Tucson Real Estate Blog

March Statistics

Each month that goes by has brought a longer “average days on market” until sold.  The number for March was 67 days.  If you take into account that 8585 homes came on the market from January through March and only 3224 homes sold during that same timeframe, we will see larger and larger numbers of homes listed in MLS each month.  Many expire and are not re-listed or are withdrawn from the market, but I expect the totals to increase.  We will see many investor homes, foreclosures, and builders offering incredible incentives all competing for the buyers out there.

March was not a bad month for Solds with 1246 having recorded.  The problem is the number not selling, and the new listings coming on the market.  We have very good interest rates around 6.25% but many buyers are reluctant to step in right now for fear their purchase will go down in value after they close.

On whole our average sales price and median sales price are fluctuating around a range that does not indicate large reductions.  In fact, March showed a good increase.  I really believe we have hit the stabilizing range but just not enough buyers to reduce the inventory.  Summer is coming and I expect we will see more sales happening.

If you have any questions or comments I would be happy to speak with you at (520) 296-7143 or e-mail me at barry@barryfotheringham.com.

(the full March statistics release by the Tucson Association of Realtors, Multiple Listing Service can be found here) 

Gas prices on the rise… try these tips!

Gas prices have been inching up and summer is coming with the normal price increases.  I have read many things about how to save gas and get more miles to the gallon.  Having your car in GOOD running condition can help.  When was your last tune-up?  Do you check your tire pressure on a regular basis to insure the correct pressure for your brand of tires?  How about your driving habits? Do you accelerate quickly from a stop and race to the next red light?  Move out slowly and save the brakes at the next stop.  Obey the speed limit and this will help save a few gallons.  The links in this paragraph are to a website for the United States Department of Energy at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/.  It is loaded with tips and information.

Now to me, here is the big thing I am doing to save some gas.  I am leaving the house five minutes early and driving 65 MPH on the freeway.  I can see my miles per gallon increasing.  When I used to live in Willcox, my wife would drive at 65 MPH and it would gain us one trip back to Tucson on a full tank of gas.  That was an extra 80 miles… we saw it happen!!

If everyone did the speed limit in town and traveled 65 MPH on the freeway we could have excess supplies of gas.  I know 65 MPH is slow in today’s standards but it might only cost you five minutes of time, but how many dollars are you spending for that five minutes?  I also feel safer at that slower speed.  Why not try it?!?