The first day of spring officially takes place on March 20th. Can you feel the temperature start to rise outside? If it's springtime in Tucson, that means just one thing. It's time to celebrate with the annual 4th Ave Spring Street Fair!

What: 4th Ave Spring Street Fair 2023
Where: N 4th Ave, Tucson
When: March 24th (10 am to 6 pm), March 25th (10 am to 6 pm) & March 26th (10 am to 5 pm)

4th Ave Spring Street Fair 2023

Tweeting birds. Sunshine on your face. Flowers in bloom. All of this points to the gloriousness known as spring. Artists from all over the world come out of hibernation to celebrate the season in Tucson each year. Dozens of food vendors keep everyone's spirits (and energy) up as well. Plus, local artists entertain the masses over this three-day event.

You cannot have a street fair without music. And the talent lined up for the 4th Ave Spring Street Fair is too big for just one stage. Instead, visitors can choose between the 5th St Stage and the 7th St Stage for live music all day, every day. 

More than 350,000 people crowd onto 4th Ave for this event each year. So, as you can imagine, parking can be a problem. Fortunately, organizers offer a free shuttle service to get you back and forth starting at 9:30 am each day until the close of the fair. Just make sure you wear good walking shoes to stay comfortable.

The 4th Ave Merchants Association hosts two street fairs each year: spring (in March) and winter (in December). This nonprofit organization uses funds they raise to invest in local Tucson businesses and infrastructure. They also promote local artists and programs essential to help nurture the entrepreneurial and artistic spirit in us all. 2023 marks the 54th year that they have hosted the street fair here in Tucson.

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

A while ago, ole Johnny defeated the devil in Georgia with some mighty good fiddle-playin'. But the devil's also got some talented opponents here in Arizona as well. And you'll find them all playing at the 2023 Marana Desert Bluegrass Festival.

What: Marana Desert Bluegrass Festival 2023
Where: Gladden Farms Community Park (12205 N Tangerine Farms Rd, Marana)
When: March 11th to 13th (3 pm to 7 pm Fri, 10 am to 6 pm Sat & 9 am to 4 pm Sun)
Admission: $20 to $30/adult, FREE for ages 15 & under

Marana Desert Bluegrass Festival 2023

Bluegrass music got its name from The Blue Grass Boys who performed in the 1940s. But the music itself derived from English, Scottish, and Irish immigrants who settled in the south (primarily the Appalachian area) in the early 1900s. It became what we know as bluegrass today thanks to the early American musicians who took these influences and made the music their own. 

But at the Marana Desert Bluegrass Festival, guests enjoy more than just great music. Organizers want families to enjoy this event together. So, they included a Kids Zone for the little ones to play in. And there are several free workshops for all skill levels...whether you're a seasoned pro or someone who is just learning to pick a tune out on their guitar. Plus, you might want to put your bid in on some truly amazing items at the silent auction. Also, purchase a raffle ticket for fun prizes given away throughout the weekend. Lots and lots of fun is sure to be had by everyone at the festival!

Concert Line-up

Friday's free concert starts with Band Scramble at 3 pm and Monsoon sky at 5 pm. Saturday's festivities begin with the national anthem at 9:45 am. Then, starting at 10 am a new band comes to the stage every hour. Performers include Jam Pak, The Cross-Eyed Possum, Buck Jumpers, The Sonoran Dogs, North of Lonesome, the Arizona Wildflowers, and Sierra Sweethearts, with The Central Valley Boys closing out Saturday night. On Sunday, Jam Pak returns at 11 am, followed by Hamilton Beech, The Sonoran Dogs, Sierra Sweethearts, and another great concert by The Central Valley Boys finishing off the rest of the weekend.

Ticket Info

Admission to Friday's concerts comes absolutely free of charge for all ages. However, you need to pay to attend the festival on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $20 per day for adults ages 16 and older. But if you plan on attending both Saturday and Sunday, I highly recommend purchasing the weekend pass. It saves you $10 per person on admission. Kids ages 15 and younger get in free all weekend long. You must purchase your tickets online ahead of time. This is a ticketless event (ie, no paper tickets will be created). 

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

In just over two weeks, we celebrate St Patrick's Day. It's the one day of the year when everyone's Irish. If you feel like celebrating responsibly with other grown-ups, you might want to think about signing up for the Tucson St Patrick's Day Crawl 2023.

What: Tucson St Patrick's Day Crawl 2023
Where: Several Tucson Bars
When: March 17th & 18th, 4 pm to 10 pm (after-party til 12 am)
Contact: Crawl With Us Tucson (612) 460-0094

Tucson St Patrick's Day Crawl 2023

The crawl begins with a check-in at O'Malleys Bar & Grill on 4th Ave between 4 pm and 7 pm. Your admission ticket allows you to waive the cover charge at all of the bars along the crawl. (That, in and of itself, could save you $5 to $15 a pop!) The venues selected to appear on the crawl include:

• O'Malleys (247 N 4th Ave)
• Cobra Arcade Bar (63 E Congress)
• Funky Monk (350 E Congress)
• Hi Fi Kitchen & Cocktails (345 E Congress)
• John Henry's (117 N 6th Ave)
• The Neighborhood DWTN (61 E Congress)

Each location features its own drink specials for the night. Your admission fee gives you one or two drink shots as well as food specials at participating venues along the way. After you finish your crawl, head over to the Neighborhood DWTN for the 10 pm after-party. 

Ticket Info

For the best price, reserve your tickets online by March 4th. Individual tickets cost $20 per person. Save $5 per person when you buy in groups of four. After March 4th, ticket prices go up. Just don't wait until the night of the event or you might miss out. These tend to sell out rather quickly. You must be at least 21 years old to participate. Anyone without a valid ID on them may get turned away at the door.

Remember that you can enjoy the Tucson St Patrick's Day Crawl 2023 while still being responsible. Grab an Uber or bring along a designated driver to ensure that you and your group get home safely. Slainte!

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

As of January 2023, year-over-year sale prices in the Tucson real estate market rose by 5.1%. But total sales decreased by more than 40%. After many months of experiencing a seller's market where homes sold for above asking and in a matter of days, it has now become more of a balanced market. However, sellers should not despair. Buyers are still out there looking for a Tucson home to purchase. But they expect to pay an appropriate price for it. Here are a few pricing strategies you may want to consider before you list your home.

Pricing Strategies for the Home Seller

Market Value

This is why you need a great Tucson REALTOR® on your side. They can find out the current market value of your home. Many real estate experts suggest that you list your property for that amount to draw in potential buyers.

Below Market Value

Another one of the pricing strategies that home sellers employ is listing it slightly below market value. Why? Well, most people look for a bargain, right? By listing even $5,000 below market value, you may receive an offer quickly. Sometimes, you might receive multiple offers and drive your final sale price up. However, that is risky in today's market. You might end up with only one offer at the lower list price or maybe even slightly lower than that. 

Above Market Value

Finally, you might want to try listing your Tucson home above market value. In a seller's market, we see buyers paying higher than market value for homes. But today, it might mean sitting on the market for a while and eventually reducing your price anyway. Plus, even if you receive an offer for the above market price, anyone who needs to finance their purchase must get an appraisal for the property. If your property does not appraise for the sale price, the lender will not approve the buyer's loan. That means that your buyer may end up walking away. And, unless you lower your price, you face the possibility of this happening over and over again.

Discuss pricing strategies with your REALTOR® before settling on an initial list price. They know the market. They have the experience. Trust them to steer you in the right direction. If you don't trust them, you might want to look for another one.

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

Tucson is well known for its diverse culture and fantastic fare. I mean, Sonoran food. Need I say more? If you love eating and want to learn more about our local cuisine, sign up for a Tucson food tour.

Tucson Food Tour

In December 2015, Tucson became the first official UNESCO-designated City of Gastronomy in the United States through its Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Cities only receive this special designation when they exhibit extraordinary measures to utilize their cultural heritage and creativity to develop a sustainable environment. Currently, San Antonio is the only other US city designated as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. So, if you are interested in finding out why Tucson made this exclusive list, you have three options for a Tucson food tour to choose from.

Downtown Tucson Tour

The Downtown Tucson tours happen every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. They last for about four hours each and cost $69 per person to attend. For your price of admission, you visit six local vendors, see three unique restaurants in the downtown area, learn all about the history of Tucson and its cultural significance, and, of course, enjoy samples of fine dining along the way. (No one leaves here hungry!) Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and slather on the sunscreen. Spaces are limited and tours sell out weeks in advance (especially on the weekends). So, make your reservation today. 

Main Gate/4th Tour

Here's your chance to find out more about the city's historic 4th Ave District and Main Gate Square. This tour also lasts for four hours and costs $69 per person. These usually take place on Fridays. Guests of the Main Gate/4th Tour get a peek behind the curtain of five local area restaurants, some of which have been seen on the Food Network. It's a fun way to learn about Tucson's gastro-history and more about how it became a UNESCO site. You can make a reservation for you and your friends or family online here.

Brewery Tour

Finally, while not technically a Tuscon food tour, the Brewery tour caters to the 21+ crowd. These last three and a half hours and cost $85 per person. Visit three local breweries and two local distilleries in the Tucson area. Go behind the scenes to find out how these delicious libations are made in our fine city. Enjoy beer flights and spirit samples. But make sure you grab lunch before you go because food is not included here. Visit Tucson's Brewstillery Tour website here to make your reservation today.

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

Do you love classic cars? Does your mouth water at the thought of a juicy barbecue? Do you feel the blues from the top of your head to the tips of your toes? Then you absolutely must go to the Tucson Cruise, BBQ, and Blues Festival 2023 this weekend!

What: Tucson Cruise, BBQ, and Blues Festival 2023
Where: Oro Valley Marketplace (12155 N Oracle)
When: Saturday, February 11th, 10 am to 3 pm
Admission: $5 per person
Contact: Oro Valley Marketplace (520) 797-3959

Tucson Cruise, BBQ, and Blues Festival 2023

Cars

Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliances (SAACA) hosts its annual Tucson Cruise, BBQ, and Blues Festival this Saturday at the Oro Valley Marketplace. Dozens of classic car owners compete for prizes in 30 different categories, including Best Engine, Best Paint, People's Choice, and, of course, Best in Show. If you love classic automobiles, this is the place to be. Plus, you get to help decide the People's Choice award winner. How cool is that?!

Food

Several food vendors make sure to keep festival guests fed right. Pick up some amazing BBQ from Fork & Fire, Fresco, Dante's Fire, or Zio Peppe. Even the Greater Faith Word Church offers up delicious barbecue. BlackJack Infusions and Gus Gyros also provide fantastic fare. For dessert or a lighter snack, try a FruitShack smoothie.

Music

This year's musical line-up for the festival features some of the best artists around. The day starts off with Missy Andersen. Then, The Tirebiters take to the stage. Finally, the duo Sugar Thieves closes out the day's events.

It looks like the weather is going to be bright and sunny this weekend. Looks like a perfect day to spend outdoors. So if you love beautiful cars, fantastic food, and amazing music, then make time to visit the Tucson Cruise, BBQ, and Blues Festival. 

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

With home prices continuing to rise, new construction may be out of the question for some of today's homeowners. So, they turn to older homes in need of a bit of TLC instead. Those HGTV shows make it look like fixing up a home is easy and even fun. However, the reality of owning a property like that is quite different. Whether you wish to buy a home, fix it up, and sell it or simply want a "bargain" that you can make your own, you need to know a few things before you invest in a fixer-upper.

The Reality of Buying a Fixer-Upper

Worst Home, Best Neighborhood

They say that real estate is about location, location, location. So, experts suggest that you look for the worst home in the best neighborhood when it comes to a fixer-upper. Anything priced 20-25% under a comparable property in good condition is a great place to start. When looking at comps, look at cost-per-square-foot as well as how many bedrooms/bathrooms each home includes.

Cosmetic Changes = Good. Major Problems = Bad.

Stay away from issues like foundation problems, water or fire damage, or mold. Leave those to the more seasoned professionals. Seek out Tucson homes in need of cosmetic changes (updating the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, or paint/wall treatments). These cost much less to fix up.

Consult a Contractor

While some home improvement projects can be completed yourself, larger projects may require a professional. That means hiring a contractor. But before you put in an offer, ask a contractor to look over the property and provide you with an estimate. Then, add at least 3 to 5% (or a little more for bigger projects) for your contingency fund. This helps cover any unforeseen issues that may arise. This happens more often than you might expect.

Do the Math

Once you find out the cost of your renovations, add that to the price of the Tucson home. Make sure those costs do not exceed the value of the home once your renovations are completed. Ideally, you want the total cost of the home and any improvements to fall below what you would sell it for. Remember, though. If you need to rent a place while you renovate your fixer-upper, you must also factor in those costs.

Create a Budget and Stick to It

It is really easy to get super excited about your renovation project and overspend on materials and finishes. Instead, create a budget and stick to it. If you need help financing your renovations, consider an FHA 203K or a Fannie Mae Homestyle loan.

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

When you buy a Tucson home, the seller oftentimes pays for the first year of your home warranty. But you need to pay for a homeowners insurance policy yourself. A standard home insurance policy covers damage or loss from theft and fire among other things. But there are a few things that your typical homeowners policy does not cover. 

What Homeowners Insurance Does NOT Cover

Acts of God

Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Earthquakes. Floods. A typical homeowners insurance policy will not cover any damage to your Tucson home from a natural disaster. You need an additional policy to cover these situations. Many insurance companies offer special policies for an additional fee if you live in an earthquake-prone like California. While the last earthquake of any significance in Tucson happened back in 1887, we do experience seismic activity on a regular basis. But that may not be enough to warrant paying for an earthquake policy. Yes. A standard home policy covers flooding caused by a burst pipe inside your home. But any damage created by torrential rains or an overflowing river nearby requires a separate flood policy. Most insurance companies do not cover this because the cost to repair damage caused by floods can be extensive. So, FEMA created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to fill this void. If you live in a flood-prone area, you might want to consider taking out a policy through them.

Mold

Did the burst pipe cause mold to build up? Were firefighters called to take care of a fire in your home? Damage caused by water from those scenarios may be covered under your homeowners insurance. But if the mold came from a source outside of your home (flood, high humidity, etc.), your policy most likely does not cover that. Also, standard policies do not cover damage caused by something preventable, such as a slow leak inside your home.

Sewer/Drain Backup

When it rains, do the sewers and stormwater runoff drains back up sending water flooding into your yard and/or home? Unfortunately, you may end up paying for the cleanup of these awful messes yourself. Worse yet, sewer backup into your home is not typically covered under a standard homeowner's policy either. 

Regular Wear and Tear

Finally, your policy will not cover normal wear and tear. It is only meant to be used for unforeseen emergencies. Therefore, you need to make sure you perform regular maintenance/upkeep on your Tucson home. This allows you to tackle projects in the early stages rather than waiting for something to break down completely and pay much more for it later on.

Always discuss what is and is not covered on your homeowners insurance policy with your insurance agent before you sign for it. Talk to them about your concerns. They can point you in the right direction if additional policies are necessary.

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

With every new year comes the inevitable New Year's resolutions. At the top of many people's lists are exercising more, eating healthier, and getting organized. For millions of homeowners, tackling that never-ending honey-do list may fit into their resolutions for the new year...especially if you wish to sell your Tucson home. Here's a list of some of the areas you might want to focus on in the new year.

New Year, New Home Improvements

Decluttering

This could also fall under the "getting organized" category that tops so many resolution lists. It also costs you next to nothing (and sometimes nothing at all) to complete. But decluttering may feel very overwhelming. Divide and conquer. Tackle one room or maybe even one closet at a time. Throw out any old, severely stained, or broken-beyond-repair items right away. Next, remove anything you or your family members have not used in the past 12 months. Clothes. Accessories. Linens. Kid's toys. Cookware. Appliances. Either organize a garage sale or donate them (or both). Finally, put everything you have left back where they belong. You free up space and clear out the clutter at the same time.

Make a List

It helps to make a list of all of the home improvement projects that need to be completed around the house. Divide the list into three categories: "big projects", "medium projects", and "little projects". Set a priority order for everything based on how much time and money it takes to complete them. Then decide which project to complete first, second, third, etc.

Tackle the "Little Things"

We tend to just go about our everyday lives with fixing the smaller home improvements. Doorbell doesn't work? Who wants that thing ringing anyway. The window won't stay up when you open it? Just jam a little stick or piece of wood in there. Wobbly doorknobs? Loose locks? Holes in the wall? Put those items on your list and start ticking each project off one by one. Again, if you choose just one or two projects a weekend, you can mark your "to do" list "DONE" before you know it. 

Regular Maintenance

Once you get through your list of home improvements, make a maintenance schedule. Talk to an air conditioning company to schedule an annual checkup of your air conditioner unit in the springtime (before it gets hot). Do the same for your heater in the fall. Gutters should be checked in the spring and fall as well. Clear out any debris. Make sure to check caulking inside and outside of your home at least once a year for broken areas or separation. Deep clean carpets at least once a year. Replace your AC filter once a month during heavy usage (summer) and once every three months in the "off-season". Run ice cubes through your garbage disposal once a month to clean the blades. Chopping up a lemon, lime, or orange and running it through your garbage disposal once a week helps keep it smelling fresh. Vacuum, dust, and sweep at least once a week. (More if necessary.) Regular maintenance of even the small things saves you headaches and money in the long run.

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

One of the hottest topics in the news lately has been inflation. It affects our grocery costs. It affects our gasoline prices. But it also affects the real estate market. How? Read on to find out.

Inflation and the Real Estate Market

Construction Costs

The cost of building materials, from lumber to nails, rose significantly over the past couple of years. Part of this was due to the pandemic. But part of it comes from inflation. When prices for materials go up, builders raise the price of their homes to compensate. 

Sale Prices Go Up

As I mentioned above, the higher cost of building materials gets passed along to the buyer. This includes "flippers" who rehab older homes and resell to buyers. However, the cost of building materials isn't the only factor in increasing the sale price of a home. When the central bank decides to release more money into the economy, this makes both inflation and home prices rise as well.

Rising Costs of Borrowing Money

Interest rates affect more than just mortgages. Higher interest rates make it more expensive to incur any kind of debt where borrowing money is concerned. Credit cards. Car loans. Some student loans. In turn, this affects a home buyer's ability to afford some homes.

How Does it Affect Current Homeowners?

If you bought your Tucson home with a fixed-rate loan, you should not see much change there. Your property taxes and your insurance may rise. But that is something every homeowner should expect anyway. However, if you want to sell your property, you may find yourself in the same boat as other home buyers...contending with higher home prices and higher interest rates to borrow the money to pay for your new home. Even so, it may still be a good time for you to sell your Tucson home right now. Talk to your real estate agent and/or lender to determine if that is the case.

Finally, I just wanted to give a quick shout-out to our local Catalina Foothills High School Marching Band. They performed at the Pasadena Rose Parade yesterday. Congratulations on a job well done, everyone!

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