NRT is again ranked the No. 1 residential real estate brokerage in the country by sales volume and transaction in both the Real Trends 500 and RIS Media’s Power Broker rankings. In fact, NRT’s 2009 sales volume is more than three times greater than its nearest competitor in the RIS Media Power Broker Report and is greater than the combined total of the next 11 companies ranked in the publication. NRT also had more closed transaction sides than the next five companies combined in the magazine’s rankings according to Bruce Zipf, the President and COO of NRT LLC.

What adds to Coldwell Banker’s success is their forward thinking in embracing technology, their superior agent training program, pricing Listings to sell, and their agent experience in counselling Buyers.

We are proud to be part of the Coldwell Banker team and number 1 agents for Coldwell Banker Southern Arizona for 2009 and thank our clients for their support.

Anne and Eddie

Anne and Eddie McKechnie
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Coldwell Banker Previews Specialists
Certified Foreclosure and Short Sale Resource

2890 E Skyline Drive, Ste 250
Tucson Az 85718

http://thetucsonexperts.com

For the second consecutive month, U.S. consumer confidence is plunging. July’s official reading is its lowest since July of last year and the figures run in stark contrast to just two months ago, when the index touched a multi-year high.

According to The Conference Board, July’s figures are reflective of a more pessimistic consumer; one concerned about “business conditions and the labor market”.

Falling confidence numbers are presumed to be poor for the economy. For homeowner and home buyers in oro valley , however, they can create opportunity.  Low confidence can influence the mortgage market in a positive manner, driving mortgage rates down.

Mortgage rates are already at their lowest levels of all-time.

The link between consumer confidence and everyday mortgage rates roots in consumer spending.

Consumer spending accounts for close to 70% of the overall U.S. economy so, the thought goes that, a less confident consumer is less likely to spend money, thereby retarding economic growth. This harms the stock markets and drives cash to bonds, including mortgage-backed bonds.

More bond demand leads bond prices to rise which, in turn, pushes mortgage rates lower.

The other side of lagging confidence is that Americans may be less likely to take new financial risks when they’re feeling unsure, including buying a new home. This can then drag on the housing market, negatively impacting home prices across arizona.

Falling home values can help buyers, harm sellers, and stymie would-be refinancers.

It’s tough to predict how consumer confidence data will work its way through the economy, but in the near-term, it appears to be helping mortgage rates stay low. If you’re floating a mortgage rate with your lender, or contemplating a refinance, the time may be right to lock in a rate.

Low rates can’t last forever.

Standard & Poors released its Case-Shiller Index Tuesday. On a seasonally-adjusted basis, between April and May 2010, home prices rose in 19 of Case-Shiller’s 20 tracked markets.  It’s the second straight month of strong Case-Shiller findings.

Also, May’s numbers are a mirror-image of February’s. In February, 19 of 20 markets lost value.

In its press release, the Case-Shiller staff resisted calling May’s data proof of a housing recovery, noting that home values remain flat as compared to October of last year. However, there are some noteworthy numbers in the Case-Shiller report.

1. 13 of the 20 tracked cities are showing home price improvement year-over-year
2. Foreclosure posterchlld San Diego has now shown 13 straight months of improvement
3. San Diego, San Francisco and Minneapolis are showing double-digit annual growth

These are all good signs for the housing market, but the Case-Shiller Index is not without its flaws. Most notably, the data is limited to just 20 cities nationwide — and they’re not even the 20 largest ones. 

Cities like Houston, Philadelphia, and San Jose are excluded from Case-Shiller, while cities like Tampa (#54) are not.

Another Case-Shiller flaw is that it reports on a 2-month delay.

Therefore, today is several days from the start of August but we’re now reflecting on data from May. Given the speed at which the oro valley real estate market can change, May’s data is almost ancient.  Today’s values may be higher or lower than what Case-Shiller reports.

For home buyers, reports like the Case-Shiller Index may not be useful in making a “Buy or Not Buy” decision, but can aid in watching longer-term trends in housing.  For real-time data, talk to a real estate agent with access to local figures instead.

After a down month in May, the sales of newly-built homes appears back on track.

As published by the Census Bureau, June’s New Home Sales report showed:

1. A 24 percent sales volume increase from the month prior
2. A 2-month drop in the supply of newly-built home

There are now just 210,000 new homes for sale nationwide.

June’s data is a major improvement over May, but it’s possible that the true “new home market” may be softer than the statistics suggest.  This is for several reasons.

First, we’re comparing June’s sales data to the worst month in New Home Sales history.

In May, sales of new homes totaled just 267,000 units nationwide. That’s one-quarter fewer sales than in the previous worst month in New Home Sales history. May’s sales levels were awful by any measure but June’s improvement to 330,000 units remains second-worst sales levels ever posted.

Second, although much improved, June’s new home supply of 7.6 months is elevated versus the historical norm near 6.0 months.  The last year has averaged 7.7 months.

For buyers of new homes in marana , this combination of low sales volume and higher-than-normal inventory may be a positive.  It’s the main reason why homebuilder confidence is reeling and the downturn has opened some doors for big discounts and deals. Free upgrades and closing cost credits can make a well-priced home even more attractive.

Plus, with mortgage rates at all-time lows and expected to rise, home affordability is may never be better.

According to the EPA, if every household in America replaced one “traditional” bulb with an energy-saving compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) light bulb, it would result in $700 million in energy cost savings each year, plus a greenhouse gas savings equivalent to that of 800,000 automobiles.

They’re expensive, but CFL bulbs tend to pay for themselves in less a year, and often last for several. It’s no wonder they’re so popular with homeowners in oro valley.  But, CFLs also come with health risks.

Namely, CFL bulbs contain mercury — an average of 4 milligrams per bulb.

The mere presence of mercury doesn’t make CFLs dangerous. It just means that you should exercise care when handling them, and take certain precautions when disposing of them.

The Environment Protection Agency offers some tips:

1. Screw/unscrew the bulb from the base and not the bulb to prevent breakage
2. Never force a CFL bulb into a light socket
3. When the bulb burns out, bring it to one of 3,106 recycling centers

The EPA website also give guidance for dealing with broken bulbs. Among the recommendations: Don’t wash mercury-covered clothing to prevent contaminating other clothing, too, and don’t vacuum up the poison, either. There are special handling instructions to prevent poisoning yourself and others in your household.

The EPA’s CFL safety PDF is 3 pages long and can be viewed on its Web site.

CFLs provide long-term energy and environment cost savings. And, with some common sense care, their risks to your health can be minimized.

2214 E Stone Stable Drive

This Oro Valley home shows like a model with executive upgrades, diagonal tile, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and designer earth tone paint. Great room floor plan with separate den/office. Full covered back patio, with flagstone and East facing back yard. Convenient location with shopping and dining nearby.Complete Information on this Oro Valley Home: 2214 E Stone Stable Drive, Tucson, AZ 85737 (MLS # 21024391) (all data current as of 7/29/2010) Price $195,000 Beds 3 Baths 2 full baths Home size 1,759 sq ft Lot Size 4,815 sq ft Days on Market 41 Home shows like a model with executive upgrades, diagonal tile, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and designer earth tone paint. Great room floor plan with separate den/office. Full covered back patio, with flagstone and East facing back yard. Convenient location with shopping and dining nearby. Property Type(s): Single Family, Residential Last Updated 7/26/2010 Tract Ram's Canyon At La Reserve Year Built 2006 Community n/a Garage Spaces 4.0 County Pima Total Parking 4 Price History Prior to Jul 26, '10 $205,000 Jul 26, '10 - Today $195,000 Schools Elementary School Copper Creek High School Canyon Del Oro Middle School Cross School District Amphitheater Additional Details Features Air Conditioning Central Appliances Dishwasher, Disposal, Garage, Microwave, Oven/Stove Breakfast Area Construction Frame - Stucco Construction Status Existing Dining Room Area Environmental Discl Unknown Evap Cooler None Extra Room Den Facilities None Family Room Great Room FEMA Flood Ins Req No Fence Block Financial Status: REO No Fire Prot Incl Taxes Yes Floor Covering Carpet, Ceramic Gas SWG Guest Facilities None Heating Forced Air - Gas HOA Frequency Monthly Landscape - Front Low Care Landscape - Rear Low Care Laundry Room Location Fireplace None Lot Size Source Assessor Miscellaneous: Adult Community No Miscellaneous: Athletic Facilities No Miscellaneous: Basement No Miscellaneous: Cable Available Yes Miscellaneous: Deed Restrictions Yes Miscellaneous: Disability Adapted No Miscellaneous: Dividable Lot No Miscellaneous: Fix Up No Miscellaneous: Gated Community No Miscellaneous: Horse Facilities No Miscellaneous: Horses Allowed No Miscellaneous: Interior Steps No Miscellaneous: On Golf Course No Miscellaneous: Paved Street Yes Miscellaneous: Split Bedroom Plan Yes Miscellaneous: Split Level No Miscellaneous: Subdivided Lots Yes Municipality/Zoning Oro Valley - PAD Ownership FEE (Simple) Patio Covered Pers Conv Swim Pool No Pool None Property Sub-Type Single Family REO No Roof Tile RV Parking None Security Prewired Sewer Connected Short Sale Yes Source of SqFt Assessor Spa None Status Active Style Contemporary Terms Cash, Conventional, FHA, Submit, VA View Combo Water Oro Valley Window Cover None Location Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer. Listed with Coldwell Banker Residential Br (view all details for MLS # 21024391) Other Oro Valley Homes for Sale: Showing properties 1 - 28 of 28. See more 85737 zip code real estate. (all data current as of 7/29/2010) $209,000 : 438 W Spearhead, Tucson 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths Size: 1,849 sq ft Lot size: 7,405 sq ft $191,000 : 200 E Fieldcrest, Oro Valley 2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths Size: 1,307 sq ft Lot size: 4,320 sq ft $209,900 : 221 E Highcourte Lane, Oro Valley 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,547 sq ft Lot size: n/a $217,000 : 251 E Fieldcrest, Tucson 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,530 sq ft Lot size: 4,752 sq ft $204,500 : 1262 W Silverleaf Drive, Oro Valley 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths Size: 2,150 sq ft Lot size: 4,356 sq ft $225,000 : 1541 E Deer Shadow, Tucson 2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths Size: 1,298 sq ft Lot size: 4,500 sq ft $220,000 : 10051 N Sandwedge Place, Oro Valley 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 2,053 sq ft Lot size: 12,632 sq ft $208,000 : 544 E River Walk, Tucson 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,210 sq ft Lot size: 6,098 sq ft $195,000 : 2214 E Stone Stable Drive, Tucson 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,759 sq ft Lot size: 4,815 sq ft $219,900 : 10978 N Double Eagle Court, Tucson 4 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,650 sq ft Lot size: 4,792 sq ft $225,000 : 9883 N Hacienda Hermosa, Oro Valley 3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths Size: 1,260 sq ft Lot size: 35,719 sq ft $225,000 : 10384 N Fair Mountain Drive, Tucson 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths Size: 1,524 sq ft Lot size: 5,641 sq ft $195,000 : 401 E Strada Patania, Oro Valley 2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths Size: 1,222 sq ft Lot size: 1.05 ac $212,000 : 2380 E Ram Rock Road, Oro Valley 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,300 sq ft Lot size: 5,411 sq ft $199,000 : 1340 E Scorpius Place, Oro Valley 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths Size: 1,817 sq ft Lot size: 5,500 sq ft $206,400 : 11008 N Double Eagle Court, Oro Valley 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,517 sq ft Lot size: 8,233 sq ft $195,000 : 11113 N Rams Horn Trail, Oro Valley 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,759 sq ft Lot size: 5,227 sq ft $208,900 : 11785 N Sage Brook Road, Oro Valley 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,857 sq ft Lot size: 10,422 sq ft $199,000 : 10351 N Fox Croft Lane, Tucson 4 beds, 2 full baths Size: 2,035 sq ft Lot size: 7,151 sq ft $194,900 : 561 W Summer Rain Drive, Tucson 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths Size: 1,609 sq ft Lot size: 3,049 sq ft $192,000 : 11891 N Cassiopeia Drive, Tucson 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,335 sq ft Lot size: 8,712 sq ft $196,900 : 2083 W Double Eagle Drive, Tucson 4 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,650 sq ft Lot size: 6,970 sq ft $208,900 : 10371 N Quail Hill Lane, Oro Valley 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,695 sq ft Lot size: 16,553 sq ft $214,900 : 1330 E Dejerine Place, Tucson 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths Size: 1,817 sq ft Lot size: 4,792 sq ft $210,000 : 438 W Spearhead Road, Tucson 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,849 sq ft Lot size: 7,405 sq ft $215,000 : 2091 W Hidden Pointe Court, Tucson 4 beds, 2 full baths Size: 2,198 sq ft Lot size: 11,369 sq ft $211,000 : 858 W Annandale Way, Tucson 3 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,800 sq ft Lot size: 6,098 sq ft $220,000 : 941 W Fox Ridge Lane, Oro Valley 4 beds, 3 full baths Size: 2,346 sq ft Lot size: 7,825 sq ft Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer. This Listing is brought to you by : Anne and Eddie McKechnie Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 2890 E Skyline Drive, Ste 250 Tucson, Az 85718 (520)529-7507 http://thetucsonexperts.com Your Tucson Real Estate Experts in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita and Vail Arizona http://activerain.com/blogs/amckechnie

Tucson Adobe Home on Acreage

11701 E Spanish Ridge Place Tucson, AZ 85730

Let this custom Tucson solid adobe construction home be your Arizonan Retreat. On over three acres, these adobe walls are 14 inch thick energy efficient and provide a quiet setting. Beautifully decorated with saltillo tile floors, viga beams and natural warm earth tone colors. Upgraded kitchen with hi-end stainless steel appliances and built-ins. Open floor plan, metal roof, extensive outdoor covered porches, horse facilities, barn, stalls and hay storage all on 3.3 acres of land with unobstructed mountain views of the Rincon and also the Catalina mountain range. For more information on Adobe Home Construction and the charms of Tucson Adobe Homes visit our post on Active Rain called Tucson Adobe Homes.Access to riding trails and Saguaro National Park East. Looks and feels like home.

For more information on this property visit our website on the web at:

11701 E Spanish Ridge Place, Tucson, AZ 85730 (MLS # 21025065)

View Virtual Tour

Let this solid adobe construction home be your Arizonan Retreat. These adobe walls are 14 inch thick energy efficient and provide a quiet setting. Beautifully decorated with saltillo tile floors, viga beams and natural warm earthtone colors. Upgraded kitchen with hi-end stainless steel appliances and built-ins. Open floor plan, metal roof, extensive outdoor covered porches, horse facilities, barn, stalls and hay storage all on 3.3 acres of land with unobstructed mountain views. Access to riding trails and Saguaro National Park East. Looks and feels like home.

Property Type(s): Single Family, Residential

Schools

Additional Details

Features

Location

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Listed with Coldwell Banker Residential Br

(view all details for MLS # 21025065)

Other home on acreage in the same zipcode

Showing properties 1 - 14 of 14. See more 85730 zip code real estate.
(all data current as of 7/29/2010)

1. $479,900 : 10803 E Placita Marimba, Tucson
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 2,674 sq ft

   Lot size: 40,511 sq ft

   Year built: 2001

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 108
2. $630,000 : 11701 E Spanish Ridge Place, Tucson
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 2,866 sq ft

   Lot size: 3.30 ac

   Year built: 2001

   Parking spots: 4

   Days on market: 35
3. $550,000 : 4180 S Escalante Ridge Place, Tucson
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Size: 3,324 sq ft

   Lot size: 3.32 ac

   Year built: 2007

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 137
4. $590,000 : 10535 E Pinal, Tucson
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 3,200 sq ft

   Lot size: 1.17 ac

   Year built: 2010

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 156
5. $529,000 : 4303 S Escalante Ridge Place, Tucson
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 2,754 sq ft

   Lot size: 3.32 ac

   Year built: 1998

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 176
6. $672,800 : 4245 S Saguaro Monument Place, Tucson
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 3,068 sq ft

   Lot size: 3.30 ac

   Year built: 2009

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 381
7. $595,550 : 4250 S Saguaro Monument Place, Tucson
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 2,551 sq ft

   Lot size: 3.40 ac

   Year built: 2010

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 381
8. $689,000 : 10888 E Placita Marimba, Tucson
   
   4 beds, 1 full, 2 part baths

   Size: 4,513 sq ft

   Lot size: 1.24 ac

   Year built: 2003

   Parking spots: 12

   Days on market: 171
9. $440,000 : 10845 E Placita Marimba, Tucson
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 3,048 sq ft

   Lot size: 1.15 ac

   Year built: 2007

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 127
10. $699,000 : 11805 E Spanish Ridge Place, Tucson
    
    5 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths

    Size: 4,890 sq ft

    Lot size: 3.32 ac

    Year built: 2008

    Parking spots: 6

    Days on market: 130
11. $449,900 : 3520 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Size: 2,594 sq ft

    Lot size: 4.48 ac

    Year built: 1987

    Parking spots: 6

    Days on market: 223
12. $465,000 : 10740 E Placita Marimba, Tucson
    
    3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Size: 2,914 sq ft

    Lot size: 21,780 sq ft

    Year built: 2000

    Parking spots: 6

    Days on market: 182
13. $555,000 : 9951 E Millmar Road, Tucson
    
    4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Size: 3,314 sq ft

    Lot size: 6.45 ac

    Year built: 2004

    Parking spots: 6

    Days on market: 77
14. $700,000 : 11291 E Placita Rancho Grande, Tucson
    
    3 beds, 3 full baths

    Size: 3,261 sq ft

    Lot size: 2.25 ac

    Year built: 2003

    Parking spots: 6

    Days on market: 150

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Anne and Eddie McKechnie

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

2890 E Skyline Drive, Ste 250

Tucson, Az 85718

(520)529-7507

http://thetucsonexperts.com

Your Tucson Real Estate Experts in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita and Vail Arizona

Consistent with most post-home buyer tax credit housing news, the National Association of Realtors® says Existing Home Sales eased lower last month.

An “existing home” is a home that cannot be considered new construction.

The 5 percent drop in sales from May to June was expected, but a closer look at the month’s data reveals some interesting trends.

First, repeat buyers accounted for 44 percent of home resales in June, up from 40 percent in May. That’s a healthy increase for just 4 weeks’ time and the tax credit is a likely catalyst. First-timer buyers bought starter homes owned by former first-timers, who were then free to “move up” to larger, more expensive property.

Housing markets can be trickle-up and, not coincidentally, the jumbo/luxury housing market is now in the midst of rebound.

Second, June’s “distressed sales” accounted for 32 percent of all home resales, up from 31 percent in May.

A figure like this hints at the large role foreclosures continue to play in a oro valley home buyer’s home search strategy.  And why not? The National Association of Realtors® suggests that distressed homes are sold at a 15 percent discount.

Lastly, take note that home inventories are rising. June’s 8.9 months of supply is the highest in 10 months. Excess supply leads home prices lower, all things equal.

Overall, the Existing Home Sales data from June is a mixed bag. There’s support for the middle- and upper-price tiers, but a growing overhang of supply. The market looks favorable for buyers given low mortgage rates and strong negotiation leverage.

The New York Times ran an important story this week concerning pregnancy and mortgage approvals. Titled “Need a Mortgage? Don’t Get Pregnant“, the article discussed the difficulties that expecting and recently-expanded families are having with their mortgage financing.

NBC’s The Today Show picked up the story as well, as shown in the 3-minute clip above.

The crux of the issue is that maternity/paternity leave often leads to a change in household income and mortgage lenders will no longer assume one or both parents will go back to work full-time.  The loss of income can raise a household’s debt-to-income ratio to unlendable levels.

Now, your loan officer cannot ask you about a pregnancy; such questions would be in violation of Equal Credit Opportunity Act. But he can ask if whether you expect your future employment and income situation to change. This would be a perfect time to broach the topic. And you should. If you’re found to have withheld employment and income information from your lender at a later date, it could result in an immediate loan denial plus a loss of earnest monies paid.

Across both pieces, though, the prevailing message is this: Families concurrently planning to (1) have a baby and (2) buy a home should be up-front and forthcoming with their loan officers. Financing is often still available for families expecting an addition — there’s just some extra paperwork though which to work.

Be prepared for that paperwork and you’re more likely to get your loan.

Single-family Housing Starts eased lower last month, falling by 0.7 percent from May, or 3,000 units nationwide.

A “housing start” is a home on which construction has started.

June’s Housing Starts data is somewhat soft and may partially explain why home builder confidence dropped to its lowest level since April 2009, but for buyers and sellers in tucson , the Housing Starts report is not nearly as bad as headlines say.

This is because when the press reports on Housing Starts, it doesn’t single out single-family homes. The press lumps every type of home into a single, giant reading. As a result, news outlets are reporting Housing Starts down 5 percent — a somewhat misleading figure.

The 5 percent figure is actually a combination of 3 separate housing types:

1. Single-Family Housing Starts
2. Multi-Unit Housing Starts (2-4 Units)
3. Apartment Building Housing Starts (5 or more units)

But, single-family homes are what most Americans purchase. This is why the single-family starts data is more relevant than the combined figure commonly reported by the press. 2-4 units and apartment buildings are a different realm of buyer.

That said, though, we can’t even be sure that June’s Single-Family Housing Starts report is accurate. As noted in the Department of Commerce’s press release, the data’s margin of error is 10.7 percent which means the reported results are of “no confidence”.

In other words, there is no statistical evidence to prove the actual change was different from zero.

If Housing Starts did, in fact, drop in June, it will help to reduce the rancho vistoso housing inventory, which will provide support for local home values. For home sellers, this could be good news. Fewer homes for sale means less competition for buyers.