As we reflect on this season of gratitude, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our clients, friends, and family. Your trust, support, and partnership mean the world to us. Whether we've worked together, shared moments, or encouraged one another along the way, each of you has played an important part in our journey.
We are truly grateful for the relationships we’ve built and the community we’re fortunate to be a part of. May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, connection, and the comfort of those you hold dear.


Contingency
In real estate, "contingent" means that a seller has accepted an offer, but the sale is dependent on certain conditions being met before it can be finalized. If these conditions, or "contingencies", are not satisfied within an agreed-upon time frame, the buyer can legally withdraw from the contract without penalty.
Common types of contingencies
- Inspection:
The buyer has the right to have the property professionally inspected and can renegotiate the price or request repairs if issues are found. - Financing:
The sale is dependent on the buyer securing a mortgage loan. If the buyer is denied financing, the deal can be canceled. - Appraisal:
The sale relies on the home appraising for a value at least equal to the sale price. If it appraises for less, the buyer can back out, renegotiate, or make up the difference out-of-pocket. - Home sale:
The buyer must successfully sell their current home before they can purchase the new one.

24420 S Boxwood Drive
Immaculately maintained 2BR, 2BA Solano model with a bonus den in the gated active adult community of Ironwood at Sun Lakes. Great curb appeal. Large office/den with double doors inside front entry with great light. Kitchen was updated in 2016 with 42'' cabinets, granite counters and recently updated SS appliances. Family room off the kitchen with vaulted ceilings. Primary suite features vaulted ceilings, updated cabinets with granite counters and beautifully tiled walk-in shower. Charming backyard with screened in covered patio and mature trees and bushes. AC was new in 2016, exterior painted and new roof in 2022. FURNITURE/FURNISHINGS AVAILABLE. This one is move-in ready! IronOaks has so many amenities including 45 holes of golf, tennis, pickleball, pools, restaurants, and activities.
Recipe of the Month
Pumpkin Lasagna
Ingredients:
- Coffee or Espresso
- 1/2 c (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 3 (15 oz) cans pumpkin puree
- 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp grated fresh nutmeg
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 15 oz) container ricotta cheese
- 3 c shredded fontina, divided into 2c and 1c
- 3 c shredded mozzarella, divided into 2c and 1c
- Cooking spray
- 1 lb. no-boil lasagna noodles

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and softened, about 7 minutes. Add vinegar and cook, stirring, until mostly evaporated, about 4 minutes. Stir in sage. Add pumpkin, syrup, and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper. Cook while stirring, until warmed through, for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl, beat egg, then stir in ricotta, 2 cups fontina, and 2 cups mozzarella until combined.
- Grease a 13" x 9" baking dish with cooking spray. Smear a thin layer of pumpkin mixture (about one-third) on bottom of prepared dish. Cover with about one-quarter of noodles. Top with one-third of cheese mixture. Spread one-third of remaining pumpkin mixture over cheese mixture, followed by a layer of noodles and another layer of cheese. Repeat one more time, then finish with remaining pumpkin mixture and a layer of noodles. Sprinkle noodles with 1 remaining cup fontina and 1 cup mozzarella.
- Cover dish with foil and bake lasagna for 35 minutes. Uncover, then increase oven temperature to 400°F and continue to bake until cheese on top is melted, about 20 minutes more. Let rest 5 minutes to set, then serve and enjoy!
Fall Shred-A-Thon
Another successful Shred-A-Thon is in the books! We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to:
- Fidelity National Title for providing the shred truck
- The Arizona Rangers for helping out with the heavy lifting<
- The IronOaks HOA and Patrol for their support of this popular recurring event
- All of the Sun Lakes participants who donated tons of food for our friends at Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank.
It was fun seeing everyone, and we look forward to our next Shred-A-Thon! The date of our next shredding event will be featured in our monthly newsletter, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled!


Aging Made Easier Conference
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
8:30AM – 12PM
Risen Savior Lutheran Church
23620 S. Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85248.
NEW! Check out our new Townsites page. A page dedicated to Sun Lakes Arizona Living! See what’s happening around Sun Lakes and Chandler: https://sunlakesarizonaliving.com/?tour=on
Up Your Winter Holidays Decorating Game with These 2025 Trends
Decorating for the winter holidays is a fun, easy way to add character and spirit to your home. We all know the traditional colors, and have our favorite family heirlooms and vintage ornaments we like to display, but how about adding a contemporary, modern twist this year?
This year’s winter season decorating trends blend tactile warmth with innovation, while incorporating comfort, sustainability, and your unique personality. The trendsetters have given us an overview, and below we have some suggestions on how to implement those elements. We’re excited to try some of them!

Sustainable Sparkle
Being environmentally conscious isn’t niche anymore, and it also isn’t as lackluster as it used to be. In the somewhat “fast fashion” world of holiday décor, how can you incorporate sustainability? Reusable wrapping and LED candles are easy to find and a good place to start. You can purchase ornaments made from recycled glass or use your own from previous years or thrifted ones. You can even repurpose old ornaments by combining parts from several to make new unique ones. The DIY paper garlands that we used to make as kids from construction paper get a modern twist if you craft them from old maps or book pages. And what a great activity for the whole family! Natural materials like dried citrus, preserved eucalyptus, and wheat are in vogue, and paired with neutral or warm metallic accents, they feel extra festive without any of the environmental guilt. Just a few days ago, we saw a beautiful homemade popcorn garland upgraded with cranberries. After it has served its purpose, we imagine the birds would enjoy it – just remember to remove the string first!
Tactile Layering
Loved for its versatility as décor and a practical household item, is there anything cozier and more comfortable than a chunky knit throw on a cold evening? The tactile layering trend this year means combining velvety cushions or throw pillows with thick knits, opting for woven tree skirts, and many different fibers displayed together in household decorations. The interior design experts say doing so creates cozy visual depth, the tactile textiles (Say that 3 times fast!) invite touch and make rooms feel alive even when the lights are low or just Christmas tree lights or Hanukkah candles are providing light for the room while being admired. You could even go a step further and use rugs, poufs (for adults what bean bag chairs are for kids), and textile wall hangings to define holiday zones within your home – a reading nook, a gift-wrapping station, or a holiday movie corner – the possibilities are endless!
Smart Lighting
Technology in holiday décor has gone from gimmick to refined guest. What started as color-changing bulbs has now evolved into options like subtle, scheduled lighting scenes mimicking candlelight or twilight, and projection systems can give you a winter sky star field or the look of snowfall (for those of us who miss seeing the stuff but don’t miss having to shovel it). Other techy options include augmented reality (AR) holiday cards and scannable ornaments that can reveal playlists, family photos, or nostalgic videos. Do you take pictures of the gorgeous Arizona sunrises and sunsets? Have a meme collection saved? Even a digital picture frame with slides of those things or others you find interesting would fit the bill for unique, trendy 2025 holiday décor. Not only do they look cool, but they can serve as an icebreaker or conversation starter if a holiday gathering could use a little more chatter.
Colorful Accents
Color palettes for the 2025 winter holidays incorporate the classic red and green, but designers and trendsetters are also loving both jewel tones and unexpected accents like deep teal, cranberry, and moss; bonus style points if you pair those unexpected accent colors with bursts of coral or neon lime. You might be surprised how well those options pair – we certainly were skeptical, but once we saw it in practice, we became believers! If you want to try these ultra-modern colors but also maintain a more reserved, conservative, elegant look, add in some warm neutrals and soft metallics (such as brushed gold, warm brass, and rose gold).
Other Decorating Trends & Tips
Small evergreen alternatives – think potted firs and indoor container plants – decorated with tiny lights and natural ornaments are seasonally appropriate and beautiful. For a low-effort high-festive miniature tree perfect for small spaces or your desk, you could buy a rosemary plant from the grocery store, and once you decorate it, you’ll have a fragrant miniature Christmas tree!
Wreaths and garlands continue in popularity, and this year, they increasingly incorporate locally foraged greenery, dried flowers, and even succulents to bring life indoors without relying on cut trees.
Vintage and upcycled décor, like family heirlooms, thrifted candlesticks, and hand-painted ornaments, are being used more for Christmas and Hanukkah decorating. Mixing eras is almost a given when using those items, and it feels authentic and personal, not fake and staged.
We hope this article provided inspiration to up your winter holiday decorating game for 2025! Will you be incorporating any of these ideas this year?

“It took awhile to sell our other home and The Kolb Team was very patient while we waited. When we started looking at houses we ended up buying the first one we looked at. They kept encouraging us and we did get a home we love. They made the whole thing seamless and
stress free.”
C. Huxford
Searching for That Perfect Home?
When looking at pictures online, it can be tricky to figure out the layout of a home. We can help you with that! On our website, you can access the most popular floor plans in Sun Lakes, AZ. Just click the button below!
Vendor of the Month: Sun Lakes Community Theater
The Sun Lakes Community Theatre strives to give a diverse audience the experience of live stage plays and improvisational comedy while supporting local schools.
To contact Sun Lakes Community Theatre, send an email, visit the website, or call 480.382.6290 and leave a message. If you live in Sun Lakes or Sunbird and are interested in joining the theatre – whether your interest is acting in a show, helping with fundraising, constructing sets, or other theatre needs – you can fill out a membership application and indicate your interest(s) here.
Recent Real Estate Sales in Sun Lakes
Wondering about your Neighbor’s Home Sales Price? 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).
We Are Proud Supporters of Neighbors Who Care!
Neighbors Who Care strives to improve seniors' lives by promoting independence, dignity, and community.
Support for Neighbors Who Care is sourced mostly from individual donations from the community.
Consider joining our volunteer corps and meet some of the nicest people around who also are among the most appreciative people we know.


Would You Like a Free Buyer Guide or a Seller Guide?
Get Insider Information
We live, work, play, and volunteer in Sun Lakes and we know the ins and outs of this community.
As always, if you or someone you know is considering buying or selling a home,
we are here year-round and would love to help! Visit us online at
TheKolbTeam.com or call 480-809-5759.



