Northern Arizona is a wonderful place to spend time year-round, but there’s really no better time to experience it than fall. Fall brings cooler temperatures and vibrant colors that you simply can’t enjoy further south. Fall also presents the perfect opportunity to experience everything Northern Arizona has to offer, from sightseeing hikes to art festivals and train rides. Whether you’re already a resident or just a visitor, here are five ways to enjoy fall in Northern Arizona.

Nestled between Mingus Mountain to the west and the Mogollon Rim to the east lies a valley that some have called the heart of central Arizona. The Verde Valley, through which the Verde River flows, is a snapshot of the changing lives of Arizonans over millennia. From the centuries-old Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma’s Castle to formerly abandoned mining towns like Jerome that have been revived as National Historic Places. As Arizona has grown and evolved, the Verde Valley has evolved as well. Small towns that mined copper in the early 20th century are now home to boutique art galleries, antique shops, and wineries.

As part of Dorn Homes’ continuing efforts to offer affordable housing with luxury amenities, we’re proud to announce the opening of Shadow Ridge at Pronghorn Ranch, one of the newest and fastest growing communities. At Shadow Ridge homebuyers will have their choice of a selection of some of Dorn Home’s most popular models. Featuring a wide range of two, three, or four-bedroom homes starting in the upper $200s and affording you access to all the of the community’s generous amenities.

In the high chaparral, just minutes northwest of downtown Prescott, you’ll find a thriving community that offers you the best of southwest living. Dorn Homes at Talking Rock Ranch offers luxury living and the privacy of your own personal retreat. With home sites nestled alongside the Jay Morrish Championship golf course nearby, you can enjoy a resort lifestyle starting in the mid $400s.

As part of DornCares’ goal of ending homelessness in the Quad Cities by 2020, Dorn Homes is partnering with three local charities that work within our community to support citizens that face poverty, home insecurity, or the risk of becoming homeless. In the coming weeks we’ll be highlighting each of the three charities here. We’ll explore their mission, their partnership with the DornCares program, as well as steps that members in the community can take to support these charities. In this edition of Community Focus we’ll be introducing you to the Coalition for Compassion and Justice.

There’s a lot to think about when you’re relocating to a new community or building your dream retirement home. One thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is deciding where you’d like to go. With that in mind, here are 10 reasons that Northern Arizona should be the top destination on your list.

At Dorn Homes our Organic Home promise means that you’ll enjoy healthier indoor air and construction with low or no-VOC materials. At Saddlewood at Deep Well Ranch, you’ll be one of the first homebuyers to take advantage of Dorn Homes’ New water harvesting system. You’ll use collected water for exterior irrigation, saving money every month and enjoying the peace of mind that comes with lower utility bills and a smaller ecological footprint. Stop by Saddlewood soon and speak with one of our Sales associates about all the cool things your new home can do!

As part of our ongoing efforts to introduce our homebuyers to their neighbors we’d like you to meet two of the newest members of the Dorn Homes community: Ruthie and Jim Baker. In this edition of Meet Your Neighbors we’ve asked the Bakers to share their story about finding Northern Arizona, what they enjoy about living here, and why they chose to make their new home in Pronghorn their “last move,” as Ruthie put it.

With the launch of Saddlewood at Deep Well Ranch, Dorn Homes is pleased to invite homebuyers to become part of the Quad Cities’ newest and most exciting community. Saddlewood at Deep Well Ranch is centrally located, just north of Highway 89A, and offers convenient access to both Prescott and Prescott Valley via Pioneer Parkway. These new homes are built with the same exclusive building science and Organic Home promise as any other Dorn Home and start affordably in the mid $200s. This means that you can enjoy the quality of life that living in a Dorn Home brings without breaking the bank.

When you picture living in Prescott you probably imagine a quaint Victorian home perched on a hillside. You see yourself rising with the sun for a morning walk through a community full of friends and neighbors. The sunlight sparkles off the water of a nearby lake and across the granite hills that define Prescott.

When you’re designing your master bath the first priority should be building a space that meets your lifestyle needs. Choices like dual sinks, a walk in shower or tub, and appropriate medicine cabinet and storage space have an impact on your day-to-day quality of life. But meeting those needs is just the starting point for designing the perfect master bath. We’ve put together five tips to help you take your master bath from a functional space to a soothing retreat.

Those of you familiar with Dorn Homes know about our emphasis on community. The most important part of any community is the families and individuals that make those communities thrive. With that in mind, we’ve recently sat down with two of our newest homeowners for a little insight into their decision to move to Northern Arizona, their experience working with Dorn Homes, and their advice for any homebuyers that are considering purchasing a new home. Without further adieu, allow us to introduce Lloyd and Joan Mason.

Buying a new home is not a decision that most people take lightly. Frequently, that new home purchase is a side effect of a big transformation in your life. From relocating for work or family reasons, to downsizing or upsizing for retirement, or even pursuing a lifelong dream, your new home purchase is normally part of a larger transition. Those transitions can easily feel overwhelming if you’re uncertain about the future, and that feeling can cause confusion about even the most straightforward decisions. While we can’t give you answers to some of life’s hardest questions, we can help you be more prepared for the home-buying process. To help you prepare, here are 6 important questions to ask a new home builder.

 If you take a moment to think back to the last time you toured a model home, you’re probably remembering two things. The first is likely the way that the professionally designed interior inspired you to design your own home, to choose or upgrade fixtures, or even just to choose color palettes and paint swatches. The second is imagining what it would be like to actually live in the home. That meant making decisions about which room would be the guest room, which would be an office, and figuring out whether or not your furniture will fit (let alone everything in storage in your garage).

When you think about living in Prescott you probably imagine homes nestled in the Granite Dells, perched on a hillside, or built on postage stamp lots downtown by Courthouse Square. What you may not imagine is community pools, parks, or homes built on large lots with ample room for outdoor living. Well, that’s exactly what you’ll find in Pronghorn Ranch in the wide-open spaces of nearby Prescott Valley. You can enjoy all the benefits of living in northern Arizona, like the weather, the small town feel, and the beautiful views, with larger and more affordable homes and lots.Pronghorn Ranch is located near Highway 89A and offers easy access to both Prescott and Prescott Valley’s Entertainment District where you’ll find shopping, dining, and entertainment. Take in a show at the Theatre on the Green or attend one of the many classes offered daily in the Prescott Valley Public Library, which shares facilities with the Northern Arizona University Yavapai Campus. Prescott Valley is also home to the state-of-the-art Yavapai Regional Medical Center, which you can learn more about here. 
From its conception, Pronghorn Ranch has been designed with open space in mind. This 640-acre master planned community features a multitude of hiking and biking trails that wind through and around the community’s many parks. Pronghorn Ranch also hosts a variety of community social events at the Clubhouse, the signature feature of the neighborhood. With events like an annual car show, Christmas craft fair, and even live music and community speakers, there’s fun to be had year-round. If you’re looking for entertainment options close to home, you’re in luck because Pronghorn Ranch features a suite of amenities carefully selected to both entertain and foster community living.The Clubhouse boasts a 24-hour fitness center that’s accessible to community members and their guests around the clock. If you feel like spending a day relaxing, find a book at the Clubhouse library and put your feet up in the lounge, or spend some time in the game room playing pool, board games, or just enjoying a cup of coffee from the coffee station. The Clubhouse is also an ideal location to entertain visitors from out of town. You can luxuriate in one of the pools or spas and then spend a sunny summer day enjoying a BBQ on the Clubhouse patio.If you’re a golfer looking to practice your short game, grab your putter and head over to the community putting green. You’ll find it near the pickleball courts, where you’ll frequently see neighbors enjoying a game of one of the fastest growing and most popular new sports around. For residents that are looking for friendly competition but don’t know the difference between a dink and a half-volley, Pronghorn Ranch also features Tennis and Basketball courts to entertain residents and visitors alike.To schedule a tour of Dorn Homes’ models, speak to an Online Home Advisor today. While you’re there, be sure to tour the Clubhouse amenities and take some time to experience Pronghorn Ranch for yourself.

 

Location, location, location. It’s the oldest adage in real estate and it’s as true today as it ever was. When you’re building your dream home, where you choose to build is almost as important as the home itself. Are you looking to build a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city center? Are you hoping to find an inviting neighborhood with an active community full of new friends you just haven’t met yet? When Dorn Homes chooses where to build, it’s not just a matter of finding somewhere to put up a house. It’s about actually building a community that our homeowners will love full of amenities that will enrich their lives.

Dorn Homes has a proud tradition of undertaking charitable efforts that improve the communities around us. If you’ve read the History of Dorn Homes, you may be familiar with the causes Dorn Homes has supported in years past. Whether it was building a mortgage-free home for a wounded veteran, contributing land and resources to worthy charities in Green Valley, or supporting charities in the Quad Cities, Dorn Homes has always emphasized supporting the most vulnerable members of our communities. As Dorn Homes has grown, so has our ability to support area charities. With this in mind, Dorn Homes is pleased to announce a new charitable effort called DornCares.

Once named the most beautiful place in America by USA Weekend magazine, Sedona, Arizona is a must-see for any outdoor enthusiast. Whether you’re traversing a few of the hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, climbing the Red Rocks, or fishing in Oak Creek, you’re sure to find a sense of tranquility in the natural world around you. When Dorn Homes began planning Sedona Ranch it was with that feeling in mind, the feeling that you’re at home in the world around you. Every aspect of the home and community design process has focused on blurring the line between indoor and outdoor living.

The natural beauty of Prescott, Arizona is one of the many factors that consistently ranks our town as one of the best retirement destinations in the country. Combine that with the mild winters, cool summers, and clean air, and it makes it hard to imagine living anywhere else. What better way to enjoy all of that than grabbing a bottle of water and hitting some of the city’s hiking trails? The City of Prescott maintains over 70 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around the city while the Prescott National Forest offers over one million acres of land to explore.

As outlined in our recent article about retirement planning, it’s never too early to start researching builders or touring model homes when you have a destination in mind. To help make sure that you get the most out of your visit to our model homes we’ve reached out to our Online Home Advisors and New Home Specialists to gather some recommendations for your visit.