Is the Sedona Luxury Residential Market Coming Back to Life? By Elisa Andreis J.D.Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty of Sedona Sedona AZ (June 21, 2013) – Let’s take a look at the Sedona luxury market in the context of the overall market by analyzing data on sale volume, price per square foot and days on market by price segment. Luxury homes in Sedona are defined as the $1M+ properties. 1. Sales Volume by price segment In 2006 the $500K+ market represented 56% of sales and the $1M + market 12% of total sales. Today, lower priced homes no longer dominate…
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By Dr. Marta AdelsmanLife Coach in Communication and Consciousnesswww.DrMartaCoach.com (June 21, 2013, 2013) Today I found myself humming the tune of the Beatles song, “Let It Be.” At the time it came out, I had no idea of the powerful impact those three words could have as a life practice. Since then, for me they have come to have a great deal of practical value.
A proud day in Sedona’s history! By Nancy Baer Sedona AZ (June 20, 2013) – On Wednesday, June 19, the Sedona City Council held a Special Workshop to direct staff’s next steps regarding APS’ plan to install smart meters in Sedona. Both APS and Sedona Smart Meter Awareness (SSMA) presented information about smart meters. It was standing room only as community members showed up to support the SSMA cause. Because time would not allow everyone who wanted to give public comment, the Mayor allowed 10 speakers all of whom spoke in opposition to Smart Meter installation. Their testimony is available…
By Henry Twombly, Sedona Resident(June 19, 2013) Dear Commissioners, I write to ask that you re-examine your oversight of APS. I can understand how tricky it must be “to balance the customers’ interest in affordable and reliable utility service with the utility’s interest in earning a fair profit.” Let me tell you why I think the scales of regulation are heavily skewed in favor of APS.
By Ann JarmuschHistoric Preservation Commissioner(June 18, 2013) I am appalled that City Council voted 4-3 to disband Sedona’s effective Historic Preservation Commission. Sedona’s irreplaceable heritage is at stake now that HPC itself is endangered. Done properly, preservation enriches our daily lives, heritage tourism, Native American legacy, property values and, especially, Sedona’s authentic character. Historic preservation requires ongoing study of preservation practices issued by the Secretary of the Interior and adopted by cities and states. Without HPC’s knowledgeable oversight, proactive monitoring and public awareness efforts, unique historic sites and buildings in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon face heightened risks of neglect, misguided…
By Steve Segner, Sedona Resident(June 15, 2013) The recent city council vote to get rid of city commissions was rushed through and based on a biased staff report. The city council did not get a balanced overview from which to make an informed decision. What was presented was a one size fits all view of government commissions driven by a potentially overworked staff. I suggest the council should take a leadership role in determining the value of each commission and committee. That being said the real question is “What kind of town does Sedona want to be?”
What does Trading Range say about the Sedona residential market? By Elisa Andreis J.D.Russ Lyon Sotheby’s InternationalRealty of Sedona Sedona AZ (June 14, 2013) – In May 2013 residential properties sold on average for 98.05% of list price versus 96.34% a year ago. In other words, the spread between sale price and list price in May was 1.95%, an indication of a healthy demand where sellers are able to nearly get the price they want for their home and buyers find themselves with limited bargaining power. In real estate terms, trading range is defined as the spread ratio between sale…
By Anne UruburuPresident, Sedona Public Library Board of Trustees Sedona AZ (June 13, 2013) – Sedona Public Library (SPL) Board of Trustees announces changes to the Library Board. Two Trustees are retiring at the annual meeting on June 18, two Trustees have recently filled vacant positions, and one Trustee continues for an additional three year term. This all-volunteer Board of Trustees is responsible for administering the affairs of this private, non-profit community organization that provides the services of a public library through contracts with local government for operational funding.
Sedona AZ (June 13, 2013) – The May 31, 2013 editorial by Jeff Bear, Assistant News Editor, addressed the pending closure of Studio Live. While I understand Mr. Bear’s frustrations, it is important that he and readers of the Sedona Red Rock News have a fuller understanding of the facts and issues regarding the City’s efforts to work with Susan Schomaker and the staff and board of the Sedona Arts Alliance/Studio Live.
By Henry Twombly, Sedona, AZ(June 11, 2013) The City continues to mismanage our funds. Sedona’s bond rating has been downgraded twice under our current mayor from A++ to A-. The Council has reneged on the original promise of subsidizing the waste-water plant by 46%, and next month will raise WW fees for the fourth time. Since these fees are a surrogate property tax for the 60% of us who are hooked up/in to this fiasco, why are the other 40% off the hook? Moreover it plans to wrongfully shift monies from the restricted WW Enterprise Fund to the General Fund,…
What is happening with Foreclosures and distressed sales in Sedona? By Elisa Andreis J.D., Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty of Sedona Sedona AZ (June 7, 2013) – Distressed sales include residential foreclosures, short sales and bank owned properties. While totally non-existent until 2008, distressed sales grew to represent over 40% of residential sales in 2011. The ratio has today shrunk to 24% with 11 distressed sales in April versus 45 total volume of sales. Looking forward, improving price levels, if sustained, will have a positive effect on the rate of distressed sale in the Sedona market.
By Dr. Marta AdelsmanLife Coach in Communication and Consciousnesswww.DrMartaCoach.com (June 7, 2013, 2013) I rarely experience depressive episodes, let alone suicidal thoughts. So imagine my surprise when, several months ago, thoughts of “offing” myself invaded my mind. I had entered into a period of some inner upheaval brought on by a time of significant change and loss. I wondered what meaning life held, and I became depressed.
By Elizabeth Cate, Collection Development Librarian Sedona AZ (June 7, 2013) – Sedona Public Library is pleased to announce that cardholders now have access to issues of complete digital magazines, through a new library service called Zinio. Available on any Internet computer and on certain tablets and phones, Zinio is a free online magazine collection that displays popular magazines on the screen just as they appear in the print version. Over 180 magazines to suit every interest are available through Zinio, including Consumer Reports, Yoga Journal, Car and Driver, and Martha Stewart Living. Zinio is a free service provided to libraries…
By James Bishop, Jr.(June 3, 2013) When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.— Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, circa 1890. Sometimes it feels as though we as a people have entered into the twilight zone where what is an illusion is real and what is real is an illusion. Readers of the Los Angeles Times likely felt way not long ago, I am told, when a research study reported that rapidly melting ice sheets and warming oceans associated with climate change will raise sea levels by six feet or higher on the West Coast—by…
Are Days on Market important when buyinga home in Sedona? By Elisa Andreis J.D.,Russ Lyon Sotheby’sInternational Realty of Sedona Sedona AZ (June 1, 2013) – Day on Market or DOM simply tracks the number of days a property is listed before it is sold. DOM is not a reliable predictive tool as it does not track or correlate with price movement, inventory or sale volume. Rather, it is a useful indicator for sellers to have an indication of the time it may take to sell their home and for making adjustments in the asking price in accordance with their expectations.