With Christmas right around the corner you are probably not putting a whole lot of thought into getting your home ready to sell, but if you're planning on selling the first of the year, starting now, even with just some tips and ideas can put you ahead of the game when the time comes.

Come the first of the year, you'll have a little bit more competition that you have now, so you'll need to be ready to market to those potential buyers. Here are some tips to starting now if you're planning on selling the first of the year.

#1. Talk to an agent.

Before you start looking around at the properties for sale, talk to an agent first. Things will literally change overnight once the Christmas sea...

We do a lot of things solely on emotion; fall in love, buy that dress or purse, purchase that sports car, and buying a house really isn't any different. Okay, maybe it's a few thousand dollars of difference but the emotion is the same. We are attracted to it and something in our brain says, "oh, I just love it and have to have it." 

So, how can sellers evoke that kind of emotion when staging and prepping their house for sale?

Let's look at the way people buy; most people start their buying process online. Did you know that close to 90% of homebuyers start their search online? If your house is not online you are missing the majority of potential buyers. In today's technology era, once ...

Pumpkin spice has grown in popularity since the launch of the famous coffee drink nearly a decade and a half ago. Now the season we have always known as fall has been re-named pumpkin spice season with a tongue and cheek playfulness. Beginning in August all sorts of pumpkin spice flavored, scented, colored, etc. items are released to store shelves and nostalgic fall fanatics begin to get excited for a change in seasons.  
 
Some say the science behind the popularity of the pumpkin spice trend has to do with warm fuzzy holiday memories that the scent invokes in our memories. Others say the memories combined with large amounts of sugar make anything pumpkin spice addictive and we begin to cra...

Condo living has so many perks and benefits. One attribute of condo living that buyers very much enjoy is the long list of amenities available enabling them to live that dream lifestyle. Sedona and Cottonwood have some great condo properties on the market that offer wonderful amenities. Some of the favorite condo amenities in Sedona and Cottonwood include: 

 
Unbelievable Views 
This is Red Rock Country. People come from all over the world to take in the areas unmatched outdoor beauty. It is almost unreal and unbelievable how amazing the scenery is around here. There are many condo properties that take full advantage of the gorgeous red rocks with large windows looking out to views you wil...

Sedona Arizona has tons of biking trails all throughout our mountains, hills, and valleys. If you're looking for either a beginning trail or an advanced course, here are some of the best bike trails in Sedona.

Best bike trails for beginners:

Bell Rock Trails.

This is a great trail for first-time or beginner bikers. It's over 16 miles writing between Courthouse Butte and Little Horse Trail. It has smooth services and wide trails and plenty of room to share the trail. It has beautiful views making it a memorable ride for first-timers and beginners alike.

Directions:Location: 31 miles south of Flagstaff in scenic Red Rock Country.

GPS:

North Trailhead (Map): 34°48'19.8"N 111°46'00.5"W
S...

Selling a home has changed quite a bit over the last 10 years. Due to the recession that happened around 2007 today’s buyers are more savvy and careful and also more demanding. The things that once sold homes in the recent past will no longer get a home sold today.

Marketing a Home is More than Just Listing
Standard online listings are not going to attract a large number of buyers, it takes more. Buyers start their search online and they are looking for homes with amazing professional photos, video walkthroughs, and true 3D virtual tour floor plans (not a virtual tour slideshow). Buyers are looking for homes marketed with the latest online techniques including social media. With the conve...

Today’s real estate market is more competitive than ever. Selling a home takes a little more than it did in year’s past. Though it is a seller’s market right now in Sedona a home still needs to be up to par to sell quickly and for the best price.

When selling a home there will be a long list of to-do’s to get your home ready to show in its best light. It is easy for that list to stack up with tasks and then things can fall through the cracks as you get busy trying to check stuff off the list while still accomplishing daily life tasks.

Below are five things homes sellers should have on their list and make sure not to forget to do before putting their home on the market to get their home ...

Listing, staging, and selling a house may seem stressful but with a little bit of research, a great real estate agent or team, and a few tips on showing the house, you can get it sold for the highest price possible in a shorter amount of time. Here are eight tips for showing your house to potential buyers.

#1. Clean.

Buyers will seek out a speck of dirt anywhere so as long as you keep it clean from top to bottom, you won't offend those clean freaks that might be wiping down mantles and bookshelves with white gloves. If need be, hire a housekeeper or maid service at least once a week while your home is on the market. Once you've accepted an offer you can cancel the service.

#2. Make s...

Maybe this is the first time you are considering buying farmland, a ranch, or equestrian property and you're wondering if Sedona is really the best place for that purchase. Surprisingly, there are a lot of equestrian ranches around the Sedona area including places like West Sedona and Big Park. Beautiful acreage, luxurious homes, or simple farmland is available depending on what you're looking for.

Recent listings in Arizona with farms totaling over 125,000 acres with a combined value of nearly $250 million definitely goes to show that there are plenty of ranches and equestrian properties available. 

But it doesn't just include land with equestrian properties or ranches. Arizona has l...

Where do foodies want to go for good grub in Sedona? We've got the list. From tv-worthy hotpots to restaurants with so many reviews they're a must, we've got your go-to spots for the best food in Sedona.

Cowboy Club – 21 N. State Route 89 A Uptown Sedona – step back in time to the old West and enjoy some delicious cowboy fair at Cowboy Club. Open 11 AM to 9 PM daily. As seen on Rachel Ray $40 a Day, Cowboy Club features some of the best grub this side of the Mississippi including Diamondback rattlesnake cakes, buffalo brochettes, and ridiculous homemade cornbread with honey chipotle better. Looking for something a little unique? How about some freshly fried cactus fries, cast-iron baked ...

There are an infinite number of reasons people move. Whether it's for the military, marriage, divorce, new career, family change (or a dozen other reasons), you want to make it as stress-free as possible. 

We have lot of moving options in Sedona as far as moving, packing and storage companies but there are simple and costly mistakes many people make when relocating. Here are some of the ones we see the most AND how to avoid them. 

#1. You haven't researched the location or the property.

There's nothing worse than moving in, getting all settled only to realize you're in a flight path or the home is next to railroad tracks. Maybe the neighbor's dog barks incessantly or the city dump is...

Kids are back in school and autumn is already approaching. Now is a great time to focus on some home maintenance projects that you get your home ready for the winter. I know, it doesn't get that cold around here but we can still do a few things to keep our homes in tip-top shape.

#1. Clean the Gutters.

Cleaning the gutters and downspouts is a good way to maintain the integrity of your house so that they don't overflow, fill up, and damage the roof or siding. Regards can make the job a lot easier as well.

#2. Check the wood trim around windows, doors, railings, and decks.

If you see any wood rot or if there are any holes, use caulking to seal them or simply replace the wood.

#3. Now i...

Where is the best place to live in Sedona? Well, of course, that's all relative, but many people will tell you that Uptown is the place to be. Just before State Route 89A heads up Oak Creek Canyon is the small community or central heart of Sedona called Uptown. 

Uptown is located just north of South Sedona, east of West Sedona about 10 minutes from the Village at Oak Creek. This unique blend of history, shopping, social activities, restaurants and the main hub of the visitor activity is one of the best places to be in Sedona, especially if you are new to the area or you'd like to check out more of the commercial side of Sedona.

There are sidewalk cafés, coffee shops, galleries, fudge ...

Is it possible? For some it is! But it also depends on how willing you are to prepare the house for a fast sale. I'm not talking about dropping the price so far that you're giving the home away, but have you ever wondered why one house sells in a neighborhood within days while others sit on the market for weeks or even months?

You don't want to be that guy. You want your house sold. So, here's what a recent client did to get the house sold fast.

#1. She timed it right

Timing is everything in the real estate market. Now is an excellent time to sell as we head into spring and summer. People that sell right before major holidays were when people are going to be out of town is never a good...

Selling your house can be a stressful situation but there are some ways that you can alleviate that stress by preparing, planning ahead, and choosing the right real estate agent. But no matter how long we've done this we still here are some of the most horrific selling advice. There's always something new or some new tactic that homeowners have heard that may work to sell their house, but chances are, the best way to sell a house is to stage accordingly, price it right from the beginning, and marketed to the right buyer. However, if you've heard some of these tactics, you might be tempted to try them as well.

Here's some of the worst home selling advice we've ever heard.

#1. Don't make ...

Sedona Living and the Wildlife that surrounds you

There are many perks to living in Sedona and the surrounding towns. You have everything from small city living, nights out on the town, hole in the wall shops, awarding winning restaurants and more. There are a few hidden gems in Sedona that you can stumble upon such as breathtaking hiking trails and beautiful wildlife. While there may be brightly colored wildflowers peppered through Sedona, there are also many different animals to discover.

When you think of Arizona, Texas, New Mexico or really any sunny and dry state, one of the first animals that come to mind would be the rattlesnake. Sedona is home to multiple different species ...

Finding a family friendly adventure can often be a much more difficult task than you may think. Of course, there are many different things you can do indoors that require a pretty penny, however, I am always on the lookout for adventures that can not only get my family outside but also get my family moving to maintain a healthy life style.  While the adventurer in me is nearly bursting at the seems I love it when I just so happen to stumble upon a beautiful piece of nature that can be explored by not only beginners, but also beginners in training. AKA: a grumpy, tired, hungry, mood-swinging toddler. Grab your calendar and a pen and make sure your weekend plans are filled with a trip to ...

While you might not have a winery on your wish list when searching for a new home, it is a huge bonus when you just so happen to stumble upon the perfect winery only right next door. It’s these unexpected surprises that can help make a house a home and a neighborhood a community. For those of you who are lucky enough to call Sedona and the surrounding areas your home, you are able to experience and discover multiple great wineries to help satisfy your weekend tasting or even offer you a much-needed nightcap to the end a long and exhausting work day. While each winery has its own unique charm, each and every one of these wineries has something new to offer and many feature live music, ev...

With Television show such as “Fixer Upper,” “Property Brothers” and “Rustic in the Rockies” airing on HGTV and catching our attention, many people have found a new love and appreciation for rustic décor. With the renovations and beautiful rustic remodels many people have also decided to forego their modern decorations and structures to create a homey, cozy, rustic sanctuary. Someone’s trash truly can be someone else’s treasure, and these shows are here to prove it! Distressed wood, antiques, re-purposed furniture, the possibilities are endless and allow you to create and add that perfect little touch of rustic charm. With rustic charm on the verge of expansion, everyone is left wonderin...

Located on Chavez Ranch Road is Herkenham Trail. The trail is named after Norm Herkenham, a local resident that work for the National Forest Service and volunteered with Friends of the Forest, who passed away in 2010. The trail is an easy walk great for all skill levels of hikers and the lack of shade along the trail makes this a great hike in the cooler months.

To find the trail from Chavez Road, go to the Old Post Trailhead. Old Post is popular with mountain bikers and used to be a road. From this point you will stroll through a few piñon pine and juniper trees with mesas on the right and Schuerman Mountain to the left. This portion of the hike is very scenic and if you glance back a l...