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 and Happy Halloween,
Tony Ray
(520) 631-TONY (8669)

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 applications 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 questions about buying or selling real estate in Tucson, call me at (520) 631-TONY (8669) or send me an email: TonyRay@GayTucson.com

Have a great day,
Tony Ray
SeeTucsonHomes.com

In honor of GLBT History month I decided to expand on the Fun Facts page of GayTucson.com.

So I have started putting "GLBT History Facts" on the Gay Tucson calendar.  Now you can test your gay knowledge.  When you see "GLBT History Facts" on any day of the calendar, you can guess what events took place before you click on the answer.

There are facts about gay celebrities, marriage, gay rights, Popes, organizations, beginnings, endings and a whole lot more.

If you have a GLBT history fact that should be on the calendar, please send it to me at:
tonyray@gaytucson.com

Check it out and have fun. 
Tony Ray

Finally, I think I've recovered.  Last weekend was crazy.  The pride event was a great success.  I had a booth there with Michael from GayArizona.com and it was so busy.

We gave out 400 GayTucson.com t-shirts, GayTucson.com post-it notes and calenders and gel window clings for the kids and all kinds of fun stuff.  It was crazy, exhausting and a lot of fun seeing everyone.

After that we went to the Paragon Party.  The venue was awesome, the decor was something you would see in a Las Vegas night club.  It turned out beautiful.  DJ Jeremy was really on that night, his music is always awesome.  We gave out over 200 GayTucson.com Cd's at the party featuring DJ Jeremy's music. I do have a few left over, so I will be giving them out in the near future.  Maybe I'll make a GayTucson.com fun pack or something.

And finally I am back online.  My internet was down for a few days.  I never knew how disconnected I would feel with out internet.  I may have suffered some form of mild depression.  Or insanity.  No, already crazy so that can't be it.  Anyway, glad the cable company finally got me reconnected.

Halloween is coming up, not sure what I am going to do yet.  Any good ideas, let me know.  If it something that everyone should know about, I'll post it to the calendar.

Thanks,
Tony Ray

Construction of the PARAGON after pride party is underway. Here is a photo I took to give you an idea of the decor.
It is going to be very sexy. Did I mention VIP beds?  Probably should get to the party first to claim yours.

I've also been listening to DJ Jeremy's newest cd.  He is going to tear it up at PARAGON and GLOW.

Most people are getting rooms so they don't have to drive anywhere.  Be safe, stay at the hotels.  4 people would only be about $20 bucks a piece.

Click on Pride for more information.  Have a great time!  Tony Ray

I just finished adding a new page in the hotel section.  La Siesta Motor Court Lodge has joined GayTucson.com.  Check out their cute casita style rooms.

On another note, I am so glad it's near the end of the day because I am exhausted.  Have a great weekend.

Tony Ray

The 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

What a great weekend it turned out to be for the Rainbow Festival in Phoenix.  Darren and I went there to let people know about Tucson Gay Pride, The Paragon Party and the Sunday tea dance (GLOW).

The weather was perfect, a little overcast with a temperature of about 85 degrees.

We stayed at a gay bed and breakfast called the Arizona Sunburst Inn, which was about 13 minutes away.  The Inn was like a home away from home.  It had all the amenities without the hotel feel.

If you haven’t gone to the Rainbow Festival, plan to go next year.  It is a fun time, easy road trip and something different to do.

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

 
Tickets are now on sale for the after pride party on October 18, 2008.

You can get the discounted tickets at the Executive Inn and Suites Hotel.    Both of the parties, “PARAGON and GLOW”, will be at the Executive Inn and Suites Hotel.  They will shuttle you all day, to and from gay pride in the park. 

You should book your room now because rooms are running out.

We do have another hotel, La Siesta, which is only 2 blocks away from the party.  La Siesta is providing the “bar crawl” night shuttle.  This shuttle will run to both hotels and some of the surrounding bars until they close.

Shuttle services are free to guests of both hotels.  Mention GayTucson.com for special room rates.

Executive Inn and Suites  1-800-255-3371

La Siesta Motel 520-624-1192

Tony Ray

Last year, March of 07, I helped a client buy a home near Rita Ranch.  After negotiations he purchased the home for a little over $202, 000.  The home was a spec home with 1760 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2 baths.

About a year later, in May of 2008, he called me to sell the home. You can see my cute little "for sale" sign in the photo : ).

We listed it on June 03 for $229,000.  He accepted an offer on July 19, 2008.  He was on the market for only 46 days.

We closed escrow (recorded) in August 13, 2008 for $229,000, just 66 days after we listed.

So, when all is said and done, that home appreciated over $26,000. in just a little over a year.

The moral of my story is this, yes homes are still appreciating in Tucson.  There are also some that have not.  It’s all comes down to buying right and knowing how to sell.

Tony Ray