What a difference a month makes. I hate to make too many predictions but I feel by the end of the 3rd Quarter, Tucson will be on its way to healing our local Housing Market. Will we be out of the woods? No, but I think we will see the market leveling and possibly a lower inventory that will cause prices to reverse the downward trend. So many home sellers would be upside down if they tried to sell right now so they will not put their home on the market for a while. At the same time I have seen a slowing of Foreclosure Notices being recorded.

The Foreclosure Notices have decreased, but is that due to fewer people in trouble or the Banks letting it slide while they extract themselves from Court actions that have happened all over the US. The inventory of REO’s has slowed, but I can attest that is due to the Banks not completing the Foreclosure after the 91st day. I have one that has been extended at least five times with no Contract, and the only reason I can see is the problems the Banks had with Robo signers. I am not sure why this should affect Tucson or Arizona as we are a Deed of Trust State which does not require a Court action as do many of the Eastern States who operate under Mortgages. What ever the reason, it has slowed the recordings of Notices. Fewer Notices, fewer REO’s from Foreclosure and fewer Short Sales. As this part of the inventory shrinks and the sellers that are upside down do not try to sell, the Inventory gets smaller and the number of buyers wanting to buy gets larger, we will see prices starting to increase.

The figures on this table are subject to change due to late reportings and corrections. These changes are reflected in the next months statisical blog post after we receive the updated information. For this reason you will find inconsistencies if you compare the data on multiple tables.

* Closed during the month.
** For the current month (not the total listing under contract)

Our State, but mostly in the Phoenix area, has seen its more than fair share of Foreclosures. We are just one of a few States that really got in trouble. But what about those other States that they can sell today and move to Tucson. This too will increase that buyer pool that will help push our prices back up. What is back up? Do not expect large or fast increases, but we will start to dig our way back out of the hole. I hope to see a 3%-5% increase each year for the time coming. This was the norm for many years. Some areas of Tucson did better but this steady increase is much better for our community.

The other point, if you think you will wait, is interest rates. THEY will go back up, and I think sooner than later. I again expect by the end of the 3rd quarter rates will be above 5.5% and probably closer to 6%. Our National economy is really in the tank and there are some good signs, but as long as Congress spends more than is brought in, we are in trouble. With our divided government we will not make much headway to improve our lives. We need a change!!

I personally have been busy and I thank the good Lord for that, but I have time to do more. If I can help you, call me. Use my website www.BarryFotheringham.com to gain access to our MLS as much as you want. If you are a renter use www.AbilityRentalHomes.com to find that rental. If you are a renter, why not see what you can buy instead of renting. It is much closer than you think. Call Elaine DeTour-Spronken at NOVA Home Loans at 520-202-5343 to see what you can do. She is excellent and I have used her for years for my clients. She is very Service orientated and will give you straight answers.

Since I have not had time to really say what I feel and think I have kept my posts short, but this should help you see what is coming in the next six months to a year.

Why not call me and get ready to buy?