Your Arizona Expert

Numbers don't lie . . . and the numbers coming in for Arizona real estate shows a market that is finally improving. Our inventories are at all time lows - just about where they were in the peak of the market frenzy in 2005. This means supply is down. Foreclosures and short sales have peaked and are falling substantially . . . only nine percent of homes sold in December 2011 were lender owned. This is a significant drop from just six months ago.

With interest rates at all time lows and home prices beginning to push up, plus the rules of low supply and increasing demand - we are headed for a recovery. Some experts predict 5-10 percent in appreciation increases over the next year, but others are even more optimistic. And it is about time!

If you have been thinking about buying, now is the time. Selling? with inventories so low, this might be the time to list your property. Of course, price still matters and we have a long way to go till we become a "healthy" market. But at least real estate is on the mend and that is good news!

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in my little corner of the world. The Bradshaw Mountains are dusted with snow, a chill is in the air and I have pulled out all of my cook books looking for my favorite recipes.

The wind is blowing and I think the winds are also shifting in real estate. Foreclosures in both Maricopa and Yavapai Counties are down significantly and we have actually begun to see home prices begin to rise.

Since I spend time between Anthem and Skull Valley, I have the unique perspective of doing real estate in two very different parts of Arizona. Both areas are seeing a slight rebound, more traditional sales and a stronger outlook for 2012. And it is about time!

This can only be good (or at least better) news for those of us wanting to sell homes and/or regain some of the value that has been lost over the past several years. But before we get too excited, PRICING still rules the day and buyers (and lenders) are very price/value sensitive.

I have had the opportunity of writing a column, Around the Bluhmin' Town for the Prescott Courier, our local newspaper. This week I spotlighted the "Real Elves of Christmas" who are the thousands of volunteers who donate their money, clothes, toys and time to the needy. What a great community and what a fantastic time of year!

Stay warm, bake or eat plenty of cookies and spike the eggnog! Merry Christmas!

Can you feel the crispness in the air? Time to get out the sweaters, take doggy for a long walk and thrill to the cooler weather. I made soup the other day and I think it got me in the mood for all things Autumn . . . pumpkins, fresh apple pie and real estate.

Yes, whatever you read about real estate - headlines screaming one negative thing after another, the truth is that folks are still selling, which means people are still buying. Mortgage rates are as low as they have been since 1950 and prices are simply terrific. Plus, if the law of supply and demand means anything (which I tend to believe it does), then our low inventory of properties will result in a market that is becoming more stable.

Enjoy the beauty of Autumn!