Looking for the perfect Arizona retirement community to enjoy the best years of your life? Just one look and you’ll know right away why you should venture to Ventana Lakes for enjoyable retired living! This sprawling, friendly retirement community features nine lakes packed with freshwater fish and has a bevy of activities and clubs that are perfect for 55-and-up active adults looking to truly enjoy retirement.

Since 1986, Ventana Lakes has been one of Arizona’s most desirable retirement communities and features luxurious amenities galore. This diverse community of over 1,700 homes has plenty of space for residents to relax, enjoy the gorgeous and scenic backdrop of the mountains southwest of Surprise, and enjoy well-designed water features by way of paddleboats and canoes. Miles of well-manicured walking trails are perfect for evening strolls or morning dog runs, and seven nearby courses provide ample tee times for both novice and accomplished golfers.

Ventana Lakes is close to the Loop 101, and provides fast access to nearby attractions such as the Arrowhead Towne Center Mall, Peoria’s Sports Complex, Camelback Ranch and Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Best of all, you can find the perfect style home, from spacious lake homes to cozy condominiums to maintenance-free townhomes.

And with affordable prices ranges, Ventana Lakes offers the perfect price and setting for Arizona retirees. So what are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment to tour the community and find out more about the available homes for sale in Ventana Lakes.

Let’s work together to find the perfect Arizona retirement community of your dreams!

The brisk start to the 2017 home-selling season slowed down in April with home sales dropping 4.1 percent below March and 4.5 percent below the previous April, according to the May 2017 RE/MAX National Housing Report.

“We may be seeing some frustration from buyers,” said Dave Liniger, RE/MAX CEO, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder. “Inventory is tighter than ever, while strong demand keeps driving up home prices. At the same time, many potential sellers may also be reluctant to list their homes because the tight inventory might impact them as buyers. Home buyers and sellers will need to work with experienced real estate agents to navigate this tough market.”

More than three quarters of the report’s fifty-three metro areas saw April home sales decline year-over-year. By contrast, March posted a 6.6 percent year-over-year spike in sales. Even so, April saw homes sell for more than they did in March in 81 percent of the markets, while 92 percent of the markets saw higher year-over-year sale prices.

Yet the narrative of the ever-tightening inventory coupled with increased prices persisted, as the fifty-three-metro area report saw the trends of a seller’s market continuing:

• The average number of Days on Market declined for the third consecutive month and April’s fifty-seven days set a new low for April in the report’s nine-year history.
• The Median Sales Price of $226,000 was the highest price for any April and marked the 13th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases. 
• Months Supply of Inventory, which dropped below three months in March for the first time in the report’s history, was 2.8. A months supply of less than 6.0 is considered a seller’s market. 
• Inventory was down 17.6 percent from April 2016.

Click here to read the May 2017 National Housing Report brought to us by RE/MAX Headquarters. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning what home values are in Arizona’s retirement communities, please give me a call today.

Looking for a place to retire? According to the U.S. census, 15.4 percent of people living in Arizona are 65 years or older, a proportion slightly larger than the national average. It’s no surprise Arizona would be one of the top places to retire, especially since Arizona as a whole is one of the 10 most tax-friendly states for retirees, according to Kiplinger, a Washington, D.C.-based business and finance-advice publication.

A recent survey on WallHub, a financial-planning website for consumers and small-business owners, ranked the top-50 best places to retire in the country. Not surprisingly, sunny Arizona made the list multiple times different times. Additionally, the high number of sunny days appeals to many from places pestered by gloomy winter weather. Below are the top 5 Arizona retirement locales according to Wallhub:

1. Scottsdale.
2. Peoria.
3. Tempe.
4. Mesa.
5. Tucson.

These Arizona retirement locations feature recreational centers, golf courses and bowling alleys as well as local grocery stores, banks and restaurants clustered throughout the communities. As the number of retirees climbs nationwide, people beginning a new stage of life are seeking out the best places in Arizona to retire. Whole communities already cater to retirees and other active adults throughout the state. If you’re looking for an Arizona retirement community to call home, please contact Sharon Mason today.

With the current Arizona heat wave, there’s no denying that summer is in full swing. And while summertime is usually a time of camping, swimming, grilling out and relaxation for most, the intense heat be dangerous for older adults if the proper precautions aren't taken.

Here are the top 3 summer safety tips for seniors that Arizona retirees and active adults should implement all season long.

1.) Eye care: Vision loss can be common among the senior citizens, and too much exposure to the sun can irritate eyes and cause further damage. Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and preserve your vision. Consider prescription sunglasses if you have problems with your vision.

2.) Protect your skin: It only takes fifteen minutes for the sun to damage unprotected skin according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Older adults may not notice it immediately, but the damage is there. Sunscreen is a major component to preventing sunburns in older adults. Look for a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and also have a sun protection factor (SPF) of fifteen or more. Be sure to apply it fifteen to thirty minutes before exposure. If you’re enjoying water activities, be sure to reapply your sunscreen frequently.

3.) Stay hydrated: By the time you’re thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. For active adults, the feeling of thirst decreases as we age, so be sure to increase your water intake if you are exercising or doing any type of prolonged physical activity. Aim to drink six to eight glasses of water per day. Not upping your water intake in the summer can lead to heat stroke which symptoms include confusion, disorientation, dry skin, excessive tiredness, headache, lethargy, nausea, and a rapid pulse.

Arizona summers can pose a threat to active adults such as sunburn, eye damage, dehydration, heat exhaustion and more. If you remember the top 3 summer safety tips for seniors, there's no reason you can't have an enjoyable and fun-filled summer -- no matter your age.

Looking for a beautiful retirement community in Sun City West, Arizona to call your own? Look no further than Corte Bella. Described as “retirement living at its best” by the residents, this charmingly landscaped 45-and-up community features everything you need to maintain an active, social lifestyle while enveloped in the comfort of a friendly, gated and guarded neighborhood. Corte Bella is specifically designed to meet the needs of modern retirees through contemporary home styles and floor plans, and its long list of amenities and clubs makes it a breath of fresh air in the Sonoran Desert. Here are 3 reasons to make Corte Bella your retirement destination:

1.) Leisure: Corte Bella is a relaxed community that does its best to maintain a fun, carefree environment for active adults. With bingo nights, bridge clubs and book groups, there are always opportunities to socialize while doing things you love. There’s also an arts and crafts studio, an aerobics studio and an outdoor resort-style pool with lap lanes make this sweeping community one of the most inclusive and socially active in the state.

2.) Great Golfing: Between the 9,000 square-foot clubhouse, the 11,000 square-foot fitness center and spa, and the 18-hole Corte Bella Golf Club, there’s plenty of action for everyone. As an added perk, residents enjoy discounted greens fees and access to the golf club and pro shop; full golf club members enjoy priority access to the course, unlimited use of the practice facilities and free range balls.

3.) Home Selection: This 1,650-home 45-and-up community features several ranch-style houses with various floor plans in Corte Bella. These single-family homes were constructed between 2003 and 2007 and range from cozy, 1,100 square-foot gems to spacious 3,200 square-foot residences. Many are available with value-packed upgrades, including three-car garages, granite countertops and casitas.

Ready to explore magnificent Corte Bella? Contact me today! I’ll take you on a personal tour of the homes you’re interested in within this gorgeous gated Sun City, Arizona retirement community. There’s no need to wait; fantastic homes are available now, and together, we’ll find the perfect one for you.

What is motherhood? What does it mean to be a mother? These questions are as challenging to answer as they are simple. Yes, to give birth; yes, to adopt children; yes, to have a family. But being a mother is also about much more than that. There’s some large, overwhelming, and beautiful piece at the center of motherhood that is so hard to put words to. It’s a feeling, not an explanation. Maybe that piece is best called love. If so, it is truly a unique love reserved for the mother/child relationship. And when you’ve felt it, you know it. In honor of Mother’s Day, these 3 moms share what it means to be a mother:

“Being a mother means being completely and totally overwhelmed (in the best possible way) by love, joy, responsibility, and selflessness. Motherhood means sleepless nights, big belly laughs, caterpillars on the coffee table, finger-painting in the kitchen, stubbed toes, and gapped toothed grins. Motherhood has made life more colorful than I ever knew it could be. Being a mom means I have two little people who walk around with my heart and soul in the palms of their sweet, smudgy hands.”—Lauren Casper, Blogger

“To me, being a mother means getting to see all the possibility in the world through your children’s eyes, and also wanting to be the kindest and most generous version of yourself, so that your children can look up to you. On a day to day level, being a mother means being tired, sometimes grumpy and never left alone, and then, in one funny, loving or meaningful moment with your kids, realizing that it’s all completely worth it. Times one million.”—Cara McDonough, Blogger

“For me, being a mother means it is MY responsibility to give my children the tools they need to live a happy and meaningful life. In the case of my daughters, Lily and Melanie, I wanted to empower them with a skill set that would allow them to create independent careers and avoid the glass ceiling…they are on their way with confidence and the sky is the limit.”—Renee Sandler, Founder & CEO, BLAMtastic®

Regardless of what motherhood means to you, the universal language of motherhood is love. Happy Mother’s Day!

Virginia, Montana, and Wyoming were voted as some of the top 10 places to retire according to recent surveys. However, the average temperature in those top ten retirement locales up north is about 57° degrees. Today’s temperature in sunny Arizona is a high of 84° degrees. In places where retirees are still shoveling snow off their driveways, you’ll find Arizona retirees enjoying heated swimming pools in their luxury retirement communities. The weather is one of the many reasons active adults choose to retire to Arizona and snowbirds choose to flock here every year.

In fact, winter temperatures in Phoenix are like summer temperatures in the southeast but without humidity. Rainfall averages for Arizona range from less than three inches in the deserts to more than thirty inches per year in the mountains. Dry and sunny days with cool nights are typical, and we enjoy over 250 days with sun each year. But if you’re an Arizona retiree who enjoys more variety in temperature and seasons, towns like Flagstaff, Sedona, and Prescott make great choices.

Another benefit of retiring to Arizona is that the “dry heat” state offers many older adults relief from allergies or asthma they may have suffered in other parts of the country. And award-winning medical centers such as Banner Health and Del Webb medical centers offer some of the best retirement care and services in the country. Why wouldn’t you want to retire with access to high quality health care to help you enjoy your golden years?

Lastly, those living on a fixed income will be happy to know that there is no tax on social security income here in Arizona. That’s a nice incentive to move to Arizona when you’re living on social security benefits. There is also no inheritance tax, gift, tax, or estate tax in Arizona. You can really make your social security income stretch here, especially since Arizona’s cost of living is about five percent below the national average. Income and property taxes are generally relatively low as well.

So when it comes to choosing your retirement destination, look no further than the sunny mountains and desert landscape of Arizona. Come see why so many active adults retire to Arizona every year. And if you’re looking to buy a home in Sun City, Sun City West, or in any of the various Arizona retirement communities, please contact me today!

PebbleCreek is a gated 45-and-up active adult retirement community in Goodyear, Arizona that features immaculately landscaped grounds, dozens of clubs and a variety of things to do. If you’re seeking a beautiful master planned community to spend your golden years, then here are 3 reasons to make PebbleCreek your home.

1.) Great Location: PebbleCreek’s proximity to Luke Air Force Base makes it an ideal locale for retired veterans and retired DoD civilians to have quick and easy access to retired military benefits such as medical facilities, the Commissary, and other services. As part of the West Valley, PebbleCreek has easy access to everything from top-notch medical care facilities to shopping centers and more. This resort style retirement community is a mere twenty-one miles from the heart of Phoenix, so you can easily enjoy the culture and attractions of Arizona’s largest city.

2.) Wellness Amenities: PebbleCreek also boasts the kind of wellness amenities that makes retired living truly enjoyable. Love staying active and fit? This esteemed retirement community offers an all-inclusive fitness center, lighted tennis courts, and lap pools. And the Tuscany Falls Golf Club and The Eagle’s Nest are the go-to Arizona golf destinations.

3.) Socializing: Love to socialize? PebbleCreek features dozens of clubs, from bingo and singing to pickleball and ballroom dancing. Feeling crafty? Retired residents can enjoy two on-site Creative Arts Centers with studios for woodcarving, painting, and ceramics as well as crafts rooms designed for sewing, quilting and more.

Which of these 3 reasons to make PebbleCreek your home are right for you? Want to see more? Contact Sharon Mason to schedule an appointment to tour the community and find out more about new home deals in PebbleCreek, in Goodyear, Arizona.

With the spring season upon us, now is the perfect time for active adults to get outside and get moving. Fortunately Sun City West residents have a variety of new sports activities to choose from which are ideal for residents of all skills and capabilities to keep the blood pumping and add years of enjoyment to the golden age of retirement. Here are the new sports activities that are increasing in popularity locally and nationally for Sun City West active seniors:

Pickleball: Recreation Centers of Sun City West officially opened their new pickleball courts with a ribbon cutting ceremony April 7th at R.H. Johnson Recreation Center, located at 19803 R.H. Johnson Blvd. The new facility serves the community and one of its fastest growing clubs, the Sun City West Pickelball Club. Pickleball is a racquetsport, which combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. According to thte USA Pickleball Association theirs is among the fastest growing sport in the country.

Whisperball: Also referred to as wacquetball, or wimpy ball, whisperball is a modified version of racquetball. It employs the same court and racquet but with a slightly larger dense, foam ball. The rules are also modified to provide a game epxerience requiring less impact while still delivering on vigorous play. The game is slower and requires less upper body strenght to compete and enjoy, but still delivers a workout for those who have limited movement. Whipserball is played 3-5pm Mondays, Tuesday and Thursday at the racquetball courts at R.H. Johnson Recreation Center. Play is open to anyone with an RCSCW rec card.

Wii Bowling: At R.H. Johnson Recreation Center, and across the country, Wii bowling has grown exponentially in recent years - not just with the kids, but with active seniors ranging up to 100 years of age! A lot of players have been regular bowlers for decades, but limited mobility has kept some from playing. Wii bowling allows players to bowl digitally via a video game console, in a fun, safe space. the video game is so popular there are even leagues! The Wii bowling league at R.H. Johnson Lanes includes 164 players comprising forty-one league teams.

Which of these new sports activities in Sun City West sound the most fun to you? If you'd like more information about available memberships, leagues and other activities at the R.H. Johnson Recreation Center, please contact the Recreation Centers of Sun City West at 623-544-6100. for more things to do in Sun City West and Sun City, Arizona or if you are looking for a home in one of the many wonderful Arizona retirement communities, please contact Sharon Mason today.

Since 1992, RE/MAX agents and brokers have invested in the well-being of their local communities by raising more than $150 million for 170 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Each donation helps fund pediatric medical equipment, treatments, charitable care and other healthcare services for local CMN hospitals. As the contributions continue to grow, the hospital is able to aid in a larger number of sick and injured children -- which is something they take great pride in being able to do for our community.

Throughout the year, RE/MAX offices and agents raise funds through the Miracle Home and Miracle Property programs that provide a great way to help sick and injured children and express appreciation to their clients. They raise additional funds with golf tournaments, benefit dinners, auction and other community fundraisers. Many agents also visit children's hospitals and volunteer their time to further support the one in ten kids who are treated at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals each year.

In 2016, RE/MAX Affiliates in the US and Canada donated over $10 million to 170 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals through the Miracle Home and Miracle Property Programs. Here at RE/MAX Professionals, our agents donated over $40,000 to our local Phoenix Children's Hospital last year!

It is a privilege to be among these agents who give back to our community. I have you to thank for this prestigious recognition, because without your continued trust as your preferred real estate agent, I would be able to participate in these programs.
Here's to celebrating another 25 years of miracles!