Market conditions

Posted at 5:16 PM, Jul. 24, 2009

Over the past three weeks, there seems to have been buyer activity,
like real people, in the area looking at homes! Now there is some
activity on my commercial listings - and that market is supposed to be
in a decline! So, stay tuned, and look for a confirming blog or two
over the next coupe of weeks.

One of the top 50 places to retire

Posted at 6:23 PM, Jul. 11, 2009

What a surprise! Well, I knew it all along. Elgin, Arizona ranks 10th in the latest BusinessWeek survey of the top 50 places to retire. It truly has the best year round climate, super mountain views and a growing wine industry. To see the actual survey, please click on the following link. Sure hope this great news brings us some buyers!!

Pricing Strategy for the current market

Posted at 8:24 AM, Dec. 2, 2008

The following link takes you to an informative article courtesy of RisMedia. It is excellent food for thought for sellers, buyers and REALTORS® in today's market.

Enjoy!,

Charlie

http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-12-01/beyond-listing-agreements-where-the-diamonds-are-in-real-estate/

Move to the Mountain Empire of Southern Arizona

Posted at 3:52 PM, Apr. 18, 2008

Wait no longer! Our weather can never be any better - and real estate in this area has never been more attractive. Our inventory of homes is at the highest level I have ever seen so there are lots of choices for the discriminating buyer. Also, most of the homes are newer or recently upgraded. The Mountain Empire is the high desert grassland between Patagonia and Elgin Arizona. Situated at altitudes ranging from about 4,000' MSL to 5,500' MSL, the area enjoys almost universally good weather and clear skies. Seldom is there a day above 100 in the summer or in the 30's in the winter. The annual rainfall is about 18" which produces beautiful spring wildflowers and tall native grasses in the summer. A growing wine industry brings tourists from near and far and they and the locals support 10 restaurants so you will never go hungry. Tucson International Airport is only 45 minutes from the Sonoita Crossroads affording easy travel to destinations within the USA and overseas. (I have checked my bag from here to Kenya.) So, come take a look. I think you will agree that this is the perfect place to move to for a second home or for retirement. See you soon!

Sonoita WebCam

Posted at 3:44 PM, Apr. 1, 2008

Finally! Having started this project back in September, I now have my webcam up and running. So, anytime you want to see what it looks like in the Mountain Empire, just go to www.SonoitaProperties.com and look at the live image above the current weather. Oh, by the way, after sunset, the image is basic black....

Elgin wine country article

Posted at 10:39 AM, Mar. 5, 2008

The following link will take you to a great online article about this area and the Elgin wineries. Enjoy! Charlie http://www.winetrailsusa.com/Current_Issue.html

Summer Doldrums

Posted at 4:48 PM, Jun. 8, 2007

Reflecting back over the past couple of weeks, I am now conviced that the summer real estate season is upon us. There will be buyers, but they will be fewer and farther apart. This is the norm and in actuality, it was late in arriving. There have been a number of new residential listings lately albeit in the higher price range of our market. One house is now on its third or forth agent. Go figure! The temperature has been rising and the prospect for grass fires before the summer monsoon looms large. We have been very lucky so far, but we have not had rain for some time. Instead, we have had wind - the norm, the necessity, for a good monsoon season. A month from now it should become green. It is the time to visit if you want to know why so many are choosing the Mountain Empire for their home. The best climate; the best views; and the best people for friends. Our market is holding fairly steady although there has been some softening in land prices. The best values would appear to be in the 10 to 20 acre parcels. The best home prices would be those under $350,000 of which there are both listed and FSBO offerings.

Buyer's Market?

Posted at 9:55 AM, Feb. 10, 2007

Here it is almost the middle of February and winter is behind us. Do you believe that? Do you believe it is a buyer's market in Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia. Well, winter is not over and it is not really a buyer's market. Is our market different that the rest of the country? Yes, and no. Read on.

Our underlying values are based upon the land values. Since land is generally in short supply due to the large number of ranches and BLM and NFS holdings, the value has a general and steady uptrend. What happens in response to the general economy is the number of buyers actually doing something. So in a hot market like a year or two ago, we have more buyers and more activity. Prices still move in response to supply and demand economics associated with the availability of land. In a slow, or buyer's market, we experience fewer actual buyers.

Currently, we seem to have the normal number of lookers for this season, but contracts are fewer. Prices are steady to up. There is a good selection of land of all sizes and locations, but mostly in Elgin or the two new developments in Patagonia. There is an overabundance of higher priced homes, but there are a number of very nice houses in the under $600,000 price range and even a few under $300,000.

The most significant real estate events recently are: The Short's 580 acres in the crossroads area has sold to a national company. No word on what it will become. And, secondly, the Babocomari ranch announced it will sell off 2,000 acres. Exactly where is not known.

I believe this is the time to buy in our community. Prices are fair and should continue steadily upward. The climate is the best! Come visit us.