Tucson Real Estate Experts Anne and Eddie McKechnie

Tucson All Souls Procession, a Tucson Tradition.

The All Souls Procession is perhaps one of the most inclusive,authentic, and important public ceremonies in North America today. The Tucson All Souls procession was started in 1990 by local artist Susan Johnson with a ritualistic performance piece. Susan at the time was grieving the passing of her father. It is inspired by the Mexico's Dia de los Muertos holiday, and Johnson felt she should honor her father's life in celebration and creativity. The performance was very well received and the procession has now grown into the event that it is today with the addition of many local artists.

There are now over 20,000 participants on the streets of downtown Tucson for a two-mile long human-powered procession that ends in the finalizing action of burning a large urn filled with the hopes, offerings and wishes of the public for those who have passed. Teh event takes m,ore thatn six months to prepare with myriads of installation art, altars, performers, and creatives of all kinds top this amazing event.

The All Souls Procession, and now the entire All Souls Weekend, is a celebration and mourning of the lives of our loved ones who have passed.

Many Mouths One Stomach a non-profit arts collective based in Tucson, AZ, organizes the body for the Procession. It also serves as the vehicle for working artists to get togheter, create, and inspire the public through Festal Culture.

"Festal Culture" is the expression and fulfillment of core human needs through public celebration, ceremony, and ritual. The All Souls Procession is an event that was created to serve the public need to mourn, reflect, and celebrate the universal experience of Death, through their ancestors, loved ones, and the living.

The Procession is a sanctuary for community members from all walks of life to express their grief and loss in a celebration of creative energy and a rejoicing of living.

It will be an interesting event for those of you that live in Tucson or are visiting the area for a local event

Sabino Canyon and its Hiking Trails

Sabino Canyon is situated in the Santa Catalina Mountain Range in the Coronado National Forest. It is a joy to hike, but in the Summer months you have to go pretty early to beat the sun.

There are a variety of trails in Sabino Canyon, and some people choose to walk along the road that goes up in the canyon. The road meanders across Sabino Creek and there are nine bridges. The road route has the most amazing views of the creek, the riparian vegetation, stunning Saguaros on the canyon walls, and towering rock formations which are dotted all around in the Santa Catalina Mountain range. The trails vary in length and elevation, but go from around 2800 ft to 3300 ft above sea level and to about 9.2 miles in length.

In the spring there is an abundance of water in Sabino Creek and many people go swimming, however the rest of the year the water is lower as the Creek is not a fresh spring, but a waterway for the winter melt off of the mountain snow.People are advised not the drink the water.

Bikers are allowed before 9am in the morning in Sabino Canyon, but after that the road is for walkers and the trolley bus.

For those that would like to walk part of the way, but not the full 3.8 miles up to the top of the Canyon and back, there is a trolley bus that will take you back.

For an overview of Sabino Canyon and its desert flora, you can ride the trolley both ways.

There is no excuse for not getting out there in the beautiful desert sunshine!

Eddie and a few friends, Carl Aune, and builder Bryan Ayers decided to do a 10 mile hike of Sabino Canyon starting at five in the morning last weekend.

For those of you no accustomed to being up at five, this is pretty standard especially in the Summer months here!

They took some beautiful photos along the way, and met some desert critters too.

The phonline hike is a more difficult hike in Sabino Canyon. It rises up far above the desert below and gives you spectacular views of Tucson and the surrounding area. The path is good, and there is variety along the way. Some areas are steep, but there are level areas where you can recompose yourself.

The trail zig zags down the mountain at the top of the trail and joins the road for the journey back. There are bathrooms along the road stops, so be advised to make sure that you relieve yourself before the hike!

Desert critters are a common experience to see on the trails, and in the Winter months, you also see Deer early in the morning.

Eddie, Carl and Bryan were really close to this Rattlesnake who happened to be mature. Rattlesnakes don't like us either, so if you keep a wide berth the will not usually bother you.

If you are planning a visit this Winter to Tucson, Arizona give us a call .....we hike in Sabino Canyon every day during the Winter months and would love to show you around!

From our recent press release:

"Tucson is still experiencing a significant increase in buyer activity, as we head into the Fall/Winter Season.
The amount of active Tucson Home listings on the market was 6,095. This is a decrease of 25% from the same time last year in August 2008.
There were also a total of 957 closings in August 2009,
When compared to the same time last year, the sales figured are up by 6%.
Tucson home inventory on the market is also showing a decrease which appears to be reinforcing the latest trend for Tucson.
In August this figure was 6.4, a significant decrease from 9.0 in August 2008.
However, the median price of sold homes was $162,500 for the month of August 2009, which has reduced 12% from August 2008.
It is therefore a great time to purchase a home as Tucson prices are very affordable, inventory is coming down and home prices appear to be stabilising.
New home builders are offering great incentives for you to buy before the first time home buyers tax credit runs out on November 30th 2009.
New property sales are up 52% from the same time last year in August of 2008.
The inventory of homes has reduced in the Foothills. 85718 now has around 8 months of inventory compared to a few months ago when the inventory was over 12 months.
85750 still has 11 months of inventory, but this has also reduced from 13 months several months ago. the most significant drop in inventory is in the 85749 Zip Code where three months ago there was over 24 months of inventory. This has now reduced to 10 months, which although still high, is showing signs of improvement.
Many Zip Codes now have a less than six month inventory, a good sign for an improving market.
However many lenders still see the whole of Arizona in a depreciating market, and Tucson often gets evaluated with the Phoenix market as one area. Our statistics are quite different.
Interest rates are still very low for FHA and Conventional Loans and this week were hovering around 5%. There are still strict qualifications for Jumbo Loans, but they are out there and at great rates. Fixed Rates can be obtained for 5.5% for less than $500,000 and then 5.75% over $500,000.
The Tucson Real Estate Market is experiencing a significant increase in Buyer activity, something that we will be watching into the usually busier Fall/Winter Season.
Remember Tucson homes must be closed before the cut off date of November 30th 2009 to get the tax credit."

Tucson has an abundance of interesting Central Neighborhoods including Sam Hughes, Blenman Elm, The Barrios downtown, and also some interesting newer Communities that are designed to fit in eclectically to Tucson.

There is none more interesting than Adobe Gardens, a small Community of seven homes, gated and centered around a communal pool, and large courtyard. Close to the Rillito wash and surrounded by old historic homes, it fits well into the area.

I showed a gorgeous home in there last week that just came on the market. I had quality construction, an upgraded kitchen with a wonderful mexican encaustic tile back splash, and also had inviting outdoor patios and a fireplace.

Courtesy of TARMLS

When I visited, I felt that I could just move right in, and that home was built many years ago. I wondered whether this had something to do with coming from Europe, and always living in older houses!

The walls had been covered with authentic colored Venetian Plaster and were a true delight to view.

It is hard to imagine that you can have a relaxing serene environment in the heart of the city but it is common in Tucson, with courtyard walls, and interior spaces.

Courtesy of TARMLS

This is the second of two interesting homes that have come on the market in the last 6 months in the community. The first home reminded me of a home that I saw a few years ago from the Dordogne part of France with its tower centered over the main downstairs area.

Courtesy of TARMLS

The upstairs loft/bedroom has built in bookcases, and a galley walkway which was a delight to show. All the homes in this community have wonderful appointments that have been well thought out for those wanting quality,detail and sumptuous outdoor spaces. The master bedroom had been built to take advantage of the beautiful Santa Catalina Mountain views.

Courtesy of TARMLS

To all intents and purposes, central historic and eclectic homes have seen less depreciation in the Tucson market probably because of their charm and sense of style, and this community is one of them

Anne and Eddie McKechnie

Realtors Consultants

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

2890 E Skyline Drive Ste 250

Tucson Az 85718

Tucson Historic Homes Click here

How is the Tucson Real Estate market doing?

There are some interesting statistics that have been appearing over the last few months in the Tucson Real Estate Market.

New Tucson Properties going under contract for the month of Feb 2009 went up 10% compared to new properties going under contract in February of 2008.

Another notable fact is that there were also 26% LESS new listings coming on the market in February of 2009 when you compare to February of 2008.

The Residual Inventory of Tucson Homes in February of 2009 was also 17% below February of 2008.

Just as a FYI, residual inventory is the listing inventory that is being carried forward from earlier months.

So what does this all mean to you?

Well the rate of new Pending Tucson properties is up, and there are less new listings coming on the Tucson Housing Market.

There are also less "left over" listings. ...all these factors count towards a stabilizing Tucson Real Estate Market.

We still foresee Short sales and REO properties coming on the market at a lesser degree, but there will be less choice for the Buyer.

Call us for your specific zip code and community stats.

Anne and Eddie McKechnie

Tucson Real Estate Experts

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

2890 E Skyline Drive Ste 250

Tucson Az 85718

Search for homes here

Office (520)529-7507