| WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND TOWN AND UNDERSTANDING EASEMENTS.
|  | Hello friends and neighbors!
I hope you’ve been enjoying this beautiful April weather. It’s hard to believe we’re already midway through the month, but the desert is in full bloom and there is so much to celebrate in our community. Whether you're looking for a weekend plan or curious about what’s happening in the neighborhood market, I’ve got you covered.
Upcoming Local Events
There is no shortage of fun in the next couple of weeks! Here are some top picks:
International Mariachi Conference (April 29 – May 3): This is such a special event for our region. The workshops and concerts at the Tucson Convention Center are world-class, but the Espectacular Concert is truly something you have to see at least once.
Celebrate Oro Valley Concert Series (Fridays through May): Kick off your weekends at Steam Pump Ranch! There are free concerts every Friday night starting at 7:00 PM. On May 1st, the band Bloomstone will be playing, and on May 15th, you can catch the Southern Reins Band. Bring a chair and enjoy the mountain views!
2nd Saturdays Downtown (May 9): If you haven't been in a while, May is the perfect time for a stroll downtown. Street performers, local artisans, and live music make for a great family-friendly evening.
Tucson Community Meet & Greet (April 21): If you're looking to connect with more neighbors, there’s a community gathering at Monterey Court from 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM. It’s a great spot for live music and friendly conversation.
New Places to Try
Our local food scene just keeps getting better. If you’re a foodie, put these on your radar:
The Hills by Monica: Keep an eye out for this new concept from the El Charro family, opening at Sunrise & Kolb. It’s set to offer casual breakfast and lunch with an elevated dinner service. Perfect for those of us in the Foothills! Opening this April.
Tucson Chocolate Factory: They just opened a beautiful new brick-and-mortar spot on 4th Avenue. Their small batch chocolates use local ingredients like prickly pear and saguaro fruit. It’s the perfect place to pick up a sweet gift or a treat for yourself.
Dubai chocolate bar. So delicious!
Real Estate Corner: Tucson, Oro Valley & Marana
The market this spring is showing a lot of healthy stability, which is great news for everyone!
Oro Valley: We’re seeing a steady flow of activity. In March, the median home price held at $500,000, and homes are currently selling for about 98% of their list price. It’s a competitive but balanced environment where buyers have a bit more breathing room than in previous years.
Tucson: Homes are taking a little longer to sell and averaging about 39 to 60 days depending on the neighborhood. This "leveling out" is giving both buyers and sellers more confidence to move forward with their plans.
Marana: This area continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors. With new construction and established communities like Continental Ranch, we are seeing a high demand for single-family homes, with the median price sitting around $465,000.
If you're curious about what your specific home might be worth in today’s market, or if you just want to talk about your real estate goals for 2026, I’m always here to help.
Understanding Easements
If you’ve ever looked at a survey or plot plan and noticed notes like “utility easement” or “right-of-way,” you’re not alone if your first thought was: Wait… does someone else own part of my yard?
An easement doesn’t mean someone owns your property. It simply means another person (or company) has a legal right to use a specific portion of it for a specific purpose. Easements are very common, especially in neighborhoods with established utility lines and drainage systems.
 What is an easement?
An easement is a legal permission that allows someone else to use part of your property – without owning it.
- You still own the land.
- But someone else may have the right to access it (or run something through it), usually with rules about what they can and can’t do.
The most common easements (and what they look like in real life)
1) Utility easements
These are the most common. They allow utility companies access to maintain things like power lines, gas lines, water and sewer lines, and cable/internet infrastructure.
Why it matters: You may be limited on what you can build over that area. Even if you can plant grass or use it day-to-day, the utility company typically needs the right to access it if repairs are ever needed.
2) Drainage easements
These are designed to move water safely through or around properties, especially in rainy areas, on slopes, or in neighborhoods with engineered stormwater systems.
Why it matters: Certain changes – like altering grading, adding retaining walls, or installing hardscaping – can interfere with drainage and create costly problems.
3) Access/driveway easements
These give a neighbor the legal right to cross part of your property common with shared driveways, “flag lots,” rural homes, or lake properties.
Why it matters: Even if the neighbor rarely uses it, you generally can’t block it, and it’s smart to understand who maintains it.
4) Right-of-way easements
These often relate to roads, alleys, paths, or public access routes.
Why it matters: They can affect where fences, gates, and landscaping can go especially near lot edges.
When easements become a big deal
Most homeowners don’t think about easements until they want to:
- build a shed, ADU, addition, or pool
- install a fence or gate
- pour a patio or driveway extension
- plant large trees or add retaining walls
The key thing to know: if a utility needs access, improvements in the easement area might be disturbed or removed to reach lines. It’s not personal it’s what the easement allows.
How to find out if a property has easements (and where they are)
Easements may show up in:
- Title documents (often during purchase)
- Survey/plot plan (best visual for location)
- Disclosures/HOA docs (sometimes)
- City/county records (if you need deeper detail)
Quick tip: If you’re buying and already dreaming up projects, ask about easements early before you fall in love with a backyard plan that doesn’t match what’s on paper.
Easements are usually normal and manageable. What matters is the type, the location, and what you want to do with the property. If you’re buying and want help reviewing surveys/title paperwork or you’re planning upgrades, I’m happy to help you spot easements early so there are no surprises later.
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Again, thank you for all your referrals. They are very much appreciated and they help me continue to build my business. Please reach out to me if you need any contractor, restaurant, activity ideas, etc. I love sharing great people and places here in the Southwest.
Warmly, Diane |
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