Sun Lakes Has Opened!
We trust you are adapting to some sort of new normal as our economies are slowly opening up. Sun Lakes has opened almost everything now, including restaurants, pools, tennis, pickle ball, golf, and fitness centers.
New guidelines include social distancing, limited capacity, and more sanitizing than ever before. While the circumstances and new protocols may not be ideal, we are opening up, and people can choose to participate in activities again.
We, as a team, are adjusting to the heat that ushered in June with a bang! We surely do miss those pleasant 65- and 70-degree mornings where we waved to many neighbors out for a lovely walk in the community. We are also enjoying spending time with friends and neighbors who are lingering in Sun Lakes a bit longer this year, as they await phase 2 openings in their respective states. Most have abandoned vacation and travel plans, making way for us all to discover more local areas of interest. As restaurants return to being open, many of our clients have told us they may not be comfortable dining indoors, but they are still patronizing these businesses by ordering curbside, oftentimes experiencing new culinary delights. It’s great to support not only our local Sun Lakes restaurants, but neighboring local businesses as well. If you have had great experiences or discovered new places, share it with us by posting it on our Sun Lakes Facebook page!
And, as always, we are working with clients who need to sell or buy homes. 48 homes closed escrow in May alone in Sun Lakes. Serious buyers are out looking now, and they are ready and able to make offers. Inventory remains very low, leading to us seeing homes with multiple offers (as you will see later in this newsletter). All summer, we will be here working, ready to assist with whatever real estate needs you have.
COVID-19 Affects Business of Local Sun Lakes Residents:
The Jarvis adapt Julie’s Fine Jewelry
Paul and Julie Jarvi are Oakwood Country Club residents who spend 5 to 6 months in their Alaskan home in Ketchikan, where they own three fine jewelry and gift stores. Cruise ships are the mainstay for businesses in Ketchikan and along the inside passage in Alaska. Here’s what Paul and Julie have to say about how COVID-19 is affecting their business, and what they are doing about it, both in Ketchikan and here in Sun Lakes.
“Paul & I built our home in Sun Lakes in 2002. We are currently owners of 3 jewelry, art, and gifts stores in Ketchikan, Alaska - Julie's Fine Jewelry. Our business, which we have owned for 30 years, is largely cruise ship driven. This year with the COVID, we are faced with no cruise ship business, and for one month had to close. We are now back open but have had to think outside the box to reach consumers. Next week we are opening our website to online shopping. We are starting small but are very excited about this project, and feel that through this sad time a new window has opened! In the meantime, we have extended our time in Sun Lakes and have enjoyed golfing and adapting to the “dry heat” our friends tell us about. We truly live in a great place and have experienced the sense of community Sun Lakes offers, especially in times such as these. Come visit us online at www.juliesalaska.com.”
Visit Prescott, A Mountain Town with Endless Charm
If you’re looking to escape the heat for a bit, Prescott is an easy day or weekend trip from Sun Lakes. It's only a two-hour drive through scenic territory to this town that you’ll find cool in the summer, thanks to its mile-high location in Prescott National Forest.
Whether you're up for fishing, hiking, picnicking, or strolling through a charming downtown, this gem in the mountains with the four seasons is for you.
Once the territorial capital, Prescott is rich with history. Surrounding the scenic Courthouse Plaza, there are boutiques, museums, art galleries, and restaurants for every taste and preference. Ironically, the “formerly wild west rowdy” and world-famous Whiskey Row is also right across the street from this hall of justice. Here you'll find The Palace Saloon, a favorite watering hole of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. If you’re a fan of architecture like we at The Kolb Team are, you’ll enjoy the Victorian homes on Mount Vernon Street that Prescott is known for.
Perfect weather, which averages a pleasant 70 degrees, is another advantage of a getaway in Prescott. If you're interested in exploring the outdoors, choose from plenty of lakes, streams, mountain trails, and golf courses, all sharing the same picturesque mountain backdrop.
On your way home, we recommend you make a stop at the Rock Springs Café in Black Canyon City. They have the best pies in the state, and the refreshing lemon meringue comes highly recommended!
Whether you’re looking to head out in the early morning and return to Sun Lakes that night, or you’d like to spend a few days away, Prescott is “Everyone’s Hometown”, and we are certain you’ll enjoy spending time there.
Cinco de Mayo Golf CARE-avan and Taco Party
Once again, IronOaks HOA put on quite a party to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and bring some fun and joy to IronOaks residents. We saw just under 200 golf carts, decorated and lined up to cruise through the Oakwood neighborhoods.
Homeowners lined their driveways and expressed good sentiments while practicing social distancing on this popular holiday. Following the parade, street tacos, beer, and margaritas were available. The weekly CARE-avans have ended for the summer, but look for more fun activities to follow.
Giving Back to the Community
If you know the Kolb Team, then you know we love giving back to communities, especially in times of need. Annually, Keller Williams has what is called "Red Day".
It is a time that KW offices across the nation close, and we each choose an event to sponsor financially and with our labor of love. Last year, we supported Jacob’s Mission, an entity that provides assistance and resources to those special individuals and families who foster children.
This year, unfortunately, we were not able to get out as we have in the past, so in going with the flow, our team chose to do a food drive to benefit United Food Bank. With the support of the IronOaks HOA (which placed a drop receptacle at the curbside for food pick up), we collected approximately 600 pounds of food that went to the United Food Bank! THANK YOU, IRONOAKS, for your continued support of these community projects. You stepped up during this is an unprecedented time, when food banks are relying on donations.
We Are Committed to Helping End Polio Now!
We will donate $100 in your name to end polio around the world, when you list your home for sale with us!
You may also donate directly here
Open Houses to Restart – Learn what the Kolb Team has put into place to keep the seller and prospective buyers safe while attending an open house.
Some are asking if it is safe to begin doing in-person open house marketing at this time. Many of our sellers are asking for this option, so we have implemented a policy that is safe for both our buyers and sellers.
Read about it here: https://www.thekolbteam.com/open-house-health-safety-guidelines-the-kolb-team/
Would You Like a Free Buyer Guide or a Seller Guide?
Real Estate Update
The #1 question we are asked these days is “How is the real estate market? Are homes selling?”
Our response:
Multiple offers at and over asking price on day 1
Under contract with hours of going live because WE have buyers for your home
Thinking of selling? NOW is the time, while demand is strong, and prices remain solid.
Find out here to see what sold last month. The report is broken down by HOA, address, and floor plan (if the agent listed the model in MLS).
