Small Town Sticker Shock in AZ (Phoenix, Tucson: real estate, countertops, appliances)

[herrgoblin]

I lived in Tucson many years ago, decided to maybe go back to Arizona and settle in a cute small town like Safford.

OMG, the sticker shock at the house prices. The Safford prices are worse than the Flag prices, which are also pretty high. The recent "boom" isn't big enough to explain this -- in researching, I find the prices have been outrageous for some time now, at least a decade. I've been gone 2 decades from AZ. When I left, a place like Safford was very affordable.

The houses being sold are like shacks, and the ads even say "come shovel it out" and so forth. I mean, that is beyond a fixer-upper, with many falling down houses at almost $200K. Looked at some other little old towns and they too are way high now.

What has happened? Is AZ like Cali now, in that no matter where you go, it is going to be crazy expensive in terms of real estate? It is sort of depressing. It seems to me that all the old-time little ol' desert communties are now just for those with a lot of money in their pocket, in AZ and many parts of NM, and the old West where a person could live w/o being rich is gone. Over in NM, Silver City used to be a cheap little town, now the houses are so high! And let's not talk about L.C., it's gone totally crazy. But Safford hit me hard.

Just shocked at the changes.

[Ponderosa]

I am surprised Safford is that high, but yes, everything here has gone way up. Blame retirees, I guess, no one moves to Safford for the job opportunities. The good places are going fast. I had one time thought about living in a smaller AZ town after retirement, but Phoenix (where I already own a home) is going to be it for me if I stay in this state. I am trying to come to grips with that reality. OK, MO, TX, AR are still affordable.

[ArizonaBear]

For the record; housing prices in Mohave County (Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City) are dropping.

Even Globe/Miami prices are declining as well.

[odinloki1]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

For the record; housing prices in Mohave County (Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City) are dropping.

Even Globe/Miami prices are declining as well.

For how long. Were they booming for the past few years?

The great thing is that wages won't catch up for years if not decades and neither will the infrastructure.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by odinloki1

For how long. Were they booming for the past few years?

The great thing is that wages won't catch up for years if not decades and neither will the infrastructure.

Starting ca. 2001-03; things went nuts, the by 2006 the prices started dipping downward------and, the decline appears to be snowballing.

Kingman Az and Needles, which is in California but is part of the Mohave County, Az economy have seen their prices drop in average about 25% since the above date.

Bullhead City/Mohave Valley housing markets are also showing signs of severe distress.

Havasu; despite being bloated with California money, is no longer appreciating in value. It will likely crash as well.

[odinloki1]

Well rapid increase in prices and risk of crash or slow moderate increase with minimal risk of the market cashing out.

[saffordpastor]

I believe that Safford is going to moderate pretty soon. I dont see a crash coming, but the market will stabilize. We will never see the prices that I remember years ago, but unless you live in an extremely economically depressed area you wont see that anywhere.
There are hundreds maybe thousands of homes being built here in Safford, or on the books, and sooner or later there will be some saturation, and the prices will drop.
It is true that the wages are not keeping up with the prices, but the wages have gone up somewhat here in Safford.

[jbrewsterhomes]

Wow, I am not familiar with Safford but I can tell you here in the west valley, Arizona home prices are at their lowest and homes are gorgeous - the newer homes have all the amenities and most of the older homes have been remodeled. The median home price is $250-$350. Many amenities include cherry wood kitchen cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, you name it. Moderator cut: advertising

[norm]

jbrewster,

What you have neglected to say is that the temperature there is over 100 all summer long and that there is very little rain.

[jbrewsterhomes]

Hi Norm, Oh, I wasn't aware this was a weather post but I can tell you that I believe there are people who love a warm climate and a cold climate, don't you think? We have the most wonderful spring, summer, and fall. Temperatures are in the 100s and because it is a dry heat it is gorgeous and comfortable. We have about 2 months out of the year that are "extremely" hot and it is uncomfortable for everyone but we seem to manage. What else could I be neglecting to say...hmmm...electric bills vary due to the need to use the ac alot in the extra hot months? Maybe in the winter you would use more power to heat up your homes in New York. We do here as well although the temperature is not as cold as New York, we don't see anything in the negatives in the valley, and we don't get any snow unless you go to the high country generally. Sorry, if I can't think of all the things I'm neglecting to say but, my completely subjective Arizona thoughts are, Arizona is a beautiful, sunny, blue sky kindof place to live.

Sorry about the advertising here people...I wasn't aware of the rules and I guess I'd better brush up! Have a wonderful day!