Which of these areas is safer/nicer for a motel stay? - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

Zippyman · 05-14-2012, 07:21 PM

I've lived in Tempe, not far from that location, and I currently live on the north side, not too far from the other location, and I can't think of a single "amenity" in Tempe that isn't available on the north side of town. Tempe had a really great bar-b-que place, but "the Codfather" is a north side thing.

I guess my biggest question is how can you look at homes on both sides of town? I hope you don't have an agent who claims to "know" both areas, because they can't possibly cover that much area and claim any detailed knowledge of either area - they're just too far apart. If you're working with two agents, and they find out about each other you're likely to get dumped by both - just an observation on my part, I know from your previous posts you're a serious buyer, but I wouldnt even try to cover the listings in an area that large for my own mother - I don't know enough about the current market on the other side of town to offer good advice, and I couldn't afford the investment in both time and fuel to search both areas effectively.

themudpuppy · 05-14-2012, 11:37 PM

Thanks for all the input, everyone! I appreciate it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippyman

If you're working with two agents, and they find out about each other you're likely to get dumped by both -

I'm looking at the entire area because it's getting difficult to find a house in my price range. I figured there probably aren't going to be any agents who cover the entire area, so I'd have to get 2 agents. Why would one agent care if I have another agent in an area they don't cover? I plan to be honest with my agent(s) about looking in the entire area.

If I have an area on the east side I like and an area on the west side, and I'm willing to move to whichever one where I can find a house that fits my criteria, shouldn't I have the right to look in both places?

I'm also looking in Tucson and the Casa Grande area. With the way homes are selling so fast with multiple offers on the first day, I have to keep all my options open, and I can do that because I'm not limited to one particular area for a job. I'm a serious buyer who wants a house sooner rather than later. If I limit myself to one area, I could be looking for months before I get an offer accepted. I would hope a Realtor would understand that.

Zippyman · 05-15-2012, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnp

Thanks for all the input, everyone! I appreciate it.

I'm looking at the entire area because it's getting difficult to find a house in my price range. I figured there probably aren't going to be any agents who cover the entire area, so I'd have to get 2 agents. Why would one agent care if I have another agent in an area they don't cover? I plan to be honest with my agent(s) about looking in the entire area.

If I have an area on the east side I like and an area on the west side, and I'm willing to move to whichever one where I can find a house that fits my criteria, shouldn't I have the right to look in both places?

I'm also looking in Tucson and the Casa Grande area. With the way homes are selling so fast with multiple offers on the first day, I have to keep all my options open, and I can do that because I'm not limited to one particular area for a job. I'm a serious buyer who wants a house sooner rather than later. If I limit myself to one area, I could be looking for months before I get an offer accepted. I would hope a Realtor would understand that.

You can look wherever you want, but I wouldnt expect either agent to put 100% effort into a deal that has at best, a 50% chance for paying off. I'm on your side, and hoping it works for you, but the lower price ranges are more work for the agent (more showings/ offers written), and the commissions aren't that compelling.

In any case, I'd be very careful - there are a *lot* of "dogs" in your price range - properties that aren't worth taking title to if they were free, due to location and repair costs. If you've only got one cash "bullet", use it wisely.

themudpuppy · 05-15-2012, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippyman

You can look wherever you want, but I wouldnt expect either agent to put 100% effort into a deal that has at best, a 50% chance for paying off.

I didn't think about that. Hmmm. What to do. Maybe I'll have to get just one realtor and I'll concentrate on the areas that he/she doesn't cover myself. I don't want to do anything that's going to upset my realtor and hadn't thought that looking in all areas would do that, but I can see now where it might.

Zippyman · 05-15-2012, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnp

I didn't think about that. Hmmm. What to do. Maybe I'll have to get just one realtor and I'll concentrate on the areas that he/she doesn't cover myself. I don't want to do anything that's going to upset my realtor and hadn't thought that looking in all areas would do that, but I can see now where it might.

If you were a family member, I'd tell you to pick one area and watch it, learn about it, and learn everything you could about it ( prior sales, schools, Crime, etc) *then* start writing offers. Even if you don't personally care about schools, whomever you sell it to in the future will. That's how I spend my own money.

It's too easy to get burned if you scatter your efforts.

As hot as the market is, you could write one offer and get some of these places, and that might not be a blessing.

Keep in mind, I'm not talking about "upsetting" your agent, I'm more concerned that they would take the easy road and get you into one of those money pits because it's easy & faster for them. You don't need to worry about anyone's fragile psyche, they're salespeople, they'll deal with it.

themudpuppy · 05-15-2012, 07:12 AM

Thanks, Zippyman.

ReadyFreddy · 05-15-2012, 10:10 AM

I'll be the oddball and suggest that you don't need a specialist in each side of town, for your situation. I think the info most buyers need is on the MLS (by design). They might need to do their own research on schools, crime rates, etc. but it's pretty easy to get an agent who DOES say they specialize in 'east valley' or Tempe or whatever, and they don't really know all that stuff (schools, etc.), anyway.

Stefan_from_Germany · 05-15-2012, 01:27 PM

I have stayed at the Motel 6 off I-17 and south of the 101 a few years back and while the area is fine, my room was quite run down and dirty. The "show-room" looked nice but the actual room not so much. Unless they have done a major renovation, I would not stay there again. What does tripadvisor say?

observer53 · 05-15-2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan_from_Germany

I have stayed at the Motel 6 off I-17 and south of the 101 a few years back and while the area is fine, my room was quite run down and dirty. The "show-room" looked nice but the actual room not so much. Unless they have done a major renovation, I would not stay there again. What does tripadvisor say?

I think that is a different property than the one the OP is looking at. The suggestion to check TripAdvisor is a good one, though.

themudpuppy · 05-15-2012, 11:12 PM

I've never used TripAdvisor, but I will check.

The Studio 6 is different from the Motel 6. My dog and I usually stay at Motel 6 for regular overnight stays, because they fit the budget and don't charge a pet fee, but a lot of them are kinda run down. We've stayed at 2 Studio 6's in other states, and they were both nice. They're owned by the same company, but the Studio 6 is better for longer stays, as the rooms have a kitchenette. I'm surprised at the cheap rate for the Studio 6 in the Phoenix area. It's ony $27 per night if you stay for more than a week.