I was reading an online article today about three ways to jumpstart my spring cleaning, and I decided to amend it a bit.Number One was to change our central heating filters.  I don't know about you, but every professional I have spoken to always says "Buy the cheap ones, because the air flow is good, and change them every time you pay your utility bill".  So if you haven't changed your filters since the weather turned cold...perhaps you might want to make a new, new years resolution!  Change often!!!And on the subject of filters -- did you know they should be changed at least every 6 months.  (Not a year)  Think about how skanky your pet waterers get if you don't clean them out!Number Two: Test smoke alarms.  Good call.  Don't wait for the chirp.Number Three:  They say to wipe down wall... 03/15/2023

For Sale: 11384 N Sawtooth Road, Tucson, AZ 85737 Listed by the Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes, Cara Mancuso listing agentLooking for a spacious home to call your own, nestled against a hillside with lovely mountain vistas?This east-facing home catches all the views, sunrises, and afternoon shade - perfect for enjoying your backyard patio.  Potted plants, Orange and Grapefruit trees laden with fruit, extended pavers and a flagstone pathway leading to a cozy front courtyard are just part of the pleasure this home offers. Built in barbecue and covered patio complete the area.Inside, note that the home works as multi-gen with a comfortable bedroom, full bath with walk-in shower on the ground floor.  Formal living and dining areas, plus a great room attached to kitchen, allow you the ver... 02/21/2023

A year ago, my business partner and fellow Realtor, Betty Covey, opened the doors on our partnership.  We'd worked together 10 years at Long Realty in Tucson AZ, (and many years experience in different places before that) and started discussing through 2019, Covid 2020, and 2021 what our business would look like. One year, and one week ago today, we "opened" our own doors with our co-owned real estate company here in Tucson, the Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes.We learned a lot of things our first year about keeping the books, taxes, accounting musts, and foundational set up we'd never much researched.  We also grew.First we started with Betty coming on board as an Associate Broker in April.  She'd needed to get a few loose ends tied up , closed and finished first.  Leslie Gilpatrick a... 02/21/2023

Sort of. If you are in front of your computer and you see a bunch of email offers that you just know are probably fake, I have invented a little game.I simply hit reply with a blank email and wait for the results.Example. I just did eleven of the 'deals' or of suspicious content.Seven came right back as 'fake' or 'undeliverable'.The solution. Just delete them without opening. No telling what's in the content besides a con job. 02/02/2023

Listed by the Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes, Leslie Gilpatrick, 520-444-9946Here's a home that can make you stop in your tracks and take a second look.  Located in the gated community in Dove Mountain called the Preserve II, this 2353 square foot house offers a tandem 3 car garage, mountain views, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, AND a bonus room.The features are numerous:CEILING FANS IN ROOMS WITH WALL CONTROLLERSENLARGED SHOWER/SOAKING TUB IN THE MASTER SUITEUPGRADED GRANITE KITCHEN COUNTERSEXTRA CABINETRY IN KITCHENCROWN MOLDING ADDED TO ROOMSGUEST WING HAS BUILT IN CABINETRY WITH DESK AND GRANITE TOPSCENTRAL VAC SYSTEMSOFT WATER SYSTEMNEW HVAC SYSTEM (2021) WITH AIR PURIFIER THROUGHOUT HOMENEW DOUBLE WALL OVENFIREPLACE WITH MANTEL IN GREAT ROOMSURROUND SOUND SPEAKERS IN GREAT ROOM AND PATIO... 01/18/2023

This was taken from an email sent from "VisitTucson" this week and it really, really resonated.To quote:  "Deep breath. New year, new you – right? Time to sluff off the holiday weight. Or reinvent your wardrobe. Or spend three months trekking through the wilderness to reveal an undiscovered version of yourself. At least that’s what all the emails in your inbox are you telling you is apt for January.But in Tucson, we’re of a different breed. Don’t get us wrong, we embrace wellness. But we don’t think integrating wellness into your everyday life means you have to reinvent yourself. After all – we like you just the way you are."Tucson.  "We like you just the way you are." It makes me think back to 1998.  I visited Tucson for the first time as an adult.  Coming from Green Bay, WI, it was he... 01/14/2023

December 3 & 4, 2022Oro Valley Marketplace12155 N Oracle Rd, Oro Valley, AZ 85737Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday 10 am - 4 pmFree AdmissionComing Soon!  The Oro Valley Festival of the Arts and Holiday Tree Lighting!  This is a two-day Festival connecting art and community held annually.  The Oro Valley Festival of the Arts is the second largest fine art and craft festivals in the area, second only to the 4th Avenue Street Fair.   Besides arts and crafts, there are student performances, jazz music, cultural foods, a Tuba Christmas, free children's art activities and so much more. In Marana, don't miss the Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree LightingSaturday, December 3, 20223:00 PM  9:00 PM11555 W Civic Center Dr. Marana, AZ, 85653  The tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. with an ... 12/01/2022

Serving metropolitan Tucson and surrounding areas, The Patch Boys of Greater Tucson may be the solution to your business or residential needs.They offer services in drywall, ceiling, plaster repair.  Drywall Installation, popcorn ceiling removal, and texture matching!  They currently have four crews working for them, so your wait time may be minimal compared to other companies!The Patch Boys of Greater Tucson are available 6 days of week, 8-5, closed Sundays.  631 # 20th Street, Unit 101.  Tucson, AZ 85719  thepatchboys.com/greater-tucson/  Feel free to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.Bio One offers Crime and Trauma scene cleaning, with a 24/7 emergency response at 520-771-5960.BioOne will work with your insurance company, and is licensed and insured.  Suicide, ... 11/15/2022

Coming Soon to Del Webb Dove Mountain in MaranaListed by Leslie Gilpatrick, Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes, 520-444-994614033 N Del Webb Trail, Marana, AZ 85658 offered at $575,0002 bedroom, 2 bath home plus den in Gated Active Adult Community. Features "3-car" tandem garage with added storage on .15 acre lotAdded improvements to the home since it was built in 2017Gutters added to home2 Decorative Metal Security Doors added to homeGarage doors were insulatedAttic above the garage was insulatedGarage floor was epoxiedBuilt in cabinets added to the garageEnviro 1044 Water Conditioner was installedHot Water Re-Circulater installedLandscaping added to the Front yardBackyard fully landscaped including gas firepit and built in BBQFencing in backyard has been snake proofedTucson Rolling Sha... 11/14/2022

Good fun to be had by all!Location:  Oro Valley Marketplace12155 N Oracle Rd, Oro Valley, AZ 85737Come one, come all to the entrance of the Oro Valley Marketplace and the Century Theatres in Oro Valley!   It's a great place to come shop, eat, and then stay for a few hours of lovely music featuring soul, blues, classic rock, top 40's, swing and more! Mark your calendars for the second Thursday of every month, now through May.  Concert time is 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.This has actually been going on for many years as a partnership between the Town of Oro Valley and the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) The program helps to impact economic development while providing exposure to the arts.Next up, in December, are the Wholly Cats Swing Club specializing in Swing, Jazz, and holiday... 11/13/2022

There are a lot of negative articles out there about there about interest rates, the fall of housing, a bubble, and so-forth.  As a buyer or seller, it's hard to weed-out the reality.However, there are some real truths.Yes, interest rates have all but doubled this year, but looking at the big picture that is real estate, they were also at 7% back in 1970.  Your median house back then was $24,000.  Now, according to the HUD Census, our National median house value is $429,000.Throughout these 50 years, if you look at the attached graph, pricing for housing continues to rise, whether it be quickly, or slowly.  Most of the analysts I've read state that housing will continue to rise at slower rates.  It's rising.Waiting out the market is not the thing to do if you need to buy or sell a home.... 11/11/2022

I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce two of our newest agents, Leslie Gilpatrick and Nicole NelsonLeslie and Nicole bring added dimension to our office with diverse skills and experience!Leslie's quick bio:  Hello, my name is Leslie Gilpatrick.  I am a native New Yorker, and admit this immediately as once I open my mouth, you will have no doubt.  I have lived in the NW area of Tucson for the past 11 years.  I love the weather, the scenery and the beautiful and amazing Saguaros.  I truly enjoy talking with and learning about my clients.  I believe in giving outstanding Customer Service and my one personality trait is I am honest and sometimes blunt to a fault.  I look forward to meeting and working with you.  Leslie @520-444-9946Nicole's quick bio:Growing up in Tucson, Nicole i... 11/10/2022

Is it just me or have homes now all of a sudden have problems with leaves in their gutters? Maybe for years I missed seeing ad after ad for "leaf filters" ? Nevertheless it seems to be a scale along the lines of a national emergency all of a sudden. I see several ads per day  "Be proactive before the leaves fall this year, with XYZ company". Huh? Did I just miss the barrage of ads all these decades? I ask you.😀 11/06/2022

Is it just me, or have these criminals become more sophisticated in their techniques? Not only are they still making at least as many calls, but they seem to mostly come from non-working numbers. Is there software for that? How do the criminals know how to find non-working numbers, or do they just generate them on their own? Asking for a friend.  10/28/2022

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I remember that the government said they 'made a big effort' to stop robo calls. Really? Not so I can tell. I STILL get at least 6-8 calls a day. And a LOT of the time they're from the same company! Which surprises me a tad, because I know a NUMBER of 'profane' words and phrases in Spanish, which I use frequently with the morons. Any ideas? Actions I have missed? Help.Thanks. 10/25/2022

HUGE HUGE HUGE estate sale this weekend, brought to you by The Browns are Selling.  Here's a link a gazillion photos here. Saturday  Oct 22nd 9:00am to 4:00pmSunday Oct 23rd 11:00am to 3:00pmInterior and exterior furniture, lawn art, sculptures, clothing, jewelry, Christmas Decor, Michael Kors purses, and so much more.Address is 9090 N Camino De Anza in Oro Valley, AZYou can take Calle Concordia or Hardy west from N Oracle Road in Oro Valley to get to Camino de Anza.  Or, take either of them East from La Canada.  The home is in the Campo Bello neighborhood, across from the Adamcin Equestrian Centre.Prices reduce as the weekend wears down, but pickings get slimmer!  10/25/2022

So many details - and plenty of time to check them out!Listed by Golden Girls with SW Desert HomesOpen houses 1-4 Saturday, October 2212-3 Sunday, October 23Address: 5058 W Desert Chicory Place, Marana, AZ 85658Subdivision: Heritage Highlands At Redhawk Directions: N-THORNYDALE, W-TANGERINE, N-DOVE MTN, W-HERITAGE CLUB (THRU GATEHOUSE), S-HERITAGE GATEWAY, RIGHT ON DESERT CHICORY. Features and characteristics of this gated community home include:Expansive Great room and Customized Coconino floor planApproximately 1850 square feet3 bedrooms, 2 full baths2 bay windows, one in kitchen nook, one in guest bedroomTransom windows in main living areas let in lots of natural lighting2nd bedroom and owners' suite have walk in closetsJacuzzi tub and separate shower, dual sinksPrivate 3rd bedroom w... 10/20/2022

I'd like to introduce a new business to Marana, AZ called Stretch Lab.  Stretch Lab is a one-on-one assisted stretching studio.  So, it's not a place where you go take classes in a group, but more intensive, personal attention.I was lucky enough to participate in the Marana Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and welcoming.  We had a great turnout.I won a prize!  (Stretching bands)Stretch Lab offers monthly memberships at 4, 8, and 12 x a month for 25 or 50 minute intervals.  They have a family plan as well.What is interesting is that they have a computer that measures your physical attributes such as flexibility, posture, balance, symmetry ....things like that.  Then the technicians know what to focus on with your personal stretch appointment.The "flexologists" have a bodywork certifica... 10/10/2022

Assisting you With your Tucson Real Estate NarrativeI read an interesting article in BMC Psychology describing most-often used adjectives used by university students to describe their feelings in response to the pandemic:  Words like lost, scared, concerned, confused, emotional, anxious, not focused, lonely, depressed, and so many other negative thoughts and feelings.I think about the words often used by the media over the past 3 years:  Unprecedented, shifting, fear-mongering, conspiracy theories, social distancing, pandemic, depression, threat perception...The narrative is very...well, gloomy.Now, every other news story in my email seems to be about rising interest, disappearing buyers, sellers losing power, yadda... yadda... yadda.I am well aware that real estate is regional, and dif... 09/23/2022

Wondering what's going on in NW/W metro Tucson with regards to horse properties?  I did a little investigating to compare and ran zip code searches for 3:  85742, 85745, and 85653 to see what was going.Criteria was horse property, single family home, 2 acres or more.  I looked at last 60 days of action.85742 had 8 total, Active listings priced 925K to 2.5m.  2 closed,  one at 950K and 1.07m85653 had 3 total, 1 at 775 available, 2 sold, (trailers, not sfr) at 165 and 17085745 had 13 total, 4 active between 475K and 765K, a 399 pending, no sales85743, had 18 total - by far the most busy - but this area is geared towards horse properties anyway! Pricing for Active starts at 519K, with pricing up to 1.4.  4 closed, 397k, 485k, 630k, and 658k 2022: So, for these 4 zip code areas, 8 sold this... 09/20/2022