A new study quantifies for the first time the link between energy-efficient homes and mortgage risks, suggesting owners of Energy Star-certified houses are less likely to default on their home loans than members of a control group.

Finding the right REALTOR® is crucial to a smooth transaction. Our mission is simple—to provide the highest quality, old-fashioned customer service while pairing it with cutting-edge technology and resources to ensure the best possible experience for our clients. For us, going the extra mile is the norm, and we are proud to say we have the sales production numbers and happy clients to prove it!

If you’re considering buying a home, some experts think you should get a move on it. Interest rates are at 65-year record lows and national home prices have finally hit bottom and are on the rise. Despite what you may be hearing, loans are available for those with good credit histories, stable income and sufficient savings.

Today’s real estate consumers are savvier than ever, and they now have access to information with just a few mouse clicks or swipes. Massive sites like Trulia and Zillow pull public data and wrap it up it a pretty package, but it’s dangerous to rely on this data as your only source of information. These well-advertised monster sites are often days, and sometimes weeks behind, and much of the information can be incorrect or skewed because the tax records they pull their data from are not always accurate. Since they are not members of the MLS, they are unable to access the information the MLS provides.

Over the next several months we will be spotlighting various homes and subdivisions in Rancho Vistoso, but we thought we would kick things off with an overview.  

(StatePoint) It’s not as easy to hide under layers of clothing during the summer. You’ll want to look your best in those shorts, t-shirts and bathing suits; as such, staying in shape is key.

Gov. Jan Brewer today appointed attorneys Sean Earl Brearcliffe, Michael Joseph Butler and Brenden James Griffin to the Pima County Superior Court.

(StatePoint) Buying or selling a home in today’s real estate market? Go about it properly. From home inspections to home improvement, take your advice from leading experts.

Most of us already realize “normal” is relative. Yet, we are only human. And as such, we can scarcely stop ourselves from the very-human behavior of seizing every available opportunity to try to quantify and define the term.

It’s not as easy to hide under layers of clothing during the summer. You’ll want to look your best in those shorts, t-shirts and bathing suits; as such, staying in shape is key.

(BPT) - For years, the real estate market has been a buyer’s world, with ample inventory, fewer qualified buyers, and highly motivated (read: desperate) sellers. This spring, some signs are pointing to a shift back toward a seller’s market. If you’re shopping for a home this spring and summer, chances are you’ll face increased competition from other buyers.

For the first time in more than 40 years, graduating University of Arizona Wildcats will gather at Arizona Stadium to celebrate their transition from hardworking students to proud alumni.

(NAPSI)—In the past, selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) meant trying to reach buyers on your own by posting a yard sign or running a classified ad. With over 80 percent of buyers using agents to find homes, however, FSBO sellers were locked out of “the club” because they could not get on the agents’ Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or on popular sites like Realtor.com. Without hiring a full-commission agent, FSBO sellers’ chances of being seen by qualified buyers were slim.

(BPT) - For most Americans your home is the biggest ticket item you will ever purchase. It’s no wonder that people can take months, and sometimes even years, to find the perfect home. When you walk into a house that’s on the market, many times the homeowner or real estate agent has “staged” it to ensure that you focus on the home’s greatest assets and overlook its flaws. Your job is to look past all that to see if this house is right for you.

Ups and downs in the current market and recent corporate and banking scandals have prompted many people to seek ways to have more control over their retirement funds. Self-directed IRAs allow consumers to use their knowledge and expertise to invest in assets beyond stocks, bonds and mutual funds. While self-directed IRAs provide a new way to grow retirement savings, they may not be the best option for everyone.

(BPT) - Want to sell your property quickly? Looking for your dream house? Are you hoping to get the best deal possible during the complex process of buying or selling a home? With so much money – and often, emotion – at stake, going it alone is generally not the best way to reach your goals. The secret for getting exactly what you want: Work with a savvy real estate agent.

(StatePoint) There’s a good reason why many people dream of owning a home. Homeownership offers benefits such as stable monthly payments and the opportunity to establish a sense of community.  It can also be a way to build equity over time. 

If you’ve been considering making a move, how do you know when it’s the right time to sell your home? It’s an age-old question and one that seems to be at the forefront of many people’s minds these days as home prices continue to climb and the market regains strength.

(NewsUSA) - It's tempting to slack off on certain business ventures as the weather heats up, but we all know businesses don't get the luxury of a summer break.

Playwright Bruce Norris has chosen not to fabricate the truth in order to invent a story. He offers no make believe worlds, no climactic battles of good and evil, no metaphorical calls to action, no romantic flickers of passion, no moments of inspiration, no heroes, no villains, no damsels, or vixens. Instead, the award-winning author of “Clybourne Park” has elected to present his audience with an unflattering reflection from a mirror. His play brings humanity face to face with its own imperfect image, and forces it to observe the ugly facts of life. 

Here’s an interesting fact: it’s possible to purchase a more expensive, newer home and achieve the same annual operating costs associated with owning an older, existing home.

(BPT) - Forget wondering who’s the fairest; when it comes to choosing home improvements that make your home look good – from the curb and to potential buyers – it may make more sense to ask “Who’s the greenest of them all.” Sustainable home improvements not only help reduce utility costs and boost owner satisfaction with their homes, they also make a house more appealing to potential buyers.

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) closes its 2012-2013 season with the eagerly anticipated Arizona premiere of  Bruce Norris’ multi-award-winning, provocative new comedy, “Clybourne Park”. Performances commence in Tucson for three weeks and continue to Phoenix for an additional three weeks.