Patricia Paul Properties

     
 
                           My Recent Visitor:    A Peregrine Falcon
 
     This Peregrine Falcon recently flew into my yard and found a perch he liked.  He sat there long enough for me to go in the house to get my camera, and watched me as I took photos of him.  He even fluffed his feathers for me.  The Peregrine is smaller than the hawks that we frequently see, but still a good sized bird.  Their wingspan averages between 3 to 3-1/2 ft. wide.  They have a lighter tannish-colored chest and a distinctive beak.
 
     I looked up some information about this bird and discovered it is one of the most common of birds.  Peregrine means "wanderer" and many Peregrines migrate huge distances, from the northern tundras, to South America.  But in much of the western United States, including Arizona, they live year round.  They are fast flying birds, averaging 25 - 35 miles per hour, and reaching speeds up to 69 miles per hour.  When these birds are hunting and they swoop down from heights of over half a mile on their prey, they may reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour!  That's amazing!
 

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

 
    

 

Happy New Year to all my clients, friends, family, and website visitors!
 
Best wishes for a 2012 filled with health, happiness, love, and peace.
 
 
Patricia Paul, GRI  ***  www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com  ***  (520) 548-2078

 
Happy Thanksgiving to All!
 
I have many things to be thankful for:
 
 * A great husband
 * 3 adorable dogs
 * Good health
 * Good family & friends
 * A good job
 * Many great clients
 * Food on our table
 * Nice home to live in
 
Truly, I have been blessed.  Today is a good day to reflect on all your blessings. 
 
Patricia Paul, GRI  ***  www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com   ***  (520) 548-2078

        
 
     Most of the year these bushes have kind of puckery nondescript leaves of silvery greenish-grey.  But then as fall comes around the bushes put on quite a display as they bloom.  Soon the bush is ablaze with light purple flowers.  They're a great plant to landscape with here in the desert, as they don't need much water once the plant is established.  You can purchase them at most any nursery in town.  Go ahead, plant one!
 

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

     Hello and a special welcome to my international visitors!   I have a program on my website that identifies the general location of my guests.   This week alone I've had visitors from Portugal, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and Romania.   
 
     I've had guests from North America, South America, Europe, Africa. and Asia.   The only continents I'm missing are Australia and Antarctica.    
   
     The country of each of my international visitors has it's own history and traditions.  There are countless fascinating cultures.  
 
     If I can answer any of your questions about life here in Tucson, Arizona, USA, leave a comment or send me an e-mail.  It would be fun to hear from you.
 
                                                                                               
 
Patricia Paul, GRI   ***  www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com   ***   (520) 548-2078
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Joe and his family bought a great home from me a couple months ago on Tucson's east side.  This morning had a most unexpected visitor on his back wall.  See below....
 
 


It's a bobcat!
 
It seems he had caught a bird, then dropped it inside
the block wall.   He worked hard to retrieve it, but
couldn't.  He even left and came back again.
 






Bobcats are about twice the size as average housecats.
They inhabit most of North America, including our
desert.   They have "bobbed" tails; that's how they
got their name.  and their ears are pointed and
resemble those of the lynx.
 
They are nocturnal creatures, and usually avoid
human observation.   Joe was lucky to see one at
close range.  If you see one at your home, remember
that this is a wild animal.  Do not feed it, or try to
befriend it.   If it should become a problem, call the
experts at the Game & Fish Department for their
advice.
 
Thanks for sharing your photos, Joe!
 
Patricia Paul, GRI  ***  www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com   *** (520) 548-2078

It's been over 24 hours now, and it still doesn't seem real.  The terrible tragedy that occurred yesterday in my hometown of Tucson has shaken the entire country.  Our lovely Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords, lies in the hospital still in critical condition after being shot through the head by a young gunman.  Six people were killed and fourteen others were wounded by the gunfire.  The doctors are hopeful that the Congresswoman will recover.  It seems the point of entry and exit of the bullet was probably what spared her life.  She is currently sedated and in a medically induced coma.  It's sure to be a long road for her.  The day after the tragedy eyewitness stories are coming out about the events and the heroes that emerged. 

There is still a numbness and intense sadness because of yesterday's events.  I had an Open House at one of my listings today and everyone who came in had a heavy heart.  There is shock and sadness for those that lost their lives, and fear and anxiety for those who are still struggling for theirs.  Our thoughts and prayers also go out to all of their families and friends.  It is a difficult time for all.  You try to function and go on with life as normal... but it isn't. 

The whole city of Tucson is hoping and praying for the recovery of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and all the other victims of the shootings.  It will take time for the people of my beloved Tucson to heal from this.  The whole country, for that matter.  Let this be the last of this senseless violence! 

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

Last week turned out to be a good and a productive week.  First, I got a call on one of the short sales we were waiting to hear back on, that the bank was working our file and they sent us a new addendum to sign.  That was good news.  At least they are progressing.
 
Then all the parties came to contract acceptance on another sale we had been negotiating.   It was a nice, easy sale between private parties.  (Those are few and far between.)  So we'll begin the inspections this week. 
 
But the best news of all, is that the 2 banks approved the short sale of my buyers (who have been under contract since the beginning of October), and we will be closing before the end of January.   Good news for all involved!
 
Plus we had the magic of Christmas and all the holiday festivities that go along with that!
 
Sure makes for a memorable week!  Sure hope yours was merry!
 

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

                    
 
Look at the unexpected visitor that came walking across our property yesterday in broad daylight.  It was a good size javelina (Pronounced:  havaleena).   Through the picture window our dogs watched its every move, and barked their heads off at the poor animal as it slowly lumbered across the street.  Though many people think the javelina is a boar or pig, it is actually a peccary.  Peccaries have jaws that are short and straight for crushing seeds and cutting plant roots.  They are omniverous, meaning they eat grasses, roots, seeds, and may also eat some small animals.  They are wild animals (not domesticated) and sometimes can be destructive.  They have been known to knock over our big green city trashcans on the eve of trash day, creating quite a mess!
 
Patricia Paul, GRI ** www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com ** (520) 548-2078  

Last year when the federal government implemented the first-time homebuyer's tax credit, I thought it was a great program and I helped some people take advantage of it.  When the program expired at the end of November, there was talk it would be reimplemented, and earlier this year, it was.  What I saw this past time was quite a scramble, especially as it got closer and closer to the deadline (which was April 30, 2010) to have an accepted contract.  Consumers saw the value of the credit combined with low interest rates and low property prices, and reacted.  Two days before the deadline I was still showing properties and writing contracts.  Whew!  That's calling it close! 
 
So we've made it past that hurdle, and now what?  Well, there are still people out there who need to buy and sell their homes, for a variety of reasons.   Always will be.  The housing market will hopefully continue to stabilize, and with a little luck, the economy along with it.  The fact remains that prices are still very low, and interest rates are still very low and it's still a good time to buy a home.  It will be interesting to see what the next several months hold in store.  
 
If I can help you with any of your real estate needs, please contact me.
 
Patricia Paul, GRI ** www.PatriciaPaulProperties.com ** (520) 548-2078