Elizabeth Newlin - Arizona Real Estate Agent

So the open house I held on Sunday for another agent in my office was everything I dreamed it would be. The house was utterly adorable. Before I even stopped at the house, I drove up and down the streets in the Willow District for a few minutes and marveled at the houses. It really just feels like a different place there. My grandfather lived in Minnesota when I was a kid and we used to go visit him in the summers. The streets of the Willow District remind me of Minnesota. The huge trees, the way that all of the houses are set back from the street with front yards for kids to play in and detached garages in the back, the fact that each house is unique; these are all of the things I love.

This wonder of a house was one of my favorites:

I couldn’t possibly be more curious about what it looks like inside. I plan on attending the Willow District Home Tour (February 12) just on the off chance I might find out.

When I got to the house I was holding open, it did not disappoint. Some of my favorite details were:

The skylights:

The mail slot:

The cute detached garage in the back:

For me, heaven is in the details. I actually had a couple who came through and LOVED the house. They came back twice and are considering making an offer. When I pointed out the mail slot, the husband gushed, “I’ll buy it just for that!” My kind of people, I tell you, my kind of people.

Whew, it was a full weekend and I have tons of stories. First of all, I attended a house warming party for one of my clients, who is also a good friend. Ryan and Amanda sold their old house with me back in October and we bought them a newer, larger house with a much better layout for them. I hadn’t been in it since they had moved all of their stuff into it and done quite a bit of repainting. Even though it was a really nice house to begin with, it was a major transformation. The master bedroom has been a sickly mint green before. I think the new toffee color was an excellent choice:

It was really fun for me to get to see them enjoying their house and to know I was a part of the process. I am so glad that it has turned out to be everything they wanted.

In addition, it was a totally fun party.

There was tons of yummy food. I made stuffed mushrooms that I had been determined to get a picture of, but completely forgot, again. Regardless, here is the quick recipe (I got it from my mother in law and this was the first time I had tried it, but believe me, I will make them again):

Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients -

20ish mushrooms
8 oz. cream cheese
3/4 jar of Hormel bacon bits
2 tablespoons diced chives
Butter to grease dish

Preparation -

Wash mushrooms and pull out stems to create cavity in center. Place mushrooms in buttered baking dish. Soften cream cheese in microwave. Mix cream cheese, bacon bits and chives. Spoon cream cheese mixture into mushrooms and bake at 350 degree for 15 minutes or until mushrooms are brown.

So over all, it was a great time. My favorite part of this business is being positively involved in people’s lives.

And there were even cute babies at the party! How’s this for a parting shot:

Check back this week for updates on my Willow District open house, a haunted house story and even a new listing or two!

I have mentioned my loved of the Historic District in Phoenix before. In Phoenix, nothing is really that old; at least nothing like back East in the towns that have houses that are literally hundreds of years old. So the 1940s and 50s are about the oldest houses we have, but I love them. I love that they are unique, with interesting little details and surprises inside and out. I also love that they are often remodeled using high end materials. I have to say, I abhor standard builder materials. The off-white counter tops with built-in sinks that you see so many bathrooms of houses built since 1980 make me cringe. So when I walk into a fully remodeled, custom house (because they were all custom back then), I get excited and inspired by the choices in flooring, cabinets, counter tops and decor. I would love to some day own one of those unique homes downtown.

Knowing all of that, you can understand that when my Daily Request email (it’s a company email that allows all of the agents put out requests for other agents to hold open houses, to advertise new listings, or anything else they want let other agents know real-estate wise) came out last Wednesday and an agent up in one of our new Surprise offices was requesting for someone to hold open his listing in the Willow Historic District downtown, I jumped at the chance.

The point is, I’m holding open an adorable house tomorrow in Phoenix that I want to invite everyone to. The address is: 550 W. Vernon Ave., Phoenix, 85003. It’s off of 7th Avenue and Thomas and I will have it open from 11AM to 3PM. It was built in 1940 and has been completely remodeled with saltillo tile, granite counter tops and beautiful maple cabinets. It’s little (3 bed/1 bath, 1191 square feet) and the price reflects that: $369,500. It’s difficult to get into the Willow District for under about half a million, so this would be a perfect and economical buy for a single professional. It’s right downtown (so close to great shopping and food, not to mention the office) and totally adorable.

Come out and see me, even if it’s just because you’ve always wanted to see the Phoenix Historic District!