AF STERLING – PALOMA RIDGE from only $429,900 (New Construction).

OFFER (until April 30, 2009):

• No Principal,
• No Interest,
• Np Taxes,
• No Insurance,

FOR SIX MONTH!!!

Conventional Loan – 20% Minimum Down.

The community is located on the North side of Sunrise in between Campbell and Swan, next to La Paloma Golf Course. It is gated with community pool; 2, 3 & 4-bedroom models; single & two story designs; custom features throughout & Energy Star® rated with 2″x6″ construction.

To my taste, the houses are too close to each other, but you know what… not everyone can afford the privacy of the Catalina Foothills’ established neighborhoods. Meanwhile, houses are New, 1808-3091 sq. ft., with gorgeous Mountain views and only a few minutes away from premier Million+ dollars neighborhoods: Pima Canyon, Sin Vacas, Cobblestone, La Paloma…

Way to go, AF Sterling – make an offer Buyers can’t refuse.

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.

Out of 40 Condos presented, first two were bid up the most – both to $160,000. This however was the highest point of the auction. Steadily, the activity was drying up, with a few investors picking up handful of units that nobody else really wanted. The price ranged in between $122,500 and $145,000, though it is hard to pinpoint what was affecting the difference. Out of the five 3 BR Units (1,209 square feet each), the only upgraded one was sold for $160,000 (one of the above mentioned first two), the rest end up with the following prices: $140,000, $140,000, $135,000, $130,000 in the auction’s order.

During the auction, nine of the units came back (one of them twice), probably due to bidders’ inability to qualify or lack of the necessary paperwork / money. Overall, that cost the developer extra $52,500, as the consequent bids were lower in eight instances. For example, 2 BR/2 BA Unit 9-105 (1,017 square feet), described as “upgraded, private location, corner unit, fireplace” (auction sequence #22) was at first sold for $140,000. Yet, after it was re-auctioned, the final bid was $125,000.

Most of the vacant units were already completely renovated and upgraded by the developer and included granite counter tops, tiles in the kitchen, bathrooms and living area, new carpet in the bedrooms, new stainless steel appliances, bathtubs, sinks, etc… Two models even included flat screen plasma TV attached to the wall.

Overall, the auction was an amazing experience, worth even just to hear 120-125-120-125-125-125-120-125-120-125… with the speed of 120 words per minute or faster. It was though surprising for me to see starting bids of $89,000-$109,000 going up to $120,000-$125,000 almost immediately and then abruptly stop right there. Why wouldn’t the bidders get up there slowly? It might have saved them “a few bucks” at least in a few cases. However, looking at the face of the person opening the auction, one can strongly suspect that results didn’t meet Seller’s / Auctioneers’ expectations. Only time will show if this auction was a great buy for the investors or a timely escape for the Seller.

One thing is obvious. Those who were buying Condos to live in it have definitely won. They paid half of what was paid by their future neighbors just a few months prior. The location is definitely superior, considering proximity to Sabino Canyon, Ventana Golf and Racquet Club, Canyon Ranch Resort, etc… Moreover, those upgraded luxury condos are in the desirable by many School District 16, yet the new auction prices were still slightly better than many recently sold older non-upgraded condos in the TUSD school district. It was also much easier and safer process than buying short sales and foreclosures.

Good luck to those who won. Enjoy your new home!

Meanwhile, Tucson Multiple Listing Service is implementing some changes. On Monday, May 5th Tucson MLS will add “Cumulative Days on Market” in a new field showing DOM/CDOM. This will help agents to see total number of days the property has been listed without a 30 days break (regardless of any change of agent or brokerage). This information, however, will not be available on the public MLS site.

Long Realty agent’s tour:

MLS #:20816312: 5436 N Highpoint Ct, Tucson, AZ 85718. Promontory. $595,000.
MLS #:20811320: 4699 N Placita Ventana Del Rio, Tucson, AZ 85750. Ventana Del Rio. $649,900.
MLS #:20816130: 7365 E Autumn Dusk Pl, Tucson, AZ 85750. Ventana Reserve. $1,049,000.
MLS #:20813276: 7317 E Calle Alba Serena, Tucson, AZ 85750. Ventana Serena. $469,000.
MLS #:20815337: 5540 E Silver Mine Pl, Tucson, AZ 85750. Silverton. $749,000.
MLS #:20816763: 3614 E Kingler Spring Pl, Tucson, AZ 85718. Foothills Clusters. $499,000. Active contingent as of 05/08/08.
MLS #:20814755: 5651 N Paseo Niguel, Tucson, AZ 85718. Shadow Hills. $449,000.
MLS #:20814750: 5200 N Via Condesa, Tucson, AZ 85718. Catalina Foothills Estates. $749,000.