Rio Verde Foothills March 10

Rio Verde Real Estate Recap HOMES - Currently, there are 80 active homes on the market and 48 homes under contract.

LAND - Currently, there are 342 active lots on the market and 17 lots under contract.

Bonnie Burke, PC RE/MAX Excalibur 8510 E. Shea Blvd. #100 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The following lots have closed since last publication: 0 N. 168th Street 1.2 acres $22,000 158xx E. Gambit Trail 1.2 acres $24,000 28600 N. 169th St. 1.25 acres $25,000 139xx E. Montgomery 1.06 acres $30,000 33290 N. 139th Street 1.01 acres $31,000 28000 N. 139th Way 1.25 acres $33,000 29xxx N. 168th Street 3.5 acres $94,000 333xx N. 138th Street 3.97 acres $140,000 306xx N. 148th Street 5 acres $150,000

March 2010

*According to AZ Regional Multiple Listing Service

Featured Property

Model perfect home that has a possible 5/6th car garage or would be great guest quarters. It’s heated and cooled and set for living space. This 4 bed home feels gently lived in with 3700 sf. Chef will love the wide open kitchen with Viking appliances, large island, lots of granite countertops.

Great room floorplan with large formal dining room.

For the active outdoors person you’ll love the landscaping with citrus trees, garden and all kinds of plants. RV gate and room for horses. All on 1+ acre. Reduced to $909,000.

Bonnie Burke, PC ABR, CDPE, CLHMS, CRS, E-PRO, GRI Integrity Based, Service Driven RE/MAX Excalibur 8510 E. Shea Blvd. #100 • Scottsdale, AZ 85260 480.720.8001 Cell Bonnie@BonnieBurke.com www.BonnieBurke.com

Address Sq. Ft. / Bed / Bath/ Lot Size NEW LISTINGS SINCE LAST PUBLICATION: 26809 N. 152nd St. 1,653 / 3 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 16515 E. Lone Mountain Rd. 1,921 / 3 / 2 / 2-4.9 acres 13944 E. Leisure Ln. 3,092 / 3 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 14305 E. Carefree Hwy. 2,736 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 29811 N. 166th Way 3,398 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 16525 E. Dixileta Dr. 2,275 / 3 / 2.5 / 1-1.9 acres 16340 E. Gamble Ln. 3,749 / 5 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 35117 N. 139th Way 4,184 / 4 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 35029 N. 139th Way 4,184 / 4 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 35021 N. 139th Way 4,204 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 29213 N. 148th St. 3,152 / 3 / 2.75 / 2-4.9 acres 29208 N. 148th St. 2,750 / 4 / 2 / 2-4.9 acres 28717 N. 139 Pl. 3,134 / 4 / 3 / 2-4.9 acres 31425 N. 141st Pl. 4,180 / 5 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 15416 E. Lomas Verde Ln. 3,403 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 13631 E. Casey Ln. 5,500 / 5 / 4.5 / 2-4.9 acres 30509 N. 160th St. 3,063 / 4 / 2.5 / 1-1.9 acres 29715 N. 146th St. 5,176 / 5 / 3 / 5-9.9 acres 14515 E. Desert Vista Trl. 4,801 / 4 / 5 / 1-1.9 acres 14322 E. Lowden Ct. 5,500 / 5 / 5 / 2-4.9 acres PENDING SALES SINCE LAST PUBLICATION: 31605 N. 164th St. 1,200 / 3 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 14318 E. Casey Ln. 1,887 / 3 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 27805 N. 154th St. 2,353 / 3 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 31229 N. 164th St. 1,803 / 4 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 14023 E. Barbie Ln. 3,704 / 5 / 3 / 1-1.9 acres 14827 E. Morning Vista Ln. 2,561 / 4 / 3 / 1-1.9 acres 16509 E. Dixileta Dr. 2,345 / 3 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 16328 E. Gamble Ln. 3,463 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 26607 N. 156th St. 3,544 / 4 / 4.5 / 1-1.9 acres 14009 E. Quail Track Rd. 3,543 / 4 / 2.5 / 1-1.9 acres 16644 E. Horned Owl Trl. 3,381 / 5 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 33411 N. 141st St. 3,850 / 4 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 31321 N. 161st Pl. 3,621 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 15512 E. Morning Vista Ln. 3,640 / 4 / 3 / 1-1.9 acres 299 N. 175 St. 3,348 / 5 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 15509 E. Melanie Dr. 3,522 / 4 / 3 / 1-1.9 acres 13807 E. Casey Ln. 2,890 / 3 / 3 / 1-1.9 acres 31416 N. 166th Pl. 3,340 / 3 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 34325 N. 138th St. 4,016 / 5 / 4.5 / 2-4.9 acres 15406 E. Cavedale Dr. 3,634 / 4 / 3.5 / 5-9.9 acres 13747 E. Montgomery Rd. 4,801 / 5 / 5.5 / 1-1.9 acres 31210 N. 142nd St. 4,053 / 4 / 4.5 / 1-1.9 acres 30325 N. 170th St. 5,980 / 3 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 33226 N. 142nd St. 5,218 / 4 / 4.5 / 1-1.9 acres SOLD SINCE LAST PUBLICATION: 31217 N. 142nd St. 3,664 / 5 / 5 / 1-1.9 acres 27117 N. 162nd St. 2,944 / 4 / 3 / 2-4.9 acres 30829 N. 138th St. 4,001 / 4 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 14516 E. Peak View Rd. 2,300 / 4 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 27422 N. 137th St. 2,450 / 4 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 34211 N. 141st St. 2,097 / 3 / 2.5 / 1-1.9 acres 28327 N. 139th Pl. 3,080 / 4 / 3 / 1-1.9 acres 27804 N. 152nd St. 2,800 / 4 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 16229 E. White Feather Ln. 3,311 / 4 / 3 / 2-4.9 acres 14625 E. Desert Vista Trl. 3,053 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 27808 N. 156th St. 3,307 / 5 / 4 / 5-9.9 acres

Days On Market

List Price

21 15 20 34 20 20 24 18 18 24 18 19 11 17 20 13 20 26 21 7

$231,900 $250,000 $294,900 $299,000 $299,900 $335,000 $399,900 $425,000 $425,000 $425,000 $559,000 $595,000 $649,000 $684,900 $715,000 $795,000 $799,000 $799,000 $960,000 $1,199,000

351 95 25 35 21 1 37 2 7 110 33 4 348 41 21 27 67 74 161 273 42 24 313 95 DOM 4 9 343 8 37 86 22 27 2 18 109

$149,500 $227,000 $229,900 $235,000 $237,900 $259,900 $259,900 $299,000 $299,900 $310,000 $329,900 $340,000 $340,000 $359,900 $365,000 $378,000 $400,000 $419,000 $445,000 $479,000 $595,000 $660,000 $799,000 $800,000 Sold Price $650,000 $370,000 $785,000 $307,000 $365,000 $265,000 $405,000 $800,000 $359,900 $450,000 $640,000

List Price $650,000 $369,900 $875,000 $306,900 $375,000 $279,900 $425,000 $850,000 $359,900 $449,900 $670,000

All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The properties on this list have been listed/sold by various participants in the MLS. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

ISSN-1939-9421

SONORAN DESERT CACTI In Bloom & Breathtaking

Selling Your Home?

Understand Your Target Market

A Taste of The Old World Sassi’s Sicilian-Spiced Scallops

Rio Verde Foothills’

Hot Real Estate Listings

Featuring Sassi 10455 E. Pinnacle Peak Parkway • Scottsdale 480.502.9095 • www.sassi.biz

CAPPA SANTE INGREDIENTS: 12 each scallops, large 2 heads fennel, cleaned and shaved to one-eighth inch 2 each grapefruit, peeled and segmented into slices 2 each oranges, peeled and segmented into slices 2 each lemons, peeled and segmented into slices 1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and chopped 1 pound arugula 2 1/2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil 1 Tbs. butter 1/2 Tbs. salt 1/2 Tbs. pepper PROCEDURE: • Season the scallops on both sides with Sicilian Spice (see recipe below). Sear scallops in two tablespoons olive oil and one tablespoon butter. Don’t crowd the pan, cook in batches if needed. Sear until golden brown on both sides, medium-rare to medium.

• Incorporate the arugula, olives, citrus, pine nuts, fennel, salt, pepper and olive oil together. Place the salad in center of a large plate. Put the scallops around the salad, drizzle with olive oil and pinch of sea salt to finish.

• Optional: The pan drippings can be deglazed with white wine, a touch of butter and herbs to use as sauce.

SICILIAN SPICE INGREDIENTS: 3 Tbs. lemon zest, dried and ground in spice grinder 2 Tbs. kosher salt 2 Tbs. pepper, freshly ground 2 Tbs. paprika 2 Tbs. oregano, dried Incorporate all ingredients together.

CACTUS FLOWERS Jewelsof the Desert

When many people think of the Southwest, they think of a dry desert filled with prickly cacti. Although these green spiky plants may not seem as obviously beautiful as say a rose or a tulip, anyone who has witnessed a cactus’ spring and summer blooms will no longer think they aren’t breathtaking. In shades of yellow, white, pink, purple, orange and red, these desert flowers are truly something to see. With spring in full bloom, take a hike and check out these simply stunning cacti.

No other cactus is more synonymous with Southwestern Arizona and the Sonoran Desert than the saguaro cactus. Its bloom is the state flower of Arizona. In fact, the Sonoran Desert is the only place this iconic cactus grows at all. This ubiquitous desert cactus is a giant, reaching anywhere from 10 to 50 feet in height. In fact, it’s the largest cactus in the United States. But this cactus grows slowly—only about an inch a year. The tallest saguaros are thought to be some 200 years old. Because the majority of a saguaro is made up of water, an adult plant may weigh 6 tons or more. Saguaros are easily recognized by their trademark “arms.” Some saguaros have been seen with a multitude of arms, while others don’t grow any at all. In Saguaro National Park outside of Tucson, saguaros begin to grow arms at about 65 to 75 years of age. The saguaro’s white and yellow flowers grow at the top of the plant and at the end of arms, blooming in May and June. These beautiful blooms open during cooler desert nights and close again by next midday.

Head to Ajo, Arizona, and you’ll find some 28 species of cacti in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, which encompasses some 330,000 acres of surprisingly green desert. The park’s namesake cactus grows in tall columns and can be found in large clumps within the park. The organ pipe can live for more than 150 years and produces its first flowers at about age 35. Just as with the saguaro cactus, the organ pipe opens its creamy white flowers only at night and closes the flower by midday the following day.

So be sure to get to the desert early if you want to see these blooms! Other cacti you’ll see in Organ Pipe Monument include senita, chain fruit cholla, teddy bear cholla, Engelmann’s prickly pear, hedgehog, pincushion, and Arizona barrel.

One of the more common cacti in the Sonoran Desert is the prickly pear cactus. With its flat, round pads that look like leaves, the prickly pear cactus has large spines on its stems. The prickly pear varies in height from less than a foot to 6 or 7 feet and the flowers range in color from yellow, red, or purple, according to the

different varieties. Among the frequent types found in the Sonoran Desert are the beavertail cactus (bright rose flowers), Englemann’s prickly pear (yellow to peach flowers), and the pancake prickly pear (yellow and red flowers).

Graham’s pincushion or Graham’s nipple cactus is a small cactus (usually only about 5 cm across and 15 cm in height) that grows bright pink to lavender flowers which appear to overwhelm this little plant. Pincushions thrive between rocks throughout the desert.

Look for them between late spring and summer.

In late summer, usually in August, a show of deep orange is seen with the blooming of the fishhook barrel cactus, also known as the candy barrel cactus. Named because of its cylindrical or barrel-like shape, this cactus bears clusters of flowers at its top, which are red and yellow in hue, and are covered in spines.

Even the sweetly named teddy bear cholla, with its mass of spines that appear “fuzzy” from a distance, boasts greenish-white flowers in the spring. Just keep your distance as the spines are said to “jump” off the cacti to passersby. Hazards aside, be sure to soak up all the amazing colors of spring and summer in our Sonoran Desert!

A Rainbow of Colors!

Use this mini-guide to identify some of the common flowers of the cacti of the Sonoran Desert.

PINK: Beavertail prickly pear (spring), Engelmann’s hedgehog cactus (spring, also purple), Graham’s pincushion (spring, also lavender), senita cactus (summer) YELLOW: Buckthorn cholla (spring, also orange and red), compass barrel cactus (spring), Engelmann’s prickly pear (spring), Teddy bear cholla (spring, also green) ORANGE: Fishhook barrel cactus (summer, also yellow and red) WHITE: Organ pipe cactus (spring, also pinkish-white), saguaro cactus (late spring) PURPLE: Chain fruit cholla (spring, also fuchsia) RED: Coville’s barrel (summer)

do you know who wants to buy your home?

Why do you think most people decide to move? Turns out, even in our current economy, most people move to improve their quality of life. In fact, according to a recent survey commissioned by Relocation.com, 50% of people who have recently moved did so to improve their living situation—not because they needed to downsize or relocate due to job loss or other financial woes. The number-one reason people gave for moving was to live in a bigger or better home (26%), followed by those who wanted to live in a better neighborhood or area (24%). This is good news— and good information—for homeowners who are trying to or are thinking about selling their home. In fact, why not think of this information as market research on your potential homebuyers. Time to turn your home’s assets into featured selling points.

Consider this: When a company sets out to market a new product, they conduct thorough market research on their target audience. Who is the potential buyer of their product?

What are their needs, desires and motivations for purchase?

Knowing their target market also helps in determining who NOT to spend money and resources marketing to.

When you prepare to sell your home, it’s time to do the same. That means doing your homework and researching your target homebuyer. Understanding who your likely buyers

are and what they are looking for in a home will help you sell your home. The first thing to consider? The several types of homebuyers that exist. Generally speaking, your homebuyer will fall into one of these four categories: singles, working couples, families, or empty nesters/downsizers.

Now, consider your home and which buyer mentioned above you think your home will most appeal to. If you live in an excellent school district and have three or more bedrooms, you should probably be marketing your home to families. Make sure your home will appeal to this group by playing up a family or game room, drawing attention to the Jack-and-Jill bathroom, and highlighting the cul-de-sac location and great outside play area for kids.

Maybe you live in a smaller home near other older adults.

In this case, try marketing your home to empty-nesters.

Perhaps leave information on the kitchen counter about local groups and activities. Make sure your Realtor highlights the easy-care yard and one-level home layout and the safety of the neighborhood. Or perhaps your home is near highways, shopping, and dining, making it ideal for working couples. Spotlight these features to prospective buyers.

Your home may instead be ideal for singles, in which case you’d want to draw attention to its location near nightlife, outdoor parks and recreation areas.

MARCH 2010 Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival Downtown Carefree, March 5th – 7th 480.837.5637 or thunderbirdartist.com This award-winning, three-day festival has something for every art lover. Not only will you view one-of-akind pieces displayed throughout the festival, but this event also promises the state’s largest wine tasting featuring first-class vintages from all over the world.

Plenty of boutique shopping, dining at outdoor cafes and live music are available for your entertainment.

17th Annual Beach Ball J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge, March 6th 602.538.5381 or pchbeachball.com You may not make it out to The Hamptons this spring, but Phoenix Children’s Hospital is throwing their own white-themed soiree. This elegant night includes cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner and lively dancing. Arizona welcomes back the talented duet Zowie Bowie as the musical entertainment.

Oscar Night America Arizona Biltmore, March 7th 602.212.9900 or arthritis.org Since you probably won’t get an invite to Hollywood for the Academy Awards, come to the next best thing, Phoenix’s Oscar Night benefitting the Arthritis Foundation. The entire evening replicates the swanky real deal with a red carpet entrance flanked by paparazzi, champagne with your gourmet meal and even a take-home “swag bag.”

Guests will feel like a true celebrity as they watch the award show live on a giant screen.

Avenue Q ASU Gammage, March 9th – 14th 480.965.3434 or asugammage.com This Broadway musical may feature talking and singing puppets, but leave the kids at home for this one! Avenue Q tells the story of Princeton, a college grad with big dreams of making it in New York City but with a small bank account.

Walk for Wishes Kiwanas Park, March 13th 602.395.9474 or arizona.wish.org Choose from the 5K run or the 1-mile walk. The theme this year is “Pancakes and Pajamas” with prizes for participants with the best PJs. The event benefits the Make a Wish Foundation, granting wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

The bottom line? With your Realtor’s help, you can find a way to market your home to the right homeowners. Doing this will increase your chances for a sale and in much less time.

Just remember to figure out who your home is best suited to and then bring these features into the forefront so potential buyers won’t have to do any guesswork as to whether or not this home is the right one for them. That’s doing your homework!

Spring Training: Giants vs. Cubs Scottsdale Stadium, March 30th 480.312.2580 or cactusleague.com Bring your hat, sunscreen and glove and take in a fabulous spring day at the ballpark! Home to the San Francisco Giants, Scottsdale Stadium is in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale and seats 11,500 fans which includes a large grassy area for really spreading out!

Featuring Sassi 10455 E. Pinnacle Peak Parkway • Scottsdale 480.502.9095 • www.sassi.biz

CAPPA SANTE INGREDIENTS: 12 each scallops, large 2 heads fennel, cleaned and shaved to one-eighth inch 2 each grapefruit, peeled and segmented into slices 2 each oranges, peeled and segmented into slices 2 each lemons, peeled and segmented into slices 1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and chopped 1 pound arugula 2 1/2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil 1 Tbs. butter 1/2 Tbs. salt 1/2 Tbs. pepper PROCEDURE: • Season the scallops on both sides with Sicilian Spice (see recipe below). Sear scallops in two tablespoons olive oil and one tablespoon butter. Don’t crowd the pan, cook in batches if needed. Sear until golden brown on both sides, medium-rare to medium.

• Incorporate the arugula, olives, citrus, pine nuts, fennel, salt, pepper and olive oil together. Place the salad in center of a large plate. Put the scallops around the salad, drizzle with olive oil and pinch of sea salt to finish.

• Optional: The pan drippings can be deglazed with white wine, a touch of butter and herbs to use as sauce.

SICILIAN SPICE INGREDIENTS: 3 Tbs. lemon zest, dried and ground in spice grinder 2 Tbs. kosher salt 2 Tbs. pepper, freshly ground 2 Tbs. paprika 2 Tbs. oregano, dried Incorporate all ingredients together.

CACTUS FLOWERS Jewelsof the Desert

When many people think of the Southwest, they think of a dry desert filled with prickly cacti. Although these green spiky plants may not seem as obviously beautiful as say a rose or a tulip, anyone who has witnessed a cactus’ spring and summer blooms will no longer think they aren’t breathtaking. In shades of yellow, white, pink, purple, orange and red, these desert flowers are truly something to see. With spring in full bloom, take a hike and check out these simply stunning cacti.

No other cactus is more synonymous with Southwestern Arizona and the Sonoran Desert than the saguaro cactus. Its bloom is the state flower of Arizona. In fact, the Sonoran Desert is the only place this iconic cactus grows at all. This ubiquitous desert cactus is a giant, reaching anywhere from 10 to 50 feet in height. In fact, it’s the largest cactus in the United States. But this cactus grows slowly—only about an inch a year. The tallest saguaros are thought to be some 200 years old. Because the majority of a saguaro is made up of water, an adult plant may weigh 6 tons or more. Saguaros are easily recognized by their trademark “arms.” Some saguaros have been seen with a multitude of arms, while others don’t grow any at all. In Saguaro National Park outside of Tucson, saguaros begin to grow arms at about 65 to 75 years of age. The saguaro’s white and yellow flowers grow at the top of the plant and at the end of arms, blooming in May and June. These beautiful blooms open during cooler desert nights and close again by next midday.

Head to Ajo, Arizona, and you’ll find some 28 species of cacti in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, which encompasses some 330,000 acres of surprisingly green desert. The park’s namesake cactus grows in tall columns and can be found in large clumps within the park. The organ pipe can live for more than 150 years and produces its first flowers at about age 35. Just as with the saguaro cactus, the organ pipe opens its creamy white flowers only at night and closes the flower by midday the following day.

So be sure to get to the desert early if you want to see these blooms! Other cacti you’ll see in Organ Pipe Monument include senita, chain fruit cholla, teddy bear cholla, Engelmann’s prickly pear, hedgehog, pincushion, and Arizona barrel.

One of the more common cacti in the Sonoran Desert is the prickly pear cactus. With its flat, round pads that look like leaves, the prickly pear cactus has large spines on its stems. The prickly pear varies in height from less than a foot to 6 or 7 feet and the flowers range in color from yellow, red, or purple, according to the

different varieties. Among the frequent types found in the Sonoran Desert are the beavertail cactus (bright rose flowers), Englemann’s prickly pear (yellow to peach flowers), and the pancake prickly pear (yellow and red flowers).

Graham’s pincushion or Graham’s nipple cactus is a small cactus (usually only about 5 cm across and 15 cm in height) that grows bright pink to lavender flowers which appear to overwhelm this little plant. Pincushions thrive between rocks throughout the desert.

Look for them between late spring and summer.

In late summer, usually in August, a show of deep orange is seen with the blooming of the fishhook barrel cactus, also known as the candy barrel cactus. Named because of its cylindrical or barrel-like shape, this cactus bears clusters of flowers at its top, which are red and yellow in hue, and are covered in spines.

Even the sweetly named teddy bear cholla, with its mass of spines that appear “fuzzy” from a distance, boasts greenish-white flowers in the spring. Just keep your distance as the spines are said to “jump” off the cacti to passersby. Hazards aside, be sure to soak up all the amazing colors of spring and summer in our Sonoran Desert!

A Rainbow of Colors!

Use this mini-guide to identify some of the common flowers of the cacti of the Sonoran Desert.

PINK: Beavertail prickly pear (spring), Engelmann’s hedgehog cactus (spring, also purple), Graham’s pincushion (spring, also lavender), senita cactus (summer) YELLOW: Buckthorn cholla (spring, also orange and red), compass barrel cactus (spring), Engelmann’s prickly pear (spring), Teddy bear cholla (spring, also green) ORANGE: Fishhook barrel cactus (summer, also yellow and red) WHITE: Organ pipe cactus (spring, also pinkish-white), saguaro cactus (late spring) PURPLE: Chain fruit cholla (spring, also fuchsia) RED: Coville’s barrel (summer)

do you know who wants to buy your home?

Why do you think most people decide to move? Turns out, even in our current economy, most people move to improve their quality of life. In fact, according to a recent survey commissioned by Relocation.com, 50% of people who have recently moved did so to improve their living situation—not because they needed to downsize or relocate due to job loss or other financial woes. The number-one reason people gave for moving was to live in a bigger or better home (26%), followed by those who wanted to live in a better neighborhood or area (24%). This is good news— and good information—for homeowners who are trying to or are thinking about selling their home. In fact, why not think of this information as market research on your potential homebuyers. Time to turn your home’s assets into featured selling points.

Consider this: When a company sets out to market a new product, they conduct thorough market research on their target audience. Who is the potential buyer of their product?

What are their needs, desires and motivations for purchase?

Knowing their target market also helps in determining who NOT to spend money and resources marketing to.

When you prepare to sell your home, it’s time to do the same. That means doing your homework and researching your target homebuyer. Understanding who your likely buyers

are and what they are looking for in a home will help you sell your home. The first thing to consider? The several types of homebuyers that exist. Generally speaking, your homebuyer will fall into one of these four categories: singles, working couples, families, or empty nesters/downsizers.

Now, consider your home and which buyer mentioned above you think your home will most appeal to. If you live in an excellent school district and have three or more bedrooms, you should probably be marketing your home to families. Make sure your home will appeal to this group by playing up a family or game room, drawing attention to the Jack-and-Jill bathroom, and highlighting the cul-de-sac location and great outside play area for kids.

Maybe you live in a smaller home near other older adults.

In this case, try marketing your home to empty-nesters.

Perhaps leave information on the kitchen counter about local groups and activities. Make sure your Realtor highlights the easy-care yard and one-level home layout and the safety of the neighborhood. Or perhaps your home is near highways, shopping, and dining, making it ideal for working couples. Spotlight these features to prospective buyers.

Your home may instead be ideal for singles, in which case you’d want to draw attention to its location near nightlife, outdoor parks and recreation areas.

MARCH 2010 Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival Downtown Carefree, March 5th – 7th 480.837.5637 or thunderbirdartist.com This award-winning, three-day festival has something for every art lover. Not only will you view one-of-akind pieces displayed throughout the festival, but this event also promises the state’s largest wine tasting featuring first-class vintages from all over the world.

Plenty of boutique shopping, dining at outdoor cafes and live music are available for your entertainment.

17th Annual Beach Ball J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge, March 6th 602.538.5381 or pchbeachball.com You may not make it out to The Hamptons this spring, but Phoenix Children’s Hospital is throwing their own white-themed soiree. This elegant night includes cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner and lively dancing. Arizona welcomes back the talented duet Zowie Bowie as the musical entertainment.

Oscar Night America Arizona Biltmore, March 7th 602.212.9900 or arthritis.org Since you probably won’t get an invite to Hollywood for the Academy Awards, come to the next best thing, Phoenix’s Oscar Night benefitting the Arthritis Foundation. The entire evening replicates the swanky real deal with a red carpet entrance flanked by paparazzi, champagne with your gourmet meal and even a take-home “swag bag.”

Guests will feel like a true celebrity as they watch the award show live on a giant screen.

Avenue Q ASU Gammage, March 9th – 14th 480.965.3434 or asugammage.com This Broadway musical may feature talking and singing puppets, but leave the kids at home for this one! Avenue Q tells the story of Princeton, a college grad with big dreams of making it in New York City but with a small bank account.

Walk for Wishes Kiwanas Park, March 13th 602.395.9474 or arizona.wish.org Choose from the 5K run or the 1-mile walk. The theme this year is “Pancakes and Pajamas” with prizes for participants with the best PJs. The event benefits the Make a Wish Foundation, granting wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

The bottom line? With your Realtor’s help, you can find a way to market your home to the right homeowners. Doing this will increase your chances for a sale and in much less time.

Just remember to figure out who your home is best suited to and then bring these features into the forefront so potential buyers won’t have to do any guesswork as to whether or not this home is the right one for them. That’s doing your homework!

Spring Training: Giants vs. Cubs Scottsdale Stadium, March 30th 480.312.2580 or cactusleague.com Bring your hat, sunscreen and glove and take in a fabulous spring day at the ballpark! Home to the San Francisco Giants, Scottsdale Stadium is in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale and seats 11,500 fans which includes a large grassy area for really spreading out!

Rio Verde Real Estate Recap HOMES - Currently, there are 80 active homes on the market and 48 homes under contract.

LAND - Currently, there are 342 active lots on the market and 17 lots under contract.

Bonnie Burke, PC RE/MAX Excalibur 8510 E. Shea Blvd. #100 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The following lots have closed since last publication: 0 N. 168th Street 1.2 acres $22,000 158xx E. Gambit Trail 1.2 acres $24,000 28600 N. 169th St. 1.25 acres $25,000 139xx E. Montgomery 1.06 acres $30,000 33290 N. 139th Street 1.01 acres $31,000 28000 N. 139th Way 1.25 acres $33,000 29xxx N. 168th Street 3.5 acres $94,000 333xx N. 138th Street 3.97 acres $140,000 306xx N. 148th Street 5 acres $150,000

March 2010

*According to AZ Regional Multiple Listing Service

Featured Property

Model perfect home that has a possible 5/6th car garage or would be great guest quarters. It’s heated and cooled and set for living space. This 4 bed home feels gently lived in with 3700 sf. Chef will love the wide open kitchen with Viking appliances, large island, lots of granite countertops.

Great room floorplan with large formal dining room.

For the active outdoors person you’ll love the landscaping with citrus trees, garden and all kinds of plants. RV gate and room for horses. All on 1+ acre. Reduced to $909,000.

Bonnie Burke, PC ABR, CDPE, CLHMS, CRS, E-PRO, GRI Integrity Based, Service Driven RE/MAX Excalibur 8510 E. Shea Blvd. #100 • Scottsdale, AZ 85260 480.720.8001 Cell Bonnie@BonnieBurke.com www.BonnieBurke.com

Address Sq. Ft. / Bed / Bath/ Lot Size NEW LISTINGS SINCE LAST PUBLICATION: 26809 N. 152nd St. 1,653 / 3 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 16515 E. Lone Mountain Rd. 1,921 / 3 / 2 / 2-4.9 acres 13944 E. Leisure Ln. 3,092 / 3 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 14305 E. Carefree Hwy. 2,736 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 29811 N. 166th Way 3,398 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 16525 E. Dixileta Dr. 2,275 / 3 / 2.5 / 1-1.9 acres 16340 E. Gamble Ln. 3,749 / 5 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 35117 N. 139th Way 4,184 / 4 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 35029 N. 139th Way 4,184 / 4 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 35021 N. 139th Way 4,204 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 29213 N. 148th St. 3,152 / 3 / 2.75 / 2-4.9 acres 29208 N. 148th St. 2,750 / 4 / 2 / 2-4.9 acres 28717 N. 139 Pl. 3,134 / 4 / 3 / 2-4.9 acres 31425 N. 141st Pl. 4,180 / 5 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 15416 E. Lomas Verde Ln. 3,403 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 13631 E. Casey Ln. 5,500 / 5 / 4.5 / 2-4.9 acres 30509 N. 160th St. 3,063 / 4 / 2.5 / 1-1.9 acres 29715 N. 146th St. 5,176 / 5 / 3 / 5-9.9 acres 14515 E. Desert Vista Trl. 4,801 / 4 / 5 / 1-1.9 acres 14322 E. Lowden Ct. 5,500 / 5 / 5 / 2-4.9 acres PENDING SALES SINCE LAST PUBLICATION: 31605 N. 164th St. 1,200 / 3 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 14318 E. Casey Ln. 1,887 / 3 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 27805 N. 154th St. 2,353 / 3 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 31229 N. 164th St. 1,803 / 4 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 14023 E. Barbie Ln. 3,704 / 5 / 3 / 1-1.9 acres 14827 E. Morning Vista Ln. 2,561 / 4 / 3 / 1-1.9 acres 16509 E. Dixileta Dr. 2,345 / 3 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 16328 E. Gamble Ln. 3,463 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 26607 N. 156th St. 3,544 / 4 / 4.5 / 1-1.9 acres 14009 E. Quail Track Rd. 3,543 / 4 / 2.5 / 1-1.9 acres 16644 E. Horned Owl Trl. 3,381 / 5 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 33411 N. 141st St. 3,850 / 4 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 31321 N. 161st Pl. 3,621 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 15512 E. Morning Vista Ln. 3,640 / 4 / 3 / 1-1.9 acres 299 N. 175 St. 3,348 / 5 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 15509 E. Melanie Dr. 3,522 / 4 / 3 / 1-1.9 acres 13807 E. Casey Ln. 2,890 / 3 / 3 / 1-1.9 acres 31416 N. 166th Pl. 3,340 / 3 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 34325 N. 138th St. 4,016 / 5 / 4.5 / 2-4.9 acres 15406 E. Cavedale Dr. 3,634 / 4 / 3.5 / 5-9.9 acres 13747 E. Montgomery Rd. 4,801 / 5 / 5.5 / 1-1.9 acres 31210 N. 142nd St. 4,053 / 4 / 4.5 / 1-1.9 acres 30325 N. 170th St. 5,980 / 3 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 33226 N. 142nd St. 5,218 / 4 / 4.5 / 1-1.9 acres SOLD SINCE LAST PUBLICATION: 31217 N. 142nd St. 3,664 / 5 / 5 / 1-1.9 acres 27117 N. 162nd St. 2,944 / 4 / 3 / 2-4.9 acres 30829 N. 138th St. 4,001 / 4 / 4 / 1-1.9 acres 14516 E. Peak View Rd. 2,300 / 4 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 27422 N. 137th St. 2,450 / 4 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 34211 N. 141st St. 2,097 / 3 / 2.5 / 1-1.9 acres 28327 N. 139th Pl. 3,080 / 4 / 3 / 1-1.9 acres 27804 N. 152nd St. 2,800 / 4 / 2 / 1-1.9 acres 16229 E. White Feather Ln. 3,311 / 4 / 3 / 2-4.9 acres 14625 E. Desert Vista Trl. 3,053 / 4 / 3.5 / 1-1.9 acres 27808 N. 156th St. 3,307 / 5 / 4 / 5-9.9 acres

Days On Market

List Price

21 15 20 34 20 20 24 18 18 24 18 19 11 17 20 13 20 26 21 7

$231,900 $250,000 $294,900 $299,000 $299,900 $335,000 $399,900 $425,000 $425,000 $425,000 $559,000 $595,000 $649,000 $684,900 $715,000 $795,000 $799,000 $799,000 $960,000 $1,199,000

351 95 25 35 21 1 37 2 7 110 33 4 348 41 21 27 67 74 161 273 42 24 313 95 DOM 4 9 343 8 37 86 22 27 2 18 109

$149,500 $227,000 $229,900 $235,000 $237,900 $259,900 $259,900 $299,000 $299,900 $310,000 $329,900 $340,000 $340,000 $359,900 $365,000 $378,000 $400,000 $419,000 $445,000 $479,000 $595,000 $660,000 $799,000 $800,000 Sold Price $650,000 $370,000 $785,000 $307,000 $365,000 $265,000 $405,000 $800,000 $359,900 $450,000 $640,000

List Price $650,000 $369,900 $875,000 $306,900 $375,000 $279,900 $425,000 $850,000 $359,900 $449,900 $670,000

All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The properties on this list have been listed/sold by various participants in the MLS. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

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