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Architecture, Art, Augmented Reality, Business, COVID-19, Education, Entertainment, Inspiration, Life, Technology

5 Incredible Places You Can Visit Virtual Right Now

with Sotheby’s International Realty

It’s summertime and you may have had travel plans that got canceled or postponed. Staying home doesn’t mean that you can’t still be well traveled; from UNESCO World Heritage sites like Machu Picchu to world-class zoos and aquariums, here are five incredible places you can visit right now from the comfort of your own home.

Machu Picchu

The first stop on our virtual vacation is the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu in southern Peru. Built in the 15th century, you can tour the citadel ruins and restorations with guided audio to give you important details along the way.

The Georgia Aquarium

Did you know that some studies show that visiting an aquarium can relieve stress? Featured on Animal Planet’s hit show “The Aquarium,” bring the Georgia Aquarium into your living room with one of its many live tank cams and relax as you watch colorful fish, otters, reptiles, and more.

Arches National Park

The United States is home to many wonderous national parks – more than 400 in total. With the help of Google Earth, travel the deserts of Utah and see Arches National Park where you can virtually walk through some of the more than 2,000 sandstone arches that are the area’s namesake.

The San Diego Zoo

Looking for some one-on-one time with your favorite exotic animal? The San Diego Zoo in California has you covered. With 11 live camera feeds you can spend hours with pandas, tigers, giraffes, penguins and more.

The Great Pyramid and Great Sphinx of Giza

One is the only true remaining ancient wonder of the world and the other is an iconic ancient Egyptian structure. We of course, are talking about the Great Pyramid and Great Sphinx of Giza. Through Google Earth’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites project, these are just two of the 30 significant places you can visit.

July 12, 2020 by
Art, Business, Education, Real Estate

Russ Lyon SIR Welcomes Brenda M. Cady

Lisa Wadey's head shot

 Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is dedicated to bringing the highest level of service to today’s home buyers and sellers. This tradition continues with the recent addition of luxury Real Estate Advisor, Brenda Cady, to the Sedona office. 

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty agents strive to deliver real estate experiences beyond expectations to enhance lifestyles for their clients, expanding their reputation as the most respected name in real estate.

As a former music teacher, school principal and district administrator, Brenda thrives on serving others. Brenda moved to Arizona in 2007 where she served the communities of Anthem, Glendale, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Surprise. Brenda grew up in the beach town of Ventura, California where she studied music as a professional French horn player. She lived in Tenerife, Spain for three years and has enjoyed playing concerts in several European countries. Brenda earned her bachelors from University of California at Los Angeles, took master classes at University of Southern California, earned her masters from Grand Canyon University and is currently finishing her doctorate in organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University.

Brenda currently resides in Sedona, Arizona where she and her husband were married on Valentine’s Day in the beautiful red rocks. Together they enjoy visiting their families in California and Nebraska. When not serving the community or taking in the great outdoors, they enjoy watching Cornhusker football and the Arizona Cardinals. 

We are thrilled to welcome back to Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, Brenda Cady! Brenda’s deep background in education is a time worn advantage in the real estate industry.  With a commitment to help others and a deep desire to dive deep into details, Brenda’s customers will get the benefit of a kind and caring as well as extremely prepared and professional.

Tod Christensen, Managing Broker
June 12, 2020 by
Education, Entertainment, Fitness, Inspiration

Fresh Air | 5 Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors Safely

with Sotheby’s Internationa Realty

Spring is in full effect in the northern hemisphere and as restrictions on some outdoor spaces begin to lift, here are five ways you can enjoy some much-needed sunshine and fresh air while practicing safe social distancing guidelines.

Practice Cleanliness

First and foremost, take care of yourself and the members of your household. While some of the heavier restrictions are being lifted, it’s still important to make sure that you stay up to date with CDC guidelines and ensure that you’re washing your hands frequently and wearing a face covering when in public spaces – even while outside.

Just Get Outside

It’s no secret that sunshine offers many health benefits – the good news is that you don’t have to go far to get it. Carve out a part of each day to get outside, even if it’s an hour on your patio, yard or doorstep to get that all-important boost of vitamin D. Enjoying the sunshine doesn’t have to be complicated; if social distancing guidelines in your area permit, take a walk by yourself or with members of your household.

Camping in Your Backyard

You can take your family on a camping adventure in your own backyard. Set up a tent, have a bonfire, roast some marshmallows and tell campfire stories. Try leaving cellphones and other electronics in the house for a truly authentic camping experience.

Go for a Hike         

Some trails and parks are beginning to reopen their gates, which means you can lace up your hiking boots and get back into nature. The National Recreation and Park Association offers some guidance like warning other trail users of your presence, allowing proper space or stepping off trails as you pass others, and keeping the recommended distance at all times. Check out our Arizona’s Natural Wonders and Hiddem Gems blog post for information on Arizona hiking.

A Bicycle Built for You

Similar to hiking or going for a walk, you can get on your bike and go for a ride alone or with members of your household. It’s important to avoid congested routes so consider riding at off-peak hours, try new paths, and don’t be discouraged if you have to alter your route to find a less crowded path.

June 7, 2020 by
Architecture, Art, Business, COVID-19, Education, Equestrian, Real Estate

Luxury Real Estate Headlines April 2020

Here’s how businesses are helping others during COVID-19 crisis – AZ Big Media

A Conversation with ‘The Golden Girls of Real Estate’ – Flagstaff Business News

Giving back in Southern Arizona – Arizona Daily Star

Aazami on Luxury Homes: Virtual Real Estate Tools Assist All Parties During COVID-19 Crisis – AZ Foothills

Renowned Architect David Hovey’s First Private Residential Design and Former Home Shadow Caster Hits the Market in Desert Mountain – Yahoo! Finance

U.S. Golf Communities for the Love of the Game – Mansion Global

Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury’s home stole the show at the NFL draft. Here’s more on his Paradise Valley home – AZ Central

Here’s what you can get for $1M in Phoenix – Yahoo! Finance, Fox Business

Shifting Footprints: The New Normal in Office Design – RISmedia

PHOTOS: Past mining hotel with 40 rooms in Jerome on market for $5.9 million – AZ Family

PHOTOS: Scottsdale home with underground garage on market for $6.2 million – AZ Family

May 4, 2020 by
Architecture, Art, Business, COVID-19, Education, Entertainment, Real Estate, Working From Home

Stay Home | 4 Reasons Why Home Matters

by Sotheby’s International Realty

There are many famous quotes about home – “home is where the heart is,” “there’s no place like home,” and “home is where your story begins,” to name a few. These are sentiments we can get behind now, more than ever. Let’s settle into our favorite spots and take a look at the importance of home.

A Place to Reflect

Home is a place where you feel most comfortable, which is why it feels so good to come home after time away. It’s a place where can you curl up with a good book and the place where your bed and pillow await after a long day. Now that many of us are spending more time in our homes than ever before, we may forget that special feeling of “coming home,” and how nice it is to walk through our own front door every day to a place of warmth and familiarity. Now is a perfect time to reflect on where you’ve been, where you are, and where you want to go in the future – and yes, that can include a travel bucket list.

An Expression of Lifestyle

As many of us are spending more time at home, we’ve been able to better evaluate the everyday functionality, layout, and aesthetic of our households. Our time at home right now affords us the opportunity to experiment with our space and whether it is truly working to best fit our needs. Consider reorganizing drawers, pantries, and closets as an easy weekend project. For something new, consider rearranging the layout of a room, ordering some new accessories or a new patio set, and if you have the time, trying a new paint color. Making small updates to your surroundings helps your home continue to be a place of comfort and inspiration.

Memories and History

A favorite coffee mug from a special trip, a treasured family photo, memories of funny kitchen mishaps, and the first time you walked through the door and called this space home are all things to remember during a time like this – especially if you’re beginning to feel restless. Take a moment to look around your home and take stock of all it has provided over the years – let those memories bring a smile to your face. Remember, just because you’re home doesn’t mean you can’t make new memories; virtually visit a museum or take in a live performance to help pass the time.

A Home Means Hope

Having a place to call home sets you up for success and gives you a hope for a better future. New Story has provided thousands of homes to families in need and now, during this current health crisis, is helping families in the U.S. that are facing homelessness. Learn more about New Story and how you can make a difference and see how they’ve partnered with Icon to revolutionize how they’re building homes on the Apple TV+ series, “Home.”

Home is where the heart is – share your favorite part about your home in the comments below and remember, we’re all in this together.

May 3, 2020 by
Business, COVID-19, Education, Life, Stress, Technology, Working From Home

5 Ways to Balance Working From Home and Homeschooling

by Sotheby’s International Realty

During the course of a typical day, parents juggle many tasks between home and work. These unprecedented times have parents stretched further than before—adding homeschooling to their long list of roles. As we all work through this new reality together, here are five ways to help manage your child’s educational needs while also working from home.

Set a Schedule

Whether your child is in pre-school or high school, they’re no doubt accustomed to being on a schedule inside the walls of their school – and there are benefits from that. Write the day’s schedule in a highly visible and highly trafficked place or use devices powered by Alexa or Google to set reminders. Among other things, this sets clear expectations for what can be expected for the day.

Take Breaks

Every household will be different – just like every child. It’s important to tailor your schedule and workload to what works for your family. That being said, everyone needs breaks. Grab a snack, cup of coffee or a breath of fresh air with your child to break up your day; enjoy the quality time. Studies show that taking breaks help our brains perform better.

Lean on Virtual Assistance

Managing screen time is a point of contention when it comes to the age of your child and how often they’re on their phone/tablet, but in these times it’s important to get help from where you can. Let people like renowned children’s author and artist Mo Willems teach art class, let celebrities handle story time, or call on Les Mills to proctor gym class. There are also a plethora of worksheets available from places like Lakeshore to keep the activities going while you get some work done.

Mix it Up

Schedules and a catalog of resources are great, but variety will keep your learners engaged d and stave off the much-maligned sentiment of, “I’m bored.” Talk to your child and determine what’s working – and what’s not – before venturing out of comfort zones. Is your child an avid reader? Try Oxford Owl to foster some alone-time with an age-tailored story. Looking for a more hands-on task? Make organizing socks, toys, pencils, or the pantry into a game.

Lower Expectations

At the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you and your family and that means you can’t guarantee anything. Don’t live in a world of absolutes – if a schedule that has treated you well falls apart for a few days, don’t fret; staying flexible will keep both you and your child more content in the long run.

We are not the experts here – we’re all in this together. Learn more about succeeding at this balancing act from Money, The Atlantic, and the BBC. Share what’s working for you in the comments.

April 26, 2020 by
Architecture, Art, Business, COVID-19, Education, Entertainment, Real Estate

Luxury Real Estate Headlines | march 2020

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s sells Scottsdale mountainside home for $7.5M – News Break, AZ Big Media

Retired health care exec picks up Scottsdale luxury home for $7.5M – Phoenix Business Journal

Big Scottsdale Home Sale – Rose Law Group

Estancia home sells for $7.5M in north Scottsdale – Scottsdale Independent

Expert discusses COVID-19 impact on real estate market – AZ Family

Fitzgerald Named REALTOR® of the Year – Scottsdale Independent

Russ Lyon Agent Named REALTOR of the Year – AZ Big Media

PHOTOS: $2.1 million mid-century modern home for sale in Paradise Valley – AZ Family

Russ Lyon Charitable Foundation donates $10,000 in Response to Coronavirus Health Crisis – LuxuryRealEstate.com, Frontdoors Media, Rose Law Group

April 3, 2020 by
Architecture, Business, COVID-19, Education, Entertainment, Real Estate

Luxury Real Estate headlines | February 2020

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Selected to Represent Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate Board of Regents Throughout the State of Arizona – LuxuryRealEstate.com

Nine Frank Lloyd Wright Properties are Currently for Sale in the US – Design Boom

PHOTOS: Paradise Valley home with unobstructed views of Camelback Mountain on market – AZ Family

March 6, 2020 by