One of the best reasons to own Phoenix real estate is the proximity to great museums. Families in the Phoenix area have a great opportunity for fun and learning at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. It’s located in the center of downtown, at 215 North 7th Street, in the Monroe School Building. The Children’s Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $11. For unlimited fun, consider a membership. Annual memberships start at $125. The Children’s Museum is dedicated to allowing all children living on Phoenix real estate to visit. The Every Child Program is designed to allow low-income and at-risk kids to enjoy the museum. There’s also the Target Free First Friday Nights. On the first Friday of each month, the museum is open from 5 to 9 p.m. for free.

There are many exhibits for children to explore. Make a project in the Art Studio. Curl up in the Book Loft. Plan to attend a Storytime, too. Kids can indulge their love of building forts at Building Big. Explore the outdoor play yard at Move It! There are many more interactive exhibits kids will love. In Februrary, Block Mania is opening. Kids will love building all the structures their imaginations can come up with. Kids in Phoenix real estate will have a grand time at the different exhibits. Visit childrensmuseumofphoenix.org for more information.

Located in the Sonoran Desert, residents of Cave Creek homes often have a great view of desert wildlife. It’s such a treat to hear song birds, observe lizards scurrying around rocks, and see owls gliding through the night. Sometimes one of these fascinating creatures will turn up injured. One of the groups that works with injured raptor birds is Wild at Heart.

Wild at Heart works with eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls injured near Cave Creek homes. If you find a bird that needs help, line a cardboard box with a towel so the bird has something to grip. Cover the box with a towel or sheet and place it in a quiet, warm, and dark place. Don’t feed or give the creature water, as this can be deadly. Call Wild at Heart at 480-595-5047 for assistance with an injured raptor.

There are many opportunities to help Wild at Heart with its work. Educate yourself about raptors and your family and friends from Cave Creek homes by scheduling an event with the birds. Kids can help by becoming Junior Volunteers. They help out at the Wild at Heart Center. They also assist adults in Burrowing Owl Projects, which build habitat and relocate these fascinating animals. Scouts, schools, ROTC cadets and others have planned community service projects with Wild at Heart. Go to wildatheartowls.org to learn more about these birds and find more ways to help or donate.

One of the most fascinating pieces of Scottsdale property is architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, Taliesin West. When he saw this Scottsdale property, he reportedly said, “Oh, we have to build here. This is pure abstraction wherever you look.” Building began in 1937. The campus became not only his private winter home but also a studio and architectural campus.

Taliesin West is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors are welcome to come for public tours every day of the year, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Tours range from one to three hours. The signature Insights Tour is 90 minutes long. Visit the living quarters and the Garden Room, whose windows open onto the landscape. There are also tours of the beautiful desert surrounding Wright’s Scottsdale property. Proper footwear is required. Children over 12 may attend.

Taliesin West also offers a great schedule of classes. Pottery, Desert Shelter Design, and Digital Architectural Modeling, Hand-crafting and Design, Photography, and Nature Pattersn are all offered this spring. Some classes are for adults only, but many are for students in grades 5 to 12.

Click here to visit the website for Taliesin West. Reservations for tours are highly recommended and in some cases required. There is also the full schedule of classes and events.

Time goes so quickly. We’re already half way through January! Now seems like a good time to look at the Arizona housing market stats for November and December of 2014. Let’s analyze what those numbers might mean for Phoenix area homes in 2015.

At first sight, it seems that November was a horrible month for real estate but that things really picked up in December. The main issue is that there were only 17 working days in November. December had 22, which is a 29% increase in the days on which sales could be closed and deeds could be filed.

Even with the difference in the number of working days, December was a stronger month than expected. Sellers are seeing a distinctly improved market. The most important reason for this is that supply fell faster than normal in December.

Here’s a breakdown of the ARMLS numbers for January 1st from 2014 and 2015:

-Active Listings (excluding UCB): Down 2.1% from 23,091 last year to 22,604 now. Down 8.1% from 24,593 in December.

-Active Listings (including UCB): Down 1.6% from 25,319 last year to 24,918 now. Down 9.1% from 27,427 in December.

-Pending Listings: Down 5.5% from 4,667 last year to 4,410 now. Down 19.8% from 5,497 in December.

-Under Contract Listings (including Pending & UCB): Down 2.5% from 6,895 last year to 6,724 now. Down 19.3% from 8,331 in December.

-Monthly Sales: Up 11.3% from 5,837 last year to 6,496 now. Up 29.9% from 5,000 in December.

-Monthly Average Sales Price per Square Foot: Up 3.2% from $123.48 last year to $131.62 now. Up 1.8% from $129.30 in December.

-Monthly Median Sales Price: up 6.2% from $185,500 last year to $197,000 now. Up 2.6% from 192,000 in December.

In comparison to the previous two years, 2014 was very slow for the Arizona housing market, with demand very low and supply only slightly better. While it’s still early to make major prognostications, demand does seem to be picking up. What 2015 will bring to the market for Phoenix area homes depends very much on what happens with supply. If it increases a lot over the next three months, then we will continue to see the buyers’ market continue from 2014. However, the last four weeks have shown supply growing slowly, which will favor sellers as home prices rise.

(Source: Michael Orr of the Cromford Report and the WP Carey School at ASU)

Horse back riding is a great activity for those owning Cave Creek real estate. The nearby Tonto National Forest has wonderful trails to explore. Schedule a ride with the folks at Spur Cross Stables. They offer rides for all levels, from beginning to experienced. Guided rides during the day are offered on many trails, including ones with a view of petroglyphs and in the Tonto National Forest. Sunset rides are available. They provide riders with a magical ride and a chance to meet the creatures that come out as the sun goes down.

If you want to show off the most beautiful Cave Creek real estate to out of town guests, schedule a private ride. There are several trails to choose from, including the Petroglyphs Trail Ride, The Seven Springs Trail Ride, and the Crested Headed Saguaro Trail Ride. Most rides are designed to be “walking” rides, to be gentle on horses and their passengers. If you’d like something more challenging, Spur Cross guides can accommodate you.

For those not interested in horseback riding, Spur Cross Stables also offers guided hikes. Set out from the trailhead near Cave Creek homes, and you’ll soon be deep in back country. You’ll get a close look at the Bully mine of the 1800s, as well as the amazing plants and animals of the desert. Your guide will also tell you about the medicinal uses of some of the plants. Visit HorsebackArizona.com to plan your ride or hike. 

For racing fanatics owning Scottsdale properties, the Penske Racing Museum is the place for you. This museum displays a huge collection of cars, trophies, and racing memorabilia. It also holds several of Indianapolis 500 winners including the years 1972, 1987, 1984, 1981, 1991, 2001, and many more. Also plenty of different models, classic builds, and historic cars are available to view. The museum presents a great opportunity to see the historic cars that have triumphed in America’s favorite races and see the trophies of the victors.

Guests can also enjoy breakfast or lunch at the Turn 4 Cafe. While eating outside you can look over the testing track and the Land Rover off-road course, or view the trophies gallery inside the cafe.

Scottsdale properties owners can also host events at this museum, choosing anywhere from a fancy suit-and-tie occasion to a more casual venue. You can pick between an indoor, outdoor or both with a collapsable glass wall on the second floor. Food, beverage, music and the Land Rover Test Climb are available to all events hosted. The Penske Racing Museum will make your special occasion unforgettable with its unique venue.

The sport of racing has been apart of American history for generations. The deeply loved and historic aspects of it are cherished and collected for you near Scottsdale properties to enjoy.  Visit PenskeRacingMuseum.com to learn more and plan your visit.

Phoenix homes and real estate residents are invited to visit and enjoy the Musical Instrument Museum, the only museum in the world devoted to instruments from around the world. It holds over 360 exhibits, dedicated to every nation in the entire world. Each year a few specific countries are highlighted.

Rated as the number one attraction in Phoenix, it’s a must see for owners of Phoenix homes and real estate. This museum is endless in its displays, as they are constantly changing and presenting new exhibits. Great for all ages, guests can even play several unique instruments from all over the globe in the Experience Gallery. See how they are made as well. The exhibits hold audio and videos in each exhibit so you can hear and see exactly how the instruments are played. Also see instruments from famous musicians in the Artist Gallery, including John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Taylor Swift, and Carlos Santana. There is the new exhibit in the Artist Gallery featuring Johnny Cash and the Carter family.

This museum not only holds several galleries, it also hosts concerts of all sorts as well. Just in this upcoming October there are ten performances available, everything from jazz, piano, American Legacies, and events like the MIM Global Music Festival coming October 18-19.

The Musical Instrument Museum is a wonderful resource to your Phoenix homes and real estate that gives a multi-cultural experience for all to enjoy. The several concerts available and unique and changing exhibits will keep you entertained year round. Visit MIM.org to see what’s available now.

Cave Creek real estate is some of the most beautiful in the state of Arizona. The majestic mountains form a back drop for colorful sunrises and sunsets. The warm weather is great for outdoor activities. Many owners of Cave Creek real estate love golfing. Rancho Mañana Golf Club has been voted as one of Arizona’s “Most Scenic Golf Courses”. The 18-hole championship golf course has elevation changes in a lovely desert setting. There is also a driving range and space to practice chipping and putting. The golf shop stocks anything a golfer could need. After a round, freshen up in the locker rooms. Then order a meal at Tonto Bar & Grill. The unique mix of cuisines has garnered several awards. The views of Skull Mesa, Elephant Butte, and Tonto National Forest are incredible.

Residents of Cave Creek homes can choose to sign up for a round of golf once in a while. However, there are several membership levels to consider for those who want to take full advantage of the resort. Members have access to all the amenities of the resort, including a spacious outdoor pool. There are also weekly social events for men, women, and couples. Visit Rancho Mañana’s website to schedule a round of golf and learn more about all this resort has to offer. 

Market Summary for the Beginning of August

The big slump in demand is now 12 months old and as yet is showing very little sign of ending. It has already lasted much longer than almost anyone expected. With that as background it may seem surprising that the market has been improving for sellers over the last 4 months. The nadir was on March 17 when the Cromford® Market Index had dropped to 83.7. The improvement is not large and is almost entirely due to a fall in supply. When buyers are severely lacking in urgency, sellers usually choose to up the stakes by dropping prices. This is NOT what has happened in 2014. Although we have seen plenty of price cuts, these were mostly from levels that were well above market. Very few sellers have been prepared to discount their homes below market. Sellers have chosen instead to either take their homes off the market or simply wait. Neither side is showing a sense of urgency.

We expect active listings to grow between August and November, but the current arrival rate of new listings is the lowest in 14 years and the increase is therefore likely to be much weaker than we expected back in March. If this continues then it will keep the Cromford® Supply Index in check and prove beneficial to sellers.

Eventually demand will return to more normal levels, because everything in housing tends to be cyclical. It is anybody's guess when this return will get under way, but we expect to be the first to notice it happening. There is precious little to report yet.

Here are the basic ARMLS numbers for August 1, 2014 relative to August 1, 2013 for all areas & types:

• Active Listings (excluding UCB): 23,900 versus 16,456 last year - up 45.2% - but down 2.2% from 24,440 last month
• Active Listings (including UCB): 26,887 versus 19,779 last year - up 35.9% - but down 2.9% compared with 27,695 last month
• Pending Listings: 6,079 versus 7,755 last year - down 21.6% - and down 5.4% from 6,426 last month
• Under Contract Listings (including Pending & UCB): 9,066 versus 11,078 last year - down 18.2% - and down 6.2% from 9,664 last month
• Monthly Sales: 6,805 versus 8,076 last year - down 15.7% - and down 6.4% from 7,271 last month
• Monthly Average Sales Price per Sq. Ft.: $126.53 versus $119.65 last year - up 5.8% - but down 2.3% from $129.56 last month
• Monthly Median Sales Price: $196,790 versus $185,000 last year - up 6.4% - but down 0.1% from $197,000 last month

Similar to last month, active listings (excluding UCB) rose 4.9% between July 1 and August 1 in 2013 but fell this year by 2.2%. This weakness in supply is very unusual, but is hardly getting noticed because it is overshadowed by the prolonged weakness in demand.

There are a few strong areas in Greater Phoenix where demand exceeds supply. These include Sun Lakes, Sun City West and Sun City. Clearly baby boomers are doing their bit. Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and Gold Canyon have all improved their balance because supply has declined faster than the rest of the valley. In general, the higher you go in price range the better demand has held up.

All the talk of loan underwriters getting more flexible has not resulted in much change in buying patterns so far. Mortgage applications are low. Perhaps potential buyers assume they will either get turned down or have to provide too much documentation. Nationally too, purchase loan application rates remain weak according to the July 30 report from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Across Greater Phoenix in July we saw 16 closed sales of homes priced over $2,000,000, down from 22 in July 2013. However the first and second quarter of 2014 saw more sales over $2,000,000 than last year and it is still possible that the third quarter could repeat this feat. We still have 39 listings under contract for homes of $2,000,000 while there were only 25 at this point last year, so the outlook remains pretty good.

Enjoy a wonderful evening away from your Scottsdale home to attend the Scottsdale ArtWalk.  In fact, you and your friends and family can enjoy this event every Thursday evening from 7-9 pm.  These walks are a great perk to owning Scottsdale real estate and are free to the public.  This is a wonderful opportunity to check out the downtown area for a free event.  Come on down to Main Street from Scottsdale Rd to Goldwater Blvd.  Scottsdale home owners can enjoy a free trolley or horse drawn carriage ride as well as entrance to numerous museums and galleries.  

Come out for an unforgettable evening complete with gallery receptions, live music, and even artist demos.  Make a whole night of it and come downtown early to grab a bite to eat at one of the delicious restaurants.  Many weeks include special events and have a theme.  Be sure to check out the Scottsdale ArtWalk website for a listing of all events.   Events like these make it a true privilege to own Scottsdale real estate.  The appreciation of the arts and culture are a wonderful attribute to the Phoenix metro area.  Meet other Scottsdale home owners and make new friends as you explore the downtown area and enjoy the art.