The Luxe Real Estate Group is on a mission to help Arizona homeowners avoid foreclosure. To that end, the Scottsdale based real estate company has created a FREE Arizona Foreclosure Relief report–the report offers many suggestions on how foreclosure can be avoided in Arizona. In order to obtain the report, go to www.ArizonaForeclosureRelief.com and submit your information–a download link for the report will be emailed instantly.

We may be able to help you avoid foreclosure!

For more information about Scottsdale real estate, short sales in Arizona or any other real estate matter, contact Jay Martinez with the Luxe Real Estate Group at 480.948.6260 or at Jay@LuxeRealEstateGroup.com.

Always hire a Certified Distressed Property Expert!

Simply the finest views in Firerock Country Club. Beautifully crafted home sits high above multiple fairways. Enjoy amazing mountain, fountain, city and golf course views while soaking in your hot tub & heated negative edge pool. Thoughtfully designed interior includes chefs kitchen with built-in Sub Zero, slab granite counters & island. The living and family rooms both have gas fireplaces; there is also a den with custom built-ins, guest suite with private bath and master suite bath with jet tub, separate shower and huge closet with built-ins. A charming detached casita with bath overlooks expansive verandas with BBQ, gas fireplace and sweeping views of the golf course below.

For more information about Firerock Country Club or Fountain Hills real estate, contact Jay Martinez with the Luxe Real Estate Group at 800.519.LUXE.

View Map of Firerock Real Estate

View Paradise Valley Farms Real Estate by Price — Click Below:

Paradise Valley Farms real estate is located in one of the most charming neighborhoods in all of Scottsdale, Arizona. A few blocks off Scottsdale Road and just South of Gainey Ranch, this always popular neighborhood is made up of less than 70 homes–most of which sit on acre plus lots along shaded, tree-lined streets. The overall location is truly enviable–residents are in the heart of Scottsdale, but feel like they are living in the country. Paradise Valley and Fashion Square are just minutes away and Gainey Ranch amenities are within walking distance.

The architecture in this unique neighborhood is an eclectic mix of contemporary, Tuscan inspired, Spanish revival and classic ranch.  For more information about Paradise Valley Farms or other Scottsdale communities, contact Jay Martinez with the Luxe Real Estate Group at 800.519.LUXE.

View Map of Paradise Valley Farms Real Estate

Sunridge Canyon is a master planned community in the quiet town of Fountain Hills, AZ. 14426 N. Century DR is a quality built Greystone home with a great room floor-plan, separate den, gas fireplace and covered patio. The master suite bath has a soaking tub, separate shower and walk-in closet. The landscaped back yard is private and can be easily maintained.

14426 N. Century DR Fountain Hills, AZ

Fountain Hills is a beautiful community located just East of Scottsdale. With a population of approximately 25,000, this charming community has a genuine small town feel. There are ample shopping and dining options and Fountain Park is always a popular destination.

For more information about Fountain Hills real estate, contact Jay Martinez with the Luxe Real Estate Group at 800.519.LUXE.

For inviting waterfront Scottsdale, AZ real estate, look no further than Charter Point. The Charter Point community is made up of just 13 spacious villas–each fronting Lake Serena. Unit 101 is a corner unit and boasts over 3000 square feet. As you enter the unit from the gated courtyard, you walk through a marble foyer into an expansive living room/dining room with fireplace and amazing lake views. The kitchen has light oak cabinetry, granite island with smooth-top range, built-in Sub Zero fridge, breakfast nook and lots of natural light.

The master retreat features lake views, a sitting area with fireplace, gorgeous bath with jet tub, separate shower and walk-in closet with custom built-ins. The real highlight of this charming property is the enormous lakeside veranda–from the veranda you can enjoy the sunrise, mountain views and listen to the soothing waterfall nearby. This well maintained property is priced very competitively.

10390 E. Lakeview DR #101 Scottsdale, AZ

For more information about Scottsdale real estate, contact Jay Martinez with the Luxe Real Estate Group at 800.519.LUXE.

The gated, luxury community of Paso Fino Estates is located in North Scottsdale near the 101 Freeway and Cactus Road. This charming enclave features 34 well-crafted homes, immaculately groomed front yards and pedestrian friendly sidewalks. The featured property sits on a corner lot and boasts a paver courtyard with soothing fountain.

12361 N. 89th PL, Scottsdale, AZ Paso Fino Estates

Inside the gorgeous, Tuscan-inspired estate, you will find a chef’s kitchen featuring a massive island, granite counters, alderwood cabinetry and viking appliances. There is a beautiful wet bar adorned with stone, pendant lighting and wine closet–perfect for entertaining. The spa quality master suite bath is absolutely stunning and there are guest quarters with small kitchenette and private entrance off the patio. The relaxing back yard features a pebble tec pool with ribbon waterfall, covered patio, gas fire pit and BBQ area.

For more information about luxury real estate in Scottsdale, AZ, contact Jay Martinez with the Luxe Real Estate Group at 800.519.LUXE.

To the east of Scottsdale, people can purchase a home for $0 down. The USDA Home Loan Program is an underused, yet, beneficial program for families leaving the city for the more tranquil and roomy rural or suburban environment.

Contrary to popular belief, the mortgage program’s housing options are not for tiny, rundown farmhouses. “The USDA program accounted for 40%-50% of sales in October and November for Scottsdale, Ariz.-based home builder Meritage Homes,” the company’s VP of Sales John Bargnesi said in a Wall Street Journal article in 2008. The USDA’s eligible properties include single-family homes, condominiums and brand new manufactured homes. In other words, qualified buyers don’t have to settle; they can get a dream home.

USDA LOAN BENEFITS AND ELIGIBILITY

The loan offers cheap closing costs, a low (.03%) monthly insurance fee and modest interest rates. It is one of the last $0 down mortgage programs.

Prospective buyers must meet certain criteria, however. First, they can’t have an income that exceeds 115% of the median income for the location of the home.

In terms of housing, the loan covers newer and older homes. Funds can also apply to homes needing repairs or improvement. Condominiums must be older, while manufactured homes must be newly built. The funds can also pay off legal fees, closing costs and title services. Buyers with an existing Guaranteed Rural Housing loan can refinance.

Applicants need a credit score above 640 to qualify. Although, a USDA lender might be willing to work with a lower score as long as the buyer can prove his ability to meet the financial obligation of the loan. According to the USDA, if one’s credit is below 640, the applicant cannot have a:

• Foreclosure in the past three years.
• Discharged bankruptcy within three years months.
• 30-day late bills within the past year.
• Accounts in collections within past year.
• Tax liens or delinquent government debts such as student loans.
• Outstanding collection accounts.
• Two or more late rent payments in the past year.

Families interested in a USDA eligible property may contact Luxe Real Estate Group agents or USDA loan experts about the loan and relocating to a rural or suburban area.

Jasmine Reese writes content about USDA home loans and rural living for USDA Loans.com, a company devoted to the development of rural and suburban areas.

When making the decision to purchase a new home, price and affordability are two of the largest factors that affect your decision to buy. Making sure that you are buying property that is within your means is one way to ensure that you will be able to stay in the home as long as you choose, and that you won’t be forced to foreclose and abandon your home, leaving you empty handed. Meticulous saving, planning and searching are all part of the process that eventually leads you to the home of your dreams, and you want to make sure that the time you spent searching and looking for the perfect home isn’t for naught. But what if you buy a home for a specific price and at a certain interest rates, and then home prices and loan rates drop dramatically? What are your options and can you save money?

Current homeowners who purchased their homes several years ago when prices were high and interest rates were elevated may be paying more for their homes than they are worth. Many may be feeling the strain of financial hardship and are wondering how they might be able to save money each month. One of the best places to look to save money on your home is your mortgage. If you are paying an interest rate that is higher than the industry standard, you may be eligible for a streamline refinance. A streamline refinance is a home loan refinance where the process has been expedited and requires no additional paperwork and often no home appraisal or other administrative hassles. Additionally, there are no out of pocket expenses, and all closing and administrative fees and costs are rolled into the sum of your mortgage, which makes it easy for you to pay them off little by little, one month at a time. No up-front costs mean more money in your pocket and you start saving immediately.

With all of the benefits of a streamline refinance, why wouldn’t you apply and see how much you can start saving on your home loan? Most homeowners will end up saving thousands of dollars throughout the life of their loan, money that can be saved or used elsewhere. Take advantage of the historically low interest rates and save yourself money on your home mortgage.

Guest post by Jessica Gingham at www.streamlinerefinance.net

819 N. 85th ST–Scottsdale, Arizona: Located in South Scottsdale, just minutes from the 101, Tempe and the new spring training facility, this cozy property occupies a desirable corner lot in a quiet Scottsdale neighborhood. To enter the home, you walk up a few steps and across patio to a gated entrance. Once inside the home, you’ll find a large living room with wood-burning fireplace; a kitchen with breakfast area; a formal dining room and office/den; three bedrooms and two baths. The low maintenance backyard has a covered patio, built-in BBQ and a storage area.

819 N. 85th ST Scottsdale, Arizona

This Fannie Mae owned home qualifies for Homepath Renovation financing. What does this mean? It means that a qualified buyer can obtain financing for the home purchase and light renovation. The loan terms are flexible and the down payment can be as low as three percent—the down payment funds can come from savings, a gift, grant or loan from a non-profit organization. For more information about this property or Homepath Renovation Financing, please call the Luxe Real Estate Group at 800.519.LUXE.

Nestled in the high desert of Scottsdale, Arizona, a dream home awaits a new buyer.  Amberwood Homes built this beautiful residence with a discriminating buyer in mind.  This property epitomizes Scottsdale luxury real estate.  From the hand-crafted, wrought iron and glass front door to the stone flooring and marble kitchen counters, this home is loaded with fine finishes.  When you walk through the front door and into the foyer, you see right through to the back yard and the beautiful mountain views that abound from every window.

This gorgeous estate is located at the end of a quiet street in the gated community of Montecito at Mirabel.  Although it is not part of the Mirabel master planned community, residents can purchase a social and/or golf membership at the Mirabel club [pending availability].  The bank that owns this property recently spent $27,000 in improvements which include a new walk-way made of attractive pavers and new Thermador appliances at the kitchen–included in the appliance package are new double-ovens, microwave, dishwasher, gas cook-top and a $9000 Thermador refrigerator.  All 6000+ square foot of this property is in near perfect condition–all that is needed is back yard landscaping and a pool/spa if desired.

For more information about this property or any other in the valley, please contact us 800.519.LUXE.

Bella Vita pool & spa

Located next to the ever popular Scottsdale greenbelt is a condo conversion project called Bella Vita–and, it is a “Beautiful Life” at this charming community.  The developer, Belleview Communities did a really nice job on the conversions–especially with the buildings and exterior amenities.  New roofs were placed on all the buildings; all buildings were painted; the pool/spa area was completely remodeled; a fitness center was added along with a remodeled clubhouse and the grounds were gated and immaculately landscaped.

The Scottsdale condo units, while not mind-blowing include new: water heater,  A/C unit, carpeting,  ceramic tile,  two-tone paint,  window coverings, ceiling fans, interior lighting, toilets, plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, bathroom accessories, kitchen sink, garbage disposal, appliances and full-size stacked washer and dryer.

The pricing at Bella Vita is well within reach for most Scottsdale condo buyers–one bedrooms start at $89,950 and two bedrooms start at $129,950.  The truly great thing about this community is that it is FHA approved [which is rare for condo projects these days due to the number of investor owned units and HOA delinquencies] and that the developer is currently offering a three percent contribution towards closing costs.  For anyone looking for a condo in Scottsdale, this place should be on your list.  Keep in mind that this is a new home community and as such, the sales agents at Bella Vita represent the builder.  You won’t pay a penny more if you use an agent to represent your best interests and we are very experienced in the condominium market.  Please give us a call at 800.519.LUXE and we will schedule an appointment for you at Bella Vita or any other condo community!

Located in the charming, gated community of Arroyo Madera Estates, we have a short sale offering that is truly a rare find:  Interior location, two car garage with work sink and built-in storage, walk-in laundry room, vaulted ceilings, dual-pane windows, ceiling fans, kitchen with all appliances included, tiled dining area, great room with gas fireplace, quiet patio with nice landscaping and greenbelt view–just steps from the community pool & spa, two master suites plus a third bedroom–all with walk-in closets, half bath downstairs for guests, security screen door, huge loft area with built-in desk and cabinetry, window coverings, six panel doors and much more!  The community of Arroyo Madera Estates is ideally situated in Scottsdale. Residents can walk to the ever popular Scottsdale greenbelt which boasts miles of walking/biking paths and beautiful lakes–there is also great shopping and dining just minutes away.

Courtyard style entry

View to lush greenbelt

There is only one lender [Indy Mac] on this property and Indy Mac has a streamlined short sale process.  Listings rarely become available in this community and this property will surely sell quickly.

For more information about this property or short sales in Scottsdale , please contact the Luxe Real Estate Group at 800.519.LUXE.

Residents of Scottsdale Arizona real estate can benefit from improving home energy efficiency with tax breaks offered in the Stimulus Bill.  Owners of Scottsdale AZ luxury homes with large square footage, especially older homes, can tighten up their real estate during 2009 and 2010 and receive up to $1,500 in tax credits.  There are no income phase-outs; all principal homeowners are eligible.

Homeowners in some parts of the country may be trying to cut heating bills.  Arizona residents look to cut high air-conditioning bills.  Professional comprehensive home assessments are helpful tools to assist homeowners to choose the best project to deal with the hot Sonoran summers that directly affect energy bills in Scottsdale homes.

Compared to older, poorly tuned, or over-sized air-conditioning units, energy saving air conditioners cut cooling costs by over 20 percent.   Other effective home improvements include installing better windows, doors, and insulation, along with projects that seal the shells of homes.  For more information about recommendations for energy-efficient remodeling of real estate in Scottsdale, see the government’s Energy Star website.

The Stimulus Bill, formerly called The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, offers taxpayers tax credits of 30 percent of costs to improve the energy efficiency of their principal residences.  Credit is limited to the cost of materials for windows, doors, and insulation.  The legislation allows 30 percent of installation costs for appliances such as air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, and boilers that meet energy efficient guidelines.  The maximum total tax credit for both 2009 and 2010 combined is $1,500.

For example, if a project costs $5,000, the taxpayer could receive a tax credit of $1,500.  If a $300 project in 2009, then the tax credit would be $90 for 2009.  This homeowner would still be able to spend an additional $4,700 in 2010 and then claim another $1,410 when filing his/her 2010 return.

Those who want to go all green may consider this additional offer.  Another tax credit is on the table until 2016 for installing new energy systems such as solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, and wind energy systems.  This incentive includes up to 30 percent of the costs of materials and installation with no maximum limit!

Although previous legislation offered tax credits for these types of upgrades, the 2009 Stimulus Bill raised the credit amount from 10 percent to 30 percent.  Improvements must be “placed in service” between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010 with the exception of the energy systems mentioned in the previous paragraph.

For more information about the estate homes and luxury real estate in the area, contact the LUXE Real Estate Group at 1-800-519-LUXE.

Kierland Resort is unique among Scottsdale Arizona real estate.  Tucked amid the McDowell Mountains of central Scottsdale real estate, the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is an Arizona landmark. Inspired by the theme “Treasuring the Essence of Arizona,” the resort pays tribute to Arizona history by displaying historical artifacts, artwork, and photography.

A pleasant mix of older Scottsdale homes surrounds the 730-acre master-planned Kierland Community that includes popular shopping destination at Kierland Commons, an exclusive 27-hole championship golf course, Agave Spa, Adventure Water Park, hundreds of luxury guest rooms, and much more.

The vacation oasis in the Sonoran Desert of Scottsdale AZ real estate features:

• Three world-class golf courses and Kierland golf club
• Tranquil spa with unique and rejuvenating treatments including oxygen facials at Agave Spa
• Tennis Courts
• Fitness facilities
• A spectacular outdoor pool complex with sand beach, 110-foot waterslide, and 900-foot river
• Year-round games and activities at Westin Kids’ club
• Organized activities and family events
• Top dining experiences
• Shopping with Key to Kierland Shopping at Kierland Commons

A self-guided walking tour leads guests through the depictions of Arizona history on display.  Descriptive plaques, each written with a Will Rogers bent by state historian Marshall Trimble, detail key moments of our past.  In the meeting and function area of the Resort are Discovery Hall, Expedition Hall, and Visionaries Hall where river explorers such as John Wesley Powell join

Arizona Indian chiefs and heads of state, those honored for creating the “Essence of Arizona.”
Arizona Culturekeepers in conjunction with the Arizona Historical Society and The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa to recognizes 10 Arizona pioneers of entrepreneurial spirit, civic leadership, and outstanding contributions.  The state celebrates its 100th birthday in 2012.

In addition to presenting Arizona history and offering 732 spacious Southwestern-style guestrooms with Heavenly Beds® and private balconies and terraces, the Kierland Resort hosts several events.  They include Scottish Pipes at Sunset, Saturday Night Scotch Tastings, Well Beyond, and concerts.

The “Scottish Pipes at Sunset” series features bagpiper Michael McClanathan and honors Scottish immigrants who helped develop Arizona’s railroads, mines, and towns.  “Summer Concert Series at Kierland Commons” features live performances on the plaza each Saturday evening while “Saturday Night Scotch Tastings” serve Johnny Walker Scotches.  “Well Beyond” Weekends feature experts from Mayo Clinic, which is located just northwest of the resort teaching life-long health.

Guests also access a full selection of FUN activities such as trips to the Grand Canyon and hot air balloon rides.  For information about the estate homes and luxury real estate in the area, contact the LUXE Real Estate Group at 1-888-900-LUXE.

Opportunity knocks for buyers in our beautiful Scottsdale AZ real estate market.  Until December 1, 2009, the U.S. government is offering an $8,000 tax credit to first-time homebuyers and to buyers of principal homes in Scottsdale and Phoenix, who have not owned primary homes in the last 3 years.  The tax credit applies to taxpayers throughout the nation.

It is truly a buyers’ market trumping the last eight years.  First-time buyers have the opportunity to buy Scottsdale real estate on scenic golf courses and homes in other neighborhoods that were previously out of reach.  Alternately, they may desire to purchase larger Scottsdale AZ homes in medium-priced neighborhoods, homes with more space such as an extra bedroom or office or garage.

Families looking for real estate in Scottsdale are also highly motivated by great prices for homes and loans.  With reduced sales prices, flexible sellers, and increased inventory, now is the time to buy.  Interest rates are still quite low and FHA loan products are enticing.  In February, the FHA Loan Limits in Maricopa County (Scottsdale, Phoenix and Mesa) increased to $346,250.  FHA conforming loan limits are $417,000.

Buyers with steady employment and reasonable credit scores can buy a home with as little as 3-percent down payment through the FHA.  In addition, the FHA opened up bridge vehicles that enable first-time buyers to borrow from tax-credit monies for down payments.  The tax credit also applies to purchasers who use revenue bond financing.

All principal residences are eligible.  That includes single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses, co-ops, and houseboats, which we do not see much of in the desert.

A tax credit is not a tax deduction. It is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes.  If the homebuyers do not owe taxes, they will receive a refund after filing 2009 taxes.  Unlike other recent incentives, homebuyers who buy between January 1 and December 1, 2009 do not pay back this money unless they sell the qualifying homes within three years.

The tax credit starts phasing out for homebuyers with modified gross incomes above $75,000 ($150,000 joint), according to a formula.  Please consult your tax advisor for specific information.

For more information about the estate homes and luxury real estate in the area, contact the LUXE Real Estate Group at 1-800-519-LUXE.