Tucson Fests in October

October is by far my favorite month in Arizona.  “Good things come to those who wait.” And we do wait-by the middle of September Tucsonans have pretty much had it with the relentless heat.  We say things like, “I’ll be so glad when October gets here,” and, “It won’t be long…”  It’s magical the way the 1st of October usually brings a significant dip in temperatures.  We’re now enjoying low to mid 80’s by day and mid to low 50’s at night.  We can open the windows and let the fresh air in!  For those of us who live here year round, it’s time to start planning those camping and fishing trips, take a hike in Sabino Canyon, or drive up to Mount Lemmon to enjoy the beautiful golden aspens.  We just enjoyed a relaxing weekend of RVing, boating and fishing at Patagonia Lake State Park.
Snow birds will begin their annual return this month, bringing with them golf clubs, tennis rackets and a renewed interest in the community.
Here are just a few of my favorite fall activities taking place in Southern Arizona:
Fall Pumpkin Festival- Oct. 10-31, Apple Annie’s Produce and Pumpkins, Wilcox

Scarecrows in the Garden- Oct. 17-Nov. 30, Tucson Botanical Gardens

All Souls International Film Festival-Oct. 29, Loft Theater

Day of The Dead Alter-Oct. 30-Jan 5, Tucson Museum of Art

For more listings, go to www.visittucson.org on the web.

Denise McCreary

The Simple Life

According to a recent article in USA Today and AARP The Magazine, Tucson tops the list of the Best Places to Live a Simple Life.  Demographers used figures from the US Census Bureau and other sources in their evaluation.

From a list of 25, then pared down to 10, it was decided that Tucson was number one in terms of places one could live simply.  Here’s the list of the cities:

1. Tucson
2. Greenville, S.C
3. Montpelier, VT
4. Logan, Utah
5. Ames, Iowa
6. Northampton, Mass
7. Lexington/Fayette, KY.
8. Texas Hill Country
9. Oxford, Miss.
10. Walla Walla, Wash.

The demographers looked at affordability and low rates of unemployment, as well as factors including the ability to walk and bike.  Also included were the availability of “outdoor amenities”  such as farmer’s markets and hiking trails.  Visit the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau website to explore the many outdoor amenities we have to offer.

Another factor considered in the evaluation was the “stress index”.  This measure takes into account our low rates of suicide, crime, divorce and depression.

Great education played a role in the measure; a plus is the proximity to colleges and universities.  The fact that Tucson is home to University of Arizona helped boost our fair city to the top of the list.

We do enjoy an affordable lifestyle here in Tucson, as well as the many wonderful and diverse opportunities to enjoy our community. Residents rave about Tucson’s multicultural, melting pot feel.

Tucson’s Mayor Bob Walkup, self proclaimed “Mayor of Paradise” says he wasn’t surprised to hear his city was at the top of the list.  He believes we have the best quality of life in the country, adding that our temperate climate and low crime rate make it an ideal place to live.

It’s our abundance of sunshine that simply makes one feel good!

I invite you to check us out, investigate our affordable Tucson Real Estate and start enjoying Tucson Arizona.

Denise McCreary

Summer in the Desert

Summers in Tucson offer a different experience than what our visitors normally  find in the winter and spring.  Tourist  and winter visitor traffic falls off, making getting around town much quicker and easier.  Our resorts have been advertising “Staycations”, with bargain rates targeted at getting the locals to enjoy an easy weekend getaway.  The pace slows down and everything happens with regard to the heat of the day.  It’s sort of like the cabin fever you northerners experience in the dead of winter.  We tend to do our outside chores at sun up, wearing big hats and long sleeves for sun protection.

But in the midst of oppressive heat come  the monsoons–that glorious time of year when the clouds gather late in the day and the heavens bless us with spectacular rain storms and the fragrant smell of creosote bushes.  The creosote bush, or larrea tridentata, is native to the southern third of Arizona.  It’s a great example of a plant’s ability to adapt to tough conditions.  The creosote has small waxy resinous leaves which emit a wonderful pungeant aroma after a rain.  When I came to Tucson in the summer of 1986 I had never experienced the desert.  The smell of creosote in the rain became something that triggered that “ahhh” feeling in my brain.  It makes me happy;  it reminds me how much I love living in Tucson.  My friend Pam who spends the winters in Tucson sometimes sends creosote cuttings to friends with a note saying, “This is what the desert smells like.”

Come to Tucson– enjoy the summer monsoons and that fragrant freshness the rain brings!

Denise McCreary

May 2009 Tucson MLS Statistics

The Tucson real estate market seems to show continued improvement with inventories dropping once more to around 6,500—down 23% from the staggering 8,500 active listings of May 2008.  The median sale price increased 3.72% from April.  The average days on market is still around 85, a number we’d like to see come down.  Lastly, a quick look at a new statistical chart which compares the new listings to net pending sales is encouraging—since January, the former has been coming down while the latter is going up.  According to MLS president Kimberly Clifton, there are economists who say that 6 months  equals a trend.  For the entire MLS report, click here.

 Real estate is an attractive antidote to the venom of our present economic downturn.  Buyers should be encouraged to believe that if they are managing their present housing needs but want to make a move, they should not hesitate to do so.  Even if sellers are unable to realize the wonderful proceeds of yesteryear sales, there are compensating bargains in the market.  (No gain, maybe, but no pain either—and no real loss!)  Move up buyers have everything to gain in this market.  Although you may take a hit on your existing home, the savings you’ll gain in the purchase of a more expensive home is well worth it!  There are unbelievable bargains out there.

 And if you’re a first time homebuyer with good credit (which, by the way, is one who’s never owned a home OR someone who has not owned a home in the past 3 years) the best investment for you right now is real estate.  Take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit currently being offered by the Federal Government.  Watch this video for more information.  Pairing this opportunity with historically low interest rates makes right now an incredibly good (possibly the best!) time to invest in real estate.

I would be happy to help you or anyone you know to enjoy the benefits of home ownership.  I can help your friends buy and sell real estate in any state of the United States.  Call me today at 520-256-6731,  or visit my website.

Denise McCreary

Stay Cool In The Desert

My friends who live in more temperate areas of the country often ask me, “How can you stand the heat in the summer?”  I often respond, chuckling, with something like, “It’s really not THAT bad—it’s a dry heat.”  If you live here in Arizona you know what I mean.  (And Tucsonans are always at the ready to defend our precious Old Adobe.)   In the sun, in the middle of the day the heat is, well, searing.  But in the shade it’s quite bearable, even comfortable.  Here are a few things you can do to make the high and dry temperatures even more tolerable:  Create your own evaporative cooling by wearing a wet cloth around your neck…I know that sounds yucky, but it really works!  You can purchase one of these cooling devices at the drugstore.  It’s a neckerchief containing some kind of bead which, when wetted, retains moisture.  I keep mine in the fridge and take it with me when I know I’m going to be out in the heat (golfing, fishing, and gardening) for a long period of time.  Spray bottles filled with cool water offer another easy way to beat the heat outdoors.  You can buy these, again, at your local drugstore—I‘ve even seen some with little fans attached.  Lastly, to keep yourself hydrated, drink lots of water–before you are thirsty.

I love to play golf, and even though it’s hot in Tucson in the summer, the season has its advantages.  The snowbirds have gone home, so good tee times are available, as well as bargain green fees.  You can go to golfnow.com 24/7 to reserve and pay for tee times.  My husband, LJ, and I received a free round of golf at the new Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain course when we attended the Accenture Match Play in February.  We look forward to checking out the new links in one of Tucson’s newest luxury home communities.  You can review a couple of  luxury golf course properties, as well as other luxury homes on my website.

Tucson is a great place to enjoy year round–even when the temperature climbs to above 100 degrees.

Denise McCreary

Twenty Five Years…

My husband and I recently celebrated 25 years of (mostly!) wedded bliss.  Don’t misunderstand me; it hasn’t been a cakewalk, but our years of hard work have given us a great marriage and lifestyle together.  Our anniversary gave me an opportunity to reflect upon and appreciate the keys to what makes our wonderful relationship work so well.  These behaviors, if practiced regularly will have a positive effect on all of your relationships, personal or business.

1.  Take responsibility for yourself and your relationship(s).  Don’t play the blame game–ever. Even if you’re not the cause of something negative, acknowlege the fact that you are sorry for it’s impact on your relationship. 

2. Forgive each other.  A friend once pointed out to me the definition of FORGIVE: to give as before.  Forgive often and sincerely.

3. Don’t ever complain to another person about your spouse, friend, or partner.  If you’re around someone who starts complaining  about their spouse, try to change the subject or offer something positive. 

4. Encourage, encourage, encourage!  You will be profoundly blessed  by this.

5. Be happy!  Abraham Lincoln said,”People are just as happy as they make their minds up to be.”  Happiness is a choice; as trivial as this sounds, it starts with putting a smile on your face.  Try it!

6. Take time out for yourself.  Recharging your “batteries’ brings vitality to all of your relationships.

7. Be ongoingly grateful and acknowlege what you appreciate in each other.

8. Play together and enjoy each other.  LJ and I just returned from a two week road trip to celebrate our anniversary.  We had a blast just being together.

9. Be honest with each other.  Keeping secrets is like putting a road block between you and your spouse.  “Oh what a terrible web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.”  Sometimes telling the truth can be risky, but hiding the truth for a lifetime can be deadly.

10. Share your relationship and what’s good about it with others.  People want to be around those who are happy and prospering. 

So much has happened in these past 25 years.  We’ve had several recessions and housing downturns followed by periods of incredible prosperity.  Knowing this is what keeps me optimistic about the future of our Tucson Real Estate Market.  I’ve been blessed with so many wonderful clients in my real estate business. LJ and I have built a successful custom homebuilding company, McCreary Homes, in buisness since 1988.  We’ve raised 2 wonderful kids, Abby and Connor, and made a place in our home for LJ’s mom, Erma, now 91 years old.

Life continues to be good, simply because we say so.

Denise McCreary

Denise’s Home Buying Tip #2

The Mortgage process-What NOT to do:

Mortgage rates are at an all time low.  With interest rates in t he low to mid 4%, you’d think buyers would be flooding the market.  Although the real estate market in Tucson does seem to be leveling off, buyers who are in the process of buying a home need to avoid doing anything that could jeopordize the loan approval process.  Gary Keller, in his book, “Shift” makes the following recommendations:

1. Don’t change your employment status

2. Don’t make any major purchases (cars, furniture, home  theater, vacations, etc.)

3. Don’t increase your credit card debt or miss any payments.

4. Don’t change bank accounts or make undisclosed large deposits.

5.Don’t apply for a credit card, co-sign a loan or make a credit inquiry.

6. Don’t spend money you have set aside for closing –not any, not ever.

7. Don’t delay in providing all paperwork asked for by the mortgage company.

I realize many potential homebuyers are concerned about how the economy can affect their ability to buy a home.  Just remember that homeownership is a long term investment in your future, and one of the most important ones you can make. There is a “Buyer Strength” phenomenon occurring right now which is driven by historically low interest rates and a large inventory of affordably priced homes on the market.

These days, many families who aspire to become homeowners are taking a “wait-and-see” approach, trying to buy at the “bottom” of the market. The problem with trying to time the market is that you can’t time the market. Again, conditions in our Tucson Real Estate Market, Luxury or otherwise, today are very favorable for home buyers; housing affordability has improved, and mortgage rates are, again, near historic lows.

It’s time for Tucson Homebuyers to get off the fence and take advantage of the fantastic real estate opportunities available today.

Denise McCreary

Why I Love Tucson- The Beauty of Spring Part 2

Springtime in the desert is so spectacular!  Wildflowers burst forth with color, including several varieties of penstemon, lupine, and african daisy.  Acacia and palo verde trees are heavy with yellow flowers.  Last  week  I enjoyed a trail ride in Bear Canyon with a friend.  Skies were blue, the air was clear, and the streams were running.  We remarked over and over to each other how beautiful the scenery was and how grateful we are to live in such an awe-inspiring place.

If you are fortunate enough to live here in Tucson, take advantage of this wonderful time of year and spend time in the great outdoors.  Temperatures are typically in the 70’s; perfect weather for walking, hiking, biking, golfing, tennis, or just gazing at a mountain view.

If you aren’t one of the lucky desert dwellers, make plans to visit, or better yet, purhase a home and relocate!  Tucson’s real estate market is full of opportunities right now, and spring is the perfect time of year.

Denise McCreary

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Co-Starring Jester

Enjoy my very first video: Real Estate Buzz #1, co-starring my old guy pug friend, Jester.

Did I mention that this is a great time to buy real estate in Tucson?

My view from my back patio–Loving life in Tucson, Arizona!

Denise McCreary

Denise’s Home Selling Tip #2

What NOT to do…

I have been in contact with an acquaintance who had acquired the job of acting as trustee in the sale of a friend’s home.  The friend had passed on and was survived by 2 adult children, one of whom was living in the home.  The home is in a decent central foothills neighborhood.  There are luxury neighborhoods within the vicinity.  It was adapted for the handicapped and has a pool.  The home has a mortgage, and the surviving children can’t afford to make the payments, so selling it is a necessity.  My friend had contacted me and asked me provide some comps, so naturally I began to assume that I would be hired as the agent to sell the home.  I provided the information and followed up.

The trustee decided, because it was necessary to net the most from the sale of the home, to list it with a discount brokerage and price it nearly $30,000 above market.  The firm it’s listed with is merely a website and MLS listing service.  It has a contractor’s lockbox instead of an MLS lockbox for entry, requiring any agent to show it to call the trustee for the code.   

As if this scenario weren’t bad enough, recent statistic reveal there are currently 33 months of inventory in the home’s zip code area.

This home has been on the market (so far) for 90 days

Denise