Cactus Corridor Lifestyle

Cactus Corridor July | August 2014

“We keep it in the Family” This seems the most appropriate reaction when Zee Arekat is asked about how they have maintained their long standing run of success in the ever changing Arizona Real Estate Market.

Z Luxury Group comprised of Zee and her two sons Nick & Rashied have a combined 50 years of experience as real estate professionals. With exceptional customer service as their cornerstone, almost all of their business is derived from referrals. Rashied says, “Zee goes above and beyond anything you would ever expect from your Realtor and it’s honestly really inspiring. She leads by example and now both Nick and I pride ourselves on delivering that same type of service to our clients.” Specializing in buyer representation, the 3 of them have come to understand the emotional toll involved in buying a home and have each figured out how to provide stability in an otherwise unstable transaction.

With Zee transitioning to the listing side, the 3 of them have found the perfect formula for working together on each and every transaction. With a half century of experience already in the books, there is no real estate transaction too large or too small. Always evolving and keeping up with market trends, Z Luxury Group looks to make 2014 its best year yet.

COVER HOME PRESENTED BY Z LUXURY GROUP

Wheels Up! Leaving on a Jet Plane

Currently Available | Escondido Manor | 3 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 3,608 SQFT | $949,900 Scottsdale’s best kept secret has just hit the market! This custom gem is on one of the most sought after streets in all of Scottsdale. Join a select group of neighbors who call this ‘’Street of Dreams’’ home. Experience first-hand the absolute best of Scottsdale with enough room to escape to serenity when necessary.

Luxury By The Numbers 2,900 Number of active luxury listings Valley wide on May 1st.

ZLuxuryGroup.com

ZEE AREKAT

602.329.6691 | Zee@ZLuxuryGroup.com

NICK AREKAT

602.321.2084 | Nick@ZLuxuryGroup.com

RASHIED AREKAT

48%

Year-over-year increase in the number of May 1 luxury listings that were priced between $500,000 and $600,000.

$268 Three-month moving average of price per square foot for Valley luxury

homes in April.

100% Year-over-year increase in the number of April luxury sales priced above

$1.5 million.

Source: Phoenix Business Journal, May 23, 2014

480.226.9429 | Rashied@ZLuxuryGroup.com Z Luxury Group: A Dvision of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Mo Hamideh, MBA

Licensed Mortgage Professional NMLS#215468 LO#0912462 480.335.5582 Direct | mo@peoplesmortgage.com

All your mortgage answers with one call!

WANT YOUR HOME TO BE THE NEXT COVER PROPERTY? For the most effective marketing call Z Luxury Group to get your Cactus Corridor property sold.

NMLS#6274 AZBK#0904164

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

All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The properties on this list have been listed/sold by various members of the MLS. Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

Be Cool and Save Money

Reduce Your Air Conditioning Costs

The Handlebar’s Quick & Delicious Quinoa Summer Salad

Exceptional Home In Exclusive Escondido Manor Presented By

In Good Taste The Handlebar Tempe 480.474.4888 | HandlebarAZ.com

QUINOA SALAD WITH ROASTED BEETS QUINOA SALAD INGREDIENTS: 2 c cooked quinoa 1/2 c cooked beets large dice 1/2 c sugar snap peas bias cut into 1/4’s 1/2 c pomegranate seeds 1/2 c sweet garlic dressing (recipe follows) 4 tbsp crumbled feta cheese to top salads 4 leaves butter leaf lettuce Salt and pepper to taste

Calling all seasoned travelers! Want to impress your sweetheart or your fabulous family like never before?

Consider planning a stylish summer trip and book your own private jet for an unforgettable weekend getaway. It’s the ultimate in luxury and convenience... and believe it or not, it’s more affordable than you might think.

Whether you’re flying to San Francisco for a business trip or heading to cooler climes for a quick escape, private jets offer the perks of your own personal plane, available only when you need it.

The biggest advantage? You will save a ton of time by not waiting on long lines at check-in and eliminating connecting flights altogether. How does arriving a mere 5 to 15 minutes prior to departure sound? And those long security lines?

Yes, you skip those, too. Smaller private planes are also able to fly into smaller airports, which may be closer to your

SWEET GARLIC DRESSING INGREDIENTS: 1/2 c apple cider vinegar 1/2 c vegetable oil 1/2 c sugar 4 garlic cloves 1/4 red onion 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1 tsp Worcestershire SWEET GARLIC DRESSING DIRECTIONS: Mix together the oil, vinegar and sugar. Pour a small amount of the liquid in a blender with the salt, pepper, Worcestershire, garlic, and red onion. Puree until smooth. Stream in the remaining liquid with the blender running, turn off and adjust the seasonings as need.

Yield: 2 Cups QUINOA SALAD DIRECTIONS: In a large mixing bowl combine the cooked quinoa, beets; sugar snap peas, and pomegranate seeds. Season these items lightly with salt and pepper, and then add the sweet garlic dressing and toss to combine.

To plate: Place a leaf of butter lettuce in each of the 4 bowls and divide the quinoa salad evenly amongst the 4 bowls.

Top each salad with a tablespoon of crumbled feta cheese.

Servings: 4

ultimate destination.

This of course saves

you additional time.

In fact, aviation

experts estimate

you can save four

and a half hours per

flight each time you

book a private

charter plane.

Charter jets

offer several

luxurious types of

aircraft, depending on your destination, length of trip, and number of passengers. Plane varieties include small turbo prop planes and light jets all the way up to mid and heavy jets. Imagine a business flight during which you and your associates can work in comfortable conference-style seating maximizing efficiency in the air. If flying for pleasure, you’ll savor the catered cuisine that is nothing like standard airplane fare. And you’ll arrive at your destination refreshed after visiting the private restroom.

And finally, you also get the advantage of choosing your travel companions.

No more chatty passengers disturbing you if you want to catch up on sleep, no more crying babies if you’re trying to work, and no more lines for a shared bathroom. You’re also allowed much more freedom on board the plane, since it’s your own personal chartered plane.

The cost for these perks? You can expect to pay somewhere between $3,000 to $6,000 per hour of flight, depending on the class of airplane selected. So-called “empty leg” flights are one way to cut down on your expenses. Since approximately 40 percent of all private charter return trip flights fly with no passengers in the cabin, savvy fliers can book these fares at up to 50 percent off regular rates.

So next time you’re looking to splurge a bit, consider whisking your sweetie off for a romantic getaway in Las Vegas or flying your extended clan off to a family reunion in Aspen, all in your own private jet. It will be the trip of a lifetime... and may be the beginning of a new way to travel. Wheels up, anyone?

you automatically reduce your energy usage when you are out of the house by adjusting the temperature so that your cooling system will run less while you are away.

If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, replacing the old system may be the way to go. A new system could better heat or cool your home making you more comfortable and saving you money in the long run.

By investing in the highest energy rated HVAC system possible now, you are hedging your bets against higher energy costs in the future.

The efficiency of central air conditioning systems is rated by a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). You can think of it as miles per gallon, the higher the SEER, the lower the utility bill. As of January 2006, the minimum allowable efficiency for new air conditioners is 13-SEER. Systems manufactured today range from 13 to 24-SEER. Air conditioners rated closer to 24-SEER can cost half as much to run as those with the minimum

JULY | AUGUST 2014 Peter Pan Arizona Broadway Theatre | July 11-August 17 623.776.8400 | AZBroadway.org “Second star to the right, and straight on till morning!”

Known by many from the 1953 Disney movie, Peter Pan tells the story of the mischievous boy who can fly, who never ages, and who spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the enchanting isles of Neverland as the undisputed leader of the Lost Boys.

This summer, audiences are invited to sprinkle a little pixie dust and join Peter, Wendy, Michael, John and Tinker Bell on a magical adventure as they battle alligators and the notorious Captain Hook in Arizona Broadway Theatre’s high-flying and fanciful spectacle!

Kierland Commons Summer Concert Kierland Commons | July 19 480.348.1577 | KierlandCommons.com Enjoy this complimentary concert in Center Plaza from 7-9 p.m. Chuck E. Baby will be playing classic rock favorites. Chuck E. Baby and the All-stars were voted as “Top 10 Finalist | Best Of” in the local band category for AZ Central Best 2013 Reader’s Choice Awards for the 5th consecutive year.

Dr. John Talking Stick Resort | August 8 480.850.7734 | TalkingStickResort.com Dr. John is an ambassador to all things New Orleans.

The man known as the Night Tripper will bring his life-honed sound to the Showroom at Talking Stick Resort. Known for songs like “Right Place Wrong Time” and “Down in New Orleans,” Dr. John’s musical footprint has spanned over five decades. He has won six Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by singer John Legend in March 2011.

COOLING EFFICIENTLY During the summer months it might be time to take a hard look at your cooling system and determine if you could save significant money by upgrading or replacing it.

Heating and cooling is the biggest energy user in most homes, accounting for more than 40 percent of a home’s energy bills.

A good first step is to have an energy assessment done on your home by an energy efficiency professional. The assessment can range from a simple walk-through up to a comprehensive audit that includes blower-door tests that pressurize the house so energy leaks can be detected and duct-blaster tests to test for integrity of the duct system.

When looking for an auditor, look for someone with a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rating. Your local utility company may subsidize the cost of the audit.

Once you make your home more energy efficient with well-sealed ductwork and adequate insulation, a properly programmed thermostat is another way to save money on heating and cooling costs. Programmable thermostats let

Event Calendar

Anthem Sprint Triathlon Anthem Community Center | August 23 623.330.0913 | 4PeaksRacing.com This reverse order sprint triathlon will kick-off your fall season with a bang! The Anthem Sprint Triathlon, hosted in conjunction with Team Anthem Multisport Club, is held in a great location and on a fantastic course.

Consisting of a 5km run, a fast 20km bike course and a 400m swim to the finish, The Anthem Sprint Triathlon is a great way to start your fall racing season. limit. Look for models with the Energy Star rating because those models are about 10 to 15 percent more efficient than standard models. Seek a qualified HVAC professional to do a load calculation to properly size your system.

Your HVAC system is a big investment. By doing a little research and considering these factors, your wallet will thank you in the long run.

Ghost Towns of Arizona: Photography of Kurt Wenner Pueblo Grande Museum | through August 30 602.495.0901 | Phoenix.gov This exhibit features over 40 photographs of Arizona ghost towns, taken by Kurt Wenner between 1996 and 2006. Though many of the places and structures in the images no longer survive, this exhibit strives to tell the story that not all history is written by people who live in big cities. People find old, abandoned places fascinating, and certainly full of questions. Why was this town built? Who lived here? Why did they leave?

In Good Taste The Handlebar Tempe 480.474.4888 | HandlebarAZ.com

QUINOA SALAD WITH ROASTED BEETS QUINOA SALAD INGREDIENTS: 2 c cooked quinoa 1/2 c cooked beets large dice 1/2 c sugar snap peas bias cut into 1/4’s 1/2 c pomegranate seeds 1/2 c sweet garlic dressing (recipe follows) 4 tbsp crumbled feta cheese to top salads 4 leaves butter leaf lettuce Salt and pepper to taste

Calling all seasoned travelers! Want to impress your sweetheart or your fabulous family like never before?

Consider planning a stylish summer trip and book your own private jet for an unforgettable weekend getaway. It’s the ultimate in luxury and convenience... and believe it or not, it’s more affordable than you might think.

Whether you’re flying to San Francisco for a business trip or heading to cooler climes for a quick escape, private jets offer the perks of your own personal plane, available only when you need it.

The biggest advantage? You will save a ton of time by not waiting on long lines at check-in and eliminating connecting flights altogether. How does arriving a mere 5 to 15 minutes prior to departure sound? And those long security lines?

Yes, you skip those, too. Smaller private planes are also able to fly into smaller airports, which may be closer to your

SWEET GARLIC DRESSING INGREDIENTS: 1/2 c apple cider vinegar 1/2 c vegetable oil 1/2 c sugar 4 garlic cloves 1/4 red onion 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1 tsp Worcestershire SWEET GARLIC DRESSING DIRECTIONS: Mix together the oil, vinegar and sugar. Pour a small amount of the liquid in a blender with the salt, pepper, Worcestershire, garlic, and red onion. Puree until smooth. Stream in the remaining liquid with the blender running, turn off and adjust the seasonings as need.

Yield: 2 Cups QUINOA SALAD DIRECTIONS: In a large mixing bowl combine the cooked quinoa, beets; sugar snap peas, and pomegranate seeds. Season these items lightly with salt and pepper, and then add the sweet garlic dressing and toss to combine.

To plate: Place a leaf of butter lettuce in each of the 4 bowls and divide the quinoa salad evenly amongst the 4 bowls.

Top each salad with a tablespoon of crumbled feta cheese.

Servings: 4

ultimate destination.

This of course saves

you additional time.

In fact, aviation

experts estimate

you can save four

and a half hours per

flight each time you

book a private

charter plane.

Charter jets

offer several

luxurious types of

aircraft, depending on your destination, length of trip, and number of passengers. Plane varieties include small turbo prop planes and light jets all the way up to mid and heavy jets. Imagine a business flight during which you and your associates can work in comfortable conference-style seating maximizing efficiency in the air. If flying for pleasure, you’ll savor the catered cuisine that is nothing like standard airplane fare. And you’ll arrive at your destination refreshed after visiting the private restroom.

And finally, you also get the advantage of choosing your travel companions.

No more chatty passengers disturbing you if you want to catch up on sleep, no more crying babies if you’re trying to work, and no more lines for a shared bathroom. You’re also allowed much more freedom on board the plane, since it’s your own personal chartered plane.

The cost for these perks? You can expect to pay somewhere between $3,000 to $6,000 per hour of flight, depending on the class of airplane selected. So-called “empty leg” flights are one way to cut down on your expenses. Since approximately 40 percent of all private charter return trip flights fly with no passengers in the cabin, savvy fliers can book these fares at up to 50 percent off regular rates.

So next time you’re looking to splurge a bit, consider whisking your sweetie off for a romantic getaway in Las Vegas or flying your extended clan off to a family reunion in Aspen, all in your own private jet. It will be the trip of a lifetime... and may be the beginning of a new way to travel. Wheels up, anyone?

you automatically reduce your energy usage when you are out of the house by adjusting the temperature so that your cooling system will run less while you are away.

If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, replacing the old system may be the way to go. A new system could better heat or cool your home making you more comfortable and saving you money in the long run.

By investing in the highest energy rated HVAC system possible now, you are hedging your bets against higher energy costs in the future.

The efficiency of central air conditioning systems is rated by a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). You can think of it as miles per gallon, the higher the SEER, the lower the utility bill. As of January 2006, the minimum allowable efficiency for new air conditioners is 13-SEER. Systems manufactured today range from 13 to 24-SEER. Air conditioners rated closer to 24-SEER can cost half as much to run as those with the minimum

JULY | AUGUST 2014 Peter Pan Arizona Broadway Theatre | July 11-August 17 623.776.8400 | AZBroadway.org “Second star to the right, and straight on till morning!”

Known by many from the 1953 Disney movie, Peter Pan tells the story of the mischievous boy who can fly, who never ages, and who spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the enchanting isles of Neverland as the undisputed leader of the Lost Boys.

This summer, audiences are invited to sprinkle a little pixie dust and join Peter, Wendy, Michael, John and Tinker Bell on a magical adventure as they battle alligators and the notorious Captain Hook in Arizona Broadway Theatre’s high-flying and fanciful spectacle!

Kierland Commons Summer Concert Kierland Commons | July 19 480.348.1577 | KierlandCommons.com Enjoy this complimentary concert in Center Plaza from 7-9 p.m. Chuck E. Baby will be playing classic rock favorites. Chuck E. Baby and the All-stars were voted as “Top 10 Finalist | Best Of” in the local band category for AZ Central Best 2013 Reader’s Choice Awards for the 5th consecutive year.

Dr. John Talking Stick Resort | August 8 480.850.7734 | TalkingStickResort.com Dr. John is an ambassador to all things New Orleans.

The man known as the Night Tripper will bring his life-honed sound to the Showroom at Talking Stick Resort. Known for songs like “Right Place Wrong Time” and “Down in New Orleans,” Dr. John’s musical footprint has spanned over five decades. He has won six Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by singer John Legend in March 2011.

COOLING EFFICIENTLY During the summer months it might be time to take a hard look at your cooling system and determine if you could save significant money by upgrading or replacing it.

Heating and cooling is the biggest energy user in most homes, accounting for more than 40 percent of a home’s energy bills.

A good first step is to have an energy assessment done on your home by an energy efficiency professional. The assessment can range from a simple walk-through up to a comprehensive audit that includes blower-door tests that pressurize the house so energy leaks can be detected and duct-blaster tests to test for integrity of the duct system.

When looking for an auditor, look for someone with a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rating. Your local utility company may subsidize the cost of the audit.

Once you make your home more energy efficient with well-sealed ductwork and adequate insulation, a properly programmed thermostat is another way to save money on heating and cooling costs. Programmable thermostats let

Event Calendar

Anthem Sprint Triathlon Anthem Community Center | August 23 623.330.0913 | 4PeaksRacing.com This reverse order sprint triathlon will kick-off your fall season with a bang! The Anthem Sprint Triathlon, hosted in conjunction with Team Anthem Multisport Club, is held in a great location and on a fantastic course.

Consisting of a 5km run, a fast 20km bike course and a 400m swim to the finish, The Anthem Sprint Triathlon is a great way to start your fall racing season. limit. Look for models with the Energy Star rating because those models are about 10 to 15 percent more efficient than standard models. Seek a qualified HVAC professional to do a load calculation to properly size your system.

Your HVAC system is a big investment. By doing a little research and considering these factors, your wallet will thank you in the long run.

Ghost Towns of Arizona: Photography of Kurt Wenner Pueblo Grande Museum | through August 30 602.495.0901 | Phoenix.gov This exhibit features over 40 photographs of Arizona ghost towns, taken by Kurt Wenner between 1996 and 2006. Though many of the places and structures in the images no longer survive, this exhibit strives to tell the story that not all history is written by people who live in big cities. People find old, abandoned places fascinating, and certainly full of questions. Why was this town built? Who lived here? Why did they leave?

Cactus Corridor July | August 2014

“We keep it in the Family” This seems the most appropriate reaction when Zee Arekat is asked about how they have maintained their long standing run of success in the ever changing Arizona Real Estate Market.

Z Luxury Group comprised of Zee and her two sons Nick & Rashied have a combined 50 years of experience as real estate professionals. With exceptional customer service as their cornerstone, almost all of their business is derived from referrals. Rashied says, “Zee goes above and beyond anything you would ever expect from your Realtor and it’s honestly really inspiring. She leads by example and now both Nick and I pride ourselves on delivering that same type of service to our clients.” Specializing in buyer representation, the 3 of them have come to understand the emotional toll involved in buying a home and have each figured out how to provide stability in an otherwise unstable transaction.

With Zee transitioning to the listing side, the 3 of them have found the perfect formula for working together on each and every transaction. With a half century of experience already in the books, there is no real estate transaction too large or too small. Always evolving and keeping up with market trends, Z Luxury Group looks to make 2014 its best year yet.

COVER HOME PRESENTED BY Z LUXURY GROUP

Wheels Up! Leaving on a Jet Plane

Currently Available | Escondido Manor | 3 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 3,608 SQFT | $949,900 Scottsdale’s best kept secret has just hit the market! This custom gem is on one of the most sought after streets in all of Scottsdale. Join a select group of neighbors who call this ‘’Street of Dreams’’ home. Experience first-hand the absolute best of Scottsdale with enough room to escape to serenity when necessary.

Luxury By The Numbers 2,900 Number of active luxury listings Valley wide on May 1st.

ZLuxuryGroup.com

ZEE AREKAT

602.329.6691 | Zee@ZLuxuryGroup.com

NICK AREKAT

602.321.2084 | Nick@ZLuxuryGroup.com

RASHIED AREKAT

48%

Year-over-year increase in the number of May 1 luxury listings that were priced between $500,000 and $600,000.

$268 Three-month moving average of price per square foot for Valley luxury

homes in April.

100% Year-over-year increase in the number of April luxury sales priced above

$1.5 million.

Source: Phoenix Business Journal, May 23, 2014

480.226.9429 | Rashied@ZLuxuryGroup.com Z Luxury Group: A Dvision of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Mo Hamideh, MBA

Licensed Mortgage Professional NMLS#215468 LO#0912462 480.335.5582 Direct | mo@peoplesmortgage.com

All your mortgage answers with one call!

WANT YOUR HOME TO BE THE NEXT COVER PROPERTY? For the most effective marketing call Z Luxury Group to get your Cactus Corridor property sold.

NMLS#6274 AZBK#0904164

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

All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The properties on this list have been listed/sold by various members of the MLS. Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

Be Cool and Save Money

Reduce Your Air Conditioning Costs

The Handlebar’s Quick & Delicious Quinoa Summer Salad

Exceptional Home In Exclusive Escondido Manor Presented By