Kayenta Homes and Properties

Kayenta residents who have lived here for any length of time can’t help but be amazed by the amount of construction taking place in the community.  A walk around the neighborhood, especially in the Taviawk and Posovi areas, will lead you past excavated lots; concrete mixers; wood framers; roofers; painters, window installers and landscapers, just to mention a few.   

Whether your Kayenta home is five years or thirty years old, and whether you’re thinking of updating your home in anticipation of selling it or just simply curious, we thought you might be interested to learn what design trends are shaping the neighborhood and which features new homeowners are seeking most often.  Matt Marten and Teresa Jacobson from Gulch Design Group recently shared their insights.

The construction of the first concept home back in 2013 created a seismic shift in the way future Kayenta homes would be constructed, due to its instant and wide appeal across all demographics.  To this day, almost 8 years later, key elements of this re-imagined desert living space is influence home design locally.  First was the swinging of the exterior design pendulum away from the more traditional Santa Fe-inspired look towards a more contemporized, minimalist aesthetic.  Even so, the past 2-3 years have seen the construction of several stunning Southwest homes that have become instant Kayenta classics. We’re simply seeing more design diversity.

Interestingly, the majority of homes are now built with polished and sealed concrete floors (with lava gray and rawhide light brown being popular color choices), though engineered wood and tile advancements are changing this dynamic somewhat.  Quartz and large format porcelain have replaced the popularity of granite when it comes to countertops. 

There has also been a pronounced interest in larger garages to allow workspaces; fitness areas; etc.  Detached casitas are still requested by some, disliked by others. 

With recent new construction, we are seeing increased interest in both swimming pools as well as electricity-producing solar photovoltaics, with approximately 50% of new homes being installed with one or both.  Conversely, interest in geothermal has declined as solar technology has advanced and become more affordable (federal tax credits have helped, though these are phasing out).  Radiant heat, preferred by northerners, can still be found in some recently-built homes. 

Whereas most Americans still have a preference for gas cooktops, Europeans tend to favor induction and this latter method of cooking is gaining traction in new home construction.  High end appliances (Wolf; SubZero; Miele) have become increasingly popular as the size and expense of lots and new homes have climbed.  Recently, up to 25% of new homes have included steam ovens in addition to or in place of microwave ovens.

Interiors are increasingly characterized by neutral light/bright colors.  This applies to walls, flooring, and finishes, as people increasingly introduce color through their furnishings, accessories, and artwork instead.    Speaking of cabinetry and other woodwork, the trend has been towards simpler and cleaner.  Rift cut white oak and walnut remain perennial favorites with flat panel cabinets, an absence of crown molding, and baseboards painted the same color as the walls, being preferred.  Color palettes tend to be limited to grays, taupe, beige, white, off white, and even “greige” (a combination of gray and beige).   Bathroom and kitchen fixtures tend to be completed using bronze; brushed/satin nickel; or gold hardware.

As new homes are trending larger and larger (3,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms; 3 bathrooms; 3 car garages are becoming the Kayenta “baseline”) and emphasis is being placed increasingly on wide open panoramic views (think “large, floor to ceiling windows”), investments in automated blinds are becoming more of a practical rather than a luxury choice.  Similarly, the focus on natural light has resulted in many new homes being fitted with strategically-placed skylights throughout.

Outdoors, the use of dark bronze (or natural “rust”) metal fascia continues to be a big hit at contemporizing the look of the home, as is the strategic use of natural or cut rock to accentuate key architectural features.  The desert climate has led to the elimination of wood trellises and beams, which have been replaced using more durable metal.   The use of materials in exterior retaining walls is dictated somewhat by the lot topography, but there seems to be an equal amount of interest in using the handcut red sandstone or exposed aggregate concrete over stucco.

If you find yourself undertaking a DIY project around the house or if you think you might be in the market to sell in the next 12-18 months, you might wish to review this article and/or contact Kayenta Homes & Properties.   We’ll be pleased to discuss various ways to enhance the value of your property to meet market demands. 

Please remember that remodels or any change to home exteriors will require advanced approval from the Architectural Control Committee (ACC).  Visit www.kayentahoa.com for more details.

Thank you for your continued support.

Your Kayenta Sales Team,

Jeff Sproul, Principal Broker
Nancy Kosick, Sales Agent
Steve McAllister, Sale Agent
435-628-7234   www.kayentahomes.com

September 2020 Recap of Ivins City Council Activities

Hello – September has been a busy month for Ivins City Council. Here’s a recap of a few issues you might find interesting:

1. CARES Grants – The City received approximately 20 applications from large and small businesses based in Ivins. Awards will be made soon – I’m hopeful that these funds will be of assistance to many Ivins based businesses. Please support our local businesses!

2. Art in Ivins – City Council approved two recommendations of the Ivins Art’s Commission:

a. Relocate the “Heritage Sculpture” currently located in the roundabout in front of Red Mountain Resort to the new City Hall after it is completed. The rational for this recommendation is that the sculpture is so detailed that it’s not able to be appreciated in the middle of the roundabout. City Council had discussed having an art piece that speaks to Ivins and the Heritage Sculpture accomplishes that.

b. Investigate starting an “Art on Loan” program for Ivins – the idea is to create an Art on Loan program for artists who live in Ivins. The Arts Commission will solicit applications for sculptures for the roundabouts in Ivins. The pieces would be “on loan” for a specified period of time, similar to the St George Art Around the Corner program. Currently the roundabout at 400 W and Center St is without art so that would be the first project followed by the Red Mountain roundabout once the Heritage Sculpture is relocated.

3. Fire Lake Park – The long awaited gate has been installed at Fire Lake Park! A group of Kayenta residents requested the gate before the park was developed to prevent after hours use. The gate is automated and will be closed from sunset to sunrise. I’m pleased that we’ve been able to accomplish two significant requests by residents this summer – a ban on amplified noise/music and the gate.

4. Opening on City Council – Miriah Elliott submitted her resignation from City Council, I want to thank Miriah for her service to Ivins. She was excellent council member and I will miss her insightful comments. City Council will be voting on a replacement at our Oct 1st meeting. Seven Ivins residents applied to serve the remainder of Miriah’s term which ends January 2022. Tune in to the City Council meeting to “meet” all of the applicants.

5. Old Highway 91 improvements – A number of improvements are slated for 2021/22 associated with Hwy 91. The City Engineering Dept is working on the design, a few of the improvements include:

a. A paved trail to run along Highway 91 from the eastern edge of Ivins to Fire Lake Park

b. Roundabouts at Kwavasa/600 W & 91 and also at 400W & 91

c. Hwy 91 will be widened; they are currently determining how far west it will go

6. New Ivins City Hall – A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday, Oct 25th, it was well attended and construction has begun. The building is anticipated to be done in one year.

Take care – Sue