NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2022
EVENT CALENDAR NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2022 Treasures: Legendary Musical Instruments Phoenix | Nov. 12 – Dec. 31 mim.org/special-exhibitions/treasures The Musical Instrument Museum explores 6,000 years of music through history including performance traditions, significant music moments, and the development of musical instruments throughout the world. Eighty unique instruments make up the collection, with more than 20 specially obtained from distinguished museums, private collections, and musicians. This exhibition is a celebration of human creativity and sound.
It’s A Wonderful Life Scottsdale | Nov. 17 – Dec. 30 donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com/index.html An annual tradition beloved by locals, the stage production of It’s A Wonderful Life returns to the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre this winter. Based on the 1946 Frank Capa film that is a holiday classic, the story centers on all around good-guy George Bailey, whose life has become burdened by obligation and hardship. On Christmas Eve, a guardian angel appears to Bailey and reminds him that his good deeds have earned him a life full of love, friendship, and integrity – an all-round wonderful existence.
The Magical Christmas Journey Clarkdale | Nov. 25 – Dec. 24 verdecanyonrr.com Every Thursday through Sunday this holiday season, the Verde Canyon Railroad departs on a Magical Christmas Journey. A one-hour roundtrip is full of festivities including jolly lights and ornaments, story-telling, and cheerful “elf” attendants serving seasonal drink specialties to guests in open-air viewing cars. At the depot before departure, passengers can enjoy treats and libations as well as a miniature holiday village to explore. The main event is a slow passage through Santa’s Village with a meet-and-greet for children.
BODYTRAFFIC Scottsdale |Dec. 9 scottsdaleperformingarts.org/event/bodytraffic Originating in Los Angeles, BODYTRAFFIC brings the city’s spirit of creativity on the road to inspire audiences simply to love dance. The concert dance company boasts some of the most diverse dancers and choreographers who excel in styles ranging from ballet to hip-hop. The group has received acclaim nationwide as compelling, accomplished and thoroughly entertaining.
Tucson Marathon Tucson | Dec. 10 tucsonmarathon.com Take advantage of the beautiful desert winter by joining the Tucson Marathon – all skill levels welcome! Early morning temperatures start in the high 30s and reach roughly 65-70 degrees by mid-morning. The course is mostly downhill on paved roads, beginning in the town of Oracle and ending in Catalina, set along the stunning Santa Catalina mountain range. Avid runners have named the course one of the prettiest in the country and very manageable to achieve a personal best.
HOT S SPOTS POTS W
ho doesn’t like to cozy up by the fire on a cool fall or chilly winter night? Today’s homeowners have a plethora of choices when it comes to designing a fireplace—gas or wood burning, enclosed or open, modern or traditional. One thing most of us agree on? A house isn’t a home without a fireplace…and we want it to look spectacular. For some people, nothing beats the cozy feeling of a wood-burning fireplace …the flickering flames, the crackling sound of burning logs, the glow of the embers. And the design and styling options are endless. There’s simply a timeless appeal to a traditional brick or stone hearth, vintage brass andirons, and a perfectly styled mantel. But along with the good of wood, comes the inevitable messiness, the smoke and environmental factors, and the need to store and haul in logs from outdoors. It can be hard to overlook the ease of gas fireplaces, which turn on and off with the flip of a switch. Whichever you choose to install in your home, we’re sure you’ll never tire of sitting fireside with a good book or glass of wine at the end of day. Gas fireplaces have come a long way since their early days of faux logs and barely flickering flames. (Electric fireplaces are also an option for those without gas lines, although the aesthetics and heat output simply doesn’t compare to either gas or wood burning.) Many gas fireplaces now boast a modern edge, with sharp geometric linear surrounds and dramatic placement within the home. A frameless fireplace is a top choice that looks striking in a sleek modern setting. Even more dramatic are double-sided, glass-enclosed fireplaces which allow homeowners to see right through the fire to the space beyond. Often built without mantles, these see-through, seamless fires are often raised off the ground and have marble or stone surrounds. Some four-sided, all-glass fireplaces are completely see-through, boasting a dramatic fire from any angle, all with the push of a remotecontrol button. Talk about instant glamour! Outdoor spaces also really shine with modern gas fireplaces built into the hardscape. Today’s fireplaces, both wood burning and gas, also come in various shapes and sizes. Some homeowners want taller and grander fireplaces to be the gathering place in the center of their abode. Others prefer longer and leaner looks, eye-catching linear gas fireplaces comfortable in more contemporary homes. The design is glamorous and modern, perfect for the choicest of casas. Still others want a smaller farmhouse style fireplace in the kitchen or keeping room, ideal for a cozy fireside meal or cup of cocoa. Also still in style are indoor-outdoor fireplaces, which offer a window to the great outdoors when inside. Now that’s bringing the outside in!
REAL ESTATE
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Unique Holiday Tr e a t s W
e all have our own family holiday traditions. And none are sweeter than special desserts that fill the home with the scents of the season. In addition to your must-make treats, try adding one of these unique desserts to your holiday repertoire. After all, who ever said there were too many sweets on the table?
No holiday feast would be complete without a pie or two. In Southern homes, that means pecan pie—try adding a splash of bourbon to make it truly memorable. Other holiday pies often sliced around the holidays include classic American apple and pumpkin … simply add a caramel sauce to elevate it to holiday status. And for Kwanzaa, the table needs to have a sweet potato custard pie, with cinnamon and nutmeg wafting through the air. Yum! Gingerbread cookies are a fan favorite with the young ones, of course, but don’t overlook traditional old-fashioned gingerbread cake. This easy-to-make aromatic dessert, loaded with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves and topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, is a more adult sweet treat that will make the house smell of Christmas. Finally, don’t forget the cheesecake. In some homes, it just wouldn’t be the holidays without one. To elevate plain cheesecake, consider adding some flavor to the mix: chocolate, Bailey’s liquor, or peppermint will all add holiday punch. Or top with strawberries or sugarcoated cranberries and mint leaves for festive color that will look lovely on the holiday table. Now that’s a sweet ending.
If you haven’t tried making a holiday Yule log—also known as a bûche de Noël—this could be the year to make something that will really wow your friends and family. This French tradition, also popular in Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada, dates back to the 19th century. The rolled-up cake, usually whipped cream frosting wrapped up in a chocolate sponge cake and topped with chocolate frosting and candied cranberries, resembles a log that French families would burn on Christmas Eve to bring good luck. A swirly slice on a fancy holiday plate is so impressive!
IN GOOD TASTE
For Hanukkah, traditional baked goods include delicious jelly donuts, which surprisingly, can be easy to make, and traditional babka loaves. Chocolate or cinnamon babka makes the perfect winter treat. Or try your hand a making rugelach, “little twists” in Yiddish. These pastry bites filled with nuts, apricot or raspberry jam, or chocolate, will hit the spot for the holidays.
YAM AND PECAN DESSERT INGREDIENTS 5 cups
Cooked and mashed yams (about 3 pounds uncooked yams)
½ cup
chopped pecans
1 can (14 oz)
NESTLÉ LA LECHERA Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 tbs
melted butter (optional)
3 large
eggs, lightly beaten
2 tbs
brown sugar
½ tsp
ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease ten 4-ounce ramekins or custard cups. Combine yams, sweetened condensed milk, eggs and cinnamon in medium bowl; mix well. Pour in prepared ramekins; sprinkle with nuts. Drizzle with melted butter; sprinkle with sugar. Bake for about 20 minutes or until bubbly and hot. Serve warm or at room temperature. Source: Goodnes.com
GoodNes.com
KELLY McLAIN
realtor® | 602.625.4653 | mclainjk@aol.com
“
THE #1 AGENT FOR THE
ORANGE TREE & EQUESTRIAN
Orange Tree Active & Pending Listings
MANOR AREA WITH OVER
”
100 TRANSACTIONS! kellymclain.com
Address
BED
BATH
SQFT List Price
Neighborhood
ACTIVE
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!” The Orange Tree real estate market remains strong compared to the rest of the valley. We’ve witnessed. 10 to 14% drop in prices from the peak this past spring depending on valley location. The two mile radius for Orange Tree only dropped 3 to 5% since the peak. Higher priced homes are not impacted as much by a slowly deteriorating economy or rising interest rates. Obviously if the economy and stock market drops further we could see an acceleration to the down side on the luxury end. We are stating to see seller reductions and concessions. Seller concessions were popular between 2015 and mid 2020 with between 35% and 40% of closed listings involving some form of concession to the buyer.
5335 E SHEA BLVD 2117
2
2
1,056
$337,000
BELLA TERRA CONDOS
10401 N 52ND ST 201
2
2
1,099
$400,000
MARBEYA CONDOMINIUMS
5401 E CHARTER OAK RD
4
2.5
2,891
$774,900
RANCHO SAGUARO UNIT 3
5501 E CORRINE DR
4
2.5
2,835
$995,000
RANCHO SAGUARO
5401 E SHEA BLVD
4
2.5
2,996
$1,098,999
PROMONTORY LOT
5529 E WINDROSE DR
4
2.5
2,525
$1,100,000
RANCHO SAGUARO
5949 E LARKSPUR DR
3
2.5
2,558
$1,198,900
AVANT
5841 E CORRINE DR
4
2.5
2,747
$1,225,000
AVANT
5522 E LARKSPUR DR
4
2
2,359
$1,275,000
RANCHO SAGUARO
5202 E POINSETTIA DR
6
3
3,246
$1,295,000
WOODLEAF
5439 E DAHLIA DR
4
3
2,833
$1,300,000
RANCHO SAGUARO
11608 N BLACKHEATH RD
4
3
2,565
$1,350,000
CENTURY CLUB ESTATES
5969 E SWEETWATER AVE
5
4
2,828
$1,350,000
AVANT
6001 E CORRINE DR
4
3
2,336
$1,350,000
AVANT
5349 E CHOLLA S
4
3
2,732
$1,395,000
DESERT HOMES
5402 E WINDROSE DR
3
2
2,520
$1,395,000
RANCHO SAGUARO
5924 E NORTH LN
4
2
2,035
$1,395,888
COUNTRY ESTATES
5461 E CORTEZ DR
5
3
2,919
$1,400,000
VISTA HERMOSA
6235 E ASTER DR
4
2
2,380
$1,425,000
SHEA NORTH ESTATES
6002 E CORRINE DR
4
4
3,612
$1,500,000
AVANT
10413 N 55TH PL
4
2.5
2,824
$1,645,000
PROMONTORY LOT
5443 E SAHUARO DR
4
4
3,884
$1,650,000
ORANGE TREE ESTATES
11409 N SAINT ANDREWS WAY
4
3.5
3,544
$1,729,000
CENTURY CLUB ESTATES
5519 E Beryl AVE
4
2.5
3,250
$1,985,000
Promontory
5457 E OAKHURST WAY
4
3
3,554
$1,999,000
ORANGETREE ESTATES
5339 E CORTEZ DR
7
5.5
6,104
$2,550,000
LAS HACIENDAS
5939 E BERYL AVE
5
4.5
2,975
$2,797,000
COUNTRY ESTATES
12028 N 60TH PL
4
4.5
5,725
$4,250,000
EQUESTRIAN MANOR
5340 E Laurel LN
5
2.5
3,189
$1,325,000
WOODLEAF
Concessions went out of fashion between mid 2020 and April 2022 as each home had multiple prospective buyers who would have less chance of securing the home if the requested concessions.
11047 N 52ND ST
5
4.5
5,290
$2,475,000
DESERT HOMES
5418 E OAKHURST WAY
5
4
5,023
$2,595,000
ORANGETREE ESTATES
This summer saw record percentages of concessions.
All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Properties on this list have been listed/sold by various members of the MLS.
UCB
How bad has the market become? From a unit volume perspective, it is poor, with closings and especially contract acceptance well below a level needed to satisfy the professional participants who just 6 months ago were dealing with extremely high levels of activity. From a dollar volume perspective, it does not look so bad. Dollar volume was colossal during the first and second quarters and took a big drop during the third quarter. However compared with prior years, dollar volume is still quite impressive, mainly because prices are still very high compared with all prior years. The chart below shows the peak early this year at almost $6 billion, followed by the plunge during July to September. But it also shows that we remain well over $3 billion
Happy Thanksgiving to all my clients and readers of my newsletter.
Kelly McLain If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.
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