Patricia Paul Properties

Home mortgage interest rates have started to inch up.   Rates for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage averaged 5.05%.  This is the first time since the end of October that they rose above the 5% mark.   But it is still below this year's highest point which was set in the middle of June.

It is predicted that rates will continue to rise.  Historically, periods of low interest rates are followed by swings upward.

If you are thinking about purchasing a home, right now is still a very good time to do so.  In addition to still low interest rates, there is a good amount of inventory (homes) to choose from, sellers are still willing to make buyer concessions, and you may qualify for a large tax credit.

Contact me if I can help you buy or sell a home, or help you locate a good lender.   Upon your request, I will provide information about the tax credits available. 

Patricia Paul, GRI *** www.longrealty.com*** (520) 548-2078

Most homeowners are aware that the number of short sales, foreclosures, and bank-owned properties in their neighborhoods has seriously effected the value of their homes.   These distressed properties are sold by consumers who can't afford their mortgages or the banks who have taken the properties back, and in both cases, tend to be sold way below fair market value.   Other sellers not in financial duress have had to reduce their prices if they hoped to compete.

Well, here's the good news.......  In November, there were 8% less foreclosures on a national level than there were in October.   This was actually the lowest level since February of this year.  The fewer foreclosures out there, the more stabilization and improvement we should see in home prices. 

Also, pending sales (homes under contract, but haven't yet closed) have been up for nine months in a row.   Sales activity is at its highest pace since February of 2007.

With interest rates still very low (but already heading up just a bit), it remains a good time to buy and maybe now even a good time to sell.  Today the average rate for a 30-year fixed rated mortgage was 4.94%.  Last year at this times the average was 5.19%.  Please let me know if I can help you with any of your real estate needs.

Patricia Paul, GRI *** www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com *** (520) 548-2078

Please contact me if you'd like to receive a copy of Tucson's November Housing Report.  It's full of information and statistics.   Some of the statistics include months worth of inventory, number of listings and closings, median and average sale prices, price banded sales information, and months of inventory by zip code.

Did you know there is a big difference by the area of the city?  For example, in zip code 85714, there are only 2.6 months worth of inventory.  But in zip code 85749, there are 12.4 months worth.  Homeowners wanting to sell their homes in those areas will have different experiences because of that.

It's no surprise that the most number of homes that sold were in the $150,000 - $175,000 price range.  There were 567 listings in that range, and in October 135 sold and closed.  Next, in the $125,000 - $150,000 range, there were 594 listings, and in October 132 of them sold.  In the $100,000 - $125,000 range, 111 of the 389 listings sold. 

Now might not be the best time to be selling your $1,000,000+ home;  in October, only 3 out of 292 listings sold.  But, it is a great time if you're looking for a bargain to purchase!

Please let me know if I can help you with any of your real estate needs.  

Patricia Paul, GRI *** www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com *** (520) 548-2078

There has been a huge increase in the number of Tucson properties going under contract in past several weeks (1,317 properties in the last four weeks).   Some of this might be attributed to first time home buyers rushing to get in under the tax credit deadline.

There are also a lot fewer home on the market right now (active inventory):  A 23% decrease in inventory in September 2009 compared to September 2008.

With the market showing signs of improvement for the last several months, now might be a good time to put your property on the market, if you've been thinking about it.

Call me if you'd like to discuss the possibility of selling or buying.   I'd be happy to meet with you and answer any of your questions.

For more details, visit:   http://azhousingstats.longrealtyblogs.com

Patricia Paul, GRI ** www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com ** (520) 548-2078