Cory McDonald | Arizona Homeowner

ArizonaHomeowner

VANN

Vol. 6 Issue 2

Maricopa County By The Numbers JANUARY 2019 10/29/18 – 11/29/18

6,302

AVG SOLD PRICE

$

TOTAL #

CLOSED

336,056

98

61 AVG DAYS ON MARKET

LIST/SELL PRICE RATIO

Quality Listing Photos Help Sell When listing your home online, you only get one chance to impress potential buyers. Lackluster images send the wrong message. Experts advise hiring a professional photographer.

Source: Realtor.com

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Do-It-Yourself DNA

Your La Solana neighbor and property expert.

Lesley Vann

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling, call Lesley today!

M.Ed., PLLC, Realtor®

480.599.1119 Direct Lesley@LesleyVann.com LesleyVann.com • La Solana 33107 N. 25th Drive | Phoenix | 85085 Call Lesley today if you are thinking about a new home!

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Produced by DLP Marketing • (480)460-0996 • DLPmarketing.com

Go Natural

Your Year of Wellness

Magic in the Keys Key West, Florida

Buttermilk Pancakes GoodNes

Key West Key West, FL

A Key West is an island off the coast of Florida, just over 100 miles northwest of Havana. The Florida Keys are a popular vacation destination and a major port of call for cruise ships all year long due to the tropical weather. There are plenty of fun things to do in the Keys such as snorkeling or scuba diving with sea creatures in their natural habitats, spend a day boating on the pristine, blue waters or even taking a stroll along the infamous Duval street – Key West is always a magical experience!

Source: KeyWest.com

hhh, the hectic holiday season is finally behind us! Now is time to relax at the spa or at home in a soothing, regenerative atmosphere. After all, one thing we’re all looking forward to in 2019 is time to unwind and take care of ourselves. But today’s spa seekers have changed a bit. They are no longer interested in chemical-laden manicures and fancy facial peels with dubious ingredients. The new trend? Everything all natural, organic, and wellness focused.

When it’s time to head to the spa, the key words to look for are holistic and wellness. Women, men (and yes, children, too!) are looking for all-natural and organic products and they care about where the products come from and how they are made. We want to know what is in our beauty products and spa treatments. Look for safer, natural nail polishes, organic hair dyes and products, and skin care regiments that sound more like they come from your kitchen cupboards than from a science lab. If your spa doesn’t boast about its products and the ingredients you may want to shop around for another spa.

What types of treatments are global spa-goers seeking? In Italy, mani-pedis are often lacquer free and focus rather on softening the hands and feet with lemon, olive oil, fig milk, and even volcanic mud. In Mexico, spa goers improve circulation and get their glow on with a scrub of hibiscus and citrus and Mayan honey vanilla masks. And in New York, spa guests at one exclusive spot soak in red wine to hydrate the skin with antioxidants. Herbal detox body wraps are another popular request on the menu at some of the world’s leading spas. Overall, clients are choosing less invasive procedures and opting instead for treatments such as reflexology and acupuncture to ease tension and may even seek out alternative treatments for pain at the spa.

Of course, you can create your own holistic beauty treatments at home.

Luckily, more and more stores from Target to Whole Foods to Nordstrom are catering to consumers’ interest in natural beauty products. Look for organic olive or sesame oils, essential oils, and sea salt scrubs. And don’t be afraid to shop in the grocery store for some of the best beauty products around (think honey and citrus, to name a few). Make yourself well in 2019 … it’s the best gift you can give yourself for the new year.

L

ast year, home DNA tests were among the top ten global consumer trends as more than 12 million people jumped on the genetic bandwagon. Whether for reasons of health, heritage, or just plain curiosity, learning about ourselves has become crazy easy with a simple cheek swab and a return envelope. Thanks to advances in technology and a competitively successful marketing campaign a few years ago, people everywhere are discovering unknown branches in their family tree.

And it’s big business.

Companies like AncestryDNA and 23andMe are dominating the surprisingly affordable market of home kits – many under a hundred dollars – but there are numerous options out there offering different information and services.

There are a few technical terms you’ll need to know when deciding which skeletons you want to unbury. Autosomal testing is the basic one known as the family finder that we’ve all seen in the commercials. It provides results for distant relatives as well as ethnic makeup and percentages. This testing can include common genetic traits like eye color and diseases that may run in the family. It can trace back five to eight generations on both sides of the tree.

Mitochondrial DNA traces maternal lineages so it is difficult to alter. Y-DNA testing focuses on the paternal lineage and can only apply to males directly. Both of these processes can trace back as many as 100 generations.

The largest and most well known in the industry, AncestryDNA

FLAVORFUL

Be Well

TRAVEL TIME

has access to a massive genealogical pool and is best for connecting to biological relatives such as those unknown to adoptees. 23andMe – referring to the 23 unique chromosomes we all have – also offers family health history as well as ancestral roots. Both take about six to eight weeks for results. More limited in scope, but cheaper and faster, is MyHeritage which offers the basic pie chart breaking down your ethnic DNA. More and more individuals are working with health and fitness professionals to use the genetic knowledge in their lifestyle choices. The tests can determine predispositions to certain diseases or metabolism issues, providing a stronger sense of control. Although experts warn that DNA is not destiny and environment will always be a significant factor.

Depending on the company, there are a range of services from regular online access to your results including connections to relatives, to a simple one-time report. Since it’s an incredibly new product there are concerns about privacy and security so be sure to read the fine print and protect your information.

DNA testing is much more than the cliché paternity test. It’s an exciting opportunity to learn just how connected we all truly are. Who knows? Maybe we’re even less than seven degrees separated from Kevin Bacon!

Multi-Grain Buttermilk PA N CA K E S INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup

Oat flour

1/4 tsp

Baking soda

1/2 cup

Whole wheat flour

1 cup

Buttermilk

1 tbl

Granulated sugar

1

Large egg

1/2 tsp

Baking powder

2 tbl

Melted butter

DIRECTIONS Combine oat flour, wheat flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda in medium bowl.

Beat together buttermilk, egg and 2 tablespoons butter in separate medium bowl. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; stir until combined.

LIFEWISE

Heat griddle or large skillet over medium heat; brush with butter or oil. When drops of water sprinkled on griddle sizzle, ladle ¼ cup batter onto griddle.

Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until small bubbles form on the surface. Flip pancakes and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve with butter and syrup.

GoodNes.com

Key West Key West, FL

A Key West is an island off the coast of Florida, just over 100 miles northwest of Havana. The Florida Keys are a popular vacation destination and a major port of call for cruise ships all year long due to the tropical weather. There are plenty of fun things to do in the Keys such as snorkeling or scuba diving with sea creatures in their natural habitats, spend a day boating on the pristine, blue waters or even taking a stroll along the infamous Duval street – Key West is always a magical experience!

Source: KeyWest.com

hhh, the hectic holiday season is finally behind us! Now is time to relax at the spa or at home in a soothing, regenerative atmosphere. After all, one thing we’re all looking forward to in 2019 is time to unwind and take care of ourselves. But today’s spa seekers have changed a bit. They are no longer interested in chemical-laden manicures and fancy facial peels with dubious ingredients. The new trend? Everything all natural, organic, and wellness focused.

When it’s time to head to the spa, the key words to look for are holistic and wellness. Women, men (and yes, children, too!) are looking for all-natural and organic products and they care about where the products come from and how they are made. We want to know what is in our beauty products and spa treatments. Look for safer, natural nail polishes, organic hair dyes and products, and skin care regiments that sound more like they come from your kitchen cupboards than from a science lab. If your spa doesn’t boast about its products and the ingredients you may want to shop around for another spa.

What types of treatments are global spa-goers seeking? In Italy, mani-pedis are often lacquer free and focus rather on softening the hands and feet with lemon, olive oil, fig milk, and even volcanic mud. In Mexico, spa goers improve circulation and get their glow on with a scrub of hibiscus and citrus and Mayan honey vanilla masks. And in New York, spa guests at one exclusive spot soak in red wine to hydrate the skin with antioxidants. Herbal detox body wraps are another popular request on the menu at some of the world’s leading spas. Overall, clients are choosing less invasive procedures and opting instead for treatments such as reflexology and acupuncture to ease tension and may even seek out alternative treatments for pain at the spa.

Of course, you can create your own holistic beauty treatments at home.

Luckily, more and more stores from Target to Whole Foods to Nordstrom are catering to consumers’ interest in natural beauty products. Look for organic olive or sesame oils, essential oils, and sea salt scrubs. And don’t be afraid to shop in the grocery store for some of the best beauty products around (think honey and citrus, to name a few). Make yourself well in 2019 … it’s the best gift you can give yourself for the new year.

L

ast year, home DNA tests were among the top ten global consumer trends as more than 12 million people jumped on the genetic bandwagon. Whether for reasons of health, heritage, or just plain curiosity, learning about ourselves has become crazy easy with a simple cheek swab and a return envelope. Thanks to advances in technology and a competitively successful marketing campaign a few years ago, people everywhere are discovering unknown branches in their family tree.

And it’s big business.

Companies like AncestryDNA and 23andMe are dominating the surprisingly affordable market of home kits – many under a hundred dollars – but there are numerous options out there offering different information and services.

There are a few technical terms you’ll need to know when deciding which skeletons you want to unbury. Autosomal testing is the basic one known as the family finder that we’ve all seen in the commercials. It provides results for distant relatives as well as ethnic makeup and percentages. This testing can include common genetic traits like eye color and diseases that may run in the family. It can trace back five to eight generations on both sides of the tree.

Mitochondrial DNA traces maternal lineages so it is difficult to alter. Y-DNA testing focuses on the paternal lineage and can only apply to males directly. Both of these processes can trace back as many as 100 generations.

The largest and most well known in the industry, AncestryDNA

FLAVORFUL

Be Well

TRAVEL TIME

has access to a massive genealogical pool and is best for connecting to biological relatives such as those unknown to adoptees. 23andMe – referring to the 23 unique chromosomes we all have – also offers family health history as well as ancestral roots. Both take about six to eight weeks for results. More limited in scope, but cheaper and faster, is MyHeritage which offers the basic pie chart breaking down your ethnic DNA. More and more individuals are working with health and fitness professionals to use the genetic knowledge in their lifestyle choices. The tests can determine predispositions to certain diseases or metabolism issues, providing a stronger sense of control. Although experts warn that DNA is not destiny and environment will always be a significant factor.

Depending on the company, there are a range of services from regular online access to your results including connections to relatives, to a simple one-time report. Since it’s an incredibly new product there are concerns about privacy and security so be sure to read the fine print and protect your information.

DNA testing is much more than the cliché paternity test. It’s an exciting opportunity to learn just how connected we all truly are. Who knows? Maybe we’re even less than seven degrees separated from Kevin Bacon!

Multi-Grain Buttermilk PA N CA K E S INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup

Oat flour

1/4 tsp

Baking soda

1/2 cup

Whole wheat flour

1 cup

Buttermilk

1 tbl

Granulated sugar

1

Large egg

1/2 tsp

Baking powder

2 tbl

Melted butter

DIRECTIONS Combine oat flour, wheat flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda in medium bowl.

Beat together buttermilk, egg and 2 tablespoons butter in separate medium bowl. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; stir until combined.

LIFEWISE

Heat griddle or large skillet over medium heat; brush with butter or oil. When drops of water sprinkled on griddle sizzle, ladle ¼ cup batter onto griddle.

Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until small bubbles form on the surface. Flip pancakes and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve with butter and syrup.

GoodNes.com

Maricopa County By The Numbers FEBRUARY 2019 12/10/18 – 1/10/19

5,711

AVG SOLD PRICE

$

TOTAL #

CLOSED

340,326

98

66

LIST/SELL PRICE RATIO

[

[

AVG DAYS ON MARKET

Dining Room Chandeliers

A beautiful chandelier can bring a sense of glamour and sparkle to any space. Avoid expensive mistakes by paying careful attention to styles, size, height, bulbs and accessories when choosing.

Source: Houzz.com

Cory McDonald HomeSmart

Office 480.510.8910 cory@ssgroupaz.com www.studebakersmithgroup.com 33725 North Scottsdale Road | Suite 130 Scottsdale, AZ 85267

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Produced by DLP Marketing • (480)460-0996 • DLPmarketing.com