Red Rock Village – Pulte’s Largest Tucson Community

Pulte Homes launched the grand opening of Red Rock Village in February of 2007.  Billed as Pulte’s largest master planned community in the Tucson area, Red Rock Village is close to hanging the “sold-out” sign on the first phase of available lots. 

Nestled in the southern shadow of Pichacho Peak, Red Rock Village advertises homes ranging in price from $165,600 to $300,700 before upgrades, and ranging in square footage from 1254 to 4071.  But there’s more to Red Rock than attractive pricing.  Beautiful mountain views, the quick commute to NW Tucson, less drive-time for Phoenix get-aways, and the anticipation of a sterling community with top-notch schools and a myriad of recreation facilities for the family are all part of the draw.

But… like people… properties are not perfect.  Red Rock Village’s public report makes clear that there are potential drawbacks to the area.  Possible negative considerations include Red Rock’s presence within a military training zone for the Air Force, a feeding farm and railroad nearby, and the eventual development of sewage treatment plant to serve the community.  So noise and nose distractions need to be considered. 

Related links/articles:

www.pultehomes.com

http://www.pulteaz.com/red_rock_village/

http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Currents/Content?oid=86671

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/95853

Tucson, AZ

Tucson Association of Realtors market report for July 2007

Tucson Association of Realtors just released the monthly statistical digest. LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

There are a number of interesting statistics to report for July 2007. After rising for several months, both average and median sales prices have decreased compared to this time last year. The average sales price in July 2007 was $268,983, down 1.73% from $273,717 in July 2006. Median sales price also decreased 2.78% to $218,750 in July 2007.

Pending contracts were up last month, rising 63.18% from July 2006. Pending contracts totaled 1,777 in July 2007 – our second largest total this year. We should see these contribute to an increase in unit sales for August. Unit sales in July were down 10.51% from last year, totaling 1,098.

New listings are also slowly decreasing down from 3.52% from July 2006 to 2,766 in July 2007. The number of new listings taken each month has slowly decreased over the summer from a high of 3,085 we saw in April 2007.

Judy Lowe

2007 MLS President

Click Here to read the full report.

August 2007 Tucson Valley Housing Market UpDate

Don Vallee of RE/MAX All Executives in Tucson, Arizona

The Tucson Valley Real Estate Pocast for August 2007

This month Don Vallee & Teri Murphy discuss the Tucson Housing market and Sellers Disclosure (SPDS) responsibility to buyers.

Click here to listen to the Podcast.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home please contact Don Vallee, President of The Tucson Valley Team. Don can be reached at 1-888-219-1024.

Don Vallee

"When Experience Matters"

The primary reason for buying or selling in the Oro Valley is relocation.  During the summer of 2007, the greatest activity was in the single family market and those homes sold garnered approximately 90% – 95% of the listed price even though some were on the market for 120 days.

There seems to be a good supply of homes in all price ranges with the average price being $275,000 for a single family home.  Compared to last year, this represents a decrease of only about 5%.  Most sellers receive more than one offer from buyers since there are more buyers than sellers this summer.

According to Don and Kathy Vallee of Re/Max All Executives, "Houses are selling, but not with the mania we saw a year ago. Inflated prices and high inventory will restrict the housing market a while longer."

Don and Kathy believe it will take a while for the market to rebuild, but it will ultimately have a strong rebound. If you have any questions regarding the housing market in the Oro Valley area, please call Don or Kathy Vallee at 520-219-1024.  They will be happy to discuss your concerns or questions.

 In addition to all the wonderful books at the Oro Valley Public Library, there is an array of classes and activities in which adults as well as children can participate.  The Chess Club meets every Friday and welcomes all chess players.  There are computer classes that you can enroll in by calling the Library.

The Contemporary Fiction Book Discussion Group will discuss The Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich on September 13th.  This discussion group meets on the second Thursday of each month. A newly-formed Mystery Book Club will meet each second Tuesday evening of the month.  The group has been named "Desert Noir."  The Crafty Readers group is for the six to eight year old child. They listen to and discuss a picture book and then to show their comprehension of the story, create a craft. Food for Thought is the Food Lover’s Book Club. The next discussion will be about The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes of My Life by Pat Conroy. There are story times for every age category of child from newborn to five years.

If you are interested in any of these or numerous other programs offered at this wonderful library, you can call the Oro Valley Public Library at 520-229-5300 for more information.

Don and Kathy Vallee can show you homes that are available in the neighborhood of Oro Valley.  Please call them at 520-219-1024 for information about the Oro Valley.

As a regional center for the biotech industry, the Oro Valley is thriving.  The high-tech center of the Valley is called Innovation Park and features both medical and biotech campuses.  Northwest Medical Center-Oro Valley is a 220,000 square foot hospital associated with a 70,000 square foot medical complex right in Innovation Park.  Ventana Medical Systems has its international headquarters in the Park also.  Sanofi-Aventis is the world’s third largest pharmaceutical company and is located in Innovation Park as well.

The Oro Valley itself is the fifth fastest-growing area of all cities and towns within Arizona and maintains a per-capita income over $30,000.  This very diverse community is composed  of white, black, native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino.  Even with this population mix, the Oro Valley has attempted to strike a balance between population growth and environmental preservation.

Presently, the Valley encompasses approximately 35 square miles where you will find an amazing parks system with notable outdoor amenities as well as upscale shopping.

The public school system is one of the highest performing systems in Arizona.

Keep in touch with Don and Kathy Vallee for available real estate in this area.  They can be reached at 520-219-1024.

The Greater Oro Valley Arts Council is "dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Oro Valley by promoting and sustaining the arts and culture of our community."  The Council secures financial support for the arts through various programs.  They are the advocates for art education in the schools of the valley.

Only in existence for the past ten years, the Council has grown immensely.  The first paid employee was hired in 1998 as the Executive Director.  There are family concerts, music appreciation series, newsletters, and public art.

The 1st Annual Oro Valley Independence Day Concert was held in 2000 with an attendance of only 500 people.  This wonderful concert has grown by leaps and bounds in the past years.

Many programs have been initiated, some of which include Chamber Music Light, Opera 101, Musicians in the Classroom services and more public art projects for the Town of Oro Valley.

Some of the upcoming events include the Jazz Jam, Comcast’s ArtsFest, Musical Magic for Kids Concerts, The Tucson Symphony Orchestra MasterWorks Concert Series and of course, the Holiday Magic Concert featuring the Civic Orchestra of Tucson.  All of these future events promise to be entertaining and a source of culture for all.

What looked like a sewer manhole cover in the middle of the desert just a little over twenty years ago, is now somewhere within the Rancho Vistoso master-planned community in the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains. During this period of time, Rancho Vistoso, which means Colorful Ranch in Spanish, has developed into a planned community of a variety of different homes in  several subdivisions.  The area is served by excellent schools and is conveniently located near shopping and restaurants.

Rancho Vistoso is home to three golf courses and has parks, walking paths and bike paths with spectacular views of the mountains.  While out for a round of golf it is not unusual to see some of the wildlife in and around the course that is surrounded by natural desert.

New homes in many architectural styles are still being built around the Vistoso Golf Course and make wonderful second homes for golf aficionados.

Please call The Vallee Team for more information on how you can own a home in Rancho Vistoso.  Don or Kathy can be reached at 520-219-1024.

Top Ten Tips for Buyers in the Current Market

1. BE CONFIDENT.  In the current market there are still many sellers reaching for top dollar on their homes.  They haven’t yet accepted the realities of the buyer’s market that exists.  With the right realtor by your side, you can confidently identify which houses are over-priced and which ones are good values.  Offers can be placed on over-priced homes that include a professionally composed pricing rationale so sellers are forced to face that they are stretching for an unrealistic price.

2. BE STRONG.  This is a market that empowers buyers.  As a buyer, you should feel like you are in the driver’s seat since most of the dynamics of the market are in your favor.  The inventory of homes is at an all-time high in Tucson.  Interest rates are still very favorable.  Builders are “unloading” their inventory.  And the number of buyers is still relatively few.  If you’re one of the few, you’re in a very strong position to negotiate a favorable price.

3. KNOW YOUR CHOICES.  There are deals to be found in many areas of the current real estate market.  Builders are offering strong incentives to purchase new construction.  Resale homes that have been on the market a long time can be purchased at a discount.  And the rise in bank foreclosures has created opportunities for buying distressed properties.  You need a realtor that can consult you on which buying option best fits your needs.  The Vallee Team has earned designations (and the knowledge that accompanies those designations) such as Certified New Home Specialist and Accredited Buyer’s Representative.  They can help you navigate your choices.

4. STAY IN CONTROL.  Many buyers feel they lose control of the buying process when the employ the services of a realtor.  In fact, realtors have a fiduciary responsibility they owe to their buying clients which includes duties such as: Confidentiality, Accountability, Obedience, and Loyalty.  In other words, you should be in complete control of your buying decision and the right realtor will only offer services and professional expertise to enhance that control.

5. BE WELL-REPRESENTED.  If you’ve ever had an exceptional coach or teacher, you understand the value of having the right person at your side.  In the critical decisions of life you need competent counsel – and what could be more critical to your financial future than your real estate buying decisions?  So get the best help you can.  The Vallee Team has accomplished what only 4% of realtors nationwide can claim.  They have earned the designation of Certified Residential Specialist.  That puts the Vallee Team in an elite group of highly qualified realtors.  Don’t settle for anything less.

6. TAKE WHAT’S FREE.  Many buyers are not aware that in a typical real estate transaction, the seller pays the commission for the listing agent and the buyer’s agent.  This is a no-brainer for buyers.  Make sure that you have a buyer’s agent who represents your interests exclusively.  After all, your agent’s services are paid for in full by the seller.

7. UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY.  The advent of the age of technology has radically transformed the way buyers buy.  Recent surveys indicate that 85% of buyers begin their search for a property online.  No more need to drive neighborhoods or scan the classifieds daily.  A computer-savvy realtor can set-up a dynamic search through the online Multiple Listing Service, which will identify the features you are looking for in a home and trigger an automated email to you whenever a home comes on the market with those specific features.  In fact, that’s just a start.  It is  astounding the information that is available online.  The Vallee Team can help you obtain and interpret that information in a way that will inform your buying decision.

8. THINK LOCALLY.  You’ve probably seen the bumper sticker that reads “Think Globally…Act Locally.”  Well, in real estate, its important to think locally.  You need an in-depth understanding of Tucson dynamics, neighborhoods, schools, and communities.  Kathy Vallee is a Tucson native and Don has had over 25 years of sales and marketing experience in Tucson.  Our team knows Tucson.

9. DON’T STRESS.  The average American has more timesaving devices and methods at his fingertips than ever, yet we have less discretionary time than our parents had.  Simply put…we’re busy.  You need a realtor who will accommodate your needs and your timeline.  The Vallee Team works hard to keep the main thing the main thing – that’s you, your needs, and your schedule. 

10. GET A TEAM.  The average real estate transaction involves a lot of pieces and players – inspections and inspectors, loans and lendors, appraisals and appraisers, escrows, contractors, etc.  It can be intimidating for even the most experienced buyer or seller.  By choosing a realtor who has developed strategic relationships with proven professionals, you can insure a smooth transaction.  For an introduction to these professionals highly recommended by the Vallee Team, go to www.tucsonvalley and click on “concierge services” from the home page.

For your benefit, the Vallee Team has dedicated Buyer’s Agents available to you.  Please feel free to contact one of them today.

Drew Gelatt      Phone:  520.544.7466              Email: drewgelatt@remax.net

Compliments of Don & Kathy Vallee, The Vallee Team

Real People Representing Real Estate

520-219-1024

www.tucsonvalley.com