The Most Expensive Home sold in Arizona last week

It's been a crazy busy last few weeks for me and I know I'm a few days late in getting this weekly blog post out but it's better late than never! The most expensive home that sold in Arizona last week is so enormous that I had to select one of the aerial pictures to be able to showcase the entire property. This massive 15,000 square foot palatial estate in Paradise Valley sits on 5-acres of land at the foot of the famous Camelback Mountain range. The interior is full of lavish architectural designs reserved only for a property of this magnitude. Columns, arches, crown moulding, floor-to-ceiling windows, and custom woodwork all tie this magnificent home together in to one seamlessly built and styled extravagant home. If there is one aspect in regards to the interior that left a little bit to be desired it would be the kitchen. Although not lacking in any particular item, the kitchen space seems a bit cramped and lacks the same grand appeal as the rest of the home. If I was spending almost $7.5 million dollars on a luxury property I would expect more from the kitchen area myself. 

Also a surprising fact about this home is that it was a flip property. Purchased from a bank in June of 2015 for $6.6 million dollars, the investor only needed to perform some minor cosmetic corrections before attempting to re-list the home for $9.495 million dollars. This price tag proved to be far reaching and unrealistic as it eventually sold for nearly $2 million dollars less than the original asking price six months later. Still, all told, I'm guessing this multi-million dollar flip provided a nice profit for the investor who was able to complete this project. Click on the picture below for the full MLS listing:

Location: Scottsdale

Size: 15,112 sqft

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 9

Lot size: 208,939 sqft

If you are in the luxury home market and want a list of luxury homes available in Arizona, contact us Today!. We'd love to help you find your dream home!

Homes for sale in Gilbert, Arizona - January 2016 Market Report

The Gilbert, Arizona housing market showed it's first early sign that it may be awakening from the annual Winter slow down that starts in November and usually carries through February. There were 1,073 Active homes for sale on the market in Gilbert in January which is almost a 30 unit increase from December. New listings took the biggest leap forward with 556 New homes being listed for sale in Gilbert in January. That is a 239 unit increase from the previous month. The one number that still showed signs of a lingering Winter lull was the amount of properties that actually sold. There were 296 homes sold in Gilbert in January which was a decrease of 102 units from December of 2015. 

What do all these numbers mean for buyers and sellers? This is the time of year when the focus starts to turn towards good weather and clear skies. Families and individuals can tend to be distracted from buying or selling a home because of the many wonderful events and outdoor activities that living in Arizona during the Winter affords. Unless a specific reason such as a job relocation or other serious life event forces a move, most homeowners and potential home buyers will find themselves on the sidelines until Spring when the housing market begins to take off again. Gilbert, Arizona is still seeing a healthy level of sales activity for homes priced within $250,000-$300,000 which is now the typical first time home buyer price range. However, that doesn't mean there aren't other homes still selling.  

It is becoming increasingly more difficult to find properties below the $200,000 mark in Gilbert but armed with a little knowledge and a hard-working real estate agent from Zion Realty selling your home, or snapping up that perfect property before another buyer gets to it should be a little less stressful. Contact us Today!

Cooley Station Homes for Sale in Gilbert, AZ 85295 - Update Jan '16

When it comes to location, amenities, and lifestyle, Cooley Station is a highly sought after community situated in Gilbert, Arizona. While consistent residential and business growth has pushed new home builders further away from the center of Town, Cooley Station is perfectly positioned to take advantage of a bustling and vibrant area. Located between Higley Rd and Recker Rd to the East and West, and Pecos Rd and Williams Field Rd to the North and South, residents of this wonderful neighborhood have just enough room to stretch out yet are still conveniently within minutes of shopping, freeway access, and Nationally acclaimed restaurants. 

The classic look of red brick walls surrounding this subdivision add a refreshing change of scenery as compared to other communities that can have drab and boring cement block fencing. Once you pull in to Cooley Station you'll be greeted by tree-lined streets that are reminiscent of many subdivisions you would find in the suburbs of major cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, or even older neighborhoods of downtown Phoenix. 

Does your job require a long distance commute each day? Residents of Cooley Station have easy access to the 202 Red Mountain Freeway. Do you have children who range in age from toddler to college student? If you call Cooley Station your home you'll be minutes away from Chaparral Elementary School, Williams Field High School, Legacy Traditional Charter School, ASU Polytechnic Campus, and the East Valley Institute of Technology(EVIT). 

Need to catch a flight? Cooley Station is just a few miles away from Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport. Hungry for entertainment, shopping, and restaurants that have been featured on national television? If you reside in Cooley Station you'll have an endless amount of options to choose from since the San Tan Village Mall, Top Golf, and Joe's Farm Grill are all just minutes away. 

If venturing out isn't on your favorite to-do list then Cooley Station also has great options for family fun and entertainment built right in to the community. Seven greenbelt areas, four children's playground areas, and two large, crystal-clear, refreshing community pools will provide enough space for the kids, pets, and adults to play!

Neighborhood Sales information for Cooley Station January 2016:

Total Sold Homes: 1

Average List price: $199,900

Average Sold price: $198,000

Approximate Square Footage of Sold homes: 1,423

Average Sold Price per Square Foot: $139.14

Average Days on Market: 103

Click Here for a current list of homes for sale in Cooley Station. 

If you or someone you know are interested in purchasing or selling a property in Cooley Station or in other areas of Gilbert, Arizona then contact us Today! We are a locally owned real estate brokerage right here in Gilbert and can educate you on the benefits of each community. 

How to choose the right Counter Top for your Home

Whether you're purchasing a brand new construction home or a resale property, one of the decisions you are most likely to be faced with is the option to upgrade counter tops. Very rarely will a home come furnished with your exact taste, style, color, or type of counter top and there are multiple variations and materials from which to choose. But how do you know which option is right for you?

It's best not to allow any current trend to steer you in a direction that may seem stylish now, but will leave you once again remodeling a few years down the road once your modern design is yesterday's old news. Lifestyle and functionality should be your main guides in to making the right decision when it comes to choosing the right counter top for you and your home. Let's take a look at the Pro's and Con's of the five most commonly used Counter-Tops to determine which is best suited to adorn your kitchen or bathroom:

1. Laminate Counter-Tops

What are laminate counter tops? Laminate counter tops are made by pressing or gluing a single thin piece of plastic laminate on to an underlayment made of high-density wood particle board. The top plastic laminate layer can come in a variety of styles and colors, many that can even mimic a faux stone appearance. This counter top choice is by far the most used and chosen by new home builders as their basic choice for potential new home buyers. It's also the most affordable of all the counter-top options for current homeowners looking to renovate a kitchen or bathroom space. 

Price and affordability alone are what usually beckons most individuals towards choosing this option of counter top, although it does have many other positive features. Laminate counter tops are durable but susceptible to nicks and scratches by knives or other sharp utensils. You cannot place extremely hot objects directly on to a laminate counter top. A heating pad or other barrier is required. These types of counter tops are resistant to staining but must be wiped clean fairly quickly after spilling a substance known for it's staining properties such as red wine or grape juice. These liquids will stain a laminate counter top if not attended to immediately. Laminate counter tops cannot be repaired. Once they are stained, scratched, chipped, or cut, that damage will remain until the counter top is completely replaced.  

2. Butcher Block Counter-Tops

Throughout the generations, butcher block counter tops seem to always have their niche audiences but never quite make the mainstream. They add a style and variation that is unique, yet are universal enough to match almost any decor. True butcher block counter tops are made from separate strips of real hardwood(typically maple or oak) that are compressed, glued together, and sanded down for a uniform surface usually 2-3 inches in thickness. 

A sealant or oil needs to be applied and re-applied every year to prevent the wood from becoming porous and absorbing water or any food born bacteria. Butcher block counter tops can be scratched and damaged but a positive aspect of using this material is that it can be sanded, repaired, and re-oiled. Butcher block is also one of the more cost effective counter top options although not as inexpensive as laminate. Some hotter materials can be set directly on to a butcher block counter top but not for too long. The hot object can still burn the wood counter top surface if left without a heating pad or other protective barrier. Butcher Block counter tops, just like laminate counter tops, are stain resistant but can still be stained if the spilled substance is not addressed quickly. However, unlike laminate, if your butcher block surface does get soiled, it can be repaired and re-oiled. 

3. Granite Counter-Tops

Where do they get the granite used for counter tops? The overwhelming majority of the stone used for granite counter tops comes from quarries in Brazil where the rock is harvested, cut in to slabs and sent all over the world to be sold. There are also a few granite quarries in Italy, Spain, China, and India. The entire process from excavation to showroom floor usually takes about 30 days. 

Granite counter tops have been soaring in popularity for the better part of the last decade. You can find a granite slab in almost any color variation. It gives the homeowner the ability to choose their own unique, special slab and tailor it to their chosen decor and style. Each slab is different from the next which is why they are cut and numbered as they are harvested so that if multiple slabs are needed for the same kitchen or bathroom the slabs can be matched up to provide more uniformity. 

Although granite counter tops are an extremely rigid and hard surface they still need to be sealed each year as they are not 100% non-porous. It is possible to scratch granite counter tops but they can be buffed, repaired, and resealed. You can put a hot stove top pan or cooking sheet directly on to a granite counter top without worry about damage. Granite counter tops are also great for bakers as the surface maintains it's cool making it easy to roll out breads and doughs. Price can vary greatly for this type of material. Granite counter tops can be as little as $30 per square foot and reach up to over $150 per square foot making it a versatile option for many homeowners. 

4. Quartz Counter-Tops

Sales of Quartz counter tops in the United States has seen a 60% increase since 2004. Real quartz is a natural stone like granite harvested from quarries, however, manufacturers use a combination of 95% ground natural quartz with 5% polymer resin to make a man-made quartz stone counter top product. This results in a very-hard, low-maintenance, natural stone look counter top that can be custom colored and made to any specifications. Quartz counter tops provide a more uniform look than granite because of how it's made and designed. 

Quartz counter tops are a non-porous surface so there is no need to seal them and you don't need to worry about staining, corroding, or color fading. However, this material can still be damaged by excessive heat. One of the most popular name brands of Quartz counter tops is Silestone. This is not an inexpensive upgrade. More expensive than granite counter tops, you must weigh out the pro's and con's of quartz to assess whether your budget can handle this solid stone choice. 

5. Marble Counter-Tops

One of the most expensive yet stylish counter top upgrades is Marble. Generally, this counter top material is a reserved option only for homes that would be classified by the luxury moniker. Mostly resting in the color palette of white and grey combinations with a few slabs that contain brownish and black hues, marble is considered timeless and classic. 

Marble is a soft, fragile, and porous material. It is susceptible to scratching, staining, and cracking, and will develop an aged patina over time and with use. Some of the more inexpensive marble counter top options start at around $125 per square foot and work up from there. If you are a first-time home buyer or in the market for a property considered in a mid-range price bracket, installing marble counter tops may not be the best option for you. You may not see the return on investment with this material if it's installed in anything less than a high-end home. 

Conversely, if you are in the luxury home market and a higher-end granite or quartz material isn't to your liking, marble counter tops are not only highly sought after but almost expected in some upper price ranges. 

Trendy Counter Top Options that may not Impress

As a homeowner you quite possibly have thoughts of raising your kids and retiring in your dream home, however, statistics show us that most individuals or families move every 5-7 years. That means any change or upgrade you do to your property will need to appeal to future home buyers. Most of the counter top materials listed above are universally accepted as viable options, however, there are some personalized or trendy choices that could turn off those that may one day be in the market to purchase your home.

1. Soap Stone

Architectural-grade Soap Stone is an extremely soft natural stone material thanks to it's high concentration of talc. It doesn't stain, it's heat resistant, and does not need to be sealed as it's a non-porous material making it one of the preferred counter top surfaces for science labs. Soap stone is susceptible to scratching, however, they can be sanded, buffed, and repaired. One of the main downfalls of soap stone is there really is no variety of color. There are only differing variations of grey which when treated with mineral oil(which proper soap stone maintenance suggests) turns almost to a charcoal black. It's a very specific style and look that isn't altered easily and does not blend well with a wide variety of color palettes. 

2. Concrete

There's a stigma surrounding concrete counter tops that some people just can't get past.Concrete may be good for dams, bridges, sidewalks, and coliseums, but counter tops? We're not talking about picking up your favorite outdoor running track and placing it on top of your cabinets. Concrete counter tops can be stained to an unlimited amount of colors to match or contrast any design style. One of the biggest drawbacks is the cost. You may not think it, but concrete counter tops are very pricey mostly due to the fact that they are labor intensive to make and install. Prices can range from $75-$150 per square foot putting them above even some higher end granite or quartz options. 

3. Stainless Steel

This is a counter top material you won't often find in many properties, however, home improvement television reality shows seem to try and entice the average homeowner in to this surface more and more. Stainless steel counter tops are heat, water, and stain resistant. It is a non-porous material and protects against mold and microbes so hygiene and maintenance are non-issues. However, this material will scratch and dent. Once scratches and dents are visible there is no correcting them. 

Stainless Steel counter tops are also a very specific style choice. Reserved usually for upscale, modern lofts or trendy industrial designed spaces, there is a limited audience willing to live with this counter top material choice. You will severely restrict the appeal of your kitchen or bathroom if you choose to install stainless steel as your preferred counter top. 

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Choosing the right counter top may not be as easy as you once thought. There are so many different materials in which to choose and within each category there are additional styles and varieties to consider. One thing remains true and timeless; Don't let the popular current steer you in a direction that leaves you stuck with a counter top you regret. Carefully weigh-out your lifestyle and needs then choose the appropriate counter tops that reflect the best combination of functionality and personal taste. 

If you or someone you know are in the market to purchase or sell a property in Gilbert, Arizona or the East Valley, let the experts at Zion Realty help you. Our knowledge isn't just limited to counter tops! We'll give you professional guidance throughout the entire home buying or selling process. Contact us Today!

The Most Expensive Home sold in Arizona last week

The most expensive home that sold in Arizona last week was a $3.55 Million dollar luxury property in the popular Scottsdale subdivision of Silverleaf. The exterior is a stylish Chateau design reminiscent of a home you would find in a Spanish or Italian village. The smooth stucco walls, large wrought iron fixtures, and exposed wooden beams give this home a rustic yet grand appeal. Built with outdoor living in mind this home has numerous outdoor entertaining areas and balconies to take in the exquisite views of the man-made lake in which it borders, and also the gorgeous mountain backdrop just behind the home. The entire home wraps itself around the interior courtyard pool and spa which provides for seclusion, privacy, and a multi-million dollar resort feel. 

The interior of this upscale home is far more eclectic than the exterior. Each room is purposefully designed to stand out from the rest. The kitchen and dining area has a hint of French countryside, while the game and media room has a staggered wood floor pattern that takes you back to mid-century modern architecture. The crisp white wainscoting up the stairs and into the loft are modern and contemporary, while the master bathroom is clean and simple, yet large enough to satisfy any homeowner's needs. A guest casita, wine cellar, and two climate controlled garages that can fit up to 9 vehicles rounds out the highlights of this remarkable luxury property. Click on the picture below for the full MLS listing:

Location: Scottsdale

Size: 7,139 sqft

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 7

Lot size: 17,059 sqft

If you are in the luxury home market and want a list of luxury homes available in Arizona, contact us Today! We'd love to help you find your dream home!

Market Report - Listing Prices in Gilbert, AZ - January 2016

The Gilbert, Arizona real estate market is experiencing the typical pricing slump that comes during the Winter season. Prices for Active homes up for sale on the market decreased to an average of $319,000 which is a $6,000 drop from the previous month, however it is still an $8,000 increase from January of 2015.  Sold home values also experienced a decrease to settle in at an average of $260,000 which is almost a $10,000 drop from December of 2015 values. The biggest slide has been seen in the New listings coming on to the market. Over the past two months New homes being put up for sale have seen the asking price drop an average of almost $15,000. 

So what do these numbers mean if you are a current homeowner in Gilbert or you wish to become one? Buyers and sellers are on the same page when it comes to home prices and values. Sellers are adjusting their asking prices to reflect the Winter real estate slow-down. Meanwhile, the reduced amount of buyers that are in the market to purchase a home are looking to get the most out of their shopping dollar and seeking to get as much value as possible. If you're attempting to sell your home during the Winter months it's more important than ever to set a realistic price for your home. A seller will not typically be able to get the same value out of their property that they could have gotten during the Spring and Summer when home values are on the rise instead of on the decline.

Regardless of the current prices in December, if you are a current homeowner, you have seen some steady equity built in to your property over the past year. Conversely, if you have been thinking of purchasing a property in Gilbert there are some price ranges that are once again seeing multiple offers placed on homes and buyers are snapping up the most affordable houses that hit the market each week. But armed with a little knowledge and a hard-working real estate agent from Zion Realty wrapping up that perfect home before another buyer gets to it should be a little less stressful! 

If you need more information on homes for sale in Arizona or to find out what your current home is worth contact us Today!