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 oversized 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 1-888-900-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.

Since 1992, the Scottsdale League for the Arts contributed approximately three-million dollars to support art and art education for children of Scottsdale, Arizona.  While fully embracing the relaxing lifestyle available in Scottsdale , these volunteers help shape the cultural landscape by staging signature events such as the fabulous Annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival held in April.

Residents of Scottsdale take great advantage of the festival’s sunny days to enjoy each other’s company.  Destination events also bring out residents of Greater Phoenix metropolitan area along with snowbirds from around the nation to enjoy the company of professional artists.  They contribute to the artsy mystique of Scottsdale, AZ.

During the food, fun, and festivities of the six-day Scottsdale Culinary Festival, the host of casual-to-upscale events includes demos by the nation’s top chefs.  The fest features awesome food, drink, and live music from acclaimed bands.

The Scottsdale League for the Arts hosts over 40,000 guests for the Scottsdale Culinary Festival, the longest-running festival of its kind in the United States.  The League organizes the event and welcomes other volunteers to help at the entrance gates, beverage booths, and ticket booths.

The League awards grants on a competitive basis to non-profit 501(c) 3 agencies that provide direct services or activities related to the arts.  The Phoenix Symphony, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Arts in Education Council, and Phoenix Boys Choir are past recipients of funds.  Businesses can help by purchasing cost-effective sponsorship packages that provide a wonderful opportunity for exposure while supporting the local arts community.

The 2009 event included the following events:

• Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
• Bubbles & Bliss at W Scottsdale
• Chef Tribute Dinner at J&G Steakhouse
• Mixologist On the Rocks at Hotel Valley Ho and Mondrian Scottsdale
• Culinary Hall of Fame Awards Dinner at Wrigley Mansion
• East, Drink & Be Pretty and Cooks & Corks at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
• Great Arizona Picnic at Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza
• Chefs Wine Dinners
• Wine Country Brunch at InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa
• Best of the Fest at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch

Tickets range from $10 to $225.  In a partnership with Food & Wine Magazine, the magazine donates a 12-issue subscription to anyone who purchases at least $40 worth of tickets.  The next event associated with the 2010 Culinary Festival is cocktails at Trader Vic’s at Hotel Valley on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

For more information about luxury real estate in the area, contact LUXE Real Estate Group at 1-888-900-LUXE.

The lifestyle at DC Ranch is unrivaled.  The DC Ranch community was designed for an affluent lifestyle and promotes the ability for its residents to not have to ever leave its boundaries to enjoy North Scottsdale and the best amenities in town.

The award winning DC Ranch Marketplace is a place to be seen and to enjoy the valleys top eateries and even wineries.  It is an upscale marketplace built and designed by DMB. It offers neighborhood shopping convenience with a chance to wine and dine with family and friends at a wine bars like Armitage and multiple high end dining options like Eddie V’s.

If you like golf, you can enjoy the DC Ranch Countryclub and its 18 hole, par 71 golf course designed by DC Ranch resident Tom Lehman.  This award winning golf course sits at the foot of the McDowell Mountains and features views of North Scottsdale to Camelback Mountain.

As for DC Ranch Real Estate, few communities can compare to the spacious elevated floor plans and home on and around the DC Ranch Mountains.  It features a unique opportunity to connect with family and friends with various community amenities and even the Village Racquetball Club and Spa.

Housing ranges from the low 400s to well over $1 million.  However, one of its greatest attributes is that DC Ranch offers housing for all levels of income, from top level condominiums to multi-million dollar estates in Silverleaf.

For more information, please call your local DC Ranch Real Estate experts at the Luxe Real Estate Group at 480-948-6260.