Prestige Sep 09

Silverleaf’sHot Real Estate Listings

Feeling Stressed?Simple Tips for Relaxation

Contemporary Coastal CuisineAvalon’s Rib Eye Steak

Home Staging A Successful Strategy in Today’s Market

September 2009

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing. Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996

please contact marnie rosenthal at 480.298.2971 to have your home featured.

MARNIE ROSENTHALTOP PRODUCER /DC Ranch Traditions Sponsor

Luxury Homes, Quality Living... That’s My Specialty!Russ Lyon | Sotheby’s International Realty23733 N. Scottsdale Rd., #200Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Cell: [email protected]

DC Ranch Camelot2,050 sq. ft. / 3 Bed • 2.5 Bath

$989,000

$6500/mo. Lease

Desert Haciendas 3,580 sq. ft. / 3 Bed • 3.5 Bath

$1,195,000

Silverleaf Lot 1 Acre with plans

$700,000

I am honored and excited to join the DC Ranch-Silverleaf family as the new TRADITIONS SPONSOR! As a resident and Top Producing Green Realtor in the community, I feel privileged to be able to

live, work and play in this special community. Raised in the Midwest, change of seasons brought on several traditions. Here in DC Ranch-Silverleaf, we are creating lasting memories and traditions

through the wonderful events held in the community. DC Ranch-Silverleaf isn’t just a location... it is a destination with a fabulous LIFESTYLE!

DC Ranch Camelot Haciendas5,000 sq. ft. / 5 Bed • 4.5 Bath

$1,525,000

DC Ranch Country Club3,780 sq. ft. / 4 Bed • 4 Bath

$1,585,000

featured properties in silverleaf

featured properties

All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

DC Ranch1,851 sq. ft. / 3 Bed • 2 Bath

$629,000

Sonoran Crest5,771 sq. ft. / 6 Bed • 6 Bath

$2,300,000

$1,069,000

DC Ranch Camelot Haciendas 4,166 sq. ft. / 4 Bed • 3.5 Bath

$1,495,000

DC Ranch Estates3,209 sq. ft. / 3 Bed • 2.5 Bath

$899,000

Windgate4,259 sq. ft. / 5 Bed • 5 Bath

$1,550,000 or $5500/mo. Lease

Silverleaf4,534 sq. ft. / 5 Bed • 5.5 Bath

$8500/mo. Lease

Grayhawk Raptor Retreat5,072 sq. ft. / 4 Bed • 4.5 Bath

$1,899,000

La Vista3,100 sq. ft. / 4 Bed • 3 Bath

$515,000

$3,000,0006,043 sq. ft. / 6 Bed • 5.5 Bath

$2,950,0006,533 sq. ft. / 6 Bed • 6.5 Bath

$1,500,0004,534 sq. ft. / 5 Bed • 5.5 Bath

$550,00044,431 sq. ft. / Lot 3208

Windgate Ranch 4,300 sq. ft. / 4 Bed • 4 Bath

$1,500,000 or $5500/mo. Lease

LEASED

Phoenix CooksWestin Kierland Resort & Spa, Sept. 5th 602.374.6024 or phoenixcooks.comThis is the ultimate culinary dream come true! Three performance-kitchen stages will showcase the talents of several remarkable chefs from over 50 restaurants and resorts. Participate in an interactive cooking session with a top chef and learn healthy variations of your favorite dishes. Or, simply kick back, have a drink and indulge in all the great food. Proceeds benefit the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Healing FieldTempe Beach Park, Sept. 11th – 14th 480.967.2001 or tempe.gov/lakeStroll down Tempe’s Healing Field in remembrance of those who died during the tragic events of September 11, 2001. 3,000 American flags are placed in honor of the heroism, strength and unity of Americans on this infamous day in our country’s history. What a perfect opportunity to unite again as a community, remember the fallen, and stand strong in the face of those who wish to harm us.

So Long to Summer FestFreestone Park Ballfield Complex, Sept. 12th480.503.6871 or ci.gilbert.az.us/parksHead over to Gilbert to bid adieu to summer. The City of Gilbert coordinates this yearly event and provides activities for the entire family to enjoy. Listen to live music, try your hand (and feet) at wall climbing, and let the kids enjoy the inflatable bounces and slides. A colorful fireworks display will round out the celebration!

Walk for Homeless FamiliesWesley Bolin Memorial Park, Sept. 19th 602.275.7852 or umom.orgHolding their first-ever Walk for Homeless Families, UMOM is encouraging people to step out for some fun physical activity and raise funds and awareness for the ever-growing needs of Arizona’s homeless families. You can register as a group or independent walker and can choose the 5K or 10K course. If walking isn’t your style, join the event as a volunteer or to simply cheer on others.

2009 Arizona Restaurant WeekVarious restaurants in the Valley, Sept. 19th – 26th 602.307.9134 or arizonarestaurantweek.comShowcasing the many culinary gems here in the Valley, Arizona Restaurant Week returns with a bang! During this seven-day promotion, scores of Valley restaurants will feature a special three-course menu featuring some of their signature dishes at $29 per person or $59 a couple. Restaurants participating in this event include Bloom, Arrowhead Grill and Tarbell’s. Treat yourself to a fabulous meal, while supporting our local restaurant industry!

Legally BlondeASU Gammage, Sept. 22nd – 27th480.965.3434 or asugammage.com Based on the hit movie, Legally Blonde has been transformed into a hilarious and uplifting musical. Elle is determined to prove herself when her boyfriend dumps her for someone “more serious” and decides to attend the most “serious” university around, Harvard Law. Legally Blonde has only been running for two years and has already been nominated for six Tony Awards!

SEPTEMBER 2009

As the saying goes, you get one chance to make a first impression and it better be good. Just ask your Realtor – they know that the homes that are selling today are those that stand out from the competition. Because your Realtor is well-versed on what’s on the market, what’s selling, who’s buying and what properties YOUR home is competing with, they are your best resource to determine if and how you should stage your home. Some homeowners are reluctant to spend the additional money it costs to stage. Who can blame them? However, factor in the cost of having your home sit on the market longer; and figure the higher price you may earn by staging and it is usually a worthwhile investment. Statistics show that a staged home far outsells one that is not. Your Realtor can give you seasoned advice on home staging and can recommend a professional home stager that will understand what appeals to a buyer looking in your specific neighborhood and price range.

TO STAGE OR NOT TO STAGE Why is staging so effective? Often buyers have little imagination. According to Christi

Balzarini with Parker Rose Design, a professional staging firm in the Valley, furnished homes appeal to the buyer’s emotions and eliminate any doubt in space planning. If your home is already furnished, it needs to have the “wow” factor. If your property is vacant, giving potential buyers a “sense of possibility” with furnished and decorated spaces is critical to your success. A staged home makes it easier to imagine living there and adds value to the sale. Some luxury home buyers want to purchase a turn-key property – furnishings and all. If you can offer them the total package up front, you’ve met the needs of many potential buyers. Balzarini says, “Typically a buyer budgets about 20-25% of the purchase price for furnishings, so a $1 million home buyer should plan on spending about $200,000 to nicely furnish their home. Parker Rose Design can accomplish that for approximately 30-40% less.”

MODEL LIKE A MODEL Fashion designers dress models to sell their clothes, so dress your home to sell the house. Tour model homes and you’ll always notice “well-clothed” rooms. Since model homes are

strategically designed to sell, you can find great hints for staging. Most model homes have a dream kitchen. Experts know that it’s the kitchens that sell homes. Resurfaced cabinets, modernized knobs and those little designer model home touches work wonders. Pay attention to countertops. You rarely see appliances sitting around in a model. If you do, they are high-end and shiny. Mirrors sparkle, closets are organized, tattered paperbacks are hidden, flowers are fresh and no toys or dirty laundry are visible. Making your home appeal to a buyer isn’t easy. Most of us have too much stuff. Parting with belongings and prepping your home to appeal to strangers can be daunting, so it’s best to hire a home staging professional. To save on costs, many home stagers recommend staging only the high impact areas such as the living space, kitchen and

dining area, and master bedroom. The outside of an Arizona home is as important as the inside. Buyers are often from other parts of the country and choose to live here because of the great weather and ability to spend time outdoors. Pay attention to the landscaping, pool and spa area, patio and the all-important curb appeal. If you have an outdoor living/entertaining area, model it to look like a resort so that buyers can visualize their lifestyle there. Plants, accessories, pillows, candles…they all do wonders to help buyers want to make your home THEIR home.

Intellectually we know what Gandhi means by this, but not many of us have his discipline. He was a man who practiced a simple existence but was far from a simple man. He accomplished more than most and managed to exhibit calm and peace even when facing the biggest challenges. We may not come close to the Gandhi-like persona, but we can certainly aim for a more calm and peaceful approach to life. The key is to reduce stress from our lives, find inner joy and practice relaxing behaviors.

GOOD/BAD STRESS Stress is your body’s reaction to any real or imagined threat. Some stress is unavoidable and some is actually helpful, especially in emergencies. The right amount of stress is a good thing but too much isn’t good for anyone. When working properly, the body’s response to stress enables it to perform well under pressure. When a person’s stress response overreacts or doesn’t allow the body to return to its normal state, serious physical problems can occur.

STRESS BE-GONE You can’t eliminate stress completely but you can learn to deal with it. The well-known activities proven to reduce stress include exercise, meditation, massage, yoga and adequate sleep. But there are even more tactics to helping your body overcome stress and its harmful effects – some that take effort and some that are quite simple. Healthy eating is critical to dealing with stress. We often overeat or eat poorly under stress. When our bodies are stressed, the digestion system begins working lethargically and doesn’t allow you to burn calories effectively or absorb nutrients properly. Keep a positive attitude. Reducing stress isn’t easy but is necessary to a happier and healthier life. Little steps help. Throughout the day make an effort to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. Avoid stress-inducing media reports, surround yourself with happy people, remind yourself of all the good things you are experiencing each day. Many people

swear by a “gratitude journal” in which they record things that make them happy. Staying positive even in today’s tough times is one of the most important things you can do for your well-being. Below are some additional methods to keeping stress at bay:

1. Manage Time – set reachable goals, keep a calendar, say “no”2. Self Encouragement – be positive about and toward yourself3. Scalp Massage – thumbs behind ears and palms on scalp4. Intimacy – cuddle, kiss, hug someone, hold hands5. Visualization – close your eyes, focus on something beautiful6. Laughter – read a comic, watch a funny movie, pass along Internet jokes7. Stretch – reach for the sky, the floor, twist, turn8. Walk – walk the dog, to the mailbox, around your desk… just walk9. Breathe – inhale deeply, exhale slowly

AVALON RIB EYE

Featuring Avalon7707 E. McDowell Rd. • Scottsdale

480.656.0010 or avalon-scottsdale.com

Steak:2 ea. 12 oz. prime rib eye steaks3 ea. whole garlic cloves1 Tbsp. rosemary leaves - whole 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oilsalt and pepper

Fingerling Potato Hash:2 cups fingerling potatoes - roasted and halved1/2 cup yellow peppers - roasted and sliced1/2 cup red peppers - roasted and sliced1/2 cup pancetta - diced 2 ea. garlic cloves - minced 1 tsp. parmesan cheese - grated 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oilsalt and pepper

Bordelaise Sauce:1 cup veal stock - reduced 1 Tbsp. rosemary 1 Tbsp. thyme3 Tbsp. yellow onions - diced1/2 cup Bordeaux wine1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

Procedure:In a non-reactive bowl, place two rib eye steaks with rosemary, garlic and olive oil. Allow to sit in marinade for at least 4 hours but preferably 8 hours. When the steaks have finished their marinade, heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Season steaks with salt and pepper and sear each steak for 5 minutes on each side. After the steaks are done cooking allow them to rest for 7 minutes while you prepare the fingerling hash.

In the same sauté pan that the steaks were cooked in, add olive oil and pancetta. Render off all of the fat and cook until pancetta is crispy. Remove the pancetta from the pan and set aside. Discard all but 1 tsp. of oil left in the pan. Now add garlic, red and yellow peppers and fingerling potatoes. Sauté over high heat until the potatoes begin to caramelize slightly. Turn the heat off and add the parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

For the sauce, heat 1 tsp. olive oil over medium-high heat in a small sauté pan. Add yellow onions and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir frequently as to not let the onions get any color. Add rosemary and thyme and cook for another minute. De-glaze with the wine. Cook the mixture down until the sauté pan is almost dry. Add the veal stock and bring to a simmer. Strain sauce through a fine mesh strainer.

The Good Ol ’ DaysAs kids, we released stress naturally. As adults, we are consumed by it. Go back to your childhood pastimes and relearn some basic stress relief strategies.

NAP – sometimes a little respite in a busy day is all we need to recharge

DAYDREAM – make up stories in your mind, imagine perfect places

SING – sing out loud, listen to music, dance

PLAY – start a hobby, play games on your computer, do something fun

DRAW – doodle, sketch, create a picture

SPORTS – ride a bike, take a swim, try something new

YELL – belt it out when you need a release

“There is more to life than increasing its speed ” ...Gandhi