Carefree, Arizona is a small, intimate little town built around a newly updated square and is located just north of Scottsdale. The architecture and landscaping are based on Spanish adobe architecture, and plenty of cacti and desert plants are used. This is definitely not the place you would expect to find an authentic English Tea Room.I'm not sure of the exact date Joanne Gemmill opened the doors to her small shop, but I believe it was around 2005. I stopped in for lunch one day and was enthralled! Years ago, I spent a year living in England and didn't think I'd ever find authentic scones with clotted cream - but I certainly found them here.When you enter, you are offered the choice of many formal hats to wear during tea. White linen cloths and napkins are used, with sparking silver an... 08/12/2009

if you are in the Scottsdale/Carefree Arizona area, or planning a visit, and shopping is on your agenda, you will want to check out the different shopping experience at El Pedregal at Scottsdale Road and Carefree Highway. Restaurants are a part of the shopping experience as well with food choices ranging from southwestern-style cooking to Spanish, Mexican, Native American, and cowboy fare - something for everyone. And special for the summer is a "Hot Pipes Showcase for Singers" that takes place from  August 08, 2009 through September 12, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This is a competition for local singing talent of all ages.Those attending can enjoy shopping, food, a cash bar, a raffle and performances by 30 local vocalists.  Admission is FREE. Food, wine and beer for purchase. NO P... 08/08/2009

For the month of May, in Carefree/Cave Creek, the average sold price declined but active inventory also declined with an increase in sold listings, dropping the months supply of inventory by three months.Carefree/Cave Creek: 669 Active Inventory May 2009 May 2008 April 2009 Ave. Sold $ $380,00 $495,000 $404,000 Ave. List $ $467,000 $697,000 $589,000 New Listings 114 114 120 Active Inventory 669 858 702 Sold Listings 58 31 47 Accepted Offers 53 45 69 Days on Market 89 113 144 Months Supply of Inventory 11.5 27.7 14.9 Maricopa County Statistics: 32,668 Active InventoryAve. Price of Active Listings:     $262,143Ave. Price of Pending Listings:   $186,177Ave. Price of Sold Properties:    $169,759Based on information from Arizona MLS. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed____________... 06/12/2009

If you are living in, or driving about Carefree, Arizona and are in the mood for some French Bistro dining then check out Café Bink. A bit casual and not terribly expensive, this interesting American French Bistro restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner every day except Monday. Their Foie gras terrine with brioche, orange marmalade and watercress is the most expensive thing on the menu at $24. There are quiche, trout, roast chicken, hanger steak and more all interestingly prepared. The establishment has become so popular since opening early in 2008 you will definitely want to call for reservations as the popular location only seats about 30 people. Located at 36899 N. Tom Darlington Drive in Carefree Arizona. is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m Call 480- 488-9796 for more information and det... 10/11/2008

As I read through the more than 50,000+ listings here in Maricopa County which includes .. the cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria, Tempe, Fountain Hills, Carefree and Paradise Valley I see listing after listing with photos and descriptions that makes one scratch their head in wonder what the seller and agent were thinking. Listen to the first sentence description of this $1,000,000+ home     """"   Desperate seller  will carry for easy qualifying, can be creative.  """"  I know the market is tough. And admittedly, many if not most sellers are desperate. However, is it really the first thing you want to say in the description? If you have any other similar MLS remarks , please share James Wexler : Wexzilla - Phoenix | Scottsdale Real Estate Blog 07/14/2008

The Foothills Community Foundation, a community organization in Carefree Arizona is sponsoring an interesting Designer Showcase Home Tour April 4-12, 2008. The tour features a tour of La Casa la Laguna (the house over the stream). This is a custom adobe home that has been expertly furnished. The event is a fundraiser for the community organization and the community is encouraged to attend. For more details call 480-488-1090. 03/26/2008

If you are an art lover and in the vicinity of Carefree Arizona April 4-6, 2008 you'll want to check out the Sonoran Festival of Fine Art. The festival features 100+ local and nationally acclaimed painters, sculptors, jewelers, wood and glass artists, photographers and artists working with mixed media. The event takes place in Carefree at the Carefree Town Center at Easy Street and Carefree Drive. For more information call 480-575-6624 or visit their website for details. 03/09/2008

On November 2nd through November 4th 2008, more than 165 jury-selected artists will share more than 5,000 pieces of original art with the public at the Carefree Art and Wine Fest in Carefree Arizona. There will also be live entertainment, wine and micro-brew tastings. The event happens from 10am to 5pm. Friday is free and the weekend is only $2.00 per person. Location is 100 Easy Street in Carefree Arizona. For more information call 480-837-5637. If you are thinking of moving to Arizona or buying a second home here, call Bob and Carolin Benjamin at 480-201-3001. We look forward to helping you with your real estate needs. 10/20/2007

On the north-eastern outer reaches of the Valley of the Sun lies Carefree, like neighboring Cave Creek, a hamlet nestled just to the north of Scottsdale. Principally known as a haven for retired folk, many of whom visit during the winter from colder climes and are known as "snowbirds", however, of late, many year-round residents are opting for the tranquility of Carefree, while commuting to their jobs in either Phoenix or Scottsdale. Consequently Carefree, much like Cave Creek and the surrounding environs has seen considerable growth in recent years. Spanish Village is a shopping center in the heart of Carefree with many eclectic stores and restaurants. It is also host to antique car shows, home shows, art shows and horticultural events during the course of a year, making it an extremel... 10/18/2007

Risks favor:  Floating Current Price of FNMA 6.0% Bond:  $100.19, -25bp   The Jobs Report hit the wires and has pressured bond prices lower this morning.         The Labor Department reported 110,000 new jobs created in September, which was above economists expectations of 100,000.  With many people looking for a downward miss on this report, the stronger than expected reading pushed Bond prices a bit lower.  The main reason for the selling pressure on Bonds was some huge revisions for the months of July and August - to the tune of 118,000 jobs.  August’s initial miserable report of a 4,000 loss in jobs was revised way higher by a stunning +93,000 for a net gain of 89,000 jobs!  Makes you wonder how the initial reports can be so wrong.  There was some inflation fears coming from the rep... 10/05/2007

If you happen to be in the area of Carefree Arizona you may want to plan a visit to the English Rose Tea Room. The English Rose Tea Room is open year-round in Carefree. The facility is a refined desert oasis where guests can sip tea in porcelain cups, nibble on sandwiches or bite into oven-hot sweet scones covered in Devonshire cream and strawberry preservatives. When you enter it's like stepping into another world where afternoon tea is an occasion. It's a great place for a "girl's afternoon get-away". They also have Etiquette Classes available for children 6-12. Perfect for Brownies, Scouts, or birthday events. To get there Getting there take Loop 101 to Scottsdale Road and turn north. Continue 9 miles to Carefree and turn right on Wampum Way. Enter the roundabout and exit onto Easy S... 08/26/2007

There were 3 homes sold in The Boulders for the month of April 2007.  The average list price of these homes was $781,000.00 and average sale price was $773,333.33.    As of April 30, there were 3 homes under contract.     The average list price of these pending homes was $1,019,333.33.    As of the end of the month, there were 27 active listings in The Boulders.    The average list price of these homes was $1,571,000.00. For more information about The Boulders or other fine communities in Carefree, please view my website at http://www.donrichhomes.com/.    05/10/2007

A new restaurant opened in Carefree that's close to the world largest Sundial per the Carefree chamber of commerce.  There is lots of shops and eateries around the town square the helps make the ambiance of the area.  The buildings are new and old.The first thing that struck me was that this was new inside and it reminded me of the lofts in downtown Phoenix only here it was on the ground floor.  There is tables and chairs and gathering places of four depicted by the large easy chairs and small wine table.The owner of the restaurant is a retired airline pilot, and hence the name Blue Sky.  There was some airline memorabilia scattered around for visual enjoymentWe walked to the counter where we were greeting by a pleasant painted young man with the biggest, brightest ear rings I have ever... 03/30/2007

The Las Torres home owners association (HOA) held their annual meeting last night and one of the topics was exploring the current age of 55 or over age restriction policy of Las Torres.  The CC&R's were changed in 2003 because the thought was that the community would be quiet and the lifestyle would be improved.Children still come to the community to visit grandma and grandpa, they still play in the courtyards and splash in the pool and yes, Marco Polo is one of the games of choice played in the community swimming pool.  The change simply did not keep all of the children away, but did it affect property values?A study of the property values in the Carefree area shows that this age restricted community is getting less for their investments than over like communities that are not age rest... 03/14/2007

I just finished a post by   Steve Crossland entitled Does a Politically Incorrect Street Name Affect Home Value in Austin TX?It is interesting to see what can really stir the mind of a buyer.  It's not just whether a name is PC, weird or overly soothing.  Some are entertaining, some cute, some are the type where you could say " I wish I thought of that."  I grew up in Pennsylvania with town names like Intercourse and Blue Ball (DON'T censor me - they are really town names you will find on a map).  So how can you not have a sense of humor about these things?Regarding PC, we have a mountain and a freeway here in Phoenix that was named Squaw Peak (a very popular climbing and hiking spot - the mountain, not the freeway).  There were attempts to change it a few times as the name is considere... 02/28/2007

Housing Market Report for Carefree, AZ 85377As of 12/21/2006Number Sold in the Previous 4 Weeks6Median Price of Houses Sold in Previous 4 Weeks$583,700Compared to 12/21/2005Number Sold in the Previous 4 Weeks15Median Price of Houses Sold in Previous 4 Weeks$650,0002006 over 2005Increase (Decrease) in Houses Sold(9)-60.00%Increase (Decrease) in Median Price($66,300)-10.20%Market Data for Carefree, AZ shows significant drop in number of sales, however, sample size is too small to be a solid reference for the change in median price.  01/13/2007

  The home page for the Carefree and Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce is: http://www.carefree-cavecreek.com/Click on Business Directory on the bottom of the screento reach Quick Links to:Employment Education Things to See and Do Health Care Services Child Care Services Utilities Religion Regional Facts and Figures Lodging DiningAnother useful site is:http://www.visitphoenix.com/Click on the Visitor Info tab on the top menu bar, then click on Map to reach interactive maps to:Arizona Metro Phoenix Downtown Phoenix Civic PlazaClick on Request a Guide to select from 5 complimentary printed guides that can be mailed at no charge:Greater Phoenix Explorer/Visitors Guide Greater Phoenix Dining Guide Relocation Guide (96 pages) Official Arizona Golf Guide & Directory Best of Arizona Golf Map We ho... 11/04/2006