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Mike Hardesty

Hi, I'm Mike

I once owned a vintage shop in the Melrose district because I love everything about historic and mid century homes. So much so, that now I am a Realtor specifically helping others capture that same charm for their lives. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, I'm happy to partner with you in your journey.

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Arcadia

Known for its graceful blend of vintage charm and modern amenities, Arcadia offers a diverse range of homes. From sprawling estates boasting stunning mountain views to cozy ranch-style abodes, there is a residence to suit […]

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Willo

The Willo Historic District is a beloved neighborhood located in central Phoenix, known for its beautifully preserved historic homes, tree-lined streets, and a strong sense of community. Willo is recognized as one of Phoenix’s most […]

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Woodlea

Woodlea Historic District showcases a stunning array of architectural styles, ranging from Spanish Colonial Revival to Tudor and Mid-Century Modern. As you explore its picturesque streets, you’ll encounter beautifully restored residences, each with its own […]

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My Story

I once owned a vintage shop in the Melrose district because I love everything about historic and mid century homes. So much so, that now I am a Realtor specifically helping others capture that same charm for their lives. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, I'm happy to partner with you in your journey.

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Client Testimonials

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Above and Beyond

We had an amazing experience working with Michael as our realtor. We did not live locally when we needed to sell our property, and he went above and beyond to help get the house ready for sale, including meeting companies for repairs, staging and follow-up. We then had multiple offers on our home within days of listing and were able to pick a wonderful family to sell it to. Would absolutely recommend Michael and use again if we ever move back to the area!

— Tina W.

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Always One Step Ahead

Can’t say enough about Michael and his skills as a sellers and buyers realtor. I’ve had the pleasure of working with him 3 times now and every time I’m completely comfortable and left with less worries than I had with previous realtors. He’s always on his game and always one step ahead. He’s both honest and realistic however, he always game to try to push the envelope. Although I don’t look forward to selling a house again, it’s an inevitable situation for us and I take comfort in knowing Michael will be there for us once again.

— Becky S.

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A Knowledgeable Professional With Your Interests in Mind

We would 100% suggest using Mike if you’re looking for a home, have already referred family members to him, and would absolutely do so again. It’s easy to get caught up in shiny social media real estate accounts run by people that don’t actually know what they’re doing, or “on-line house browsing”, underestimating the importance of an experienced realtor. Mike will put you at ease knowing that there’s a knowledgeable professional with your interests in mind, likely saving you time, money, and headaches, while helping you acquire your perfect home!

— Casey C.

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Latest from Instagram

For the last three weeks, I haven’t created anyt For the last three weeks, I haven’t created anything.

I took a vacation with my family and completely unplugged. I mourned the loss of a friend, and somewhere in between, I found myself struggling to relight the fire that usually makes me want to pick up a camera and tell a story.

I started to wonder if maybe I had simply run out of things to say.

Then this weekend, my wife suggested we take the kids to @wonderspacesaz 

And somewhere between the lights, the art, the weirdness, and watching my kids experience it all, I found myself reaching for my camera again.

Not because I needed to make something, but because wanted to remember something.

For the first time in a few weeks, I felt inspired. Maybe even a little refreshed. But more than anything, I felt grateful.

Grateful for the ability to experience things like this. Grateful for curiosity. Grateful for my kids, and grateful for the person who has been beside me through all of it.

Maybe that was the whole point.

Maybe sometimes you have to stop creating in order to start seeing again.

I’d normally post a video like this first thing in the morning because that’s when it gets the most views, but honestly, I don’t care about that with this one.

This video is for one person.

The love of my life. My best friend. My partner for the past 15 years.

And it just happens to be her birthday.

Happy Birthday, Becky.

Thank you for reminding me to look up, look around, and remember how lucky I am.

I love you ❤️
In a statement, an ASU spokesperson said: “ASU In a statement, an ASU spokesperson said:

“ASU has been working toward a resolution with the Emerson House in downtown Phoenix, a house that sits next to land being developed for the headquarters of ASU Health. To honor the homeowner’s desires, the university has agreed to withdraw its court proceedings and allow the house to remain. The plans for the ASU Health site will be revised accordingly.”

We did it 🙌 Hopefully this is the start of developers actually sitting at the table with the community before they decide what’s best for it themselves. Together, we have a voice! Thank you to each and everyone of you for your unwavering support ❤️

PS: To the young lawyer who said I have a realtor brain, and the house didn’t deserved to be saved… I hope you have an amazing day. I know I will 😊

PPS: Erik Ryden, Jim McPherson, @mrserinlindsey , @rachel_ventures, Shawn King, Donna Reiner, Roger Brevoort, @tenthdoctor … thank you, thank you, thank you 🙏
Whether you call it a dust storm or a haboob, it n Whether you call it a dust storm or a haboob, it never stops feeling surreal. There’s something strangely beautiful about watching the desert remind you who’s really in charge. Seeing the sunset slowly disappear behind that wall of dust was one of those moments that makes Phoenix unlike anywhere else.

If you’re new here and this was your first one... welcome to the Valley 🌵
Every month, Scott and Debbie Jarson gather our gr Every month, Scott and Debbie Jarson gather our group for a lunch-and-learn. It’s a chance to hear from people who have spent decades shaping the way we think about architecture, design, and this city. I always leave inspired.

I still catch myself wondering how I ended up here. I get to help people through one of the biggest decisions of their lives, then spend my days wandering through remarkable homes, learning the stories behind them, and sharing why they matter.

The longer I live here, the more I realize Phoenix isn’t just a city that’s growing. It’s a city with layers, character, and history hiding in plain sight. It’s worth slowing down for. It’s worth protecting. And I’m grateful I get to play even a small role in helping preserve it for the generations that come next.
I couldn’t possibly fit everything about the his I couldn’t possibly fit everything about the history, stories, architecture, and people of this place into a three-minute video.

One of my favorite stories that didn’t make the cut involves the old Hotel Adams sign before the implosion. Legend has it that some of the lights went out, leaving it to read “Hot Dam” instead of “Hotel Adams.” But I was also told it may have been intentional, and if that’s true, it might be one of the all-time great moves. Imagine blowing up your own building but still having enough of a sense of humor to make sure the sign read Hot Dam as it came crashing down.

This won’t be my last visit to the Renaissance. I plan to spend more time exploring the hotel and sitting down with Rhonda to flip through her scrapbooks and hear what it’s been like watching the city change around her over the last 50 years.
In an era when we’re all so quick to reach for our phones, it was refreshing to sit at a bar, have a cocktail, and talk to the bartender.  Not make small talk. Actually talk.

Turns out the best stories in a hotel are usually found sitting on the other side of the bar.

Until then… enjoy the video. 

Huge shoutout to my talented friend @neilschwartzphoto for filming with me one of the days at the Renaissance. His shots really brought this video to another level, and I’m excited to see what else we can create.
Imagine taking a visitor around Phoenix and asking Imagine taking a visitor around Phoenix and asking them to point out what makes the city unique. Most of what they’d see was built in the last few decades. Places like the Emerson House are rare because they’re physical evidence that Phoenix had a history before the freeways, before the high-rises, before the endless growth. We spend millions of dollars building museums to tell stories. The Emerson House already tells one.

Please sign the petition in my bio as we’re running out of time. There’s a hearing tomorrow (Friday, June 19th) that could grant ASU approval for acquisition through eminent domain, and that’s a precedent that threatens the entire city.

Bonus info: Here’s a more detailed answer on the offer and potentially moving the house: "ASU offered to move the house."
At one point, that was part of the discussion, but it came with a a much lower offer! The current offer is $815,000 based on an appraisal commissioned by ASU, and it does not include moving the house. Relocating a 124-year-old historic home isn't as simple as putting it on a truck. You need a new lot, utilities, permits, site work, and the move itself. By the time everything is done, the cost easily exceeds a million dollars.
When Sun City opened on January 1, 1960, it became When Sun City opened on January 1, 1960, it became an overnight sensation. More than 100,000 people visited during the community’s first three days to see this new experiment in retirement living. Developed by Del Webb, the community offered modern homes for around $10,000, with air conditioning available as a $600 upgrade over the standard swamp cooler.

One thing that was important for me to highlight in this video was the architecture. If you follow mid-century design, you’re probably already familiar with the Schreiber brothers and their influence on mid century architecture in Phoenix and Scottsdale. But it’s impossible to separate the architecture from the larger vision. The emphasis on form and function, combined with Del Webb’s ambitious planning and marketing, helped create something much bigger than a subdivision in the desert.

If you live in Phoenix, I highly recommend making the trip out to the Sun Cities Area Historical Society museum and touring the original model home. Admission is just $5. Be sure to check their summer hours, and watch The Beginning on YouTube before you go. It adds a whole new layer of appreciation for both the house and the city that grew around it.
Shoutout to my friend @infinite.tone , who appears Shoutout to my friend @infinite.tone , who appears a few times throughout the video. He’s the one who really opened my eyes to the history of Asian Americans in Phoenix and their profound impact on shaping the city we know today.

I wish more physical reminders of the neighborhood still existed, but the absence of those places shouldn’t diminish the importance of the people, stories, and history that once made this area one of the heartbeats of Phoenix.

I had hoped to share this video earlier in the month in recognition of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, but work got busy and I didn’t want to rush it. Some stories deserve the extra time.

I hope you enjoyed the video, and I look forward to continuing to learn, explore, and share more of our city’s remarkable history with you.

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