SOLD!
Crimson View Property
25 Whitetail Lane Sedona AZ 86336
Sold By Sheri Sperry
Now – A Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Sales Associate
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Sedona Real Estate News & Info From A to Z
Now – A Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Sales Associate
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As you can see from the picture above the Red Rock formations of Capital Butte, Thunder Mountain and Coffeepot Rock will be visible from the front of the hotel.
Marriott’s Courtyard Sedona – Now Open
The Marriott’s Courtyard Sedona is finally open this Fall. This is the first Sedona location for Marriott which is a favorite hotel chain of mine. It is also the first newly built hotel in over 10 years. The Hyatt Pinon Pointe sits at the “Y” (SR 89A & SR 179) is part of the Hyatt Residence Club.
Marriott boasts more than 120 rooms for guests, an on-site café, “The Bistro” with meeting and event space available. This will make a perfect venue for weddings and other celebrations.
The property will also have a large outdoor area at the back of the property. There is a pool with a jacuzzi style hot tub.
The Sedona Performing Arts Center sits right across the street attached to Sedona Red Rock High School. Guests can actually walk to a performance if they so desire. Most other restaurants, galleries, and tourist attractions are within minutes of the hotel.
Please remember Fall is considered high season in the Sedona area. During other events coming in 2017, this location may sell out fast. The Sedona Film Festival may be an event that many will want to reserve their rooms for.
Check to see events coming up on Ricks World Sedona. Select the tab for “All Things Sedona”. There is a calendar with events as they become available. Also a number of websites with things to do in and around the Sedona area. You can also see all website links for every community in the Verde Valley at the following link:
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UPDATE: The Marriott Courtyard is now Open
See Pictures Here
Marriott Sedona Courtyard
Hotel Information
1-928-325-0055
Why Home Offices have become an integral part of what a home should have.
A lot has changed over that last few years. There was a time that people didn’t work from home. The tools they needed were always kept in an office environment. Copy machines were expensive and required a lot of space. Files cabinets were needed to store the documents you were working on. Your business phone was tied to the desk you worked! There were the constant meetings you were required to be at. Office memos and in-house mail that you needed to go through on a daily basis.
Fast Forward to present day. We now have email and document signing as well as desktop all-in-one printers and scanners. You can print remotely and use Skype or FaceTime for meetings. You can work anywhere you want to because you have that smart phone, tablet or laptop that has everything you need. The internet is faster than ever, even in residential areas.
Why is it important for Sedona customers?
In the Sedona real estate market, many of my customers want home offices or office space on their wish-list. Why? Well most of my home buyers are looking to purchase a second home. At some point, they may retire here. But right now, they can work remotely. So a home that offers some flexibility in office space is something they want to see. This gives them the option of spending their time away from the office as they see necessary.
What Customers Are Looking For:
As you start heading out of town on SR 89A, the red rocks, junipers and pine trees take center stage. This is the lifestyle you have been yearning for. The peace and quiet of the area is a change from the hustle and bustle of the traffic and congestion of the city. What are you waiting for? This home is well laid out with space you need but lock and go convenience. You feel as if you are on vacation miles and miles from civilization. ….Then you realize you are just minutes for the center of Sedona and all the conveniences that brings with it!
Privacy – most homes and lots border forest – in a gated community only a few minutes from the heart of West Sedona. You have a rural feel & can enjoy an abundance of nature to enjoy the privacy or savor those fabulous Sedona sunsets.
Amenities: Gated Community – Private Outdoor Space – Custom Homes – Many Lots & Homes Back to Forest Service –
I have sold homes in this area and can answer your questions…
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As a Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Sedona Arizona REALTOR®, my primary goal is to help my customers obtain their dreams, as well as satisfy their financial goals and objectives through real estate. From the moment I am contacted, you will observe my seasoned ability to provide you with “World Class Service” and that “personal touch” while utilizing a complete package of technology options that are of the utmost importance and so critical in today’s market. I will tailor real solutions to fit your specific needs.
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Learn about Sheri Sperry and the
Pine Valley – Property Sold by L Congdon – from Rick Sperry on Vimeo.
Pine Valley is a distinctive community located approximately 3 miles off the SR 179. It is nestled at the very end of Jacks Canyon Road. Near the end of the road, there is a cattle guard and this welcomes you to Pine Valley. Many residents in Sedona may not even know where Pine Valley is located. As you meander through Jacks Canyon on your way to Pine Valley, the drive becomes an exploration of the natural landscape that is from a time when our native ancestors roamed these lands.
Everything in Pine Valley has a contrasting, diverse and divergent nature to it. Yet all members of the community live in harmony because of their common or dare I say, not so common bond of the Pine Valley lifestyle. When residents are asked where they live, they will reply “Pine Valley”. Residents have such a strong bond to this area that there is a much looser association with the Sedona region than other sub-divisions or areas. Even long time residents of the Sedona area may have to ask where Pine valley is located, before they understand the connection.
Homes and properties share the same contrast and divergent characteristics as the inhabitants of the area.
Find Pine Valley Homes
If you’re thinking of buying a fixer-upper or DIY project for the first time, whether to live in yourself or to flip, doing some of the renovations yourself can be satisfying and economical. You’ve watched plenty of television shows where novices remodeled a house in two or three days, so how hard could it be? But, before you start tearing out walls and ripping up flooring, there are a few important renovation blunders to avoid.
Know your limitations
Despite what you’ve seen on HGTV or any DIY TV show, until you have some experience under your tool belt, you won’t know your own strength, endurance and patience for the time, difficulties and potential setbacks you’ll encounter. Often what seem like minor projects can turn into major issues if you run into mold, mildew, old wiring and other costly issues.
The best strategy is to start with one small project to see if you
Know who to call
Before tackling a project, take time to contact an experienced friend, family member or helpful neighbor to get their advice. If you don’t have a knowledgeable acquaintance, visit your local DIY or neighborhood hardware store and speak to their department expert. Many times, they offer weekend classes to teach the basics of home improvement projects.
Know if you need a permit
Most people know that they need a permit for a major construction or home addition, but many municipalities require permits for smaller changes you may not realize or consider. Some cities require permits for projects as simple as replacing the front door or changing the exterior color. Often, homeowners assume that interior upgrades don’t require permitting, but if you add a kitchenette to your game room or create a mother-in-law apartment, many times you’ll need a permit.
Neglecting getting a permit may derail your home’s sale or add costly changes and repairs later on.
Know which tools you need
Home renovations are not the opportunity to try your “MacGyver” skills. Repurposing tools and household objects seems great … until you’re in the middle of your project with drying mastic trying to hold tiles in place with your knees and toes. Tools are expensive. If you don’t have the right tools, and can’t afford to buy them, see if you can rent them from your DIY, rental or farm store. Some local libraries offer tool rental too, so check out all the options before you need that pipe wrench, specialty saw or clamp.
Purchasing specialty tools for a single renovation project may make it cost prohibitive. In that case … hire an expert.
Know the resale value
According to the Remodeling annual cost vs. value report, less expensive upgrades like entry door, garage door and window replacements perform better on resale over more upscale changes to kitchens or bathrooms.
Renovations need to be appropriate for the neighborhood to add true resale value, according to Bob Vila. So, while you may love a gourmet kitchen, and want it in your own home, don’t plan to recoup the expense when the time comes to sell.
Images below provided by Rick Sperry on set at HGTV’s “Vacation House For Free” featuring host Matt Blashaw
Matt Blashaw expounding on spa & deck renovation
Joshua Lovell of Joshua Tree & Landscape Design
Matt Blashaw of HGTV’s “Vacation House For Free” Sedona Oasis Episode & Joshua Lovell of Joshua Tree & Landscape Design
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With our 44th Wedding Anniversary coming up next week, we are celebrating a different kind of anniversary today. Today marks 13 years as Sedona homeowners. These years hold some of the very best memories. Our kids didn’t grow up here, but our son and daughter-in-law spent time with us as they saved for a home of their own. Our baby-boo Tristan spent the 1st week outside the hospital with us. We have created and continue to create wonderful memories here.
2003
Japanese Maple was small and offered no shade during summer. Everything was overgrown. As much as I love trees, the property had too many and some were touching the house. We had no patio furniture of any kind in the beginning. There were no flowers or any color. No water feature or anything that adds interest to a property.
2016
13 years later, the Japanese Maple completely shades the bay window. The room stays much cooler in summer. We enjoy a nice cup of coffee in the morning looking up toward Coffeepot Rock. The sun rises at the back of the home.
2003
The entire property was overgrown. Many homes have pack rats in this type of ivy. We were fortunate there were no pests. The entire home had to be repainted.
2016
After the clean up, we found a cactus fountain and re-designed the drainage to accommodate Monsoon micro-bursts. I love to garden and I spend a lot of time in the front courtyard!
2003
The backyard was basically original. Railroad ties, too much grass, 1978 rock besides over growth which was a major fire hazard. Seven trees had to come out. It was a shame but they created a fire and safety hazard. The back wall was repainted and a decorative gate was added.
2016
This is a night shot in the full moon light which will create a very cool white balance because of the reflected light. Grass was taken out, a walkway was added to the bottom of the property. Night lighting and many rock features were added along with drought resistant plants that blend well with the upper desert landscape. The red rock in the background is the Sphinx. Notice the stars in the sky. Sedona is a dark sky city. Picture was taken around 3:40 am – nautical twilight on the sunrise is starting.
2003
Our biggest disappointment was having to pull out the weeping willows. They also were a safety hazard and tree limbs would randomly break off. We had to get rid of them. This completely opened up the backyard and everything started to grow like weeds!
2016
This is 13 years later! The backyard is the way we want it. As the Red Rocks come into view, it is early morning. The sun has risen on Coffeepot Rock and also on Thunder Mountain off to the left.
Happy Anniversary Home! You have been very good to us!
The Cottages At CoffeePot ~ A Closer Look
ABOUT ME: “Many buyers and sellers are skeptical about salespeople. So am I! But, I am not a typical salesperson. I put myself in your shoes and help you make decisions based on how I would want to proceed if I were you. In other words, what steps would I take and what is right for you? How will this transaction be beneficial for you? How will it help you move forward with your goals? How can I make it as smooth and pleasant as possible? What is in your best interests as we move forward? Let’s face it, you won’t really know that I am not a typical salesperson until you get to know me. I am confident you will feel at ease and comfortable knowing I can find solutions for you. If you don’t feel that way, please let me know. I want to be the best I can for you. I am YOUR Solutions Realtor.” ~ Sheri Sperry
I have heard a lot about the V-Bar-V Heritage Site. This Heritage Site surely ranks as one of the top Native American Wonders of the “New World”. We can learn an awful lot about their culture, customs, history and heritage. The Summer Solstice was upon us, so this was an opportunity to see this site and how the sunlight affected the shadows on the petroglyphs. It isn’t far off the I-17. You take the same exit you would to go to Sedona from Phoenix. The only difference is that you go right rather than left.
This picture diagrams some of the petroglyphs and rocks that were strategically placed to create specific shadows as the sun moved through the seasons. These pictures were taken before the shadows creeped up the rocks so as to create the stream of light with the 2 rocks that were pushed out to form the shadows.
A little history. This area was inhabited by the Sinagua people. The northern Sinagua settled the Flagstaff area around 500-600 AD. The Sinagua who migrated south became southern Sinagua and settled Sedona and Verde Valley estimated between 8th century and 13th century. Peak farming was between 1150-1220 AD. In the 13th century the northern Sinagua started to leave the area because the rainfall probably tapered off. Some moved to east to Zuni and the Rio Grande Valley. Others moved to the Hopi Buttes. Their history intertwined with the Hope oral history. No further record of the Sinagua heritage is available after the 15th century.
“Sin agua” means without water and describes the arid conditions this people had to live in.
The settlers in the area, protected the site as best they could, However, when the US Forrest Service acquired the property in 1994 they increased the security of the area. This area was opened to the public in 1996. There is a fence around the property and a guide located within the petroglyph site during business hours.
This picture shows the sun moving over the top of the cliff wall which is starting to shine light on the seasonal petroglyphs for the calendar date which happens to be the Summer Solstice. The following pictures will demonstrate how the shadows of the strategically placed rocks interact with the petroglyphs.
The Sinagua Sunwatchers website has a detailed historical reference to each season. You can find the Summer Solstice here.
If you are looking for Sedona real estate for sale including homes and land in the Sedona Verde Valley, don’t hesitate to contact me.
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Pyramid Lot – Sold! Beautiful setting surrounded by Juniper and Pine trees. The new owner has an opportunity to build a custom home and make a mark in a location that has a rural feel but is minutes from the center of West Sedona. You are just 2 minutes to Oak Creek and the famous Red Rock Crossing that features the iconic Cathedral Rock. See this video for a dramatic view of Cathedral Rock.
If you are interested in this area, Sheri can find a lot or home that meets your needs with views and location.
SELLERS
You too can have marketing that most agents reserve for luxury homes only! Sheri Sperry will provide customized marketing to fit the needs of your property. Beside professional photography, aerial pictures and video are included. We customize our marketing materials with you and your home in mind. What type of marketing will attract the right buyers.
Ask Sheri for a custom listing presentation designed especially for you.
BUYERS & SELLERS
Views of Courthouse Butte and Cathedral Rock
Chapel Area on Left with Twin Sisters – the Mermaid in center – Cathedral Rock center right
Everything you need to know including Restaurants, Lodging, Weather, Stats, Community Sites, Activities and Events
First of all – the most important decision you are going to make is getting the right REALTOR®. But let’s assume that you have chosen the right REALTOR® – Sheri Sperry, and found the home of your dreams!
With every step of the process, you have to feel comfortable with the choice you have made. This is an area I can help with. I have dealt with many of the vendors in our area. I know who is fast, efficient, accurate and can help keep your costs in line with the services they offer.
The process is not as simple as this list. As you go through each step, other solutions may be required. Another reason why you want to use “YOUR Solutions REALTOR®”. Every vendor needed to ensure the home sale needs to be someone who is trustworthy and will not cut corners.
1. Mortgage Lender
With just about all transactions, you have to be pre-qualified or pre-approved for the loan amount. So you need to have a lender that understands your financial needs and will work on your behalf to get the best interest rate and terms for you.
2. Escrow & Title Company
The escrow company needs to make sure that the process is followed on both sides of the transaction. The contract stipulates the process and it is the escrow company that follows these instructions to ensure the transaction process goes as scheduled and is followed and closes on time. The title company does a search to ensure there are no liens and that the title is clear. You cannot take title and the property will not close if the title is not clear. During this process if there is a lien, the title company will make sure that escrow is informed and instructions will be set up to pay the lien off before the close of escrow.
3. Inspection Process
With out the right inspector, you may not get an accurate picture of what issues are disclosed that may need repair or replacement. You do get a disclosure statement from the seller but that is just a starting point. The inspector can also recommend other inspections that may need to be done. Is your electrical and plumbing in good working order? Does there appear to be leaks. Could the roof need repair or replacement? Are there other systems that may need servicing? Without the right inspector, these are just a few of the areas that may go unnoticed or undiscovered.
Your REALTOR® is the “point person” to ensure that your home buying experience is not a nightmare for you. By picking the right REALTOR® you can be kept well informed of solutions and decision you need to make.
If you are not in Sedona or the Verde Valley, I may be able to recommend the right REALTOR® for you.
Is Back This Week
Monsoon Meter for July 18, 2016
High Pressure Kept Monsoon Away
This is why I watch watch 12News out of Phoenix. They are the only station with the Monsoon Meter! This gives us a pretty good idea of what the weather is going to be like in the different climatic zones. We live in Northern AZ and the weather is much different than other zones.
We Need Rain
Arizona residents generally agree that Monsoon is good for our state. It brings much needed rain and helps to cool off the super hot temps. Right now, Phoenix should be at over 1/2 inch at Sky Harbor Airport, but it is only .01 inches right now!
Last year, in Sedona AZ, we have over 4 inches of rain in July. So far this year – NO RAIN at all in July.
What The Monsoon Meter Numbers Mean
0-1 – Probably not going to see any rain
2-3 – Conditions are right for some rain to drop
4-5 – Likely to see some decent thunderstorms – Winds could pick up.
6-7 – You better bring your umbrella! Get stuff done early because by the afternoon you will see activity for sure! Certain areas may see flash flooding.
8-10 – Stay away from washes. Be aware that you are likely to see heavy rain.
Monsoon – What Is It? How does it affect Sedona & AZ
Discover Sedona Weather (Stats & Precipation)
ABOUT ME: “Many buyers and sellers are skeptical about salespeople. So am I! But, I am not a typical salesperson. I put myself in your shoes and help you make decisions based on how I would want to proceed if I were you. In other words, what steps would I take and what is right for you? How will this transaction be beneficial for you? How will it help you move forward with your goals? How can I make it as smooth and pleasant as possible? What is in your best interests as we move forward? Let’s face it, you won’t really know that I am not a typical salesperson until you get to know me. I am confident you will feel at ease and comfortable knowing I can find solutions for you. If you don’t feel that way, please let me know. I want to be the best I can for you. I am YOUR Solutions Realtor.” ~ Sheri Sperry
When it comes to Security Cameras, I know a thing or two about the subject. I am a past President of the Sedona Luxury Real Estate Professionals (SLREP) and a Master Certified Negotiation Expert. We meet twice a month and discuss the luxury home market. At a recent meeting, the topic came up about security cameras. As a luxury real estate specialist, many if not all our luxury homes have security. With today’s technology, it is easy to access these features through your smart phone or tablet. You can see the video feed live in most cases.
As we know, hot market aside, when pricing a luxury home, it is generally going to have a longer selling cycle than the home that is priced much lower. If an agent does not hit the price point “sweet spot”, a luxury home can sit and become stale.
A seller may decide to be that “fly on the wall” during a showing of their home. So if a buyer walks through the home and thinks they are having a private conversation, think again! You may be monitored and not even know it. Just your actions, such as how long you linger in a room, the use of your body language to show your excitement, may tip off the seller as to how to emphasize the strong points of the home going forward. The listing agent may not even be aware of it.
If you go into a somewhat private area to talk about your willingness to go to a certain price level, or worse yet, willing to pay full asking…. guess what, you will pay that price. You may not even have to talk about pricing. Just saying how much you love a feature or two or three may be enough to erode your position.
As an agent, whether you are working for the seller or the buyer, you are on display. Your actions will determine if you keep the listing as a representative of the seller. As a buyer’s agent, your reputation is on display. How do you present the home? Do you allow your customers to touch everything? Does a buyer try out the bed? Are they trashing every aspect of the home? If a seller is watching live or on tape, they are sizing you up.
I think that we have an obligation to remind some customers that they may be monitored on security cameras. A gentle reminder to emphasize that discussing negotiations outside or in the car is probably the best course of action, especially if they are seriously considering purchase. You never know who is watching!
This Chapel Aerial Video shows the surrounding rocks that this magnificent Chapel sits in. it is in a fabulous setting that sits high enough to get a good view of the red rocks and surrounding areas. But if you can’t visit the Chapel, this may be the next best vantage point! Look at all the rock formations there are. You can see a little of Elephant Rock, Madonna & Child, The Twin Sisters, Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock. It is really amazing to be able to see all these formations in one area. This is why many people choose the Chapel area to make their home.
This Village of Oak Creek home located at 55 Stone Way is a great home with a nice fenced in backyard and views of Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock. Bell Rock is probably the most prominent red rock as you make your way into Sedona from highway 179.
Mark and Candy are thrilled to have the keys to their new home. Everything went smooth at the end and they were able to close a few days early!
This is a 3 BD – 2 Bath 1600 + SF home. The lot size is .25 acre.
One of the most satisfying experiences of my job is seeing the excitement on my customers’ faces when I hand them the keys to their new home.
Let me put my solutions to work for you!
ABOUT ME: “Many buyers and sellers are skeptical about salespeople. So am I! But, I am not a typical salesperson. I put myself in your shoes and help you make decisions based on how I would want to proceed if I were you. In other words, what steps would I take and what is right for you? How will this transaction be beneficial for you? How will it help you move forward with your goals? How can I make it as smooth and pleasant as possible? What is in your best interests as we move forward?
Let’s face it, you won’t really know that I am not a typical salesperson until you get to know me. I am confident you will feel at ease and comfortable knowing I can find solutions for you. If you don’t feel that way, please let me know. I want to be the best I can for you. I am YOUR Solutions Realtor.” ~ Sheri Sperry
A Senior Lifestyle with Leisure Living
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FABULOUS ARIZONA LIVING!
415 S. Camino de Encanto, Cornville AZ, Town House For Sale – No Common Walls – This detached town house is located in Verde Santa Fe, Cornville. It is priced to sell quickly. There are no common walls! This is a great detached town house in the gated Villas for 55+. Want easy care landscaping? You got it! Want easy to clean floors? There is tile neutral color tile throughout this home. Do you want LOCK & GO convenience? This was built with you in mind! It is a detached town house for those who like to travel or use as a second home (winter or summer). The garage has lots of storage with built in cabinets and work area. Looking forward to leisure activities? In addition to the Villas pool, there is also a membership to the Verde Santa Fe Community Center with pool, clubhouse, exercise, kitchen, and game room. Also there is golf course nearby Golf fees do apply. You will enjoy the weather in the Verde Santa Fe community. Mild winters offer year long outdoor activities. Dont forget that you are just minutes from Old Town Cottonwood and Sedona. There are big box stores and medical facilities also with in minutes of this town house.
3º Higher Than Previous Record
112.7º
I am always the first person to say that Sedona is much cooler than Phoenix or the Valley. Well, yesterday, our temps were not far off of record setting temps in Phoenix! I never thought I would ever see a temperature as high as 112 in Sedona. We have spent many vacations on the Colorado River where temps can hover around 120º. So heat is not foreign to us but NEVER in Sedona.
Normally – the coolest part of the day is right after sun up, unless a front moves in. During summer, we run the AC from 11 AM to about 9 PM. Just a day earlier, it was 61º in the AM! I could tell we were headed for a record when that AM temp only got down to 74º. We can cool the whole house down in a short time just by opening windows….not yesterday!!
Hottest Part of the Day
Where we live, the hottest part of the day is around 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM. As you can see, the hottest temperature was 112.7º at 1:34 PM. Clouds started to roll in and the temperature dropped from that point forward.
I feel pretty confident that this record should stand for awhile. The record that was smashed was set back on June 29th, 2013 at 109.1º.
ABOUT ME: “Many buyers and sellers are skeptical about salespeople. So am I! But, I am not a typical salesperson. I put myself in your shoes and help you make decisions based on how I would want to proceed if I were you. In other words, what steps would I take and what is right for you? How will this transaction be beneficial for you? How will it help you move forward with your goals? How can I make it as smooth and pleasant as possible? What is in your best interests as we move forward?
Let’s face it, you won’t really know that I am not a typical salesperson until you get to know me. I am confident you will feel at ease and comfortable knowing I can find solutions for you. If you don’t feel that way, please let me know. I want to be the best I can for you. I am YOUR Solutions Realtor.” ~ Sheri Sperry
The City of Sedona has had a long time ordinance that did not allow any short term rentals unless your home met a “grandfather clause“. The definition included rentals of less than 30 days. Sedona already has a vibrant tourism economy with time-shares, hotels and motels all over the city. The ordinance was meant to protect the residential areas from increased noise levels and traffic. Some investors have shied away from purchasing homes to rent out because of this ordinance. They gravitate to other areas outside of Sedona for investment opportunities.
On one side of the issue, you have timeshare, hotel and motel owners and corporations. On the other side of the issue, there are internet home hosting sites, investors and some homeowners who want to rent out their property and are unable to do so.
Governor Ducey of Arizona is not just trying to make political points signing this bill into law. He is fulfilling a platform objective to make Arizona a “sharing economy“. In his State of the State address January 12, 2016:
Governor Ducey said, “Arizona should be the Sharing Economy, what Texas is to oil and what Silicon Valley used to be to the tech industry.” He went on to say, “Arizona requires licenses for too many jobs – resulting in a maze of bureaucracy for small business people looking to earn an honest living…The elites and special interests will tell you that these licenses are necessary. But often they have been designed to kill competition or keep out the little guy. So, let’s eliminate them.”
To support this line of thought, recently Uber and Lyft have been cleared to operate at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. In simplistic terms, Uber is a type of taxi or shuttle service that uses an app on your smartphone to secure payment and a ride. These services have sought contracts and permits to service Sky Harbor and have been unable to get a foot in the door. Gov. Ducey has helped open that door.
As for short-term rentals, normally considered less than 30 days, there are a few municipalities around the state that have ordinances prohibiting short term rentals in some form, including Sedona. This bill lifted those restrictions. Homeowners or investors will be able to host short-term rentals. The bill’s sponsor, Senator Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, said that this bill would prevent local governments from banning short-term rentals and lodging websites such as Airbnb and VRBO from offering these homes as an alternative vacation rental option. Lesko also stated that the bill would protect homeowners and reduce government bureaucracy. This was also confirmed by the Arizona Department of Revenue. Taxes, very similar to hotel taxes, would be easier to collect. The taxes include a 3% privilege tax and a 3.5% transient lodging tax which equals 6.5%.
In my opinion, the increasing popularity of sporting events in the Valley, such as golf tournaments, and NASCAR races and more prominent football championship games such as the Super Bowl, have brought this short-term rental debate to the forefront. Let’s not forget the popularity of baseball’s Cactus League Spring training where there is an influx into the Valley. Hotel’s rates skyrocket up to three times the normal rate for a room. In most cases, you need to book months in advance to get a good room in a desirable location to your event.
AZCentral.com wrote an article as many pubications do every year around Superbowl. The article focuses around the exorbitant prices charged by homeowners to rent their home out during these events. Homes can go for $5000 to $6000 for 5 days. One owner was seeking $16,000 for a week!
In the Sedona local paper, the Red Rock News, City Attorney, Robert Pickels answers a lot of the questions that many residents have.
FAQ In A Nutshell
The one exception to the bill as signed by Governor Ducey of Arizona is the HOA and CC&Rs. When you purchase a home, condo or townhouse, chances are you may be part of a Homeowners Association. Make sure you understand your responsibilities as part of that HOA. HOAs yield a lot of power as to how you manage your property. This is where the exception over short-term rentals may be restricted. If an HOA defines the restrictions on renting out the house to another party, this may supersede SB 1350. For example, some HOAs will not allow a homeowner to rent the premises for less than 30 days. Many HOAs have rental restrictions far greater than month to month. Some HOAs have a minimum of a one year lease required for rentals, so do your due diligence and research what is in your CC&Rs. You may be very surprised at what you learn.
Most of these HOA communities have had these CC&Rs in place for many years; however, you should also check to see if there are any addendums in place. Any HOA CC&R’s put in place after SB 1350 is in effect may be subject to a limitation. It is a good idea to assure yourself what rules you may have to abide by. As with any law that goes into effect, there may be court challenges as well, but this remains to be seen. It is my opinion, if you want to live in a neighborhood that does not allow short-term rentals, check the language in the CC&Rs.
If you have any additional questions about the housing market – feel free to reach out to me. After all, I am YOUR Solutions Realtor®!
It looks like we are in the home stretch of the FAA-UAS issuing guidelines for operating UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) or AKA drones. Finalization is expected in July. Other countries such as Japan and Australia have a well documented stream of economic opportunities. Based on what I have read, the FAA has been able to research this as well as other material. The FAA has taken a position that safety is a foremost consideration but that if there are too many restrictions, there could continue to be an economic loss to private business as well as commercial operations and new industry opportunities. Currently there is a process where the FAA can grant exceptions or one time permits, certificates of waiver or authorization, but this is not a viable solution for the future and is also a cumbersome process.
It should also be noted that President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum which stated that privacy and civil liberty issues should also addressed in the certification process. The FAA will not address these issues because they believe those issues are out of the scope of the FAA’s jurisdiction. They (the FAA) referred this to the Commerce Department. It will be interesting going forward to see how this plays out and how privacy issues will be integrated. This could end up being a very controversial point.
There are nine categories that were named that would fall under the proposed framework. Some of these categories could affect other types of real estate transactions and that is a good thing. However, all I want to address right now is what affects most of us, residential, land, ranches and farms as well as other commercial real estate.
Aerial photography was a named category! This means we will be able to enlist services of individuals in the near future.
There are 22 bullet points in the memorandum. Of course this could change prior to the final document that comes out. Here are just a few key takeaways. I will include a link to the document at the end of the post. These Major Provisions start on page 10.
Some of the key points addressed visual observers. A visual observer would be required to have line of sight ability and only can track one UAS at a time. The actual operator still needs line of sight. So this eliminates some sort of “daisy chain” effect.
Many of the UAS coming out now such as the Phantom 4 are much safer UAS than the original UAS. There are cameras and sensors that point up down and forward to help the UAS from striking objects such as trees or buildings. Phantom 4’s can even track a moving object and keep a safe distance away. As the battery starts to lose power the UAS can return to the starting point based on the power left in the battery. If you lose sight of the UAS there is a return to home button. Press the button and the UAS returns home.
Costs
There will be some costs incurred for the Operator. Many schools will start to pop up. Make sure you check to see that they are a school that is certified to teach and provide a operators certificate. In the docket below, there is a cost analysis. See page 152.