courtesy of the Associated Press
By ALAN ZIBEL, AP Real Estate Writer Alan Zibel, Ap Real Estate Writer

WASHINGTON – Citigroup Inc. will suspend foreclosures and evictions for 30 days in a temporary break for about 4,000 borrowers during the holiday season.

The New York-based bank said Thursday the suspension will run from Friday through Jan. 17. It applies only to borrowers whose loans are owned by Citi. Borrowers who make payments to Citi but whose loans are owned by other investors are out of luck.

“We want our borrowers to have a much less stressful time, to spend their time with their families during the holidays as opposed to worrying about their homes,” Sanjiv Das, head of the company’s mortgage division, said in an interview.

The suspension means Citi will halt foreclosure sales and stop evicting homeowners from properties it has already seized. The company projects it will help 2,000 homeowners with scheduled foreclosure sales and another 2,000 that were due to receive foreclosure notices.

Das also said the company is working on “some long-term fundamental alternatives” to foreclosure, but declined to be specific. “We know that moratoriums are not permanent solutions,” he said.

Most major lenders suspended foreclosures last winter while the Obama administration developed its $75 billion loan modification program. Foreclosures picked up again after those suspensions lifted. In recent months, they have fallen as banks evaluate whether borrowers qualify for the government program.

Citi has enrolled about 100,000 borrowers in the Obama program, but had made only about 270 of those modifications permanent as of the end of last month, according to a Treasury Department report. But Das said the low number resulted from a “reporting error” and said it will rise dramatically by year-end.

“I have put a lot of pressure on my team to make sure that there is almost nothing left in the pipeline,” he said.

Learn more about preventing foreclosure.

85614
116 E EL VIENTO $85,000 $44.36 1971
1512 N VIA MAZATLAN $171,022 UNK UNK
220 E CALLE HERBOSO $385,000 $212.71 1968
292 N ROYAL BELL DR $188,000 $109.11 1999
3486 S ABREGO DR $265,000 $138.74 1997
3709 S CAMINO DEL CEFIRO $90,000 $104.17 1998
409 W CALLE DE ORO $119,000 $89.07 1974
436 S PASEO CERRO A $72,000 $103.45 1964
490 N KEYES RD $397,822 UNK UNK
513 W RIO TERAS $190,000 $115.50 1999
525 S CORPINO DE PECHO $90,000 $71.66 1971
573 N MAZATZAL DR $150,436 UNK UNK
702 N MOANA DR $241,900 UNK UNK
818 W WELCOME WY $234,000 $119.57 1996
864 N LORABELLE CT $235,500 $128.97 2007
919 S LA PERA $105,000 $82.55 1973
85622
1413 W PLACITA APACHE $84,000 $87.32 1982
1460 W DESERT HILLS DR $90,000 $153.32 1983
5884 S AZURE VISTA WY $192,450 $138.75 2006
85629
1144 E COTTON FIELD LN $246,220 UNK UNK
1173 E MADERA GROVE LN $231,917 UNK UNK
14348 S CAMINO VALLADO $118,500 $92.58 2006
14466 S VIA DEL TRONO $231,105 UNK UNK
14883 S AVENIDA CUCANA $123,750 $87.83 2005
15178 S VIA LAGO DEL ENCANTO $223,000 $85.54 2005
16998 S LA CANADA DR $110,000 UNK UNK
17740 S PLACITA DE NIQUEL $103,800 $74.41 1969
279 W CALLE CAJETA $195,152 UNK UNK
419 W CALLE MONCAYO $126,500 UNK UNK
435 W VUELTA FRISO $191,287 $67.33 2006
48 W VIA COSTILLA $146,452 UNK UNK
644 W VUELTA BURIL $224,000 $65.06 2006
672 W CALLE FRANJA VERDE $168,398 UNK UNK
763 W PASEO CELESTIAL $137,695 UNK UNK
867 E CATKINS PL $146,927 UNK UNK
85641
10908 S SKY KRISTEN LP $225,000 $77.96 2002
13690 E KIRKWOOD PL $315,000 $134.73 2005
14272 E WHISPERING OCOTILLO PL $350,000 $152.17 2004
14530 E CIRCLE L RANCH PL $575,000 UNK UNK
16920 S ORCHID FLOWER TR $359,990 UNK UNK
17049 S MESA SHADOWS DR $176,672 UNK UNK
17065 S MESA SHADOWS DR $164,999 UNK UNK
17073 S MESA SHADOWS DR $165,254 UNK UNK
17239 S SIENNA BLUFFS TR $232,500 $77.55 2007
180 S ATLANTA DR $186,000 $98.41 1980
211 E SYCAMORE VIEW RD $167,000 $91.96 2007
2960 E DARLENE DR $259,900 $124.35 1995
444 S BLUE RIVER LP $239,000 $104.32 2003
635 W CAMINO REGIO $72,000 UNK UNK
817 S PAINTED RIVER WY $134,640 UNK UNK
855 S EYNON PL $245,000 UNK UNK
90 W BRYAN SCOTT PL $130,000 $79.17 2006
9084 S OCOTILLO VISTA PL $446,000 $119.89 2004
85645
28676 S HONEY LN $105,000 UNK UNK
85653
12201 N DERRINGER RD $79,400 UNK UNK
12772 N BLACKTAIL RD $107,500 UNK UNK
12807 N POCATELLA DR $159,000 $84.13 2006
12920 N FOX HOLLOW DR $193,000 UNK UNK
12972 N SABAL PALM WY $147,060 UNK UNK
13226 N SANDARIO RD $22,000 $24.23 1972
17432 W BACABI RD $34,650 UNK UNK
9870 N SOONER LN $175,000 UNK UNK
85658
12164 N QUAIL FEATHER BL $331,766 UNK UNK
12261 N WHISTLING WIND AV $292,796 UNK UNK
13258 N PIER MOUNTAIN RD $310,000 $152.26 2000
13448 N WARFIELD CI $85,000 UNK UNK
14180 N VIA TRINCHERAS $156,200 UNK UNK
5374 W WINDING DESERT DR $270,000 $163.04 2005
85704
1944 W MYRTLEWOOD LN $200,000 $121.21 1986
225 W SPRING VALLEY DR $220,000 $121.61 1959
302 E SUFFOLK DR $326,500 $110.53 1962
5483 N LITTLE RIVER LN $185,500 $106.92 2005
85705
1042 W FARR ST $105,000 $62.20 1960
122 E 5TH ST $144,900 UNK UNK
208 E ALTURAS ST $50,000 $57.67 1940
2316 N AVENIDA EL CAPITAN $120,000 $69.77 1960
2701 W JADE ST $82,000 UNK UNK
4313 N IROQUOIS AV $42,000 $43.75 1953
5524 N JUSNIC CT $99,000 UNK UNK
580 W BALBOA DR $68,000 $57.97 1982
85706
214 W CALLE NUEVA VIDA $100,000 $68.31 1997
2184 E CALLE SIERRA DEL MANANTIAL $138,600 $78.75 2006
2657 E PASEO LA TIERRA BUENA $103,000 $68.17 2003
3259 E ALVORD RD $30,000 UNK UNK
3764 E FELIX BL $92,000 $49.33 2005
4066 E DOVER SV $82,000 $79.53 1971
6290 S SUN VIEW WY $135,000 $60.00 2003
901 W CALLE EVELINA $50,500 $43.38 1952
85710
6423 E PRINTER UDELL $389,000 $185.33 1952
7001 E ELBOW BAY DR $178,000 $122.84 1959
7112 E 28TH ST $118,450 $112.38 1962
7241 E 29TH ST $147,000 $126.94 1962
7325 E CALLE ARTURO $145,000 $92.47 1959
7545 E 35TH ST $175,000 $101.98 1967
8209 E 19TH ST $105,000 $84.88 1968
9155 E BROADWAY BL C $125,000 $93.28 1969
85711
5019 E 3RD ST $145,000 $117.89 1952
5363 E CALLE VISTA DE COLORES $195,000 $134.30 1999
6041 E 29TH ST $86,000 $52.18 1959
6242 E 35TH ST $118,000 $79.19 1969
85712
2458 N FAIR OAKS AV $89,900 $94.93 1947
3152 N AVENIDA DEL CLARIN $260,000 $160.30 2002
3530 N LILLY POND PL $285,000 $123.00 2004
4054 E FLOWER ST $166,000 $87.14 1955
4950 E PIE ALLEN CT $545,000 $214.48 2002
5632 E TOWNER ST $263,000 $87.67 1957
6227 E FAIRMOUNT ST $89,500 $91.42 1983
85713
1720 W KING AV $87,500 $59.20 2003
1974 S SYLVESTER DR $163,000 UNK UNK
1998 W BRAMBURGH CT $90,000 $66.08 2005
2176 W OCELOT PL $67,500 $39.96 1986
2202 S NORTON AV $35,555 $38.48 1948
2640 S COTTONWOOD LANE $22,500 UNK UNK
2711 S MONTEREY VISTA $65,421 UNK UNK
2715 S LANDS END RD $65,000 $77.38 1963
2918 E PROCTOR VISTA $38,000 $31.17 1953
400 E 35TH ST $20,000 UNK UNK
85714
1019 W COLUMBIA ST $78,000 $39.80 1958
219 W MACARTHUR ST $31,900 $24.22 1956
230 W MISSOURI ST $50,000 $31.61 1973
772 W OKLAHOMA ST $77,900 $77.90 1957
85715
1985 N CAMINO ALICANTE $131,500 $102.81 1980
2019 N WILD HYACINTH DR $290,000 $111.80 1996
8051 E CALLE NAVARRETE $180,000 $124.22 1987
8800 E CALLE BOLIVAR $215,000 $103.17 1968
85716
2308 N RITA AV $72,000 $86.54 1950
2525 E PRINCE RD 55 $125,000 $108.51 1976
2543 E 20TH ST $95,000 $154.22 1953
2734 N BAXTER AV $175,000 $96.05 1958
2928 E SIERRA VISTA RD $200,000 $105.99 1995
3318 N TREAT CI $219,000 $145.42 1958
85718
1200 E RIVER RD M173 $110,000 $86.75 1986
4730 N CAMINO SUMO $587,500 $212.79 1995
5450 N PASEO PESCADO $675,000 $216.42 1990
5500 N VALLEY VIEW RD 121 $88,700 $121.67 1984
5871 N PONTATOC RD $730,000 $200.99 1989
6255 N CAMINO PIMERIA ALTA $127,500 $101.35 1979
7135 N LEMMON ROCK CI $425,000 $253.43 1976
85719
1020 E COPPER ST $155,441 $174.26 1941
1649 N MOUNTAIN AV $30,000 $42.74 1924
1810 E BLACKLIDGE DR 609 $99,000 $115.38 1984
2114 E SILVER ST $120,000 $129.31 1951
2137 E 18TH ST $70,500 $168.66 1948
2210 E 7TH ST $180,000 $126.85 1952
3041 N MADSON PL $185,000 $134.06 1962
750 E MABEL ST $180,000 $179.82 1926
891 E PEPPERGRASS LN $100,000 $114.68 1979
85730
10118 E BRYONWOOD LN $126,900 $116.64 1987
2658 S KAYSNER CT $150,000 $106.16 1999
3760 S SERENA LN $158,000 $103.67 1978
4102 S SNAPDRAGON ST $145,000 $128.66 1972
4440 S HEATHER PL $130,000 $92.46 1973
7731 E 45TH ST $88,000 $85.44 1970
9714 E GOLF LINKS RD $140,500 $95.71 1973
85735
3531 S TWILIGHT ECHO RD $169,900 $83.08 2007
6385 S VALENCIA RANCH RD $120,000 UNK UNK
85737
10700 N RAINIER AV $99,000 UNK UNK
11427 N MOUNTAIN BREEZE DR $360,000 $147.48 2001
11510 N MOUNTAIN BREEZE DR $395,000 $153.34 2000
970 W BROKEN STONE PL $1,215,000 $306.43 2002
85739
15110 N IRONWOOD TREE RD $76,000 UNK UNK
16313 N SOTOL AV $210,312 $79.18 2004
85741
2248 W FLORAL CLIFF WY $210,273 UNK UNK
2256 W FLORAL CLIFF WY $245,000 UNK UNK
2328 W LAS LOMITAS RD $122,500 $87.69 1979
2679 W OLD GLORY DR $193,000 $99.69 1985
2742 W RUDASILL RD $134,000 $129.22 1976
3744 W GAILEY DR $116,000 $81.06 1974
4546 W SUN QUEST ST $169,000 $107.85 1998
4682 W BEEPLANT WY $155,171 UNK UNK
4688 W BEEPLANT WY $175,579 UNK UNK
5584 N MORNING SPRING AV $205,350 UNK UNK
6401 N AVENIDA MANZANA $75,000 $53.76 1961
7849 N CHAINFRUIT CHOLLA DR $202,349 UNK UNK
7870 N JEWELFLOWER DR $181,618 UNK UNK
85742
2587 W MYSTIC MOUNTAIN DR $168,000 $144.83 1997
2825 W CALLE SAN ISIDRO $315,000 $183.46 1999
2865 W APPALOOSA RD $385,000 $179.07 1996
3288 W CALLE DE MANZANILLO $155,000 $83.47 2004
4824 W DAPHNE LN $189,900 $110.86 1987
5091 W NIGHTHAWK WY $175,000 $86.81 1986
5224 W WOOD OWL DR $176,000 $102.09 1987
5456 W CORTARO CROSSING DR $230,000 $81.04 1999
5628 W RED RACER DR $223,000 $72.17 2004
9151 N CRANE HAWK PL $175,000 $93.53 1982
85743
10941 W ORANGE GROVE RD $98,500 UNK UNK
12500 W BERNICE LN $42,000 UNK UNK
6170 W INA RD $380,000 $162.19 2002
7706 W MADRIGAL DR $200,000 $136.24 2002
7876 N BOX CAMP PL $281,000 $113.58 2007
8383 N SAYANTE WY $148,500 $110.90 1998
8479 N SUNNY ROCK RIDGE DR $196,500 $108.86 2003
85745
1350 W PLACITA BRONCE $125,000 $124.13 1984
3548 N AVENIDA ALBOR $192,000 $100.68 1999
85746
1512 W STOCKWELL PL $98,000 $80.07 1987
1624 W COCHRAN ST $60,000 $73.71 1988
1974 W BELLAGIO DR $94,000 $66.71 2002
2649 W KERRY DR $63,500 $39.08 1978
3245 W DAKOTA ST $65,000 $46.86 1975
3614 W CENTER MOUNTAIN WY $125,000 $67.02 2006
4470 S CALLE DON DOMENICO $146,000 $78.41 2002
5180 E DESERT STRAW LN $119,897 UNK UNK
5546 S SWIRES RD $85,000 $56.03 1998
6220 S ROSE NICOLE DR $88,000 $58.16 2001
6420 S MAYES PL $68,000 $48.40 1981
7101 S CAMINO DE AYER $118,000 $78.30 2006
85747
10275 E RAINBOW MEADOW DR $170,000 $77.98 1999
10435 E RITA RANCH CROSSING CI $170,000 $108.77 2006
10464 E SARA SCARLET LP $353,090 UNK UNK
5726 S LADYSLIPPER PL $156,385 UNK UNK
7659 S MEADOW SPRING WY $169,000 $109.88 2000
9391 E PALE BLUE TOPAZ LN $235,000 $86.62 2001
9492 E BENCH MARK LP $135,500 $89.91 2000
85748
10181 E PLEASANT VIEW WY $168,000 $121.30 1999
10311 E CAMINO QUINCE $249,000 $108.12 1975
10601 E PLACITA LOS REYES $179,900 $131.41 1977
2424 S AJAY AV $186,000 $117.65 1998
402 N BULL RUN DR $168,300 $105.85 1972
9512 E BARRUDEAN HILLS ST $165,900 $92.84 1974
9750 E BARRUDEAN HILLS ST $225,000 $117.00 1975
9960 E KARST PL $248,000 $116.16 2006
85749
11555 E QUIET VALLEY PL $555,000 $226.16 2004
12030 E JEFSUMARK CI $310,000 $93.37 1978
12905 E CAMINO ANCHO $750,000 $188.44 2001
3110 N MELPOMENE WY $390,000 $84.78 1980
3711 N PLACITA CHIVO $290,000 $153.52 1984
3801 N CHERRY CREEK PL $315,000 $169.45 1975
4285 N HOMESTEAD AV $321,000 $140.05 1994
9500 E WALNUT TREE DR $245,000 $131.51 1977
85750
4660 N PASEO AQUIMURI $320,000 $153.62 1977
4871 N CAMEO LN $166,000 $100.55 1973
5051 N SABINO CANYON RD 1190 $120,000 $88.17 1986
5751 N KOLB RD 15201 $108,000 $107.46 1996
6342 N CALLE CAMPECHE $540,000 $191.56 1989
6445 E RED CLOUD DR $330,000 $130.85 1976
6462 E SUN CI $330,000 $169.40 1977
6655 N CANYON CREST CI 9152 $150,000 $164.65 1986
85755
1185 W TORTOLITA MOUNTAIN CI $380,000 UNK UNK
12640 N RUNNING COYOTE DR $244,900 $148.97 1998
1268 W MONTELUPO DR $275,000 $104.52 2007
13248 N CLASSIC OVERLOOK CT $167,000 $132.02 2000
13352 N ATALAYA WY $334,780 UNK UNK
13663 N NAPOLI WY $487,500 $175.42 2006
976 W CORK OAK PL $217,500 $112.81 2004
85756
3951 E AGATE KNOLL DR $150,000 $81.08 2007
3954 E COOLBROOKE DR $122,000 $91.87 2006
5174 E DESERT STRAW LN $127,000 UNK UNK
5766 E CAMINO DE AZUCAR $117,900 $70.35 2006
5997 E CHAUCERS DR $140,980 $78.80 2006
6397 E STAR MICA ST $130,680 $68.63 2007
6537 E STADIUM PW $108,000 $81.33 2008
6568 S MEADOW FESCUE DR $130,000 UNK UNK
6595 E BAMBINO RD $148,825 $71.45 2007
7061 S PARSNIP LN $135,000 $72.70 2006
7065 S PARSNIP LN $131,000 $70.54 2006
7760 E BIG MEADOW DR $237,500 UNK UNK
826 W CALLE MEDINA $52,000 $44.33 1952
9293 S RAVENS ROOST CT $234,000 UNK UNK
85757
6250 S PIPIT DR $142,207 UNK UNK
6517 W GOLDEN RAIN DR $79,900 UNK UNK
6519 W WINTER VALLEY WY $195,690 UNK UNK
6535 W BEECHER FALLS WY $210,000 UNK UNK
7112 W FESTIVAL WY $130,000 UNK UNK
7239 S PROVIDENCE DR $95,000 $84.00 2006
7615 E MAJESTIC PALM LN $161,468 UNK UNK
8281 W VIA GARCIA MARQUEZ $162,000 $83.29 2006
8438 W SHEARWATER DR $137,803 UNK UNK
8465 W BENIDORM LP $116,500 $75.75 2005

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.06.2009
Source: At Home azstarnet.com

1. Remove clutter: You may love all those vacation souvenirs and photos on your shelves but potential buyers may see it as clutter. Get a head start on packing by putting all your knick-knacks, pictures and papers in a box. Don’t forget to remove all the magnets and photos from the fridge! Your house will be clutter free and it will be easier for the potential buyer to envision it as their own!
2. Paint: Yes, you may nostalgically remember having put up that flower wallpaper 10 years ago or painting the babies room bright yellow, but realistically it may not appeal to others taste. Freshen up the interior of your house with a fresh coat of neutral paint. Stay with creams and beige. With a little bit of elbow grease an about $100 you can give a dingy room a face-lift.
3. Carpet: It is a major turn off to walk into a house and see dirty, worn carpet. If your carpet is an eyesore you may consider replacing it with a low cost neutral carpet before you put it on the market. Yes, it may cost a little more now but it will definitely give your home a better first impression. If you can’t afford to replace the carpet in your house at least have it professionally cleaned.
4. Fix big problems: If there are big problems that you see in your house your prospective buyers will see them too. So don’t ignore it, fix it! Non-working water softener? Pay to have it fixed, or get a new one. Big hole in the wall? Get some drywall and patch it up. Ugly peeling linoleum in the kitchen? Put in new flooring. Anything that can cause instant dislike for your house should be fixed, as long as it isn’t too expensive.
5. Kitchen and bathrooms: Kitchens and baths are HUGE selling points to a house. The more you can update them the better. A quick way to spruce up the bath is by hanging white fluffy towels and putting some fresh or dried flowers on the vanity. A candle or potporri is a nice touch too. Splurge for a new shower curtain (neutral!) or make sure the grime is removed from your glass shower doors. Final touches should be some fresh caulk and a good scrubbing! For your kitchen, give your cabinets a good wipe down. Remove all appliances and clutter from the counter and clean up the pantry. Make sure countertops and flooring are in good condition and consider replacing them if they aren’t. A big bowl of oranges and lemons makes a great centerpiece and gives a clean, fresh feeling to your kitchen.
6. Play up the assets of your house: Does your home have a large master bedroom? Make sure it feels that way by removing excess furniture and clutter. Have great views? Make sure your windows are clean and the blinds are removed or at least pulled up. Is it located in a good school district or near important attractions? Leave information and literature out for potential buyers to read. Think of why you like living there and make sure your potential buyers see it too!
7. Price it right: It is no secret that your house is worth a lot less than it was two or three years ago. Of course you may think it is worth more because it is your house and you think it is great! Remember though, it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Your agent probably has a good idea of what homes in your area are selling for so listen to them. Have them do some comps and tell them you want to price it to sell. Just remember, is likely you are getting your new house at a bargin too.
8. Do your own advertising: Just because you have an agent doesn’t’ mean you can’t do some marketing on your own. Advertise your home on Craigslist and email your friends. Sometimes word of mouth is one of the best ways to market a house.
9. Get a good agent to help you sell: Get a good agent to help sell your house, not a friend of a friend who just got her real estate license. Your house is one of your biggest assets, and this is no time to do someone else a favor. Call a local real estate office and ask for their top salesperson. Interview a few agents and ask them to tell you what their marketing plan is for your home. Use someone who understands the power of the internet, the importance of good interior photos, and an overall marketing strategy for your house.
10. When the house is showing, keep the house clean and don’t be there!: When you are having an open house, or the house is having a showing, make sure that you aren’t there. There’s nothing more annoying than having the home’s owners in a house when you’re trying to look at it. Also, make sure to keep the house spic and span to make sure that it shows well. Finally consider baking cookies before a showing, or lighting one of those cinnamon roll candles. It will give the house a pleasant aroma, and people will feel at home.

Selling your house in a down market isn’t an easy task, but you can still do some hard work along the way and make your chances that much better. If you are looking to sell real estate in Tucson Arizona, call the Blass Team. We can help make your selling process a lot easier!
www.blasshomes.com

Canadian investor Arthur Wong is buying condos in Las Vegas and Phoenix like a shopper at Costco: In bulk, with slashed prices.

Wong, president of Optimus U.S. Real Estate Fund, has bought 60 condos at heavy discounts from developers in financial trouble. Wong paid about $62,500 each for 18 Las Vegas condos that once were priced at about $250,000 apiece.

“This could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity for real estate investment,” said Wong, whose Calgary, Alberta-based fund has already invested $5 million cash and will spend millions more in the U.S. Southwest over the next several months.

While foreign real estate investment in the first six months of 2009 was lower than last year’s level, real estate agents from New York to Las Vegas say purchases have increased rapidly in recent months.

Foreign investors have long been attracted to U.S. residential real estate, drawn by the market’s stability compared with other countries. But the dollar’s descent in the past six months has made makes homes even cheaper for foreigners, and prices are showing signs of stability.
read full article

-The Blass Team