💼 A portable mortgage, 1,730 acre ranch & horse races 🏇🏼

This has been quite the weather week, I know I’m enjoying this transition from warmest November ever to winter like conditions.

I mentioned my father & his broken leg escapades the past couple weeks. I had several of you reach out to see how he is doing, and I am happy to report that he is doing very well. He’s been back home for several days, and is getting around the house quite well on his own. Thank you for everyone who asked about him. 🙏

In this newsletter:

Thanks for being here, have a great weekend!

~ Portable Mortgages??? After the idea of 50 year mortgages came up recently, another concept is being explored that, in my opinion, makes way more sense.

Portable mortgages are a potential game-changer, especially for homeowners with historically low rates who want to move. They could ease a key friction in the market (rate lock-in) and stimulate mobility. But they are not a silver bullet: they don’t address all affordability issues, they introduce complex structural challenges, and the benefit will be selective.

Read more in this article.

~ Have you ever been to Turf Paradise? Honestly, I didn’t know it was still open, I assumed it had closed down years ago. Evidently they are kicking off their 70th season of live racing. They also have off-track betting from 38 other locations across the country. (link)

~ Are you familiar with Flock Cameras? They have been a hot topic of discussion here in Arrowhead Ranch lately, as the HOA for Phase 1 recently installed a flock camera system.

I wasn’t too familiar with what they did or what they were for, and I had the chance to talk with Glendale Vice Mayor Lauren Talmochoff & Arrowhead Lakes HOA VP, Brian Kelley, who was instrumental in bring the camera system to his community in 2023.

We answered a lot of questions in the Everything Arrowhead Podcast.

Here are today’s national averages for Conventional 30 year fixed rate, FHA 30 year fixed rate & VA 30 year fixed rate loan programs, from Mortgage News Daily.

Rates were mixed this past week, as we saw conventional rates tick up slightly, and FHA & VA rates went down a bit.

Phase 1 of Arrowhead Ranch is one of the more desirable communities in the NW Valley. This home is located on the 15th hole of the Arrowhead Country Club, and is currently being remodeled and will be ready for market around the first of the year.

Not only is it one of the best golf course lots, but it will have a brand new kitchen & bathrooms too. This 4 bed 3 bath home is just shy of 3,000 square feet. If you want the inside track on this unique opportunity, reach out and I’ll get you in before everyone else. 😎

Referrals are the backbone of any realtors business, and mine is no different. Many of you have sent your friends & family my way over the years, and it is always fun to get that call ‘they said you’re the best, so I’m calling to get your help!’

If you know anyone thinking of buying or selling in 2026, I’d love the opportunity to connect with them and see how I can help.

This might be my favorite cool house yet. The house has a ton of fun architectural & design elements, and it has a decent sized lot, of 1,730 acres!!

It has been on the market for 820 days, so maybe you can get a discount off the $25 million asking price 🧐

The two most treasured resources in Arizona are Land and Water; Rail X offers BOTH. With over 1730 acres of deeded land, you will not run into your neighbors unless it's a long meandering walk through the valley, hills, and forest areas. Water has been a topic of conversation for years, especially in Arizona- not to fret this property also has claim to two natural springs, ground water rights AND the added bonus of undisturbed mineral rights.Located in Southern Arizona this special property is something out of the storybooks of yesteryear. Whichever way you turn, the views and vistas go on for miles and the sunsets are absolutely jaw dropping. Opportunity is abundant for someone looking to create their own private retreat. The main home features artisan details not found in today's homes from the saguaro rib lined patio covers, to the iron details found throughout the home to the spectacular built-ins that many of us dream about today. The main home features six bedrooms, six bathrooms and three half-baths. Expansive windows naturally light up the dining room which seats at least 20. The exceptional sitting room is quite perfect for the most festive gatherings you can imagine!

Rail X Ranch has the added benefit of having an artesian spring on the property with Water bubbling up and feeding a transportation ditch to deliver this precious resource throughout the ranch. Combined with 8 wells situated throughout the property the Ranch has a unique and valuable asset in its water resources. To complete the picture, The property is also one of the few ranches in the area which has maintained ownership of the mineral rights for the property. This asset provides "land security" now and into the future. Additionally, the acreage adjacent to the main compound has been permitted to be sub-divided should the new owner wish to sell off parcels.

After decades without hunting, wildlife abounds at Rail X Ranch, including deer, dove, quail, and even javelina. The birding is exceptional, with more than 260 species documented in the nearby Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve. Just South of town, there are myriad opportunities for fishing and boating at Patagonia Lake State Park; and the area is filled with wonderful opportunities for horseback riding and hiking. Bordering on the Coronado National Forest to the east, this iconic and unique ranch is apart of Arizona's History and Heritage providing privacy and view security in a rustic setting yet with all of the upscale amenities to enjoy and cherish your living environment.

Check out all the details here.

Property listed by Gary Brasher with Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

This week’s ‘Should we move here?’ is from Central Oregon. This home is listed by another agent friend of mine in Oregon, and it sits on 4 acres in a rural community, just south of Portland.

I’m pretty much a city guy, but the idea of living ‘outside of town’ seems appealing, for a few minutes anyways. If I had to do it, this would be a good spot for it.

Welcome to Monnier Road, a hand-built, one-of-a-kind home on 4 acres that blends craftsmanship, utility, and peace of mind just minutes from I-5. Built with longevity in mind. This home was crafted from enduring materials like cedar siding, tile roofing, and hardwood and slate floors, all chosen to last generations.Inside, vaulted ceilings frame open living spaces filled with natural light. The main level features a generous primary suite and an entertainer's kitchen with double ovens, a walk-in pantry, and views of Mt. Hood from the front of the home. Upstairs, a spacious bonus room provides flexibility for work, guests, or play.Outdoors, the property offers an unmatched level of functionality: a 36 × 48 shop with 30 × 60 lean-to, a 20 × 30 storage building, and additional machine shed space. It's ideal for business owners, hobbyists, or those needing the extra space. The lower pasture is ready for horses or livestock, and the lower level of the shop offers even more potential for customization, including equipment storage, or build it out for housing livestock or horses.Covered patios, wide-open skies, and mature landscaping create a private, timeless setting designed for both lifestyle and longevity.

See all the pics & details here.

Last week’s trivia question was ‘Who operated a ferry on the upper Colorado river near Page until his execution by a firing squad?’

The answer was: John Doyle Lee

The man who operated a ferry on the upper Colorado River near today’s Page was John D. Lee, a Mormon pioneer whose isolated homestead became known as Lee’s Ferry. Lee ran the crossing with his family in the 1870s, helping early settlers reach northern Arizona. His story took a darker turn when he became the only person executed for the Mountain Meadows Massacre, a tragic 1857 attack on an emigrant wagon train. Lee was tried, convicted, and executed by firing squad in 1877, but his ferry site remains an important landmark along the Colorado River. (link)

The Arrowhead Hiking Club is hitting the trails after Thanksgiving. We’ll be meeting up on Saturday, November 29th at 8am, to burn off some of the thousands of calories we consumed being grateful!

We’ve added many new dates & trails to the calendar, check out the website to see where we’re hiking through January.

This club is meant for everyone, from seasoned hikers, to out of breath beginners like me. So if you want to hit the trail and enjoy the outdoors, check out our website at ArrowheadHikingClub.com or find us on Facebook.