JULY | AUGUST 2021
Curb Appeal
How to Create it Quickly
Creamy Herb Potato Salad GoodNes
EVENT CALENDAR JULY | AUGUST 2021
Cruise the Zoo Phoenix | Through Aug 10 PhoenixZoo.org On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday mornings this summer, the Phoenix Zoo is opening its gates to vehicles that want to cruise the zoo. The tour allows guests to get a unique view of the animal residents including flamingos, giraffes, elephants and more.
The Dinner Detective Interactive Mystery Show Tempe | July 17, Aug 14 & 28 TheDinnerDetective.com This award-winning, interactive show blends mystery and humor in a fun, social setting. Actors are not dressed in costume but sit hidden among the audience. Guests get to witness the mystery unfold and try to solve whodunnit along with the actors. Tickets include a four-course plated dinner, waitstaff gratuity and a night of entertainment.
Van Gogh Phoenix Phoenix | July 29 – Aug 31 VanGoghPhx.com Van Gogh’s most famous works come to life in this incredible, immersive exhibit. Visitors wander through the landscapes, night scenes, portraits and still-life paintings of Van Gogh, including the world-renowned “Starry Night,” as you’ve never seen them before.
Sunset Summer Nights Phoenix | July 30, Aug 27 RoyalPalmsHotel.com Enjoy a beautiful summer night full of sunsets, live music and specialized menu creations at Royal Palms Resort and Spa. The admission price includes entry, entertainment and appetizers that fit the night’s theme.
Phoenix Film Festival Scottsdale | Aug 12-22 PhoenixFilmFestival.com Arizona’s largest film festival is back this summer and celebrating its 20th anniversary. Hosted by Harkins Theatres, this 11-day festival showcases the best of independent cinema and up-andcoming filmmakers. More than 200 films will be screened, with special intros by the creators. PFF is a fan-favorite event, having been named one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals and a Top 50 Worth the Entry Fee by MovieMaker Magazine.
INSTANT
CURB APPEAL W
hether you’re settled into your dream home for years to come or thinking of putting it on the market soon, nothing feels better than having your abode look perfect when you pull into the driveway. While overall tidiness, a fresh coat of paint, and a weed-free yard are excellent ways to get attention, some smaller tweaks can garner lots of praise. Here’s how to tackle some little projects that provide big impact and add instant curb appeal. The first thing many of us see when we pull up to our house is the mailbox, so why not make the most of this first impression? Whether you need to spring for a totally new mailbox or just head out to the street to clean and perhaps repaint yours, this little improvement will definitely be noticed. While you’re at it, plant some colorful flowers around the base of the mailbox and perhaps add some eye-catching new house numbers that match the style of your home. Little details show the TLC you give your casa. Next, take a look at your front door. Could it use a fresh coat of paint or stain? Does the front porch need a deep cleaning (get the hose out and scrub a little, and while you’re at it, hose down the entire house to help it shine). Adding a wreath, bright flowers in pots, and a fresh new doormat will definitely boost your home’s overall style. Your outdoor light fixtures may also need a paint touch-up or may even need replacing. Remember, these upgrades don’t have to cost a lot. If you have flowerbeds near the door, give them a good weeding and pop in some colorful annuals for long-lasting cheeriness throughout the summer season. Window boxes will also give some charm to your exterior if it’s looking a little bland. Wondering what to plant? Home staging experts recommend certain flowers that attract buyers: roses, lavender, hydrangea, sunflowers, and tulips have universal appeal. Just what you want if you’re looking to sell. At night, nothing amps up curb appeal better than accent lighting. Perfectly placed solar lights highlighting trees, interesting architectural elements, or water features provide a brilliant look to any home. Highlight a walkway or arched entryway to grab attention from the street. Be sure to walk out front at night and see how your home shines. You’re sure to be the envy of the neighborhood.
REAL ESTATE
corner
SCORE BIG AT THE
FLEA MARKET Aselling everything from vintage car parts to antique furniture. typical swap meet attracts an eclectic gathering of vendors
You can find unique items here, often for an excellent price. Use these seven tips to make the most of your marketplace outing. 1) PLAN AHEAD – Make a list of anything specific you hope to purchase to keep yourself on track. It’s easy to get distracted by the many vendors selling all sorts of interesting items! Research the value beforehand so you know what you’re willing to pay. 2) DRESS CASUALLY – Dressing down helps keep sellers guessing. If you’re dressed too fashionably, sellers assume you can pay more, and they will likely expect you to. A subtle, casual outfit will help you score a better price. Plus, dressing casually ensures you’ll be comfortable throughout the day. 3) BRING CASH – Although some swap meets have ATMs available and vendors may accept credit cards, it’s best to carry cash just in case. Having cash in hand also allows you to purchase an item on the spot. You don’t want to risk someone swiping your find while you run to the ATM.
4) TAKE NOTES – If you’re searching for the best deals, you probably want to circle the swap meet before making any big purchases. Use a notepad or your smartphone to remind yourself of things you liked, the listed price and where you found it. This way, you can compare items quickly without relying on memory. 5) SEE THE POTENTIAL – Sometimes, you’ll find flawlessly refinished or repurposed items. Other times, you have to get creative and think outside the box. Furniture can be repainted, re-stained or reupholstered to give it a totally new look. A little extra work might be worth it if the item is a standout piece. 7) ALWAYS NEGOTIATE – Get comfortable with the art of haggling. This is a normal part of swap meets that vendors expect. A first offer is almost never a final offer, and with smart negotiating you can knock 10 to 15 percent off the quoted price. Be friendly with the seller and politely point out any flaws the item may have. Always offer less than you’re willing to pay but keep the offer fair.
IN GOOD TASTE
Don’t be afraid to walk away if the price isn’t right. Enjoy the experience and try again at another location. There are plenty of hidden gems waiting for you!
CREAMY HERB POTATO SALAD INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup
Light mayonnaise
1 clove
Garlic, peeled
1/3 cup
Packed parsley leaves
2 lbs
Potatoes, cubed
1/4 cup
Chopped green onions
1 cup
Chopped celery
2 tbs
Sour cream
3
Hard-cooked eggs
1 tbs
Whole grain mustard
Salt and ground black pepper
1/2 tbs
Lemon juice
DIRECTIONS Place mayonnaise, parsley, green onions, sour cream, mustard, lemon juice and garlic in blender; season with salt and pepper. Cover; blend on low speed, leaving some pieces of parsley and green onions. Set aside. Place potatoes in a large pot of salted cold water; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain potatoes and let cool. Combine cooled potatoes, eggs, celery and dressing in a large bowl; mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
GoodNes.com
KELLY McLAIN
ORAN
realtor® | 602.625.4653 | mclainjk@aol.com
“
THE #1 AGENT FOR THE
ORANGE TREE & EQUESTRIAN MANOR AREA WITH OVER
”
100 TRANSACTIONS! kellymclain.com
CANDIS CREEL, Account Manager
602.697.0232 | ccreel@atsaaz.com “My team and I have had the awesome pleasure of working alongside Kelly McLain for nearly 10 years now. He is truly one of the most loyal, dedicated and knowledgeable Realtors with whom we’ve ever worked! His clients are very privileged to have him represent them, especially in a challenging market. We feel honored to handle the escrow transactions and would highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell a home!”
Y
ou will probably notice that we are forecasting that sales prices will rise at a far slower pace between June and July. Prices cannot rise at over 6% per month every month and the market needs to take a breath. This is most likely to happen during the hottest part of the year. This is when the luxury market tends to cool off and the investors are in their element. Many buyers do not like shopping for homes when the temperature is over 100 degrees, but investors need to make a living all year round. We expect the sales mix to reflect those facts between June and September. Our specific forecast for June is because there has been very little movement in the average $/SF for listings under contract over the past several weeks. Average sales $/SF has risen over 9% in the last 2 months, equivalent to an annual appreciation rate of over 55%. We should not be surprised if the summer months are far less dramatic than the spring.
If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.
Orange Tree Active & Pending Listings Address 11419 N 56th St 11470 N 64th St 5701 E Sweetwater Ave 5417 E Wethersfield Rd 5626 E Charter Oak Rd 5513 E Shea Blvd 5806 E Cochise Rd 10044 N 58th Pl 5831 E Charter Oak Rd 5539 E Larkspur Dr 5822 E Charter Oak Rd 5429 E Bloomfield Rd 10038 N 58th Pl 6002 E Corrine Dr 11038 N 61st St 6230 E Clinton St 12007 N 62nd Pl 6136 E Paradise Dr 5239 E Turquoise Ave 11660 N St. Andrews Way 9827 N 57th St 6220 E Cochise Rd 6341 E Sunnyside Dr 10848 N Aberdeen Rd 6021 E Cortez Dr 6024 E Sunnyside Dr 6302 E Via Estrella Ave 6324 E Gold Dust Ave
BED 2 3 4 5 3 4 4 4 4 5 4 5 4 4 4 3 5 5 4 6 5 5 7 5 3 6 5 7
BATH 2 3.5 2.5 2 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 3 3 3.5 3.5 2 4 3 3 3.5 4.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 4.5 6.5 7 3.5 8 5.5 7.5
SQFT List Price Neighborhood 1,719 $548,000 Century Place 2,127 $645,000 Near Orangetree 2,494 $750,000 Century North 2,552 $768,000 Rancho Saguaro 1,808 $775,000 Century North 2,824 $799,900 Promontory 2,180 $825,000 Country Estates 3,120 $928,000 Country Estates 2,580 $950,000 Avant 3,850 $999,900 Rancho Saguaro 3,303 $1,199,000 Avant 3,000 $1,295,000 Rancho Saguaro 2,984 $1,425,000 Country Estates 3,612 $1,500,000 Avant 3,591 $1,599,999 Century Circle 3,891 $1,735,000 Bar Ted Acres 3,983 $1,795,000 Equestrian Manor 6,975 $2,389,000 Equestrian Manor 4,377 $2,500,000 Golf View Estates 6,496 $2,500,000 Century Club 5,634 $2,550,000 Country Club 4,861 $2,650,000 Sunburst Farms 6,300 $2,750,000 Arabian Green 7,639 $2,849,000 Century Club 5,231 $2,900,000 Equestrian Manor 7,446 $2,999,000 Equestrian Manor 5,912 $3,225,000 Sunburst Farms 5,510 $3,650,000 Sunburst Farms
All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Properties on this list have been listed/sold by various members of the MLS.
At this point I would like to remind everyone that CoreLogic predicted that home prices across the USA would FALL by 6.6% between June 2020 and June 2021. Possibly the most inaccurate forecast in their history. Personally I don’t take any 12 month home price forecast any more seriously than a 12 month weather forecast. But really, that was like predicting deep snow drifts in July for Phoenix. It was never possible. Our Orange tree area remains in high demand, inventories remain extremely low and buyers willing to over bid on all properties, give me a call to discuss.
Kelly McLain
ARMLS numbers for all areas in the valley This Year
Last Year
June 2021
Active Listings Pending Listings Monthly Sales Monthly Average Sales Price Monthly Median Sales Price
4,917 7,873 9,692
Last Month
June 2020
68.7% 9.0% 37.6% 38.1% 33.1%
11,917 7,224 7,045
May 2021
3.2% 0.6% 5.0% 2.0% 4.6%
5,080 7,829 10,204
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