Luxe & “Green” Living can Coexist

Living an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t have to equate to bare-bones minimalism. In fact, there’s a luxe side to green living that respects the environment but also allows for a bit of self-indulging. Let me share my favorite tips on how to live the life you love, with eco-friendly elements woven throughout.  For the full article click Neighborhoods.

Rural folks have been living eco-friendly for many generations.  Many out of necessity, but most by choice.  Fresh foods, bio-degradable products and re-cycling are a way of life for rural residents.  It does not always cost more to live eco-friendly.  Buying locally grown, “organic” foods; adjusting the amount you buy; and creating your own everyday indulgences are three ways to make beneficial, environment-protecting adjustments to your food intake.

“Organic” is an over-used word and means many things to many people.  Natural may be a more apt label.  Gardeners and framers all use fertilizer, but what kind is another matter.  The debate over what goes in the ground (naturally composed manure versus liquid nutrients such as Miracle Grow) to grow nutritious foods will likely go on for a very long time.  Understanding “good science” is more important to me.  All too often the news media reports on the latest findings and so the nation shifts its behavior to capture the benefits of the latest discovery.  That is, until another scientist comes out and makes a report to the contrary.

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Price -vs- Cost

In a market where values are declining, a buyer might believe it would be prudent to wait before purchasing. A crucial miss by bargain shoppers is that the cost of a house is not determined by price alone. The cost of any large ticket item is determined by price AND financing.  Of course you want to negotiate the best price possible.  But waiting to “pull the trigger” on purchasing a property in a time when there is an expectation that interest rates will likely increase can add substantial cost.

Though interest rates for thirty year mortgages have remained at historic lows, there are no experts predicting that they will stay there. Follow what is happening on the interest rate front is some of the value that REALTORS bring to the table.  Top agents should alert every buyer that the cost of their new home could dramatically increase when rates raise – EVEN IF PRICES CONTINUE TO SOFTEN!

Remember, a one percent increase in rates right now would wipe out a ten percent fall in prices.

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Rare SaddleBrooke Opportunity

There is a new Model Home for sale in SaddleBrooke.  It is a Dakota 2368-A model, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2368 SqFt home.  It is a Territorial exterior design featuring separate Living, Dining and Family Rooms; an Estate Kitchen with built-in stainless steel appliances, 2 car garage with a golf cart garage as well.

The upgrades include a fireplace, media center, bay windows in the Master Bedroom and Dining Nook, sliding glass door from the Master to the large covered patio, Catalina Mountain range and golf course views, wired for security and completely landscaped.  Listed at $499,900.  The floor plan is available.  Give me call at (877) 620-3778 if you want to know more about this great opportunity.  It is one of the last new homes built-in SaddleBrooke.

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Going, Going, Green

No mater what you believe about the whole climate change thing, going green is a good idea usually for economic reasons.  As a kid when camping and hiking the rule was, “leave the camp cleaner than when you arrived.” 

My News Letter this month has a few tips for living more green.  Do your best to shop locally when it comes to finding earth-friendly options for your home. You may discover that you prefer the local producers’ versions of household staples, or you may stumble upon an artist who makes decorative items from recycled goods.  When your efforts are aimed at reducing your “foot print” you really are leaving the camp ground in better condition than when you arrived.

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What Really Casued the “Housing Bubble”?

The United States rose to the stature it did because of some often overlooked principles.  As a Six Sigma guy I understand the continual improvement of process.  Business flourishes when leadership understands the need for continual assessment, adaptation and the need to overcome obstacles.

Recently three scholars got together and wrote a position paper stating that loose lending practices didn’t cause the housing bubble.  When asked, “If loose lending and over-borrowing didn’t cause the housing bubble, what did?” , Edward Glaeser, a professor of economics stated, “The historical relationship between these variables and the housing market is just too small to explain this. In terms of understanding it, we believe that neither we nor anyone else understands this. The mechanics of bubbles, they certainly are associated with all sorts of irrational exuberant beliefs of future price changes. That’s always been true of housing. What specifically caused this thing? A strange cocktail that brought together things that created the bubble”.  Well-seasoned economists don’t know exactly why the bubble happened the way that it did, so don’t feel the pressure of having to know all the answers.  Below is the link, I think it’s good background information for us…

http://www.cnbc.com/id/36945763

The real question for me is if we don’t understand root cause, how will we really build a better mouse trap in the future?  Opressive regulation is not the answer, but I believe there is a component of conservative value that, when exercised minimizes disasterous outcomes.

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Alive @ 55!

Thanks for stopping by.  This blog comes to you from Tucson, Arizona.  Home of the Tour de Tucson, the Fiesta de los Vaqueros and year round sunshine, Tucson was rated one of the Top 10 places to retire by Business Week.  Some joke about the “dry heat” but for a guy who needs the low humidity air, this is right next to heaven for me.  

In this blog you will learn more about Active Adult “Resort Style Living”.  Metro-Tucson is also home to such notable 55+ communities as Saddlebrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch (both built by Robson), Sun City- Vistoso (built by Del Webb) and Heritage Highlands.  If you have a question or want to make a comment drop a line in this blog and let folks know what you think.

A few questions that came up this week: 

How many homes are in the SaddleBrooke communities?  The total is roughly 11,100.  SaddleBrooke Ranch is planned for 5,800.  SaddleBrooke #1 and #2 are approximately 5,300 collectively, and The Preserve at SaddleBrooke is planned to have 525 homes.Are there any new build homes available?  There are about 300 home sites left at The Preserve at SaddleBrooke.  SaddleBrooke Ranch has only just begun building and with a handful of homes completed, the builder is ready for you to select your site, your style and floor plan. 

How colorful is the desert; is it just brown?  The Sonoran Desert is stunning in it’s beauty and grandure.  The photo below is a shot at the enterance of SaddleBrooke Ranch showing the Penstemons in full bloom.  With above average rainfall in the Tucson area over the last several months we have been treated to a lot of wildflower photo ops.

The entry to SaddleBrooke Ranch

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