Why so few upgrades/remodels in Phoenix? (Scottsdale, Sun Lakes: condo, selling a house)

[JTW2013]

Originally Posted by observer53

Have him shower, etc. in different bathroom when he does that, if he hasn't figured that out for himself.

And Ponderosa is right, this isn't "Phoenix" design. Like so many things, it came across the river from California. Same builders, same houses.

That's just a pain. The other bathroom is the kids bathroom and I'm sure my DH would rather not step over the bath toys to take a shower.

In most of the country, people have doors between their bedroom and the bathroom in the master suite. When I saw my first house that was the first thing the realtor pointed out to me because every out of town client comments on how weird it is that there are no doors.

I'm stuck with it so we'll adapt to it but it's still weird.

[Iowastater]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I would normally agree, but in this case, I think it's kinda cool.





I agree with Iowa, I think these houses look to be incredibly well done.

Someone told my wife that one of Rafterhouse's "signature" design elements is the use of reclaimed doors from old farmhouses used as accent doors in their remodels. I think this pantry door in the picture is an example of this.

[Potential_Landlord]

BTW when it come to appeal it is better to be a little different and edgy. On the online dating services it makes a big difference if you are rated "average" but some people love and some hate you dearly rather than being rated "average" by everyone. So you should have something edgy in your picture like hairstyle etc. for example. Same is true for homes- there should be something edgy that some people love and some hate rather than being completely bland and appealing only to the "masses".

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by JTW2013

That's just a pain. The other bathroom is the kids bathroom and I'm sure my DH would rather not step over the bath toys to take a shower.

In most of the country, people have doors between their bedroom and the bathroom in the master suite. When I saw my first house that was the first thing the realtor pointed out to me because every out of town client comments on how weird it is that there are no doors.

I'm stuck with it so we'll adapt to it but it's still weird.

We put up a curtain rod and curtains to get a little separation and block the light from the bathroom. Or you could try retro-fitting a door?

[JTW2013]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

We put up a curtain rod and curtains to get a little separation and block the light from the bathroom. Or you could try retro-fitting a door?

A door is probably more than we want to do right now but will try the curtains. But curtains won't block out the sound of someone getting ready in the morning.

Setting aside the privacy issue, it's just weird to have a bedroom have an opening to a bathroom. That's like a hotel room or something. I've never seen anything like that in the midwest.

But every region has its own little weird housing quirks.

[DetroitN8V]

That's the perfect application for the barn door that people either love or hate.

[Winnie The Winnier]

With the reasonable pricing now, people prefer to have a new and modern home than remodeling their house. It is always nice to stay in a new home with new neighborhood you like. We changes our lifestyle as we aged and looking for different type of neighborhood and recreation activities.

[Montanama]

In thinking about the new FNMA appraisal procedures going into effect and this valuation peculiarity regarding upgrades in the Phoenix area, I wonder if it's not just a temporary phenomenon as a result of the particular volatility in prices and massive availability of both new construction and distressed properties over the past several years.

It has to be difficult to keep a handle on comparable values for an appraiser (which is part of what the new system addresses, in addition to acting as a direct market control to prevent pricing run-ups in hot markets, which I am against but I understand where it comes from obvs...), with prices rising, falling precipitously, then having to appraise them as "distressed"--HOW to value properties during the deepest valley of the crash?!--then rising quite quickly with the huge influx of cash buyers/investors, unlike anywhere else except maybe Vegas, many of whom did not bother with appraisals further complicating the selection of comps. At that point you're using A LOT of sale prices that were never based on appraisals for comps as well as seeing the prices bounce back very quickly...Trying to keep up with overall values, upgrades have to become a minor concern at least temporarily, I would think. But I also thought there was a set formula appraisers used for adding value to higher-level finishes, maybe not so.

So maybe the squirrely prices when it comes to upgraded vs. not upgraded properties are still a result of some of the aftermath of the crash and hot rebound, lots of cash sales, and an attempt to just keep up with changing values as we move into the new normal...? Still, I think the new Fannie Mae rules will make low ROI on improvements more of an issue in other markets, not less of an issue in the PHX market.

Maybe it's all of that along with the acceptance of builder-level finishes as long as buyers feel like they are getting a lot of house for their money in the PHX area compared to wherever they're coming from, which most are, or an acceptance of it among local buyers because builder finishes are the norm....

[DetroitN8V]

Here's an interesting modern remodel that is asking a significant premium for the finishes. This should be fun to watch. https://www.redfin.com/AZ/Scottsdale.../home/27225464

[Iowastater]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Here's an interesting modern remodel that is asking a significant premium for the finishes. This should be fun to watch. https://www.redfin.com/AZ/Scottsdale.../home/27225464

Very cool place. I would have gone after this place if it was on the market 8 months ago. Like you said, it will be interesting watching what happens to it. I feel like justice will have returned to this world if it sells quickly.