Moving to Phoenix next summer. Homes not in a HOA? (Glendale: low income, rental homes)

[PhoenixSomeday]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Housing in the more desirable areas is pricier than people seem to think.

Even in those places, it's still 1/3 to 1/4 what of what it is where I come from.

[pappjohn]

Pheonix salaries are decreasing, so home prices will eventually drop!

[Paige65]

Originally Posted by LBTRS

Considering that is the median home price in the valley there is plenty out there in that range.

Yes. The MLS for Phoenix metro shows over 1,900 currently active or active with offer properties that meet the following criteria:

Between $180,000 and $230,000
Minimum 3 bedroom/2 bath, 2 car garage.

They appear to be scattered throughout the entire metropolitan area.

[LBTRS]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

You can get a nice hinge in that range and be closer than Gilbert or Chandler

Hinge? Not familiar with that word?

[Finger Laker]

My phone auto corrected home to hinge

It was easier to point that out than acknowledge the larger point

[LBTRS]

Ok, thanks.

[kell490]

Originally Posted by Disabledveteran1

I was stationed at Fort Bliss before I got out. Wife wanted to try out AZ because it was close by and her brother lives here. Well after spending several thousands to move here, all her brother wanted her for was to babysit... Also we rented in Maricopa which to be honest is the same as any other neighborhood in Phoenix with a catch. Cheaper rent but astronomical prices on utilities. And to top it off, it's a 16 mile trip to get to i-10. Every morning I see literally the whole city leaving to work somewhere else because the only jobs here are retail.

I'll be moving once my lease is up but not sure if I'm going back to my beloved 5 acre property in Missouri where I could go in the back patio and shoot my guns. I could park my 20" enclosed trailer anywhere I wanted and be in "my" house. Only difference between AZ and where my house is, located, pretty much jobs and shopping. I'm still thinking if I'll be purchasing a house here. Most definitely it'd be in Queen Creek, Gilbert or Tempe. Price range for what I want, around $350k. Anything less than $300k, you won't be able to find a decent Non-hoa house. Most HOA houses range up to $300k unless it's a mansion.

Don't listen to what most people will tell you... It's hot here for around 6-7 months, 3-4 months of those in the 100's every day. In the winter it does get cold, in the 30's. Traffic is terrible, especially when idiots drive on the left lane only. Taxes are higher than El Paso, each city has their own tax rate which most are close to 10% on purchases. If you want to rent, you will need at least $1500-$2000 a month not to include utilities. Realtors are *******s and entitled, most won't reply back to you. Most houses have several pending applications the first day they hit the market.
All this info is firsthand experience. Not sugar coating anything. Ignore all those HOA maps people post all the time, they're worthless. The best way to look for non-hoa houses is to zoom in a city you're interested, if the neighborhood looks like dominos, it's HOA. If the houses don't look the same and the neighborhood properties look bigger Non-hoa.

People will always flame...they usually come from Cali where everything is so overpriced, AZ looks like a safe heaven. If you are from anywhere else with some common sense, you will quickly realize it's not like everyone pictures it.

Could not sum it up better then you did I have been here for 21 years. I would not spend less then $350-400k get something really nice I find anything less just not in a good area.

[Army_Guy]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Has the OP said where he'll be working? Are there even HOA communities out there with houses that go for less than $225k?

No, I did not say because I don't know at this point. I'm still active duty and do not anticipate being able to get out of the Army until late summer or early fall. Would like to take a couple of weeks to make the move, pack here and then make the short drive. While the move is shorter than other moves I've done, I think the heat will greatly degrade my strength and stamina.

As for getting involved with the HOA on the board, we're really not the political type of people. No interest in that type of drama.

After reading the comments, I'm definitely going to research HOAs more. At least here in El Paso, there are a fair number of homes where the garage has been converted into living quarters. Personally, I do not like the look.

Has anyone heard of dog breed restrictions in HOAs or is that something too far reaching for them to dictate?

[DougStark]

Originally Posted by imagineAA

I personally would avoid non-HOA properties like The Plague.

This is my 3rd owned property with a HOA and I have no issues with it. They were/are all non-intrusive, almost to a fault.

The small trade-off of not being able to leave your xmas decorations up through February or leaving a rusty unregistered vehicle on the lawn are far outweighed by not having to look at neighbors who do those things. Oh, and having your property value decline because of it.

I totally agree. IMO, HOAs protect my property value and my neighborhood from becoming trashy. Not expensive compared to CA HOAs. Mine are only 300/yr.

Dog breed restrictions? I never thought about it, but what a great idea. I'll research our HOA CCRs.

[blairballin]

There are a lot of areas without HOAs. Most are older though. And there is nothing wrong with that. Alot of the communities we have with HOAs, while sometimes they can be annoying-they are there to maintain the community areas like parks and such.
If you are looking to be close to Luke, the budget you mentioned should be very doable. And the likelihood of the HOA is pretty good.