szabogroup, Author at Scottsdale Real Estate Team / Arizona Luxury Homes

Economic Highlights for the week ending May 24, 2013

May 28, 2013 szabogroup

MONDAY, MAY 20^TH New and existing home sales data, Fed comments and meeting minutes will likely dominate rate movements this week. Equities were little changed and Treasury yields rose in trading today as investors pondered Chicago Fed President Evans’ remarks that he was optimistic about the economic recovery. Speculation mounted as to the timing of changes in highly accommodative monetary policy and bond and MBS purchase programs currently in place. The benchmark 10-year yield was up 1bps to close at 1.965%. TUESDAY, MAY 21^ST The FOMC minutes from the April 30-May1 meeting again continued to show a Committee divided about the appropriate timing for tapering off asset purchases. Most of the discussion centered on the appropriate size of the balance sheet; the strength of the economy in relation to the Feds exist strategy was also debated. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke warned of unwinding stimulus too soon but acknowledged there is a chance the Fed could begin to taper asset purchases at one of the next few meetings. Economic growth and inflation data will likely be the key determinants in dialing back QE; economists are not expecting large changes this year and will continue to adjust expectations on a meeting to meeting basis. WEDNESDAY, MAY 22^ND The MBA mortgage applications index fell 9.8% for the week ending May 17. This follows a 7.3% decline in the previous week. The purchase index was down 3.0% last week as the refinance index tumbled 11.7%. Volatility in application activity is probably related to another jump in contract mortgage rates. After jumping 8 bps in the prior week, the 30-year fixed was up 11 bps last week to 3.78%. Existing home sales which include single-family, townhomes, condos and co-ops increased 0.6% in April to an annual rate of 4.97 million, less than expectations for a rate of 4.99 million. Home re-sales are now 9.7% above their year ago level. Distressed properties accounted for 18% of total sales last month, down from 21% in March; all cash sales were 32% of all transactions in April up from 30% in March; first-time buyers made up 29% of sales in April compared with 30% in March, while investors comprised 19% of total transactions unchanged from March. Existing home sales overall continue to trend modestly higher. Regionally, sales were up in all areas except for the Midwest where they fell 3.4%. The inventory of homes available increased 11.9% in April to 2.16 million which represents a 5.2 month-supply at the current sales pace. Spring selling season and recent price gains are probably bring ing more homes into the market. Home prices were up in April from April one year ago with the median price for an existing home gaining 11.0% to $192,800. Demand remains solid but in some areas tight supplies of homes at lower price points are constraining sales especially in the West. The NAR reports that median time on the market for all homes was 48 days in April vs. 83 days in April 2012. Economists expect the housing market recovery to continue this year amid stronger demand and high affordability. THURSDAY, MAY 23^RD Jobless claims fell 23k to 340k for the week ending May 18. This partially reverses a 35k jump in claims in the previous week. Claims have dropped back below the 350k range indicating continued slow improvement in the labor market. Expectations are for job growth to continue at a modest 150k a month pace for the month of May. New home sales increased 2.3% in April to a annual rate of 454k; this follows an upwardly revised March rate of 444k. New home sales are now 29% above their year ago level in April 2012. Sales gains were located in the South and West; sales declined in the Northeast and Midwest. Inventories remain quite lean at a 4.1 month supply at the current sales price. New home prices also advanced again amid strong demand and limited supply. The median price for a new home was up 14.9% on the year to $271,600. FRIDAY, MAY 24^TH

Stock Market Close for the Week

Index	Latest	A Week Ago	Change
DJIA	15303.10	15354.40	-51.30 or -0.33%
NASDAQ	3459.14	3498.97	-39.83 or -1.14%

WEEK IN ADVANCE

The holiday shortened week yields plenty of data on manufacturing, housing and consumer sentiment. Recent trends are generally expected to continue, with weak manufacturing growth, recovery in home sales and prices and stabilizing consumer attitudes.

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Beat the Heat and Tour your City By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Arizona

May 27, 2013 szabogroup

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Every year the summer season filters the activities and possible outdoor adventures that the resilient Valley of the Sun inhabitants chooses to do. The question is where to go and what to do when the heat does not allow us to spend much time outside. Once the 21st of June makes the corner we are set for the next couple of months of intense heat, but there are besides the usual pool activities a few indoor spaces that bring culture and rest from the scorching sun. Many think of traveling outside Arizona if possible or just outside Phoenix and head north into the mountains to escape the heat for a while. These days, if traveling is out of reach, and you are looking to changing your perspective in your courtyard become a tourist in your town this summer. It is good to know that our cities are well sprinkled with good architectural museums. Besides the enjoyment that the architecture and interior design these buildings provide, the exhibits will surprise you and hopefully turn you into a fan. This economic downturn may be changing our summer experience but not necessarily in a negative way. During the last years a lot of investment has been placed on our local museums due to potential tourism. We could take advantage of this fact and have quality indoor experiences with no heat stroke risks. A short drive from Scottsdale, it will be easy to find the Phoenix Art Museum which is a good place to spend worthwhile summer indoor time. Offering great permanent exhibits and spaces that will keep you busy for a while, it always allows you to discover something new every visit. The Tod William and BillieTsien Architects is very well conceived and seamlessly increased the capacity of the museum. The gift shop itself will keep you entertained for a while and the museum café offers very good food. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art by Will Bruder- Architect, sits inside the cultural center of our town and pivots around several structures and fun commercial establishments that will create a full day of activity under a protective environment. The great thing about this museum is how art has been intertwined with the architecture to create memorable spaces. Do not miss the Scrim Wall by James Carpenter creating light effects and the Knight Rise Skyspace exhibit by James Turrel. An exciting destination in Scottsdale is the MIM or Music Instruments Museum. This brand new building housing the first global musical instruments museum will sure provide many hours of indoor cultural heaven. Its large area and brand new state of the art self guided tours are a great experience themselves. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Architectural Styles By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Arizona

May 20, 2013 szabogroup

Szabo Group, Joe Szabo, Joseph Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate, Scottsdale Home for Sale, Scottsdale, Arizona, Scottsdale Arizona, Scottsdale Real Estate Agent, Scottsdale Real Estate, Buy or Sell Real Estate Scottsdale Arizona, Award Winning Realtor Scottsdale, Top Real Estate Agent Joe Szabo, Top Real Estate Agent Scottsdale, Scottsdale Real Estate, Remax Top Producer, Top Producer Scottsdale

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Most homeowners of historic homes have a general appreciation of the historical and architectural importance of their own residence, but few know about its specific style and history. In an attempt to help you understand the differences in home styles, I have narrowed it down to three types of homes in the North Scottsdale Homes for Sale area. A popular style in Arizona is the Southwest home. This type of home is probably what one thinks of when picturing Arizona homes. It is influenced by the Spanish Colonial revival and Indian Pueblo revival. It is generally a stucco home with a low, flat roof and sparse or no ornaments. It is known for its exposed wooden ceiling beams, which ad to the authenticity of the Spanish style. Another style is the Mediterranean revival. This type of home pulls its appearance from lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It was originated in San Diego, California, and Arizona was quickly influenced by this style. The warm temperatures are conducive to this type of home with courtyards, smooth, simple stuccoed walls and arched openings leading to tiled balconies. The distinguished red tiled roofs give these homes the feel of an Italian Villa. Last let’s look at the Spanish Colonial Ranch. This home is really a combination of the Southwest style and the Mediterranean style. It is generally one story, red tiled roofs, white stuccoed or brick chimneys and roman arches. These homes will often have single and groups of fixed, sliding or casement windows (sometimes shuttered). There are influences from many different regions and eras. The majority of homes still remain influenced by the Spanish Colonial, Mediterranean and Southwest style of home. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

The NBA Playoffs – Fun Facts

May 20, 2013 szabogroup

The NBA Playoffs

The National Basketball Association and member teams have a long and colorful history. Here are a few milestones for the famous lead-up to the Finals:

The NBA was renamed in 1950 from the Basketball Association of America.
The first playoffs were held in 1947 as a three-stage tournament, similar to the Stanley Cup of the 1930s for hockey. Two first-place teams qualified directly to the semifinals where they played each other in a best-of-seven match.
In 1984, the tournament expanded to sixteen teams; the first round was changed in 2003 to best-of-seven.
The Chicago Bulls, the San Antonio Spurs and the Sacramento Kings are the only teams to have never lost in the Finals–winning 6, 4 and 1 respectively.
The 1999 Knicks are the only 8th seeded team ever to reach the Finals.
The Boston Celtics possess the most overall finals series wins with an overall record of 17-4.
In 1999, the San Antonio Spurs owned the longest playoff winning streak for a single postseason–12 straight wins in the playoffs and a 15-2 finish overall.
The longest ever streak of playoff appearances belongs to the Syracuse Nationals (who became the Philadelphia 76ers). They made the playoffs 22 years in a row from 1949 to 1971.
The top 50 Players in NBA history have accumulated 107 NBA Championships, 49 Most Valuable Player Awards, 17 Rookie of the Year honors, 447 All-Star Game selections, 36 scoring titles, 923,791 total points and 410,327 total rebounds

Enjoy a Day Off By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Arizona

May 13, 2013 szabogroup

Golf course, Joe Szabo, Szabo Group, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Looking for something to do before it gets to hot? Enjoy a relaxed day at the golf course. This course is one of many breath-taking courses in Scottsdale. The championship course is the centerpiece of Orange Tree Golf Resort in Scottsdale. It has a longstanding reputation as one of the best traditional courses in the state. The parkland layout is an interesting contrast to the desert golf courses that Scottsdale is known for. The lush, grassy landscape is accented by tall trees and golfers can enjoy nice views of the scenic surroundings. The elevation changes are minimal but the greens are gently sloped and they are kept in excellent condition. The course has several lakes that come into play as well as numerous strategically placed bunkers that appear both along the fairways and greenside. Orange Tree Golf Resort’s somewhat tight fairways are mostly straight and some are bordered by residences, but there are a few gentle doglegs thrown into the mix. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Silverleaf in DC Ranch – Community Profile – Scottsdale Arizona

May 13, 2013 szabogroup

Tucked into the canyons of the McDowell Mountains in North Scottsdale, Silverleaf, is a private enclave of custom estate home sites and intimate retreats. With its custom designed Tom Weiskopf golf course, clubhouse and spa, Silverleaf offers an exceptional desert living experience. Within its limits is a natural sanctuary of vast space and sweeping mountains which provides quiet detachment and vital engagement. This Sonoran Desert retreat offers an inspired living experience with accessibility to social amenities along with luxury from this private residential club. This is the pure enjoyment of life. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuMcqoiv47c&w=560&h=315]

Choosing A Scottsdale Windows Specialist By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Arizona

May 13, 2013 szabogroup

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Are you considering purchasing or replacing your Scottsdale windows? Are you looking for information on how to choose a Scottsdale windows specialist? Then this article is for you. This article will discuss the products and services of a quality Scottsdale windows specialist as well as provide information about what to look for in and what to expect from these specialists. Scottsdale windows require a special selling approach. Look for a reputable company that is considered a leader in home renovation and home remodeling in the area and one that offers a unique and custom approach to their window installation. After all, there are all manner of windows in Scottsdale – the idea that a house full of them could be replaced with the same kind of glass in each one would be a costly mistake for a home in Arizona. Windows that aren’t heat resistant would result in sky-high household energy costs, but placing unnecessarily expensive windows throughout the home, even in areas that never face the Sun, would be an unnecessary expense. For instance, if you live in Scottsdale, windows facing north will not be exposed to the Sun as often as west-facing windows. Therefore, the R-value of that window on the north side of your home won’t need to be as high. A Scottsdale window specialist, trained to find the best solution to replacing windows, will be able to recommend the best possible window – not necessarily the most expensive one. High Performance Scottsdale Windows Efficient Scottsdale windows curtail heat loss and gain, allowing light in while blocking harmful UV rays. Find a reputable remodeling company in Arizona company that offers the highest performing glass systems, which create a quieter, more energy efficient home. This remarkable glass specially designed for Scottsdale windows lets the sun shine in, yet with the insulation of a block wall. In addition to its superior products, find a home remodeling company that is structured so that only its employees install the windows – be sure there are no subcontractors. As such, you will never have to wait for weeks or months for a project to finish because of the various schedules of the various companies hired to finish your one window replacement job. In this way, the Scottsdale windows specialist can oversee the project, and ensure that three basic remodeling intentions are executed: – To finish the project on budget – To finish the project on time – To make the project stress free for the customer With a reputable Scottsdale windows specialist’s business model, the customer comes first, and the quality of its products and installation are a given. Look for a specialist that has had such success with the way it treats its customers and comes highly recommended by either friends or family or the Better Business Bureau. Do yourself a favor – do your research and find a reputable Scottsdale windows specialist. These specialists can take the burden off your shoulders when you are ready to consider replacing your windows or doors, or remodeling your kitchen or bath, or even refacing your cabinets. It will be an experience like no other. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

DC Ranch – Scottsdale, Arizona

May 10, 2013 szabogroup

DC Ranch – Located high in the majestic Sonoran Desert, DC Ranch is Arizona’s premier golf and residential community. Offering intimate, inviting neighborhoods and modern conveniences, DC Ranch exudes the feel of a small town’s genuine sense of place and history. DC Ranch holds the best of Arizona real estate in a welcoming environment that provides families with many opportunities to connect with friends and neighbors. This exclusive desert lifestyle includes all of the fabulous amenities found in a beautiful golf course community. In every respect, DC Ranch is worthy of its reputation for offering its residences a desirable standard of living.

Phoenix and Scottsdale Area Communities Map

May 10, 2013 szabogroup

Phoenix and Scottsdale Area Communities Map

Home Prices continue to Rise according to USA Today Business by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate

May 10, 2013 szabogroup

Scottsdalemtn, Joe Szabo, Szabo Group, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Home Prices Rising in Phoenix and surrounding areas.

Home prices continue to rise, here in Phoenix and specifically Scottsdale. According to the article in USA today home prices rose nationally almost 10% in the past 12 months. This is true for the 20 biggest cities inlcuding Phoenix and the largest growth in the past 7 years. Price increases, they say, are due to increased demand, a tightening of inventory of homes for sale and fewer foreclosed properties which tend to sell at a discounted rate to others. Phoenix stood out, according to AOL and the S&P/Case-Shiller Index showed, with a gain of 23%, followed by San Francisco at almost 19% and Las Vegas at nearly 18%. For this an more housing information please check back with us regularly for our local Luxury Home Reports and Housing Market Reports at www.scottsdalerealesestateteam.com and head to the Scottsdale Lifestyle Journal for these and other helpful and informative articles. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit https://scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

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