Summary of The residential real estate market in Tucson Arizona for March 2015

onlinelogomaker-021015-1641

If you are looking to purchase or sell a home in Tucson Arizona, here are some of the stats released for the local residential market by the Tucson Association of REALTORS®, and can be found on their site at https://www.tucsonrealtors.org/news/statistics

 Total Sales Volume for March was $266,059,250, a 35.89%

increase from February’s number of $195,792,147, and a

17.34% increase over March 2014.

 The Average Sales Price decreased slightly this month to

$208,673 from $209,403 in February.

 Average List Price decreased 1.10%, going from $216,281 in

February to $213,907 in March.

Total Under Contract increased by 15.10% from February.

Total Unit Sales in March of 1,275 is a 36.36% increase from

February’s 935 and a 12.73% increase over March 2014.

The Median Sales Price rose to $172,000 this month from

$167,000 in February, a 2.99% increase.

New Listings increased 1.17% from February.

Total Active Listings of 5,721 is a decrease from February’s

number of 5,857.

Average Days on Market went down to 68 from last month’s

number of 69.

Conventional loan sales of 35.6 exceeded Cash Sales of 32.0%

this month.

Average home prices are on the rise in Tucson. If you are wondering where to start when buying a home in Tucson AZ, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have, at 520-338-9319. Tucson Homebuyer Help can get you started on the right path to purchase your first home, regardless of what obstacle you may think is keeping you from it. We  are here to help.

Buy a home in Tucson Arizona- 4 ways to improve your credit score

onlinelogomaker-021015-1641

Buy a home in Tucson Arizona- 4 ways to improve your credit score

The Homebuyer Help Blog wants you to become a homeowner in 2015, and with the recent easing of credit score requirements, combined with low interest rates. You have run out of excuses to keep renting. You owe it to yourself to become a homeowner, so here are 5 ways to improve your credit score so that you can get the keys to a new home for you, and your family.

  1. Find, and employ a reputable credit repair professional.

This sounds easy on paper, scams are out there, but reputable companies do exist, and they will get the job done by removing negative information from your credit file. This is not illegal!  It will help you accomplish your goals of being a homeowner faster than typically possible. The Homebuyer Help blog has an established relationship with an ethical, professional credit repair company, if you are interested in getting a referral, just reach out. Credit repair will cost a little, but it will save you thousands on a home purchase in the form of a lower interest rate.

  1. Keep all existing accounts current

This is pretty self-explanatory, and very important. A credit score is a prediction to potential lenders of the likelihood of you paying late in the future…soooo… payment timeliness makes up a significant portion of your credit score. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE ON TIME PAYMENTS!

  1. Add accounts to your profile

If you can qualify for a traditional credit card, Great! If not, don’t worry you have options. Secured credit cards from your bank or other institutions reporting positively will help your credit score. Do not max out the new accounts. Keep usage below 30 percent. So if your credit line is $1000 dollars, keep the utilization to below $300. Another great alternative for new accounts for those with less than perfect credit are mail order catalogs such as Fingerhut.

  1. Take responsibility

The worst thing you can do is bury your head in the sand, and try to wait for bad credit to go away. Get it in your head, that everyone makes mistakes, and there is nothing to be ashamed of. Find a quality credit monitoring site such as Credit Check Total, so that you can see exactly what is listed on your report, and get notifications of new activity.

Conclusion

No matter what your credit score is, it should not be a reason you keep renting. Have you ever heard the saying “A year from now, you will wish you started today” You can have a great credit score no matter what your history is, you just have to start today, take responsibility, set a goal, and NEVER QUIT. If you want to get on the right track to a great credit score reach out to the Homebuyer Help Blog with a call or text at 520-338-9319, or on Facebook to find out more about credit repair.

If you find the information on the Homebuyer Help Blog useful, please subscribe, and share with your friends.

Summary of The residential real estate market in Tucson Arizona for February 2015

onlinelogomaker-021015-1641

Summary of The residential real estate market in Tucson Arizona for February 2015

If you are looking to purchase or sell a home in Tucson Arizona, here are some of the stats released for the local residential market by the Tucson Association of REALTORS®, and can be located on their site at https://www.tucsonrealtors.org/news/statistics

 Total Sales Volume for February was $195,792,147, a 24.89%

increase from January’s number of $156,772,690.

 The Average Sales Price increased this month to $209,403

from $194,878 in January.

 Average List Price increased 7.24%, going from $201,687 in

January to $216,281 in February.

 Total Under Contract increased by 12.98% since January.

 Total Unit Sales were up from 805 in January to 935 in

February, resulting in a 16.15% increase.

 The Median Sales Price rose to $167,000 this month from

$160,250 in January, a total of 4.21%.

 New Listings decreased 1.20% from January to February but

have increased 14.48% since February 2014.

 Total Active Listings of 5,857 were up .93% since January’s

number of 5,803.

 Average Days on Market decreased to 69 this month from 70 in

January.

 Conventional loan sales of 36.7 exceeded Cash Sales of 33.7%

this month.

If you are wondering where to start when buying a home in Tucson AZ, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have, at 520-338-9319. Tucson Homebuyer Help can get you started on the right path to purchase your first home, regardless of what obstacle you may think is keeping you from it. We  are here to help.

How homeowners can avoid costly repairs in Tucson Arizona

onlinelogomaker-021015-1641

How homeowners can avoid costly repairs in Tucson Arizona

Recently I asked a question on the Tucson Homebuyer Help Facebook Page. “What is the biggest obstacle you feel is keeping you from being a home owner” One of the responses received was surprising to me. The follower of the page felt that paying for future repairs to the home and finding qualified professionals was an obstacle to being a homeowner, and I just wanted to share a couple of quick thoughts for the benefit of the group, just in case there are others who feel this same issue is keeping them from purchasing a home in Tucson.

You and your family deserve to own a home. Don’t let anything hold you back

I feel everyone deserves to be a home owner, the sense of pride it brings can never be duplicated with any other purchase in my opinion. You owe it to yourself, and your family to do whatever it takes to become a homeowner, and reap the rewards it will bring. With that being said, a major system failure is a very valid concern to someone who has never owned a home before, but with proper planning and preparation, a major system failure, such as an air conditioning system, does not have to be a catastrophic event to a homeowner. Here are some quick steps to avoid costly repairs on your future home.

  1. Set aside cash on a regular basis into a repair fund for major repairs like HVAC, Plumbing, Roof

This is a good way to have the needed cash when that AC goes out this summer. Setting a small amount aside consistently will pay off when the time comes

  1. During your purchase, ask the professional to suggest a reputable Home Warranty plan

An option that many new homebuyers do not know about is a home warranty plan. There are several reputable companies out there that offer inexpensive plans that will cover the cost of major systems in a home, and sometimes have optional coverage that will even cover appliances against breakdown due to normal wear and tear. Personally, I utilized this service for an AC unit repair. I paid 50 dollars, and everything else was handled for me. If I had not had the home warranty plan, the costs could have been in the thousands.

  1. Perform consistent preventive maintenance yourself, or invest in making a relationship with a capable handyman.

I have found that preventive maintenance will prevent most catastrophic failures. This means getting a yearly checkup for your AC system, not flushing pipe clogging items down the toilet, and fixing small roof leaks immediately, among other things. Doing small things to maintain your home will save you thousands of dollars in the future.

In closing, do not let anything get in the way of becoming a homeowner. If you have obstacles in your head that you feel are keeping you from becoming a homeowner. Do not hesitate to reach out to Tucson Homebuyer Help at 520-338-9319, or join the Tucson Homebuyer Help Facebook page and send a private message with your concerns. I have built relationships with many real estate professionals who can help with any situation, I will listen, and I will do whatever it takes to help get you on the right path to become a homeowner.

Thank you for taking the time to read, I will always try to bring simple, actionable advice that you can benefit from today.

If you have any comments or ideas you have used to save money on home repairs in Tucson Arizona let me know in the Comments below, and be sure to subscribe to the blog to get all the latest information.

How to buy a home in Tucson, Arizona- Step 1

onlinelogomaker-021015-1641

How to buy a home in Tucson, Arizona- Step 1

 

So you have been pondering on becoming a home owner in Tucson Arizona, but you have no idea how the process works! Well, that is not a bad thing, you just have to know where to get the right information.

The RIGHT information will get you out from under paying rent to a landlord every month.

The RIGHT knowledge, and taking small steps will give you the pride of walking into your own home for the first time,

And that is exactly why I started writing the Tucson Homebuyer Help blog. I remember what it was like to want in to my brand new house for the first time, and I want to help as many people as possible have that experience as well.

Get educated-

The first step in any endeavor should be to educate yourself on what you are going to experience, and buying a home is no different. Some of the basic questions to have an answer for are:

  1. What is my credit score?
  2. How will a real estate agent help me?
  3. What is a mortgage broker?
  4. What can I expect during the home buying process?
  5. Am I in a buyers, or sellers’ market?
  6. What is my budget for a home purchase?
  7. What can I reasonably afford?
  8. How can I get pre-approved to buy a home?

While this is not an exhaustive list, it gives you a basic idea of where to start learning. Many individuals go into the process thinking it will be similar to buying a car. This could not be further from the truth. The home buying process can become long, and stressful, but has great rewards at the end, and many of the above questions can be answered by professionals within the real estate field.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post, I intentionally try to keep them as sort, and as simple as possible, while giving you advice that you can take action on now.

Never put things off until later….12 months will fly by fast, and you will still be paying rent to the landlord.

Start now, and take small steps to becoming a home owner in Tucson Arizona.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me at 520-338-9319, or send a message to the Tucson Homebuyer Help facebook page I have been in the real estate industry since 2007, and have built relationships with honest, and helpful real estate agents, property inspectors, title agencies, credit repair experts, among many others, that will be able to help you become a home owner no matter what the obstacle you may think is in your way.

If you feel this post would benefit someone, please share, like, and leave a comment

Hope you have an amazing day!

Requirements for mortgages are easing

Requirements for mortgages are easing

cropped-onlinelogomaker-021015-1641.png

http://tucson.com/ap/commentary/requirements-for-mortgages-are-easing/article_216ee64d-1fe7-565c-b818-6b3b4eb5b92d.html

The Tucson Homebuyer Help blog continually tracks local news that impacts homebuyers in Tucson Arizona, in an effort to bring no hassle, education on the home buying process to anyone who wants to learn, without being constantly pressured.

The news today is that requirements for mortgages are easing in Tucson, and the possibility of accepting FICO scores as low as 600, which means it will be easier for you to get in that home you have always wanted.

My name is Brandon; if you want to have a professional friend in real estate who can answer your questions give me a ring at 520-338-9319. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. I hope you find the article I share today useful.

A closely watched index that tracks mortgage credit availability — lender requirements on credit scores, down payments and other key loan terms — has some good news for potential homebuyers: Things are finally loosening up.

After years of progressively tighter rules on borrower eligibility in the wake of the housing bust, banks and mortgage companies have begun easing their requirements and expanding the types of mortgages they offer. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s latest credit availability index reported improvements in all four of its loan categories during January. All of which means an improved environment for mortgage shoppers.

Among the initiatives: giant investor Fannie Mae’s resumption of purchases of conventional mortgages with as little as 3 percent down. Freddie Mac, another major investor, is planning to begin similar 3 percent down loan purchases for mortgages closed on or after March 23. According to Mike Fratantoni, chief economist for the mortgage bankers’ group, “roughly 40 percent of investors” already have begun offering the Fannie 3 percent down program. The guidelines for the Freddie Mac program are in lenders’ hands and there’s likely to be a strong rollout for it as well.

Also contributing to better affordability: the Federal Housing Administration’s reduction late last month of its costly upfront mortgage insurance premiums, a move that could expand eligibility for home purchases to thousands of buyers, according to industry estimates. Virtually all lenders who work with the FHA program began offering the lower mortgage insurance premiums when the reduction took effect in late January.

FHA insures loans with down payments as low as 3.5 percent.

Brad Blackwell, executive vice president of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, the country’s largest-volume mortgage originator, is certain about what’s underway in the market: “Things are looking better for homebuyers and refinancers” — not only in terms of underwriting requirements but in the cost of credit as well.

Wells Fargo has been “gradually opening up the credit box,” Blackwell told me in an interview, in part because of helpful policy clarifications and changes at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Those changes give lenders greater confidence in lending to a broader spectrum of borrowers, including those who don’t have high credit scores and ready cash for big down payments.

For example, he said, though the bank previously had a credit score minimum — 660 FICO on conventional loan applications — now it requires no hard and fast minimum. Instead, if Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s automated underwriting systems accept the application — say you’ve got a relatively low credit score but strong compensating factors such as solid income, ample reserves and a large-enough down payment — the bank won’t say no to you solely because of the low score. This could be especially important to people who had tough economic experiences during the recession that damaged their credit but who are now excellent candidates for a loan. On FHA applications, the bank will now accept FICO scores as low as 600, down from its previous 640 standard.

Wells Fargo also has relaxed its policy on gifts to borrowers by relatives and friends to defray part of the down payment and closing costs. On conventional loans with 5 percent or lower down payments, Wells Fargo previously required borrowers to contribute at least 5 percent of the total costs from their own financial resources. Now that’s been cut to 3 percent, which allows for more generous gift assistance.

Some major real estate firms confirm that they are seeing the first signs of credit easing by mortgage lenders, but that most potential first-time and move-up borrowers are not yet aware of the changes.

Bottom line: If you’ve been stuck on the home buying sidelines, check out what’s going on. Talk to lenders and mortgage brokers. Who knows — maybe the opening of the credit box, even if it’s just a crack, might be enough to help you buy a house at today’s near-historic low rates.

http://tucson.com/ap/commentary/requirements-for-mortgages-are-easing/article_216ee64d-1fe7-565c-b818-6b3b4eb5b92d.html

Join me on the Tucson Homebuyer Help facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tucson-Homebuyer-Help/324577361074880

For no hassle education and current news related to the Tucson residential real estate market.

onlinelogomaker-021015-1641

Ready, Set, Own! Program Helps first time home buyers in Tucson Arizona

While browsing the internet looking for amazing things that will help first time home buyers in the Tucson area, I came across a program called READY, SET, OWN. If you are tired of paying rent every month, give me a call. No matter what you think the obstacle is, I can help you get on the right path to making a purchase in the future. Interest rates are at record lows, and buyer assistance programs in Tucson take away every excuse to not be a home owner. Give me a call at 520-338-9319- I want to hear about your goals to be a homeowner, and help you achieve them.

Below is a copy of the news article on the program, which can also be found at: http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/26780727/ready-set-own-a-new-program-to-assist-first-time-home-buyers

‘Ready, set, own!’ a new program to assist first time home buyers

Posted: Oct 14, 2014 6:46 AM

Updated: Oct 28, 2014 6:47 AM

By Maria Hechanova

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) – There is a new free community program that will be geared toward helping first time home buyers, sponsored by Radian Group, Inc.

The program is sponsored by Radian, a provider of private mortgage insurance, which enables homebuyers to purchase a home with less than a 20 percent downpayment. Tucson was selected as the pilot city for the Ready, Set, Own! program, which may expand to additional communities across the United States.

Ready, Set, Own! brings together local housing, lending and credit counseling resources to develop a personalized plan for successful homeownership for those wanting to purchase a home. Participants in the free program will be paired with local credit counselors and mortgage lenders to create a team of three to work hand in hand on the road to homeownership. Guidance will include the qualification process, possible credit and debt issues and a down payment savings plan.

“Tucsonans considering buying a home need good information,” said Mayor Rothschild, in a release on Tuesday. “I’m very pleased that Tucson will be the first city to launch the Ready, Set, Own! homebuyer assistance program.”

“The American dream of owning a home is the cornerstone of vibrant, healthy and happy communities,” said S.A. Ibrahim, CEO of Radian, in the same release. “At Radian, our goal is to help people from all walks of life and all financial backgrounds to responsibly achieve that dream, but we know it isn’t always easy. Potential homebuyers sometimes need resources and guidance to help them on their way, and the Ready, Set, Own! campaign is designed to empower them with the knowledge and preparation they need to turn homeownership into a reality.”

“The decision to buy a home is one of the most important financial decisions a person can make,” said Ray Desmond, President and Founder of NOVA Home Loans. “We’re proud to serve as mentors for the Ready, Set, Own! program and believe this campaign will provide clarity and opportunity for anyone considering homeownership in Tucson. We know that by helping more people own their own homes, our entire community stands to gain as homeownership has been tied to significant economic, social and civic benefits.”

Tucson was selected by Radian, according to officials, due to the city’s being hit hard by the recent housing crisis; homeownership fell to less than 50 percent, a historic low for the area.  A long term goal of the program is to raise it to 55 percent, what it was before the crisis.  The national homeownership average is at 64.7 percent.

Ready Set Own is open to everyone; current partners include the Primavera Foundation, Habitat for Humanity Tucson, Family Housing Resources, Chicanos por la Causa, Nova Home Loans and V.I.P. Mortgage; with endorsements from America’s Homeowner Alliance, Pepper Viner Homes, Keller Williams Realty, La Frontera Housing, the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, the Southern Chapter of the Arizona Association of Mortgage Professionals and the Southern Arizona Mortgage Lenders Association.

Those interested in Ready, Set, Own! or those who would like to support the program through a partnership or endorsement can visit http://www.readysetowntucson.com to learn more and sign up.

mortgage-calculator

Again, don’t let the dream of homeownership get away from you. Call me today at 520-338-9319 to talk about your goals.

Follow my Tucson Homebuyer Help Blog to stay up to date on all the latest programs, helpful tips, and advice related to buying a home in the Tucson Area.

No Pressure, No Obligation, Free Knowledge for Tucson Home Buyers

Summary of The residential real estate market in Tucson Arizona for January 2015

Summary of The residential real estate market in Tucson Arizona for January 2015

If you are looking to purchase or sell a home in Tucson Arizona, here are some of the stats released for the local residential market by the Tucson Association of REALTORS®, and can be located on their site at https://www.tucsonrealtors.org/news/statistics

immobilier

The Average Sales Price fell slightly this month from $205,015

in December to $194,878, a 4.94% decrease.

 Average List Price for January was $201,687, a 4.90%

decrease since December’s number of $212,078.

 Total Under Contract increased by 35.28% from December.

 Total Unit Sales dropped from 1,076 in December to 805 in

January resulting in a 25.19% decrease.

 The Median Sales Price dropped to $160,250 this month,

compared to last month’s number of $165,000, resulting in a

2.88% decrease.

 New Listings increased 64.35% from December to January.

 Total Sales Volume for January was $156,772,690, a 28.93%

decrease from last month’s number of $220,596,263.

 Total Active Listings of 5,803 is an increase of 4.05% since

December’s number of 5,577, and an increase of 5.95% since

January 2014.

 Average Days on Market increased to 70 this month from 61 in

December.

 Conventiona loan sales of 37.5 exceeded Cash Sales of 34.8%

This month.

If you are wondering where to start when buying a home in Tucson AZ, give me a call at 520-338-9319. I can get you started on the right path to purchase your first home, regardless of what obstacle you may think is keeping you from it. I am here to help.

The beginner investor guide (or anyone else) to achieve progress in 2015

The beginner investor guide (or anyone else) to achieve progress in 2015

This post was originally posted to my real estate blog on www.biggerpockets.com. I feel these are some solid tips to get yourself on track for the new year. Good luck, and I hope this helps someone.

It’s almost that time of year again, the time of year where we hear about how everyone around you is going to become a new person. Lofty goals and ambitions are talked about on a daily basis. “I’m going to quit smoking” ‘I’m going to eat better” “I’m going to work out” are some of the more popular ones, but usually before the conclusion of the first month of the year, we don’t hear about the goals anymore, they are left by the wayside, because in my opinion, individuals are lazy, they realize really fast that any progress worth making takes work, dedication, and constant motivation.

DON’T BE THE LAZY PERSON THIS YEAR!

Lazy people are not bad people; they have just become satisfied with conforming to the daily grind. Waking up, going to work, living paycheck to paycheck, and looking forward to getting off so they can catch their favorite show, and stuff their gullet with some food…this is not living…its surviving…. They are slaves, and do not even realize it.  This type of life requires a minimal amount of effort, and anything in addition to that becomes tiresome, and unsustainable to a lazy person. There are variations of this person, not everyone displays this acute condition of lazy as I describe, but all variations eventually end up in the same destination…. WORK…PAY BILLS…DIE.

DON’T BE THE LAZY PERSON THIS YEAR!

With just a few simple steps, you can achieve progress in 2015.

  1. Be honest with yourself- Who knows your flaws better than you, right? Find these flaws, or weak points, and write them down, and make an honest effort to correct them. I personally do this on a daily basis. A recent flaw that I am trying to correct is wasting time on facebook “sarcastically educating” random people… I find this activity very entertaining, but to someone who doesn’t know me well, it may give a false perception that I am a mean person, and ultimately me being entertained is not getting me any closer to my goals, so in an effort to cut the temptation to sarcastically educate, I deleted all political pages, and anyone, or anything that gives me an urge to sarcastically educate. This has worked out great, because of this I am able to remain positive, and focused. Of course, I sometimes fall off the wagon, I’m not perfect…but I have significantly improved this flaw. Find your weak points, and improve them.
  2. Achieve small progress daily- This will be critical to the sustainability of your motivation. Results are addicting. So make sure you accomplish one task that gets you closer to your goals every day, no matter how small it is. If your goal is to lose weight….put down that donut, and grab some fruit (I know it’s hard) but action becomes habit, and before you know it, you will be reaching for the fruit first. The small action of putting that donut down will get you closer to your goals. Small blocks become massive walls.
  3. Leave excuses at the door- Start training your brain now! Stop telling yourself that something CAN’T be done…. Ask yourself “How can I make this happen”. No one has enough money…No one has enough time, people have kids…but yet, they are achieving success, and you’re not…. The only thing that separates you is excuses. So leave excuses in 2014, and don’t let them infect the New Year.
  4. Surround yourself with positive people- Don’t allow the people around you to discourage you in your pursuit of progress. If someone is unwilling to do something…they will tell you that you can’t do it. Cut them out of your life now. They are like an anchor of negativity holding you on the ocean floor. Take time to hang out in new social circles. Even though I am a natural introvert, and would much rather stay at home, I make it a point to meet with local real estate investors, and attend social groups that engage in activities I enjoy. The people around you can make you, or break you. The choice is yours. A good website to connect with different social groups is meetup.com.
  5. Stay focused- I am highly susceptible to being distracted. I am the type of person that wants to try everything, being honest with myself has revealed to me, that I need to stay focused. Everything I do should be helping me gain progress. Every activity should be something that will help me make those small bricks to build my wall. My long term goal is financial freedom, through the investment in real estate. Every activity I perform on a daily basis gets me closer to that goal. Every day I analyze the activities I perform, if I find they are not beneficial to my goal, I stop doing them. I have structured my life, and all my activities to support the progress to my goals.
  6. Be prepared to do it alone- Don’t count on a significant other to help you. Remember, a significant portion of the population considers it normal to work, pay bills, and die… Anyone trying to achieve anything big will be out of the ordinary. In my opinion, if you are married, and your partner is one of these people…get a divorce; In the long term it’s cheaper than dragging along. I have found that trying to steer a significant other to a certain point of view is a fruitless, time consuming effort. If they will not contribute to success, why should you have to drag their weight to the top? Find someone who wants to succeed, find someone with passion for change, and a thirst for the knowledge to get there. Now if you are not married, it’s an easier task to get rid of the dead weight. I often meet with investors with significant others that contribute nothing to success, and they often say…Well I stay with them for the kids. My answer to that is… kids are highly adaptable, and two emotionally stable parents can still raise kids properly, and live apart. It may sound mean, but guess what… You are trying to succeed to give your kids and yourself a better life. If your partner is not contributing, what is the point? I have seen way too many individuals in an unfulfilling, unhappy relationship “because of the kids” Stop trying to MAKE something work, find a partner who has the desire to succeed, you will be happy, the kids will be happy, and you will live the life you have dreamed about.

This is by no means a transform yourself in a day plan…and it is not exhaustive, and I type with my goals in mind. Your goals may be smaller, or larger.  These are some steps that have helped get me on the right track currently, and in the past. There are multiple roads to get to a destination, don’t be afraid to blaze your own path. If people are not telling you that you’re crazy…you are doing it wrong. Good Luck in 2015.

The beginner investor guide (or anyone else) to achieve progress in 2015