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Douglas Trudeau , Assoc. Broker
Prudential Foothills Real Estate
64 N. Harrison Road, Suite 160
Tucson , AZ 85748
Mobile: 520-954-2209
Contact Me

Home Buyer Beware, Short Sales Are Not What You Expect

May 27th, 2008 categories: Tucson Real Estate

We have all heard, “Every village has an idiot.” Well, that’s not true. Our mortgage lending industry has deprived a lot of villages. I don’t mean loan officers. I mean the people at the main office out of touch with how transactions are completed in different parts of the country. If you have never been frustrated, try involving yourself with a short sale. What’s that old say, “The only thing that is definite are death and taxes.” You can add “Short Sales are definitely frustrating.” You have to laugh while going through one to maintain your sanity.

Let me walk you through an experience with a short sale. Finances changed, the housing market declined, so a reader referred someone (the Seller) to me for a short sale. Innocent enough on the surface.

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Authored by Doug Trudeau | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Honoring Memorial Day 2008

May 23rd, 2008 categories: Just Because

Please remember those who have gone before us on this important day. As a former Marine, this picture touches me. I do not like war. I do understand there are unfortunate times when war is necessary. Unfortunately, we are living one of those times now. Unfortunately we are in a war like none we have experienced. I understand there are those of us who have volunteered to put ourselves in harms way. I understand that unfortunately some do not come home.

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a soft spot for Veterans and their families. Lets put our differences aside and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.

On May 5, 1868 General John Logan proclaimed May 30th as Memorial Day by General Order No. 11. Organized women’s groups in the south had been decorating graves long before the end of the Civil War. New York was the first state to recognize Memorial Day in 1873. By 1890 all Northern states honored our fallen warriors. Memorial Day is a day to remember all those who fought for our freedom. The current battles on foreign lands create a lot of controversy.

If anyone wonders why we are over there, whether Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else, there are some dates to remember for those who are not here with us today. Since 1979 we have been slowly, meticulously and ruthlessly drug into a war we never asked for. A war that is taking many American lives.

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Authored by Doug Trudeau | Discussion: 7 Comments »

Home Searching On The Internet

May 18th, 2008 categories: Tucson Real Estate

Internet Real Estate Buying Anyone you talk to will tell you that a vast majority of home buyers start searching for a home on the Internet. In today’s world of technology the “Duh” factor comes into play when it comes to buying and buying smart. Estimates are as high as 80% of home buyers begin their search on the Internet. Personally, I believe it is more.

Lets see, I need an air filter for my truck. At $3.51 a gallon do I really want to drive five miles to find out they don’t have any? So I jump on the Internet check the local store and yes they supply what I need. Their phone number is there for the local store, called, they have two left. Now I can go buy.

I needed a wireless connection for my printer. Checked at the store while out doing other things, $99. Checked on EBay through the Internet, and got it for $47.99 plus $5.00 shipping. Works great. Would have spent more on gas than the shipping.

Need to renew prescriptions? Go to the Internet. Need to shop for a car? Internet. Need the latest news? Internet. After all, aren’t you reading this right now on the Internet? So, why should real estate be any different?

No wonder so many home buyers of all ages are looking for a house on the Internet. There are pictures, maps, comparisons. Careful about the comparisons, they can be misleading. There is information about neighborhoods, schools, nearly everything. It has gotten to the point that rarely do I have a client who cannot/does not access information on the Internet. A large majority of the clients I work with find me on the Internet. I Google myself sometimes to see what others see.

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Authored by Doug Trudeau | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Short Sales, What Can Buyers Expect?

May 14th, 2008 categories: Tucson Real Estate

What is a short sale? When a home owner can no longer afford to make payments and must sell their home for less than what they owe on the mortgage, it becomes a short sale. For simplicity, we will call this person the seller. The lender is accepting less than (short of) the amount left on the note. There is a lot of red tape involved in a short sale. It takes much more than the usual time, and other offers may come in while waiting.

Normal transactions require a mutual consideration between the buyer and seller. The buyer offers a specific price with a defined closing date. Other conditions may apply as well. The seller considers the offer. If all is well, the seller accepts. If not the seller may counter offer. Once acceptable conditions are negotiated, there is mutual consideration and there is a binding contract. Normally within a few days or hours a deal is struck. Sounds simple enough. Not so easy with a short sale.

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Authored by Doug Trudeau | Discussion: 2 Comments »

Tucson Real Estate April Sales Report

May 13th, 2008 categories: Tucson Real Estate

The official numbers are out from the Tucson Association of Realtors. Tucson home sales volume increased by 5.86% and total home sales increased by 8.1% over that of March 2008. Good news for home sellers and the local market. The numbers of available homes decreased by 2.37%. Indications are there to show the Tucson real estate market is heading toward a healthy market again. Tucson has always remained in better condition than many areas of the nation.

Prices decreased, what buyers want to hear. The average sales price dropped by 2.08% over that of March, while the median price lowered by 2.5%. More good news. Especially with interest rates holding in the high 5% to low 6% range. Changes have been very slight for months. Which brings to mind, a client with exceptional credit and savvy loan shopping closed on the purchase of his home a few weeks ago for 5.375%. So, those deals are out there.

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Authored by Doug Trudeau | Discussion: 2 Comments »

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