Some Thoughts on 2007 Sales at Sabino Mountain

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.

More information on Open Enrollment for TUSD Students to go to Catalina Foothills District 16

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.

Another Sabino Mountain Home has Sold

I have sold 4099 N Ocotillo Canyon Drive for $575,000. This beautiful semi-custom Outpost built home has 2,585 finished square feet and is sited on a quarter acre homesite with front view of the Rincons and rear view of the Santa Catalinas and the pristine Sonoran desert. The house sold in one month’s time which is a record for a sale in Sabino Mountain in 2007.

Another Home is Under Contract in Sabino Mountain

Another home has gone under contract after being on the market for 262 days! Right after the price drop from $449,900 to $429,900– 4172 N Sunset Cliff Drive went under contract and should close by the end of this year. My fellow Long associate listed this almost 3,000 square foot Monterey Home that sits on the corner–it is model-perfect. Fortunately for the Sellers, they purchased it in August of 2004 for $350,000, so even though this is a tremendous house for the price (final price will be posted upon recording in late Dec.), they more than likely did not lose money on the sale. It is those Sellers that purchased in 2005 or after that may have to bite the bullit and not make money on selling their house.

Sabino Mountain – End of the Year Sales Projections

So far the data looks like there will have been 10 Sabino Mountain homes sold in 2007 with prices ranging from $335,000 for a one -story,Pepper-Viner built, 1841 square foot home on North Little Rock up to $1,350,000 for an custom Outpost- built home on North Black Rock Drive. Last year there were 20 sales (double the number of this year) with prices ranging from $406,000 – $1,900,000. There were more than a few homes that stayed on the market a long time and when they failed to sell, were taken off the market by their Sellers. I sold two homes in Sabino Mountain in 2007; both sold pretty quickly and definitely were marketed very aggressively. When marketing a home in a “Buyer’s Market” it pays to have a real estate agent who knows Sabino Mountain and has strong marketing skills.

Great Deal in Sabino Mountain

Long Realty has a great buy listed for sale at 4172 N Sunset Cliff Drive for $429,900. It is a model-perfect home with over 2,900 square feet; a two-story home with upstairs loft-2nd family room, 1st floor master suite; has some pretty city views. Upgrades include cherry cabinets and Corian counters, stainless appliances, and more! This is a great family home! If you would like to see it, give me a call at 918-2410.

Alternative to the Busy Post Office for Holiday Mailings

The Catalina Mart at 6855 E Sunrise Drive – in back of the gas station and close to the CVS Pharmacy which is on the corner of Sunrise and North Kolb, is a wonderful alternative to going to the crowded post offices. This location is more convenient to Sabino Mountain residents than the Post Office on Grant Rd. near the Target Store. The hours that it is open is 8 AM – 5PM from Monday – Friday and on Saturday it is open 10AM – 5 PM. Happy Holidays!