Hello from across the pond (Phoenix, Tucson: for sale, real estate, rental)

[Stefan_from_Germany]

Hello everybody,

I am new to this fantastic forum so please let me introduce myself. My name is Stefan (what a surprise) and I live in Heidelberg, Germany. I have lived in PHX for a year in 96/97 and have since been back a number of times to visit the family I have stayed with during my time in AZ. I consider Arizon my second home.

While I think that Phoenix isn't the most beautiful city in the world, I really like Arizona. The climate, the natural landsapes, the open spaces, the flying etc.

I have considered moving back to the States on more than one occasion. I presently work as a pilot for NetJets Europe and who knows I might be able to find a flying job in the U.S.. First I would have to get a green card, though.

Anyway, the dollar is cheap and real estate prices have gone down a bit so I thought now might be as good a time as any to invest in some Arizona land.

Like any land purchase I see it as an investment, but not primarelly. I want to find a place I really like because I am not planning to sell anytime soon.

I'd like to buy some acreage out towards the north of Phoenix. I have read these forums quite a bit and searched the listings on the MLS.

I have no immediate plans for building but it must be legal to build a home on the property I am going to buy. Remote is ok, but not too remote. Electricity is not that impotant (I think I would go solar), but being able to drill a well is.

Don't necessarelly want to go up too high or too far north as I don't mind the heat, but a few degrees cooler than Phoenix and maybe a bit greener would be nice.

There are so many places to look at so I was wondering if you could help me with a few hints to help my search. To summarize: I am looking for:

1-5+ acres roughly in the area north of Phoenix as far west as Wickenburg, as far north as Flagstaff and as far east as Show Low within a reasonable drive of civilization

Electricity not needed, well must be feasible.

Close to an airport (general aviation) would be nice.

Want to be able to build a home on the parcel (needs residential zoning)

Budget is around 50k.

I might also consider New Mexico. I hear the Santa Fe area is very nice but I guess that's for another thread.

I will be travelling to Arizona in February/March and would appreciate any help from fellow members.

Direct messages welcome, too.

Best regards,

Stefan

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Stefan_from_Germany

Hello everybody,

I am new to this fantastic forum so please let me introduce myself. My name is Stefan (what a surprise) and I live in Heidelberg, Germany. I have lived in PHX for a year in 96/97 and have since been back a number of times to visit the family I have stayed with during my time in AZ. I consider Arizon my second home.

Hey, Stefan.

I can't contribute to your topic, but just wanted to say I loved Heidelberg.

[LordBalfor]

You may want to look at SE Arizona as well. The Sierra Vista area meets your criteria as does Benson. Climatewise both have temps a bit cooler than Wickenburg and warmer than Show Low. Both are a bit greener than Phoenix - averaging about 14 inches of rain/year. Average highs in the area are typically in the low 90's at the height of summer and just a bit over 60 in the depths of winter. Both have airports (though Sierra Vista's is no doubt more substantial).

Ken

[Stefan_from_Germany]

Hi sierraAZ,

Thanks for your message. Glad you enjoyed Heidelberg. The weather is really nasty at the moment here. Temps just above freezing, rain etc... Wish I was in AZ. On the other hand: The christmas market is starting soon and it is always nice to go there for a "Glühwein" or two...

Ken,

Thanks very much for your tips. I will have a look at that area tomorrow. Now it's bed time here in the "old world".

Any more pointers very welcome!

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Stefan_from_Germany

Hi sierraAZ,

Thanks for your message. Glad you enjoyed Heidelberg. The weather is really nasty at the moment here. Temps just above freezing, rain etc... Wish I was in AZ. On the other hand: The christmas market is starting soon and it is always nice to go there for a "Glühwein" or two...

I wish I could end up some year at those Christmas markets of yours... I was in Nuremberg in summer, but looking at the postcards of the city at Christmas time made me wish to be there at Christmas. It's soooo beautiful... and cozy... and festive!

Visited Heidelberg in March (just a day trip out of Frankfurt). The weather wasn't great by any means, but still enjoyed your city a lot.

[Bummer]

Hi, Stefan

You may want to consider looking towards Southern Arizona. I'm in Tucson and the weather is a little less severe than Phoenix and continues to get even better as you head east towards the New Mexico border.

Also, there's lots of land in this area meeting your demands except for maybe one . . . the well but that's easily fixed.

Good Luck and come on over!

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Hi, Stefan

You may want to consider looking towards Southern Arizona. I'm in Tucson and the weather is a little less severe than Phoenix and continues to get even better as you head east towards the New Mexico border.

Also, there's lots of land in this area meeting your demands except for maybe one . . . the well but that's easily fixed.

Good Luck and come on over!

Maybe the foreigners will solve our housing problems... Since we're turning into a third-world country... Read articles on that topic before and it seems to be happening. Let's blow some more air into this balloon! I can't believe the prices haven't crashed in Spain and Eastern Europe. Seems like every retired (or not...) Brit's got a second home somewhere. The funny part is that in Eastern Europe they were assured of rental cash flow. Aha... with 2 to 3 months of beach season (and who says the place will be rented even all this time), a lot of them were up for a rude awakening. Others thought they can leave their little cheap houses in little villages for months with no supervision and would find them in the same shape. Another rude awakening... Once those bubbles explode, ours will look like a piece of cake.

[Stefan_from_Germany]

I think your assesment of the situation in the south of Spain and France is quite accurate. Same with the new developments in Bularia etc.

Here in Germany we haven't had a property boom, so the whole thing hasn't affected us at all. At least not directly.

Actually I really recommend investing in Berlin these days. It is so incredibly cheap compared to other capital cities in Europe. But of course the Euro is expensive for those of you who earn their living in US Dollars.

Anyway, I was wondering if you could help me with the following:

I am looking for a web-based search of the MLS where I can do a radius-search based on cities or zip-codes. For example "find results within a 50 miles radius of Phoenix etc". Does such a site exist?

Thanks for your help!

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Stefan_from_Germany

I am looking for a web-based search of the MLS where I can do a radius-search based on cities or zip-codes. For example "find results within a 50 miles radius of Phoenix etc". Does such a site exist?

Thanks for your help!

I'm not aware of any site having the searching abilities you describe, but trulia comes close to it:

Arizona Real Estate Search - Find Homes For Sale in Arizona - Site Map

After picking some area you can drag the map as far as you want in whichever direction you want. Same goes for zillow -

Zillow - Real Estate Valuations, Homes for Sale, Free Real Estate Information

Many homes for sale show up on zillow, but not all.

Hope this helps a little.

[AzDreamer]

Here's an AZ climate map you might find useful.

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension - Yavapai County Horticulture - Arizona Climate Map - Map