Wondering how we compare to other Tucson area Realtors? We typically attain an averag of over 95% of list price for our sellers, while the Tucson sale to list price percentage is 88%. The harder we work= more $ in YOUR pocket!

Does it pay to remodel your home and recoup the cost? www.JBillings.LongRealty.com

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It is voting time people! Please vote... whoever you choose is better than not chosing anyone at all... so... GO VOTE TODAY!

Oro Valley home just reduced to $189,000

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Drug giant Roche, to bring 500 jobs to Oro Valley http://ping.fm/xhfom

Bank of America Halts Foreclosure Sales Nationwide!

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Do you believe it? Will we have this opportunity again in our life time? Stop questioning it, and start believing it. Call John or Megan at (520) 247-4459 with any questions

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NW Tucson Home located in The Villages of La Canada $195,000
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5 bed/ 5 bath home on University Blvd. $499,000
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New on the Market... http://ping.fm/Z04dm

The Wall Street Journal rebuttals recent negative headlines by offering 10 reasons to buy now... http://ping.fm/PmBYQ

Check out our new Oro Valley Featured Listing that comes completely furnished!
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7 In 10 Say It's A Good Time To Buy According to Inman News.com
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Real Estate Prices Expected to Fall in 2011

Here it is folks.  In plain English.  Not what the public wants to see, that is unless of course you are an investor, don't plan on selling your home for a few years, or unless you don't care what happens in the real estate market.  But, if you are like the rest of us... you do care.  So, it looks like we can expect to have another year of falling home prices. 

Investors, new home owners or anyone wanting to buy right now, this is clearly a killer time to be purchasing real estate.  Rates are low, home prices are low and expected to continue to fall, and if you can't get a conventional loan, many home owners are very willing to offer owner carry backs on their property.  So, call a Realtor and if your next home and investment could be around the corner. 

Beyond Bread is FINALLY coming up to Northwest Tucson! Opening Fall 2010 at the Southeast corner of Ina & Oracle (where Blockbuster used to be).

Great NW Tucson open house at 1621 W. Avenida de Maximillian TODAY. 3bd/2ba, newer pool, b-ball court, mountain views, on almost an acre for $229,000. Check it out TODAY!

Tucson Housing Statistics For: July 2010

Tucson Real Estate in A Minute
The overall market isn't really that bad.  Yes, we did see a decline in the number of homes sold for the month of July.  However, pending contracts are up 47.57% over last month's sales statistics.  And, the Tucson median home price has continued to hover around $150,000.  So, are things bad?  Well, they aren't good, but we are seeing some signs of stabilization... which is good. 
 
Although sales were slow in July, the overall US economic statistis show that our recovery is improving.  Locally, this indicates a lack of overall consumer confidence in real estate.  It would be lovely to see Tucson real estate buyers catch up with the overall US economic recovery.  Maybe Fall?  Guess we will have to wait and see how what the local sales statistics show.


How Are We Doing?
We don't share many other agents ho-hum attitude about the Tucson real estate market.  In fact, despite other agents clumsy sales during the summer, we continue to be a strong force in the market.  In fact, our business has seen a 70% increase over last year at this time, and we SOLD 4 of our listings in 2 days!  So, no.  July was not a bad month for us.  Without your continued business and referrals, we would not have seen this increase in our personal real estate business.  We thank you so, so much for your continues support and appreciate you passing our name along to your friends, family, and co-workers. 

A Note To Sellers...
Remember what your mother taught you... "Patience is a virtue."  Nothing could ring more true than right now.  But, if your home is correctly price from the starting line, then your home will most likely not go stale on the market and you won't have to be overly patient.  Taking a professional Realtors advice is going to be the absolute key to selling your home in a timely fashion.  And remember,  "Your home is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it."

KEY CURRENT MONTHLY STATISTICS
Key Prior Month Statistics: AUGUST 2010 Statistics 

Total Tucson Home Sales Units: 792
 Decreased 33.11% from July 2009
Decreased 32.31% from last month.

Total Tucson  Pending Sales: 1,703
 Increased 38.79% from July 2009
Increased 47.57% from last month.

Tucson Average Sale Price: $192,072
Down 8.87% from $210,767 in June 2009

Total Tucson Active Listings: 6,668
Up 9.76% from 6,075 in June of 2009

Total Tucson New Listings: 1,861 
Up 19 units from 1,842 in June of 2009
*************************************************************

Northwest Tucson Average Sale Price: $238,101
Down from $ 265,124 last month

Northwest Tucson Active Listings: 1,674
Down 71 units from last month

Northwest Tucson New Listings:  419
 Up 41 units from last month

*************************************************************

Catalina Foothills Average Sale Price:  $472,803
Up from $424,172 last month

Catalina Foothills Active Listings: 672
 Down 44 units from last month 

Catalina Foothills New Listings: 151
 Up 19 units from last month


CONCLUSIONS

Positive Market Indicators this month   Pending contacts are up 47.57% over last month.  So, there are plenty of sales in the pipeline.  We should see an increase in unit sales then for next month.  Active listings are also down 2.69% over last month.  

Negative Market Indicators this month Unit sales are down about 32.31% from last month.  New listings are also way up... in fact, 23.65% to be exact.  Although we would love to see less inventory, the overall feeling is that we still have a ways to go.
 
QUESTIONS ABOUT TUCSON HOUSING MARKET CONDITIONS?
Email John or call him today at (520) 247-4459

Thanks for Your Real Estate Business

THANK YOU, THANK YOU… for your business and referrals over the past 8 months. Our real estate business has increased 70% over last year at this time. In fact, we SOLD 4 of our listings just this past weekend! We appreciate you telling your friends, family, and co-workers about our trust worthy business practices in real estate. Tucson real estate was hit fairly hard with foreclosures and many people assumed this would deter people from buying and moving to the Tucson area. Boy, were they wrong! So, thanks again for keeping us in mind and sharing our name so that our business continues growing.

Mortgage Rates Drop Yet Again!

Mortgages tracked by Freddie Mac have dropped yet again, causing excitement with investors. This is a new low in records dating to 1971. Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.49 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week (ending August 5^th). This week's rate was down from 4.54 percent last week and 5.22 percent a year ago. You can read what Freddie Mac had to say in the results of its weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.95 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from 4 percent last week and 4.63 percent a year ago. That's a new low in records dating back to 1991, Freddie Mac said.

As far as ARMs are concerned (Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage) a 5 year averaged 3.63 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from 3.76 percent last week and 4.73 percent a year ago. That's a new low in records dating back to 2005.

One loan NOT setting records are 1 year ARMs (Treasury-indexed ARMs). These loans averaged 3.55 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from 3.64 percent last week and 4.78 percent a year ago.

These rates are for prime borrowers who are taking out loans with 20 percent down payments. Borrowers putting less than that down or borrowers who are taking out large or risky loans can expect to pay more.

INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED FROM INMAN NEWS. www.inman.com

Northwest Tucson Home

1621 W. Avenida de Maximillian

Tucson, AZ 85704

$249,000

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS OF THIS HOME

This Northwest Tucson home offers 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with 1,790 square feet of living. This well maintained and cared for Casas Adobes West home sits on a large private corner lot (.83 acres) with North/South orientation and mature vegetation everywhere. The great floor plan offers a separate living room, family room and dining area. The kitchen has abundant counter and cabinet space and has a sliding glass door leading out to pool area. The master bathroom has a newly tiled enclosure and tile floors. The backyard is very private and offers plenty of room to entertain and cool off in large pool. The roof was recoated July of 2010 and a new water heater was installed in July of 2010. The water softener and all appliances stay. In addition to the wonderful home, there is a 1/2 basketball court behind pool area! This Northwest Tucson home is located in the Amphitheater School District, with Donaldson Elementary and Cross Middle School right down the street. The home is in great shape and move-in ready! Only this home offers quiet Northwest Tucson living for under $250,000. Call with any questions or if you would like to set up an appointment to view the home. John (520) 247-4459 or JBillings@LongRealty.com

Tucson Area Sales Statistics

Have you wondered what this year's sales statistics vs. last year's sales statistics actually look like?  Well, here it is.  Here is the truth plain and simple.  The Tucson real estate market has been doing better than it did in 2009, with one exception... JUNE.  June just wasn't a pretty month.  It was hot, we had absolutely no rain, sellers were fairly stubborn in their home prices, and buyers were annoyed.  But fear not.  July has been a different month for everyone.

Once the MLS has produced its monthly Tucson area sales statistics for the month of July, we will post the updates.  So, stay tuned!

JUST LISTED- La Paloma Home

We have done it again! This is our 3^rd home listed this year in the community of Las Palomitas, located in the subdivision of La Paloma. On to getting it SOLD!
 John and I were homeowners in Las Palomitas and John was on the board for the community. We truly know the Catalina Foothills and La Paloma well. This is a very quiet, charming, and established community with large mesquite trees and palo verdes shading the homes and streets. Just a beautiful neighborhood to enjoy the Catalina Mountain views. Take a look at the home and if you are interested or know someone who might be, let us know. We are more than happy to give your further information about the home or if you would like, you can set up a time to view the home with us.

 4069 E. Via Del Buho

$319,000

3 bedroom

3 bathroom

1,575 square feet

Home backs up to common area

North facing backyard with clear views of the Catalina Mountains

Foreign Investors Flock to U.S. Housing Market

As the news is reporting, foreign real estate investors are heading to the U. S. to snap up cheap, inexpensive homes… in the hopes of selling them for a profit. Tucson, Arizona is seeing many of those foreign real estate investors making their mark, right here in our own city. In fact, NAR (National Association of Realtors) reports that roughly 28% of realtors have completed a real estate transaction with a foreign investor in the past year. Want to read more?

You can find the article in its entirety at HERE

Tucson Home Sales Statistics

KEY CURRENT MONTHLY STATISTICS
Key Prior Month Statistics: JUNE 2010 Statistics 

Total
Tucson
Home Sales Units:
1,170
 Increased 2.72% from June 2009
Decreased 7.87% from last month.


Total Tucson  Pending Sales: 1,145
 Decreased 20.04% from June 2009
Increased 18.90% from last month.

Tucson
Average Sale Price: $189,231
 Down 9.44% from $208,952 in June 2009 

Total
Tucson
Active Listings: 6,852
Up 9.44% from 6,261 in June of 2009

Total
Tucson
New Listings: 1,505
Down 387 units from 1,892 in June of 2009
**********************************************

Northwest Tucson Average Sale Price: $265,124
Up from $237,880 last month

Northwest Tucson Active Listings: 1,745
Up 9 units from last month

Northwest Tucson New Listings:  378
 Up 35 units from last month
************************************************

Catalina Foothills
Average Sale Price:  $424,172
Up from $404,201 last month

Catalina Foothills Active Listings: 716
 Down 12 units from last month 

Catalina Foothills New Listings: 132
 Down 73 units from last month


CONCLUSIONS

Positive Market Indicators this month   More buyers are out than last year.  In fact, year to date, 98.08% more homes have been sold than in 2009.  That is 3,114 more homes that have already been SOLD!  Pending contracts are up almost 19% over last month.  Compared with June of 2009, new listings have declined by 20.45%  And, 33% of homes sold in June sold in 30 days or less.  Great news! 

Negative Market Indicators this month Unit sales are down about 8% from last month.  Active listings are up 1.63% over May.  New listings are up slightly over last month by 2.87%.

QUESTIONS ABOUT TUCSON HOUSING MARKET CONDITIONS?
Email John or call him today at (520) 247-4459

* All statistics were obtained from the Tucson Association of Realtors June 2010 report *

Do You Qualify for a VA Mortgage?

The Veterans Administration created its own loan program in 1944, which became part of what is known as the GI Bill of Rights. This loan program was created to assist veterans of war become home owners. The program has become a success and has helped many of our clients purchase homes.

 

If you are a veteran, there are many benefits to using a VA loan.

BENEFITS

1. No down payment required
   
2. Closing costs must be paid by the seller
   
3. VA loans are insured by the government against default
   
4. No private mortgage insurance required
   
5. No prepayment penalties
   
6. Can apply for an "interest rate reduction loan" (which allows veterans to refinance to a lower rate with little or no out-of-pocket expenses)
   

WHO QUALIFIES FOR A VA MORTGAGE?

1. Active military personnel
   
2. Veterans
   
3. Reservists
   
4. Members of the National Guard
   
5. Unmarried spouses of a qualifying member of the armed forces who died as a result of serving in the military, who meet the following qualifications:
   

• Veterans must have served a minimum of 90 days during wartime in World War II, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam War. Peacetime service requires at least 181 continuous days of military service.
  
• Enlisted veterans who began their service after September 7, 1980, or officers who began their service after October 16, 1981, must have served at least two years.
  
• National Guard or Reservists need to have served a minimum of six years.
  
• No one who has been dishonorably discharged is eligible.
  

There are additional criteria for military personnel who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Speak with a lender about the specifics of a VA mortgage and any other mortgage you might be considering. If you have questions about a VA mortgage you can call us at (520) 247-4459 or E-Mail Us and we can provide you with a list of lenders who can assist with VA mortgages.

 

 

How to Sell Your Home in a Buyers Market

Let's face it. Everyone is complaining about "how bad the economy is", "how bad the stock market is", and how "bad the real estate market is." About the only people making any money around here just might be those investors who snatched up gold a few years ago when it was next to nothing. Or, maybe you are one of the lucky few who can still sell your home today and make a profit. To those of you, we say... Congratulations.

But, for many Tucson home sellers, there won't be any profit coming from the sale of their home. In fact, many Tucson home sellers are having to cough up money to pay off the bank just to close the transaction. In essence, they are paying for someone else to buy their home. In a buyer's market, a home seller MUST do the suggested tips below. Otherwise, they may find that their home is the one that sits on the market for months or even years. With that being said, here are a few tips on how to sell your home in a buyer's market.

1. Price. Price. Price. Did we mention price? This is the most important factor when selling your home in a buyer's market. Remember this, if you price your home at market value, approximately 60% of potential buyers will consider your home. On the other hand, if you price your home even 10% above market value, only 30% will consider your home. And if you price it 15% above market value, only 10% will consider your home. So, pricing your home according to the local and neighborhood markets is absolutely key.

2. Make your home available. Think this sounds crazy? Believe it or not, some Tucson home seller's restrict the hours and days that their home can be viewed. What happens if a Tucson home buyer is only in Town for a few days and can only view the home when that home seller says that they don't want showings? That Tucson home seller just lost a potential buyer. Don't restrict showing times... it is a turn off to Tucson home buyers. If you are a serious home seller, you will make your home available to view on the buyers schedule. After all, it is a buyers market.

3. Clean and de-clutter. Sounds easy enough, right? But, when you are living in your home on a day to day basis, you may not even realize that your home is cluttered. Invite a neighbor, friend, or your Realtor over and have them pretend that they are viewing your home for the first time. What would they be turned off by? And, if you are asking a friend... make sure they are honest and won't be shy about suggesting what needs cleaned up. Polite friends are always good, but sometimes you need that honesty. And don't forget to clean! No one likes to walk into a bathroom with hair around the sink or in the bathtub. So, clean it up!

4. Open Houses. Yes, these are considered "old fashioned" in the world of real estate, but we have sold many of our client's homes via open houses. So, if your agent suggests an open house, don't turn the opportunity down. OPEN HOUSES WORK.

5. Offer incentives. If your neighbor down the street is selling his house and it is the same exact model, same price, and similar features, you need to be creative about attracting buyers to your property over his. It is common in a buyers market for the home seller to pay for a closing costs, or throw in a car... SERIOUSLY! With your Realtor's help and creativity you should be able to come up with something.

Those are the 5 major tips on how to sell your home in a buyers market. We could go on forever, but in a gist, those are the major points. If you have questions or suggestions, let us know. We love feedback. Email us or give us a call.

Tucson Home: NEW ON MARKET

465 East Cambridge Drive

Tucson, AZ 85704

This Tucson home is found in the highly desirable Northwest Tucson neighborhood of Suffolk Hills, located in the Amphitheater School District.

Sitting on a premium lot, this Tucson home offers 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, with 2,153 square feet of living. The kitchen has been remodled with exquisite taste. The home cook will be more than satisfied with the kitchen's granite countertops, light maple cabinetry with roll out shelves, stainless steel appliances, plus a work island. Entertain guests in the casual family room or the formal living room. There is more than enough room for everyone. Saltillo tile adds Tucson charm to this home. Stepping outside, sit back and relax in the pool and enjoy those unobstructed Catalina mountain views with this Tucson home's north facing backyard.

We are priced to sell at $359,000. Please call John at (520) 247-4459 with any questions you may have or if you would like to set up a private showing.

MAY 2010 Statistics Are Now Posted

MAY 2010 Tucson Area Statistics

Summer Real Estate Trends in Tucson

Summer is almost here! Well, actually the official 1^st day of summer begins on Monday, June 21^st… but it feels like summer already. And, as summer approaches the days get a little longer and we all move a little slower. Not true for Tucson real estate!

Many Tucson homeowners (who are trying to sell their homes) say "Oh, I am going to take my home off of the market for summer because nothing sells in the summer." WHAT?! Who told these people real estate lies? This is NOT true. In fact, historically the Tucson real estate market sees a major increase in real estate sales. Don't believe us? Just look at the statistics. As you can see, 2010's real estate trends are proving to be hotter than last 2009's. So what do we say? BRING ON SUMMER.