January 31, 2007 by Donna Anderson.

For loan closings in 2007, the mortgage insurance premium will be tax deductible if the household adjusted gross income is 100K or less. The deductibility decreases by 10% for every 1K in annual income that exceeds 100K. This means that household incomes greater than 109K receive zero PMI deductibility. Congress is supposed to evaluate the law at the end of the year for a possible extension. This will compete with the popular way to avoid mortgage insurance by piggy-backing with a double loan–one with 80% loan -to -value and a second  loan to cover the remaining 20%.  This also means the second mortgage will usually will be at a higher rate.  If you qualify for this program, have your lender check both ways to see which one gives you a lower monthly payment.

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January 30, 2007 by Donna Anderson.

The prime Foothills zip codes of 85718 and 85750 with homes priced 325K-500K appreciated 8% last year.  However, there were 59% less number of sales and the average days on the market increased from 34 days to 43 days.  Also average list price to  final sales price became 97.50% versus 99.09% in 2005. I predict that the appreciation will continue in 2007 and the number of sales will increase as Sellers have become more realistic in the pricing of their houses for sale and buyers are feeling a sense of market stabilization.  Last year many Buyers feared if they purchased a home at that time, the properties could later depreciate; this feeling is much dissipated this year. In January, showings on listings have increased from last Fall and open houses are much better attended.  As interest rates go up, buyers also feel urgency not to wait any longer to purchase for fear the interest rates will continue to go up.

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January 27, 2007 by Donna Anderson.

While the number of sales decreased by 30%, the Foothills houses priced between $500,000 and 1 million continued to appreciate.  The  2006 cost per square foot in the 85750 zip code showed a 6% increase and the 85718 zip code showed a 8% increase over 2005.  The other surprising statistics were that it only took an average of 52 days in 2006 versus 44 days  in 2005 to sell a house in the 85750 zip code, and it only took an average of 49 days in 2006 versus 45 days in 2005 to sell a house in the 85718 zip code; revealing almost no change.  If your looking at making the best investment decision, purchasing in the Foothills proves to be the best place to invest in Pima County.

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January 26, 2007 by Donna Anderson.

Oro Valley only saw 14 homes sell over 1 million dollars in 2006; in 2005 there were 18 homes  that sold over one million.  The highest priced homes for both years  were found in Honey Bee Ridge for the 85737 zip code; the highest prices were $1,950,000 for 2005 and $1,562,500 for 2006.  In 2006 the 85755 zip code had an incredible $4,200,000 sale at LaCholla Air Park; this property was on over 16 acres and the new owner can fly to the homesite. In 2005 the 85755 zip code saw the highest sale come from Stone Canyon III at $1,443,915. The 85737 zip code really stayed pretty level as far as the average dollar per square foot goes from 2005 - 2006; however, the 85755 zip code saw approximately a 6% increase in the average dollar per square foot. The over 4 million dollar sale skewed the figures upward and it is probably safe to say that Oro Valley luxury homes just held their own as far as the final sales price is concerned from 2005 - 2006.

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January 26, 2007 by Donna Anderson.

Interestingly enough, houses over a million fared the best last year.  In fact the number of sales increased and these high-end houses appreciated! The two prime Foothills zip codes –85718 and 85750– proved to be the best investments.  Houses over a million in the 85718 zip code had a 18% increase in number of sales and the 85750 zip code had a 40% increase in the number of sales.  The average cost per square foot went up 9% in the 85718 zip code and went up 6% in the 85750  zip code. The average days on the market were a little longer, but really only went up to a little over 3 months, and this is not a long time when selling a high end home compared to the past.  Without a doubt, many people made huge gains in only a few years time and this appreciation is expected to continue in 2007.  In 2006 the highest price house in the 85718 zip code was located in Pima Canyon and it sold for $3,100,000; the year before Pima Canyon also had the highest price house and it was even higher, at $3,600.00. In 2006 the highest price house in the 85750 zip code was located in Ventana Canyon and it sold for $2,950,000; the highest price house in 2005 was located at Rattlesnake Canyon Estates and it was priced at $3,650,000–it has a remarkable 49.12 acre homesite.

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January 26, 2007 by Donna Anderson.

I started this blog in January 2007 to give my sphere of influence up -to -date information on the Tucson and Oro Valley luxury real estate market from my perspective. Please feel free to write to me with any of your questions, comments or observations.  I look forward to this new adventure and hope we can learn a lot from one another!

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