Your Guide to Buying a Home in Sedona, AZ

Buying a Home in Sedona, Arizona

(Mitten Ridge is one of many unique rock formations in the Sedona area)

Sedona is located in Coconino County and Yavapai County

No place on earth has the spectacular red rock scenery of Sedona, Arizona, with its magnificent formations, brilliant sunsets, pristine Oak Creek, and clear, starlit nights.

Located in Arizona's high desert at the southwestern rim of the Colorado Plateau, Sedona is about 4500 feet above sea level. Sedona has four mild seasons, abundant sunshine, and clean air. The annual average high temperature is 74.7°; the average low is 45.7°.

The City of Sedona is 19 square-miles and is located in both Coconino and Yavapai Counties. About 51% of its area is privately owned; about 49% is in the Coconino National Forest. Sedona's population is about 10,400 full-time residents, which increases to about 11,300 when seasonal residents are added. The median age is 51, down from 63 about 10 years ago.

The citizens of Sedona are proud of their beautiful environment and small town character, and they work diligently to preserve it. Central to this effort is wide-spread volunteerism and active participation in city government. The Greater Sedona Area includes the City and the unincorporated areas of Oak Creek Canyon, the Village of Oakcreek, and Red Rock Loop Road.

Tourism--including the arts and culture, recreation, healing, and metaphysical communities—forms Sedona's economic base. This economy provides world-class resorts, fine restaurants, outstanding shops, many hiking trails, healing and spiritual centers, and diverse art galleries for locals and tourists alike.

Sedona's beauty was confirmed by U.S.A. Today's travel writers, who—in 2003--voted Sedona the most beautiful place in America.

Sedona's Residential Real Estate
Housing in the greater Sedona area is predominately single family residences—with many fewer condominiums, apartments, and manufactured homes.

Sedona homes
Here is some data about Sedona housing gathered in July of 2005:
Mid-range home prices are from $500,000 to $700,000.
The average home sales price since February 2005 was $552,700.
The lowest priced single family home was $350,000.
The highest home price was $9 million.

• Manufactured and mobile homes (limited supply)
• Single Family Homes - modest to luxury
• Condominiums and Townhomes
• Lots/Luxury Lots
• Acreage (limited supply)
• Commercial Property
• Investment Property
• Golf Communities
• Horse Property
• Vacation Homes

Many homes have marvelous Red Rock views and a few homes front Oak Creek. Property taxes on residential properties are approx. 1% of the assessed value. The City of Sedona assesses no property tax.

Sedona's History,
Thousands of years ago American Indians settled near Sedona and considered it sacred land. In the late 1800's Sedona became a rural farming and ranching community. Established in 1902, but not incorporated until 1988, the community was named after Sedona Schnebly, an early settler.

Sedona's unsurpassed natural beauty became nationally known through the motion picture industry. When early Hollywood filmmakers wanted to show the unique beauty of the West, they came to Sedona. Beginning with the 1923 silent film The Call of the Canyon, many movies, commercials, and TV shows been filmed in and around town.

Sedona's Educational Facilities
The Sedona-Oakcreek Joint Unified School District includes Sedona Red Rock High School, West Sedona Elementary and Middle School, and Big Park Elementary and Middle School. Sedona Charter schools include Terra Rosa (Waldorf inspired), Montessori, and Sedona Charter School. Sedona even boasts a private day and boarding school Verde Valley School, founded in the 1940's.

Yavapai Community College has a campus in Sedona. Northern Arizona University is located in nearby Flagstaff and has partnered with Yavapai College to bring courses to the Sedona area.

Sedona's Medical Facilities
Sedona Medical Center is an outpatient facility that specializes in primary healthcare, emergency services, and cancer treatment. Verde Valley Medical Center is about 18 miles away in nearby Cottonwood, and the Flagstaff Medical Center is about 25 miles away in Flagstaff. Additional services, including emergency search and rescue and a medical evacuation helicopter, are also available. Sedona is also served Sedona Urgent Care, as well as by numerous practitioners, who operate in private offices and clinics throughout the area.

Sedona's Community Facilities Sedona boasts a full complement of public services like the Sedona Public Library, Yavapai College, Sedona Center for Arts and Technology, Sedona Creative Life Center, Sedona Teen Center, Sedona Adult Community Center, Sedona Historical Society, Sedona Main Street Program, and the Humane Society of Sedona, plus many not-for-profit organizations.

Sedona's Houses of Worship
More than 35 houses of worship are located in Sedona. Among these are numerous Christian denominations, a synagogue, and a Tibetan Buddhist temple.