Farewell To Halloween...I know that many younger children enjoy this very special day. As they grow out of the "trick or treat" phase, they may look back with a smile on their face of a more innocent time when "kids could be kids". To me, it is the first event that brings in the holiday season. "The farther we've gotten from the magic and mystery of our past, the more we've come to need Halloween." Paula Guran  But once this holiday is over, many adults and kids too, are preparing for the holidays.  Kids are thinking of the presents they want for Christmas and adults are starting to think about their Thanksgiving plans.  Thanksgiving falls late this year so most of us feel we have a little breather this week.  There is Still Two Months Left Before 2020 starts...I am still focused on wo... 11/01/2019

Happy Halloween! From Sedona ArizonaThis is one of the coldest Halloweens we have ever experienced in our state. It was 22º before the sun came up and now it is a pleasant 39º!  It isn't as bad as it sounds because of our dry air, and it should get into the 60ºs today.  It will be back in the 70ºs, well into next week. This video is a favorite of mine and I enjoy bringing it back every year.  I hope you enjoy it and Happy Halloween! ~ ~ ~  * * *  Want to find out how much value is in your home?I'll walk you through it all.Complimentary Homeowner Consultation  As a Coldwell Banker Sedona Arizona REALTOR®, my primary goal is to help my customers obtain their dreams, as well as satisfy their financial goals and objectives through real estate. From the moment I am contacted, you will observ... 10/31/2019

 Fall In Sedona Is Here!First Day Below 32º At the Cottages in Coffeepot Today was the first day it dipped below freezing at our home.  It didn't last long, but it got down to 28.8º at 6:08 am.  It lasted from 2 am to 7:30 am so that is enough time to start the change in the leaves.  Our Cherished Spider Plant My husband was scurrying around shutting off the sprinklers and bringing our cherished spider plant inside for the winter.  It is 43 years old.  We had it before my first son was born, and it has made it through every move since 1976! Getting Back to the Japanese Maple...At some point, our Japanese Maple will (hopefully) look like this picture taken back on Dec. 5, 2018.  We got a cold snap earlier than normal so I think it will be a lot sooner than December! Creating A MontageAs ... 10/29/2019

Casa Contenta Lot In Contract  Not many lots in Sedona are custom homesites located within a gated community surrounded by million-dollar homes. This lot is .15 acres with stunning views.  This lot will buffer my client's custom luxury home to give them some "elbow" room for their privacy. Casa Contenta offers private roads and tennis courts and a community pool and meeting room. This is one of my favorite communities with a full-time landscaper and close proximity to the business district, including Whole Foods, restaurants, doctor offices, and other professional services.  It is all about location, location, location!   * * *  Want to find out how much value is in your home?I'll walk you through it all.Complimentary Homeowner Consultation  As a Coldwell Banker Sedona Arizona REALTOR®,... 10/23/2019

 Oak Creek Canyon Sedona ArizonaPeak Color!Sedona Arizona - Oak Creek Canyon has been designated as a Top 5 "Most Scenic Drive" as rated by Rand McNally  So no matter what time of year you take this scenic drive it will "WOW" you.   Majestic Peaks Now imagine coming through Oak Creek Canyon during the fall season.  You will be mesmerized by the beautiful colors and right now it is reaching peak color.   Enjoy Many Activities  There is so much to do besides hiking in Oak Creek Canyon.  You can visit some of the art stores or have lunch at one of the many locations up and down the canyon.  Enjoy fishing or taking beautiful pictures of all the colors.   Impressive 14 Mile Scenic Drive The drive is about 14 miles long until you reach the switch-backs and the higher you go up through Oak Cre... 10/22/2019

 Jeff Dowler and Sheri Sperry Meet At Desert FlowerDesert Flower Bakery - Village of Oak Creek - Sedona(Background - Courthouse Butte)  An Hour is Not Enough TimeIt was great to finally meet with Jeff Dowler, CRS from Carlsbad CA on his recent trip to the southwest passing through Sedona!  An hour just was not enough time, but I appreciated the fact that he took the time on his vacation to meet with me.  We talked about everything from our past business lives to what we were experiencing in our current respective markets in today's real estate world.  It Was If I Had Known Him ForeverMost important though, was meeting through ActiveRain. Many of us seem to have similarities in many areas of life. It was if I had known him forever. Perhaps, it is our information shared in ActiveRain that... 10/04/2019

 Sedona Weather Recap for September A Disappointing MonsoonFortunately, the Cottages at Coffeepot in Soldiers Pass West Sedona received 1.26 inches near the end of the month. Unless we get a lot of rain these next 3 months, the lack of precipitation will negate the amount of rain we received in the first half of the year. Monsoon is now over and you would not have known there was a monsoon. The StatsMonsoon starts on June 15 and goes to September 30th. During that time, Sedona accumulated 3.52 inches of rain. If you compare this to the 6.94 inches in 2018, the 2019 total is about one-half of 2018. Days with Rain in 2019 = 12Days with Rain in 2018 = 32Last Day of 100º+ Temps in 2019 = 09/04Last Day of 100º+ Temps in 2018 = 08/19As for 100º Temps - We average around 25 a year at an averag... 10/03/2019

 The Last Day of Summer Be Like...  I missed it by a day but what the hay!~ ~ ~"By all these lovely tokens September days are here, with summer's best of weather and autumn's best of cheer." Helen Hunt Jackson~ ~ ~"August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time."Sylvia Plath~ ~ ~"One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winterHenry David Thoreau~ ~ ~And My Personal Favorite - It's how I think...~ ~ ~"People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy"Anton Chekhov  * * *  Want to find out how much value is in your home?I'll walk you through it all.Complimentary Homeowner Consultation  As a Coldwell Banker Sedona Arizona REALTOR®, my primary goal is to help my customers obtain their dreams, as well as ... 09/24/2019

11th Annual Sedona Winefest 2019September 28th & 29th - 2019 Posse Grounds Park- 525 Posse Ground Road, Sedona Az 86336Featured By Sheri Sperry Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage  Unofficial Fall Season Kickoff! The Sedona Winefest is the unofficial kickoff Fall celebration tradition for the Sedona area since 2009.  In 2009, over 700 guests attended the event.  This has become such a popular event that in 2015, the number of guests swelled to more than 2500! Every year more people attend.The event has drawn visitors from near and far to experience what the Verde Valley and Arizona have to offer in wine selections. Besides tastings from Arizona wineries, there will be tantalizing food choices to pair with your wine. All available under the big tent!  Step outside and marvel at the won... 09/18/2019

 It's All About The Tone...Like most of you,  I have had clients ask about how the real estate market is doing. It is a pretty standard question, wouldn't you agree? However, since the hysteria of the media to report that the sky is falling in on the economy, the tone has changed in the way the question has been asked. Though, my answer has not changed. More on that later. The KISS PrincipleI think it is important to identify a couple of economic and financial terms for simple understanding.To be fair, none of this is simple. Economists get advanced degrees to voice their complex opinions on the subject utilizing data streams and algorithms that fit the narrative they want to project. Do you see where I am going with this?But for the context in future discussions, it may help with under... 09/17/2019

 We Will Never Forget - Sedona Fire District's WTC Ground Zero ArtifactSheri Sperry  September 9, 2019 Where is the Sedona Fire District 911 Ground Zero Artifact Located?Sedona Fire District – For those who are local or coming to Sedona and would like to see the Sedona Fire District 911 Artifact and Memorial, it is located right next to Sedona Fire District Station 6 on SR 179. The Sedona Monument welcoming you into our beautiful city is located right next to the fire station, and you would make a turn into that parking lot.  This fire station is located in the Chapel area and can be seen easily on the east side of the street. Please stop at Station 6 and touch this artifact. Remember all the souls lost that day and all those who have suffered from cancer directly related to that event.... 09/09/2019

Traveling to Sedona the summer of 2018, we were camping again with our teenage daughter in Oak Creek Canyon when we stopped at Coldwell Banker in town to speak with a realtor, curious about real estate. "I'm a realtor," Sheri told us, and we sat in her office and told her we were looking for a place we could own and visit regularly. The next day (Sunday), Sheri drove up to Oak Creek Canyon right to our campsite and we piled into her SUV for a tour of homes she had already lined up for that afternoon. We tried not to be too "grummy" from camping, but we were treated to cold water and snacks as we toured houses for the rest of the day.Plugged Into The Community, Businesses, and NeighborhoodsSheri was very knowledgeable about the area and was able to quickly narrow our search to our specif... 09/07/2019

 A Very Special Sedona Sunrise... It is another brisk morning around 60º. A perfect time for a hike and a climb up Cathedral Rock. You arrive before the many other hikers.  Finding that special place in the saddle of Cathedral Rock, you clear your head and start your meditation.  Hi Little Fella! What's that chirping noise? Hello little fella! What's that you say?  Ahhh! I see what I am missing!  That sure is a beautiful sunrise. The sun is just starting to peek through the red rocks. Well little fellow, if you had not given me that nudge to open my eyes and make me look up I would have missed this daybreak. Thank you, for reminding me to live in the moment, little fella!  Living in the Moment... My son is an avid hiker who has a favorite spot for meditation at Cathedral Rock. He has ha... 09/05/2019

The “Non”soon Affects August Weather Pattern in SedonaAugust Weather Update 2019The "NONsoon" Lack of Moisture inSedona Arizona   August WeatherAs long as I have lived in Sedona, we have had a decent amount of rain in July and August, that is until this year!  The rain was significantly down from over 6+ inches in July and August of 2018 to 2.2 inches in 2019. We are at the tail end of monsoon. How Has The Lack of Monsoon Moisture Affected our August Weather? August temps were slightly higher than normal, averaging a little over 2º from the same time period last year. There were 7 more days over 100º compared to 2018 and last year there were 7 days in the 70s and 80s, with 11 in 2017 but none this year in August. Normally there is enough rain to cool off the August temps in Sedona.A lit... 09/03/2019

 Ambiente Sedona Will Become the First Landscape Hotel in North America Coming in December 2020 Sedona Arizona: What is a landscape hotel? According to “Travel Away” It is a relatively new concept and refers to a type of accommodation designed to blend in with the surrounding environment and highlight the natural beauty that surrounds it. Only a handful of these boutique hotels are available right now.  This landscape hotel that will be built in Sedona will be the first of its kind in North America. It will be called Ambiente Sedona.  It is designed after the very first of its kind prototype hotel, known as Vivood Landscape Hotel located in Spain. It is labeled as “Green Tourism and Sustainable Architecture”. Protecting the Environment The City of Sedona’s Planning and Zoning Committee ... 08/30/2019

Cottages At CoffeepotSold! A Sedona Luxury Townhome in Soldiers Pass   108 Shadow Mountain Drive – Lot #32This remodeled and updated 2 bedrooms, 2 bath with separate den is in its own park-like setting with lush gardens. Interior is understated richness & includes dark hardwood floors & cabinets in main living areas. Light & bright bathrooms, with master showcasing glass tiles, white cabinetry, hidden outlets in mirrors at dual sinks with granite counter & Toto toilet. The gated community offers a tennis court, heated pool, and covered pergola as well as a small park and full-time landscaper.  The Cottages at Coffeepot feel like they are miles away from civilization sitting adjacent to the Coconino Forest but in reality, it is only a four-minute drive to SR 89A and all the services you ... 08/28/2019

It seems Mother Nature has taken a "Raincheck"! The "NONsoon" - Monsoon Update I am disappointed to say that the image above is from June of 2016. So far, Central and Northern Arizona are having a "NONsoon" this summer.  In 2018 during June, July, and August, my husband's weather station recorded 6.16 inches of rain.  So far in the same period, we have had only 1.65 inches and 1.59 inches came on one day! A quick update on September 1st, 2019.  The total rain in August was 0.61 inches which adds to the 2 month total with 2.20 inches of rain.  A significant drop over most other years during monsoon.  Phoenix May Break A Record For Driest Monsoon On Record!The image above was taken at the Camelback Inn last August when there was an actual monsoon.  There is something special about capturi... 08/26/2019

Oak Creek Canyon - Sedona ArizonaSedona PIC of the DAY! For Sedona PICS of the DAY follow me on Instagram!Oak Creek Canyon views looking north from mountain top home. The two pics above are the same view. Homes in Sedona are designed to take advantage of the views. This is one of the highest views from a luxury home in Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona Arizona.  No matter what time of year you visit Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona Arizona, the drive alone is rated by Rand McNally as a "Top 5 Most Scenic Drive".  The drive on the 89A through Oak Creek Canyon is about 14 miles long. Majestic mountains tower thousands of feet above the canyon floor. You will feel like you are in the heart of mountains as you meander up or down this picturesque road. There are popular destinations to have lunch,  go fish... 08/22/2019

Big Park ~ Village of Oak Creek ~ Pine Valley Sedona Arizona 86351 Market Report and Homes For Sale 2019Courtesy of Sheri Sperry  Big Park Village of Oak Creek Homes For Sale90 Day Trends (May 17 to Aug 16, 2019)  How's The Big Park Homes for Sale Market?   Median List Price - increased from $586,819 to $594,596Average Days on Market (DOM) - increased from 133 to 152Inventory - increased from 68 to 120Market Action Index - decreased from 32 to 20 - This is a buyer's advantage and a major shift toward the buyer.  Conclusion The summer selling season is the least active real estate selling season and just slightly more active than the beginning of winter through the first two weeks of January. The Luxury market has continued to trend lower in pricing while the other 3 tiers have been stab... 08/21/2019

Rainmaker You remember the movie "Field of Dreams" starring Kevin Costner.  It is a classic. The line " If you build it, they will come" helps me to remember that I am in command of my own business model.  This brings me to the definition of "Rainmaker" and how it applies to this blog. Definition of "Rainmaker"The dictionary definition of "rainmaker" is:1)A person who attempts to cause rain to fall, either by rituals or by a scientific technique such as seeding clouds with crystals.The informal definition of a rainmaker is:2) A person who generates income for a business or organization by brokering deals or attracting clients or funds. We couldn't have picked a better name to describe what the ActiveRain Community is all about.  I look at both definitions and by combining them it become... 08/16/2019