Don’t limit yourself to one type of shopping: About 7 in 10 consumers plan on shopping in-store for their holiday gifts, with the average person planning to visit about six stores in total. Instead, you may be able to score awesome prices from the comfort of your couch.
Don’t pay full price: There are lots of ways to save around the holiday season. This can come in a variety of forms, from free shipping codes, promo codes, coupon codes to cashback offers.
Do your research: Some stores will price match during Black Friday season, so it’s worth looking into the policies if you’re debating between several stores.
Check online deals: Many retailers will offer the same Black Friday deals online as they do in stores. AmazonSmile
Follow brands on social media: Sometimes, especially around Black Friday Week, you will find door buster codes. These are promotions that promise additional discounts.
Download apps and extensions: Consider downloading some apps for your smartphone and browser extensions that plug into your internet browser and alert you to cheaper prices and deals.
Shop after the sale days end: Only about a third of Americans plan to shop on Black Friday. In fact, over half say they will wait until the week after to complete their holiday shopping. You may be able to find better deals on certain items after Black Friday and Cyber Monday end.
Use credit cards: Credit card can give extra protection compared to debit cards; such as the right to dispute charges and a limit on liability.
Monitor: Check your credit card and bank accounts before, during, and after the holiday shopping season.
The holidays will look and feel a bit different this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but that does not mean those holiday traditions have to stop. Some of the best Christmas and holiday light displays around Arizona have already opened for the season, while others are preparing to open in the next few weeks. Here is our list of fun, festive light shows and experiences to check out!
From a record-breaking Silverleaf estate in North Scottsdale to a new construction estate in the coveted Ventana Canyon Mountain Estates of Tucson, this issue of Significant Sales showcases extraordinary homes represented by Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty throughout Arizona.
Seller Representation: Lisa Westcott | Buyer Representation: Shawna Warner | $24,100,000
Barry Conser of the Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Desert Mountain office has become the first on the men’s side to win the Desert Mountain Triple Crown. Barry won the club’s Senior Club Championship, Monument Cup-Match Play Championship and Men’s Club Championship.
Sotheby’s International Realty today announced Schürrer & Fleischer Immobilien is the newest member of its global network and will now operate as Baden-Württemberg Sotheby’s International Realty. The addition marks the brand’s 15th office in Germany and its expanding presence in Europe with more than 140 offices.
Baden-Württemberg Sotheby’s International Realty will be owned and operated by Peter Schürrer and Bernd Fleischer and will serve the luxury residential real estate market in Stuttgart and the surrounding region, such as Mannheim, Heidelberg, Neustadt, and Baden-Baden. Bernd and Peter bring nearly 25 years of real estate experience to the company and 35 agents.
“Stuttgart is the sixth largest city in Germany and is renowned for its wealth, outstanding infrastructure, and strong economy,” said Philip White, president and chief executive officer of Sotheby’s International Realty. “The demand for real estate in Stuttgart’s premium segment is correspondingly high and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Peter Schürrer and Bernd Fleischer and the Baden-Württemberg Sotheby’s International Realty company to the network.”
“As one of the leading real estate companies in Baden-Württemberg, we take great pride in distinguishing ourselves among buyers and sellers by providing top quality service,” said Bernd. “Stuttgart and the surrounding region are an excellent choice for those seeking a mixture of provincial and cosmopolitan flair. Our affiliation with Sotheby’s International Realty will further capture the attention of the higher-priced segment and showcase our listings on an international scale.”
Baden-Württemberg Sotheby’s International Realty has an office in the town of Stuttgart. Since the establishment of its charitable foundation in 2009, the company and its agents annually support regional Caritas association projects, which aims to support those in need. The company also sponsors sporting events to promote community involvement.
The Sotheby’s International Realty® network currently has more than 23,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in approximately 1,000 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide. Baden-Württemberg Sotheby’s International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm’s brokers and clients will benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house and worldwide Sotheby’s International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.
Luxury Agent Lisa Westcott of the Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Pinnacle Peak office, is representing the seller for the current highest listed residential estate in Arizona. Westcott recently closed on another $24.1 million sale to make Arizona history as the highest residential sale in the state. Now, Westcott is vying to break her own state record with this new $27.5 million listing of another grand estate.
21053 N 110th Way is located in Scottsdale, Arizona in the guard-gated Upper Canyon of Silverleaf behind its own private gates. The 6 bed, 7 bath, 15,000 square foot estate was built on 4.7 acres in 2017. In 2014, the lot in Silverleaf was purchased and the buyers worked with Architect Dale Gardon and Salcito Custom Homes to craft an exquisite Modern Mediterranean home.
“When my clients purchased this lot back in 2014 we knew there were endless possibilities,” said Westcott. “With the sellers’ vision, Dale Gardon’s expertise and Salcito Custom Homes quality, the home exceeded all expectations. It is truly an honor as a broker associate to represent such an exquisite estate.”
“Working with clients was the perfect fit for me and the entire team at Salcito Custom Homes. The clients were looking for an estate suitable to accommodate large scale entertaining, frequent visits from out of state family and friends and at the same time they never wanted to feel out of scale during intimate family time. The end result is a magnificent modern Mediterranean estate situated and nestled on a private site with endless views of city lights and amazing sunsets. The clients have sophisticated taste and pay attention to every detail. Those two qualities show up in every inch inside and out of the home. We specialize in meeting the needs of clients like that and we are very proud of this one,” said Anthony Salcito Jr, president and owner of Salcito Custom Homes.
The never before listed, magnificent private estate is currently priced at $27.5 million. The architectural masterpiece delivers a perfect blend of indoor wonders in unison with an awe-inducing view. The estate was designed to capture a picturesque view of the diamond sparkling Scottsdale city lights and the Camelback and McDowell mountains.
“Having designed on many fabulous properties, this is one of the most extraordinary homesites in Silverleaf. It offers privacy with a quintessential estate arrival experience down a long descending tree-lined drive that builds anticipation. The grandeur of the home is expressed as a Modern Mediterranean home, and then unfolds upon entering the foyer to a beautiful contemporary arch framed view of the Valley and city lights at night,” said Architect Dale Gordon, “It is rare to be able to design a home with all primary living spaces all enjoying the A+ view orientation indoors and out. The Homeowners allowed us the freedom to configure the home in a manner that captures it all.”
A beautiful covered outdoor space opens to the resort style backyard that houses a modern deep diving pool equipped with water features, a spa, fire pits, kitchen, and multiple sitting areas with fireplaces and ceiling heaters that ensure stunning Arizona outdoor living and entertaining.
The main house offers 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms with French limestone and French Oak flooring throughout the inviting estate. Every detail has been thought of and attended to, including gorgeous modern chandeliers and state of the art living spaces.
The estate embraces luxury living. French flooring lead to sophisticated modern bathrooms that feature heated flooring and steam showers. A breakfast bar is expertly placed to take in the breathtaking views. Gorgeous granite brings the modern luxurious kitchen to life. Flower gardens bring an essence of home to the oasis backyard.
The home features other amenities including state-of-the-art appliances, a large gym, a 6 car airconditioned garage, tennis court, 7 fireplaces, butler’s pantry, and a wet bar. The estate also offers a state-of-the-art, fully equipped guest house that includes a washer/dryer, dual custom walk-in closets, and its own private outdoor space.
From the breathtaking foyer and outdoor oasis, to the modern accents, spa inspired bathrooms, and million dollar views this estate is a living piece of art. The best Arizona has to offer.
The home is just a short distance to the Silverleaf Golf Course and provides access to community events such as Grape Nuts wine club, 24-hour onsite fitness facility, path system, tennis courts, basketball courts, additional pools, and onsite 24-hour guard and gate service. Silverleaf Golf Club is located within the community as a private club available through membership application approval.
Arizona’s diverse and lavish landscape has always been one of the state’s biggest selling points. From the national wonders of the Grand Canyon to the historic ghost and mining towns to the perfectly positioned saguaros and bountiful mountains, there is no shortage of beautiful scenery or outdoor recreation. Mother Nature blessed the 48th state with hundreds of miles of vast open spaces. The Grand Canyon state has been drawing tourists from around the world for over a century and it’s still happening today.
Even during the pandemic, travelers and residents alike continue to show their appreciation and love for Arizona’s outdoors and all it has to offer. While the Arizona Office of Tourism says it may take a little more than a year to get the state’s tourism back to pre-COVID levels, steps are already underway to keep Arizona’s tourism on the map for many years to come. The office recently released a recovery plan that includes accelerating leisure travel activity statewide, stabilizing visitor volume in urban centers, and reinvigorating and strengthening tourism in rural and Tribal areas.
The foundation our industry has built through the best of times will continue to serve us through these challenging times. We’ll use the strategies outlined in our Tourism Strategic Recovery Plan to stabilize, recover and rebuild our travel industry, which supports so many Arizonans.
Debbie Johnson, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism
Among those sizzling factors that keep Arizona a hot spot for tourism – two words – The Weather!
While there’s no shoveling the sunshine here, it can certainly be counted on when it comes to aiding the state’s recovery. With the Phoenix Valley of the Sun averaging 296 days of sunshine, Tucson averaging 284, and Flagstaff averaging 264 days a year with sunshine – Arizona is the ideal state to visit for all the seasons and for all the best reasons. As many travel plans came to a halt, tourists are still making their way to explore Arizona’s parks, trails, lakes, and play its golf courses.
Recreational state parks and trails are open to the public and continue to attract tourists, including a one-of-kind tourist destination like the cave tours at Kartchner Caverns State Park, which resumed in June. The vast open space in Arizona will be cherished for many years to come as the national forest land covers 15% of Arizona. The state is home to 24 national parks, making day trips and weekend adventures all the rage.
After a brief closure and a few added restrictions, our favorite backdrop and Natural Wonder of the World, the Grand Canyon National Park, is open and shuttle service is continuing. The Grand Canyon is unmatched throughout the world for the vistas it offers visitors on the rim. The canyon stretches an impressive 227 miles long and averages over 10 miles wide. On a normal year, Arizona’s premier National Park attracts about five million visitors per year. For those looking to visit, the entry is through the Town of Tusayan. With plenty of available lodging in neighboring Tusayan, the community has renewed its efforts to promote local tourism to Arizona residents.
Tusayan’s Mayor-Elect, Clarinda Vail, remains optimistic, “Since the re-opening of the Grand Canyon National Park we are seeing more tourists in our community and it is a welcoming sight. At 7,000 feet in elevation, Tusayan remains a place for Arizonans seeking some relief from the heat and an opportunity to reconnect with the Grand Canyon or see it for the first time.”
Renegade Golf Course at Desert Mountain
From 5 million visitors at the canyon to 12 million rounds of golf, it is fair to say there has never been a better time to get outdoors and enjoy a round of golf. Home to more than 300 public and private golf courses, Arizona deemed golf an essential activity allowing golf courses to remain open with new protocols set in place for physical distancing. While other sporting events such as Spring Training were cut short this year, the Arizona Golf Association managed to hold its 96th Arizona Amateur Championship in July.
This winter there’s even more reasons to fall in love with Arizona again. Arizona Snowbowl plans to open for the ski season and unveil its new high-speed Agassiz combo lift that will redefine the Snowbowl experience with six-person chairs interspersed with eight-person gondola cabins. The new lift will transport passengers up 2,000 feet of vertical in just 7 minutes – less than half the time of the existing lift. You don’t need to wait for winter to enjoy Flagstaff’s Arizona Snowbowl. During the summer months, enjoy live music events or take in the dramatic scenery of northern Arizona from a bird’s eye view on the Grand Canyon Express lift. As the lift travels up to 10,800 feet, one can see the cinder cone volcanic field, the red rocks in Sedona, and as far as the Grand Canyon on a clear day. No matter the season or the temperature, Arizona offers some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. With its diverse topography and awe-inspiring wonders, pandemic or not, it will surely be the place visitors will return for many years to come.
Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, Arizona’s leader in luxury real estate – is proud to announce the record-setting sale of 7403 N Secret Canyon Drive in Tucson, AZ and 5831 E Finisterra, Tucson, AZ.
This 7,080-square-foot contemporary architectural masterpiece in The Canyons, one of Tucson’s premier gated communities, was sold by Susanne Grogan. The sales price on this stunning property was $3,223,000, the highest residential sale in all of Tucson in over 2 years and in the top 10 highest sold Tucson homes in recorded MLS history.
This four-bedroom, six-bathroom home is situated on a peninsula with a fluent floor plan offering unparalleled city and mountain views. This grand estate is a fully self-sustainable compound with a private well, solar panels, orchard and vegetable garden. Ideal for easy living, this rare offering includes an elegant living room, and gourmet kitchen with SS appliances and Caeserstone quartz counters. The master suite showcases lavish city views, an enormous walk-in closet, and spacious ensuite with vanity area.
A home like this with exceptional views, environmentally friendly and expansive floor plan, and perfect for entertainment is hard to find, even in Tucson. This incredibly private and exclusive property is the pinnacle of intentional luxury and easy living.
Susanne Grogan
At over 3.5 acres this truly is the gold standard of luxury real estate in Southern Arizona and is reflected by its record setting sales price. Nestled in the lushly landscaped backyard is a large pool and spa with artificial turf, waterfall and beautiful ramada.
Another record-setting sale in Tucson belongs to Real Estate Advisors Bryan Durkin, Anne Ferro and Susan Neitzel for their sale of this prestigious grand Foothills estate which sold for $3,100,000. The home was owned prior by the late and beloved University of Arizona and Hall of Fame Basketball Coach, Lute Olsen and was the highest recorded sale in the prestigious Finisterra neighborhood. The previous owners underwent a two-year, multi-million dollar renovation with sourced material from around the globe to create a true masterpiece. This spacious 7,442 square-foot home features three guest suites worthy of any five-star resort and a lavish master suite with breathtaking city and mountain views, a spa-style bathroom and an impressive closet.
The elaborate kitchen features an enormous Calcutta marble island, custom walnut cabinets, antique French parquet floors and an 18th century French fireplace. Outside the home offers unparalleled views of the Saguaro National Forest towering over the backyard equipped with a pool, spa and entertainment pavilion.
