Estancia March 10

CALL TOM... Your Investment Will Be Glad You Did! For three consecutive years (2006, 2007 and 2008), Tom Locati has made The Wall Street Journal’s list of top 50 Realtors® in the United States, by sales volume. In addition, during the same three years, he has been ranked as the #1 agent at Russ Lyon | Sotheby’s International Realty. That’s impressive. But what’s equally impressive, Tom lists and sells nearly $300 million dollars of North Scottsdale luxury real estate each year and is the only Realtor® from Arizona to make the Journal’s ultra-elite list. Tom is one of the country’s leading luxury real estate professionals, representing a wealth of fine properties and affluent clients who rely on his discretion, experience, investment acumen and intimate knowledge of the Scottsdale real estate market. “I generally work with a small segment of society often looking for a second, third or fourth home. My job is to empower you (my client) through knowledgeable, reliable real estate information firmly grounded in ethical and moral real estate transactions; thus, providing a comfort level essential in allowing you to make an informed financial decision.” Tom believes the luxury real estate business is ultimately wrapped around two primary concepts. “First, you have to have a sound understanding of how money and real estate investments work. In fact, acquiring the perfect property is foremost a matter of finding a wise investment and coupling that with a client’s personal tastes and desires. However, it’s equally important that I am able to create a comfort level for the investor/client based not only on market knowledge, but on expert guidance with proven results.” This is what puts Tom at the top of the real estate profession year after year. “If a professional business approach to real estate acquisition is what you seek, call me - Your Investment will be glad you did. I look forward to visiting with you!”

tomlocati@me.com www.tlocati.com Fax: 480.419.6931

TOM LOCATI 480.600.2345

DEBBIE NEGRIN 480.734.3498

Tom Locati Russ Lyon | Sotheby’s International Realty 20909 N. 90th Pl. #209 Scottsdale, AZ 85255 FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED

March 2010

CURRENT REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY IN FEATURED PROPERTY: 27197 N. 102nd St. | Lot 245 | 4 Bed | 4 Baths | 5,943 Sq. Ft. | 3 Car Garage • $4,595,000 ESTANCIA’S CONTEMPORARY MASTERPIECE This powerful and fascinating design of “airfoil architecture” is masterfully blended with copper cladding and stone. It is truly one of the finest contemporary properties ever built in North Scottsdale. Full automation with Crestron home controls and over-the-top accessories make this a must-see property. It is located on the world renowned Estancia golf course overlooking the 14th, 15th and 16th fairways and less than 400 yards from Pinnacle Peak, boasting a dramatic and special living experience. One must physically peruse every aspect of this home’s offerings to fully appreciate the planning, design and exceptional detail that make this home a fascinating work of art. The master bedroom is pampered luxury living at its finest with views that are as private as they are unforgettable. Simply perfect! Address Lot # Sq. Ft. / Bed / Bath Price Per SF CURRENTLY FOR SALE: 28095 N. 101st St. 122 2800 / 3 / 3 $311 10081 E. Blue Sky Dr. 108 2800 / 3 / 3 $425 10036 E. Blue Sky Dr. 112 2800 / 3 / 3 $455 28092 N. 101st St. 117 2455 / 3 / 3 $527 28102 N. 96th Pl. 23 7085 / 5 / 5.5 $226 27441 N. 96th Way 73 3566 / 3 / 3 $498 27986 N. 100th Pl. 97 4470 / 4 / 3.5 $414 10356 E. Running Deer Trl. 142 4861 / 3 / 3.5 $410 10265 E. Running Deer Trl. 165 5400 / 4 / 4.5 $426 27148 N. 97th Pl. 65 6600 / 4 / 7 $355 27264 N. 103rd Way 209 5665 / 5 / 4.5 $415 27336 N. 103rd Way 210 5072 / 3 / 3.5 $483 27123 N. 103rd Way 179 5103 / 4 / 4.5 $490 9761 E. Pinnacle Vista Dr. 36 4591 / 3 / 2.5 $545 27081 N. 96th Way 67 5019 / 3 / 4 $548 9892 E. Blue Sky Dr. 76 7000 / 5 / 5.5 $398 27927 N. 101st St. 89 5300 / 4 / 4 $527 28111 N. 96th Pl. 3 4484 / 4 / 4.5 $624 26872 N. 102nd St. 255 6229 / 5 / 6.5 $449 26942 N. 103rd St. 181 6240 / 4 / 5.5 $465 26945 N. 102nd St. 240 4187 / 3 / 3 $705 9897 E. Blue Sky Dr. 84 5537 / 4 / 4 $703 27184 N. 97th Pl. 64 7587 / 4 / 7 $527 27226 N. 96th Way 50 5719 / 4 / 4.5 $768 27197 N. 102nd St. 245 5943 / 4 / 4 $773 9720 E. Estancia Way 29 6544 / 4 / 4.5 $760 27473 N. 97th Pl. 33 6850 / 4 / 4.5 $817 26798 N. 98th Way 229 7309 / 4 / 5 $957 27341 N. 102nd St. 270 14231 / 8 / 11 $1054 PENDING: 28034 N. 100th Pl. 99 4450 / 3 / 3.5 $494 9709 E. Bajada Rd. 45 5342 / 4 / 4 $467 27086 N. 103rd St. 185 5047 / 3 / 3.5 $574 SOLD: 26931 N. 103rd St. 259 6615 / 5 / 5.5 $211 27938 N. 100th Pl. 95 4470 / 3 / 3.5 $319 27819 N. 100th Way 91 4000 / 3 / 3.5 $563 27016 N 102nd St. 260 7485 / 5 / 7 $548 27550 N. 96th Way 57 7160 / 5 / 7 $587

In Bloom & Breathtaking

List Price $870,000 $1,190,000 $1,275,000 $1,295,000 $1,600,000 $1,775,000 $1,850,000 $1,995,000 $2,298,000 $2,345,000 $2,350,000 $2,450,000 $2,500,000 $2,500,000 $2,749,000 $2,785,000 $2,795,000 $2,799,000 $2,799,000 $2,899,000 $2,950,000 $3,895,000 $3,995,000 $4,395,000 $4,595,000 $4,975,000 $5,595,000 $6,995,000 $15,000,000 $2,200,000 $2,495,000 $2,895,000 Sold Price $1,400,000 $1,425,000 $2,250,000 $4,100,000 $4,200,000

All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The properties on this list have been listed/sold by various participants in the MLS. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

SONORAN DESERT CACTI

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

ISSN-1939-9650

Selling Your Home?

Understand Your Target Market

A Taste of The Old World Sassi’s Sicilian-Spiced Scallops

Estancia’s

Hot Real Estate Listings

Featuring Sassi 10455 E. Pinnacle Peak Parkway • Scottsdale 480.502.9095 • www.sassi.biz

CAPPA SANTE INGREDIENTS: 12 each scallops, large 2 heads fennel, cleaned and shaved to one-eighth inch 2 each grapefruit, peeled and segmented into slices 2 each oranges, peeled and segmented into slices 2 each lemons, peeled and segmented into slices 1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and chopped 1 pound arugula 2 1/2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil 1 Tbs. butter 1/2 Tbs. salt 1/2 Tbs. pepper PROCEDURE: • Season the scallops on both sides with Sicilian Spice (see recipe below). Sear scallops in two tablespoons olive oil and one tablespoon butter. Don’t crowd the pan, cook in batches if needed. Sear until golden brown on both sides, medium-rare to medium. • Incorporate the arugula, olives, citrus, pine nuts, fennel, salt, pepper and olive oil together. Place the salad in center of a large plate. Put the scallops around the salad, drizzle with olive oil and pinch of sea salt to finish. • Optional: The pan drippings can be deglazed with white wine, a touch of butter and herbs to use as sauce. SICILIAN SPICE INGREDIENTS: 3 Tbs. lemon zest, dried and ground in spice grinder 2 Tbs. kosher salt 2 Tbs. pepper, freshly ground 2 Tbs. paprika 2 Tbs. oregano, dried Incorporate all ingredients together.

CACTUS FLOWERS Jewelsof the Desert

When many people think of the Southwest, they think of a dry desert filled with prickly cacti. Although these green spiky plants may not seem as obviously beautiful as say a rose or a tulip, anyone who has witnessed a cactus’ spring and summer blooms will no longer think they aren’t breathtaking. In shades of yellow, white, pink, purple, orange and red, these desert flowers are truly something to see. With spring in full bloom, take a hike and check out these simply stunning cacti. No other cactus is more synonymous with Southwestern Arizona and the Sonoran Desert than the saguaro cactus. Its bloom is the state flower of Arizona. In fact, the Sonoran Desert is the only place this iconic cactus grows at all. This ubiquitous desert cactus is a giant, reaching anywhere from 10 to 50 feet in height. In fact, it’s the largest cactus in the United States. But this cactus grows slowly—only about an inch a year. The tallest saguaros are thought to be some 200 years old. Because the majority of a saguaro is made up of water, an adult plant may weigh 6 tons or more. Saguaros are easily recognized by their trademark “arms.” Some saguaros have been seen with a multitude of arms, while others don’t grow any at all. In Saguaro National Park outside of Tucson, saguaros begin to grow arms at about 65 to 75 years of age. The saguaro’s white and yellow flowers grow at the top of the plant and at the end of arms, blooming in May and June. These beautiful blooms open during cooler desert nights and close again by next midday. Head to Ajo, Arizona, and you’ll find some 28 species of cacti in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, which encompasses some 330,000 acres of surprisingly green desert. The park’s namesake cactus grows in tall columns and can be found in large clumps within the park. The organ pipe can live for more than 150 years and produces its first flowers at about age 35. Just as with the saguaro cactus, the organ pipe opens its creamy white flowers only at night and closes the flower by midday the following day. So be sure to get to the desert early if you want to see these blooms! Other cacti you’ll see in Organ Pipe Monument include senita, chain fruit cholla, teddy bear cholla, Engelmann’s prickly pear, hedgehog, pincushion, and Arizona barrel. One of the more common cacti in the Sonoran Desert is the prickly pear cactus. With its flat, round pads that look like leaves, the prickly pear cactus has large spines on its stems. The prickly pear varies in height from less than a foot to 6 or 7 feet and the flowers range in color from yellow, red, or purple, according to the

different varieties. Among the frequent types found in the Sonoran Desert are the beavertail cactus (bright rose flowers), Englemann’s prickly pear (yellow to peach flowers), and the pancake prickly pear (yellow and red flowers). Graham’s pincushion or Graham’s nipple cactus is a small cactus (usually only about 5 cm across and 15 cm in height) that grows bright pink to lavender flowers which appear to overwhelm this little plant. Pincushions thrive between rocks throughout the desert. Look for them between late spring and summer. In late summer, usually in August, a show of deep orange is seen with the blooming of the fishhook barrel cactus, also known as the candy barrel cactus. Named because of its cylindrical or barrel-like shape, this cactus bears clusters of flowers at its top, which are red and yellow in hue, and are covered in spines. Even the sweetly named teddy bear cholla, with its mass of spines that appear “fuzzy” from a distance, boasts greenish-white flowers in the spring. Just keep your distance as the spines are said to “jump” off the cacti to passersby. Hazards aside, be sure to soak up all the amazing colors of spring and summer in our Sonoran Desert!

A Rainbow of Colors! Use this mini-guide to identify some of the common flowers of the cacti of the Sonoran Desert.

PINK: Beavertail prickly pear (spring), Engelmann’s hedgehog cactus (spring, also purple), Graham’s pincushion (spring, also lavender), senita cactus (summer) YELLOW: Buckthorn cholla (spring, also orange and red), compass barrel cactus (spring), Engelmann’s prickly pear (spring), Teddy bear cholla (spring, also green) ORANGE: Fishhook barrel cactus (summer, also yellow and red) WHITE: Organ pipe cactus (spring, also pinkish-white), saguaro cactus (late spring) PURPLE: Chain fruit cholla (spring, also fuchsia) RED: Coville’s barrel (summer)

do you know who wants to buy your home? Why do you think most people decide to move? Turns out, even in our current economy, most people move to improve their quality of life. In fact, according to a recent survey commissioned by Relocation.com, 50% of people who have recently moved did so to improve their living situation—not because they needed to downsize or relocate due to job loss or other financial woes. The number-one reason people gave for moving was to live in a bigger or better home (26%), followed by those who wanted to live in a better neighborhood or area (24%). This is good news— and good information—for homeowners who are trying to or are thinking about selling their home. In fact, why not think of this information as market research on your potential homebuyers. Time to turn your home’s assets into featured selling points. Consider this: When a company sets out to market a new product, they conduct thorough market research on their target audience. Who is the potential buyer of their product? What are their needs, desires and motivations for purchase? Knowing their target market also helps in determining who NOT to spend money and resources marketing to. When you prepare to sell your home, it’s time to do the same. That means doing your homework and researching your target homebuyer. Understanding who your likely buyers

are and what they are looking for in a home will help you sell your home. The first thing to consider? The several types of homebuyers that exist. Generally speaking, your homebuyer will fall into one of these four categories: singles, working couples, families, or empty nesters/downsizers. Now, consider your home and which buyer mentioned above you think your home will most appeal to. If you live in an excellent school district and have three or more bedrooms, you should probably be marketing your home to families. Make sure your home will appeal to this group by playing up a family or game room, drawing attention to the Jack-and-Jill bathroom, and highlighting the cul-de-sac location and great outside play area for kids. Maybe you live in a smaller home near other older adults. In this case, try marketing your home to empty-nesters. Perhaps leave information on the kitchen counter about local groups and activities. Make sure your Realtor highlights the easy-care yard and one-level home layout and the safety of the neighborhood. Or perhaps your home is near highways, shopping, and dining, making it ideal for working couples. Spotlight these features to prospective buyers. Your home may instead be ideal for singles, in which case you’d want to draw attention to its location near nightlife, outdoor parks and recreation areas.

MARCH 2010 Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival Downtown Carefree, March 5th – 7th 480.837.5637 or thunderbirdartist.com This award-winning, three-day festival has something for every art lover. Not only will you view one-of-akind pieces displayed throughout the festival, but this event also promises the state’s largest wine tasting featuring first-class vintages from all over the world. Plenty of boutique shopping, dining at outdoor cafes and live music are available for your entertainment. 17th Annual Beach Ball J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge, March 6th 602.538.5381 or pchbeachball.com You may not make it out to The Hamptons this spring, but Phoenix Children’s Hospital is throwing their own white-themed soiree. This elegant night includes cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner and lively dancing. Arizona welcomes back the talented duet Zowie Bowie as the musical entertainment. Oscar Night America Arizona Biltmore, March 7th 602.212.9900 or arthritis.org Since you probably won’t get an invite to Hollywood for the Academy Awards, come to the next best thing, Phoenix’s Oscar Night benefitting the Arthritis Foundation. The entire evening replicates the swanky real deal with a red carpet entrance flanked by paparazzi, champagne with your gourmet meal and even a take-home “swag bag.” Guests will feel like a true celebrity as they watch the award show live on a giant screen. Avenue Q ASU Gammage, March 9th – 14th 480.965.3434 or asugammage.com This Broadway musical may feature talking and singing puppets, but leave the kids at home for this one! Avenue Q tells the story of Princeton, a college grad with big dreams of making it in New York City but with a small bank account. Walk for Wishes Kiwanas Park, March 13th 602.395.9474 or arizona.wish.org Choose from the 5K run or the 1-mile walk. The theme this year is “Pancakes and Pajamas” with prizes for participants with the best PJs. The event benefits the Make a Wish Foundation, granting wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

The bottom line? With your Realtor’s help, you can find a way to market your home to the right homeowners. Doing this will increase your chances for a sale and in much less time. Just remember to figure out who your home is best suited to and then bring these features into the forefront so potential buyers won’t have to do any guesswork as to whether or not this home is the right one for them. That’s doing your homework!

Spring Training: Giants vs. Cubs Scottsdale Stadium, March 30th 480.312.2580 or cactusleague.com Bring your hat, sunscreen and glove and take in a fabulous spring day at the ballpark! Home to the San Francisco Giants, Scottsdale Stadium is in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale and seats 11,500 fans which includes a large grassy area for really spreading out!