All posts by John Selman

John Selman is an Associate Broker, with previous experience as a certified Luxury Agent at Coldwell Banker Global Luxury, and The Agency. John consults with clients, handling the purchase and sales of their homes, dives into the hunt for a great property with the goal of achieving positive equity at close whenever possible, enthusiastically showcases a home for sale to bring out its best features, and truly loves what he gets to do every day. John moved to Engel & Voelkers to take advantage of their global reach in home and select lifestyle offerings, the experience and professionalism of their management and advisors, and E&V’s superlative marketing and support tools. Having grown up around the world, he arrived in the Valley from Canada, 35 years ago, renovated central Phoenix properties during college, and is intimate with the best neighborhoods historically, and those now on the rise. John earned his MBA in marketing from Arizona State University, with an undergraduate focus on biology, finance and computer science, and continued to pursue advanced coursework as an executive. As an e-marketing and sales executive, with stints with IBM and start-ups in San Francisco, Dallas, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Atlanta, New York, La Jolla and LA, his regular relocation home searches provided valuable experiences, both good and bad, and led to his real estate career. John has practiced and taught the Consulting Sales process to the best sales people in business. A former #1 sales executive at IBM, and an instructor of executive education for IBM, he teaches, practices, and practically breathes the Consulting Sales Process. John honed his luxury-specific marketing skills, re-positioning and invigorating his gourmet food and wine shop in downtown Malibu, initially as a side business. As a pioneer in email marketing and blogs, he delivered wine advice and sold rare wine across the country to America’s wealthiest collector's and some of the biggest names in entertainment and business. Running his fine wine boutique, Malibu Village Wines, he consulted with auction houses, and worked with architects, cabinetmakers, contractors, and some of America’s best Realtors designing wine cellars for luxurious estates, and realized that Real Estate was what he wanted to concentrate on in his future. Expanding with a bar and restaurant, he catered to the needs of some of the world's wealthiest business people and celebrities. Having created a shop that was a social hub for the wine community, built a wine clientele around the world, and co-founded the Wine Classic for ChildHelp charity, John decided it was time to move on from technology, food and wine, and focus on real estate- his other lifestyle passion. He enthusiastically enjoys, and irreverently writes about homes, food and wine. He is passionate about all three, loves architecture, grapes, cooking, good renovation, old cars and motorcycles, his family, his Bulldog “Rugby”, and most (but not always all) of his friends. In his rare free time, he coaches paddling sports on Tempe Town Lake, strums a guitar while singing offkey, visits his favorite old ski haunts and complains of aches and pains, avoids anyone carrying a rugby ball or organizing a "tour", travels up and down the coast seeking out great food & wine, looks for water to paddle SUPs or outriggers, and laughs at his dog.

Now off Market-Downtown Living- Scottsdale Waterfront Residences, 7175 E Camelback Rd., #501

Offered by John Selman, Associate Broker, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury

MLS # 5610116

7175 E Camelback Rd, #501 Scottsdale, AZ 85251  

$1,595,000   3 Bedroom, 3.5 Baths 2503 sf.

STUNNING, DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE LIVING!

Elegant home at Scottsdale Waterfront Residences. Formal entry, stunning great room & entertainers’ kitchen, split masters, separate maid’s entrance. Honed Travertine floors, beautiful carpeting, chandeliers, blinds, Lutron Grafik Eye lighting system & appointments, large MB shower, kitchen with all-Viking appliances, beautiful granite, large pantry & adjacent laundry. Owner can convert back second master, now set up as a large den w. adjacent full bath & walk-in closet. Separate, private, en-suite third bedroom. Fabulously maintained & updated. The Residences at Scottsdale Waterfront offer 24 hr front desk, full-time concierge, valet parking, beautiful redecorated club room & lobby, fully equipped fitness center, rooftop pool & spa with towel service & cooking facilities with range, BBQ’s & TV’s, large private storage room, & wine locker.

VIEW THE TOUR FACTORY TOUR of this beautiful Home.

Napa, Wine, Four Seasons! Perfect

I want to introduce you to the Residences at Four Seasons Napa Valley. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you think this could be a great opportunity for you.

The combination of the Calistoga Resort, Four Seasons, and Thomas Rivers Brown as winemaker, got my attention! The Residences at Calistoga Resort will offer year-round immersion into wine country living and access to the resort’s incredible collection of amenities and activities.
A Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard and winery onsite, delivers the fundamental elements of wine country lifestyle. Each day here will be a new opportunity for rich, meaningful and rewarding experiences. Prepare a signature dish with the Executive Chef, blend your family’s private wine label, or relax with family and friends in your Four Seasons farmhouse-style villa.
Of course, as a wine guy, I am very excited about Thomas Rivers Brown’s involvement. Thomas is an amazing winemaker, the youngest to receive a perfect 100-point score from Robert Parker. In 2010, he was Food and Wine’s “Winemaker of the Year”. He began his winemaking career in 1997 with Ehren Jordan at Turley Wine Cellars. He learned quickly and achieved early success at Turley, Outpost, Chiarello, Nicholson Ranch and Schrader, among others. Like everything else here, his involvement is a testament to the quality and commitment of this Four Season’s project.
For a better look into this spectacular resort, visit   www.napaluxuryliving.com

Seclusion and Views in Paradise Valley. Make an offer!

This property needs to be sold, and an offer under $2m might well put you into this private, view property just north of Paradise Valley Country Club.

Designed by award winning architect Vern Swaback, this dramatic and pristine Contemporary residence has 17 ft ceilings with walls of glass and endless mountain and city light views!

The 5,700 sq ft 5 bedroom home with guest home has a very open floor plan. The gallery-like interior is perfect for an art collector and features a striking 18 ft foyer with 13 ft built in seating area. The Master has expansive butted glass windows offering dramatic mountain vistas.

The living areas include a media room with wet bar and wine frig, office, and an 20150916201235174691000000-o 20150916201235336792000000-o 20150916201236501726000000-o 20150916201237801590000000-o 20150916201240105785000000-o 20150916201240790788000000-o 20150916201241801775000000-o 20150916201242560439000000-o 20150916201243610201000000-o 20160301205440145087000000-o 20160301205444900341000000-oexercise room. There is exquisite “specimen” desert landscaping, an inviting pool + spa, fireplace and BBQ. A magnificent outdoor installation ‘Skyspace’ by world renowned artist James Turrell is not included in the price, but can be purchased.

Luxury Penthouse-style Living in Downtown Scottsdale

PRICE:   Priced from $1,669,000.00 to $1,979,000.00

I toured Eldorado on 1st again today and the location, construction and architectural details are fantastic. With a private roof top deck and patio decks on the other floors, this project lets you take advantage of the weather in any season (ceiling high walls on the roff deck completely isolate you from any neighbor, while the views are stunning). Modern architecture meets world-class penthouse-style living designed by Architect Will Bruder and located in the very heart of Scottsdale’s Downtown Urban Arts District,  Eldorado on 1st offers a new paradigm of Urban Luxury Living. Seven attached homes each with their own large private garage with storage options, personal elevator and walk out roof patio and three or four bedroom plans. Eldorado on 1st offers elegance, sophistication, safety, privacy and security in a limited collection of just seven penthouse-style urban homes that create a new paradigm of creative-life urban luxury living that’s unlike anything else. Contact me quickly if you have any interest.

Located in one of the most walkable locations in the Valley, each home is a luxurious, fully-featured townhouse-style condominium offering cutting-edge architecture, three and optional four bedroom plans, four stories with roof deck, private two car garage and a personal, private elevator to each level of the home. Community features includes pool and spa and janitorial services. There are still finish selections available at this stage, but they are nearing completion. Just four properties remain available.AZA_ElDorado_1st_Bruder_1 AZA_ElDorado_1st_Bruder_2-1050x679 AZA_ElDorado_1st_Bruder_3 AZA_ElDorado_1st_Bruder_4-1050x506 AZA_ElDorado_1st_Bruder_5-1050x583 AZA_ElDorado_1st_Bruder_6-1050x430 AZA_Eldorado_Bruder_3 AZA_Eldorado_Bruder_4 AZA_Eldorado_Bruder_5

4119 E Becker Lane, Phoenix AZ. -$388,900. Gorgeous North Shea Estates remodel with beautiful, secluded, backyard oasis.

This gorgeous lock-and-leave home has been tastefully updated with $170k in renovations. An elegant 3BR Emerald Home, nestled in green, well-maintained North Shea Estates.

The rare, high 8′ rear surrounding walls create an intimate and private sanctuary in this luxurious rear courtyard with multiple outdoor living areas.

The covered ”Living/Dining/Lounging” patio has wood ceilings, lights, fans, wall fountain, and greenery. The pavered side is home to a huge stone-faced gas grill & cook island.

The home is full of beautiful finishes, stunning fossil laced-granite, high ceilings, stacked stone on LR FP, BBQ & columns, remodeled split MB with lounging tub, large shower, & loads of storage. Great flow, highly updated and right-sized living spaces, stacked stone and wood accents, show the care the owner put into the renovation.

This Lock-and-leave home was designed for peace and tranquility, and allows the owners to still shift gears for entertaining and large dinner or cocktail parties with friends. Yet, its also ideal for travelling professionals or seasonal visitors. THE FURNISHINGS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER SEPARATE BILL OF SALE

Call John at 480.220.0875

*The most desirable, renovated single-story in beautiful North Shea Estates.
*Rare 8’ Courtyard Walls create a uniquely private outdoor paradise for entertaining and relaxing (at considerable legal expense to gain HOA permission).
*$170k Renovation
*Living Room with stacked stone Fireplace
*3 remodeled Bedrooms, 2 renovated baths, with both a soaking tub, and a large glass-walled shower in the master
*High Ceilings; great flow
*2 car Garage with storage cabinets, work area, utility sink and overhead storage
*Shade screens, security door, alarm system, drapes and blinds.
*1675 Square Feet
*Private Outdoor Living, Dining, Cooking & Lounging Areas
*Furniture available under separate bill of sale.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2016, supporting men’s mental health and prostate cancer research

PLEASE HELP ME, with a few dollars of support for The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2016, supporting men’s mental health (cue the jokes) and prostate cancer (keep the jokes coming)!
Use the link below, Please.
https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/buwino

The Ride is THIS Sunday, and I need donations. Any donation with a dollar sign before the number helps! (And change rattles.)

This Sunday the 25th of September, I’m going to don my finest attire (well, I am compromising a little: since it is a noon ride, unless we get some cool rain, my dress will be vintage riding boots and pants, vest, shirt and tie…jacket optional) and join men and women across the globe in the 2016 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride to find a cure for Prostate Cancer and to help Men’s Mental Health. Over 1,300 men a day die of prostate cancer worldwide, and it’s time for that to end. Your donation will help The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride reach its goal of $US5 Million to fund research into a cure for a disease that claims far too many gentlemen each year.

This is the “best dressed way” to fight prostate cancer and help improve men’s mental health – cheers and thank you!

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4119 E Becker Lane, Phoenix AZ 85028. $389,900 Coming Soon. Updated Beauty with unique private entertaining oasis out back

4119 E Becker Lane, Phoenix AZ 85028. $398,900 Coming Soon.

Coming Soon to Market! 4119 E Becker Lane, North Shea Estates
  Coming Soon to Market! 4119 E Becker Lane, North Shea Estates

*The most desirable, renovated single-story in beautiful North Shea Estates.
*Rare 8’ Courtyard Walls create a uniquely private outdoor paradise for entertaining and relaxing (at considerable legal expense to gain HOA permission).
*$170k Renovation
*Living Room with stacked stone FirePlace
*3 remodeled Bedrooms, 2 renovated baths, with both a soaking tub, and a large glass-walled shower in the master
*High Ceilings & great flow
*2 car Garage with storage cabinets, work area, utility sink and overhead storage
*1675 Square Feet
*Private Outdoor Living, Dining & Lounging Areas
*Furniture available under separate bill of sale.

The owner has renovated this property over the last 9 years to create an oasis of privacy, but is now relocating, and selling her dream home. She has invested over $170,000 in tasteful, elegant renovations that transformed this great single story Emerald home in this seldom available neighborhood, into the gem of the area. Beautiful finishes, with high ceilings, and stacked stone accents including the backyard columns, outdoor grill island, and living room fireplace. The remodeled Master bath is another oasis for relaxing with its long double-vanity, soaking tub, large glass enclosed shower, separate toilet, beautiful finishes and loads of storage.
The owner has designed the house for privacy, security, and it is an ideal lock-and-leave property. You can use it seasonally or year round, and still get away with minimal worries about your new home.
Those exclusive 8 foot high walls were added at considerable expense to deliver security and privacy seldom found in similar properties anywhere in the Valley, and they contribute to the unique entertaining areas in the back yard.
And, the backyard is wonderful!
This private outdoor paradise has a beautifully covered living area, with wood ceiling, lighting and fans, gorgeous pavers, and areas for enjoying sun when you want it. Carefully selected and placed citrus trees and a focal wall fountain, add to the relaxing ambiance out back. The paver-ed side yard is home to a large gas grill and stacked stone cooking island, and plenty of space.
This home has been updated to take advantage of the great split bedroom layout, increased the dining space for entertaining and created great flow through the home. The property reflects the care the owner put into its design, and awaits the new owners touches.
The furnishings (both inside and out) are available under a separate Bill of Sale.
PLEASE DIRECT ANY INQUIRIES DIRECTLY TO THE AGENT, JOHN SELMAN AT 480.220.0875.

SOLD…Gated Scottsdale Gem, 8465 E Hazelwood St., Scottsdale AZ 85251, $435,000

MLS # 5419872

4 Bedroom, 2 Bath, Living Room, Dining, Family Kitchen with eat-in breakfast area and island. Great flow, size and condition. Updated flooring, roof, HVAC and Pool.

Spa-Like backyard with large covered patio.

This beautiful home in a rare, small central Scottsdale gated community sits just above Camelback Rd (2 miles to Fashion Square). The home backs on Chessnut park, and the house sits higher for privacy.

The owners have carefully designed and maintained the home to offer High ceilings, a unique custom open floor-plan, great flow, light, privacy, and large living-entertaining areas. It is ready to move in with neutral carpet and interior paint and low-maintenance porcelain tile. The kitchen boasts a gas cook top, eat-in dining area, loads of counter space with an added island opening to the family room and back yard.  On the other side of the house, the Master and office/den/extra bedroom are seperated from the guest/kids rooms down the hall with a secondary door. Pebble finished spa-like pool with waterfall feature and low maintenance back yard with lounging areas. Down the road, update minimally to your specific taste and needs for a fabulous Scottsdale value.

Click here to view the Listing in MLS

Cave Creek Hacienda Value

List Price: $439,900

  • 4 Car Garage
  • Acre Lot
  • Pool/Spa
  • 3 BR/2BA
  • Finished Basement
  • Patios/Decks
  • 2,877 square feet

To View Full MLS Listing Click Here

Fabulous buy in custom, acre neighborhood. Priced just under Current Appraisal. Spacious, open, territorial estate, with finished basement game-room, high-ceiling living room, huge formal dining room (could also be a family/dining room), and large kitchen offering plenty of living space. Great flow and feel. Large, detached 4-car, 2-door project garage, with lots of storage room, plenty of parking out front. Cool north-south exposure, lots of diffused light & well-positioned skylights. Enjoy desert and mountain views from the many decks and patios. Huge backyard with fenced-in pool and spa, outdoor shower, RV gate. Close-in Cave Creek/Scottsdale adjacent location, cool elevation and quiet of Cave Creek, close to schools, shopping, entertainment, 101 access.PeakView

Rim Club Golf Property- Payson AZ

Imagine living in a gated community on a hilltop surrounded with panoramic views of the Mogollon Rim, pine trees and mountains. As a bonus, enjoy 72 yards of frontage overlooking the 6th fairway of the Rim Golf Course. This home features 4 bedrooms, 3-1/2 baths, gourmet kitchen, wet bar, family room and game room all under 4180 square feet. A Rim Club Golf Membership is included with the sale of this spectacular home. Option to purchase this home fully furnished A MUST SEE! List Price: $1,195,000

Click Here to see this home’s MLS page:

This link is valid until 2/18/2015.Rim Club FP

Stunning Flat- Optima at Fashion Square

Don’t miss this ”one of a kind” completely furnished, end unit in this prime Scottsdale location. Richly decorated and furnished, the exquisitely designed artwork and accessories compliment the custom made furniture throughout this home. Mixing Southwest decor with a Tuscan flair creates a subtle ambiance to every room. The chef’s kitchen with a beautiful custom hand-crafted wood table offers options for formal or casual dining. Open the large glass doors from the Great Room to let the Arizona sunshine in, or for those cooler nights, feel the warmth radiate from the copper enhanced fireplace. The wrap around deck features carefree landscaping with two seating areas to relax and enjoy the warm climate, lush landscaping and community water features….

An outdoor TV and sound system are here to enhance your experience. A sound system center and remotes control the electronics throughout the home. The automatic shades are lowered from one control panel with the touch of a button. The master suite boasts a Leather framed king size bed, custom end tables and bedding, a disappearing TV, wood paneled walk in closet and large master bath. Two large Wood Framed, glass sliding doors open to the office with a built in distressed wood desk and a sitting area for relaxation or reading. Come as you are….all luxuries included and ready for you to move in!!

 List Price: $1,050,000

Click Here to see this home’s MLS page:

This link is valid until 2/18/2015.Optima Out

Caviar with your Valentine?

at Wholesale prices from Beverly Hills Caviar
Visit  http://www.beverlyhillscaviar.com/

Caviar with Blini and Crème Fraiche for Lovers:
(Required for a dozen blini: 40 grams Caviar (1.43 ounces-for those, not quite so sure about caviar try a smaller amount of caviar, more crème fraiche), 1/2 cup crème fraiche, 1 dozen pre-cooked Blini-Thawed.)
 *Heat blini at 300 degrees for 2 minutes on a non-stick baking sheet.
*Remove from oven
*Quickly:
-Top each Blini with 1 heaping teaspoon crème fraiche
-Top crème fraiche with ½ to 1 teaspoon of caviar.
 
Order caviar, a package of blini and a Cowgirl Creamery crème fraiche directly from Beverly Hills Caviar-easy! Their Classic Ossetra is a great buy, and their Royal Ossetra is a well-priced splurge!

As a supplier to leading west coast retailers, they already offer the lowest prices and the best quality I could find (lower than Costco’s Holiday pricing), and there quality is top notch.
 
Beverly Hills Caviar ships free for orders over $500, using their Wholesale web-site pricing, to my clients.
Visit  http://www.beverlyhillscaviar.com/
OFFER CODE: johnsfreeship500        (expires Feb 31, 2014)
 
Use the offer code at checkout after creating your profile for shipping and wholesale pricing. 

If you think you will be a regular shopper, let me know, and I can request that they create a VIP account for you, with a small additional discount.Caviar

Paddling and Rowing in the heart of town!

Learn or train on calm waters: In the heart of the Valley, on the Salt River at Tempe Town Lake, you will find one of North America’s premier flat water training facilities. Visited by competitive rowing teams from cold climates during the winter season, it is an incredible resource for Valley residents.

The City of Tempe also offers some of the lowest-cost, instructional programs in the country for SUP, kayak and rowing, on this smooth body of water, free of commercial traffic.

If you get to the Valley, check it out! If you live at the coast, but didn’t like the idea of learning near a surf zone…no one will know where you got your mad skills.
For information about classes and programs visit:
Tempe Boating ProgramsTEMPE TOWN LAKE LOGO

Bodegas Muga “Selección Especial” Reserva Rioja

A fabulous wine value that pleases traditionalists and hedonists alike. Rich, yet nuanced…how do they do it?
The 2010 is great (You just can’t go wrong with these wines), but the 2009 is sublime, and available here-and-there for the same price ($35-40, either vintage)!
The annual pre-sale and subsequent release of the bulk of Bodegas Muga’s offerings is always a big event for retailers. Very well priced for the level of quality of the wines, Muga always delivers a great bottle, but look for the older vintage!
Muga was founded in 1932 in the town of Haro in the heart of the Spanish Rioja, by Don Isaac Muga. They own 173 acres of vineyards, and purchase about the same from selected vineyards in the region. Torre Muga’s winemaking combines the best of modern viticulture with traditional methods. Their winery is designed to allow gravity flow, yet permit fermentation to take place in traditional giant wooden vats, without resorting to pumping. While production is about 100,000 cases (of which 1/3 is exported), the cellerible offerings (perennially high scoring) are always in demand.
I just tasted a bottle of the Reserva “Seleccion Especial”, and thought it was another solid value for the collector/drinker/lover of good wine. I would encourage you to clean out your retailer!!

This is always a crowd pleaser, and I mean that in a good, inclusive way, where it hits a hot button for any wine lover, not in the ” middle of the road for everyone” way.
Traditionalists will love the well-balanced (read imperceptible, but just right) level of acidity to keep it alive in the mouth, along with the shifting, palate of flavors presented. The lover of giant trophy reds will delight in its dark flavor profile, plush mouth feel, and plentiful fruit and tannin.
With a little time in the decanter, it was a joy right now, but collectors will get the real budget potential from this wine if they can wait 5-10 more years.

The 2009:
In CA, Order it at Mission Liquors for $35.99
or K&L Wine Merchants for $39.99.

In AZ Find it at Total Wine for $38.99 

In NYC, find it atMorrell’s for $42

and you lucky wine people in Texas, try your Total Wine for a bottle at $32.99

(Or, go to Wine-Searcherfor other locations)

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate-92pts “The 2009 Seleccion Especial is sourced from the same blend of 70% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho (they use the masculine form of the name here), 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo as the Reserva and also from the same zone in the confluence of the Oja and Ebro rivers selected from the geologically older plots, usually in higher terraces where the vines are at least 30 years old. Fermentation is carried out in oak vats and aged in barriques for twenty eight months, initially in new barrels and then transferred to used ones. This is more backward and closed than the Reserva, with a more subtle and elegant nose, a tighter palate, with fine-grained tannins, pungent flavors and great acidity and length. The Reserva’s big brother. 240,000 bottles produced. Drink 2015-2024. I think the Muga family wines have been going from strength to strength and they are offering superbly-crafted wines from their cellars in the Barrio de la Estacion in Haro. I’ve seen a big change in Prado Enea starting with the 2004 vintage. As it happens, some of their wines are selling faster than they are produced (as they are not necessarily offered in every vintage) and they had no Prado Enea to show. The next vintage will be 2006, but there will be none in 2007 or 2008 and they need to fill the gap until the 2009 is released. The vintage of Torre Muga and Aro on the market is already 2010. There’s no stainless steel whatsoever at Muga, they have kept true to their beliefs, and all their wines are fermented in oak.”Wine Spectator-95pts “Highly Recommended- Powerful yet harmonious, this rich red delivers black cherry, licorice, fresh herb, smoke and mineral flavors that mingle seamlessly over firm, well-integrated tannins, while balsamic-tinged acidity drives the flavors through the long, spicy finish. Drink now through 2025.”Stephen Tanzer-93pts “Opaque ruby. Sexy, oak-spiced aromas of red- and blackcurrant, cherry and vanilla, with a bright floral accent. Lush and palate-staining, offering intense dark berry preserve and cherry-cola flavors that become spicier with air. Deep and rich but surprisingly lively, finishing with impressive energy and floral persistence.”Bodegas Muga