The end of the year brought a sizable boost to existing-home sales, as delayed closings from new mortgage rules pushed some would-be November transactions to December, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Existing-home sales — which are completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops — rose 14.7 percent month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.46 million in December. Sales are now 7.7 percent above a year ago. That marks the best year of … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2016
This Scottsdale hotel is getting a $22M makeover, making it the largest resort renovation in the city
January 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Scottsdale's residents like to look as youthful and fresh as possible, and now a resort in the city is doing the same. Chaparral Suites in downtown Scottsdale is undergoing a $22 million makeover to become the Embassy Suites by Hilton. The massive cost of renovations makes the project the largest resort renovation in Scottsdale. No stone will be left unturned in the project. Every single aspect of the 15-acre area is getting redone, from the lobby to the guest rooms to the exterior. The renovation … [Read more...]
Our Economist’s Top Tips for Selling a Home in 2016
January 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
If you’re planning to sell your house this year, well, you’re in luck. “The 2016 housing market is forecasted to be mainly a seller’s market, filled with increasing home prices, relatively low inventory, and fierce competition between buyers,” says Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for realtor.com®. But you could still make missteps on the way to the bank. Yes, your house will likely sell, but when? Remember, time is money. “For sellers, it’s about understanding the ins and outs of their local market so they … [Read more...]
Is Open-Plan Living Over, or Here to Stay?
January 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Architects, designers and Houzzers around the world have their say on this trend and predict how our homes might evolve Open-plan living hasn’t merely risen in popularity in recent years, it seems to be the mainstay of what many people look for in a home. At the time of this writing, there were more than 600,000 photos of open-plan spaces on Houzz.com, so it’s clearly a popular lifestyle choice with a strong fan base. Why is it so fashionable, and what are the pros and cons of open-plan living? We … [Read more...]
Ritz-Carlton project in Paradise Valley will cost $2B, feature largest pool in North America
January 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
After long deliberation, the Ritz-Carlton, Paradise Valley has been approved to be built by Paradise Valley Town Council. The property, under the management of Scottsdale's Five Star Development, is set to break ground in spring 2016 and to be finished by 2018. The project will cost an estimated $2 billion. The property's main feature will be the 200-room, 352,000 square-foot Ritz-Carlton hotel. One of the more notable pieces to the new Ritz-Carlton is the pool that will span more than 400 … [Read more...]
