Market expert says that the inventory of homes for sale is down in Metropolitan Phoenix.  Michael Orr, Director of the Center for Real Estate Theory and Practice at the W. P. Carey School of Business, said Tuesday that the number of homes for sale in Maricopa County (approx. 20,000) indicates a shortage of inventory.  Orr says a normal or healthy market would have close to 35,000 active listings.  Buyers are active in this market and are becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of inventory.  If you are thinking about selling your home now may be the perfect time.  Please contact Pennewell Simpson Partners to learn more about the current real estate market and to find out what your home is worth.

Fountain Hills from Russ Lyon on Vimeo.

Seductively snuggled on the eastern slope of the McDowell Mountains, Fountain Hills is a fashionable master-planned community dappled with a dash of down-home ambience. Physically separated from Scottsdale by rugged mountainside terrain, as you summit the dividing crest between these two swank towns, prepare to be wowed by the breathtakingly beautiful scenery that embraces this unique locale. Marvel at sumptuous rim-side estates, lavish custom homes and ravishing ready-to-build homesites that exist in gracious harmony with the town’s stylishly upscale developments.

Bordered by dramatic open landscapes, Fountain Hills was established in 1970 and offers opportunities galore for outdoors enthusiasts, including plenty of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. The nearly 13,000-acre community is also home to a number of championship golf courses, while those who prefer more sedate entertainment can kick back and relax poolside or enjoy day-tripping to the spectacular red rock country of Sedona, the cool pines of the White Mountains or Arizona’s most famous natural wonder, the Grand Canyon.

For man-made magnificence, you can’t beat – or miss – one of the world’s tallest fountains that serves as a focal point for many community activities. Bursting from the depths of an in-town lake, the fountain sprays huge plumes of water (generally about 300 feet high) for approximately 15 minutes every hour at the top of the hour. Many of the area’s homes boast dazzling views of Fountain Hills’ namesake geyser as well as the scenic surrounding landscape. In addition to the town’s amazing natural beauty, art is a significant part of the town’s heritage, and Fountain Hills is home to a generous amount of publicly displayed artwork located throughout the downtown areas and along the Avenue of the Fountains.

A little-known factoid about Fountain Hills: According to the town’s website, the community was designed by Charles Wood, Jr., who was also the designer of Disneyland in southern California.

Rio Verde from Russ Lyon on Vimeo.

Nestled in the midst of the brilliant beauty of the high Sonoran desert of far North Scottsdale, Rio Verde Foothills enjoys a remarkably rural ambience reminiscent of days gone by. This treasured community, located just east of Scottsdale and north of Fountain Hills, is surrounded by the majesties of Mother Nature including drop dead dazzling views of the McDowell Mountains, Four Peaks and the nearby Tonto National Forest. Whether your passion is horses, biking, hiking, tennis or championship golf, this spectacular slice of southwestern paradise offers a lifestyle rich with a wealth of peace and serenity.

Originally conceived as a winter golf camp in the late 1960s by a group of Minnesota investors, Rio Verde Foothills is now host to magnificent custom homes and ranches, many snuggled on multi-acre sites. Architectural styles range from Tuscan to Territorial and from Contemporary to Cowboy Hacienda, but all boast a plethora of privacy. What’s even better is that this rustic sanctuary flaunts one of the most mesmerizing amenities of all: a nightly sky show jazzed by a galaxy of stars scattered across the midnight-black heavens.

Even though it’s tucked deep in the desert, Rio Verde Foothills is ideally situated less than an hour from the Loop 101 freeway, providing easy access to all that the Phoenix and Scottsdale metropolitan areas have to offer: a wide variety of fine dining options, quaint eateries, upscale shopping, charming boutiques, first-rate cultural venues, numerous theaters, professional sports arenas and more. Far enough away from the city to enjoy star-filled nights and pristine desert landscaping, Rio Verde is also within driving distance to some of the world’s most renowned medical facilities, including the Mayo Clinic.

Carefree Arizona from Russ Lyon on Vimeo.

Located a short drive north of the Scottsdale, Arizona, the sibling towns of Carefree and Cave Creek are just what the proverbial doctor ordered when you’re looking to get away from the urban and suburban hustle and bustle. Surrounded by lush desert and soaring granite boulders, these two towns enjoy a wealth of differences, but also share a common history as well as the magical splendors of midnight-black night skies, magnificent mountain vistas and stands of towering saguaros that clamber across the rugged landscape.

The luxuriously laidback town of Carefree is lined with lighthearted street names, a la Easy Street and Ho and Hum. Flaunting drop dead dazzling views of the massive rock outcroppings and gigantic boulders that dominate this part of Arizona’s high Sonoran habitat, Carefree’s ritzy winding pathways meander past stunning contemporary territorials, secluded Tuscan villas and sprawling hacienda-style homes, many with elegant alfresco entertaining areas that take advantage of the spectacular scenery. Additionally, world-class resort communities show off with hidden-hideaway homes and lock-and-leave villas, all enchantingly nestled into the dramatic landscape.

Carefree’s western neighbor, Cave Creek, enjoys a flamboyantly colorful history as a no-holds-barred, rough and tumble mining and ranching town, and still boasts a bit of her original spirited independent streak. Most homes in Cave Creek offer a country/ranch lifestyle, complete with horse privileges and desert trails, with the 2.9 million-acre Tonto National Forest just north of town providing abundant recreational opportunities.

Filled with fabulous boutiques, upscale shopping, fine dining, quaint eateries, unique galleries and lavish resorts, Carefree and Cave Creek are definitely top of the mind when it comes to kicking back and relaxing in high Arizona style.

Paradise Valley Real Estate from Russ Lyon on Vimeo.

Intimately snuggled between Scottsdale to the east and Phoenix to the west, the town of Paradise Valley is an elegant island of can’t-be-replaced real estate consisting of acre-plus sites boasting multi-million dollar estates and homes. Nestled in the sumptuous shadows of Camelback Mountain, Mummy Mountain and the majesties of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, many sprawling properties in this crown jewel community enjoy a rural desert look and feel, while others are high-style contemporary estates surrounded by lush lawns and luxuriant gardens.

A little history: Before incorporating in 1961, early residents were concerned about the potential loss of the quiet lifestyle they so loved, and therefore decided to keep real estate zoning to a one house per acre minimum and to keep the area almost entirely residential; they also wanted to keep government regulation to a minimum. They met their goals – the prescient town founders helped ensure that the landscape of Paradise Valley would always retain its charm-filled ambience, a place where residents and guests will forever be able to savor the town’s serene surroundings, large open spaces and sensational views of magnificent urban mountains. Most homeowners also appreciate the fact that government oversight is minimal – the Town has a Council/Manager form of government and the Mayor, Council, Municipal Court judges and appointed members of boards and committees receive no compensation.

Along with spectacular homes, Paradise Valley’s real estate includes several exclusive private schools as well as a number of world-renowned resorts and hotels such as the Camelback Inn, The Sanctuary Resort and Spa on Camelback Mountain, The Phoenician and more. These luxurious homes-away-from-home cater to not only the lifestyles of the rich and famous, but they also offer close-by venues where “the locals” and visitors alike can enjoy a night of fine dining. In addition, numerous recreational opportunities exist, in particular in the realms of golf, tennis and hiking.

Overlooking glittering nighttime city views, the town of Paradise Valley is an enchanting enclave that flaunts a scattering of gravity-defying mountainside masterpieces — but the one thing that every single home in the town’s scant 16 square miles has in common is the cool cachet that comes with life in such a perfectly named slice of southwestern heaven. Filled with a wealth of old world charms and new world comforts, Paradise Valley’s provocative personality has been compared to the likes of another legendary icon, the equally fetching Miss Katharine Hepburn – sophisticated and sexy, sassy and classy, and absolutely, positively one of a kind.

Phoenix Real Estate from Russ Lyon on Vimeo.

Whether you’re an incurable renaissance romantic, an admirer of all things contemporary, a devotee of master-planned amenities or looking to get away from it all in a secluded hideaway, the dynamic districts, communities and neighborhoods of Phoenix dazzle with unique characteristics and personalities.

One of the great things about owning a home, land or other real estate in Phoenix is the city’s ability to offer a solution for just about every lifestyle. Enamored of downtown city life? Like to walk to cosmopolitan treasures such as art venues, museums, concerts or perhaps the ASU downtown campus? Or maybe you’re the type who works in the city’s heart but can’t stand the thought of a long commute. No problem – conveniently located near hop-and-go light rail lines, urban-living lovers will find elegant restored buildings filled with sophisticated lofts. If you prefer a single-family solution, a flourishing resurgence of quaint historic homes near the center city features distinct architectural styles, especially Craftsman and Bungalow. Many of these homes have large covered front porches and most enjoy a tight-knit, neighborly look and feel reminiscent of days gone by.

For those who prefer the lush quiet of upscale suburbia, head further east and enter one of the Phoenix’s original swank neighborhoods, Arcadia, where right-there views of Camelback Mountain abound and mini-citrus orchards and carpets of soft grass dominate the acreage surrounding traditional sprawling ranch homes and contemporary custom estates. Luxurious mountainside mansions flaunt to-die-for city views, while a number of country club-type communities are nestled around championship golf courses. If you’re an equestrian, you’re guaranteed to appreciate the city’s numerous horse properties and communities, where bridle paths, corrals, hot walkers and mare motels dot the landscape. In these neighborhoods, it is not at all unusual to see a rider and horse out for an early morning Saturday stroll…we kid you not.

For recreation, if your family enjoys water sports, there are a number of fresh-water lakes just outside the city limits that offer boating, water skiing, fishing and even house-boating…just set your GPS and away you go. Small in-city lakes even tout urban trout fishing every spring. If sports are what float your proverbial boat, the metropolitan area boasts a full roster of professional sports teams, including a vibrant Spring Training lineup where locals and out-of-state fans converge to cheer on their favorite “boys of summer” in a close-to-the-action environment. Meanwhile, hikers and bikers alike love to lace up the boots and head out to one of the countless trails in and around town, but no matter what’s your pleasure, everyone raves about the city’s 300 or so days of sunshine and magnificent crimson-hued sunrises and sunsets – there’s nothing else like it on earth.

Whisper Rock – Scottsdale, Arizona from Russ Lyon on Vimeo.

A golf-lover’s dream come true, the gated community of Whisper Rock Estates offers residents a luxuriously laidback golf-focused lifestyle par excellence…no pun intended. Boasting 800 acres of prime real estate, Whisper Rock is located in far North Scottsdale, Arizona and features spectacular custom homes built on multi-acre sites as well as sumptuous lock-and-leave villas for those who prefer to spend their summers in a cooler clime.

No matter the size of the lot, Whisper Rock homes are intimately snuggled into the lush high Sonoran setting, taking full advantage of the visually arresting views of the stunning rock formation for which the community is named. In fact, each site is specifically designed to enjoy Arizona’s wow-worthy crimson-hued sunsets and the pristine desert landscape that is unique to this part of the southwest — centuries-old saguaros, awe-inspiring boulder-strewn terrain and surprisingly shady mesquite, juniper and palo verde trees. The diverse, yet complementary, architectural motifs are soft, subtle and sophisticated, with a heavy influence from Native American and Latin American styles, reflecting similar environmental conditions. Personalized homeowner services are available, ensuring you have plenty of time to check out the many nearby amenities, in particular the Whisper Rock Golf Club.

Developed separately from the residential community, the Whisper Rock Golf Club is an exclusive golf club where membership is not based on property ownership, but instead is based on a sponsorship and invitation-only basis. A non-equity, right-to-use Club, membership is limited to 290 golf memberships per 18-holes so that members enjoy the best possible access to the courses.

Speaking of which, the Club consists of two first-rate courses: the Lower Course and the Upper Course. Opened in March of 2001, the Lower Course was designed by architect Gary Stephenson and perennial PGA Tour leader and ASU graduate Phil Mickelson (Mickelson graduated from ASU in 1992 with a degree in Psychology). The Tom Fazio-designed Upper Course opened four years later, in January of 2005. The Lower Course is the first course designed by Mickelson, and he has referred to it as a “second-shot course. We don’t have the same second-shot two times in a row.” The layout features lots of grass, desert trees, shallow bunkers and numerous elevation changes, most notably on the par-5 number-three that drops 40 feet from tee to green. Cognizant of the fact that many pro and scratch golfers are members, the Upper Course keeps everybody intrigued with its 81 bunkers and five sets of tees, ranging from approximately 5,300 yards to over 7,500 yards.

Urban Living from Russ Lyon on Vimeo.

The very words evoke thoughts of city lights, bustling eateries, quaint cafes and plenty of museums, galleries and theaters – all within walking distance. In Arizona, urban living is a phenomenon that’s only really come into its own during the last few years, but once homebuyers were introduced to upscale, amenity-rich communities, the demand for cosmopolitan high-rise housing has grown by leaps and bounds.

Fortunately for urban-aficionados, the Phoenix and Scottsdale metropolitan areas each boast a stunning array of homes sure to please even the most discriminating city-dweller. For example, downtown Phoenix shows off with a number of soaring lofts nestled inside Art Deco buildings that were previously home to marble-lobbied banks or other golden-age venues. Many of these buildings are flattered by a retro-modern ambience featuring a fabulous fusion of aged brick and exposed pipes and concrete beautifully interwoven with the swank sophistication of gorgeous granites, rich hardwoods, contemporary conveniences and fine decorating touches. Often, there are tall casement windows with wonderful views of the city scene below.

Urban living in the elegant environs of Scottsdale has a bit of a different appeal. Often centered around a 24-hour valet and on-site concierge lifestyle, Scottsdale offers a wealth of sleek and chic urban living options. Featuring an energetic lifestyle close to the city’s vibrant nightlife and daytime hustle and bustle, many of these high-rise havens boast walls of glass that showcase the valley’s magnificent mountains and glittering city lights. Some are pet-friendly and some even have expansive gardens and hanging terraces, creating warm and inviting outdoor gathering places. Frequently, these fashionable homes are clustered around uptown shopping and dining districts, ensuring that many of life’s tony pleasures are but a simple stroll from your front door.

Terravita – Scottsdale, Arizona from Russ Lyon on Vimeo.

Developed by the world-renowned Del Webb Corporation, guard-gated Terravita is one of the company’s first developments that is not active-adult or age-restricted. Consisting of 823 acres near the Carefree Highway and Scottsdale Road in North Scottsdale, Arizona, Terravita features 23 distinctive neighborhoods, each of which enjoys luxurious homes, many with guest casitas for those inevitable visitors who just can’t stay away – especially once they’ve visited this stunning piece of Arizona real estate. Flattered by magnificent views of The Boulders to the east and Black Mountain to the north, the community’s name is intended to showcase the harmonious convergence of life with the land. Hence, Terravita, is taken from Latin: “terra” meaning land or earth and “vita” meaning life.

Flaunting top-notch amenities, highlighted by a private 18-hole championship golf course, Terravita is perfect for those who desire an active lifestyle. For example, along with access to the Billy Casper/Greg Nash-designed golf course, residents of Terravita experience social membership in the community’s Country Club, including use of the state-of-the-art fitness center, sparkling pool and pristine tennis courts.

Many homeowners come here for the award-winning golf course, which has been listed as one of the area’s top-ten private golf courses thanks to its celebratory surroundings and immaculately maintained bent-grass greens. Sporting a par of 72, the course challenges golfers of all levels with its five sets of tee-boxes that keep the play in range from 6,114 yards to 7,115 yards. Supporting this sensational course is a full-service golf shop, two complete chipping, sand and putting practice areas, a spacious two-way driving range and a 34,000-square-foot clubhouse with men’s and women’s locker rooms, a fine-dining room and a casual grill. Golfers can choose to walk the course or use an owned or rented golf cart.

Expert’s advice on number three, a double dogleg: The good news, is if you aim over the tree, you’ll end up with a second shot to the lay-up area of only about 175 yards. The bad news is, to give yourself a good chance at a birdie, your ball must be on the same level of the green as the pin, so there’s a lot of skill and a smidgeon of luck involved. Expert’s advice on number 18, a hole that boasts one of the biggest greens at Terravita: The bad news is that your second shot must be hit all the way to the well-bunkered green in order to have a chance at a birdie. However, the good news is that this hole, with its sweeping views of the rugged terrain of Black Mountain, is a truly gorgeous way to end a round of gung-ho golf.

Sincuidados – Scottsdale, Arizona from Russ Lyon on Vimeo.

Boasting breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, the name of this luxurious guard-gated community literally means “without cares.” Living up to its wonderful name, over 70 percent of Sincuidados is dedicated to NAOS land, or “natural area open space.” The community features gently rolling adobe walls and quiet private streets lined with stunning homes – all intimately nestled into the lush high Sonoran desert of North Scottsdale, Arizona, and all enjoying magnificent views of the boulder-strewn terrain of Pinnacle Peak, Lone Mountain and Troon Mountain. Staffed by gate-hosts, the main entrance of Sincuidados is located at 30600 North Pima Road.

Roughly bounded by Lone Mountain and Dixileta on the north/south ends and Pima and Scottsdale Roads on the east/west sides, the superbly located real estate within Sincuidados consists of three sections with approximately 400 homes and homesites snuggled on nearly a square mile. Lot sizes range from just under an acre to a shy two acres and all of the homes are flattered by a soft southwestern ambience. Community amenities include newly resurfaced lighted tennis courts and a lovely clubhouse sporting a nicely appointed kitchen and spacious meeting rooms.

The serene interior streets of Sincuidados are designed to leisurely curve around the community; in fact, over a dozen cozy cul-de-sacs are scattered throughout, adding to the tranquil look and feel. It’s important to note that three sides of the community are gated (on Pima, Dixileta and Lone Mountain), ensuring residents never have far to drive to enter or leave the neighborhood. Nearby are numerous championship golf courses as well as all of the fine dining and shopping found in Scottsdale, plus, thanks to easy access to the Loop 101, it’s just a quick zip into Phoenix for business, sports events or pleasure.

A little history: A large parcel (alternately described as 40 acres or 78 acres; either way, a huge piece of prime real estate) originally intended to be Section 4 of Sincuidados was purchased in the 1980s by local philanthropists H.B. and Jocelyn Wallace. It was then donated by the Wallaces to the Mountain Preserve so that generations to come would have access to the mountain and desert trails as well as unobstructed views of the area’s rugged landscape. The land is protected via a conservation easement under rules agreed to with the Desert Foothills Land Trust. Along with this gorgeous preserved land, Sincuidados also includes the 11-acre Wallace Botanical Garden featuring hundreds of cacti and other desert specimens and plantings.