Wow, what's going on in Carefree, AZ?  Home values climbing  53%, that's higher than any other zipcode in the Phoenix area?  Catherine Reagor, senior real estate writer for the Arizona Republic breaks down the numbers and takes you for a Carefree tour Monday, May 19, in the Arizona Republic. We're pleased they did a photo shoot at our listing, along with Global Advisor Laura Shutt,  at 37760 N. Concho Lane and they shot a quick video there where I explain the attributes of this iconic community. Click on the link to see the short tour: 
The Arizona Republic says: "Carefree, Arizona, known for it's small-town vibe,big boulders, well-known residents,  and whimsical street names, is Metro Phoenix's hotspot for rising real estate prices.
The town's median sales price shot up 53% to $ 1,492,500, during the 12 months ending March 31.
That's a bigger increase than any other zipcode in the Phoenix area, according to the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service."
See the story Monday, May 19, 2025.

Just sold. Gerry Jones Masterpiece of Rock Engineering. In Carefree. 6924 E. Stagecoach Pass. For $2.7 million. Built on almost an impossible site and sited into the rocks like it was always there. What an honor to find a home like this for our deserving buyers! And the noted architect was able to help the seller improve the home. Jones taught extreme terrain construction at Taliesin for seventeen years. We specialize in unique and unusual homes and this checks the box! Best views of the Boulder Resort too!
See what its like to enter a Gerry Jones home with amazing boulders! 

NOW AVAILABLE! TWO SKYRANCH TOWNHOMES,  and ask us about an available hangar!  This first townhome is  on the runway and in a quiet area, not near the run-up or roads, close to the pool and spa facilities. Kitchen wall has been removed to open up the area with views to the Great Room and patio. Wonderful vistas to the North. with vistas of Continental Peak and area landmarks. Gated Skyranch is a private airport and averages less than 4 operations a day. Where else could you live & have so much open space out your door? Close to the award-winning town center, cactus garden, shops and restaurants. Residents have lightly-used this well-maintained home. The 2-car garage has professionally-done epoxy flooring, and nice upgrade of quartz counters in the kitchen Be sure to enjoy the video tour Exterior was repainted 2023, All ready to enjoy  $995,000   8502. E. Cave Creek Rd, Unit 10 Carefree, AZ.   MLS 6821551

And the second townhome. . . .Skyranch at its finest. The original model home for this popular community! You'll be dazzled by extensive improvements where nothing has been spared to increase your enjoyment. On the inside, you may not even believe you are in a Skyranch townhome when gaze though the open unit, to the only full-size private pool with entertaining conversation areas in the rear. Soaring fireplace with stacked native stone, From the Sub Zero with glass doors, to private wet bar, Guest patio in the front with separate entry. Cabinets so well done that the wood grain flows from drawer to drawer. A showcase residence you'll be proud to own and show off. Skyranch is an exclusive gated community. Some furnishings may be available by separate purchase. Be sure to watch the video tour!  MLS 6860776, unit 61, offerred for $ 1.299 million.  Video Tour:

Want to be "King of the Mountain?"   And horses are OK. Huge level area for a possible arena! This  unique 10 acre parcel just listed, stretching from the entrance to Whisper Rock golf course, up the slopes of Lone Mountain and bordering a large private reserve. Nice flat area for equestrian facilities too. Check out Best Listings button above for details of this property with no HOA. 8035 E. Lone Mountain Rd.

Our thanks to the local and national media folks who have supported our properties through the years. . . . From CNN to Fox Network, and in Phoenix broadcasting, Diane Ryan, the long-time host of "Cool House" on Fox 10 and Syleste Rodriguez who currently does an excellent job on the program.  We've put together a compilation of some of amazing properties.  Click the photo.
And to see the entire real estate tours, on our TV page, follow this link!
Check out these vintage radio promos done for Preston's show when on KTAR Radio! 

Historic photo below!  Our thanks to the Town of Carefree who invited me to MC their historical Happy Hour to kick off their 40th anniversary celebration.  The sold-out event was hosted by the Spirit in the Desert Retreat and our guest of honor was Ruth Palmer, daughter of the Carefree co-founder KT Palmer. The next morning, I joined the Mayor of Carefree, John Crane, and Ruth, for a special visit to her dad's Scottsdale ranch, bordering Estancia. Ruth remembered climbing Pinnacle Peak many times as a young girl.  Her dad spent 26 years in the desert there and wrote a book about it "For Land's Sake". We currently have the property listed for sale. Scroll down for info.

Live next to this!  See the photo below. Last lot left bordering Estancia's stunning golf course lake.  Find peace, safety and sanctuary in this dramatic land, with cliffs, canyons, bordering a lake, and no HOA, includes capped well.  Our KT Palmer Ranch listing borders this gorgeous lake. Imagine the views your home could have! Horses are ok as,  for a picturesque ranch!    And the City of Scottsdale has just released two critical boulder easements on this property that now allow for an even larger estate and home along the Estancia golf course!   A classic parcel like this deserves a classical music video.

A world-class Legacy parcel of land !  Architects love it and are inspired by the possibilities of a winding entrance drive through the boulders, to the house up on top.  This land was the "Diamond" of  the former ranch of K.T. Palmer, the co-founder of the Town of Carefree.  Palmer, back in the early 1930's,  chose this property as the "anchor" of  640 acres he homesteaded.  The scenery and vistas ready for a landmark residence on a dramatic estate amid picturesque boulder outcroppings which can be incorporated into a private enclave. Nearly half of the Eastern side is open for development along the legendary Estancia golf course and pastoral lake, with Pinnacle Peak & city lights views. Expansive NAOS protecting your privacy on the North while at the entrance, an imposing cliff with seasonal waterfall and grotto, amphitheater walls, for the ultimate showcase entry for guests! Secretive areas  hidden in the boulders, perfect for a casita or artist's retreat.  It's like owning your own park!  KT Palmer raised his family here for 26 yrs and inspired his book ''For Land's Sake''. Horses  are ok.  Property contains a capped well.  $2.1 mil

Be sure to watch the video tour!
Contact us for a guided tour. located at 27777 N. 95th St., Scottsdale, AZ. 85262   MLS 6645024
Thanks to Russ Lyon Sotheby's and our publicists and marketing folks for getting the word out to the press about this listing. Thanks to the Phoenix Business Journal for covering the story. Here's another  sample story:

Investors are buying gold.  The price of gold continues to rise, breaking numerous records.    We've recently sold several patented gold mine properties.  Contact us about other available gold mines.   Years ago, we had offered the astonishing  Octave gold mine for sale.  We find these properties a perfect acquisition for a quality land portfolio.  The Octave had 24 miles of tunnels dug out just on the bottom part, producing 200,000 oz of gold and 75,000 oz. of silver, and included a total of 266 patented acres over the vein.
Read about gold prices setting records here:

Here's a look an a classic Carefree home, the community we've lived in for over 40 years.  This residence was heavily featured in the media when we had it listed years ago, and it made architectural and Hollywood History.  It is no longer for sale. The Slingman House, is in a setting as stunning as the Boulders Resort.  When Gerry  Jones figured out how to bridge  an inaccessible canyon, he won National Design and Engineering Awards as the first residence in the state to bridge a rocky canyon. It became one of Orson Welle's favorite homes to rent. Pivotal scenes from his final movie were shot  at the house. Again, the home is no longer on the market for sale.

One of the best home tours we have had done was put together by Brian Webb and the special projects team who spent 3  hours on the property and probably more in the editing booth to produce a real showpiece. Love the look of an old Western movie when it starts out!  Residence is no longer available.  See what it looked like Watch it here: 

Fox 10 was a big fan of this house and we gave them entry and a tour for "Cool House"  with  Slyeste Rodriguez and videographer Juan Thanks to Fox for all their support of the house.  Watch the program: 

A Global Adviser who sells the secret, the unique . . . . .and sometimes the impossible.
(Photo left) Preston Westmoreland, with his wife Nancy, retired Global Adviser, and former Senior Escrow Officer with First American Title.   Preston specializes in unique offerings with Russ Lyon Sotheby's Int'l Realty in Carefree, AZ.     Some of our sales include:
1) The Boulder House, "the most unique home in America"-Stanley Marcus, and  featured on the cover of Architectural Digest
2) "La Costa Plenti," largest mountain top estate in Phoenix area
3) The Fortress of Stone-astonishing rock wonderland in Carefree
4) Golden Star, secret ranch with double artesian wells, in Cave Creek
5) The Pueblo-residence in Tonto Hills with 38 rare museum-quality prehistoric ruins
6) "The Lost World-spotted by an airline pilot, who first bought it-a square mile near Bagdad, in a prehistoric sink hole, forested by pines, with huge water rights. (165 acre/feet annually)
7) Carefree Hacienda-palatial estate on 2 lots, on a runway AND golf course!
8) "The Fortress" Highest view home in Phoenix on Cottonwood Canyon.
9) "The Last Outpost" 40 acre historic gold mine property near Scottsdale!  And we sold it twice!

Interested in Skyranch?  I may have a hangar available right now! May I  assist you with your search and purchase. As a Skyranch expert, I have sold more houses, lots, hangars and townhomes than ANY other agent.  And as charter members, original board members, and Skyranch pilots, can help you with all aspects of aviating and living at  Skyranch. Click on the picture below left for a dramatic flyover!   Pilots and hangar owners at Skyranch for three decades, and forty year Carefree residents!   Call me or updates at 602-377-0060      preston.westmoreland@russlyon.com

Why is the Carefree area so famous for its rock houses?  Famous homes built into boulders that appear to be nearly-impossible to achieve?  Carefree resident Gerry Jones had a lot to do with it.  He is the "Dean of Rock  Engineering, and for 17 years  taught extreme terrain construction at Taliesin. Watch this video to see some samples of rock houses!
Below, Boulder Reign, the former Wedding Cake House, and the home of Tom Darlington.
here's the video: Enter a Gerry Jones home with Boulders! 

SOLD Again, for the second time! $ 1,0200,000.    Below, Rare Legacy Property. "The Last Outpost" featured on Fox 10 TV,  and Phoenix Business Journal.   Rare, historical and astonishing 40 acre parcel of patented  mining land on Continental Peak.  Off-grid, secluded, possible helipad, gold mine and the mineral rights.  "Bug-out" here! Photo below.   See more: 
Be sure to watch the video tour, be amazed at the location!

Come on along on our Adventure.  The Cave Creek Museum was running out of gold ore for their magnificently-restored stamp mill, so they asked if volunteers could come up to the Last Outpost gold property we have listed for sale, and gather ore!  A Fun Trip! 

Sorry to hear of the passing of Jimmy Carter, at  age 100.  While a talk-show host in Phoenix on KTAR, I had the pleasure of talking with the former president about his book  "Christmas in Plains. He also turned out to be a great fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks and rooted for the team wile on  a peace mission to  Central America.  Follow the link below to hear the broadcast.  Regardless of political affiliation, he was one of the nicest guests I had interviewed out of over 25,000.  Rest in Peace
                                    

Below, Big lot sale (PHOTO BELOW)  Skyranch Lot  $ 1.5 million.  The Value of Location.   This is the largest amount ever paid for a one acre lot in the history of Carefree and Cave Creek.  The property is  sandwiched between the Skyranch runway and the Top 100 Desert Forest Golf Course.  A stunning luxury home and hangar is now going up on  the site.  We may have a Skyranch townhome on the runway to offer. Contact us for current status.
Looking for Airport Property?  We were charter members of Skyranch, and Preston was a pilot operating out of the field, and a former Member of the Original Board.  We are proud to say we have sold the majority of all properties on the North side of the runway, both homes and lots, for the last 20 years.  Plus many townhomes and hangars on the South side of the field.  Preston was also the radio commercial voice of Stellar Airpark Estates!  

 

Not just Fiddlin' around in Real Estate!  Although we have a lot of fun jamming at Bluegrass Festivals, I'm keeping my day job! When I took up the fiddle late in life, I didn't realize its the most difficult instrument to learn (no frets) and most of the great players start at 3 years old! Click on the first photo below on the left,  to hear a little from a recent jam at Mountain View Restaurant in Cave Creek organized by the Arizona Bluegrass Association.  By the way, the fellow on the left who kicks it with the mandolin is Mark Miracle, an amazing talent. with the Sonoran Dogs band. Preston is a member of the Arizona Old Time Fiddler's Assoc, Arizona Bluegrass Association and Arkansas's  Rackensack Society. to preserve old time music. Below, jamming under the oak tree at Luckenbach, Texas!

 

The most unique and distinctive home we've ever rented!  With modules made in a Phoenix factory,  delivered by truck and assembled by crane, this prototype residence of the future was a stunner!  We were honored to sell the company the lot, and then found a wonderful renter who loved it.  See the incredible photos of the truck transport and crane operation below, that had the whole town talking!   There is nothing like this just completed showcase contemporary residence of minimalist Industrial design, built to exemplify the mountain and desert views of Carefree, with a cosmopolitan ''loft'' feel,. And next to the world-famous Boulder Resort, and several doors down from the former home of broadcaster Hugh Downs on Stagecoach Pass.  Floor to ceiling treated windows with cork floors on the upper level, finished concrete on the bottom, with 90 degree opening walk-out doors. Open floor plan with panoramic mountain, golf course and city light vistas! Private office, Kitchen has large sweeping granite island, built-in Miele appliances, whole house WiFi. Lower floor entertainment room opens to a view patio. Even the garage is a stunner.  Full-floor-to-ceiling glass walls.  Dramatic cork floors upstairs.  glass-enclosed garage. Just in case you're curious. it rented for $ 20,000 a month but no longer available in the rental market.  Call for us for updates.  3 bed/4bath approx. 4300 sq. ft. 

Two gold properties sold! We have sold the Golden Star Ranch,  LOADED WITH WATER, $2.15 million. Patented land with artesian wells and historic gold mines. Forbes Magazine says "Gold prices set to explode, and there is big interest in quality gold properties.   
And we have sold this one twice!  The "Last Outpost," 40 acres patented gold mine on top of Continental Mountain overlooking Phoenix, sold for $ 1,020,000.. It was featured  on Fox10 , who called it a "Pure Gold Property." Our thanks to anchor/reporter Brian Webb, for the wonderful story. . See stories and links below.  It was the only piece of land currently available on Continental Peak. Thank you!

Below, Syleste Rodriguez of Fox 10 also showcased our other Skyranch sale!  We've sold that house twice and a honor to do so.  Contact us for the latest on Skyranch homes, townhomes and hangar availabilities.  Skyranch Townhome Unit 10 on the runway NOW AVAILABLE  $ 995,000.

    

Could Cave Creek look like this in a thousand years?  Director Adrian Carr (Crocodile Dundee and Quigley Down Under) shot a sci fi movie "Solus" on the Golden Star Ranch in 2019.   Its a futuristic tale of a dystopian world. Check out the title shot below. Photo courtesy of J2 Productions.  They computer-generated a futuristic city where Cave Creek, Arizona use to be. If you know the area, you'll recognize Black Mountain on the left.  They picked the Golden Star for its mines, tunnels, cliffs and abundant foliage for the producer. 
See the Solus preview movie clip, from the spectacular opening scene, showing what Arizona might look like in 1,000 years! (Still shot below) 

Fun time awhile back, thanks to Diane Brennan, my former newscaster at KTAR Radio, who letting me fill in for her on her That Real Estate Show.com  We're both in real estate now. It was like homecoming week for me, having been on the KTAR microphone for over 26 years and inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame!
 photos below at the new KTAR Studios off 16th Street.

See the Fox News show on "The Property Man with Bob Massi" What an honor it was to have worked with the late Bob Massi and the Fox Network Team.  Here's the entire story on the gold mine properties: And check out this Fox 10 story done on the Octave Mine. You'll notice former newscaster Kari Lake (now running for  US Senator} introduces the story:

Most Amazing house, Fox tours the Boulder House, built in a pile of rocks!   

 

Have a unique property you'd like to sell?  Call me for a consultation.   I specialize in marketing and selling unusual and distinctive properties.   My wife and I have been fortunate to call this amazing area home for 43 years!   Preston has been a top seller of real estate in the area for over 2 decades!  Can we help you find your special hideaway or use our expertise to help market your home for sale. Call me  at 602-377-0060.  Quick bio: Preston was a sergeant in the Marines, and  a Marconi award-winning talk show host before joining Russ Lyon Sotheby's. His wife of 51 years, Nancy, was a long-time escrow officer and branch manager with First American Title prior to her career with Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty. Nancy is now retired.
The distinctive desert of North Scottsdale, Cave Creek and Carefree is the "Upper Sonoran" desert, described by National Geographic as "the most beautiful desert in the world," one of the most desirable living locations anywhere.  It's where the world-famous Boulders Resort is located, along with  some of the most unique residences in the world!   I was amazed the other day going through my archives of how fortunate I have been to have led so many TV tours through unique valley properties.  See what you think! 

This area has an abundance of landmark homes used in movies!  The house below left called Boulder Reign,  the former home of Rusty Lyon, was featured  in the movie Zabriskie Point, where a model of the home was blown-up for the climactic end of the movie (middle) and also used for Bob Hope's "Cancel my Reservations"  (Below right) In a remote area of Cave Creek, a residence there was used in the movie "The Getaway" with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger.  They planned the crime around the pool.  Click on the  two photos on the left, below, to find out more about Boulder Reign.