AZ Real Estate 06-28-2015

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R E A C H U S || TA M E R A T H O R N T O N , TA M E R A . T H O R N T O N @ A R I Z O N A R E P U B L I C . C O M || B U S I N E S S . A Z C E N T R A L . C O M

CATHERINE REAGOR REAL ESTATE

Counter fit Granite is still king in the kitchen, but quartz and ‘exotics’ are trending

GREMLYN BRADLEY-WADDELL |

Pricey homes hit market in the Valley

SPECIAL FOR THE REPUBLIC • AZCENTRAL.COM

Countertops have it rough. Not only are they considered the prime real estate of the kitchen, but homeowners also expect them to look stunning at all times, even though they face daily threats of knife blades, scalding pans and exploding school science experiments.

Look for a countertop material that fits your needs and budget. MARY FISHER DESIGNS

Although the overall shape and function of countertops have not changed much over time, the materials used to create these kitchen workhorses have. The popularity of laminates gave way years ago to the luxe look of granite, which maintains a rock-steady hold on the market, but several stylish newcomers are also attracting attention, according to those in the industry. That said, it’s quartz that seems to be the top trendsetter these days. “There’s a strong preference for quartz, because it’s so hard and durable and easy to care for, and people are starting to tire of the granite selections,� said Mary Fisher-Knott, owner and founder of Mary Fisher Designs in Scottsdale, who is seeing more requests these days for quartz than stone. “When granite, marble and quartz are sealed and fabricated correctly, you’ll have as little maintenance as possible.� In particular, she likes an updated, sophisticated See COUNTER, Page 3R

Metro Phoenix is drawing more homebuyers with deeper pockets. Sales of houses priced around $1 million are steady now; multimillion-dollar mansion sales are soaring. Last month, 11 houses sold for $3 million or more, almost double the pace from the year before, according to Walt Danley Realty’s monthly reported research with housing analyst Mike Orr. One reason the Valley is drawing more high-dollar homebuyers is because the area has bigger and more opulent houses than it once did. In the 1990s, hotel diva Leona Helmsley’s Paradise Valley estate was the priciest home for sale in Arizona history with an asking price of $25 million. The house, located on 10 acres, was posh with 10,000 square feet of space and a 350pound, 24-karat-gold crystal chandelier. But the former of home of the “Queen of Mean� ended up selling for only $8 million in 2005. It was torn down a few years later to make way for a bigger, more modern mansion. The chandelier was on sale at a resale shop a year ago. The priciest house for sale in Arizona can be found in Scottsdale’s Silverleaf neighborhood, which backs up to the McDowell Mountains. For $32 million, a buyer can get a 30,000-square-foot estate on 17 acres. The Tuscan- Mediterraneanstyle mansion comes with 14 fireplaces and 17 waterfalls and other aqua features. Seth Koppes, co-founder of St. Louis-based Bancorp Services, currently owns the house. The second most expensive house for sale in Arizona, at $25 million, is owned by Baseball Hall of Famer Randy Johnson. The 25,000-square-foot, Tuscan-style home near Paradise Valley's Mummy Mountain has seven bedrooms and 12 baths. Johnson is selling because he bought a slightly smaller home in Silverleaf. Check out the five highest-priced houses for sale in metro Phoenix on azcentral.com. Danley expects it will be a strong summer for home sales with prices up to $2 million but said “activity for properties above $2 million is fairly quiet once the temperature hits the triple digits in metro Phoenix.� Even the Valley’s most deluxe homes complete with several top-of-the-line air conditioners aren’t enough to draw a lot of wealthy shoppers when it’s 110 degrees in the desert.

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IDYLLIC INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING. Graced with a MLS# gorgeous gated courtyard, this sensational home is perfect for Bedrooms idyllic alfresco living, dining and entertaining thanks to magical Bath rear grounds with a heated waterfall-grotto pool, party-size spa, Pool putting green, lighted sport court and a fabulous 576-square-foot shuttered outdoor kitchen with a fireplace and multiple cooking Sq. Ft. stations. Quiet cul-de-sac lot w/rural ambience. Courtyard entry. ZIP Code Magnificent great room w/split-stone fireplace column, custom media wall, peeled pole accents. First-class kitchen. Sumptuous Online Pics Price master retreat. Terrace-floored media room. Big RV barn, amazing main garage, huge motor court. Full guest home. Visit tourfactory. com/1352178. Inside: details, directions.

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