Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty - Blog

The Heart of Scottsdale Real Estate Communities

April 26th, 2011

After moving to Scottsdale real estate, I decided to start a REALTOR® tour that would cover the areas I believed to be “the heart of Scottsdale.” I especially like the middle area of this beautiful city because you are within a five- to ten-minute drive of either the charming Old Town area with its wonderful arts district – what most attracted me to Scottsdale in the first place – or the open-air, upscale feel of Kierland Commons, where you are treated to the best of shops and restaurants. Of course, the same can be said of downtown!

Two of my favorite local communities are also located in the city’s central core. One of them is McCormick Ranch, which did indeed get its start back in 1942 as a real, working 160-acre ranch. To learn more about this most attractive of residential enclaves by visiting MccormickRanchPOA to find out all kinds of information about one of the largest planned developments in the United States.

Another community I highly recommend taking a look at is nearby Scottsdale Ranch. There are more than forty neighborhoods in this “ranch,” which includes a lake, a park and more. Visit their website to learn more about Scottsdale Ranch.

One great delight is walking on the greenbelt that meanders for many, many miles through Scottsdale; at times, you can even see it as you drive north on Hayden Road. And, of course, who doesn’t like to golf, hike or climb mountains? All these activities are part of the outdoor lifestyle that draws so many people to these desirable communities in this warm and welcoming city.

Check out these communities – either online or, better yet, in person – and get a sense of why so many folks say Scottsdale is one of the best places to visit and call home!

Tags: AZ homes, McCormick Ranch, Russ Lyon, Scottsdale homes, Scottsdale Ranch, Scottsdale real estate, Scottsdale Real Estate Communities
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Marana is Great Town Near Tucson Real Estate

April 19th, 2011

Conveniently located off of Interstate 10 just northwest of Tucson real estate is the town of Marana. Marana combines the suburban feeling of living in a smaller town with the knowledge that the city of Tucson is less than a half-hour’s drive away. A wealth of luxury homes and real estate are available in Marana, along with a plethora of things to do and see.

For example, the Ironwood Forest Natural Monument, located not far from Marana, is home to over 100,000 acres of protected land. The monument includes a huge concentration of Ironwood trees, hence, its name. In addition, it consists of over 200 Hohokam and Paleoindian archaeological sites, which provide great opportunities for people looking to see a piece of the history of Arizona.

Community is an integral part of Marana’s atmosphere, and monthly activities held at Silverbell District Park help bring together people of all ages. The “In The Park!” series features such events as “Music In The Park!,” “Movie In The Park!,” and “Live Theater In The Park!”. Marana’s eight other parks are spread throughout the town and provide places to have a picnic, enjoy the outdoors or play with your kids. Speaking of kids, Marana is served by the Marana Unified School District, whose sixteen schools offer a solid foundation for the education of children who attend them.

When it’s time to savor some fun in the sun – in a cool way –, Breakers Water Park contains dozens of water attractions, including numerous slippery slides and a rollicking wave pool. In fact, Breakers Bay, which holds over one million gallons of water, is the largest wave pool in Arizona and offers the perfect way to chill out during Arizona’s hot summer months.

For those who love to golf, Marana features several golf courses, each with their own level of difficulty. The most prominent golf course is at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, home to the World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship. This tournament, which has seen some of the greatest golfers in the world come to Marana to compete, has traditionally been held in February. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club is part of the Ritz-Carlton at Dove Mountain, a 250-room luxury resort hotel nestled inside the community of Dove Mountain.

*photo from Wikipedia

Tags: Russ Lyon, Tucson homes, Tucson real estate
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The Arts Are All Around Paradise Valley Residents

April 13th, 2011

Those with Paradise Valley real estate are offered convenient access to some of the top places to view and experience art in the Phoenix metropolitan area. For example, not too far away, the Scottsdale Center for the Arts offers world-class comedic, dramatic and musical performances that range from cutting-edge to traditional, plus interactive, thought-provoking educational programs. A highlight of its recent $16 million renovation is the high-tech Virginia G. Piper Theater’s intimate atmosphere, plush seats and state-of-the-art lighting and acoustics. A public art installation by artist Kana Tanaka showcases more than 100 blown-glass pieces illuminated with fiber-optic lighting.

The nearby Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art shows off a variety of contemporary art and architecture. The five-gallery minimalist building itself is a work-of-art that award-winning architect Will Bruder designed as a remodel of a movie theater. A sky-space allows visitors to experience the changing desert lights safely out of the desert heat, and a constant rotation of educational programs and new exhibits keeps visitors coming back.

A wide variety of museums in neighboring Phoenix host an amazing array of cherished exhibits and art-works. The Phoenix Art Museum, about a twenty-minute drive from Paradise Valley, offers a glimpse of some of the world’s most beloved art, and boasts traveling exhibits ranging from Rembrandt to Cezanne to the mummies of ancient Egypt. In addition, the museum’s permanent collection spans the art of Asia, Europe, America, the Southwest and more.

Also in Phoenix you will find the Arizona Opera, Ballet Arizona and the Phoenix Symphony. Known for their first-class performances, these theatrical and musical troupes perform at Symphony Hall, which is just across the street from the Herberger Theater Center. The Herberger is home to several theatrical companies and a dance company and features an upper-level gallery that exhibits an ever-changing display of works from local artists.

Tags: Paradise Valley Homes, paradise valley homes for sale, Paradise Valley real estate, rl0z1, Russ Lyon
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Most Famous Landmark of Paradise Valley is Camelback Mountain

April 6th, 2011

Nestled in the midst of Paradise Valley, Arizona, Camelback Mountain is one of the most famous landmarks in the entire Phoenix metropolitan area. This majestic mountain sprawls across some of the most expensive Paradise Valley real estate, providing a dramatic backdrop for luxurious homes, stunning estates and sumptuous resorts.

Here are a few “fast facts” about this beloved hallmark of the Valley of the Sun.

History: During the late 1800s, the federal government reserved Camelback Mountain for an Indian reservation, but by the 1940s, most of the mountain had fallen into private hands and remained so for the next two decades. Efforts on the county, state and federal level to restrict development above the 1,600-feet level largely were unsuccessful, including failed efforts in 1963-64 in the state Legislature to arrange land exchanges.

Barry Goldwater to the rescue: In 1965, the Preservation of Camelback Mountain Foundation, led by local resident and United States Senator Barry Goldwater, was created to spearhead community efforts to save as much of the summit as possible. Ultimately successful, this effort was capped off by a ceremony in 1968 marking a land exchange that then-President Lyndon Johnson and then-Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall attended.

Geology: The “head” of Camelback Mountain, which comprises the area of Echo Canyon Recreation Area, is made up of layered sandstone. The “hump” is primarily composed of granite that, in geologic terms, is much older than the sedimentary rock that makes up the head section of the mountain.

Flora and Fauna: Because of urban encroachment, large mammals are not normally found on the mountain, however a number of smaller animals typical of the Sonoran Desert populate the park including cottontail rabbits, lizards, Harris antelope squirrels and a variety of birds. In addition, rattlesnakes are common on the trail; the best advice is that if you see one, allow it space and time to escape. Cactus species on the mountain include saguaro, barrel, hedgehog, pincushion, jumping cholla, christmas, staghorn, cholla and prickly pear. Tree species include palo verde, mesquite and ironwood.

Highest Point: The summit of Camelback Mountain is at 2,704 feet above sea level. Elevation gain from the two summit trails is approximately 1,200 feet.

Source: http://phoenix.gov/parks

Tags: Camelback Mountain, paradise valley homes for sale, Paradise Valley real estate, rl0z1, Russ Lyon
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As Place to Live, Tucson Gets High Marks and Low Cost of Living

March 30th, 2011

Located in Pima County, the city of Tucson, Arizona encompasses forty-four zip codes in a variety of high-end and more moderately-priced Tucson real estate communities. Tucson is currently the second largest city in the state of Arizona with a population of over 525,000 residents (as of 2009). According to the website www.bestplaces.net, the population growth since 2009 has been 6.63 percent. The married-to-single ratio is 48 to 52, the median age is 33 years old, and the male-to-female ratio hovers around 49 to 51.

Good news – when compared with the rest of the country, Tucson’s cost of living is approximately five percent lower than the U.S. average. Additionally, at the present time, Tucson’s unemployment rate is a full percentage point lower than the current U.S. average.

On an annual basis, Tucson receives eleven inches of rainfall, and most people don’t realize it, but Tucson does generally get a bit of wintertime snowfall, albeit a tad less than an inch per year. Tucson enjoys an average low temperature in January of 38 degrees Fahrenheit and an average high in July of just over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Approximately 80 percent of people in Tucson are high school graduates, which is on par with the national statistic of 79.62 percent, while over 14 percent are graduates of a four-year college and about nine percent hold graduate degrees. In alignment with Arizona averages, public schools in Tucson spend an average of almost $5,000 per student annually.

On the political side, at the present time, 46 percent of people living in Tucson are registered Republicans, while 53 percent are registered Democrats.

Right now, 72 percent of people who work outside the home in Tucson drive themselves to work with an average commute time of 23.5 minutes. Around three percent use mass transit, about 15 percent carpool and about three percent say they primarily work at home.

Tags: living in Tucson, rl0z1, Russ Lyon, Tucson cost of living, Tucson homes, Tucson real estate
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Paradise Valley Houses Great Annual Events

March 23rd, 2011

Thanks to a wealth of sunshine and an upscale lifestyle, residents of Paradise Valley, Arizona live near a plethora of cities and towns that boast numerous indoor and outdoor events, many of them just a hop, skip and jump from Paradise Valley homes.

For example, neighboring Scottsdale has a number of signature events. In January you can expect P.F. Chang’s Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon; the Native Trails Celebration of Native American culture, song, dance and food; the PGA’s Waste Management Open (known forever to locals as The Phoenix Open); and Barrett-Jackson‘s dramatic multi-million-dollar auction of classic and collectible automobiles. About a half-hour away in Glendale, the Fiesta Bowl is held shortly after New Year’s, pitting two of college football’s best teams against each other.

Early February marks the beginning of rodeo season with parades and professional rodeo competitions to delight the whole family, while March is one of the most exciting times in the Valley, as Major League Baseball teams from across the country come to stadiums all across the Phoenix metropolitan area for Spring Training.

In April, nearby Scottsdale celebrates the Scottsdale Culinary Festival as well as Arizona Bike Week, which offers daily charity motorcycle rides, bike races and parties. Things tend to slow down in the summer, but September brings the Scottsdale Classic Horse Show and Arizona Restaurant Week where three-course dinner menus are offered at amazingly discounted prices at over one hundred Valley restaurants.

The fall is also host to Scottsdale Fashion Week, which allows fashion designers to show off some of their finest creations. Wearable ArtWalk, an on-the-street Milan-Style fashion show, adds to the fun. Then it’s on to the Goodguys Southwest Nationals’ Show featuring customs, classics, rods and muscle cars. ArtFest of Scottsdale and “Book Street” round out September. Finally, it wouldn’t be December in the Valley of the Sun without ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo and Holidays at the Heard Museum, with artist demonstrations, music and dance performances, and special programming that celebrates the Southwest.

Tags: Paradise Valley events, Paradise Valley Homes, paradise valley homes for sale, paradise valley houses, rl0z1, Russ Lyon
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Looking for a Great Place to Shop? Tucson Houses it All

March 16th, 2011

Whether you’re heading out on a full-fledged shopping spree or just looking for that one special, much-needed item, the stores, boutiques and shops located all around the Tucson real estate provide the ultimate shopping experience. In fact, scattered across the city are a number of beautiful indoor malls, as well as conveniently located individual stores.

If you’re looking for an artsy shopping adventure, head over to Fourth Avenue between Broadway and Speedway, which is a well-known environment for both dining and shopping. This area is home to vintage clothing stores, locally owned bookstores (imagine that!), custom furniture stores, funky thrift stores and pretty much everything in-between. Fourth Avenue truly comes alive at night as people come out to enjoy everything it has to offer. Twice a year, Fourth Avenue plays host to a fun-filled street fair which allows people to set up their own exhibits; this is often one of the most talked-about events in the city of Tucson.

If you’re looking for a more traditional shopping experience, one really nice mall to visit is the Foothills Mall, located in (where else?) the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The Foothills Mall contains not just nearly 100 stores, but also a play area for the littlest shoppers, a dynamite food court and a fifteen-screen multiplex movie theater.

Other malls in Tucson include El Con Mall, Park Place Mall, the Tucson Mall and La Encantada, which is an open-air shopping center featuring dozens of eateries, boutiques and shops. La Encantada, which is part of the Westcor shopping center chain, hosts events such as the Summer Concert Series, which brings live music and dancing every other Friday to one of the mall’s courtyards, and the Movies in the Courtyard Series, which shows a free movie and provides free popcorn on the last Saturday of every month. All you have to do is bring your own blanket.

Tags: rl0z1, shopping in Tucson, Tucson homes, Tucson homes for sale, Tucson real estate
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Tucson and Horses Are a Perfect Match

March 8th, 2011

Horseback riding is as much a part of the American West as sunsets, saguaros and sagebrush. In Tucson and Southern Arizona you can saddle up at a resort, a guest ranch, a public stable or at a specific horseback riding business. In this part of Arizona, Tucson and horse property go hand in hand.

Catering to pretty much every skill level, most of these outfits offer horsemanship lessons and wrangler-guided trips (often complete with a yummy trailside breakfast or a delicious picnic lunch) for both individuals and groups. Specialty rides, such as sunrise, sunset and moonlight rides, are especially delightful. Whether you choose a half-day jaunt, a longer trail ride, a group or solo journey, riding horseback is the real Western way to explore the Tucson landscape.

Here are some resources from www.VisitTucson.org to help you plan your horseback riding adventure:

Guest Ranches

Circle Z Ranch P.O. Box 194 Patagonia, AZ 85624 65 miles south of Tucson (888) 854-2525 Must be a guest to ride horses

Grapevine Canyon Ranch P.O. Box 302 Pearce, AZ 85625 80 miles southeast of Tucson (800) 245-9202 Must be a guest to ride horses

Price Canyon Ranch Douglas, AZ 150 miles southeast of Tucson (800) 727-0065 Must be a guest to ride horses

Rancho de la Osa Guest Ranch 1 La Osa Ranch Road Sasabe, AZ 85633 65 miles southwest of Tucson (800) 872-6240 Must be a guest to ride horses

Tanque Verde Ranch 14301 E. Speedway Blvd Tucson, AZ 85748 (888) 574-3833 Must be a guest to ride horses

Triangle T Guest Ranch P.O. Box 218 (I-10, exit 318) Dragoon, AZ 85609 60 miles east of Tucson (866) 586-7533 Stables are open to the public

White Stallion Ranch 9251 W. Twin Peaks Road Tucson, AZ 85743 (888) 977-2624 Must be a guest to ride horses

Horseback Riding Businesses

Arizona Horseback Experience 16 Coyote Court Sonoita, AZ 85637 50 miles southeast of Tucson (520) 455-5696

Cocoraque Ranch 3199 N. Reservation Road Tucson, AZ 85743 (520) 682-8594 or (520) 405-5884

Spanish Trail Outfitters 8500 E. Ocotillo Drive Tucson, AZ 85750 (520) 749-0167

Stables

La Posta Quemada Ranch, Colossal Cave Mountain Park 16721 E.

Old Spanish Trail Vail, AZ 85641 (520) 647-3450

Old Tucson Studios 201 S. Kinney Road Tucson, AZ 85735 (520) 437-8280

Pantano Riding Stables 4450 S. Houghton Road Tucson, AZ 85730 (520) 298-8980

Pusch Ridge Stables 13700 N. Oracle Road Tucson, AZ 85739-4262 (520) 825-1664

Source: Tucson Convention and Visitor’s Bureau website, www.VisitTucson.org. Information used with permission.

Photo: White Stallion Ranch

Tags: rl0z1, Russ Lyon, Tucson and horse property, Tucson homes for sale, tucson horse property
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Arizona Home to a Vast Medical System

February 28th, 2011

Arizona houses many state-of-the-art medical facilities, some of which attract people from all over the world who travel here to receive top-notch medical care. Perhaps the best-known facility is the Mayo Clinic, which is world-renowned for its outstanding level of patient services. Thousands of people every year come to the Mayo Clinic to be treated for a variety of health care ailments ranging from cardiac care to cancer. Some patients are evaluated and treated all in one day and are then sent home, and others require a stay at the Mayo Clinic Hospital, which is on the Phoenix campus.

Additional medical options in Arizona include those found throughout the Banner Healthcare system, in fact, Banner Health hospitals operate over 30 facilities ranging from large hospitals to smaller clinics, some of which are urgent- and same-day locations. Banner Desert in Mesa, Banner Thunderbird in Glendale, Banner Ironwood in Queen Creek (southeast of Phoenix) and Banner Estrella in west Phoenix are four hospitals that offer high quality medical treatments to their patients. Meanwhile, St. Joseph’s Hospital near downtown Phoenix is also extremely well-known for its outstanding healthcare, in fact, U.S. News & World Report’s annual listing of top hospitals routinely ranks St. Joseph’s in the top 10 for neurology and neurosurgery. The hospital is home to Barrow Neurological Center, several Centers of Excellence in various specialties, and a busy Trauma Center that handles everything from gunshot wounds to traffic accident victims to drownings/near drownings.

From obstetricians and gynecologists to dermatologists, oncologists and endocrinologists, specialists abound in Arizona, and it is easy to locate a doctor who can help you with a specific health condition. For very focused needs, Cancer Treatment Centers of America recently opened a facility in Goodyear called Western Regional Medical Center. An easy freeway drive from Scottsdale and Phoenix, the facility is known for its leading-edge cancer care.

Children who require intensive or specialized medical treatment will often go to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Phoenix. The colorful building is staffed with kid-friendly doctors and nurses who do everything they can to make a child’s visit as stress-free and pleasant as possible. Along with its downtown location, the hospital also has two satellite offices that offer follow-up appointments, checkups and urgent care options.

Throughout Arizona, you will also find numerous smaller medical clinics and Urgent Care facilities. In addition, some national chain drug stores like Walgreens and CVS offer walk-in medical clinics located right inside many of their stores.

Tags: Arizona homes for sale, Arizona houses, Arizona Medical System, Arizona real estate, AZ homes, rl0z1, Russ Lyon
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Tucson is Arizona’s Second Largest City

February 23rd, 2011

Known by many as the “Old Pueblo,” the city of Tucson, Arizona has a history reaching back hundreds of years, well before Arizona officially became a state in 1912. In fact, the territory of Arizona was established in 1863, and Tucson served as the territorial capital for a full decade, from 1867 to 1877. Since its humble beginnings, it has grown to become Arizona’s second largest city and currently Tucson houses over one million residents in the metropolitan area and one of the state’s three public universities, the University of Arizona. Here is a brief overview of how the city is governed.

City government: First, an important resource is the website, which is home to a wealth of information and insights into the governing structure of Tucson. The city of Tucson is divided into six wards, each of which elects a representative to the City Council, which is run by the Mayor. Every two years, three of the wards hold re-elections, for terms of four years each. The city of Tucson also employs a City Manager to take care of the myriad of professional managerial tasks associated with running a city the size of Tucson.

Using an online map, you can enter your zip code on the website listed above and determine in which ward you live. To stay abreast of governmental goings-on, you can review the Council’s agendas and meeting schedules so that you can be fully informed and take a more active role in Tucson’s government. In addition, you can read biographies and information related to each elected official. With this resource available to the public, anyone can easily stay informed and up-to-date.

County government: Tucson is located in Pima County, which is governed by a Board of Supervisors. The County is divided into five districts.

State and United States government: As a city in Arizona, Tucson is also governed by Arizona’s state officers, including the Governor, Attorney General and two United States Senators. In regards to the U.S. House of Representatives, the majority of Tucson falls under Arizona District 8, although some parts of Tucson fall under Arizona District 7.

Tags: rl0z1, Tucson homes, Tucson real estate
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