I hope you all enjoyed Thanksgiving with your loved ones. Did you manage to make it to Jácome Plaza for the Tucson Parade of Lights last Saturday? Santa helped ring in the start of the Christmas season when he rode in on an old fashioned red firefighter's truck. The elves must be busy getting his sleigh ready for the big night. If you didn't make it to the parade of lights last weekend, don't fret. The Reid Park Zoo Lights 2019 kick off their holiday season here in Tucson this Thursday night.

What: Reid Park Zoo Lights 2019
Where: Reid Park Zoo (3400 E Zoo Ct)
When: December 5th to 23rd & 26th to 30th, 6 pm to 8 pm nightly
Admission: $6 to $10 for non-members, $3 discount per ticket for members
Contact: Reid Park Zoo (520) 791-3204 or via email

Reid Park Zoo Lights 2019

Membership has its privileges. For zoo members, that means a sneak peek at Zoo Lights the day before it officially opens to the rest of the public. What will they see? More than one million lights for one thing. Traditional Christmas carols fill the air with joyous holiday sounds. As you walk around the grounds, discover animal displays lit up with twinkling lights as well. 

In addition to the lights, guests get to listen to live music played throughout the zoo. Snack on s'mores, hot chocolate, and other sweet treats while you wander the grounds. If you desire more substantial sustenance, purchase one of the incredibly delicious offerings from Taste Catering. Take a picture with Santa before Christmas. Plus, see the snow magically fall from above (yes, snow in Tucson!). For an additional fee, ride the carousel.

Brew Lights at the Zoo

From 6 pm to 9 pm this Saturday, December 7th, the zoo offers up Brew Lights for its guests. All guests ages 21 and older receive a souvenir cup with their purchase of a VIP ticket. Use this cup to sample up to six different craft beers created by local breweries. Extra tastings are available for an additional charge. Your admission to Brew Lights also grants you access to Zoo Lights. Visit the Zoo's online box office to purchase your tickets today.

Tickets for Zoo Lights

Tickets cost $10 per adult and $6 per child (ages 2-14) for non-members. Members, on the other hand, receive a $3 discount per ticket. Not a member? Join today. Simply visit the Zoo's website for more information on how to become a member. For the sneak preview Members Only night, tickets cost $4 per adult and $2 per child. Of course, you must be a member to enjoy those prices and early access. Kids under two get in for free any day of the week. Purchase your tickets online today. Of course, they're also available on-site any day you decide to come. Bring a new unwrapped toy, canned food, canned pet food or pet supplies/toys and receive $1 off per person. All items received will be donated to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, the Tucson A List Toy Drive or the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona as appropriate.

Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate

In just two days, we celebrate Turkey Day. After the tryptophan wears off, what happens next? Do you still have some Christmas shopping to do? Avoid the Black Friday frenzy. Support our local business instead. Shop Small Business Saturday. For dessert, attend the Tucson Parade of Lights 2019.

What: Tucson Parade of Lights 2019
Where: Jácome Plaza (101 N Stone Ave)
When: Saturday, November 30th, 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Admission: FREE
Contact: Briana King, Events Assistant, Downtown Tucson Partnership (520) 268-9030 or via email

Tucson Parade of Lights 2019

Festivities start at 4:30 pm at Jácome Plaza with live entertainment. The Mayor lights the official Tucson Christmas tree at 5:30 pm. Then, at 6:30 pm, watch the Parade of Lights. It starts at Stone and Toole, heading south on Stone to Pennington. Once there, it heads east to N 6th Ave. From there, it travels north to Toole Ave, eventually winding its way back to Stone. Finally, Santa Pachita plays their brand of Latin Fusion music while you dance under the lights from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Santa Claus stops by Hotel Congress on the 30th as well. He will make himself available for photos and Christmas present requests from 4 pm to 6 pm. It's free to see him, but you do need to print out a ticket. Visit Hotel Congress' Facebook page to print your tickets today.

Ice Skating Rink

Tucson's outdoor ice skating rink is scheduled to be ready to go the day after Thanksgiving (Nov 29th) in the downtown area. Adults pay $15 each to skate. Kids ages 12 and under cost $10 each. No online reservations allowed. Strictly pay in person at the rink. Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 pm to 10 pm, Saturdays 12 pm to 10 pm. Sundays 12 pm to 7 pm. Closed on Christmas Day. Limited hours for New Year's Eve (12 pm to 11 pm) and New Year's Day (4 pm to 10 pm). If you have any questions, call (520) 791-4204.

Hate trying to find parking? Park outside the area and take a free streetcar to Jácome Plaza. Bring the family and have some fun getting into the holiday spirit.

Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate

Millennials make up the majority of the home buying market nowadays. But they tend to delay purchasing a home because they believe some outdated information. Not a millennial? Did you lose your home when the bubble burst in the mid-2000s? Thinking that it might be time to dip your toe back into the real estate market but scared that you're not quite ready yet? Let me help you by busting homeownership myths that might be stopping you from buying a Tucson house right now.

Busting Homeownership Myths

Myth #1 - I Must Have 20% Down

Not true. Sure, the more you put down, the lower your monthly payment will be. However, you don't necessarily need 20%. Current and former military members can qualify for a VA loan with no money down at 0% interest. Even so, some out-of-pocket expenses creep up (home inspection, closing costs, etc). Tucson and the federal government both provide assistance programs to help with that as well. But even if you or your spouse never served in the military, you might qualify for other loans that allow you to put a smaller amount down for your Tucson home. FHA loans require as little as 3.5% down. Some other loans ask for a minimum of 3% down. Even if this seems daunting, you might qualify for assistance through the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution.

Myth #2 - I Need to Pay Off All My Debt

On the contrary, a little bit of debt paid consistently shows lenders that you are a reliable credit risk. That doesn't mean you should carry a high debt load. Keep credit card balances under 30% of their limit. Never make payments late. Try to keep your overall debt load to 36% or less of your gross income. Not only do lenders like to see this smaller debt-to-income ratio, but it gives you peace of mind that your mortgage easily fits into your budget. No one wants to be chained to their mortgage payment.

Myth #3 - Single Women Need Not Apply

In the past, single women found it difficult to qualify for a home loan on their own. However, that no longer applies. Single men and women both can become homeowners as long as they individually qualify with their downpayment, credit score, work history, and other factors.

Myth #4 - My Credit Needs to Be Impeccable

The highest FICO score anyone can achieve is 850. Any score over 740 qualifies as "excellent". But, even if your score falls below 700, you might still qualify for a mortgage loan. Some lenders offer loans for applicants with a minimum 620 credit score. Further still, a few require a score as low as 580. Keep in mind, though. The lower your score, the higher your interest rate. In turn, your monthly mortgage payment increases. So, make sure your credit score is as good as it can possibly be when you apply.

Myth #5 - 30-Year Conventional Loan is the Only Way to Go

Luckily, many Tucson home buyers have several different options to choose from for their mortgage loan besides a conventional loan. FHA tends to be the most popular since they require a lower down payment and offer a lower monthly payment. If you can afford a higher payment each month, consider going with a 15-year loan. You pay thousands less in interest over the life of the loan and pay off your property in half the time of a 30-year loan.

Myth #6 - My First Home Needs to be My Primary Residence

Finally, in the past, most home buyers believed that you needed to live in the house you bought. Things have changed. Sometimes, you might want to continue to rent near your work but desire a vacation property elsewhere. Or, you might find a deal on a house/condo in tourist-friendly city. Renting out the property to visitors via Airbnb, HomeAway, Vrbo or a property management company helps pay your mortgage while you rent in the city you work in. Yes, the majority of home buyers do end up making the home they purchase their primary residence. But that's not the only option available to you. Talk to your Tucson REALTOR® to see what option works best for you.

Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate

Before ownership exchanges hands in a Tucson real estate transaction, the title company performs a title search. Why? To see who legally claims ownership of the property. It also helps unveil liens on the property. These need to be cleared up before the transfer of ownership takes place. As part of this process, you must take out title insurance. This protects you and the title company against any financial loss.

Title Insurance

Types of Title Insurance

First, it helps to know what types of insurance you run across for your title needs. There are two: lender's and owner's. Lenders require that buyers pay for lender's insurance. This pays for their search fees and covers court costs if any disputes arise. Owner's insurance, on the other hand, is optional. However, it is well worth considering. This protects you in case someone comes back at you after you close on the property and claims ownership of it.

What to Ask Your Title Company

You decide which title company to use. Therefore, you may want to ask a few pertinent questions before deciding which company to go with. The first obvious question to ask is about their rates. How much do they charge? Rates vary from company to company. So, ask your Tucson REALTOR® for references. Then shop around. Next, ask the title company about their most difficult search. What made it difficult and how did they handle these issues? After that, find out how much experience the company's title insurance attorney actually has handling these cases. You want someone with experience.

Ask about their ratio of title claims to their customers. A conservative estimate (one to strive to get close to) is 5% claims per customer. A high amount (10% or more, for example) puts additional stress on the customer. Therefore, you may want to continue to look at other companies. Find out how long a search typically takes. This is especially important if you are on a strict deadline. Two weeks tends to be the average. Finally, ask what professional associations (if any) they belong to. While not required, membership in prestigious organizations such as the American Land Title Association (ALTA) shows that they make an extra effort to stay on top of current trends in the industry.

Ultimately, you decide which insurance company to go with. Therefore, the more research you do, the better of you'll be. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need any recommendations. I'd love to help.

Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate

Now is the perfect time to give thanks for all the blessings we have received in the past year. Most of us take it for granted that we sleep in a warm house with a belly full of food each night. But, did you know that 25% of Tucson's population lives below the poverty level? Procuring a place to live and food to eat is a daily struggle for these folks. During the holidays, three local organizations endeavor to make things a little easier. But they need your help. They're looking for Tucson Thanksgiving donations right now from anyone willing to donate.

Tucson Thanksgiving Donations

Gospel Rescue Mission

The Gospel Rescue Mission serves hundreds of families every year. However, instead of their usual 28th St setting, they move indoors to the Lopez Family Foundation Center of Opportunity at 4550 S Palo Verde Dr. That means that weather never becomes a factor. Everyone stays nice and dry. They need at least 300 turkeys as well as donations of canned goods to help facilitate the over 2,000 people expected at Thanksgiving and 1800 expected at Christmas. The Mission accepts donations both before and after Thanksgiving. Whatever isn't used at Thanksgiving goes towards their Christmas meal.

Portable Practical Educational Preparation (PPEP)

PPEP joins forces with Promotoras de Esperanza to host their annual Thanksgiving meal on the Monday prior to Thanksgiving (November 25th). From 11 am to 3 pm, they serve a hot meal to the over 2500 homeless and indigent men, women, and children in the Tucson community. In addition to the meal, they offer up free health screenings, flu shots, and access to dozens of local services to help local families and individuals in need. Right now, they're looking for donations of fruit and pumpkin pies as well as canned goods to help them put the meal together. Please deliver your donations to the PPEP facility (802 E 46th St) before the 25th. Or consider donating online to help supplement the cost of putting on this annual meal.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has served the public for over 150 years. On Thanksgiving Day (November 28th), they supply a full Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings to the public absolutely free of charge. However, they need 150 turkeys and at least 200 pies (both pumpkin and fruit) for their Thanksgiving meal. Other things they require for this year's meal include instant potatoes, stuffing mix, ready-made rolls, yams, canned cranberry sauce, bread, canned vegetables, eggs, milk (in gallon containers), and whipped cream/topping. Please drop these items off at their Hospital House facility (1002 N Main) or the Amphi Corps Community Center (218 E Prince Rd) before Thanksgiving if you can spare them. Thank you!

Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate

For most of us, buying a home constitutes the biggest investment we ever make. With Tucson home prices continuing to rise, it might be time to tap into some of your equity to perform a few improvements around the house. Do you plan on selling soon? Or do you simply desire to make life a little easier? Spending money to fix things up could pay off dearly either way. But it makes the best sense to devote funds into home improvement projects that actually increase your home's value. Here are a few you should consider.

Home Improvement Projects That Increase Your Home's Value

Smart Home Features

Today's Tucson home buyers look for smart technology inside and out. Smart thermostats are perhaps the easiest things to install. Smart security systems, too. Add a system that allows you to control any light in your house from your smartphone. Eco-conscious appliances such as washers, dryers, ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators also appeal to today's buyers. With upcoming end-of-year sales, you may even score yourself a deal on these items as well.

Kitchen Update

Kitchens remain one of the top three most important rooms in a Tucson house when it comes time to sell. You need yours to be up-to-date. Counterspace, updated appliances, and a modern look appeal to the widest variety of buyers. But, instead of a major overhaul, consider a few minor changes. Paint the cabinets (as long as they are in good shape). Add handles and pulls to cabinets and drawers. Paint the walls in a complimentary, neutral color. Clear off countertops of every non-essential item. Store them out of sight.

Multi-Generational Living

As our parents get older, we worry about their care. The cost of assisted living facilities continues to rise. If your parent is healthy but you worry about them living alone, you might end up bringing them into your house to live instead. Multi-generations living under one roof has been on the rise in recent years. Creating in-law quarters on the main floor of your Tucson house makes it much easier for older folks to navigate. For some, that may mean something as simple as installing handrails in a guest bath near the first-floor guest room. Take out the tub and install a walk-in shower in its place. Make sure transitions from room to room remain even. Slippery surfaces and edges of area rugs create a tripping hazard. Wider doorways and hallways ensure enough space for walkers and wheelchairs to pass through.

First Impressions Last

Something as simple as a new coat of paint and a shiny brass doorknocker with matching doorknob makes a world of difference in your curb appeal. Place pretty potted plants and a water feature on your front porch for added interest. Make sure all shrubs are kept neat and trimmed. Weed flower beds and mow lawns regularly. Check out your roofing for cracked tiled or torn shingles. Even painting the trim gives your Tucson home's exterior a nice facelift.

Make Those Repairs

Finally, make those repairs you've been putting off...no matter how insignificant you consider them. Oil those squeaky hinges. Replace those ripped screens. Tighten the loose doorknobs. Repair holes in the walls and repaint them. Replace cracked or broken floor tiles. Check for air and water leaks. Make sure all systems in the house (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc) work properly. It saves you money when your entire household works as it should. Plus, buyers won't be able to hold the cost of taking care of these items over your head when it comes to negotiating a sale price.

Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate

In Nightmare on Elm Street, "don't fall asleep" plays on repeat throughout the movie. That's because Freddie Kruger haunts your dreams. But at Nightmare on Congress St in Tucson, no one struggles to stay awake. There are just too many exciting things going on!

What: Nightmare on Congress St
When: Friday, October 25th, 7 pm to 2 am
Where: Hotel Congress (311 Congress St)
Admission: $10-$30
Contact: Hotel Congress (520) 622-8848 or via email

Nightmare on Congress St 2019

Halloween takes place in just over a week away. Why should the kids get to have all the fun? This Friday, come to Hotel Congress for some Halloween festivities meant only for the 21 and over crowd. 

Organizers tout this to be the largest Halloween party in the entire city of Tucson. While not mandatory, they suggest you dress up in your best costume Why? If you don't, you won't have a chance at $3000 in cash and prizes in their costume contests. Yes, I said "contests", as in two of them. Three stages host live bands as well as a DJ later in the evening. They keep the joint hoppin'. 

Ticket Info

General admission tickets cost $10 per person. That includes all the entertainment talked about above. But for a really special time, purchase a VIP ticket. With that, you receive access to a private bar and lounge area as well as snacks. VIP tickets cost $30 per person. But, they're only selling a limited amount of VIP tickets. So, you need to hurry up and get yours now. Simply visit their website to purchase either general admission or VIP tickets today.

Got a great costume idea? Put it into place. Then, call up the babysitter, dress up, grab your significant other and best friends and head to Hotel Congress for some Halloween-centric fun this Friday night in Tucson.

Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate

Technically, Halloween takes place in just over two weeks. But who wants to wait that long? If your little ones would like to get in some trick-or-treating practice (as well as show off their costumes), take them to Tucson Boo Bash 2019 at Lincoln Park this weekend.

What: Tucson Boo Bash 2019
Where: Lincoln Park (4325 S Pantano Rd)
When: Saturday, October 19th, 4 pm to 7 pm
Admission: Free
Contact: City of Tucson Parks & Rec Dept (520) 791-4873

Tucson Boo Bash 2019

October 31st is an awfully long time to wait to go trick-or-treating. The Tuscon Parks and Recreation Department teamed up with Pima Community College's East Campus to bring Boo Bash to the public. This totally free event takes place on the soccer fields at Lincoln Park. From 4 pm to 7 pm, hop aboard the carnival rides and go "trunk-or-treating". Everyone is welcome to join in on the costume parade at 6:30 pm. So, dress up. Yes, that means you, too, parents.

For a Full Day of Trunk-or-Treat Fun...

Now, the Boo Bash takes place in the afternoon. But, if you're interested in extending your trunk-or-treat time to the whole day, head to the Pima Animal Care Center (4000 N Silverbell) first. Parking opens at 9 am. That gives you a chance to set up your decorated trunk for all the boils and ghouls headed to the event. Trunk-or-treating officially starts at 10 am. Dress your best for a chance at a fun prize. Winners announced at 2 pm. Food trucks are on the ready with delicious treats to eat (for a price). There will even be carnival rides. Plus, if you decide to adopt a peppy puppy or cute kitten during this event, the shelter waives the adoption fee. (Older animals need love, too. Don't overlook them when looking at their younger counterparts.) These guys are a treat that keeps on giving!

Turn this Saturday into a day full of treats...no tricks. And, possibly, bring a new pet home in the process. Get your sugar rush on and practice your trick-or-treat techniques in Tucson.

Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate

After mulling over all the reasons not to buy a Tucson home, you bit the bullet and started looking around. You discovered the perfect property in a great location. The seller accepted your offer and then you entered escrow. Now, the waiting begins. How long does closing actually take? That depends on a variety of factors.

Closing Timeline for a Tucson Home Purchase

On average, it takes approximately 50 days to close on a house. That may sound like an eternity when you want to become a homeowner. But there are certain steps that must be completed in order to make a house your home. A title search, a home inspection, mortgage approval, home appraisal, and homeowner's insurance are just a few steps along the journey to closing. 

What Slows Down the Process?

Mortgage approval tends to take the longest time (around 45 days on average). You should start that part of the process as soon as possible...like before you even look at properties if possible. Including a loan approval letter with your offer puts you ahead of other buyers still waiting for funding.

An appraisal that comes in under the mortgage amount you require holds up the process as well. Lenders shy away from approving a loan for more than the value of the property no matter how high your credit score. Therefore, you'll need to either renegotiate the sale price or bring more cash to the table to make up the difference.

Don't wait until the last minute to secure your homeowner's insurance. It must be in place before signing your final closing documents. Otherwise, you end up waiting. Talk to your current insurance company to put the wheels in motion as soon as you have an address and a sale price.

Finally, can you afford two mortgages? If not, you need to sell your current home before buying a new Tucson home. That could slow down the closing process on your new home. Talk to your Tucson Realtor® about when it would be a good time to put your current home on the market. Sometimes, a leaseback may be in order. Other times, you might have to rent a place until you close on a new one. Discuss your options with your agent.

Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate

You want to put your home up for sale on the Tucson real estate market. You invested in a kitchen remodel because you needed it and knew it would help increase the value of your property. Other upgrades included installing smart home features that so many buyers look for in today's homes. Even those little projects you managed to put off for so long have now been completed. One of the last items on the list? Cleaning. Yes. Before you show your property to any potential buyers or even take photos, you need to make sure your house is cleaned from top to bottom. While some things can easily be tackled by you and your family, other cleaning chores should be left to the pros. They possess both the proper equipment and skills to tackle jobs that might take you several hours. Even after that amount of back-breaking effort on your part, it still might not come out as good as it could. So, when should you call in the cavalry?

Cleaning Chores to Leave to the Pros

Upholstered Furniture

Let's face it. Day-to-day life gets messy. Spills happen. Over-the-counter cleaning agents tend to discolor upholstered fabric. Time to call in the professionals. They know which cleaners work effectively yet still protect the fabric you need to be cleaned. Also, most companies guarantee their work in case it gets damaged in the clean-up. This works especially well if you own antiques. It also helps remove bad smells like pet and cigarette odors. The last thing you need is to have a buyer leave because your house stinks.

Granite or Marble Counters

Scratches, dings, stains. We put our countertops through a lot every single day. This leaves them looking less than their best...which might not make a very good impression on potential buyers. Not only will a pro clean each surface, but they may also be able to smooth out the dings, get rid of stains, and seal it up to make it look as good as new without all the hassle and money it takes to replace it altogether.

Grout

Whether your home features tile floors, counters or showers, dingy grout is never a good look. But instead of scrubbing every nook and cranny with a toothbrush and industrial-strength cleanser, hire a professional to do the work. Put your efforts elsewhere, like shopping for new drawer pulls or accessories.

Exterior Windows

The sun provides a great light source to brighten up the interior of your Tucson home. But, if your windows are covered in dirt and grime, that blocks this beautiful light from streaming inside. Oftentimes, cleaning the outside of the windows can be difficult. That especially rings true with two-story houses. Call a pro to take care of this. Many companies include interior window washing as part of their service fee, saving you a bit of time. 

Flooring

Whether wood or carpet, your flooring must look its best before buyers check it out. Yes, most home improvement stores and even grocery stores rent out carpet shampooers. However, unless you know exactly what you're doing, you might end up over-soaping the carpets. Also, many of those shampoo rentals aren't as good as what professional carpet cleaners use. They also know how to spot treat certain stains and make them practically disappear. Wood floors require a special touch as well, especially if your floor shows signs of scratches and fading.

You want your home to put its best face forward when you list it on the market. Therefore, it needs a good deep cleaning. Save yourself time, hassle, and the wear and tear on your bones. Hire a pro to take care of the heavy lifting.

Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate