Take a look at the latest edition of North Valley Pride!
602-677-4130 • DLJonesHomes.com January/February 2023 North Valley Pride
SERVING YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS Welcoming the New Year!
As Benjamin Franklin once said, “Change is the only constant in life. One’s ability to adapt to those changes will determine their success in life.” 2022 was an incredible year for real estate. But 2022 was also a year of tremendous change — more on that in a minute! As we welcome the new year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on how far we have come. We started our journey as a real estate business in 2001, working for the Del Webb Corporation, one of the nation’s
largest and most respected home builders. That was also where we initially met; little did we know what the future held for us! The early years of working together were not unlike most startup businesses, as we invested our time and money in building the foundation of what we envisioned to be our lifetime careers. We worked long hours during the booming market of the early 2000s, helping hundreds of families move to their new Arizona homes. Some people were purchasing brand-new homes, and others
were moving to other parts of the Valley. No matter where people were moving, we were there to help them. Real estate markets are cyclical, and the financial crisis of 2008 caused the local market values to drop significantly, leading to many of our clients losing their homes to short sales and foreclosures. We helped hundreds of families move to their next stage of housing. Many tearfully moved into rental homes, and others moved out of state. During this emotional time, we learned how to be there for our clients and always made their situations a priority to resolve. We continued to work long hours and buckled down, learning to negotiate strategically with major banks and help our clients through any problems. What came next was a slow, albeit positive, recovery for the local markets. Again, we worked long hours to help people with their real estate needs. From buying to selling, we were there for everyone. As our business grew, we hired more agents to work with us. At one point, we employed over 80 local agents. In 2014,
Continued on Page 2 ...
1
Extraordinary Realtors
602-677-4130
Dennis & Lisa Jones
... continued from Cover
we were blessed beyond our wildest dreams when The Phoenix Business Journal recognized our brokerage as one of the Top 25 Residential Real Estate Brokerages in all of Phoenix, an award we received for three straight years. We often relate the ups and downs of the real estate market to a roller coaster. Each market environment brings dramatic change and requires new skills for representing clients. As we worked through the ever-changing dynamics, we became stronger and better equipped to do our job well and represent our clients. The pandemic of 2020–2021 surprised us all and created a huge demand spike across the country, driving up prices by as much as 50%–60% in many cities in a brief period of time. We learned to deal with buyer FOMO (fear of missing out) and occasional seller greed as owner equity reached record highs. 2022 started as a continuation of this trend, but the market cooled off quickly when the economy struggled, and interest rates rose. Home affordability changed rapidly, and we needed to learn new ways to help people make their desired moves. We worked with different lenders to better understand the available mortgage incentives to help make homes more affordable for buyers with tight budgets.
By the end of the year, we helped 96 families move during the 2022 calendar year. See Page 3 for the complete recap of addresses! Through everything, we continue to work long hours, helping buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants with their real estate needs. We help first-time home buyers navigate their purchase and assist seasoned homeowners upsize as their family grows and downsize when their kids leave the nest. We also help many people purchase their dream second home or a getaway vacation home in Northern Arizona. A side benefit to all of these market changes is that we have bucked the odds and proven that a husband and wife can work side-by-side to build a thriving business together. (See the article on Page 6 to read more about that!) Thank you for your continued support over the years. We look forward to continuing our business growth in 2023. We are here to serve your real estate needs when you need us!
–Dennis and Lisa
Looking for a yummy lighter dish to keep your New Year’s resolution of healthy eating on track? My good friend, Karen, gave me this recipe that I have adapted. Enjoy! INGREDIENTS Hoisin Lettuce Wraps
• 2 tsp sesame (or canola) oil • 1 lb ground pork, turkey, or chicken • 1 red pepper, cored and diced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp lime juice •
1/4–1/2 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger •
• 1 head butter or leaf lettuce (Romaine boats) • Chopped peanuts, sliced green onion, chopped fresh cilantro, and lime wedges, for garnish
1/4 cup chopped cilantro stems 2–3 green onions, chopped
•
DIRECTIONS
1. In large, heavy skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and red pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the peppers soften and the meat turns opaque. 2. Add garlic, ginger, cilantro, and onions. Cook until excess moisture cooks off and meat starts to brown. 3. Add soy sauce and lime juice, cook for 1 minute, then add hoisin sauce to taste, stirring to coat well. Heat through. 4. Serve meat mixture, lettuce leaves or boats, and garnishes. Let everyone fill their own leaves, then top with peanuts, green onions, cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
2
DLJonesHomes.com
Dennis & Lisa Jones
2022 IN REVIEW How do we measure success? By helping 96 families with their real estate needs.
42045 N Crooked Stick Road 41332 N Rolling Green Way 40314 N Bell Meadow Trail 42128 N Anthem Springs Road 2741 W Plum Hollow Drive 42103 N Astoria Way 1767 W Owens Way 2526 W Patagonia Way 41052 N Wild West Trail 8126 E Vista Bonita Drive 41606 N Anthem Ridge Drive 2734 W Plum Hollow Drive 40505 N Lytham Court 39616 N Rolling Green Way 1726 W Medinah Court 1829 W Eastman Drive 40835 N Majesty Court 1712 W Dion Drive 5940 E Bramble Berry Lane
27432 N Wahalla Lane 2892 W Haley Drive 2862 W Haley Drive 4905 E Night Hawk Loop 39517 N Harbour Town Way 41909 N Celebration Court 13641 N 144th Lane 2354 W River Rock Court 6451 E Bell Rd #2073 40016 N Candlewyck Lane 2475 W Lewis And Clark Trail 1946 W Eastman Court 41715 N Raleigh Court 42424 N Gavilan Peak #21-104
40011 N Panther Creek Court 42003 N Moss Springs Road 22414 N 75th Lane 39904 N Bell Meadow Trail
14719 N 173rd Drive 5609 E Decatur Street
40732 N Citrus Canyon Trail 42127 N Celebration Way 1938 W Whitman Court 2829 N 65th Avenue 4320 W Kastler Lane 42032 N Emerald Lake Drive 41714 N Signal Hill Court 3348 W Morse Dr 3622 W Aidan Lane 42007 N La Crosse Trail 27XX W Sunset Drive 41520 N Chase Oaks Way 40301 N Bell Meadow Trail 7648 W Betty Elyse Lane 3758 W Aracely Drive 41017 N Prestancia Drive
425XX N 7th Street 44008 N 50th Lane 3840 W Links Drive 39524 N Belfair Way
15723 W Shangri La Road 39808 N Iron Horse Way 42004 N Crooked Stick Road 3959 N 151st Lane 43516 N 48th Drive 42424 N Gavilan Peak #1-210 3329 W Inspiration Drive 3712 W Muirfield Court 10918 E Sutherland Way 3722 N 310th Lane 42144 N Anthem Heights Drive
1614 W Morse Drive 39716 N Prairie Lane 2539 W Bisbee Way 39241 N Acadia Way
3134 W Kuralt Court 36625 N 19th Avenue
41609 N Signal Hill Court 19720 E Indian Hills Drive 2634 W Florentine Road 41638 N Emerald Lake Drive 1537 W Spirit Drive 41642 N Emerald Lake Drive 8943 W Deanna Drive 13059 W Westgate Drive
42514 N Cross Timbers Court 41807 N Anthem Ridge Drive 40708 N Noble Hawk Court 40733 N Noble Hawk Court 3450 W Steinbeck Drive 5411 N Saint Andrews Drive 43311 N 44th Avenue
41436 N Bent Creek Way 2330 W Muirfield Drive
3
Extraordinary Realtors
602-677-4130
2023 has arrived! Time to plan for the year ahead and set some resolutions. On Dec. 31, as the clock struck midnight, you likely celebrated the New Year with fireworks, parties, noise makers, the ball drop, music, celebration hats, and confetti. But around the world, not everyone celebrates the same way. Check out some of these traditions others use to ring in the new year! Colombia Who does not love to travel? In Colombia, many carry an empty suitcase or two around the neighborhood, hoping to bless the coming year with many chances to travel. Spain NEW YEAR’S TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD New Year, New Perspectives In these Central and South American countries, the new year is celebrated with lucky underwear! The most common colors are red, intended to welcome love in the upcoming year, and yellow, which is said to bring about prosperity. Greece If you were to visit Greece on New Year’s Eve, you might see onions — thought to symbolize rebirth — hanging on the front doors of every home. On New Year’s Day, parents wake their children by gently tapping them on the head with the onions. Philippines In the Philippines, people use round shapes to represent coins that symbolize prosperity in the new year. Some even display round fruit, such as grapes, on their dining room table and, like people in Spain, will eat 12 at midnight. Denmark To get rid of evil spirits, the people of Denmark will throw old plates and glasses against their friends’ and families’ front doors. Then to “leap” into the new year with good luck, they stand on chairs and jump off! In Spain, you may catch some natives eating exactly 12 grapes, one for each clock strike once midnight arrives. Each one represents good luck for each month in the new year. In larger cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, they gather to eat grapes together in the main squares. Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Bolivia
Coming Together as a Community Through Good Times, Food, and Photos!
Our annual client appreciation event was held on Saturday, Nov. 12, and was a huge success! Dozens of our clients participated, and we were thrilled to welcome everyone into our home! The event truly felt like a holiday reunion party. Lisa prepared the food herself, and we were thrilled to see many family members we call our clients come together. From singles and couples to families and even family pets, everyone was invited to attend our event and receive free photos. We hired a professional photographer for the day, providing free high-resolution digital photos at no charge to our clients. We look forward to hosting this event again! Thank you for your support, which made this event possible.
What New Year’s traditions do you have?
4
DLJonesHomes.com
Dennis & Lisa Jones
On Jan. 3, we recognize J.R.R. Tolkien Day in honor of one of the most prolific storytellers and world builders of the past century. Tolkien is responsible for creating the world of Middle-earth, which most people are familiar with thanks to “The Lord of the Rings” books and movies. The talented author has inspired many individuals with his work, including “Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin and even Led Zeppelin. If you are a fan of “The Lord of the Rings” or anything hobbit-related, you might want to take advantage of J.R.R. Tolkien Day. Here are a few ways to get your Middle-earth fix in early January. Read Tolkien’s books. The books are where Middle-earth first came to life. With “The Hobbit,” “The Lord of the Rings,” and “The Silmarillion,” there is no shortage of Middle-earth stories to consume. These books are written elegantly and contain much more detail than Peter Jackson’s film adaptations. These books are lengthy, especially if you are planning to read the entire “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy; make sure you have ample time to read. Watch shows and films inspired by Tolkien’s work. Peter Jackson’s collection of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” movies are fantastic adaptations of Tolkien’s original work and are always worth a rewatch when J.R.R. Tolkien Day rolls around. You can also watch Amazon Prime’s new “The Rings of Power” show that dives deeper into the lore of Tolkien’s expansive world. If you are looking to learn more about the man himself, try watching the 2019 British- American biographical drama film, “Tolkien.” Play video games that take place in Middle-earth. If you are into video games and Tolkien’s work, you are in luck! “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor” and “Middle-earth: Shadow of War” are both well-received games that are highly beloved by fans of Tolkien’s work and gamers who enjoy stealthy action games. Over the past few years, a game that allows you to play as Gollum called “The Lord of the Rings: Gollum” has been in development and will surely bring joy to fans everywhere when released. In Recognition of J.R.R. Tolkien Day EXPLORE THE WORLD OF MIDDLE-EARTH
5
Extraordinary Realtors
602-677-4130
Making It Possible! WORKING TOGETHER AS A HUSBAND AND WIFE DUO
We have all heard that a husband and wife can never work together. You spend so much time together at home that the thought of being in the same workplace is absurd! But contrary to belief, working together is possible! The husband and wife duo working together is a subject where many people tend to say, “I could never work with my husband or wife!” But, truthfully, neither one of us feels like we could be in this business without the other. One of the many aspects from which people tend to shy away is the idea of spending every minute with their spouse. One way we thrive in working together is by having our own home offices. Dennis has all kinds of activities happening in his — webinars, business news on TV, music, and 20,000 other noises — whereas I have to have complete silence to focus on my work. I cannot even have music playing, because I will start singing! His office is neat and tidy, and mine is a bit of a mess — but I know exactly where everything is. We’ve all seen the foaming hand and dish soaps at our local supermarkets — some of you may have one by your sink or in a cabinet. But when you run out of soap, what do you do? Do you throw out the bottle and purchase a new one? Or do you buy a new bottle and attach it to the dispenser? Buying soap replacements all the time is costly, but you can save money and soap by creating your own foaming dish and hand soap! You only need three things: a foaming dispenser, liquid soap, and water. Is making your own foaming soap that easy? Yes! The entire process may take you only five minutes to complete. The most important item you need is a foam dispenser. You can reuse a foaming soap container or purchase one online. After rinsing your bottle, add one part liquid soap and three parts water. Avoid shaking the bottle after screwing the cap back on. The suds and bubbles in the container will affect the dispenser and produce less foam when you pump the device. And that’s it! You just created foaming hand or dish soap in seconds. You don’t need to add lots of liquid soap to your concoction. If you look at foaming soaps in the supermarket, you will notice they are mostly water. So, less is more in this instance.
Although we have very different working styles, our business and personal relationship is stronger than ever. Here are a few ways you can survive working together too! • Champion each other through professional highs and lows. • Take up an activity together outside of work and household chores. • Work toward a healthy work-life balance — ensure you and your spouse have a life beyond work, especially if you take work home with your spouse. • Keep your personal life out of the workplace — do not let your relationship affect your professional decisions. • Have good communication and compromise. • Ensure you have the same goals and a shared purpose. Being with the one you love and doing what you love together is one of the most incredible experiences in life. Throughout our careers, the feeling of achievement and success as a team has been gratifying. Roadblocks may occur along the way, but with mutual respect, time, and effort, working together is possible!
–Lisa Jones INSTEAD OF PURCHASING FOAMING SOAPS CREATE YOUR OWN WITH JUST 3 INGREDIENTS
Once you begin making these, you’ll notice you use less soap, making the product last longer and keeping more money in your pocket. Not only does this foaming method work for hand and dish soaps, but you can also make your shampoo, body wash, and other cleansers foam — it’s all about the dispenser. If you decide to convert other products, avoid creamy soaps because they have moisturizers that can clog the foaming dispenser. Once you start making your own foaming soap, you will never go back to purchasing it. This DIY method is easy, quick, and inexpensive. Happy cleaning!
6
DLJonesHomes.com
Dennis & Lisa Jones
Curling up with a good book is the perfect way to spend a winter day, but fully immersing yourself in the pages is difficult if your area does not fit the mood. Luckily, creating a cozy and comfortable reading corner in your home is easy. Create the Perfect Reading Nook 3 WAYS TO MAKE A COZY CORNER
Share the Love! The Perfect Locations for Spending Valentine’s Day
If you want to be tucked away from the rest of the world as you read, convert an unused closet into the perfect nook. Pillows and blankets can make you warm and cozy, and aesthetic lighting and artificial plants will provide a little extra pizazz. If you are limited with space, consider creating a portable reading nook by purchasing a utility cart. You can add your current reads, snacks, plants, coffee mugs, and candles to the cart for a more personal touch. If you have a sunny corner by a window, capitalize by using a comfy chair or circular pillow as you bask in the sun while flipping through the pages of your book.
Valentine’s Day will be here soon! With so many ways to celebrate the holiday of love, enjoying a nice meal and supporting some local businesses is truly the best way. Some of our favorite places to celebrate include: Legends Bar & Grill Located in Anthem, this local, family-run restaurant offers familiar pub grub and many TVs to watch your favorite game! This spot is perfect if you are looking for a more casual place to enjoy quality time with one another. Be sure to try their French Dip — one of our favorites! Andrew Z Diamonds & Fine Jewelry We always wonder what the perfect gift for our special someone could be, and nothing beats adding a little sparkle to their lives. From necklaces and earrings to bracelets and watches, this third-generation, family-owned jewelry store provides the Anthem community with fine jewelry and exceptional services at affordable prices. They make Valentine’s Day shopping very special and are great at keeping secrets! L’Entrata The local neighborhood wine bar is a haven for enthusiasts, whether you are brand-new to wine or have a sommelier’s palate. This hot spot is an excellent place for a romantic Valentine’s Day with a touch of elegance and the feel of home. AMPed Coffee
From carefully-selected local roasts of coffee and tea to a curated selection of craft brews and wines, this local coffee shop is one for the books. They also bake bread, scones, cookies, and much more. This great gathering place is well-suited for meeting with friends, working on your laptop, taking in a show, or enjoying a book upstairs. These venues are just a few of our favorites to spend time with each other. If our office is one of your favorite places, please consider sharing the love and recommending us to your friends and family!
Take a Break
7
Extraordinary Realtors
602-677-4130
2022 Year (Plus a Couple of Decades) in Review Inside
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1
2
Hoisin Lettuce Wraps
Lisa & Dennis Jones
3
Thank You for a Great 2022!
3668 W. Anthem Way, Ste. B-158 • Anthem, AZ 85086 602-677-4130 • DLJonesHomes.com
4
Not Everyone Welcomes the New Year the Same
4
Our 2022 Client Appreciation Event
5
Explore the Lore of Middle-Earth
6
Tips on Working With Your Spouse
6
Make Your Own Foaming Hand and Dish Soap!
7
4 Local Businesses We Support
7
Ideas for a Comfy Reading Corner
8
Highlighting the Funniest Resolutions
Time for New Resolutions! Lighthearted Ways to Kick Off the New Year
Do not bore your boss with the same reasons to call out — create new excuses. Instead of using the typical family emergency or car breaking down, come up with something ridiculous that your boss has no choice but to let you go. Call in and say you are sick because you ate cat food instead of canned tuna. Works every time.
The new year brings on many new resolutions, and while most revolve around weight loss or eliminating bad habits, you can also have fun with them! Check out some funny New Year resolutions to start 2023 with a good laugh! Do not be ashamed about wearing pajamas in public. The athleisure trend makes dressing in yoga pants and pretending you plan on hitting the gym after running errands much easier. Meanwhile, everyone knows you would never run unless a bear is chasing you. Wearing leggings just because they are comfortable is okay — this is a judgment‑free zone! Only eat the good candy from the bowl on the receptionist’s desk. We have all been there — that one co-worker always going through the complimentary candy dish to pick out all the good pieces. You may feel obligated to eat the discarded leftovers, but be firm and grab all the good stuff for yourself.
Here are some more resolutions to try this year:
•
When meeting with friends, stop telling the same jokes. Or make new friends.
• Treat your car to a disco carwash. • • Vow to communicate exclusively through memes. •
Stop blaming the family dog for all the strange smells in the house.
Finish all those DIY projects, or maybe just one.
Kick off 2023 and let yourself be a little silly when you make your resolutions!
8
DLJonesHomes.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator