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JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2021
LEARN A NEW LINGO
Light Up the Night Bright Ideas
Chocolate Hazelnut Waffles GoodNes
EVENT CALENDAR JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2021
Zoolights at The Phoenix Zoo Phoenix | Through Jan. 31 PhoenixZoo.org If you missed the beloved holiday tradition last month, there’s still time to partake in the fun! This season, guests can choose how they view the magic, with the options of a classic walk-through tour or the newly added drive-through alternative.
Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction Scottsdale | Jan. 16-23 Barrett-Jackson.com For nearly 50 years, car enthusiasts from throughout the globe have congregated at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auctions. A true lifestyle event for auto enthusiasts, the auction showcases thousands of the most unique, valuable and desired vehicles in the world. Named America’s No. 1 Attraction for Car Lovers in the 2019 USA Today Readers’ Choice Contest, this event promises to be an unforgettable afternoon.
Date Night at Imperial Date Gardens Yuma | Jan. 22, 23 VisitYuma.com Hosted by Visit Yuma to showcase the town’s unique crop, the Medjool date, this dining experience is only available on a select few dates each year. Guests are treated to a multi-course gourmet dinner with dishes incorporating the Medjool date.
Heard Museum Hoop Dancing Championships Phoenix | Feb. 13-14 Heard.org
LET THERE BE LIGHT I
t’s time to put the holiday lights away until next year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep some whimsy in your outdoor space. Here are some outdoor lighting trends that work year-round. After all, who doesn’t love lighting up the night? A simple string of vintage-style white lights over the patio or fire pit is perhaps the most beautiful way to add shimmer to any outdoor setting. Simply anchor the strands of lights to the corners of a covered area or along the roofline to make a magical scene for a gathering. Don’t have an overhead structure? Stores such as Pottery Barn sell poles that attach to a dining table with clamps. The light strands then dangle from the poles to create a festive ambiance. Or consider attaching the lights to in-ground poles or pillars to make the most of your space. Simple shepherd’s hooks can do the trick. Fences, gates, trees, and really any outdoor object can be a perfect spot for lights. Remember that some light strands need to be plugged in to an electric outlet and others are solar powered. Each will give off a different level of light. Also, some strands are very durable and meant to stand up to the elements and often come with plastic bulbs. Others are not as durable and come with glass bulbs, which may look more elegant but may not last as long. No matter what you choose, the classic look of white bulbs can enhance everything from gazebos and front porches to barns and balconies. Lanterns are another quick and easy way to add luminescence to any outdoor area. A line of lanterns leading guests along a path to a backyard gathering spot is truly breathtaking. For those concerned about open flames, battery-powered LED candles offer a surprisingly realistic look without the worry. Carry the theme to the tabletop with an array of different sized lanterns from classic ship styles to simple candle-lit mason jars. For those looking for a more whimsical, magical feeling, consider fairy lights, strands of tiny lights that give off a warm glow that seems to float in the air. Other quick and easy ways to add light to your outdoor oasis: float candles in water for a soothing tablescape, hang paper lanterns from trees for a casual relaxed vibe, or add floating lanterns to your pool or spa for a unique light show your family will love to gather round!
Appreciate the beautiful desert winter with this outdoor event celebrating artistry, athleticism and cultural traditions. Dancers using special hoops will be scored on precision, rhythm, showmanship, creativity and speed. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for your front-row seat to these heart-felt performances.
Furry Friends Fine Arts Festival Phoenix | Feb. 27 ShemerArtCenter.org Artists will showcase animal-themed art of various media including photos, drawings, ceramics and more. Browse local business, food and beverage vendors while enjoying live music and entertainment. Bring your furry friend along for a “paw reading” or find your new best friend at petadoption areas.
REAL ESTATE
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own pace and even speak the language into their microphone to ensure and hear correct pronunciation. For a bit of friendly competition, users compete with other learners to get spots on the leaderboards to advance. Other online courses include Babble (a subscription model, with monthly rates from $6.95 to $13.95 per month), Rosetta Stone (also a subscription model, from $11.99 to $14.92 per month), and Berlitz (which offers three models of learning: private online language classes, group online language classes, and Berlitz Connect offering at-your-own-pace online learning).
Bnew language been on your New Year’s
onjour. Hola. Kon’nichiwa. Has learning a
resolution list for years? Or maybe you’re planning a trip abroad and want to know the native tongue? Or perhaps you simply want to connect with a culture you admire. Luckily, mastering a new language online is easier than ever. Gone are the days of in-person lessons or purchasing CDs to try to learn on your own. A whole new era of language web learning is here. And learning a new language is not only fun, it’s also been shown to enhance cognitive functioning of older people, according to a 2018 study in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. Other studies have shown it may also help prevent Alzheimer’s.
How to get started? Perhaps dive in and try Duolingo for free and if you are truly committed and want more individualized lessons, research the best of al the online options for your needs. Remember, learning a language takes time and is best done in short chunks of time. Some studies also show that learning before bed is beneficial in improving memory and recall. Watching foreign shows and movies with subtitles is also a great way to immerse yourself in a language if you can’t surround yourself with those who speak the language fluently. All in all, have fun and don’t worry about making mistakes.
IN GOOD TASTE
One of the newer names in the online language game is Duolingo. You’ve probably seen it’s cute little owl mascot online. Head to duolingo.com, choose your language, and easy to understand lessons pop right up on your smartphone, tablet, or computer screen. Choose from 37 different languages … everything from Arabic and Chinese to Spanish and Swedish. Did we mention, it’s free? That’s right, you can keep learning without ever paying a penny. As you progress, the lessons get harder and introduce users to new subject matter. A student can go at his or her
CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT WAFFLES INGREDIENTS 1 ½ cups
All-purpose flour
¾ cup
Water
¼ cup
Baking cocoa
3 tbs
Vegetable oil
2 tsp
Baking powder
½ cup
Hazelnut creamer
½ tsp
Baking soda
2
Large eggs
DIRECTIONS Preheat waffle maker according to manufacturer’s directions. Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda in large bowl. Whisk together water, hazelnut flavor liquid coffee creamer, eggs and oil in a separate large bowl until smooth. Add wet mixture to flour mixture. Stir until combined and no dry spots remain. Batter may still have a few lumps. Cook waffles according to manufacturer’s directions, using ¼ cup of batter per waffle. Place waffles on a wire rack after cooking to avoid steaming. Serve waffles with whipped cream, fresh berries or maple syrup, if desired.
GoodNes.com
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Kelly McLain Realtor
602.625.4653
mclainjk@aol.com www.kellymclain.com
N
ot a whole lot of good happened in 2020, but it’s finally behind us, if anything good came out of it, it was housing prices, we witnessed prices in the Orange Tree surrounding area go up between 15% to 22% depending on your location and subdivision. Never have we had such a year of appreciation. Inventory remains extremely low, the so called experts are trying to figure out when and if this trend reverses in 2021. From interest rates, to foreclosures, to higher taxes, and unemployment, time will tell, for now our Orange Tree area has become a very desirable area. We are just starting to see new homes built in our area, older homes are being torn down, and new homes being built, that will continue to impact our area and squeeze prices even higher in 2021. If you are thinking of selling, its never been a better time, but there are ways I can get top dollar with multiple offers and perhaps a bidding war. Building up interest is the key! I can create excitement with prospective buyers by putting your property on several listing services but not showing your home until a specified open house date. Use the suspense and anticipation of keeping your home off the market while networking to other agents and buyers. Savvy agents will often show compelling photos of their clients homes, while restricting access until a specified date when multiple people show up for the viewing. I can set the perfect stage to attract multiple offers, your house needs to look its best. Even if you have a knack for interior design, it’s generally best to hire a professional who is more familiar with popular design trends in your local market. There are a lot of ways to accentuate a property’s best features and downplay its imperfections. A staging professional will be able to leverage industry knowledge to help you create a setting that will raise eyebrows for all the right reasons. I will pay for the interior decorator to make your home look perfect.
excess of supply. This was BEFORE the foreclosure wave really got going, not after. The peak of foreclosures happened between 2008 and 2010, dumping unloved homes onto the market and accelerating the price decline, reaching the lowest point in 2011. Note that it was the excess supply of 2006 that triggered the price declines which then triggered the foreclosures. With excess supply in 2006 and 2007 it was very hard to sell your home to avoid foreclosure and few investors were interested in catching a falling knife. It’s obvious how the current situation is different from 2005. The most significant factors are the very low vacancy rate (very high in 2005) and the very high rate of rent increases. Rising rental rates are a fundamental support for home prices because they represent a great return on investment for potential landlords. In 2005 rental rates were very low and declining, a very ominous sign that few people noticed at the time. Today, rents are increasing at a rate of 15% in just the last 6 months
2021 should be better in every aspect, I start my 33rd year in real estate, I’ve sold more homes around Orange than any other agent, and remain a residence in Orange Tree and want to continue to see our prices rise year after year, please text or call me for any real estate needs.
Kelly McLain
Latest ACTIVE & Pending LISTINGS around Orange Tree ADDRESS
6324 E Gold Dust Ave 12037 N 56th St 11001 N 60th St 5474 E Cortez Dr 5363 E Sahuaro Dr Many ask are we in another housing bubble? Not even close, things were 11243 N Saint Andrews Way much different 15 years ago. 6337 E Desert Cove Ave In 2006 the average price per square footage started to decline after June and established a strong downward trend in 2007 due to a huge 6310 E Desert Cove Ave 5624 E Wethersfield Rd 5633 E Corrine Dr 12/18/2020 11460 N Century Ln
Candis Creel Account Manager
NEIGHBORHOOD
5,489 7,700 6,452 4,074 3,820 4,362 3,273 2,528 2,837 2,614 2,326
Sunburst Farms Century Club Estates Century Circle Estates Vista Hermosa La Camarilla Estates Century Club Estates Bar Ted Acres Bar Ted Acres Century North Century North Century Place
7 7.5 $3,650,000 $664.97 6 7 $3,300,000 $428.57 6 6.5 $2,999,500 $464.89 4 5.5 $2,000,250 $490.98 5 4 $1,400,000 $366.49 6 3.5 $1,349,900 $309.47 6 4 $945,000 $288.73 3 2 $750,000 $296.68 4 2.5 $699,900 $246.70 4 3 $680,000 $260.14 The Cromford Report - Appreciation by City 3 3 $574,500 $260.14
Comparison City All information is deemed Scottsdale reliable but not guaranteed. Properties on this list? have been listed/sold by various members of the MLS.
Annual Appreciation (Based on Annual Average Sales Price per Square Foot)
602-697-0232
ccreel@atsaaz.com
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December 05, 2020
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