Paula Solomon

November 2011

2011-11-27T16:02:00.001-08:00

NOVEMBER 2011

Dear friends,

I refuse to accept the fact that I AM getting older (!!!)... and everything seems to be moving so much more quickly... but where, oh where does the time go? Snowbirds just began to return... and that was September... and now Chirstmas lights are already dotting the landscape. Yes, for so, so many, tragically, this will be yet another year preferably forgotten, not as bad, perhaps, as the several years preceding it necessarily, but one still fraught with anxiety and concern about so many things. But just as personal tragedy, the loss of loved ones and far too frequently the experience of economic upheaval has touched so many, there still is and must be a sense of renewal and hope. That must never be lost.

This year, for me at least, has been a time of really taking stock of what is important and what Thanksgiving is all about. And what that means is being blessed with the gifts of love and good health, both for me and those I hold most dear, and to that end, it has been a very good year. I am very fortunate and so very grateful.

Professionally, I have more than survived in an initially dreadful real estate market, but which is now beginning to show serious signs of life once again (!)... (it REALLY IS!!... ) and for that, too, I am most fortunate. In large measure, that is because of those many of you who have thought enough of me to refer your friends and families. For your loyalty and your trust, my thanks and appreciation knows no bounds.

Exciting things do lie ahead... and this I so sincerely believe. The sometimes problematic and maddening interventions which interrupt and sneak into our lives are really so unimportant in the over-all scheme of things. I tell myself this everyday... and it could not be more true.

And so... to all of you, to all of your loved ones, may this Thanksgiving holiday be not just a time of reflection and a time of thanks, but more important, may it be a time of untold joy and happiness in all of your lives, and a looking towards a 2012 that brings with it a semblance of peace, unity and understanding in the world. What a beautiful blesssing that would be.

With warm regards,

PAULA

Paula S. Solomon

October 2011

2011-10-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

The gorgeous weather has arrived. The snowbirds are back. Things are buzzing here (keep reading) and don't you think it's time for you to come if you haven't already??? Say "yes", because:

According to Business Week, Scottsdale has been ranked the fourth-best city in the country in which to live, edging out San Francisco and Washington, D.C. 100 of the nations largest cities were analyzed, weighing such amenities as 300+ days of sunshine, over-all quality of life, superior schools (I know, that shocked me, too), low unemployment and beautiful resorts, parks, restaurants, all types of cultural and sports venues and no hurricanes, tornados or floods. Also, for those who care, lots of celebrity sightings.. It is said that people go to Florida to die (oh, boy, do I agree on that one...or at the very least, be eaten alive by bugs and having breathing issues due to the humidity, to say nothing of the screened in pools because of the over-sized mosquitos)....and they come to Arizona to live. Those who "say it"... are right on. It's all true. Plus...people are nice here.

And probably because of this, or maybe some other issues as well, the biggest positive home-price growth within Scottsdale was in the northeast Valley., where median home prices have increased by 9.4 percent, that being especially true of Carefree and certain areas of North Scottsdale. And needless to say, prices throughout the Valley having already fallen to their all time lows, are there ever BARGAINS! Between the present prices and the lowest of interest rates ever, y'all really should come on BUY!!!

Examples: in The Boulders: take a look at http://www.34844IndianCampTrail.com. Its MLS# is 4662529. Originally listed at $2.995.000, it is now priced to SELL at $2.225.000....and a virtual Turn-Key with all of the furniture and much of the art being available under Separate Bill of Sale. The home, all masonry construction onTHE premier view lot in all of the Boulders, is entirely hand-sculpted, organic, curvilinear throughout, with not a straight line in it. The photos are real and depict it honestly. The home's description can best be read in the remarks on the MLS listing sheet....and they SHOULD be read... as they, too, bespeak why the home has been called a piece of sculpture unto itself and a work of art.

MLS# 4650364, also within THE BOULDERS, is priced at $740.000....and lends a new definition to the words "charming and warm". This is an authentic Carefree Southwestern home and having been totally remodeled, it has remained true to what it is. And what it is...is a wonderfully livable, intimate residence with delightful outside "rooms", they being an enclosed front porch...an outside "living room"... .and an outside "dining room" off the main dining room. Patios all over, on the golf course, mountain views.... and move-in perfect. I love this house.

http://www.villaretreatattheboulders.com: That is its website and its MLS # is 4317607. This two-villa 5700 sf absolutely knock-out home in The Boulders with 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths is where the stars and celebrities stay when they come to the resort. It was originally priced at $2.850.000, even more at one point,and is now being offered for sale at $2.495.000. Each villa has 3 bedrooms, and the larger of the two at approximately 3500 sf also has a 3rd bath, a powder room and an elevator going up to the master suite and more gorgeous views. This is a one of a kind residence. In addition to being the ideal getaway for a large family or two couples (or more), it is in the rental pool of the resort and for 2011, its NET income to the sellers will exceed $100.000.00! Not too bad!

Enough for now. You're probably on over-load, but all of these homes are exceptional values...and as their listing agent, I would be VERY remiss if I didn't at least try to whet your appetite!

More on market trends, other special homes and whatever else comes to mind, next month.

'Till then, please know how much I appreciate your referrals and ask that you don't stop! You have been very good to me and I promise I will continue to give my absolute best to anyone you are kind enough to send my way.

'Till next month.

PAULA

Paula S. Solomon

Summer is nearly over ...

2011-08-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

Proof positive that summer is flying away is the fact that somewhere along the line, I lost July! Must be the dry heat... or...the fact that the MARKET is heating up... and it is! As of six months ago, the luxury market in Scottsdale, particularly in Paradise Valley and up-scale resorts and subdivisions throughout the valley, has bottomed. Purchasers, many of whom are cash buyers, have finally realized that perhaps the safest place to NOW place their money is into a home with all of the amenities that accompany luxury living... at a sales price of at least 30% less than that home would have cost 4-5 years ago. Reflecting this is the fact that inventory of quality homes is deeply diminished and speaking again of the luxury market, foreclosures, particularly in North Scottsdale, have been literally halved, and this just in the past 45-60 days.
And in case you otherwise didn't know it, Canadians are WONDERFUL!!! They love it here and they especially love what their dollar will buy. Golf/resort communities, such as The Boulders, Mirabel, Desert Mountain, Whisper Rock and unquestionably Paradise Valley are enjoying buyers from Vancouver who not only want a warm and beautiful place to get away to when it is most definitely NOT warm and beautiful there beginning all too soon, but moreover, where they can purchase a lovely home, with low price tags and LOW TAXES ("you've got to be kidding! THAT's ALL? for the WHOLE year???") YES!!!!!
SO: to recap: UNLIKE Florida (yuk), no giant bugs, no disgusting humidity, no closed in pools (mosquitos, remember those??) no flat, uninteresting landscape (okay, the West coast is different...sort of... and yes, I know, there IS the Ocean, but then there are sharks).; UNLIKE California, no earthquakes, no ASTRONOMICAL taxes, no mudslides; UNLIKE so many other parts of the country, no tornados, floods, all so horrible and devastating... it is ONLY VERY HOT here and VERY DRY...(great for the hair, though... we won't discuss skin).. but once August has come and gone and the Fall arrives right through next June... this place still is ALMOST perfect.
All for now, and next time, I'll tell you how I REALLY feel...
Enjoy the summer wherever you are...and come back soon!

Paula S. Solomon

Real Estate evolving ...

2011-06-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

GREETINGS FROM ME...and hopefully some interesting information.

One of the things I love most about what I do are the changes that sooner or later take place in the world of real estate. What was "in" yesterday is "out" or on the way out today.
According to a new study by the National Association of Home Builders, what is "out" are mega-mansions; what is "in" are smaller homes. The report indicates that by 2015, a new single-family home will be 10 percent smaller, greener and packed with more technology and fewer frivolities. And so....
The living room is dead. As all things almost never used, it will either vanish, merge with a "great room" or in the kitchen, or become a smaller parlor, retreat, library or music room. As I try over and over again (always without success I might add) to explain to my husband that the reason people congregate in the kitchen is 1) it usually smells good; 2) it's comfortable; 3) they can help if they want to; and 4) it's easy. Which they like. Every house with a kitchen and or kitchen/family room will almost NEVER see anyone in the "living room". Interestingly enough, only 5 percent of those polled said the living room would remain as it is.
Other rooms that are disappearing (obviously, unless there is an absolute NEED for it) include third and fourth bedrooms, unheated screened in porches, formal dining rooms, three or particularly three PLUS garages, media rooms, pool rooms (as in shooting), and second master bedroom suites.
And what is really "in"? The frog is right..."and the color is GREEN. How much better for the environment and better health. Low-e windows, engineered wood beams, joists and trusses, environmentally friendly plants that don't require that much water grey water for lawns, solar panels, solar hot water heaters, tankless hot water heaters, multi-pane windows, sunscreens, ceiling fans, HVAC (16 SEER +), re-circulation pumps..... and the list does go on. Kermit was right. "It isn't easy being green", but so very, very important, particularly now not only in terms of YOU... but in terms of BUYERS who are more and more becoming green-conscious.
And on that note....
Until next month.
Best to you all and enjoy the remaining half of June (!!), and the months to follow.
PAULA
www.paulasolomon.com

Paula S. Solomon

Live in Beauty and Harmony at Pinnacle Peak

2011-04-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

Please visit the exciting website http://liveinbeautyandharmonyatpinnaclepeak.com/ where you will find information about my new listing in this charming area of Scottsdale.

Paula S. Solomon

Be Careful...

2010-10-25T22:01:00.000-07:00

BUYERS BEWARE: Buying a foreclosed home can be VERY tempting…..but: one must keep in mind that the entire foreclosure process is or can be very ADVERSARIAL. Someone is losing their home, someone else is buying it….cheap….and as enticing as it may seem, there are five factors that must be kept in mind:

1. The Loan itself: Assuming not a cash buyer, most lenders will only extend themselves if the home is in reasonably good condition. Someone who is about to lose perhaps their primary investment may very well take something in it that can be used elsewhere….even if they shouldn’t. Thus….carpets can be ripped out, appliances removed, toilets/sinks..gone. Guess what happens next? Nothing. No loan.

2. The Auction Process: This is serious stuff for people who themselves don’t know what they’re doing or who rely on others who are no better informed. THE biggest issue is obtaining a clear title. If a thorough search is not done and the home is purchased on the Courthouse steps….and it THEN turns up that there are liens against the property that no one took the time to investigate….that purchase can be all but worthless, depending upon who holds those liens and their amount. These sales are FINAL. Remember SUB-PRIME mortgages anyone??

3. The Inspection: Suppose you do get the loan and shop for the home via a realtor. Make 1000% sure you retain a CERTIFIED HOME INSPECTOR to check that house out BEFORE making your offer. MOLD is a huge issue, which essentially makes a home uninhabitable. And I can assure you….if one is losing their home and losing it “as is”….they’re not about to be too concerned about disclosing that the ceilings are all but falling down from leaks or that the Roof is in desperate need of replacement. VANDALISM is another. Wires behind walls may have been cut or holes cut into pipes. And yes, appliances and cabinets gone.

4. The Title Insurance: Did you know that a former owner has the right, albeit an unlikely one, to get his home back? And if he does and you have no Title Insurance to defeat his claim, that would be a bit of a mess, especially if you have already expended considerable sums of money to repair that home. So-o-o.. make sure you have a policy with a rider attached to cover you for MORE than you paid for the property.

5. The Waiting Game: Don’t jump at the first chance to buy. Should that original owner come back, this must occur within a time frame. Wait at least several months before trying to purchase a foreclosure. All eyes are still and will be for a fairly long time front and center on the foreclosure market. Have everything that needs to be checked out done via a panel of experts….and then take a deep breath and watch the listings carefully. Don’t forget that yes, the foreclosures are tempting….but like anything else in life…you get what you pay for. Be Careful.

Paula S. Solomon

Life in the Sonoran Desert

2010-04-14T07:43:00.001-07:00

Life in the Sonoran Desert holds many pleasures……but many dangers for our pets. The area has many predators…..coyotes, bobcats, owls, hawks….and yes, rattlesnakes. Wild animals are protective of their young and there is no question they will strike out if they feel threatened or provoked. Contrary to popular belief, these attacks are not limited to the nighttime hours and are not limited to small pets. Keeping dogs on a leash at all time when walking…..and not on a loose or extended leash…… or in a fenced or high- walled area when at home can help avoid heartbreak. Never leave a small pet, be it dog or cat, alone on a patio over which so many of these wild animals can jump. Owls and hawks have been seen scooping up small animals, even when on a leash, and cats are ALWAYS safer kept inside.

To the extent possible, keep your pets from digging in the desert, as Valley Fever can be contracted from the spores in the soil. Similarly, don’t allow them to mouth or play with desert toads who secrete a kind of venom that is painful and extremely toxic .

Take your dog to snake-training school. Not much fun to watch, but….these bites can be deadly and at the very least, horribly painful. If your pet is bitten, the best chance for its survival is to take it to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. More often than not, a dog who has been “snake-trained” will not forget the experience of snake school and will remember the scent of the snake….and forget about being curious.

Always check your pet’s paws for cactus needles. Obviously, they are all over the desert floor. If you do take your pet hiking or even walking, always carry a pair of needle-nosed pliers. And on the subject of plants in the desert, ALWAYS check your pet’s ears for Foxtail….the weed that grows everywhere in the Spring, with the “feather-like “ head. Although initially soft and green with a purple-ish top, once it gets into the ears, that “feather-like” head, hardens into needles and oftentimes must be extracted surgically.

And oh so important: Pets need a LOT of WATER and SHADE when it’s hot. Take those walks in the early morning or evening when the temperatures are not as severe and the walking surface will not scorch paws. And NEVER, EVER keep a pet in a closed car as brain damage and/or death can occur quickly.

Home Inspection

2010-04-14T07:42:00.001-07:00

When purchasing a home, no matter what…..do NOT pass up a home inspection. And be certain that that inspector and his company are STATE CERTIFIED. A home should be tested for gas leakage and carbon monoxide leakage and the inspector should be utilizing sophisticated gas-company-quality equipment to perform the testing.

Install a CO detector/alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area in the home. Be certain that the detector cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies. Note that Carbon Monoxide poisoning symptoms are similar to the flu……headaches, drowsiness, nausea and dizziness.

Blocked c himneys are one of the major causes of carbon monoxide poisoning deaths. Flue pipes or chimneys can have cracks, allowing CO to enter the home, build up and attack whoever is living in it. Homeowners should always have heating, ventilation systems, water heaters and fireplaces cleaned and checked during the colder months. And this should be done entirely irrespective of whether a home is being purchased or not.

Some "Did you knows":

2010-02-12T16:26:00.000-08:00

THAT approximately 32 million acres are lost to de-forestation EVERY year? That’s the size of all of Greece! Forest destruction is one of the foremost contributing factors to climate change.
THAT in New York City, 80% of all carbon emissions are generated by buildings….and the same is true for most major cities. And for those who say that “green” doesn’t save money…..The Empire State Building will soon be retrofitted in a more energy-efficient manner, saving the building owners upwards of $4.400.000 annually in energy costs.
THAT Aids is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15-59….and that 31 children world-wide die of it every HOUR.
THAT 1 out of every 3 children in the United States is either obese or plainly overweight…and that if Childhood Obesity continues at its current rate….this could be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents. Heart disease, diabetes and other serious health problems are ALL related to obesity.
THAT the largest gap between rich and poor in the world is…….no, not India, not Africa…..but Latin America!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BACK to BASICS: COOKING!!
What might seem like a prelude for calling 911 and the fire brigade is a really cool way for slow-cooking ribs and roasts. Just wrap the meat in Saran or similar plastic wrap, then again with foil (THAT is important!!) and slow roast in the oven. The plastic wrap traps in all the moisture and does not melt. It really doesn’t! For ribs, add sauce and finish off on the grill-----THIS time, without the plastic wrap (ahem)….
And if you want to flavor any of this with spices, remember that grinding whole spices/seeds with a mortar and pestle produces superior flavor and aromas. And whole spices keep longer than ground, which, by the way, do NOT have indefinite shelf lives! Ever try making a Chili and using Chili Powder…..New Mexico, Ancho, whatever….that you’ve had for a year or so? And wonder why you need to use almost the whole bottle of the stuff?? And it STILL has almost no taste???

**********************************************************IIt has no smell, is virtually non-detectable….and is deadly. It’s caused by blocked chimneys, poor ventilation systems, cracked pipes, flue pipes…..or gas starters to fireplaces not being properly turned all the way off. Its name is Carbon Dioxide and its poisoning symptoms are similar to the flu….headache, drowsiness, nausea and dizziness.
SO: install a CO detector/alarm in hallways near every separate sleeping area in the home and be certain that the detector cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies. As I’m sitting here with a headache, I’m wondering about all of this……

Paula S. Solomon

Good News from beautiful Arizona

2010-02-10T06:12:00.000-08:00

It is said that Sellers do well in a Bull market, Buyers do well in a Bear market....and Pigs don't do well in any market. In TODAY'S market....how particularly true is that! Irrespective of which animal is preferred...Sellers are beginning to be far more realistic in terms of their expectations and Buyers are going to have to understand that the days of being scavengers...of being bottom "fishermen"...are drawing to a close.

This having been said (and I guess it depends on where your head is): is the glass half full---or half empty?

As in:

Home prices...here..now....in North Scottsdale, Carefree, CaveCreek.....QUALITY homes....prices are down 20%-30%. Interest rates are at an all-time low. Which translates into NOW is the time to buy...because...once sales really begin again (and they have)....guess what happens to interest rates??

Vs:

My favorite (ahem) newspaper, the AZ Republic: "prices will drop into 2012" or words to that effect. True...maybe....but NOT here. YES, in Goodyear, Peoria, Surprise, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, areas where prices were absurd and totally aberrational in 2005-2006. They SHOULD go down....and the greedy investors with them.

Me? My head? Just guess what I believe. And why? Because for the first time in well over a year, Buyers ARE beginning to buy; houses ARE being shown-----and YES the market IS beginning to come back, no, not to the inflated, unrealistic prices of a few years ago, but to a semblance of normalcy....still allowing ample room for profit....but just not....piggy...profit.

Until next tme.....
Paula

The Villa Retreat at the Boulders

2010-01-18T09:32:00.000-08:00

The Villa Retreat. The Boulders. Where the STARS come to see the stars! Experience this extraordinary 5700 sf 6 bedroom 6.5 bath two-home Contemporary knock-out…and you will understand why Hollywood and Sports’ World celebrities alike wind-down in the hidden privacy of this residence which is like no other. Nor can there be, as its owner, a highly renowned interior designer, created it for himself, sparing neither expense nor thought in making it into something that is indeed an environment of extraordinary beauty and the epitome of exquisite taste. Due to its unique configuration, it would be the consummate corporate retreat, if not otherwise enjoyed as a family compound or…as an investment by one or more investors….when placed in the rental program of The Boulders Resort, garnering upwards of $8000 a night for those very few who can afford to bask in ultimate luxury.
$3.575.000
http://TheVillaRetreatatTheBoulders.com

The Show must go on

2010-01-18T05:12:00.001-08:00

Political theater and public scolding are good ways to draw attention to important issues and bad behavior, and Phil Angelides, chairman of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, made use of both last week. As he swore in four of the nation’s top bankers, it was impossible not to think of that famous scene with executives from the tobacco industry. During the questioning, he rebuked Lloyd Blankfein, head of Goldman Sachs, for his firm’s practice of selling mortgage-related securities and at the same time betting they would fall in value.
Now that he has everyone’s attention, Mr. Angelides and his fellow commissioners can get to the hard part.
Inconclusive sparring at hearings will not fulfill the mandate Congress gave the panel to investigate the causes of the crisis. Indeed, the bankers who testified last week did not say much they had not said before.
The commission must uncover what bankers, investors, government officials and other people in positions of power, past and present, would prefer not to say — or perhaps do not know or understand — about the crash and the bailouts. The primary aim is not to air issues and foster debate, but to test views, resolve contradictions and arrive at evidence-based conclusions.
Yet the commission — which is supposed to file a final report by Dec. 15 — has not issued a single subpoena for documents. Instead, investigators have apparently been relying on voluntary cooperation, public records and information-sharing agreements that have been negotiated with federal agencies. A thorough investigation requires source documents that reveal what people were thinking and doing at the time of the events and that illuminate, buttress or contradict testimony.
Take, for example, Mr. Blankfein’s explanation that the clients Goldman bet against were sophisticated investors who demanded the doomed securities that Goldman sold them. Apart from the fact that the notion of “sophisticated investors” has been discredited by the crisis, does that explanation go far enough?
Without peering into the internal workings of Goldman and other financial firms that engaged in similar practices, it is hard to know how far bankers went in creating demand rather than responding to it, or if the securities were purposely designed to perform poorly.
The answers could cast light on when Wall Street practices cross the line from prudent hedging to excessive speculation.
A crucial related issue is whether Wall Street’s role as the underwriter of securities, which implies a level of approval of the investments being offered for sale, misled investors into buying questionable securities, and thus contributed to the credit bubble. If so, that would make the argument for barring too-big-to-fail banks from operating hedge funds all the more compelling.
Given the stakes, the chances seem remote that Wall Street will voluntarily hand over the papers that could get to the bottom of it all.
The inquiry is getting under way at a critical moment. The House has passed a financial regulatory reform bill that was enfeebled in important respects by bank lobbyists. The Senate banking committee recently rejected a generally robust proposal by Senator Christopher Dodd. It has yet to produce an alternative, but it is likely that lobbying and partisan politics will generate a weak bill. President Obama’s call for a new tax on big banks is a good idea, but must not pre-empt other needed changes, including a tax on bankers’ bonuses and more direct regulation to limit the size of financial firms.

Homebuyer's Tax Credit

2009-11-29T05:28:00.001-08:00

Just in case any of you out there didn’t know it…..there are PLENTY of homes available at VERY affordable prices……AND……interest rates remain historically low. So-o-o-??? Is this not the time to buy?? AND….to sweeten the pot, there’s the tax credit, up to $8000 for qualified first-time buyers whose income is within IRS-established limits…..AND….up to $6500 for some already existing homeowners. AND….this is money that never has to be repaid, provided one lives in that home for three years. One is considered a “first time home buyer” if neither the husband nor the wife has owned a principal residence in the U.S. within the last three years. Existing homeowners are eligible for up to that $6500 if they have lived in their residence for five of the last eight years. Isn’t this something REALLY worth looking into? There may NEVER be a better time to buy a home. I’m certainly not qualified to give you tax advice…..your tax attorney or accountant is the person to see. BUT: when a buyers’ market is as strong as it presently is, and these opportunities are at hand…….You get the picture…l!
Paula Solomon

2009-11-07T02:32:00.001-08:00

Did you know? That 62% of all state governments have adopted GREEN building policies? That Residential GREEN building is expected to increase 100% over the next five years? That 70% of homebuyers said they were more inclined to buy a GREEN home in a down economy than a non-green home? That consumers are demanding it and government is requiring it? (source: Green Outlook 2009: Trends Driving Change)
And WHY? Well, for one thing, GREEN homes’ use of toxic-free building materials and natural ventilation to filter and bring fresh air in and vent stale air out helps combat indoor air pollution, oftentimes worse than outdoor pollution. Healthier home environment means healthier people living in it. Unless you enjoy visiting your doctor, this isn’t such a bad idea.

Interested in saving money? GREEN. Find that builder familiar with green-building techniques. The US Green Building Council has demonstrated that the net cost of owning a GREEN home is comparable to----or even cheaper than---owning a standard home. It has found that a GREEN home is often more durable due to its high-quality materials and construction processes, thus requiring fewer repairs. Materials such as bamboo, hemp, agrifibers and soybean-based products. (??? yes!) GREEN homes, the Council advises, use 40% less energy than comparable standard homes. Energy generated by the sun, wind, geothermal energy can reduce dependence upon conventional energy sources. How nice would that be??

Yes, as Kermit the Frog has said, “it isn’t easy being “green”…but there are so many very real benefits to living GREEN. Don’t you think? And besides….we MUST save the earth…..it’s the only planet with CHOCOLATE!

The Story

2009-09-22T07:27:00.000-07:00

1989. My husband and I were litigation attorneys practicing in New York and had been invited to lecture before the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in Phoenix. I had had my own firm in Garden City, NY and my husband was a then partner of Phillips Nizer, in Manhattan. For several years prior, I had been in charge of planning the annual Continuing Legal Education seminars for the NewYork chapter of the AAML and had tried, unsuccessfully, to make reservations at The Boulders in Carefree, it being one of the premier boutique resorts and golf communities as cited by Andrew Harper’s “Hideaway Report”. But our group was not of a “Hideaway” size and it simply could not be accommodated. We, however, could be. And so, lectures concluded, we journeyed up to Carefree, climbed the mysterious and inexplicably beautiful boulder pile just as the sun was about to set, gazed out onto what was then endless desert and mountain vistas……and fell hopelessly in love. Neither of us ever thought we would leave New York, but we knew this is where we would live. It was a dream that neither of us had ever considered before, but a dream we then knew would have to be realized.Continue...