A message from Lake Havasu City Manager Richard Kaffenberger regarding the carp die-off occurring in Lake Havasu and the Lower Colorado River

Visitors and residents enjoying our region over the coming weeks will become aware of the presence of an unusual number of dead fish in the water and along the shoreline of Lake Havasu and the Colorado River.  The fish are native carp that have perished from an epidemic of the Koi Herpes Virus, or KHV.  According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, KHV affects only carp, goldfish and koi, and is not a threat to other species, including humans.

Fortunately, Lake Havasu visitors have nothing to fear from KHV.  Unfortunately, however, the unsightly presence of dead fish and the odor associated with them is an unavoidable consequence of this natural phenomenon.

Lake Havasu City is actively working with community volunteers to help keep popular beaches and coves clean and clear of the dead fish.  Given the large number of carp in Lake Havasu, and the limited resources available to keep up with the die-off, however, it is likely visitors will find dead fish in many areas of the lake and river.  Parents of curious children and pet owners should take special care to keep from coming into contact with remains that may have washed ashore.

Experts tell us the water quality of Lake Havasu is excellent and swimmers have nothing to fear from KHV or its victims.  The good news is we are told the effects of this phenomenon will decline over the coming weeks and eventually become just a stinky memory.

For more information, or to volunteer to assist in the cleanup, please contact:

Charlie Cassens

Lake Havasu City

928-854-4212

For detailed information about KHV, please contact:

Zen Mocarski

Arizona Game and Fish Department

928-692-7700  ext. 2301

Welcome to Lake Havasu City.  We appreciate our visitors and I sincerely hope you enjoy your stay.   -  Richard Kaffenberger

Check out the numbers for May 2009. You can see that the market here is Strong,  the number of Single Family Homes Closed is still at a good level. The number of listings is almost to the point of being a Sellers Market. 

Monthly Statistics Report - 05/01/2009 - 05/31/2009

Lake Havasu Association of REALTORS - Compiled on June 19, 2009

05/01/2009 - 05/31/2009 Change from

03/31/2009 - 04/30/2009 05/01/2008 - 05/31/2008 Change from

05/01/2008 - 05/31/2008 to 05/01/2009 - 05/31/2009 YTD

2009 YTD

2008 2008 - 2009

YTD

Residential

New Listings 209 -1.88% 275 -24.00% 1,102 1,452 -24.10%

Sold Listings 149 -5.10% 139 7.19% 639 550 16.18%

Volume - Sold Listings $27,714,618 -2.13% $33,369,290 -16.95% $122,226,338 $141,945,939 -13.89%

Average Sale Price $186,004 3.12% $240,067 -22.52% $191,278 $258,084 -25.89%

High Sale Price $1,125,000 -6.25% $837,500 34.33% $1,592,525 $1,250,000 27.40%

Low Sale Price $32,500 -27.78% $52,000 -37.50% $1,750 $47,500 -96.32%

Average Days on Market 145 -3.97% 157 -7.64% 150 159 -5.66%

Vacant Land

New Listings 71 36.54% 94 -24.47% 299 446 -32.96%

Sold Listings 15 0.00% 16 -6.25% 51 58 -12.07%

Volume - Sold Listings $2,434,400 26.01% $2,503,670 -2.77% $6,467,510 $10,047,956 -35.63%

Average Sale Price $162,293 26.01% $156,479 3.72% $126,814 $173,241 -26.80%

High Sale Price $1,200,000 305.41% $762,300 57.42% $1,200,000 $762,300 57.42%

Low Sale Price $27,500 -36.05% $50,250 -45.27% $27,500 $39,900 -31.08%

Average Days on Market 372 48.80% 232 60.34% 281 205 37.07%

Believe it or not, 30 year fixed interest rates are still in the very low 5% range.  If you are looking to buy a primary residence, FHA still has a great program for you with as little as 3.5% down payment. Conventional 2^nd home rates are the same in most cases as a primary residence loan.  

Homes are very inexpensive these days and are showing some signs of a slight increase in values over the next few months.  Whether you believe this or not, it’s very unlikely that home prices in this market will decrease much more.  

This may be a great time to start a search for a new home.  Just remember to work with a Real Estate Agent that knows the market and is interested in what your wants and needs are.