What's not to like about Prescott? (Phoenix, Tucson: buy, college, quality of life)

[and the]

I've probably said it before on this thread, but the times I've been to Prescott, I've noticed a lot of GREED. I like the place and still plan on moving there in a few years, but before I even think about building a house, I'll probably rent for a year and try to get to know some people in the trades first.

It seems like EVERYBODY wants a cut of my money before I get to the actual people who are doing the work. The commission I paid to my real estate agent isn't enough. She wants to refer me to an architect, builder, landscaper, etc.....for a cut of what I end up paying them. No thanks.

The guy behind the bar handed me his real estate agent card. I didn't want to buy land from him, I just wanted to buy a BEER from him. I met some people in the area of where I plan on living and introduced myself and the next thing you know, they handed me their real estate agent cards, insurance cards, house appraisal cards and mortgage broker cards. I was just trying to be neighborly!!!

I've never been anywhere where the vultures descended so quickly on the new guy who didn't even live there yet. And they were ALL from SoCal.

Maybe that would be a good thread for this forum: Names of able tradesmen, insurance agents, real estate agents and mortgage brokers in Prescott who AREN'T from Los Angeles.

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by and the

I've probably said it before on this thread, but the times I've been to Prescott, I've noticed a lot of GREED. I like the place and still plan on moving there in a few years, but before I even think about building a house, I'll probably rent for a year and try to get to know some people in the trades first.

It seems like EVERYBODY wants a cut of my money before I get to the actual people who are doing the work. The commission I paid to my real estate agent isn't enough. She wants to refer me to an architect, builder, landscaper, etc.....for a cut of what I end up paying them. No thanks.

The guy behind the bar handed me his real estate agent card. I didn't want to buy land from him, I just wanted to buy a BEER from him. I met some people in the area of where I plan on living and introduced myself and the next thing you know, they handed me their real estate agent cards, insurance cards, house appraisal cards and mortgage broker cards. I was just trying to be neighborly!!!

I've never been anywhere where the vultures descended so quickly on the new guy who didn't even live there yet. And they were ALL from SoCal.

Maybe that would be a good thread for this forum: Names of able tradesmen, insurance agents, real estate agents and mortgage brokers in Prescott who AREN'T from Los Angeles.

You know what they say about real estate agents and their business cards: "Fastest draw in the west!"

[LBear]

Real Estate and Realtors is what made Prescott. If it wasn't for Money Magazine and the other dozen or so articles about the area, it wouldn't have had the huge SoCal migration and subsequent high dollar real estate.

Unfortunately, this year Prescott did NOT make the list, not even in the top 100. I find that interesting. It listed Prescott's median at $370K, which is REALLY not accurate. They say if you beat and strangle stats long enough, they will say what you want them to say. It is more like $570K-$630K.

The skewed numbers of $370K are due to mobiles, manufactured homes, and older re-hab homes that get thrown in the mix with the $1 Mil homes. They are trying to get rid of all the mobile homes parks in Prescott (they hurt its image).

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by Pettrix

Real Estate and Realtors is what made Prescott. If it wasn't for Money Magazine and the other dozen or so articles about the area, it wouldn't have had the huge SoCal migration and subsequent high dollar real estate.

Unfortunately, this year Prescott did NOT make the list, not even in the top 100. I find that interesting. It listed Prescott's median at $370K, which is REALLY not accurate. They say if you beat and strangle stats long enough, they will say what you want them to say. It is more like $570K-$630K.

The skewed numbers of $370K are due to mobiles, manufactured homes, and older re-hab homes that get thrown in the mix with the $1 Mil homes. They are trying to get rid of all the mobile homes parks in Prescott (they hurt its image).

And with the 'creative' financing crash occurring; even a 10-20% drop in values would have a significant effect on affordability.

Plus the ripple effect in PV, Chino Valley etc. may drop housing out there even further.

[and the]

You know what they say about real estate agents and their business cards: "Fastest draw in the west!"

Very apt..

And with the 'creative' financing crash occurring; even a 10-20% drop in values would have a significant effect on affordability.

Plus the ripple effect in PV, Chino Valley etc. may drop housing out there even further.

The houses are definately overpriced. And the people who built them can afford to let them sit on the market forever without dropping the price. I've been watching one down the street from the lot I own. It's been for sale for well over a year with no price reduction. I'm not sure if I should sell my lot and buy an existing house, or build on my lot if and when I move out there.

If I sell the lot, I'll get killed on capital gains. If I build a house and live in it for 2 years, I might not be able to sell it. With all the development going on out there, you'd think it would tend to keep house prices down.

Lots in my area seem to be selling better than houses.

[BriansPerspective]

I would hope (crossing fingers) that the market will be back to average within two years, so you should not need to worry about selling it then. Besides, maybe you will like it too much to sell! Just don't waste money on things that the next buyer will not be willing to pay extra for - for example three seperate heating/air conditioning units.

[LBear]

Being that the SoCal market has REALLY tanked, that was the major draw market for this area. Maybe the Midwest, which was not hurt "as bad" as the western markets, they will send some customers this way.

When you look at it. $25k-$35K per acre in Williamson Valley is still a great bargain! These are mountain view, rolling hills and juniper tree-filled lots. Like Sedona, Prescott will always demand a higher dollar, it is location that drives it.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by Pettrix

Being that the SoCal market has REALLY tanked, that was the major draw market for this area. Maybe the Midwest, which was not hurt "as bad" as the western markets, they will send some customers this way.

When you look at it. $25k-$35K per acre in Williamson Valley is still a great bargain! These are mountain view, rolling hills and juniper tree-filled lots. Like Sedona, Prescott will always demand a higher dollar, it is location that drives it.

Very true-------it is the location of the 'dirt', as it were.

[and the]

Being that the SoCal market has REALLY tanked, that was the major draw market for this area. Maybe the Midwest, which was not hurt "as bad" as the western markets, they will send some customers this way.

When you look at it. $25k-$35K per acre in Williamson Valley is still a great bargain! These are mountain view, rolling hills and juniper tree-filled lots. Like Sedona, Prescott will always demand a higher dollar, it is location that drives it.

I don't know about the rest of the midwest, but housing in MI is in crisis mode.

Can you post a realtor.com link to 3 acres in Williamson Valley for $75,000.00 to $100,000.00??? I thought it was a lot more than that lately.

I would hope (crossing fingers) that the market will be back to average within two years, so you should not need to worry about selling it then. Besides, maybe you will like it too much to sell! Just don't waste money on things that the next buyer will not be willing to pay extra for - for example three seperate heating/air conditioning units.

I hope so too and don't really plan on selling, unless it's to build another house in the same general area. I haven't spent much time in the Winter there. I'd like to spend a couple weeks in February there. Seems like every time we go, my wife likes the place more and I like it a little less! Maybe it's just my contrary nature.

Does anyone know anything about Tri-City College Prep high school??? I checked out their website but some first hand insight would be good.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by John Flanagan

I am interested in both positive and negative comments about living in Prescott, Arizona, particularly specific issues rather than a general, vague, likes or dislikes. I am a Long Island, NY resident, age 62, considering selling my home and moving west like many other people fed up with high taxes, traffice, general angst. I know there are plenty of retirees in Prescott, and I know not all locals are happy to see the area build up too quickly. Thanks.

One thing Prescott is not lacking is junk... pardon my French, antique stores. If you go for that, you'll have fun. Same in Bisbee, which can be a place to consider as well. I believe it's less expensive.

Oh, and don't forget - it's not PrescOtt! It rhymes with biscuit.