By: Jim Jones, director of sales for Talking Rock Ranch

Current economic and real estate conditions mean buyers have the opportunity to purchase a second home at record-low prices. At Talking Rock Ranch, lot inventory is selling quickly and there is no better time to take advantage of these values.

Right now, lots are selling for as low as $20,000 and up to the $300,000s – a fraction of previous costs. These home sites range from .4 to 1.5 acres with diverse views that include golf course, valley and mountain vistas.

Purchasing one of these affordable lots is a great way to get the most for your money because it means you will have more budget to build your dream custom home in Prescott.

Another way to save money is to consider any of Talking Rock Ranch’s smaller, more energy-efficient home products. These custom homes in Prescott use affordable materials without sacrificing top-quality design and construction.

If you prefer to purchase an existing home instead of building one, consider one of our Ranch Cottages. Currently, we have a 2,290-square-foot home with a 300-square-foot bunkhouse on sale for $369,000. Or, our existing custom homes on .5- to 1-acre lots start at just $629,000 for 3,900 square feet.

If you are considering buying a second home for retirement, now is a great opportunity to purchase top-quality product at affordable prices. If you have any questions about living at Talking Rock Ranch, please feel free to contact me directly.

Following on the success of the Lone Spur Collection, TRD&B is beginning work on a new home series at Talking Rock that will follow the same “smaller and smarter” building philosophy.

“These new homes will be all about high efficiency and low maintenance,” said Steve Iverson, of TRD&B. “We’ll combine the luxury Western aesthetic of current homes at Talking Rock with affordable materials.”

This new home collection will range from 2,000 to 2,5000 square feet in livable space with an emphasis on outdoor area. Design will include new products introduced in the last couple of years that provide more energy-efficient homes that reduce costs and energy usage while decreasing the impact on the environment:

• New insulation products with higher energy ratings.
• Low E windows that fit within the design guidelines, are easy to maintain and are durable.
• Siding, which will be a low-maintenance pre-aged barn wood that matches current Talking Rock design principles

Iverson is working on the floorplans and hopes to have a model within the next year. The model will be similar to the look of the Briggs home, which was completed in May.

Talking Rock Ranch is working with Tru-North Architecture and DLB Custom Homes, Inc. on a new residential product that follows the shift to smaller and smarter building.

Like Talking Rock’s our other smaller ranch homes in Prescott, this series will be built in a more energy-efficient manner without sacrificing the quality and amenities that residents have come to expect from our luxury private homes community.

Dan Boylan, president of DLB Custom Homes, Inc. says this new home product is in response to a demand from consumers who are looking to maintain design integrity without spending large dollar amounts.

“These people are mindful of their finances and focused on living within their means,” he said. “Because of this, we have honed in on producing smaller, more affordable homes that make the most out of every square-foot of space and piece of high-quality material.”

The Talking Rock community will soon welcome new members Jim and Carolyn Kaplan, from Southern California by way of Minnesota and Colorado, who are the first to work with DLB on designing and building a smaller home.

The couple visited several communities across the Southwest, including Las Vegas and Lake Havasu City, before deciding to retire in Prescott at Talking Rock because of its mild seasons and charming small town feel.

The Kaplan’s Arizona ranch-style home will measure 2,278 square feet in livable space with two bedrooms and 2.5-bathrooms, a detached garage, great room, gourmet kitchen, and dedicated dining and office space.

Ranch architecture is updated with a contemporary feel and features shed roofs, metal accents, and a wood and stucco material palette. Functional living spaces are designed with a strong relationship to the outdoors, and maximize views of Williamson Valley’s canyons and mountains.

Above: Just one of the homes at Talking Rock in the DLB Custom Homes catalog.

By: Jim Jones, director of sales for Talking Rock Ranch

In today’s real estate market, it pays to be a buyer. This is especially true for people who are looking to build or purchase a second home. If you are planning to buy a home for retirement now for your future, there has never been a better time to consider Talking Rock Ranch in Prescott.

Affordable home and material costs are just some of the benefits to buying in today’s market, but residents at Talking Rock Ranch enjoy the added value of a stable and sustainable community where builders and architects have not only been able to “weather the storm,” but also enjoy some success.

Right now at Talking Rock, we have two homes under construction with a third that just broke ground. And we expect another two or three homes to begin the building process in the next couple of months. Last year we sold 40 lots and 20 homes, and 2011 year-to-date we have sold five lots and three homes. We are fortunate to work with a team of dedicated homebuilders and architects, which translates to high-quality products for you, our future resident.

Of course we understand that budgets are more important now than ever. We know that you’re thinking twice, maybe even three times, before spending any of your hard-earned money. That’s why we work hard to give you every cent of your dollar’s worth.

Besides affordable and well-built home products, Talking Rock also has luxury amenities like The Ranch House restaurant and award winning, Jay Morrish-designed championship golf course. There’s also the Barn Fitness Center, Coop’s Coffee House, and miles of hiking, biking, and jogging trails.

Maintaining these world-class amenities for our residents is important to us because we understand that it’s the value and prices that will bring you to visit Talking Rock, but it’s the warm and welcoming Prescott country club lifestyle that will get you to stay.

If you are interested in retiring in Prescott, I invite you to be our guest at Talking Rock Ranch with the Stay & Play package, which begins next month. From May through October, guests can experience life at Talking Rock – including two night’s accommodations, golf, and lunch– for just $499.

Stay tuned to our blog for complete details, or visit the Stay & Play page on our website.

Talking Rock Ranch posts its second consecutive year of positive sales figures, even as the real estate industry nationwide continues to fight through one of the toughest economic periods in recent history. The 3,600-acre private home and golf community in Prescott closed 2010 with a 58 percent decrease in inventory, accounting for 12 percent of the area’s home site sales. Talking Rock’s year-to-date numbers speak to this accomplishment including 56 total sales, 37 lots and 19 homes.

“We are thrilled that our ongoing efforts are reaping positive results,” says Jim Jones, director of sales for Talking Rock. “Each year presents us with a unique challenge communicated through our consumers. In 2010 it was the need for smaller, more efficient properties. We look forward to seeing what 2011 has in store.”

Strong 2010 sales numbers follow the success of 2009 which included 55 unit sales, surpassing the total number for 2007 and 2008. The ongoing success of Talking Rock can be attributed to Harvard Investments’ commitment to recognizing change in consumer demand. An example is the introduction of the Lone Spur Collection from TRD&B Inc. last year.

After noticing the consumer demand for smaller homes in Prescott, Talking Rock worked with TRD&B to introduce the collection highlighted by intimate spaces with larger design concepts, resulting in more affordable, energy efficient homes with quality finishes that are typical in custom home designs. The Lone Spur Collection met that need, and sold and completed two properties with two sites currently under construction and an additional two pending contracts.



Thank you to all who make our community's success possible!