December 30, 2007 by donna.

It looks like 2008 will be off to a good start with smaller inventory available at Sabino Mountain for sale. Many dropped out when they found it too hard to sell in 2007. Owners who want to sell in 2008 should consider doing some out-of-the-box type things to try to sell their house. It may be a good idea to pay a professional to come in and evaluate how to re-arrange and stage the house. Usually this can be done for as little as $150 and it can make a big difference. High -end houses for sale should utilize professional photography; great photos on the multiple listing sites bring in more buyers. Every home should have a detailed brochure outlining the features of the house, adding a floorplan if available and photos. With so many houses on the market, you do not want the buyer to forget your house. Having your house listed on the agent’s website brings in more buyers than you might think. It is important to have an agent who knows the neighborhood and follows up with each agent that shows the house. The agents that show the house should get another call when there are changes in the listing such as price reductions. A good agent follows up with the Sellers at least several times a week. It is so important to keep the house tidy inside and out; curb -appeal is a necessity in this market. I can not tell you how many houses I have shown at Sabino Mt with smoke detectors chirping, dead plants out front, no brochures and when the price was dropped I was never called to remind me to tell my buyer in case they may become interested in the house now that the price has been lowered. There are some agents who are not experienced in a strong buyers market and you should not chose them to represent you when you sell your home. The listing strategy is quite different under the present market conditions. Sellers need every edge possible.

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December 30, 2007 by donna.

The January issue of the “Desert Leaf” has some very interesting information about Catalina Foothills-District 16 public schools open enrollment. Catalina Foothills-District 16 has hired a PR firm to invite TUSD students to apply to District 16! Probably motivated by the challenge that Tanque Verde School system has given to TUSD re: open enrollment, Catalina Foothills-District 16 seems to be following suit. Open enrollment is still going on at District 16 and usually closes the end of February. The article says the Catalina Foothills- District 16 Superintendent is going to send a list of students from TUSD who wish to open enroll at Catalina Foothills and will look for TUSD to respond. Whether or not Catalina Foothills-District 16 will hire attorneys to challenge TUSD remains to be seen. Perhaps they think TUSD will just allow the students to open enroll in Catalina Foothills -District 16 since once “Unitary Status” has been obtained, which should be shortly, it will be a mute point, anyway. I think this is the best time to open enroll since in future years it is likely that there will be too many children trying to open enroll and they will have to deny some students. Once your child makes it into District 16, they have a preferred status over other new out -of -district chldren trying to open enroll in future years. Canyon View Elementary, Ventana Vista Elementary and Esperero Middle School, Catalina Foothills High School are all closer to Sabino Mountain than the TUSD schools. School test scores are higher in District 16 than TUSD and classes tend to be smaller. At the elementary schools the libraries tend to be larger and are better staffed; there are designated full-time certified Spanish, Music, Phys Ed and Art teachers and the after-school CARE program is very stimulating and caring. The guidance counselors are very actively involved in directling and fostering the students. Esperero Middle School has an active sports program that is after-school until 4:30PM daily, so parents will be able to pick children up later than the normal school day. Being able to open enroll into the Catalina Foothills-District 16 schools is a great opportunity for many families. Please note the article mentions a website-www.choosecfsd.org- where one can find an application and information about open enrollment at Catalina Foothills-District 16 schools.

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