Stormy Sunset - Starr Pass Residences Tucson - 08/31/10 11:54 PM
If you live in the Starr Pass Residences of Tucson, you know one of the perks of owning a home here is a great setting for spectacular sunsets.  Located on the west side of the metro, cradled by hills studded with saguaros, the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort anchors this community of single family homes, condos and casitas.

Rated as one of the world's best spa resorts by the Conde Nast Traveler, Fodor's & other noteworthy guides, the Starr Pass Resort also serves as an intersting backdrop for sunsets - especially on a stormy night like this one.
Owning a home … (7 comments)

Helping Clients Re-Home Pets - 08/29/10 09:17 PM
There is so much focus on how foreclosure affects people and communities, we often forget those who can't speak for themselves - our pets.
Thanks to Emmary Nicholson in Las Cruces, New Mexico for finding a good resource to help with our *other loved ones* who are just as important in our lives.
 
Via Emmary Nicholson:
Over the last week, on my intraweb email, there have been quite a few realtors looking to help their clients rehome pets.  I can't imagine having to do that.  My girl, Belle, is everything to me.  Personally, I'd live in my car before giving her up.
… (3 comments)

First Photos From RainCamp Prescott - 08/26/10 12:30 PM
Hopefully these are the first photos posted from RainCamp Prescott - Mike Jones & I met up about 4 AM today for the easy drive up to northern Arizona together.
As we pulled into Prescott, we spied quite a few intriguing photo opportunities - and took a short detour to take advantage of them.  I'll let Mike share the best shots - since he had the luxury of the passenger seat!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The location for RainCamp is the Prescott Resort & Conference Center situated on a ridge high up above the … (11 comments)

Short Sale Listing "Pretenders" outed by real data - 08/25/10 10:22 PM
If you're considering doing a short sale...PLEASE DON'T GET SUCKERED by the loudest huckster - they're probably lying through their teeth.
Short sales are a serious matter, and should be handled by someone who is experienced, trustworthy and can back it up.  I am not someone who lists short sales as a part of my practice - but I regularly refer people to a select few agents who do.
Smoke & mirrors are great for magic acts...but they have no place in real estate.
Via Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers, REALTORS® (Haven Express @ Show Appeal Realty):
One unfortunate phenomenon of the … (4 comments)

Mercado District - Tucson's Downtown Green Community - 08/24/10 08:12 PM
Downtown Tucson is experiencing a rebirth.  One of the newest developments is located on the actual birthplace of Tucson itself - with streets following the routes of the first canals in the area.
The Mercado District of Menlo Park is a truly unique community - setting the standard for sustainability and livability in the region.  All of the custom builders in The Mercado use differing Green construction methods to achieve high-performance standards while providing a peaceful environment of privacy within a vibrant community. 
 
 
Live/work opportunities are a part of the unique character of The Mercado - much like the … (3 comments)

Philadelphia Blog Tax - Showing No Bloggerly Love? Or Catching Up? - 08/24/10 10:42 AM
This morning I read that Philadelphia is charging bloggers a business privelege fee just like anyone else doing business in the city - which is $300 + taxes on the income.  My first thought was along the lines of, "Where will the taxation STOP?"
After a bit, I started wondering if we bloggers have enjoyed a business privelege without paying the price that other businesses pay as a normal course of responsibility.  Many people get a decent amount of income from their blogs - affiliate marketing can produce a good income stream for some, others like myself generate income indirectly as … (7 comments)

Another Satisfied Buyer of University Property In Tucson - Testimonial - 08/19/10 05:08 PM
University property in Tucson has traditionally been very popular for investors and parents of students attending the University of Arizona.  Benefiting from the proximity to campus and the ready supply of renters and buyers, the value of these properties has held up better than the overall real estate market the past few years - see this article.
This area in the Tucson real estate market is one that I enjoy concentrating on, not only because of the business, but the vitality of the people and the variety of styles, architecture and property types near the University.  Recently, I represented a couple … (4 comments)

Newest Discrimination: PREGNANCY and Your Mortgage App - 08/14/10 12:07 PM
Sure, the process of getting a mortgage has gotten stricter in the past few years...but this kind of questioning is not only immoral & unethical, but ILLEGAL.
If you are buying a home in Tucson, Las Cruces (or anywhere else) - if you get this kind of question from a lender, walk out immediately.  There are plenty of other lenders in the market.
Tell your REALTOR®, and file a complaint.  This kind of practice cannot be allowed to flourish in the darkness of silence.
Via Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate:
I closed on a house today where the … (3 comments)

Rip Van Winkle Buys A Home In Tucson (T.R.E.S. Episode 6) - 08/12/10 04:40 PM
So - is it a good time to buy a home in Tucson?  Rip Van Winkle took another nap...for 5 years...see what he found out!
 
Things have changed dramatically in the Tucson Real Estate Market in the past five years.  Prices have come down considerably, and - get this - interest rates are incredibly low.
The past several years have seen artificially inflated highs, so inflated that the economy of the United States suffered a severe downturn when the "bubble" burst in the Sand States of Arizona, Nevada, California and Florida.  This was a serious contributing factor to the near … (7 comments)

Bill H.R. 5981 passes - FHA Mortgages to increase it's annual mortgage insurance premium - 08/06/10 02:37 PM
Jeff Belonger is acknowledged as one of the nation's top experts on FHA lending.  If you are considering using an FHA loan to purchase a home in Tucson (or anywhere else), please read this post to help understand where some of the costs involved are coming from.
Thank you for sharing this, Jeff!
 
Via Jeff Belonger-The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans ( - FHA Home Loans - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc):

FHA first proposed the monthly mortgage insurance changes in the beginning of 2010. Bill H.R. 5981 was first passed … (3 comments)

 

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