This past year, rising mortgage rates have slowed the red-hot housing market. Over the past nine months, we’ve seen fewer homes sold than the previous month as home price growth has slowed. All of this is due to the fact that the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has doubled this year, severely limiting homebuying power for consumers. And, this month, the average rate for financing a home briefly rose over 7% before coming back down into the high 6% range. But we’re starting to see a hint of what mortgage interest rates could look like next year. Inflation Is the Enemy of Long-Term Interest ..read more

On a large (just under 1/4 acre) corner lot in The Highlands at Dove Mountain sits this freshly renovated 2 bedroom, 2 bath + den. Front flagstone courtyard for morning coffee and chatting with neighbors on their morning walk, private backyard for intimate sunset dinners or a glass of wine in the spa to enjoy the views of the Tortolita Mountains. These expansive outdoor spaces make wonderful indoor/outdoor living year-round. Inside is well-appointed, clean and fresh. Enjoy all new lighting (all ceiling fixtures set on a dimmer to create ambiance.) New Tuxedo kitchen boasts farmhouse sink, glas ..read more

So you've decided that Tucson, Arizona is your destination and you are considering buying a home in an active adult community. And why not? With our mild winter temperatures, year-round golf and tennis are right in your backyard (among many other amenities). Tucson is one of the easiest cities to navigate and make new friends, as most people here are transplants from somewhere else. I'm just going to focus on 3 communities in the Northwest section of Tucson, better known as Oro Valley, Rancho Vistoso and Dove Mountain. Let's start with Sun City, founded in 1986 with 2,488 homes within the comm ..read more

Preparing your home before it hits the market is one of the most important things you can do to get top dollar for your home. Let's look at 10 ways to make your home truly shine! 1. Declutter!! Go through everything. Donate, give away, sell anything you no longer want/need. Pack up items you won't need during the sale (you have to pack them up anyway, get a head start.) The fewer items you have inside your home, the bigger and more spacious it will feel. 2. Do a thorough dusting...baseboards, ceiling fans, blinds, windowsills. 3. Wash windows and screens. 4. Organize your pantry and cabinets ..read more

As the heat of summer cools just a bit, so is our housing market here in Tucson, Arizona. We are seeing something we haven't seen in a while...PRICE REDUCTIONS!!! Is it because the market has dropped that much? It hasn't. This year, many people took their first vacation in 2 years. Some sellers don't want to believe the height of the market has passed us. It has. So there are many homes still priced too high, thus the price reductions. Many ask, is the market tanking? No! It's normalizing. It's becoming more of a balanced market but still remains a seller's market until you get into the 1.4 mi ..read more

There has been some discussion recently on home prices in relation to mortgage rates. Some believe if there is a rapid rise of mortgage rates, home prices should decrease. Logically it makes the most sense for the price of the house to drop when interest rates are rising, but this is not always the case. This theory of home prices decreasing is typically discussed by future home buyers. As a buyer you would like to think if you are paying higher rates on your mortgage, you should be able to see a decrease in cost somewhere else. Unfortunately, these rates are rising because the economy is in ..read more

I've honestly never met a person that didn't like Oro Valley. It's been my home for 21 years now and I love it more than ever. But don't take my word for it! I've comprised a list of pros and cons from people that live in the community, whether they've lived here 20 years or 6 months, here is what people are saying about Oro Valley. Let's start with the pros: - Welcoming community, easy to make friends. - Great active lifestyle community with plenty of hiking and biking. Did you know that Oro Valley trails are ranked as gold level by the American League of Bicyclists? Or that there are hundr ..read more

The season you sell your home can have an impact on how much you get for your home and how quickly it sells. The season that has the most success in selling homes is spring. This is a good time of year for families moving to new school districts and is also more convenient weather for moving. Because of this trend, most people will recommend waiting to list your home until after the winter is over. Avoiding the winter is a huge misconception in the housing industry and can cause homeowners to miss out on opportunities. Selling in the winter can give you a few advantages. There will be fewer h ..read more

It is easy to become overwhelmed when you enter the home buying market. Friends, family, colleagues, and even acquaintances will give you their opinions if you are a first time home buyer. While most of them are looking out for your best interest, they are not fully aware of what is happening in the housing market. It is important for you to be prepared and have your own questions ready. No matter what other opinions you are getting, you are the one buying the home and your comfort level will help make your final decision. Here are three important questions to ask before you purchase a home ..read more

Potential homebuyers are always cautioned to be aware of mortgage lending standards and the difficulty they might face when trying to obtain a mortgage. Credit availability is expanding, making it easier to get a mortgage now than it was a year ago. The market is still tight however, and homebuyers should be prepared to shop around until they find a lender who is offering something that will meet the needs of their family. Mortgage lending companies have high standards so it is important to make sure you and anyone else who will be included on the mortgage have their credit in check. The mort ..read more