ONCE IN A BLUE MOON

Tomorrow is a fantastic convergence in the moon cycle a Blue Moon. This Blue Moon falls on the last day of the month, that is not so unusual since the Blue Moon is the second full moon in a calender month. This also happens to be the last day of the year making it even rarer as they do not happen every December. The most spectacular is that it also is the last day of the first decade of the 21st century. As we close out this decade on this Blue Moon let's look back on a few happenings that are as rare as a Blue Moon some tragic others game changing. The first being 9-11 a large terror attack on United States soil, the last time was Pearl Harbor nearly 60 years prior. The election of a President that does not fit the mold we have had most of the last 200 years, the last time was in 1960 with the election of JFK as a non-protestant. The crash of our economy, Real Estate, and stocks, the last big failure was the Great Depression.
As we look forward to the next month, year, and decade let's look at this special Moon as a gift that is closing a chapter or cycle to open a new one. It is Once in a Blue Moon that we have such a complete and distinct closure. My year end wish is that all people look forward with open eyes to the possibilities ahead. Do not forget the past, but do not dwell in it we are a strong community moving forward as sure as the moon will continue on its cycles.

Winter Solstice brings Hope

This is the Winter Soltice, the shortest day of the year and longest night. I was thinking how this could be compared to our Economy. We have been on the waning side of the boom from earlier this decade and at times it seems we will never see an end. The same can be felt with the Winter Solstice it seems like forever since the sun was up before you. Starting tomorrow the sun will rise slightly earlier and set slightly later increasing our daylight. This will not be anything you will notice until one day in a few weeks or months it will strike you that the sun was up before you. Our Economy lead by the Real Estate Industry is beginning to wax and grow yet the growth is ever so slight and we do not notice. One day down the road we will look at our housing market and wonder why we felt so desperate after all it is just a cycle like the seasons.

WHAT MAKES THE BUYER GO "WOW"?

This past weekend I showed houses to two very different buyer types. They each had a WOW moment upon entering the homes.



Buyer #1 is a first time purchaser and we have looked at many homes in his price range over a course of several months. Basically if it was in his price and within a set parameter we saw it. Most of the properties were non-discript boxes all with one or more issues, a few had character. Some of the homes were well on their way to being a WOW but stopped short of completion leaving this buyer and others not knowing what to do. This well manicured and maintained home seemed like a good possibility from the outside. As I opened the door and the buyer walked in the WOW happened, he stopped dead in his tracks and began seeing a home not a house. Someone had gone in and reappointed the interior and you felt like you were in a nice new condo with laminate floors, mahogany cabinets and stone counters. This was done right and took my buyer and myself by surprise, we spent a long time in this 989 sq. ft. he kept checking all the details. He made a full price offer because it WOWED him.



Buyer #2 is an investor looking for a fix-up usually a house built in the 50's or 60's and in need of updating. This market has some good possibilities with the foreclosure inventory just a lot of research needed to find the ones that work. I found a new listing in an area he likes we met to take a look as we arrived it was looking good, solid red brick maybe a little close to a major road but not on it. Upon opening the door the buyer walked in and had a WOW moment but not a good one, 70% of the plaster ceiling in the living room was gone. Looking up into the exposed rafters and the underside of the roof underlayment was a surprise. As we explored the rest of the house my buyer had another WOW as he considered what needed done to make this a home. He made a full price offer because the possibilities WOWED him.

The WOW moments come in different forms yet all are fantastic to witness. When I see the WOW I know it is time to get the contract out. On your last purchase what made you go WOW?

SPEND TIME - SAVE MONEY

The weather is going to be ripe for an outing this weekend, in Tucson and southern Arizona we have an abundance of choices for all taste and interest. Staying with the seasonal theme of Harvest, Halloween, and Dia de los Muertos I have four events for your consideration.





Beginning east of Tucson near Willcox Az. is Apple Annie's with a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and pick your own produce http://appleannies.com/ for more information.





If you are looking for something closer to town Pantano Riding Stables 4450 S. Houghton Road, Tucson, Az. (520) 298-8980 is having "Spooks and Thrills" with Hayrides, pony rides, and fun of the season.





A Mid-town Tucson classic is Valley of the Moon sculpture gardens 2544 E. Allen Road this year with the added feature of items from the closed Magic Carpet Miniature Golf. For more innformation call (520) 323-1331 or http://valleymoon.info





Now heading out west of Tucson Arizona we have Buckelew Farms 17000 W. Ajo Hwy. They have a pick your own pumpkin patch, corn maze, and more call (520) 822-7277 or visit http://buckelewfarm.com





These are just a few of the low cost adventures in and around Tucson that anyone can enjoy. Let me leave you with this thought, it is the time we spend with friends and family that they remember not what it cost. In these economic times spend your time and save your money.

MOVING FORWARD

They say we will not know the market has hit bottom until we see it rising. Many buyers are sitting on the fence watching, waiting, hoping that they will have the power to see it approach and jump in just before it turns. I as a REALTOR have access to information that the general public may not, yet the Internet has changed this. It is the experiance and knowledge of many years in this business that allow me to interpret this data and I do not know if we have bottomed or not. Much of what I see here in Tucson Arizona makes me believe we may be there. Properties coming on the market and selling relatively quick, this may be just because they are being priced right for the market today. This has also created a few homes getting multiple offers which usually indicates a strong market. Another thing I have noticed even from 3 months ago is the turnaround time on appraisals is longer indicating more business. As we enter the holiday season many people put their house hunting on hold, if I were a buyer now I would closely watch the paper, internet, and other media and think hard about what you see. The prices are the best we have seen in 6-7 years, interest rate is still at historical lows. This may not be the case next year if we have actually turned. As far as being a seller today it is true you will not get the price of 2004 - 2006 but you were not ready to sell then. If you bought prior to the bubble you should still be able to do OK and then take advantage of this market to find a dream home at a reduced price. This is not the time to allow FEAR to keep you stuck and doing nothing. When you do you are allowing someone else's perception of "what is "to rule your future. If you want to buy or sell jump in, do the research, find a trusted REALTOR, and move forward.

A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS SUCCESS

As we are now in the last quarter of 2009 and also the last few months of the first decade of the 21st century it is a good time to reflect. This year and this decade have brought changes we could not have fathomed. Those of us in the Real Estate business have been riding an out of control rollercoaster this decade and this past year as it comes to the end of the line there were still a few drops and curves. The heady days of 2004, 2005, & 2006 and double digit appreciation are gone yet people are still selling and buying. I wonder if this was the last hurrah of the last quarter of the 20th century way of sales and we are moving back into the root of sales. Sell derives from the Scandinavian word Selzig, which means "to serve". Moving forward into 2010 and the second decade of the 21st century I believe our attitude as an industry and a country will determine our direction. We can not change what did or did not happen this past year and decade. We must move forward, smile or nod at someone if you know them or not. This simple act will begin sending a positive attitude around and a positve attitude is success.

BUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

The $8,000 first time buyer tax credit created by the Economic Stimulus is nearing the end. If you want to take advantage of this you will need to act fast. Your offer will need to be accepted and in escrow in the next couple weeks and close no later than November 30, 2009. If you are unable to meet this don't worry there are other buyer assistance programs available. Here in Arizona we have the "Your Way Home" program it offers a 22% down payment assistance to qualified homebuyers purchasing an eligible foreclosed home in Pima County. The assistance is funded by the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) via the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) authorized by the 2008 Housing and Economic Recovery Act. If you need assistance purchasing a home contact a local Non Profit Housing group, many also have counseling available for foreclosure prevention.

BUTTERFLYS AND RHIZOMES AND SKELETONS, OH MY!

October in the Desert Southwest is the beginning of our high season of entertainment and activities. Begin ing Monday Oct. 12 the Tucson Botanical Gardens will have their annual Butterfly Magic exhibit. See hundreds of butterflies from around the world in the greenhouse. It will run through April 4 2010 price includes admission to the gardens for more information www.tucsonbotanical.org .

This is the month to prepare your flower beds for spectacular winter and spring displays. Over the next few weeks garden clubs will be having plant sales and demonstrations. Look for sales of bulbs, tubers, and my favorite Iris rhizomes for early spring blooming. It is also cooling enough in Tucson to get the wild flower seeds out, with an early planting you could have some blooms in Feb.

October is known for Halloween throughout the country but here in Tucson we also celebrate the Mexican tradition Dia de los Muertos. The day of the dead is to honor your departed and celebrated Nov.1st All Saints Day. The Tohono Chul Park beginning the weekend is having an exhibit of Dia de los Muertos Art running through All Saints Day Admission will get you in to the exhibit and the desert gardens www.tohonochupark.org for more information.

SETTING SUN - RISING MOON

The first full moon after the fall equinox is always spectacular. Last night was exceptional here in Tucson, Arizona at approximately 6:30. The sun was fading behind the Tucson mountains giving a pink and purple glow to the lingering clouds left from the remnants of the hurricane in Mexico. At the same time a full golden harvest moon was rising through the clouds above Reddington Pass in the Rincon mountains. Standing in the yard of my mid-town home near the University of Arizona it made me reflect on the Real Estate market of the past couple years. Our market has much the same dynamic, the boom is settling below the clouds while at the same time a new sustainable market is rising through them. It is humbling to think our Real Estate market follows the same patterns of the Universe, and we REALTORS can not change that. We must accept the change the same as we must accept the setting of the sun and rising of the moon.

FALL IS HERE IN THE DESERT

Only here in Tucson Arizona would you hear conversations about getting out the hoodies and sweaters because we got down to 60 two nights in a row. Autumn in the desert is glorious with plants showing life again after the hot summer. If you need to see colorful fall foliage to get the spirit it is a short drive up Mt. Lemmon here in Tucson or take a weekend trip to northern Arizona. Desert critters are on the move again and will be looking for new homes for the upcoming winter. As home owners we should be thinking about making our homes more airtight to improve our carbon footprint.