We could not write a blog post quickly enough! This home went under contract in the blink of an eye.

And who’s surprised! It’s a desert oasis: shady and quiet inside with beautifully-manicured landscaping outside.

There is not enough room in this post for all of the beautiful photos, so please check out our listings page here.

This home has been updated and cared for immaculately by the same owners since 1984.

The grounds are as beautifully laid out and maintained as a Japanese garden.

The dramatic front door greets you with stunning, custom stained glass.

The kitchen, updated about 10 years ago, is well-thought out with ingenious space-saving features, deep drawers and a custom pantry that is specifically designed for easy access.

The bedrooms are roomy. The bathrooms were updated with similar space-saving features about 8 years ago.

The home owners designed a back yard pool and patio area with inviting and warm light features. You will want to spend all your time there.

Also, don’t miss the work shop and the sewing room, which are convenient for any number of uses. Solar panels = ave. $40/mo.

Marshall Shore, the Hip Historian, and I visited the George Washington Carver Museum recently to consider it’s unique history, as well as to consider some of the vestiges of the terrible history of segregation that plagued our state and our country.

As as Realtor, I am troubled by the role that realtors played in red-lining in US history. Yet I am proud of the role that Realtors are playing today through the Realtor Code of Ethics to create opportunities for all people.

So, it is with the same concern for history, but pride for current efforts that we considered the Carver Museum, previously a school.

It was the site of segregation in Arizona. At the only segregated school, it was the only option for many African American students, who had to travel often for hours to gain education.

Yet from the school came artists and designers who have left a lasting impression on Arizona.

Watch this first video for Marshall’s quick review of the history of the school.

The museum and its board is now working to play a role, not only for the African American community, but as a beacon for understanding and community participation.

We also took this opportunity to consider how the school funding mechanisms in Arizona continue to disadvantage poor and minority students through the use of property taxes as a substantial funding source.

You can see that in the second video that we did on the topic.

In short, schools in areas where property values are higher are taxed less as a percentage of total home value and they generate more money, not only for maintenance and operations, but for school construction.

Further, the School Facilities board, which was intended to level the playing field for school construction, has never been fully funded.

Many people don’t know the basics of how school are funded, let alone about the base-level inequities in the system.