Top Restaurants in Scottsdale

Scottsdale living comes with a number of distinct perks, one of which is the delicious dining throughout the city. No matter your food preference, you’ll find a wide array of tasty options to satisfy your cravings. Be sure to check out the following shining examples of culinary excellence in the Scottsdale area! 

Franco’s Italian Caffe

Even the most selective Italian diners will adore Franco’s for the robust flavors and authentic offerings. Scottsdale living has never tasted as good as your first bite of spinach, fontina and prosciutto bruschetta! Franco’s pasta dishes are inspired and you’ll be delighted with the outstanding service. No dinner experience is complete without a little vino and dessert, and Franco’s selections will not disappoint.

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

This beautiful restaurant and lounge provides an exceptional experience for special occasions. Eddie V’s dinner menu focuses on not only the freshest and most artfully prepared seafood, but the chef also makes a mouth-watering premium steak and a wonderfully moist roasted chicken. Don’t miss out on dessert features like the sinful Hot Chocolate Godiva Cake or the decadent Butterscotch Panna Cotta. Finish off your meal with the perfect Italian espresso for an amazing evening.

Toro Latin Restaurant and Rum Bar

Located in the luxurious Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Toro promises and delivers sultry Pan-Latin options from cocktail to entree. Toro’s rum bar boasts over 110 different rums and a strong wine collection. The suviche experience is not to be missed!

Cholla Prime Steakhouse & Lounge

One may not normally consider a casino experience to include fantastic dining, but Casino Arizona does it right with Cholla. Cholla has mastered the craft of preparing a steak that will melt in your mouth. For more adventurous diners, the lamb chops or elk tenderloin are both scrumptious choices. Don’t forget the lobster mashed potatoes for your side, and conclude your superb adventure with apple galette or chocolate coffee mousse. 

The Mission

Serving Latin fare, The Mission is a wonderful example of the uniqueness of Scottsdale living. The Himalayan salt wall provides a beautiful ambience while you enjoy some of the tableside guacamole that this establishment is known for. Seafood, shortribs, tender pork and more are infused with pecan and mesquite flavors during cooking, sure to please your tastebuds.

Be sure to make a reservation for these fantastic establishments due to their immense popularity. For those who aren’t fortunate enough to yet experience Scottsdale living, don’t hesitate. Contact us today to start your search!   

Pending home sales rose sharply in May, with lower mortgage rates and increased inventory accelerating the market, according to the National Association of Realtors. First Time Home Buyers are still not buying as strong as preferred by most analyst at 27% of the contracts. Pending home sales is an indicator of where the market MAY be going so caution is advised. Western states are fairing better than most others.

March home value numbers are in and it doesn't look like Metro Phoenix will have another housing bubble. Even though home values rebounded as much as 65% in some valley areas. The medium priced home in March was $205,000 and holding steady. With home values and interest rates holding steady if you want to buy or sell, now's a good time to contact RooPho Realty.

To arrive at an "affordable" home price, follow the guidelines of most lenders. Allowed a total debt-to-income ratio of no more than 36 percent. And assume a housing payment-to-income ratio of 28% for a conservative estimate, and 33 percent for an aggressive one. Before buying, however, you should also factor in other savings needs, including retirement and college. ASSUMPTIONS: Assumed a 30-year mortgage term, annual property tax of $2000 and homeowners insurance of $500 for the metro Phoenix area. If you need help, contact me at RooPho Realty and I’d be happy to help.

Rock-bottom mortgage rates moved even lower this week, hitting 4.12% for a 30-year fixed rate loan, according to Freddie Mac.

Thinking about buying a house? Start with this check list. 1. Decide how much you want to spend. 2. Check your credit report and score. 3. Find a lender to determine how much you can borrow. 4. Call RooPho Realty to start researching neighborhoods and what you can buy in your budget.

Homes sales in the US were up 4.9% in May '14 over last May. However, sales in the Valley were flat in April '14 over last April and not really expected to go up much in this summer. We'll see what our numbers were in May soon.

Phoenix-area home prices rose fast from September 2011 to last summer, before slowing down and then even dropping a little bit earlier this year. This April, for the second month in a row, the median single-family-home price was just under $205,000. That’s up 13 percent – from $181,399 last April to $204,900 this April. Realtors will note the average price per square foot was up 12 percent. The median townhouse/condo price went up 4 percent. - from AZBigMedia.com

Under other circumstances these numbers wouldn't sound as good but after the Great Recession, these numbers sound great. From AZCentral.com - Only 20.6 percent or 186,539 Valley homeowners are underwater now, according to a new report from real estate research firm CoreLogic. During the crash's low point for home prices in 2011, nearly 50 percent of Phoenix-area homeowners owed more on their mortgage then their home was worth.

There are currently many condos for sale in Optima Camelview. This is a great community with beautiful landscaping on every floor and for every balcony. Located on the north side of Scottsdale Fashion Square you can walk to a lot of shopping and restaurants.

http://www.aznativeproperties.com/lofts_condos_highrises/scottsdale/optima_camelview/ 

In the first three months, home prices rose 10.3% on an annual basis, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller report. In March, an index of 20 large housing markets gained 12.4% year-over-year. Values are still going up but I expect the increase to slow throughout this year.

http://www.aznativeproperties.com/

Using equity in your first home to buy a second home?

REALLY?  CNN money has a story suggesting you use the equity in your first home to help you with a down payment on a second home.  REALLY? Are they kidding?  Is that just one of many things that people did in 2005 and during the recent housing boom and got us into the Great Recession? 

How many times have you read story's about people then losing both homes?  Sometimes the first home was one they had owned for 20 years or so. 

Don't get me wrong.  Real Estate is a great investment right now.  But if you have money in one piece of real estate, maybe you should just leave it there.  If you have money in stocks or a savings account and that's not making you much money, maybe that's what you should use.  Always consult a financial advisor because these questions are so personal to your specific financial life. 

Right now, homes are selling well in may areas, especial home for sale in Phoenix.  And many believe, including me, values will continue to go up for about the next year.  However, I admit the values have gone up in the last year faster than expected, but I have a hard time believing they will continue and get us back into another bubble.  If they do, and you use your current equity for another home, that's a big risk.

Think of Las Vegas, you're at the craps table and your up $50k.  If the right dice come up, you win, if not, you lose.  Can you afford to lose? 

http://money.cnn.com/2013/08/16/pf/expert/home-equity/index.html

Phoenix Commercial Real Estate picking back up.

Ronald Hanson of the Arizona Republic is reporting that commercial real estate is picking up.  Phoenix Commercial Real Estate often follows residential real estate in the Metro Phoenix market.  As Downtown Phoenix residential sales started to slow down, the commercial market did the same. 

How that Metro Phoenix has been picking back up, the commercial market is following suit. 

Most of the residential building in Central Phoenix, Downtown Tempe, Downtown Scottsdale and the Biltmore Area have been rental or assisting living.  The residential market needs to get a bit stronger before Condos and Town homes start building again.  However, Phoenix Historic Homes are stilling coming on the market and at reasonable prices.

AZ Central whole story

Summit at Cooper Square can be financed with 3% down

The Summit at Copper Square is a 22 story building located in Downtown Phoenix next door to the Baseball Stadium.  Built in 2007 before the market crashed, they didn't sell all the units and the project filed bankruptcy.  I know that sounds bad but it's not.  The good part is an investment company bought the remaining units for penny's on the dollar and have been renting them out since. 

They started selling their units for cash or 20% down and a conventional loan.  Now that so many have sold, they can finance them with 3% down.  There are currently 1 and 2 bedrooms condos for sale starting in the high $100's. 

As for Downtown Phoenix condos, this is at the top of the list of best places to live.  They have a pool on the 5th floor, workout room and board room.  They also have a rooftop community room that can be used for private parties.

Look at all the great picture on my website and contact me with any questions.

The Summit at Copper Square

Phoenix had hte biggest increase in home values in the Nation.

U.S. home prices jumped 10.9 percent in March compared with a year ago, the most since April 2006. A growing number of buyers are bidding on a tight supply of homes, driving prices higher and helping the housing market recover.
The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index released Monday also showed that all 20 cities measured posted annual gains for the third straight month.
And prices rose in 15 cities in March from February. That’s up from only 11 in the previous month.
Annual prices rose in Phoenix by 22.5 percent, the biggest gain among cities. It was followed by San Francisco (22.2 percent) and Las Vegas (20.6 percent).
New York City had the smallest annual increase, at 2.6 percent. It was followed by Cleveland with 34.8 percent.

www.AZNativeProperties.com

Safari Drive Community, Scottsdale AZ

 Safari Drive Commuinity are located on the northside of the Camelback Road and just east of Scottsdale. 

Safari Drive community has a beautiful Zen Garden and heated pool.  Floor plans range from 900 square foot 1 bedrooms to 3000 square foot 2 bedrooms. 

Kitchens are upgrade for your best home cooking.  Nice large windows for great light and views.

If you enjoy the location and are looking for something a little different in size or style, contact RooPho Realty for Realtors who specialize in urban condos.

RooPho Realty also works valleywide for single family homes, townhomes and condos.

Contact us at www.AZNativeProperties.com or 602-224-0554.

Ravens View Condos, South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ

Ravens View Condos are located at Ravens Golf Course and many of the condos have views of the course or of South Mountain.  The floor plans are 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms.  The community was built in 1999 and is gated with a community pool, spa and work out room.  Located at 34th Street and Baseline Road, it's only about 15 minutes to Downtown Phoenix and Downtown Tempe.

Get more information on www.AZNativeProperties.com or contact Chris Campbell at Chris@RooPhoRealty.com or 602-224-0554.

Home values not under distress are starting to go up in Phoenix.

As foreclosures and short sales decline, home values having been going up especially for those whose home was not threatened by disclosure.  These are good signs for the overall Metro Phoenix market is getting better a little faster than other areas around the country. 

Many have thought there is a shadow market of homes foreclosed on but not put on the market for sale.  I was one of those people last year and never really got proof if that was accuarate or not.  What I'm seeing today is a lot different.  Any residential property put on the market today at a reasonable price for it's location and condistion are selling within days on the market.  If a property is on the market more than 30 days, I'd ask why.  Sometimes just seeing the property will tell you.  One of the main reason I see is that the property needs a lot of work but is priced as if the work has been done.

Call me and I can do the research of the properties history and get answers to questions you have about the property and find supporting comparible properties to help you understand if the price is right.

See many Metro Phoenix propeties at www.AZNativeProperties.com or contact me at Chris@RooPhoRealty.com or 602-224-0554

US home values are up and AZ Values improve the most.

The housing market continues to improve nationwide although slowly.  In Arizona, the market is improving a little better than the rest of the country with 18% increase over last years values.  A big problem Metro Phoenix still has is there aren't many residential properties on the market and those that come on the market sell fast if they are priced right.  The low inventory helps increase values so investors and owner occupied buyers are snapping up properties quickly.

Another good thing is Short Sales are getting approvals faster than in the past.  Many are getting approved in 2 to 4 months compared with 4 to 8 months a few years ago.

Here's the full story from AZCentral.com

For more information on resential real estate go to http://www.AZNativeProperties.com/ or contact Chris at Chris@RooPhoRealty.com or 602-224-0554

Third Ave Lofts in Old Town Scottsdale

This beautiful, contemporary five-story mid-rise is located in the heart of Scottsdale’s historic Old Town District and features urban living. Some of the city’s finest restaurants, shopping, night life and everything that Old Town has to offer all within walking distance to Third Ave Lofts!

Amenities such as a heated pool, hot tub, and a spacious courtyard for sunbathing and entertaining. Luring them and their guests to this exclusive outdoor oasis is an inviting fireplace and barbeque area.

Residences at Third Avenue Lofts include spacious studios and multi-level loft designs. The voluminous penthouses on the top floor offer luxury living at its best. The views of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, especially Camelback Mountain, and the surrounding city are spectacular.

There are two underground levels of private parking and individual storage facilities for the residents’ convenience. A private fitness center complements their runs along the nearby canal waterways. The building is access-controlled with key fobs, and features evening hour on-site attendants and a security camera system. DirecTV HD DVR service is included in all units.

Get more information about Third Ave Lofts and other Urban communities at www.AZNativeProperties.com or contract Chris for more information.