Can a home be a piece of art?

I guess winter is over, and spring is here with daily record high temps. I feel bad complain about sunny days & 80*, but could we have at least had more than 47 minutes of winter??

All grumpiness aside, this time of year in Phoenix is spectacular and the weather looks great for heading out to the WM Phoenix Open. No mudslides this year!!

Whatever you have planned this weekend, I hope it involves some time outside enjoying this beautiful place we call home.

In this newsletter:

I had to visit a client’s home in Mesa on Friday, and I took advantage of the nearly full moon when I visited Lost Dutchman State Park. Scroll to the end to see more pics from my visit.

Thanks for being here, have a great weekend!

After dipping their toe in sub 6% waters a month ago, rates have slowly crept back up to where they were at the first of the year. This was expected, especially when rates drop significantly on news of something President Trump is ‘proposing’ and hasn’t become official yet.

This is another example of how you’ll likely never time the market just right, and the most important timing is of the things happening in your life.

Curious what your rate would be in today’s market? Reach out to my lending partner, Aaron Alvarez with West American Mortgage, at (602) 705-9835.

How’s the market? January can be an interesting month. There is usually lots of activity in the market, except for closings. Many buyers begin their search after the holidays, and many sellers put their homes up for sale as well. This trend has continued so far in 2026, with an uptick in the number of homes for sale, and the number under contract.

The sales data from January is a bit anemic, which is normal because not a lot of home shopping happens during the holiday season.

Let’s have a look at the data

What does it mean?

It means the holiday market was a bit slow, like it is each year. The number of homes appears to be closer to a buyer’s market, but not quite yet. The price changes are modest and nothing to be concerned about, or the ‘crash’ I have heard is coming for the past 5 years.

The one area of concern in my opinion is the fact interest rates are at least 1% lower than they were a year ago, thus affordability has gotten better. In theory, this could ultimately lead to upward pressure on prices, which is something to keep an eye on the further we get into 2026.

I listed a 2 bed, 2 bathroom condo in Sun City Phase 2 last week, and it is a unique opportunity. This unit had a fire in 2018 and was torn down to the studs before being rebuilt, so it was basically brand new inside when my seller purchased in 2019. All the charm of 1970s Sun City, without all the deferred maintenance hassle.

See all the details here: 13618 N. 108th Drive, Sun City, AZ 85351

Listed for sale at $240,000

Off market opportunity in Phase 2 of Arrowhead Ranch. This is a great start home, available at just $450k in one of the best communities in the NW Valley. Newer roof on this 3 bed, 2 bathroom single level home.

See all the details here: 7598 W. Wikieup Lane, Glendale, AZ 85308

Looking to live outside of the city, but still want a newer house? This home sits on 1.19 acres and was built in 2024.

Located in Buckeye, this home has 3 beds & 2 bathrooms, in 1,658 square feet and is listed at $475,000. Most importantly, no HOA so you can do whatever you want on the lot.

See all the details here.

Listing provided by Daniel Sanchez with AZ & Associates.

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.

A very unique home at the Arizona Biltmore came on the market last month. The Benjamin Adelman House was built in 1951 by Frank Lloyd Wright and is truly a work of art.

Perched at the 18th hole of the AZ Biltmore LINKS Golf Course on 1.67 acres, The Benjamin Adelman House (original build 1951 by Frank Lloyd Wright himself) is a rare livable work of art - a captivating example of Frank Lloyd Wright's desert-modern genius—a home where architecture, landscape of natural desert/artificial turf & multiple fruit trees, converge in breathtaking harmony. This iconic 4 bed/4,5 bath/(2) guest houses/6-car garage residence commands sweeping fairway views framed by rugged desert mountains and an endless Arizona sky. Constructed using Wright's revolutionary cast concrete Usonian Automatic block system, the home showcases his vision of modular, sculptural design—each patterned block forming a rhythmic tapestry of light, shadows and texture-both monumental and intimate - offering the extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of architectural historythoughtfully enhanced with modern updates in 2018. Enhancing estate's rarity and livability are (2) guest houses, ideal for hosting visitors, extended family, or creative retreats, along with a (6)-car garage and large motor courta remarkable amenity that complements the scale and prestige of the property. Natural materials, 438 windows, intimate ceiling heights, and purposeful sightlines create a sense of calm sophisticationevery detail intentional, every angle a conversation with the desert. To own the Benjamin Adelman House is to become a steward of a true Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian Automatic treasure, set within the legendary Arizona Biltmore, long celebrated as the "Jewel of the Desert," where historic significance, modern refinement, and an unparalleled setting come together in perfect balance.

See all of the pictures here.

Property listed by Jan Kabbani with The Brokery

How the State of Arizona Got Its Name.

The name Arizona has a surprisingly layered originárida zonaects the region’s Indigenous roots, Spanish exploration, and early mining history. While many people assume the name is Spanish, the story is a bit more interesting than that.

An Indigenous Beginning
Most historians believe the name Arizona comes from an Indigenous phrase, likely from the O’odham language spoken by Native peoples in what is now southern Arizona and northern Mexico. The phrase alĭ ṣonak, often translated as “small spring” or “place of the small spring,” referred to an area with reliable water sources. In the desert Southwest, that kind of location mattered a lot.

Early Spanish explorers and settlers heard versions of this phrase and adapted it into Spanish spellings and pronunciation. Over time, it evolved into “Arizona.”

The Spanish Influence
Another long-standing theory ties the name to Spanish words like árida zona, meanoriginárida zonaectsle this explanation sounds logical given Arizona’s climate, most scholars now consider it more of a folk tale than the true origin. The Indigenous explanation has stronger historical and linguistic support.

Still, Spanish explorers played a key role in spreading the name. In the 1700s, Spanish records referred to a mining area called “Arizonac,” near present-day Nogales, which helped cement the name in official use.

From Mining District to Territory
The name Arizona first applied to a small mining region rather than the entire state. As mining expanded and the area gained importance, the name spread northward. When the Arizona Territory was officially created in 1863, separating it from New Mexico Territory, the name Arizona was chosen and made official.

Arizona later became the 48th U.S. state in 1912, bringing the name from a local descriptor to national recognition.

A Name That Fits the Land
Today, Arizona’s name reflects centuries of history shaped by Native cultures, Spanish exploration, and frontier settlement. Whether tied to a desert spring or a rugged mining camp, the name feels perfectly suited to a place defined by resilience, stark beauty, and deep roots.

For a state known for red rocks, wide skies, and enduring communities, Arizona’s name carries a story as rich as the land itself.

After I graduated from Colorado State University in 1998, I took a road trip through many national parks including Yellowstone & Yosemite. I was surprised that there were private homes inside of Yosemite National Park. It was one of my favorite places I’ve been and I’d love to go back.

This home is located inside the park and very much screams 1993, the year it was built. If you have dreamed of living in Yosemite, this home can be yours for $1,090,000.

See all the details here.

The Arrowhead Hiking Club has two hikes scheduled in February. Join us on February 14th & 28th.

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.

I had to be out in the East Valley last Friday, and I took advantage and spent some time in one of my favorite places, Lost Dutchman State Park. I love this park because it is relatively close to town and it doesn’t even require getting out of your car to experience the amazing views of the mountains. There are several easy & flat trail options if you do want to venture into the desert.

If you’re making the trip to Canyon Lake & Tortilla Flats, take the time to stop at Lost Dutchman State Park, you’ll be glad you did.