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

September 2009 Tucson MLS Statistics

Active listings continue to go down, a trend we’ve been experiencing all year.  We anticipate this trend to continue into October and November as first time home buyers take advantage of the tax credit.

Here are the highlights from the 3^rd Quarter Summary:

• Total unit sales up 39.48% over 1^st Qtr
• Average median sales price down 1.71% over 1^st Qtr
• Average sales price down 3.80% over 1^st Qtr
• Average active listings down 19.99$% over 1^st Qtr
• Average days on market slightly down with YTD average 80 days
• Pending contracts up 4.63% over last month
• Pending contracts increased 9/08 to 9/08 59.45%

Click here for the full report, including comprehensive charts and graphs.  If you are considering selling your home at this time, I’d suggest looking at the Active/Sold by Zip Code chart at the bottom of page 2.  This is telling, in that you can calculate months of inventory by dividing #Active by #Sold.  For example, in the 85712 zip code there were 158 active listings and only 19 sold in September.  19 into 158 equals a little over 8 months of inventory.  19 divided by 158 equals 12 (%) of the inventory sold in a month.  If you want your home to sell quickly, you will need to price, market and stage it so that it will beat the competition.  How can you position your home to be in the small percentage of homes sold versus the larger group of unsold properties?

Denise McCreary

Housing Up!

Media sources report today that new home sales rose an historic 11%–the largest increase in 8 years.  Buyers took advantage of  low interest rates, bargain prices, and the first time homebuyer tax credits.  Some economists are saying that the worst of the recession is behind us.  Is it possible that these two bits of good news could cause the public to finally rally the housing market?  Although shares of big builders soared with the news, continued falling prices may prevent big profits to these companies in the near future. 

Reporting on the existing home market, the National Association of Realtors reports that sales are up again 3.6% in June.  Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist is hopeful about the gain.  This trend mirrors ours here in the Tucson Real Estate Market, with inventories dropping and prices declining less sharply.  Read my post here for the full market report.

What does this mean for Tucsonans?  Buyers, you are on top!  In the Luxury market, I’ve found many great deals to be found in the Foothills areas.  I conducted a search for Short Sales in the Foothills and found more than a dozen good listings between $500,000 and $700,000.  If  you are in a position to move up there has NEVER been a better time to purchase your dream home than right now. 

Denise McCreary

June 2009 Tucson MLS Statistics

June closed out the first half of 2009 breaking records for the year!  Home sales volume was up over May by 14.63%, average sales price was up by 3.06%, pending contracts were up by 9.98%, and home sale units were up by 11.23%.

 With the first 6 months of 2009 behind us we can now take a realistic view of the absorption of inventory which has moved in a positive direction with June pushing that number up to 22.9%. Even though we have a long way to go, these numbers show a positive sign.

 Activity by zip codes shows us that 85718 continues to have the highest number of active listings at 415 with 85750 taking second at 323.  There are many good deals to be had in these areas.

 All in all, we’re looking forward to the second half of 2009 with high hopes of the continued trend of recovery in Tucson’s Real Estate Market.

 First time home buyers have an unprecedented opportunity for three reasons:

• The $8,000 Federal Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers (including those who have not owned a home for 3 years)
• Historically low interest rates
• An abundance of relatively low priced listings (the Tucson Real Estate Market currently has over 2,700 active listings priced under $200,000!)

There are opportunities for Luxury Home buyers as well in that there are over 1,000 active listings priced at $500,000 and above.

You can read the full report here.  Make the decision to participate in the American Dream and enjoy the benefits of home ownership.

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 McCreary Earns National Luxury Homes Designation

This month I earned the Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS) Designation from the Luxury Home Council.

The Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS) Logo is testimony to the agent’s training and expertise in the luxury home marketplace.  To display the ALHS logo and be accepted into the Luxury Home Council, I successfully completed the Accredited Luxury Home Specialist Course, represented a buyer or seller in at least two transactions where the purchase price is at least twice the average sales price and am in good standing with the National Association of Realtors.

Luxury Home Council Members receive numerous benefits to assist in marketing and selling upscale properties.  Advantages of membership include access to the members only section of www.LuxuryHomeCouncil.com and www.LuxuryHomesAndProperties.com to market luxury listings, a subscription to The Luxury Home Expert, a monthly online magazine, discounts on products and services, access to RealtyU Alumni Association and the ALHS Database for networking and referral opportunities.

I’m excited to join this elite membership of top real estate agents throughout the United States.  Members must subscribe to a dedication like no others.  We strive to provide exceptional service to affluent clients through rigorous education focusing on the Luxury Home Market, specifically Tucson Luxury Homes, and their understanding of the special demands of affluent buyers and sellers.

Denise

Happy Independence Day!

In Wisconsin with my family celebrating the 4th of July weekend. Experiencing beautiful midwest weather–a nice break from the 100+ temperatures of Tucson.  (Although I am looking forward to our monsoon season, one of my favorite times of year.)  While enjoying each other’s company, barbeques, sparklers, and firework displays, we took the time to reflect on our American heritage, freedom and independence, which should never be taken for granted.  Enjoy the weekend, be safe, and don’t forget to give thanks for the founding fathers and their contribution to our incredible United States of America.  And above all, pray for and acknowledge the young men and women in service to our country who are working day and night, under sometimes brutal conditions, to ensure the safety and freedoms we so dearly cherish.

Denise