Top Dog Friendly Restaurants and Bars in the Valley

The weather in Arizona has been gorgeous the last few weeks, and before the temperatures inevitably soar, I thought it would be fun to shout out some of the best dog-friendly patios, restaurants and bars in Scottsdale and Phoenix. I love visiting patios across the Valley with my own pup, Lucy. Let’s enjoy these cool (ish) temperatures with our four-legged best friends while they last!

A very popular dog-friendly option with multiple locations is OHSO Brewery + Distillery. Visit on any day of the week, and you will be greeted by lots of furry faces!

OHSO has 6 locations throughout the valley, so you are sure to be nearby one of them. They are in Paradise Valley, Sunnyslope, Gilbert, Surprise, Arcadia, and North Scottsdale. A fun annual event is right around the corner, Pi Day! On March 14th, head over to any OHSO for pie-themed beers and incredible pies courtesy of another local business, the Pie Snob.

In the mood for breakfast? Your pup can join you at the patio tables at Scramble locations! Want to treat your dog to the best day ever? They even have a menu specifically for dogs, that features a pup cake that they will love. For humans, there is an extensive breakfast and lunch menu with lots of gluten free and vegan options. Scramble has dog friendly patios at their three locations: Biltmore Phoenix, North Phoenix, and Tempe. 

One of my favorites, right of the canal in Phoenix, is Chelsea’s Kitchen. This is a popular restaurant with delicious food and great cocktails. They have a beautiful, shaded patio that is perfect for dogs. Take a walk or bike ride down the canal with your pup, and then enjoy a delicious meal before you head home.

If you’re craving some delicious Italian food and want to bring your dog along for the ride, consider visiting The Sicilian Butcher on Tatum in Phoenix, or their second location in Peoria. They have a turf covered patio with shaded tables that your pup will love. The menu is filled with amazon Italian food, and when you’re done, you can pop in next door for some fresh cannolis and gelato.

Arizona Wilderness DTPHX is a dog-friendly brewpub in the heart of downtown Phoenix, AZ. Dogs are welcome in the spacious outdoor beer garden. They specialize in hand-crafted, artisanal beers inspired by the beautiful and diverse state of Arizona, with a rotating selection of more than 20 beers, ciders, and craft cocktails, and some of the Valley's best burgers, tacos, and a variety of vegetarian options.

A few other places to check out to walk around, shop, and eat with your dog in tow: Kierland Commons, Scottsdale Quarter, Biltmore Fashion Park, Scottsdale Waterfront, Desert Ridge Marketplace, Phoenix Premium Outlets, Shops at Norterra, and SanTan Village. 

If you need some more ideas, check out the website Bringfido.com for pet-friendly recommendations in many cities! Where are some of your favorite dog-friendly local spots to visit while the weather is nice? I would love to hear your suggestions in the comments!

Era of Hope Alzheimer's Association Benefit at the Heard Museum

I have recently become very involved with the Alzheimer's Association because a close family member has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. He has had it now for five years and is currently 57 years old. This personal experience has deeply motivated me to support efforts that can make a difference in the lives of those affected by this challenging disease. If you would like to hear a bit more of their story, and how they now advocate for others with Alzheimer's, please watch the following segment from a recent ABC Arizona spotlight:

https://www.abc15.com/.../the-unseen-burden-on-caregivers...

Through the organization, I have met other advocate’s who are trying to get our community more engaged in raising awareness and securing better support and research funding for Alzheimer’s care. Their passion and commitment have inspired me to further my involvement, and I am eager to work together with others who share this mission.

I am currently serving on the committee for their annual Era Of Hope Gala and would love for all of you to join me for our upcoming event on April 25th! Feel free to send this along to anyone who you think would also like to support the cause.

For more information and to purchase tickets or make a donation, please visit here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/Ekc/

Just Sold!

This beautiful 5 bed, 4 bath home recently sold in Mesa, Arizona! I’m grateful to represent such amazing clients.

Record Breaking Sales of Million Dollar Homes!

“In the midst of a pandemic, wealthy buyers are snapping up metro Phoenix’s million-dollar homes at a record pace.

Both Valley mansions and spacious condominiums with seven-figure price tags are selling, and many buyers are paying cash.”

• Catherine Reagor

Better Homes and Gardens

Bringing The Outside In!

Plants in your home are more than beautiful decorative elements, plants also transform the air inside your home into fresh, oxygenated air so you and your family can enjoy a healthy home environment.

Move Over Pink and Blue: Neutral Colors for Baby's Room

Are you planning a nursery for a babe-on-the-way? Whether you’re waiting to learn the baby’s gender, or are hoping to choose a more neutral color than the typical blue and pink, consider the following options:

Gray. This is an extremely versatile color; the shade options are endless and it matches with just about everything. Additionally, gray is a soft, peaceful color, so you’ll be bringing tranquility into your baby’s life from day one.

Seafoam green. Gentle and mild, this neutral color is both fun and soothing.

Orange. While an entirely orange room may be overkill, choosing a neutral white or gray with bright coral accents or a single tangerine wall is lively and fun.

Navy. While technically in the blue family, this deep rich color doesn’t scream “boy” like a powdery baby blue. Offset it with yellow or orange accents.

Beige. Don’t think ‘brown’ when you hear beige. This soft, buttery color is calm, neutral and pairs well with bright yellows and oranges.

© 2021 RISMedia.

Sotheby’s International Realty® 2022 Luxury Outlook Report

I am pleased to introduce the Sotheby’s International Realty® 2022 Luxury Outlook report, an ambitious exploration into high-end residential markets across the globe. 2021 proved to be a perfect storm for the high-end housing market as the starts-and-stops of the pandemic’s reopening fueled even stronger demand for larger homes and inventory struggled to keep pace. In this report, we follow the trends that are likely to shape the coming months across the world’s prime housing markets, from the resurgence of urban cities to the return of the international buyer.
https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/luxury-outlook-2022

Through the 2022 Luxury Outlook report, our goal is to provide critical insight into the real estate market. I hope that this comprehensive compilation of research, exclusively presented by Sotheby’s International Realty, empowers you as you make decisions regarding your real estate portfolio this year.

As always, I am here to answer any questions regarding the market locally or assist in connecting you with a Sotheby’s International Realty expert in another part of the country or world.

Scottsdale Ranks Second in Nation for Growth Rate of Millionaires

The Valley as a whole is not among the nation’s wealthiest metros, but Scottsdale is moving fast in that direction.

Scottsdale has the second-highest growth rate for millionaires, according to the USA Wealth Report 2024 from Henley & Partners, which found that the Valley city had a 102% increase in millionaires between 2013 and 2023. Only Austin, Texas, had a higher rate, at 110%.

Scottsdale is home to about 14,500 millionaires, 63 centi-millionaires (those whose wealth is 100 million or more) and five billionaires.

Click HERE for the full article!

By Hillary Andrews | Fox Weather

Paradise Valley’s Pandemic Rush Is Over — but High-Priced Homes Keep Selling

Even as pandemic-induced demand wanes, the affluent enclave of Paradise Valley, Ariz., has seen a recent spate of high-priced deals.

In April, the Teets family sold the town’s largest parcel of undeveloped residential land—27 acres—for $42 million, according to listing agent Joan Levinson of Realty One Group. Also last month, the town posted two home sales that rank among its most expensive ever, she said: A Spanish Revival-style house sold for $14 million, while an approximately 8,500-square-foot home fetched $13.1 million. Levinson said another home in town, which is still under construction, is slated to close for approximately $16 million later this spring.

The town’s priciest home sale to date was the 2023 sale of a roughly 5-acre property for $23.5 million, according to Levinson, who represented the seller.

During the pandemic, Paradise Valley saw an unprecedented amount of demand. But over the past year and a half, local brokers said that demand has slowed due in part to uncertainty about the economy and sticker shock over high prices, factors that are impacting a number of luxury markets around the country.

Click HERE for the full article!

By Libertina Brandt | The Wall Street Journal

New Listing in Biltmore Corridor!

Experience unparalleled luxury and refined living in this exceptional townhome, easily accessible to the Biltmore area, providing premier shopping, dining, and amenities to delight even the most active and discerning homeowners.

Click HERE to view the listing!

Diversified Partners and Palmer Development Group are Teaming Up to Bring the Hottest Entertainment Destinations to Scottsdale – The Sydney and The Edge

Scottsdale is set to welcome its newest and hottest entertainment as Diversified Partners, Scottsdale’s leading real estate brokerage and development company, and Palmer Development Group, Scottsdale’s premier development firm renowned for transforming landscapes into innovate destinations, join forces. The dynamic duo is poised to transform Scottsdale with two major experiential mixed-use retail projects: The Sydney and The Edge.

For The Edge, Butler Design Group is the architect and Haydon Construction is the general contract. EPS provides Civil Engineering, and Foursite handles construction management.

For The Sydney, Upwards Architects serves as the architect for the design of the project. Alexander Building Corp will serve as the general contractor. EPS will provide Civil Engineering and Palmer Development is handling construction management.

Thinking about Building? Here is some Groundbreaking Advice

Always Contact me first! I will help you every step of the way!

Four master Arizona builders share their industry advice.

Before a shovel grazes the ground, the first person to the site is your builder. Who’s right for you, and how do you navigate your time together? We asked some of our favorite builders for their advice.

Gary Fries | G.S. Fries Construction

“It’s all about qualifying the team and asking yourself, ‘Do you have a clear understanding of time and budget needs?’ The core cost of building a custom home has increased notably over the last five years,” Fries points out. “Your builder is the steward of your investment, and their advice should be based on years of experience in the field.

“There are many talented people out there. Ideally, you want a person who fits your personality—a builder who is balanced with who you are,” he continues. “Generally, building a home is a two- to three-year process, and you’re going to be closely involved with your builder on a regular basis. Having a clear vision and an idea of who would be an advantageous team fit is to your advantage.

“Interviewing your team is a two-way street. Trusting and being confident in the people you work with is essential. Your team wants the best for you, and advice and encouragement offered are intended to bring the project to a beautiful conclusion,” Fries remarks. “Often, you will stay in touch with your builder for the rest of your life. So many of my closest friends today are clients I have formed lasting relationships with.”

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: A PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE DEFINES JERRY MEET FROM DESERT STAR CONSTRUCTION

Jeremy Meek | Desert Star Construction

“When building a luxurious custom home, assembling the right team of experienced professionals is essential. Start with a builder, architect and interior designer who excel in their fields and are enjoyable to work with,” Meek says. “You should have fun together throughout the process.

“Your team should be proactive problem seekers, focused on identifying potential issues before they arise,” he advises. “Avoid team members with a passive approach—problem solvers, where problems are addressed after they occur, leading to unnecessary stress and delays—a giant game of Whac-A-Mole!

“Emphasize the benefits of proactive problem seeking in the custom home building process. This approach not only keeps costs down and ensures timely project completion but also enhances your overall experience,” Meek points out. “A well-coordinated and experienced team of professionals will help bring your vision to life smoothly and efficiently, making the journey enjoyable and stress-free.”

Anthony Rotta | Golden Heritage Homes

“The dream of building a custom home begins with a plot of land. Before you purchase the land, engage a builder to help you understand the total cost of the investment,” Rotta says. “This is critical on a hillside or complex lot within the Valley. As more land is developed and city restrictions are imposed on residential sites, it’s essential to understand what’s possible and feasible to do on your lot before investing.

“The next step is to select an experienced team you trust, including an architect, builder, interior designer and landscape architect. Create financial checkpoints during the design process to ensure the team is in alignment. Make decisions early and stick to them to the best of your ability. This will help keep your team accountable. Maintain budgets and stay on schedule.

“It’s also important to trust the process and your team,” he stresses. “You are hiring professionals to look out for your best interest and investment. Managing the construction of a custom home is much like conducting an orchestra, one must find the suitable conductor to make great music.”

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: A LADDER TO SUCCESS | TEMAC DEVELOPMENT RISES TO SUCCESS AS LUXURY CUSTOM HOME BUILDER

Nate Gossage | Living Stone Builders

“We have been blessed to form incredible friendships with our clients over the years,” states. “When you communicate regularly, weekly, daily, and sometimes hourly with people over the course of many years, see each other’s families grow and participate in holidays, birthday parties and major life events, you form an inevitable friendship.

“Building a home is like a mini-marriage between the builder and the client,” Gossage says. “These relationships are typically five years long, from the project’s inception through the multiple phases and the services after completion.

“So, my advice would be to go with a builder who is not only an expert in construction but is also someone you enjoy interacting with and would want as a family friend. As architect Mark Candelaria says, ‘The project isn’t done until I’ve cooked for them in their kitchen!’”

Arizona Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day 2025

Empowered and inspired after attending another annual Arizona Advocacy Day with the Desert Southwest Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association! This impactful event brought together advocates, legislators, and community leaders to champion the needs of those living with dementia and their caregivers. We heard updates on key legislation and took action by meeting with state legislators to push for meaningful change.

Alzheimer’s affects millions:

🧠 1 in 9 people age 65+ are living with Alzheimer’s.

👩‍👩‍👧 Women make up nearly 2/3 of those impacted.

👨‍👩‍👧 Over 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for loved ones with dementia.

With over $430 million invested in research, the Alzheimer’s Association is paving the way for progress. Advocacy matters, and together, we’re building a future without Alzheimer’s. 💜

Great Places to Work Remotely in Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona ranks at #15 for the highest number of remote workers in the United States, with 27.71% (34,047) of all workers working remotely. While it is a welcome relief from a daily commute for many, remote workers still often want to occasionally get out of the house to change up their work environment. As a realtor, I am often working on the go and a comfy cafe is always a helpful pitstop along the way. After living in the Valley for my entire life, I feel as though I can confidently suggest some tried and true favorites for a work-friendly atmosphere!

The Coffee Plantation at Scottsdale and Shea is a great option for remote workers. They have lots of different seating options, from couches to long tables, plenty of easy parking, and strong wifi. When it’s nice out, the patio is also a great place to work. There is a menu with both food and drinks, and the lattes are great! Luckily, this cafe usually doesn’t get super crowded, so it is a favorite to focus and get my work done.

Schmooze is a fantastic place to visit if you’re in or near Old Town Scottsdale! With a full menu and great food, it’s the perfect place to grab breakfast or lunch and get your work done. The atmosphere is very peaceful, and they recently added a separate area in the back specifically for remote workers, with plenty of outlets, seating, and an open-air patio. As a plus, they open at 6:30am for those of you who prefer to get to work nice and early!

Another of my favorites in Old Town is Sip Coffee & Beer. They have a small, but yummy menu of food and pastries, great coffees, and if you need an extra pick me up to get through that afternoon work slump, they have an extensive beer selection too. There is not a huge amount of seating, but enough to typically find a spot, and there is an outdoor seating area as well. Sip also has a wide array of weekly events for you to enjoy when the work clock stops.

Closer to North Scottsdale? A fun place to check out is LUX Max Annex, a tucked away cafe with incredible coffee and delicious pastries and food options. In the mornings there can be a little bit of a crowd, but it is a great spot to visit after the rush dies down to claim a spot and get to work. There is free wifi, lots of fun decor, and the donuts are an absolute must.’

Village Coffee Roastery is an adorable cafe located in the beautiful McCormick Ranch neighborhood with an incredible coffee selection, as well as various breakfast items. It is a comfortable and cozy place to work remotely, and doesn’t typically get overly crowded. This cafe offers a delicious variety of coffees that you may not find elsewhere. 

Another local favorite is Awaken Cafe, located in the heart of Paradise Valley, on the campus of Valley Presbyterian Church. It has ample indoor and outdoor seating, a large grassy area to enjoy (also great if you need to work with some kids in tow!), a huge parking lot, and various yummy menu items. This is a very peaceful place where I love to come get some work done! 

This is just a short list of many, many fantastic options for remote workers throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and beyond. We have a great range of restaurants, coffee shops, smoothie shops, public spaces, libraries, and more that provide our large number of work from home employees with a place to comfortably visit when your home office gets just a bit too dull. I am always on the hunt for new places to add to my list, so please share any of your favorite spots to get work done too!

SOLD SCOTTSDALE HOME

Better Homes and Gardens

Scottsdale Real Estate

Scottsdale Modern Luxury

Thank you Scottsdale Modern Luxury for the feature!

Gorgeous Scottsdale Home with a Perfect New Price!

You Should Move To Scottsdale

Deciding to move to a new city like Scottsdale, Arizona, involves considering a variety of factors that align with your personal preferences, lifestyle, and priorities. Here are some reasons why people might choose to move to Scottsdale:

1. Climate: Scottsdale boasts a warm and sunny climate, with over 300 days of sunshine each year. If you enjoy outdoor activities and dislike cold winters, the desert climate of Scottsdale could be a major draw.

2. Outdoor Recreation: The city is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, including the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Camelback Mountain. This offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, golfing, and other outdoor activities.

3. Cultural Scene: Scottsdale has a vibrant cultural scene with numerous art galleries, museums, and theaters. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the Heard Museum are notable cultural attractions.

4. Dining and Shopping: The city offers a wide range of dining options, from upscale restaurants to casual eateries, serving both local and international cuisine. Scottsdale is also known for its shopping districts, including the upscale Scottsdale Fashion Square.

5. Retirement Destination: Many retirees are attracted to Scottsdale for its relaxed lifestyle, numerous golf courses, and retirement communities. The city has consistently been recognized as a desirable place to retire.

6. Job Opportunities: The Phoenix metropolitan area, of which Scottsdale is a part, has a diverse and growing economy, with opportunities in various industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, and more.

7. Education: Scottsdale offers good educational options, including public and private schools. It's also home to Arizona State University's Scottsdale campus, providing higher education opportunities.

8. Healthcare: The city has a well-developed healthcare infrastructure, with multiple hospitals and medical facilities.

9. Community Events: Scottsdale hosts a variety of community events and festivals throughout the year, fostering a sense of community and providing entertainment for residents of all ages.

10. Safety: Overall, Scottsdale tends to be a safe city with relatively low crime rates compared to national averages.

It's important to visit Scottsdale beforehand to get a feel for the city's atmosphere, meet locals, explore neighborhoods, and assess whether it aligns with your lifestyle and preferences. Keep in mind that everyone's priorities are different, so what might be appealing to one person may not be the same for another.