March 8, 2008 by donna.

A lovely home that is the Sundown Builder’s own home on Quail Canyon and is listed by Long Realty’s Foothills’ Office, just went under contract. I am told it had more than one offer. WOW! It really is a beautiful home with wonderful ridgetop mountain and city views. It was listed at $1,449,000 and is 4,378 square feet and took less than a few months to sell.

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March 2, 2008 by donna.

I have just listed 4134 N Boulder Canyon Place–it will be open today–March 2nd–from 1-4PM. This luxurious Outpost-built 3,324 square foot home is in impeccable condition. The floorplan is designed for family living and entertaining with a large great room plan that has formal dining and breakfast area–sitting room right off the spacious gourmet kitchen that has an oversized 10 foot+ breakfast bar. Upgrades abound: granite counters, 42″ cabinets in the kitchen, walk-in pantry, 18″ ceramic tile floors in all main living areas, twin master suites, master bathroom # 1 has a whirlpool tub in addition to a stylish glass block and tiled shower; there are 2 gas fireplaces–one in the great room and a cozy kiva fireplace outdoors. Speaking of outdoors–this home offers resort -style living at its best–there is a sparkling pebbletec pool (with in-ground cleaning system), spa, barbeque, kiva fireplace and a covered flagstone patio in the back yard that faces the pristine Sonoran Desert, the Santa Rita Mountains and the sparkling city lights. This home was appraised in January ‘08 for $925,000 and is priced at a range price of $850,000 - $900,000 for quick sale. Call me at 615-2598 for your private viewing! To see the brochure, floorplan and photos of this beautiful home, go to my website www.DonnaAnderson.com or www.SabinoMountainHomes.com to the bottom of the first page where you can find my featured listing.

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February 24, 2008 by donna.

Last week I was amazed when I saw a property in Sabino Mountain come back on the market at the same price it was a few months back, after another house with the same floorplan and located on the same street had just sold for approximately $50,000+ less then this listing. There is no doubt the appraiser is going to use the comparable of the house that sold for much less, especially since it had similar upgrades as the house that just sold in December. I keep wondering what are they thinking? Did the agent advise the Sellers properly? I would not have taken this listing at this price, since even if they get lucky and it sells much higher than the last house sold, which is very unlikely in this market, it won’t appraise. Two-story houses are unlike one-story houses that attract many buyers who put a lot of cash down and as a result, the appraiser is not as strict. Most two-story buyers put 20% or less down and the appraisers are very, very conservative these days, so this house has little chance of appraising for much more than the last one that sold.

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February 14, 2008 by donna.

There are a few resale Pepper-Viner one-story homes that have reduced their prices near the low $400s. Both are over 2,000 square feet and one has a pool which is a rare find in the non-custom homes in Sabino Mountain. Both back to the Sonoran Desert open space. What a great time to buy or invest in the Tucson Foothills which is now very affordable again! Sabino Mountain has such rare beauty and majesty; I am so glad I call it home!

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February 13, 2008 by donna.

Did you notice some of the guardrails have been painted? The area going down North Boulder Canyon is completed! Hurray!

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February 13, 2008 by donna.

After having looked at almost all the housing inventory on Sabino Mountain, I must say there are more than a few luxury custom and semi-custom homes that seem over-priced in my opinion. It amazes me since the real estate market is a very strong “Buyers’ Market”, coupled with the fact that this is when many snowbirds are visiting and some will buy. Most snowbirds leave by the end of next month, so unless the Sellers price their homes more reasonably, it is likely they will not sell anytime soon. I can only guess that some of these Sellers are just fishing to see if someone will pay their high price and that is very unlikely.

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January 24, 2008 by donna.

Recently I kept up my New Year’s Resolution to start going to the gym. I know myself and in order for me to be religious about attendance, it has to be close by, so I picked “Sierra Fitness”. Much to my surprise it is a cozy place located very close to where I live, work and drop my daughter off at school - close to the corner of Sunrise and N. Kolb. It is never crowded and I can get on the treadmill and see fantastic Catalina Mt views. I tried out a month membership for $99. They offer many memberships including off days and off hours. I am not an exercise class person, but they offer many classes. The equipment is ample and I never had to wait in-line to use it. I see people of all ages and all sizes and everyone is cordial and friendly.

I have also decided to change hair dressers so I can be closer to home; I have been delighted with “Wild Orchids” and my young hairdresser, Katrina. Again, this salon is located near the corner of Sunrise and Kolb.

One of my favorite lunches is the wonderful fresh salmon salad I get for lunch at “Garvi’s” and this is no surprise to anyone - is located near the same corner.

My Dentist is fairly new to me and wonderful, too–”Dr Sandra Gibson”–located right upstairs from “Sierra Fitness”, near the corner of Sunrise and N. Kolb. She takes great care of my husband, my 11 year old daughter and myself. After trying several local dentists and not being impressed, she was a great find!

My last favorite close to work spot is on the corner of Sunrise and Swan - “Starbucks”. I just love the music and atmosphere in the AM. I have a large Vanilla Latte’ and read my New York Times. This is a great way to start the day!

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January 20, 2008 by donna.

Reminder-the Sabino Mountain Annual Meeting will be held this coming Tuesday evening (January 22nd) at 6:30 PM at Fruchthendler Elementary School on Cloud Road.

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January 10, 2008 by donna.

This is just a reminder - there is an opening on the Sabino Mt Board; if you are interested in running for the Board of Directors, call Deby Wild, the community manager, at 760-7798.

Also plan on attending the Annual Meeting - to be held at Fruchthendler Elementary on Cloud Rd at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, January 22nd.

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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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