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This Scottsdale thing is completely overrated. I live in N. Scottsdale and don't consider myself to be rich or snobby. I came from CA and found my money could buy me a LOT more here. It was a financial decision and a location, location, location decision.
I eat ramen noodles and shop at Ross. I am not ashamed to admit either. Sometimes I won't even say I live in Scottsdale, due to the bad rap people get who live in Scottsdale. Oh well. As long as my property value continues to go up, that's really all I concern myself with.
Thats awesome! Ive never lived there, but visit there 1-2 times a year in early fall, and Scottsdale PRETENDS to be Beverly Hills, or Greenwich. Its new money, and 80% are transplants from other states.
Thats awesome! Ive never lived there, but visit there 1-2 times a year in early fall, and Scottsdale PRETENDS to be Beverly Hills, or Greenwich. Its new money, and 80% are transplants from other states.
Well, thank you. When I came here I had a very good realtor who told the sellers that I wasn't a Californian, and so I wasn't going to pay what they asked for. We went back and forth three times and then agreed on a price.
I like this property, but have yet to shop at the upscale malls. I was able to buy this outright, and I find as I get older that time is our greatest resource in life, so if I don't have to spend it at a job I hate eight hours a day, that works for me. I will forego the Scottsdalian lifestyle, whatever that means. I have to chuckle to myself when I come across one of those Scottsdale magazines, as this place is not all that. It beats south Phoenix, sure, but it's just another place.
I love Scottsdale for a few weeks a year, then its time to get the heck out. Its like NYC or Beverly Hills, great places to visit, but I just couldnt handle it over long periods of time.
I love Scottsdale for a few weeks a year, then its time to get the heck out. Its like NYC or Beverly Hills, great places to visit, but I just couldnt handle it over long periods of time.
And why is that? I'm curious
I find the biggest problem I've had here is not meeting like-minded people. Of course, it might be because I don't push myself to get out and go to certain functions. I moved here alone and it's hard to think about going to these places by myself, but I guess if I stay here (big IF), I will have to do just that. I never had this problem in the SF Bay Area. But then, of course, it's super expensive there and entails a willingness to partake in the rat race, and that's something I am reluctant to do.
I find the biggest problem I've had here is not meeting like-minded people. Of course, it might be because I don't push myself to get out and go to certain functions. I moved here alone and it's hard to think about going to these places by myself, but I guess if I stay here (big IF), I will have to do just that. I never had this problem in the SF Bay Area. But then, of course, it's super expensive there and entails a willingness to partake in the rat race, and that's something I am reluctant to do.
Why? LOTS of reasons. But, Ill more than likely make alot of Zonies mad and argue with me when I explain, but you wanted to know why...
Scottsdale is a resort town. A fancy WI Dells in the desert, thats about it. Actually I think the Dells are alot more fun, but thats beside the point. After 2 weeks I want to leave for many reasons. After 2 weeks of brutal sun, Ive had enough. Its not fun when you want to be outside but have to seek shelter so you dont feel like youre on fire. I get tired of having to check everything I own for scorpions and black widows (and yes, one check resulted in a small scorpion in my shirt that was on the floor--my fault). I get tired of the bad food, Ive been spoiled by Italian beefs, Vienna Beef Chi-town dogs, masterful gyros and wonderful pizza. When I leave Scottsdale Im virtually starving. There were a few good restaurants (Macayo's comes to mind), but they cant touch the food here. I also miss being able to walk around bare-footed, you cant do that in the yards (mostly rock) for pain reasons and critter reasons, and forget about going barefoot on the concrete! I made the mistake of running out to the car to get something. My "run" turned into a Olympic-paced sprint once I set foot on the driveway. I couldnt get the keys in the door fast enough! I missed greenery and a lively downtown. I went downtown Phoenix a few times, and other than Chase Field (the The BOB), I thought downtown Phoenix was utterly boring. Nothing but bums and offices. Not a single thing to do other than go to a game, in which Chase Field was also soulless and boring. A neat engineering marvel, but it just simply has no soul. Wrigley Field has more soul in one brick than that entire stadium does. As for Scottsdale, Old Town is pretty neat, and we trek it each year, hitting up Bischoffs and all the other staples in that area (mainly Chiaroscurro and other galleries too), but after one trip it becomes the norm and boring. Scottsdale doesnt offer too much other than strip malls and a few crappy parks. Weve also gone to Crackerjack's and that also wore out its welcome the first time, as did Rawhide. What was fun was the horseback rides we took, that was neat. I just dont find anything man-made that is fun to do in that town. I love the hiking thats available and thats about it.
Location: 5 miles from the center of the universe-The Superstition Mountains
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sweattea
My house has doubled and my taxes have not gone up. I'm cashing out and re-investing in a fresh market.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ponderosa
Don't start celebrating just yet on the taxes. The current bite was based on the 04-05 assessments and did not reflect the huge increase in values that came later. Current laws and the new referendum will have some influence and will hold down city and county levies, but secondary taxes (schools, bonds, special districts) are not controlled and could go through the roof next year.
Ponderosa is right. Again. The guy is never wrong! ('cept for the taser thing, but that's off the subject ). There is a lag time on the taxes. If you've ever bought a new home, you've experienced it. The first year's taxes are on the land. It bites you in year two. I haven't actually paid double yet, but I will. My comment was based on the last tax assessment I received in which the county's valuation virtually doubled. I'll take the hit this year. And to give Maricopa County and the City of Mesa their due, I paid about $60.00 less in '06 than I did in '05.
Let me give you a little insight into what its like as I am in my early 30's with kids and have pretty much grew up here since I was 7. I have also myself been in real estate for the past 12 years and have my own brokerage here.
I won't say NOT to do it here, but be prepared to do it in a way that is different than what you might be used to where it may not be crazy busy, but it probably isn't going through the kind of transition it is here.
Its the #1 place in the country for stagnant inventory, somewhere near 58,000 homes in just the metro area.
What that translates to is you having no trouble *acquiring* listings, but good luck selling them. The majority of the population is resistant to lowering their price because their neighbors got so much for their home 6 months ago and the downturn is still so fresh its hard to reason with people.
There are plenty of hardheads that have been sitting for a YEAR on the market still waiting for some boatload of idiots to roll into town and overpay for their home. When its all said and done... you have spent countless hours coddling them and telling them you will *make it happen* and then spend a grand on ads and marketing for all that time, but when the contract is over, YOU ARE THE REASON IT DIDN'T SELL!
They kick you out like a piece of trash and lower the price with the NEXT realtor because they now realize the next realtor is saying the same thing you have said for a year... but they don't want to EVER give you the satisfaction personally that you were right.
Now that sounds really negative, and I'm not a negative person... I am making good money. You will need a mindset of turning people down that won't get real which means you might have to meet 10 people and turn down 8 of them just to work with 2 people that are willing to listen and do the right thing. Otherwise imaging juggling 20 listings and having no sales but all that overhead, and don't trick yourself into believing that you are *busy* because you have 15 unsellable listings or you will be PAYING to be a realtor and NOT getting paid.
If you are hellbent on making it out here, let me know and I will be glad to show you the ropes and how to grab the bull by the horns out here and do what you need to do to get what you can out of this market climate.
Thank you. I can appericate everything you are saying, and I understand exactly where you are coming from. Home values plumutated (sp) here and sellers have to realize its over. Before we make the move I will look you up, and would appericate you help, in both the home search and the ropes as well. Thanks again.
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I missed greenery and a lively downtown. I went downtown Phoenix a few times, and other than Chase Field (the The BOB), I thought downtown Phoenix was utterly boring. Nothing but bums and offices. Not a single thing to do other than go to a game, in which Chase Field was also soulless and boring. A neat engineering marvel, but it just simply has no soul. Wrigley Field has more soul in one brick than that entire stadium does. As for Scottsdale, Old Town is pretty neat, and we trek it each year, hitting up Bischoffs and all the other staples in that area (mainly Chiaroscurro and other galleries too), but after one trip it becomes the norm and boring. Scottsdale doesnt offer too much other than strip malls and a few crappy parks. Weve also gone to Crackerjack's and that also wore out its welcome the first time, as did Rawhide. What was fun was the horseback rides we took, that was neat. I just dont find anything man-made that is fun to do in that town. I love the hiking thats available and thats about it. 
