In the Spring of 1985, I returned from California to my roots in Arizona and a special place I had known as a child called Sonoita. The open spaces, rolling hills surrounded by mountains had been beckoning me back ever since the 1970”s. Seeing night skies filled with stars again was a sight to behold. The old one room Empire school had been torn down but many old buildings remained as well as large ranches such as the Empire Ranch which is now a historical place to visit. Grape vineyards are the attention of the day in Elgin and continue to grow. The famous Babocomari land grant still exists. The higher elevation give the Sonoita area one of the best climates in the US and at 5000 ft and this has been a well kept secret since Arizona to most is a place of dry desert and lots of cactus. This area is considered to be high desert where there are assorted trees, yuccas, and when the summer monsoons come in early July the grasses tum green and grow high. A beautiful sight to behold along the Scenic Highway #83.
We are an ideal retirement area with new younger families moving in and commuting to Tucson just so they can live in a clean air environment and send their children to an excellent school. The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds holds many events put on by the local volunteers who are very involved in community events and programs. Most of us consider ourselves family here in this great community.
In 1991 my husband a long time rancher and I started our own business in real estate and many years later it has grown as has the community and today holds approximately 2000 residents. Land is still maintained with open spaces and some of the old ranches are breaking up but those who live here work hard to keep it from being congested with large subdivisions and wall to wall homes. The antelope can still be seen, coyotes howl and long horn steers graze along the highway. Dirt roads are common as are jack rabbits running across them.
In 2003 their daughter and Agent, Kathy O””Brien purchased Sonoita Realty and became the Designated Broker/Owner with a commitment to continue her parent””s legacy of providing outstanding service, integrity with the highest level of honesty to their clients, community and neighbors.
Our Professional Agents are able to provide all your real estate needs in the area of: Home Buying/Selling, Vacant land, Ranches, Farms and Commercial Property Management. We know that longevity is important in today””s changing market as companies open and close or franchise, because any Agent or Broker can facilitate buying or selling property, but experience and long term knowledge of the market makes a difference in every transaction. By using our knowledge and connections to help clients avoid problems and mistakes, one thing has remained true, Sonoita Realty keeps its commitment as a solid, local and independent company who welcomes All visitors.
We would like to share this portion of the preamble of the Realtor Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. We aspire to carry out these responsibilities in our day to day dealings with clients, members of the community, and our colleagues.
REALTORS – They impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which Realtors should dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing themselves. Realtors, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow Realtors a common responsibility for its integrity and honor. In recognition and appreciation of their obligations to clients, customers, the public and each other, Realtors continuously strive to become and remain informed on issues affecting real estate and, as knowledgeable professionals, they willingly share the fruit of their experience and study with others.
REALTORS can take no safer guide than that which has been handed down through the centuries, embodied in the Golden Rule, “WHATSOEVER YE WOULD THAT OTHERS SHOULD DO TO YOU, DO YE EVEN SO TO THEM”.
Dedicated in Loving Memory
Richard O Barkley (1925 – 2006)
Barbara L. Barkley (1941-2017)
Kathy O’Brien is a hardworking hands-on real estate Broker/Owner & Property Manager serving the Mountain Empire communities since January 1998.
Her family has deep respected roots in the community and she continues their legacy by building a solid reputation as a “trustworthy” professional dedicated to the needs of her clients. Extensive knowledge of the community with the highest level of skill and care has made her a top producer & relocation specialist. She has experience in dealing with the most difficult transactions to the easiest and believes “every” client matters! She knows the Mountain Empire in ways only a long-time local can- Better, because she is trained to spot problems & opportunities in properties, looking beyond the outward appearance.
Her on-going community service to residents and knowledge of local issues make her a reliable Realtor to Buyers and Sellers to skillfully represent your interests!
Tucson native Rochelle O’Brien, has been excited about real estate for many years but took the long route when turning her passion into her profession!
Rochelle’s desire to help others and make a difference initially led her to pursue a master’s degree in education, where she spent many years teaching kindergarten in Tucson and Sahuarita and then transitioned to a manager of large enterprise training and development in high risk corporate industries. Rochelle feels fortunate to have learned through peers, mentors and her stepmother, a real estate broker/owner, a unique way of working in real estate that aligns with her personal and professional values. She focuses on her clients and their needs with a long-term perspective, helping with real estate issues or questions wherever and whenever they arise. Rochelle loves to spend time with family, friends and her two dogs, and aspires to one day own a pet sanctuary for animals with special needs.
Larry DeMun or Charles “Larry” DeMun moved to Arizona from Ohio in 1977 and settled in and purchased a home in Flagstaff in 1979.
He graduated NAU with a Business Management Degree. His additional focus studies include Ceramics, Industrial supervision and Economics. He sold Electronics as a Manufactures Rep in North & So. Carolina after college and moved back to AZ in 1985. He has lived in Tucson and started a Manufactures Rep Business in 1989 selling Electronics while living in Sierra Vista and built a home in Hereford. He moved to Sonoita in 1991 where his business was located. He sold his business in 2006 and bought and developed some commercial land holdings along with building & remodeling residential projects in Southern Arizona to include Whetstone, Hereford & Benson. He loves the Sonoita area where he resides and wants to help clients find the same sense of enjoyment living in this beautiful and unique part of SE Arizona.
Dee DeMun has been established in the Sonoita community since 2004. She has experience working as local EMT/Firefighter for the Sonoita/Elgin Fire District.
This self-dedication of serving others is the reason why she has joined the Profession of Real Estate to help those in search of selling or purchasing in the community that is dear to her heart. With a passion for Equestrian activities including trail riding and the wine culture, makes her a skilled local to better assist and inform her clients about the Mountain Empire as it relates to real estate market.
Cheryl Volk has been a licensed Realtor in the Mountain Empire since 2003!
As one of the top Selling Agents, her longevity, knowledge and expertise in the Elgin, Sonoita & Patagonia communities is a GREAT asset to the clients she represents!
My diverse Real Estate background includes Residential Homes, New Custom Homes, Subdivision Sales, Multi Family, Condominiums, Horse Property and vacant land/acreage.
I have been “Here to Serve” as a professional, full time Realtor since 2002. My family was transferred from Ft. Bragg, NC to Ft. Huachuca in 1971. I grew up locally in Southern Arizona. Sierra Vista is my hometown. I am available and well versed to help you and your family in Santa Cruz, Pima and Cochise counties!