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Green Real Estate Blog
To
See Almost Every Home for Sale
in the Tucson Real Estate Database
Homes for Sale
| Tony Ray, Realtor EcoBroker NARgreen |
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Click on the photos throughout the site to see larger versions.
Things
To Do In Tucson
# 16
The Lights of Tucson One of
the things I like to do for new clients, especially coming from other cities, is take them to see the lights of Tucson.
From Campbell and Sunrise/Skyline (La Encantada Mall is there) go North on Campbell to the end and make the circle
(don't go through the guard gate). As
you come around the circle you can see almost all of Tucson, from mountain range to mountain range. The glittering lights
are beautiful. Tony Ray 
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Friday, October 31, 2008
FHA Home Loans and First Time Home Buyers Home Buyers still have a lot of choices when it comes to mortgages
in this market. One option is government-backed, FHA home loans. FHA loans
are a very viable option
for first time home buyers. Since the Federal housing Administration (FHA) insures the loan,
your lender can offer you a better product. For example, low down payments, low closing costs and easier
credit qualifying. According to HUD, the FHA market share for home purchases is expected to triple over the next 3 years from the estimated 4 percent in 2007
to an estimated 12 % in 2009. Whether you’re a first time home buyer or a repeat buyer,
if you are thinking of buying a home, I would highly recommend that you call Phaedra Wilson with Sunstreet Mortgage, LLC.
I’ve worked with her since 1996. Plain and simple, she’s honest. She
will answer all of your questions and make applying for a loan an easy and comfortable process.
Phaedra
can be reached at (520) 547-4148 or find more information here. Tucson Area Home Search Have
a great day,
Tony Ray
(520) 631-TONY (8669)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Good news for home sellers… Home buyers are out there.Low interest rates, great home
prices and the buyer’s tax credit program may all be factors that explain why buyers are focused on real estate at this
time. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), mortgage ap plications jumped 16.8
percent during the week ending October 24 from the previous week. Applications were up by 10.1 percent
for government-backed purchase loans (mostly FHA). Conventional purchase loan applications increased by
7.9 percent. What does this mean? Sellers need to keep a positive attitude about selling
their home.
Here a few tips sellers should follow: Make sure
your home is professionally staged. Clean and spotless is tough, but necessary at all
times. Your home should be ready to show at any moment. The perfect buyer might
drive through your neighborhood, with their agent, on the way to another listing and see your “for sale” sign.
It happens.
If you have any questions about buying or selling a home in Tucson, call me at (520) 631-TONY
(8669) or email me at TonyRay@MyGreenTucson.com Have a great day,
Tony Ray
Monday, October 27, 2008
Some Good News about Real Estate and Gas Prices and .............If you’re like me, you’re
probably just about fed up with all the doom and gloom coming from every media source. I just don’t want to hear it
anymore.
 Take real estate; the media
keep focusing on a bad real estate market and yet I have a great year and have seen many positive things in this market. For
example: Many of my seller’s homes have sold their homes in under 60 days with profitable gain and my buyers have been
purchasing homes at great prices. Of course, real estate is just one of the many things the media is focused on.
So, today I thought I would write about some good
things happening in our world.
In September
of 2007, 769 homes were sold in Tucson and in September of 2008, wait for it……. 934 homes were sold in Tucson.
Gas prices are down and Tucson had the lowest
in the nation at one point.
Attention shoppers,
there is a blue light special on stocks and real estate. This sale may continue for awhile.
According to RealFacts, (a data research firm based in San Francisco) apartment occupancy rates were
virtually unchanged in the third quarter of 2008. Guess what, rents hardly changed as well. One more thing, there have been
almost no foreclosures on large apartment buildings.
SNL’s
weekly update is funnier than ever thanks to the election.
And, If you live in Tucson, the weather is beautiful. Tony Ray
Thursday, October 16, 2008
 First, let me say, welcome cooler weather! I love this time of year. I can open the
windows, I sleep better and electronic items don’t melt in my car.
This has been a very exciting year in real estate. While the news
has painted everything negative, I have had one of my best years ever. Most of the homes I have listed
this year have sold in less than 60 days. All of my clients, who did sell, saw an appreciation of value
with their homes. And buyers, well, they have been finding some great homes for great prices.
I think it will stay like it is for awhile now.
Prices are stable, rates are low and buyers will be in a great position to purchase for the next several months.
Sellers can still sell. If you don’t need
to, don’t. Hold on for now and it will help everyone who does need to sell. If
you do need to sell, it’s all about new ways to market and thinking out of the box. It is important, now more than ever, to have your home staged, cleaned and
photographed before it goes on the market. And marketing, it needs to be a ggressive
and different, so it sets your home apart from all the rest. It can be done and it does work.
I have been reading a lot at night. I
have found it helps to shut down my over active brain. Recently I have read: two technical
“Dummies” books about internet and web marketing, You Can Heal Your Life by Louis L. Hay, The Power of Now by
Eckhart Tolle and The Diamond Cutter by Geshe Michael Roach. Loved every one of these books, yes, even
the “Dummies” books. My final thought
is this: If only for a few days, turn off the news and read something positive instead. It
is so easy to buy into all of the negativity. Don’t. I attended a meeting this
morning of business owners. About 70% of them said that they were having one of their best years. That’s
not a coincidence. Tony Ray
Friday, October 10, 2008
September Homes Sales Up for Tucson
Usually September is a slower month than August when it comes to how many homes are sold
in Tucson. This has been the case since 1996. This year, units sold in Tucson have increased by 3.43% over August which
affirms that the Tucson market is continuing to stabilize.
Now
is a good time to buy a home. Why?
1. Conditions are ideal for buyers right now. Prices have moderated
and interest rates are hovering near 40-year lows.
2. I don't believe these market conditions will last
long. According to the National Association of Realtors, research shows that prices are beginning to stabilize
and interest rates are creeping up. In Tucson, a modest increase in property values is expected in 2009.
3.
The new first-time homebuyer tax credit ,and the availability of a number of attractive and safe mortgage products, provides
additional reasons for buyers to get
off the fence and into the market.
Tony Ray
Thursday, October 9, 2008
 For those of you who contacted me about the property on Paseo Alegre, it has sold and recorded. It was
only on the market for 30 days and had a quick closing.
There are still others similar for sale in the same neighborhood.
Call me if you would like information on any of those homes.
Tony Ray
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
New Home BuildersThe Arizona Department of Real Estate is now posting
a list of builders who are in bankruptcy
or having financial trouble. This list will help Real Estate
Licensees and the
public. The list of known builders is available at the Department’s website www.AzRe.gov
 According to the Arizona Department of Real Estate, most of the builders in Arizona are meeting their obligations,
but there are some who are having problems meeting their commitments to consumers.
“Homebuyers
and their real estate agents have the right to know if a builder is in financial trouble and what the status
of their earnest money or home completion is. The Department of Real Estate can help provide this information and give
assistance to consumers in need,” stated Sam Wercinski, Arizona’s Real Estate Commissioner.
Remember, if you are thinking
of buying a new construction home, call your Realtor first. You have the right to buyers representation
as long as you take your Realtor into the site office the first time you go. The fee for your representation
is already negotiated and paid by the seller (builder) at close of escrow (recordation).
If you would like more information about the Builder Broker code, contact your Realtor as well.
Tony Ray
12:39 pm edt
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Link Descriptions:  About Us: On this page you’ll find information about our company Tierra Antigua Realty, our history, my goals and my real estate
designations - NAR green, EcoBroker, ABR, CRS, GRI.
Blog: I use this space to write whatever is on my mind on any given day. I might right about
Tucson real estate, homes, mortgages, gardening, Tucson treasures, craft ideas, recipes, well, I’m sure you get the idea.
Buyers: As your Accredited Buyers Representative
(ABR), I will help you with all of your buying needs: Lofts, Condo's, Single Family Homes, Manufactured homes and Land.
Use the form on this page to receive
listings of homes for sale in the Tucson Realtor MLS. My computer system sends these homes to you within minutes of being
listed so you see them before most other buyers and even most Realtors. If you are moving to Tucson, we'll send you
a free relocation package. Companies I Trust: The companies on this page are companies that I have worked with as a Realtor selling Tucson real estate ( many over 12 years). I can refer them with no reservation knowing that they will always take care of my
clients and friends. You can trust that they will provide you with the best care and customer service. Let
them know that Tony Ray referred you.
Contact Us: Find our contact information (Tony Ray Baker and Tierra Antigua Realty) or use the form on this page to send me your questions
and / or comments about Tucson real estate.  EcoBroker: EcoBroker is an education and certification program for real estate professionals who care about the environment and want to promote energy-efficient and "green" features in homes and buildings. As your Tucson EcoBroker, I can help you identify homes with green features, market the
green features of a home and help you make any home more green.
Environmental: This page has links to articles about environmental issues that can affect your home or buying real estate in Tucson.
Indoor air quality, radon, asbestos, mold are some of the topics I will cover.
Green Homes: This section has information about green building issues for new homes or the home you already own. Solar,
rainwater harvesting, recycled products, insulation, remodeling and many more ideas are to come. Green Living: You can find out how to improve your indoor air quality
by removing toxic chemicals from your home. How you can be better at recycling. What
are no VOC paints? Green living is about everyday living and the things you can do to make your home safer
and better. Home Loans: If you need help understanding, Mortgages, APR’s, Fannie Mae, MIP, Interest Rates, etc., Phaedra is who I have
referred my clients to for a long time. And I mean a long time. Many Realtor's in Tucson
refer Phaedra. She is honest and will answer all of your questions in a simple, easy to understand way. Home News: News
and information, fun and serious, about real estate and home. This page is constantly changing, so check
in often. Lofts / Condos: Some of my favorite green projects are the stylish lofts around Tucson. The Ice House , Indigo Modern and
Barrio Metalica are some of the ones I think you must see to compare. There are also some great condo projects,
and apartments that have been converted into condominiums, if that’s more appealing to you. Referrals: Since 1994, over 94% of my real estate business has been referred to me by clients, family and friends. Running
my business by referral lets me spend more time working with my clients, not chasing new ones. My clients
use the form on this page to refer someone who deserves the same service that I gave them. Relocation: If you are moving to Tucson, be sure to fill out this easy form and we will send you a free, real estate relocation
package. Restaurants: Locally owned, great food, great customer service. Part of being a Realtor is eating out a lot, these are some of
my favorite restaurants. Tell them Tony Ray referred you. Sellers: Use the form on this page to receive a free, no cost or obligation, evaluation of your home. On this
page, I also explain my full service real estate practice and unique marketing that sells homes even in slow markets.
If you are moving away from Tucson, we can help with your relocation and refer you to a Realtor in your new city.  Short Sales: Information about short sales and foreclosures, including the Realtor Short Sale and Foreclosures
Resource Certification.
Testimonials: My clients have something to say. On this page, they tell all about their experiences
when buying and selling real estate with me. Tierra Antigua Realty: Information about Tierra Antigua Realty and myself, our history, goals etc.
Tucson Weather: It’s all about Tucson’s beautiful
weather, like our average temperature. It's one of the reason's so many people relocate to Tucson. I love
it here. The weather allows me to enjoy the great outdoors almost any time I want. That
is why I have put “Things to do” in Tucson on every page.
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