December 21, 2008 by Donna Anderson.

A. F. Sterling has done a wonderful job on building the small  gated community next to La Paloma  Golf Course at Paloma Ridge. The standard features are long: brick paver driveways, alder front doors, granite counter tops, 2 x 6 construction, some ceramic floors, and the list goes on. Surprisingly enough they have one gorgeous lot available with a 60K lot premium that backs to the desert open space and has a high Catalina Mountain view. This location at the epicenter of the Foothills could not be better. This is the only new construction in a prime foothills location with prices starting in the $400,000s. Give me a call at 520-918-2410 if you would like me to show you this gorgeous community.

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December 19, 2008 by Donna Anderson.

This is the lowest I have ever seen interest rates and I have been selling real estate forever! Wow! With so many good deals out there in the Tucson Foothills, 2009 is assured to be a year where home sales pick up dramatically. Finally, some relief for home Sellers! I predict 2009 will surpass 2008 in the number of home sales and will be equivalent to 2007.  What a great time to buy!

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December 14, 2008 by Donna Anderson.

With interest rates at 5 1/4% with 0 points and 4.875% with one point, many Buyers are seriously looking even though Christmas is only  11 days away. (These are conforming rates for 30 year fixed loans up to 417K).

In the past few weeks I have sold two houses and I do think the lower interest rates has made it a more attractive time for them to buy.  I have never seen rates below 5% and I have been selling real estate for 25 years.

The housing inventory offers a great selection of homes in all price ranges. This certainly is the best time to buy that I have seen in many years. Give me a call at 520-615-2598 if you would like to explore the market.

Happy Holidays!

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December 2, 2008 by Donna Anderson.

As many of you are planning on visiting Sunny Tucson this Winter, let me tell you this year we have not turned the heat on yet.  When we wake up in the AM, our bedroom thermostat registers 71 degrees, so no need to turn the gas heat on yet!

The night time and early AM temperatures are usually low–in the 40s or 50s, so in past years, by December 1st, the heat kicks on at night, but not this year!  November was unusually warmer than usual with most days getting up to the 80s, which is just gorgeous considering we have very low humidity.

Tucson has has glorious climate. What a great place to live! Today it will get up to the mid 70s!

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December 2, 2008 by Donna Anderson.

Conforming , 30 year fixed interest rates have dropped to the 5 year low of 5.5 % with no points and no origination fee.  This is for loans up to 417K.

 Keep in mind the high limits of FHA financing in Pima County of $316,250  go down to $271,050 on January 1st. Also as of January 1st one choosing this loan program must increase the downpayment from 3% to 3.5%.  FHA loans do not have roof limitations on salaries; therefore, a high salaried person can still qualify for FHA. To obtain this financing usually you can have no other FHA loan outstanding  and the home being financed must be your primary residence. This is the best program out there for low down-payment, and FHA loans are usually easier to qualify for than conventional loans. The only program that is more aggressive is VA which is open to Veterans, so much fewer people qualify. Contact me to get you in touch with an excellent loan officier. I am not in the mortgage business, but just keep up with this to better advise my clients.

 This is a great time to buy.  Give me a call at 520-615-2598 to explore the housing market.

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December 2, 2008 by Donna Anderson.

Remember that Open Enrollment for Catalina Foothills - District 16 Schools has begun.  This year you can get an application on-line at www.cfsd16.org or call  520-209-7500.  Their website has many questions answered regarding open enrollment policy.  Many families on the fringes of the District 16 - Catalina Foothills school boundaries take advantage of open enrollment since Catalina Foothills - District 16 schools usually have higher test scores and smaller classes. They offer Spanish daily and have an extensive art and music program that usually is less extensive than the larger TUSD school district that surrounds it.  Additionally, Catalina Foothills School District  has voted affirmatively on the  override; this year TUSD voters declined to fund the override. However, so far bus service is not offered to children travelling outside the school district.

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November 20, 2008 by Donna Anderson.

Effective January 1, 2009 current FHA loan limits which have been $316,250 have been reduced to $271,050 and the required down payment has been increased from 3% to 3.5%.  Therefore, if you qualify, you can purchase a home for up to $279,400 with as little as 3.5% down on January 1, 2009, but you can buy a more expensive home with less downpayment now.  If you purchase a home soon, you could buy up to $325,000 with only 3% downpayment.  FHA financing is one of the most lenient mortgage qualifiers , with the only program that might be even more lenient being VA financing. Some primary qualifiers for an FHA loan are: One can not own another home with FHA financing at the present time (usually), and the home must be your primary residence.  Even folks with high incomes can qualify.  Give me a call at 520-615-2598 to start your home search.  

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November 5, 2008 by Donna Anderson.

Pima County (Tucson and surrounding area) voted 52.4% for Obama and 46.4% for McCain.  Gambrielle Giffords kept her junior House of Representatives’ seat although the Republican, Tim Bee, fought hard.

I am very hopeful for my country and believe these election results will give many who before felt excluded, hope.  There will be many more minority kids saying, “When I grow up I want to be President.”  Whether you are Democrat or Republican you should celebrate this historic moment! What a proud day for America! John McCain is congratulated for giving an inspiring departing speech. He certainly will continue to do a great job for Arizona while representing us in the Senate. 

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November 4, 2008 by Donna Anderson.

The Arizona Daily Star had an article today stating that resorts have great deals that usually stop on November 1st when prime season begins.  It mentions such great deals as Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort at rates starting as low as $119 a night; this setting is gorgeous and it backs to the high Pusch Ridge of the Santa Catalinas; it is less than 20 minutes from the epicenter of the Foothills restaurants, shopping, etc.   Loew’s Ventana Canyon Resort has rates as low as $149. per night and this is is one of the nicest Foothills’ settings– right in the heart of hiking trails, Sabino Canyon, shopping, spas and restaurants.  It also mentions great rates at Westwood Look Resort that had a recent, huge renovation and offers a glorious setting amongst the Sonoran Desert with views of City Lights and the Santa Catalinas and Westin LaPaloma which is many peoples’ favorite because of its prime location, its spectacular setting and its fantastic service.  Come to Tucson!!!!!!!!!It is heaven on Earth!!!!!!! 

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November 3, 2008 by Donna Anderson.

This Sunday’s edition of the Tucson local newspaper that I subscribe to– the Arizona Daily Star– supports Barack Obama for President.  “Obama brings deep intellectual curiosity, equanimity and discipline”.

I support Barack Obama, too. He has the best prescription to bring the world and our country together. We need an inspiring leader who is the antithesis of George W Bush.

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