January 26, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

I am the first to tell you all real estate is local, but still thought it encouraging that the national resale home sales stats showed a 6.5% increase for December over November of last year.  Also the  national resale housing inventory dropped, even though home sales were 13% lower in 2008 than 2007.

As a result, the horrible economic news of 50,000 jobs lost today was countered by the much more positive housing stats, so the Dow actually gained about a half a percent.

Predictions are tough. Certainly great deals on houses can be had and I know 5 years from now many will be telling themselves, “If only we had bought in 2009.” Sometimes it is hard to leap when there is so much dire economic news.

As far as selling in the Tucson luxury resale housing market goes, I can tell you I have sold in a worse market in the MD-DC area in the mid 1990s. Therefore, after putting it all in perceptive, I know better times are coming and that housing will always see its ups and downs.

Tucson remains a great place to live: It offers mountain and desert beauty that is unsurpassed; pristine air with clear skies to witness the constellations; and a climate that is hard to beat. I can tell you that even in the summer when many escape the heat, I prefer it to the hot and high humidity summer days in MD.  And remember the summer mornings and evenings in the desert see a big decrease in temperatures.

Tucson remains to me as one of the best places in the world to call home!

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January 18, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

I have sold the most expensive home  in Pima County so far for 2009. It is located in gated Sabino Mountain, the community in which I live at 4207 N Sabino Mountain Drive. This gorgeous, ridgetop home that is almost 4000 square feet and was built in 2003 sold for $1,250,000.

Another home that was bank- owned in Dove Mountain sold for a little more than $100,000 less.

 These two represent the only homes that have been multiple-listed that sold for over 1 million in Pima County so far this year.

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January 17, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

It is with heartfelt gratitude to the American people that I thank my fellow Americans who elected Obama to become our President.  As I watched TV today and saw him in Baltimore MD, which is only 25 miles away from a place I lived for 25 years - Columbia, MD., I wished I was part of the crowd. I truly believe he will do what it takes to slowly move the housing market around. He will continue to inspire many.  I have learned to never give up hope on the American people and this is what President Clinton was forever telling us: America is so capable to stepping up to the plate. I knew some day in the future we would have a minority President and a woman President, but I did not expect it this soon. I had a feeling Obama would select Hillary Clinton to be Secretary of State while everyone around me said I was nuts. I knew Obama was not a small man and although she was a very ardent opponent, he knew she was the best one for the job. I applaude him and the American people for a job well done! A great day is coming next Tuesday!

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January 10, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

Interest rates have dropped below 5% again to 4.875% for 30 year fixed mortgages up to 417K. This is a great opportunity to purchase a home since  interest rates are at an all time low and there is a good selection of housing inventory to chose from. 

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January 7, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

There is no doubt that in 2009 opportunity knocks for buyers. Now you can get into luxurious La Paloma and only pay in the $300,000s for a small patio home; or if that does not suit your fancy, you can buy a small home in Ventana Canyon in the $400,000s.  Sabino Mountain even has a home listed in the high $300,000s; albeit, it is a foreclosure, but it is almost 3,000 square feet and has a small pool.

Jumbo interest rates (over 417K) are now obtainable in the high 5%s. Who would have thought that would come to be? Of course, high credit scores; usually 20% downpayment, etc. applies, although in rare cases jumbo loans 600K or under are approved with only 10% down.  Conforming interest rates (under 417K) are hovering around 5% and may go even lower.  So like the much lower gas prices we have seen in the last 4 months, interest rates are lower than ever imagined a year ago.

 Opportunity knocks; call me at 520-918-2410 if you want to see all the best deals that the Luxury Tucson Foothills Real Estate has to offer.

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