Make Tucson Your Retirement Destination

Hey active adults and soon to be retirees, are you scoping out warm and sunny climates to spend your retirement years in? If so, look no further than Tucson, Arizona. Surrounded by majestic mountain peaks and Sonoran plants and cacti, Tucson offers all of the amenities of any large city, including live shows, numerous golf courses, fine dining, and did I mention perfect whether ten months of the year?

There are several new home communities being built in nearly every direction surrounding the city. New homes can be located in neighboring cities, including Oro Valley, Marana, Catalina Foothills, Vail, Green Valley, and Sahuarita.

Living in, or near, Tucson, offers residents an abundance of vacation and short trip destinations. There are several state parks and national forest areas throughout the southeastern region of Arizona. One such travel destination includes Chiricahua National Monument, where visitors will discover rugged landscapes and hillsides. Imagine the sights you will encounter at this breathtaking place that is often referred to as The Chiricahua- Apache for Land of Standing-Up Rocks.

Chiricahua National Monument

Born of an eruption that took place some twenty-seven million years ago and, by scale, dwarves the blast of Mt. St. Helen, this valley of stone host some of the greatest Arizona attractions an explorer would ever hope to find. Aside from the soothing calm you will find among these rocky wonders, there is a multitude of things for you and your family to do at the Chiricahua National Monument.

Ride and Hike: With over a dozen titled bike trails snaking 18 miles throughout the monument area; all of which provide awesome scenic views and trails for hikers of any skill level, there is plenty to satisfy the adventurer in you. The most well-known trail is called the Heart of Rocks, a collection of shapes and sights that one could never forget.
Horses are allowed on most of the trails.

Campgrounds: You will be welcomed at one of the 24 campground sites offered. At only $12 per night, with no shortage of RV hook-ups, grills, picnic tables, and restrooms, you will find all the necessary comforts for a wonderful vacation.

Scenic Drive: Only 8 miles from the entry station, you will be treated to the amazing sights that have made the Chiricahuas so famous. From the timeless landscape to the lichen-stained boulders to the incredible balancing rocks, visitors to this monument will witness nature’s true greatness and beauty.

Accommodations: Outside of the campgrounds, further lodging can be found in Willcox just 35 minutes away. You will also find restaurants and other assistance in Willcox.

See more:
Tucson Home Builders
Cortona at Rancho Vistoso
Paired Homes at Tres Pueblos

When you look at numbers stating that around 68 percent of all valley homeowners are “underwater” on their mortgages and that the number is expected to increase to as much as 78 percent before the housing market stabilizes, you’ll understand why I’m still concerned about the valley’s housing market.

However, information obtained by Wall Street’s Deutsche Bank Securities has Phoenix merely 20th on the list of cities with the largest number of homeowners currently underwater on their mortgages. On this list are several cities California and Florida; Las Vegas sits near the top of the list at number 4.

The information contained in the report is alarming. The report states that there are currently around 14 million homeowners in the United States that are underwater on their mortgages. According to Deutsche Bank’s research, that number will increase to around 25 million before the housing market begins to stabilize and that is estimated to happen in the first months of 2011. If we do hit numbers as high as 25 million, nearly 1/2 of all the nation’s mortgages will be underwater; by then, most of those mortgages will be backed by taxpayer funds.

The Phoenix metropolitan area has had price drops nearly equal to as much as half the homes value, which as has led to the negative equity problem in the area. The foreclosure rate in the valley has risen steeply because homeowners trying to sell their homes are not selling them for an amount that will cover the amount of the mortgage and other borrowers are just giving up and walking away. Some lenders are helping with this problem by making it possible for homeowners that are in over their head to modify their loans through a home loan modification program.

One major reason why the valley is in better shape than those cities listed above us in Deutsche Bank’s report is because the median home price in the valley continues to rise. Home prices in the valley have continued to rise since the low point in March of this year.

Source:

Valley Homeowners Fare Better than Some in U.S. – www.azcentral.com

Shea Homes has floor plans in sizes to fit all your growing family’s needs. There are homes available at just over 1,100 square feet to well over 5,000 square feet, each with a layout to maximize your enjoyment of the space. With prices starting under $100,000, there is a home for every budget. Shea Homes communities take advantage of the beautiful Arizona scenery with walking and hiking trails, wildlife viewing stations, and picnic areas for full outdoor enjoyment. Each community has its own unique identity that won’t have you feeling as though you are living in a home that looks exactly like your next door neighbor’s.

See more:
Shea Homes Arizona
Phoenix New Homes
Dare to Compare Shea Homes

Woodside Homes for Sale in Phoenix, AZ

Building a new home can be both an exciting and scary prospect. There are many decisions to be made from paint colors, to hardware, to flooring, to landscaping. One decision that will make this process so much easier is to choose a home builder you can trust. Woodside Homes is a highly respected leader in the home construction industry. Woodside Homes is pleased to offer eight distinctly different communities of new construction homes in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

These communities have starting prices ranging from the low 100’s to the high 300’s, so there is a Woodside home perfectly priced for all budget levels. The communities have plenty of extras to offer the new home buyer. From toddler parks and playgrounds for the young family to larger open spaces for all types of activities, these residential neighborhoods will encourage a strong sense community. Of course, Woodside Homes prides itself on finding the ideal locations for its homes, with easy access to schools, shopping, and recreation facilities. Most of the communities have several quick delivery options, so you can get in your new home right away. Model homes are open daily for tours at a time that is convenient for you.

See more:
Phoenix New Home Builders
Woodside Homes in Arizona
Woodside Homes Financing Options

*     This isn’t like cramming for a test.  Purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments most of us will make and it deserves the appropriate amount of consideration.  You need to check out neighborhoods, schools, floor plans and more.  Do not assume you’ll find the perfect match if you start looking in March.  You might make the deadline for getting a home under contract, but will it be the right home for you and your family?

*     The 2009 tax credit worked.  It brought out lots of buyers in our metro Phoenix market.  That credit was set to expire on November 30, 2009 and buyers were trying like crazy to get something in escrow by mid to end of October in order to close by the deadline.  That rush of buyers caused bidding wars on some homes.  We saw bids more than $8,000 over asking price from people who wanted to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit!  Tie something up early, avoid the rush!

*     The new tax credit has an additional feature, it allows up to a $6,500 tax credit for people who are NOT FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS.  That means increased competition – more people in the market for the same homes.  You might think that will also increase the supply if those move-up buyers are listing their homes for sale, but the truth is, they don’t have to, they can rent out their existing home, purchase another home and still receive the tax credit.

*     Escrows don’t always close on time.  Lenders and title companies were very concerned about how many closings could be jammed into the last few days of November to make the original deadline.  If too many people are trying to close escrow on the same day, some will not make it.  If the tax credit had not been extended, the closings that roll over to December 1^st would not be eligible for the tax credit – a huge disappointment to buyers counting on that money.  Give yourself buffer time, find a home early and get the closing scheduled for well before the deadline to allow for any potential delays.

 *     Some experts predict that interest rates will begin to increase sometime in the first 6 moths of 2010.  Interest rates are incredibly low now, if rates creep up your buying power decreases, for example a purchase price of $150,000 with an FHA loan for 30 years at 5.25% interest rate equals a principle & interest payment of approximately $828.  But if the interest rate increases even by 1% to 6.25% your P & I payment increases to approximately $923 – almost a $100.00 increase (* Please note, these payments do not include taxes and insurance which should each be quoted on an individual basis – please contact a mortgage broker for exact figures.  If you don’t have one, call me for a recommendation).

*     Be realistic about short sales.   If you are considering purchasing a short sale, you need to be aware that it can take many months to get bank approval.  You are at the mercy of the bank and you could miss the tax credit deadline altogether.  The longer you wait the more you should consider traditional sales or bank owned properties.

If these reasons aren’t enough to motivate you to start looking now, call me.  We can share more of our experiences with you!   The National Association of Home Builders has a great webpage with more details on these programs - Click Here to View and be sure to check out the details of the tax credit and the income limitations.

Anyone who may be interested in home ownership in the next few years should be taking a hard look at this now.  Prices and interest rates are historically low and a dollar for dollar tax credit is the icing on the cake.  This is a “Trifecta” of home buying advantages – don’t miss out.  “He who refuses to embrace a unique opportunity loses the prize as surely as if he had failed.”  – William James.

Call  me anytime – we are always happy to help!

Teresa Dempsey – Associate Broker, Keller Williams Legacy One Realty

480-634-7975 – Direct

There are several different floor plans for the Cortona at Rancho Vistoso development, including single story models with golf course views, mountain views, and the Golf Club at Vistoso right next door. This community is located within the Amphitheater School District and is close to the University of Arizona. All the homes in this community feature three bedrooms and range in size from 1,500 square feet to 2,100 square feet, and start as low as the mid-$200,000′s in price. The final cost depends on the amenities, features, and floor plan selection. This community offers easy access to route 70 and I-10, making commuting to the city a breeze, as well.

This community is also features homes that are U.S. EPA approved Energy-Star qualified homes, minutes from downtown Phoenix with the serenity of desert mountain living at its best. The Parke at Laveen Meadows community features many open spaces, tot lots, city park nearby, and various hiking trails, shopping, dining, and entertainment within the area. This community features all the great amenities of a master-planned community with the convenience of city access, at a price that is affordable for every family. Whether it’s nature or culture that people are looking for, there is something to do every day because of all the natural beauty and the close proximity to the bustling city of Phoenix.

Presidio de la Tierra – San Xavier in Sahuarita, AZ

Presidio de la Tierra- San Xavier is a planned community within the Rancho Sahuarita neighborhood, which is one of the most advanced planned communities in the U.S. This area, Sahuarita, features some of the best schools in Arizona, along with a focus on technology, the arts, and education. Plus, the community is only a short 20 minute drive from Tucson, giving people all the convenience of city life and amenities with a serene home setting in the desert. The homes themselves feature versatile floor plans, one- and two-story designs, and two-car garages for every model. Plus, each home comes with many energy-efficient amenities.

This neighborhood comes with access to Club Rancho Sahuarita, which is a community recreation facility complete with a fitness center, swimming pools, sports fields, and a lake. Homes in this community start in the $140’s and go up from there, depending on the floor plan that is selected. This community has easy access to I-19 and I-10, making it easy for you to get to where you need to go outside of the community for dining, shopping, entertainment, and more. Presidio de la Tierra- San Xavier is located in the Sahuarita Unified School District, which has high marks for its education.

See more:
Rancho Sahuarita Master Planned Community
Wikipedia – Sahuarita, Arizona
The Sahuarita Sun

Tartesso – Buckeye, AZ Master Planned Community

Heritage at Tartesso is a Pulte Homes community locted in the master-planned community of Tartesso. Tartesso is located in the heart of the Sun Valley corridor just west of the White Tank Mountains. This community is just a short drive from downtown Phoenix, giving homeowners the serenity of rural living with the convenience of city amenities within reach. There are more than 20 parks in the community itself, along with sports fields and a variety of floor plans to choose from for homes. Heritage at Tartesso is also close to many major highways, offering convenient access to everything outside of the community from entertainment to shopping and more.

The Heritage at Tartesso homes are actually located in Buckeye, Arizona, with scenic views of the White Tank Mountains all around. There are many golf courses and lakes to visit, as well as plenty of indoor entertainment, shopping, dining, and more. This community is located in the Buckeye Union High School District and the Saddle Mountain School District, giving homeowners plenty of choices for top-rated schools for their children. The homes themselves come in many different styles, and range in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range for the most part. They include master suites, gourmet kitchens, bonus game rooms, and more to make each home a perfect match for the homeowner.

See more:
Tartesso.com
Tartesso Community Association
The Town of Buckeye, Arizona

The Paired Homes at Tres Pueblos community offers Arizona new homes starting at just over $118,000 that range up to just under $140,000. Each model features a one-story layout, 2-car garage, 2-3 bedrooms and 2 baths in every home. There are quick move-in homes as well as customizable floor plans to choose from, offering distinctive amenities and features. These homes are surrounded by desert beauty at its best and offer the convenience of being near Tucson for all entertainment, shopping, and other urban needs without the stress of urban living.