Backyard Matters More Than You Think (And How to Upgrade It Without Breaking the Bank)

Think about the moments that matter most when you're home. You're sitting outside with your coffee while the morning's still quiet. You're stretched out on a chair with nothing to do. Your family's gathered around a firepit, and nobody's checking their phone. Those moments happen in backyards.

And here's what's interesting: a lot of homeowners are finally treating their backyards like they matter. Not as some distant fantasy project or a "someday when we have money" thing, but as actual outdoor rooms where life happens.

The shift isn't about expensive renovations or designer landscaping. It's much simpler than that. People want spaces they'll…

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Buying a Home in Scottsdale? Don't Skip the Roof

Of all the things that can quietly wreck a home purchase in Arizona, the roof is at the top of the list. It is also the part of the home that most buyers spend the least time thinking about during a showing.

That makes sense. You walk in the front door, you look at the kitchen, you check the backyard, you imagine your furniture in the living room. You do not climb a ladder. You do not crawl into the attic. And the listing photos rarely tell you anything useful about what is happening above your head.

But in Scottsdale, the roof is doing more work than almost any other part of the house. Triple-digit summers, intense UV exposure, and monsoon storms wear roofing materials down faster here than in nearly any other market in the country. A roof that…

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