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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