January 24, 2009 by donna.

Just wanted to remind you that the annual meeting is this coming Monday, January 26th, at 6:30 PM at Fruchthendler Elementary School on Cloud Rd. This is a good time to hear the Board of Directors give you a Summary on what the Home Owner’s Association has done for the community last year and to discuss any questions on the Budget. Also you can voice any concerns you may have on other issues such as the lack of a regularly scheduled community newsletter, a lack of the community pool being heated in the Winter (to cut costs); you may want to get an update on the present community law suit, etc. It also is a great time to meet your neighbors and get to know you Board of Directors. You can vote for new Board members, as well.

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January 16, 2009 by donna.

I have sold the first home that closed escrow in 2009. This beautiful, ridgetop home is almost 4,000 square feet and is located at 4207N Sabino Mountain Drive and was listed at $1,365,000; the final sales price was $1,250,000. This house has magnificent city and mountains views in all directions and from every room in the house. Some upgrades include travertine floors throughout, fireplace in Great Room and Kitchen, 13 foot ceilings, large gourmet Kitchen, fantastic master bathroom with slate floors, whirlpool tub, walk-in shower, exquisite vanities and lighting; master suite with his and her’s closets and much more! This home does not have a pool but has a large putting-green and huge covered patio with custom BBQ.

Sabino Mountain custom homes priced over a million continue to sell with prices holding their own, however, the non-custom, smaller homes continue to be much harder to sell with prices that have declined in the past few years. Mid-priced semi-custom and custom homes priced less than a million have decreased a little in value and are harder to sell than the larger custom homes that are priced over a million, however, they have an easier time selling than the smaller non-custom homes.

Do not hesitate to call me for a detailed analysis of current housing at Sabino Mountain. Call me at 520-615-2598.

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January 4, 2009 by donna.

Sabino Mountain sales in 2008 proved to be an interesting year. The Monerey and Pepper-Viner resales were hit hard. There was only one non-custom home sold this year and it was sold by the Long Foothills office. It was located on 4299 N Ocotillo Canyon and sold for $424,900. Of course there was one foreclosure that was also a Pepper-Viner home that was located at 4338 N Ocotillo Canyon Drive that ultimately sold for $250,000; being that it was a large two- story home with 5 bedrooms and 3 baths; this was a steel! There were 3 mid-range custom homes that sold for 660K, 795K , 825K and 938K; I sold the two houses priced at 795K and 825K. Three high -end custom homes sold for $1,449,000, $1,625,000 and $2,250,000. The first two were sold by my Long Realty Foothills office. I sold a home in November that is under contract and will close escrow the middle of January; it was listed at $1,365,000; after it closes I will let you know the final sales price.

So, all and all, it was not a bad year for the mid and high end custom homes at Sabino Mountain, but a poor year for all the non-custom homes.

The mortgage crisis has hit the Foothills housing market. Conforming loan limits have not gone up from the 417K ceiling they have been for some time and to get a loan up to that point you need 10% down and an excellent credit score with very stable work history. This is particulary difficult for those who are self-employed unless they have a long and stable work history. For loans over 417K you usually have to put 20% and also have to have excellent credit and a stable work history. FHA loans only require 3.5% down but the loan ceiling is $271,050, so almost all homes in Sabino Mt. are over this price range.

In the high price ranges more Buyers can either pay cash or have a very large down payment, so mid and high-end custom homes are less affected. However, it is not a walk in the park in any price range since Jumbo Loans (over 417K) are the most stringent to obtain.

Hopefully when Obama gets in things will change and the lenders will loosen credit so more people will be able to purchase.

If you are planning to stay in your home and loan rates fall again it will be a good idea to refinance. For a short period in December many people refinanced and were able to get a low, 30 year fixed mortgage rate of 4.75% with 0 points.

If you need specifics on Sabino Mountain Sales, need a Market Study, or a need a referral to an excellent Loan Officer, give me a call at 520-918-2410.

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