There is definitely a significant increase in “Closed” transactions in the price range over $700,000. Hopefully this is a new and sustainable trend.

I’ll still keep and expand my Real Estate business, though. Thanks to having support from a team of three well experienced and knowledgeable agents, that I lined up at the beginning of last year, I can concentrate on providing advice and designing the best suited strategies for buyers and sellers.

There is definitely a reason why my clients call me “Tucson’s Smartest Realtor”. Thanks to my financial background and economics knowledge, as well as acquired real estate know-how, I am able to give people an unbiased opinion and “inside information” and bring logic and extensive analysis into emotional decisions.

In the current economic and political chaos, with the wide range of opinions – from deflation to inflation, from recession – to depression – or to significant economic growth, from double-dip to the new heights, people are looking for professional guidance, not just help from a salesperson.

By the way, our real estate team is one of the top-producers with Keller Williams Southern Arizona and my clients receive full real estate services in all price ranges and all areas of town, which I was unable to achieve just by myself.

Relocating to Tucson and diving into the booming Real Estate trend worked well in 2004 when we had a newborn baby and were ready to buy our first house. 6 years and 2 babies later, it feels just right to expand back into what I was really good at – chess and finance.

Opened last summer, Catalina Foothills Chess Academy is showing awesome results. Students with 6 months of experience, not only hold their ground against opponents who have been in chess for 4-5 years, but bring home trophies and medals. A brand new class of 4- & 5-years old has been added last week – GREAT kids!

Meanwhile, I am very excited to be teaching Risk Management & Derivatives class at Eller College of Management. The abundance of Risk Management disasters in the last few years makes it a necessity to teach undergraduate and graduate students to understand and appreciate various risks and have the tools and discipline to deal with them.

PRESENT

The Catalina Foothills Chess Academy is based on the famous “Soviet School” of chess which resulted in 7 of the last 8 undisputed World Chess Champions. Anjelina was fortunate to train under this system growing up as a chess prodigy in the U.S.S.R.

Moreover, the cornerstone of this program comes from Anjelina’s 5 years of study at the Botvinnik – Kasparov Chess Academy (the 6th and 13th World Champions), as well as her own achievements and ideas. It has been developed as a multi-dimensional training that encompasses chess strategy, intuition, logic, memory and imagination. This program was extensively tested in the New York City public schools, where Anjelina taught chess to over 1,000 students for over 5 years and it has been highly successful.

Now enrolling for the summer:

* 10-week program, Saturdays 9:30 – 10:30AM starting June 5th. (2nd class Sunday possible depending on demand)
* Price: $225 for 10 classes ($25 discount) if paid on or before June1st; $250 thereafter.
* Siblings discount – $75 off the 1st child’s payment ($150 or $175, accordingly).
* Spaces are very limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please call Anjelina Belakovskaia for availability, to register and with any questions: (520) 370-0700 or e-mail to: Anjelina@gmail.com. For payments please call Gabe Harris: (520) 529-7179.

For registration, please be ready to answer the following questions: o Preferred class time

o Child’s Name o Age o School o Grade o Knowledge of moves o Knowledge of notation o Tournament experience o Rating o Experience of playing with chess clock

About ANJELINA:

TESTIMONIALS

Gail Baptiste (Principal; P.S. #308, Brooklyn) “Anjelina has been working at our school for the past several months, and has done an excellent job teaching chess for us. She is a very professional teacher who has put a lot of thought and effort into the way she presents her lessons, and has very good classroom management technique. Her lessons captivate the students and teachers alike. The lessons and tests Anjelina uses are designed not only to teach the game of chess, but to benefit the students thinking, planning, and strategic skills. We here at P.S. #308 can highly recommend Anjelina to anyone who is interested in starting a chess program in their school.”

Helene Yavneh (2nd grade teacher; P.S. #308, Brooklyn) “If success can be measured by enthusiasm, then judging by the children’s excitement when Ms. Belakovskaia comes to teach chess, and their desire to continue playing when her lesson with them is over, “CHESS PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN” by Anjelina Belakovskaia has, indeed, been very successful.”

Bob Doyle “Ms. Belakovskaia’s presentation was absolutely wonderful. That she was a woman, an intellect, creative and bright, enhances the fact that there is never, ever a substitute for intelligence and style. Whenever we expose children to such competence we do them a great service.”

Dr. Jon Maksik “I was very impressed with Anjelina Belakovskaia’s presentation to our students. Ms. Belakovskaia spoke for nearly an hour to students of varied ages and chess experience. She was vital, compelling and personable; the students were riveted. I would be delighted to have her return to The Community School whenever she is able to do so and I recommend her, without reservation, to other schools.”

CHESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

* Woman International Grandmaster – the highest title a chess player can attain
* World Student Team Champion (USSR Team) – 1990
* 3-Time United States Women’s Chess Champion -1995, 1996 & 1999
* Leader of the US Olympic Women’s Chess Team – 1994, 1996 & 1998
* Honored by President of Brooklyn, City of New York for superlative skills and outstanding achievement (2000)

UNITED STATES CHESS EXPERIENCE

1991-2000 Professional Chess Player, member of the US Olympic Women’s Chess Team

1998-2000 Chairperson of Women’s Committee of the USCF

1994-2000 Chess Teacher: Public Schools # 217, 193, 208, 238, 251, 288, 308, Brooklyn, NY

1994-2000 Chess Principal, International Children’s Center For Performing Arts Inc

1997-1997 Chess Coach, FIDE World Youth Championship, France

1997-1997 Chess Consultant, IBM and Electric Minds Companies

PRESS COVERAGE

Multiple USSR and Worldwide publications

Sports Illustrated o The New York Times o Chess Life  o Inside Chess

About MATHNASIUM Catalina Foothills: Mathnasium Catalina Foothills is a learning center where students go year-round to boost their math skills. It is located at: 4777 East Sunrise Drive, Suite #127. Tucson, AZ 85718. Phone: (520) 529-7179 Email: catalinafoothills@mathnasium.com

Gabe Harris, Owner/Director: “Our goal is to significantly increase your child’s math skills, understanding of math concepts, and overall school performance, while building confidence and forging a positive attitude toward the subject. We are proud to welcome Anjelina Belakovskaia and the Catalina Foothills Chess Academy, knowing that chess helps to develop and improve math and logic skills at all levels.”

“BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” is now becoming a reality in Tucson and Pima County.

Every driver in Arizona is now under complete surveillance by the authorities, mainly by cameras installed at numerous intersections in Tucson, Pima County, Phoenix and other areas of Arizona. I don’t know about you, but it really gets on my nerves to see their eye pointing at my windshield like a gun.

Most of those cameras are surveillance cameras, but there are number of speed cameras that issue tickets as well.

Here is a map of those speed traps:

Remember the locations of speed cameras in Pima County (if you want to avoid getting speeding ticket):

* Northbound and southbound N. La Cholla at W. Sunset Road
* Northbound and southbound S. Mission Road at W. Nebraska Street
* Eastbound and westbound E. Ina Road at N. Camino de Las Candelas
* Northbound and southbound N. Swan Road at E. Calle Barril
* Northbound and southbound Alvernon Way near Station Master Drive
* Eastbound and westbound Valencia Road near Camino De La Tierra
* Eastbound and westbound Valencia Road near Wilmot Road
* Eastbound and westbound River Road near Country Club Road
* Northbound and southbound Ruthrauff Road near Rillito Street
* Northbound and southbound Nogales Highway near Hermans Road

For more information and amounts of the fine, visit http://www.pimasheriff.org/PhotoRadar/.
Meanwhile, if you already got speeding ticket in Arizona, read:
http://www.worldlawdirect.com/article/903/fighting-speeding-ticket.html

View 2009 H1N1 Flu Outbreak Map in a larger map

Don’t panic yet, though! Out of six cases of swine flu, also known as H1N1, confirmed in Pima County on Saturday, May 02, 2009 all six have recovered. Only two out of six were students in Tucson area.

So, lets hope the virus is not going to be as deadly as in Mexico and will pass by as a regular flu. What I still don’t understand though is why so many Mexicans have died from this virus?
- Is it just because swine flu is much more spread in Mexico than in the US?
- Is it because it began a month earlier in Mexico and US will follow the trend in a few weeks?
- Is there difference in climate or nutrition?
Does anyone have any ideas?

So far, the symptoms of swine flu in people are somewhat similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also indicated to have sore throat, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

However, someone with the flu symptoms would face a dilemma of going to the Doctor or Emergency Room and spend time around all other possible swine flu victims, or stay at home and guess on the nature of the disease. Not such a pleasant choice in my view.

This is quite different compare to the previous Auction. Most of the Condos auctioned last year were nicely renovated with granite counters, tile and carpet flooring, stainless-steel appliances.
This however is not the ONLY difference with the last year Auction. It looks like J.P.King has a different style than Real Estate Disposition Corporation. Instead of Auctioning separate units from a certain base price, “16 Absolute sales” would mean the following to the Buyers:

• First 16 lots are comprised of ALL THE AVAILABLE CONDOS on the list.
• The highest bidder of the first lot WILL CHOOSE which Condo he likes to pick. This Condo is taken of the list.
• The same for the next 15 lots.
• The seller is committed to sell those Condos for the final bid price.
• For the rest of the Auction – 42 Condo Conversions left on the Auction list will be bid separately and it will be up to the Seller to Accept or Reject final bid price.

Nevertheless, the place seemed to be quite crowded with prospective Buyers and Investors and a brief interaction with one of them revealed the following:

The bids at the Auction are expected to be quite less than last year. The main reason of course is the overall Real Estate market deterioration. However, significant role will play Buyers’ increased difficulty in getting financing for Condo Conversions.

Most likely banks will require at least 40%-50% down payment, so everyone who is pre-qualified at 20% down doesn’t stand a chance. Lately, banks put Luxury Condo Conversions into HIGH RISK category. This statement didn’t sound as a specific to this particular development, Tucson or Arizona, but rather as a general observation or insider’s knowledge. After all, how much Real Estate market in Tucson is different than in Phoenix, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Miami? Each market has its own specifics, but all of them got overbuild, over-converted, overpriced… Now they are full of short sales, foreclosures, auctions. Though, some might rightfully argue that Tucson is in better situation than other mentioned places.

Nevertheless, banks are especially cautious right now about lending money to the troubled areas. And Catalina Foothills’ Luxury Condominiums community – Villas at Sabino Canyon – is definitely one of them. At the first auction Condos were selling at about 50% discount… Most of the current owners are “upside down” on the property… Over 50% of the units are rentals… Special Assessment might be needed to boost HOA funding…

If all this doesn’t scare you and you are well capitalized to take a gamble, do your due diligence and come to the Auction. Bare in mind that the last few paragraphs are based on what we heard from the investor who already owns a few Condos in the Villas at Sabino Canyon and will probably acquire more.

Some of the largest models are:

4558 Sq. Ft., 5BR /4.75 BA, 1+ Acre and 3-car garage – $599,990 (down from $766,346) – MLS # 20810682 in The Preserve at Sycamore Canyon (Sahuarita & Harrison).

4350 Sq. Ft., 6BR /4 BA and 3-car garage – $499,990 (Former Model) – MLS # 20900646 in Sycamore Canyon (Sahuarita & Harrison).

3500 Sq. Ft., 5BR /3.75 BA and 3-car garage – $449,990 (Former Model) – MLS # 20838107 in Sycamore Canyon (Sahuarita & Harrison).

3500 Sq. Ft., 5BR /3.5 BA and 3-car garage – $399,990 (down from $490,025) – MLS # 20841640 in Sycamore Canyon (Sahuarita & Harrison).

3002 Sq. Ft., 5BR /3 BA and 3-car garage – $449,990 (Former Model) – MLS # 20900780 in Tierra Linda (Emigh west of Sandario).

2722 Sq. Ft., 5BR /3 BA and 2-car garage – $399,990 (down from $513,559) – MLS # 20841635 in River’s Edge (Lambert Lane & Pusch View Lane).

For more information on these and smaller models, please give me a call:
Anjelina Belakovskaia -Tucson Real Estate Agent
520-370-0700.

Less than a year ago I wrote about 40-luxury-condo (Villas at Sabino Canyon) Public Home Auction that took place on May 10, 2008.

Now, mark your calendars: 58 Condominiums in Tucson, Arizona will be auctioned on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 6:00 PM by J.P.King Auction Company.

Located in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson, Arizona “Villas at Sabino Canyon” is offering 58 luxury condominiums at the new Auction, with 16 selling absolute.

Many of these luxury condo units are currently rented, offering excellent investment or income producing opportunity. Do your math in advance or get a consultation with your Tax / Financial adviser. You have a chance to get these luxury condominiums at 50% or more discount (versus 2007 prices in the same community). My estimate is based on the 2008 Public Home Auction results, when many Condos were sold in $122,500 – $145,000 price range.

Villas at Sabino Canyon
58 Condominiums; 16 Selling Absolute
Located at 7255 E. Snyder Rd. Tucson, AZ 85750

• 2 and 3 bedroom floorplans
• Unique views of the Catalina Mountain Range
• Exceptional amenities include:

- tile flooring,
- custom cabinetry,
- granite countertops,
- and more.

• Gated community with private individual entries
• Covered parking
• Pool and spa
• Beautiful landscaping
• Convenient location close to new upscale shopping centers, restaurants and golf.

To explore this opportunity further – give me a call at (520)370-0700 Anjelina. I’d be happy to give you more details and share my experience and knowledge.

If you believe that Tucson Real Estate market is going to take off now or in the near future and you want to participate in the upside, it might be a very reasonable investment. After all, with a natural setting and relaxing environment, just a few minutes away from Sabino Canyon, “Villas at Sabino Canyon” is one of Tucson’s only luxury condominium developments that is offered its Condos through the Public Home Auction.

For many homeowners it is not over yet and might take quite a while for getting out of the woods. The reason is very simple. A lot of Tucson homes are changing hands in the short sale or foreclosure situation. Buyers are searching for the homes with built in equity and buying them way below the previous sales price. This means that many of the homes sold in March – April of 2009 are sold with 20% – 50% discount. This in turn affects any future sales in the area, due to the lower appraised value of the neighboring homes.

Still, the change is welcomed, as it takes some inventory off the market and encourages more buyers to leave sidelines and submit offers.

Even luxury market is picking up and I am getting busier every hour. Out-of-state Buyers, as well as locals search my website: http://foothillsinsider.com/ for Luxury Tucson homes for sale and http://foothillsinsider.com/tucson-foreclosures-short-sales/ for foreclosures and short sales in Tucson.