As we begin 2019 it’s important to take a moment to look back and reflect on 2018. Whether it’s seeking ways to better serve others or better take care of one another, or it’s looking back in gratitude for the wonderful friends and family in our lives, what we see in 2018 can be a source of inspiration for 2019. Here at Dorn Homes our retrospective is a little of both: gratitude for members of the Dorn Family and the people that choose us to build their dream homes and aspirations for the years to come.

Northern Arizona is the destination of choice for Arizona’s visitors and residents alike when winter arrives. Those living further south and dreaming of a white Christmas flock to Flagstaff, Sedona, and Prescott. Prescott is known as “Arizona’s Christmas City,” after all. Just because Northern Arizona is a great place to be for Christmas doesn’t mean that the holiday celebrations stop there. Across Arizona you’ll find a wide array of events to start the New Year off                                                                    with fun and festivities.

It’s that time of year again. As fall gives way to winter, most of Arizona embraces the cooler temperatures and respite from our sweltering summers. In Prescott though, where summers are more temperate, winter brings more than just relief. Here winter brings hopes for snow and snow days, and, more importantly, anticipation for the holiday season. For anyone with plans of traveling to experience winter at its finest, there's no better place to celebrate Christmas than Prescott, Arizona's Christmas City.

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.

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.

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.

Individuals planning their retirement often make the mistake of focusing on only two points on their journeys. The first is the starting point: today. Do I have enough money to retire? How much longer do I need to keep working?

You may recall our recent post from March titled Small Town, Big Tastes: Downtown. Well, as part of our ongoing efforts to enlighten potential homebuyers about everything Prescott has to offer, we’d like to offer the latest installment in Small Town, Big Tastes: Microbreweries.

One of the most common concerns expressed by homebuyers that are interested in moving to Arizona from out of state is the availability of water. For some homebuyers, like those moving from California, the concerns are frequently grounded in their experiences with water usage restrictions due to the recent drought.

The first rule of real estate, as we’re sure you’ve heard before, is location, location, location. Most homebuyers have a list of criteria that influence where they focus their search efforts. The list is usually made up of things like proximity to work, the quality of the school systems, access to shopping and entertainment, and as we discussed in our interview with Yavapai Regional Medical Center, access to quality healthcare. Once a homebuyer has a general area in mind they can then focus on more specific homes and neighborhoods to make their final decision. But what, you may be wondering, are homebuyers looking for in neighborhood features?

Our Mission Statement, “Enhancing the lives of all those we touch,” is the driving force behind everything Dorn Homes does. It also means that we have a responsibility to be more than just a homebuilder. It means we have a responsibility to be a community builder. In that spirit, we have reached out to Kenneth Boush with Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC), a not-for-profit healthcare provider, to discuss the role they take in growing and sustaining the community.

The reasons homebuyers decide to move to a small town from a large city are as varied and individual as the homebuyers themselves. Typically, people focus on the accessibility of the outdoors, the sense of community, and the people. But they often resign themselves to the idea that they’ll have to make sacrifices in the variety that living in a big city can bring to life. Especially when it comes to food. Fortunately, in Prescott at least, that’s simply not the case.