Sandy Enniss - Your Arizona Homes Queen

12/11/2025

A divided Fed worried about inflation and the softening jobs market cut short-term interest rates by 25 basis points on Dec. 10 — the third such cut this year.

10/18/2025

Jeff Bezos’s ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott, walked away with $38 billion after the divorce.

What did she do with the money? She gave away $14 billion in 4 years. She’s been giving it away faster than anyone in history.

MacKenzie Scott could have played the billionaire game: hedge funds, private jets, philanthropy galas. Instead, she rewrote the rulebook.

Since 2019, she’s given away more than $14 billion to over 1,600 organizations.
No strings. No naming rights. No 200-page grant proposals. Just trust.

Community colleges. Food banks. Racial justice groups. Women’s shelters. The kinds of organizations that don’t usually get billionaires on the phone.

Her model is radical in its simplicity:

- Give big

- Give fast

- Step out of the spotlight

She doesn’t announce where she’s going next.
She doesn’t sit on panels.
She doesn’t even run a foundation.

She signs a check, walks away, and in a world where philanthropy is often theater, that’s the part that hits hardest. MacKenzie Scott is proving you can change lives at scale without turning it into a performance.

The quietest billionaire in America might just be the one making the loudest impact.

09/14/2025

Interest rates lowest in a year!

Residential mortgage interest rates continue to drop, creating a window for homebuyers. Read more of this story from the Business Journal.

09/12/2025

Arizona Long-Run Outlook

The long-term outlook for Arizona, Phoenix, and Tucson calls for continued growth that outpaces the U.S. but falls far short of rates during the prior thirty years (Exhibit 3). Arizona is projected to add 2.6 million residents during the 2025-2055 period. That translates into an average annual growth rate of 1.0% per year, which far outpaces the U.S. at 0.2% per year. Even so, Arizona’s population growth rate is expected to fall far short of its 2.0% per year pace during the 1994-2024 period.

As the s Arizona economy loses steam, here's what the data paints as the forecast for te rest of 2025 and 2026.

05/18/2025

National news and local views for the week

05/18/2025

If you are contemplating buying or selling a home, and you are hesitant to move forward due to high interest rates, home prices being higher, and concerned about the crazyness of our political world, you may want to reconsider your thoughts. We are not sure of the future, but we know for sure once things do change, we could be back to bidding wars, with multiple bids and higher home prices. Contact me and let's talk about it!

National news and local views for the week

05/15/2025

Why Would I Move with a 3% Mortgage Rate?

If you have a 3% mortgage rate, you’re probably pretty hesitant to let that go. And even if you’ve toyed with the idea of moving, this nagging thought may be holding you back: “why would I give that up?”

But when you ask that question, you may be putting your needs on the back burner without realizing it. Most people don’t move because of their mortgage rate. They move because they want or need to. So, let’s flip the script and ask this instead:

What are the chances you’ll still be in your current house 5 years from now?

Think about your life for a moment. Picture what the next few years will hold. Are you planning on growing your family? Do you have adult children about to move out? Is retirement on the horizon? Are you already bursting at the seams?

If nothing’s going to change, and you love where you are, staying put might make perfect sense. But if there’s even a slight chance a move is coming, even if it’s not immediate, it’s worth thinking about your timeline.

Because even a year or two can make a big difference in what your next home might cost you.

What the Experts Say About Home Prices over the Next 5 Years
Each quarter, Fannie Mae asks more than 100 housing market experts to weigh in on where they project home prices are headed. And the consensus is clear. Home prices are expected to rise through at least 2029 (see graph below):

A graph of a graph showing the price of rising home prices, while those projections aren’t calling for big increases each year, it's still an increase. And sure, some markets may see flatter prices or slower growth, or even slight dips in the short term. But look further out. In the long run, prices almost always rise. And over the next 5 years, the anticipated increase – however slight – will add up fast.

Here’s an example. Let's say you'll be looking to buy a roughly $400,000 house when you move. If you wait and move 5 years from now, based on these expert projections, it could cost nearly $80,000 more than it would now (see graph below):

That means the longer you wait, the more your future home will cost you.

If you know a move is likely in your future, it may make sense to really think about your timeline. You certainly don't have to move now. But financially, it may still be worth having a conversation about your options before prices inch higher. Because while rates are expected to come down, it’s not by much. And if you’re holding out in hopes we’ll see the return of 3% rates, experts agree it’s just not in the cards (see graph below)

A graph with lines and numbers. So, the question really isn’t: “why would I move?” It’s: “when should I?” – because when you see the real numbers, waiting may not be the savings strategy you thought it was. And that’s the best conversation you can have with your trusted agent right now.

Bottom Line
Keeping that low mortgage rate is smart – until it starts holding you back.

If a move is likely on the horizon for you, even if it’s a few years down the line, it’s worth thinking through the numbers now, so you can plan ahead.

02/25/2025

Spring Clean your Finances

Harness the fresh, new energy of spring this year to clean not just your windows, but your finances too! If you’ve never included your finances in your spring-cleaning routine before, imagine having that sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, that sense of knowing every nook and cranny is looked after, that fresh outlook… about your money!

Here are a couple of tips that will have you on your way to squeaky-clean finances.

1. Tidy up old papers. Shred papers that have outlived their use, scan and save digital copies as needed, and organize any papers you’re keeping.

2. Check your credit report. You want to not only keep an eye on your credit score but also keep an eye out for inaccurate information or potential unauthorized activity.

3. Review your monthly budget and recurring expenses. This is a great time to evaluate whether you need to cancel any subscriptions, compare rates, or switch companies. Remember to include irregular expenses in your budget like vet bills, annual vehicle registration, and gifts as well.

4. Review your debts, savings, and accounts. Check your balances, and scheduled payments and transfers; make any adjustments you need. Sign up for electronic statements, autopay, or scheduled transfers that will make your daily life simpler.

5. Think ahead. What upcoming expenses can you foresee? Planning for an aging roof, broken sidewalk, or a new teen driver will reduce your stress and help you come out ahead in the long run.

6. Review your financial goals and strategies. Do you need more money in your emergency fund? Saving for a new car? Paying down debt? Saving for college? Investing more money? Align your budget and actions with your goals to make progress over time.

7. Review your tax withholdings, health and life insurance policies, and retirement contributions.

8. Rebalance your investments. Evaluate whether to change your asset allocations, move money from savings accounts into higher-yield accounts, or change your contributions.

9. Put your plans into action and schedule your next financial review!

If you are thinking about selling, buying, investing, or you just want to know the market value of your home, please contact me, I'd me happy to send your a Home Equity Analysis.

02/02/2025

Whether you plan to keep, sell, or rent the home, having a solid plan can keep your family relationships intact. Need help navigating your real estate options? I’m just a message away!

01/30/2025

Sandra Enniss

®GRI
Honest, Caring, Dedicated...Going Above & Beyond With A Personal Touch!
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living
480-529-9616
[email protected]
The only difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.

- Jimmy Johnson

HELLO FEBRUARY!!

Simplifying the Process of Choosing Paint Colors

Compared to many of the ways you can update your home, new paint on the walls is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to make a big impact. A new paint color can make it a brand-new room without even changing furniture, accessories, artwork, or built-in features. In fact, the hardest part is usually picking the right color. Not to worry, we’ve collected some tips below to help you choose your next paint color and create a fresh new space.

Find your inspiration -
You can look for inspiration anywhere – magazines, Pinterest, nature, your favorite restaurant – but the best place to find your inspiration may already be right there in your home. Start with what you have. Think of your favorite rug, those amazing throw pillows, the furniture, the tile or brick, or the artwork on your walls; what colors would go great with what you have?

Create flow -
Pay attention to how the house feels as a whole, and consider whether the new living room color will look from the kitchen, etc. It’s common to carry the same trim and door colors throughout the house or choose shades from a common color palette. The rooms don’t need to match but try to create flow between spaces. There are several online color tools that can help you choose a palette you love.

Work with what you have -
Make the most of your house by thoughtfully complimenting architectural features, cabinets, countertops, fireplaces, and built-ins. Think about the size of the room, the height of the ceilings, and the windows. Lighter colors tend to open a space and make it feel larger, while darker colors can make a space feel cozy and intimate. High contrast can make a dramatic impact and draw attention, while low contrast can feel softer and more subtle.

Color psychology -
Think about how you want to feel in your room and what you’ll be doing while you’re in there. Social areas like the kitchen and dining room might be best served with warm, energetic colors in the yellow and red families, while private areas like the bedroom and bathroom may feel more calming and relaxing in cool blues and greens.

Lighting makes all the difference
Bring those paint chips home and look at them in the space you’ll be painting. Look at them at all times of the day and in natural and artificial light. Colors appear incredibly different to us based on the light we see them in. After you’ve narrowed it down to a couple of choices, go the extra step and get paint samples of the finalists so you can paint a larger area and view it in your space. Using boards for this instead of your walls is a great way to view the colors in various places around your room.
Sources: sherwin-williams.com & marthastewart.com

HOMEMADE TOP TARTS: Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
¼ cup strawberry jam, divided
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon colored decorating sugar, or as needed
Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Unroll pie crusts, place on a lightly floured work surface, and roll slightly with a rolling pin to square the edges. Cut each crust into 8 equal-sized rectangles.
3. Place about 2 teaspoons strawberry jam in the center of 8 squares. Spread jam out to within 1/4-inch of the edge. Top each with another pastry square and use a fork to crimp together, sealing in jam. Use a knife to trim pastries, if desired. Transfer filled pastries to the prepared baking sheets.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until edges are lightly golden brown, about 7 minutes. Allow to cool on the baking sheets.
5. Stir together confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl to make a spreadable frosting. Spread cooled tarts with frosting and sprinkle with colored sugar.

Source: allrecipes.com

Start Planning a Summer Vacation Now

Dreaming up a summer vacation is the perfect way to warm up as winter wears on. Planning early will give you the best chance to find great deals, coordinate with your travel mates, and have your pick of accommodations and time off work.

Putting together your well-deserved break this winter will give you something to look forward to and starting now will make the planning much easier. Answer these questions below and you’ll be well on your way to the perfect vacation!

What do you want to get from your trip? Are you focused on rest and relaxation? Connection with your friends or family? Fun? Luxury? Adventure? Romance? Entertainment? Get clear on this before you start anything else.

Who’s going? Kids? Pets? Friends? Do you want to visit someone at your destination? Choose companions who will match your goals for this trip, who will match your level of activity and adventure, and who will match your desires for connection on this trip.

What? When? Where? Now that you know your priorities and who’s involved, plan together to decide on location, primary activities, time frame, and budget. If connection for you and your sweetheart is your main priority, you may choose someplace quiet with a spa. Alternatively, if the most important thing is that the vacation needs to happen between summer school and football camp, you’ll want to check timing on every idea you have.

Using your priorities to guide your decisions, nail down your budget, location, time, people, and list of awesome things to do.

How are you going to do all this? The best thing about planning early is that you have a better opportunity to choose your travel and accommodations and to snag the best deals. Set your vacation time at work and book your flights, rooms, RVs, and rental cars. Make sure you check ahead of time for policies and accessibility that suit your needs. If you can, get a decent cancellation policy because life happens.

Depending on where you’ll travel to, make sure your passports, IDs, vaccinations, or other travel requirements are in place well in advance of your dates.

What else? Once you have your travel and stay booked, consider purchasing tickets now to reserve your place at shows, theme parks, tours, or any special activities that may be sold out if you wait till the last minute. Research your destination, purchase travel guides or maps, and note places you may want to visit. Try to plan one or two experiences that let you really immerse yourself in your main reasons for this trip.

Arrange care for pets, house-sitting, forwarded mail, and make sure you’re prepared for your time off at work. If you’re going to drive your vehicle, schedule it for routine maintenance ahead of time.

Do you like lists? Even if you don’t, lists are invaluable for travel. Make lists for packing, reservations and confirmation numbers, itineraries, restaurants, and anything else you can think of.
Sources: neamb.com & camillestyles.com

Be Treated Like Royalty by The Arizona Homes Queen
Visit my website: ArizonaHomesQueen.com

I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR REFERRALS! I WILL TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF THOSE YOU REFER! THANK YOU!

Sandra Enniss
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living
(480)529-9616
sandyenniss.com
[email protected]