As Americans purchase vacation homes at a record pace, Golf Digest ranks “America’s Greatest Golf-Home Towns” in its Real Estate Special Report in the upcoming June issue. Thirteen Scottsdale courses make Golf Digest’s Best in State list, more than any other community, making Scottsdale Arizona #1 in the West Region. The highest ranked is The Estancia Club, a Tom Fazio design on the northern slope of landmark Pinnacle Peak. Also ranked 76th on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Courses, homes sell for $1.2 million and up.

According to estimates from the National Association of Realtors, Americans bought more than 1 million vacation homes in 2005, and golf was a deciding factor in nearly a third of these purchases.

In determining the rankings, Golf Digest rated 244 counties and detailed the ten best communities for golfers in eight different regions throughout the country. The top 10 golf-home markets in the West region are:

1. Scottsdale
2. Las Vegas
3. Palm Springs
4. Maui
5. San Diego
6. Hawaii (Big Island)
7. St. George Utah/Mesquite, Nev.
8. Bend/Sunriver, Ore.
9. Tucson
10. Coos Bay, Ore

Having lived in the area since 1976, I have to say I concur with Golf Digest. I haven’t yet been able to compare all of these golf courses personally, so I have a new goal! The beauty and allure of the desert and the immaculately sculptured, yet unforgiving, courses truly make this a phenominal place to be. If you are a golfer, Scottsdale Arizona is the place for you, whether you live here year-round or half-year round.

Source
Website: http://www.golf-gear-review.com/article-display/1751.html
Website: http://www.golfdigest.com/realestate

Phoenix drivers were ranked #1 among the nine largest cities according to an annual study by Allstate Insurance. Full Story on www.azcentral.com. Although we were voted as having the second-rudest drivers in the nation, we are least likely to have an accident. How’s that for irony?

Is it the heat? No. It happens all year long. Maybe it’s the lack of access we have to get from Point A to Point B. Our city is growing so fast that our roadways can’t keep up. First, I’d just like to say that all of those patrons that don’t have a specific place to be at a certain time that are driving around in the left lane at least 5 miles under the speed limit are adding to the mounting frustration of destination-focused drivers. Personally, I think they do it on purpose.

After we’ve been crawling along a 2 lane highway only to exit onto a street laden with orange barricades and cones and men in glowing orange vests waiving a sign that says SLOW, it’s a relief to hit just a tiny open stretch of road where you might actually be able to do the speed limit. . . .only to get stuck behind that lovely patron listening to self affirmations who has absolutely no respect for human kind by driving in the left lane!

Oh, and how about that 101 freeway and it’s speed cameras? If you’ve ever been behind someone while driving over 65mph (be honest) that slams on their brakes because they see that little flash in the corner of their eye - and you actually avoided the collision - then you know why we are voted #1 in safety!

Still, what a great city to live in! It must be, since we’re one of the 10 Hot Cities for Growth .

Outside of our vehicles, we’re very nice people! We have to be, we’re all from the midwest, right??

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Are you looking for a Real Estate Agent you can trust?

Kelli Grant is a proud member of the Keller Williams High Desert Realty team. Founded in 1983, Keller Williams® Realty Inc. is an international real estate company with more than 380 offices located across the and . Keller Williams is currently the fifth-largest residential real estate firm in North America . The company has succeeded by treating its 35,000-plus associates as partners and shares its knowledge and policy control on a system-wide basis.

With over 15 years experience in business management, marketing and public relations, Kelli decided to take her expertise and focus on the real estate industry. The reason she chose Keller Williams can be summed up in their mission statement, “To build careers worth having, businesses worth owning and lives worth living.”

She has lived in the “Valley of the Sun” since 1976 and seen the extensive growth blooming throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. She is currently a member of the National Association of Realtors, Scottsdale Association of Realtors and the Scottsdale Airpark Resources Organization. Previously, she managed a company that produced software management programs for local home builders and contractors. During that time she was an active member of the Arizona Contractor’s Association, the Construction Financial Management Association, and served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Women in Construction.

Her commitment to giving back to the community highlights her integrity. She volunteers for the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation in several capacities. Among them, she’s been a Mentor in their mentoring program and a speaker presenting life-changing workshops given at the Jewell McFarland Resource Center .

Kelli enjoys working with people and helping to make their dreams come true whether through her volunteer work or in her profession. That has naturally led her to a career as a real estate consultant. Her business experience ranges from operations and administration to public relations and marketing. The diversity in her business background provides her with the tools to get the job done right and her ethics and values provide her with the integrity and passion to do the job in an outstanding manner.

Kelli’s goal as a real estate consultant is to become a valued member of your family and friends’ trusted circle of influence. Each family has a dentist, a doctor, an accountant . . . and she’d like to be your Realtor. Your home is one of the biggest purchases you make in your lifetime, and this purchase should be handled with great care and respect. It takes heart and soul to walk you through the real estate process. You are not a “transaction,” you are a person.

Patrick and Kristen Goulet said, “She was helpful in every aspect of the transaction from showing us homes, to the negotiation process and all the way through the closing. It is refreshing that Kelli has also been very involved with us even after our purchase wanting to ensure our new home was everything we wanted it to be.“ Kelli clearly values the opportunity to work with you during this exciting process.

Kelli is building a referral-based business which means she dedicates her time delivering World Class service to her clients. In turn, she depends on the heartfelt endorsement and referral of valued clients, their friends, family and co-workers for buying and selling real estate. Kelli is passionate about building lasting, lifelong relationships and earning the right to be your designated Real Estate Consultant.

Contact Kelli Grant for a free report dispelling the myths about the Phoenix real estate market. Call 480-889-7442 or email her at kgrant@kw.com. www.phoenixhomesforlife.com

“You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true.”
Richard Bach, Writer

I get these insights daily from Bob Proctor and I thought this was such a powerful insight of hope! What a wonderful quote! If you would also like to receive Bob’s daily insight, click here. If you would like more information on how Bob can personally coach you to greater success, here.

Have a successful day!

Summer has eased its way back into our beloved city! I wanted to remind you to keep your families and your homes safe! Right now it’s actually still pretty nice outside during the evening and many of us are tempted to open our windows and doors.

According to the Scottsdale Police Department, 75% of all residential burglaries in Scottsdale during the summer did NOT involve forced entry. Which means that people who are leaving their windows and doors opened or unlocked allow someone to gain easy, yet illegal, entry into their home.

Many items are often taken from garages. Statistics have shown that 40% of homes in a neighborhood have open garage doors for an extended period of time on weekends. Don’t give intruders access to see what you have from the street and an invitation to take it! Close your garage doors.

The Scottsdale Police Department offers a FREE Home Security Survey through their Crme Prevention Department. An officer comes to your property and makes recommendations on what they feel will enhance your security. By layering multiple deterrents, your safety is enhanced. Most likely, if there are intruders, they will go for the easy-access house that shows no deterrents! For more information, call Mark Ruffennach, Crime Prevention Officer, at 480-312-5696.