2 story homes in AZ (Phoenix, Mesa: houses, lease, jobs)

[june]

Im just returning to New York from AZ. Cant believe all the 2 story new builds. whats going on with that? Are the builders running out of land? Well went looking around and still love Scottsdale and Surprise. But i think Surprise is for me. the prices are incredibly low for a new home out there. And lots of my family members are buying around the Marley Park area. My husband and I will get jobs in the health care profession around there. And for the stores on that bell road im going to be broke in a year!

[Boatdrinks]

Yes, builders are all about 2 stories now to get more out of their land. Builders still do single stories, but you need to spend a bundle of money to get a good amount of square footage (3000+ sq ft) b/c the footprint is larger. Single story with basements are great options, though expensive as well.

[brittZ]

I personally think a lot of it has to do with catering to the California people. Seems every house here is 2 stories.

[aj661]

Originally Posted by june

Im just returning to New York from AZ. Cant believe all the 2 story new builds. whats going on with that? Are the builders running out of land? Well went looking around and still love Scottsdale and Surprise. But i think Surprise is for me. the prices are incredibly low for a new home out there. And lots of my family members are buying around the Marley Park area. My husband and I will get jobs in the health care profession around there. And for the stores on that bell road im going to be broke in a year!

I hate them! Owned one and it cost a fortune to TRY to keep it cool. Also hated not having any privacy in the back yard. We found a smaller one story (1717 sq ft) home in east Mesa that has no two stories on our side of the street. No, I'm not completely anti-social, but if I want the neighbors to see me, I go out front. The back yard is a private family oasis. I've said it before, I think basements make too much sense in the desert. Where's the upside for the utility companies? With a bedroom and a family room downstairs in the summer, I could cut my cooling bill in half. Besides, those huge boxes on tiny lots are butt-ugly! They look more like some of the old "projects" of the Phoenix inner city than middle class neighborhoods.

[TurcoLoco]

So, what are you guys saying, 2-story homes in Phoenix area is not a good idea? Homes with a basement is better (cause it is cooler in Summer)?

[Master Shake]

Originally Posted by TurcoLoco

So, what are you guys saying, 2-story homes in Phoenix area is not a good idea? Homes with a basement is better (cause it is cooler in Summer)?

A lot of new homes are 2-stories because the builder can divide the land up into smaller lots, but still provide the increased sq ft. Most 2-story houses will have two AC units (1 per floor), which means your electricity bill will be much higher than a 1 story. Not many builders offer a basement option, which doesn't make much sense in the desert (unless it really is an electrical company conspiracy thing!) Could really cut down the electrical bills.

[TurcoLoco]

I see, that is pretty much what I gathered but thanks for the clarification!

[MovinFromUT]

Coming from Utah, land of basements, I can't STAND them.! Every single person that I know (including myself) have had their basements flood. On top of flooding, basements attract bugs, which makes complete sense since you are in their territory.! I would rather go up and pay more in utilities, than have problems down the line.

[mmikulak]

It is true about the 2 stories and getting more houses on more small plots.

Basements in AZ are rare. They are pricey(about 95K option).

I recommend North Goodyear and Litchfiled Park. Suprise has traffic problems and more crime. For resale the area I mentioned has A+ schools which is hard to find.

Finally, coming from the east coast please don't expect a "downtown" like NYC or Chicago.

[deem]

I love some of the 2 stories here - ours has a huge open feeling with a loft
I call it my Washington or New York walkup.
If you have a "box" 2 story you feel claustrophobic here and heat/air is atrocious
but if its open - our cost never change - less than 100 a mo air or heat - so watch your style.....