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Tucson Santa Fe home

March 27, 2008 By Administrator Leave a Comment

 

Tucson Santa Fe homes are often an enigma for the out of town Buyer.

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Many people that come from other parts of the country  have never seen the flat roof homes with characteristic wood beam ceilings , and kiva fireplaces that are built in and around the Tucson area.

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However  to clarify a much asked question, the roofs are not flat, and are pitched to allow water to drain from the roof parapet walls and onto the ground below.

If well maintained by the owner, the roofs are no more work than a regular pitched roof in Tucson.

Many are coasted with an an elastomeric paint which can be maintained by a qualified roofing company, or by the home owner if proficient.

The true Tucson Santa Fe home will have wood poles protruding from the outside of the home, and will have interior viga beam ceilings.

The home will also be a series of rectangles as opposed to the curved and contemporary formay of other homes. Many have rustic qualities, and stained concrete flooring is very popular.

They will also have a Kiva fireplace inside the home. adn some have many in the living rooms and bedrooms.

Viga Beams are available for sale from Clay Mine Adobe  who have a vast knowledge in building Southwestern homes.

Many Tucson Santa fe homes will also have Courtyards and Portals,  and will have an entryway that will be arched or square with a lintel over the entry and either iron or wood gates to enclose the area. Some will have wood lintels over the windows as well.

In Tucson, it is common for strings of chilli peppers to be hung  on either side of the doorway.

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The rustic quality of these homes is sometimes enhanced by alder interior doors and kitchen and bathroom cabinetry which is truly beautiful.

 

 

Filed Under: Tucson Real Estate Blog Tagged With: kiva fireplaces, tucson kiva fireplace, tucson new homes, tucson santa fe, tucson santa fe homes, viga beams

Tucson Real Estate Market News for February shows signs of change

March 25, 2008 By Administrator Leave a Comment

Tucson Real Estate Market is slowly improving.

The 2008 Tucson Real Estate market is slowly improving! 

Real Estate is always " Local", and we have excellent news from HUD in Tucson  that the limits for an FHA loan in Pima County have been raised from $239,850 to $316,250 on a  single family residence with a 3% down payment. This is a much better increase than was anticipated and with our current inventory of 6,534 homes currently on the market priced under $327,000 it is going to open up a new level  Buyer and Seller  opportunities.

 

Tucson home sales volume and unit sales are however  down from February 2007, but the numbers are up  from January 2008 by over17 % for Home Sales Volume and 19.52% for Home Sale Units. The Average Sales Price for a home has increased 1.01% over last year in  February 2007 from $259,516 to $262,155 in February 2008. The Median sales price has decreased from February 2007 from $219,500 to $199,900 for February 2008. This is slightly down from January 2008 which was $205,450.

The amount of pending contracts increased to 1,317 February 2008, an increase of 20.38% over the February 2007 count of 1,094. Another significant factor is that our active listings have decreased 6.89% from 9,847 in 2007 to 9,168 in 2008. Active listing numbers, and are ironically the same as January 2008 at 9,168, but differ in price range categories. New listings in 2008 increased from 2,376 in ’07 to 2,432 in 2008, an increase of 2.35%.

February has started to pave the way for a positive 2008 real estate market, and Tucson is looking forward to the rest of 2008 with the new opportunities for financing that have become available with the new limits for FHA.

Filed Under: Tucson Real Estate Blog Tagged With: tucson FHA limits, tucson home prices, tucson mortgage financing, Tucson Real Estate Market, Tucson Real Estate News

Ritz Carlton Marana Arizona announces the opening of New Luxury Homes in Dove Mountain

March 16, 2008 By Administrator Leave a Comment

Ritz Carlton in Marana Arizona has announced the opening pricing of the Residences in Dove Mountain.

 

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The Ritz Carlton Resort has released the Master plan, floor plans and Elevations for its new luxury homes community called the Residences in Dove Mountain Marana Az.

The Residences at the Rita Carlton Resort Development will comprise three individual areas with luxury land lots ranging in size from a quarter of an acre to over 6 acres and will range in price from zero lot premiums to over $1,800,000 for the most spectacular Ridge top lot in the Development overlooking the new Jack Nickaus designed golf course.

The areas within the Development will be called the Amolillo, the Seven Saguaros and Ridgepoint Ridge, and lots sized will range in price and size according to the area locations.

The Ritz Carlton has a reputation for provding impaccabel serive and will provide services that will include Landscaping and Pool Care, 24 Hour In-home Dining, Housekeeping, Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service, Catering and Valet,and Pre-arrival and Post-departure Services.

The new luxury homes at the Ritz Carlton will provide  a level of luxury living unparalleled in the Southern Arizona and is set to become the Premier Resort in Southern Arizona.

This is no mean feat, as Tucson has many world class Resorts and Spas, including Canyon Ranch, Miraval, Ventana Canyon, La Paloma,  Westward Look Resort,  the Marriott Starrpass and last but not least  the El Conquistador.
In addition to the Resort’s spectacular natural setting, the new Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course will host the Accenture Golf Championship. currently being held at the Gallery Golf Club in Dove Mountain.

The Residences floorplans are architecturally rich custom floor plans with Southwest styling and have optional Casitas.

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There are four distinct designs  of Luxury Homes including the Pueblo, the Tucson Territorial, the Arizona Sonoran, and the Arizona Ranch.

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The Ritz Carlton will take service to the next level, and the concierge will handle all the details that are expected with today’s affluent lifestyle.

The new development was conceived as private luxury homes for a very discriminating clientele.

The Ritz has thought of every detail, and each floor plan has been considered for the home sites in the Residences Community.

The magnificent home designs were designed by Kevin Howard a well known Tucson Architect, who symbiotically has designed many Tucson Architectural Masterpieces including the new Plaza Colonia in the Foothills, which hosts our Foothills Office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

The Luxury Homes and Estates in Dove Mountain will enhance the glorious desert  views  of the Sonoran Desert studded with Saguaros, Barrel Cacti, Prickly Pear Cacti, and Palo Verde Trees, and will foster an indoor outdoor  lifestyle that is typical of living in the wonderful Tucson Arizona area.

Filed Under: Tucson Real Estate Blog Tagged With: ritz carlton luxury estates, ritz carlton luxury homes, ritz carlton marana luxury second homes, ritz carlton residences, ritz carlton resort homes, ritz carlton resort marana arizona, ritz carlton vacation homes

Ponticello Oro Valley’s newest gated luxury community

March 16, 2008 By Administrator Leave a Comment

Ponticello will be Oro Valley’s newest Luxury Gated Community with around 100 lots that range in size from 1/2 of and acre to over 4 acres for the ridgetop lots. Immediately after you neter over the massive bridge into the community you can feel the beauty and the Shangrila effect that this Community will have. All buildings will have a Tucsan styling that will emulate  the past and old world feel.

The Community will have a center named Centrale’ provides owners with gardens to stroll through on their way to private workout facilities, meeting rooms, tennis, swimming, indoor golf simulator, historical museum, and a world-class intimate restaurant

Filed Under: Tucson Real Estate Blog

Southeast Tucson getting new developments in the area

March 6, 2008 By Administrator Leave a Comment

Southeast Tucson is getting major new Commercial business and also new Residential home developments to the area.

The director of the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park Marshall Warden, said a considerable amount of change is happening along Rita Road

 

The technology park which has been in existence for many years  is getting  a Target  distribution center and also  the American Canning Company, who took over the old SlimFast building, is working up to full operations in the area.


 In fact the university’s science and technology park currently has 7,000 employees in the Rita Ranch area , and  the new  Target distribution center  will bring about 400 jobs when it opens next year.

Obviously with more jobs comes more traffic and it is expected to increase the traffic on Rita Road.

Also a  company called Global Solar is also anticipated  to open up for business just north of the railroad tracks.


KB Homes is also currently planning a new homes development near Kolb Road.

 An annexation agreement with the city of Tucson will allow them to build a four-lane public road that would connect to Kolb Road.

This will also eventually  connect the road to Rita Road.

In the future,  a golf course is also a possibility in the area, but that would be contingent on  the availability of effluent.

A hotel hotel and possibly restaurants and other commercial prospects are also being proposed in the area.


 

Filed Under: Tucson Real Estate Blog Tagged With: southeast tucson new developments, tucson commerical developments, tucson new homes

Or Valley new home luxury communities are in short demand…the arrival of Ponticello

March 4, 2008 By Administrator Leave a Comment

Oro Valley New Home Communities are in Short demand

Ponticello  set to fill the demand…….

Electronic Communities, Inc. (ECI) which is a privately held Nevada real estate investment and development firm announced the availability of  the Ponticello Development.

Ponticello is a new luxury  master-planned residential community nestled in the foothills of Oro Valley.

 

Oro Valley is recognized as one of the desert southwest’s most affluent communities and is just 6 miles north of Tucson itself.

The Ponticello Development  is a 250-acre, gated private mesa that will offer its owners  a sophisticated resort lifestyle.

It is accessed  by a private bridge, and  is situated  the Santa Catalina Mountains to the East,, Catalina State Park,Coronado National Forest, and the existing  La Reserve community.

The developers  have a lot of experience within the real estate arena, and have developed projects throughout the country.

The community is set against the breathtaking, 7,000-foot granite cliffs of Pusch Ridge, and  boasts 85 premium estate lots. The lots offer incredible 360-degree views of the mountains, canyons, sunsets and city lights. The land lots  will  range in size from one-third acre to four and three-quarter acres and are priced from $250,000 to $2,000,000.

The Development will be crafted after a European town in Tuscan design NOT Tucson design (no pun intended!).

 Ponticello will have a sense of community with fountains, winding streets, and massive gardens that will evoke the intimacy of a small Italian village.

The town center will be called named Centrale’ and it will offer world-class resort amenities such as a health spa, tennis, swimming, golf simulator, workout facilities, a  roman-style mini-amphitheater and also a private intimate restaurant.

Those visiting the residents of Ponticello will be able to enjoy the facilities in one of the guest Casitas.

As with most new developments in the Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, and Vail areas, the community is preserving the natural habitat and approximately 50% of the Ponticello is being reserved as "green space" with  hiking trails and walkways  for residents to enjoy the desert wildlife and environment.

The Buyers at Ponticello are able to  choose their own architect ,and builder or utilize ECI’s sister company, Benchmark Homes, Inc.

However the builder will have to follow a strict set of design guidelines, to have energy efficiency, zero scape landscapes, and European Architecture.

The roads and infrastructure construction has been underway for three years. You may have noticed the bridge on your travels up Oracle Road.

Public reports are complete and sales are now able to be taken.

Maybe we will not have to visit Tuscany after all as long as great wine is being served in this new Oro Valley Community!!!

 

Filed Under: Tucson Real Estate Blog Tagged With: oro valley communities, oro valley luxury communities, oro valley luxury estates, oro valley luxury homes, oro valley new home, oro valley new home communities, oro valley new homes, ponticello in oro valley, tucson tuscan design

New Homes in Catalina proposed……news on the Arroyo Grande Project

March 2, 2008 By Administrator Leave a Comment

New homes in Catalina Proposed with the Arroyo Grande Develpment

 
 

 
Preliminary plans have been announced for a massive development in Catalina that would include new homes, businesses, and possibly a Resort on State Trust Land.
Local opposition has been growing against the project that would entail around 15,900 new homes in the  development ,as it would be close to the unincorporated community of Catalina .
An official County representative Ann Day told a Catalina residents meeting that the County was not "on Board" with the Project.
Arizona State Land Department and Oro Valley want to annex the land for the Development, but are working together to address concerns  that could the new project could house around 38,000 residents.
 
The main concerns of residents appear to be the impact it would have on water, the wildlife corridors, roads, transportation, schools and the overal rural lifestyle of the community  Catalina.
 
The Project ,if  passed, will be years in fruition.
The Arroyo Grande development would comprise of  14 square miles with  Oro Valley to the south, Pinal County to the north, Oracle Road to the east and the Tortolita Mountains to the west.
 
The Arroyo Grande Development would include over 68 % of open space which is unusual for a high density development. 
Even with the County’s lack of support for the new home project, however, the transaction would be between Oro Valley and the State Land Department.
 
"We all live on the Northwest Side and we have a vested interest as to how things develop," he said. "We want it to develop well."
 
 
More than 6,100 acres  of Arroyo Grande would be set aside  as open space, allowing for preservation of a wildlife corridor and the protection of the land’s washes.
There appears to be some distrust on the part of the County as to how Oro Valley  will use the open space.
"There is no guarantee that the 68 percent will remain open space other than Oro Valley saying ‘trust us,’" said Ann Day.
Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry later stated  that  the county will not support any land-use plan that is inconsistent with the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.
As Arroyo Grande Arroyo Grande exceeds  the 68%, the conversation plan’s required two-thirds of open space.
However the open space as yet to be defined.
we will keep you posted on any  new Developments with the project.
 

 

Filed Under: Tucson Real Estate Blog Tagged With: arroyo grande development, catalina homes for sale, catalina new homes
The content of The Tucson Real Estate Blog is copywritten to Anne and Eddie McKechnie of Codwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Tucson Arizona